vile Verse 12. Is it nothing to you all ye that passe by behold and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow which is done unto me wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce wrath Verse 13. From above hath he sent fire into my bones and it prevaileth against them be hath spread a net for my feet he hath turned me backe he hath made me desolate and faint all the day Verse 14. The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand â—â— they are wreathed come up upon my necke he hath made my strength to fall the Lord hath delivered me into their hands from whom I shall not be able to rise up Verse 15. The Lord hath trâ—dden under foâ—â— all my mith men in the mad lest 〈◊〉 the hath called an assembly against me 〈◊〉 crush my 〈…〉 The Lord 〈◊〉 〈…〉 righter of 〈…〉 Verse 16. 〈…〉 with 〈…〉 that shou 〈…〉 far from me 〈◊〉 children are desolate bee 〈◊〉 the enemy yâ—evâ—nled Verse 17. Zion sâ—ea leth forth her hands there is name to comfore her the Lord hath commanded concerning Iacob that his adversaries shâ—uld be round about him Ierusalem is as a menstruous woman among them Verse 18. The Lord is righteous for I have rebelled against his commandement heare I pray you all people and behold my sorrow my virginis and my young men are gone into captivity Verse 19. I called for my lovers but they deceived me my Priests and mine Elders gave up the ghost in the city while they sought their meat to relieve their soules Verse 20. Behold O Lord for 〈◊〉 I in distresse my bowels are troubled mine heart is turned within me for I have grievously rebelled abroad the sword hereâ—â— veth at home there is death Verse 21. They have heard that I sigh there is none to comfort me all mine enemiâ—s have heard of my trouble they are glad that thou hast done it thou will bring the day that thou hast called and they shall be like unâ—â— me Verse 22. Let all their wickednesse come before thee and doe unto them as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions for my sighs are many and my heart it faint CHAP. II. Verse 1. WIth what a duskie cloak of foggie cloud Is Zion clad which doth her glory shroud And tenebâ—ize her beames The angry Lord Hath kickt her down from Heaven as one abhor'd Shee now lies soyl'd in dust whom once right well Each tongue did stile the Beauty of Israel In wrath he doth forget and cleane forsake His goodly (h) The Arke of the covenant is called gods footstoole 1 chron 28 2 Psalme 132 7 It is called his drength and his glory Psalme 78 61 footstoole He doth riddance make Verse 2. Of Jacobs stock which issued from him They are â—wallowed up without all pitying Judahs strong holds he hath battered to ground Defil'd their kingdome and their King discrown'd Verse 3. His peoples flourishing (i) Whatsoever is strong and high and excollent it is called an horne in Scripture It is drawne from â—easts whose hornes are theiâ— strength and are their ornament Horne of David Psalme 132 Horne of salvation Luke 1 69 horne on high set up In anger is all broke asunder cut His strong right hand of nations so well knowne For Israels onely help is now withdrawne Round about Jacob his fiery fury burnes Like raging flame it all to ashes turnes Verse 4. The Lord as man of war his bow hath bent Whence never frustrate arrow yet was sent Zions most excellent ones joy to the eye Once to behold them now in dust doe lie Brought downe and slaine by his most mighty hand Whose wrath like fire is powrâ—d out on the Land Verse 5. Israels palaces forts are all destroy'd Quite swallow'd up so much as erc she joy'd Shee sorrowes now Poore Judahs common song Are mournfull Threnes and Lamentation Verse 6. He hath remov'd his Tabernacle thence With violent hand the lands securest fence Now it s a hedglesse garden Empty voyd Are places of assemblies lately cloy'd And surfetting with throngs so many guests Did come to celebrate her holy Feasts These Sabbaths * Malè isti populo accidit ubi Sabbatha Sabbathum habent Levit 26 43 solemne dayes are now forgot Both Kings and Priests are ceas'd whose holy lot Was Altar-service these despis'd are gone Remov'd by God in indignation Verse 7. The Altar is cast off and Sanctuary Abhor'd the palaces given to th' enemy When (k) qui non audiunt attente concionem verbi Dei sonantem coguntut audire militem bombarbâ tonantem Tarnovius in locum pious soules on solemne dayes before In the Lords house did meet for to adore They gave an heavenly sound in Psalmes and praise There now alas the roaring enemies raise An impious heathenish â—oyse like that for sound But not for sense oâ— harmony To the ground Verse 8. Zions faire walls must fall the Lord hath past His purpose for it Yea his line is cast And stretch't upon 't his hand he doth not turne From utter ruine He hath taught to (l) Ier 14 2 See Ioel 1 10 12 Where when the field is wasted the land mourneth mourne The walls and ramparts as if they had sense To tune sad ditties for foes violence Verse 9. Both gates bars are broke and sunk in ground Yea all her Kings and Princes wander round The Gentiles Countrey Holy Law 's no more (m) Dicunt Rabbini prophetia neque inter tristitiam ne que inter pigritiam habitat prophetia cessat tempore persecutiones exilii Moses Maimonid in more Nevochin Prophets want visions which they had before Verse 10. Zions grave Elders (n) Manner of mourners to cover their heads with dust ashes as it were confessing they are not worthy to live and worthy to be laid in the graves and have dust thrownâ—on them on the earth are laid And earth is laid on them for every head Is crown'd with ashes dust all silent sad â—ackcloth is th' only Robe wherewith they are clad Jerusalems virgins ripe with griefe and feares Walk with down hanging heads like ripened eares Verse 11. O eyes your welsprings fail and watry store My troubled bowels within are panged sore My (o) He cleaveth my reiâ—es asunder and doth not spare hee powreth cut my gall upon the ground Iob 16.13 If I enter into the city then behold them that are sick with â— amine Ieâ— 14 1â— liver as liquor is powr'd out on the earth Because so great a famine murderous dearth Doth on the daughter of my people lie The silly sucklings famisht faint and die In every street their little corps lie spread Verse 12. They cry upon their mothers give us bread We pine we perish who will our hunger stay One drop of wine to queneh our thirst we pray Poore babes in vaine do cry and pule and crave Whiles mothers want to give what they would have
daughter of Zion he poured out his fury like fire Verse 5. The Lord was an enemy he hath swallowed up Israel he hath swallowed up al her palaces he hath destroyed his strong holds hath inâ—reased in the daughter of Iudamourning lamentation Verse 6. And he hath violently taken away his Tabernacle as if it were of a garden he hath destroyed his places of the assembly the Lord hath caused the solemn Feasts Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the King and the priest Verse 7. The Lord hath cast off his Altarâ— he hath abhorred his Sanctuary he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces they have made a noyse in the house of the Lord as in the day of a solemne feast Verse 8. The Lord hath purpased to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zâ—on he hath stretched out a line the hath not withdrawne his hand from destroying therefore he made the rampart and the wall to laâ—ent they languished together Verse 9. Her gates â—re sunle into the ground he hath destroyed and brolen her barres her King and her Princes are among the Gentiles the lawis no more her Prophets also fiâ—d no vâ—sion from the Lord. Verse 10. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground and leepsilence they have cast up dust upon their beads hey have girded themselveâ— with sacloloâ—th the virgins of Ierusalem hang down their heads to the ground Verse 11. Mine eyes do faile with tears my bowâ—s are troubled my liver is so â—râ—d â—pâ—n the earth for the destruction of the daughter of my people because the children the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city Verse 12. They say to their mothers Where is corn and wâ—n when they swâ—ned as the wounded in the sireets of the city when their settle was powâ—red out into their mothers bâ—some Verse 13. What thing shall I take to witnesse for thee what thing shal I liken to thee O daughter of Ierusalem what shall I equall to thee thâ—â— I may comfort thee O virgin daughter of Zion for thy breach is great like the Seaâ— who can heal thee Verse 14. Thy Prophets have seene vaine aâ—d fâ—olish things for thee and they have not discovered thine iniquity to turne away thy captivity but have seen for thee fase burdens and causes of banishment Verse 15. All that passe by clap their hands at thee â—â—y visse and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem saying Is this the City that men call the perfection of beauty the jay of the whole earth Verse 16. All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee they hisse and gnash the teath they say We have swallowed her up certainely this is the day that we looked for wee have found we have seenâ—t Verse 17. The Lord hath done that which he had devised bee hath fulsâ—â—e his wâ—â—d that he had commanded in the dayes of old hee hath throwne downe and hath not pitied and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoyce over thee he hath set up the horne of thine adversaries Verse 18. Their heart cryed unto the Lord O waâ—l of the daughter of Zion let teares run downe like a river day and night give thy selfe no rest let not the apple of thine eyes cease Verse 19. Arise cry out in the night in the beginning â—f the watches ponâ—râ— out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord lift up thine hands toward him for the life of thy young children that faint for hunger in the top of every street Verse 20. Behold O Lord and coâ—sider to whom thou hastâ—d me this shall the women eat their fruit and children of aspan long shall the Priest and the Prophet be slaine in the Sanctuary of the Lord. Verse 21. The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword thou hast slaine them in the day of thy anger thou hast killed and not pitied Verse 22. Thou hast called as in a solemne day by terrours round about so that in the day of the Lords anger none escaped nor remained those that I have swadled brought up hath mine enemy consumed CHAP. III. Verse 1. I Am (s) I the that of christ A man of sorrowes ordeâ—quaiâ—ted with griefe Esay 53 the son of sorrowes who have seen Afflictions Center and sore schoold have been Under Gods stinging red Verse 2. From lightsom walks I am brought to sullen darknesse obscure vaults Depriv'd of joyes of all eye-cheering light Verse 3. Surely ' gainst me God turns himselfe to fight Under his heavy hand I daily groane Verse 4. My wrizzeld skin neighbours too neer the bone My wrinkled face and flesh my age belie Crowne old with griefe not years My bones do lie Scatteâ—d and broken Verse 5. He has built a wall ' Gainst me my ease is paine my sweets are gall Verse 6. Cles'd up in cells of darknesse am I laid Like those whom death long since hath prisoners made Verse 7. When I would scape crosse to my hopes I finde An high thorn (r) I will bedge up her 〈◊〉 with thornes and make a wall that she shall not finde her pathes Hosea 3.6 hedge where with the Lord dab binde And keep me in Verse 8. A heavy chaine I beare Then doe I cry and shout but where 's Gods care He shuts out all my prayers Verse 9. Stops up my way With hewen stones yea all my pathes that lay So straight are crooked made Verse 10. Like hungry Bear Or (u) Thou huntest me as a fierce Lion Job 10.16 greedy Lion lurking close to teare And seise upon some prey he watcht for me Verse 11. I walke in uncouth pathes compell'd to flee Peece-meale heâ—ent me tore me in his hate Then leaves me to my selfe most desolate Verse 12. With (w) He hath taken me by the necke and â—â—ken me to peeces he hath set me up for his marke Job 16.12 full bent bow he aimes at me too Sets me for marke nor doth he misse the white Verse 13. O how his arrowes doe increase my paines Fixing their Iron teeth even in my reines Verse 14. To all my people I am made (x) Fio repente fabula ludibrium chriosae sum tabernae cantio Buchâ—nanus I became aproverbe unto them I was phesong of the drunkards Psal 69.11 12. a scorne And subject of their songs whiles I doe mourne They rime all day upon me Verse 15. Drunken sots Would practise temperance at my wormwood pots And bitter cups which I have drunke so sore As staggering full now I can beare no more Verse 16. Even as with gravell stones my teeth are broke I 'am roll'd in ashes choakt with dust and smoake Verse 17. Thou hast divorc'd a lovely-linked paiâ—e My soule and peace my prosperous dayes to faire Are quite remov'd drow'nd in oblivion Verse 18. That I am forc'd to
in every eye I am counted vile Verse 12. O heavens Are men turn'd flints their heart-strings brass Has earth no bowels left O (d) Have pity upon me have pity upon me O ye my friends for the hand of god hath touched me lob 〈…〉 hocest dolentium ut laborem suum to majorem caeteris aestimant quo aliorum 〈…〉 non cogâ—oscunt quia quanto plus dolorem suum sentiunt tanto minus ali rum hulc a daeâ—◠〈…〉 your in loc you that passe With marbled ruthlesse hearts and by me goe Lending no pity to condole my woe Is all compassion fled O that I were Among the sweating stones they 'd drop a teare Amidst my groanes and seeme to sympathize Whiles men goe on with juy celesse pumice eyes Ah unaffected stocks behold and see If e're you knew miseries hyperbole Climbe up so high See how displeased God Has printed all my flesh with his angry rod In blew and livid letters all my read A Lecture of his wrath falne on my head Verse 13. Each member beares some mark of his fierce ire Within my bones he hath inclos'd a fire It feeds on me as fuell 'T is no boot For me to flee a snare hath caught my foot Turn'd backward desolate fainting I remaine Till th' Sun from East hath rid to watry maine Verse 14. My sins are bundled altogether in one And like an Iron yoke or heavy stone Laid on my neck how am I pressed downe All strength and vigour is departed gone In enemies hands the Lord hath lockt me sure Whence to escape are left no meanes or power Verse 15. In midst of th' land my worthies men of might The Lord hath stampt and trodden under feet Against my young men he hath led a band Which crush and spoile that flower of my land (e) As when grapes are pressed all their juyce runs out so the Lord hath trampled me to pieces in his anger and squeazed out all my bloud and moysture Esay 63.2 3. The virgin daughter of Judah is pressed sore As grapes in wine-presse drown'd in purple gore Verse 16. Therefore mine eyes mine eyes their rivers spend And like to thriftlesse Prodigals make an end Of all their watry store because so far I am remov'd from my blest Comforter That should relieve my soule My children lie Most desolate by prevailing tyrannie Verse 17. Zion spreads forth her hands yet none draw neer To solace her Jacob is drown'd in feare Of circling enemies which have hedg'd him round At Gods command This is Jerusalems wound (f) Lev. 18.19 Thou shalt not approach to a woman to uncover her nakednesse as long as she is put apart for her uncleannesse Like women in pollutions all her flie Shee is separate from all societie Verse 18. Lord thou art just I from thy Law have swerv'd And thou hast punisht all this I deserv'd Draw neere all people O see and heare I pray My sad laments and sorrowes gloomy day My beauteous Maides and Young-men captives goe Forme face and feature cannot bribe the foe Verse 19. O (g) Egyptians and others that the Iewes trusted in for helpers Ier. 43. Ier. 44.11 12. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brooke and as the streames of brookes they passe away Iob 6.15 you my lovers whose promises kist the skie Where are your windy vowes will none draw nie Have all deceiv'd None answer at my call Ah my poore Priests and Elders how they fall Breathing their finall gaspes whiles they seek meat They fall downe famisht in the open street Verse 20. 〈◊〉 thou thine eyes O Lord to my distresse My rolling bowels I cannot expresse And tossing heart what griefe doth them perplex For my rebellions did my God much vex No face of safety is seen sword scornes the sheath Killing abroad at home no guest but death Verse 21. Slaying by famine All my foes do know How I doe sigh and sorrow laid full low Disconsolate 'T is matter of joy to them To see black clouds hang o're Jerusalem But Lord their course is next when mine is done Their day comes on when they shall have my roome I know when thou hast tryed and humbled me Thou'wilt use the rod to scourge mine enemie When I have drunk thine anger 's bitter cup As I have din'd so shall mine enemies sup Verse 22. Set all their wickednesse before thy face Make them decline afflictions in my case As I have sin'd so have they let them smart As I have smarted For my fainting heart Is ready to breake thorow these walles of clay with bouncing sobs thus spend I every day * Haec est regula mund ut non det bonum prandium nisictiam det malam coenam Stella de conâ—eâ—â—â— mundi Lib. 1. cap 5 Verse 1. HOw doth the city sit solitary that was ful of people how is she become as a Widdoâ—â— she that was great among the Nâ—â—â—â—tions and Princesse among thâ—â— Provinces how is she become trâ—â— butary Verse 2 Shee weepeth sore in that night and her tears are on herâ—â— cheels among all her lovers shâ—â— hath none to comfort her all her friends have dealt treacheron 〈◊〉 with her they are become hâ—â— enemies Verse 3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction 〈◊〉 because of great servitude she dwelleth among the Heathen 〈◊〉 findeth no rest al her perseâ—â— toues overtooke her between 〈◊〉 straits Verse 4 The wayes of Zion 〈◊〉 mourn because none come to 〈◊〉 solemn feasts all her gates 〈◊〉 desolate her Priests sigh her Virgines are afflicted and she is in bitternesse Verse 5 Her adversaries are the chief her euâ—â—ies prosper for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her tramigressims he children are gone into captivity before the enemy Verse 6. And from the daughter of Zien all her beauty is departed her Princes are become like Harte that finde no pasture and they are gone without strength before the pursuer Verse 7. Jerusalem remembred in the dayes of her affliction and of her miseries a I her pleasant things that shee had in the dayes of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mocke at her Sabbaths Verse 8. Ierusalem hath grievously finned therefore she is removed all that honoured her despise her because they have soon her nakednesse yea she figheth and turneth backward Verse 9. Her filthinesse is in her skirts she remembreth not ber last end therefore she came down wonderfully she had no comforter O Lord behold my affliction for the enemy hath magnified himselfe Verse 10. The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things for she hath seen that the beathen entred into her Sanctus â—â— ary whom thou diddest command that they should not enter into thy congregation Verse 11. All her people sigh they seeke bread they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soule see O Lord and consider for I am become
Onely in mothers bosome they swoon and die And laid in street preach pity to each eye Verse 13. What shall I take or seek to earths utmost hem To witnesse for thee O Jerusalem Rhetorique is bankrupt thou hast begger'd th' Arts Ovirgin daughter of Zion all their parts Cannot similitudes coyne fit to expreile Thy dolours deluge all compares are lesse Inferiour much to thine Could I but fetch Example parallell from some dismall wretch Hence this small glimpse of comfort thou mighst see Thou weâ—â— not singulaâ— in misery Yet to the Sea thy sad estate compar'd Some part by that rude shadow is declar'd As those proud swelling waves the banks or'e reach Levelling high-crested earth with many a breach And fearfull ruptures thus tho waves of woe Broke in upon thee and ore run thee so As for thy breach small hopes of help remaine Nothing can stop when waves slow in amaine Verse 14. Fie (o) Dreaming prophets Ier. 23.23 Daubing prophets Eâ—â—k 22.28 cushion pillow prophets or elbow and armhole prophets Ezâ—â—â—â— 18 Quam ration mchristo reddent ministri corum qui ipsorum culpâ— perierunt vel quia tacenda dixerunt vel quia dicenda tacuerunt Figveiro in Mal. Hicrosolymas deâ—â—ruxerunt prophete titulis Italicis a Episc Landensis Episc Adulensis Episc placentinius on all oylie Sermâ—ns flattering tongues Of sweet-run'd Prophets that can sing no songs But peace and safety How could Zion stand When please-eare Preachers did infect her Land All 's well cry they thou hast some sins indeed Yet desolating vastations noâ—e we reade In all our visions Foolish things and vaine They see but see not sin bring captives chaine Had they set our Zions abhorred wayes And all her sins she had not seen these dayes Of sad captivity but their wiâ—s they spent To sift false causes of her banishment Verse 15. Behold the passengers that traveil by Doe wag their heads clap hands and hiâ—â—ing cry Loe yonder ruin'd turrets piles of stone Was the worlds beauty and perfection Of all earths glorions Fabriches Can this be Jerusalems City we demolishâ—â—ce Verse 16. See how thine enemies together flocke To vent the venome of their mouthes they mocke Some Serpent-like doe hisâ—c some Dog-like grin Every one sâ—â—ive the Scorners prize to win In acting best upon Derisions stage See see shee 's falne cry they in scornefull rage She 's swallowed up the day the day is come Of her woes and our wishes a sad doome Verse 17. This is the time welâ—okt for long expested Gods purpose and devâ—â—e is now effected Long since he threatned heâ— for sinne of old His wrath sulfills what 's patience did with-hold She 's tumbled downe no piteous â—â—n loâ—tâ—â—nguâ— Draws neâ—r heefâ—â—s rejâ—ice their hoâ—n's made arong Verse 18. In the Lords câ—rs their hâ—â—rts aloud did cry O wall of Zion never more be dry Let slouds veâ—ld â—o hâ—te â—â—es neeâ— let sleeps key Look up â—liâ—â—neâ—â—s wâ—â—pâ—eill essenighâ— and day Verse 19. Riâ—e up and bâ—ak thy miâ—night â—uâ—â—edâ—est In nightly watches powre â—ut he â—taâ—d brest Before the Lord in Prayers hâ—ld hands on high Crying O save (p) Dent 28 53 Tâ—ou thalt eat the sru't of thine own bodâ— the flâ—h of thy sons and daughters in the siegâ— and straitnesse wherewith thine enemies shall d'stredâ— dâ—â—◠〈◊〉 babes which fainting lie Stab'd through with huâ—ger at hâ—ad of every street Verse 20. O Lâ—â—d hehold a miserabâ—e sâ—gâ—t A spect cle of wee neverd dâ—eye Read sad ler Argument of Tragedy Shall (q) In the famine of Ierusalem Mary a rich wealthy gentlewoman of perâ— a boiled her own son to eat him Iosephus in 7 book of Iews wars Heressippâ—s bring her in boldly inviting the Souldieâ—s that broke in iâ—ving smelt meaâ— saying to them I have male you a diâ—h of meat of my ownâ— bowe 's come taste and â—ee how sweet my sons flesh is Be noâ— more maidealy and modest then â— mother what Souldiers more a eâ—ke and dâ—stardly them a woman But the Souldiers stayed their stomackâ— with â—â—â—ot of the fact Hegesip 5. â—ook chap 41 When Scipio took Numantia in Spaine so great was the famine that there were divers mothers sâ—und with the bodies of their children in their Iaps of which they had eaten the halfe Petion in sine Saryt Vnder the Emperour lustinian there was so great a famine in Italy that the greatest part of men and women died for hunger One saith fifty thousand died by famine in one part of Italy in selo piceno Two women of strangers that came and lodged at their houses in their journey had killed 17 at severall times whiles they slept and having killed them made them ready and eat them They attempted it on the 18 but he wakening ended both their famine and lives Divers mothers then did cooke their owne children for dishes of moutâ— Baronius 〈…〉 39 Alstedius in Thesau to chronol bowell-bleeding mothers take and eat Their span-long sucklings O abhâ—rred meat Alas their child-bed pangs were sport and mirth When travelling throwes fiâ—st brought these Infaats foâ—th Compar'd with this when mothers they must feed Upon that flesh which their owne flesh did breed O heavy judgement of necessity Inventing food ' gainst Naâ—ures cookery â—no bit of such sad break-fast's worse then all Earths griefes that under imagination fall Shall Priests and Prophets slaine in Sanctâ—ary lie Finding no refuge nor no Sanctuary Verse 21. Both old and young in open streets lie slain My virgins and my young men drop like raine Falling by sword no pity doth thee stay From slaughtâ—ing all in this thy wrathfull day Verse 22. As at some solemn time they are grathred all Girt round with terrours here and there they fall Nothing (r) I even I will teare and goe away I will take away and none shall rescue him Hosea 5.14 escapes for what can safe remaine When God a day of anger doth proclaime My babes the solace of my life which I Brought up with care and swadled these mine eye Why have I eyes to see it sees a prey Unto destroying enemies every day Verse 1. HOw hath the Lord covered the daughter of Ziom with a cloud in his anger and cast downe from heaven unto the earth the beanty of Israel and remembred noâ— his fcotstoole in the day of his anger Verse 2. The Lord swallowed up all the habitations of Iacob and hath not pitted he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holdâ— of the daughter of Iudaâ— he hath brought them down to the ground hee hath polluted the kingdom and the Princes thereof Verse 3. He hath cut off in his fieres anger all the horn of Israel he hath drawn back his right band from before the enemy be burned against Iacob like a flaming fire whichd vâ—nreth round about Verse 4. He hath â—ent his bow like an enemy he stood with his right hand as an adversary slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the Taâ—ernacle of the
Author BEyond all doubt it is that Jeremy was the Author of this Booke He was the penne in the hand of the Holy Ghost by which this Booke was written Of all the Books in Scripture this about the Author falls under the least question Cassanae in Caral glor mund The Ienes call the Book Echa from the first word Quomodo as the French it is thought call their Salique Law from the two first words Si aliqua The Hebrew Doctors and Rabbins call it Cinoth that is Lamentations Of the Greeks it is called Threnoi because the matter of it is Lamentable the name of it is suitable Lamentations The Iews use to read this Scripture by the prescription of their Rabbins Pet. a figueiro in Lam. Jer. in Ca. 1. the 9. day of July or the moneth Ab in their Synagogues because that day Israel fell Ierusalem and the Temple were burnt In the Greek and the Roman Bibles the Booke begins with this proeme added to it And it came to passe after Israel was carried into Captivity and Ierusalem was laid desart that the Prophet Jeremy sate and lamented with this Lamentation over Ierusalem and said How doth c. Some thinke this Booke not to be a single one of it selfe but a part of Jeremies large Prophesies and to goâ— on with it Junius and Tremelius thinke it to be the Booke of Lamentations made at Josiahâ— funerall 2 Chron. 35. Now whether there were two Bookes of Lamentations will fall under question Sure it is that much of the Iewes misery came hasting on after Josiahs death so as the sorrow for him turned into a proverbiall of great mourning Zach. 12 10 or the mourning of Hadadrimmon 3. But for that it should be the Booke that underwent the penknife and the martyrdome of fire by Jehojakim Jer 36. needs not far to be sought after seeing there was much matter of prediction here onely of deploration It remains to conclude that it contains as a bottle Jeremies tears wherewith he bewasles the wretched estate of the Iewes and Ierusalem writing an Epitaph upon that dying City whose misery he saw begun at Josiahs death and foresaw her great desolation instant and imminent yea pressing fast onward under Zedekiah in War Famine crâ—ell Tyranny and all evils within the predicament of misery and prevailing enemies By this writing he acts Lamentation confession of sinne appeale to Gods mercy deprecates judgement layes open Gods just wrath Israels unjust wayes thereby both exciting his owne people and giving an example and a lesson to all people to learne how to repent and turne to God when he in his judgement is turned against them He being a Prophet it not onely stayes at that destruction by Babylonians under Zedekiah and Jehoiachin Jer. 52. but withall fore-tells fore-sces and fore-bewailes Ierusalem and Iewes deeper downefall by Titus and the Romans The Lamentations of the Prophet IEREMIE Metrically Meraphrased CHAP. I. Verse 1. COme see and wonder how great Zion sits In sad alonenesse lately her fair streets were fill'd with populous throngs Now none wil woo Poor forlorn Widow none make love unto her (a) Cat me soelicemtoties jactastiâ— amici Qui ceeidit Rabilinon erâ—â— ille gradu Boetide consoâ—◠〈…〉 How had she all Nations knees her ears were blest her With name of Princesse servant now at best Verse 2. Sad day's oft eas'd by night when as kind sleep Stops up tears Bottle but her sorrows keep Their watry course both with the Moon and Sun Her Cheeks are water Chanels where floods run Her eyes no standing Ponds but flowing Springs (b) 〈…〉 â—â—vers have forgotten thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thâ—â— wiâ—k 〈…〉 30.14 Yet no friend visits no Lover comfort brings Once many a name and face of loving friends Now low estate begins their friendship ends Disloy all love's soon chang'd from amity Verse 3. By adverse state to perverse enmitie Judah is stript of all her Soveraignty And captive led in great servility Amongst the Heathenish routs this holy flock Doth lead a restlesse life with Pagan folk In vain heart wishes to escape hope waits The enemies have caught her in such straits Verse 4. The wayes to Zion crowded with holy guests Which yearly came to keep her solemn feasts Pathwayes and gates now languishing lament Because few feet there tread none them frequent The Priests are prodigall of sighs and moan Depris'd of holy Office Virgins groan Deeply afflicted Zion knowes no lesse Herself in gulphed in great bitternesse Verse 5 Beyond all this her enemies doe command Shee must obey they have the upper hand Her sins this scourge to the Lords hand did reach When the Word 's rejected then the Rod shall teach Hee many sius these many sorrowes bred For this her children now are Captive led Verse 6. That face of beauty which Zion did renowne Like all her blisse is gone uncomely growne As stragling Harts her Princes are become Wandring for food being pasture-pincht at home The strong pursuers doe them strengthlesse drive ' Cainst powerfull force poor weaknesse cannot strive Verse 7. But O that misery (c) O that I were as in moneths past as in the dayes when god preserved me when I washed my steps with 〈…〉 and the rockes powred me out rivers of oyle Iob 29.2 6. Memoria foelicitatis ptaeteritae heâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—ire infaelititat once to have happy been Torments the memory of Jerusalem Of sorrowes children this is eldest sonne To say of former joyes those dayes are done Her quondam pleasures she recounts full sad In deep affliction which before she had Till th' inundation of her enemies power Which hath her land selfe people all run o're Help none appeares Her enemies seeing it mock Yea her blest Sabbaths are their laughing stock Verse 8. Deeply she sin'd therefore she deeply smarts And Vagrant-like wanders in forraine parts They that had waxen knees in signe of honour Rowing doe now despise cry fie upon her Because they see her nakednesse with scorne They thinke to cloath her She as one forlorne Drawes out her soule in sighes her face she hides Verse 9. In her fonle skirts pollution much abides Wherefore from high thus low she did descend Because she quite forgot her latter end No Comforter appeares O Lord behold My miseries swelling tide whiles enemies bold Lift up themselves in pride Verse 10. They make their prey All her delights which hand can snatch away Nay Lord thy Sanctuary that holy place Which all unhallowed feet of Heathen race Thou didst inhibit to enter these she sees Pollute that sacred pavement which bow'd knees Of worshipping Saints did kisse Verse 11. See what rate bears One little loaf of bread when sighes and tears Of th' people cannot buy it For pittance small Of meat which might the flitting soule recall To fainting body one day more to live Their costliest jewelrie they doe freely give My piteous case consider Lord meane while See how