got his design in debauching Israel when he had got a Divine Service set up 1. In another place 1 Kin. 12.29 2. At another time v. 3â— 3. After another manner v. 28. 4. And by other Priests v. 31. than God had appointed Proud Lucifer the Devil was well pleased with this Devil-worship This sin not only brought a black Brand upon its abominable Author to all succeeding Generations that the phrase frequently rings in our reading the Scripture Jeroboam the Son of Nebat that made Israel to sin but also had such an Indelible Character in it as could never be removed neither from his own Family nor from any of his Successors though of other Families when his was rooted out all the Kings of Israel after him by his example grew worse and worse and Israel with them until they were all carried away Captive out of their own Land in the days of Hosea their last King 2 Kin. 17. 1. to 6. Here the Devil plaid like a cunning Gamester with notable seeming success yet God is not an idle Spectator all this time and permits Satan to carry it on without any Counterbuffs but now and then he is a swift witness against and a severe rebuker of this Plot 1. Both at the beginning 2. Afterwards and 3. At the end â— At the beginning Jeroboam must not manage his new Rebellion without a Testimony from Heaven against his new Religion And 1st The Lord stirred up a select number both of Priests and people that abhorred Jeroboams Idolatry and fled from all the Coasts of Israel though Jeroboam way-laid them Hos 5. 1. to cleave close unto the true God in his worship at Jerusalem 2 Chron. 11. 13 14 16. The godly Priests gave a good example to the godly people of every Tribe in their self-denial and leaving their Livings rather than violate their Consciences Their voluntary Exilement after their Ejection ab officio beneficio drew much good people after them v. 16. whereby not only Rehoboam was much strengthened v. â—7 but also the Church was preserved in despight of Jeroboam and his Segnirim or Hairy Devils v. 15. insomuch that God had his seven thousand in wicked Ahabs day that bowed not the knee to Baal nor those to the Golden Calves and God preserved them in their slight to the holy City though wicked Watchers laid Traps to catch them upon Mizpeh and Tabor in their passage thither as the Papists in the Marian days watch'd all those that be took themselves to Basil Geneva c. yet the Lord marvellously preserv'd them for his Church in a better day as he did those in a better place 2. Gods Testimony was not for his servants Innocency only but against Jeroboams Idolatry when he stood at his new Altar at Bethel with a Scepter in one hand and with a Censer in the other invading the High-Priesthood as well as usurping the Kingdome 1 King 12. 33. and 13. 1. God sends a Prophet out of Judah possibly one of his banish'd servants to Jeroboam in the midst of his great Assembly and Solemnity at Bethel to cry against the Altar v. 2. that one Josiah should be raised up to destroy it and its Priests And because 't was long too more than two hundred year he gives them a present Sign of the certainty of his Prophecy to wit the rending of the Altar at present to shew its downfall afterwards which accordingly was accomplished v. 3 5. At this Jeroboam rageth crys Lay hold of him and himself would have been the first man in doing it had not God by another Miracle manacled him by withering his hand which though restor'd again by a third Miracle at the Prophets prayer yet hands not its owner into repentance and while the Altar of Stone rends yet his Heart being harder than any stone in the Altar remains still without any rending or relenting This God foresaw and therefore the Man of God was directed to direct his speech to the Altar and not to Jeroboam seeing the former would receive impression sooner than the latter who had forgot how Israel had startled at an Altar of the Reubenites which was only for a Monument and Memorial Josh 22. when they were newly come out of affliction now an Altar for Idolatry startles neither him nor them being setled upon the Lees of a long abused peace in Solomons day and this same Bethel where one of his Calves stood and the rent Altar being now become a Beth-Aven the House of God an house of wickedness as the two Hebr. names signifie was recovered again out of Jeroboams hands 2 Chron. 13. 19. His Golden Calfish God could not protect its own Seat and City from its Enemy This Divine Testimony from Heaven against Jeroboam was manifold 1. Against his Altar 2. Against his Arm which he stretched out to apprehend the Lords Prophet who had born witness against his Idolatry contrary to Gods Special Command Touch not mine Anointed ones and do my Prophets no harm Psa 105. 15. 'T is safer to anger a Witch than provoke a Prophet for if any man will hurt such fire proceedeth out of their mouth to devour them Revel 11. 5. To touch these is to touch the Apple of Gods Eye Zech. 2. 8. Therefore doth God say to Kings not of Kings Touch not those that have the Vnction of the Father which when King Jeroboam offered to do God shrank his sinews and makes him stand like an Antick Statue pointing out the way to Travellers with an hand stretched out but cannot pull it in 1 Kin. 3. 4. So facile a thing it is with God to cool the courage and restrain the rage of the proudest Prince or Persecutor Psa 76. 10. This very Arm that had been burning Incense to his Idol in his playing the Priest himself to give some Grace to his sordid Priests made of the Dregs of the Vulgar God dried up as the arm of an Idol-Shepherd Zech. 11. 17. and because his Eye was darkned too according to that threatning so that he would see nothing of Gods Hand in withering his hand Therefore Gods third Testimony was against his Heir and as Gods Wrath was upon his first Son so on his best Son who was also his Right Hand indeed for he was his Heir and hopeful for good 1 Kin. 14. 13. Now God strikes at the Father for his sin upon the Back of the Child in his sickness Jeroboam seeks to Ahijah the Lords Prophet what would be the issue not what was the cause of his good Sons sickness which none of his wooden Priests could tell him v. 3. He receives heavy tidings and that by the hands of his own Wife that this only gracious Son must die but all his other graceless Sons must live he must die to afflict them they must live to afflict them because Jeroboam was bad therefore was he unworthy of so good a Son and because the Son was good therefore was he worthy to be removed from so bad a
overturn both the Many and the Mighty of them and Rescue his Little Ones out of all their Hands Zech. 13. 7. Isa 25. 11. none shall Pluck them out of Christs and His Fathers Hands Joh. 10. 28. 29. The Thirteenth Plot against the CHURCH in Canaan Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XIII THe Church's Restless Wretched Adversary Satan seeing he cannot still Hinder the Being of God's Church Trys again his 13th Experiment against the Well-Being of it and that once more before Israels Aristocracy was chang'd into Monarchy to wit in the time of Eli and Samuel the Two last Judges of Israel yet such was the Over-ruling Providence of God above the Devil that whatever Ground he Won upon the Church in Old Eli's Male-Administration he Lost it All again in Young Samuel's Godly Reformation So that here again Divine Dispensations towards the Church concerning Sorrows and Joys were most beautifully Chequered with Interchangeable Colours Magistracy is what the Pole is to the Hop or the Tree to the Ivy or the Wall to the Vine the former gives Support to the latter which cannot stand alone without something to Sustain them The Church's Word to the State is Te Stante Virebo While thou Stands I Flourish This Blessed Nail as Eliakim that Godly Magistrate Keeps all the Vessels of the Lord stedfastly and Holds them from falling to the Ground Isa 22. 24. This the Devil knew well and therefore play'd his Pranks against the Church in that Interval of Magistracy betwixt Joshuah and the Judges in which Interspace Satan wrought and brought down Israel to that gross Idolatry Impiety and Apostacy mentioned in the Five last Chapters of the Book of Judges The Stories whereof there Related that the History of the following Judges might be continued without any Interruption as before did all Befall Israel soon after Joshuah and some 100's of Y. before Sampson whom this Eli immediately succeeded unless we make Phinehas mentioned in Iudg. 20. 28. to live far beyond Moses term Psal 90. 10. even above 300 Y. who was at Mans estate at his Killing Zimri and Cozbi in the Wilderness and therefore could not out-live Samson 'T is said expresly in those Five last Chapters no less than Three times to wit Iudg. 17. 6. and 18. 1. and 21. 25. In those Days there was no King in Israel that is not a King in its proper Sense for so Israel never had a King in any of those Days until Saul's time but no Judge or supream Magistrate to keep Israel in Awe and Order This time of Israels Anarchy before their Aristocracy the Devil Improv'd as his Golden Opportunity wherein to propose and promote his Hellish Projects and to bring All to an Horrible Confusion when there was no publick Power to controul or restrain their Extravagancies Yea this Daring Devil though over-Witted and over-Powered by the onely Wise and Almighty God even upon that Advantage-Ground Durst Attempt the Church when under the Protection of Her Godly Governours as under Sampson of whom 't is said He shall onely Begin to Deliver Israel Iudg. 13. 5. He made some essays to save them from the Oppressing Philistines yet that Oppression lasted 40 Y. v. 1. to wit During the Days of Samson and of Eli his next Successor though Samson was Destroying them all his life and Destroyed more at his Death Iudg. 16. 20. wherein he was a Type of Christ who by his Death overcame Death and him who had the power of Death the Devil Hebr. 2. 14. yet did he onely Begin and kept Doing at the Church's Deliverance both all his Life and at his Death the Perfecting whereof was Reserved for David the Father and Figure of Christ who is both the Founder and Finisher of Faith and Salvation Hebr. 2. 10. and 12. 2. So under Eli who undoubtedly was a Godly Man as is Apparent 1 by his Godly Prayers whereby he made her Amends for his Uncharitable Censure for Disconsolate Hannah The God of Israel Grant thee thy Petition 1 Sam. 1. 17. He having a particular Faith that God would grant her Request if she compos'd her self and cast her Burden or Petition upon the Lord Psal 55. 22. promises his own Prayers for that purpose and hids her Go in Peace which she did taking the High-Priest's Answer for an Oracle being Comforted with this Comfort and having Pray'd down her Discomfort as David oft did 2 by his Humble and Hearty Submission to the Will of God when Declared to him 1. by the Mouth of the Man of God 1 Sam. 2. 27. and 2ly by the Mouth of his Young Minister Samuel Chap. 3. 11. 17. Eli said upon the Hearing thereof v. 18. It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good id est His Holy Will be done I and my House have Deserved All God hath Just cause to punish but not I to murmur I must patiently bear what God pleases to Inflict He is too kind to do me harm too just to do me wrong he will turn Temporal evil to my Everlasting good 3 by his Trembling for the Ark of God Chap. 4. 13. out of his Zeal for God's Glory and the Church's Good lest Israel should lose and Philistines get the Sign of God's Presence He loved his Spirituals better then his Temporals he could hear with patience of the loss of some Thousands and of the loss of his Two Sons but when he heard of the loss of the Ark this goes like a Dagger to his Heart and 't is a Question whether his Neck or his Heart were first Broken v. 18. Like a godly Man he cannot live without the Ark of God no Sword of the Uncircumcised could have given him a more Mortal Blow than the Report of this Loss that struck him down into a deadly swound Yet was he not Driven away in his Wickedness as is a Wicked Man but he had Hope in his Death as a Righteous One Prov. 14. 32. He that could not Live without the Ark of God how could he Dye without the God of the Ark The Sins of his Sons Displeas'd his godly Soul and he Reproov'd them for it yet more Mildly than was meet hence God Writ his Sin upon his Punishment He that minded not in time to Break the stiff Neck of his stubborn Sons while Young Prov. 19. 18. had now his own Neck broken And though he was not a good Father to his Sons yet was he Himself a good Son to God and his Memory is Blessed among all the other Godly Judges saith Wisdom or Eedus Chap. 46. 11. in the Apocrypha Although Eli was a Godly Man and both Judge over Civil and High-Priest over Ecclesiastick Affairs and so had a most Precious Price put into his Hands for promoting the Church's Weal yet the Devil made a Fool of him so that he hath no Heart to it Prov. 17. 10. and this Satan did Accomplish 1. by Prompting him to too much Indulgency towards his Dissolute Sons 2ly by Tempting him to a too much Neglect of
all 1 Kin. 11. 11 12 13. 1. For Davids sake which is five times repeated there for his honour and 2. For Jerusalems sake both which had peculiar promises as 1. David 2 Sam. 7. 9 10 11 12 16. all performed by the promiser either in the Types ' or Antitypes 2. Jerusalem that holy City Neh. 11. 1. 18. Isa 52. 1. wherein Zion and the Temple stood and was the special Type of the Church Psal 51. 18. Isa 62. 1 7. and 66. 20. Revel 21. 2. and therein God promis'd to David his servant that he should have a light or Lamp always 1 Kin. 11. v. 36. to wit a Royal Successor that should shine before his people which was most properly accomplish'd in Christ Luke 2. 32. The Scepter could not be taken either by men or Devils from Judah until Shilo came Gen. 49. 10. and then was he a light to the Gentiles as he had been and still was a glory to Israel Now though the Devil that Grand Make-bate of the World had a great hand in this Rent or Division together with his Impious Instrument Jeroboam yet the Lord had a greater hand in it to ordain order and over-rule all For thus saith the Lord This thing is from me and the cause was from the Lord as well as from the Devil 1 Kin. 12. 15.24 As it was a sin call'd Rebellion Ch. 12. 19. so it was from the Devil but as it was a punishment of sin both of Solomons Idolatry Ch. 11. v. 11. and of Rehoboams insolency so it was from God as an Act of Justice from the Supreme Judge Am. 3. 6. God here withdraws the Spirit of Wisdom from Rehoboam and leaves him to his own egregious folly as Chap. 22. 23. 2 Chron. 25. 20. and 32. 31. God knows how to order the disorders of the World to his own glory as having an over-ruling Providence beyond mans purpose and an over-pouring power still to preserve his poor Church though Solomon had been sharing himself betwixt God and Idols and therefore his servant Jeroboam shall share the Kingdome with his Son Rehoboam yea and bear away the better half from him yet Judah still rules with God and God with them and is faithful with the Saints When Ephraim the ten Tribes compassed God about with lyes Hos 11. v. 12. that is while back-sliding Israel went after their Leaden Priests made by Jeroboam of the basest of the people and their Golden Calves Judah kept tite to the Temple-worship and firm in the true Religion Thus the most gracious God even in the midst of wrath remembers mercy and leaves this blessing soon repenting of the evil behind him that a Lamp should be lighted in Jerusalem which the most boistrous blasts of the Devil and his Instruments should not blow out The Sixteenth Plot against the CHURCH in Canaan Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XVI NOw when the Devil had divided so great a share of Davids Kingdome to himself by Divine Permission the Lord of the Soyl Hos 9. 3. Isa 8. 8. giving way for his own glory to such sad Incroachments he falls upon sowing the cursed seed of his Tares upon the Lords Land among those Tribes who disdain'd to live any longer by the Lords Law Oh wonderful there was no visible Church upon Earth at this time but in the Land of Promise and yet the only wise God gives up to Satan when all the World lay in wickedness 1 Joh. 5. 19. and so in the possession of that wicked one even the largest share of his own Land also though it was but a little spot of Land no bigger than our Wales in all Thus the Lords Land Levit. 25. 23. became the Devils Land too in the greatest part with all the rest of the Habitable World Oh how unsearchable are the ways of the Lord and his works past find-out Rom. 11. 33 34 35. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh the bottomless depth of Divine Wisdome the Devil having got this leave against Israel as once against Job when Gods Hedge was gone begins to lay waste Gods Vineyard Isa 5. 5 6. He now falls to work for debauching Israel he first makes them cast off their true Soveraign and chuse a false one Jeroboam the Son of Nebat must be the man one that wanted neither Craft nor Courage to back this Horse which had cast his Rider Next to Achitophel the Devil had not a craftier Head to plot against the Church than this Leader of the Faction and Fraction As the subtil Serpent infused into him his subtilty for stealing a Scepter so for securing it to him when he had stoln it His Plotting Head had this considering Cap upon it 't was but a pang of discontent that made me King violent things are not permanent sudden Paroxysmes or Fits of passion have as sudden Relaxations and recoveries the Revolters cannot return thrice a year to the Temple in Jerusalem as God commands them Exod. 34. 23. but 't will make them revolt from me and return to Rehoboam I must either keep them off from God or I shall never keep them off from Loyalty and Piety Therefore to give them a pleasant Diversion when he durst not offer a direct Restraint and Prohibition he changes and adulterates that Religion which he dare neither inhibit nor abolish Hereupon this new King plots to make Israel a new God and for their ease nearer home too that they might not be toiled with going so far as the Temple pretending to be more merciful to the people than the most merciful God yea and more prudent than he in his more compendious and plausible way of worship altogether accommodated to the ease and humour of the people Aaron had humour'd Israel with one Golden Calf such as they had seen long in Egypt Exod. 32. 4. Now Jeroboam who had lately lived there 1 Kin. 11. 40. judges it proper after Aarons example to humour them with two which he sets up at Dan and Bethel at both the ends of the Land North and South 1 Kin. 12. 27 28 29. Thus took he crafty counsel of his cursed Courtiers and so he might secure his Realm and Region he matter'd not though Religion were run down to ruine And this thing became a sin to Israel v. 30. a most heinous sin though it was but a base thing this Image was one of the basest Psal 106. 20. The Image of a Calf eating Hay Oh what Brutish Creatures were Israel made by an Intoxicating Devil Psal 115. 8. so as to fall down and worship such a Brutish Creature as a Calf as soon as it was set up yea that service which was only due to God was performed to Devils in this base thing 2 Chron. 11. 15. all Idolatry is Devil-worship all Devotion that is not done to God nor by a Divine Warrant is done to the Devil there is no Medium or Mean betwixt them 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. Revel 9. 20. Now the Devil that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Idol-lover had
Or that he was Ashamed to Return because he could not make good his Promise of Conducting them into the Land of Promise as others say Hereupon this Stiff-necked People so call'd Exod. 32.9 will stay no longer Joshuah could wait for Moses all alone all the time on the out-side of the Cloud Exod. 24. 13. and 33. 17. yet the People could not with Company in their Tents Thus Deluded by the Devil would have a Worship of their own such as they had Retail'd in their trading with the Merchants of Aegypt Act. 7. 39. 40. Though they wanted Moses yet they wanted not the Pillar Deut. 9. 15. But because this Pillar of Glory stood still during Moses Absence they would have a stirring God to lead them at their will when and whither they pleased Hence they say Vp make us Gods to go before us Oh! How had the Devil Deluded them even to a Stupefaction to make them prefer a Stirring Calf that could not stir but as they stirr'd it having Feet but walked not c. Psal 115. 4. 5 6 7 8. before a Standing-Pillar that did Support their Union and Communion with God Yea a Pillar of Glory which had Divided the Red-Sea and Destroyed both Aegypt and Amalek for them And Oh how had Satan Intoxicated Israel so as to make them See double for though they had but one Calf yet they cry These be thy Gods which brought thee out of Aegypt v. 4. even to this single as well as senceless Idol No doubt but the Grand Plotter had now a fair Prospect of his present project and could not but think he might win the Game And so indeed he bid fair for it having gain'd this Notable Point inasmuch as Israel had twice promised To do all that God had Commanded Exod. 19. 8. and 24. 7. Yet here he makes them to break the very 1st of the Ten in having other Gods and the 2d also in Making and Worshipping a Calf-Idol as if he had design'd to drive them thorough gradually in the Breach of all the Ten one after another However he had already drawn them so far out of Gods Favour as to make them Naked Exod. 32. 25. to wit Destitute of Divine Protection which had hitherto been their Armor of Proof and Expos'd to be devoured of their Adversaries Gen. 3. 10. Rev. 3. 18. and 16. 15. God bids Moses Get thee down before the 40 Days were Expir'd for thy People have Corrupted themselves v. 7. God will own them no longer they are thine rather than mine seeing they have turned aside so quickly when thy back was but newly turn'd of them let me alone that I may destroy them v. 10. Now the Devils Game was at the Fairest yet he wins not but losâ—th it God saith to Moses Go down quickly Deut. 9. 12. but he return'd not till he had first Prayed and also had Prevailed Ezek. 32. 11 12 13 14. God as it were bespeaks his own Freedom v. 10. Moses by the great power of his Prayer doth after a sort tye Gods Hands from Punishing this Rebellious People as if Moses's Devotion had been stronger than Gods Indignation not by the prevailing of Humane Power above Divine Omnipotence but by Condescending of Divine Grace to Humane Prayer especially this of Moses who preferr'd Gods Glory before his own Preferment which God offer'd him v. 10. God grants a present Reprieve from Utter Destruction yet not a Liberate from future Plagues v. 35. Upon New Provocation God Reckons for the New and the Old There is saith the Rabbys an Ounce of this Calf in all the Plagues upon them to this day Though Satan had got by this Calf the Breaking of the Two Tables hewn out of the Saphir of the Throne of God Exod. 24. 10. as the Thargum saith by his Transporting Moses to do unadvisedly with his hands v. 19. as well as to Speak Vnadvisedly with his Lips Psa 106. 33. Judging Israel unworthy of such a Jewel now Forfeited They had broke the Two first of the Ten and for this he breaks them all at once because Gods Bride had plaid the Whore at the Threshold of the Marriage-Bed-Chamber so had lost her Title to her Dowry and Jewels neither the Tables to be Restored nor Tabernacle to be Erected nor the Creating Angel Christ Exod. 23. 20 21. to go along with them but they shall be turn'd over to a Created Angel Exod. 33. 23. This Degraded their Dignity Notwithstanding all this the Crasty Devil carries it not but his Plot is Laugh'd to nothing for Moses broke the Golden Calf as well as the Two Rich Jewel-Tables Executed Divine Justice upon the Chief in the Transgression about 3000 of the Ring-Leaders Exod. 32. 20 27 28. Then Return'd he up again unto God as Angry as he was to Intercede for those Calvish-Idolaters the 2d time v. 30. and though Return'd back the same day with a sad Answer whereupon Israel is Humbled Exod. 33. 3 4. The Mourners as good cause they had to mourn for the loss of Gods presence Hos 9. 12. looked after Moses Exod. 33.7 8. to see what access to God and what Success from God he could Obtain by this Address he gains some Hope of Reconciliation then the 3d. time he goes up again v. 14 17. and Fasts other 40 Days and by hard tugging in Prayer and Fasting he at last prevails in the whole This kind of Devils the Devil of Idolatry would not be Cast out but by Fasting and Prayer Then comes he down with Glad Tydings That all is well betwixt God and Israel The Cloudy Pillar Returns the Two Tables are Restor'd and a Commission given to Build a Tabernacle Israel sets about it and not onely does but over-does in their Offerings Exod. 36. 7. like a Stumbling Horse gains Ground by his Stumbling The Tabernacle is Finished and Fill'd with Gods Glory Exod. 40. Thus the Devil is Disappointed and his Design is Defeated and the Church in the Wilderness al Despito de grand Diabolo Marches forward towards the Land of Promise The Seventh Plot against the Church in the Wilderness Defeated by GOD. CHAP. VII THe Devil hath not yet done with the Church but makes one Proof more of another Plot from Intrinsick Engines to wit in the Conspiracy of Korah Numb 16. Satan had given the Church many Disturbances betwixt this Plot or Conspiracy and that about the Golden Calf The People were often making Tumults against Moses and as often did Moses in the Wisdom and Power of God quiet these Tumults One of the worst of them was that wherein Aaron and Miriam did murmur against Moses upon the account of Zipporah either because she being not of the Stock of Israel hinder'd him from Circumcising his Son Exod. 4. 24. or because he was too much with God and too little with his Wife as the Rabbins say Or rather because Miriam according to the signification of her Name would be Exalted as she was a Prophetess Micah 6. 5. Exod. 15. 20.
Manners 1. In Neglecting God's Command of Driving out the Canaanites who became Thorns in their sides Judg. 2. 2 3. in their Conversing and Commercing with them they did draw Israel to Participate both of their Sins and of their Plagues 2. In Contracting Marriages with those Canaanites they thus spared against God's Command Josh 23. 13. Judg. 3. 4 6. expresly contrary to God's Law Exod. 34. 16. Deut. 7. 3. Those Interchangeable Matches marr'd their Manners and produced many Enormities as 3. that Prodigious Sodomy and Villany in Gibeah aforesaid Yea 4. Obstinacy in their Impieties Judg. 2. 19. They would Persist and Persevere in their Stubborn way and would not Repent either 1 at the Rebuke of the Angel Christ who had offer'd Himself to be Captain of the Lord's Host Josh 5. 13 14. and had led the Field in all the Wars of Joshua yea and of Judah too till he spared the Canaanites Judg. 1. 18. 19. for this and other Sins the Angel of the Covenant did Reproove them Judg. 2. 1 2 and for this Departs from them Hereupon the People fall a Weeping as they had good cause for the loss of such a Captain-General as Christ and call'd the place Bochim that is Weeping v. 4 5. yet this blessed and Hart-bleeding Frame was soon lost for they Forsook the Lord v. 12. and Corrupted themselves v. 19. and Stubbornly Walked in their own Wicked Ways Neither would they Repent 2 at the Reproof of the Prophet whom Christ though Himself was gone sent with a Message Judg. 10. 11 12 13 14. Thus Israel having broke both the Tables of the Law The 2d thing to wit Punishment must follow as the Thread follows the Needle God is Angry though Satan is pleas'd and God's Anger brings Revenge God sold his People into the Hands of their Enemies Judg. 2. 14. and 3. 8. and 4. 2 c. that is he Renounc'd his Right in them writing Lo-Ammi on them he gave them over as the Seller doth the Matter Sold into the Hands of the Buyer yet without that Complement I wish you good of it or as the Turk sells his Slaves and the Conquerour his Captives And this is Aggravated in Two Circumstances 1. God made not his Best of them but took his first Chap-man as the Pope gave England upon the Abolishing of Abbies primo occupaturo to the first that could Conquer it which he thought might easily be done and won when he withdrew his Protecting Papal Benediction from it and put his charming Curse upon it God Sold his People for nought and did not encrease his Wealth by their Price Psal 44. 12 13. he plainly gave them away gratis for whom he was wont to give great Nations Isa 43. 3. They had sold themselves as Ahab did 1 Kin. 21 20. to work Wickedness Isa 50. 1. and now they are sold by the Lord also And as they had sold themselves for nought Isa 52.3 so they are sold by God for nought he had not so much as Thanks from the Enemy and as little from the Devil that set them on 2ly They were sold as to the first so to the worst Chapmen not to their Brethren who would have shown some pitty as the Israelites did to Benjamin Judg. 21. 2 3 6 7 15 16 17 22. nor to Strangers comming in as Conquerors for then common Humanity would have taught them some Mercy but unto such Neighbouring Enemies as they had highly Incensed in their former Wars and therefore breath'd forth nothing but the worst of Rage and Revenge against them Judg. 7. 3. Here the Devils Design against the Church was promising and prosperous and no doubt he had a fair Prospect of this Plot yet the Lord notwithstanding all Laughs all to Nothing and Works which is the 2d thing the Church's Deliverance from this Danger for 1. though they were sold as Slaves to their Adversary yet even then were they precious as Sons to their God Isa 50. 1 10. Though the Mother had Divorc'd her self yet God owns himself the Husband and he owns them to be his Children yea Children of light even then when they Walked in Darkness And though they had sold themselves for nought he would accordingly Redeem them without Money Isa 52. 3. and love them freely Hos 14.4 2 Though the Church was then under great Distress Judg 2. 15. and 4. 3. God Strengthening their Enemies Iudg. 3. 12. as Ezek. 30. 24. and weakening their Arms and Armies and God Prospering that Wickedness in their Adversaries which he Punished in them being Professors yet had she as oft great Deliverances as many Salves as Sores upon their Repentance God had one Hand to Help them as well as another to hurt them pittying his People for his own sake he Rais'd them up Iudges Iudg. 2. 15. 16. as Othniel Ehud Shamgar Deborah Gedion Tola Jair Jephtah Ibzan Elon Abdon and Sampson all Twelve to save his Church one by an Oxe Goad as Shamgar another by the Jaw-Bone of an Ass as Samson and Gideon was but a Barley-Cake Judg. 7. 13. God never starves his Church for want either of Instruments or of Agents 3 Though the Church was oft Sighing yet as oft Singing God goes in a Circle with her as oft as she Repented of her Sins so oft God Repented of his Judgements Judg. 2. 18. and quite through the Book of Iudges The whole History of the Book of Judges for 450 Y. the Church lived all that time as may be said at the Sign of the Chequer God Chequered his Providences towards her with the Black of Misery and with the White of Mercy and all Chequer'd Work is accounted Beautiful Work God Speckled his Dispensations to his Church as is set forth by those speckl'd Horses among the Myrtle Trees in the bottom Zech. 1. 8. Crosses and Comforts are Interwooven while she is in her Militant-state in this Vale of Misery and Valley of Tears Psal 84. 6. God hath set the one over-against the other Eccles 7. 14. As there is a Vicissitude of Night and Day so of Adversity and Prosperity God turns the Church's Night into Day and the Vpright hath Dominion in the Morning Psal 49. 14. No sooner doth the Church alter her course from Sin and Return to God by Repentance but presently God alters his course from Wrath and returns to Her with his Mercy Zech. 1. 16. Oh that it were the present practice as it was then the Continual Course of God with his Church and his Church with him in this our Day God would soon turn our Mourning into Mirth Heaviness might endure for the Night but Joy would come in the Morning Psal 30. 5 No Doubt but God Wishes his Church's Welfare as the Loving Bridegroom doth his Beloved Bride's otherwise He had never Sighed out those sad Words Oh! that my People had Hearkened unto me c. I should soon have Subdued their Enemies c. Psal 81. 13 14 15 16. God with a bare turn of his Hand can
and quickly made mad Work turning all upside down he Deformed all his good Father had Reformed yet as Romanists do under the notion of the Old Religion and therefore by all means must be done Notwithstanding Affliction tamed this Wild Ass this Monster of Men stop'd him in his Career yea brought him Home to God v. 11 12. c. and he that had out-faced Heaven in his Sin comes to hide himself among the Thorns as 1 Sam. 13. 6. in this lurking Hole his Sin finds him out and God for his Sin Numb 32. 23. because he would not find his own sin out there he was taken and put into Fetters and brought to Babylon now beholding his Golden Chain of a King Changed into an Iron-Chain of a Captive he bethinks himself and besought the Lord v. 12. those Sanctify'd Fetters broke the Devils sinful Fetters when the Rod spake he heard it Mic. 6. 9. who would not hear the Word v. 10. though powerfully Preach'd to him by Isaiah Micah Joel Habbakuk c. the Darkness of his Dungeon helps him to the Light of Gods Love though he had cast off his God yet his God had not cast him off Satan would have Coached him to Hell in Prosperity but his God Lashes him to Heaven by Adversity As he had sinned greatly so he Humbled greatly that there might be a proportion 'twixt his Sinning and his Sorrowing as he is Humbled for Sin so is he Quicken'd to Pray'r wherein he comes with Fetters on his Feet to his God as distressed Benhadad did with a Rope about his Neck to the merciful King of Israel 1 Kin. 20. 31 32. no sooner did he find through Grace a Praying Heart but his God finds also a Pittying Heart v. 13. his God heard both his Pray'r for himself and Solomons Pray'r for him 1 Kin. 8.46 to 51. Now is this Design of the Devil Disappointed Manasseh is Returned and Restored to his Realm and his Reformation the Blessed Evidence of his True Repentance was as large as his Deformation had been and he most Remarkably Reduced his Subjects whom he had formally Seduced out of the Right Religion into it again v. 15 16. as Luk. 22. 32. When he had Reform'd effectually he dyes Religiously and leaves Amon an Irreligious Son to succeed him the 15th King of Judah at 22 Y. of Age he was old enough to take warning by his Fathers Example yet would not be Warned but was rather Hardened in his Wickedness thereby as thinking to take a long swing in sin as Mannasseh had done and to Repent afterward as his Father did but Gods Thoughts were otherwise who neither gave him the space nor the Grace of Repentance This Man that Trespassed more and more after such loud Praemonitions 2 Chro. 33. 23. was a sit Engine for the Devil to restore the Worship of those Images his Father had onely laid aside and not Burned as he should have done Deut. 7. 5. Instead of which the Rabbins say this Amon Burned the Law of God adding Rebellion to his Sin He Imitates his Father in his Race and Rage of Sin but not in his Repentance for Sin God therefore soon cut him off as judging it high time after a Year or Two Tryal by the hands of his own Servants 2 Kin. 21. 19 23. which was a wicked Act in them yet a just Judgement from God as he had Conspir'd with Satan to Destroy the Church so God suffers his Servants to Conspire his Destruction This Spoil'd the Devils Plot and yet it was worse spoil'd by Josiah his Son whom God Rais'd up the 16th King to be his Salvation as his Name which was given him about 340 Y. before he was Born 1 Kin. 13. 2. doth signifie and to be as a fresh Spring after a sharp Winter as Hezekiah after Ahaz to the Distressed Church God had much Work for him to do in a little time therefore God soon removes his Wicked Father out of the way and sets this godly Son upon the Throne betime at Eight Y. old God Advances him thither and there shows him as on a Stage to the World as the Wonder of the World Josiah zealously lays out his Life until he was 39 Y. old in Reforming Religion removing all he knew to be Evil and restoring all he understood to be good even all he could possibly do to Divert the Desolation of the Kingdom foretold by the Prophets but then the Decree was even ready to bring forth Zeph. 2. 2. God turned not away from his Wrath 2 Kin. 23. 26 27. he is Unchangeably resolv'd on their Utter Ruine because the Peoples Reformation was but seigned Jer. 3. 10. and 4. 3. God is Absolute in Threatning because Resolute in Punishing Now the Devil being notoriously Enraged at Josiahs Glorious reformation Tempts him to a Fool-Hardy Rashness in Affronting Pharaoh-Necho without any provocation and without Consulting the Lord by Jeremiah Zephaniah c. So he rushes upon his own ruine v. 29. and 2 Chron. 35. 20 22 23. No doubt but the Devil had an Hand in the Death of this peerless Prince wherein Dyed also the Felicity of that Kingdom for whom all Judah and Jerusalem as they had good cause made great lamentation v. 24 25. yea and 't is no less to be doubted that God had an Holy Hand as the Devil had a wicked in Josiah's Death for now he who stood in the way of Gods Judgements was removed and now the way lay open for the Divine Decree to bring forth and all Gods Direful Threatnings to rush in upon that sinful Nation Yea and God made good Josiah to Dye in Peace according to his Word 2 Kin. 2â— 20. though through the Devils Temptation he Dyed in War for 1. he Dyed before that General Deluge of Desolation came on the Land as the next Word explains it 2. He Dyed in Gods favour though by the Hand of an Enemy 3. The Tenderness of his Soul had made War to become Peace to him his Humiliation had Altered the very Nature of Trouble 4. He went then to Everlasting peace The Four last Kings were all Wicked as Jehoahaz the 17th King Josiahs younger Son and best beloved of his Subjects who therefore settl'd him on the Throne 2 Kin. 23. 30. but for his ill-Reigning at Eight Months end Pharaoh-Necho Deposes him and Disposes of his Crown to his Elder Brother Eliakim whom he named Jehoiakim v. 34. who was a great Exacter and got from his Subjects a greater summ of Curses than of Coin v. 35. he was the 18 King a Degenerate Plant from Josiah who Trembled at the Reading of the Law Ch. 19. 34. but this Son cut it in pieces Jer. 36. 23. and Burnt it he flew Vrijah the Prophet Jer. 26. 23. and would have slain Jeremy and Barach but that the Lord hid them Jer. 36. 26. For his Wickedness he was taken Captive by Nebuchadnezzar against whom he had rebelled and was slain in the way where he had the Burial of an Ass
is his Encountring with and Casting out a whole Legion of Devils that he might be Reveng'd of the Devil who had endeavour'd to drown both Him and all His Matth. 8 28. Mark 5. 2. and Luk. 8. 27. The 3d. Assault or rather a Meeting through the Devils being Out-dared was when a certain Man which had Devils met Christ one that was more noted more bewailed and more outragious than the other having a whole legion of Devils in him which among the old Romans was Six Thousand Armed Souldiers or as Dr. Hammond saith more than twice as many even Twelve Thousand Five Hundred so many Devils were gotten into this one poor Man All Pharaohs Cruelties exercis'd upon the Israelites and all the most exquisite Torments the most Savage Persecutors put Gods people to were all nothing to this 't is a wonder that this poor Man having so many Devils cramm'd up all together in him did not crack asunder both in Soul and Body This Man had his Dwelling among the Tombs There the Devils kept him to Terrifie him the more with the fear of Death all his Life Hebr. 2. 15. and indeed he was as Dead while he Lived so that Burying place which the Devil Haunts and plays his pranks there to enhaunch a Superstition of Praying to and for the Dead was the sittest place for him thither had those Devils driven him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 driven as the Horse is by the Spur of the Rider Luk. 8. 29. 't is a Wonder they drove him not into the Tombs as well as among them and that they made him not Run Violently down a steep place into the Sea to Choak him as they did the Herd of Swine Matth. 8. 32. This the Devils would have done with him and more than this they would have Run him down to the Bottomless Deep of Hell had not God Preserv'd him from all that he might meet his Saviour who durst meet him though no Man else durst do so because of his Fierceness Matth. 8. 28. notwithstanding his Legion of Devils in him Those Devils had driven him to Assault and Batter many Passengers Travelling that way yet dare they not though so many Devils Venture upon one Christ for upon his first Approach they feel a Beam of his Divine Power comming forth to Torment them crying Art thou come hither to Torment us and what have we to do with thee v. 29. but Christ had somewhat to do with them that is to Dispossess them letting them know their Unclean Company was sitter for Unclean Swine than for Man Gods noblest Creature Thus Christs Presence was the Devils Torment yet the poor Mans Happiness * 12500 Devils cannot match one Christ and this poor Possessed Man becoming by Grace Dispossessed and comming to his Right mind was so sadly Affrighted as he had good cause sits down at Jesus Feet and Intreated him that he might continue with him Luk. 8. 35. 38. Mark 5. 18. not onely to Testifie his Love to his Redeemer but also his Fear that upon Christs Departure from him he might Fall under the Devils Power again and so be Repossessed Thus Christ Conquers a great Army of Devils and makes this Man whom the Devils had made the most miserable of Mankind more Holy and so more Happy than all his Countrey-men who besought Christ to Depart from them Matth. 8. 34. preferring a Swine-stye before a Sanctuary and Swines Company before a Saviors whereas this onely Man besought Christ not to Depart from him and the Devils besought Christ that he would not command them to go out into the Deep Luk. 8. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Bottomless-Pit 2 Pet. 2. 4. Joh. 12. 31. * The matter is well amended now not long ago the Devil Assaults Christ with all might and malice in the Wilderness but here in the Gadarens Countrey none of the best a whole Legion of Devils dare not Threaten Christ but joyns all in one Petition and besought him not to pack them away to Hell They had no mind out of this Country that loved the Devils Company better than Christs and less mind out of this World where they are as it were Respited and Reprieved till their full Torment come they are suffred as Free Prisoners in Liberâ non Arctâ Custodiâ to Flutter in the Ayr and to Course about the Earth Ephes 2. 2. Job 1. 7. Matth. 12. 43. 1 Pet. 5. 8. yet all this they do in Chains 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude v. 6. until the last Day which they Tremble to think on I am 2. 19. And which they that mock at 2 Pet. 3. 3. or make light off Matth. 22. 5. are herein worse than Devils ☞ Behold here this great Wonder that our Lord Christ so lately Tossed in the Sea as well as Tempted in the Wilderness hath here even in his State of Humiliation brought above 12000 Devils down upon their Knees when they Besought him finding themselves over-powered not onely the Hoggish and carnal Gadarens Besought Christ whom they durst not Threaten out of their Coasts Matth. 8. 34. but even those Principalities Powers and Spiritual Wickednesses in High places Eph. 6. 12. do bow before this Ab-rech Gen. 41. 43. which signifies Tender Father This Joseph our Brother to whom Men and Devils must bow the Knee How much more may he make every Knee bow to him in his State of Exaltation Phil. 2. 8 9. The same power of Christ when He Pleaseth can now make the Tempter to change his Tone to us and all Incarnate Devils their Cruel into Kind and Candid Carriages undoubtedly He will Tread Satan under our Feet shortly Rom. 15. 20. If it were Shortly in Pauls Day wherein the Mystery of Iniquity did but begin to Work and the long Lease of the Beasts-Kingdom was not yet begun How much more is it Shortly in our Day wherein the Beast hath been playing Rex in his Pranks for above a 1000 Y. surely 't is not long e're this Word shall be Accomplish'd The 4th Assault the Devil makes upon Christ after his Departure from Him for a Season Luk. 4. 13. was in his taking New Measures being Hitherto at every turn over-match'd and putting the People upon makeing Christ King whom he could neither Kill nor Conquer Joh. 6. 14 15. 'T is true before this Satan made Two dangerous By-blows at Christ the 1st was in Cutting off John Baptist who had Witnessed him into the World that so Christ might stand upon his own Legs onely and not be any longer shored up by the Baptist whom all People believ'd to be a Prophet Matth. 21. 26. The Occasion was this John Baptist had not onely Preach'd up Christ and his Kingdom which Enrag'd the Devil but also had told Herod the Truth about his Darling-Sin which none others though they knew it durst tell Herod so but the Baptist onely this Herod the less was as fit a Tool for the Devil now as his Father Herod the great was at Christs Birth Tange Montes
shortly after brought their worst and greatest Persecutors by some Signal Disease or Disaster to the Terrours of Death and to the Torments of Hell The 8th and last Remark is The marvelous Deliverances God hath given to his Church and Disappointment to her Enemies in those Two last Centuries as 1. God Hammer'd Charles the 5th to this Frame that when he had Melancton Pomeran and other Eminent Preachers in his Hand he Treated them gently Jer. 15. 11. and sent them away not so much as once forbidding them to publish their Doctrine of Reformation yea and he laid down the Empire in great Discontent as Diocletian had done before him Observing that the Church could not be Suppressed 2. The Gospel having Spread much all over Germany under those good Emperors Ferdinand Maximilian Rodulphus and Matthias until 1619. the Jesuits Stirrs up Ferdinand the 2d to change the Churches long Peace into a Violent Persecution which was the more Hightened by the Bohemians Rejecting him and Electing Frederick Palatine in his place Now when all the Protestant-Princes and People were wearyed and almost worn out in Wars God sends them Gustavus Adolphus to give them at least a sweet Breathing time and a little Rest and Respite who over-ran almost all Germany from the Baltick-Sea to Mentz with his Victorious Army in one Y. and after his Solemn Thanks to God he restores the Reformed Religion 3. Though in the Netherlands that bloody butcher Duke De Alva brought the Spanish Inquisition and the Trent-Council-Execution about Y. 1570. whereby he made Havock of the Church like another Breathing Devil exceeding all Turks and Pagans in Brutish Inhumanity boasted he had been the Death of above 18000 persons yet at Six Y end God gave him an Avocation from that Work At length they having shaken off the Spanish Yoke notwithstanding all Ambrose Spinola's Endeavours to the contrary are Declared Free-States by Albert Duke of Austria since which time God hath had a Numerous Church there unto this Day maugre the Malice of Men and Devils 4. Though the Church hath suffer'd Hard things in France ever since Y. 1524. but more especially in that Parisian Massaere upon black Bartholomew-Day in Y. 1572. which was Introduced by the most Divelish Dissimulation of Friendship Popish-like to draw the Grandee-Protestants into the Net The matter of this Hellish Plot was manag'd under a Pretence of a Marriage between the Prince of Navar and the Lady Margaret Sister to the French-King Coligni is highly Courted and Guise the Protestants Deadly Enemy is Banish'd from Court yea some few Papists were Executed for Murthering some Protestants at Roan by the Kings special Order yet while all this Specious Kindness is pretended a most Barbarous Killing and Massacre is Intended in this Bloody Charles the 9th's Heart by whose Commission above 30000 were Murther'd in Three Months some say 70000. yet God was not Silent at all this prodigious Villany but comes forth as a Swift Witness to take Vengeance upon those Horrid Murtherers as 1. upon this Bloody King Charles the 9th in the Flower of his Age at Y. 24. God struck him as before with such an Erruption of Blood out of divers parts of his Body insomuch that he who had lately Wallowed in the Blood of Protestants was made now to Wallow in his own Blood and so was Choaked 2. Upon the Bloody Duke God paid him home in his own Coin for as he had got the Admiral Coligni c. Decoy'd into a Snare by a pretended Courtship for their Destruction So Henry the 3d. who Succeeded Charles the 9th did Invite the Duke of Guise and his Brother to a Friendly Conferrence and there commands his Guard to Kill them for Curbing him in his Kingship 3. Vpon all the Chief Persons who had been Imployed in this Bloody Massacre at Paris and other Places whom Gods Providence drew forth to the Siege of Rochel where they receiv'd the Reward of all their Wickedness as the Duke D' Aumale and Cosseins the Field-Marshal who first Entred the Admiral 's Lodging Three Masters of the Camp divers great Lords and Gentlemen 60 Captains 60 Lieutenants 60 Ensigns 20000 common Souldiers all Cut off at that Siege besides Gods Judgements on the Duke of Aniou c. whereas the Besieged Rochellers were miraculously relieved by a Shoal of Shell-Fish cast upon their Shore never before or after seen in that Haven at every Tide and the Siege was as marvelously Raised by an Edict of Peace procured by the Ambassadors of Poland and to this Day God preserves his Church there in her Being though he suffer her out of his Vnsearchable Wisdom to be now much Impaired in her Well-being notwithstanding the many Edicts of most of the Kings to the contrary 5. Such Instances might be given in many other Lands where God hath been Teaching all Tyrants the Nature of Christs Church How the more they Spurn against it the more it Flourisheth the more Molested the more Multiplyed to Name no more but our own Land 'T is very Remarkable that since the Royal Laws were Enacted for Establishing the Reformed Religion here by K. Edward the 6th God hath Laughed all the Romish Plots for recovering Vs to Popery to Nothing 'T is True It met with some short Repulse and Repugnancy in Q. Maries Reign yet God made it therefore but a Short Reign he Immediately brought her Sister Q. Elizabeth to the Throne whose Reign was almost Ten times longer and wherein it Appeared that the Good Cause of Religion had lost no Credit by Q. Maries short Opposition for presently the Gospel was Springing up and Spreading it self to many Lands besides our own in her Day none of the Popes Nuncio's did she ever suffer to set Footing in England which Sped the better for it ever after she Banish'd Popish Idolatry and Restor'd the Reformed Religion for which Pope Pius the 4th Design'd to Excommunicate her but that was put by by some By-Respects yet Pope Pius the 5th did it by a Bull which Desperate Felton fixed upon the Bp. of Londons Gate where and for which he was Executed and the Popes Bull was so Baited by Bp. Jewel's Pen that his Unholy Holiness Dared not to Reply yet had he his Vnholy Hand in most of the Treasons against Her when he saw his Bull proved but a Calf However through the Popes Influence Innumerable Plots and Insurrections were promoted against her Person and State which all ended with the Ruine of the Rebells and Plotters the greatest of all was that Spanish Armado which was stiled Invincible but proved Vincible notwithstanding the Popes Blessing upon it to little purpose and his Nameing Twelve of his greatest Ships by the Names of the twelve Apostles to less purpose for God fought from Heaven against them with a Scattering Storm insomuch as they Blasphemously said God was turn'd Lutheran and the Queens Fire-Ships Fired them her great Guns Batter'd them so as they were beaten Home with both Shame and Loss of the