Altars weeds of the curse Gen. 3. And then they cried to the mountains to fall on them and to the hills to conver them Let England look to their backsliding to Altars Hosea 10. To thrust away the Gospel by mans inventions is to make our houses as well as Gods house desolate and so our Lord tells the Jewes Mat. 23.38 Judah and Israel dashed themselves against the Corner stone and were broken 9. Quest and Answ For her revoltings Idolatry is a State-ruining sin Psalm 106.36 the prayers of the Saints could not prevail for their reigning idolatry and false worship Jer. 15. 16. Ezek. 14. King Moses by his most fervent intercession and abolishing idolatry procured pardon but note in that false worship there was no innocent bloudshed Idolatry divides the heart from Christ and subjects it willingly to follow the commandements of men and of the man of sin Jeâ—oboam should see such events of apostasie that they should fret and and curse their King and their Gods that is the false religion they so pressed and see neither help from heaven nor earth but all full of anguish and darkness Esa 8.21 22. Hos 9.6 10.8 Deut. 28.34 65 66 67. Their State-politicians could not prevent nor their State Surgeons heal the wounds that God made in their State The wisdome and turning of devices of the wise and prudent Counsellors of State was booteless all was but the weaving of the Spiders Webb Esay 29.15 59 5. Jer. 30.12 Hoses 5. all of it They sinned against Jehovah the hope of their Fathers Ier. 50.7 Iob 12.17 18 19 20. To backsliding and adulterous Israel Christ her Lord gave a Bill of divorce and put her away yet Iudah her sister being also treacherous feared not but went and plaid the harlot also Ier. 3.7 8. The mindes of these two sisters were alienated from Christ and so his minde at last was alienated from them read Ezek. 23. Ibid. And affinity with the Harlot Aholah Mark State affairs in Iudah They saw Omâ—i was a mighty Prince overcoming Zimri and Tibni who stood in competition with him for the Kingdome of Israel and that Achab possessed all in peace that his Father Omri had settled Iehosophat thought it good state-policie to make affinitie with him although he followed Ieroboam-man of sin his Religion but it was the ruin and almost the rooting out of his house c. for mark first Iehosaphat being in his visits with Achab was solicited for association in a league for War to which with reluctation he yielded For he might not in Court courtesie shew himself so weak and discrepant to think that four hundred prophets were so to be slighted as to follow the humour of one singular self-willed refractorious fellow Michaiah So he went with his Brothet Achab to battel to Ramoth Gilead but there he was in danger of his life Jehosophat although a goodman yet in that no good Statesman to weaken Iudah to help these with men and all ammunition although circumcised Israelites that hated the Gospel He was reproved and wrath was upon him a Chron. 19 2. He joyned with Achaziah of Achab in a Navy to go to sea for gold but Christ was displeased with it and plagued Jehoshaphat in that the ships were broken so that project took not 2 Chron. 20. Psal 8. ult 3. Joram Jehosaphats son who married Achabs daughter after his fathers death forsook the Gospel and followed Jeroboams Religion the two Devils of Dan and Bethâ—l and caused Jerusalem and compelled Iudah to commit fornication to worship Devils 2 Chron. 21. 2 Kings 8.18 All worship what Christ hath not commanded is the worship of Devils Levit. 10. and 17.7 Psal 106.39 1 Cor. 10. All their projects of State must justifie that affinity els all the provisions in Law against Ieroboams revolt had been a reprof to Achabs daughter so her faction prevailed for the corrupting the calling on the name of Jehovah as of old Satans project was Gen 4.26 conferred with chap. 6. and this seed of false worship sowed in Iudah did gâ—ow to an evil harvest Hos 6.11 And did stick so fast that it could not be weeded out for 180 years till the dayes of Hezekiah King of Iudah for the businesses of their State were agitated according to the modells and plots of Omri that maintained the faction of Ieroboam man of sin his Religion as Micah challenged the State in Achaz his days that the Statutes of Omri were kept and their way and their counsells Behold the working of that affinity But Hezekiah that good King made reformation according to the primitive institution 2 Chron. 28.2 2 Kin. 16.3 and 17.19 yet Manasse fell again to Achabs idolatry so fast false worship cleaves to our nature 4. This Joram after his fathers death as Turks now do killed his six brethren and many Princes very like his brethren and the Princes did dislike and protest against his courses about idolatry and tyranny and had no heart to the faction of Ieroboam man of sin his Religion therefore the Queen and her Counsellors might say to the King An 't like your Majesty you can never be in safety and rule as King while your brethren have fenced Cities and while the Princes do not approve your proceedings frame mischief by a Law and off with their heads 2 Chron. 21. Psal 94.20 Now Davids house are Belial and thorns 2 Sam 23. Mark here false worship inttroduced then the liberties and priviledges of the subjects are invaded That Subjects might not so much mind Apostacy in their Princes means were excogitated to busie them by rumours of this and that project and also for their particular estates till false Religion had gotten footing this is the very heart and counsell of apostate and idolatrous Princes 5. Ioram lost the regency and principality of Edom 2 Chron. 21. 6. Libnah one of the prime Cities of Judah rebelled because he forsook the Religion of Jehovah that is in very deed the Gospel of the Son of God the God of his fathers 2 Chron. 21. when the Magistrate thrusts out the Gospel then Christ divides the hearts of the people Apostacie in the Prince breeds Apostacie in the subjects Christ pours contempt upon Princes Ps 107.40 7. The Lord Jehovah stirred up the spirit of the Philistims Arabians and Cuâ—him who invaded Judah and took much spoil even out of the Kings house and captived his wives and all his sons save one 2 Chr. 21. Deut. 28.30 31 41. oppressions filled their Exchequers but the enemies emptied them he poureth contempt upon Princes Job 12 21. 8. He died of a rotting disease in his bowels that they fell out because he slew his own bowels worse befell not that persecutor Antiochus 2 Mic. 9. Riches avail not in the day of wrath but righteousnesse delivereth from death the like plague came on that bloody tyrant Herod Acts 12.23 9. He was not esteemed worthy of honourable buriall as his noble predecessors the land being
that sheweth the Pontificality revived the wounded head of the Caesarian Pontifex Quest 13 and Answer what is meant by the ten horns of the spotted beast Ten Tribes followed Ieroboam the Man of Sin Ten Kingdomes followed King Abaddon the Man of Sinne Ten Tribes rebelled against the Kingdome of David and the Religion of the Temple Ten Kingdomes under the Papacy despised the Kingdome of the Son of David and the holy Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Steuchus a mysticall Babylonian recordeth the Kingdomes of Europe that gave their power to the Beast 1. Spain and Portugall 2. Hungaria 3. Great Brittany 4. Denmark 5. Râ—ssia 6. Croatia and Dalmatia 7. Arragon 8 â—ohenna 9. Suevia and Nornegia 10. Dacia These paid Tribute to the Pope Quest 14. and answ By mystiall allusions to Countries and Cities to Sodome for filthinesse no sin so vile but it reigns in an Apostate Church so it reigns in Abolah and Aholibab Ezek. 23. are said to do worse than the heathens before them to transcend in excesse of impieties Sodom and Gomorrba The apostate State of King Abaddon became the mother of Harlots and all abominations of the earth Christ his holy Gospel is cords and bands post and rail to mans corrupt nature but that taken away men do degenerate into all profanesse Ibid. That our Lord was crucified As long as we protest in the Symbolon of our faith that the eternal Son the Lord of glory was crucified by Pontius Pilate Rome must be held accursedâ— The Pontificality doth not take away the curse but continues it because it revived the wounded head and doth as it did persecuring Christ in his witnesses Them that keep the Commandements of God and the faith of JESUS CHRIST Ibid. called Sodome and Egypt The former be stamps of the latter it is said I am Iehovah thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage This is a Preface to all the Commandements so the same must be a reason to all the Israel of God to walk with God for bringing us out of Rome-Egypt out of that house of cruell bondage Look what cause Lot had to be thankfull for saving him from Sodoms destruction such cause have we for being delivered from Rome-Sodome and what cause of thankfulinesse and praise Israel had for deliverance from Egypt and Babylon such have we for that great and marvellous deliverance from Rome-Egypt and Rome Babilon All those Psalms of praise wherein deliverance from Egypt is mentioned must be sang of us for Rome-Egypt and the holy Spirit teacheth us so to do Apoc 15.3 19.1 All the faithfull under the new Testament are the Israel of God Gal. 6 Note this by the way if we under the new Testament are under a Covenant of grace then was Israel of old under a Covenant of grace for we fing their songs Observe the note in chap. and page infra Again consider is Rome called Egypt What shame should cover those apostate mouths and faces that say there is little or no difference and an easie reconciliation may be made between the faith of the Church of England and the Romane What an apostaticall slander is that to our Vine and vine-dressers that our God brought forth of mysticall Egypt yea to our Princes and Parliament in all their Statutes that they made against the people of that cursed religion when as manifest a difference God hath made as of old he did between old Egypt and Israel Exod. 8.22 23. and 10 23. c. as the RR FF D.D. D. Jewel D. Abbot D. Fulk D. Carlton D. Reynolds D. â—â—hitakers Mr. Perkins and all our worthies have demonstrated See also Mr. white way to the true Church who wrote most whitely the Epistle dedicatory and the Epistle to the Render But very like none of all these neither Princes nor Parliaments Books of Controversies Teachers and Laws understood what is Popery properly so called as Bishop Lawa saith in a book of his But for all their plotting the old enmity shall never be reconciled while light and darknesse continue God hath put the enmity Gen. 3.15 What will ye reconcile the Kingdome of Christ and the Kingdome of Abaddon of Satans darknesse goodly dayes men thou thinkest saith God that I am like to thee Psal 50. These umpires forsooth will make Christ yeeld something yea any thing on his part and the false Lamb must yeeld something on his part and so our Atheisticall hearts think a good end is made There was a time when our Laud said No peace with Rome What a spirit of slumber and giddinesse hath covered our Seers Christ was angry of old for these sins of his sons and of his daughters halting between two opinions And thirdly is Rome called Egypt then the Magistrate must not bring the people of Israel back to Egypt nor go to Egypt for horses or any help Deut. 17. Accursed be their project that by fair speeches and plausible pretenses but indeed speaking lies through hypocrisie do insinuare to corrupt the breasts of Princes to reduce their people into Rome-Egypts bondage Judah is blamed for these projects Isa 30. 31. Most of the stories of old Egypt and Babylon must mind us of their allusions Note two things 1. Israel doted on the Egyptians and Babylonians their lovers traversing projects with them Jer. 2. Ezeck 16. But Christ befooled their doings that these nations were their plague and ruine 2. A deal of profanenesse oppression and much wickednesse they brought from Babel as Ezra Nehemiah and Zachary do shew Let all true English hearts that love Christ and his Gospel and their native Countrey greatly humble their souls and pray that the Ephah of wickednesse Zac. 5.6 may be carried unto its own place into the Land of mysticall Babylon O heavens be astonied at our 2 evils Ah Lord God what iniquity do we find in thee what iniquity is in thy ordinances thy commandements thy Gospel thy true Christian servants all which now are reputed vile mean and as anathema but thou hast not been to us in these a wildernesse or a Land of darknesse but a God of glory riches honour plenty victory and protection from those accursed of that cursed Religion of the breaden God O unthankfull Nation Let our souls weep in secret Quest 15. N. 1. Antichrist And what if the title Antichrist â—e not totidem literis attributed to the Pontificality yet if the other titles are to be applied to it then this is truly predicated of that Corporation must not he be the Antichrist can we think a worse to come for persecuting them that held the testimony of JESUS and for cleaving to the word of God Apocalips chap. 13.12 Ibid. N. 2. I am a God on earth Like the proud Prince of Tyrus Ezek. 28 2. But that Tyrian God was not a God but a man in the hand of him that killed him The holy Spirit hath phrases from Tyrus its destruction to shew how the Lord
Earth had haile and fire mixed with bloud cast into it which metaphoricaly importeth stormy fiery and bloudy contentions which Church-men were full of from Constantines times about Pâ—â—ority â—nd JESUS Christ his alone mediation waâ— neglected this made the profession of christianity to be full of Hypocrisie and ful of coldnesse in the pure worships among people thereby love to the truth waxing cold the people began to be given over unto fables c. for when B.B. Unlearned Schollars turned all to ambition and heresie to politicians to propsenenesse strove for superiority then Monachi fel to idlenesse and to extol Saints and Angels c and to hate painfull and orthodox Schollers as Athanasius Chrisoslome Basil c. In like sort from the first Phiall most greivous Ulcers and Boyles of State are powred upon the Popish Earth The plague of old Egypt is upon the mindes of Papists his Jannes'es and his Jambres'es namely on their seduced ones that resisteth the truth after the LAMBS appearing on Mount Sion with his 144000 attending on him in the fourteenth Century but more in the fifteenth SECT 2. The second Trumpet and second Phiall UNder the second Trumpet the Mystery of Iniquity still increasing towards the sixth Centry Ecclesiasticks never ceased affecting superiority and the spirituall supremacy one of the greatest Heresies that they became a Mountaine but not as yet come to his full growth of fire cast into the Sea of Nations burning and throwing out sulphurious and bloudy matter of contention by heresies errors Ceremonies c. every where so that true Religion was burned up greatly both in Magistrates and men of place and in ordinary Christians and in Teachers compared to ships This was a further degree of misery to the Church more then the first Trumpet warned to the quickning of the Beast In like sort under the scond Phiall the Sea of Nations namely the most potent Kingdome of King Abaddon hath been and is within it self full of bloody commotions through diverse factions and sharp contentions which came out of the Phiall of Gods anger to consume the bowels of that viperous Hierarchy and holy Martyrs discovered that the whole Sea of Ordinances of their Religion was of no more soul nourishment then the putrified blood of the dead so that all became his marked were like the dead Sea Asphaltes being full of hypocrisie trusting in bodily exercise idolatry sorceries idlenesse murthers pride covetousnesse filthy lusts c. This also was a great plague to the King of Locusts and to his Locusts The conscionable study of the holy Text from the Hebrew and Greek Testaments was much neglected by flothfull contempt and onely translations from translations were used with us bred uncertainty and it bred disdain and it bred blindnesse and it bred contempt of Christ and at last it bred rejection to Machomed and to the man of sin Locusts went from all professions as Franciscans Dominicans Carmelities Priests Levites c. SECT 3. The third Trumpet and third Phial 3. UNder the third Trumpet a great star fell from the heaven of the Church which denoteth an apostasie of many learned men and they became wormwood and each one to strengthen his Faction made bitter by false and bad expositions the sweet fountains and waters of holy Scripture so that a third part of their Church became dead in all abominations and through much addition of heathenish Customes They instead of being comfortable and clear lights were but stinking torch lights and full of contentions which caused much innocent blood to be shed This did further help on to the three Woes of great misery that were yet to come on the world So in like sort the third Phial pours out wrath upon the Papal fountains and and Rivers their canons decretalls cathedrall Expositions Monastick studies all their divine Services as they called them c. Also their feigned reliques Papal dispensations Papal indulgences hallowed amulets holy Shrines c. c. all which were rivers from their Sea to conveigh and transport maintenance and glory to their glorious Monarchy of the King of Locusts King Abaddon All these things by this Phial were made known to be but rotten dotages lying sables This bred effusion of much blood in all countries from their Princes Shipmen and their people which also in all occasions as rivers and fountains did shew their Subsidious relation to the great Pontifician Sea by all endeavours but especially in that their Princes were then Carnifices the executioners of the Papal Breves and determinations c. against the Saints and Prophets Now these from the just judgement of God do drink blood measure for measure by the Princes Teachers and people that fall from the Papacy God is unchangeable in his justice on the Cains of the earth from the blood of Abel the righteous to this day as he was so he is and will be still the same Our native countrey chiefly did pour out this phiall in wickliffes dayes bur more in K. H 8. and K. E. 6. and Q.E. and K.J. And Luther and others did it in Germany SECT 4. The fourth Trumpet and fourth Phial 4. UNder the fourth Trumpet the apostate churches not being warned by the three former Trumpets the fourth sounded a further degree of apostasie that sad and dark evils of most grievous blindenesse and ignorance should be in the Church yet in these times Christ that restrains apostasie had his two Witnesses that a third part of Sun Moon and Stars were smitten with the day and the night Jacob expoundeth Sun Moon and Stars to be his Church Learned men and Scholars greatly fell away that the Mountain of fire came to a further greatnesse and more burned in the world In like sort under the fourth Phial a great part of Apolluons Sunglorious universality and by Synechdoche all his inferiour glories is smitten by the godly Witnesses as Elias smote Achabâ— Kingdom that brought it into a desperate burning feaver and as men so affected speak strange things so the Pseudo-Catholicks be in a great boiling heat torment and vexation because as it is seen in all Countreys more or less cast off Popery So that whereas they should have repented and glorified God for his inestimable mercy of the everlasting Gospel they fret as Moab and Balaam and utter great blasphemies SECT 5. Of the fifth Trumpet and siâ—st Wo and fifth Phial 5. IN the fifth Trumpet is shewed that the Beast Abyssigeâ—a when he with his Locusts crept out of the Pit of deep darknesse they conjured up with them a smoke of all former errours and heresies and heathenish customes that Christ the Son of Justice his Throne and Kingdome and his blessed Law the air by which we see him were darkned And also he with his Locusts set up a pompous throne exercising universal Supremacy in temporal and spiritual things like old Babel And so as old Babel is callâ—d a destroying Mountain so now Abaddon of mystical Babylon became a
for despising this our holy faith by which most heavy plague all the Families of the earth are in the bondage of Divels following atheâ—sme and abominable and lawlesse idolatries and it was this our God that brought up Israel out of the Land of Egypt and destroyed Pharaoh and his people with great plagues for despising this our holy Lord God and his people And your fore Fathers knew this and sent for Balaam the Inchanter to curse us in the Wildernesse and it was our God that saved our Fathers from Balaam and the King of Moab and as for the other King of Moah by whom our Nation was afflicted it was for falling to the idols of the Nations 5. I must warne you of a great errour whereas you say your Chemosh conquered the Emims for your Ancestors no such matter it was our mercifull God that destroyed those Giants and gave you their Land this our mighty Lord God did because your Father Lot loved our Father Abraham and did follow his faith and holy Religion and he did blesse our Father Abraham and God blessed him for this cause our God gave AR unto the Children of Lot for a possession And this you may read in our holy stories Deut. 2.9 And your God is a false God an idol but our Jehovah is the Eternall Lord God who made the Heavens and the Earth and a jealous God and will be very angry with us if I should grant in his Land any more Temples to be builded then his own And you cannot be ignorant of this nor your own kindred that our Eternall God is not such as your false Gods even all our Enemies being Judges and you have heard of these things by our Preists and Prophets and all my Court still have told you these things Therefore my Dear thou art much mistaken in all thy speaches and thou hast been instructed in an evill manner I have as you have heard spoken to you in an easy and milde frame of Language to persade thee therefore be advised by me if ever thou hope of comfort in the World to come Doe as your Father Lot did and doe as Ruth your faithfull and godly Countrey-woman did forget thy kindred and thy Fathers House and serve the Lord our God with a good heart Queen Although the King had thus brayed her as wheat with a pestill in a Morter yet her folly departed not from her But having this denyall tears fell from her eyes which bedewed her cheekes having her Handkercher in her hand with snubs of umphs and imphs fell at the Kings feet and further said Oh and it please my gracious Lord the King it is but to build a Chappell for me and my maids and some of my retainers which cannot fancy this worship of Israel I will promise your Majesty that not one of Israel shall come into our holy places King This may not be done it will be a snare unto my subjects to set up the abomination of Chemosh in Jehovahs Land I may not doe it Queen Oh why doth my gracious Lord call our Religion the abomination of Chemosh I assure your Majesty by the faith of a woman that there shall be dore-keepers that none of Israel shall come to have communion with us in our worships It is for my self and retinue and some of mine own Nation as they have occasion to come and see me in their visits King I may not I may not doe it I pray thee talk no more of this matter Queen Ymph umph tears And thus shee is dismissed and departs the presence of the King But yet another time assaults the King and sends an honorable personage her Brother before hand a notable insinuating crafty instrument who on a time came to Salomons Court and having seen and heard an excellent consort of musick of Instruments of all sorts as also the voices of singing men and singing woemen which he admired and praised and extolled the King as if all had been of his invention Kings and Princes when they came to Salomon would bring their Phisitians and their learned men with them and they would gather into writing much of Salomons speach of naturall philosophy c. also he magnified the King for his excellent endowments in contriving his plots for buildings and his wisdome in naturall philosophy and his rare gift in song and his wonderfull instinct to speake of the natures viâ—tures and effects of Trees Shrubs and Herbs of fowls beasts fishes and creeping things c. And that all Princes of the Earth that come to visit your Majesty and bring their Physicians with them will carry notes and writings home with them that shall stand all ages and people in great stead for ever And as for your Religion in worshipping Jehovah in his holy Temple he is the great God and above all Gods and all your performances are glorious But yet other Nations have much joy content and comfort every Nation in serving their own Gods For they cannot be perswaded to embrace your devotions as too strickt and rigid you may not add any thing to what your God commands nor take away any thing he forbids But we may add any thing as just occasion calls for and sometimes take away what was not so fitting which things are rational to all Nations for what is it but may be amended Yea I have heard of your Preists Prophets and learned men that there will be a great alteration in your Religion after some certaine time that all this service that you doe shall be ended as if it had never been for they doe say there shall be another manner of Kingdome Preists and Temple and Sacrifices and Worships These things considered is it not an hard thing to peâ—swade your bordering Princes to embrace your Religion which shall have such a great change among your selves and therefore they may well think it is more rational to hold their own then to be of yours seeing your own selves say it shall be changâ—d and therefore they suppose their worships shall continne as long as yours for if we go to Kittim Kedar Chaldea Ashur Ammon Egypt c. what Gods they have they ever had they change not and they think greater glory honor wealth prosperity and victories should not befall them if they should embrace your God for they all know that Israel hath had heavy pressures of famine wars and pestilence under your God yea of late years in the reign of the noble and royall King David your Father and it is not likely that such mighty Nations wise and politick should be all deceived in their worships and yours onely good and perfect And so these causes it is that those honorable woemen that your royall Majesty hath taken into so near society to your selfe and into your most honorable Court cannot be drawn to your Religion and among the rest my most honored and noble Sister your sacred Majesties consort to whom you have manifested much love and respect
wonder at the great respect and love that my Sovereign Lord doth manifest to me hi hand-maid that he should afford such his amiable society I doe perceiv your most ardent and indeared love to me above any of your honorable weomen your kind and fervent desire towards me though most unworthy hath fired my heart towards your sacred Majesty I am your Servant and at your Graces command and so ever will be to perform all loyall and dutifull observance I would I were able to expresse the fervency of my heart unto my Sovereign Lord and seeing it hath pleased the King so royally to manifest himselfe I hope I may present and importune my foâ—mer humble request unto my Lord my gracious Sovereign for the building of a Chappell for my maids and my Houshold Servants and Attendants it shall not be so much for my selfe as for them whom I humbly confesse are not worthy to come into the confines of Jerusalem your holy City 1 Chr. 8.11 much lesse into the Palaces of Zion the City of David your Father your love is so great unto me which if I should distrust I should most highly offend For I know you hate Atheisme and as it is an abomination unto you it greives my heart that I have no place of devotion to resort unto when all the Ladies of Israel may resort unto your Temple and I and my maids sit moping at home all amort as they worship their God so would I serve my God the God of my Father And shee gave the King a gentle stroke on the breast and said my noble consort my Sovereign my â—oyall Lord I know I have your heart I know you love me and what shall or can be wanting from a loving heart c. c. And the King being ravished with her love and with such words sweeter then honey softer then oyl and all subtle flatteries and after some discourse the King was captivated with her dalliance and snared with her devilish devices and her hands were as bands she perswaded him shee enticed him and forced him to yeild that shee had his license to build a Temple on Mount Olivet to Chemosh the Devil the idol the abomination of Moab Now the Queen and her Attendants followed their businesses with diligence they slacked no time Masons and Carpenters are sent for to hew Stone and to square and saw Timber and so an high place was builded on the Mount of coâ—ruption which did give a most vile affront to CHRISTS holy Templâ— for they could over-look all Jerusalem from Mount Olivet When King Salomon was thus caught by this Lady of Moab then all the other strange wives might thus prattle and they plyed their businesses diligently and used all their agents men and woemen as there ever are in Kings Courts too many time servers and hypocrites for such projects and negotiations And things went so ill in the State that not one of his thousand Wives and Concubines would disswade the King if halfe the World were a Church a Troop or squadron of a thousand of such creatures if suffered would overturn all these were so pampered with pride ease wantonnesse and fulnesse of bread that no holy Doctrine could take with them but rather the Jedidiah the precious servant of the Lord was taken and snared and corrupted by their pleasing and insinuating incantations Those thousand wretches could not spend so little each of them with their Maids and Attendants as seven hundred or eight hundred pounds per annum and some of them would consume more like the Locusts Apoc. 9. fruges consumere nati And the charges in Building thir Temples was great All these expenses might amount unto eight hundred thousand pounds per annum if not to a million an excessive charge which very likely the subjects stumbled at and after Salomons death craved ease of taxations of Rechoboam They would not take it ill to build stronge Cities and Chariot-Cities and Store-Cities c. that charge was for the profit of the Common-Weal But to be at such rates excises and taxations for the maintenance of such a number of base creatures the subject was not able to bear and craved release of such oppressions Common-Weals should have a diligent inspection that rates and taxations collected for the common profit be not imployed by men to private interests to make great purchases to maintain themselves wives and children and flattring Attendants in pride idlenesse and luxury Such coveteousnesse selfe-love and loving of pleasures more then lovâ—rs of God will breed perilous times and undoe all The Son of God to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power who is King in Sion and the onely Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords he knows how as we have seen to put fire into Subjects hearts to destroy oppressours Anâ— let Rulers and Governours consider all the Chariot-cities â—enced Cities and Store cities which Salomon had repaired fortified and furnished with all provisions and ammunitions in the ten Tribes and in part of Benjamin all this fell to Jeroboom in one day 1 King 9. Thiâ— was a punishment to the Kingdome for Salomons transgression in toleration of false Religions and bad opinions And observe also the story of Gideon He was a man of no great estimation and authority in the Tribe of Manasseh or among the thousands of Israel his was the meanest yet when the Son of God would advance him to do his work he made him Generall of Israels Common Weal and he by the Sword of Christ and his own Sword avenged the quarrell of Gods Covenant against the seed of the Serpent in many exploits upon which the people were so affected that they would have conferred on him and his posterity the Government of the State which he modestly and religiously denyed but his wicked opinion of will worship in making an Ephod to worship God by was the ruine of his house the cause of much trouble to the whole Common-Weal Jud. 6.15 8.27 ch 9. Wherefore let all States be admonished concerning toleration of wicked opinions in pretence of conscience especially of the papisticall opinions which draweth to the second death we must remember the whoredoms of the seven-Mountain City is a mistery and Christ hath said Mysticall Babylon shall fall and be cast as a mil-stone into the Sea and what State soever seeks by toleration to uphold it must sink with it undoubredly We have the providence of Christ fresh before our eyes how he hath resisted all cunning plots and wit of man to bring in Popery the toleration of Popery is a countermanding of Christs project for it is said the Kingdomes of the world shall be our Lord Gods and his Christs and he shall reign for ever Toleration of Popery doth uphold the King of Locusts Kingdome and the Lord JESUS saith he that gathereth not with me scattereth CHRIST saith come out of her my people and toleration hinders their coming The reverend Master Perkins
glad it was rid of such a Tyrant and Apostate He poureth contempt upon Princes 10. His son Achaziah knew all this yet he feared not God but walked in the way that is the Religion and manneâ—s of apostate Israel 2 Kin. 8.27 11. His idolatrous mother was his Counsellour and because there were not States-men wise enough in Judah the counsâ—llours of Jeroboam man of sin his Religion must be sent for and so the secrets and mysteries of State in Iudah must be discovered Ah poore Iudah how sick and intangled was thy State â— Châ—on 22 3 4. can such with well to and procure the weal of Mount Sion Psal 122. Apoâ— 14.1 12. As the two fathers so the two bâ—ethren joyned in league for Achaziah joined with Iehoram King of Israel in battel against Hâ—zael of Aram who held still Ramoth-Gilead so Achaziah being not onely a very wicked man but as bad a States-man wasted also the strength of Iudah 13. Achaziah going to visit Joram being sick was slain by Jehu as he was of the house of Achab by the mother so he perished with it 2 Chr. 22.6 7. Complices in tyranny and idolatry complices in punishment Hosh 5 5. 14. Many idolatrous Princes and 40 young Gentlemen and Courtiers of the kindred of Achaziah going down from Iudah to comple-mentit with the children of the King and Queen of Israel there Iehu found them and slew them These apostate Princes of the faction of Ierobâ—am man of sin his Religion and it may be pensioners too that put their hands to kill the good Princes God met with them by Iebu 2 Chron. 22. Let this teach Courtiers the eye of Christ is in Kings Courts 15. Athaliah the wife of Iehoram daughter of Achab and it may be of Iezabel being Queen Regent six years in Iudah seeing her son Achaziah was slain by Iebu she seiseth like a cruell tyrant on the children of her son Achaziah and slew all but a yong infant of a year old O sick Iudah sick sick sick 2 Chron. 22 Isa 1.5 6 7. 16. She being Regent governed in an idolatrous and turbulent manner to the hearts grief of the honest Subjects for she being King cut off idolatry was banished the Gospel was restored and the Land was quiet 2 Châ—on 23.21 Christ poureth contempt upon Princes 17. The sons of Athaliah that wicked woman for the time of those six years had broken up the house of the Lord and had committed abominable and idolatrous sacriledge It should seem she had sons whom she tendred by some other man 2 Chron. 24.7 These evils and others yea and others which are not written Deut. 28 61 followed good Jehosaphats bad affinity with Achabs wicked house 18. Mark through all the holy story what pollution of blood from that Ammonean and Achabean breed ran in all the Royall descents to the Captivity That you be not mistaken you must observe that there were two Kings of Iudah and Israel reigning at one time of the same name Iehoram Also two Kings both called Achaziah and near of the same time Ioram and Iehoram are all one name and so in King Iehoash of Iudah and King Iehoash of Israel The Table of genealogie prefixed will help your observation Other State-affairs in the stories of other Kings reigns beginning with King Azariah alias Vzziah and so forwards compared with the prophets will afford many meditations I think it not amisse to touch a little from the story of Salomon for this matter of affinity In policy he might make affinity with Pharaoh a great Potentate to strengthen himself being a King of peace by this course he thought to maintain it for him and his successours but it proved otherwise Although Pharaohs daughter might prove a proselite and forget the Religion of her own people and her fathers house and cleave to the truth of Christ as it is thought she did to be a figure of the Gentiles calling to the true Salomon It might be a great mercy to her to be of the true Church and of the houshold of God But very like it it was done of Pharaoh but as a snare to work their own interests against Israel No trust to be had in idolatrous people for so of this affinity came no good to the Church of God 1. There was no succession of this proselyte-daughter 2. The State of Egypt maintained a Faction and fostered Traytors and enemies to Salomon and the State of all Israel as Ieâ—oboam that lifted up his hand against the King and Hadad the Edomite 1 Kin. 11. So Egypt nourished two factions in Salomons life-time against him 3. And Shishak King of Egypt might well be the brother of that daughter who five years after Salomons death invaded Iudah and warred against Rehoboam that apostate fool Eccl. 2.19 2 Chron. 12.13 and 13.17 Marriages do not alwayes unite houses and kingdomes as in the Seleuco-Pagidae Dan. 2 43. and 11. So France and Spain knock one against the other 16 36 Rome is called Egypt and it hath nourished traditours and proditours against Christian Princes of the Reformation This should make all Christian Reformed States to be very watchfull and diligent concerning any treaty with Abaddons Kingdome for he in allusion is compared with Ieroboam called the Man of sinne 2 Thes 2. and Romes polity is called Egypt in a mysterie Quest 9. and Ans and the nations sometimes they gadded and treated with Assur but that framed not sometime with Egypt that also failed Ier. 2.16 17 18. False worship taketh heart from a State This folly madnesse and sillinesse other Prophets reprove in Ephraim Esay 29. Hos 5. and 7. The whorish State her feet cannot abide in her house therefore she did wander Pâ—ov 7.11.12 Hos 9 2 Ezek. 16.33 c. and chap. 23.14.15 c. God plagued them by their lovers They pleased themselves in the children and manners of strangers Isa 2.6 wise States-men of old were carefull of this Iob 15 19. and the godly returned from Babel Ezra 4. Hezekiah was to blame Isa 39. Our nation changed their glory and loved Kâ—ttims Religion therefore God plagued and did trouble them with Italian Monsters Ier. 2.25 Deut. 28.43.44 Hos 7.9 It is to admonish 1 Cor. 10.11 and to make States wise and learned Psal 2. read Ezek. 16. and 23. for their Babylonian lovers and compare things for Rome is called Egypt and Babylon in a mysterie Vide Mr. Cade Instit Lib 1 pag. 128. and the Appendix Also insinuations for corruption of manners will make the sweet yoke of Christ burdensome and will work further change of our way as things go on uncomfortably at this time anno 1636. Ibid. Yea astonishing sorrows The Lamentations of Ieremiah and Psa 80 and 89 c. c. compared with the history shew astonishing sorrows with the causes and this was one chief cause for the sins of her Prophets and the iniquity of her Priests that shed the blood of the just They they the chief cause of
c. And the seed of the Serpent shall bruise the heel of the holy seed Ge. 3.15 Faith stayeth on the rock of Israel God in Christ was the rock of their heart and portion for ever Psal 73. another Scripture faith Trust ye in Jehovah for in Jah Jehovah is the rock of all ages Isa 26. And again My God is the Rock in whom I will trust 2 Sam. 22.3 32 33 47. And the terms of the New Testament are agreeable it is said Ye believe in God believe also in me for he is the Rock Mat. 16.1 Cor. 10. And they are pronounced happy that trust in the Son Psal 2. and curled that make flesh their arm Jer. 17. And gracious Hannah saith there is no Rock but our God 1 Sam. 2. Ibid. The violence of fire By faith they looked to things not seen they by faith knew that JESUS the Son of God by the blood of the Covenant would save them from the wrath to come the vengeance of eternal fire the second death 1 Thes 1.10 N. 4. Would still tender the cause of his own Nation Daniel a Subject maketh a golden state for the Church under tyranny so did honoured Mordecai Hest 10 Good States-men seck the wealth of the Saints so did Eliakim when he was substituted in Shâ—baaes place Isa 22. Obadiah was of great and good use in Achabs Court 1 Kings 18.13 Nebemiah a noble pattern of courage fidelity and zeal to God and the King forget not holy Joseph none of these were temporizers Psal 122 and 132.1 2 3 c. Remember Ahikam and those Princes that had somelise of Religion left in them that saved the holy Prophet from the blood thirstie Priests and false Prophets Jer. â—6 N 6. As those noble Sages who came from Persia Daniel so tendered of Princes and so Religious would cause the mysterie of Christ to be known in the Court and Palace at Susan as Saint Paul in Câ—sars Court Phil. 1. Daniel a pattern for young and old Courtiers and such shall find more favour at last both of God and their Prince then they that flatter with their lips Dan. 8.2 Susan was in the Province of Persia or Elam N. 8. Of a generall Subsidie Daniel a wealthy subject doubtlesse would further help in this matter his care for the returned would answer the effects of his prayer Dan. 9. as Mordecai did afterward further the cause of Christ as Esther 10. N. 9. And by faith stopping the mouths of lions Daniel knew by faith that the Son of man would stop and deliver us from the mouth of Satan that roaring lion the accuser of the brethren who goeth about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world 1 Pet 5.9 N. 10. Offspring of Amalek Amalek was of Esau who with his posterity despised the blessing of the Gospel and hated the Israel of God even to Herod To this story of Haman the Agagite of Amalek we must remember Exod. 17.15 16. and Num. 24.20 of terrour to all apostaticall fierce persecutors of the holy seed Ibid. They escaped the edge of the Sword They knew by faith that the MESSIAS the King would by his death frustrate the counsell of Satan and all the power of darknesse and deliver all the children of God from the bondage and fear of death and spoil and triumph over the principalities and powers of darknesse the spirituall wickednesses even all the Legions of Devils that war against us concerning super-celestiall things Eph 6. Ibid. Letters of commission this story fell out about seventeen years before Zachariah prophesied that he might well say from God He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye Zac. 2. Ibid. Atheist Haman to plot against them and to accuse See how Satans seed folâ—owed Hamans project Acts 16.20 21 22. and 17.5 6 7. And all times have not neither will want such shamelesse liars and cursed dogs that accuse the Saints to Princes Hos 7.3 The Locusts and their King and their friends were ever most vigilant and sedulous in this thing and no marvell for Sathan the accuser of the brethren dealt so against the holy One of Israel Luc. 23.2 Their throats are open sepulchres the poison of asps is under their lips But our Lord and his apostles though few and mean were better subjects to Cesar than their lying numerous malitious adversaries Acts 17.7 and 24.5 6 7. c. Oh that Princes and Nobles would search into matters that they would read Gods Chronicles with diligent study as it is their duty Deut. 17. They would find all to be false that Haman speaks against Mordecai and the Jews mind a story 2 Sam. 16. flattering Ziba tells a most shamefull lie too many such about Princes that accuse honest subjects and make Princes trespasse against their Subjects as good David did that gave Mephibosheths lands away upon a false accusation But David said he would do otherwise in ruling the Common-weal He said he would sing of mercy and judgement and that a slanderer and a liar should not be in his Court or roiall City Psal 101. But alas alas what with sycophants and backbiters and gifts as lying Ziba presented to David 2 Sam. 19. Kings and Nobles trespasse against the faithfull of the Land and remove Land-marks It is pertinent to confer Dan. 6. that wicked men can find nothing for the most part against the Saints but concerning the Law of their God as it was then so it is now Acts 16.20.21 1 Pet 4. Let none of you suffer for evil-doing but as a Christian c. Ibid. And their Laws are divers from all people What Laws none but the holy Scriptures of the blessed God thou adversary and enemy thou wicked Haman See the contrary in good Princes and Nobles that good and truly noble and Royall Darius Artaxeâ—xes and his privy counsellours who honoured the Laws of the God of heaven he knew that Gods Laws were not hurtfull but profitable to him and his Government and that his subjects ought to walk in them View his letters patents well which he never questioned nor revoked that King and his counsellours let them be patterns to their Peers Ezra 7 Ibid. Neither keep they the Kings Laws There your Lorship hit 'em they will not obey the Kings Laws The idiome now of profane and superstitious hyocrites self-willed in humility Help O eternall they have said with our tongue we will prevail our lips are our own who is Lord over us Psal 12. and 120. Isa 57. Psal 131.18 Let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous and make their own tongue to fall on them Psal 64. Acts 17.6 7. Ibid. And I will pay ten thousand But Lord Haman this sum of money would not have recompensed that great dammage that the King would have sustained no not in the bondage much lesse in the
words and fair speeches Like the old schismaticall Romanists that by such means made Divisions and offences against the Doctrine of Christ See how the mystery of iniquity began to work even in Rome in the apostles dayes Rom. 10.17.2 Thes 2. In Rome they not onely schismed from the holy Doctrine but from the righteous Doctrine of lawfull powers ordained of God Rom. 13. N. 6. To creep into Kings Courts Such are fittest for Achabean Kings Courts which hate the true Michaiahs Let Jehosaphats Court look to it They can never make an holy Court if there were 400 of them and 450. If Jehosaphat notwithstanding what Michaiah said will yet go to Ramoth Gâ—lead with Achab Jeroboam-man of sinne his Religion Let the Princes of the Papacy wrangle together Let the Reformed maintain the glorious Gospel and keep at home and stand upon their defence and not weaken themselves in men and money and ammunition yet to do as Simeon and Judah did and to help the Lord against the mighty Jud. 1. and 5. Note also as it was a plague to Pharaoh and old Egypt that God brought frogs into his Land into his bed-chamber and upon his bed and into the Egyptian houses so it is a plague that the frogs of Rome-Egypt come into the Territories of Princes to have entertainment either into their Courts or their subjects houses chambers and beds The same must be noted for the other plagues of blood darknesse blains boils and sores that were on old Egypt are and shall be on old Rome-Egypt Apoc. 16. Ibid N. 6. Cruel and tyrannicall projects They said as their Predecessors we have a Law and by our Law they ought to dy and that it was not lawfull for them to put any man to death and so craved aid of the secular power which men durst not refuse The Popish company and their friends make Decrees and Cannons and Princes must be their men to punish the transgressours Thus they make Princes executioners of their best subjects Vide Mr. Cade Justis p 166 167. c. and who were worst enemies to the Prophets our Lord and his Apostles but the Ecclesiasticks of their dayes whose eyes ran a whoring after their fathers idols and vanities Icremiah durst not humour but reprove the wicked apostate Prelates therefore forsooth the King and Princes must put him to death Ier. 26. So because our Lord from Galilee to Ierusalem taught against the traditions of the Elders and reproved their errours of bodily exercise their superstitions their ignorance blindness hypocrisie and false glosses on the Law therefore he was a perverter of the Nation and a mover of sedition and so it was in the case of the apostle Paul and therefore our Lord and his apostles must be put to death Trouble wicked and apostate Prelates you are ipso facto a seditious person and a troubler of the State O ye Magistrates take heed how you give c edit to the flatteries and Diabolicall slanders of such creatures that you stain not your hands with innocent blood Luc. 3.5 Acts 24.5 6. R. B. Latimer in a Letter to King Henry 8. sheweth how it was the practise of the Scorpion locusts to conveigh their own inventions and Proclamations under the Kings name and authority Princes that have cast off mysticall Nimrod and have made their Common-weals our Lords and his Christs will not rule subjects as the Princes of mysticall Egypt and Sodom to conquer honest Subjects as such apostate Shepherds did of old which were rebels and robbers Ezek. 1. Ezek. 33. such know not the wayes of peace which is the fruit of holy and just government but godly Princes in the policy of the heavenly Jerusalem will be as it is wtitten I will make thy goverment peace and thine exactors righteousnesse Isa 60. as Ezekiel further saith chap 45.9 and 46.18 Sad events have been when Princes have removed the Land-marks The Covenant with the Gibeonites was a Land mark which was broken and severely plagued Achabs and Naboths story confer see the plottings and projects Princes that will have their wills and lusts satisfied mind nor him that ruleth in the heavens See a Land-mark concerning the liberty of the Subject Christ ordained how transgressed how plagued Jer. 34. Again Iâ—hriakâ—m thought his Kingly Prerogative would bear him our in covetousnesse oppression innocent blood and in usiug the labours of his Carpenters and masons without pay Ier. 22. what came to this son of Belial So here were Land-marks of an ancient sanction of mens possessions of Iâ—berties and of goods transgressed and mightily plagued God is Jehovah his Judgements are for ever unchangeable he is neither wearied by long processe of time nor won to give his blessing in oneâ—age to that which he hath carsed in another There are Land-marks of Christs own making in those ten words Exod. 20. and in other places expounded between all relations divine and humane which none may wil ully violate but will fall on the point of his own sword Hos 5 Deut. 27 Job 24 Prov 28.16 Quest 6. and Ans This beast bath his arms from the four be â—sts in Danie The Apocalips and some other places and parcells of the new Testament is a new Prophesie of Christ of new States and governments both of the Church the new Ierusalem and its enemies but expressed in old terms This we must well observe how the Spirit of endlesse wisdome and foresight contriveth like revolutions and the former to be the stamps of the latter If we mind not this we shall run as we do into great confusion of story so he that is A. and Ω. from the beginning to the end ruleth the world in a most wise course to shew his judgement and mercy where in this last book of the Apocalips calling old speeches to new matters goeth through the Alphabet of old ages that he may be seen to join the first and last stories in wise order Mr. Bro. in Apoc 304. and upon Daniel page 3. chap. 13.9 10. Quest 9 and Ans Five had been The seven heads of the Romane Beast afflicting the Church Apoc. 13. 1. Pompey 2. Crassus 3. Julius Caesar 4. Brurus w. Cassius 5. Antonius 6. Caesars 7. Popes The Popes their double power is a seventh and after a sort an eighth head these are the seven States over the faithfull as John and all the Jews knew * the story ofe six of these heads their story full well The Church hath great comfort that the Pontificality is the last head of the Beast Heathen stories may sit those other States of Rome of 1 Kings 2. Consulls 3. Decemviri 4. Dictators 5. Trâ—umviri 6. Caesars 7. Popes The more fall out fit as often many do to one speech the more Rome that crucified Christ is condemned when God turneth continuall revolutions to have Rome called into mind Quest 12. and Ans So the double power of the Pontificality Caesar and Ponisix It is worth the noting that the Caesars titled themselves Pontisex
but in the wildernesse when ye came out of Egypt King Then said King Salomon what my Tirzana doth all your speach tend unto Queen I humbly crave your Graces favour to finish my speach I remember I have heard my Father and Grand-father speake what plenty of peace and prosperity our God Chemosh hath given us nay what victories we have had against our mighty enemies the Giants called Emims and as it was your God that conquered the Chanaanites for you so it was our God Chemosh that conquered the tall great and terrible Giants the Emims for us Yea which I am loath to utter our God Chemosh hath given our Fathers power over Israel for twenty years together Oh should not we then have a most devout opinion of our Religion But why should I your hand-maid thus be bold to speake to your royall and sacred Majesty your great favour and respect unto me hath quickned my spirit and then with an humble deportment of body with her face to the ground she said the intent of all my speach is that it would please my Sovereign Lord the King to grant my small request I humbly beseech that I may have leave to build a Chappell on Mount Oliver to worship our famous and reverend Numen Chemosh the God of my Fathers King What is this I heare from you my Dear Did your speach drive at this Oh I may not doe this Jehovah our most holy Lord God whom we worship in his holy Temple is the true everlasting God and he can command nothing but what is good and perfectly good so that we need not add any thing and he forbids nothing but what is evil which we must not dis-annull and he is the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth and it is most requisite that man should subject himselfe to the most high who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and God above all Gods and therefore all the Children of men must be subject to his Laws and whosoever harden himselfe against him by disobedience shall never prosper and whereas you talk of strictnesse c. you are to know man by nature is borne a wild asse colt and there is no câ—ming of corrupt nature but by a strict course of holy Laws which to a regenerate and godly soul is an easy Yoke and to which he is willingly subject yea man by nature is sometime so refractory that he will not be brought unto God but by affliction yea neither Law nor affliction profits till the Lord himselfe deal with the heart such perversnesse is in man It is most true that man is addicted to his own vain heart Pro. 4. vid. the Margin and accounts the Law of our God most vile and is altogether contrary to God and would run to all licentiousnesse if there were not holy and just Laws and good government Gods ordinance to keep men within bounds 2. And whereas you talke that man is of a noble and free Spirit you are deceived in your apprehensions he is of a most ignoble Spirit ready to fall into all vile opinions and to all sin and wickednesse and to follow all tentations to evill as for his freedome of spirit he is free indeed to all evil as an horse rushing into the battell and not one spark of that celestiall fire is in him to any good till God put it in him and maintain it when he hath so infused it Mans mind will and affections are all corrupt and in himselfe no healing can be found How mercifull then was our God that he from whom we fell would give us a holy Law to be a medicine and healing Doctrine to restore the soul as his mercy and goodnesse is unspeakable in giving us his word for our need which is better known to God then our selves called for such blessed Heavenly Revelation as is declared in our most holy and most righteous Law which Moses received of God for us And we and all men must obey this Law and be reformed by it if we will have any comfort or protection in this world or hope in another 3. Whereas you talke of due liberty my beloved Tirzena I would have thee to consider all the reformation we can possibly attaine unto by the carefull industry of my royall authority and of our Preists and Prophets and Scholes will not come to that purity and exactnesse that the Lord our God requires Many imperfections in omissions and commissions will appeare continually through the lusts of corrupted nature that war in our souls by reason of the darknesse of the understanding and the untractablenesse of the will and the affections And none that have a feeling of the most holy Lord God and of his truth in the heart but find this thus And therefore to give the least liberty to thy opinion is such a designe that will provoke to anger our gracious and mighty Lord God and if I give liberty to thy opinion why not to the abomination of Moloch of the Children of Ammon and to the opinion of Ashtaroth the abomination of the Zidonians And so in the end to root out the holy faith of the Son of God our great high Preist Melchizedek and then that you desire will prove an evill impetuos to the downe fall of truth and godlinesse and hardly ever be reclaimable yea let me inforce this further that there cannot be any liberty granted in any respect to false worships and ungodly opinions such liberty will bring us and our posterity to miserable bondage as our Fathers felt in the Wildernesse and in the times of the Judges And if we that now live and our posterity doe not keep close to that reformation which is now setled in Israels Common-Weal Jehovah our God who is a jealous God will destroy this glorious Temple that we have built to his name and shake this Kingdome by many greivous calamities and at last weed us out of this good Land that he hath given to us and to our Fathers therefore you speak most unworthily to call our Reformation rigid And whereas you talke of pleasures c. you must know the pleasures of sin are but for a time which wast before we can enjoy them And all such lusts and pleasures doe but war against our souls as for the fewnesse of them that follow our God the Lord of Heaven and Earth it should put you to a stand whether the most doe not goe the broad way to destruction 4. I will inform you a little more because you boast of Antiquity in your Opinion and Religion you are deceived for our holy faith is as old as the first man and woman that was created yours is but of late from a God newly come up and indeed no true God Our God created the Heaven and the Earth and from him is our Religion and He destroyed the World by waters for profaning the name of the Lord by false worshipâ— and it was our God that cursed the Nations with strange Languages
in an high degree for which all the Familie of my Father and Mother doe much rejoyce And although your most excellent Majesty have given her out of her gracious respect to her good counsell and shee is much greived that shee cannot give content to her most Sovereign Lord in changing her judgement in Religion from that shee was educated in Wherefore if I may be so bold to imâ—lore your graces favour on her bohalfe in granting her small request to build her a Chappell on Mount Olivet to satisfie her mind it is but her fancy I am sorry for my part shee cannot comply with your devotions shee is but a woeman and I hope no hurt will accrew to your selfe or Kingdome and if I may have leave of your sacred Majesty to say it is but too much stricknesse for I am well perswaded of your Religion that you may be saved with your profession and so I hope we shall as soon also come to the Elisian Feilds of all happinesse as well as you At this speach of the Queens Brother the King was somewhat moved and began to be angry but he fell at the Kings feet and besought him that he might speake two or three words more in my Sisters behalfe and I hope I may speak freely that you did covenant with my Sister that shee should use her conscience and that shee and her attendants of our Nation should have free exercise of their devotions and therefore let it please your Majesty give us leave to put you in minde of your promise and how can they perform their devotions unlesse they have a place of assembly else it had been better for her never to have come to the Land of Israel But as you have given us cause to admire your speciall love to my Sister So we humbly pray let us have no occasion to distrust it And let me say one thing more it will marvellously affect our Nation and it will perswade them that you love us if you please to grant this request to the noble Daughter of our Leige Sovereign Lord the King of Moab my Father and yet one thought more comes into mind which I suppose will be pleasing to your sacred Majestie that if you perceive any damage or danger is like to issue upon it you may pull downe every stone of the building and levell it with the ground King The King said trouble me no more with these matters I will gâ—ant no such thing your speaches are unsavory and full of ignorance I could answer all your fond allegations but it is not for Kings to dispute with them that have nothing to doe with us in such cases Where the word of a King is there power is and let that suffice you This Brother went and told his Sister of all the discourse with the King and of his denyall at which report shee fell sick and was very sad upon which the King gave her a visit and shee wept abundantly now the King had some relenting in his heart for the King perceived it was greife and trouble of heart he spake very kindly and tenderly to her A man of ingenuity cannot endure unlesse a Nabal a Fool a Churl to see his near and dear consort to weep a woman endowed with excellent parts of wit understanding grace of speach courteous loyall comely sweet and beautifull and what may give a man content I speak simply of man and woman The King after he had in a most pleasant manner saluted her departs and then her spirit was revived colour began to be in her cheeks and lightsomnesse in her countenance Although a woman be as a mans selfe very desirable yet in case of Religion and the worship of the most High who is a jealous God and his worship is pure and holy and will not abide our Tresholds to be set by his Thresholds In this case we must deny our selves as not to be servants of men much lesse of woemen and her that is most deare of earthly comforts that lies in the Bosome and dearer then all other relations what ever rather then to be a means that the name of Jehovah be profaned by false worships he that doth not so the Son of God saith is not worthy of him The story of our first Parents must be conferred when our first Father was perswaded by his Wife with her selfe to break the commandment it should seem shee perswaded him for it is said Because thou hearknest to the voice of thy wife Gâ—en 3.17 and ever since woemen are weak to be seduced but strong even Satans engine to seduce the man with her Enchantments for so they may be very well called of her eye-lids lips tears c. The Son of God laid this danger before his people Exod. 34. And Satan put this in practise by his wicked Prophet Numb 24. 25.1 2. And Satan thus dealt by the Jannes's and Jambres'es under the New Testament times who did and doe creep as Serrpents into Houses to lead captive silly woemen laden with sins and led away with diverse lusts 2 Tim. 3. The wife shee is still at home with her children and servants and how insensibly doth shee corrupt them And if a Woeman be active shee will corrupt other woemen and after a little while men follow their wives and so corruptions gangrenate quickly and spread far This the Apostlâ— foretold which came to passe afterward but especially concerning Mahomet and in the Papacy Pardon this digression Queen About certaine moneths after that the King had called for this honourable and royall Lady shee prepares her selfe in all costly raiment cloath of Gold and Silver of curious needle work with chains of inestimable Jewels about her neck that the beames of her spankled raiment with the precious gems made radiant beams the Sun shining thorough the Windowes upon the wals of the Kings palaces as shee passed and at last enters the chamber of presence honoured Virgins attending her and presents her selfe before the King with her â—orient eyes damaske rosie cheeks twinkling eye-lids cherry lips and all festivity and grace of speach with comely and pleasant deportment fell at the Kings feer the King took her up by the hand and fals a kissing her with all loving embracements and after many pleasant passages the night drawing on the King and shee had sweet complacency in the bed of love the next morning shee retyred her selfe to a close secret Chamber by and after shee had washed and perfumed her selfe and had put on other change of raiment very costly craves leave to doe her humble duty and take her leave of the King whom when the King saw he was taken again with her eye-lids and closes her fast in his armes Then shee ponders how shee may inforce her old arrand and after much and pleasant complement with the King as soon as shee had perceived shee had intangled him then shee utters the oracles of the old Serpent and saith to the King How doe I admire and