heavy hands Aaron and Hur did stay By his prayers Isra'l prevail'd that day By his prayers they got the victory He built the Altar Jehovah Nissi At Horeb where before he did keep sheepe Iethro him brought his wife and children eke When Iethro had to him counsell imparted To his owne land from Moses he departed Then Moses went up to God on Sinai Who did direct him all these words to say What I have done in Egypt yee did see On Eagles wings I bare you tenderlie Now therefore if yee will obey my voice Above all people ye shall be my choise 〈◊〉 Priests to me ye shall be a kingdome 〈◊〉 treasure deare an holy Nation â—at said Moses a man filled with grace â—id all these words before the peoples face â—en all the people answ'red him unto 〈◊〉 that the Lord hath spoken we will doe â—e to goe to to Moses God did say 〈◊〉 â—pare Israel to morrow and to day 〈◊〉 the third day with glory and renown â—â—fore Isra'l I minde for to come downe â—ke heed for if man or heast that have breath â—t touch the mount they shall be put to death 〈◊〉 any touch the mount they shall be then â—ot throw or stoned whether beasts or men â—t to come up to them it shall belong â—hen they shall heare the Trumpet sounding long 〈◊〉 the third day thundrings and lightnings past â—â—e cloud and Trumpet made them all agast â—â—en smoak and fire on SINAH for a space â—â—cended as the smoak of a furnace â—â—en all the people trembled fearfully â—â—a the mount SINAH quaked all greatly â—en God came down whom MOSES heard and saw â—â—d in two Tables wrot his fierie Law â—hile MOSES was upon the mount with God â—â—ey made a calf as if they had beene mad Of Egypts spoile to make it they were bold Even of Gods gifts they had no other gold They ate they dranke and then rose up to pâ— Behold thy gods foole ISRAEL could say Go get thee downe said God to MOSES thâ— For thy people are rather beasts then men Let me alone intreat not for this fall For in furie I will consume them all Oh said Moses why doth thy wrath wax Against Isra'l thine heritage and lot Think on Abraham Isaac and Isra'l On thy people let not thine anger fall While this grief Moses in his heart did feele The Lord in hast repented of the evill Then Moses swiftly from the mount went doâ— And brought with him the worthie sonne of 〈◊〉 While he and Moses from the Camp were farâ— Good Joshuah said I heare a noise of war But old Moses with his discerning eare Said not but voice of singing do I heare When he came neere and saw that filthie blot A golden idol not Gods childrens spot He brake Gods Tables in his kindled ire The golded Calf he burnt into the fire He ground it small and straw'd it in their driâ— That they an idole not God might it think Then Moses wroth unto the Levits cri'd 〈◊〉 every man his sharpe sword by his side â—e through the camp your brethren gorre and slay â—at the great God you all may blesse this day â—â—en the Levits these wicked men had slaine â—to the mount Moses return'd againe God be said alas while I behold a'l hath made unto them gods of gold â—ve mercy Lord with eyes of pitie looke â—â—don or else me blot out of thy Booke â—â—w goe said God as I shall give thee grace â—duct Isra'l unto my promis'd place â—â—aite my time when once I shall begin 〈◊〉 visit they shall suffer for their sinne â—ter this MOSES faithfull full of grace â—â—d great desire to see the Lords sweet face â—â—HOVAH good to hear him was not slack 〈◊〉 spare his life he let him see his back What verse what pen can paint this great Divine â—hose face JOVAH made with his face to shine â—ith God on SINAH fourtie dayes he past â—l this time he kept a most solemne fast â—here of JOVAH whose wisedome doth excell â—e learn'd the Laws which he taught Israel 〈◊〉 him God most excellent gifts did give â—e was the meekest that on earth did live Of yeeres he liv'd a hundred and twentie Without weaknesse and dâ—mnesse of the eye Because at MASSAH he fail'd in his faith Of CANAAN he might not tread the path To climb NEBO the LORD did him commanâ— That he might see from thence the holy land When this was done this man of GOD did die In MOAB land where GOD did him burie Before or after came none in his place Who knew JOVAH so clearly face to face The Song of Moses before his death THE PREFACE O Pleasant heavens that are above with diligence give eare And I will speake O earth below the wordes of my mouth heare 2 My doctrine shall drop as the raine my speach as dew shall passe As small raine on the tender herbe and showres upon the grasse 3 Because I surely will publish the blest name of the Lord 〈◊〉 greatnesse therefore to Gods name ascribe with one accord I. PART HEE is the rock his worke perfect all his wayes judgement be 〈◊〉 God of trueth and without sin most just and right is He They have corrupt themselves their spot is not the spot alwayes his children they are perverse a race of crooked wayes Vnwise people doe yee the Lord thus requite is not He â—y father buyer hath he not made and establish'd thee Remember ye the dayes of old yeeres past consider well â—ke thy father he will thee shew thy Elders will thee tell When the most High for nations did heritage divide Sufficient bounds for Israel he wisely did provide 9 For the Lord for his portion hath his people without blot Jacob is his inheritance appointed as by lot 10 He found him in a desert land and waste wildernesse hee Him led instructed and him kept as th' Apple of his eye 11 As an Eagle stir 's up her nest fluttreth her young upon Her wings doth spread and taketh them to carry them thereon 12 So the good Lord alone did him lead in all wayes safelie And there with him was no strange god in all that company 13 He made them ride on Canaan high that he th' increase might eat He made him sucke honey and oyle that were in rocks most sweet 14 Butter of kine and milk of sheepe he gave to every man â—ith fat of Lambes and also Rams of the bread of Bashan â—e gave them goats vvith the fat of Kidneyes of Wheat right good â—nd thou didst of the svveet grapes drink the pure Wine red like blood II. PART BVt Jeshurun vvho should have beene most righteous did kick â—â—ou art exceeding vvaxed fat thou art also grovvn thick â—â—ou covered art vvith fatnesse then His Maker he forsook â—nd of his sure salvations rock no care at all he took With strange gods they provoked Him unto great jealousie â—ith great abominations they mov'd Him to be angrie They sacrificed unto dev'ls to gods whom they
Goâ— Most true it is and easy to enquire That they false gods have burnt into a fire For these gods no gods were but vvorke hands Dead vvood and stone are gods of other laâ—â— Therfore O Lord vve thee beseech humbly Save us novv from that tyrants cruelty â—hat all the Kingdomes of the earth anone May knovv that thou the great God art alone Then the Lords Prophet faithfull Isaiah â—ent to the King even good Hezekiah â—his comfort Thus saith the God of Isra'l â—hen in thy prayer thou didst to me call â—hee did heare Concerning him that day â—his is the vvord that God the Lord did say â—he virgin the dear daughter of Zion â—â—hee hath despised and laughed to scorne â—â—rusalem hath novv most tauntingly â—ith great disdaine shaken her head at thee 〈◊〉 beastly man vvhom hast thou novv nick-named â—ou knovvest not vvhom thou hast so blasphemed â—ainst vvhom thy voice and eyes novv canst thou tell â—st thou lift up Even the God of Isra'l 〈◊〉 thy messengers both in thought and word â—â—sphemously thou hast reproch'd the Lord 〈◊〉 people deare thou hast boasted with threats â—em to destroy with numbers of charets â—ou hast boasted that thou their Cedars tall Shall cut untill they to the ground shall fall Because thou hast of men great assistance Thou hast in number put thy confidence When before thee many did melt like snow Not thou but I these men did overthrow Thou overcame neither by Speare or Shielâ— But I them made like the grasse of the fielâ— Like the green herb or grasse on the house tâ— Or corne blasted before it be growne up But thy abode and comming against me Thy pride and rage is known most certainly Because thy tumults to mine eares come up Therefore into thy proud nose now a hooke I will put al 's my bridle in thy lips Thy vaine glory shall suffer an Ecclipse Though now thou boast and bragge with furie Thou shalt turne backe and flee most sâ— fullie But as for Judah it shall surely spring And pleasant fruits in plenty shall foorth Gods foes the truth of this saying shall fâ—â— The Lord of hosts shall doe it by his zeale As for that vile and vaine blasphemous Aâ—ainst this City he shall doe nothing â—t may it hurt no arrow he shall shut â—em to him shall not be for a But â—en this is done yee shall Jehovah thank â—'gainst Salem no man shall cast a bank â—n home againe with shame I will now send 〈◊〉 my right hand this City shall defend â—hat same night the mighty Eternell 〈◊〉 in all haste send an armed Angell â—o in one night slew at the Lords command hundred fourescore and al 's five thousand â—en they arose in the morning early â—old like doung their dead bodies did lye Then this vaine King who scorned th' Eternell â—urn'd with shame in Niniveh to dwell 〈◊〉 shortly after it thus came to passe â—t God him punish'd for his vile trespasse Nisrochs house which ended all the strife 〈◊〉 owne two sons bereav'd him of his life Some dayes after the good King Hezekiah â—s sicke to him the Prophet Isaiah â—me with this message Thou shalt surely die â—ow thine house in order speedilie Then he his face turned unto the wall â—d thus he said unto the Eternall Remember Lord how I have before thee Walked in trueth and great sinceritie Remember now in my great grief and smart How I thee have serv'd with a perfect heart Remember Lord how I with all my might Have done that which is pleasant in thy sighâ— While thus he spake and added speaches mâ— Good Hezekiah did weep very sore The LORD him heard and his Prophet câ— back And sent him for this lease of life to make Tell Hezekiah that worthy Captaine That he yet King fifeteene yeeres shall remainâ— Thy prayer heard have I and seene thy teares I will tâ—ee heale therefore lay down thy fearâ— Yea more to thee this promise I will make I will this citie save for mine owne sake Then the Prophet in this time full of toile A lump of figs laid upon the Kings boile So for the well of Judahs common wealth The King by GOD restored was to health The King unto the Prophet thus did say How shall I know that I on the third day Shall to GODS house goe and his service see What shall the signe be now tell thou to me Well said the Prophet choise novv as please 〈◊〉 the Sun back or foreward ten degrees â—hall goe For to goe forevvard said the King â—o see shadovves it is no vveighty thing â—et the Lord novv for his great mercies sake Make the shadovv by his might to turne back â—hen the Prophet as he desired said â—nd GOD him heard according as he prai'd â—he Sun went back with his swift sweating Horse â—ull ten degrees as one that hath remorse When on his journey going like the wind â—e him bethinks his purse is left behind â—hen back againe he wheeles most speedilie â—hus went the Sun as men that day might see â—ials went false and Forrests shadowes black Wondred to see themselves turne and goe back Then Berodach-Baladan of Babel â—ing sent to him letters thus for to tell How glade he was of all his peace and wealth â—nd that he was fully restor'd to health But Hezekiah in pride of his heart Did that shortly which did procure his smart Unto these men of Babel foolishly His silver gold spices armour did he Then shew yea all the treasures that he had â—n his vaine pride before their eyes he laid Then came againe the Prophet Isaiah With this new message from the great Jovah He said to them what said these men to thee What 's in mine house said he I let them see Among my treasures all there is nothing Which these men sent from the great Babâ— King Have not now seene Well well said Isaiah Heare a message from the great JEHOVAH All thy treasures gath'red unto this day By Babels men shall be cari'd away Thy dearest sons that shall issue from thee In Babels court they base Eunuchs shall bee Then to the Prophet said Hezekiah Good is the word that thou brings from Jovah I looke for mercy from my God alwayes Let peace and trueth he stable in my dayes Last Hezekiah who all his life did fear The Lord his God sleept with his fathers deare In the chiefest sepulchre of David This worthy King was with honour buri'd The Song of Hezekiah IN cutting off of my short dayes I said I shall now goe Vnto the grave I am depriv'd of my few yeares also 2 I said I shall not see the Lord in the Land of living I shall behold man no more with these that have heere dwelling 3 Mine age is parted and remov'd among trouble and strife Like sheepheards tents I have cut off like a weaver my life He with sicknesse will cut me off what ever I pretend From day ev'n unto night wilt thou of me soone make an end 4
dwell Of the people nine parts they did ordaine In other Cities to dwell and remaine The people blessd all these who willingly Offred to dwell in Salems fair city Chap. 12. HEre are the Priests Levits of Israel Which came up with worthy Zerubabel Heere is al 's the hie Priests succession Recorded with the dedication Of Salems walls the office of the Priests Appointed for to keep the Solemne feasts Chap. 13. WHen we unto GODS Law gave audience We found it written that for no pretence The Ammonite or Moabite should come For ever in Gods congregation Because they met not Israel with bread But hired Bala'm against them indeed That he them should blast with bitter cursing Which God by grace turn'd into a blessing It came to passe now when they understood The law they did the mixed multitude From Israel so sever and disperse That they with them should have no more commerce Then Nehemiah caused speedilie Cleanse all the chambers which were set to be Prepared for Tobiah by th' hie Priest Eliashib who at his earnest request Being alli'd to him then did prepare A great chamber a great shame even there where The Levits laid incense and tithes of corne And wine and oyle which thitherto we borne For this greeved was good Nehemiah Who cast foorth all the stuffe of Tobiah Moreover he perceiving the Levits Whose charge was for the ceremonious rites Defrauded of their wonted portion Had with the Rulers great contention Hee said to them Fy on you how can yee Make GODS house thus through extreame povertiâ— To be forsaken by the Levits who By your vile greed are wronged so and so After that done he a man full of grace Made the Levits to returne to their place Then all Judah soon brought the tith of conâ— And the new wine and oyle were also borne With diligence unto the treasuries Which brought to Levits great commodities Treasurers likewise Nehemiah try'd Shelemiah Priest and al 's Zadok the scrib And of Levits Pedajah and Hanan The Son of Zaccur of these every man Was counted faithfull these did distribute What cheerefully others did contribute Then Nehemiah said Remember me Concerning this O my GOD graciously And wipe not out my good deeds I thee pray Which I have done for my GODS house the day In these dayes said the good Nehemiah 〈◊〉 saw others in the land of Judah Who on the Sabbath wine presses did tread Who brought in sheaves and their Asses did load Others wine grapes and burdens great did lay Upon beasts backs and on the Sabbath day Them brought to Salem and cornes openly Did sell but I gainst them did testifie There men also dwelt who brought fish from Tyre With divers wares which were costly and deare And on the sabbath these men most profaine Made their markets in GODS Jerusalem Then with the Nobles great men of Judah 〈◊〉 did contend for the great Jehovah What evill is this yee doe then did I say That yee profaine thus the LORDS sabbath day Against the LORD did not your fathers thus And did not our GOD bring all this on us And on this citâ—e yet ye bring more wrath On Isra'l by profaining the Sabbath It came to passe tâ—at when I did remarke That Salems gates began for to be darke Before the sabbath then I did command That all the gates should by my servants hand Be surely shut I straitly charg'd that they Should not be opned till the sabbath day Was fully past and so for this effect I at the gates some of my servants set And them directed most straitly that they Should not permit upon the sâbbath day Men to bring burdens so my servants wise Made the merchands for to lodge once or twise Without the wals then did I testifie Against these men and said for certaintie Why lodge yee thus about the wall profain Assure your self if yee do so againe On you most vile I will lay hands therefore From that tyme on sabbaths they came no more The Levites I ordain'd without delay To keep the gates even for the sabbah day Concerning this my GOD remember me And spare in the greatnesse of thy mercie I saw then Jewes who marri'd of Ashdod Wives and of Ammon and els of Moab Their children spake half in the Ashdods speach But of Hebrew they could not speake a which Then with them I severely did contend And did them curse and of them in the end I also smot some whom I did not spare In wrath also I plucked off their haire And by the Lord I made them for to sweare Saying yee shall not give your daughters dear Vnto their sons nor yet their daughters take Nor with them shall yee any mariage make Did not Solomon one of Isra'ls Kings Against the LORD sinne greatlie by these things Among many none was like unto him Outlandish women yet him causde to sin Will yee then with this ill defile your lives Even to transgresse by marying strange wives And then one of the sons of Joiada Son of Eliashib hie Priest of Jovah Sanballats daughter mari'd wickedly Therefore in haste I chased him from me Remember them my GOD because that they Thy holy Priest-hood have defil'd this day Thus I them cleansed from the wickednesse Of strangers and then in their businesse The priests and Levites I did well appoint Precise to keep their wards in every point Both for the first fruites and offring of wood Remember me O my GOD now for good THE USE By Zerubabel GOD in his mercy Did build the Temple and Salems city By Ezra scribe even to his lawes conforme The peoples manners he did well reforme And which indeed was not a comfort small By Nehemiah he built Salems wall See how the Lord his mercies doth inlargâ— By imposing to every man his charge That so his Church may on this earth endurâ— Divers he ordaines its well to procure Some to do this and some that at his wiâ— Which his favour demonstrates and his skill As he makes birds by pleasant quaverings Like nimble Thumbs which strike on diveâ— strings Renew their note and in diversitie Rejoice mans heart with a sweet melodie Even so the Lord with divers gifts doth decâ— That he thereby his people may protect And beautifie and so them may advance From under the Bushell of ignorance See how God doth his divers comforts seal Both for the church and al 's the commonwell THE GARDEN OF ZION The Booke of Esther A Prayer 〈◊〉 Now must speak of Ahasuerus King And of Haman who on a tree did hing And likewise of the godly Mordecai Who for the well of Gods church did apply His heart for to her happinesse procure That she from danger might abide most sure Of this good Esther with goody intent Was by God made a blessed instrument Now come good God and with thy breath divine â—nspire mine heart my drossie sprits refine Powre in my breast thy sacred divine powrs And teach me how to spend my
THE GARDEN OF ZION Wherein the life and death of godly and wicked men in Scriptures are to be seene from Adam unto the last of the Kings of Judah and Israel with the good uses of their life and death In this Garden consider and take heed The fragrant flower growes hard beside the weed A precept for the right use of this Booke â—ove these who have their race in Gods fear runne â—t rogues as rockes in sea see that thou shunne Printed at GLASGOW by George Anderson 1644. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH OUR DEAR AND DREAD SOVERAIGNE CHARLES By the Grace of GOD King of great Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith all Peace and Happinesse Most gracious Soveraigne YOur MAJESTIES so loving acceptance of my former workes presented to You the day before Your corronation emboldens me againe to intreat for Your Patronage countenance and gracious aspect towards this little piece of poesie full of most fruitfull matter In it Ye may clearely see the lives of most remarkable men in Scripture and with them the lives of all the Kings of Judah and of Israel with the uses which wee should make either of their life or death Note Such things are needfull to bee considered by all men but chiefly by Kings whose actions for the most part whether good or bad are put in Chronicles the Registers of time ad futuram rei memoriam Where after ages beholding what hath been done in such and such a Kings reigne will freely without fear give out their verdict concerning either their vertues or their vices so that while the memorie of the just shall be blessed Prov. 10.7 the name of the wicked shall rot But mens sayings are of little moment the God above with whom is no respect of persons will one day before the eyes of all the world Act. 10.34 in a most open view let it be seene what every man hath done in his life before his judgement seat all flesh that day must compeare In all the lives of the Kings of Judah and Israel observe that the sinne of Idolatrie provocked GOD most The basest idole of the world is the Idole of the Masse a god of dowe Ezek. 22 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which goeth to the draught The Hebrews call idols Gilloulim that is muck or doung Beware of that new god of bread Dij stercores for if it get place in Your Majesties Dominions Yee need never looke for a sound and solide peace according to that saying of Deborah They choose new gods Judg. 5.8 then war was in their gates the Ark and Dagon will not faile to fight Consider well these words and make use of them for Your good as Yee would wish to have the Lords blessing upon Your government O whence hath come such a fearfull blood-shed in all Your three Kingdomes Whence is all this bloody war the maine cause is the new Goâ— the idol of the Masse set up in Chappell 1 Kings 11.7 hard beside Gods Temple like that high place which Solomoâ— builded for Chemos the abomination of Moab in the hill that waâ— before Jerusalem directly forâ— against Gods house which hee haâ— builded for which doing afterwarâ— the Lord made a rent in his Kingdome whereof his posteritie got thâ— least part O happie shall Your Majestie bee if with good King Josiah Yee reneâ— the Covenant of the Lord in all youâ— Dominions and put away the idolatrous Priests and take avvay all thâ— high places vvith all the monumentâ— of idolatrie that so all your Dominions may be pleasant and fruitfull like the mount of Olives vvhich for idolatrie lost its name 2 Kings 23.13 and vvaâ— called the Mount of Corruption O vvhat a contentment to GOD vvho made you a King O vvhat a comfort to all your good subjects O vvhat a good and vvhat a glory to your self that it bee said in all ages following that King CHARLES like a pearle in a ring hath beene a blessed Josiah among all the Kings of Britaine Novv the Lord God of Gods blesse your Majestie and make You a Defender of the Faith as well in trueth as in title that in the great day of the LORD vvith David Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Josiah and other gracious Kings yee may stand before the Son of man that great King vvho hath vvritten on his thigh The King of kings Rev. 19.17 and Lord of lords From GLASGOW the 28 of MAY 1644. Your MAIESTIES most humble subject and servant M. ZACH BOYD. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES Prince of Walles GOD who hath made your Highnesse a Prince shall by his grace as we hope one day make you a king yea and more which shall be like a rich Diamond on the top of your crowne A DEFENDER of the Faith It is now time for you to begin to be busie to learne to stirre the rudder before Yee be made a pilot to undertake the great charge even the government of three kingdomes For this great worthy and weighty worke Yee have great need to be wise but so it is Prov. 1.7 that the feare of the LORD is the beginning of wisedome All other wisedome without this is but follie It was a good saying that King David said to Prince Solomon his sonne If thou seeke him 1 Chro. 28.9 he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever The best way to learne your Princely Lessons to consider well the life and death of kiâ— who have ruled among Gods people whâ— vertues and vices are set downe by Gâ— own pen to be followed or else to avoided For such ends I have penned this poeâ— of most mens lives in Scripture with 〈◊〉 best uses I have beene able to make thâ— of which heere I dedicate to your Hâ—nesse in all humilitie as being my Mâ—mite Accept of this little with my blâ—sing an old Servant of GOD nâ— drawing neere my threescore From GLASGOW the 28 of MAY 1644. Your Highnesse mâ—â—â— humble Servant Mr. ZACH. BOYD. A WATCHWORD TO THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE Right Reverend OUr Schooles and Countrey are stained yea pestered with idle Bookes your children are fed on fables love songs badry Ballads Heathen husks youths poyson It much concerneth you to see to this and carefully to banish out of the land all the names of the Pagan gods and goddesses which as God hath expreslie told us should not be taken in our lips Psal 16.4 These words of God in Exodus are very considerable Ezo 23.13 In all things that I have said to you bee circumspect 〈◊〉 make no mention of the names other gods neither let it be heâ— out of thy mouth Seeing this by God him self required it lyeth upon you to â—daine by the visitors of School that all these monuments of idâ—latrie be removed and that oâ— such Bookes have place that mâ— help children to know GOâ— and Christ his Son Iohn 17. which is 〈◊〉
came to Laban in the night and said Take heede to speake to Jacob good or bad My daughters to Jacob was Labans word Are like poore captives taken by the sword What hast thou done wherefore didst thou flee In so doing thou hast done foolishly Behold one thing which meriteth the rods Thou art a theefe why hast thou stolne my gods Why hast thou thus of my love made a rent Behold they are stolne and hid in thy tent From tent to tent last he came to Rachel But where thy were these dumb gods could not tell At last Laban no more would Iacob grieve But to returne resolv'd to take his leave For Rachels sake and Leahs he did gâ—ant To make with Iacob a sure Covenant Of many stones they made a goodly heape Upon the which they did together eate This heape of witnesse by godly Jacob â—n Hebrew tongue was called GILEAD â—ut this great heap in words of SYRIA â—ABAN called Jegar Sahadutha â—fter kissing and blessing for a space â—is children LABAN return'd to his place â—hen this was past behold ESAU with boast â—ut God did meet his servant with an hoast â—hen this was done the great God eternall â—restled with Jacob long in Peniel â—hey strove all night unto the light of day â—ow let me go to JACOB God did say â—o said JACOB a blessing first appoint â—o me whose thigh thou hast thrust out of joint â—hy name said God hence ISRAEL shall be â—revaile with man thou hast prevail'd with me â—ehold now Esau with foure hundred men â—ehold also the love of these brethren Behold JACOB seven times hee bowes knee ESAU him meets and kisseth lovingly They weepe they kisse in others armes goe ESAU content will be no more a foe Is this feare past a new sorrow doth come His dear Dinah defil'd by Hamors sonne How his two sons did make his name to stinâ— By Sichems blood it hurts my heart to thinkâ— He purg'd his hoâ—se of all idolatrie Their idole gods he hide under a tree As he did passe f'om Ephrath to Bethel Death came and tooke from him his fair Racâ— From this sorrow having a little breath Behold another by his fathers death REUBEN his sonne defiled had his bed As though with bread he was with sorrâ— fed This prickt his heart and this his bowels smâ— When he did see good JOSEPHS bloody coat This holy man so toss'd with griefe and strife Past so the few and ill yeares of his life At last on bed most ready for to die To all his sonnes he left a Legacie To some reproofs to some comforts most swâ— When he had done he gathred up his feet The Use 〈◊〉 serve how God of twins can one forsake â—d th' other choose ev'n for his mercies sake 〈◊〉 one he did love because it did him please 〈◊〉 th' other he abhorr'd to cast his eyes 〈◊〉 hated infant an abhorr'd Esau â—efore that ever this worlds light he saw 〈◊〉 Jacob learne to get thee hastilie â—rre from an Esaus wicked companie â—ith staffe in hand where God shall thee direct â—r wicked men most hurtfully infect 〈◊〉 Jacob learne when thou begins to pray 〈◊〉 wrestle well and not let God away â—ll he thee blesse though it were all the night â—cob prevail d not till the day vvas light 〈◊〉 Jacob learne if thou a Laban serve â—ost vvatchfully his goods all to preserve â—hough he churlish have not to thee regard â—hou shalt not faile to get the LORDS revvard â—earne heere to look for sable clouds of grief â—fore death bring full and finall releefe REUBEN See a sonne HEre see a Sonne for REUBEN is his naâ— With vile incest he did himselfe defame Because his sinne was grievous in Gods sight Of thâ— first-borne this REUBEN lost the right LEVI Judah and JOSEPH for his spot His Crown portion and al 's his Priesthood goâ— Because he weept with a repenting eye Let Reuben live said MOSES and not die The Use Great losse by sin yet if we can repent The LORD in mercy shall make up our rent Beware of sin flee farre from it anone Lest that thou heare thy dignitie is gone SIMEON Hearing BEcause the LORD did LEAHS prayer heareâ— She call'd him SIMEON when She did hiâ— beare In MOSES writs so faâ— as they us tell Of his brethren he was the most cruell Hâ— heard not GOD nor yet good JACOBS voice 〈◊〉 shed much blood he gladly did rejoice 〈◊〉 get of SICHEM his cruell intent 〈◊〉 vilely did abuse GODS Sacrament 〈◊〉 any reading hardly can I try â—hy MOSES blessing the rest past him by The Use â—ere learne in wrongs thine anger to asswage â—ODS pen doth curse all sinfull wrath and rage â—t men beware either to do or think â—t which may make their parents name to stinke LEVI Joining BIrth of Children in husbands breasts doth coine â—ew love which makes their tender hearts to joine â—r this chiefe cause as in the historie 〈◊〉 manifest LEAH call'd him LEVI â—mong these tribes this LEVI was the priest With Vrim Tummim on his holy breast Because he bare the Sword of crueltie His race in JACOB scattred was to be The Use Learne this before to doe ill thou begin Divide and scatter are the fruits of sin The sins of men great Tribes do spoile aâ— spill For this cause sorrowes them pinch pierce thrill If we feare GOD hee such griefs shall presse Yea kill our cares and calme stormes distresse But if we joine with Levi to shed blood To rage and roare as men in a mad mooâ— Wee shall at last with confusion be cloatheâ— Wrapped in shame dispersde despisde and thed JUDAH Praise THis is the King the great God will him raiâ— This is the man whom his brethren shall praise â—e shall be LORD his shall be the Kingdome â—ntill the time that great SHILOH shall come â—his is the man enrich'd with gifts divine â—eth white with milk and al 's eyes red with wine â—oth grave and wise he was as may appeare 〈◊〉 that his speach made for Benjamin dear â—is was his fault from vice he was not pure â—e lay with TAMAR masked like a whoore The Use â—et men heere learne who have received grace 〈◊〉 feare to faile and fall into disgrace 〈◊〉 men be loose when as they should be chest â—hey may at last fall into vile incest ZEBULON Dwelling THis is the sixt a rich and good dowry Said LEAH JACOB now will dwell with mee â—is younger sonne then ISSACHAR and yet â—e was before him at the blessing set 〈◊〉 rich merchant appointed for to be 〈◊〉 stately ships sailling on the deep sea The Use Observe heere how the great Jovah commanâ— Some to be King some Priest and somâ— Merchands ISSACHAR An hire FIft Sonne of LEAH thy name is a hire Great rest and ease were chiefly thy desire When rest and ease to thee were brought 〈◊〉 passe Betweene two burdens thou crouch'd like an asse The Use Take heed beware this is a great disease To
not knew â—hom your fathers did never fear because they were but new 18 Thou art unmindfull of the Rock that did thee once beget And the Lord God that formed thee thou did'st alwayes forget IIII. PART AND when the Lord saw it he did ahhorre them all anone Because of the provokeing of both Daughter and of Son 20 He said I will my face from them hide and I will now see Their end they are a froward race in whom no faith can be 21 With that which is not god they have me mov'd to jealousie They have me to anger provok'd with their great vanitie I them also to jealousie with such as are no flock Will move them to anger with fooles I surely will provoke 22 For in my wrath fire kindled is such as no tongue can tell â—t shall not cease alwayes to burne even to the lowest hell And shall consume the earth with her increase poor mans desire And the foundations of the mount shall surely set on fire 3 A heap of mischiefs upon them I certainly will send also upon them in wrath mine arrovves vvill novv spend 4 They shall consumed be and burnt vvith paine of hunger great â—nd suddainly shall be devour'd vvith a most burning heat â—nd vvith bitter destruction I vvill al 's on them thrust â—he teeth of beasts vvith the poyson of serpents of the dust â— The svvord vvithout terrour vvithin shall destroy and not spare â—â—e young man virgin the suckling vvith the man of gray haire â— I said I vvould into corners them quickly scatter then I would make their rememberance to cease from among men 27 Were it not that I the great wrath fear'd of the enemie Lest their vaine adversaries should behave themselves strangly And lest that they puft up with pride should say these wordes right soone Our hand is now high and the Lord hath not all this work done 28 For they are a vaine nation of wholesome counsell voide Neither in their hearts foolish doth understanding abide 29 O that they were wise so that they this clearely understood That they would now their latter end consider for their good 30 How should but one a thousand chase and two al 's put to flight Ten thousand if their Rock had not then sold and shut up right 32 For their rock in no way is as our Rock that is mightie â—ee seeke no other this to judge but our owne enemie â—2 Of Sodom and Gomorrahs field their vine I truely call â—heir great clusters are most bitter their grapes are grapes of gall â—3 Their wine is Dragons poison which from these grapes doth distill And is the deadly venime of most cruell Aspes that kill â—4 Is not this wickednesse laid up in store there to abide And seal'd up among my treasures like that which one doth hide IIII. PART TO me belongeth vengeance and recompence for their crime Their wicked foot shall surely slide in due appointed time For their day of calamitie is surely neere at hand And the things that shall come on them make haste and shall not stand 36 For the Lord shall his people judge and for his folks repent When he sees all their power gone and altogether spent 37 And he in his great wrath shall say Where are their gods of might Their rock in whom they trusted much they come not now in sight 38 Which ate fatlings and wine off'rings in drinke did not reject Let them rise up and with their strength you help and al 's protect 39 See now that I am he even I no god there is with me I kill I also make alive I wound and heal safely Neither is there among the gods any by Sea or Land That by their strength deliver can out of my mighty hand 40 For I my hand unto the Heav'n do now lift up and heave In signe that I this great oath make for ever as I live 41 If I my glitt'ring Sword whet and judge in severitie will surely reward vengeance to my foes that hate me â—2 I will mine arrowes in my wrath which is now kindled sore Make drunk with blood and my Sword shall their filthie flesh devore â—nd that with the blood of the slaine and of captives that be â—rom the beginning of revenge upon the enemie â—3 Rejoice yee nations with his folke for he who doth not change Will the blood of his servants dear most speedily avenge And to his adversaries will render a vengeance full And to his land and his people will be most mercifull The Use He who desires like good Moses to be In all Gods house let him serve faithfullie He who vvith Moses vvould be a Divine Must speak vvith God untill that his face shâ— None is so good but he vvill get assaults Love Moses vertues but flee from his fault To circumcise his Son he did delay At Meribah he also vvent astray At these vvaters he failed in his faith For vvhich he might not tread in Canans paâ— See vvhat it is to sin against the Lord Who Moses sin to spare vvould not accord God hateth sin in best men as yee see Though they be dear as th' apple of his eye AARON Prince of praise THis Prince of praise was Moses brother 〈◊〉 Elder then MOSES the space of three yâ— These brethren two were men of great requeâ— MOSES was King but Aaron was the Priest 〈◊〉 He was design'd such by the Almond rod Mouth to MOSES to him Moses as God When God by him as high Priest was ador'd His body was with these garments decor'd A girdle mitter and a broidred coat â—ob an Ephod and a rich breast-plate â—ith URIM TUMMIM an excellent thing â—s incense censer in his hand did hing â—â—elve precious stones on his breast were without â—lls Pomegranats his Ephod hang about â—â—on his brow there was a plate of gold â—â—aring these words HOLINES TO THE LORD 〈◊〉 the Holy of Holys thus he stood â—â—fore the Lord with a bason of blood â—nce in his life alas he playd the foole â—hen he the Calf form'd with a graving toole â—fter he saw it this he added more â—e rashly built an Altar it before â—ecause at MASSAH he fail'd in his faith â—f Canaan he might not tread the path â—ripe off his garments put them on his Son â—or he in office no more may remaine â—pon mount HOR death him of life bereaved â—ho fourtie yeares in wildernesse had lived â—hen God him tooke from this earths miserie â—f age he was an hundred twentie three â—his holy man most upright in his wayes â—as after death lamented thirty dayes The Use Most happy he who hath his breast within â—hat which without was sealed by Tummim Let no man a vaine people for to please Doe that which may the mighty Lord displeâ— MIRIAM Bitternesse THis MOSES sister daughter of AMRAM From bitternesse was called MIRIAM Elder then Moses at the river side She watcht the Boat wherein they did him 〈◊〉 At the red sea when MOSES men among Did
daunce with women she had al 's her soâ— She did her selfe in godly words expresse With gifts adorn'd she was a Prophetesse She had her faults in her most holy life She greeved MOSES by her words of strife She with ARON the ill quarel began For ZIPPORAH the Ethiopian Tush tush said they hath God spoken onâ— By MOSES and not by us as plainely This Moses heard but being very meek From God in wrath he no revenge did seeke But God in wrath when he these things did Unto them cri'd Come out come out ye three Though I my wrath against you have delay'd To greeve Moses how were ye not afraide 〈◊〉 proud in heart inferiour in place 〈◊〉 you by dreams to him I speake by face â—hen GOD had showne how they had gone astray 〈◊〉 kindled wrath and rage he went away â—â—en this was done behold a great sorrow â—â—RIE became leprous white as the snow â—â—er her flesh was consum'd by the Lord â—â—ses did pray and then she was restor'd â—â—cause God was provoked by her sinne 〈◊〉 died in the wildernesse of ZIN â—â—nsider heere two brethren and MARIE â—pointed guids for Israel to be â—â—cause by sinne they stirred up Gods wrath Canaan they might not tread the path 〈◊〉 on HOR Moses at NEBO steep â—â—y in Zin by death did softly sleep 〈◊〉 wildernesse AMRAMS three children deare â—â—eir life did finish in the fourtie yeere The Use â—ost godlie hearts vaine pride doth whiles assault â—â—ey live not heere that live without a fault â—th carefulnesse let men and vvomen try 〈◊〉 â—t in their hearts no place bee for envy BALAK A Robber BALAAM A Devorer After that Isra'l in battell fighting Had overcome strong Og of Bashan Kâ— BALAK king of Moab son of ZIPPOR Sent men for Bala'm the son of BEOR Who dwelt in Pethor to him they did say Behold from Egypt in battell aray A people is come who is most mighty In number great for to fight against me Come now therefore I pray thee without Curse Israel that so I may prevaile For this I wot that he whom thou shalt bleâ— Shall be blessed and curs'd whom thou curse So the Elders that were of Moab land Departed with great rewards in their hand They came unto BALAAM and thus spake Unto him the words of their King BALAK He said to them Lodge heere this night suâ— I shall you tell what the Lord saith to me And God came unto BALAAM and said What men are these that doe with thee abiâ— And Bala'm said to God Balak surelie The son of ZIPPOR hath sent unto me Bâ—hold saith he from Egypt a great band 〈◊〉 souldiers that cover all the land â—me curse me them peradventure I shall â—able for to overcome them all â—d God said to BALA'M Thou shalt not goe â—th them thou shalt not curse the people so â—r they are bless'd BALA'M in the morning â—se up and went to BALAKS men saying â—e Princes of King BALAK get ye now â—o your owne land for to go with you â—e mightie Lord will not give leave to me â—en the Princes of Moab most early â—se up and unto their King BALAK went â—d said BALA'M for thy commandement â—â—th no wise care hee proud of his wisedome â—ainely refuseth with us for to come â—d Balak sent againe by the same way â—inces that were more respectfull then they â—ho said to him Balak son of Zippor â—ith great desire hath us all sent thee for 〈◊〉 bids us say Let nothing I pray thee â—ee hinder from now coming unto me 〈◊〉 will promote thee for thy great wisedome â—herefore to curse this people shortly come â—hen to Balaks servants Bala'm most bold â—id If Balak of silver and of gold Would his house full me give I not therefore Could go beyond the Lords word lesse or mâ— Yet all this night heere tary I you pray That I may know what more the LORD will And GOD came unto Balaam at night And said to him What was most just and rigâ— If these men come againe for to call thee Rise up and al 's go with them speedilie But yet the word that I shall to thee say That shalt thou do most carefully alway And Balaam rose up in the morning And on his asse went unto Moabs King But Gods anger was then incontinent Kindled because he with these Princes went And the Angel of the great God that day For adversarie stood there in the way Thus on his asse he rode Balak unto And his two servants were with him also And the asse saw the Angel of the Lord In the way standing with a glistring Sword And the asse turn'd aside out of the way And went into the field without delay And Balam smote the asse with great disdaine To turne her soone into the way againe But the angel of the Lord in great wrath Of the vineyards stood in a narrow path Which on both sides was fenced with a wall 〈◊〉 when the asse for fear ready to fall 〈◊〉 the Angel of the Lord in the way â—till the Wall she did without delay â—sh Balams foot then he inflamed hote â—th staffe in hand the asse in fury smote â—en the Lord op'ned the mouth of the asse â—â—o said to Balam What is my trespasse â—â—y dost thou strike What have I done to thee â—at thou hast so me smitten these times three â—n Balam said unto the asse surely â—cause thou hast in the way mocked me â—ould there were a Sword in mine hand still â—r now I would in wrath thee surely kill â—en said the asse Am I not thine alway 〈◊〉 which thou hast ridden ev'n to this day â—as I before wont so to do to thee â—y said Balam thou didst not so to me â—en Balam's eyes the Lord without delay â—'ned who saw Gods Angel in the way â—ith his sword drawen then he in the same place â—w'd down his head and fell flat on his face â—en said the Angel For what great trespasse â—st thou these three times thus smitten thine asse â—â—hold I went out for to withstand thee â—â—cause thy way is perverse before me Thine asse a beast did well for thee provide She fearing me turned three times aside Unlesse she had from Me thus turn'd away I had her sav'd and had slain thee this day Then Balam said I have the LORDS commanâ— Broken by sin for that thou heer didst stand I did not know Now therefore without let If thou be wroth back soone I will me get No said the Angel unto Balam then Now take thine own will and go with the menâ— But only speak that which I speak to thee So Balam went towards Balak quickly When Balak heard this he incontinent To meet Balaam to a city went Of Moab land in borders of Arnon Which is the outmost coast lying alone Then Balak said unto Balam Did I Not send for thee to call thee by and by Wherefore came thou not at the first to me Am I not able for to honour thee And Balam said
to Balak I a man Am come unto thee to do what I can Have I now power any thing to say What GOD me bids that shall I speak this day Then Balak went anone with Balaam And quickly to Kiriath-Huzoth they came There Balak oxen did offer with sheep He sent for BALAM whose science was deep The morrow after BALAM came quicklie To Baals high places that he might see From thence of GODS ISRA'L the utmost part That by his curse that whole people might smart And Balam said unto Balak Build me Heere sev'n altars and prepare heere quicklie Seven oxen faire and seven fat rams also Balak as Balam had spoken did so And Balak and Balam off'red quicklie On each altar for sacrifice to be A Bullock and a Ram Then Balam spake Unto this King that called was Balak Stand by thy burnt off'ring and I will go Peradventure GOD will come me unto And give counsell what he shall shew to me I will without failing all tell to thee Then Balaam unto an high place went And the Lord there met him incontinent Then he said I sev'n altars did prepare And there have off'red now to me declare What I shall say to Balak Moabs King Then GOD put in his mouth this word saying Returne unto Balak and thus boldlie To him thou shalt speake this message from me Then he return'd when he thus understood And went to Balak who with Princes stood And he tooke up his parable and said Balak the King This charge on me hath laid From Aram I have beene brought by this Kinâ— Out of the mountaines of the East saying Come curse me Jacob and Isra'l defy Whom God hath not curst how him curse shal For from the top of the rocks I him see And him behold from the hils that are hie Loe this people in a great number throng Shall dwell alone and nations among Shall not be reck'ned who can count or tell The dust of Jacob or fourth of Isra'l Let me the death of the righteous man die And let my last end like unto his be And Balak said unto Balaam soone What meanest thou What hast thou to me do Mine enemies to curse I did take thee Behold thou hast them blessed most surely Then Balaam said Think not this uncouth For I must speake what God puts in my mouth Then Balak said I pray now come with me Unto a place from whence thou may them 〈◊〉 The out most part thou shalt see and no more Come and curse me them all from thence theâ—â—fore He brought him to the field of ZOPHIM land To PISGAS top whether God did command MOSES to go the promisde land to see That so after that sight MOSES might die There Balam said to Balak Stand heere by Thy burnt off'ring untill that quickly I Do yonder meet the great Almighty Lord And the LORD met Balam and put his word In Balams mouth and likewise said that day Returne againe unto Balak and say When Balam came unto Balak the King Behold he there stood by his burnt off'ring There with him were Princes of MOAB land Then Balak said Now let me understand What the LORD GOD in this perplexitie Hath both reveal'd and spoken unto thee And he tooke up his parable and said Rise up Balak and heare an answere made Thou Son of Zippor hearken unto me The Lord is not a man that he should lie Nor the Son of man that he should repent To say one thing and after to relent Hath the Lord said and shall he not it do Hath he spoken and shall he it not to Perfection bring Behold I now must blesse God hath blessed and I can not reverse In Jacob he hath not iniquitie Beheld neither at any time hath he Seene perversenesse in all Isra'l about God is with him among them is a shout Of a King God from Egypt land forlorne Them brought He hath as of an Vnicorne The strength surely where God is still presâ— Against Jacob there is no enchantment Neither against the Lords most deare Isra'l Can divination once prevaile at all According to this time it shall be thought And said of Jacob what hath the Lord wroâ—â— Behold the people shall rise up anone As a great Lion and a young Lion Lifts up himselfe and lyes not downe again Vntill he eat and drink blood of the slaine And Balak said unto Balam that day Neither them curse nor yet blesse I thee pray Told I not thee said Balaam unto Balak all that GOD saith that I must doe Yet Balak said unto Balam that day Come now with me I do thee heartly pray I will bring thee unto another place Peradventure thou wilt from God get grace That thou may'st for my poor Kingdomes deâ—â— Powre on them all a heavy curse from thence Then King Balak brought Balaam anone To PEORS top that looks to JESHIMON And Balam said unto Balak Build me Heere sev'n altars prepare right speedily Heere sev'n bullocks and sev'n fat rams well fed And Balak did as Balaam had said There were off'red a Bullock and a Ram On each altar they did performe the same And when Balam saw that it pleas'd the LORD To blesse ISRA'L he did no more accord As heeretofore to go incontinent For by his art to seeke for enchantment But he perplex'd in Sprite with great distresse Did set his face toward the wildernesse Then Balaam his eyes aloft lifting Saw ISRAEL in his tents abiding According to their Tribes GODS Spirit anone With this parable came Balam upon Balam the Son of Beor hateing lies Hath said even the man who hath op'ned eyes He hath said which heard the LORDS words truely Which saw the vision of the Almighty Falling into a great trance but having His eyes open to discerne every thing How good thy tents are Jacob who can tell And thy fair tabernacles O Israel As the valleyes all spread forth do abide As greene gardens by the fair rivers side As ligne-aloes which is of sweetest smell As besides waters Cedars high and tall Out of his buckets be shall powre indeed The waters and in great waters his seed And his King higher then Agag shall be And his Kingdome shall be exalted hie God brought him out of Egypt land forlorne He hath the strength as of an Vnicorne Hee shall eat up all those that are his foe And break their bones and pierce them throâ— also With his arrowes he couched he lay downe As a Lion and as a great Lion Who shall him stirre up he that shall thee bleâ—â— Is blessed and cursed that shall thee curse Then Balaks anger kindled with despight Waâ— ' gainst Balam together he did smite His hands saying I called thee surely For to curse but thou hast blessd these times threâ— Therefore now flee unto thy place and lot I thought thee to great honour to promote But lo the Lord in this hath not beene slack â—n wrath he hath from honour keept thee back And Balam said unto Balak This thing Spake I
of blessings manifold Went from this earth fivescore and ten yeeres old After his death this man of great account With grief was buri'd on Ephraim Mount The Use Worthy Captaine who will not thee commend A godly life makes ay a godly end Who fights for GOD with never fading baye◠Shall have his Temples trimmed and with laye◠Men and women his praises shall extoll His name famous shall be in Jovahs roll THE GARDEN OF ZION The Judges 1. Othniel 2. Ehud 3. Shamgar 4. Barak 5. Gideon 6. Abimelech 7. Tolah 8. Jair 9. Jephte 10 Ibsan 11. Elon 12. Abdon 13. Samson 14. Micah 15. Eli 16 Samuel 1. OTHNIEL The time of God WHen divers had afflicted Israel In a fit time the Lord sent Othniel By him great things in his lifetime were done Come of Kenaz good Calebs brother Son In Kiriath-sepher for vent'ring his life Caleb him gave his faire Achsah to wife King Chusan Rishataim he supprest By him Israel fourtie yeers had rest The Use In greatest troubles and in dangers prime The Lord will send comfort in fittest time 2. EHUD Excellent WHen Isra'l sin'd Moab with Amalek Were rais'd by GOD his people to correct But when they mourn'd and cryed to JOVAH He sent them Ehud first Son of Gerah This man left handed was of Benjamin His sharp dager he hid his cloathes within With sword at side with present in his hand He went to Eglon King of Moab land He said O King take heed give ear to me I have from God a great message for thee When he heard that he rose out of his seat With one stroke Ehud ended the debate While thus Eglon did wallow in deaths shade The dirt came out the fat inclos'd the blade By him the host of Moab was supprest After Isra'l had fourscore yeers of rest The Use Here learne that such a rare and single fact Is not set downe in Scripture for an act To teach men thus this Ehud to follow Each man to stob the Lord doth not allow 2. SHAMGAR Throwing downe THis Shamgar was a man of great renown With an Oxe-gaod six hundred he th◠down The Use Heere learne that great is our eternall God Who can save us either by sling or goad 4. DEBORAH A Bee BARAK Lightning DEare DEBORAH thy name a honey Bee Who can expresse the praise that 's du◠thee A Prophetesse sweet thou was in thy life A Judge in ISRA'L though for sexe a wife In her time Jabin ISRA'L had opprest Captaine Sisera did them sore molest Then DEBORAH at God the Lords command Said to BARAK JABIN into thine hand I will deliver by mine arme mighty Be stout and doubt not of the victory Oh said BARAK he is a mighty fo Go thou with me if not I will not go I will said she now surely go with thee But unto thee this no honour shall be Up up now BARAK said stout DEBORAH Take courage for with us is great JOVAH In that great day the LORD in ISRA'LS sight Put Siserah with all his host to flight He fled to Jahel there hid with a vaile She pierc'd his temples with a bloody naile According to DEBORAHS prophecie A wife not BAKAR got that victorie When the great GOD had wrought out this great thing DEBORAH BARAK then began to sing The Song of DEBORAH and BARAK PRaise ye the LORD for th' avenging of his own Israel When the people offred gladely themselves unto Battell 2 Heare Kings and Princes I even I will sing unto the Lord Vnto the Lord God of Isra'l I will praises afford 3 Lord when thou went'st from Seir when thou did march from Edom land The Earth trembled the Heav'ns dropped the Clouds they did disband 4 The Mountaines melted from before the Lord God Eternall Even that Sinai from before thee Lord God of Israel 5 In Shangars dayes Son of Anath in the dayes of Jael The high wayes were unoccupied they went in by wayes all 6 The indweller of villages in Israel did cease Vntill that I Deborah rose a mother to make peace 7 They chose new gods then in their gates was warre was their a shield Or speare among fourty thousand in all Israels field 8 My heart to Isral's Governours is that vvith one accord Offred themselves most willingly to Battell blesse the Lord. 9 Speake ye that ride on white asses In cheefe rulers aray And yee that sit in judgement and that travel by the way 10 And yee the poorest of the land whose tread was still to drawe Waters who for fear of Archers did greatly stand in awe Yee from this feare delivered Gods great workes magnifie Who hath given justice and traffiique in village and citie 11 Awake awake awake awake Deborah sing anone Arise Barak and lead captive thou of Ahinoan Son 12 He that remaines he made to rule ov'r the Nobilitie Ov'r the people the Lord me gave rule over the mighty 14 Of Ephraim ' gainst Amalek there was a root worthie Also among this great people Benjamin after thee From Machir of Manasse came governours goodly men To this service came Zebulon scribes that handle the pen 15 And the most mighty Princes of strong Issachar that day Were with Deborah in the field ev'n Issachar I say Also Barak to the valley sent on foot did depart For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart 16 Why would not thou from the sheep folds go for to act thy part For the divisions of Reuben were great searching of heart 17 Beyond Jordan Gilead abode and why did Dan remaine In ships Asher on the Sea shore in his breaches sought gaine 18 Zebulon and Naphtali were armed with speare and shield Their lives they jeoparded in the high places of the field 19 The Kings of Cana'n came and fought Jabin for to maintaine In Tana'ch neere to Megiddo but thereby did not gaine 20 The clouds and wind'gainst Sisera did fight from the heav'ns hie The Stars in their courses also fought most couragiouslie 21 The river Kishon even Kishon did sweepe them all away O thou my soule thou hast dovvntrode great strength vvithout delay 22 Then vvere the strong horse hoofs broken in great rage and furie By the means of the pransings even pransings of the mightie 23 Curse yee Meros most bitterly yea curse 〈◊〉 the Angel Because against these foes they did not help the Eternall 24 The Wife of Heber Jael shall blest above Women be She shall be blest above Women in the tent most surely 25 He asked vvater and she gave him milke of svvet relish She also vvisely butter brought foorth in a lordly dish 26 She vvith a hammer and a naile smote Sisera indeed VVhen she had pierced his temples she did smite of his head 27 He bovv'd and fell and lay dovvne h◠at her feet hovv'd and fell VVhere he bovv'd there he fell downe dead at the feet of Jahel 28 Sisera's mother looked out at vvindovves and did cry Through the lattesse vvith joy of heart
Abimelech should come out Then he anone came out most furiously And Gaal chasde even with all his armie The citie Sechem he sack'd for their fault He slew their men and sowed it with salt From Zalmon he brought branches in his ire With these he set their strongest towre on fire In that strong hold of the city Sichem He in his rage did burne a thousand men From thence this tyran with a speedy pace Went and encamped against fair Thebez The people all sore trembling in that houre With all their might fled unto their high towre ABIMELECH approaching in his ire Went neere the doore for to burne it with fire While them to yeeld he thought for to constraiâ— With a milstone a woman brake his braine Fy fy young man said he me stob and stay Lest by a woman I die shamefully While he was thus in a most shamefull smart The youth obey'd and thrust him through thâ— heart The Use Let all men heere consider well and see VVhat is the end of too great crueltie What Jotham said it is now come to passe Vengeance at last comes though vvith a sloâ—â— pace 7. TOLAH Crimsin O Worthy Tolah no war in thy time Defil'd the land with crueltie or crime GOD who the portion to all Princes measures Made him on smooth surges of seas of pleasures To saile He with meeknesse and mildnesse rather Then with rigour did govern as a father In the Scriptures we clearly learn this far He was come of the tribe of Issachar A godly Judge he ruled in GODS fear He judged Isra'l three and twentie year On Ephraim Mount they buried Tolah Where men had laid the corps of Joshua The Use Happie is he who dies with a good name Though volumes be not written of his fame 8. JAIR Shining enlightned BEhold heer Jair whose vertues divine Do sparkle bright and gloriously shine A Gileadite he ruled in GODS fear The holy people twentie and two year This worthy man of children had no lack For thirtie sons him follow'd at the back He thirtie cities as GODS word doth say Had Havoth-Jair cald unto this day At last after his dayes were spent and gone This worthy Judge was buried in Camon The Use Heer leare how Jovah in his great mercie Can blesse a man with great posteritie 9. JEPHTE From patach vvhich signifieth to open or dravv a Svvord THis Jephte was a mgihty man of war Drawing of swords in his name he doth beâ— Old Gilead this stout Jephte begot Unlawfully upon a vile harlot When Gileads sons began for to grow stout They hating Jephte anone thrust him out Depart from us said they now speedily A harlots son no heritage for thee Then Jephte from his cruell brethren fled And went in haste into the land of Tob. In this time Ammon did molest Isra'l For this cause for stout Jephte they did call Now Jephte said Ye seek me in distresse While ye suffer for your great wickednesse Behold said they We come again to thee That ' gainst Ammon thou may our captain be If said Jephte ye will make me your head Unto battel gladly will I proceed So be 't said they If otherwise we meane The great JOVAH be witnesse us betweene Then Jephte sent messengers with command To tell Ammon not to destroy his land But after speaches past both to and fro To battel both parties resolv'd to go Then GODS Sprite came on good Jephte quickly Reveng'd on Ammon he resolv'd to be If GOD said he the victory will allow Against Ammon I make a solemn vow If to my house I shall return in peace What first me meets shall be a sacrifice Or if not I most gladly do accord To consecrate it wholly to the LORD This said Jephte went foreward in great might Against the children of Ammon to fight To him that day the LORD great favour shew His foes with force he stoutly overthrew While he returned from the victory His daughter dear with timbrels merrily Came to meet him to this she was not slow Alas my daughter thou hast brought me low Said good Jephte I can not now go back I must perform the vow which I did make My father dear said she Now do to me What thou hast vow'd perform to the most Hie Only two moneths suffer me alone That I may my virginitie bemone What she requir'd her father did allow When that was done he performed his vow Not that he slew her as some think falsly But to GODS service her virginitie Did consecrate How can men thus surmise That good Jephte made such a sacrifice Paul in his writs unto the Hebrews saith He was a man renowned for his faith How could he make a sacrifice divine If he at first had met a dog or swine Durst a man who was both faithfull and good Bring to GOD that which chewed not the cud And now at last mens rashnesse to arreist If she was slain tell me who was the Priest In Jephte this I chiefly disallow That with Alas he did perform his vow After this battel Ephraim in ire Against Jephte with forces did conspire But Jephte stout with great numbers of men In great haste took the passage of Jordan There Ephraim who did the war denounce By Shibboleth which they could not pronounce In the battel their foes were knowne to be Sibboleth then made many men to die In that battell the cause of greefe and woe Ephraim there lost thousands fourtie two Then faithfull Jephte at the last deceased After he had Gods Isra'l six yeares judged The Use Heere vve may learne that bastards may get grace In faiths faire roll this Jephte had a place 10 IBSAN The father of a buckler AFter Jephte IBSAN of Bethlehem Was judge this man had threescore of children At last he died as in Scripture appeares When he Israel had judged seven yeares The Use Happie is he who dies with a good name Though volumes be not written of his fame 11 ELON Strength courag THen came ELON from the ZEBULONITS Who ten yeers well judged the Israelits The Use Happie is he who dies with a good name Though volumes be not vvritten of his fame 12 ABDON Worke service AFter ELON ABDON sonne of HILLEL Eight yeers did judge the tribs of Israel The Use Happie is he who dies with a good name Though volumes be not written of his fame 13 SAMSON Little sunne AFter Israels darknesse fourty yeers In great bondage this little Sunne appeares He was son of MANOAH a Danite A great comfort for the poore Isralite Before his birth his mother was barran In griefe without the comfort of children At last to her an Angel did appeare Who said to her Thou shalt conceive and beare A sonne no rasor shall come on his head For he shall be a Nazarite indeed A man for GOD set a-part from the womb Who Isra'ls foes shall send unto their tomb Then the woman said to her husband See A man of GOD hath appeared to me He seem'd to
in their hand Then these proud men bitter like angrie bees Took poor Samson and put out both his eyes With hard fetters of brasse they did him bind In a prison as horse they made him grind Soon after that his hair began to spring These lords him brought to Dagons house their king Dagon said they the god of sea and land Hath now inclosed Samson in our hand Then all the people greatly did rejoice And praised Dagon with a joyfull voice Then all merry and glad they did exhort To call for Samson for to make them sport When he was come Lad take me by the hand Said he Lead me where the pillar doth stand Upon the which the house is founded sure That I thereon may lean my body poor The house was full three thousand on the roofe To see Samson of sporting give a proofe Then Samson pray'd unto the Lord with cryes Now grant me Lord a revenge for mine eyes Twixt the pillars with his left hand and right He pull'd them downe by great JEHOVAHS might Such was the end of his dayes full of strife At death he slew mo then he slew in life The Use Heere wee may learne yea clearely wee may seâ— That cruell men are met with crueltie Heere is a lesson for to guide our life Not to reveale great secrets to a wife 14 MICAH Who is like the Lord. THe word of God most clearely doth reveale How MICAH did his mothers silver steele Yea which was worse and did merite the rods Of it he made graven and molten gods A Teraphim he had and an Ephod And so became Apostate from his God A wandring Levite he hir'd for his Priest His house for idols he made like a beast Now I know well that God will do me good Said MICAH who was most foolish and rude The LORD will lodge both in mine house and breast Because I have a Levite for my Priest In these dayes which was a most fearefull thing â—n all Isra'l was neither judge nor King â—he DANITS then seeking inheritance Came to the house of this Micah by chance His Levite and his silver gods they tooke When this was done MICAH began to looke To run and cry aloud after the men In number five come from the tribe of DAN What aileth thee said they What and wherefore My gods said he are stoll'n what have I more Let not thy voice now be heard us among Said they lest ill fellows upon thee throng It may fall out that if we come to strife Both thou and thine this day may losse the life Thus foolish MICAH Priest and gods that day Did losse and so the DANITS went their way The Use Let all men learne in Gods excellent schools Who worship idols are most brutish fooles Of the Levite and his Concubine IN these dayes which was a most feareful thing In all Isra'l was neither Judge nor King In these ill dayes what man could it endure A Levite had a wife that play'd the whoore She not fearing the terrours of JOVAH Ranne to her Father dwelling in JVDAH Foure whole moneths with him she did remaâ—â— Her husband went to bring her back againe There he with his father in law abode Where chearefully he was most welcomed From day to day he sought to turne againe But by his father was urg'd to remaine At last the fift day after all was done Hee went away well neere the afternoone Then parted he with his wife and servant They neere to JEBVS found the day far spenâ— The servant said In JEBUS let us lodge The Levite said To do such things I grudge We will not turne aside to that citie We will not lodge with these that strangers be We will passe over unto GIBEAH For there we trust is the fear of JOVAH When unto GI'BAH they were thus nâ— come The Sunne in his Horizon was gone downe Then he went in and sat downe in a streete But no man there with kindnesse did him greeâ— At last an old man lifting up his eye Come from the field did there perceive tâ— three Whence come ye said he Whether will yee We goe said they the house of God unto From BETHLEHEM we have both bread 〈◊〉 wine If thou us lodge we shall take none of thine Then said that old man Peace be now with thee Welcome thy want shall all lie upon me As they were eating with their hearts merrie Behold the vile villaines of that city Swarm'd in numbers of most vile rogues a rout The old mans house they compassed about Bring forth the man that came into thine house Cry'd they of him we will make carnall use This vice so vile with words I can not name Behold in Isra'l of SODOM the shame The old man said unto them most gravely I pray you cease oh cease from this folly This man is come under my house shadow Such great vilenesse the Lord cannot allow His wife my daughter if so be it must Abuse with man abhorre to spend your lust But for all this these men could not forbeare Raging in lust such words they would not hear When this was done and all remeed was past The Levite brought to them his wife at last These vile villains not trembling at Gods sight In their mad lust abus'd her all the night When darknesse past the cleare spring of the day Appear'd then these vile villains went away Then she whom they had handled like a whoore In the dawning fell downe dead at the doore At last the man op'ning the doore behold Her fall'n downe dead her hands on the thâ—â—shold Then to her thus lying her Lord did say Up up let us make ready for the way While he looked that she should rise with speâ— Behold his wife upon the threshold dead When the man saw what then was come to paâ— He tooke the corps and laid it on his asse When he her brought unto his house at home He with a knife cut her through flesh and bonâ— That the dead parts the wrong might clearly teâ— Twelve parts hee made and sent through ISRAEL They that this saw said A sinne of this kinde We have not seene advise and speake your minâ— Then all the land for this great sin much grieveâ— From end to end at MISPEH were conveened In number clearly set downe by GODS pen They there were foure hundred thousand foâ— men There the Levite in anguish and distresse At their desire declard the wickednesse This heard they all with one consent began To go to work to arise as one man Then said they all kindled with anger hot To the battell we will go up by lot Against vile Gib'ah to fight bitterly That they may smart for their unheard folly First through Benjamin speedy posts they sent That Gib'ahs men might suffer for their rent We seeke no more but when ye heare us then Ye send to us these vile and wicked men But Benjamin in a most foolish rage With mouth awry scorned the whole message Twentie six
me Then Booz said the Lord his blessing send To thee whose kindnesse in the latter end To me an old man now doth most appeare Courage daughter thou need'st no thing to feare Thy praise is high above the common pitch Who seeks not young men whether poore or rich And now daughter see what thou most desires For I will doe each thing that thou requires In this city i'ts known to every man That thou art a good and vertuous woman The Lord he knowes thou art to me full deare But know this there is a kinsman more neere If he refuse and the neere match forsake I promise heere to wife I will thee take When Booz after did that man require His answere was that match I not desire Then Booz having ended all the strife Made choise of Ruth for to remaine his wife A little after all these things were done God blessed Ruth who bare to him a sonne His name OBED to many joy did bring He was grand father to David the King The Use Heere learne that Christ who of all men wâ— best Did come of Ruth who was from Lots incest Heere learne how God exalts the basest things From this poore gleaner did spring many Kingâ— THE GARDEN OF ZION The Bookes of Samuel ELKANAH The Lord is jealous THere was a man of faire mount Ephraim Whom Scripture calleth Elkanah by name His Hebrew name clearely doth signifie For some great thing JEHOVAHS jealousie Two wives he had Peninah and Hannah Yeerely he went to worship JEHOVAH In Shilo where the Arke of GOD did stand For so to do the LORD did them command Peninnah proud because of her children Provok'd Hannah because she was barren To her she was even like a trapping net Seeking alwayes to make her heart to fret While her husband perceiv'd her grief and smaâ— With these good wordes he did comfort her heâ— Why weepest thou for want of fair children I to thee shall be better then sons ten Then Hannah in great bitternesse of heart Went to Shiloh from GOD to ease her smart In her prayer she weeped bitterly She vow'd this vow unto the LORD most hie O LORD of Hoasts if thou now wilt indeed Looke on the grief of me thy poor handmaid If thou wilt give to thy servant a Son He shall be thine the rasor shall not come Upon his head he all his dayes shall be A faithfull servant consecrate to thee While she continued in prayers divine Priest Eli thought she had beene after wine How long said Eli wilt thou drunken be Arise arise and put thy wine from thee My LORD said she do not so of me think I am not drunk with wine nor such strong drinâ— In my great grief in anguish with great smart Before the LORD I have powr'd out my hearâ— Let not my LORD this thought in thy heart faâ— That thy handmaid is one of Belial From GOD I have been seeking some reliefe Who hath an eye to my complaint and grief Then Eli said with great affection The great GOD grant thee thy petition When this was said the woman went her way She eat her meat her face was fill'd with joy The son she sought from great GOD eternell From her asking was called Samuel This son her chear'd against Peninnahs strife Unto the Lord she lent him all his life The Use Let us learne heere our vaine pride to represse And not to grieve these that are in distresse Let us learne heere to judge in charitie Of others plungd in great adversitie Let us learne heere when ought doth us dismay To run to God and humbly him to pray The Song of Hannah MY heart rejoiceth in the Lord my horn exalt did he My mouth is greatly now inlarg'd for his goodnesse to me 2 There is none holy as the Lord there is none beside thee There is no rock that is like God our God the Lord most hie 3 Talke no more proudly as ye do speake not with arrogance For all our deeds the Lord doth weigh in his sacred ballance 4 The strong bowes of the mighty men are broken all at length And they that stumbled now are girt with force and divine strength 5 They that were full in plentie have hir'd out themselves for bread And they that were in great distresse from God have found remeed 6 The Lord by his strong arme doth kill and he also doth save He lifteth up he bringeth downe unto the stinking grave 7 By his power he doth make poore and also maketh rich He bringeth low and raiseth up unto a certaine pitch 8 He bringeth up out of the dust the poore from the dunghill To Princes seats the strong pillars of earth he makes stand still 9 He will keepe the feet of his saints the wicked in darknesse Shall all bee silent none by strength shall prevaile more or lesse 10 These fooles who do reject the Lord shall soone be broke to pieces With thunders shall he trouble them though they be great as Princes and strength give to his King His horne shall fill with holy oyle and make him long to reigne 15. ELI My God IN Isra'l Judge and Priest was old ELI My God his Hebrew name doth signifie He had two sons Hophni and Phineas Who did against the Lord greatly trespasse With greede and whooredome a most filthie vicâ— They made all men contemne Gods sacrifice Their father Eli in his words too smooth Preferr'd to God his sons in his reproof Therefore the Lord resolv'd them all to kill By fall in Battell he their blood did spill For Elis fault the Lord gave him this check He from his seat did fall and breake his neck As for his sons who in vice did excell They lost their life in a bloody battell The Use By Father Eli let all fathers heere Learne not to love too much their children dear Let Levits learne heere not to do or thinke That which may make Gods sacrifice to stinke 16 SAMUEL Asked of God Here is a Saint the Son of good Hannah Asked of God the most high Jehovah He was a man of a most holy heart He from the womb for God was set apart When he was young and Elis eyes were dim The Lord in Silo did appeare to him Foure times he cried unto him Samuel Before he knew that it was th' Eternall To him the Lord there great plagues did reveale Against Eli which he did not conceale My plagues said God I will upon him spend When I begin I al 's will make an end Him will I judge and his two sons most vile Against his house I will my wrath reveale After all this young Samuel went to bed Fearing to tell t' ELI what God had said The morning come said Eli to Samuel What God hath said see that thou now me tell But if thou faine if that thou doe not so God so to thee doe and much more also Then good Samuel told to him every whit Nothing from ELI did he keep secret When this old
secret wrath to open felonnie He went pursuing David cruellie For this David to Achish in Gath fled There he as mad the spittle on his beard Let fall in this most pitifull estate Forced like fools he scrabled on the gate From thence to Keilah from Keilah he past To Ziph where he almost by Saul was lost At Engedi where he revenge might have He spar'd Sauls life inclosed in a cave In wildernesse having provision small He was refused by churlish Nabal Of all Sauls house the worthy Jonathan Of Davids comforts onely was the man David at last fled to the land of Gath Untill God had puld Saul away by death His death which would have made another glad Made him to sigh and many teares to shed The lamentations of David for the death of Saul and Jonathan ALas my heart said David doth disdaine These vile villains who have unto us Slaine The Royall blood the beautie of Israel How they are fall'n beware in Gath to tell Or Askelon let no man heare your voice Lest the daughters of Philistins rejoice O Gilboa now cursed must thou be Let neither deaw nor raine fall downe on thee For there thee shields of men armed with might Were cast away like men that could not fight There Saul fell downe upon that cursed soile As though he had not been annoint with oyle Saul and Jonathan two men most mighty Your bow and sword returned not empty Saul and Jonathan in lyfe were lovelie They in there death would not divided be The Eagles Lions both in strength and flight Were overcome by these two men of might O daughters worthy the name of Isra'l Let floods of teares now bubble out and fall For worthy Saul whose purpose was still set To deck with gold and cloath you with scarlet It greeves my heart to think or yet to tell How these mightie did fall in the battell O Jonathan I must most weep for thee For thou a friend and brother was to me Thy love to me was more then love of men Yea it did passe the best love of women Of Davids Reigne OF Davids reigne clearely I will record Who was faithfull beloved of the Lord When Saul was slaine and Jonathan was dead The Crown of Judah was on Davids head In Hebron set Then he sent to Jabesh And thanked them for their loving kindnesse For taking downe from the walls of Bethshan The bodies of Saul and of Jonathan In this meane time which did great troubles bring Abner annointed Ishbosheth as king Joab for David was then cheefe captaine Against Abner who Sauls house did maintaine In that armie Abner began to say Let the young men now sport and rise to play Content said Joab then twelve on each side Arose to fight each man anothers head Caught in his hand and then most cruelly His sharp sword thrust in his brothers belly That day betweene Judah and Israel Was first a skirmish and then a battell A battell great last Abner in that fight Was beaten sore he sav'd himselfe by flight While he did flie Asahel did pursue But Abner straited swift Asahel slew Though Abners armie was in good aray Good David got the victory that day Though David was these great troubles among Yet by Gods arme he dayly was made strong Stout Abner who did Ishbosheth defend Unto David revolted in the end After this man by Joabs treachery Was slaine which moved David bitterly To weep and mourne while of it he did heare Last he himself mourning follow'd the biere Alas said he with sorrow and great doole Did valiant Abner die as doth a foole This great breach now can be made up hardly The sons of Zerviah be too strong for me Then Baanah and Rechab did conspire To slay Ishbosheth for to winne a hire These bloody men him stobbed on his bed And after that with haste to Hebron fled Where David was they thought to have good speed When they to him offred Ishbosheths head As God liveth said David who hath me Redeemed out of all adversitie Yee shall be slaine by a most fearfull death I shall you both take away from the earth Come out young men cut off their hands and feet And hang them up a judgement for them meet Then all Isra'l with one voice consenting Appointed David there captaine and King When he was crown'd of yeers he was thirtie His reigne continued the space of fourtie First seven in Judah after he did beare His faire Scepter for three and thirty yeere He tooke Jebus who thought as they were bold That blind and lame might surely keep their hold When the Philistines heard that he was King A great armie against him they did bring At Baal-Perazim he them overthrewe With great slaughter these Philistins he slew Their idols there they left their hearts desire Which David tooke and after burnt with fire Yet came againe the Philistins like bees Whom David smot at the Mulberie trees When rest was come he prepar'd speedily To have Gods Ark lodg'd in his owne city Of good duetie he did neglect no part He did prepare for it a new made cart While it was driv'n by Ahio and Uzzah Great mirth by all was made unto Jovah Timbrels and harps cymbals and psalterie With Cornets sweet made pleasant melodie While all was joy behold anone a jar A fearfull breach which all their mirth did mar It was both sore and suddain with terrour For God there smote Uzzah for his errour The Levits shoulders for to bear the Arke Ordained were and not an oxen cart The Levits might as the Lord did command It carie but not touch it with their hand At this great breach good David sore afraide Both Arke and Cart in this journey he staide In Obed-Edoms house he did it place Which in three moneths it did fill with grace When David heard of such grace and goodnessâ— To his City he brought it with gladenesse He was so glad that in all Isra's sight He danc'd before the Lord with all his might To be more nimble in his dance to God He was girded with a linnen Ephod As they came neere unto Davids citie Michal beheld all with a scorning eye When all was done with gladnesse manifold David returned to blesse his houshold Him Michal met and scorningly did say A beast a foole a vaine fellow this day Thou hast thee showne this was her bitter word What reck sad he it was before the Lord Thy taunting speach doth not sinke in my minde The Lord me hath preferr'd to thee and thine From holy zeal I will not now refile I purpose yet to be more base and vile Though thou me scorne and speake so tauntinglie By men and maids I shall hence honour'd be After great warres when David had got rest To build a house for God he thought it best In house of Cedar said he I now dwell But onely Curtains are for th' Eternell What shall I doe to Nathan did he say Go to said Nathan do without delay
this was said their was a skirmish rude By the two armies made in Ephraim wood Like a great wind boistrous with stormy puff Men fought in spight with mutuall counterbuff That day Joab with Judahs brave children Of Isra'l slew downe twentie thousand men The people was sore scatt'red in the wood Which did devoure more people then the sword There Absalom a Rebell and a Foole Among the rest was riding on a Mule By his long haire a branch caught him that day There he did hing when the Mule went away Then Joab with his three darts came anone And thurst them through the heaâ—t of Absalom Then Cushi came and cri'd Tidings O King To the great God now praises may thou sing The LORD of Hoasts in Battell most mightie Of all thy foes hath now avenged thee Then David troubled said unto Cushi Is Absalom the young man in safetie Then Cushi said Let all thy foes indeed Be like Absalom who is surely dead When David heard this wounded was his heart From sight of men quickly he did depart To an high chamber for to mourne alone The tragick death of his deare Absolon His sorrow such was in his wounded heart That forc'd he was to weep and go apart With teares of grief doubling My son my son He wish'd his owne death had sav'd Absalon For Davids murder and adulterie Shebah arose who was son Bichri A Benjamite he with sterne countenance Most proudly said Now what inheritance Have we in David Let us make a rent Let every man returne unto his tent So Isra'l did with this son of Bichri But Judah clave to David heartily Then David said to valiant Amasa Assemble me the brave men of Judah Then he went out Captaine of that armie Jaob him met with heart full of envie Cov'red with smiles his right hand made a wound Which all his bowels shed out to the ground Then Amasa in mids of the high way Bath'd in his blood did thus wallow that day This done Joab pursued speedily After Shebah who was son of Bichri When Joab came to the city Abel This Shebahs head was throwne downe from the wall When these of Abel had perform'd this thing Joab in haste returned to the King When all his foes were round about supprest To sing to GOD due praises he thought best Yet once againe Gods wrath ' gainst Israel In Davids time upon this people fell He stirr'd by Satan would know in his pride How many men in his land did abide To Joab he gave this direction Who liked not the Kings commission But yet obey'd the Kings word did prevaile Therefore he went and numbred Israel In Isra'l were eight hundred thousand men Five hundred thousand Judah their brethren In number were Of all as saith Gods word Were thirteene hundred thousand that drew sword When this was done then Davids heart him smot Gods wrath therefore was shortly kindled hot Alas O Lord said he now pitie me For I confesse I have done foolishly When David did arise in the morning The prophet Gad this word to him did bring Advise and chuse one of these judgements three If seven yeeres of famine shall trouble thee Or if thou wilt three moneths chuse and take Before thy foes to flee and turne the back Or if thou wilt have this great patience Three dayes to hazard on the pestilence When David saw the Lords wrath thus appeare Hee said to Gad I am in a great feare Yet in Gods hand I pray thee let me fall For his mercies are over his works all Then JEHOVAH in wrath to strike began And kill'd of Isra'l seventy thousand men To Jerusalem then the Angel went With sword in hand but God he did repent Him of the evill Th' Angel he did command To sheath his sword and so to stay hâ—s hand Then Gad from God to David thus did say Reare up an Altar to the Lord this day Let this Altar be set for JEHOVAH Where is the treshing floore of Araunah Then David as JEHOVAH did command Did buy the floore and in Araunahs hand He laid thirty shekels silver for price And there to God offred his sacrifice When this was done and David was wax'd old Absaloms brother ADONIjAH bold Helped by JOAB and ABIATHAR In his great pride made a most fearefull jarre A goodly man he was and faire in face But proud in Sprit a man of litle grace David him spilt he would not him displease Him to reprove at all times he did cease Puft up by Joab in vaine aspâ—ring He thought no more but surely to be King After David these three Nathan Zadok Benaiah for Solomon undertooke With Bathshebah David without delay Declard who should Israels Scepter sway After his death The man who shall alone Said he be King is my son Solomon When time drew nigh that good David should die He Solomon charged most carefully I go said he the way of all the earth I must shortly walk in the path of death Be strong therefore and shew thy self a man And keep the charge of the Lord as thou can Walk in his wayes keep his commandements His testimonies and al 's his judgements So shalt thou prosper both by sea and land All shall go well that thou shalt take in hand Remember well how Joab greeved me When he slew Abner with great treacherie And Amasa and how the blood of war He shed in peace when no cause was of jar And how he put the blood of Abner sweet In the vile shooes that were upon his feet I know thou canst thy self wisely behave Let not his hoare-head in peace go to grave Unto Barzillais sons shew great kindnesse For they were kind to me in my distresse Behold with thee the cursed Shimei Who curst me sore in my calamitie To him humbled I sware by the great Lord I will not put thee to death with the sword Because he was so fierce in my distresse Therefore take heede thou hold him not guiltlesse I know thou canst thy self wisely behave His hoary-head with blood bring to the grave So David with his fathers sleept softly And after buri'd was in his city The Use By David learne what after sin remaines The fruits of sin are sorrowes and great paines By David learne if thou hast gone astray To turne to God and walk in the right way By David learne to teach your children deare How in their time they should live in GODS feare Too many speak of Davids filthie fall To shroud their sins and so to make them small Too many to their vile lusts licence give As though to rot were the way to revieve But few there be that weigh well in their heart How greatly David for his sins did smart SOLOMON Peaceable who is at peace with all men GODS Sprit begins to move my pen anone To draw some lines concerning Solomon A worthy man most excellent in fame At home abroad from peace he had his name Good Nathan sent from the great JEHOVAH Changed
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
Gods Word did direct His heart with God the Lord was not perfect When warre arose he unto the Lord sought ' Gainst Jeroboam he a Battell fought Foure hundred thousand were with Abijah Eight hundred thousand were against Judah For Jeroboam In the fields were then An armie of twelve hundred thousand men Then Abijah standing on Zemaraim Which is a part of faire mount Ephraim VVith a loud voice cri'd unto Israel VVhy come ye foorth against me to Battell VVhat God hath join'd why go ye now to seveâ— For the whole land the Lord hath given for ever To Davids house without a let or halt This was made sure by Covenant of salt Yet Jeroboam Solomons servant Doth what he can to breake this Covenant Gathred unto him are men of Belial Who are novv come to provoke to Battell And novv ye think the Kingdome to vvithstand VVhich should remaine sure in Davids sons hand VVith you is a great multitude of men VVith golden Calves of false Jeroboam Have yee not cast out the Priests of the Lord That for vile gaine yee might with one accord Make unto you Priests that vvould take in hand To serve strange gods that vvere from other Lands But as for us the Lord vvith us vvill be VVho have vvith us the Priests sons of Levi VVho morne and even vvaite upon all service Enjoyn'd by GOD the dayly sacrifice VVe with our heart keep the charge of the Lord. But ye have him all left vvith one accord Behold hovv God is vvith us for Captaine His Priests vvith Trumpets to sound an alarme Against you VVherefore novv vvith one accord Conveene yee thus to fight against the Lord Leave off leave off proceed no more this vvay For your armie shall not prosper this day But Jeroboam free of feare and doubt Judahs armie did compasse all about When Judah saw them compass'd in Battell They with strong prayers cri'd to th' Eternall The Priests began with their Trumpets to sound Judah did shout Which made th' Echos rebound Then God arose to shew himself by might He Jeroboam put unto the flight The flight was fierce bloody was the Battell Five hundred thousand that day to Isra'l Were kill'd But Judah prevail'd by and by Because with faith they to the Lord did cry Thus Jeroboam curbed in his wayes Recov'red not strength in Abijahs dayes But Abijah wax'd more and more mighty With fourteene wives he begat sons twenty Because he was not perfect in his wayes Of his Kingdome the Lord shortned the dayes He in his wayes walked not uprightly Therefore his great pomp lasted but years three The Use Ill Kings from Thrones by a successive svvay Like chaffe by vvind shall soone be driven avvay 3. ASAH Healing BEhold a King most glorious like the Sun Whose end was good whose life was wâ— begun A man of health is he who strives to please The Lord and doth what is good in his eyes This worthy King with holy jealousie Brake downe the Altars of Idolatrie Set up for strange gods he the high places With groves cut downe and brake the images With great zeale he commanded all Judah To do the Law and turne unto Jovah Because the Lords Law he did not forget The Kingdome was long before him quiet At last ZERAH the Ethiopian Came with an host of a thousand thousand ASAH the King thus troubled very sore Conveen'd five hundred thousand and fourescore Thus fifteene hundred thousand men that day With fourscore thousand in Battell aray Were set Then Asah cri'd unto the Lord That in that strait his help he would afford Help us O Lord help us O Lord said he Thou canst well help with few or with many Against this host we now goe in thy name Make now our foes to turne their back with shame When God this heard he rose in anger hot And with his sword this huge armie he smot His wrath like waters wheesing out did foyle The proud Zerah then Judah got their spoile When this was done the Prophet Azariah Was sent from God for to meet King Asah God is vvith you said he vvhile ye vvith him His love with you most ready to confirme If yee forsake him he will forsake you now If yee seek him he will be found of you Be strong therefore Gods service much regard For God the Lord your good work shall rewaâ—d When Asa heard these words he tooke courage The idole gods he did destroy with rage From Ephraim Manasseh and Simeon Unto Asa many did flock anone Then with one minde they were glade and content To make with GOD the LORD a Covenant By God they sware in a most sol mne oath That man woman great small should die the death Who should refuse the living God to seek Who to his Saints is mercifull and meek Then all the people with their whole desire Did seeke the Lord as Asa did require They sware to God with shouting and Trumpets With singing voice and also with Cornets They seeking God beleev'd and did not doubt And he unto them gave rest round about When this was done this worthy King Asah From being Queene his mother Maachah Remov'd because vaine idols she did love She had set up an idole in a grove This idole he did cut and stamp upon With fire he burnt it at the brook Kidron When this was done Ba'sha King of Isra'l Did build Ramah to make Asah to fall But Asah quickly sent to Benhadad For help which in the Lords eyes did seeme bad For this doing the Prophet Hanani Him told that he had done most foolishly What hadst thou said he to doe with Syria To hire their help Did not the great Jovah Make thee subdue the Ethiopian host With the Lubims who in their pride did boâ—st Gods eyes throughout the earth run to and â—ro To manifest his great might so and so He is ready with great power to smite The foes of these who towards him perfite Are in their heart Because in this right far Thou hast failed hence foâ—th thou shalt have warre When Asa heard these words of Hanani A fierie wrath did kindle his furie Take this villaine said he this Bâ—lials son Now bind him fast and cast him in prison Moreover he some people in distresse Without mercy severely did oppresse In his old age diseased in his feet To Medecins to seeke he thought more meet Then to the Lord who health and happinesse Hath ready for his servants in distresse Though diverse faults bee seen in this mans wayes Yet with the Lord his heart was all his dayes Perfect as the first book of Kings doth tell Written by the scrib of God Eternell He sway'd the Scepter years one and fourtie Though Kings be gods yet as men they must die The Use Our brightest life is like the Moone with spot Where is the life that is without a blot 4. JEHOSHAPHAT The judgement of the Lord. NOw fill mine heart LORD with thy glowing flame Raise up my Spirit and verses in me
frame Worthy the praise of good Jehoshaphat Whom good Asa King of Judah begat As in his name as Scriptures do record So in his life the judgement of the LORD Unto all men most clearly did appâ—are That man is wise whose heart the LORD doth feare This godly King did serve GOD in his dayes Because he walked fast in the first wayes Of David he to Baalim not sought But idols worship with great might downe brought He willing did what GOD did him command Therefore the Kingdome stable in his hand Was made by GOD then Judah to him brought Most rich presents which they had dearly bought His heart encourag'd was in the Lords way High places groves with zeal he took away When he was rich and in honour highly With Ahab he did joine affinitie With him to go to battell he was mov'd For which he was deservedly reprov'd By good Jehu the son of Hanani Who said to him Should'st thou help th' ungodlie VVhat didst thou meane to bee by thought or word In league or love with them that hate the Lord Consider well and now take heed and see For wrath from God is posting upon thee Thee to correct but not thee to confound Because in thee good things the Lord hath found The idole groves thou hast taken away Thy heart thou hast prepar d to seeke alway The mighty Lord in great sincerity Therefore the Lord vvill not depart from thee To the Judges he gave commandement To take good heed because in the judgement The Lord was with them Doe now what yee can Said he to them for yee judge not for man But for the Lord If him ye do rgard He shall not faile you richly to reward Judge uprightly beware of shifts and drifts Respect not persons reject bribs and gifts Which blind the eye but let Gods holy fear Be upon you that so yee may forbeare To doe like these who with Horse leaches sing To their clients these doubled words Bring bring This counsell that the Judges from him gat Was worthy of the name of Joshaphat Which signifies Gods judgement most clearly In my judgement by way of prophesie After this done with zeal behold anone Against Josaphat Moab and Ammon A multitude great from beyond the Sea In Hazazon-Tamar call'd Engedi Conveen'd to fight in a bloody Battell Against Josaphat who to th'Eternell Had his refuge while he was thus agast He sought the Lord and did proclame a fast Then all Judah with one heart did accord From all cities to go and seek the Lord Good Josaphat troubled with fear that day Before Judah thus to the Lord did say Art thou not God in heaven who rulest all Art thou not he who is God eternall Hast thou not strength and great might in thine hand Where are the forces that can thee withstand Art thou not God who didst before Isra'l Drive out thy foes by thine arme eternall And gav'st their lands from a most loving minde Vnto the seed of Abraham thy frind Thou art a Lord both strong and righteous Thou promised vvhen men unto thine house Should come to thee in great trouble and feare That vvith great speede thou vvould them help and heare And novv behold both Moab and Ammon VVith these of Seir minde thy Judah anone For to invade and their lands to make bare Though at thy vvill vve did them save and spare And novv O Lord consider and regard Hovv vvith despight as foes they us revvard Our forces faint Our foes are most mightie But this comforts Our eyes are upon thee Then Judah all with wives and children dear Before the Lord stood in a trembling fear Then on Jahaziel son of Zechariah A divine Sprite came downe from Jehovah Who said All Judah and Josaphat King Hear novv glade tidings vvhich I to you bring From great Jovah vvho said you neede 〈◊〉 feare For I for you shall fight in all this vvarre When King and people had these comforâ— found They bow'd their heads with face unto 〈◊〉 ground The Levites high their singing voice did raise They stood all up the living God to praise They rose up early in the morning light To go to battell in their armour bright Now as they went Josaphat stood and said Heare me O Judah now beleeve in God Beleeue so that no doubt make you once whisper Beleeve his Prophets so shall yee all prosper When this was said the singers with gladnesse Did praise the beautie of his holinesse Then God most mighty in Battell arose Who set ambushments round about his foes He made each one another for to slay The Lord himself the battell fought that day Gods arme it wrought and not fortune or hap â—ot one of all their armie did escape â—fter that God had given them thus the foile â—is people were enricht with their great spoile â—ost rare jewels among the dead that day â—hey found yea more then they could bear away When this was done with Trumpets and with Harps They came to Salem with great joy of hearts And thanked God the great God Eternell Who had strongly their foes foil'd in Battell Thus the realme was quiet without shout Of warre to them God gave rest round about But after this Josaphat did purloine In that he did with Ahaziah joine Who was a King perverse in Israel Even Ahabs Son hated of th' Eternall Who awlesse lawlesse ' gainst the Lord did rage With him he ships made for a long voyage To Tarshish But the Prophet Dodavah Came to Josaphat from the great JOVAH Because said he thou hast fal'n in such slips The LORD himself hath broken all thy ships When he began he was of age thirtie And five thereafter he reigned twentie And five Of all he lived yeeres threescore A Godly Prince who did Gods law restore The Use If Princes would have peace and foile thâ— foes Let them in feare to serve the Lord rejoice If Princes would enjoy prosperitie Let them abhorre all profane companie 5. JEHORAM High LORD HIgh LORD in name but base in cariage For he his brethren all slew in his rage In great mischief and strife he spent his life For he had Ahabs daughter to his wife Then came to him writings from Elijah Who was the Prophet of the great JOVAH Because said he with vile idolatrie Thou hast thy selfe defiled filthilie Because with furie rage and great disdaine Most cruelly thou hast thy brethren slaine Who in Gods wayes had their heart more perfitâ— Then thine therefore with sore plagues I wiâ— smite Both thee and thine A plague without all doubt â—hall from thy belly thy bowels thrust out â—ight yeeres hee did reigne then great plagues conspir'd â—is death he died but was by none desir'd The Use Take heed O Kings make not your men to grone If ye would have men your death to bemone â—hese who in lewdnesse both end and begin â—hall beare the scars of wounds made by their sinne 6. AHAZIAH Possession of God â—LL mothers Sonne son of the wicked
race 〈◊〉 Of ill Ahab nothing he did possesse 〈◊〉 Gods grace but contemning th' Eternell â—e walked after the wicked counsell â—f Ahabs house which did him sore annoy â—or him with it stout Jehu did destroy â—e went with Joram for to take his part â—gainst Jehu for which he felt the smart For sins against God he could not forbeare Therefore his Kingdome lasted but a yeere The Use Let all men learne that sin is not a sport It ends our dayes and cuts our honours shoâ— Let these here learne who are made Kings grace To chuse their wives of good and godly race 7. JOASH The fire of the Lord. VVHen Athaliah did see that her Son King Ahaziah was by Jehu slaine She rose in rage her whole force to imploy The Royall race of Judah to destroy When she in furie cruel did conspire Against Judah then Joash from that fire By God was sav'd his Father Sister deare Jehoshabeath did hid him in that feare This good woman wife of Jehojadah Was appointed by the great Jehovah To save this Prince in these times of great feaâ— This Priest him hid the space of whole six yearâ— Jehojadah at last did him foorth bring By force of armes he Crown'd and made him King When Athaliah heard how all was done Shee rent her cloaths and said Treason treason When this was said up stood Jehojadah The Priest of the Almighty JEHOVAH Captaines said he have this vile woman foorth Of Gods house ranges though she by birth A Kings daughter now take her in disdaine Without the temple let her now be slaine When all things ord'red were in this estate They slew her at th'entring of the horse gate Then all were moved by Jehojadah To make a Covenant with great JEHOVAH Then the people went with all diligence To Baals house for to exact vengeance They brake it downe his Altars they down threw With Images Mattan the Priest they slew They offred burnt offrings and Psalmes did sing That done upon a Throne they set the King Of seven years old before he was a man Of strength and wit Joash to rule began He was a man well set for Jehovah During the dayes of good Jehojadah He in great zeale made all to contribut Great meanes which he at last did distribut For to prepare the house of great Jovah Which had been spoil'd by vile Athaliah Who to break downe Gods house did well alloâ— The spoile she did on Baalim bestow After this Hazael King of Syria Tooke Gath to the Citie of Jehovah He set his face to compasse it in round To make a breach and bring it to the ground But Joash fearing such forces that day Gave him the treasurs so he went away As long as Joash had Jehojadah He uprightly did walk with Jehovah But after this most worthy man was dead Who for his worth with the Kings was buri'd Joash the King with Princes of Judah Did leave the house of the great Jehovah Unto their sins they were most foolish slaves Who like heathens did serve idols and groves Yet he to them his holy Prophets sent To teach them his divine commandement Against them they did testifie sincere But they unto their words would not give eare Then the good sprit of the great Jehovah Came upon the Prophet Zechariah Jehojadahs son who stood up and said To the people Thus saith th' Almighty God Why doe ye thus the Lords precepts transgresse Why sin ye still stoutly without regresse â—ee cannot prosper because yee have now â—orsaken God he hath forsaken you â—hen wicked men commanded by the King â—t Zechariah stones with spight did fling â—his man of God they slew with one accord â—n the faire court of the house of the Lord â—hus Joash king killing Zechariah â—orgot the kindnesse of Jehojadah â—e not remembring what that man had done â—or him in straite but after kill'd his son When he was dyeing this was his desire â—ord looke upon it and also require After this fact neere the end of the year â—oash with his men were troubled with feare â—he Syrian armie in number but small â—pon his hoast with great fiercenesse did fall Who ' gainst Joash did execute judgement â—or his transgressing Gods commandement After this King Joash in great sicknesse Was left because in blood he did transgresse â—is owne servants who at his table fed â—ere cruelly did kill him on his bed â—ne of these servants had this name Zabad â—he others name was call'd Jehozabad â—f seven years old a childe by Jehovah â—ade King he raign'd fourty years in Judah Because Gods Prophet he slew cruelly God suffred not him in Kings graves to lye The Use He who for good with an unthanfull heart Shall render ill ill never shall depart From his house A murdrer though a greâ— King The Lord with blood unto the grave shall brinâ— 8. AMAZIAH The strength of the Lord. THis Amaziah as the historie Declareth did reigne yeers nine and twenâ— That he did good we have in holy write But in Gods sight his heart was not perfite These men he slew who had his father slaine But by Gods statutes spared their children Against Edom he three hundred thousand Of Judahs men had ready at command A hundred thousand he of Israel Did hire with him to go unto Battell But from the Lord a man came to the King Who him discharg'd Israels men to bring Unto his host for God with Israel Said he is not The Lord in this battell Will not thee help If thou them with thee take The Lord he shall both thee and thine forsake Then Amaziah unto him did say An hundred talents these men have this day Receiv'd from me Who shall these now restore The Lord said he will render thee much more Then Amaziah did command these men Who not of Judah but Irsa'ls children To turne back soone and to their home returne For which much wrath in their bosome did burn Then this King stout with Judahs men alone Ten thousand smot of the men of Edom Ten thousand al 's this King did leave alive Whom he by valoure did cary captive These he did bring to the top of a rock He threw them downe their bones in pieces brok But Fy fy fy this most unthankfull King Their idol gods unto Judah did brng He bow'd before these things that had no sense And al 's unto them he did burne incense Wherefore the anger of the great Jovah Sore kindled was against Amaziah He sent to him a Prophet for to tell That by idols he had greev'd th' Eternell Why hast thou said he sought of other lands The gods which their owne people from thâ—â— hands Could not rescue Where is respect and fear Then said the King I charge thee to forbeare To speak such words thou base man hast no placâ— Be silent lest they smite thee on the face Well said the Prophet at thy commandemeâ— I shall forbeare and shall remaine silent For now I know the great God Eternell
melodie The people did worship and singers sing Trumpets founded so that the house did ring This did continue GOD did it commend Till the burnt offering was brought to an end When the Trumpets most holy consecration Was finished the people great oblation Did offer gladely with a most free heart The Priests the Levites each man did his part So the service of GODS house pleasantly Was then in order set most suddenly Thus Hezekiah after all repar'd Rejoic'd in God who had his men prepar'd Then this good King by Gods divine counsell Ordain'd Judah and also Israel To keep passeover for great JEHOVAH At Salem from Dan to Beershebah The posts in hast with letters from the King Went through all parts for to declare this thing The summe was this that all men then shouâ— mourne For their trespasse and to the Lord returne If yee wrote he turne to this Lord of grace In wrath he will not from you turne his face But Ephraim and Manasse forlorne Israels men did laugh these posts to scorne Yet of Aser and of Manasse came Divers to worship the LORD at Salem The hand of God in Judah was mighty To give them one heart with sinceritie To celebrat that great Jehovahs feast â—hey all obey'd the greatest and the least â—ut in Israel numbers foolishly â—â—d beene carelesse themselves to sanctifie â—â—t this good King did pray for them anone â—â—e good Lord said he pardon ev'ry one â—ho doth his owne heart prepare sinceerely â—hough according to Jovahs Sanctuary â—e not cleansed This the Lord did please â—ho heal'd the people of their sore desease â—ea more Isra'l without all wearinesse â—id keepe the feast that day with great gladnesse â—hole fourteene dayes that feast which was holy â—bserved was in Salem Gods city â—he King and Princes did give much cattell â—o the people of Judah and Israel â—nce Solomon the son of David King â—as not in Salem ever seene such thing Then all the Priests and the Levits arose â—nd blest the people both with heart and voice â—hey pray'd to GOD with words filled with grace â—heir prayer came unto Gods dwelling place When this was done by these of both nation â—hey all intended a reformation â—hey cut the groves the images they brake â—he Altars and high places they did sacke That done Isra'l in a good motion Return'd quickly to their possession Then the Priests course the King with diligeâ—â— Ordred and al 's provided maintenance For that great work that preachers of the woâ—â— Might have courage in the Law of the Lord The people willing corne wine oyle holy With tiths of all did bring aboundantly Thus Hezekiah did throughout Judah Good right and truth before the great Jovah He wrought such was his great sincerity The Lord he sought with all his heart truely Then Sen'cherib King of Assyria With great forces entred into Judah When Hezekiah thus perceived them Resolv'd to fight against Jerusalem Then he this counsell from his Princes tooke Who the waters of fountaine and of brooke Will'd him to stop and so their host to scattâ—â— Why should our foes said they with wholâ—â— water Refreshed be So for his own defence Both darts and shields he made in aboundanâ—â— The broken walls up to the towres he rear'd In Davids city he Millo repair'd Captains of war he gath'red to Salem And thus he spake comfortably to them Be strong let not Senacheribs armie â—ith their great number your heartes terrifie â—ith him the armie of flesh the Eternell 〈◊〉 to help us and to fight our Battell After he had these comforts on them prest â—e people all upon his words did rest â—nnacherib after this sent some men â—om faire Lachish unto Jerusalem Vile Rabshakeh thus railed in his pride â—hereon trust yee Into what hole abide â—ill yee Now try and al 's well examine 〈◊〉 yee will die by thirst and sore famine â—t not your King trusting in his JOVAH â—eceive you Is not he Hezekiah â—ho Gods Altars and high places destroy'd â—ath that one Altar in Salem imploy'd Might be Be wise regard not his command â—ow yee not what unto all peoples land My Master hath done What Gods of Nations â—â—uld save their people in such vexations All these gods folks I overthrew at length â—ho is your God that I should fear his strength â—herefore in time consider and percieve Lest that your King vvith vaine vvordes fâ—â— deceive The people all in silence and in doole Did heare these wordes of that blasphemâ—â— foole Then Eliakim the son of Hilkijah Reported all unto Hezekiah Who hearing this was in great grief and smart He rent his cloathes and with his clothes hâ—â— heart Unto Esay the Prophet he did send Men in sackcloth his answere to attend These men unto the Prophet said truely Of trouble rebuke and of blasphemy This is a day the children to the birth Are come but there is no strength to bring forth Of Rabshakeh it may be God will heare The railing word which he voide of all feare Sent from his Master King of Assyria Did vomit out against the Lord Jovah O man of God thy duety doth thee bind To pray for these that are now left behind When these words came unto the Prophets eare He said let not your good Master now feare God in the Heavens most bright in Majestie Hath clearly heard that vile rogues blasphemie â—ehold saith God I in my wrath at last â—pon that man will send a fearfull blast â—f terrour great he shall a rumour hear â—Vhich shall his bones and bowels shake with fear â—ome he shall go trust and believe my word â—n his own land he shall fall by the sword After Rabshakeh had against JOVAH â—hus railed he unto the strong Libnah â—id go where his Master in brags most stout â—ith his armie encamped round about This King again sent to Hezekiah â—en to revile with other words JOVAH Let not said they O Hezekiah King â—hy God deceive thee with this vaine saying â—am the Lord the mighty God Jovah 〈◊〉 shall you save from all Assyriah â—ast thou not heard and understood clearly â—ow these great Kings have wasted utterly All lands None could escape their mightie hand â—â—d now shalt thou before their forces stand â—â—zan Haran Kezeph and Thelasar â—â—th strong Eden they have subdued by war VVhere are the Kings of Hena and Ivah Of Hamath Arpad Tell Hezekijah Where is the King of Sepharvaim strong Who could them match their gods or Kâ—â— among When this vile letter full of blasphemie Was read the King to Gods house speedilie Went up to summe the matter in a word That vile letter he spread before the Lord Then Hezekiah made to th' Eternell This prayer saying O God of Isra'l Which now dwellest betweene the Cherubines Thou art the Lord alone of all Kingdomes With great mercy O Lord bow downe thâ— eare And with regard my humble sute now heare Consider how with wordes sharpe like a good Thâ—y have the name pierc'd of the living
I reckned till morning that as a Lion so surelie He will my bones break Of me thou wilt make an end speedie 5 Like a poor cran in great distresse or a troubled swallow So did I chatter I did mourne as doth the simple dove My eyes do faile with looking up and very dimmed be O Lord I am oppressed sore now undertake for me 6 What shall I say He spoken hath and al 's hath done no lesse I shall go softly all my yeeres in my soules bitternesse 7 In all these things is the life of my Sprite they that believe Do live by them Recover me and so make me to live 8 Behold for a desired peace I had great bitternesse But thou in love hast sav'd me from the pit of rottenesse For thou who of afflicted men dost ever notice take In thy great mercie all my sinnes hast cast behinde thy back 9 For grave cannot thee praise and death can not celebrate thee They that goe to the pit can not hope for thy trueth surelie 10 The living the living he shall praise thee as I this day The fathers shall to their children make knowne thy truth alway 11 The Lord was ready me to save therefore we with accord To the string'd instruments will sing in the house of the Lord. The Use â—f Kings shall serve the Lord with all their heart â—n great trouble the Lord shall take their part But this the Lord of heav'n can not abide â—hat hearts of Kings be lifted up with pride 13. MANASSEH Forgetting JOseph comforted by Gods great mercy Which made him quite forget his misery From such forgetting he his first born Son Called Manasseh so for such reason â—t may be this King at first got his name He in his life was stain'd with sin and shame â—ike heathen men void of Gods feare and grace He in folie did build up the high place Which his father commanded to destroy He did it build with chearfulnesse and joy As though a God had not beene in Isra'l He madly rear'd up Altars for Baal He made a grove and with much folly driv'n He gave worship unto the host of Heav'n Observing times and using inchantments He did despise the Lords commandements He al 's provoking the Lord unto ire Made his own sons to passe through burning fiâ— He dealt with wizards and sin worthy death He did which did God much provoke to wraâ— In his folly worthy the name of rage He set in Gods house a most vile image This man practisde more vile abominations Then were done by profane heathen nations Who by the force of the great Eternell Destroyed were before his Israel At last the Lord full of compassions Abhorred such abominations Because this man said he hath plaide foole Defiling Judah with his vile idole Behold I bring such troubles and such feares Which shall cause tingle all the hearers earâ— â—r such doings wherein is no relish â—rusalem now wiped like a dish â—all be In red war their foes shall them foil â—hey shall to them become a prey and spoil â—r since from Egypt I brought them the way â—hat was most right they ever went astray Manasseh more in his furie most rude 〈◊〉 Salem did shed much innocent blood While Manasseh did not regard Gods check â—rong Babels captaine took him by the neck â—mong the thornes and him with fetters bound â—o the Lord did this vile man much confound Yet when he was in great affliction â—e ran to God with supplication â—efore the Lord he much humbled his heart â—e pray'd to God who heard him in his smart â—nd helped him and brought him back againe â—rom Babel for in Salem to remaine Then Manasseh did by experience â—ost surely know that God was his defence â—hen was his heart inflamed with gods love â—e all strange gods with idols did remove â—ll strange Altars he brake downe speedily â—ith zeal and cast them out of the city â—t last this King who to God gracious â—eturned was buri'd in his owne house The Use Let sinners learne for no sinne to despaire No sin there is but God can it repaire For witchcraft blood and vile idolatry Manasseh humble did obtaine mercy 14. AMON Faithfull true THis wicked man of two and twenty year Began to reigne He voide of all Gods feâ—â— Did reigne two years God made his Kingdoâ— short Because he made of wickednesse a sport He with Manassch in his wayes was bad But did not with Manasseh turne to God At last against this King unrighteous His servants rose and slew him in his house After this done the people all in ire Did kill these men who did his death conspirâ—â— The Use Let Kings beware of sin to make a sport For many sins doe cut their honours short â—â—t parents learne to feare to goe astray â—â—r their children often follow their way â—â—t Subjects learne to feare their Kings to kill â—â—r other shall not faile their blood to spill 15. JOSIAH The fire of the Lord. BEhold Josiah consider a part The fire of Zeale cleare burning in his heart â—â—ght years he was when he upon the Throne â—â—gan to sit he reigned thirty one â—â—e did with God most constantly abide â—â—om Davids wayes he turned not aside â—hen he was come to eighteene years of age â—ough young in years he was both grave and sage He sent scribe Shaphan to Priest Hilkijah â—â—at the silver for the house of JOVAH â—â—th'red at doores as GODS word did command â—ight be shortly put in the workemans hand Then to Shaphan said the Priest Hilkijah â—ave now found in the house of JOVAH â—ods Law-book Then Shaphan tooke it with speed And with great joy and gladnesse it did read After Shaphan this book did with him bring And it in haste did read before the King When he the words heard of that Testament For greef and sorrow the King his cloaths rent Then diverse men by him were set to looke To try right soone the meaning of the Booke A great wrath said he is against us kindled For our fathers against God have rebelled Then at the last the good Priest Hilkijah With others went to Prophetesse Huldah This woman in a Colledge at Salem Did dwell with wisedome she said unto them Thus saith the great Lord God of Israel Vnto the man that sent you yee shall tell Behold I will bring ill upon this place Th' inhabitants I will greatly disgrace All the plagues I will send without remeed Which good Josiah in that Booke did read My wrath against this place shall kindled bee Because of their most vile idolatrie But go and tell the good King Josiah This message from the mighty Lord Jovah Because thou had a trembling tender heart And for such sins did often weepe apart Because when I did speake against this place Thou rent thy cloaths with teares drenching thy face â—hold thou shalt now this great comfâ—rt have 〈◊〉 peace thou shalt be gath'red to thy grave â—ough dayes be coming full of miseries â—â—ore
bondage in this uncouth slaverie He was a servant the space of yeeres three But afterward as th' historie doth tell He turned and against him did rebell But for the sins of the Kings of Judah He got no help from the great JEHOVAH For the great sins done by their wicked hands Against Judah the Lord sent troups and bands From Syria from Moab and Ammon And also from the land of Babylon These he did send against Judah to fight For to remove Judah out of his sight For the great sins by King Manasse done The Lord in wrath would not the land pardon Last by Nebuchanezzar he was found Who straitly him in most strong fetters bound To Babylon to carry him that day He thought surely but died by the way Of his great faults we have the historie In twentie two chapter of Jeremie He was a man full of unrighteousnesse His eyes and heart were but for covetousnesse Oppression blood and also violence Did most vilely staine the hands of that Prince Therefore concerning King Jehojakim Thus said the LORD None shall lament for 〈◊〉 This at the last shall surely come to passe He shall with shame be buri'd like an Asse â—e shall be drawne and cast foorth filthily â—eyond the gates of Salem Gods city The Use â—et Kings beere learne for God their life to spend A sinfull life brings to a shamefull end 18 JEHOJACHIN The preparation or strength of GOD. THis wicked man called Jehojachin Follow'd the trace of ill Jehojakim â—is foolish father He had these names three â—ehojachin Jechonias al 's he â—honias was called When he began â—o reigne he was of eighteene yeeres a man In his time Nebuchadnezzar quicklie â—rom Babylon did send a great armie â—erusalem in great furie and rage â—hese men of Babel stoutly did besiege â—t last the King Jehojachin came out â—ith mother servants princes him about â—hus this ill man in th' eight yeere of his reigne Was taken captive by great Babels King Who with his rascals most unrighteous Did carry thence the treasures of GODS house He also rageing in wrongs manifold Cut in pieces the rich vessels of gold Which had beene made by wise King Soâ—â—â—mon In Gods Temple of these he left not one Ten thousand captives from Judah that day With crafts-men smithes he carried all away The poorer sort by his pride and disdaine Were onely suffred at home to remaine Jehojachin with Mother Wives that day And officers were carried all away ' Gainst this ill man the Prophet Jeremie Gods fearfull judgements declared plainly As I live said the Lord though Coniah Son of Jehojakim King of Judah Were neare and deare as signet on the hand Yet would I pluck him thence so that to stand Before my face this vaine and naughty fool Shall not have strength like a broken idol O Earth earth earth give eare and heare 〈◊〉 word For I that speakes am the Almighty Lord Write him chidelesse a man of no vertue This Jechoniah shall not have issue Tâ—is is enacted qy the great Jovah â—e of his feed shall be King in Judah The Use Kâ—ngs follow their wicked fathers trace â—e Lord them shall pluck shortlie from their place â—he King who with Coniah playes the foole 〈◊〉 in Gods eyes like a broken idole 19. MATTANIAH The gift of GOD. He after was by Nebuchanezzar King of Babylon called ZEDEKIAH The righteousnesse of GOD. THis was the third son of good Josiah 〈◊〉 Jehojachins Uncle the great JOVAH â—e did contemne he humbled not his heart â—hen Jeremie from God spake him apart ' Gainst Babels King he falsly did rebell Who made him sweare by the great Eternell Gods word to him gives this reprofe and checâ— His heart he hardned and stiffned his neck Therefore in the ninth yeare of his ill reigne God sent to him the host of Babels King Who ' gainst Salem pitched with courage stout And built strong forts against it round about Two years that seege continued hardly At last famine prevail'd in the city It to defend in it was no more might The men of war from it did flee by night The King himself who stood out long in vaine At last did flee by the way of the plaine Him the Caldees pursu'd with feet of Roe And overtooke him neere to Jericho Him they did bring unto the faire Riblah There they judgement upon Zedekiah Did give yea his sons there before his face These villains slew without mercy or grace When that was done in their most cruell spoâ— That this poore King should have no more coâ—â—fort By sight of eyes they this devise did find To put his eyes out and so make him blind Because against the Lord he did trespasse His foes him bound with strong fetters of brassâ— The ninteenth year of Nebuchanezzar Nebuzaradan his captaine from farre â—me with great forces he with rage and ire â—ds house and the Kings palace burnt with fire â—is Babylonish army strong and stout â—ake downe the walls of Salem round about â—us that city with all that there was found â—ith GODS house al 's was brought unto the ground â—ebuzaradan in Judah left then â—â—ely vine dressers and poor husband men â—e men of might with all their wealth that day â—â—t of their land were carried all away The Use â—hen King or people thus live voide of grace â—he Lord shall them soone remove from their place â—ho want Gods help their foes shall soone them foile â—â—em captives take and their rich treasures spoile â—r Judahs sins the mighty Lord that day â—ng Crowne Scepter and carried all away â—r their trespasse he would not them defend â—â—t of their Kingdome made a tragick end Behold how this people of great renowne Were spoil'd at last of Liberties and Crowne They angred God they did his Prophets scorne Therefore no Jevv did sit on Judahs Throne Let Kings heere learne vvho are set in high place That Kingdomes stand not by mens strength but grace Let Kings heere learne hovv for their sinne anone God brings to nought their Scepter Crovvne and Throne THE GARDEN OF ZION Of the Kings of Israel 1. Jeroboam 2. Nadab 3. Baasha 4. Elah 5. Zimri 6. Omri 7. Ahab 8. Ahaziah 9. Joram 10. Jehu 11. Jehoahaz 12. Jehoash 13. Jeroboam 14. Zechariah last of Ichus race 15 Shallum 16. Menahem 17. Pekajah 18. Pekah 19. Hoshea A Prayer O Well of life novv shovv thy golden source A silver pipe make my heart for its use In holy tearmes make me the praise expresse Which is most due unto thy holinesse I beg thy light and grace for to diserne That teaching others I my self may learne Ecclipse me not like the Coach of the Moone When it is black but turne my night to Noone My brest O Lord vvith sacred verses fill Which I may vvrite vvith a most nimble quil Of Judahs Kings as vve have understood Many vvere bad but fevv alas vvere good But Isra'ls Kings thy vvord them All doth blame Not one of them did truely
For Priests though villains and most reprobate Yea he himself a King voide of all grace Became a Priest to serve at an high place These were his great sins a most shamefull thinâ— Which cut him off from ruling more as King Thus voide of honour of glory and fame He liv'd and di'd with a most rotten name Then Jeroboam sent to Ahijah His wife to know if his son Abijah Then sick should live or die then she thus wise Before that blinde man did her self disguise At this same time the word came from JOVAH Which said unto the Prophet Ahijah Behold now coming Jeroboams wife To aske of thee concerning her sons life This know in time take heede and now be wise For when she comes she will her self disguise When she shall come her doubts for to discusse Then say to her in my words thus and thus When Ahija heard the sound of her feet Then coming in he spake as he thought meet Come in thou wife of Jeroboam vaine What mean'st thou some other thy self to faine Hard tidings for thee are from th'Eternell Goe and them quickly to thy husband tell Thus saith the LORD who rules both Land and Sea For as much as I have exalted thee And of a Servant hath made thee a Prince Ov'r my people yet hast thou ever since By thy vaine pride and vile idolatrie Done evill above all that were before thee Like basest men who do the LORD forsake Thou hast me cast proudly behinde thy backe Therefore I Lord who am most righteous Shall bring much evill on Jeroboams house From him I will cut off both great and small Not leaving one to pisse against the wall I will the remnant of his house destroy As a doung hill which men carie away These of his loines who die in the city Shall by vile dogs be rent most cruelly If any fall among the fields most faire Food they shall be to the Fowles of the aire Arise woman to thine owne house get thee For when thou enters into the Citie Thy childe shall die for him Isra'l shall weepe And him burie that he ingrave may sleepe Because in him as God hath said the word There is some good thing found toward thâ— LORD Moreover God for his glory and praise A worthy King in Israel shall raise Who Jeroboams wicked house that day Shall all cut off and sweepe like doung away But what Even now the Lord who is perfite As reeds in water shall Israel smite Because they heard not what he did command He shall them roote up out of this good land He shall them all scatter beyond the river Because by groves they stirred up his anger When this was said to Jeroboams wife She rose and went to Tirzah but the life Of her young child was then ended most sure When she came to the threshold of the doore They buri'd him and mourned as Jovah Had said before by Prophet Ahijah When Jeroboam years twenty and two Had reign'd he died a man of sin and woe The Use Let Kings heere learne that the great GOD most hie Shall root them out if with idolatrie They staine his land though for a time forborne They be at last none shall sit on their Throne Sprung from their loines the Lord shall them deface Both root and branch shall be cut from their race 2. NADAB A Prince or willing WHen Jeroboam most wicked was dead Then Nadab his son reigned in his stead Ill fathers son who walked in his way At Gibbethon Baasha did him slay Ill fathers son of a most wicked race He sway'd the Septer but for two years space The Use Let all men chiefly Kings heere learne and 〈◊〉 What are the fâ—uits of vile idolatrie Such in Gods love have rarely roome or place GOD pulls them downe and soone roots out thâ— race 3. BAASHA A doer Baasha smot Jerobo'ms house with death To him he left not any that had breath Thus Jeroboam for his great trespasse By Baasha shortly was made childelesse Though thus he did these wicked children slay He walked still in Jeroboams way To him Jehu the son of Hannani From GOD was sent to tell him this plainely I have exalted thee out of the dust My people hath beene subject to thy lust Thou hast walked in Jeroboams way Therefore the Scepter thou may no more sway With Jeroboam I Baashas race Will cleane root out and will wholly deface To Dogs and Fowles his children shall be meat They in the fields and cities shall them eate Last this ill man after he had twenty And foure years reign'd he in GODS wrath did die The Use To punish sin and not reformed be Is but a fruit of pride and vaine glory Let all these who mens manners would reforme Vnto GODS will their owne life so conforme 4. ELAH Strength AFter Baasha came his son Elah Who governed Israel in Tirzah While with Arzah hâ—s steward he did feast He drank himselfe more drunk then any beast While Elah was in drunkenesse filthie He killed was by his servant Zimri This filthie man to sobernesse a foe All his glory enjoy'd but poore years two The Use Beware to make of sin a play or sport It ends our dayes and cuts our honours short 5. ZIMRI A cutter THis ill servant after his Master slaine Did sway the Scepter and with great disdaiâ— Destroyed all the house of Baasha As Jehu had declared from JOVAH He kill'd his friends and alâ— hâ—s kinsfolk all He left not one to pisse against the wall The people hearing what in great furie To King Elah had beene done by Zimri Therefore against him with greef and disdaine They Crown'd King Omri a most brave Captain He with an armie then came speedilie And in fair Tirzah besieged Zimri When Zimri saw all these men so conspire He in his palace burnt himselfe with fire He for a Crowne walked in bloody wayes And yet his Kingdome lasted but seven dayes The Use Death of ill men the living doth exhort To feare the Lord and not in sin to sport Let subjects learne who have grace or reason For no respect to have hand in treason 6. OMRI Measure or handfull WHen the most part had Crowned KING Omri Halfe of the people did follow Tibni But the most part set Omri on the Throne So Tibni died and Omri reign'd alone Twelve yeeres he reign'd this ill King froâ— Shemer Samariahs hill for two talents silver Did buy On this hill he built a citie Which from that Shemer he ordain'd to be Called Samariah which great citie still Hath name from Shemer owner of that hill But this Omri wax'd wicked more and more Yea he did worse then all that were before Both King and Captaine wicked in his dayes He walked in all Jeroboams wayes This Omri di'd by the hand of JOVAH And buried was in his Samariah The Use Let Kings heere learne not to sinne more anâ— more Lest they waxe worse then all that were before 7. AHAB Beloved THis Son of
Omri wicked more and more Did worse then all the Kings that were before When he was once advanced to be King â—o him it seem'd to be but a light thing â—o walk in Jeroboams wicked way â—ut also he would farther go astray Ethbals daughter who was of Zidon King â—aine Jezabel for wife he did home bring â—ith her vile gods forsakeing th' Eternall â—e like a beast went and did serve Baal â—e made a grove he GOD provoked more â—hen all the Kings of Isra'l did before In his dayes Hiel building Jericho â—aid ground and gates with much sorrow and woe On Abiram the first borne and Segub The ground and gates a great judgement did rub When Ahab was lying in wickednesse God sent Elijah to preach great distresse â—gainst the land This said he from the Lord No dew no raine according to my word These yeers shall be Then God said to this man Goe hide thy selfe at Cherith neere Jordan â—hou of the Brooke shalt drinke vvaters most fresh 〈◊〉 Ravens ordain'd have to feede thee with flesh And so he went and so the Ravens did bring Both bread and flesh at morne and al 's evening A little after the brook was dri'd up So that Elijah could not drink or sup Then came to him a word from th' Eternel To Zarephath of Zidon goe and dwell Obey my word which is not false or vaine A widow there shall surely thee maintaine So he arose to Zerephath to go When he was come Elijah found all so As God had said Behold a poor widow Gath'ring some sticks with much grief and row To her he said fetch me a drink I pray Of water with some bread without delay As GOD lives said she I have not a cakâ— But an handfull of meale which I must take With oyle in cruse and with sticks speedilie It dresse and with my son it eat and die Then to that widow good Elijah said Take courage now thou needst not be afraide But see that first for me thou dresse a cake And after for thee and for thy son make For thus saith the Lord God of Israel The poore handfull of meal in thy Barrell Shall not be spent nor yet the cruse of oyle Shall faile till raine hath made a fertile soilâ— Then she in hast prepar'd for Elijah Both cake and oyle as the word from Jovah Had said both meal and oyle did last alwayes â—hereof these three persons eat many dayes After these things this womans son fell sick â—ll breath was past then she began to seek â—lijahs help what I to doe with thee â—ave man of GOD said shee that thou from me â—y son should take and for a sore vengeance â—hould call my sin now to remembrance â—ive me thy son to the widow said he â—rom her bosome unto a loft quicklie â—e cari'd him and as the sprit him led â—e laid that child softly on his owne bed â—nto the LORD he cri'd what hast thou done â—las O LORD why hast thou slaine her son â—hen this was said upon the child times three 〈◊〉 stretch'd himselfe and cried mightily 〈◊〉 to the LORD O LORD I humbly pray â—store the soule unto this childe the day The Lord from hearing then could not refraine â—t sent the childs soul into him againe â—en Elijah the living child brought low â—om the high loft and to the poore widow â—stor'd her son who said to Elijah â—w do I know that thou art from Jovah â—d that the word of the LORD in thy lips â—rueth unfained withou lies or slips It came to passe then after many dayes GOD to Elijah walking in GODS wayes Came thus and said now go to Ahab King For I now raine upon the Earth will bring When GOD these words spake unto Elijah A sore famine was in Samaria In this famine by drougth Ahab the King With Obadiah for their beasts saving Went through the land seeking brook and foâ—taine For with water the poor beasts life maintaine Ahab this way but Obadiah tooke Another way to seek fountaine and brook As Obadiah walked in the way Behold Elijah who met him that day When he him knew he fell upon his face And said art thou Elijah By GODS grace I am said he go and to Ahab tell Elijah is heer from the Eternell Alas said he what have I done this day That now for thee King Ahab should me slay There is no Kingdome there is no countrey Whether my LORD hath not sent to seeke tâ— And when they answred that thou wast 〈◊〉 heer He tooke an oath and deeply made them swâ— That they thee found not now thou say'st go tell Ahab my LORD the great King of Israel Behold Elijah is come here surelie But oh Alas assoone as I from thee Am gone Gods sprite vvill carry thee avvay And then in rage King Ahab vvill me slay I speake the trueth no lie is in my mouth I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth Was it not told thee hovv from Jezabel I hid the Prophets of the Eternel With bread and vvater their life I did save An hundred men by fiftie in a cave And novv thou say'st goe to Ahab and tell Elijah is heere from the Eternel No said Elijah as God lives I say To Ahab I will shew my self this day As soone as King Ahab saw Elijah With great contempt he said to him Aha Art thou the man that troublest Israel Not I said he but thou vvho th' Eternell Hast novv forsaken vvith thy fathers house To follovv Baal in a vvicked course Therefore novv send and unto mount Carmel Gather to me the men of Israel The false Prophets eight hundred and fiftie See that they al 's unto me gath'red be Then Ahab sent unto all Israel And gathred all these Prophets to Carmel Then by the people Elijah well seene Said how long two opinions betweene Thus will ye halt If GOD be GOD allow Him for to serve if not Baal follow When hee these wordes spake with great coâ—â—â—dence Among the people there was deep silence Elijah said Gods cause I will maintaine For the LORD here I only one remaine But Baals Prophets a great number be Heere they are foure hundred men and fiftie Give two bullocks the true GOD to enquire Let him be GOD who shall answere by fire When the people that saying understood All with one voice they said the word is gooâ— Then Elijah to these Prophets did say Chuse an bullock and dresse it first this day For ye be many begin to enquire If your god can-now aswere you by fire Then they did take and there dresse a Bulloâ— They cri'd aloud and on their breast did knocâ— From morne to evening they did not forbeare To cry Baal but Baal could not heare No voice was heard nor any answere made On the Altar they leapt as they were madde At noone Elijah them began to mocke Now cry aloud now your breasts dump and knock He is a god either he is talking â—r he his foes fiercely is pursueing
â—r in a journey or most fast asleepe â—hat he may heare now to him cry and weepe They cri'd aloud and cut themselves with knives â—nd lancets al 's with perrell of their lives â—ut when midday in such jangling was past â—ithout answere Then Elijah at last â—aid to the people come neere me right soone â—hen they came neere to see what should bee done Gods Altar he repair'd with courage stout â—e made a large trench the Altar about â—ill foure barrels with water then said he â—nd with it drench the sacrifice quicklie â—gaine againe yea third time do the like â—ill it passe ov'r the trinches highest dike â—hus did they all which was ordain'd by him â—hey made Altar and trench with water swim Then said Elijah O GOD of Isra'l â—et it be knowne that thou art th' Eternal Let it be knowne that thou art GOD and LORD And that these things I have done at thâ— word Heere me O LORD heare me now I theâ— pray That this people may surely know this day That thou art God who do'st them all maintaiâ— And that thou hast their heart turn'd bacâ— againe Whâ—n this was said from the great Eternel A sacred fire downe from the high Heav'ns fell This fire fall'n downe for the great GODS sâ—â—vice Did with all hast consume the sacrifice The wood and stones with dust it did consume The trench water it licked up right soone When this was done all men on face afraide The LORD is GOD the Lord GOD tâ— cri'd Then said Elijah take these Prophets vile See none escape see that none you beguile Then they tooke them and Elijah anone Did slay these Priests downe at the brooke shon When this was done good Elijah did say To King Ahab I have good news this day Go eat and drink my word it is not vaine 〈◊〉 heare a sound of aboundance of raine â—o Ahab went up to eat and to drink â—ut Elijah in himself thus did think 〈◊〉 will go up to the top of Carmel â—o see some signe of raine from th' Eternel Then he went up and there as might be seene Cast himselfe downe and put his face betweene His knees and said to his servant goe see â—f thou can spy some clouds upon the Sea Then he went up at the Prophets saying And turned back he said There is nothing â—even times againe to goe he did command At last he saw a cloud like a mans hands Then said Elijah go without delay And to Ahab this from Elijah say Now get thee down and thy Charet prepaire Before the raine as long as it is faire â—n the meane time heav'ns black with clouds and winde Powr'd downe great raine before and al 's behinde Then Ahab rode and went to Jezreel Elijah al 's strength'ned by th' Eternel Did gird his loines and before Ahab ran Ahab in Coache but Elijah foot man Thus the Prophet of the great Eternel Before the King did run to Jezreel Then to Jezabel Ahab every word Did tell plainly how that Elijahs sword Had slaine her Priests not having spared one And that besides the cursed brooke Kishon Then Jezabel this hard message did send To Elijah so the gods me defend For thy ill prats and for thy bloody crime Thy life shall passe the morrow at this time When he heard this he in great fear arose His heart trembled and could not well repose He in all hast went to Beershebah Which is a part of the land of Judah He left his servants there in his distresse A dayes journey he went in wildernesse There set downe under a Juniper-tree He did request the Lord that he might die I am not better then my fathers dear Said he now take my life from all this fear As he did ly under the Juniper Right fast asleepe to him there a dinner An Angel brought to refresh him with meat He touched him and said Arise and eat As he awoke behold a cake of bread Was on the coales and a cruse at his head Of water good Then Elijah to eat And drink began and after fell asleep The second time the Angel came againe â—ho did for him a new dinner ordaine â—rise said he and eat now speedily â—ecause the journey is too great for thee â—ee what great care the good Lord had that day â—hat Elijah should not faint by the way â—hus he arose to eate and drink quickly 〈◊〉 this foods strength he walked dayes fourty â—nd fourtie nights till to the mount of God â—oreb he came where he made some abode While he was there lodged in a poor cave â—he God of heav'n who takes delight to save â—is servants said to his Elijah dear â—hat now Elijah What now doest thou heare My heart said he hath beene verie jealous â—or the great God who is most righteous â—ll is now lost all thy servants away â—re taken now they seek me al 's to slay â—oe foorth said God and stand upon the Mount â—hee will I teach all dangers to surmount Behold at first a boistrous mighty winde â—hich brake the Rockes and all that it could finde After the winde rageing came an earthquake â—hich made Horeb from end to end to shake After the earthquake came a burning fire But in these three was not the Lords desire He was not there After came a small voiâ— Where to abide the Lord did much rejoice When Elijah heard this voice full of grace He in his mantle wrapped all his face He went out and stood before Jehovah Who said what do'st thou now heere Elijah My heart said he hath been very jealous For the great God who is most righteous Thine Altars Prophets and thy Covenant Throwne downe and slaine they have with grâ— contempt And al 's forsaken thy servants away Are taken Now they seeke me al 's to slay Goe said the Lord returne to Damascus And when thou comest to that desert thus Anoint Hazael King of Syria And Jehu for Isra'l al 's Elisha For Prophet in thy roome these all anoint For so these things to be I do appoint For the great sins acted by Israel ' Gainst them shall come the sword of Hazael Whom he shall spaire the mighty man Jehâ— â—all with his sword all into pieces hew 〈◊〉 any from Jehu escape away â—hem shall the sword of good Elisha slay â—t know Elijah for all thou heares and sees â—ven thousand who have not bowed the knees â—ave me left who have not done amisse â—r once so much to give Baal a Kisse When this was done from Horeb Elijah â—parted soone and found out Elisha â—hen he him saw with his twelve Oxen yoke â—wing on him quickly he cast his cloak â—en he left all and ran most speedilie â—ter Elijah saying now let me â—e that which to do can not be amisse â—t me my father and my mother kisse â—d then I promise most assuredlie â—ith all mine heart to follow after thee â—e back againe delay not goe right soone â—id Elijah for what now have I done â—is done
Elisha came incontinent â—nd with Elijah he went as servant Then came Benhadad strong from Syria â—ith thirty two Kings ' gainst Samaria â—s messengers he unto Ahab King 〈◊〉 to the City sent with this saying â—us saith Benhadad who darre now repine Thy Silver Gold Wives Children all aâ— mine To him Ahab answ'red my Lord O King What hast thou said it is a true saying For I am thine and all that I can have Grant me friendship no other thing I crave When Benhadad these words of courtesie Did heare his heart was lifted up proudly His messenger he back againe then sent Unto Ahab with this commandement I will to morrow my strong servants send Who all thine house shall search from eâ— to end What in thine eyes is most pleasant that daâ— They in their hands shall carie all away Then Ahab spake his Elders with great griefâ— See how this man now seeketh a mischeefe My silver gold my wives children freely I offred to him who doth as ye see Then the elders with such words not contenâ— Said to Ahab beware to give consent Regard him not Then Ahab made report To the messengers in words of this sort What the King first desired it unto I soone yeelded but this I cannot doe When the messengers had made their report Unto Benhadad in words of thss sort â—hen Benhadad sent backe unto the King His servants soone with these words of threatning The gods do so to me and more also â—f for the people that with me shall go The dust of all Samarias Citie Shall now suffice for them handfulls to be Then Ahab answ'red tell yee now your King We will not yeeld for all his great threatning Let not him that girdeth on the harnesse So boast himself as free of all distresse When they report made of all this saying Benhadad with his Kings were then drinking â—nto his tent To his servants that day He said be now all in Battell aray When this was heard his strong men speedilie Did rank themselves against that fair Citie Behold anone a Prophet from the LORD Who did King Ahab comfort with this word Thus saith the Lord this host without delay 〈◊〉 will deliver in thine hand this day Though Benhadad now boast much of his sword â—hab shall know that I am God the Lord. Then Ahab said by whom shall this be done â—he man of God gave him this answere soone By the young men of good worthy Princes Who mighty are among the Provinces Then said Ahab tell me from th' Eternell Who shall among us order the Battell To that the Prophet shortly did reply Even thou who art the Lord of the city Then Ahab call'd the young men him unto Who were numbred two hundred thirtie two The host it self which Ahab did command In number all were but poor seven thousand When these brave men went to battelâ— noone Benhadad drunk was in his pavillion With thirtie two Kings who this most did thâ— How their bellies might be filled with drink Then the young men of the Princes that day Before the rest went first in their aray When Benhadad the King of Syria Heard that these men were from Samaria He said whether they be for peace or warre Take them alive but to slay them beware When this was said armie against armie Began to fight but Syria to flie Made hast That day poor Israel with few Benhadads great host bravely overthrew To King Ahab the Prophet came againe And said mark well my counsell not disdain â—or surely at the returne of the yeer â—enhadad will with a new armie stir Then Benhadads servants to him did say â—heir gods are gods of hills therefore now they â—e stronger then we let us in the plaine â—gainst them fight and they shall soone bee slaine Doe this al 's if thou wouldst prevaile this day â—ake heede and take these drunken Kings away â—nd put Captaines with order in their place 〈◊〉 shalt thou soone thy strongest foes deface Make up an armie like that which thou lost â—haret for charet horse for horse to post â—nd runne them downe in some field that is plaine â—hen shall we see their armie foil'd and slaine It came to passe at the turne of the yeere â—hat Benhadad to fill mens hearts with fear â—ame with an host of charets and of men â—nto Aphek against Isral's children â—ke little Kids Isra'l was in aray â—ut Syrians fill'd the countrey that day While all in order were fet for battell 〈◊〉 man of God came unto Israel And said GOD saith because the Syrâ— boast That GOD on hills can onely help your host It shall be seene that such words are but vâ— For as on hills so am I in the plaine For good successe this day I give my worâ— And yee shall all know that I am the LOâ— Then these two armies fill'd with coâ— much Did sev'n dayes one against another pitch In the seventh day they joined the Battell An hundred thousand that day by Isra'l Of Syrians were slaine the rest did flie Unto Aphek and there in that citie Upon twenty sev'n thousand men a wall Fell with great noise which killed great small Then Benhadad who durst no more abide Came to the citie for himselfe to hide In some chamber there his servants did say Our foes by force have much prevail'd day But vve have heard vvhich comfort tâ— brings That mercifull are all Israels Kings Let us quickly seeing there be such hopes â—ut on sackcloth and bind our heads vvith ropes â—nd go to Abab vvith humilitie â—eradventure that King vvill pardon thee As they had said so quickly in these hopes â—ey got sackcloth and bound their heads with ropes â—en to Ahab adorn'd with Majestie â—ey came with these signes of humilitie King said they let there be no more strife â—ore Benhadad from thee doth beg his life â—hat Said the King is your Master not dead â—ell him that he my brother is indeed 〈◊〉 bring him forth that novv I may him see â—d that he may in Charet ride vvith me Then Benhadad said to Ahab therefore 〈◊〉 thee the Cities I will now restore â—hich my stout father tooke from Israel 〈◊〉 thy brave Captaines to thee may well tell â—hen said Ahab this Covenant this day â—all betwixt us So he sent him away Then came a Prophet with his owne accord â—ho to his neighboure in words of the Lord â—id smite me soone I pray thee now smite me â—hat Said the man wherefore should I smite thee Because said he thou wouldst not now obey GODS voice by me a Lion shall thee slay So as the Prophet said it came to passe A Lion slew him for this his trespasse Then the Prophet another found quickly And as before said to him smite thou me Then he not slack quickly a weapon found And did him smite which made a bloody wounâ— Thus the Prophet sore wounded went away And waited on King Ahab by the way He thus disguisd with ashes on his face Did cry to
Ahab passing by that place Thy servant went out into the Battell While there I was this unto me befell Behold a man turning himselfe aside Who brought a man unto me and thus said Keep me this man for if he be missing Then for his life thy life shall be the thing Which shall be ransome or surely deliver Without delay a full talent of silver But as thy servant busie was anone This captive man away from me was gone When this was said then said to him the Kâ— Now thou thy self hast decided the thing Of that matter speak thou no more to me Thus hast thou done so shall thy judgement bee When that was said the Prophet in that place Hasted and took the ashes from his face â—hen did the King discerne there most clearely â—hat this man was come with some Prophecy â—hen said the Prophet Thus saith GOD the LORD â—ecause thou hast rebell'd against my word â—ecause thou hast let goe out of thine hand 〈◊〉 man whom I to destroy did command â—cause that thou refused to do this â—hy peoples life and thine shall go for his â—en King Ahab went to his house heavy â—hich then was in Samarias city After these things it befell in that place â—at good Naboth hard by Ahabs palace â—d a vineyard which was in Jezreel â—is man his vineyard was desir'd to sell Ahab King who offred him money 〈◊〉 a vineyard better then it could be But this answere to Ahab he did tell â—e LORD forbid that I to thee should sell â—at which I have for mine inheritance â—m my fathers and not by hap or chance Then Ahab to his house return'd heavy And laid him downe upon his bed sadly He turn'd away his face in his sick bed He freted so that he would eat no bread But Jezabel his wife came him unto Arise said she I know well what to doe Do'st thou not rule the Kingdome of Isra'l Art thou not King over both great and small Arise and eat and also be merrie For Naboths vineyard I will give to thee So to the Elders she in Ahabs name Sent Sealed letters a fast to proclame Set Naboth soone said she in some hâ— place Among the people set before his face Two wicked men who may witnesse this thinâ— That Naboth hath blaspheem'd GOD and King When that is done him carie out quickly Him stone with stones that he may surely diâ— Then the Elders ill Judges without grace Condemn'd Naboth to be ston'd in that place When he was dead they sent to Jezabel For to tell how all the matter befell When she this knew she unto sick Ahab Did cry arise for now Naboths vineyard 〈◊〉 in thy pow'r go take possession â—ho darre controll a great Kings action When AHAB heaâ—d that poore Naboth was dead â—e went unto his vineyard with great speed â—or of the same to take possession â—ho darre controll a great Kings action Then the Lord spake to Elijah saying Arise goe downe to meet Ahab the King â—ehold how he in his great wickednesse 〈◊〉 gone poore Naboths vineyard to possesse â—eake unto him by my direction â—ast thou killed and al 's possession â—ast taken now Where thou hast Naboth good â—illed with stones there dogges shall lick thy blood Then said Ahab to Elijah quickly â—ast thou me found O thou mine enemy â—ea said Elijah for with all thy might â—hou hast thee sold to do ill in GODS sight â—ehold I will bring fearefull plagues on thee â—hee will I spoile of all posteritie â—hem will I slay that pisse against the wall â—oth him that s shut up and left in Isra'l Behold also for thy vile bloody spot Thine house like that of the son of Nebat Shall be brought downe or like to Baasha Whose race was rooted out by Jehovah The LORD also spake this to Jezebel The dogs most vile shall her in Jezreel Eat Ahabs children shall destoyed be By soules in fields by dogs in the city Among the Kings which govern'd Israel None was like Ahab who himselfe did sell To work mischiefe in the course of his life To this he was by Jezebel his wife Most stirred up he like a raging foole Did give himselfe to Amorits idol When Ahab heard these words of Elijah Which threatningly he spake from Jehovah He rent his cloths and put sack on his flesh Then he with meat would not himself refresh This King did lye in great humilitie In sack also a mourner went softly Then came the word from the great Jehovaâ— Unto his faithfull Prophet Elijah To whom he said Behold how before me Ahab the King in sackloth most humblie Doth lye and fast I promise for this thing In his lifetime judgements I will not bring â—ut because I am a GOD righteous My plagues after shall come upon his house Then Israel living without all feare â—or three yeers space was free of bloody warre â—ith Syria The third yeer it befell â—saphat came to the King of Isâ—a'l â—ven King Ahab who to his servants said â—now ye not well that Ramoth in Gilead 〈◊〉 ours by right and yet we care no thing 〈◊〉 to rescue from the great Syrians King To Josaphat Ahab said so and so â—ilt thou O King to Ramoth with me go 〈◊〉 fight against the Syrian armie â—th horse and man at thy service shall be â—id good Josaphat But this I desire â—at thou this day at the Lords word enquire Then King Ahab gath'red together there â—s false Prophets the matter to declare 〈◊〉 them he said now give me your counsell â—'gainst Ramoth I shall goe in Battell 〈◊〉 up said they for so God doth command â—ho shall surely shute Ramoth in thine hand Josaphat said yet farther I desire 〈◊〉 there not heere of whom we may enquire Prophet of the Lord besides yet one â—ere is said Ahab Micajah the Son Imlah whom I hate for he for me Hath never good in all his prophesie Josaphat said Let not the King say so We heard the rest we will heare him also Thus Ahab sent for Micajah that day To heare also what he to them could say Then these two Kings sate in great dignitie Each on his Throne adorn'd with Majestie In the entrance of Samarias gate Waiting upon Micajah the Prophet Before he came the Prophets pleasantlie Unto these Kings did good things prophecie Zedekiah Son of Chenaanah With hornes of yron said Thus saith Jehovah With these yron hornes this I now give for doome The Syrians host thou shalt push and consume So likewise all the Prophets then by order Said unto him Goe to Ramoth and prosper The warre is Gods and good is thine earand The Lord shall Ramoth put into thine hand He that was gone for to call Micajah Said unto him Behold from Jehovah All the Prophets speake good with one accoâ— Vnto the King So also let thy word Be like to theirs be not too strict and rude But to the King speake thou that which is good Then him answer'd the Prophet Micajah â—s God
he bare the crowne Unto the dust by death he was brought downe The Use Let all men learne in sicknesse and distreâ— To trust in God who ever good successe Grants unto these that upon him depend Who do not so shall feel it in the end Hear this who with shit children in your aâ— Run to witches to stithies salves and chaâ— 9. JEHORAM The highnesse of GOD KIng Ahaziah after him had none Who in Isra'l succeeded to his Throne But Jehoram his brother in that day Sat on the Throne and did the scepter sway Of this man who did from the LORD departâ— With an arrow Jehu did pierce the heart He was son of Ahab and Jezebel A race much hated of God Eternel The Use â—t all Kings heere learne not to go astray 〈◊〉 they in peace would long their scepter sway 〈◊〉 Kings from GOD in their folly depart â—D arrowes hath vvherewith to pierce their heart ELIJAH The mightie Lord. 〈◊〉 Jorams reigne Gods word in history â—nserts concerning Elijah worthy When to take up Elijah in his minde â—e Lord had purpose by a great whirlewinde â—en Elijah the Prophet from Gilgal â—ent with Elisha and to him did call â—d said Here tarry for the Eternel â—th me ordain'd for to go to Bethel â—sha said As the great God doth live 〈◊〉 no request will I Elijah leave â—en these two Prophets of the Eternel â—gether went down unto faire Bethel â—s of the Prophets there to Elisha â—d Knowst not thou thy Master Elijah Shall from thine head be pull'd away this day I know said he hold ye your peace I say Al 's Elijah said to Elisha so I pray thee tary for to Jericho The Lord hath sent me I must him obey But as for thee thou shalt do well to stay Elisha said as the great God doth live For no request will I Elijah leave When they were come unto fair Jericho The Prophets sons said to Elisha so Hast thou not heard that thy Master this day From thee by God should be pulled away Yea I it know said he most certainly Hold ye your peace and hencefoorth let me bâ— Elijah said to Elisha his man Now tarry here for God me to Jordan Hath sent As the most mighty Lord doth live Said Elisha I minde thee not to leave When Elijah this matter thought upon He yeelded then and so the two went on There fiftie men who then all Prophets were Stood ov'r against for to view them a farre There Elijah with Elisha his man Most gravely stood hard by the flood Jordan Then Elijah tooke his mantle anone With it by faith he strooke the flood upon â—y this the waters they divided found 〈◊〉 that these two went ov'r on the dry ground When they the Jordan together had past â—ijah said to Elisha at last â—â—ke now what thou desires I doe for thee â—fore by God I be lifted on hie â—ou hast me serv'd with respect and regard â—e what thou wouldst have now for thy reward Elisha said this is my sute to thee â—t thy good Sprite be doubled now on me â—hen Elijah heard Elishas saying â—e said thou hast now asked a heard thing â—everthelesse if thou shalt then me see â—hen the great God shall take me up on hie 〈◊〉 shall be so unto thee as thou would â—t not if then thou canst me not behold It came to passe as these two went on still â—hold a signe the promise to fulfill â—cording to good Elishas desire â—ere appeared a faire charet of fire â—ith great horses which parted them that day Elijah in whirlewinde went away When Elisha had seene all that befell 〈◊〉 father father charet of Isra'l â—d their horsemen he thus aloud did cry â—t he him saw no more after that day Then Elisha for grief incontinent Tooke his own clothes and in two pieces rent Last after this the Prophet Elisha Tooke up the mantle of good Elijah That fell on him and so went back anone And stood besides the bank of the Jordan With that mantle he smote the waters deep Which both above and beneath back did creep For Gods servant to make a ready way That good Elisha might passe through that day When the Prophets that were at Jericho Saw Elisha they all said so and so Behold the sprit of faithfull Elijah Doth rest upon his servant Elisha These came to meet him with all diligence And bow'd before him with great reverence Behold said they there be with us fiftie Strong men of worth let them goe we pâ— thee And seeke thy Master least peradventure The Sprite of God who had of him the cure Hath taken him and hath him cast upon Some high mountaine or low valley alone Then said Elisha your zeal I commend But my advise is that ye shall not send From their purpose he could them not reclamâ— They urged so that he did blush for shame Therefore he said if it be your will send â—ey sent therefore and three dayes to an end â—id seek and seek on valley and mountaine â—t nothing found and so return'd againe â—hen to Elisha they at Jericho â—me with report how they both to and fro â—d wandred to them Elisha did say â—old you that before ye went away The Use â—t Prophets learne vvho serve the great Jovah 〈◊〉 follovv the footsteps of Elijah 〈◊〉 spar'd not great Kings but did them rebuke â—hen they Jehovah most leudly forsooke â—ost Kings are slaine by the vile flatterie 〈◊〉 base fellowes who walk not uprightly â—t all Elijahs that walk in GODS way â—oke for GODS coch to carie them away ELISHA My GOD salvation â—Hen Elisha sojourn'd at Jericho The men of that city came him unto Who said behold a place that is pleasant But the water is nought and good ground scaâ— Then said Elisha bring me a new cruse Put salt therein whereof I may make use When this was done he went forth to the spriâ— Of these waters and cast the salt therein And said Thus saith the mighty LORD I have Healed these waters as yee may perceive Henceforth no death or any barren land Heer shall be seene for so doth GOD commanâ— Then Elisha from thence went to Bethel As he did go this Tragedie befell Some children came out of Bethels city Who said unto the Prophet tauntingly Go up thou bald head go up thou bald-head He turned back and cursed them with speed Then from the wood came Bears incontinent Who fourtie two all into pieces rent From thence to faire Carmel went Elisha And from Carmel unto Samaria Now Jehoram ill Ahabs second son In Samaria did sit on the Throne He did much ill in great Jehovahs sight Yet not like Ahab for this which was right He did Baals image he put away To which Ahab his father went astray But Jeroboams sins he could not leave â—o these idols his foolish heart did cleave In this time Mesha who of Moab King â—as a sheepmaster who much sheep did bring 〈◊〉 Ahabs dayes when once Ahab was dead
â—is man rebell'd against the Royall seed â—en Jehoram the King of Israel â—saphats help desired in Battell â—gainst Moab He said with horse and man â—gainst Moab I will do what I can â—or thee and thine Thus the King Jehoram â—ith Josaphat and the King of Edom â—ent to that war three Kings in company â—esolv'd to fight against Moab stoutly â—id of seven dayes journey fetch a compasse â—t had no water for man horse or asse â—as said Joram it is great pitie â—at we three Kings by Moabs great armie â—ould be destroy'd Then Josaphat did say 〈◊〉 there not heer some good Prophet this day Behold said one the Prophet Elisha â—hich water on the hands of Elijah â—id powre Then said Jehosaphat the King 〈◊〉 pleaseth me to heare of that saying â—or a good man he is in work and word â—et us him hear for with him is the Lord 〈◊〉 these three Kings went downe to Elisha 〈◊〉 know what he would say from Jehovah Then good Elisha to Jehoram King These words of wrath had unto him saying To speak to thee I have no great desire Go to thy fathers Prophets and enquire Were it not that I did regard surelie Jehoshaphat I would not look on thee But now that I what is to come may tell Bring unto me a most cunning Minstrell When he did play then soon it came to passâ— That on Elisha the hand of GOD was Then said Elisha make ditches quickly In great aboundance in this faire valley Thus saith the LORD yee neither wâ— nor raine Shall see and yet the ditches of the plaine Shall be filled with water that yee may Both yee and all your cattell drink this dayâ— This thing is light GOD may it soone câ—mand The Moabites he shall put in your hand And yee shall smite ev'ry fenced citie And al 's yee shall fell downe evry good trâ— Yee shall also their wells of water stop That in their thirst they receive not a drop As he had said so water came anone Wâ—th abundance by the way of Edom. When Moabites heard that the Kings that day â—re come to fight they in their best aray â—th armour bright then all stood in the border â—s for Battell these men were set in order When Moabites rose in the morning soon â—old the Sun upon these waters shone â—e Sun beames made these waters to seeme red â—e Moabites said surely it is blood â—e Kings surely have one another slaine â—e spoile for us now safely doth remaine â—en they came to the Camp of Israel â—e Israelites upon them fiercely fell â—hat they fled from Isra'l speedily â—o did them chase unto their own countrey â—eir cities fair they did beat down at last â—on their fields each man a stone did cast 〈◊〉 of his sling and stopped every well â—eir fairest trees also they did down fell When Moabs King saw the Battell too sore â—t him he tooke seven hundred men therefore 〈◊〉 break even throw unto great Edoms King 〈◊〉 finding that he could not do that thing 〈◊〉 eldest Son he tooke before them all â—hom for an offring he burnt on the wall â—is eldest Son belong'd to Edoms King Whom Moab had as Captive in keeping When Edom saw that for to save his Son Isra'l would not breake up that siege right soâ— He in his heart being full of fury Against Isr'al return'd to his country Then a certaine poor afflicted widow Came to Elisha with grief and sorrow Saying My husband a Prophet is dead Thou know'st right well that he the LOâ— indeed Did feare And now alas the creditour Is come to take my two sons at this hour To be bond men To her with great pitie Elijah said what shall I do for thee Tell me said he what hast thou in thine hoâ— A pot of oyle said she who had no spouse Goe said Elisha and vessels borrow From thy neighbours yea borrow not a few When thou comes in then shut the dooâ— hinde For Gods blessing on that oyle thou shalt find When she her pot in these vessels did powre All the vessels were filled in that houre When all was sought there were no vessels mâ— In all the house the oyle did stay therefore How all was done she to the Prophet told â—o did appoint all the oyle to be sold â—â—ay debt of the first and readiest 〈◊〉 after that to live upon the rest After all this it fell upon a day â—t to Shunem Elisha had his way â—ere was a woman full of charitie 〈◊〉 him constrained her guest for to be 〈◊〉 so it was as oft as he did passe 〈◊〉 them he entred and no stranger was Then said she to her husband lovingly â—s man of God which often passeth by 〈◊〉 a good man to us a matter small â—ill be for him to build on the wall â—hamber with a table stoole a bed â—d candlestick If such a guest be fed â—o our house it shall be found our best â—so we do the LORD vvill blesse the rest So it fell that Elisha on a day 〈◊〉 to this house of Shunem made his way â—en said he to Gehazi his servant â—s Shunamite call thou incontinent â—hen she was come and did before him stand 〈◊〉 earnestly did desire t' understand â—hat thing he might for her great care procure â—th King Captaine whereof she might be sure Among mine owne people said shee I dwell Thou need'st not King nor yet the Captaâ— tell Of mine estate At last said Gehazi This is the point this is the veritie She hath no child in all her rich houshold To be their heire and al 's her Lord is old Then said Elisha about this season Of time of life thou shalt embrace a son Then said she to him Oh now do not lie To thine handmaid but speake the veritie So it befell that at the same season She did conceive and after bare a son When he was growne it fell upon a day That this young child with his father to play Went out among reapers at last he said Unto his father oh my head my head His father dear said to a lade shortly This sick child now to his mother cary When she him got she set him on her knee About the noone sicknesse made him to die Then she went up and laid him on the bed Of Elisha the dear servant of God On him she shut the doore and went away And to her husband thus and thus day say Send me I pray a young man with an asse That to Elisha I may shortly passe Why wilt thou go said he to her I pray 〈◊〉 is not new Moone nor yet sabbath day Yet let me go said she all shall be well â—er asse she sadled and came to Carmel â—nto Elisha so it came to passe â—hen he her saw wondring what matter was â—e said anone to servant Gehazi â—he Shunamite behold what can this be â—o run and meet her from this mount Carmel â—nd know of her if all at home do well â—ll well said she then at
ran after a shamefull bribe to crave Is this a time money garments to seeke Oxen or sheep vineyards or servants eke Behold therefore Naamans leprosie To thee and thine shall cleave most speedilie When this was said that men GODS fâ— might know That villaine went out leper whit as snow Then the Prophets unto Elisha said We can not well in this strait roome abide Let us we pray thee go unto Jordan And there a great beame shall by ev'ry man Be cut that we GODS servants in Isra'l May have a place wherein that we may dwelâ— â—en said Elisha make ready to goe â—en said one thou with us must be also â—will said he and so with them he went â—nto Jordan where they incontinent â—id cut downe wood but as one did downe fell 〈◊〉 beame his Axe head in the water fell â—hen the man cri'd with great grief and sorrow â—as Master this axe I did borrow Elisha said I will thee now solace 〈◊〉 in Jordan thou canst point the right place â—here it did fall Which when he shew to him â—e by a sticke made the axe head to swimme â—o Elisha asswag'd his great sorrow â—y rendring th' axe which that man did borrow Then Syrias King against all Israel â—tended war by his servants counsell 〈◊〉 such and such a most fit place said he â—ncampad shall my greatest forces be â—hen Elisha unto Jehoram King â—nt speedy message to warne him faying â—ke heed that thou now passe not such a place â—or there in waite are foes thee to deface â—hen Jehoram hearkning this counsell wise â—id save himself there more then once or twise For this the King of Syrias heart was sore â—roubled his servants he did call therefore And said unto them can no man me tell Who traitours us to the King of Isra'l Then said one O King thinke not so I pray For what in thy bedchamber thou do'st say That Elisha can most perfectly tell To Jehoram the King of Israel Goe said the King spye mee where is tâ— man Behold said they he is now in Dothan Therefore the King sent thither with great boast Of horses charets a most mighty host Then came these men by night who were mâ— stout And compasse did the city round about When Elishas servant was up earely Behold an host did compasse the city Then he all trembling did speak so and so Alas good Master how now shall we do Then said Elisha thou needst not to feare For moe with us then with these men be heeâ— Then Elisha unto the Lord did pray That God his eyes would open in that day When GOD him heard as he did then desire His servant horses and charets of fire Did on the mountaine then most clearly see About Elisha for guard and safetie Then Elisha most bold in all distresse â—ntreated God to smite them with blindnesse â—nd so he did Then Elisha did say â—o these blind men this is not the right way â—f ye would the straight path unto these take â—hom ye now seek follow me at the back â—ut he them led unto Samaria â—hen to the Lord said Prophet Elisha â—pen the eyes of these me n I thee pray â—hat they may see where they remaine this day â—hen God op'ned their eyes and they did see â—hat they were in Samarias citie Then Jehoram as his heart did indite Cri'd Elisha my father shall I smite Sall I them smite No said Elisha spare For all these men now Gods prisoners are Would'st thou these smite whom thou by sword or bow Hast taken captive would thou that allow Set rather bread and water them before That they may eate and drink and come no more To fight with us so as GODS man did say The King he did and these men went away After Benhadad King of Syria Came with an host against Samaria The siege was sore great al 's was the famine An Asses-head which rarely hath been seene For fourescore pieces of silver was sold Doues doung was deare what one small kabbâ— could hold Cost there at that time no lesse then twenty Pieces such was the dearth in that citie Then Joram King upon the wall passing Heard a woman cry Help my LORD O King If GOD said he help thee not in distresse I cannot by Barne-floore or yet winepresse Yet said the King tell me what aileth thee This woman said she in fraud said to me We hunger sore give us thy son for meat The day and after we my son shall eat At her desire my poore son we first boil'd But on the nixt day she false me beguild She hid her sone this is a true saying This makes me cry help me my O Lord O King When the King heard these wordes of greâ— sorrow He rent his clothes these who did him follow Beheld and saw what cloths he had within Even base sackcloth neerest unto his skin Then said Joram the LORD do so and more To me if that Elishas head therefore Shall stand on him Elisha in his house Did sit when Joram most unrighteous A messenger sent swift from him before But ere he came Elisha grieved sore â—id to the Elders See this murth'rers seed â—ath sent a man to take away mine head â—hen he cometh let him no entrie finde â—ere with a sound his Master feet behinde â—en came the man with this blasphemous word â—e will no longer waite upon the Lord â—his ill from him is he will no help send â—e need not look that he us now defend Then said Elisha heare from Jehovah â—o morrow in the fair Samaria â—oth flowre and barley in a great cheapnesse â—all be for to relieve this great distresse Then said a Lord on whose hand lean'd the King â—his Prophet tells us a most scornefull thing â—hough GOD Heav'ns windowes by his arme mightie â—hould open wide this thing it could not bee â—hen said Elisha thou shalt see that meat â—ut God of it shall not give thee to eat While Samaria was in this estate â—oure leprous men were lying at its gate â—â—ch to other said in perplexitie If vvee sit heere vvee vvill not fail die Now let us goe unto the Syrian hoste Men pinch'd vvith hunger must not mens boast If they alive us save then shall we live If they us kill to be vvell vvee believe Then they rose up in the twilight most faire They to the camp came but found no man theâ— For the great Lord the Syrians in his boast Had troubled sore with noise of a great host For certaine said they the King of Isra'l Hath hired Hittits and Egyptians tall To come upon us wherefore they that day Troubled arose in hast and went away They left their tents their horses and their And al 's the camp and all that therein was When these lepers came to the Syrians caâ— With joyfull hearts they all both ate and draâ— When that was done these foure incontinenâ— Did carry thence both silver and raiment What they desir'd none did them there forbiâ— They got
riches and in the ground it hid Then each man said This is a day of grace We do not well for this to hold our peace In good tidings If we to morning light â—y some mischiefe will upon us light â—w therefore come that we may go and tell Kings household what the great Eternel â—h done for us Then to the city soone â—y went and told perfectly was done When the King heard this he arose by night â—d said This is but policie and slight â—se men do know that we be much hungry â—refore to draw us from our strong city â—y hide themselves that when we are come out â—ey may surprise and compasse us about Then said one let five horse men goe and view 〈◊〉 see if what the lepers say be true â—ese five men as the King did them allow â—ent on horse back the Syrians to follow â—ey follow'd them unto the faire Jordan â—ong the Syrians there was not a man â—ho had a heart or hand to fight that day â—r hast their clothes and armes they cast away When the Messengers returned and told â—hat God had done by mercies manifold â—e people went and their rich tents did spoile â—us God himself did that day Syria foile Elisha had spoken of cheapnesse â—f flowre and barley so it came to passe But that great Lord who doubted in his hâ— The plentie saw but of it did not taste For while the people went out in a spate To get vivers they trode him in the gate Then said Elisha to the Shunamite Goe from thy place to another more meet For the LORD surely will for whole yeâ— seven Afflict Israel with a sore famine Then she arose at Elishas command And sojourned in the Philistines land At seven yeeres end she returned and said Unto the King Oh pitie thine handmaiâ— My house and land cause novv to mee store Grant mee mine ovvne O King I crave more In this meane time the King with Gehazi Did talke and say Now briefly tell to me What great wonders the mighty LORD JOVâ— Hath wrought by thy good Master Elisha As Gehazi all such things was telling Behold the woman comes before the King Whose Son he had restored unto life Then said Gehazi behold here the wife And this her Son whom by the Lords power Elâ—â—ha did from death to life restore When the King heard the womans petition â—t she might have of all restitution Officer he sent who went therefore â—d unto her her whole rents did restore Then to Damascus came good Elisha â—d Benhadad the King of Syria â—ng then sicke one came to him and told â—od Elisha the man of GOD behold â—hither come Then unto Hazael â—e Syrian King his minde did freely tell 〈◊〉 to the man said he and in thine hand â—ke him a present for so I command â—is also try for so it doth me please I recover shall of this disease Then Hazael with a most rich present â—to Elisha went incontinent â—urty Camels burden Hazael thus â—ought to Elisha from rich Damascus â—ho said Benhadad King of Syria â—th sent Hazael to thee Elisha 〈◊〉 try if now to tell him it the please 〈◊〉 he recover shall of this disease Go said Elisha to Benhadad say â—o recover most certainly thou may â—owbeit the Lord hath clearely shewed me â—hat at this time King Benhadad shall die When this was said he set his countenancâ— On Hazael on him his eyes did glance With piercing looks then in a sorrow deep Good Elisha the man of God did weep Then Hazael said I proy thee me tell Why weeps my Lord Alas for Israel Said Elisha for I now clearely see What great mischief shall to Isra'l by thee Be done their strong holds thou shalt sâ— fire Their young men slay thou shalt in rage ire Their children dash thou shalt al 's their wâ— With child rip up when this was all said 〈◊〉 Hazael said this is a hard saying Am I a dogge that I should do such thing Then to him said the Prophet Elisha GOD saith thou shalt be King of Syria Then he came to Benhadad speedily Who said what said Elisha unto thee He told me said he that thou should'st recovâ— Of this disease so he did not discover What he had heard shortly it came to passe That he a thick cloth spred upon his face So after Benhadad the King was dead His servant Haza'l reigned in his stead After Elisha had anointed King â—u who downe ill Ahabs house did bring â—ehus sons time who call'd was Joash â—ha fell in a deadly sicknesse â—en to Elisha came Joash the King â—o said these words over his face weeping â—y father my father whom Isra'l â—ir strong Charet and Horsemen well did call Then said Elisha take to thee a bow â—d arrowes al 's on shooting to bestow â—en he did as Elisha did command â—ha put his hand upon his hand â—en the window and now shoot a shot â—d Elisha so the King as by lot â—ected well did shoot This sharp arrow â—d Elisha to thee declares that now â—is is the arrow of Gods deliv'rance â—m Syria whereon he shall vengeance â—ke by his might Againe unto the King â—sha had this Prophetick saying â—ke now thine arrowes and smite on the ground â—r in Gods eyes Isra'l hath favour found â—en he smote thrise but afterward did stay â—r this Elisha most wroth said that day five or six times thou hadst well the ground â—itten thou hadst a full victory found â—ainst Syria who do you much despise Whereas thou shalt smite Syria but thrise Then God by death Elisha tooke away And Israel was invaded that day By Moabits they bearing a dead man Afraide by troops to Elishas grave ran And let him downe As soone as he the shee And bones did touch he stood upon his feet The Use Let Prophets learne by Elishas practice Plough and Oxen to quite for GODS serviâ— Who serves the Lord hee great advantâ— hath Advantage both in life and al 's in death Let Prophets learne by Elishas desire A doubled sprit of grace for to require Silver and gold at last men shall disdaine And shall confesse that grace is onely gaine 10. JEHU Subsisting or advanced WHen Elisha an young man did appoint To go with oyle Jehu for to anoint Tâ—e young man went to Ramoth Gilead â—d did all as good Elisha him bade â—hen hee there came the Captaines were sitting â—en he to Jehu addressd this saying To thee O Captaine I have an earand â—hich thee to tell Elisha did command â—en he arose and went into an house â—ith this young man who with oyle precious â—d him anoint subjoining this saying â—ou art by GOD appointed to be King â—e bloody house of Ahab thou shalt smite â—r his great sins of malice and despite â—e blood and whooredome of vile Jezebel â—all be avenged by the Eternell â—r the whole house of Ahab shall perish â—OD shall leave none against the wall to pisse â—is house shall be saith the great
speake by Elijah Then Jehu by a goodly stratageme â—th'red the people and said unto them Ahab served but with a little touch Great god Baal but I will serve him much Therefore to me gather the Prophets all That I with them may serve the god Baal Let none be wanting at this gods service For I for Baal have a sacrifice Let this be done see that ye me believe If any come not he sure shall not live But Jehu all this did by subtilty That Baals service he might utterly Destroy Jehu commanded to proclaime That he a great assemblie did ordaine Then Baals men his service to defend Came to his house which they from end to enâ— Did fill when Jehu saw them all present Unto a servant he gave commandment To bring foorth the vestments for all quickly From Baals house where Baals men onely Could claime a roome When Baals men beg To sacrifice King Jehu did ordaine Fourescore of men who stood armed withouâ— To goe and slay and compasse them about If any said he of these ye let goe Your life surely shall be for his also Then the stout Captaines at King Jehus wâ— Did smite these men with the edge of the swoâ— And cast them out and to the city went Tâ—ere they from Baals house incontinent â—ught the images which they in great ire 〈◊〉 breake and burne in the midst of a fire â—ey Baals house brake downe without delay â—ich a draught-house they made unto this day â—us Jehu strength'ned by the Eternel â—stroyed Baal out of Israel Then to Jehu the Lord made a promise â—cause he had ' gainst Ahab done service â—at the fourth man that should come of his race â—ould sit as King and rule into his place â—t to walk justly Jehu tooke no heed â—r his vaine heart was not upright indeed Ahabs slaughter he did greatly faile â—r what he did was not in holy zeale â—r Gods glory but for commendation â—r Throne Scepter and vaine ostentation 〈◊〉 zeal he seem'd to do for th' Eternel â—d yet did still worship calves at Bethel 〈◊〉 last Jehu with his fathers softlie â—id sleep deaths sleep and in the faire citie â—f Samaria after his last breath â—as buried a way for all the earth The Use Let Kings heere learne when they with forâ— and might Doe serve the Lord to have an heart uâ— right If serving God men have another aime Their vaine glory at last shall end with shamâ— We may heere learne in Jehus historie That all is not zeal that seems zeal to be Men may do much as fight preach good mâ— save And yet for all be but a painted grave The use of Jezebels death Let Queenes heere also learne by Jezebel With vaine idoles not to greeve th Eternel For he there bones with Jezebels can dash And unto dogs also can give their flesh 11. JEHOAHAZ The possession of God THis Jehus son God to the Throne did brinâ— Who seventeene years of Israel was King Though God him set up by his power and might â—t he did that which was ill in his sight â—eastly man by the calves of Bethel â—th Jeroboam he the Eternel â—d much provoke Al 's in Samaria â—ere stood a grove which greeved Jehovah â—r this the anger of the Eternel â—as kindled much against all Israel 〈◊〉 Hazael and also Benhadad â—rr'd up to plague this people that was bad Then Jeho'haz unto the Lord did pray â—ho heard his sute and that without delay â—r God was moved with compassion â—hen he did see their great oppression 〈◊〉 man was found by the hand of Jovah â—ho took from Isra l the yoke of Syria â—or this Kings sins God made his forces small â—ftie horsemen with ten charets for all â—en thousand foot he had a most poore King â—is men were made like the dust by threshing The Use â—et Kings heere learne that vile idolatrie 〈◊〉 a great foe to all prosperitie 〈◊〉 King and Subjects doe what is unjust Their Thrones and States shall threshen bâ— to dust 12. JEHOASH Burning or distrusting THis second man from grand-father Jehu Did wicked Kings in wickednesse follow This man as by the historie appeares In Samaria did reigne sixteene yeeres He Amaziah in Battell alive Did take and al 's led him away captive After he spoil'd the house of great Jovah And cari'd all unto Samaria He ceased not from Ieroboams sin But like a foole rashly did walk therein In Samaria after his last breath He buri'd was a way for all the earth The Use Let Kings here learne who would in memâ—rie Have good report to shunne idolatrie Let Kings heere learne that spoilers of Gods house Shall not long after have state prosperous 13. JEROBOAM Contending or striveing with the people THis was the third from grand father Jehu He did ill Kings in wickednesse follow â—his Jeroboam Ieroboams sin â—id well allow and also walk'd therein â—ccording to the word of great Jovah â—hich he did speake by the Prophet Ionah â—e did restore Israels coast and gaine â—rom Hamath unto the sea of the plaine â—or the Lord saw Isra'ls affliction â—as very bitter and had compassion â—or at this time none was shut up or left â—oor Israel of all help was bereft â—he Lord said Not that he from under heaven Would wholly blot out his owne Isra'ls name â—ut would them save as it then came to passe â—y Ieroboam the Son of Ioash â—his man as by the historie appeares â—id reigne the space of fourtie and one yeeres The Use â—et Kings heere learne that vile idolatrie â—mong vertues ressembles a dead flee Such may doe good and seeme to have Gâ— favour But this dead flie sends out a stinking savâ— 14. ZECHARIAH The rememberance of the Lord. HEere Zechariah last of Iehus race Who on the Throne of Israel had place He fear'd not God for he wicked in heart From Ieroboams sins did not depart At last Shallum in rage and furie hot Before the people Zechariah smot He six moneths did reigne in Israel When that was done by Shallums hand he felâ— The Use Let Kings heere learne that sin is not a sport It ends their dayes and cuts their honours shâ— 15. SHALLUM Peace Prosperitie THen Shallum King who was Son of Iabeâ— Came to the Throne by his great wickedâ— A full moneth he did the Scepter sway Then Menahem this murderer did slay The Use Let Kings heere learne that sin is not a sport It ends their dayes and cuts their honours short Who for to rise make other men to fall Shall rush downe shortly like a trott'ring wall Let Kings heere learne that conquest is not good Which is obtain'd by shedding humane blood 16. MENAHEM A roarer THen Menahem with the sword smote Tipsah And also the coasts thereof from Tirzah Because to him they op'ned not their gates All that he found in all these bounds and feats With sword this Roarer smote most cruelly Of the women he did cut the belly Where children lay He most wicked in heart
the Lord our God â—ey brought unto us men of knowledge good â—e sons of Mahli the sons of Levi number eighteene with other twentie â—en I proclaim'd a fast there said Ezra Even hard besids the river Ahava That we our selves there where me may abodâ— Might sore afflict before th' Almighty God To seek of him a way with diligence Both for our selves our sons and our substancâ— For I thought shame to seek from the King theâ— A band of Souldiers and al 's of Horsemen Us to protect against our foes for I Had to the King uttred this speach boldly The hand of GOD will surely their part taâ— That do him feare But these that him forsakâ— And with profane walk in the wicked path They surely shall feel the dint of his wrath So we besought the Lord with hunmble fast And he intreated was of us at last When this was done Ezra great quantitie Of silver gold and fine copper quickly Causd to be weighed to the Priests and them He ordain'd all to bring unto Salem On the twelft day of the first mon'th Ezra Departed from the river Ahava That we unto Jerusalem might goe GOD by his hand us sav'd from every foe So we unto Salem came in safetie Wherein the Temple we did clearly see The silver gold well weighed then anone We did deliver our commission Unto the Kings Livetenents whose abode â—as on this side of the river of God â—he house they did most carefully prepare â—hereby they did their diligence declare Chap. 9. â—Hen Ezra was kindled with holy rage Because the people had in mariage â—ken the daughters of a wicked race â—e holy seed thus did themselves disgrace 〈◊〉 among these most wicked Nations â—ey follow'd their abominations â—t let the commons of the people passe â—e great Princes were chiefe in this trespasse When I this thing did hear I quickly rent â—th greefe of heart my mantle and garment â—oni'd I sat downe my heart did bleed â—e haire I pluckt both off my beard and head Then came to me numbers with one accord â—o with their hearts did truely fear the LORD â—ey greeved were for their wicked practise â—te astoni'd till even sacrifice â—en I arose up from my heavinesse â—ing my mantle in my sore distresse â—t with my garment then upon my knees â—ll downe and to God did lift mine eyes Spreading my hands out to his Majestie And said O God to lift my face to thee I am asham'd for even over our head Our sins are greatly increased indeed And our trespasse against thy holy name Up to the Heav'ns is growen up to our shame Since the dayes of our fathers we have seen That we in great trespasse have surely been Unto this day and for our sins have we Our Kings our Priests been to captivitie And spoile deliv'red and to shame of face As we this day do feele with great disgrace And now the Lord to us with sorrowes prest A little space hath made grace manifest That we escape might danger and disgrace And get a naile in his most holy place That so our God might lighten cleare our eyes And in our bondage give a little ease For we who are Gods chosen heritage Among our foes were captives in bondage But God to us extended hath mercy Even in the sight of Kings who mightily In Persia rule that he so by this thing Might unto us even give a reviving For to set up GODS house with buildinâ— faire And desolations thereof well repaire â—nd so in Salem and al 's in Judah 〈◊〉 get a wall from the great JEHOVAH And now our GOD alas what shall we say â—r we thy precepts have despisd this day â—â—d cleane forsaken for in lustfull rage â—ith the heathen we have in mariage â—fil'd our selves in our trespasses we â—fore thy face at this time stand guiltie Chap. 10. VVHen Ezra thus did pray and weepe right sore â—d cast himselfe downe the LORDS house before â—en Jehiels son called Shechaniah 〈◊〉 answere soone and said unto Ezra â— have trespassd against the LORDS command have espousde the strange wives of the land for all this we truely heere may tell â—t touching this there 's hope in Israel â—herefore now let us make without delay â—h GOD a Cov'nant for to put away â—h all the wives and children most forlorne â—ch of these wives have hitherto been borne â—e Ezra for this matter to thee â—ngeth also we with thee will be Be of courage and do as ye now hear Then rose Ezra and made Isra'l to swear That they should do according to his word Then Ezra before the house of the LORD Rose and quickly into the chamber went Of Johanan where he was miscontent For their sins who had beene cari'd away He ate no bread no water in that day He drank at all and they proclaim'd quickly Unto the children of captivity Through all Judah and Salem that together They should themselves for this good purpoâ— gather Then within three dayes as they did ordaine They greatly mourn'd for their sinnes and fâ—raine Then Ezra Priest stood up and al 's did tell By wives yee have increasd sins in Isra'l Therefore unto your fathers God confesse To do his pleasure see that ye professe Sever your selves from the men of the land And from strange wives Then all did taâ— in hand While they heard Ezra speaking thus that day That as he said they gladly would obey That GOD might turne away his anger hote Which kindled was by such a filthie spot They gave their hands that they would put away â—heir wives and being most guilty that day â—s God ordained so it came to passe 〈◊〉 ramme they offred for their great trespasse The Use â—eere learne that though GOD with great miserie â—fflict his Church in long captivitie â—et at the last before that they be shent 〈◊〉 of the evil will surely him repent Zerubbabel with his precepts school'd 〈◊〉 can raise up Jerusalem to build â—r manners good he can finde out a scribe 〈◊〉 learn'd Ezra wise precepts to prescribe â—ee wil not want if it then needfull be good Haggai and faithfull Zacharie â—a Cyrus his ordinance recall Darius he for to build the wall â—n raise who by a most constant decree â—ll furnish all that thereto needfull be See how the LORD can wisely with a beck A winke a vvord the greatest things direct THE GARDEN OF ZION The Booke of Nehemiah A Prayer THy workes are wondrous as all men mâ— see Thy Phoebus bright careering on the sky Comes foorth pompous like a Bridgroomâ— light Thy starres like nailes of gold decore the nighâ— Thou sends thy winds justing among the clouds They roare they stirre the bubbling waâ— floods What god O GOD can be compar'd to thee ' â—ho art great Ruler both of land and sea â—rant unto me that in my sacred layes 〈◊〉 may expresse the glory of thy wayes By Zerubabel thou thy Temple faire â—ebuilt by Ezra thou didst well repaire â—hat was amisse in manners
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
to the Kings gate return'd But Haman hasted to his house and mourn'd Having his head cov'red in signe of greefe â—nd told Zeresh his wife and these who cheefe Were of his friends what did to him befall Then said to him his wife and al 's friends all â—f Mordecai be of the Jews a man â—efore whom thou hast fall'n doe what thou can Against him surely thou shalt not prevaile â—ut shalt before him still fall without faile While they did speake the chamberlens in haste Came to bring Haman unto Esthers feast Chap. 7. SO King and Haman came with Esther Queene The second day at me banquet of wine And the King unto Esther said againe What is thy request Now with me be plaine Conceale nothing to ask now boldly come I will it give though half of my kingdome Then Esther Queene answ'red and said thâ— thing If in thy sight I have favour O King Found let my life now be given unto me And my peoples for we ordain'd surelie To be destroy'd are and al 's to be slaine So that none of us alive should remaine If they us for bondmen and bond women Had sold we all had keeped silence then Although in so doing the enemie The Kings domage could not repaire rightly Then said the King unto Queene Esther soone Who Where is he who durst such thing presume For to atchieve Then said Esther quickly This is Haman our wicked enemie Then Haman when he had the matter seene Was sore afraide before the King and Queene Then from the banket wroth when this was done The King arose into his garden soone He went then Haman stood to make request To Esther for his life for fear opprest His heart because he saw that an evill thing Against him was determin'd by the King The King return'd found Haman on the bed Of Esther fall'n then to him the King said Will this Haman now also force my Queene Even in the house as heere now may be seene As the King this word had said With disgrace The men arose and cov'red Hamans face Then Harbonah a servant to the King To Ahasuerus said Think on this thing Behold this Haman made for Mordecai A gallowes high even of cubits fifty Whereon he minded to hang him anone Then said the King soone hang him thereupon So was Haman hang'd on a gallowes hie This did the Kings wrath fully pacifie Chap. 8. ON that day the great King Ahasuerus Unto Esther the Queene gave Hamans house Then Mordecai was brought unto the King And Ahasuerus gave to him his Ring Which he to Haman had giv'n in that day Ov'r Hamans house Esther set Mordecai Then Esther after Haman most perverse Was hang'd did sute his letters to reverse Which could not be but to Esther this thing Was granted by Ahasuerus the King Ev'n that the Jewes themselves might well defend ' Gainst the malice which their foes did intend So the posts rode and publish'd the decrees Permitting Jewes to kill their enemies Then Mordecai soone went out from the King Who unto him had given his royall Ring With apparell of blew and white and Crowne Of purest gold with garments hanging downe Of fine linnen and al 's of purple made Then the Citie of Shushan was most glade Then had the Jewes both light and great gladnesse With great honour and joyfull merrinesse In all places whether the Kings decree Did come the Jewes there had prosperitie With joy gladnesse a feast and a good day Then many people did without delay Even become Jews who then did much excell For of the Jews the fear upon them fell Chap. 9. IN the same day which Haman did ordaine That all the Jewes in each place should bee slaine The Jewes strengthned great forces did command So that none of their foes could them withstand Yea more the Rulers helped them right well Because the fear of Mordecai then fell Upon them all thus the Jews in a word Their enemies smot with stroke of the sword In the palace of Shushan the Jewes then Slew and destroyed there five hundred men With ten sons of Haman Parshandatha Dalphon Aspatha and al 's Poratha Aridatha Parsmashta Arisai Adalia Vaiezatha Aridai All these the Jews did slay they gave command That on the spoile they should not lay their hand Unto Esther the King he said againe The Jews in Shushan have destroy'd and slaine Five hundred men and Hamans sons ten Princes What have they done in the other Provinces But yet tell me what 's thy petition What would thou further and it shall be done Then said Esther If it shall please the King Unto the Jews in Shushan grant this thing To do the morrow also speedilie Even according unto this dayes decree And let Hamans ten sons now for his sake Be hang'd on the gallowes which he did make When this the King did heare he did anone Command right quickly it so to be done Then according unto the Kings decree Hamans tens Sons were hanged on a tree Thus all the Jewes that were then in Shushan Gath'red themselves together every man On the fourteenth day of Adar they then At Shushan quickly slew thee hundred men All these the Jewes did kill but gave command That on the spoile no man should lay his hand While other Jewes this matter understood Themselves they gath'red and right stoutly stood For their lives and had rest in all the land And of their foes slew seventie five thousand But as did others so likewise did they None of them all laide hands upon the prey The Jewes then the thirteenth and fourteenth day Did consecrate to feasting and to play But these at Shushan with these other two Did consecrate the fifteenth day also As a day of both feasting and gladnesse To praise the LORD who sav'd them from distresse The Jewes who in villages did remaine The fourteenth onely for this did ordaine To be a day of feasting and gladnesse Even a good day of shewing great kindnesse One to aâ—other this did Mordecai Write to the Jewes who gladly did obey To stablish this among them neere and far That the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar Should yeerely keepe well in their memorie Because that they them from their enemie Did rest so that from sorrow that blacke day Was turned unto feasting and to play And sending portions one to other and Gifts to the poor who had nothing in hand Then with courage the Jewes did undertake As they had then begun there was no lake As Mordecai had written they did all Because Haman to put the Jewes in thrall Devised had to cast Pur or the lot That he them might destroy in anger hote But when Esther came to the King with speed Hamans device he ordain'd on his head For to returne and that he should quickly With his ten sons be hanged on a tree For this the Jewes after did not forbear Two dayes of Purim to keepe every yeer Yea that thereafter these two dayes indeed Should never perish from
brothers hall 19 But O behold what did befall a most fearfull distresse There came a strong and mighty winde even from the wildernesse The house four corners it did smite which on the young men fell They are all dead and I alone escaped am to tell 20 The Job arose his mantle he rent and did shave his head He down upon the ground did fall and worship did with speed 21 Then said he in his grief and smart Out of my mothers womb I naked came and shall return al 's naked to my tomb The LORD hath given and al 's the LORD hath taken all away The LORDS great name be blessed still for ever and for ay â—2 Yet worthy JOB most patient in all this misery â—id not offend nor charge his GOD with rigour foolishly Chap. 2. ANother day the sons of GOD came themselves to present Before the LORD Satan also among them there he went 2 Whence comes thou GOD to Satan said then Satan answred soon From going to and fro on Earth from walking up and down 3 Hast thou considred JOB said GOD that there is none him like One that feares GOD and evil eschewes perfect and upright eke Behold how still he holdeth fast even his integrity Although that him for to destroy thou without cause mov'dst me 4 Then Satan the LORD answerd soone JOB hath felt little strife But skin for skin all that man hath will he give for his life 5 Put foorth thine hand his bone and flesh touch and in little space He even out of all patience will curse thee to thy face 6 And the Lord unto Satan said Behold and now perceive He in thine hand given over is but see thou his life save 7 So from the presence of the Lord Satan went up and downe And smot poore Job with painefull boiles from the sole to the crowne 8 Then a potsheard to scrape himself he tooke all desolate Thus he perplexed in his mind among the ashes sate 9 Then said his wife Retain'st thou still thine old integritie What meanest thou O foolish man now curse thou GOD and die 10 But he againe said unto her his witlesse wife to schoole Thou speakest now thou knowes not what thou speakest like a foole Shall we receive good and not evill at the hand of the LORD â—n all this did not holy Job with lips sinne in a word 11 Now when Jobs three friends heard of all this evill and great disgrace That came on him they every one did come from his owne place The Temanite Eliphaz and al 's Bildad the Shuhite And Zâ—phar also joyn'd with them the wise Naamathite For they together had all made appointment of one sort To come and mourne with their deare freind and him for to comfort 12 But when they did lift up their eyes afarre they him no more Did know they lifted up their voice and weeped very sore And every man his mantle rent while thus they had it riven They sprinkled dust upon their heads toward the highest heaven 13 So seven dayes without speaking wordes and seven nights they down sate Upon the ground for they did see his grief was very great Chap. 3. THen op'ned Job his mouth anone and in greefe cursd his day And answ'ring with a wounded heart Job thus began to say 3 Cursd be the day that I was borne and let the night like have That it was said my mother did me a man childe conceive 4 Let that day be darknesse alwayes let not GODS eye divine Regard it neither let the light upon it ever shine 5 Let darknesse it and shadowes staine let a cloud stedfastly Dwell on it let the blacknesse of the day it terrifie 6 Let darknesse seaze upon that night to the dayes of the yeare Let it not come nor numbred be with moneths by men heere 7 Let that night in all times to come be solitarie still Let no voice at all come therein that is glade or joyfull 8 Let them it curse with all their heart that use to curse the day â—ho are still ready to raise up their great mourning alway 9 Let the starres of its twilight be darke let it looke for light â—ut have none neither let it see the faire dayes dawning bright 10 Because it of my mothers womb shut not the doores closely Nor in the dayes of troubles great hide sorrow from mine eye 11 Why died I not even from the womb which compassd me about Why did not I give up the ghost when from it I came out 12 Why did the midwives gentle knees me at my birth prevent Or why the breasts that I should suck gave milk for this intent 13 For now both still and quiet I should have been for my best I should have sleeped in the grave then had I been at rest 14 With Kings and also counsellers men of the earth most rare Who in places most desolate did build their houses faire 15 Or with Princes who glistring gold had in their treasures still Who their houses adorned well with silver fine did fill 16 Or as an hid untymly birth I surely had not beene As infants in their mothers wombe which light have never seene 17 There cease alwayes the wicked men From troubling the opprest And there from toile and carking care the weary be at rest 12 The prisoners there together rest they not at any houre Do heare the voice which doth proceed from the great opressour 18 These that be small and also gerat even there together be And the servant for toilsome taske is from his master free 20 Wherefore is light given unto him that is in miserie And life upon the earth to them that in soul bitter be 21 Which every day do long for death but it comes not therefore â—nd dig for it even more then for hid treasures and great store 22 Which doe exceedingly rejoice and alwayes gladnesse have â—n their greatest afflictions when they can find the grave 23 And why is light given to a man whose way is alwayes hid â—nd whom the Lord hath hedged in and from evill will not red 24 For my sighing before I eat doth come and me about â—y roarings loud like waters great are largely powred out 25 For that which I still greatly fear'd is come now upon me â—nd that whereof I was afraid is to me come surelie 26 In safety I was not alwayes nor yet still had I rest 〈◊〉 was far from all quietnesse yet troubles me opprest Chap. 4. WHen this was said then Eliphaz the Temanite that day Did forme an answer and to Job after this speach did say If we assay to speake with thee as friends and so be bold Will thou be greev'd But who from words can well himselfe withhold 3 Behold thou hast instructed well diverse in numbrous bands And thou by thy most wise comforts hast strengthned the weak hands 4 Thy words have well upholden him that was in miseries Straight falling and thou strengthned hast the weak and feeble
place 5 The brightest light of wicked men shall surely be put out Yea and the sparkle of his fire shall not shine him about 6 The light within his Tabernacle shall by judgement divine Be darke his candle shall with him be quench'd and never shine 7 The steps of all his greatest strength shall straitned be most fast And his own counsell still perverse shall quickly downe him cast 8 For he by his owne foolish feet is cast into a net And so he rashly walkes upon a snare that 's for him set 9 The grin that is laid downe for him shall take him by the heele And robbers by their violence against him shall prevaile 10 The snare for him is in the ground laid both by night and day And for him a deceitfull trap is still set in the way 11 Great terrours shall on every side him fearfully affright And shall even drive him to his feet with a most speedy flight 12 With pinching hunger ever shall be bitten all his strength And ready shall destruction be even at his side at length 13 The greatest strength it of his skin shall swallow lesse or more Yea even of death shall the first borne his greatest strength devore 14 His confidence out of his tent shall cleane be rooted out And it shall bring him to the King of terrours round about 15 It in his tent shall surely dwell because it s none of his Upon his habitation shall brimstone be scattred thus 16 His roots which seem'd great sap to have shall be dried up beneath His branch above shall be cut off together from the earth 17 From the earth his rememberance shall perish with great shame And he among men in the street shall not have any name 18 He from the light that shines on earth shall be to darknesse driven Out of the world he shall be chasd from the morne to even 19 He neither son nor nephew shall among his people have Nor any in his house to dwell when he goes to the grave 20 They that come after him shall be astonied at his day As they that went before him were affrighted sore alway 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked wanting grace Of him that doth not know the LORD this is the very place Chap. 19. THen Job answer'd and said to them how long as with sharp swords 2 Will ye my soul thus vexe and cut in pieces with your wordes 3 These ten times ye reproached have me greatly to defame That you your selves make strange to me you are not touch'd with shame 4 And be it so indeede that I have err'd once and againe Mine errour truely with my self doth constantly remaine 5 If ye indeede against me will your selves thus magnifie As al 's against me my reproach plead most despightfully 6 Know now that GOD hath overthrowne me without any let And in my great distresse he hath me compass'd with his net 7 Behold out of my greevous wrong I doe cry by and by But am not heard no judgement is though I aloud do cry 8 He hath sure fenced up my way that I it cannot passe And he also hath darknesse black even set in all my paths 9 He hath me of my glory great cleane striped all indeed And he also the royall Crowne hath taken from mine head 10 On each side he me hath destroy'd as ye may clearly see My surest hope he hath also removed like a tree 11 He also kindled hath his wrath against me by and by And also counteth that to him an enemie am I. 12 His troups together come and up their way against me raise My Tabernacle round about to compasse is their praise 13 He hath my brethren from me far put as ye now may see And mine acquaintance dearest all estranged are from me 14 My loving kinsfolke failed have in my necessitie And my familâ—ar friends most dear have all forgotten me 15 They that dwell in my house my maide me for a stranger right Do all account and so I am an aliant in their sight 16 My speciall servant I did call and he no answere gave I did intreat him with my mouth that comfort I might have 17 My breath unto my wife is strange though I alwayes did make My sute that she should rest content even for the childrens sake 18 Yea young children me did despise me as a mock to be I in displeasure soone arose and they contemned me 19 My most familiar inward friends they did abhorre me all They whom I most lov'd turned are against me great and small 20 My bone unto my skin and flesh doth cleave exceeding fast I am escaped with the skin ev'n of my teeth at last 21 O ye my friends have pitie now on me whom thus ye see For the hand of th' almighty GOD hath greatly troubled me 22 Why doe ye persecute as GOD not with my flesh content 23 Oh that my wordes were writen now Oh that they were in print 24 That they were all most clearely grav'n even with an yron pen And lead that in the rock for ay they might be seene by men 25 I know that my REDEEMER lives that at the latter day He shall then stand upon the earth his scepter for to sway 26 And though after my withred skine my body wormes quicklie Should all destroy yet trust I still GOD in my flesh to see 27 Whom I shall see even for my self and mine eyes shall behold And not another though my reines be all consum'd as old 28 But yee should say why persecute wee him upon the ground If we the maters root could see he guiltlesse should be found Chap. 20. THen said Zophar Namaathite my thoughts with great distaste 2 Cause me therefore to answere thee and for this I make haste 3 I of my most shamefull reproach have surely heard the check And my sprit that well understands me to answere doth make 4 Dost thou not of long time this know by great experince Since man was placed on the earth to have his residence 5 That wicked mens triumphing short incontinent is past And that the joyes of th'Hypocrite but for a moment last 6 Though his excellency to heaven do mount up by and by And though his head even reach unto the high clouds of the sky 7 Yet like his owne doung he for ay shall perish certainly They which have seene him brave before shall say Now where is he 8 He as a dreame shall flee away he shall not come in sight He shall be chasd away even as a vision of the night 9 The eye also which him clearly saw shall him no more know Nor yet shall his place any more behold him heere below 10 His children shall then seek to please the poor even more and more Yea he these ill extorted goods with his hands shall restore 11 His withred bones are full of sins of youth defil'd with lust Which surely shall lie downe with him in grave among the dust 12 Though
wickednesse to be abhord be in his mouth most sweet Though he under his tongue also hide it as dainty meat 13 Though he it spare and not forsake but in mouth keep it still 14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turn'd into aspes gall 15 He riches swallowd downe hath and shall vomite them againe Out of his belly cast them out GOD shall with great disdaine 16 Of aspes the poison he shall suck him vipers tongues shall slay 17 Of hony butter brookes and floods he shall not see for ay 18 That which he greatly labour'd for he surely shall restore Doe what he can it swallow downe He shall not any more According to his substance shall his restutition be And he shall not rejoyce therein as in prosperitie 19 Because he hath forsaken and opprest the poor alway And houses which he builded not by force hath reft away 20 Surely he in his belly shall not quietnesse then have Hee of that which he most desir'd nothing at all shall save 21 There shall none of his daintie meat be left even lesse or more For his goods which he up did heap no man shall looke therefore 22 In fulnesse he and plentie much in fearefull straits shall be The hands of wicked men shall come upon him suddenlie 23 When his great bellie fill he would GOD shall upon him cast And raine on him his furious wrath while he is eating fast 24 He from the yron weapon shall flee which he sure shall feele He shall fiercely be striken through even with a bow of steele 25 It s draw'n and from the body comes the glistring sword anone Most fiercely comes out of his gall terrours are him upon 26 All darkenesse in his places shall most secretly be hidde A fire not blowen by force of men shall him consume with sppeed What ever he does or yet intends with him it shall go ill That which shall be left in his tent shall be destroyed still 27 The heaven shall all his sins reveale gainst him shall rise the earth 28 His goods and increase shall depart in the day of his wrath 29 This is the wickeds portion all from God in every point And al 's the heritage which God unto him doth appoint Chap. 21. BUt to Zophar Job answered then what is now said by me 2 Heare and consider and let this your consolations be 3 Now suffer me that I may speake a little as I can And after that I spoken have then may ye still mock on 4 As for me my complaint to man is not made as ye see If it were so why should my sprite not greatly troubled be 5 Mark me and be astonish'd and your hand on your mouth lay 6 When I remember this I am with feare afraide alway 7 Wherefore live wicked men and al 's become old with great might 8 Their off-spring is establish'd fast and their seed in their sight Gods heavy rod is not on them their houses stand most fast 10 Their bull genrdeth and faileth not their cowes their calves not cast 11 They like a flocke their little ones send foorth their children dance 12 With tymbrell harpe and organes sound they cheare their countenance 13 In wealth they spend their dayes to grave they go without delay 14 Therefore they bid the LORD depart and will not know his way 15 What is th' Almighty that we should take care him for to serve What profite is to pray to him that he would us preserve 16 Lo for all that into their hand their good things yet not be The counsell of all wicked men let it be far from me 17 The candle of the wicked man how oft is it put out How oft comes their destruction and sorrowes round about 18 They like the withred stubble are before the winde alway And as the chaff that stormy blasts doth cary all away 19 God his iniquitie layes up even for his children all In justice he rewardeth him and it well know he shall 20 His eyes shall his destruction see which shall make him to shrinke He of the wrath most surely shall of the Almighty drinke 21 For after him what pleasure hath he in his house alwayes When as his moneths are cut off in the midst of his dayes 12 Shall any man GOD knowledge teach that hid things he may see Is he not he that judgeth those that are exalted hie 23 One being wholly at his ease in his full strength doth die 24 His breasts of milk are full his bones with marrow moistned be 25 Another in soules bitternesse with joy eats not at all 26 They shall alike lie downe in dust the wormes them cover shall 27 Behold your inward thoughts I know and which ye wrongfully Devices ill imagine still in great wrath against me 28 For yee say Where is of the Prince the house Yea more us tell Where are these great and wicked men and where now do they dwell 29 Have ye not asked carefully them that go by the way May yee not all most easily their tokens know alway 30 That wicked men reserved are unto the day of death They all shall surely be brought foorth unto the day of wrath 31 Who shall in fury to his face plainely declare his way And who shall him what he hath done deservedly repay 32 Yet after all shall he be brought unto the stinking grave And in the tomb his residence he constantly shall have 33 The valley clods shall unto him be sweet all lesse or more Shall draw to him as numbers great are alwayes him before 34 How then do yee most foolishly me comfort now in vaine Seeing that in your answers all great falshhood doth remaine Chap. 22. THen Eliphaz answered anone 2 Can man unto God be So profitable as the wise is to himselfe surely 3 To th' Almighty pleasure is it that righteous thou remaine Or that thou mak'st thy wayes perfite is it unto him gaine 4 Will he thee with sharp words reprove for any fear of thee Will he with thee in judgement wroth thus enter furiously 5 Is not thy sin so great that it in greatnesse doth surpasse And wicked deeds ev'n infinit wherein thou dost trespasse 6 For from thy brother thou a pledge hast taken sure for nought And strip'd the naked of their cloths for which they sore had wrought 7 Thou to the weary hast not given water to drinke in need And from the hungry man also thou hast withholden bread 8 But O! as for the mighty man who highly did excell He had the earth and th'eminent in it did richly dwell 9 Thou widowes poor hast sent away which now most empty be And of the fatherlesse the armes have broken been by thee 10 Therefore snares are thee round about feare sudden troubleth thee 11 Much waters cov'r thee Or darknesse so that thou canst not see 12 Is not GOD in the height of heaven whence he doth all things see Behold and al 's consider well the Starres how high they be
commands But who 's foolish doth pluck it downe ev'n with her owne two hands 2 He that walks in his uprightnesse feares God and so is wise But he that in his wayes perverse is doth him still despise In the mouth of the foolish is a scourge and rod of pride â—ut wise mens lips shall them preserve so that they shall not slide Where Oxen not remain to work the crib is clean at length â—ut much increase alwayes abounds even by the Oxes strength A faithfull Witnes fearing God he will be loath to lie â—ut a witnesse perverse and false a lyar still will be Scorners seek wisdome but to them God doth it not reveale â—ut knowledge easie is to him that understandeth well Go quickly from the presence of a fool thee from him save â—hen of knowledge in him the lips thou dost not well perceive The wisdome of the prudent is to understand his way â—ut of vaine fools the foly great deceit is every day Fools in their rage do make a mock at sin as at a sport But there among the righteous all is favour of each sort 10 Mans heart knows his own bitternesse which doth him most annoy A stranger also not at all doth meddle with his joy 11 Their house shall sure be overthrown who wickednesse fulfill But the upright mans dwelling place shall bud and flourish still 12 There is a way which seemeth right to man but in great wrath The end thereof are unto him the fearfull wayes of death 13 In laughter oft the heart is fild with sorrow and distresse And last the end of all that mirth is grief and heavinesse 14 The back-slider in heart shall be even fild with his own wayes A good man shall be from himself contented all his dayes 15 The simple every word believes that vain men to him tell But he that is a prudent man looks to his going well 16 A wise man fears and from all ill doth carefully depart â—ut the mad fool doth rage and is most confident in heart 17 He that is soon to anger mov'd doth deal most foolishly â—nd a man of devices bad he hated still shall be 18 The simple in his foolish wayes inherite folly shall â—ut these that prudent are in heart are crownd with knowledge all 19 The ill in heart before the good are forc'd to bow the knee â—nd wicked men even at the gates of righteous crouch we see 20 The poor even of his neighbour neer is surely hated much But many friends do still resort about him that is rich 21 Het that his neighbour doth despise a sinner great must be But he that mercy on the poor hath happy sure is he 22 These that devise ill and mischief do they not erre unwise But both mercy and truth shall be to them that good devise 23 In labour all and diligence there profite is in end But the vaine talk of idle lips to penury doth tend 24 The wise mens crownes their riches is which them doe much adorne But the great foolishnesse of fooles declares them all forlorne 25 A witnesse true delivereth soules from great peplexities But who in heart a witenesse is deceitfull speaketh lies 26 In the feare of the mighty Lord is a strong confidence His children all shall have a place in danger for defence 27 Of life a fountaine surely is the Lords feare in the heart From the most cruell snares of death in wisedome to depart 28 A numbrous people doth right well the Kings honour advance But in the want of people is destruction to the Prince 29 He that is slow to wrath he is of understanding great â—ut he high folly doth exalt that hastie is of sprit 30 A heart that 's sound from fraud and guile the life is of the flesh â—ut envie is the rottennesse of bones that are not fresh 31 He that the poore man doth oppresse his maker he most sure â—eprocheth but who honours him hath mercy on the poore 32 The wicked in his wickednesse is driven away by wrath â—ut he that is a righteous man strong hope hath in his death 33 Wisedome rests in the heart of him that doth well understand â—ut what is in the midst of fooles is knowne to all the land 34 A nation by its righteousnesse exalted is with fame â—ut sinne is a most vile reproch to any peoples name 35 The Kings favour is great indeed for servants that are wise But against him that causeth shame in wrath he shall arise Chap. 15. AN answere soft with wisdome great fierce wrath doth turne away But grievous words that give offence stirre anger up alway 2 The good tongue of the wise man still doth knowledge use aright But the mouth of fooles foolishnesse powres out with all their might 3 The eyes of the Almighty Lord are sure in every place Beholding ill and al 's the good for blessing or disgrace 4 A tree of life sure is the tongue that wholsome words doth teach But wickednesse that is therein is in the sprit a breach 5 A foole his fathers teaching doth most foolishly despise But he that a reproof regards most prudent is and wise 6 In the house of the righteous man much treasure is and store 7 But in the wickeds revenewes Is greefe and trouble sore 8 The Lord abhors the sacrifice of men that wicked be But the prayer of upright men is his delight surelie 9 The Lord who holy is and just abhors the wickeds way But who goe after righteousnesse he loveth them alway 10 Correction to him grievous is that doth the way forsake And he that foolish hates reproof shall die with shame and lake 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD how much more then Are patent to his eyes of fire the hearts of mortall men 12 A scorner one that him reproves doth hate and al 's despise He is so foolish that he will not goe unto the wise 13 A glade heart makes the countenance ev'n chearfull more and more But by the sorrow of the heart the sprit is broken sore 14 The heart of him that understands doth knowledge seek indeed But the mouth of vain fools also on foolishnesse doth feed 15 The dayes of the afflicted are evill and of no request But he that 's of a merry heart hath a continuall feast 16 Much better is a little with the true fear of the Lord Then treasure great which is with grief and vexing trouble stord 17 Much better is a dinner of hearbs joind with love and mirth Then is a stalled ox most fat and hatred still there with 18 A wrathfull man strife stirreth up and lets not men get ease But he that is to anger slow doth wisely strife appease 19 The wayes of him that slouthfull is as hedge of thornes remaine But the way of the righteous man is made both smooth and plaine 20 A father is made wondrous glad by a son that is wise But he that foolish is in heart his mother doth despise 21 To
him that without wisdome is great foly is his joy But uprightly he walks who wise his wits doth well imploy 22 Great purposes do fail when they good counsell are without But stablish'd they by numbers are of Counsellours about 23 By th'answer of his mouth a man hath joy well understood A spoken word in season due sure is exceeding good 24 The way of life is high above to him that wisedome hath That so he may right speedily depart from hell beneath 25 The proud mans house God will destroy that it may not endure But of widowes the border he establish will most sure 26 The Lord abhors the thoughts of these that constant are in ill But the words of the pure in heart are words most pleasant still That man his own soul troubleth much that greedy is of gaine But he that doth hate bribes and gifts shall sure alive remaine 28 The righteous heart doth studie still to answere every houre But the mouth of the wicked sort still ill things out doth powre 29 Unto all such that wicked are the Lord will not come neere But of all these that righteous be the prayer he well doth hear 30 The light of th' eyes doth still rejoice the heart and it comfort And al 's the bones are all made fat even with a good report 31 The eare that the reproofe of life doth hear well and obey Delighteth much for to abide among the wise alway 32 He that instruction doth refuse his own soul doth despise But he that humbly hears reproof gets understanding wise 33 Gods fear is the instruction good of wisdome most surely Before the time that honour come is true humility Chap. 16. THe preparation of the heart in man both night and day â—nd al 's the answere of the tongue is from the Lord alway 2 All the wayes of a carnall man in his own eyes are clean â—ut God doth weigh the sprits which are of him most clearly seen 3 Unto the Lord commit thy works that they may well endure â—nd he the thoughts shall of thine heart establish still most sure 4 The Lord most wisely for himself things of all sort hath made â—â—st a for the day of great distresse the wicked and the bad 5 The Lord abhors the proud in heart what ever he think or say â—hough hand join hand unpunished he shall not be alway 6 By Mercy and Truth wickednesse is purged from the heart And by the true feare of the Lord men from all ill depart 7 When a mans wayes reformed well the mighty Lord doth please He maketh even his enemies all to be with him at peace 8 A little thing with righteousnesse is better in Gods sight Then revenewes both great and large obtain'd against all right 9 The heart of man that prudent is his way may well devise But all his steps directed are by God both good and wise 10 A divine sentence in the lips of the King oft is found His mouth well rul'd transgresseth not in judgement good and sound 11 A just weight and the ballance al 's unto the Lord belong The weights all of the bagge his work are all the earth among 12 Abomination unto Kings to practise wickednesse It is for stablish'd is the Throne most sure by righteousnesse 13 The righteous lips that shunne all lies of Kings are the delight â—nd they do much respect and love him that doth speak aright 14 The wrath of Kings most surely is as messengers of death â—t he that prudent is and wise will pacifie such wrath 15 In light of the Kings countenance life doth alwayes remaine â—s favour al 's is as a cloud ev'n of the latter raine 16 Much better then the gold is it to get wisdome divine â—nd to get understanding then the silver that is fine 17 The high way of the upright is from all ill to depart â—t that wisely doth keep his way preserves his soul and heart 18 Pride got'h before destruction still among both great and small â—nd likewise doth an hauty sprite before a shamefull fall 19 Humble to be it better is with these that lowly be Then to devide with lofty men the richest spoile we see 20 He that his matters wisely guides shall alway find good speed And who so trusteth in the Lord he happy is indeed 21 The wise in heart in all their wayes most prudent call they will Likewise the sweetnesse of the lips increaseth learning still 22 A well of life unto the wife is wisedome most surelie But of fooles the instruction all great folly semees to be 23 Of the wise man the prudent heart his mouth doth wisely teach And maketh learning of all sorts unto his lips to reach 24 Words pleasant are as hony combs unto the soule most sweet And also to the bruised bones for health they are most meet 25 There is a way which unto man seemes right but in Gods wrath The end thereof which fearfull is the ill wayes are of death 26 He that doth labour doth it all for him self for to have For his mouth in necessitie the same of him doth crave 27 A man ungodly in his wayes digs up ill with desire And in his lips set on mischeefe there is a burning fire 28 A man that hath a froward heart discord doth sow and strife â—nd whisperers do sep'rat soone the cheefest friends in life 29 A man that 's given to violence his neighbour doth entise â—nd leadeth him into the way of wicked and unwise 30 He shuts his eyes things froward to devise a great trespasse â—e moves his lips with fraud and guile and bringeth ill to passe 31 The hoary head a fair crowne is of glory and riches it be well and wisely found in wayes of righteousnesse 32 He that 's to anger slow excells the mighty all among And he that rul's his speach him that doth take a city strong 33 The lot is cast unto the lap as at peradventur But the disposing all thereof is of the Lord most sure Chap. 17. A Morsell dry much better is and quietnesse of life Then houses full of sacrifice with great debate and strife 2 A wise servant shall over rule a son that causeth shame And shall inherit them among who brethren are by name 3 The fining pot for silver is appointed by and by And furnace for the gold but God the hearts of men doth try 4 A wicked doer to fals lips attentively gives head A liar al 's doth give his eare to naughty tongues indeed 5 Who mocks the poore his maker doth reproch most shamefully â—e punish'd sure shall be that is glade at calamity Childrens children a blest off-spring of old men are the crowne And fathers al 's of children are the glory and renowne 7 Speach excellent becometh not the men that foolish be Much lesse becometh it a Prince with lying lips to lie 8 A gift in his eyes that it hath is as a precious stone Whethersoever it doth turne it prospreth well anone 9
of all wicked men shall quickly them destroy Because judgement aright to do they do refuse alway 8 The way of men it froward is and strange in good mens sight But as for the man pure in heart his work is good and right 9 Of the house top in corners high it better is to dwell â—hen in a wide house with a wife whose words are brawlings fell 10 The wicked man desireth ill which still is in his minde No favour in his cruell eyes his neighbours poor can finde 11 When punish'd is the scorner vaine the simple doth perceive And when the wise instructed is he knowledge doth receive 12 The righteous man the wickeds house considreth and doth know But GOD the wicked for their sin doth quickly overthrow 13 Who at the poor mans cry doth stop his eares with heart that 's hard He also in his grief shall cry but shall not then be heard 14 A gift that is in secret given doth anger pacifie And in the bosome a reward makes wrath away to flie 15 It is a great joy to the just judgement to do justly But great destruction for them is that worke iniquity 16 The man that wandreth from the way of understanding plaine Shall in the congregation of the dead alwayes remaine 17 He that too much his pleasures loves shall certainly be poor And he that loveth wine and oyle shall not long rich endure 18 A ransome for the righteous man the wicked man shall be And the transgressour for the man that walketh uprightlie 19 A man may in the wildernesse with more contentment dwell Then with a woman hauty that is most contentious still 20 The wise mans house rich treasure hath and oyle aboundantly But a man of a foolish heart it spends up needlesly 21 He that so after righteousnesse and mercy with his minde Doth follow righteousnesse and life and honour al 's shall finde 22 A wise man doth the city scale of men of great renowne And the strong confidence thereof unto the ground casts downe 23 Who so his mouth and al 's his tongue can wisely keep from strife That man his soul doth safely keep from troubles in his life 24 Who proud in sprit doth deal in wrath shall hear these words of shame A proud and haughty scorner al 's is his most shamefull name 25 The slouthfull mans desire will not him surely faile to kill For his hands full of idlenesse refuse to labour still 26 He all the day long greedily doth covet in his heart But he that is a righteous man spares not in any part 27 Of wicked men the sacrifice abhorred still we find How much more when he bringeth it with a most wicked mind 28 A false witnesse that loveth lies shall perish certainly But he that hears well what is said doth speak most constantly 29 A wicked man hardneth his face do what ye can or say But as for the upright in heart he doth direct his way 30 There is no wisdome among men nor counsell great or small Nor knowledge which against the LORD can well prevail at all 31 Against the day of Battell the horse is prepar'd with speed But safety from such dangers great is of the LORD indeed Chap. 22. A Good name rather is to be chosen then manifold Riches and loving favour more then silver and fine gold 2 The rich and poor together meet for so it doth befall But the Almighty LORD he is the maker of them all 3 A prudent man the ill forsees and hides himself wisely â—ut simple men passe on and are sore punish'd by and by By humblenesse and also by the GOD of heavens true fear â—re riches great and honour both and life which is most dear In the way of the froward man are thornes and snares laid deep He surely shall be far from them that doth his soul well keep 6 Traine up a childe in the way that he should go with his heart And when he 's old he surely will not from it once depart 7 The rich high ov'r the poor doth rule who must him still attend And he that borrowes fervant is unto him that doth lend 8 He that iniquity doth sow shall reap but vanity And the rod of his anger shall at last fail certainly 9 He that hath an eye bountifull shall blessed be most sure For he abundantly doth give his bread unto the poor 10 Cast out quickly the scorner and contention shall be gone Yea bitter strife and al 's reproach shall surely cease anone 11 He that the purenesse of the heart doth love with heart and minde For the grace of his lips most sure the King shall be his friend 12 The eyes of GOD do well preserve all these that do him know But of transgressours he the words doth alwayes overthrow 13 The slothfull man saith in this way in wordes that are but vaine Without there is a Lion I in the streets shall be slaine 14 The mouth of a strange woman is as a deep pit or gin The man abhorred of the LORD shall surely fall therein 15 Unto a childes heart foolishnesse is fastly bound alway But the rod of correction soone shall drive it far away 16 He that the poor molests to be even rich incontinent And he that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want 17 Bow down thine eare and hear the words of these that speak wisely And unto knowledge all thine heart see that thou well apply 18 For it is a most pleasant thing if thou them keep in thee They sure withall even in thy lips shall right well fitted be 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD I have to thee this day Made clearly known and manifest even unto thee I say 20 Have I not writen unto thee things that be excellent In counsels and knowledge also and that with good intent 21 That of the wordes of trueth I might thee make the certaintie To know that thou mightst answere well to them that send to thee 22 Robbe not the poor because he is a man of poor estate Nor yet him that 's afflicted sore oppresse thou in the gate 23 For the LORD GOD will surely plead their cause his wrath shall boile The foule of those that spoiled them he will not faile to spoile 24 With angrie men no friendship make which may procure thy woe And likewise with a furious man at all thou shalt not goe 25 Lest thou incline thine heart to learne his wayes that are not faire And so by walking in his wayes get to thy soul a snare 26 Be thou not one of them that hands strike unadvisedly Or of them that not taking heed for debt even sureties be 27 If thou hast nothing for to pay through thy great povertie Why should he take away by force thy bed from under thee 28 The land marke that most ancient is see thou it not remove Which thy fathers in former times have set for peace and love 29 Seest thou a man that 's
seven times doth fall and riseth up againe But wicked men shall in mischeef both fall and there remaine 17 Rejoice not when thine enemie fierce in miserie doth fall And let not when he stumbleth downe thine heart be glad at all 18 Lest that it sore displease the Lord when he such things shall see And from him turne away his wrath to bring it upon thee 19 Because ill men advanced are thy self in no way fret Nor yet be thou envious at the wicked mans estate 20 For to the ill man no reward there shall be round about The candle of the wicked shall in darknesse be put out 21 My son the Lord fear and the King both mighty in revenge And see thou meddle not with them that still are given to change 22 For their fearfull calamitie most suddenly shall rise And who the ruine of them both to know shall be so wise 23 These things also belong unto the wise well understood To have respect of persons it in judgement is not good 24 He that unto the wicked saith thou art a righteous seede The people him and nations shall curse and abhorre indeede 25 But unto them that him rebuke shall surely be delight And a good blessing al 's shall come upon them day and night 26 Each good man sure shall kisse the lips with honour and respect Of him that answeres wisely can aright in wordes direct 27 Thy worke without prepare and make it for thee in the field And afterwards when that is done thine house right wisely build 28 Against thy neighbour without cause see thou no witnesse be With lying lips let none at all deceived be by thee 29 Say not I will do unto him as he hath done to me Surely according to his worke it shall now rendred be 30 By the bare field of slouthfull men I with attention went And by the vineyard of the man that is voide of judgement 31 And lo all was growne ov'r with thornes and nettles had the face Thereof cov'red and the stone wall was down in every place 32 Then I saw and considered well it as I did perceive And did look on it and also instruction did receive 33 A little sleep and slumber al 's the sluggard well can say A little folding of the hands to sleep while it is day So thy most fearfull poverty shall come do what thou can As one that travails and thy want as doth an armed man Chap. 25. THese also are the Proverbs of wise Solomon surely Which good King Hezekiahs men did copie carefully 2 It is the glory of the Lord things secret to conceale But a Kings honour is to search and matters to reveale 3 Great is the deepnesse of the earth and so the height of heaven The heart profound of Kings is al 's unsearchable to men 4 From the fine silver take away the dirtie drosse and rude And for the finer shall come foorth a vessell pure and good 5 From before the King take away men given to wickednesse And most surely his throne shall be stablish'd in righteousnesse 6 In a Kings presence put not foorth thy self most foolishly And likewise stand not in the place of these that great men be 7 For it is better that men say come to a higher place Then in the Princes presence to be put downe with disgrace 8 Goe not foorth hastily to strive lest in the end with blame Thou know not what to do when thee thy neighbour puts to shame 9 With thy neighbour debate thy cause as fitting is and meet And unto any other man reveale not a secret 10 Lest he that heareth it thee put to shame without delay And so thy shamefull infamie turne not from thee away 11 In season good a speach discreet that spoken is fitlie Like apples is of gold that in pictures of silver be 12 As gold earerings and ornaments of gold most fine and dear Even so is a reprover wise on an obedient eare 13 As cold snow in the heat of harv'st is to the reapers flesh So doth a faithfull messenger his masters soul refresh 14 Who of a false gift so doth boast as one both proud and vaine Is like unto the clouds and wind that void are of all raine 15 By long forbearing is a Prince perswaded and anone A soft tongue al 's with meeknesse great doth wisely break the bone 16 Hast thou found honie eat enough but let the rest remaine Lest thou therewith be filled much and vomit it againe 17 See that thou from thy neighbours house withdraw thy foot swiftly Lest of thee weary at the last he hate thy company 18 A man that beareth witnesse false against his neighboure dear Is like a hammer and a sword an arrow or a speare 19 To trust in trouble in a man not faithfull in each point â—s like a broken tooth in jaw and a foot out of joint 20 As one in cold takes cloths away as vineger among The nitre so is he that sings to heavy hearts a song 21 If hungry be thy fo him give of thy bread for to eat And give him if he thirstie be for drink water most sweet 22 For thou upon his head shall heap the coales of burning fire And the Lord God shall thee reward even to thine hearts desire 23 The north wind with a mighty gale doth drive away the raine So doth an angrie countenance backbiting tongues restraine 24 It better is in corners high of house tops to abide Then with a woman brawling still in a house that is wide 25 As cold waters do much refresh a thirsty soul so are Good newes which unto men alwayes come from a countrey far 26 A righteous man that falleth down before the wicked traine Is as a corrupt filthy spring and a troubled fountaine 27 It is not good for health of men much hony for to eat So al 's their own glory to search for men it is not meet 28 He that is weak and hath not ov'r his own sprite rule at all Is like a city broken down that is without a wall Chap. 26. AS snow in summer and as raine is in a harvest day So great honour for foolish men not seemely is alway 2 As birds and swallowes flie away but not returne againe So the curse causelesse shall not come on such for to remaine 3 A whip for horse and for the asse which is both slow and slack 〈◊〉 bridle and a rod prepar'd is still for the fooles back According to his foly not answere a fool at all â—st thou also be like to him and so in foly fall According to the foly of fooles answere thou likewise â—st he puft up in his conceit him self think to be wise He that a message to direct by a fooles hand doth think like one that cuts off his feet and so doth dammage drink The men that in their legs are lame can not go equally â— is a parable in the mouth of such as foolish be As he that not
at all For with scarlet her houshold is well cloathed great and small 22 She cov'rings to her self doth make of richest tapestrie Her clothings of the finest silk and costlie purple be 23 Her husband in the gates is known by such attire most net â—hen he among the Elders doth sit in the judgement seat 24 She diligent the linnen fine doth make and al 's it sell â—e likewise doth fine girdles give unto the merchands all 25 Strength and honour her clothing are such is her great wisdome â—nd she by these her comforts shall rejoice in time to come 26 She with wisdome op'neth her mouth which makes all stand in aw â—â—d in her tongue governed well of kindnesse is the law 27 Unto the wayes of her houshold she wisely lookes indeed â—â—d being busie eateth not of idlenesse the bread 28 Her children rise up and her call most blest in all her dayes â—er husband also well content he praiseth her alwayes 29 Much daughters have most vertuously done as men well may tell But thou indeed them all above most highly dost excell 30 Deceitfull surely favour is and beautie is but vaine But a woman that feares the LORD her praise shall still remaine 31 Of her hands give her of the fruit which early work and late And let her own works with applause still praise her in the gate The Vse Let not the words of vaine men with their noâ— Outshrill the precepts of Gods divine voice But set thy heart their meaning for to finde And lay them up till brimefull be thy mindâ— While Wisdome thus stoups down poor maâ— teach Most wise Proverbs that we their sense may reâ— Let us still learne and carefull act our part That wisdomes words may get place in our heâ— Fy what a shame to hear in wisdomes schoole Such lessons wise and yet remaine a foole They double stripes are worthy who may finde â—his glorious light and yet are beetle blinde Away with these who in most furious fits â—ith earthly dregs do drench their wanton wits â—ch oft them selves most wise of all do deeme â—ike mummers which are not that which they seeme â—eer wisdome learne and strive for to be wise â—hese grave proverbs see that thou not despise â—hat thou thereby may learne to flie from sin â—ven Satans cobweb and his deadly gin â—herein he holds and doth al 's divers pull â— craftie meanes the simple for to gull 〈◊〉 fiery wrath shall make the Crowes and Pyes â—â—ck out the pride of Childrens scornefull eyes â—ho Mothers precepts lightly still set by A vengeance sure most heavy by and by â—all come on these who proverbs good and wise â—â—d precepts grave shall foolishly despise 〈◊〉 thou thy dueties well would learne and see â—his precious Pandect hold before thine eye THE GARDEN OF ZION The Booke of Ecclesiastes A Prayer OF Wisdomes precepts how to guide oâ— wayes We have last sung in our most sacred layes Now come Jovan my heart strings put in 〈◊〉 To warble how all things under the Sun Which heer in greatest estimation be Are nothing al 's but very vanitie All things below have an uncertaine seat See how Boats slide where ploughs did slicâ— late And ploughs now till where Boats before did slide â—nder the welkin what can fast abide Heere climbs one there on the top of the wheele Another stands anone up goes his heele And down his head then shuffled his designs All topsie turvie upside downe God brings â—ome are most base and some with toll and tax â—et up on hie do break poor peoples backs â—ome hunts for this and some for that at last Death all away doth cary with a blast â—hen where is man and where are his designs Lord draw our hearts far from such naughtie things To keep thy Law in doing what we can For this the duety is of every man Now by thy grace both purge our heart and heade From dirtie darnell sins vile cockleweede That while we hear of vaine things the discourse Without a curse we may run out our course CHAP. I. THese be the weighty words wise of preacher Solomon Who was King in Jerusalem and of David the Son 2 All vanitie of vanities the Preacher saith truelie Yea vanitie of vanities all is but vanitie 3 What profite hath a man of all his labour here begun Which he with a most carking care doth take under the Sun 4 One generation among men away doth quickly slide Another generation comes but th' earth doth still abide 5 The sun also ariseth and he goeth down quickly And hasteth to the place where he at morning rose earely 6 From South to North the wind doth go it whiles continualy According to its circuits it doth turne againe quickly 7 The rivers all run to the sea the sea yet is not full Unto the place from whence they come returne they thither still 8 Man can not utter how all things are full of labour here With sight th' eyes are not satisfi'd nor with hearing the ear 9 The thing that hath beene is which shall be and that which is done Is that which shall be and there is no new thing under Sun 10 Is there a thing whereof it may be said see this is new It hath already beene before of old time with some shew 11 No remembrance of former things there is nor shall there be Of things to come with these that shall come after us quicklie 12 The preacher I who cunningly in preaching did excell Was in the faire Jerusalem king over Israel 13 I gave my heart by wisdome to search all things that are done By such paine God doth exercise men here under the Sun 14 Under the Sun I have seene all the workes that done there be Behold all is vexation great of sprite and vanitie 15 That which is crooked can not be by men againe made straight And that which wanting is can not be numbred once aright 16 I pensed saying I am come to great estate and more Have gotten wisedome then all they that have been me before Yea my heart by the LORD inspir'd in every exigence Of wisedome and of knowledge had a great experience 17 I gave my heart wisedome to know and to know madnesse eke And foly I saw that this was vexation of the sprite 11 For in much wisdome surely is much grief and heavinesse And he that groves in knowledge great doth sorrow al 's increase Chap. 2. In mine heart said now go to with mirth I prove will thee â—ake pleasure therefore and behold this al 's is vanitie I deeply pensing in my thoughts of laughter said it's mad Of mirth like wise I did affirme that it is vaine and bad I in my heart did further seek to give my self to wine â—nd to lay hold on folly great ev'n by wisedome divine â—ll I might see what was that good for sonnes of men alwayes â—hich under heav'n they all should doe dureing their painfull dayes I made me great works I did build
them all They all have one breath as the one so doth the other die Above a beast they have no place for all is vanitie 20 All things below unto one place do go as is most plaine All of the dust are and also all turne to dust againe 21 Who knowes the sprite of man that goes even upward to the heav'n And the sprit of the beasts that is unto the earth down driv'ne 22 Wherefore I see now that there is no better thing for choice Then that a man in all his workes should constantly rejoice For that is even his portion all alloted for to be And what shall be done after him who shall bring him to see Chap. 4. SO I returned in my sprite and did consider soone All the oppressions great that are heere done under the sunne Behold the teares of men opprest no comforter they had Their spoiling foes sure power had great but they had comfort bad 2 Wherefore the dead I praised much that were already dead Yea more then all the living which are yet alive indeed 3 Yea better then both they he is which hath yet never been Who the ill work done under sunne as yet hath never seene 4 Againe I did consider well and carefully remarke All travaile undergone by man and also every worke For this man of his neighbour is crossd greatly with envy This is vexation of the sprite and also vanity 5 The fool his hands folding will not work for to winne his meat Therefore he pinch'd with poverty is forc'd his flesh to eat 6 Much better is with quietnesse an handfull that is meet Then both hands full with travell and vexation of the sprite 7 Then I returned speedily to see all that was done And I saw a great vanitie that was under the Sun 8 Ther 's one alone and there is not a second or another Yea he is so alone that he hath neither childe nor brother Yet still he labours and can not for whom he labours tell This also is great vanitie yea it 's a sore travell 9 Together in societie two better are then one Because they have a good reward for all their labour done 10 For if they fall the one will lift his fellow but much wo To him that is alone for when he falls none helps him so 11 Againe if in a stormy time two shall together ly Then they have heat but how can one be warmed by and by 12 And if against him one prevaile on this he may rely Two shall withstand a threefold cord men break not easily 13 A poor and wise childe better is then an old foolish King Who will no more by counsell good admonish'd be to reigne 14 For out of prison he doth come to reigne in high degree But th' other in his kingdome borne comes all to povertie 15 The living which walk here below I did perceive indeed All walking with the second childe that shall stand is his stead 16 Th' inconstant people have no end of all that was before These that come after shall not please this is vexation sore Chap. 5. WHen thou go'st to the house of GOD as children to the schooles Then keep thy foot hear rather then give sacrifice of fooles For they in their great foolishnesse consider not wisely That while they do that outward work they do iniquity 2 See with thy mouth thou be not rash thine heart let it not be Swift for to utter any thing before GODS Majestie For GOD is in the Heaven above and thou with little shew Art upon earth therefore let all thy wordes be wise and few 3 A dreame comes through the multitude of carefull businesse A fools voice is well known when he doth many words expresse 4 When unto GOD thou vow'st a vow defer it not to pay For he no pleasure hath in fooles so pay without delay 5 Not to vow it far better is then that thou every day Should make fair vowes unto the LORD and them neglect to pay 6 Permit not once thy mouth to cause thy flesh for to trespasse Nor yet before the Angel say that it an error was Wherefore should GOD be at thy voice provok'd thee to annoy And after the work of thine hands in wrath thee to destroy 7 For in the mâ—ltitude of dreames and many words there be A number great of vanities but fear thou the most Hie. 8 If thou th' oppression of the poor and judgement false dost see And justice in a Province al 's let it no marvell be For he that then the higest is higher without delay Regardeth such things and there be some higher even then they 9 The profit of the earth below moreover is for all The King is served by the field ev'n whether great or small 10 He that loves silver silver shall him not once satisfie Nor he that loveth great increase this al 's is vanitie 11 When goods upon this earth increase for wealth or yet for meat They also much increased are who all such things do eat And what good to their owners is among all companies Thay onely have this that they may behold them with their eyes 12 The work-mans sleep it is most sweet though he eat lesse or much But plenty great doth mar alwayes the sleep of him that 's rich 13 There is a sore ill which I have perceiv'd under the sun Ev'n riches for the owners kept to their great hurt therein 15 But these riches by travell ill do perish in the land And he begets a son and there is nothing in his hand 15 As he came from his mothers womb so without all delay He naked shall returne nothing he cary shall away 16 This is a sore ill that as he came even so shall he go That gaine hath he that for the wind he labour'd so and so 17 All the dayes of his life also he doth in darknesse eate nd he much sorrow hath and wrath when he is griev'd and sick 18 Behold what I have seene It 's good for one to drink and eat nd take part of that GOD hath giv'n to be his portion meet 19 This is GODS gift when of riches man learnes to make good use â—d of his portion eats and in his labour doth rejoice For so his dayes in mirth do passe and seeme most short to be â— GOD him answreth in the joy of his heart chearfully Chap. 6. UNder the Sun there is an ill which often now and then â—ve seen common for to be among the sonnes of men 2 A man to whom the Lord hath given wealth honour and richesse So that he wants not for his soul all that he would possesse Yet God him not the power then gives to eate thereof gladly But strangers it do eat This is disease and vanitie 3 If that a man yeers many live and children much beget So that the dayes even of his yeares be in a number great If his soul be not fil'd with good and al 's not buâ—ied be I say
Tantara blow reat troops of ills as long as we are heere â—ill vex us still betweene both faith and feare â—t O when this our dismall time is past o all the godly joy shall come at last et us therefore returne to God with speede rom vanities and see that we take heede â— seeke the best part that we by his grace ike crawling Ivie may the Lord embrace et this our care be in these latter times rofession bare serves but to cloake our crimes THE HOLY SONGS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT Dedicated to the Royall Lady Mary his Majesties Elder Daughter Princesse of ORANGE By M. Zacharie Boyd Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1645. To the Reader I As yet have known none that in poesi hath turned all the song of Scripture except Theodore Beze who hath done it very acurately in the French tongue Iâ— the Song of Songs and the Songs of Mosâ— Deborah Hannah Ezekiah Mary Simeoâ— and Zechariah and divers others be so heâ—venly as all may see it were to be wishâ— that in the Church they had place to be sun with the Psalmes of David unto the whic they are not inferiour TO THE MOST ROYALL LADY MARY His Majesties Elder Daughter Princesse of ORANGE MADAME IT was the saying of a KING PROV 18 16. a mans gift maketh roome for him before the great If there were no other way but by gifts I should come behind and not before how ever it be as S. Peter said to the creeple at the Temple gate called Beatifull Such as I have I give yea Act. 3.6 and that with a willing minde In dayes of mourning we must tâ— forget our spirituall mirth Chriâ— precept is that we rejoice ever more Women more then men are inclineâ— to singing 1 THES 5.16 as daylie practise dotâ— shew when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine it is said that the women came out oâ— all the cities of Israel singing 1 SAM 18.7 Saâ— hath slaine his thousands and David his ten thousands no mention is made of men singers If your Highnesse desire spirituall recreations in hâ—ly songs I have heere tuned the Song of Songs in the first place and not without reason 〈◊〉 being so called by excellencie Vnâ— it are subjoined the other cheefe songs contained in the Old and New Testament as they ly in order The Apostle S. James hath given this precept JAM 5.13 COL 3.16 Iâ— any merry Let him sing S. Pauâ— ordaines that we sing with grace iâ— our hearts to the Lord In anotheâ— place he willeth that we be filled witâ— the spirit and that wee speake to our selves in Psalmes and Hymnes EPHES. 5.19 and Spirituall Songs makeing melodie in our heart to the Lord. The Lord grant your Highnesse such happinesse that yee may have many joyfull dayes to awake your glory that yee may chearfully sing the praises of the LORD Your Highnesse most humble servant Mr. Zachary Boyd From Glasgow the 20 of March 1645. THE GARDEN OF ZION The Song of Songs A Prayer O Great Jovah who art the Prince of mâ— Renew thy grace for to encheere my pen To praise thy name good matter now endite Make me thy Scribe this love Song for â— write A Song of Songs Let not thy vertue falâ— To stirre me up to be thy Nightingale That now and then in my most busie dayes With streins unwonted in sweet sugred layes I may expresse some of that sacred Love That thee to take the Church for spouse did move To wooe her with such wordes of heavenly art That would even melt the hardest marble heart While I this love Song put in Poesie Make thou my heart to fall in love with thee Let us not once with badry songs defile Our lips like these who to their vomite vile Do dayly turne O make us now afresh To hate the garment spotted with the flesh That I this Song of Songs may sweetly sing Make me to sip of thy immortall spring That Christ who did both hell and death destroy May still the Antheme be of all my joy THE SONG OF SONGS Which is Solomons CHAP. I. The Church speaketh to Christ. LET him me with the Kisses kisse of his mouth most divine For thy great love most certainlie far better is then wine 3 Because of thy good ointments smell as ointment most sweetly Thy name is powred foorth therefore the Virgins do love thee 4 O draw me with the cords of love we after thee will run The King he hath brought me unto the chambers of his Inne We will be glade and al 's rejoice in thee and also we Thee will remember more then wine the upright all love thee 5 Though I be black I comely am O Daughters of Salem As tents of Kedar and as the curtaines of Solomon 6 Look not on me because that I most blackish seeme to be Because the Sun hath with his beames long looked upon me My Mothers children angry were with me they keeper made Me of their vineyards but I not did keep mine owne vineyard 7 O thou whom my soul dearly loves I pray thee tell me soone Where thou dost feed and where thou mak'st thy flock to rest at noone For why should I be any way as one that turnes aside By flocks of thy companions all where ever they abide CHRIST 8 O fairest One if thou not know foorth by the footsteps go Of thy flock feed thy kids beside the sheepheards tents also 9 I have compared thee my Love unto a companie Of horses in Pharos charets which strong and lustie be 10 Thy cheekes are comely all with rowes of jewels manifold Thy neck richly adorned is with finest chaines of gold 11 I and my Father will thee make of fine gold borders good We also thee richly adorne will with the silver stude The Church 12 While the King who in Majestie most highly doth excell At table sits my spiknard then sends foorth thereof the smell 13 My welbeloved is of myrrhe a bundle unto me All the night long betwixt my breasts with pleasure lie shall he 14 My deare beloved is alwayes most excellent to me As clusters of Champhire are in vineyards of Engedi CHRIST 15 Behold thou art most faire my Love even with most rare beauties Thou art I say exceeding faire and hast pure chast Doves eyes The Church 16 Behold thou my beloved deare art faire and still hast beene Yea pleasant above others all our bed is also greene 17 The glorious beames of all our house are of the Cedar trees And of the pure and polish'd firre are made our galleries Chap. 2. CHRIST I Am the most sweet smelling Rose that growes on Sharon field And al 's the rarest Lillie which the fattest valleyes yeeld 2 As among pricking thornes and briers appeares the lillie rare So is among the daughters all my love perfectly faire The Church 3 As th' Apple tree among the trees of the wood thick and throng So likewise my
appointed as by lot 10 He found them in a desert land and wast wildernesse He Him led instructed and him keept as th'apple of his eye 11 As th' Eagle stirreth up her nest fluttreth her young upon Her wings doth spread and taketh them to carry them thereon 12 So the good Lord did him alone lead in all wayes safely And no strange god there was with him in all that company 13 He made them ride on Canaan high that he th' increase might eat He made him oile and hony suck from flintie rocks most sweet 14 Butter of Kine and milk of Sheep he gave to every man With fat of Lambs and also Rams of the breed of Bashan He gave them Goats with the fat of Kidneyes of wheat right good And of the sweet Grapes thou didst drink the pure wine red like blood The second Part. 15 But Jeshurun who should have beene most righteous then did kick Thou waxed art exceeding fat thou art growne very thick Thou cov'red art with fatnesse then his maker he forsooke And of his sure salvations rock no care at all he took 16 With strange gods they provoked him unto great jealousie With great abominations they him angry made to be 17 They sacrificed unto devils to gods whom they not knew Whom your fathers did never feare ev'n gods that were but new 18 Thou art unmindfull of the Rock which thee once did beget And the Lord God that formed thee thou didst alwayes forget The third part 19 And when the LORD saw it he did abhorre them all anone Because of the provoking great of Daughter and of Son 20 He said I will from them my face hide and I will now see Their end they are a froward race in whom no faith can be 21 With that which is not GOD they have me mov'd to jealousie â—o anger they have me provok'd with their great vanitie them also to jealousie with such as are no flock Will move to anger them with fools I surely will provoke 22 For in my wrath fire kindled is such as no tongue can tell It shall not cease alwayes to burne ev'n to the lowest hell It shall consume the earth all with her increase mans desire And the foundations of the mount shall surely set on fire 23 Upon them of mischeef a heap I certainly will send I also upon them in wrath mine arrowes now will spend 24 They shall consumed be and burnt with paine of hunger great And suddenly shall be devour'd with a most burning heat And with bitter destruction I will also on them thrust The teeth of beasts with poison al 's of serpents of the dust 25 The sword without terrour within destroy shall and not spare The young man Virgin Sucklings al 's with the man of gray haire 26 I said I into corners would them quickly scatter then I would make their rememberance to cease from among men 27 Were it not that I the great wrath fear'd of the enemie Lest their vaine adversaries should behave themselves strangly And lest that they puft up with pride should say these words anone Our hand now high is and the LORD this work all hath not done 28 For they all a vaine Nation are of wholesome counsell void No understanding good at all in them doth still abide 29 O that they were wise so that they this clearly understood That they would now their latter end consider for their good 30 How should but one a thousand chase and two al 's put to flight Ten thousand if their Rock had not them sold and shut up right 31 For their rock in no way is as our rock that mighty is We none but ev'n our enemies seek for to be Judge of this 32 Of Sodom and Gomorrahs field their vine I truely call Their clusters great most bitter are their grapes are grapes of gall 33 Their wine is Dragons poison which from these grapes doth distill And is the cruell venime of vile Aspes that men do kill 34 Is not this wickednesse laid up in a great store with me And up among my treasures al 's ev'n sealed secretlie The fourth Part. 35 To me belongeth vengeance and recompence for their crime Their foot shall slide assuredly in due appointed time For their day of calamitie is surely neere at hand And the things that shall come on them Make hast and shall not stand 36 For the Lord shall his people judge and for his folks repent When their great power hee sees all gone and altogether spent 37 And he in his great wrath shall say where are there gods of might Their rock in whom they trusted much they come not now in sight 38 Which ate fatlings and wine offrings in drink did not reject et them rise up and with their strength you help and al 's protect 39 See now that I am he ev'n I no god there is with me kill I also make alive I wound I heal safely here be not one among the gods by sea or yet by land hat by his strength deliver can out of my mightie hand 40 For I my hand unto the Heaven do now lift up and heave â— signe of a great oath and say for ever as I live 41 If I my glistring sword whet and judge in severitie vengeance surely will reward to my foes that hate me 42 I will mine arrowes in my wrath which is now kindled sore ake drunk with blood and my sword shall their filthie flesh devore And that with the blood of the slaine and men that captives be From the beginning of revenge upon the enemie 34 Rejoice ye nations with his folk for he who doth not change Will the blood of his servants dear most speedily avenge And to his adversaries will a vengeance render full And to his people and his land will be most mercifull THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARAK After the Victorie against th armie of Jabin King of Canaan who reigned in Hazor whose Captaine was Sisera whose head was cut off by Jahel the wife of Heber JUDGES 5. vers 2. PRaise ye the LORD for th' avenging of his own Israel so When as the people willingly did to the battell go Hear Kings and Princes I even I will sing unto the Lord nto the Lord God of Isra'l I praises will afford Lord when thou wentst from Seir when thou didst march from Edom land he Earth trembled the Heavens did drop the clouds they did disband The Mountaines melted from before the Lord God Eternell â—en that Sinai from God before the God of Israel In SHAMGARS dayes son of ANATH in the dayes of JAEL â—e high wayes were unoccupi'd they went in bywayes all The indwellers of villages in Israel did cease ntill that I DEBORAH rose a mother to make peace They chose new gods then in their gates was war was there a shield spear fourty thousand among in city or in field 8 My heart to Isra'ls Governours is that with one accord Offred themselves most willingly to Battell blesse the
thee before 11 For thou Lord God the Lord of hostes the God of Israel nto thy servant hast reveal'd thy mercies that excell will thee build an house thou saidst therefore I have this day â—und ev'n this prayer thus in my heart unto thee for to pray 12 And now O Lord that God thou art and thy wordes be most true nd thou this goodnesse promisde hast unto thy servants now Therefore be pleased for to blesse thy servants house alway hat it may so continue still before thee fast for ay or thou O Lord in mercy great hast spoken it to me ow let the house of thy servant for ever blessed be The Song of Isaiah Conceâ—ning the vineyard wherein Gods people is reproved for their barrennesse in good workes notwithstanding of all the paines were taken by the Prophets ISA. 5. vers 1. TO my belov'd I my belov'ds song will now sing with skill My welbelov'd a vineyard hath in a most fruitfull hill 2 He it did fence and gathred out its stones at every houre He planted it with choisest vine and in it built a Towre He al 's made a vine presse therein and look'd it should bring foorth Good grapes but foorth alwayes it brought wilde grapes of nothing worth 3 O ye indwellers of Salem and Judahs men alway Betwixt my vineyard and me now judge justly I you pray 4 What could I unto my vineyard do more then I have done While I for good grapes looked still it brought wilde grapes alone And now go to I will you tell what to my vineyard I Will do I will the hedge thereof away take by and by Then shall it all be eaten up I will break down its wall â—nd it by wilde beasts of the field shall down be troden all I also now will lay it wast it shall not pruned be â—or digged but men briars and thornes anone come up shall see 〈◊〉 also by my divine might the clouds all will command That they shall neither day nor night raine down upon the land â— For of the Lord the vineyard is the house of Israel And Judahs men his pleasant plant which others should excell And he for judgement looked well but O then by and by Oppression al 's for righteousnesse but O behold a cry A Song of thanks for the mercies of GOD. ISA. 12. vers 1. I Will thee praise O Lord though thoâ— with me most angry wast Thine anger is now turn'd away thou me comforted hast 2 Behold and well consider God is my salvation sure I will still trust and not afraid now will be lesse or more For the great Lord Jehovah is mâ— strength and al 's my song He my salvation is become to him it doth belong 3 Therefore out of salvations welles yee shall your selfe imploy Fine water in aboundance great to draw al wayes with joy 4 Then shall ye say praise ye the Lord and call upon his name His workes among the pople shew and high exalt his fame Unto the Lord sing thankfully for he hath things of worth Done by his mighty hand this well is know'n in all the earth Cry out and shout with a loud voice yee that indwellers be Of Zion Isra'ls holy one is great in midst of thee A Song inciting to confidence in God ISA. 26. vers 1. WEE have a city all made strong the Lord salvation will Appoint for to be mighty walles and bulwarkes ever still The glorious gates now open that the Nation void of sin Which constantly the truth doth keep may freely enter in Thou wilt him well preserve and keep in perfect peace to be Whose mind is still upon thee stay'd because he trustes in thee 4 For ever in the Lord trust yee for yee shall feele at length That in the Lord Jehovah is an everlasting strength 5 For he brings downe dwellers on high the lofty city low He layes it to the ground he brings even to the dust below 9 The foot shall basely tread it downe even the foot of the poore And the steps of the needy al 's shall ev'n the like procure 7 The justs way all is uprightnesse thou upright in thy wayes Of the just in the ballance thou dost weigh the path alwayes 8 Yea in thy judgements way O Lord we waited have for thee Our soules desires unto thy name and thy remembrance be 9 I with my soul have constantly desir'd thee in the night Yea with my sprite I early will thee seek with all my might â—or when thy judgements in the earth us teach for to discerne â—hen all the worlds inhabitants Gods righteousnesse will learne 10 Let favour great be shewed still unto the wicked man â—et for all that he righteousnesse will neither learne or can â—v'n in the land of uprightnesse unjustly will he deale â—nd of the Lord the Majestie behold no way he will 11 Lord when thy hand is lifted up they all refuse to see â—ut they shall see against their will though they do close their eye â—ecause thy people they envye asham'd they shall be sore â—ea the fire of thine enemies all shall quickly them devore 12 Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us this still is in our thought â—or thou in us hast all our workes ev'n by thy finger wrought 13 O Lord besides thee other lords have rul'd us to our shame But by thee onely will we all make mention of thy name 14 Hence foorth these wicked shall not live who are now dead and slaine They at last all deceased are they shall not live againe Therefore thou visited hast them and them destroy'd alway And al 's hast made their memorie to perish quite away 15 The Nation well thou hast increasde thy glory shineth forth Thou hadst remov'd it far unto the ends of all the earth 16 Lord when they were in trouble they did visite thee anone They powr'd out prayers when thy rod was heavy them upon 17 Most like a woman at childe birth who in her pangs doth cry So have we Lord been in thy sight distressed by and by 18 We great with child have been in paine and have brought forth the winde To help out friends or foes defeat no strength at all we finde 19 Thy dead men shall most surely leave together well they all â—ith my dead body even revive and al 's arise they shall â—e that in dust dwell now awake for thy dew is indeed â—s dew of herbs and al 's the earth shall cast out all the dead 20 My people come now enter thou while as the time is fit â—nto thy chambers and with speede the doores about thee shute â—here for a little moment hide thy self far from the blast â—ntâ—ll the indigâ—ation great be safely over past 21 For lo the Lord out of his place doth come most speedily â—o punish all the men on earth for their iniquitie The earth shall al 's disclose the blood that in it did remaine And shall no more the meanes afford to cover close her
slaine The Song of Hezekiah afteâ— GOD had healed him of his sicknesse and promised unto him fifeteene yeeres of life ISA. 38. vers 10. IN cutting off of my short dayes I said I shall now go Unto the grave I am depriv'd of my few yeeres also 2 I said that in the livings land the Lord I shall not see I shall no more see man with these that heere indwellers be 3 Mine age is parted and remov'd by troubles and great strife Like sheepheards tents I veaver like have ev'n cut off my life With sicknesse he will cut me off what ever I pretend From day ev'n unto night wilt thou of me soone make an end 4 I rekned till morning that as a Lion so will he Break all my bones from day to night thou 'l make an end of me Like a poore Cran in great distresse or a troubled swallow â—o did I chatter I did mourne as doth the simple Doue My eyes do fail with looking up and very dimmed be O Lord I am oppressed sore now undertake for me 6 What shall I say he spoken hath and al 's hath done no lesse 〈◊〉 shall go softly all my yeers in my souls bitternesse 7 In all these things is of my sprite the life they that believe Do live by them Recover me and so make me to live 8 Behold for a desired peace I had great bitternesse But thou in love hast sav'd me from the pit of rottenesse For thou who of afflicted men dost ever notice take In thy great mercy all my sins hast cast behind thy back 9 The grave can not thee praise and death can not thee magnifie They that go to the pit can not in hope rest well on thee 10 The living yea the living shall thee praise as I this day The fathers to their children al 's shall teach thy truth alway 11 The LORD was ready me to save therefore we with accord To the string'd instruments will sing in the house of the LORD The Song of Jonah Containing a Prayer and Thanks for his delivâ—rance out of the belly of the Whale wherein hee had beene three dayes and three nights JONAH 2. vers 1. I Cry'd to God and he me heard out of hells belly I Did cry aloud and thou my voice even heardest by and by 2 For thou hadst cast me in the deep in the midst of the Sea â—e flouds me compassd and thy waves did all passe over me Then said I I out of thy sight am cast with great disdaine â—t to thy holy Temple I will surely look againe Ev'n to the soul the waters did me compasse with all speed â—e deepth me closde about the weeds were wrapt about my head To the bottomes of mountaines steep I went down speedily 〈◊〉 earth for ever with her barres did alwayes compasse me hast thou from corruptions pit by mercies me upon â—ord my God and Saviour dear my life brought up anone The Lord I did remember when my soul thus within me faint into thy Temple came my prayer ev'n unto thee â—hey that do lying vanities observe in any way Their owne mercy most foolishly they do forsake alway 8 But I to thee with thankfull voice will sacrifice afford What I have vow'd I minde to pay salvation's of the Lord. The Song and Prayer of Hâ—bakkuk wherein he declaretâ— his trembling at GODS Majestie and also the confidence of his faith while the Caldeans afflicted GODS people HABBAK 3. vers 2. O Lord God full of Majesty I thy servant have heard Thy speach in wordes of gravity and I was sore afraid 2 In midst of yeers revive O Lord thy work and ever still Make known al 's in thy burning wrath remember mercy well 3 From TEMAN and from PARAN mount came God the Holy one His glory cov'rd the heavens his praise was all the earth upon His brightnesse was as light he had Hornes coming from his hand â—here was the hiding of his great power which none did understand Before him went the pestilence and hoat coales at his feet He stood and measur'd all the earth as it did seeme most meet â—e did behold and also drove asunder nations all â—nd th' everlasting mountaines were scattred both great and small â—he hills perpetuall in their place did humbly stoup and bow His wayes are everlasting all as we do clearly know Of Cushan in affliction great I saw tents great and small â—he Curtaines of the Midian land did also tremble all Was the Lord God displeased much against the Rivers clear â—as thine anger incensed thus ' gainst Rivers far or neer Against the sea was thy wrath so that thou didst fiercely ride Upon the horses and charets that safety might abide 9 Thy bow all naked quite was made that men there might beleeve Thou sware unto the Tribes thou didst the earth with waters cleave 10 The hills thee saw and trembled all the water passed by The deep his voice did utter and lift up his hands on hie 11 The Sun and Moon stood in their place even at thine arrowes clear They at the light went and the shine of thy most glittring spear 12 Thou furious didst march through the land in indignation great Thou also didst the heathen thresh even in thine anger hot 13 For thy peoples salvation thou went'st foorth without all fear Even for salvation of great worth with thine anointed dear Out of the wicked house didst thou with power great wound the head Discov'ring the foundation all unto the neck with speed 14 Thou by thy hand Almighty of his villages the head Even with his staves did strike anone with fiercenesse great indeed They came out all as a whirlewind and that to scatter me Their joy was all as to devore the poor most secretly 15 With thine horses which were most strong thou didst walk through the Sea Even through the heap of waters great as men did clearly see 16 My belly trembled when I heard and at the voice anone My lips quiv'red and rottenesse did enter in my bone I trembled in my self that I might rest in dayes most sad When he comes to the people he with troupes them will invade 17 Though the figtree not blossome shall nor fruites in Vines shall be The labour of the Olive fat shall fade most certainly The fields shall not yeeld any meat the flock shall from the fold Be cut off and there shall no head in stalles be young or old 18 Yet will I in the mightie Lord rejoice in every part In the Lord God my Saviour dear I joy will with my heart 19 The Lord God is my strength and will make my feet swift to be Like Hindes feet and will make me walk upon my places hie The Song of Marie in the house of Zacharias after Elizabeth had told her that at her salutation the childe in her wombe had leaped for joy LUKE 1. vers 46. MY soul now all with gladnesse fill'd the LORD doth magnifie My sprite rejoiced hath in God a saviour
still for me 2 For he regarded hath of his handmaide thâ— estate so small For loe all generations sure shall hence me blessed call 3 He strong hath done great things to me and holy is his name Who still him feare his mercy great shall alwayes be on them 4 He hath great strength shew'd with his arme the proud he in all parts Hath scattred in the vaine conceits of their most foolish hearts 5 He hath put downe ev'n from their seats these that most mighty be And also he exalted hath these of a low degree 6 The hungry well he filled hath with good things evry way These who are rich and wealthy he hath empty sent away 7 In remembrance of his mercy he holpen hath indeed His servant Isra'l as he spake t' Abraham and his seed The Song of Zacharias wherâ— his mouth was opened after he had been nine moneths dumb for not believing the Angel Gabriel who from God had promised him a Sonne LUKE 1. vers 68. LEt the LORD God of Israel for ever blessed be For visited his people all and al 's redeem'd hath he 2 And of salvation he for us hath raisd up gloriously Ane horne in worthy Davids house who serv'd him faithfully 3 As he spake clearly by the mouth of his dear Prophets all Which since the world began have beene ev'n whether great or small 4 That we should from our enemies all be saved in each part And from the hand of all these men that hate us with their heart 5 The mercy promisd to performe unto our fathers and â—is holy Cov'nant made with us to make alwayes to stand Th' oath which he to Abraham sware that he to us most deare â—ould grant that we safe from our foes might serve him without feare Yea serve him in all holinesse and righteousnesse alwayes â—ot for a little space of time but ev'n for all our dayes And thou child of the highest shalt be call'd the Prophet rare â—or thou before the Lord shalt goe his wayes for to prepare Thou knowledge of salvation shalt unto his people give â—y the remission of their sins which he will all forgive â—o Ev'n through the tender mercy of our God most prone to grace â—hereby the DAY-SPRING from on high hath shew'n to us his face 1 To give light unto them that sit in darknesse and deaths shade Into the way of holy peace our feet alwayes to guid The Song of Simeon After he had long looked for the Consolation of Israel he at last moved by the Holy Spirit went to the Temple and there finding the babe Christ he took him up in his armes and blessed GOD and said LUKE 2. vers 29. NOw letst thou in thy mercy great thine old servant O LORD At last by death in peace depart according to thy word 2 For after many dayes at last mine eyes though now worne dimme Thy consolation sure and fast have with great comfort seen 3 Which thou O Lord most lovingly ev'n by thy saving grace Prepared hast aboundantly before all peoples face 4 A precious light to lighten all the Gentiles far and neer â—d al 's the glory of Isra'l that is thy people dear This Song of Simeon is alwayes sung in the French Church for conclusion after they have received the Sacrament of the LORDS Supper The use of all the Songs THE songs of Larks Linots and Nightingals Compard to these are but like naughty tales â—hich in our ears deserve to have no place â—hese divine songs sad hearts do well solace â—nd fill with joy yea and with capering foot â—ake souls to rise and dance where they did sit â—ithin our breasts like John at Marys voice â—hich made him leap and chearfully rejoice To sing such songs let us our selves inure â—ill that we dance above the starry floore â—nd sing to Christ the Hallelujahs sweet â—here Sunne and Moone are pav'ment for our feet Far from the words of a most vile infection Which slute the body and al 's slave th' affection Oh that we could from vain words heer forbear Till of our life be ended the Career Fy on vile men whose badry songs a blot Defile the air come from their filthy throat Fy on these who in vanities do swim Who dance and leap and hold out any lim With nimble fet-locks but have not a word Of holy songs to laud and praise the Lord Such want a heart Christs love for to remark They can not sing or dance before the Ark. But as for us away with fleshly love And beastly songs which Gods word doth reprove Vaine idle words which in these latter dayes Are made the subject of mens sweetest layes Let Christ the fairest all the Saints among Be still the matter of our daily Song Let all our Ditties runne upon this string Let hearts and Harps in him rejoice and sing What is amisse let us it hence remove That we may sing of Christ our life and love FINIS Some few Christian Precepts WHat God the gives take in good part cease other to devoure Like Alexanders glutton net whose Kingdome Kinged foure When thou triumphs not lofty be but think upon a crosse â—or who the day is set on hie may soone his laurell losse Take heed in time and learne to fear the great Almighty God Who made Denis a King to beare for Scepter Pedants rod. Remember how that Prince of Spaine who for Europe did breath By Gods Almighty hand was slaine ev'n by a louzie death Remember how some in their pride Gods heavy hand did feele Their head on neck could not abide off chopt with whiffing steele 6 Think still on death for time doth slip though it seemes but to creep Man heer is as at sea his ship still sailes though men do sleep 7 While wind doth serve embark be wise to meet all haps before When death shall cut thine enterprise then thou shalt row no more 8 Take time in time for wind and tide will in a moment turne We heere sure will not long abide and gone will not returne 9 Looke not heer for true happinesse the place of our exile A bare and barren wildernesse where we live all this while 10 Look on thy body as on clay the soule is stuffe more fine A substance which weares not away a blast of breath divine 11 Luske not in sloath seeke not thine ease Moths gnow cloaths in a chest Swords also rust within their sheeths and so do souls in rest 12 Manure thy heart with diligence and it in sow good seed But still beware of negligence for earely grows the weed 13 All idlenesse disnatures wit but travell makes it quick Do nothing that disableth it by force or yet by trick 14 With constant eye still Christ behold and on him still repose As with the Sun the Mary gold doth open still or close 15 When death us summons to go hence we should not be dejected For from the same no more the Prince then Carters is protected 16 Our life 's a web of small and grosse this is us giv'n for doome That sorrowes are as threeds a Crosse in this our earthly loome 17 Let us abhore ambition content with that we have In grave in one condition are King Earle Sir and Slave 18 This earth is like a Chesse-board where some leap some limp anone Kings Pawnes Knights Aphens heere and there stand yet there wood is one 1 TIM 1. vers 17. Now unto the King eternall immortall invisible the onely wise GOD be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen Errata IF any of these verses go not so smoothly as thou wouldest know that I have tyed my self verie straitly to keep still the wordes of the Scripture Some escapes there be in the printing at some times a syllable more and some are lesse then should but the judicious Reader may easily take the matter up Pag. 272. Davids house is put for Isra'ls house Pag. 142. bribidge for bribing Pag. 265. qy for by Pag. 330. day say for did say Pag. 364. trotring for totring c.
there came a thousand and seven teene â—f Levites were a hundred thirty nine â—ith Nethinims all with courage divine â—ith them servants of Solomons children â—l for to build were well prepared then â—he Priests which could not shew their pedigree â—ere not permitted in priests place to be â—he Tirshatha who did the rest command â—ould not permit that any tooke in hand â—hat any should of holy things make feast â—ll with Urim and Tummim came a Priest â—he whole number were fourty two thousand â—hree hundred threescore Jews from Babels land â—sides servants and maids for service given â—ere seven thousand three hundred thirtie seven â—ith horses seven hundred six and thirty â—ith mules two hundred five and al 's fourty â—eir Camels were foure hundred thirty five â—ith them they did six thousand asses drive â—ith seven hundred and also twentie more â—e rich all freely offred to restore â—he house of GOD and build it in his place â—hey all offred as GOD gave them the grace 〈◊〉 thousand dramnes of gold without delay â—e thousand pound of silver they did pay A hundred Priests garments they did prepare Which their courage in building did declare Chap. 3. THen first of all came Prince Zerubabel With Jeshua Priest for the Eternel They for the Lord a faire Altar did reare To offer to him who was Isaks feare Their willingnesse clearely for to declare To offer then they in no way did spare The workmen well rewarded were no slack Each man his charge did gladly undertake When the foundations of Gods house were cast Some had great joy Others were all agast And weeped sore even these who first had seene What glory in Solomons works had beene Of joy andd weeping such was then the noise That hardly could one well discerne the voice Chap. 4 VVHen this great worke begun was 〈◊〉 Gods grace Then wicked men anone it to disgrace Rose up by craft deceit and policie Offring them selves with them builders to be But not accepted they in open way â—em for to hinder proudly did essay â—shlam Mithridath Tabeel and Rekum â—e Chancelor and Shimshai Scribe did come â—gether and against Jerusalem 〈◊〉 Artaxerxes they wrote letters then â—ewing that stubborne Jews who were proudly â—bellious were rebuilding their city â—en quickly back the King to them did write â—at they the work anone should interdite â—en ceasd the work untill the second yeare 〈◊〉 Darius King who Persias crowne did beare Chap. 5. â—Hen Zerubabel and Shealtiel both Whom GOD with vertue from above did cloath â—ey by Haggai and al 's by Zecharie â—ing stirr'd up did with all industrie â—t forward the great work they had in hand â—he rest obey'd and they did well command â—tnai and Shether-boznai were their foes 〈◊〉 hinder them they did a letter close â—d sent it to Darius Persias King â—ewing that Cyrus had done the like thing â—d now they this of Darius did desire â—hat he of Cyrus decree would enquire Who would not suffer this great house to be Rebuilded because of their mutinie Chap. 6. THen Darius the King made a decree That in the house of rolls a search should be Made by his servants with all diligence And there was found within the Medes Province A roll wherein was written a record Which did containe the decree word by word Which Cyrus made Gods house for to restore The height whereof should be cubits threescore The breadth as much and the expenses shall From the Kings owne house shall be taken all When Darius found this enrolled decree He it confirm'd and ordaind all to be Provided so that they should nothing want Which might them help either to build oâ— plant But yee Tatnai and Shetherboznai see That to this great work ye no hinder bee Also I have made a decree most fast That who soever alter this word past The timber from his house shall be pull'd dowâ— And shall be set up and he hang'd thereon And that the greater feare mens hearts may fill â—is house for this shall be made a dounghill â—nd God that hath his name causd there to dwell â—estroy shall all Kings and people that shall â—ut to their hand to Alter or destroy â—his house of GOD who doth me now employ â—or this great work for this I a decree â—ave made let all be done right speedilie â—hen this was heard the Jews with diligence â—id build and the King did pay the expence They prosp'red much through the sweet prophecie â—f Haggai and likewise of Zacharie In the sixt year of Darius the King â—he Jews GODS house unto the cope did bring â—he Priests having this good occasion â—id keep the feast of dedication â—nd the Passeouer with joy and gladnesse â—or God had looked on their sore distresse And made them joyfull for he turn'd the heart Of Darius great kindnesse to impart â—o the builders which he did still extend Untill that great worke was brought to an end Chap. 7. NOw in the seventh year of the happy reigne Of Artaxerxes of great Babel King Ezra the Scribe with his most cunning speacâ— Came from Babel to Salem for to teach Gods people where this good man found anâ— Gods gracious hand there to be him upon For Ezra had prepared well his heart To seeke and search Gods law in every part He Gods statutes and judgements al 's did preâ— Unto Israel both by workes and speach Unto Ezra great Artaxerxes King Commission gave that he with every thing Needfull for Gods house should be furnish'd wâ— This Ezra got under the Kings broad seal The King with his counsellers did agree Both gold and silver to give most freelie For that effect The King al 's did ordaine That what silver scribe Ezra could obtaine From People Priests all should be by and by Imployed for God rammes and lambes to buy For sacrifice and what should be wanting Should all be furnish'd by Darius King Who did with speede his Treasurers command To have all such things ready in their hand Even Silver Wheat and Salt and Oyle 〈◊〉 Wine To be for God from the King a propine For why said he Should God wrath fearful briâ— Against the realme or against the King When this was done Ezra rejoic'd greatlie â—at God had mov'd the King to beautifie â—s house in Salem and that he in end â—s mercy to him richly did extend â—â—en said he I was streth'ned mightilie 〈◊〉 the hand of the Lord was upon me â—â—en I did gather out of Israel â—o go with me ev'n men which did excell Chap. 8. â—Hen diverse from Babel with Ezra went Men who in vertue were most excellent â—en to the river that to Ahana â—oth run they were all gath'red by Ezra â—ere we abode in tents ev'n three dayes space â—t could not finde any of Levis race â—ter we had both Priests and people view'd â—erefore to diverse I would have it shew'd â—at they for Gods house should then quicklie bring â—en that were wise and fit for ministring Then by the good hand of