and told him he should have smitten five or six times and then he should have utterly destroyed the Syrians whereas now he should smite 'em but thrice Then Elisha died and was buried and afterwards some casting a Man into his Sepulcher assoon as he toucht the Bones of Elisha the man revived and stood upon his Feet Then Hazael oppress'd Israel but Joash overcome Benhadad the Son of Hazael and beat him three times and recovered the Cities of Israel CHAP. XIV At this time Amaziah reigned over Judah and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. He slew those that had slain the King his Father 2 Chron. 25.5 c. He gathered together the Militia of Judah and Benjamin three hundred thousand choice men also he hiâ—'d than hundred thousand out of Israel But a Prophet met him and told him God was not with the Men of Israel and therefore he should send 'em back again and so he did After this he fought against the Edomites and slew ten thousand and carried away ten thousand more and threw 'em down from the top of a Rock that they were broken all in pieces But when he came from the Slaughter of the Edomites he brought their Gods and set 'em up for his Gods and served them Whereupon God sent a Prophet to him to reprove him for it but he was angry with the Prophet and said Who made thee of the King's Counsel Forbear why shouldst thou be smitten Then the Prophet told him that God would destroy him because he harkned not to his Counsel Then he sent a Challenge to Joash but was beaten and taken Prisoner and Joash came to Jerusalem and brake down part of the Wall and plunder'd the House of the Lord and the Kings House and so return'd to Samaria Then he died and Jeroboam his Son reigned in his stead Then they made a Conspiracy against Amaziah King of Judah and he fled to Lachish but they sent after him and slew him there And the People made Ahaziah his Son King in his sted Jeroboam King of Israel did Evil in the sight of the Lord yet God saved them by the hand of Jeroboam because he saw the Affliction of Israel that it was very bitter Then Jeroboam died and Zechariah his Son resigned in his sted CHAP. XV. Azâ—â—iah or Uzaiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. 2 Chron. 26 and as long as he sought the Lord God made him to prosper for he fought against the Philistines and prevail'd God helpt him also against the Arabians and the Ammonites brought him Gifts He built Towers in Jerusalem and digg'd many Wells for he had much Cattel and Husbandry for he loved it He had a great Army of three hundred and seven thousand and five hundred and he made many Engines in Jerusalem to shoot Arrows and Stones withal and was very strong But when he was strong his Heart was lifted up to his Destruction for he went into the Temple to burn Incense himself but Azariah the Chief Priest withstood him telling him that it pertained not to him but to the Priests Then he was wroth with the Priests But God smote him with a Leprosie so he hastned out of the Temple and dwelt in a lone House and Jotham his Son was his Deputy Then he died and Jotham succeeded him In his days did Zachariah the Son of Jeroboam reign over Israel and he walked in the ways of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat and Shallum conspired against him and slew him and reigned in his sted But Menahem conspir'd against him and slew him and reign'd in his sted He walked in the ways of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat Then Pul the King of Assyria came against him to whom he gave a thousand Talents of Silver to settle him upon the Throne He died and Pekahiah his Son reigned in his sted But Pekah conspired against him and slew him and reigned in his sted In his days Tiglath-Pilesar King of Assyria took many Towns from him and carried the People captive to Assyria In his days began Jotham the Son of Uzziah to reign over Judah and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. He built the higher Gate of the House of the Lord and Cities in the Mountains He fought also with the King of the Ammonites and prevailed against 'em and they gave him Tribute and he became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord. Then he died and Ahaz his Son succeeded him CHAP. XVI 2 Chron. 28. Ahaz walked in the way of the Kings of Israel and burnt his Children in the Fire wherefore the Lord deliver'd him into the hand of the King of Syria who carried away a great multitude of People to Damascus Pekah also the King of Israel prevail'd against him and slew in one day an hundred and twenty thousand because they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers and carried away two hundred thousand persons and took much Spoil But the Prophet Oded met them and reprov'd 'em for it saying Are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord your God therefore deliver the Captives So some of the Princes withstood them and would not suffer 'em to bring them into the City So the Captives were cloathed and fed and sent to Jericho Esay 7. Then Rezin the King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel warred against Jerusalem but could no prevail against it And the Lord commanded Esay to go meet Ahaz and bid him not be afraid of them and bad him ask a Sign but Ahaz would not Then said Esay God himself shall give you a Sign Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel But withal tells him That the Lord would bring upon them the King of Assyria who should destroy both his People and their Land Yet Ahaz sent Embassadors to the King of Assyria to come and help him against the Kings of Syria and Israel and sent him all the Silver and Gold that was in the Lords House and in his own Treasury So the King of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it and slew Rezin And Ahaz went to Damascus to meet him and seeing there an Altar he sent the Pattern of it to Urijah the Priest who made one after that fashion upon which Ahaz offered Sacrifices and removed the Brazen Altar and commanded that this new Altar should be made use of for the daily Sacrifice and shut up the Doors of the Temple and sacrificed to the Gods of Damascus Thus in time of his Distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord. Then he died and Hezekiah his Son succeeded him CHAP. XVII In the days of Ahaz began Hoshea to reign over Israel and Shalmaneser King of Assyria came up against him and made him tributary But he sent Embassadors to So King of Egypt to help him which the King of Assyria hearing of put him in Prison and came and besieged
Ephraim and Manasseh should be reckoned as his own being Heads of distinct Tribes as his other Sons were Then laies his Right Hand upon Ephraim's head the younger and his Left upon Manasseh's the Elder to shew that Ephraim tho the Younger should have the preheminence and bestow his Patriarchal Blessing on them and gives Joseph a parcel of Land in Canaan all that he had there as his Heir CHAP. XLIX Afterwards he calls all his Sons together and by the Spirit of Prophecy blesses them and foretels their future Estate and what should betide each Tribe particularly in their succeeding Generations Then commands 'em to bury him with his Fathers and so yields up the Ghost CHAP. L. Then Joseph commands his Body to be embalmed which being dispatch'd having crav'd leave of the King he carries his Father's Body into Canaan to his Sepulcher there according to his appointment The Funeral Solemnity being over Joseph's Brethren began to fear that he 'd reckon with 'em for their misusage of him formerly But he was so far from that that he comforts and speaks kindly to 'em and promises to nourish them and all theirs After which Joseph and his Brethren lived long in Egypt and when he was ready to die he told them that God would certainly visit them in mercy and bring 'em out of Egypt into Canaan and therefore they should not bury his Body there but carry it along with 'em whensoever they went out So he died being an hundred and ten years old and they embalmed him and put him in a Coffin EXODUS CHAP. I. JOseph being dead and the Children of Israel being multiplyed exceedingly there arose a new King who not regarding the eminent Service Joseph had done to that Crown fearing their Strength contrives several ways to keep 'em under endeavouring first to wear 'em out with hard Labour and rigorous Bondage which not succeeding he commands the Midwives to strangle all the Male Children in the Birth but they not obeying this barbarous Edict he next commands all his People to throw every Male Child they met with into the River CHAP. II. During this Distress Moses was born and concealed by his Parents but when they could hide him no longer they put him in an Ark of Bull-rushes and laid him among the Flags by the River side and set his Sister to watch the event Pharaoh's Daughter coming that way and spying the Ark sent for it and found a Child therein Then she sent the Childs Sister to fetch an Hebrew Nurse who called the Child's Mother so she nurst it and when he was grown up brought him to Pharaoh's Daughter who adopted him for her Son called his Name Moses and trained him up in all the Wisdom and Learning of the Egyptians whereby he was fitted by God's singular Providence for those great Services he was afterwards employed in In this capacity he continued in Pharaoh's Court till he was forty years old but then he forsook the Court and joyned himself to his afflicted Brethren resolving to afford 'em what help he could So going among 'em one day and seeing an Egyptian cruelly beating one of his Brethren he slew the Egyptian which being known to Pharaoh he was fain to fly into the Land of Midian where he dwelt with a Priest of that Land and married one of his Daughters by whom he had a Son Here he continued forty years till that King of Egypt was dead But still the Israelites were exceedingly opprest which made 'em cry to God and he took notice of it CHAP. III. As Moses kept his Father-in-law's Flock by Horeb he had a Vision of a Bush Burning yet not consum'd out of which God calls to him and tells him he heard the Cry of the Israelites and was come down to deliver them and would send him to bring 'em forth from which employment Moses excuses himself but God encourages him Moses asks his Name God bids him say to the Israelites I AM THAT I AM hath sent me to you and bids him and the Elders of Israel go to Pharaoh to ask his leave to go into the Wilderness to offer Sacrifice and Promises tho Pharaoh did refuse to bring 'em out by Power and with much Wealth CHAP. IV. Moses further excuses himself and God encourages him again by two Miracles but still he is loath to venture and frames new excuses till God was angry with him and to encourage him joyns his Brother Aaron in Commission with him to be his Spokesman to Pharaoh and the People Hereupon Moses with his Family return into Egypt and in an Inn by the way the Lord had like to have slain him for not circumcising his Child In the Wilderness he meets with his Brother Aaron and so they went and called together the Elders of the People and rehears'd these things to them who rejoyc'd at it CHAP. V. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh to demand leave for the People to go to keep a Feast in the Wilderness to the Lord. Pharaoh proudly demands Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go and chides 'em for their message and encreases the Peoples task which when they complain of they are chidden and get no redress whereupon they cry out upon Moses and Aaron and Moses complains to God CHAP. VI. Then God encourages him and renews his Promise by his Name Jehovah assuring him that he 'l bring the People out of Egypt and bring 'em into Canaan And this Moses relates to 'em but they minded it not by reason of their oppression CHAP. VII Then God sent Moses and Aaron again unto Pharaoh who requires a Sign whereby he might know that God sent ' em Aaron throws down his Stick before Pharaoh and it became a Serpent The Magicians did also in like manner So Pharaoh's Heart was hardned that he would not let 'em go Then God sends Moses and Aaron again and in case Pharaoh would not yet be perswaded that they should smite the Waters with the Staff and turn 'em to Blood which accordingly they did and the Magicians did the like So that Pharaoh was hardned still CHAP. VIII God sends 'em again and upon Pharaoh's refusal sends Frogs all over the Land and the Magicians did the like But now Pharaoh seeks to Moses and Aaron to have the Frogs remov'd and promises to let 'em go but when the Frogs were taken away he refuses still Then God sends Lice upon Man and Beast which the Magicians could not do and so were convinc't that it was Gods work yet Pharaoh stands out still Then God sends Swarms of Flies which corrupted the Land Pharaoh then would let 'em go with some Limitations and prays that this Judgment might be remov'd which being done he was hardned still CHAP. IX Next God sends a Murrain upon the Cattel so that they died next Boils upon Man and Beast so that the Magicians could not stand before Moses next Thunder Lightning and Hail which destroyed all that was in the
parts CHAP. XXXIV God commands Moses to hew two Tables more of Stone which he carried up into the Mount Then God passed by before him and proclaimed his Name Moses begs again for pardon and God's Presence to go with 'em God makes a Covenant with 'em writes the Ten Commandments in the two Tables Then Moses came down from the Mount and his Face shone so that he was feign to put a Vail upon it CHAP. XXXV The Sabbath is again commanded and Free-will Offerings for the Tabernacle which the People chearfully offer Then Moses sets Bezaleel and Aholiab about the Work which they perform in all the parts of it and as to all things belonging to the Tabernacle as was before directed ch 36 37 38. together with all the Holy Garments for Aaron and his Sons all which Moses viewed and approv'd ch 39. CHAP. XL. On the first day of the first Month of the second year after they came out of Egypt was the Tabernacle rear'd and all things put in order about it by Moses which being done the Glory of the Lord filled it and a Cloud covered it so that Moses could not enter into it LEVITICUS CHAP. I IX THE Tabernacle the place of solemn Worship being set up God spake unto Moses out of it and gave him directions concerning the several sorts of Sacrifices and Offerings upon several Occasions CHAP. X. Nadab and Abihu offering strange Fire were consumed by Fire from God but Aaron their Father and his Sons are forbidden to mourn for ' em They are also forbidden to drink when they were to Minister in the Tabernacle CHAP. XI God declares what kind of Food should be clean and what unclean CHAP. XII He gives Rules concerning the Purification of Women after Child-birth and CHAP. XIII Rules for the Priests in judging of Leprosie and how it is to be cleansed and CHAP. XIV Signs of Leprosie in a House CHAP. XV. Concerning uncleanness by Issues CHAP. XVI Other Offerings are directed and the Feast of Expiation CHAP. XVII Blood must not be eaten CHAP. XVIII Shews what are unlawful Marriages CHAP. XIX XX. A Repetition of sundry Laws CHAP. XXI XXII Several Laws concerning Priests CHAP. XXIII Several Solemn Feasts prescribed CHAP. XXIV Some Ceremonial Laws and concerning Blasphemy CHAP. XXV Concerning the Jubilee CHAP. XXVI Blessings of Obedience and Curses of Disobedience CHAP. XXVII Laws concerning Vows and things Dedicated and Tithes NUMBERS CHAP. I. THE people were numbred all but the Levites and they were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty CHAP. II. The order and method wherein the Tribes were to pitch their Tents CHAP. III. The Levites are given to the Priests for the Service of the Tabernacle insted of the First-born being almost equal in number and the overplus of the First-born were to pay so much a Man for their Redemption CHAP. IV. The several charges and offices of the Levites CHAP. V. The Trial of Jealousie CHAP. VI. Laws concerning the Nazarites The Form of the Priests blessing the people CHAP. VII The Offerings of the Princes at the Dedication of the Tabernacle and Altar CHAP. VIII Directions about lighting the Lamps and Levites Consecration and the time of their Service CHAP. IX The Passover was kept and directions are given for those that could not keep it in its season The Cloud and Pillar of Fire guide the Israelites removings and encampings CHAP. X. Silver Trumpets are commanded to be made and their use shew'd By direction of the Cloud they removed from Sinai to Paran CHAP. XI God kindles a Fire among the people for their complaining which upon Moses's prayer was quench't They despise Manna and fall a lusting for Flesh which Moses being disturbed at begs of God to take away his Life Whereupon God provides him Seventy Men for his Assistants and promises to satisfie them with Flesh for a whole Month together which Moses cannot tell how to believe But God sent 'em Quails in abundance but withal smote 'em with a very great Plague CHAP. XII Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of an Ethiopian Woman whom he had married which God himself chides them for and smites Miriam with Leprosie but upon Moses's intercession she is healed CHAP. XIII Spies are sent to search the Land of Canaan who brought a bunch of Grapes of such a prodigious bigness that it was carried between two Men but withal they give a discouraging account of the Inhabitants and so brought up an evil Report of the Land Whereupon CHAP. XIV The people murmured and talkt of returning again to Egypt but Caleb and Joshua laboured to satisfie 'em but the people mutiny against them whereupon the Glory of God appeared in the Tabernacle and God threatens to destroy 'em all with a Plague but Moses intercedes for 'em and prevails for pardon but God resolves that those Murmurers shall never see the Land but die in the Wilderness and those that slandered the Land died by the Plague Whereupon some of them would needs go and fight with the Canaanites and take possession of the Land but Moses forbids 'em yet they will go and are worsted by the Canaanites CHAP. XV. Divers Laws about Offerings The Sacrifice for sins of Ignorance The punishment of presumption A Man that was found gathering Sticks on the Sabbath-day was by God's Command ston'd to Death Fringes to be worn on the borders of their Garments CHAP. XVI Corah Dathan and Abiram with two hundred and fifty Nobles make a Mutiny against Moses and Aaron because the other Tribes had not a share in the Priesthood as well as the Tribe of Levi and because the other Families of the Tribe of Levi were not taken into the Priesthood as well as the Family of Aaron Whereupon Moses bids 'em bring their Censers with Incense in them to the Tabernacle that it might appear whom God had chosen When they came to the Tabernacle God commanded Moses that the Congregation should separate themselves from the Tents of those persons then the Earth opened and swallowed 'em up and also Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty that offered Incense The next day the people murmured against Moses and Aaron for killing the people of the Lord and gathered together against them but the Glory of God appeared upon the Tabernacle and he smote them with a Plague whereof there died fourteen thousand and seven hundred Then Aaron made attonement for them and so the Plague was staid And CHAP. XVII For a further confirmation that God had chosen the Tribe of Levi peculiarly for the Priesthood he commanded that every Head of each Tribe should bring a Rod to be laid up in the Tabernacle before the Lord and the Rod belonging to that Tribe which God did choose should blossom On the morrow when they brought out the Rods the Rod of Aaron was budded blossomed and had Fruit on 't which Rod God commanded to be laid up before the Testimony for a Token of
and in the Morning she came and fell down dead at the old Man's Door Then her Lord carried her home and divided her into twelve parts and sent to every Tribe a part of her and they were all mightily concerned at it CHAP. XX. Then all the Congregation assembled at Mizpeh resolving before they departed to inflict exemplary punishment to the Men of Gibeah and accordingly sent to the Tribe of Benjamin to deliver up the Offenders to be put to death But they refus'd to deliver 'em up and muster'd up all their Forces to fight with Israel Then the Tribe of Judah by God's appointment went first to fight against Gibeah But the Men of Benjamin slew of 'em two and twenty thousand Whereupon the Men of Israel wept before the Lord and sought further direction from him Then he commanded 'em to go up again against Benjamin but they slew eighteen thousand more Then all the People of Israel humbled themselves greatly with fasting and weeping and enquired farther of God who bad 'em go up and on the morrow he 'd deliver the Benjamites into their hand Then they set Ambushments and went up again against Benjamin and when the Benjamites came out against 'em they made as if they fled and so drew the Benjamites from the City Then the Ambush rose up and entred into the City and set it on fire which when the Benjamites saw they were amazed and fled and the Israelites slew twenty five thousand of them and burnt their Cities Only six hundred Men escap'd and hid themselves in a Rock four Months CHAP. XXI Afterwards when the People consider'd what was done and that there was a Tribe cut off they repented and consulted how they might repair that loss Wherefore they sent and slew all the Men and Women of Jabish Gilead because they had not come to their assistance against Benjamin only they saved all the Virgins alive which were four hundred Then they sent and called for the six hundred Benjamites that had hid themselves and gave 'em these Virgins for Wives But still two hundred wanted Wives Therefore they permit 'em to go to Shiloh where was a Feast kept at which the Virgins used to come out to dance and make merry and to catch 'em Wives of these Virgins which accordingly they did and so all departed home RUTH CHAP. I. IN the days of the Judges there was a Famine in the Land of Judah whereupon Elimelech with his Wife Naomi and two Sons went to sojourn in the Land of Moab where the Man died and his two Sons took 'em Wives Orpah and Ruth but the two Sons died childless Then the Famine being remov'd Naomi return'd to her own Country with her two Daughters-in-law and came to Bethlehem CHAP. II. Now there was in that City a rich Man called Boaz of the Kindred of Elimelech into whose Field Ruth hapned to go a gleaning So Boaz finding her there enquired who she was and understanding that she was Naomi's Daughter-in-law he spake kindly to her and gave order to his Servants to treat her civilly So she glean'd â—here till the end of Harvest CHAP. III. Naomi considering Boaz's relation to her Husband and his kindness to Ruth advises her to go at Night and lie down by Boaz in the threshing-floor which she did and in the Night perceiving some body there and asking who it was she makes a motion to him to take her to be his Wife being a near Kinsman This he takes very kindly from her and in the morning sends her away with a good deal of Corn afore it was light CHAP. IV. The next day Boaz goes to the Court or Common-Hall and propounds to a neerer Kinsman of Elimelech's the marrying of Ruth which he refusing Boaz takes her to be his Wife by whom he had Obed the Father of Jesse the Father of David I. SAMUEL CHAP. I. A Certain Levite called Elkanah had two Wives Hannah and Peninnah the latter had Children but the former was barren He going yearly to worship and to Sacrifice of Shiloh gave to Peninnah and her Children Portions but to Hannah his best beloved he gave a worthy Portion but she being reproacht by Peninnah for her Barrenness was griev'd and did not eat but went to the Temple and pray'd and wept sore and vow'd That if God would give her a Son she would dedicate him to the Lord and he should be a Nazarite Eli the High Priest observing her Lips to move but not hearing her Words thought she had been drunk and reproves her for it to whom she replied That she was only pouring out her Soul before the Lord then Eli blessed her So she went away and was no more sad When she came home she conceived and bare a Son and called his Name Samuel and when she had wean'd him she brought him to the House of the Lord in Shiloh and told Eli that was the Child for which she prayed whom now she devoted to God's Service as long as he liv'd And CHAP. II. Indited a Song of Praise in token of her thankfulness for this mercy After this she had several other Children Now the Sons of Eli were very profane Persons for they forc'd the People to give 'em what parts of the Sacrifices they pleased and more than the Law requir'd so that Men abhor'd the Offerings of the Lord and also lay with the Women that came to worship at the Tabernacle and yet for these prodigious Lewdnesses their Father reprov'd 'em but very gently and tenderly and therefore God sent a Prophet to him to threaten him with heavy Judgments upon his Family and the High Priesthood should be translated to another CHAP. III. All this while Samuel ministred to the Lord and one Night God called to Samuel and revealed to him his purpose of laying aside Eli's House from being High Priests and reducing them to a mean condition because his Sons made themselves vile and he restrained 'em not In the morning Eli askt him what God had said to him and charg'd him to conceal nothing from him So Samuel told him all whereupon he uttered this submissive Speech It is the Lord let him do what seems him good CHAP. IV. At that time there was War between the Israelites and the Philistines and the Philistines prevail'd and slew about four thousand Israelites Then the Israelites fetcht the Ark into the Camp to save 'em from the Philistines and the two Sons of Eli went along with it But the Philistines overcame 'em again and slew thirty thousand among which were Eli's two Sons and also took the Ark. Then a certain Man ran to Shiloh with these Tidings to Eli who sat by the way side watching and trembling for the Ark and when the Man mention'd the Ark's being taken he fell backward and brake his Neck Phinehas's Wife also upon these Tidings fell in travel and named her Child Ichabod and so died CHAP. V. The Philistines having taken the Ark brought it to Ashdod and set it by
him King over them But Abner Saul's General made Ishbosheth Saul's Son King over the rest of the Tribes Then Joab and Abner met and fought a Battel wherein Abner was beaten and Asahel pursuing after Abner Abner turned back and smote him that he died But Joab and Abishai pursued still after Abner till Abner call'd to Joab and checks him for his hot pursuit whereupon he sounded a Retreat CHAP. III. After this there was long War between David and Ishbosheth but David still waxed stronger and stronger and the House of Saul grew weaker and weaker during which time Abner went in to one of Saul's Concubines for which being reproved by Ishbosheth he was much displeased and revolts to David and promises to bring all Israel to him and accordingly perswades all the chief of the People to be for David and came himself to promise him his assistance But Joab perswaded David that he was not sincere but intended only to deceive him and therefore sent Messengers to Abner to bring him back and pretends to talk friendly with him but smote him that he died At which David was exceedingly disturb'd and clears himself from any guilt therein and makes a great mourning for him CHAP. IV. When Ishbosheth and the Men of Israel heard of Abner's Death they were much concerned and Ishbosheth's Party growing very weak two of his Captains came and slew him and carried his Head to David thinking thereby to curry favour with him but David caus'd 'em both to be slain for their treachery to their Lord and took Ishbosheth's Head and buried it CHAP. V. Then the Heads of all the Tribes came to David and made him King over all Israel and he went to Jerusalem and took the strong hold of Sion and dwelt there calling it the City of David Then Hiram King of Tyre sent him Work-men and Materials and he built him a House Then the Philistines came to make War with him but David smote 'em twice together CHAP. VI. Then David gathered all the chosen Men of Israel together and went to fetch the Ark from the House of Abinadab and they set it upon a new Cart and Uzza and Ahio drave the Cart. And David and all the People plaid afore it But when they came to Nachon's Threshing-floor the Oxen stumbled and shook the Cart whereupon Uzza put forth his Hand to hold it from falling but God smote him for his rashness and he died there Then David was afraid to bring it to his own House but lodged it in the House of Obed-Edom and God blessed Obed-Edom and all his House which being told to David then he brought up the Ark to his own City with great gladness sacrificing Oxen and Fatlings as they went along and David danced before it which Michal spying despis'd him in her Heart So they plac'd it in a Tabernacle which David had made with great joy and feasting But Michal came out to meet David and derided him for his undecent Carriage as she interpreted it for which God smote her with Barrenness CHAP. VII David being now at rest from all his Enemies bethinks himself of building a House for God and acquaints Nathan with it who encourages him thereto But that night God sends Nathan to David to tell him That not himself but his Son should build him an House Whereupon David acknowledges Gods great goodness to him and prays that his House may be blessed as he had promis'd him CHAP. VIII After this David subdues the Philistines Moabites Hadadezer and the Syrians and took the Shields of Gold from the Servants of Hadadezer and brought 'em to Jerusalem and exceeding much Brass from his Cities and dedicated to the Lord all the Treasures that he took from any of the Nations and the Presents that were sent him and God prospered him exceedingly and he administred Justice to all the People CHAP. IX David remembring the Covenant between him and Jonathan enquires after his Posterity and hearing of Mephibosheth sends for him gives him all the Land that belonged to Saul entertains him at his own Table and gives Ziba charge to manage all his concerns for him CHAP. X. David hearing that the King of Ammon his Friend was dead sent Embassadors to his Son to condole with him but he treated 'em very rudely and sent 'em away Whereupon David sent Joab against 'em to chastise 'em for their Insolence and Joab put 'em to flight and the Syrians also who came to their assistance and so again a second time whereupon they made peace with Israel and became Tributaries to ' em CHAP. XI After this David sends Joab to besiege Rabbah but himself tarried at Jerusalem and one Evening walking upon the top of his House he spy'd a beautiful Woman bathing her self so he sent for her and lay with her and she conceived and acquainted David with it who thereupon sent for her Husband Uriah from the Siege and bad him go down to his own House and refresh himself but he staid among David's Servants Whereupon David sent him to Joab with a Letter to set him in a place of danger that he might be slain which was done and David had notice of it So when the days of mourning were past he sent and took Bathsheba to be his Wife and she bare him a Son But this displeased the Lord. CHAP. XII And he sent Nathan to David who by a Parable of a rich Man that had many Flocks and a poor Man that had but one Ewe Lamb yet the rich Man took the poor Man's Ewe Lamb to dress for a Traveller that came to him causes David to pass Sentence against himself Then Nathan tells him Thou art the Man and threatned him That the Sword should never depart from his House Whereupon David confesses his sin and Nathan tells him It was pardon'd but because of the Scandal of it the Child should die which came to pass accordingly Afterwards Bathsheba bare another Son whom David called Solomon And the Lord loved him and sent by Nathan and call'd him Jedidiah Then Joab sent to David to come to the Siege of Rabbah that he might have the honour of taking it which he did and set the Kings Crown on his own Head and took much spoil and tortur'd the People and so came back CHAP. XIII After this Amnon fell in love with his half Sister Tamar and by Jonadab's Advice feigns himself sick and desires that his Sister Tamar might come and attend upon him So David sent her to him Then he took hold of her and forc'd her and ravish'd her which when he had done he turn'd her out of Doors so she went away crying and met with her Brother Absalom who quieted her and kept her in his House and hated Amnon for this but concealed it And having a Sheep-shearing he invited all his Brethren to it and in the midst of their mirth his Servants slew Amnon whereupon they all fled away and Absalom fled to his Father-in-law and was there three
to the Lord. He Reigned forty years and died and Jehosaphat Reigned in his stead 2 Chron. 14. 15. 16. In the days of Asa Zerah the Ethiopian came against him with an Army of a Million of Men Then Asa cried to the Lord for help and he gave him Victory over the Ethiopians so he destroyed their Cities and carried away much Spoil At their return towards Jerusalem the Spirit of the Lord came upon Azariah and he exhorted them to cleave fast to the Lord saying The Lord is with you while you be with him and if you seek him he 'll be found of you but if you forsake him he 'll forsake you Hereupon they cleansed the Land of Idols and entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers and that whosoever would not do so should be put to death So the Lord gave 'em rest round about Afterwards upon the League that Asa made with Benhadad Hanani the Seer came and reprov'd him for it and because he did not trust in the Lord who had delivered the Ethiopians into his hand therefore he should have but a troublesom Reign from that time forward For this Asa was angry with him and put him in Prison and at the same time oppress'd the People In his second year Nadab the Son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel and he reigned two years and Baasha conspir'd against him and slew him and reigned in his stead and smote all the House of Jeroboam yet he continued Jeroboam's Idolatry Whereupon CHAP. XVI The Word of the Lord came to Jehu the Son of Hanani against him That because he continued in the sins of Jeroboam therefore as he had cut off Jeroboam's Posterity so he 'd cut off his Then he died and Elah his Son reigned in his stead and his Servant Zimri conspired against him and slew him and all the House of Baasha But within a few days the Soldiers made Omri King who went and besieged Tirzah where Zimri was and took it at which Zimri went into the Palace and set it on fire and burnt himself in it Then some of the People made Tibni King but Omri prevailed against him and so reigned alone He bought a Hill and built a City upon it and call'd it Samaria which was afterwards the Seat of the Kings of Israel But he walkt in the way of Jeroboam He died and Ahab his Son reigned in his stead and did evil above all that were before him and took to Wife Jezabel and worship'd Baal and built a Temple for him in Samaria and provok'd the Lord to Anger more than all the Kings before him CHAP. XVII In his time God sent Elijah to declare to him There should be no Rain for some years but according to his Word Then God sent him to the Brook Cherith where he was fed by Ravens And when that Brook was dry God sent him to Sarepta to be sustain'd by a Widow there who tho she had but a little Meal in a Barrel and Oyl in a Cruise yet that still held out and supplied her Occasions till there was plenty in the Land Afterwards her Son dying Elijah prayed unto God and restored him to Life again CHAP. XVIII After three years God commands Elijah to shew himself to Ahab and tells him he 'd send Rain So Elijah went to Ahab who as soon as he saw him said Art thou he that troubles Israel To whom Elijah reply'd I have not troubled Israel but thou and thy Fathers House in that ye have forsaken the Commandments of the Lord and have followed Baalim Then he desir'd Ahab to gather all the People together to Mount Carmel and all the Prophets of Baal which was done Then said Elijah to them If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal be God then follow him Then he bids the Prophets of Baal take one Bullock and lay it upon Wood and put no Fire under and he 'd do the like with another Bullock and the God that answered by Fire should be own'd for the true God And they did so and call'd upon their God from Morning till Noon but none answer'd Then Elijah derided 'em so that they us'd all imaginable importunity but still none answer'd Then he call'd the People to come about him and he repair'd an Altar of the Lord and made a Trench about it and laid the Bullock upon it and caused Water to be poured thrice upon the Sacrifice till the Trench was filled Then he called upon God and God sent Fire which consumed the Sacrifice and Wood and Stones and lickt up the Water in the Trench Then all the People acknowledged That this was the true God Then Elijah bad 'em slay all Baal's Priests which they did Then he bad Ahab get him up because much Rain was coming Then he went up to the top of Carmel and prayed earnestly to God for Rain after which a small Cloud appeared which presently overspread the Heavens and there fell abundance of Rain And Ahab rode in his Charet to Jezreel and Elijah ran before him CHAP. XIX Ahab telling Jezabel what Elijah had done she swore she 'd have his Life by the next day whereupon Elijah went and sâ—t under a Juniper Tree in the Wilderness and prayed to God to take away his Life But God sent an Angel to encourage him who made Provision for him that he might eat and drink and he travel'd in the strength of that Food forty days together till he came to Horeb where God appear'd to him and questions with him what he did there He replied That they had forsaken God's Covenant slain his Prophets and left none but himself and they sought his Life too so that he was fain to fly for it Then God sends him to anoint Hazael to be King of Syria Jehu to be King of Israel and Elisha to be Prophet in his room and withal tells him That there were seven thousand left in Israel who had not bowed the Knee to Baal After this meeting with Elisha he threw his Mantle upon him who presently left his former employment and followed him and ministred to him CHAP. XX. Then Benhadad King of Syria came and besieged Samaria and putting very hard terms upon Ahab he calls a Councel of all the Grandees who advise him to stand out Then there came a Prophet from God to Ahab to promise him Victory which came to pass for they slew the Syrians with a great Slaughter but the King escap'd Then the Prophet came to him again and bid him prepare for another War but that he should have the Victory in that also And so it came to pass for the Children of Israel slew of the Syrians ten thousand in one day And at Aphek a Wall fell on twenty seven thousand more and slew ' em And Benhadad fled and hid himself in the City But his Servants perswaded him to send a very submissive Message to Ahab and to lay himself at his Mercy who thereupon pardon'd him and
as for Josiah because his Heart was tender and he humbled himself before the Lord he should die in peace and not see the evil that should befal ' em CHAP. XXIII 2 Chron. 34. Then the King gathered the Rulers and all the people together and went up to the House of the Lord and caused the Book to be read and made a Covenant with the Lord to keep his Commandments according to what was written in that Book and then purged the Temple of all Idolatrous Relicks and made a general Reformation among ' em Then he went to Bethel and brake down the Altar and High Place and burnt the Grove and burnt the Bones of the Priests upon the Altar as it was foretold he should do And so he did likewise in all the Cities of Samaria and slew the Priests of the High Places upon their Altars 2 Chron. 35. Then he commanded and they kept a Passover in a most solemn manner so as had not been from the days of the Judges Notwithstanding the Lord turn'd not from the fierceness of his great Wrath against Judah because of the Provocations of Manasseh After this the King of Egypt went to fight with the King of Assyria at Carchemish and Josiah went out against him but he sent to him to perswade him not to concern himself in that quarrel because the War was undertaken by God's Command But Josiah would not be disswaded but went to fight with him and in the Fight he was wounded and died of his Wounds Then all the People mourned for him and Jeremy the Prophet lamented for him and the People made Jehoahaz King in his Fathers sted He did Evil in the sight of the Lord and Pharaoh depos'd him and made Eliakim his Brother King and chang'd his Name to Jehojakim who also did Evil as his Fathers had done CHAP. XXIV In his days Nebuchadnezzar came up and made him Tributary but he rebell'd against him and the Lord raised up many Enemies of the Nations round about to destroy them for the sins of Manasseh Then Nebuchadnezzar came and bound him in Fetters and carried away part of the Vessels of the Lord's House to Babylon and put 'em in the House of his God And Jehojakim died and Jehojachin succeeded him and did evil in the sight of the Lord. And the King of Babylon sent his Servants against Jerusalem to besiege it But Jehojachin render'd himself to them and they carried him to Babylon with the Vessels of the Temple and the people of the Land And the King of Babylon made Zedekiah King in his stead But God in Judgment suffer'd him to rebel against the King of Babylon CHAP. XXV Then Nebuchadnezzar came and besieged Jerusalem and after two years Siege the Famine prevailing it was taken but the King escap'd by night But the Chaldeans pursued and took him and brought him to the King of Babylon at Riblah where they slew his Sons before his Face then put out his Eyes and carried him bound to Babylon And soon after came Nebuzaradan and burnt the Temple and City and brake down the Walls round about and carried the rest of the People all but the poor whom he left to husband the Land and the remainder of the Vessels of the Lord's House and several of the chief Men of the City to the King of Babylon to Riblah who slew 'em there And over those that remained in the Land he set Gedaliah to be Governor But Ismael came privately and slew him Afterwards in the seven and thirtieth year of Zedekiah's Captivity Evilmerodac King of Babylon set him at Liberty and gave him a daily allowance at his own Table all his days EZRA CHAP. I. CYRUS being come to the Kingdom of Persia proclaims Liberty to the Jews to return to their own Country and build the Temple at Jerusalem and likewise gives 'em all the Vessels of Gold and Silver belonging to the Temple that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away which were great and small five thousand four hundred CHAP. II. Hereupon there returned forty two thousand three hundred and sixty besides seven thousand three hundred thirty seven Servants When they came to Jerusalem the chief of 'em gave freely for repairing of the Temple CHAP. III. Then Joshua and Zerubbabel built the Altar and offered the daily Sacrifice thereon and all other Sacrifices according to the Law Then in the second year after their return they laid the Foundation of the Temple with great rejoycing But some of the ancient Men that had seen the first Temple wept when they saw this Foundation laid CHAP. IV. The Samaritans enemies of the Jews hearing that they were about to build the Temple came and offered their assistance but the Jews would not accept of it whereupon they made Friends at Court who prevailed to hinder the Work till the Reign of Darius The chief of 'em wrote to Artaxerxes and charge the Jews with Rebellion whereupon he sends a Command that the building should cease CHAP. V. But Darius coming to the Throne the Jews were encouraged by Haggai and Zechary to set about building the Temple again which they did and were opposed again by the Samaritans who demand by what Authority they go on with this work They alledge for themselves the Decree of Cyrus This they acquaint the Emperour withal desiring that search may be made whether there were any such Decree and to send 'em his pleasure CHAP. VI. Search being made the Decree was found which Darius confirms with a severe Penalty and Curse upon the Infringers of it Then the Jews went on vigorously and finish'd the House and kept the Dedication of it and kept the Passover at the time appointed CHAP. VII Artaxerxes being come to the Throne in the Seventh year of his Reign Ezra goes to Jerusalem having a new Commission from the King to take as many more Jews with him as were willing to go and all the Gold and Silver which the King and his Princes had offered for the Service of the Temple and whatsoever else he could collect among the Jews with Authority to reform all Abuses and Disorders there to appoint such Magistrates as he thought fit to free the Priests from Taxes and to punish Offenders CHAP. VIII Ezra having gathered all his Company together that were to go with him appoints a Fast to seek direction and a blessing on their Journey Then he delivered the Vessels and Offerings for the Temple to certain Priests to take charge of 'em and carry 'em to Jerusalem So they came to Jerusalem and deliver'd the King's Commissions to his Leiutenants and Officers who further'd the People and the House of God CHAP. IX Ezra being come to Jerusalem complaine was made to him that many of the People yea of the Priests had married strange Wives of the Idolatrous Nations contrary to the Law This Ezra was mightily affected with and doe largely confess and bewail their sins unto God CHAP. X. Hereupon a great Congregation were met together and wept very
Fields Herbs Trees Man and Beast Then Pharaoh promises to let 'em go but when the Storm ceas'd he was the same still CHAP. X. Next God sends the Locusts which darkned the Sky with their multitude and covered the Face of the Earth and devoured all that the Hail had left Whereupon Pharaoh capitulates with 'em again but was still hardned Then God sends Darkness which might be felt and Pharaoh capitulates again but was still hardned CHAP. XI During this Darkness God bids all the People borrow of their Neighbours Jewels of Gold and Silver and foretels the Destruction of all their First-born CHAP. XII God now changes the beginning of the year and instituted the Sacrament of the Passover with the Blood whereof they were to mark the Posts of their Doors that the destroying Angel might pass over them Then at Midnight God smote all the First-born of Egypt both of Man and Beast whereupon Pharaoh and the Egyptians drove 'em out in haste so they went out about six hundred thousand men besides Children at the end of four hundred and thirty years in that very Night that the time expir'd CHAP. XIII God commands the First-born to be sanctified in memory of the preservation of their First-born when the Egyptians were destroyed and seven days of unleavened Bread to be observed in memory of their coming out in hast and eating unleavened Bread Moses carries Joseph's Bones with 'em as he had made 'em swear to do God went afore 'em by a Pillar of a Cloud in the Day and a Pillar of Fire in the Night CHAP. XIV When the Israelites were gone Pharaoh and the Egyptians repent that they had let 'em go and so pursue after 'em and overtook 'em near the Red Sea whereupon the Israelites were mighty fraid and cried out to God and he divided the Red Sea so that they passed through it on dry ground The Egyptians also went in after 'em but when the Israelites were passed through God caused the Waters to return upon the Egyptians and drown'd 'em all CHAP. XV. Upon which occasion Moses composes a Song which the Israelites sang unto the Lord. When they were passed through the Sea they came to a place in the Wilderness where the Waters were bitter called therefore Marah whereat the People murmured but Moses cast in a Bough of a Tree and they became sweet CHAP. XVI The People murmur for want of Bread and wish they had died in Egypt where they had Bread enough whereupon God gave 'em Manna which fell on the six days but not on the Sabbath Then they murmured for Flesh then God gave 'em Quails in such multitudes that they covered the Camp Then God commanded 'em to fill an Homer with Manna to be kept before the Testimony for a Memorial to succeeding Generations This Manna continued till they came to Canaan CHAP. XVII Then they came to another place where was no Water which made 'em murmur again but Moses at the Commandment of the Lord smote the Rock and there issued out Water Here Amalek came and sought with 'em but Moses went and stood upon a Hill and while he held up his hand Israel prevailed but when he let it down Amalek prevailed CHAP. XVIII Jethro Moses his Father-in-law hearing that God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt carries Moses's Wife and two Sons to him into the Wilderness to whom Moses related all that God had done for 'em which he rejoyced at and they feasted together Jethro seeing Moses tiring and wearing out himself with judging the People from Morning till Night advises him to make inferior Judges and Rulers for lesser matters and reserve only the more weighty for his own Determination which God approved of and so was done accordingly CHAP. XIX In the third Month after their coming out of Egypt they came to the Wilderness of Sinai to Mount Sinai Here God spake unto Moses and by his means made a Covenant with the People to become his peculiar People Then God commanded him to sanctifie the People and set Bounds to the Mount that the People might not come to touch it On the third day there were Thundrings and Lightnings and the Mount all on Fire and the Voice of the Trumpet exceeding loud then Moses brought forth the People to meet God CHAP. XX XXIII And God spake with an audible Voice in the hearing of the People the Ten Commandments whereupon the People desire that God might not speak any more to them but that Moses might speak to them from God So God by Moses gave 'em divers Judicial Laws for the better government of the Commonwealth CHAP. XXIV Moses acquaints the People with these Laws and they promise Obedience to them and so he made a Covenant before God and the People Then Moses and the Elders went up into the Mount and saw the Glory of God But Moses went up further into the Mount and was there forty days and forty Nights CHAP. XXV God appoints what they should offer for the Tabernacle prescribes the form of the Ark and Mercy-seat with the Cherubims of the golden Table and golden Candlestick CHAP. XXVI God directs how to make the Tabernacle and all things belonging to it Ch. 27. and the Altar of Burnt offering the Court of the Tabernacle and Oyl for the Lamps CHAP. XXVIII Aaron and his Sons are set apart for the Priests Office and holy Garments are appointed ' em CHAP. XXIX God shews how the Priests should be consecrated appoints the daily Burnt-offering and promises to dwell with ' em CHAP. XXX God directs the making of the Altar of Incense appoints what should be the ransom for their Souls the brazen Laver holy anoynting Oyl and composition of the Perfume CHAP. XXXI God furnishes Bezaleel and Aholiab with Abilities to make all things belonging to the Tabernacle He again strictly enjoyns the Sanctification of the Sabbath and gave Moses the two Tables of the Law written with his own Finger CHAP. XXXII Moses staying so long in the Mount the People cause Aaron to make a golden Calf which they worship as a Representation of the true God wherewith God was so provok'd that he treats with Moses about destroying them and making him a great Nation But Moses intercedes for 'em and obtains their pardon But when he came down near the Camp and saw the Calf and the dancing he cast the two Tables of the Law out of his Hand and brake 'em and burnt the Calf and chode Aaron for making it who excuses himself Moses commands the Levites to slay the Idolaters and intercedes for the People and prays that himself might be blotted out of Gods Book rather than they should not be pardon'd CHAP. XXXIII God refuses to go with the People but speaks of sending an Angel with 'em whereat the People mourn and the Tabernacle is removed out of the Camp God talks familiarly with Moses in it who desires God to shew him his Glory and he promises to let him see his back
the Persons appointed to divide it CHAP. XXXV Forty eight Cities with their Suburbs were to be assigned to the Levites whereof six were to be Cities of Refuge and Laws are given to direct who should be received into those Cities and who should be accounted guilty of wilful Murder and that no satisfaction should be taken for such a one CHAP. XXXVI The Daughters of Zelophehad being Heiresses are appointed to marry within their own Tribe to prevent alienating the Possessions of one Tribe to another whereupon they married to their Cosin-Germans DEUTERONOMY This Book contains only a Repetition of what had pass'd and was related afore with little addition of Historical Passages and so may be omitted in this Abridgment most of it only CHAP. XXXI God foreseeing that the Israelites would break his Covenant and commit Idolatry and so provoke him to inflict many Evils upon 'em commands Moses to write a Song to be taught their Children from Age to Age which should be a Witness for him against them Which he did chap. 32. Then CHAP. XXXIII He blesses the Tribes and CHAP. XXXIV Afterwards goes up to the top of Pisgah from whence God shew'd him all the Land of Canaan and then he dies being an hundred and twenty years old and God buried him in a place that no man knew of His Successor was Joshua the Son of Nun. JOSHUA CHAP. I. AFter Moses's Death God commands Joshua to lead the Israelites over Jordan into Canaan promising to be with him and never to fail him nor forsake him According he prepares for their passage and puts the two Tribes and half in mind of their promise which they own and promise Obedience to him as they had done to Moses CHAP. II. Joshua sends two Men to spy Jericho who came to a Harlots House and lodged there which being known to the King he sends to Rahab to produce 'em but she hid 'em and made an excuse that they were gone Before they went away she treats with 'em about sparing her self and Family and Relations when God should deliver the Land into their hands Which they consent unto upon condition she conceal'd the Agreement and tied the Scarlet Thread by which they were to be let down to her Window So she let 'em down thro' the Window and they escap'd and came to Joshua CHAP. III. Joshua removes the Camp to Jordan and commands the Priests to take up the Ark and go before the People and as soon as the Priests Feet touch'd the Waters of Jordan they were divided and so the Priests and all the People pass'd thro' Jordan on dry ground CHAP. IV. The People being pass'd over but the Priests with the Ark standing still in the Chanel God commands Joshua to appoint twelve Men to take twelve Stones out of the midst of Jordan and set 'em on the other side for a memorial of this Miracle And likewise he set up twelve Stones in the midst of Jordan All this while the Priests with the Ark stood in the Chanel But when all was done and they were come away presently the Waters return'd to their place as before CHAP. V. When the report of this miraculous appearing of God for his People was heard among the Canaanites they were struck with such terror that they had no Spirit left in ' em As soon as the People were pass'd over Jordan God commands all the Males born in the Wilderness to be circumcised because they had not been circumcised by the way Then they kept the Passover and the morrow after did eat of the old Corn of the Land of Canaan and the Manna ceas'd God appears to Joshua with a drawn Sword in his hand as being come to his assistance CHAP. VI. God commands Joshua that seven Priests with Trumpets of Rams Horns going before the Ark and attended with the Militia before and behind them should go round about Jericho once every day for seven days together and on the seventh day should compass it about seven times and at the seventh time should shout which being done the Wall fell down flat so that every man went into the City strait before him and utterly destroyed all that was in it both Man and Beast it being devoted only Rahab and her Family was sav'd alive and all that she had and the Gold and Silver they put into the Treasury of the Lord. And Joshua laid a Curse upon whomsoever should ever after build that City again CHAP. VII But one of the Israelites converted some of the Spoils thereof to his own use all which should either have been destroyed or dedicated to God whereupon when some of the People were sent against Ai they fled before the Men of Ai and about thirty six were slain Joshua was much surpriz'd at this Discomfiture and expostulates with God about it who tells him It was because some body had taken of the accursed thing and converted it to his own use which must be discovered and punish'd and therefore they should all appear before the Lord and cast Lots and the person that was taken by lot should be burnt with Fire he and all that he had Which being done Achan was taken who thereupon confess'd that he took a goodly Babylonish Garment two hundred Shekels of Silver and a Wedg of Gold and hid 'em in his Tent So Joshua sent Messengers and fetcht 'em and took them and him and his Children and all that he had and burnt 'em with Fire and then the Lords Anger was appeas'd CHAP. VIII God encourages Joshua and promises to deliver Ai into his Hands and gives him the prey of it for themselves only directs him to lay an Ambushment behind the City which was done and so the City was taken sackt and burnt the King hang'd but they took the prey for themselves Then Joshua built an Altar on Mount Ebal and wrote the Law upon it and half of the People stood upon Mount Ebai and half on Mount Gerizim and read the Blessings and Curses of the Law as was commanded by Moses CHAP. IX The Gibeonites hearing of the taking of Jericho and Ai sent Messengers with mouldy Bread and clouted Shoes pretending that they came from a far Country and desired to make a League with the Israelites which they accepted of without asking Counsel of God and so clapt up a League with ' em But soon after they understood they were their Neighbours But the Princes having sworn to 'em the People let 'em alone only as a punishment for their Fraud they made 'em Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water for the House of God CHAP. X. Some of the Kings of the Canaanites hearing what Gibeon had done combin'd together to smite it whereupon they sent to Joshua for help who came suddenly upon the Kings and slew 'em with a great slaughter The Lord also cast down great Hail-stones upon 'em which slew many more than had been slain with the Sword And that the Victory might be compleat Joshua commanded the Sun
to stand still over Gibeon which it did for about a whole day But the five Kings fled and hid themselves in a Cave which Joshua being told of he sent for 'em and made the great Officers set their Feet upon their Necks in token that they should deal so by all their Enemies Then he commanded 'em to be hang'd till the Evening Afterwards he took several other Towns with the Kings thereof and then returned to the Camp to Gilgal CHAP. XI Divers other Kings joyning together to fight against Israel God delivers 'em into their hands and they smote 'em till they left none remaining They also took their Cities and slew the Inhabitants but took the Spoil for themselves CHAP. XII A Rehearsal of the Kings that Moses took on the other side Jordan and of the thirty one Kings that Joshua took on this side Jordan CHAP. XIII Tho much of the Land was yet unconquer'd yet God bids Joshua divide it all among the Nine Tribes and an half CHAP. XIV Caleb challenges a certain share in the Land by the promise of Moses which Joshua allowed and gave him Hebron for his Inheritance CHAP. XV. The Borders of the lot of Judah are set down among which was the Inheritance of Caleb who promis'd his Daughter Acsah to whomsoever should take Kinjath-sepher This Othniel perform'd and obtain'd her for his Wife She beg'd of her Father some Land that had Springs in it so he gave her the upper Springs and the nether Springs The Children of Judah could not wholly drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem CHAP. XVI The Borders of the Lot of the Children of Joseph viz. Ephraim and ch 27. Manasseh CHAP. XVIII The Tabernacle is set up at Shiloh and there being seven Tribes that had not yet received their Inheritance certain Persons are appointed to describe the remaining part of the Land into seven parts for which they cast Lots before the Lord in Shiloh for Benjamin and ch 19. for Simeon Zebulon Issachar Asher Nepthali and Dan. Then they allotted an Inheritance to Joshua CHAP. XX. Six Cities of Refuge are set out CHAP. XXI Forty eight Cities are given by Lot to the Levites So they possess'd all the Land that God promis'd 'em and had rest CHAP. XXII Then Joshua call'd the two Tribes and an half and blessed them and sent them away and they went homewards but when they came to the Borders of Jordan in Canaan they built there a great Altar which when the other Tribes heard of they gathered together to make war with 'em but first sent Phineas and ten Princes to 'em to expostulate with 'em as if they intended thereby to apostatize from God But the two Tribes and half replied That the design of that Altar was not for Sacrifice or Offerings but for a witness between 'em That tho they dwelt without Jordan yet they were of the same People and worship'd the same God with the Israelites on the inner side Jordan Which when Phineas and the Princes related to the Congregation they were very well pleas'd and called the Altar Ed i. e. Witness CHAP. XXIII Joshua being old calls for the Rulers of the People and exhorts 'em to obedience as they desire God should continue with 'em and that as God had fulfilled his Promises to a tittle to them so if they should depart from him and serve other Gods then he 'd bring all sorts of Evils upon â—em and they should be rooted out of the Land CHAP. XXIV He further gives 'em a brief Narrative of God's signal Providence and singular Benefits to them and their Fathers from his first calling of Abraham to the present time and thereupon earnestly exhorts 'em to fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and truth declaring his own fixt resolution That both himself and his Family would serve the Lord which the People likewise engage themselves to do So Joshua made a Covenant between God and the People that day and wrote it in the Book of the Law and set up a great Stone in testimony thereof After which he died being an hundred and ten years old and Eleazar died also and Joseph's Bones were buried in Shechem according to his commandment JUDGES CHAP. I. AFter Joshua's Death the Tribes of Judah and Simeon make War with some of the Cannanites and flew ten thousand in Bezek and took their King Adonibeâ—ek and cut off his Thumbs and great Tâ—â—â— which he acknowledges as a just requital from God for having served seventy Kings in that manner Afterwards they fought against others of the Canaanites and slew three Giants at Hebron and took several places because God was with ' em The Children of Joseph also took Luz or Bethel and slew all the Inhabitants except one Man and his Family that shew'd him the entrance into the City But yet many of the old Inhabitants remained still among the Tribes of Ephraim Manasseh Asher and Nepthali whom they could not drive out CHAP. II. An Angel reproves the Israelites for making Leagues with the People of the Land and sparing their Altars and thereupon threatens not to drive 'em out Then the People lift up their Voice and wept so the place was called Bochim Afterwards they forsook the Lord and served Baal and Ashtaroth then God delivered them into the hands of Spoilers and they were greatly distrest but upon their Repentance God rais'd up Judges who deliver'd 'em yet they soon returned to Idolatry again And thus they did time after time therefore God left many of the Canaanites among ' em And CHAP. III. The Children of Israel dwelt among 'em and made Marriages with 'em and served their Gods Then God delivered them into the hand of Cushan â—ishathaim Eight Years But when they cried to the Lord he raised up Othniel who prevail'd against Cushan Rishathaim so the Land had rest Forty Years Then they did evil again and the Lord strengthned the hand of Eglon King of Moab who smote 'em and rul'd over 'em eighteen years but when they cried to the Lord he raised up Ehud who being sent with a Present to Eglon smote him with a Dagger and slew him and afterwards raised an Army and slew about ten thousand Moabites whereupon the Land had rest eighty years And after him was Shamgar who slew six hundred Philistins with an Ox Goud and delivered Israel CHAP. IV. Then they did evil again and God sold 'em into the hand of Jabin whose Captain was Sisera and he oppress'd 'em twenty years and they cried to the Lord. Now Deborah a Prophetess judged Israel at that time and she called Barak and sent him against Sisera but he would not go except she went with him So they went together and ten thousand Men with 'em and Sisera came with nine hundred Charets of Iron and a great Host But the Lord discomfited them before Barak who slew 'em that there was not a Man left only Sisera escaped on his Feet and fled to the Tent of Heber the Kenite and
Dagon their God but the next morning Dagon was fallen on his Face to the Earth So they set him up again but the next morning he was fallen again and his Head and Hands broke off and also God smote the Men of Ashdod and the parts adjoyning with Hemorroids So they carried the Ark to Gath and God smote them also with Hemorroids Then they sent it to Ekron but they desired it might be sent to its own place again for the hand of God was heavy upon ' em CHAP. VI. Then the chief of the Philistines consulted with the Priests and Diviners what they should do with the Ark who advis'd to send it back with a Trespass-Offering viz. Five golden Hemorroids and five golden Mice which they did and put them in a Coffer and set the Ark and Coffer in a new Cart drawn with two Milch-Kine who took the strait way to Bethshemesh which when the Men of Bethshemesh saw they rejoyced and the Levites took down the Ark and the Coffer and they clave the Wood of the Cart and offered the Kine for a Burnt-Offering â—o the Lord. But the Lord smote fifty thousand of the Men of Bethshemesh for peeping into the Ark so they sent to the Men of Kirjath-jearim â—o fetch it And CHAP. VII The Men of Kirjath-jearim brought the Ark to the House of Abinadab where it remain'd twenty years Samuel exhorts the People to put â—way their false Gods and repent of all their â—ins so they fasted and wept in Mizpeh Then â—he Philistines hearing they were there came up â—gainst them whereupon they desire Samuel to cry unto God to save 'em which he did and God heard him for as he was offering a Burnt-Offering the Lord thundred against the Philistines and discomfited them So they were subdued all the days of Samuel and he judged Israel all his days and went every year in Circuit to several Cities to administer Justice among ' em But CHAP. VIII Samuel's Sons whom he made Judges under him were corrupt whereupon the Elders of Israel came to Samuel and desir'd him to make 'em a King as other Nations had But this displeased Samuel and he pray'd to God for direction God tho he interpreted it as a rejecting of himself yet permits Samuel to comply with their desire but withal bad him acquaint 'em what manner of usage they must expect from a King and how he 'd employ his Power to tyrannize over 'em and oppress 'em yet still they persist in their desire so God bids him yield to their Importunity CHAP. IX Now Kish of the Tribe of Benjamin had a goodly Son whose Name was Saul and Kish having lost his Asses sent his Son to seek ' em He having sought 'em in many places without success at last came to Samuel to enquire of him after ' em Now God had told Samuel the day before that there would come to him a Man of Benjamin whom he should anoint to be King So Samuel meeting with him invites him to a Feast with the chief of the City and set him in the uppermost place and afterwards walk'd abroad with him Then CHAP. X. Samuel took a Vial of Oyl and anointed him to be King and told him the Asses were found and that in his return homewards he should meet a company of Prophets and the Spirit of the Lord should come upon him and he should Prophecy with 'em and that he should go to Gilgal and tarry there seven days till Samuel came to him to tell him what he should do All which came to pass accordingly so that it was said Is Saul also among the Prophets Then Samuel called the People together to Mizpeh and sets 'em to cast Lots to find out who should be their King and the Lot fell upon Saul but he had hid himself and could not be found But God told 'em he was hid among the Stuff so they sent and fetch'd him and proclaimed him King But some Mal-Contents despis'd him and brought him no Presents but he took no notice of it CHAP. XI After this Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-Gilead Then the Rulers sent a Message to him That if they had not Relief within seven days they would deliver the City up to him Saul hearing of this sent to call all the People to him and they came all unanimously Then he sent word to Jabesh-Gilead That to morrow he 'd come and relieve ' em So they came early in the morning and fell upon the Ammonites and quite routed 'em so that two of 'em were not left together Hereupon all the People went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul King there before the Lord and sacrificed Sacrifices of Peace-offerings and rejoyc'd together CHAP. XII Hereupon Samuel expostulates with 'em concerning their desire of a King and first testifies his own Integrity that he had not misbehav'd himself in his Government of 'em nor given 'em occasion to desire a Change And to convince 'em of their sin in desiring a King he call'd upon God and he sent unusual Thunder and Rain whereupon they were greatly afraid and acknowledged their sin But Samuel encouraged 'em and told 'em God would not forsake his People neither would he cease to pray for 'em only bids 'em be sure to fear God But saith he If you still do wickedly you shall be consumed both you and your King CHAP. XIII Jonathan having smitten a Garrison of the Philistines they raise a great Army to fight with Israel so that the People were afraid and hid themselves but Saul was with his Life-guard at Gilgal and tarried seven days for Samuel according to his appointment and when Samuel came not and the People began to steal away from him he offered a Burnt-offering and as soon as he had made an end of offering Samuel came and rebuk'd him sharply for not staying the full time that God had commanded which if he had done God would have establish'd him upon the Throne for ever but now his Kingdom should not continue for God had sought him another one after his own Heart whom he would make King and Samuel departed from him Then the Philistines sent out several Parties which spoiled the Israelites and suffer'd 'em not to have any Weapons nor Smiths to make any CHAP. XIV Then Jonathan and his Armour-bearer went over to a Garrison of the Philistines and by a Sign gathered that God would deliver 'em into their Hands And accordingly Jonathan and his Armour-bearer slew several of 'em which caus'd an extraordinary trembling all over the Host so that they fell a killing one another which the Watchmen perceiving Saul and the People with him got together to pursue them and Saul that they might not be diverted from the pursuit adjur'd 'em not to eat any thing till the Battel was ended But Jonathan not hearing the Oath and being faint eat some Hony but the People durst not do so and therefore were very faint and when they came to eat were so greedy
that they eat the Blood with the Flesh Afterwards Saul enquired of God whether he should any further pursue the Philistines but God answered him not Whereupon he concluded there had been some transgression among 'em and cast Lots to find it out and the Lot falling upon Jonathan Saul would have put him to Death but the People rescued him So Saul fought against all his Enemies and prevail'd and when he saw any strong and valiant Man he took him to him CHAP. XV. Samuel by Gods appointment sends Saul utterly to destroy the Amalekites both Man Woman and Child and all their Cattel So Saul smote 'em and took their King Agag and utterly destroyed all the People but spared the King and the best of the Cattel and of the Prey Whereupon God tells Samuel That he repented of making Saul King Then Samuel went to Saul and reproved him severely for not obeying the Voice of the Lord And whereas Saul pretended they kept the best of the Cattel for Sacrifice Samuel tells him that To obey is better than Sacrifice and to harken than the fat of Rams and that Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft And because he had rejected the Word of the Lord God had also rejected him from being King And as Samuel turned about to go away from him Saul laid hold on the Skirt of his Mantle and rent it at which Samuel said God has rent the Kingdom from thee this day and given it to a Neighbour of thine that is better than thou Then Samuel commanded Agag to be brought to him and he hewed him in pieces before the Lord in a Sacrifice to him CHAP. XVI Then God commanded Samuel to take an Horn of Oyl and anoint one of the Sons of Jesse and to go to Bethlehem to offer Sacrifice and to call Jesse and his Sons to the Sacrifice that the Design might not be perceived by Saul So Jesse being come and making seven of his Sons pass before Samuel he said it was none of them that his business was withal Then he call'd the youngest who was keeping of Sheep and when he came Samuel anointed him in the midst of his Brethren And the Spirit of God came upon him and departed from Saul and an evil Spirit troubled him whereupon he sent for David to play before him and so the evil Spirit departed from him CHAP. XVII After this the Philistines and Israelites set their Battel in array one against another and there was a Valley between ' em Then a Champion of the Philistines a Giant whose Name was Goliath came and stood between the two Armies and challenged any of the Israelites to fight with him and defied their Armies Thus he did forty days together At last David being sent by his Father to his three eldest Brethren that were in the Army to carry 'em some Provision and see how they did hearing the vaunting blasphemous Speeches of this Philistine and being told that whosoever could kill him the King would give him his Daughter and make him a great Man David undertakes to sight with him So Saul sent for him and told him he was a very unequal Match for the Philistine But David told him how he had slain both a Lion and a Bear and that God who had deliver'd him from them would also deliver him from this Philistine So he took only his Shepherds Staff and a Sling in his Hand and went against the Philistine But when the Philistine drew near and saw him he despised him But David told him he came to him in the Name of the Lord of Hosts who would deliver him into his hand and discomfit their Host that all the Earth may know there is a God in Israel So David slang a Stone which sank into his Forehead and he fell down Then David ran and took Goliath's own Sword and cut off his Head Whereupon the Army of Israel set upon the Philistines and routed 'em and David brought the Head of Goliath in his hand to Saul Hereupon CHAP. XVIII Jonathan entred into a strict League of Friendship with David and lov'd him as his own Soul And David was set over the Men of War and accepted of all the People And as David return'd from the Slaughter of the Philistine the Women came out of all the Cities saying Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands for which Saul envied him from that day forward so that the next time that the Evil Spirit came upon Saul and David played afore him Saul threw a Javelin at him to have slain him But David avoided twice out of his Presence and he was beloved by all the People and also Michal Saul's Daughter fell in love with him for her Husband to which Saul readily consented requiring only an hundred Fore-skins of the Philistines for a Dowry designing thereby to have him slain by the Philistines But David and his Men slew two hundred Philistines and brought their Foreskins to Saul So Saul's Jealousie of David still increased And CHAP. XIX Saul spake to Jonathan his Son and all his Servants to kill David which Jonathan acquainted David with and bids him hide himself and then vindicates David to his Father whereupon Saul sware to him not to hurt him so they were reconciled again Then David made War with the Philistines again and overcame 'em And the Evil Spirit came upon Saul and David played afore him and he threw a Javelin again at him but David slipt aside and escap'd But Saul sent Messengers to watch him in his House then Michal his Wife let him down thro' a Window and laid an Image in the Bed so that when Saul sent for him they found only an Image So David came to Samuel to Ramah and Saul hearing of it sent Messengers once and again to take him but when they came to the place among the Prophets they fell a prophesying also and Saul going thither himself prophesied in like manner wherefore they say Is Saul also among the Prophets CHAP. XX. So David fled from thence and came to Jonathan and advises with him about the best way for his safety and they agree that he should absent himself from the Feast at the New Moon and see how Saul resented it Then they went out into the Field together and renewed their Covenant of Friendship not only for their Persons but for their Posterity and Jonathan gave him a Signal whereby he should know his Fathers Affection towards him So when the New Moon was come and David's Place was empty two days together Saul enquired the reason of it and Jonathan made an excuse for him Whereupon Saul fell into a great Rage and reviles him and threw his Javelin at him Then Jonathan rose from the Table in great anger and went into the Field and discover'd all to David so they parted CHAP. XXI Then David came to Ahimelech the Priest at Nob who entertain'd him and gave him the Sword of Goliath From thence he went to Achish King of
advises Bathshebah to go and acquaint the King with it and claim his Promise That Solomon should succeed him and while they were talking he 'd come in and second her So Bathshebah went unto David and told him that notwithstanding his Promise That her Son Solomon should sit upon the Throne Adonijah had made himself King without his privity but yet all people expected that he should appoint his Successor While she was speaking Nathan came and told him the same things Then David renewed his Oath to Bathshebah That Solomon should sit upon his Throne and accordingly gave order that Solomon should be set upon his own Mule and Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet should anoint him King over Israel and proclaim him with sound of Trumpet and then set him upon the Throne And so they did and the People rejoyced with such shouting that the Earth rang again which when Adonijah and his Company heard they were all afraid and dispers'd themselves and Adonijah went and took hold on the Horns of the Altar and capitulated with Solomon who upon condition of his good behaviour promis'd him indemnity and so dismiss'd him CHAP. II. Then David charg'd Solomon to walk in the ways of God and keep his Commandments that he might prosper and God might confirm the Kingdom to him and his Seed after him He gave him a charge also concerning Joab that because he was guilty of Blood he should not let his hoary Head go down to the Grave in peace That he should shew kindness to the Sons of Barzillai That he should remember Shimei's cursing of him in the day of his distress and in his Wisdom reward him for it So David died and Solomon sate upon the Throne Then Adonijah came to Bathshebah and prays her to ask Abishag for him of her Son Solomon which she did But Solomon looking upon it as a seditious motion sends Benajah to him who put him to death He put out Abiathar also from being High Priest and confin'd him to his Country House at Anathoth These passages being related to Joab he knowing his own guilt fled to the Altar and there he was slain Then he call'd for Shimei and confin'd him to Jerusalem and that if he pass'd over the Brook Kidron he should die So he dwelt there many days At last two of his Servants running away to Achish King of Gath he went thither to fetch 'em back again which being told Solomon he puts him in mind of all his former wickedness and his own gentle dealing with him which he having abus'd he commands him to be slain CHAP. III. Solomon married Pharaoh's Daughter He loved the Lord and offered at Gibeon a great High Place a thousand Burnt-Offerings and there God appeared to him and bid him ask what he would So he ask't an understanding Heart to judge the People and to discern between good and evil wherewith God was so pleased that he gave him not only an extraordinary Understanding above all that were before or after him but also such Riches and Honour as none else had Then came two Women to him which had each of 'em a Son one of which dying they both lay claim to the living Child whereupon Solomon commanded the living Child to be divided between 'em which one of 'em yielding to but not the other Solomon thereby gathered which was the right Mother and assign'd the living Child to her which Decision made him renown'd all over Israel CHAP. IV. Solomon had twelve Officers who served each Man his Month and made Provision throughout all Israel of what was needful for the maintaining his Court after a most splendid and magnificent manner For he spent daily almost an hundred Quarters of Wheat Thirty Oxen an hundred Sheep besides Deer Fowl and the like And God gave him a most comprehensive knowledg of all things both Divine and Humane so that he was wiser than all Men and spake three thousand Proverbs and a thousand and five Songs and of all Animals and Vegetables so that People came from all parts of the Earth to hear his Wisdom CHAP. V. Solomon designing now to build the Temple sends to Hiram King of Tyre to furnish him with Timber of Cedar and Fir and Workmen for it and in lieu thereof Solomon furnishes him with Wheat and Oyl yearly so they had Timber and Stones for it CHAP. VI. In the fourth year of Solomon's Reign they began to build the Temple which was about thirty six yards long twelve yards broad and eighteen yards high with a Porch of about seventy two yards high All the materials were fitted and prepared afore hand so that no noise of Tools was heard about it It was seven years in building CHAP. VII Solomon built also an House for himself and a Porch for Judgment and several other Houses both for himself and his Queen Pharaoh's Daughter Then he sent and fetcht Hiram from Tyre who made all manner of Vessels and Utensils for the Temple of Gold Silver and Brass as the Molten Sea the Lavers c. and the Pillars CHAP. VIII All things being thus fitted and finish'd Solomon assembled all the Nobility and Gentry to fetch up the Ark out of Sihon and carry it into its place within the Holy of Holies And when it was set there the Glory of the Lord fill'd the House Then Solomon blessed God for performing his Word unto David in giving him a Son to build an House to his Name and prays for the continuance of his mercy to him and that he 'd hear Prayers upon any occasion whatsoever made in or towards that place Then he offered a Sacrifice of two and twenty thousand Oxen and an hundred and twenty thousand Sheep and they kept the Feast of Dedication a Fortnight together and then the People went to their own Homes CHAP. IX After all this God appeared again to Solomon and told him he had hear'd his Prayer and would do as he desir'd and that he 'd establish his Throne for ever upon condition of his Obedience but in case of Disobedience he 'd cut off Israel out of the Land and destroy the Temple At the end of twenty years Solomon gave Hiram King of Tyre twenty Cities in the Land of Galilee but he did not like 'em and so return'd 'em to him again whereupon he repair'd and enlarg'd 'em and caused the Children of Israel to dwell in ' em He repair'd also several other Cities and built Store-Cities and did all that he desir'd And he had a Navy which went to Ophir for Gold CHAP. X. The Queen of Sheba hearing of Solomon's extraordinary Wisdom came to hear and try him with hard Questions She came with a very great Retinue and many rich Presents and discours'd with him about all things she desir'd satisfaction in and he resolv'd all her doubts and gave her full satisfaction in every thing When she had viewed and consider'd all particulars about him his Buildings his Furniture his Attendants and the magnificence of
made a League with him and sent him away Then a Prophet was sent to him who by a Parable of a Prisoner taken in Battel and escaping from him to whose custody he was committed makes him first pass Sentence against himself and then denounces Judgment against him for letting the King of Syria go CHAP. XXI After this Ahab was very earnest to buy Naboth's Vineyard of him but he refusing Ahab was much displeased and would eat nothing which Jezabel observing and understanding the reason of contrives to write Letters to the Rulers of Jezreel to proclaim a Fast and suborn Witnesses who should accuse Naboth of blaspheming God and the King and so put him to death Which being done Ahab went to take possession of the Vineyard But God sent Elijah to denounce Judgments against him which when Ahab heard he humbled himself for which God respites part of the Judgment from his days to his Sons CHAP. XXII After this Ahab making War with the King of Syria engages Jehosaphat to assist him but Jehosaphat was desirous to know the Mind of God in it and therefore would have him send for some Prophet Hereupon Ahab sends for all the Prophets of Baal who promis'd good Success But Jehosaphat not being satisfy'd with this desires that some Prophet of the Lord might be enquir'd of So he sent for Micajah and he at first in a way of derision answers as the Prophets of Baal had done But being requir'd to speak in good earnest he then foretells that Ahab should be slain and the People scattered which came to pass for he was slain by an Arrow as he was sitting in his Charet and his Charet being wash'd in the Pool of Samaria the Dogs lickt up his Blood as they had done the Blood of Naboth according to the threatning of the Prophet So Ahab died and his Son reigned in his stead In his time Jehosaphat began to reign over Judah and he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord 2 Chron. 17. So the Lord was with him and establish'd his Kingdom He was very zealous and couragious in the ways of the Lord for in the third year of his Reign he sent some choice Priests and Levites all over his Kingdom to teach the People the Law of God and with them several Princes to countenance 'em Whereupon God so bless'd him that all the Nations round about him became Tributaries to him 2 Chron. 20. After his return from the expedition with Ahab Jehu the Prophet reproves him for his joyning with him Then he set Judges throughout all the Land and charg'd 'em to execute Judgment and Justice impartially 2 Chron. 20. After this the Moabites and Ammonites made War with him whereupon he proclaimed a Fast to ask help of the Lord and himself prayed to the Lord against them before all the People Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel who bids 'em not be dismaid for God would fight for 'em against their Enemies Whereupon Jehosaphat encourag'd the People saying Believe in the Lord so shall you be establish'd believe his Prophets so shall you prosper So the Lord made their Enemies to rise up and slay one another so that when the Men of Judah came they found 'em all dead Bodies and took abundance of Spoil and great Riches from ' em After this did Jehosaphat joyn his Navy with the Navy of Ahaziah a wicked King of Israel Then he died and Jehoram his Son reigned in his stead In the seventyeth year of Jehosaphat Ahaziah the Son of Ahab began to reign over Israel and he served Baal according to all that his Father and Mother had done II. KINGS CHAP. I. AHAZIAH having fallen thro' a Lattice and hurt himself sends to Baalzebub to enquire concerning his recovery But God sent Elijah to meet the Messenger and to tell him that he should not recover The Messengers returning with this Message Ahaziah enquires what manner of Man he was and by their description of him concludes it to be Elijah so sends a Captain with fifty Men to fetch him When they came to him he call'd for Fire from Heaven and consum'd 'em all and so he did a second time Then a third Captain being sent he falls down before Elijah and begs him to spare his Life and the Life of his Men So the Angel bad Elijah go with him who reprov'd the King for sending to Baalzebub and told him he should surely dye which came to pass and Jehoram his Son reigned in his stead CHAP. II. God intending to take up Elijah into Heaven by a Whirl-wind Elijah bids Elisha tarry there where he was because he must go on an Errand God had sent him about But Elisha would not leave him so they came to Jordan and Elijah with his Mantle smote the Waters and they were divided so that they pass'd over on dry ground Then Elijah bad Elisha ask what he should do for him who said Let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me which Elijah promis'd he should have if he saw him when he was taken from him At last as they went on a Charet and Horses of Fire parted them asunder and Elijah was taken up into Heaven by a Whirlwind which Elisha saw and cried My Father my Father the Charets of Israel and the Horsemen thereof But Elijah's Mantle fell from him which Elisha took up and divided the Waters of Jordan with it as his Master Elijah had done which when the young Prophets saw they owned him for their Master in the room of Elijah The Waters about Jericho being naught Elisha threw Salt into 'em and heal'd ' em Afterwards going up from Bethel he was revil'd by some Children but he curs'd 'em in the Name of the Lord and there came two Shee-Bears and tore forty two of them CHAP. III. Jehoram King of Israel continued the Idolatry of Jeroboam but not of his Father and Mother in serving Baal The King of Moab refusing to pay his yearly Tribute Jehoram gathered together his Forces and invited Jehosaphat to his assistance to those two Kings and the King of Edom went to the War against Moab and being in the Wilderness they were all ready to perish for want of Water But hearing that Elisha was in the Army these three Kings went to him but he slighted the King of Israel and told him That if it had not been for Jehosaphat he would not have taken any notice of them but out of respect to him he tells them That the Vally should 〈◊〉 full of Water and also that God would deliver the Moabites into their hands And so it came to pass in the Morning that the Vally was filled with Water which appeared to the Moabites like Blood so that they concluded these Kings and their Armies had slain one another and therefore they rose up to the Spoil But when they came to the Camp of the Israelites the Israelites put 'em to flight and beat down their Cities and besieged Kitharaseth
Then the King of Moab sallied forth to have broken his way thro' the Quarters of the King of Edom but he was driven back then he took his Eldest Son and offered him for a Burnt-Offering upon the Wall whereupon they rais'd the Siege CHAP. IV. As Elisha was returning home a certain Prophets Widow met him and made her moan to him that her Husband had left her in debt and there was nothing to pay so that the Creditors were about to seize upon her two Sons for Bond-men Then he had her borrow empty Vessels and pour out of the Pot of Oyl which she had in the House into the Vessels till they were full and then sell the Oyl and pay the Debt Elisha was wont to come often to the House of a great Woman in Shunem who entertain'd him very kindly whereupon understanding she had no Child he calls for her and tells her that she should have a Son which came to pass This Child when was he grown up fell ill and died Then she took him and laid him on the Bed where Elisha us'd to lie and rode in all hast to acquaint him with it who went with her and went into the Chamber where the Child lay and prayed to the Lord and stretch'd himself upon the Child and the Child waxed warm and he reviv'd and he deliver'd him to his Mother At Gilgal the Pot being set on to make some Broth for the Prophets they happened to put in some unwholsom unsavoury Herb so that they could not eat of it but Elisha cast a little meal into the Pot and so made the Broth sit for use A Present being brought him of twenty Barly Loaves with them he fed an hundred Men. CHAP. V. Naaman General of the Army of the King of Syria was a Leper and hearing by an Hebrew Maid That there was a Prophet in Samaria that could cure him he procures a Letter to the King of Israel that he might be cured of his Leprosie When the King of Israel read the Letter he thought it was only a Trick to pick a quarrel with him but Elisha hearing of it sent to the King to send this person to him So when Naaman and all his Retinue came to Elisha's Door he only sent one to him to bid him go and wash in Jordan seven times and he should be cured Naaman took this for a great Affront and so went away in a Rage But some of his Servants argued the matter with him and perswaded him so that he went to Jordan and dipt himself seven times in the River and was perfectly healed Then he came back to the Prophets House and acknowledged the God of Israel to be the true God and offers him a Reward but he refused it Then he beg'd pardon for the Idolatry he had been formerly guilty of and Elisha dismis'd him with a friendly farewel But Elisha's Servant Gehazi ran after Naaman and by a Lie got two Talents of Silver and two Changes of Raiment which he hid in the House and came to his Master But his Master asking him where he had been he told another Lie and excus'd what he had done before but his Master knowing what was done told him That the Leoprosie of Naaman should cleave to him and his Seed for ever CHAP. VI. One going to cut some Timber for the use of the Prophets which grew near Jordan his Ax Head fell into the River which he was much concern'd at because it was borrow'd and complaining of it to Elisha he threw in a stick to the place where it fell and the Ax Head did swim and so he had it again The King of Syria making appointments to surprize the King of Israel at several places Elisha still warned him of 'em and so sav'd him The King of Syria thinking his own Servants had betray'd his Counsels was much troubled at it but understanding it was Elisha's doing he sent a great Company to Dothan who compass'd the City to take him which his Servant perceiving in the morning was greatly afraid But the Prophet said Fear not for they that are with us are more than they that are with them Then upon Elisha's Prayer his eyes were open'd and he saw the Mountain full of Horses and Charets of Fire round about Elisha and also those People were smitten with blindness so that he led 'em into the midst of Samaria and then opened their Eyes but he would not suffer the King of Israel to do 'em any hurt but caused great provision to be made for 'em and so sent 'em away At another time Benhadad besieged Samaria so that there was a very great Famine there and as the King passed along a Woman complained to him of her Neighbour That whereas they had agreed to boyl and eat their Children by turns this Woman having done her part the other refus'd to perform hers which the King hearing rent his Clothes and imputing all this Evil to Elisha he sent one to cut off his Head But Elisha was aware of it and bids the Company that was with him to stop the Messenger at the Door and not suffer him to come in But the King himself followed immediately after and upon discourse between 'em he said This evil is from the Lord why should I wait for him any longer CHAP. VII But Elisha told him from God That on the morrow there should be great plenty in Samaria which a Lord that was with the King hearing would not believe whereupon Elisha told him he should see it with his Eyes but not eat thereof On the morrow four Lepers venturing into the Camp of the Syrians found that they were all fled for the Lord had caused 'em to hear a noise of Charets and Horses and a great Host whereupon they fled in great hast for their Lives These Tidings the Lepers brought to the City so the King sent to discover the truth of it and they found it to be as was related So the People went out and spoiled the Camp of the Syrians whereby it came to pass that there was great plenty as Elisha foretold But the unbelieving Lord being appointed by the King to keep the Gate that the People might not all run out of the City they were so eager upon the Spoil that they trod him to death And so the Prophets words were fulfilled CHAP. VIII Elisha warns the Shunamite whose Son he had rais'd to life of a Famine that was coming so she went and sojourned in the Land of the Philistines But when the Famine was over she returned again and came to petition the King for her Land again which it seems was seiz'd upon in her absence and Providence so order'd it that at that very nick of time the King was talking with Gehazi concerning the Miracles of Elisha and of his raising a dead Child to Life whereupon spying this Woman he said This is the Woman and this is her Son So the King appointed an Officer to restore all that was hers Then
Elisha came to Damascus and Benhadad being sick was told that the Prophet Elisha was there whereupon he sent Hazael to enquire of him whether he should recover Who answer'd That as to any thing of his Disease he might recover but God had shew'd him that he should die by other means Then Elisha fixt his Eyes upon Hazael and wept which Hazael enquiring the reason of he told him It was for the great mischiefs he should do to Israel when he came to be King of Syria as Dashing out their Childrens Brains and ripping up their Women with Child To which Hazael said Is thy Servant a Dog that he should do such things So Hazael came to his Master Benhadad and told him that the Prophet said he should surely recover But to prevent that he spread a wet cloth over his Face and so stifled him About this time Jehoram the Son of Jehosaphat began to reign He married Ahab's Daughter and so walkt in the ways of the House of Ahab 2 Chron. 21. He slew all his Brethren and many of the great Men of the Land and made many innovations in Religion for the promoting of Idolatry While he was going on in these ways a Letter was deliver'd him written by Elijah by the Spirit of Prophecy during his abode on earth to threaten him for his wickedness and tell him That God would plague him his Wives Children People and inflict a Disease upon him in his Bowels which should torment him day by day till they fell out Accordingly God stirr'd up the neighbour Nations to distress him and smote him in his Bowels with an incurable Disease so that after two years they fell out and he died without being desir'd and Ahaziah his Son reigned in his sted He walked in the way of the House of Ahab being his Son-in-Law He went with Joram King of Israel to the war against Hazael at Ramoth-Gilead but Joram being wounded came back to be cured in Jezreel and Ahaziah went thither to give him a Visit CHAP. IX Elisha sends one of the young Prophets to annoint Jehu to be King of Israel so he went to the Camp at Ramoth-Gilead and singled out Jehu and anointed him with a Command to destroy the whole House of Ahab Then Jehu telling the Commanders what had been done to him they presently proclaimed him King and he went towards Jezreel but being spied by a Watch-man Joram sends to enquire what was the matter but Jehu detain'd the Messenger then another was sent but he was detain'd also Then Joram went himself and Ahaziah with him and ask'd Is it peace Jehu who answer'd What peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her Witchcrafts are so many Joram then perceiving there was treachery endeavours to fly away but Jehu drew a Bow and slew him and bad one of his Captains cast his Body into the Field of Naboth as God had threatned he should be serv'd He slew Ahaziah King of Judah also and when he was come to Jezreel Jezabel look'd out at a Window and upbraided him for killing his Master But he commanded her to be thrown down out of the Window and he trod her under feet and the Dogs did eat the greatest part of her What was left he commanded to be buried because she was a Kings Daughter CHAP. X. After this Jehu sent Letters to Samaria where were kept seventy of Ahab's Sons requiring those that had the charge of 'em to bring their Heads to him on the morrow which was done So he slew all that remained of the House of Ahab at Jezreel he slew also forty two Princes the Kindred of Ahaziah As he was going to Samaria he met with Jonadab the Son of Rechab and took him up into his Charet saying Come see my Zeal for the Lord of Hosts So he came to Samaria and slew all that remained of Ahab there Then he gathered all the Worshipers and Prophets of Baal together upon pretence of offering a great Sacrifice to Baal and caus'd 'em all to be slain and burnt his Images and brake down his Temple But yet he practis'd the Idolatry of Jeroboam thâ— not of Ahab But for what he had done in executing Judgment on the House of Ahab God promis'd to continue his Seed on the Throne to the fourth Generation He reign'd twenty eight years over Israel in Samaria and then died and his Son Jehoahaz reign'd in his sted CHAP. XI Ahaziah being slain his Mother Athuliah usurps the Throne and slew all the Seed-Royal only one of them Joash was hid in some of the Chambers belonging to the Temple six years And in the seventh year Jehojada the High Priest brought him out and proclaimed him King Athaliah hearing a noise went to see what was the matter and spied Joash standing by a Pillar and the People about him rejoycing and cried out Treason Treason But Jehojada commanded and they laid hands on her and slew her Then Jehojada made a Covenant between the Lord and the King and the People that they should be the Lords People and between the King and the People Then they brake down the Monuments of Idolatry and slew the Priests of Baal and they brought the King down out of the House of the Lord and he sate upon the Throne of the Kings CHAP. XII It was in the seventh year of Jehu that Joash began to reign and he did right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehojada and caused the Temple to be repair'd But after Jehojada was dead the Princes came and flatter'd him and he harkned unto 'em and they fell to Idolatry again Whereupon the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah and he reproved 'em for their sins so the King commanded him to be ston'd and they ston'd him in the Court of the Lords House And when he died he said The Lord look upon it and requite it After this Hazael designing to come up against Jerusalem Joash took all the hallowed things and sent 'em to him and so he departed But the Servants of Joash conspired against him and slew him in the House of Millo and Amaziah his Son reigned in his sted CHAP. XIII In the three and twentieth year of Joash began Jehoahaz Son of Jehu to reign over Israelâ— and he followed the ways of Jeroboam so the Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the King of Syria and Jehoahaz besought the Lord and he gave them a Saviour Then he died and Joash his Son reigned in his sted who departed not from the sins of Jeroboam In his days Elisha fell sick and Joash came and wept over him saying O my Father my Father the Charets of Israel and the Horsemen thereof And Elisha bad him take his Bow and Arrows and shoot and he shot then Elisha told him he should smite the Syrians till he had consumed ' em Then he had him take the Arrows and smite upon the ground and so he did thrice And Elisha was angry because he smote but thrice
Samaria and took it and carried the People into Assyria for their Idolatry and other sins they had been guilty of and brought other from Babylon and other places to dwell in the Cities of Samaria But God sent Lions among 'em for their wickedness Then the King of Assyria sent a Priest to them to teach 'em how to serve the Lord. But they all served their own Gods and set up their Images in their High-Places So they served the Lord and their own Gods too and so continued to do CHAP. XVIII 2 Chron. 29. Hezekiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. He destroyed all the Monuments of Idolatry and brake in pieces the Brazen Serpent because the People burnt Incense to it He also opened the Doors of the Temple and brought in the Priests commanding 'em to sanctifie the House of the Lord which they did Then he gathered the Rulers together and offered Sacrifices according to the Law and prais'd the Lord with the Words of David and Asaph 2 Chron. 30. Then he sent Letters to all Israel and Judah and those of the twelve Tribes to come and keep the Passover at Jerusalem which he earnestly exhorted 'em to So they kept the Passover in the Second Month and because many did eat otherwise than was written Hezekiah pray'd for 'em and the Lord harkned to him and heal'd the people Then he encouraged the Levites to teach the people and perform their Duties and he gave to the Congregation a thousand Bullocks and seven thousand Sheep and the Princes gave 'em a thousand Bullocks and ten thousand Sheep So there was great Joy and the Priests blessed the people and their Prayer came up to Heaven 2 Chron. 31. Then they destroyed all the Monuments of Idolatry and so returned home Then he appointed the Priests and Levites to wait in their Courses and commanded the People to pay 'em all their dues which they chearfully did And he appointed Officers to dispose of the Titles And all this he did with sincerity and diligence So God was with him and prospered him Ch. 18.11 c. 2 Chron. 32. After this Sennacherib King of Assyria took several Cities of Judah then Hezekiah repaired the Walls of Jerusalem and encouraged the People saying With him is an Arm of Flesh but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battels Then Sennacherib besieged Lachish and Hezekiah sent to buy his peace with him and gave him all the Gold in the Lords House and in his own Treasury yet Sennacherib continued his Siege and sent a great Army against Jerusalem under the command of Rabshakeh who revil'd and blasphem'd the Lord as if he were not able to deliver them out of the hands of his Master He spake also to the people that they should not suffer themselves to be deluded by Hezekiah to hold out the Siege but to yield to him and they should enjoy their Lives and Fortunes But the people answered him not a word But some went to Hezekiah and told him what Rabshakeh had said CHAP. XIX When Hezekiah heard it he went into the House of the Lord and sent to Esay the Prophet to pray for ' em Then Esay bids 'em not to be afraid of his words for God would send a Blast upon him and cause him to return and fall in his own Land Then Sennacherib sent Messengers again to Hezekiah with Letters full of Blasphemy and Hezekiah spread the Letter before the Lord and pray'd to be delivered out of his Hand Then God sent Esay with a Message to Hezekiah to tell him that his Prayer was heard and that they should have occasion to despise Sennacherib and laugh him to scorn notwithstanding all his pride and boastings for he would turn him back by the way by which he came So that Night the Lord sent an Angel which slew an hundred fourscore and five thousand of the Assyrians Then Sennacherib returned with shame to his own Land and dwelt at Niniveh and as he was worshiping in the House of his God his two Sons slew him Thus God saved Hezekiah and Jerusalem and many brought Gifts to the Lord and Presents to Hezekiah and he was magnified in the sight of all Nations CHAP. XX. In those days Hezekiah fell sick of a mortal Disease and God sent Esay to him to bid him set his house in order for he should die Upon this Hezekiah prayed earnestly and wept Then God sent Esay again to tell him that he would heal him and add fifteen years to his Life and that he would defend and deliver the City and that he should lay a Cake of Figs on the Sore So he recovered and for a Sign that he should recover and go up to the House of the Lord within three days he caused the Shadow to go back ten degrees upon the Dial of Ahaz Then the King of Babylon sent Messengers and Presents to him to congratulate his Recovery wherewith he being puff'd up shew'd 'em all his Treasures Whereupon Esay was sent to him to tell him That all these things should be carried to Babylon and some of his Seed should be Eunuchs to the King of Babylon To which Ezekiah replied Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken So he died and Manasseh his Son succeeded him CHAP. XXI 2 Chron. 33. Manasseh did worse than all the Kings that were before him for he restored Idolatry built Altars for all the Host of Heaven in the Courts of the Lord's House used Enchantments dealt with familiar Spirits and shed abundance of innocent Blood wherefore the Lord threatned to wipe Jerusalem as a Man wipes a Dish and tells 'em he was bringing such Evils upon Jerusalem and Judah that whosoever hears it both his Ears shall tingle And accordingly the Captains of the King of Assyria took Manasseh and carried him to Babylon And in his Affliction he humbled himself greatly before God and prayed and he was intreated of him and brought him again unto Jerusalem Then he made a thorow Reformation and repaired the Altar and commanded the People to serve the Lord. He died and Ammon his Son succeeded him He did evil as his Father had done but did not humble himself like his Father but trespass'd more and more Then his Sons conspired against him and slew him in his own House and Josiah his Son reigned in his sted CHAP. XXII 2 Chron. 33. Josiah while he was young about sixteen years old began to seek after the God of David his Father and took care to have the Temple repair'd And as they were cleansing it Hilkiah the High Priest found the Original Copy of the Law written by Moses and sent it to the King who caus'd it to be read before him and was much affected with it especially with the threatnings against Idolatry and sent to Huldah a Prophetess to enquire of the Lord for him who answer'd That God would bring great Evils upon 'em for all their sins but
Companions for not worshiping the Image so Nebuchadnezzar sent for 'em to know whether they would worship it or no but they gave him a peremptory denyal whereupon in a great rage he commanded 'em to be cast into the Fiery Furnace But presently the King saw four Men walking in the Fiery Furnace without any hurt and the fourth look'd like a Divine Person Then he call'd 'em to come forth and they came out and not so much as the smell of fire had pass'd upon ' em Then Nebuchadnezzar made a Decree that none should dare to speak against this God and he promoted these persons CHAP. IV. Nebuchadnezzar dreamt another Dream which the Magicians could not interpret there he relates it to Daniel concerning a Tree which was commanded to be cut down only the Stump was to be left in the Earth which Daniel interprets of himself that he should be driven from among Men and feed amon the Beasts but at last his Understanding should return to him and he should be restor'd to his Kingdom again Which accordingly came to pass For walking in his Palace and admiring his own greatness there came a Voice from Heaven saying Thy Kingdom is departed from thee Whereupon he was driven from among Men and lived among the Beast till his Understanding returned to him and then he owned the Sovereignty and Dominion of God and did extol him and acknowledged That those that walk in pride he is able to abase CHAP. V. Belshazzar at a great Feast profaning the Vessels of the Temple by quaffing and carousing in 'em there was a hand appeared writing upon the Wall over against him whereat he was extremely appal'd and sends for the wise Men to read the Writing but none of 'em could do it Then the Queen-Mother informed him concerning Daniel who being sent for read the Writing to the King which contained his doom That his Kingdom should be taken from him and given to the Medes and Persians which was soon fulfilled for that Night he was slain and his Kingdom possessed by Darius the Mede CHAP. VI. This Darius advanc'd Daniel to be the prime Minister of State which the rest not brooking and envying him for since they could find no fault in his Administration they laid a Snare for him in matters of Religion which was thus They procure a Decree from the King that none should ask any Petition of any God or Man for thirty days but only of the King Then they watch't Daniel and finding that he prayed to God thrice a day they accuse him to the King at which the King was much griev'd and endeavour'd all he could to deliver him But they urg'd the Law and so he was cast into the Lion's Den. But the King could not sleep all Night but rose early and came to the Lions Den and called to Daniel who answer'd him That God had shut the Lions Mouths that they had done him no hurt Whereupon the King commanded him to be taken out of the Den and his Accusers to be cast into it and made an open acknowledgment That this God is the Living God and therefore commanded all to tremble and fear before him JONAH CHAP. I. JOnah being commanded to preach against Nineveh flies to Tarshish but God sent a Storm after him which continuing the Mariners cast Lots to find out who was the cause of it and the Lot fell upon Jonah Then he confess'd he fled from the presence of God and bad 'em cast him over-board and the Storm should cease which tho they were very unwilling to yet at last were feign to do it and then the Storm ceas'd but a Fish swallow'd Jonah and he was three days and nights in the Fishes Belly CHAP. II. Then he prayed to God in the Fishes Belly and God caus'd the Fish to vomit him up upon dry Land CHAP. III. Then God sends him again to Nineveh and he went and proclaimed Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed Whereupon they sasted and prayed and turn'd from their evil ways and God repented of the evil he threatned 'em with CHAP. IV. Whereat Jonah was angry as making him a false Prophet and in a pet desires to die God to convince him of his foolish impatience caused a Gourd to spring up which shelter'd him from the heat of the Sun but afterwards caus'd it to wither Then Jonah was angry again but God replied If thou hadst pity upon the Gourd much more should I have pity upon Nineveh wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that can't distinguish between their right hand their left The Evangelical History 1 Luke 1. AS Zachary a Priest was ministring in the Temple an Angel appears to him and tells him he should have a Son called John who should be great in the sight of the Lord which he not believing is stricken dumb Six Months after his Wife had conceived the Angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary to tell her That by the Power of the Holy Ghost she should conceive and bring forth a Son whose Name should be Jesus After this Mary went to visit her Cosen Elizabeth the Wife of Zachary and assoon as Elizabeth heard Mary's Salutation the Babe leapt in her Womb and both of 'em prophecied concerning Christ When Elizabeth's time was come she brought forth a Son and his Father named him John and then he was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophecyed both concerning Christ and John 2 Matth. 1. Mary being found with Child her Husband Joseph to whom she was espous'd had thoughts of putting her away but he was warn'd in a Dream to take her to him she being with Child by the Holy Ghost and told that she should bring forth a Son who should be called Jesus 3 Luke 2. So Joseph and Mary being brought to Bethlehem by reason of the Taxing imposed by Augustus she was there delivered of a Son whom she laid in a Manger there being no room in the Inn the news whereof was told by an Angel to the Shepherds watching their Flocks by Night and a multitude of the Heavenly Host were there also praising God and saying Glory to God on the highest on earth peace and good will towards men Upon this the Shepherds went to Bethlehem and found it as it was told them and they returned glorifying and praising God When the Child was eight days old he was circumcized and named Jesus And when the days of his Mothers Purification were accomplish'd they presented him to the Lord as the First-born At that instant came Simeon and Anna to the Temple and prophecied concerning him 4 Matth. 2. About the time of his Birth some wise Men of the East seeing his Star came to Jerusalem and enquired for him that they might worship him at which Herod was startled and sent them privately to find out where he was they being guided by the Star went to the House and worship'd him and presented him and then returned back another way which Herod being
Buyers and Sellers out of it then went over the City for their impenitence and the destruction coming upon 'em by reason thereof 52 Joh. 12. Some Gretians desire to see Jesus whereupon he foretels his Death and the efficacy of it and earnestly exhorts 'em to a confession of him 53 Mat. 21. Jesus seeing a Fig-tree and finding only Leaves upon it curses it so it presently wither'd away whereupon he declares to his Disciples the power of Faith By the Parable of the two Sons he draws 'em to pass Sentence against themselves for their disobedience notwithstanding their profession of obedience and by the Parable of the Vineyard let out to Husbandmen and their slaying those that were sent to receive the Fruits thereof he shews the obstinate impenitency of the Jews notwithstanding all means for which God will destroy their Church and Common-wealth and set up a Church among the Gentiles 54 Mat. 22. By the Parable of the Marriage Feast for the King's Son and one that came without a Wedding-Garment he shews the rejection of the Jewish Nation for their refusal of the Gospel and the danger of making profession of the Gospel without a holy conversation He shews that Tribute ought to be paid to Cesar by the Mony which was currant among 'em that had his Superscription upon it He confuted the Sadduces who deny the Resurrection by that place of Moses where God said I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. He declares unto a Lawyer That the Love of God and our Neighbour is the substance both of the first and second Table and poses the Pharisees with that difficulty concerning the Messiah how David could call him Lord seeing he is his Son 55 Mat. 23. Then he admonishes the People to follow the good Doctrin not the evil Example of the Scribes and Pharisees and to beware of their Ambition He denounces many Woes against them for their Hypocrisie and Blindness and foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple and the great Calamities that shall befall the Nation about that time and thereupon takes occasion to speak of the last Judgment and the security of the World before that time and therefore exhorts 'em to watch 56 Mat. 25. By the Parable of the ten Virgins he further presses 'em to Watchfulness and by the Parable of the Talents to a careful improvement of their Gifts and Opportunities Then describes the Process of the last Judgment 57 John 13. A little before his Sufferings he washes his Disciples Feer thereby to teach 'em Humility foretels and discovers to John by a token that Judas should betray him commands 'em to love one another and forewarns Peter of his Denyal 58 Mat. 26. Luke 22. The time of the Passover drawing nigh the Rulers consult how to take Jesus by subtilty and put him to death Then Salâ— entred into Judas-Iscariot and he went and agreed to deliver him to 'em for thirty pieces of Silver The time being come for the Passover Jesus sends his Disciples to prepare it for ' em 59 Joh. 14. Then he comforts 'em against his Departure from ' em 60 Mat. 26. Luke 22. Then he eats the Passover with 'em and at the end of it institutes the Sacrament of his Body and Blood 61 John 15. Declares himself to be the true Vine 62 John 16. Comforts 'em against Tribulation by the Promise of the Holy Ghost and by his Resurrection and Ascension Assures 'em that their Prayers made in his Name are acceptable to his Father and promises 'em peace in himself tho they have Tribulation in the World 63 Joh. 17. Then he offers up his mediatory Prayer wherein he prays to his Father to glorifie him to preserve his Apostles in Unity and Truth to glorifie them and all other Believers with him in Heaven 64 Mat. 26. Then he came to Gethsemane and bad his Disciples pray that they might not enter into temptation Then his Soul was exceeding sorrowful unto Death and he prayed that if it were possible that Cup of Sufferings might pass from him yet with resignation and submission to his Father 's Will. Then an Angel came to him to strengthen him he being in an Agony and sweating drops of Blood But his Disciples were asleep twice one time after another for which he gently reprov'd 'em and made an excuse for ' em Then came Judas with the Officers to apprehend him to whom when he said I am he they all fell down to the ground but being rison again Judas came to him and kiss'd him so they laid hold on him whereupon Peter drew his Sword and cut off Malcus's Ear but Christ healed it and bad Peter put up his Sword Then all the Disciples forsook him and fled Then the Officers bound him and led him to the High Priest and Peter follow'd ' em Then they suborned false Witnesses against him and condemned him to be guilty of death Then they smote him spit on his Face and derided him Mean while Peter being charg'd to be one of his Followers denied it and denied it a second time with an Oath and being charged again he began to curse and swear saying I know not the man whereupon the Cock crew and Peter went out and wept bitterly 65 Mat. 27. When the Morning was come they deliver'd him to Pontius Pilate the Governor and accused him of Sedition and Treason yet Pilate justified him and said I find no sault in this man at all But still they accused him the more fiercely and Pilate sent him to Herod who question'd with him about many things but he answered him nothing at all whereupon Herod with his Men of War mock'd him and sent him again to Pilate who would have releas'd him because he knew that for envy they had deliver'd him and his Wife sent unto him not to meddle with him but at last through their importunity he scourg'd him and deliver'd him to be crucified Then they put on him a Scarlet Robe and a Crown of Thorns and a Reed in his Hand in derision of his Kingship When Judas saw that he was condemned to death he repented and went and hang'd himself Then they led him away to be crucified and compell'd one to carry his Cross and when they came to Golgotha they crucified him at the third hour and set up this Writing over him THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS Then many of the People revil'd him and the Rulers derided him and the Soldiers mock't him and one of the Malefactors rail'd on him for which the other reprov'd him and made an open confession of him saying Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom At the sixth hour there was darkness all over the Land and at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud Voice Eli Eli Iama Sabacthani After that the said It is finish'd and crying again with a
only the Baptism of John he was instructed more fully by Aquila and Priscilla CHAP. XIX Paul at Ephesus gave the Holy Ghost by laying on his Hands and preach'd and wrought many Miracles there for the space of two years so that the word of God prevailed mightily and some that used curious Arts burnt their Books of a great value Demetrius for fear of losing his Trade of making Silver Shrines for Diana rais'd an Uproar against Paul which the Town-Clerk appeas'd and dismiss'd the Assembly CHAP. XX. After which Paul came to Troas where on the first day of the Week he celebrated the Lords Supper and preach'd till midnight so that Euticus being fallen asleep fell down three Stories and was taken up for dead but Paul raised him up to Life again At Miletus he sent for the Elders of the Church of Ephesus to whom he recommended the care of the Flock of which the Holy Ghost had made them Overseers and commended 'em to the Grace of God and so departed CHAP. XXI At Cesarea Agabus a Prophet foretels how Paul should be bound at Jerusalem whereupon the Brethren dissuade him from going thither but he declar'd his readiness not only to be bound but to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus When he came to Jerusalem he declar'd to James and the Elders the success of his Ministry among the Gentiles who rejoyced at it and advis'd him to purifie himself according to the Law that the Jews might see he was not such an Enemy to the Law as he was represented to be So he went to the Temple and offer'd as the Law requir'd but the Jews finding him there seized him and went about to kill him but he was rescu'd by the chief Captain and carried into the Castle who gave him leave to speak unto the People CHAP. XXII So Paul gave 'em a large account of the manner of his Conversation and calling to the Apostleship but they were much exasperated against him and the chief Captain commanded him to be examined by scourging but he claiming the priviledg of a Roman is set at liberty and the Jewish Senate are commanded to appear before the Captain that he might know what they had to charge him withal CHAP. XXIII Paul pleading his Cause before them the High Priest commands him to be smitten for which Paul threatens him At last they fall a quarrelling among themselves and the Captain commanded him to be brought away for fear they should do him some mischief and brought him to the Castle The next day some of the Jews conspir'd against Paul to kill him which being discover'd to the chief Captain he sent him away presently to Felix the Governor CHAP. XXIV Shortly after the High Priest and Elders went down to Cesarea to complain of Paul and Tertullus charged him as a seditious Person but Paul denied the Charge and vindicated both his Doctrin and Life So Felix deferr'd the determination of it and in the mean while sent for Paul and hearing him preach concerning Righteousness Temperance and Judgment he trembled and dismiss'd him for the present and left him bound when he was put out of his place and Festus put in CHAP. XXV Festus being made Governor of the Jews charged Paul with many and grievous things all which Paul denied Then Festus ask'd him Whether he 'd go up to Jerusalem and be judged there concerning these things then Paul appeal'd to Cesar After which King Agrippa came to complement Festus to whom Festus related Paul's Case whereupon Agrippa was desirous to hear him himself so on the morrow Festus commanded him to be brought forth CHAP. XXVI Then Paul related to Agrippa the manner of his Life and Conversation and how he was called to the Apostleship whereupon Festus charg'd him that he was mad but he appeal'd to Agrippa for the truth of what he said and almost persuaded him to be a Christian Then upon consultation among themselves they conclude he had done nothing worthy of Death or of Bonds CHAP. XXVII Paul having appeal'd to Cesar is sent to Rome but he foretold the danger of the Voyage and accordingly they met with a great Storm but God gave unto Paul the Lives of all that were with him in the Ship so tho they suffer'd Shipwrack yet they scap'd all safe to shore CHAP. XXVIII The Island upon which they were cast was Melita where the Inhabitants were very courteous to them and seeing a Viper fasten upon Paul's hand and that he shuck it off into the Fire without any hurt ensuing to him they thought he was a God Afterwards he healed the Governors Father and many others in the Island Then they sailed from thence and at last came to Rome where he called for the Jews and gave 'em an account of his Appeal and at a time appointed he preach'd Christ and the Gospel to 'em and so he continued two years preaching to all that came to him and no man forbidding him THE END The Distance of the Author from the Press has occasioned the following ERRATA Page 5. line 1. for X. XI r. XI v. 10 p. 14. l. 2. for Dinah r. God p. 36. Lev. X. l. 4. after Drink add Wine p. 69. Ruth 1. l. 8. for with her two Daughters r. with Ruth her Daughter Some other small Errors possibly have escaped which the Reader is desired to correct ADVERTISEMENT THere is newly Published The Holy Bible containing the Old Testament and the New with Annotations and Parallel Scriptures To which is annex'd the Harmony of the Gospels As also a Reduction of the Jewish Weights Coins and Measures to our English Standards And a Table of the Promises in Scripture By Samuel Clark Printed for R. Chiswel and J. Robinson in St. Paul's Church-yard and B. Aylmer at the Three Pigeons against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill