ten Fathers before the Flood by the ten Fathers after the Flood and by the twelue Patriarches succéeding them Par. What particular obseruation shall I make for the better vnderstanding of this Ceremoniall Law Past There are diuers necessary obseruations but specially these sixe which by way of interrogation you must finde out 1 The Tabernacle 2 Feast dayes 3 Sacrifices 4 Sacraments 5 Sacrificers 6 Sabaoth Par. Tell me first of all what the Tabernacle was Past The Tabernacle was a place principally dedicated for religion whiles they were in the wildernesse trauelling towards Canaan It was made by the Lords commandement of brasse of siluer and of gold as an whole entire worke or one thing to containe diuers things but parted with vaâ—es into thrée roomes Par. What was the first roome of the Tabernacle Past The first roome was Southward containing an Altar of earth whereon burnt offerings were made by the people themselues and also by the priests on the Sabaoth day and on feast dayes Par. What was the second roome of the Tabernacle Past It stood Northward it was called holy and it was made and framed with Sethim wood and couered with gold that it might not rot and that the priests might burne incense thereon both morning and euening There was the table of gold whereon was set the shew bread which was not lawfull for any man to eate but for the priests when it was stale and they were to supply it with new against euery Sabaoth In this roome were set diuers instruments which were for the seruice and dedication of the Temple Par. What was the third roome or part of the Tabernacle Past The third part of the Tabernacle was Westward called the holiest of all made of Sethim wood but couered within and without with fine gold In this roome was the Arke of the couenant which represented God himselfe Therein were the two Tables of the law the golden pot Aarons rod and the Mercy seat couered with Cherubins and shadowing the Arke This most excellent workmanship of the Almighty with the Arke and all the appurtenances continued amongst the people of Israell vntill the death of Eli the high priest at which time the Arke was taken by the Philistines in a great battell and it continued as a pilgrime tossed too and fro in priuate mens houses vntill the death of Saul the king then king Dauid being moued with the zeale of God and being grieued that the Arke of his Maiesty was so exiled and banished ioyned with the Leuites the priests and Nobles of the land to fetch it to Ierulalem Par. Now I would heare what is conuenient concerning feast dayes which you spake of Past There were diuers feasts vsed in the ministrations of the law especially these fiue The feast of Easter Pentecost Trumpets Tabernacles New Moone Par. Tell me briefely concerning the feast of Easter Past Easter was one of the great solemne feast dayes in the which all the people of Israell were commanded to come vnto Ierusalem wheresoeuer they inhabited ouer the world that then and there they might eate the Passeouer in the commemoration of their deliuerance out of Egypt and also in expectation of the holy Messiah which was for to come who in Ierusalem according to that time should be the true Passeouer or Pascall lambe offered vpon the crosse Par. What was the feast of pentecost Past The feast of Pentecost or Whitsontide was another such like feast or holy assembly full 〈◊〉 dayes after Easter thereby to continue the remembrance of that time in which God gaue them the two Tables of stone written with his owne hand and also to haue relation by a spirituall expectation to the abundant graces of God in Christ which shortly after his Ascention was to be sent downe vpon his Apostles in signe of clouen tongues Par. Set me downe I pray you the feast of Tabernacles Past It was a feast of seauen dayes continuance which was solemnized for to put the people in remembrance of their estate when they were in bondage vnder Pharao and when afterwards they were in the wildernesse without house or habitation full fortie yeares that thereby they might be taught to endure with the greater patience in the consideration of their better and more continuing habitaon which in time to come they should haue in Canaan and afterwards in the holy kingdome of heauen Par. There remaineth yet one more of the feasts which you named to wit the feast of new Moones Past The feast of new Moons was the beginning of euery month in which the people were bound to offer burnt offerings vnto the Lord. Par. You spake vnto me of Sacrifices I pray you tell me somewhat thereof and how many kindes or sorts there be Past Sacrifices were of sundry sorts or kindes especially foure The first kinde was a burnt Sacrifice or oblation which was offered by the common people vpon the Altar as they would and as they were able The second kinde of Sacrifice was that which the priests onely offered for the sinnes of the people according as euery man was able after this manner for the gouernors they offered a Goat The third for the poore they offered a payre of Turtle doues or two yong Pigeons The fourth for other of lesse ability the tenth part of an Epha Par. What was the third kinde of Sacrifice Past The third kinde for sanctification or consecration of the priests was of thrée sorts 1 a Calfe 2 Ramme 3 red Cow Par. What was the fourth kinde of Sacrifice Past The fourth kinde was a Sacrifice or oblation of reconciliation or of attonement which the high priest offered for himselfe when he appeared before God in the holy place vnder these speciall kindes to wit A yong Cow A Bullocke Two hée Goates Aaron was to cast lots which of these two hée Goats were to be offered and which should escape Par. You spake of Sacraments tell mee I pray you how many Sacraments there be the difference betwixt the old and the new and how I may know the difference betwixt a Sacrament and a Sacrifice Past Sacraments in the time of the Law as in the time of the Gospell were in number two Circumcision and Paschal Lambe before Christ Baptisme the Lords Supper after Christ Par. Now declare the difference betwixt the old Sacrament and the New Past The old did promise Christ for to come the new doth performe him already come Againe the old were but figures shadowes and relations of things to come The new are the very same indeede the most perfect and most substantiall matter Par. What difference is there betwixt a Sacrament and a Sacrifice Past In Sacrifices men offer and giue vnto GOD in Sacraments GOD offers and giues vnto men Par. Declare vnto me the sixt particular to wit of Sacrificers who they were and what else is fit to be learned therein Past Sacrificers were the priests as was Aaron and his sonnes They were men seperated and segregated from ill and
Secondly we are to obserue their extreame cruelty in selling their brothers life as a beast or at least as a bondslaue Thirdly their wonderfull disobedience and vndutifull affection towards their old father Par. What speciall profit are we to draw out of these their villanies Past Hereby is made cléere vnto vs the maruailous wisedome the secret prouidence and excéeding mercies of God euen in these most vile and bloudy actions of theirs For by this means Ioseph was made a prouider for them and their father in the time of famine Thus God draweth good things out of the wicked actions of vngodly men thereby to discomfort the vngodly and to comfort the godly Par. Was Ioseph raised by the King of Egypt in respect of his learning in respect of his Chiualrie or in respect of any naturall matter that was extraordinary in him Past Iosaph was the yongest of all his brethren and a man of small or no report but the Lord was with Ioseph and shewed him mercy and got him fauour in the sight of his Maister Insomuch that Pharao the King said of him can we finde such a man as this in whom the spirit of God is There is no man of vnderstanding or wisedome like him Gen. 41.38 The 7. Particular in the third Obseruation Par. Where died Ioseph Past After he had ruled most renowmedly 80. Gen. 41.46 â—â—0 22 yeares in Egypt when hée was an hundred and tenne yeares old he dyed in Egypt where he was honourably buried Par. Why did hee so specially charge his brethren to carry his bones from Egypt Exod. 13.19 Is there in the Iudgement of the faithfull any place better then other for buriall or for the resurrection Past There is no place better then other for the resurrection but it was to declare his great faith in the promise that GOD made concerning the Land of Canaan which his people should inherit according to the time prefixed as in plaine words hée vttereth vnto his brethren at his death saying Surely God will visit you and will bring you out of this Land which hee sware vnto Abraham Isaac and Iacob Par. How came it to passe that there was another King in Egypt called Pharaoh Past It cannot be but there were many Kings in Egypt after the decease of the King that fauoured Ioseph whiles Israell continued in Egypt The Emperors of Rome were alwayes called Caesars the Kings of Persia were called Artaxerxes and so the Kings of Egypt were alwayes called Pharaohs Par. Why did Pharaoh so enuiously and so hatefully deale with Gods people Past Because he saw that they were like to grow great and to be mightier then hée Exod. 1.10 Therefore he said vnto his Nobility Come let vs deale wisely lest when they be multiplyed they ioyne with our enemies Par. How did the King preuaile with his policie and deuise against Gods people Past So he preuailed that by how much he vexed them and sought by all meanes to diminish them by so much the more they multiplyed and grew to be a great nation The eight Particular concerning Moses Par Who were parents to Moses Past Amram the Leuite was his father Iochebed the daughter of Leui was his mother Par. How came hee to be called Moses Past Pharaohs daughter found him throwne out neare a riuer in a basket Exod. 2.3.4 for the auoyding of her fathers bloudy lawes then shée tooke him for her owne and called him in her Egyptian language Moses signifying according to the Etimologie thereof deliuered out of the waters Wherin was the prouidence of God Par. How befell it that the Kings daughter should haue the nourishing of him in the hands of his owne mother Past It cannot be that it was any way imagined or deuised by the Kings Daughter or by his Parents but it was the diuine prouidence of God that the Mother should throw him there and that the Lady should come there to bathe her selfe euen at that time and at no time else And it was the prouidence of God that his owne sister should be there to deliuer the childe to be nourished by his owne Mother at the Kings Daughters commandement Par. How long continued Moses vnder this Ladies gouernment and in the Kings house Past Vntill he was full forty years old Par. Why did he depart from the Kings daughter and from the Kings house being farre more royally maintained then any of his Nation was it not a tempting of God Past He being a godly man was often vexed with their prophanenesse and heathennish impietie therefore he departed from them and refused to be called Pharaohs daughters sonne Heb. 11.25.26 choosing rather to suffer aduersitie with the children of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season Par. How did Moses preuaile in so great a message with so great a King and himselfe being a meane man Past He must néedes preuaile excéeding well Exod. 7.8.9.10 because the hand of almighty God was with him as appeared by the signes and wonders that he wrought vpon Pharaoh and vpon his people by the plagues also that were poured out vpon the beasts of the land Par. Why is it said that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh If God hardened his heart it was no maruel though he would not let the people goe vnder the conduct of Moses to wander the world hee knew not whither Past God is said to harden the heart of Pharaoh not because hée did withdraw his graces from him but because indéed God did not giue grace vnto him by the which he might be qualified in heart and obedient in spirit vnto the will of so great a Commander And after this manner the hearts of all the reprobates are set and inueigled against God and against his people therein they are authors of their owne deaths The first Particular Parishioner WHat was the Passeouer Past Exod. 12. It was a Lambe that indéed was killed and eaten ceremonially by the people of Israell onely at the commandement of the Lord the night before they went out of Egypt and which was to be continued vntill Christ who was the true substance thereof This hath reference analogie and coherence in many particulars with the Sacrament which our Sauiour Christ did institute the night before his death and thereby you shall sée how the one expounds the other and how the latter doth expound the former The second Particular concerning the miraculous departure of Israell out of Egipt Par. Declare vnto me the manner of it briefly Past Iacob the Father of the twelue Patriarches Gen. 47.4.11.46.6.27 came into Egypt by reason of famine when as his owne sonne Ioseph ruled the land vnder Pharaoh and brought with him onely 70. persons but 215. yeares after when they went out of Egypt Exod. 12.35 to 39. they were in number sixe hundred thousand men on foot beside women and children they did as Moses commanded them in asking of the Egyptians iewels of
was euill in the sight of the Lord to wit in offering a burnt offering Leuit. 1. which was not lawfull for any to doe saue for the Priests vpon paine of death Therefore the Prophet Samuel told him plainely from the Lord that therein hée had done foolishly and that his kingdome should not continue and so Samuel departed from him in great indignation for the zeale hée bare to the Lord and for the loue he bare to the kingdome Par. Saul as we read was in great distresse 1 Sam. 13. by reason of many thousands of the Philistines that were come against his people Israell and they by reason of Samuels long tarrying at Gilgall 12 were scattered and fled saue sixe hundred men that remained with the King Therefore Saul fell to his prayers and did offer as hee said a burnt Offering vnto the Lord tell me what offence was this as the present necessitie required Past 1 Sam. 13. Saul in like manner transgressed the voyce of the Lord in keeping the King of the Amalekites aliue whereas hée was commanded to kill him and in reseruing for Sacrifice the best of the Oxen and the best of the Sheepe which was also directly forbidden Out of which place I will answere your demaund or question from the mouth of Samuel the holy Prophet When thou wast little in thine owne sight wast not thou made King ouer Israell The Lord commanded thee to kill the Amalekites and to let none remaine Now thou hast not obeyed the Lords voyce but hast turned to the prey wherein thou hast done wickedly in the sight of the Lord. Rebellion is as the sinne of witchcraft and transgression is wickednesse and Idolatry Behold thou hast cast away the word of the Lord therefore hee hath cast away thee Hereby you may sée that sinne or transgression is not reckoned for the smalnesse or greatnesse thereof with God as it is with men for many times small sinnes in our sights are great sinnes in Gods fight and great sinnes in our fight are small in his sight Men must rule themselues by his word by his holy Lawes and not according to good intents or earthly mens directions Par. How did Saul behaue himselfe towards his subiects Past Saul enuied Dauids good report and iust desert When Dauid returned from the slaughter of the Philistines the women by one consent and as it were by Gods appoyntment met Dauid crying and saying 1 Sam. 18. Saul hath slaine his thousand and Dauid his tenne thousand and for this cause onely Saul was excéeding wroth with Dauid and euer after sought to kill him and in the persecuting of him he slew euery of the Priests that fauoured him and tooke an oath of all his subiects to betray him It were too long to particulate his cruelties towards others his poore subiects whom he should haue defended and maintayned Par. What was Sauls end Past The Spirit of God being departed from him and his owne heart giuen him hée euer after followed that euen to the wars of the Philistines at which time hée desperately slew himselfe The ninth Particular concerning Dauid Par. Next in order remaineth to speake of Dauid Past Dauid was of the tribe of Iudah of the roote of Iesse borne in Bethlehem As it was said of Ierusalem 1 Sam. 16. Many excellent things are spoken of thee O thou Citie of God euen so many excellent things are spoken of Dauid Saul being reiected of God for his sinnes Dauid was annoynted King in his roome by the same Prophet Samuel 17. and the Spirit of the Lord came vpon him insomuch that though he were but a little simple man yet hée slew Goliah that defied Israell hée slew many of the most mighty Philistines 2 Sam. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7 c. who were enemies to Saul and his people When Saul was dead hée succéeded in the Kingdome according to the Lords ordinance and valiantly subdued mighty kings that made warre against him Dauid renued religion offered to build an house for the Arke of God Dauid sinned grieuously in Gods sight therefore the Lord punished him excéedingly many wayes and afterward vpon repentance he receiued him into speciall fauour Par. Dauid being annointed king and being so valiant in the warres hauing also the fauour of the people why did hee runne away and hide himselfe from Saul and why did he not withstand him Past Dauid hauing Gods Spirit knew very well that hée might not resist nor rebel against Saul the Lords annoynted and though hée were to succéede him in the kingdome yet hée knew that he was not to enioy it before him nor to be partner with him and to auoid the rebellion and disorder of the people the Lord commanded Samuel to annoynt him King secretly lest the people should offer him helpe and rebellion against Saul And farther so godly and vpright in heart hée was towards the King that when hée most iniuriously and fiercely sought to kill him in all lands yet hée would neuer carry a thought to vse bloudy hands against his King though many times he might haue done it Hée was so farre from causing any other to doe it 2 Sam. 1. as that hée slew those that brought him word that Saul was dead The tenth Particular concerning Salomon Par. Now impart vnto me briefly the story of Salomon the third King of Israel Past There was neuer the like King before Salomon 1 King 3. neither the like shall be after him for his wisedome and riches So soone as euer he put foot into the kingdome he loued the Lord as the holy Ghost testifieth Wherefore the Lord appeared vnto him promising to giue vnto him whatsoeuer he would aske Of al the glorious things of this life he desired nothing but he desired wisedome whereby hée might gouerne his people prudently and religiously wherefore the the Lord gaue him wisedome and riches aboue all men both which great blessings he principally imployed to the building of a Temple for the Lord at Ierusalem where his holy Name might be called vpon in true religion Hée gouerned his kingdome all the dayes of his life quietly and peaceably Par. Some calles into question whether Salomon were saued or not because of his sinnes with so many outlandish women Past It is certaine that he sinned therein excéedingly Yet Almighty God séeing his repentance in his rich mercies forgaue him all according as hée promised his Father Dauid 1 Sam. 7.13.14.15 saying Hee shall build mee an house and I will stablish the throne of his Kingdome for euer I will be his Father and hee shall be my sonne If hee sinne I will chasten him but my mercy I will not vtterly take from him Par. Seeing that the fourth Obseruation doth end at the building of the Temple declare vnto mee briefly concerning the same Past Salomon tooke order with Hiram the King of Tyrus 1 King 5. for Cedar trées and Firre trées He had thirty thousand men whom hée sent to Libanon by
course ten thousand a moneth hée had twentie thousand that bare burdens and fourescore thousand Masons in the mountaines hée had thrée thousand and thrée hundred men that ruled the workmen The holy Ghost maketh mention that it was built in the 480. 1 Kin. 6.1 yeare after the people of Israell came out of Egypt 2 Cro. 4. and in the fourth yeare of King Salomons reigne It contained thrée roomes that were specially dedicated The first roome was called Salomons porch or hall of the Iewes wherein was an Altar of brasse for burnt offering Therein was the fire of God continually maintained There the common people offered burnt offerings morning and euening of such things as were brought There Christ taught there Peter wrought miracles The second part or roome of the Temple was called Holy because none might enter into it but the Priests who were many and they were distinguished into 24. Orders In it was an Altar of Gold whereon was burnt Incense for a swéet sacrifice morning and euening There were the golden Candlestickes and the Lampes burning day and night there were two golden cups with Frankinsence and that fine and costly vaile which at the death of Christ was rent from the top to the bottome The third part or roome was called the Holy of Holiest In it was the inner house or Oracle made with Sethim wood and Cedar couered with gold within and without Into this place none entered but the high priest and that but once a yeare to offer for the sinnes of the people Whereby was figured the propitiation of Christ once for all In the middest thereof was the Arke the two tables of the Law the pot of Manna Aarons rod flourishing the Booke of Deuteronomie Gods oracles and his answeres Neare thereto was an Ile that did pertaine to the Gentiles and to all people cleane vncleane therfore it was called the court of the Gentiles There was the treasurie for the poore there the widow offered her mite There the woman was discharged by Christ which was taken in adultery Par. What difference or oddes I pray you was there betweene the Temple and the Tabernacle Past Indéede if you compare the Tabernacle the Parts Roomes Furniture and Ordinances thereof with the Temple you shall finde little oddes or difference The first part or roome of the Temple and Tabernacle had relation analogie and reference to the people of the old world before the floud and thence to the giuing of the Law The second part of the Temple and Tabernacle had reference analogie and coherence to the Church and Synagogue of the Iewes with all their lawes and Ceremonies prefiguring Christ The which people properly did appertaine vnto God And the shadowing of the Mercie-seate signified their defence The third part or roome of the Temple and Tabernacle had relation and analogie both to the Iewes and Gentiles which were to be saued and to be brought by Election and Grace vnto the marriage of the Lambe Christ Iesus which thing was signified by the throwing downe of the partition wall and by the renting of the vaile Thus the Temple and the Tabernacle being one in substance and thrée in vse may well be compared to the holy and blessed Trinitie Par. Where was the Temple built Past It is plainly recorded 2 Chro. 3.1 that this famous building was on mount Moriah where Adam was created Gen. 2. neare the Garden of Eden where Adam fell where Isaac was offered where Sem or Melchisedech dwelt and ruled with peace and iustice like the sonne of God The which place was first called Salem vpon Isaacs offering Ierisalec and now Ierusalem Par. Declare vnto mee briefly concerning the dedication of the Temple Past King Salomon and all the men of Israell assembled according to their degrées and they brought vp the Arke of the Lord from the house of Abinadab into the Citie of Dauid 1 King 8. which is Zion and they brought the Tabernacle of the congregation and all the holy vessels that were in the Tabernacle those did the Priests and Leuites bring vp Then hée and the people offered vnto the Lord innumerably And a cloud filled the Lords house for the glory of the Lord was there Toward the which King Salomon turning himselfe and lifting vp his hands and eyes vnto heauen desired the Lord to dedicate that place to the honour of his name and that it might be to be comfort of his people that called vpon him in that place And when hée had ended his prayer he stood vp and blessed the people The first Particular concerning the Kings of Israell and Iudah Parishioner I Would gladly know the stories of these Kings and their Prophets in their order Past First 1 Kin. 12. you must vnderstand that immediately after the death of King Salomon the same great and renowmed kingdome of the Hebrewes 1 King 11.11.12.13 was diuided into two parts according as the Lord had fore-spoken But after 490. yeares were expired it was ioyned together againe Ezec. 37.16.17.18.19 20. according as the holy prophet Ezechiel had fore-told Par. Declare vnto me the manner of this diuision or ruine Past Ieroboam 1 King 11.26 to 40. the sonne of Nebat an Ephradite of Zereda Salomons seruant according to the word of the Lord by the mouth of his Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite had ten Tribes of Israell that held and tooke part with him that he should be king who placed his seat and pallace in Samaria and his kingdome was thenceforth called the kingdome of Israell The other part of that famous kingdome Rehoboam the sonne of Salomon possessed which was the lesser part for onely two Tribes held with him His seat was at Ierusalem and his kingdome was called the kingdome of Iudah Thus you may sée two Kings in one kingdome which indéede is prodigious Par. Now declare vnto mee why the whole kingdome was thus deuided and so miserably distressed Past I will answer you with Gods owne words Because they haue forsaken me saith the Lord 1 King 11.33 and worshipped Astaroth the god of the Zidonians and Chemosh the god of the Moabites and Milcom the god of the Ammonites and haue not walked in my wayes to doe right in mine eyes and for the sinnes of Salomon Par. How did the one and the other of these kings behaue themselues towards God Past Ieroboam 1 King 12.26 to 31. the king of Israel thought in his heart and said If this my people goe vp and doe sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Ierusalem then shall the people turne againe vnto the Lord and so cleaue vnto Rehoboam the King of Iudah Whereupon the King tooke counsell and made two calues of gold the one hée set vp at Bethel the other at Dan. Whose priests hée made of the lower sort and basest amongst the people and he commanded all his subiects to goe thither and worship them as their gods The other part of the kingdome that
the repairing of the Temple And in short time there was found ouer and aboue the repairing such store of money as was sufficient to make bowles of gold and instruments of siluer in great abundance for the Temple At which time came Hazaell the king of Aram with a mighty army against Gath and intending also to come against Ierusalem Iehoash the King of Iudah tooke the hallowed things that his forefathers had prepared for the Temple and so he departed into his owne Land where he was slaine by two of his owne seruants And he was buried with his fathers in the city of Dauid after he had raigned forty yeares in Ierusalem Par. Who was the eight King Past Amaziah 2 King 14.1 to 21. the sonne of Ioash succéeded in the kingdome This King did behaue himselfe vprightly in the sight of God according to all which his father had done yet the people did sacrifice in the high places He slew them which had killed his father but not their children according to that which was written The fathers shall not be put to death for the children nor the children for the father but euery man shall die for his owne sinne Afterwards hée warred with the Edomites and slew many thousands And not being therewith content he also challenged the King of Israell who answered him disdainefully But Amaziah was wilfull and would not be quiet Whereupon the King of Israell in open field tooke Amaziah brake downe the wals of Ierusalem spoyled the Temple and the people of their treasure and then returned to Samaria Amaziah liued after that warre fiftéene yeares There was a conspiracy against him in Ierusalem whereupon he fled to Lachis and the conspiratours followed after him and slew him there and brought him to be buried at Ierusalem after he had raigned nine and twenty yeares Par. Who was the ninth King Past 2 Kin. 14.21.15.1 to 8. Azariah his sonne was made King when he was sixtéene yeares old He did vprightly in the Lords sight yet because the high places were not taken away where the people offered sacrifice the Lord smote him with Leprosie vntill his dying day and Ioathan his sonne gouerned the kingdome vnder him two and fifty yeares and so dyed Par. Who was the tenth King Past 2 King 15.7.32 to the end Ioathan the sonne of Azariah immediately after his father tooke the kingdome as lawfull heire He did vprightly in the Lords sight but yet he had not taken away the high places whereon they burnt Intense And then the Lord sent against him and Iudah Rozin the King of Aram and Pekah the sonne of Remeliah king of Israell And when hée had raigned sixtéene yeares he dyed and was buried with his fathers in Ierusalem Par. Who was the eleauenth King Past Ahaz 2 King 16.1 to the end the sonne of Ioathan raigned in his stead Hée walked in the wayes of the kings of Israell and made his sonne to goe through fire after the abhominations of the heathen and hée offered burnt incense Wherefore the Lord raysed the King of Aram and the King of Israell against him At which time he called not for Gods assistance but sent presents vnto the King of Ashur crauing his ayde whereunto the King of Ashur condescended He was twenty yeares old when he began his raign he continued 16. yeares most irreligiously and prophanely and so died Par. Who was the twelfth King Past 2 King 16.20.18.1.2.3.4 to 9.13 to the end 19.20 Hezekiah his sonne raigned and ruled so religiously so zealously and so faithfully as that the holy Ghost witnesseth none was like him amongst all the Kings of Iudah that went before him neither were any such after him And therefore the Lord God of heauen was with him which made him to prosper in all things that hée tooke in hand In his time euen in the fouretéenth yeare of his raigne Senacherib the King of Ashur came against all the strong cities of Iudah and tooke them Then Hezekiah sent vnto him desiring him to take those treasures which he had sent and to be at peace with him and his people He receiued the treasures and yet neuerthelesse most tyrannously and trecherously he sent Rabsaketh with an huge army against him who most blasphemously railed at reuiled the King and the Lord God of heauen Then the King of Iudah and his Nobility went into the house of the Lord with their cloathes rent and with teares to pray vnto the Lord for helpe Then Esay the Prophet as being sent from God comforted them saying Be not afraid for thus the Lord hath said The King of Ashur shall returne into his owne land and there shall be discomfited So Rabsaketh presently returned and found it so indéede For the King of Aethiopia was come vp to fight against him Neuerthelesse Rabsaketh sent men with railing Letters vnto Hezekiah the King Which Letters hée spreads open in the Lords sight with many prayers and teares The Lord heard him at large and sent an Angell which destroyed the Assirian army and as he was in the Temple worshipping his idoll god two of his owne sonnes slew him About that time Hezekiah fell sicke vnto death and through his great intercession to God he recouered within thrée dayes and liued fiftéene yeares after as the Prophet Esay had said vnto him The Lord promised also to defend him from the King of Ashur And because he might be assured thereof he gaue him a signe in Ahaz diall of ten degrées backward At the same time came the King of Babels sonne with letters and a present to visite him whom he entertained very royally and shewed him all his treasures At which déede the Lord was angry and sent Esay to tell him that in time to come all his treasures and his people should be carried away captiue into Babilon He was fiue and twenty yeares old when he began to raigne and raigned nine and twenty yeares Par. What doe you specially obserue in these foure last recited Kings to wit Azariah Ioathan Ahaz and Hezekiah Past It appeares that almighty God did specially fauour them in that hée gaue them fiue Prophets of whom they might inquire for the Lords will Esay Ioel. Hosea Amos. Micha Par. Who was the thirteenth king Past Manastes his sonne 2 Kin. 20.21.21.1 to 19. He wrought wickednes in the Lords sight and liued in open view of his subiects after the abhominations of the Heathen whom the Lord had cast out before him For whatsoeuer his holy Fathers had done to the honour and seruice of God he wrought cleane contrary and gaue himselfe to witchcraft sorcery familiar spirits and such like He did leade the people from the Lord and he enforced Iudah to sinne and he shed much innocent blood Wherefore the Lord God of Israell said I will bring an euill vpon Israell that who so heareth it both his eares shall tingle I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance and I will deliuer them into the hands
leauing his people vtterly destitute prophefled in Babilon during the seauenty yeares Captiuitie Par. Declare your reason why you place Haggi Zachary and Malachie with Ezra Nehemiah and Hester Reason for the fift Past These doe lye in order according to the times The last Degrée that I handled doth concerne the time in which the people were in captiuitie and this Degrée concernes the time from the end of their Captiuitie vntill the finishing of the Temple at Ierusalem And the three Prophets annexed vnto them were such as God gaue to comfort and to set them forward in their building and in Religion Par. What reason haue you to sort some Bookes of the olde Testament with the Epistles Reason for the sixt Past These Bookes olde and new for matter chiefly contained in them are in another sort and kinde farre differing from the former They are more properly called Doctrinall and Sapientall because therein the holy Ghost most compendiously by similitudes comparisons allegories and examples doth perswade all men to embrace Christ Iesus in holinesse of life and conuersation Reason for the seauenth These Bookes fall out according to the Degrées so to be placed For Daniel intreats of matter and things done during the captiuitie and somewhat largely of things to be performed vntill Christs Incarnation So Saint Iohn likewise in the Reuelation poynts out by manifest particulars to those great things that were and are to be performed vntill the last day in which Christ Iesus shall come with triumph and great glory to pronounce the fulnesse of ioy for his Elect. Thus I end as I began yéelding all praise empire and dominion to his blessed Maiestie A Prayer for the Morning O Lord thou which couerest the night with darknesse and causest man therein to take his rest and by euery day and night doest shew thy great glory in the heauens and also thy wisedome and power by gouerning and preseruing all thy creatures vpon the earth O Lord I thy poore seruant and creature doe most humbly thanke thée from the bottome of my heart for my swéet and comfortable rest this night past and for watching ouer me by thine eye of prouidence and kéeping both my body and soule by thy grace from sinne and death Beséeching thée O Lord God my Father Sauiour and Comforter to blesse to sanctifie direct and preserue mée in this thy new day and that I may become a new creature vnto thée O God in holinesse and righteousnesse labouring faithfully and painefully in my calling that so my labours this day may be sanctified and blessed vnto mée and mine and that I may shew forth thy praise in all my wayes and declare my loue and charitie vnto men in all my workes that after the dayes of this my life and pilgrimage finished and ended here in this world I may liue with thée for euer in the world to come through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour who liueth and raigneth with thée and the holy Ghost euer one God world without end Amen A Prayer for the Euening O Gracious and merciful God I am most bound vnto thy heauenly Maiestie for my preseruation this day because I and all men are continually subiect vnto all dangers and perils griefes and sorrowes sicknesse and death yea we lye open vnlesse thy grace and might doe defend vs vnto the temptations and tyranny of the World the Flesh and the Diuell which daily séeke and desire our hurt and confusion both of body and soule for euer Wherefore O gracious and euerliuing God as thy right hand and sauing health hath béene with mée this day and thou hast directed blessed and comforted mée thy poore seruant in all my wayes and labours for the which I most humbly thanke thée so I most earnestly intreate thy Maiestie in thy loue and mercy for Christ Iesus sake to kéepe mée and all mine in safety this night and to couer vs vnder the shadow of thy wings from all perils and dangers whatsoeuer and that our soules as well as our bodies may take their swéet and comfortable rest and ioy in thée and likewise that thou wouldest grant that whensoeuer thou shalt knocke at the doore of our harts to call vs vnto thée O God wée may with the wise Virgins be watchfull and haue oyle in our lampes that we may be receiued into eternall rest through Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne and our only Sauiour Amen FINIS