day in sleeping in eating and drinking to excess who instead of holy meditations have been thinking and contriving your worldly business who instead of religious conferences have discoursed only of earthly matters instead of going to Church to worship God have walked into the Fields and spent the time in Recreations Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 5. Come forth all ye Swearers and Profaner of the Name of God did you never read or hear of the third Commandment which forbad this sin Did you never hear of my strict Injunction that you should not swear at all in your discourses but that your Communication should be yea and nay were you never told that swearers would fall into Condemnation was the great and dreadful name of God of so little regard that you could not only use it irreverently so frequently but also even tear it in piecâ—â— by your Oaths You call'd upon God sometimes to damn and sink you can you speak in that language now now damnation is so near you Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 6. Come forth all ye scoffers at Religion and the zealous professâ—rs thereof who taught and spake of Reâ—igion as if it had been a fancy and cunningly delised Fables and of the most holy humble and 〈◊〉 denying Christians as if they were the mosâ— mean spirited foolish and contemptible People upon Earth and have used the name of a Saint in derision and proverb of reproach Have you the same mind now that Religion was but a fancy Is your Resurrection and my appearance but a fancy Is your punishment eternal in hell like to be but a fancy Have you not a sure ground and bottom for your faith in the Scriptures Could you have desired more reasonable evidence of things done before your age Could you laugh at Scripture threatnings And can you laugh now you are come to Execution Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 7. Come forth all ye Persecutâ—rs of my Disciples was it not enough for you to mock them but you must persecute them too Was it not enough for you to persecute them with the tongue but you must persecute them with the hand What could you betray them like Iudas for a piece of money or out of malice which was worse Could you disturb them in their service and worship of me when they were praying for your very Conversion and Salvation Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 8. Come forth all ye intemperate and licentious persons who have indulged your flesh and laid no restraint upon your sensual appetite who have made provision for your flâ—sh to fullfill the lusts thereof but made no provâ—â—ion for my glory and took no care to fulfilâ— my commands did you never hear of sâ—ch a duty as self-denial which I required of all my Disâ—iplâ—s and Followers Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 9. Come forth all ye Gluttons who have prepared you flesh with delicious food but never had the least regaâ—d to feed your souls Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 10. Come forth all ye Drunkards who if ye have not â—vercharged your bellies with excessive eating â—et have often intoxicated your brains with the fume of excessive drinking what excuse can you find for this sin were you inticed to it and overtaken before you were aware but who could entice you to drink a potion which would kill your bodies and was not the death and damnation of your souls more to be avoided Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 11. Come forth all ye Adulterers you that have neighed like full-fed Horses after your neighbours Wives and assembled by troops into Harlots houses or if not so have committed this sin in secret corners was there no shame in you to keep you from this nasty filthy sin Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 12. Come forth all ye Covetous persons whose treasure and heart hope and confidence hath been in earthly things Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 13. Come forth all ye unmerciful persons whose bowels have been shut up against the poor and â—eedy who have spoken churlishly to the poor and looked upon them afar off Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 14. Come forth all ye unrighteous persons who have wronged Widows and Orphans who have over-reached your neighbours in your dealings who have heaped an estate together by unrighteous practices who have squeezed and oppressed the poor which have had no helper Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 15. Come forth all ye liars you who have taught and accustomed your selves to this sin who have not only reported lies but also made them Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 16 Come forth all ye Slanderers and Back-biters who have walked about with slanders and carried about tales unto the reproach and injury of your neighbours good name Did you not know it was your duty to endeavour the preservation of your Neighbours Reputation as carefully as your own Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 17. Come forth all ye proud and ambitious persons you that have builded your nests on high that have taken many dirty steps to get into the seat of honour whose hearts have been lifted up with high towering imaginations and conceits of your own excellencies unto the scorning and contempt of others who have had proud hearts and proud looks and proud speeches and proud carriage towards others Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 18. Come forth all-ye envious and malicious persons ye that have grieved at the good of others which they have had or done that have grieved at the good Estates of others or because they have thrived faster then you in the world Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 19. Come forth all ye wrathful and contentious persons ye that have had fiery spirits and fiery tongues whose tongue have been like swords wherewith ye haâ—e lashed and wounded others in your reproachful râ—viling speeches Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 20. Come forth all ye civil and moral persons who have had moral righteousness and been upright in your dealings but wholly strangers unto the power of godliness who have observed some precepts of the second Table of the Law in reference to your selves and others externally but have grosly neglected the duties of the first Table Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 21. Come all ye Hypocrites who have made a shew of Holiness and have born the name of Zealous professours of Religion but have been acted by carnal designs and principles who have used Religion as a Cloak for your Covetousness who followed me only for the Loaves who have been hollow at the heart rotten at the Core painted-Sepulchers blazing· Comets wandring and falling Stars for whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 22. Come forth all ye Back-sliders and Apostates from me and my wayes
stead shall Bleed A Sacrifice our God has for himself provided so in the dayes to come the Blessed Messia bleeding for lost Man shall purge his Sins and once more render frailâ— Mortality the favorit of Heaven The Conclusion The Ram is by Glad Abraham slain and made A Sacrifice that pleases well his God Which done with Isaack he returns to tell Vnthinking Sarah all that had befell And has his Faith imputed Righteousness Call'd Friend of God the chiâ—f in Faithfullness Now Abraham is already at the foot of the Mountain he commands his Servants away he takes his only Isaack he loads him with the Instruments of his punishment Let us go my dear Child let us go my Son let us go my Isaack my Joy my Hope and my Love Father whither do we go answered Isaack Alas what is your desire I indeed see the Fire and the Sword which you carry as also the Wood on my Shoulders but where is the Victim which must be offered as an Holocaust My Son trouble not your self for God will provide one So Abraham still persists in his fidelity to God he makes ready the Altar he sets the Wood in order he kindles the Fire he draws his Sword out of the Scabbard he takes Isaack into his Arms he placeth him near the pile he tyes his Hands and puts the cover over his forehead in sine this innocent Lamb being on both his Knees his Body half naked and his Head bowed a little forward sighing sweetly without making the least complaint or demanding any more why expected the stroak of Death when his Father as it is very probable began to acquaint him with the secret of his happy lot Isaack my most dear Son thou didst ask me at the foot of the Mountain where was the Victim of our Sacrifice I answered thee that God woulâ— provide one his Paternal Goodness hath done it and his will iâ— that thou must be the Victim and I the Priest it is very true that thou art the object of my sweetest hopes and that I should look on thee as the support of my â—ouse but it is in God we must place our only hope it is he that serves for a Basis and Piller to all fortunes and it is his sage Providence which holds in its hands good and evil favours and disgraces Life and Death Dye then cheerfully my dear Child and rest assured that I would willingly put my self in thy place if God had so ordained I adore his will and I am too happy to serve as an instrument unto his commands As for thee my poor Son I had very constant proofs of thy sweet disposition and if I had not often tryed how obedient and pliable thou art unto Gods will and mine I should endeavour more efficaciously to perswade thee but it would be fruitless and it is from Gods goodness and thy constancy I hope for the Grace of being inabled to offer and immolate thee with my own Hands What can Isaack say to this It is enough for him to assent and be silent I yet frame in my imagination that he besought his Father to give him his Sword that he might kiss it as the rod of the wise Providence of Heaven I believe also he bowed down his Head a little more forward to testifie that his thoughts accorded with his Heart and that his most real affections were ready to be immolated unto God and his Father In the mean while Abraham takes his Sword again into his Hand and having bathed it with his tears he lifts up his arm to discharge his blow upon the Neck of his Son But what will be the issue will not all the Angels of Heaven who look upon this Sacrifice put some Victim in Isaacks place Divine Spirits I call on you for Abraham and Isaack In conclusion as Abraham had already lifted up his Arm and was ready to dart the Thunder-bolt God had put into his Hand the Voice of an Angel cryes out Abraham Abraham I command thee from God not to touch the Child and to pass no farther Ah Lord never was Love like thine And thy Love O God to me Surpasseth that of Abraham to thee The word is out poor Abraham must be gone Must take his Isaack take his only Son The Son of his affections him from whom From whose blest Loins so many Kings must come Even him must Abraham slay Abraham must rise And offer Isaac a Burnt-Sacrifice God scorns the offals of our saint desires He gives the best and he the best requires Abraham forbears to question thinks not good To reason or converse with Flesh and Blood Begs not young Isaack's Life nor goes about T'object the Law of Murther makes no doubt He rises rises early leads his Son Hastes where this Holy slaughter must be done When God bids go that very Breath's a Warrant We must not linger for haste crowns the Errant His Servants must no further they must stay Private Devotions claim a private way They must abide with th' Asses whilst th' aged Sirâ— In one Hand takes the Knife in th' other Fire The sacred Wood of offering must be pil'd On the young shoulders of the innocent Child Oh here mine Eyes must spend a Tear to see Thee bear the Wood great God that since bore thee Mistrustless Isaack seeing the Wood the Fire The sacrificing Knife begins to inquire But where 's the Sacred Lamb that must be slain Resolved Abraham least the Flesh should gain Too much on Nature sayes Not thou my Son Art he But th' Almighty will provide us one Where God commands 't is not enough to effect But we must baulk the occasion of neglect The Faithful Abraham now erects an Altar Orders the Wood what Tongue can chuse but faltes To tell the rest He lays his Hand upon His innocent Isaack binds his only Son He lays him down raiseth his Priestly Knife Vp rears his Arm to take his Isaack's Life True Faith is active coveâ—s to proceed From thought to action and from will to deed Before the strengthened stroke had time to fall A sudden voice from Heaven cryes hold recall Thy threatning Arm and sheath thy Holy Knife Thy Faith hath answered for thy Isaack's Life Touch not the Child thy Faith is throughly shown That has not spared thine own thine only Son How easie is our God and Labour who Counts it as done what we have will to do CHAP. XIX Giveing an Account of the Death of Sara THe most smiling prosperities often swim amidst Tears the clearest and most serene dayes are followed sometimes by the most obscurest dusky Nights Bodies for Companions have their own shadows Roses are mixed with Thorns and even the Life of Man never ends but in Death To see Abraham Sara and Isaack after their deliverance and the tryals God had of their fidelity would not one have believed them almost immortall and exempted from all the miseries of Life And yet scarce were they returned to their own home but
Abraham and Isaack met with a new occasion of grief for the Death of Sara But so it is the strictest unions must break the sincerest friendships must have an end and even Mâ—rriages themselves of which God was the sacred knot must at length make a Tragick Divorce upon a Bed which is the most common Theater of the blind furies of Death We ought to confess nevertheless that it is a spectacle able to excite the constancy of a good Courage when we shall behold this unmercifull Murdress which snacheth away Daughters out of their Mothers Bosoms and Sons in the sight of their Fathers and Wifes between the Arms of their Husbands In such a case if Nature had not some tenderness she would be unnaturall and we must have Hearts of Marble not to be touched with some sense of grief and pitty Abraham had then just cause to testifie by his tears the regret he had for his dear Sara's Death and surely since he lost so rare a blessing well might he disconsolately bewayl it This mourning was not yet blameable and he was very carefull not to doe like those who bury all their affections in the preparation of a Funerall pomp and who have but a shadowed meen or else not being able sufficiently to disguise their looks strive to hide under the Veils and shadows of a Bed or dark Chamber the shame of their insensibility Abraham shed more tears from his Heart than by his Eyes and in rendring all duties to Nature and his Wife he most amply satisfied God and his own piety while he was a Pilgrim and stranger in the Land of Canaan Sara being Dead in the City of Hebron he went directly into the place where his Wifes Body reposed There he offered up his Prayers unto God and kiss'd a thousand times those amiable reliques watering them from time to time with his tears He presently intreated Ephron to sell him a double Cave which was close by the vale of Mambre to interr Sara in that place Ephron is willing to grant what he asketh but being at last as it were inforced to take a sum of Money for the purchace of his Land Abraham became Master of the Field and Groat in which he laid the Body of his dear moity It is in this monument where the most generous Woman of her time reposeth and under this Rock of Diamond will be found a Diamantine Heart in the Body of Sara who was a perfect pattern of Constancy and Fidelity CHAP. XX. Giveing an account of the Mariage of Isaack with Rebecca and the Death of Abraham Gen. 24. The fair and chast Rebecca comes to draw At a Well-Water where a Man she saw Who gifts to her in Isaacks Name presents Which she accepts and to Wed him consents THis poor Man Abraham was in the Hands of God and Providence as a feather in the Air which serves for sport unto the Winds and as a Planet in the Heavens which never rests or as a Wheel in the Water which is alwayes turning and in a continual motion God led him out of Chaldea Mesopotamia Canaan and Egypt from thence he causeth him to return unto the Cananites where he stays for some time in the City of Sichem sometime in that of Hebron afterwards in â—erara and then in Bersheba and again in Hebron as if he could not live but in Travelling during whose Voyages Heaven is pleased to afford him a thousand Combats and as many occasions of Victory In fine after the deliverance of his Son and the death of his Wife he feeling himself wholy broken with old age and upon the point of following the happy lot of Sara resolved to seek a Wife for Isaack and for that end he calls one of the most Faithfull Servants of his House called Eliezer and having commanded him to lay his Hand under his Thigh he conjured him by the name of God to seek a match for his Son in the Land of Haram Which being done this wise Embassador chosen amongst the Domesticks of Abraham began his journey to execute the designs and Commission of his Master and departing from Bersheba he went directly to Mesopotamia carrying with him ten large Camels loaden with the rarest and most magnificent presents which were in Abrahams House Behold him then in the City of Nachor meditating with himself upon all the readiest and most facile means to expedite what had been given him in charge What will he do First he departs out of the City and repairing where Women in their turns were wont to draw Water he there rest his Camels expecting untill Heaven should offer the opportunity he desired During this expectation he offered up his prayers unto God saying Lord God of Abraham cast I beseech thee some propitious and favourable looks upon the designs of my Master This Faithfull Servant will not feed untill He do his trust reposing Masters will There 's many now that will not Eat before They speed their Masters Work they 'l drink the more Great God take pitty of Abrahâ—m thy Faithfull Servant it is by his appointmenâ— I am in these territories I expect here but the hour when the Maid shall come to draw Water out of this Fountain iâ— then My God thou dost give me this advice I resolve no entreat the first which shall approach it to afford me some Water to drink if she grant me this favour by this sign I shall presently believe that it is doubtless she whom thy holy Providence hath appointed for Isaacks Spouse Scarce had Eliezer ended his Coloquie when a Malâ— called Rebecca appeared fair and chast as the Day who carried under her Arm an Earthen Pitcher to take up Water Eliezer presented himself humbly beseeching her to afford him some drink to which Rebecca presently assented performing all that Curtesie and Charitie required The holy Scripture observes that Eliezer very seriously contemplated all the actions of Rebecca as being a Myrrour in which he was to discern the marks of Gods conduct concerning Abraham and Isaack In fine this prudent Man chose a fit time to present unto Rebecca some Ear-rings and Bracelets Afterwards he informed himself of the conveniencies which were in the House of his Maids Parents who spake unto him Being then well instructed concerning the alliances of Rebecca and what was in her House seeing also that all corresponded with his desires he threw himself on the ground to render thanks unto his God and to adore his ineffable goodness towards Abraham Mean while Rebecca hastens to her Parents to bring them the first news of what had passed whereof her Brother whose name was Laban having taken notice he went presently unto the Well from whence Rebecca came Finding Eliezer he most affectionatly intreated him to visit his Fathers House and having conducted him thither he immediately gave Hay and Straw to his Camels afterwards he washed his Feet as also the Feet of those who came with him Then Eliezer took occasion to publish the Commission which
in their Mothers Womb they began the intestine Duel But what ever happens Iacob shall be vanquisher for Heaven is on his side and the supplanting of Esau shall rather proceed from the Hand of God than that of Iacob But alas What strife What Victory What â—riumphs When the Crowns we gain are but Roses staind with Blood and Lawrels which wither in a moment and transform themselves into eterâ—all Thorns It is not for this prize Iacob sought in his Mothers Womb but he assaults and supplants Esau for the purchase of Immortal Crowns CHAP. XXII Giveing an account of the Education of Esau and Jacob and the shamefull sale he made of hâ—s Birth-right Gen. 25. The twin-born Brothers are of different minds Jacob loves Cattel Esau pleasure finâ—s In hunting whence returning home be doth Sell his Birth-right to Jacob for Red-â—roath WE need not be over much versed in Physiogâ—omy to foâ—â—tâ—ll what Esau would prove for in hiâ— Birth he gave so many evident â—â—gns as we cannot be ignorant of his future inclinations His Body Hairy like a Bear could not be animated but by the Soul of a Beast Iacob on the contrary had only the qualities of a Dove and his Heart had less Gall than a Lamb. He went scarce ever out of the House and shewed so much simplicity sweetness and moderation as but to see him a Man was constrained to love him Notwithstanding Isaack had more violent inclinations towards his Eldest Son And this Love was only grounded upon Esau's constant custome in bringing him every Day some piece of Venison However it were the Liberty Isaack gave to Esau of running all the day long through Woods and Forrests was the occasion which brought him to his first misfortune For this poor Chaser comming one day weary and Hungry from hunting and meeting with Iacob who had câ—used some Pulse to be sod he intreated him to give him a share of it to which Iacob willingly agreeded upon Condition he would yield up to him his right of Primogeniture Alas â— dye for very huâ—â—er answâ—red Esau what will this Right avail thee after my death if it be so replyed Iacob take an Oath that thou wilt give it me Well in truth then I swear it saith Esau and I acknowledge thee in quality of my Elder Brother whereupon this poor wretch took immediately Bread and Pulse from his Broâ—hers Hand little valueing the loss he had made of the first advantage wherewith God and Nature had â—â—voured him CHAP. XXIII Giveing an Account of the Dexterity of Rebecca to procure for Jacob the blessing of Isaack Gen. 27. Isaack Dim-sighted Jacob takes to be Esau deceiv'd through his minds jealousie Jacob the Blessing gets Esau returnes And markes the Cheat for which he Grieves and Mourns ISaack waxing old amidst many misfortunes insensibly felt the approaches of Death and as if his â—yes abhor'd to serve as witnesses to the disasters of his old age they covered themselves with the Darkness of a lamentable Blindness Amongst these Accidentâ— his Eyes being shut against all the Claritieâ— of Life his Soul went penetrating the shade and Night of the Tomb. He calls Esau and sayes to him with a pittifull Tone Alas my Son I am upon the Brink of my Grave and yet I know not when I shall discend into it This good man feeling his life to extinguish as a Lamp whose Oyl begins to fail â—alled Esau and commanded him to take his Quiver his Bow and Arrows and to go a hunting that 〈◊〉 might bring him something to eat with this promise that at his return he would give him his beâ—ediction before his Death Esau immediatly performing what his Father commanded him Rebecca who heard Isaacks whole discourse made use of her time very seasonably to doâ— what the Spirit of God directed her Ah! how ingenious is vertuâ— and how dexterous is Love when it follows the will of God! who would believe that a Woman durst undertake what Rebecca did Her Artifiâ—es then were innocent and her intentions very just and holy when she disguised Iacob to deceive Isaack and frustrate Esau of the blessing he expected Goe then my Son saith she and make choice amongst our Flocks of the two faâ—test Kids you shall find I will so dress them that I will make them serâ—e for your Fathers repast to the end having fed on them he may bless you before his death But what replyed Iacob Mother you know that my Body is not Hairy like my Brothers I am fearfull then lest my Father touch me and believe I intend to mock him lay on me his malediction But Iacob would never have been so adventurous as to undertake an action which might irritate the gooâ—ness of Isaack if Rebecca had not relieved him in his fear and if she had not made appear to him that her Wiles were very just and her design most innocent Ah! sâ—ith she my Son leave unto me this fear I will preserve thee from this danger thou apprehendest and if any ill chance to happen I wish it may fall on me do then boldly what I shall say unto thee She presently apparelled him in Esau's Garments covered his Neck and Hands with Skins which had some resemblance of his Brothers and gave him such Bread and Meat as she knew would be pleasing to Isaacks tast Iacob presents them unto his Father who hearing his voyce asked if he were Esau he answered that he was his Eldest Son and that having exactly performed all his commands he besought him to eat of the Venison he had prepared for him But what Said Isaack to him how couldst thou take and provide it in so short a time Iacob answers it is God who hath so dispos'd it and made it as it were fall into my Hands If it be so approach my â—on and give me thy Hands that I may toâ—ch them and feel whether thou art my Son Esâ—u or not Iacob obeyed and after Isaaâ—k had touched him he saith unto him surely this is the voice of Iacob I hear but if I be not deceived these are the Hands and Hair of Esau I feel Notwithstanding this doubt Isaack gave his benediction to Iacob and madâ— good cheer of all he had presented to him Imagine whether Rebecca stood not watching to observe all that passed I represent unto my self that she incourag'd Iacob with Gestures and Signs which made up a good part of this action The time must needs seem long unto her out of the fear she might have lest Esau should come in and disturb the â—ourse of Divine providence and the conduct of her prudent designs Gen. 27. At Esau's coming Jacob is dismay'd And to get Favour Gifts before him lay'd Instead of Blows he Jacob Kisseth oft Instead of Wrestling gives Embraces soft Approach my Son saith Isaack and bestow a Kiss 〈◊〉 thy poor Father Presently Iacob leaps on his â—eck embraces him huggs him and layes his eyes â—is lips and mouth on him and then Isaack thus â—leâ—â—eâ— him
mourns Though not a Blooâ—y Sâ—crifice as some Vainly believe but spends her dayes to come As a Recluse till Heaven is made her home Psal. 6.2 Have mercy Lord upon me for I am weak O Lord Heal me for my Bones are vexed Soul Jesus Soul Ah! Son of David help Iesus What sinfuâ—â— Crie Implores the Son of David Soul It is I. Jesus Who art thou Soul Oh! a deeply wounded Breast That 's heavie loaden and would sain have rest Jesus I have no Scraps and Dogs must not be fed Like Houshold Children with the Childrens Bread Soul True Lord yet tolerate a hungry whelp To lick your Crumbs O Son of David help Jesus Poor Soul what ail'st thou Soul O I 〈◊〉 I sry I cannot rest I know not where to fly To find some ease I turn'd my blubber'd Face From Man to Man I roll from place to place T' avoid my tortures to obtain relief But still I am dog'd and haunted with my grief My Mid-night torments call the sluggish Light And when the Mornings come they woo the Night Jesus Sir cease thy Tears and speak thy free desires Soul Quench quench my flames and swage these scorching Fires Jesus Caâ—st thou believe my Haâ—d can Curâ— thy Grief Soul Lord I believe Lord help my unbelief Jâ—sus Holâ— forth thy Arm and let my Fingers trâ— Thy Pulse where chiefly doth thy torment lye Soul From Head to Foot it reigns in every part But play 's the self-law'd tyrant in my Heart Jesus Canst thou Digest canst Relish wholsome Food How stands thy tast Soul To nothing that is good All sinfull trash and Earths unsav'ry stuff I can dig'st and relish well enough Jesus Is not thy Blood as cool as hot by turns Soul Cold to what 's good to what is bad iâ— burns Jesus How old 's thy Grief Soul I took 't at the fall With eating Fruit. Jesus T' is Epidemical Thy Blood 's infected and the infection sprung From a bad Liver 't is a Feaver strong And full of Death unless with present speed A vein be opened thou must dye or Bleed Soul O I am faint and spent that Lâ—unce that shall Let forth my Blood le ts forth my life withall My Soul wants Cordialls and has greater need Of Blood I being spent so far to bleed I faint allready if I bleed I dye Jesus T is either thou must bleed Sick Soul or I My blood 's a Cordiall He that sucks my Veins Shall cleanse his own and conquer greater pains Then these Chear up this precious blood of mine Shall cure thy Grief my Heart shall bleed thine Believe and view me with a faithfull Eye Thy Soul shall neither Languish Bleed nor Dye Epigram Canst thou be Sick and such a Doctor by Thou canst not live unless thy Doctor dye Strange kind of Grief that finds no Medicine goâ— To swage her pains but the Physicians Blood Psal. 143 2. Enter not into Judgment with thy Serâ—ant for in thy sight shall no man living â—e justified Iesus Iustice. Sinner â—esus Bring forth the Prisoner Iustice. Iust. Thy commands Are done just Judge See here the Prison'r stands 〈◊〉 What has the Prisoner done Say what is the cause Of this Commandment Iust. He hath broken the Laws Of his too Gracious God conspir'd the death Of that great Majesty that gave him breath And heaps transgression Lord on trangression 〈◊〉 How kâ—ow'st thou this Iust. Ev'n by his own confession His sins are crying and they cried aloud They cried to Heav'n they cried to Heaven for Blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What say'st thou Sinner Hast thou ought to plead â—hat Sentence shall not pâ—ss Hold up thy head â—nd shew thy Brazen and rebellious face 〈◊〉 Ah me I dare not I 'm to vile and base â—o tread on the Earth much more to lift â—â—ine Eyes to Heav'n I need no other shrift â—han mine own Conscience Lord I must confesse â—m no more then dust and no whit less â—hen my inâ—ictment stiles me Ah! If thou â—â—arch too severe with too severe a Brow â—hat Flesh can stand I have transgressed thy Laws 〈◊〉 merits plead thy vengeance not my cause 〈◊〉 Lord shall I strike the blow Jes. Hold Iustice stay Sinner speak on what hast thou more to say Sinner Vile as I am and of my selfabhor'd I am thy handy-work thy Creature Lord Stampt with thy glorious Image and at first Most like to thee though now a poor accurst Convicted Caitiff and degen'rous Creature Here trembling at thy Bar. Just. Thy faul's the greater Lord shall I strike the blow Jes. Hold Justice stay Speak Sinner Hast thou nothing more to say Sinner Nothing but mercy mercy Lord my state Is miserable poor and desperate I quite renounce my self the World flee From Lord to Iesus from thy self to thee Just. Cease thy vain hopes my angry God has vow'd Abused mercy must have blood for blood Shall I yet strike the blow Jes. Stay Justice hold My Bowels yearn my fainting Blood grows cold To view the trembling Wretch Methinks I spy My Fathers Image in the Pris'ners eye Iust. I cannot hold Jes. Then turn thy Thirsty Bladâ— Into my sides let there the wound be made Chear up dear Soul redeem thy life with mine My Soul shall smart my Heart shall bleed for thine Sinner O groundless deeps O love beyond degree Th' offended dyes to set the offender free Epigram Mercy of mercies he that was my drudge Is now my Advocaâ—e is now my Iudge He suffers pleads and sentences alone Three I adore and yet adore but one Deutrenomy 32.29 O that Men were Wise and that they understood this that they would consider their latter end Flesh. Spirit Flesh. What means my Sisters eye so oft to pass Through the long Entry of the optick Glass Tell me what secret virtue doth invite Thy wrinkled eye to such unknown delight Spirit It helps the sight makes things remote appear In perfect view it draws the Objâ—ct near Flesh. What sense-delighting objects doth thou spye What doth the Glass present before thine eye Spirit I see thy Foe my reconciled Friend Grim Death even standing at the Glasses â—â—d His left hand holds a branch of Palm his right Holds forth a two-edg'd Sword Fle. A proper sight And is this all doth thy prospective please Th' abused fancy with no shapes but these Spirit â—â—es I behold the darkned Sun bereav'â— â—f all his light the battlâ—mâ—nts of Heav'n Shelâ—ring in flames thâ— Angel guarded Son Of Glory on his Tribunall-Throne I see a Brimstone Sea of boyling fire And fâ—inds with knotted whips of flaming Wire Torâ—er'ng poor Souls that kâ—ash their Teeth in vain Aâ—d knâ—w their flame tormentâ—d tongues for pain Look Sister how the queasy-stomack'd Graves Vâ—mit their dead and how the Purple waves Scald their Consumeless Bodies strongly Cursing All Wombs for Bearing and all Paps for Nursing Flesh. Can thy distempâ—r'd fancy take delight In view of Tortures these are shows t' affright Look in this Glass triangular look here Hear
it is good to enjoy the company of the Godly while they are living so it is not amiss if it will stand with convenience to be buried with them after death The old Prophets bones escaped a burâ—ing by being buried with the other Prophets and the Man who was tumbled into the grave of Elisha was revived by the virtue of his Bones And we read in the Acts and Monuments That the body of Peter Martyr's wife was buried in a dunghil but afterwards being taken up in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth it was honourably buried in Oxford in the Grave of one Frideswick a Popish-the-Saint to this end that if Popery which God forbid should over-spread our Kingdom again and if the Papists should go about to untomb Peter Martyrs Wifes Bones they should be puzzled to distinguish betwixt the Womans body and the Reliques of that their Saint so good it is sometimes to be buried with those who some do account pious though perchance in very deed they be not so The Lord do so to me and more also To ascertain Naomi of the seriousness of her intentions herein Ruth backs what formerly she had said with an Oath lined with an execration If ought but Death See here the large extent of a Saints love it lasts till Death and no wonder for it is not founded upon Honour Beauty Wealth or any other sinister respect in the party beloved which is subject to Age or Mutability but only on the Grace and Piety in him which Foundation because it alwayes lasteth the love which is built upon it is also perpetual Part thee and me Death is that which parteth one Friend from another Then the dear Father must part with his dutiful Child then the dutiful Child must forget his dear Father then the kind Husband must leave his constant Wife then the constant Wife must losâ— her kind Husband then the careful Master must be sundred from his industrious Servant then the industrious Servant must be sundred from his careful Master Yet this may be some comfort to those whose Friends death hath taken away that as our Saviour said to his Disciples Yet a little while and â—ou shall not see me and yet a little while and you shall see me again So yet a little while and we shall noâ— see our Friends and yet a little while and we shall see them again in the Kingdom of Heaven for nâ—â— miâ—â—umur sed prâ—mittumur we do not foregoe them but they go before us A Dialogue between Naomi and Ruth Argument Kind Ruth her Husband dead to Naomi Dâ—'s cleave resolving so to live and dy In all adversity she makes a Vow To follow her and her kind Aid allow To prop her Aged years when kindly she Accepts of her dear Daughters company Naomi SEe'st thou not that Orpah thy Sister has left me and is again returned to her People why should'st thou then remain since Heaven's Eternal King has taken to himself Chilion the dear Pledge of your tender Love there live happy since all hopes are vanished that from my aged Womb more Sons should spring Ruth Have I not lived with you these many years even when wall-breaking Famine bared the sun-burnt Fields and Men as well as Beasts by thousands fell to fat the Bosom of our Common Mother Naomi 'T is true you have but then Heavens plenteous hand showred blessings on me then my Husband and my careful Sons drew breath But now Ruth Now why Can you once imagine that want can cause my love to wast no for your own and my dead Chilions sake I 'll love you still and render you â—he Duty that becomes a Daughter in Law Naomi Thy tender years can never undergo the â—ardship that poor wandring Naâ—mi may meet with 〈◊〉 she can be setled in the place where first she â—rew her Breath therefore consider and whilst â—ou are in Moabs borders think of the plenty that â—bounds in your own indulgent Mothers Womb. Ruth I have already cast the business in my Mind and am resolved that Winters chilling Storms nor Summers scorching beat attended with the sharp Contests of poverty and pining want shall never part us Death it self in all his dismal shapes is not of force to shake my fixed determination Naomi You yet are young and have not strugled with Misfortunes nor contended with the world and therefore know not of what force they are consider how belated Naomi in her long Journey must be often forced to make the Ground her Bed and underneath some spreading Tree lie stretched Exposed to all the injuries of weather whilst soft sleep flys from her careful Breast and she with sighs and groans is forced to wound the murmuring Air. Ruth If upon some bleak Mountains top whose covering is Snow and Globes of Solid Ice where Winters lasting Tyranny still Reigns you should be forced 〈◊〉 make your Bed I 'de there repose This Arm should be your Pillow whilst your Daughter your obedieâ—â— Ruth froze to your side Naomi Could you do this Yet think again and well consider that old Age comes fast on me and I shall soon be summoned to the Grave where you being left a stranger in the Land of Israel and far from your Relations meet with much contempt and scorn from the proud Daughters of the Land Then will be the time of your repentance theâ— you 'll blame that ill starr'd day you left your Country and your Friends for the sad company of wretched Naomi Ruth Let that not trouble my dear Adopted Mother for when unfâ—iendly Death with his cold Icy hand shall grasp your Life I 'll mourn much like a Widdow Turtle till in floods of swelling Grief I 'm wasted to Eternity and then our bodies shall not be disjoyned but in 〈◊〉 Grave we 'll lie till our returning Souls shall wake 〈◊〉 drowsie courses and hand in hand we take our way to Heaven Naomi Can there be such constant Faith in Woman O thou glory of our Sex let me embrace thee Thus whilst my poor heart o'reflows with Joy O thou dear recompence of all my toils who makest amends forHusband and for Sons loss may Heavens Favours shour upon your Head and you be blessed in all you undertake Ruth Your kind Expressions are too large a retribution for what I have resolved but see the Morning Dawn salutes the World let 's lose no time but strait begin our Iourney to the wish'd Bethlehem of Juda. Naomi Be it as you have said my only Comfort and blest Solace of my age Conclusion Thus setting forth they unto Bethlehem came Where Naomi desired to change her Name As griev'd at her great loss but in the end Rich Boaz weds Ruth and soon becomes her Friend Ruth Soon grows fruitful and from her does spring The Lineal Rank good David Israels King Dagons Fall before the Ark. The Sins of Israel growing great Gods rage Was bent against his Chosen Heritage Old Ely's Sons polluting holy things And with vile Haâ—ds disdain the
Zarephath The Argument The Raven fed Elijah finding dâ—y The Brook of Cherish at Gods word does fly To Zerephath and near the Gate does find A Widdow for whose kindness he proves kind Saving her Life by miracle that done He shows Gods Power in raising her dead Son Eli. THis is the place the happy place appointed by the God of Israel to give â—liâ—ah rest And see according to his word the Widdow in whose House I must sojourn till wastful â—amine destroys the Land makes her retreat to â—hose vast Dâ—sarts where the scorching Sun forbids â—he falling showers Wid. Ha! What stranger is this that hasts to our 〈◊〉 wretched half starved City whose faint inhabiâ—â—â—ts resemble Death's pale Image and seem rather â—andring shades than Mortal substances Eli. Haste haste thou happy Woman whom Heaâ—en ordains to find refreshment for a weary Travelâ—â—r hast I say and fetch me bread and water speediâ—â— to stay my fleeting Soul Wid. Alas Sir As for bread 't is become so great 〈◊〉 that scarce a Morsel's to be found in this 〈◊〉 City Water indeed we have yet that of late is 〈◊〉 o're plenty Eli. Can it be that such a stately Pile such lofty Edifices are so quickly drained of that which is the Staff of Life W. Know you not Sir that Meagre Famine with dreadful howlings terrifies the Nation tearing up with brazen Talents the long barren Soil crushing with Iron Teeth the hardest Flints whilst all her Bones appear through her close cleaving Skin and her sunk Eyes and shrivled Dugs make her look frightful to poor pining Mortals Eli. I know for sin for dire heart hardning sin the just iâ—censed Majesty of Heaven has chas'd away the swelling Clouds grown big with showers whose gentle distillation should assist kind Nature in performing her desired task and close the crannies of the yauning Earth nor shall the cattaracts give rain in years to come so Iacobs God decrees Wid. If Earth deny her Fruits much longer whâ— can live since we already see so many thousands gasping for a moments Life and hear no other cries than what proceed from sad necessitie whilst nothing that 's unclean is left unfed upon As for my self all I have left is but a handful of course meal and a small quaâ—tity of Oyl nay and half that 's my Sons to dress whicâ— am gathering these few sticks for that we may eat anâ— dye Eli. Dread not Death since Heaven is carefuâ— of your preservation dress instantly what now yoâ— have and still your store shall be continued Wid. It cannot be or if it do remain with 〈◊〉 unconsumed a while it soon will wast and then we havâ— no more to eat nor know we where to buy for now purâ— Gold and Silver once a precious bane is gladly give for the vilest things with which the worst of Creatâ—â—â— heretofore were fed Eli. Dispute not what I bid but do as I commanâ— and live dare you doubt that ought's impossible wiâ—â— God who sent me to preserve your life whiâ—â— â—ll the streets are paved with dead and dying wretches Wid. My Heart misgives me and something as it were does wisper me in my Ear that it is a Prophet speak therefore totally relying on your word I 'le instantly make tryal If I live I live at the worst I can but dy Ha all I have taken out cannot be mist the Cruse and the Barrel fill again by Miracle Eli. And so they shall till plenteous Harvest bends with Golden Ears the feeble stalks and Wine and Oyl is every where abounding Wid. Blessed for ever be the Name of Israels God Who has sent his Servant to his Hand-maid to preserve her by wayes unexpected from a Death that could not but by miracle have been prevented Eli. No more but dress what 's in thy hand whilst I revive and render thanks to his all glorious Name who has vouchsafed this favour Wid. With eager Williâ—gness I fly to do what you â—â—mmand Conclusion On unexhausted food three Persons fed Till fatal sickness struck the youngest dead But by the Prophet he to Life is brought When bold Elisha furious Ahab sought And tries by Sacrifice who is the God That heals and wounds shedding the curst Priests blood Then tells of Rain that quickly does insue And Earths dry face with Vervant Robes renew Whilst Iezabel his Life with labour sought From Earth he is in a fiery Chariot caught Leaving Elisha who does strait inherit A double Portion of Elija's Spirit A Dialogue between Ahab and Naboth The Argument Naboth by Ahab sent for waits upon His King to know what 't is he wou'd have done Who asks his Vineyard Naboth it denyes For which denyal ston'd with stones he dyes Naboth LOng live the King of Israel why is it my Lord has sent to speak unto his Servant Why is such an honour as the presence of a King conferred upon unworthy Naboth Thus low I beg to know the reason Ahab Rise worthy Subject 't is a Monarch bids you leave that Posture 't is your King that has a Suit to Naboth Na. Can Israels great and glorious Prince the Ruler of the God of Iacobs Heritage on whose Breath my Life depends sue to his Subject or seek ought of him that his obedience shall not readily comply with Ahab You will oblige me much if my Expectations are but answered 't is a small Request yet prized by me at no low rate Na. Speak mighty Monarch Let your Servant know your Pleasure nay command and be obeyed Ahab Have you not a Vineyard joyning to the Palace of your King Na. I have great Sir your Servant has a poor Inheritage in which he takes delight to recreate himself and pass the flying day in rural Labourâ—â— one while guiding the growing Tendrils where to clime directing the rich Vines to their beloved Elm at other whiles pruning the luxurious branches cultivating the hard Soil and drawing softer Molâ— about their spreading Roots and when the long wish'd Harvest comes 't is my delight to crop the swelling Clusters and press out the Necterous Juyce Umbrag'd by the leaâ—â—e Verdure from the Suns hot Beams and taught to know the Works of Nature Ahab 'T is sure you cannot but be much delighted with the pleasant divertisement since you sâ—em so much transported with relating it But to urge my meaning home suppose your King should be desirous to possess it Would Naboth without grudging part with what does render him such pleasure Na. How most gracious Lord what part with my Inheritance O let me on my knees implore my King would urge this thing no further Ahab Nay let not Naboth be mistaken Ahab asks it not without a price Its value you shall have in Ophirs of finest Gold or else a Vineyard far exceeding it in Circuit and abounding more in Trees producing Nectar and Ambrosia Na. But let the King of Israel consider that the Vineyard he demands is his poor Subjects dear Inheritage O rather ask Life and take it
soon clad with vile corruption loathsome putrefaction and deserted by his cringing Courtiers who will fly the scent and turn their faces to adore the rising Sun O now too plain I know that all the glories of the world are fading shadows things not worth our smallest care But see the Prophet is return'd and my heart leapeth with joy in expectation of some milder sentence Speak speak most sacred seer is there not yet some hopes of a Reprieve for poor condemned Hezekiah Isa. There is the God of mercy has inclined his Ear to your low supplication your humility has conquer'd his displeasure and melted him into compassion Fifteen years are added unto your days and for a sign of confirmation Heavens glorious Lamp shall Retrogradâ— no less than ten degrees upon the Dial of Ahaz Hez I am confirmed and dare not be so bold as to dispute ought further than the sign he is pleased to seal his mercy with Isa. See then 't is done and now it much concerns you to imploy this large addition to the Glory of the Donor Hez That shall be all my care nor will I dare to displease that God that has shew'd such favour to his worthless Servant as this to snatch him from the Jaws of death and respite his declining body from the Grave Conclusion Thus Hezekiah lives beyond his date And joys to think of his revived fate Walking uprightly till the time expires And then surrenders as grim death requires A Dialogue between Hester and King Ahasuerus The Argument The Captive Hester to a Throne is rais'd And by the great Ahasuerus prais'd Subduing him with Love whose Scepter sway'd All Eastern Nations whom greâ—t Kings obey'd Aha A Happy day unto the beauteous fair welcome thou loveliest of woman-kind welcom my Queen to the soft stretched out Arms of a transported Monarch whom your charms have 〈◊〉 beyond what words can tell Hest. Alâ—â— great Emperor I blush to think that ought in me should be of force to give delight to him whose aweful word commands so many Monarchs yet at the same time must confess a joy surprizing seizes every part that heâ—l vouchsafe thus to esteem his handmaid Aha Amongst the Beauties of the Land there 's none so charming so inchanting fair none so worthy of a glittering Diadem as my beloved Hester nor could so much amazing brightness as beams from her starry eyes shine better than upon her kind Ahasuerus O what transports found my Age when fired by those warm Joys that spread themselves throughout all your parts Hest. It shall be still the care of your obedient Queen to do what best may please her gracious Lord who from a low Estate has daignâ—d to raise her high above the Persian Princesses Aha Thou shalt be still more highly in esteem to you shall bend all Knees Princes shall wait upon your train and whatsoever conduces to the Glory of the greatest Potentate shall be at your command only be pleasing to your admirer and Life and Death shall hang upon your breath Hest. In me great Emperor Obedience still shall shine whatever you command that I can do my readiness in a compliance with my will shall testifie the high esteem I have for him that is sâ—le Monarch of the East Aha O now you charm me more than ever now fresh Joys are strugling in my Breast A passion rises not to be allayed but by the soft inspiring touch of your alluring Beautiâ—s Then let 's my fair my much beloved Queen to our retirement where feeding my insatiate Eyes with many an eager gaze I will tell thee all the secrets of my heart Hest. Lead me my Lord wheree're you please for your sole will is my law Aha Ten thousand blessings on my darling happiness who by this quaint humility makes me more indebted to her Love The Conclusion Whilst thus we haste to Ioy too great to tell To streams of Love that 'bove their banks do swell A Dialogue between Haman and Mordecai The Argument Proud Haman envies Mordecai because He will not bend and break his Nations Laws Yet thinking him too mean a sacrifice He 's not content less Jacobs remnant dies Ham. HOw 's this Will not the stubborn Jew bend to the Favourite of a mighty King To him that next his Monarch sways the Empire of the East to whom Crown'd Heads give way Mord. To man great Sir I dare not bend my knee to God alone that Tribute I must pay to him both heart and knee I bow but to no mortal dare presume it lest I rob him of his honour Ham. Seest thou not how the Servants of great Ahasuerus far above you in the rolls of Honour cringe when I pass by and yet dare you refuse to Grace my state by standing on a nicety waving what is but in it self a Complement know wretched Captain it is not veneration due to powers Divine that I expect but such obeisance as becomes a Monarchs Counsellor the chief among the Princes Mord. 'T is what I cannot give In this case vain is all you urge nor dare I pass such Complements Ham. You dare not nay you will not it is your proud and stubborn nature or a set dâ—sign to cast a stain upon my greatness which may in some measure shroud its luster But by sad experience you shall quickly know whose anger you proâ—oke by your irreverenâ—e such havock such a slaughter shall be made of your stiff-necked Tribe that e're the silver Moon twiâ—e waine her Orb not one shall live in all the Coasts of Media or the Land made fruitful by the Streams of Euphrates The thing is râ—solved and I will about it strait Mord. There is a God that limits your fierce rage that can in the midst of aâ—l your pride bring your ambition low and frustrate all your wicked purposes nor shall the means to move him to compassionate his Captive People be by Mordâ—â—ai neglected Prayers and Fasting shall be rise throughout the scattered Tribes nor must the Queens endeavours want to cross the purposes of this blood-thirsty man whose fall will let him know experimentally there is a God that can correct his insolence Yet must these measures speedily be put in execution to supersede the mischief his dire malice is swelled big with lest innocence should suffer for what is unjustly called a crime in me First then I will haste and let the Queen know his intentions Conclusion Haman his sure obtains it is decreed That all the Captive Jews shou'd quickly bleed For Mordecais neglect the day is set Which causes lamentations loud and great But Counter-plotted is the bloody man And hang'd at last for what himself had done Nor scape his Sons but fall into the snare Their wicked Father boldly durst prepare For those that were not guilty of a crime So let Ambition fall where e're it climb Haman on the Gallows HAman the Son of Amedatha of the Kindred of Agag and the People of Amalek were highly favored by Ahasuerus
will hear no more but Thus become the messenger of your death Thus make a passage for yâ—ur rebel-Rebel-Soul Abs. O! I am slain my blood and Abners be â—pon your head that blood thou-hast-so â—â—sely sh sh shed Joab So I have cropt the bold aspiring Rebel in the â—lâ—om of all his glory and given peace to Israel Here â—ake him down and cast him in this deep pit the◠〈◊〉 his Carkass with a pile of massie stones that so 〈◊〉 memory may be forgot Conclusion The Captain slain the battel ceases strait The crooked Trumpets sound a still retreat Then word is sent the King of all that 's done Who full of grief sheds Royal Tâ—ars alone For his slain Son which makes the Conqu'rors steal Into the City and themselves conceal Till Ioabs threats oblige him to descend And comfort that did his life dâ—fend A Dialogue between Solomon and Pharoah's Daughter The Argument Old David dead King Solomon inthron'd Weds Egypts Princess in his â—wn abode Rich are they both in all that men approve But more than usual are they rich in Love Sol. THrice welcom to a Monarchs Arms my lovely Queen whose Eyes inlightened swarthy Egypts face and whose inchanting Beauties charm the heart of Solomon Queen My Lord you cannot love nor yet admiâ—â— me more than blushing I must own though with â— feeling joy my fancy feeds on you Sol. Then are we happy far above â—he reach oâ— Fate and may look down as from some Towerinâ— height and pity those that toil and labour foâ— ought leâ—s than Love Qu. 'T is that indeed my Lord that can best contriâ—butâ— to mans felicity for where it is absent nothiâ—â— but disorder and confusâ—â—n rule Sol. It is true my solace and my dear delight nor has the great establisher of my exalted Thronâ—â—een wanting to add this blessing to the rest 〈◊〉 with paternal care plac'd a Spring of Cordial◠〈◊〉 Essential Love in either breast Qu. A Spring indeed that flows with Nectar and Ambrosial Ioys more than our hearts are capable without overflowing to receive Sol. 'T is such a blessing Princes seldom meet with since their Eyes make not their choice but they are still forced to take their hopes of happiness on trust Qu. Although they are yet the great wise disposer of the worlds affairs so orders it that at first sight their hearts do mostly move in a sweet harâ—ony supplying the defect of tedious Courtship Sol. Then since Heavens Architect the glorious maker of the Universe has ordered all things equal to our wish whaâ— more remains but that with unpolluted Souls â—nd Bodies day â—y day we send up Tribute-praiseâ— and with all humility adore his goodness Qu. You know mâ— Lord what Gâ—ds the sons of Egypt worship I doubt noâ— but you have heard of Isis and Osiris who are dreaded through the Memphian Coast of seven horn'd Nilus hundred pointed plain Sol. With detestation I have heard them named and tremble to think that the Sons of Adam should still bâ— so sensless as to Worship Monsters or at most 〈◊〉 stooks iâ—spir'd bâ— Hellish fâ—eâ—ds Qu Aâ—e they no Gods then Sure it is I have heard thâ—m speak and tell sâ—range things Sol. Yeâ— as the magick â—owers of darkness have inspired Gâ—ds they aâ—e nâ—t but base deluding forms to blind the eaâ—â—e â—ulgar the advice of Egypts Magi. Qu. Who is it then that guâ—rds protects and guides us in our great affairs Sol. The glorious tremâ—â—dous Majesty of Heaven whose name is known in Israel who made the wonders that are every where beheld at whose brightness Angels vall their Faces and in whose hand is all the breath of Life the God who made the World of nothing and whose power shall raise us after dâ—ath and bring us if we trust in him to Mansions of eternal bliss where with Ages numberless we shall rejoyce and joyn in Chorus with the dazling Cherubims and Seraphims to sing hiâ— praise Qu. You tell me wonders such as never entred at my Ears but where does such transcendent excellency dwell What place is capable to shrowd such Majesty Sol. His dwelling is above all lights nor is he circumscribed for though Heavâ—n is his Throne and Earth his Footstool yet the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him he fills all places and communicates his bounty with a liberal hand to all his Creatures riding when he pleases on the Winds spread Wings and often makes the Deep his Chamber Clouds are his Pavilion and thick darkness is his secret place whilst his bright beaming Eyes behold the abstrusest things and pierce our secret thoughts Q. Wonderful and much amazing is what you relate nor could I er'e beleive that this vast Fabrick could so so many thousand years continue in perpetual Harmony unguided unsustained nor sinks it into my weak Breast â—hat Fate or chance rules all below but that each stand to the Law of over ruling Providence S. Your thoughts were not in vain were it possible that power that sacred essential Divinity would withdraw his care and his conduct by creaâ—ion so on would totter and the warring Elementâ—â—onfound the glorious Fabrick nay Heavens brighâ— Lamps would mix wâ—th Earths Impurity natures â—oncord then would break and all return to a conâ—used Chaos if not quite vanish into nothing when â—t was derived but let us at this time enquirâ— no further into these stupendious secrets but with â—oy and fear adorâ— the Lord of Lords the King of Kings Even Iacobs mighty God by whom through whom in whom all things were made preservâ—d and have continuance Q. My Lord shall be obeyed I 'll wade no furâ—her in these devious deeps but at an awful distance revere that dâ—zling brighâ—ness that essential good who shines so glorious in his creaâ—ures S. Observe what you have said and then expect for ever to be blest but now time calls away we must this moment to the House of high magnificence built to the honour of his Name who shakes Earth and rends the Clouds with Thunder before whose face when wrath goes a consuming fire to burn up Rebel Atheists that disown his power Q. My Lord I gâ—e and from this day shall make it my chief Care to contemplate him and his mighty wonders and next to admire the man I love Conclusion The promise holds not with the feeble Sex For with strange Gods she soon does Iacob vex Causing the Heart of Solomon to stray Where Wisdom dwelt and sometimes lose his way The Iustice and Magnificence of King Solomons Court Bold Adonija's hasty Treason dash't And all his hopes when but in Embrio pashâ— Old David sees his Son anointed King And to the Throne they him no sooner bring But executing his dead Fathers will Ioabs and Shimei's blood his Sword does spill The Harlots case decides wise Solomon And gets renown no sooner was this done But at hiâ— câ—oisâ— Wisdom and Honour stand With Riches more than Avarice can command But the two last as fading things he cast Behind his back
lend An ear unto poor Lazarus thy Friend Lazarus Most Noble sir view but these sores I bear And how each one doth like a Mouth appear For some relief my wounds do loudly cry And humbly beg your Christian Charity 〈◊〉 I ve lain here day by day unable E're to obtain the scraps fall from your Table The very Dogs more kindness shew than you Who lick my my sores and heal my ulcers too Alass great Sir I languish nay I dye Only for want of timely Charity Let me request your bounty for I know God will repay you double what I owe For Gods sake and your own let me but have Some kind relief to shield me from the Grave Scraps from your Table I do only crave Dives Why how now Sirrah how dare you presume To urge my patience with your begging tune How dare you venture at my Gate to ly Up and be gone or else prepare to dye Talk you of Sores and Wounds what 's that to me The Doggs indeed your fittest consorts be My Table is not spread to grant relief To every begging idle lazy Thief Such as your self may be for ought I know Be gone you Idle rascal Sirrah go Or I 'll release your idle cries and groans With a good Cudgel that shall break your bones What if you languish perish rot or dye Do so or hang your self pray what care I. You tell me God will double what I give Yet will not I believe it as I live Go to him then your self if you are able And tell me then who keeps the better Table So get you gone you lazy idle Theif I fear you there will find but small relief Lazarus Farewel proud scornful Dust and Ashes I Will henceforth only on my God rely With winged speed I will approach thy Throne And all my grief and misery make known Lord thou art able to relieve my wants â—elieve my misery and hear my plaints â—rom thee my God I do expect much more â—han ever I yet found at Dives door â—â—wever Gracious God I now must try â—y strength decays Great God behold I dye Angels 〈◊〉 blessed Lazarus all Hail we say â—e're sent thy Soul to Heaven to convey â—est Abraham attends with open Arms â—ho will secure thee from all future harms â—uze then bright Saint and Hallelujah sing â—hilst we with expedition take the Wing In order to transport thee to that place Of joy where Tears shall ne'r bedew thy Face Dives lifting up his eyes in Hell Behold me Father Abraham I lye Surrounded with eternal misery Shall Lazarus a blessed place obtain Whilst I all Hellish Torments do sustain Have mercy on me Father pray now send Thrice happy Lazarus to dip the end Of one of his blest fingers and asswage My hell tormented Tongue which fire makes rage Some cooling Water for my Tongue for I Must now in Hells Eternal Torments fry Abraham Remember Son to add unto thy grief When living you allow'd him no relief You then possess'd your good things he his bad You swam in mirth whilst Lazarus was sad But now the case is alter'd much for he Shall ever joy whilst you tormented be Besides a Gulf between us two there lies More deep than is the Earth beneath the Skies And let me tell you you will find it true You cannot come to me or I to you Dives Dear Father let me then this sute obtain Send him unto my Fathers House again Five Brethren there I have O let him tell To them the torments I indure in Hell And if they will not then their sins refrain Let Lazarus return to thee again Abraham Moses the Prophets too must be their Guide And pray what else should they desire beside Dives Nay Father Abraham but if one went Vnto them from the Grave they would repent Abraham If Moses and the Prophets will not do They 'll not believe a Messenger from you But further let me paraphrase on the Chaâ—ter as follows Hearken therefore now and I will speak of a great rich man that flourished here on Earth as a learned Divine observes In all pomp and abundance that shined in courtly purple Robes that was cloathed in Bissus and fine silk and fared deliciously that was lodged sofâ—ly that lived pleasantly But understand what became of this rich man his years being expired and his dayes numbred and his time determined he was invited to the fatal Banquet of black ugly death that maketh all men subject to the rigour of his Law his body was honourably buried in respect of his much wealth but what became of his Soul that was carried from his body to dwell with the devils from his purple robes to burning flames from his soft Silk and white Byssus to cruel pains in black Abissus from his Pallace here on Earth to the Pallace of Devils in Hell from Paradice to a dungeon from pleasures to pâ—ins from joy to torment and that by hellish means damâ—ed â—pirits into the infernal Lake of bottomless Barathrum where is wo wo wo Hearken also of a certain poor Beggar cloathed in â—â—gs with miseries pained pained with griefs grieved â—ith sores sorely tormented unmercifully condâ—mâ—ed â—ing at this rich Mans Gate desiring to be refreshed 〈◊〉 with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table â—e dogs had more pitty than this rich man on this dâ—â—essed creature for they came to visit him they came comfort him they came and licked his sores Well his time being also determined he went the 〈◊〉 of all flesh and death was the finisâ—â—r of all his miseries and griefs Vita assumpsit mortem ut mors vitam acciperet he dyed once to live for ever And what became of his Soul it was carried from his body to his Master from a House of Clay to a House not made with hands from a Wilderness to a Paradice from an earthly prison to a heavenly pallace from the rich mans Gate to the City of the great God from pains to pleasures from miseries to joys from Adams corruption to Abrahams bosom It was carried by Angels into the quires of Angels to have his being and moving in the very moving Heavens with God himself Where is life food and abundance and glory and health and â—eace and eternity and all good things all aboâ—e all that either can be wished or desired And this is the subject that I shall now speak of What poor Lazarus What! lying at a gate and full of Sores too Would not this rich Man afford thee some out-house to ly in to shroud thee from storms and tempests no would not his servants pitty thee no would not his Childreâ— speak for thee no would not his Wife intreâ—â— her Husband for thee no Hadst thou ever doâ—â— them any wrong no But Lazarus it may be thou art stout and often-times Beggars will 〈◊〉 chusers thou perhaps wouldest have some greâ—â— Alms or some Copy-hold some Farm of this riâ—â— Man no Or thou wouldest have some delicâ—â— Meat no Many
hand which Labours in my Breast C. What means my Lord the King what are his thoughts thus low I beg to be made privy to the intentions of a Monarch H. You are my faithful Counsellor and to your Care and Conduct what your King intends shall be committed all the male infants in suspicious Bethlehem and throughout every Border appertaining to that City are doom'd dead from two years old and under that amongst them him that I suspect may fall so that the madding People who are ever fond of innovation may be retained in their obedience C. 'T is brave though bloody yet the King shall be obeyed before to morrow this time not a Brat shall live beneath the Age you mention no â—ity or remâ—rse shall be of force to stay our Hands to the cries of tender Mothers we will be deaf as Seas and whilst the Younglings sprawl upon our Spears our Hearts shaâ—l be as hard â—s Adamant no lurking holes shall save them from our fuâ—y death death shall be their portion from the tender breasts we will snatch them to untimely Graves H. Your resolution fits my purpose and when put in execution will quickly hush my fears therefore about it strait makeâ— no delay whilst I retire and with impatience expect a full account of your proceedings C. My Speed shall show my willingness in what I undertake Death and Fury now inspire me for the blackest Murthers the bright Lamp of Day ever yet beheld Conclusion The Plot thus laid in practice soon is put The Throats of near six thousand Infants cut By Herods cruel Soldiers whilst the cries Of tender Mothers pierce the weeping Skies But vain the Tyrant seeks the Life of him That wears the glorious starry Diadem For he to Egypt flies but Rachel sore Laments her Sons because they are no more Imagined Discourse between Joseph and Mary upon their returning out of Egypt The Argument The blessed Pair admire Gods Providence And glorifie his great Omnipotence Who murthering Herod struck with fearful Death Briâ—ging them safely to fair Nazareth I. THe cruel Tyrant that late raged in slaughter and dyed deep his hands in blood of Innocents is tumbled in the dust his bold Ambition is sunk beneath the Grave M. In vain he strove to rob us of our only Ioy in vain he plotted to surprise the Life of our dear Son and Lord. I. All that Man does against the great decrees of Heaven is unprosperous no force nor policy can ever prevail against Omnipotence M. 'T is true but yet his murderâ—â—◠〈◊〉 have made some thousands childless I. Although his cruelty by Gods high sufferance extended to the shedding of their blood yet they are happy falling for the sake of him who came to save them from eternal Death and God that can make fruitful barren Wombs can when he pleases give their Parents a supply M. With him 't is true there is nothing impossible therefore how ought men to adore his sacred Name and at an awful distance struck with admiration contemplate his wonders I. They ought indeed with lowest reverence admire and love such boundless goodness nor shall my Tongue ever want praises for the Mercies he has shewed nor will I spare to tell of all his loving kindness M. We will praise him in the Beauty of his Holiness ' and never cease to bow before the Foot-stool of his Throne of Grace and with humility revere his tremendous Majesty I. 'T is fit we should but now Night hasts apace and we must rest our selves awhile and in this hospitable place refresh the blessed Infant the sole carâ— of Heaven M. 'T is indeed convenient that when the Sun risinâ—â—lorious in the East sends forth his Beams to chear thâ— Bosom of the Earth we may reach the much desireâ— Coast of Galilee it not being yet safe for us to go tâ— Bethlehem because the Tyrants Son reigns in Judea Conclusion Thus out of Egypt did God call his Son Whom there â—e sent the Tyrants rage to shuâ— An imagined Discourse between Jarus and his Daughter after her being raised from the dead D. ALass my Father why is it you suffered me to slumber thus unmeasurably F. Slumber my dear Child had not Heavens Favourite been propitious it had been everlasting sleep D. Indeed I could have been contented to have slept on if I thought you 'd not have chid me for my drowsiness for I was much delighted with the pleasant Visions I beheld or Fancy represented F. Vision says my Child Alass they were Visions but must needs be strange ones D. O me I must confess they were something strange for I remember whilst you and my Mother sat weeping by the Bed that a blew mist came o're my Eyes and doz'd my Senses when methoughts a lovely Youth â—lâ—d in a glorious Garb stood by me and with beaming Eyes so dazled me with rayes of Light that I was much amazed But long he pawz'd not e're he snatched me from my bed and with expanded Wings slew swift as I thought through many Regions paved with Stars a shining with glittering Fires where I beheld strange shapes and heard amazing voices when mounting still at last he brought me within sight of a most Glorious Mansion whose out-side shone with such exceeding brightness that I was obliged sometimes to shut mine eyes as not capable of steady gazing At the Gate stood throngs of Glorious Forms in Robes of purest White with Crowns of Gold upon their Heads Palms in their Hands and Golden Harps whereon they play melodious and ravish'd all my Sences with their charming voices seeming in their Songs to express much joy at our approach but being about to enter methought I heard a voice as loud as thund er cry return when on a suddain down I sunk like Lightning and starting at the supposed fall I waked F. And do you fancy then you only slept D. What more since what I saw I wakening find to be a dream the meer representation of a roving Fancy F. Mistake not my dear Daughter for to your Fathers grief your Soul was separated by the hand of Deatâ— from its loved Mansion this beauteous Form in which now streams warm blood was some hours since a cold pale lifeless course D. How was I dead How dead O speak F. Yes Death had snatched thee from me leaving me to mourn for so great a loss and thou hadst been no more had not the mighty Prophet by his word called back thy fleeting Soul D. How can it be that I should be dead but if it be no more pain to dye than what I felt I shall hereafter dread Death less yet say was that the Prophet that stood by me when I waked methought he look'd most lovely F. It was the wonder-working Prophet whose great Miracles astonish all man-kind but since my joy again is full in having my sole comfort by his power restored and rescued from the Grave let us hence and publish the amazing news to our Relations that they
of the Iews in bonds J. Well waving further Ceremony I 'le stifle my upbraiding Conscience sere it with all dark resolves and desperately comply with your demands H. P. Bravely spoke our Guardâ— shall instantly attend you but what is the sign by which you will distinguish him J. With a Face as bold as Death frought with mischief I will bare up to him and with a treacherous kiss salute him and then let those that have the charge be sure to catch him H. P. No fairer token can you give but it is no time now to delaythe thing come come let us â—bout it and secure him e're the Sun salutes the East least the mad People fond of innovation should murmur nay should mutiny upon such a seizure which they will term an outrage for we are not ignorant what fame his Miracles have won and â—ow he is beloved see see the Guards are ready â—hen along with them whilst I retire to the consulâ—ing Sanadrim and there contrive what shall be â—urther done J. I go though to perfâ—â—m the blackest deed that Hell ever put into the Heart of Man yet I have promised and I will perform though Faâ—â— and Destiny does push me â—â—â—dlong into monstrous ruine Conclusion The Plot thus laid the Lord of Life 's betray'd And bound before the Sanadrim is lead Scorn'd and revil'd scourg'd and at last condemn'd Crown'd with sharp thorns and impiously blasphem'd Stretch'd on a Cross the Lord of glory dyes Who reigns in Hâ—aven above the starry Skies Peters Lamentation WRetch that I am what have I done how great Is this black Crime O where shall I retreat To hide my Guilt what blushes burn my Face What Stings my Conscience feel what hiding place Can shelter him from woes he cannot fly No place can shroud me from his piercing eye Who views at once Hells depth and Heavens vast height To whom all gloomy darkness is as light Fool that I was to be so confident So resolutely so presumptuous bent Upon my strength when I 'm at best but dust Frail man too weak my own resolves to trust But it is past sad thought yet now in vain I would recall what I have done again All I can do is now to mourn the sin That I presumptuous I have plunged in O let my eyes then be a Stream a Flood Nay let me weep for tears a stream of blood Sighs and sad Groaâ—s shall all my musick be Sobs and laments shall dwell shall dwell with me Lord look on me meâ— wretcâ—â—d man Who wanting thy Compassion am undone O mercy mercy ease my troubled mind Let me ingrateful me some mercy find Me that deny'd him who first gave me breath Me that deny'd him who 's condemn'd to death O pity me my weakness Lord forgive Without thy Pardon Lord I cannot live My Soul 's distracted a fierce war's within Disturbs my rest the bold the shameful sin Preys on my Spirits and will give no rest Then mercy show to him that is opprest O let thy dear compassion take away The Sting of Conscience ease me Lord I pray I cry â—loud cover'd with dust I lye Even at thy Feet O pity or I dy Raise raise a sullen Wreâ—ch that he may be An object of â—hy saving Clemency My Cries are heard a calm o'respreads my Soul No storms of trouble my free thoughts controul O boundless boundless is his goodness still Therefore I 'le strive henceforth to do his will 〈◊〉 Swine possest SEe see how Satans Malice still is bent He who was in a guilful Serpent pent When he in Eden did seduce fair Eve And her to man-kind's misery deceive Rather then now he 'l idle be he 'l joyn Infernal nature with the dirty Swine Not sparing sensless Brutes such is his hate To all that God for his glory did create Yet limited is his fierce wrath we see It cannot without Christs permission be But having leave the spightful Legion strait The grunting Herd with horrid cries amate Who now grown wild their Keepers put to â—light And all the Tribe with antick dancing fright Sometimes they stand an end sometimes they roul Nay bound aloft and lâ—ap without controul E're all that does oppose them in their way No bars nor bounders their fierce course can stay Till like a toâ—rrent down the hills they scour Into the Sâ—as which does them all devour Considerations upon our Saviours compassion to the Thief upon the Cross. HOw good how great how merciful how just Is God to those who in him put their trust How is his Arms of mercy open wide To those that in his saving Power confide See see the Thief who all his life had bin A Drudge to Satan slave to wrâ—tâ—hed sin At that sad time whâ—n Death look'd grimly drâ—aâ— And he of Liâ—e bâ—t a fâ—w mâ—mâ—nts had Repâ—nting is râ—stor'd â—ay more iâ— blest With ioâ—â—s that are with mâ—ns tongue exprâ—sâ— â—â—rely acknowledging 〈…〉 To raiâ—e his Soâ—l above th◠〈◊〉 Skies Acknoâ—â—â—â—â—inâ— his sin and â—reachiâ—g thence Tâ—e â—ord of glâ—â—iâ—s pâ—râ—â—â—â— innocence 〈◊〉 care was not â—or 〈◊〉 hâ—ppiâ—esâ— â—ut suddain 〈…〉 him to exprâ—â—â— â—emember me Loâ—â— when 〈…〉 into â— Kingdom that can only bee thy â—ue â—ut his compâ—â—r dâ—sirous still 〈…〉 â—reaming oâ— Plâ—asurâ—s 〈◊〉 joâ—â—â— wâ—tâ— striâ—e â—orgot his Soul anâ—â—ailâ—d agâ—â—â—â—â— tâ—â— Loâ—â— â—ho for his sake did 〈…〉 â—o that 〈◊〉 â—ellow chose the beâ—ter part â—hose wâ—â—s once â—â—ded swift as 〈…〉 â—hes his dâ—luding Sâ—ul to thâ—â—â— bleâ—t â—oys â—here Care nor 〈◊〉 no more man-kind 〈◊〉 Iudas his Dispair Wretch that I am why do I view the light Why sink I not in everlasting night Why do not hottest lightnings strike me dead Why fall not Bolts of Thunder on my hâ—ad Why yauns not Earth to suck me in and why Find I not means my self wiâ—h speed to dy Why live I in these torments worse than death In this sad torture this sad Hell on Earth O Wretch what sting of Conscience do I feel More sharp thâ—n all the force of fatal steel More deadly than the poison stings of Asps Dread horror my affrighted soul now clasps Accursed Silver that could make me prove A Traytor to my Lord who sacred love Beam'd on me oâ—t but I have cast it back May it my ruine on the givers wrack Whilst this fit Cord stops thus my loathed breath Whilst thus I seek some easement in my death A Dialogue between Pilate and his Wife The Argument The virtuous Wife of Roman Pilate`s griev'd Because she was not as she ought believ'd Telling nâ—w plainly whaâ— is her true sence And let`s him know his desperate offence W. UNhappy are you to be over-rul'd by the maâ— rout why would you yield to their rougâ— clamours to destroy the innocent P. I laboured to deliver that just man but found it wâ— in vain for still no other cry than crucifie him soundâ— through the Iudgment-Hall W. Yet you might have used your high Authoriâ—â—â—o still the rout who being set on by