THE CHVRCHES DELIVERANCE Contayning Meditations and short notes vppon The booke of HESTER In remembrance of the wonderfull deliuerance from the Gunpoulder-Treason BY THOMAS COOPER AT LONDON Imprinted by G. Eld for T. Adams and are to be sold at the white Lyon in Paules Church-yard 1609. ⧠To the right worshipfull and truly religious Ladies the mother and the daughter The Lady Katherine Rotheram and the Lady Elizabeth Wakerings my very good Aunt and Cousine Beloued in the LORD grace and peace in GOD the Father through IESVS CHRIST our common Sauiour RIght Christian Ladies whome I loue in the truth till IESVS CHRIST be perfited in you It hath pleased the LORD of glory by a long yet mild and fatherly visitation of late to summon me his vnprofitable seruant to make ready my Account In the casting vp whereof finding my selfe indebted vnto your Ladyships for many christian and extraordinary kindnesses conferred vpon me a dispised braÌ„ch and out-cast in the world I haue indeauoured in these my poore laboures to make acknowledgement of my debt not with any purpose to clear the score for how should true meÌ„bers of Christs body not be euer bound to each other but rather with intent to prouoke to a further debt because the debt of loue as it ought alwaies to be payd so it must alwaies be due and the more it is paid the more the debt is increased Til it be at length perfited and so fully recompenced in heauen Whether seeing it pleaseth my god very mercifully to hasten me by keeping me through many tedious and linggring infirmities in an earnest hungring and fainting after my deliuerance therfore haue I rather hastened to performe this duty vnto your Ladyships as to whom in regard of your places such mementos from a withered branche cannot be vnseasonable and most seasonable on his part to bee preformed who while hee hath tyme and can doe no other good yet hath obtained mercy of the LORD to puâ— his seruants in mind of his wonderfull mercies towards them that the memoriall thereof may hold them in due thankefulnesse vnto so gratious a father that so their happinesse in this life may be a pledge vnto them of that glorious crowne which remaines for the Saintes in that blessed Kingdome These are my heartes desire vnto our gratious GOD for you And that you may be happily furthered therto and haue a true and liuely glasse to behold the bounty of our GOD I haue bin bold to committe to your remembraÌ„ce that wonderful deliuerance of our Church and State from that horrible plot of poulder-Treason Wherin euery true hearted Christian and Subiect may take a full view of al GODS former mercies towards him and if he do beleeue may see in the same a ful assurance of whatsoeuer blessings of GOD are yet laid vp in store for him The greatnesse whereof howsoeuer I haue heretofore endeauored once and againe to measure and so commend my scantling therof to the due consideration of a thankeful heart yet seeing the measure of that blessing is like the waters of the sanctuary which the more they were measured the more vnmeasurable they did appeare till at length they became a deepe that could not be passed ouer Therfore I haue bin glad to take this oportunity of my dayes yet lengthned out once againe to measure this great deepe And by an history of a like wonderful deliuerance to reuiue the dead memory therof in the cares of a secure and vnthankefull world That so I might both pay my vowes vnto my GOD for my life of late renued me as a prey and as neere as I may haue my conuersation in heauen imploying the small residue of my wretched life in meditations of GODS wonderful mercies which is the onely seruice that the saints performe in heauen Oh what a glorious thing it is to be thankfull when by dooing this duty we come nearest to the Saints in glory And how wil this wonderful deliuerance teach vs to be thankefull How is this deliuerance of the Iewes from Hamans malice a most liuely glasse to behold our deliuerance from the bloody Papists And may not the LORD lengthen out my threed vntill I haâ—e finished this story This that I now tender you is but onely the gate into the cittie if it please GOD that I may go through the Citty as Ionas did who knoweth whether by that time Niniue may repent and turne and so the LORD may repent him of the euil and reuiue the good that is ready to dye The patient abiding of the righteous is ioy and he that beleeueth maketh not haste yet If we beleeue we shall see greater thinges then these and blessed are wee if we see a farre off A lesson which for a farewell I do heartily commend vnto your Ladyships not onely to see into the present but to behold a farre off to looke vp to Moses to the recompence of the reward and not to esteeme to be accounted the sonne of Pharoahs daughter if we see not the present blessings how can we see a farre off And yet we may so doate on the present as not to desire to see a far off and if we desire not is not the Lord iust to giue vs our present desire and send leanesse into our soules Behold therefore your present happinesse in that wonderfull deliuerance yet looke vp with Moses and see therein also your future happinesse And so I heartily commend your Ladyships to the view of this glasse and therein also to the mercy of the almighty who giue you wisdome to redeeme the time by seeing your faces often herein and hauing viewed not to forget what Iacob did gratiously remembr Genes 32 Luke 17. 12. and what our Sauiour wished to be remembred of his Disciples So shall you preuaile with GOD and find fauour with men your age shall bee a crowne of glory and your posterity shall be blessed They shal be of you which shal build the old waste places shal be called the repairers of the breach the stoÌ„es of the field shal be in league with you the beasts of the field shal be at peace with you you shal laugh at destruction death and shal not be affraid of the beasts of the earth GOD hath and shall deliuer you from all aduersity and you shall see the felicity of the chosen these blessings the LORD of glory increase vpon your Ladyships to your full perfection in IESVS CHRIST To whose blessed protection I most heartily commend both you and yours From my house at Couentry Ianuary 1609. Your poore kinsman most bounden in the Lord Iesus THOMAS COOPER To the Christian and discerning Reader wisdome to see the plague and grace to hide himselfe WHen great blessings breed security and prophanesse wee must looke for sodaine iudgements These are begun and haue increased in the land so much the more fearefull because they are especially spiritual and the rather dangerous because they are lesse discerned or discerned onely
Psal 6. 12. Psal 9. 16. Then I wil vp saith the Lord to auenge the poore then shall the Lord be knowne by exempting of iudgements the wicked shall be turned into hell and all the Nations that forget God Isay 28. 15. Yea when the wicked haue made a couenant with hell and so in their security do blesse their soules as if they had Gods children so sure that none could deliuer them as if their happinesse were so sure 1 Thess 5. 3. that none could remoue them Then shall a sodaine destruction come vpon them and they shal not be able to auoid it Then shall the destruction of the wicked bee the deliuerance of the Church Thus euen from our enemyes wee may heare good newes of deliuerance their owne mouthes will tell vs their practises cannot hid eit A second probabilitie of Hesters aduancement is that shee is of the seed of the righteous Psal 111. which shall be mighty on the earth Obs 103. Gods children in this life aduanced to highest dignity she is say they The daughter of Abihail the Vncle of Mordecai i. She is a Iew to whom belongeth the birth-right whose priuiledge it was to rule the Nations to whom Esau and all his posterity should bow and do homage So faithfull is the LORD in keeping couenant for euer So truly is Godlinesse profitable for this life so all are ours both by right and possession so are Gods children best able to vse prosperity so is eternall happines hereby sealed vp vnto them So would the Lord hereby teach vs that these temporal blessings are not euil because he bestowes them in greatest measure vppon them The vses hereof see Obs 79. Onely wee may not here forget what the holy Ghost vouchsafes vs againe to remember Namely that Hester was taken by Mordecai for his daughter Thus the Lord thinks it fit againe to make honourable mention of this charitable worke of Mordecai The good deeds of Gods children are not forgotten of the Lord. As wherin he was glorified and did delight therin to confounde the practize of the wicked that seeke to obliterat the same and to approue to his children the acceptaunce of the same as also to assure them hereby of the reward to come and withall to prouoke the Saints to the imitation thereof Oh how vainely then doth the wicked hope to put out their names from vnder Heauen whose names as they are written in the booke of life so their workes also are registred in the eternall word of God how wickedly do they depraue and obscure those gratious deeds which the Lord of glory makes glorious by his remembrance how weake are the Saints to doubt of their well doing seeing the God of truth giues euidence thereto What comfort may we haue in the acceptance of our labours seeing the righteous Lord takes such delight in them how may we be established against the reproches of the world how little need we esteeme to be iudged of men 1. Cor. 44. seeing it is God that approueth who can condemne with what confidence may we prepare our selues to stand before that righteous Iudge Reue. 3. who allready presents our prayers in the golden censor of his righteousnesse and doth not onely make mention of vs but mediation for vs at the throne of glory that wee might not bee confounded in the day of refreshing A third likelyhood here set downe of Hesters aduancement is her confidence in God and relying on his immediate prouidence specified in this that it is said She desired nothing but what Hege the Kings Eunuch the keeper of the women said Wherein the spirit of God would giue vs to vnderstand that though the other maydens standing vpon there preferment vsed all art to set out there beauty as the meanes thereof and therefore spared not to demaund of the Eunuch such meanes of painting c. as might further the same yet this gratious virgin contenting her selfe with y â— image which God had set on her and resting on the diuine prouidence that had enclinde the heart of the Eunuch towards her she doth not impudently presse him further then God should moue his heart but humbly takes what Hege directs her to who no doubt being enclined of the LORD to shew her extraordinary fauour was also restrained of the LORD that hee should not offer her otherwise then was fit for her profession The LORD as it is likely giuing her a like fauour in the eyes of this Eunuch as he gaue vnto Daniel with the other that she was not defiled with this vaine and superfluous preparation but as she was willing to leaue the Eunuch to his liberty so the Eunuch also might leaue her to hers how-so-euer though in other things she might happily submit her selfe to the present necessity as to take that which the Eunuch offers her Obse 105. Gods childrens preferment is in faith and so might discouer her weakenesse and want of courage yet in this doth her faith appeare not obscurely that she doth not ambitiously seeke by corrupt meanes to aduance her selfe but soberlie entertaines the meanes that are cast vpon her resting on GODS prouidence for the good successe thereof Sect. 1. 3 Notes of faith And surely as I take it wee may here obserue diuers notes of liuelie faith One is that she presseth not impudently to insinuate into the fauour of this wicked Eunuch though by the Kings avthority shee might haue occasion thereto lest shee should seeme to depend vpon him and giue him some aduantage ouer her pretious liberty To receiue what is offered by him especially moued thereto by the LORD herein shee shewes her faith which knowing all was hers doth herein take her right and shewes her power therein in that shee refuseth not her owne though tendred by the wicked Shee knew the prophanesse of the Eunuch could not make GODS blessing ineffectuall to his children And therefore shee receiues them aright though from an vniust possessor And lastly in that she vseth such ordinary meanes as were offered not seeking to aduance her-selfe by adulterating or prophaning of nature herein also in the third place she sheweth her faith which as it refuseth not meanes so it is not curious of meanes but takes what are offered reiects such as are not warrantable Whereby we may learne that the aduancement to Gods children is warrantable and for their good seeing it is in faith and hereby to try our selues whether we be in the faith or no. A fourth token of her aduancement is this which followeth Note of Hesters aduancement And Hester found fauor in the sight of all them that looked vpon her Thus did the Lord make her gratious in the eyes of all men that her aduancement might be with more power and lesse enuy both for her owne and the good of others that shee both to the wicked might be a great terror as being conuinced with the brightnesse of maiesty appearing gloriously in her
6. The benefit of gouernment and that in such peace and outward safety that now they are one helpfull to the other and all obey one head And learne we to be thankefull for gouernment though it altogether sute not with our desires knowing that it is better to haue a Saule to defend vs from the Philistins then that there should bee no King in Israell that euery one may do what he listeth 1. Sam. 12. Iudg. 17. 1 Tim. 2. and what is wanting in gouernment learne we to supply by prayer to our God and more free and conscionable obedience And seeing policy is no better a band to bind diuers natures together but at the last they are no better then brethren in euill embrace we the bond of perfection which proceeds from the feare of God that so the Lyon and the Lambe may dwell together yea the Lyon may be so changed into the Lambe that there may be the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace Vers 2. In those daies i. when Ahashueroth had obtained victory ouer his enemies and therevpon sat in his throne i. that is inioyed outward peace and was drowned in security 7 Obs Wicked do abuse their prosperity to the maintenance of the flesh then gaue he his mind to feasting and so made way for new troubles As if the spirit would hereby shew vnto vs how the wicked doe vse their prosperitie namely they passe and spend it all in excesse and abuse of Gods blessings A thing they must needes fall into a 7. Doctr. if wee consider either the end why God bestowes prosperitie vpon them namely to fat them vp to the day of slaughter Ierem. 12. 13. or their desire of prosperitie which is onely for the maintenance of the flesh Psal â—3 or lastly their secret feare that doth assault them for the change therof and therefore they will take their full of it while it lasteth wherby they become executioners of Gods purpose against them-selues Hereby we learne as not to measure mens happinesse by prosperitie but by the right vse of it so seeing it is so apt to be abused feare wee rather this condition then greedily desire it and seeing there is beauty in heauen which cannot bee corrupted nor taken away looke we with Moyses to the recompence of that reward Heb. 11. and so choose we rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God then to inioy the pleasures of sin for a season When King Ahashuerash sate i. 8. Obs Prosperitie breeds security in the vvicked was quiet and secure c. Behold how the fruite and peace of prosperitie in the wicked Zach Lud 18. namely they â—itte at ease are drowned in security so was the world when the church was in affliction so was Laish when euill was neere them And surely no maruaile if the prosperitig of the wicked make them secure seeing their hearts are set on it so they dreame of no other happynesse and so by Gods iustice are hereby prepared to their destruction 1 Thess 5 3. Hee that is wise shall vnderstand those thinges and to whome the Arme of the Lord shall reueale them hee will not fette his heart on such shadowes which may so grossely bewitch him but rather feare him-selfe in prosperitie to preuent securitie Prouer 22. Iudg 2. 17. he will see in the securitie of a state the iminent charge of its prosperitie And so seeing the plague will hide him-selfe and seeing all earthly happynesse carryes it bane with it Hee will secure himselfe of heauen by beeing a stranger on the earth and content himselfe with Baruch that hee hath his life for a prey 1 Pet. 2. 12 Which was at Susan 1. Loe here the Persian hauing spoyled and brought to ruine the Assyrian Monarchie translates the Imperiall state from Babilon Ierem. 45. to Susis Obser God traâ—slats Kindomes and remoueth their nest in Persia Which whether he did it for his greater security as trusting his owne nation rather then strangers or because hee would haue all the glorie and profit redoun'd to his owne cnuntrimen Yet here wee see both the power of God in changing of Kingdomes as also the truth of Gods threatning against Babell Esa 47 that it should bee desolated and Lastly the vicissitude of prosperity euen in the most happiest Babilon was and Susan is now Susan was and what is permanent Vse 1. And therefore who would set his heart vpon that which hath wings and flieth away to swiftly rather rest wee on Gods word that the glory of flesh is but as the flower of the field Esay 4. 5 and wee daylie changed by it from glorie to glorie 1 Pet. I that so wee may liue for euer in glory 2 Cor. 3. 3. Vers The third yeare hee made a Feast i. The third yeare of his raigne after in the the former yeare hee had reclaimed the Aegiptians Why this feast vvas ordained which had reuolted now beeing in peace both to glorifie his armie for the former victory also to enflame his wariors to a new expedition hee solemnizeth this royall feast A thing in it selfe indifferent Obser 10. Feasting lavvfull and in the right vse lawfull that as souldiers after long trauaile should haue some refreshing and that by the bounty of the Prince they should bee frasted together in a more liberall vse of the creatures of GOD Reasons Exod. 23. Leui. 23. so euen Christians also may bee enlarged herein As beeing both the ordinance of GOD himselfe in the ceremoniall law the equity whereof continueth to the worlds end Hauing causes and occasions fauling out in the whole course of life as thansgiuing society c. Hauing an appointed time set downe by the spirit of GOD Ecclesi 3. 3 1 Cor. 3. 23 and lastlie warrrnted by that Christian liberty which is restored vâ—to vs in Christ Iesus and by vertue thereof practized by the Saints both before and since the comming of our Lord Iesus Gene. 21 Ioh. 2 Vse And therefore as wee may not either precisely with the Anabaptist deny our selues wholy this liberty or with the superstitious Papist deminish and depraue the same Gal. 5. 13 by making difference of meates so we must bee carefull that libertine like we abuse not this holie libertie as an occasion to the flesh but herein serue one another in a most holie loue This wee shall doe if wee keepe our selues within these bounds in the vse of this liberty whereby wee shall truely examine this feast of Ahâ—shuerosh First wee must consider the persons that may feast Obser 11. Conditions of holy feasting not euery one because euery one hath not where-with-all no not euery one that hath because many haue which haue no right therein Who may feast neither know how to vse the blessings of GOD. I Tit Luk. 16. 12 1 Tim. 4. 5 Psalm 14. 8 But hee onely may lawfully feast vnto whom as
it was done according to the power of the King Wherein howsoeuer the spirit of God doth graunt a proportion of the feast to the power of the King 19 Princes not 10 shew their magnificence in belâ—y cheer yet doth he not at all iustifie this superfluous proportion as if it were fit for Princes to shew their power to the vtmost in such vaine and excessiue expences but rather Ironically taxeth this ostentation of power in such vnnecessary occasions which rather should haue bene extended in more necessary matter for the glory of God and publike good of the common-wealth and yet if any commendation be picked out here Luke 16. it is only such as the Lord commended the vniust steward which being only good after the opinion of y e world for a misconceiued wisdome was thereby a greater condemnation of folly in the court of conscience This the spirit doth liuely set out vnto vs by the euent thereof Namely the breach betweene the King and his wife then which their could be no more fearefull euent both to declare the vnlawfulnesse of the feast as also to punish the King for his intemperancy therein The occasion to this breach is set downe in the ninth Verse Verse 9. The Queene Vashâ—â—â— made a feast also for women Namely a shewe of modestie in the Queene who refrained from the company of the King and his Princes at this great sollemnitie Which whether it were of pride because she would keep state by her selfe or of necessitie because either the custome of the country or the Kings Iealousie would not allow her preseÌ„ce among so many of y e other sex 20 Dauncing of men and women vnlawull Yet surely this may condomne our most lasciuious mingling of both sexes together in dancing and such like meetings howsoeuer it cannot excuse her for her after disobedience And now behold the iustice of God 21 God punisheth sinnes with sinne in beating the wicked with their owne rod King Ahashuerosh makes a feast and while hee sinnes with excesse Verse 9. he is punished by the same hee lookes vpon the wine in the cuppe 1 Iam 25. and tarries long at it and loe saith the spirit vppon the seauenth day hee is merry with wine that is according to the phrase Prou. 23. he is bitten with it 3 Phil 20. A most righteous hand of God vpon vain-glorious persons that as they make their belly their God 22 Drunkennes the effect of feasting Prouer 21. so their glorie should be their shame The King is disgraced by his feast which he made so much for his honour His wine became a mocker and strong drnike rageth A most vsuall effect of prophane feastings to bite with drunkennesse whereby we are often prouoked to bite and deuoure each other And not vnlikely to fall out if we consider that oportunity and meanes are to the best inticements to allure but to the wicked cart-ropes to hale on sinne If we obserue the policie of Sathan who hath so peruerted the naturall iudgement as in all things so especially in indifferent that the abuse goes currant for the right vse thereof and not to bee drunke at feastings is not to feast aright Especially Esay 28. if we obserue the iustice of God in punishing sin with sinne prophane feasting with filthy vomitings And herein most eminent that wheras such feasting is intended for the shew of our greatnesse and glory of our magnificence our wisdome is herein mightily confounded in that our glory becomes our shame Wherin we may learne as to condemne this sinne in other especially at such times when it hath such fauourable construction and allowance as being the time to shew our greater zeale and courage against the same so when we are feast-makers to giue wholesome lawes of temperance not remouing only the apparant abuse that men should be compelled But rather stinting men Polidor as King Edger did that they exceede not health and sobrietie Whereby wee shall not onely keepe peace in the conscience and of the table to but cutte of all hope to bee insnared in this sin a matter especially aimed at by the drunkerds at these times to bring other-into y e same excesse with them And further also putting drunkards to confusion in y â— wee will not exceed with them we shal happily by Gods mercy bring them to repentance and so in time both case the Land of this crying sin likewise of the iudgments due therto and also continue y e wine and oile and such other good blessings w t for our abuse of them in this excesse are begun Ioel 1. and further threatned to be taken away from vs. Thus you see the occasion of drunkennesse the best vse likely that prophane men make of all feastings Now let vs further consider the sinne it selfe it is here said He was merry with wine In which phrase of specch the Spirit of God as he doth set out an effect of large drinking namely to make men merry so withall he doth ironically discouer the cloake which the world casts ouer this sinne to couer its shame Namely 23. The vse of holy Ironiâ—s in the word to call drunkennesse mirth because some mirth is lawfull therefore the worlde concludes it is good to bee merry and so consequently not euill to be drunke A thing not vsuall to the holy Ghost to speake Ironically after the opinion of the flesh Reuel 22. both to discouer the desperate blindnesse of the wicked Esay 9. 11. in cloaking vices with the shewes of vertue as also prophetically to publish Gods righteous sentence against rebellious sinners namely that they shall be giuen vp to this reprobate fence as to further and approue very grosse impieties Prouer 23 that so not feeling the sinne they may follow it still and so hauing made vp the measure or their sinne that now lastly they may be prepared to their finall condemnation the spirit of God in these Ironicall confessions proceedes spiritually to execute this vengeance note hereby setting-such a marke of proofe vppon them as shall make them vtterly without excuse as implying thereby that they hate to be reformed Ose 4. and yet thereby also harden them in their sinne Esay 5. And therefore let no man reproue Eccle. 11. but let drunkennesse be counted mirth and euill be taken far good Reuel 22. Reioyce oh young-man and take thy pleasure Let him that is filthy be filthy still 2 Thess 2. 12. Wherby not onely the word becomes a stumbling blocke to harden them in their sinne 2 Mich. But because they will not obey the truth therefore shall the Lord giue them vp to beleeue lies Behold saith the Lord there shal be like Priest like people to preach of wine and strong drinke vnto them deluding vnstable soules that drunkennesse is mirth and to be merry is good And I the Lord haue sent such Prophets Ezech. 14.
Behold how the Lord is no respecter of persons but in euery nation they that feare him shall be accepted of him here 's tribulation vpoÌ„ the Iew in general because they had forsakeÌ„ their god Acts. 10. 35. yet Mordecai the Iew is exempted because he is faithfull with his God yea here 's Mordecai of the house of Saul y â— rebellious and reprobate and yet gratiously deliuered from the common corruption that so hee might bee gratious in the eyes of GOD. So iust is the Lord to recompence euery man according to his work so little need hath hee of the sinnes of men to aduance his glory so wise is hee to distinguish the cause from the person so absolutely perfect to do all thinges by him and for him-selfe Vse Where we may learn as to be like vnto God in not respecting persons where there is equallitie in the cause so we must take heed that with the Anabaptist wee abuse not this liberty as a cloake of disobedience against such persons as the Lord hath aduanced neither lette vs robbe Gods free election with the Papist Math 23. as if because he is no respecter of persons therfore he chooseth men for their foreseen righteousnesse neither let vs preiudice the sincerity of our brethren because they want the outward complement to their persons but seeing the Lord regards not y e outside but indeed requireth the hart so principally accepts it therfore let vs not content our selues with the out-side of the platter but let vs labour to make al clean within if we be aduanced let vs take heed of oppression for God will iudge the greatest as wel as the least Obs 38. The continuance of the Church and the condition if we be oppressed let vs not dispaire for the cry of y e fatherlesse is in the eares of the Lord only let vs resigne vp our selues wholy into the hands of y t gratious God who loued vs before wee were for his own sake not for ours so let our loue be proportioÌ„able not for our sakes but for his glory y t being purged daily of this drossy corruption we may be fitted to y t glory immortal vnspeakable w c shal inuest our persons according to that measure of grace which God hath filled them withal Mordecai the Iew preserued in Susis is a Iew of the Tribe of Beniamin of the posteritie of Saul reserued among the Heathen to praise the Lord and deliuer his Church Oh y e liberty of the rich mercies of God how faithfull is he in his promises Psal 80. how mighty to the preseruation of his Church Who would haue lookt for good of Sauls posteritie y t was forsaking of God and had the Kingdome rent from him Who would haue thought that there could haue bin a remnant in Susis to call vpon the name of God and to be zealous for his glory Psal 80 Wil God plaÌ„t a vine in Canaan remoue it into Aegipt shal it be remoued out of Aegipt into the wildernes so into Canaan againe shal it be remoued out of Canaan into Babilon from Babilon to Susis shal his Church bee tossed and tumbled to all these places Reuel 2. shall all sortes of nations giue harbour thereto shall the Turke harbour it yea Antichrist himself shal not be able to roote it out but euen there shal be a Church where satan hath his throne and the diuell his Synagogue Christ shall raigne in the midest of his enemies 1. Behold here the condition of the Church in this miserable world Reasons It must be a Pilgrime vpon earth scattered it shal be ouer the face thereof that Gods power may be more magnified in the preseruation thereof Obs 39. Condition of the Church to be scattered vpon the face of the earth and his worke the better accomplished both in and by the same while it being thus posted and tossed to and fro they rather looke and long for that Citty which is aboue and by being thus changed from vessell to vessell it may both leaue sauour of it good behind it to the conuersion and reuocation of others may haue it owne drosse also purged out thereby to be prepared to her eternall rest Vse 1. By which we may learne to discerne the true Church of God Esay 47 not by her sitting as a Queene of the nations and flattering her selfe that she shall not be changed but by this we may disecrne the true Church of God namely that as she must be tossed and scattered ouer the face of the earth Ephes 6. so she hath her loines guirt vp her feet ready shod thereto not setting vp her rest because it is good to be here but wayting the Lords leisure to call her forth where it please him A notable warning to carnall Ghospellers that if they abuse the Ghospel it shal be taken away from them Iere. 7. the Temple of the Lord will be no bond Ezech. 10. 11. to hold him among them And withall a most excellent comfort to the Children of God that Sushan shall receiue them when Iudah casts them out and which may yet make for our greater comfort this remouing of the Church as it tends to the continuance therof in this life fo it also fitteth it to eternall rest in heauen And therefore let vs not thinke it strange if we find not a biding Citty but are tossed vp and downe and scattred among the nations It is the portion that our God hath allotted vs if we wil be true members of his Church and it is good for vs thus to be changed Psal 55. 15 that we may feate and trust in God who as by remouing our habitations he doth pluck vs out of those common desolations which lie vpon places that despise his word so in that he hath giuen vs the heathen for our inheritance and the vttermost bounds of the earth for our possession hereby doth he also inuest vs with the possession of each Nation and the blessings thereof which indeed properly do belong to vs and all this that his Church may be continued on the face of the earth Obs 40. The faithfulnesse of God in that the Church of God shâ—ll abide for euer yea may still preuaile and get ground in the world till all her enemies be troad vnder her feet And is it possible that this poore afflicted Church should still hold our being so scattercd and weakened shall she continue for euer and shall no power preuaile against her 1 Esay 9. shal there yet be a remnant and a little seed shal there be a truth â—say 65. and a cluster that hath a blessing in it Rom. 11 shall Mordecai and Hester both Iewes remaine to reuiue the Church of God when God had seemed vtterly to haue forsaken his people yea surely the Lord is faithfull and in indgement remembreth mercy Exod. I. The afflictions of the Church shal
aduancement that the pride and fulnesse of the Country might not corrupt him Hee is cast first uppon Putiphers familie Where though he receiues no small preferment yet it is sauced with such temptations as might greeuously humble the heart of his seruant And yet is hee further sent to the prison where the yrons might enter into his soule to his further humiliation Yea when hee is aduanced hee hath an Office to humble him whereby hee is both kept from the Court the place of temptation and also from idlenesse the roote of all euill And was not this a great humbling to Hester in the flesh that her glorious beautie must bee pinned vp from being seene shee must bee kept as a prisoner where libertye was so pleasant And yet the worke of the Lord most admirable herein both to keepe her flaxe as I may say from the fire and by a lesse affliction to preuent a greater 1 Vse Oh that wee would therefore praise the Lord for his faithfulnesse and obserue his gratious prouidence in the quallifying of our temptations That we would rest vppon our God in the greatest extremities and wisely admit lesser chastisments to preuent greater Surely there is no temptation hath ouertaken vs but such as appertaineth to man and God is faithfull 1 Cor. 10. 13. which will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our strength but will euen giue the issue with the temptation that wee may bee able to beare it And therefore admit the worst that may be sayd in this case Say it was her great affliction to bee brought to the Court and her greater affliction to bee in danger of defiling and therefore her infirmitie to put her selfe into this danger although I cannot see how she could auoyd it so desperate is their case liuing vnder prophane gouernement yet seeing God bringes light out of darkenesse and turnes our infirmities to his glory and our good Nay seeing hee iustifies particular actions by extraordinary instants which wee being ignorant off are therefore to keepe silence in why shall we censure that of the ground whereof wee may bee ignorant VVhy doe wee not rather giue our God the glories whereof the infirmities of his children raiseth meanes for their strength and hereby makes way for his absolute glory Well thus wee haue heard of some of the outward meanes of Hesters aduancement Namely Mordecaies nourishing of her and her bringing to the Court. Now lette vs further consider of her intertainment in the Court and so of some meanes wherby she fitted is to the marriage bed It followeth And the maid pleased him Vers 9. and she found fauour in his sight and to shew that he was pleased hee caused her thinges for purification to bee giuen her speedily and her state and seauen comely maidens to bee giuen her out of the Kinges house and he gaue change to her and to her maids of the best in the house of the women In which words the holy Ghost settes downe vnto vs a third steppe to Hesters aduancement Namely that she findes fouour in the sight of the Keeper of the Maidens By which meanes it was likely that the King beging much ledde by his iudgement and commendation would cal for her more speedily to his presence and so consequently preferre her And there is in the word contained two speciall thinges i. The fauor that Hester findes with the Eunuch testified by a variety and increase of speach not onely the Maide pleased him but shee found fauour in his fight 2. there are set down the vndoubted signes of his fauour in that liberall and extraordinary allowance which hee affordes her for her maintenance in the rest of the Verse And surely that shee findes this extraordinary fauour in the sight of the Eunuch who was likely to be a meanes of her speedy aduancement This magnifieth the gratious prouidence of Almightie God who hauing the hearts of all men in his handes to dispose them as hee pleaseth Obs 72. Gods children find fauour in y e eyes of strangers doth therfore incline the heart of this stranger to affect this beautifull maiden that so shee might haue more libertye in this time of her restraint and more security also against such dangers as such places doe threaten So gratious is godlynesse euen in the eyes of the wicked so doth the Lord still sort the meanes for the effecting of his righteous will that the weakenesse of our faith might be supplyed hereby and he might haue the glory of his truth and faithfulnesse 1. Vse Wherby we are taught as to shew fauor vnto strangers and such as are in affliction So not to despaire the reconciling most bitter enemies seeing our God can make this Eunuch to affect a poore captiue how shall not he also turne the hearts of our enemies towards vs. And therefore let vs not prouoke an enemie by vpbrayding to keepe him further off but rather draw we him nerer vnto vs by praier and kindnesse Labour we to please our God so shall his heart be turned towards vs. And make we much of friends seeing the loue of enemies is so douhtfull Especially make we much of the houshold of faith who when they wound vs do not meanely befriend vs and yet that 's the greatest enmity we feare from them As for our enemies they shal be cloathed with shame and though they shall iustifie vs so farre forth as may make for Gods glorie and our good yet this shall make to their further condemnation that they shall like of those whom they do not desire to bee like they shall loue vs for such blessings as GOD bestoweth on vs and yet not loue God with vs that they in like manner may be blessed Well thus Hester finds fauour in the eye of this Eunuch But how doth this appeare It followeth He makes hast to giue her things for her purification he is not kinde in shew but he performeth it in-deed and that we may know his willingnes he causeth it to be done speedily yea he enlargeth him selfe and euen stretcheth his authority he encreaseth her attendance and giues her seauen comely maides out of the Kings house yea he gaue change to her and to her maides of the best in the house of the woman and all this to make good the truth and greatnesse of his fauour towards her Obs 73. Wicked haue the shadowes of many excellent vertues and may in some sort teach true kindnesse Thus euer the wicked haue their shadowes of excellent vertues yea they haue some relikes of the true inconstancies required therein They are not onely kinde in words but they make it good in deeds yea they are cherefull weldoing and bountifull therein Vse 1. Which though it will not any thing iustifie them but rather tend to their greater condemnation because they foolishly content themselues with this â—â—imme light of nature which onely concernes this present life and will not embrace the light of grace which would lead them to glory
iniquities did not many times depriue vs of the best that the world should thinke the worst to good for the best Surely though wee haue not the best in it selfe yet contednesse may make it the best to vs And if we be faithful in vsing the least we may by Gods mercy attain to the best let this be our comfort that wee shall haue what 's best for vs and therein if wee liue by faith we may take hold of the best inheritance onely waite we the Lords leysure and hee will giue vs our hearts desire and resigne our selues alwaies into the handes of our most gratious father who only knoweth what 's best for vs. Well thus is Hester now prouided honourably for in y e house of the maidens How doth shee now behaue her selfe to keepe her in fauor Doth she reueale her country which was odious to these Gentiles Doth shee conceale her religion which was to these abhomination Or doth she fal to temporising after y e manner of the Court Doth she forget her former affliction and so grow headstrong Doth shee now hauing changed her keeper change her obedience Hearken I pray you what the holy Ghost saith of her But Hester shewed not her people nor her kinred Vers 10. That is she did not make knowne that she was a Iew Vers 20. nay she did not discouer she was Mordecaies Kinswoman Wherby it is apparant that it was not yet knowne so the reason of this concealment may be coniectured to be this namely that had Hester yet bene knowne to be a Iew she might insteed of good intertainment receiue both dishonour and disgrace too as beeing in regard of her country most abhominable to these Gentiles Obs 80. Truth may be concealed how c. Reason therefore she might haue to conceale her country and surely such I take it as may stand well with religion Which though it inioyneth vs a true profession of truth in the simplicity of our hearts when wee are to giue an account of our faith it allowes vs also in spirituall wisdome to conceale the truth when it may stand 1. with Gods glory 2. the satisfying of others 3. ad securing of our selues 4. without the preiudice to the truth and iust scandall to our profession especially when we are not questioned thereof So doth Samuel and Moyses conceale part of truth Exod. 5. 1. Samuel 16. So doth the Prophet Elisha conceale the whole truth when meeting with the messenger of the Kings of Syria who were sent of purpose to seeke him insteed of telling them that hee was the man which hee wisely conceales hee tels them that that was not the way nor that the Towne in aâ—l which hee spake truth but if they would follow him hee would lead them to the man they sought for So doth Hester here wisely conceale the truth because shee is neither demanded the matter and the concealing therof would further her safety And surely as none is to bring vnnecessary troubles on himselfe by reuealing of what may bee lawfully hidden so by such concealments both much glory hath redounded to the truth and also Gods Children hereby reserued to better times and therfore so we intend not to smother the truth by our present concealment thereof Cautions â—o be obserued in 〈…〉 but only to refer the discouery to in fit oportunity so we are not ashamed of the truth of God but onely conceale it that it may not bee reproached So we do not by silence betray the truth but rather by this hely wisdome keepe it from treachery So we deny not our â—â—ofession but only defend our person So we indammage not our neighbour by concealing the truth so we 〈◊〉 not only the auoyding of danger but rather purpose to do the most good hereby Surely vpon these grounds I take it truth may be concealed especially if it be a truth concerning only ciuil occasions And this was the case of Hester in this place she conceales not her religion she denies not her profession but onely not being demaunded shee reueales not her country nor her kinred both ciuill things Obiect If it shall be demanded how she could conceale her country seeing her diet and religion which could or should not be hid must needs declare it though she hold her peace as Daniel and his followers euen by this were necessarily discouered And therfore it was vnpossible to conceale her country vnlesse you wil say shee framed in her diet an outward ceremony of religion to the present time so she would proue no lesse then a deep disseÌ„bler Ans Surely as wee may not in any case iustifie dissembling so I doubt not but we may very well cleare Hester from the same if we consider that in some things her diet might be answerable to the place wherein shee liued the Iew agreeing with the Gentile in the promiscuous eating of the most things and so by y t her country might not be discouered Doubt The greatest doubt is concerning her religion how she could conceale her country vnlesse shee also concealed this and if she concealed her religion how she could practise it which in my opinion may be easily resolued if we consider her present condition Answer who liuing priuate might wel performe her deuotioÌ„s and yet not be obserued especially hauing now no other meanes and liberty to practise her religion but such as might well bee performed secretly in her closet onely in the presence of her God If it shal be imputed vnto her y t she should haue made a bold profession of her nation and religion therby the rather to free her from that present bondage and so to preuent her future defiling rather choosing to be disgraced and cast out of the Court again then to indure y e pleasure of sinne for a season Surely concerning the profession of our religion Obs 81. Religion when how to be giuen account off as y e Apostle would haue vs principally readie thereto that so in due season we may publish the same so he seemeth to aime at a speciall season namely when we are demaunded a reason of our hope 1. Pet. 3. 15. And therefore though no doubt this seruant of God was ready to giue an account of her religion yet I take it now it was not a fitt season because she was not demanded the same of any If you say her own case did now especially require it y t she might be deliuered from y e imminent danger Surely for any danger wherein yet she was I see not but she was to vndergo the same with patience as being so farre subiect to gouernement as might stand with the saluation of her soule as for future dangers concerning her defiling c. though they were likely in regard of man yet if wee looke vp to God might not they be preueÌ„ted Especially seeing she walked on her wayes she yet did no more then necessitie and her dutie imposed vpon her and
therefore might safely waite vppon the protection of her God That happily she did not here abstaine from all appearance of euill that shee did not auoid the occasioÌ„s therto this being a thing that was not now in her choyce as wee may not rashly condemne her for the same so what know we whether by some extraordinary instinct shee was incouraged and warranted herein So that in her that may be iustifiable which of vs simply is not to be immitated Obs 82. God vseth the weaknes of his children in the accomplishment of his mercies towards them And surely the weaknesse of Hester must needs commend highly y e faithfulnesse of God to his children who as he is not diuerted from his purpose towards them by their infirmities so doth hee in his special prouidence vse the same in the contriuing of his work y t he may haue the only glory of the accomplishmeÌ„t therof Vse 1. Wherby wee may learne that there is a time to hold our peace as wel as to speak when we may safely conceale a truth 2. We may obserue the bounds of lawful subiection that we so far obey the magistrate as may stand with the safety of our soules 3. We may contemplate y e absolute power of God in giuing his children extraordinary dispensations euen beyond his righteous law that so we may not feare y e pardon of our sins if in weaknesse they be committed against the law of God Lastly we see here an holy vse of our infirmities not that wee should presume here-vpon to sin But rather that hereby our faith being increased we may get dayly from Christ Iesus more strength against sin not measuring Gods faithfulnesse by our desart but by the eye of faith looking for light out of darkenes that so God may haue the glory of all his mercies Thus doth Hester conceale her country and her kindred too But by whose aduise doth she this It followeth For Mordecai had charged her that shee should not tell it Lo here the cause of Hesters silence her foster-father Mordecai had giuen her this in charge among many other holy instructions which he had furnished her withal that so she might be better armed against the abuses of the Court this was one especiall that shee should rule her tongue and especially herein impose silence on her selfe y t she discouer not her Nation nor her fathers house Wherein Obs 83. Gods children season one a nother with 〈◊〉 councel wholesome instructions 1. wee may see a notable practise of the Saints of God Namely to season their tender plants with good counsell and wholesome instruction when they are to leaue the wing as wee say and trye the world So doth Dauid counsell Salomon and Ioseph his bretheren so doth Iacob his children This is the best legacie they can bequeath vnto them hereby they shew y e vnfainednesse of their loue and so arme them gratiously against this present euill world Whereby we may learne to sette forth our children and friendes into the world not so much prouiding stockes and such furniture for the body as especially with good counsell to arme the soule as knowing that if it be secured the other shall not want and the full prouision for the body may bee a meanes to expose the soule naked to all temptations But what is the summe of this councell that Mordecai giues to Hester Surely silence the chiefe outward ornament of women and keeper of their chastitie Iacob 3. 1 Iacob the gouernment of the tongue that vnruly member which if we refraine not our religion is in vaine and to rule it well is a note of true profession Wherin as we see the fitnesse of this Christian councel Obs 84. Silence a speciall lesson to be learned of Couâ—tiers What fitter lesson to a woman then silence So we may learne hereby the necessity of this vertue especially when wee come abroad in the catching and obseruing Court VVhat more safe for a man here then silence where euery word shal be scanned and happily peruerted what greater wisdome here then silence where y e wisest speaches go not without their censure what greater gaine heere then silence Whereby a man may learne and make vse of all others speach that so when he is called he may speak with authority Vse And therefore lette not impudent beggers heere continue still crauing vpon presumptions that the Prince will neuer be weary of giuing Lette not discoursers runne them-selues out of breath at tables and chambers to make others sport and them-selues a marke for euery mans tongue let not coÌ„plementers account it their glory to pratle of euery thing when they make no conscience to practise the best things let not flatterers trust to this same glibbe slippery meÌ„ber to whom being so deeply indebpted they must look to make paiment and happy are they if shame repentance wil cleare the score what should I say Let not Carry-tales and Detractors hope to carry it away cleanly seeing their own tongues shal one day cry quittance with them But let al remember Mordecaies lesson to Hester y â— in the Court they rule their tongue and so shall they bee sure to keepe their friend But what end doth Mordecai aime at in this his lesson of silence Surely his heart was touched with the care of the Church for he saw a greater storme like to come in vpon it He feared least Hester by this dis-vnion might indanger the same he hoped that her wise silence for a time might breed good blood for it deliuerance and therfore doth he aduise her especially silence in this case least her discouery might bee a meanes of indangering the Church of God As beeing that which the enemy lay in wait for and to which her weaknes youth might be easily abused Wherein wee may obserue what principally ought to affect vs y e danger wherof we ought especially to preuent Namely the Church of God and its successe 1. Thus doth our god principally regard Obs 85. The safety of Gods church ought to be our special care so should we haue the like respect of it 2. On the wel-fare hereof depeÌ„ds al our priuate happines and therfore if we be wise we wil herein be wise to our selues 3. yea our care hereof wil be meanes to coÌ„fort vs in our troubles make way for our deliuerance yea which is especially to be regarded of vs our zeale to Gods Church witnesseth our true interest therein that if we mourne with it we shall also reioyce therewith Psal 42. 130. and so raigne for euer as liuely members of the same in glory So was Nehemiah Dauid Iosiah and the rest 1. Vse What shall we then say of those that neuer take thought for Gods inheritance Lette it sinke or swimme its all one to them What case are they in that drinke their wine in bowles while Ioseph is in affliction How fearefull is their condition that helpe forward
her Queene insteede of Vashty In which words the spirit of God setteth downe what befell Hester after her taking into the Kings house Namely that she is aduanced further to bee Queene in steed of Vashtie which is notably described First by the occasion hereto Namely that the King loued her aboue all the women And secondly by the signe of this preferment hee set the crowne of the Kingdome vpon her head Concerning the extraordinarie fauour and affection Obs III. God makes his children gratious when it may serue for his glory and their good that the King is here sayd to beare vnto this gracious maiden As it was the admirable worke of God for her more speedie and sure aduancement necessarily to be taken at this time when the yron was in the fire Carnall loue being so inconstant especially when it is in some sort satisfied And the poore maiden no doubt much humbled with yeelding to the present necessity and therefore had neede of some meanes to cast light out of darkenesse that their might be hope of sanctifying of this sinne into her So doth it herein most notably commend the power mercie and Wisdome of GOD vnto vs. His power in this that he both can turne the affections of the wicked vpon his Children and settle them constantlie therevpon when as the cause in them rather threatenes change His wisdome also appeares in this that this extraordinary fauour of the Prince being now necessary for the aduancement of Hester and so for the good of the Church though afterward it bated to shew the inconstancie of flesh and also a further power of God in the reuiuing of the same yet now it increaseth contrarie to the carnall occasion which being satisfied vsually breedes loathing especiall in those whose honour and delight in is change so that aboue all the rest onely Hester is gracious the fauour of this great Monarche is constant to her And the mercie of God doth also shine herein most comfortably both to the good of the Church and perticular contentment of his seruant The Church hereby is now prouided for a deliuerer before she be plunged into the extremitie of her daunger and the poore maiden is by this aduancement recompenced for hir losse and comforted also in some measure with the sanctifying of the same in a lawfull calling Aud surely that the Lord prouided a Sauiour before man had sinned Obser 112. God prouides a deliuerer for his Church before it be cast into the extremity of daunger Esay 65. Math. 6. that Moyses is borne before Israels oppression is encreased that Iosephes aduanced before the famine is in Canaan that Hester is aduanced before Hamans conspiring breakes forth doth not this exceedingly commend the watchfulnesse of GOD ouer his Church Doth not this manifest the freenesse of his loue that goes before the particular obiect Doth not this serue much to the confirmation of our faith that before we call he will heare vs before we haue neede hee willl prouide for vs So did the LORD prouide an Elizabeth before the great and sharpe storme fell vpon his Church Vse 1. And shall we then feare that the Lord will forsake vs in our troubles when he prouides meanes of deliuerance before troubles come Is he a God a farre off and shall we not beleeue him to be a GOD nere at hand 2 Pet. 1. 8. Oh let vs learne to liue by faith so shall we see a farre off Let it stay vs in our present troubles that God loued vs before we were that euen when we were his enemies Psal 139. he sought vs and preuented vs and shall he not now much more reskue vs beeing his friends Oh wee of little faith But are the mercies of God here at an end No surely Obs 113. The mercies of God to his children past finding out the mercies of the Lord are euerlasting and his truth past finding out Wade wee yet further into them in this particular case of Hester and let vs willingly loose our selues in the meditation thereof Was it not a great mercy of the Lord to aduance her to the Kinges house And was it not a greater mercy that in the Kings house shee is humbled that so by renuing her repentance shee might bee better fitted to her further estate And was not the mercy of God very admirable herein that being abased by the King she yet finds extraordinary fauour in his sight that so shee might finde comfort in her former sorrow But was it not yet a further mercy that beeing a subiect yea a stranger and of the abhominable and inthralled Nation yet shee is called to bee the lawfull wife of so mighty a Monarch and not onely so but euen to bee aduanced to the hyghest dignitye of all So constant is the LORD that whome hee loueth Iohn 13. 2. hee loueth to the end Such a priuiledge hath godlynesse that to the pure all thinges are pure 1 Tit 14. So sure is our saluation that euen all thinges shall turne to our good Rom. 8. 29. Vse 1. And shall wee then sinke vnder the burthen of our sinnes seeing wee cannot sound the depth of the mercies of God Shall wee plead vnwisely against GOD seeing hee cannot choose but loue vs seeing his loue is manifested in our sinnes and his power in our weakenesse Shall wee repine at his chastisements seeing of very faithfulnesse hee doth correct vs Shall wee distrust his blessinges seeing hee bestowes them in mercy Surely if we see not mercy euery where wee want the eye of faith And if wee laye not hold of eternal mercies we fight not y e good fight of faith But lette vs examine a little further this case of Hester 1 Tim 4. Obs 114. Whether great prosperity be a blessing in mercy to Gods children May wee truly say that here 's nothing but mercy Was it the mercy of God that shee should bee so highly aduanced VVhy then doth the spirit teach Gods children to pray that the Lord would not giue them neither pouerty nor riches Obiect Prouer 30. least beeing full they should deny him being empty they should blaspheme God Ans Surely the prayer of the seruant of God as it was conditionall not simply renouncing either fulnesse or want but as it might stand with the will of God and good of the receiuer so thereby doth it graunt a power vnto God to giue either fulnes or impose wāt at his pleasure And seeing where God giues in loue he also sanctifies the gift may not then the Lord giue fulnesse and yet preserue in humility and obedience May he not lay pouerty on his child and yet keepe him from impatience Yet at least so farre as that he shall not take the name of God in vaine Indeed if nature be left to it selfe and that as this most likely and vsuall be considered in this case fulnesse may breed forgetfulnesse and pouerty prophanesse and distrust of Gods prouidence And therefore in
man discerneth althings not onely concerning matters of saluation 1. Cor. 2. but euen so far also concerning this life Amos 3. as Godlinesse is profitable aswell for this as for that other And therefore as Princes may learne hence who to imploy in secrets So may Christians generally learne this lesson Iob. 33. Namely in doubtful cases and extremities to seeke to such interpreters who can declare to man his righteousnes discouer his dangers that so he may auoide the one and embrace the other Well it pleaseth the Lord to giue his seruant Mordecai notice of the treason Obs 139. Treason not to be concealed how doth he now behaue himselfe in y e discouery of this secret Conceale it he must not lest he incur the penalty of the law the safety of the Prince requires no lesse and the good of the offendors enioynes the same that the body being punished the soule may bee saued and the common wealth also shall gaine hereby as being much secured in the detection of such great mischiefes Which as it iustifeth the equity of our law which makes concealers of Treason parties therein So it discouers the notable deepenesse of Satan in carying these mischiefes so closely that they may not be discouered And hereby also subiects may wisely learne as to make conscience of their company least they heare what they would not so to take heed what they heare and much more what they conceale assuring themselues that as their is a time to couer the infirmities of their brethren from God and men so their is also a time to discouer their sin when the publique good requires it and their priuate also will sort therewith Treason then must be discouered but yet warilâ— too I must haue a good ground for what I report lest I be found to accuse an innocent and I must be able to vphold the discouery with some countenance and reputation least I be borne downe in the truth by the greatnesse of the offendor Behold here then the wisdome of Mordecai He relates not the matter himselfe to the King least he might not be beleeued or be out-faced by the countenance of the Traytors and the King might be enraged Obs 140. Treason to be reuealed in wisdome or deiected hereby and so for this ill newes might giue him but sorry recompence But wisely he goes to the Queene with whom he was of more credit and might more boldly reueale the matter vnto her whome he knew to be gratious wiâ—h her Lord or els by this demonstration of faithfulnesse might renew her fauour againe Wherein we may obserue a manifold argument of Mordecaies wisdome Particulars of Mordecaies wisdome herein 1. He takes occasion hereby to haue accesse to Hester and so in wise sort to renue his ancient acquaintance with her Wheras otherwise if he had had no other errant his comming might either haue smelt of malepartnesse or of proud ambition 2. He procures hereby credit to the Narration when it shal be promoted by honorable and acceptable a personage 3. In this his wisdome he renewes also his loue to his beloued daughter he enuies not her aduancement and therefore will reueale the treason himselfe to take away the thankes from her but knowing that fauour was mutable and greatnesse iealous therefore he makes Hester the meanes to acquaint the King therewith both that she might take occasion hereby to performe her duetie to the King and also might by this meanes renue his affections towards her Yea Mordecai might safely haue also a further reach herein namely to tire the sincere affection of his daughter towards him whether she would make this an occasion to his good and preferment or rather take the glory thereof vnto her-selfe Vse 1. Whereby we are taught as rather then to conceale treason to reueale it our selues yet if we may to vse such for the acquainting of the Prince therewith as may procure more credit to the truth and lesse daunger to our selues Let not hope of reward here make vs to hasty least the wrath of a King being the messenger of death it light vpon those that are neerest thereto Oh how gratious is a word in due season how doth the author grace the narration whereby we may further learne to get true fauour to our persons by being gratious with GOD and so shall we happily preuaile with men And yet are not to neglect the meanes of such as are in fauour with men so we vse modesty and sincerity therein Let vs especially be carefull not to abuse them with rumours and falcehoodes though Princes for a time are delighted with these yet falce-hood will out and fauour will change and so bring shame vpon the suggestors and reporters both Thus Hester is also acquainted with this mischiefe entended against her LORD What doth she now doth she conceale it as being sicke of her Husband discontent might haue ministred cause and reuenge would haue furthered the mischiese The incontinency of the King must needs breede iealosie and iealosie is the rage of a man therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance some would haue tickled at this occasion to haue bene rid of a bad husband And lust here would haue promoted the matter by suggesting hope o change yea ambition too by your leaue would haue puft vp some such Semiramis that so she might raigne alone But gratious Hester hath none of his fuell Rom. 12. religion hath taught her to passe by wrongs and to ouer-come euill with good and therefore no doubt she is glad by this occasion to approue herselfe vnto her Lord and thereby also to put him in mind of the vncertainty of his estate and so to tender meanes of his reclayming and amendment So ought a gratious wife to respect the well-fare of her husband Obser 141. A good wife ought to watch â—uer her husband to informe him of such daungers as are intented against him and so did Abigail aduize her husband Nabal So must they reueale vnto their husbands what they know concerning there estates as knowing that they are one and therefore both there good or euill doth go togeather and that especially hereby they keepe themselues in Gods fauour and thefore though the husband should take it ill yet here is the comfort the Lord commands it and he will turne the heart of he husband as shall be best for both Which as it condemneth those murtherous wiues that do desperatly seeke the life of their husbands either by direct engines as poyson strangling c. or by indirect meanes as by faulse accusations vnreasonable braulings c. so it doth also condemne those that flatter them in their sinne and sooth them vp in their wickednesse and for feare of displeasure dare not louingly reproue and admonish them therof And here also my wiues learne for these instruction to discharge their duties vnto their husbands in giuing them notice of such daungers as they are subiectvnto leauing