to speak until the day that these things be performed And so Zachary remained speechless until the time came that his Wife brought him forth a Son And when the Child should be circumcised great controversie was there about his name Some would have him called Zachary some by one name some by another and his Mother would have him called John but to that would none agree because there was none of the kindred so named Then they made signs to Zachary how he would have his Son called And he calling by signs for writing tables wrote therein His name is John Whereat they all marvelled And immediately the mouth of Zachary was opened so that he spake and said Praised be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his People c. Zachariah the Son of Jeroboam King of Israel 2 King 15.8 began his Raign in the eight and thirtieth year of Azariah King of Juda and walked in the sins of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat as did others before him He had not raigned six Months ere that Shallum conspired against him and slew him even in the face of the people raigned in his stead This Zachariah was the fourth and the last King of the generation of Jehu which the Lord had promised should sit on his seat after him when he said Thy Children unto the fourth generation after thee 10. cap. 30. shall sit on the seat of Israel Zarah Gen. 38.29.30 was one of the two Twins which Thamar bare unto Juda at one birth who proffering to come forth before his Brother put forth his hand and when the Midwife had tyed a red thread about it he pluckt in his hand again and then his Brother came out first whom they called Pharez and then he with the red thread about his hand whom they called Zarah Zachariah the Son of Jehojada 2 Chron. 24.20 was an holy Prophet This Prophet is also called the Son of Barachias Matth. 23.35 because his Progenitors were Iddo Barachiah and Jehosala And when he saw Joash King of Juda whom his Father had trained from his youth up in the fear of God with all his People declined from the Lord to the worshipping of Idols and would not hear the Lord's admonition sent by his Prophets to call them home again he stood up before the People and said Why transgress ye the Commandments of the Lord Surely it shall not prosper because ye have forsaken the Lord he also hath forsaken you For the which the King not regarding the kindness of Jehojada his Father commanded the People to stone him to death in the court of the house of the Lord. And as he suffered his Martyrdom he desired the Lord to revenge his death and to require his bloud at their hands Zaccheus Luke 19.2 3 c. was a Publican and chief receiver of the King's Tribute among them He was a very low man of stature And being much desirous to see Jesus what manner a Man he should be made great means to see him And when he saw the prease so great that he could not he ran before knowing which way he would come and climbed up into a wilde Figg-Tree And when Jesus saw him in the Tree he said Zaccheus come down quickly for to day I must abide at thy house And Zaccheus came down received him joyfully And shewing forth the true fruits of repentance said Behold Lord the half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have done any man wrong I restore him four-fold To whom Jesus said again This day is salvation come to this house forasmuch as thou art also become the Son of Abraham Zaccheus pure neat or clean Zerbiah 1 Chron. 2.16 was David's Sister Her three Sons were Joab Abishai and Asahel Zedekiah 2 King 24 17. cap. 25. the fourth Son of Josiah was one and twenty years old when Nabuchodonosor made him King of Juda in the stead of Jehojachin his Brother's Son And made him take an oath of the Lord faithfully and truly to serve the Chaldeans in token whereof he changed his name from Mataniah to Zedekiah This King suffered sin and wickedness so much to raign in his Land as well among the Head-Rulers and Priests as among the common sort that God was forgotten his Word despised and his Prophets misused Jer. 37. cap. Wherefore the Lord stirred up the Chaldeans with whom he had broke his League which came and destroyed the City of Jerusalem and the holy Temple of God with fire as the Prophet Jeremy had said and took Zedekiah the King his Army being dispersed in the plain of Jericho and brought him to the King of Babylon who first destroyed both his Sons before his face and then pulled out the eyes of Zedekiah and so carried him to Babylon bound with two Chains where he dyed his People remaining in bondage until the days of Cyrus which was about three-score and ten years Zedekiah the Justice of the Lord or the Lord's judgment Zedekiah 1 King 22.24 the Son of Chenaanah was one of the false Prophets which deceived Ahab And when Michajah the true Prophet of God spake against them this Zedekiah smote him on the Cheek saying When went the spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee Well said Michajah Thou shalt see in that day when thou shalt go from Chamber to Chamber to hide thee Zelophehad the Son of Hepher the Son of Gilead Numb 26.33 the Son of Machir the Son of Manasses the Son of Joseph had five Daughters who forasmuch as their Father dyed in the Wilderness without male-Male-issue and was none of those that rebelled against the Lord in the Congregation of Chore 27. cap. they required of Moses to have a possession among their Fathers brethren lest the name of their Father should be utterly taken away from among his kindred Whose request God allowed and bad Moses give them a possession among their brethren and to make a law that whosoever dyed without a Son his Inheritance should turn to his Daughter If he have no daughter to his brethren If he have no brethren to his Fathers brethren If his Father have no brethren then it should turn to the next of the kin Two of sundry Tribes And also to stablish their inheritance that it should not be removed through marriage into another Tribe should not marry together an order was taken that no Tribe should marry with another Tribe but every Tribe should marry with whom he list among his own Tribe and Kindred And so the Daughters of Zelophehad were married to their Father's Brothers Sons which were of the kindred of Manasses the Son of Joseph by which means their inheritance remained still in the Tribe and kindred of their Father Zenas was first an Interpreter of Moses Law Tit. 3.13 and afterward became an earnest Preacher of the Gospel of Christ Of whom Paul writeth to Titus Bishop of Crete
other HOLY MEN. AARON was the Son of Amram Exod. 6. and Brother to Moses and of the Tribe of Levi. His Mothers Name was Jochebed Sister to Caath the Father of Amram He was appointed of God to be Moses Interpreter and also his Prophet what time as God sent Moses to Pharaoh to pour out his plagues upon him He took Elisaba the daughter of Aminadab of the Tribe of Juda to wife He was the first High-priest of the Jews Exod. 24. And left with Hur to govern the People in the absence of Moses while he was in the Mount with God 32. cap. And in the mean time the People being yet infected with the Idolatry of Egypt cried out against Aaron to make them gods to go before them Then Aaron perceiving the People inclined to Idolatry and also thinking they would rather forgo the same than to forsake their precious Jewels said unto them Pluck off the golden Ear-rings in the ears of your Wives your Sons and of your Daughters and bring them to me The people did so and Aaron made thereof a Calf Which when the people saw and beheld they were exceeding glad And began now to worship and honour the Calf as a god skipping and dancing for joy But the Lord above beholding their wickedness told it to Moses and sent him down post-hast to reform their wicked attempts Who then coming down from the Mount with the Tables of God in his hand and drawing near to the Host he saw the Calf and the people dancing before it Which sight so kindled the wrath of Moses and grieved his heart so sore that he threw the Tables out of his hands took the Calf and burnt it in the Fire and stampt it all into powder and ashes which he threw into the water and forced the People to drink it Then he demanded of Aaron what the people did to him that he had brought so great a sin upon them Aaron said Let not the wrath of my Lord wax fierce thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief For they said unto me make us gods to go before us for we wot not what is become of Moses the Man that brought us out of Egypt Then I required to have their Gold and Jewels which they brought unto me and I did cast them into the Fire Idolatry punished Nu. 12. cap. and thereof came out this Calf Moses then understanding the matter commanded the Children of Levi to fall upon the Idolaters and slew of them about three thousand persons After this it came to pass that Aaron and Miriam his Sister did grudge against their Brother Moses because he had taken an Ethiopian to Wife saying on this wise Hath the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses and hath he not spoken also by us Disobedience punished The Lord not content with this their contemning of Moses authority was sore displeased and stroke Miriam with a foul Leprosie Which so much discomforted Aaron to see his Sister so foully arrayed and disfigured that he humbled himself to Moses and said Alas my Lord I beseech thee put not the sin upon us which we have foolishly committed and sinned Oh let her not be as one dead of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his Mothers womb And so thorow Aaron's intreaty Moses prayed unto God 22.33 and Miriam was healed Finally when Aaron had lived one hundred twenty three Years he died in Mount Hor as the Lord had foretold And his Son Eleazar succeeded in his room Aaron a Teacher Abakuck the Prophet was of the Tribe of Simeon Dan. 14. He prophesied of the taking of Jerusalem by Nabuchodonosor This Prophet on a time had prepared pottage and other victuals for the Harvest-folks And going to the fields to bring the same to the Reapers an Angel of God spake unto him and said Go and carry the meat that thou hast prepared into Babylon and give it to Daniel which is in the Lyons Den. O Lord quoth he I never saw Babylon and as for the Den I know it not With that the Angel caught up the Prophet by the top of his head and bare him to Babylon and set him upon the Den. Then Abakuck cried to Daniel and said O Daniel thou servant of the Lord take here the breakfast that God hath sent thee Daniel hearing the voice of Abakuck rejoyced greatly and said O Lord Abakuck died six hundred years before the Incarnation of Christ Eliote hast thou thought upon me Well thou never failest them that love thee And so he rose up and did eat of such things as the Prophet had brought him And immediately after that Daniel had eaten the Angel set Abacuck in his place again Abakuck a Wrastler Abdy the Prophet prophesied destruction to the Idumeans which came of Esau Abdy 1. cap. and were utter enemies to the Israelites which came of Jacob as at the siege of Jerusalem it did most plainly appear whereas they joyned with Nabuchodonosor against their brethren whom they ought rather to have holpen and defended against the Heathen Abdy a servant of the Lord. Abedmelech was a Morian born Jerem. 38. and Chamberlain to Zedekia King of Juda. This Man had so great a confidence in God and love to his Prophets that when he saw Jeremy so evil intreated he went to the King and besought his Grace that Jeremy the Prophet might be taken out of the filthy Dungeon whereinto he was cast lest he there should perish and dye for hunger And so obtaining the Kings good will he took his Men and went to the Prison where Jeremy lay and threw down unto him old rags clowts which he had provided bidding him to put them under his Arm-holes to keep the Cords from hurting and fretting his Arms in pulling up Jerem. 39. Now for this his kindness shewed on Jeremy Kindness recompensed and trust that he had in the Lord he was delivered from captivity and saved from the hands of Nabuchodonosor at the destruction of Jerusalem when others perished Abel was the Son of Adam Gen. 4. born of his Mother Eve next after Cain He was a Keeper of Sheep and wholly dedicated to vertue and godliness Abel and Delbora his Sister were born both at one birth fifteen years after Cain Cooper In all his oblations he ever gave of the best things he had Which of the Lord was greatly accepted And therefore Cain perceiving his Brothers offerings to be regarded and his rejected envyed him to death And at the last by a subtile train slew him Abel Vanity Abia 1 King 15. the Son of Rehoboam began his raign over Juda in the xviii Year of Jeroboam King of Israel His Mothers Name was Maacha the Daughter of Abishalom He walked not in the steps of David but followed the ways of his Father before him Yet notwithstanding for David's sake God gave him a light that is to say a Son to Raign over
Juda. 2 Chron. 13. He overcame Jeroboam in Battel with an Army of four hundred thousand notwithstanding the other had twice so many chosen and picked Men. Of the which Abia slew five hundred thousand and weakned the power of Jeroboam so sore that he was never able to recover his strength again so long as Abia raigned This King had xiv Wives by whom he had xxii Sons and xvi Daughters He raigned but three years and was buried in the City of David Abia 2 King 14. the Son of Jeroboam being sick on a time his Father called the Queen his Wife unto him and bad her disguise her self that in no wise she might be known what Woman she was And so go thy way quoth he to Silo and there shalt thou find the Prophet of God called Ahia which told me long before Solomon dyed that I should be King of Israel Make speed and take a Present with thee and learn of him what shall become of the Child The Queen did then as she was commanded but all was in vain For God had revealed the matter unto the Prophet before the woman came Insomuch that as soon as the blind old man heard the noise of her coming and entring in at the door he said Come in thou wife of Jeroboam why hast thou disguised and feigned thy self to be another woman Thou art come to receive some comfort for thy son which lyeth sick but I am commanded to tell thee heavy and sorrowful things It repenteth the Lord that he hath exalted Jeroboam and rent the Kingdom from the house of David and given it to him forasmuch as he hath forsaken the Lord and not followed him in his heart as David did but hath made him gods of his own therefore the Lord hath determined to bring such a plague upon the house and posterity of Jeroboam that he will not leave one alive to make water against the wall Wherefore now get thee home and as soon as thy foot shall enter into the City the child shall die and all Israel shall lament him and bring him to his Sepulcher And so shall none of the house of Jeroboam thy husband enjoy the honour of his burial but only this child because the Lord saw in him some goodness toward And so when the Prophet had done speaking the wife of Jeroboam rose up and returned home to her house and found her son dead as the Prophet had foretold Abia Father of the Sea Abia the Daughter of Zacharia 2 King 18. was wife to Ahaz King of Juda and Mother to Hezekia Which name signifieth thus Abia the will of the Lord. Abiathar the son of Ahimelech Priest of Nob 1 Sam. 22. seeing the great cruelty of Saul in putting his Father to death for refreshing of David escaped his hands and fled to the Forest of Hareth where David at that time lay declaring to him the great murder that Saul had done to Ahimelech his Father and to all the Priests of the Lord for his sake Then being comforted of David he abode with him and was his Priest and Counsellor so long as he reigned But in the end of Davids raign he consented with Adonijah who had exalted himself to stablish him in the Kingdom 1 King 2. after the death of David But Solomon being proclaimed and the other deposed as soon as he was possessed deprived Abiathar and placed Sadock in his room And so was the word of the Lord fulfilled which he had spoken before concerning the house of Eli for Abiathar was the last of that line Abiathar Father of the Remnant or excellent Father Abigail 1 Sam. 25. the wife of Nabal the Carmelite was a woman not only beautiful but of a singular wisdom withal For when her husbands denial to Davids men for sustenance in their masters necessity was told her she then considering the great displeasure that might arise of the occasion offered hasted to load her Asses with sundry kind of victuals sending them forth before her and following after with speed And as she was going the providence of God was so that she met David by the way upon the side of an hill coming to Carmel determined utterly to have destroyed her husband and all that he had by the dawning of the day following Then she perceiving the fury of David lighted down from her Asse falling flat on the ground before him and so began her petition which was so pithily framed and done that in the end she pacified his wrath and stayed his hands from sheding of bloud that day for the which she was highly commended and praised of David who gently receiving her present did clearly remit the churlish behaviour of Nabal her husband for her sake Which being granted she took her leave and returned again But when she came home and found Nabal her husband so far overcharged with wine that his wits were gone she thought it convenient to follow the wise mans counsel Eccl. 31. not to rebuke him in his wine but to let the matter rest till the drink were all out of his brain and his memory fresh And so on the next morrow she declared to Nabal the great and perilous danger he was in for his unkindness shewed to David which when he heard it did smite him so sore to the heart that he never enjoyed himself but dyed within ten days after And then in process this woman Abigail became David's wife 2 Sam. 3. and bare him a son called Chileab which in the first book of Chronicles chap. 3. is called Daniel Abigail The Fathers Joy There was another woman called Abigail 1 Chron. 2. which was Sister to David and wife to Jether an Ismaelite unto whom she bare a son called Amasa Abimelech King of the Philistines Gen. 20. was a man which had the fear of God before his eyes as it may appear in the story of Abraham by his godly entertainment of his wife whom he took to be his very sister and not his wife as they had both confessed unto him And having a mind to the woman he took her from Abraham intending to have joyned with her in marriage and not for any sinful desire But when by the voice of God he knew she was Abraham's wife indeed and he a Prophet and his house sore plagued for her sake he was right sorry for that he had done and also displeased with Abraham for so dissembling with him in so weighty a cause considering the dishonesty that might have happened unto his wife by some of his men and the peril of Gods indignation on him and on his kingdom for the same yet notwithstanding when he knew the cause of Abrahams dissembling he possest him with cattel servants and money and delivered Sarah his wife unto him again giving him also free liberty to dwell and inhabite where he would within the precinct of his dominion Then Abraham prayed unto God for Abimelech at whose petition the Lord removed his
and slew thirty and six of the Israelites and chased the rest back again whereat Josua was so discomfited that he rent his clothes and called on God to know the cause of their overthrowing who made him answer that Israel could not stand before the men of Hai forasmuch as some of them had transgressed his commandment and told him the way and means how he should search it out which thing being done he found that Achan had taken of the spoil of Jericho a Babylonish garment two hundred sicles of silver and a wedge of gold which being tried and brought forth before the whole congregation Josua took Achan his sons and daughters cattel goods and all that he had and carried them out to the valley of Achor where they were stoned to death and consumed with fire Achan Troubling Achab the son of Amry 1 King 16. began his raign over Israel in the 39th year of the raign of Asa King of Juda. He took Jezabel the daughter of Ethbaal King of the Sydonites to wife by whose means he fell into all wicked and strange Idolatry and cruel persecution for the which God plagued him so 18. cap. that in three years space neither dew nor rain fell down from above to moisten the earth whereof ensued so great a Murren of men and beasts that innumerable dyed thereof and all the fault and cause of this plague he laid on Elia the Prophet and sought by all means how to destroy him 21. cap. This King was so wicked that Scripture saith he had even sold himself to work wickedness and yet notwithstanding God gave him a marvellous victory of Benhadad King of Syria who had in his company 20. cap. thirty two Kings with whom he fought twice and beat him and at the third time brought * Here God as he many times doth did punish one wicked by another him into so miserable a case that he was fain to humble himself to Achab with a rope about his neck who nevertheless had pity on that wicked King and made a bond with him and let him go Now for this mercy which Achab had shewed to Benhadad whom the Lord had cursed and put into Achabs hands to be slain God was angry with Achab and promised his utter destruction for the same 1 King 21. This greedy Cormorant was not content with his Kingdom and spoil of his victories which God had given him but caused Naboth that innocent man to be murdered only to have his vineyard which lay so nigh his nose whose bloud did cry for such vengeance of God that word was brought him by the Prophet Elia that in the same place where dogs had licked the bloud of Naboth should dogs lick his also and that he would do unto Achab and his posterity even as he had done to the house of Jeroboam and Baasha which terrible threatnings of God so frighted Achab that he * His repentance was not true but plain hypocrisie repented and humbled himself in sackcloth for the which the Lord deferred his plague and would not perform it in Achabs days but in the time of his sons reign Finally it came in the mind of Achab to go into Syria 22. cap. to recover the City of Ramoth which he claimed by inheritance And trusting more to the counsel of four hundred false Prophets than he did to Micajah the true Prophet of God he took his journey towards Ramoth and being in battel against his enemies the Syrians he was shot with an arrow standing in his Chariot of the which stroke he died And then when his Chariot was had to the pool of Samaria to be washed the dogs licked up the bloud that ran thorow the Chariot and so was the word of the Lord fulfilled which he had spoken before concerning the same He reigned twenty two years Achab The Fathers brother Achaicus 1 Cor. 16. was a faithful Christian brother whom St. Paul sent with Stephanus and Fortunatus from Philippi to the Corinthians with his Epistle Achaicus Mourning or sad Achaz look Ahaz Achior Judith 5. was Captain and governour of all the Ammonites under Holofernes and had the spirit of Prophecie so plentiful in him that when Holofernes demanded what manner of people the Jews were he stepped forth before him and said If it please thee O Prince I will tell thee of a truth what they be They are a people which came of the generation of the Chaldees and because they would not serve their gods nor yet follow their customs they went and dwelt first in Mesopotamia worshipping one God that made Heaven and Earth at whose commandment they went from thence and dwelt in the Land of Canaan where in process fell so great a Dearth that then from Canaan they went down to Egypt and dwelt among the Egyptians four hundred Years In the which space they grew to a mighty number and were sore oppressed of the King of that Land but assoon as they cryed to their God for help he sent down such Plagues upon the King and all his Land that he was fain to suffer them to depart yet when they were gone and the Plague ceased he then pursued to have brought them back again into bondage But GOD perceiving his People to be in a streight opened the Sea before them and brought them thorow on dry ground and closed the Sea upon their Enemies and so drowned Pharaoh with all his Host And now being passed the red Sea they came to the Wilderness of Mount Sinai where the Waters being bitter he made them sweet and fed them Forty Years with Meat from Heaven They had such power from their God that they cast out before them the Canaanites the Perisites the Jebusites and the Hittites with many great Nations more For so long as they stood in awe of their God and did not offend him so long was no Nation ever able to molest or hurt them But if at any time they declined from his will and Ordinance then were they quickly destroyed in Battel and brought to captivity and bondage Wherefore O Prince let inquisition now be made whether they have offended their God or no and if they have then let us go against them for God shall deliver them into thy hand But if they have not displeased their God he will so defend them that we shall not surely be able to stand before them but become a reproach unto all the World Judith 6. Now was Holofernes so mad with Achior that he commanded his Men to carry him to the Jews that he might perish with them in their destruction And as they went toward Bethulia with Achior and saw they might not come nigh the City without great peril of their lives they went to a Tree and bound him fast to the same and so leaving him went their ways Then came the Jews to Achior and loosed his Bands had him into the City and set him before the Senators who demanded
Son of Jotham King of Juda 2 King 16. at the age of twenty years began his reign in the xvi 2 Chron. 28. year of Pekah King of Israel and did not walk in the ways of his godly Father but gave himself to all kind of Idolatry and abominations of the Heathen consecrating his Children in the fire and offering Incense on every Hill and Mountain For the which his wickedness the Lord forsook him and delivered him into the hands and power of Razin King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel which two Kings on the one side with the Edomites and Philistines invading his Land and spoiling his Cities and Towns on the other side brought him very low And yet in all his adversity would he not once list up his heart to call upon God for his aid and help but contrary to the Prophets admonition sought for the succour of Man spoiling the Temple of God Esay 7. and sending the Treasure thereof to Thiglath Pileser King of Assyria to come and deliver him out of trouble by whose coming Ahaz was nothing the more strengthned but rather troubled and hindered Then Ahaz measuring God's favour by the prosperity of his Enemies not considering how God oftentimes doth punish those whom he loveth and giveth to his Enemies good success for a time turned his heart wholly to the Syrians Gods who as he thought had plagued him And to the intent he might serve them and worship them in all things according as the Heathen did to have their help also he took the pattern of an Altar at Damascus the which he sent to * There is no Prince so wicked but he shall find flatterers and false Ministers to serve his purpose Uria his Priest to make him the like against his coming home who being such a Minister as was content to serve the King's turn made it with all speed on the which Altar the King at his coming home offered to those Idols abolishing all the holy Laws and Ordinances of God to stablish his own wicked and ungodly proceedings which turned to his utter confusion He reigned Sixteen Years and was buried in the City of David but not among the Sepulchres of Kings leaving Hezekia his godly Son to enjoy his place Ahas Taking or Possessing Ahazia the Son of Achab 1 King 22. 2 King 1. began his Reign over Israel in the xvii year of Jehosaphat King of Juda and followed the steps of that wicked Idolater Achab his Father in all things for the which the Lord punished him two manner of ways First the Moabites rebelled against him refusing to pay any tribute Secondly as he walked upon his House for his recreation he fell down at a grate of the same which was made to give light beneath And being sore bruised with the fall and in peril of death he sent to * Beclzebub was an Idol which the Philistines that dwelt at Ekron worshipped and signifieth the God of flies Thinking that he could preserve them from biting of flies or else he was so called because flies were ingendred in great abandance of the blood of the sacrifices that were offered to that Idol This note I find in the Bible Beelzebub the God of Ekron to enquire of him whether he should recover or no. And as the Messengers were going Elia the Prophet by the providence of God met them and said Is there no God in Israel to ask counsel at but your Master must send to Beelzebub return and tell him he shall not live The Messengers returned and told the King Who perceiving by all the marks and tokens of the Man that it was the Prophet Elia sent forth a Captain with Fifty Souldiers to bring him with violence if otherwise he would not come And when the Captain came to the Prophet he said Thou man of God come away the King hath sent for thee If I be the man of God quoth the Prophet Fire come down from Heaven and consume thee and all thy men which words were no sooner gone out of his mouth but Fire fell down from Heaven and destroyed them all The King sent again and they were likewise destroyed Then went the third who fell down before the Prophet and said O thou man of God let my life I pray thee and the life of these thy fifty servants be precious in thy sight With this Man the Prophet went boldly to the King and told him plainly he should not recover and so he dyed in the second year of his reign and for lack of issue his Brother Jehoram succeeded Ahazia The apprehending or possessing of the Lord or the vision or seeing of him Ahasuerus Esther 1. cap. otherwise called Artaxarxes King of Persia reigned over an hundred and * Daniel chap. 6. maketh mention but of six score leaving out the number that is imperfect as the Scripture in divers places useth twenty seven Provinces This King in the third year of his reign made a Feast-royal in the City of Susan to all his Princes and Nobles which continued an hundred and fourscore days And these days expired he made another feast to all the People great and small for the space of seven days and in the seventh and last day of the Feast the King being merry and pleasantly disposed sent divers of his Chamberlains to fetch the Queen named Vashti and to bring Her to Him with the Crown-Imperial upon her head that the People might see her beauty But for so much as she would not come at the King's commandment it was decreed that the King should put her away and take another at his pleasure And according to the same decree the King was divorced from Vashti and took Esther in her place for whose sake he shewed great kindness to her Nation the Jews promoting Mardocheus which had preserved him from the danger ger of Treason and put down Haman whom he had above all exalted Ahasuerus a Prince or Head Ahimaaz 2 Sam. 17. the Son of Sadock with Jonathas the Son of Abiathar stood waiting without the City of Jerusalem at the Well called Regell to bear such news to David as they should hear from their Fathers being within with Absalom And when they were instructed of all things by a certain Maid sent from their Fathers what they should do and say unto David they departed with speed But being espyed by a certain young Man who went and told it to Absalom Messengers were sent forth in post hast which followed them so sore that they were constrained to slip into a certain Mans house in Bahurim which had a Well in his Yard into the which they were conveighed and being hid in the Well the Wife of the House spred a Coverlet over the Wells mouth and strowed Corn thereon whereby the Well was not seen Then Absalom's Men coming into the House demanded of the Woman where the two men were which came in before them They be gone said she over the Brook of Water The
be Captain over his Host in the room of Joab which office he did not long enjoy for when Sheba the Son of Bichri had begun a new commotion and that David had sent Amasa to gather the Men of Juda together 20. c. and to bring them to him by the third day it chanced Joab to meet Amasa by the way which was somewhat after the time the King had appointed and saluting him with all gentleness he took him by the Chin with one hand to kiss him and with the other hand he smote him under the short Ribs with his Dagger and killed him Amasa Sparing the people Amasiah 2 King 14. the Son of Joash King of Juda began his Reign at the Age of xxv 2 Chron. 25. Years in the beginning whereof he did indifferently well observe the Laws of God but in the end he became an Idolater He prepared an Host of thirty thousand Men to go against the Edomites and yet to make himself the stronger he hired an hundred thousand more out of the ten Tribes of Israel for an Hundred Talents of Silver But as he was going with both the Hosts of Juda and Israel he was commanded by the Lord's Prophet to send the Host of Israel home again forasmuch as the Lord was not with them or else he should not stand before his enemies How then said the King shall I do for the hundred Talents which I have given for them Take no thought for that quoth the Prophet for the Lord is able to give thee as much more And so he sent the Host of Israel home again who for anger they were dismissed fell upon the Cities of Juda as they went and did much harm Then Amasias with his own Men set upon his Enemies and slew ten thousand and discomfited the rest After which Victory whereas he ought to have given all praise unto God for the same he fell from God and most vilely dishonoured him in worshipping the Idols of the Edomites despising the * This was Amos the Prophet whom Amasiah caused many times to be beat His Son caused 2 Nail to be thrust into his temples and being half dead he was carried into his own country where he soon after dyed Cooper Prophet's admonition sent unto him from the Lord. And so persisting in his obstinate mind and proud heart he wrote to Joash King of Israel commanding Him and his People by a Parable of the Cedar-tree and Thistle to be under his subjection But Joash after defiance gathered an Army and went against Amasiah whose Host being discomfited Amasiah was taken and brought to Joash who carried him to Jerusalem where notwithstanding the Gates being opened to him he caused four hundred Cubits of the Wall to be beaten down and entred into the City that way leading Amasiah with him as a Prisoner and took all the treasure of the Temple and of the Kings house caused it to be brought into Samaria Afterward being delivered his own People slew him He reigned xxix years and Azariah his Son succeeded Amasiah the Strength of the Lord. Amnon the Eldest Son of David had a fair Sister called Thamar 2 Sam. 3.14 cap. with whom he was so far in love that he could eat no meat that did him good but pined himself away marvellously for her sake Then Jonadab his Fathers Brothers Son a friend and familiar of his and a worldly wise man perceiving Amnon to be sore changed and every day more and more went to him and said How happeneth this Amnon that thou being the King's Son consumest thy self so away and dost not tell me Oh said Amnon I am in love with Thamar my Brother * Thamar was Absalom's Sister both by Father and Mother and Amnons by the Fathers side only Absalom's sister and except I may have her company I shall surely die Now to further this wicked purpose of Amnon here was a counseller ready at hand I will tell thee said Jonadsb what thou shalt do lay thee down upon thy Bed and feign thy self sick and when David thy Father cometh to visit thee desire him to let Thamar thy Sister come and dress thee such meat as thou hast a lust unto Amnon did so and when Thamar was come and had dressed him meat and brought it into his Chamber he commanded all to avoid and never rested until he had by force gotten his pleasure which done he fell into such an exceeding hatred of Thamar that he could not suffer her to be in his sight but caused his servant to thrust her out of his house and to bolt the doors after her For this shameful incest of Amnon Absalom two years after at a Banquet slew Him Amnon A People Lot had a Son called Ammon Gen. 19. which was born him of his youngest daughter and of him came the Ammonites Amon 2 King 21. the Son of Manasses was xxii years old when he began his reign over Juda 2 Chron. 33. and walked not in the ways of the Lord but gave himself more to wicked Idolatry and worshipping of stinking Idols than ever his Father did and would never turn unto God Wherefore at last certain of his own Men conspired against him and slew him which Conspirators the People of the Land notwithstanding put to death and made Josiah his Son King in his stead Amon Faithful Amos Amos 1.2 3 c. was an Herdman or Shepherd of a poor Town called Tekoa and one of the Twelve Prophets which God raised up to admonish the Israelites of their wickedness and Idolatry and to threaten them with his Plagues and Punishments if they did not repent Read of his death in the story of Amasiah Amos a Burden The Father of Jesse Esay 1. David's Father was called Amos and there the word signifieth Strong Amram Exod. 6. Numb 26. the Son of Caath the Son of Levy took Jochebed his Fathers * This kind of marriage was after in the Law forbidden Levit 18. Sister to Wife who bare unto him two Sons Aaron and Moses and also a Daughter called Miriam He lived an hundred and thirty eight years Amram a mighty or an high people or a band of them Amraphel Gen. 14. was King of Shinar and one of the four Kings which fought against five other Kings in the Valley of Siddim where he and his party had the Victory Amraphel Speaking destruction or speaking secrets Amri 1 King 16. was the Chief Captain and Governour of the whole Army of Elah the Son of Baasha King of Israel And lying at the siege of Gibbethon a City of the Philistines the whole Host there hearing of the death of Elah constituted Amri King in his stead But the residue of the Israelites which abode at home and were not with Amri at the siege made Tibni the Son of Ginath King So that the People were divided and in great contention for their King which continued for the space of three years till Tibni
chanced to dye and then the whole multitude received Amri for their King who began his reign in the xxxi year of the reign of Asa King of Juda and reigned most wickedly of all others before him xii years and dyed leaving his Son Achab to succeed him Amri a Band or handful a power or a bitter and rebellious people Anah the Son of Zibeon Gen. 36. as he sed and kept his Fathers Asses in the Wilderness was the first that found out the monstrous generation of Mules between the Asse and the Mare He had a Sister also called Anah whose daughter Aholibamah was Wife to Esau the Son of Isaac Anah Afflicting answering or singing Ananias was a certain Man Act. 5. who to be counted one of the Christian Religion sold his possession with his Wives consent and notwithstanding kept away part of the price thereof and brought the rest and laid it down at the Apostles seet whose dissembling hypocrisie being revealed unto Peter he said unto him Ananias how is it that Satan hath filled thine heart that thou shouldest lye unto the Holy Ghost and keep away part of the price of the possession Pertained it not unto thee only and after it was sold was it not in thine own power how is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thine heart Thou hast not lyed unto Men but unto God And when Ananias heard these words he fell down and dyed Ananias the Cloud of the Lord. Ananias Act. 9. the Disciple of Christ dwelling at Damascus had a Vision appeared unto him saying Ananias arise and go into the street which is called Streight and seek in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus for behold he prayeth and hath seen a Vision a Man named Ananias coming unto him and putting his hands on him that he might receive his sight Then said Ananias Lord I have heard by many of this Man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem and that he hath authority from the High-Priests to bind all that call upon thy name Well said he go thy ways for he is a chosen Vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my names sake Then Ananias went to Saul and laid his hands on him and said Brother Saul the Lord that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost And so by the hands of Ananias Saul received his sight again There was another Ananias Aâ— 23. who being High-Priest commanded Paul to be smitten on the mouth as he was answering for himself before the Council Andrew Matth. 4. John 6. a poor Fisherman was called with his Brother Peter to be an Apostle When Christ demanded of his Disciples Andrew suffered Martyrdom in the City of Achaia where they might buy Bread to satisfie the People that followed him Andrew made answer and said There is a little Boy here which hath five Barly Loaves and two Fishes but what is that among so many Andrew Manly Andronicus being a Man of authority and in great favour with Antiochus King of Syria was left in Jewry 2 Mac. 4â— and made Lieutenant over the Jews until the return of the King who was gone to pacifie a certain commotion made by the Tharsians and Mallacians And in the mean time being corrupted with bribes rewards of that ungracious man Menelaus to dispatch the good and godly man Onias whom he so hated out of the way he went to Onias who for his safeguard had taken the benefit of Sanctuary and with fair words perswaded him to come forth binding himself with an oath he should have no harm And when he saw that Onias suspected him he fell upon him incontinently without any regard of righteousness slew him Whose innocent death so offended the People that they made a grievous complaint of Andronicus to the King at his coming home who caused that wicked murderer to be stripped out of his purple cloaths and led most villanously thorow the City to the place where he had committed his ungracious act and to suffer a most shameful death Andronicus a Conquerer or Victorer Andronicus the faithful Disciple of Christ Rom. 16.7 to whom Paul sendeth commendations on this wise Salute Andronicus and Junia my Kinsmen and Fellow-prisoners with me which are of note among the Apostles and were in Christ before me Aner Mamre and Eschol were three Brethren Gen. 14.13 c. which when Lot was taken Prisoner among the Sodomites and carried away by Kedorlaomer and other Kings that took his part joyned themselves with Abraham in the rescuing of Lot his Brothers Son for the which their saithful assistance at that present Abraham dealt liberally with them in the parting of the spoil won at that Expedition Aner an Answer or a song of the Candle or light or that which troubleth or hurteth the Candle Anna 1 Sam. 1 cap. the Wife of Elkanab was long barren and without Child which barrenness her Companion and Mate Peninnah did daily cast in her teeth to her great reproach Wherefore Anna was so full of heaviness that God had made her such a railing stock that she could eat no meat And being thus tormented and troubled in her mind she gat her into the Temple making there her hearty prayers to God to give her a Man child And as she prayed it fortuned Eli the Priest as he sat in the Temple to mark her mouth and perceiving her lips to move and no voice heard thought she had been drunken saying Thou Woman how long wilt thou be drunken put away thy drunkenness from thee Nay my Lord quoth she I am a Woman troubled in spirit and have drunken neither Wine nor strong Drink but pour out my Soul before the Lord count not thine Handmaid to be a Daughter of Belial for out of the abundance of my heaviness and grief have I spoken hitherto and so desiring Eli to pray for her she departed chearfully home to her House and shortly after conceived by Elkanah her Husband and bare him a Son whose Name she called Samuel And when she had brought up the Child and weaned it she prepared a sacrifice and went to the Temple presenting both it and her Child to Eli the Priest putting him also in remembrance that she was the same Woman which stood before him of late and prayed unto God for that Child and that now according to her promise she was come to dedicate him unto the Lord. And so after praise and thanksgiving she departed leaving the Child with Eli to minister in the Temple of God And every year after would Anna make a little Coat for Samuel her Son and bring it up when she * Once a year they accustomed to appear before the Lord with their Family came with her Husband
his servants went and said O King we have heard say that the Kings of Israel be merciful Kings let us therefore put Sackcloth about our Loins and Ropes about our Necks and go and humble our selves before Achab and see if he will save thy life Benhadad did so and was pardoned and never troubled Israel more in Achab's days But afterward in another King's days he came again and besieged Samaria so long till an Asses head was sold for fourscore silver pence and the fourth part of a Cab of Doves dung for five sicles and till Women were constrained to eat their own Children Finally Benhadad fell sick and sent his servant Hasael to Elizeus the Prophet which was come to Damascus to know whether he should recover his Disease or no and having his answer of the Prophet he returned and slew his Master Benhadad as in the story of Hazael ye shall see how Benhadad the Son of a Sound or of Noise and Crying Benjamin was the youngest Son of Jacob Gen. 35.18 c. Of the Sons of Benjamin Read Gen. 46.21 his Mother was Rachel who dyed in travail and therefore called his name Benoni the Son of sorrow But Jacob his Father called him Benjamin Son of the right hand 1 Chron. 7 8. His Brothers name of Father and Mother was Joseph who loved Benjamin above all the rest of his other Brethren as in his story appeareth Benjamin Son of the right hand Berjesus Act. 13.8 which by interpretation is as much to say as the Son of Jesus was a Jew born and a great Sorcerer which Name he had taken upon him to deceive the People whereas his right name was Elymas which word in the Syrians Language betokeneth an Enchanter and a false Prophet also This false Sorcerer was got into the City of Paphos and there being crept into favour with Sergius Paulus Ruler of the Countrey withstood the Doctrine of Barnabas and Paul seeking by all means to turn the Rulers heart from the Faith in Christ But Paul being full of the Holy Ghost perceiving the devilish and subtile craft of this Sorcerer looked stedfastly upon him and said O full of all subtilty and mischief the child of the Devil and enemy of all righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the streight ways of the Lord Now therefore behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee and thou shalt be blind and not able to see the Sun for a season And when Paul had pronounced these words the Enchanter was stricken with blindness so that he as one amazed wandred up and down seeking for some Man to lead him by the hand Berjesus a Sorcerer or Conjurer Berzillai was a Gileadite born 2 Sam. 17.27 who considered the necessity of David so much being fled out of his own Realm for fear of his own Son Absalom into the Wilderness of Mahanaim that he brought all things necessary for Beds Meat Drink and Cloth out of Roglim to refresh him and his Men and provided so for him all the while he lay there that he lacked nothing and at his return again he helped also to convey both the King and all his Men over Jordan Then David seeing the great kindness of Berzillai was much desirous to have him home with him to Jerusalem promising that all the days of his life he should eat and drink with him at his own Board and fare no worse than he fared To whom Berzillai being a very old Man said O my Lord I am a Man of four-score years of age and cannot discern between good and evil neither yet tast any thing that I do eat or drink wherefore if I should then go with my Lord the King I should be but a burthen unto him Therefore I beseech thee let thy servant turn back again that I may dye in mine own Country and be buried in the Grave of my Father But here is thy servant Chimeam my Son let him go with my Lord and do unto him whatsoever it shall please thee And so David and Berzillai kissed each other and departed but Chimeam went with David who did not only recompence his Fathers kindness in him so long as he lived but at the day of his death declared to Solomon his Son the great fidelity he had found with Berzillai in the time of his exile charging him therefore to shew no less favour to the Sons of Berzillai for their Fathers sake than ever he himself had done Berzillai Made of Iron or as hard as Iron Bethsheba was the Daughter of Eliam 2. Sam. 11.3 and Wife to Urias which was with Joab in the King's Wars On a time as Bethsheba was washing her self in her privy Garden alone it chanced King David to look out at a Window in his Palace and saw her whose beauty so ravished the King that forthwith he sent for the Woman and committed adultery with her and so sent her home again Then shortly after she perceiving her self with child sent the King word thereof who then partly to hide his own fault and partly to save the Woman from danger of the Law sent for Urias to come home But when David saw that Urias would not company with his Wife Bethsheba he returned him back again to Joab with a Letter which caused Urias quickly to be dispatched out of his life after whose death Bethsheba became David's Wife and brought forth the child conceived in adultery which lived not long but dyed After that 12.24 she conceived again and brought forth Solomon Lastly when David was fallen into extreme age and that she saw Adonijah the Son of Agith begin to aspire to the Kingdom of his Father yet living she went by the counsel of Nathan the Prophet who had taught her her Lesson unto David her husband And making her humble obeysance unto the King as he sate in his Chamber and Abishag the Shunamite ministring unto him he said unto her what is the matter She answered my Lord thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine Handmaid saying assuredly Solomon thy Son shall reign after me and he shall sit upon my Seat And behold now is Adonijah King and thou my Lord the King knowest it not He hath offered Oxen fat Cattel and many Sheep and hath called all the Kings Sons and Abiathar the Priest and Joab the Captain of the Host But Solomon thy servant hath he not bidden And now my Lord O King the eyes of all Israel wait on thee that thou shouldest tell them who ought to sit on the Seat of my Lord the King after him for else when my Lord the King shall sleep with his Fathers I and my Son Solomon shall be sinners The Queen had no sooner done speaking but the Prophet Nathan came and confirmed her words Whereupon the King assured Bethsheba that Solomon her Son should be that day proclaimed to reign in his stead The Queen then humbling her self with thanks desired of God that her Lord King David might live
had judged them forty years he dyed leaving behind him 70. Sons for he had many Wives beside Abimelech which his Concubine bare unto him in the City of Sichem But when Gedeon was dead the Israelites turned from God again and went a whoring after Baalim and made Baal-berith their God forgetting the Lord their God which had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies neither shewed they mercy on the house of Jerubbaal according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto them But contrariwise like men unthankful and void of all faithfulness consented to the utter destruction of all his Posterity Gedeon a Breaker or destroyer Gehazi waited upon Eliseus the Prophet and was his servant 2 King 5. cap. On a time there came to his Master out of the Land of Syria a certain Prince named Naaman to be cured of his Leprosie The which Prince being restored to health offered to Eliseus a great reward which he refused And when Gehazi saw the Noble man gone and that his Master had received nothing he then being stricken with covetousness followed after Naaman And when the Prince saw the Prophets servant come running so fast after him he for the reverence he bare to his Master descended from his Chariot to meet him and asked of him if all were well with his Master or no. Yea said Gehazi all is well But even now there is come to my Master from Mount Ephraim two young Men of the Sons of the Prophets wherefore he hath sent me to desire thee to let him have one Talent of Silver and two change of Garments Then the Prince of his liberality gave him two Talents and made his Men to carry the Money and Stuff after Gehazi And when the Men had brought it nigh unto the place where he would have it he took it of their hands and let them depart and conveighed it privily into his own Chamber And as soon as Gehazi came into the presence of his Master he demanded where he had been No where quoth he No said Eliseus went not my heart with thee when the man turned again from his Chariot to meet thee Is it now a time to receive Money or Garments Well forasmuch as thou hast offended in this the Leprosie of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and to thy Seed for ever And so he went out from his Master a Leper as white as snow Read more of Gehazi in the Stories of Eliseus his Master Gehazi Vally of vision Gershon the Son of Moses had a Brother called Eliezar Exod. 2.22 18.2 Their Mothers name was Zipporah the Daughter of Raguel But of Gershon the Son of Levi came the Gershonites Exod. 6.17 Num. 3.17 26.57 who had the governance of the habitation within the tabernacle Gershon his banishment or the strangers change Gibeonites Joshua 9. The Gibeonites hearing of the great destruction that Joshua had made at Jericho and Ai were in such fear that they wist not how to save their lives but by this policy When they perceived Joshua to draw nigh unto Gibeon they chose out certain Men among them to send as Ambassadours to Joshua and made their provision of dry and mouldy Bread And put their Wine into old Bottles all rent and torn and shod themselves with old clouted shooes and put on their backs old garments and so sent them forth to Joshua to obtain peace And when Joshua looked upon them and beheld their simple state he asked what they were and from whence they came They answered from a far Countrey are thy Servants come because of the name of the Lord thy God for we have heard of his fame and power and what he did in the Land of Egypt and in all other places till now And long have we travailed to come hither as ye may see for this our food the day we came forth was hot our bottles shooes and garments all new and now are they old and torn and our Bread dry and mouldy wherefore we shall desire your favour and peace Then Joshua believing it had been so swore unto the Gibeonites and made a covenant of peace with them and let them go Within three days after it fortuned the Israelites to come to the City of Gibeon thinking to have destroyed it But when they saw that they were the People which a little before had obtained peace at their hands they would not slay them because of their oath but went to Joshua and told him Then Joshua sent for them demanded wherefore they had so deceived him They answered it was told us that God commanded Moses to give you this Land and to slay all the Inhabitants thereof and therefore were we sorced to make this provision for our lives And now we be in your hands to do with us as shall please you Well said Joshua for our oath sake ye shall have your lives But for as much as ye have so craftily deceived us the Lord hath determined that ye shall be in bondage under Israel all the days of your lives and be Hewers of Wood and Water-drawers for the Congregation and House of God continually And so the Israelites took their Cities but saved their lives After this Joshua 10.5 6 c. the Kings of the Amorites hearing how the Gibeonites had made peace with Israel came upon them and besieged Gibeon which was the greatest City in all the Kingdom of the Amorites whereupon the Gibeonites were constrained to send to Joshua for his aid who came from Gilgal and with a great power rescued them and took the Kings of the Amorites which were five in number and hanged them on five several Trees and destroyed all their People and Countries 2 Sam. 1 2 c. Thus the Gibeonites continued in Bondage under the Israelites with their lives until the time of King Saul who then for a zeal he had to the Children of Israel and Juda slew a great number of them which deed God punished in the days of King David at what time he sent a Famine upon the Land which continued for the space of three years for when David enquired at the Lord the cause of that Plague answer was made him by God that it was for Saul and his bloody house who had killed the Gibeonites which Gibeonites were none of the Seed of Israel but a remnant of the Amorites with whom the Children of Israel had made a bond of peace Then David asking the Gibeonites what he should do for them and wherewith he should recompence them they said we will neither have Silver nor Gold of Saul nor of his House nor that any Man of Israel be killed for our sakes but the Man that hath consumed us and imagined to bring us to naught him will we destroy Therefore let his seven Sons be delivered unto us that we may hang them up before the Lord. Then David caused the two Sons of Rizpah Saul's Concubine and the five Sons of * Here is Michol
or Couch whereon the Queen fate and besought her grace for his life And when the King came in again and found him with the Queen he said Will he force the Queen also before me in the house Which word was no sooner gone out of the Kings mouth but Haman's * It was the manner of the Persians when one was out of the Kings favour to cover his face face was covered and so had out and hanged upon the Gallows which he had prepared in his own house for Mardocheus Read the story of Esther and of Mardocheus Haman Troubling or making burly burly or preparing Hanani was a Prophet sent of God to Asa King of Juda declaring unto him 2 Chron. 16 7 c. how greatly he had displeased the Lord for making a Covenant with Benhadad King of Syria and for doing his message was cast into Prison Read the story of Asa Hanani Gracious or Merciful or Giving Hananiah the Son of Azur was a false Prophet Jer. 28. cap. which prophesied unto the People of Israel that God would break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon from the neck of all Nations within the space of two years and in token thereof took the yoke from the Prophet Jeremies neck and brake it But Jeremy the true Prophet of God reproved the false prophecie of Hananiah saying That in stead of the yoke of wood which he had taken from his neck the Lord would put a yoke of Iron upon the necks of all these Nations that they should serve the King of Babylon and that the false Prophet Hananiah himself should dye the same year which things came truly to pass as Jeremy had spoken Hananiah Grace of the Lord. Hanun was the Son of Nahash King of the Ammonites 2 Sam. 10.1 unto whom David most gently sent to comfort him upon the death of his Father which gentleness was most ungently and unthankfully taken of the Lords and Councellors of the young King Hanun Who perswaded the young King that David had not sent to comfort him upon the death of his Father But had rather sent a sort of spies under the colour of friendship to seek the means how to destroy his Cities and whole Realm Upon the which false and unhonest surmise of his wicked Counsellers Hanun caused the one half of every Mans Beard to be shaven and their Garments to be cut off hard by the Buttocks and so sent them home again to David with much shame and disgrace Ingratitude punished Upon which occasion David became his utter enemy and made such sore War against him that in conclusion Hanun was taken and lost his Regal Crown which David put upon his own Head and wore it before Hanun's face and carried away all his Treasure and Jewels took his People whereof some he sawed in two pieces over other some he caused Carts new and sharp shod with Iron to be driven some he took and shred their flesh as Cooks do Pye-meat and cast other some in hot burning Ovens Thus was Hanun rewarded for his ingratitude Hanun Faithful or true a Schoolmaster and the Mothers Son or Child Hazael 2 King 8 8 c. was a certain great Man which served Benhadad King of Syria which Benhadad fortuning to fall sick sent Hazael to Eliseus the Prophet to know whether he should recover of his disease or no. And when the Prophet saw Hazael he could not look him in the face for shame but cast his Head aside and wept Then Hazael marvelling at the Prophets behaviour towards him demanded of Eliseus wherefore he wept I weep quoth the Prophet to see the great evils that thou shalt do to the Children of Israel Thou shalt break down their strong Cities and set them on fire and slay their young Men with the Sword and dash the brains out of the sucking Children and rent in pieces the Women with Child Then said Hazael dost thou make thy Servant a Dog that I should lack so much humanity and pity to do these things Well said the Prophet thou shalt do as I have said for the Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be King of Syria And so Hazael departed home to the King his Master and told him that he should recover for so the Prophet had said unto him But on the next morrow when Hazael saw his time he took a thick * Under the pretence to refresh or ease him he stifled him with this cloth 2 King 8. 28 2 Chron. 22. cloth and dipt it in Water and spread it so on the King's face that he dyed After whose death Hazael raigned in his stead And being stablished in his Kingdom he made War with Joram King Ahab's Son and was a cruel adversary to Israel all the days of his life Hazael seeing God Helkiah was the High-Priest in the days of Josias 2 King 22.8 who in repairing the Temple of the Lord chanced by the providence of God to find the Book of the Law * The Copy that Moses left them as appeareth 2 Chron. 34.14 the which he sent to the King by Shaphan the Scribe which he read unto him Helkiah the Lords portion or part the Lords lenity or gentleness Heliodorus being in great favour with Seleucus 2 Mac. 3. cap. King of Asia and Steward of his House was sent to Jerusalem to fetch away the treasure out of the Temple which one Symon the Governour thereof had betrayed unto the King And being come to Jerusalem he was lovingly received of Onias the High-Priest into the City But when Heliodorus had uttered the cause of his coming and that his Commission was to bring the Money unto the King there was no small fear thorowout the whole City For then all men from the highest to the lowest were so oppressed with sorrow and heaviness that they knew not what to do but fell to prayer lifting up their eyes to Heaven and calling upon him which had made a Law concerning stuff given to keep that he would safely preserve the same which was there committed in custody And while the Priests and People were thus lamenting and crying upon God and on the other side Heliodorus personally with his Men of War about the Treasury There appeared an Horse with a terrible Man sitting upon him deck'd in Harness of Gold which Horse smote at Heliodorus with his fore-feet to beat him from the place Also there appeared two fair and beautiful young Men in goodly apparel which stood on each side of Heliodorus and scourged him so long that he fell down to the ground as dead and so was carried out of the Temple without speech or hope of life whereby the great power of God was manifest and known Then certain of Heliodorus friends besought Onias to call upon God to give him his life who was even at that time giving up the ghost Then Onias lest the King should suspect the Jews had done him some harm called upon God and obtained his life
which unlawful marriage John Baptist spake so much to Herod's reproof that she fearing lest John would make Herod break off the incestuous marriage counselled her Daughter which danced before him to ask the Head of John Baptist And so by the wicked device of this unchast Woman John lost his Head Herodias signifieth that that the word Herod before doth Hesron Gen. 46.9 Num. 26.6 was the Son of Reuben and of him came the Kindred of the Hesronites Hesron the Arrow of rejoycing Hesron 1 Chron. 2.9 the Father of Caleb being come to the age of threescore years took to Wife the Daughter of Machir who bare unto him a Son called Segub Hezekiah 2 King 18. and 19. cap. the Son of Ahaz was xxv years of age when he began his reign over Juda. He was the godliest Prince that ever reigned before or after among the Kings of Juda. He cleansed his Country from all Idolatry and brake down the brasen Serpent which Moses had set up as soon as he saw it abused He brought in again the true honouring of God and renewed the Passeover He had such a sure trust and confidence in God that at his Prayer the Angel of the Lord slew in one Night of the Assyrians which were come to destroy Jerusalem an hundred fourscore and five thousand and smote the rest into such a fear 20. cap. that they ran away After this he fell sick and was admonished by the Prophet Esay to set his house in order for he should surely dye Then he turned his face to the wall and made his petition to God saying Oh Lord remember I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart have done that which is good in thy sight and speaking these words he * He wept not so much for his own death as for fear that Idolatry should be restored which he had destroyed wept very sore The Lord then moved with his tears returned the Prophet again to comfort him with these news that he should receive his health and be able the third day to go up to the House of the Lord and that he had added to his days xv years more and to assure him of this his promise he would cause the Sun to return his course ten degrees backward At this time Berodach sirnamed Baladad King of Babylon sent to Hezekiah Ambassadours to signifie unto him how glad and joyful he was of his recovery which kindness was so greatly esteemed of Hezekiah that he thought he could not do them too much pleasure but made them privy to all his treasure silver and gold and whatsoever he had in his House or in any other part of his Realm he * Because he was moved with ambition and vain glory and seemed also to rejoyce in the friendship of him that was God's enemy the Lord was displeased shewed it freely unto them Wherefore the Lord not content there with commanded Esay the Prophet to go and tell Hezekiah That forasmuch as he had made the messengers of Babylon privy to all the commodities of his Land The days should come that all things which he had in his House and whatsoever his Fathers had layed up in store before him should be carried to Babylon Then Hezekiah knowing the Prophet to be the true messenger of God humbled himself and said Thy word O Lord is welcome unto me but yet I shall desire thee not to send those evils in my days but rather peace and truth He raigned xxix years and died Hezekiah the strength of the Lord or the Lords holding Hymeneus 1 Tim. 1.20 after he had tasted of the word of God and been a Professor of the same he fell away and became an utter enemy and a spiteful railer against the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ denying the chiefest point and foundation of the Gospel which is 2 Tim. 2.17 that the Resurrection is past wherewith he destroyed the Faith of many Persons For the which errour and other his railing and jestings against the truth of GOD's Word Paul excommunicated him that he thorow correction might be ashamed of his fault and turn again to Christ Hymeneus a Marriage-song or Bride-song Hiram 2 Sam. 5.11 King of Tyre favoured David so much that he hearing that David went about to build him an House sent him both Timber and Workmen to finish the same Also when Solomon after the death of David his Father sent to this King for Wood and Timber to build the Lord's Temple 1 King 5 cap. cap. 9.11 c. he praised God that had sent David so wise a Son to sit in his Seat and granted him Timber of Cedar Firr and other precious Wood so much as he would desire Wherefore Solemon to gratifie Hiram again sent him twenty thousand Quarters of Wheat and twenty Butts of Oyl and gave him also twenty goodly Cities which Cities Hiram called the Land of Cabul forasmuch as when he saw them they pleased him not After this Hiram gave to Solomon six-score Talents of Gold and sent him Ships and Men who had knowledge of the Sea to go with his Navy into the Countrey of Ophir which Ships brought unto Solomon * In the 2 Chron. 8.18 is mention made of 30. Talents more which seem to have been employed for their charges four hundred and twenty Talents of Gold Hiram The height of Life Hiram 1 King 7.13 This Man was a certain Widow's Son dwelling in the Countrey of Tyre and of the Tribe of Nepthali and did so excel in all manner of Workmanship that Hiram King of Tyre sent him to Solomon to work and finish all things that pertained to the Temple of the Lord which Solomon went about to edifie Hobab Num. 10 10. was the Son of Raguel whose * Some think that Raguel Jethro Hobab and Keni were all one Kimehi saith that Raguel was Jethro 's Father So Hobab was Moses Father in-law Company Moses his Father-in-law would so fain have had into the Land of Canaan that he intreated him on this wise saying We are now going to the place which the Lord said that he would give us therefore I pray thee go with us and we will do thee good for the Lord hath promised good unto Israel Then Hobab made answer saying I will not go but I will depart to mine own Countrey and Kindred Nay quoth Moses I pray thee forsake us not but go with us and be our guide for thou knowest our camping places in the Wilderness and whatsoever goodness the Lord shall shew unto us the same will we shew unto thee But all this could not move Hobab but that he would depart And so returned home into his own Countrey again Hobab Beloved Holofernes Jaâ—… 2. cap. was the Chief and most terrible Captain of all Nabuchodonosor's Host sent of him to subdue all the World Jaâ—â— 14 cap. And coming to the City of Bethulia where all
Israel that he stirred up a Man one Jephtah who by the power of God saved them Jair Lightened Iames the Son of Zebedee and Brother to John Matth. 4.21 Mark 3.17 He was put to death by Agrippa who was also called Herod Act. 12.2 Cooper was a poor Fisherman and being in the Ship with his Father mending of his Net Jesus came by and called him who immediately left his Ship his Father and all and went after Jesus and was one of his Apostles and received with his Brother the Name of Boanerges which is to say The Sons of Thunder James a Tripper or Deceiver An heel the sole of the foot a foot-step Iames the less Matth. 16.3 He suffered martyrdom in the vi year of Nero. was the Son of Alpheus and Mary Sister to Mary the Lord's Mother And being Bishop of Jerusalem he wrote to the Jews that were scattered abroad after the Persecution and death of Stephen Instructing them with sundry Precepts how to order their Lives Iannes 2 Tim. 3.8 Exod. 7.11 and Jambres were two false Soreerers of Egypt who in the time of Moses with their enchantments went about to put those miraculous wonders out of credence that Moses by the power of God did And even as they withstood Moses so do the Adversaries of the Gospel at this day and ever will resist the truth under a certain false pretence of godliness Iapheth Gen. 9. The Nations that came of his children Of Gomer came the Italians Of Magog the Scythians and of them the Turks Of Madai the Medes Of Javan the Greeks Of Tubal the Spaniards Of Mosoch the Moscovites and of Tiras the Thracians Lanquet was the youngest of Noah's three-Sons who being informed of his Fathers unseemly lying asleep in his Tent took a Garment and bare it between him and Shem on their shoulders and coming toward their Father ashamed to look on his nakedness turned their Faces backward and so covered their Father's privities For the which deed Noah having knowledge thereof blessed them saying to Japheth on this wise God shall enlarge Japheth and he shall dwell in the Tents of Shem and Canaan shall be their servant Japheth perswading or enticing Iairus was * Mark 5.22 one of the Rulers of the Synagogue among the Jews whose Daughter of the Age of twelve years lay sick and at the point of death And hearing of the fame of Jesus he went and fell down at his feet beseeching him that he would come home to his house lay his hand upon his Daughter that by the touching thereof she might be safe and live â— Luk 8 41. And while there was an occasion given whereby to strengthen the unperfect faith of the Ruler and that by the ensample of a Woman diseased with an issue of blood xii years there came certain Messengers from the Ruler's-House which said unto Him that his Daughter was dead wherefore it should not need to trouble the Master any further Then Jesus perceiving the Ruler to be as a Man in despair said unto him Be not afraid for although thy Daughter be dead indeed only believe and thy Daughter shall live And so Jesus went home to the Ruler's house and raised up his Daughter from death to life Jairus Lightning or being lightned Iared Gen. 5.15 c. was the Son of Mahalaleel who lived an hundred sixty and two years and then begat Henoch and lived after that eight hundred years and begat Sons and Daughters And when he had lived in all nine hundred sixty and two years he dyed Jared Commanding or descending Iason was a wicked Man and so desirous of honour 2 Mac. 4 cap. that he wrought his own Brother Onias out of the High Priest's office promising Antiochus the King to give him for the same three hundred and three-score Talents of Silver and of another rent four-score And also if the King would license him to set up a place for exercise and a place for the youth and to name them of Jerusalem Antiochians he promised an hundred and fifty Talents And when these things were granted to Jason and that he had got the superiority he began immediately to draw his Kinsmen to the customes of the Heathen abolishing the Laws and Priviledges of the Jews he brought in new statutes contrary to the Law of God So that thorow the exceeding wickedness of this ungodly man Jason the People had a great desire to follow the manners of the Gentiles The Priests also had no delight in serving the Lord but in casting the stone and such wanton sports Now after three years when Jason should pay the King his money which he had promised for his Brother's office he sent it by one whom he most trusted called Menelaus who gat the office from Jason as appeareth more plainly in his story Then Jason being thus deceived by Menelaus was fain to flie into the Land of the Ammonites remaining there till he might spy a time to be revenged And when he heard the rumour that went abroad of Antiochus death he gat him a Band of Men to the number of a Thousand or more and came suddenly upon the City killing and slaying his own Citizens without mercy regarding neither Kin nor Friend But nevertheless when he could not speed of his purpose he fled into the Land of the Ammonites again Where in the end it came to this point that he was accused to Areta King of the Arabians and so abhorred of all Men that he was pursued from City to City and driven into Egypt And going from thence to the Lacedemonians thinking by reason of Kinred to have had some succour of them he was not regarded but suffered to perish in a strange Land no Man mourning for him nor putting him into his Grave Jason He that maketh whole a Physician Jecksan look Jocsan Iehoahaz 2 King 23.31 c. the Son of Josias was xxiii years old when he began to reign over Juda and had not reigned three Moneths before Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt came and put him down and set up his Brother in his stead And put the Land to a tribute of an hundred Talents of Silver and one of Gold and carried Jehoahaz away into Egypt where he dyed Jehoahaz The possession of the Lord. Iehojakim 2 King 23.36.24.1 c. the Son of Josias was xxv years of age when he began to reign over Juda and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. His name was changed from Eliakim to Jehojakim by Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt which came and deposed his Brother Jehoahaz and made him King in his stead and taxed the Land This King dyed in the way as they led him Prisoner into Babylon Read Jeremy 22.18 as before is said in Jehoahaz For the payment of which money Jehojakim taxed the Land and levied of every Man according to his ability and paid the money to Pharaoh After this came Nabuchodonosor King of Babylon and
Gilead considering Jephtah to be a strong and a valiant Man went to Tob where he lay to intreat him to be their Captain against the Ammonites How cometh this quoth Jephtah that ye come to me in the time of your trouble did ye not hate me and * Oftentimes those things which men reject God chooseth to do greater enterpriâ—es by expel me out of my Father's house Therefore said they are we turned to thee that thou mayest go with us and be our head and Ruler But will ye promise now quoth Jephtah that when the Lord shall deliver the Ammonites into my hand ye will make me then your Head and Governour They said yea And so he went with the Elders who brought him to Mizpah and being there made and confirmed their Head and Ruler he sent his Messengers to the King of Ammon demanding what cause he had to strive with Israel who answered and said Because they took away my Country when they came from Egypt which if they will now restore again I will cease from War Then Jephtah sent him word again that Israel took not his Land from him but coming from Egypt and passing through the Wilderness even to the red Sea they remained at Cadesh and sent to Sehon King of the Amorites to suffer them quietly to pass thorow his Country And because he would not shew them this kindness the Lord delivered both him and his Land into their hands and shall they dispossess themselves of that which the Lord hath given them Nay not so Look what People Chemosh thy God driveth out that Land possess thou whatsoever Nation the Lord our God expelleth that will we enjoy Art thou better than Balac King of Moab did he not strive with Israel and fight against them all the while they lay in Heshbon and thereabout 300. years and why didst thou not recover thy Land in all that space Thou dost me wrong to War against me for I have not offended thee and therefore the Lord be Judge between thee and me But when Jephtah perceived the Ammonites not to regard his words he prepared his Army to set upon them And before his going made this Vow unto the Lord That if he did deliver the Ammonites into his hand the first thing that met Him out of his Doors at his return home again should be the Lords and he would offer it up unto him for a burnt-offering And when he had subdued the Ammonites and was coming homeward to his house the first thing that met him out at his Doors was his own Daughter who for joy of her Father's Victory came to meet him with Timbrels and Dances Then Jephtab seeing his only Child come toward him with a company of Women after her he rent his Cloaths and said Alas my Daughter thou hast brought me low and art one of them that do trouble me for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and cannot go back To whom she said Oh my Father if thou hast promised to the Lord then forasmuch as the Lord hath avenged thee and given thee victory over thine enemies do with me according to thy promise But yet this one thing I shall desire of thee to spare me for two Moneths that I may go down to the Mountains and there with my fellows * For it was counted as a shame in Israel to dye without children bewail my Virginity Which done she returned to her Father who did with her according as he had vowed unto the Lord. After this the Ephraimites fell at defiance with Jephtah because he had not called them to take his part against the Ammonites and for this matter was a Field pitched between them and the Gileadites and a great Battail fought in the which the Ephraimites were put to flight and seeking to have escaped over Jordan the Gileadites had prevented them and stopped the passage that no Ephraimite should escape that way And to know who was an Ephraimite and who was not the Gileadites used this policy if any pressed to go over the Water they would bid him say * Schibboleth signifieth the fall of waters or an car of corn Schibboleth and as many as could not say Schibboleth they slew him for by that they knew he was an Ephraimite for the Ephraimites could not sound nor say Schibboleth but Sibboleth And so were slain of the Ephraimites that Day two and twenty thousand Jephtah ruled Israel vi years and dyed Jephtah Opening Ieremy Jer. 1.1 was the Son of Hilkiah whom some think to be he that found out the Book of the Law and gave it to Josiah He was born in a City called Anathoth in the Country of Benjamin Epiphanius writeth that this Prophet Jeremy was slain of his People at a City in Egypt called Taphâ—â— and by the commandment of God began very young to prophesie that is in the xiii year of Josias and continued xviii years under the said King and three moneths under Jehoahaz and under Jehojakim xi years and three moneths under Jehojachin and under Zedekiah xi years unto the time they were carried away into Babylon So that the time amounteth to above forty years beside the time that he prophesied after the Captivity This story is drawn out of the Geneva Bible in the Argument before the Book of Jeremy the Prophet Jeremy the Majesty or highness of the Lord. Jerubbaal Judg. 6.32 is a Name which was given to Gedeon the Son of Joash after he had broken down the Altar of Baal and cut down all the Grove about it Jerubbaal That which resisteth an Idol a destroyer of Idols Read Gedeon Ieroboam was the Son of * Some say that Nebat and Shimei whom Solomon put to death were one person of whose death Zervah the Mother of Jeroboam put him oft in remembrance Nebat 1 King 11.26 c. and of the Tribe of Ephraim who being nourished and brought up of Zervah his Mother in her Widowhood after the death of his Father became King Solomon's Servant and was made Overseer of Solomon's Works for the Tribe of Ephraim and Manasses And on a time as he walked abroad in the Field alone the Prophet Ahijah came to him and said that after the death of Solomon he should Reign and be King over Ten Tribes of Israel which words of the Prophet did so animate Jeroboam that he began to murmur against King Solomon his Master who therefore sought to kill him but Jeroboam fled into Egypt where he remained with Shishak King of that Country until the death of Solomon Then being sent for he returned home again 12. cap. and had so much favour of the People that they all forsook Rehoboam save the Tribe of Juda and Benjamin and made Jeroboam their King Who being surely stablished in his Kingdom began to think thus in his heart If this People go up and do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem as they were wont to do then shall their
hearts turn to Rehoboam and seek to kill me Wherefore he by the advice of his Counsel made two golden Calves and set the one up at Dan and the other at Bethel perswading the People that they were the Gods which brought them out of Egypt and therefore they should not need any more to go up to Jerusalem and worship so far off but should do it nearer hand and with less travail and pain And when he perceived the People to incline to his purpose he made a Temple to build Hill Altars therein for Idolatry and placed a sort of ignorant Ministers which were not of the Sons of Levy in Dan and Bethel to train up the People in worshipping of these Calves And the more to stir up the Peoples devotion he commanded a solemn offering to be made in the honor of these Calves the xv day of the eighth Moneth and the same yearly to be observed in remembrance of this new kind of Idolatry which in continuance was so rooted in Israel that it could never be clean extinguished till it had brought all Israel to utter destruction 13. cap. Now as the King was standing beside the Altar at Bethel doing of sacrifice there came a Man of God which cryed out against the Altar saying O Altar Altar Thus saith the Lord behold a Child shall be born unto the house of David Josiah by name and upon thee shall he offer the Priests of the Hill-Altars that burn Incense upon thee and they shall burn Mens bones upon thee And this is the token that the Lord hath spoken it Behold the Altar shall rent and the ashes that are upon it shall fall out The King was so angry with this that he stretched out his hand against the Prophet commanding to lay hands on him and by and by the Kings hand was dried up so that he could not pull it to him again the Altar clave asunder and the ashes fell out as the Man of God had spoken The King seeing now God's judgment fallen upon him humbled himself to the Prophet by whose intercession to God his hand was restored again 2 Chron. 13. Great and continual War was between this King and Rehoboam King of Juda but this ever prevailed till Abijah the Son of Rehoboam reigned and then he lost as much honour and more than he wan before He reigned two and twenty years and dyed leaving Nadab his Son to succeed him Read more of this King in the story of Abijah King of Juda and in the story of Ahijah the Prophet and of Baasha King of Israel Ieroboam the Son of Joash King of Israel 2 King 14.23 began his Raign in the xv year of Amaziah King of Juda and worshipped the Golden Calves which Jeroboam the Son of Nebat had set up as others did before him He was a great Warrier and victorious He restored the Coasts of Israel from the entring of Hemath unto the Sea of the Wilderness according to Jonas Prophecie And was stirred up of the Lord to help Israel being exceedingly afflicted out of all their trouble He reigned xli years and dyed leaving Zacharias his Son to succeed him Jeroboam Increasing the People Iesebel the Daughter of Ethbaal King of the Sidonians 1 King 16.31.19.2 was a wicked Woman She enticed and pricked forward Ahab her Husband to all kind of Idolatry she slew the Prophets of the Lord and persecuted Elijah 21. cap. She caused Naboth to be stoned to death that her Husband might enjoy his Vineyard Finally as she lay at Jesreel and hearing of Jehu his coming 2 King 9.30 she trimmed her self in gorgeous attire and lay looking out at a Window and as he came in at the Gate she said unto him Had Zimri peace which slew his Master As who should say Can a Traytor or any that riseth against his Superiour have good success But forasmuch as this was even God's determination that she should be destroyed she was cast out at the Window with such violence that she was dashed all to pieces and so betrampled and trodden with the feet of Horses that when they came to take her up to be buried they found no more of her save the Scull the Feet and the Palms of her Hands And then was the Prophecie of Elijah fulfilled which said In the Field of Jesreel shall Dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel and the Carkass of Jezebel shall lye as dung upon the Earth so that none shall say this is Jezebel Jezebel an Island or an habitation Iesus Luk. 2. cap. the Son of God was born of the Virgin Marry in Bethlehem a City of Juda in the year after the Creation of the World 3962. Lanquet whose birth immediately was honored by the glorification of Angels the agnition of Shepheards the veneration of the wisemen and the Prophecies of holy Symeon and Anna. And at the age of xii years was had in admiration among the Doctors in the Temple at Jerusalem where his Parents found him and brought him to Nazareth but what he did from that time forth till he came to the age of thirty years the Evangelists make no mention He was then Baptised of John in Jordan And to witness that he was the very Messias sent of God 5. cap. the Holy Ghost descended down from Heaven in the likeness of a Dove and lighted upon him and also the voice of the Father was heard from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear Him And after he had finished the Legacy of his Father and opened the Doctrine of eternal lise to the People and confirmed the same with Miracles he was at the age of xxxiii years or thereabout betrayed of his own Disciple Judas and by the Jews his own peculiar People Matth. 26.14 most cruelly put to death at what time of his Passion was a great Earthquake and at six a Clock of the Day such a terrible Eclipse of the Sun that for Darkness it seemed to be very Night Matth. 28.6 The third day he arose again from Death to Life In token he conquered Sin Death and Satan Act. 1.9 And on the sortieth day to declare himself to be a mighty and a puissant Conqueror he ascended into Heaven where he sitteth at the right hand of the Father And the fiftieth day according to his promise he sent down the true Comforter the Holy Ghost which should lead the Apostles into all truth At the end and last day of the World he shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead He suffered his Passion in the year after the Creation of the World 3994. or thereabout Jesus a Saviour Iesus the Son of Sirach Ecclus 1. cap. being among the Captives in Egypt in the time of King Ptolomy Euergetes got liberty to read and write many good things which Jesus his Grandfather had gathered and left them with Sirach his Son which things this Jesus took and put in order
the King of Juda and the King of Edom by whose help and chiefly Eliseus read the place in his story he overcame the Moabites Also the Syrians could lye no where but Joram had knowledge by Eliseus who told him of all their secret lurking places by which means Joram ever saved himself Wherefore the King of Syria sent and besieged the Town round about where the Prophet Eliseus lay And as his Servant was going forth in the Morning about his Master's business and saw the Town so compassed with enemies he ran ‖ in again crying Alas Master what shall we do for the Syrians are come upon us Fear not quoth Eliseus for they that be with us are more than they that be with them And by and by the eyes of his Servant were so opened that he saw the Mountains lye full of Horses and fiery Chariots to defend his Master And now when the Syrians were come to Eliseus and thought themselves surest of him they were at his prayer smitten with such blindness that they could not know the Prophet when he spake unto them saying that that was not the Town where the Man lay which they sought but follow me quoth he and I will bring you to the place where he is and so he led them forth and brought them into the City of Samaria where Joram lay who seeing now his Enemies to be in his power said to Eliseus Father shall I smite them No said he Smite those which thou takest with thine own Sword and Bow but rather set Bread and Water before them that they may eat and drink and so depart to their Master Then the King prepared a great refection for the Syrians and filled their Bellies well and sent them home again for the which gentle intreaty of Joram the King of Syria never troubled him more After this when Benhadad King of Syria had besieged Samaria so long till Women were constrained to eat their own Children Joram took such displeasure with Eliseus laying the cause upon him that in his fury he sent to take away his Head Which thing being revealed to the Prophet he said to his Friends that were with him in his House See ye not how this Mutherer's Son hath sent to take away my Head Take heed and be circumspect when the Messenger cometh and keep him at the Door for the sound of his Masters feet is behind him which was even so for the King's mind altered he followed the Messenger and came to the Prophet himself saying This evil is of the Lord and what more shall I look for of him 2 King 7 1 c. No more said the Prophet For to morrow this time shall a Bushel of fine Flowre be sold for a shekel and two Bushels of Barley for another shekel in the Gate of Samaria which came so to pass the next day for the great Host of the Syrians at the sound of the feet of four Lepers were run away and had left all their Tents behind them 9.24 c. Finally to fulfil the word of the Lord concerning the destruction of Ahab's Posterity Joram was slain with an Arrow shot by Jehu and his Body cast into a Plat of Ground that was Naboth the Jesraelite's after he had reigned twelve years Joram 2 King 8.16 2 Chron. 21. the Son of Jehosaphat was two and thirty years old when he began to reign over Juda. He married King Ahab's Daughter whose wicked steps he followed He slew all his own Brethren with divers of his Nobles The Edomites which had been subject from David's time hitherto rebelled now against Joram Also Libna which was a certain City in Juda given to the Levites Josh 21.13 would no more be under his hand because he had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers Finally The Prophet's Letter the Prophet Eliseus to admonish him of his wickedness wrote to Joram on this wise The Lord saith because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehosaphat thy Father nor in the ways of Asae thy Grandfather but in the ways of the Kings of Israel and hast made Juda to go a whoring after the House of Ahab and hast also slain thy Brethren even thy Fathers house who were better Men than thy self Therefore with a great Plague will the Lord smite thy Folk thy Children thy Wives and all thy Goods And thou shalt be diseased in thy Bowels which day by day shall fall out of thy Body And so the Lord stirred up against Joram the Philistines the Arabians with the Ethiopians which wasted his Countrey and carried away his substance his Wives and all his Sons save Ahaziah the youngest and smote him with an incurable Disease in his Bowels which held him two years till all his Guts fell out and so he died after he had reigned eight years Joram the highness of the Lord. Jehosaphat the Son of Asa 1 King 15.24 began his Reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel and walked in the old ways of his Father David and in the Commandments of God and not in the ways of Israel This godly King to have the fear of the Lord renewed among his People in the third year of his Reign sent certain of his Lords thorowout all his Realm and with them godly learned and ancient Fathers of the Levites with the Book of the Law whose Commission was to see all Idolatry and superstition suppressed and the Laws of God purely and sincerely taught and followed which was so diligently done that the fear of the Lord fell so upon all the Kingdoms round about him that no Man troubled him but presented him with gifts The Philistines with Tribute-money the Arabians with Cattel so that within a while he grew into great riches and honor And being thus endued with abundance of treasure and substance he joyned affinity with Ahab taking his part against the Syrians where notwithstanding the Lord preserved him and brought him safe home again But forsomuch as in his absence the People were somewhat swerved from the Lord the Prophet John came to him and said Because thou hast helped the ungodly and loved them whom the Lord doth hate the wrath of God is come upon thee nevertheless good things are found in thee because thou hast taken away the Groves out of the Land and hast prepared thine heart to seek God Then Jehosaphat fearing the Lord went about all his Realm to bring the People again unto the Lord And when he had set godly Judges and Levites in every City the one to judge in temporal causes and the other in matters of the Lord he gave to either of them his charge saying first to the Judges on this wise Take heed ye Judges what ye do for ye execute not the judgment of Man but of God which is with you in judgment wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you and take heed and be doing the thing that pleaseth him for there is no unrighteousness
down the Hill altars and burnt the Bones of the Priests of Baal and left no wicked thing undestroyed nor Monument standing in the Cities of Manasses and Ephraim or other places of his Realm where any abomination had been committed He kept a Passeover in the eighteenth year of his raign the like never seen and repaired the Temple Finally he made War upon the King of Egypt in the which he was wounded with a Dart at a place called Magiddo whereof he dyed Whose death was much lamented for like unto him was never none before nor after Jehoahaz his Son succeeded him Josias the Lord's Fire or the Lord burning Iotham 2 King 15.32 2 Chron. 27. the Son of Azariah or Uzziah at the age of xxv years began his Reign over Juda in the second year of Pekah King of Israel and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord in all points as did his Father Azariah save that * He went not into the Temple of the Lord to burn Incense as his Father did contrary to the word of God which is spoken to the commendation of Jothan he came not into the Temple of the Lord neither caused the Hill-Altars to be taken away by which occasion the People ceased not to do wickedly He builded the sumptuous Gate of the Temple and many Cities Castles and Towers in the Mountains of Juda and other places He subdued the Ammonites who payed him three years together an hundred talents of silver ten thousand quarters of Wheat and so much of Barley He reigned xvi years and was buried in the City of David leaving Ahaz his Son to enjoy his place Jotham Perfect Ioshua Num. 27.18 c. the Son of Nun was first called Osea which name Moses changed and called him Joshua who was Moses Minister and ordained of God to rule and govern the People after him Exod. 17.9 c. He discomfited King Amalek while Moses held up his hands and prayed He was one of those Searchers which were sent by Moses to search the Land of Canaan Num. 13. cap. 14.6 c. and to bring the People word again what manner of Countrey it was at whose return the People were ready to stone both him and Caleb for well reporting of that Land wherefore the Lord being angry with the People sware that none of them all should see that good Land but Joshua and Caleb After the death of Moses Joshua 1. cap. the Lord encouraged Joshua to invade the Land of promise and gave him commandment to exercise himself continually in reading the Book of the Law called Deuteronomy Which he duly observed and read it to the People that they thereby might the better learn to love and fear God and to obey him the Lord's Minister He destroyed the City of Jericho only reserving Rahab and her Houshold He burnt the City of Lodi and hanged the five Kings of the Ammorites on five Trees at whose discomfiting it rained stones from Heaven by the which more were slain than with the Sword and the Sun also stood still in his place and prolonged the day till Joshua had utterly discomfited his enemies He slew in all first and last xxxi Kings and brought the Children of Israel into the Land of promise and divided the Land to the Tribes of Israel He dyed at the age of an hundred and ten years in whose stead Juda was made Governour of the Lord's Army Joshua the Lord Saviour Isaac was the Son of Abraham by his Wife Sarah and a figure of Christ Gen. 21.2 3.22 cap. for when his Father went to * 26. cap. offer him up in sacrifice and coming to the Altar and place where he should dye he willingly offered himself to death that his Father might in him fulfil the Lord's will But being preserved of God till he came to the age of forty years he then took to Wise ‖ 25.20 Rebekah the Daughter of Bethuel his Fathers Brother who being long barren at the last by the pleasure of God brought forth Esau and Jacob at one birth After this * Some say that Isaac was sacrificed of his Father in the xiii year of his age but Josephus affirmeth it to be done in the xxv year there fell such a Dearth and Famine in his Country that he departed into the Land of the Philistines where Abimelech was King And as he remained in Gerar the Lord appeared to Isaac bidding him to remain still in that place and not to remove into Egypt and he would multiply his Seed as the Stars of Heaven and bring it so to pass that all Nations of the Earth should be blessed therein And so Isaac removed not But for so much as he doubted of the fear of God to be in that place he durst not avouch Rebekah to be his Wife but said she was his Sister Read the story of Abimelech King of the Philistines for the plainer declaration of this matter And now while Isaac remained in the Country of Gerar God so encreased him with abundance of Cattel and Riches that the Philistines began to envy and hate him and stopped all the Wells which his Father Abraham had made that he should have no commodity thereby But notwithstanding he digged up the Wells again and called them by the same names that his Father had given them before and became so mighty that Abimelech made a League with Isaac who feasted the King and departed friends 27.1 c. Finally with Age he became blind and so was deceived in giving his blessing to Jacob which he thought to have first bestowed on Esau but both by the will of God being blessed of their Father Isaac he fell sick and dyed at the age of an hundred and lxxx years and was buried in Hebron Isaac Laughter Ishbosheth 2 Sam. 2.10.4 cap. the Son of King Saul at the Age of forty Years began his Reign over Israel Whose only stay and upholder of his Kingdom was Abner after whose death two of his own Captains slew Ishbosheth by treason in his own house after he had reigned two years Read the story of Baanah Ishbosheth a Man of shame Ishmael Gen. 16.12 was the Son of Abraham and Agar and had his name given him of the Angel before he was born Of Ishmael came the Nation of the Ishmaclites which after were called Saracens For when his Mother Agar fled from Sarah her Mistress an Angel found her saying Return to thy Mistress again for thou art with Child and shalt bear a Son and because the Lord hath heard thy tribulation thou shalt call his name Ishmael He will be a wild Man and his hand will be against every Man and every Man's hand against his And so she returned and brought forth Ishmael at whose birth Abraham his Father was lxxxvi 17.23 years old And at the Age of xiii years was Ishmael circumcised and the year following both he and his Mother cast out of his
he married to Jacob his Sisters Son as in the story of Jacob is at large set forth Laban White Lamech the Son of Methuselah Gen 4.19 c. came of the Generation of Cain and was the first Man that took him two Wives whereby the lawful Institution of Marriage which is that two should be one flesh was first in him corrupted His two Wives were called Adah and Zillah By Adah he had two Sons Jubal and Tubal By Zillah one Son called Tubal-Cain and a Daughter called Naamah He slew Cain but not willingly and told his Wives saying I have slain a Man unto the wounding of my self and a young Man unto mine own punishment If Cain shall be avenged seven fold truly Lamech seventy and seven fold 5.28 c. When Lamech had lived 182. years he begat a Son and called his name Noah of whom he prophesied saying This shall comfort us concerning the works and labours of our hands in the Earth which the Lord hath cursed He lived 777. years and dyed Lamech Poor or smitten Lazarus John 11. cap. was a certain Man dwelling in the Town of Bethanie which Town pertained to him and his Sisters called Martha and Mary Magdalene And being sick on a time his Sister Mary sent unto Jesus saying Oh Lord behold he whom thou lovest is sick At whose request Jesus when he saw his time took his journey into Jewry to visit his Friend Lazarus who was dead and buried four days before his coming Then Jesus who was not ignorant of that which was done went to his Grave wherein they had laid him and said Lazarus come forth And forthwith he came out of his Grave bound Hand and Foot with his Grave-cloaths upon him and a Napkin bound about his Face who being untied came forth of his Cloaths as whole and as lusty as ever he was in all his life For the which Miracle the Jews sought not only how they might put Jesus to death but Lazarus also upon whom the Miracle was done because that for his sake many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus After this about six days before the Feast of Easter came Jesus to Bethanie again John 12.1 2. where they had prepared him a Supper at the which Martha served him but Lazarus sat at the Table with him as others did Lazarus the Help or succour of God or Gods Court Lazarus Luk. 16.20 c. the poor Begger which lay at the great Man's Gate full of botches and sores even ready to die for hunger could not be relieved with so much as one crum of the Scraps which fell from the Rich man's Board when he made his earnest petition for them whereas the Dogs were fed with great Lumps of good Bread yea he found more favour and gentleness with the Dogs than with the Rich man For whereas the rich Glutton would refresh the poor Begger with nothing of all his delicious and sumptuous fare yet the hungry Dogs came and licked his sores But when it chanced that this Begger died he was carried by the Angels into * Soâ—e do understand by Abraham's bosom the faith of Abraham And some the place where those do rest which die in the faith of Abraham Which place is not expressed in Scripture Abraham's bosom And contrariwise the rich Man then dying also and being sumptuously buried was carried into Hell where in his torments he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom unto whom he cryed saying O Father Abraham have mercy upon me and send Lazarus hither that he may but dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my Tongue for I am sore tormented in this Flame Nay said Abraham forasmuch as in thy lise time thou receivedst thy pleasure and hadst no pity on the poor now art thou punished And contrariwise Lazarus which received pain and took it patiently is now comforted Leah was the Eldest Daughter of Laban the Son of Nahor Abraham's Brother and somewhat blear-eyed Gen. 19.33 c. She prevented her Sister Rachel in marriage being brought to Jacob's Bed in her Sisters stead and so became Jacob's first Wife and bare unto him one after another these four Sons Reuben Simeon Levi and Judah 30.14 c. and so ceased till it chanced Reuben her Eldest Son in the time of wheat Harvest to go out into the fields and find * The Mandrake is a kind of Herb whose Root hath a certain likeness of the figure of 2 Man Mandrakes and brought them home to his Mother Then Rachel hearing thereof went to Leah her sister desiring to have her Sons Mandrakes who said to Rachel Is it not enough that thou hast taken away my Husband but wouldest take away my Son's Mandrakes also Well quoth Rachel let him sleep with thee this Night for thy Sons Mandrakes And so Jacob coming out of the Field at Even Leah met him and said Come in unto me for I have bought thee with my Sons Mandrakes and that night she conceived of Jacob and brought him forth the fifth Son and called his name Isachar After that she conceived again and brought him forth the sixth Son and called his name Zebulun Last of all she conceived and brought him forth a Daughter and called her name Dinah Leah Painful or wearied Levi Gen. 29.34.34 cap. the third Son of Jacob and Leah with his Brother Simeon slew Hemor and Sichem his Son for ravishing of their Sister Dinah And therefore were they called of Jacob their Father Cruel Instruments Levi had three Sons Gershon Kalath and Merari The Tribe of Levi Num. 18.20 c. Deut. 10.8 Joshua 13.33 the Lord chose unto himself and appointed them to serve in the Tabernacle of witness with Aaron to bear the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to minister and bless in his name and had no Inheritance among their Brethren but the Lord who was their Inheritance He lived 137. years Exod. 6.16 Levi Joyned or coupled Levi Luke 5.27 c. Mar. 2.14 Matth. 9.9 otherwise called Matthew the Son of Alpheus was a Toll-gatherer or a receiver of Custome who at the voice of Jesus when he said Follow me left his office and all things behind him and followed the Lord. And became of a sinful Publican a true Disciple of Christ He invited Jesus to his house and made him a great Feast at the which were many Publicans beside other of his acquaintance which sat at Meat with Christ and his Disciples wherewith the Pharisees were much offended Levite and his Wife There was a certain Levite dwelling on this side of Mount Ephraim which took to Wife a Concubine out of Bethlehem Juda which Woman played the Whore by him and went away from him to her Fathers house where she remained four Moneths And at last her Husband being desirous to have her again went to intreat her friendly and to fetch her home and was gently entertained
that thou art Christ the Son of God which should come into the World After this when Jesus came to the place where Lazarus was buried and had commanded the stone of his Grave to be taken away Martha said Lord by this time he stinketh for he hath been dead four days Said not I unto thee quoth Jesus that if thou didst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God And so she saw her Brother Lazarus restored from death to life to the glory of God and her great comfort Martha Bitter or Provoking Mattathias the Son of Simeon the Priest 1 Mac. 2. which was of the stock and kinred of Joaris had five valiant Men to his Sons and dwelt in Modin remaining stedfast in the Laws of God notwithstanding the great calamities that were come upon the People of Juda and Jerusalem for the which Mattathias made piteous lamentation crying upon God to strengthen him and his Sons against the Heathen that had so wasted the People and defiled his Sanctuary And while he and his Sons were thus mourning in Sackcloth for the destruction of the holy City Antiochus the King sent certain Commissioners to the City of Modin to compel such Jews as were fled thither to forsake their own Laws and to serve the Idols of the Heathen Who after they had turned the heart of many spake to Mattathias on this wise Thou art said they a Noble man of high reputation and great in this City and hast many Children and Brethren Come thou first of all and fulfil the King's commandment like as the Heathen have done and the Men of Juda with such as remain at Jerusalem and so shalt thou and thy Sons be in favour with the King and greatly enriched Nay said Mattathias Though all Nations under the King's Dominion fall away every Man from the Law of their Fathers yet will I my Sons and my Brethren walk in the Laws of our Fathers God forbid we should forsake the Laws and Ordinances of God we will not for no Man's pleasure transgress our Religion or break the Statutes of our Law And as he had spoken these words a certain Jew came forth and openly in the sight of all Men did sacrifice unto the Idols upon the Altar in the City of Modin according to the King's commandment which thing so grieved Mattathias that for very Zeal he had to the Laws of God he started him up and ran upon the Jew and killed both him the Commissioner that compelled him so to do and ran his way crying thorow the City and saying to the People whosoever is fervent in the Law and will keep and stand by the Covenant let him follow me So he and his Sons fled into the Mountains and many other godly Men with their Wives and Children and all that they had got them into the Wilderness And being there the Heathen went against them on the Sabbath day and slew Man Woman and Child for on that day the Jews would make no resistance but would dye in their innocency Then Mattathias hearing of this was very sorry and counselling with his friends said If we do as our Brethren have done and do not fight for our Lives and our Laws the Heathen will soon root us all out of the Earth whereupon they concluded that whosoever did bid them battel on the Sabbath day that they would rather manfully fight for their Laws than dye as their Brethren had done before Upon the which conclusion came the whole Synagogue of the Jews with all such as were fled for Persecution to Mattathias And being gathered together they were so great an Host that they feared not their enemies but fell upon them and slew a great number And by their force and strength they went about the Coasts of Israel and destroyed the Altars and circumcised their Children and kept their Laws in spight of them all Finally when the time of his death drew nigh he called all his Sons before him exhorting them to prefer the Laws and wealth of their Countrey before their own Lives and ordained Simon his eldest Son to be as it were their Father and Judas Machabeus to be their Captain and so giving them his blessing he dyed and was buried in his Fathers Sepulchre in the City of Modin Mattathias the gift of the Lord. Mattathias the Son of Simon 1 Mac. 16. was killed with his Father at a Banquet which Ptolomy his Brother-in-law had prepared for them in a Castle of his called Doche. Mathattias the Son of Absalemus stuck by Jonathas 1 Mac. 11. when all his Men forsook him and fled the Field save Judas the Son of Galphi Matthew the Evangelist Read the Story of Levi. Matthew Given Matthias Act. 1.23 was a faithful Disciple of Christ and one that had his conversation always among the Apostles even from the beginning of Christ's preaching to the last end And now for as much as Judas the Traytor was fallen from Christ he with another godly Man called Joseph or Barsabas was appointed to stand in election which of them two should succeed in the place of Judas And when the Apostles had made their prayers to God Lots and given forth their lots the lot fell on Matthias and so he was counted with the eleven Apostles Matthias the Lords Gift Methuselah Gen. 5.21 c. was the Son of Henoch and lived an hundred eighty and seven years and begot Lamech And after that he lived seven hundred and eighty two years and begot Sons and Daughters and when he had lived in all nine hundred three-score and nine years he died Methuselah be sent his death or the weapons of his death Melchisedek Gen. 14.18 Heb. 7.1 is called King of Salem and the High Priest of the most High God When Abraham had rescued Lot his Nephew out of the hands of the Assyrians and was returned from the slaughter of the Kings Melchisedek met him with Bread and Wine to refresh Abraham and his Souldiers and blessed him saying Blessed be Abraham of the most High God possessor of heaven and earth and blessed be the most High God which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand And Abraham gave him tythes of all things The Scripture reporteth Melchisedek to be without Father without Mother without Kin and hath neither beginning of his days neither yet end of his life but is likened unto the Son of God and continueth a Priest for ever Melchisedek King of Righteousness Menelaus 2 Mac. 4. was Brother to Simon and Lysimachus two as ungracious as himself This ambitious Man by deceit got the High-Priest's Office from Jason on this wise When that good and godly Man Onias had the superiority Jason his Brother found the means to corrupt Antiochus the King with Money and so got the Office out of his Brother's hands And when the time came that Jason should pay the Money to Antiochus he sent it by the hand of Menelaus in whom he had great confidence But when
second year of his reign as he was laying siege to a City of the Philistines called Gibbethon Baasha conspired against him and slew him Taking upon him to reign in his stead Nadab a Prince or liberal Nahash 1 Sam. 11. Judg 11. cap. was King of the Ammonites And as his Predecessors afore time had made a claim to the Land of Israel so he now purposing the same went and besieged the City of Jabesh in Gilead And when the Men of Jabesh perceived themselves in great danger of their lives they desired the King to make a covenant with them and they would be his Servants Then said Nahash If ye will suffer me to thrust out all your right eyes to bring Israel to shame I shall be content to make peace with you Then said they Give us respite seven days and if none do come to help us in that space we will come out unto thee Then Nahash thinking that none durst come to aid them against him granted their request Upon the which they sent Messengers into all the Coasts of Israel which News was so heavy tidings to them that they fell a weeping And as they were mourning and lamenting their case it chanced Saul by the providence of God to come out of the Field following the Cattel And beholding the People what a do they made he demanded wherefore they mourned And when they had told him the tidings of the Men of Jabesh his heart was so moved by the spirit of God that he took out two of his Oxen and hewed them in pieces and sent them thorow all the Coasts of Israel saying whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and Samuel so shall his Oxen be served And the People were stricken in such a fear that they came out to Saul as they had been but one Man to the number of three hundred thousand of Israel beside thirty thousand of the Men of Judah And then Saul sent word by the Messengers to the Men of Jabesh that the next morrow they should have help They being glad of that sent word unto Nahash saying To morrow we will come forth unto you and ye shall do unto us whatsoever pleaseth you And so on the morrow Saul came upon the Ammonites and slew them Nahash a Snake or Serpent or guessing or divining Nahor when he was nine and twenty years of age Gen. 11.24 25. begot Terah And lived after he had begotten him an hundred and twenty years Nahor Hoarse or Angry Naomi was the Wife of a certain Man called Elimelech Ruth 1. cap. dwelling in the Land of Juda in a City called Bethlehem And because of the present Dearth which was over all the Land of Juda She went with her Husband and her two Sons into the Countrey of Moab to sojourn Where in process her Husband died And her two Sons being married to two of the Moabitish Damosels died there also So that Naomi which had dwelt in the Land of Moab ten years was left desolate both of her Husband and of her Sons Then Naomi hearing how the Lord had visited her Countrey again with plenty returned from Moab homewards again her two Daughters-in-law bringing her on the way And when she saw they had gone a good way with her and coveted not to return she said unto them Go now my Daughters and return each of you unto your Mothers House and the Lord deal as kindly with you as ye have dealt with the dead and with me And the Lord give you that ye may find rest either of you in the House of her Husband and so kissed them to have bid them farewel But when she saw that they would not depart from her she said unto them again Return my Daughters I pray you for what cause will ye go with me Are there any more children within my womb to be your husbands Turn again therefore I say for I am too old to have an Husband And if I did take one this Night and had already born Children would ye tarry for them till they were grown and refrain from taking Husbands so long Not so my Daughters it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me Then they wept all together and Orpha kissed her Mother-in-law and returned into her own Land again but Ruth abode still And so when they came to Bethlehem Juda which was about the beginning of Barley-harvest the Women which saw Naomi said Is not this Naomi Nay said she call me not Naomi which is as much to say as beautiful but call me Mara that is to say bitter for the Almighty God hath made me very bitter I went out full and the Lord hath brought me again empty why then call ye me Naomi seeing the Lord hath humbled me and the Almighty hath brought me unto adversity And so Naomi remained in Bethlehem Juda where ere it were long God gave her a Son by the Womb of Ruth her Daughter-in law who was married to Boaz a Kinsman of Naomi's which Child being born the Women said unto Naomi Blessed be the Lord the which hath not left thee without a Kinsman to have a name in Israel and that shall bring thy life again and cherish thine old age for thy Daughter-in-law which loveth thee hath born unto him and she is better unto thee than seven Sons And Naomi took the Child and laid it in her Lap and became Nurse unto it being glad that a Son was born unto her in her old days Naomi Fair or comely or provoking much Nathan 2 Sam. 7.4 c. the Prophet at what time King David was minded to build God an House to dwell in was sent of the Lord to forbid him to meddle with it for Solomon his Son should do it Again at what time David had committed Adultery with Uriah's Wife Nathan came to him and said 12. cap. There were two Men in one City the one Rich and the other Poor The rich man had exceeding many Sheep and Oxen but the poor had none at all save one little Sheep which he had bought and nourished up And it grew up with him and with his Children also and did eat of his own Meat and drank of his own Cup and slept in his bosome and was unto him as his Daughter Now there came a stranger unto the rich man who refused to take of his own Sheep and Oxen to dress for the stranger but took the poor Man's sheep and dressed it for the Man that was come to him Then David was exceeding wroth with the Man and said As surely as the Lord liveth he that hath done this thing shall surely dye He shall restore the Lamb four-fold because he did it without pity Then said the Prophet Thou art the Man Thus saith the Lord God of Israel I anointed thee King over Israel and delivered thee out of the hands of Saul and gave thee thy Lord's house and his Wives into thy bosome and gave thee the house
of Israel and Juda and would if that had been too little have given thee much more Wherefore then hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight Thou hast kill'd Urias the Hittite with the Sword and hast taken his Wife to be thy Wife and hast slain him with the Sword of the Children of Ammon Now therefore the Sword shall never depart from thine house because thou hast despised me and taken the Wife of Urias the Hittite to be thy Wife Wherefore thus saith the Lord Behold I will stir up evil against thee even out of thine own house and will take thy Wives before thine eyes and give them unto thy Neighbour and he shall lye with thy Wives in the sight of the Sun For thou didst it secretly but I will do this thing before all Israel and in the open Sun-light Then said David I have sinned against the Lord. Well said Nathan the Lord hath also put away thy sin thou shalt not dye Howbeit because of doing this deed thou hast given the enemies of the Lord a cause to blaspheme the Child that is born unto thee shall surely dye And so Nathan departed Finally at what time Adonijah had taken upon him to rule the Kingdom unknown to his Father David Nathan came to the King and said My Lord O King hast thou said Adonijah shall reign after me and he shall sit upon my Seat For he is gone down this day and hath slain many Oxen David had a Son called Nathan also 2 Sam. 5.14 and fat Sheep and hath called all the King's Sons and the Captain of the Host and Abiathar the Priest and behold they eat and drink before him and say God save King Adonijah But me thy Servant and Sadock the Priest and Benajah and thy Servant Solomon hath he not called Is this thing done by my Lord the King and thou hast not shewed it unto thy Servant who should sit on the Seat of my Lord the King after him And when the King had declared his mind and will Nathan and Sadock the Priest went and anointed Solomon King Nathan Given or giving Nathanael John 1.45 c. which was a Man wonderful desirous of Messias coming was brought to Christ by Philip who finding him under a Figg-Tree said O Nathanael I can tell thee tidings we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write even Jesus the Son of Joseph of Nazareth Is that true quoth he can there any good thing come out of Nazareth If thou dost not believe me quoth Philip come and see thy self And as Nathanael was coming with Philip to Jesus he saith of him thus Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile Nathanael perceiving that Jesus knew him said How knowest thou me I knew thee said Jesus before that Philip called thee I saw thee when thou wast under the Figg-Tree Then said Nathanael Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel Nathanael the gift of God Nehemiah a Jew born 2 Esd 1. cap. was Cupbearer to Artaxerxes King of Persia a Man of great Learning and Holiness who being in great favour with the said King obtained both Licence and Aid to re-edifie the City of Jerusalem Nehemiah the comfort or rest of the Lord the Lords direction Nicanor being a great Prince under Demetrius 1 Mac. 7. cap. and an utter enemy unto the Jews was sent with a mighty Host against Judas Machabeus who notwithstanding the hatred that he had to the Jews yet unto Judas himself he bare a secret good will and love in his heart 2 Mac. 14. cap. and counselled him when they met together to talk of Peace to take a Wife and to beget Children But for all that his malice was so great against the rest of the Jews and his heart so puft up with pride thorow his invincible power and strength that he held up his hand against the House of God making an Oath that-he would destroy it and break down the Altar and consecrate the Temple of God to Bacchus And thinking all this but a trifle to bring to pass 8 cap. sold the Jews before he came at them promising to every one that would buy them four-score and ten Jews for one Talent But this Blasphemer who had brought a thousand Merchants with him to buy the Jews was by the help and power of God for all his stout brags shortly overthrown and so discomfited that he himself was fain to change his Apparel and to flie alone to Antioch 1 Mac 7. cap. 2 Mac. 15. cap. with great dishonour and shame Finally attempting to fight again with Judas upon the Sabbath day he was at last by the mighty hand of God slain Nicanor which was one of the seven Deacons Act. 6.5 Whose Head Judas commanded to be set upon the Castle at Jerusalem and his threatning hand to be hanged against the Temple and his blasphemous Tongue cut in pieces and cast to the Birds to be devoured Nicanor a Conqueror Valiant Nicodemus Joh. 3.1 2 c. was one of the head Men among the Sect of the Pharisees but not the best Learned although his mind were lesser corrupt than the other This Man favoured Christ but durst not be known thereof for fear of the Jews wherefore he came to Jesus by Night secretly saying Rabbi we know that thou art a Teacher come from God for no Man could do such Miracles as thou dost except God were with him Jesus answered Verily verily I say unto thee except a Man be born from above he cannot see the Kingdom of God Nicodemus How can a Man be born when he is old can he enter into his Mother's Womb and be born again Jesus Verily verily I say unto thee except a Man be born of the Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God that which is born of the Flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit Marvel not thou that I said unto thee ye must be born from above The Wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth So is every one that is born of the spirit Nicodemus How can these things be Jesus Art thou a Master in Israel and knowest not these things Verily verily I say unto thee we speak that we know and testifie that we have seen and ye receive not our witness If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things c. This Man afterward answered for Jesus and said to the Pharisees 7.50 what time as they had sent Ministers to apprehend him doth our Law judge any Man before it hear him Finally at the Death of Christ to honour his Burial he bought of Myrrhe and Aloes mingled together about an hundred pound weight 19.39 and came with Joseph of
the Sons of Joseph Reuben seeing his son or the sight of his son Rufus was a vertuous and a Religious man Rom. 16.13 whom Paul remembred in his Epistle saying Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord and his Mother and mine Ruth Ruth 1. cap. and Orpah were two fair young Damosels born in the Countrey of Moab where by chance they married with the Sons of Elimelech and Naomi who were strangers come out of the Land of Juda there to inhabit and when both their Husbands were dead and their Mother-in-law a Widow also they forsook their own Countrey to go home with their Mother into the Land of Juda. And when they had gone a good way together Orpah not without great intreaty of her Mother-in-law turned home again but Ruth abode still Then said Naomi to Ruth Oh see my Daughter thy Sister-in-law is gone back again to her People and Goods return and go after her I pray thee said Ruth intreat me not to leave thee For whithersoever thou goest I will go with thee And where thou dwellest there will I dwell also Thy People shall be my People And thy God my God look where thou dyest there will I dye also and there will I be buried The Lord do so and so unto me if ought but death only part thee and me asunder And so went they forth till they came to Bethlehem Juda which was in the beginning of Barley Harvest Ruth 2. cap. And as Ruth went one day out a leasing among the Harvest folks she happened by the providence of God upon the Fields pertaining to Boaz who shewed her such kindness that she neither lacked Meat nor Drink neither yet Corn so long as Harvest lasted And when all Harvest was done Naomi said unto Ruth This Man in whose Field thou hast leased all this while Ruth 3. cap. is our nigh Kinsman therefore do now by my counsel This Night he winnoweth Barley in the Barn wash thy self therefore and anoint thee and put thy Raiment upon thee and get thee to the Barn and keep thy self close until he have left eating and drinking And when he goeth to sleep mark the place where he layeth him down And when he is a-sleep go and lift up the Cloaths softly at his Feet and lay thee down and he shall tell thee what thou shalt do So when Ruth had done all things according to her Mother-in-laws teaching Boaz about Midnight waked out of his sleep and feeling one lye at his Feet was afraid and groping with his Hand he asked who it was I am Ruth quoth she thine Handmaid spread therefore the Wing of thy Garment over thine Handmaiden for thou art next of my Kin. Now blessed art thou quoth Boaz for thou hast shewed more goodness in the latter end than at the beginning inasmuch as thou followedst not young Men were they poor or rich And now my Daughter fear not I will do unto thee all that thou requirest For thou art well known to be a Woman of vertue Howbeit there is one nearer of Kin to thee than I if he will do the Kinsman's part unto thee well let him do it If he will not then will I. And so in the Morning he gave her so much Corn as she could carry home And shortly after she became his Wife Ruth 4.13 and in process brought him forth a Son called Obed which was the Father of Jesse the Father of David Read the story of Boaz and Naomi Ruth watered or filled S. SADOK the Son of Ahitub 2 Sam. 8.17 was Father to Shallum and Ahimaaz and one of the Priests that governed the Ark of GOD which he carried out of Jerusalem with David what time as he fled from his Son Absalom 2 Sam. 15.24 c. And when Zadok had brought the King over the Brook Kidron he desired him to return again with the Ark into the City that from him and dbiathar he might have word of all things that Absalom and Achitophel determined against him And so he returned with the Ark to Jerusalem and there remained David's faithful man in all things that he had commanded him And when he had knowledge of Absalom's overthrow 2 Sam. 19.11 he then exhorted all Israel and Juda to remember the kindness of David their Soveraign Lord and King who had so many times delivered them out of the hands of their enemies that now like true faithful and obedient subjects they would fetch him home again and restore him to his kingdom By whose godly exhortation the hearts of all Juda were bowed to David even as the heart of one man 1 King 1.8 38 c. This Sadok was ever a faithful Priest and never swerved from David For in the end when Adonijah took upon him to reign as King his Father David being old and alive Zadok consented not unto him but according to David's will and commandment anointed Solomon King who afterward promoted him into the room of Abiathar which had the High Priests office Sadoch or Zadok 2.35 Justified or just Shallum the Son of Jabesh conspired against Zachariah 2 King 15.10 13. There is another of this name the Husband of Hulda the Propheress 2 King 22.14 and slew him and raigned in his stead In the xxxix year of Azariah King of Juda began Shallum his raign over Israel and had not raigned one Month but Menahem rose up against him and slew him in Samaria and reigned in his stead Shallum Peaceable Salmanasar 2 King 18.9 c. King of Assyria came in the seventh year of Hoshea King of Israel and besieged Samaria and in the third year which was the ninth year of Hoshea he wan it and took Heshea prisoner and carried him away into Assyria Salmanasar Peace bound Solomon 2 Sam. 12.24 the Son of Bathsheba was ordained to reign after his Father David and anointed King over Israel 1 King 1.30 39. by Sadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet Who being stablished in his Kingdom began to minister Justice 2. cap. 25. first upon Adonijah his Brother which had aspired to the Kingdom ver 34. Secondly upon Joab which had slain Abner and Amasa and conspired with Adonijah ver ult Thirdly upon Shimei which had cursed David his Father 3. cap. This King was so dearly beloved of God that in a dream he appeared to him and bad him ask whatsoever he would and he should have it Then Solomon considering in himself that he was but young and that being called to the office of a King how hard a thing it was to govern the whole multitude of the People well desired of God to give him an understanding heart to judge the People and to discern between good and evil Which thing pleased the Lord so well that he gave him not only a wise and an understanding heart but also riches and honour wherein he excelled all other Kings that ever were before or after him And that he passed all
noble Isle of Crete And in every City within the Isle Titus ordained an Overseer which we call a Bishop for the which cause Paul prescribed unto him the true form of a Bishop or Shepherd of Christ's Flock Titus Honourable Toby was a godly Man of the Tribe and City of Nephtali And being brought into great captivity Tob. 1. in the days of Salmanasar King of Assyria yet would he not forsake the way of truth nor worship the golden Calves as others did neither yet defile himself with the Heathens meat but always kept his heart pure unto God For the which the Lord gave him such favour in the sight of Salmanasar the King that Toby had power to go where he would and to do whatsoever he listed Then Toby having this liberty went about comforting all those that were in Prison both with his goods and godly exhortations Such was his daily exercise to feed the hungry to cloath the naked and to bury the dead with such like deeds of Charity And when the time came that Sennacherib which hated the Children of Israel raigned in his Father's stead and in his wrath slew many of them Toby buried their bodies for the which the King commanded to slay him and to take away his goods who nevertheless through friendship escaped and fled And after the Kings death being slain of his own Sons within xlv days after Tob. 2. Toby returned and was restored to his goods again and called his kindred and friends together and made a great feast And sitting at the Table with his Guests one told him there lay an Israelite slain in the street who then immediately leapt from the Board and went fasting to the dead Corpse and brought him home to his house where he hid him privily until the Sun was down and then buried him For the which deed his friends reproved him because he had been in danger but a little before even for the like matter But nevertheless Toby fearing GOD more than the King would take the slain and hide them in his house and bury them at Midnight Insomuch that one time he was so weary with burying the dead that he got him home and laid him down beside a Wall for weariness where he fell asleep And so lying there fell down upon his eyes warm dung out of a Swallows Nest which took away his sight that he could not see against the which plague of blindness he never grudged but remained stedfast in the fear of God giving him thanks as well for that as other gifts of health And this temptation God suffered to fall on Toby for an example of patience to all that should come after Finally of his great patience deeds of charity and other godly exhortations Tob. 14.2 3. his book is full He lost his sight at the age of six and fifty years And was restored at three-score so that he remained blind about four years And lived after he had received his sight two and forty years and so he dyed at the age of an hundred and two years and was honourably buried in the City of Ninive Toby the Lord is good Toby Tob. 5. the Son of Toby being brought up in the fear of God followed the vertuous steps of his Father in all things He was sent to the City of Rages to one Gabael for certain Money which his Father had lent him And after many dangers by the way was 6. cap. by God's providence whose Angel was his guide 7. cap. married there to the Daughter of Raguel whose name was Sara And when he had tarried with his Father and Mother-in-law about fourteen days 8. cap. he returned home with much substance to the great consolation and comfort of old Toby his Father and Anna his Mother 11. cap. After whose death when he had remained at Ninive the space of two and forty years he departed with his Wife and seven Sons to the City of Rages 14. cap. where he found his Father and Mother-in law both living in great age on whom he took the care until they died and was Heir to all their Goods And when this Toby had lived xcix years he dyed and was buried After whose death his Posterity continued in such an holy conversation of life that they were beloved and accepted both of God and Man Toby the Ammonite and Son-in-law to Shecaniah 2 Esd 2 was one that conspired with Sanballat to hinder the building of Jerusalem For when Sanballat said in derision of the Jewes What do these weak Jewes will they fortifie themselves Will they sacrifice Will they finish it in a day Will they make the stones whole again out of the heaps of dust feeing they are burnt Then Toby which stood beside him said 6. cap. Although they build yet if a Fox go up he shall even break down their stone Wall This Toby wrought all the ways he could both by Letters and false Prophets hired for Money to fright Esdras from the work but could not prevail Tryphena and Tryphosa Rom. 16.12 were certain godly Women to whom Saint Paul for their diligent labour in the Gospel sendeth greetings saying Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa which Women laboured in the Lord. Tryphena a fine nice or delicate Woman Tryphon 1 Mac. 11. was a certain great Man which took part with King Alexander against King Ptolemy And when Alexander was dead Tryphon found the means to get his young Son Antiochus out of the hands of Emascuel the Arabian who had brought him up to reign in his Fathers stead And when he had got the government of the young King he conceived treason against him which he thought could never be well brought to pass so long as Jonathan whom the King had made High Priest was his friend wherefore he sought to kill Jonathan that he might come the easier by his wicked purpose 12.39.40 c. So Tryphon went to a place called Bethsan at the which place Jonathan met him with forty thousand Men. Then Tryphon perceiving the great Host that Jonathan brought was afraid and thought it not best to meddle with him at that time but to use some policy how to betray him And so commanding all his Souldiers to be as obedient to Jonathan in all things even as they would be unto himself he received him honourably with great rewards And being met together Tryphon said to Jonathan Why hast thou caused this People to take such travail seeing there is no War between us Therefore send them home again and chose certain Men to wait upon thee and come thou with me to Ptolemais for I will give it thee with other strong Holds for that is the only cause of my coming and so I must depart Then Jonathan believing Tryphon sent away his Host all save a thousand and so went with Tryphon to Ptolemais And assoon as Jonathan and his Men were entred the City the Gates were shut and Jonathan put in ward and all his
Host of Israel against whom Judah began his Conquest and slew the Canaanites and put Adonibeseck to flight but being sore pursued the Men of Judah took him and cut off both his thumbs and great toes which thing the Tyrant confessed himself by and by to be the just judgment of God for as he had done to others so had he worthily received again And so he was carried to Jerusalem and there dyed Adonibeseck the Lords Thunder Adramelech the Son of Senacherib King of Assyria 2 King 19â— with his Brother Saresa slew their Father in the Temple as he was worshipping his God Nisroch and fled into the Land of Armenia leaving Asarhaddon their other Brother to possess the Kingdom after their Father Adramelech the Kings Cloak or his Greatness or Power or the greatness of Counsel Aduram was Receiver of all Rehoboams Tribute and being sent in Commission to pacifie the People which were divided and fallen from the King 1 King 12. 2 Chron. 10. they for hatred they bare to Rehoboam took this Man and stoned him to death Aduram Their Cloak or their power or greatness Agag was a very fat Man 1 Sam. 15. and King of the Amalekites which Nation God had commanded to be utterly destroyed And because King Saul had reserved Agag alive and not killed him with the rest the Lord was grievously displeased with Saul and would not suffer Agag so to escape but sent Samuel to execute his judgment upon him who calling for Agag he came out unto him very pleasantly fearing nothing less but that all bitterness of death had been past but contrary to his expectation Samuel said unto him As thy sword hath made Women childless so shall thy Mother be childless among other women and with that he fell upon Agag and hewed him in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal Agag An House or cellar Agabus was a certain Prophet Act. 11.28 which came from Jerusalem to Antioch where he prophesied of a great dearth that should be thorowout all the World which came to pass as this Prophet had said in the Emperour Claudius's days Also while Paul lay at Cesarea in the House of Philip the Evangelist purposing to keep his Journey to Jerusalem Act. 21.10 this Prophet chancing to come thither took Pauls girdle and therewithall bound his own hands and feet saying Thus saith the Holy Ghost so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the Man that oweth this girdle and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles Agabus A Grashopper Agar was Handmaid to Sarah Abraham's Wife Gen. 16. which Sarah being long barren and childless gave Agar her Maid unto Abraham to be his Wife who being conceived and feeling her self with Child began to despise and set light by Sarah her Mistress for the which Sarah complained to Abraham her Husband who giving her power to correct the Maid at her pleasure she began to deal so roughly with Agar that in no wise she would abide it but ran away into the Wilderness and sitting there beside a Fountain of Water not knowing whither to go an Angel appeared unto her and said Agar from whence comest thou and whither intendest thou to go I flee said Agar from Sarah my Mistress who dealeth so hardly with me that I am even weary of my life Well said the Angel return to thy Dame again and submit thy self under her hands for the Lord will so encrease thy seed that it shall not be numbred for multitude Thou art with child and shalt bear a Son whose Name shall be Ishmael Then Agar giving God thanks for his consolation in trouble returned home again to Sarah her Mistress submitting her self unto her and in process of time brought forth her son shmael as the Angel had said Gen. 21. But when it pleased God to visit Sarah that she conceived and brought forth Isaac a new contention arose between Sarah and Agar for their children for Sarah perceiving Ishmael to be a mocker and a despiser of Isaac would not suffer Ishmael to company with her Son Isaac but made her complaint to Abraham causing Him to put both Agar and her Son away which thing although it grieved Abraham so to do yet being comforted of God that he would multiply Ishmael because he was of his seed he obeyed the voice of Sarah his wife and with provision of victuals sent Agar away with her Son to shift for her self Then Agar being departed from Abraham gat her into the Forest of Beersheba where she wandred so long up and down till all her provision of Meat was spent and gone And when she saw no remedy but that both she and her child must needs perish for lack of sustenance she laid down the child behind a bush and went her self away because she would not see it dye and as she sat afar off mourning and weeping for her Son she was comforted again by the Angel of God who had so provided for her and her son that they were both relieved and lived together a long time after to her great joy and comfort Agar A Stranger Aggeus was one of the Twelve Prophets which prophesied in the time of Zorobabel 1 Esd 5. King of the Jews and rebuked them for that they were slack in the work of the Lord. Aggeus Solemn festival or winding and turning himself Agrippa was a certain King Act. 25. who as Paul reporteth had good knowledge in the Law and Prophets but understood not the true applying of the same Which King on a time came to Cesarea to see Festus and to welcome him into the Country who was then but newly entred into his office And being there a good while with Festus and hearing of him what a-do there was about Paul whom the Jews had accused unto him was much desirous to see the Man and to hear him speak Whereupon the next day following Paul was brought into the common Hall before Agrippa and other Magistrates of the City there assembled to hear his cause And when Festus had declared for what purpose he had brought forth Paul that after examination had he might have somewhat of certainty to write to Cesar 26 cap. to whom Paul had appealed Agrippa permitted the Prisoner to speak and to say what he could for himself Who then so approved his innocency by rehearsing his conversation before the audience that Agrippa interrupting him confessed and said unto Paul Thou hast almost perswaded me to become a Christian And when the Prisoner had ended his discourse the King arose and all the Court among whom was much secret talk of Paul and for a final sentence Agrippa said unto Festus I see no worthy cause of death or of bands in this Man but that he might have been loosed if he had not appealed to Cesar Agrippa is a Latine word and signifieth That which hardly laboureth or travelleth in childbearing or delivering Also he which at his birth cometh with his feet forward Ahaz the
men believing her went after and sought and when they could not find them returned home again Then Ahimaaz and Jonathas were let out of the Well who went to David and did their message â—8 cap. as they were commanded After this when Absalom was slain Ahimaaz desired of Joab the Captain that he might bear news to the King of Absalom's death Nay said Joab thou shalt be no messenger this day because the King's Son is dead but Cushi shall go Then I pray thee quoth Ahimaaz let me go with Cushi And wherefore quoth Joab art thou so desirous to go seeing for thy tidings thou shalt have no reward whatsoever I have quoth he I pray thee let me go Then go said Joab And Ahimaaz ran a nearer way than Cushi and so got before him And as they were coming the Watch-man spied them and said to the King I see two men running hitherward and me-think the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the Son of Sadock Oh said the King he is a good man and bringeth good tidings And so Ahimaaz came to the King before Cushi and fell down before him and said Blessed be the Lord thy God which hath shut up the men that list up their hands against my Lord the King Is the young man Absalom safe said the King Ahimaaz answered When Joab sent Cushi and me thy servant I saw much a-do but I wot not what it was Well said the King stand still Then Cushi came and said Good tidings my Lord the King for the Lord hath delivered thee this day out of the hands of all that rose against thee Is the young man Absalom safe quoth the King The Enemies of my Lord the King said he and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt be as that young man is And so the King departed and mourned for his Son Ahimaaz Erother of Counsel Ahimelech the Son of Ahitob the Son of Phinehes 1 Sam. 21. the Son of Eli was Priest of the City of Nob in whose time it chanced David being persecuted of King Saul to flye unto him for succour at whose coming with so few waiting on him Ahimelech was fore astonied and asked him wherefore he came so alone Then David bearing him in hand that the King had sent him of a secret business which might not be known desired Ahimelech to give him of such things as he had in store that he and his men might be refreshed and go about the King's affairs Then Ahimelech believing that all had been well between the King and David gave him of the * The Hebrews had three kinds of Bread as Lyra writeth The first Shew-bread which was set before the Lord. upon the propitiatory seat and thereof might no man eat but the Priests only The second bread offered upon the Altar of Holocaust which was for the Levites to eat The third was common bread and of that might all men eat hallowed bread because he saw his necessity great and had no common Bread under his hand Then David desired Ahimelech to lend him either Spear or Sword for I brought quoth he neither weapon not harness the King's business required such hast and by and by he fetcht out the Sword of Goliah and gave it to him Now * 22. cap. for this great kindness which Ahimelech had shewed to David Doeg a Servant of King Sauls accused him to his Lord of Treason And being brought before the King with all the Priests of the Lord it was objected against him how he had conspired with David the King's enemy and asked counsel of God for him and aided him both with victual and weapon To the which Ahimelech answered and said Oh King who is so faithful among all thy servants as David is or had in more honour in all thy house Is he not the King's Son-in-law and doth whatsoever thou commandest him have I not at other times as well as now asked counsel of God for him Let not my Lord the King impute any such wickedness to me or to my Fathers house for truly thy servant knew nothing of all this that thou layest to my charge either less or more Well quoth the King thou shalt surely dye And so was this innocent Man put to death with lxxxiv Priests more and the City of Nob destroyed Ahimelech a Kings Brother Ahijah 2 King 11. was a Prophet born in Shilo and chancing to meet with Jeroboam the Son of Nebat without the City of Jerusalem in the plain Fields having a new Cloak upon his back he caught the Cloak from him and rent it in twelve pieces delivering ten pieces thereof to Jeroboam saying Thus will the Lord rent the Kingdom out of the hands of Solomon because he hath forsaken the Lord and served strange Gods and give ten Tribes unto thee Therefore take heed when thou art King that thou walk in the ways of the Lord thy God for so long as thou keepest his statutes and holy commandments so long will the Lord prosper thee in the Kingdom Read more of this Prophet in the story of Abia the Son of Jeroboam Ahijah Brother of the Lord. The Father of King Baasha was called Ahijah 1 King 15. of the house of Isachar Aholah and Aholibah were two Sisters Ezech. 23. under whose names is set forth the fornication that is to say the Idolatry of Samaria and Jerusalem * The Bible note Aholah signifieth a mansion or dwelling in it self meaning Samaria which was the royal City of Israel and Aholibah signifieth my Mansion in her whereby is meant Jerusalem where Gods Temple was Aholibama was the Daughter of Ana Gen. 36. and Wife to Esau who brought him forth Children which became great Men in the World Aioth the Son of Gera Judg. 3. was the second Judge of the Hebrews a Man of great strength and valiant of courage and had equal strength and aptness in both his hands He slew Eglon King of the Moabites on this wise When Eglon had long warred on the Jews and taken from them divers Cities and kept them in much misery this Aioth came to him to Jericho bringing unto him certain Presents which liked him well and desired to speak with him privily which was granted and all others being commanded to withdraw Aioth stroke Eglon to the heart twice The last time with such puissance that the Knife with the hilt remained in the wound and so leaving him dead departed without suspicion and came unto his People declaring what he had done who being glad armed them and fell upon the Moabites and slew of them ten thousand and drave all the residue out of their Country And so the Jews being delivered by the wisdome and vertue of Aioth after made him their Judge and Prince Who governed them lxxx years in peace and died a very old man in much honour Aioth Praising or confessing Alexander 1 Mac. 1. This King at 2 Sapper in Babylon was poysoned
by drinking out of a cup made of an horses hoof supposed to be the device of Aristotle sometime his Master and Antipater Lieutenant of Macedonia the Son of Philip King of Macedonia slew Darius King of the Persians and Medes and conquered the most part of all the World in less than twelve years space whereof he became so proud that God was displeased with him And being visited with sickness so sore that he must needs die he called all his Lords and Princes before him and divided his kingdom among them So that they after his death were crowned and reigned as Kings every one severally in his own Dominion as was to them appointed He reigned xii years Alexander An aider or a helper manly or very valiant Alexander 1 Mac. 10. the Son of Noble Antiochus took the City of Ptolemais and after that moved War against Demetrius who to prevent Alexander sent Ambassadours to Jonathas Governour of the Jewes to have his friendship promising him as many fair and large offers as he could devise But forasmuch as Jonathas had experience of his deceitful dealings and how cruel an Enemy he had always been unto the Jews Nation he refused the offer of Demetrius and joyned in League with Alexander knowing him to be a faithful Prince and ever his friend And so Alexander having the Jews aid joyned Battail with Demetrius in the which conflict Alexander slew Demetrius and overcame all his Host Now when Alexander had conquered the Land and was set in the Throne of his Progenitors a marriage was concluded between Him and Cleopatra the Daughter of Ptolemy King of Egypt which was finished at the City of Ptolemais at the which triumph Alexander made Jonathas a Duke and Partner of his Dominion and after that for his worthiness gave him the City of Accaron 11 cap. Alexander now lying at Antioch and hearing how the Cilicians had rebelled against him marched toward them with a great power to suppress the Rebellion And being there busied with his enemies Ptolomy in the mean season defeated him of his kingdom and took his Daughter Cleopatra and gave her to Demetrius the Son of Demetrius in marriage Alexander hearing of this returned home with all his Host but Ptolomy being too strong for him chased Alexander out of his Realm who for succour fled into Arabia where the King of that Land against all Law of Arms smote off his head and sent it to Ptolomy for a present Alexander a Jew born and a Ruler at Ephesus Act. 19. what time as Demetrius the Silversmith moved Sedition in the City against Paul for the Goddess Diana was in the rage drawn out of the Common Hall and going forward beckoned with his hand to have spoken but till the Town-Clark had ceased the noise which lasted two hours he could not be heard And then to pacifie the people more by worldly wisdom than for any respect he had to Religion he said Ye Men of Ephesus what Man is he that knoweth not how that the City of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Goddess Diana and of the Image which came from Jupiter Seeing then that no Man gain sayeth it ye ought to be content and to do nothing rashly For ye have brought hither these Men which are neither robbers of Churches neither yet despisers of your Goddess Wherefore if Demetrius and the Crafts-men which are with him have any matter against any Man the Law is open and there are Rulers let them accuse one another But if ye go about any other thing it may be determined in a lawful Assembly For we are in jeopardy to be accused of this days uproar forasmuch as there is no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse of People And when he had thus spoken each Man departed Alexander the Coppersmith 1 Tim. 1. forsook the faith and became such an Enemy unto the Gospel 2 Tim. 4. that he withstood Paul's preaching and did him much displeasure for the which Paul delivered him unto Satan that is excommunicated him out of the Church desiring the Lord to reward him as he had deserved Alcimus was a Jew born 1 Mac. 7. and come of the Seed of Aaron who notwithstanding became so wicked a Man that he forsook the Laws of his own Nation to maintain the abominations of the Heathen And for the hatred he bare to Machabeus and the Jews he took unto him a sort of loofe and ungodly Persons and went to Demetrius unto whom he made a grievous complaint upon Judas Machabeus seigning that he had slain all the King's friends and driven him and his company out of their own Land wherefore he willed Demetrius to choose out some Noble Captain to go and avenge the King's quarrel on Judas Upon the which complaint of Alcimus the King sent Bachides against Judas and made Alcimus the High-Priest who was such an enemy unto the Jews as the like was not among the Heathen for all his study was how he might either by word or deed work their utter confusion And finally to manifest his great malice towards his own Country-men and the Laws of God he commanded the Walls of the inmost Sanctuary with the Monuments of the Prophets to be cast down and destroyed But as this wicked Apostate went about his devilish purpose the hand of God fell upon him and smote him with such an incurable Palsie that his mouth was shut up and so like a miserable wretch he dyed Alcimus Strong Amaleh was the Son of Eliphaz the Son of Esau Gen. 36. born unto him of Thymna his Concubine of whom came the Kinred of the Amalekites Exod. 17. This King when Moses had brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt and were come into the Wilderness of Raphidim where they both lacked water and were wearied with their long journey would not suffer them to pass quietly thorow his Land but came forth with weapon and waged Battel against them In the which Battel Joshua guided the Host of Israel while Moses went to pray And so long as Moses held up his hands and prayed so long had Israel the better but when he let them fall Amalek had the better Then Aaron and Hur perceiving Moses hands to be weary gat them up to Moses and staid his hands the one on the one side and the other on the other side so long till Joshua had discomfited Amalek with all his Host And for this cruelty of Amalek God sware unto Moses that he would utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven 1 Sam. 15. Which promise he performed in the days of King Saul Amalek a licking people Aman look Haman Amasa was the Son of Jether and Abigail 2 Sam. 17. David's sister was his Mother This Amasa what time as Absalom rose against his Father David was made Captain over Absalom's Host and after the death of Absalom David received him to favour 19. c. swearing he should
his Epistle Aristobulus The best Counseller or the best Counsel Arius 1 Mac. 12. was King of Sparta which People were come of the Generation of Abraham as the Jews were wherefore the Jews called them Brethren The Spartians came of Abrahams seed But in all the Wars the Jews had with the Heathen they never sought the Spartians help more than with Letters of Recommendation one from another of brotherly love glad of each others prosperity Arpharad Judith 1. cap. King of the Medes was so mighty a Prince Of Arphaxad the Son of Sem came the Chaldeans Lanquct that he subdued many People unto his Dominion He built a City called Ecbatane which for strength was thought unpossible to be won But at last he putting too much confidence in his own power was subdued of Nabuchodonosor King of the Assyrians in the X. Year of his reign Arphaxad That which healeth or saveth Arphaxad the Son of Shem Gen. 11.12 13. lived four hundred thirty eight years * This was a common name to the Kings of Persia as Pharaob was to the Kings of Egypt or Cesar to the Emperours Artaxerxes King of Persia 1 Esd 7. cap. licensed Esdras to take his Companions the Children of Israel with him 3 Esd 8. and to depart from Babylon to Jerusalem again commanding all his Officers in all places to aid Esdras not only with the King's Treasure but with whatsoever was needful to him for the re-edifying of the Lord's Temple Artaxerxes The light or maleaiction and curse He that causeth silence Also that maketh haste or speed also the earnestness of rejoycing Artaxerxes King of Persia 3 Esd 2. having a sore complaint made unto him by Belemus Mithridates Tabelius Rathumus Beeltethmus and Semellius the Secretary with other more against the Jews for building of the Temple wrote to them again on this wise I have read the Epistle which ye sent unto me therefore I commanded to make diligent search and have found that this City hath ever resisted Kings that the same People are disobedient and have caused much War and that mighty Kings have reigned in Jerusalem which also have raised up Taxes of Celosyria and Phenice wherefore I have commanded to forbid those Men that they shall not build up the City and heed to be taken that there be no more done in it and that they proceed no further in those wicked works for so much as it might be occasion of trouble unto Princes Artemas was one of Paul's Disciples Tit. 3.12 and lay with him at the City of Nicopolis what time as Paul sent to Crete for Titus to come unto him but not before he did send Artemas or Tychicus unto him to tarry in his stead lest that Crete should be destitute of an Overseer Asa 1. King 15.8 9. 2 Chron. 14 1 c. 15 cap. His Mother is called Maacha and is taken for his Grandmother was the Son of Abijah and began his reign over Juda in the xx year of the reign of Jeroboam He honoured God cleansed his Land of Whorekeepers Idols Images Groves and many other Abominations Yea he abhorred Idolatry so much that he would not suffer it unpunished in his own Mother but put her from her Estate because she had made an Idol in a Grove which he burnt and cast the Ashes into the Brook Cedron And for his upright heart the Lord sent peace and quietness in all his Land by the space of ten years In the which time of rest he built Cities and Holds and made his Realm very strong At last it fortuned the King of Ethiopia to come against him with an Host of ten hundred thousand and three hundred Chariots whereas the other had but half so many Then Asa putting his hope in God The Prayer of Asa made first his prayers to him on this wise O Lord it is no hard thing with thee to help either by many or by few help us therefore O Lord our God for we trust to thee and in thy name we go against this multitude thou art the Lord our God and no man shall prevail against thee And after he had ended his prayer he went and joyned battel with his enemies the Lord overthrew them and left not one undestroyed 2 Chron. 16. After this it chanced Baasha King of Israel to invade him of whom Asa was so afraid that he fetcht out of the House of the Lord much Treasure and sent it to Benhadad King of Syria desiring him to break his League with Baasha that he might depart out of his Land And when Baasha had broke up his Camp and was gone to resist Benhadad which had got divers of his Cities in Israel the Prophet Hanani came to Asa and said Forasmuch as thou hast trusted in the King of Syria and not in the Lord therefore is the Host of Syria escaped thee Had not the Ethiopians an exceeding great Host and yet because thou did'st put thy trust in God they were delivered into thy hand For the eyes of the Lord behold all the Earth to strengthen them that are of perfect heart towards him And now seeing thou hast done so foolishly thou shalt from henceforth have War The King hearing * Here we see that it is not enough for a man to begin well unless he continue to the end this was sore displeased with the Prophet and disdaining his admonition sent him to Prison He was before the Incarnation 973 years Cooper Wherefore the Lord to plague his rebellion smote him with a disease in his feet which could not be cured by any Physician whereof he dyed after he had reigned years forty one Asa a Physician Asahel was the Son of Zervia David's Sister 2 King 2. His Brethren were Joab and Abishai This man Asahel for his lightness on foot is compared to a Roe buck Read of his Death in the story of Abner Asahel God hath wrought Asaph the Son of Barachiah 1 Chron. 6.39.16.5 was one of the chief Singers among the Levites appointed by David in the House of the Lord. Asaph Gathering Ashur the Father of Tekoah was the Son of Hesron 1 Chron. 2.25.4.5 the Son of Phares the Son of Juda. His Mothers name was Abia he had two Wives and by them Children Asher was the Son of Jacob. Gen. 30.12 13 1 Chron. 7. Num. 1. His Mothers name was Silpah His brother of father and mother was Gad. He had four Sons and one Daughter of whom came many Noble men and Captains Asher Blessedness Asyncritus Rom. 16.14 was one of the faithful Congregation of Christ in Rome unto whom among other Paul sendeth salutations in his Epistle saying thus salute Asyncritus Asyncritus Peerless or without Comparison Assur was the Son of Sem. 1 Chron. 1.17 Lyra writeth upon Gen. x. That Assur because he would not rebel against God with Nimrod in the building of the Tower of Babel fled out of the Land
of Shinar into a far Country where he inhabited which Countrey took its name of him and was called Assyria and there he builded a City which afterwards was called Niniveh Assur Blessed or Travelling Asubah 1. King 22.42 was Mother to Jehosaphat King of Juda and daughter to Shilhi 2 Chron. 20. Asubah Forsaken Asubah 1 Chron. 2.18 Wife to Caleb the Son of Hesron bare unto him three Sons Jesher Shobab and Ardon Athalia 2 King 11. 2 Chron. 22. Athalia in the 2 King ca. 8. is called both the daughter of Achab and the daughter of Amri which saith Lyra is meant thus After the death of Amri her natural Father she was brought up with Achab her Brother and so in process called his daughter or else by immitating his manners in all kind of Idolatry was the daughter of Amri and wife to Joram King of Juda. When Joram died her Son Ahaziah succeeded whom she enticed to all wickedness and after his death she ruled and killed all the rest of the seed of Joram only Joash excepted which was stollen away and hid from her And when she had ruled the Land most cruelly vi years In the vii year Joash was brought forth by Jehojada the Priest and proclaimed King She hearing that ran into the Temple of the Lord with her cloaths rent crying out treason treason But at the commandment of Jehojada the Captains and Souldiers took her out of the Temple and slew her Athalia Time for the Lord. Azariah the Son * 2 King 15.1 c. of Amaziah King of Juda began his reign in the xxvii year of Jeroboam King of Israel and was 16. years old when he was made King And so long as he gave ear to Zacharias the Prophet and walked uprightly so long did the Lord prosper him with great Victories both of the Philistines and Arabians and made the Ammonites also tributaries unto him He ‖ Azariah is in the same Chapter called also Vzziah repaired Jerusalem He loved husbandry well and had great plenty of Cattel At length he became so mighty that in his strength his heart arose to his destruction For in his pride he went into the Temple of the Lord to burn Incense which although he seemed to do of a zeal and good intent yet forasmuch as he usurped the Priests Office he was justly resisted of Azariah the Priest and plagued of God who smote him with such a Leprosie that he went out of the Temple a Leper and so remained all the days of his life He raigned LII years and was buried in a part of the same Field where his Predecessors lay but not in the same Sepulchres because he was a Leper Azaria Help of the Lord. B. BAAL the Son of Reaia was a Prince of the Reubenites 1 Chron. 5.5 and * In the days of Pekab King of Israel carried away with other his Kinred into the Land of Assyria by Tiglath Pileser King of the Assyrians Baal an Idol or a Ruler 2 Kings 15. Baanah with his Brother Rechab 2 Sam. 4. cap. the Sons of Rimmon were two Captains in the Host of Ishbosheth King of Israel who when Abner their chief Captain was dead went into the House of Ishbosheth seeming saith Lyra they had gone to fetch Wheat for the King saith he had great store of Wheat which he sold to Merchants a-far off wherefore these two disguised themselves like Merchants that came to buy and so entring into the House they found where their Lord and Master lay upon his Bed in the heat of the day fast a-sleep * There is nothing so vile and dangerous which the wicked will not enterprise in hope of lucre and favour and slew him and took his head and carried it to David thinking for the same to have had a great reward But for their most shameful and trayterous act they were both put to death and their Quarters hanged over the Pool in Hebron Baanah In affliction Baasha the Son of Ahijah 1 King 15.27 c. 16.1 c. conspired against Nadab King of Israel and reigned in his stead In the third year of Asa King of Judah began Baasha to reign over Israel and walked most wickedly in all the ways of Jeroboam 1 King 10.14 whose House and Posterity notwithstanding * God stirred up one Tyrant to punish the wickedness of another he utterly destroyed and left not one alive for so it was prophesied that God would stir him up one which was this Baasha for that purpose And now for as much as Baasha whom God had exalted even out of the dust would still maintain Jeroboam's Idolatry and cause his People to sin he sent him word by the Prophet Jehu that as he had rooted out the whole Posterity of Jeroboam so should his be served likewise Great War was between Baasha and Asa King of Juda. 2 Chron. 16. And for to stop the passage of Juda that none should pass out nor in safely Baasha went to build a strong hold called Rama which he was fain at length to leave unfinished and to lose all his cost and pains to go against Benhadad which had broken covenant with him He reigned xxiv years and was buried in Thirza which was a place where the King remained leaving Ela his Son to succeed him in whose days the foresaid Prophecy of the rooting out his Posterity took place Baasha in folding together or pressing together or to search out and take away Bachides 1 Mac. 7.9 cap. was a Man of great power in the Dominion of Demetrius the Son of Seleucus And being the Kings faithful friend he sent him with a great Host against Judas Machabeus to revenge him of the injury he had done unto his People and in the end slew him After whose death many of the wicked Jews turned to Bachides whereof he made some Lords and Rulers of the Land which of envy outed the friends of Judas and brought them into great vexation and trouble When Bachides had given this overthrow to Judas he sought how he might kill Jonathas also whom the Jews had appointed in his Brothers room And meeting with Jonathas about the border of Jordan there was a great Battel fought between them in the which Bachides lost a thousand of his men After which conflict Bachides by occasion of Alcimus the wicked Priests death departed for that time so that Jonathas lay at rest two years after till a sort of ungodly men conspired against him how they might bring Bachides upon him unawares which matter being between them and him concluded Bachides returned with a great power but ere he came Jonathas had gotten knowledge of the Treason and put certain of the chiefest Conspirators to death Then when Bachides came and had besieged the City of Bethbessen long and saw he was not able to resist the power of Jonathas he was marvellously displeased with those wicked counsellers which had caused him to travail
in vain and made him ready to depart again whereof Jonathas having knowledge he sent Ambassadors to Bachides to make peace with him to the which he gladly consented and restored to Jonathas all his Prisoners which he had taken in the Land of Juda and so returned home and never vexed Israel more Bachides One that holdeth of Bacchus or a drunkard Balaam the Son of Beor or Bosor Num. 22. cap. as S. Peter saith was a covetous Prophet and for lucre sake went to the King of Moab to curse the Host of Israel which thing God would not suffer him to do but turned his curse into a blessing Yea 2 Pet. 2.15 he was so far overcome with covetousness saith S. Peter that he could not see his iniquity when the tame Beast speaking in Man's voice rebuked him and forbad his madness Num. 31.8 He caused the Israelites through his counsel to commit Whoredome with the Daughters of Moab and to worship Baal Peor their false God and was slain among the Midianites whom Israel subdued Balaam The ancient of the People Balac Num. 22. 23 cap. the Son of Zippor King of Moab was so afraid of the Children of Israel which were pitched in the fields of Moab and all about his Country that he thought he could never be able to overcome them unless they were cursed of God wherefore he sent for Balaam the Prophet promising to promote him to honour and dignity so that he would come and curse his enemies And when the Prophet was come Balac brought him up to the high place of Baal where he might see and discern the uttermost parts of the Israelites that he might be sure to curse them all But when the Prophet went about his purpose God would not suffer him to curse his People but rather to bless them Then said Balac Did not I send for thee to curse this People and why hast thou blessed them I told thee quoth Balaam that I could speak nothing but that which the Lord would have me to speak Well said Balac I will bring thee where thou shalt see but a portion of them and not all I pray thee curse that part for my sake But notwithstanding the Prophet blessed them again Then said Balac Neither curse them nor bless them at all Well yet quoth Balac The wicked imagine of God that that which he will not grant in one place he will do it in another I will bring thee once more to another place peradventure it shall please God thou mayst curse them there for my sake But when he saw in no place the Prophet would curse the People of God he was angry with him and said I sent for thee to curse mine enemies and thou hast blessed them now three times therefore get thee quickly out of my sight for the Lord hath kept thee back from promotion and so he departed Balac In wrapping or destroying or with him that licketh Balthasar Dan. 5. cap was the Son of Nabuchodonosor and the last King of Babylon This Prince on a time made a great Banquet to all his Lords and great Estates in the which he so abused the Holy Vessels of the Temple of the Lord which his Father had brought from Jerusalem making them common Vessels for all his Guests to drink in that God was sore displeased with him And as he sate at his Banquet praising his Gods of Gold Silver Copper Iron Stone and Wood he saw the Palm of an Hand write upon the Wall before him which thing so disquieted him that all the Joynts of his Body shook And being in that great anguish he sent for all the Charmers and Conjurers in Babylon to know the meaning thereof but none of them all could read it neither yet tell what it meant Then was the King so sore afraid that his colour began to change and his Body to be sore vexed for the which the Lords and all the Estates present were sore opprest with heaviness to see the King in that case Then the old * She was Nabuchodonosor's Wife which for her age was not before at the feast but came thither when she heard these strange news Queen his Mother hearing of all that was happened came up to the Feast and cheared the King bidding him to take no thought for the matter so long as Daniel was in his Kingdom Send for him quoth she and he will tell thee what the Writing meaneth Then was Daniel sent for And being come he told the King that forasmuch as he neither remembred the fall of his Father who for his pride and high stomach was turned from the shape of a Man to the shape of a Beast for certain years neither would submit his heart but magnifie himself above the Lord of Heaven and had abused the Vessels of the house of God and set his love upon Idols which neither heard saw nor understood more than upon God in whose hand consisted his breath and all his ways therefore had God sent this hand in token of his great displeasure towards him And these be the words said Daniel to the King which the hand hath written Mene Tekel Peres And this is the meaning Mene God hath numbred thy Kingdom and brought it to an end Tekel Thou art weighed in the Balance and art found too light Peres Thy Kingdom is dealt in parts and given to the Medes and Persians And the same night was Balthasar slain and his Kingdom removed to Darius King of Media whose Sister was Balthasar's Mother Balthasar Without Treasure or searcher of Treasure Balthemus or Beeltethmus look Belemus Banajah 2 Sam. 8. ult 20.23 or Bananiahu the Son of Ichojada was a valiant Man and Ruler over the * The Cherethites and Pelethites were as the King's Guard and had charge of his person Cherethites and Pelethites He slew two strong Men in the Country of Moab and slew a Lyon in the midst of a Pit in the time of Snow He sought also with an Egyptian whose Spear was like a Weaver's Beam and slew him with his own Weapon And for these Acts and such like he gate him a Name among the Worthies He was one of David's Counsellers and proclaimed Solomon King at David's commandment He slew Adonijah at Solomon's commandment 1 King 2 25-29-35 and also Joab into whose room he was promoted Banajah in the answer in affliction or in the song Barnabas Act. 4.36 called also Joses was a Levite born in the Country of Cyprus who of a liberal mind sold his Land in Cyprus and brought the whole price thereof and laid it down at the Apostles feet with whom he was of such credit Act. 9. that when he brought Paul unto them after his conversion and declared how boldly he had done at Damascus in the Name of Jesus they received him as a Brother of whom before they were afraid This Man being full of the Holy-Ghost and faith 11 22 c. was sent to
Antioch to Preach and to stablish them in the Faith of Christ From thence he departed to Tarsus to seek Saul and brought him to Antioch where they two continued together one year And because of a great dearth which was prophesied to be thorow out all the World the Antiochians made a Collection for the poor Brethren in Jewry which they sent by the hands of Barnabas and Paul at whose return to Antioch again they brought a Disciple with them called John Mark. 13.5 After this by the mind of the Holy Ghost they were sent to preach among the Heathen where by the power of God they did wonders and turned many to Christ And being taken at Lystra for Gods 14.11 c. because God working in them they had made a Lame man to go they rent their cloaths and would not suffer themselves to be called by that Name Finally 15.37 c. when Barnabas and Paul had been long Companions together and Workers in the Lord's Vineyard they chanced to fall at variance about one John Mark who had been their Minister before And because Barnabas would now in this Journey going to visit their Brethren again have had him with them and Paul refused him because he forsook them at Pamphilia the dissention was so sharp that the one brake from the other And so Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed into Cyprus his own Native-Country Barnabas the Son of Consolation Barabbas was a notable Robber Matth. 27.16 Matth. 15.7 Luk 23.18 19. John 18. ult which for a certain Insurrection he had made and in the same committed Murther was cast in Prison It was a custome among the Jews to have a Prisoner delivered unto them at the Feast of Easter wherefore when Pilate sat in Judgment upon Jesus he asked of the Jews whether they would have Barabbas or Jesus and they by the counsel of the High Priests said Barabbas And so was the Thief and Murtherer delivered and the Innocent put to death Barabbas the Son of Confusion Barsabas Act. 1.29 sirnamed Justus was one of the two Disciples appointed to be chosen in the room of Judas the Apostle And when the lots were cast the lot fell on Matthias his fellow Barsabas the Son of Returning or of Converting Bartholomew Matth. 10.3 Mar. 3.18 Luk. 6.14 was one of the twelve Apostles Bartholomew the Son of him that suspendeth waters * The other Evangelists mention two but Mark nameth him that was most known Bartimeus Mar. 10.46 the Son of Timeus was a certain blind begger which sate begging by the high-way side of the people as they went by And when he heard Jesus of Nazareth pass that way he began to cry and say Jesus the Son of David have mercy upon me and the People spoke to him to hold his peace but the more he was rebuked the more he cryed Then being called and comforted of the Apostles he threw away his Cloak for joy and came to Jesus who demanded of him what he would have him to do Master said he that I may have my sight and see Go thy way said Jesus thy faith hath saved thee and by and by this blind Bartimeus received his sight and followed Jesus Bartimeus a Blind son or the son of blindness Baruch Jer. 36. cap. the Son of Neriah wrote in a Book at the mouth of Jeremy the Prophet as he did indite all the curses against Juda and Israel which Book he read first to the Common-people and after to the Rulers who being astonied at the words thereof caused Baruch to hide himself out of the way till they had shewed the Book unto Jehojakim the King who when he had heard three or four Leaves thereof caused the Book to be cut in pieces notwithstanding the great intreaty that * The godly among the Princes gave this counsel certain of his Lords made for the preservation of the same and cast it in the fire and burnt it Then Baruch wrote another Book at the mouth of Jeremy wherein was much more added than was before Baruch Blessed Bathuel Gen. 22.23.28.2 was the Son of Nahor his Mothers name was Milca the Daughter of Aran Brother to Nahor and Abraham This Bathuel was Father to Rebecca and Laban Bathuel the Son begetting of God the Measure of God Bela the Son of Beor reigned in Edom Gen. 36.33 1 Chron. 1.44 after whose death Jobab the Son of Serah succeeded him Bela Swallowing down or destroying Bela the Son of Benjamin whose Sons were Num. 26.40 Ard and Naaman and in the first Book of Chronicles 7. these are said to be the Sons of Bela Ozban Ozi Oziel Jerimoth and Iri And in the 8. Chapter these Adar Gera Abiud Belemus Mithridates Tabelius Rathumus Beeltethmus 3 Esd 2. and Semellius the Secretary with other more wrote a sore complaint to Artaxerxes King of Persia against the Jews which were a building of the Temple at Jerusalem through the which they were commanded to cease and to build no more Read Artaxerxes and Rathumus Benhadad the Son of Tabrimon King of Syria 1 King 15.18 c. made a covenant with Baasha King of Israel which for lucre sake he brake at the request of Asa King of Juda and turned his Host against the Cities of Israel to the great displeasure of Baasha This Benhadad was a mighty Prince and glorying much in his own power sent messengers to Achab King of Israel commanding him to send his Silver Gold Wives Children and all that he had unto him or else he would come and destroy him which thing being denyed him he came against Achab with xxxii Kings in his company and besieged him in Samaria And while he trusted too much in his great strength and multitude and was banquetting with the Kings that came with him in their Pavilions without any regard of the small power of the Israelites the Host of Samaria issued suddenly out of the City and came so couragiously against the Syrians that they put them all to flight and slew a great number of them Then the Syrians which were escaped said to Benhadad The Gods of the Hills be their Gods and therefore have they now gotten the better of us But let us sight once more with them in the Plain and thou shalt see us have the better of them Then Benhadad gathered his Host together so many as filled the whole Country and Israel pitched before them like two little Flocks of Kids and so stood the two Hosts one against the other vii days and in the seventh day they joyned Battel in the which an hundred thousand of the Syrians were slain and the rest fled to the City of Aphek where they began to make a Wall without the City for their defence which building fell upon them and killed xxvii thousand more whereof the King was in such a fear that he fled from Chamber to Chamber to find out a secret place to hide himself in to whom
for ever Look more in the history of Adonijah Bethsheba The seventh daughter or the daughter of an Oath Bezaleel Exo. 31.2.35.30.36 37. 38. cap. the Son of Uri of the Tribe of Juda and Aholiab of the Tribe of Dan were two cunning Workmen most specially endued with the Spirit of God to work all manner of curious work that was to be wrought in Gold Silver Brass Wood Stone or with Needle-work so that by these two the Tabernacle of witness with all things pertaining thereunto was most artificially made Bezaleel in the shadow of God Bilha Gen. 29.29.30.3.35.25 was a young Damosel which served Laben the Father of Rachel and when Rachel should be married to Jacob Laban gave Bilha his Maid to Rachel his Daughter to be her servant And when Rachel perceived she could bear Jacob no children she gave Bilba her Maid unto him to be his Wife who conceived by Jacob and brought him forth two Sons the one Dan and the other Naphtali Bilha Old or fading Birsha Gen. 14.2 was one of the four Kings that fought against five other Kings in the Vale of Siddim Birtha in evil or in iniquity or condemned or a son that looketh back Read Arioch Boaz Ruth 2 3 4. the Son of Salmon was a great rich Man dwelling in a City called Bethleem within the Land of Juda. Who on a time going to the Fields to look upon his Reapers and finding there a young Damosel a gleaning demanded of his Workmen what she was To whom answer was made she was a stranger come with Naomi out of the Country of Moab Then went Boaz to the Maid and said Hearest thou my Daughter Here is a notable example for all rich Farmers which be so unmerciful that they will not suffer their needy neighbour to glean in their ground whereas Boaz was so merciful to this stranger whose Nation were enemies to God's People go to no other Field a gleaning I charge thee so long as Harvest time endureth but to mine tarry here by my Maidens and gather as much as thou wilt and spare not for no Man shall lett thee neither hurt thee And when thou art hungry and a thirst go with my Maidens and eat and drink such as they have for they shall not deny thee And so departing from her he went to his Men servants commanding them to intreat her gently and to let fall some handfuls on the ground for the nonce for her to take up without shame Now after this it chanced Boaz to have knowledge that this young Damosel was his Kinswoman and that it was his lot to marry her which he was well content to do considering her to be a Woman of good report and of much vertue But yet for as much as he knew another to be more near of Kin to her than he he could not defraud him of his right therefore to know what he would do in this matter he went and called his Kinsman before the Congregation and said Sir we have here a Kinswoman lately returned out of the Land of Moab one Naomi and she will sell a piece of Land which was our Brother Elimelech's If thou be disposed to buy it do if not then tell me for there is none to challenge it save thou and I next unto thee Then said he to Boaz I will purchase it Well said Boaz look what day thou buyest the Land of Naomi thou must also take * He would have the Land but not the Woman Ruth the Moabite to Wife to raise up the Name of the dead upon his Inheritance Then he revoking his word again said that he could not purchase it for marring of his own Inheritance Therefore take thou my right and purchase it and so drew off his * The manner of purchasing Shoo and gave it to Boaz for that was the custome of old in Israel concerning purchasing and changing of Inheritance to pluck off his Shoo and give it to his Neighbour in witness that the thing between them was truly bought and sold Then Boaz having his Kinsman's shooe said unto the People ye are witnesses all this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's and all that pertained to his two Sons * Chilion perfect or all like a Dove Chilion and Mahlon of the hand of Naomi and also have purchased Ruth the Maobite the late Wife of Mahlon to be my Wife to raise up the Name of the dead upon his Inheritance that his Name be not put out among his Brethren And all the People witnessed the same praying unto the Lord for Ruth to make her as fruitful as he did both Rachel Leah and Thamar And so Boaz married Ruth who in process conceived and bare him a Son called Obed. Boaz in Power or strength C. CAATH was the Son of Levi Exod. 6.18 1 Chron. 6.1 2. and had four Sons whereof the Eldest was Amram the Father of Moses and Aaron He lived 133. Years Caath A Congregation Cain was the first Son that Adam and Eve brought forth between them Gen. 4.1 c. and of an unhappy disposition given to all ungraciousness He was the first tiller of the ground and would always offer the worst and the vilest of the fruits of the Earth unto God Wherefore the Lord had no respect to his offering And because God preferred his Brother Abel's offering before his he was so stirred with malice and envy against him that he fell upon him in the Fields and slew him Wherefore the Lord promised to withdraw the increase of the Ground from Gain and so being in desperation he wandred about like a Vagabond in every corner with much fear and trembling lest any Man should kill him and at last * Lyra saith that as Lamech was hunting in the fields his servant spyed Cain where he lay hid in a bush and thinking it had been a beast pointed his Master unto him who shot off his Arrow and slew him Lamech slew him Cain A possession Caiaphas was Son-in-law to Annas John 18 cap. and the High-Priest in the time of Christ's apprehension of whom he prophesied that it was expedient for one Man to dye rather than all the People should perish Which thing he spake not of himself but God made him at that time even as he made Balaam to be an Instrument of the Holy Ghost And Christ being sent from Annas to him bound to be examined was so carried from him to Pilate that he by the Temporal Laws might judge him to death Caiaphas a Searcher Caleb was the Son of Jephunneh otherwise called Kenes of the Tribe of Juda and one of those whom Moses sent out to search the Land of Canaan Numb 13. and 14 cap. what manner of Country it was at the which time of going out he was about the age of xl years And when he and his company had viewed the Land and were returned home again certain of the Explorators made an evil
hinder or lett that work a Beam should be taken from that Man's house and he hanged thereon and his House made a Dunghill And so the building went forward with speed and was perfectly finished in the sixth year of his reign Darius Requiring or inquiring for Dathan and Abiram Num. 16.1 c. were the Sons of Eliab and two of the chief Captains with Chore in the Insurrection against Moses on whom God took such vengeance that he caused the Earth to open and swallow them up quick Read the story of Chore. Dathan Statute or Law David was the youngest Son of Jesse 1 Sam. 16.11 and by God's commandment anointed King of Israel Saul yet reigning by the Prophet Samuel Wherefore Saul fearing that David would defeat him of his Kingdom vexed him with continual persecution during the which time David shewed notable examples both of patience and true obedient service to Saul his Soveraign Lord. And first 17. cap. to shew his obedient and faithful heart to his Prince and love he bare to his Country he put himself in danger to fight with that great Monster Goliah and slew him of whom the King and all the Host of Israel stood in great fear And after this act also 18.6.11 when Saul of envy that the Women in their dance had given to David more praise than to him threw his Javelin at David as he stood and played on his Harp before him to have nailed him fast to the wall David avoided and armed himself with patience and never sought other means of revenge In so much 24.3 that when Saul by the providence of God came into the Cave to ease himself in the which Cave David lay hid for fear of Saul he would not being provoked put forth his hand to hurt his Master But cut off a piece of the Hem of his Coat in token that he might have killed him And yet after that it sore repented him that he had done so much injury unto his Soveraign Lord and Master although he was his mâ—st grievous enemy and every hour sought his death Also 26.7.12 when he came into the Host of Saul and found the King and his Man fast asleep he would not for his own private cause though Jehu slew two Kings at God's commandment lay his hand upon the Lord 's anointed but only that he should know that David was there and might have been revenged took his Spear and Pot of Water which stood at his Head 2 Sam. 1. cap. and went his way Finally when it pleased God to rid him of his enemy in Battel against the Philistines one to get thanks of David brought unto him Saul's Crown and the Bracelet that he wore on his Arm certifying him of the King's death and that he with his own hands had killed him whose act David did so much abhor that he thought the Man not worthy to live but put him to death out of hand Read more of David's patient suffering and obedient service in the story of Michol Jonathas Ahimelech Achish and Absalom his Son Now when Saul was dead 2 Sam. 2.11 David was admitted King and reigned over Juda vii years after which time expired he reigned both over Israel and Juda xxxiii years And did that which was good in the sight of God and put his trust and confidence in the Lord God of Israel so that before nor after him was not his like He cleaved so unto the Lord that God bare witness of him that he had found a Man according to his hearts desire To him God made a promise that Christ should come of his Seed for the which cause 〈…〉 Christ of the Prophets is called the Son of David To this holy Prophet God gave many victories and excellent gifts which are touched in other stories and yet â—mong all his vertues he suffered him to fall into the abominable Vice of Adultery and Murder â—1 cap. and most grievously punished him for the same who notwithstanding after 〈…〉 repentance was received again into the favour of God and never after offended in that sin more â— King â— 10 11. 〈◊〉 after many conflicts with his Enemies he died 〈◊〉 had reigned xl years leaving Solomon his Son to succeed him David Beloved Deborah Judg 4. cap. the Wife 〈◊〉 Lapidoth was a Prophetess and the fourth Judâ—â— and Governour of the People of Israel who by the power and pleasure of God and help of Barak the Captain of her Army delivered them from the Tyranny of King Jabia and of Sisera his Captain General putting the King to a great foil in slaying of his Captain Sisera Thorow the which victory the Israelites were restored to liberty and their enemies the Canaanites utterly confounded She judâ—â— Israel xl years Deborah 〈…〉 Bee Demas Col. 4.14 Philem. 24. 2 Tim. 4 10. was Christ's Disciple a great while and a faithful Minister to Paul and never shrank from him nor his Doctrine so long as all things prospered well with Paul But when he saw Paul cast in Prison and in danger of his life for the Gospels sake He forsook both him and his doctrine and imbracing the World conveighed himself to Thessalonica Such there be that so long as pleasure profit favour honour glory or riches do follow the Word of God so long will they favour the same But when affliction persecution loss of goods riches lands possessions or such like adversities do come then they do as Demas did forsake the Gospel and follow the World Demas Favouring the People Demetrius 1 Mac. 7. cap. the Son of Seleucus came from Rome with a small company of Men to a certain City of his own lying upon the Sea-coasâ— and prepared an Army to go to Antioch the City of his Progenitors where he found Antiochus and Lysias 〈…〉 he caused to be slain and being stablished in his Kingdom he began through the wicked commer of â—â—cimus 9. cap. whom he had made High Priest to seel 〈◊〉 obstruction of the Jews sending forth divers â—â—â—mies againâ—â— them in the which he sped diversly â—â—â—â—ally 10. cap. the Son of Noble Antiochus moved War again 〈…〉 and in Battel slew him Demetrius coming of 〈◊〉 whom the Heathen thought the Goddess of Gorn Demetrius the Son of Demetrius 1 Mac. 10. being in the Land of Creta at his Fathers death made haste homeward to take possession of his Kingdom And being stablished therein he began to Wax mighty by reason 〈◊〉 Ptolomy King of Egypt had withdrawn his favour from Alexander 〈◊〉 in law and taken his Daughter Cleopatre from him and given her to Demetrius And also for as much as Prolomy and Alexander lived not long after the strife begun between them Demetrius for a space had great rest The Captain of Demetrius's Host was Apollonius a great enemy of the Jews whom Jonathas discomfited at the first conflict between them Upon the which Demetrius perceiving Jonathas power to be strong
was content to be at peace with him and to make all Jewry free Which being done all the Land was in such quietness that Demetrius sent away his Host all save a few strangers whereat the Host was displeased Then Tryphon who had been aforetime of Alexander's party perceiving Demetrius Host to murmur against him moved Antiochus the Son of Alexander to War against Demetrius who being now in great fear of the Men of Antioch with whom he had somewhat to do sent to Jonathas to have his aid who sent him three thousand of such picked Men that delivered Demetrius out of danger and slew an hundred thousand of the Antiochians so that the rest were fain to cast down their Weapons and to yield them to Demetrius who notwithstanding the great fidelity of Jonathas and the benefit he had done him after he was at rest again did not reward him accordingly but most deceitfully dissembled and withdrew himself from Jonathas and vexed him and the Jews very sore After this came Tryphon with all the Host which Demetrius had put away and fought against Demetrius and put him to flight and made him fain at the last to go into Media to seek aid and help where Arsaces King of the Land took him 1 Mac. 14. and kept him in ward as a Prisoner during his life Demetrius Ad. 19.24 c. This Man was a Silversmith by his occupation dwelling at Ephesus which made silver Shrines and Tabernacles for Diana the Goddess And forasmuch as Paul by the space of two years had preached there against Images made with Man's hand saying that they were no Gods He lest his profit should decay called together all such as had advantage by making Images of Diana and all Craftsmen of the same occupation who he knew would favour his cause and began to say unto them on this wise Masters ye know that by this Craft we have our living moreover ye see and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost thorowout all Asia this Paul hath perswaded and turned away much People saying That they be no Gods which are made with hands So that not only this our Craft cometh into peril and to be set at naught But also that the Temple of the great Goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence destroyed which all Asia and the World worshippeth With this seditious Oration made by Demetrius the People were in such a fury that they cryed out saying Great is Diana of the Ephesians and with that rushed into the common Hall with one assent where they missing of Paul caught two of his companions in the which rage some cryed one thing and some another and were so far out of order that the most part knew not the cause of their concourse together so that with great difficulty the matter was pacified Read the story of Alexander the Jew born in the same place Demetrius This was a faithful Christian 3 John 12. v. having for a testimony thereof a good report as well of Paul himself as of all other to be an earnest favourer of the Gospel of Christ Denis or Dionysius was a certain Senator Act. 17. ult whom Paul converted at the City of Athens and instituted him Bishop thereof In Fasciculus temporum it is written that this Denis was martyred in France whereby it may evidently be gathered that the Gospel of Christ our Saviour was preached in France in the Apostles time or very near thereto Diana Act. 19.28 was a Goddess whom the Ephesians most superstitiously worshipped Diana Latinum est Read Demetrius the Silversmith and Alexander the Jew Diotrephes 3 John 9 vers was so wicked a Man and so malicious an enemy unto the Christian Brethren that he could not speak well of them nor yet abide to hear other give them good report he would neither receive them himself nor suffer those that would but thrust them out of the Church Diotrephes Nourished of Jupiter Dives Luk. 16.19 c. the rich and covetous Glutton so much delighted and gloried in his great abundance of Treasure fine and costly apparel sumptuous and delicious fare each day that his whole felicity and pleasure was only in pampering up of himself having no compassion were his misery never so great on the poor and needy as it did appear by Lazarus the Begger lying at his gates and looking for some relief of the scraps that fell from his board But when this glutton was dead and his body with pomp brought to his Grave and his Soul also in the torments of Hell He then lifting up his eyes and beholding Abraham a great way off and the Begger with him in joy cryed out to Abraham requesting him that Lazarus might now come down and dip the tip of his finger in water to slake the great heat of his Tongue for I am saith he most grievously tormented in this ardent flame But to this and his other most vain and fantastical request he made for his Brethren to have them admonished by one that came from the dead Abraham made answer and said That for so much as he had consumed and spent away the time of his life voluptuously in the pleasures and delights of the World and would at no time repent he therefore was now most justly condemned to suffer perpetual pain in the fire of Hell Dives Rich. Doeg an Edomite born was King Saul's Servant and the Master of them that kept his Cattel 1 Sam. 21 7.22.9-19 When David came to Ahimelech the Priest of Nob and had received the Shew-bread with the Sword of Goliah This Doeg was * Bv Doeg saith Saint Ausin is signified Anrichrist which with false sigâ—â— and seigned Miracles shall move all the World before the coming of the Lord to Judgment And as Doeg wrought wickedness for the pleasing of King Saul by whom is signified the Devil So shall Antichrist move and stir the World unto sin for the pleasing of the Devil and advancing of his name there present the same day tarrying to worship before the Lord and saw and heard all things that were done between them And when he was returned home and had waited his time when he might best pleasure the King he accused Ahimelech of all that he had done unto David And when the King had judged that good and godly Man to dye this Doeg at the King's commandment all other refusing that wicked deed fell upon Ahimelech with his Sword and slew both him and all the Priests of the Lord to the number of 85. Doeg Careful or vehemently moved Dorcas was ‖ a certain godly Woman and a Disciple of Christ dwelling at Joppa who in her life time had been vertuously occupied and specially in the works of mercy relieving the poor and needy And while Peter was preaching and doing his office at Lydda which was not far from Joppa it was her chance to fall sick and dye And when her friends had done with washing the dead Corpse
and laid it forth in an upper chamber to be anointed they sent for Peter to come unto them who being come â— Act. 9. they had him up to the Chamber where the dead Corpse lay where the Widows came about him weeping and laying forth the Coats and other Garments which she had prepared in her life time for the poor before him Then Peter put them all forth of the Chamber And being alone kneeled down and prayed and turning him to the body said Tabitha arise at the which word she arose and looked upon Peter who then gave her his hand and lift her up and called the Saints and Widows and restored Dorcas unto them alive Dorccas a Do. Dositheus 2 Mac. 12. was a certain Noble Captain with Judas Machabeus who by the help of Sosipater another Captain defended the Jews manfully against Timotheus and slew Ten Thousand of his Men which were left in a strong hold and after that took Timothy himself in Battel and notwithstanding let him go again upon his promise made unto them that he would restore all the Jews home again which he had in Prison thinking that the best and most surest way to save the Lives of their Captive brethren After this it chanced that Dositheus a mighty Man on Horseback encountred with Gorgias another great Captain and enemy of the Jews and took him intending to have carried him away alive But an Horseman of Thracia fell upon him and smote off his Arm and so Gorgias escaped and fled into Moresa Dositheus Given to God Drusilla Act. 24.24 was a Jew and Wife to Felix by whose counsel saith the Note in Geneva's Bible he called for Paul and heard him of the Faith in Christ Drusilla Bedewed or sprinkled with bloud E. EBER Gen. 10.21.11.14 c. was the Son of Salah of the Generation of Shem. He had two Sons the one Peleg in whose days the Earth was divided and the other Joktan This Eber lived before and after he begat Peleg 464. years Eber Passing or passage Of Eber came the Ebrews which were afterward called Israelites of Israel which was Jacob and Jews of Juda because of the excellency of that Tribe Elah â— King 16.8 the Son of Baasha began his reign over Israel in the xxvi year of Asa King of Juda and walked in all the wicked ways of his Father before him In the second year of his reign or thereabout Zimri his servant and Captain of his Chariots conspired against him and finding him drunken in the house of * Drinking as some say till he was drunken in the Temple of Arza the Idol by his House in Tirza Arza the King's Steward he fell upon him and slew him Ela an Oke Elam was the Son of Shem. Elam a young Man 1 Chron. 1.17 or he that is hid or the world Eleazar the Son of Aaron Exod. 6.25 Num. 20.25 c. was constituted High Priest after the decease of his Father and so was the second High Priest over the Jews He took to Wife one of the Daughters of Putiel Josh 24.33 which bare him a Son called Phinehas Finally he dyed and was buried in a Hill that pertained to Phinehas his Son which Hill was given him in Mount Ephraim Eleazar the help of God Eleazar the Son of Saura 1 Mac. 6. was a worthy Captain with Judas Machabeus what time as Antiochus Eupator came into Jewry with a mighty strong Army both of Men and Elephants which Beasts being xxxii in number were strongly fenced and surely harnessed and well exercised to Battel And when the Hosts were joyned together Eleazar beholding one of the Elephants deckt with royal Harness and far excelling all the other Beasts he supposed the King himself had been upon him wherefore he jeoparded himself to deliver his People and with a good courage ran to the Elephant in the middest of the Host slaying all about him as he went and at last came unto the Beast and gat himself under his feet and smote him in the belly and slew the Elephant The weight of whose dead body crushed Eleazar in pieces and so he dyed Eleazar 2 Mac. 6. was one of the principal Scribes among the Jews and an aged Man of a well favoured countenance who when that cruel King Antiochus had sent his Commissioners to compel the Jews to transgress the Laws of their God was constrained to gape with open mouth and to eat Swines slesh but he desiring rather to dye grievously than to live with hatred offered himself willingly to the torment and spit it out Then they that had the charge of the Kings wicked act for the old friendship of the Man took him aside privily and prayed him that he would take such flesh as was lawful to eat and dissemble as though he had eaten even of the things appointed by the King even the flesh of the Sacrifice that in so doing he might be delivered from death and that for the old friendship that was among them he would receive this favour But he began to consider discreetly and as became his age and the excellency of his ancient years and the honor of his gray hairs whereunto he was come and his most honest conversation from his childhood but chiefly the holy Law made and given by God therefore he answered them accordingly and willed them straightways to send him to the grave for it becometh not our age said he to dissemble whereby many young Persons might think that Eleazar being 90. years old were now gone to another manner of life And so thorow mine hypocrisie for a little time of a transitory life they might be deceived by me and I should procure malediction and reproach to mine old age For though I were now delivered from the torments of Men yet could I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead Wherefore I will now change this life manfully and will shew my self such as mine age requireth And so will leave a notable example for such as be young to die willingly couragiously for the honorable holy laws and when he had said these words immediately he went to torment And as he was ready to give up the ghost he sighed and said The Lord that hath the holy knowledge knoweth manifestly that whereas I might have been delivered from death I am scourged and suffer these sore pains of my Body but in my mind I suffer them gladly for his religion Thus this Man ended his life leaving his death for an example of a noble courage and a memorial of vertue not only unto young Men but unto all his Nation Eli was the next Judge after Sampson 1 Sam. 1.9.2.12.27 c. that judged Israel and the High-Priest descended from Aaron He had two Sons the one called Hophni the other Phinehas which were so wicked that every Man complained of them And because that Eli did not punish them according to their deserts God sent him word by
his Prophet that for as much as he had not ministred due correction unto his Sons for their great offences he would surely remove the High Priests office from his house for ever and raise him up a * Meaning Sadoc who succeeded Abiathar and was the figure of Christ faithful Priest which should do according to his hearts desire And this shall be to thee said he a sign and token that shall come upon thy two Sons even in one day they shall both dye And so it came to pass for when the Philistines went out to Battel against Israel 1 Sam. 4. the two Sons of Eli which waited upon the Ark of God were both slain and the Ark taken and possessed of strangers Then Eli being at that time 99. years of age and also blind hearing of the Ark to be taken of the Philistines was stricken into such a sudden fear that he fell backward off his stool and brake his neck after he had judged forty years Eli my God Eliab was the eldest Son of Jesse 1 Sam. 16.6 and so goodly a Man of stature and personage that when all the Sons of Jesse were brought before the Prophet Samuel to choose out a King among them Samuel thought Eliab to be the meetest for that office but God refused him and accepted David his youngest Brother who seemed to have more skill in keeping of Sheep than of War notwithstanding after that he proved a better Warriour than Eliab or all the rest of his brethren when he fought with Goliah and slew him And for that great enterprise of David 1 Sam. 17.28 Eliab being with King Saul in the Host was fore offended and began to rebuke David saying Wherefore art thou now come hither with whom hast thou left thy Sheep in the Wilderness I know thy pride and the malice of thine heart well enough and that of an haughty stomach thou art come hither to see the Battel and with such taunts and checks he reproved his Brother David for taking upon him to fight the Philistine whom he nor none of all his fellows durst look in the Face Eliab God my Father or the God of my Father Elijah 1 King 17. The Father of this Prophet was called Sobac Cooper was a Prophet born in the City of Thesba who for the wickedness of Achab prophesied that it should not Rain upon the Earth in the space of three years and an half and fled from the King who sought his Life and hid himself in a little Brook before Jordan where God commanded the Ravens to feed him with Bread and Flesh both Evening and Morning The Ravens sed Elijah And when the Brook began to wax dry the Lord sent him to the City of Sarepta in the Country of Sydon where he had ordained a certain Widow to sustain him and when he was come to the Gate of the City the Widow was there gathering of a few sticks for her Oven to whom he called and said Woman set me I pray thee a little Water to drink The Widow sustaineth Elijah And as she was going he cryed unto her again saying Bring me I pray thee a morsel of Bread in thine hand also she said again as truly as the Lord thy God liveth I have no Bread ready but even an handful of Meal in a Barrel and a little Oyl in a Cruise and am now going to dress it for me and my Son that we may eat and dye Well said Elijah do as thou hast said and fear not But first of all make me a little Cake thereof and bring it to me and afterward make for thee and thy Son for neither shall the Meal in the Barrel nor yet the Oyl in the Cruise be wasted or diminished till the Lord have sent Rain upon the Earth And so the Widow did as the Prophet bad her and all things came to pass as he had said And during the Prophets abode in the Widows house he restored her Child to life which was dead After this 1 King 13. he was commanded by God to go and shew himself to Achab. And when the King saw Elijah he said Art thou he that troubleth Isracel No said the Prophet it is not I that have troubled Israel but thou and thy Fathers house in that ye have forsaken the commandments of God and served Baal Therefore let all the People of Israel with the Prophets of Baal be brought before me to Mount Carmel and I will tell thee what the Lord saith And when the King had called the People together The Prophet said unto them how long will ye halt between two Opinions If the Lord be God follow him But if Baal be God then go after him And now to know who is the true God said the Prophet let there be two Bullocks brought and give the one to me which am but one Prophet of the Lord's and the other to Baal's Prophets which are 450. let them dress the one with Wood and no Fire under it and I will dress the other likewise And call ye on the name of your God and I will call on the name of my God and then the God that answereth by Fire let him be God To this the Prophets of Baal agreed and dressed their Oxen Elijah mocketh the Prophets of Baal which being done they cry to their God Baal but they cried so long without answer again that Elijah mocked them saying Cry out aloud for it may be that your God is busie in talking or occupied in following his enemies or is in his Journey or else faln a-sleep and must be waked with your cry And so they cryed on still from morning to night cutting themselves as their manner was with Knives and Lances till the bloud did follow and yet their God would not answer Then Elijah took his Bullock and dressed it and laid it upon the Wood and made a Ditch round about the Altar whereon the Sacrifice was laid and poured Water upon the Sacrifice until the Ditch was full And assoon as he had called on the Name of the Lord Fire fell down from Heaven and consumed the burnt Sacrifice the Wood the Stones the Dust and all the Water that was in the Pit And when the People saw that they turned to Elijah and fell upon all the Prophets of Baal and slew them at the Brook Kyson Now when Elijah had thus destroyed Baal and his Prophets 1 King 19. he durst not abide the menacing of Jezabel but fled to the Wilderness of Beersheba And having gone a days Journey therein he sate him down under a Juniper Tree and desired God that he would take his life from him And as he fell a sleep under the Tree the Angel of God touched him and bad him arise and eat wherewithal he awaked And seeing a baken Cake and a Pot of Water standing at his Head he refreshed himself therewith and laid him down again to sleep The Angel touched him once more and bad him
arise and eat telling him that he had yet a great Journey to go then he arose and did eat again and with the strength of that Meat Elijah fasteth forty days and forty nights he walked Forty Days and Forty Nights till he came to Horeb the Mount of God and hiding himself in a Cave all Night the Voice of the Lord came to him and asked him what he did there I have said he been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts For the Children of Israel have forsaken thy Covenant broken down thine Altars and slain thy Prophets with the Sword and I only am left and they seek my life to take it away Then the Lord commanded him to come out of the Cave and sent him to anoint Hazael King over Syria And Jehu King of Israel and Eliseus in his room Read more of this Prophet in the stories of these three aforesaid in Achab Ahazia and Obadiah and Eliseus Elijah God the Lord. Eliakim was the High Priest among the Jews Judith 4. cap. at what time Holofernes went about to subdue them who sent Letters all about to the Jews to take in the Mountains and to stop all the ways and passages to Jerusalem that their enemies the Assyrians might have no recourse thither That done he exhorted the People to earnest prayer and fasting assuring them that the Lord would hear their Petitions if they continued stedfast in the same and give them such power to overthrow the Assyrians as he gave to Moses the servant of God which overthrew the Amalekites trusting in their own strength not with weapon but with holy prayer Eliakim The Resurrection of God or Gods affirmation or the God of resurrection or the God of strength Elimelech was an Ephraimite born Ruih 1.1 2 c. dwelling in the City of Bethleem Juda in whose days there fell such a dearth in the Land of Juda that he with his Wife and two Sons the one Mahlon the other Chilion went into the Land of Moab where in process he and his two Sons died Elimelech My God the King or the counsel of God Eliphaz was the Son of Esau Gen. 36.4 and his Mothers name was Ada. Eliphaz the sight of God or his intent or endeavour Eliphaz the Temanite Job 2.11 was one of those that came to Job in his extream afflictions to comfort him Job 4. And yet notwithstanding he blamed Job for impatience injustice Job 15. and for the presumption of his own righteousness Also he reproved him Job 22. because he challenged wisdome and pureness to himself Affirming also that he was punished for his sins and accused him of unmercifulness and that he denied God's providence and therefore exhorteth him to repentance But the Lord was angry with Eliphaz Job 43.7 and with his other Companions because they had condemned Job by the outward afflictions and not comforted him with his mercy and therefore commanded them to take seven Oxen and seven Rams and to go and offer a burnt-offering for their offence and his servant Job should pray for them And they did as the Lord had commanded them Elisa 1 Chron. 1.7 was the Son of Javan his Brethren were Tharshish Kittim and Dodanim Elisa it is God or the Lamb of God or God that doth good Eliseus 2 King 19.19 was the Son of Shaphat And being at the Plough with Twelve Yoke of Oxen before him Elijah coming by him cast his Mantle over him and went his ways Then Eliseus being inspired with the Holy-Ghost left his Plough and ran after Elijah desiring him that he might first go home and take his leave of his friends and then he would come and follow him which thing being done he returned and ministred to Elijah and went with him to Bethel 2. King 2. and from thence to Jericho where the Children of the Prophets came to Eliseus and said Knowest thou not that the Lord will take thy Master from thine Head this day Yes quoth he I know it well hold ye your peace and be still And so forth from Jericho they went to Jordan where Elijah smote the Waters with his Mantle which divided themselves so that they two went over on dry Land The Waters divided And when they were on the other side of Jordan Elijah said to Eliseus Ask what I shall do for thee ere I be taken away from thee I pray thee quoth Eliseus let thy spirit be double upon me Thou hast asked quoth he an hard thing Yet if thou see me when I am taken from thee thou shalt have it so if not it shall not be And as they were walking and talking together Elijah is taken up in the fiery Chariot Elijah was taken up in a Whirlwind of Fire and in a Chariot of fiery Horses which sight Eliseus saw and cryed My Father my Father the Chariot of Israel and the Horsemen thereof and saw him no more Then Eliseus rent his own Cloak in two pieces and took up Elijah's Mantle which he had let fall from him and returned to the bank of Jordan and smote the Waters saying Where is the Lord God of Elijah and he himself and at the second smiting the Waters divided so that he went over on dry Land to the other side again Then the Children of the Prophets perceiving the Spirit of Elijah to be upon Eliseus came and fell down before him saying We doubt lest the Spirit of the Lord hath taken thy Master and cast him upon some Mountain therefore let us send forth our Men to go and seek him But Eliseus knowing assuredly that he was taken unto God willed them not to do so yet they not therewithall satisfied intreated him so much till he was ashamed and so let them go And when they had sought three days and three nights and could not find him they returned to Eliseus who said unto them Did not I say ye should not find him Now as the Prophet lay at Jericho the Men of the City came unto him saying Sir the situation of this City as thou seest is pleasant The Waters are healed but the Water is so evil and the ground so barren that it killeth the Inhabitants thereof Then said Eliseus bring me a Cruise and put Salt therein And when they had brought him the Cruise he took it and went unto the Spring of the Waters and cast the Salt therein saying Thus saith the Lord I have healed this Water death shall no more come thereof neither barrenness to the ground After he had thus healed the Water at Jericho 2 King 3. cap. and was departed thence to go to Bethel there came little Children out of the City who in mockery said unto him Come up thou bald head The Children for mocking the Prophet are devoured with Bears come up thou bald head The Prophet then turned back and beheld the Children and perceiving their malicious hearts he cursed them in the Name of the Lord which
Land where she remained these seven years of dearth which being ended she returned home again And when she came to her House another having possession thereof withheld it from her wherefore she went to the King to make her complaint at which time it happened the King to be talking with Gehazi the servant of Eliseus the Prophet The Sbunamite is restored to her house and Land again who was declating unto the King what great and notable deeds his Master Eliseus had done and among all declared of a dead Body which he had raised up from death to life and as he was telling of these things unto the King the Woman came with her Son and required her House and Land again And when Gehazi saw the Woman he said O my Lord and King this same is the Woman that I told your Grace of even now and this is her Son that was raised from death Then the King commanded her House and Land to be restored her again with all the Rent and Profits thereof from the first day she left it till that present time Finally when the time drew nigh 2 King 13.14 c. that Eliseus the Prophet should dye Joash King of Israel came to visit him and as he stood before him and considered what a loss he should have of that good Man which had been so great a defence unto his Realm the tears ran down his cheeks and he said O my Father my Father the Chariot of Israel and the Horsemen of the same And when the Prophet saw the King he bad him take his Bow and Arrows in his hand and make him ready to shoot The Prophet put his hands upon the King's hand and caused a Window to be opened Eastward which was toward Syria and bad the King shoot and he shot The Arrow of the Lord's deliverance said Eliseus and the Arrow of deliverance from Syria For thou shalt smite Syria in Aphck till thou have made an end of them Now take thine Arrows in thine hand said the Prophet and smite the ground and he smote thrice and ceased Then was the Prophet angry that he had smitten the ground no oftner for if said he thou hadst smitten five or six times thou hadst smitten Syria until thou hadst made an end of them whereas now thou shalt smite them but thrice and so Eliseus dyed and was buried The same year came the Moabites into the Land of Israel and as some of the Israelites were burying of a Man and had spied the Souldiers they cast the Man into the Sepulchre where Eliseus the Prophet was buried and when the dead Man was let down and touched the Body of Eliseus he revived and stood up upon his Feet as lively as ever he was Elizabeth Luk. 1.24 c. was the Wife of Zachary the Priest and came of the Daughters and Posterity of Aaron She was long barren but at last she conceived by Zachary her Husband according as the Angel of God had said unto him And being great with Child Mary the Wife of Joseph which was also conceived by the Holy Ghost came to visit Elizabeth her Cousin who had no sooner heard the salutation of Mary the Mother of God but the Babe sprang in her Belly whereupon she was filled with the Holy Ghost and cried out with a loud voice saying Blessed art thou among Women and blessed is the fruit of thy Womb And whence happeneth this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears the Babe sprang in my Belly for joy And blessed is she that believed for those things shall be performed which were told her from the Lord. And when the time was come that Elizabeth should be delivered she brought forth a Son which her Neighbours and Kinsfolks would have named Zachary after his Father but Elizabeth would none of that but said his Name should be John Elizabeth the Oath of God or the fulness of God Elkanah the Son of Jeroham an Ephraite born 1 Sam. cap. 1. had two Wives the one named Hannah and the other Peninnah By his Wife Peninnah he had Children But by Hannah he had none It was his manner every Festival day to go up and pray and to offer unto the Lord of Hosts in Shilo where the Ark of the Lord was at that time And in one solemn Feast day among all other as he offered unto the Lord he gave unto Peninnah his Wife and to her Sons and Daughters portions but unto Hannah whom he loved he gave a worthy Portion And on a time when he saw his Wife Hannah weep in the House of the Lord for sorrow she could have no child he said Hannah why weepest thou and why is thy heart so troubled that thou canst not eat Am not I better to thee than ten Sons as though he should say Is it not enough for thee that I love thee no less than if thou hadst children This he said to comfort her And at the last God gave him a Son by her named Samuel after whose birth he went up to offer unto the Lord and to give him thanks But Hannah would not go with him until she had weaned her Son Elkanah the Zeal of God and the possession of God Epaphroditus Phil. 2.25 was a certain godly Brother whom the Philippians sent to Paul being in Bonds at Rome with their charitable relief Who being there ministred unto him in his need and was so faithful a fellow-souldier with Paul in setting forth the Gospel of Christ and put himself in such hazard that he fell sick and was like to have dyed Now Paul to comfort the Philippians which were full of sorrow and heaviness for Epaphroditus their Apostle because they heard he was sick was the more desirous after his recovery to send him home again in the company of Timotheus with his Epistle that they might be the less sorrowful and rejoyce the more at his coming willing them to receive him with a loving Christian affection in all joyfulness and not to make much on him only but on all such as were like unto him Epaphroditus Pleasant Epaphras Col. 4.12 was a faithful Servant by whose labour and preaching the Colossians heard the Gospel and believed it and being in Prison with Paul at Rome prayed for those Colossians that they might be perfect and filled in all the will of God after true knowledge He bare a fervent mind to them of Laodicea and them of Hierapolis Epaphras Frothing Epenetus Rom. 16.5 was the first that Paul brought to the Christian Religion among them of Achaia unto whom Paul had him saluted Epenetus Worthy of praise Ephraim Gen. 48. 〈◊〉 c. was the youngest Son of Joseph and born in Egypt His Mothers Name was Asuath the Daughter of Potipher Priest of On and his eldest Brother was Manasses which two being brought before their Grandfather Jacob to receive his blessing
he preferred * God preferreth that many times which Man despiseth and despiseth that which man alloweth Ephraim the younger before Manasses the elder yet putting Joseph their Father in comfort that Manasses should be great but Ephraim should be greater Of the Genealogy of Ephraim read 1 Chron. 7. Ephraim Fruitful or encreasing Ephron the Son of Zoar dwelt among the Hethites Gen. 23. cap. having a piece of Land which Abraham had a mind to buy to bury Sarah his Wife therein And when the matter was broken to Ephron by Abraham to sell his Ground for so much Money as it was worth Ephron willingly offered to give it him freely to bury his dead and to do withal what he would But notwithstanding Abraham forced him so much to know the price thereof that Ephron said My Lord the Land is worth four hundred * The common Sicle is about the value of twenty pence Sicles but what is that between thee and me take it freely I beseech thee and bury thy dead at thy pleasure And so he received of Abraham for his Land the Summ aforesaid Ephron Dust or low on the ground Er the Eldest Son of Judah the Son of Jacob Gen. 38.7 was married to a Woman called Thamar and for his great wickedness the Lord slew him Er VVatchful and making bare or pouring forth Erastus was the Chamberlain Act. 19.22 Rom. 16.23 2 Tim. 4.20 or Receiver of the City of Corinth and one of Paul's Ministers whom he sent from Ephesus into Macedonia with one Timotheus intending himself to follow after to gather Mens alms for the relieving of such as were needy and poor at Jerusalem Erastus Amiable Esay Esay 1.1.42.1.45 53. cap. the Son of * Amos the Father of Esay was Brother to Azariah King of Judab and Esay was Father-in-law to Manasses who put him to death Amos was an holy Prophet of the Tribe of Judah in whom was such abundance of the spirit of Prophecie that he prophesied so much of Christ that he seemed rather to be an Evangelist than a Prophet He was of such holiness that in the time of King Ezechias when a City was besieged he by his Prayer obtained of God that Water sprang up in little quantity so that the People did not perish for lack of Water and when the Enemies had won the City and besieged Seloum as often as the Jews came for Water the Water ran out of the Earth abundantly and they took Water But the strangers when they came could not find it This holy Man for his liberty of speech in rebuking of the sin of the Princes and the People and for the prophesying of the vengeance of God upon that Countrey and People was cut in two pieces with a Saw and buried under an Oke but asterward he was translated and buried by the Sepulchre of Kings He was before the coming of Christ 800. years Eliote Esay the health of the Lord. Esau Gen. 25.25 was the eldest Son of Isaac born with his Brother Jacob at one birth of their Mother Rebekah Jacob was smooth of body Of Esau came the Edomites Esau was called Edom that is red because he fold his birth-right for a mess of red Pottage and Esau rough and hairy who became a great hunter wherefore his Father loved him the better because now and then he did eat of his Venison On a time coming from hunting he was so weary and faint for hunger that he was almost dead And seeing his brother Jacob to have sod a Pot of Pottage he prayed him to give him a few thereof to eat Sell me now thy Birthright quoth he and I will Then Esau esteeming mere his Belly than the benefit of his Birth-right sold it to Jacob for a Mess of Pottage And when he had filled his Belly well he went his way and passed forth 26.34 till he came about the Age of Forty Years And then he took him two Wives the one Judith the Daughter of Beri and the other Bashemath the Daughter of Elon both which Women were disobedient to their Father and Mother-in-law 27. cap. After this his Father being old and blind for age he went out to kill some Venison for his Father that he might eat thereof and bless him before he died But when he had dressed it and brought it for his Father to eat Jacob had prevented Esau and gotten his blessing from him for the which he hated Jacob and threatned to kill him wherefore Jacob was sent away into Mesopotamia partly to avoid the malice of Esau 28.1 2 c. and partly to get him a Wife there because his Father would not have him marry with the Canaanites Then Esau perceiving that the Daughters of Canaan displeased Isaac he to please his Father took to Wife the Daughter of Ishmael Abraham's Son And so these two Brethren being thus separated the one from the other in process became both very rich And in the end when by the providence of God they met together again God had so altered and changed the mind of Esau that he most lovingly embraced his Brother Jacob ministring to him such kindness as though he had never born him any displeasure at all And so in fine departed as loving friends Jacob toward Succoth and Esau to Mount Seir his own possession Esau VVorking Eshcol was Brother to Mamre and Aner Gen. 14.13.24 which three were Abraham's confederates and his partakers in the rescuing of Lot his Brother out of the hands of Kedorlaomer Eshcol a Cluster Esdras the Son of Saraia 1 Esd 7.8 cap. was a notable Scribe in the Law of Moses and long in captivity at Babylon but at last by the licence of Artaxerxes he came from Babylon to Jerusalem again with the Jewes to repair the Law and City of God and to teach the People the right way of the Lord. He gathered and brought in order all the Books of the Laws of God which were by the Chaldees scattered and destroyed 9 and 10 cap. This Man's living was so upright and holy and so esteemed among the People that when they had offended the Lord in contracting themselves with the Gentiles at his godly preaching and counsel they repented and put away their strange Wives and turned to the Lord again Esdras an Helper Esther Esther 2 cap. the Daughter of Abian a Jew born was a goodly young Damosel and after the death of her Father and Mother nourished and brought up in the house of Mardocheus her Fathers Uncle During which time Vashti for her disobedience to Ahasuerus the King was deposed from her Princely state And then to have another placed in her room certain fair young Damosels and Virgins among which Esther was one were taken up by Commission and brought to the Court and there found at the King's charges for the space of xii Moneths with all manner of sumptuous Deckings to the end the King might choose one of them
pretence of friendship to slay him Murder committed under pretence of friendship the Captains of the Jews having knowledge thereof were so sore afraid of Gedaliah lest any misfortune should chance him that they told him of Ishmael's conspiracy And one among the rest named Johanan offered himself to dispatch Ishmael out of the way so secretly that the deed should never be known But Gedaliah not crediting their words neither yet mistrusting Ishmael would suffer nothing to be done unto him Jer. 41.2 And so forsaking the counsel and admonition of his friends and trusting too much to Ishmael he was of him in fine most treacherously slain in his own house Gedaliah the Greatness of the Lord the hem or skirt of the Lord. Gedeon the Son of Joash Judg 6. cap. was of the Tribe of Manasses To whom the Angel of the Lord appeared as he was threshing of Wheat saying The Lord is with thee thou valiant man Then said Gedeon If the Lord be with us why is all this evil come upon us We have heard by our Fathers of all the miracles which the Lord did for his People in Egypt and now hath he forsaken us and given us over into the hands of the Midianites Well said the Angel go thy way in this thy might and strength which I have given thee for thou shalt deliver Israel out of the hand of their enemies Oh Lord quoth Gedeon wherewith shall I save Israel seeing my Kindred is but poor and I the least of all my Fathers house With my help saith the Lord shalt thou save Israel for I will be with thee and thou shalt smite the Midianites as if they were but one man Then I beseech thee O Lord quoth Gedeon shew me a sign that thou talkest with me depart not hence till I come again with mine offering Which offering being brought and dressed accordingly the Angel had no sooner touched it with the end of his Rod but fire came out of the stone whereon the Sacrifice lay and consumed it altogether and so the Angel vanished out of sight The same Night following at the Lords commandment Gedeon went and destroyed the Altar of Baal which his Father had made and cut down all the Grove about it for the which deed the People having knowledge thereof would have stoned him to death Then * By this example of Joash we ought to justifie them that are zealous of God's cause though all the multitude be against us Joash to save Gedeon his Son said unto them what will ye do will ye plead Baal's cause or will ye be his defenders If Baal be a god let him revenge his own cause upon him that hath done the deed And from that day forth Gedeon was called Jerubbaal that is let Baal plead for himself because he hath broken down his Altar At this time the Midianites and the Amalekites had pitched themselves in the Valley of Jezreel and the spirit of the Lord came upon Gedeon so that he called his People together to go against them Judg. 7. cap. And to be the better confirmed in his Vocation he took a fleece of wool and laid it in the threshing place and made his request unto God saying Oh Lord if thou wilt let the dew this night fall upon the fleece only and be dry on all the ground beside then shall I be sure that thou wilt save Israel by my hands as thou hast said And on the morrow when Gedeon came to take up the fleece it was full of dew and the ground dry all about Then said Gedeon O Lord be not angry if I prove thee once more let now the fleece be dry only and dew upon all the earth and so in the morning the fleece was dry and the ground all dewy Gedeon now being thus confirmed pitched his Host to fight with his enemies But when the Lord saw the number of his Army he said to Gedeon The People that thou hast with thee are too many therefore make a proclamation thorowout all thine Host that whosoever is timorous or fearful let him depart home again and there returned XXII thousand and ten thousand remained Then said the Lord to Gedeon the People are yet too many Bring them down to the water side and I will appoint them that shall go with thee So many as do lap the Water with their Tongues as Dogs do shalt thou take with thee and the rest that kneel down upon their Knees to drink shalt thou refuse as men unmeet for this purpose And when it came to tryal all kneeled down to drink saving 300. which lapped * This story here of Gedcon and Jonathan 1 Sam. 14. and of Scnnacherib 2 King 19. doth manifestly shew that no King as the Prophet David saith is preserved by the multitude of his Men or strength of his Armies but is staid and holden up by the providence of God water with their hands and those Gedeon took with him and sent the rest away Then the Lord to strengthen Gedeon lest he should faint in so great an enterprise bad him take Phara his servant with him and go down that Night to the Host of the Midianites and hearken what they did say And when they came near to the Host they heard one Man say to another I have dreamed a dream and methought a loaf of Barley bread tumbled into the Host of Midian and came unto a Tent and smote it that it fell and lay along on the ground This is nothing else quoth his fellow save the Sword of Gedeon the Son of Joash a man of Israel for into his hands hath God delivered Midian and all the Host Then Gedeon hearing this praised God and returned to his men who were so animated with his joyful tydings that most couragiously they fell upon the infinite number of the Midianites and overthrew them and put them to flight every one in the which flight the Ephraimites on the other side of Jordan took Oreb and Zeeb two mighty Captains of the Midianites sent their heads to Gedeon Judg. 8. cap. who was following the chase after Zeba and Zalmunna Kings of Midian which two at the last he took and led them back to the Men of Succoth Phanuel who had denied him sustenance before and said unto them Behold here be the men by whom ye upbraided me saying Are the hands of Zeba and Zalmunna already in thine hands that we should give bread unto thy weary People I told you then that when the Lord had delivered them into my hands I would return and tear your flesh with Thorns and Briers of the Wilderness and break down the Tower of Phanuel And so to perform his promise he fell upon the Men of Succoth and Phanuel and put them to most painful torments and death and slew Zeba and Zalmunna with his own hands Thus he delivered Israel out of the hands of the Midianites which had kept them seven years in subjection And when he
taken for Merob which was Wafe to Adriel as appeareth 1 Sam. 18.19 For Michol was the Wife of Phalti and had never child as appeareth 1 Sam. 25.44 2 Sam. 6.23 Michol whom she bare to Adriel to be delivered unto the Gibeonites who took and hanged them upon an Hill before the Lord. And thus were the Gibeonites revenged on Saul Gilead was the ‖ Num. 26. Son of Machir and his Children were these Jeezer Helek Asriel Shechem Shemida and Hepher Gilead an heap of witness Godolia look Gedaliah Golias was a * 1 Sam. 17. mighty strong Gyant whom the Philistines had brought with them to Battel against the Host of Israel His stature was six cubits and a span His Helmet upon his head was of brass and the Boots on his Legs of the same His coat of Male weighed 5000. shekels of brass The shaft of his Spear which he bare in his hand was like a Weavers beam And the head upon the same weighed 600. shekels of Iron This man being thus armed came out from the Philistines one bearing his shield before him and standing between the two Hosts in a Valley he cryed to the Host of Israel saying Why are ye come to set your Battel in aray am not I a Philistine and you the servants of Saul choose you out a Man and let him come down to me And if he be able to fight with me and to kill me then will we be your servants and if I can overcome him and kill him then shall ye be our servants and serve us Thus came he day by day defying the whole Host of Israel for the space of forty days wherewith the Israelites were sore afraid and discomfited and durst not abide his sight But God who by his secret providence had appointed out a Man to match him caused Jesse to send his young son David to the Host of Israel to see his Brethren how they did And as he stood with them and heard the despitefull words of Golias which he spake against the holy Host of Israel The spirit of God even at that instant put such a courage into the heart of David that he slipt away from his Brethren unto the People whom he saw in great fear and said What shall be done to the Man that killeth this Philistine and taketh away the shame from Israel and what is this uncircumcised Heathen that he should thus revile the Host of the living God David uttering this bold manner of speech once or twice he was at the last brought before King Saul to whom he said on this wise Oh King let no Man's heart fail him or be afraid this day for I thy Servant will go and fight with yonder Philistine Thou art not able to stand in his hands quoth the King for he is a Man brought up all the days of his life in feats of War and thou art yet but a Child without experience or knowledge thereof Then David to strengthen the weak faith of the King said thus unto him As thy Servant was keeping his Father's Sheep there came a Lion and a Bear likewise and took a sheep out of the Flock Then I not fearing the force of these two cruel Beasts ran out first after the Lion and took the prey out of his mouth and in spite of his Beard I slew him Likewise I served the Bear Wherefore I have no doubt but as the Lord did aid me then so will he now against this bragging Philistine that hath so railed on the Host of the living God Then Saul perceiving the power of God to be with David put his Armour upon him But David not being wont to such put it off again and took him to his old accustomed Weapon which was his Sling And so having that in his hand and his Shepherds Bag about his Neck with a few little Stones provided therein he gat him down to the place where the Philistine stood waiting for a Man to encounter with him And as he saw David draw near and beholding the manner of his Weapon that he bare in his hand he disdained him greatly And cursing David by all his gods he said in a great fury Am I a Dog that thou comest to me with staves come hither my Child and I will give thy flesh to the Fowls of the Air and Beasts of the Field Nay quoth David thou comest to me with Sword Spear and Shield but I am come unto thee in the Name of the Lord of Hosts the God of the Host of Israel whom thou dost despise and blaspheme He shall this day deliver thee into my hands and I shall smite thee and take thy Head from thee and give the Carkasses of all your Host to the Fowls of the Air and Beasts of the Field to devour and eat that thou and all the World may know that there is a God in Israel The Philistine now was in such a chafe that he began to buckle him to his Weapon thinking to have dispatched David with no great ado But David having his Sling prepared ready in his hand slang out the stone at his Face the Lord directing the same and smote the Philistine so even and deep in his Forehead that he fell down groveling unto the Earth and then ran David and smote off his Head Thus was this monstrous Gyant confounded and all the Host of the Philistines put to flight and slain Golia a Departing or going away or a heaping together a turning or opening and detecting Gomer Hos 1.3 The Lord appearing to Hosea the Prophet said Go thy way and take an Harlot to thy Wife and get Children by her for the Land hath committed great whoredome against the Lord. So he went and took * Not that the Prophet did this thing in effect but he saw this in a Vision or else was commanded by God to set forth under this Parable or figure the Idolatry of the synagogue and of the people her children Gomer the Daughter of Deblaim who bare unto him two Sons and one Daughter The first Son was called Jesreel the Daughter Lo-ruhamah and the second son Lo-ammi Gomer a Consumer Gorgias a Man of great ‖ 1 Mac. 3. chap. 4. experience in War was Governour of Idumea and one among other Noble Captains whom Lysias the Overseer of all the Kings business sent against the Jews to destroy them And thinking by his policy to have stollen upon Judas Machabeus by night and so to have overcome him he was prevented so that he durst not meet Judas in the Field ‖ 2 Mac. 8. but fled into the Land of the Heathen And when Josephus and Azarias took upon them in the absence of Judas contrary to his commandment to go out against the Heathen to get them a name Gorgias issued * 1 Mac. 5. out of the City of Jamnia and slew two thousand of their men and chased Josephus and Azarias to the borders of Jewrie Finally after many conflicts with the Jewes
2 Mac. 10. chap. 12. a certain Captain named Dositheus had almost taken him if rescue had not been thorow the which he escaped and fled into Moresa and was never seen more Read the story of Dositheus Gorgias Terrible H. HADAD 1 King 1 1â— 14 c. being but a little Boy born in the Land of Edom and sprung of the King of Edoms seed what time as David went about to destroy all the Men Children in Edom fled with certain Edomites of his Fathers servants into the Land of Aegypt Where in process he gat such favour with Pharaoh King of the Land that he gave him great possessions and married him to the Queens Sister who bare unto him a Son called Genubath which Child was brought up in King Pharaoh's House among his Children But when tidings was brought to Hadad of the death of David and Joab he went to the King and besought him to let him depart into his own Countrey again Why said the King what hast thou lacked here with me that thou wouldest now so fain return home again Nothing said Hadad but that I have a mind to see my Countrey and therefore I pray thee let me go And so he departed out of Egypt from Pharaoh for * The Lord had reserved this Idolater to punish and scourge his People for their sins the Lord had stirred him up to be an adversary to Solomon who had turned his heart from the Lord his God and served strange gods And so Hadad reigned over Syria and abhorred Israel sore and vexed them so long as Solomon reigned Hadad Joy Hadarezer 1 Sam 8.3 c. 10.16 the Son of Reob King of Zoba had long War with Thoi King of Hamoth And at the last as he went to recover the Borders by the River Pherar David met with him and took 1700 Horsmen of his Host and twenty thousand Footmen and cut off the hoofs of all his Chariot-Horses saving an hundred which he reserved to himself And took away his shields of Gold and brought them to Jerusalem And took out of his Cities exceeding much Brass whereof Solomon afterward made all the Brasen Vessels in the Temple of the Lord. Again when this Hadarezer with all the Kings that served him went to rescue Hanon King of the Ammonites against David he lost 700. Chariots and 4000. Footmen and his Captain-General slain Then the Kings which served Hadarezer being so discomfited made peace with David and served him and never would help the Ammonitâ—s more Hadarezer Beautiful help Ham Gen. 9.18 was the second Son of Noe. Who on a time seeing his Father lye unseemly discovered in his Tent laughed him to scorn And in derision and contempt of his Father brought Sem and Japhet his two Brethren to see the uncomely sight But they moved with shamefastness and honesty covered their Fathers secrets and would not look upon them And when Noe was awaked out of sleep and perceived what Ham had done He would not curse him whom the Lord had blest but said to * Of this Canaan came the Canaanites that wicked Nation who were also cursed of God Canaan his Son which had also as some suppose derided his Grandfather Noe Cursed be Canaan a servant of servants shall he be unto his Brethren Ham Indignation or Heat Haman was the Son of Amada Esther 3. cap. and served Ahasuerus King of Persia who so highly promoted him that every Man bowed the Knee to Haman and did as much honour unto him in a manner as they did to the King himself And being thus exalted above all other Princes about the King and honoured of all men there was notwithstanding a certain Jew born named Mardocheus which would neither bow nor bend unto him as others did which being marked of Haman he took so great indignation against Mardocheus that he sought his utter destruction and purchased a licence of the King for ten thousand talents of Silver to have him and all the Jews destroyed in one day But while the Writings were a making and Posts sent into all Quarters for the Jews dispatch Mardocheus gat knowledge of all Haman's wicked intents and purposes and found the means to have the same uttered unto Queen Esther Who then to save Mardocheus and all the Jews did hazard her self to go to the King and found the means to bring him and Haman to a Banquet which she had prepared Now was Haman so proud and joyful of the Queens favour that he went home to his House and called all his friends together making great boast to them of his glory riches and authority But chiefly what special favour Queen Esther bare unto him above all Men insomuch she had invited no Man to her Banquet with the King save only him And to morrow quoth he I must be there again But yet all this doth not satisfie me so long as I see Mardocheus the Jew sitting at the King's Gate Then said Zares his Wife Let there be a pair of Gallows made of 50. Cubits high and speak to morrow unto the King that Mardocheus may be hanged thereon And so Haman following his Wives counsel caused the Gallows to be prepared and on the morrow gat him to the Court and standing there waited when the King would call for him that he might speak to dispatch Mardocheus The King who the night before had looked the Chronicles and found out the fidelity of Mardocheus sent for Haman and said What shall be done to the Man whom the King would honour Then Haman thinking the King had gone about to honour none but him said Let the Man whom the King intendeth to bring to honour be arrayed in such Royal Apparel as the King useth to wear and set upon the King's Horse with the Crown Imperial upon his Head and command one of the King's Princes to carry him about the streets of the City with a proclamation before him saying Thus shall it be done to the Man whom the King pleaseth to bring to honour Then said the King take the Rayment and the Horse and go thou to Mardbeheus the Jew which sitteth at my Gate and fail not to do unto him all that thou hast faid Then went Haman about the King's commandment and performed all things according to his mind which being done he gat him home with an heavy heart to his Wife and friends declaring unto them what things had happened unto him Then said they If Mardochens be of the seed of the Jews before whom thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not prevail against him but shalt surely fall before him And while they were thus talking a Messenger came for Haman to go with the King to the Banquet at the end of which Banquet Esther opened all the wickedness of Haman before the King who took the matter so grievously that he rose from the Board and went into the Garden in a great anger Then Haman perceiving a mischief towards him went and fell down at the Beds-feet
the Jews lay in great fear of him and his Power he was there by God's provision slain by the hands of an holy Woman called Judith Read her story Holofernes A stout and valiant Captain Hophni and Yhinchas the two Sons of Eli 1 Sam. 2 12-22 c. were the Lords Priests and became so wicked that they abused the Women that waited at the Door of the Tabernacle of witness And whereas the Law was that whensoever any Man did make any offering the Priests boy should come while the flesh was a seething and not before with a Flesh-hook in his hand having three teeth which he should thrust into the Pan Kettle or whatsoever Vessel it were and so much as the Flesh-hook brought up was the Priests part and no more yet notwithstanding this Law the Priest's boy would come before the Flesh was sod and require flesh to rost for the Priest and say unto him that made the offering that his Master would have no sod flesh but raw And if he would not give it him then would the Boy take it by violence By the which abusing of the Law the Lord's offering was had in such contempt among the People that they began to abhor it Wherefore the Lord plagued the Sons of Eli permitting the Philistines to slay them both in one day 4. cap. Hophni a Fist or as much as one may comprehend between his thumb and two fingers or covering Hoshea 2 King 15.30.17 cap. the Son of Elah by treason slew Pekah the Son of Remaliah King of Israel and possessed his place and began his Reign in the XII year of Ahaz King of Juda This was the last King that raigned over Israel and did evil in the sight of the Lord but not so evil as other Kings before him He denied to pay Tribute to the Assyrians and sent to the King of Egypt to have his aid against them wherefore Salmanasar King of Assyria came against Hoshea and besieged him in Samaria three years and in the end wan the City destroyed his Kingdom and led Hoshea and all his People captive into Assyria Thus was Israel now delivered into the hands of spoilers for their wickedness which the Lord had long suffered Hoshea a Saviour or health Huldah 2 King 22.14 the Wife of Shallum was a Prophetess dwelling in Jerusalem in a place called the house of doctrine To whom Josiah King of Juda sent certain Messengers to inquire of the Lord for him and his People concerning the Book of the Law which was found in the Temple and read before him and when they had done their message the Prophetess made answer saying Go and tell the man that sent you to me Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring evil upon this place and upon the Inhabitants thereof even all the words of the Book which the King of Juda hath read because they have forsaken me and have burnt Incense to other Gods to anger me with all the works of their hands My wrath also shall be kindled against this place and shall not be quenched But to the King of Juda who sent you to inquire of the Lord so shall ye say unto him Thus saith the Lord God of Israel the words that thou hast heard shall come to pass But because that thine heart did melt and thou hast humbled thy self before the Lord when thou heardest what I spake against this place and against the Inhabitants of the same how they should be destroyed and accursed and hast rent thy Cloaths and wept before me I have also heard it saith the Lord. Behold therefore I will gather thee unto thy Fathers and thou shalt be put in thy Grave in peace and thine eyes shall not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place And so the Messengers departed and told the King Huldah the World or a Weesel Hur came of the Tribe of Juda Exod. 17.10.24.14.31.2 and * This is not that Hur which came of the Kinred of Calcb although they came both of the Tribe of Juda but another of the same name Lyra upon 1 Chron. 2. This Hur was Husband to Miriam Sister to Moses was one of the principal Fathers and Rulers under Moses He and Aaron stayed up the hands of Moses while the Children of Israel fought with King Amalek And was also appointed with Aaron afterward to hear and determine all matters of controversie among the People till Moses came down from the Mount again whereunto he was ascended Hur Liberty whiteness or a hole Hushai the Arachite was ‖ 2 Sam. 15.32.16.16 Man of great wisdome and one of David's chief Counsellers his assured friend as it well appeared when he came unto him being fled from Absalom his Son with his Cloaths rent and ashes upon his Head declaring thereby the great sorrow and heaviness he was in to see his Lord and Master in that case by whose coming David was greatly comforted But forasmuch as he thought he should do him more pleasure otherwise than to go with him now he said Oh my most dear friend Hushai if thou dost go with me now at this time thou shalt be but a burthen unto me But if thou wilt return into Jerusalem and say unto Absalom I will be thy servant O King and serve thee as I have done thy Father thou mayst for my sake destroy the counsel of Achitophel and thereby do me great pleasure So Hushai gat him to Absalom saying God save the King God save the King What quoth Absalom is this the kindness thou shewest to thy friend How chanceth it that thou wentest not with him Nay said Hushai but whom the Lord and this People and all the Men of Israel hath chosen his will I be and with him will I dwell to whom shall I do service but to his Son as I served before thy Father so will I serve thee Then when Absalom had retained Hushai to be of his Counsel he said unto him Achitophel hath counselled thus and thus to do shall we do thereafter or not Hushai answered the Counsel that Achitophel hath given is not good at this time For said he thou knowest thy Father and his Men how they be strong and now being chafed in their minds are even as a Bear robbed of her Whelps in the Field And also thy Father is a Man practised in War and maketh no tarrying with the People Behold he lurketh now in some Cave or in some other strong place and though some of his Men be overthrown at the first brunt it will be said that thy People is overthrown and so shall the best Men thou hast whose hearts are as the hearts of Lyons shrink thereat For all Israel knoweth thy Father to be a Man of great might and his Warriors stout Men. Therefore my counsel is that all Israel be gathered together unto thee from Dan to Beersheba which are in number as the Sand of the Sea And that thou go to Battel in
besieged Jerusalem to whom Jehojakim yielded and served Nabuchodonosor three years and then rebelled against him into whose hand the Lord delivered him so that the King of Babylon took him and bound him in two Chains and carried him and all the Vessels of the Lord's house into Babylon This King reigned xi years Jehojakim the Rising or avenging of the Lord. * He is called also Jechonias Matth. 1.11 Iehojachin was the Son of Jehojakim 2 King 24.6 c. who at the age of xviii years began to reign over Juda and did evil in the sight of the Lord as his Fathers before him He had not reigned three moneths ere that the King of Babylon came and deposed him making Mattaniah his Fathers Brother King in his stead changing his Name from Mattaniah to Zedekiah and carried Jehojachin away into Babylon where he remained in Prison xxxviii years after even until the coming of Evilmerodach King of Babylon after Nabuchodonosor his Father who had such a mind to Jehojachin that he delivered him out of Prison and exalted him above all the Princes in Babylon and fed him at his own Table all the days of his life Jehojachin the Resurrection of the Lord. Iehoahaz the Son of Jehu 2 King 13.1 2 c. began his Reign over Israel in the xxiii year of the Reign of Joash the Son of Ahaziah King of Juda and walked so wickedly in the sins of Jeroboam by worshipping the Calves which he had erected that God delivered him into the hands of Hazael and his Son Benhadad Kings of Syria which destroyed the People of Israel and vexed them so sore that they made the Israelites like threshed dust yet nevertheless when Jehoahaz humbled himself and besought the Lord he heard him and had such pity and compassion on the misery of Israel that he delivered him out of the Syrians subjection which had brought him so low that they had left him but fifty Horsemen ten Chariots and ten thousand Footmen He reigned xvii years and then dyed and was buried in Samaria leaving behind him his Son Joash to Reign in his stead Jehoahaz Apprehending possessing or seeing Iehojada 2 King 11. was the High-Priest in the days of Ahaziah King of Juda whose Daughter he married named Jehosheba He preserved Joash the youngest Son of Ahaziah his Father-in-law six Years in the Lord's House and in the seventh Year he brought him forth and proclaimed him King And being his Governour and Protectour trained him up in all godliness and vertue 2 Chron. 24. So that so long as Jehojada lived the King walked in all the ways of the Lord from the which he swerved after the death of this good Priest Jehojada Who lived 130. Years and for his faithfulness towards God and his People was most honourably buried in the City of David among the Kings Jehojada the Knowledge of the Lord. Iehosheba 2 King 11.2 2 Chron. 22. was the Daughter of Ahaziah King of Juda and Wife to Jehojada the High-Priest of the Jews And when Athalia her Grandmother went about to destroy the King's seed she stole away Joash her youngest Brother from among the King's Sons and hid both him and his Nurse in her own Chamber with her Husbands consent the space of six years and so preserved him that he perished not with the rest of her Brethren Jehosheba the fulness of the Lord. Iehu 2 King 9. the Son of Nimshi was anointed King over Israel by Eliseus the Prophet for to destroy the House of Ahab his Master And being commanded to go about it with speed he began first with Joram which lay at Jezreel to be healed of his wounds which the Syrians had given him And as Jehu was coming thitherward the Watchman espying a company coming toward the City told the King who then sent out an Horseman to meet them and to know whether they came peaceably or no. And when the Messenger came to Jehu he said The King would know whether it be Peace or no What hast thou to do with Peace quoth Jehu turn thee behind me and so the Messenger turned behind Jehu and went back no more and likewise the second Then the Watchman told the King that he thought by the driving of the Chariot it should be Jehu that was coming for he driveth quoth he furiously The King hearing that made him ready to War and took Ahaziah King of Juda with him and went toward Jehu and met him in the portion of Naboth saying Is it peace Jehu or no There was a Prophet also called Jehu the Son of Hanam which prophesied of the destruction of Baasha King of Israel and his Posterity Read 1 King 16.1 c. 10. cap. What peace should it be quoth he so long as the whoredomes of thy Mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so great and so in the Battel Jehu shot Joram to the heart with an arrow and killed him And fell upon Ahaziah and slew him also And so proceeding forth to Jezreel he came thither and found Jezebel looking out at a Window And as he demanded of the company about her who was on his side and would for his sake cast her down two or three of her Chamberlains threw her out at the Window and brake her Neck notwithstanding because she was a King's Daughter he caused her to be buried Then he sent his Letters to Samaria commanding those which had the governance of Ahab's seventy Sons to kill them all and to bring their heads on the next morrow to Jezreel And when they for fear had fulfilled his commandment and brought their heads to him Jehu fell upon the Murtherers and slew them also And in the way to Samaria he slew the Brethren of Abaziah even forty and two which were going to visit Ahab's Sons Finally he trained all the Priests of Baal into the Temple of Baal and there slew them every one converted the Temple to a Jakes house And now when Jehu had left neither Priest Kinsman nor any that favoured Ahab alive the Lord for his well doing made him this promise that his seed should sit on the seat of Israel until the fourth Generation But notwithstanding that Jehu had thus severely punished the Vice of Idolatry in Ahab's Posterity yet he himself committed the same in worshipping the Golden Calves and caused Israel to sin as others before him had done He reigned xxviii years Jehu He himself or that which iâ— Iephtah Judg. 11. cap. was the Son of Gilead base born whose Brethren which were legitimate thrust him out of their company and so hated him that they would not suffer him to remain among them wherefore Jephtah departed and fled into the Land of Tob where resorted unto him all naughty and light persons Now in the mean time that Jephtah was thus a stranger from his Brethren the Ammonites made sore War against the Israelites so that they were in great jeopardy and fear to be overcome of them Then the Elders of
in a Book which is called Ecclesiasticus or the wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach Iesus otherwise called Justus was a Jew born Col. 4.11 and one of Paul's Workfellows in preaching and setting forth the Kingdom of God whom he commended to the Colossians desiring them that if he or any such did come unto them they should receive and entreat them with all gentleness Iethro the Priest of Midian had seven Daughters Exod. 4.18.18 cap. of the which one was called Zipporah whom he married to Moses And when that Jethro had heard of all the mighty deeds which God had done for Moses and how he had delivered the Children of Israel out of Egypt from the Bondage of Pharaoh and brought them thorow the red Sea he met Moses in the Wilderness and brought to him his Wife and two Children which he had sent back before at whose coming Moses was exceeding glad Then as Jethro abode with Moses and saw the great pains he took in judging the People from Morning to Night he said unto him What is this that thou dost unto the People Why sittest thou thy self alone and all the People stand about thee from morning unto even When the People quoth Moses have any matter they come unto me and I judge between one and another and declare unto them the Statutes and Laws of God Thou dost not well quoth Jethro for thou both weariest thy self The counsel of Jethro Moses Father-in-law and the People that is with thee The thing is of more weight than thou art able to perform alone Therefore hear my counsel and God shall prosper thee Be thou for the People to God-ward and report the causes to him Admonish them of the ordinances and laws and shew them the way wherein they must walk and the work that they must do Moreover seek out among the People men of courage and such as fear God true dealing men hating covetousness and appoint them to be Rulers over thousands over hundreds over fifties and over tens And let them judge the people at all seasons and every great matter let them bring it to thee but all small causes let them judge themselves and so shall it be easier for thee when they shall bear the burthen with thee If thou shalt do this thing and God so command thee thou shalt be able to endure and all the People shall go quietly to their place Jethro Excellent or remaining or searching forth or a little cord Ioab â— Sam. 2. cap. was the Son of Zerviah David's Sister and the chief Captain of all David's Host In the first Battel he made against Abner King Saul's Captain he was the Victor and put Abner to flight and of malice afterward by treason slew him for the which deed David was sore offended 3.27 23 c. that he besought God to avenge it on Joab and that his House and Posterity might always be plagued with the bloody-flux leprosie feebleness of Body the Sword or Famine for the death of Abner Joab also was the death of Absalom â— Sam. 38.15 and slew him as he hanged by the hair of his head upon the bough of a tree And when it was told him of the great lamentation the King made for Absalom his Son he went unto him and said Thou hast this day shamed the faces of all thy servants 19.5 c. which this day have saved thy life and the lives of all thy Sons and Daughters and the lives of thy Wives and Concubines in that thou lovest thine enemies and hatest thy friends For thou hast declared this day that thou regardest neither thy Princes nor servants Therefore I do perceive that if Absalom had lived and all we had been slain this day that then it had pleased thee well Now therefore up and come out and speak comfortably unto thy servants for I swear by the Lord except thou come out there will not tarry one Man with thee this Night and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that fell on thee from thy youth hitherto 20. cap. Also in persecuting of Sheba which had made a new insurrection against David he met Amasa his Aunts Son by the way and * Lyra supposeth that Joab slew Amasa of envy because David had made an oath in the Chapter before that Amasa should be his Captain in Joab's stead slew him and leaving him dead on the ground he followed Sheba and besieged him in a City called Abel where the Governess of the City being a wise Woman cried unto Joab demanding why he went about to destroy that City which was a Mother of Israel and to devour the Inheritance of the Lord before he had offered peace To whom he answered saying That he went about no such matter but I come quoth he for Sheba the Son of Bichri deliver me him and I will be gone and as soon as the head of Sheba was thrown over the Wall to Joab he departed Finally after the death of David who had ordained Solomon to Reign in his stead Joab took part with ddonijah Solomon's Brother which usurped the Kingdom and went about with all his power to stablish him in David's seat But when he heard Solomon proclaimed by David's authority he fled to the Tabernacle of the Lord out of the which he would not depart but catching hold on the * The holiness of the place ought not to save the wilful murtherer Exod. 21.14 corners of the Altar said he would even in that place dye Then Solomon hearing thereof commanded Benaiah to go and kill him even there for the bloud of Abner and Amasa which he had shed causlesly And so was Joab slain in the Tabernacle and carried out and buried in his own House in the Wilderness Joab willing or voluntary Joanna Luk. 8.3.24.10 the Wife of Chuza Herod's Steward was a godly Woman and ministred unto Christ of her substance while he lived And after he had suffered his Passion she went with other Women to seek him at his Sepulchre And being told by the Angels that he was not there returned to the Apostles to bring them tidings of his Resurrection which seemed to them but feigned things and therefore believed them not Joanna the grace of the Lord or the Lord's gift or the Lord's mercy Joash 2 King 11. 12. cap. the youngest Son of Ahaziah King of Juda was stollen away from the hands of Athaliah his Grandmother by his Sister Jehosheba Wife to Jehojadah the High-Priest and hid in the Lords house and brought up in the Chamber where the Priests and Levites lay the space of six years and in the seventh year Jehojadah brought him forth and proclaimed him King who in all things sought the Lord so long as Jehojadah lived He repaired the Temple He slew Mattan the Priest of Baal and brake down his Altars with many other good things 2 Chron. 24. But after the death of Jehojadah he fell so far
from God that no admonition of the Prophets which were daily sent him could turn him And last of all when Zacharia the Son of Jehojadah came unto him to call him again unto the Lord he notwithstanding the great kindness and faithfulness of Jehojadah his Father before him caused Zacharia to be put to death for the which cause the Lord stirred up the Syrians against him which slew a great number of his People and in the end his own Servants conspired against him for his ingratitude and slew him upon his own Bed after he had reigned forty years and buried him in the City of David but not among the Kings Joash the Lords fire or the Lords oblation Joash 2 King 13.9 10 c. the Son of Jehoahas began his Reign over Israel in the xxxvii year of Joash King of Juda and did evil in the sight of the Lord grieving him with the sins of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat 2 Chron. 25.17 18 c. Of the great Victory the Lord gave Joash against Amasiah King of Juda read his story And how he visited Elizeus the Prophet in his sickness read the last end of his story also This King reigned xvi years and dyed leaving Jeroboam his Son to take his place Job Job 1. cap. was a perfect just Man dwelling in the Land of Hus and one that feared God who gave unto him seven Sons and three Daughters and also endued him with great riches His substance was 7000. sheep 3000. Camels 500. yoak of Oxen 500. she-Camels and a very great Houshold So that he was one of the most principal Men among all them of the East-Country He was so careful over his Sons lest in their banquetting they had committed some offence or been unthankful to God in their hearts that he daily would sanctifie them and offer for every one a burnt-offering unto the Lord he was a Man also replenished with such patience that Satan with all his temptations could not move him out of the same for when word was brought him how that the Sabeans had taken away his Oxen and slain his Servants and that the Lord had consumed all his Sheep with fire and that the Chaldees had taken away his Camels and how that all his Children were slain in their eldest Brother's house which the wind blew down upon them he made no more a do but said Naked came I out of my Mothers Womb and naked shall I return again The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away even as it hath pleased the Lord so is it come to pass 2. cap. blessed be the name of the Lord. Also when Satan by the permission of God had plagued Job with extreme sores even from the sole of the Foot to the crown of his Head so that he sat upon the ground in dust and ashes scraping off the filth of his sores with a Potsherd and being also inwardly afflicted with the sharp temptation of his Wife which tempted him to blaspheme God he took all in good part reproving his Wife for her foolish talking for shall we quoth he receive good at the hand of God and not receive evil not so I am as well content to suffer this adversity sent of the Lord as I was to receive the prosperity he gave me before And so Job continued in his uprightness Job 42. and was at the last restored to as many Children as he had before and to double riches He lived an hundred and forty years and saw his Childrens children to the fourth generation before he dyed Job Sorrowful or hated Jochebed Exod. 6.20 Num. 26.59 was the Daughter of Levy and * She was Amram's Father's Sister which kind of marriage was after in the Law forbidden Levit 18. born in Egypt Her Husband 's name was Amram to whom she bare three Children Aaron Moses and a Daughter called Miriam Jochebed Glorious Jokshan was the Son ‖ Gen. 25.2 1 Chron. 1.32 of Abraham begotten of his Wife Keturah his two Children were called the one Sheba and the other Dedan Jokshan Hardness or Offence Joel the Son of Phatuel was * Joel 1 2 3. cap. an holy Prophet and prophesied against the Jews exhorting the Priests to prayer and fasting for the misery that was coming at hand And giving them warning of the coming and cruelty of their enemies moved them to turn and convert And last of all he setteth out the Judgment of God against the enemies of his People Joel willing or beginning Johanan Jer. 40.13 the Son of Kareah Prophesied to Gedaliah whom Nabuchodonosor King of Babylon had made Governour over the People that he left at Jerusalem that Ishmael the Son of Nethaniah by the procurement of Baalis King of the Ammonites should kill him which came so to pass indeed as ye shall read in the story of Gedaliah After whose death 41. cap. 42. cap. Johanan with the rest of the Captains over the Jews persecuted Ishmael and recovered from him all the People which he had carried away and put Ishamael to flight Then Johanan fearing the Chaldees because of the death of Gedaliah consulted with the rest of the Captains and agreed to conveigh themselves all the People into Egypt and asked counsel of Jeremy the Prophet who had dwelt quietly in the Land under Gedaliah whether it were best so to do or no who made them answer that if they went into Egypt they should perish but if they tarried still in the Land God would surely so defend them 43.5 6 c. that the Chaldees should not hurt them yet they of a proud mind despising the counsel of Jeremy and taking his words for lies led the People away into Egypt to their utter destruction John Baptist the Son of Zachary Luk. 1. cap. was sanctified in the womb of Elizabeth his Mother and ordained of God to be an abstainer and to go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elias to prepare his way and make ready a perfect People unto him thorow preaching the amendment of life Luk. 3.3 4 c. and baptizing in the water of repentance And was a Man of so great perfection and holiness of life that the People stood in a doubt whether that he were Christ or no. And being asked the question denied plainly that he was not Christ nor Elias neither that Prophet whom they dreamed so much upon but only the voice of a cryer in the Wilderness to make streight the way of the Lord. For I do Baptise saith John in water only but there is one now come among you who although he came after me was before me whose Shoo latchet I am not worthy to unloose and he it is that shall Baptise you with the Holy Ghost John was a constant Man and lived austerely His Garment was course Cloth made of Camels hair His Meat was Locusts and wild Hony He was a Prophet and as Christ reporteth more than a Prophet
7.24 c. For John prophesied Christ to be come pointing him with his finger unto the People saying Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World whereas all the other Prophets did but prophesie of his coming long before he came Matth. 14.3 Finally John using his liberty in rebuking Vice without any accepting of Persons reproved King Herod for keeping his Brother Philip's Wife for the which he was cast into Prison and soon after lost his Head Read the story of Herod the Tetrarch and of Herodias John the Evangelist Matth. 4.21 was the Son of Zebedee and Brother to James and called from his Fisher-boat to be an Apostle of Christ John 13.23.19.26.21.20 and was of all other most entirely beloved of Jesus who commended his Mother unto him at the hour of his death He wrote his Gospel against Cerinthus and other Hereticks and chiefly against the Ebionites which did affirm that Christ was not before Mary whereby he was constrained to set forth the Divine Birth of Christ In the time of the Emperor Domitian he was exiled into an Isle called Patmos where he wrote the Revelation and after the death of Domitian in the time of Pertinax he returned to Ephesus remaining there till the time of Trajanus and did raise up and set in order many Churches in Asia and did three-score years after the death of Christ and was buried at Ephesus John Mark Act. 12. ult When Paul and Barnabas had been at Jerusalem to distribute the Alms sent by the Antiochians in their return they brought this Man John sirnamed Mark with them to Antioch And when the Holy Ghost had separated Paul and Barnabas from the other Disciples to the intent that they should go and spread abroad the Gospel among the Gentiles and those that were far off they took this John Mark with them to be their Minister and Companion who bare them company from Antioch until they came to Pamphilia Act. 13.5 c. and farther would he not go but left them there and returned to Jerusalem again notwithstanding the Apostes went forth and fulfilled their office And when it came in their minds to go and visit these places again wherein they had sowed the Word of God Barnabas gave counsel to take John with them which had been their Minister before to whose mind Paul would not consent forasmuch as John of his own accord had forsaken them at Pamphilia before they had finished their work And so reasoning and disputing about this matter the contention was so sharp between these two Holy-men that the one forsook the others company And so Barnabas taking John Mark with him sailed into Cyprus Jonadab was the Son of Shimeah David's Brother 2 Sam. 13.3 and a very subtil Man He loved Amnon his Unkle David's Son above the rest of all his Brethren Of the counsel he gave to Amnon concerning his Sister Thamar Read the story of Amnon Jonadab Voluntary or Willing Jonas the Son of Amittai was an holy Prophet Jonas 1. cap. 2 King 14.25 commanded of God to go to Niniveh that great City to tell the People of their wickedness who * The Mother of this Prophet was the poor Widow of Sarepta whose Meal and Oil Elias encreased and restored her Son from death to life again notwithstanding perswaded himself by his own reason that he should nothing profit there seeing he had so long Prophesied among his own Country-men the Jews and done no good at all Wherefore he minding to flye to Tarsus got him to Joppa where he found a Ship ready payed his fare and went with them And being on the Sea a tempest rose so vehemently that the Mariners were sore afraid crying every Man unto his God and to lighten the Ship they cast all the Wares into the Sea which nothing availed Then went the Master of the Ship down under the hatches and finding Jonas fast asleep awoke him saying O thou sleeper what meanest thou arise and call upon thy God that we perish not And when no remedy could be had they agreed to cast Lots that thereby they might know for whose cause they were troubled and so doing the Lot fell on Jonas They seeing that said Tell us for whose cause we are thus troubled And what thine occupation is And what thou art And whence thou comest and whither thou goest And what Country-man thou art of what Nation I am said Jonas an Hebrew born and fear the Lord God of Heaven which made both the Sea and dry Land and am fled from his presence And when they heard that they were more afraid than before and said what shall we do unto thee that the Sea may cease from troubling of us Take me quoth Jonas and cast me into the Sea and ye shall have rest for I wot it is for my sake that this evil is come upon you Nevertheless the Men being loth to commit such a deed assayed with rowing to bring the Ship to Land And when they saw the Sea so troublous against them that it would not be they cryed unto the Lord and said O Lord let us not perish for this Man's death neither lay thou innocent bloud unto our charge For thou O Lord hast done even as thy pleasure was And so they took Jonas and cast him into the Sea which incontinent was calm and still And a certain great Fish prepared of the Lord received Jonas and swallowed him up into his body where he lay in prayer three Days and three Nights And being then cast out again on dry Land The Lord commanded him straight-way to go to Niniveh and do as he had charged him And when he came to the City was entered a days Journey in the same he cryed out saying There are yet forty days and then shall Niniveh be overthrown But when his Prophecie came to none effect by reason of the Peoples great repentance he was sore displeased and in his prayer said O Lord was not this my saying I pray thee when I was yet in my Countrey and the cause of my flying to Tarsus that thou wast a merciful God full of compassion long suffering and of great goodness and wouldest repent thee of the evil And now O Lord forasmuch as I am found false in my sayings take I beseech thee my life from me for I had rather dye than live And so Jonas got him out of the City and made him a Booth on the East side thereof And as he sat under the shadow of his Booth to see what should become of the City the Lord caused a wild Vine to spring over his Head to give him more shadow to defend the heat of the Sun from him whereof Jonas was very glad But on the next morrow when he perceived the Vine withered away and that for lack of the shadow thereof he waxed faint thorow the fervent heat of the Sun which burned him so sore he wished in himself that he
might die Then said the Lord to Jonas dost thou well to be angry for the wild Vine Yea said he very well even unto death If thou then quoth the Lord hast had pity upon the wild Vine whereon thou bestowedst no labour nor madest it grow which sprang up in one Night and perished in another how much more ought I to have pity upon Niniveh that great City wherein are six score thousand Persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left beside much Cattel And thus was Jonas reproved of God for his disobedience Jonas a Dove Jonathan 1 Sam. 13.2.14 cap. the Son of King Saul was a valiant Man in all his acts who helped his Father so mightily against the Philistines that at the first brunt he beat down the strongest hold they had And after that the Philistines being pitched in Michmash into the which passage lay two sharp Rocks He said to his Armour-bearer Come and let us go over toward the Philistines Garrison peradventure the Lord will work with us for it is no hard thing with him to save with many or with few we will go over and shew our seleves to these uncircumcised * Jonathan spake this by the spirit of Prophecie And if they say on this wise unto us Tarry until we come unto you then will we stand still and not remove But if they say come up unto us then will we go up for the Lord hath surely delivered them into our hands and this shall be a sign unto us So they went without the knowledge of Saul and shewed themselves unto the Philistines who when they saw them said in derision See how the Hebrews are crept out of the holes wherein they had hid themselves but the Watchmen said unto them Come up unto us and we will shew you a thing Then said Jonathan to his Armour-bearer come up after me for the Lord hath delivered them into the hands of Israel And so Jonathan climbed up the Rock upon his Hands and Feet and his Armour-bearer after him And when the Philistines saw the face of Jonathan they were so suddenly smitten with fear that they fell down before him so that Jonathan and his Man slew twenty of them and put all the rest to flight And when the Watchmen of Saul saw the Philistines scattered abroad and smitten down as they went they told it to the King who caused a search to be made to know who was gone out of the Host and not a Man was found lacking save Jonathan and his Armour-bearer Then Saul with all his Host followed after the Philistines charging the People which had long been without sustenance on pain of death not to touch any food until he were that day avenged on his enemies And so the People being sore opprest with hunger and coming into a Wood where much Hony lay upon the ground durst not for their lives comfort themselves with one drop thereof Then Jonathan being faint and not knowing the charge of his Father tasted a little Hony with the end of his Rod and was greatly comforted and refreshed therewith And being told what-danger he had incurred for breaking his Fathers commandment he said My Father hath troubled the Land in making such an extreme Law for seeing that I have received my strength again by tasting a little of this Hony how much more should the People if they had eaten of the spoil of their enemies which they found have been the stronger and more able to have made a greater slaughter among the Philistines than they have done But nevertheless for this offence of Jonathan Lots were cast and Jonathan judged to suffer death whereupon the People cryed out to Saul saying Shall Jonathan dye which hath so mightily defended Israel God forbid as truly as the Lord liveth there shall not one hair of his head fall unto the ground for he hath wrought with God this day And so the People delivered Jonathan After this Jonathan fell into such love and amity with David whom Saul his Father persecuted that he made a Bond with him which was never dissolved between them And at his first acquaintance with David he put off his Robe and gave it to him with his other Garments even to his Sword Bowe and Girdle And whatsoever from that day forth was said done or wrought by Saul his Father against David that would Jonathan find the means to stay and pacifie whereby many times he saved David from the cruelty of Saul and so continued his faithful friend during his life Finally in Battel with his Father against the Philistines he was slain Jonathan the gift of the Pigcon or Dove Jonathas 1 Mac. 2.9 cap. the youngest Son of Mattathias and Brother to Judas Machabeus did so valiantly behave himself in the Wars that the Jews after the death of Judas his Brother made him their chief Governor who at length vanquished Bachides 10. cap. Whereby his fame so encreased that both Demetrius and Alexander sought to be in League with him But for so much as Demetrius had vexed Israel before Jonathas mistrusting Demetrius forsook his offer and agreed to Alexander who had always been his friend and so continued as his story declareth After this he vanquished Apollonius Captain of Demetrius Host burnt the City of Azotus with the Temple of Dagon subdued Ascalon and with great Victory returned to Jerusalem where for his worthy prowess he received a Coller of Gold from Alexander 12. cap. 13. cap. Finally after long prosperity in Wars he was betrayed by one Triphon in the City of Ptolemais and afterward most piteously put to death Of Jonathas Son of Abiathar the Priest look in the story of Ahimaaz the Son of Sadoch Jonathan 2 Sam. 21.20 21. the Son of Shimea David's Brother encountred with a mighty Gyant who had on every hand six fingers and on every foot so many toes and slew him Joram 2 Kings 3. cap. the Son of Ahab began his Raign over Israel after his Brother Ahaziah in the eighteenth * In the first Chapter of the fourth Book of Kings it is said that this Man began his reign in the second year of Jchoram the Son of Jchosaphat which is thus to be understood Jchosaphat going to Battel against the Syrians made his Son Jchoram King in the xvii year of his reign and in the xviii year which was the second year of his Son this Man began his reign 6. cap. year of Jehosaphat King of Juda and wrought evil in the sight of the Lord but not like unto his Father for he took away the Image of Baal which his Father had made nevertheless he sacrificed to the golden Calves still which Jeroboam had made The King of Moab was wont yearly to render to the King of Israel an hundred thousand Lambs and so many Rams with the wool and because he now refused to pay this tribute to Joram he warred against him having to take his part Jehosaphat
with the Lord our God that should have any respect of Persons or take rewards Then he turned to the Levites and said Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord faithfully and with a pure heart what cause soever come unto you of your Brethren between Bloud and Bloud Law and Commandment Statute and Ordinance ye shall warn them that they trespass not against the Lord that wrath come not upon you and upon your Brethren thus do and you shall not offend Take courage to you and do manfully and the Lord shall be with such as go about to maintain the Laws of the Lord. After this the Lord gave Jehosaphat a marvellous Victory against the Moabites and the Ammonites whose Armies fell at such strife and variance among themselves that one killed another and left not one alive undestroyed before Jehosaphat came at them And the fourth day after he had gathered up the spoil he assembled his People in the Valley of Blessing and went to Jerusalem with great triumph where he gave all praise and thanks to God for his miraculous Victory Finally he joyned himself with Ahaziah King of Israel and made ten Ships to go with his Ships to Tarshish for Gold And because he had * The true Christians ought not to joyn in society with Idolaters joyned himself with so wicked a Man the Lord brake his Ships and would not suffer them to go He reigned xxv years and was buried with his Fathers in the City of David leaving Joram his Son to occupy his place Jehosaphat the Lord's judgment or the judgment of the Lord. Joseph the Son of Jacob and Rachel Gen. 30.24.37 cap. was in his youth beloved of his Father above all other in so much that he made him a Coat of many colours But his Brethren hated him because his Dreams signified unto them that he should be Lord over them all and they his Servants And being at the age of xvii years he was sent to them with Victuals where they lay with their sheep at Dothan who seeing him come afar off began to deride and mock him saying Behold where the Dreamer cometh and counselled together to kill him but Reuben the eldest Brother would not consent to that Wherefore at his coming they stripped him out of his Coat and cast him into an empty Pit And as certain Ishmaelites passed by they sold Joseph to them for twenty pence of silver and took his Coat and dipt it in Goats bloud and had it home to their Father bearing him in hand they had found it by the way Then Jacob seeing his Son's Coat cryed out and rent his Garments for sorrow thinking surely that wild Beasts had devoured and torn Joseph in pieces But he being safe and sound carried into Egypt 39. cap. was there sold again to a certain great Lord of King Pharaoh's Court named Potiphar and became so lucky a Man with him by God's providence that his Master made him chief Ruler over all his House And so continued in great favour with his Lord until his Master's Wife began to cast her love upon him and would have had him to lye with her Then Joseph to disswade his Mistress from her inordinate love said Behold my Master knoweth not what he hath in the House with me but hath committed all things he hath into my hands There is no Man greater in this House than I neither hath he kept any thing from me save only thee because thou art his Wife How then can I do this great wickedness and so sin against God And thus he put her off and shunned her company from that day forth as much as he could possibly do But one day as Joseph entered into the House to do his business and finding his Mistress there by chance alone she caught him by the Cloak to have him lie with her which he denied and would not consent to her mind and when he saw her so importune upon him that he could not honestly part from her he wound himself out of his Garment and so departed Then she called to her Men declaring to them that Joseph would have ravished her and when I began to crie quoth she he left his Garment behind him for hast and ran away which tale being told to Potiphar at his coming home Joseph was cast in Prison where by God's provision he found such favour with the Keeper that he committed all things under his hand to do whatsoever he would Gen. 40. cap. Now in this Prison where Joseph was lay two of King Pharaoh's Officers The one his chief Baker and the other is Butler Which two Men chanced to dream both in one Night and telling their dreams to Joseph he told the Butler that within three days he should be restored to his Office again but the Baker should be hanged Wherefore he desired the Butler to think upon him to the King when he was restored who notwithstanding forgot Joseph 41. cap. and never remembred him till two years after that Pharaoh the King chanced to have certain Dreams which none could be found to tell him the meaning of and then the Butler calling Joseph to remembrance told the King all things of him who being sent for and come to the King he opened the Dreams declaring to Pharaoh the seven plentiful years that were to come and the seven barren and hard years which should ensue and consume the abundance of the years preceeding Then the King perceiving Joseph to be a Man endued with wisdom and knowledge made him Regent of his Realm and called him the Saviour of the World for by his politick provision Egypt was relieved in the hard and dear years and the King greatly enriched At this time was Joseph about the age of thirty years and took to Wife Asnath the Daughter of Potiphar Priest of On and had by her two Sons Manasses and Ephraim Now when the time of Dearth was come all Lands being sore oppressed with Famine sent into Egypt for Corn among the which Jacob sent ten of his Sons 42. cap. who at their coming before Joseph their Brother and Governour of Egypt fell down flat before him Then Joseph beholding his Brethren whom he knew very well but they not him demanded strangely from whence they came They said from the Land of Canaan Then Joseph remembring his Dreams spake roughly to them and said they were spies Nay my Lord quoth they we are all one Man's Sons and mean truly Nay nay quoth he your coming is for none other purpose but to spie out the Land where it is weakest Truly my Lord quoth they we are no Spies we are twelve Brethren the Sons of one Man and the youngest this day remaineth with our Father and one no Man woteth where he is Then I will prove you quoth he whether ye mean truly or no let one of you go fetch your youngest Brother hither for by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not depart till I see him
Fathers house and sent away to shift for themselves But nevertheless the Lord which had promised Abraham to bless encrease and multiply his Son Ishmael so preserved him that he became a great Archer and dwelt in the Wilderness of Pharan 25.12 c. and took him a Wife out of the Land of Egypt and begat twelve Princes so that the Lord made of him a great Nation He lived 137. years Ishmael God hath heard Of Ishmael the Son of Nethaniah which slew Gedaliah read the stories of Johanan and Gedaliah Ittai was a Gittite born 2 Sam. 15. and bare such love to David that he left his own Countrey to come and see him and the fashion of his Court Lyra saith that Ittai was the Son of Achish King of Gath. and as he continued there and saw into what danger Absalom had brought his Father David either to flee his Realm or to have lost all he would take no part with Absalom but sollowed David and lest him not in this extremity And when David saw him he said unto him why comest thou with me Ittai return I pray thee and abide with the King for thou art a stranger and come but yesterday and therefore I would be loth to disquiet thee Therefore return and carry again thy Brethren and the Lord shall shew thee mercy and truth Nay said Ittai as truly as God liveth and my Lord the King liveth in what place my Lord the King shall be whether in life or death even there also will thy servant be And so he went forward with David and had rule over the third part of David's Host in the suppression of Absalom Ittai Strong Iudah was the fourth Son of Jacob and Leah Gen. 29 ult 37.26 who would not consent to the death of Joseph his Brother but gave counsel to sell him saying What shall it avail us my Brethren to slay our Brother and to keep his bloud secret let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands upon him for he is our Flesh and Bloud After this 38. cap. he departed from his Brethren to a place called Adullam where he remained with a friend of his called Hirah and in process fell in love with a Man's Daughter called Shuah a Canaanite born and married her who in time brought him forth three Sons The first Er The second Onan and the third Shelah The two first one after another he married to a certain Woman called Thamar but for their horrible sin and wickedness the Lord slew them both Then Judah fearing to marry the third Son unto her lest he should dye also said to his Daughter in law Remain a Widow at thy Father's house till Shelah my Son be grown she did so during which time the daughter of Shuah died and Judah became a Widower Now when the days of mourning were ended he went to a place called Timnath taking his friend Hirah with him to see his Sheep-shearers Then Thamar hearing thereof and seeing Shelah not given her in marriage laid away her Widows Garment and disguising her self like a common Harlot went and sat her down in an open place by the High-ways side going to Timnath And as Judah passed that way and saw one sit muffled like an Whore went unto her and said Come I pray thee let me lye with thee What wilt thou give me then quoth she I will quoth he send thee a Kid from the Flock Then leave me a pledge quoth she till thou send it What pledge shall I leave quoth Judah Thy Signet quoth she upon thy Finger thy Cloak and thy Staff He did so and lay with her And coming to his Flock he took a Kid and sent it by his friend Hirah to receive his pledges again Who being come to the place and not finding the Woman he asked of the Men thereabout where the Whore was which sat in the way as they came They made him answer again there was no Whore there Then he returned to Judah and told him Well said Judah let her take it to her lest we be ashamed Now was Thamar conceived with Child and when she had gone three Moneths the thing was espied and told to Judah that his Daughter-in-law had played the Whore and was with Child Then bring her forth quoth he that she may suffer according to the Law And as she was led to the fire she sent the pledges to Judah her Father in law saying By the same Man to whom these things do pertain am I with Child Then Judah knowing his pledges said she is more righteous than I for she hath done this deed because I gave her not to Shelah my Son And so was the Woman delivered and brought him forth two Sons at one birth Gen. 49.10 Pharez and Zarah Of this Man Judah it was prophesied that the Scepter should not depart from him nor a Law-giver from between his feet until * which was Christ Shilo came Judah a Praising or Confession Iudas Machabeus the third Son of Mattathias the Jew was a valiant Man in his Faith 1 Mac. 2. and of an invincible courage In so much that he overcame Apollonius and Seron two mighty Princes of Syria 3. cap. which came against him And with three thousand Men he put Gorgias to flight which stole upon him by night and vanquished Lysias the Lieutenant of King Antiochus and his Sons and with them Forty Thousand Foot-men 4. cap. and seven thousand Horsemen and slew of them five thousand Afterward in Galilee 5. cap. he slew of the Host of Timotheus another of the King's Captains first three thousand and afterward eight thousand 7. cap. After that by a Valley called Adarsa he with a thousand fought with Nicanor a Captain of King Demetrius and nine thousand with him at the which Battel Nicanor was slain and of the nine thousand almost none escaped Finally 9. cap. too much trusting in his prosperity in Wars in going against Bachides a Captain of King Demetrius who had a great Host and taking with him but two thousand of which at the last remained with him but only viii hundred he fought till it was night and made a wonderful slaughter of enemies But while he forced himself to come to Bachides the which was on the right Wing of the Battel he fought so nobly that he escaped that Wing slaying many about him Finally being environed with the left Wing and stricken with many wounds he was slain with much difficulty Judas A praising c. Iudas 1 Mac. 16. the Son of Symon the Son of Mattathias did manfully assist John his Brother against Cendebeus Captain of Anticchus's Host and was at the same time sore wounded and afterward most traiterously murdered with Symon his Father at a Banquet which Ptolomy made them at his Castle called Doche. Iudas Luk 6 14-16 the Son of Alpheus and Brother to James is called in the tenth of S. Matthew Lebbeus and is
five thousand of his Men. Finally as he lay with Antiochus the King 7. cap. at the City of Antioch Demetrius came upon them and slew them both Lysias Dissolving Lysias Act. 22.24 c. was a chief Captain under the Emperour and having Paul committed unto him as Prisoner was afraid to punish him because he was a Roman And therefore to know the certainty wherefore the Jews had accused him 25. cap. he brought him forth before the Council where in the end fell such dissention and debate among them that Lysias fearing lest Paul should have been pull'd asunder of the Jews took him and had him into the Castle And having knowledge how the Jews had conspired Paul's death he sent him away secretly by night to Felix being at that time the Emperour's Lieutenant to whom he wrote on this wise Claudius Lysias unto the most mighty Ruler Felix sendeth greeting As this Man was taken of the Jews and should have been killed of them I came upon them with Souldiers and rescued him perceiving he was a Roman And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him I brought him forth in their council There I perceived that he was accused of questions of their Law and had no crime worthy of death or of bonds And when it was shewed me how that the Jews laid wait for the Man I sent him straightway unto thee and commanded his Accusers if they had ought against him to tell it unto thee Farewel Lysimachus was made the High-Priest of the Jews Macc. 4. in the room of Menelaus his Brother by whose Counsel he robbed the Temple and did much mischief whose wickedness was so manifest unto the People that they rose up against him and made a great uproar in the City Whereupon Lysimachus perceiving whereabout they went got unto him three thousand unthrists well armed for his defence Against whom the Multitude fought so furiously with Club and Bats and with hurling of stones and such Weapons as they could get that they wounded many slew some and chased the rest away and at the last killed the wicked Church-robber himself beside the Treasury Lysimachus dissolving Battel Loammi Hosea 1.9 was the Second Son of Gomer the Daughter of Diblaim And when she brought him forth the Lord said Call his name Loammi For why ye are not my People therefore will not I be your God Loammi not my People Lois 2 Tim. 1.5 was a faithful godly Woman and Grandmother to Timothy who always brought up her Children and Family in the fear of God and knowledge of Christ's Doctrine Lois Better Lo-ruhama Hos 1.6 was the Daughter of Gomer the Daughter of Diblaim And when she brought him forth the Lord said Call his name Lo-ruhama for I will have no pity upon the house of Israel but forget them and put them clean out of remembrance Lo-ruhama not obtaining Mercy Lot Gen. 11.31 was the Son of Haran Brother to Abraham with whom he went out of Egypt toward the south Countrey to come into the Land of Canaan And when they were come to a place called Bethel they had such abundance of Sheep and Cattel between them that the Land not being able to receive them both their Herdmen began to strive together Whereupon Abraham to avoid contention desired that Lot and he might break companies And that he would take and occupy what part of all the Land he would and he to take the other Then Lot chose the Countrey about Jordan because it had plenty of Water and dwelt in Sodom till Chedorlaomer came and spoiled the City and carried Lot away Prisoner who being rescued by Abraham his Uncle was brought to Sodom again And as he remained among the filthy Sodomites the Lord sent his Angels to destroy the City and Countrey about which Angels Lot received into his house And before his guests and he were gone to rest the Men of the City replenished with all kind of wickedness had compassed the house round about and called to Lot saying Where are the Men which came in to thee this night bring them forth to us that we may know them Then Lot went out unto them and said I pray you my Brethren do not so wickedly yet rather than ye should so do I have two Daughters which never knew Man them will I bring out unto you and do with them as seemeth you good only to these men do nothing for therefore are they come under the shadow of my Roof And as the Sodomites threatned Lot and were pressing upon him to break open the Door the Angels within put forth their hands and pulled Lot into the House and shut fast the Door At the which instant the Sodomites without were so smitten with blindness that they groped for the Door and could not find it Then said the Angels to Lot If thou hast any Sons or Daughters or whatsoever thou hast in the City bring it out with thee for we are sent to destroy this place because their sins is great before the Lord. Then went Lot to his Sons in-law who had married his Daughters and told them but they thinking their Father had mocked tarried still And so as Lot made haste for the Angels could do nothing till he were gone with his Wife and two Daughters to the City of Zoar which he had requested of the Lord to flye unto his Wife looking behind her contrary to the Angels precept was turned into a Pillar of Salt Then Lot fearing to abide in the City of Zoar after the Cities were destroyed got him into the Mountains where he dwelt in a Cave with his two Daughters who forasmuch as their Father was old and not a Man left in the Country thereabout whereby they might have Children consulted together and agreed to make their Father drunk with Wine and so to lye with him that they might raise up Seed unto their Father Which matter being performed and they both with Child the eldest brought forth Moab which was the Father of the Moabites and the youngest Ben-Ammi which was the Father of the Ammonites both which Nations were most vile and wicked Lot Wrapped or Joyned Luke was a Physician born in the City of Antioch Col. 4.14 2 Tim. 4.1 and became Saint Paul's Disciple and Companion in all his travels Luke lived 84. years and was buried at Constantinople He wrote the Volume of his Gospel as he had learned of Paul and of the other Apostles as he reporteth himself in the beginning of the same work saying As they have delivered them to us which from the beginning saw them with their eyes and were Ministers of the things that they declared But the Volume called the Acts of the Apostles he composed as he had seen the story whereof came even to Paul's time being and tarrying two years at Rome where the Work was finished Luke his Resurrection M. MAACAH 2 Sam. 3.3 1 Chron. 3.2 1 King 15. â— 10 the
Daughter of Talmai King of Geshur was King David's Wife and Mother to Absalom Maacah the Daughter of Absalom was Wife to Rehoboam and Mother to Abijam which Abijam his Father Rehoboam ordained to raign after him for the love that he bare to Maacah his Mother above all the rest of his Wives Read the story of Asa Maacah a Woman pressed or bruised Machabeus 1 Mac. 2 3. was the third Son of Mattathias and after his Fathers death he was made Ruler over the Jews Who in the defence of the holy Laws fought most manfully against God's enemies during his Life Machabeus a Striker a Fighter Read Judas Machabeus Machir 2 Sam. 9.4 Ammiel was Father to Bathshebah King David's Wife was the Son of Ammiel of Lodebar and a great friend to Mephibosheth the Son of Jonathan who kept him in his House till King David sent for him to his preferment Machir Selling or knowing Manahem 2 King 15.14 c. the Son of Gadi besieged Shallum King of Israel in Samaria and slew him whose Kingdome he possessed and began his Raign in the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah King of Juda. And because the City of Tiphsah would not receive him as theirs he destroyed the City and all that was within it And for this great wickedness and tyranny God stirred up Pul King of Assyria against him unto whom Manahem gave a thousand Talents of Silver to break up his Wars which Money he exacted of his People taking of every Man of substance fifty Sicles He raigned ten years leaving Pekahiah his Son to succeed him Manahem a Comforter or Leader of them or a preparing of heat Manaen Act. 13.1 which was brought up of a Child with Herod at the last forsook him and followed Christ Manasses the Son of Hezekiah 2 King 21. 2 Chron. 33. was twelve years old when he began his raign over Juda and wrought much evil before the Lord. Manasses put Esay the Prophet who was his Father-in-law to death For he built up the high places again which his Father had destroyed He erected up Altars for Baal and made Groves as Ahab did and worshipped all the Host of Heaven and served them He offered his Children in fire Read the annotation in the story of Esay as the manner of the Gentiles was and gave himself to Witcheraft and Sorcery and favoured Soothsayers and such as used familiar spirits He set the Image of the Grove in the House where the Lord said he would put his Name for ever Over and beyond all these evils he shed so much innocent bloud that all Jerusalem was replenished from corner to corner and he wrought more wickedness than did all the Amorites Wherefore the Lord gave him over into the hands of the King of Assyria who took Manasses and bound him with two Chains and carried him to Babylon Where at the last he so humbled himself to the Lord that he had compassion upon him and restored him to his Kingdom again Who after that became a good Man and put down all such abominations as he before had maintained and reigned five and fifty years leaving Amon his Son to succeed Manasses Eorgetful or forgetfulness Mardocheus Esther 2. cap. the Son of Jair was a Jew born dwelling in the City of Shusan and one of them which were carried away from Jerusalem with Jechonia King of Juda by Nabuchodonosor into Babylon This Man had a fair Damosel in his house named Esther his Uncles Daughter whose Father and Mother being dead he brought up as his own Daughter so long till at last for her beauty and fairness she was taken up by the King's Commission with other more and had to the Court there to be brought up at the Kings charges in an house appointed for that purpose the King had called them for And every day would Mardocheus walk before the Womens house to hear and know how Esther did and what should become of her whose Lot in process was to be made Queen in the stead of Vasthi late deposed And on a time as Mardocheus sat in the King's Gate he heard an inkling of certain Treasons conspired against the King 's own Person by two of his Privy-Chamber Bigthan and There 's which treason he caused Esther to open unto the King and to certifie his grace thereof in his name Upon whose certification inquiry being made and found true the Conspirators were put to death and the matter Registred in Chronicle for a remembrance of their act After this because Mardocheus would do no reverence to Haman both he and the Jews should all have been slain in one day Whereof Mardocheus having knowledge he rent his Cloaths and put on mourning Apparel and so ran thorow the City of Shusan where their destruction was devised Crying out until he came to the King's Gate where he might not be suffered to enter in that array Then Esther hearing thereof was sore astonished and sent him other Rayment to put on But he refusing the Rayment declared unto the Messenger the whole effect of Haman's commission and working and took him a Copy of the same to give to Esther charging her to go unto the King for the Lives and safeguard of her People For who can tell quoth he whether God hath called her to the Kingdom for that purpose or no it may be that he hath And therefore if she now hold her peace the Jews shall have help from some other place and so shall she and her Fathers house be utterly destroyed And so while Esther went about the deliverance of the Jews Mardocheus was exalted into the King's favour Mardocheus lived 1 98. years as Philo witnesseth to the great rejoycing of all the Jews whose Wealth he sought so long as he lived Read the story of Esther and Haman Mardocheus a bitter contrition or repentance Mary the Virgin Matth. 1.161 Luk. 1.27 c. and Mother of God whose Parents are not expressed in Scripture was affianced to a certain good Man of her own stock and Tribe which was of Juda named Joseph And before she came to dwell with him the Angel Gabriel being sent of God came and saluted her saying Hail full of Grace the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among Women The Virgin seeing the Angel was sore abashed at his words and mused much in her mind what salutation that should be Then said the Angel Fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God for lo thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bear a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus c. Then Mary because she would be resolved of all doubts to the end she might the more surely embrace the promise of God said How shall this be seeing I know no Man The Holy Ghost quoth the Angel shall come upon thee and the power of the Most Highest shall overshadow thee Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God
c. Then said Mary Behold the Handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy Word Upon this she prepared her self with speed to go and visit her Cousin Elizabeth with whom she remained three Months and returned home again And shortly after went with Joseph her Husband from the City of Nazareth to the Land of Jewry to a City called Bethlehem there to be taxed according to the Emperour Augustus commandment because they were of the House and Lineage of David In the Book called Fasciculus temporum it is said that this Virgin was the Daughter of Joachim and Anna and was about the age of xvi years when she brought forth Christ. And being forced to lye in the stable for lack of room in the Inne her hour came to be delivered and there she brought forth Christ Jesus the Saviour of the World And when she was purified and had been at Jerusalem with her Child and performed all things there according to the Law she returned with Joseph her Husband home to the City of Nazareth again And being accustomed yearly she and her Husband to go up at the Feast of Easter to Jerusalem she chanced one time to leave her Son behind her and when she had turned back and sought him out and found him she said Son why hast thou thus dealt with us thy Father and I have sought thee with heavy hearts Another time as she was with her Son at a Marriage in Cana a Town in Galilee when the Wine failed at the Feast she told her Son that they lacked Wine and receiving his answer meekly bad the Ministers to do whatsoever he commanded them Finally as she stood by the Cross whereon her Son shed his bloud as well for her as all other Christians sorrow pierced her heart like a Sword according to Simeon's prophecie Mary the Wife of Cleophas was her sister Mary Mar. 15.40.16.1 Salome was a certain godly Woman who among other ministred of her substance to Jesus and followed him from Galilee and after he was crucified bought sweet odors to anoint his Body and was a Witness of his Resurrection Mary the Mother of John Mark Act. 12.12 into whose House Peter came after the Angel of God had delivered him out of Prison from the hands of Herod where many were gathered together in prayer Mary * Magdalen signifieth magnified or exalted Magdalene dwelt in Bethany John 12.12 Luk. 7.37 c. and was a sinful Woman And in token of her great repentance she went to Jesus as he sat at Meat in one of the Pharisees houses with a Box of Ointment in her hand falling down at his Feet weeping and washing them with the tears distilling down from her eyes and wiped them with the hairs of her head and also kissed them and anointed them with sweet Ointment Then Jesus seeing the great faith of the Woman said unto her Mary thy Faith hath saved thee go in peace Then Mary feeling her self much bound to Christ which had forgiven her so many sins fell in so great love Luk. 10. that all her whole meditation and study was upon him Insomuch that when Martha her Sister was cumbred about much serving of Christ at the Table Mary choosing the better part sat at Jesus feet to hear his Preaching And when he suffered his Passion John 19.25 she stood by the Cross with Mary his Mother to see the end And the morrow after the Sabbath-day when she came to the Sepulchre 20.1 2 c. and saw the stone taken away from the Tomb she ran to Peter and John and told them who ran to the Grave and tryed the matter and returned back again leaving Mary standing at the Grave weeping And as she bowed her self into the Grave she saw two Angels sitting in white clothing who said unto her Woman why weepest thou They have taken away my Lord quoth she and I know not where they have laid him And turning her self about she saw Jesus standing but knew him not to whom he said Woman why weepest thou whom dost thou seek She supposing it had been the Gardiner said Sir if thou hast born him hence tell me where thou hast laid him and I will fetch him Then said Jesus Mary with that she turned her self and said Rabboni which is to say Master and fell down to the ground to have kissed his Feet But to withdraw her from that Jesus said Touch me not but go and tell my brethren that I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God Then went Mary to the Disciples and told them that she had seen the Lord and what things he had said unto her Read the story of Martha her Sister and of Lazarus her Brother Mark the Evangelist is thought to have been Peter's Disciple and to write his Gospel according as he heard Peter preach and shew every thing by mouth and to have planted the first Church in Alexandria where he died in the eighth year of the reign of Nero in whose place succeeded Anianus Of this Mark speaketh Peter in his first Epistle the fifth Chapter saying The Congregation of them which at Babylon are companions of your Election saluteth you and so doth Mark my Son Mark Filed or rubbed Mark Act. 12.12 otherwise called John the Son of Mary was Minister to Paul and Barnabas what time as they were sent by the Holy Ghost from Antioch to preach the Gospel unto the Heathen 14.21 which Mark at Pamphylia departed back from them again For the which cause Paul the next Journey that he and Barnabas made would not suffer Mark to go with them 15.37 c. wherefore Barnabas departed from Paul taking Mark who was his Sisters Son with him into Cyprus Martha Luke 10. and Mary Magdalene were two Sisters dwelling in the City of Bethany which two had a Brother named Lazarus This Martha on a time invited Jesus to dinner And being cumbred about much serving and seeing her Sister Mary sit still at Jesus Feet said unto him Dost thou not care that my sister hath lest me to minister alone Bid her come and help me To whom he answered Martha Martha thou carest and art troubled about many things verily one is needful Mary hath chosen the best part which shall not be taken from her On a time as Jesus was coming to Bethany to heal her Brother Lazarus she met him saying John 11 cap. Lord if thou hadst been here my Brother had not died Nevertheless now I know that whatsoever thou dost ask of God he will give it thee Then said Jesus Thy Brother shall rise again Yea quoth Martha I know that he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last day I am said Jesus the Resurrection and the Life he that believeth on me yea though he were dead yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall not dye Believest thou this Yea Lord quoth Martha I believe
Menelaus was come to the King he so craftily handled the matter with flattery and fair promises that he both defrauded the King of his Money and Jason of his Office which when he had obtained he return'd with an high stomach more like a cruel tyrant and the wrath of a wild brute beast than any thing that beseemed a Priest But when the King had knowledge of all his deceit and falshood he discharged him again putting Lysimachus his Brother in his room Then Menelaus being thus thrust out of Office waited his time to be revenged And when he had spied the King about his weighty affairs as in the suppression of certain Rebels leaving Andronicus behind him to be his Lieutenant and supposing then to have a convenient time he went and stole out of the Temple certain Vessels of Gold and gave them to Andronicus And after he had made him his assured friend he ministred such wicked counsel both to Andronicus and Lysimachus his Brother that the one murdered Onias and the other spoiled and robbed the Temple of God Wherefore the King at his return again caused Andronicus to be put to death and the other the People furiously fell upon him and killed him And forsomuch as Menelaus was greatly suspected to be the chief causer of all this murther a Court was called and many sore complaints laid against him The Menelaus perceiving himself in the King's displeasure and danger of his Laws went to Ptolomy one of the three Ambassadours and with Money made him his friend who went to the King and so laboured the matter that he brought Menelaus into such favour with the King again that he was quite discharged from all accusations and his Accusers condemned to death Thus through covetous Magistrates Menelaus remained still in Authority being now more malicious unto the Jews his own Nation than ever he was as it appeared afterward what time as he aided Antiochus and was his guide to the spoiling of the Temple But at the last his falshood came to a foul end for Lysias which was Lord-Steward to Antiochus and Chief Ruler of all his matters so informed the King of his ungraciousness that he commanded Menelaus who had done so much mischief against the Altar of God whose fire and ashes were holy to be cast into a tower of fifty cubits high heaped up with ashes and so miserably ended his life Menelaus Strength of the people Merab 1 Sam. 18.17 was the Eldest Daughter of King Saul who promised her in marriage to David But ere the time came that David should enjoy her Saul gave her to another Man named Adriel by whom she conceived and bare him five Sons 2 Sam. 21.8 Merab Fighting or chiding or multiplying Mesa 2 King 3. cap. the King of Moab was a great Lord of Sheep And whereas the Moabites had of long time payed Tribute unto the Kings of Israel every year one hundred thousand Lambs with so many Rams or Weathers in the Wool with their Fleece upon their backs this King would pay none to Joram the Son of Ahab for the which Joram made War against him and overcame him Mesa Health or the water of health or looking upon the Water Micah Judg. 17. cap. was a certain Man dwelling in Mount Ephraim whose Mother made him an Idol of Silver which he set up in the House of his Gods and made an Ephod and consecrated one of his own Sons to be his Priest and so continued until it chanced a young Levite came from Bethlehem Juda to seek service Which Levite Micah hired for ten silverlings by the year two garments and meat and drink And when he had hired the Levite he was glad saying Now am I sure that God will love me seeing I have a Levite to my Priest At this time 18. cap. the Tribe of Dan forasmuch as the portion which Joshua gave them was not sufficient for all their Tribe went to seek them a place to dwell in And as they were going to the City of Laish they came by the house of Micah And being enformed by those Men whom they had sent before to spie out the Land how there was in the house of Micah a graven and a molten Image they turned in thither and saluted him peaceably but at their departing they took his Idols against the Levite's will perswading him that it was not so good to be a Priest unto the house of one Man as it was to be a Priest unto a whole Tribe or Kinred in Israel and so took him away with them also And being gone Micah made a great out-cry and followed after the Children of Dan with all the power he could make to rescue his Gods but being perswaded to be content and to get him home lest a worse thing did happen he then perceiving he was not able to make his Party good returned back again Read the Story of Dan. Micah who like our God or poverty or the lowliness of the Lord or the Lord striking Michael the Son of Israhia Michael who is like the Lord. 1 Chron. 7. Michael Dan. 10.13 one of the chief Princes that was sent to comfort Daniel Michael Judc the Arch angel which strove against the Devil and disputed about the Body of Moses Michael Rev. 12.7 and his Angels that fought against the Dragon Micajah 1 King 22. the Son of Imlah was a Prophet in the days of King Ahab and because he would not flatter the King This was not that Prophet that wrote the Book of Prophecies but another of that name 1 Sam. 18.20 c. as the four hundred false Prophets had done but prophesied plainly of the King's death he was smitten and cast in Prison Micajah Poor or low and base Michal was the second Daughter of King Saul whom he gave to David to be his Wise that she might be a snare to bring him into the hands of the Philistines But Michal loved David so well that he could not have his purpose that way For when he sent Men to watch his House and to slay him 19.11 c. Michal told David saying Except thou save thy self this Night to morrow thou wilt be slain Wherefore to save the life of David she let him down at a Back-window and layed an Image in his Bed with a Pillow under his Head stuffed with Goats hair and covered it with a Cloth And when the Men came into the House in the Morning and asked for David Michal said he was sick The Messengers then thinking to have carried him Bed and all to the King as he had commanded went into David's Chamber and when they came there and found nothing else in the Bed but a block they were ashamed and so returned to Saul and told him Then Michal being demanded wherefore she had so derided him and sent his enemy away made her excuse that if she had not let him go he would have killed her After this her Father
took her from David and gave her to * Look in the history of Psaltei how he used Michal David's Wise Psaltei the Son of Lais to Wife with whom she remained till the death of Saul and then was restored again to David by Abner's means Finally when David came dancing before the Ark of God in his shirt to the City of David it chanced Michal to look out at a Window and beholding the King how he leaped and danced before the Ark she began to despise him in her heart and meeting him after all things were done she said O how glorious was the King of Israel this day which was uncovered to day in the eyes of the Maidens of his Servants as a Fool uncovereth himself And for thus despising of David the Servant of God the Lord plagued her with Barrenness that she never had Child Michal who is perfect Mephibosheth 2 Sam. 4.4 the Son of Jonathan was lame in his Feet by reason his Nurse by misfortune in his infancy let him fall to the Ground out of her Arms and was brought up and nourished after the death of his Father in the House of Machir 9. cap. 4 c. till David coming to his Kingdom took him from thence and restored him to all the Land of King Saul making Ziba his Servant chief Overseer and Receiver of the Lands and to see Micah his Master's Son well brought up and cherished for so much as Mephibosheth should remain with him and eat and drink at his own Board Now after this when David was brought into so great affliction trouble by reason of Absalom his Son Mephibosheth remained still at Jerusalem and never removed 2 Sam. 16.1 2 c. But Ziba his Servant went after David with a present and by false report of Mephibosheth his Master got his Land from him And when the King was returned and come to Jerusalem again 19.24 c. then Mephibosheth who had neither washed his Feet nor dressed his Beard nor washed his Cloaths from the time the King departed until he returned in peace went out to meet him and when the King saw him he said Wherefore wentest thou not with me Mephibosheth He answered My Lord O King my Servant deceived me for thy Servant said I would have mine Ass sadled to ride thereon for to go with the King because thy Servant is lame Therefore Ziba hath falsly accused thy Servant to my Lord the King but my Lord the King is as an Angel of God Do therefore what it pleaseth thee for all my Fathers House were but dead Men before my Lord the King and yet didst thou set thy Servant among them that did eat at thine own Table What right have I to cry any more unto the King Then said David why speakest thou yet in thine own cause I have said Thou and Ziba divide the Land between you Yea said Mephibosheth let him take all seeing my Lord the King is come home in peace Mephibosheth shame or confusion from the mouth Mephibosheth 2 Sam. 21.8 the Son of Rizpah King Saul's Concubine was by the Gibeonites with his Brother Armoni hanged for their Father's offence Miriam Exo. 6.20 was the Daughter of Amram and Jochebed and Sister to Aaron and Moses When her Brother Moses had brought the Children of Israel thorow the red Sea Exo. 15.20 Miriam the Prophetess took a Timbrel in her hand with other Women following in like sort and began joyfully to sing and dance Their Song was this Sing ye unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously The Horse and his Rider hath he overthrown in the Sea After this she grudged against Moses Num. 12.1 10. because he had taken an Ethiopian Woman to his Wife wherefore the Lord smore her with Leprosie Then Moses partly for pity and partly at the intercession of Aaron his Brother besought the Lord to heal her who made him answer saying If her Father in anger had spit in her Face should she not have been ashamed seven days Let her be shut out of the Host seven days which being done she was restored and received in again Finally when Moses and the Children of Israel were come to Kadesh Num. 20.1 there she died and was buried Miriam exalted or reaching Meshach first called Mishael Dan. 1.7.3 cap. was one of Daniel's Companions and one of the three which was cast into the hot burning Furnace and miraculously preserved Meshach prolonging or drawing to him or compassing the waters or hedging Mithridates was King Cyrus's Treasurer 3 Esd 2. at whose commandment he delivered all the holy Vessels of Gold and Silver pertaining to the House of the Lord to Salmanassar the Deputy in Jewry The number of which Vessels was five thousand eight hundred and three score Mithridates dissolving the law Mnason was a certain godly Man Act. 21.16 and a Cyprian born who had of long time believed the Gospel in whose House Paul was lodged at Jerusalem Mnason a searcher out or promising or remembring Moses the Son of Amram and Jochebed Exod. 2. cap. was miraculously preserved at his birth For whereas Pharaoh the King of Egypt had straitly commanded the Midwives Moses signifieth preserved from the water that whensoever they saw an Hebrew bring forth a Man-child they should cast it into the River yet Moses being born and a proper Child was notwithstanding the King's Commandment kept secretly three Months And when his Parents could hide him no longer they closed him in a Basket made of Reed or Bulrushes dawbed with slime and pitch and laid him in the River And as the Child's sister stood looking what should become of him it came to pass that King Pharaoh's * Her name was Termuth Daughter came a walking by the River side who seeing the Basket floating upon the River caused one of her Folks to take it up And when she had opened the Basket and saw the Child she had pity upon it and caused the Maid his sister to fetch her a Nurse who went and brought his own Mother And so the Child being nursed and brought up in Pharaoh's house was instructed from his Childhood in all manner of cunning and wisdom of the Egyptians and became mighty in words and deeds saving in his speech he had an impediment And when he was full forty years old it came in his heart to go and visit his Brethren the Children of Israel whom Pharaoh vexed without all measure And as he saw an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew How that Moscs's impedment of speech came The King on a time for his Daughter's sake took the Child in his arms and set the Crown upon his Head which Moses as it were childishly playing hurled to the ground and with his Foot spurned it At the which the Priest cried out saying that this was he of whom it was prophesied that he should destroy Egypt Then Termuth excused the Child alledging his infancy and lack of
Arimathea to take down the Body of Jesus and wound it in Linnen cloaths with the odours as the manner of the Jews was to bury and laid him in his Sepulchre Nicodemus Innocent bloud Nicolas a Convert of Antioch Act. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. was one of the seven Deacons ordained in the Congregation to do service in necessary things of the Body His Heresie was this That every Man might lawfully use every Woman that he lusted after that the Apostles might wait only upon the Word of God who notwithstanding fell into a foul Heresie which S. John in his Book of the Revelation 2d Chapter reproveth Nicolas the victory of the common people Nimrod was the Son of Gush Gen. 10.8 Son of Cham the second Son of Noah He was the first that took on him to reign over Men and became a cruel Oppressor and Tyrant He was called a mighty Hunter for that he was a Deceiver of Souls and Oppressor of Men. Gen. 11.4 He attempted to build the great Tower of Babel intending to have raised it above the Clouds thinking thereby to have escaped if any Floud should again have happened Nimrod Rebellious Noah was the Son of Lamech Gen. 5.29 not and five hundred years of age before he begat Shem Ham and Japhet And being a just and perfect Man he found such favour in the eyes of God 6. cap. that when all flesh had so corrupted his way upon Earth that God threatned the destruction of the World yet to save Noah and to declare it unto him 120. years before it came he bad him prepare an Ark of Pine-Trees which should contain in length three hundred Cubits in breadth fifty Cubits and in deepness thirty Now when Noah had made the Ark and was six hundred years of age the Lord told him that after seven days the Deluge should fall wherefore Noah at the Lord's commandment got him into the Ark 7. cap. with his Wife and three Sons with their Wives providing in the mean space all things necessary for them And when Noah was in the Ark suddenly by the power of God and not of Man's bringing there came into the Ship two and two together of every kind of Beast and Foul the male and the female And when they were all in the Lord shut the Door of the Ark and opened the Windows of Heaven so that the Rain fell continually forty Days and forty Nights whereupon the Waters prevailed and rose above all Mountains fifteen Cubits So that all living Creatures dyed except Fish and such as might endure in the Bowels of the earth And after the Waters had prevailed a hundred and fifty days They decreased again 8. cap. and in the seventh day of the seventh Month which was October the Ark stuck upon the Mountains of Ararat Then Noah opened a Window and sent forth a Crow which returned not again After seven Days he put forth a Dove which came again at Night bringing a branch of Olive with green Leaves in her mouth Nevertheless he remained seven other days and put forth the Dove again which never returned Then Noah after he had continued one Year in the Ark and sell the Earth drie he at the commandment of God issued out of the Ark and incontinent builded an Altar whereupon he offered a Sacrifice unto the Lord of every clean Beast and of every clean Fowl which Sacrifice was a sweet smell unto the Lord and pleased him so well that he made a promise to Noah that he would never more destroy the world with water Gen. 9.8.9 c. and for the confirmation thereof gave the Rainbow for a sure token between him and man Noah was the first inventer of Wine and therewithal was made drunk He lived after the Flood 350. years Noah Rest. O. OBED Ruth 4.17 the Son of Boaz and Ruth begat Jesse the Father of King David Obed Edom 1 Chron. 46.37 2 King 6.10.11 c. the Son of Jeduthun had the Ark of God remaining in his house three Months for the which the Lord blessed him and all his house And when it was told to David that the house of Obed Edom was blessed because of the Ark of God he removed it thence and brought it into the City of David with great triumph and ordained Obed Edom and his Brethren which were Levites to keep the Door of the Ark. Obed Edom the servant of Edom or a servant Edomite Obediah 1 King 18.3 4 c. notwithstanding he was Chief Governour of all King Ahab's house yet he was a Man that feared God greatly Insomuch that when Jezebel destroyed the Prophets of the Lord he took an hundred Prophets and hid them fifty in one Cave and fifty in another providing all things necessary for them On a time as Obediah was going about the Land at Ahab's commandment to search for Water and Grass for their Cattel which were almost overcome with drouth he chanced to meet Elijah the Prophet And when he saw him he sell down and said Art not thou my Lord Elijah yea quoth he go tell thy Lord that I am her O quoth Obediah what have I sinned that thou wouldest deliver thy Servant into the hands of Ahab to be slain As truly as the Lord thy God liveth there is no Nation or Kingdom whither my Lord hath not sent to seek thee And when they said he is not here he took an oath of the Kingdom and Nation if they had not found thee And now thou sayst go tell thy Lord that Elijah is here And when I am gone from thee the spirit of the Lord shall carry thee into some place that I do not know and so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find thee then will he kill me But I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth Was it not told my Lord what I did when Jezebel slew the Prophets of the Lord how I hid an hundred Men of the Lord's Prophets by fifties in a Cave and fed them with Bread and Water And now thou sayst go and tell thy Lord behold Elijah is here that he may slay me Well said Elijah as truly as the Lord of Hosts liveth before whom I stand I will shew my self unto him this day Then Obediah hearing him say so went to Ahab and told him Obediah servant of the Lord. Oded 2 Chron. 28.9 c. when Pekah King of Israel had taken so many Captives of the Children of Juda and carried them to Samaria the Lord sent this Prophet unto him saying Behold because the Lord God of your Fathers is wroth with Juda he hath delivered them into your hands and ye have slain them in your cruelness that reacheth unto Heaven and now ye purpose to keep under the Children of Juda and Jerusalem as Bond-men and Bond-women And do ye not lade your selves with sin in the sight of the Lord your God Now therefore hear me and deliver the Captives again which ye
have taken of your Brethren or else shall the wrath of God be upon you Then certain which were the Heads of the Children of Ephraim being sorry for the great offence they had committed took the Prisoners and with the spoil clothed all that lacked shod them and fed them with Meat and Drink anointed the wounds of such as were hurt and the feeble they carried upon Asses and brought them to Jericho the City of Palm-Trees to their Brethren And leaving them there returned to Samaria again Oded bolding up or erecting Og Num. 21.33 Deu. 3.3.29.7 the King of Bashan was a mighty great Gyant whose Bed was made of Iron and in length nine Cubits that is thirteen foot and an half And four Cubits broad that is six foot This Og was next neighbour to Schon King of the Amorites And having knowledge of all that Moses had done to Schon his neighbour made out a great Army against Moses thinking to have overcome him in revenging his neighbours quarrel But when it came to trial he sped no better than his Neighbour had done before him Og a Cake or bread baked under the ashes Onan was the second Son of Juda Gen. 38.4 who after the death of Er his eldest Brother was married to Thamar his Brother's Wife to raise up Seed unto his Brother But when he perceived that the Seed should be none of his he practised such wickedness that the vengeance of God fell upon him and slew him Onan Sorrow or Iniquity Onesimus being in service with Philemon Col. 4.9 like an unfaithful Servant robbed his Master and ran away from him to Rome Where by hearing of Paul who at that time was in Bonds he received the Doctrine of the Gospel and served Paul in Prison and became so faithful a Souldier of Christ that Paul sent him with Tychicus to the Colossians with his Epistle commanding him unto them on this wise And with Tychicus Phile. cap. I have sent Onesimus a faithful and beloved Brother which is one of you Finally he sent him home to his Master again beseeching Philemon not to receive him now as a Servant but more than a Servant even as a faithful Brother and as his own Son whom he had in his Bands begotten to Christ offering himself surety to make good whatsoever hurt he had done him in time past Onesimus Apparel or a Garment Onesiphorus was a faithful godly Man 2 Tim. 1.16 and a great refresher of such as were in Bonds for the Doctrine of Christ as Saint Paul doth testifie of him saying The Lord give mercy unto the Houshold of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain But when he was at Rome he sought me out very diligently and sound me The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy with the Lord at that day and in how many things he ministred unto me at Ephesus thou knowest very well O Timothy Onesiphorus bringing profit Onias 2 Mac. 3. the High Priest among the Jews was a Man of such godliness and holiness of life that he always sought the honour of the Laws and wealth of the People of God By his prayer that wicked man Heliodorus was restored to his health but notwithstanding all his vertue and goodness 4. cap. yet had he enemies For Symon a Man void of all godliness never ceased with all slanderous and evil reports that he could devise to Seleucus the King to bring him out of favour which he could never do so long as the King lived But Seleucus being dead Onias was soon put out of office by the false deceit and means of his own Brother Jason and brought in such fear thorow him and Menelaus with other his enemies that he was sain to take sanctuary Where at the last by the counsel of Menelaus he was without all regard of righteousness most traiterously slain by the hands of Andronicus whose innocent death was so sore lamented both of the Jews and also of Antiochus the King himself that at his coming home he rewarded the Malefactor according to his deeds Onias the strength of the Lord. Oholiab Exod. 35.34 the Son of Achisamah of the Tribe of Dan was a Craftsman whom the Lord had endued with great cunning and appointed him to Moses for one of the chief Workmen for the finishing of the Temple Oreb and Zeeb Judg. 7. ult were two great Captains among the Midianites whom the Men of Mount Ephraim which had stopped the Waters from Bethbarah to Jordan took and smote off their Heads and sent them to Gideon on the other side of Jordan Oreb a Crow or sweet or a surety or evening time Ornan was a certain Jebusite 1 Chron. 21.15 18 c. unto whom the Lord commanded David after he had plagued him with Pestilence to go and rear up an Altar in his threshing floor At whose coming In the second Book of Sam. chap. 24. he is called Araunah Ornan fell down before him and said Wherefore is my Lord the King come to his servant I am come quoth he to buy thy threshing floor and to make an Altar unto the Lord that the Plague may cease from the People Ornan answered Let my Lord the King take and offer what seemeth him good in his eyes And moreover here be Oxen for burnt sacrifice and sleds with other instruments for wood take them all to thee as thine own David said Nay not so but I will buy it for sufficient money for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord nor offer burnt-offerings without cost And so David gave Ornan for that place six hundred sicles of gold by weight Ornan Rejoycing Orpah and Ruth Ruth 1 cap. were two Damosels of the Countrey of Moab which were married to the two Sons of Elimelech and Naomi strangers come out of the Land of Juda there to dwell Read the story of Naomi for the rest Orpah a Neck Osias the Son of Micha of the Tribe of Simeon Judith 6. was one of the principal Fathers and Rulers among the Israelites what time as Holofernes besieged the City of Bethulia This Man comforted Achior which had so boldly magnified and praised the great power and strength of God before Holofernes and took him into his house where he made him a great Supper to the which he called the Elders who all together praised God in him Also when the People came weeping and crying out unto him to give over the City into the hands of the Assyrians he said unto them Oh take good hearts unto you dear Brethren and be of good chear and let us wait yet these five days for mercy of the Lord 7. cap. peradventure he shall put away his indignation and give glory unto his Name But if he help us not after these five days be past we shall do as ye have said Which counsel of Osias pleased not Judith because he had set the mercy of God a
time and appointed him a day at his pleasure So that after this Osias remained in prayer and followed the advice of Judith in all things Osias the Lord Saviour or the health of the Lord. Othoniel Judg. 1.13 was the Son of Kenaz unto whom Caleb his elder Brother gave Acsah his Daughter to Wife for winning of a certain City called Kiriath-sepher This Man delivered the Children of Israel from the Captivity of Chushan-Rishathaim King of Mesopotamia 3.9 which had oppressed them eight years and judged Israel forty years Othoniel the time or hour of God P. PAUL Act. 7.58.8.1 3. the Apostle of Christ was born in India in a Town called Giscalis and was of the Tribe of Benjamin And the Town being taken of the Romans he went with his Parents to Tharsus a City of Cilicia and dwelled But afterward he was sent by them to Jerusalem to learn the Laws and was there taught of one Gamaliel a great Learned man He being with others at the Martyrdom of S. Steven received Letters of the Bishop 9. cap. willing him to go to Damascus there to persecute them that believed in Christ And in the way he was by revelation changed from a cruel Persecutor to an earnest Preacher of Christ whose name he professed first at Damascus confounding the doctrine of the Jews for the which they lay in wait to kill him but being let out at a Window in a Basket by night he escaped and went to Jerusalem where he disputed with the Greeks who sought to kill him also but the Brethren conveighed him to Caesarea and sent him to Tharsus 11. cap. 25. And during his abode at Tharsus Barnabas fetcht him from thence to Antioch where he continued a whole year and converted many to the faith of Christ. From thence he went to Cyprus 13. cap. and turned the Ruler of the Country called Sergius Paulus to Christ by whom he was called Paul whereas before he was named Saul Then he wandred about the Countreys and came to * The other Antioch before is in Syria Antioch Pisidia where he came into the Synagogue and after the Lecture of the Law and Prophets made a long Sermon which was so well accepted of the Gentiles that they were desirous to hear him again on the next Sabbath at which time the unbelieving Jews raised up Persecution against him 14. cap. So that Paul departed to Iconium and from thence to Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead but being recovered he ceased not to exhort the People to continue in the faith of Christ And so passing thorow many dangerous places he came at the last to Attalia and there he took shipping and sailed back again to Antioch declaring to the Congregation there gathered together all things which God had done by him and Barnabas in their Journey After this Paul again departed from Antioch And passing thorow many Countries 16. cap. he came to Philippi the Chief City in the parts of Macedonia where he was beaten and cast into Prison where he converted the Jayler and was delivered as a Roman And from Philippi he passed the Countries till he came to Thessalonica where he preached Christ so earnestly that the unbelieving Jews moved all the City against him notwithstanding he escaped and went to Athens preaching to the Athenians the true and unknown God From Athens he departed to Corinth where he remained a Year and a half From thence he turned again to Syria and came to Ephesus where the Silversmiths moved sedition against him for Diana their Goddess And so forth passing many Countries and dangers he came at last to Jerusalem where he was taken of the Jews and had to Prison to be scourged but he professing himself to be a Roman made the Captain afraid who after he had heard his cause and had knowledge of the Jews conspiracy against Paul he sent him privily by Night to Felix Lieutenant of Caesarea where he continued in Prison two Years till Festus came into Felix room And being examined afore Festus he appealed to the Emperour wherefore Festus after a-while committed him to a Centurion named Julius who with much danger Paul suffered Martyrdom by beheading under Nero in the xiv year of his reign and after the Passion of Christ 37. years Eliote brought Paul to Rome and delivered him to the High Captain with whom Paul found so much favour that he was suffered to dwell in an house by himself with a Souldier to keep him and to receive whosoever came unto him And so Paul continued in Rome two years preaching and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus with all boldness no Man forbidding him Paul the mouth of the Trumpet or marvellous or the least Pekahia 3 King 15.23 c. the Son of Menahem began his reign over Israel in the fiftieth year of the reign of Azariah King of Juda and departed not from the sins of Jeroboam but walked therein as his Father did before him He had not reigned two years ere that Pekah his own Captain rose against him and slew him in Samaria and reigned in his stead Pekahia the Lords opening Pekah 2 King 15.25 c. the Son of Remaliah began his Reign over Israel in the 52. year of Azariah King of Juda. This Man slew Pekahia his own Lord and so usurped the Crown He kept the ways of Jeroboam as his Predecessors did He made War against Juda 2 Chron. 28.6 7 c. and slew of them in one day six hundred thousand and took two hundred thousand of Women Sons and Daughters Prisoners and carried them away to Samaria purposing to have kept them in bondage and slavery all their life long But being admonished by Oded the Prophet he new arrayed them and sent them home again After this God stirred up Tiglath King of Assyria against him which came and dispossessed him of all the Land of Nephtalim and carried away his People Finally Hosea the Son of Ela conspired against Pekah and slew him after he had reigned twenty years and was King after him Peleg Gen. 10.25.11.17 18. was the Son of Eber of the Generation of Sem. His Brother's name was Joktan At the age of thirty years he begot Reu and lived after that two hundred and nine years In this Man's days was the Land divided by reason of the diversity of Language which happened at the building of Babel Peleg a division Persis was a Man singularly beloved of S. Paul Rom. 16.12 for his diligence in setting forth the Gospel as doth appear by his words saying Salute the well-beloved Persis which laboured much in the Lord. Peter otherwise called Simon the Son of Jonas Matth. 4.18 dwelt in the City of Bethsaida and from a Fisher-man was called to be an Apostle into whose house Christ vouchsafed to come and heal his Wifes Mother of her Feaver Luk 4.38 c. Peter was of that audacity and boldness
Dowry Finally 2 King 23.33 c. Pharaoh Nechoh in the days of Jehoahaz the Son of Josiah King of Juda came and deposed him making Eliakim his Brother King in his stead and taxed the Land in a hundred Talents of Silver and one of Gold and carried Jehoahaz away with him into Egypt Pharaoh Vengeance Phebe was a certain Woman Rom. 16.1 which served in the Congregation of Cenchrea by whom Paul sent his Epistle to the Romans wherein he saith in her praise and commendation on this wise I commend unto you Phebe our Sister which is a Servant of the Church of Cenchrea that ye receive her in the Lord as it becometh Saints And ye assist her in whatsoever business she needeth of your aid for she hath succoured many and me also Phygellus was one of them in Asia 2 Tim. 1.15 which had cleaved to Paul's doctrine and after ward forsook him Of whom Paul writeth to Timothy thus This thou knowest how that all they which are in Asia be turned from me of which sort are Phygellus and Hermogenes Philemon look Onesimus Philetus 2 Tim. 2.17 was a certain Man in S. Paul's time which erred from the truth saying that the resurrection was past already of whose errour Paul warneth Timothy saying on this wise Study to shew thy self approved unto God a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed distributing the word of truth justly as for profane and vain bablings pass thou over them for they will increase unto ungodliness and their words will fret as doth the disease of a Canker of whose number is Hymeneus and Philetus which as concerning the truth have erred saying the resurrection is past already and do destroy the faith of many Philip. 1 Mac. 6. To this Man Antiochus the King at the day of his death committed the governance of his young Son Antiochus with the whole Realm during his Nonage Which Philip afterward went into Persia with a great Host leaving the King's Son under the tuition of Lysias who in the absence of Philip made Antiochus King in his Fathers stead adding to his name Eupater Then Philip hearing of this whose intent was to be King himself returned with the King's Army out of Persia and came to Antioch where he got the dominion But Lysias hearing thereof made haste to Antioch where he fought with Philip and in fine got the City from him Philip John 1.43 a Man born in Bethsaida a City of Galilee was called to be an Apostle After whose calling he went to Nathanael and said we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write Jesus the Son of Joseph of Nazareth and so brought him to Jesus 6.5 This is he whom Christ asked to prove him where he might buy so much Bread as would serve the Company to eat that came unto him who made answer that two hundred penyworth would not suffice them to have but every Man a little Also 12.21 when there were certain Greeks which came to Philip saying they were desirous to see Jesus Philip went and told Andrew And again Andrew and Philip told Jesus Furthermore when Jesus reasoned with his Disciples about his Father saying that they both knew him and had seen him Philip said Lord shew us the Father 14.8 Act. 8.5 c. and it sufficeth us Now after the death of Christ and persecution that was about Stephen Philip went to the City of Samaria where he preached Christ and did not only convert the whole City but also Simon Magus the Sorcerer who had of long time seduced the same City with his sorcery and witchcraft And when he had thus sown the Word of God among the Samaritans the Angel of the Lord spake unto Philip saying Arise and go toward the South unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto the City of Gaza which is in the Desert And as he was going he met in the way by God's providence a certain Man of Ethiopia a Chamberlain and of great Authority with Candace Queen of Ethiopia which had been at Jerusalem to worship And returning homeward sitting in his Chariot he read the Book of Esay the Prophet Then Philip being commanded by the Spirit of God to go and joyn himself unto the Chariot went And when he came near and heard him reading of Esay the Prophet he said unto the Chamberlain Understandest thou what thou readest How can I quoth he except I had a Guide wherefore I pray thee come up and sit with me The Tenor of the Scripture which he read was this He was led as a Sheep to be slain and like a Lamb dumb before his shearer so opened he not his mouth Because of his humbleness he was not esteemed But who shall declare his generation and his life is taken from the Earth When Philip had repeated this Text unto the Chamberlain he said unto Philip I pray thee of whom speaketh the Prophet this of himself or of some other man Then began Philip at the same Scripture and preached unto him Jesus And as they went on their way they came by a certain Water And the Chamberlain said to Philip See here is Water what doth lett me to be baptised Philip said If thou believe with all thy heart thou mayst And he said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Then was the Chariot stayed till they both went down into the Water where Philip baptised him And assoon as they were both out of the Water the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip so that the Chamberlain saw him no more who went away rejoycing But the Angel set Philip down in the next City called Azotus who walked thorowout the Country preaching in all the Cities till he came to Caesarea Philip Act. 6.5.21.8 the Evangelist was one of the seven Deacons He dwelt in Caesarea and had four Daughters which did prophesie Phinehas Num. 25. cap. the Son of Eleazar was so jealous over the Laws of God that when the Children of Israel had committed whoredome with the Daughters of Moab and saw an Israelite named Zimri bring to his Brethren a Midianitish Wife named Gozbi even in the sight of Moses and all the multitude of Israel that stood before the Door of the Tabernacle lamenting their offence he took his Weapon in his hand and followed the Man into his Tent and thrust them both thorow the Bellies and killed them And then the Plague wherein were dead four and twenty thousand ceased For the which deed the Lord said to Moses Phinehas the Son of Eleazar hath turned away mine anger from the Children of Israel while he was jealous for my sake among them that I had not consumed them all in my jealousie Wherefore I give unto him my covenant of peace to him and to his seed after him even the Covenant of the Priests office for ever because he was jealous for his God's sake and made attonement for the Children of
he set two Crowns upon his Head the Crown of Egypt and Asia Then Alexander who at that time lay in the Countrey of Cilicia hearing of all that his Father-in-law had done returned home and made War against him But Ptolomy being the stronger chased him into the Countrey of Arabia where the King of that Land smote off his Head and sent it to Ptolomy which pleasure he did not long enjoy for within three days after Ptolomy dyed himself After whose death his Men of War which he had left in the Cities were all slain Ptolomy 1 Mac. 16. the Son of Abobus married with the Daughter of Symon Brother to Machabeus And being made Captain of the Host at Jericho he began thorow his great abundance of Gold and Silver to wax proud and high-minded imagining how he might destroy Symon his Father-in-law and his Sons and so to conquer the Land And being in this mind it chanced Symon as he was going thorow the Cities of Jewry and caring for them to come down to Jericho with Mattathias and Judas his Sons where this Ptolomy received him under the colour of great friendship into a strong Castle of his named Douch and in the same made him a great Banquet at the which he most traiterously slew Symon his Father-in-law with both his Sons This done he wrote to Antiochus to send him an Host of Men and he would deliver the Land of Jewry into his hand And further he sent certain Men to Gaza to kill John the third Son of Symon and wrote to the Captains to come unto him and he would reward them with Silver and Gold But John having knowledge of all the Treason slew the Messengers which came from Ptolomy and so disappointed him of all his purpose Ptolomie sirnamed Macron being made a Ruler 2 Mac. 10. purposed to do Justice unto the Jews for the wrongs that had been done unto them and went about to behave himself peaceably with them for the which he was accused of his friends to Eupator and was called oft-times Traytour because he had left Cyprus that Philometor had committed unto him and came to Antiochus Epiphanes Therefore seeing that he was no more in estimation he was discouraged and poisoned himself and dyed Publius Act. 28.7 8 c. was a certain Man dwelling in the Isle called Melitus and the chiefest Man in all the Isle who received Paul with all the rest that had escaped the Seas very gently and lodged them three days in his House whose Father which lay sick of an Ague and of a bloudy flux Paul healed Publius a Latine word Putiphar Gen. 39.1 c. was a great Lord in the Land of Egypt and Steward of King Pharaoh's house He bought Joseph of the Ishmaelites and found him a lucky Man And when he saw that God did prosper all things under his hand he made him Ruler and Governour of all that he had and God did bless his house for Joseph's sake But in the end thorow the false accusation of his Wife he cast Joseph in Prison R. RACHEL Gen. 30.22 c. 31.19 c. the youngest Daughter of Laban the Son of Nahor was a beautiful young Woman and Jacob's Wife She being long barren at the last brought forth a Son and called his Name Joseph And at her departing from Laban her Father with Jacob her Husband into the Land of Canaan she stole away her Fathers * Not to worship them but to withdraw her Father from Idolatry Images from him for the which he made no little ado with Jacob whom he followed and overtook at Mount Gilead And when her Father had searched Jacob's Tents and could not find his Idols he came into Rachel his Daughters Tent who had hid them in the Camels litter and sat upon them And as her Father was rifling about the place where she sat she said O my Lord be not angry that I cannot rise up before thee for the custome of Women is come upon me and so the thing was not known Finally Rachel in travailling of her second Son whom she called Ben-Oni the Son of my sorrow dyed and was buried in the way to Ephrath which is Bethlchem where Jacob caused a stone to be set upon her Grave which was called Rachels grave-stone Rachel a Sheep Raguel Tob. 6 7. was a certain Man dwelling at Rages a City of the Medes whose Sister was Wife to old Toby This Raguel had a Daughter called Sarah which had been married to seven Men one after another which Men were all slain the first Night of their marriage by the Devil dsmodius To this Sarah God had appointed young Toby which feared God to be her Husband and made his holy Angel Raphael to bring him to Rages and so to Raguel's house his Mother's Brother where they were joyfully received And when Raguel had looked upon young Toby and beheld him well he said unto his Wife how like is this young Man to my Sisters Son And then to know who they were he said whence be ye my good Brethren We be said they of the Tribe of Nephtali and of the captivity of Niniveh Know ye said he Tobias our Kinsman Yea said they we know him well and this young man said the Angel is his Son With that Raguel bowed himself and with weeping eyes took him about the Neck and kissed him and bad his Wife prepare in all hast for Dinner Nay said Toby I will neither eat nor drink here this day except thou grant me my Petition and promise to give me thy Daughter Sarah Then was Raguel fore astonied and began to fear lest it should happen unto him as it did to the other seven And while he stood in doubt what answer to make the Angel said Fear not to give him thy Daughter for unto this Man that feareth God belongeth she and to none other I doubt not said Raguel but God hath accepted my prayers and tears in his sight and I trust he hath caused you to come unto me for the same intent that this Daughter of mine might be married in her own Kindred according to the Law of Moses And now doubt thou not my Son but I will give her unto thee And with that he took the right hand of his Daughter and gave her into the right hand of Toby saying the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob be with you joyn you together and fulfil his blessing in you And when the Marriage all was ended Raguel brought his Daughter into her Chamber and said Be of good cheer my Daughter the Lord of Heaven give thee joy for the heaviness that thou hast suffered and so went to rest Then in the morning about the Cock-crowing Raguel supposing all things to have happened to Toby as it did to the other seven before called up his Men and went and made ready his Grave which being done he bad his Wife send one of her Maidens to
look if Toby were dead that he might bury him before day light And when it was told him they were both sound and fast asleep he praised God and caused his Men to fill up the Grave again and made a great Feast to all his Neighbours and Friends And gave to Toby the half of all his Goods and made him a sure writing for the other half that remained to be his also after his death And at the day of their departure delivered the Goods and taking his leave said The holy Angel of the Lord be with you in your Journey and bring you forth safe and sound that ye may find all things in good case with your Elders and that mine eyes may see your Children before I die and so kissed them and let them go Raguel a Shepherd of God Rathumus 3 Esd 2. cap. with other Officers under Artaxerxes King of Persia writeth unto him against the Jews on this wise Sir thy Servants Rathumus the story writer Sabellius the Scribe with other Judges of the Court in Celosyria and Phinehes Be it known and manifested to our Lord the King that the Jews which are come up from you to us into the rebellious and wicked City begin to build it again and the Walls about it and to set up the Temple a-new Now if this City and the Walls thereof be set up again they will not only refuse to give Tributes and Taxes but also rebel utterly against the King And for so much as they take this in hand now about the Temple we thought it not meet to pass over such a thing but to shew it unto our Lord the King And to certifie him thereof To the intent that if it might please the King to cause it to be sought in the Books of old and thou shalt find such warning written and shalt understand that this City hath always been rebellious and disobedient that it hath subdued Kings and Cities and that the Jews which dwelt therein have ever been a rebellious obstinate unfaithful and fighting People for the which cause this City is wasted Wherefore now we certifie our Lord the King that if this City be builded and occupied again and the Walls thereof set up a-new thou canst have no passage into Celosyria and Phenice And when Rathumus and the other had received the King's answer they got them to Jerusalem with an Host of Men and made the Jews cease from their building which was not begun again until the second year of King Darius Rebecca Gen. 24. cap. was the Daughter of Bethuel and Sister to Laban As she went on a time with a Pitcher upon her Head to the common Well without the City to draw Water it chanced Abraham's servant to stand by the Well with ten Camels lying thereabout And when the Maid had filled her Pot and set it upon her Head ready to go away the Man desired to drink a little of her Water who forthwith set down her Pot and gave him drink And when he had drunken she poured out the rest into the Water trough and ran again to the Well and drew Water for his Camels until they had all drunken their fill Then the Man in hope the Lord had made his Journey prosperous took out a Golden ear-ring and two Bracelets of Gold and gave them to the Maid demanding whose Daughter she was I am quoth she the Daughter of Bethuel the Son of Milcah which she bare unto Nahor Then tell me I pray thee is there room in thy Father's House for us to lodge in Yea quoth she there is both Room and Lodging and also Litter and Provender enough for your Beasts Blessed be God quoth he that hath dealt so mercifully with my Master and hath brought me the right way to my Master's Brothers House Then Rebecca hearing him speak of her Fathers Brother ran home and told all things what the Man had said And as Laban beheld his Sister and saw the Ear rings and Bracelets upon her Hands he ran out to the man and with gentle entertainment brought him into the House and saw his Camels drest and provided for and also set Meat before him to eat But the Man would not eat before he had declared the cause wherefore his Master had sent him which being done and his request granted he ate and made merry and tarried all night And on the morrow as the Man made haste to go his way the Damosel was called forth to know whether she would go with the Man or no and being content to go with the Man he would not tarry but took the Maid and had her to Isaac his Master's Son whose Wife she became And being twenty years without a Child at last she conceived with two and when she felt them strive within her womb she made her moan to God saying Seeing it is so why am I thus with child God made her answer saying There are two manner of People in thy womb two Nations shall be divided out of thy bowels And the one Nation shall be mightier than the other And the elder shall be servant to the younger And so when her time was come to be delivered she brought forth two Twins the one named Esau and the other Jacob. Which two became mighty Men but Rebecca loved Jacob better than Esau and to prefer him before the other she said Hear me my Son Jacob I have heard thy Father say to thy Brother go and kill some Venison and make me meat thereof that I may eat and bless thee before the Lord before I dye Now therefore my Son hear my Voice in that which I command thee Get thee to the Flock and bring me thence two good Kids that I may make meat of them for thy Father such as he loveth and thou shalt bring it him to eat that he may bless thee before his death Then said Jacob My Brother Esau is a rough Man and if my Father shall happen to feel me I shall seem unto him as if I went about to deceive him and so shall I bring a curse upon me and not a blessing Well said Rebecca upon me be thy curse my Son only hear my Voice and go and fetch me them And when he had brought the Kids and that she had drest the Meat and made it ready she fetcht out certain Raiment of Esau's and put it upon Jacob and covered his hands and the smooth of his Neck with Goat-skins and put the Meat in his hand to carry to his Father by which policy of Rebecca Jacob had his Brother's blessing And when she heard how his Brother threatned to kill him for stealing away his blessing she told it Jacob saying Thy Brother Esau threatneth to slay thee therefore my Son hear my voice Make thee ready and get thee to Laban my Brother at Haran and tarry with him a while until thy Brother's fierceness be asswaged and that his wrath be turned away from thee and he forget the things which thou
hast done unto him and then will I send and fetch thee away from thence for why should I be deprived of you both in one day And when she had given her Son this counsel she went to Isaac her Husband and said I am weary of my life for fear of the Daughters of Heth. If Jacob take a Wife of the Daughters of Heth such a one as these are or of the Daughters of the Land what good shall my life do me And so by the counsel of Rebecca Jacob was sent to Laban his Mother's Brother where in process he got him a Wise and purchased the love of Esau his Brother again Rebecca Fed. Rechab Jer. 35.6 was the Father of Jonadab Which Jonadab made a Law that the Rechabites should never drink Wine their Wives nor their Children neither yet build House nor sow Seed nor plant Vineyards but should always dwell in Tents Which commandment they kept and obeyed truly And this their obedience Jeremy layeth before the Jews to their great reproach for that they were not so ready to obey the will and commandment of God their heavenly Father as the Rechabites were to obey their Father Jonadab Rechab a Rider Of Rechab the Son of Rimmon read the story of Baanah his Brother Rezin 2 Ring 16.5 c. King of Syria went with Pekah King of Israel to fight against Ahaz King of Juda but could not overcome him At which time Rezin took the City of Elath and drove out the Jews therein and peopled the City with Syrians But in fine the King of Assyria came against him in the defence of Ahaz King of Juda and at Damascus slew him Rezin will or willing to a thing Rezon 1. King 11.23 the Son of Eliadah was a great Captain under Hadadezer King of Zobah which Hadadezer David had overcome in Battel And when Rezon saw his Lord and Master discomfited he fled from him and gathered a Band of Men and went to Damascus where he reigned as King and became a great adversary to Solomon for the which purpose the Lord had stirred him up Rezon a Secretary or leave Rizpah 2 Sam. 22.8 c. the Daughter of Ahia was Saul's Concubine and had by him two Sons the one named Armoni and the other Mephibosheth which two with the Sons of Merob David delivered to the Gibeonites who for the offence of Saul hanged them up upon an Hill before the Lord. Then Rizpah perceiving their Carkasses to remain upon the Gibbet longer than the Law required made provision to save their Bodies that neither Birds should fall upon them by day nor Beast by night And when it was told to David what Rizpah had done he caused their bones with the bones of Saul and Jonathan to be carried into the Country of Benjamin and there buried in the Sepulchre of Kish Saul's Father's Rehoboam 1 King 12. the Son of Solomon was xli years old when he began to reign and his Mothers name was Naamah In this Man's time began the Kingdom of Israel to be divided For when the People came to him and said Thy Father laid a grievous Yoak upon us now therefore remit thou somewhat of the grievous service of thy Father and of his heavy Yoak that he put upon us and we will serve thee He answered as his young Counsellers had counselled him saying My little Finger shall be heavier than all my Father's Loins And whereas my Father put an heavy yoak upon you I will add more unto it And whereas he chastened you with Whips I will chasten you with Scorpions The People hearing this they forsook him all save the Tribe of Juda and * The Tribe of Benjamin was given to Nathan the Brother of Solomon who nevertheless aided the Tribe of Juda as often as they needed Benjamin Then Rehoboam seeing his Kingdom divided gathered an Host of Men out of the house of Juda and Benjamin to the number of nine score thousand to fight with Israel and to bring the Kingdom again unto himself But while he was thus minded the Prophet Shemajah came to him and bad him cease from his purpose for the thing that was done was the Lord's doing Whereupon every Man departed according to the words of the Lord which the Prophet had spoken Then Rehoboam fell to building of Cities 2 Chron. 11.5 c. and repairing of strong holds which he furnished both with Men and Victuals 12. cap. So that his Kingdom was mighty and strong by the space of three years for so long walked he and his People in the ways of David but when they had once forsaken the Law of the Lord in making Hill-altars Images Groves and were become Sodomites and workers of all abominations then God forsook them and gave them into the hands of Shishack King of Egypt who in the fifth year of Rehoboam's raign came to Jerusalem and spoiled both the house of the Lord and the King's house and carried away the shields of Gold which Solomon had made in stead whereof Rehoboam made shields of brass And so for a while God made the Tribe of Juda and Benjamin servants to Shishack although they humbled themselves to the intent they should know the difference between his service and the service of the Kingdomes of the World This King Rehoboam had eighteen Wives and three-score Concubines on whom he begot eight and twenty Sons and three-score Daughters But among all his Wives and Concubines he loved Maacha the Daughter of Absalom best And made Abijah her Son chief Ruler over all his Brethren and to have the Kingdom after him And when by his wisdom and policy he had dispersed his Children abroad and had raigned seventeen Years he dyed Rehoboam inlarging or spreading abroad the people Reuben Gen. 29.32 was the eldest Son of Jacob and Leah He brought the Mandrakes which he found in the Field to his Mother Gen. 30.14 He saved Joseph from his Brethren which went about to kill him Gen. 37.21 22. giving counsel to cast him into an empty Pit because he would rid him out of their hands But when he came afterward unto the Pit and found him not there he rent his Cloaths and made great mone for his Brother Joseph Long after this when Joseph was thought to be dead they went into Egypt for Corn and when they were taken for Spyes and hardly intreated and cast in Prison Gen. 42.22 Reuben said unto them Did not I warn you and say that ye should not sin against the Child and ye would not hear me and now ye may see how his bloud is required at our hands All this notwithstanding it was his chance to lye with Bilha his Father's Concubine Gen. 49.4 which deed sore displeased his Father wherefore before his death he declared the unstableness of Reuben saying That although he were the eldest yet should he not be the chiefest His birth right was taken from him 1 Chron. 5.1 and given to
men in wisdom and understanding 4. cap. doth manifestly appear by the wise sentence he gave upon the living Child that the two Harlots strove for before him And also by his three thousand Parables and his thousand and fifty Songs wherein were declared such wise and grave sentences that all the world hearing thereof came to see his presence and to hear his wisdome which did so far exceed the wisdome of Ethan Heman Chalcal and Darda four of the notablest men then living in all the world that they fell a wondering and said that the great fame that was bruted of his wisdome and royalty before they came forth was nothing to be compared with that they had now both heard and seen And as he did exceed all men in wisdom so he did all other in riches For he had xii Officers which provided Victuals for his houshold every Moneth in a year And his ordinary expences every day was thirty quarters of Manchet flour and sixty quarters of Meal ten stalled Oxen and twenty out of the Pasture and an hundred Sheep beside Harts Bucks wild Goats Capons and Fowls He had forty thousand Horses and xii thousand Horsemen to keep them 10. cap. The weight of Gold that came every year out of Ophir to Solomon was six hundred three-score and six talents of Gold beside that which Merchants and other Men brought him Whereof he had so great abundance that he made the Furniture of the Lord's Temple all of clean Gold Yea there was not so much as a drinking-Pot in all his own House but it was of Gold And as for Silver he made it as plentiful as stones in the street 11.1 c. But notwithstanding all this his wisdom and riches which God had given him yet at the last he fell to loving of outlandish Women contrary to the Law of Moses whereof he took so many that he had seven hundred Queens and three hundred Concubines which turned his heart to strange gods and made him of a wise King a stark fool and great Idolater for the which his horrible offence he lost the favour of God And when he had reigned forty years he dyed and was buried in the City of David and his Son Rehoboam succeeded Solomon peaceable Nathan the Prophet called him Jedidiah beloved Shamgar Judg. 3. ult the Son of Anath delivered Israel from the Philistines and flew six hundred of them with an Oxe goade Samgar desolation of the stranger Samson Judg. 13.24 the Son of Manoah of the Tribe of Dan was born in the City of Zorah and became a mighty strong man Judg. 14. cap. On a time as he went to the City of Timnath and saw a Woman of the Philistines which liked him well he intreated his Parents to have her to his Wife Who not contented therewith reproved him saying Is there never a Wife among the Daughters of thine own People and Brethren but thou must take a Wife among the uncircumcised Philistines Well said Samson let me have her for she pleaseth me well Then his Parents not knowing it was the Lord's doing that he should seek an occasion against the Philistines went with their Son to Timnath to see the Woman And by the way going Samson unknown to his Parents slew a Lyon which came ramping upon him and so went forth with them and talked with the Woman And a few days after as he came again to receive his Wife he turned aside to see the Carkase of the Lyon and found in the Belly thereof a swarm of Bees and Hony whereof he took in his hand and went eating to his Father and Mother and gave them part of the Hony And when the Feast-day of his marriage was come he said to thirty young Men of his Guests I will put forth a Riddle unto you and if ye can declare it me within the seventh day of the Feast I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of Rayment and if ye cannot then shall you give me the like The Riddle is this Out of the eater came meat A Riddle and out of the strong came sweetness And when the seventh day was come and the Men had not yet found out the Riddle they perswaded Samson's Wife to get it out of her Husband and tell it them who never rested flattering of Samson and weeping before him till he had told her Then they being taught of her went to Samson before the Sun was down and said What is sweeter than hony and what is stronger than a Lyon Then said Samson If ye had not plowed with my Heifer ye had not found out my Riddle And so he went out to the City of Askelon one of the chiefest Cities of the Philistines and slew thirty men and gave the spoil of them to those that had expounded his Riddle and so got him home to his Father's house half displeased with his Wife After a while Judg. 15. cap. he went to visit his Wife with a Kid but when he came his Father in law had given her to another thinking that Samson had hated her and bad him take the younger which was fairer in her stead Then Samson having good occasion given him against the Philistines went out and caught three hundred Foxes and fastened tail to tail and put a Firebrand between the two tails which he set on fire and so sent them into the Philistines Corn and burnt it up with their Vineyards Olives and all The Philistines knowing that Samson had done it went and set fire on his Father-in-law's house and burnt both him and Samson's wife with all that ever they had And sent three thousand men of Juda who were then under the Philistines to Samson to bind him and to bring him to them And when by his sufferance they had bound him and brought him to the Philistines they gave a great shout when they saw him whereat Samson brake asunder his bands as though they had been but flax And took up a rotten Jawbone of an Ass and laid so about him that he slew a thousand Philistines ere he rested And being sore athirst God made water come out of a tooth in the Jawbone and so refreshed him After this Judg. 16. cap. he got him to the City of Gaza and lodged in a Womans house that sold victuals And when he perceived the Citizens to watch and to go about to kill him he got him up about midnight and went to the gates of the City which he rent off bars and all and laid them upon his shoulders carried them up to the top of an high hill before Hebron Finally through his inordinate affection to Dalilah his Wife he lost God's excellent gift and so was betrayed to the Philistines who took and put out his eyes and cast him in Prison where they made him to grinde like a slave And when the great day of the Philistines came that they should hold their Feast to their god Dagon they sent for
Samson out of prison to play before them and to make them laugh The house was full of Men and Women so many that in the roof of the same there was about three thousand to behold Samson while he played before the Lords and great men And as he stood between the great Pillars which bare up all the house he called upon God in his mind saying O Lord think upon me and strengthen me at this time only that I according to my vocation executing thy judgment may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes And with that he caught the Pillars in his hands saying Let me lose my life with the Philistines and so shook the Pillars with all his might and brought down the house upon them and killed them all Then his brethren hearing thereof came and took up the body of Samson and buried him with Manoah his Father after he had judged Israel twenty years who had been in subjection under the Philistines forty years Samson there the second time because the Angel appeared the second time at the prayer of his Father Samuel 1 Sam. 1.20.28 the Son of Elkanah and Hannah was the next Judge after Eli and the last that judged Israel And because his Mother had asked him of God therefore she called his name Samuel And when he was able to do any ministration in the Temple his Mother brought him to Eli and gave him unto the Lord according to her promise And so Samuel ministred unto the Lord before Eli 3. cap. And one day as he laid him down to sleep in the Temple the Lord called him And Samuel thinking it had been his Master ran to Eli to know his pleasure who said he called him not And at the third time when Samuel came to his Master again Eli said unto him Go and lay thee down once more and if he call thee again then say thou Speak Lord for thy servant heareth And when the Lord had called him the fourth time and had opened unto him all that he had determined against the house of Eli for not correcting his Sons for their great wickedness Samuel went to his Master Eli and at his commandment told him every whit what the Lord had said Now Samuel being the Lord's Prophet judged the People and was both loved and feared of them And when he began to wax old 8. cap. and was not able to bear the burden he made his two Sons Joel and Abiah Judges over Israel thinking that they would imitate his steps But contrariwise they were so covetous that for lucre sake they perverted all true justice whereupon the Elders of Israel perceiving Samuel to be old and his Sons given all to covetousness went to Samuel desiring of him that they might have a King to raign over them as other Nations had Then Samuel hearing them speak of a King was sore displeased But nevertheless at the Lords commandment who bad him make them a King he first declared to them the office and authority of a King and then anointed Saul to be their King and Governour whom he sent to Gilgal 1 Sam. 10.8 commanding Saul to tarry there seven days and then he would come and tell him what he should do 13.8 9 c. And on the seventh day when Samuel came to Saul and saw he had offered before he came he asked him what he had done Quoth Saul when I saw the People begin to scatter from me and that thou tarriedst so long I offered burnt-offerings lest the Philistines should come upon me before I had made my supplication unto the Lord. Now said Samuel thou hast played the fool For if thou haddest kept the Lord's commandment he would have stablished thy Kingdom for ever But now it shall not continue For the Lord hath sought him out a man after his own heart which shall rule the People and so Samuel departed to his house at Gibeah 15. cap. After this when Saul had broken the Lord's commandment in saving Agag King of the Amalekites alive and had made a sacrifice unto the Lord of their best Sheep and Cattel which he reserved Samuel came whereof the King was very glad and told him that he had fulfilled the Lord's commandment But what meaneth then quoth Samuel the bleating of the Sheep and noise of Oxen that I hear There are quoth he the best Sheep and Oxen that the People hath spared to sacrifice unto the Lord but the rest have we destroyed Then said Samuel Did not the Lord when thou wert little in thine own eyes make thee King over Israel and gave thee a charge utterly to destroy those sinners the Amalekites And wherefore hast thou obeyed the People and not the Lord I have quoth he done all that the Lord commanded me and saved none but Agag Hath the Lord quoth Samuel as great pleasure in burnt sacrifices and offerings as when the voice of the Lord is obeyed Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken is better than the fat of Rams for rebellion is as the sin of Witcherast and stubbornness is as the wickedness of Idolatry And because thou hast cast away the word of the Lord therefore hath the Lord cast away thee from being King Then said Saul I have sinned and gone further than the saying of the Lord therefore take away my sin and turn again with me that I may worship the Lord. Nay quoth Samuel I will not return with thee for thou hast cast away the Lord and he hath cast away thee And as Samuel was turning himself to have gone away Saul caught him by the lap of his Garment and it rent Then said Samuel the Lord hath rent the Kingdom of Israel from thee this day and given it to a neighbour of thine better than thy self Nevertheless through great intreaty of Saul Samuel went with him And when they had worshipped the Lord Agag was brought to Samuel who took and hewed him in pieces and so departed to Ramah where he mourned so long for Saul till the Lord reproved him for it and sent him to Bethlehem to anoint David Which thing done he went home again to Ramah where he remained until he dyed Samuel heard of God Sanballat the Heronite 2 Esd 2.6 cap. when he heard of the grant that Achemiah had obtained of Artaxerxes for the building of the Temple at Jerusalem he was marvellously grieved therewith and sought by all means how to lett the Jews of their purpose Sanballat A Bush in a secret place or in a privy corner Sapphira Act. 5.1 8 c. the Wife of Ananias being of his Counsel in keeping away part of the price of a possession which they had sold came unto Peter about three hours after her Husband ignorant of that which was done unto whom Peter said Tell me Sapphira sold ye the Land for so much yea quoth she for so much Why have ye quoth Peter agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord Behold
the feet of them which have buried thy Husband are at the door and shall carry thee out And with that she fell down and gave up the ghost And the Officers came and carried her out and buried her beside her husband Sapphira telling or numbring Saul the Son of Kish of the Tribe of Benjamin 1 Sam. 9. cap. was a goodly tall young man who on a time as he was seeking his Fathers Asses and could not find them happened by the provision of God to go and seek out Samuel to know of him some tidings of his Asses And as he was going toward the City it was told him of a great offering that should be there and how the People waited for Samuel's coming to bless the same And when Saul was come into the midst of the City he met Samuel coming toward him going up to the Hill And as Samuel beheld Saul the Lord said unto him this is the Man which I told thee yesterday I would send this day unto thee to be King of Israel Then Samuel took him up with him to the Hill and set him in the chiefest Seat among his Guests and made him eat with them And the Feast being done he went and anointed Saul King 1 Sam. 10. and told him what he should do after his departure from him And going from Samuel the Lord gave him another manner of heart than he had before So that he prophesied among the Prophets and was so greatly honoured of all men that after he had delivered the City of Jabesh out of the hands of Nahash King of the Ammonites the People renewed his Kingdom 11. cap. which God would have stablished for ever if he had not disobeyed his commandment in taking upon him to offer burnt-sacrifice before Samuel came 15. cap. and also to save Agag whom he was commanded to destroy And for this his disobedience the Lord took his spirit from Saul and gave it to David and gave unto Saul an evil spirit to vex him withal 16.14 Then Saul seeing the spirit of the Lord departed from him and gone to David he sought by all means to destroy him but never could come to his purpose Finally Saul being sore cumbred with the Philistines 28. cap. he went to an Enchanter notwithstanding he had expelled all of that Art before to raise him up Samuel who being raised up told him that for as much as he had disobeyed the Lord and not executed his fierce wrath upon the Amalekites therefore had God forsaken him and rent his Kingdom out of his hand and given it to David And moreover saith he to Saul the Lord will deliver the Israelites into the hands of the Philistines and to morrow shalt thou and thy Sons be with me 31. cap. And on the next day Saul being overcome of the Philistines and his three Sons slain for anguish of heart fell upon his own Sword and killed himself after he had reigned forty years Saul Required or commended Sarai the Daughter of Aram was Abraham's Wife Gen. 11.29 And perceiving that the Lord had restrained her from bearing of children she gave Abraham leave to take Hagar her Maiden to Wife 16. cap. But when she saw her self despised of her Maid which had conceived she began to be so sharp and quick with Hagar that she made her run away Nevertheless at the humble submission of Hagar Sarai received her again Then Sarai passing forth till she came to the age of four-score and ten years it chanced she heard the Angel of the Lord as she stood in her Tent say unto Abraham 18.10 that Sarai his Wife should have a child which words seemed so impossible unto her that she laughed within her self and said Is it of a surety that I shall bear a Son Shall I now have pleasure being old and my Lord old also And when she had talked thus to her self the Angel of the Lord demanded of Abraham wherefore his Wife did laugh as though it were quoth he too hard a thing for God to perform his promise Then she being asked the question denyed it for she was afraid saying that she laughed not And so Sarai judging him faithful which had promised 21.1 2 3 c. brought forth a Son at the time appointed of God and called his name Isaac And when the Child was born she said GOD hath made me to laugh and all that hear will laugh with me Who would have said to Abraham that Sarai should have given Children suck for I have born him a Son in his old age After this when Sarai perceived Ishmael the Son of Hagar as he played with Isaac to be a mocker she said unto Abraham put away this Bond-maid and her Son for the Son of this Bond-woman shall not be Heir with my Son Isaac 23. cap. Finally when Sarai had lived one hundred and seven and twenty years she died in Kiriath-Arba Which is also called Hebron And was buried in the double Cave which Abraham had bought of the Sons of Heth. Sarah Tob. 3. the Daughter of Raguel had seven husbands one after another which men before they had lain with her were all slain of the Devil Asmodius to the great discomfort and heaviness of the young Woman And yet the more to aggravate her sorrow her Father's Maidens when she did correct them for their faults would slander her on this wise saying God let us never see Son nor Daughter of thee more upon earth thou killer of thy Husbands wilt thou kill us also as thou hast done them Which words were so grievous to Sarah that she got her up to an high Chamber of her House where she continued three Days and three Nights in prayer beseeching God that he would vouchsafe to loose her out of that rebuke or else to take her out of the earth For thou knowest O Lord that I never had desire unto man and that I have kept my soul clean from all uncleanly lust I have not kept company with those that pass their time in sport neither have I made my self partaker with them that walk in light behaviour nevertheless an Husband have I consented to take not for my pleasure but in thy fear Now peradventure either I have been unworthy of them or else were they unmeet for me for thou happily hast kept me for another Husband And thus making her prayers to God he heard her and sent young Toby to be her husband who being joyned together in Matrimony lived all their days an holy life in the fear and laws of God Sheba 2 Sam. 20. the Son of Bichri assoon as David was restored to his Kingdom again begun a new insurrection and got all Israel to follow him save only the men of Juda which stuck fast by David and as he came into the City of Abel to the which Joab followed him the Governess of the City being a Woman of wisdom smote off the head of Sheba and
threw it over the Wall to Joab and so the commotion ceased Sheba vanity or little accounted of or uproar Sceva Act. 19.14 was a Jew born and the chief Priest among the Jews This Man had seven Sons who for lucre sake and to purchase unto themselves a great name thereby attempted to cast out evil spirits by invocation of the name of the Lord Jesus as Paul did saying unto the Man possessed We conjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preacheth that ye depart out of the man To whom the spirit answered and said Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye And as soon as he had spoken these words the man in whom the evil spirit was ran upon them and got the upper hand on them In so much that they had much ado to escape with their lives and scarce got at the last naked and wounded out of the house And this example of the Sons of Sceva being bruted abroad among the Jews and Gentiles many which believed came to Paul and confessed their offences And beside that divers other which had used such curious crafts of Conjurations brought their books and burned them before all men the price whereof were counted at fifty thousand * A silverling was in value about a groat sterling or more Silverlings Shelah the youngest Son of Judah Gen. 38.5 11. being grown to perfect age and not given to Thamar in marriage according to his Father's promise was the occasion of Thamar's playing the Harlot with Judah her Father-in-law Shelah dissolving Selah Gen. 11.12 c. the Son of Arphaxad of the generation of Shem was the Father of Eber whom he begot when he was thirty years of age and lived after the birth of Eber four hundred and three years Which make in the whole four hundred and xxxiii years Shem Gen. 9.18 23.11.10 He is called also Melchisedeck And did first build the City of Salem which after was called Jerusalem the eldest Son of Noah received praise of his Father because he covered his nakedness as he lay uncovered in his Tent. Shem at the age of an hundred years begot Arphaxad two years after the Flood and lived after five hundred years Shimei the Son of * 2 Sam. 16.5 c. Gera of the kindred and house of Saul dwelt in a City called Bahurim And as it chanced David to flee thither for fear of his Son Absalom this man came out against him cursing and railing out of measure with such spiteful words as these Come forth come forth thou bloud shedder and man of Belial The Lord hath brought upon thee now all the bloud of the house of Saul in whose stead thou hast raigned The Lord hath delivered the Kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy Son And behold thou art come to thy mischief because thou art a murtherer And for all this would David suffer no man to do him harm So that Shimei went on still cursing and railing and hurling of stones and dirt at David like a mad-man But when the time came that David should be restored to his Kingdom again then Shimei that in his adversity was his most cruel enemy was now in his prosperity one of the first that met him to bring him home again And being passed over Jordan he fell down flat before David saying Oh let not my Lord impute wickedness unto me nor remember the thing that thy servant did wickedly when my Lord the King departed out of Jerusalem that the King should take it to heart for thy servant doth know how that I have done amiss And therefore behold I am the first this day of all the house of Joseph that am come to go down to meet my Lord the King So David forgave him Here he saith he was of the house of Joseph and before he saith he was of the house of Saul Of the Fathers side saith Lyra he was of the house of Joseph that is to say of the tribe of Ephraim but of the mothers side he was of the house of Saul But when the time of Davids departure out of this world drew nigh among all things which he spake to Solomon his Son he remembred Shimei saying Behold thou hast here with thee Shimei the Son of Gera the Son of Gemini of Bahurim which cursed me with an horrible curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim but he came to me at Jordan and I swre unto him by the Lord that he should not dye But thou shalt not count him as unguilty for thou art a Man of wisdom and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him His hoar head shalt thou bring to the grave with bloud And so Solomon being set in his Kingdom called Shimei and said Build thee an house in Jerusalem and dwell there And see thou pass not from thence any whither for be thou sure that the day thou goest out and passest over the River of Kidron thou shalt dye and thy bloud shall be upon thine own head Shimei thanked the King and dwelt in Jerusalem the space of three years and then it chanced two of his servants to run from him to Achish King of Gath whereupon Shimei sadled his Ass and went for his servants and brought them home again Then Solomon hearing of his doings commanded Benajah to put him to death for the wickedness he had done to his Father David Shimei bearing or obedient Sennacherib King of Assyria was a mighty Prince 2 King 18.13 which seeing that Salmanasar his Predecessor had conquered the King of Israel and made them Tributaries thought it good to set upon the King of Juda who at that time was the godly and most noble Ezechias And when Sennacherib had gotten into his hands all the chief Cities of Juda and Benjamin save only Jerusalem he besieged that also with such might and power that Ezechias was fain to submit himself to the mercy of Sennacherib offering him tribute so much as he would demand Upon which offer Sennacherib promised Ezechias that if he would pay him three hundred talents of silver and one of gold his land should be safe and in quiet which promise he kept truly till the mony were payed But as soon as he had received the money he sent back again three of the greatest Captains he had to make fresh War against Ezechias And when they had pitched their Tents about Jerusalem they sent for Ezechias to come and speak with them who fearing his own life sent three of his Noble-men unto them to know the matter And when they had heard all the blasphemous words of Rabshekah 2 King 19. they returned and told them to Ezechias Who hearing those evil news rent his cloaths and put on sackcloth and fell prostrate upon his face and prayed unto the Lord to help him and to have mercy upon his people and beside that he sent to Esay the Prophet desiring him to pray unto the Lord for them whose Prayer the Lord
he should not see death until he had seen Christ with his fleshly eyes which he had seen many a day before with the eyes of his faith And when the time came that the Child Jesus should be brought into the Temple by his Parents Simeon by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost came into the Temple a little before them and when he had seen all things done by the Priest according to the law he of a godly zeal took the Babe in his arms also and said Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy promise For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel And when he had blessed the Babe he said to Mary the Child's Mother Behold this Child is set to be the fall and uprising again of many in Israel and for a sign which is spoken against And moreover the sword shall pierce thy soul that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened Simeon hearing or a perfect hearing Simon the second Son of Mattathias 1 Mac. 2. was a Man of great wisdom and the High Priest among the Jews He helped much his Brother Judas and Jonathas in the Wars and after the death of Judas he discomfited Bachides and was made Captain over the Jews after the apprehension of Jonathas and overcame Antiochus But in the end he was of Ptolomy his Son-in-law most traiterously murthered Simon of the Tribe of Benjamin 2 Mac. 3. being a Ruler of the Temple what time as Onias was the High Priest went about to work much mischief in the City of Jerusalem And when he saw that he could not overcome Onias and the other Priests that resisted him he got him to Apollonius which then was Governour of Celosyria and Phenice and told him that the Treasury in Jerusalem was full of innumerable money which did not belong to the provision of the sacrifice and that it were possible that these things might come to the King's hands But when this betrayer of the money and of his own natural Countrey saw the great Plague that fell on Heliodorus which was sent for the money and that his cursed device could take no place then he fell to railing and slandering of Onias reporting of him that he had moved Heliodorus to that malicious enterprise yea so much increased his malice against the godly man Onias that malice of Simon compelling him thereunto complained on Simon to Seleucus the King to have him reformed Simon Matth. 27.32 of Cyrene the Father of Alexander and Rufus was compelled to bear Christ's Cross when he went to his passion It was the custome to make him that was condemned to carry his Cross And forasmuch as Jesus was not able to do it for weakness they took Simon as he came out of the field and made him to bear it after Jesus Simon Luk. 7.36 40. a certain Pharisee invited Jesus to his Table And Jesus sitting at meat with him there came in a certain Woman with an Alabaster Box of Ointment who stood behind him weeping and began to wash his Feet with tears and to wipe them with the hairs of her Head That done she kissed them and anointed them with her sweet Ointment Then Simon which had well marked all her doings spake within himself saying If this man were a Prophet he would surely have known who and what manner of Woman this is which toucheth him for she is a sinner To whose thought Jesus answered and said Simon I have somewhat to say unto thee say on Master quoth he There was a certain Creditor which had two debtors the one ought five hundred pence and the other fifty And when they had nothing to pay he forgave them both which of them therefore tell me will love him most Simon said I suppose that he will love him best to whom he forgave most Thou hast truly said quoth he Then Jesus turning unto the Woman said to Simon Seest thou this Woman I entred into thine house and thou gavest me no Water to my Feet but she hath washed my Feet with tears and wiped them with the hair of her Head Thou gave me no kiss but she since the time she came in hath not ceased to kiss my Feet Mine Head with Oil thou didst not anoint but she hath anointed mine Head with Ointment Wherefore I say unto thee that many sins are forgiven her for she * Love canseth not remission of sins but remission of sins causeth love loved much to whom a little is forgiven will love a little Simon Magus Act. 8.9 c. which had of a long time seduced the People of Samaria with his sorcery and witchcraft was had in so great estimation among the multitude even from the highest to the lowest This Simon Magus was of so great estimation in Rome that Images were erected to him as a God that they counted him God's fellow and to work all things by his power so much were they given to follow the illusions of Satan more than the truth of God But when Simon had heard the preaching of Philip and seen his miracles and the number of People converted to the Faith of Christ he was forced himself also by the majesty of God's word to confess the truth And so to cover his hypocrisie dissembled to believe and was baptised and continued with Philip. But after this when Peter and John were come from Jerusalem and had laid their hands on the People by the which the Holy Ghost was given Simon coveting to have that gift as well as they offered the Apostles money to give him the power to do the same To whom Peter said Thy money perish with thee because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this business for thy heart is not right in the sight of God Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God that the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee for I perceive that thou art full of bitter gall and wrapped in iniquity Then said simon pray ye unto the Lord for me that none of these things which ye have spoken fall on me And so they left him full of malice and devilish poyson tyed in the bonds of Satan Of Simon the Son of Onias whose praise is set out Ecclus. 50. Simon one of Christ's kinsmen Matth. 13. Simon the Tanner with whom Saint Peter hosted many a day Act. 9.43.10.6 Simeon surnamed Niger which was one of the Prophets and Teachers in the Congregation of Antiochia Act. 13.1 Simon the Cananite surnamed Zeletes and one of the twelve Matth. 10.4 Luke 6.15 Syntyche Philip. 4.2 was a certain Christian Brother to whom Paul sent salutations from Rome exhorting him and Euodias to be of one accord in the Lord. Sisinnes 1 Esd 6. cap. the under Sheriff in Syria and Phenice with
be now shut that no man can see us and we burn in lust towards thee therefore consent and lye with us if thou wilt not we will bear witness against thee that a young Man was in the Orchard with thee and therefore thou sentest away thy Maidens Then Susanna sighed and said If I do follow your minds it will be my death and if I consent not unto you I cannot escape your hands It is better for me to fall into your hands without the deed doing than to sin in the sight of the Lord. And with that cryed out with a loud voice and the Elders cryed out against her which clamour on both parties was so great that it was heard among the Servants without which ran to the Orchard door and burst it open to see what the matter was And when the Servants had heard the Elders report of Susanna they were greatly ashamed for there was never such a report made of Susanna before And so on the next morrow the two Elders full of mischievous imaginations declared the matter to Joachim her husband to bring her to death And when she was come with her Father and Mother her Children and all her kinred to be judged according to the law she stood before the two wicked Judges with her Face covered who commanded to take the Cloth from her face that at the least they might be satisfied with her beauty which thing being done the Judges stood up and laid their hands upon the head of Susanna saying As we were walking in the Orchard alone this Woman came in with her two Maidens whom she sent away from her making fast the Orchard door after them Then started there up a young Fellow which lay hid in the Garden and went unto her lay with her Then we which stood in a corner seeing this wickedness ran unto them and saw them as they were together but we could not hold the fellow for he was stronger than we and got open the door and leaped out And when we demanded of her what fellow it was she would not tell us This is the matter and we be witnesses of the same Then Susanna cryed out and said O everlasting God thou searcher of hearts thou that knowest all things before they come to pass thou wotest that they have born false witness against me And behold I must dye whereas I never intended any such thing as these Men have maliciously imagined against me And as she was led toward the place of execution the Lord of Heaven which heard her prayer raised up the spirit of a little Child called Daniel who cryed with a loud voice saying I am clean from the blood of this Woman And when the People heard that they stayed to know of the Child what he meant by his words O ye Children of Israel said he are ye such fools that without examination and knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a Daughter of Israel return again to Judgment for they have born false witness against her Then the People went back again and the Elders took Daniel and set him among them in Judgment Who when he had commanded the two false witnesses to be severed that he might examine them he called the one before him and said O thou that art old in a wicked life now thy sins which thou hast committed afore time are come to light Tell me under what Tree thou sawest this Woman and the young fellow together he said under a Mulberry Tree Now verily quoth Daniel thou hast lied and art worthy of death in that thou hast oppressed the innocent and hast let the guilty go free contrary to the words of the Lord which saith The innocent and righteous see thou slay not Then he called the other and said O thou seed of Canaan but not of Juda Beauty hath deceived thee and lust hath subverted thine heart Thus have ye dealt with the Daughters of Israel and they for fear consented unto you but the Daughters of Juda would not abide your wickedness Now tell me under what Tree didst thou take them companying together He answered under a Pine Tree Now verily said Daniel thou hast lied also against thine head The Messenger of the Lord standeth waiting with the Sword to cut thee in two and so to destroy ye both And with that the whole Assembly cryed with a loud voice and praised God which so miraculously had preserved Susanna that day And so fell upon the two wicked Judges and according to the law of Moses put them both to death Susanna one of those godly Women which followed Christ and his Apostles relieving them with her substance as much as lay in her power T. THADDAEUS Matth. 10.3 was one of the twelve Apostles Thaddaeus praising or confessing Tertullus Act. 14.1 2 c. was a certain Oratour which Ananias the High-Priest had brought with him to inform Felix the Ruler against Paul And when Paul was brought forth Tertullus began to accuse him saying Seeing that we live in great quietness by the means of thee and that many good things are done unto this Nation through thy providence we acknowledge it wholly and in all places most mighty Felix with all thanks Notwithstanding that I be-not tedious unto thee I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy courtesie a few words For we have found this man a Pestilent fellow and a mover of debate unto all the Jewes throughout the World and a maintainer of the Sect of the Nazarites And hath alsogone about to pollute the Temple whom we took and would have judged according to our law But the chief Captain Lysias came upon us and with great violence took him away out of our hands commanding his Accusers to come unto thee Of whom thou mayst if thou wilt inquire know the certainty of all these things whereof we accuse him Tertullus a false reporter or a teller of tails a lyar Terah was the Son of Nahor the Son of Serug Gen. 11.24 25 26 c. He at the age of seventy years begot Abraham but he had before by another Wife Nahor and Haran All the days that Terah lived were two hundred and five years Terah Smelling Look in the story of Abraham Tertius was the name of him that wrote the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans while Paul indited it Rom. 16.22 saying on this wise I Tertius salute you which wrote this Epistle in the Lord. Tertius a Latine word Thamar 2 Sam. 13.1 2 c. the Daughter of David was so beautiful a young Woman that Amnon her Brother fell sick for her love And when she had visited Amnon at her Fathers commandment and drest him certain meat and brought it into his Chamber he began to force her to lye with him Then she seeing that said Nay my Brother do not force me for no such thing ought to be done in Israel commit not this folly For whither shall I be able to go with my shame
And thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel Now therefore I pray thee speak unto the King and he will not deny me unto thee Howbeit Amnon would not hearken unto her voice but being stronger than she forced Thamar and lay with her And then was his hatred so great against her that he thrust her from him and bad her get her out of his sight Well said Thamar Thou hast no cause thus to intreat me for this evil that thou puttest me away is greater than that thou didst unto me Nevertheless there was no remedy but out of his house she must go And when his servant had put her sorth and made fast the doors after her she put ashes upon her head and rent her garment which was of divers colours and the manner of apparel that Kings Daughters such as were Virgins did use to wear and so went crying home to her Brother Absalom's house where she remained desolate Thamar a Palm-tree Thamar which was Daughter-in-law to Judah the Son of Jacob Read her story in the story of Judah Thamar the Daughter of Absalom 2 Sam. 14.27 Theudas Act. 5.36 was an Inchanter and false deceiver who by boasting himself to the People and promising of prodigious things drew unto him a great company of Men to the number of four hundred Whose wicked enterprise for as much as it proceeded of malicious spite came to an untimely end For both he himself suffered death and his partakers some slain and some taken Prisoners And so the rest being scattered abroad the sect came to nought Thiglath Pileser 2 King 16.7 c. King of Assyria who had received of Ahaz King of Juda a great Summ of Treasure to come and help him against Rezin King of Syrta came to Damascus and took the City and slew Rezin the King there And carried the People away to Kyr Thot 2 Sam. 8.9 c. King of Hamath had a great enemy of Hadarezar King of Zoba And when he heard how David had overcome and beaten him he sent his Son Joram to David with Vessels of Gold silver and brass for a present and to salute him with peace and to give him thanks for that he had fought with his ancient Enemy and so valiantly overcome him Thola Judg. 10.1 c. the Son of Puah of the generation of Isachar dwelling in Shamir in Mount Ephraim succeeded his Uncle Abimelech and judged Israel three and twenty years and was buried in Shamir And after him rose Jair Thola a Worm Thomas Matth. 10.3 otherwise called Didymus which signifieth in English doubtful was one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. Who what time as the Disciples disswaded Jesus from going into Jewry again forasmuch as the Jews had lately sought to stone him said John 11.16 Let us also go that we may dye with him 20.24 c. This Thomas doubting of the Resurrection of Christ said unto his fellows which told him that they had seen the Lord Except I see in his hands the print of the Nails and put my finger into the print or place of the Nails and put my hand into his side I will not believe After eight days Thomas being with the Disciples came Jesus again and stood in the midst saying peace be with you and said to Thomas put thy finger here and see my hands and thrust forth thy hand and put it into my side and be not faithless but faithful Then Thomas conceiving a full faith that it was the Lord said Thou art my Lord and my God Which confession Jesus did well accept and embrace but yet withal to reprove the hardness of his belief he said unto him Thomas because thou hast seen me thou believest Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed Thomas A twin Tiberius was an Emperour of whom Saint Luke maketh mention in his Gospel saying Luk. 3.1 That in the fifteenth Year of his Reign the Word of God came to John Baptist in the Wilderness Tiberius A good sight or vision Tychicus was one of the Disciples Act. 20.4 which went out of Asia to Troas where he abode Paul's coming who sent him afterward to the Ephesians Eph. 6.21 and also to the Collossians with his Epistles to inform them in what case he stood and what he did in all things Coll. 4.7 Tychicus casual or coming by chance Timothy 1 Mac. 5.6 c. 8. ch 10. was a certain Captain of the Ammonites which was twice overcome and put to flight of Maccabeus and at the third time so sore discomfited through help of the five Men which God made to appear on Horseback with Bridles of Gold leading the Jews and two of them having Maccabeus between them that Timothy's Host were so confounded with blindness and so sore afraid that they fell down and were slain of them twenty thousand and five hundred Foot-men with six hundred Horsemen and he himself fain to take the strong hold of Gazar to the which Maccabeus laid siege four days and could not win it Wherefore they within trusting to the strength of the hold fell to cursing and railing on the Jews with most spiteful words and made so great cracks and boast of their strength that on the fifth day the Jews were so chafed in their minds that with bold courage they scaled the Walls and set the Ports on fire and burnt those crackers and blasphemers and got the Castle which was two days in destroying where at the last they found Timothy which was crept into a corner and flew him with Cereas his Brother Captain of the Castle Read the story of Dositheus Timothy the honour of God or he that honoureth God Timothy Act. 16.1 was a certain godly Disciple whose Mother was a Jew and his Father a Graecian Of this Man there went so good a report of his vertuous living among the brethren of Lystra and Iconium that Paul was much desirous to have him go forth with him in his Journey wherefore he took and circumcised him because of the Jews in those Quarters which knew his Father to be a Greek Pkil 2.9 And so went Timothy forth with Paul and as he reporteth even as a Son with the Father bestowed he his labour with him upon the Gospel He was a Man of great study and abstinence through the which he fell oftentimes sick And therefore Paul to measure his abstinence 1 Tim. 5.23 exhorteth him to drink no longer water but to use a little Wine Tyrannus was a certain School master in Asia Act. 19.9 in whose School Paul disputed daily by the space of two years Tyrannus Commanding or a Prince a Tyrant Titus 2 Cor. 2.13.7.6.8.6 16. Tit. 1.5 c. was S. Paul's Disciple whom for the excellent gifts that were in him Paul loved as if he had been his own natural Son And made him the chief Overseer or as ye would say Archbishop of the Christian Congregation in the
Men were slain 1 Mac. 13. After this Tryphon went into the Land of Judah with a great Host having Jonathan with him in ward And when he had knowledge that Simon stood up in the stead of his Brother Jonathan and that he would come against him he sent word to Simon that whereas he kept Jonathan his Brother in ward it was but for mony he ought in the King's account and other business he had in hand Therefore if he would send him an hundred Talents of Silver and the two Sons of Jonathan to be their Father's surety he would send him home again But Simon knew his dissembling heart well enough Yet nevertheless lest he should be a greater enemy to the People of Israel and say another day that because he sent him not the Money and the Children therefore is Jonathan dead he sent him both the Money and the Children Then Tryphon having the Money and Children kept Jonathan still and shortly after put both the Father and his Children to death Now Tryphon to bring his long intended purpose about on a time as he walked abroad with the young King he most traiterously slew him and possessed the Realm and crowned himself King of Asia and did much hurt in the Land Finally 15. cap. Tryphon was so hated of all men that when Antiochus the Son of Demetrius came upon him the most part of his own Host forsook him and went to Antiochus who never left persecuting of Tryphon till he made him flee by Ship where he was never seen more Tryphon a delicate and fine man Trophimus was an Ephesian born Act. 20.4 who went with Tychicus out of Asia to Troas to make all things ready against Paul's coming and abode there till Paul came from thence they went with Paul to Jerusalem where certain Jews which were of Asia moved the People against Paul complaining of him 21.28 c. that he had brought Greeks with him to pollute the Temple because they saw Trophimus with him in the City whom they supposed Paul had brought into the Temple Tubal Gen. 4. was the Son of Lamech by his Wife Adah And was the first that invented the Science of Musick by the strokes and noise of the hammers of his brother Tubalcain which was a Smith and the first finder out of Mettal and the working thereof Jubal was his brother by Father and Mother and Tubalcain only by the Father for Zillah was his Mother Tubal born or brought or worldly Tubalcain Worldly possession V. VASHTI Estter 1. was a very fair Woman and Wife to Ahashuerus otherwise called Artaxerxes King of Persia And because she would not come to the King when he sent for her a Law was devised and made by the seven Princes of Persia and Media That forasmuch as it could not be chosen but that this deed of Queen Vashti must needs come abroad into the ears of all Women both Princes and others and so despise their Husbands and say Thus and thus did Vashti to Ahashuerus by which occasion much despitefulness and wrath should arise The King should therefore put her away and take another to the end that all other Women great and small should hold their Husbands in more honour And so she was divorced from the King and Esther received in her place Vashti Drinking Vrban Rom. 16.9 was a certain faithful Christian Brother to whom Paul sent greetings saying Salute Urban our helper in Christ Vriah 2 Sam. 11. the Hittite was a Man always for the most part imployed in the Kings Wars with Joab the King 's Captain-General This Uriah had a fair Woman to his Wife called Bathsheba whom King David in his absence had got with Child And when the King had knowledge that the Woman was conceived he sent for Urias to come home Who being come to the King and had told him of all things concerning Joab and his Men of War The King bad him go home to his house and repose himself there a while with his Wife And so Urias being departed from the King went not home to his Wife but lay without the King's Gate he and all his Men that night And when on the morrow the King had knowledge thereof he sent for Urias and demanded why he went not home To whom he said The Ark of Israel and Juda dwell in Tents and my Lord Joab and the servants of my Lord abide in the open Fields shall I then go into mine house to eat and drink and lye with my Wife By thy life and by the life of thy soul I will not do this thing Then he was commanded to tarry a day or two more and the King wrote a Letter to Joab the Tenour whereof was this That he should set Urias in the fore front of the Battel where it was sharpest to the intent he might be slain And so Urias departed from the King carrying his own death with him and was soon dispatched out of his life Urias the light of the Lord. Vriah 2 King 16.10 11 c. was the High-Priest in the time of Abaz King of Juda. And having the pattern of an Altar sent unto him by the King from Damascus to make him the like against his coming home Uriah consented to the King 's wicked mind and made the Altar and did whatsoever the King would have him to do without any regard to the Laws of God Vzzah and Ahio were the Sons of Abinadab which waited upon the new Cart whereon the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6.3 4 c. which was taken out of their Fathers house to be carried to the house of Obed was laid And forasmuch as Uzzah of a good intent put forth his hand to stay the Ark when the Oxen stumbled the Lord smote him for his fault that he dyed even before the Ark. Z. ZABULON Gen. 30.19.49.13 was the sixth Son of Jacob and Leab Of whom his Father prophelied before his death saying Zabulon shall dwell by the Sea side and he shall be an haven for ships his border shall be unto Zidon Zabulon a dwelling Zachary Luke 1. cap. was a certain godly Priest in the days of Herod King of Jewry which came of the course or Family of Abiah And walked so perfectly in the Ordinances and Laws of the Lord that no Man could justly complain of him But he had no Child by his Wife Elizabeth for she was barren And when his course came to burn incense evening and morning according to the law he went into the Temple And as he was in prayer an Angel appeared unto him saying Fear not Zachary for thy Prayer is heard And thy Wife Elizabech shall bear thee a Son and thou shalt call his name John c. Whereby said Zachary shall I know this for I am old and my Wife old also I am Gabriel quoth the Angel which am sent unto thee to shew thee these glad tidings And behold thou shalt be dumb and not able
plague from the house of Abimelech so that the women conceived and brought forth children as before they had done The like story is of Isaac Chap. xxvi Abimelech The Kings Father or a Father of Counsel or the chief King Abimelech Judg. 9. the son of Jerubbaal otherwise Gedeon was a wicked Tyrant and a proud ambitious covetous man For when his Father was dead he to be King of Israel consulted with all his mothers kindred to perswade the people that it was better to have one man to reign over them than all the sons of Jerubbaal which were lxx persons in number And also to consider that he was of their flesh and bloud as well as the other were which matter being moved to the people they all consented to cleave to Abimelech and to make him their King and Governour And that he should be the better assured of their good wills and obedient hearts they gave unto him a great sum of money with the which he hired a sort of light brain'd fellows And first of all went to his fathers house and slew all his brethren save Jothan the youngest who escaped his bloudy hands and fled But by that he had raign'd two or three years the fire of hatred began so to kindle between him and the Sichemites with the house of Mello who had preferr'd him before to the Kingdom that at length it burst out into so great a flame that it could not be quenched till chance of war made an end of the Tyrant for in the end after divers victories he forced the Sichemites to take the strong Tower of Thebez for their refuge and coming nigh to the same to have set it on fire a certain woman threw down a piece of a Milstone upon his head and brake his Skull to the brain who then feeling himself sore wounded called his servant and bad him draw out his Sword and rid him out of his life that it should not hereafter be reported that a Woman had killed him and so his servant slew him Abinadab was a Man of Gibeah 2 Sam. 6. out of whose House David took the Ark of God and had it from thence to the house of Obed. Jesse the Father of David had also a Son called Abinadab 1 Sam. 16. and King Saul another of the same Name which was slain with him in Battel Abinadab A Father of a Vow or of a free mind or Prince Abishag was a goodly fair young Damosel 1 King 1. brought up in the City of Sunem And for her beauty and manners chosen to keep and nourish King David in his extreme age 1 King 2. After whose death being still a pure Maid She might not be suffer'd to marry with Adonijah the Kings Brother Abisag The Fathers ignorance Abishai was David's Sisters Son and Brother to Joab 1 Chron. 2. His Mothers name was Zarviah He consented not with Absalom 2 Sam. 16. but stuck to David his Unkle in all his troubles He was so grieved with the spiteful rebukes and railings of Shimei which he made against his Unkle David in his adversity that if David had not staid him he would have made Shimei shorter by the head than he was 2 Sam. 21. By his great strength and hardiness he rescued David out of the hands of a monstrous Gyant the Iron of whose Spear weighed three hundred Sicles and slew the Giant 2 Sam. 23. with three hundred Philistines more for the which he is counted as chief among the three Worthies belonging to David Abishai The Fathers Reward Abner the Son of Ner 1 Sam. 14. was Captain-General over the Host of King Saul by whose wisdome manhood and fidelity the House of Saul was chiefly held up and strengthned not only in the time of Saul's reign but so long also as he served Ishbosheth his Son â— Sam. 2. whom he set up and made King in his Fathers stead and governed his Host as he had done his Fathers before But in the first Battel he made against Joab David's Captain fortune went so much against him that he was put to the worse and fain to flie In the which flight Asahel Brother to Joab followed Abner and overtook him with whom Abner was loth to meddle for fear of Joabs displeasure and therefore intreated him gently to go his way not to force him against his will But when he saw his words would nothing prevail he fell upon Asahel and smote him thorow the short Ribs with his Spear and so departed leaving him dead on the ground Not long after this it fortuned the King to fall out with Abner 2. Sam. 3. and to taunt and check him for that he was so familiar with Rizpa his Fathers Concubine which check and taunt of the King so grieved Abner that he forsook him and went to David with whom he made a secret bond to stablish him in the Kingdom And so departing secretly from David again he came to the people which served Ishbosheth spake so much unto them in the praise and commendation of David that he wan their hearts and turned them quite from Isboseth to David And when he had thus framed the people somewhat according to his mind he came again to David to counsel farther with him how the People might now be brought together and be sworn unto him which matter being determined Abner returned from David thinking to have been as faithful to him as ever he was to Saul But Joab who bare grudge and malice to Abner for the death of his Brother Asahel hearing how Abner had been with David and let go again and nothing done unto him sent privily for Abner to come and speak with the King who being come Joab was ready to receive him and under pretence of friendship had him a little aside as though he would have talked with him about the secret affairs of the King and suddenly smote him with his Dagger and slew him Abner The Fathers Candle Abraham was the Son of Terah born in Ur Gen. 11. Abraham was the Son of Terah begotten of his second wife and because of his dignity is counted before Nahor and Aran born of the first Wife a Town in Chaldee A man so endued with faith and vertue that when he saw the true religion and honouring of God to cease in the Land of Chalda he departed from thence with Terah his Father Sara his Wife and Lot his Brothers Son to go into the Land of Canaan And * 12 cap. being come to Haran which is a Town of Mesopotamia he remained there until the death of his Father Terah Then God commanded Abraham saying Get thee out of thy Countrey and from thy Kindred and from thy Fathers House unto the Land which I will shew thee and I will make of thee a great Nation and will bless thee and make thy Name great and thou shalt be a blessing and I will bless them that bless thee and curse them
to offer the Yearly Sacrifice And thus God took away her rebuke of barrenness and blessed her with children so that after Samuel she had three Sons more and two Daughters Anna Gracious or Merciful Anna Tobit 2. the Wife of old Toby her Husband being blind and in poverty took weaving work of Women and laboured sore for her living And when on a time she sent home the work to the owners one sent her a Kid more than her wages which she had earned And when Toby heard the Kid bleat he said to Anna From whence came that Kid Is it not stollen restore it to the owners again for it is not lawful to eat any thing of theft Then was Anna angry with Toby and rebuked him as one whose trust in God was all in vain After this 5. it fortuned old Toby to send young Toby his Son to the City of Rages to receive certain money which in his prosperity he had lent to one Gabelus Then Anna being full of heaviness for the departure of her Son burst out and said to Toby Oh what hast thou done why hast thou sent our Son away I would to God that money had never been required of us but that we had been content with our poverty and kept our Son at home What ailed us to send him into a strange Country which was the only staff of our age and comfort of our life and the hope of our generation Then said Toby leave thy weeping and be not discomforted for the Man that went with our Son is so faithful 10. that he will bring him to us again safe and sound Yet could not Anna with this be perswaded but would daily go out to the top of an Hill and sit there to spie his coming And when at the last she saw where he came a far of she ran home with great rejoycing and told her Husband And so waiting to receive her Son she wept for joy when she saw him Anna Luke 2. â—6 the Daughter of Phanuel of the Tribe of Aser was a Prophetess and had been married to an Husband seven years and after continued a Widow fourscore and four years serving God in the Temple with fasting and praying day and night And when Christ was brought into the Temple she cameforth at that present praising the Lord and prophesied of that Child to all them that looked for the redemption of Israel Anna the Wife of Raguel 〈…〉 was Mother to Sara the Wife of young Toby Annas John 18.13 had the first examination of Christ and sent him from him to Caiaphas his Son-in-law who was High-Priest for that Year Annas Afflicting or bringing low Antiochus 1 Mac. 1. c. 6. c. 8. the great being King of Syria and of such puissance and strength that he thought himself invincible was at last overcome of the Romans and fain to relinquish to them all his interest in Europe and Asia and to leave his Son Antiochus in Hostage and so departed being contented with those Countries that were left him 2 Mac. 1. till at last of a covetous mind he went to Perside the chief City of Paersia thinking there to have robbed the Temple and to have had great treasure therein And as he himself with a few more was in the Temple about his business the Priests at a privy door came in upon him and cut him all to pieces and cast him out to be devoured of the Birds and Fowls of the Ayr. Antiochus For all agon or Chariot Antiochus Epiphanes 1 Mac. 1. the Son of Antiochus the great being stablished in his Kingdom warred against Ptolomy King of Egypt until he had brought his Land in subjection And having so good success there he went against Israel and at last took and spoiled the City of Jerusalem and robbed the Sanctuary of all the precious Jewels and treasure therein subverted all the holy Laws of God compelling the Jews to worship Idols and to do as the Heathen did in all things he burned the Books of the Law and whosoever had a Book of the Testament or were found to be a favourer thereof did suffer death 2 Mac. 9. Thus this ungracious and wicked subverter of all true religion and godliness persecuted the true People of God and so long persisted in his great tyranny that God at last smote him with an incurable Disease in his Body which was so eaten with Worms and Vermine that they fell quick out of his flesh whereof ensued so great a stink that neither he himself nor none that were about him might abide the smell And so this wicked Tormentor of others was justly recompenced with a miserable end Antiochus Eupator the Son of Antiochus Epiphanes 1 Mac. 6. being but young and under the governance of Lysias went into Jewry with a great Army to subdue the Jews who so manfully resisted Antiochus that he was fain considering the decrease of his People and the strength of the place besieged to offer them peace and to grant them liberty to live according to their own Laws whose Covenants being received the Jews came out of the Castle of Sion to give place to Antiochus who notwithstanding his oath when he saw the defence therof commanded the Walls round about to be cast down and destroyed and from thence departed to Antioch where he fought with Philip which was come out of Persia and wan the City out of his hands And lying there 1 Mac. 7. Demetrius the Son of Seleuchus came to Antioch and took Antiochus and Lysias and put them both to death Antiochus the Son of Alexander being but a child 1 Mac. 11. was first under the governance of Emascuel the Arabian and removed from him to the tuition of one Triphon 1 Mac. 13.3 of whom he was most traiterously murthered Antiochus 1 Mac. 15. the Son of Demetrius for as much as Triphon had been his Fathers utter enemy made a covenant of friendship with Simon the High-priest and Prince of the Jews that he might the better overcome Triphon whom he persecuted and drove to the City of Dora lying by the Sea side which City he besieged with an hundred twenty thousand Foot-men and viii thousand Horsemen And lying there Simon sent him two thousand chosen Men with Silver and Gold and much furniture to help him Who notwithstanding his bond of love he had made with Simon before refused now his friendship and sell at defiance with him and all the Jews and was ever after that their continual enemy Antipas Apoc. 2.13 was a faithful Martyr of Christ Antipas For all or against all Antipater 1 Mac. 12. c. 14. the Son of Jason first by Jonathas and after by Simon was sent Ambassador to Rome to renew the old friendship between the Jews and Romans Antipater For the Father or against the Father Apame 3 Esd 4. was Daughter to that famous King Bartacus and Concubine to a certain great King who was of
three days Journey off from Jacob and the rest which were white and of one colour Jacob * Jacob herein used no deceit for so much as he did it at God's commandment kept himself And when he had made this division of Laban's sheep he took Rods of green Poplar of Hasel and of Chesnut-trees and pilled white strakes in them Which Rods in the conceiving time he laid before the Sheep in the gutters and Watering-troughs when they came to drink And the sheep that conceived before the Rods brought forth Lambs straked spotted and party-coloured so that Jacob's Flock increased exceedingly whereat the Sons of Laban grudged 31. cap. and made so heinous a complaint to their Father of Jacob that Laban began to disfavour him Then Jacob perceiving Laban's countenance to be changed he sent for his Wives and said I see your Fathers countenance that it is not towards me as it was wont and yet ye know that I have served your Father truly which hath deceived me and changed my wages ten times but God suffered him not to hurt me For when he said the spotted should be my wages then the sheep brought forth spotted And when he said the party-coloured should be my reward then the sheep brought forth party-coloured And thus hath God taken away your Fathers sheep and given them to me which thing he shewed me in a Dream should even so come to pass and hath now commanded me to depart out of this Country into the Land where I was born The Women said we have no portion in our Fathers house seeing he counteth us but even as strangers and hath sold us and eaten up our money And now that God hath taken away our Fathers riches and made it ours and our Childrens do whatsoever God hath said unto thee Then Jacob assoon as he had prepared all things for his Journey fled from Laban his Father-in-law towards the Land of Canaan to Isaac his Father and being pursued of Laban seven days and at last overtaken at Mount Gilead he laid many things to Jacob's charge whereof he discharged himself of all and in the end said This twenty years have I served thee xiv Years for thy Daughters and six Years for thy sheep which have not been barren and yet in all that space have I not eaten one Ram of thy Flock but whatsoever was stolen or torn of Beasts I made it good unto thee Thou changedst my wages ten times and wouldst surely have sent me away with nothing if God which saw my tribulation and the labour of my hands had not been the better unto me which rebuked thee yesterday Then Laban made a covenant with Jacob and so departed Gen. 32. cap Jacob then going forth on his Journey came into the Land of Seir and hearing of his Brother Esau's being there was sore afraid of him lest he had continued still in his malice towards him wherefore he sent Messengers before unto him with three great Droves of Cattel for a present trusting thereby to mitigate his wrath And as Jacob himself tarried behind to set his Wives and Children in order to meet his Brother Esau an Angel wrastled with him all Night and at last smote him under the Thigh and brake the sinew of his Leg whereon he halted ever after Yet nevertheless Jacob which had wrastled with the Angel until the breaking of the day would not let the Angel depart before he had blessed him who called his Name Israel for as a Prince said he to Jacob hast thou wrastled with God and with Man and prevailed And so after the brotherly meeting of Jacob and Esau Gen. 33. cap. and great amity shewed by one to the other Jacob took his Journey into the Land of Canaan where he remained until he was of the age of an 130. years And then went down into Egypt with all his Houshold which were three-score and six souls to see his Son Joseph Gen. 46. cap. where he continued xvii years And then dyed Gen. 49. ult being 147. years of age and from thence was conveighed to the Land of Canaan Gen. 50 1 2 c. where he was by his Children sumptuously buried Jacob a Supplanter Iaktan Gen. 10.25 was the Son of Heber and his Brothers name was Peleg Jaktan a little one or loathsomness or contention Iael Judg 4 11-18 c. was the Wife of one Heber the Kenite which was of the Children of Hobab Moses Father-in-law And when she had heard of the great overthrow of Sisera and how he fled she went and met him saying Turn in my Lord turn in to me and fear not And being come into her House he asked her a little water to quench his thirst and she brought him a Bottle full of Milk and when he had well drunk thereof he laid him down to sleep and as she was covering him with cloaths he prayed her to go and stand at the door of her Tent and whosoever doth come and * Now was the prophecie of Deborah fulfilled which she prophesied to Barak saying this journey that thou takest upon thee now shall not be for thine honour for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a Woman ask for any man say there is no man here And so when Sisera was fast asleep Jael went softly unto him with an Hammer in the one hand and a Nail in the other and smote him thorow the Temples of his head and nailed him fast to the ground Which done she went and stood in her Tent-door and seeing Barak pursuing Sisera she went and met him saying Come and go with me and I will shew thee the Man whom thou seekest and so he followed Jael who brought him into her Tent where Sisera lay dead Jael a Doe or ascending Iair Iudg. 10. cap. was a Gileadite born He had xxx Sons which were Men of Authority for they rode upon xxx Asses colts And they had xxx Cities lying in the Land of Gilead which Cities were called the Towns of Jair He reigned xxii years After whose death the Children of Israel fell to wickedness again and served Baalim and Astharoth the gods of Syria and other strange gods for the which the Lord was wroth with Israel and sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites which oppressed them so sore by the space of xviii years that they were sain to cry for help of the Lord. Who then said unto them Did not I when ye cryed unto me deliver you from the Egyptians the Amorites the Ammonites the Philistines the Sidonians the Amalekites and the Moabites which Nations had oppressed you And yet have ye now forsaken me and serve their gods Therefore cry unto these gods whom ye have chosen and let them help you in your tribulation for I will deliver you no more Oh Lord said they we have sinned do unto us whatsoever pleaseth thee Then had the Lord so great compassion and pity on the misery of