Ieroboams sonnes decease a funerall sermon on part of 1 Kings 14. 17. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.

Ieroboams SONNES DECEASE . 1 KING . 14.17 . The Childe died .

IT was foretold by Gods Prophet of this Childe , that it should die . And the Prophet ( you see ) proued a true Prophet : For ( saith my Text ) the Childe died .

Now howsoeuer a Childes death may seeme a matter of no great moment ; Death of Children . yet the Death of Children , and more especially the Death of this Childe , being duely considered , Of this Childe . Ieroboams . may well afford much matter of good vse .

The Childe was Ieroboams , a good Sonne of a bad Father , for his Parents sinne by God smitten , before with sicknesse , and now with Death .

The storie briefly is this . Ieroboam , The Storie . King of the a a 1 King . 11.31 . & 12.20 . Ten Tribes rent from Salomons house , had out of b b 1 King . 12.26 , 27 , 28. a wicked worldly policie , put downe Gods true worship within his Territorie , and set vp Idolatrie in the roome of it . For this the wrath of God being incensed against him , the Lord smote with sicknesse e e Abijas his Son , 1 King . 14.1 . a childe he had , which ( it seemeth ) was right deere vnto him . Hereupon f f Vers. 4. the Queene his mother , out of a motherly affection to her childe , desirous to know what was like to become of it , g g Vers. 2. with the aduice of her husband also , repaireth to one Ahias a Prophet of God , h h 1 King . 11.30 , 31. & 14.2 . who had sometime foretold her husband , being then but Salomons seruant , that he should succeed his Soueraigne in part of his Soueraigntie . But because she thought shee should be no welcome guest to him , i i Vers. 2. she disguised her selfe that she might not be knowne . Howbeit the Prophet vnderstanding from God who shee was , told her , he had k k Vers. 6. heauie tidings from God for her : That her husbands house should be vtterly destroyed ; l l Vers. 10. God would sweepe it away , as a man sweepeth away doung , till none of it be left . m m Vers. 11. Those of his stocke that died in the Citie , should bee eaten with dogs , and those that died in the field , should bee deuoured by the fowles . n n Vers. 12 , 13. This alone of all the rest should die in his bed , be laid in his graue , and mourning made for him , because some good things were found in him , he had a good heart to God , as a childe might haue . And as the Prophet foretold her , so accordingly it fell out : For no sooner was the Queene his mother returned , but o o Vers. 17. euen as shee set foot vpon the threshold of the Kings house , The childe died .

Points . Now from this childes death thus considered , diuers points of Instruction readily offer themselues vnto vs , Some generall , Generall . Some speciall : Speciall . :

I will pitch vpon two of either . The two Generall points shall be ; Points Generall 2 the former , that euen Children are tainted with sinne ; Points Generall 1 the latter , that Death is euer at our doores . Point Generall 2 For the former , that euen Children are tainted with Sinne , We hence deduce it , in that Point Generall 1 they are subiect to death . For p p Rom. 6.23 . Death is the wages of sinne . And , q q 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , stipendium : à re militari translatum . Mortis stipendium : vitae donatiuum . Tertull. de resurr. carn. r r Rom. 8.10 . For sinne it is that the body dies . And , s s Rom. 5.12 . Death came in by sinne . And , t t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Propterea quod . Ibid. Ita potius quam , In quo vti Vulg. & Aug. de peccat . mer. & rem . c. 10. & ad epist. Pel. l. 4. c. 4. & de verb. Ap. 7. & 14. & alibi . Because all haue sinned , therefore all die . u u Mors & peccatum , vt acus & filum . Sequatur necesse est poena peccatum . Aug. de praedest . & grat . c. 3. Sinne and Death , are as Needle and Threed ; the one entring before , is a meanes to draw on the other , x x Intrare mors non posset , nisi intrante peccato . Aug. ibid. nor would the one follow , if the other went not before . y y Gen. 2.17 . Before Sinne was , there was no death ; z z Apoc. 21.4 . 1 Cor. 15.26 , 54. nor shall there be any , when sinne shall be no more . It is apparant therefore , that euen Children are not free from sinne , in that they are subiect vnto death .

That which may also in few words be further confirmed vnto vs , By their Birth ; By their new-birth . Confirmation by Reasons 2.

1. By their birth , or their off-spring . a a In vtero damnati ante quam nati , quia de peccato & in peccato procreati & parti . Bern. de temp. 70. They come of sinnefull persons , of parents stained with Reason 1 sinne . And b b Iob 14.4 . who can draw a cleane thing out of tha that is vncleane ? how can faire water come from a filthy spring ? Yea euen the Children of faithfull and sanctified parents ; howsoeuer ( for the comfort of those that haue them taken hence in their nonage ) they are by vertue of their parents copie , and Gods gratious entaile , c c Fidei candidati , Tertull. de monogam . & Hieron . ad Ocean . & ad Paulin . quaest. 2. within the compasse of his couenant ; it running in those termes , d d Tibi & semini tuo . Gen. 17.7 , 10 , 11. I will bee thy God , and the God of thy seed ; and e e Vobis & liberis vestris . Act. 2.39 . the promise therefore is made not to them onely , but to their Children too : and they are in that regard said in some sort to be f f Quomodo vasa in tabernaculo sancta dicuntur , quia sacris vsibus destinata , cum vtique sancta esse non possint , nisi ea quae sentiunt & venerantur Deum . Hieron . ad Paulin. quaest. 2. holy ; ( g g Rom. 11.18 . If the root bee holy , the sprigs also be holy : ) and h h Quomodo Gal. 2.15 . non natura peccatores ex gentibus . Cartwr . Dum in Christo censentur , ex parentumfide . Morton . cleane : ( i i 1 Cor. 7.14 . Els were your children vncleane ; but now they bee cleane : ) And there is good hope therefore of the k k Matth. 19.14 . saluation of such ; and much more comfort too , when they haue receiued also the seale of the same . Yet certaine it is , that euen the children of the faithfull also , ( as Dauid , who confesseth as much by himselfe , m m Psal. 51.5 . Euen bred in iniquitie , and borne in sinne ; ) are of themselues as deepely tainted with this corruption as any . For that n n De mundatis nascitur non mundatus , quia tales non facit generatio sed regeneratio . A peccatis itaque nemo nascendo , sedomnes renascendo mundamur . Aug. de pecc . mer. & rem . l. 3. c. 9. Cum sit i●… progenie natorum generatio carnalis , in progenie renatorum regeneratio spiritualis , vis vt de baptisato baptisatus nascatur , cum videas de circumciso non nasci circumcisum ? carnalis est certè ista generatio , & carnalis est circumcisio ; & tamen de circumciso non nascitur circumcisus : sic ergò de baptisato non potest nasci baptisatus . Aug. de verb. Ap. 14. & Albert . in Ioan. 3. Vide & eund. de verb. Ap. 8. procreation being but a naturall act , the parents thereby can passe no more to their issue , than what they had naturally themselues . So o o Peccatum quod mundatur per baptismum manet in eis , quos genuerunt baptisati , quomodo praeputium , quod per circumcisionem aufertur , manet in eis , quos genuerunt circumcisi . Aug. de pecc . mer. & rem . l. 3. c. 8. the l l Rom. 4.11 . cum Col. 2.11 , 12. circumcised father bred an vncircumcised sonne : and p p 1 Cor. 15.37 . Seritur solummodo granum sine folliculi veste , fundamento spica , numimento aristae , superbia culmi : exurgit copia faeneratū , compagine aedificatum , ordine structum , cultu munitum , vsque● quaque vestitum . Tertull. de resurr. carn. corne though it bee neuer so curiously seuered and clensed , from the straw by threshing , from the chaffe by winnowing , q q Pone granum purgatum ; de grano purgato frumentum cum palea nascitur , sine qua seminatur . Aug. de verb. Ap. 14. Palea quae tanta diligentia opere humano separatur , manet in fructu , qui de tritico purgato nascitur . Idem de pec . mer. & rem . l. 3. c. 8. Transmittere p●ssunt ad posteros , quod ipsi non habent , vt paleam frumentum , circumcisus praeputium , sic fideles infidelitatem . Est in illis remissione mundatum , quod est in istis simili remissione , velat circumcisione , velut irituratione & ventilatione mundandum . Ibid. c 9. yet commeth vp againe , if it be sowne , with both , as before .

2. By their new-birth . For r r Non ob aliud instiuta est regeneratio , nisi quia vitiosa est generatio . Aug. encbir . c. 46. Si sanctificationascuntur de fidelibus fil●j , quid opus habent baptizari ? Idem de pecc . mer. & rom. l. 2. c. 26. Nemo renascatur in corpore Christi , nisi prius nas●atur in corpore peccati : Ibid. l. 1. c. 29. children should not Reason 2 need either regeneration , or baptisme , the Sacrament of it , were they not before , euen by their first breeding , defiled and polluted with sinne . For s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrys●st . in Tit. h●m. 3. nothing can spiritually pollute or defile , but it onely . Bernard speaking of those words of the Apostle , t t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ephes. 2.3 . We were by nature children of wrath , euen as well as the rest . u u Filij irae , non furoris . We are , saith he , by nature , children of Gods wrath , but yet not children of Gods rage , that is , of his implacable wrath , as x x 2 Pet. 2.4 . Iudae 6. the Deuills are , irrecouerably therefore damned . For , saith hee , y y Si non filius irae nascerer , non opus esset renasci : si filius furoris nascerer , aui non contigisset , aut non prosuisset renasci . Bern. in Cant. 69. Were I not by nature a childe of wrath , I should not need to be renewed ; but were I a childe of Gods rage , or his implacable wrath , either should I neuer haue beene renewed , or I should neuer haue beene the better for being renewed .

Both by the first and the second breeding then it is apparent , that children are not free from sinne .

If any shall moue doubt here , Quest. how children can haue sinne , who neither are yet able to doe , speake , wish , or thinke euill , yea that doe not so much as know what sinne is .

Answer generall 1. 1. I might answer with a a Infantes qui negat peccatores , neget & mortales . Peccatum autem vt cum paruulis nascatur carnis oculis non videmus : sed quod videmus paruulos mori , cogimur confiteri cum peccato nasci . Aug. de praedest . & grat . cap. 3. Augustine , that albeit wee could not conceiue how Infants should haue sinne ; yet vnderstanding out of Gods word , that * * Rom. 5.12 . death came in by sinne , and that it is an effect and fruit of sinne , wee must acknowledge that they are not free from the one , when we see them subiect to the other .

Answer 2. But 2. I answer , that it may well be conceiued how euen children may haue sinne , though not able yet to act it , or to vnderstand at all what it is .

Instance 1 1. As the brood of Aspes and Vipers , ( for b b Psal. 58.4 . Esa. 11.8 . such are we compared to ) c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de prouid . haue a poisonfull nature , before euer they come to venome or to sting any : or as the whelps of Lions , Wolues and Beares ( for d d Esa. 11.6 , 7. such also are we said to be ) e e Lupi catulus dum in lustris delitescit caecus , rapinarum rudis & ignarus , ingenium tamen rapax in se haber . Zuingl . adu . Calabapt . haue a rauenous disposition in them naturally , before euer they come to bee able to prey , or to apprehend what prey is .

Instance 2 2. As wicked men f f Act. 28.3 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Dio Prus . orat . 74. Instrumenta illis explicandae nequitiae desunt . Sic tutò serpens etiam pestifera tractatur ; dum riget frigore . Non desunt tum illi venena , sed torpent . Sen. ep. 42. Pauls viper , that lay stiffe with cold , and for the present therefore might bee handled without harme , and yet was it no lesse venomous all that while , than before . For is a bad man the lesse euill , when hee lieth fast asleepe ? Or doth g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gyges apud Herodot . l. 1. Theano apud Laert. in Pytbag . & Plut. de and . & de coniug . Mulier cum veste deponit & verecundiam . Hieron . adu . Iouin . l. 1. he lay aside his wickednesse together with his weed .

3. Take it by the contrarie : as h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Epict●t . en●hir . c. 13. Stob. c. 7. Ita Aristot . de anima . l. 1. c. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . a godly man is Instance 3 in the like cases a good man still , though his senses be so locked vp for the time , and the vse of vnderstanding and reason so suspended , that hee can neither minde nor tend any good thing for the present . For it is no naturall accident that can impaire spirituall grace in him ; no corporall infirmitie or disease that can kill that incorruptible seed k k 1 Iob. 3.9 . of God once conceiued in the soule . And what should hinder , but that as much may be in a young childe , as in a godly man so affected ?

4. To reason therefore from the state and condition Instance 4 of children themselues . They are capable of holinesse , euen while they are such . It is apparent in Iohn the Baptist , who was l l Luke 1.25 . filled with the Holy Ghost , euen from the wombe of his mother ; and ( as one of the ancients well saith ) was m m In vtero priusquam nasceretur renatus . Greg. mor. l. 3. c. 4. Quod tamen Aug. impossib●le censet . Nemo , inquit , ante renatus quam natus . Et , Renasci nemo potest antequam sit natus . Aug. ep. 57. & de verb. Ap. 14. Verum regenitum si dixisset Greg. contradictionis speciem omnem su●tulisset . new-bred , yet vnborne . Yea so certaine it is of all young ones , that belong to Gods election , that they are n n Iob. 3.3 , 7. regenerate and sanctified ere they goe hence : since that o o Apoc. 2● . 27 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. protrept . no vnholy thing can enter into Heauen , p p 1 Cor. 15.50 . nor q q 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Isid. Pel. l. 1. ep. 477. Corruptelae nomen non naturae . Tertull. de resu●r . flesh and bloud inherite the kingdome of God . And if children may haue habituall holinesse in them , though they be altogether vnable yet to doe ought that is good , yea though they know not so much as what it meanes ; why may they not as well haue habituall i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 1 Pet. 1.13 . naughtinesse in them , albeit they be yet vnable vtterly to doe ought that is euill , or to r r In paruulis nec scientia est , nec conscientia ▪ & est peccatum tamen originis . Aug. ad . Iul. l. 5. c. 1. vnderstand so much as what it is ?

This point then thus proued and cleered , the vse of it it ;

Vse 1 1. To acquite God from all imputation and aspersion of crueltie , or of iniquitie , if hee should haue taken euerie one of vs , as soone as wee came into the world , and throwne vs headlong ( as some wee need not doubt but hee doth ) into hell . Wee brought that into the world with vs , for which hee might iustly haue so dealt with vs . Nor is this discrepant from our owne courses in the like , kinde . s s Cant. 2.15 . Catch vs ( saith he ) the foxes , euen the young cubs too . t t Lupus , catulus licet , lupus est , & à venatoribus captus iure confoditur . Zuingl . ad Vrban . Reg. & Gualt . apolog. Wee destroy the verie breed of venomous creatures , when wee can come by them , as well as those that they come of ; wee kill the young whelps , if we light on them , as well as the old wolfe or the fox ; not in regard of the hurt that they haue done , or are able yet to doe , but in regard of the harmefull disposition that is naturally in them . And iust may it be with God to doe the like by vs , in regard of that u u Videram nondum diem ; vterique nondum solueram clusi moras ; Nox me occupauit , & nouae luci abstulit . Mors me antecessit , aliquis intra viscera maternaletum praecocis fati tulit : Sed numquid & peccauit ? abstrusum , abditum , Dubiumque an essem , sceleris infandi reum Deus peregit . Senec. Theb. euill disposition that is x x Peccatum cum homine nascitur . Olympius apud Aug. ad . Iul. l. 1. c. 3. bred and borne with vs . For who can in equitie denie the Creatour that power ouer the creature , that the creature hath ouer its fellow-creature .

Vse 2 2. To shew the reason why it is so difficult a matter to make a man good . a a Wisd. 13.1 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Menard . Man is euill by nature ; he is bred and borne such . And that ( we say ) that is bred in the bone , will not out of the flesh . b b Wisd. 12.10 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aristot . ethic. l. 2. c. 1. Quae à natura sunt , aliter se habere non possunt . Idemque ethic. magn . l. 2. c. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Hippocrat . de leg . med. Custode & cura natura potentior omni . Naturam expellas furca licet vsque recurret . Horat. epist. 10. l. 1. Those things that are naturall cannot easily bee altred . You may tie or mousle a wolfe , so that hee cannot prey or bite ; or you may beat him so bound , till he bee not able to stirre ; but c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pindar . Olymp. 11. - natura recurret Ad mores fixa & mutari nescia . Horat. satyr . you shall neuer bee able to beat his woluish nature out of him . But sinne it is naturall to vs , and cannot therefore bee remoued , but by a supernaturall power . As d d Nemo bonus , qui non ex malo bonus . Aug. in Prosp. sint . 155. Ad neminem ante bona mens venit , quam mala : omnes praeoccupati sumus . Sen. ep. 51. & 76. no man is good , but of bad made good ; so no man can but e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pindar . Olymp. 9. Bonus vir sine Deo non est . Sen. ep. 41. Nulla fine Deo mens bona est . Idem ep. 73. by a diuine power of bad be made good . Sinne cannot be wrought out of vs by any meanes , but those that God himselfe hath sanctified and set apart for that purpose , and by his gratious blessing accompanying the vse of them .

3. To admonish parents of their dutie concerning Vse 3 their children ; to begin as soone as they can with them , and as they are capable of ought , to vse the good meanes by God himselfe prescribed for the working of this inbred naughtinesse out of them . Be as carefull for your children in regard of their soules , as you are wont to be f f Vt corpora ad quosdam membrerant flexus formari nisi tenera non poffunt : sic animos quoque ad plaeraque duriores robur ipsum facit . Quintil. insti● . l. 1. c. 1. In cunctis fererebus citius assuescit omne quod tenerum est . Pelag. ad Demetr. for their bodies . If ought grow awrie there , you are forward enough to be tampering about them , seeking helpe , and vsing meanes for them , while they age yet young , and their bones gristly and f f Vt corpora ad quosdam membrerant flexus formari nisi tenera non poffunt : sic animos quoque ad plaeraque duriores robur ipsum facit . Quintil. insti● . l. 1. c. 1. In cunctis fererebus citius assuescit omne quod tenerum est . Pelag. ad Demetr. tender , before the g g Cerea flicti . Horat. art. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. paedag . - argilla qu●duis imitaberis 〈◊〉 ▪ Horat. 1. 〈◊〉 . 2. ioynts be knit , and the bones growne stiffe , that may make it the more incurable . Oh be as wise and as prouident for them in regard of their soules . Since you are informed that they generally grow awrie by nature , vse with all speed ; and all diligence , all good meanes to remoue this enormitie , and to set them right and strait as soone as possibly may bee , before that nature and custome ( a h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Aristot . thet . l. 1. c. 11. Videcund . s●p . ethic. magn . l. ● . c. 6. consuetudo altera natura . Cic. fin . l. 5. second nature ) concurring , make i i Ierem. 13.23 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Dinarch . adu . Aristogit . Dum feruitur libidini facta est consuetudo ; & dum consuetudini non resistitur , facta est necessitas . Aug. confess . l. 8. c. 5. Natura enim & consaetudo vobustissimam faciunt & inuictissimam cupi ditatem . Idem ad Simplic . l. 1. q. 1. Inueterata in nobis malorum omnium labe , aliter iam non vitiosi esse non possumus , nisi vt omnino non simus . Saluian . de prouid . l. 6. Longo quod vsu in peius vsque induruit , Mult●facilius fregeris , quam flexeris . Bu●●an . Bapt. the cure at least the more difficult , if not the euill irrecouerable .

Vse 4 4. To admonish each one for himselfe , to take heed how obstinately he goe on in sinne , how hee wilfully adde to this original corruption further actuall transgression . k k 1 Pet. 4.4 . It is sufficient ( saith the Apostle ) that we spent the former time of our ignorance in the lusts of the flesh , &c. So it was sufficient , yea and more than sufficient for vs , that wee brought into the world with vs that inbred naughtinesse , for which God might iustly then haue destroyed vs . And if therefore l l Rom. 2.4 . concerning the m m 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . goodnesse and long suffering of God , who hath hitherto borne with vs , and in much mercie forborne vs , wee shall still wilfully runne on in the practice of sinne , and so n n Deut. 20.19 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aristat . Ethic. l. 7. c. 2. Quod Galen . sic extulit , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Quod malim , quam 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 cum Erasm . chil. 2. cent. 1. adag . 8. Nam & Aristot . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . adde drunkennesse to thirst ; we shall but o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Rom. 2.5 . Sicut mittentes pecuniam in gazophylacium , quod vbi tam impletar confringitur , Stella in Luc. treasure vp wrath against the day of wrath , and make our iudgement at length the more intolerable .

The other Generall point , that from the death of children we obserue , is , Point 2. Generall . that Death is euer at our doores .

p p Mors vbique nos expectat . Aug. de spir. & anim . c. 51. Erras , si in nauigatione tantum existimes , minimum esse qua à m●rte vita diducitur . In omni loco aequè tenue interuallum est . Non vbique se mors tam prope ostendit ; vbique tam prope est . Sen. ep. 49. Quod enim tempus morti exemptum est ? A quo prope non est , parata omnibius locis , omnibus momentis ? Idem ep. 30. Mors vbique praesto est : occurrit vndique . Idem nat . quaest. l. 6. c. 2. It lieth in wait for vs not in our fields , or our streets , or our shops , or our beds onely , but in our cradles to , in our swathing-bands , in the childe-bed , in the childe-birth . q q Quomodo Sen. ep. 122. Nullum animal sine metu mortis in vitam predit . None come into life , but by perill of death . Death is neere at hand with vs , r r Senibus mors in ianuis , adolescentibus in insidijs est . Bern. de conuers . c. 14. Et sub eodem pueritia fato est . Fuscus Sen. suasor . 2. not in our old age , or our decaying time onely , but in our mans estate also , in our riper yeeres , in our youth , in our childe-hood , in our infancie it selfe . How many are carried s s Ab vtero ad vrnam . Iob 10.19 . & 3.11 . - protinus quosdom editos N●x occupauit , & nouae lucī abstulit . Sen. Theb. In ipso saepè lucis exordio mors nascentem sequitur . Hieron . ad Paul . Concord . from the wombe to the tombe , ( as Iob speaketh ) from birth immediately to buriall ? yea , how many die t t Eccles. 6.3 . Psal. 58.8 . Iob. 3.16 . - aliquis intra viscera Materna letum praecocis fati tulit . Sen. Theb. Ita necessaria crudelitate in vtero trucidatur infans , matricida , ni moriturus . Tertull. de anim . in the wombe ? how many perish vnborne , before euer they come to light , ere they know what life meaneth , or u u Dubium an essem . Sen. Theb. wee know that they liue . That young goe as well as old , and children die as well as others , we haue as well a visible as a vocall sermon preaching it to vs at this present .

That it is so therefore , it is of it selfe euident , and daily experience is a sufficient proofe of it . The reason why it is so , is no lesse apparent .

For , to passe by that generall reason from the former point , that therefore Children also are subiect to death , because they are not free from sinne ; Reason generall .

1. There is no certaine stint , tearme , or lease of Reason 1 mans life . a a Psal. 31.15 . Our times are in Gods hands . As for our b b Leuit. 25.23 Deus solus proprietarius est : homines ad placitum coloni . St. Iun. vindic . l. 1. Aduenae nascendo , incolae viuendo , quia migrare compelluntur moriendo . Aug. in Leuit. q. 91. lands , so for our c c Vita da●a est vtenda , data est — Mutua , nec certo perso●uenda die . Pedo ad Liu. liues we are but Gods tenants at will . And he may turne our soules out of these d d 2 Cor. 5.1 . mud-walled cotages of our bodies , when hee will . e e Prou. 20.27 . The f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 breath of man ( saith Salomon ) is as g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a candle of Gods lighting . And as wee doe with our lights , so doth God with our liues : we light candles , and put them out againe as we list : some wee doe out as soone as they beginne but to burne ; some we let alone , till the wax or tallow be halfe wasted ; some till weeke and wax all be spent . So doth God with vs ; he setteth our h h Vita enim lucu vsura dicitur , Iob 3.20 . Mers nocti fimilis perhibetur . Nobi● cum semel ●xcidi● breuis lux , Nox est perpetua vna dormienda . Catul . epigr. 5. life vp as a light , and when he seeth good , hee doth it out againe , with some sooner , with some later , but with each one when himselfe will .

Reason 2 2. The bonds that tie soule and bodie together , are no stronger , if not rather more tender , in children , than in others of riper yeeres . i i Esai . 40.6 . 1 Pet. 1.24 . All flesh is as grasse . But children are as flowers , or blossomes , more tender vsually than any other part of the plant : The k k Esai . 40.7 , 8. Psal. 103.15 , 16. Iob 14.2 . flower sooner fadeth , than the herbe it selfe doth : the blossome is sooner blasted and blowne away , that the fruit that followeth it , is wont to be , when it is once knit . Yea , to hold to our former resemblance ; a candle is sooner and more easily blowne out againe , when it is but new lighted , than when it hath burnt awhile . And with lesse difficultie is this light of life puft out in those , whom it is but newly , and scarce thorowly yet , kindled in .

The Vse whereof may be ,

Vse 1 1. To discouer their folly , that presume of long life , in regard of health and youth . They are but young yet , and therefore they may liue long and see many a good day . And they are healthie and strong , and may therefore hold out as well as others , as long as any . Yea , but there is none of those that thus say or thinke , so young , but they haue seene many younger goe ; none so strong , but that they may haue seene as strong , if not stronger , goe than themselues . m m Psal. 90.4 , 5 , 6. Vno die totam hominis vitam conclusit . Philip. in Iob 1. Instar totius vitae dies est . Sen. Epist. 61. Vide Cic. Tuscul . l. 1. cum Ephemero bestiola hominem committentem . Mans life is as a day . And as we see that daies are not all of one length ; there are Summer , and there are Winter dayes ; some longer , some shorter ; some of more , some of fewer houres : So is there no lesse varietie in the length and size of mens liues , according to that time that God hath pleased to allot each . But herein againe there is great difference betweene this naturall day and the day of mans life ; that n n Nihil interest inter diem & seculum . Sen. ep. 100. Nihil enim habet longissimi temporis spatium , quod non in vno die inuenis , lucem & nocte , & alternas mundi vices : plura , non alia facit ista nox , alias contractior , alias productior , Idem ep. 12. the naturall day , be it neuer so short , it hath a morning , a noone , an afternoone and an euening ; whereas the day of our life may haue a morning , and no noone , or a noone and no after-noone . o o Amos 8.9 . The Sunne ( as the Prophet speaketh in another sense ) may set with vs at noone day . We may be suddenly snatcht away p p Iob 15.33 . & 21.23 . in the flower of our youth , in the prime of our age , in the height of our health , in the chiefe of our strength . Yea , the q q Psal. 129.6 . Solstitialis velut herba solet , Oftentatus raptusque . simul . Auson . profess . Allusit ad illud Plaut. Pseud . 1.1 . Quasi solstitialis herba paulisper fui ; Repente exortus sum , repentino occidi . Et ad illud Virg. Aen. 6. Ostendent terris hunc tantum fata , nec vltra Esse sinent . Sunne may set with vs , so soone as it is vp ; it may but peere out , and twinckle awhile with a twy-light , and in the twinckling of an eye instantly goe downe againe . It is a vaine thing therefore , for any in regard of youth , to presume of long life , when as length of life no way dependeth vpon youth , and wee see young goe as well , yea as oft as old doe .

Vse 2 2. Is it so that death is euer at our doores ? Then it standeth vs in hand to liue euer in expectation of it . r r Mors te vbique expectat : & tu igitur , si sapis , eam vbique expectabis . Aug. de spir. & anim . c. 51. Bern. medit. c. 3. & Ocul . moral . c. 7. Incertum est , quo te loco mors expectet : Itaque tu illam omni loco expecta . Sen. ep. 26. Doth death ( saith one ) he euerie where in wait for thee ? then thou also , if thou beest wise , wile be prepared alwaies for it . Say thou as blessed Iob saith , and doe as he ( no doubt ) also did ; s s Iob 14.14 . All the daies ( saith he ) of mine appointed time here , I will wait till my change come , that is , till the time come of my decease and departure hence . Nor let the young man thinke that this lesson is for old men onely . No : t t Eccles. 12.1 . Remember thy Maker ( saith Salomon ) in the daies of thy youth . u u Mors tam iuueni ante oculos debet esse quam seni . Non enim citamur ex censu . Sen. ep. 12. Eata seriem non seruant . Jbid. 62. It standeth young men vpon as well as old , to prepare for death , because youth as well as old age is subiect to death . And though there may be affirmatiue , yet there are no negatiue signes of it . Of doomes-day there are both ; of thy deaths day but the one onely . Of the generall day of doome , there are signes both affirmatiue , such x x Matth. 24.32 , 33. Luk. 21.30 , 31. as shew that it approacheth and draweth neere ; and negatiue , such as shew that it shall not be as yet , because they must goe before it , and it shall not come therfore , before they be fulfilled , as y y 2 Thess. 2.3 . was the reuelation of the man of sinne , and is yet z z Rom. 11.25 , 26 , 31. the Conuersion of the Iewish Nation . But of the particular day of any mans death , howsoeuer there may be signes affirmatiue , such as shew the neerenesse of it , as old age , decay of nature , some diseases , and the like ; yet there is no negatiue signes of it ordinarily , ( howsoeuer a a Luk. 2.26 . Simeon and b b Matth. 16.28 . some others haue had some extraordinarily giuen them ) such as may shew that as yet it shall not be . A man cannot say , I am young , and therefore I shall not die yet ; for c c Mixta senum ac inuenum densantur funera , nullum saeuacaput Proserpina fugit . Hor. carm. 1.28 . he may be taken away in his youth . A man cannot say , I am strong , and therefore I shall not die yet : for with the sudden stroake of an apoplexie may hee be strucke downe d d Iob 21.23 . in his chiefe strength . A man cannot say , I am healthie , and therefore I shall not die yet : For e e Nunquid vt homo concidat res magni molimenti est ? &c. Sen. ad Marc. c. 11. Nihil tam exiguum est , quod non in perniciem generis humani satis valeat . Idem qu. nat. l. 6. c. 2. there needs no long sicknesse , yea no sicknesse at all , to deliuer a man vp to death . As a man may die well before he be old , so may hee well die also , and yet neuer be sicke . Since that death therefore lieth in wait for vs , as well in youth as in age , it behoueth young as well as old to be prepared for it .

3. Are young children also subiect to death ? Let those whom God hath blessed with children then , Vse 3 hence bee admonished , to apply themselues betimes to worke good things into them ; since that they know not how soone they may bee taken away from them . That if it shall please God to call for their children , while they are but young yet , away from them , they may with the more comfort part with them , when they may bee able to say of them , as it is said f f Vers. 13. of the childe spoken of in my Text , As young as they were , yet there were good things in them ; some seeds and sparks of grace began to appeare in them . Wee are wont to be troubled , when God taketh them away from vs , if we haue not beene so carefull as wee thinke wee should haue beene , in something concerning the health of their bodies : But we haue more cause to be troubled , when our hearts shall tell vs , that wee haue beene negligent and retchlesse about them , in such things as concerned the state and welfare of their soules .

4. Are our children thus subiect to death , and we Vse 4 know not how soone they may bee taken away from vs ? Then as the Apostle speaketh in the like case , g g 1 Cor. 7.29 . Nostros sic habere , sic amare debemus , tanquam nihil nobis de perpetuitate , in ò nihil de diuturnitate i● sorum promissum sit . Sen. ad Marc. c. 10. Let those that haue children be as if they had them not . Not that Parents should not loue and affect their children : they are h h Tit. 2.4 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . commanded so to doe : and they are worse , I say not , than heathen , but than i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de amor . prol. bruit beasts , that doe otherwise : and it is well made a note therefore of men k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Rom. 1.28 . giuen vp to a reprobate minde , and cast behinde euen the gouernment of nature , as well as the guidance of grace , to be l l 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Rom. 1.30 . deuoid of naturall affection . But that they should not so set and fasten their affections vpon them , that they should be vnwilling m m Tulisti , quia tuus erat : gratias ago , quod dedisti ; non obmurmuro , quoniam abstulisti . Bern. de temp. 110. to part from them , when God shall please to call for them , n n Iosh. 24.3 , 4. Psal. 127.3 . Abstulit ; sed dedit . Sen. ep. 63. Non moeremus , quod talem amifimus ; sed gratias agimus , quod habuimus . Hieron . epitaph . Paul . from whom formerly they receiued them , and who hath therefore best right and title to them . So therfore must thou labour to haue thy children , and endeuour to stand so affected in regard of them , that if God should call for thine Isaak , thy darling from thee , ( o o Gen. 22.1 . Take thine onely sonne , saith he , Isaak , thy Sonne that thou louest : ) thou maist be willing to offer him to God with thine owne hands . If he call for one of many , as p p Anytus . he of Athens , when Alcibiades a young gallant came reuelling into his house , as hee sate with some strangers at supper , and tooke away the one halfe of his plate ; and his guests stormed and tooke on at it ; q q Vise Plut. in Alcib . & in Erotic . & Athen. dipnosop . lib. 12. he told them , he had dealt kindly that hee less them the other hal●●● , that r r 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . he tooke not all , when all was his ; so repine not thou , for that that is gone , but be thankfull to God , for those that be left ; he that taketh one , might as well , if he would , haue tooke all , and it is his mercie if he leaue thee any . Yea ; labour to bee like Iob , to be affected as he was . When God tooke not one of them , but s s Percussus subita orbitate filio●●m , vt quos sigillatim susceperat , simul perderet ; tanquam eorum numerositas , non vnde foelicitas ernaretur , extiterit , sed vnde calamitas augereti●● . Hugo Vict. de patient . c. 11. all his children at once from him , t t Iob 1.21 . The Lord ( saith he ) hath giuen ; and the Lord hath taken : Now blest bee his name . Hee parteth with them as one would doe with a nurse childe , that the parents of it had sent for home againe . And indeed ( to speake as the truth is ) wee are but as foster fathers and nursing mothers to those children that God blesseth vs here with ; their true u u Matth. 23.9 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . lib. 3. Father indeed is aboue in Heauen . So therefore should we esteeme of them , as of children by God put to nurse to vs ; whom therfore , when he shall see good to call for them home from vs , we should be as willing to returne to him , as wee would a nurse childe , though we loued it as our owne , to the parents of it , when they should send for it ; the rather , knowing that they shall be , and doe better with him , than they haue done , or can doe with vs .

And thus much for the two generall points that from hence we obserue : Points Speciall .

Wee passe now to the speciall : which shall bee these two , that The good goe oft before the bad , and that , The good die oft-times for the bad .

For the former , Point 1. Speciall howsoeuer we might hence obserue , that The good goe as well as the bad . Yet passing by that for the present , as hauing handled it on the like occasion a a See , Abrahams Decease on Genes. 25.8 . elsewhere , the point that I purpose now to insist on shall be this , that Point 2. Speciall . The good goe oft before the bad ; That they die not onely as well as they , but they die oft euen before them . So the Prophet telleth vs , that b b Esai . 57.1 . The righteous perish , and good men are taken away : when the wicked meanewhile are left behinde still . And the Psalmist complaineth , that the godly were taken away so fast , that there was scarce one good man left . c c Psal. 12.1 . Helpe Lord , ( saith he ) for there is not a godly man left , the faithfull are failed from among the children of men . But there is d d 1 Iob. 5.19 . a world of wicked ones left still . e e Psal. 12.8 . The wicked ( saith he ) walke on euerie side . Here we see ( to goe no further ) Ieroboams good sonne taken away , when his vngodly father , Reasons 2. and his wicked brethren , with the rest of that prophane and irreligious family still remaine .

Now this God thus disposeth , Sometime in iudgement , and Sometime in mercie .

Reason 1 1. In iudgement sometime . For f f 1 Pet. 4.17 . Iudgement beginneth at Gods house . g g Ier. 25.17 , 28 , 29. The cup of Gods wrath is sent first to Ierusalem : she beginneth to the rest of it . h h 1 Cor. 11.30 . The mortalitie at Corinth seized vpon the Beleeuers there for their abuse of the Sacrament , s●●it some of them , and swepe away other some of them , when many an Infidell escaped , and went scot-free the whiles . i i Iohn 25. ● . Planta ferax falcem patiturque petitque freqūentem , Cultoris 〈◊〉 recisa mamu . Dum rigid● r●bus inf●lix intalla mucrone Permanet , hibernis esca futura focis . Non pacitur impi●s , 〈◊〉 farmentis 〈◊〉 ad 〈◊〉 : non 〈…〉 ad proficiendem purgationem . Aug. ad Faust . l. 22. c. 21. The fruit tree is oft pared , and pruned , and trimmed ▪ while the brier standeth by it vnstirred and vntoucht , till it come at length to be f●●●od at once for the fire . The stormie shower and raine lighteth first on the high bils , and k k 〈◊〉 11.35 . hauing washed them , then runneth downe to the vale , and there t t Zach. 9.1 . setleth with all the filth in the bottome .

2. In mercie , ( though in that iudgement also there Reason 2 be mercie ; yea , it is not u u Habb. 2.3 . mixt onely with mercie , but euen the verie iudgement it selfe also is a mercie , because x x 1 Cor. 11.32 . it preuenteth a greater mischiefe ; but this in meere mercie without admixtion of wrath , ) when ( as the Prophet saith ) y y Esai . 57.1 . they are taken away from the euill to come . So was it foretold Iosias that he should be taken away , z z 2 King . 22.20 . that hee might not see the euill that should befall that place and his people . And so of this childe , that e e Vers. 12-16 . hee should die before-hand , that he might not see and suffer in those fearfull iudgements that should betide his Fathers house and stocke after his decease . God doth in this kinde , as wee would our selues in the like case , had wee children either at nurse or at schoole in some place , where some trouble were like shortly to bee ; and so dangerous being and abiding there for them : For example , had any of you had a childe at Breda , abiding there to learne the language , or for some other such end , and should haue heard that Spinola had an intent and purpose to come and sit downe with all his forces , as he did also , before it ; what course wouldest thou haue taken in this case ; but in all haste to send away for thy sonne , and to cause him to come home to thee , where he might be in better safetie ? * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Plut. ad Apollon. In like manner doth God with his that hee hath at nurse or at schoole here , when trouble and danger is toward those places where they make their abode , he calleth for them away , he taketh them home to himselfe , where they are sure to be safe , farre from touch or view of euill .

Yea but , Question . how doth God ( may some say ) then make good a a Exod. 20 . 1● . Deut. 5. ●● . Ephes. 6. ●● . his promise of long life , made to good and obedient children ? such as wee need not doubt but that this son of Ierobeams was ; for where there is goodnesse to God , there cannot but be a care of all good dutie and due respect to those that are as b b Itaque mandatum hoc 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 appellat Philo de decalog . & tabulae cam pri●r● dicat . in Gods roome , and whom c c Matth. 16.4 . God hath enioyned honour to be giuen vnto .

To this I answer ;

Answer 1 1. That long life is there promised so farre forth as it may bee a benefit and a blessing . Now howsoeuer it may be a blessing to liue long , to d d Psal. 128.5 , 6. see Ierusalem in prosperitie , and peace vpon Israel : yet to liue long , e e 1 Sam. 2.32 . to see the enemie in the gates of our people , to see f f Zech. 14.21 . the Canaanite in Gods house , g g Psal. 74.4 . Gods aduersaries roaring in the middest of his Sanctuarie , and their ensignes in way of triumph set vp in his Temple : so to liue long , I say , might be no benefit at all , might bee a curse rather than a blessing : because h h Sic diu viuere , est diu torqueri . Aug. de temp. 113. so to liue long , were but to liue long in miserie , so to liue long , were rather i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plato apud Plut. de prouid . to bee long a dying , than to liue long : For how can a man bee said truely k k Hincillud , Exigua pars est vitae , quàm nos viuimus . Caeterum omne spatium non vita sed tempus est . Sen. de breu . vit. c. 2. Potest fieri , imò saepe fit , vt qui diu vixcrit , parum vixerit . Idem ep. 49. In longissima vita minimum est quod viuitur . Idem ep. 98. Quem saeuaden , pestai a portu exceptum huc & illuc tulit , 〈…〉 in orbem egil , non ille multum ●auigau● , sed mult●m 〈◊〉 est , Idem de 〈◊〉 8. Non illediu vixit , sed diu fuit . Ibid. Ita de disco●di con●ugio ●hemis● dē anima . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . to liue then , Answer 2 when he hath l l Gen. 27.46 . Iob. 7.25 . no comfort of his life ?

2. God in such cases maketh his word good , in that in stead of a lesse good , he giueth a better a greater . To vse Chrysostomes comparison : m m Chrysost. alicubi . sed locus iam non fuccurrit . Thou commest to a Gold-smith or a Ieweller , that hath among other stones on his stall , a sorrie Achate , and a rich Adamant ; thou cheapenest , and bargainest with him for the Achate , and in stead of the Achate hee deliuereth thee the Adamant ; wouldest thou say , he did thee wrong ? Or suppose thou commest to a great landed man , and dealest with him for some terme of yeeres in a farme ; and when the deeds come to be drawne , he maketh ouer to thee the fee-simple of a manour . Euen so dealeth the Lord here . n n Psal. 21.4 . The King ( saith he ) asked life of thee , and thou gauest him long life , euen for euer and euer . Hee promiseth long life , and for that lease of life of some few yeeres continuance , he bestoweth a perpetuitie ; in stead of a miserable long life here , hee giueth a blessed and incorruptible eternall life elsewhere . Hee maketh them payment ( saith o o Chrysost. in Rom. hom. 7. Chrysostome ) in stead of p p 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . blacke moneyes in a strange Countrey , in q q 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . good gold at home in their owne .

Now the consideration hereof may

1. Teach and admonish vs , to suspend our censures Vse 1 in regard of those that are taken away from vs : and not to iustifie our selues in regard of those that we suruiue in times of mortalitie , or that perish at any time when wee escape . They may goe for the better , and we be reserued for worse matters , to see and suffer more miserie which they are taken away from . r r Malac. 3.17 . These shall be my s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 idquod in thesaur l● praecipuum & primarium habetur . iewels ( saith God by Malachy ) in the day that I doe this . God doth , as men in the like cases . If their houses be on fire , or in danger of fiering , their iewels and their treasure is that that they haue most care of , and that in the first place therefore they will endeuour to remoue : so doth God with his , that are his iewels and his treasure , ( for so t t Exod. 19. ● . Deut 7.6 . & 14. ● . & 26.18 . he termeth them , and so he esteemeth them ) when the fire of his wrath is seized , or ready to seize on the places they abide in , hee snatcheth them thence , and remoueth them to places of better securitie . And what place more secure than Heauen , his owne house ? Or where can they be safer than with himselfe ?

Vse 2 2. It may comfort parents , in regard of their children that God taketh away from them , especially hauing seene signes of grace and goodnesse in them , such as their tender age and few yeeres may afford : that it is no argument of Gods hatred , no nor of his anger alwayes , to be soone taken away . a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Menand . Plut. ad Apollon. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Dion . Prus . orat . 28. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ibid . 29. Dij coeles●es quibusdam pi●ssimis mortem , tanquam summis praemium persoluerunt . Iulian. apud Ammian . l. 25. They goe soonest oft , whom he best loueth . Those children that their parents most affect , though they put out from them vpon necessarie occasions , yet they desire as soone as may bee to haue home to them againe ; especially if they be not like to doe so well where they are , or if some sicknesse and mortalitie begin to reigne in those parts . Nor may they doubt , being good children , but that the change shall be with them for the better : hee that hath b b Exod. 20.12 . promised them long life , will make his word good to them with aduantage . They shall haue c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrys. in Psal. 114. true life indeed for that , which in comparison of it , is d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Eur●p . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Idem apud Plut. ad Apollon. Qualis est enim vita haec infulix , misera , qua semper ad non esse , tendit . Chrysost. in . Psalm . 143.2 . not worthy the name of life ; and for this transitarie and temporall , that euerlasting and eternall . Besides that , they know not what a mercie it may bee to them , that they are so soone taken , and what miserie they might haue liued either to fee or to suffer . That which , as the times are , considering how the aduers●…rie getteth ground daily on Gods inheritance ; and how the scourge hath runne ouer a great part of Gods portion ; and that we know not how soone it may passe ouer vnto vs to ; may serue much to mitigate the griefe that parents are naturally affected with for the losse of their little ones ; since that they know not e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. ad Apoll. O ignaros malorum suorum , quibus non mors vt optimum inuentum naturae laudatur ? quae siue faelicitatem includit , siue calamitatem repellit , siue satiotatem aut lassitudinem senis terminat , siue iuuenile aeuum , dum melio●a sperantur , in flore de ducit , siue pueritiam ante duriores casus reuccal , omnibus finis , multis remedium , quibusdam votum , de nullis melius merita , quam de his , ad quos venit antequam inuocarctur . Senec. ad Marc. c. 20. Cogita quantum boni●pportuna mors habeat , quam multis diutius vixisse nocuerit . Ibid. what euils their children are taken away from , or what they themselues may liue to see , which would be farre f f Matth. 24.19 . heauier vnto them for such hanging vpon them , than they would be for themselues otherwise . Howsoeuer , they may assure themselues , that their children gone to God , are g g In meliorem emittitur vitam , tranquillius tutiusque inter diuina mansurus . Sen. ep. 71. safer and better with him , than they either were , or euer could haue beene with themselues here .

And thus much for the former speciall point , to wit , that The good goe oft before the bad .

We passe now to the latter of them , which ( as before you heard ) is , that The good goe oft times for the bad . Point 2. speciall . And ( if you please ) yet a little more generally one way , though more specially another ; that Branch 1 The Child suffers oft for the Fathers offence .

Let them be , whether you will , either two distinct Branch 2 points , or two seuerall branches of one and the same point : since that both of them alike arise from my Text , and there is in it a pregnant example of either .

For the former of them , Point 3. speciall . that The good goe for the bad . Wee haue a precedent of it in that good King Iesus , b b ● King . 23.25 , 26 , 27 , 29. who was cut off , and his life shortned for the sins of his people , and the remainder of Manasses his sinnes rife still among them : as also in this good Child taken away for the sinnes of Ieroboam .

Now the reason why the godly goe thus for the wicked , is

Reason 1 1. That they may not perish with and among them , when some heauie iudgement is comming in vpon them . As c c Gen. 19.12 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 29. 2 Pet. 2.6 , 7 , 9. God sent his Angels to fetch Lot and his out of Sodome , when Sodome was to be destroyed with fire and brimstone from Heauen , that they might not be 〈◊〉 vp with the inhabitants of it : d d Gen. 6.13 . & 7.1 , 4. He caused Noa to goe into the Arke , as it were out of the world , when hee was determined to drowne the world with a generall deluge , that hee might not with the rest miscarry : So tooke hee here Ieroboams sonne out of the way , e e 1 King . 14. ●1 . & 15.29 , 30. that hee might not be either eaten with dogs , or deuoured with the fowles , as the residue of that impious house and race were .

Reason 2 2. That they may not preserue those from perishing , whom God is determined to destroy . It is said of Moses , that f f Psal. 106.23 . he stood in the gap , to keepe out Gods wrath , from breaking in vpon his people , when God was minded to destroy them . And of Phineaz , that g g Psal. 106.20 , 30. when the plague had made a breach in vpon them , he was a meanes to stay it from further proceeding . God therefore when hee is res●lu●d , to proceed in iudgement against a people , hee taketh those away from them , that may intercede for them , that by their h h Gen. 18.31 , 32. Ier. 5.1 . Ezek. 14.14 , 16 , 20. presence or i i Ier. 7.16 . & 11.14 . & 15.1 . prayers , may stay his hand , as Moses , ( k k Exod. 32.10 . Multum Moisi permittit creator omnium ; & feriendi licentiam quarit à Mose qui Moseui fecit . Bern. de temp. 83. Sine me , ait , vt ille non sineret , Tertull . ad . Marc. l. 2. Let me alone , saith God to him , that I may destroy this people ) and as Lot , ( l l Gen. 19.21 . I can doe nothing , saith hee , as long as thou art here ) that may turne away the storme , as he did m m Gen. 19.20 , 21. from Zoar , that had else as well as n n Gen. 19.24 . Amos 4.11 . Sodome , Gomorrha , o o Deut. 29.23 . Hosh. 11.8 . Adamah , & Zeboim beene destroyed ; that may stand in the gap , when it is breaking in , or make the breach vp againe , when it is broken in , and preserue from perishing either in whole or in part . God , hee doth , as men are wont to doe with those they desire to destroy . Hee that would set vpon a strong man , ( saith out Sauiour ) will p p Matth. 12.29 . Luke 11.22 . first , if he can , disarme him . They that would conquer a countrey , if they can seize vpon their munition , will not faile to make themselues first masters of that ; for they know then , they shall haue no power to resist . Now the godly , they are the munition , the strength of a state ; q q i. vis & robur Israelis . Iun. in not . the chariots and horse of Israel ; saith r r 2 King . 2.12 . Elizaeus of Elias , and King s s 2 King . 13.14 . Ioas of Elizaeus . These therefore God taketh away , and so disarmeth a state , when he is bent to destroy it , that so his wrath may finde no resistance . And there bee but any one good in Ieroboams house , goe he must : Gods sentence against it cannot be executed , till he be taken out of it .

The Vse whereof may be ,

1. To informe vs , what we may iustly feare and Vse 1 expect , when God picketh out the good , and taketh many of them away . It is a signe some fearefull euill is towards , where he so doth . It is a presage of warre towards , either with or in a countrey , when men on all hands , such especially as are acquainted with state-affaires , seeke to get home with all expedition , whatsoeuer goods or wares they haue in those parts , and much more their friends and children , if they haue any resiant there . And it is a forewarning of little good towards a place , where God doth the like with those that be his deere ones , his darlings .

Besides that a a Somen sanctum statumen lerrae . Esai . 6.13 . The holy seed ( saith Esay ) vpholdeth the land . And , b b Iob. 22.30 . The innocent ( saith Eliphaz ) preserueth the Iland : ( as c c Ita Vers . Geneu . post Dauid . Kimchi . some reade it : ) or ( as d d Ita Vers . Regia post Leon. Iud. others ) The Iland of the innocent shall hee deliuer : ( that is , God will saue it for his sake : ) or ( as others againe , whom I should chuse to goe with , no lesse agreeably to our purpose : ) e e Ita post R. Solomon . & Menach . Elias in Thish . Mercer . & Iun. He shall saue him , that is not guiltlesse himselfe ; and euen such shall be deliuered for the puritie of thy hands : that is , some one good man , such as f f Ezek. 14.14 , 16. Iob was , may be a meanes to saue and deliuer a whole citie of men , otherwise guilty and readie for their sin to be destroyed . But to returne againe to that of Esai : there seemes g g Vise Iun. & Piscat . vers . & annot. an allusion in it to h h 1 Chron. 26.16 , 18. 1 King . 10.5 . 2 Chron. 9.11 . a banke or a causey mentioned in the storie , that went from the Kings house to the Temple , & was borne vp with trees planted on either side of it . Which trees ( saith the Prophet ) as they kept vp the causey , so the holy and godly in a land support and hold vp the state . And as those trees , if they were remoued , the banke or causey would soone come downe : so that holy seed , if it be once taken away , that whole land or state is likely to come shortly after to ruine . As it was a signe therefore , that Sampson meant to bring downe the house vpon the heads of the Philistines , when i i Iudg. 16.26 , 29 , 30. he pulled downe the pillars that bare vp the roofe of it . So it is a shrewd signe , that God is about to ruine a state , when he plucketh away those that are the shores and the props of it . As it is an argument of destruction towards , when k k Esai . 3.2 , 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pausan . in Lacon . he taketh away the mightie , the man of warre , the Iudge and the Prophet , the prudent and the ancient , the Captaine or Commander , the honourable and the Counsellor , the cunning Artificer , and the eloquent Orator : So it is no lesse , ( if not much more ) an argument of the like , l l 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plaut. apud Strigel . in 2 Reg. 23. when he taketh away the good and godly , the righteous and religious . Since the one are the temporall , the other the spirituall staies of a state : the one support it against the power and policie of man , the other protect Vse 2 it against the wrath and iudgements of God .

2. This considered , may teach vs , what cause we haue to pray earnestly for the life and continuance of good and godly men among vs : and how iust cause of griefe and sorrow is giuen vs , when it seemeth good to God to take any such from vs . There goeth a prop or shore of our state away , when any such goeth . How would we be grieued , if we should haue newes brought of some one of the Kings ships lost or cast away at sea ? and that not without cause : for our shipping is the strength of our state ; they are ( as we terme them ) our m m 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Oraculum Atheniensibus datum ; quod ita interpretatus est Themistocles . Herodot . l. 7. Plut. in Themist . Aelian . l. 12. c. 43. Galen . exhort . ad art Clem. Strom. l. 5. Euseb. praepar . l. 5. c. 24. Suid. woodden wals . And no lesse cause haue we to mourne , when we lose a good man ; ( such an one especially as is in eminent place with vs , ) since that such are indeed , ( as he said sometime of his warlike n n Lycurgus interrogatus cur muris vrbem non cinxisset , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Plut. apophth . Vide eund. sympos . l. 2. c. 5. & Epictet . apud Stob. c. 5. Sed & Agesilaus quaerenti 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . ciues armatos ost●ndens , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 quod & idem de inuenibus Spartanis Antalcidas : adiecitque , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. ibid. Vide Plaut. Pers. 4.4 . citizens ) the best wals and bulwarks of our state .

Point 4. speciall . But leaue wee this , and passe on to the last Branch , which is , that Children suffer oft for their Parents : That Children , I say , as well good as bad , suffer oft-times at Gods hand for their Parents offences : God punisheth the one ofttimes in the other . So punished he o o Exod. 4.22 , 23. & 13.29 . Pharao by the death of his first-borne , for his obstinate refusall to dismisse his people . So he punished p p 2 Sam. 12.14 . Dauid , by the decease of the childe begotten in adulterie , for that enormious act of his . And so Ieroboam here q q 1 King . 13.33 . & 14.1 , 17. for his idolatrie , by the losse of a sonne , that no doubt to him was verie deere . Yea , it is that that God threatneth , as well r r Exod. 20.5 . Deut. 5.9 . in the sanction of the second precept , as oft also s s Exod. 34.7 . Num. 14.18 . Ier. 32.18 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Eurip. apud Plut. de prouid . elsewhere , that he will visit , that is , punish the iniquitie of parents vpon their posteritie , and that not vnto one or two alone , but euen to three or foure descents . So not t t Gen. 9.22 , 24 , 25. Canaan onely was cursed for his Father Chams offence ; and u u Iosh 7.1 , 24 , 25. all Achans family destroyed for his fault ; but x x 2 King . 5.27 . the leprosie of Naaman for Giezies falshood stucke by him and his posteritie so long as any of them lasted .

The reason of this course that God taketh oft-times in punishing of the transgressions of parents by paines inflicted vpon their children is ,

Reason 1 1. Because Children are a a Liberi inter , parentum suorum bona numerantur . Alibus . dicaeolog . l. 1. c. 30. Sunt res parentum , & in eis etiam parentes puniuntur . Tho. sum . p. 2● . 2● . q. 108. a. 4. ad. 3. part of their parents possessions . It is reported of a Persian Emperour , Artaxerxes the Long-handed , that b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. apophth . & Artaxerx . Hinc Dio Prus . orat . 37. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . for such faults of his Nobles and Chieftaines , as their haire had wont to bee pulled , their head-tire or turbants should bee openly so vsed , and for such offences as their bodies had wont to be beaten , their robes should publikely be scourged ; which was deemed to them no small disgrace . And in like manner ( saith Theodoret , speaking of the plague of leprosie in mens houses and garments ) doth God deale with men : c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theodoret. in Leuit. quaest. 18. when they offend themselues , God punisheth them not in their persons alwayes , but ofttimes in their possessions , in their goods and chattels , in their worldly estate . And if in their possessions , no maruell if in their children to , being part of their possessions , as is euident by the commission giuen and granted to Satan , concerning power ouer Iobs possessions , d d Iob 1.12 , 18. which comprehended his children as well as his chattels , as appeareth by the execution of it .

2. Yea , children are not part onely of their parents Reason 2 possessions , but they are e e Filij membra parentum esse videntur . Saluian . de prouid . l. 3. Parsqūe tui latitat corpore clausa meo . Ouid. epist. 2. ex Phyllidis persona . Liberi sunt quasi vna persona cum patre . Alihus . l. 1. c. 30. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de prouid . part ( in some sort ) of the parents themselues ; or f f Tanquam membra vnius corporis . Aug. in los . q. 8. & Iun. in Iosh. 7. of one and the same bodie at least with them . As g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Iustin . nom . orthodox . quaest. 137. the Subiects and the Soueraigne make ioyntly one body politicke , and h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ibid. the losse of the subiects therefore is a punishment to the Soueraigne : and God doth sometime punish the Soueraigne so ( witnesse * * 2 Sam. 24.10 , 15. Dauid ) in the subiect . So the Father and the whole family make both as one body ; and euill befalling any of them is a punishment to him , especially befalling one so neere as a childe : ( i i Matth. 15.22 . Haue mercie on mee , Lord ; saith the mother : My daughter is distracted : k k Ad seipsam petit adiutorium , quia in filia sua , velut in persona propria ●orquebatur . Simon , Cass . in euang. l. 5. c. 24. Filia malum suum reputat . Petr. Richard in Euang. her daughters paines were a punishment to her : ) and God doth oft punish the father or master so ( witnesse l l Gen. 20.7 , 18. Abimelech ) in his family , and those that be of it . He doth m m 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de prouid . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ibid. as the Physitian that openeth a veine in the arme , or ( it may be ) in the foot either , for some disease in the head . For so he let Pharao bloud in the right arme , when n n Exod. 12.29 . hee smote his first borne for his fault : so he let o o 2 Sam. 24.15 . Dauid bloud in the feet , that is , p p 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Iustin . ●rthod . q. 137. in his subiects , ( for they are the q q Prou. 14.28 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrysost. de statuis , hom. 11. 1 Cor. 12.21 . feet that the Soueraigne standeth vpon ) for his offence .

Obiection . But how , may some say , doth this stand with Gods iustice to punish one for another . Or how can threatning to punish sinne so in posteritie , stand with that which God himselfe enacteth elsewhere , that r r Deut. 24.16 . the childe shall not suffer for his fathers offence ; or with his answer to the people , that had gotten vp a bad prouerb , s s Ier. 31.29 . Ezek. 18.2 . The fathers haue eaten sowre grapes , and the childrens teeth are set on edge : thereby meaning that t t Patres peccant , & filij vapulant . Chald. Their fathers had sinned , and they suffered : that , u u Ier. 31.30 . Ezek. 18.4 . the soule that sinneth should it selfe die the death , and x x Ezek. 18.20 . not one suffer for another .

This question hath not a little troubled many , both old and new Writers : and that place in the Law , hath verie much puzzled many , yea , the most of the Ancients , Euasions 3. beside others ; which in that regard they haue laboured ,

Some of them to diuert by allegoricall interpretations ;

Some to auoid by ouer-violent & forced expositions ;

Some to salue by strange and needlesse shifts .

Some of them ( I say ) expound the words allegorically ; Euasion 1

Either a a Peccatores diaboli fi●ij , vnus ex ●●●ero per ordinem persuasionis generatis hi in carne pofiti p●●i●ntur , ne in aeternum pereant : pater autem diabolus non in hoc seculo corripitur , vt in aeternum damnetur . Origen . in Exod. hom. 8. of Satan , and his sonnes , all wicked ones ; Exposition 1 whom b b 1 Cor. 11.32 . God punisheth here that they may not be damned with him hereafter , c c Iude 6. reseruing the Deuill their Father to the last day of doome :

Or d d Quidam ad animam humanam reserunt . Patrem primum vi●iorum incentiuum ; filiu●… , vbi peccatum cogitatio concepit ; neposē , vbi ●ecc . opere perpetratur ; pronepotem , vbi in peccato quis gloriatur . Primos ac secundos stimulos Deum non punire : actumtertium ac quarsum vindicare . Hieron . in Ezech. 18. of degrees of sin in the soule , making the first Exposition 2 motions of sin the Father ; the consent to sin the son ; the act of it the grand childe ; and obstinacy or glorying in it the great grand-childe : that God spareth men oft for the first and second , but e e Iam. 1.14 , 15. striketh home when sinne is come to her height in the two last .

But to frame allegories thus without need or ground , is but * * Commentatoris officium est , non quid ipse velit , sod quid sentide ille quem interpretatur , exponere . Hieron . apolog. 1. de Ioum. Nihil quaerendum in verbis nisi loquentium voluntas : cui demonstrandae inuigi●are d●bent omnes veridici narratores & ●narra●o●es . Aug. de consens . Euang. l. 2. c. 46. Litera enim suauiter excutionda est , non captiuorum m●re acerbe torquenda , donec restituat quod non accepit . Ioan. Sarub. metalog . l. 3. c. 1. to wrong the Text ; Exception . to peruert the purpose of Gods spirit , and to make God himselfe speak that , that he neuer therein meant , nor intended .

Others take the words literally ; but expound them either nothing agreeably , or euen directly contrary Euasion 2 to the intent of Gods spirit in them .

Some not of punishing sinnes vpon such descents , but f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theodoret. in Exod. q. 40. Non est argumentum truculentiae tantis per iram tenere , sed signum misericordiae poenam differre peccati . Hieron . in Ezec. 18. Idemque Thom. sum . p. ●a . 2ae . q. 108. a. 4. ad 1. Misericordiae potius quam seueritatis , quod cousque differt . & Ale●s . p. 3. q. 41. m. 4 a. 1. non inaequalitate iudicij , vt alij peccent , alij puniantur : sed magnitudine clementiae , dum poenitentem expectat . &c. of deferring and putting off the punishment of Exposition 3 sinne to such a descent , as a matter not of wrath and iudgement , but of mercy rather and patience : which some of them also in particular apply to the Iewish people ; either g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aegypto exeuntes in eremo ceciderunt . Theodoret. in Exo. q. 4● Gen. 15.16 . Exod. 12.41 . & 13.18 . in the first generation punished , after their departure out of Egypt , for all their idolatries during that whole time committed ; h h Ab Abr. ad Dauid ae●●● 1● . a Dauid ad transportationem Babylon . 2● ▪ Concession . ● transport . ad Christum 3. inde ad 〈◊〉 secull 4. ae●●●e ● . captiua fuit gens Iudaica , in 4. eradicata . Aug. ad Adi●ant . c. 7. or else ( as some other ) captiued in the third , and destroyed in the fourth age of the world .

Concession . Now howsoeuer it be true indeed , that God in mercy sometime deferreth iudgement from the Fathers daies to the Sons , as he did in i i 1 King . 21.29 . Ahab . yea and in Ieroboam too ; for his stocke was not so destroyed as was k k 1 King . 14.10 . threatned , till l l 1 King . 15.29 . after his decease : yea hee deferreth it , as with m m Iam. 1.15 . Apoc. 2. ●● . 2● . particular pesons , so with n n Gen. 15.16 . Matth. 23.32.38 . 1 Thess. 2.15 , 16. whole peoples and states for many descents , till their sinnes be come to a certaine height . Yet the opposition there o o Exod. 20.6 . Deut. 5.10 . & 7.9 . Ier. 3● . 18 . of mercie to be shewed to thousands on the other side , Exception . that is , both to them and theirs , sheweth that the place cannot be so expounded .

Others vnderstand it of originall sinne onely , Exposition 4 which deduced from Adam , is , and hath beene from time to time for many descents punished in his posteritie with death ; and r r In vtraque sententia diss●milis sensus , P●cantum quippe originale quia à parentibus trahimus , nisi per gratiam bapt. solu●mur , etiam parentum peccata p●rtamus , quia vnum adhuc cum illis sumus . Reddit ergò peccata parentum in filios , dum pro culpa parentis ex originali peccato anima polluitur prolis : Et nursus nou reddit , &c. quia cum ab orig. pecc . per bapt. liberamur , iam non parentum culpas , sed qua● ipsi committimus , habemus . Greg. mor. l. 15. c. 21. which as the Parents fault the child standeth charged withall , p p Psal. 115.13 , 14. till by the new birth it be dissolued ; q q Deut. 24. de natis , Exod. 20. de nandum natis , propter peccatum originale quod ab Adam trabitur , & cuim●rs temp●ralis redditur , Aug. in Deut. q. 42. or at least vntill it come to haue iniquitie of it owne .

But this will as euill hold as the former : For ,

1. Neither is any one ordinarily punished for Exception 1 anothers originall sinne , but for s s Est enim inherens quiddam proprium ac pecullaro tulque vittam originale , non imputatio mera peccati anemi , vti delir●nt Pig●●●● controu. 1. & Catharin de pec . orig. c. 6. Vide Alex. Ales p. 2. q. 122. m. 2. a. 1. his owne :

2. Nor will the t t Parum enim solidum , quod Aug. vbi sup. Per numarum seplenarium ( qui 3. & 4. constat ) vntuers●m intelligi . stinting of descents to three or foure on the one side , opposed to that u u Exod. 20.6 . Deut. 7.9 . large extent Exception 2 of mercie on the other side , admit this exposition :

3. Nor is there difference in this kinde between Exception 3 either good and bad , or the posteritie of either ; both alike tainted with originall sinne , and both alike liable to temporall death :

4. Nor doth it stand with the drift and scope of the place , x x Exod. ●0 . 4 , 5. to deterre from idolatrie an actuall Exception 4 transgression for feare of punishments vpon posteritie :

5. Nor are euen the regenerate freed from sustaining such punishments for their parents offences ; Exception 5

6. Or the growne and great ones any more Exception 6 than infants , howsoeuer hauing actuall sinnes indeed also otherwise of their owne .

But the sense and meaning of the place is so plaine and euident , that by no meanes it can be auoided ; and a verie pregnant proofe it is of the present point , that children suffer oft for their fathers faults .

Nor need we haue recourse here for the acquiting Euasion 3 of Gods iustice , or the reconciling of his doomes , to those shifts and salues , that some other haue here vsed : as to say ,

1. That it was a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theodoret. in Exod. q. 40. threatned indeed , but neuer executed : Exposition 5 for that God oft in such cases is better than his word : b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ibid. hee threatneth to terrifie , but intendeth not what he threatneth : yea , c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ibid. that it were impious to take it as intended so , as the threatning seemeth to import .

Exception 1 For 1. neither are d d Non sunt van● mina , dominicae . Polan . in Mal. 1. Gods threatnings in vaine ; as e e Siimpune , vacat Ve. Tertull. ad Marc. l. 2. they should be , should they neuer take effect ; since that f f Matth. 5.18 . Ego iam ●lim mihi persuasi in sacri preti●sique eloquij textu nec modicam vacare particulam . Bern. in . cant . 72. no iot or tittle of his word is such :

Exception 2 2. Neither want wee examples , many a one , of the execution hereof ; as hath formerly beene shewed :

Exception 3 3. Nor , albeit g g Esai . 38.1 , 5. Ion. 3.4 , 10. Ierem. 18.7 , 8. God in mercie sometime reuoke his sentences , doth he euer threaten ought that hee may not iustly inflict .

Exception 4 4. Nor is it impious to say , that God intendeth ought that hee threatneth : impious rather it may seeme to be , to say that it is impious to auow it .

Or 2. that it was for a time onely enacted , h h Patram delicta ex fili●s exigit : duritia populi talia remedia , vt velposterit 〈◊〉 suis prospiclentes legi diuina obedirent . Tertull . ad Marc. l. 2. to Exposition 6 tame that stiffe-necked people by feare of hauing their posteritie punished , but was i i Futurum vt post duritiam populi duritia legit edomitam , iustitia iam nou genus , sed personas iudicaret . Ibid . afterward reuersed , when they were amended . As if that in k k Ezech. 18.4 . Ezechiel were a reuocation of the former .

For 1. neither are the sanctions of the Law Morall , Exception 1 of lesse continuance than the Law it selfe , l l Psal. 119.89 . Matth. 5.17 , 18. Luk. 16.17 . which lasteth for euer .

Exception 2 2. Nor was it Gods purpose there to reuoke or alter ought of his former courses , m m Ezech. 18.25 . the equitie whereof he there auowes ; and n n Ierem. 32.18 . this among the rest is auerred , by another Prophet of the same time , to haue beene euen then Gods wonted practice .

Exposition 7 Or 3. that this concerneth o o Ambae eiusdem voces : prior per Mosem ad Iudaeos . Optat. ad Donat. l. 7. the Iewes onely , who p p Praeuidens parum dictures prae magnitudine culpae . Ibid. beyond that q q Matth. 27.25 . they wished themselues , should be punished for Christs death , not in their children alone , but in their childrens children too for many descents ; but concerneth not Christians , r r Altera ad Christianos pertinet . Ibid. Vide de boc & Aug. ad Iulian. l. 6. c. 12. of whom that other should be meant in Ezechiel .

For 1. both the former is more generall .

2. Nor is there difference in Gods dealings betweene Exception 1 Iew and Christian in this kinde . Exception 2

3. Not to adde that euen the faithfull themselues Exception 3 sometime haue so suffered . Exception 4

4. Nor doth either this or the former any way assoile the doubt or vntie the knot , concerning the iustifiablenesse or equitie of the point or practice questioned , but restraine onely the execution of it to some people or persons .

Or 4. that therefore God may iustly punish children Exposition 8 for their fathers offences , because s s Parentum peccatis paruulos obligari , non improbabiliter dicitur . Aug. Enchir. c. 46. Parentum peccata modo quodam sunt aliena , modo quodam & nostra ●aliena quippe proprietate sunt actionis , & nostra sunt contagione propaginis . Idem ad Iul. l. 6. c. 4. Vise Le●● . ● . Pp. ep. 86. & Greg. mor. l. 15. c. 22. they stand guiltie of the same in Gods sight : which guilt yet t t Quousqua implicetur proles statuere non audet Aug. Enchir. c. 47. how farre it goeth , they dare not determine .

For 1. this is a conceit that * * Vide I●om . sum . p. 1 a. 2 ae . q. 81. a. 2. & Alex. Ales , p. 2. q. 122. m. 2. a. 1. hath no ground at all Exception 1 in Gods word : which if it be admitted , that of the Heathen man of u u Damnosa quid non imminuit dies ? Aetas parentum peior auis tulit Nos nequiores , mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiorem . Horat. carm. 3.6 . the world growing worse and worse , would be true , not onely as he meant of it , of the practice of sinne , but much more in regard of the guilt of sinne more and more multiplied in each seuerall descent .

2. Nor will x x Sed & si benedictio patrum semini quoque corum destinabatur sine vllo adhuc merito eius , cur non & rentus patrum in fillos quoque redundaret ? vt per totum genus & gratia decurreret & offensa . Tertull. ad Marc. l. 2. Gods blessing of posteritie for the ancestors well-doing , ( a worke of meere grace and free Exception 2 fauour onely ) proue a speciall guilt of an ancestours particular misdeeds to adhere to any of his issue . A King may well y y 2 ●am. 9.5 . Pa● instr●●m qui ●spa● apud to bená acta seruantur . Cuius 〈…〉 fides innotuerit , h●reditatis iure , quod autori debueris , 〈…〉 refundis . Hacten●● de maiorum obse●●●is fructum , & tamen de suppli●ijs excessum non 〈◊〉 , &c. E●●●d . Panegyr . reward a man for seruice , done him by his Father . Yet it followeth not thence , that he may therefore in like manner either z z 2 King . 14.6 . 〈◊〉 ●●●●ldem damni p●r 〈◊〉 ●ffici p●●●st filius : quate●●● bo●●m eius à parenti● bono depe●idet : sica● in 〈…〉 , filius amittit hareditatem pro peccato parentis . Them . p. 2 a. 2 a. q. 108. ● ▪ 〈…〉 2. 〈◊〉 Cic. ad Brut. ep. 13. Nec vere me fugit , quam fit acerbum , Parentum scelera fisiorum 〈…〉 sed hoc praeclare legibus comparatum est ( de bona p●●●●candis ) vt ●●●●lias libero 〈◊〉 parentes 〈◊〉 . radderet , At non 〈◊〉 flage●● . 〈…〉 multo minus gl●●ij . condemne him or execute him for his Fathers offence .

Exposition 9 Or 5. that this sentence is neuer put in execution , but a a De eis qui in paternis versaniur malis . Quis enim 〈◊〉 & mali filium 〈…〉 execretur ? quon . bonum & boni filium duplici quis honore honor andum tenseat . Aug. 〈◊〉 vet. & nou. Test . quaest. 14. Non hoc fit , nisicum fuerit 〈…〉 . Aug. post coll●t . c. 7. Muta●●r , si parentum facto non sapientur . ●2 . ● is quippè non reddicatur peccata parentum , qui non imitantur mores illorum . Quemod modum autem bonorum 〈◊〉 fac●● , vt eliam propria peccata 〈…〉 facit , vt non 〈◊〉 suo sed etiant corum , 〈…〉 . Psal. 10● . Non 〈…〉 parentes fuerunt peccat●●●s , sed quis ipsi peccatorum amidatores . Hibr●● in Ezech. 18. Cum pr●nectiores ex parentum culpa ferinutur , ill●rum poenas luunt , quorum opera secuti sunt . Greg. mor. l. 15. c. 21. Non nisi sit culpae particeps . Them . sum. 1 a. 2 a. q. 81. a. 1. & Alex. Ales p. 2. q. 122. m. 1. where the children tread in their Fathers steps , and doe in impietie or iniquitie imitate their bad Parents : For that when they cease to follow their bad Parents base practice● , they b b De●●nit esse filius iniquorum , qui non imitatur mores illorum . Aug. in Psal. 108. Eorum ●uim 〈◊〉 , quorum mores imitamur . Origen . in Ezech. bom . then cease to bee their Sonnes . And that therefore is there mention made of the third and fourth descent onely , because that c c Quia●sque ad 3. & 4. prog●● , eam quam imitentur filij , parentum vitam possunt videre , ●sque adeos vltio extenditur , qui viderunt quod male sequerentur . Greg. Ibid. parents may liue so long , and their euill examples consequently be seene of their issue .

Exception 1 For 1. the verie example that wee haue here in hand , of a good Sonne smitt●n for his bad Fathers offence , doth directly proue the contrarie .

Exception 2 2. Nor seemeth it stinted to the third and fourth descent , so much , because Parents may liue so long to giue euill examples to their issue , as because they may liue so long to see Gods iudgements on it . Exposition 10

Or lastly , that it is then onely executed , d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plato de leg . l. 9. Quod idem cum isto facit , Euseb. praepara● . Euang. l. 2. c. 39. when impietie runneth on so from descent to descent , as hereditarie , that the whole race it selfe seemeth e e Quomodo milites Maximini percussores , Ex pessimo genere ne catulum quidem esse relinquendum . Iul. Capitol . worthy to be vtterly rooted and raced out .

For besides the former exceptions , Exception . which here also hold ; the examples some of them before produced doe euidently euince the contrarie .

Thus you see how about the Solution of this Question many haue beaten their braines , and those men of great note , and yet haue giuen no good or iust satisfaction therein .

For the vntying therefore of this knot , rather snarled more and entangled , than by them vnknit , and the reconciling of those seeming differences betweene the texts of Scripture before mentioned , let me intreat a while your best attention to that that shall be deliuered , that I may not be in ought therein mistaken .

First therefore let it be considered , Solution . that f f Heb. 9.26 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Archin . Clam . Strom l. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Eurip. Alcest . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Antho●●g . Debemur m●●ti . H●rat . art. all men ( Father and Sonne , as well the one as the other ) Consideration 1 owe a death vnto God ; g g Natura dabitum Deut repetit quomodo & quando vidi : homo tum dema● r●petit , cum ī●bet naturae Deus . Ius● . in Ios. 7. which hee may iustly require whensoeuer , and wheresoeuer , on what occasion , and by what meanes soeuer he will . h h Josua 7.24 . Deus hoc ipse mandauit , non iudex , cui illud praeceptum est . Deut. 14.16 . Aug. in Ios. q. 8. God therefore for the sinne of Achan , might command his whole houshold , and his children among the rest , ( though not i i Neque enim liquet , quod Iun. laborasse faminam contagione conscientiae . priuie to , or guiltie of that offence of his ) to be put to death , and so punish him in them as well as in his owne person , because they ought all of them a death to him , which on that occasion he might require . But k k 2 King . 14.6 . 2 Chron. 25.4 . Homine iudice nemo nisi ex eulpa propria poenas debet luere . Aug. in Ios. q. 8. Amazias may not put to death the sonnes of those traytors that slew the King his Father ; according to that l l Deut. 24.16 . Reatus patris non obest liberis . Althus . dicaealog . l. 1. c. 30. Filius pattis aniquitalem ferre non debet . Petr. Fons leg . select . Sancimus ibi esse poenam , vbi & noxia est . Propinquos , natos , familiates procul à calumnia sub●●oue●us quos reossceleris societas non facit . Peccata suos teneant autores . Nec vlterius progrediatur metus 〈◊〉 re●atur delictum . Arcad. Theodos . & Honor. Cod. l. 9. tit. 47. leg . 22. Crimen vel poena paterna nullam maculam filio nifligere potest . Namque vnusquisque ex suo admisso forti subijcitur , nec 〈◊〉 criminis successor constituitur . 〈◊〉 . Digest . l. 48.1.19 . l. 26. Et ●rat . d●●r . c. 1. q. 4. c. ● . Law which God had enacted betweene man and man to be obserued : because they were no way obnoxious to him , neither did they by any Law or Statute humane or diuine owe a death vnto him otherwise .

Yea the iustice and equitie of Gods dealing in this kinde may bee further cleered euen by such courses as men also may lawfully take : For suppose we some great Noble-mans only sonne and sole heire condemned to die , for some rape or robberie by him committed . Howbeit his Soueraigne considering that the young man is one of good parts otherwise , and may hereafter doe his King and Countrey good seruice , though he were ouertaken in that act ; as also out of pitie to his Fathers house , loth to see an ancient family vtterly extinguished in him ; and besides , hauing earnest suit made in his behalfe by diners neere about him is inclining , yea & purposed to grant him his pardon . But in the interim , while the matter hangeth yet in suspence , it commeth to be discouered , that the Noble-man his Father hath his hand in some foule treason , hath entred into conspiracie either with some forraine 〈◊〉 or some domesticall traitour against the person of his Prince . Now hereupon his Soueraigne , altring his minde and purpose concerning his Sonne , causeth him instantly to bee brought out and executed in the sight of his Father , whom after also hee disposeth of according to his desert . In which case the Sonne ( you see ) is punished for his Fathers offence , but for which hee might haue escaped : and the Father is punished in the Sonne ; his Sonnes death ( no doubt ) being no lesse punishment to him than his owne : and yet is there no wrong or iniustice done either to Father or Sonne , because both had deserued death , and death was therefore due to either .

And herein erred those wicked Iewes , that charged God with iniustice , that they complained that their Fathers had done amisse , and that m m Quomodo de Roman is Hor. carm. 3.6 . Delicta maiorum immeritus lu●s , Romane , donec templa refeceris Aedesque labentes Deorum , &c. they ( themselues being no way faultie ) suffered onely for their Fathers faults . Whereas indeed , vile wretches , n n Ezek. 20.30 , 31. Ierem. 7.26 . & 16.12 . they were euerie whit as bad , or worse rather than they , and o o Ierem. 3.25 . bare the burden of their owne iniquities .

Secondly , let it be considered , that God layeth Consideration 2 no temporall iudgement at any time vpon any , but hee is able to turne the same p p Rom. 8.28 . Sicut nihil est , quod malis non noceat . Quibus pestifera fiunt , quae profutura essent , si alijs darentur . Sen. de benef . l. 5. c. 12. Ita. nihil est quod non bonis prodesse possit . Idem de prou. c. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Xenoph. apud Plut. de mimic . to the good of the partie vpon whom it is inflicted . And that he doth so , as here also hee did , when hee layeth any outward euill on a godly person for the sinne of some wicked one , and so punisheth ( as he doth oft also ) the bad in the good .

For the better cleering of this , wee may well make vse of that distinction so rise in the Schooles , that q q Panalia aliquando habent ratronem maledicti , ali● habent rationers medicinae . Vide post Aug. in Ios. qu. 8. Thom. sum . p. 1 a 2 ae . q. 87. a. 7 , 8. & p. 2 a. 2 ae . q. 108. a. 4. Simplic . in Epictet . enchirid . c. 13. & Senet de prouid . c. 3. Hinc distinctio illa poenae , in nocentem , & conferentem ; siue in suffocantem & promouen●em : item in poenam vindictae , & poenam cautelae : siue in condemnantem , & corrigentem : apud Alens . p. 1. q. 39. m. ●● . 4. § 1. s . 6. & p. 2. q. 115. m. 3. s . 1. & q. 122. m. 1. s . 1. & p. 3. q. 41. m. 4. a. 1. these outward temporall euills , or penall sufferings are in the nature , Sometime of a curse . Sometime of a cure .

Courses 4. And accordingly there is a foure-fold course of Gods dealings in these cases .

Course 1 For sometime God punisheth a bad Father in a bad Sonne ; and then it is not a crosse onely , but a curse to both . So God punished ( wee may iustly deeme ) r r Exod. 12.29 . Pharao in his first-borne .

Course 2 Sometime hee punisheth a good Father in a good Sonne ; and then it is , though a crosse , yet a cure to both . So punished he s s 2 Sam. 12.14 , 15 , 18. Dauid ( i●…e may well iudge ) in his young childe .

Course 3 Sometime hee punisheth a good Father in a bad Sonne ; and then it is a cure to the Father , and a curse to the Sonne : So punished he the same . t t 2 Sam. 12.10 , 11. & 18.9 , 15 , 33. Dauid in his sonne Absolom .

Course 4 Sometime hee punisheth a bad Father in a good Sonne ; and then it is a curse to the Father , and a cure to the Sonne . So punished hee u u 1 King . 14.1 , 3 , 12 , 17. Ieroboam in his sonne here mentioned . And that which was no doubt a great and grieuous crosse and plague to his Father , yet proued through Gods goodnesse in mercie wisely so disposing it , no lesse x x Vers. 13 , 18. a benefit and blessing to the childe .

Recapitulation . Thus then I hope that by this time you see , how God without any the least blemish to his iustice , may by death take away the Sonne for his Fathers Branch 1 offence . Branches 4.

Branch 2 Why man may not ordinarily doe therein as God doth : and yet that in some cases men doe also , and may well doe the same .

Branch 3 That the wicked Iewes had no iust cause to charge ▪ God with iniustice for his dealings with them , albeit that he should so haue done .

And how God can turne to the good of a good child , Branch 4 the euill that he suffers for his bad Fathers default ; though to his vngodly Parent the same be a fearefull iudgement , and not a crosse only , but a curse too .

Now a word or two of vse , and so an end .

And first it may admonish Parents to be the Vse 1 more carefull to shun sinne , if not for their owne a a Vt vel posieritatibus consul●ntes diuinae leg●ob●dirent . Tertull. ad Marc. l. 2. , for their childrens sake yet : because their sinnes may bring iudgements vpon their children also , euen as well as vpon themselues . There is no Parent , if he be not wholly stript of naturall affection , but desires the welfare of his child . Yea , b b Quis non magis filiorum salutem quam suam curet ? Tertull. Ibid. Ita Leo Homericus Il. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 135. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Auisque apud e●nd . Il. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 324. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de amor . prol. Catulorum amor in venabula impingit faeras Sen. ep. 74. Parents are vsually wont to be more charie of their childrens welfare than of their own . Art thou desirous then of thy childrens well-doing ? Doe not wilfully that that may any way impeach it . And nothing may sooner doe it than thy sinne . As thine obedience and vpright carriage of thy selfe in Gods sight may procure c c Deut. 4.40 . & 5.29 . & 7.8 , 9 , 13. & 28.4 . a blessing euen to thy posterity : so thy sinne and transgression may bring d d Deut. 28.18 , 32 , 41. Ier. 5.17 . euill also vpon it . What a griefe would it be to any of vs that haue children , if in playing with one of them wee should let it fall vnwittingly , whereby the childe should get a knocke , that it should lie long sicke , and at length die of ? Take heed then how to satisfie some wanton lust or desire of thine , thou doe wilfully that that may prouoke God to wrath , & cause him to lay the like on thy childe , as thou seest that in the like cases sometime he hath done . Yea , consider with thy selfe , if shortly after some such wilfull running out of thine , and giuing way to thine vnrestrained corruption , some such thing should befall thy childe , and e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ( ex Eurip . Orest . Clem. Str●m . l. 7. ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de tranquill . thy guilty conscience shall then ( as it may iustly ) suggest vnto thee , This may well be the hand of God vpon my childe for mine excesse , or my sinne ; f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plut. de sanit . what griefe and anguish of heart must it needs procure to thee , and possesse thy soule withall , when thou shalt euer and anon bee thinking , and saying within thy selfe , g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . All this torment doth this poore infant endure for my sake , for my sinne . We cry out oft of witches , when our children are strangely taken , and say such a one hath bewitched them , when we are the witches our selues ; and , as hee saith of the h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Basil . Cas. de ebrietat . wine , that men take aboue measure , it is our sinne that hath bewitched them . Nor let Gods children thinke themselues priuileged in this kinde more than others . i i 2 Sam. 12.10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 18. & 13.1 , 14 , 28 , 29. & 16.22 . & 18.9 , 15 , 33. 1 King . 1.5 , 9. Dauid ( you heard ) was so punished , as well as Ieroboam , howsoeuer God turned it to his good ; and that not in one onely , but i i 2 Sam. 12.10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 18. & 13.1 , 14 , 28 , 29. & 16.22 . & 18.9 , 15 , 33. 1 King . 1.5 , 9. in diuers of his . And if other of Gods children shall in like manner grow wanton , and presuming on Gods goodnesse , shall take liberty to themselues , to walke loofely , and run riot ; God may iustly by the like iudgements call them home againe , and reclaime them , which may be also for their good .

Vse 2 To conclude , it may teach Parents what vse to make of Gods hand vpon their children . That they take occasion thereby to looke home to themselues , examine their hearts , view and sur●ey their liues , make inquiry what corruption of theirs either swaying ( without controll ) in the one , or breaking out by way giuen to it in the other , might giue God iust occasion to lay that crosse vpon them : and in more speciall manner , ( because k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Sapient . 11.13 . In quibus peccamus , in eisdem plectimur . In Hellogabali conscios saeuitum vario genere mortis , quum alios vitalibus exemptos n●carent , alios ab ima parte perfodederent , vt mors esset vitae consentiens . Lamprid. God oft punisheth vs in those things that we offend in ; as he punished Dauid in his children , for his ouer-much l l 2 Sam. 18.33 . & 19.4 , 5 , 6. 1 King . 1.6 . Verum ac seuerum illud Pi● 2. Pp. Hostem in se nutrire , qui nimis filio ignoscit . Platin. indulgence towards them ) wherein we haue beene faulty about them , and defectiue in our duty toward them , either in fond affection , or neglect of instruction and correction , or the like . Now , where is there almost any that thinke in such cases on this ? We are troubled to thinke , when our children are euill , that we haue let them go too thin clad , and so they haue caught cold : But wee thinke not how carelesse we haue beene of cloathing ( not their bodies , but ) their soules . We are troubled when they are gone , to thinke that we omitted this or that meanes of helpe for them . But we are not troubled to thinke , that we neglected the best meanes with them , and those that concerned not their temporall but their eternall good . Or wee are not troubled for this , that we brake not off , or humbled our selues for some sinne , which repented of might haue kept them still with vs . Neither yet doe I , or dare I affirme generally , that this is alwaies the cause why God crosseth men in their children : He may doe , and doth it also ( no doubt ) many times , for the m m Ad examen . triall and n n Ad exercitium . Exercitiasunt nobis ista , non funera . Cypr. de mortal . Vide Alex. Ales p. 1. q. 39. m. 3. a. 4. § 1. s . 6. exercise of his gifts and graces in them , their patience , obedience , confidence in God , and the like , and for other ends to himselfe best knowne , as to make way for some other worke of his . It was not for any speciall sinne of Iob , that o o Iob 1.18 , 19. his children were all at once so destroyed , though it were a : grieuous crosse vnto him . It was p p Iohn 5.3 . Vnde Alex. Ales p. 3. q. 5. 〈…〉 dupli●●● 〈…〉 ad 〈…〉 , ad 〈…〉 . not for any speciall sinne of his Parents ( our Sauiour himselfe faith it ) that that poore beggar in the Gospell was borne blinde . Howbeit , since that we learne out of Gods word , that God doth frequently inflict such euills vpon , children for the transgressions of their Parents , yea , and he hath threatned also so to doe : it standeth vs vpon , and it is one of the best vses that we can make , as of those crosses that God layeth on vs in our goods and chattels , and our worldly estates ; so , much more of those that in our children ( who are much neerer than those to vs ) doe befall vs , that we take occasion thereby q q 〈◊〉 3.39 , 40. to sife and search out our wayes , and to humble our selues in , the sight of God for our sinnes . Had Iereboam so done , peraduenture hee might haue saued his sonnes life , he had at least preuented other iudgements more fearefull , that for want thereof after befell him and his . And wee by so doing , may either remoue Gods hand lying heauy on our children , and on vs also in them , or at least we may haue the crosse so qualified and sanctified , that it shall turne to the good both of vs and ours .

FINIS .