Gods Word did direct His heart with God the Lord was not perfect When warre arose he unto the Lord sought ' Gainst Jeroboam he a Battell fought Foure hundred thousand were with Abijah Eight hundred thousand were against Judah For Jeroboam In the fields were then An armie of twelve hundred thousand men Then Abijah standing on Zemaraim Which is a part of faire mount Ephraim VVith a loud voice cri'd unto Israel VVhy come ye foorth against me to Battell VVhat God hath join'd why go ye now to seveâ— For the whole land the Lord hath given for ever To Davids house without a let or halt This was made sure by Covenant of salt Yet Jeroboam Solomons servant Doth what he can to breake this Covenant Gathred unto him are men of Belial Who are novv come to provoke to Battell And novv ye think the Kingdome to vvithstand VVhich should remaine sure in Davids sons hand VVith you is a great multitude of men VVith golden Calves of false Jeroboam Have yee not cast out the Priests of the Lord That for vile gaine yee might with one accord Make unto you Priests that vvould take in hand To serve strange gods that vvere from other Lands But as for us the Lord vvith us vvill be VVho have vvith us the Priests sons of Levi VVho morne and even vvaite upon all service Enjoyn'd by GOD the dayly sacrifice VVe with our heart keep the charge of the Lord. But ye have him all left vvith one accord Behold hovv God is vvith us for Captaine His Priests vvith Trumpets to sound an alarme Against you VVherefore novv vvith one accord Conveene yee thus to fight against the Lord Leave off leave off proceed no more this vvay For your armie shall not prosper this day But Jeroboam free of feare and doubt Judahs armie did compasse all about When Judah saw them compass'd in Battell They with strong prayers cri'd to th' Eternall The Priests began with their Trumpets to sound Judah did shout Which made th' Echos rebound Then God arose to shew himself by might He Jeroboam put unto the flight The flight was fierce bloody was the Battell Five hundred thousand that day to Isra'l Were kill'd But Judah prevail'd by and by Because with faith they to the Lord did cry Thus Jeroboam curbed in his wayes Recov'red not strength in Abijahs dayes But Abijah wax'd more and more mighty With fourteene wives he begat sons twenty Because he was not perfect in his wayes Of his Kingdome the Lord shortned the dayes He in his wayes walked not uprightly Therefore his great pomp lasted but years three The Use Ill Kings from Thrones by a successive svvay Like chaffe by vvind shall soone be driven avvay 3. ASAH Healing BEhold a King most glorious like the Sun Whose end was good whose life was wâ— begun A man of health is he who strives to please The Lord and doth what is good in his eyes This worthy King with holy jealousie Brake downe the Altars of Idolatrie Set up for strange gods he the high places With groves cut downe and brake the images With great zeale he commanded all Judah To do the Law and turne unto Jovah Because the Lords Law he did not forget The Kingdome was long before him quiet At last ZERAH the Ethiopian Came with an host of a thousand thousand ASAH the King thus troubled very sore Conveen'd five hundred thousand and fourescore Thus fifteene hundred thousand men that day With fourscore thousand in Battell aray Were set Then Asah cri'd unto the Lord That in that strait his help he would afford Help us O Lord help us O Lord said he Thou canst well help with few or with many Against this host we now goe in thy name Make now our foes to turne their back with shame When God this heard he rose in anger hot And with his sword this huge armie he smot His wrath like waters wheesing out did foyle The proud Zerah then Judah got their spoile When this was done the Prophet Azariah Was sent from God for to meet King Asah God is vvith you said he vvhile ye vvith him His love with you most ready to confirme If yee forsake him he will forsake you now If yee seek him he will be found of you Be strong therefore Gods service much regard For God the Lord your good work shall rewaâ—d When Asa heard these words he tooke courage The idole gods he did destroy with rage From Ephraim Manasseh and Simeon Unto Asa many did flock anone Then with one minde they were glade and content To make with GOD the LORD a Covenant By God they sware in a most sol mne oath That man woman great small should die the death Who should refuse the living God to seek Who to his Saints is mercifull and meek Then all the people with their whole desire Did seeke the Lord as Asa did require They sware to God with shouting and Trumpets With singing voice and also with Cornets They seeking God beleev'd and did not doubt And he unto them gave rest round about When this was done this worthy King Asah From being Queene his mother Maachah Remov'd because vaine idols she did love She had set up an idole in a grove This idole he did cut and stamp upon With fire he burnt it at the brook Kidron When this was done Ba'sha King of Isra'l Did build Ramah to make Asah to fall But Asah quickly sent to Benhadad For help which in the Lords eyes did seeme bad For this doing the Prophet Hanani Him told that he had done most foolishly What hadst thou said he to doe with Syria To hire their help Did not the great Jovah Make thee subdue the Ethiopian host With the Lubims who in their pride did boâ—st Gods eyes throughout the earth run to and â—ro To manifest his great might so and so He is ready with great power to smite The foes of these who towards him perfite Are in their heart Because in this right far Thou hast failed hence foâ—th thou shalt have warre When Asa heard these words of Hanani A fierie wrath did kindle his furie Take this villaine said he this Bâ—lials son Now bind him fast and cast him in prison Moreover he some people in distresse Without mercy severely did oppresse In his old age diseased in his feet To Medecins to seeke he thought more meet Then to the Lord who health and happinesse Hath ready for his servants in distresse Though diverse faults bee seen in this mans wayes Yet with the Lord his heart was all his dayes Perfect as the first book of Kings doth tell Written by the scrib of God Eternell He sway'd the Scepter years one and fourtie Though Kings be gods yet as men they must die The Use Our brightest life is like the Moone with spot Where is the life that is without a blot 4. JEHOSHAPHAT The judgement of the Lord. NOw fill mine heart LORD with thy glowing flame Raise up my Spirit and verses in me
THE GARDEN OF ZION Wherein the life and death of godly and wicked men in Scriptures are to be seene from Adam unto the last of the Kings of Judah and Israel with the good uses of their life and death In this Garden consider and take heed The fragrant flower growes hard beside the weed A precept for the right use of this Booke â—ove these who have their race in Gods fear runne â—t rogues as rockes in sea see that thou shunne Printed at GLASGOW by George Anderson 1644. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH OUR DEAR AND DREAD SOVERAIGNE CHARLES By the Grace of GOD King of great Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith all Peace and Happinesse Most gracious Soveraigne YOur MAJESTIES so loving acceptance of my former workes presented to You the day before Your corronation emboldens me againe to intreat for Your Patronage countenance and gracious aspect towards this little piece of poesie full of most fruitfull matter In it Ye may clearely see the lives of most remarkable men in Scripture and with them the lives of all the Kings of Judah and of Israel with the uses which wee should make either of their life or death Note Such things are needfull to bee considered by all men but chiefly by Kings whose actions for the most part whether good or bad are put in Chronicles the Registers of time ad futuram rei memoriam Where after ages beholding what hath been done in such and such a Kings reigne will freely without fear give out their verdict concerning either their vertues or their vices so that while the memorie of the just shall be blessed Prov. 10.7 the name of the wicked shall rot But mens sayings are of little moment the God above with whom is no respect of persons will one day before the eyes of all the world Act. 10.34 in a most open view let it be seene what every man hath done in his life before his judgement seat all flesh that day must compeare In all the lives of the Kings of Judah and Israel observe that the sinne of Idolatrie provocked GOD most The basest idole of the world is the Idole of the Masse a god of dowe Ezek. 22 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which goeth to the draught The Hebrews call idols Gilloulim that is muck or doung Beware of that new god of bread Dij stercores for if it get place in Your Majesties Dominions Yee need never looke for a sound and solide peace according to that saying of Deborah They choose new gods Judg. 5.8 then war was in their gates the Ark and Dagon will not faile to fight Consider well these words and make use of them for Your good as Yee would wish to have the Lords blessing upon Your government O whence hath come such a fearfull blood-shed in all Your three Kingdomes Whence is all this bloody war the maine cause is the new Goâ— the idol of the Masse set up in Chappell 1 Kings 11.7 hard beside Gods Temple like that high place which Solomoâ— builded for Chemos the abomination of Moab in the hill that waâ— before Jerusalem directly forâ— against Gods house which hee haâ— builded for which doing afterwarâ— the Lord made a rent in his Kingdome whereof his posteritie got thâ— least part O happie shall Your Majestie bee if with good King Josiah Yee reneâ— the Covenant of the Lord in all youâ— Dominions and put away the idolatrous Priests and take avvay all thâ— high places vvith all the monumentâ— of idolatrie that so all your Dominions may be pleasant and fruitfull like the mount of Olives vvhich for idolatrie lost its name 2 Kings 23.13 and vvaâ— called the Mount of Corruption O vvhat a contentment to GOD vvho made you a King O vvhat a comfort to all your good subjects O vvhat a good and vvhat a glory to your self that it bee said in all ages following that King CHARLES like a pearle in a ring hath beene a blessed Josiah among all the Kings of Britaine Novv the Lord God of Gods blesse your Majestie and make You a Defender of the Faith as well in trueth as in title that in the great day of the LORD vvith David Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Josiah and other gracious Kings yee may stand before the Son of man that great King vvho hath vvritten on his thigh The King of kings Rev. 19.17 and Lord of lords From GLASGOW the 28 of MAY 1644. Your MAIESTIES most humble subject and servant M. ZACH BOYD. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES Prince of Walles GOD who hath made your Highnesse a Prince shall by his grace as we hope one day make you a king yea and more which shall be like a rich Diamond on the top of your crowne A DEFENDER of the Faith It is now time for you to begin to be busie to learne to stirre the rudder before Yee be made a pilot to undertake the great charge even the government of three kingdomes For this great worthy and weighty worke Yee have great need to be wise but so it is Prov. 1.7 that the feare of the LORD is the beginning of wisedome All other wisedome without this is but follie It was a good saying that King David said to Prince Solomon his sonne If thou seeke him 1 Chro. 28.9 he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever The best way to learne your Princely Lessons to consider well the life and death of kiâ— who have ruled among Gods people whâ— vertues and vices are set downe by Gâ— own pen to be followed or else to avoided For such ends I have penned this poeâ— of most mens lives in Scripture with 〈◊〉 best uses I have beene able to make thâ— of which heere I dedicate to your Hâ—nesse in all humilitie as being my Mâ—mite Accept of this little with my blâ—sing an old Servant of GOD nâ— drawing neere my threescore From GLASGOW the 28 of MAY 1644. Your Highnesse mâ—â—â— humble Servant Mr. ZACH. BOYD. A WATCHWORD TO THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE Right Reverend OUr Schooles and Countrey are stained yea pestered with idle Bookes your children are fed on fables love songs badry Ballads Heathen husks youths poyson It much concerneth you to see to this and carefully to banish out of the land all the names of the Pagan gods and goddesses which as God hath expreslie told us should not be taken in our lips Psal 16.4 These words of God in Exodus are very considerable Ezo 23.13 In all things that I have said to you bee circumspect 〈◊〉 make no mention of the names other gods neither let it be heâ— out of thy mouth Seeing this by God him self required it lyeth upon you to â—daine by the visitors of School that all these monuments of idâ—latrie be removed and that oâ— such Bookes have place that mâ— help children to know GOâ— and Christ his Son Iohn 17. which is 〈◊〉
Eternall From GLASGOW the 28 of MAY 1644. Your humble servant Mr. ZACHARY BOYD PRAYERS TO GOD FOR HIS ASSISTANCE IN THIS WORK 1. AT Thee JOVAH this work I will begin Inspire mine heart and also guide my pen Teach me to teach and to publish the story Of thy most great workes to thy praise and glory â—ouchsafe on me in thy mercy a look â—hat with thy praise I may embosse my book â—y heart anone shall godly matter frame 〈◊〉 thou shalt glade it with thy glowing flame 〈◊〉 shine on me with thy bright countenance â—nd make thy beams through my bowels to glance 〈◊〉 let not from me thy good sprit depart â—hat with thy Saints I here may act my part 2. O Mighty GOD who all things underprops Refresh mine heart with thy cleare silver drops â—ke Zion hill in a faire May morning â—angled with dew that I thy praise may sing 〈◊〉 purge my soul my drossie sprits refine â—ne empty breast fill with thy breath divine â—onceive in me and after bring to birth â—erses most sweet which I may warble forth â—ouble thy sprit on me LORD I thee call â—â—jah like let mercies mantle fall â—y verse begot in paine and borne in pleasure â—â—t them containe of thy praises a Treasure Grant unto me that in my sacred layes I may expresse the glory of thy wayes O blessed Lord who hearts and reines dost try Make thou my thoughts to soare and cut the sky My musick meene accept and with a look Of mine incense receive this little smooke The widowes mites get thy more large report Then Hecatombes of the richest sort O Lord of love my soul with mercy fraught And take in good part this poore Char-coale draugâ— All foggie mists and sable clouds expell That I thy praise unto the world may tell Reveale to me Salvations sacred things Seal'd in the Casket of the King of kings O Jesus Christ be thou my sure refuge Who bare the doome of that Italian Judge 3. O gracious God now teach me to compile An usefull work with grace now steel my stile That whosoever reads this book he may Reape profite I comfort thou praise for ay The use of this Booke COnsider this who dost these verses read Heer is a Garden both with flowre and weed The pleasant Rose heâ—re smelleth fragrantly The stinking Hemlock thou may also see Heere learne with godly godly be in life Ahorre all these who have beene men of strife Example good follow but shun abuse By Gods wisedome of all these men make use THE GARDEN OF ZION ADAM Earth THis is the man who after sea and land Was made of Earth by great JEHOVAHS hand In his nostrils He breath'd the breath of life And of a rib Hee form'd for him a wife â—ithin this clay immortall life He placed â—f he by sin had not himself disgraced By divine favour He gave him a pledge True holinesse which was His own image He in great love did choose him as His heir And made him of so foule a masse so fair His great VICE-ROY yea His beloved Son Perfect and peerlesse even a Paragon But Oh alas he did not so abide But lost this image by his foolish pride And unbelief whereon as on a rock He made shipwrack a senselesse sottish block That learned Tree the Tree of good and ill Abusde by man did mankinde spoile and spill When he was well content he could not sit But lost us all by a forbidden bit The lofty wife and the crafty Serpent For Adams fall were Satans instrument The sprite apostat residing within That speckled beast with smooth damask skin The simple sexe deceived craftily Assuring her with GOD equall to be Poor Adam chiefly by her lost his life Who was his Phoenix Sister Daughter Wife The earth therefore for pleasant fruits and corneâ— Brought nothing foorth but nettles thistles thorne When man did look of fruits to get a feast The briers and burs did bristle up their breast The LORD on man no meat then would allow Till first the sweat should bubble on his brow He who before was holy meek and wise A fool by sin was thrust from paradise A glorious Park wherein without all tearm He might have dwelt if he had pay'd his Farm But now disgrac'd for disobedience To dwell in Eden he hath not licence The tree of life to him may not affoord Her fruit A Cherub boasts him with a sword Nine hundred and al 's thirty years he lived â—mmortall first at last for sin he died Thus he whom satan by sin did deceive A slimy Burgar was laid in his grave The Use When thou hast sinn'd beware thy selfe to hide â—n Adams fall behold the fruits of pride Of strong made weak of wise become a foole Gods character cancell'd with griefe and doole Great sweat of browes no rest untill our bones â—e cooped up in a cold heap of stones â—h that our sense as the spiders could be Which starts as soone as stirres the buzzing flie Within her web Oh that we could begin â—o feele to hate the least approach of sin EVAH Living ISHAH of man was after call'd EVAH From life by ADAM direct'd by JOVAH She of a rib was made the first woman Who by her pride brought many woes to man Mans other self his love his help his wife With the serpent was cause of all the strife For such a fault her poor condition Was paine in birth and great subjection But heere her comfort in her greatest need The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head The Son of Marie Jesus Christ our Lord 'Twixt God and man shall make a blest accorâ— The Use Let EVAHS fall vaine vvomen terrifie And teach them all to love humilitie Blest be her seede vvho us restor'd againe And of our sins unreel'd the snarled skain CAIN Possession FIrst borne of man name from possession A sacrificer by profession â—hy browe did fall with an envious eye â—ecause the Lord prefer'd Abel to thee â—hou of Abel a bloody murderer â—ecamst who should have beene his best keeper â—ecause his blood doth cry aloud to me â—hou on the earth a vagabound shall be The Use â—y Cains madnesse thou may clearely try What monsters lurke in the sinne of envy â—inne soone is done but after comes the smart 〈◊〉 vagabound all trembling at the heart â—en sinne in secret but God keeps account 〈◊〉 his exchequer how their sinnes do mount ABEL Vanitie THou second Sonne thy name is vanitie Thy Hebrew name did so foretell to thee â—hy cruel brother through envy and strife 〈◊〉 thy faire youth bereft thee of thy life â—ods holy worship thou didst not neglect 〈◊〉 thy service JEHOVAH had respect â—hough in thy youth of death thou trod the path â—â—t still thou lives renowned for thy faith The Use It is no wonder by envie and wrath To see just men unjustly put to death Most blest is he whose heart base slimy he Surmounting towards his creature leaps Strive vvith Abel to dwell
me Then Booz said the Lord his blessing send To thee whose kindnesse in the latter end To me an old man now doth most appeare Courage daughter thou need'st no thing to feare Thy praise is high above the common pitch Who seeks not young men whether poore or rich And now daughter see what thou most desires For I will doe each thing that thou requires In this city i'ts known to every man That thou art a good and vertuous woman The Lord he knowes thou art to me full deare But know this there is a kinsman more neere If he refuse and the neere match forsake I promise heere to wife I will thee take When Booz after did that man require His answere was that match I not desire Then Booz having ended all the strife Made choise of Ruth for to remaine his wife A little after all these things were done God blessed Ruth who bare to him a sonne His name OBED to many joy did bring He was grand father to David the King The Use Heere learne that Christ who of all men wâ— best Did come of Ruth who was from Lots incest Heere learne how God exalts the basest things From this poore gleaner did spring many Kingâ— THE GARDEN OF ZION The Bookes of Samuel ELKANAH The Lord is jealous THere was a man of faire mount Ephraim Whom Scripture calleth Elkanah by name His Hebrew name clearely doth signifie For some great thing JEHOVAHS jealousie Two wives he had Peninah and Hannah Yeerely he went to worship JEHOVAH In Shilo where the Arke of GOD did stand For so to do the LORD did them command Peninnah proud because of her children Provok'd Hannah because she was barren To her she was even like a trapping net Seeking alwayes to make her heart to fret While her husband perceiv'd her grief and smaâ— With these good wordes he did comfort her heâ— Why weepest thou for want of fair children I to thee shall be better then sons ten Then Hannah in great bitternesse of heart Went to Shiloh from GOD to ease her smart In her prayer she weeped bitterly She vow'd this vow unto the LORD most hie O LORD of Hoasts if thou now wilt indeed Looke on the grief of me thy poor handmaid If thou wilt give to thy servant a Son He shall be thine the rasor shall not come Upon his head he all his dayes shall be A faithfull servant consecrate to thee While she continued in prayers divine Priest Eli thought she had beene after wine How long said Eli wilt thou drunken be Arise arise and put thy wine from thee My LORD said she do not so of me think I am not drunk with wine nor such strong drinâ— In my great grief in anguish with great smart Before the LORD I have powr'd out my hearâ— Let not my LORD this thought in thy heart faâ— That thy handmaid is one of Belial From GOD I have been seeking some reliefe Who hath an eye to my complaint and grief Then Eli said with great affection The great GOD grant thee thy petition When this was said the woman went her way She eat her meat her face was fill'd with joy The son she sought from great GOD eternell From her asking was called Samuel This son her chear'd against Peninnahs strife Unto the Lord she lent him all his life The Use Let us learne heere our vaine pride to represse And not to grieve these that are in distresse Let us learne heere to judge in charitie Of others plungd in great adversitie Let us learne heere when ought doth us dismay To run to God and humbly him to pray The Song of Hannah MY heart rejoiceth in the Lord my horn exalt did he My mouth is greatly now inlarg'd for his goodnesse to me 2 There is none holy as the Lord there is none beside thee There is no rock that is like God our God the Lord most hie 3 Talke no more proudly as ye do speake not with arrogance For all our deeds the Lord doth weigh in his sacred ballance 4 The strong bowes of the mighty men are broken all at length And they that stumbled now are girt with force and divine strength 5 They that were full in plentie have hir'd out themselves for bread And they that were in great distresse from God have found remeed 6 The Lord by his strong arme doth kill and he also doth save He lifteth up he bringeth downe unto the stinking grave 7 By his power he doth make poore and also maketh rich He bringeth low and raiseth up unto a certaine pitch 8 He bringeth up out of the dust the poore from the dunghill To Princes seats the strong pillars of earth he makes stand still 9 He will keepe the feet of his saints the wicked in darknesse Shall all bee silent none by strength shall prevaile more or lesse 10 These fooles who do reject the Lord shall soone be broke to pieces With thunders shall he trouble them though they be great as Princes and strength give to his King His horne shall fill with holy oyle and make him long to reigne 15. ELI My God IN Isra'l Judge and Priest was old ELI My God his Hebrew name doth signifie He had two sons Hophni and Phineas Who did against the Lord greatly trespasse With greede and whooredome a most filthie vicâ— They made all men contemne Gods sacrifice Their father Eli in his words too smooth Preferr'd to God his sons in his reproof Therefore the Lord resolv'd them all to kill By fall in Battell he their blood did spill For Elis fault the Lord gave him this check He from his seat did fall and breake his neck As for his sons who in vice did excell They lost their life in a bloody battell The Use By Father Eli let all fathers heere Learne not to love too much their children dear Let Levits learne heere not to do or thinke That which may make Gods sacrifice to stinke 16 SAMUEL Asked of God Here is a Saint the Son of good Hannah Asked of God the most high Jehovah He was a man of a most holy heart He from the womb for God was set apart When he was young and Elis eyes were dim The Lord in Silo did appeare to him Foure times he cried unto him Samuel Before he knew that it was th' Eternall To him the Lord there great plagues did reveale Against Eli which he did not conceale My plagues said God I will upon him spend When I begin I al 's will make an end Him will I judge and his two sons most vile Against his house I will my wrath reveale After all this young Samuel went to bed Fearing to tell t' ELI what God had said The morning come said Eli to Samuel What God hath said see that thou now me tell But if thou faine if that thou doe not so God so to thee doe and much more also Then good Samuel told to him every whit Nothing from ELI did he keep secret When this old
I reckned till morning that as a Lion so surelie He will my bones break Of me thou wilt make an end speedie 5 Like a poor cran in great distresse or a troubled swallow So did I chatter I did mourne as doth the simple dove My eyes do faile with looking up and very dimmed be O Lord I am oppressed sore now undertake for me 6 What shall I say He spoken hath and al 's hath done no lesse I shall go softly all my yeeres in my soules bitternesse 7 In all these things is the life of my Sprite they that believe Do live by them Recover me and so make me to live 8 Behold for a desired peace I had great bitternesse But thou in love hast sav'd me from the pit of rottenesse For thou who of afflicted men dost ever notice take In thy great mercie all my sinnes hast cast behinde thy back 9 For grave cannot thee praise and death can not celebrate thee They that goe to the pit can not hope for thy trueth surelie 10 The living the living he shall praise thee as I this day The fathers shall to their children make knowne thy truth alway 11 The Lord was ready me to save therefore we with accord To the string'd instruments will sing in the house of the Lord. The Use â—f Kings shall serve the Lord with all their heart â—n great trouble the Lord shall take their part But this the Lord of heav'n can not abide â—hat hearts of Kings be lifted up with pride 13. MANASSEH Forgetting JOseph comforted by Gods great mercy Which made him quite forget his misery From such forgetting he his first born Son Called Manasseh so for such reason â—t may be this King at first got his name He in his life was stain'd with sin and shame â—ike heathen men void of Gods feare and grace He in folie did build up the high place Which his father commanded to destroy He did it build with chearfulnesse and joy As though a God had not beene in Isra'l He madly rear'd up Altars for Baal He made a grove and with much folly driv'n He gave worship unto the host of Heav'n Observing times and using inchantments He did despise the Lords commandements He al 's provoking the Lord unto ire Made his own sons to passe through burning fiâ— He dealt with wizards and sin worthy death He did which did God much provoke to wraâ— In his folly worthy the name of rage He set in Gods house a most vile image This man practisde more vile abominations Then were done by profane heathen nations Who by the force of the great Eternell Destroyed were before his Israel At last the Lord full of compassions Abhorred such abominations Because this man said he hath plaide foole Defiling Judah with his vile idole Behold I bring such troubles and such feares Which shall cause tingle all the hearers earâ— â—r such doings wherein is no relish â—rusalem now wiped like a dish â—all be In red war their foes shall them foil â—hey shall to them become a prey and spoil â—r since from Egypt I brought them the way â—hat was most right they ever went astray Manasseh more in his furie most rude 〈◊〉 Salem did shed much innocent blood While Manasseh did not regard Gods check â—rong Babels captaine took him by the neck â—mong the thornes and him with fetters bound â—o the Lord did this vile man much confound Yet when he was in great affliction â—e ran to God with supplication â—efore the Lord he much humbled his heart â—e pray'd to God who heard him in his smart â—nd helped him and brought him back againe â—rom Babel for in Salem to remaine Then Manasseh did by experience â—ost surely know that God was his defence â—hen was his heart inflamed with gods love â—e all strange gods with idols did remove â—ll strange Altars he brake downe speedily â—ith zeal and cast them out of the city â—t last this King who to God gracious â—eturned was buri'd in his owne house The Use Let sinners learne for no sinne to despaire No sin there is but God can it repaire For witchcraft blood and vile idolatry Manasseh humble did obtaine mercy 14. AMON Faithfull true THis wicked man of two and twenty year Began to reigne He voide of all Gods feâ—â— Did reigne two years God made his Kingdoâ— short Because he made of wickednesse a sport He with Manassch in his wayes was bad But did not with Manasseh turne to God At last against this King unrighteous His servants rose and slew him in his house After this done the people all in ire Did kill these men who did his death conspirâ—â— The Use Let Kings beware of sin to make a sport For many sins doe cut their honours short â—â—t parents learne to feare to goe astray â—â—r their children often follow their way â—â—t Subjects learne to feare their Kings to kill â—â—r other shall not faile their blood to spill 15. JOSIAH The fire of the Lord. BEhold Josiah consider a part The fire of Zeale cleare burning in his heart â—â—ght years he was when he upon the Throne â—â—gan to sit he reigned thirty one â—â—e did with God most constantly abide â—â—om Davids wayes he turned not aside â—hen he was come to eighteene years of age â—ough young in years he was both grave and sage He sent scribe Shaphan to Priest Hilkijah â—â—at the silver for the house of JOVAH â—â—th'red at doores as GODS word did command â—ight be shortly put in the workemans hand Then to Shaphan said the Priest Hilkijah â—ave now found in the house of JOVAH â—ods Law-book Then Shaphan tooke it with speed And with great joy and gladnesse it did read After Shaphan this book did with him bring And it in haste did read before the King When he the words heard of that Testament For greef and sorrow the King his cloaths rent Then diverse men by him were set to looke To try right soone the meaning of the Booke A great wrath said he is against us kindled For our fathers against God have rebelled Then at the last the good Priest Hilkijah With others went to Prophetesse Huldah This woman in a Colledge at Salem Did dwell with wisedome she said unto them Thus saith the great Lord God of Israel Vnto the man that sent you yee shall tell Behold I will bring ill upon this place Th' inhabitants I will greatly disgrace All the plagues I will send without remeed Which good Josiah in that Booke did read My wrath against this place shall kindled bee Because of their most vile idolatrie But go and tell the good King Josiah This message from the mighty Lord Jovah Because thou had a trembling tender heart And for such sins did often weepe apart Because when I did speake against this place Thou rent thy cloaths with teares drenching thy face â—hold thou shalt now this great comfâ—rt have 〈◊〉 peace thou shalt be gath'red to thy grave â—ough dayes be coming full of miseries â—â—ore
they come death shall close up thine eyes â—â—ter these men heard such words of comfort â—ey to the King the message did report Then Josiah with the men of Judah â—ent up unto the house of great Jovah â—th him there were the Priests and Prophets all â—ere al 's the people were both great and small 〈◊〉 them he read the Lords booke ev'ry word â—ich had been found in the house of the Lord â—n this good King who Gods word understood 〈◊〉 serve the Lord hard by a pillar stood 〈◊〉 with the people all with one accord â—d make a Covenant there before the Lord Gods presence all ill wayes they forsooke â—â—lling to doe according to that Book Then the King in the name of great Jovah â—mmanded soone the high Priest Hilkijah â—â—th other keepers whether great or small â—ring quickly the vessels made for Ba'l 〈◊〉 for the grove out of Gods Temple faire That he GODS house might cleanse and alâ— paire When this was done in the field of Kidron He in great zeal there them did burne each onâ— And to fulfull the word of th'Eternell The ashes he did carry to Bethel Vile Priests there were who with idolatrie Defiled had both Temple and Citie To Sunne Moone Planets and al 's to Baal They sacrificed and to Heavens host all These vile men he desiring God to please In his great zeal put downe and made to ceâ—â— The grove also which was idolatrous The King with speed brought out from the Lâ—â— house At Kidron he it burnt and stamped small To small powder and cast that powder all Upon the graves of these who foolishly Had beene defiled with idolatrie The Sodomiteâ— far from Gods house he drâ—â— And these who did weave hangings for the gâ—â— He with the rest Topheth defil'd anone Which was in the vile valley of Hinnon So that no man thereafter durst aspire To make his Son for Molech passe the fire Thus he persisting as he had begun Tooke the horses which were given to the Suâ—â— By Kings of Judah which made Priests to mourn The Suns Charets he in a fire did burne He did beat down and break most speedily The Altars which in vile idolatie Manasseh Ahaz when they God forsooke Did build the dust thereof in the base Brooke Of Kidron he did cast High places vile â—or Ashtoreth Chemosh Milcome defile â—e did That bad Abomination â—ard at mount Olives mount of corruption Which Solomon did build in Israel Whereby he much provocked th'Eternell â—as by Josiah destroy'd speedily â—ch was his zeal for the great Gods glory This good King al 's the images brake then â—e cut the groves and with the bones of men â—â—e places fill'd the Altar at Bethel 〈◊〉 Jeroboam made who mov'd Isra'l 〈◊〉 sin he brake downe it to dust he drove â—â—d stampt it small and also burnt the grove The King turning him self at last did spy â—vers Sepulchers wherein dead did ly â—ke up these bones said he in his great ire â—â—on this Altar burn them all with fire â—w do for God who doth my crowne uphold â—â— this long since by God hath beene foretold Then said the King come now and tell to me What title is among the graves I see The men of that city said to the King Heere lyes the Prophet which message did bâ—â— That great Jovah the God of Israel Should do such things to th' Altar of Bethel Then said the King this man whom GOD love Let him alone see no man his bones move Likewise this Prince sent from the great VAH Reform'd the cities of Samariah Their Priests he slew with his sword in his irâ—â— And on their Altars their bones burnt with firâ—â— Then King and people all with one accorâ—â— A great Passeover did keep to the Lord The like whereof before had never bene Among the Kings or yet the Judges sene Yet more the workers with familiar sprits With wizards idols and all idle rits He spied out and wholly put away Thus he Gods house reform'd without delayâ— Unto the Lord this King just and upright With all his heart with all his soul and mighâ— Turned himselfe in great zeal more and morâ— He had no match after or yet before But oh alas the great wrath of Jovah Could not be turn'd from the sins of Judah Manasses sins both cruel and unkind â—ld not go out of great Jehovahs minde 〈◊〉 will said God withdraw now my great love â—m all Judah them now I will remove 〈◊〉 of my sight as I did t' Israel Salem al 's like judgements I will tell 〈◊〉 wrath ' gainst it here plainly I declare â—ugh I had said my name shall ay be there â—hen good Josiah King after all this â—ne with his men to fight at Carchemish â—inst Necho of Egypt land the King â—o did with him a mighty armie bring â—ho to him Embasadors did send â—ell him that he came not for this end â—hurt Josiah either neere or far 〈◊〉 others at whom he intended war â—d hath him sent therefore now let him passe 〈◊〉 afterward thou smart for thy trespasse â—hou Necho in this Gods warre annoy Lord is with him who shall thee destroy â—ut for all this Josiah with Necho â—olv'd to fight him neere to Megiddo â—n he disguised came to that Battell Archers shot and there Josiah fell â—n said the King sore wounded I this day Battell am have me therfore away â—â—e desir'd so they this wounded King From the battell unto Salem did bring In a Charet There this good man he died There he also was with his fathers buried After his death all these that did sojourne In Judah did for him lament and mourne Yea for his death the Prophet Jeremie With words of greefe lamented bitterlie The Use Behold O Kings who minde to please Jovaâ— Of zeale a patterne was this good Josiah This man by halfes did not idolatrie Reforme but purged all most perfectly High places groaves images idols vaine Hill Altars he did cut break and disdaine 16. JEHOACHAZ The possession of God JEhoachaz Son of good Josiah Was after him crowned King of Judah He fear'd not God he in Jehovahs sight Follow'd the trace of wayes that were not râ— Him Phar'oh Necho King of Egypt land Tooke and with fetters strong at Riblah band Wee yeeres of age he was and al 's twentie â—en he was crown'd and reign'd but moneths three The Use Kings here learn not in their sinnes to sport â—angers God who cuts their honours short 17 ELIAKIM called also JEHOJAKIM GOD ariseing â—Fter that Necho King of Egypt land Deposed had by strong and mighty hand â—oachaz he sent for Eliakim â—ose name he chang'd into Jehojakim â—s was the second son of Josiah â—o by Necho was made King of Judah 〈◊〉 age this King was eighteene yeeres and seven â—â—en he began he reigned but eleven 〈◊〉 fear'd not God he in JEHOVAHS sight â—low'd the trace of wayes that were not right â—n his dayes Nebuchanezzar the King 〈◊〉 Babylon Jehojakim did bring â—o
From Ieroboams sins did not depart At last came Pul the great Assyrian King Against the land great forces he did bring Then Menahem great summes to him did pay So Pul with all his forces went away Ten yeeres he did reigne and after by death This King he went the way of all the earth The Use Let Kings beware to staine their memorie With vile murder and blood of crueltie To kill women it is most inhumane In such doings is neitheir glore nor gaine 17. PEKAJAH The opning of GOD or brought out by GOD THen Menahems son called Pekajah Began to reigne in faire Samaria He fear'd not GOD for he wicked in heart From Jeroboams sins did not depart Then Pekah the son of Remalia A captaine stout did against Pekajah Conspire whom he without mercie or grace Did with the sword kill in his owne palace â—ith Argob Arieh and other fiftie â—f Gileadites who felt his crueltie The Use â—t Kings here learne that sin is not a sport â—ends their dayes it cuts their honours short 〈◊〉 to their children they seeke glore or gaine â—nlawfully such things shall not remaine Menahem could looke hiâ— of his grave â—kajah might say Nothiâ—g now I have 〈◊〉 all thy conquest Thus it is not good 〈◊〉 come to Thrones by shedding humane blood 18. PEKAH Open. â—Fter that Pekah the Son of Remalia Had with the sword slaine the King Pekajah 〈◊〉 force of armes this wicked man anone â—d then usurpe Israels Crowne and Throne â—is murtherer was most profane in heart â—m the vile idoles he would not depart â—ich Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan â—d set up At last the King Assyrian Tiglath Pilezer with an armie strong Tooke Kedesh-Hazor Galile Jion Abel-Beth Ma'chah of faire Naphtali The bravest men he in Captivitie Cari'd away unto Assyria At last Hoshea the son of Ela Against Pekah made a conspiracie He wounded Pekah so that he did die Thus King Pekah most cruell and profane In the yeere twentiâ—â—f his reigne was slaine The Use Let Kings heere learne whose charets are thâ— swords That they shall reckon for their deads 〈◊〉 wordes If they usurpe Crowne Scepter or the Thrâ— The LORD shall come with great vengeâ— anone As Peka slew Pekajah to be King So Hoshea that Pekah downe did bring Killers of men rarely this favour have From GOD to goe in peace unto tâ— grave 19. HOSHEA A saviour IN Ahaz twelft yeere King of fair Judah Began to reigne this man son of Elah â—ow Israel were come to their last cast â—f all their Kings Hoshea was the last â—e served not Jovah with all his might â—ut foolishly did evil into his sight â—et was he not so vaine nor yet so vile â—s other Kings had beene in Israel At last came up against this Hoshea â—halmanezer King of Assyria â—nto this King Hoshea a servant â—ecame To him he gave costly presents â—ut afterward to be free of this foe â—e messengers sent to the mighty So â—ng of Egypt Then Shalmanezer soone â—d shut him up and bound him in prison â—hus Hoshea a man of Elahs line â—d sway the Scepter the space of years nine At this same time Isra'l was gone astray â—ey were profane not caring for GODS way â—ey vainly feared gods that were no GOD â—herefore God scourg'd them with th' Assyrian rod Yea more this vile people with all their migâ— Did secretly these things that were not right They built High places in ev'ry citie They like the Heathen with idolatrie Provok'd the LORD yea like most fooâ— fooles They tooke pleasure to serve most vile idols Yet ' gainst Isra'l the LORD did testifie And said Isra'l yet returne unto me From your ill wayes if my name ye will feâ— Yee yet to me shall be a people deare But from their ill wayes they would not part Their neck they stifned and hardned their heâ— In their mad course they follow'd vanitie Running themselves in vile idolatrie Molten images calves and groves they made Heav'ns host also as though they had beene maâ— They did worship and for to hast their fall They did oppoint great service for Baal Yet further to provoke the Lord to ire They made their children to passe through fire For these their sins the LORD by his great miâ— All Israel remov'd out of his sight Heere for the sins of vile idolatrie Yee see the end of Isra'ls Monarchie â—gs of Israel heere did end their race â—ause they were profane and voide of grace The Use Prince and people meditate Gods law 〈◊〉 to provoke see that they stand in awe Kings pride 'gainst him stiffen their necke â—ir Crownes and Thrones and Scepters hee will breake Nations against the LORD be stout 〈◊〉 will both King and people al 's root out 〈◊〉 mightie LORD great Jovah hath said this â—ee sinne yee and your King shall perish A WATCH WORD Concerning the fourty and one Kings that did reigne over GODS people â—et Princes learne by these one and fourty How rare it is both good and Prince to be â—s most cleare that it is a heard thing 〈◊〉 be both good and honou'rd as a King â—eed lust and pride do cogge most easily â—emselves in hearts poison'd with flatterie THE GARDEN OF ZION The Booke of Ezra A Prayer WHen night on men dumb silence shaâ— distill When wearied bones them selves witâ— sleep do fill When gloomy darknesse husheth every thing Then let thy sprit verses of vertue bring Into my mind well stored with thy gra e Which may the hearts of worthy men solace While nights blacke mantle covreth a greâ— part â—t thine Aurora shine bright in mine heart â—hen depths appeare where through I cannot ride 〈◊〉 thy great Barge me togh against the tide In Babylon thy people years seventie â—ere we arid much with long captivitie â—pon them thou of thy wrath had the flashes â—rought and had burnt their Temple Towne to ashes â—ut thou who never thy people forsook â—ith mercies eyes at last did on them look These verses LORD now through thy strainer passe And make them cleane as is the clearest glasse â—hat by them may appeare even to the least â—ow thou by Ezra who was scribe and Priest â—eclared hast how good Zorobabel â—ho in great vertue highly did excell â—ebuilt the Temple and how by a jar â—ods peoples foes that worthy worke did mar 〈◊〉 Cyrus time untill Darius King â—nto the cope oedain'd the house to bring EZRA An helper CHAP. 1. AFter that Salems Temple had liâ— long Burnt in ashes and the Jewes hâ— among Their foes beene captives GOâ— made Cyrus King Of Persia to care for rebuilding Of Gods fair house for this occasion He causd publish a proclamation When this was heard these who before diâ— mourne With joy in hast provided to returne Then to Sheshbazzar in a plenteous store The Temples vessels Cyrus did restore Chap. 2. OF the people returned three thousand Six hundred and thirty with ready hand To build the house which burnt before had been Of Priests
painfull hours ESTHER Hid. Chap. 1. IT came to passe that Ahasuerus King When he was in the third yeere of his reign Did make a feast unto all his Princes And his servants Rulers of Provinces There he in pompe and royall dignitie Did shew the honour of his Majestie This feast to shew of his glory the rayes Did last an hundred and al 's fourescore dayes After this feast he to the people all A banket made both unto great and small In Shushan faire which was the Kings palace There many subjects did themselves solace With eating drinking merrinesse and playes This feast did last the whole space of seven dayeâ— Both white and greene and blue hangings we then Fastned most sure with cordes of fine linnen And costly purple to the silver rings Pillars of marble and such other things The beds were of fine silver and of gold Which were most pleasant alwayes to behold â—ichly upon a pavement they stood â—f red blue white and al 's black marble good 〈◊〉 gold vessels they drink unto them gave 〈◊〉 abundance as much as they could crave â—he law of drinking was none did compell â—or so the King had well appointed all â—is Officers who did no more require â—ut that each man dranke after his desire Also Vashti the Queen women did bring â—o feast with her in the house of the King 〈◊〉 the seventh day as Ahasuerus was â—errie with wine even as it came to passe â—hat he ordained without lesse or more â—hat Eunuchs should bring Vashti him before â—ith the crowne royall full of dignitie â—o shew unto the Princes her beautie â—or she was faire But Vashti did refuse â—o come unto the King who wroth did use â—reat rigour for her disobedience â—ecause they thought it drew in consequence â—hese of the Princes who were the most wise â—hought by this deed that women would despise â—heir husbands when of it once they should heare â—nd that the basest would no more forbeare â—herefore of this let there be a decree â—gainst the great pride of the Queen Vashti Seeing she hath contemn'd the royall state Of Ahasuerus let her whole estate Be given unto some other speedily Who shall by all be esteem'd more worthy That all women by her may stand in aw Let this decree be written for a law Which publishâ—d through out the Empire all Shall make wives honour husbands great anâ— small After the Princes had heard this saying They it approv'd so likewise did the King So letters were sent that all men might heare That each man in his owne house rule should beâ— Chap. 2. After these things when Vashti was away The Kings servants at last began to say Let fair young virgins be sought for the King And be committed to â—egaâ—s keeping And let the maid which plâ—aseth the kings eye Be placed Queene in stead of proud Vashti When this was said anone with the saying In every point well pleased was the King Now in Shushan there was a certaine Jew The son of Jaâ—r as the Scriptures shew A Benjamite his name was Moâ—decai He from Salem had been carri'd away â—o Babylon in the captivitie With Jechoniah there captive to be â—his man Hadassa which was good Ester His Uncles daughter brought up and al 's bare â—he whole charges he for her daughter took When she was orphan he her not forsook It came to passe at last when the decree Was heard that Ester was brought to Hegai Who keept the women he anone Esther Most fair in face to others did prefer Ester as yet most wisely did not shew That she by nation was a virgin Jew As she directed was by Mordecai She strave in all things humbly to obey The custome was these maids to purifie The space of twelve months that they thus might bee Well for the King prepar'd as was thought meet With oyle of myrre and other odours sweet But above all the rest Esther got place For in the Kings sight she obtained grace So that he set the Crowne upon her head For Vashti he did make her Queene indeed Then the King made a feast to his Princes And a release al 's to the Provinces And royally gave gifts of every thing According to the great State of the King In this meane time the worthy Mordecai Sate in the Kings gate waiting every day Esther had not yet shewed her kinred Nor her people as Mordecai indeed Had charg'd for she respected Mordecai As a daughter she him still did obey While Mordecai thus sate in the Kings gate Two chamberlens men given unto debate Bigthan Teresh of these that kept the door Who did intend to take the King therefore Mordecai knowing what by them had beene Plotted against the King soon told the Queen And Esther wise did then declare the same Unto the King in good Mordecais name When inquisition was made speedily It was so and they hang'd were on a tree And in the book of Chronicles this thing All this was written even before the King Chap. 3. AFter these things the King of Persia Did raise Haman son of Amedatha The Agagite and him advanced high Above all the Princes that were him with â—ll the Kings servants not to give offencé â—id bow to him and give him reverence â—ut Mordecai who did him not allow â—efused alwayes unto him to bow â—or this Haman incensde with great fury â—tended to destroy most speedily â—oth Mordecai and all his nation â—ecause he made not due submission In the first moneth the moneth Nisan 〈◊〉 the Kings twelfth year before proud Haman â—hey cast Pur that is lot from day to day â—ow that they might the Jews all sweep away Then Haman said to Ahasuerus King â—ake heed and hearken unto my saying â—eer is a people that stands not in aw â—roud and perverse who keepe not the Kings law â—herefore it hurts the profite of the King â—hat they within thy bounds have abiding 〈◊〉 it shall please the King them to destroy 〈◊〉 will ten thousand talents surely pay â—f good silver and give it speedily â—o these that have charge of the treasury Then thus perswaded Ahasuerus King 〈◊〉 continent took from his hand his ring â—nd said to him Take these folk speedily â—nd do with them as seemeth good to thee Then letters from the King anone were sent To all Provinces for the same intent That all the Jews without faile in one day Should from the earth like doung be sweept awâ— The posts went out and runnig made great hast To execut what Haman had purchast The King and Haman then drank merrilie But poor Shushan was in perplexitie Chap. 4. WHen what was done was seene by Mordecâ— He rent his cloaths and bitterly did cry He put on sack-loth with ashes and went And to the Kings gate came incontinent In every province then was great mourning Among the Jews with wailing and fasting Yea thus perplexed many night and day In vilest sack-cloth and in ashes lay When Esthers maids thus Mordecai had