twenty hours An hundred Sheep with Harts and fallow Deer Roe-buck and Foules for each day of the yeer Appointed were such was the Majesty Of Solomon who was wise and mighty He for Charets had fourtie thousand stalls Of Horses fair and as the Scripture tells Twelve thousand Horsemen skilfull and mighty Were for the glory of his Majesty In all his time the GOD of peace JOVAH Made peace from Dan even to Beershebah To him GOD gave with great largenesse of heart Much understanding in all sorts of art He was more wise then Ethan and Chalcol Then Heman Darda the sons of Mahol Of godly proverbs three thousand he spake A thousand and five songs were at their back Of trees he spake ev'n from the Cedars tall Unto the Hyssop that springs from the wall Of beasts of foules he spake of creeping things Of fishes al 's whose vertue profite brings To mortall men whose health and nourriture Depend much on the secrets of nature Then great Monarchs from all the earth did come To get from him some lessons of wisdome Then Hiram hearing Solomon made King From Tyre he sent men congratulating That Davids Son was set upon the throne Of Davids friends he was a speciall one Then Solomon to Hiram did declare How David could not in a time of warre Build for the Lord a house of Majestie Adorned with rarest things of beautie But now said he on every side is rest Therefore to build for God I think it best From thee Hiram the Cedar and the Fir Must now be had thy servants must now stir Their time and serve for none can skill to hew Timber like these of Sidon where they grew Then Hiram glad of Solomons designe Offred to do at his desire each thing My men said he these trees unto the sea Shall bring and my houshold furnish'd by thee With food shall be this shall be our bargaine Unto the end all things shall so remaine Then to Hiram he gave of victuall good Twentie thousand measures of wheat for food With twentie measures of oyle pure each year These two did make a league for peace and war When this was done wise Solomon did then Raise a levie of thirtie thousand men To Lebanon ten thousand were by course Sent each moneth to provide for Gods house To beare burdens threescore thousand and ten He had with these were fourscore thousand men Who on the mountains were for him hewers Besides other many cheefe officers Three thousand and three hundred did beare rule Over the rest who wrought with workmans tool They all busie each man wrought in his course To cut to hew to square to build Gods house The length thereof threescore the breadth twentie Were of cubits the height thereof thirtie All things before were so wisely prepar'd That in building no sound of toole was heard Then was that house with pomp and Majestie Adorned so that it was faire to see The Oracle spangled with golden sparres Was like the heav'n imboss'd with twinckliâ—â— starres For Gods presence it seem'd to be a shrine From end to end with glory it did shine The Ark was there of gold and shittim wood The Cherubins princely upon it stood This type of Heav'n with beauties manifold From top to ground was burnished with gold From end to to end from the base to seeling Seven yeers were spent in that painefull buildinâ— When all was finish'd Solomon that day Both bless'd the people and to God did pray Solomons Prayer O God the Lord who art most rich in grace Hearken all prayers made towards thâ— place If any man ' gainst his neighbour trespasse Then hear in heaven that justice may have place If by their foes Isra'l oppressed be Then heare in Heav'n and help them speedilie When heaven is shut up and there is no raine Then heare in Heaven a helper then remaine If thou shalt scourge with pest blasting mildew Then heare in heav'n when Isra'l to thee sue What ever plague be in thy peoples heart Then heare in Heaven and help them in their smart When poore sinners shall heere thee come unto Then heare in Heav'n frankly forgive and do If strangers come for heere to seeke thy grace Then heare in heav'n thy pleasant dwelling place If thy people heere ' gainst their foes compleane Then heare in heav'n and their good cause maintaine If sinners cry repenting from their heart Then heare in heav'n and ease them of their smart Thus Solomon this precious houre did spend â—n blessing praying so he made an end When this was done in the dedication Of Gods house he made a great oblation Of Oxen great twenty thousand and two An hundred thousand and twenty also Of sheep he offred at this great service Which was a great and royall sacrifice The Queene of Sheba hearing of his name Which through the earth was exalted with fame Came with great pomp hard questions to move That she thereby his great wisedome might prove But he all doubts that then were in her heart Resolv'd clearely before she did depart When she his glory did right well consider Her sprite within did faile her altogether When she reviv'd was from her wondring sowne She high extoll'd Solomons great wisedome Now doe I know said shee most perfectlie The truth of these things which I heard of thee I heard great things of thy most glorious name But thy presence doth far surpasse thy fame Most happy are thy men and most happy Are thy servants that may thee heare dayly Blessed be God the great God eternall Who hath thee made the Prince of Israel Then Shebas Queene before she tooke her leave To him rich stones spices with gold did give And he againe gave unto her richly Great things of worth most precious and coastly He was enrich'd with blessings manifold He made two hundred targets of fine gold Three hundred shields of beaten gold he made Which in his house of Lebanon were laide He also made a Throne of yvorie And ov'rlaid it with fine gold most richlie Six golden Lions on each side were set A Lion placed was at every step His drinking vessels were all of pure gold He was enrich'd with blessings manifold In wealth all Kings on earth he did surmount In his time silver was in no account Silver like stones Cedars like Sycomore Were base and vile yea so were more and more But oh alas what could this wise man move Women of Moab and Edom to love With Pharaohs daughter women of Ammon He had with Hittits women of Sidon Women also he had concerning such In mariage the Lord forbade to touch Seven hundred wives three hundred concubins He had for pleasure but oh by this meanes When he was old his wisedome did depart These wives from God did turne away his heart The true worship of God he did reject His heart was not like his fathers perfect As though he had not learned in Gods schoole With goddesses and gods he play'd the fool He serv d Ashtoreth
their ownâ— eyes For they at last perceived well and thought That this whole work of our great GOD waâ— wrought Moreover then the Nobles of Judah Sent many letters unto Tobiah And he to them for in Judah forlorne And wicked men had then unto him sworne And he to them for he was son in law To Shechaniah the son of Arah Also his son then called Johanan Had mar'd the daughter of Meshullam Also they did his good deeds before me Report that I to wrath might kindled be What wordes I spake they made him them 〈◊〉 heare And Tobiah wrot for to cause me feare Chap. 7. IT came to passe that when fair Salems wall Was builded and the doores were set up all When the porters and all the singers sweet With Levits were appointed as was meet 〈◊〉 to my brother called Hanani Over Salem then gave the charge quicklie As also to the good Hananiah Who was faithfull and did feare great Jovah 〈◊〉 said unto them See they not forgot That Salems gates untill the Sun was hote Should not be op'ned and that carefully Both day and night they should watch the câ—ty Now the city indeed was large and great But the people were very few in it The houses al 's were not in every part Well builded then my GOD put in mine heart To gather all the Nobles for to see To reckon evry mans genealogie So we found out the Register anone Of them which first came out of Bayylon Habajahs sons were put from the Priest-hood Because that they by Register make good Could not to shew their right genealogie So they no more as Priests might reckned be The governour then said as was most meet That holy things these men no more should eate Till their stood up at last a faithfull Priest With Vrim and with Tummim on his breast At this time the people were lesse and more Fourty two thousand three hundred threescore Besides these were servants numbred rightly Seven thousand three hundred seven and thirty They had of men two hundred fourtie five And women who to sing sweetly did strive The Tirshatha at these occasions With others gave right large oblations So God forgetting their iniquities Made Israel to dwell in their cities Chap. 8. THen the people gathred from every tribe Came all unto Ezra the Priest and scribe Desireing h m that he would take in hand To read and make them for to understand The law of God So Ezra stood to read And to expound the people all gave head And that he might be better understood He stood upon a Pulpit made of wood Ezra there standing did blesse the Lord then The people all answ'red Amen Amen With lifted hands their heads they bowed dowâ— And dâ—d worship with faces to the ground Then Jeshuah Hodijah and Bani With others read Gods law book distinctly And gave the sence in each difficle thing And causd them to understand the reading Then Nehemiah the Tirshatha great With Ezra Levites who the people taught Said to the people Now with one accord Rejoice this day is holy to the Lord See that to mourne or weep yee stand in aw For all did weep when they did heare the Law Then said he to them as he thought most meet Goe eat the fat and also drinke the sweet Send portions let nothing now be spared To help these for whom nothing is prepared Be not now sory but rejoice at length For that the joy of the LORD is your strength Thus the Levits with their most holy skill So taught the people that they all were still Now hold your peace to them there they did say Neither be greev'd for holy is this day Then all the people as they thought most meet Did go away both for to drink and eat And to send portions and to make great mirth Because they had heard GODS word of great worth Then gathred were upon the second day Numbers to hear what Ezra scribe would say Both Priests Levits and people in a band Came unto Ezra for to understand The law of GOD then found they that Isra'l In booths of branches once a year should dwell And that they should with diligence the same In all the cities of the land proclame So all the people for to shun reproof As Ezra bade made booths upon the roof Of their houses and some made in the street Some in GODS court as they thought fit aâ— meet Since Joshuas dayes Isra'l had not done so Then all rejoic'd as was enjoin'd to do The people then forgetting their distresse Were filled all with joy and great gladnesse Then Ezra wise a worthy man indeed In the book of Gods law did dayly read Seven dayes the feast they keeped the eight daâ— Was most solemne that done they went away Chap. 9. NOw of this mon'th in the twentie fouâ— day The children of Isra'l without delay Assembled were with sackcloth and fasting And earth upon them a signe of mourning Then from all strangers Israels holy seed Did separate themselves and did indeed Confesse their sins before the Lord right soone And al 's the sins which their fathers had done â—hen as they were directed by GODS grace â—ith reverence they stood up in their place â—ne fourth part of the day they read Gods law â—nother fourth part they confessd with awe â—heir greevous sins and that with one accord â—hat done in feare they worshipped the Lord. Then on the staires the Levites by and by â—o standing up unto the Lord did cry â—hen other Levits said with one accord â—tand up and blesse for ever yee the Lord â—hy glorious name for ever blessed be â—hich is extoll'd above blessings most hie â—hou even thou art the mighty Lord alone â—y thee the Heav'ns the Heav'n of Heav'ns were done â—ith all their hoste the Earth and all that be â—herein with what doth swimme in the deep sea â—hou by thy power dost preserve them all â—hey at thy feet to worship thee downe fall Thou art the LORD who diddest choose Abram â—rom Vr of Calde whom thou Abraham Didst call after and foundest most surely His heart to be most faithfull before thee With him in mercy thou being contenâ— Made a most sure and solemne Covenant To give the land of wicked Cananits Of Hittits and the profane Perizzits And Ammorits and Girgashites by grace To these who should be of Abrahams race What Thou hast said Thou hast performed now For in all things most righteous art thou The troubles of our Fathers thou didst see And heardst their cry even hard by the 〈◊〉 sea And shewedst signes and wonders to Pharo And on his servants and people also For Thou didst knowe how that they deâ— proudly Against them so a Name Thou didst gâ— Thee As clearely it appeares to us this day Yea before Thee we must confesse aâ— say Thou before them the red sea didst divide So that the waves were walls on every side â—hey stood up straight as thou diddest command â—hat thy people might walke
good Abraham not to feare To give to GOD what is to us most deare He was renown'd both for his workes and faiâ— Let all men strive to walk in the same path That they at last may get a heavenly crowne And with Abraham at Table sit downe SARAI My Mistresse SARAH Mistresse of a multitude MY Mistresse Sarai Sarah multitude The letter H a promise doth include â—en thou was untill thy customes past 〈◊〉 great JOVAH brought Isaac at the last â—en GOD did speake thou leugh behinde the doore â—s was thy fault thou was reprov'd therefore â—er thy Smiling Smelling of thy scorn â—D made thee laugh after Isaac was borne â—s grave matron in house the most time spent â—ere is Sarah behold her in the tent Kiriatharbah Sarah sick and pale â—ast by death laid down her mortall vale The Use 〈◊〉 women all both old and young heere learne 〈◊〉 love their tent more then the wine taverne 〈◊〉 is most seemely that when any come 〈◊〉 seek them then they finde them at their home The whoores marke is as Solomon hâ— try'd Within the house her feet do not abide ISHMAEL God shall heare ABRAHAMS Son which Hagar first bear Doth signifie that God the Lord shall heare In younger yeares to scorne thou soone began To persecute to live like a wild man Cast out said Sarah this fool full of rage For with Isaac he shall have no partage The Use Take heede O Youth bee not like this 〈◊〉 lorne Who wanting grace eartly began to scorn Fyon vaine man who to scoff slily slips VVith mouth awry and his wide yavvniâ— lips No surer signe to be burnt vvith hells fire Than on this earth to sit in scorners chire ISAAC Laughter or joy BEhold and see Isaac a joyfull name Which brings laughter to all that heare the same â—r from his loins as Scripture doth record â—me JESUS CHRIST our onely KING and LORD â—D was his fear he liv'd a holy life â—o concubine Rebeccah was his wife â—s first Son Esau by his venison â—id still conquere his best affection â—t great JOVAH by Jacobs Kids did move â—im to bestow the blessing on his love â—o blesse Esau he doth what he best can â—t his blinde eyes can not discerne the man â—is hearing eare soone Jacobs voice did know â—ut the Kid-skinnes said sure this is Esau â—e living long after his eyes were lost â—ld full of dayes at last gave up the ghost The Use â—o be profaine to ravell eke forbeare â—earne of good Isaac the great God to fear Too many luske in sloath and lose that gaiâ— At first they wex at last they do but wainâ— Let us therefore our false hearts sift so neerâ— That of such guilt the Lord may hold us clâ— In good Isaac this comfort men may finde That good men may be dumb or deaf or blâ— REBEKAH Fat lustie REBEKAH fat and in body lusty A wife for Isaac pleasant to the eye Bethuels Labans fathers brothers love Her heart to stay from Isaac could not move Heare now said they the Damsells yea or no I will said She most gladly to him go Shee meeting Isaac in the evening tide Under a vaile her comely face did hide She lighted down with most hearty submission Her vaile declar'd her most humble subjection She feared GOD She loved the right path Her soule abhor'd the vile idoles of Heth The Sprite of GOD her holy heart did move To like the Lad whom GOD himself did loâ— Isaac lov'd Esau She lov'd Jacob best The man whom GOD allowed to be blest 〈◊〉 wonder how a woman this could finde â—herein Isaac God seer was so blinde The Use â—hold how GOD to baser will reveale â—hat which he will from cleare seers conceale â—is graces where he likes do spring and sprout â—ost free he is else where to send them out â—he weakst vessell he for his service â—n steele and strengthen without prejudice ESAU Made perfected BEhold ESAU made perfect like a Lade Of greater strength not weakly like a Babe 〈◊〉 his great strength a passage he did finde â—nd left poor Jacob at his heels behinde â—ed he was now heare the exposition â—holerick cruell without all compassion â—he red Dragon to all did signifie â—hat rednesse is a signe of crueltie â—hile other babes are borne both smooth and bare â—ll of him was like mantle of haire What others say from you I will not hide The Greek translateth all like a rough hide This man profane as is in Scripture told His birthright spent yea it for potage sold This Belly-god to his eternall shame From red potage got Edom for his name Hated of GOD profane in all his cariage With godlesse Heth he matched in his mariagâ— He liv'd a Prince sojourning in Mount Seir He turn'd his back upon his fathers fear The Use Beware with Esau for an earthlie thing For back or belly to losse the blessing Better it is in open field to ly Quiv'ring for cold no cov'ring but the sky Pinch'd with famine like a pale feeble wigâ— Then for this earth Gods good blessings to sliâ— JACOB The heele HEere is the man so called from the heele Who for wrestling was called Israel Belov d of GOD as soone as he began Prince with God that should prevaile with man â—e youngest twin beloved of his mother â—t for GODS grace dâ—sdained of his brother â—hen he blessed perceiv'd his brothers eye â—arkling with fire to Laban he did flie 〈◊〉 lodge at home for him it was not safe 〈◊〉 past Jordan a poore man with his staffe 〈◊〉 this journey he lighted on a place â—z called Bethel because of GODS grace 〈◊〉 ladder there he saw in his good dreame â—ose top did reach unto the Starrie Heav'n 〈◊〉 this ladder the Angels Sprits of love â—ent down and up JEHOVAH stood above â—m thence he spake to Iacob in his dreame â—m thy GOD who am the GOD of Hâ—av'n â—s land shall thee and al 's thy children feede 〈◊〉 will give to thee and to thy seede â—ill thee blesse with great posteritie 〈◊〉 all the earth in thee shall blessed be â—ile this wrestler who in wrestling did weep â—rd thus GOD speak he wakened out of sleepe 〈◊〉 heart trembled and pale was all his face 〈◊〉 said afraide how dreadfull is this place â—mble all most fearfull is this dreame 〈◊〉 is Gods house this is the gate of Heav'n At last he came unto the land of Padan Where for a space he served uncle Laban In faith and truth he serv'd with all his mighâ— Spent with dayes heat and with the frost night For labour Laban did his daughter sell But blear'd Leah he gave for fair Rachel To serve seven yeeres the bargan had made For beautie but the bleare eyes came to bed Jacob at last to make all oddes even Resolv'd for Rachel to serve other seven Of Labans service at last he wearie With both his wives constrained was to flie Then uncle Laban hotly him pursu'd But great IEHOVAH his servant rescu'd GOD
not to thy messengers saying If Balak of silver and gold also Would me his house full give I cannot go Beyond the great Gods will in any kind For to do good or bad of mine own mind But what it shall please the great God to say To me that I will speak without delay And now I to my people go quicklie Come therefore and I will advertise thee What this people most blessed shall alwayes Doe to thy people in the latter dayes And he took up his parable anone And said thus wise Balam of BEOR sonne Hath said and the man who doth hate all lies Who hath at all times cleare and open eyes He hath said which hath heard Gods word truelie And knew al 's the knowledge of the most Hie Which of th' Almightie saw the vision Falling into a trance with eyes open Though not at this time yet I shall him see Though not nigh I behold him shall clearlie Out of Jacob there shall come a starre bright Out of Isra'l a scepter with great might Shall rise and corners of Moab annoy And all the Children of Sheth shall destroy And Edome a possession shall be Seir also shall be for his enemie A large possession and Israel also With courage great right valiantly shall do Out of good Jacob shall come he that shall Have great and large Dominion over all And shall by his great power Almighty Destroy him that remains of the city And when on curs'd Amalek he did looke He deep thinking his parable up tooke And said strong is thy dwelling place surely Thou putt'st thy nest in a rocke for safety Neverthelesse the Kenite wasted shall Be till Ashur thee carie captive all And he tooke up his parable saying Alas who shall live when the Lord this thing Shall do and ships with threatning and wiâ— boast Shall come in numbers from the Chittim coaâ— And shall afflict Ashur and also Eber And he alwayes sure perish shall for ever So Balam rose up and without delay Went to his place al 's Balak went his way Whether Balam did go it 's not certaine But for his wicked counsell he was slaine By ISRAEL as MOSES did command In their journey towards the holy land The Use Let Prophets heere learne not for gaine or ease To seeke Princes by ill counsell to please For if in this sort they the Lord offend They vvith Balam shall get a fearfull end CALEB As heart CALEB his name was Heart which did not faile He was the spy who encourag'd ISRA'L With JOSHUAH the other ten afraide By ill report the Lords people betray'd Behold heere written for their blot and shame Of all these ill spyes every man by name Shammah Shaphat Igal and Gaddiel Palti Sethur Gaddi and Ammiel Nahby Gevel These were the ill spyes ten Who did cast down the hearts of ISRALS men But stout CALEB descended of Judah And of EPHRAIM godly JOSHUAH The trembling hearts of ISRA'L did comfort To have courage they did them all exhort For this cause of all ISRAEL these two Got leave from GOD to Canaan to go The Use The man that would have heaven for his reward In Gods battels must not be a Coward He who is sent a matter for to try For no respect must deal unfaithfully JOSHUAH A Saviour THou worthy man first called OSHEAH By MOSES wast called JEHOSHUAH Type of JESUS a Saviour by command Thou ledst Isra'l unto the holy land This Son of NUN stout was full of wisdome For MOSES had laid his hands him upon From SHITTIM he sent two men secretly To view the land and Jericho to spy Though King and Laws to do such things forbid Rachab these spyes close in her chamber hid Not fearing thing that could to her befall By a coard She let them downe from the wall After good Joshuah all these things had done He went to Jordan from Shittim anone When the Priests feet in that river did stand JORDANS passage became like the dry land There twelve stones were for a memoriall Set Other twelve were pitched in Gilgal For to declare to all posteritie What GOD had done by his hand Almighty Then good Joshuah with great affection By knives began the circumcision Then Manna ceas'd An Angel did appear To Joshuah who was GODS servant deare What art thou said he friend or fo with boast A friend a friend the Captaine of Gods host The Angel said I am not for offence I bear the Sword for thee and thines defence Go to beseege the citie Jericho For great Canons Trumpets of Ram hornes blo Down down their walls with power I wil bring Let all beware of the accursed thing When JOVAH these walls had brought to the ground Amongst Isra'l a cursed man was found Achan the theef provokeing GOD to ire First was stoned and after burnt with fire In GODS good will this thief made such a crack That Isral's host at Ai did turne the back When by his death the LORD began to be Content the men of AI began to flie Then GODS people in furie and in ire Entred the Citie and set it on fire After that JOSHUAH had burnt this Citie The King of Ai he hanged on a tree The Gibeonites hearing of this report To save themselves found out this crowned sport Get clouted shooes old bottels garments rent Old mouldie bread that we a covenant May make with ISRA'L for we are afraid That by their force our countrey be destroyd Then ISRA'L made with them a sure accord Neglecting to seeke counsell from the LORD When all was known ISRA'L began to grieve But for their oath they suffred them to live Now cursed be ye base hewers of wood Drawers of water for the house of God Such shall ye be such shall ye be eachone Said JOSHUAH to these of Gibeon When this was done five Kings of Cananites With ire conspir'd against these Gibeonites Because without their knowledge and consent They had with ISRAL made a covenant Then JOSHUAH to help poor GIBEON Chased these Kings along to Bethoron The LORD himself for to crush all their bones Threw downe from heav'n on this armie great stones Till all was done the Sun in Gibeon Stood still and al 's the Moone in Ajalon That JOSHUAH full victory might have Five Kings he tooke and closed in a cave After he had fulfill'd his victorie He took them out and hang'd them on a tree To keep Isra'l from strife and anger hote He did divide to them the land by lot When all was done when death and grave were near He spake ISRA'L that they the LORD should feare Serve him in trueth serve him in fear said he All idole gods cast far away from thee The people all with one voice did accord To passe from idols and to serve the LORD This man of GOD before his life was spent With Gods people made a sure Covenant In Shechem there he raised up a stone For a witnesse of all was said and done At last this man
one the dry land â—s for our foes thou didst them all anone â—nto the deepes throw downe as a great stone Moreover thou them leddest in the day â—ven by a cloudy pillar thou the way â—hem shew by night by a pillar of fire â—hou didst them guide as their hearts could dâ—sire Thou camest dawne with great pompe and with might Vpon mount Sinai and from heav'ns most bright â—hou spak'st with them and gav'st them right judgements â—rue Lawes good statutes and commandements And madest them thy sabbaths understand And statutes Laws ordain'st by Moses hand And from the heav'n gav'st bread to them hungry And from the rock gav'st drink to them thirsty And promisedst that they should sure possesse The land which thou had by thy Holinesse Sworne them to give but they dealt most proudly As our fathers and hardned most stifly Their necks so they wicked stood not in aâ— They hearkned not unto thy blessed Law They stubburnly refused to obey The great wonders which they saw every dâ— They did forget their necks as in a rage They hardned and to turne to their bâ—dage They made a Captaine in rebellion But thou art a God ready to pardon Most gracious and unto anger slow Of kindnesse great which rich doth overflâ— Yea more when they a molten Calfe 〈◊〉 made And in great rage most wickedly had said This is thy GOD which from Egypt brougâ— thee By this they did the Lord provoke highly Yet thou in mercy them in their distresse Forsookest not even in the wildernesse The cloudy pillar with darknesse by day Them from their foes did hide while iâ— the way Of the red sea they march'd in the daâ—night 〈◊〉 fiery pillar went before with light â—hy good Sprit also unto them thou gave â—uâ— didst provide that they might Manna have 〈◊〉 meat in thirst when they thee did provoke â—ou gavest water from the flinty rock 〈◊〉 fourty years thou in the wildernesse stained so that in greatest distresse â—ey lacked nothing they fear'd not the cold 〈◊〉 all that time their cloathes did not waxe old 〈◊〉 more in this GODS mercies did excell 〈◊〉 their marching their feete did never swell â—ou gav'st them Kingdomes and they did possesse â—th Sihons land and Ogs in wildernesse â—ou did them blesse and multiplie their seed â—s Starres in Heaven that were above their head â—fter they had past through the wildernesse â—e promisde land thou made them to possesse â—ou in their hands gave these Kingdomes and Kings And made them Masters for to rule all things Within these bounds and also to command Their strongest cities and their fattest land They did possesse houses full of all goods Vineyards and wells digged and Oliveyards And pleasant fruit trees in great abundance Which God apponited for their maintenance So they did eat they filled with fatnesse They lusty did delight in thy goodnesse Neverthelesse they disobedient Rebell'd proudly ' gainst thy commandemenâ— Behind their backs they did reject thy Law To slay thy Prophets they stood not in aw Because against them they did testifie That from their ill wayes they might turne 〈◊〉 thee But they wicked by their transgressions Against God wrought great provocations Therefore for their greevous iniquities Thou them delivere'dst to their enemies Who them did vex with much trouble and feare Yet when they cri'd thou from heav'n didst theâ— heare According to thy manifold mercies â—ou gav'st them saviours from their enemies â—em for to save but when prosperitie â—nd rest they got they rebell'd against thee â—herefore in wrath thou left them in the hand â—f cruel foes whom they could not gainstand â—et when returning they cri'd unto thee â—hou hard'st from Heav'n their grones of miserie By frequent rods thou mad'st them stand in awe â—hem for to bring againe unto thy Law â—et they dealt proudly and refus'd to heare â—hey sinned still ' gainst thy judgements severe â—ith hardned neck the shoulder they withdrewe â—nd would not hear nor yet their life renew â—et many yeers thou didst them still forbeare â—ea and reprov'd yet would they not give eare â—herefore in wrath thou gav'st them in the hands â—f the most cruell people of the lands â—everthelesse for thy great mercies sake â—hou utterly them wouldest not forsake Now therefore LORD who art great aâ— mighty Who Cov'nant keepest in thy great mercy Let not this greef seeme little thee before That on our kings princes and priests lyes sorâ— Al 's on our prophets fathers people all Not sparing any either great or small Since the tyme of the strong Assyrian kings Vnto this day such is the case of things Howbeit in all that is upon us brought Thou art most just and truely hast done nought But what is right and full of equity But we alas all have done wickedly Neither our kings our princes or our priests Did keep thy law or yet care for thy hests Or hearken unto thy Testimonie Wherewith thou didst against them testifie For in their kingdome they would not thee serve But still profanely from thy law did swerve Behold we are servants alas this day And for the land that thou didst give for ay To our fathers the fruit thereof to eat Behold in it as drudges we must sweat It yeeldeth much increase unto the kings Whom over us thou hast set for our sins Ov'r our bodies they domination have And cattell they us at their pleasure slave Thus we afflicted are in great distresse Because of this we all both more and lesse A Cov'nant sure both make and write it well And to it set our Priests and Princes seal Chap. 10. NOw these that sealed were Nehemiah The Tirshatha son of Hachaliah â—nd Zidkijah with Priests Levits Porters â—nd singers al 's Nethinims with others Who having knowledge to their brethren clave â—nd made an oath that they should so behave â—hemselves wisely to walk in the Lords Law â—nd that to sinne they all should stand in aw We also vow'd by counsell grave and sage â—either to take nor give in mariage â—ut to abhor the people of the land â—o do the same we made a solemne band â—so we did ordaine without delay â—ot to permit markets on sabbath day â—nd that also we would leave the seventh yeere â—nd from exacting of debts would forbeare Also we did ordaine to charge yearly Our selves with the third part of good money Of a shekel this was for the service Of GODS owne house made for his sacrifice Then we cast lots Levites and Priests among For the wood offrings which then did belong Unto GODS house on his Altars to burne According as GODS law ordain'd by turne Likewise to GODS house we ordain'd to bring The first fruâ—ts of all trees and every thing The first borne of our children and cattell We year by year brought unto th'Eternel With first of all things that Levits could crave The tithes in all wherein we tillage have Chap. 11. THen they ordain'd the tenth man of Isra'l To come and in Jerusalem to