a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it 1 John 5. 16. 2dly Particular instances of the Saints failings recorded Noah was a just man perfect in his generation Noah walked with God Gen. 6. 9. chap. 7. 1. Noah drank of the wine and was drunken and was uncovered within his tent Gen. 9. 21. Abraham believed the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness c. Abraham my friend He staggered not through unbelief Gen. 15. 6. Isa. 41. 8. Rom. 4. 16 18 19 20. They will kill me they will save thee alive say I pray thee thou art my sister c. And when God had promised him to inherit the land he said Lord God whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it c. When the promise was made to him of a child he fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart Shall a child c. O that Ishmael might live before thee c. He said of his wife she is my sister again at Gerer for fear of being slain c. Gen. 12. 12 13. Gen. 15. 8. Gen. 17. 16 17 18. Gen. 20. 2 11. Good Isaac said of his wife also She is my sister for fear of the men of the place lest they should kill him for her Gen. 26. 7. Just Lot vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked for that righteous man c. 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. He lingered the men laid hold upon his hand c. and said Go escape for thy lise c. And Lot said unto him Oh not so my Lord c. I cannot escape to the mountains lest some evil take me and I dye Behold this City is near to flye unto is it not a little one c. He afterwards drinks wine and then lay with his two daughters Gen. 19. 16 17 18 19 20 33 34 35 36. Jacob when he heard his brother Esau was coming with 400 men against him he was greatly afraid and distressed c. Gen. 32. 6 7. Moses was very meek above all the men upon the face of the earth c. Moses my servant is dead c. who was faithful to him in all his house c. and Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant Numb 12. 3 7. Jof 1. 2 13. Heb. 3. 2 5. When God was sending Moses he saith O my Lord I am not eloquent c. And the Lord said unto him Who hath made mans mouth c. and he said O my Lord send I pray thee by the hand thou wile send or shouldst send and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses c. Moses returned unto the Lord and said Wherefore hast thou so evilly entreated this people Why is it that thou hast sent me c. Moses was very wroth c. now ye rebels Must we fetch out water out of the rock c. I am not able to bear this people c. If thou deal thus with me kill me I pray thee out of hand c. And Moses said c. shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them to suffice them c. He spake unadvisedly with his lips being provoked in his spirit Exod. 4. 10 11 12 13 14. Exod. 5. 22 23. Numb 11. 11 12 14 15 21 22 23. Numb 16. 15. Numb 20. 10 11. Psal. 106. 32 33. Numb 27. 14. Aaron made a molten calf for Israel c. he built an altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said To morrow a feast to the Lord c. And Moses saw that the people were naked for Aaron had made them naked to their shame amongst their enemies Exod. 32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 25. When God had told Gideon Surely I will be with thee and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man He said unto him c. Shew me a sign that thou talkest with me c. If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand as thou hast said behold I will put a fleece of wool in the floor c. Let not thine anger be hot against me and I will speak but this once Let me prove I pray thee but this once with the fleece c. Heb. 11. 32. Judges 6. 16 17 36 37 38 39 40. My servant David who kept my commandments and who followed me with all his heart to do that only which is right in mine eyes c. 1 King 14. 8. Acts 13. 22. And David c. was sore afraid of Achish the King of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them and feigned himself mad in their hands c. David said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul c. He went on with the Philistines against Israel c. He sent messengers to fetch Uriahs wife and he lay with her c. to cover it made Uriah drunk and then sent to Joab to put Uriah into the hottest battel and then retire from him that he mighe be smitten and dye c. O my son Absolom my son my son Absolom would God I had dyed for thee c. He caused the children of Israel to be numbred c. I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes c. I said in my haste that all men are lyars c. 1 Sam. 21. 12 13 14. 1 Sam. 27. 1. 1 Sam. 29. 2. 2 Sam. 11. 2 3 4 13 14 15. 2 Sam. 18. 33. 2 Sam. 24. 1 2 3 4 c. Psal. 31. 22. Psal. 116. 11. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord as did David his father c. Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord all his days 1 King 15. 11 14. He took out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord c. made a league with the King of Assyria and Hanani the Seer came to him and said Because thou hast relyed on the King of Syria and not relyed on the Lord thy God c. Then Asa was wroth with the Seer and put him in a prison-house for he was in a rage with him because of this thing And Asa oppressed or crushed some of the people at that time c. In his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the Physicians 2 Chron. 16. 1 2 3 4 7 10 12. When Elijah the Prophet was in trouble he said enough Now O Lord take away my life for I am not better than my fathers 1 King 19. 4. And Jehoshaphat walked c. doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord 2 Chron. 20. 32. 1 King 22. 42 43. The Seer meets him after he had gone out with the wicked King of Israel and said unto him Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them who hate the Lord therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord 2 Chron. 19. 1 2. chap. 20. 33. Hezekiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord he removed the high-places c. he trusted in the Lord
43 44 45. Hezekiah the Lord was with him c. and he rebelled against the king of Assyria 2 Kings 18. 7. When king Nebuchadnezzar had commanded the worshiping of an Image Shadrach Meshach and Abednego refused to obey c. and said Be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the Image c. Dan. 3. 15 16 17 18. When Darius had established a decree that none should ask any petition of any God or man for thirty days Daniel went into his house after his wonted manner and prayed three times a day Dan. 6. 7 8 9 10. When the Apostles were forbid to preach in the name of Christ they answered c. Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judg you Act. 41. 18 19 20. Then the council charged them with preaching contrary to their commands c. Peter c. said We ought to obey God rather than men Act. 5. 27 28 29. Moses was hid by his parents c. and they feared not the kings edict c. He feared not the wrath of the king Heb. 11. 23 27. 2dly What they ought to do or wherein they should acknowledg and obey them Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses and God smote Miriam with a leprosie Numb 12. 1 9 10 11. The Lord destroyed Korah and his company for their rebellion against Moses c. Numb 16. 1 c. God threatned the Jews for revolting from the king of Babylon and breaking their oath and covenant with him Ezek. 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20. Though there was no tribute due from Christ yet he said to Peter Lest we should offend them go thou c. give unto them for me and thee Mat. 17. 24 25 26 27. Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesars Mat. 22. 21. Let every soul be subject to the higher power c. Whosoever therefore resisteth the powers resisteth the ordinance of God c. shall receive to themselves damnation c. wilt thou then not be afraid of the powers do that which is good c. Ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake c. For this cause pay you tribute c. render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrates c. Tit. 3. 1. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the king as supream or unto governours as unto them who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers c. For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. 3dly Give them due honour and respect not contemn their persons or speak evil of them Thou shalt not revile the Gods or Judges nor curse the ruler of thy people Exod. 22. 28. David said to Saul My Lord the King and when Saul looked behind him David stooped with his face to the earth and bowed himself c. He said I will not put forth my hand against the Lords anointed 1 Sam. 24. 8 10. Nathan the prophet when he was come in before the king he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground c. and said My Lord O king c. 1 Kings 1. 23 24. Is it fit to say to a king Thou art wicked to princes Ye are ungodly Job 34. 18. The kings wroth is as the roaring of a Lion c. Prov. 19. 12. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a Lion whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul Prov. 20. 2. Put not forth thy self in the presence of a king c. Prov. 25. 6 7. Where the word of a king is there is power and who may say unto him What doest thou Eccles. 8. 4. Curse not the king no not in thy thoughts Eccles. 10. 20. Daniel said to Darius the king O king live for ever Dan. 6. 21. When the Apostle had spoken sharply unto the High-priest and some who stood by had said Revilest thou Gods High-priest Then said Paul I wist not brethren that he was the High-priest for it is written Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of my people Act. 23. 2 3 4 5. Paul said I think my self happy king Agrippa because I shall answer for my self this day before thee c. Festus said c. Paul thou art beside thy self much learning doth make thee mad But he said I am not mad most noble Festus but speak forth the words of truth and soberness c. Act. 26. 1 2 3 24 25. ch 24. 10. Render therefore to all their dues c. fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13. 7. Honour the king 1 Pet. 2. 17. But chiefly them who walk in the lust of uncleanness and despise government c. or dominion c. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignities whereas Angels who are greater in power and might bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord 2 Pet. 2. 10 11. Jude vers 8 9. 4thly To pray for them Exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for kings and for all who are in authority or eminent place that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. 5thly To endeavour to get good Magistrates When Adonijah exalted himself saying I will be king and preparation was made for it Then Bathsheba the Queen and Nathan the prophet made application to David to set up Solomon to be king and accordingly prevailed 1 Kings 1. 6thly To be content with such Magistrates which God hath set over us although they be not such as they should be When Samuel was old he made his sons Judges over Israel c. and his sons walked not in his ways but turned aside after lucre and took bribes and perverted judgment Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel c. and said unto him Behold thou art old and thy sons walk not in thy ways Now make us a king to judg us like all the nations c. This greatly displeased God and he said to Samuel They have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them c. The people said Nay but there shall be a king over us 1 Sam. 8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 19 20. Samuel afterwards tells them their wickedness was great in the sight of the Lord in asking a king Which sin the people acknowledged when God had sent thunder and rain in harvest
all saints c. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand Rev. 8. 3 4. See more of Prayer in Affliction Chap. 22. See more of Common Calamities Chap. 23. See more in Duty towards all Men Chap. 19. See Prayer for Magistrates Chap. 24 To take special notice of the Acts of Gods Goodness and Mercy keep memorials thereof celebrate his praises extol him and stir up others so to do Abraham's servant when God had heard his request he bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. And he said Blessed be the Lord God of my Master Abraham who hath not left destitute my Master of his mercy and his truth c. When he heard their words he worshipped the Lord c. Gen. 24. 26 27 52. I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God that thou wast pleased with me Gen. 33. 10. Then Jacob said c. Let us arise and go unto Bethel and I will make there an Altar unto God who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me in the way which I went c. And he built there an Altar and called the place El-Bethel because there God appeared unto him when he fled from the face of his brother Gen. 35. 2 3 7. Moses and Israel solemnly celebrated his praise for their deliverance at the red Sea in a song of praise Exod. 15. 2 3 to the 22. When Israel got victory over the Amalekites he built an Altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi that is the Lord my banner Exod. 17. 13 14 15. And Moses told unto Jethro his Father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharoah and to the Egyptians for Israels sake c. and Jethro rejoyced for all the goodness which the Lord had done unto Israel c. and said Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c Now I know that the Lord is greater than all Gods c. Exod. 18. 8 9 10 11. When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee Deut. 8. 10. Moses song Deut. 32. Joshua pitched stones in Gilgal in memory of Israels passing dry thorow Jordan that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord that it is mighty Josh. 4. 20 21 22 23 24. The song of Deborah and Barak which they sang after the victory against Sisera and his Army Judges 5. Hannah sang praise when she brought Samuel her son to the house of the Lord whom the Lord had given her upon her prayer 1 Sam. 2. 1 2 3 4 to the 11. When the Philistines were beaten Samuel set up a stone called the name thereof Eben-Ezer saying Hitherto hath the Lord helped us 1 Sam. 7. 10 11 12. When Abigail met David and prevented him in his hasty purpose concerning Nabals house he said unto Abigail Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who sent thee this day to meet me and blessed be thy advice c. And when David heard that Nabal was dead he said Blessed be the Lord who hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and hath kept his servant from evil c. 1 Sam. 25. 32 33 39. When God had promised many things unto David he saith set thy name be magnified for ever saying the Lord of Hosts is the God over Israel c. 2 Sam. 7. 26. And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hands of Saul And he said the Lord is my rock my fortress and my deliverer c. 2 Sam. 22. Upon the return of the Ark to the City of David he prepares a song and delivers it to be sang by way of thanksgiving unto God 1 Chron. 16. 8 9 to the 37. When the people had offered willingly towards the building of the house of the Lord David blessed the Lord before all the congregation and David said Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel our father for ever and ever c. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious name c. that we should be able to offer so willingly c. the congregation did so 1 Chron. 29. 9 10 11 12 13 14 to the 20. Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord and he spake unto him c. but Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him c. 2 Chron. 32. 24 25. Ezra takes notice of a little favour and acknowledgeth it to the praise of God Ezra 9. 8 9. Chap. 7. 27 28. Stand up bless the Lord your God for ever and ever and blessed by thy glorious name which is exalted above all blessing and praise c. Nehem. 9. 5 6 7 8 c. When Job had lost all than he said The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken blessed be the name of the Lord Job 1. 20 28. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness and will sing to the name of the Lord most high Psal. 7. 17. O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast fet thy glory above the heavens c. Psal. 8. 1 9. I will praise thee O Lord with my whole heart I will shew forth all thy marvellous works I will sing praise to thy name O thou most high c. Sing to the Lord who dwelleth in Sion declare among the people his doings Psal. 9. 1 2 11. I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with mâ—… Psal. 13. 6. Thou art holy who inhabiteth the praises of Israel c. ye who fear the Lord praise him all ye the seed of Jacob glorifie him Psal. 22. 3 23. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works Psal. 26. 7. The Lord is my strength c. with my song will I praise him Psal. 28. 7. Sing unto the Lord O ye Saints of his and give thanks at the remembrance or to the memorial of his holy name c. thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing c. to the end that my glory may sing praise unto thee amd not be silent O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever Psal 30. 4 11 12. Blessed be the Lord for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness Psal. 31. 21. Praise is comely for the upright Psal. 33. 1. Psal. 147. 1. I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth c. O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together I sought the Lord and he heard me c. O taste and see that the Lord is good c. Psal. 34. 1 3 4 6 8. My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness of thy praise all the day Psal. 35. 28. Great is the
2. 10. 5thly That God doth sometimes make enemies and the persecutors themselves to acknowledg the Saints innocency when they suffer And will surely avenge them upon their adversaries He will revenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to to his adversaries and will be merciful to his land c. Deut. 32. 43. When David had spared Saul being in his hands Saul said to David Is this thy voice my son David c Thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good whereas I have rewarded thee evil and thou hast shewed this day how thou hast done well with me forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hands thou killedst me not c. 1 Sam. 24. 16 17 18 19. Again in the like case Saul said I have sinned c. Behold I have played the fool and have erred exceedingly 1 Sam. 26. 21. Haman Mordecai's great enemy forced to honour Mordecai c. Esther 6. 7 8 9 10 11. Haman is hanged upon the same gallows he erected for Mordecai Esther 7. 9 10. He ordained his arrows against the persecutors Psal. 7. 13. They have digged a pit for me into the midst of which they are fallen Psal. 57. 6. The righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance c. so that a man shall say c. Verily he is a God who judgeth in the earth Psal. 58. 10 11. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed Psal. 103. 6. Be not afraid c. for yet a very little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction Isa. 10. 24 25. When thine hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see and be ashamed for envy at thy people or towards thy people c. Isaiah 26. 11. All who watch for iniquity are cut off who make a man an offender for a word Isa. 29. 20 21. I was wrath with my people c. thou didst shew them no mercy c. therefore these two things shall come upon thee in a moment c. Isa. 47. 5 6 7 8 9. Fear ye not the reproach of men c. for the moth shall eat them up like a garment and the worm shall eat them like wood c. Thus saith the Lord c. who pleadeth the cause of his people Behold I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling the dregs of the cup of my fury c. but I will put it into the hands of them who afflict thee who have said to thy soul Bow down c. Isa. 51. 7 8 21 22 23. Your brethren who hated you c. he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Isa. 66. 5. God threatens several nations for their insolent insulting over his people the Jews and for their cruel usages of them and declares the vengeance he would take against them Ezek. 25. chap. 26. chap. 35. chap. 36. Nebuchadnezzar who had caused Shadrach Meshech and Abednego to be cast into the fiery-furnace now said unto them Ye servants of the most high God come forth c. and the king promoted them Dan. 3. 26 30. So did Darius when Daniel by the prosecution of the Presidents and Princes was cast into the lions den came and said O Daniel servant of the living God c. And the king commanded and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and they cast them into the den of lions them their children and their wives c. Dan. 6. 20 24. I have heard the repâ—…ch of Moab and the revilings of the children of Ammon whereby they have reproached my people c. therefore as I live saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel Surely Moab shall be as Sodom Zephan 2. 8 9 10 11. Whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea Wo unto the world because of offences Matth. 18. 6 7 10. Luke 17. 1 2. I send unto you Prophets c. some of them you shall kill c. that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel c. All these things shall come upon this generation Matth. 23. 34 35 36. Shall not God avenge his own elect who cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them I tell you that he will avenge them speedily Luke 18. 7 8. Pilate himself said of Christ I find no fault in him c. Luke 23. 14. King Agrippa and Festus both said of Paul This man doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds Acts 26. 30 31. In nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition c. and that of God Phil. 1. 28. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them who trouble you c. 2 Thess. 1. 6. He who leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity he who killeth with the sword must be killed c. Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints Rev. 13. 10. Babylon is fallen here is the patience of the Saints Revel 14 8 9 10 11 12. Thou art righteous O Lord c. because thou hast judged thus for they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy Rev. 16. 5 6. 6thly That God will comfort uphold and preserve his in all their troubles and not lay more on them than they can bear In that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them who are tempted Heb. 2. 18. chap. 4. 15. chap. 5. 2. And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistins although that was near for God said Lest peradventure the people repent when they fee war and they return to Egypt c. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light to go by day and night Exod. 13. 17 21. Thou shalt not be afraid c. for the Lord thy God is among you a mighty God and terrible and the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little Deut. 7. 19 20 21 22. The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee Deut. 33. 27. David was greatly distressed c. but David encouraged himself in the Lord 1 Sam. 30. 6. Will he plead against me with his great power no but he would put strength into me Joh 23. 6. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in time of trouble thou wilt save the afflicted people Psal. 9. 9. Psal. 18. 27. Though I walk through the
Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light c. Exod. 13. 21. When Pharoah and his host pursued Israel so that they reckoned themselves lost and were in great distress then the Angel of God which went before the Camp removed and went behind them c. between the Camp of the Egyptians and them and the Lord divided the sea while Israel passed through and there drowned all the Egyptians Exod. 14. 10 11 12 16 17 18 c. The Lord shall judge his people and repent himself for his servants when he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left Deut. 32. 36. When David was great in distress because Ziklag was burned his wives and the wives of his followers taken away and all their substance by the Amalekites and his men spake of killing him then God directs him to pursue the Amalekites and he recovered all again by a wonderful hand 1 Sam. 30. 1 2 3 to the 20. When king David was in great danger at hand by the counsel of Ahitophel in the time of Absoloms rebellion God overthrew the counsel by the counsel of Hushai and so marvellously preserved David 2 Sam. 17. 1 2 3 c. When Elijah fled from Ahab in a time of famine God commanded the Ravens to feed him c. and the Ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morn c. when the brook dried up God sent him to a widow to nourish him when her meal was out God caused the barrel of meal not to waste the cruse of oyl not to fail until the Lord sent rain 1 King 17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 to the 17. So again when he fled from Jezebel and had requested of God that he might dye the angel comes to him and gives him bread and water twice and then enabled him to go in the strength thereof many days 1 Kings 19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. When the wife of one of the sons of the Prophets was in distress because of poverty and danger of creditors God by Elisha makes her pot of oyl to increase to the filling of many vessels to pay her debts with 2 Kings 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. When Samaria was besieged and in great distress by reason of the sad famine in it God on a sudden makes the Assyrians fly and leave plenty behind them in their camp and so relieved his people 2 Kings 6. chap. 7. When Judah was environed the battel before and behind them then God delivered them and overcame their enemies slew five hundred thousand of them 2 Chron. 13. 14 15 16 17 18. When the Jews were by Hamans procurement appointed to slaughter and the decree just ready to be executed and they greatly distressed and helpless Then God appeared and delivered in a marvellous manner Esther 3. chap. 6. chap. 7. Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress Psal. 4. 1. When the Psalmist had reckoned up the sad state Gods people had been reduced to he saith Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep like a mighty man c. and he smote his enemies in the hinder part he put them to a perpetual reproach Psal. 78. 61 62 63 64 65 66. Thou turnest man to destruction and saist Return ye children of men Ps. 90. 1. God slew the Assyrians and saved Judah when they were low Isa. 36. ch 37. I will heal thee c. because they call thee an out-cast saying This is Zion whom no man looks after Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents Jer. 30. 17 18. God appeared for his when in the fire and in the lyons den and delivered them Dan. 3. chap. 6. When Peter through unbelief was sinking in the sea Christ stretched out his hand and caught him and saved him Matt. 14. 28 29 30 31. When the Apostles were put into the prison the Angel of the Lord brought them out Act. 5. 18 19. Peter being imprisoned in order to his being brought out to the people and being fettered and lying between two souldiers the angel of the Lord came said Arise the chains fell off the gates open of their own accord he is delivered Act. 12. 1 2 3 4 to the 12. When Paul and Silas was thrust into the inner prison and their feet fast in the stocks God made the foundation of the prison to shake and doors fly open and delivered Paul and Silas Act. 16. 23 24 26 29 30 39. Paul when the Jews went about to kill him was delivered by the captain c. Act. 21. 30 31 32. Paul and his company strangely saved in their voyage by sea and shipwrack Act. 27. 9thly That Afflictions and Persecutions shall be for the great good of Saints It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go unto the house of feasting for that is the end of all men and the living will lay it to his heart Sorrow is better than laughter for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better Eccles. 7. 2 3. By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sin Isa. 27. 9. I will bring the third part through the fire c. they shall call on my name and I will hear them I will say it is my people and they shall say the Lord is my God Zech. 13. 9. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you c. rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven Matt. 5. 11 12. Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it Matt. 16. 25. Joh. 12. 25. Every one who hath forsaken houses c. for my name sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Matt. 19. 29. Luke 18. 29 30. Blessed are ye who hunger now for ye shall be filled blessed are ye who weep now for ye shall laugh Luk. 6. 21. In nothing terrified c. which is to them an evident token of c. but to you of salvation and that of God Phil. 1. 28. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation unto them who trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord c. 2 Thes. 1. 5 6 7. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and an c. Heb. 10. 34. Moses c. choosing rather affliction with the people of God c. esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches c. for he had respect unto the recompence of reward Heb. 11. 24 25 26. Now no chastening for the present c. nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness Heb. 12. 11. The tryal of your faith worketh patience c. blessed is the man who endureth temptations for when he is tryed he
Centurions servant of the palsie Peters mother-in-law of a fever Stilleth the tempest on the sea Driveth out the devils out of the two men possessed among the Gergezens Matth. 8. 2 3 13 14 15 16 26 28 c. Mark 5. 2. Luke 4. 33 39. Luke 5. 12 13. chap. 8. 1 2. He cured the sick of the palsie whom they brought on a bed to him The woman who had the bloody-issue cured by touching his garment Raised from the dead Jairus daughter giveth sight to two blind mâ—…n healeth a dumb man possessed of a devil Matth. 9. 2 6 7 20 25 28 32. Mark 2. 3 4. Luke 8. 44. Mark 9. 20. He cured the withered hand Matth. 12. 10 13. The five loaves and the two fishes wherewith he fed 5000. He walked on the sea Matth. 14. 15 16 25. Luke 9. 12. John 6. 5 6. He cured the daughter of the woman of Canaan who was vexed with a devil He cured multitudes With seven loaves and a few little fishes he fed four thousand men besides women and children Matth. 15. 21 30 31 33 34. He cured the lunatick Matth. 17. 15 16. He cureth two other blind men Matth. 20. 30 c. He said unto the fig-tree Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever and presently the fig-tree withered away Matth. 21. 19. He cast out the unclean spirit Mark 1. 23. He cured the blind man with spittle Mark 8. 22 23. The miraculous number of fish taken by Peter and his company when Christ had commanded them to take their net and cast it into the sea Luke 5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. He healed the Centurions servant raised the Widows only son from the dead when they were carrying him to be buried Luke 7. 2 3 c. 11 12 13 c. He made the woman straight who had by reason of an infirmity been bowed and could not stand up Luke 13. 11 12 13. He cured a man of a dropsie Luke 14. 2 3 4. Christ healed the ear with a touch which the disciples had cut off Luke 22. 51. Christ healed ten lepers Luke 17. 12 13 14 15 16. He restored sight to another blind man Luke 81. 41 42 43. He turned water into wine at the marriage-feast in Cana John 2. 7 8 9. He healed the noble-mans son by his word which the noble man believed and found that his child mended the same hour Christ spake John 4. 47 49 50 51 52 53. He cured the man who had had an infirmity 36 years and had waited long at the pool and could not get in John 5. 5 6 7 8 9. He restored sight to the man who was born blind he anointed his eyes with clay and spittle and bid him wash c. John 9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. He raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been laid in his grave John 11. 43 44. He caused Peter and other disciples to cast their net into the sea and they took a miraculous number of fishes John 21. 6 7 8. Many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles Acts 2. 43. chap. 14. 3. Peter raised up the lame man who had lain at the temple-gate Acts 3. 2 6 7. Ananias and Saphira both at the Apostles word fell down dead c. And by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought c. they brought sick folks and them who were vexed with unclean spirits and they were healed every one Acts 5. 9 10 12 15 16. Philip did many miracles cast out unclean spirits healed palsies and lame Acts 8. 6 7. Peter healed Aeneas of the palsie and raised Dorcas from the dead Acts 9. 34 40 41. Paul cured the cripple at Lystra who had been lame from his mothers womb Acts 14. 8 9 10. Paul cast out the spirit of divination out of the maid Acts 16. 16 17 18. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul so that from his body were brought to the sick handkercheifs c. and the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them Acts 19. 11 12. Paul raised Eutichus from the dead when he had fallen down from the window Acts 20. 9 10. Paul healed the father of Publius of his fever and bloody-flix and others Acts 28. 8 9. CHAP. XLIV Of the Kings of Israel and Judah How they came to their Power and Office GIdeon had judged Israel he had seventy sons Abimelech one of the sons of Gideon by his servant by subtilty with the men of Shechem that it was better one should reign than all the seventy sons procures money hires vain and light persons and kills all his brethren except Jotham the youngest who hid himself Abimelech by the men of Shechem and the house of Millo made King After a few years he was slain by a piece of milstone a woman threw down on him after whom Judges governed a long time till Samuel Judges 9. Israel by the Elders came to Samuel and said Make us a King to judg us like all the nations and though God was displeased at it and said They had rejected not Samuel but God himself that he should not reign over them yet he bids Samuel hearken unto them and make them a King 1 Sam. 8. Samuel before Saul came was told of God of his coming and that he should be the man whom he should anoâ—…nt king Samuel anoints him king accordingly 1 Sam. 9. chap. 10. According to this afterwards all the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul king before the Lord 1 Sam. 11. 14 15. Samuel said to Saul When thou wast little in thine own sight wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel c Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord he hath rejected thee from being king 1 Sam. 15. 17 23. Samuel by Gods special direction anointed David the son of Jesse to be king although Saul was yet living and the spirit left Saul and came upon David 1 Sam. 16. 1 12 13 14. And after Sauls death the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over Judah but Abner made Ishbosheth the son of Saul king over all Israel 2 Sam. 2. 1 2 3 4 8 9. After the death of Ishbosheth being slain came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron c. And all the Elders of Israel came c. and king David made a league with them and they anointed David king over Israel 2 Sam. 5. 1 2 3. Adonijah David his son being about to set up himself David sets up Solomon 1 Kings 1. 5 6 c. God sâ—…id to Solomon Thou hast not kept my covenant c. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee and will give it to thy servant c. Ahijah the Prophet told Jeroboam That God would give ten tribes unto him and take the kingdom out of the hands of Solomons son and give ten tribes unto him
unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dyed c. That he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and that he was seen of Cephas c. If Christ be not risen then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain c. Ye are yet in your sins c. But now Christ is risen from the dead and become the first-fruits of them who slept 1 Cor. 15. 3 4 5 14 17 20. Though he was crucified through weakness yet he lived by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. Ephes. 1. 19 20. And you being dead c. Hath he quickened together with him c. Through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Col. 2. 12 13. Wait for his son from heaven whom he raised from the dead 1 Thes. 1. 10. Great is the mistery of Godliness God manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit c. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. 8. Now the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus c. Heb. 13. 20. Blessed be God c. who hath begotten us again to a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus c. Who by him do believe in God who raised him up from the dead that our c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 21. Christ c. being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the spirit by the which c. not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. Jesus Christ the first-begotten of the dead Rev. 1. 5. 8thly He ascended into Heaven is our way to the Father our Advocate and Intercessour there So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he is received up into Heaven and sate on the right hand of God Mark 16. 19. Luke 24. 51. Simon behold Satan hath desired you that he might sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22. 31 32. I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture John 10. 9. Jesus saith unto him I am the way and the truth and the life no man cometh to the father but by me John 14. 6. It is expedient for you that I go away c. If I depart I will send the comforter unto you and when he is come he will convince the world c. of righteousness because I go to my father c. I came forth from the father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the father Joh. 16. 7 8 10 16 28. Christ prays for his at large John 17. Jesus said unto her touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my father but go unto my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my father and unto your father and to my God and your God John 20. 17. All that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up c. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion c. When he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight and while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as he went up behold two men c. said ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven This same Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven shall c. Act. 1. 1 2 3 9 10 11. This Jesus c. being by the right hand of God exalted c. For David is not ascended into the heavens but he saith himself The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand c. God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Act. 2. 33 34 36. Jesus c. whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitutions c. Act. 3. 21. Behold said Stephen I see the heavens open and the son of man standing on the right hand of God Act. 7. 56. Who is he who condemneth It is Christ who dyed c. who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. He raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places c. Ephes. 1. 20. But now in Christ Jesus ye who were sometimes far off are made nigh c. Through him we both have an access by one spirit unto the father Now therefore ye are no more strangers but fellow Citizens c. of the houshold of God Ephes. 2. 13 18 19. Jesus our Lord in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith Ephes. 3. 11 12. Christ sitteth on the right hand of God c. Do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Col. 3. 1 17. God was manifest in the flesh c. received up into glory 1 Tim. 3. 16. When he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1. 3. ch 12. 2. Seeing then that we have a great high-Priest who is passed into the heavens Jesus the son of God c. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace c. Heb. 4. 14 15 16. Within the vail whither the fore-runner is for us entered Jesus made an high-Priest for ever Heb. 6. 19 20. He is able also to save them for evermore or to the uttermost who come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them For such an high-Priest became us who is c. made higher than the heavens Heb. 7. 25 26. We have such an high-Priest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens Heb. 8. 1. But Christ being come an high-Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands c. By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place c. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands c. But into Heaven it self now to appear before God for us Heb. 9. 11 12 24. Ephes. 4. 8. After he had offered one sacrifice c. sate down on the right hand of God c. Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated or new made for us c. Let us draw nigh Heb. 10. 12 19 20 21 22. Ye are come to the heavenly Jerusalem c. And to Jesus the Mediatour of the New Testament and to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 22 24. Christ c. once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God
the knowledg of God I speak this to your shame 1 Cor. 15. 34. Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter Can the fig-tree my brethren bear olive-berries either a vine figs So no fountain both yeilds salt-water and fresh Who is a wise man and indued with knowledg among you let him shew out of a good conversation his work with meekness of wisdom But if ye have bitter envying c. this wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual c. James 3. 11 12 13 14. Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 1 Pet. 3. 15. 2dly Of the particular fruits of the Spirit in them or good things appearing or necessary to be in such who are real Saints And Enoch walked with God c. three hundred years c. and Enoch walked with God and was not c. or walked according to God continually Gen. 5. 22 24. Noah was a just man perfect in his generation Noah walked with God Gen. 6. 9. And the Lord said unto Noah Come c. for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation c. and Noe did according to all that God commanded him Gen. 7. 1 5. Abraham went into a strange place out of his own countrey when God bid him Gen. 12. 1 2 3 4. And Abraham said unto Lot Let there be no strife I pray thee between me and thee c. for we be brethren Is not the whole land before thee c. If thou go to the left hand then will I go to the right or if thou to the right hand then I will go to the left Gen. 13. 8 9. And the Angel of the Lord said c. Abraham c. for now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not with-held thy son thine only begotten son from me Gen. 22. 11 12. ch 18 19. When Josephs Mistris tempted him to sin he said How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39. 9. When Pharoah said to Joseph I have heard say of thee thou canst understand a dream to interpret it And Joseph answered Pharoah saying It is not in me God shall give Pharoah an answer of peace Gen. 41. 15 16. chap. 40. 8. And the Lord said unto Moses I have seen this people c. now let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and I will make of thee a great nation And Moses besought the Lord c. saying Wherefore should the Egyptians say For mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains c. remember Abraham Isaac c. to whom thou swarest by thine own self c. Now if thou wilt forgive their sins and if not I pray thee blot me out of thy book which thou hast written Exod. 32. 9 10 11 12 31 32. When Moses was told that Eldad and Medad did prophesie in the Camp and his servant had said to him My Lord Moses forbid them Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake Would God that all the Lords people were prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them Numb 11. 26 27 28 29. God said to Moses I will smite them c. and make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they And Moses said unto the Lord Then the Egyptians shall hear for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from amongst them and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land they have heard that thou Lord art among this people c. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man then the Nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak saying Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness c. Numb 14. 12 13 14 15 16. Deut. 9. 26 27 28. When God had told Moses that he must dye Moses prays for Israel Let the Lord the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation who may go out before them c. that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd c. And he appointed Joshua Numb 27. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. He exhorts Israel at large to cleave to the Lord when he was to dye Deut. 4. 22 23 c. When Israel fell before Ai c. Joshna said O Lord what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear c. and what wilt thou do unto thy great name Joshua 7. 4 5 6 8 9. Joel 2. 17. Eli when he heard the Ark of the Lord was taken he fell backward and dyed and his daughter-in-law cryed out The glory is departed from Israel for the Ark of God is taken Yet she was not so much concerned with the news of her Husbands death and her own being near death at the same time 1 Sam. 4. 17 18 19 20 21 22. Davids heart smote him when he cut off Sauls skirt 1 Sam. 24. 5. When Davids Wife had blamed him for dancing before the Ark he told her It was before the Lord c. I will play before the Lord and I will yet be more vile than thus and will be base in mine own sight 2 Sam. 6. 20 21 22. When King David sate in his house and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies that the King said to Nathan the Prophet See now I dwell in an house of Cedar but the Ark of God dwelleth within curtains c. 2 Sam. 7. 1 2 3 4 5. Uriah said unto David The Ark and Israel and Judah abide in tents and my Lord Joab and the servants are encamped in the open field shall I then go into mine house to eat and to drink and to lye with my wife c. I will not do this thing 2 Sam. 11. 11. I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God for all his judgments were before me and as for his statutes I did not depart from them I was also upright before or to him I have also kept me from mine iniquity 2 Sam. 22. 22 23 24. And Davids heart smote him after that he had numbred the people And David said unto the Lord I have sinned greatly c. And the Lord sent a Pestilence upon Israel for it c. And David said Lo I have sinned I have done wickedly but these sheep what have they done let thine hand be against me and against my
Lord Jer. 31. 10 13 20 28. For the Lord will not cast off for ever but though he cause grief yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies for he doth not afflict willingly Lam. 3. 31 32. Therefore thus saith the Lord God Now will I bring again the Captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel and will be jealous for mine holy name after that they have born their shame c. Ezek. 39. 25 26. Come let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up c. Hos. 6. 1. Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy though I fall I shall arise c. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him until he plead my cause c. he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousness c. Who is a God like unto thee who pardoneth iniquity c he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy he will turn again he will have compassion upon us Mic. 7. 8 9 18 19. Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament c. but your sorrow shall be turned into joy c. ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce Joh. 16. 20 22. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. God is faithful c. but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10. 13. God who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver 2 Cor. 1. 10. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them who trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jeus c. 2 Thes. 1. 6 7. What persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me 2 Tim. 3. 11. The Lord stood with me c. and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4. 17. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations 2 Pet. 2. 9. 11thly That afflictions and persecutions have been the lot of Christ himself and of the Saints in all ages The Disciple is not above his Lord nor the servant above his master it is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master c. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his houshold Fear them not therefore Mat. 10. 24 25 26. If the world hate you you know that it hated me before it hated you c. remember the word that I said unto you The servant is not greater than the Lord if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you Joh. 15. 18 20. We are made a spectacle unto the world and to angels and to men c. even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffetted and have no certain dwelling-place c. being reviled c. persecuted c. we are made as the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things unto this day 1 Cor. 4. 9 11 12 13. There hath no temptation taken you but what is common to man 1 Cor. 10. 13. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus sake 2 Corinth 4. 11. But as then he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was after the spirit even so it is now Gal. 4. 29. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of Witnesses c. let us run with patience the race which is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith who for the joy which was set before him endured the Cross c. for consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest you be wearied and faint in your minds Heb. 12. 1 2 3. Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Jam. 5. 10. Hereunto also are ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion c. whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. How long O Lord c. dost thou not judg and avenge our blood on them who dwell on the earth and it was said unto them That they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow-servants also and their brethren which should be killed as they were should be fulfilled Rev. 6. 10 11. Fourthly What are the Duties of the Saints and how they ought to behave themselves under their afflictions and sufferings both towards God and men 1st Towards God 1st To eye God in them afflictions being sent of him Joseph said to his Brethren it was not you who sent me hither but God Gen. 45. 5 8. I will harden Pharoahs heart that he shall follow after them c. Exod. 14. 4. When Israel wanted water in the desert they did not eye God in it but chide with Moses Numb 20. 2 3. But Sihon King of Heshbon would not let us pass by him for the Lord thy God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate Deut. 2. 30. See now that I even I am he c. I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any who can deliver out of my hand Deut. 32. 39. When Samuel had told Eli what the Lord would do against his house he said It is the Lord 1 Sam. 3. 18. Shimei cursed David c. David said So let him curse because the Lord hath said unto him Curse David who then shall say wherefore 2 Sam. 16. 6 7 8 9 10. Satan said Put forth thine hand c. Job said The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken Job 1. 11 21. Chap. 2. 5. Afflictions cometh not forth of the dust neither doth trouble come out of the ground c. the chastening of the Lord for he maketh sore and bindeth up he woundeth c. Job 5. 6 17 18. chap. 9. 12. I will say unto God c. wherefore contendest thou with me Job 10. 2. chap. 30. 11. God hath overthrown me c. he hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass c. Job 19. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. When he giveth quietness who then can make trouble and when he hideth his face who then can behold him Job 34. 29. I opened not my mouth because thou didst it c. when thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away c. Psal. 39. 9 11. Thou who hast shewed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken
my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever c. He commands all to mourn for him and himself mourned followed him to his funeral 2 Sam. 3. 27 28 29 31 32. So David instead of rejoycing that Ishbosheth was slain commandeth his young men to kill those who slew him 2 Sam. 4. 8 9 10 11 12. When Israel had conquered Judah the Prophet commanded them to let the captives go feed them and clothe them and not insult over them 2 Chron. 28. 9 10 11 c. If I rejoyce at the destruction of him who hated me or lift up my self when evil found him neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul Job 31. 28 29 30. He who is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished Prov. 17. 5. Rejoyce not when thine enemy falleth and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth lest the Lord see it and it displease him and he turn away his wrath from him Prov. 24. 17 18. 3dly To pray for and do good to Persecutors and Enemies If thou seest the asse or ox of thine enemy going astray thou shall c. bring it back c. Exod. 23. 4 5. Miriam had spoken against Moses yet he prays for her against her leprosie Numb 12. 1 10 13. Saul said to David Thou hast rewarded me good whereas I have rewarded thee evil 1 Sam. 24. 17. Israel came and fought against Judah and being overcome Judah shews them kindness 2 Chron. 28. If thine enemy hunger give him bread to eat and if he be thirsty give them water to drink c. Prov. 25. 21. Rom. 12. 20. Seek the peace of the City whither I have caused you to be carried captives and pray unto the Lord for it Jer. 29. 7. I say unto you Love your enemies bless them who curse you do good to them who hate you and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you that you may be the children of your father c. for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil c. If you love them who love you c. do not even the Publicans the same Matth. 5. 44 45 46 47 48. Christ said when upon the cross Father forgive them for they know not what they do Luke 23. 34. They stoned Stephen and he c. cryed with a loud voyce Lord lay not this sin to their charge Acts 7. 59 60. Paul prayed for Agrippa that he were not only almost but altogether as he except his bonds Acts 26. 28 29. Bless them who persecute you c. Wherefore if thine enemy hunger feed him c. be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good Rom. 12. 14 20 21. Being reviled we bless 1 Cor. 4. 12. 4thly To use lawful and honest means for avoiding and easing of and delivering themselves from afflictions and persecutions When Jacob heard of his brother Esau his coming against him he was greatly afraid and distressed and he divided the people that was with him and the flocks c. and said If Esau come to the one company and smite it then the other company which is left shall escape c. And he took of that which came to his hand a present for his brother Esau c. for he said I will appease him with the present which goeth before me c. Gen. 32. 6 7 8 13 20. chap. 33. 8 13 14. Saul sought to smite David c. but he slipt away out of Sauls presence c. and escaped that night Saul also sent messengers unto Davids house to watch him and to slay him c. His wife let him down through a window and he went and fled and escaped 1 Sam. 19. 10 11 12. David consulted with Jonathan about his safety from Saul 1 Sam. 20. Elijah being threatned by Jezebel arose and went for his life c. 1 Kings 19. 2 3. Sanballat c. conspired all of them together to come to fight against Jerusalem and to hinder the work nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God and set a watch against them day and night because of them Nehem. 4. 7 8. Sanballat sent often to Nehemiah to come unto him but he refused because he knew they thought to do him some mischief Nehem. 6. 2 3 4. Esther and Mordecai did many things to procure the Jews escape Esther 8. chap. 9. Jeremy intreated the king that he might not return to the prison lest he should die there Jer. 37. 18 20. When Herod sought Christ to kill him the Angel said to Joseph c. Arise and take the young child c. flee into Egypt and be thou there c. for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him Matth. 2. 13 14 15. Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves c. but when they persecute you in this City flee ye into another Matth. 10. 16 23. The Pharisees c. held a council against him how they might destroy him but when Jesus knew it he withdrew himself from thence c. he charged the multitude not to make him known Matth. 12. 14 15 16. When Jesus heard that John was beheaded he departed thence into a desert-place apart Matth. 14. 12 13. Though Christ was free and ought not to be charged with tribute-money yet he said to Peter Notwithstanding lest we should offend them go c. take and give unto them for thee and me Matth. 17. 24 25 26 27. When Christ had raised the Rulers daughter from the dead he commanded that something should be given her to eat Mark 5. 41 42 43. Jesus walked in Galilee for he would not walk in Jury because the Jews sought to kill him John 7. 1. They took up stones to cast at him but Jesus hid himself and went out c. and so passed by John 8. 59. From that day forth they took counsel together to put him to death Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews but went thence into a country near the wilderness John 11. 53 54. The doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews John 20. 19. When Saul persecuted the Church at Jerusalem the brethren were scattered abroad Acts 8. 1 3 4. chap. 11. 19. The Jews laid wait to kill Paul but their laying wait was known unto Saul and they watched the gates day and night to kill him then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket c. The Grecians went about to slay him which when the brethren knew they brought him down to Cesaria and sent him forth to Tarsus Acts 9. 23 24 25 29 30. ch 19. 30 31. ch 17. 10 14 15. 2 Cor. 11. 32 33. Paul and Barnabas being at Iconium the Jews and Gentiles made an assault to use them despitefully and to stone them they were aware of it and fled into Listra and Derbe c. Acts
be trodden down by it Isa. 28. 14 15 16 18. He who sitteth upon the circle of the earth c. who bringeth the Princes of the earth to nothing he maketh the Judges of the earth as vanity Isa. 40. 22 3. Say to the Prince of Tyrus Thus saith the Lord God because thine heart is lifted up and thou hast said I am a god I sit in the seat of God c. yet thou art a man and not God though thou set thine heart as the heart of God c. therefore thus saith the Lord God c. I will bring strangers upon thee c. and they shall bring thee down to the pit and thou shalt die the death of them c. but thou shalt be a man and no God in the hand of him who slayeth thee Ezek. 28. 2 6 7 8 9. Nebuchadnezzar the king in the height of his pride driven out among the beasts Dan. 4. 30 31 32 33. There is no respect of persons with God Rom. 2. 11. 3dly What are the Duties of Magistrates and what they should be negatively and affirmatively Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness and place over them to be rulers Exod. 18. 16 20 21. Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of the poor in his cause c. and thou shalt take no gift for gifts blindeth the wise c. Exod. 23. 6 8. Deut. 16. 19. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty in righteousness thou shalt judg thy neghbour Levit. 19. 15. Moses when the people had sinned prayed earnestly for them c. Numb 14. 13 c. Deut. 9. 25 26 c. Joshua 7. 7 8 c. Take ye wise men and understanding and known among your tribes and I will make them rulers over you c. And I charged your Judges at that time saying Hear between your brethren and judg righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger with him ye shall not respect persons in judgment you shall hear the small as well as the great you shall not be afraid of the face of a man for the judgment is Gods and the cause which is too hard for you bring it unto me c. Deut. 1. 13 15 16 17. The Lord your God is a God of gods c. who regardeth not persons nor taketh reward he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow Deut. 10. 17 18. Judges and officers c. and they shall judg the people with just judgment thou shalt not wrest judgment thou shalt not respect persons neither take a gift for a gift doth blind c. that which is altogether just shalt thou follow Deut. 16. 18 19 20. Thou shalt in any wise set a king over thee whom the Lord thy God shall chuse one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee thou maist not set a stranger over thee who is not thy brother but he shall not multiply horses to himself c. And it shall be that when he shall sit upon the throne of the kingdom that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book c. and it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this law c. that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren and that he turn not aside from the Commandment Deut. 17. 15 16 17 18 19 20. If there be a controversie between men and they shall come unto judgment that the Judges may judg them then they shall justifie the righteous and condemn the wicked Deut. 25. 1. Samuel his sons walked not in his ways but turned aside after lucre and took bribes and perverted judgment 1 Sam. 8. 1 3. And David executed judgment and justice unto all his people 2 Sam. 8. 15. He who ruleth over men must be or be thou ruler over men just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23. 3. When the plague was upon Israel for Davids sins he said Lo I have sinned and done wickedly but these sheep what have they done Let thine hand be against me and against my fathers house c. 2 Sam. 24. 17. Solomon said Give therefore thy servant an understanding-heart to judg thy people that I may discern between good and bad c. And the speech pleased the Lord 1 Kings 3. 7 8 9 10. Rehoboam took the counsel of the young men and rejected the old mens advice and answered the people roughly and said He would add to their burdens and not ease them whereupon many of the tribes revolt and chuse them a King 2 Chron. 10. He was going to fight against Israel but God forbid him 2 Chron. 11. 1 4. Jehoshaphat c. sent to his Princes to Benhail and to Obadiah c. to teach in the Cities of Judah and with them Levites even Shemajah c. and they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the Cities of Judah and taught the people 2 Chron. 17. 7 8 9. Jehoshaphat said to the Judges Take heed what you do for ye judg not for man but for the Lord who is with you in the judgment wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you take heed and do it for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts 2 Chron. 19. 6 7. Jehoshaphat in a time of danger stood in the congregation in the house of the Lord and prayed himself with them and for them there 2 Chron. 20. 2 3 to the 13. Nehemiah saith From the time that I was appointed to be their governour c. I and my brethren have eaten the bread of the governour but the former governours c. were chargeable unto the people c. yea even their servants bear rule over the people but so did not I because of the fear of God c. Nehem. 5. 14 15 16 18. I gave my brother Hanani and Hanania c. charge over Jerusalem for he was a faithful man and feared God above many Nehem. 7. 2. I was a father to the poor and the cause which I knew not I searched out and I brake the jaws of the wicked and pluckt the spoil out of his teeth Job 29. 16 17. Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Psal. 2. 10 11. The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men or the vilest of the sons of men are exalted Psal. 12. 10. Man in honour and understandeth not is like the beast who perisheth Psal. 49. 20. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty he judgeth among the gods How long will ye judg unjustly and accept the
17 18 19 20 21. Acts 13. 14 15 16 17 18. chap. 17. 1 2 3. There was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad c. except the Apostles c. therefore they who were scattered abroad went every-where preaching the word Acts 8. 1 4. Now they who were scattered c. when they were come to Antioch spake unto the Grecians preaching the Lord Jesus and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord Acts 11. 19 20 21. Apollos an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures c. he taught diligently the things of the Lord knowing only the baptism of John c. who when Aquilla and Priscilla had taught the way of God more perfectly did mightily convince the Jews and that publickly shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ Acts 18. 24 25 26 27 28. Think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office So we being many c. Having then gifts differing according to the grace which is given to us whether prophecy let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith c. Or he that teacheth on teaching or he who exhorteth on exhortation c. he who ruleth with diligence Rom. 12. 3 4 5 6 7 8. I my self am also perswaded of you my brethren that ye also are full of goodness filled with knowledg able also to admonish one another Rom. 15. 14. I thank my God c. that in every thing ye are inriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledg 1 Cor. 1. 4 5. Now there are diversity of gifts but the same spirit c. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledg c. To another faith c. to another prophecy c. But all these worketh that one and the self-same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will c. If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body c. God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him c. Are all Apostles c Have all the gift of healing do all speak with tongues c But covet earnestly the best gifts 1 Cor. 12. 4 7 8 9 11 15 18 28 29 30 31. Desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye may prophesie c. He who prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort c. He edifieth the Church c. Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church c. If all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not c. he is convinced of all c. will report that God is in you of a truth How is it brethren that when ye come together every one of you hath a psalm c. let all things be done to edifying c. Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judg If any thing be revealed to another who sitteth by let the first hold his peace For ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets For God c. Let your women keep silence in the Churches c. Wherefore brethren covet to prophesie c. Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 1 3 4 5 12 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 32 33 34 39 40. We also believe therefore speak 2 Cor. 4. 13. As ye abound in every thing in faith and utterance and knowledg 2 Cor. 8. 7. Many of the brethren of the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word c. Some preach Christ out of envy c. What then c Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce c. Phil. 1. 14 15 16 17 18. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another Col. 3. 16. Comfort or exhort one another with these words 1 Thess. 4. 18. Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do 1 Thess. 5. 11. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief c. But exhort one another daily c. lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 12 13. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God Heb. 5. 12. Let us consider one another c. not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as-the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the c. Heb. 10. 24 25. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God if any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. Of other acts done in and by these particular Churches in sending out messengers to other churches and upon occasions determining of controversies in religious matters writing and sending Epistles and ordering other affairs Of their meeting together in order hereto and receiving and hearing such Epistles the Epistles directed to the whole body and they concerned in it When tidings of the gentiles receiving the Gospel came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch c. When the dearth was prophesied of the Disciples every man according to his ability determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judea Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul Acts 11. 20 21 22 28 29 30. Paul and Barnabas coming to Antioch gathered the church together and rehearsed all that God had done with them and how c. Acts 14. 26 27. When the matter of circumcision was in dispute in the Church at Antioch they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and the Elders about this question And being brought on their way by the Church c. when they were come to Jerusalem they were received by the Church and of the Apostles c. All the multitude kept silence and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul c. Then James spake c. Then pleased it the Apostles and elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch c. and wrote letters by them after this manner
they were not of us c. they went out that they might be manifest c. 1 John 2. 19. Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead c. I have not found thy work perfect before God c. The Church of the Laodiceans c. I know thy works that thou art neither hot nor cold c. Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and poor and blind and naked c. Rev. 3. 1 2 14 15 17. See persecution from Professors Chap. 22. See Sincerity Chap. 16. See Characters of Saints Chap. 12. The great danger of Hypocrisie and formality and end of Hypocrites The hypocrites hope shall perish whose hope shall be cut off and whose trust shall be a spiders web he shall lean upon his house but it shall not stand he shall hold it fast but it shall not endure Job 8. 13 14 15. He also is my salvation for an hypocrite shall not come before him Job 13. 16. The congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate c. Job 15. 34. He who speaketh flattery to his friend the eyes of his children shall fail Job 17. 5. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment though his excellency mount up unto the heavens and his head reach unto the clouds he shall perish for ever like his own dung they who have seen him shall say Where is he and he shall flee away as a dream and shall not be found the eye also which saw him shall see him no more c. Job 20. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 c. What is the hope of the hypocrite when he hath gained when God taketh away his soul will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him Job 27. 8 9. The hypocrites in heart heap up wrath Job 36. 13. O Assyrian the rod of mine anger c. I will send him against an hypocritical nation and against the people of my wrath c. Isa. 10. 5 6. Wo unto them who seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord and their works are in the dark and they say Who seeth us and who knoweth Isa. 29. 15 16. The sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites c. who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire c Isa. 33. 14. Behold all ye who kindle a fire who compass your selves about with sparks walk in the light of your fire and in your sparks which ye have kindled this shall ye have of my hand ye shall lye down in sorrow Isa. 50. 11. I will declare thy righteousness and thy works for they shall not profit thee Isa. 57. 12. Trust ye not in lying words saying The temple of the Lord c. Behold ye trust in lying words which cannot profit c. therefore will I do to this house c. wherein ye trust c. as I have done to Shiloh and I will cast you out of my sight Jer. 7. 4 8 9 10 11. I will punish all them who are circumcised with the uncircumcised Egypt c. all these nations are uncircumcised and all the house of Israel uncircumcised in the heart Jer. 9. 25 26. Ye dissembled in your hearts when ye sent me unto the Lord your God c. Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword by the famine c. Jer. 42. 19 20 21 22. Cursed be the deceiver who hath in his flock a male c. and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing Mal. 1. 14. Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted it is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men c. I say unto you That except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of hâ—…ven Matth. 5. 13 20. Many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord Have we not prophesied in thy name c and then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye who work iniquity Matth. 7. 22 23. Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up let them alone c. If the blind lead the blind both shall fall c. Matth. 15. 13 14. When Christ found nothing but leaves on the fig-tree he said Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever and presently it withered away c. Jesus said to the Priests c. Publicans and Harlots go into the kingdom of God before you Matth. 21. 19 23 29 30. 31. When the king came c. he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment and he sad unto him Friend how camest thou hither c and he was speechless then said the king to his servants bind him c. and cast him into outer darkness there shall be weeping c. Matth. 22. 11 12 13. Wo unto the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites often pronounced Matth. 23. 13 14 15 16 23 25 27 29. Whosoever hath not from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have or thinketh he hath Luke 8. 18. Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisie c. he who knoweth his masters will and doth not according shall be beaten with many stripes Luke 12. 1 47. James 4. 17. They shall begin to say We have eat and drank in thy presence c. but he shall say I know you not whence you are depart from me all ye workers c. Ye shall see Abraham c. in the kingdom of God and you thrust out Luk. 13. 25 26 27 28. Ye are they who justifie your selves but God knows your hearts for that which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. â—…5 Every branch which beareth not fruit in me he taketh away John 15. 2. Ananias and Saphira both smote with death for their hypocrisie Acts 5. 5 10. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against c. men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. A double minded-man is unstable in all his ways James 1. 8. The Jews c. forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved to fill up their sins always for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost 1 Thess. 2. 16. CHAP. XXIX Of the Conscience AND it came to pass afterwards that Davids heart smote him because he had cut off Sauls skirt and he said unto his men The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master the Lords anointed to stretch forth my hand against him c. 1 Sam. 24. 5 6. And Davids heart smote him after that he had numbred the people and David said unto the Lord I have sinned greatly in that I have done 2 Sam. 24. 10. chap. 12. 13. When Josiah had heard the words of the book of the law that
21. The parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus Luke 16. 20 c. Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come c. Luke 21. 34. How can ye believe who receive honour one from another and seek not the honour which cometh from God only John 5. 44. Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that which endureth c. John 6. 27. He is of age ask him c. These words spake his parents because they feared the Jews for the Jews had agreed already That if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue therefore said his parents c. John 9. 21 22 23. Among the chief rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God John 12. 42 43. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world John 16. 33. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil John 17. 15. Jesus answered My kingdom is not of this world if my kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight that I should not c. John 18. 36. Pilate sought to release Jesus but the Jews cryed out saying If thou let this man go thou art not Cesars friend c. When Pilate therefore heard that saying he brought Jesus forth c. John 19. 12 13 15 16. What house will ye build for me saith the Lord c Hath not my hand made all these things c Acts 7. 48 49 50. chap. 14. 15 17. When Saul had cast out the evil spirit out of the damsel and her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone they caught Paul and Silas c. and said That they did exceedingly trouble the City c. Acts 16. 18 19 20 21. God who made the world c. he is Lord of heaven and earth c. He giveth to all life c. and all things Acts 17. 24 25. So Demetrius a Silver-smith and others of the same trade who made silver-shrines for Diana c. complained against Paul for prâ—…aching the Gospel cryed up Diana because they were like to lose their gain if men esteemed not of Diana as a goddess Acts 19. 24 25 26 27. Your selves know that these hands of mine have ministred to my necessities and them who were with me I have shewed you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus how he said It is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20. 33 34 35. The carnal mind is enmity against God it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8. 7. Make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Rom. 13. 14. Ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise c. that no flesh should glory c. 1 Cor. 1. 26 27 28 29. The time is short it remaineth that both they who have wives be as though they had none and they who weep as though they wept not and they who rejoyce as if they rejoyced not and they who buy as though they possessed not and they who use this world as not abusing it for the fashion of this world passeth away c. He who is marryed careth for the things which are of this world how he may please his wife 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31 32 33. The Devil is called the god of this world 2 Cor. 4. 4. The sorrow of the world worketh death 2 Cor. 7. 10. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye always having all sufficiency c. 2 Cor. 9. 8. Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God c. Gal. 1. 4. The flesh lusteth against the spirit c. so that ye cannot do the thing that ye would Gal. 5. 17. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom or whereby the world is crucified to me and I unto the world Gal. 6. 14. Covetousness let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints c. for this ye know that no whoremonger c. nor covetous man who is an Idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God Ephes. 5. 3 5. Whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things Phil. 3. 19. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication c. let your request be made known to God c. I have learned that in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content I know how to be abased and how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need c. but my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ Phil. 4. 6 12 19. Set your affections or mind on things above not on things on the earth c. Mortifie therefore your members c. inordinate affections evil concupiscence and covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3. 2 5. Meats which God hath created to be received c. for every creature of God is good and nothing to c. 1 Tim. 4. 3 4. She who liveth in pleasure or delicately is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5. 6. Godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into the world it is certain we can carry nothing out and having food and raiment let us be therewith content but them who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition for the love of mony is the root of all evil which while some coveted after have erred from the faith and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows but thou O man flee these things c. Charge them who be rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth all things richly to enjoy that they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute c. laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come 1 Tim. 6. 6 7 8 9 10 11 17 18 19. Endure
Solomon died Rehoboam reigned in his stead 1 Kings 11. 9 10 11 12 29 30 31 35 36 37 43. All Israel came to Shechem to make Rehoboam king the people proposing ease and Rehoboam refusing to grant it the cause was from the Lord that he might perform what he had said ten tribes fell off from him And when all Israel had heard that Jeroboam was come again they sent and called him to the congregation and made him king over all Israel When Rehoboam intended by sorce to reduce them God forbid it and said This thing is from me only Judah subjected to Rehoboam 1 Kings 12. 1 2 3 4 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24. Go tell Jeroboam thus saith the Lord God of Israel Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people and made thee Prince over my people Israel and rent the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it unto thee c. Jeroboam died and Nadab his son reigned in his stead over Israel Rehoboam died and Abijam his son reigned in his stead over Judah 1 Kings 14. 7 8 20 31. Abijam died and Asa his son reigned over Judah Asa died and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead over Judah Baasha conspired against Nadab king of Israel and smote him and reigned in his stead over Israel 1 Kings 15. 8 24 26 27 28. The word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hananiah against Baasha saying Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust and made thee Prince over my people Israel and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam Behold I will take away the posterity of Baasha c. Baasha died Elah his son reigned in his stead Zimri one of Elah his servants conspired against him and smote him and killed him and reigned in his stead over Israel But when Israel being in the Camp heard of it they made Omri the Captain of the Host king that day in the Camp of Israel Zimri is burnt Then half the people followed Tibni to make him king and half followed Omri Tibni died and Omri prevailed and reigned he died and Ahab his son reigned in his stead 1 Kings 16. 1 2 3 6 9 10 16 18 21 22 28. God appointed Elijah to anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel Ahab being then alive 1 Kings 19. 16. Ahab the king of Israel was slain in the battel and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead over Israel Jehoshaphat king of Judah died and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead over Judah 1 Kings 22. 34 35 40 50. Ahaziah the king of Israel died and Jehoram reigned in his stead over Israel because he had no son 2 Kings 1. 17. Joram otherwise Jehoram the king of Judah died and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead over Judah 2 Kings 8. 24 25. Elisha sent one of the children of the Prophets to Jehu the Captain of the host of Israel to anoint him king over Israel Jehoram the king being yet living in Jezreel and wounded when the young man anointed him he said Thus saith the Lord God of Israel I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord even over Israel and thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master that I may avenge c. Then the army proclaimed him king then Jehu killed Jehoram king of Israel c. and also Ahaziah the king of Judah was slain by Jehu 2 Kings 9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 13 14 24 27. And the Lord said unto Jehu Because thou hast done well in executing that which was right in mine eyes and hast done unto the house of Ahab according unto all which was in my heart thy children of the fourth generaration shall sit on the throne of Israel Jehu died and Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead over Israel 2 Kings 10. 30 35. Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw her son was dead she killed the blood-royal except Joash who was hid and reigned over Judah Jehojada caused Jehoash or Joash to be made king and sit upon the throne and Athaliah to be slain 2 Kings 11. Jehoash was slain by two of his servants who conspired against him and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead over Judah 2 Kings 12. 20 21. Jehoahaz dyed and Joash his son reigned in his stead over Israel Joash dyed and Jeroboam sat upon his throne over Israel 2 Kings 13 9 13. chap. 14. 16. They made a conspiracy against Amaziah and slew him And the people of Judah took Azariah his son and made him king over Judah Jeroboam king of Israel dyed and Zachariah his son reigned over Israel 2 Kings 14. 19 20 21 29. Azariah king of Judah dyed and Jotham his son reigned in his stead Shallum conspired against Zachariah king of Israel and slew him before the people and reigned in his stead 2 Kings 15. 7 8 9 10. Menahem smote Shallum king of Israel and slew him and reigned in his stead Menahem dyed and Pekaliah his son reigned in his stead over Israel Pekah one of his Captains conspired against him smote him killed him and others and reigned in his room over Israel Hoshea made a conspiracy against Pekah king of Israel and smote him and slew him and reigned in his stead Jotham the king of Judah dyed and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead 2 Kings 15. 13 14 22 25 30 38. Ahaz king of Judah dyed Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead over Judah 2 Kings 16. 20. And Hezekiah slept with his fathers and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead over Judah 2 Kings 20. 21. Manasseh the king of Judah dyed and Amon his son reigned in his stead The servants of Amon king of Judah conspired against him and slew the king in his own house The people of the land slew the Conspirators and made Josiah the son of Amon king in his stead he reigned over Judah 2 Kings 21. 18 23 24 26. Josiah is slain by Pharaoh king of Egypt the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in his fathers stead Pharoah puts Jehoahaz out and set up Eliakim Jehoahaz his son in his stead and called him Jehoiakim 2 Kings 23. 29 30 33 34. Jehoiakim dyed and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead over Judah Jehoiachin is carryed away captive to Babylon and the king of Babylon made Mattaniah king in his stead and called him Zedekiah 2 Kings 24. 6 15 17. Zedekiah the King and all carryed captive 2 Kings 25. See Magistrates Chap. 24. CHAP. XLV Of Sacrifices and Altars and calling upon the name of the Lord before the giving of the Law CAin brought of the fruits of the ground an offering unto the Lord and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof and the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect c. Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord Gen. 4. 2 3 4 5 26. Noah builded an altar unto the Lord and took of every clean beast and of every clean fowl and offered burnt-offerings on the altar and the Lord smelled a sweet savour or a savour of rest Gen. 8. 20 21. And the Lord appeared unto Abram and said Unto thy seed will I give this land and there builded he an altar unto the Lord who appeared unto him c. and he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent c. and there builded an altar unto the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord Gen. 12. 7 8. Afterwards when Abram came again to the place on the east of Bethel unto the place of the altar which he had made there at first and there Abram called upon the name of the Lord c. Then Abram removed his tent and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre c. and builded there an altar to the Lord Gen. 13. 3 4 18. Abram planted a grove or a tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord the everlasting God Gen. 21. 33. Isaac said Here is the fire and the wood but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering c Abram built an altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood c. Then Abram took the ram and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son Gen. 22. 7 8 9 13. The Lord appeared unto Isaac at Beersheba and he builded an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there Gen. 26. 24 25. Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount when Laban came to him Gen. 31. 54. And Jacob came to Shalem and pitched his tent before the City and he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel that is God the God of Israel Gen. 33. 18 19 20. And God said unto Jacob Arise go up to Bethel and dwell there and make there an altar unto God who appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother Then Jacob said unto his houshold and unto all who were with him c. Let us arise and go up unto Bethel and I will make there an altar unto God who answered me in the day of my distress c. And he built there an altar and called the place El-Bethel c. the God of Bethel Gen. 35 1 2 3 6 7. And Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Jacob Gen. 46. 1. Moses directed of God to say unto Pharoah Let us go we beseech thee three days journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God Exod. 3. 18. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah-Nissi that is the Lord my Banner for he said Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek c. Exod. 17. 14 15 16. And Jethro Moses father-in-law took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God Exod. 18. 12. God when he had given the law upon mount Sinai he then did command the building of an altar and the offering of sacrifices Exod. 20. 24 25 26. FINIS