Psal 6. 12. Psal 9. 16. Then I wil vp saith the Lord to auenge the poore then shall the Lord be knowne by exempting of iudgements the wicked shall be turned into hell and all the Nations that forget God Isay 28. 15. Yea when the wicked haue made a couenant with hell and so in their security do blesse their soules as if they had Gods children so sure that none could deliuer them as if their happinesse were so sure 1 Thess 5. 3. that none could remoue them Then shall a sodaine destruction come vpon them and they shal not be able to auoid it Then shall the destruction of the wicked bee the deliuerance of the Church Thus euen from our enemyes wee may heare good newes of deliuerance their owne mouthes will tell vs their practises cannot hid eit A second probabilitie of Hesters aduancement is that shee is of the seed of the righteous Psal 111. which shall be mighty on the earth Obs 103. Gods children in this life aduanced to highest dignity she is say they The daughter of Abihail the Vncle of Mordecai i. She is a Iew to whom belongeth the birth-right whose priuiledge it was to rule the Nations to whom Esau and all his posterity should bow and do homage So faithfull is the LORD in keeping couenant for euer So truly is Godlinesse profitable for this life so all are ours both by right and possession so are Gods children best able to vse prosperity so is eternall happines hereby sealed vp vnto them So would the Lord hereby teach vs that these temporal blessings are not euil because he bestowes them in greatest measure vppon them The vses hereof see Obs 79. Onely wee may not here forget what the holy Ghost vouchsafes vs againe to remember Namely that Hester was taken by Mordecai for his daughter Thus the Lord thinks it fit againe to make honourable mention of this charitable worke of Mordecai The good deeds of Gods children are not forgotten of the Lord. As wherin he was glorified and did delight therin to confounde the practize of the wicked that seeke to obliterat the same and to approue to his children the acceptaunce of the same as also to assure them hereby of the reward to come and withall to prouoke the Saints to the imitation thereof Oh how vainely then doth the wicked hope to put out their names from vnder Heauen whose names as they are written in the booke of life so their workes also are registred in the eternall word of God how wickedly do they depraue and obscure those gratious deeds which the Lord of glory makes glorious by his remembrance how weake are the Saints to doubt of their well doing seeing the God of truth giues euidence thereto What comfort may we haue in the acceptance of our labours seeing the righteous Lord takes such delight in them how may we be established against the reproches of the world how little need we esteeme to be iudged of men 1. Cor. 44. seeing it is God that approueth who can condemne with what confidence may we prepare our selues to stand before that righteous Iudge Reue. 3. who allready presents our prayers in the golden censor of his righteousnesse and doth not onely make mention of vs but mediation for vs at the throne of glory that wee might not bee confounded in the day of refreshing A third likelyhood here set downe of Hesters aduancement is her confidence in God and relying on his immediate prouidence specified in this that it is said She desired nothing but what Hege the Kings Eunuch the keeper of the women said Wherein the spirit of God would giue vs to vnderstand that though the other maydens standing vpon there preferment vsed all art to set out there beauty as the meanes thereof and therefore spared not to demaund of the Eunuch such meanes of painting c. as might further the same yet this gratious virgin contenting her selfe with y â— image which God had set on her and resting on the diuine prouidence that had enclinde the heart of the Eunuch towards her she doth not impudently presse him further then God should moue his heart but humbly takes what Hege directs her to who no doubt being enclined of the LORD to shew her extraordinary fauour was also restrained of the LORD that hee should not offer her otherwise then was fit for her profession The LORD as it is likely giuing her a like fauour in the eyes of this Eunuch as he gaue vnto Daniel with the other that she was not defiled with this vaine and superfluous preparation but as she was willing to leaue the Eunuch to his liberty so the Eunuch also might leaue her to hers how-so-euer though in other things she might happily submit her selfe to the present necessity as to take that which the Eunuch offers her Obse 105. Gods childrens preferment is in faith and so might discouer her weakenesse and want of courage yet in this doth her faith appeare not obscurely that she doth not ambitiously seeke by corrupt meanes to aduance her selfe but soberlie entertaines the meanes that are cast vpon her resting on GODS prouidence for the good successe thereof Sect. 1. 3 Notes of faith And surely as I take it wee may here obserue diuers notes of liuelie faith One is that she presseth not impudently to insinuate into the fauour of this wicked Eunuch though by the Kings avthority shee might haue occasion thereto lest shee should seeme to depend vpon him and giue him some aduantage ouer her pretious liberty To receiue what is offered by him especially moued thereto by the LORD herein shee shewes her faith which knowing all was hers doth herein take her right and shewes her power therein in that shee refuseth not her owne though tendred by the wicked Shee knew the prophanesse of the Eunuch could not make GODS blessing ineffectuall to his children And therefore shee receiues them aright though from an vniust possessor And lastly in that she vseth such ordinary meanes as were offered not seeking to aduance her-selfe by adulterating or prophaning of nature herein also in the third place she sheweth her faith which as it refuseth not meanes so it is not curious of meanes but takes what are offered reiects such as are not warrantable Whereby we may learne that the aduancement to Gods children is warrantable and for their good seeing it is in faith and hereby to try our selues whether we be in the faith or no. A fourth token of her aduancement is this which followeth Note of Hesters aduancement And Hester found fauor in the sight of all them that looked vpon her Thus did the Lord make her gratious in the eyes of all men that her aduancement might be with more power and lesse enuy both for her owne and the good of others that shee both to the wicked might be a great terror as being conuinced with the brightnesse of maiesty appearing gloriously in her
of writing and printing but herein especially to magnifie his prouidence that by this meanes the word of truth hath bene preserued and purely conueied vnto vs. Surely though the soule be the register of the blessings of God yet must the flesh vse such meanes to stir vp the heart as humbling the same in that it needs these outward helpes may therby sanctifie and continue the right vse of God mercies in the holy remembrance and y e meditation thereof let those boast of the spirit which are not clad with the flesh and let such despise these helpes as haue not a body of â—inne to hinder spirituall duties And seeing though the letter of the word be not the power of it yet y e power cannot bee conceiued but by meanes of the letter let such despise the word writteÌ„ Anabaptist that desire not the power of it and in the pride of their harts wil not be confined within the bounds thereof And doth not the spirit of God herein further teach vs to record the blessings of GOD to posterity Obs 159. The blessings of God are to be recorded to posterity and to commend to the generations to come the wonderfull thinges that the Lord hath done for vs yea certainly this shal be written for the generations to coâ—â— and the people that are created shall praise the Lord. The Lord hath commanded great mercies to be commended to posterity Psal 102. and hath appointed the monuments therof to be preserued to all generations 〈◊〉 18. so were the rod of Aaron and the potte of Manna kept to this end Exod. 14. so were Alters erected Heb. 9. 4. and new names imposed Exod 16. to put Gods children in mind of his mercies towards them Genes 17. Genes 32. so did Samuel write the office of the King in a book 1 Sam. 10. 25. and laid it vp before the Lord y â— it might be a perpetual glasse Num 2â— 14. for the Prince to look his duty in so are the memorable Acts of God which hee did at the red Sea and at the riuer of Arnon written in a booke So doth Iob wish that his words were written in a booke that so y â— equity of the cause might remaine for euer Iob 19. 13. So when the Lord will publish his wil and haue it commended to the vse of posterity for our better assurance of the accoÌ„plishment therof he commands it to be written in a booke yea in a great volume Esay 8. Yea not only to a book hath the Lord committed his blessings Ierem. 36. 2. but he hath called also the times to witnesse the same Exod 14 he hath appointed special daies for y e perpetuall memory of his mercies to be kept sollemnly throughout al generations this care hath y e Lord taken for the remeÌ„brance of his blessings as being worthy to be had in remembrance and profitable for vs to preuent forgetfulnesse the maine cause of prophanesse Psal 78. and whereby the blessings of God are taken away from vs we exposed to the burthen of his Iudgements And shall not this care of the Lord for the remembrance of his blessings bee an heauy conuiction of our vnthankefulnesse for the same Shal God thus striue to put vs in minde of his mercies Shal he cause vs to record them in bookes to posterity Shal he moue vs to set a part a day for the memoriall thereof for euer And shall we not bee stirred vp by this meanes to cleaue vnto our God and to root out the name of Amelecke from vnder heauen Who so is wise lette him vnderstand these things to whom the arme of the Lord hath reueald them FINISH
or at home 33. Tyrants prey and ryot on the goods and bodies of their people 34. Misery of such as liue vnder Tyrants 35. Princes how farre to command their subiects 36. The confusion of Idolatry and carnal wisdome 37. Natures infirmities to bee cleansed and abstinency to bee used therein 38. Outlandish fashions vnlawfull 39. Painting of women vnlawfull 40. Young heads fit to give councel to tyrants 41. Sinne in patient of delay 42. Sinne how to bee preuented 43. MotioÌ„s of Gods spirit how to be entertayned 44. The prophane guise of effeminate Princes 45. That Mordecal was not carryed away in the Captiuity 46. Scripture not to bee strayned 47. Gods prouidence in planting his children fitly and for his glory and their good 48. As also in planting the godly among the wicked 49. Gods children remoued out of their habitation and why 50. Gods children kept vndefiled among the wicked 51. The Godly best company 52. Why we may conuerse with the wicked and how 53. GOD giues his children fauour in the eyes of the wicked 54. God no accepter of persons 55. The continuance of the Church and condition therof to the worlds end 56. The lot thereof to be scattered vppon the face of the earth 57. Gods faithfulnesse in preseruing the Church for euer 58. The names to bee giuen to children 59. Genealogies how recorded in the word 60. Children shall not bee punished for the fathers offence 62. God continueth and blesseth the posterity of the righteous 63. Posterity how to be preserued 64. The lot of Gods children to go into Captiuity 65. Church how prepared to captiuity 66. Gods iudgements are to bee recorded and meditated 67. Benefits of Gods iudgements 68. God often changeth the outward porsperity visibility of his Câ—urch 69. Changes of the Church tend to the exceeding good therof 70. The world confounded by the changes of the Church 71. Vses of the afflictions of the Church 72. Great ones drinke deepe of the cuppe of vengeance 73. God vseth great mighty enemies for the chastning of his Church as 74. Standing with his iustice also 75. With his mercy 76. How to make flesh our friend 77. God often chastieeth his children with the same rodde 78. God chasticeth his children in measure and by degrees 79. Gods children are to comfort and relieue each others in their troubles 80. The bounty of Gods children is no snare but especially laboures the good of the soule 81. God prouides for his children in trouble with the safety of a good conscience 82. Whether lawfull for Christians now to change their names 82. Those which are raized to vp greatest dignities are vsually in most desperate and low estate 83. Kindred to bereleeued 84. Gods children left orphanes in the world 85. The more excellent gifts of nature need the straighter bridles 86. The gifts of nature beeing sanctified are good meanes of preferment 87. How to vse natures gifte aright 88. Adoption lawful though 89. A thing not commanded but left arbitrary 90. Who especially to be adopted 91. â—Einds of adoption 92. Orphanes to bee prouided for 93. God aduanceth his children by fayre and likely meanes 94. Gods children to yeeld to present necessity keeping them-selues from apparant euill and depending on Gods protection 95. Gods children the neerer preferment the greater extremities 96. God prepares his Church by afflictions to great blessings 97. God breaketh the force of tentations and prouideth preseruatiues against them 98. Gods children find fauour in the eyes of strangers 99. Wicked haue the shadowes of many excellent vertues 100. Markes of true liberality 101. Officers are to be faithfull in distributing according to their charge 102. God raiseth his to preferment by degrees 103. What attendance fit for each sex 104. Gods giues signes of his fauor to his children 105. The best is due and bestowed on Gods ChildreÌ„ in this life 106. Truth may bee concealed and how 107. Cautions to be obserued in concealing truth 108. Religion when and how to be giuen accoumpt for 109. GOD disposeth the weaknesse of his children in the accomplishment of his mercy towards them 110. Gods children season each other with graue councell and wholesome instructions 111. Silence a speciall lesson for Courtiers 112. The safety of Gods church ought to be our speciall care 113. Obedience to lawfull authority a true marke of the child of God 114. Sincere obedience rather respecteth the power of the Commaunder then the worth of the thing commanded 115. True obedience is performed as well in absence as in presence 116. Parents how farre to extend their care for their children 117. Care how it may stand with the prouidence of God 118. A marke of the wicked to riot out time 119. Tyme how to be redeemed 120. Another badge of the wicked to riot out Gods good creatures 121. How to preuent the abuse of the creatures 122. The wicked haue pretences for their greatest abuses 123. Rules for moderation in the Creatures 124. Wicked most eagerly bent vppon their lusts and spare no cost for the satisfiing thereof 125. Wicked Magistrates giue the bridle vnto sin and countenance wickednesse 126. Princes how to secure their estates 127. Pleasures of the wicked short and slippery 128. Variety in sinne greatest snare thereto 129. Wicked fall deeper and deeper into sinne 130. The vâ—satiablenesse of the wicked in sinne hath this punishment attending on it in this life that it shall not be satisfied 131. Vnsatiablnesse in sin how to be preuented 132. Wicked winners or loosers fare the worse by sinne 133. God hath a fit time to aduance his children in 134. The appoyinted time of deliuerance is not obscurely to be gathered out of the word 135. Tokens therof in respect 136. Of God 137. Of his Church 138. As also of the enemies thereof 139. Gods children in this life aduaÌ„ced to the highest dignity 140. The good deedes of Gods children are not forgotten of the Lord. 141. The preferment of the righteous in faith 142. Notes of faith 143. Gods children gratious with all men 144. Wicked why they hate godly being forced to approue them 145. Princes are to be gratious in the eyes of their people and by what meanes 146. Gods children are not alwayes vnder the rod but at length find deliuerance 147. Great blessings of GOD are to be had in remembrance by speciall times appoynted thereto 148. God makes his children gratious when it may serue for his glory and their good 149. God prouides a deliuerer for his Church before it bee cast into the extremity of danger 150. Mercies of God to his past finding out 151. Whether great prosperity be a blessing in mercy to gods children 152. Whether we may pray for aboundance 153. Whether it be lawfull to receiue great blessings offred 154. Whether the minister may receiue wages for his paines 155. Whether Hesters marriage lawfull or no 156. Whether lawful to marry with an Infidell 157. Feasting lawfull at marriages 158. Dedication of Feasts
to the memory of particular persons 159. When the righteous are aduanced the people reioyce 160. Princes are not to oppresse their subiects to the inioying of their pleasures but to giue some relaxation vnto them 161. Princes honour consists in easing their subiects of their continual taxes 162. VVicked brideled and furnished with good gifts for the good of the Church 163. Princes are to be bountifull to their subiects 164. Gods children are to bee liberal with all their power according to their ability 165. Gods prouidence in vnequall societies and matches 166. The Lord faithful in accomplishing his word 167. The Lord accomplisheth his will by contrary meanes 168. The greatest afflictioÌ„s profitable to the godly for the obtaining of greatest blessings 169. The lusts of the wicked vnsatiable 170. Gods children contented with their callings walke faithfully therein 171. Callings how to be left and changed 172. Rules how to walke conscinably in our callings 173. Gods childreÌ„ not ambitious nor greedy of preferment 174. Aequiuocation damnable 175. Honour doth not quench loue in the faithfull 176. Marriage takes not away obedience from parents 177. Marriage a neerer bond then that of nature 178. Prosperity of y e wicked slippery subiect to great daÌ„gers 179. God recompenceth the diligence and honest care of his children with good successe 180. God recompenceth our loue to others aboundantly in our selues 181. Gods childreÌ„ in seeking the best blessings obtaine al the rest 182. Gods children the onely faithful subiects 184. Gods children skilfull in discouery of secrets 185. Treasós not to be concealed 186. Treason to be reuealed in wisdome 187. Particulars of wisdome herein 188. A gratious wife ought to watch ouer hir husband and to inform him of such dangers as are intended against him 189. Gods children ought to approue and promote each or ther in their weldoing 190. Gods prouidence and wisdome most eminent in the discouery of treasons 191. Traytors vse to band theÌ„selues together for the accomplishment of their mischiefes 192. Great ones vsually Actors in Treasons 193. God makes instruments in sin rods to punish the same 194. In greatest trust greatest Treason 195. Princes by what meanes they may preuent treachery 196. Anger the complement of Courtiers 197. The occasions of outragious sinnes and particularly of treason 198. Princes marks of treason and rebellion 199. Sin not to be punished before it be conuinced and how 200. Traitors are to be executed for their outragious offeÌ„ces 201. The intent of treason discouered is to be punished and why 202. Gods children not vnthaÌ„kful for whatsoeuer kindnesse they receiue 203. God vsually meeteth with traytors in this life 204. God punisheth euill seruaÌ„ts 205. The Lord taketh notice of the rightâ—ousnesse of his seruants and causeth the same to be recorded to posterity 206. Records outward monuments necessary for the meâ—â—â—riall vse of Gods blessings 207. The blessings of God are to be recorded to posteriâ— FINIS FAVLTS ESCAPED MAY BE THVS Corrected Page 1. lin 23. r. ouer p. 4. l 30. r. best p 5 l 27. r seeing as p 6. l 20. r and be we and l 26 r gratifie 1 27 r victory as also p 9. l 1. r mercenaries l 9 r as the manner l 30. r glorious shewes p 10. l 5. r for superstition p 11. l 22. r of Statists and l 29. r and fayned p 16. l 1. r not vnvsual and l 27. r Ironicallâ— concessions and l 23. r marke of reproofe P 18. l 22. r being now p 27 l 12. r to the sin p 29. l 20. r as contâ—â—ue p 40. l 6. r them also p 41 l. 1 r. say that p. 43. l 17. r by their Princes p 49 l 7 r. to other and l 8. r not only hereby and l â—3 r to each in p. 57 l 16. r for the same p 61. l 31 r such as by the. p. 63. l 21. r aâ— last the p 68. l 19 r. there though p. 71. l 21. r supplyed in faithfull p 72. l 71. loue inioying serve the country and l 10 11. r and their daughters his haâ—lors yea their precious lives and that vvich is dearer then live their liberty yea the p 73. l. â— r therefore searching l 21. r both certaine p 75 l. 6. r wel let our court p 77. l 5. r beeing an orphane p 77 l 9. r. become her tutor p 78 l 2. r conceits â— palle and l 12. r we stretch the Scriptures vpon the tenters l 33 r. misery gratious p 80 l 12. read may inioy page 87. l â— read are remoued page 89 lyne 1 r by declyning and lyne 4. read to become the repayrer and lyne 31. it condemneth page 90 lyne 15 r to fit them and l 25 r to the fathâ—r of p. 92. l 35. faithfull vvith God and l 36. r and bound Kinges and l 1. r bee mercyful l. 14. r. of his vvil l. 37. r. gratiously to p. 97. l. 28. r drank one in and l. 30. r. his true repentance p 99. l 25. r as it maynly p 102 l 30 r aâ—â—o ciations p 105. l. 24 r notable conuiction p. 110. l â— r more homely and l 19. r. who both knoweth and l 21. r of their stâ—ps and l. 26. r abâ—ect defacing of natures p. iii. l. 2. r great Monarch l. 30. r may reuiue p 112 l 18. r without p 113. l 3 r preferred to p 115. l 1. r strong cryes and l. 6 lette this strength appeare l 15. r in desolate p 117. l 10. r. inioyned their relieâ—e p. 119. l. 4. r her kinsman l 24 r she staies not l. 28. r can giâ—e no other p. 120. l 28. r the vvicked vvors p. 122 l 23. r. extraordinary instinct l 27. r out of the p. 124. l 34 r in circumstances p 126 l. 20. r hauing sâ—e povver p 127. l 4. r giuen change of l 35 r we inioy the p 133. l 23. r this discouery might p 136. l 5. r to eat of p 139. l 14. r by impatiency and p 141. l 25. r time yet cryes in p 144. l 23. r let expediency p 146. l 1 r to much for and l 3. r that anointe him p 147. l 13. r by drovvning him p 150 l 30 r security and p 151. l 30. r he seale vp vnto p 152. l 14 r be denyed the and l 15. r oh learne therefore p. 153 l. 19. r sin gets ground p 159. l 26. r she aprehends the p 160. l 5. r by executing of p 165. l 12 r. obserue the bounty and l 30. r by davvbing vvith pag 270 l. 27. r to raise light p 190. l 10. r when the flesh p 192. l 27. read and prelation The Churches Deliuerance CHAPTER 1. Argument and parts KIng Ahazueroth maketh a great banquet to his Nobles and Captaines so doth the Queene to her Ladies and followers to the 10. verse 2. The King causeth Vashti the Queene to be sent for into
it was done according to the power of the King Wherein howsoeuer the spirit of God doth graunt a proportion of the feast to the power of the King 19 Princes not 10 shew their magnificence in belâ—y cheer yet doth he not at all iustifie this superfluous proportion as if it were fit for Princes to shew their power to the vtmost in such vaine and excessiue expences but rather Ironically taxeth this ostentation of power in such vnnecessary occasions which rather should haue bene extended in more necessary matter for the glory of God and publike good of the common-wealth and yet if any commendation be picked out here Luke 16. it is only such as the Lord commended the vniust steward which being only good after the opinion of y e world for a misconceiued wisdome was thereby a greater condemnation of folly in the court of conscience This the spirit doth liuely set out vnto vs by the euent thereof Namely the breach betweene the King and his wife then which their could be no more fearefull euent both to declare the vnlawfulnesse of the feast as also to punish the King for his intemperancy therein The occasion to this breach is set downe in the ninth Verse Verse 9. The Queene Vashâ—â—â— made a feast also for women Namely a shewe of modestie in the Queene who refrained from the company of the King and his Princes at this great sollemnitie Which whether it were of pride because she would keep state by her selfe or of necessitie because either the custome of the country or the Kings Iealousie would not allow her preseÌ„ce among so many of y e other sex 20 Dauncing of men and women vnlawull Yet surely this may condomne our most lasciuious mingling of both sexes together in dancing and such like meetings howsoeuer it cannot excuse her for her after disobedience And now behold the iustice of God 21 God punisheth sinnes with sinne in beating the wicked with their owne rod King Ahashuerosh makes a feast and while hee sinnes with excesse Verse 9. he is punished by the same hee lookes vpon the wine in the cuppe 1 Iam 25. and tarries long at it and loe saith the spirit vppon the seauenth day hee is merry with wine that is according to the phrase Prou. 23. he is bitten with it 3 Phil 20. A most righteous hand of God vpon vain-glorious persons that as they make their belly their God 22 Drunkennes the effect of feasting Prouer 21. so their glorie should be their shame The King is disgraced by his feast which he made so much for his honour His wine became a mocker and strong drnike rageth A most vsuall effect of prophane feastings to bite with drunkennesse whereby we are often prouoked to bite and deuoure each other And not vnlikely to fall out if we consider that oportunity and meanes are to the best inticements to allure but to the wicked cart-ropes to hale on sinne If we obserue the policie of Sathan who hath so peruerted the naturall iudgement as in all things so especially in indifferent that the abuse goes currant for the right vse thereof and not to bee drunke at feastings is not to feast aright Especially Esay 28. if we obserue the iustice of God in punishing sin with sinne prophane feasting with filthy vomitings And herein most eminent that wheras such feasting is intended for the shew of our greatnesse and glory of our magnificence our wisdome is herein mightily confounded in that our glory becomes our shame Wherin we may learne as to condemne this sinne in other especially at such times when it hath such fauourable construction and allowance as being the time to shew our greater zeale and courage against the same so when we are feast-makers to giue wholesome lawes of temperance not remouing only the apparant abuse that men should be compelled But rather stinting men Polidor as King Edger did that they exceede not health and sobrietie Whereby wee shall not onely keepe peace in the conscience and of the table to but cutte of all hope to bee insnared in this sin a matter especially aimed at by the drunkerds at these times to bring other-into y e same excesse with them And further also putting drunkards to confusion in y â— wee will not exceed with them we shal happily by Gods mercy bring them to repentance and so in time both case the Land of this crying sin likewise of the iudgments due therto and also continue y e wine and oile and such other good blessings w t for our abuse of them in this excesse are begun Ioel 1. and further threatned to be taken away from vs. Thus you see the occasion of drunkennesse the best vse likely that prophane men make of all feastings Now let vs further consider the sinne it selfe it is here said He was merry with wine In which phrase of specch the Spirit of God as he doth set out an effect of large drinking namely to make men merry so withall he doth ironically discouer the cloake which the world casts ouer this sinne to couer its shame Namely 23. The vse of holy Ironiâ—s in the word to call drunkennesse mirth because some mirth is lawfull therefore the worlde concludes it is good to bee merry and so consequently not euill to be drunke A thing not vsuall to the holy Ghost to speake Ironically after the opinion of the flesh Reuel 22. both to discouer the desperate blindnesse of the wicked Esay 9. 11. in cloaking vices with the shewes of vertue as also prophetically to publish Gods righteous sentence against rebellious sinners namely that they shall be giuen vp to this reprobate fence as to further and approue very grosse impieties Prouer 23 that so not feeling the sinne they may follow it still and so hauing made vp the measure or their sinne that now lastly they may be prepared to their finall condemnation the spirit of God in these Ironicall confessions proceedes spiritually to execute this vengeance note hereby setting-such a marke of proofe vppon them as shall make them vtterly without excuse as implying thereby that they hate to be reformed Ose 4. and yet thereby also harden them in their sinne Esay 5. And therefore let no man reproue Eccle. 11. but let drunkennesse be counted mirth and euill be taken far good Reuel 22. Reioyce oh young-man and take thy pleasure Let him that is filthy be filthy still 2 Thess 2. 12. Wherby not onely the word becomes a stumbling blocke to harden them in their sinne 2 Mich. But because they will not obey the truth therefore shall the Lord giue them vp to beleeue lies Behold saith the Lord there shal be like Priest like people to preach of wine and strong drinke vnto them deluding vnstable soules that drunkennesse is mirth and to be merry is good And I the Lord haue sent such Prophets Ezech. 14.
vnity it proue not occasion both of intestine and forraine dissentions And therefore though in this case it is good to leaue great ones to this liberty which they will take and aske their inferiors no leaue yet I would haue them also wisely to consider withall that a little well knit together by loue is better then a great deale scattred and at the best linked together with vnequall bond And therefore whether their owne kingdome may not afford such matches as what they want in greatnesse may he supplyed but in faithfull loue and ioyne that mutual felloshippe which cannot be had in forraine matches But what needs all this are we not now in Persia heathen examples must not be absolute presidents they can offend enough at home though they choose not their wiues abroad Else what need all the beautifull virgins to be gathered to Sushan Obser 22. Tyrants how they reuell in the goods and bodies of their Subiects The King would haue but one and therefore what neede so many hundreds And though he might shew his power thus to ingrosse beauty to him selfe because if he commanded who durst deny yet surely this must needs turne to great greefe and discontentment of his subiects thus to bee depriued of the staffes of their age and also much frustrate the end which he proposed therein namely out of those many to make choyce of one For if the eye be neuer satisfied with seeing and among so many like obiects the minde must needs be distracted how shall he grow to a resolution which shall be she that in his choice is only led by such a rule as makes no difference betweene the one and the other vnlesse we wil say y ◠out of this multitude he ment to chose more then one though not for his wife yet to supplie the number of his concubines and wandring Diuah straying so farre from home might be good meat for courtiers remember I pray you we are yet in Persia groser fare wil serue them whatsoeuer it is we may here behold y e miserable slauery of such as liue vnder Godles Princes the best that they haue must serue y e Tirants lust there seruants must be his bauds her daughters his harlots ◠Sam. 8 Beloued their odious liues and that which is deererhis harlots their ritches their liberty y e deerest of all their soules consciences these must be prostituted to the lust of wicked Princes So blasphemously do they exalt themselues hourely aboue al that is called God So iust is the Lord to satiate the wicked with their owne waies that forsake him to be ruled like other nations So wisely doth he make the wicked hereby rods to punish each other Pro. 14 That as the insolence of Princes punisheth the Idolatry of the subiect 1 Sam. 8 so the rage of the subiect shall punish the Idolatry of the Prince Vse 1. Which though it be no warrant to cast of the yoake of gouernment because the wicked abuse the same Yet it is a good lesson for Princes not vniustly to greeue the subiect by abusing vnnecessarily their authority ouer them as knowing that howsoeuer their bodies and goods are theirs at command Princes how to command their subiects yet it is in the Lord his glory for the publique good And subiects also may here take out that lesson as principally to beare the Lords yoake that so the yoake of man maybe easie vpon thē and to vse these outward comforts soberly y t so for thē they may not be a prey to the wicked so to be patient euen vnder a whip of scorpions as knowing that all this is of the Lord he it is that bridles the rage of the most barbarous vnreasonable he in his good time will giue a gracious issue and in the meane time all things shall turne vnto their goods Rom. 8. 27 4 In that these Virgins must be brought into the palace of Sushan and as it were clapt vnder hatches vnder the custodie of the Eunuch that had the charge of the women the misery hereof beeing such as ought not to bee named among Christians I spare therefore to searching therevnto Obser 23. The confusion of Idolatry and carnall wisdome Onely consider wee the power of Sathan in these Chrildren of vnbeleefe that as it was counted a great honor among those vassalls of Sathan to offer vp the soules and bodies of their daughters in fire vnto the diuil so to prostitute the chastity also of their Virgins to the lust of their Priests as if it were a sacrifice most acceptable to their supposed Gods Wherevpon also it came to passe that as their Princes affected a kind of deity herein to haue the spoile of the Virgins chastity to be a cloake to colour their lust so it was no small honour accounted euen to these to become the Paramours to so mighty Monarchies Vse Which as it doth apparantly iustifie the righteous vengeance of God against Idolators that they shall account that their greatest honor which brings both ceraine infamy in this life and eternall condemnation in the other life So we shall see that the diuell is not dead if we consider a like power of Satan not onely among Papists where this sinne is maintained Solemnity yea worse iustified by Papall priueledge But which I shame to speake euen among the professors of the Ghospell themselues among whome drunkenesse is counted good fellowshippe and vncleanes man-hood whoreing faces it with priueledge 1 Tim. 3 and all iniquity hath gotten to the vpper hand Well the Virgins are thus appointed to be brought to Susan Obser 24. Natures infirmities to be clensed and abstinence to be vsed therein here must they now be prepared and fashioned to the Court They aduise is They must haue things giuen them for purification That is such things as might both serue to cleanse natures infirmities and also might set out nature more gloriously to the satisfaction of the lust of the eye wherin that meanes are vsed to heale Natures sickenes This in it selfe is a most lawfull thing as both commanded by God Deu. 21. in a most precise manner and tending much to the health of both parties in that the disease is not without his infection Vse 1. Which as it condemneth the practize of those worse then brutish natures that runne together at all times without respect of natures preuelidge so also this very clensing shall be a heauy witnesse against those gentiles yea against all such in generall that are thus precise to clense the infirmities of the body and yet neuer regard the purging of the soule And therefore the best of vs may take out lessons very profitable hereby namely by the infermities of the body to be put in mind of the blemishes of the soule and in the necessity and benefit of releeuing the one to labour also the releasing of the other And seeing such care there was of purifiyng that these virgins
Yet shall euen these Gentiles condemne many Christians who as they vsually boast of false liberalitie making great shewes in words and performing little in deed So when they do any thing the Children of God tast least of their bountie they of all other are shut from their fauours nay I would the worst they could do were not good enough for them Ioh. 16. 1 I would they thought they did not God good seruice when they entertaine his Saints with greatest outrage Surely though religion must not teach them to fauour their contraries yet wisdome might lesson them herein to prouide for themselues Do not they fare the better for the Saints of God and shall they fare the worse by them will they remoue them out of the gappe who keepe away their scourges and are the onely meanes to maintaine their prosperity Oh that the world would learne to be wise but he that is filthy wil be filthier still Obse 74. Markes of tue liberality Lastly from these shadowes of bounty we may learne the true substance thereof Not onely in words but in deed to make good our kindnesse and that not forcibly or with grudging but cheerefully and that not sparingly and basely but bountifully and with a large hand and if wee shall doe this from the true ground because GOD hath commanded and to a right end namely that God may be glorified and our neighbours bettered thre shall not be any thing wanting to true liberality but of this heretofore That which may further be commended in the Eunuch is his faithfulnesse in his office Obs 75. Officers are to be faithfull in distributing according to their chardg◠In that he makes not priuate gaine of such prouision as was allowed to these Maidens but rather enlargeth himselfe in the true bestowing thereof So was Ioseph faithful in distribution of the corne so was Iacob faithfull vnder his vnkle Laban A notable president to all officers Obser 71. Officers are to be faithfull in distrubiting according to their charge A good lesson for iustices Captains Gardians for the poore Treasureres of prouision for the publicque good c. that are put in trust for the behoose of others that they lick not their own fingers fil there own roofes with that which should serue for the prouision of others Vse I. Which as it condemneth all Zibaes and Iudasses that caried the bagge for their priuate profit and like false stewards rob others to prouide for themselues so it aduiseth Princes to appoint sufficiēt stipēds for such kind of officers y t they need not fal to such shamelesse oppressions And also teacheth such persons to be content with their allowance to esteeme it their greatest glory y t their charge prospers vnder them least y e leane kine deuour the fat the wrongs of y e oppressed cry for vengeance against them That so honorable an attēdance is graūted to this poore captiue who so lately liued at y e best but a seruant in the house of her vncle this as it serueth much to y e commendation of the Eunuches bounty in whose power no doubt it was to haue contented her with one so doth it much more commend the mercy of God vnto this his seruant that in this glorious seruitude shee there hath this benefit of such society which as shee might better rule hauing ferme power ouer them so she might lesse feare as being of her owne sex which as it might giue her some hope of her further aduancement Obs 76. God raiseth his to preferment by degrees as being yet a further steppe thereto so therein we may obserue the wisedome of our good and gracious God who as he doth not suddenly cast his vpō preferment but by degrees raiseth vs thereto that so we might the better wield the same so in this manner of his prouidēce doth he much quickē our faith and patience that seeing him comming wee might not be hasty Obs 77. Attendance what fit for each sex but wait the good time that he hath appointed Psal 125. Concerning y ◠kind of attendance that here is tendred to Hester only such of her sex as being fittest thereto this howsoeuer in this case might haue iealosie for it ground yet hath it a good ground for the like fitnes in our attendance Obs 78. God giues signes of his fauour to his children that they should be such as be of our owne sex the eie of the seruant to looke vpō the hand of his maister the eie of a maidē vnto the hand of her mistres a matter politickely obserued in popery to take away suspition at least of vncleanes yet surely euen this policy shal cōdemne that prophanes wher there is not this care of fitnes both to preserue order comlines in the family and also to auoide occasions and apparances of euil Lastly that to Hester and her maides is giuen charge of the best in the house Obse 79. The best is due and bestowed one Gods children howsoeuer this may be imputed to the carnal blind affection of the Eunuch respecting especially herein the beauty and likelines of Hester yet we may herein behold a special point of Gods wisdome y ◠Hester being aduanced to the highest dignity might haue a pledge hereof in the best preferment that the Eunuch could giue her and so by this liberall and sutable maintenance might be fitted therto So shal not the children of God want signes of their faith to helpe there weakenes Ves confirme their faith wherby we may learne as not to desire a signe when the thing is before vs so not to refuse a signe whē God offers it vnto vs and wisely to obserue y e tracts of Gods prouidence which will not fayle vs with plaine signes of his loue towards vs. And doth not this also commend the exceeding faithfulnesse of God vnto his that as all is theirs in Iesus Christ so they aboue any other shal so farre enioy this right euen in this life as that the best and fattest shal be their portion So had Iacob and his famile the best of the land of Egypt so had Iacobs posterity the most fruitefull country of the world so haue y e Saints of God had this their right renewed that the Gospell hath taken place euen in the best inheritance what country may compare in happines with those where the word hath beene entertayned So righteous is the Lord to giue his children the best in this life to assure vnto them the enioying of the better so profitable is Godlinesse to be recompenced with the best gaine haue not the children of God shared euen with the best of the best shall not the widow giue the Prophet before she releeue her selfe Shall not Ioseph haue the next best chariot and Mordecai the horse that the King rides on Oh that we could beleeue how should we be established How should wee enuy the best if we could hope the best that our
followeth Now when the course of Hester the daughter of Abihail the Vnckle of Mordecay Vers 15. 16 17 18. which had taken her as his one Daughter came that shee should goe into the King c. In these foure next verses the holy Ghost sets downe vnto vs 1. the admittance of Hester into the Kings presence 2. her aduancement to the mariage bed and so to the kingdome and 3. the solemnitie thereof And that still wee may see the Lord is like himselfe in vsing fitte meanes to bring good things to passe the spirit of God sets downe in this 15. verse diuerse notable circumstances to shew the orderly and worthy admittance of this poore captiue to so great soueraigntie First it is sayd When the course of Hester came that is shee is not hoysed on the suddaine least shee might bee vnprepared and puffed vp therewith neither is she called before her course least her â—ellows might enuie her as being grieued at it neither shall she stay after her course to put her out of hope but euen in the fit time When her course came Obs 98. Gods children are aduanced in conuenient time then is she called then is shee aduanced So when his appointed time came and the councell of the Lord has tryed him then did the King send for Ioseph and loose him then was hee deliuered and made Lord of the house Thus hath God an appointed time to aduance his Children which shal be fittest and most comfortable for them that they may know their aduancement is not by chance but determined of the LORD that they might wait with patience the LORDS good leysure and bee confirmed in faith for the accomplishment thereof Vse 1. And therefore as in vaine do the wicked threaten as if the times were in their hands because Eliah shall prosper and his word shall preuaile against Iezabel so weake is the faith of GODS children that will prescribe GOD his time seeing when it is fittest then it shall come to passe and art thou wiser then GOD Oh that we would be still and the LORD would establish our hearts that wee would fit our selues to the time that God hath appointed Surely there is an end â—thy hope shall not bee out of Pro. 2â— 18 yea the patient abiding of the righteous shal bee galdnesse And seeing the Lord will not hide from his children what may be for their good Obs 102. The apointed time of deliuerance is not obscurely to be gathered out of the word and they that liue by faith may see a farre of though the times and seasons are in the hands of God yet hath he not left vs without very probable markes whereby we may discouer the time of a deliuerance that so we may be better fitted to the entertainment thereof and be confirmed in our faith in the enioying of the same when the signes do graciously answer our expectation To this pupose is it that as the Lord hath appointed a time when he will deliuer his Church so doth he also in the word discouer the same and also not obscurely layes open the markes of his childrens apprehension thereof Tokens hereof And these are either in regard of God who is the delyuerer or in respect of them-selues that are to be deliuered or in regard of their enemies from whome they are to be deliuered Concerning almighty God as he is the onely deliuerer of his Church 1. In respect of God so doth he commend him-selfe vnto vs by some speciall actions in the word when he purposeth to deliver his people while his people are vnder the burthen he is said to be a sleepe to forget them to be angry with them Psal â—4 c. not that indeed he is angry but because he showes such effects Psal 77. which wee do being angry neither that he forgets them otherwise then not to answere their present desires neither indeed is hee otherwise a sleepe then that gratiously preseruing them in the estate of their affliction he doth not yet deliuer them out of the same But when the Lord purposeth to deliuer his people then the spirit discribes him in another manner Namely that he awaketh and rowseth vp him-selfe as one out of sleepe he returneth to his people Psal 74. and hath compassion on them and he repents him of the euill Psal 101. c. And that we may know that the Lord is awake he doth manifest the same by many notable signes of his speciall prouidence As first he puts on righteousnesse as an habergeon an helmet of saluation upon his head â—say 59. 17. 18. hee puts on the garments of vengeance for clothing and is clad with zeale as a cloake To what end Surely to make recompence to requite the fury of his aduersaries with a recompeÌ„ce to his enemies he will fully repay y e Ilands mark I pray you how the holy Ghost sets down the order of y e execution of Gods recompence 1. He makes inquirie of the fury of his aduersaries he comes downe to see whether they haue done altogether according to that cry against God and his children Cenes 18. Psal 9. 12. He makes inquisition for blood and remembers it and forgets not the complaint of the poore But doth the Lord make this inquisition How doth hee approue the righteousnes of the complaint of the poore Surely Psal 44. 1 By making it apparent that his children for his sake suffer all these euills in that neither would their enemies persecute them Exod 5. if they would renounce their God yet they shall giue testimony of their righteousnesse 1 Sam 24. 26. though for their credits they must still proceed against them So was our Sauiour Christ approued by Pylate his wife so did Saul iustifie Dauid and yet he continued persecuting of him so haue Gods children bene iustified by their enemies By which it commeth to passe that the more the godly are iustified the wicked are more inraged and so laye more grieuous burthens vppon the Church of God What followeth here-vpon Now doth the Church of God increase her cries and so the Lord doth yet further shew him-selfe for y e deliuerance therof Iudge 5. Namely he raizeth vp some extraordinary Champions to venture themselues for the reskuing of his people Nehem. 2. Now stands vp Nehemiah 4 Hâ—stor and now resolues Hester Exod. 4. if I perish I perish Now is Moyses sent forth though sore against his will And wil not y â— Lord accompany these his seruants with extraordinary power Yea surely behold here a third note when God will deliuer his people Gen. 15. 14. Psal 106. Namely hee will send fearefull signes into the Land of Ham and shew his wonders in Egipt and the red Sea that so the wicked may bee compelled 1 Sam 5. to lette his people go he will send Emeroids among the Philistines and soare plagues vppon the vncircumcised that so
they may bee compelled to send y e Arke home Genes 15. 14. Thus will the Lord Iudge the Nations before he deliuer his people that their hearts hereby being hardned more indurate against God and his people the deliuerance of the Church may be more free and glorious and y e confusion of the wicked more iust and fearefull Thus doth the Lord awake and returne when he will deliuer his children giuing them herein these apparant markes Namely First The clearing of his children by the mouthes of their enemies Second The raizing some vp among them to spend their liues in his cause Third inflicting many secret and open iudgements vpon their mallicious enemies Fox So before he deliuered his Church from the tyrants of Antichrist among vs were not some of the persecutors made fearefull spectators of Gods wrath to bridle or harden the rest And to iustifie the Church of God And surely if we do consider the state of the Church of God 2 In regard of the church when the Lord prepares it to a gratious deliuerance we shall find many euident tokens therein to giue good hope of the hastening of the work by which we may be confirmed in the expectation thereof To this purpose we may obserue a different estate of y e Church of God vnder troubles First she standes vpon her priuiledge as if she had wrong herein shee looks to former times and meruailes why she is thus she growes impatient vnder the burthen and complaines of her louers that they haue deceiued her she dissembles with God and seekes to humaine helpers she yeelds to the present necessity and so she bowes her neck to the yoakes and her conscience to the lust of the oppressor she giues her most pretious things for meat and obiecting her selfe to the iniquitie of the time she giues ouer hope euer to rise againe Thus you shall find to haue beene the state of the Church of God vppon it entrance into captiuity and so along toward the time of her appoynted deliuerance As the Prophets do most liuely decipher the same Vid. Ierem 41. 42. who liued with them in the captiuity and obserued their vse therof And surely if we obserue the prouidence of God herein Lament 2. 3. 1 Lamen 11. Ezech. doth it not exceedingly iustifie this righteous haÌ„d of god against his church Doth not the church of God hereby sink deeper in the myre and so set her selfe more strongly in the bondes of Gods iustice that so the time appointed of her trouble may be accomplished ouer her And doth not the Lord admirably by this meanes bring light out of darkenesse and so prepare his Church to her appointed deliuerance Yea surely the more Gods children wrestle with the rod the more they are beaten and at length tired therewith and so in the end being throughly weary y e poore church of God would gladly find some rest And seeing the hope of the Hils is but in vaine and she findes it too true that her louers haue deceiued her Ierem 3. Therefore shee resolues to go and returne to her first husband 1 Lamen 19. to looke vp vnto the Lord and wait for God her Sauiour Osea 2. Mich 7. Assuring her selfe that her God will heare Psal 66. And being fully resolued that if there be iniquity in her hand the Lord will not heare her prayers therefore she purposeth to forsake her Louers and renounce her sinnes Heere is it Lament 1. that shee weepes continually and giues no rest to her eyes because the Lord hath forsaken his rest And that her sorrow may be more kindly Psal 137. and take deeper impression Shee remembers Syon Lamen 5. 18. while she sits in Babilon shee remembers all her pleasant things that she had in times past And withall remembers her rebellion which was the cause of that great losse 1 Lamen 7. And so apprehends her affliction from the cause and greatnesse thereof Thus is shee brought to iustifie the Lord 1 Lamen 18. because shee hath rebelled against him Psal 6. And beeing sent out of her selfe by an holy dispaire Ezec 28. 45. acknowledging that she is worthy to bee cutte off Shee recouers strength in God from her owne weakenesse the more vile shee findes her selfe the more shee striues with her God to restore her beautie vnto her 1 Lamen 21. 22. shee layes hold on GODS promises for the confusion of her enemies and in their confusion sees a farre off her deliuerance here she staies not but drawes neerer vnto God Lament 2. and so yet further abaseth her selfe in the fury of her misery Lament 3. and so farre she wades in the apprehension thereof as that she dispaires of Gods mercy Lament 5 â—1 shee concludes in her weakenesse Lam 3. that her strength and hope is perished from the Lord. Lamen 3. 54. 23. 24. 56. 57. 58. 59. 31. 40. 41. 44. 45. Being thus past hope and so euen her spirituall weapons fayling her now she is recouered by the Lord hopes aboue hope she confirmes her faith from former experience and comforts her selfe in hir true humiliation and so gathers assurance that the Lord wil not forsake for euer She is perswaded he will returne she sees him comming a farre off Here-vpon she prepares her selfe to meete her God by examining of her selfe and trying her waies she incounters her God by earnest and hearty prayer though shee haue the repulse yet she will haue no nay Her eye droppeth without stay till the Lord looke downe and behold from heauen And considering the promises of God for the reseruing of the Church she presseth the Lord to arise and haue mercy vpon Syon and by the power of faith gathers y â— the appointed time is come Psal 102. 14. 15. That his seruaÌ„ts might delight in the stones thereof and shew compassion vnto the dust of the same Thus is the Church changed and purged inwardly that so shee may bee fitter for outward glory And so being fitted shee applaudes the time thereof not so much for her owne good as for the glory of God which shall be magnified in the restoring thereof And from hir own estate may the Church of God gather apparant notes of her deliuerance Now if wee shall looke into the practises of Gods enemies 3 In regard of our enemies they will also teach vs to gesse at the time of the Churches deliuerance Psal 119. VVhen they make no spare of destroying and will roote out GODS word then it is time for the Lord to put to his hand for they haue destroied thy law wheÌ„ by their pollicy cruelty they haue made such hauock that there is none to offer him-selfe in the cause of God Esay 59. 16. then shall the Lords arme saue it his righteousnesse it selfe shall sustaine his cause when they shall open their mouthes against heauen and blaspheme the power and mercy of God
they be still emptied how can they prosper And how can they then bee the glory of the Kingdome Wel Behold our Persian Monarch here doth not only giue rest vnto the Prouinces but also Gaâ—e gifts according to the power of the King Obs 119. Wicked brideled and furnished vvith good gifts for the good of the Church Thus euen the wicked when they are imployed in Gods seruice for the good of his Church shall not only bee bridled from much euill which they would do but moued also to doe much good in shew though otherwise they would not do Here 's no mention of drunkennesse no calling for Vashty as were in the former feast The marriage of Gods seruant shal not be dishonoured with such abuses But what here 's rest giuen to the Prouinces who were like to indure heauier burthens gifts distributed according to y e power of the King whose power is vsually seene in taking from his people So doth God honour his children by restrayning the wicked so doth hee harden the wicked in that they shall not want the shew of vertue in the seruice of those which yet notwithstanding onely for their vertue they doe most deadly hate so doth he get him glory by them both in confirming hereby the faith of his children Obs 120. Princes are to be liberall to their subiects and ripening the wicked to their appointed damnation And if wee shall further consider the bounty of this Monarch in giuing gifts so magnifically Doth not the Lord hereby further honour this aduancement of his seruant May not Princes learne hence to bee bountifull to their subiects and insteed of pilling of them to bestow sometimes largesse vpon them May they not we ldoe it seeing they giue them but their owne and doe they not winne their hearts therby 3. and can they store it vp better then there where they may require it againe And do they not ease themselues of much care and feare Surely as it was the custome at such extraordinary kinds of ioy and feasting to enlarge the heart in such gifts and so shall Princes finde a great commodity herein the people are contented and the kingdome well fenced vertue is encouraged and miserie releiued and Princes herein do most come neere vnto God and the people are more faithfully knit vnto their Gouernors But marke I pray you the bountifulnesse of this King Obs 121. Gods children ought to be liberall according to their ability and with all their power it is said that he gaue gifts according to the power of the King Not niggardly and basely but bountifully and according to his abilitie So ought the children of God much more to extend their liberality according to their callings least this heathen Monarch rise vp in iudgement against them And therefore they are 1. to distribute in faith with warrant from the word and looking for recompence at the hands of God Prou. 5. not being wearie of well dooing 2. They are to giue in righteousnesse both of that which is their owne and also where it may bee lawfull not to maintaine sinne but for loue of the person yea where it is most necessary to those that are in greatest want and among them especially to the houshold of faith 4. Wee must respect the end of all our well-doing principally the saluation of the soule and glory of God whereby wee may both condemne all Popish charitie which generally faileth in all these circumstances and so trie our selues whether we be truely charitable or no. Thus is the mariage of Hester solemnized with all the state and complement sutable thereto Obser 122. Gods prouidence in vnequall matters and societies of vnlike thus is a Captiue Virgin aduanced to bee a royall Queene Thus is vertue ioyned to vice to bridle the same Thus is vice a companion of vertue thereby to humble and so to trie the same Thus two are in a bed the one forsaken the other elected both brought together by the Lord and by him hereby fitted to their seuerall ends Behold here some resemblance of the estate of Gods children in a visible Church where shall they sit but they may meete with a Iudas in their dish 1. Cor. 5. if they will not conuerse with the vncleane must they not goe out of the world doth not the Lord hereby humble the one and harden the other is not his prouidence most admirable in accomplishing hereby his righteous will in them both But of this more fitlye by Gods grace hereafter And thus farre concerning the aduancement of Hester wherein for conclusion we may note 1. The faithfulnesse of God Obs 123. The Lord faithfull in in making good his word making good his promise That whereas the Prophet Ieremis perswaded Iechoniah the King not to stand out against Nabuchadnezzar when he came to besiedge the Citie but to yeeld himselfe willingly to the decree of God to goe into captiuitie promising him there-withall and the people in the name of the Lord that if they obeyed his councell it should both go well with them in the land of their captiuitie and after seuentie yeares they should againe returne into their countrie The King obeying this councell is honorably according to his estate respected during his life and among the rest this Hester being daughter to one of those that were in that captiuitie is here aduanced to the most eminent dignitie and so is a meanes for the most gratious preseruation of the Church of God So constant is the Lord in performing his promise Because he is God and cannot alter his loue hee is all sufficient and who can hinder his purpose hee is truth it selfe and therefore hath he said it and it shall stand neither will hee for his glory disappoint the expectation of his people which are his praise his delight and glory Vse 1. Let therefore the faithfulnesse of God condemne our distiust let the wicked bee confounded that make a mock thereat In the experience of what is past let vs bee confirmed in what is behinde let this teach vs to keepe faithfully lawfull promises to each other and as the Lord is faithfull in his promises so is hee also as faithful in his threatnings and therefore let vs feare him for the one and loue him for the other and giue him both the glory of his mercy and his iustice Thus doth the righteous Lord make good his promise but doth he not magnifie also his power in the means thereto Behold through many crossings and contrary blasts is this shippe brought to the hauen and through many desperate plunges is this poore captiue at length aduanced to greatest dignity 2. Cor 4. 6. Lumene Tenebris So doth the Lord worke by contrary means that his power may be more manifest in making such vnlikely meanes serue him Whereas otherwise if the means were likely Obser 124. The Lord accomplisheth his will by contrary meanes he might be thought to serue them That