abominations and so I met with a 4 h thing 4. The exactest patterne of posturing a Kingdom that ever was looked upon the very work you are upon now Shall it prosper The Lord knows I cannot tell and yet I have enquired of the Oracle I can tell it is your work and woe unto you if you do it not but how you hand-it I cannot tell nor by what line and levell you go nor do I take upon me to judge therof but till you make answer to God in that point you will never be answered Truely I cannot tell vvhat to say to men or their vvork The Oracle that is the word of God tels me they are fickle inconstant preposterous too they begin where they should end and end where they should begin the manner of Men. This only I can tell for so the Oracle tels me that when the Worthies of Israel Kings and Princes there Priest and People too in the Nonage of their King fell upon this great worke the Posturing their Kingdom they began vvith an Ordinance against Idolatry That is the Land vvasting sin nor did they mock God for vvhosoever lifted up his hand to a strange god him they cut-off d 2 Chr. 15. 13. Then behold breaking cutting burning drowning casting out of Idols all untill they had utterly destroyed them all * 2 Chro. 31. 1. Nay they cast down the talest person and Image in the Land The Queen Mothers Image her son Asa the King did not spare her no not her Then the work went on and they prospered Now as was said I take not upon me to judge by what line and levell the work is carried-on if as Iudahs vvork was we can the more heartily wish your prosperity in the name of the Lord for our lives to say no more the life of our lives is wrapt-up with it if otherwise and you work not as you have them for an ensample yet the worke of the Lord shall go-on that shall prosper He is vvorking now to make His Church a quiet habitation and He vvill bring His work about through the straits and by the crosse ways and wils of men though you should desert the work and vvith-draw your hands from should ring up the Lord Christ to His Throne He cals for your hand to honour you and wo to you if you with-draw but I say He needs you not He can set Himself in His throne without you His vvork shall go-on in despight of Devils or men As sure as the Lord lives His work shall go on What a proud word is that from a mans mouth Yes if it were not from Gods mouth Lift up thine eyes round about saith the Lord Esa 49. 14. now hearken what we say what shall we behold a company of Pillagers Robbers Spoylers It grieves our hearts to lift up our eys round about and behold The Lord give us patience that we may stand still and heare Him out and wait till He hath done His whole work for hearken what He saith to stay the heart All these gather themselvs and come to thee what to spoyle and rob the Church No to adorne and beautifie her The Church shall have many Vid calv children they shall flock-in unto her as the Chickens to the Hen as Children to their Mother and their graces shall abound and there is the Churches ornament But shall this be Yes the Lord hath sworne it shall be As I LIVE saith the LORD thou shalt surely cloath thee with them Esa 49. 19. all as with an ornament and bind them on thee as a Bride doth For thy waste and thy desolate places and the Land of thy DESTRVCTION Mark that this Land shall be glorious for all this it shall rejoyce over her enemies the Land of thy destruction shall even now be too narrow by reason of the Inhabitants and they that swallowed thee up shall be farr away As I LIVE saith the LORD And this work in His Hand shall be perfected in His time Our time is now His time not yet till His whole work be performed Bryars and thorns are now set against the Lord in battell * Esa 27. 4. As sure as the Lord liveth He will go through them and burn them together in His own time when these thornes have bin to His people as those were to Manasseh when they have humbled His people been a sanctified meanes to purge the iniquity of Jacob for that is the fruit of thorns to the servants of God when their hearts shall be therby prepared for the great work of Reformation then the Lord will goe through these Bryars and thornes there shall be no more feare of them In the meane time the Lord will helpe His people with a little helpe so much as shall revive their hopes when they be fainting and keepe up their spirits in assured Confidence That the work shall be done then when Jacob shall most rejoyce and Israel shall be right c 1 Kin. 8. 59 60 61. glad * Ps 53. 6. Amen IT is this three and twentieth day of December 1641 ordered by the Committee of the House of Commons in Parliament concerning Printing that this Book entituled The Kings Chronicle be printed IOHN WHITE THE KINGS CHRONICLE The Scope and purpose thereof To shew What the Militia is That all Kings and Princes and Nobles of the World have made it their worke To promote the same i. e. To strengthen themselves and set their Kingdome in a Posture of Defence But willing contraries and not so much missing as crossing the way They failed of the end so became great Examples THE Militia of the Kingdome is now pressing-on and advancing as great bodies moove or as we passe through a crowde or through Thornes now it putts-on-ward and then thrust-backe againe and yet it must goe-on through all oppositions and the more victoriously the greater the opposition is which must be great All that the Devills can doe to hinder it shall be done for it is a worke honourable and glorious of an immense weight and worth All conclude it to be so and this is the short description which all doe give of it The setting a Kingdome the King and People there in a posture of defence Wee may give severall descriptions of the same thing so of this though the first containes all It is the shutting in the Doores or Frontiers of a Kingdome and to shut them in so as was the doore of the Arke by GODS owne Hand a Gen. 7. 16. It is as the setting up of two Pillars 1 King 7. 21. JACHIN and BOAZ assuring the Land That in the LORD JEHOVAH is Salvation and strength b It is c. It is the maintaining the two staves b Zech 11. 10. 14. 1. The staffe of BEAUTY which I will call the ETERNALL GOSPELL being the stay and staffe of every particular Person and GLORY of the whole Nation 2. The staffe of BANDS The binding of a People
When thou wast little wast thou not made the HEAD of the Tribes ver 17. The HEAD and that sees for the body and heares for the body and leads-on for the body the head has all the admirable pieces and powers within and without seated there as in a watch-Tower for that very end That the body receive no detriment for want of sound counsell and direction if the head go aright the body cannot go wrong if it do go crookedly the head can quickly rectifie it if it can do it's office The people are like Sheep they cannot lead but they will follow It follows The Lord annointed thee King over Israel Then thou must not tell me what the people did That they spared Thou hast spared Thine Eye hath pittied him when it had bin mercy indeed to have shown no pitty Let me tell my thoughts here and how I was mistaken I thought Saul could do no wrong for he was King but cleare it is as the Sun that wrong he did and that all the blame of that wrong is charged upon him Why Because he was head over the people their King But Saul is not convinced yet no not with all this See! when the conscience is brawned and hardned in it's own way and work how hard a matter is it to make it sensible Has Saul done wrong Heare him what he says Yea I have 2 Sam. 15. 21. obeyed the voyce of the Lord and have gone the way which the Lord sent me I took Agag alive and have kept him alive here he is do with him what thou pleasest he is King and I thought fit to spare him for his People they are utterly destroyed True it is the fat sheep and oxen those chief things should have bin destroyed too for that was thy charge but the people thinking themselvs wiser reserved those chief things for excellent purpose What was that To sacrifice unto the LORD thy GOD. As specious a pretence as could be Though Saul was lame in his obedience as all men are nay he was infinitly short here yet his heart was sound to GOD-ward and toward his Religion as hearty a soul as was in the world if we can believe words he had reserved the best things What to do To sacrifice unto the LORD thy GOD. Now Samuell will stop Sauls mouth and make him speechles presently For Religion is his pretence the established Religion now a Sacrifice forsooth and burnt-offerings Do's he flash so with his false light before the eyes of a Seer Now Samuell will thunder 3. Vain man Dost thou boast of Religion A binder to God and walkest loose with Him or fast but when Thou pleasest Speakest thou of a Sacrifice before the LORD the Great GOD and art a rebell before Him Wilt thou make a shew to come-up to the LORD with the Sacrifice in thy hand and yet walkest every step contrary to His command Tell me for thou shalt be witnesse in so cleare a case did the Lord or I from His mouth speak a word unto thee of a Sacrifice unto Him Thy eare is witnesse thy conscience also That the Lord said OBEY MY VOYCE d Jer. 11. 4. â— He said not Thou shalt sacrifice unto me He loathes a Sacrifice from that hand which acteth contrary to his mouth It is an abomination as Sorcery or Witch-craft in the eyes of His glory Thou hast slain an Oxe for Sacrifice it is as if thou hadst slaine a man no better in Gods account even such an abomination Thou wilt sacrifice a Lambe and the male of thy flocke that is thy pretence goe cut-off a Doggs neck it is all one one or the other in point of acceptation for Thou hast chosen THINE OWN WAYS e Esa 66. 5. It is the obedient ear that finds acceptance with the LORD and his eare open and the hand that acts according to GODS command from thence a Sacrifice has a sweet savour Saul is now as a dumb-man speaks not yet but hearkens when he shall heare a word of comfort Never If he had hearkned before he might have heard a blessing now he must heare the curse which still followes a deceitfull worke Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD He hath rejected thy sacrifice But that is not all Saul could have endured that though nothing more grievous to a true Israelite then the casting forth of his prayer Saul must heare more He hath also rejected thee from being King That went to his heart The punishment of his sinne rejection from his Kingdom High place in the world credit and esteeme in the eyes of men was Sauls glory He is touched there in the tenderest part and that opens his mouth to confession and that is full now and ingenious Indeed he spake much better than they who will not be accounted half so wicked I have sinned c. he prayes Samuell to pardon his sinne Samuell cannot Then to returne againe with him Samuell will not and he gives him Ver. 24. ver 25. his reason puts it upon the file for everlasting record Thou ver 26. hast reiected my word The word of the LORD I will not returne with thee who hast entertained me with a complement all this while not regarding my word though the word of the LORD and that all the world may know how dangerous a thing it is to reject this word Samuell adds what Saul must here the second time nay the third time if we have observed it and all that follow after him for it is written for the generations to come Thou hast cast GODS word behind thy backe GOD will cast thee from thy Royall estate GOD hath reiected thee from being King over Israel And it is twise repeated in this place because it is certaine ver 26. As Samuell was turning about to goe away Saul holds him by his skirt so desirous he was of the Prophets stay with him and to have a comfortable word from him and he held him so fast and the Prophet was so resolved to go his way that he rent the Prophets mantle and so received a sad token and sad words besides touching the fullfilling of what was threatned The word of the LORD was rejected the threat was denounced from the mouth of the LORD all created strength could not hinder the execution of the same word and now Saul had the signe in his hand Thou hast rent my mantle the LORD hath rent the Kingdome of Israel from thee this Day ver 28. and hath given it to a neighbour of thine that is better then thou Samuell could not give Saul a word of comfort now Sauls time is past his season over Samuell had spoken to him many words for his Direction he would have none of them Now he shall not have one word of comfort While the Angell of GOD His SPIRIT or His PROPHETS in His Name are with us be we well aware of it That we Exo. 23. 20 21. obey their voyce and
end we see what is done but we doe not see what will be the issue of the act Here in this Chronicle we may behold all together The Proud Man in his Throne with his Princes about him and presently after dwelling with the beasts of the field there eating grasse as Oxen d Dan 4. 32. We may behold him here drinking wine in bowles the sacred vessells of the Temple and the same houre seeing a hand-writing upon the wall and within an houre after feeling the Sword in his bowells e Dan. 5. 4. We may behold the Man here even as a wild-Asse f Jer. 2. 24. snuffing up the wind or as the expression is sowing the wind and with the same glance of the eye behold him reaping the whirle wind g Hose 8. 7 12. 13. And then we can consider how gratious the proud Man will be in the eye of the beholder at that time when pangs come upon him the paine as of a woman in travell h Jer. 22. 23. for then we shall see him ashamed and confounded for all his wickednesse i ver 22. Of infinite use this To looke thorow the example to the end and then nothing better instructeth then the worst examples for therein we shall see wicked wayes and Idolatious counsels leading to ruine and destruction and all this together Mans heart is desperately wicked and so pursues his owne way as the two Captaines with their fifties k 2 King 1. 9. 10 11 12. with the Sword in his hand threatnings and menacies in his mouth thinking to command the end which he hath vainly conceited But when he lookes-on forward and considers his way to be a perishing way and that not two Captaines with their fifties but thirteene Kings with their people so many we shall reade of went traversing the same way and fier from Heaven consumed them When he considers this heartily it will check him in his way and put supplications in his mouth not only to the Man of God for he may be sought to also But to GOD-MAN The LORD JESUS CHRIST whom we persecute marching in our owne way so bespeaking mercy from the LORD in the words of that wise and considerate Captaine before him Fier from Heaven hath consumed these Kings with their People and their Land once the Eden of the World Let my life and the life of Thy servants and the peace of this Land be pretious in thy sight Amen We see the scope and purpose of this Chronicle I shall not now crave the Readers attention I know the weight and excellency of the matter will command it for I shall set before Kings and People what I must correct my selfe first els I shall spoyle all What can I set before them which the meanest man will regard Alas silly man when he saith what he will doe he doth but disadvantage himselfe and the cause I should have said the LORD the HIGH the DREADFVLL GOD Hee will this Day in the examples which follow set before Kings and their People DEATH and EVILL LIFE and GOOD If our hearts turne away so that we will not heare if we will be drawne away and worship strange Gods then behold Death and Evill For surely we shall perish But if we will love the LORD our GOD obey His voyce cleave unto Him then we choose Life and Blessing for He is our life and length of our dayes Behold Death and Evill is set before us in the following examples of the Kings who though dead yet speake much to the Instruction of the lâ—ving how destructive Idolatrous wayes are and he beaten pathes of humane policies as the other tell us how safe and good the holy way is wherein never any man miscarried Before we reade their doings I would say this for the length of the Chronicle That when my thoughts were first upon it I did not intend it so but more contracted and abrid ed into a narrow roome But then I considered what a worke I had in hand and what my scope therin My worke was well to ponder the wayes and workes of bad and good Kings wherin nothing can be found small or of light account Then again The Scope is as we heard the Instruction of the living Kings and their People all I thought it then my duty to ponder matters yet more and to looke over their History again and againe And the more I read the more I found even mighty things and wheron the LORD Himselfe had set a marke with His owne Hand like an hand in the road-way pointing the passenger This way thou must goe for this is the strait way and tends to life And here thou must forbeare for it is a destructive way and tends to death Truly I find so many marks in my travell here that I could not tell where to picke and chuse finding all so remarkable of so great and excellent use to marke out the way of LIFE and DEATH unto us all whether high or low great or small I would adde this also That the Chapters in this Chronicle are enlarged as the Story of the Kings there is continued where thorow two whole bookes and more as is the Story of the two first Kings there are the Chapters lengthened Where thorow three Chapters as the Story of Asa or foure as the Story of King Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah for these wrought effectually to edisie strengthen and establish themselves and their Kingdomes which is a worke evermore of difficulty labour and time accordingly are their Chapters enlarged The Story of the bad Kings is begun in one Chapter and there ended except the Story of Saul which fils a Booke and of Rehoboam which is continued through three Chapters for a King in an Idolatrous way doth not goe but runne and is quickly at the end posting-on himselfe and his people to ruine and destruction Therfore though the Story be short yet the observations therupon may be long and of infinite use It is our wisdome to set our hearts thereunto And sith DEATH and EVILL LIFE and GOOD are before us well to consider looking well before us that we chuse the good way the way of good men walke therein and keepe the pathes of the Righteous That wee love the LORD our GOD obey His voyce and cleave unto Him For it Prov. 2. 20. followes Hee is thy LIFE and length of thy Dayes Deu. 30. 19 20. Hee is thy Praise and Hee is thy GOD That hath done for thee the great and terrible things which thine eyes have seene Therefore thou shalt feare the LORD Deut. 10. 20. thy GOD Him shalt thou serve and to Him shalt thou cleave Amen THE KINGS CHRONICLE THE ACTS OF SAVL SECT I. The Chronicles of the bad Kings of Judah are read their mistakes about their Militia The contrary waies and motions to their owne ends are recorded CHAPT I. A Change in the mind and ways of the Judges makes the Elders of Israel aske a change
and enquired not of the LORD ver 14. Therefore he slew him and turned the Kingdome unto David the sonne of Jesse He succeeds Saul and him his Sonne Solomon of them in their own place Solomons Wives turned his heart from GOD d 1 King 11. 3 therefore the greatest halfe of his Crown must be rent from his head for the greatest part of his people turned from Jerusalem but not in Solomons dayes He had many Wives and almost halfe as many Concubines yet but one Sonne to whom hee must leave with sorrow enough all the labour he had taken under the Sunne e Eccles 2. 18. At that time Solomon made it a question though we thinke he was too well resolved at that point who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a g ver 19. foole The man that came after him a child in understanding resolves that question and puts it out of doubt before all Israell in the next Chapter THE ACTS OF REHOBOAM CHAP. II. Rehoboam is petitioned by all Israel about the easing of yoaks The Petition is said to want Reason it is proved to have Reason and Law both For a yoake was upon Israels necke grievous and servile Rehoboam adviseth about it which he should not have done much lesse have taken the worst counsell the markes thereof the mischiefe therefrom His Militia how he bent the force thereof he is warned and desisteth Who they are that strengthen a King and the Kingdome He is strong so long as he kept to GOD and no longer What his Adversary did against him what his confession was to the LORD is recorded ingenious but not full nor deepe enough because not from a prepared heart therefore he returned to folly and teacheth us to discretion touching the point of preparing the heart to seek the LORD REHOBOAM begins his raigne well for he begins with Counsell which as it may be and be taken a Chron. 10. gives safety and establishment a Prov. 11. 14. But Pro 20 18. though he was now fourty years old b 2 Chr. 12. 13 A man in years may be a child in understanding The Temporacerta virtutem nec prima negant nec ultima donant Word of GOD made his Grand-father wiser then the Ancients c Psa 119. 100. yet had he not the judgement to discerne of Counsells the very test of wisdome in Princes and all men els That those are ever best and surest which make a Kingdom sure to the King and the King to the Kingdom by desiring him to carry himselfe so that he may rather be beloved then feared d Sic firmius ei fore imperium si amari mallet quam metui Jos Ant. lib. 8. cap 3. Now I have againe hudled-up and throng'd together great matters which concerne us not a little to consider of now for the not considering therof when time was lost Rehoboam more then halfe his Kingdome With GODS leave and we have His leave and command both we will lay all our heads together ponder the PETITION which ALL ISRAEL put up to their King the justice and equity of it the Counsells about it and the determination there No doubt of it the sure WORD of GOD will direct us our way here and instruct us to discretion for by His grace we are resolved to keep close to that Guide The Petition is for the King only made it a question about the easing of burdens and TAKING OF THE 2 Chron. 10. 4. YOAKES from Israels neck the freest people in the world and cannot endure yoaks nothing that tends to servitude THY FATHER PVT AN HEAVY YOAKE VPON VS He made it GREEVOVS now therefore make our yoke SOMEWHAT easier and we will serve thee There is the Petition It will appeare anon to be a Petition of Right Hearken now what is said against it An unreasonable Petition as ever was heard the people complain and would have ease and cannot tell what aileth them they were grown wanton with ease and peace What yoake had the Father put upon their necks What that they can call servitude A grave Divine sayes and we will heare him out none but what were easie and ingenious The people are querilous full of complaints still they whine and cry for nothing It is granted GODS house and the Kings and other magnificent buildings could not rise without many a shoulder True but not of any Israelites There were enough of Amorites Hittites Perizzites Hivites and Jebusites remaining in the Land too many the more too blame was Israel to ease the Israelites shoulders and take upon them the drudgery of these works the tasks of Israel were ease and ingenuous free from servility free from painfullnesse But the charge was theirs Whose-soever was the labour The diet of so endlesse a retinue the attendance of his Seraglio the purveyance for his fourty thousand Stables the cost of his Sacrifices must needs weigh heavy True if it had layed on none but his owne But Salomon had rich supplies from other Countries so as he made silver and gold as plenteous as Stones and Cedars in abundance e 2 Chro. 1. 15. These are Bishop Halls words but we have not all yet The Reader may take leisure to observe his following words which lay great blame upon the people He has said I will not say he has spoken like a Bishop in his own sense but this I will say and make good he has in all this spoken nothing to purpose and yet not a little to the scorn of Israel 1. Nothing to purpose for he has mistaken the time He speaks of Solomon in his glory I meane worldly glory I shall speake of Solomon so farre is pertinent to this place in a most inglorious condition when his heart was turned from the GOD of Israel and then sure enough from the people of Israel and then hee might lay yoakes upon the neckes of Israel 2. Nothing to the purpose He spake of burdens and servile workes and restrains them to the drudgery about the Temple-work and other buildings and cals it so a drudgery I shall account the work there to be honourable and prove from Gods mouth other services to be drudgery indeed the lowest the basest that can be imagined and most unbeseeming Israel I say againe not a word has he spoken to purpose for to speake more plainly to the lowest capacity What though no true Israelite be imployed in the repairing of Pauls and they that do their own service there have a full and fat requitall Do's it therefore follow That no yokes lye upon the necks of Israel I doe not say what yokes there are but I say the Labourers there may have their wages for their worke and they that do a kind of service there may have a full allowance for that and yet for all that there may be a greevous servitude upon Israel He has not spoken to purpose but he has spoken 2. Not a little to
he removed with comfort enough from one Court to another from that on earth to that in Heaven I shall be the longer upon this bloody execution purposely and with the more enlargement That it may sparckle and flash in the face of him or them for there are such snakes in the world that would burne downe that house which hath preserved him would consume them and their houses who would have kept his not from fire only but from smelling of the smoake would shed the blood of those to his power who lay-out themselves all they have and all they are for the building-up and establishing of him and his house for ever We proceed So Ioash did so bloody was his command How so the Spirit of GOD gives us the reason of that unnaturall and most unkingly act Ioash the King remembred not the kindnesse which Jehojada his Father had done unto him but slew his Son k ver 22. There was never any wicked cruell mischievous rebellious Idolatrous to say all in one word unthankfull person in the world but he was a forget still person he remembred not the kindnesse of the LORD That great Benefactor nor the kindnesse of the servants of the LORD that spake good for him before the LORD and did him all the good that was Iudg. 8. 34 35. in their power And so forgetting all this he will not care how he deales with GOD nor how injuriously with the faithfull servants of GOD. Oh that we could consider not only what defilement and provocation is in sinne but also what unkindnesse and unthankfulnesse against God the fountaine that fills all our cisternes and if we forget this can make holes in them so as they shall hold no comfort did we remember this we would be thankfull to GOD and not forget the kindnesse of Man towards us as Ioash did he remembred not the kindnesse which Jehojadah his Father had done to him but slew his Son Not he the people did it and that is legible in the same place True and so is this at the commandement of the King what the King commands he does and so did wrong and violence to the blood of his best servant And what shall be done to him now The word indeed is gone out against him though a King A man that doth violence to the blood of any Pro. 28. 17. Nemo homicidae miseretur Iun. Gen. 9. 6. Exod. 29. 14. person shall flie to the pit let no man stay him d That is let no man pitty him saying It is a thousand pitties such a brave man should die No he has shed mans blood his blood must be shed and quickly too there must be no delay in the execution of judgement and justice he shall flee to the pit But it was Ioash the King that gave this command and he is accountable to none but GOD. Well be it so but he finds an heavy reckoning there he has slaine the faithfull servant of GOD the Sonne of Iehojada who was his Nurse his Father his Uncle his Guardian his Tutour his Councellour he was All to him next to GOD and he has slaine him in the Court of GODS House The Lord has smitten His Hand a Ezek. 22 13. at this which the people have done at the commandement of the King And there is a prayer put up to Heaven against Ioash the King just at the time this blood was shedding The LORD looke upon it and require it b ver 22. The Lord is just He will doe it He will take the matter into His owne Hand He will reckon with Ioash for this and speedily for blood never continues long upon the score Thus it was and so the LORD began with him afflicting him lightly at the first afterwards more grievously as His manner is We passe over now the expedition of Hazael against Iudah when Ioash was sore afraid and redeemed his peace at a deare rate m 2 King 12. 18. We will fixe our eye rather upon this That the LORD would now over-match him by a despicable enemy He sent a handfull of Syrians n 2 Chro. 24. 24 against him few or many is all one if the LORD leades the Hoast these made an in-rode upon his Land and slew the Princes of Judah The PRINCES marke that at whose perswasion the King had become a Rebell to the King of Kings they slew the PRINCES they hurried and pillaged the People notwithstanding their MILITIA and left the King in great diseases to be cured thereof by his owne mercilesse Vassalls who murthered him upon his bed So which is observable also The end of his time came then upon him then was the last yeare of his Reigne when he thought himselfe but beginning to live as he listed without controlement in the exercise of meere Power Supposing belike That he was no free PRINCE unlesse he did what hee listed and as long as one durst tell him the plain truth how great soever that mans deservings were that did so yea though GODS Commandement required it We will gather up some observations from hence and then conclude We observe 1. That Ioash his Militia had no power The Army of the Syrians come up a small company of men and the LORD delivered a very great Host into their hand Was not that ver 24. strange No there is a mighty reason why it was so because they had forsaken the LORD GOD of their Fathers He that forsakes God is as a man who in time of warr forsakes his Rock Castle or strong hold and exposeth himself to the mouth of the Cannon This forsaking of GOD is like the cutting of Samsons locks his strength goes presently from him and he becomes weake c Judg. 16. 19 Forsake GOD and ye forsake your strength and become weaker then women and shall not doe so much as wounded men Let sinners in Sion be afraid let fearfullnesse surprize the Hypocrites the Church cannot feare an Army of Papists though never so great an Host for they have forsaken GOD and are of no power But yet here is cause enough from this Scripture to make a revolted Nation bethinke themselves for 2. Here was more then a bare forsaking of GOD here was a serving of Idols they provoked him with their Images and strange vanities Then it was not possible they could be in any better Posture of Defence now the enemies are entred upon them then are so many naked men for we have read long since Idols make a People NAKED d Exo 32. 25. 3. Nor was this all the worst is The guilt of innocent blood lyeth upon the people they had shed it they were instruments 2 Chron. 28. 19 in that horrid execution Then in-come the Syrians upon Israel a small company of Rovers intending to pillage and away againe but finding the doores of the Kingdome wide open for the defence was gone this small company march-on Numb 22. 4. against Joash his huge Army bigg
of Governement they aske a King are shewen the manner of their King Saul is given them He is well advised and ruled by Samuell and is prosperous An Ammonite deales proudly with Israel and is accordingly dealt with and confounded GOD gives Saul a glorious victory over the Philistines and his sonne fullfills a Prophecy He is charged concerning Amaleke and does contrary Then he heares of his rejection David gaines him another victory as wonderfull as the former therein gives the Church assured confidence for ever he is ill requited for it Saul envied him to the day of his death bent the strength of his Militia against David Sauls life was all along contrary to the rule of grace and his death contrary to the light of Nature SAmuell is Israels last Judge and Saul their first King called to that high office and inabled thereunto by GOD Himselfe raised quickly in his thoughts and disposition to the pitch of a King Samuell doe's not rule now though well read and experienced in that Art but orders and directs gives Saul the honour of that hardest worke The ruling of the people but tels him how to doe it Samuell speakes and Saul hearkens and all this while it was well So long as Samuell ruled-out the way of government to Saul and he followed the Rule it was well with Saul and with all the people The Lord made their Militia strong and successefull to a wonder When he transgressed that Rule his spirits fell and he from his princely dignity thrusting himselfe besides the throne with his own hands Notwithstanding the LORD wrought a wonderful deliverance for Israel by the hand of David for which David was ill requited for therefore Saul envied him and turned the edge of his Militia against him Saul should have fought the battels of the Lord and have strengthened himselfe against the Lords and Israels enemies he does the contrary fights against the Lord and his servant David Quickly after his sinne finds him out and the Philistines who gathered strength while Saul strengthened himselfe against the LORD drove Saul into the straits and being there he sought for Death from anothers hands and obtaines it not his owne hand shall doe him that favour since he counts it so and so is his own Executioner Thus I have this once for I shall doe so no more hudled-up and crowded together a large and famous Story which contains many Remarkables of infinite use That is it I intend Therefore I will draw them out one after another if at more length then is expected the intent is good that we may put the more observations upon them The History begins AGe bath overtaken Samuell and his carefull government which is a burden too heavy for him he puts off from himselfe laying the weight thereof on his Sonnes shoulders Joel and Abiah a 1 Sam. 8. 1 2. who judged the people at Bersheba the very utmost City towards the South of Judea The place was inconvenient and very remote so were these two brothers no lesse removed from the justice and virtue of their Father They turned aside after lucre and tooke bribes Bribes in the plurall ver 3. number he that opens his hand to a bribe once seldom shuts it afterwards for the thirst of covetousnesse the more it swalloweth the more it drieth and desireth finding taste in nothing but gaine and so for in-comes that way they set the Law at a price and sold Judgement and Justice to the best Chap-men them that would give the best bribes for it it follows tooke bribes and perverted judgement This injustice in their Judges makes the Elders of Israel very earnest with Samuell to give ver 4. them a King they might justly ask a King now they thought an alteration and change in government now that their Judges were so changed from what they were and so wicked had quite perverted judgement and justice And so importunate they are that they are resolved upon it and will have no denyall They might aske a King but they should not have been so importunate their request was good but it was too hasty and then good things may be ill desired GOD purposed to raise up a King to his People the People after the manner out-pace GOD they will have a King when they please The government by Judges was of GODS institution and at this time setled amongst them they shall have a change of government but they are over-forward to a change and they shall be well check'd for that The Request is put up to Samuell with much importunity he knowes what to doe he enquires of his Oracle asketh the LORDS ver 6. mind in this matter The LORD resolves him saying I was indeed their King before and it was well with them They have reiected Me and not thee that I should not reigne ver 7. over them Now therefore hearken to their voyce but tell them moreover the manner of their King he will know himselfe to be King and then thinke hee may doe what hee listeth The People must know this then perhaps they will understand that ever to be the best kind of Government which God appoints over a people and that if the government be heavy as an yron yoake upon the necks of the People it is but meet for their neckes which are stiffe as an Iron sinnew and because their iniquity is heavy upon them whereof they stand charged to complain and not of the government which the Lord hath set over them Samuell does according to his charge speakes unto the people in the same words And they like themselves turned a deafe eare to all the perswasions and threats which Samuell used and they said Nay but there shall be a King over us e ver 19. The people will not be denied As before so they might have a god of their owne chusing and so soone as they pleased if it were a Calfe they cared not They were as indifferent about their King give them a King that they may be like the Nations and then they were well enough for the manner of their King no matter at all for that Men like their owne time best and their owne choise then Samuell hearing the People say so tooke a viall of oyle and powred it upon Sauls head who was gone forth to seeke Asses and such was the Providence found a Kingdome and said The Lord hath annointed thee to be Captaine over His inheritance a 1 Sam. 10. 1. Then shortly after having well rebuked and disciplined the people b ver 18. he shews them their King openly And all the people shouted and said GOD save the King c ver 24. Then Samuell told the People the Law and Statutes of the Kingdome and wrote it in a book d ver 25. and laid it up before the LORD so dismissed the People and they whose hearts GOD had touched went home with their ver 26. King others but they were children of
the scorne of all Israel He sayes the multitude is ever prone to picke quarrels with their Governours True they are so and I adde never was there any government so easie but some have found fault with it and counted it a yoke But yet he must not lay this reproach upon Israel and upon ALL Israel but so he does Some may complain nay many even of their blessings and account them burdens but surely Israel and ALL Israel will not so doe if all complaine and with one consent so they did here charity binds me not to judge rashly here for there might be grievances and but an equall request to their King that he would lay them untoheart Now let me adde this too and then I will go-on to proove That it is ordinary with us living in prosperity lightly to passe over Israels YOAKES and account them feathers for we have no quick-flesh but where we are pinched sensible only wherein we our selves doe feele This Sympathy or fellow-feeling this partner-ship or companion-ship a Heb 10. 33. 13. 2. with others in their misery is a rare grace and as faith scarce found in the world But this is the conclusion He that is prosperous and lives at ease cannot judge of Israels yokes With GODS helpe I will now prove what I did but say before keeping by His good Hand upon me close to His Word that I may not transgresse in so grave a point about yoakes and in so generall a complaint about them put-up by ALL Israel and some amongst those All the best Priests in the world as will appeare anon And what if I should say first That the magnificence of Solomons buildings The state and glory of his Court The attendance there might be burdensome to Israel might prejudice the private wealth the attendance of private and home affairs And if so that was a yoke to the people I am sure such a yoake which presseth them most It has been said of old The more state and pride at Court which commonly we call Glory The better trading in the City but the more complaining in the Country But I passe over this which yet might be a Greevance as not considerable in this weighty businesse I have one Reason so pregnant of proofe That Israel had yoakes upon them in the dayes of Solomon That though all the Bishops that were in England the two Arch-Bishops also I know but one and he has another Name and of another institution doe say the contrary as they have beene bold that way I dare say no man that will reade this will beleeve them for with Gods help I shall prove the contrary to them from Gods own mouth and then I hope Israels petition then shall be cleared to be reasonable and just now and every such like petition shall be gratiously answered by the King of Israel in His good time I must premise first before I proove and conclude And it is no more but what is legible to all the world It is this That Solomon had married the Daughter of a strange god * Mal. 2. 11. She brought her god with her to his Court for it was a moveable thing it might be carried in a Cart or in a Ship or upon mens shoulders whether the Queen pleased And as legible it is to all the world that there this god was and well esteemed of by Solomon for he worshipped it and then it stole away his heart and turned it from the living God Nay he had many strange Wives and as many strange gods which they had brought along with them being as the other was moveable and portable things If it was so and so it was for he that runnes may reade it Then we conclude That when Solomon served strange gods Israel was yoaked Then they did doe or see such services as were burdensome unto them neither easie nor ingenious nor becomming Israell Let another thinke and say as he thinks That the only drudgery is to carry burdens for Temple-building which he sayes Israell was freed from I must think that it is an honour to an Israelite to doe any worke there though it be but for the remooving or carrying-out rubbish thence as it was to be a doore-keeper there But this serving of Idolls humbling before them the creature before the worke of his hands an abominable Idolatry this is drudgery indeed a servile worke for Israell by your leave not free though easie nor ingenious And surely such services were done by Israell now now that the Queens had turned away the heart of their King from the true GOD and were all King and Queenes and all abominable Idolaters Then Israel was yoaked sure not affianced but married to strange gods Now that their King was joyned to them and humbled before them unlesse we are so charitable as to thinke that the King and his Queens went alone in an Idolatrous way and none or few of Israel with them but that is not imaginable for Kings and Queen's both are leading hands or as the Ship Admirall Two persons so eminent are enough to yoake all Israel and to bring them under a grievous servitude that carries the Lanthorne all steere their course after Such persons alwayes carry their traine with them looke which way they goe though never so wrong a path we shall see anon companies blundring on in the same way AND ALL ISRAEL WITH HIM a 2 Chro. 12. 1. Certainely then even in Solomons dayes there were services if not enjoyned Israel yet done by Israel and before Israel and before the Sun which were to Israel if true Israel grievous and burdensome as goad's to their sides yoakes to their necks and pricks to their eyes Object Yes this might be But these yoakes are too spirituall for the people they can neither see them nor feele them It is not their manner to complaine of these Grant them their outward liberties take off b Hos 11. 4. the yoake on their jawes make them free-Men free from bodily servitude then lay meate before them they will fall too like beasts minding their manger let their King and his Quenes worship stocks and stones and Devills too the sacred Scripture saith so they did and yet what care the people they are in servitude to none and Meate is before them what care they Answ It is true enough so carelesse and brutish commonly we are but Israel not so or if some in name so yet not All. Object But we mistake the purpose of this objection which is this That Israel was a free people under Solomon he put no heavy yoake upon them no grievous servitude Answ The truth is for I would carry-on the Readers understanding cleare in this point The sacred Scripture is not expresse here It sayes not in these words That Solomon laid a grievous yoake upon his people That which is written is not so expresse and yet the sacred Scripture I thinke is cleare in this matter as we shall see anon
and speake softly to them good words and gracious these cost a man nothing the contrary may cost thee deare more then halfe thy Kingdome Thus advisedly spake the old Counsellours such as stood before Solomon But his sonne was resolved of his way before hand and that he might be more confirmed in it he advised with the YOVNG Counsellours like himselfe and yet so wise as to humour him understanding his mind well enough and this is their counsell so they advise the King to answer the people even so roughly I am King Then ask you no questions for conscience sake looke not to what I doe but to your obedience I am to be accountable to GOD not unto you You complaine of Yokes they are but wood yet they shall be iron anon My Fathers hand was heavy upon you was it so you shall find more weight from my little finger then you felt from my Fathers loynes You complain of smart from Rods you shall smart with Scorpions d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fâ—agra â—axiâ—â—ata nuckle-bones or plummets of lead or sharpe thornes tied to the ends of the whips Goodw. Ant. your burdens were heavy and increased These shall multiply shortly so as you shall roate like Beares and groane under them because of the rigour Tell the people so said these young Counsellours And it was good counsell and sounded well in Rehoboams eare for it pleased him best who thought he could not be a free King over Israel unles Israel were slaves groaning under Yokes and smarting under Scorpions and crowching like an Asse between two burdens 3. And he did thereafter going his owne way resolved thereon as others after him e Ier 42. 20. before he asked counsell So he refused the grave counsell of the Ancients tooke the other which has two Markes whereby it's badnesse shall be discerned to the worlds end YOUNG counsell for the Persons and VIOLENT for the matter and so after three dayes that was the time allotted for deliberation the King returns answer as you heard rough and boysterous according as his witlesse Parasites had advised him My d 1 Chron. 10. 12 13 14. Father made your yoake heavy but J will adde thereto my Father chastised you with whipps but I will chactise you with Scorpions Reade now and observe how it takes with the people 3. The King is short and quicke with the people they are as short with him The King was wilfull and the people will be froward with the froward But had the LORD no hand herein The Text answers that So the King hearkned not unto the People for the CAVSE WAS OF e ver 15. GOD. Ai The cause was of GOD The Kings will was free free to evill and stubbornely bent that way but so the just GOD orders it The Kings stubborne will shall bring to passe the Decree of GOD f It is one of the greatest praises of Gods wisdom That He can turne the evill of meÌ„ to the good of his people to His owne Glory Dr. Hall Contemp. l. 12. Pag 86. it shall serve the good pleasure of His holy Will That the LORD might performe His word which He spake by the hand of Abijah Israel in the Dayes of Solomon had forsaken the LORD and worshipped Astaroth the goddesse of the Sidonians and Chemosh and Milchom g 1 Kin. 11. 33 And they said in effect it was well with them then and they saw no evill h Jer. 44. 17. ver 21. But did not the LORD remember them and came it not into His mind Surely Idolaters never scaped unpunished A 1 Chr. 10. 16 17. plague ever followed their abominable services and now was the time when the rod of pride must blossome In the month of the foolish is a rod of pride i Pro. 14. 3. when the frowardnesse of the King shall make himselfe smart and a rough word from his tongue shall rent-off ten Tribes from his Crowne And when all Israel saw that the King would not hearken unto them they rent themselves from him and went every man to their Tents Presently after but too late the King sent after his people to whistle them againe and to pacifie them but they were past call Besides he sent as bad an Oratour to perswade with the people as he could have chosen in all the Land for he sent HADORAM who was over the Tribute d ver 18. a man most hatefull to all the people being one of the Taxers of the people and so having emptied their purses he should never gaine their hearts We reade how they entertained the message by the welcome they gave to the messenger They instantly stoned him with stones that he died d ver 18. Then the King was startled saw now that no coards or fetters hold a people so fast as doe those that are twisted and forged by love only c Circumvalla pijs animum inteÌ„tionibus honest is vitam artibus prudentiaÌ„ fortitudineÌ„ ante fores loca justitiamac mcdestiam in propugnaculis humanitatem mansuetudinem undique in muris spem fidem arcis in medio providentiam supremo turris in vertice bonaÌ„ denique famam in câ—â—cuitu Ego tibi ostendan tutissimam munitissmamque arcemsine muris sineturribus sine ullo prorsus operoso rerum apparatu si vis tute vivere benè vive nil virtute securius Petrar Dial. So having lost that strong hold in his peoples hearts and affections he made speed to another Castle not halfe so strong yet it was JERUSALEM the strongest place one of them in the world * There he bethinks himselfe how he might fortifie his Kingdome and compleat his MILITIA f 2 Chro. 11. I will set this note upon it at the first hee began wrong the very first step was out of the way his first worke should not have been about the MILITIA much lesse should he have bent the force of it against his Brethren g ver 1. But thereof he had faire warning and he was so wise as to obey it h ver 4. then the warre ceased and the Souldiers were disbanded as wonderfully as were ours in the North. But he goes on with his MILITIA builds Cities fortifies the strong holds * ver 5 11. puts Captains in them and store of victuals and in every severall City he put Shields and Speares and made them EXCEEDING STRONG i ver 12. How so HE HAD JUDAH AND BENJAMIN ON HIS SIDE They were the chiefest of the Tribes and best Beloved Nay The Priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their Coasts k ver 13. And the reason is given in the Text Jeroboam and his sonnes had cast them off from executing their office unto the LORD l ver 14. Aye they were too holy for Jeroboam and his sonnes and their devillish services he ordained Priests of his own chusing for the high places and
each the other at the highest point the point of service and homage to their GOD It is legible to all the world that one of these walks as a Rebell most contrary to GOD and good-men Then the other doe walk as becometh obedient children It is not possible That they walking crosse in the same way should meet together in point of Rebellion But the Text is yet clearer The Priests forsake Iehoram nor the King And why forsake they Iehoram Because he had forsaken the LORD GOD of his Fathers * Gods command makes them deafe to the command of Iehoram Disobedience here is the truest obedience And the greatest Rebell here is the best Priest Looke ye The case is cleare for God has cleared it He has given us the clearest account of this matter that ever was given The King had forsaken his LORD paramount LORD of Lords The Priests must forsake Iehoram in his way or forsake GOD That they will not doe He is the Fountaine of their life their light their comfort He is their praise their feare for He is their God and He is ALL. They will not forsake Him A good God has done them good all their dayes nor can they forget or neglect the charge their good old Master layed upon them d 2 Chron. 19. 9 Deale couragiously in the worke and way of the LORD and the LORD shall be with you for He will be with the good e ver 12. They durst not follow Iehoram downe a precipice They knew also there was a pit at the bottome that had no bottome Let Iehoram venture his necke the Priests would not much lesse their eternall souls Should they follow him that had forsaken GOD GOD forbid Thus we see it cleare now as the beaten way that here was no resistance of the Kings Power for that is of GOD and for GOD holy iust and good Here was a resistance only of Iehorams power unholy unjust and naught mannaged cleane against GOD and forcing his people to rebell against Him too A resistance I say not against the officiall power of the King but the humane power of Iehoram a wicked and Idolatrous man and as Vxorious we have not a fitter word one that ruled not but let his Wife doe and rule all The Priests resisted not Iehorams power but his wives power tyranny rather for she did all after the Line and Law of Ahabs house whose Sister she was and Daughter of Omri and that was no Law to Israel but most crosse unto it They resisted the FORCEING will of Iehoram for it had no Reason whereby he would force the freest people in the world and the freest Thing in the world which can be no more imprisoned then can the Sunne-beame and as much without the verge of Iehorams juris-diction as a Starr is above his finger they resisted this Will and obeyed GODS Will Holy Holy Holy blessed for ever Thanks be to GOD Who has so cleared unto us the practise of these Priests and Levites in Jehorams dayes that he must say as a bold fellow did The sacred Text is seditious who will accuse those Priests and honest men of raising sedition because they forsooke the way of Jehoram when he had forsaken the LORD and His good way We must give men leave who have their eyes open and can discerne a pit before them to turn out of the way that leads to death and follow on in the way of the LORD Wee reade on 4. The Priests can doe Jehoram no more service he stops his eare to their word the word of GOD and bends his fist he will compell them to doe as he does they will not be forced therein let Jehoram goe his owne way as his wife leads him they will goe theirs and yet not theirs it is the way of the LORD So now the best flower of his Crowne is gone the honest Priests a good Kings best jewels The supporters of his Crowne were gone before judgement and justice his wife made him stampe those under his foot What will become of this man You shall heare anon and very quickly Judgment and justice are set under foot The Law of GOD is forsaken a contrary Law is forced now GOD will forsake Jehoram and He will take peace away with Him His Priests pack-after Then vengeance comes powring down for all will forsake Jehoram but the executioners of GODS justice The poorest King that was in the world and more miserable because the King of Judah Now the LORD for He has held His peace a great while is returning upon him will shatter Jehorams Crowne and even break the man to peeces He will hold him up to the wind and that shall carry away his Substance He will throw open the gates of his Kingdom He will take away his defence The weake shall come-in upon him and take the prey It is most observable how GOD pursues the quarrell of His Covenant against this man no King now in GODS account and of very small account in all Israel Iehoram had forsaken the Fountaine the LORD dashes to peeces all his Cisternes He makes holes in them all the comfort shall run out thence his Cisternes shall hold no water not a drop I meane the LORD confounds his strength and his counsell both nothing should do him good for besides the blood that he shed the violence he offered to the Law his forcing men to break it his advising with his wife a wicked woman Besides all this he forsooke the Lord he went out from the presence of the LORD as it is said of Cain Let me aske how can that be A man may forsake Gen 4. 16. the LORD as Iehoram did but how can he goe out from the presence of the LORD as Cain did Who is wholly in Heaven and wholly in Earth not by interchanged times but all at once and so David witnesseth If I be in Heaven thou art there if in Hell thou art there also How then must it be understood or what is the meaning that Iehoram as Cain went-out from the presence of the LORD This is the meaning Cain and so Iehoram and so every wicked man hardned in evill goes out from the presence of GOD that is from out of the King of Heavens high-way wherin only is safety and a Commission granted and sealed for his protection He is gone from under GODS roofe as I may say from out of His Angels hands he is left to himselfe delivered up into his owne hands he had better be delivered up to the Devill to be his owne Keeper disfavoured now and bereaved of GODS protection This was Iehorams case a forlorne and forsaken man for he hath forsaken GOD and now no man followes him but the Ministers of GODS vengeance And they come-in upon him from every quarter for the Defence is gone and the doores of his House and Kingdome lye open in comes the Adversaries GOD stirred up their spirit c ver 16. The Philistines
man Iehojadah the Priest his Protectour under GOD It must needs follow that youth so seasoned in its minority will doe something worthy of such a Tuterage So he did and the first act he tooke in hand was the reparation of Faire beginnings give faire hope but no sound proof of good proceedings and ending well the Temple a ver 4. fallen into decay through the wickednesse of ungodly Tyrants There was the greatest reason in the world that so he should doe repaire the breaches there which Athaliah that wicked woman b with her Sonnes c ver 7. had made there taking the dedicate things of the LORDS House and bestowing them upon Baalim for the Temple by GODS appointment had preserved him to make-up the many breaches made also upon the house of David And indeed the King followed the businesse with so earnest a zeale That not only the Levites were more slack then he b ver 5. but even Iehojada his Tutour was faine to be quickned by his admonition c ver 6. He would uphold that place with the greatest zeale which he had learnt by good information had upheld him But his zeale was fained and the good precepts his good guardian distilled into him did not sinke downe into his he art they made no other impression there but what a short time could weare out Iehojada that good Councellour dies full of dayes and the people buried him who had preserved the race of the Kings and restored the true Religion among the Kings of Judah d ver 15 16. That excellent Priest is gone from the Court to his Crowne he had the gaine the Court and Kingdome had the losse a losse unspekeable for then the Princes of Iudah acted their parts flattered their King able enough to flatter himselfe drawed him-on to their side who stood bent before by his own inclination so he hearkned unto them e ver 17. and left the house of the Lord and served Idolls What then Then wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem WRATH CAME Ai ver 18. A Land-wasting wrath comes powring down upon a King and Kingdom when they fall down before Idols then wrath comes and will not spare for it is the wrath of the LORD whose Glory they have given to stocks and stones They were served in their kind for they served Idols Prince and people they all chose new gods Then was warre in the gates as we heard before and their Militia could not keepe it off yet the Lord appointed meanes which could have done it for he sent Prophets unto them g ver 19. but they would not give care As a wayward and impatient sick-man they were angry with the remedy and at the Commandement of their King who ever saw an Idolater that was not cruell they smote their Physitian They conspired against GODS Messenger and stoned him with stones h ver 21. What had he done the best service that is imaginable hee contested with the King and people and yet not he but the Spirit of GOD upon him saying why doe you stand in your own light why goe you crosse to your own happinesse Why transgresse you the Commandement of ver 20. the LORD that you cannot prosper All the wayes you take to thrive and prosper in the world is lost labour or labour in the fire You transgresse the Commandements of the LORD yee cannot prosper you have forsaken the LORD He hath also forsaken you This was all the good man had done in these words he had spoke unto the people And they after their manner and lot evermore befalling faithfull Prophets answer him with stones They conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandement of the King What a King is this ver 21. The likest to the ungratefull snake that ever was heard of His Son is slaine at the commandement of the King whose Father and Mother was the Kings Nurse in his infancy was his Guardian when he was young his faithfull Councellor when he was growne up The Son of such a Father that had done so much for the King was stoned at the commandement of the King What will not that King doe that has left the house of the LORD GOD of his Fathers Serveth Idolls we see by Joash what he will doe he will shed blood to his power but that is not all if he can make his choice it shall be the blood of those who are most faithfull and therefore must crosse him in his way Whoever saw an Idolater that was not a most ungratefull man to GOD and Man both I will not adde and cruell too for he that hath said VNGRATEFVLL hath said all Note withall A counterfet zeale will degenerate into the deadliest hatred and no such enemies to the house and Quod later in herba manifestatur in spica c. Chrys Ser. 97. p. 342. houshold of GOD as friends once but now turned adversaries Such an adversary was Joash and the most unthankfull man that ever we reade of I cannot except one for his ingratitude did exceed Benhadads King of Syria Fight not against small or great save only with the King of Israel g 2 Chron 18. 30. this was Benhadads charge A most unkind requitall of Ahabs foolish pitty to him giving him his life at an easie rate h 1 King 20. 34 Benhadad returnes that kindnesse with that bloody charge touching the taking away Ahabs life and it was done accordingly but according to the threat of the LORD because Ahab had let Benhadad goe whom He had appointed to utter destruction I looked into that place to see whether it could be a paralell for this 1 Kin. 20. 42. mans ingratitude but it cannot be the like is not to be found in all the Records of Time Good Zechariah and the Son of as good a Father to whom Joash was more beholding then to all the men in the world and no lesse to his Son for he told him the truth which is the greatest kindnesse a Prophet can doe unto a King This true Prophet was stoned with stones â—â— the commandement of the King whom his Father had done such a kindnesse unto saved his life and his Crowne both Where was he slaine In the Court of the House of the LORD Oh! he should have spared him there for it was neare the place which was Ioash his sanctuary but when a man is resolved to doe wickedly he will make no choice of places or if he does that place pleaseth best which is most before the LORD and in the face of the whole Congregation of Prophets consulting about a way and resolving upon it how they may establish his Crowne and make his Kingdome sure for ever This place pleased Ioash best in the Court of GODS House the place for that great assembly And yet it was well for Zechariah that he was slaine there where he had done so much service to God and His people So
enough to lick up that handfull of Syrians as an Oxe licketh up the grasse But what disaster or amazement happened amongst the Israelites I know not but they had for saken GOD and blood was upon them and these handfull of Syrians gave the Army of Judah a notable overthrow So that great Host was delivered-up into their hands What became of Joash the King He did not escape sure He thought it a token of his liberty to despise the service of GOD and a manifest proof of his being King because he could command to the block the Sonne of that Father to whom he stood most deeply engaged for singular and unrecountable benefits Certainly he did not escape and so we find it in the Text These Adversaries executed iudgement against Joash * ver 24. IGNOMINIOVS iudgement saith the old Translation It is evident enough they had him in their hands and handled him ill-favouredly not as Ioash the King but as Ioash the murtherer And being not worth the carrying away for he was a diseased man and the worst luggage they dismissed him leaving him in sore diseases to be cured thereof by his mercilesse vassals and they finding him on his bed quickly dispatched him out of the way and so cured him of all his worldly ver 25. pain But see how GOD meated forth the punishment to Ioash the King 1. Ioash gave commandement to slay the best servant he had in the world his owne servants execute judgement upon Ioash for the blood of the Sonnes whether Ioash had slain more or no I do not well understand but so we reade the sons of Jehojada the Priest 2. Ioash slew that Prophet in the Court of GODS House He defiled that house with the Priests blood now his house shall be polluted with his own blood 3. Ioash slew him neare that place of refuge not long before Ioash his Sanctuary In the Court of GODS House His Servants slay him on his bed a place deputed for repose and quiet rest Have me to bed saith the wearied sick-man when he is tyred out with paine and sorrows yet have me to bed though he can but count the clock there yet there he lies waiting when the LORD will command sleepe for him and give him some refreshment there There on his bed Ioash feeles the hand of the murtherer Sitting in a chaire saith Austin is a safe Posture but we know who fell out thence 1 Sam. 4. 18. and brake his necke He was indeed an old man and heavy but the newes of the Arke bowed him downe and brake his heart first The Father would assure us thereby That Death may meet us when and where we lesse looke for it I would Aug. de Civ 22 adde this more pertinent to this place A Summer parlour f Judg. 3. 20. seemes a safe place for repose and quiet And a Brothers feast g 2 Sam 13. 23. hath no shew of danger A Bed seemes a safe place also specially then when the Enemy is departed and there are none about the bed but a mans owne servants and yet the hand of Justice hath met with the sinner in all these places and meeted forth unto him according to his measures But that Ioash was slaine on his bed certainly there the Holy Ghost hath set a mark The good Priest thought himselfe safe Where In the Court of GODS House and he expected no violence to be offered him there much lesse from Ioash who found that place his Sanctuary Yet Ioash his hand does execution upon the Priest there for he commanded it in the Court of GODS House Now Ioash shall have his measures he is lying upon his Bed The Enemy is departed those of his owne house his Servants are round about him if he can sleep that has blood for his pillow he lookes for it on his bed But behold instead of sleep he sees the Sword reaching to his heart Ioash expected his own servants were about him for another purpose To turn him on his bed for he could not turne himself being left in great distresses and to make it as easie for his tyred body and wasted spirits as they could But they are there for another purpose to execute GODS vengeance for the blood of the sonnes of Jehojada They that have shed blood to their power will not consider this for their heart is hardned and brawned in villanies and now they have drunke blood their thirst thereof cannot be quenched But he that is wise layes this to heart and stoppeth his eare from hearing of blood remembring by this example That GOD makes inquisition for blood He finds it out and repayes it in a full measure pressing downe and running over So the just GOD meeted forth his measures to Ioash His owne Servants flew him upon his bed and he died Then they buried him nothing carefull in the choyce of the place They would remove so unsightly an object from before their eyes and find out some hole for him in the City there about but they were carefull not to lay him in Bed with his good Fathers They buried him but not in the Sepulchers of the Kings And Amaziah his sonne raigned in his stead THE ACTS OF AMAZIAH CHAP. VI. Amaziah begins well does that which is good but not with a good heart He executes Judgement and Justice He expects strength by those from whom the GOD of Power is departed and helpe from helplesse things So hee provokes GOD invites and hastens his owne destruction AMAZIAH begins well for he did that which 2 Chro. 25. 1. was right in the sight of the LORD But there was one grace wanting the chief grace ver 2. of a Christian that was SINCERITY or truth of heart which we may call a Christians perfection in this life his Perfection is a striving after perfection in sincerity and with an upright heart This Sincerity the King wanted and that is all which GOD accounts of He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD no fault for the matter and substance of his work Where was the fault then In the manner of performance and that is all in all with the LORD He did right but not with a perfect heart This requires our marke Actions may be very faire and the heart may be foule Actions may be strait and right when the heart stands crooked and perverse Looke we to our hearts what sincerity and truth is there for that is greatly to be regarded not what I doe but with what heart I doe it What say we then to those men who regard neither the matter nor manner of their worke neither what they doe nor how they doe it Mighty Hunters before the LORD who shed blood to their power and with a rage that reacheth up unto Heaven What say we to such bloody men Not a word The LORD will speake unto them in His wrath and vex them in His sore displeasure He will require of them what they have done
13. to strike him in the face Then the Prophet forbare and yet he will speake out his words If thou art such a foolish King that thou wilt no more be admonished it is because thou must certainely be destroyed If thy eare be shut against good counsell so as it cannot enter The judgements of GOD shall enter and thou shalt lay thy selfe and thy Kingdome open unto them As the Prophet said so it fell out as the Lord had determined and the Prophet had threatned from His Mouth The threatning of the King could not make void the threatning of the LORD but must hasten the execution thereof as the Prophet knew very well Amaziah had fallen downe in his devotions before the Edomites gods he rose as high in the confidence of his own strength as he had dealt foolishly like an Idolater to provoke the LORD by his devilish worship so he would deale as proudly too after the manner in provoking an enemy he that could place helpe in stocks and stones the Edomites gods would put trust also in the companies of men Cum completis iniquitatibus suis peccator quis meretur ut pereat providentia ab eo tollitur ne peri. turus evadat Salv. de gub l. 6. p. 29. for thus he does he rings the last peale to call in judgement upon himselfe he prosecutes that way which shall be to his destruction he rusheth upon his own ruine and invites it saying to the King of Israel after he had taken ADVICE from his flattering Counsellours who would flatter him that was so wise as to flatter himselfe first come let us see one another in the face The King of Israel more out of scorne then love bids him forbeare being no fitter a match for him then ver 17. a Thistle for a Cedar This was a notable scorne and sure enough Amaziah tooke it so but it was good counsell and it had beene better if the King had taken the same But Amaziahs eare was shut up against sound counsell he would not heare ver 20. How so The reason is rendred for it came of GOD that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies because they SOVGHT AFTER the GODS of EDOM Let us note this Amaziah would hearken what Idoll-gods would say unto him he would seeke help from such despicable and helplesse things that could not wipe the dust from their eyes could neither see nor heare nor speake nor stand such despicable things this besotted King sought unto for he sought after the gods of Edom. Therefore he should be left to his own seekings to seeke and pursue his own destruction And so he did he thrust himselfe into his enemies hands This enemy carried him captive and in triumph to the gates of Jerusalem forceth the captive King to betray his own City to open the gates of the same that his enemy with his Army might enter-in When the gates were opened the conquering King would not enter thereby But the more to despise his cowardly Brother and the more shamefully to despight his Militia he caused foure hundred cubits of the Wall to be throwne downe entred the City in his Chariot Note how a proud Adversary will insult over a despicable coward who had a mighty Militia now on foote but had not an heart to use it his sinnes had taken off his spirit and made him as a silly Dove without a heart through that breach carrying the King before him in triumph over those ruines The Reader must marke that and withall observe what followes how weake that Militia is which hath nothing more then Charets and Horses Men and Ammunition to fortifie the same The King of Israel breaks all Judahs strength for it became as flax that was burned with fire he sack't the house of the LORD and the Kings house takes away ALL that was pretious there then gives the poore creature the King of Judah his life for a prey which he was exceeding glad of and then returned to Samaria ver 2. 5. but lived not long after Amaziah out-lived his glory fifteene yeares p ver 24. after this miserable destruction but could not out-live his misery that followed him still after he did turne away from following the Lord q ver 27. He had Adversaries from without these spoiled him and from within these conspired ver 27 against him he that serves the Edomites gods must feele the Edomites plagues The King thought to out-run all so he fled to Lachish But judgement was too quick for him and overtooke him we cannot out-run the judgements of GOD They sent to Lachish after him and slew him there You shall never reade that an Idolater escaped out of the Hand of GOD sooner or later His Hand finds him out and is heavy ver 28. upon him And now being slaine he must be buried they doe him this little honour they brought him upon Horses and buried him I have observed it all along that an Idolatrous King will have honour from his people while he lives or he will force it from them as he did an Idolatrous service but when he is dead he shall have no more honour then what is given to a dead Lyon such as fitts very well that body which when that immortall thing was with it did humble its selfe before the gods of the Edomites those dunghill things They brought him upon Horses and buried him they cared not where d 2 Kin 14. 21. for when time was he cared not how hee did dishonour his body in a voluntary humility before the Edomites gods They buried him and made his Son Vzziah called also Azariah King in his Roome THE ACTS OF VZZIAH CHAP. VII UZZIAH is very prosperous so long as he hearkened to the good word of GOD and to the good Priests that had understanding in the visions of God Prosperity lifts him up he is stout against the Lord in His own House The Lord meets with him there smote him with an uncurable stroake to the terrour of all the stout-hearted after him NOtwithstanding the hatred borne to Amaziah his Son Vzziah succeeded him when he was 2 Chro. 26. sixteene yeares old he lived a few yeares a Prince many yeares a King he reigned 52. yeares a ver 3. He builds and restores what was lost and broken downe in his Fathers dayes he strengtheneth himselfe exceedingly b ver 8. he warred and was very victorious over the Philistines he dismantled their Townes then proceeded unto the Arabians and Amorites brought them to pay him Tribute c ver 6 7 8. As his victories were farre more important then were the atchievements of all that had reigned in Judah since David so were his riches and magnificent works equall if not superiour to any of theirs that had beene Kings between him and Solomon He had a Militia even A-NON-SVCH so fully furnished with all provision to verses 10 11 12 13 14 15. compleate the same as we
We shall now reade-on and this conclusion quickly cleered unto us That where Idolatry is rooted-into a Kingdome it will not be rooted-out till that Kingdome be rooted out so it followes THE ACTS OF FIVE KINGS CHAP. IX Five other Kings of Judah as bad as the former did as ill and fared as ill as they walking after their own counsels in their own way to the utter ruine of themsolves and the Kingdome FIve other Kings of Judah yet remaine which I will but Name as exemplary for wickednesse and judgment as the former 1. Amon a 2 Chro. 33. 12. Son of Manasseh who did evill as his Father did but was not humbled for it as his Father was b ver 2â— he trespassed more and more so his raigne was short but two yeares then his servants conspired against him and slew him in his owne house 2. Jehoahaz the Son of Josiah is made King instead of so lamented a Father his reigne is very short but three Moneths 2 Chr. 36. 2. then the King of Egipt deposed him condemned the Land in an hundred Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold and made ver 3. Eliakim his Brother King over Judah turned his Name to Jehojakim ver 4. and tooke Jehoahaz his Brother and carried him into Egipt 3. Jehojakim reigned eleven yeares did that which was ver 5. ver 8. evill after the abominations of his Fathers then the King of 2 King 24. 1. This was hee that cut the Râ—ll and then cast it into the fire Jer. 36. 23. Babilon came up distressed Jehojakim and he became his servant three yeares Then hee turned and rebelled against him broke covenant with the King of Babell which he should not have done though an Heathen King But see the retaliation of the Lord Jehojakim like the man possessed with a Devill as those in our dayes infamous this way all over the world breakes the band of his covenant That band though the greatest binder on earth cannot bind him he breakes that sacred band the Oath of GOD. Does he carry it away so does he escape I pray you marke what followes and resolve your selfe He shall have bands enough which shall hold him fast and breake him too that will breake such sacred bands It followes the LORD sent against him BANDS of the Chaldees and BANDS of the SYRIANS and BANDS of the Moabites and BANDS of the children of Ammon Looke you there The Band of a Covenant could not hold him these 2 Chron. 36. Bands held him fast But Nebuchadnezzars Bands were the strongest they bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon But his burden of sorrow was too heavy for him so as his spirits fainted under it and died in the way was Buried with the buriall of an Asse drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem c Ier. 22. 19. Non autem eo usque dedactus est sed in itinere moriuus Irem 2 Chro. 26. 6. The Acts of Iehojakim and his abominations that he did and that which was found in him are written in the Bookes of the ver 8. Kings but more fully by Jeremiah in the fore-mentioned place Chap. 22. 17. 18. 4. And Jehojachin his Son reigned in his stead a very short time three Moneths and ten Dayes In that time he did that which was evill in the sight of the LORD And when the yeere 2 Chro. 36. 9 10. was expired the King of Babylon sent and brought up the young King in iron bands to him His attendance thither shall adde to his misery for the Kings Mother and his Wives his 2 King 24. 12 13 14 15 16. Servants his Princes his Officers all the mighty men of valour none remained save the poorest sort of the people accompany him manacled and chained to their perpetuall bondage 5. The King of Babylon made Mattaniah his Fathers Brother 2 Kin 24. 17. changing his Name to Zedekiah King in his stead taking an Oath of him That he should be Tributary and servant 2 Chro. 36. 13. unto him Zedekiah considering not though Jeremiah had put it upon his thoughts againe and againe That he had bound Ier. 27. himselfe with the Oath of GOD he also rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar 2 Chro. 36. 13. who had made him sweare by GOD he stifned his neck and hardned his heart from turning to the LORD and rebelled against the King of Babylon to whom he had sworne obedience He shall pay deare for this breach of covenant Marke that An Iron yoake is put upon his neck and his stiffe neck is made to bow to it he is brought before Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon where his eyes shall behold the slaughtering his Sons before him then those lights are put out after they had let in that sight which would never goe out till his spirits went-out so he is left in the darke to contemplate in his saddest thoughts the saddest spectacle that ever Father looked upon And it is the complement of his misery there That though his eyes are out yet he cannot but behold that woefull slaughter in the darke No more sorrow can come in by the windowes of his body more shall come-in at his doores he heares that which will make his eares tingle That Jerusalem is taken and Judah cast out from the presence 2 King 24. 20. of the LORD 2 Chro. 36. 17. We can proceed no farther we are come to the utmost of evils a casting out from the presence of the LORD It is next to the casting into Hell the very suburbs the brim of that bottomlesse pit And who is cast out I pray you Judah Give us leave to aske one question more Why was Judah cast-out wherefore did the LORD doe so and so unto Judah The Nations asked this question some thousand yeares ago and where they asked there they have an Answer given them which will satisfie all the world I professe Deut. 29 24 25 26 27 28. unto you we had need stand still indeed and cause enough to stand astonied If we reade on we must reade a miserable destruction by fire sword and captivity O terrible example of vengeance on that City which GOD had chosen to set His Name there How is it become like one of us might the Heathen say even like the Cities which God overthrew Ier. 10. 16. and repented not It was so because they sinned worse then the Heathen when Judah humbled themselves before Devils stocks and stones This was a City the Lord had chosen for Himselfe out of all the world All the world were witnesses of their favours their miraculous deliverances and protections All the world should be witnesses and stand astonied at their just confusion Her sister Samaria was not mentioned by her mouth in the day of her pride Her Kings also would walke in the wayes of the house Ezech. 16. 56. of Ahab and after their counsels to provoke the LORD Therefore the LORD hath done to her as He threatned I will stretch over Jerusalem c. And now we have a great 2 King 21. 13 14 15. example of wrath before our eye and it strikes sadly to our hearts that wee may heare and feare and doe no more so presumptuously If after such a destruction as this and beholding of it with our eyes we doe as Iudah did how great and swift will our judgement be The end must answer the beginning The wayes of Israel and the counsels of the house of Ahab were to the destruction of Iudah He that sowes the wind reapes the whirle-wind We cannot gather grapes of thornes or figgs of thistles Prov. 11. 19. As Righteousnesse tendeth to life so hee that pursueth evill pursueth it to his owne death The Copy being somewhat scattered this was omitted which should have beene inserted pag. 82. line 32. Then there was an hot contention The King striving with the Priests they with their King What incivility is this Was not Vzziah King why might not he meddle with the Priests office He will doe the Priests an honour if they will see it he will stoope so much below his Crowne as to take then Censer into his hand But if the Priests will not take it for an honour yet they must not take it for a wrong Vzziah was King he tooke the Censer into his hand he might have taken away their Censer their Sacrifice and Sabbath and all and have bidden the people goe dance the while for he was King and might take the liberty of a King so he was perswaded He is answered for God hath made answer to him by Himselfe as in such cases concerning His worship He useth to doe The Priests had done Ezech. 14. enough at that time c. FINIS
Prophets durst not stand before him much lesse reprove him to his face but denounced GODS judgements against him by Letters g ver 12. keeping themselves close and farre from him There came a writing to him from Elijah the Prophet how it came the LORD knowes but it came to give the King warning before the blow came for that is the Lords manner and therein the Prophet deales plainely and roundly with the King That he walked as a man pursuing a curse in the way of the Kings of Israel FORCING Judah to goe a whoring in the same way c. Thus plaine was the writing for that could neither blush nor ver 13. be afraid though in the hands of a murtherer and the pen-man was safe enough I think he had taken sanctuary at the grave but the stoutest Prophet of them all durst not tell the King this to his face for he hated the reprover and was resolved in his way and to set his foote upon him that durst withstand him in his way though it were to save his Crowne So he goes-on or rather blunders as one before him upon the drawn Sword We must note here as we shall find it all along That the Prophets tell the King plainly of his doings if he be such a son of Belial as this King was and will not heare then they sent a writing to him If the King be so fierce that a good Prophet dares not stand before him and speake unto him then he will send unto him And there came a writing to him from the Prophet And so having done their duty the Prophets let the King and the Queen alone joyned to Idols and traversing their own way they had entred upon and made passible by blood and such seldome returne The Prophets would not weary themselves about them In their Mouth * Jer. 2. 24. they were sound for then their pangs came upon them We will now take our eys off from beholding Jehorams way and behold the Lord in the way of his judgments upon him 2. The LORD begins with him as His manner is lightly afflicting him at the first and afterward more grievously Jehoram will not heare the true Prophets nay he will not endure the sight of them if they be such as will tell him the truth Now the LORD will speake to him by his rod that has a voice and after that in His sore displeasure He has been tampering with the Law of his GOD and now he has offered violence to it the LORD will touch him in his Crown He will come to his heart anon but as was said He will touch him lightly first And if he considers well of it it may keep the blow from the heart we must observe by what steps the Lord proceeds against him 1. Edom breaks loose from him there is one slip from his Crowne which he should have laid to heart have searched into the cause of this revolt for it was considerable Jehoram was their King before now they will have none of him for he will have none of GOD mark that They made themselves a King b ver 8. Jehoram had revolted too and from the KING of Israel which was most considerable at this time but he considers it not for wise thoughts cannot enter into him and stay with him who must perish He considers how he may bring the Edomites back againe to his Crowne The Edomites are gone from under his dominion he goes after with his Princes and all his Charets with him e ver 9. and something he did but little to purpose yet so much as lifted him up and made him yet more stout against GOD as we heard and read d ver 11. to whom he rendred neither praise nor thanks But what exploits did he with his Princes and all his Charets with him He came upon the Edomites by night and it is like for he was in a rage he slew many of them and so he gained some dead bodies and those he might keep under his dominion if pleased him But so long as there was live-blood at their hearts he should never regain them again So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this Day d ver 10. Well they are gone from under his dominion wiser and better men then they will follow after and so a flower a chiefe ornament falls from Jehorams Crowne for 2. Libnah a Towne of Priests and Levites who were charged by the Father e 2 Chro. 19. 9 10 11. discerning the way and spirit of his Son in the feare of the LORD to doe faithfully and with a perfect heart a great charge these give Jehoram the slip too They will forsake Jehoram for he has forsaken the LORD they will not be thrust away from the service of their GOD to serve Idols not they This sounds harsh in Jehorams eare and it is as grievous to his eye It is very likely so but no matter for that we knew before so soone as we read that he had taken the Daughter of Ahab to Wife what would follow that he must be vexed every vaine of his heart And yet nothing not a word or deed doe we find in the Text said or done against them True but this is cleare in the Text the same time did Libnah revolt from under his hand Whose hand from under Jehorams ver 10. hand Then it may be collected from the Text that Jehoram counted them Rebells and called them so too Yes very likely so though it be not expressed so for it is the manner so for a Rebell to call others by his own Name Rebels and Exulem me de suo nomine vocat Traitors all Was Jehoram a Rebell then I doe not say so Heare I pray you what the LORD sayes for His eyes are upon the truth and He will be heard Jehoram had for saken the Lord God of his Fathers What more A great deale more followes now Moreover he made high-places What more And caused the Inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication What more and compelled Judah thereto Looke upon it now for we can rise no higher Iehoram forsakes GOD turns his back upon Him the great Potentate KING of Kings and LORD of Lords turns his back upon This LORD then provokes Him to His face by his lying vanities and abominable Idolatrie and which heightens his Rebellion against GOD and puts an accent upon it makes it sound very high Iehoram forceth his LORDS Queen before His face he compels Judah to do the same as he had done very wickedly We cannot doubt now but Iehoram was a great Rebell the greater because he was in high place a great King and his wife a great Queen daughter and sister of two great Kings the greater his Rebellion for that But these Priests and Levites revolt from their King are they not Rebels now Judge ye Here are two Iehoram and his Priests these goe two contrary wayes and they crosse