father_n my_o father_n the_o charet_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o horseman_n thereof_o the_o word_n be_v good_a the_o tear_n be_v pious_a but_o where_o be_v the_o action_n o_o joash_n if_o the_o prophet_n be_v thy_o father_n where_o be_v thy_o filial_a obedience_n he_o cry_v down_o thy_o calf_n thou_o upheld_v they_o he_o counsel_v thou_o to_o good_a thou_o do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o prophet_n be_v the_o charet_n and_o horseman_n of_o israel_n why_o do_v thou_o fight_v against_o his_o holy_a doctrine_n if_o thou_o weep_v for_o his_o loss_n why_o do_v thou_o not_o weep_v for_o those_o sin_n of_o thou_o that_o procure_v it_o have_v thy_o hand_n answer_v thy_o tongue_n israel_n have_v be_v happy_a in_o elisha_n elisha_n have_v be_v happy_a in_o israel_n and_o thou_o word_n be_v no_o good_a trial_n of_o profession_n the_o worst_a man_n may_v speak_v well_o action_n have_v only_o the_o power_n to_o descry_v hypocrite_n yet_o even_o a_o joash_n thus_o comply_v shall_v not_o go_v away_o unblessed_a this_o outward_a kindness_n shall_v receive_v a_o outward_a retribution_n these_o few_o drop_n of_o warm_a water_n shed_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o a_o prophet_n shall_v not_o lose_v their_o reward_n the_o spirit_n of_o pprophecy_n forsake_v not_o the_o deathbed_n of_o elisha_n he_o call_v for_o bow_n and_o arrow_n and_o put_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o joash_n and_o put_v his_o hand_n upon_o the_o king_n hand_n he_o bid_v to_o shoot_v eastward_o and_o while_o the_o shaft_n fly_v and_o light_n he_o say_v the_o arrow_n of_o the_o lord_n deliverance_n from_o syria_n for_o thou_o shall_v smite_v the_o syrian_n in_o aphek_n till_o thou_o have_v consume_v they_o if_o the_o weak_a and_o wither_a hand_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v not_o be_v upon_o the_o youthful_a and_o vigorous_a hand_n of_o the_o king_n this_o bow_n have_v be_v draw_v in_o vain_a the_o strength_n be_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n the_o blessing_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o prophet_n he_o who_o real_a parable_n have_v make_v the_o earth_n to_o be_v syria_n the_o arrow_n revenge_n the_o archer_n joash_n have_v obtain_v for_o his_o last_o boon_n from_o god_n to_o israel_n that_o this_o archer_n shall_v shoot_v this_o arrow_n of_o revenge_n into_o the_o heart_n of_o syria_n and_o wound_v it_o to_o death_n when_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n draw_v together_o there_o can_v choose_v but_o success_n must_v follow_v how_o ready_o do_v elisha_n now_o make_v good_a the_o word_n of_o joash_n how_o true_o be_v he_o the_o charet_n and_o horseman_n of_o israel_n israel_n have_v not_o fight_v without_o he_o much_o less_o have_v be_v victorious_a if_o they_o be_v the_o endeavour_n the_o success_n be_v he_o even_o the_o die_a prophet_n put_v life_n and_o speed_n into_o the_o force_n of_o israel_n and_o while_o he_o be_v dig_v his_o own_o grave_n be_v raise_v trophy_n to_o god_n people_n he_o have_v receive_v kindness_n from_o the_o syrian_n among_o they_o be_v he_o harbour_v in_o the_o dearth_n and_o from_o some_o of_o their_o noble_n be_v present_v with_o rich_a gift_n but_o their_o enmity_n to_o israel_n drown_v all_o his_o private_a respect_n he_o can_v but_o profess_v hostility_n to_o the_o public_a enemy_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o can_v he_o content_v himself_o with_o a_o single_a prediction_n of_o their_o ruin_n he_o bid_v joash_n to_o take_v the_o arrow_n and_o smite_v upon_o the_o ground_n he_o set_v no_o number_n of_o those_o stroke_n as_o suppose_v the_o frequency_n of_o those_o blow_n which_o joash_n may_v well_o upon_o his_o former_a parabolicall_a act_n understand_v to_o be_v significant_a the_o slack_a hand_n of_o the_o king_n smite_v but_o thrice_o so_o apt_a we_o be_v to_o be_v want_v to_o ourselves_o so_o cold_o do_v we_o execute_v the_o command_n of_o god_n the_o sick_a prophet_n be_v not_o more_o grieve_v then_o angry_a at_o this_o dull_a negligence_n doubtless_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o he_o for_o his_o last_o gratification_n that_o upon_o his_o fervent_a prayer_n so_o oft_o as_o joash_n shall_v voluntary_o after_o his_o general_a charge_n smite_v the_o earth_n so_o oft_o shall_v israel_n smite_v syria_n elishaes_n zeal_n do_v not_o languish_v with_o his_o body_n with_o a_o fatherly_a authority_n he_o chide_v he_o who_o have_v style_v he_o father_n not_o fear_v to_o spend_v some_o of_o his_o last_o wind_n in_o a_o mild_a reproof_n thou_o shall_v have_v smite_v five_o or_o six_o time_n than_o thou_o have_v smite_v syria_n till_o thou_o have_v consume_v it_o whereas_o now_o thou_o shall_v smite_v syria_n but_o thrice_o not_o that_o the_o unchangeable_a decree_n of_o the_o almighty_a mean_v to_o suspend_v itself_o upon_o the_o uncertain_a issue_n of_o joash_n will_v but_o he_o that_o put_v this_o word_n into_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o prophet_n put_v this_o motion_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n which_o do_v not_o more_o willing_o stay_v then_o necessary_o obey_v that_o providence_n whereby_o it_o be_v stir_v even_o while_o we_o have_v our_o free_a choice_n we_o fall_v upon_o those_o action_n and_o circumstance_n whereby_o the_o just_a and_o holy_a will_n of_o our_o god_n be_v bring_v about_o our_o very_a neglect_n our_o ignorances_n shall_v fulfil_v his_o eternal_a counsel_n elisha_n die_v and_o be_v bury_v his_o miracle_n do_v not_o cease_v with_o his_o life_n who_o can_v marvel_v that_o his_o live_a prayer_n raise_v the_o son_n of_o the_o shunamite_n when_o his_o dead_a bone_n raise_v the_o carcase_n that_o touch_v they_o god_n will_v be_v free_a in_o his_o work_n he_o that_o must_v die_v himself_o yet_o shall_v revive_v another_o the_o same_o power_n may_v have_v continue_v life_n to_o he_o that_o give_v it_o by_o his_o bone_n israel_n shall_v well_o see_v that_o he_o live_v by_o who_o virtue_n elisha_n be_v both_o in_o life_n and_o death_n miraculous_a while_o the_o prophet_n be_v alive_a the_o impetration_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v his_o though_o the_o power_n be_v god_n now_o that_o he_o be_v dead_a the_o bone_n can_v challenge_v nothing_o but_o send_v the_o wonder_a israelite_n to_o that_o almighty_a agent_n to_o who_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o work_v by_o the_o quick_a or_o dead_a be_v not_o the_o man_n of_o israel_n more_o dead_a than_o the_o carcase_n thus_o bury_v how_o can_v they_o choose_v but_o see_v in_o this_o reviue_v corpse_n a_o emblem_n of_o their_o own_o condition_n how_o can_v they_o choose_v but_o think_v if_o we_o adhere_v to_o the_o god_n of_o elisha_n he_o shall_v raise_v our_o decay_a estate_n and_o restore_v our_o nation_n to_o the_o former_a glory_n the_o sadducee_n have_v as_o yet_o no_o being_n in_o israel_n with_o what_o face_n can_v that_o heresy_n ever_o after_o look_v into_o the_o world_n when_o before_o the_o birth_n of_o it_o it_o be_v so_o palpable_o convince_v with_o a_o example_n of_o the_o resurrection_n intermission_n of_o time_n and_o degree_n of_o corruption_n add_v nothing_o to_o the_o impossibility_n of_o our_o rise_n the_o body_n that_o be_v once_o cold_a in_o death_n have_v no_o more_o aptitude_n to_o a_o reanimation_n then_o that_o which_o be_v moldr_v into_o dust_n only_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o the_o maker_n must_v restore_v either_o can_v restore_v both_o when_o we_o be_v dead_a and_o bury_v in_o the_o grave_n of_o our_o sin_n it_o be_v only_o the_o touch_n of_o god_n prophet_n apply_v unto_o we_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o can_v put_v new_a life_n into_o we_o no_o less_o true_a though_o spiritual_a be_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o raise_n up_o from_o a_o estate_n of_o inward_a corruption_n to_o a_o life_n of_o grace_n yet_o all_o this_o prevail_v not_o with_o israel_n no_o bone_n of_o elisha_n can_v raise_v they_o from_o their_o wicked_a idolatry_n and_o notwithstanding_o their_o gross_a sin_n joash_n their_o king_n prosper_v whether_o it_o be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o jehu_n who_o grand-chyld_n he_o be_v or_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o elisha_n who_o face_n he_o weep_v upon_o his_o hand_n be_v notable_o successful_a not_o only_o against_o the_o son_n of_o hazael_n king_n of_o syria_n who_o he_o beat_v out_o of_o the_o city_n of_o israel_n but_o against_o amaziah_n king_n of_o judah_n who_o he_o take_v prisoner_n beat_v down_o the_o very_a wall_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o return_v lade_v with_o the_o sacred_a and_o rich_a spoil_n both_o of_o the_o temple_n and_o court_n to_o his_o samaria_n oh_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n and_o wisdom_n in_o these_o outward_a administration_n the_o best_a cause_n the_o best_a man_n do_v not_o ever_o fare_v best_a amaziah_n do_v that_o which_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n joash_n
kindred_n take_v advantage_n of_o her_o absence_n have_v share_v her_o possession_n how_o oft_o do_v it_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o worst_a enemy_n of_o a_o man_n be_v those_o of_o his_o own_o house_n all_o go_v by_o contrary_n with_o this_o shunamite_n in_o the_o famine_n she_o have_v enough_o in_o the_o common_a plenty_n she_o be_v scant_v philistine_n be_v kind_n to_o she_o israelites_n cruel_a both_o our_o fear_n and_o our_o hope_n do_v not_o seldom_o disappoint_v we_o it_o be_v safe_a trust_n to_o that_o stay_n which_o can_v never_o fail_v we_o who_o can_v easy_o provide_v we_o both_o of_o friendship_n in_o palestine_n and_o of_o justice_n in_o israel_n we_o may_v not_o judge_v of_o the_o religion_n by_o particular_a action_n a_o very_a philistine_n may_v be_v merciful_a when_o a_o israelite_n be_v unjust_a the_o person_n may_v be_v faulty_a when_o the_o profession_n be_v holy_a it_o be_v not_o long_o since_o the_o prophet_n make_v that_o friendly_a offer_n to_o the_o shunamite_n out_o of_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o thankful_a requital_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v for_o thou_o will_v thou_o be_v speak_v for_o to_o the_o king_n or_o to_o the_o captain_n of_o the_o host_n and_o she_o answer_v i_o dwell_v among_o my_o brethren_n little_o do_v she_o then_o think_v of_o this_o injurious_a measure_n else_o she_o may_v have_v say_v i_o dwell_v among_o my_o enemy_n i_o dwell_v among_o robber_n it_o be_v like_a they_o be_v then_o friendly_a who_o be_v now_o cruel_a and_o oppressive_a there_o be_v no_o trust_n to_o be_v repose_v in_o flesh_n and_o blood_n how_o shall_v their_o favour_n be_v constant_a who_o be_v in_o their_o nature_n and_o disposition_n variable_a it_o be_v the_o fure_a way_n to_o rely_v on_o he_o who_o be_v ever_o like_o himself_o the_o measure_n of_o who_o love_n be_v eternity_n whither_o shall_v the_o shunamite_n go_v to_o complain_v of_o her_o wrong_n but_o to_o the_o court_n there_o be_v no_o other_o refuge_n of_o the_o oppress_a but_o public_a authority_n all_o justice_n be_v derive_v from_o sovereignty_n king_n be_v not_o call_v god_n for_o nothing_o they_o do_v both_o sentence_n and_o execute_v for_o the_o almighty_a doubtless_o now_o the_o poor_a shunamite_n think_v of_o the_o courteous_a proffer_n of_o elisha_n and_o miss_v a_o friend_n at_o the_o court_n be_v glad_a to_o be_v the_o presenter_n of_o her_o own_o petition_n how_o happy_o do_v god_n contrive_v all_o event_n for_o the_o good_a of_o he_o this_o suppliant_a shall_v fall_v upon_o that_o instant_n for_o her_o suit_n when_o the_o king_n shall_v be_v talk_v with_o gehezi_n when_o gehezi_n shall_v be_v talk_v of_o she_o to_o the_o king_n the_o word_n of_o gehezi_n the_o thought_n of_o the_o king_n the_o desire_n of_o the_o shunamite_n shall_v be_v all_o draw_v together_o by_o the_o wise_a providence_n of_o god_n into_o the_o centre_n of_o one_o moment_n that_o his_o oppress_a servant_n may_v receive_v a_o speedy_a justice_n oh_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n power_n mercy_n of_o our_o god_n that_o insensible_o order_v all_o our_o way_n as_o to_o his_o own_o holy_a purpose_n so_o to_o our_o best_a advantage_n what_o do_v jehoram_n the_o king_n talk_v with_o gehezi_n the_o leper_n that_o very_a presence_n be_v a_o eyesore_n but_o if_o the_o cohabitation_n with_o the_o infectious_a be_v forbid_v yet_o not_o the_o conference_n certain_o i_o begin_v to_o think_v of_o some_o goodness_n in_o both_o these_o have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o goodness_n in_o jehoram_n he_o have_v not_o take_v pleasure_n to_o hear_v even_o from_o a_o leprous_a mouth_n the_o miraculous_a act_n and_o praise_n of_o god_n prophet_n have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o goodness_n in_o gehezi_n he_o have_v not_o after_o so_o fearful_a a_o infliction_n of_o judgement_n thus_o ingenuous_o recount_v the_o praise_n of_o his_o severe_a master_n he_o that_o tell_v that_o dear-bought_a lie_n to_o the_o prophet_n tell_v now_o all_o truth_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o the_o king_n perhaps_o his_o leprosy_n have_v make_v he_o clean_o if_o so_o happy_a be_v it_o for_o he_o that_o his_o forehead_n be_v white_a with_o the_o disease_n if_o his_o soul_n become_v hereupon_o white_a with_o repentance_n but_o we_o may_v well_o know_v that_o the_o desire_n or_o report_v of_o historical_a truth_n do_v not_o always_o argue_v grace_n still_o jehoram_n after_o the_o inquiry_n of_o the_o prophet_n miracle_n continue_v his_o idolatry_n he_o that_o be_v curious_a to_o harken_v after_o the_o wonder_n of_o elisha_n be_v not_o careful_a to_o follow_v his_o doctrine_n therefore_o be_v gehezi_n and_o the_o shunamite_n meet_v before_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v convict_v who_o will_v not_o be_v reform_v why_o be_v it_o else_o that_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o person_n shall_v thus_o inexpected_o make_v good_a the_o relation_n if_o god_n have_v not_o mean_v the_o inexcusablenesse_n of_o jehoram_n while_o he_o must_v needs_o say_v within_o himself_o thus_o potent_a be_v the_o prophet_n of_o that_o god_n who_o i_o obey_v not_o be_v not_o elishaes_n the_o true_a god_n how_o can_v he_o work_v such_o wonder_n and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o true_a god_n why_o be_v he_o not_o i_o but_o what_o shall_v i_o change_v ahab_n god_n for_o jehosaphats_n no_o i_o can_v deny_v the_o miracle_n i_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o the_o author_n let_v elisha_n be_v powerful_a i_o will_v be_v constant_a o_o wretched_a jehoram_n how_o much_o better_a have_v it_o be_v for_o thou_o never_o to_o have_v see_v the_o face_n of_o gehezi_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o shunamite_n then_o to_o go_v away_o unmoved_a with_o the_o vengeance_n of_o leprosy_n in_o the_o one_o with_o the_o merciful_a resuscitation_n of_o the_o other_o therefore_o be_v thy_o judgement_n fearful_o aggravate_v because_o thou_o will_v not_o yield_v to_o what_o thou_o can_v not_o oppose_v have_v not_o ahab_n obduratenesse_n be_v propagate_v to_o his_o son_n so_o powerful_a demonstration_n of_o divine_a power_n can_v not_o have_v be_v uneffectual_a wicked_a heart_n be_v so_o much_o worse_o by_o how_o much_o god_n be_v better_a this_o anvil_n be_v the_o hard_a by_o be_v continual_o beat_v upon_o whether_o with_o judgment_n or_o mercy_n yet_o this_o good_a use_n will_v god_n have_v make_v of_o this_o report_n and_o this_o presence_n that_o the_o poor_a shunamite_n shall_v have_v justice_n that_o son_n who_o life_n be_v restore_v shall_v have_v his_o inheritance_n reviue_v his_o estate_n shall_v fare_v the_o better_a for_o elishaes_n miracle_n how_o much_o more_o will_v our_o merciful_a god_n second_o his_o own_o blessing_n when_o the_o favour_n of_o unjust_a man_n be_v therefore_o draw_v to_o we_o because_o we_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o divine_a beneficence_n it_o be_v a_o large_a and_o full_a award_n that_o this_o occurrence_n draw_v from_o the_o king_n restore_v all_o that_o be_v she_o and_o all_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o field_n since_o the_o day_n that_o she_o leave_v the_o land_n even_o until_o now_o not_o the_o present_a possession_n only_o be_v give_v she_o but_o the_o arerage_n nothing_o hinder_v but_o that_o outward_a justice_n may_v stand_v with_o gross_a idolatry_n the_o widow_n may_v thank_v elisha_n for_o this_o his_o miracle_n wrought_v still_o and_o put_v this_o new_a life_n into_o her_o dead_a estate_n his_o absence_n do_v that_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o life_n which_o his_o presence_n do_v for_o the_o restore_n it_o from_o death_n she_o that_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o expostulate_v with_o the_o man_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o loss_n of_o her_o son_n may_v perhaps_o have_v be_v as_o ready_a to_o impute_v the_o loss_n of_o her_o estate_n to_o his_o advice_n now_o that_o for_o his_o sake_n she_o be_v enrich_v with_o her_o own_o how_o do_v she_o bless_v god_n for_o so_o happy_a a_o guest_n when_o we_o have_v forget_v our_o own_o good_a turn_n god_n remember_v and_o crown_v they_o let_v we_o do_v good_a to_o all_o while_o we_o have_v time_n but_o especial_o to_o the_o household_n of_o faith_n can_v israel_n have_v be_v sensible_a of_o their_o own_o condition_n it_o be_v no_o small_a unhappiness_n to_o lose_v the_o presence_n of_o elisha_n whether_o for_o the_o idolatry_n or_o for_o the_o famine_n of_o israel_n the_o prophet_n be_v go_v into_o syria_n no_o doubt_n naaman_n welcome_v he_o thither_o and_o now_o will_v force_v upon_o he_o those_o thanks_n for_o his_o cure_n which_o the_o man_n of_o god_n will_v not_o receive_v at_o home_n how_o famous_a be_v he_o now_o grow_v that_o be_v take_v from_o the_o team_n his_o name_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o his_o own_o nation_n foreign_a country_n take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o king_n be_v glad_a to_o listen_v after_o he_o and_o woo_v he_o with_o present_n benhadad_n the_o king_n of_o syria_n who_o counsel_n he_o
bullock_n two_o hundred_o ram_n four_o hundred_o lamb_n in_o a_o meet_a proportion_n smoke_n upon_o their_o altar_n and_o now_o the_o child_n of_o the_o captivity_n think_v this_o day_n a_o sufficient_a payment_n for_o all_o their_o sorrow_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v it_o the_o fair_a day_n that_o ever_o shine_v forth_o to_o we_o wherein_o the_o spiritual_a build_n of_o god_n house_n be_v raise_v up_o in_o our_o soul_n how_o shall_v we_o shout_v at_o the_o lay_n of_o this_o foundation_n and_o feast_v at_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o roof_n what_o other_o what_o better_a sacrifice_n can_v we_o offer_v up_o to_o god_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o joy_n than_o our_o self_n let_v our_o heart_n be_v at_o once_o the_o temple_n the_o altar_n the_o sacrifice_n oh_o god_n be_v thou_o glorify_v in_o all_o these_o who_o haste_v gracious_o honour_v all_o these_o with_o thyself_o every_o holy_a feast_n be_v now_o due_o keep_v the_o priest_n know_v their_o division_n the_o levite_n their_o course_n and_o the_o whole_a service_n of_o god_n be_v put_v into_o a_o settle_a order_n but_o as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o new_a beginning_n without_o imperfection_n nor_o long_a continuance_n without_o corruption_n reformation_n be_v no_o less_o necessary_a than_o good_a institution_n ataxerxes_n windfull_a mnemon_n have_v learn_v of_o his_o father_n darius_n to_o befriend_v god_n people_n and_o strive_v to_o inherit_v his_o beneficence_n under_o his_o government_n be_v ezra_n the_o priest_n &_o learned_a scribe_n send_v with_o a_o large_a commission_n from_o babylon_n to_o jerusalem_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o want_n and_o redress_v the_o disorder_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o full_a power_n not_o only_o to_o carry_v with_o he_o all_o the_o voluntary_n of_o his_o nation_n and_o the_o treasure_n contribute_v in_o all_o the_o province_n of_o babylon_n but_o to_o raise_v such_o sum_n out_o of_o the_o king_n revenue_n as_o shall_v be_v find_v requisite_a and_o withal_o to_o ordain_v magistrate_n and_o judge_n and_o to_o crown_v the_o law_n with_o due_a execution_n whether_o to_o death_n or_o banishment_n or_o confiscation_n and_o last_o with_o a_o large_a exemption_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n and_o all_o the_o inferior_a officer_n of_o the_o temple_n from_o all_o toll_n tribute_n custom_n nothing_o want_v here_o whether_o for_o direction_n or_o encouragement_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o god_n great_a favour_n to_o any_o nation_n when_o the_o heart_n of_o sovereign_a governor_n be_v raise_v up_o both_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o worthy_a agent_n and_o to_o the_o command_a of_o pious_a and_o restaurative_a action_n holy_a and_o careful_a ezra_n gather_v a_o new_a colony_n of_o jew_n take_v view_n of_o they_o at_o the_o river_n of_o ahava_n and_o find_v a_o miss_n of_o the_o son_n of_o levi_n without_o who_o no_o company_n no_o plantation_n can_v be_v complete_a send_v for_o their_o supply_n and_o now_o full_o furnish_v he_o proclaim_v a_o fast_a in_o the_o way_n i_o do_v not_o hear_v he_o say_v the_o journey_n be_v long_o and_o dangerous_a the_o people_n have_v need_n of_o all_o their_o strength_n i_o can_v well_o wish_v we_o all_o afflict_a with_o a_o religious_a fast_o be_v it_o not_o that_o the_o abatement_n of_o the_o courage_n and_o vigour_n of_o the_o multitude_n may_v endanger_v our_o success_n but_o without_o all_o these_o carnal_a consultation_n he_o begin_v with_o this_o solemn_a act_n of_o humiliation_n it_o be_v better_a to_o have_v god_n strong_a in_o our_o weakness_n then_o to_o have_v flesh_n and_o blood_n strong_a in_o his_o neglect_n artaxerxes_n be_v a_o patron_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o a_o pagan_a by_o profession_n wise_a ezra_n be_v afraid_a of_o quench_v those_o spark_n of_o piety_n which_o he_o descry_v in_o this_o semi-proselite_n rather_o therefore_o then_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o imply_v a_o distrust_n in_o the_o providence_n of_o that_o god_n in_o who_o service_n he_o go_v by_o seek_v a_o convoy_n of_o soldier_n from_o the_o king_n ezra_n choose_v to_o put_v himself_o upon_o the_o hazard_n of_o the_o way_n and_o the_o immediate_a protection_n of_o the_o almighty_a any_o death_n be_v better_a then_o to_o hear_v artaxerxes_n say_v be_v this_o the_o man_n that_o so_o confident_o tell_v i_o the_o hand_n of_o our_o god_n be_v upon_o all_o they_o for_o good_a that_o seek_v he_o but_o his_o power_n and_o his_o wrath_n be_v against_o all_o they_o that_o forsake_v he_o do_v he_o believe_v himself_o that_o he_o thus_o doubt_v ere_o he_o begin_v dare_v he_o not_o trust_v his_o god_n with_o his_o own_o business_n the_o resolution_n of_o faithful_a heart_n be_v heroical_a no_o heathen_a man_n shall_v stumble_v at_o ezraes_n fear_n he_o can_v find_v more_o assurance_n in_o his_o fast_n then_o in_o a_o persian_a band_n with_o a_o courageous_a reliance_n upon_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o god_n he_o put_v himself_o into_o the_o journey_n and_o find_v nothing_o but_o safety_n and_o success_n the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o almighty_a never_o disappoint_v the_o confidence_n of_o his_o servant_n all_o the_o army_n of_o artaxerxes_n can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o strong_a a_o guard_n to_o the_o jew_n as_o their_o invisible_a protection_n in_o the_o space_n of_o four_o month_n be_v ezra_n and_o his_o company_n happy_o arrive_v at_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o joy_v to_o see_v the_o new_a temple_n and_o his_o old_a colleague_n and_o now_o have_v deliver_v up_o the_o charge_n of_o his_o treasure_n by_o weight_n in_o the_o chamber_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n he_o apply_v himself_o to_o his_o work_n and_o deliver_v the_o king_n commission_n to_o the_o lieutenant_n and_o governor_n for_o their_o utmost_a assistance_n the_o prince_n of_o judah_n do_v not_o for_o aught_o i_o hear_v repine_v at_o the_o large_a patent_n grant_v to_o this_o priest_n nor_o say_v what_o do_v a_o man_n of_o this_o robe_n meddle_v with_o place_v or_o displace_v magistrate_n with_o execution_n of_o judgement_n to_o death_n bond_n banishment_n but_o rather_o as_o congratulate_v this_o power_n to_o sacred_a hand_n glad_o present_a unto_o he_o all_o their_o grievance_n true_o religious_a heart_n can_v grudge_v any_o honour_n to_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n this_o holy_a commissioner_n be_v soon_o welcome_v with_o a_o sad_a bill_n of_o complaint_n from_o some_o good_a peer_n of_o israel_n wherein_o they_o charge_v diverse_a of_o the_o priest_n levite_n people_n not_o to_o have_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o idolatrous_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n nor_o therefore_o from_o their_o abomination_n even_o from_o canaanite_n hittites_n perizzites_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o brand_a nation_n that_o they_o have_v take_v of_o their_o daughter_n for_o themselves_o and_o for_o their_o son_n so_o that_o the_o holy_a seed_n have_v mingle_v themselves_o with_o those_o forbid_a people_n and_o which_o make_v the_o matter_n so_o much_o more_o heinous_a less_o remediable_a that_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o ruler_n have_v be_v chief_a in_o this_o trespass_n oh_o hypocritical_a jew_n do_v you_o refuse_v to_o suffer_v your_o samaritan_n neighbour_n to_o join_v with_o you_o in_o build_v a_o liveless_a house_n unto_o god_n and_o do_v you_o now_o join_v affinity_n with_o a_o more_o accurse_a generation_n for_o the_o build_n of_o live_a house_n unto_o posterity_n for_o the_o pull_n down_o of_o the_o lively_a house_n of_o god_n how_o can_v ezra_n hear_v this_o with_o his_o clothes_n his_o hair_n his_o beard_n untorne_a what_o grief_n what_o astonishment_n must_v this_o news_n need_v bring_v to_o a_o zealous_a heart_n and_o be_v it_o not_o that_o the_o conscience_n of_o his_o sincere_a respect_n to_o god_n glory_v relieve_v he_o how_o can_v ezra_n choose_v but_o repent_v he_o of_o his_o journey_n and_o say_v be_o i_o come_v from_o babylon_n to_o find_v paganism_n in_o judah_n do_v i_o leave_v persian_n to_o meet_v with_o canaanite_n what_o do_v i_o here_o if_o jerusalem_n be_v remove_v how_o much_o better_o be_v a_o clear_a captiutie_n than_o a_o idolatrous_a freedom_n woe_n be_v i_o that_o have_v leave_v many_o jewish_a heart_n in_o babylon_n i_o now_o be_o force_v to_o find_v heathen_a blood_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o a_o man_n distract_v with_o sorrow_n ezra_n sit_v down_o upon_o the_o earth_n with_o his_o garment_n rend_v with_o the_o hair_n of_o his_o head_n and_o beard_n pluck_v off_o wring_v his_o hand_n knock_v his_o breast_n not_o move_v from_o his_o place_n until_o the_o evening_n sacrifice_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o be_v too_o much_o affect_v with_o the_o public_a sin_n of_o god_n people_n those_o who_o find_v themselves_o in_o the_o ship_n of_o god_n church_n can_v but_o be_v much_o trouble_v with_o every_o dangerous_a leak_n that_o it_o take_v common_a case_n be_v not_o more_o neglect_v by_o the_o careless_a then_o take_v to_o