mourns Though not a Blooâ—y Sâ—crifice as some Vainly believe but spends her dayes to come As a Recluse till Heaven is made her home Psal. 6.2 Have mercy Lord upon me for I am weak O Lord Heal me for my Bones are vexed Soul Jesus Soul Ah! Son of David help Iesus What sinfuâ—â— Crie Implores the Son of David Soul It is I. Jesus Who art thou Soul Oh! a deeply wounded Breast That 's heavie loaden and would sain have rest Jesus I have no Scraps and Dogs must not be fed Like Houshold Children with the Childrens Bread Soul True Lord yet tolerate a hungry whelp To lick your Crumbs O Son of David help Jesus Poor Soul what ail'st thou Soul O I 〈◊〉 I sry I cannot rest I know not where to fly To find some ease I turn'd my blubber'd Face From Man to Man I roll from place to place T' avoid my tortures to obtain relief But still I am dog'd and haunted with my grief My Mid-night torments call the sluggish Light And when the Mornings come they woo the Night Jesus Sir cease thy Tears and speak thy free desires Soul Quench quench my flames and swage these scorching Fires Jesus Caâ—st thou believe my Haâ—d can Curâ— thy Grief Soul Lord I believe Lord help my unbelief Jâ—sus Holâ— forth thy Arm and let my Fingers trâ— Thy Pulse where chiefly doth thy torment lye Soul From Head to Foot it reigns in every part But play 's the self-law'd tyrant in my Heart Jesus Canst thou Digest canst Relish wholsome Food How stands thy tast Soul To nothing that is good All sinfull trash and Earths unsav'ry stuff I can dig'st and relish well enough Jesus Is not thy Blood as cool as hot by turns Soul Cold to what 's good to what is bad iâ— burns Jesus How old 's thy Grief Soul I took 't at the fall With eating Fruit. Jesus T' is Epidemical Thy Blood 's infected and the infection sprung From a bad Liver 't is a Feaver strong And full of Death unless with present speed A vein be opened thou must dye or Bleed Soul O I am faint and spent that Lâ—unce that shall Let forth my Blood le ts forth my life withall My Soul wants Cordialls and has greater need Of Blood I being spent so far to bleed I faint allready if I bleed I dye Jesus T is either thou must bleed Sick Soul or I My blood 's a Cordiall He that sucks my Veins Shall cleanse his own and conquer greater pains Then these Chear up this precious blood of mine Shall cure thy Grief my Heart shall bleed thine Believe and view me with a faithfull Eye Thy Soul shall neither Languish Bleed nor Dye Epigram Canst thou be Sick and such a Doctor by Thou canst not live unless thy Doctor dye Strange kind of Grief that finds no Medicine goâ— To swage her pains but the Physicians Blood Psal. 143 2. Enter not into Judgment with thy Serâ—ant for in thy sight shall no man living â—e justified Iesus Iustice. Sinner â—esus Bring forth the Prisoner Iustice. Iust. Thy commands Are done just Judge See here the Prison'r stands 〈◊〉 What has the Prisoner done Say what is the cause Of this Commandment Iust. He hath broken the Laws Of his too Gracious God conspir'd the death Of that great Majesty that gave him breath And heaps transgression Lord on trangression 〈◊〉 How kâ—ow'st thou this Iust. Ev'n by his own confession His sins are crying and they cried aloud They cried to Heav'n they cried to Heaven for Blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What say'st thou Sinner Hast thou ought to plead â—hat Sentence shall not pâ—ss Hold up thy head â—nd shew thy Brazen and rebellious face 〈◊〉 Ah me I dare not I 'm to vile and base â—o tread on the Earth much more to lift â—â—ine Eyes to Heav'n I need no other shrift â—han mine own Conscience Lord I must confesse â—m no more then dust and no whit less â—hen my inâ—ictment stiles me Ah! If thou â—â—arch too severe with too severe a Brow â—hat Flesh can stand I have transgressed thy Laws 〈◊〉 merits plead thy vengeance not my cause 〈◊〉 Lord shall I strike the blow Jes. Hold Iustice stay Sinner speak on what hast thou more to say Sinner Vile as I am and of my selfabhor'd I am thy handy-work thy Creature Lord Stampt with thy glorious Image and at first Most like to thee though now a poor accurst Convicted Caitiff and degen'rous Creature Here trembling at thy Bar. Just. Thy faul's the greater Lord shall I strike the blow Jes. Hold Justice stay Speak Sinner Hast thou nothing more to say Sinner Nothing but mercy mercy Lord my state Is miserable poor and desperate I quite renounce my self the World flee From Lord to Iesus from thy self to thee Just. Cease thy vain hopes my angry God has vow'd Abused mercy must have blood for blood Shall I yet strike the blow Jes. Stay Justice hold My Bowels yearn my fainting Blood grows cold To view the trembling Wretch Methinks I spy My Fathers Image in the Pris'ners eye Iust. I cannot hold Jes. Then turn thy Thirsty Bladâ— Into my sides let there the wound be made Chear up dear Soul redeem thy life with mine My Soul shall smart my Heart shall bleed for thine Sinner O groundless deeps O love beyond degree Th' offended dyes to set the offender free Epigram Mercy of mercies he that was my drudge Is now my Advocaâ—e is now my Iudge He suffers pleads and sentences alone Three I adore and yet adore but one Deutrenomy 32.29 O that Men were Wise and that they understood this that they would consider their latter end Flesh. Spirit Flesh. What means my Sisters eye so oft to pass Through the long Entry of the optick Glass Tell me what secret virtue doth invite Thy wrinkled eye to such unknown delight Spirit It helps the sight makes things remote appear In perfect view it draws the Objâ—ct near Flesh. What sense-delighting objects doth thou spye What doth the Glass present before thine eye Spirit I see thy Foe my reconciled Friend Grim Death even standing at the Glasses â—â—d His left hand holds a branch of Palm his right Holds forth a two-edg'd Sword Fle. A proper sight And is this all doth thy prospective please Th' abused fancy with no shapes but these Spirit â—â—es I behold the darkned Sun bereav'â— â—f all his light the battlâ—mâ—nts of Heav'n Shelâ—ring in flames thâ— Angel guarded Son Of Glory on his Tribunall-Throne I see a Brimstone Sea of boyling fire And fâ—inds with knotted whips of flaming Wire Torâ—er'ng poor Souls that kâ—ash their Teeth in vain Aâ—d knâ—w their flame tormentâ—d tongues for pain Look Sister how the queasy-stomack'd Graves Vâ—mit their dead and how the Purple waves Scald their Consumeless Bodies strongly Cursing All Wombs for Bearing and all Paps for Nursing Flesh. Can thy distempâ—r'd fancy take delight In view of Tortures these are shows t' affright Look in this Glass triangular look here Hear
it is good to enjoy the company of the Godly while they are living so it is not amiss if it will stand with convenience to be buried with them after death The old Prophets bones escaped a burâ—ing by being buried with the other Prophets and the Man who was tumbled into the grave of Elisha was revived by the virtue of his Bones And we read in the Acts and Monuments That the body of Peter Martyr's wife was buried in a dunghil but afterwards being taken up in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth it was honourably buried in Oxford in the Grave of one Frideswick a Popish-the-Saint to this end that if Popery which God forbid should over-spread our Kingdom again and if the Papists should go about to untomb Peter Martyrs Wifes Bones they should be puzzled to distinguish betwixt the Womans body and the Reliques of that their Saint so good it is sometimes to be buried with those who some do account pious though perchance in very deed they be not so The Lord do so to me and more also To ascertain Naomi of the seriousness of her intentions herein Ruth backs what formerly she had said with an Oath lined with an execration If ought but Death See here the large extent of a Saints love it lasts till Death and no wonder for it is not founded upon Honour Beauty Wealth or any other sinister respect in the party beloved which is subject to Age or Mutability but only on the Grace and Piety in him which Foundation because it alwayes lasteth the love which is built upon it is also perpetual Part thee and me Death is that which parteth one Friend from another Then the dear Father must part with his dutiful Child then the dutiful Child must forget his dear Father then the kind Husband must leave his constant Wife then the constant Wife must losâ— her kind Husband then the careful Master must be sundred from his industrious Servant then the industrious Servant must be sundred from his careful Master Yet this may be some comfort to those whose Friends death hath taken away that as our Saviour said to his Disciples Yet a little while and â—ou shall not see me and yet a little while and you shall see me again So yet a little while and we shall noâ— see our Friends and yet a little while and we shall see them again in the Kingdom of Heaven for nâ—â— miâ—â—umur sed prâ—mittumur we do not foregoe them but they go before us A Dialogue between Naomi and Ruth Argument Kind Ruth her Husband dead to Naomi Dâ—'s cleave resolving so to live and dy In all adversity she makes a Vow To follow her and her kind Aid allow To prop her Aged years when kindly she Accepts of her dear Daughters company Naomi SEe'st thou not that Orpah thy Sister has left me and is again returned to her People why should'st thou then remain since Heaven's Eternal King has taken to himself Chilion the dear Pledge of your tender Love there live happy since all hopes are vanished that from my aged Womb more Sons should spring Ruth Have I not lived with you these many years even when wall-breaking Famine bared the sun-burnt Fields and Men as well as Beasts by thousands fell to fat the Bosom of our Common Mother Naomi 'T is true you have but then Heavens plenteous hand showred blessings on me then my Husband and my careful Sons drew breath But now Ruth Now why Can you once imagine that want can cause my love to wast no for your own and my dead Chilions sake I 'll love you still and render you â—he Duty that becomes a Daughter in Law Naomi Thy tender years can never undergo the â—ardship that poor wandring Naâ—mi may meet with 〈◊〉 she can be setled in the place where first she â—rew her Breath therefore consider and whilst â—ou are in Moabs borders think of the plenty that â—bounds in your own indulgent Mothers Womb. Ruth I have already cast the business in my Mind and am resolved that Winters chilling Storms nor Summers scorching beat attended with the sharp Contests of poverty and pining want shall never part us Death it self in all his dismal shapes is not of force to shake my fixed determination Naomi You yet are young and have not strugled with Misfortunes nor contended with the world and therefore know not of what force they are consider how belated Naomi in her long Journey must be often forced to make the Ground her Bed and underneath some spreading Tree lie stretched Exposed to all the injuries of weather whilst soft sleep flys from her careful Breast and she with sighs and groans is forced to wound the murmuring Air. Ruth If upon some bleak Mountains top whose covering is Snow and Globes of Solid Ice where Winters lasting Tyranny still Reigns you should be forced 〈◊〉 make your Bed I 'de there repose This Arm should be your Pillow whilst your Daughter your obedieâ—â— Ruth froze to your side Naomi Could you do this Yet think again and well consider that old Age comes fast on me and I shall soon be summoned to the Grave where you being left a stranger in the Land of Israel and far from your Relations meet with much contempt and scorn from the proud Daughters of the Land Then will be the time of your repentance theâ— you 'll blame that ill starr'd day you left your Country and your Friends for the sad company of wretched Naomi Ruth Let that not trouble my dear Adopted Mother for when unfâ—iendly Death with his cold Icy hand shall grasp your Life I 'll mourn much like a Widdow Turtle till in floods of swelling Grief I 'm wasted to Eternity and then our bodies shall not be disjoyned but in 〈◊〉 Grave we 'll lie till our returning Souls shall wake 〈◊〉 drowsie courses and hand in hand we take our way to Heaven Naomi Can there be such constant Faith in Woman O thou glory of our Sex let me embrace thee Thus whilst my poor heart o'reflows with Joy O thou dear recompence of all my toils who makest amends forHusband and for Sons loss may Heavens Favours shour upon your Head and you be blessed in all you undertake Ruth Your kind Expressions are too large a retribution for what I have resolved but see the Morning Dawn salutes the World let 's lose no time but strait begin our Iourney to the wish'd Bethlehem of Juda. Naomi Be it as you have said my only Comfort and blest Solace of my age Conclusion Thus setting forth they unto Bethlehem came Where Naomi desired to change her Name As griev'd at her great loss but in the end Rich Boaz weds Ruth and soon becomes her Friend Ruth Soon grows fruitful and from her does spring The Lineal Rank good David Israels King Dagons Fall before the Ark. The Sins of Israel growing great Gods rage Was bent against his Chosen Heritage Old Ely's Sons polluting holy things And with vile Haâ—ds disdain the
in their Mothers Womb they began the intestine Duel But what ever happens Iacob shall be vanquisher for Heaven is on his side and the supplanting of Esau shall rather proceed from the Hand of God than that of Iacob But alas What strife What Victory What â—riumphs When the Crowns we gain are but Roses staind with Blood and Lawrels which wither in a moment and transform themselves into eterâ—all Thorns It is not for this prize Iacob sought in his Mothers Womb but he assaults and supplants Esau for the purchase of Immortal Crowns CHAP. XXII Giveing an account of the Education of Esau and Jacob and the shamefull sale he made of hâ—s Birth-right Gen. 25. The twin-born Brothers are of different minds Jacob loves Cattel Esau pleasure finâ—s In hunting whence returning home be doth Sell his Birth-right to Jacob for Red-â—roath WE need not be over much versed in Physiogâ—omy to foâ—â—tâ—ll what Esau would prove for in hiâ— Birth he gave so many evident â—â—gns as we cannot be ignorant of his future inclinations His Body Hairy like a Bear could not be animated but by the Soul of a Beast Iacob on the contrary had only the qualities of a Dove and his Heart had less Gall than a Lamb. He went scarce ever out of the House and shewed so much simplicity sweetness and moderation as but to see him a Man was constrained to love him Notwithstanding Isaack had more violent inclinations towards his Eldest Son And this Love was only grounded upon Esau's constant custome in bringing him every Day some piece of Venison However it were the Liberty Isaack gave to Esau of running all the day long through Woods and Forrests was the occasion which brought him to his first misfortune For this poor Chaser comming one day weary and Hungry from hunting and meeting with Iacob who had câ—used some Pulse to be sod he intreated him to give him a share of it to which Iacob willingly agreeded upon Condition he would yield up to him his right of Primogeniture Alas â— dye for very huâ—â—er answâ—red Esau what will this Right avail thee after my death if it be so replyed Iacob take an Oath that thou wilt give it me Well in truth then I swear it saith Esau and I acknowledge thee in quality of my Elder Brother whereupon this poor wretch took immediately Bread and Pulse from his Broâ—hers Hand little valueing the loss he had made of the first advantage wherewith God and Nature had â—â—voured him CHAP. XXIII Giveing an Account of the Dexterity of Rebecca to procure for Jacob the blessing of Isaack Gen. 27. Isaack Dim-sighted Jacob takes to be Esau deceiv'd through his minds jealousie Jacob the Blessing gets Esau returnes And markes the Cheat for which he Grieves and Mourns ISaack waxing old amidst many misfortunes insensibly felt the approaches of Death and as if his â—yes abhor'd to serve as witnesses to the disasters of his old age they covered themselves with the Darkness of a lamentable Blindness Amongst these Accidentâ— his Eyes being shut against all the Claritieâ— of Life his Soul went penetrating the shade and Night of the Tomb. He calls Esau and sayes to him with a pittifull Tone Alas my Son I am upon the Brink of my Grave and yet I know not when I shall discend into it This good man feeling his life to extinguish as a Lamp whose Oyl begins to fail â—alled Esau and commanded him to take his Quiver his Bow and Arrows and to go a hunting that 〈◊〉 might bring him something to eat with this promise that at his return he would give him his beâ—ediction before his Death Esau immediatly performing what his Father commanded him Rebecca who heard Isaacks whole discourse made use of her time very seasonably to doâ— what the Spirit of God directed her Ah! how ingenious is vertuâ— and how dexterous is Love when it follows the will of God! who would believe that a Woman durst undertake what Rebecca did Her Artifiâ—es then were innocent and her intentions very just and holy when she disguised Iacob to deceive Isaack and frustrate Esau of the blessing he expected Goe then my Son saith she and make choice amongst our Flocks of the two faâ—test Kids you shall find I will so dress them that I will make them serâ—e for your Fathers repast to the end having fed on them he may bless you before his death But what replyed Iacob Mother you know that my Body is not Hairy like my Brothers I am fearfull then lest my Father touch me and believe I intend to mock him lay on me his malediction But Iacob would never have been so adventurous as to undertake an action which might irritate the gooâ—ness of Isaack if Rebecca had not relieved him in his fear and if she had not made appear to him that her Wiles were very just and her design most innocent Ah! sâ—ith she my Son leave unto me this fear I will preserve thee from this danger thou apprehendest and if any ill chance to happen I wish it may fall on me do then boldly what I shall say unto thee She presently apparelled him in Esau's Garments covered his Neck and Hands with Skins which had some resemblance of his Brothers and gave him such Bread and Meat as she knew would be pleasing to Isaacks tast Iacob presents them unto his Father who hearing his voyce asked if he were Esau he answered that he was his Eldest Son and that having exactly performed all his commands he besought him to eat of the Venison he had prepared for him But what Said Isaack to him how couldst thou take and provide it in so short a time Iacob answers it is God who hath so dispos'd it and made it as it were fall into my Hands If it be so approach my â—on and give me thy Hands that I may toâ—ch them and feel whether thou art my Son Esâ—u or not Iacob obeyed and after Isaaâ—k had touched him he saith unto him surely this is the voice of Iacob I hear but if I be not deceived these are the Hands and Hair of Esau I feel Notwithstanding this doubt Isaack gave his benediction to Iacob and madâ— good cheer of all he had presented to him Imagine whether Rebecca stood not watching to observe all that passed I represent unto my self that she incourag'd Iacob with Gestures and Signs which made up a good part of this action The time must needs seem long unto her out of the fear she might have lest Esau should come in and disturb the â—ourse of Divine providence and the conduct of her prudent designs Gen. 27. At Esau's coming Jacob is dismay'd And to get Favour Gifts before him lay'd Instead of Blows he Jacob Kisseth oft Instead of Wrestling gives Embraces soft Approach my Son saith Isaack and bestow a Kiss 〈◊〉 thy poor Father Presently Iacob leaps on his â—eck embraces him huggs him and layes his eyes â—is lips and mouth on him and then Isaack thus â—leâ—â—eâ— him
us you are Like us who vow with you perpetual War Adon. Spare spare me I repent my wicked deeds â—y Rage is lost my Heart now melts and bleeds â—our want of power this feign'd repentance breeds King No we 'll pursue you through the Gloomy Coasts â—nd tell your Story to the well pleas'd Ghosts â—ho laughing loud shall joyn with us in Mirth â—o plague you as you plagued us on Earth Adon. O wretched me how woful is my case â—ho find in Life nor Death no resting place 〈◊〉 Earth I was to Iacob's Sons betray'd â—nd here the Scorn of once my Slaves I 'm made â—herefore by me let Tyrants warning take â—â—st they are scorn'd by those their scorn they make A Dialogue between Jael and Sisera The Argument Sisera routed flys to Jael's Tent And 's Introduced with a Complement But sleeping a sharp Nail his Temples wound Till he his Death in that low Lodging found â—â—el Ha who is this that thus with hasty steps makes to my poor Abode If I miâ—â— not it is the Warriour that has troubled Israeâ— yes yes 't is Sisera Speak speak my Lord why come you thus alone where where are all the mighty Captains that were wont to wait upon you marking your Frowns and Smiles as sure portents of Life and Death the Signals of the Nations Peace or dire Calamity Sisera Alass Alass The God of Iacob has prevailed and they 're no more the Battel has devoured them and their slaughter'd Carcasses ly scattered on the Plains of Israel I. How is the mighty Jabins Army overthrown Sisera It is and still the danger is too near to admit of time to tell the dreadful ruine for the well flesh'd Foe besmear'd with blood and slaughter hastily pursue O had you seen the fearful havock Barak's Sword has made how wheeling with a swift reverse it mowed down Ranks of men You wou'd have trembled Iael My Lord I tremble at the thoughts of his wide wasting fury but see the Enemies upon the Mountain-tops Sisera 'T is true With speedy steps they hitherward advance Now now My life is in your hands secure me from their fury by denyal and stay my thirst with water and I 'll largely recompence your care Iael Doubt not my Lord of safety in my Tent Here here Drink drink thou mighty Man of War drink what my homely Tent affords Sisera 'T is Nectar most delicious and has much refreshed my weary Soul But I 'll repose and leave my safety to your conduct Iael This covering my Lord Ha whaâ— a suddain drowsiness has seized the Man of blood Why can it be that he can securely snore when Death is hovering round him Now now 's the time to be revenged for all the slaughter he haâ— caus'd for all the Widdows and sad Orphaâ—â— tears burnt Towns deflowred Virgins ravish'â— Matrons and the bleeding Wombs whence gasping Infants by rude hands were torn Heaven prompt my Zeal to act the Tragedy This sharp Instrument well fits my purpose and now to free my Country from his future rage Thus thus I seal his Eye-lids with eternal slumber The deed is done convulsive Death now triumphs over him whose breath has doom'd so many thousands to the Grave unfear'd he lyes whose name was wont to make the Sons of Iaâ—ob tremble and at whose approach the well fenced Towns were slighted whilst for safety the Amazed Inhabitants lurked in the Caves and solitary Wildernesses Conclusion The mighty Sisera slain glad Jael meets The conquering Captain and his death relates Which joyes the Israelites and makes them sing For their deliverance to the Eternal King Who grants them Peace and Plenty many dayes And chears them with the brightness of His rayes Ruth 1. Verse 16 17. And Ruth answered intreat me not to leave thee â—or to depart from thee for whether thou goest I will go â—nd where thou dwellest there will I dwell thy People â—all be my People and thy God my God Verse 17. â—here thou dyest will I dye and there I will be buried â—e Lord do so to me and more also if ought but death â—aâ— thee and me Here we have the resolution of Ruth portray'd 〈◊〉 lively colours so that if we consider her Sex 〈◊〉 Woman her Nation a Moabite we may boldly â—â—onounce of her what our Saviour did of the Cenâ—â—rion Verily I say unto you I have not found so great â—aith no not in Israel Intreat me not tâ— leâ—ve thee Some read iâ— be not 〈◊〉 against me as it is in the â—â—rgen of the neâ— Translation Where we see that tâ—â—se arâ—â—o be accounted our advâ—rsarâ—es and against us who persâ—â—â—dâ— us frâ—â— our voâ—aâ—â— to Canaâ—â— froâ— going to Goâ—s true Râ—ligion They may be ouâ— Fathâ—rs they cannoâ— bâ— our â—rienâ—s though they promise us all outwaâ—d Profits and 〈◊〉 yet in very deed they are â—or with us but againsâ— us and so must be accoâ—â—â—ed Where thou Lâ—dgest I will lodâ—e A good Companion saith the Lâ—tine Proverb iâ— proviatiâ—â— I may add also pâ—â— divers riâ— Ruth sâ— be it she may enjoy Naomie's graciâ—â—â— company wiâ—â— be content with any lodging though happily it may be no better than Iacob had Gen. 28. Thy People shall be my People Haman being offended with Mordicai as if it haâ— been lean and weak revenge to spit his spight upoâ— one person hated all the Jews for Mordicai's sake the mad Bear stung with one Bee would neeâ— throw down the whole Hive But clean contrarâ— Naomi had so graciously demeaned her self thâ— Ruth for her sake is fallen in love with all the Jewâ— Farewel Mâ—châ—n farewel Chemosh farewel 〈◊〉 Welcome Israel welcome Canaan welcome Beâ—â—leheâ— all of a suddain she will turn Convert 〈◊〉 will turn Proselite Thy God shall be my God Iehosâ—phat when he joyned wiâ—h Ahaâ— 1 King 〈◊〉 said unto him my People is as thy People 〈◊〉 Hâ—rses are as thy Hâ—â—ses that is he would comâ— with him in a politick League but Ruth goes â—â—â—ther to an unity in Religion Thy God shall be 〈◊〉 God Where thou dyest will I dy Here Ruth supposeth two things that she 〈◊〉 her mother in law should both dye It is appioâ—â— once to dy Secondly That Naomi as the eldest should dy first for according to the ordinary custom of Nature it is the most probable and likely that those that are most stricken in years should first depart this Life Yet I know not whether the Rule or Exceptions be more general and therefore let both Young and Old prepare for Death the first may dy soon but the second cannot live long And there will I be buried Where she supposed two things more first that those that survived her would do her that favour to bury her which is a common courtesie not to be denyed to any It was an Epitaph written upon the Grave of a Beggar Nudas eram vivus mortuus ecce tegor 2 ly She supposeth they would bury her according to her instructions near to her Mother Naomi Observation As
Offerings The Lord of Hosts convenes the Heathen Powers To batter down aspiring Iacobs Towers Before their Swords the routed Hebrews fly And fill the Hills and Valleys with their cry The wicked Seed of the High Priest are sâ—ain And the tremendous Ark it self is ta'ne In which the Mighty God was pleas'd to dwell Before whose wrath so many Nations fell And now the bold insulting Foe as proud Of such a Trophie bare it shouting loud To the base Temple of their false feign'd God Compos'd of Gems of Gold and precious wood A stock inspir'd by an Infernal Fiend On whom they durst in Peace and War depend Ascribing to his power the great success Of their weak Arms and joyful words express When lo the fearful Fiend with hideous cries From his adored Idol swiftly flies Not daring view that Face which brightness shrouds The God whose Thunder rends the Marble clouds Who grasps the Poles and turns the Spears about Whose Eyes survey the Universe throughout Whose Anger kindled is so deadly great That Hell it self from it would fain retreat Had not strict Fate fast fix'd it in it's place With whom alone the Righteous can find Grace And now forsaken Dagon wreft of voice No answer gives from it proceeds no noise In vain his Priests enquire of Future things In vain the Prince his cur'st Oblation brings Deluding Satan bears perforce the shame And though aloud they call on Dagons Name Yet dares not the fate babling Daemon come Least he before his time receive his doom And with link'd Thunderbolts be driven back Or sunk fast chain'd into the flaming Lake But whil'st they rend their Threats their wooden God Begins to totter and most strangely nod Whereat affrighted the rude Rout recoil When down at last upon his Face he fell Yet up the foolish People rear again Their shame and folly yet 't is but in vain For e're the Sun review'd their wicked Coast The helpless Stock his Head and Hands had lost Whilst fearful Plagues his Worshipers dismay Who gladly send the holy Ark away Not daring keep what eagerly they sought Lest all their Land be to destruction brought On Dagon and the Ark. What news with Dagon Is thy shrine so hot Thou canst not keep it or has Dagon got The falling sickness that his godship's found In such a posture prostrate on the ground Poor helpless god but stay Is Dagon grown So weak i' th hams nor stand nor rise alone A god and cannot rise 'T is very odd He must have help or lie A proper god Well Dagon must require help of hands Up Dagon goes the second time and stands As confident as though his place had bin His own in Fee down Dagon falls again But Dagon's shrewdly martyr'd with the jump Lost Hands and Head and nothing left but stump Sure all 's not well with Dagon now of late He 's either sick or much forgot the State Belonging to so great a God hath none Offer'd some stinking Sacrifice or blown Some nauseous fume into his sacred Nose And made his Godship dizzy or who knows Perchance h 'as taken pet and will resign His sullen place and quit his empty shrine No wonder a false God should stoop and lye Upon the flour when as a true God's by It was unlikely Dagon should forbear Respite of Homage when the Ark was there If I would worship a false God at all It should be one that would not scorn to fall Before his Betters whose indifferent Arm If it could do no good could do no harm I 'de rather choose to bend my idle knee Of all false Gods to such a god as he Whose spirit 's not too quick The Fabulous Frog Found greater danger in the Stork than Log And to conclude I 'de choose him Dagon like Not having Head to plot nor Hands to strike Saul chosen King THe murmuring people who Gods Wonders saw And Glorious presence when he gave the Law In Peals of Thunder on the dreadful Mount Themselves unhappy in his Rule account And like their Neighbour Nations ask a King That may their Armies out to battel bring To which the Mighty God though griev'd consents Yet lets them know the sad and dire events Of their sad wish tells what their King shall do And that too late repentance wou'd insue Which to head-strong Israel prov'd too true But long they 're not debar'd of their desire â—ood Samuel marks them out what they require Confirming after many signs the Son Of Aged Kish a Benjamite well known By his huge Stature who for many years The Helm of Iacobs mighty Empire steers But not regarding who the Scepter Gave The Scepter giver does the Monarch leave Who long disparing did in Iacob dwell Till by his Sword on Gilboa he fell And scatter'd Israel felt the rage of those Who ever vow'd themselves their mortal Foes On Saul and David SUre Saul as little look'd to be a King As I and David dream'd of such a thing Aâ— much as he when both alike did keep The one his Father's Asses t'other Sheep Saul must forsake his Whip and David flings His Crook aside and they must both be Kings Saul had no sword and David then no spear There was none Conquer'd nor no Conqueror there There was no sweat there was no blood to shed The unsought Crown besought the Wearers head There was no stratagem no Opposition No taking parts no jealous Competition There needs no Art there needs no Sword tâ— bring And place the Crown where God appoints the King A Dialogue between Agag and Samuel The Argument Saul having spar'd the proud Amalekite Samuel is griev'd and when the Pagan quite Had banisht fear of Death to Death â—e's givâ—â— In order to appease offended Heaven Agag WWhat means the Prophet with 〈◊〉 stern Aspect to gaze upon a Monarchâ— misery suffices it not that my slaughterâ—d People â—at the Plains with streams of blood and that my burning Citys cloud the Lamp of Heaven with ascending smoak Samuel No haughty man 't is not enough the 〈◊〉 of Jacob is displeased with such small Vengeance Agag Then try to turn away his wrath with Sâ—â—crifice let ten thousand Altars blaze with fat 〈◊〉 Bulls and Rams the spoil that once belonged to Amaleks now fallen Sons Saul In vain thou urgest such abâ—mination such Sacrifices would be odious in the Nostrils of that God Who dwells between the Cherubims whose fâ—ercâ— wrath can be appeased with no less Sacrifice than thy curst Life Agag Ha my life why sure the fear of death is past now know you not that your King has promised Life Sa. I know him who in sparing you and your unlawful Spoils has made himself a Rebel to the King of Kings Agag Yet he 's your Lord and ought to be obeyed to him I appeal to him who has already sign'd my pardon Samuel In vain are all Appeals to Mortal Man when God the mighty God in whose strong Hands is all the Breath of Life has doom'd you dead
of the Iews in bonds J. Well waving further Ceremony I 'le stifle my upbraiding Conscience sere it with all dark resolves and desperately comply with your demands H. P. Bravely spoke our Guardâ— shall instantly attend you but what is the sign by which you will distinguish him J. With a Face as bold as Death frought with mischief I will bare up to him and with a treacherous kiss salute him and then let those that have the charge be sure to catch him H. P. No fairer token can you give but it is no time now to delaythe thing come come let us â—bout it and secure him e're the Sun salutes the East least the mad People fond of innovation should murmur nay should mutiny upon such a seizure which they will term an outrage for we are not ignorant what fame his Miracles have won and â—ow he is beloved see see the Guards are ready â—hen along with them whilst I retire to the consulâ—ing Sanadrim and there contrive what shall be â—urther done J. I go though to perfâ—â—m the blackest deed that Hell ever put into the Heart of Man yet I have promised and I will perform though Faâ—â— and Destiny does push me â—â—â—dlong into monstrous ruine Conclusion The Plot thus laid the Lord of Life 's betray'd And bound before the Sanadrim is lead Scorn'd and revil'd scourg'd and at last condemn'd Crown'd with sharp thorns and impiously blasphem'd Stretch'd on a Cross the Lord of glory dyes Who reigns in Hâ—aven above the starry Skies Peters Lamentation WRetch that I am what have I done how great Is this black Crime O where shall I retreat To hide my Guilt what blushes burn my Face What Stings my Conscience feel what hiding place Can shelter him from woes he cannot fly No place can shroud me from his piercing eye Who views at once Hells depth and Heavens vast height To whom all gloomy darkness is as light Fool that I was to be so confident So resolutely so presumptuous bent Upon my strength when I 'm at best but dust Frail man too weak my own resolves to trust But it is past sad thought yet now in vain I would recall what I have done again All I can do is now to mourn the sin That I presumptuous I have plunged in O let my eyes then be a Stream a Flood Nay let me weep for tears a stream of blood Sighs and sad Groaâ—s shall all my musick be Sobs and laments shall dwell shall dwell with me Lord look on me meâ— wretcâ—â—d man Who wanting thy Compassion am undone O mercy mercy ease my troubled mind Let me ingrateful me some mercy find Me that deny'd him who first gave me breath Me that deny'd him who 's condemn'd to death O pity me my weakness Lord forgive Without thy Pardon Lord I cannot live My Soul 's distracted a fierce war's within Disturbs my rest the bold the shameful sin Preys on my Spirits and will give no rest Then mercy show to him that is opprest O let thy dear compassion take away The Sting of Conscience ease me Lord I pray I cry â—loud cover'd with dust I lye Even at thy Feet O pity or I dy Raise raise a sullen Wreâ—ch that he may be An object of â—hy saving Clemency My Cries are heard a calm o'respreads my Soul No storms of trouble my free thoughts controul O boundless boundless is his goodness still Therefore I 'le strive henceforth to do his will 〈◊〉 Swine possest SEe see how Satans Malice still is bent He who was in a guilful Serpent pent When he in Eden did seduce fair Eve And her to man-kind's misery deceive Rather then now he 'l idle be he 'l joyn Infernal nature with the dirty Swine Not sparing sensless Brutes such is his hate To all that God for his glory did create Yet limited is his fierce wrath we see It cannot without Christs permission be But having leave the spightful Legion strait The grunting Herd with horrid cries amate Who now grown wild their Keepers put to â—light And all the Tribe with antick dancing fright Sometimes they stand an end sometimes they roul Nay bound aloft and lâ—ap without controul E're all that does oppose them in their way No bars nor bounders their fierce course can stay Till like a toâ—rrent down the hills they scour Into the Sâ—as which does them all devour Considerations upon our Saviours compassion to the Thief upon the Cross. HOw good how great how merciful how just Is God to those who in him put their trust How is his Arms of mercy open wide To those that in his saving Power confide See see the Thief who all his life had bin A Drudge to Satan slave to wrâ—tâ—hed sin At that sad time whâ—n Death look'd grimly drâ—aâ— And he of Liâ—e bâ—t a fâ—w mâ—mâ—nts had Repâ—nting is râ—stor'd â—ay more iâ— blest With ioâ—â—s that are with mâ—ns tongue exprâ—sâ— â—â—rely acknowledging 〈…〉 To raiâ—e his Soâ—l above th◠〈◊〉 Skies Acknoâ—â—â—â—â—inâ— his sin and â—reachiâ—g thence Tâ—e â—ord of glâ—â—iâ—s pâ—râ—â—â—â— innocence 〈◊〉 care was not â—or 〈◊〉 hâ—ppiâ—esâ— â—ut suddain 〈…〉 him to exprâ—â—â— â—emember me Loâ—â— when 〈…〉 into â— Kingdom that can only bee thy â—ue â—ut his compâ—â—r dâ—sirous still 〈…〉 â—reaming oâ— Plâ—asurâ—s 〈◊〉 joâ—â—â— wâ—tâ— striâ—e â—orgot his Soul anâ—â—ailâ—d agâ—â—â—â—â— tâ—â— Loâ—â— â—ho for his sake did 〈…〉 â—o that 〈◊〉 â—ellow chose the beâ—ter part â—hose wâ—â—s once â—â—ded swift as 〈…〉 â—hes his dâ—luding Sâ—ul to thâ—â—â— bleâ—t â—oys â—here Care nor 〈◊〉 no more man-kind 〈◊〉 Iudas his Dispair Wretch that I am why do I view the light Why sink I not in everlasting night Why do not hottest lightnings strike me dead Why fall not Bolts of Thunder on my hâ—ad Why yauns not Earth to suck me in and why Find I not means my self wiâ—h speed to dy Why live I in these torments worse than death In this sad torture this sad Hell on Earth O Wretch what sting of Conscience do I feel More sharp thâ—n all the force of fatal steel More deadly than the poison stings of Asps Dread horror my affrighted soul now clasps Accursed Silver that could make me prove A Traytor to my Lord who sacred love Beam'd on me oâ—t but I have cast it back May it my ruine on the givers wrack Whilst this fit Cord stops thus my loathed breath Whilst thus I seek some easement in my death A Dialogue between Pilate and his Wife The Argument The virtuous Wife of Roman Pilate`s griev'd Because she was not as she ought believ'd Telling nâ—w plainly whaâ— is her true sence And let`s him know his desperate offence W. UNhappy are you to be over-rul'd by the maâ— rout why would you yield to their rougâ— clamours to destroy the innocent P. I laboured to deliver that just man but found it wâ— in vain for still no other cry than crucifie him soundâ— through the Iudgment-Hall W. Yet you might have used your high Authoriâ—â—â—o still the rout who being set on by
sorry Cold abode And then they ply from the Eaves unto the Ground With Mud-mixt Reed to wall their Mansion round All save a hole to the East-ward situate Where strait they clapt a Hurdle for a Gate Instead of Hinges banged on a With Which with a slight both Shuts and Openeth 5. Their first Invention of Fire Yet Fire they lackâ— But lo the Woods that whistle Amidst the Groves so oft the Lawrel justle Against that Mulberry that their angry Claps Do kindle Fire that burns the Heath bour Cops When Adam saw a râ—ddy vapor rise In glowring Streams as turnd with fear he slies It follows him untill a naked Plain The greedy fury of the flame restrain Then back he turns and coming somewhat nigher The kindled Shrubs pâ—rceiving that the fire Driâ—s his dark Cloathes his Colour doth refresh Anâ— un-benums his Sinâ—ws and his Flesh By th' unburnt end a good big brand he takes And hying home a fire he quickly makes And still maintains it till the Starry Twins Celestial breath another Fire begins But Winter being come again it grieved him T' have lost so fondly what Relieved him Trying a thousand wayes sitâ— now no more Thâ— justling Trees his damage would restore While else where musing one day he sate down Vpon a steep Rock craggy-forked crown A foaming Beast come towards him he spies Within whose Head stood burning Coals for Eyes Then suddenly with boisterous Arms he throws A knobby Flint that hummeth as he goes Hence flies the Beast th' ill-aimed flint shaft grownding Against the Rock and on it oft rebounding Shivers to Cinders whence there issued Small sparks of fire no sooner born then dead This happy chance made Adam leap for Glee And quickly calling his cold Company In his left hand a sâ—ining Flint he lâ—cks Which with another in his right he knocks So up and down that from the coldest stone At every stroke small lively Sparkles Shone Then with the dry Leaves of a withered Bay The which together handsomely they lay They â—ake the falling fire which like a Sun Shines clear and smok-less in the Leaf begun 6. Eves Mouth at first serves in stead of a pair of Bellous Eve Kneeling down with hand her head sustaining And on the low ground with her Elbow leaning Blows with her Mouth and with her gentle blowing Stirs up the heat that from the dry Leaves glowing Kindles the Read and then that hollow Kex First fires the small and they the greater Sticks CHAP. V. â—herein you have an account of the Disasters and Banishment of Adam and Eve out of Paradice with a supposed Dialogue between Adam and Eve and likewise between Eve and the Serpent Gen. 3. The Woman 's tempted by the Serpents whiles To eat the Fruit she strait the Man beguiles A Cherub chaseth them with Sword and Fire Out of fair Edens Garden in great Ire ADam and Eve are happy but how long will this happiness endure Doth Adam rememâ—er that he is a Man and a Man of Earth Doth Eve well understand that her Sex is moâ—e Light â—ore frail and less constant Adam art thou Ignoâ—ant that nothing is more flattering and more cunâ—ing than a Woman when her mind is excited by â—ome passion Beware then Adam of this Woman â—or my own part I imagine to have in a manner seen her â—ehind a Tree and to my thinking I have heard her â—â—eak something unto a Serpâ—nt The Serpent if I mistake not first beginning to â—ialogue with her after the following manner viz. â—erp Not eat Not tast Not touch Not cast an Eye Upon the Fruit of this fair Tree And why Why eatest thou not what Heaven ordained for Food Or can'st thoâ— think that bad which Heav'd call'd Go od Why was it made if not to be enjoy'd Neglect of Favours makes a Favour void Blessings unus'd pervert unto a Wast As well as Surfeits Woman do but tast See how the Laden Boughs make silent suit To be enjoy'd Look how the bending Fruit Meet thee half way Observe but how they crouch To kiss thy Hand Coy Woman Do but touch Mark what a pure Vermilion blush has di'd Their swelling cheeks and how for shame they hide Their Palsie Heads to see themselves stand by Neglected Woman do but casâ— an Eye What bounteous Heav'n ordained for use refuse not Come pull and Eat Y' abuse the thing ye use not Eve Wisest of Beast our Great Creater did Reserve this Tree and this alone forbid The rest are freely ours which doubtless are As pleasing to the Tast to the Eye as fair But touching this his strict Commands are such 'T is Death to Tast no less then Death to Touch. Serp. Pish Death 's a Fable Did not Heav'n inspire Your equall Elements with Living Fire Blown from the spring of Life Is not that breath Immortall Come ye are as free from Death As he that made you Can the flames Expire Which he has kindled Can ye quench his Fire Did not the Great Creatours voice proclaim What ere he made from the blew Spangled frame To the poor Leas that trembles very good Blest he not both the Feeder and the Food Tell Tell me then what danger can Accrue From such blest Fruit to such half Gods as you Curb needless fears and let no fond Conceit Abuse your freedom Woman take and Eate Eve 'T is true we are immortal Death is yet Vnborn untill Rebellion make it debt Indeed I know the Fruit is good untill Presumptuous disobedience make it ill The Lips that open to this Fruit's a Portall To let in Death and make immortall mortâ—ll Serp. You cannot die Come Woman tast and fear not Eve Shall Eve transgress I dare not O I dare not Serp. A fraid Why draw'st thou back thy tim'rous Arme Harm only faâ—ls on such as fear a Harm Heav'n knows and fears the virtue of this Tree 'T will make ye perfect Gods as well as hee Stâ—eâ—ch sorth thy Hand and let thy fondness never Fear Death Do Pull and Eat and Live for ever Eve 'T is but an Apple and it is as good To do as to desire Fruit's made for Food â—le pull and tast and tâ—mpâ— my Adam too To know the Secrets oâ— this dainty Serp. Do. EPIGRAM Vnluckey Parliament Wherein at lâ—st Both Houses are agree'd and firmly pâ—st An Act of Death confirm'd by higher powers O hâ—d it had but such Success as ours And now Eve being thus seduc't by the Serpent we may suppose Adam Advancing up to her bespeaking her after the following manner viz. Adam From whence dost thoâ— come anâ— why doest thou leave him all alone who is the heart of thy heart and the soul of thy soul Where can be the Members without the Head the Head without the Members What doest thou not know that I am to be witâ—ess of all thy Actions and that I must give an account unto God for what thou shalt doe what fruit is this that thou hold'st in thy hand Eve Ah my Son
be the first Seeds of a most ample and happy posterity What pitty was it to see this poor Handmaid enter with her Son into a solitary and uninhabited Desart and leave a plentifull House where she had ever lived as a Mistriss What pitty was it to see Agar and Ishmael in the desarts of Bersheba with hunger and thirst and in a generall want of all the conveniencies of Nature will not men believe them to be as it were dead in the World and alive in a Tomb What hope is there amongst Stones and Rocks What society in the midst of Woods where nothing is heard but cryes and roarings of Monsters What succour amidst Wild places and out of the Road of men What light under the shades of Pits and Caverns where the Sun dares not approach What means of Livelihood where all Animals are dead Where nothing but frightfull Dens are seen but aride sandes and some old Trunk of a Tree without Branches Leaves or Fruits What then will Agar doe she hath no more Water nor Bread And mean while her life her Love and hear dear Ishmael can no longer endure the torments of hunger and thirst he is already constrained to stay at the foot of a Tree and there to cast forth loud cryes Distressed Mother what will you do What a happiness would it be for you to die first that you might not die twice Sara what have you done Abraham where are you Ah God! What grief is it unto a Mother to see between her Arms the Tomb of her Son Ismael hath now lost his speech he is without hope and Agar abandons him as no longer able to live seeing her heart half dead before her Eyes Farewell Ismael farewell poor Orphan farewell all the affections and hopes of Agar And when any Man shall chance to pass by this solitary place let him ingrave upon this Trunk that here Agar and her Son found their exile their Death and at lengtâ— their Monument Gen. 21. Why Weep'st thou Hagar 't is not lack of Love To thee or thine Jâ—hova from above Hath so Commanded Agar be content That 's Destiny which thou dâ—emest Punishment Agar what do you say Is this the hope you repose in God And are these the promises he made unto Abraham Ah! do you not know that Heaven hath Eyes alwayes open to Innocency and the least of Ishmaels sighs is able to draw God into this Desart In effect when Agar was removed a flight shot from Ishmael as she sent forth her Cryes after the Moanings of her Son an Angel called her by her Name and said unto her Goe Agar and return to thy Son take him by the hand and reanimate this little dying Body O God! who will not admire thy sage Providence and the miraculous conduct of thy Designs A Dialogue between Abraham and Sara c. The Argument Sarah's rebuk'd for Laughter and repents Admiring with her Lord the great Events Of Heavenly Blessings and resolves to be No more in Love with Incredulitie Abraham Now now t is with my Sarah as our glorious Guest presaged how then my Love my Life my Sole delight how cou'd it be that you durst doubt the great decree of Heaven and with a smile as at a tale Incredible reflect upon omnipotence Sara My Lord I own I could not then believe what now I find true as the Eternal Oracle that speak it and therefore blush with much confusion that I gave no more belief to so much Veritie Abra. Even so you ought and with unfeigned Tears bewaile the unadvized Laughter you deny'd and prostrate on the Ground implore his pardon for so great a crime Sar. That I have done long since and learn'd to know I am but Dust not worthy to dispute his will who maâ—e me and the World of Nought and with his Word is able to reduce all things to their Original Abra. 'T is well resolved nor ever must we dare displease that Majesty under whose feet bright blazing Thunders burn The God whose presence melts the Mountains and whose Looks dries up the deep who holds the winds in the hollow of his hand and makes Creation tremble at his Word Sar. If not for fear through Love we ought with low Submission to revere that tremendious Majesty who has done such wonders for us Aâ—ra Wonders indeed and past our numbring for who can count the Endless Blessings he with plenteous hands has showr'd upon our heads since first we lest Vrr of the Chaldees nay with what favours does he Load us still Sar. 'T is true my Lord his bounty has compleatly stored us with what ever we could wish to gain us high Esteem amongst the Nations of the East so dreaded and renowned has his signal blessings rendered you that at your sight the Suplâ— Knees of Pagans bend and sâ—epâ—â—rd Moâ—arcks court your Smile making your Friendship tâ—e 〈◊〉 hâ—pâ—s of their Ambition Aâ—ra Nay more he by his power inâ—lines the roughest Naâ—ions to such Mildness for our sakes that even Abimâ—lech the cruelest of Men haveing snatched you from my Arms return'd your unstained beauties without War repenting the rash deed and begging my devotion Sar. Happy even wonderous hâ—ppy are all they that put their â—rusâ— in him who takes such care of those that love his Name therefore O that Men wou'd praise the Lord. Abra. 'T is just they should return him with unfeigneâ— Lips tribute of Praise and ever more be thankfull for the many mercys they receive nor will we or our Children be wanting in this Duty Sar. Indeed we ought not for a thankfull heart is 〈◊〉 the mighty King requires for all he gives to Mortâ—ll Mâ—n Abra. 'T is that indeed beyond all ceremonies that can please him most but see the Glorious Sun declyns and Night with her Sable Mantle waits at the portals of the Eastern skie to cloath the World in Darkness Therefore let us to our Tent and there er'e Slumber close our Eyes pay our vows to him that is our Soveraign protector Sar. My Lord I am all obedience for so it still becomes a Wife to be to him whom Heaven appoints her head The Application Thus reader may you see a happy pair Whom Heav'ns high favours in abundance share Laying all doubts aside that so they may Their great Creators will in all obey Which should induce us so to imitate Their ways that we may reach their blessed state A Dialogue between Lots two Daughters The Argument Lots Daughters burn with lust and lay a Plott To take incesteous Wine inspired Lot The Plott takes right and from each pregnant Womb A Brother and a Son at 〈◊〉 doâ—s come First Daughter How is the famous Sodom sunk with cattaracts of Fire How dreadfully the flameing Storm on fearfull Wings decended and how narrowly we escaped the sad Destruction Second Daughter 'T is true we escaped by Miracle the Firey Clouds began to drop Ciconian Sulphur e're we reacht the Gate nor could we escape to Zoar e're Sodom
Gray Hairs with sorrow to the Grave God Well said God I know thou lovest him but must not you love me better Offer up this Son this only Son Isaack whom thou lovest Abraham But Lord though thou art righteous when I plead with thee yet let me talk with thee of thy Iudgmâ—â—ts what wiâ—l the wicked say wâ—en they shall hear â—hat thou delightest in Blood and that thy Servants must offer their Children to the Lord who will serve thee at â—his rate God Well but saith God is not all the Earth mine own and may not I do with mine own what I please I that give may take and therefore mind not you what the World will say but what I say and I say offer thy Son Abraham But Lord hast thou not commanded me to do â—o Murther and must I now embrue my Hands in Blood â—nd in mine own Blood too Oh happâ— me might my Blood â—o for his Oh! Isaack Isaack my Son Isaack my â—on my Son would to Goâ— I might die for thee Oh! â—saack my Son my Son Lord how can this stand with â—he Law that thou hast given me God Abraham saith God such things are not first â—â—st and then willed by me but willed by me and â—â—erefore just Aâ—raham Do not you know that I â—an repeal or make exceptions 'T is I that say it â—hâ—refore do it Who is this that darkâ—neth counsel â—y words without knowledge Gird up now thy â—oins like a Man sâ—ite him kill him Have not I â—ommanded thee be couragious and a Son of vaâ—our Go offer thy Son Abraham But gooâ— Lord thou hast made this exâ—â—ption when thou diâ—st shew Man what was good and â—â—asing in thine Eyes thou woulâ—st not â—haâ— he shoulâ—â—ive his first-born for his Transgression â—or the fruit of â—is Body for the sin of his Soul but to do justly anâ— to â—â—ve Mercy and to walk humblâ— with his God To â—bey thou saâ—st it is better than Sacrifice and to â—earken than the sat of Lambs God Well then saith God hearken anâ— oâ—ey â—â—is is to do Justice this is oh wonder to shew Merâ—â— this is to walk humbly with thy God A braham Seeing I have taken upon me to speak unto 〈◊〉 Lord I will yet say Lord he is the Son of the Proâ—ise in whom thou hast said that all the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed Now Lord if he die anâ— die a Child without Children where is then the blessedâ—ness thou speakest of what will become of the Blessing God Well Abraham saith God perform what â— command and I will perform what I promise what will Abraham who was once not weak in Faith anâ— considered not his own Body nor Sara's when twicâ— dead who staggered not through unbelief at mâ— Promise but was strong in Faith and gave me Gloâ—ry wâ—o was fully perswaded that what I promiseâ— I was able to perform anâ— was not disappointed oâ— his Hope though against Hope Will this Abrahaâ— now call me in question Hast thou known my Nameâ—punc and wilt thou not trust in me Am not I the Lorâ— which change not Have I said it is and shall it noâ— come to pass Is there any thing too hard for God Am not I able even of Stones to raise up Children unto Abraham Cannot I say to dry Bones Live thoâ— hast received him from the Dead in a Figure anâ— were Isaack in the Grave could not I who am the Resurrection from the Dead say Isaack come forth arise and walk that thy Father may receive thâ—â— with double joy saying Isaack my Son who waâ— dead yea who was twice dead is now alive Thereâ—fore Abraham offer thy Son Abraham My dear Lord seeing I who am but Duâ—â— and Ashes have taken upon me to speak unto thee Oâ— let not my Lord be angry if I speak once more If I maâ— not prevail oh that I might prevail to save Isaack â—â—live yet let me intreat thâ—â— that I may not be the Priesâ— let not mine hand be upon him Can I see the death 〈◊〉 the Child Good Lord let somâ— other do it Surely â— cannot lifâ— up my Hand or if I do shall I not wish 〈◊〉 may wither or be turned into a stone Will not thesâ— Eyes run down with Rivers of Tears Ah Lord I caâ— speak no more my hâ—art will break my hand will shâ—kâ— send by whom thou wilt send but let not me Oh let 〈◊〉 mâ— go God Yes Abraham thou take him thou and go thou and offer him thou none but thou Abraham Ah Lord Yet once more but this once more and I have done I am old and full of dayes past Travail spare me a little let me not go so far as the Land of Moria let it if it must be done be done at home God No Abraham Take now thy Son thine onâ—y Son Isaack whom thou lovest get thee into the Land of Moria and offer him there no where but there He is then all alone upon the way with his Son â—nd his two Servants and he advanceth directly to Mount Moria as to the appointed place My dear Reader I leave unto thy imagination what paâ—â—ed for the space of three dayes this journey â—â—sted repreâ—ent unto thy self I beseech thee â—hat thou art with him whom thou dost love above â—ll men thou seest him thou speakest to him thou â—rinkest to him and sleepest with him how will it â—e if at thy departure thou must see him die And â—f thou thy self must present him the Poyson which 〈◊〉 to stifle him Husbands and Wives Fathers and Mâ—thers Brothers Kindred A â—ociats Friends what Torments What despairs What punishâ—ents When you stand at the Beds Feet where â—ou shall behold your dearest affections and your â—ost pleasing delights in the Agony of Death what combats and what Duels â—f Love and Grief What strength and â—esolutions to receive the last worâ—s and â—â—ghs of a dying Mouth to whiâ—h a thouâ—â—nd and a thousand chast kisses have been given â—â—d whose least breath was able to wipe awâ—y all â—orts of sorrows What Prodigy of constancy to â—ose with your Hands two Eyes which served as 〈◊〉 in the saddest obscurities of Life which is but â—o much intermingled with mourning and pleasure In fine how can we see with out dying anâ— other self at the point of death Nevertheless this was but thâ— image of a dying life which Abrahaâ— led for the space of three dayes onâ— would swear that God had undertaken to make him dye ten thousand times upon thiâ— sad way every glance of Isaack was a mortal Javeâ—lin which pierced his Heart and yet he must havâ— him three times four anâ—â—wenty hours before hiâ— Eyes there was a necessity of eating drinking and speaking with him were not these entertainments and Feast of Death He was constraine during the night to lay on his Breast and in his Boâ—som that Head he was to cut off with his owâ— Hands was not this a murthering sleep and a crueâ— repose In sine he
shall hereafter blush to own therefore we 'll try Jonah In vain you strive to get a shore nor is there safety but in what I have advised 1. Mar. Then lay not Lord the blood of Innocence the blood of him that ne're offenâ—ed us to our sad charge if thus we give him to the Waves seeing we have no other way to save our lives 2. Mar. So now he 's doust in the Rough Billows Ha! a monstâ—rous Whale has suck'd him in anâ— now the Winds are still the Ocean leaves to Rage the Clouds are châ—st away bright day appears and all our Leaks are stop'd by Miracle 1. Mar. 'T is true though wonderous This was sure some Homicide or Altar Robber that thus provoke the Angry Powers but see we have with safety reach'd the wish'd for port The Conclusion Jonah cast Over-baord soon finds a Tomb In a dread Fishes huge insatiate Womb Who three dayes bearing him from Coast to Coast Him on dry Land with horrid Roaring tost When he to Nineveh do's hast and cry Against them for their great Iniquity Who concious of their Guilt bewaile their Sin And blunt God's Anger er'e their woes begin At which the Prophet being displeas'd the Lord Shows him his folly by a sensless â—ourd A Dialogue between Nebuchadnezzar Shadrach Meshach and Abed-nego The Argument Long tempted though in vain good Men at last Are by the Tyrant bouâ—d in Fetters fast Doomd to a â—iery Trâ—all for his sake Who Heaven and Earth the Sea and all did make Nebuchadnezzar How 's this can what I hear be true dare ye you preverse Captives still deny to fall on bended Knees and kiss the ground when you approach the Shrive of great Diana Know you not she is a Goddess by your King ador'd and humbly sought unto in all Events of Peace and War Shadrach We know no God nor Goddess but the God of Jacob whom with fear and Râ—verence we Serve and to no other dare we can we will we bow Neb. What Insolence is this is this an Answer fitting to return a Monark Know you not the great decree that is unalterably past and that your Lives are in my Hands Meshach All this wâ— know nor wou'd not could we help it disobey or disoblige the King but in the thing be now requâ—res we dare not be complyaâ—t The mighty God in whose dread Presence now we stand must be Obeyed rather than Man we must not Rob him of his Honour and give it to an other Neb. And these are your Resolves you will not Worship at the shrine of Gold I have set up but dare preversly break the firm decree Established by the Princes Abed-nego Our great Resolves O King are past and here we stand do with us as you please Neb. Wretches vile Slaves whom I exaulted to heights of honour in hopes you would comply with my Commands How dare you trifle with a Monarck at this rate when Death and Horrour sit upon his frowns I have been heitherto placeable mild which makes you yet more obstinate wherefore know that now all mercies Banish'd from my Brest in crackling flames you shall be broiled alive the fury of the fiery Furnace shall plainly speak the Anger I conceive and who 's then that God that shall deliver you out of my strong hands Shad. Your Anger mighty Monarck frights us not nor are we carefull to reply For if the mighty God whom we Adore the God who made all things and 〈◊〉 whose will the World and all that move in it depend 〈◊〉 let us fall to Glorifie his Name and in 's Eternal Wisdom thinks it not convenient to rescue us from the devouring flames know not withstanding we 'll patiently expire for his dear sake rather than prostrate our selves before base Idols the vain work of mortal hands Neb. Horror and Death her 's â—nsolence beyond degree Heat heat the burning Furnace with a Seavenfold Fire and cast them instantly into the flames that I may glut my well pleased Eyes to see them fry and that their cryes may prove sweet Musick to my Ears bind them in all their Gaitie to add more fuel to the Flames and that the terror may bâ— more gird every â—art with strongest Chains thaâ— they may be exposs'd the better to the circling Fires Meshach We smile to see a Monarck storm 〈◊〉 against those that are regardless of his Rage and stand prepared to bear what er'e his fury can inflict though we in ought have not transgrest against him Neb. My Gaâ—rds why are you slow in executing my Commands He dyes that disobeys a moment longeâ— So hence with e'm whilst I and my Nobles follow to behold the Spectacle The Conclusion In flames the Servants of Jehovah's Cast Their Chains fall off that lately bound them fast Whilst the sharp Element do's loose it's heat A whistling wind makes it a pleas'd retreat The Execution that that day was seen Was on the Men that durst to cast them in God saved his Chosen And his Angels sent The Monarcks Page to frustrate and prevent Whom be Amaz'd beholds to walk in Fire With those that were the subject of his Ire Calling them forth on them he finds no harm The gentle 〈◊〉 their Garments did not warm Which strange stupâ—ndious great deliverance Converts his Rage to Love and do's advance Jehovah's worth for the Kings decree Forbiâ—s loud to Praise to other Deitie A Dialogue between Darius and Daniel The Argument Daniel through envy is against the mind Of great Darius in a Den confin'd With hungry Lâ—ons who dâ— him no harm Gods Angel dos their furious fury charm Darius What horrid Dreams have terrified me 〈◊〉 my brâ—ken slumbers How has sweet sleep fled â—â—om my Eyes and tedious tossings made a restless night Sure it was because the Prophet is in danger from which a Monarck could not rescue him But now the Morning Dawns and I am at the fatal Den into which malitious Men have cast him as a Prey to hungry Lyons I 'll see if that great God he serves has hitherto preserved him from their rage O Daniel Daniel Servant of the highest speak it is a King your Friend that longs to hear your voice which would be Musick to his Ears Say say has God the God whâ—m you have served been able to deliver you Daniel Great Monarck live for ever thy Servant is in safety the God of Jacob at whose tremendious name I bend me to the dust has sâ—nt his Angel and has clos'd the rending Iaws of the stern Lyons causeing them to faun on me without a power to hurt since integrity in me was found before him nor in ought have I offended great Darius Darius O welcome sound And is my darling safe Blessed blessed for ever be thy God whose power has kept the cruelest of Beasts from bathing thâ—ir stern Jaws in Blood of innocence With speed with speed draw draw him thence draw out the man my Soul so much delights in O let me embrace my Daniel
Zarephath The Argument The Raven fed Elijah finding dâ—y The Brook of Cherish at Gods word does fly To Zerephath and near the Gate does find A Widdow for whose kindness he proves kind Saving her Life by miracle that done He shows Gods Power in raising her dead Son Eli. THis is the place the happy place appointed by the God of Israel to give â—liâ—ah rest And see according to his word the Widdow in whose House I must sojourn till wastful â—amine destroys the Land makes her retreat to â—hose vast Dâ—sarts where the scorching Sun forbids â—he falling showers Wid. Ha! What stranger is this that hasts to our 〈◊〉 wretched half starved City whose faint inhabiâ—â—â—ts resemble Death's pale Image and seem rather â—andring shades than Mortal substances Eli. Haste haste thou happy Woman whom Heaâ—en ordains to find refreshment for a weary Travelâ—â—r hast I say and fetch me bread and water speediâ—â— to stay my fleeting Soul Wid. Alas Sir As for bread 't is become so great 〈◊〉 that scarce a Morsel's to be found in this 〈◊〉 City Water indeed we have yet that of late is 〈◊〉 o're plenty Eli. Can it be that such a stately Pile such lofty Edifices are so quickly drained of that which is the Staff of Life W. Know you not Sir that Meagre Famine with dreadful howlings terrifies the Nation tearing up with brazen Talents the long barren Soil crushing with Iron Teeth the hardest Flints whilst all her Bones appear through her close cleaving Skin and her sunk Eyes and shrivled Dugs make her look frightful to poor pining Mortals Eli. I know for sin for dire heart hardning sin the just iâ—censed Majesty of Heaven has chas'd away the swelling Clouds grown big with showers whose gentle distillation should assist kind Nature in performing her desired task and close the crannies of the yauning Earth nor shall the cattaracts give rain in years to come so Iacobs God decrees Wid. If Earth deny her Fruits much longer whâ— can live since we already see so many thousands gasping for a moments Life and hear no other cries than what proceed from sad necessitie whilst nothing that 's unclean is left unfed upon As for my self all I have left is but a handful of course meal and a small quaâ—tity of Oyl nay and half that 's my Sons to dress whicâ— am gathering these few sticks for that we may eat anâ— dye Eli. Dread not Death since Heaven is carefuâ— of your preservation dress instantly what now yoâ— have and still your store shall be continued Wid. It cannot be or if it do remain with 〈◊〉 unconsumed a while it soon will wast and then we havâ— no more to eat nor know we where to buy for now purâ— Gold and Silver once a precious bane is gladly give for the vilest things with which the worst of Creatâ—â—â— heretofore were fed Eli. Dispute not what I bid but do as I commanâ— and live dare you doubt that ought's impossible wiâ—â— God who sent me to preserve your life whiâ—â— â—ll the streets are paved with dead and dying wretches Wid. My Heart misgives me and something as it were does wisper me in my Ear that it is a Prophet speak therefore totally relying on your word I 'le instantly make tryal If I live I live at the worst I can but dy Ha all I have taken out cannot be mist the Cruse and the Barrel fill again by Miracle Eli. And so they shall till plenteous Harvest bends with Golden Ears the feeble stalks and Wine and Oyl is every where abounding Wid. Blessed for ever be the Name of Israels God Who has sent his Servant to his Hand-maid to preserve her by wayes unexpected from a Death that could not but by miracle have been prevented Eli. No more but dress what 's in thy hand whilst I revive and render thanks to his all glorious Name who has vouchsafed this favour Wid. With eager Williâ—gness I fly to do what you â—â—mmand Conclusion On unexhausted food three Persons fed Till fatal sickness struck the youngest dead But by the Prophet he to Life is brought When bold Elisha furious Ahab sought And tries by Sacrifice who is the God That heals and wounds shedding the curst Priests blood Then tells of Rain that quickly does insue And Earths dry face with Vervant Robes renew Whilst Iezabel his Life with labour sought From Earth he is in a fiery Chariot caught Leaving Elisha who does strait inherit A double Portion of Elija's Spirit A Dialogue between Ahab and Naboth The Argument Naboth by Ahab sent for waits upon His King to know what 't is he wou'd have done Who asks his Vineyard Naboth it denyes For which denyal ston'd with stones he dyes Naboth LOng live the King of Israel why is it my Lord has sent to speak unto his Servant Why is such an honour as the presence of a King conferred upon unworthy Naboth Thus low I beg to know the reason Ahab Rise worthy Subject 't is a Monarch bids you leave that Posture 't is your King that has a Suit to Naboth Na. Can Israels great and glorious Prince the Ruler of the God of Iacobs Heritage on whose Breath my Life depends sue to his Subject or seek ought of him that his obedience shall not readily comply with Ahab You will oblige me much if my Expectations are but answered 't is a small Request yet prized by me at no low rate Na. Speak mighty Monarch Let your Servant know your Pleasure nay command and be obeyed Ahab Have you not a Vineyard joyning to the Palace of your King Na. I have great Sir your Servant has a poor Inheritage in which he takes delight to recreate himself and pass the flying day in rural Labourâ—â— one while guiding the growing Tendrils where to clime directing the rich Vines to their beloved Elm at other whiles pruning the luxurious branches cultivating the hard Soil and drawing softer Molâ— about their spreading Roots and when the long wish'd Harvest comes 't is my delight to crop the swelling Clusters and press out the Necterous Juyce Umbrag'd by the leaâ—â—e Verdure from the Suns hot Beams and taught to know the Works of Nature Ahab 'T is sure you cannot but be much delighted with the pleasant divertisement since you sâ—em so much transported with relating it But to urge my meaning home suppose your King should be desirous to possess it Would Naboth without grudging part with what does render him such pleasure Na. How most gracious Lord what part with my Inheritance O let me on my knees implore my King would urge this thing no further Ahab Nay let not Naboth be mistaken Ahab asks it not without a price Its value you shall have in Ophirs of finest Gold or else a Vineyard far exceeding it in Circuit and abounding more in Trees producing Nectar and Ambrosia Na. But let the King of Israel consider that the Vineyard he demands is his poor Subjects dear Inheritage O rather ask Life and take it
at your pleasure Ahab Then I have sued in vain and you but triâ—le with your Prince consider who demanded it and mourn for your rash refusal Na. Ha 1the King has left me and in such a rage as does presage no less than ruine to poor Naboth yet let the angry Monarch use me as he please I 'll never yield to part with my Inheritance Conclusion In an ill time Naboth denys the King Who grieves till Jezabel does comfort bring And plots the ruine of the Israelite Whâ—'s ston'd to death but what got Ahab by 't 'T is true he has the Vineyard but 's soon slain As is his Son his Wife and all his Train A Dialogue between Jehu and Jezabel The Argument King Joram and King Ahazia slain To Jezreel goes Jehu with his Train Where Jezabel rebukes him but cast down Is slain and by the Horses trampled on Iez Stay haughty Rebel stay thy rapid wheels pollute not Jezreel with thy Bazlick breath A Queen commandeth thee to retire J. O! art thou found in all thy dazling Pomp and Gallantry thou baneful mischief of the world worst of things whose Whoredoms and prodigious Witchcraftâ— have caused Jacobs Seed so long to mourn under the Scourge of Heaven and polluted all the Land with blood of Innocents Iez Ha Inglorious Traytor darest thou this to me am not I still a Queen A Queen whose nodd Whilst Ahabs power remain'd made Princes startle and whose Frowns and Smiles were sure presages of Life or of Death then know your distance and be dumb J. Yes witness the consecrated Priests that fell â— Sacrifice to your revenge Witness the blood of Naboth â—nd the many mischiefs more the wicked Iezabel haâ— done causing not only Ahabs fall but Jorams and unthinking Ahazia's Fates Iez How Is Ioram slain as it was reported by your cruel hand consider well Had Zimri peace who slew his Master no fierce vengeance followeâ—â—lose nor shall the bold aspiring Iehu escape liâ—â— mischief but o're taken by the stratagems of an inraged Queen new Tortures and unheard of Torments shall overthrow his pride and then too late you 'll know the keenest vengeance of a Queen provoked like Ahabs wife Jeh In vain are all your threats your power 's too short to execute your will this moment ends your malice with your life that so the Prophets words may be fullfill'd Slaves who waits there Ha A Troop of Eunuchs Yes yes fit panders for a lustful Queen Come throw your gawdy Mistriss down that so much pride in falling may be made the fluttering sport of Winds Iez Ha ha ha can you imagine Tyrant that those who live but by my Smiles dare use their Queen at such a rate Their Queen on whom their Lives and Fortunes Centre Jeh Dare yes He dies that dare gainsay or once delay what I command Slaves obey or Tortures shall force out your wretched lives He that a moment longer trifles with my pleasure shall not live to see the falling Sun Iez How Slaves stand off unhand me Villains Dare you thus approach your Queen Vile wretches Monsters damn'd ingrateful Monsters Are you turn'd Traytors too Ah Ah I fall whilst all my Pride and Glory is dasht in death O World instable world for ever now adieu Jeh So 't is as I wish'd I knew the fawning slaves durst not refuse compliance There let the Pride and Bane of Israel lie trampled till I take possession of the Kingdom and extinguish Ahabs house Conclusion The wicked Queen with lofty falling's slain Nor weltring in her blood does long remain E're Dogs devour her next her house does feel The dreadful fury of revenging Steel And Baals accursed Priest the Swords devour Whilst Jehu as God bid does use his pow'r A Dialogical Discourse between Isaiah and Hezekiah relating to the fifteen Additional Years The Argument The Syrians by the wastful Angel slain Jerusalem is freed but then again Good Hezekiah sickens and is bid To order all things as a man but dead Yet prayers and tears prevail for whilst he prays God fifteen years does add unto his days Hez HOw set my House in order why must death with his cold hand make Iudah Kingless whilâ—t in Tears the Widdow Nation drowns and the calm Air is tormented with her sighs Isa. 'T is the Decree of him that gave you life and has preserved you to this day by him I am commissioned to relate the doleful message and command you to prepare for immortality Hez Dye O terrible the very thoughts of Death affright me more than the Convulsions of expiring life can pain O! Can it be that he who ruled the chosen Seed whose hand so long has held a golden Scepter and every where received the loud applauses of the glad Plebeans must in the prime of strength and glory have his luster shroâ—ded in a Grave and there be made the sport and food of crawling Worms Isa. Consider Sir that you was born to dye and that stern death claims as his due the lives of Adams Sons as forfeited by our great Parent and subjected to his power nor can the glittering vanities in whom frail men too often put their confidence keep back his shaft a moment when his Commission is to seize their breath therefore let not the King delay to set his house in order Hez O fatal sound but stay good Prophet stay is there no mercy for your King must must his rising Sun so soon endure a black Eclipse his life so soon set in the gloomy Grave O for a longer course of days that I might live if but to tell of all the wonders God has done for wretched me O with what adoration wou'd I bend before the footstool of his mercy-seat would he be but intreated for my life Isa. Vrge it nâ— more Deaths Harbinger I am nor will the ghastly Terror long delay the execution therefore be wise O King and do as I have bid before it be too late before the King of Judah be no more Hez Alas Alas The strong Disease by preying on the vital powers has weakned me to that degree that now I am unfit to take recognisance of worldly things I know not what my Treasures are nor how to call my Fields and Vineyards by their proper names nor can I tell the number of my Servants nor whom I design the Scepter of Ierusalem I have put off too long these matters and now through fear and sickness am quite uncapable of stating 'em but could I live I 'de be no more so negligent Isa. Your hopes of life I fear are vain therefore consider well what I have said and think them not my words but his on whom the breath of life depends and so great King in Tears I take my leave Hez O stay thou sacred Prophet stay if but to close the wretched eyes of an expiring Monarch Hah will not the man of God vouchsafe to see his King put off his Scepter Crown and Robes of Majesty to be
will hear no more but Thus become the messenger of your death Thus make a passage for yâ—ur rebel-Rebel-Soul Abs. O! I am slain my blood and Abners be â—pon your head that blood thou-hast-so â—â—sely sh sh shed Joab So I have cropt the bold aspiring Rebel in the â—lâ—om of all his glory and given peace to Israel Here â—ake him down and cast him in this deep pit the◠〈◊〉 his Carkass with a pile of massie stones that so 〈◊〉 memory may be forgot Conclusion The Captain slain the battel ceases strait The crooked Trumpets sound a still retreat Then word is sent the King of all that 's done Who full of grief sheds Royal Tâ—ars alone For his slain Son which makes the Conqu'rors steal Into the City and themselves conceal Till Ioabs threats oblige him to descend And comfort that did his life dâ—fend A Dialogue between Solomon and Pharoah's Daughter The Argument Old David dead King Solomon inthron'd Weds Egypts Princess in his â—wn abode Rich are they both in all that men approve But more than usual are they rich in Love Sol. THrice welcom to a Monarchs Arms my lovely Queen whose Eyes inlightened swarthy Egypts face and whose inchanting Beauties charm the heart of Solomon Queen My Lord you cannot love nor yet admiâ—â— me more than blushing I must own though with â— feeling joy my fancy feeds on you Sol. Then are we happy far above â—he reach oâ— Fate and may look down as from some Towerinâ— height and pity those that toil and labour foâ— ought leâ—s than Love Qu. 'T is that indeed my Lord that can best contriâ—butâ— to mans felicity for where it is absent nothiâ—â— but disorder and confusâ—â—n rule Sol. It is true my solace and my dear delight nor has the great establisher of my exalted Thronâ—â—een wanting to add this blessing to the rest 〈◊〉 with paternal care plac'd a Spring of Cordial◠〈◊〉 Essential Love in either breast Qu. A Spring indeed that flows with Nectar and Ambrosial Ioys more than our hearts are capable without overflowing to receive Sol. 'T is such a blessing Princes seldom meet with since their Eyes make not their choice but they are still forced to take their hopes of happiness on trust Qu. Although they are yet the great wise disposer of the worlds affairs so orders it that at first sight their hearts do mostly move in a sweet harâ—ony supplying the defect of tedious Courtship Sol. Then since Heavens Architect the glorious maker of the Universe has ordered all things equal to our wish whaâ— more remains but that with unpolluted Souls â—nd Bodies day â—y day we send up Tribute-praiseâ— and with all humility adore his goodness Qu. You know mâ— Lord what Gâ—ds the sons of Egypt worship I doubt noâ— but you have heard of Isis and Osiris who are dreaded through the Memphian Coast of seven horn'd Nilus hundred pointed plain Sol. With detestation I have heard them named and tremble to think that the Sons of Adam should still bâ— so sensless as to Worship Monsters or at most 〈◊〉 stooks iâ—spir'd bâ— Hellish fâ—eâ—ds Qu Aâ—e they no Gods then Sure it is I have heard thâ—m speak and tell sâ—range things Sol. Yeâ— as the magick â—owers of darkness have inspired Gâ—ds they aâ—e nâ—t but base deluding forms to blind the eaâ—â—e â—ulgar the advice of Egypts Magi. Qu. Who is it then that guâ—rds protects and guides us in our great affairs Sol. The glorious tremâ—â—dous Majesty of Heaven whose name is known in Israel who made the wonders that are every where beheld at whose brightness Angels vall their Faces and in whose hand is all the breath of Life the God who made the World of nothing and whose power shall raise us after dâ—ath and bring us if we trust in him to Mansions of eternal bliss where with Ages numberless we shall rejoyce and joyn in Chorus with the dazling Cherubims and Seraphims to sing hiâ— praise Qu. You tell me wonders such as never entred at my Ears but where does such transcendent excellency dwell What place is capable to shrowd such Majesty Sol. His dwelling is above all lights nor is he circumscribed for though Heavâ—n is his Throne and Earth his Footstool yet the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him he fills all places and communicates his bounty with a liberal hand to all his Creatures riding when he pleases on the Winds spread Wings and often makes the Deep his Chamber Clouds are his Pavilion and thick darkness is his secret place whilst his bright beaming Eyes behold the abstrusest things and pierce our secret thoughts Q. Wonderful and much amazing is what you relate nor could I er'e beleive that this vast Fabrick could so so many thousand years continue in perpetual Harmony unguided unsustained nor sinks it into my weak Breast â—hat Fate or chance rules all below but that each stand to the Law of over ruling Providence S. Your thoughts were not in vain were it possible that power that sacred essential Divinity would withdraw his care and his conduct by creaâ—ion so on would totter and the warring Elementâ—â—onfound the glorious Fabrick nay Heavens brighâ— Lamps would mix wâ—th Earths Impurity natures â—oncord then would break and all return to a conâ—used Chaos if not quite vanish into nothing when â—t was derived but let us at this time enquirâ— no further into these stupendious secrets but with â—oy and fear adorâ— the Lord of Lords the King of Kings Even Iacobs mighty God by whom through whom in whom all things were made preservâ—d and have continuance Q. My Lord shall be obeyed I 'll wade no furâ—her in these devious deeps but at an awful distance revere that dâ—zling brighâ—ness that essential good who shines so glorious in his creaâ—ures S. Observe what you have said and then expect for ever to be blest but now time calls away we must this moment to the House of high magnificence built to the honour of his Name who shakes Earth and rends the Clouds with Thunder before whose face when wrath goes a consuming fire to burn up Rebel Atheists that disown his power Q. My Lord I gâ—e and from this day shall make it my chief Care to contemplate him and his mighty wonders and next to admire the man I love Conclusion The promise holds not with the feeble Sex For with strange Gods she soon does Iacob vex Causing the Heart of Solomon to stray Where Wisdom dwelt and sometimes lose his way The Iustice and Magnificence of King Solomons Court Bold Adonija's hasty Treason dash't And all his hopes when but in Embrio pashâ— Old David sees his Son anointed King And to the Throne they him no sooner bring But executing his dead Fathers will Ioabs and Shimei's blood his Sword does spill The Harlots case decides wise Solomon And gets renown no sooner was this done But at hiâ— câ—oisâ— Wisdom and Honour stand With Riches more than Avarice can command But the two last as fading things he cast Behind his back
lend An ear unto poor Lazarus thy Friend Lazarus Most Noble sir view but these sores I bear And how each one doth like a Mouth appear For some relief my wounds do loudly cry And humbly beg your Christian Charity 〈◊〉 I ve lain here day by day unable E're to obtain the scraps fall from your Table The very Dogs more kindness shew than you Who lick my my sores and heal my ulcers too Alass great Sir I languish nay I dye Only for want of timely Charity Let me request your bounty for I know God will repay you double what I owe For Gods sake and your own let me but have Some kind relief to shield me from the Grave Scraps from your Table I do only crave Dives Why how now Sirrah how dare you presume To urge my patience with your begging tune How dare you venture at my Gate to ly Up and be gone or else prepare to dye Talk you of Sores and Wounds what 's that to me The Doggs indeed your fittest consorts be My Table is not spread to grant relief To every begging idle lazy Thief Such as your self may be for ought I know Be gone you Idle rascal Sirrah go Or I 'll release your idle cries and groans With a good Cudgel that shall break your bones What if you languish perish rot or dye Do so or hang your self pray what care I. You tell me God will double what I give Yet will not I believe it as I live Go to him then your self if you are able And tell me then who keeps the better Table So get you gone you lazy idle Theif I fear you there will find but small relief Lazarus Farewel proud scornful Dust and Ashes I Will henceforth only on my God rely With winged speed I will approach thy Throne And all my grief and misery make known Lord thou art able to relieve my wants â—elieve my misery and hear my plaints â—rom thee my God I do expect much more â—han ever I yet found at Dives door â—â—wever Gracious God I now must try â—y strength decays Great God behold I dye Angels 〈◊〉 blessed Lazarus all Hail we say â—e're sent thy Soul to Heaven to convey â—est Abraham attends with open Arms â—ho will secure thee from all future harms â—uze then bright Saint and Hallelujah sing â—hilst we with expedition take the Wing In order to transport thee to that place Of joy where Tears shall ne'r bedew thy Face Dives lifting up his eyes in Hell Behold me Father Abraham I lye Surrounded with eternal misery Shall Lazarus a blessed place obtain Whilst I all Hellish Torments do sustain Have mercy on me Father pray now send Thrice happy Lazarus to dip the end Of one of his blest fingers and asswage My hell tormented Tongue which fire makes rage Some cooling Water for my Tongue for I Must now in Hells Eternal Torments fry Abraham Remember Son to add unto thy grief When living you allow'd him no relief You then possess'd your good things he his bad You swam in mirth whilst Lazarus was sad But now the case is alter'd much for he Shall ever joy whilst you tormented be Besides a Gulf between us two there lies More deep than is the Earth beneath the Skies And let me tell you you will find it true You cannot come to me or I to you Dives Dear Father let me then this sute obtain Send him unto my Fathers House again Five Brethren there I have O let him tell To them the torments I indure in Hell And if they will not then their sins refrain Let Lazarus return to thee again Abraham Moses the Prophets too must be their Guide And pray what else should they desire beside Dives Nay Father Abraham but if one went Vnto them from the Grave they would repent Abraham If Moses and the Prophets will not do They 'll not believe a Messenger from you But further let me paraphrase on the Chaâ—ter as follows Hearken therefore now and I will speak of a great rich man that flourished here on Earth as a learned Divine observes In all pomp and abundance that shined in courtly purple Robes that was cloathed in Bissus and fine silk and fared deliciously that was lodged sofâ—ly that lived pleasantly But understand what became of this rich man his years being expired and his dayes numbred and his time determined he was invited to the fatal Banquet of black ugly death that maketh all men subject to the rigour of his Law his body was honourably buried in respect of his much wealth but what became of his Soul that was carried from his body to dwell with the devils from his purple robes to burning flames from his soft Silk and white Byssus to cruel pains in black Abissus from his Pallace here on Earth to the Pallace of Devils in Hell from Paradice to a dungeon from pleasures to pâ—ins from joy to torment and that by hellish means damâ—ed â—pirits into the infernal Lake of bottomless Barathrum where is wo wo wo Hearken also of a certain poor Beggar cloathed in â—â—gs with miseries pained pained with griefs grieved â—ith sores sorely tormented unmercifully condâ—mâ—ed â—ing at this rich Mans Gate desiring to be refreshed 〈◊〉 with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table â—e dogs had more pitty than this rich man on this dâ—â—essed creature for they came to visit him they came comfort him they came and licked his sores Well his time being also determined he went the 〈◊〉 of all flesh and death was the finisâ—â—r of all his miseries and griefs Vita assumpsit mortem ut mors vitam acciperet he dyed once to live for ever And what became of his Soul it was carried from his body to his Master from a House of Clay to a House not made with hands from a Wilderness to a Paradice from an earthly prison to a heavenly pallace from the rich mans Gate to the City of the great God from pains to pleasures from miseries to joys from Adams corruption to Abrahams bosom It was carried by Angels into the quires of Angels to have his being and moving in the very moving Heavens with God himself Where is life food and abundance and glory and health and â—eace and eternity and all good things all aboâ—e all that either can be wished or desired And this is the subject that I shall now speak of What poor Lazarus What! lying at a gate and full of Sores too Would not this rich Man afford thee some out-house to ly in to shroud thee from storms and tempests no would not his servants pitty thee no would not his Childreâ— speak for thee no would not his Wife intreâ—â— her Husband for thee no Hadst thou ever doâ—â— them any wrong no But Lazarus it may be thou art stout and often-times Beggars will 〈◊〉 chusers thou perhaps wouldest have some greâ—â— Alms or some Copy-hold some Farm of this riâ—â— Man no Or thou wouldest have some delicâ—â— Meat no Many
day in sleeping in eating and drinking to excess who instead of holy meditations have been thinking and contriving your worldly business who instead of religious conferences have discoursed only of earthly matters instead of going to Church to worship God have walked into the Fields and spent the time in Recreations Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 5. Come forth all ye Swearers and Profaner of the Name of God did you never read or hear of the third Commandment which forbad this sin Did you never hear of my strict Injunction that you should not swear at all in your discourses but that your Communication should be yea and nay were you never told that swearers would fall into Condemnation was the great and dreadful name of God of so little regard that you could not only use it irreverently so frequently but also even tear it in piecâ—â— by your Oaths You call'd upon God sometimes to damn and sink you can you speak in that language now now damnation is so near you Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 6. Come forth all ye scoffers at Religion and the zealous professâ—rs thereof who taught and spake of Reâ—igion as if it had been a fancy and cunningly delised Fables and of the most holy humble and 〈◊〉 denying Christians as if they were the mosâ— mean spirited foolish and contemptible People upon Earth and have used the name of a Saint in derision and proverb of reproach Have you the same mind now that Religion was but a fancy Is your Resurrection and my appearance but a fancy Is your punishment eternal in hell like to be but a fancy Have you not a sure ground and bottom for your faith in the Scriptures Could you have desired more reasonable evidence of things done before your age Could you laugh at Scripture threatnings And can you laugh now you are come to Execution Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 7. Come forth all ye Persecutâ—rs of my Disciples was it not enough for you to mock them but you must persecute them too Was it not enough for you to persecute them with the tongue but you must persecute them with the hand What could you betray them like Iudas for a piece of money or out of malice which was worse Could you disturb them in their service and worship of me when they were praying for your very Conversion and Salvation Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 8. Come forth all ye intemperate and licentious persons who have indulged your flesh and laid no restraint upon your sensual appetite who have made provision for your flâ—sh to fullfill the lusts thereof but made no provâ—â—ion for my glory and took no care to fulfilâ— my commands did you never hear of sâ—ch a duty as self-denial which I required of all my Disâ—iplâ—s and Followers Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 9. Come forth all ye Gluttons who have prepared you flesh with delicious food but never had the least regaâ—d to feed your souls Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 10. Come forth all ye Drunkards who if ye have not â—vercharged your bellies with excessive eating â—et have often intoxicated your brains with the fume of excessive drinking what excuse can you find for this sin were you inticed to it and overtaken before you were aware but who could entice you to drink a potion which would kill your bodies and was not the death and damnation of your souls more to be avoided Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 11. Come forth all ye Adulterers you that have neighed like full-fed Horses after your neighbours Wives and assembled by troops into Harlots houses or if not so have committed this sin in secret corners was there no shame in you to keep you from this nasty filthy sin Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 12. Come forth all ye Covetous persons whose treasure and heart hope and confidence hath been in earthly things Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 13. Come forth all ye unmerciful persons whose bowels have been shut up against the poor and â—eedy who have spoken churlishly to the poor and looked upon them afar off Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 14. Come forth all ye unrighteous persons who have wronged Widows and Orphans who have over-reached your neighbours in your dealings who have heaped an estate together by unrighteous practices who have squeezed and oppressed the poor which have had no helper Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 15. Come forth all ye liars you who have taught and accustomed your selves to this sin who have not only reported lies but also made them Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 16 Come forth all ye Slanderers and Back-biters who have walked about with slanders and carried about tales unto the reproach and injury of your neighbours good name Did you not know it was your duty to endeavour the preservation of your Neighbours Reputation as carefully as your own Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 17. Come forth all ye proud and ambitious persons you that have builded your nests on high that have taken many dirty steps to get into the seat of honour whose hearts have been lifted up with high towering imaginations and conceits of your own excellencies unto the scorning and contempt of others who have had proud hearts and proud looks and proud speeches and proud carriage towards others Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 18. Come forth all-ye envious and malicious persons ye that have grieved at the good of others which they have had or done that have grieved at the good Estates of others or because they have thrived faster then you in the world Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 19. Come forth all ye wrathful and contentious persons ye that have had fiery spirits and fiery tongues whose tongue have been like swords wherewith ye haâ—e lashed and wounded others in your reproachful râ—viling speeches Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 20. Come forth all ye civil and moral persons who have had moral righteousness and been upright in your dealings but wholly strangers unto the power of godliness who have observed some precepts of the second Table of the Law in reference to your selves and others externally but have grosly neglected the duties of the first Table Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 21. Come all ye Hypocrites who have made a shew of Holiness and have born the name of Zealous professours of Religion but have been acted by carnal designs and principles who have used Religion as a Cloak for your Covetousness who followed me only for the Loaves who have been hollow at the heart rotten at the Core painted-Sepulchers blazing· Comets wandring and falling Stars for whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever Take them Devils bind them hand and foot 22. Come forth all ye Back-sliders and Apostates from me and my wayes
hand which Labours in my Breast C. What means my Lord the King what are his thoughts thus low I beg to be made privy to the intentions of a Monarch H. You are my faithful Counsellor and to your Care and Conduct what your King intends shall be committed all the male infants in suspicious Bethlehem and throughout every Border appertaining to that City are doom'd dead from two years old and under that amongst them him that I suspect may fall so that the madding People who are ever fond of innovation may be retained in their obedience C. 'T is brave though bloody yet the King shall be obeyed before to morrow this time not a Brat shall live beneath the Age you mention no â—ity or remâ—rse shall be of force to stay our Hands to the cries of tender Mothers we will be deaf as Seas and whilst the Younglings sprawl upon our Spears our Hearts shaâ—l be as hard â—s Adamant no lurking holes shall save them from our fuâ—y death death shall be their portion from the tender breasts we will snatch them to untimely Graves H. Your resolution fits my purpose and when put in execution will quickly hush my fears therefore about it strait makeâ— no delay whilst I retire and with impatience expect a full account of your proceedings C. My Speed shall show my willingness in what I undertake Death and Fury now inspire me for the blackest Murthers the bright Lamp of Day ever yet beheld Conclusion The Plot thus laid in practice soon is put The Throats of near six thousand Infants cut By Herods cruel Soldiers whilst the cries Of tender Mothers pierce the weeping Skies But vain the Tyrant seeks the Life of him That wears the glorious starry Diadem For he to Egypt flies but Rachel sore Laments her Sons because they are no more Imagined Discourse between Joseph and Mary upon their returning out of Egypt The Argument The blessed Pair admire Gods Providence And glorifie his great Omnipotence Who murthering Herod struck with fearful Death Briâ—ging them safely to fair Nazareth I. THe cruel Tyrant that late raged in slaughter and dyed deep his hands in blood of Innocents is tumbled in the dust his bold Ambition is sunk beneath the Grave M. In vain he strove to rob us of our only Ioy in vain he plotted to surprise the Life of our dear Son and Lord. I. All that Man does against the great decrees of Heaven is unprosperous no force nor policy can ever prevail against Omnipotence M. 'T is true but yet his murderâ—â—◠〈◊〉 have made some thousands childless I. Although his cruelty by Gods high sufferance extended to the shedding of their blood yet they are happy falling for the sake of him who came to save them from eternal Death and God that can make fruitful barren Wombs can when he pleases give their Parents a supply M. With him 't is true there is nothing impossible therefore how ought men to adore his sacred Name and at an awful distance struck with admiration contemplate his wonders I. They ought indeed with lowest reverence admire and love such boundless goodness nor shall my Tongue ever want praises for the Mercies he has shewed nor will I spare to tell of all his loving kindness M. We will praise him in the Beauty of his Holiness ' and never cease to bow before the Foot-stool of his Throne of Grace and with humility revere his tremendous Majesty I. 'T is fit we should but now Night hasts apace and we must rest our selves awhile and in this hospitable place refresh the blessed Infant the sole carâ— of Heaven M. 'T is indeed convenient that when the Sun risinâ—â—lorious in the East sends forth his Beams to chear thâ— Bosom of the Earth we may reach the much desireâ— Coast of Galilee it not being yet safe for us to go tâ— Bethlehem because the Tyrants Son reigns in Judea Conclusion Thus out of Egypt did God call his Son Whom there â—e sent the Tyrants rage to shuâ— An imagined Discourse between Jarus and his Daughter after her being raised from the dead D. ALass my Father why is it you suffered me to slumber thus unmeasurably F. Slumber my dear Child had not Heavens Favourite been propitious it had been everlasting sleep D. Indeed I could have been contented to have slept on if I thought you 'd not have chid me for my drowsiness for I was much delighted with the pleasant Visions I beheld or Fancy represented F. Vision says my Child Alass they were Visions but must needs be strange ones D. O me I must confess they were something strange for I remember whilst you and my Mother sat weeping by the Bed that a blew mist came o're my Eyes and doz'd my Senses when methoughts a lovely Youth â—lâ—d in a glorious Garb stood by me and with beaming Eyes so dazled me with rayes of Light that I was much amazed But long he pawz'd not e're he snatched me from my bed and with expanded Wings slew swift as I thought through many Regions paved with Stars a shining with glittering Fires where I beheld strange shapes and heard amazing voices when mounting still at last he brought me within sight of a most Glorious Mansion whose out-side shone with such exceeding brightness that I was obliged sometimes to shut mine eyes as not capable of steady gazing At the Gate stood throngs of Glorious Forms in Robes of purest White with Crowns of Gold upon their Heads Palms in their Hands and Golden Harps whereon they play melodious and ravish'd all my Sences with their charming voices seeming in their Songs to express much joy at our approach but being about to enter methought I heard a voice as loud as thund er cry return when on a suddain down I sunk like Lightning and starting at the supposed fall I waked F. And do you fancy then you only slept D. What more since what I saw I wakening find to be a dream the meer representation of a roving Fancy F. Mistake not my dear Daughter for to your Fathers grief your Soul was separated by the hand of Deatâ— from its loved Mansion this beauteous Form in which now streams warm blood was some hours since a cold pale lifeless course D. How was I dead How dead O speak F. Yes Death had snatched thee from me leaving me to mourn for so great a loss and thou hadst been no more had not the mighty Prophet by his word called back thy fleeting Soul D. How can it be that I should be dead but if it be no more pain to dye than what I felt I shall hereafter dread Death less yet say was that the Prophet that stood by me when I waked methought he look'd most lovely F. It was the wonder-working Prophet whose great Miracles astonish all man-kind but since my joy again is full in having my sole comfort by his power restored and rescued from the Grave let us hence and publish the amazing news to our Relations that they