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
sorry Cold abode And then they ply from the Eaves unto the Ground With Mud-mixt Reed to wall their Mansion round All save a hole to the East-ward situate Where strait they clapt a Hurdle for a Gate Instead of Hinges banged on a With Which with a slight both Shuts and Openeth 5. Their first Invention of Fire Yet Fire they lackâ— But lo the Woods that whistle Amidst the Groves so oft the Lawrel justle Against that Mulberry that their angry Claps Do kindle Fire that burns the Heath bour Cops When Adam saw a râ—ddy vapor rise In glowring Streams as turnd with fear he slies It follows him untill a naked Plain The greedy fury of the flame restrain Then back he turns and coming somewhat nigher The kindled Shrubs pâ—rceiving that the fire Driâ—s his dark Cloathes his Colour doth refresh Anâ— un-benums his Sinâ—ws and his Flesh By th' unburnt end a good big brand he takes And hying home a fire he quickly makes And still maintains it till the Starry Twins Celestial breath another Fire begins But Winter being come again it grieved him T' have lost so fondly what Relieved him Trying a thousand wayes sitâ— now no more Thâ— justling Trees his damage would restore While else where musing one day he sate down Vpon a steep Rock craggy-forked crown A foaming Beast come towards him he spies Within whose Head stood burning Coals for Eyes Then suddenly with boisterous Arms he throws A knobby Flint that hummeth as he goes Hence flies the Beast th' ill-aimed flint shaft grownding Against the Rock and on it oft rebounding Shivers to Cinders whence there issued Small sparks of fire no sooner born then dead This happy chance made Adam leap for Glee And quickly calling his cold Company In his left hand a sâ—ining Flint he lâ—cks Which with another in his right he knocks So up and down that from the coldest stone At every stroke small lively Sparkles Shone Then with the dry Leaves of a withered Bay The which together handsomely they lay They â—ake the falling fire which like a Sun Shines clear and smok-less in the Leaf begun 6. Eves Mouth at first serves in stead of a pair of Bellous Eve Kneeling down with hand her head sustaining And on the low ground with her Elbow leaning Blows with her Mouth and with her gentle blowing Stirs up the heat that from the dry Leaves glowing Kindles the Read and then that hollow Kex First fires the small and they the greater Sticks CHAP. V. â—herein you have an account of the Disasters and Banishment of Adam and Eve out of Paradice with a supposed Dialogue between Adam and Eve and likewise between Eve and the Serpent Gen. 3. The Woman 's tempted by the Serpents whiles To eat the Fruit she strait the Man beguiles A Cherub chaseth them with Sword and Fire Out of fair Edens Garden in great Ire ADam and Eve are happy but how long will this happiness endure Doth Adam rememâ—er that he is a Man and a Man of Earth Doth Eve well understand that her Sex is moâ—e Light â—ore frail and less constant Adam art thou Ignoâ—ant that nothing is more flattering and more cunâ—ing than a Woman when her mind is excited by â—ome passion Beware then Adam of this Woman â—or my own part I imagine to have in a manner seen her â—ehind a Tree and to my thinking I have heard her â—â—eak something unto a Serpâ—nt The Serpent if I mistake not first beginning to â—ialogue with her after the following manner viz. â—erp Not eat Not tast Not touch Not cast an Eye Upon the Fruit of this fair Tree And why Why eatest thou not what Heaven ordained for Food Or can'st thoâ— think that bad which Heav'd call'd Go od Why was it made if not to be enjoy'd Neglect of Favours makes a Favour void Blessings unus'd pervert unto a Wast As well as Surfeits Woman do but tast See how the Laden Boughs make silent suit To be enjoy'd Look how the bending Fruit Meet thee half way Observe but how they crouch To kiss thy Hand Coy Woman Do but touch Mark what a pure Vermilion blush has di'd Their swelling cheeks and how for shame they hide Their Palsie Heads to see themselves stand by Neglected Woman do but casâ— an Eye What bounteous Heav'n ordained for use refuse not Come pull and Eat Y' abuse the thing ye use not Eve Wisest of Beast our Great Creater did Reserve this Tree and this alone forbid The rest are freely ours which doubtless are As pleasing to the Tast to the Eye as fair But touching this his strict Commands are such 'T is Death to Tast no less then Death to Touch. Serp. Pish Death 's a Fable Did not Heav'n inspire Your equall Elements with Living Fire Blown from the spring of Life Is not that breath Immortall Come ye are as free from Death As he that made you Can the flames Expire Which he has kindled Can ye quench his Fire Did not the Great Creatours voice proclaim What ere he made from the blew Spangled frame To the poor Leas that trembles very good Blest he not both the Feeder and the Food Tell Tell me then what danger can Accrue From such blest Fruit to such half Gods as you Curb needless fears and let no fond Conceit Abuse your freedom Woman take and Eate Eve 'T is true we are immortal Death is yet Vnborn untill Rebellion make it debt Indeed I know the Fruit is good untill Presumptuous disobedience make it ill The Lips that open to this Fruit's a Portall To let in Death and make immortall mortâ—ll Serp. You cannot die Come Woman tast and fear not Eve Shall Eve transgress I dare not O I dare not Serp. A fraid Why draw'st thou back thy tim'rous Arme Harm only faâ—ls on such as fear a Harm Heav'n knows and fears the virtue of this Tree 'T will make ye perfect Gods as well as hee Stâ—eâ—ch sorth thy Hand and let thy fondness never Fear Death Do Pull and Eat and Live for ever Eve 'T is but an Apple and it is as good To do as to desire Fruit's made for Food â—le pull and tast and tâ—mpâ— my Adam too To know the Secrets oâ— this dainty Serp. Do. EPIGRAM Vnluckey Parliament Wherein at lâ—st Both Houses are agree'd and firmly pâ—st An Act of Death confirm'd by higher powers O hâ—d it had but such Success as ours And now Eve being thus seduc't by the Serpent we may suppose Adam Advancing up to her bespeaking her after the following manner viz. Adam From whence dost thoâ— come anâ— why doest thou leave him all alone who is the heart of thy heart and the soul of thy soul Where can be the Members without the Head the Head without the Members What doest thou not know that I am to be witâ—ess of all thy Actions and that I must give an account unto God for what thou shalt doe what fruit is this that thou hold'st in thy hand Eve Ah my Son
my Friend my dear Husband would you did but know what hath happened since I was absent from you Not far from hence I met a Serpent of a Prodigious and extraordinary shape he also spake to me contrary to the use of Beasts For my part I did believe that he was a Prodigy of Heaven and an Angel which God sent me under the form of a Serpent He shewed me the Tree of Life and promised me that if I would Eat of is's Fruit I should become like unto God and have a perfect knowledge of Good and Evil I told him that God had forbid it us upon pain of death but he protested to me that on the contrary this fruit hath the Iuice of Life and Immortality For my part I have gather'd it I have eaten of it and I intreat you to tast as little of it as you please O God! how eloquent is the malice of a Woman and what powerfull charmes and perswasions hath she Her Lips and Mouth disâ—ill at once both Honny and Poyson her Tongue shoots forth Arrows of Death and Life her very looks are so many Lightnings which she mingleth with the darts of her Passions This is that which destroyed the Angel of the Terrestial Paradise the Monarch of the World and the Father of all Mankind He chose rather to disobey God than contradict his Wife For it was from his own Wife's hand he took this fatall Apple which would choak his Posterity O wretch What hast thou done Open a little thine Eyes and blush râ—ther at the sight of this Crime than at thy Nakedness Adam what hast thou done why doest thou hide thy 〈◊〉 Adam where art thou God calls thee thou must Answer thou must appear in vain is it to seek out â—hades and groves to oppose the Word who gives â—peech to the Dumb and those Eyes whose least glances make the day to break in the darkest Dungeons and greatest obscurities Adam what answerest thou Alas hast thou no pitty on thy self and all thy Children In conâ—lusion Adam layes the fault on his Wife the Woman accuseth the Serpent and instead of accusing themselves to sweeten the indignation of the Judge they make excuses to inkindle his Wrath and to render themselves unworthy of Pardon Ah! How far more prudently had both of them done if with bended Knees on the ground with tears in their Eyes with sighs from their Hearts and conâ—ession from their Mouths they had said unto God Lord take pitty on us and upon all our poor Children But alas they are wholy insensible they â—annâ—t acknowledge their offence wherefore no Clemency no Pardon Go then Serpâ—nt accursed of God go creep upon â—he â—arth and with shame trayl thy Body and thy Sâ—ales byting the Earth with thy Teeth It is thou â—hat hast unâ—appily seâ—uced the first of Woman-kind â—nd therefore War shall be eternally inkindled beâ—ween thee and the Woman As for thee O Woâ—an who wert the Origine and â—â—urce of Evil know that thy mâ—series shall dayly find â—â—plorable increâ—ses Moâ—â—over thou shalt conceive with â—â—in and shalt not 〈◊〉 forth thâ— Fruit but amidst the â—hrows of a painful Labour In fine thou shall be unâ—er the Command of Man And he shall be not only â—hy Master 〈◊〉 sometiâ—es thy Tyrant As for thâ—â— O Man Remove far from this Saâ—red aboad Go seek thy Bread at the price of thy â—weat and Blood go follow the Plow and Cart to â—e the Companion of Beasts and to cultivate the Earth which thy pride hath swollen up with Winds and covered with Thorns Brambles and Bryers Go whether thou pleasest but know that thy life shall be but a large course of misfortunes and a disastrous list where thou must continually wrastle with all Creatures and be the fatall mark of all sorts of accidents and mis-haps which in fâ—ne will give thee no repose till thou shalt return into the Bosom of the Earth For dust thou art and to Dust thou shalt return Gen. 3. Poor banisht Adam plows with sweat and pain The barren Earth and there in soweth Grain Eve fares as ill her Children she doth bear In grievous pain anâ— nurses them in fear Scarce were these destroying Thunder-bolts darted upon the head of Adam and Eve and consequently on all Mankind but an Angel invironed with Fire and Flames seized on the gate of Paradise and shut it for ever against these miserable and exiled Persons Alas why would not the Earth have rather swallowed them up And why would not that beautiful Garden which had been the Throne of their Innocence become at least the Sepulcher of their Sin But seeing it was not so Ah! Poor Children of Adam pittyful Reliques of an unfortunate Father let me addresse my self to you behold then your Patrimony the Rights of your Families and what Adam and Eve have left you for Legacies Let no Man hereafter be astonisht to see you wandring about Countries like Pilgrims and going from door to door in Cities with Tears in your Eyes sighs in your Hearts with dusty Hair and Sun-burnt Faces Let no Man â—e any more astonished to see you go bare-Headed and bare-Footed a Wallet on your Shoâ—lders and a Staff in your Hand for these are the portions of Sin Miserable Mortals the Earth from henceforth shall be to you but a Dark Prison Life but a Gally and the World but a great Chain of Misfortunes The Elements shall joyn in Arms against you The Fire shall inkindle frightfull Comets over your Heads The Air shall dart forth merciless Thunder-bolts upon your Houses The Sea shall raise its Billows against your Towers and the Earth shall be the Theater of Wars the Meadow in which the Plague shall Mow and the Field of Battail where all the powers of the World and Hell it self shall deliver you up to Tragick Combats In fine your Bodies shall be Subject to all sorts of Malaâ—ies and your minds to all kinds of Passions But Heark Heark Methinks now I hear already Eâ—vy grumbling and murmuring in the Heart of Cain I hear methinks the cry of Abel Let us therâ—fore observe a while what passeth CHAP. VI. The Murther of Abel and the Despair of Cain together with a supposed Dialogue between Conscience Tyrant Sin Cain and Abel Gen. 4. Cain and Abel after Sacrifice God accepts Abels Cain's be doth despise Cain inraged his Brother Abel slayes For which God Scourgeth Cain all his dayes ABEL was from his Birth of so sweet and facile so plyant and tractable a disposition a Aâ—am and Eve were even inforced to bestow on him their most tender affections Cain on the contrary who was his Elder Brother appeared to be of sâ— fierce and imperious a Nature that at length tâ— sweeten it they resolved to oblige him to cultivatâ— the Earth that his spirit might learn how to softeâ— the hardest of Elemens and to temper the harshnesâ— of his Courage Abel at the same time employed himself in keeping Sheep and guiding his Fathers Floâ—ks amidst
too long have the horrors of Sodom irritated and provoked God The night already approacheth and there remains no day but to behold two Angels in the habit of Pilgrims who seek out Lot even at the Gates of Sodom observe how welcome they are and certainly they have met with an Heart who perfectly understands the rights of Hospitality observe what hast he makes to them how he casts himself at their Feet how he conjures them to spend at least one night in his House In fine after some refusals and Complements he inforceth them by his charitable importunities to shelter themselves in his Lodging they enter into it and nothing but Feasts and congratulations are seen in this House But they were no sooner risen from the Table and preparing to take some repose when immediatly Sodomites came from aâ—l parts like inraged Wolves howling and trembling as if they had already felt the Agony of Death and the Flames which were ready to devour them Mean while Lot is very much afflicted for these Cyclops of Hell are come out of a Furnace of obscurities with Hammers and Iron Bars in their Handâ— to break his Gate in a thousand pieces to destroy Fathers and Children Masters and Servants Mean while the night slips away and from the break of day as if the Sun should have served to inkindle the Pyle of Sodom two Angels delegated for the preservation of Lot taking him by the Hand with his Wife and two Daughters constrained them to depart together out of the City advertizing them that to preserve their lives and to enjoy the benefit they had received they must seek out a refuge upon some high Mountain without turning their Heads or Eyes towards the unhappy Sodom least some Whirlwind of Flames should chance to surprise and devour them Behold then Lot much astonished Nevertheless he conjures these amiable Spirits to afford him a retreat in a little Town not far from thence the Angels granted all he desired and the Village assign'd him for a Sanctuary was also freed from the Flames for his sake But as there is nothing weaker and more wavering than a Womans mind Lot had not power enough to hinder her Head which was filled only with Wind from moving at the sight of the first Lightnings which preceeded this Storm so in testimony of her inconstancy she was transformed into a Pillar of Salt as if Goâ— intended by this exemplary punishment to leave unto over light Souls a Tragick monument of inconstancy and a dreadfull effect of Temerity Mean while the â—eavens are no longer but a lively source of Flames and Fires The Sun Moon and Stars are so many Chanels through which God powres down upon Sodom and Gomorrha all the Thunderbolts of his wrath The Clouds are the Torrents of Thunder which makes a hideous noise which tears the Skyes and carries away all without pitty nothing is seen in the Air but Flaming obscurities and ardent shadows heaped upon one another which form a Hears-cloath to cover the shamefull Reliques of these loathsome Coals The Earth on the other side is an inlivened gulph of burning Coals which vomit forth so many Firebrands and Torches as at length one would believe that the Air the Skyes the Clouds and the Earth were no other than a Hell Nothing is heard there but Clamors Sobs Rages Blasphemies and roarings out What a spectacle is it to see Men and Women with Bodies all on fire running through the Streets their Hair flaming their Eyes sparkling their Mouths burning and their Hearts filled with Sulphur What a Monstrous Spectacle is it to behold an Infant in his Mothers bosom and in his Nurses Arms like a lump of Sulphur which is consumed with the flash of a Torch Who hath ever heard that the World was watred with a rain of Sulphur with a Deluge of Fire and with an Inundation of burning Coals and Flames What Thunder what spoyl what desolation of Wood-piles of Houses and Furnaces Beds Tables Cubbords Gold Iron Marbles and Diamonds turned into Fire-brands Alas where are the Hâ—avens Where is the Air Where is the Sea and Earth when the whole World is on Fire Ah poor Lot What is become of thy Wife and where are thy Kindred and what may thy Daughters think beholding the smoak of that Fire which devours the Bodies of their unfortunate Husbands Me thinks I see him with his Daughters in the foulds of a Mountain where he endeavours to shelter himself from these frightfull inundations which burn and desolate all his Country But with what grief will Abrahams chast Heart be touch'd when he knows that the Daughters of Lot are consumed with an other Fire and they inkindle such black Flames as even hinder them from knowing their own Father or at least from treating him with that respect which Nature and piety required Gen. 19. God Sodom and Gomorra burneth quite Lot and his Wife do â—ave themselves by flight Yet Lot doth burn with a Flame far more wild For he gets his own Daughters both with Child None but Abraham remains constant in his sincerity he is still in the same place where God spake to him with so much tenderness and privacy Faithfull Friend of God Father of all Nations support of men Vice-King of the Earth Abraham canst thou behold this dreadfull fire without Sighs and Tears Weep then Abraham weep to quench these Flames but rather inkindle some pile to swallow up these Monsters which infect the World by the contagious shasts of their incestuous brutalities CHAP. XVII Giveing an account of the Birth of Isaack and of the Banishment of Agar Ishmael Gen. 21. Poor Agar's banish'd from Old Sara's Face With Ishmael the wildest of his Race Through unknown Paths they Range till by a Spring Sitting Gods Angel to them Ioy doth bring IN fine Heaven hath heard the vows and prayers of Abraham Isaack is born and Sara is so much ravished at the sight of this happy prodigy that she can hardly believe what she sees What a wonder is it to see this Child of Tears and Desires become an object of a ravishing Joy Sara art thou afraid that the life of thy Son will bring thee death and that the excess of a joy so little expected will even melt thy heart For my part I allready apprehend lest the pastime of Isaack and Ishmael prove the occasion of a quarel and that at last either the Mother or Child must be chased away In effect Sara could not endure the sight of Agar and Ishmael she intreats Abraham to put both of them out of his House But Abraham who hath the tenderness of a Father for Ishmael cannot condescend to her desires It seems to this good Man that the severing of Isaack and Ishmael would even cut his heart in two There is a necessity Nevertheless of obeying the request of Sara for God commands Abraham in this occasion to execute all his injunctions with promise that notwithstanding all contrary appearances Isaack and Ishmael shall
Gray Hairs with sorrow to the Grave God Well said God I know thou lovest him but must not you love me better Offer up this Son this only Son Isaack whom thou lovest Abraham But Lord though thou art righteous when I plead with thee yet let me talk with thee of thy Iudgmâ—â—ts what wiâ—l the wicked say wâ—en they shall hear â—hat thou delightest in Blood and that thy Servants must offer their Children to the Lord who will serve thee at â—his rate God Well but saith God is not all the Earth mine own and may not I do with mine own what I please I that give may take and therefore mind not you what the World will say but what I say and I say offer thy Son Abraham But Lord hast thou not commanded me to do â—o Murther and must I now embrue my Hands in Blood â—nd in mine own Blood too Oh happâ— me might my Blood â—o for his Oh! Isaack Isaack my Son Isaack my â—on my Son would to Goâ— I might die for thee Oh! â—saack my Son my Son Lord how can this stand with â—he Law that thou hast given me God Abraham saith God such things are not first â—â—st and then willed by me but willed by me and â—â—erefore just Aâ—raham Do not you know that I â—an repeal or make exceptions 'T is I that say it â—hâ—refore do it Who is this that darkâ—neth counsel â—y words without knowledge Gird up now thy â—oins like a Man sâ—ite him kill him Have not I â—ommanded thee be couragious and a Son of vaâ—our Go offer thy Son Abraham But gooâ— Lord thou hast made this exâ—â—ption when thou diâ—st shew Man what was good and â—â—asing in thine Eyes thou woulâ—st not â—haâ— he shoulâ—â—ive his first-born for his Transgression â—or the fruit of â—is Body for the sin of his Soul but to do justly anâ— to â—â—ve Mercy and to walk humblâ— with his God To â—bey thou saâ—st it is better than Sacrifice and to â—earken than the sat of Lambs God Well then saith God hearken anâ— oâ—ey â—â—is is to do Justice this is oh wonder to shew Merâ—â— this is to walk humbly with thy God A braham Seeing I have taken upon me to speak unto 〈◊〉 Lord I will yet say Lord he is the Son of the Proâ—ise in whom thou hast said that all the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed Now Lord if he die anâ— die a Child without Children where is then the blessedâ—ness thou speakest of what will become of the Blessing God Well Abraham saith God perform what â— command and I will perform what I promise what will Abraham who was once not weak in Faith anâ— considered not his own Body nor Sara's when twicâ— dead who staggered not through unbelief at mâ— Promise but was strong in Faith and gave me Gloâ—ry wâ—o was fully perswaded that what I promiseâ— I was able to perform anâ— was not disappointed oâ— his Hope though against Hope Will this Abrahaâ— now call me in question Hast thou known my Nameâ—punc and wilt thou not trust in me Am not I the Lorâ— which change not Have I said it is and shall it noâ— come to pass Is there any thing too hard for God Am not I able even of Stones to raise up Children unto Abraham Cannot I say to dry Bones Live thoâ— hast received him from the Dead in a Figure anâ— were Isaack in the Grave could not I who am the Resurrection from the Dead say Isaack come forth arise and walk that thy Father may receive thâ—â— with double joy saying Isaack my Son who waâ— dead yea who was twice dead is now alive Thereâ—fore Abraham offer thy Son Abraham My dear Lord seeing I who am but Duâ—â— and Ashes have taken upon me to speak unto thee Oâ— let not my Lord be angry if I speak once more If I maâ— not prevail oh that I might prevail to save Isaack â—â—live yet let me intreat thâ—â— that I may not be the Priesâ— let not mine hand be upon him Can I see the death 〈◊〉 the Child Good Lord let somâ— other do it Surely â— cannot lifâ— up my Hand or if I do shall I not wish 〈◊〉 may wither or be turned into a stone Will not thesâ— Eyes run down with Rivers of Tears Ah Lord I caâ— speak no more my hâ—art will break my hand will shâ—kâ— send by whom thou wilt send but let not me Oh let 〈◊〉 mâ— go God Yes Abraham thou take him thou and go thou and offer him thou none but thou Abraham Ah Lord Yet once more but this once more and I have done I am old and full of dayes past Travail spare me a little let me not go so far as the Land of Moria let it if it must be done be done at home God No Abraham Take now thy Son thine onâ—y Son Isaack whom thou lovest get thee into the Land of Moria and offer him there no where but there He is then all alone upon the way with his Son â—nd his two Servants and he advanceth directly to Mount Moria as to the appointed place My dear Reader I leave unto thy imagination what paâ—â—ed for the space of three dayes this journey â—â—sted repreâ—ent unto thy self I beseech thee â—hat thou art with him whom thou dost love above â—ll men thou seest him thou speakest to him thou â—rinkest to him and sleepest with him how will it â—e if at thy departure thou must see him die And â—f thou thy self must present him the Poyson which 〈◊〉 to stifle him Husbands and Wives Fathers and Mâ—thers Brothers Kindred A â—ociats Friends what Torments What despairs What punishâ—ents When you stand at the Beds Feet where â—ou shall behold your dearest affections and your â—ost pleasing delights in the Agony of Death what combats and what Duels â—f Love and Grief What strength and â—esolutions to receive the last worâ—s and â—â—ghs of a dying Mouth to whiâ—h a thouâ—â—nd and a thousand chast kisses have been given â—â—d whose least breath was able to wipe awâ—y all â—orts of sorrows What Prodigy of constancy to â—ose with your Hands two Eyes which served as 〈◊〉 in the saddest obscurities of Life which is but â—o much intermingled with mourning and pleasure In fine how can we see with out dying anâ— other self at the point of death Nevertheless this was but thâ— image of a dying life which Abrahaâ— led for the space of three dayes onâ— would swear that God had undertaken to make him dye ten thousand times upon thiâ— sad way every glance of Isaack was a mortal Javeâ—lin which pierced his Heart and yet he must havâ— him three times four anâ—â—wenty hours before hiâ— Eyes there was a necessity of eating drinking and speaking with him were not these entertainments and Feast of Death He was constraine during the night to lay on his Breast and in his Boâ—som that Head he was to cut off with his owâ— Hands was not this a murthering sleep and a crueâ— repose In sine he
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
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
leave me my honour Is not this to speak like an Angel and to have the sentiments of those spirits who live in flames without being consumed and amidst Lightnings without being dazled But now such was the Devil of this Epyptian Woman who so eagerly persued Ioseph he was an insolent importunate furious companion His rage notwithstanding had by fits some relaxation he knew the art of dissembling and to be silent for a time his Element was solitude and the night his refuge he sighed alwayes after Ioseph and nothing pleased him when he was absent In fine he seems to have the power to possess this Soul if she be alone and if all witnesses be drawn aside Beware then Ioseph what you doe you are alone you are young you are beautifull and Esteemed Remember that the eyes of Women dart as many lightnings as glances call to mind that their mouths shed honey and poison and that their tongues cast more dangerous darts than Adders Contemn then what ever this impudent Creature can say unto you She will peradventure say she is your Mistriss and that you ought to obey her And that if she affect you you cannot hate her and if she seek you you have no reason to flye from her she will conjure you to tell her what in her displeaseth you Since she omits nothing that may content you and without injustice you cannot refuse her one single favour she expects from you especially she being ready on her part to grant all that you can ask of her There is no colour she will not employ to represent unto you her passion and her Eyes though silent will swear to you that they have often enough spoken to you when her mouth durst not utter a word that if it were possible she would believe that she hath by her words manifested to you all the thoughts of her Soul when they might have been kept secret Besides she will flatter you saying you have refused her that out of prudence which now you ought to grant her through love and goodness Moreover if you fear any thing she will assure you that she hath foreseen all that may expose you unto danger In fine she will intreat that if she hath no fortunes in the World which are not at your disposure you would yet receive her respect and affections to render you morâ— absolute and independent concluding by all these reasons that you must at last satisfie her either by violence or sweetnesse and that she will have either honour or life death or consent Mean while let us see I beseech you what strong endeavours are used to stay him They flatter him they praise him they love him they honour him they conjure him they threaten him they make him promises What will you have and what more can be done to gain him and poâ—â—ess his affections Entreaties have hitherto received but refusalls Alurements disdains and threats constancy and neglect In fine this furious Woman being no longer able to restrain her passion an attempt must be made oâ— the life of him whose honour she could not wound she leaps on his neck as it were to strangle him but presently Ioseph flies away and leaving his garment in her hands she had but the Feathers of this Bird which she thought to detain in her nests Behold then all her designs defeated Ioseph iâ— escaped he is in safety and out of the reach of this ravenous She-wolf which pursued him This inraged Woman seeing then that Ioseph waâ— fled and that he had only left her his Cloak resolved at the instant to revenge this affront and accuse him whom she knew to be too pure to excuse himself This Dame cryed out first and the fear she hath to be accused is the occasion she takes those for Witnesses of her innocency who could have prevented her After all seeing her Husband at her Door help saith she to what am I reduced Aâ— who hath given me for a Servant an importunate Devil who persecutes me beyond measure Ah my Husband my Friend what have you done And what a perfidious man have you given me Is it peradventure to try my Loyalty and Vertue tell me I pray what is your intention and whether you keep him in the quality of a Servant or Companion For my part I esteem it as a great honour to be your Hand-maid and yet I conceive not my self obliged to obey your meanest Servant He hath been nevertheless so presumptuous in your absence to sport with me and take the place you hold in my heart No I swear by the respect I owe you that I would have strangled him if my strength had been answerable to my will but he is escaped and seeing I called for help he left his garment in my hands Immediatly this man giving too much credit to the discourse of his Wife without inquiry whether what she said was true or false caused Ioseph 〈…〉 stayed and commanded him to be put in 〈…〉 Whâ—◠〈…〉 Aegyptian Lady did invite Well favour'd Joseph to unchast delight How well the motion and the place agreed A beastly place and 't was a beastly Deed A place well season'd for so foul a sin Too sweet to serve so foul a Master in Ioseph's Speech to his Brethren Go fetch your Brother saith th' Aegyptian Lord If you intend our Garners shall afford Your craving wants their so desir'd supplies If He come not by Pharaoh's life y' are Spies Ev'n as your suits expect to find our Grace Bring Him or dare not to behold my face Some little food to serve you on the way We here allow but not to feed delay When you present your Brother to our hand Yâ— shall have plenty and possess the Land Away and let your quick obedience give The earnest of your Faiths do this and live If not your willfull wants must want supply For ye are Spies and ye shall surely die Great God the Aegyptian Lord resembles Thee The Brother 's Jesus and the Suiters Wee CHAP. XXVII Giveing an Account of the wonderfull manner of Pharaoh's being swallowed up in the Red-Sea AND now methinks I see Pharaoh with all his Egyptian forces ready to be swallowed up in the Billows of an unexorable Element which will open its waves to make a dreadfull Sepulcher 〈◊〉 â—his cruel and disastrous Tyrant about whom 〈◊〉 most holy sweetness and the most amiable patience â—f Heaven is wearied Having then received news that the Israelâ—â—â—â— â—ere incamped upon the side of a little Hill situated â—etween the Fort of Magdalin and the Red-Sea and â—ery near Mount Beelsophon He believed this waâ—â—â—e best way to surround them and that in 〈◊〉 â—â—ese Rocks Dungeons and Seas serve but for 〈◊〉 â—rge Grave to bury them and to extinguish 〈…〉 the name and memory of this People which 〈◊〉 occasion'd to him so many misfortunes He saâ—â—â—em at least in a condition to dye of Hunger and â—hirst after he had ingaged them all in ' these bad â—â—ssages
was every 〈◊〉 qualified for his station But this mighty preâ—erment soon contracts an uniâ—versal Eâ—vy upon him from those whose dim Eye could nâ—t see or whose cankâ—â—ed Spirits would noâ— weigh his merits in a Righteâ—â—s Sâ—ale The Hiâ— of Hâ—nour iâ— dangerously troâ— though by neveâ— so â—air and meritoriâ—us Feâ—t Envious Men hatâ— to aâ—knowleâ—ge a worth beyond their own and looâ— with a squint Eye on all above themselves The proâ—motion that fâ—lls not â—n their own Heads grieveâ— their Hearts anâ— iâ— plotted against Yet safely may the Heavenly Aspirer fix hâ—â— steps while he has no Competitor to contend witâ— him and few are emuloâ—s of the Celestial Crown The four and twenty â—lders may pass an Eternitâ— e'ro any below disturb their Honours while weaâ—â— Eyes wax sore at the sight but of a Coroneâ—â— though Darius himsâ—lf had stuck it on They sougâ—t to find occâ—sion c. And methinks fancy them sitting in â—lose Consult â—gainst him anâ— ransacking every Inâ—h of his Life and Manners Nâ— an unâ—â—r-Officer but is brought in and strictly exâ—â—min'd upon Oath if possibly the lâ—ast defect migâ—â— be found in his Managements or Accounts And peâ—â—hâ—ps the very Attendants of his Family Brib'd 〈◊〉 Menac'd into an unreserved conâ—ession and disclâ—â—sure of the dayly Customs of his House nay 〈◊〉 those of his very Oratory and Bed-chamber 〈◊〉 must the freedom of his Table â—e allowed him uâ—â—purgeâ— â—f probably even there but a Syllable migâ—â— escape him which may be Aâ—tificially interpretâ— into Treason or wrench'd but into the misprisâ—â— of it or but any thing which might bear the leaâ— shadow or Reflection of dishâ—nour or damage to tâ—â— great Pâ—rson Dignity or Intâ—rest of his Royâ—â— Master But when now after all this nothing is squeezâ— out that can though but colourâ—bly charge him how do they fret and vex and are ready to indict even his Care and his Caution And are vext that they want Eyes to penetrate into the vâ—ry recesses of his Soul For it may be there might sculk some Trayterous and Disloyal thought which gladly would they tear out from his Heart and produce in evidence against him But if even that he White and Innocent too they again wax mad and curse his very Loyalty and Truth and could wiâ—h that his Snowy Innocence would take a Crimson Dye and be though but superficially Criminal They â—ought occasion but could find none forasmuch as he was â—aithful Neither was there any errâ—ur or fault found in him Chap. 6.4 But now what a plague is it to envy innocence and â—o make anothers Health ones own Disease Is the thine Eye evil because mine is Good Yet for ever â—e it remarqu'd to the Honour of â—hese eager Conspirators that the height of this â—eavourish rage did not distemper them into the â—istraction of perjurious Revenges nor the detestâ—ble contrivances of Subornation against Daniel They will not Damn Souls to destroy Bodies Their â—ery Heathen Consâ—iences boggled at that Hellish â—ractice And now very despair make these Plotters witty â—hey altâ—r the measuâ—es of their Counsels And â—â—nce nothing can be discovered defective in his alleâ—iance to his Prince they will weave a Net that â—hall ensnare him in the exactness of his obâ—dience â—o his God Hiâ— very Devotions shall be twisted â—â—to a Cord tâ—at shall stranglâ— him And if he dare â—y serviâ—â— to â—is Mâ—ker even that shall be High â—reason agâ—inst his King And to sâ—ve â—hem the laâ—our hâ— shâ—ll 〈◊〉 â—imâ—â—lf â—nto the Grâ—ve For 〈◊〉 thâ—se men wâ— shâ—ll find nâ— oâ—â—â—sion against this â—aniel except we find it agâ—iâ—st him concerning the â—â—w of his God verse 5. But I would wish no greater Judgment upon Plotters than to find them bending their Wits against Heaven whiâ—h is ever engaged to destroy them fâ—r its own security and Honour Nor can an Arrow be shot against Piety without hitting God himself direcâ—ly in the Face Since all that is in the Worlâ— is but his reflection upon the Soul and he is as much in one Beam or Ray of his Holyness that shines in the Creature below as in the whole Sun of it that makes Glory above The Malicâ— that wounds a Saint would destroy the Deity if it could How do I see them Chuckle and â—less their Wits in this new contrivanâ—e A Plot so exquisitely woven that there is no room for so much as the least fear or jealousie of its miscarriage and failure They question not the success in the least Daniel must turn Atheist to prevent the danger and forsake his God or his Life Projecting Heads may Plot together and jumble out a decree of Death Yâ—t to as little Reputation or Issue as a Club of Physicians that vote that disease to be Mortal which Heaven cures by a â—igg The Decree is universally agreed on by Daniels Enemies And the Monarch address'd for his Royal Aâ—â—ent They Enact him a God by Law upon Earth and make it Death to acknowledge another in Heaven They put a trouble upon hiâ— to receive all the addresses of Men and 〈◊〉 thirty Holy-dayes for all his fellow Deities to reâ—t iâ— Whosoever shall ask â— Petition of any God â—r Man fâ—r thirty Dayes save of thee O Kinâ— c. vers 7. Dâ—rius consults not his Cabal to unriddle this Flattery in his Noâ—les muâ—h less dâ—e he apprehend any treacherous design in the bottom but is willing to interpret it pure Loyalty and a Politick advance of his Glory and greater security in his Empire now at his first approaches uâ—to it and therefore easily inclines to the proffered Honour and since they will have it so is content to justle out his Maker from his Throne for a Month. Therefore God punish'd his rash and unadvised Folly and Pride whose hand Signs the Decree which afterwards makes his Soul to Ake and because he did not sleep on 't a-non cannot and endanger'd the breaking his Heart as well as his sleep The Sagacious Daniel quiâ—kly penetrates through this shallow desigâ— He easily sees the Warrant for his own Execution written on the back-side of this plausible Deâ—ree yet will not prevent it His great Soul bids defiance to it and them that fram'd it He scorns to live when he â—annot serve his God yâ—t will serve him though he dye for it He will not neglect his Duty for thirty dayes togâ—ther no not to save his Blooâ— But râ—solves rather to pass into Immortality to serve him there The King having pass'd the Law The Trepanners begin to sâ—eak about Dâ—niâ—ls Lodgings Malice degenâ—rateâ— them into Eveâ—-â—roppers they creep up and down unâ—er his very Winâ—ows If the Casement chance to sâ—ye open the project thrivâ—s their hopes swell and the Blood capers in their Veins And he brave Spirit opens it on purpose to let them see and know that he dreaded not their impious Law nor would slack an Aâ—e of his dayly Zeal and devotion to his God and thiâ— he diâ— When he knew that the Writing
was sign'd vers 10. 'T was below his great Person and Spirit to deny or dissemble his Religion Faith and Love makes him trusty to it against all Conspiracies of Men or Deâ—vils And what know we but some were so impudent as to steal up Stairs and peep through the very Key-hole to discover but the first motion towards a Genuflection But when those Sacred joynts incline to bend to the resolved Worship how greedily do they suck in the very first Spiration and preparatory â—ighs But brave Belshazzar how little do we know what various Passions agitate thy Sacred Breast at this time What contests between Nature and Grâ—â—e â—lesh and Spirit Or wer 't thou all Soul and transported beyond the cares and remembrance of thy Moâ—tal and suâ—fering part that I hear thee 〈◊〉 iâ—to suâ—h Rapâ—ures as theâ—e Whaâ— aâ—d must I forsâ—ke my God now or not Live and forsâ—ke him too upon such unhappy Terms as thâ—se to gratifie the wishes of these malicious conâ—ederating Heathens Is Devotion become fatal and must Praâ—er it self kill Cannot I go to my God but the next stâ—p must be to the Grave 'T is worse than Dâ—ath to live â—ut one day without him who iâ— the Life of my Soul how then shâ—ll I live thirty Must I wâ—ar thes◠〈◊〉 upon minâ— affections and â—ips which thâ—se Menâ— envy and canâ—ing hâ—ve clapt on me with design to enslave me fâ—r ever Râ—ther let 〈◊〉 Beasts tear â—pâ—n a paâ—sage for this Captive within me 〈◊〉 pâ—ss into thâ— liberties of eâ—erlâ—stingness than thus to bâ— Cag'd up in so insufferable a Vâ—ssalage Do they think to immure up my Soul Let thâ—m râ—nâ— me from the Court of Daâ—iuâ— my Heaven is not there as is â—â—eirs my Bodâ— is the Kings to his pleasure and service but my Soul is Gods unto his 〈◊〉 venture an inâ—â—rgâ—ment into the Bowels of the Lioâ—s e're they shall â—lâ—ry over mine Apâ—stacy from my Religion and my God But hold whither does this Noble but Temerarious Zeal transport thâ—e Daniel Is this thâ— kindness to thy dearest self Anâ— hast thou no regard to the Glorious and sweets â—f Life Is that Holy Fire that devours its own Altar And callâ—st thou that Zeal that hurls thee into nothing and temps thee to an Annihilation Is Death so dâ—sireable and such a Death as will gratifie thine Enemies too Whose Mâ—lice will Feast it self on thy Ruines with greater Luxury than the Lyons Banquâ—t on thy Flesh What is this but to Execute the Plot against thine own Life which they cannot pâ—rfâ—ct without thee and will thy God thank thee for destroying thy sâ—lf and throwing â—way thy life for â— Nicety the Ceremony anâ— Carkâ—â— of Devotion which his Grace is so râ—ady to dispâ—nce with anâ— for so little â— time as a Mâ—nth too Is he not the Father of Spirits and regards more the Oratorâ— of a sigh than all the lusciouâ— Expr ssions of the Lips Vnâ—erstâ—nds he not the Language of the Soul â—nâ— hearkâ—ns to the very desires of the Humble Maist thou not Offer up the purâ—r Sacrifice from the sâ—cret Altar of a Flaming 〈◊〉 and be safe What an advantage hast thou to 〈◊〉 the Conspiracy by a Mental Devotion anâ— to Countermine the Villaâ—â—â—s of thâ—ir Cursed Policy by looking up thy Soul in its self Ah no! The brave Votâ—ry sâ—orns to compound with his God for his Life nor will save himself by so muâ—h as Latching the Door of his Lips he will not â—tiâ—le the vent of his Soul tho it self were sure to fly through it He will glorifie God with his speech tho he speak himself into Air he will not diâ—figure the Body of his Duty to save his own from mangling and would rather the Lyons should open their Mouths to swallow him than he by shutting up his to â—mprison his Zealand Affections He resolveâ— that his Mouth shall Confess unto God and the World â—hat his Heart believâ—th unto Salvation and while his Enemies were watching imagine this devout Supplicant thus pouring out his Soul unto God The Prayer GOD of my Soul and of my Bâ—ing the Glorious Iehoâ—â—h that 〈◊〉 everlastingness and humâ—lâ—st thy self to bâ—â—old the things that are in Heaven and Earth â—ear â—nd have mercy Thou art God alone and bâ—sides thee there is none else What is this Darius whom these mâ—n have blasphemously Exâ—ulted to Rob thee of thy Glory and Worship and 〈◊〉 a God of him that cannot help that cannot save â—â—rsâ—lf or others O Pardon their Sin And this they 〈◊〉 done with dâ—sign to Rob me too of this Glorious Liberty of Access to thee my God who art the very Life â—f my Soul and whose loving kindness is better than Life 〈◊〉 without whom Life is none at all They would shut 〈◊〉 from thy Presence but do not thou Opâ—n the Door 〈◊〉 thy Grace and my Soul that I mâ—y fly unto thee and 〈◊〉 these these mine Enemies lye in wait for my 〈◊〉 yet let me Praise thee with joyful Lips and Serve 〈◊〉 without fear What though they have decreed to 〈◊〉 away my life are not my Times in thy hand and â—ithout thee shâ—â—â—â—ot fall an hair from my Head O 〈◊〉 me a Faith beyond my Fear and a Courage beyond 〈◊〉 Malice that I may dye rather than disown thee 〈◊〉 Dâ—voting my self a Sacrifice to thy Glory may 〈◊〉 all the World know that thou Lord art the only God 〈◊〉 the Souls of thy Servanâ—s who put their 〈…〉 Râ—deem thy Church and People 〈◊〉 Noise interruptâ— him The 〈◊〉 cry out amain 〈…〉 Traitor aâ—aiâ—st our 〈◊〉 and his 〈◊〉 away with him to the Lyoâ—s Darius â—â—â—sâ—lf cannot savâ— hiâ— Thâ—se we may suâ—pose were the Evideâ— to Sweâ—r against him who could safely 〈…〉 without fear of Perjury that they hâ— making his Petitions to the God of Heaven and so breakiâ—g the Decree And now haâ— the Plot taken effect the Innoâ—ent man falls by the Councils of the Wicked 〈◊〉 art thou O Lord yet leâ— me talk with thâ—e of 〈…〉 Wherâ—fore dâ—th the 〈◊〉 of the Wicked prosper Wherâ—fore are â—hey happ◠〈…〉 Jer. 12.1 So foolish was I and ignorant Surely thou didst set them in slippery 〈◊〉 thou cast est them down inâ—o 〈…〉 are they brouâ—ht into Dâ—solâ—â—ion as in a 〈…〉 wiâ—h Terrours P â—l 73 1â— 19.22 Now may you see them troop together with jâ—y and speed to Darius Court where they subtiâ—â—y râ—peâ—t thâ— Coâ—â—entâ— of the Law to the King with a Cursed Pâ—licy of dâ—signing to oblige him to a sacred and inviolable observance of his own Eâ—ict e're ever they discover the Transgressor who they knew was so dear to him that for hiâ— sakâ— he might have straiâ—'d hiâ— Prerogative unto the length of a Paâ—don iâ—poâ—â—â—ble But having once oblig'd him by the honour of his Royal word to confirm the decrâ—e then they presume to produce the Indictment and thus Aâ—â—resâ— O King Live for Ever THat Daniâ—l who pretends so muâ—h Love anâ— Loyalâ—y
us you are Like us who vow with you perpetual War Adon. Spare spare me I repent my wicked deeds â—y Rage is lost my Heart now melts and bleeds â—our want of power this feign'd repentance breeds King No we 'll pursue you through the Gloomy Coasts â—nd tell your Story to the well pleas'd Ghosts â—ho laughing loud shall joyn with us in Mirth â—o plague you as you plagued us on Earth Adon. O wretched me how woful is my case â—ho find in Life nor Death no resting place 〈◊〉 Earth I was to Iacob's Sons betray'd â—nd here the Scorn of once my Slaves I 'm made â—herefore by me let Tyrants warning take â—â—st they are scorn'd by those their scorn they make A Dialogue between Jael and Sisera The Argument Sisera routed flys to Jael's Tent And 's Introduced with a Complement But sleeping a sharp Nail his Temples wound Till he his Death in that low Lodging found â—â—el Ha who is this that thus with hasty steps makes to my poor Abode If I miâ—â— not it is the Warriour that has troubled Israeâ— yes yes 't is Sisera Speak speak my Lord why come you thus alone where where are all the mighty Captains that were wont to wait upon you marking your Frowns and Smiles as sure portents of Life and Death the Signals of the Nations Peace or dire Calamity Sisera Alass Alass The God of Iacob has prevailed and they 're no more the Battel has devoured them and their slaughter'd Carcasses ly scattered on the Plains of Israel I. How is the mighty Jabins Army overthrown Sisera It is and still the danger is too near to admit of time to tell the dreadful ruine for the well flesh'd Foe besmear'd with blood and slaughter hastily pursue O had you seen the fearful havock Barak's Sword has made how wheeling with a swift reverse it mowed down Ranks of men You wou'd have trembled Iael My Lord I tremble at the thoughts of his wide wasting fury but see the Enemies upon the Mountain-tops Sisera 'T is true With speedy steps they hitherward advance Now now My life is in your hands secure me from their fury by denyal and stay my thirst with water and I 'll largely recompence your care Iael Doubt not my Lord of safety in my Tent Here here Drink drink thou mighty Man of War drink what my homely Tent affords Sisera 'T is Nectar most delicious and has much refreshed my weary Soul But I 'll repose and leave my safety to your conduct Iael This covering my Lord Ha whaâ— a suddain drowsiness has seized the Man of blood Why can it be that he can securely snore when Death is hovering round him Now now 's the time to be revenged for all the slaughter he haâ— caus'd for all the Widdows and sad Orphaâ—â— tears burnt Towns deflowred Virgins ravish'â— Matrons and the bleeding Wombs whence gasping Infants by rude hands were torn Heaven prompt my Zeal to act the Tragedy This sharp Instrument well fits my purpose and now to free my Country from his future rage Thus thus I seal his Eye-lids with eternal slumber The deed is done convulsive Death now triumphs over him whose breath has doom'd so many thousands to the Grave unfear'd he lyes whose name was wont to make the Sons of Iaâ—ob tremble and at whose approach the well fenced Towns were slighted whilst for safety the Amazed Inhabitants lurked in the Caves and solitary Wildernesses Conclusion The mighty Sisera slain glad Jael meets The conquering Captain and his death relates Which joyes the Israelites and makes them sing For their deliverance to the Eternal King Who grants them Peace and Plenty many dayes And chears them with the brightness of His rayes Ruth 1. Verse 16 17. And Ruth answered intreat me not to leave thee â—or to depart from thee for whether thou goest I will go â—nd where thou dwellest there will I dwell thy People â—all be my People and thy God my God Verse 17. â—here thou dyest will I dye and there I will be buried â—e Lord do so to me and more also if ought but death â—aâ— thee and me Here we have the resolution of Ruth portray'd 〈◊〉 lively colours so that if we consider her Sex 〈◊〉 Woman her Nation a Moabite we may boldly â—â—onounce of her what our Saviour did of the Cenâ—â—rion Verily I say unto you I have not found so great â—aith no not in Israel Intreat me not tâ— leâ—ve thee Some read iâ— be not 〈◊〉 against me as it is in the â—â—rgen of the neâ— Translation Where we see that tâ—â—se arâ—â—o be accounted our advâ—rsarâ—es and against us who persâ—â—â—dâ— us frâ—â— our voâ—aâ—â— to Canaâ—â— froâ— going to Goâ—s true Râ—ligion They may be ouâ— Fathâ—rs they cannoâ— bâ— our â—rienâ—s though they promise us all outwaâ—d Profits and 〈◊〉 yet in very deed they are â—or with us but againsâ— us and so must be accoâ—â—â—ed Where thou Lâ—dgest I will lodâ—e A good Companion saith the Lâ—tine Proverb iâ— proviatiâ—â— I may add also pâ—â— divers riâ— Ruth sâ— be it she may enjoy Naomie's graciâ—â—â— company wiâ—â— be content with any lodging though happily it may be no better than Iacob had Gen. 28. Thy People shall be my People Haman being offended with Mordicai as if it haâ— been lean and weak revenge to spit his spight upoâ— one person hated all the Jews for Mordicai's sake the mad Bear stung with one Bee would neeâ— throw down the whole Hive But clean contrarâ— Naomi had so graciously demeaned her self thâ— Ruth for her sake is fallen in love with all the Jewâ— Farewel Mâ—châ—n farewel Chemosh farewel 〈◊〉 Welcome Israel welcome Canaan welcome Beâ—â—leheâ— all of a suddain she will turn Convert 〈◊〉 will turn Proselite Thy God shall be my God Iehosâ—phat when he joyned wiâ—h Ahaâ— 1 King 〈◊〉 said unto him my People is as thy People 〈◊〉 Hâ—rses are as thy Hâ—â—ses that is he would comâ— with him in a politick League but Ruth goes â—â—â—ther to an unity in Religion Thy God shall be 〈◊〉 God Where thou dyest will I dy Here Ruth supposeth two things that she 〈◊〉 her mother in law should both dye It is appioâ—â— once to dy Secondly That Naomi as the eldest should dy first for according to the ordinary custom of Nature it is the most probable and likely that those that are most stricken in years should first depart this Life Yet I know not whether the Rule or Exceptions be more general and therefore let both Young and Old prepare for Death the first may dy soon but the second cannot live long And there will I be buried Where she supposed two things more first that those that survived her would do her that favour to bury her which is a common courtesie not to be denyed to any It was an Epitaph written upon the Grave of a Beggar Nudas eram vivus mortuus ecce tegor 2 ly She supposeth they would bury her according to her instructions near to her Mother Naomi Observation As
Offerings The Lord of Hosts convenes the Heathen Powers To batter down aspiring Iacobs Towers Before their Swords the routed Hebrews fly And fill the Hills and Valleys with their cry The wicked Seed of the High Priest are sâ—ain And the tremendous Ark it self is ta'ne In which the Mighty God was pleas'd to dwell Before whose wrath so many Nations fell And now the bold insulting Foe as proud Of such a Trophie bare it shouting loud To the base Temple of their false feign'd God Compos'd of Gems of Gold and precious wood A stock inspir'd by an Infernal Fiend On whom they durst in Peace and War depend Ascribing to his power the great success Of their weak Arms and joyful words express When lo the fearful Fiend with hideous cries From his adored Idol swiftly flies Not daring view that Face which brightness shrouds The God whose Thunder rends the Marble clouds Who grasps the Poles and turns the Spears about Whose Eyes survey the Universe throughout Whose Anger kindled is so deadly great That Hell it self from it would fain retreat Had not strict Fate fast fix'd it in it's place With whom alone the Righteous can find Grace And now forsaken Dagon wreft of voice No answer gives from it proceeds no noise In vain his Priests enquire of Future things In vain the Prince his cur'st Oblation brings Deluding Satan bears perforce the shame And though aloud they call on Dagons Name Yet dares not the fate babling Daemon come Least he before his time receive his doom And with link'd Thunderbolts be driven back Or sunk fast chain'd into the flaming Lake But whil'st they rend their Threats their wooden God Begins to totter and most strangely nod Whereat affrighted the rude Rout recoil When down at last upon his Face he fell Yet up the foolish People rear again Their shame and folly yet 't is but in vain For e're the Sun review'd their wicked Coast The helpless Stock his Head and Hands had lost Whilst fearful Plagues his Worshipers dismay Who gladly send the holy Ark away Not daring keep what eagerly they sought Lest all their Land be to destruction brought On Dagon and the Ark. What news with Dagon Is thy shrine so hot Thou canst not keep it or has Dagon got The falling sickness that his godship's found In such a posture prostrate on the ground Poor helpless god but stay Is Dagon grown So weak i' th hams nor stand nor rise alone A god and cannot rise 'T is very odd He must have help or lie A proper god Well Dagon must require help of hands Up Dagon goes the second time and stands As confident as though his place had bin His own in Fee down Dagon falls again But Dagon's shrewdly martyr'd with the jump Lost Hands and Head and nothing left but stump Sure all 's not well with Dagon now of late He 's either sick or much forgot the State Belonging to so great a God hath none Offer'd some stinking Sacrifice or blown Some nauseous fume into his sacred Nose And made his Godship dizzy or who knows Perchance h 'as taken pet and will resign His sullen place and quit his empty shrine No wonder a false God should stoop and lye Upon the flour when as a true God's by It was unlikely Dagon should forbear Respite of Homage when the Ark was there If I would worship a false God at all It should be one that would not scorn to fall Before his Betters whose indifferent Arm If it could do no good could do no harm I 'de rather choose to bend my idle knee Of all false Gods to such a god as he Whose spirit 's not too quick The Fabulous Frog Found greater danger in the Stork than Log And to conclude I 'de choose him Dagon like Not having Head to plot nor Hands to strike Saul chosen King THe murmuring people who Gods Wonders saw And Glorious presence when he gave the Law In Peals of Thunder on the dreadful Mount Themselves unhappy in his Rule account And like their Neighbour Nations ask a King That may their Armies out to battel bring To which the Mighty God though griev'd consents Yet lets them know the sad and dire events Of their sad wish tells what their King shall do And that too late repentance wou'd insue Which to head-strong Israel prov'd too true But long they 're not debar'd of their desire â—ood Samuel marks them out what they require Confirming after many signs the Son Of Aged Kish a Benjamite well known By his huge Stature who for many years The Helm of Iacobs mighty Empire steers But not regarding who the Scepter Gave The Scepter giver does the Monarch leave Who long disparing did in Iacob dwell Till by his Sword on Gilboa he fell And scatter'd Israel felt the rage of those Who ever vow'd themselves their mortal Foes On Saul and David SUre Saul as little look'd to be a King As I and David dream'd of such a thing Aâ— much as he when both alike did keep The one his Father's Asses t'other Sheep Saul must forsake his Whip and David flings His Crook aside and they must both be Kings Saul had no sword and David then no spear There was none Conquer'd nor no Conqueror there There was no sweat there was no blood to shed The unsought Crown besought the Wearers head There was no stratagem no Opposition No taking parts no jealous Competition There needs no Art there needs no Sword tâ— bring And place the Crown where God appoints the King A Dialogue between Agag and Samuel The Argument Saul having spar'd the proud Amalekite Samuel is griev'd and when the Pagan quite Had banisht fear of Death to Death â—e's givâ—â— In order to appease offended Heaven Agag WWhat means the Prophet with 〈◊〉 stern Aspect to gaze upon a Monarchâ— misery suffices it not that my slaughterâ—d People â—at the Plains with streams of blood and that my burning Citys cloud the Lamp of Heaven with ascending smoak Samuel No haughty man 't is not enough the 〈◊〉 of Jacob is displeased with such small Vengeance Agag Then try to turn away his wrath with Sâ—â—crifice let ten thousand Altars blaze with fat 〈◊〉 Bulls and Rams the spoil that once belonged to Amaleks now fallen Sons Saul In vain thou urgest such abâ—mination such Sacrifices would be odious in the Nostrils of that God Who dwells between the Cherubims whose fâ—ercâ— wrath can be appeased with no less Sacrifice than thy curst Life Agag Ha my life why sure the fear of death is past now know you not that your King has promised Life Sa. I know him who in sparing you and your unlawful Spoils has made himself a Rebel to the King of Kings Agag Yet he 's your Lord and ought to be obeyed to him I appeal to him who has already sign'd my pardon Samuel In vain are all Appeals to Mortal Man when God the mighty God in whose strong Hands is all the Breath of Life has doom'd you dead
Agag How doom'd me dead O name not such another fatal Word Spare spare my Life and all the Treasures I have hid when first the Rumour of the dreadful War alarm'd my affrighted coast are â—t your service Samuel Your Treasure perish with you not all the 〈◊〉 of the Vniverse shall rescue you from Death Agag O draw not draw not in this rage your 〈…〉 Sword Consider I am a Man a Father 〈◊〉 â—onarch Seest thou not what Robes of 〈◊〉 adorn me seest thou not this awful Circle 〈◊〉 o're with Gems This Scepter at whose wave the Princes cring'd and kiss'd the dust seest not him to whome a thousand knees were wont to â—end him on whose Breath dependeth Life and Death now prostrate on the ground imploring 〈◊〉 for himself Samuel All this I see and as far as humane fr ailâ—â— can bear sway am moved yet must not dare not 〈◊〉 not disobey my God Agag O! consider once again that my Mother 〈◊〉 a Queen in distant Lands O think what grief will be to her to hear her only Son is slain Samuel In vain is all you urge and this last â—aying whets my Anger more when I consider how your blood-bedaubed Hands have made the Nations mourn how your destroying Sword has raised the Widdows cries and tender Infants sighs lo the many slaughters you have made in Jacob's borders rendred thousands câ—ildless wherefore the self same Fate be on the Womb that bare you whilst thus thus I execute Gods wrath on thy pernicious Head Agag Oh Oh I 'm slain I 'm slain I that have scaped a thousand deaths in battel tamely fall a Victim to the Zealous Fury of an inraged Prophet Samuel Thus what Saul left undone my aged hand finished and atton'd for Jacobs Land A Dialogue between David Saul and Goliah upon their Incounter The Argument David Anointed King of Jacobs Seed Hastes to the Camp of Saul with swiftest speed And undertakes to fight the mighty Foe Who with proud boasting forty days durst show His monstrous Bulk defying Israels Host But David with a sling soon quells his Boast Saul SPeak speak young Stripling is it as my Captain has related darest thou that art but a Youth Expose thy self against this Monster that defies my Host. David My Lord I dare though not presuming on the Arm of flesh but totally relying on the Living God who has delivered me from the devouring Rage of 〈◊〉 and of Bears nor dare I now doubt the assistance of his power to bâ—ing low the haughty Pride of this bold Philistine that has defied tbe Armies of the living God Saul Bold is your Spirit and your courage brave the two first steps to Glorious Actions shine in you but yet consider he 's a man of War mighty in strength and dreaded by the most â—edoubted Captain of the Israelites David Great King did I rely on my own strength I must confess his monstrous shape might dash my resolution but his strength on whom the high success depends is capable by meanest things to quell the mighty and bring low all strength and power with him there 's nought impossible Saul Spoke like a Champion worthy to subdue the world A Champion on whose Head your King will stake the Diâ—dem of Israel my Armour there so put it on and gird your self in Walls of shining Steel to fit you for the danger David Alas my Lord it needs not for with these few stones I 'le quell your Foe and make him kiss the the humble Plain Saul Braver in bold resolutions still Well go thou worthy and be prosperous may the bright Minister of Heaven protect you from his rage and make him fall before you David All thanks great King and may the God Iacob prosper you while thus your Servant posteth to assured Victory David and Goliah come near each other Ha ha ha how am I moved to laughter when I think the King of Israel in forty days could find no fitter man than this to fight me sure this unarmed Stripling is but sent to mock me as imagining when he has teized me with some Railery to run away and escape my following fury by reason of my heavy Armour David Why laughs the Monstrous Philistine why with wide Iaws dare he disdain my youth knew I no other God than Moloch and accursed Dagon I should not come resolved to the Combat Gol. How to the Combate Knowest thou with whom poor youth thou art to fight Hast thou not heard of the sad Slaughters I have made how this powerfull hand has broke through the affrighted Squadrons of the Foe and mowed with Whirlwinds Fury on each side cutting through Groves of Spears a bloody way to Victory till hâ—â—ps of slain have â—ali'd me in and thinkest thou with a Staff to drive me hence May Moloch and great Dagâ—â— blast thy foolish thoughts Dav. Not all the bloody deeds thou hast done can fright the Son of Jesse nâ—r once dismay the Man that hâ—t avow'd to viâ— oppressed Israel of so great a curb that henceforth haughty man may not so boldly trust in Arms of Flesh. Gol. Why hoverest thou then round me at this rate and shunnest my fury art afraid to come within my reach Come to me and I will give thy Flesh to the Fowls of the Air and to the Beasts of the Field Tear thee in ten thousand pieces and thy scattered Limbs set up as Trophies of my Victory in all the Coasts of Israel when this fatal Sword has made its Monarch stoop to the Philiâ—â—â—nes yoke Dav. In vain are all thy unregarded Threats Aâ—though thou comest to me with a Sword â— Spear and Shield and I to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts the God of the Armies of Israel whom thou hast defied Gol. O how hot is my revenge To what a height boils up my ragiâ—g Fury O that thou wert this moment in my reach how would I toss thee in the Air and pash thy falling Body on the Rocks Dav. I 'll not be long e're I advance to tâ—y destruction for this day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hands and I will smite thee and take thine head from thee and I will give the Carkasses of the Philistines this day unto the Fowls of the Air and to the wild Beasts of the Earth that all the Earth may know there is a God in Israel and all this Assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with Sword and Spear and he will give it into our hands Gol. I 'll not endure this longer but chastize thy Insolence with flaming Steel whose very touch shall make thee fly in sunder Dav. Nor will I fail to meet your utmost fury and thus I 'll thunder on â—our lofty Front and bring you to the ground Gol. O horrour Death and Ruine what dark Mist is this benights my Eyes what dreadful bolt on flaming Wings thrown by some envious power â—as thus o'rethrown the great Goliah and laid all his Trophies level with the dust Dav.
at your pleasure Ahab Then I have sued in vain and you but triâ—le with your Prince consider who demanded it and mourn for your rash refusal Na. Ha 1the King has left me and in such a rage as does presage no less than ruine to poor Naboth yet let the angry Monarch use me as he please I 'll never yield to part with my Inheritance Conclusion In an ill time Naboth denys the King Who grieves till Jezabel does comfort bring And plots the ruine of the Israelite Whâ—'s ston'd to death but what got Ahab by 't 'T is true he has the Vineyard but 's soon slain As is his Son his Wife and all his Train A Dialogue between Jehu and Jezabel The Argument King Joram and King Ahazia slain To Jezreel goes Jehu with his Train Where Jezabel rebukes him but cast down Is slain and by the Horses trampled on Iez Stay haughty Rebel stay thy rapid wheels pollute not Jezreel with thy Bazlick breath A Queen commandeth thee to retire J. O! art thou found in all thy dazling Pomp and Gallantry thou baneful mischief of the world worst of things whose Whoredoms and prodigious Witchcraftâ— have caused Jacobs Seed so long to mourn under the Scourge of Heaven and polluted all the Land with blood of Innocents Iez Ha Inglorious Traytor darest thou this to me am not I still a Queen A Queen whose nodd Whilst Ahabs power remain'd made Princes startle and whose Frowns and Smiles were sure presages of Life or of Death then know your distance and be dumb J. Yes witness the consecrated Priests that fell â— Sacrifice to your revenge Witness the blood of Naboth â—nd the many mischiefs more the wicked Iezabel haâ— done causing not only Ahabs fall but Jorams and unthinking Ahazia's Fates Iez How Is Ioram slain as it was reported by your cruel hand consider well Had Zimri peace who slew his Master no fierce vengeance followeâ—â—lose nor shall the bold aspiring Iehu escape liâ—â— mischief but o're taken by the stratagems of an inraged Queen new Tortures and unheard of Torments shall overthrow his pride and then too late you 'll know the keenest vengeance of a Queen provoked like Ahabs wife Jeh In vain are all your threats your power 's too short to execute your will this moment ends your malice with your life that so the Prophets words may be fullfill'd Slaves who waits there Ha A Troop of Eunuchs Yes yes fit panders for a lustful Queen Come throw your gawdy Mistriss down that so much pride in falling may be made the fluttering sport of Winds Iez Ha ha ha can you imagine Tyrant that those who live but by my Smiles dare use their Queen at such a rate Their Queen on whom their Lives and Fortunes Centre Jeh Dare yes He dies that dare gainsay or once delay what I command Slaves obey or Tortures shall force out your wretched lives He that a moment longer trifles with my pleasure shall not live to see the falling Sun Iez How Slaves stand off unhand me Villains Dare you thus approach your Queen Vile wretches Monsters damn'd ingrateful Monsters Are you turn'd Traytors too Ah Ah I fall whilst all my Pride and Glory is dasht in death O World instable world for ever now adieu Jeh So 't is as I wish'd I knew the fawning slaves durst not refuse compliance There let the Pride and Bane of Israel lie trampled till I take possession of the Kingdom and extinguish Ahabs house Conclusion The wicked Queen with lofty falling's slain Nor weltring in her blood does long remain E're Dogs devour her next her house does feel The dreadful fury of revenging Steel And Baals accursed Priest the Swords devour Whilst Jehu as God bid does use his pow'r A Dialogical Discourse between Isaiah and Hezekiah relating to the fifteen Additional Years The Argument The Syrians by the wastful Angel slain Jerusalem is freed but then again Good Hezekiah sickens and is bid To order all things as a man but dead Yet prayers and tears prevail for whilst he prays God fifteen years does add unto his days Hez HOw set my House in order why must death with his cold hand make Iudah Kingless whilâ—t in Tears the Widdow Nation drowns and the calm Air is tormented with her sighs Isa. 'T is the Decree of him that gave you life and has preserved you to this day by him I am commissioned to relate the doleful message and command you to prepare for immortality Hez Dye O terrible the very thoughts of Death affright me more than the Convulsions of expiring life can pain O! Can it be that he who ruled the chosen Seed whose hand so long has held a golden Scepter and every where received the loud applauses of the glad Plebeans must in the prime of strength and glory have his luster shroâ—ded in a Grave and there be made the sport and food of crawling Worms Isa. Consider Sir that you was born to dye and that stern death claims as his due the lives of Adams Sons as forfeited by our great Parent and subjected to his power nor can the glittering vanities in whom frail men too often put their confidence keep back his shaft a moment when his Commission is to seize their breath therefore let not the King delay to set his house in order Hez O fatal sound but stay good Prophet stay is there no mercy for your King must must his rising Sun so soon endure a black Eclipse his life so soon set in the gloomy Grave O for a longer course of days that I might live if but to tell of all the wonders God has done for wretched me O with what adoration wou'd I bend before the footstool of his mercy-seat would he be but intreated for my life Isa. Vrge it nâ— more Deaths Harbinger I am nor will the ghastly Terror long delay the execution therefore be wise O King and do as I have bid before it be too late before the King of Judah be no more Hez Alas Alas The strong Disease by preying on the vital powers has weakned me to that degree that now I am unfit to take recognisance of worldly things I know not what my Treasures are nor how to call my Fields and Vineyards by their proper names nor can I tell the number of my Servants nor whom I design the Scepter of Ierusalem I have put off too long these matters and now through fear and sickness am quite uncapable of stating 'em but could I live I 'de be no more so negligent Isa. Your hopes of life I fear are vain therefore consider well what I have said and think them not my words but his on whom the breath of life depends and so great King in Tears I take my leave Hez O stay thou sacred Prophet stay if but to close the wretched eyes of an expiring Monarch Hah will not the man of God vouchsafe to see his King put off his Scepter Crown and Robes of Majesty to be
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
death to one who labours under such an Agony Then turn your praises into curses that his wrath may vex yet hotter and by putting a full period to your days take you from this sad world of wo. Job Base wicked woman vile and foolish darest thou let a thought so monstrous harbour in thy breast much more how darest thou urge me to such damn'd Impiety Shall Job on whom he showred his favours once move his lips though in the softest murmur when he is pleased to stay his giving hand or call back what he gave no nothing ever shall prompt me to a guilt so horrible Wife Then you it seems will suffer patiently and stand the mark of fierce indignation tamely Job Whatever he inflicts it is for our good his chastening is to try if we are worthy of his favours nor will he wound beyond what he designs to heal His mercies are past numbring which in the midst of Iudgment he oft calls to mind and makes a full recompence for what he takes away therefore ever will I praise and with just adoration bless his holy name nay though he kill me yet will I trust in him and with dying Arms embrace the wounding Shaft sent by his hand to let out life Wife Well well I see then all I urge will work no effect on your meek mind inured to slavery serve him still and be the subject of his Tyranny bear all the Stripes he can bestow and fawning kiss the hand that strikes you do this and more whilst loud I laugh at the dull man that hugs his misery and will not daigne to pity him Job All you have said is my resolve no pain nor loss nor scorn shall shake my dear integrity all torments witty horror can invent were they comprised in one shall never break my constancy or make me prove a Rebel to the King of Heaven but with Faith unmoved I will trust in him till lifes last Sand is run expecting then to see him as he is and Hymn his Throne with Songs of praise Wife If that be your resolve I will fly the Mansion of such sorrow and seek shelter elsewhere whilst his Arrows beat on you Job Yet shall I not be comfortless his hand shall still sustain me and my Eyes shall yet see happy days The Conclusion Thus Job bears through afflictions stream which past He is restored to health and Riches vast And once more is the Glory of the East Nor dare the fiend his quiet than molest So those that trust in God are ever blest A Dialogue between Saul and his Armour-Bearer on Gilboa The Argument Saul routed flies but finding flight was vain He and his Armour-Bearer both are slain S. NOw now 't is almost come to pass as the grim Ghost related Israel is ovâ—â—thrown My Sons are slain in Battel and the bloody Foe makes havock of the flying people A. B. Great King 't is true the smiling Plains that looked so gay when first saluted by the Morning Sun put on a crimson Robe and wear instead of Flora's many coloured mantle the sad Livery of Death S. Yet Saul still lives he lives to see the mighty ruine to see his Children slain and all his mighty men of War fall by the Sword A. B. And still may live to be revenged of his now Tyrannizing Foes live to return as many deaths as now his Eyes behold the Philistins to triumph in S. O! Name not Life for that is the only thing that now is grievous to me Wretch that I am why did I fly why fell I not amid'st the fileâ— of War Why why did not I break through the pointed Squadrons and there bravely fighting rushed upon a thousand Swords and from a thousand enraged hands received a Death that well beseemed â— Monarch A. B. O! Let not Israels King dispair although the Fortune of the War now turns against him â—et fresh Armies may be raised and the Foe repelled live live If but to be revenged S. No Heaven decrees my fall and cutting short my Glories dates them with this day draw then your Sword and e're the Philistins overtake us sheath it in my Breast fâ—r now my Life is grown burthensome A. B. What means the King by this câ—mmand can be imagine that his Servant dares stretâ—◠〈◊〉 his â—and against the Lords anointed S. O let me beg you would not dispuâ—e what I request Renown and Glory will attend you for so brave a Deed nor can you do me better service than to let out my afflicted Soul A. B. Command me to kill my self and I will obey 〈◊〉 bid me meet the following Foe and charge A Squadâ—on with my single Arm I 'le gladly do it but dare not â—tretch my hand against my Sovereign S. The Enemy is now at our heels and time â—dmits no longer argument see see without your â—elp your King can find a way to the dread Pallace 〈◊〉 magnificent Death Whilst falling thus upon â—is Sword his loathed Life takes flight A. B. Hold hold my Lord for Heavens â—is past recall the desperate Deed is done the cruâ—â— word has pierced his Heart and I 'le not long survive 〈◊〉 imitating his Example fall thus by his side 't is 〈◊〉 't is done my blood flows fast now now I swim 〈◊〉 dazy mists and now a gloomy darkness seales my 〈◊〉 dies· Conclusion Saul slain with his three Sons the haughty Foâ— Cuts off his Head and his guilt Armour show In all their Coasts possessing Iacobs Towns And much inlarging their own scanty bounds Nor so contented but the Corps of Saul They fasten to subdued Bethshan's wall But thence the Iabish Gileadites it rest And for the burying of their Lord are blest David saluted King DAvid who after Gods own Heart was chose Having escap'd the danger of his Foes Run through the hazzards numerous to tell Saul slain he 's crown'd great King of Israel Him the Glad People from all Cities meet And loudly sing his praises in each Street Though Saul's rejected House does strive with him For Iacobs Scepter and bright Diadem Yet 't is in vain Heaven soon does end the strife Whilst mighty Abner is bereft of Life When as the Darling from whose Loyns must spring The great Messia Heavens all Glorious King In Triumph rides all fearless and does see How much he owes for his felicity To his Creator by whom Kings command On whom their regal Glories all depend Who sets them bounds and limits Kingly sway Chastizing those that dare but disobey His strict resolves whose will alone is Fate And whose bare word can all annihilate Davids kindness to Mephibosheth KIng David high establish'd in his Throne On former dangers safely now looks down Remembring how Saul sought his Life and hoâ— Between him and kind Ionathan a vow Pass'd in the great Iehova's sacred Name Then calls to mind Mephibosheth who lame And in distress was Son to him who still Had held him dear preventing the dire will Of Death conspiring Saul and
their malicioâ— Rulers knew not against whom they cry'd nor whâ— it was they did P. I dare beleive as much but the sad deed is pâ—â—ecal and all you argue now is vain W. As to retrieve the fact it is but yet the glorious Prophet whom the foolish People think now dead if my Dreams inform me right lives lives Immortal never more to dye P. How lives Then fear strikes me horror chills me and I tremble at what you relate W. It was no common man that in that barbarous manner they have used but one who in his Hands has power of Life and Death A Power invincible not to be subdued by Armies had he not consented to lay down his Life P. Indeed his meekness melted me into Compassion and made me labour to deliver him W. This this was he of whom the Cibils sung in mistick numbers this this was that dear Prince of â—eace that should give Peace to the long warring World P. Then I am guilty of a horrid Crime but now it is â—ast in vain it is to argue it what I have done I in a â—anner was compelled to do therefore the Blood sâ—â—â—ed be on the guilty Nation as the clamorous Rout â—equired â—hilst I go mourn to wash away the Guilt â—f Blood so precious yet so vilely spilt W. And I likewise retire with fear and dread â—o worship him the foolish Iews think dead Zacheus in the Sycamore Tree A Prophet Risen yes a Prophet great Good just and wise if Fame the truth relâ—te â—s is wonder-working power has rais'd in me wondâ—rous longing his loved Face to see â—t still he is incompass'd with such croudâ— â—â—at each huge bulk the happy Object shrouds â—om my low stature yet I heard men say 〈◊〉 was to travel through a narrow way â—ading directly to my house if so 〈◊〉 add a height to what appears so low Upon the Branches of this shading Tree Little Zacheus shâ—ll advanced be So now I`m up and hither flows the croud With shouts with Praises and Hosannahs loud 'T is 't is the Lord now I shall see his Face O that I in his eyes may find some grace How lovâ—ly looks he O! â—ow innocent And now on me his radient eyes are bent Ha see he beckons Iâ—le with speed descend And on the wonder-working Lord attend Conclusion Thus goes the faiâ—hful Man and by command Does entertain the Lord of Sea and Land The King of all the Glâ—â—ious Heavenly Band. Nicodemus his Considerations form'd intâ— a Dialogue between him and the World The Argument By night the Ruler comes resolv'd to hear The sacred Doctrine ' câ—use the Paniâ—k fear He had of misbeleiâ—ing Juda â—w'd Morâ— than the wrath of an incâ—nsed God W. STrange it is you should neglect my motiâ—â— at this rate and pinâ— away with Imaginâ—â—tions of you know not what N. Be sâ—ill lâ—ud 〈◊〉 Fâ—lly sâ—mething witâ— commandâ— me to obey iâ—s diâ—tates and fly witâ— speed the Physitian W. To the phyâ—itian why are you disâ—ase then if so it is suâ—e I have a thousand Cordials give you ease made up of rich ingredientâ— such seldom fail man-kind N. Alâ—ss tâ—â— oft they do and aâ—e at bâ—st but luscious Pâ—isâ—n wâ—ich maâ— be antidoted fâ—r a time but in the eâ—d deâ—trâ—â—s the Patient W. How why sure the Man on whom I have â—â—stowed so many Favours câ—nnot be so much inâ—râ—â—â—ful to reject my kind advice N. Forbeaâ— tâ— trouble mâ— sâ—â—â—e it is noâ— in your â—owâ—r tâ—â—ive me ease a wounded Soâ—l you cannot câ—re but 〈◊〉 make it wâ—rse ◠〈◊〉 â—hat the thing that thuâ— disturâ—s my darling 〈◊〉 iâ— that be alâ— it is 〈◊〉 â—â—ing â—oâ—al fâ—r a day â—r â—â—o but fâ—asting â—our dull Senâ—â—s wiâ—h dâ—light and all your cares â—ill vanish N. In vâ—in you â—rge iâ— therefore uâ—ge no mâ—re frâ—m â—his daâ— I renâ—unce you and yoâ—â— guilâ—â—d vâ—nitiâ—s my 〈◊〉 Treâ—sures or whâ—teâ—â—â— you 〈◊〉 a soli◠〈…〉 hencefoâ—th be no 〈◊〉 tâ—e sâ—llâ—ce of mâ— mind bâ—t Viâ—tue that essential haâ—â—â—nâ—ss shall bâ— my deâ—r comâ—aniâ—n W. And will you then cast off â—our Grandure Gaiâ—y lay by your awful Robes anâ— leave your sumpâ—uous Fare to pine and languish to be fed with â—ears and sighs as those that do forsake me are will you I say fall under sad reproach contempt â—nd scorn N. This and much more I`le do for everlasting Life â—â—r will I argue longer least the happy motion thaâ— disâ—â—ses me to happiness should fail but with sâ—ift feet â—hilst â—arkâ—ess â—antles in the World fly â—o the Foâ—ntain â—f all â—oâ—s W. But thither I will â—ollw thâ—e and pull thâ—e â—ick if possiâ—le 〈…〉 â—our beleiâ— and stâ—ive to blind your Sence That you shall dimly see true Excellence A Memento to Hypocrites or an Imagined Dialogue bâ—tween Ananias and Saphira The Argument The Plot 's contriv'd they would have Heaven and yet Too great a price they would not give for it But purchase at a rate themselves think fit SEe how the crowding Pe ople flow to hear the new sprung Doctrine and bring dayly Gifts to those that teach it A. It is true nor must we be behind hand since we have embracâ—t it S. It is true but if we sell our poor inheritance and part with all the price how shall we afterwards subsist Indeed I 'de willingly partake of the joys the Teachers promise yet methinks I would not be poor for that will râ—nder us contemptible A. Take no care for that we`ll give and yet we will save enough to keep us from contempt S. But how if the fraud should be discovered A. O fear it not what Mâ—rtal can discover it he that bought it knows not ouâ— intention or if he does will never inquire how we bestow the coin S. I dare beleive as much therefore go you and lay a part of it at the great Teachers Feet whilst â— secure the rest and then I will follow for my Benediction A. I 'le do as you advise and hope to be as well accepted as those who part with all they have S. But if you should be asked if what you bring is the total Summ where are you then A. Why thinkest thou he that has devised cannoâ— without a blush affirm it is the whole nor let youâ— assuration be less least we should differ and by thaâ— means be detected S. I 'le warrant you I 'le have my lesson therefore be concerned no further but about it Conclusion Thus is the project laid though all in vain Yet such an one as might deceive meer man But good St. Peter fill'd with holy fire Sees through the thin device and as their hire Gives them to death by whose hard hand they dy That to the holy Ghost durst boldly lâ— A Dialogue between Satan and Simon Magus The Argument The Prince of darkness angry that his power Is baffled by Gods sacred Word a shower Of wrath designs to rain but can't devour S. HOw now my Vice-roy wherefore is it you give ground have not I
with no less â—han 50 several pleasant Treatises besides rarely if ever handled bâ—fore all of them being distinctly useful and will affâ—rd the Reader eâ—traordinary Pleasure and Dâ—light in the perusal if eiâ—her Profiâ— or Novelty will do it To these are anâ—â—xt 1. An awakening Dialogue between the Soul and â—ody of a Damned â—an â—ach laying the fault upon the other fancied in a Morning Dream In which Dialogue the Speakers are the Author a Soul lately departed a dead Carkass and lastly the Devils 2. An impartial Treatise concerning Devils Apparitions Spectres Phantasms Pharies Familiar Spirits Goblings Hags Witches and their Imps Wizards and Witchcraft with the manner how Persons become Witches of Conjurors Impostors places haunted and of the Ghosts of Persons walking after they have been buried a long time in their Graves together with two real Dialogues that passed between the Devil and two famous Divines And lastly is added the Sighs and Groans of a dying Man Written by Iohn Dunton late Rector of Aston Clinton The whole Work is illustrated with eight curious Copper Plates Price Bound 2 s. 6. The Travels of true Godliness from the beginning of the World to this present day in an apt and pleasant Allegory shewing the Troubles Oppositions Reproaches and Persecutions he hath met with in every Age Together with the danger he seems to be in at this present time by Vice Papistry and other grand Enemies also where he makes hiâ— last and final abode The Second Edition to which is now added five lively Cuâ—s together with â—ue Godlines's Voyage to Sea with many new Additions besides By B. Keach Author of the War with the Devil Price Bound 1 s. 7. The Progress of â— in or the Travels of Vngodliness from the beginning of the World to this present Day in an apt and pleasant Aâ—legory Wherein you have an account of his cunning and roguish Subâ—â—â—â—ties â—nd hateful Villanies Together with the wonderful Victories he hath obtained and abominable Mischiefs he hath done to Mankind by the help of the Devil in all his Travels As also how a great Hue and Cry was sent after him to search for him in those Houses where he was us'd to lodge in his Travels with a remarkable Account of his Apprehension Arraignment Tryal Condemnation and Execution c. In which Tryal Old Father Adam the whole Creation and the Lady Grace with her three Beautiful Daughters were subpoena'd as Witnesses of Vngodliness who all appearing in Court and their Evidence being strong and clear after a full hearing of all Vmgodliness had to say for himself why Sentence should not pass upon him the Iury brought him in Guilty upon which a Quaker with his hat on stood up in open Court and pleaded hugely for a Pardon for him but it would not be granted In the First Chapter you have an an Account how the Devil gave Vngodliness a Commission to travel all the World over with the base Retinue that doth accompany him and the great success he had in his first Enterprize The Second Chapteâ— shews how Vngodliness came into a Country called Non-Age and of the strange projects he played there With a pleasant account of some little Bantlings that to to their eternal Renown be it spoken were too hard for him Upon which in the Fourth Chapter he sneaks into Youthshire where one pious Youth aâ—ove all the rest made up to him and cuft him so â—riskly that he was forced to cry out Quarter Quarâ—er Quarter but being rescued at last by some â—oor Plow-jobbers of the Country after he had recovered Breath he Travels in the Fifth Chapter â—long with the Father of Hell and Damnation into a â—ast Country and City called Sensuality With the manner how three poor honest men made there eâ—â—â—pe out of the said City and Country The Sixth Chapter shews how Vngodliness came huffing agaâ—â—â— a little Town called Religion or Mount Zion with â— great Army of mixt People and besieged it Witâ— the huge and bloody Battel he fought there The Seventh Chapter shews how Godliness and Vngodliness happened to meet each other in their Travels upon the Road With the various Discourses that passed between them With the manner of their parting The Eight Chapter shews how Vngodliness travelled into the great City Babylon and from thence into a great Country of Commerce that stands by a small Village called Morality with the mad Tricks he played there among the Tradesmen and Citizens Wives c. With abundance of more Heads and a lively Cut. Written by B. K. Author of the Travels of true Godliness 8 The English Rogue compleat in four parts wherein you have a discovery of the Knavery of all Trades in the City of London Illustrated with several Copper Plates Price Bound 8 s. 9. A Famous and Impartial History in large Folio written by the Learned Doctor Frankland entituled the Annals of King Iames and King Charles the first wherein you have a full and large account of the great Affairs of State and the Transactions in England for several years wherein several material Passages relating to the late Civil Wars omitted in all former Histories are now made known Price Bound 18 s. 10. The Key to the Holy Bible unlocking thâ— Richest Treasure of the Holy Scriptures whereby the 1 Order 2 Names 3 Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope And 7. Principal parts containing the Subject mattâ—r of the Books of the Old and New Testament are familiarly and briefly opened for the help of the Weakest Capacity in the understanding of the Whole Bible A Book very useful for all Christian Families The fourth Edition diligently revised Written by Francis Roberts D. D. Price Bound 12 s. 11 A Ravishing glimpse of the Crown of Glory wherein the Christians Portion or the unseen Beauties of the other World are fully asâ—erted and proved serving as a Cordial to the Heavenâ—â— Traveller in his way to Paradise together with several choice Funeral Sermons occasionally preached and now published by Samuel Willard an eminent Minister oâ— the Gospel at Bâ—ston in New England Price Bound 1 s. and 6 d. 12. Mr. How 's Sermon at the Funeral of that faithful and laborious Servant of Christ Mr. Richard Fairâ—â—â—ugh late of Bristol who deceased Iuly the 4th 1682. in the 61 year of his Age. price 6 d. 13. A choice Pattern for all Young Pâ—rsâ—ns of either Sex â—isplayâ—d â—o the Life in a Serâ—on prâ—achâ—d by Mr. 〈…〉 Dâ—â—th of a â—ounâ— Pious Gentlewoman Mrs. 〈…〉 Daughter of Mr. Nathaniel 〈…〉 late of Hackney together with her 〈…〉 and Death price 6 d. 14 The Pilgrims 〈◊〉 in a Dream by Iâ—hn Bunian Price 1 s. 15. The Life and Death 〈…〉 with large Additions Price 8. d. Tâ—getheâ— with all manner of â—aâ—eable Chapmâ—ns Books ¶ Likewise some of the most Delightful Histories that ever were yet extant are to be sold by Iohn Dunton at the Black Raven at the Corner of Prinâ—es-â—â—reet near the ROYAL EXCHANGE in Lon don together with all manner of good pleasant and practical English Books ¶ Note that whosoever buys a compleat set of all those fifteen books mentioned in this Bill shall be us'd very kindly for them all together FINIS The sighs of Nature The first Allâ—rum of Nature The firsâ— day of the Creation The second Day The third Day Thâ— Fourtâ— Day The Fift Day The sixt Day The time of Maâ—â— Creatioâ— The production of Eve Adams Epithalamium or Wedding Song An excellent lesson for Husbands and Wives Adams legacies to all his Children Sin began his first Travels The disquiets and the banishment of Cain A description of a Drunken Man The calling of Abraham A farewell to the World A pleasant description of the Golden Age. Commandement for Circumcision Duel of Grief and Love Martyrdom for three dayes Abrahams Death Victorious Innocence Angelicall Resolution The Devil of Egypt Spirit Flesh. Spirit prevails The 〈…〉 He passes to the Den.
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
Emperor of Persia. I find not what precious properties he had sure he was a Pearl in the Eye of Ahasuerus who commanded all his Subjects to do lowly reverence unto him only Mâ—rdecai the Iew excepted himself from the rule denying him the payment of so humble observance I fathom not the depths of Mordecais refusal perchance Haman interpreted this reverence farther than it was intended as a divine honour and therefore Mordecai would not blow wind into so empty a bladder and be accessary to puff him up with self-conceit or because Amalek was the Devils first fruits which first broke the peace with Israel and God commanded an Antipathy against them or he had some private countermand from God not to reverence him Whatever it was I 'de rather accuse my self of Ignorance than Mordâ—cai of Pride Haman swells at this neglect will not his knees bow his neck shall break within a Haltar but oh this was but poor and private revenge one Lark will not fill the belly of sâ—ch a Vultur What if Mordecai will not stoop to Haman must Haman stoop to Mordecai to be revenged of him alone Wherefore he plotteth with the Kings Sword to cut off the whole Nation of the Iews Reparing to Ahasuerus he requested that all the Iews might be destroyed He backs his Petition with three Arguments first it was a scattered Nation had they inhabited one intire Country their extirpatioâ— would have weakned his Empire but being dispersed though killed every where they would have been missed no where secondly his Empire would be more uniform when this irregular People not observing his Laws were takeâ— away ten thousand Talents Haman would pay into the Bargain into the Kings Treasure What out of his own Purse I see his Pride was above his Covetousness and spightful men count the revenge a purchase which cannot be over bought or perchance this Money should arise out of the confiscation of their Goods Thus Ahasuerus should lock all the Iews into his Chest and by hâ—â—p of Hamans Chymistry convert them into silver See how this grand destroyer of a whole Nation pleads the Kings profit Thus our puny depopulators alledge for doing the King and their Country good and we will believe them when they can perswade us that the private Coffers are the Kings Exchequer But never any wounded the Common Wealth but first they kissed it pretending the publick good Hamans Silver is Dross with Ahasuerus only his pleasure is currant with him If Haman will have it so so it shall freely be he will give him and not sell him his Favour 'T is woful when great Judges see Parties accused by other mens eyes but condemn them by their own mouths And now Posts were sent throughout all Persia to execute the Kings cruel decree I had almost forgotten how before this time Mordecai had discovered the Treason which two of the Kings Chamberlains had plotted against him which good Service of his though not presently paid yet was scoâ—ed up in the Chronicles not rewarded but recorâ—ed where it slept till a due occasion did awaken it Perchance Hamans envy kept it from the Kings knowledge and sometimes Princes to reward the desert of Men want not mind but minding of it To proceed see the Iews all pitifully pensive and fasting in Sakcloath and Ashes even to Queen â—sther herself which unknown to Haman was one of that Nation And to be brief Esther invites Ahasuerus and Haman to a Banâ—uet whose life shall shall pay the reckoning and next day they are both invited to a second Entâ—râ—ainmâ—nt Mean time Haman provides a Galâ—owes fifty Cubits high to hang Mordecai oâ— fiâ—e Cubitâ— would have served the turn and had it took effect the bâ—â—ght of the Gallows had buâ— seâ— his Soul so much â—he farther on his journey towards Heaven his Stomach was so sharp set he could not stay till he had din'd on all the Iews but first he must break his fast on Mordecai and fit it was that this bell-weather should be sacrificed before the rest of the flock wherefore he comes to the Court to get leave to put him to death The night before Ahasuerus had passed without sleep the Chronicles are called for either to invite Slumber or to entertain waking with the less tediousness Gods hand in the Margin points Reader to the place were Mordecai's Good service was related and Ahasuerus aâ—keth Haman newly come to his presence what shall be done to the Man whom the King delighted to honour Haman being now as he thought to measure his own happiness had been much to blame if he made it not of the largest size He cats out a Garment of Honour Royal both for matter and making for Mordecai to wear By the Kings command he becomes Mordeca's Herauld and Page lacqueying by him riding on the Kings Steed who he hoped by this time would have mounted the Wooden Horse and then pensive in Heart hasts home to bemoâ—n himself to his Friends· Hamans Wife proves a true Prophetess presaging his ruine If the Feet of a Favourite begin to slip on the steep Hill of Honour his own weight will down with him to the bottom once past Noon with him ' tâ—s presently night For at the next Feast Ahasuerus is mortally incensed against him for plotting the Death of Esther with the rest of her people For had his project succeeded probably the Iews had not been spared for a Jew being Queen but the Queen had been killed for being a Iew. Haman in a careless sorrowful posture more minding his Life than his Lust hâ—d cast himself on the Queens bed Will he force the Queen said Ahasuerus before me in the House These words rang his passing Bell in the Court and aâ—cording to the Persian Fashion they covered hiâ— Face putting him in a winding sheet that was dead in the Kings Favour The next news we heâ—r oâ— him is that by exchange Haman inherits the Gibbeâ— of Mordecai and Mordecai the House and greatnesâ— of Haman The decree against the Iews being generally reversed A Dialogue between Job and his Wife The Argument Job's wicked Wife does urge him to despair And curse that God that of him still took care But wisely he rejects her curs'd advice And is restor'd to 's former Paradise Wife WHat a strange temper is this Can Iob still cringe and bend to him who from the height of happiness suffered him unpityless to fall under such a load of sad adversity Know you not yet your substance is destroyed your Sons that should have been the comfort of your Age slain and your self in every part afflicted with tormenting torturing and consuming Sores Job Yet must we not repine since it is the pleasure of that great Omnipotent who made us out of nothing breathed into us breath of life and from whom all we did enjoy proâ—eeded Wife Yet better it is you never had had being than to be thus contemptible thus miserable to undergo this ill-star'd what wellcomer can be than