let the memory of the Favors conferred on thee and the hope of a future good incite thee let not so many benefits be forgotten and let the hand from whence they flow oblige thee eternally to preserve them in thy remembrance Are not these words worthy the zeal of Moses and these flames powerful enough to inkindle love or to reduce hearts harder than Diamonds into Ashes But this Exhortation seemed to them too general and for this reason he descended more to particulars and commanded First Not to immolate any more their Victims nor to present their desires in Woods and upon Mountains but in some place which God had chosen and appointed for this purpose Secondly He made an Edict in which it was decreed That they who should be so bold as to teach and introduce any Forein and Sacrilegious Worships should be presently put to death and publickly stoned without exception either of kinred or friends in case by mishap they were guilty Thirdly He makes mention of particularities which concerned the maner which was to be observed in the common use of these Animals which might be eaten and there he remarks some duties touching the Tenths to which they were obliged From thence he proceeded to the Jubile which was celebrated every seventh year after which the Jews gave mutually a general acquittance of all the debts they had contracted and at that time all servants were set free in such sort that their Masters were even obliged to give them a Viaticum Sed dabis viaticum de gregibus c. Deut. 15. v. 14. Tribus vicibus per annum apparebit omne masculinum tuum in conspectu Demini Dei tui in leco quem elegerit in soâ—emnitate azymorumin solemnitate hebdomadarum in solemnitate tabernaculorum Deut. 16. v. 16. Veniesque ad sacerdotes Levitici generis ad judicem qui suerit illo tempore c. Deut. 17. v. 9. Et dixeris constituam super me regem sicut habent omnes per circaituÌ„ nationes Deut. 17.14 Non habebunt sacerdotes Levitae omne qui de eadem tribu sunt partem haereditatem cum relique Israel Deut. 18. v. 1. Nec incantator nec qui pychones consultat divinos c. Deut. 18. v. 11. Prophetam suscitabe eos c. Deu. 18. v. 18. Haec erit lex bomicidae fugientis cujus vita servanda est Qui percusserit proximum suam nesciens c. Deut. 19. v. 4. Si quis autem odio habens proximum suum c. Deut. 19. v. 11. Mittent seniores civitatis illius arripient eum de loco effagaii c. Deut. 19. v. 13. Non stabit testis unus contra aliquem c. Deut. 19. v. 15. which was as a general salery due unto the toils of their service Fourthly Having spoken concerning the Offerings which was to be made of the first-born he makes a new publication of the Feast of Easter of Pentecost and of the Tabernacles which were to be celebrated in a designed place and where the Male-children were bound to be present Presently after he made a decree of death against Idolaters and commanded all the people to repair unto their Priests in Legal matters and to consult them in their doubts and concerning the differences which had reference to the Law Then about the end of the same Chapter he commanded the people of Israel to chuse a King of their own Nation and described the Qualities which were requisit for this Dignity Fifthly He ordains by his order that the Priests and Levites should have onely the Victims Offerings and Tenths for their share in Canaan Afterwards he made a Publick Act prohibiting any Consultation with Diviners and Sorcerers and promised them a Prophet who should declare to them all the Commands of God Sixthly Moses enjoyned that three Towns should be designed for Refuge and which might serve as a Sanctuary for those who should by mishap kill a man against their will that if it were done voluntarily the Author thereof was to be banished and drawn from these Towns first to be put into the hands of his adversaries and afterward punished with exemplary death As for false witnesses whose tongues are as much or more to be feared than the hand of a murtherer they were all condemned unto that kinde of punishment which chasticeth proportionably to the crime and demands in rigor life for life and such a punishment as punctually suites with the offence of the criminal Seventhly Si exieris ad bellum contra hostes tuos videris equitatus currus c. Deut. 20. v. 1. He passes to Laws and Customs which were to be observed in War and in a concealed Murther in which case the offending-party was bound to make some expiation of his crime and receive at least some immunity and favor from his Judges which consisted particularly in a Publick Oath and in a general Protestation made before them As concerning the disobediences of such Children as were refractory to their Fathers commands Si genuerit homo filium contumacem protervum qui non audiat patris matris imperium coercitus obedire contempserit Deu. 21. v. 18. Apprehendent eum ducent ad seniores civitatis illius ad portam judicii Deut. 21. v. 19. no other punishment was to be inflicted on them than Death after they had been first put into the hands of the most Antient of the people who having heard the report examined the fact and confronted the witnesses were obliged to leave them unto the mercy of the people to stone them to death which was also observed concerning Adulterers who to this end were led out of the City with those that were to be stoned Eightly Ammonites Moabites ctiam post decimam generationem non intrabunt ecclestam Domini in aeternum Deut. 23. v. 3. He frames a brief Catalogue of some Ecclesiastical Laws and chiefly of such persons as were forbidden entrance into the holy places amongst which were the Ammonites the Idumeans the Moabites and the Egyptians even to the Tenth Generation Ninthly Si acceperit homo uxorem habuerit eam non invenerit gratiam ante oculos ejus propter aliquam soeditatem scribet lil ellum repudii dabit in manu illius dimittet eam de domo sua Deut. 24. v. 1. Non deerunt pauperes in terra habitationis tuae idcirco ego praecipio tibi ut aperias manumfratri tuo egeno pauperi qui tecum versatur in terra Deut. 15. v. 11. Upon just reasons he permitted the Hebrews to separate themselves from their Wives and exhibite on this occasion a Bill of Divorce in which they set down the causes of their repudiation Tenthly He prescribed them Laws and Motives which were to invite them unto mercy and compassion towards the poor which certainly is so agreeable unto Reason and fastned to Nature That a man must be more than infensible
hold these lights and could not contein himself from praysing the attractive charms of this glistring and pompous quality which is as the life of the eye and a most lively representation of the spirit The second day was not less glorious The second Day for it was that in which God chose to raise up the Firmament like a Circle of Brass Dixit quoque Deus fial Firmamentum in medio aquarum dividat aquas ab aquis Gen. 1. v. 5. or rather like a Globe of Gold and azure which might serve to divide the seaven Orbes of the Planets from the empyreall Heaven Now it was in the midst of the waters that this admirable work was formed whether they were necessary to temper the rays and orders of the Stars or that the course and revolutions of a mooving body would be more even and free in an Element so pure and so plyable to all sort of Motions Or finally whether it were for some other reason known only to the incomparable Architect who caus'd his power and wisdome equally to shine in the Fabrick of the Universe The next day God descended from Heaven upon Earth and it was on this day he marked out bounds The third Day and limits to Rivers Streams Seas and Torrents so that the waters retyring some on one side and some on the other Congregentur aquae quae sub Coelo sunt in Deuâ— unum apraâ—cat arida Gen. 1. v. 7. just as they were shut up within their banks Clifts and Chanels the Earth appeared and immediatly her sides were found pierced with Caverns and her back loaden with Mountains and Rocks which rais'd her in a stately manner Instantly her entrals were filled with Stones and Metals and whilst those four great portions of the Earth which divide the World and all the Islands of the Ocean and Seas were Levelled to serve for Empires and possessions of men The hand of God as just as liberall did in the bosome of the Earth uphold the Arches of her Prisons and Dungeons to the end that if the Paradice of Eden was a Garden of delights and pleasures Hell on the contrary might be an abode of dread horror and Misery It was likewise very convenient that as God had mixed Light with Darkness he should create wild places and desarts to render the Gardens Fields and Meadows more delightfull and finally having the very same day given Plants Herbs and Flowers for an ornament to the Earth his wise Providence mingled Thorns with Roses and the most wholesome Herbs sprung out of the same soyl with the Mandrake and Aconite The fourth day The fourth Day having bin as it were the Chariot of the Sun Fiant luminaria in Virmamento Coeli dividant diem ac noctem sint in signa ten pora dies annos Gen. 1. v. 14. Moon Stars and Planets which shine in the Heavens may in some manner be called the day of days since it hath bin the Origin of the fires brightness and flames which are the soul of the Day Then were the frozen and condensed waters gathered together with more light and heat to form the Body of the Planets Et luceant in firmamento Coeli illuminent terram Gen. 1. v. 15. Fecitque Deus dun lâ—minaria magna lumanare majus ut praeesset diei luminaâ—e minus ut traeesht nocti stâ—llas v. 16. Next the Sun Moon and Stars began their courses periods and revolutions and took the tracks and ways which were traced out to them from East to West they began likewise to cast their favourable aspects and from that time their influences fell upon the Earth and they received the Orders and Laws which they have since observed so inviolably and with so great respect But whilst these Torches rowl over our heads for fear lest our eyes should be dazeled at such luminous objects Let us turn them upon the Fift day The â—ift Day Producant eqâ—as reâ—tile animae vtventis volatile super terram sub Firmamento Coelâ— Gen. 1. v. 25. wherein God created the Birds which fly in the Air and the Fishes which swim in the Water One must hear represent unto his thoughts some fair Summers day and imagine that he sits in the cool upon the shore of some Island From thence he must lift up his eyes towards Heaven and behold over head thousands of little feathered bodies cleaving the air with their wings piercing the Clouds and mingling with their flight the sweet Harmony of their warblings He must afterwards behold at his Feet a River full of Fishes armed with scales some of which cut their way neer the surface of the water and others through the midst of the waves some swim aloft against the stream and Current others are carryed down at the pleasure of the winds and by the favour of so sweet and rapid an Element This is that which God took pleasure to see and doe five dayes after the Creation of Heaven and Earth This was the day he chose to people the Air and Sea with their guests which were in so great numbers as since it hath not been necessary to create other species of Birds and Fishes But what the Earth which serves for a Basis and foundation unto Sea and Air would have some cause to murmur against both and might with reason complain as it were of God her Creator if she were abandoned and without Inhabitants Soft a little patience It belongs not unto Creatures to prescribe laws to their Creator Scarce had the Morning brought news of the arrivall of the sixth day The sixt Day Producat terra animam viventem in genere suo jumenta reptilia bestias terrae secundum species suas Gen. 1. v. 24. but at the same instant the Earth opened her eyes unto her Sun and her ears unto the voice of her God This dull heavy and insensible Mass not satisfied to have brought forth Flowers Plants and Trees yet farther displaid it self to produce all sorts of Beasts and Animals Behold the World in her Cradle and Nature in her Infancy The unmoveable Earth round about her Center is sown with flowers tapistred with Turf and Verdures beautified with Woods and Forrests she is stately in her Mountains pleasant in her Valleys delightfull in her Meadows She is rich in her Metals fertile in her Fruits and plentifull by her Rivers and Seas which inviron her on all parts and form her a thousand liquid transparences The Air encompasses her on all fides and serves her for a veil to temper the over-humid Influences of the Moon and the too ardent Rays of the Sun The Heavens like pendent Roofs and rowling Arches are strewed with Flowers Emeraulds and Rubies Hesiod in the genealogy of false divinity What doth remain after all these Prodigies of Power and all these works of Love O Power O Love I cannot condemn his fancy who said that Love produced Heaven out
being able to strangle them nor put a Halter about their Necks or a Poniard into their Bosoms casts every where the Darts of its Tongue and sends forth words a thousand times more cruell and pernicious than the murthering Knife which Cain plunged into the throat and Heart of Abell CHAP. VIII Remedies against Envie BUt what will any remedy serve for all these Franticks and all these Cyclops whose Hearts are ever-flaming Furnaces and where Jealousy continually forgeth Chains and Irons O God! O Heaven O Laws Justice Sanctity Soveraign Powers of the World Physicians to our Maladies Arbitrators of our lives It is you whose sweetly rigorous hands can both ordain remedy and give health It is you then I implore and of whom I crave assistance It is you Fathers and Mothers who in your Houses ought to be Judges of all the differences which arise between your Sons and Daughters and first of all you ought to know the naturall disposition of your Children to the end that if some Cain be found amongst them you may timely suppress him Spare then neither Fire nor Steel Hunger nor Thirst Disdains nor Rebukes seek out even Domestique Prisons It is much better for them to feel the Essayes of your Paternall rigours than to fall afterwards into the blind hands of Justice And it is far more gentle that you your selves upon the first Symptoms of Evill should take the pains to apply a Costick to them or give them a stroak with your Lancet than after too much remisness to see them take a sharp Razer cutting in pieces the Heart and all the Members of your other Children Doe not say that he is beautifull he is tender he is the Eldest or Youngest Son for after all though he be your Son the rest are likewise yours and you cannot be a Father if you are not a Judge common to them all As for those visible Angels which God hath placed in Sacred Mansions like the Cherubin of the Terrestriall Paradise there to Watch and Govern It is enough for them to know where the Evill is that they forthwith apply some Remedy I pass then farther and speaking both in generall and in particular to all the Heirs of Cain and to all those whom a Bloudy Jealousy armeth against their Brethren or against their Sisters I conjure them frequently to meditate on this verity that the mischief they doe unto others can afford them no benefit and that when they raise designs and Trophies on the Ruin of others they are but Crowns of Straw and Feathers where instead of finding Mountains and Elevations they meet with Precipices and Abysses in which they will destroy themselves In fine what delights and contentments can an envious Person have whose Eyes are destroy'd by the purest lights and to whom Acclamations and Songs of Victory are distastfull and whose Heart Swims alwaies in bitterness and poyson What Pain What Torment And what punishment to resemble a Man accurs'd of God! to walk as a fugitive and banish'd person upon Thorns and Bryers what peace can one have who makes War against God his Friends and himself and when both Night and Day he is seen amongst his Brothers Ghosts amongst Spectres and Fantasmes amongst the Stings and Remorces of a guilty Conscience what hope of good when one is assured that after the having passed away some Months some Days or rather some Years in the City of Enoch and amidst some slight Clarities of the East he shall goe end his life in a Bed leave his Body in a Sepulcher and lose all the pleasures all the Blessings and all the lights of his Soul in the shades of Night and of the setting Sun where no Day shall be seen but amidst the Lightnings Flames and Thunders of a God provok'd to an holy indignation CHAP. IX The Building of the Ark and the Deluge ITt is a Maxim amongst Philosophers that Beauty is to Love what the Soul is to the Body and it is she saith St. Denys that gives wings to the inconstant subtil and penetrating Bird which passeth by the Eyes Ears and Mouth to advance directly to the Heart to make like an other Phaenix a Pyle upon the flames and fires of our desires and wils It was perhaps for this cause Socrates called the Beauty which spreads its attractives on the Body An amorous Tyranny by reason this imperious Step-dame is accustomed to captivate all those that abide under the Empire of her Looks Plato in his Timeus had almost the very same conceptions as Socrates when he said That the Colours and Lustre which give light unto the shade and revive the Body and Face have a flame which flows insensibly from matter and form to infire the Souls of all Spectators Elianus lib. 22. It was this mixture saith Elianus of Charms and Splendors issuing out of the Eyes and Mouth of a Maid beautifull as the day The power of beauty which so much surprised a certain Knight called Dioxipus that although he had gained famous victories in the Olympick games and was in the midst of Glory and Triumph loaden with the Palms and Lawrels he had so often watered with his sweat and bloud he was yet constraind to make a stand in the presence of all the people acknowledging his own weakness and confessing that the beauty of a Lady had vanquished him whom the strength of Man was never able to overcome I adde to these thoughts Dulcem illecebram carum venenum Greg. Naz. Orat. 13. that of St. Gregory Nazianzen who hath tearms and words no less eloquent than true to express that the beauty of the Body is a deceiptfull allurement and a most pleasing poyson which passeth from one Sex to another and conveys it self so far into the veins that afterwards it cannot be drawn forth but with Death These are verities which have bin proved from the cradle of the World by Examples and accidents which have caused too Tragick and Publick Ruins to be called in question Cumque cepissent homines multiplicare super tecram filias procreassent Gen. 6. v. 1. Amongst others the first and most exemplar was the Deluge which happened unto the World one thousand six hundred and fifty six years or near upon after the Creation by reason the Inhabitants of the City of Enos and the Children of Adam being multiplyed by strange increases and in respect their bodies being fortified and become like so many Collossusses of impiety these Lascivious Gyants went every where like impetuous Torrents Videntes filii Dei filias hominum quod essent pulcrae acceperunt sibi uxores ex omnibvs quas elegerant Gen. 6. v. 2. which nothing could stop but a brutish beauty upon which they entertained their Eyes and loves with an execrable Liberty I have a horror to relate it but it is true that the World was then but an Infamous retreat where all Sexes without Order Law or respect breaking all the Lines and Degrees of Bloud and Alliances were
out then Pharaoh cry out and awake so many sleepy Souls which lie in soft Downy Beds as Coles under Ashes to entertain the ardor of their impurity Doe you see these lascivious men and these ravinous Wolves who are in quest of their Golden fleece and seek out Flesh and Bloud to satiate the rage of their brutality For this they ingage their Servants and Hand-maids they subborn confidents they lay ambushes every where and either soon or late some chast Sara must be taken away But at the same time Luxuria dulce venenâ—m pernicâ—osa potio humanum corpus debâ—itaâ— vâ—â—lâ—s animi robur â—nervat Hugo à S. Vict. lib. 4. inst Monast lâ—t l. saith Hugo Victorensis the poyson of their infamous Mouths cast forth into the Bosom of Virginity reascends into its Source and steals almost insensibly into the Veins of a Body which immediatly becomes corrupted from whence ariseth that the Heart it self is presently infected and it is from this Plague of Souls and this Canker of Bodies so many fatall blindnesses so many blind furies and so many furious errors doe afterwards Spring which cause in the Body an Abysse of Maladies and in the Soul a Maze or Labyrinth of reason These burning coales and these flames saith Justinian which beget such sad fires in the body and fill souls with so black Ignis internalis est luxuria cujus materies gula cujus flamma superbia cujus sintillae prava colloquia cujus fumus infamia cujus cinis inopia cujus finis gebenna Laur. Just c. 3. de sop in lig vitae and thick a smoak rise from the fire of hell It is this fire to which good chear serves for Nourishment It is this fire which Pride and Presumption inflame and inkindle on all sides It is this fire whose sparkles are Lascivious provocations its smoak is but a most dishonorable Fame its ashes are Miseries and Calamities and in fine it is onely in the Hells of this World where this intestine fire is found Let us judge then after this of the Greatnesse of Evill by the excesse of Punishment and if some one have a mind to die the most detestable death in Nature let him lead the most enormous and execrable life which can be in the sight of Heaven But let us return to Pharao who was constrain'd to stifle his unlawfull Loves in the Ocean of his miseries and who at last restor'd to Abraham the flower which had bin cruelly wrested from him CHAP. III. The Agreement of Abraham and Lot upon the Controversy between their Shepheards PEace and Purity are two sisters which have no other Father or Origin but Love and the Spirit of God which cannot breath but in a calm and in cleannesse there is its native Air Element Temple and the usuall place of its residence And it is peradventure for this reason Solomon was accustomed to adorn the gates of his Temple with Lillies and Olive-branches Inseparable companions desiring thereby to inform us that none are to enter there but by the doors of Peace and under the shade of the Olive-branches which are marks and symboles of Peace and Purity This being so I wonder not that Abraham who was animated with the Spirit of God and endued with no other than the purest passions did express so much love and inclination to Concord and Peace He seemed Neverthelesse to have some cause to commence a sute Unde et facta est rixa inter pastores gregum Abram Loth. Gen. 13. v. 7. to wage war against Lot for the preservation of his rights and authority which might receive some prejudice by the strife which arose between his servants and those of Lot their design being to become Masters contrary to Justice and Reason Which Abraham seing to prevent all the disorders which might ensue on this first design he saith unto Lot Nephew I pr'y thee remember Dixit Abram ad Loth ne quaeso sit jurgium inter me te pastâ—res meos pastores tuos fratres enim sumus Gen. 13. v. 8. that hetherto I have not treated thee as an Uncle but rather as a Brother what a scandal would it be if we should begin to live together either like strangers or else as Enemies I had rather lose all the goods of the world than that of thy friendship But I see clearly that these Shepheards Ecce universa terra coram te est recede à me obsecro si ad sinistram eris ego dexteram tenebo si tu dexteram elegeris ego ad sinistram ibo Gen. 13. v. 9. and mercenary friends are the persons who endeavour to engage our passions with their interests It would then be more prudently done to sever our flocks than to disunite our Mindes and therefore dear Nephew take what you please If thou goest to the right hand I will take the left and if the left I will passe to the right Well then is not this to love peace and to purchase at his own expence so pretious a treasure Is not this to be magnificent and can any one seek an accord with more Prodigality Interessed Souls Where are then these little hearts and these narrow Souls which are still bury'd amidst their own interests Where are these worldly People whose Eyes may sooner be turn'd out of their heads than monies out of their hands Where are all these Pertifoggers and these Lawiers who are alwayes for delatory futes and place all their hopes on a forged will or a false contract They are like Moles which have alwayes their Noses in the Earth and incessantly inlarge their holes and graves What shame is it for a man of courage to be still fighting on a flight occasion and to contest upon the point of a Needle who shall carry it Alas where are the Abrahams where are the brothers kindred and friends who shall say one to the other for Gods sake let us live peaceably rather let us dye a thousand times than wage war for those goods which either soon or late we must leave My God! These are generous The Golden Age and heroick thoughts To hear them I conceive my self to be in those golden Ages when men carry'd their hearts on their lips Crowns of Olive-branches on their heads hornes of plenty in their hands their eyes in each part of their body and the Chains of a holy friendship as bracelets and collers of Gold Finally where the goods of the earth were trodden under foot as common to all men And this caused that plenty of all things was carry'd every where upon a Triumphant Chariot casting Gold and Silver to all that would but take the paines to gather it God himself governed the Reignes of this fortunate Chariot and as if he had a purpose to make every man a Monarch of the universe he said the very same to them as to Abraham when the love of Concord and Peace had sever'd him from Lot My friend Abraham lift
chance to produce their Sensible Images in the matter most capable of these impressions when the Heat of Nature incites them to dilate themselves into new Productions In fine but too many events are daily seen in the world which prove this verity and demonstrat that the Imagination hath a Marvelous command over Bodyes This yet hinders not Jacob from following the instincts of a Supernaturall conduct to purchase the Reward his Services deserved However it were Animadvertit quoque faciem Laban quod non effet erga se sicut heri nudiustertius Gen. 31. v. 2. Laban grows extraordinary Sad because his flocks bring him no fruit For this purpose he alters the Contract between him and his Son-in-Law But perceiving that his unfaithfull dealing afforded no better Success he could no longer dissemble his thoughts unto Jacob who presently discovered in his Father-in-Law's countenance very sensible marks of his indignation This was partly then the occasion which made Jacob resolve to return into his own Countrey Maximè dicente 〈◊〉 Domino revertere in terram patrum tuorum c. Gen. 31. v 3. Misit votavit Rachel Liam in agrum vbi pascebat gregeâ— Gen. 31. v. 4. Dixitque as viâ—eo faciem patris vestri quod non sit ergâ— me sicut heri nudiustertius Gen. 31. v. 5. Surreâ—it itaque Jacob impositis liberis suis ac consugibus super Camelos abiit Gen. 31. v. 17. Nuntiatum est Leban die tertin quod fageret Jacob. Gen. 31. v. 22. Qui assumptis fratribus suis persecutus est cum c. Gen. 31. v. 23. Vtaitque in somnis dicentem sibi Deum cave ne quidquam aspere loquaris contra Jacob. Gen. 31. v. 24. Et dixit ad Jacob quare it a egisti Gen. 31. v. 26. Venierge ut ineamus foedus c. Gen. 31. v. 44. Lahan vero de nocte consurgens c. Gen. 31. v. 55. Jacob quoque abiit itinere quo caeperat c. Gen. 32. v. 1. but since he could not accomplish this design without the consent of his wifes he acquainted them with all that had passed Assoon then as they had assented thereto Jacob seeing the time God had ordained for his return began his journey in the most secret manner he could with his wifes Children flocks baggage and the rest of his family They marched in great haste and had already passed over the River Euphrates when Laban advertised of this departure took his brother his cosins and the greater number of his Friends to pursue these fugitives whom at last after Seaven dayes travell he discovered afar off upon Mount Galaad where Laban reposing a while God appeared unto him and enjoyned him not to use Jacob ill He could not yet contein himself from complaining of this unexpected departure and principally for the Idols which Rachel had carryed away without acquainting Jacob therewith but amongst these reproaches there was a necessity of agreeing and after a Mutuall accord Laban returned into Mesopotamia and Jacob pursued his journey toward the Land of Canaan There he immediatly discovered those Troops of Angels which came to meet him as so many SquadroÌ„s Quos cum vidisset ait castra Des sunt haec appellavit nomen loci illius Mabanaim id est castra Gen. 32. v. 2. which God deputed for his safe-guards This was the cause why Jacob called that place where these Legions appeared Mahanaim which signifies Armies And in effect these were Battalians rank'd in order in favour of Jacob. These were Deputies of Heaven which came to congratulate his Triumphs These were Angels of Paradise Spirits of glory who came with applauses to receive this glorious Conqueror this happy Traveller and this Angell of peace who brings Love and contentment unto his Parents and to his whole Country Mean while Esau came with four hundred men Venimus ad Esau fratrem tuum ecce properat tibi in occursum cum quadringen is viris Gen. 32. v. 6. Timuit Jacob valde perterritus divisit popubum qui secum erat greges queque eves boves Camelos in duas turmas Gen. 32. v. 7. and I fear lest his fury may re-inkindle at the sight of his supplanter I fear lest the remembrance of his past misfortunes may awake at the noyse of these troops I fear lest the meekness which is naturall unto Jacob may cast Oyl into the Fire which Esau had covered for the space of twenty years under the Ashes of his mischievous disposition For the Love of God beware Jacob and take care of these gracious Pledges and of these happy depositaries you have acquired with so much labour Divide then your Flocks separate all your Souldiers set aside your Wifes and Children and above all expose not Rachel unto Assaults and Danger and much less her dear and onely Joseph Jacob did prudently all that any Man could act upon such an occasion But God who manageth Hearts and boweth the most savage and rebellious persons will know how to Order Esau in such sort as Jacob shall never receive the least prejudice from him It is enough then for Jacob to march under the Standard of Divine Providence and follow those Squadrons which the God of Battails hath appointed for his preservation The Earth is but a point in comparison of the Heavens and an Angel of the lowest order surpasteth in power and vertue all the Creatures which live in this World If this be so what favour did God shew unto Jacob in giving him so many Angels to guard him under their protection and what a happiness is it unto every one to have an Angel for his Guardian My God I render thee most humble thanks for him in the name of all men and from henceforth I abandon my self into thy hands and will live and dye under the wings of this amiable Guardian whom thou hast given me for the Director of my Life for the Guide of my Pilgrimage for the Pylot of my Navigation and in a word for a friend and for an Angel which will accompany me even unto my Tomb. CHAP. VIII Jacobs Wrastling with the Angell and his return into Canaan IF continuall practice renders a Souldier bold valiant dexterous and expert Men who are amidst perpetuall assaults unexpected surprises incessant combats in a continuall Conflict with all Creatures Life of Man ought to be well versed in the exercise of War Now there is no person exempted from these Laws War without truce and a Man must be single in the World and have neither Soul nor Body to have no Enemies St. S. Chrys in Psal â— Chrysostom was of this opinion when he said That his Life was continually amidst assaults And for this cause it was necessary for him to stand alwaies upon his Guard And Seneca who liv'd amongst employments Nobis quoque militandum est quidem genere militiae in quo nunquam quies nunquam otium datur Sen.
frame I confess nevertheless that there is some difficulty in this point and that there requires much virtue and courage to walk on the fire and to resist the violence of its flames Persecution of Modesly We are in an Age in which it is not usuall to see Children in the Furnace of Babylon for whom flames are Changed into sweet Western gales and delicious dewes Joseph is no more and yet there are Ladyes who seek him and even prosecute his Ghost and Image Joseph is no more and we may justly say of him what the Philosophers and Poets have affirmed of Truth that her Garment and Veil remains on the Earth and that her Soul hath taken her flight even unto Heaven What disaster for Chastity and what shame for this Sex in which Virginitie ought to have her Cradle her Nurses her Sisters her Friends and Companions What scandall to see a Lady of quality borrowing Countenances plaistering Old Age painting Deformity whitening a yellow Skin discovering her Breasts a head loaden with sweet Powder and Jewels and bearing on her body all that she hath of Value In fine if all these allurements be not powerfull enough and if they cannot obtain by sweetness what they desire they become inraged and resolve intirely to destroy an Innocent This inraged Woman seeing then that Joseph was fled and that he had onely left her his Cloak Cumque vidisset mulier vestem in manibus suis se esse contemptam GeÌ„ 39. v. 13 resolved at the instant to revenge this affront and accuse him whom she knew to be too pure to excuse himself O God! what outrages of passions what artifices of infirmitie and how true it is that there is nothing more deceitfull and dangerous than a woman who loveth hopeth hateth or feareth some danger This Dame cryed out first Vocavit ad se homines domus suae ail ad eos â—n introduxit virum Hebraeum ut illuderet nobis Ingressus est ad me ut coiret mecum Cumque ego succlamassem Gen. 39. v. 14. Insolent Artifice and the fear she hath to be accused is the occasion she takes those for Witnesses of her innocency who could have prevented her After all seeing her Husband at her door Help saith she to what am I reduced Ah! who hath given me for a Servant an Importunate Devill who persecutes me beyond measure Ah! my Husband my Friend what have you done And what a perfidious man have you given me Is it peradventure to try my Loyalty and Vertue tell me I pray what is your intention and whether you keep him in the quality of a Servant or Companion For my part I esteem it as a great honour to be your Hand-maid and yet I conceive not my self obliged to obey your meanest Servant He hath been nevertheless so presumptuous in your absence to sport with me Et audisset vocem meam reliquit pallium quod tenebam fugit foras Gen. 39. v. 15. His auditis Dominus nimiùm credulus verbis conjugis iratus est valde Gen. 39. v. 19. Tradiditque Joseph in carcerem Gen. 39. v. 20. and take the place you hold in my heart No I swear by the respect I owe you that I would have strangled him if my strength had been answerable to my will but he is escaped and seeing I called for help he left his garment in my hands Immediatly this man giving too much credit to the discourse of his Wife without inquirie whether what she said was true or false caused Joseph to be stayed and commanded him to be put in Prison CHAP. III. The Predictions of Joseph I Do not wonder if heretofore the waters of Jordan were so respect full towards those Priests who carried the Ark of the Testament because it was a Figure of the Divinity the least rayes whereof are so powerfull in Nature as its very shadow cannot be seen without a holy horrour It is for this cause Virtue hath so venerable attractives and so penetrating Charms that we cannot approach it without feeling our selves instantly touched with Love and Reverence The reason is because God being as it were obliged to be in a particular manner present where Virtue is we must needs be insensible in the presence of him who imprints Sense in all beings if we were not excited towards Virtue and Sanctity which resemble those Spirits who incompass the Sanctuary and those Souls in whom God is delighted Yes â—e Paradise of the al. the Soul of a Just man is the Throne of God the Theater of his Power the List of his Courses the Field of his Battels and the Palace in which he maketh his abode Behold why the Saints have done so many wonders and it is for this reason we have seen Tyrants waxing pale at the sight of Martyrs Tygers changing their nature and all the Elements though insensible seeming reasonable to obey them We must not fear then that any ill will befall those whom God possesseth whom God conducteth and in whom he lives as the life of their Souls Joseph is in Prison but he shall there speedily find his Liberty the obscurities of his Dungeon will furnish him with light enough to discern what will happen and such as have been the authours of his ruine shall be the Causers of his happiness God never abandons those who love and serve him faithfully He is in Shackles in Misery Inviolable fidelity and in all misfortunes which use to assail his Friends he followed his Joseph even into the Pit even into Egypt and he is now with him in Prison O how sweet is the yoak when we are fastned to it with God! How pleasing are the Chains when he becomes Captive for our sake and what Paradise of delights when a man may say he hath God in his heart There was heretofore a Persian who stiled his death though most rigorous by the name of Felicity by reason in dying he perceived one of his Friends who never forsook him and used his best endeavours to put himself in his place Joseph then is most happy Dominus enim eret cum illo omnia opera ejus dirigebat Gen 29. v. 23. since God himself followed him even into his Dungeon there is was where this Slave found his Liberty it is there where he became a Prophet and began to find the period of his misery and the beginning of his happiness Behold I beseech you Qui tradidit in manâ— illius universos vinctoâ— qui in custodiâ— tenebantur Gen. 3â— v. 22. how he hath already the Keys in his hands and how all the Kings Prisoners are under his guard Can we represent unto our selves a more changing fortune And is it not true that God takes pleasure to raise those whom the world indevours to cast down Joseph shall be every where happy since our Lord is every where with him Being then in prison he so exactly performed all that was commanded him and the
not to be touched with a misfortune wherein it is a particular favor not to be inveloped himself and where however it happen the misery of his likeness is represented before his eyes In fine Albeit men in this point are more worthy of compassion than other Creatures yet Beasts very often deserve pity and we ought not to be so cruel according to the observation of Moses as to musle the mouth of an Ox who treads the Corn as it was antiently practised and after his labor to refuse him Straw and Hey Behold as it were an abridgement of the first five and twenty Chapters of Deuteronomy and consequently of Leviticus and the Book of Numbers In the six and twentieth Chapter Tolles de cunctis frugibus tuis primitias pones in cartallo pergesque ad locum quem Dominus Deus tuus elegerit ut ibi invocetur nomen ejus Deut. 26. v. 2. the Hebrews received a command to offer unto God their first-fruits with a publick acknowledgment of their gratitude for the blessings they received from God and that he alone is the Author of them to whom they are indispensably bound to yield a perfect obedience and without restriction In the seven and twentieth Hi stabunt adlenedicendum populo super montem Garizim Jordane transmisso c. Deut. 27. v. 12. Et è regione isti stabunt ad maledicendum in monte Hebal c. Deut. 27. v. 13. Et pronuntiabunt Levitae dicentque ad omnes viros Israel excelsa voce Deut. 27. v. 14. Maledictus homo qui facit sculptile c. Deut. 27. v. 15. he prescribes the Form and Ceremonies of the Benediction which was to be given upon the Mount Garizim whereas the Maledictions were thundred out upon that of Hebal and where all the Hebrews men women and children were to appear upon condition nevertheless that the twelve Tribes should be in such a maner divided as six onely were to be on Garizim and as many upon Hebal Concerning the Priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant they had their station between the two Mountains incompassed by Levites and the Antients of the Nation It was after this preparation Joshua began to bless all the people either by his own mouth or by the mouth of the Priests the which being done the Law was proclamed And as it is probable enough some Levite was chosen for this purpose whose voice might be most intelligible to so great an Assembly and then followed the Twelve Formalities concerning Benedictions and Maledictions which were to bo ebserved when necessity and custom required Behold doubtless the very Soul of the Laws and as it were the Sting of Justice in the World and Commonwealths This mixture of the good we hope for and the evil we fear is and hath been alwayes the Ciment of States and Empires And for this reason a spirit of love and fear is necessary in all Laws and Governments to the end when one gives Crowns Darts and Thunderbolts may be seen in the hand of the other which prevents abuse of favors and the suffering our selves to be carried away by the attractives of Mercy with a general contempt of Justice It was not then without reason the written Law hath her Benedictions and Maledictions since by the one she bridleth all Vices and by the other she excites unto Vertue and it is for the same cause Moses who in an eminent degree possessed all the qualities of a perfect Statesman and had passed through all the Offices which render men the Intelligences of Nations was resolved in a maner to finish his Testament by promises for the Good and threats for the Wicked You need but peruse the ensuing Chapters of Deuteronomy where even to the thirtieth you see nothing but Favors and Benedictions for those that shall keep the Law and on the contrary nothing but Terrors and Maledictions for such as shall infringe it I swear unto thee saith he my poor people That if thou hast heard and deeply engraven all the Commandments of God in thy minde and if thou art resolved to put them in practise Si autem audieris vocem Domini Dei tui ut facias atque cusiodias omnia mandata ejus quae ego praecipio tibi hodie faciet te Dominus Deus tuus excelfiorē cunctis gentibus quae versantur in terra Deut. 28. v. 1. Venientque super te universae benedictiones istae apprehendent te si tamen praecepta ejus audieris Deut. 28. v. 2. thou shalt be filled with all sorts of Benedictions I speak it unto thee with tears in mine eyes and by the order of him who is Verity it self and whose Mercies and Vengeances are infinite I speak it unto thee as being even now ready to die and if during my life I have concealed nothing of all that was never so little expedient for thee I ought not to be now silent in so important a matter Remember then my dear Chrildren all that God hath commanded you and that which I have so often from him announced unto you and if you perform it as you ought you shall be blessed in your own persons and in your children in City and Country Benedictus tu in civitate benedictus in agro Deut. 28. v. 3. Beuedictus fructus Ventris tui fructus terrae tuae fructusque jumentorum tuorum c. Deut. 28. v. 4. Benedictus eris tu ingrediens egrediens Deut. 28. v. 6. Dabit Dominus inimicos tuos qui consurgunt adversum te corruente◠in conspectu tuo c. Deut. 28. v. 7. Videbuntque omnes terrarum populi quod nonem domini invocatum sit super te timebunt te Deut. 28. v. 10. Quod si audire nolueris vocem Domini Dei tui ut custodias facias omnia mandata ejus ce emonias quas ego praecipio tibi hodie venient super te omnes maledictiones islae apprehendent te Deut. 28. v. 15. Percutiat tes Dominus ulcere Aegypti Deut. 28. v. 27. Insuper universos languores plagas quae non sunt scriptae in volumine legis husus Deut. 28. v. 61. Omnique tempore calumniam sustineas opprimaris violentia nec habeas qui liberet te Deut. 28. v. 29. Disperget te Dominus in omnes populos à summitate terrae usque ad terminos ejus servies ibi diis alienis quos tu ignoras patres tui c. Deut. 28. v. 64. and to what place soever you shall repair at your entrance and going forth you shall finde Benedictions in such sort That those who shall see you will be inforced freely to confess That you are that chosen people whom God hath taken into his protection and for whom the Heavens the Elements and Nature are Treasures of Benedictions In fine you shall see your Enemies under your feet and other Nations will not onely bear you affection but also respect and on the contrary
if you be so unhappy as to infringe the least of these Commandments and contemn these Laws I have so often declared to you or those Ceremoâ—â—es I have so publikely established your Privileges shall be changed into punishments and your Favors into execrations which will at last make you the subject of all the Plagues wherewith Egypt hath been heretofore so cruelly afflicted and you shall even feel some which you never yet heard of or at least whereof you shall not finde any mention in this Book What pity will it be to see you a reproach and scorn to the most barbarous Nations in the World amongst whom you shall nevertheless be dispersed to serve their unknown gods and masters who will give you neither truce nor repose no more than your own consciences which will always carry Vultures and Vipers to torment you without pity or intermission Your hearts will have disturbing terrors and your wandring eyes will cast darts as infallible marks of the misertes and tyranny you shall undergo It is also the doleful portion and the most usual course of the wicked to live amidst frights fears which like so many Goalers both day and night surround an unhappy soul which sees nothing but Specters and Phantasms which solicite her ruine so that you will be always like Criminals whose eyes are already veiled whose necks are laid down and hands tied in expectation of the fatal stroke which will in an instant sever their heads from their bodies Scarce shall the Sun be risen when you will say with sighs Dabit enim tibi Dominus ibi cor pavidum deficientes oculos animam consumptam moerore Deut. 28. v. 65. Manè dices Quis wihi det vesperum vespere Quis mihi det manè Deut. 28. v. 67. Ah! Who will assure me that I may be secure till night and in the Evening some new apprehension will even tear this complaint out of your mouths Ah! I know not whether I shall ever see day Alas who will give me then some assurance of it Sinners where are we Is this to live to die every moment and can we call by the name of life a train of pains torments wounds terrors and deaths O life how sweet art thou when thou dost fear and love nothing but God! O death how dreadful art thou when we have followed and loved some other than God! What Favors and Benedictions in the life and death of a vertuous man But what horrors Anathemaes and Maledictions during the course and end of the life of a sinner Alas My dear Reader reflect a little I beseech thee on these Verities and if the voice of thy Conscience and the examples thou seest daily before thy eyes cannot move thee come then again in spirit with the children of Israel and the predestinated souls hear the voice and exhortation of Moses take a while his Testament into thy hands and then casting thy eyes upon every Article fix thy thoughts upon that where he speaks unto all the Tribes and where after Moses had addressed himself into all sorts of States and Conditions of men and women which were gathered together about him he saith unto them That he spake not onely unto those that were present but also unto the absent and therefore it is unto thee and to all men of the world this discourse must be directed Hear then mortal men your Law-giver hear your Lord your Master and your Prophet who conjures you to look back upon the past ages and when you shall come to those dreadful days in which the Sun and all the Lights of Heaven shall be obscured by fire sulphure and the shameful smokes of those infamous Cities which the spirit of the justest furies of God had consumed and reduced into ashes Interrogate these frightful Reliques and they will tell you That these are the tracts of the Vengeances of Heaven and the remnants of those who have broken with God that Faith which they owed him In fine to conclude this whole discourse with Moses What is more sweet and easie saith this Holy Man Mandatum hoe quod ego praecipio tibi bodie non supra te est neque procul positum Deut. 30. v. 11. than to live under the Laws of so holy a Religion and carefully to observe all those orders which have been dictated by the mouth of a God whose rigors and decrees cannot be but most just What can there be in all that is commanded you which exceeds your forces and is beyond your capacity or too far distanced from your power Nec in caele situm ut possis dicere Quis nostrum valet ad caelum ascendere ut deferat illud ad nos audiamus atque opere compleamus Deut. 30. v. 12. Considera quod hodie proposuerim in conspectu tuo vitam bonum è contraria mortem malum Deut. 30. v. 15. Testes invoco bodic calum terram c. Deut. 30. v. 19. Et diligas Dominum Deum tuum atque obedias voci ejus illi adhaereas ipse est enim vita tua longitudo dierum tuorum ut habites in terra pro qua juravit Dominus patribus tuis Abraham Isaac Jacob ut daret eam illis Deut. 30. v. 20. It is not necessary to mount so high as the Heavens and to pass beyond the Seas to learn and perform what is enjoyned you For what is there you may not do and know and where much trouble is not required to accomplish it The words of God refound in your ears they are near your mouths and hearts Ingrave then deeply in your mindes all that I have this day said unto you and above all remember that on the one side I have proposed happiness and life and on the other misfortune and death I call Heaven and Earth to witness the choice I have given you it is then your part to prefer either good or evil and choose rather life than death to the end you may live with all your children in the peace and obedience you ow unto God and to fix your mindes and hearts so strongly on him that you may live onely for and in him for he is the soul of your spirits on him alone depends the course of your life and it is his hand which will conduct you into this fortunate Land which he promised to your fore-fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Israel it is unto thee Moses speaks and it is unto you Christian People that the eccho of this voice is addressed and loudly resounds in the Law of Grace and of the Messias Do not say then Who shall ascend unto Heaven who shall cause Jesus Christ to descend who shall draw him out of the Sepulchre or who can descend into the Abyss It is not required thou shouldst do these impossible things and which are already done it sufficeth thou perform what lies in thy power and what thou oughtest and the rest shall be granted thee O my
offered unto God 28 His murthers by Cain 30 Abraham 52 His vocation 53 The difficulties of his voyage 60 The agreement he made with his Father-in-law Lot 65 His Charity towards Pilgrims 78 His martyrdom for three days 107 His discourse to his son Isaac 109 The advertisement which he gave him that he was to be the victim of his sacrifice 110 His farewel to the world 60 Adam and his Creation 10 His fear and shame at the sight of God in the Terrestrial Paradise 21 He lays the fault on his wife 22 His disaster and banishment 23 Advantage by good education 128 Advertisement very remarkable of Philip of Macedon 51 Advice to fathers and mothers 267 Advice to publick persons 386 Affections very regular 150 Africa tormented by Grashoppers 289 Agar chased out of Abrahams house 73 Alexius his affection towards his father 348 Amalekites overcome by the prayers of Moses 330 St. Ambrose his authority over the Empress Justina 269 Anastasius the Emperor leaveth the Empire of Greece to be religious 58 Animals their production 7 Antandria marvellous in her Rivers 156 Apparition of God unto Moses and the advertisement he gave him 266 Apprentiship of Empires 257 Lawful apprehensions 139 Very just apprehensions for worldly men 62 Ark of the Old Testament 370 Ark of the Testament a figure of the divinity 186 Insolent artifice of Putiphers wife 185 Artifice of Rebecca in the preference of Jacob before Esau 133 Admirable artifices of God to try the fidelity of Abraham 97 Art of digging very difficult 236 Aurelian and his Crowns of bread 81 Altar of Holocausts 373 Mysterious answers 136 B. St. Basil the power he had with the Emperor Valens 269 Banishment of Adam and Eve 19 Banishment of Agar and Ismael 94 Baltilda leaves France and became a religious woman 59 Cruel battery of Putiphers wife against the chastity of Joseph 182 Beauty its power and tyranny pleasing and deadly poison 37 Benediction of God upon all Nations and Generations in the person of Abraham 57 Deceiptful Benedictions of this world 136 Benediction of the twelve Patriarks 236 Flaming Bush 257 The reality of fire which burnt it without consâ—ming it 258 First-born of Egypt their death and destruction 294 Blindness of Isaac 230 Building of the Ark 40 Supplanting Brethren 125 Bones springs of the bodies motions 12 Birds their production 6 C. Cain his affection fastned to the Earth 27 His execrable insolence 30 His troubles and exiles 32 First Canticle of Moses 313 Second Canticle of Moses 404 Ignominuous captivity of Creatures in the world 335 Charlemain son of Charls Martel leaves France to live out of way on Mount Soracte 58 Doleful Catastrophies 312 Ridiculous Ceremonies 221 Ceremonies of the Old Testament 368 Certainty most uncertain 130 Charity her Antiparistasis 361 Chastity her victories and triumphs 349 Circumcision the command thereof 75 Circumcision corporal figure of that which is to be in the spirit of Grace ibid. Circumcision sign of peace 76 Circumcision Image of Faith ibid. Mark of distinction ibid. Sequence of original sin ibid. Clotarius his victories which he gained by the means of prayer 333 Combat of Joseph in defence of his chastity 177 Combats natural to man 326 Mournful complaint of Jacob 174 Fruitless complements 98 Consort of creatures 8 Condemnation of false witnesses and lyers 351 Divine condescendency 81 Confidence in God 28 Conscience of sinners an inseparable Officer 200 Inflexible courage 162 Courage the definition of it according to St. Thomas 59 Course of Wisdom 142 Creation of the World 4 Cremona beaten by a Hail-storm 287 Cyreneans necessitated to make war against Grashoppers 289 Complaint of Rebecca in the paines of child-bearing 123 Rigorous clemency 203 D. Deliverance of Joseph 190 Deluge and the time when it hapned 41 Devil of Egypt 181 Disasters of gluttony 129 Disorders of love 178 Design of God in the preference of Jacob before Esau 134 Disobedience first misfortune of Adam 21 Disunion the first misfortune of the World 20 Duty of children towards their parents 347 Diamond how it is broken 278 Dina carried away by Sichem Prince of the Sichemites 163 Dioxipus vanquished by the beauty of a great Lady Diversity of depositions 27 Duel of grief and love 106 Decrees against the usurpation of other mens goods 350 Death of Abraham 117 Darkness of Egypt 290 Departure of the people of Israel out of Egypt 299 Decree concerning the Creation of men 10 Departure of the people of Israel out of Egypt 303 Dreams of Joseph which he revealed to his brethren 167 Dreams their destinction according to Chrysippus 168 E. Eclipse of reason in Wine 48 Edict against blasphemers 345 Equality sometimes dangerous 74 Egypt the Sepulchre of the name of Israel 249 State Elogy 141 Empire of Love 102 Empire of Souls 162 Sovereign Empire of God 251 Envy its desolations 32 Its resemblance with those bloody Birds of prey which are seen near the North Pole 33 Remedies against it 35 Its nature and qualities 175 Esau his nature and humor 126 The love he had to hunting 128 He sells his birth-right to his brother Jacob for a mess of pottage 129 He marrieth against the will of his Parents 130 Marvellous estate of man 16 Eternity all is short to him who meditates on it 153 Eve her Creation 17 Her disaster and banishment 19 Her discourse to Adam to deceive him 20 Her malediction 23 End of the deluge 44 Epitomy of the Law 354 Eagles a handsom mark of their affection 339 Ermine and her Motto ibid. Extraction of great men is commonly a fair subject of miseries 135 F. Fruitfulness of women the causes which hinder it 121 Felicity subject to alteration 123 Feasts of death 214 Memorable feast of the Hebrews 299 Fire symbol of the Divinity 310 Firmament formed in the midst of waters 5 Enigmatical Figures 136 Inviolable Fidelity 187 Fountain of Horeb 326 Fountain of the Red Sea which changeth every thing into Carnation 156 Firing of Sodom 89 Frogs of Egypt 279 Flyes of Egypt 281 Fishes their production 6 Fopperies of Idolaters and Turks 341 G. Government of Joseph in Egypt 194 Graces of God always sufficient 139 Gregory the thirteenth the Picture he caused to be made of Peace and Justice 68 Goodness of God towards men 15 Ineffable goodness 85 Golden Calf the adoration thereof 359 God Creator 1 God repents to have made man 39 God hidden under the habit of the poor 152 God never tempteth 97 God hath no need of a name why 261 God sporteth with Jacob 148 H. Hook and the motto thereof 350 Heliopolis City of the Sun in Egypt 197 Heraclius Patriark of Jerusalem an excellent answer made by him to Henry King of England 364 St. Hilary his power over the Emperor Constantius 269 Homicides their sentence of death 348 Homicides of two kindes 352 Honors rendred to Joseph by the command of Pharaoh 196 Different humors of Jacob and Esau 126 Happiness of Divine Providence 195 Wel-grounded hopes
139 Hail plague of Egypt 286 Wretched Harvest of worldly men 152 Hail-storm in Constantinople 268 Hardness of Pharaohs heart 269 Hardness of heart a woful estate 271 Grashoppers of Egypt 289 I. Jacob and Esau 121 Figure of the Christian and Jewish people 116 Jacob Esau 's elder brother and how 137 His agreement with his father-in-law Laban 155 Jacob resolves to send Benjamin into Egypt 207 His descent into Egypt to see his son Joseph 223 The answer he made to Pharaoh concerning his age 229 His death and last words 231 Idols and their subversion 344 Detestable Idolatry of amorous persons 39 Jethro the counsel he gave to Moses to establish Judges for deciding differences between the people of Israel 337 Atheistical ignorance 85 Images of Jesus Christ anciently painted in Temples and Houses in the form of a Lamb 27 Image of a generous courage 69 Image of Gods judgement 86 Image of the lives of men 126 Image of the life and death of Jesus Christ 145 Image of Chastity 184 Image of the World 198 Imagination the effects and properties thereof 156 Unnatural impudence of Cham 48 Inconstancy of created things 113 Dreadful incertainty 135 Incarnation its draught and picture 144 Innocence secured 170 Innocence victorious 179 Inhumanity more than brutish 220 Joseph born of Rachel 154 Joseph sold by his brethren 165 Joseph known by his brethren 214 His lamentations for the death of his Father Jacob 242 Joshua his victories over the Amalekites 332 Isaac his birth 93 The discourse he held with his father asking him where was the victim of his Sacrifice 108 His submission and obedience 109 His mariage with Rebecca 116 Most exact Justice 83 Judges a fair example for them ibid. Judas the brother of Joseph made a speech to him in the name of his brethren 216 Judgements of God incomprehensible 290 Prodigious increase of the people of Israel 247 Jacobs Ladder 141 Jacobs wrestling with the Angel 159 K. Kings of France true successors of Abraham 80 L. Laban is grieved for the barrenness of his flocks 156 His agreement with Jacob and his return unto Mesopotamia 157 Lesson to husbands and wives 17 Leah considerable for her fruitfulness 154 Dangerous liberty 29 Liberality cannot be without freedom 79 Liberality portraict of the Divinity ibid. Liberty of holy Souls 80 Liberty of Esau cause of his misfortune 128 Laws their excellency 357 Their establishment 368 Lot delivered out of the hands of his enemies by the means of Abraham 70 Luxury destruction of souls and canker of body 64 Love its effects and properties 3 Love architect of the world ibid. Gods love never idle 73 Incredulous love 224 Ladder of divine providence 146 Lots wife transformed into a pillar of Salt 89 Irreparable loss 184 Life of man a war without truce 159 Life and death inseparable companions 231 M. Magicians of Pharaoh and their enchantments 270 Admirable magnificence of God 58 Malediction of parents dangerous 132 Malediction of God on the Serpent 23 Malediction of Noah on his son 48 Malice of an eloquent woman 20 Manna of the desart 320 The time when it was to be gathered 323 Mariages subject to many disasters 123 Mariage of Isaac with Rebecca 116 Assured marks of our disposition 126 Martyrdom of love 103 Mixture of fortune 166 Excellent meditation 298 Pleasing Metamorphosis 63 Murther of Abel 27 Michael the Emperor quits his Empire to enter into a religious life 58 Mirror of Essences the motto thereof 29 World error of some Philosophers touching the beginning thereof 8 Monarchy of Adam and Eve over the Univers 19 The world is a Theatre 116 Extreme mortification 145 Motives which induced God to create the world 1 Motives of Conscience 140 Powerful motives to divert the brethren of Joseph from wicked designs 172 Moses 246 His birth and education ibid. His learning 252 His zeal and mariage with the daughter of the Prince of Madian 253 His fear at the sight of the flaming Bush 257 His Commission concerning the deliverance of the people of Israel 260 The certain marks of his power 263 He excuseth himself for accepting the Commission which God gave him 265 The threats God used to him 266 His Embassie into Egypt 267 He is visited in the desart where he creates Judges and Magistrates 334 His last Actions 385 His Testament 386 His last Canticle 402 Mysteries hidden under the Paschal Lamb 300 Man necessary for the world 9 Men eloquent when it concerns their own praise excellent conceptions upon this subject 10 Man the sport of the gods 148 Honest man what he is 163 N. Nature of God beneficent 320 Nature her power limited 269 Nembrod cheif contriver of the Tower of Babel his spirit and disposition 49 Noah his obedience to the command of God 41 His going out of the Ark and his sacrifice on the Hills of Armenia 44 Names Chariots of Essences 74 O. Obligation of fathers and mothers 128 Dreadful obstinacy 271 Oeconomy of the humane body 12 Opinion of Hesiod touching the Creation of the World 8 Original sin 15 Ornaments of the Sanctuary 369 P. Peace and Purity inseparable companions 65 Terrestrial Paradise 16 Paradise first habitation of man 16 Passions their different nature 181 Patience very awful 84 Persecution of modesty 184 Perfidiousness of the world 206 Plague of Egypt 284 Natural causes of the plague 285 Pharaoh King of Egypt makes Joseph his Lieutenant by reason of the truth of his predictions 196 Command of Pharaoh concerning the murther of all the male-children of the Hebrews 248 Pharaoh swallowed up in the Red Sea 304 Plagues of Egypt 275 Antient Policy 356 Portraict of the Justice of God 86 Predictions of Joseph 192 Efficacious prayers 122 Prevision of merits 137 Proclaming of Joseph by his Brethren 172 Promulgation of the Law on Mount Sina 343 Paternal Prudence 169 Punishment of Adam 14 Shameful pusillanimity 69 Putipher his over-great credulity 186 The impudence of his wife and her attempt upon the chastity of Joseph 178 Paschal Lamb 299 Planets the beginning of their courses 5 Pillar of Fire and Clouds 379 Picture of Hell 91 Picture of Fortune 194 Pains of women in child-bearing 23 Prayer the power and effects thereof 122 R. Rachel and her sterility 154 Radegond a despiseth France to become religious 59 Ramerus King of Aragon follows the same destiny ibid. Amiable resemblance between Joseph and Jesus Christ 222 The recompence of Jacob for his services 155 Pitiful reliques of sin 26 Remorse of Conscience 32 Remedies against Envy 35 Reproaches of God to Cain 28 Very just resentments 77 Rosignation of Abraham 101 Angelical resolution of Joseph 181 Rock and its motto 102 Ruben his affection towards his brother Joseph 173 Rivers their bounds and limits 5 River of Charity 80 S. Sacrifices very different of Abel and Cain 28 Sacrifices of Aaron consumed by fire from Heaven 376 Sanctification of the Sabhath 346 Sarah her death 113 How long she lived 115 Scamander i'ts properties effects