Contemplations
.
The
SHVNAMITE
suing
to
IEHORAM
;
ELISHA
conferring
with
HAZAEL
.
HOw
royally
hath
Elisha
Arise
,
and
goe
,
thou
and
thine
houshold
,
and
soiourne
wheresoeuer
thou
canst
soiourne
.
The
Sareptan
was
poore
,
and
driuen
to
extremes
,
therefore
the
Prophet
prouides
for
her
,
from
hand
to
mouth
:
The
Shunamite
was
wealthy
,
and
therfore
the
Prophet
sends
her
to
prouide
for
her selfe
:
The
same
goodnes
that
relieues
our
necessity
,
leaues
our
competency
to
the
hand
of
our
owne
counsell
;
in
the
one
,
he
will
make
vse
of
his
owne
power
,
in
the
other
,
of
our
prouidence
.
The
very
Prophet
aduises
this
holy
Client
to
leaue
the
bounds
of
the
Church
:
and
to
seeke
life
,
where
she
should
not
finde
religion
:
Extremity
is
for
the
time
a
iust
dispensation
with
some
common
rules
of
our
outward
demeanure
,
and
motions
,
euen
from
better
to
worse
.
All
Israel
and
Iudah
shall
be
affamished
;
The
body
can
be
preserued
no
where
,
but
where
the
soule
shall
want
;
Somtimes
the
conueniences
of
the
soule
must
yeeld
to
bodily
necessities
.
Wantonnesse
and
curiosity
can
finde
no
aduantage
from
that
which
is
done
out
of
the
power
of
need
.
It
is
a
long
famine
that
shall
afflict
Israel
;
Hee
vpon
whom
the
spirit
of
Elijah
was
doubled
,
doubled
the
iudgement
inflicted
by
his
Master
;
Three
yeares
and
an
halfe
did
Israel
gaspe
vnder
the
drought
of
Elijah
;
seauen
yeares
dearth
shall
it
suffer
vnder
Elisha
:
The
tryals
of
God
are
many
times
not
more
grieuous
for
their
sharpnesse
,
then
for
their
continuance
.
This
scarcity
shall
not
come
alone
;
God
shall
call
for
it
:
what
euer
be
the
second
cause
,
he
is
the
first
.
The
executioners
of
the
Almighty
(
such
are
his
iudgments
)
stand
ready
waiting
vpon
his
iust
Throne
;
and
doe
no
sooner
receiue
the
watch-word
,
then
they
flye
vpon
the
world
,
and
plague
it
for
sinne
;
Onely
the
cry
of
our
sinnes
moues
God
to
call
for
vengeance
:
And
if
God
once
call
,
it
must
come
;
How
oft
,
how
earnestly
are
we
called
to
repentance
,
and
stir
not
?
the
messengers
of
Gods
wrath
flye
forth
at
the
least
becke
;
and
fulfill
the
will
of
his
reuenge
vpon
those
,
whose
obedience
would
not
fulfill
the
will
of
his
command
.
After
so
many
proofes
of
fidelitie
the
Shunamite
cannot
distrust
the
Prophet
;
not
staying
therfore
to
be
conuicted
by
the
euent
,
she
remoues
her
family
into
the
Land
of
the
Philistims
:
No
nation
was
more
opposite
to
Israel
,
none
more
worthily
odious
;
yet
,
there
doth
the
Shunamite
seeke
,
&
finde
shelter
;
Euen
the
shade
of
those
trees
that
are
vnwholsome
,
may
keepe
vs
from
a
storme
;
Euery
where
will
God
finde
roome
for
his
owne
.
The
fields
of
Philistins
flourish
,
whiles
the
soyle
of
Israel
yeelds
nothing
but
weeds
and
barrennesse
:
Not
that
Israel
was
more
sinfull
,
but
that
the
sin
of
Israel
is
more
intolerable
.
The
offers
of
grace
are
so
many
aggrauations
of
wickednesse
:
In
equall
offences
those
doe
iustly
smart
more
,
who
are
more
obliged
.
No
pestilence
is
so
contagious
as
that
which
hath
taken
the
purest
ayre
.
These
Philistine
neighbours
would
neuer
haue
endured
themselues
to
be
pestered
with
forrainers
;
especially
Israelites
,
whom
they
hated
(
besides
religion
)
for
their
vsurpation
:
neyther
were
they
in
all
likelihood
pressed
with
multitude
:
The
rest
of
Israel
were
led
on
with
hopes
;
presuming
vpon
the
amends
of
the
next
haruest
,
till
their
want
grew
desperate
,
and
irremediable
;
onely
the
forwarned
Shunamite
preuents
the
mischiefe
;
now
she
findes
what
it
is
to
haue
a
Prophet
her
friend
:
Happy
are
those
soules
that
vpon
all
occasions
consult
with
Gods
Seers
;
they
shall
be
freed
from
the
plagues
,
wherein
the
secure
blindnesse
of
others
is
heedlesly
ouertaken
.
Seauen
yeares
had
this
Shunamite
soiourned
in
Palestine
,
now
she
returnes
to
her
owne
;
and
is
excluded
:
She
that
found
harbour
among
Philistines
,
findes
oppression
and
violence
among
Israelites
:
Those
of
her
kinred
,
taking
aduantage
of
her
absence
,
had
shared
her
possessions
.
How
oft
doth
it
fall
out
that
the
worst
enemies
of
a
man
are
those
of
his
owne
,
house
?
All
went
by
contraries
with
this
Shunamite
;
In
the
famine
she
had
enough
,
in
the
common
plenty
she
was
scanted
;
Philistines
were
kinde
to
her
,
Israelites
cruell
:
Both
our
feares
,
and
our
hopes
doe
not
seldome
disappoint
vs
;
It
is
safe
trusting
to
that
stay
which
can
neuer
faile
vs
;
who
can
easily
prouide
vs
both
of
friendship
in
Palestine
,
and
of
iustice
in
Israel
.
Wee
may
not
iudge
of
the
religion
by
particular
actions
;
A
very
Philistine
may
be
mercifull
,
when
an
Israelite
is
vniust
;
The
person
may
be
faulty
,
when
the
profession
is
holy
.
It
was
not
long
since
the
Prophet
made
that
friendly
offer
to
the
Shunamite
,
out
of
the
desire
of
a
thankfull
requitall
;
What
is
to
be
done
for
thee
?
wouldest
thou
be
spoken
for
to
the
King
,
or
to
the
Captaine
of
the
Host
?
and
she
answered
;
I
dwell
among
my
brethren
.
Little
did
she
then
thinke
of
this
iniurious
measure
;
else
she
might
haue
said
;
I
dwell
amongst
mine
enemies
,
I
dwell
amongst
robbers
.
It
is
like
they
were
then
friendly
,
who
were
now
cruell
,
and
oppressiue
;
There
is
no
trust
to
be
reposed
in
flesh
and
blood
:
How
should
their
fauors
be
constant
,
who
are
in
their
nature
,
and
disposition
,
variable
?
It
is
the
furest
way
to
relye
on
him
,
who
is
euer
like
himselfe
;
the
measure
of
whose
loue
is
eternitie
.
Whither
should
the
Shunamite
goe
to
complaine
of
her
wrong
,
but
to
the
Court
?
There
is
no
other
refuge
of
the
oppressed
,
but
publike
authoritie
:
All
Iustice
is
deriued
from
Soueraignty
:
Kings
are
not
called
Gods
for
nothing
;
They
doe
both
sentence
and
execute
for
the
Almighty
.
Doubtlesse
,
now
the
poore
Shunamite
thought
of
the
courteous
profer
of
Elisha
;
and
missing
a
friend
at
the
Court
,
is
glad
to
be
the
presenter
of
her
owne
petition
.
How
happily
doth
God
contriue
all
euents
for
the
good
of
his
!
This
suppliant
shall
fall
vpon
that
instant
for
her
suit
,
when
the
King
shall
bee
talking
with
Gehezi
;
when
Gehezi
shall
bee
talking
of
her
,
to
the
King
;
The
words
of
Gehezi
,
the
thoughts
of
the
King
,
the
desires
of
the
Shunamite
shall
be
all
drawne
together
by
the
wise
prouidence
of
God
into
the
center
of
one
moment
,
that
his
oppressed
seruant
might
receiue
a
speedy
iustice
.
Oh
the
infinite
wisedome
,
power
,
mercy
of
our
God
,
that
insensibly
orders
all
our
wayes
,
as
to
his
owne
holy
purposes
,
so
to
our
best
aduantage
.
What
doth
Iehoram
the
King
talking
with
Gehezi
the
Leper
?
That
very
presence
was
an
eye-sore
.
But
if
the
cohabitation
with
the
infectious
were
forbidden
,
yet
not
the
conference
.
Certainly
,
I
begin
to
thinke
of
some
goodnesse
in
both
these
:
Had
there
not
beene
some
goodnesse
in
Iehoram
,
he
had
not
taken
pleasure
to
heare
,
euen
from
a
leprous
mouth
,
the
miraculous
acts
and
praises
of
Gods
Prophet
;
Had
there
not
beene
some
goodnesse
in
Gehezi
,
he
had
not
after
so
fearfull
an
infliction
of
iudgment
,
thus
ingenuously
recounted
the
praises
of
his
seuere
Master
;
Hee
that
told
that
deare-bought
lye
to
the
Prophet
,
tells
now
all
truths
of
the
Prophet
,
to
the
King
:
Perhaps
his
leprosie
had
made
him
cleane
;
If
so
:
Happy
was
it
for
him
that
his
forhead
was
white
with
the
disease
,
if
his
soule
became
hereupon
white
with
repentance
.
But
wee
may
well
know
that
the
desire
,
or
report
of
historicall
Truths
,
doth
not
alwayes
argue
grace
.
Still
Iehoram
,
after
the
inquiry
of
the
Prophets
miracles
,
continues
his
Idolatry
.
He
that
was
curious
to
harken
after
the
wonders
of
Elisha
,
is
not
carefull
to
follow
his
doctrine
;
Therefore
are
Gehezi
and
the
Shunamite
met
before
him
,
that
hee
may
be
conuicted
,
who
will
not
be
reformed
:
Why
was
it
els
that
the
presence
of
the
persons
should
thus
inexpectedly
make
good
the
relation
,
if
God
had
not
meant
the
inexcusablenesse
of
Iehoram
;
whiles
he
must
needs
say
within
himselfe
;
Thus
potent
is
the
Prophet
of
that
God
,
whom
I
obey
not
;
Were
not
Elishaes
,
the
true
God
,
how
could
hee
worke
such
wonders
?
And
if
he
be
the
true
God
,
why
is
he
not
mine
?
But
what
?
Shall
I
change
Ahabs
God
for
Iehosaphats
?
No
;
I
cannot
deny
the
miracles
,
I
will
not
admit
of
the
author
:
Let
Elisha
be
powerfull
,
I
will
be
constant
.
O
wretched
Iehoram
;
how
much
better
had
it
been
for
thee
neuer
to
haue
seene
the
face
of
Gehezi
,
and
the
son
of
the
Shunamite
;
then
to
goe
away
vnmoued
with
the
vengeance
of
leprosie
in
the
one
,
with
the
mercifull
resuscitation
of
the
other
?
Therfore
is
thy
iudgment
fearfully
aggrauated
,
because
thou
wouldst
not
yeeld
to
what
thou
couldst
not
oppose
.
Had
not
Ahabs
obduratenesse
beene
propagated
to
his
sonne
,
so
powerfull
demonstrations
of
diuine
power
could
not
haue
been
vneffectuall
.
Wicked
hearts
are
so
much
worse
by
how
much
God
is
better
;
This
anvile
is
the
harder
by
being
continually
beaten
vpon
,
whether
with
iudgments
,
or
mercy
.
Yet
this
good
vse
will
God
haue
made
of
this
report
,
and
this
presence
,
that
the
poore
Shunamite
shall
haue
iustice
;
That
sonne
,
whose
life
was
restored
,
shall
haue
his
inheritance
reuiued
;
His
estate
shall
fare
the
better
for
Elishaes
miracle
:
How
much
more
will
our
mercifull
God
second
his
owne
blessings
,
when
the
fauors
of
vniust
men
are
therefore
drawne
to
vs
,
because
wee
haue
beene
the
subiects
of
diuine
beneficence
.
It
was
a
large
,
and
full
award
,
that
this
occurrence
drew
from
the
King
;
Restore
all
that
was
hers
,
and
all
the
fruits
of
the
field
,
since
the
day
that
she
left
the
land
,
euen
vntill
now
.
Not
the
present
possession
onely
is
giuen
her
,
but
the
arerages
.
Nothing
hinders
,
but
that
outward
iustice
may
stand
with
grosse
Idolatry
.
The
Widow
may
thanke
Elisha
for
this
;
His
miracle
wrought
still
;
and
put
this
new
life
into
her
dead
estate
;
His
absence
did
that
for
the
preseruation
of
life
,
which
his
presence
did
for
the
restoring
it
from
death
.
Shee
that
was
so
ready
to
expostulate
with
the
man
of
God
,
vpon
the
losse
of
her
sonne
,
might
perhaps
haue
beene
as
ready
to
impute
the
losse
of
her
estate
to
his
aduice
;
Now
,
that
for
his
sake
shee
is
enriched
with
her
owne
;
how
doth
shee
blesse
God
for
so
happy
a
guest
?
When
we
haue
forgotten
our
owne
good
turnes
,
God
remembers
and
crownes
them
:
Let
vs
do
good
to
all
whiles
we
haue
time
,
but
especially
to
the
houshold
of
faith
.
Could
Israel
haue
beene
sensible
of
their
owne
condition
,
it
was
no
small
vnhappinesse
to
lose
the
presence
of
Elisha
:
Whether
,
for
the
Idolatries
,
or
for
the
famine
of
Israel
,
the
Prophet
is
gone
into
Syria
;
No
doubt
Naaman
welcomd
him
thither
;
and
now
would
force
vpon
him
those
thankes
for
his
cure
,
which
the
man
of
God
would
not
receiue
at
home
.
How
famous
is
he
now
grown
that
was
taken
from
the
Teame
?
His
name
is
not
confined
to
his
owne
Nation
;
Forraine
countries
take
notice
of
it
;
and
Kings
are
glad
to
listen
after
him
,
and
wooe
him
with
presents
:
Benhadad
the
King
of
Syria
,
whose
counsells
he
had
detected
,
reioyeeth
to
heare
of
his
presence
;
and
now
,
as
hauing
forgotten
that
he
had
sent
a
whole
host
,
to
besiege
the
Prophet
in
Dothan
,
sends
an
honorable
messenger
to
him
,
laden
with
the
burden
of
fourty
Camels
,
to
consult
with
this
Oracle
,
concerning
his
sicknesse
,
and
recouery
.
This
Syrian
belike
in
his
distresse
dares
not
trust
to
his
owne
gods
;
but
hauing
had
good
proofe
of
the
power
of
the
God
of
Israel
,
both
in
Naamans
cure
,
and
in
the
miraculous
defeats
of
his
greatest
forces
,
is
glad
to
send
to
that
seruant
of
God
,
whom
he
had
persecuted
.
Wicked
men
are
not
the
same
in
health
and
in
sicknesse
:
their
affliction
is
worthy
of
the
thankes
,
if
they
be
well-minded
;
not
themselues
.
Doubtlesse
the
errand
of
Benhadad
was
not
onely
to
inquire
of
the
issue
of
his
disease
,
but
to
require
the
prayers
of
the
Prophet
for
a
good
issue
:
Euen
the
worst
man
doth
so
loue
himselfe
,
that
hee
can
be
content
to
make
a
beneficiall
vse
of
those
instruments
,
whose
goodnesse
he
hateth
.
Hazael
,
the
chiefe
Peere
of
Syria
is
designed
to
this
message
;
The
wealth
of
his
present
striues
with
the
humility
of
his
cariage
,
and
speech
:
Thy
sonne
Benhadad
King
of
Syria
hath
sent
me
to
thee
,
saying
,
Shall
I
recouer
of
this
disease
?
Not
long
since
,
Iehoram
King
of
Israel
had
said
to
Elisha
,
My
father
,
shall
I
smite
them
;
and
now
Benhadad
King
of
Syria
,
sayes
,
My
father
,
shall
I
recouer
:
Lo
how
this
poore
Meholathite
hath
Kings
to
his
sons
:
How
great
is
the
honor
of
Gods
Prophets
with
Pagans
,
with
Princes
?
Who
can
bee
but
confounded
to
see
Euangelicall
Prophets
despised
by
the
meanest
Christians
?
It
is
more
then
a
single
answer
that
the
Prophet
returnes
to
this
message
:
One
answer
he
giues
to
Benhadad
,
that
sent
it
;
another
hee
giues
to
Hazael
,
that
brings
it
:
That
to
Benhadad
,
is
,
Thou
maiest
surely
recouer
;
That
to
Hazael
,
The
Lord
hath
shewed
me
that
he
shall
surely
dye
:
What
shall
we
say
then
?
Is
there
a
lye
,
or
an
equiuocation
in
the
holy
mouth
of
the
Prophet
?
God
forbid
:
It
is
one
thing
what
shall
be
the
nature
,
and
issue
of
the
disease
;
Another
thing
what
may
outwardly
befall
the
person
of
Benhadad
:
The
question
is
moued
of
the
former
;
wherto
the
answer
is
direct
;
The
disease
is
not
mortall
;
But
withall
an
intimation
is
giuen
to
the
bearer
,
of
an
euent
beyond
the
reach
of
his
demand
;
which
hee
may
know
,
but
eyther
needs
not
,
or
may
not
returne
:
The
Lord
hath
shewed
me
that
he
shall
surely
dye
;
by
another
meanes
,
though
not
by
the
disease
.
The
Seer
of
God
descries
more
in
Hazael
,
then
hee
could
see
in
himselfe
;
hee
fixes
his
eyes
therefore
stedfastly
in
the
Syrians
face
,
as
one
that
in
those
lines
read
the
bloody
story
of
his
life
.
Hazael
blushes
,
Elisha
weepes
;
The
intention
of
those
eyes
did
not
so
much
amaze
Hazael
,
as
the
teares
;
As
yet
he
was
not
guilty
to
himselfe
of
any
wrong
that
might
straine
out
this
iuyce
of
sorrow
:
Why
weepeth
my
Lord
?
The
Prophet
feares
not
to
foretell
Hazael
all
the
villanies
which
he
should
once
do
to
Israel
;
How
he
should
fire
their
forts
,
and
kill
their
yong
men
,
and
rip
the
mothers
,
and
dash
the
children
.
I
maruell
not
now
at
the
teares
of
those
eies
which
foresaw
this
miserable
vastation
of
the
inheritance
of
God
;
The
very
mention
whereof
is
abhorred
of
the
future
author
:
What
is
thy
seruant
a
dog
,
that
I
should
doe
this
great
thing
?
They
are
sauage
cruelties
whereof
thou
speakest
;
It
were
more
fit
for
mee
to
weepe
that
thou
shouldest
repute
mee
so
brutish
;
I
should
no
lesse
condemne
my
selfe
for
a
beast
,
if
I
could
suspect
my
owne
degeneration
so
farre
.
Wicked
men
are
caryed
into
those
heights
of
impiety
,
which
they
could
not
in
their
good
mood
haue
possibly
beleeued
;
Nature
is
subiect
to
fauourable
opinions
of
it selfe
;
and
will
rather
mistrust
a
Prophet
of
God
,
then
her
owne
good
disposition
:
How
many
from
honest
beginnings
,
haue
risen
to
incredible
licentiousnesse
,
whose
liues
are
now
such
,
that
it
were
as
hard
for
a
man
to
beleeue
they
had
euer
beene
good
,
as
to
haue
perswaded
them
once
they
should
proue
so
desperately
ill
.
To
giue
some
ouerture
vnto
Hazael
of
the
oportunitie
of
this
ensuing
mischiefe
;
the
Prophet
foretells
him
from
God
,
that
hee
shall
be
the
King
of
Syria
.
He
that
shewes
the
euent
,
doth
not
appoint
the
meanes
;
Far
was
it
from
the
spirit
of
Gods
Prophet
to
set
,
or
encourage
a
treason
:
whiles
hee
said
therefore
,
Thou
shalt
be
King
of
Syria
;
he
said
not
,
Goe
home
,
and
kill
thy
master
:
The
wicked
ambition
of
Hazael
drawes
this
damnable
conclusion
out
of
holy
premises
;
and
now
hauing
fed
the
hopes
of
his
Soueraigne
with
the
expectation
of
recouery
;
the
next
day
he
smothers
his
Master
.
The
impotent
desire
of
rule
brookes
no
delay
:
Had
not
Hazael
been
gracelesly
cruell
,
after
hee
had
receiued
this
prediction
of
the
Seer
,
hee
should
haue
patiently
awaited
for
the
crowne
of
Syria
,
till
lawfull
meanes
had
set
it
vpon
his
head
;
now
,
he
will
by
a
close
execution
make
way
to
the
throne
;
A
wet
cloth
hath
stopt
the
mouth
of
his
sicke
Soueraigne
;
No
noyse
is
heard
;
the
carcasse
is
faire
;
Who
can
complaine
of
any
thing
but
the
disease
?
O
Hazael
,
thou
shalt
not
thus
easily
stop
the
mouth
of
thine
owne
conscience
;
that
shall
call
thee
Traytor
,
euen
in
thy
chaire
of
state
;
and
shall
checke
all
thy
royall
triumphs
,
with
,
Thou
hast
founded
thy
throne
in
blood
.
I
am
deceiued
if
this
wet
cloth
shall
not
wipe
thy
lips
in
thy
iollyest
feasts
,
and
make
thy
best
morsells
vnsavory
:
Soueraignty
is
painfull
vpon
the
fairest
termes
;
but
vpon
trechery
,
and
murder
,
tormenting
:
Wofull
is
the
case
of
that
man
whose
publike
cares
are
aggrauated
with
priuate
guiltinesse
;
and
happy
is
he
,
that
can
inioy
a
little
with
the
peace
of
an
honest
heart
.
IEHV
with
IEHORAM
and
IEZEBEL
.
YEt
Hazael
began
his
Ramoth
Gilead
is
won
from
him
;
Iehoram
the
son
hath
recouered
that
,
which
Ahab
his
father
attempted
in
vaine
;
That
City
was
dear-bought
of
Israel
;
it
cost
the
life
of
Ahab
,
the
blood
of
Iehoram
;
Those
wounds
were
healed
with
victory
;
The
King
tends
his
health
at
Iezreel
,
whiles
the
Captaines
were
enioying
,
and
seconding
their
successe
at
Ramoth
.
Old
Elisha
hath
neither
cotage
,
nor
foot
of
land
,
yet
sitting
in
an
obscure
corner
,
he
giues
order
for
Kingdomes
;
Not
by
way
of
authority
(
this
vsurpation
had
been
no
lesse
proud
,
then
vniust
)
but
by
way
of
message
,
from
the
God
of
kings
;
Euen
a
meane
Herald
may
goe
on
a
great
errand
:
The
Prophets
of
the
Gospell
haue
nothing
to
doe
but
with
spirituall
Kingdoms
;
To
beate
downe
the
kingdomes
of
sinne
and
Satan
;
to
translate
soules
to
the
Kingdome
of
heauen
.
Hee
that
renued
the
life
of
the
Shunamites
sonne
,
must
stoope
to
age
;
That
blocke
lies
in
his
way
to
Iehu
;
The
aged
Prophet
imployes
a
speedier
messenger
,
who
must
also
gird
vp
his
loynes
,
for
hast
:
No
common
pace
will
serue
vs
when
we
goe
on
Gods
message
;
The
very
losse
of
minutes
may
be
vnrecouerable
.
This
great
Seer
of
God
wel
saw
a
present
concurrence
of
all
oportunities
:
The
Captaines
of
the
Host
were
then
readily
combined
for
this
exploit
:
the
Army
was
on
foot
;
Iehoram
absent
;
a
small
delay
might
haue
troubled
the
work
;
the
dispersion
of
the
Captaines
,
and
Host
,
or
the
presence
of
the
King
,
might
eyther
haue
defeated
,
or
slacked
the
dispatch
:
He
is
prodigall
of
his
successe
,
that
is
slow
in
his
execution
.
The
directions
of
Elisha
to
the
young
Prophet
,
are
full
,
and
punctuall
:
whither
to
goe
;
what
to
cary
;
what
to
doe
;
where
to
doe
it
;
what
to
say
,
what
speed
to
make
,
in
his
act
,
in
his
returne
:
In
the
businesses
of
God
it
matters
not
how
little
is
left
to
our
discretion
;
There
is
no
important
businesse
of
the
Almighty
,
wherin
his
precepts
are
not
strict
,
and
expresse
;
Looke
how
much
more
specialty
there
is
in
the
charge
of
God
,
so
much
more
danger
is
in
the
violation
.
The
young
Prophet
is
curiously
obedient
;
in
his
haste
;
in
his
obseruation
and
cariage
:
and
finding
Iehu
,
according
to
Elishaes
prediction
,
set
amongst
the
Captaines
of
the
Host
,
he
singles
him
forth
,
by
a
reuerent
compellation
;
I
haue
an
errand
to
thee
,
O
Captaine
;
Might
not
the
Prophet
haue
stayed
till
the
table
had
risen
,
and
then
haue
followed
Iehu
to
his
lodging
?
Surely
,
the
wisdome
of
God
hath
purposely
pitcht
vpon
this
season
,
that
the
publike
view
of
a
sacred
messenger
,
and
the
hasty
euocation
of
so
noted
a
person
,
to
such
a
secrecy
,
might
prepare
the
hearts
of
those
Commanders
of
Israel
,
to
the
expectation
of
some
great
designe
.
The
inmost
roome
is
but
close
enough
for
this
act
;
Ere
many
houres
,
all
Israel
shall
know
that
,
which
yet
may
not
bee
trusted
with
one
eye
;
The
goodnesse
of
God
makes
wise
prouision
for
the
safety
of
his
messengers
,
and
whiles
he
imployes
their
seruice
,
preuents
their
dangers
.
But
how
is
it
that
of
all
the
Kings
of
the
Ten
tribes
,
none
was
euer
anointed
but
Iehu
?
Is
it
for
that
the
God
,
who
would
not
countenance
the
erection
of
that
vsurped
throne
,
would
countenance
the
alteration
?
Or
is
it
,
that
by
this
visible
testimony
of
diuine
ordination
,
the
courage
of
the
Israelitish
Captaines
might
be
raised
vp
to
second
the
high
and
bold
attempt
of
him
,
whom
they
saw
destin'd
from
heauen
to
rule
?
Together
with
the
oyle
of
this
vnction
,
here
was
a
charge
of
reuenge
;
A
reuenge
of
the
blood
of
the
Prophets
,
vpon
Iezebel
;
of
wickednesse
and
Idolatry
,
vpon
Ahab
:
neither
was
the
extirpation
of
this
leud
family
fore-prophesied
onely
to
Iehu
,
but
inioyned
.
Elijah
foretold
,
and
the
world
expected
some
fearfull
account
of
the
abhominable
cruelty
,
and
impiety
of
that
accursed
house
;
Now
it
is
called
for
,
when
it
seemed
forgotten
:
Ahab
shall
haue
no
posterity
,
Iezebel
shall
haue
no
toomb
,
but
the
doggs
.
This
woful
doome
is
committed
to
Iehues
execution
.
Oh
the
sure
,
though
patient
,
iustice
of
the
Almighty
:
Not
only
Ahab
and
Iezebel
had
beene
bloody
,
and
idolatrous
,
but
Israel
was
drawne
into
the
partnership
of
their
crimes
;
All
these
shall
share
in
the
iudgment
:
Elijahs
complaint
in
the
caue
now
receiues
this
late
answer
;
Hazael
shall
plague
Israel
;
Iehu
shall
plague
the
house
of
Ahab
and
Iezebel
;
Elishaes
seruant
thus
seconds
Elishaes
master
:
When
wickednes
is
ripe
in
the
field
,
God
will
not
let
it
sheed
to
grow
againe
,
but
cuts
it
vp
by
a
iust
,
and
seasonable
vengeance
:
Ahabs
drouping
vnder
the
threat
hath
put
off
the
iudgment
from
his
owne
dayes
;
now
it
comes
,
and
sweepes
away
his
wife
,
his
issue
;
and
falls
heauy
vpon
his
subiects
.
Please
your selues
,
ô
ye
vaine
sinners
,
in
the
slow
pace
of
vengeance
;
it
will
be
neither
lesse
certaine
,
nor
more
easie
for
the
delay
;
rather
it
will
pay
for
that
leasure
in
the
extremitie
.
The
Prophet
hath
done
his
errand
,
and
is
gone
.
Iehu
returnes
to
his
fellowes
,
with
his
head
not
more
wet
with
oyle
,
then
busied
with
thoughts
:
no
doubt
,
his
face
bewrayed
some
inward
tumults
,
and
distractions
of
imagination
;
neyther
seem'd
hee
to
returne
the
same
he
went
out
.
They
aske
therefore
,
Is
all
well
?
Wherefore
came
this
mad
fellow
to
thee
?
The
Prophets
of
God
were
to
these
idolatrous
Israelites
,
like
comets
;
who
were
neuer
seene
without
the
portendement
of
a
mischiefe
:
When
the
priests
of
their
Baal
were
quietly
sacrificing
,
all
was
well
;
but
now
when
a
Prophet
of
God
comes
in
sight
,
their
guiltinesse
askes
,
Is
all
well
?
All
would
be
well
but
for
their
sinnes
;
they
feare
not
these
,
they
feare
their
reprouer
.
Israel
was
comne
to
a
good
passe
,
when
the
Prophets
of
God
went
with
them
for
mad
men
:
Oh
ye
Baalitish
Ruffians
,
whither
hath
your
impiety
and
profanenesse
caryed
you
,
that
ye
should
thus
blaspheme
the
seruants
of
the
liuing
God
?
Ye
that
run
on
madding
after
vaine
Idols
,
taxe
the
sober
guides
of
true
worship
,
for
madnesse
.
Thus
it
becomes
the
godlesse
enemies
of
truth
,
the
heralds
of
our
patience
,
to
mis-call
our
innocence
,
to
reuile
our
most
holy
profession
:
What
wonder
is
it
that
Gods
messengers
are
mad
men
vnto
those
,
to
whom
the
wisedome
of
God
is
foolishnes
?
The
message
was
not
deliuered
to
Iehu
for
a
concealment
,
but
for
publication
:
Silence
could
not
effect
the
word
that
was
told
him
;
common
notice
must
;
Yee
know
the
man
,
and
his
communication
:
The
habit
showes
you
the
man
;
the
calling
showes
you
his
errand
:
Euen
Prophets
were
distinguished
by
their
clothes
;
Their
mantle
was
not
the
common
weare
;
why
should
not
this
sacred
vocation
be
knowne
by
a
peculiar
attyre
?
These
Captaines
had
not
calld
him
a
mad-man
,
if
they
had
not
knowne
him
a
Prophet
:
By
the
man
therefore
they
might
guesse
at
his
message
;
Prophets
doe
not
vse
to
appeare
,
but
vpon
serious
errands
;
whether
of
reproofe
,
or
of
prediction
.
Nice
ciuilities
of
denialls
were
not
then
knowne
to
the
world
;
They
said
,
It
is
false
,
tell
vs
now
:
Amongst
these
Captains
no
combat
,
no
vnkindnesse
followes
vpon
a
word
so
rudely
familiar
.
Iehu
needs
not
tell
them
,
that
the
man
was
a
Prophet
;
hee
tels
them
the
prophesie
of
the
man
;
what
he
had
said
,
what
hee
had
done
.
Their
eies
had
no
sooner
seene
the
oyle
;
their
eares
had
no
sooner
heard
,
Thus
saith
the
Lord
,
I
haue
anointed
thee
King
ouer
Israel
,
then
they
rise
from
their
seates
,
as
rapt
with
a
tempest
,
and
are
hurled
into
armes
;
So
doe
they
hast
to
proclaime
Iehu
,
that
they
scarce
stay
to
snatch
vp
their
garments
,
which
they
had
perhaps
left
behind
them
for
speed
,
had
they
not
meant
with
these
rich
abiliments
to
garnish
a
state
for
their
new
Soueraigne
;
To
whom
hauing
now
erected
an
extemporall
Throne
,
they
doe
by
the
sound
of
Trumpets
giue
the
style
of
Royalty
,
Iehu
is
King
.
So
much
credit
hath
that
mad
fellow
with
these
gallants
of
Israel
,
that
vpon
his
word
they
will
presently
aduenture
their
liues
,
&
change
the
Crowne
.
God
giues
a
secret
authority
to
his
despised
seruants
;
so
as
they
which
hate
their
person
,
yet
reuerence
their
truth
:
Euen
very
scorners
cannot
but
beleeue
them
;
If
when
the
Prophets
of
the
Gospell
tell
vs
of
a
spirituall
Kingdome
,
they
be
distrusted
of
those
which
professe
to
obserue
them
,
how
shamefull
is
the
disproportion
?
how
iust
shall
their
iudgment
be
?
Yet
I
cannot
say
whether
meer
obedience
to
the
Prophet
,
or
personall
dislikes
of
Iehoram
,
or
partiall
respects
to
Iehu
,
drew
the
Captaines
of
Israel
;
The
will
of
God
may
be
done
thanklesly
,
when
fulfilling
the
substance
,
we
faile
of
the
intention
,
and
erre
in
circumstance
.
Onely
Ramoth
is
conscious
of
this
sudden
Inauguration
;
This
new
prince-dome
yet
reaches
no
further
then
the
sound
of
the
trumpet
:
Iehu
is
no
lesse
subtile
,
then
valiant
;
he
knew
that
the
notice
of
this
inexpected
change
might
worke
a
busie
,
and
dangerous
resistance
;
he
therfore
giues
order
that
no
messenger
of
the
newes
may
preuent
his
personall
execution
,
that
so
he
might
surprise
Iehoram
in
his
palace
of
Izreel
,
whether
tending
his
late
wounds
,
or
securely
feasting
his
friends
,
and
dreaming
of
nothing
lesse
then
danger
;
and
might
be
seene
,
and
felt
at
once
.
Secresie
is
the
safest
gard
of
any
designe
;
disclosed
proiects
are
either
frustrated
,
or
made
needlesly
difficult
.
Neither
is
Iehu
more
close
,
then
swift
;
That
very
trumpet
with
the
same
wind
sounds
his
march
;
from
the
toppe
of
the
staires
,
he
steps
downe
into
his
charet
;
That
man
meanes
to
speed
,
who
can
bee
at
once
reserued
in
his
counsels
,
and
resolute
and
quicke
in
his
performances
.
Who
could
but
pity
the
vnhappy
and
vnseasonable
visitation
of
the
grand-childe
of
Iehosaphat
,
were
it
not
that
hee
was
degenerate
into
the
family
of
Abab
?
Ahaziah
King
of
Iudah
is
comne
to
visit
Iehoram
King
of
Israel
;
the
knowledge
of
his
late
receiued
wounds
hath
drawn
thither
this
kind
ill-matched
allie
:
He
who
was
partner
of
the
warre
,
cannot
but
be
a
visitor
of
the
wounds
.
The
two
Kings
are
in
the
height
of
their
complement
,
and
entertainments
,
when
the
watchman
of
the
Tower
of
Izreel
espies
a
troupe
,
a
farre
off
.
For
ought
was
knowne
,
there
was
nothing
but
peace
in
all
the
Land
of
Israel
;
and
Iudah
was
now
so
combined
with
it
,
that
both
their
Kings
were
feasting
vnder
one
roofe
;
yet
,
in
the
midst
of
this
supposed
safety
,
the
watch-tower
is
not
vnfurnished
with
heedy
eyes
:
No
securitie
of
peace
can
free
wise
Gouernors
from
a
carefull
suspition
of
what
may
come
,
and
a
prouidence
against
the
worst
.
Euen
whiles
we
know
of
no
enemies
,
the
watch-tower
of
due
intelligence
may
not
be
empty
.
In
vaine
are
dangers
fore-seen
,
if
they
be
not
premonished
;
It
is
all
one
to
haue
a
blind
and
a
mute
watch-man
;
This
speakes
what
he
sees
;
I
see
a
company
.
Doubtlesse
Iehorams
head
was
now
full
of
thoughts
;
neither
knew
hee
what
construction
to
put
vpon
this
approching
troupe
;
Perhaps
,
the
Syrians
(
hee
thinkes
)
may
haue
recouered
Ramoth
;
and
chased
the
garison
of
Israel
;
neither
can
hee
imagine
whether
these
should
be
hostile
victors
,
or
vanquished
subiects
,
or
conspiring
rebells
.
Euery
way
this
rout
was
dreadfull
.
Oh
Iehoram
,
thou
beginst
thy
feares
too
late
;
Hadst
thou
beene
afraid
to
prouoke
the
God
of
Israel
,
thine
innocency
had
yeelded
no
roome
to
these
terrors
.
An
horseman
is
dispatcht
to
discouer
the
meaning
of
this
descryed
concourse
:
Hee
meets
them
,
and
inquires
of
peace
;
but
receiues
a
short
answer
,
What
hast
thou
to
doe
with
peace
?
turne
thee
behind
mee
?
A
second
is
addressed
;
with
the
same
successe
:
Both
attend
the
traine
of
Iehu
in
stead
of
returning
;
Indeed
,
it
is
not
for
priuate
persons
to
hope
to
rectifie
the
publike
affaires
,
when
they
are
growne
to
an
height
of
disorder
,
and
from
thence
to
a
ripenesse
of
mis-cariage
:
Sooner
may
a
well-meaning
man
hurt
himselfe
,
then
redresse
the
common
danger
.
These
messengers
were
now
within
the
mercy
of
a
multitude
,
had
they
but
indeuored
to
retire
,
they
had
perished
as
wilfully
,
as
vainly
:
Whosoeuer
will
be
striuing
against
the
torrent
of
a
iust
iudgment
,
must
needs
bee
caried
downe
in
the
streame
:
Sometimes
there
is
as
much
wisdome
in
yeelding
,
as
courage
in
resistance
.
Had
this
troupe
beene
farre
off
,
the
watchman
could
not
haue
descryed
the
arriuall
of
the
messengers
,
their
turning
behind
,
the
manner
of
the
march
;
Iehu
was
a
noted
Captaine
,
his
cariage
and
motion
was
obserued
more
full
of
fire
,
then
his
fellowes
;
The
driuing
is
like
Iehues
,
for
hee
driueth
furiously
:
God
makes
choyce
of
fit
instruments
,
as
of
mercy
,
so
of
reuenge
;
These
spirits
were
needfull
for
so
tragicall
a
scene
,
as
was
now
preparing
in
Israel
.
Iehoram
and
Abaziah
,
as
netled
with
this
forced
patience
of
expectation
,
can
no
longer
keepe
their
seates
;
but
will
needs
hasten
their
charets
;
and
fetch
that
costly
satisfaction
,
which
would
not
be
sent
,
but
giuen
.
They
are
infatuated
,
which
shall
perish
;
otherwise
Iehoram
had
beene
warned
enough
by
the
forceable
retention
of
his
messengers
,
to
expect
none
but
an
enemy
.
A
friend
,
or
a
subiect
could
not
haue
beene
vnwilling
to
bee
knowne
,
to
be
lookt
for
;
Now
;
forgetting
his
wounds
,
he
will
go
to
fetch
death
.
Yet
when
he
sees
Iehu
,
whom
he
left
a
subiect
,
hopes
striue
with
his
doubts
,
Is
it
peace
,
Iehu
?
what
may
be
the
reason
of
this
sudden
iourney
?
Is
the
army
foyled
by
the
Syrians
?
Is
Ramoth
recouered
?
or
hath
the
flight
of
the
enemy
left
thee
no
further
worke
?
or
is
some
other
ill
newes
guilty
of
thy
hast
?
What
meanes
this
vnwished
presence
,
and
returne
?
There
needs
no
stay
for
an
answer
;
The
very
face
of
Iehu
,
and
those
sparkling
eyes
of
his
spake
fury
,
and
death
to
Iehoram
;
which
yet
his
tongue
angerly
seconds
:
What
peace
,
so
long
as
the
whordomes
of
thy
mother
Iezebel
,
and
her
witchcrafts
are
so
many
?
Wicked
Tyran
,
what
speak'st
thou
of
peace
with
men
,
when
thou
hast
thus
long
waged
warre
with
the
Almightie
?
That
cursed
mother
of
thine
hath
nursed
thee
with
blood
,
and
trained
thee
vp
in
abominable
Idolatries
.
Thou
art
not
more
hers
,
then
her
sinne
is
thine
;
thou
art
polluted
with
her
spirituall
whoredomes
,
and
inchanted
with
her
hellish
witchcrafts
:
Now
that
iust
God
whom
thou
,
and
thy
parents
haue
so
hainously
despited
,
sends
thee
by
me
this
last
message
of
his
vengeance
;
which
whiles
hee
spake
,
his
hand
is
drawing
vp
that
deadly
arrow
,
which
shall
cure
the
former
wounds
with
a
worse
.
Too
late
now
doth
wretched
Iehoram
turne
his
charet
,
and
flee
;
and
cry
Treason
,
ô
Ahaziah
;
There
was
treason
before
,
ô
Iehoram
;
thy
treason
against
the
Maiesty
of
God
,
is
now
reuenged
by
the
treason
of
Iehu
against
thee
.
That
fatall
shaft
,
notwithstanding
the
swift
pace
of
both
the
charets
,
is
directed
to
the
heart
of
Iehoram
;
there
is
no
erring
of
those
feathers
which
are
guided
by
the
hand
of
destinie
.
How
iust
are
the
iudgments
of
God!
It
was
in
the
field
of
Naboth
,
wherein
Iehoram
met
with
Iehu
;
That
very
ground
called
to
him
for
blood
;
And
now
this
new
auenger
remembers
that
prophesie
which
he
heard
from
the
mouth
of
Elijah
,
in
that
very
place
,
following
the
heeles
of
Ahab
;
and
is
carefull
to
performe
it
.
Little
did
Iehu
thinke
,
when
he
heard
that
message
of
Elijah
,
that
his
hands
should
act
it
;
now
,
as
zealous
of
accomplishing
the
word
of
a
Prophet
;
hee
giues
charge
to
Bidkar
his
Captaine
,
that
the
bleeding
carkasse
of
Iehoram
should
be
cast
vpon
that
very
platt
of
Naboth
:
Oh
Naboths
blood
well
paid
for
!
Ahabs
blood
is
licked
by
dogs
,
in
the
very
place
where
those
dogs
lickt
Naboths
;
Iehorams
blood
shall
manure
that
ground
,
which
was
wrung
from
Naboth
;
and
Iezebel
shall
adde
to
this
compost
.
Oh
garden
of
hearbes
dearly
bought
,
royally
dunged
.
What
a
resemblance
there
is
betwixt
the
death
of
the
father
,
and
the
sonne
;
Ahab
and
Iehoram
?
Both
are
slaine
in
their
charet
;
Both
with
an
arrow
;
Both
repay
their
blood
to
Naboth
;
and
how
perfit
is
this
retaliation
?
Not
only
Naboth
miscaried
in
that
cruell
iniustice
,
but
his
sonnes
also
;
else
the
inheritance
of
the
vineyard
had
descended
to
his
heires
,
notwithstanding
his
pretended
offence
;
and
now
not
onely
Ahab
forfaits
his
blood
to
this
field
;
but
his
sonne
Iehoram
also
:
Face
doth
not
more
answer
to
face
,
then
punishment
to
sinne
.
It
was
time
for
Ahaziah
King
of
Iuda
,
to
flee
:
Nay
it
had
beene
time
long
before
to
haue
fled
from
the
sins
,
yea
from
the
house
of
Ahab
;
That
brand
is
fearfull
which
God
sets
vpon
him
;
Hee
did
euill
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
as
did
the
house
of
Ahab
;
for
he
was
the
Now
hee
payes
for
his
kinde
alliance
;
accompanying
the
son
of
Ahab
in
his
death
,
whom
hee
consorted
with
in
his
Idolatry
:
Yong
Ahaziah
was
scarce
warme
in
his
throne
,
when
the
mis-matched
blood
of
Athaliah
is
required
from
him
;
Nothing
is
more
dangerous
then
to
be
imped
in
a
wicked
family
;
this
relation
too
often
drawes
in
a
share
both
of
sin
,
and
punishment
.
Who
would
not
haue
lookt
that
Iezebel
hearing
of
this
bloody
end
of
her
son
;
and
pursuit
of
her
allye
;
and
the
fearfull
proceedings
of
this
prosperous
conspiracy
,
should
haue
put
her selfe
into
sack-cloth
and
ashes
;
and
now
finding
no
meanes
either
of
defence
,
or
escape
,
should
haue
cast
her selfe
into
such
a
posture
of
humiliation
,
as
might
haue
moued
the
compassion
of
Iehu
;
Her
proud
heart
could
not
suddenly
learne
to
stoope
:
rather
she
recollects
her
high
spirits
;
and
in
stead
of
humbling
her
soule
by
repentance
,
and
addressing
her selfe
for
an
imminent
death
;
she
pranks
vp
her
old
carkasse
,
and
paints
her
wrinkled
face
,
and
as
one
that
vainly
hopes
to
daunt
the
courage
of
an
vsurper
,
by
the
sudden
beames
of
Maiesty
;
she
lookes
out
,
and
thinks
to
fright
him
with
the
challenge
of
a
traitor
,
whose
either
mercy
,
or
iustice
could
not
be
auoided
:
Extremitie
findes
vs
such
as
our
peace
leaues
vs
;
Our
last
thoughts
are
spent
vpon
that
wee
care
most
for
;
those
that
haue
regarded
their
face
more
then
their
soule
,
in
their
latter
end
are
more
taken
vp
with
desire
of
seeming
faire
,
then
being
happy
:
It
is
no
maruell
if
an
heart
obdured
with
the
custome
of
sinne
shut
vp
gracelesly
.
Counterfait
beauty
agrees
well
with
inward
vncleannesse
.
Iebues
resolution
was
too
strongly
setled
to
bee
remoued
with
a
painted
face
,
or
an
opprobrious
tongue
;
He
lookes
vp
to
the
window
,
and
sayes
,
Who
is
on
my
side
,
who
?
There
want
not
those
euery
where
,
which
will
be
ready
to
obserue
preuailing
greatnesse
:
Two
or
three
Eunuchs
looke
out
;
He
bids
them
,
Throw
her
downe
:
They
instantly
lay
hold
on
their
lately
adored
Mistris
,
and
notwithstanding
all
her
shrieks
and
prayers
,
cast
her
downe
headlong
into
the
street
.
What
heed
is
to
be
taken
of
the
deepe
professed
seruices
of
hollow
harted
followers
;
All
this
while
they
haue
with
humble
smiles
,
and
officious
deuotions
fawned
vpon
their
great
Queene
;
now
vpon
the
call
of
a
prosperous
enemy
,
they
forget
their
respects
,
her
royalty
;
and
cast
her
downe
,
as
willing
executioners
,
into
the
iawes
of
a
fearfull
death
:
It
is
hard
for
greatnesse
to
know
them
whom
it
may
trust
:
Perhaps
the
fairest
semblance
is
from
the
falsest
heart
;
It
was
a
iust
plague
of
God
vpon
wicked
Iezebel
,
that
shee
was
inwardly
hated
of
her
owne
;
He
whose
seruants
she
persecuted
,
raised
vp
enemies
to
her
from
her
owne
elbow
.
Thus
must
pride
fall
;
Insolent
,
idolatrous
,
cruell
Iezebel
besprinkles
the
walls
,
and
pauement
with
her
blood
;
and
now
those
braines
that
deuised
mischiefe
against
the
seruants
of
God
,
are
strawed
vpon
the
stones
;
and
she
that
insulted
vpon
the
Prophets
,
is
trampled
vpon
by
the
horses
heeles
:
The
wicked
is
kept
for
the
day
of
destruction
,
and
shall
be
brought
forth
to
the
day
of
wrath
.
Death
puts
an
end
commonly
to
the
hyest
displeasure
.
He
that
was
seuere
in
the
execution
of
the
liuing
,
is
mercifull
in
the
sepulture
of
the
dead
;
Goe
see
now
this
cursed
woman
,
and
bury
her
,
for
she
is
a
Kings
daughter
;
She
that
vpbrayded
Iehu
with
the
name
of
Zimri
,
shall
be
interred
by
Iehu
as
Omries
daughter
in
law
,
as
a
Sydonian
Princesse
;
Somewhat
must
bee
yeelded
to
humanity
;
somewhat
to
State
.
The
dogs
haue
preuented
Iehu
in
this
purpose
,
and
haue
giuen
her
a
liuing
toomb
more
ignoble
,
then
the
worst
of
the
earth
;
Onely
the
scull
,
hands
,
and
feet
of
that
vanished
carkasse
yet
remaine
;
The
scull
which
was
the
roofe
of
all
her
wicked
deuices
,
the
hands
and
feet
which
were
the
executioners
;
these
shall
remaine
as
the
monuments
of
those
shamefull
exequies
:
that
future
times
seeing
these
fragments
of
a
body
,
might
say
,
The
dogges
were
worthy
of
the
rest
;
Thus
Iezebel
is
turned
to
dung
,
and
dogs-meat
;
Elijah
is
verified
,
Naboth
is
reuenged
;
Izreel
is
purged
,
Iehu
is
zealous
,
and
in
all
,
God
is
iust
.
IEHV
killing
the
sonnes
of
AHAB
,
and
the
Priests
of
BAAL
.
THere
were
two
Israel
;
Samaria
and
Iezreel
;
The
chiefe
palace
of
the
King
was
Iezreel
,
the
mother
City
of
the
Kingdome
,
was
Samaria
;
Iehu
is
possessed
of
the
one
,
without
any
sword
drawne
against
him
;
Iezreel
willingly
changes
the
master
,
yeelding
it selfe
to
the
victor
of
two
Kings
,
to
the
auenger
of
Iezebel
;
the
next
care
is
Samaria
;
Either
policy
,
or
force
shall
fetch
in
that
head
of
the
Tribes
.
The
plentifull
issue
of
Princes
is
no
small
assurance
to
the
people
;
Ahab
had
sonnes
enough
to
furnish
the
Thrones
of
all
the
neighbour
nations
,
to
maintaine
the
hopes
of
succession
,
to
all
times
;
How
secure
did
he
think
the
perpetuation
of
his
posterity
,
when
he
saw
seuenty
sons
from
his
owne
loynes
?
Neither
was
this
Royall
issue
trusted
,
either
to
weake
walls
,
or
to
one
roofe
;
but
to
the
strong
bulwarkes
of
Samaria
,
and
therein
to
the
seuerall
guards
of
the
chiefe
Peeres
;
It
was
the
wise
care
of
their
parents
not
to
haue
them
obnoxious
to
the
danger
of
a
common
mis-cariage
,
or
,
of
those
emulations
which
wait
vpon
the
cloyednesse
of
an
vndiuided
conuersation
;
but
,
to
order
their
separation
so
,
as
one
may
rescue
other
from
the
perill
of
assault
,
as
one
may
respect
other
out
of
a
familiar
strangenesse
.
Had
Ahab
and
Iezebel
beene
as
wise
for
their
soules
,
as
they
were
for
their
seed
,
both
had
prospered
.
Iehu
is
yet
but
in
his
first
act
;
If
all
the
sonnes
of
Ahab
bleed
not
,
the
prophesie
is
vnanswered
;
There
shall
be
no
need
of
his
sword
,
his
penne
shall
worke
all
this
slaughter
.
He
writes
a
Challenge
to
Samaria
,
and
therein
to
the
guardians
of
the
sons
of
Ahab
;
daring
them
,
out
of
the
confidence
in
their
defenced
City
,
in
their
charets
,
and
horses
,
in
their
associats
and
armes
,
to
set
vp
the
best
of
their
masters
sonnes
,
on
his
fathers
throne
,
and
to
fight
for
his
succession
.
All
the
Gouernours
of
Ahabs
children
conspire
in
one
common
feare
;
no
doubt
there
wanted
not
in
that
numerous
brood
of
Kings
,
some
great
spirits
that
if
,
at
least
they
attained
to
the
notice
of
this
designe
,
longed
for
a
reuenge
,
and
suggested
counsels
of
resolution
to
their
cowardly
guardians
;
Shall
an
audacious
vsurper
runne
thus
away
with
the
Crowne
of
Israel
?
Shall
the
blood
of
Iezebel
be
thus
traiterously
spilt
,
thus
wilfully
forgotten
?
O
Israelites
,
can
ye
be
so
base
,
as
to
be
ruled
by
my
fathers
seruant
?
Where
are
the
merits
of
Ahab
,
and
Iehoram
?
What
is
becomne
of
the
loyall
courage
of
Israel
?
Doubtlesse
,
ye
shal
not
want
able
seconds
to
your
valour
;
Do
ye
thinke
the
royall
and
potent
alliances
of
our
mother
Iezebel
;
and
the
remayning
heyres
of
Iudah
,
can
draw
back
their
hands
from
your
aide
?
will
they
indure
to
swallow
so
cruell
an
indignity
?
Stir
vp
your
astonished
fortitude
,
ô
ye
Nobles
of
Israel
;
redeeme
your
bleeding
honour
,
reuenge
this
trecherous
conspirator
,
and
establish
the
right
of
the
vndoubted
heires
of
your
Soueraignes
;
But
as
warm
clothes
to
a
dead
man
,
so
are
the
motions
of
valour
to
a
fearfull
heart
:
Behold
two
Kings
stood
not
before
him
,
how
then
shall
we
stand
?
Feare
affrights
it selfe
rather
then
it
will
want
bugs
of
terror
:
It
is
true
:
Two
Kings
fell
before
Iehu
;
but
,
two
Kings
vnarmed
,
vnguarded
;
Had
not
the
surprizall
of
Iehu
taken
aduantage
of
the
vnsuspitious
nakednesse
of
these
two
Princes
,
his
victory
had
not
beene
thus
successfull
,
thus
easie
.
Halfe
one
of
those
two
Kings
,
vpon
aduertisement
and
preparation
,
had
abated
the
fury
of
that
hot
Leader
.
It
is
the
fashion
of
feare
to
represent
vnto
vs
alwaies
the
worst
,
in
euery
euent
:
not
looking
at
the
inequality
of
the
aduantages
,
but
the
misery
of
the
successe
:
as
contrarily
,
it
is
the
guise
of
faith
,
and
valour
,
by
the
good
issue
of
one
enterprise
to
raise
vp
the
heart
to
an
expectation
and
assurance
of
more
.
These
mens
hearts
are
dead
with
their
Kings
,
neither
dare
entertaine
the
hope
of
a
safe
and
prosperous
resistance
,
but
basely
returne
,
We
are
thy
seruants
,
and
will
doe
all
that
thou
shalt
bid
vs
,
we
will
not
make
any
King
;
doe
thou
that
which
is
good
in
thine
eyes
.
Well
may
Iehu
think
,
these
men
which
are
thus
disloyall
to
their
charge
,
cannot
be
faithfull
to
me
;
It
is
their
feare
that
drawes
them
to
this
obseruation
:
Were
they
not
cowards
,
they
would
not
be
traitors
to
their
Princes
,
subiects
to
me
:
I
may
vse
their
hands
,
but
I
will
not
trust
them
:
It
is
a
thanklesse
obedience
that
is
grounded
vpon
feare
;
there
can
be
no
true
fidelity
without
loue
,
&
reuerence
.
Neyther
is
it
other
betwixt
God
and
vs
;
if
out
of
a
dread
of
hel
we
be
officious
,
who
shall
thanke
vs
for
these
respects
to
our selues
?
As
one
that
had
tasted
already
the
sweetnesse
of
a
resolute
expedition
,
Iehu
writes
backe
instantly
,
If
ye
be
mine
,
and
if
ye
will
harken
vnto
my
voyce
;
take
ye
the
heads
of
the
men
your
Masters
sonnes
,
and
come
to
me
to
Iezreel
by
to
morrow
this
time
.
Valiant
Iehu
was
so
well
acquainted
with
the
nature
of
feare
,
that
he
well
knew
this
passion
once
growne
desperate
,
would
be
ready
to
swallow
all
conditions
:
so
far
therefore
doth
his
wisedome
improue
it
,
as
to
make
these
Peers
his
executioners
;
who
presently
vpon
the
receit
of
his
charge
turne
cruell
,
&
by
a
ioynt
consent
fetch
off
the
seauenty
heads
of
those
Princes
,
whom
they
vndertooke
to
guard
,
whom
they
had
flattered
with
the
hopes
of
greater
honour
.
No
doubt
,
but
amongst
so
many
sonnes
of
Ahab
,
some
had
so
demeaned
themselues
,
that
they
had
wonne
zealous
professions
of
loue
from
their
guardians
:
Except
perhaps
death
stole
vpon
them
in
sleepe
,
what
teares
,
what
intreaties
,
what
coniurations
must
here
needs
haue
beene
?
What
haue
wee
done
,
ô
yee
Peeres
of
Israel
,
that
might
deserue
this
bloody
measure
?
We
are
the
sonnes
of
Ahab
,
therefore
haue
ye
hitherto
professed
to
obserue
vs
;
what
change
is
this
?
why
should
that
which
hath
hitherto
kept
you
loyall
,
now
make
you
cruell
?
Is
this
the
reward
of
the
long
peaceable
gouernment
of
our
father
?
are
these
the
Trophees
of
Ahabs
victories
against
Benhadad
,
Iehorams
against
Hazael
?
If
wee
may
not
raigne
,
yet
at
least
,
let
vs
liue
:
Or
if
we
must
dye
;
why
will
your
hands
bee
imbrued
in
that
blood
,
which
ye
had
wont
to
terme
royall
,
and
sacred
?
why
will
ye
of
Tutors
turne
murtherers
?
All
pleas
are
in
vaine
to
them
that
are
deafned
with
their
owne
feares
.
Perhaps
these
expostulations
might
haue
fetched
some
dewes
of
pity
from
the
eyes
,
and
kisses
from
the
lips
of
these
vnfaithfull
Tutors
,
but
cannot
preuent
the
stroke
of
death
;
These
Crocodiles
weepe
vpon
those
,
whom
they
must
kill
:
&
if
their
owne
sonnes
had
beene
in
the
place
of
Ahabs
,
doubtlesse
they
had
beene
sacrificed
to
the
will
of
an
vsurper
,
to
the
paients
safety
:
It
is
ill
relying
vpon
timerous
natures
;
vpon
euery
occasion
those
crazie
reeds
will
breake
,
and
runne
into
our
hands
.
How
worthy
were
Ahab
and
Iezebel
of
such
friends
?
They
had
been
euer
false
to
God
,
how
should
men
be
true
to
them
?
They
had
sold
themselues
to
worke
wickednes
,
and
now
they
are
requited
with
a
mercenary
fidelity
:
for
a
few
lines
haue
these
men
sold
all
the
heads
of
Ahabs
posterity
:
Could
euer
the
policy
of
Iezebel
haue
reacht
so
farre
,
as
to
suspect
the
possibility
of
the
extirpation
of
so
ample
an
issue
in
one
night
,
by
the
hands
of
her
trustiest
subiects
?
Now
she
that
by
her
letter
sent
to
the
Elders
of
Iezreel
,
shed
the
blood
of
Naboth
and
his
sonnes
,
hath
the
blood
of
all
her
sonnes
shed
by
a
letter
sent
from
Iezreel
,
to
the
Elders
of
Samaria
.
At
last
,
God
will
be
sure
to
come
out
of
the
debt
of
wicked
sinners
,
and
will
pay
them
with
that
coyne
,
which
is
both
most
proper
,
and
least
lookt
for
.
Early
in
the
morning
,
in
that
gate
of
Iezreel
where
Ahab
had
passed
many
an
vniust
sentence
,
is
presented
vnto
Iehu
,
the
fearfull
pledge
of
his
soueraignty
,
seuenty
gastly
heads
of
the
sons
of
Ahab
.
Some
carnall
eye
that
had
seene
so
many
young
and
smooth
faces
besmeared
with
blood
,
would
haue
melted
into
compassion
,
bemoning
their
harmlesse
age
,
their
vntimely
end
:
It
is
not
for
the
iustice
of
God
to
stand
at
the
barre
of
our
corrupted
iudgment
.
Except
we
include
some
grandchildren
of
Ahab
within
this
number
,
none
of
these
dyed
before
they
were
seasoned
with
horrible
Idolatry
;
or
if
they
had
;
they
were
in
the
loynes
of
Ahab
when
hee
sold
himselfe
to
worke
wickednesse
;
&
now
it
is
iust
with
God
to
punish
Ahabs
wickednesse
in
this
fruit
of
his
loynes
.
The
holy
seuerity
of
God
in
the
reuenge
of
sinne
sometimes
goes
so
farre
that
our
ignorance
is
ready
to
mistake
it
for
cruelty
.
The
wonder
and
horror
of
those
two
heapes
hath
easily
drawne
together
the
people
of
Iezreel
:
Iehu
meets
them
in
that
seat
of
publique
iudgment
;
and
finding
much
amazednes
&
passionate
confusion
in
their
faces
;
he
cleares
them
,
and
sends
them
to
the
true
originall
of
these
sudden
and
astonishing
massacres
.
Howeuer
his
owne
conspiracy
,
and
the
cowardly
trechery
of
the
Princes
of
Israel
had
been
(
not
without
their
hainous
sinne
)
the
visible
meanes
of
this
iudgment
,
yet
he
directs
their
eyes
to
an
hyer
authoritie
;
the
iust
decree
of
the
Almighty
,
manifested
by
his
seruant
Elijah
;
who
euen
by
the
willing
sinnes
of
men
can
most
wisely
,
most
hostilely
fetch
about
his
most
righteous
and
blessed
purposes
.
If
the
Peers
of
Samaria
out
of
a
base
feare
,
if
Iehu
out
of
an
ambition
of
raigning
shed
the
foule
blood
of
Ahabs
posterity
;
the
sin
is
their
owne
,
but
in
the
meane
time
the
act
is
no
other
then
what
the
infinite
iustice
of
God
would
iustly
worke
by
their
mis-intentions
.
Let
these
Israelites
but
looke
vp
from
earth
to
heauen
,
these
tragicall
changes
cannot
trouble
them
;
thither
Iehu
sends
them
;
wiping
off
the
enuy
of
all
this
blood
,
by
the
warrant
of
the
diuine
preordination
:
In
obedience
whereunto
he
sends
after
these
heyres
of
Ahab
,
all
his
kinsfolkes
,
fauourites
,
priests
that
remained
in
Iezreel
:
and
now
hauing
cleared
these
coasts
,
he
hasts
to
Samaria
:
whom
should
he
meet
with
,
in
the
way
,
but
the
brethren
of
Ahaziah
King
of
Iudah
;
they
are
going
to
visit
their
cozens
the
sonnes
of
Ahab
:
This
young
troupe
was
thinking
of
nothing
but
iollity
,
and
courtly
intertainment
,
when
they
meet
with
death
:
So
suddenly
,
so
secretly
had
Iehu
dispatched
these
bold
executions
,
that
these
Princes
could
imagine
no
cause
of
suspition
:
How
could
they
thinke
it
might
be
dangerous
to
be
knowne
for
the
brethren
of
Ahaziah
,
or
friends
to
the
brethren
of
Iehoram
?
The
iust
prouidence
of
the
Almightie
hath
brought
all
this
covie
vnder
one
net
;
Iehu
thinkes
it
not
safe
to
let
goe
so
many
auengers
of
Ahaziahs
blood
;
so
many
corriuals
of
his
Soueraignty
.
The
vnhappy
affinitie
of
Iehosaphat
with
Ahab
is
no
lesse
guilty
of
this
slaughter
,
then
Iehues
ambition
;
This
match
by
the
inoculation
of
one
bud
,
hath
tainted
all
the
sap
of
the
house
of
Iudah
.
The
two
&
fourtie
brethren
of
Ahaziah
are
therefore
sent
after
the
seuentie
sonnes
of
Ahab
;
that
they
may
ouertake
them
in
death
,
whom
they
came
to
visit
;
God
will
much
lesse
brooke
Idolatry
from
the
loines
of
a
Iehosaphat
:
Our
intirenesse
with
wicked
men
feoffs
vs
both
in
their
sinnes
and
iudgments
.
Doubtlesse
,
many
Israelites
that
were
deuoted
to
the
family
and
allies
of
Ahab
,
lookt
(
what
they
durst
)
awry
at
this
common
effusion
of
royal
blood
;
yet
in
the
worst
of
the
deprauednes
of
Israel
,
there
were
some
which
both
drouped
vnder
the
deplored
Idolatry
of
the
times
,
and
congratulated
to
Iehu
this
seuere
vindication
of
Gods
inheritance
:
Amongst
the
rest
,
Ionadab
the
son
of
Rechab
was
most
eminent
.
That
man
was
by
descent
deriued
from
Iethro
;
a
Midianite
by
nation
,
but
incorporated
into
Israel
;
a
man
,
whose
piety
,
and
strict
conuersation
did
both
teach
,
and
shame
those
twelue
Tribes
to
which
he
was
ioyned
;
He
was
the
author
of
an
austere
rule
of
ciuility
to
his
posterity
;
to
whom
he
debarred
the
vse
of
wine
,
cities
,
possessions
:
This
old
and
rough
friend
of
Iehu
,
(
out
of
his
mouing
habitations
)
meets
him
,
and
applauds
his
successe
;
He
that
allowed
not
wine
to
his
seed
,
allowes
the
blood
of
Ahabs
seed
poured
out
,
by
the
hand
of
Iehu
;
He
that
shun'd
the
city
,
is
caryed
in
Iehues
charet
,
to
the
palace
of
Samaria
.
How
easily
might
Iehu
haue
beene
deceiued
?
Many
a
one
professes
vprightnesse
,
who
yet
is
all
guile
:
Ionadabs
cariage
hath
been
such
,
that
his
word
merits
trust
:
It
is
a
blessing
vpon
the
plaine-hearted
,
that
they
can
be
beleeued
:
Honest
Ionadab
is
admitted
to
the
honor
of
Iehues
seat
;
and
called
(
in
stead
of
many
)
to
witnesse
the
zeale
of
the
new-anointed
King
of
Israel
.
Whiles
Iehu
had
to
doe
with
Kings
,
his
cunning
and
his
courage
held
equal
pace
together
;
but
now
that
he
is
to
deale
with
idolatrous
priests
,
his
wile
goes
alone
,
and
preuailes
:
He
calls
the
people
together
,
and
dissembling
his
intentions
,
sayes
,
Ahad
serued
Baal
a
little
,
but
Iehu
shall
serue
him
much
:
Now
therefore
call
vnto
me
all
the
Prophets
of
Baal
,
all
his
seruants
,
and
all
his
priests
,
let
none
be
wanting
:
for
I
haue
a
great
sacrifice
to
doe
to
Baal
:
whosoeuer
shall
be
wanting
,
he
shall
not
liue
.
What
a
dead
palenesse
was
there
now
in
the
faces
of
those
few
true-harted
Israelites
,
that
looked
for
an
happy
restauration
of
the
religion
of
God
?
How
could
they
choose
but
think
;
Alas
,
how
are
we
fallen
from
our
hopes
?
Is
this
the
change
we
lookt
for
?
was
it
only
ambition
that
hath
set
this
edge
vpon
the
sword
of
Iehu
?
It
was
not
the
person
of
Ahab
that
we
disliked
but
the
sins
:
If
those
must
still
succeed
,
what
haue
we
gained
?
Woe
be
to
vs
,
if
onely
the
author
of
our
misery
be
changed
,
not
the
condition
,
not
the
cause
of
our
misery
.
On
the
other
side
,
what
insultations
and
triumphs
sounded
euery
where
of
the
ioyfull
Baalites
?
What
glorying
of
the
truth
of
their
profession
,
because
of
the
successe
?
what
scornes
of
their
deiected
opposites
?
what
exprobrations
of
the
disappointed
hopes
,
and
predictions
of
their
aduerse
Prophets
?
what
promises
to
themselues
of
a
perpetuity
of
Baalisme
?
How
did
the
dispersed
priests
of
Baal
now
flock
together
,
and
applaud
each
others
happinesse
,
and
magnifie
the
deuotions
of
their
new
Soueraigne
?
Neuer
had
that
Idoll
so
glorious
a
day
as
this
for
the
pompe
of
his
seruice
;
Before
,
he
was
adored
singlely
in
corners
,
now
solemne
sacrifices
shall
bee
offered
to
him
by
all
his
clients
,
in
the
great
Temple
of
the
mother
Citie
of
Israel
.
I
can
commend
the
zeale
of
Iehu
,
I
cannot
commend
the
fraud
of
Iehu
;
We
may
come
to
our
end
euen
by
crooked
wayes
:
He
that
bad
him
to
smite
for
him
,
did
not
bid
him
to
lie
for
him
:
Falshood
,
though
it
be
but
tentatiue
,
is
neither
needed
,
nor
approued
by
the
God
of
truth
:
If
policy
haue
allowed
officious
vntruths
,
Religion
neuer
.
By
this
deuice
,
the
house
of
Baal
is
well
furnished
,
well
filled
;
not
one
of
his
Chemarim
eyther
might
,
or
would
be
absent
:
not
one
of
those
which
were
present
,
might
be
vnrobed
:
False
Gods
haue
euer
affected
to
imitate
the
true
.
Euen
Baal
hath
Temples
,
Altars
,
Priests
,
vestments
:
All
religions
haue
allotted
peculiar
habits
to
their
hyest
deuotions
.
Those
Vestments
which
they
mis-called
sacred
are
brought
forth
,
and
put
on
for
the
glory
of
this
seruice
.
Iehu
and
Ionadab
are
first
carefull
that
this
separation
be
exact
;
they
search
,
and
see
that
no
seruant
of
the
Lord
be
crept
into
that
throng
:
What
should
a
religious
Israelite
doe
in
the
Temple
of
Baal
?
Were
any
such
there
,
hee
had
deserued
their
smart
,
who
would
partake
with
their
worship
;
but
if
curiosity
should
haue
drawne
any
thither
,
the
mercy
of
Iehu
seekes
his
rescue
:
How
much
more
fauourable
is
the
God
of
mercies
in
not
taking
aduantage
of
our
infirmities
.
Well
might
this
search
haue
bred
suspition
,
were
it
not
that
in
all
those
Idolatrous
sacrifices
,
the
first
care
was
to
auoid
the
profane
:
Euen
Baal
would
admit
no
mixture
,
how
should
the
true
God
abide
it
?
Nothing
wanted
now
,
but
the
sacrifice
:
No
doubt
whole
heards
and
flockes
were
ready
for
a
pretence
of
some
royall
hecatombs
;
whereof
some
had
now
already
smoked
on
their
Altars
.
O
Iehu
what
meanes
this
dilation
?
If
thou
abhorrest
Baal
,
why
didst
thou
giue
way
to
this
last
sacrifice
?
why
didst
thou
not
cut
off
these
Idolaters
before
this
vpshot
of
their
wickednesse
?
Was
it
that
thou
mightst
be
sure
of
their
guiltinesse
?
was
it
that
their
number
,
together
with
their
sinne
,
might
be
complete
?
What
acclamations
were
here
to
Baal
,
what
ioy
in
the
freedome
of
their
reuiued
worship
:
when
all
on
the
sudden
,
those
that
had
sacrificed
,
are
sacrificed
;
The
Souldiers
of
Iehu
by
his
appointment
rush
in
with
their
swords
drawne
,
and
turne
the
temple
into
a
slaughter-house
.
How
is
the
tune
now
changed
?
What
shrieking
was
here
?
what
out-cries
?
what
running
from
one
sword
,
to
the
edge
of
another
?
what
scrambling
vp
the
walls
and
pillars
?
what
climbing
into
the
windowes
?
what
vaine
endeuors
to
escape
that
death
which
would
not
be
shunned
?
whether
running
,
or
kneeling
,
or
prostrate
,
they
must
dye
.
The
first
part
of
the
sacrifice
was
Baals
,
the
latter
is
Gods
:
The
blood
of
beasts
was
offered
in
the
one
,
of
men
in
the
other
;
the
shedding
of
this
was
so
much
more
acceptable
to
God
,
by
how
much
these
men
were
more
beasts
,
then
those
they
sacrificed
.
Oh
happy
obedience
;
God
was
pleased
with
a
sacrifice
from
the
house
of
Baal
;
The
Idolaters
are
slaine
,
the
Idols
burnt
,
the
house
of
Baal
turn'd
to
a
draught
(
tho
euen
thus
lesse
vncleane
,
lesse
noysome
,
then
in
the
former
perfumes
;
)
and
in
one
word
,
Baal
is
destroyed
out
of
Israel
.
Who
that
had
seene
all
this
zeale
for
God
,
would
not
haue
said
;
Iehu
is
a
true
Israelite
.
Yet
,
he
that
rooted
out
Ahab
,
would
not
be
rid
of
Ieroboam
:
He
that
destroyed
Baal
,
maintained
the
two
Calues
of
Dan
and
Bethel
.
That
Idolatry
was
of
a
lower
ranke
;
as
being
a
mis-worship
of
the
true
God
,
whereas
the
other
was
a
worship
of
the
false
:
Euen
the
easier
of
both
is
haynous
;
and
shall
robb
Iehu
of
the
praise
of
his
vprightnesse
.
A
false
heart
may
laudably
quit
it selfe
of
some
one
gross
sin
,
&
in
the
meane
time
hugg
some
lesser
euill
that
may
condemne
it
:
As
a
man
recouered
of
a
Feuer
,
may
dye
of
a
Iaundis
,
or
a
Dropsie
.
We
lose
the
thanke
of
all
,
if
wee
wilfully
fault
in
one
.
It
is
an
intire
goodnes
that
God
cares
for
:
Perhaps
(
such
is
the
bounty
of
our
God
)
a
partiall
obedience
may
be
rewarded
with
a
temporall
blessing
;
(
as
Iehues
seuerity
to
Ahab
shal
cary
the
crown
to
his
seed
for
foure
generations
)
but
we
can
neuer
haue
any
comfortable
assurance
of
an
eternall
retribution
,
if
our
hearts
&
wayes
be
not
perfit
with
God
.
Woe
be
to
vs
,
ô
God
,
if
wee
bee
not
all
thine
:
wee
cannot
but
euerlastingly
depart
from
thee
,
if
wee
depart
not
from
euery
sinne
:
Thou
hast
purged
our
hearts
from
the
Baal
of
our
grosse
Idolatries
,
oh
cleare
vs
from
the
golden
Calues
of
our
pety-corruptions
also
;
that
thou
maist
take
pleasure
in
our
vprightnesse
;
and
wee
may
reape
the
sweet
comforts
of
thy
gracious
remuneration
.
ATHALIAH
and
IOASH
.
OH
the
wofull
ruines
Iehosaphat
:
Iehu
hath
slain
two
and
fourty
of
his
issue
;
Athaliah
hopes
to
root
out
the
rest
:
This
daughter
of
Ahab
was
not
like
to
be
other
then
fatall
to
that
holy
Line
;
One
drop
of
that
wicked
blood
was
enough
both
to
impure
,
and
spill
all
the
rest
which
affinity
had
mixed
with
it
.
It
is
not
vnlike
that
Ahaziah
betaking
himselfe
to
the
society
of
Iehorams
warres
,
committed
the
sway
of
his
Scepter
to
his
mother
Athaliah
.
The
daughter
of
Iezebel
cannot
but
be
plotting
:
when
she
heares
of
the
death
of
Ahaziah
,
and
his
brethren
,
inflicted
by
the
heauy
hand
of
Iehu
,
shee
straight
casts
for
the
Kingdome
of
Iudah
:
The
true
heires
are
infants
,
their
minority
giues
her
both
colour
of
rule
,
and
oportunity
of
an
easie
extirpation
.
Perhaps
,
her
ambition
was
not
more
guilty
then
her
zeale
of
Baalisme
:
she
saw
Iehu
out
of
a
detestation
of
Idolatry
,
trampling
on
the
blood
of
Iehoram
,
Iezebel
,
Ahaziah
,
the
sonnes
of
Ahab
,
the
brethren
of
Ahaziah
,
the
priests
and
prophets
of
Baal
;
and
in
one
word
,
triumphing
in
the
destruction
both
of
Ahab
,
and
his
Gods
out
of
Israel
:
and
now
she
thinks
,
Why
should
not
I
destroy
Iehosaphat
,
and
his
God
out
of
Iudah
?
Who
euer
saw
an
Idolater
that
was
not
cruell
?
Athaliah
must
needs
let
out
some
of
her
owne
blood
,
out
of
the
throat
of
Ahaziahs
sonnes
;
yet
she
spares
not
to
shed
it
out
of
a
thirst
of
soueraignty
.
O
God
how
worthy
of
wonder
are
thy
iust
and
mercifull
dispensations
?
In
that
thou
sufferest
the
seed
of
good
Iehosaphat
to
bee
destroyed
by
her
hand
,
in
whose
affinity
he
offended
,
and
yet
sauest
one
branch
of
this
stock
of
Iehosaphat
,
for
the
sake
of
so
faithfull
a
progenitor
.
Wicked
Athaliah
,
couldst
thou
thinke
God
would
so
farre
forget
his
Seruant
Dauid
(
though
no
other
of
those
loynes
had
seconded
his
vertues
)
as
to
suffer
all
his
seed
to
be
rooted
out
of
the
earth
?
This
vengeance
was
for
thy
father
Ahab
;
The
man
according
to
Gods
owne
heart
shall
haue
a
lineall
heyre
to
succeed
in
his
Throne
,
when
thou
and
thy
fathers
house
shall
haue
vanished
into
forgetfulnesse
.
For
this
purpose
hath
the
wise
prouidence
of
God
ordained
a
Iehosheba
,
and
matcht
her
in
the
priestly
Tribe
:
Such
reuerence
did
Iehoram
,
King
of
Iudah
(
though
degenerated
into
the
Idolatry
of
his
father
in
law
Ahab
)
beare
to
this
sacred
function
,
that
he
marries
his
daughter
to
Iehoiada
the
Priest
.
Euen
Princesses
did
not
then
scorne
the
bed
of
those
that
serued
at
Gods
Altar
:
Why
should
the
Gospel
poure
contempt
vpon
that
which
the
Law
honoured
?
That
good
Lady
had
too
much
of
Iehosaphat
in
her
,
to
suffer
the
vtter
extirpation
of
that
royall
seed
;
She
could
not
doubtlesse
,
without
the
extreme
danger
of
her
owne
life
,
saue
the
life
of
her
nephew
Ioash
;
With
what
a
louing
boldnesse
doth
she
aduenture
to
steale
him
from
amongst
those
bleeding
carkasses
,
in
the
chamber
of
death
?
Her
match
gaue
her
oportunity
to
effect
that
,
which
both
nature
,
and
religion
moued
her
to
attempt
:
neyther
know
I
,
whether
more
to
wonder
at
the
cunning
of
the
deuice
,
or
the
courage
of
the
enterprise
,
or
the
secresie
of
the
concealment
,
or
the
happinesse
of
the
successe
:
Certainly
,
Athaliah
was
too
cruelly-carefull
to
forget
this
so
late
borne
sonne
of
Ahaziah
;
of
all
the
rest
,
his
age
would
not
suffer
him
to
be
out
of
her
eye
:
In
all
likelihood
therefore
,
shee
must
needs
haue
missed
so
noted
a
corps
,
had
there
not
beene
a
substitution
of
some
other
dead
chyld
in
his
roome
:
In
that
age
,
the
fauour
is
not
so
distinguishable
;
especially
of
a
dead
face
.
Without
some
pious
deceit
this
worke
could
neuer
haue
beene
effected
;
Else
,
had
the
chyld
beene
secretly
subduced
,
and
missed
by
his
bloody
grandmother
,
her
perpetuall
iealousie
had
both
expected
a
suruiuing
heyre
,
and
continued
a
curious
,
and
vnauoydable
search
:
both
which
were
now
shunned
at
once
,
whilst
Athaliah
reckons
him
for
dead
,
whom
Iehosheba
hath
preserued
.
Mischiefe
sometimes
failes
of
those
appointments
,
wherein
it
thinkes
to
haue
made
the
surest
worke
;
God
laughes
in
heauen
at
the
plots
of
Tyrans
;
and
befooles
them
in
their
deepest
proiects
.
He
had
said
to
Dauid
,
Of
the
fruit
of
thy
body
will
I
set
vpon
thy
seate
;
In
vaine
shall
earth
and
hell
conspire
to
frustrate
it
.
Sixe
yeares
hath
Ioash
,
and
his
nurse
beene
hid
in
a
close
cell
of
the
Temple
:
Those
roomes
were
destin'd
onely
to
the
holy
Tribe
;
yet
now
reioyce
to
harbour
such
a
guest
;
The
rigour
of
the
ordinary
Law
must
yeeld
to
cases
of
so
important
necessity
.
All
this
could
not
possibly
be
done
and
continued
without
the
priuity
of
many
faithfull
Priests
&
Leuites
;
who
were
as
carefull
to
keepe
this
counsell
,
as
hopefull
of
the
issue
of
it
:
It
is
not
hard
for
many
honest
hearts
to
agree
in
a
religious
secresie
;
Needs
must
those
lips
bee
shut
,
which
God
hath
sealed
vp
.
Iudah
had
not
been
vsed
to
such
a
yoke
;
long
had
it
groned
vnder
the
tyranny
not
of
a
woman
onely
,
but
an
Idolatrous
Sydonian
:
If
any
of
that
sexe
might
haue
claimed
that
Scepter
,
none
had
so
much
right
to
it
,
as
Iehosheba
her selfe
;
But
good
Iehoiada
the
Priest
,
who
had
rather
to
bee
a
loyall
guardian
to
the
King
,
then
an
husband
to
a
Queene
,
now
findes
time
to
set
on
foot
the
iust
title
of
Ioash
;
and
to
put
him
into
the
misvsurped
throne
of
his
father
Ahaziah
.
In
the
seuenth
yeare
,
therefore
,
he
sends
for
the
Captaines
,
and
the
Gard
;
and
hauing
sworne
them
secrecy
;
by
vndoubted
witnesses
makes
faith
vnto
them
of
the
truth
of
their
natiue
Prince
,
thus
happily
rescued
from
the
bloody
knife
of
his
mercilesse
Grandmother
;
marshals
the
great
businesse
of
his
Inauguration
;
giues
euery
one
his
charge
;
sets
euery
one
his
station
;
and
so
disposes
of
his
holy
forces
,
as
was
most
needfull
for
the
safety
of
the
King
,
the
reuenge
of
the
Vsurper
,
the
preuention
of
tumults
,
the
establishment
of
the
Crowne
vpon
the
owners
head
in
Peace
and
Ioy
.
There
was
none
of
all
these
agents
who
did
not
hold
the
businesse
to
bee
his
owne
;
Euery
true
subiect
of
Iudah
was
feelingly
interessed
in
this
seruice
;
neither
was
there
any
of
them
,
who
was
not
secretly
heart-burned
all
this
while
,
with
the
hatefull
gouernment
of
this
Idolatrous
Tyrannesse
:
And
now
this
inward
fire
is
glad
to
find
a
vent
;
How
gladly
do
they
address
themselues
to
this
welcome
imployment
?
The
greatest
part
of
this
secret
band
were
Leuites
,
who
might
therefore
both
meet
together
with
least
suspition
,
and
be
more
securely
trusted
by
Iehoiada
,
vnder
whom
they
serued
;
Euen
that
holy
Priest
of
God
in
stead
of
teaching
the
Law
,
sets
the
gard
,
orders
the
Captaines
,
ranges
the
troupes
of
Iudah
;
and
in
stead
of
a
Censer
,
brings
forth
the
Speares
and
Shields
of
Dauid
;
the
Temple
is
for
the
present
,
a
Field
,
or
an
Artillery-yard
;
and
the
Ephods
are
turned
into
harnesse
.
That
house
,
in
the
rearing
whereof
not
the
noyse
of
an
hammer
might
be
heard
,
now
admits
of
the
clashing
of
armour
,
and
the
secret
murmurs
of
some
military
atchieuement
:
No
circumstances
either
of
place
,
or
calling
,
are
so
punctuall
,
as
that
publique
necessity
may
not
dispense
with
their
alteration
.
All
things
are
now
ready
for
this
solemnity
:
Each
man
reioyces
to
fixe
vpon
his
owne
footing
;
and
longs
to
see
the
face
of
their
long-concealed
Soueraigne
;
and
vowes
his
blood
to
the
vindication
of
the
common
liberty
,
to
the
punishment
of
a
cruell
intruder
:
Now
Iehoiada
brings
forth
vnto
them
the
Kings
Son
,
and
presents
him
to
the
Peeres
,
and
people
;
Hardly
can
the
multitude
containe
it selfe
from
shouting
out
too
soone
:
One
sees
in
his
countenance
the
features
of
his
Father
,
Ahaziah
;
another
of
his
Grandfather
,
Iehoram
;
a
third
professes
to
discerne
in
him
some
lines
,
and
fashion
of
his
great-grandfather
Iehosaphat
;
all
find
in
his
face
the
naturall
impressions
of
Maiesty
;
and
reade
in
it
the
hopes
,
yea
the
prophesies
of
their
future
happinesse
.
Not
with
more
ioy
,
then
speed
,
doth
Iehoiada
accomplish
all
the
rites
of
the
Coronation
.
Before
that
young
King
could
know
what
was
done
to
him
,
hee
is
anointed
,
crowned
,
presented
with
the
booke
of
the
Law
:
Those
ceremonies
were
instructiue
;
and
,
no
doubt
,
Iehoiada
failed
not
to
comment
vpon
them
in
due
time
,
to
that
royall
Pupill
.
The
Oyle
,
wherewith
he
was
anointed
,
signified
his
designation
to
that
high
seruice
;
and
those
indowments
from
heauen
that
might
inable
him
to
so
great
a
function
.
The
Crowne
,
wherewith
he
was
adorned
,
signified
that
glorie
and
maiesty
which
should
both
incourage
,
and
attend
his
Princely
cares
.
The
booke
of
the
Testimony
signified
the
diuine
rules
and
directions
,
whereto
he
must
frame
his
heart
and
actions
,
in
the
weilding
of
that
Crowne
,
in
the
improuement
of
that
oile
.
These
three
,
the
oile
,
the
Crown
the
Testimonie
,
that
is
,
inward
powers
,
outward
magnificence
,
true
pietie
and
iustice
make
vp
a
perfect
Prince
;
None
of
these
may
be
wanting
;
If
there
be
not
a
due
calling
of
God
,
and
abilities
meet
for
that
greatnesse
,
the
oile
faileth
:
If
there
be
not
a
Maiesticke
grace
and
royaltie
,
that
may
command
reuerence
,
the
Crowne
is
missing
;
If
there
be
not
a
carefull
respect
to
the
law
of
God
,
as
the
absolute
guide
of
all
counsells
,
and
determinations
,
the
Testimonie
is
neglected
;
all
of
them
concurring
,
make
both
King
and
people
happy
.
Now
,
it
is
time
for
the
people
to
clap
their
hands
,
and
by
their
lowd
acclamations
to
witnesse
their
ioy
;
which
must
needs
break
forth
with
so
much
more
force
,
by
how
much
it
was
longer
,
vpon
feares
and
policy
,
suppressed
.
The
Court
and
the
Temple
were
neere
together
;
Howeuer
it
was
with
Athaliah
,
and
the
late
reuolted
Princes
of
Iudah
,
according
to
the
common
word
,
the
neerer
to
the
Church
,
the
further
from
God
;
their
religious
predecessors
held
it
the
greatest
commodity
of
their
house
,
that
it
neighboured
vpon
the
house
of
God
;
From
her
palace
might
Athaliah
easily
heare
the
ioyfull
shouts
of
the
multitude
,
the
lowd
noise
of
the
Trumpets
;
and
as
astonished
with
this
new
tumult
of
publike
gratulations
,
she
comes
running
into
the
Temple
:
Neuer
had
her
foot
trod
vpon
that
holy
pauement
,
till
now
that
she
came
to
fetch
a
iust
reuenge
from
that
God
whose
worship
shee
had
contemned
.
It
fell
out
well
,
that
her
sudden
amazednesse
called
her
forth
,
without
the
attendance
of
any
strong
guard
;
whose
side-taking
might
haue
made
that
quarrell
mutually
bloody
:
Shee
soone
heares
,
and
sees
what
shee
likes
not
;
her
eare
meets
with
,
God
saue
the
King
;
her
eye
meets
with
the
vnlooked
for
heyre
of
the
Kingdome
,
sitting
on
his
throne
,
crowned
,
and
robed
,
in
the
royall
fashion
;
guarded
with
the
Captaines
and
souldiers
,
proclaimed
by
the
Trumpeters
,
acclamed
&
applauded
by
the
people
.
Who
can
say
whether
this
sight
draue
her
more
neer
to
frenzie
,
or
death
?
How
could
it
bee
otherwise
,
when
those
great
spirits
of
hers
,
that
had
beene
long
vsed
to
an
vncontrolled
soueraigntie
,
find
themselues
so
inexpectedly
suppressed
.
Shee
now
rends
her
cloathes
,
and
cryes
,
Treason
,
treason
,
as
if
that
voice
of
hers
could
still
command
all
hearts
,
all
hands
;
as
if
one
breath
of
hers
were
powerfull
enough
to
blow
away
all
these
new
designes
:
Oh
Athaliah
,
to
whom
dost
thou
complaine
thy selfe
?
they
are
thy
iust
executioners
wherewith
thou
art
incompassed
;
If
it
be
treason
to
set
vp
the
true
heire
of
Ahaziah
,
thou
appealest
to
thy
Traitors
.
The
treason
was
thine
,
theirs
is
iustice
;
The
time
is
now
come
of
thy
reckoning
for
all
the
royall
blood
of
Iudah
,
which
thine
ambition
shed
;
wonder
rather
at
the
patience
of
this
long
forbearance
,
then
the
rigor
of
this
execution
.
There
needs
no
formall
seat
of
Iustice
in
so
apparent
offence
,
Iehoiada
passes
the
sentence
of
death
vpon
her
;
Haue
her
forth
of
the
ranges
;
Let
her
not
be
slaine
in
the
house
of
the
Lord
;
and
him
that
followeth
her
,
kill
with
the
sword
.
Had
not
this
vsurpation
beene
palpable
,
Iehoiada
would
not
haue
presumed
to
intermedle
;
Now
being
both
the
Priest
of
God
,
and
Vnckle
and
Protector
to
the
lawfull
King
,
he
doth
that
,
out
of
the
necessity
of
the
state
,
which
his
infant
Soueraigne
(
if
hee
could
haue
beene
capable
of
those
thoughts
)
would
haue
desired
.
Violent
hands
are
layd
vpon
Athaliah
,
whom
no
doubt
a
proud
and
furious
disdaine
of
so
quicke
a
charge
,
and
of
so
rough
an
vsage
made
miserably
impatient
;
Now
she
frownes
,
and
cals
,
and
shrieks
and
commands
,
and
threatens
,
and
reuiles
,
and
intreats
in
vaine
;
and
dyes
with
as
much
ill
will
from
her selfe
,
as
she
liued
with
the
ill
will
of
her
repining
subiects
.
I
see
not
any
one
man
of
all
her
late
flatterers
,
that
followes
her
,
either
for
pitty
,
or
rescue
;
Euery
man
willingly
giues
her
vp
to
iustice
;
Not
one
sword
is
drawn
in
her
defence
;
Not
one
eye
laments
her
.
Such
is
the
issue
of
a
tyrannicall
mis-gouernment
;
that
which
is
obeyed
not
without
secret
hate
,
is
lost
not
without
publique
ioy
.
How
like
is
Athaliah
to
her
mother
Iezebel
,
as
in
conditions
and
carriage
,
so
euen
in
death
:
Both
killed
violently
,
both
killed
vnder
their
owne
walls
;
both
slaine
with
Treason
in
their
mouthes
;
both
slaine
in
the
entrance
of
a
changed
gouernment
:
One
trod
on
by
the
horses
,
the
other
slaine
in
the
horse-gate
.
Both
paid
their
owne
blood
for
the
innocent
blood
of
others
.
How
suddenly
,
how
easily
is
Iudah
restored
to
it selfe
,
after
so
long
,
and
so
fearfull
a
deprauation
;
The
people
scarce
beleeue
their
owne
eyes
,
for
the
wonder
of
this
happy
change
;
neither
know
I
whether
they
bee
more
ioyed
in
the
sight
of
their
new
King
,
thus
strangely
preserued
,
or
in
the
sight
of
Iehoiada
,
that
had
preserued
him
.
No
man
can
enuy
the
protection
of
the
young
King
vnto
him
,
by
whose
meanes
hee
liues
and
raignes
:
That
holy
man
cares
onely
to
improue
his
authority
,
to
the
common
good
:
He
makes
a
couenant
betweene
the
Lord
,
and
the
King
,
and
the
people
:
and
after
so
long
&
dangerous
a
disjunction
,
reunites
them
to
each
other
.
Their
reuiued
zeale
bestirs
it selfe
,
and
breakes
downe
the
Temples
,
and
altars
,
and
images
of
Baal
,
and
sacrifices
his
idolatrous
Priest
;
Shortly
,
both
Ahab
,
and
Baal
is
destroyed
out
of
Iudah
.
The
Scepter
of
Iudah
is
changed
from
a
woman
,
to
a
child
;
but
,
a
Child
trained
vp
,
and
tutored
by
Iehoiada
;
This
minority
so
guided
was
not
inferiour
to
the
mature
age
of
many
predecessors
.
Happy
is
that
land
,
the
non-age
of
whose
Princes
falls
into
holy
and
iust
hands
.
Yet
euen
these
holy
and
iust
hands
came
short
of
what
they
might
haue
done
;
The
high
places
remained
still
:
Those
altars
were
erected
to
the
true
God
,
but
in
a
wrong
place
:
It
is
maruell
if
there
be
not
some
blemishes
found
in
the
best
gouernment
:
I
doubt
Iehoiada
shall
once
abuy
it
deare
that
hee
did
not
his
vtmost
.
But
for
the
mayne
,
all
was
wel
with
Iudah
,
in
all
the
dayes
of
Iehoiada
;
euen
after
that
Ioash
was
growne
past
his
pupillage
:
Hee
that
was
the
Tutor
to
his
infancie
,
was
the
councellor
of
his
ripe
age
;
and
was
equally
happy
in
both
:
How
pleasing
was
it
to
that
good
High
Priest
,
to
be
commanded
by
that
charge
of
his
in
the
businesse
of
God
?
The
yong
King
giues
order
to
the
Priests
,
for
the
collection
of
large
summs
,
to
the
repayring
of
the
breaches
of
Gods
House
.
It
becomes
him
well
to
take
care
of
that
,
which
was
the
nursery
of
his
infancy
:
And
now
,
after
three
and
twentie
yeares
he
expostulates
with
his
late
Guardian
,
Iehoiada
,
and
the
rest
of
his
coate
,
Why
repayre
ye
not
the
breaches
?
Oh
gracious
and
happy
vicissitude
;
Iehoiada
the
Priest
had
ruled
the
infancy
of
King
Ioash
in
matters
of
state
;
and
now
Ioash
the
King
commands
aged
Iehoiada
the
Priest
in
matter
of
deuotion
.
In
the
affaires
of
God
,
the
action
is
the
Priests
,
the
ouersight
and
coaction
is
the
Princes
:
By
the
carefull
indeuor
of
both
,
Gods
house
is
repayred
,
his
seruice
flourisheth
.
But
alas
,
that
it
may
too
well
appeare
,
that
the
ground
of
this
motion
was
not
altogether
inward
,
no
sooner
doth
the
life
of
Iehoiada
cease
,
then
the
deuotion
of
Ioash
begins
to
languish
:
and
after
some
languor
,
dyes
.
The
benefit
of
a
truly
religious
Prelate
,
or
States-man
,
is
not
knowne
till
his
losse
.
Now
some
idolatrous
Peeres
of
Iudah
haue
soone
mis-carryed
the
King
from
the
House
of
the
Lord
God
of
their
Fathers
,
to
serue
Groues
,
and
Idols
.
Yea
,
whither
goe
we
wretched
men
,
if
we
be
left
by
our
Maker
?
King
Ioash
is
turned
,
not
idolater
onely
,
but
persecutor
;
yea
,
(
which
is
yet
more
horrible
to
consider
)
persecutor
of
the
sonne
of
that
Iehoiada
to
whom
he
owes
his
owne
life
.
Zechariah
his
Cosen
german
,
his
foster-brother
,
the
holy
issue
of
those
parents
,
by
whom
Ioash
liues
,
and
raignes
,
for
the
conscionable
rebuke
of
the
idolatry
of
Prince
,
and
people
,
is
vniustly
,
and
cruelly
murthered
by
that
vnthankfull
hand
:
How
possible
is
it
for
faire
and
Saint-like
beginnings
to
shut
vp
in
monstrous
impieties
?
Let
him
that
thinkes
hee
stands
,
take
heed
lest
he
fall
.
When
did
God
euer
put
vp
so
foule
ingratitude
to
himselfe
,
to
his
seruants
?
O
Ioash
,
what
eye
can
pitty
the
fearfull
destruction
of
thee
,
and
thy
Iudah
?
If
ye
haue
forgotten
the
kindnesse
of
Iehoiada
,
your
vnkindness
to
Iehoiada
shall
not
be
forgotten
:
A
small
army
of
Syrians
came
vp
against
Iudah
and
Ierusalem
,
and
destroyed
all
the
Princes
of
the
people
,
and
sent
all
the
spoyle
of
them
to
Damascus
.
Now
Hazael
reuenges
this
quarrell
of
God
,
and
his
anointed
;
and
plagues
that
people
which
made
themselues
vnworthy
to
bee
the
Lords
inheritance
.
And
what
becomes
of
Ioash
?
Hee
is
left
in
great
diseases
,
when
his
owne
seruants
conspired
against
him
for
the
blood
of
the
sonnes
of
Iehoiada
,
and
slew
him
on
his
bed
,
and
he
dyed
;
and
they
buryed
him
not
in
the
Sepulcher
of
the
Kings
.
Dying
Zechariah
had
sayd
in
the
bitternesse
of
his
departing
soule
,
The
Lord
looke
vpon
it
,
and
require
it
:
I
confesse
I
had
rather
to
haue
heard
him
say
,
The
Lord
passe
it
ouer
,
and
remit
it
;
so
said
Steuen
;
such
difference
there
is
betweene
a
Martyr
of
the
Law
,
and
of
the
Gospell
:
although
I
will
hope
the
zeale
of
iustice
,
not
the
vncharitable
heate
of
reuenge
drew
forth
this
word
:
God
heares
it
,
and
now
giues
an
account
of
his
notice
;
Thus
doth
the
Lord
require
the
blood
of
Iehoiadaes
son
;
euen
by
the
like
vnthankfull
hand
of
the
obliged
seruants
of
Ioash
.
He
that
was
guilty
of
abhominable
Idolatry
,
yet
(
as
if
God
meant
to
waue
that
challenge
)
is
called
to
reckoning
for
his
cruell
vnthankfulnesse
to
Iehoiada
;
This
crime
shall
make
him
odious
aliue
,
and
shall
abandon
him
dead
from
the
sepulcher
of
his
fathers
;
as
if
this
last
royalty
were
too
good
for
him
,
who
had
forgotten
the
law
of
humanity
.
Some
vices
are
such
,
as
Nature
smiles
vpon
,
though
frowned
at
by
diuine
Iustice
:
Others
are
such
,
as
euen
Nature
it selfe
abhorres
;
such
is
this
of
Ingratitude
,
which
therefore
caries
so
much
more
detestation
from
God
,
as
it
is
more
odious
euen
to
them
that
haue
blotted
out
the
image
of
God
.
IOASH
with
ELISHA
dying
.
THe
two
Kingdoms
That
holy
Prophet
was
neuer
any
flatterer
of
Princes
,
neyther
spared
he
inuectiues
against
their
most
plausible
sinnes
:
yet
King
Ioash
,
that
was
beaten
by
his
reproofes
,
washes
that
face
with
the
teares
of
loue
,
and
sorrow
,
which
had
often
frowned
vpon
his
wickednesse
.
How
much
difference
there
was
betwixt
the
Ioash
of
Israel
,
and
the
Ioash
of
Iudah
?
That
of
Iudah
hauing
beene
preserued
and
nurtured
by
Iehoiada
the
Priest
,
after
all
professions
of
dearnesse
shuts
vp
in
the
vnkinde
murther
of
his
sonne
;
and
that
meerly
for
the
iust
reproofe
of
his
own
Idolatry
:
This
of
Israel
hauing
beene
estranged
from
the
Prophet
Elisha
,
and
sharply
rebuked
for
the
like
offence
,
makes
loue
to
his
dying
reprouer
,
and
bedewes
his
pale
face
with
his
teares
:
Both
were
bad
enough
,
but
this
of
Israel
was
,
howeuer
vicious
,
yet
good-natur'd
:
That
of
Iudah
added
to
his
wickednesse
,
an
ill
disposition
,
a
dogged
humor
.
There
are
varieties
euen
of
euill
men
;
some
are
worse
at
the
root
,
others
at
the
branch
;
some
more
ciuilly
harmlesse
,
others
fouler
in
morality
.
According
to
the
exercise
of
the
restraining
grace
,
naturall
men
doe
eyther
rise
,
or
fall
in
their
ill
.
The
longest
day
must
haue
his
euening
:
Good
Elisha
,
that
had
liued
some
ninety
yeares
,
a
wonder
of
Prophets
,
and
had
outworne
many
successions
in
the
thrones
of
Israel
,
&
Iudah
,
is
now
cast
vpon
the
bed
of
his
sicknesse
,
yea
,
of
his
death
:
That
very
age
might
seeme
a
disease
;
which
yet
is
seconded
with
a
languishing
distemper
:
It
is
not
in
the
power
of
any
holinesse
to
priuiledge
vs
from
infirmity
of
body
,
from
finall
dissolution
:
He
that
stretched
himselfe
vpon
his
bed
,
ouer
the
dead
carkasse
of
the
Shunamites
sonne
,
and
reuiued
it
;
must
now
stretch
out
his
owne
limmes
vpon
his
sicke
bed
,
and
dye
:
Hee
saw
his
Master
Elijah
rapt
vp
suddenly
from
the
earth
,
and
fetcht
by
a
fiery
chariot
from
this
vale
of
mortalitie
;
himselfe
must
leasurely
wait
for
his
last
pangs
,
in
a
lingring
passage
to
the
same
glory
.
There
is
not
one
way
appointed
to
vs
,
by
the
diuine
prouidence
,
vnto
one
common
blessednesse
:
One
hath
more
paine
,
another
hath
more
speed
:
Violence
snatcheth
away
one
,
another
by
an
insensible
pace
drawes
euery
day
neerer
to
his
terme
:
The
wisedome
and
goodnesse
of
God
magnifies
it selfe
in
both
:
Happy
is
he
that
after
due
preparation
,
is
past
through
the
gates
of
death
,
ere
he
be
aware
;
Happy
is
he
that
by
the
holy
vse
of
long
sicknesse
is
taught
to
see
the
gates
of
death
afarre
off
,
and
addressed
for
a
resolute
passage
:
The
one
dyes
like
Elijah
,
the
other
like
Elisha
,
both
blessedly
.
The
time
was
,
when
a
great
King
sent
to
Elisha
to
know
if
he
should
recouer
;
now
the
King
of
Israel
,
as
knowing
that
Elisha
shall
not
recouer
(
so
had
his
consumption
spent
him
)
comes
to
visit
the
dying
Prophet
;
&
when
his
teares
would
giue
him
leaue
;
breakes
forth
into
a
passionate
exclamation
,
O
my
father
,
my
father
,
the
chariot
of
Israel
and
the
horsmen
thereof
.
Yet
the
Calues
of
Dan
and
Bethel
haue
left
some
goodnesse
in
Ioash
:
As
the
best
man
hath
something
in
him
worthy
of
reproofe
;
so
the
faultiest
hath
somthing
commendable
.
Had
not
the
spirit
of
God
himselfe
told
vs
,
that
Ioash
did
that
which
was
euill
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
,
wee
had
admired
this
piety
,
this
reuerent
respect
to
the
Prophet
.
The
holiest
man
could
not
haue
said
more
:
It
is
possible
for
the
clients
of
a
false
worship
,
to
honor
(
out
of
another
regard
)
the
professors
of
Truth
;
From
the
hand
of
Elisha
had
Iehu
the
grandfather
of
Ioash
receiued
his
vnction
to
the
Kingdome
:
this
fauour
might
not
be
forgotten
.
Visitation
of
the
sicke
is
a
duty
required
both
by
the
law
of
humanity
,
and
of
religion
;
Bodily
infirmity
is
sad
,
and
comfortlesse
;
and
therefore
needs
the
presence
,
and
counsell
of
friends
to
relieue
it
;
Although
,
when
wee
draw
the
curtaines
of
those
that
are
eminently
gracious
,
wee
doe
rather
fetch
(
with
Ioash
)
then
bring
a
blessing
.
How
sensible
should
wee
bee
of
the
losse
of
holy
men
,
when
a
Ioash
spends
his
teares
vpon
Elisha
?
If
we
be
more
affected
with
the
forgoing
of
a
naturall
friend
,
or
kinsman
,
then
of
a
noted
and
vsefull
Prophet
,
it
argues
more
loue
to
our selues
,
then
to
the
Church
of
God
,
then
to
GOD
himselfe
.
What
vse
there
was
of
charets
and
horsemen
in
those
warres
of
the
Ancient
,
all
Histories
can
tell
vs
:
All
the
strength
of
the
battell
stood
in
these
:
There
could
bee
neither
defence
,
nor
offence
,
but
by
them
:
such
was
Elisha
vnto
Israel
;
The
greatest
safegard
to
any
nation
is
the
sanctity
,
and
faithfulnesse
of
their
Prophets
;
without
which
,
the
Church
and
State
lyes
open
to
vtter
desolation
.
The
same
words
that
Elisha
said
of
his
master
Elijah
,
when
he
saw
him
taken
vp
from
the
earth
,
doth
Ioash
now
speake
of
Elisha
,
neere
his
dissolution
:
O
my
father
,
my
father
,
the
charets
of
Israel
,
and
the
horsemen
thereof
.
The
words
were
good
;
the
teares
were
pious
;
but
where
are
the
actions
?
O
Ioash
,
if
the
Prophet
were
thy
father
,
wher
was
thy
filiall
obedience
?
he
cry'd
downe
thy
Calues
,
thou
vpheldst
them
;
he
counsell'd
thee
to
good
,
thou
didst
euill
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
.
If
the
Prophet
were
the
charets
and
horsemen
of
Israel
,
why
didst
thou
fight
against
his
holy
doctrine
?
If
thou
weepest
for
his
losse
,
why
didst
thou
not
weepe
for
those
sinnes
of
thine
,
that
procured
it
?
Had
thine
hand
answered
thy
tongue
,
Israel
had
been
happy
in
Elisha
;
Elisha
had
beene
happy
in
Israel
,
and
thee
;
Words
are
no
good
tryall
of
profession
:
The
worst
men
may
speake
well
:
Actions
haue
onely
the
power
to
descry
hypocrites
.
Yet
euen
a
Ioash
thus
complying
,
shall
not
goe
away
vnblessed
:
This
outward
kindnesse
shall
receiue
an
outward
retribution
;
These
few
drops
of
warme
water
shed
vpon
the
face
of
a
Prophet
,
shall
not
lose
their
reward
;
The
spirit
of
prophesie
forsakes
not
the
death-bed
of
Elisha
;
Hee
calls
for
bow
,
and
arrowes
,
and
puts
them
into
the
hand
of
Ioash
,
and
putting
his
hands
vpon
the
Kings
hand
,
hee
bids
to
shoot
Eastward
:
and
whiles
the
shaft
flyes
,
and
lights
,
he
sayes
,
The
arrow
of
the
Lords
deliuerance
from
Syria
;
for
thou
shalt
smite
the
Syrians
in
Aphek
,
till
thou
haue
consumed
them
:
If
the
weake
and
withered
hand
of
the
Prophet
had
not
beene
vpon
the
youthfull
,
and
vigorous
hand
of
the
King
,
this
bow
had
been
drawn
in
vaine
;
the
strength
was
from
the
hand
of
the
King
,
the
blessing
from
the
hand
of
the
Prophet
:
He
whose
reall
parable
hath
made
the
earth
to
be
Syria
,
the
arrow
,
reuenge
,
the
archer
,
Ioash
,
hath
obtained
for
his
last
boone
from
God
to
Israel
,
that
this
archer
shall
shoot
this
arrow
of
reuenge
,
into
the
heart
of
Syria
,
and
wound
it
to
death
.
When
the
hand
of
the
King
,
and
of
the
Prophet
drawes
together
,
there
cannot
choose
but
successe
must
follow
.
How
readily
doth
Elisha
now
make
good
the
words
of
Ioash
?
How
truly
is
he
the
Charets
,
and
Horsemen
of
Israel
?
Israel
had
not
fought
without
him
,
much
lesse
had
been
victorious
;
If
theirs
be
the
indeuour
,
the
successe
is
his
:
Euen
the
dying
Prophet
puts
life
,
and
speed
into
the
Forces
of
Israel
,
and
whiles
hee
is
digging
his
owne
graue
,
is
raising
Trophees
to
Gods
people
.
Hee
had
receiued
kindnesse
from
the
Syrians
;
amongst
them
was
hee
harbour'd
in
the
dearth
;
and
from
some
of
their
Nobles
,
was
presented
with
rich
gifts
;
but
their
enmity
to
Israel
drowns
all
his
priuate
respects
;
he
cannot
but
professe
hostility
to
the
publique
enemies
of
the
Church
:
Neither
can
he
content
himselfe
with
a
single
prediction
of
their
ruine
.
Hee
bids
Ioash
to
take
the
arrowes
,
and
smite
vpon
the
ground
;
hee
sets
no
number
of
those
strokes
;
as
supposing
the
frequence
of
those
blowes
,
which
Ioash
might
well
(
vpon
his
former
parabolicall
act
)
vnderstand
to
bee
significant
.
The
slacke
hand
of
the
King
smites
but
thrise
.
So
apt
we
are
to
be
wanting
to
our selues
;
so
coldly
doe
wee
execute
the
commands
of
God
:
The
sick
Prophet
is
not
more
greeued
,
then
angry
at
this
dull
negligence
;
Doubtlesse
God
had
reuealed
to
him
(
for
his
last
gratification
)
that
vpon
his
feruent
prayers
,
so
oft
as
Ioash
should
voluntarily
(
after
his
generall
charge
)
smite
the
earth
,
so
oft
should
Israel
smite
Syria
.
Elishaes
zeale
doth
not
languish
with
his
body
:
with
a
fatherly
authoritie
hee
chides
him
,
who
had
styled
him
father
;
not
fearing
to
spend
some
of
his
last
winde
in
a
myld
reproofe
,
Thou
shouldst
haue
smitten
fiue
or
six
times
,
then
thou
hadst
smitten
Syria
till
thou
hadst
consumed
it
,
whereas
now
thou
shalt
smite
Syria
but
thrise
.
Not
that
the
vnchangeable
decree
of
the
Almighty
meant
to
suspend
it selfe
vpon
the
vncertaine
issue
of
Ioashes
will
;
but
,
hee
that
put
this
word
into
the
mouth
of
his
Prophet
,
puts
this
motion
into
the
hand
of
the
King
,
which
did
not
more
willingly
stay
,
then
necessarily
obey
that
prouidence
wherby
it
was
stirred
.
Euen
whiles
wee
haue
our
freest
choyce
,
wee
fall
vpon
those
actions
and
circumstances
,
whereby
the
iust
and
holy
will
of
our
God
is
brought
about
.
Our
very
neglects
,
our
ignorances
shall
fulfill
his
eternall
councells
.
Elisha
dyes
,
and
is
buried
;
his
miracles
doe
not
cease
with
his
life
:
Who
can
maruell
that
his
liuing
prayers
raised
the
sonne
of
the
Shunamite
,
when
his
dead
bones
raise
the
carkasse
that
touched
them
.
God
will
bee
free
in
his
works
;
he
that
must
dye
himselfe
,
yet
shall
reuiue
another
;
the
same
power
might
haue
continued
life
to
him
,
that
gaue
it
by
his
bones
.
Israel
shall
well
see
that
he
liues
,
by
whose
vertue
,
Elisha
was
both
in
life
,
and
death
,
miraculous
:
Whiles
the
Prophet
was
aliue
,
the
impetration
might
seeme
to
be
his
,
though
the
power
were
Gods
;
now
that
he
is
dead
,
the
bones
can
challenge
nothing
,
but
send
the
wondring
Israelites
to
that
almighty
Agent
,
to
whom
it
is
all
one
to
worke
by
the
quicke
,
or
dead
.
Were
not
the
men
of
Israel
more
dead
then
the
carkasse
thus
buryed
,
how
could
they
choose
but
see
in
this
reuiued
corps
,
an
embleme
of
their
owne
condition
?
how
could
they
choose
but
thinke
,
If
wee
adhere
to
the
God
of
Elisha
,
he
shall
raise
our
decayed
estates
,
and
restore
our
nation
to
the
former
glory
.
The
Sadduces
had
as
yet
no
being
in
Israel
,
with
what
face
could
that
heresie
euer
after
looke
into
the
world
,
when
before
the
birth
of
it
,
it
was
so
palpably
conuinced
,
with
an
example
of
the
resurrection
?
Intermission
of
time
,
and
degrees
of
corruption
adde
nothing
to
the
impossibilitie
of
our
rising
:
The
body
that
is
once
cold
in
death
,
hath
no
more
aptitude
to
a
reanimation
,
then
that
which
is
moldred
into
dust
;
Onely
the
diuine
power
of
the
Maker
must
restore
eyther
,
can
restore
both
:
When
wee
are
dead
,
and
buryed
in
the
graue
of
our
sinne
;
it
is
only
the
touch
of
Gods
Prophets
,
applying
vnto
vs
the
death
and
resurrection
of
the
Sonne
of
God
,
that
can
put
new
life
into
vs
;
No
lesse
true
,
though
spirituall
,
is
the
miracle
of
our
raising
vp
from
an
estate
of
inward
corruption
,
to
a
life
of
grace
.
Yet
all
this
preuailes
not
with
Israel
:
No
bones
of
Elisha
could
raise
them
from
their
wicked
Idolatry
:
and
,
notwithstanding
their
grosse
sins
,
Ioash
their
King
prospers
:
Whether
it
were
for
the
sake
of
Iehu
,
whose
grand-chyld
he
was
;
or
for
the
sake
of
Elisha
,
whose
face
hee
wept
vpon
,
his
hand
is
notably
successfull
:
not
onely
against
the
son
of
Hazael
,
King
of
Syria
,
whom
hee
beates
out
of
the
Cities
of
Israel
;
but
,
against
Amaziah
King
of
Iudah
,
whom
he
tooke
Prisoner
,
beating
downe
the
very
walls
of
Ierusalem
,
and
returning
laden
with
the
sacred
,
and
rich
spoyle
both
of
the
Temple
,
and
Court
,
to
his
Samaria
.
Oh
the
depth
of
the
diuine
Iustice
,
and
wisedome
in
these
outward
administrations
!
The
best
cause
,
the
best
man
doth
not
euer
fare
best
:
Amaziah
did
that
which
was
right
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
;
Ioash
,
euill
:
Amaziah
followes
Dauid
(
though
not
with
equall
paces
)
Ioash
followes
Ieroboam
,
yet
is
Amaziah
shamefully
foyled
by
Ioash
;
Whether
God
yet
meant
to
visit
vpon
this
King
of
Iudah
,
the
still-odious
vnthankfulnes
of
his
father
to
Iehoiada
;
or
,
to
plague
Iudah
for
their
share
in
the
blood
of
Zechariah
,
and
their
late
reuolt
to
Idolatry
;
or
,
whether
Amaziahs
too
much
confidence
in
his
own
strength
(
which
moued
his
bold
challenge
to
Ioash
)
were
thought
fit
to
be
thus
taken
downe
,
or
what
euer
other
secret
ground
of
Gods
iudgment
there
might
be
,
it
is
not
for
our
presumption
to
inquire
:
Who
so
by
the
euent
shall
iudge
of
loue
,
or
hatred
,
shall
be
sure
to
run
vpon
that
woe
,
which
belongs
to
them
that
call
good
euill
,
and
euill
good
.
What
a
sauage
peece
of
Iustice
it
is
to
put
the
right
,
whether
of
inheritance
,
or
honor
,
to
the
decision
of
the
sword
,
when
it
is
no
newes
for
the
better
to
mis-cary
by
the
hand
of
the
worse
?
The
race
is
not
to
the
swift
;
the
battell
is
not
to
the
strong
;
no
,
not
to
the
good
:
Perhaps
,
God
will
correct
his
owne
by
a
foyle
;
perhaps
he
will
plague
his
enemy
by
a
victory
.
They
are
only
our
spirituall
combats
wherein
our
faithfull
courage
is
sure
of
a
crowne
.
VZZIAH
Leprous
.
EVen
the
Throne
of
The
wise
and
holy
Prophet
Zechariah
,
was
an
happy
Tutor
to
the
minority
of
King
Vzziah
;
That
vessell
can
hardly
mis-cary
where
a
skilfull
steres-man
sits
at
the
helme
:
The
first
praise
of
a
good
Prince
is
to
be
iudicious
,
&
iust
,
and
pious
,
in
himselfe
;
the
next
is
,
to
giue
eare
,
and
way
,
to
them
that
are
such
:
Whiles
Zechariah
hath
the
visions
of
God
,
and
Vzziah
takes
the
counsels
of
Zechariah
,
it
is
hard
to
say
whether
the
Prophet
,
or
the
King
,
or
the
State
be
happier
.
God
will
be
in
no
mans
debt
;
so
long
as
Vzziah
sought
the
Lord
,
God
made
him
to
prosper
.
Euen
what
we
doe
out
of
duty
cannot
want
a
reward
:
Godlinesse
neuer
disappointed
any
mans
hopes
,
oft
hath
exceeded
them
.
If
Vzziah
fight
against
the
Philistims
,
If
against
the
Arabians
,
and
Mehunims
;
according
to
his
names
,
the
The
outward
magnificence
of
Princes
cannot
stand
firme
,
vnlesse
it
be
built
vpon
the
foundations
of
prouidence
and
frugality
;
Vzziah
had
not
beene
so
great
a
King
,
if
he
had
not
been
so
great
an
husband
;
he
had
his
flockes
in
the
deserts
,
and
his
heards
in
the
plaines
;
his
plowes
in
the
fields
,
his
vine-dressers
vpon
the
mountaines
,
and
in
Carmel
:
neither
was
this
more
out
of
profit
,
then
delight
,
for
he
loued
husbandry
.
Who
can
contemne
those
callings
for
meannesse
,
which
haue
beene
the
pleasures
of
Princes
?
Hence
was
Vzziah
so
potent
at
home
,
so
dreadfull
to
his
neighbours
;
his
warres
had
better
sinewes
then
theirs
;
which
of
his
predecessors
was
able
to
maintaine
so
setled
an
army
,
of
more
then
of
three
hundred
and
tenne
thousand
trained
souldiers
,
well
furnished
,
well
fitted
for
the
suddenest
occasion
?
Thrift
is
the
strongest
prop
of
power
.
The
greatnesse
of
Vzziah
,
and
the
rare
deuices
of
his
artificiall
Engines
for
war
,
haue
not
more
raised
his
fame
,
then
his
heart
:
so
is
hee
swolne
vp
with
the
admiration
of
his
owne
strength
,
and
glory
,
that
he
breaks
againe
;
How
easie
it
is
for
the
best
man
to
dote
vpon
himselfe
;
and
to
bee
lifted
vp
so
high
,
as
to
lose
the
sight
both
of
the
ground
,
whence
he
rises
,
and
of
the
hand
that
aduanced
him
:
How
hard
it
is
for
him
that
hath
inuented
strange
engines
for
the
battering
of
his
enemies
,
to
find
out
any
meanes
to
beat
downe
his
owne
proud
thoughts
?
Wise
Salomon
knew
what
he
did
,
when
hee
prayed
to
bee
deliuered
from
too
much
:
Lest
,
said
he
,
I
be
full
,
and
deny
thee
,
and
say
,
Who
is
the
Lord
?
Vpon
this
Rocke
did
the
sonne
of
Salomon
run
,
and
split
himselfe
;
His
full
sayles
of
prosperity
caryed
him
into
presumption
&
ruine
:
what
may
he
not
now
doe
?
what
may
he
not
be
?
Because
hee
found
his
power
otherwise
vnlimited
;
ouer-ruling
in
the
Court
,
the
Cities
,
the
Fields
,
the
Deserts
,
the
Armies
,
and
Magazins
,
therefore
he
thinkes
hee
may
doe
so
in
the
Temple
too
:
as
things
royall
,
ciuill
,
husbandly
,
military
passed
his
hands
,
so
why
should
not
(
thinkes
hee
)
sacred
also
?
It
is
a
dangerous
indiscretion
for
a
man
not
to
know
the
bounds
of
his
owne
calling
:
What
confusion
doth
not
follow
vpon
this
breaking
of
rankes
?
Vpon
a
solemne
day
,
King
Vzziah
clothes
himselfe
in
Pontifical
robes
,
and
in
the
view
of
that
populous
assembly
,
walkes
vp
in
state
,
into
the
Temple
of
God
,
and
boldly
approching
to
the
Altar
of
Incense
,
offers
to
burne
sweet
odours
vpon
it
,
to
the
God
of
heauen
:
Azariah
the
Priest
is
sensible
of
so
perillous
an
incrochment
;
he
therefore
attended
with
fourscore
valiant
assistants
,
of
that
holy
Tribe
,
hastens
after
the
King
,
and
finding
him
with
the
censer
in
his
hand
,
readie
addressed
to
that
sinfull
deuotion
,
stayes
him
with
a
free
,
and
graue
expostulation
:
There
is
no
place
wherein
I
could
be
sory
to
see
thee
,
ô
King
,
but
this
,
where
thou
art
;
neither
is
there
any
act
,
that
wee
should
grudge
thee
so
much
,
as
this
,
which
is
the
most
sacred
;
Is
it
possible
that
so
great
an
ouersight
should
fall
into
such
wisedome
?
Can
a
religious
Prince
,
trained
vp
vnder
an
holy
Zechariah
,
after
so
many
yeares
zealous
profession
of
piety
,
be
either
ignorant
,
or
regardlesse
of
those
limits
,
which
God
hath
set
to
his
owne
seruices
?
Oh
,
what
meanes
this
vncouth
attempt
?
Consider
,
ô
deare
Soueraigne
,
for
Gods
sake
,
for
thy
soules
sake
,
consider
,
where
thou
art
,
what
thou
doest
;
it
is
Gods
house
wherein
thou
standest
,
not
thine
owne
;
Looke
about
thee
,
and
see
,
whether
these
vailes
,
these
Tables
,
these
Pillars
,
these
Walls
,
these
Pauements
,
haue
any
resemblance
of
earth
:
There
is
no
place
in
all
the
world
whence
thy
God
hath
excluded
thee
,
but
only
this
;
this
he
hath
reserued
for
his
own
vse
:
And
canst
thou
think
much
to
allow
one
roome
as
proper
to
him
,
who
hath
not
grudged
all
the
rest
to
thee
?
But
if
it
bee
thy
zeale
of
a
personall
seruice
to
God
,
that
hath
caried
thee
hither
;
alas
,
how
canst
thou
hope
to
please
the
Almighty
with
a
forbidden
sacrifice
?
Which
of
thine
holy
Progenitors
euer
dared
to
tread
,
where
thy
foot
now
standeth
?
which
of
them
euer
put
forth
their
hand
to
touch
this
sacred
Altar
?
Thou
knowest
that
God
hath
set
apart
,
and
sanctified
his
owne
attendants
;
wherefore
serues
the
Priesthood
,
if
this
be
the
right
of
Kings
?
Were
it
not
for
the
strict
prohibition
of
our
God
,
it
could
seeme
no
other
then
an
honour
to
our
profession
,
that
a
King
should
thinke
to
dignifie
himselfe
by
our
employment
;
but
now
,
knowing
the
seuere
charge
of
the
great
King
of
heauen
,
wee
cannot
but
tremble
to
see
that
censer
in
thine
hand
;
who
euer
,
out
of
the
holy
Tribe
,
hath
weilded
it
vnreuenged
?
This
affront
is
not
to
vs
,
it
is
to
the
God
whom
we
serue
;
In
awe
of
that
terrible
Maiesty
,
as
thou
wouldst
auoid
some
exemplary
iudgement
,
O
King
,
withdraw
thy selfe
,
not
without
humble
deprecations
,
from
this
presence
;
and
lay
down
that
interdicted
handfull
,
with
feare
and
trembling
;
Bee
thou
euer
a
King
,
let
vs
bee
Priests
;
The
Scepter
is
thine
,
let
Censers
be
ours
.
What
religious
heart
could
do
other
then
relent
at
so
faithfull
and
iust
an
admonition
?
But
how
hard
it
is
for
great
persons
to
yeeld
they
haue
offended
?
Vzziah
must
not
be
faulty
;
what
is
done
rashly
shall
be
born
out
with
power
;
He
was
wroth
;
and
thus
expresses
it
:
What
meanes
this
saucy
expostulation
,
O
ye
sons
of
Leui
?
how
dare
ye
thus
malapertly
controll
the
well-meant
actions
of
your
Soueraigne
?
If
ye
be
Priests
,
remember
that
ye
are
subiects
;
or
if
ye
will
needs
forget
it
,
how
easie
is
it
for
this
hand
to
awake
your
memory
?
What
such
offence
can
it
be
for
me
to
come
into
that
house
,
and
to
touch
that
Altar
,
which
my
royall
Progenitors
haue
made
,
beautified
,
consecrated
?
Is
the
God
of
this
place
only
yours
?
Why
doe
ye
thus
ambitiously
ingrosse
Religion
?
If
Princes
haue
not
intermedled
with
these
holy
affaires
,
it
was
because
they
would
not
,
not
because
they
might
not
;
When
those
lawes
were
made
for
the
Sanctuary
,
there
were
no
Kings
to
grace
these
diuine
ceremonies
;
yet
euen
then
,
Moses
was
priuiledged
:
The
persons
of
Princes
(
if
yee
know
not
)
are
no
lesse
sacred
then
your
owne
.
It
is
your
presumption
to
account
the
Lords
anointed
,
prophane
:
Contest
with
those
,
whose
dry
&
vnhallowed
heads
are
subiect
to
your
power
;
For
me
,
I
will
not
aske
your
leaue
to
bee
deuout
;
Looke
yee
to
your
owne
Censers
,
presume
not
to
meddle
with
mine
;
In
the
meane
time
,
can
ye
thinke
this
insolence
of
yours
shall
escape
vnreuenged
?
Can
it
stand
with
the
honour
of
my
soueraignty
,
to
be
thus
proudly
checked
by
subiects
?
God
doe
so
to
me
and
more
also
,
if
.
Whiles
Vzziah
yet
speakes
,
God
strikes
:
Ere
the
words
of
fury
can
come
forth
of
his
mouth
,
the
leprosie
appeares
in
his
forhead
:
Leprosie
was
a
most
loathsome
disease
;
the
forhead
is
the
most
conspicuous
part
:
Had
this
shamefull
scurfe
broken
forth
vpon
his
hand
,
or
foot
,
or
brest
,
it
might
haue
been
hid
from
the
eyes
of
men
;
now
the
forhead
is
smitten
with
this
iudgement
,
that
God
may
proclaime
to
all
beholders
,
Thus
shal
it
be
done
to
the
man
whose
arrogance
hath
thrust
him
vpon
a
sacred
charge
.
Publique
offences
must
haue
open
shame
.
It
is
a
dangerous
thing
to
put
our selues
into
the
affaires
,
into
the
presence
of
God
,
vnwarranted
;
There
cannot
be
a
more
foolish
mesprision
,
then
,
because
we
are
great
on
earth
,
to
thinke
wee
may
be
bold
with
heauen
:
When
Gods
messengers
cannot
preuaile
by
counsels
,
intreaties
,
threats
,
it
is
time
for
God
to
show
his
immediate
iudgements
.
Wilfull
offenders
can
expect
nothing
but
a
fearfull
reuenge
.
Now
begins
Vzziah
to
be
confounded
in
himselfe
;
and
shame
striues
with
leprosie
,
for
a
place
in
his
forehead
;
The
hand
of
God
hath
done
that
in
an
instant
,
which
all
the
tongues
of
men
had
attempted
in
vaine
:
There
needs
no
further
solicitor
of
his
egresse
,
the
sense
of
his
plague
sends
him
forth
alone
:
And
now
he
thinks
;
Wretched
man
that
I
am
,
how
haue
I
angred
God
,
and
vndone
my selfe
?
I
would
needs
come
in
like
a
Priest
,
I
now
goe
forth
a
leper
:
the
pride
of
my
hart
made
me
thinke
my selfe
worthy
the
presence
of
a
God
;
Gods
iust
displeasure
hath
now
made
me
vnworthy
of
the
presence
of
men
:
whiles
I
affected
the
altar
,
I
haue
lost
my
throne
;
whiles
I
scornfully
reiected
the
aduice
and
censures
of
Gods
ministers
,
I
am
now
becomne
a
spectacle
of
horror
,
and
deformity
,
to
my
owne
seruants
;
I
that
would
be
sending
vp
perfumes
to
heauen
,
haue
made
my
nastinesse
hatefull
to
my
own
senses
.
What
doe
I
vnder
this
sacred
roofe
?
Neither
is
Gods
house
now
,
for
mee
,
nor
mine
owne
;
what
cell
,
what
dungeon
is
close
enough
for
me
,
wherin
to
weare
out
the
residue
of
mine
vnhappy
and
vncomfortable
dayes
?
O
God
thou
art
iust
,
and
I
am
miserable
.
Thus
with
a
deiected
countenance
,
and
sad
heart
,
doth
Vzziah
hast
to
retire
himselfe
;
&
wishes
,
that
he
could
be
no
lesse
hid
from
himselfe
,
then
from
others
:
how
easie
is
it
for
the
God
of
heauen
to
bring
downe
the
hyest
pitch
of
earthly
greatnesse
,
and
to
humble
the
stubbornest
pride
?
Vpon
the
leasure
of
second
thoughts
,
Vzziah
cannot
but
acknowledge
much
fauour
in
this
correction
,
and
confesse
to
haue
escaped
well
;
Others
,
hee
knew
,
had
beene
strucke
dead
,
or
swallow'd
vp
quick
for
so
presumptuous
an
intrusion
:
It
is
happy
for
him
if
his
forehad
may
excuse
his
soule
.
Vzziah
ceased
not
to
be
a
King
,
when
he
began
to
be
a
leper
;
the
disease
of
his
forhead
did
not
remoue
his
Crowne
:
his
sonne
Iotham
raigned
for
him
,
vnder
him
;
and
whiles
he
was
not
seene
,
yet
hee
was
obeyed
.
The
character
of
soueraignty
is
indeleble
,
whether
by
bodily
infirmity
,
or
by
spirituall
censure
:
Neither
is
it
otherwise
,
O
God
,
betwixt
thee
,
and
vs
,
if
we
be
once
a
royall
generation
vnto
thee
,
our
leprosies
may
deforme
vs
,
they
shall
not
dethrone
vs
:
stil
shall
we
haue
the
right
,
still
the
possession
of
that
glorious
kingdome
,
wherin
wee
are
inuested
from
eternity
.
AHAZ
with
his
new
Altar
.
AFter
many
vnhappy
A
man
that
is
once
falne
from
truth
,
knowes
not
where
he
shall
stay
:
From
the
Calues
of
Ieroboam
is
Ahaz
drawne
to
the
gods
of
the
heathen
;
yea
,
now
,
bulls
and
goates
are
too
little
for
those
new
deities
,
his
owne
flesh
and
blood
is
but
deare
enough
;
He
made
his
son
to
passe
through
their
fire
.
Where
doe
we
finde
any
religious
Israelite
thus
zealous
for
God
?
Neither
doth
the
holinesse
and
mercy
of
our
God
require
so
cruell
a
sacrifice
:
neither
is
our
dull
,
and
niggardly
hand
ready
to
gratifie
him
with
more
easie
obediences
;
O
God
how
gladly
should
wee
offer
vnto
thee
our
soules
,
and
bodies
,
which
wee
may
inioy
so
much
the
more
,
when
they
are
thine
;
since
zealous
Pagans
sticke
not
to
leese
their
owne
flesh
,
and
blood
in
an
Idols
fire
?
He
that
hath
thus
shamefully
cast
off
the
God
of
his
fathers
,
cannot
bee
long
without
a
fearefull
reuenge
.
The
King
of
Israel
galls
him
on
the
one
side
;
the
King
of
Syria
on
the
other
:
To
auoid
the
shocke
of
both
,
Ahaz
doth
not
betake
himselfe
to
the
God
whom
he
had
offended
;
who
was
able
to
make
his
enemies
at
peace
with
him
,
but
to
Tiglath
Pileser
King
of
Ashur
:
Him
doth
hee
wooe
with
suits
,
with
gifts
;
and
robs
God
of
those
presents
,
which
may
indeare
so
strong
an
helper
.
Hee
that
thought
not
his
son
too
deare
for
an
Idol
,
thinkes
not
Gods
siluer
and
gold
too
deare
for
an
Idolatrous
abettor
.
Oh
the
infinite
patience
of
the
Almighty
!
God
giues
successe
a
while
to
so
offensiue
a
riuality
:
This
Assyrian
King
preuailes
against
the
King
of
Syria
;
kils
him
,
and
takes
his
chiefe
City
,
Damascus
;
The
quarrell
of
the
King
of
Iudah
hath
inlarged
the
territories
of
his
assistant
,
beyond
hope
;
And
now
,
whiles
this
Assyrian
victor
is
inioying
the
possession
of
his
new-won
Damascus
:
Ahaz
goes
vp
thither
to
meet
him
,
to
congratulate
the
victory
,
to
adde
vnto
those
triumphs
,
which
were
drawne
on
by
his
solicitation
.
There
hee
sees
a
new
fashion'd
Altar
,
that
pleases
his
eye
;
That
old
forme
of
Salomons
,
which
was
made
by
the
pattern
showd
to
Moses
in
the
Mount
,
is
now
growne
stale
,
and
despicable
;
A
modell
of
this
more
exquisite
frame
is
sent
to
Vrijah
,
the
Priest
;
and
must
be
sampled
in
Ierusalem
.
It
is
a
dangerous
presumption
to
make
innouations
,
if
but
in
the
circumstances
of
Gods
worship
.
Those
humane
additions
which
would
seeme
to
grace
the
institution
of
God
,
depraue
it
;
That
infinite
wisedome
knowes
best
what
will
please
it selfe
,
and
prescribes
accordingly
;
The
foolishnesse
of
God
is
wiser
then
the
wisedome
of
men
;
Idolatry
and
falshood
is
commonly
more
gawdy
and
plausible
,
then
truth
;
That
hart
which
can
for
the
outward
homelinesse
despise
the
ordinances
of
God
,
is
already
aliened
from
true
religion
,
and
lyes
open
to
the
grossest
superstition
.
Neuer
any
Prince
was
so
foully
idolatrous
,
at
that
he
wanted
a
Priest
to
second
him
:
An
Vrijah
is
fit
to
humor
an
Ahaz
.
Greatnesse
neuer
could
command
any
thing
,
which
some
seruile
wits
were
not
ready
both
to
applaud
,
and
iustifie
.
Ere
the
King
can
be
returned
from
Damascus
,
the
altar
is
finished
;
It
were
happy
if
true
godlinesse
could
be
so
forward
in
the
prosecutions
of
good
:
Neither
is
this
strange
pile
reared
onely
,
but
thrust
vp
betwixt
Gods
altar
,
and
the
temple
;
in
an
apparent
precedency
,
as
if
he
said
,
Let
the
God
of
Iudah
come
behind
the
Deities
of
Syria
.
And
now
,
to
make
vp
the
full
measure
of
his
impiety
,
this
idolatrous
King
will
himselfe
be
sacrificing
vpon
his
new
altar
,
to
his
new
gods
;
the
gods
of
Damascus
:
An
vsurped
priesthood
well
becomes
a
false
Deity
.
Because
(
saith
he
)
the
gods
of
the
Kings
of
Syria
helpe
them
,
therefore
will
Isacrifice
to
them
,
that
they
may
helpe
mee
.
Oh
blinde
superstition
!
how
did
the
gods
of
Syria
helpe
their
Kings
,
when
both
those
Kings
,
and
their
gods
were
vanquished
,
and
taken
by
the
King
of
Assyria
?
Euen
this
Damascus
,
and
this
altar
were
the
spoyle
of
a
forraigne
enemy
;
How
then
did
the
gods
of
Syria
helpe
their
Kings
,
any
other
,
then
to
their
ruine
?
what
dotage
is
this
to
make
choice
of
a
foyled
protection
?
But
had
the
Syrians
prospered
,
must
their
gods
haue
the
thanks
?
Are
there
no
authors
of
good
but
blocks
or
Deuils
?
Or
is
an
outward
prosperity
the
only
argument
of
truth
,
the
onely
motiue
of
deuotion
?
O
foolish
Ahaz
,
it
is
the
God
thou
hast
forsaken
,
that
plagues
thee
,
vnder
whose
onely
arme
thou
might'st
haue
preuailed
.
His
power
beats
those
Pagan
stockes
,
one
against
other
,
so
,
as
one
while
,
one
seems
victorious
,
another
vanquisht
;
and
at
last
hee
confounds
both
,
together
with
their
proudest
clients
:
Thy selfe
shall
be
the
best
instance
.
Of
all
the
Kings
of
Iudah
hitherto
,
there
is
none
so
dreadfull
an
example
either
of
sin
,
or
iudgement
,
as
this
son
of
good
Iotham
.
I
abhor
to
think
that
such
a
monster
should
descend
from
the
loynes
of
Dauid
;
where
shall
bee
the
period
of
this
wickednesse
?
Hee
beganne
with
the
hie
places
,
thence
he
descends
to
the
Calues
of
Dan
and
Bethel
;
from
thence
he
falls
to
a
Syrian
altar
,
to
the
Syrian
god
;
then
from
a
partnership
hee
falls
to
an
vtter
exclusion
of
the
true
God
,
and
blocking
vp
his
Temple
;
and
then
to
the
sacrifice
of
his
owne
sonne
;
and
at
last
,
as
if
hell
were
broken
loose
vpon
Gods
inheritance
,
euery
seuerall
City
,
euery
hie
place
of
Iudah
hath
a
new
god
:
No
maruell
if
he
bee
branded
by
the
Spirit
of
God
,
with
,
This
is
that
King
Ahaz
.
What
a
fearfull
plague
did
this
noysome
deluge
of
sin
leaue
behind
it
,
in
the
land
of
Iudah
?
who
can
expresse
the
horror
of
Gods
reuenge
vpon
a
people
that
should
haue
beene
his
?
Pekah
the
King
of
Israel
,
slew
an
hundred
and
twentie
thousand
of
them
in
one
day
;
amongst
whom
was
Maseiah
the
sonne
of
Ahaz
:
O
iust
iudgement
of
the
Almighty
!
Ahaz
sheds
the
blood
of
one
sonne
to
an
idoll
:
The
true
God
sheds
the
blood
of
another
of
his
sons
,
in
reuenge
.
Yet
,
the
hand
of
the
Lord
is
stretched
out
still
:
Two
hundred
thousand
of
them
were
caried
away
by
the
Israelites
captiue
to
Samaria
:
The
Edomites
came
,
and
caried
away
another
part
of
them
for
bondslaues
,
to
their
country
:
The
Philistims
came
vp
and
shared
the
Cities
of
the
south
of
Iudah
,
and
the
villages
thereof
;
Shortly
,
what
other
is
miserable
Iudah
,
then
the
prey
,
and
spoile
of
all
the
neighbouring
Nations
?
For
the
Lord
brought
Iudah
low
because
of
Ahaz
King
of
Israel
,
for
hee
made
Iudah
naked
,
and
transgressed
sore
against
the
Lord
:
As
for
the
great
King
of
Ashur
,
whom
Ahaz
purchased
with
the
sacrilegious
pillage
of
the
house
of
God
,
in
stead
of
an
ayd
,
hee
proues
a
burden
;
How
euer
he
sped
in
his
first
onsets
;
now
,
hee
distressed
Iudah
,
but
strengthned
it
not
:
The
charge
was
as
great
,
as
the
benefit
small
:
sooner
shall
hee
eate
them
out
,
then
rescue
them
.
No
arme
of
flesh
can
shelter
Ahaz
from
a
vengeance
.
Be
wise
,
ô
ye
Kings
,
be
instructed
ô
yee
Iudges
of
the
earth
;
serue
the
Lord
with
feare
,
and
reioyce
with
trembling
:
Kisse
the
Sonne
lest
he
be
angry
,
and
ye
perish
from
the
way
,
when
his
wrath
is
kindled
but
a
little
.
His
subiects
complaine
,
that
he
died
so
late
,
and
,
as
repenting
that
he
euer
was
,
deny
him
a
roome
in
the
sepulchers
of
Kings
:
as
if
they
said
;
the
common
earth
of
Ierusalem
is
too
good
for
him
that
degenerated
from
his
Progenitors
,
marr'd
his
kingdome
,
depraued
his
people
,
forsooke
his
God
.
The
vtter
Destruction
of
the
Kingdome
of
ISRAEL
.
IVdah
was
at
a
sore
It
was
the
quarrell
of
Iudah
that
first
ingaged
the
King
of
Ashur
in
this
warre
against
Israel
;
now
he
is
not
so
easily
fetcht
off
;
So
we
haue
seen
some
eager
mastiue
,
that
hath
beene
set
on
by
the
least
clap
of
the
hand
,
but
could
not
bee
loosned
by
the
force
of
staues
.
Salmaneser
King
of
Assyria
comes
vp
against
Hoshea
King
of
Israel
,
and
subdues
him
;
and
puts
him
to
his
Tribute
:
This
yoke
was
vncouth
and
vnpleasing
;
The
vanquisht
Prince
was
neither
able
to
resist
,
nor
willing
to
yeeld
;
secretly
therefore
he
treats
with
the
King
of
Egipt
for
assistance
,
as
desiring
rather
to
hazard
his
liberty
by
the
hand
of
an
equall
,
then
to
inioy
a
quiet
subiection
vnder
the
hand
of
an
ouer-ruling
power
;
wee
cannot
blame
Princes
to
bee
iealous
of
their
soueraignties
;
The
detaining
of
his
yearely
Tribute
,
and
the
whisperings
with
new
confederates
,
haue
drawne
vp
the
King
of
Ashur
to
perfect
his
own
victories
:
He
returnes
therefore
with
a
strong
power
,
and
after
three
yeares
siege
,
takes
Samaria
,
imprisons
Hoshea
,
and
in
the
exchange
of
a
wofull
captiuity
,
he
peoples
Israel
with
Assyrians
,
and
Assyria
with
Israelites
.
Now
that
abused
soyle
hath
vpon
a
surfet
of
wickednesse
,
cast
out
her
perfidious
owners
,
and
will
try
how
it
can
fare
with
heathenish
strangers
:
Now
the
Assyrian
gallants
triumph
in
the
Palaces
of
Samaria
and
Iezreel
;
whiles
the
Peeres
and
Captaines
of
Israel
are
driuen
manicled
through
the
Assyrian
streets
,
and
billeted
to
the
seuerall
places
of
their
perpetuall
seruitude
:
Shortly
,
now
the
flourishing
Kingdome
of
the
tenne
Tribes
is
comne
to
a
finall
and
shamefull
end
;
and
so
vanished
in
this
last
dissipation
,
that
,
since
that
day
,
no
man
could
euer
say
,
This
was
Israel
.
Oh
terrible
example
of
vengeance
,
vpon
that
peculiar
people
,
whom
God
hath
chosen
forhimselfe
,
out
of
all
the
world
:
All
the
world
were
witnesses
of
the
fauours
of
their
miraculous
deliuerances
,
and
protections
;
All
the
world
shall
be
witnesses
of
their
iust
confusion
.
It
is
not
in
the
power
of
sleight
errors
to
set
off
that
infinite
mercy
:
What
was
it
,
ô
God
,
what
was
it
,
that
caused
thee
to
cast
off
thine
owne
inheritance
?
What
but
the
same
that
made
thee
to
cast
the
Angells
out
of
heauen
?
Euen
their
rebellious
sins
.
Those
sins
dared
to
emulate
the
greatnesse
of
thy
mercies
,
no
lesse
,
then
they
forced
the
seuerity
of
thy
iudgments
:
They
left
all
the
commandements
of
the
Lord
their
God
;
and
made
them
molten
Images
,
euen
two
Calues
;
and
made
a
groue
and
worshipped
all
the
host
of
heauen
;
and
serued
Baal
;
and
caused
their
sonnes
and
daughters
to
passe
through
the
fire
,
and
vsed
diuination
,
and
enchantments
,
and
sold
themselues
to
doe
euill
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
to
prouoke
him
to
anger
.
Neither
were
these
slips
of
frailty
,
or
ignorant
mis-takings
,
but
wilfull
crimes
,
obstinate
impieties
,
in
spight
of
the
doctrines
,
reproofes
,
menaces
,
miraculous
conuictions
of
the
holy
Prophets
,
which
God
sent
amongst
them
:
Thy
destruction
is
of
thy selfe
,
ô
Israel
;
what
could
the
iust
hand
of
the
Almighty
doe
lesse
then
consume
a
nation
so
incorrigibly
flagitious
?
A
nation
so
vnthankfull
for
mercies
,
so
impatient
of
remedies
,
so
vncapable
of
repentance
:
so
obliged
,
so
warned
,
so
shamelesly
,
so
lawlesly
wicked
?
What
nation
vnder
heauen
can
now
challenge
an
vndefaisible
interest
in
God
;
when
Israel
it selfe
is
cast
off
?
what
Church
in
the
world
can
show
such
deare
loue-tokens
from
the
Almighty
as
this
,
now-abhorred
,
and
adulterous
spouse
?
Hee
that
spared
not
the
naturall
Oliue
,
shall
hee
spare
the
wild
?
It
is
not
for
vs
sinners
of
the
Gentiles
to
be
high-minded
,
but
awfull
.
The
Israelites
are
caryed
captiue
into
Assyria
;
those
goodly
Cities
of
the
ten
tribes
may
not
lie
wast
,
and
vnpeopled
:
The
wisedome
of
the
victor
findes
it
fit
to
transplant
his
owne
Colonies
thither
;
that
so
he
may
raise
profit
thence
,
with
security
:
From
Babylon
therfore
,
and
Cuthah
,
and
Aua
,
and
Hamath
,
and
Sepharuaim
,
doth
he
send
of
his
owne
subiects
to
possesse
,
and
inhabit
the
Cities
of
Samaria
.
The
land
doth
not
brook
her
new
Tenants
:
They
feared
not
the
Lord
;
(
how
should
they
,
they
knew
him
not
?
)
Therefore
the
Lord
sent
Lyons
amongst
them
which
slew
some
of
them
:
Not
the
veriest
Pagan
can
bee
excused
for
his
ignorance
of
God
;
Euen
the
deprauedst
nature
might
teach
vs
to
tremble
at
a
Deity
;
It
is
iust
with
the
Almighty
not
to
put
vp
neglect
,
where
hee
hath
bestowed
reason
.
The
brute
creatures
are
sent
to
reuenge
the
quarrell
of
their
Maker
,
vpon
worse
beasts
,
then
themselues
.
Still
hath
God
left
himselfe
Champions
in
Israel
:
Lyons
teare
the
Assyrians
in
pieces
;
and
put
them
in
mind
,
that
,
had
it
not
beene
for
wickednesse
,
that
land
needed
not
to
haue
changed
masters
.
The
great
Lord
of
the
world
cannot
want
meanes
to
plague
offenders
:
If
the
men
bee
gone
,
yet
the
beasts
are
there
;
And
if
the
beasts
had
beene
gone
,
yet
so
long
as
there
were
stones
in
the
wals
,
in
the
quarries
God
would
be
sure
of
auengers
:
There
is
no
security
but
in
being
at
peace
with
God
.
The
King
of
Assyria
is
sued
to
,
for
remedy
:
Euen
these
Pagans
haue
learned
to
know
that
these
Lyons
were
sent
from
a
God
;
that
this
punishment
is
for
sinne
;
They
know
not
the
manner
of
the
God
of
the
land
,
therefore
he
hath
sent
Lyons
among
them
:
These
blind
Heathen
that
thinke
euery
land
hath
a
seuerall
God
;
yet
,
hold
that
God
,
worthy
of
his
owne
worship
;
yet
,
hold
that
worship
must
bee
grounded
vpon
knowledge
;
the
want
of
that
knowledge
,
punishable
,
the
punishment
of
that
want
,
iust
,
and
diuine
:
How
much
worse
then
Assyrians
are
they
that
are
ready
to
ascribe
all
calamities
to
nature
to
chance
?
that
acknowledging
but
one
God
of
all
the
world
,
are
yet
carelesse
to
know
him
to
serue
him
?
One
of
the
Priests
of
Israel
is
appointed
to
bee
caried
backe
to
Samaria
,
to
teach
the
Assyrian
Colony
the
fashions
of
the
God
of
the
land
;
not
for
deuotion
,
but
for
impunity
:
vaine
Politicians
thinke
to
satisfie
God
by
patching
vp
religions
;
any
formes
are
good
enough
for
an
vnknowne
deity
:
The
Assyrian
Priests
teach
,
and
practise
the
worship
of
their
own
Gods
;
The
Israelitish
Priest
prescribes
the
worship
of
the
true
God
;
The
people
will
follow
both
;
the
one
out
of
liking
,
the
other
out
of
feare
:
What
a
prodigious
mixture
was
here
of
religions
?
true
with
false
,
Iewish
with
Paganish
,
diuine
with
diuellish
;
Euery
diuision
of
these
transplanted
Assyrians
had
their
seuerall
deities
,
high
places
,
sacrifices
;
this
Priest
of
Israel
intercommons
with
euery
of
them
:
So
as
now
these
fathers
of
Samaritanisme
,
are
in
at
all
;
They
feare
the
Lord
and
serue
their
idols
:
No
beggers
cloak
is
more
peeced
then
the
religion
of
these
new
inhabitants
of
Israel
.
I
know
not
how
their
bodies
sped
for
the
Lyons
,
I
am
sure
their
soules
fared
the
worse
for
this
medlie
:
Aboue
all
things
God
hates
a
mungrell
deuotion
;
If
we
be
not
all
Israel
,
it
were
better
to
bee
all
Ashur
;
It
cannot
so
much
displease
God
to
bee
vnknowne
or
neglected
,
as
to
bee
consorted
with
Idols
.
HEZEKIAH
and
SENACHERIB
.
ISrael
is
gone
,
Iudah
Take
out
of
the
two
Tribes
of
Iudah
,
and
Beniamin
,
one
hundred
and
twenty
thousand
,
whom
Pekah
the
King
of
Israel
slew
in
one
day
.
Take
out
two
hundred
thousand
that
were
caried
away
captiue
to
Samaria
;
Take
out
those
that
were
transported
into
the
bondage
of
the
Edomites
;
and
those
that
were
subdued
in
the
South
parts
,
by
the
Philistims
;
alas
,
what
an
handfull
was
left
to
the
king
of
Iudah
;
scarce
worth
the
name
of
a
dominion
:
Yet
,
euen
now
,
out
of
the
gleeds
of
Iudah
,
doth
God
raise
vp
a
glorious
light
to
his
forlorne
Church
;
yea
,
from
the
wretched
loynes
of
Ahaz
,
doth
God
fetch
an
holy
Ezekiah
.
It
had
beene
hard
to
conceiue
the
state
of
Iudah
worse
then
it
was
;
neither
was
it
more
miserable
,
then
sinfull
,
and
in
regard
of
both
,
desperate
;
when
beyond
hope
,
God
reuiues
this
dying
stocke
of
Dauid
,
and
out
of
very
ruines
builds
vp
his
owne
house
.
Ahaz
was
not
more
the
ill
sonne
of
a
good
father
,
then
he
was
the
ill
father
of
a
good
sonne
.
He
was
the
ill
sonne
of
good
Iotham
,
the
ill
father
of
good
Hezekiah
.
Good
Hezekiah
makes
amends
for
his
fathers
impietie
;
and
puts
a
new
life
into
the
hartlesse
remnant
of
Gods
people
.
The
wisedome
of
our
good
God
knowes
when
his
ayd
will
bee
most
seasonable
,
most
welcome
;
which
hee
then
loues
to
giue
,
when
he
findes
vs
left
of
all
our
hopes
:
That
mercifull
hand
is
reserued
for
a
dead
lift
;
then
,
he
failes
vs
not
.
Now
,
you
might
haue
seene
this
pious
Prince
busily
bestirring
himselfe
,
in
so
late
and
needfull
a
reformation
,
remouing
the
high
places
,
battering
and
burning
the
Idolls
,
demolishing
their
temples
,
cutting
downe
their
groues
,
opening
the
Temple
,
purging
the
altars
,
and
vessells
,
sanctifying
the
Priests
,
rekindling
the
Lampes
,
renuing
the
incense
,
reinstituting
the
sacrifices
,
establishing
the
order
of
Gods
seruice
,
appointing
the
courses
,
setling
the
maintenance
of
the
ministers
,
publishing
the
decrees
for
the
long-neglected
Pass-ouer
;
celebrating
it
,
and
the
other
feasts
,
with
due
solemnity
,
incouraging
the
people
,
contributing
bountifully
to
the
offerings
,
and
,
in
one
word
,
so
ordering
all
the
affayres
of
God
,
as
if
hee
had
beene
sent
downe
from
heauen
to
restore
Religion
;
as
if
Dauid
himself
had
been
aliue
againe
in
this
blessed
heyre
,
not
so
much
of
his
Crowne
,
as
of
his
piety
.
Oh
Iudah
,
happy
in
thy
Ezekiah
,
Oh
Ezekiah
happy
in
the
gratious
restauration
of
thy
Iudah
:
Ahaz
shall
haue
no
thanke
for
such
a
sonne
;
The
God
that
is
able
of
the
very
stones
to
raise
children
to
Abraham
,
rayses
a
true
seed
of
Dauid
out
of
the
corrupt
loynes
of
an
Idolater
:
That
infinite
mercy
is
not
tyed
to
the
termes
of
an
immediate
propagation
:
For
the
space
of
three
hundred
yeares
,
the
man
after
Gods
owne
heart
had
no
perfect
heyre
till
now
;
Till
now
did
the
high
places
stand
:
the
deuotions
of
the
best
Princes
of
Iudah
were
blemished
with
some
weake
omissions
;
Now
the
zeale
of
good
Ezekiah
cleares
all
those
defects
,
and
workes
an
intyre
change
.
How
seasonably
hath
the
prouidence
of
God
kept
the
best
man
for
the
worst
times
?
When
God
hath
a
great
worke
to
doe
,
hee
knowes
to
fit
himselfe
with
instruments
.
No
maruell
if
the
Paganish
Idolls
goe
to
wracke
,
when
euen
the
brazen
Serpent
that
Moses
had
made
by
Gods
owne
appointment
,
is
broken
in
peeces
:
The
Israelites
were
stung
with
fiery
Serpents
,
this
brazen
Serpent
healed
them
,
which
they
did
no
sooner
see
,
then
they
recouered
:
But
now
,
such
was
the
venome
of
the
Israelitish
Idolatry
,
that
this
Serpent
of
brasse
,
stung
worse
then
the
fiery
;
That
,
which
first
cured
by
the
eye
,
now
by
the
eye
poysoned
the
soule
;
That
which
was
at
first
,
the
type
of
a
Sauiour
,
is
now
,
the
deadly
engine
of
the
Enemy
.
Whiles
it
helped
,
it
stood
;
it
stood
whiles
it
hurt
not
,
but
when
once
wicked
abuse
hath
turned
it
into
an
Idoll
;
what
was
it
but
Nehushtan
?
The
holinesse
of
the
first
institution
cannot
priuiledge
ought
from
the
danger
of
a
future
profanation
;
nor
,
as
the
case
may
stand
,
from
an
vtter
abolition
:
What
antiquity
,
what
authoritie
,
what
primary
seruice
might
this
Serpent
haue
pleaded
?
All
that
cannot
keepe
it
out
of
the
dust
.
Those
things
which
are
necessarie
in
their
being
,
beneficiall
in
their
continuance
,
may
still
remaine
when
their
abuse
is
purged
;
but
those
things
whose
vse
is
but
temporary
,
or
whose
duration
is
needlesse
and
vnprofitable
,
may
cease
with
the
occasion
,
and
much
more
perish
with
an
inseparable
abuse
.
Ezekiah
willingly
forgets
who
made
the
Serpent
,
when
he
fees
the
Israelites
make
it
an
idoll
:
It
is
no
lesse
intolerable
for
God
,
to
haue
a
riuall
of
his
owne
making
.
Since
Hezekiah
was
thus
,
aboue
all
his
Ancestors
,
pright
with
the
Lord
;
it
is
no
maruell
if
the
Lord
were
with
him
;
if
he
prospered
,
whither
soeuer
hee
went
;
The
same
God
that
would
haue
his
iustice
magnified
in
the
confusion
of
the
wicked
Princes
of
Issrael
,
and
Iudah
,
would
haue
his
mercy
no
lesse
acknowledged
,
in
the
blessings
of
faithfull
Hezekiah
.
The
great
King
of
Assyria
had
in
a
sort
swallowed
vp
both
the
Kingdomes
of
Iudah
,
and
Israel
;
yet
not
with
an
equall
cruelty
;
He
made
Israel
captiue
,
Iudah
(
vpon
a
willing
composition
)
tributary
.
Israel
is
vanished
in
a
transportation
,
Iudah
continues
vnder
the
homage
wherein
Ahaz
left
it
:
Hezekiah
had
raigned
but
sixe
yeares
when
he
saw
his
neighbours
of
Israel
packing
into
a
miserable
captiuity
;
&
the
proud
Assyrians
Lording
in
their
Cities
;
yet
,
euen
then
,
when
hee
stood
alone
,
in
a
corner
of
Iudah
,
durst
Hezekiah
draw
his
necke
out
of
the
yoke
of
the
great
,
and
victorious
Monarch
of
Assyria
;
and
,
as
if
one
enemy
had
not
beene
enough
,
at
the
same
time
,
hee
falls
vpon
the
incroaching
Philistims
,
and
preuailes
.
It
is
not
to
be
asked
,
what
powers
a
man
can
make
,
but
in
what
termes
he
stands
with
heauen
.
The
vnworthy
father
of
Hezekiah
had
clogged
Iudah
with
this
seruile
fealty
to
the
Assyrian
;
what
the
conditions
of
that
subiection
were
,
it
is
too
late
,
and
needlesse
for
vs
to
inquire
,
If
this
payment
were
limited
to
a
period
of
time
,
the
expiration
acquitted
him
;
If
vpon
couenants
of
ayd
,
the
cessation
thereof
acquitted
him
;
If
the
reforming
of
religion
,
&
banishment
of
Idolatry
ran
vnder
the
censure
of
rebellion
,
the
quarrell
on
Ezekiahs
part
,
was
holy
,
on
Senacheribs
vniust
:
but
if
the
restipulation
were
absolute
,
and
the
withdrawing
of
this
homage
vpon
none
but
ciuill
grounds
,
I
cannot
excuse
the
good
King
from
a
iust
offence
:
It
was
an
humane
frailty
in
an
obliged
Prince
by
force
to
affect
a
free
and
independant
soueraignty
.
What
doe
we
mince
that
fact
,
which
holy
Ezekiah
himselfe
censures
?
I
haue
offended
,
returne
from
mee
,
what
thou
putst
on
mee
will
I
beare
?
The
comfort
of
liberty
may
not
be
had
with
an
vnwarranted
violence
.
Holinesse
cannot
free
vs
from
infirmity
:
It
was
a
weaknes
to
doe
that
act
,
which
must
bee
soone
vndone
with
much
repentance
,
and
more
losse
;
This
reuolt
shall
cost
Ezekiah
(
besides
much
humiliation
)
three
hundred
yearely
talents
of
siluer
,
thirty
talents
of
gold
:
How
much
better
had
it
beene
for
the
Cities
of
Iudah
to
haue
purchased
their
peace
with
an
easie
tribute
,
then
warre
with
an
intolerable
taxation
.
Fourteene
years
had
good
Hezekiah
fed
vpon
a
sweet
peace
,
sauced
only
with
a
set
pension
;
now
he
must
prepare
his
pallat
for
the
bitter
morsels
of
warre
.
The
King
of
Assyria
is
comne
vp
against
all
the
defenced
Cities
of
Iudah
;
and
hath
taken
them
:
Ezekiah
:
is
faine
to
buy
him
out
with
too
many
talents
;
The
poore
Kingdome
of
Iudah
is
exhaust
,
with
so
deepe
a
payment
;
in
so
much
as
the
King
is
forced
to
borrow
of
God
himselfe
,
for
Hezekiah
gaue
him
all
the
siluer
that
was
found
in
the
house
of
the
Lord
;
yea
,
at
that
time
did
Hezekiah
cut
off
the
gold
from
the
doores
of
the
temple
of
the
Lord
,
and
from
the
pillars
which
he
had
ouer-laid
,
and
gaue
it
to
the
King
of
Assyria
.
How
hard
was
good
Hezekiah
driuen
,
ere
he
would
bee
thus
bold
with
his
God
?
Surely
if
the
mines
,
or
cofers
of
Iudah
could
haue
yeelded
any
supply
,
this
shift
had
beene
hatefull
;
to
fetch
back
for
an
enemy
,
that
which
hee
had
giuen
to
his
Maker
:
Onely
necessity
excuses
that
from
sacriledge
in
the
sonne
,
which
will
,
made
sacriledge
in
the
father
:
That
which
is
once
deuoted
to
a
sacred
vse
,
may
not
be
called
backe
to
a
profane
:
But
he
whose
the
earth
is
,
and
the
fulnesse
of
it
,
is
not
so
taken
with
our
metals
,
that
hee
should
more
regard
our
gold
,
then
our
welfare
:
His
goodnes
cannot
grudge
any
outward
thing
for
the
price
of
our
peace
:
To
rob
God
out
of
couetousnesse
,
or
wantonnesse
,
or
neglect
is
iustly
damnable
;
wee
cannot
robbe
him
out
of
our
need
;
for
then
he
giues
vs
all
we
take
;
and
bids
vs
ransome
our
liues
,
our
liberties
;
The
treasures
of
Gods
house
were
precious
,
for
his
sake
,
to
whom
they
were
consecrated
,
but
more
precious
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
was
the
life
of
any
one
of
his
Saints
.
Euery
true
Israelite
was
the
spirituall
house
of
God
;
why
should
not
the
doore
of
the
materiall
temple
be
willingly
stripped
,
to
saue
the
whole
frame
of
the
spirituall
Temple
.
Take
therefore
,
ô
Hezekiah
what
thou
hast
giuen
,
no
gold
is
too
holy
to
redeeme
thy
vexation
:
It
matters
not
so
much
how
bare
the
doores
of
the
Temple
bee
,
in
a
case
of
necessity
,
as
how
wel
the
insides
be
furnished
with
sincere
deuotion
.
O
the
cruell
hard
hartednesse
of
those
men
which
will
rather
suffer
the
liuing
Temples
of
God
to
be
ruined
;
then
they
will
ransome
their
life
,
with
farthings
.
It
could
not
bee
,
but
that
the
store
of
needy
Iudah
must
soone
be
drawne
dry
with
so
deepe
an
exaction
;
that
sum
cannot
be
sent
,
because
it
cannot
be
raised
:
The
cruell
Tyran
calls
for
his
brickes
whiles
he
allowes
no
straw
;
His
anger
is
kindled
because
Ezekiahs
cofers
haue
a
bottome
;
with
amighty
host
doth
he
come
vp
a
gainst
Ierusalem
;
therefore
shal
that
City
be
destroyed
by
him
,
because
by
him
it
hath
bin
impouerished
;
the
inhabitants
must
bee
slaues
,
because
they
are
beggers
.
Oh
lamentable
,
and
,
in
sight
,
desperate
condition
of
distressed
Ierusalem
:
wealth
it
had
none
;
strength
it
had
,
but
a
little
;
all
the
Country
round
about
was
subdued
to
the
Assyrian
;
that
proud
victor
hath
begirt
the
wals
of
it
,
with
an
innumerable
army
,
scorning
that
such
a
shouell-full
of
earth
should
stand
out
but
one
day
;
Poore
Ierusalem
stands
alone
,
block't
vp
with
a
world
of
enemies
,
helplesse
,
friendlesse
,
comfortlesse
;
looking
for
the
worst
of
an
hostile
fury
;
when
Tartan
and
Rabsaris
,
and
Rabshakeh
,
the
great
Captaines
of
the
Assyrians
,
call
to
a
parlee
.
Hezekiah
sends
to
them
three
of
his
prime
officers
,
his
Steward
,
his
Secretary
,
his
Recorder
.
Lord
;
What
insolent
blasphemies
doth
that
foule
mouth
of
Rabshakeh
belch
out
against
the
liuing
God
,
against
his
anointed
seruant
?
How
plausibly
doth
hee
discourage
the
subiects
of
Ezekiah
,
how
proudly
doth
hee
insult
vpon
their
impotency
,
how
doth
he
braue
them
with
base
offers
of
aduantage
;
and
lastly
,
how
cunningly
doth
he
fore-lay
their
confidence
(
which
was
onely
left
them
)
in
the
Almighty
,
protesting
not
to
bee
comne
vp
hither
without
the
Lord
;
The
Lord
said
to
me
,
Goe
vp
to
this
land
,
and
destroy
it
;
How
fearfull
a
word
was
this
?
The
rest
were
but
vaine
crackes
,
this
was
a
thunderbolt
to
strike
dead
the
heart
of
Ezekiah
;
If
Rabshakeh
could
haue
been
beleeued
,
Ierusalem
could
not
but
haue
flowne
open
;
How
could
it
think
to
stand
out
no
lesse
against
God
,
then
men
?
Euen
thus
doth
the
great
enemy
of
mankinde
;
if
hee
can
dis-hearten
the
soule
from
a
dependance
vpon
the
God
of
mercies
,
the
day
is
his
:
Lewd
miscreants
care
not
how
they
be-lye
God
for
their
owne
purposes
.
Eliakim
the
steward
of
Hezekiah
well
knew
,
how
much
the
people
must
needes
bee
affected
with
this
pernicious
suggestion
;
and
faine
would
therefore
,
if
not
stop
that
wicked
mouth
,
yet
diuert
these
blasphemies
into
a
forraigne
expression
.
I
wonder
that
any
wise
man
should
looke
for
fauour
from
an
enemy
:
Speak
I
pray
thee
,
to
thy
seruants
in
the
Syrian
language
:
What
was
this
but
to
teach
an
aduersary
how
to
doe
mischiefe
?
Wherfore
came
Rabshakeh
thither
but
to
gall
Ezekiah
,
to
with-draw
his
subiects
?
That
tongue
is
properest
for
him
which
may
hurt
most
;
Deprecations
of
euill
to
a
malicious
man
are
no
better
then
aduices
.
An
vnknowne
idiome
is
fit
to
keepe
counsell
;
they
are
familiar
words
that
must
conuey
ought
to
the
vnderstanding
.
Leud
men
are
the
worse
for
admonitions
.
Rabshakeh
had
not
so
strained
his
throat
,
to
corrupt
the
citizens
of
Ierusalem
,
had
it
not
beene
for
the
humble
obtestation
of
Eliakim
;
Now
he
reares
vp
his
voyce
,
and
holds
his
sides
,
and
roares
out
his
double
blasphemies
;
one
while
affrighting
the
people
with
the
great
power
of
the
mighty
king
of
Assyria
;
another
while
debasing
the
contemptible
force
of
Hezekiah
;
now
smoothly
alluring
them
,
with
the
assurances
of
a
safe
and
successfull
yeeldance
;
then
,
discouraging
them
with
the
impossibility
of
their
deliuerance
;
laying
before
them
the
fearfull
examples
of
greater
nations
vanquished
,
by
that
sword
,
which
was
now
shaken
ouer
them
;
triumphing
in
the
impotency
,
and
mis-cariage
of
their
gods
:
Who
are
they
among
all
the
Gods
of
the
countries
,
that
haue
deliuered
their
Country
out
of
mine
hand
,
that
the
Lord
should
deliuer
Ierusalem
out
of
mine
hand
?
Where
are
the
Gods
of
Arpad
,
and
of
Hamath
?
Where
,
but
in
that
hellish
darknesse
,
that
is
ordained
both
for
them
,
and
for
thee
,
barbarous
Assyrian
,
that
darest
thus
open
thy
mouth
against
thy
Maker
:
And
can
those
Atheous
eyes
of
thine
see
no
difference
of
Gods
?
Is
there
no
distance
betwixt
a
stocke
,
or
stone
,
and
that
infinite
Deity
that
made
heauen
&
earth
?
It
is
enough
that
thou
now
feelest
it
;
thy
torments
haue
taught
thee
too
late
,
that
thou
affrontedst
a
liuing
God
.
How
did
the
fingers
&
tongues
of
these
Iewish
Peeres
and
people
,
itch
to
be
at
Rabshakeh
;
in
a
reuengefull
answer
to
those
impieties
:
All
is
whus
ht
;
not
a
word
sounds
from
those
walls
:
I
doe
not
more
wonder
at
Hezekiahs
wisedome
,
in
commanding
silence
,
then
at
the
subiects
obedience
,
in
keeping
it
;
This
rayler
could
not
be
more
spighted
,
then
with
no
answer
;
and
if
he
might
be
exasperated
,
he
could
not
bee
reformed
;
besides
,
the
rebounding
of
those
multiplyed
blasphemies
,
might
leaue
some
ill
impressions
in
the
multitude
;
This
sulphurous
flaske
,
therefore
,
dyes
in
his
owne
smoke
:
onely
leauing
an
hatefull
stench
behind
it
.
Good
Hezekiah
cannot
easily
passe
ouer
this
deuillish
oratory
;
no
sooner
doth
he
heare
of
it
,
than
he
rends
his
clothes
,
and
couers
himselfe
with
sack-cloth
,
and
betakes
himselfe
to
the
house
of
the
Lord
,
and
sends
his
officers
,
and
the
grauest
of
the
Priests
,
clad
in
sack-cloth
,
to
Esay
the
Prophet
of
God
,
with
a
dolefull
and
querulous
message
.
Oh
the
noble
piety
of
Hezekiah
;
notwithstanding
all
the
straits
of
the
siege
,
and
the
danger
of
so
powerfull
an
enemy
;
I
find
not
the
garments
of
this
good
King
,
any
otherwise
then
whole
,
and
vnchanged
;
but
now
so
soon
as
euer
a
blasphemy
is
vttered
against
the
Maiesty
of
his
God
,
(
though
by
a
Pagan
dog
)
his
clothes
are
torne
,
and
turned
into
sack-cloth
:
There
can
bee
no
better
argument
of
an
vpright
heart
,
then
to
be
more
sensible
of
the
indignities
offered
to
God
,
then
of
our
owne
dangers
.
Euen
these
desperate
reproches
send
Ezekiah
to
the
Temple
:
The
more
we
see
Gods
name
profaned
,
the
more
shall
we
,
if
we
be
truely
religious
,
loue
and
honor
it
.
Whither
should
Hezekiab
run
but
to
the
Temple
,
to
the
Prophet
?
There
,
there
is
the
refuge
of
all
faithfull
ones
,
where
they
may
speak
with
God
,
where
they
may
bee
spoken
to
from
God
,
and
fetch
comfort
from
both
:
It
is
not
possible
that
a
beleeuing
heart
should
bee
disappointed
:
Isaiah
sends
that
message
to
the
good
King
,
that
may
dry
vp
his
teares
,
and
cheere
his
countenance
,
and
change
his
suit
;
Thus
saith
the
Lord
,
Be
not
afraid
of
the
wordes
which
thou
hast
heard
,
with
which
the
seruants
of
the
King
of
Syria
haue
blasphemed
me
;
Behold
I
will
send
a
blast
vpon
him
;
and
bee
shall
heare
a
rumor
,
and
shall
returne
to
his
owne
Land
;
and
I
will
cause
him
to
fall
by
the
sword
in
his
owne
Land
.
Loe
;
euen
whiles
Senacherib
was
in
the
height
of
his
iollity
&
assurance
;
Gods
Prophet
foresees
his
ruine
;
and
giues
him
for
dead
,
whiles
that
Tyran
thought
of
nothing
but
life
and
victory
.
Proud
&
secure
worldlings
little
dreame
of
the
neere
approach
of
their
iudgements
:
whiles
they
are
plotting
their
deepest
designes
,
the
ouer-ruling
iustice
of
the
Almighty
hath
contriued
their
sudden
confusion
,
and
sees
,
and
sets
them
their
day
.
Rabshakeh
returnes
,
and
finding
the
King
of
Assyria
warring
against
Libnah
,
reports
to
him
the
silent
,
(
and
therein
)
contemptuous
answer
,
and
firme
resolutions
of
Hezekiah
;
In
the
meane
time
God
pulls
Senacherib
by
the
eare
,
with
the
newes
of
the
approching
army
of
Tirhakah
King
of
Ethiopia
,
which
was
comming
vp
to
raise
the
siege
;
and
to
succour
his
confederats
:
That
dreadfull
power
will
not
allow
the
Assyrian
King
,
in
person
to
lead
his
other
forces
vp
against
Ierusalem
,
nor
to
continue
his
former
Leaguer
long
before
those
walls
.
But
now
,
hee
writes
big
words
to
Hezekiah
,
and
thinks
with
his
thundering
menaces
to
beat
open
the
gates
,
and
leuell
the
bulwarks
of
Ierusalem
:
Like
the
true
master
of
Rabshakeh
,
hee
reuiles
the
God
of
Heauen
;
and
basely
parallels
him
with
the
dunghill
deities
of
the
heathen
.
Good
Ezekiah
gets
him
into
his
Sanctuary
;
there
he
spreads
the
letters
before
the
Lord
;
and
calls
to
the
God
that
dwells
between
the
Cherubims
,
to
reuenge
the
blasphemies
of
Senacherib
,
to
protect
and
rescue
himselfe
,
and
his
people
.
Euery
one
of
those
words
pierced
heauen
;
which
was
no
lesse
open
to
mercy
vnto
Hezekiah
;
then
,
vengeance
to
Senacherib
;
Now
is
Isaiah
addressed
with
a
second
message
of
comfort
to
him
,
who
doubtlesse
distrusted
not
the
first
:
onely
the
reiteration
of
that
furious
blasphemy
made
him
take
faster
hold
,
by
his
faithfull
deuotion
.
Now
,
the
iealous
God
in
a
disdaine
of
so
blasphemous
a
contestation
,
rises
vp
in
a
stile
of
Maiesty
,
and
gloriously
tramples
vpon
this
saucie
insolency
,
Because
thy
rage
against
me
,
and
thy
tumult
is
comne
vp
into
mine
eares
,
therefore
I
will
put
my
hooke
into
thy
nose
,
and
my
beidle
into
thy
lips
:
and
will
turne
this
backe
by
the
way
thou
camest
.
Lod
,
Senacherib
,
the
God
of
heauen
makes
a
beast
of
thee
,
who
hast
so
brutishly
spurned
at
his
name
;
If
thou
be
a
rauenous
Beare
,
hee
hath
an
hooke
for
thy
nosthrils
:
If
thou
be
a
resty
horse
,
he
hath
a
bridle
for
thy
mouth
;
In
spight
of
thee
,
thou
shalt
follow
his
hooke
,
or
his
bridle
;
and
shalt
be
led
to
thy
iust
shame
by
either
.
It
is
not
for
vs
to
bee
the
Lords
of
our
owne
actions
;
Thus
saith
the
Lord
concerning
the
King
of
Assyria
;
He
shall
not
come
into
this
city
,
nor
shoot
an
arrow
there
,
nor
come
before
it
with
shield
,
nor
cast
a
banke
against
it
;
by
the
way
that
he
came
shal
he
returne
;
&c.
Impotent
men
,
what
are
we
in
the
hands
of
the
Almighty
?
we
purpose
,
he
ouer-rules
;
wee
talke
of
great
matters
,
and
thinke
to
doe
wonders
;
he
blowes
vpon
our
proiects
,
and
they
vanish
with
our selues
:
He
that
hath
set
bounds
to
the
Sea
,
hath
appointed
limits
to
the
rage
of
the
proudest
enemies
;
yea
,
euen
the
Deuils
themselues
are
confined
;
Why
boast
yee
your selues
,
ô
ye
Tyrans
,
that
ye
can
doe
mischiefe
;
yee
are
stinted
:
and
euen
within
those
lists
,
is
confusion
.
O
the
Trophees
of
diuine
Iustice
,
That
very
night
the
Angell
of
the
Lord
went
out
,
and
smote
in
the
campe
of
the
Assyrians
an
hundred
fourescore
&
fiue
thousand
;
and
when
they
arose
earely
in
the
morning
,
behold
they
were
all
dead
corps
.
How
speedy
an
execution
was
this
,
how
miraculous
?
No
humane
arme
shall
haue
the
glory
of
this
victory
;
It
was
God
that
was
defied
by
that
presumptuous
Assyrian
;
It
is
God
that
shall
right
his
owne
wrongs
;
Had
the
Egyptian
,
or
Ethyopian
forces
beene
comne
vp
,
though
the
same
God
had
done
this
worke
by
them
,
yet
some
praise
of
this
slaughter
had
perhaps
cleau'd
to
their
fingers
.
Now
an
inuisible
hand
sheds
all
this
blood
;
that
his
very
enemies
may
cleare
him
from
all
partnership
of
reuenge
.
Go
now
,
wicked
Senacherib
,
and
tell
of
the
gods
of
Hamath
and
Arpad
,
and
Sepharuaim
,
and
Hena
,
&
Iuah
,
which
thou
hast
destroyed
,
and
say
,
that
Hezekiahs
God
is
but
as
one
of
these
:
Goe
,
and
adde
this
Deity
to
the
number
of
thy
conquests
:
Now
,
say
that
Ezekiahs
God
in
whom
hee
trusted
hath
deceiued
him
,
and
graced
thy
Tryumphes
.
With
shame
and
griefe
enough
is
that
sneaped
Tyran
returned
to
his
Niniue
,
hauing
left
behinde
him
,
all
the
pride
and
strength
of
Assyria
,
for
compost
to
the
Iewish
fields
.
Well
were
it
for
thee
,
ô
Senacherib
,
if
thou
couldst
escape
thus
;
vengeance
waits
for
thee
at
home
,
and
welcomes
thee
into
thy
place
;
whiles
thou
art
worshipping
in
the
house
of
Nisroch
thy
god
,
two
of
thine
own
sons
shall
be
thine
executioners
.
See
now
,
if
that
false
Deity
of
thine
can
preserue
thee
from
that
stroke
which
the
true
God
sends
thee
by
the
hand
of
thine
owne
flesh
;
Hee
that
slew
thine
hoast
by
his
Angell
,
slayes
thee
by
thy
sonnes
:
The
same
Angell
that
killed
all
those
thousands
,
could
as
easily
haue
smitten
thee
;
but
he
rather
reserues
thee
for
the
further
torment
of
an
vnnaturall
stroke
,
that
thou
mayest
see
too
late
,
how
easie
it
is
for
him
in
spight
of
thy
God
,
to
arme
thine
owne
loines
against
thee
.
Thou
art
auenged
,
O
God
,
thou
art
auenged
plentifully
of
thine
enemies
▪
Whosoeuer
striues
with
thee
,
is
sure
to
gaine
nothing
but
losse
,
but
shame
,
but
death
,
but
hell
.
The
Assyrians
are
slaine
,
Senacherib
is
rewarded
for
his
blasphemy
:
Ierusalem
is
rescued
,
Ezekiah
reioyces
,
the
nations
wonder
and
tremble
.
O
loue
the
Lord
all
ye
his
Saints
,
for
the
Lord
preserueth
the
faithfull
,
&
plenteously
rewarded
the
proud
doer
.
HEZEKIAH
sicke
,
recouered
,
visited
.
HEzekiah
was
freed
To
thinke
that
Ezekiah
was
either
not
thankfull
enough
for
his
deliuerance
,
or
too
much
lifted
vp
with
the
glory
of
so
miraculous
a
fauour
;
were
an
iniurious
mis-construction
of
the
hand
of
God
;
and
an
vncharitable
censure
of
an
holy
Prince
:
For
,
though
no
flesh
and
blood
can
auoid
the
iust
desert
of
bodily
punishment
,
yet
God
doth
not
alwayes
strike
with
an
intuition
of
sinne
;
sometimes
he
regards
the
benefit
of
our
triall
;
sometimes
the
glory
of
his
mercy
in
our
cure
.
It
was
no
sleight
distemper
,
that
seized
vpon
Ezekiah
,
but
a
disease
both
painfull
,
and
fierce
,
and
in
nature
deadly
.
O
God
,
how
thou
lashest
euen
those
whom
thou
louest
:
Hadst
thou
euer
any
such
dearling
in
the
throne
of
Iudah
,
as
Hezekiah
?
Yet
he
no
sooner
breatheth
from
a
miserable
siege
,
then
hee
panteth
vnder
a
mortall
sicknesse
:
when
as
yet
he
had
not
so
much
,
as
the
comfort
of
a
child
,
to
succeed
him
,
thy
Prophet
is
sent
to
him
with
the
heauy
message
of
his
death
,
Set
thine
house
in
order
,
for
thou
shalt
dye
and
not
liue
.
It
is
no
small
mercy
of
God
that
he
giues
vs
warning
of
our
end
;
we
shall
make
an
ill
vse
of
so
gratious
a
premonition
,
if
we
make
not
a
meet
preparation
for
our
passage
.
Euen
those
that
haue
not
an
house
,
yet
haue
a
soule
;
no
soule
can
want
important
affaires
to
be
ordered
for
a
finall
dissolution
;
the
neglect
of
this
best
thrift
is
desperate
.
Set
thy
soule
in
order
,
ô
man
,
for
thou
shalt
dye
,
and
not
liue
.
If
God
had
giuen
Ezekiah
a
son
,
nature
had
bequeathed
his
estate
;
now
,
hee
must
study
to
find
heyres
:
Euen
these
outward
things
,
(
though
in
themselues
worthlesse
)
require
our
carefull
disposition
,
to
those
we
leaue
behind
vs
;
and
if
wee
haue
delayed
these
thoughts
,
till
then
,
our
sicke
beds
may
not
complaine
of
their
importunity
;
We
cannot
leaue
to
our
families
a
better
legacy
,
then
Peace
.
Neuer
was
the
Prophet
Esay
vnwelcome
to
this
good
King
,
vntill
now
:
Euen
sad
tidings
must
be
caried
by
those
messengers
,
which
would
be
faithfull
:
neither
may
wee
regard
so
much
how
they
will
bee
taken
,
as
by
whom
they
are
sent
.
It
was
a
bold
and
harsh
word
to
say
to
a
King
,
Thou
shalt
dye
,
and
not
liue
:
I
doe
not
heare
Hezekiah
rage
,
&
fret
at
the
message
;
or
threat
the
bearer
,
but
he
meekly
turnes
his
face
to
the
wall
,
and
weepes
,
and
prayes
:
Why
to
the
wall
?
Was
it
for
the
greater
secrecie
of
his
deuotion
?
was
is
for
the
more
freedome
from
all
distraction
?
was
it
that
the
passion
which
accompanied
his
prayer
,
might
haue
no
witnesses
?
Or
,
was
it
for
that
this
wall
lookt
towards
the
Temple
,
which
his
heart
and
eyes
still
moued
vnto
,
though
his
feet
could
not
?
Howsoeuer
,
the
patient
soule
of
good
Ezekiah
turnes
it selfe
to
that
holy
God
,
from
whom
hee
smarts
,
and
bleeds
;
and
poures
out
it selfe
into
a
feruent
deprecation
,
I
beseech
thee
,
O
Lord
,
remember
now
how
I
haue
walked
before
thee
in
truth
,
and
with
a
perfect
hart
;
and
haue
done
that
which
is
good
in
thy
sight
.
Couldst
thou
feare
,
ô
Ezekiah
,
that
God
had
forgotten
thine
integrity
?
The
grace
that
was
in
thee
,
was
his
owne
worke
;
could
he
in
thee
neglect
himselfe
?
Or
dost
thou
therefore
doubt
of
his
remembrance
of
thy
faithfulness
,
because
hee
summons
thee
to
receiue
the
crowne
of
thy
faithfulnesse
,
glory
,
and
immortality
?
wherein
canst
thou
bee
remembred
,
if
this
bee
to
forget
thee
?
What
challenge
is
this
?
Is
God
a
debter
to
thy
perfection
?
Hath
thine
holy
cariage
merited
any
thing
from
that
infinite
Iustice
?
Farre
,
farre
were
these
presumptuous
conceits
from
that
humble
and
mortified
soule
:
Thou
hadst
hated
thine
owne
brest
,
if
it
could
once
haue
harboured
so
proud
a
thought
.
This
perfection
of
thine
was
no
other
,
then
an
honest
soundnesse
of
hart
,
&
life
,
which
thou
knowest
God
had
promised
to
reward
:
It
was
the
mercy
of
the
couenant
that
thou
pleadedst
,
not
the
merit
of
thine
obedience
.
Euery
one
of
these
words
were
steeped
in
teares
:
But
what
meant
these
words
,
these
teares
?
I
heare
not
of
any
suit
moued
by
Hezekiah
;
onely
he
wishes
to
bee
remembred
,
in
that
which
could
neuer
bee
forgotten
,
though
hee
should
haue
intreated
for
an
obliuion
.
Speake
out
Hezekiah
,
what
is
it
that
thy
teares
craue
,
whiles
thy
lips
expresse
not
?
O
let
me
liue
,
and
I
shall
praise
thee
,
O
God
.
In
a
naturall
man
none
could
wonder
at
this
passionate
request
;
who
can
but
wonder
at
it
,
in
a
Saint
?
whose
happinesse
doth
but
then
begin
,
when
his
life
ceaseth
:
whose
misery
doth
but
then
end
,
when
his
death
enters
:
the
word
of
faith
,
is
,
Oh
let
me
dye
,
that
I
may
inioy
thee
.
How
then
doth
the
good
King
crye
at
the
newes
of
that
death
,
which
some
resolute
Pagans
haue
intertained
with
smiles
?
Certainly
,
the
best
man
cannot
strip
himselfe
of
some
flesh
,
and
whiles
nature
hath
an
vndeniable
share
in
him
,
he
cannot
but
retaine
some
smatch
of
the
sweetnesse
of
life
,
of
the
horror
of
dissolution
;
Both
these
were
in
Hezekiah
,
neither
of
them
could
transport
him
into
this
passion
:
they
were
higher
respects
that
swayed
with
so
holy
a
Prince
;
a
tender
care
of
the
glory
of
God
,
a
carefull
pitty
of
the
Church
of
God
;
His
very
teares
said
;
ô
God
,
thou
knowest
that
the
eyes
of
the
world
are
bent
vpon
me
,
as
one
that
hath
abandoned
their
idolatry
,
and
restored
thy
sincere
worship
;
I
stand
alone
in
the
midst
of
a
wicked
and
idolatrous
generation
,
that
lookes
thorough
all
my
actions
,
all
my
euents
;
If
now
they
shall
see
me
snatcht
away
in
the
midst
of
my
dayes
,
what
will
these
Heathen
say
;
how
can
thy
great
name
but
suffer
in
this
mine
vntimely
extinction
?
Besides
,
what
will
become
of
thy
poore
Church
,
which
I
shall
leaue
feebly
religious
,
and
as
yet
scarce
warme
,
in
the
course
of
a
pious
reformation
?
how
soone
shall
it
be
miserably
ouer
growne
with
superstition
,
and
heathenisme
;
how
soone
shall
the
wild
Boare
of
Assyria
root
vp
this
little
vineyard
of
thine
?
What
need
I
beseech
thee
,
ô
Lord
,
to
regard
thy
name
,
to
regard
thine
inheritance
?
What
one
teare
of
Hezekiah
can
run
wast
?
What
can
that
good
King
pray
for
,
vnheard
,
vnanswered
?
Senacherib
came
in
a
proud
confidence
to
swallow
vp
his
citie
,
and
people
:
prayers
and
teares
send
him
away
confounded
:
Death
comes
to
swallow
vp
his
person
,
(
and
that
not
without
authority
)
prayers
and
teares
send
him
away
disappointed
.
Before
Isaiah
was
gone
out
into
the
midle
Court
,
the
word
of
the
Lord
came
to
him
,
saying
;
Turne
againe
,
and
tell
Hezekiah
the
Captaine
of
my
people
;
Thus
saith
the
Lord
,
the
God
of
Dauid
thy
father
;
I
haue
heard
thy
prayer
,
I
haue
seene
thy
teares
;
behold
I
will
heale
thee
;
On
the
third
day
thou
shalt
goe
vp
to
the
house
of
the
Lord
;
and
I
will
adde
to
thy
dayes
fifteene
yeares
.
What
shall
we
say
then
,
ô
God
,
hast
thou
thus
soone
changed
thy
purpose
?
Was
it
not
thy
true
message
which
thy
Prophet
,
euen
now
,
deliuered
to
Ezekiah
?
Is
some
what
falne
out
that
thou
fore-sawst
not
?
or
,
doest
thou
now
decree
somewhat
thou
meantst
not
?
The
very
thought
of
any
of
these
were
no
better
then
blasphemous
impiety
.
Certainly
,
Hezekiah
could
not
liue
one
day
longer
,
then
was
eternally
decreed
;
The
decree
of
Gods
eternall
counsell
had
from
euerlasting
,
determined
him
fifteene
yeeres
yet
longer
:
Why
then
doth
God
say
,
by
his
Prophet
,
Thou
shalt
dye
,
and
not
liue
?
He
is
not
as
man
that
he
should
repent
;
the
message
is
changed
,
the
will
is
not
changed
;
yea
rather
the
message
is
explicated
,
not
changed
;
For
the
signified
will
of
God
,
though
it
sound
absolutely
,
yet
must
bee
vnderstood
with
condition
;
that
tells
Hezekiah
what
hee
must
expect
from
the
nature
of
his
disease
,
what
would
befall
him
,
without
his
deprecations
:
There
was
nothing
but
death
in
the
second
causes
;
what
euer
secret
purpose
there
was
in
the
first
;
and
that
purpose
shall
lye
hid
for
a
time
,
vnder
a
reserued
condition
:
The
same
decree
that
sayes
,
Niniue
shall
be
destroyed
,
meanes
,
if
Niniue
repent
,
it
shall
not
be
destroyed
;
hee
that
finds
good
reason
to
say
,
Hezekiah
shall
dye
,
yet
still
meanes
,
if
the
quickned
deuotion
of
Hezekiah
shall
importune
mee
for
life
,
it
shall
be
protracted
.
And
the
same
God
that
hath
decreed
this
addition
of
fifteene
years
,
had
decreed
to
stirre
vp
the
spirit
of
Hezekiah
,
to
that
vehement
and
weeping
importunity
,
which
should
obtaine
it
.
O
God
,
thou
workest
thy
good
pleasure
in
vs
,
and
with
vs
;
and
by
thy
reuealed
will
mouest
vs
in
those
wayes
,
whereby
thou
effectest
thy
secret
will
.
How
wonderfull
is
this
mercy
?
Hezekiahs
teares
are
not
dry
vpon
his
cheekes
,
yea
his
breath
is
not
passed
his
lips
,
when
God
sends
him
a
comfortable
answer
.
How
carefull
is
the
God
of
compassions
,
that
his
holy
seruant
should
not
languish
one
houre
,
in
the
expectation
of
his
denounced
death
?
What
speed
was
here
,
as
in
the
errand
,
so
in
the
act
of
recouery
?
within
three
daies
shall
Hezekiah
be
vpon
his
feet
;
yea
his
feet
shall
stand
in
the
Courts
of
Gods
house
;
he
that
now
in
his
bed
sighes
,
and
grones
,
&
weeps
out
a
petition
,
shall
then
sing
out
a
thanksgiuing
in
the
Temple
.
Oh
thou
that
hearest
the
prayer
,
vnto
thee
shall
all
flesh
come
:
With
what
cheerfull
assurance
shold
we
approach
to
the
throne
of
that
grace
,
which
neuer
fayled
any
suppliant
.
Neither
was
this
grant
more
speedie
,
then
bountifull
;
wee
are
wont
to
reckon
seuen
yeares
for
the
life
of
a
man
;
and
now
,
behold
,
more
then
two
liues
hath
God
added
to
the
age
of
Hezekiah
.
How
vnexampled
a
fauour
is
this
?
who
euer
but
Hezekiah
knew
his
period
so
long
before
?
the
fixednesse
of
his
terme
,
is
no
lesse
mercy
,
then
the
protraction
;
we
must
be
content
to
liue
or
die
at
vncertainties
;
we
are
not
worthy
to
calculate
the
date
of
our
owne
times
:
Teach
vs
,
O
Lord
,
so
to
number
our
dayes
,
that
we
may
apply
our
hearts
to
wisedome
.
There
is
little
ioy
in
many
daies
,
if
they
be
euill
;
Ezekiah
shall
not
be
blessed
onely
with
life
,
but
with
peace
;
The
proud
Assyrian
threatens
an
inuasion
;
his
late
foyle
still
stickes
in
his
stomacke
,
and
stirs
him
to
a
reuenge
;
the
hooke
is
in
his
nosthrils
,
hee
cannot
moue
whither
he
lists
;
The
God
of
heauen
will
maintaine
his
owne
quarrell
:
I
will
defend
this
City
for
mine
owne
sake
,
and
for
my
seruant
Dauids
sake
.
Loe
;
for
his
life
,
Ezekiah
is
beholden
(
next
vnder
the
infinite
goodnes
of
God
)
to
his
prayers
;
for
his
protection
,
to
the
deare
memory
of
his
father
Dauid
;
surely
,
for
ought
we
find
,
Ezekiah
was
no
lesse
vpright
,
and
lesse
offensiue
then
Dauid
;
yet
both
Ezekiah
and
Ierusalem
shall
fare
the
better
for
Dauids
sake
,
aboue
three
hundred
yeares
after
.
To
that
man
after
his
owne
heart
,
had
God
ingaged
himselfe
,
by
his
gracious
promise
,
to
preserue
his
throne
,
his
seed
:
God
loues
to
remember
his
ancient
mercies
:
How
happy
a
thing
it
is
to
be
faithfull
with
God
;
this
is
the
way
to
oblige
those
which
are
yet
vnborne
;
and
to
intayle
blessings
vpon
the
successions
of
future
generations
.
It
seemes
it
was
some
pestilent
vlcer
that
thus
indangered
the
life
of
Hezekiah
.
Isaiah
is
not
a
Prophet
only
,
but
a
Physician
.
And
Isaiah
said
,
Take
a
lump
of
figs
:
Hee
that
gaue
an
assurance
of
recouery
,
giues
a
receit
for
the
recouery
.
The
decree
of
God
includes
the
meanes
:
neither
can
the
medicine
worke
without
a
word
;
neither
will
the
word
worke
without
the
medicine
;
both
of
them
must
meet
in
the
cure
:
If
we
so
trust
the
promise
,
that
we
neglect
the
prescript
,
we
presume
to
no
purpose
.
Happy
is
that
soule
,
that
so
regards
the
promise
of
Gods
Prophets
,
as
that
withall
he
receiues
their
counsells
.
Nothing
could
bee
more
proper
for
the
ripening
of
hard
and
purulent
tumors
,
then
dryed
figs
;
Herein
Isaiahs
direction
was
according
to
nature
;
Wherefore
should
wee
balke
the
ordinary
road
,
when
it
is
both
fayre
and
neere
?
The
sudden
contradiction
of
the
message
causes
a
iust
difficulty
in
the
assent
.
Hezekiah
therefore
craues
a
signe
;
not
for
that
he
distrusted
,
but
that
hee
might
trust
the
more
;
wee
can
neuer
take
too
fast
hold
of
those
promises
of
God
,
which
haue
not
more
comfort
in
the
application
,
then
naturall
impossibility
in
the
performance
.
We
beleeue
,
Lord
,
helpe
our
vnbeleefe
.
The
sicke
King
hath
his
option
;
His
father
was
offred
a
signe
and
refused
it
;
hee
sues
for
one
,
and
obtaines
it
:
Shall
the
shadow
goe
for
ward
ten
degrees
,
or
backe
ten
degrees
?
As
if
heauen
it selfe
lay
open
to
his
choyce
;
and
were
ready
either
to
mend
this
pace
,
or
retire
for
his
confirmation
;
What
creature
is
not
cheerfully
forward
to
obey
the
faith
of
Gods
seruants
?
Hezekiah
fastens
rather
vpon
that
signe
which
is
more
hard
,
more
disagreeing
from
the
course
of
nature
;
not
without
good
reason
;
Euery
proofe
must
bee
clearer
then
the
thing
to
bee
proued
,
neither
may
there
want
a
meet
proportion
betwixt
both
;
now
the
going
forward
of
the
shadow
was
a
motion
,
no
other
than
naturall
,
the
recouery
of
that
pestilent
disease
was
against
the
streame
of
nature
;
the
more
difficult
signe
therefore
,
the
surer
euidence
.
Whether
shall
we
more
wonder
at
the
measure
of
the
loue
of
God
to
Hezekiah
,
or
at
the
power
of
Isaiahs
faith
in
God
?
Out
of
both
,
either
the
Sun
goes
backe
in
heauen
that
his
shadow
may
goe
backe
on
earth
:
or
the
shadow
no
lesse
miraculously
goes
backe
on
earth
,
whiles
the
Sunne
goes
forward
in
heauen
.
It
is
true
that
the
Prophet
speakes
of
the
shadow
,
not
of
the
Sun
;
except
perhaps
because
the
motion
of
the
Sun
is
best
discerned
by
the
shadow
;
and
the
motion
of
the
shadow
is
led
by
the
course
of
the
Sunne
:
besides
,
that
the
demonstration
of
this
miracle
is
reported
to
be
locall
in
the
Diall
of
Ahaz
,
not
vniuersall
,
in
the
sensible
length
of
the
day
;
withall
,
the
retrait
of
the
Sunne
had
made
a
publike
and
noted
change
in
the
frame
of
nature
,
this
particular
alteration
of
the
shadow
in
places
limited
,
might
satisfie
no
lesse
without
a
confusiue
mutation
in
the
face
of
the
world
;
Whethersoeuer
;
to
draw
the
Sun
backe
together
with
the
shadow
;
or
to
draw
the
shadow
backe
without
the
Sunne
was
the
proofe
of
a
diuine
omnipotency
;
able
therefore
to
draw
backe
the
life
of
Hezekiah
,
fifteene
degrees
,
from
the
night
of
death
;
towards
which
it
was
hasting
.
O
God
,
thou
wilt
rather
alter
the
course
of
heauen
and
earth
,
then
the
faith
of
thy
children
shall
sinke
for
want
of
supportation
.
It
should
seeme
the
Babylonians
finding
the
Assyrian
power
abated
by
the
reuengefull
hand
of
Gods
Angell
,
and
their
owne
discord
,
tooke
this
aduantage
of
a
reuolt
;
and
now
to
strengthen
their
part
,
fall
in
with
Hezekiah
King
of
Iudah
,
whom
they
found
the
old
enemy
to
the
Assyrians
,
&
the
great
fauourite
of
heauen
:
him
they
wooe
with
gifts
;
him
they
congratulate
with
Ambassages
:
The
fame
of
Hezekiahs
sicknesse
,
recouery
,
forme
,
and
assurance
of
cure
,
haue
drawne
thither
messengers
,
and
presents
from
Berodach
Baladan
King
of
Babylon
.
The
Chaldees
were
curious
searchers
into
the
secrets
of
nature
,
especially
into
the
motions
of
the
celestiall
bodies
;
Though
there
had
beene
no
politicke
relations
,
this
very
Astronomicall
miracle
had
beene
enough
to
fetch
them
to
Ierusalem
,
that
they
might
see
the
man
,
for
whose
sake
the
Sun
forsooke
his
place
,
or
the
shadow
forsooke
the
Sun
.
How
easily
haue
we
seene
those
holy
men
mis-caried
by
prosperity
,
against
whom
no
miseries
could
preuaile
?
Hee
that
stood
out
stoutly
against
all
the
Assyrian
onsets
,
clinging
the
faster
to
his
God
,
by
how
much
he
was
harder
assaulted
by
Senacherib
,
melteth
now
with
these
Babylonian
fauours
,
and
runnes
abroad
into
offensiue
weaknesses
.
The
Babylonian
Ambassadors
are
too
welcome
to
Ezekiah
;
As
a
man
transported
with
the
honor
of
their
respectiue
,
and
costly
visitations
,
he
forgets
his
teares
,
and
his
turning
to
the
wall
;
he
forgets
their
incompatible
Idolatry
;
so
hugging
them
in
his
bosome
,
as
if
there
had
beene
no
cause
of
strangenesse
:
All
his
doores
fly
open
to
them
;
and
in
a
vainglorious
ostentation
all
his
new-gathered
treasures
,
all
his
strong
armoryes
entertaine
their
eyes
;
nothing
in
his
house
,
nothing
in
his
Dominion
is
hid
from
them
.
Oh
Ezekiah
,
what
meanes
this
impotent
ambition
?
It
is
not
long
since
thou
tarest
off
the
very
plates
of
the
Temple
doores
,
to
giue
vnto
Senacherib
;
and
can
thy
treasures
be
suddenly
so
multiplied
,
that
they
can
be
worthy
to
astonish
forraine
beholders
?
Or
,
if
thy
store-house
were
as
rich
as
the
earth
,
can
thy
heart
be
so
vain
as
to
be
lifted
vp
with
these
heauie
metals
?
Didst
thou
not
see
that
heauen
it selfe
was
at
thy
becke
,
whilest
thou
wert
humbled
?
and
shall
a
little
earthlie
drosse
haue
power
ouer
thy
soul
?
Can
the
flattering
applause
of
strangers
let
thee
loose
into
a
proud
ioy
,
whom
the
late
message
of
Gods
Prophet
resolued
into
teares
?
Oh
God
,
if
thou
do
not
keepe
vs
,
as
well
in
our
sun-shine
,
as
in
our
storme
,
wee
are
sure
to
perish
:
As
in
all
time
of
our
tribulation
,
so
in
all
time
of
our
wealth
,
good
Lord
deliuer
vs
.
Alas
,
how
sleight
doth
this
weaknesse
seeme
in
our
eyes
,
to
reioyce
in
the
abundance
of
Gods
blessings
?
to
call
in
forraine
friends
to
be
witnesses
of
our
plenty
?
to
raise
our
conceits
,
some
little
,
vpon
the
acclamations
of
others
,
vpon
the
value
of
our
owne
abilities
?
Lay
thine
hand
vpon
thy
mouth
,
ô
foolish
flesh
and
blood
when
thou
seest
the
censure
of
thy
Maker
.
Isaiah
the
Prophet
is
sent
speedily
to
Hezekiah
,
with
a
sharpe
and
heart-breaking
message
:
Behold
the
dayes
come
that
all
that
is
in
thine
house
,
and
that
which
thy
fathers
haue
layd
vp
in
store
vnto
this
day
,
shall
be
caried
into
Babylon
;
nothing
shall
be
left
,
saith
the
Lord
;
And
of
thy
sonnes
that
shall
issue
from
thee
,
which
thou
shalt
beget
,
shall
they
take
away
,
and
they
shall
bee
Eunuches
in
the
Palace
of
the
King
of
Babylon
.
No
sinne
can
bee
light
in
Hezekiah
:
the
holinesse
of
the
person
addes
to
the
vnholinesse
of
the
act
;
Eminency
of
profession
doubles
both
the
offence
,
and
the
iudgement
.
This
glory
shall
end
in
an
ignominious
losse
.
The
great
and
holy
God
will
not
digest
pride
in
any
,
much
lesse
,
in
his
owne
.
That
which
was
the
subiect
of
Hezekiahs
sin
,
shall
be
the
matter
of
his
punishment
;
those
with
whom
he
sinned
,
shall
be
his
auengers
;
It
was
his
treasure
and
munition
,
wherin
he
prides
himselfe
to
these
men
of
Babylon
:
The
men
of
Babylon
shall
cary
away
his
treasure
and
munition
;
What
now
doth
Hezekiah
but
tempt
them
with
a
glorious
booty
;
as
some
fond
traueler
that
would
show
his
gold
to
a
Thiefe
?
These
worldly
things
are
furthest
off
from
the
heart
;
Perhaps
Hezekiah
might
not
bee
much
troubled
with
their
losse
:
Loe
,
God
comes
closer
to
him
,
yet
.
As
yet
was
Ezekiah
childlesse
;
how
much
better
had
it
beene
to
continue
so
still
,
then
to
bee
plagued
in
his
issue
?
He
shall
now
beget
children
to
seruitude
;
his
loines
shall
yeeld
Pages
to
the
Court
of
Babylon
:
Whiles
he
sees
them
borne
Princes
,
he
shal
foresee
them
made
Eunuches
in
a
forraigne
Palace
:
What
comfort
can
he
take
in
the
wishes
and
hopes
of
sonnes
,
when
ere
they
bee
borne
,
hee
heares
them
destin'd
to
captiuitie
and
bondage
?
This
rod
was
smart
,
yet
good
Ezekiah
kisses
it
;
his
heart
strucke
him
no
lesse
,
then
the
mouth
of
the
Prophet
;
meekly
therefore
doth
he
yeeld
to
this
diuine
correction
;
Good
is
the
Word
of
the
Lord
which
thou
hast
spoken
.
Thou
hast
spoken
this
word
,
but
from
the
Lord
;
it
is
not
thine
,
but
his
;
and
being
his
,
it
must
needs
bee
,
like
himselfe
,
good
:
Good
because
it
is
iust
,
for
I
haue
deserued
more
,
and
worse
;
Good
,
because
mercifull
;
for
I
suffer
not
according
to
my
deserts
.
Is
it
not
good
,
if
there
be
peace
and
truth
in
my
daies
?
I
haue
deserued
a
present
payment
,
O
God
thou
deferrest
it
;
I
haue
deserued
it
in
person
,
thou
reseruest
it
for
those
whom
I
cannot
yet
so
feele
,
because
they
are
not
;
I
haue
deserued
war
&
tumult
,
thou
fauorest
me
with
peace
;
I
haue
deseru'd
to
be
ouer-run
with
superstition
,
and
Idolatry
,
thou
blessest
me
with
truth
;
shouldst
thou
continue
truth
vnto
me
,
(
though
vpon
the
most
vnquiet
termes
)
the
blessing
were
too
good
for
me
;
but
now
thou
hast
promised
,
and
wilt
not
reuerse
it
,
that
both
truth
and
peace
shall
bee
in
my
dayes
;
Lord
I
adore
thy
iustice
,
I
blesse
thy
mercy
.
Gods
children
are
neither
waspish
nor
fullen
when
they
are
chid
or
beaten
,
but
patiently
hold
their
backes
to
the
stripes
of
a
displeased
mercy
;
knowing
how
much
more
God
is
to
be
magnified
,
for
what
he
might
haue
done
,
then
repined
at
,
for
what
hee
hath
done
;
resigning
themselues
ouer
into
the
hand
of
that
gracious
iustice
,
which
in
their
smart
seekes
their
reformation
and
glory
.
MANASSEH
.
AT
last
,
some
three
yeares
after
his
recouery
,
Still
in
the
throne
of
Iudah
there
is
a
succession
,
and
interchange
of
good
and
euill
:
Good
Iotham
is
succeeded
by
wicked
Ahaz
;
wicked
Ahaz
is
succeed
by
good
Ezekiah
;
Good
Ezekiah
is
succeeded
by
wicked
Manasseh
:
Euill
Princes
succeed
to
good
,
for
the
exercise
of
the
Church
:
and
good
succeed
to
euill
,
for
the
comfort
of
the
Church
.
The
young
yeares
of
Manasseh
giue
aduantage
to
his
mis-cariage
;
Euen
,
whiles
he
might
haue
been
vnder
the
Ferule
,
hee
swayed
the
Scepter
:
Whither
may
not
a
child
be
drawne
,
especially
to
a
garish
,
and
puppet-like
superstition
?
As
infancy
is
capable
of
all
impressions
,
so
most
of
the
worst
.
Neither
did
Manasseh
beginne
more
earely
than
he
held
out
long
;
He
raigned
more
yeares
then
his
good
father
liu'd
:
notwithstanding
the
miraculous
addition
to
his
age
;
More
then
euer
any
King
of
Iudah
,
besides
,
could
reach
:
Length
of
daies
is
no
true
rule
of
Gods
fauour
;
As
plants
last
longer
then
sensitiue
creatures
,
and
brute
creatures
out-liue
the
reasonable
;
so
,
amongst
the
reasonable
,
it
is
no
newes
for
the
wickedly
great
,
to
inherit
these
earthly
glories
,
longer
then
the
best
.
There
wants
not
apparent
reason
for
this
difference
;
Good
Princes
are
fetcht
away
to
a
better
Crowne
;
They
cannot
bee
losers
,
that
exchange
a
weake
and
fading
honor
,
for
a
perfection
and
eternity
of
blessednesse
:
Wicked
men
liue
long
to
their
owne
disaduantage
;
they
do
but
cary
so
many
more
brands
to
their
hell
:
If
therefore
there
be
a
iust
man
that
perisheth
in
his
righteousnesse
;
and
there
bee
a
wicked
man
that
prolongs
his
life
in
his
wickednesse
,
farre
be
it
from
vs
,
either
to
pity
the
remouall
of
the
iust
,
or
to
enuie
the
continuance
of
the
wicked
;
This
continues
to
his
losse
,
that
departs
to
an
happy
aduancement
.
It
is
very
like
that
Ezekiah
marrying
so
late
,
in
the
vigour
both
of
his
age
,
and
holinesse
,
made
a
carefull
choyce
of
a
wife
sutable
to
his
owne
piety
;
Neither
had
his
delight
beene
so
much
in
her
(
according
to
her
name
)
if
her
delight
had
not
beene
,
as
his
,
in
God
;
Their
issue
swarues
from
both
,
so
fully
inheriting
the
vices
of
his
grandfather
Ahaz
,
as
if
there
had
beene
no
interuention
of
an
Ezekiah
:
So
wee
haue
seene
the
kernell
of
a
well
fruited
plant
degenerate
into
that
crab
,
or
willow
,
which
gaue
the
originall
to
his
stocke
;
yet
can
I
not
say
that
Ezekiah
was
as
free
from
traducing
euill
to
his
sonne
Manasseh
,
as
Ahaz
was
free
from
traducing
good
to
his
sonne
Hezekiah
:
Euill
is
incorporated
into
the
best
nature
,
whereas
euen
the
least
good
descends
from
aboue
.
We
may
not
measure
grace
by
meanes
:
Was
it
possible
that
Manasseh
hauing
beene
trained
vp
in
the
religious
Court
of
his
father
Hezekiah
,
vnder
the
eye
of
so
holy
Prophets
and
Priests
,
vnder
the
shadow
of
the
Temple
of
God
,
after
a
childhood
seasoned
with
so
gracious
precepts
,
with
so
frequent
exercise
of
deuotion
,
should
run
thus
wild
into
all
heathenish
abominations
;
as
if
there
had
bin
nothing
but
Idolatry
in
the
seed
of
his
conception
,
in
the
milke
of
his
nourishment
,
in
the
rules
of
his
institution
,
in
the
practice
of
his
examples
?
How
vaine
are
all
outward
helpes
without
the
influence
of
Gods
Spirit
?
and
that
spirit
breathes
where
he
listeth
:
good
education
raiseth
great
hopes
,
but
the
proofe
of
them
is
in
the
diuine
benediction
.
I
feare
to
looke
at
the
out-rages
of
this
wicked
sonne
of
Ezekiah
:
What
hauocke
doth
hee
make
in
the
Church
of
God
?
as
if
hee
had
beene
borne
to
ruine
Religion
,
as
if
his
onely
felicity
had
beene
to
vntwist
,
or
teare
,
in
one
day
,
that
holy
web
which
his
father
had
beene
weauing
,
nine
and
twenty
yeares
?
and
contrarily
,
to
set
vp
in
one
houre
that
offensiue
pile
,
which
had
beene
aboue
three
hundred
yeares
in
pulling
down
:
so
long
had
the
high
places
stood
;
the
zeale
of
Ezekiah
in
demolishing
them
honored
him
,
aboue
all
his
predecessors
;
and
now
the
first
act
of
this
greene
head
was
their
reedifiyng
:
That
mischiefe
may
be
done
in
a
day
,
which
many
ages
cannot
redresse
.
Fearefull
were
the
presages
of
these
bold
beginnings
;
From
the
mis-building
of
these
chappels
of
the
Hills
to
the
true
God
,
Manasseh
proceeds
to
erecting
of
altars
to
a
false
:
euen
to
Baal
,
the
God
of
Ahab
,
the
stale
Idoll
of
the
heathen
;
yet
further
,
not
content
with
so
few
Deities
;
he
worships
all
the
hoast
of
heauen
;
and
,
that
hee
might
despight
God
yet
more
,
he
sets
vp
altas
to
these
abused
riuals
of
their
Maker
,
in
the
very
house
of
the
Lord
;
that
holy
place
doth
hee
not
feare
to
defile
with
the
grauen
Image
of
the
groue
,
that
he
had
made
:
Neuer
Amorite
did
so
wickedly
as
Manasseh
;
and
,
which
was
yet
worse
,
it
sufficed
not
to
be
thus
wicked
himselfe
,
but
hee
seduced
Gods
people
to
these
abominations
;
and
,
that
his
example
might
moue
the
more
,
he
spares
not
his
owne
sonne
from
the
fire
of
the
Idol
sacrifices
.
Neither
were
his
witcheries
lesse
enormious
,
then
his
Idolatry
;
he
obserued
times
,
hee
vsed
inchantments
,
he
dealt
with
familiar
spirits
,
&
with
wizards
:
Neither
were
either
of
these
worse
then
his
cruelty
;
Hee
shed
innocent
blood
till
hee
had
filled
Ierusalem
from
one
end
to
another
.
O
Manasseh
,
how
no
lesse
cruell
wert
thou
to
thine
owne
soule
,
them
to
thy
Iudah
:
What
an
hideous
list
of
monstrous
impiety
is
here
;
Any
one
of
which
were
enough
to
draw
iudgment
vpon
a
world
;
but
what
hell
is
sufficient
for
all
together
?
What
browes
are
not
now
lifted
vp
to
an
attentiue
expectation
of
some
present
,
and
feareful
vengeance
from
God
,
vpon
such
flagitious
wickednesse
?
Therefore
thus
saith
the
Lord
,
Behold
I
am
bringing
such
euill
vpon
Ierusalem
,
&
Iudah
,
that
whosoeuer
heareth
of
it
,
both
his
eares
shall
tingle
:
The
person
of
Manasseh
is
not
capable
of
reuenge
enough
;
as
his
sin
dilated
it selfe
by
an
infectious
diffusion
to
his
people
,
so
shall
the
punishment
.
Wee
are
sensible
of
the
least
touch
of
our
owne
miseries
,
how
rarely
are
wee
affected
with
other
mens
calamities
?
yet
this
euill
shall
be
such
,
as
that
the
rumor
of
it
shall
beat
no
eare
that
shall
not
glow
with
an
astonishing
commiseration
:
What
then
ô
God
,
what
shall
that
plague
be
,
which
thou
threatnest
with
so
much
preface
of
horror
?
I
will
stretch
ouer
Ierusalem
the
line
of
Samaria
,
and
the
plummet
of
the
house
of
Ahab
;
and
I
will
wipe
Ierusalem
as
a
man
wipeth
a
dish
,
wiping
it
and
turning
it
vpside
downe
:
And
I
will
forsake
the
remnant
of
mine
inheritance
;
and
I
will
deliuer
them
into
the
hand
of
their
enemies
,
and
they
shall
become
a
prey
and
a
spoile
vnto
all
their
enemies
.
It
is
enough
ô
God
,
it
is
enough
:
What
eare
can
but
tingle
?
what
eye
can
but
weepe
?
what
haire
can
but
start
vp
?
what
heart
can
bee
but
confounded
at
the
mention
of
so
dreadfull
a
reuenge
?
Can
there
bee
a
worse
iudgement
then
desolation
,
captiuity
,
desertion
,
spoyle
,
and
torture
of
preuailing
enemies
?
but
howeuer
,
other
Cities
and
nations
haue
vndergone
these
disasters
,
without
wonder
,
that
all
this
should
befall
to
thy
Ierusalem
,
the
place
which
thou
hast
chosen
to
thy selfe
,
out
of
the
whole
earth
,
the
lot
of
thine
inheritance
,
the
seat
of
thine
abode
,
whereof
thou
hast
said
,
Here
shall
bee
my
rest
for
euer
,
it
is
able
to
amaze
all
eyes
,
all
eares
.
No
City
could
fare
worse
then
Samaria
,
whose
inhabitants
after
a
wofull
siege
,
were
driuen
,
like
cattle
,
into
a
wretched
seruitude
;
Ierusalem
shall
fare
no
better
from
Nebuchadnezzar
the
King
of
Babylon
:
Ierusalem
,
the
glory
of
the
earth
,
the
dearling
of
heauen
,
See
,
ô
ye
vaine
men
,
that
boast
of
the
priuiledges
of
Chaires
,
and
Churches
,
see
,
and
tremble
.
There
is
no
place
vnder
heauen
to
which
the
presence
of
God
is
so
wedded
as
that
the
sins
thereof
shall
not
procure
a
disdainfull
,
&
finall
diuorce
:
The
height
of
former
fauors
shall
be
but
an
aggrauation
of
vengeance
.
This
totall
vastation
of
Ierusalem
,
shall
take
time
:
onwards
,
God
begins
with
the
person
of
wicked
Manasseh
;
against
whom
he
stirres
vp
the
Captaines
of
the
hoast
of
the
late
friend
,
and
old
enemy
of
Iudah
:
Those
thornes
amongst
which
hee
had
shrouded
his
guilty
head
,
cannot
shelter
him
from
their
violence
;
they
take
him
,
and
binde
him
with
fetters
of
yron
,
and
cary
him
to
Babylon
;
There
hee
lyes
loaded
with
chaines
,
in
an
vncomfortable
dungeon
exercised
with
variety
of
tortures
,
fed
with
such
coorse
pittances
of
bread
,
and
sips
of
water
,
as
might
maintaine
an
vn
willing
life
,
to
the
punishment
of
the
owner
.
What
eye
can
now
pity
the
deepest
miseries
of
Manasseh
?
What
but
bondage
can
befit
him
,
that
hath
so
lawlesly
abused
his
liberty
?
What
but
an
vtter
abdication
can
befit
him
that
hath
cast
off
his
God
,
and
doted
vpon
Deuils
?
What
but
a
dying
life
,
and
a
tormenting
death
can
bee
fit
for
a
man
of
blood
?
Who
now
wold
not
haue
giuen
this
man
for
lost
;
and
haue
lookt
when
hell
should
claime
her
owne
?
But
oh
the
height
,
oh
the
depth
of
diuine
mercy
!
After
all
these
prodigies
of
sin
,
Manasseh
is
a
conuert
;
When
he
was
in
affliction
he
besought
the
Lord
his
God
:
and
humbled
himselfe
greatly
before
the
God
of
his
fathers
.
How
true
is
that
word
of
the
Prophet
,
Vexation
giues
vnderstanding
;
The
viper
when
he
is
lashed
,
casts
vp
his
poyson
:
The
traitor
when
hee
is
racked
,
tells
that
truth
which
he
had
else
neuer
vttered
;
If
the
crosse
beare
vs
not
to
heauen
,
nothing
can
:
What
vse
were
there
of
the
graine
,
but
for
the
edge
of
the
sickle
,
wherewith
it
is
cut
downe
;
the
stroke
of
the
flayle
,
wherewith
it
is
beaten
;
the
weight
and
attrition
of
the
mill
,
wherewith
it
is
crushed
;
the
fire
of
the
ouen
wherewith
it
is
baken
?
Say
now
,
Manasseh
,
with
that
grandfather
of
thine
(
who
was
,
till
now
,
too
good
for
thee
)
It
is
good
for
mee
that
I
was
afflicted
:
Euen
thine
yron
was
more
precious
to
thee
,
then
thy
gold
;
thy
Gaole
was
a
more
happy
lodging
to
thee
,
then
thy
palace
;
Babylon
was
a
better
Schoole
to
thee
,
than
Ierusalem
:
what
fooles
are
wee
to
frowne
vpon
our
afflictions
?
These
,
how
crabbed
soeuer
,
are
our
best
friends
.
They
are
not
,
indeed
,
for
our
pleasure
,
they
are
for
our
profit
:
their
issue
makes
them
worthy
of
a
welcome
.
What
doe
wee
care
how
bitter
that
potion
bee
which
brings
health
?
How
farre
a
man
may
goe
,
and
yet
turne
?
Could
there
bee
fouler
sinnes
then
these
?
Lo
,
here
was
Idolatrie
in
the
height
,
violation
of
Gods
house
,
sorceries
of
all
kinds
,
bloodie
crueltie
to
his
owne
flesh
,
to
the
Saints
of
God
;
and
all
these
against
the
streame
of
a
religious
institution
,
of
the
zealous
counsels
of
Gods
Prophets
,
of
the
checks
of
his
owne
heart
.
Who
can
complaine
that
the
way
of
heauen
is
blocked
vp
against
him
,
when
hee
sees
such
a
sinner
enter
?
Say
the
worst
against
thy selfe
,
ô
thou
clamorous
foule
;
Here
is
one
that
murdered
men
,
defied
God
,
worshipt
Diuels
;
and
yet
finds
the
way
to
repentance
;
if
thou
bee
worse
then
he
,
deny
(
if
thou
canst
)
that
to
thy selfe
,
which
God
hath
not
denied
to
thee
,
capacitie
of
grace
:
In
the
meane
time
;
know
that
it
is
not
thy
sinne
,
but
thine
impenitence
that
barres
heauen
against
thee
.
Presume
not
yet
,
ô
man
,
whosoeuer
thou
art
,
of
the
libertie
of
thy
conuersion
;
as
if
thou
couldest
run
on
lawlesly
in
a
course
of
sinning
,
till
thou
come
to
the
brim
or
hell
;
and
then
couldst
suddenly
stop
,
and
returne
at
leasure
:
the
mercy
of
God
did
neuer
set
period
to
a
wilfull
sinner
;
neither
yet
did
his
owne
corrupt
desires
;
so
as
when
he
is
gone
the
furthest
,
he
could
yet
stay
himselfe
from
another
step
:
No
man
that
truly
repents
is
refused
:
but
many
a
one
sins
so
long
,
that
he
cannot
repent
.
His
custome
of
wickedness
hath
obdur'd
his
hart
,
&
made
it
flint
to
all
good
impressions
.
There
were
Ieroboams
,
and
Abijams
,
and
Ahabs
,
and
Ioashes
,
&
Ahazes
,
in
these
sacred
thrones
,
there
was
but
one
Manasseh
:
God
hath
not
left
in
any
mans
hand
the
reines
of
his
owne
hart
,
to
pace
,
&
turne
,
and
stop
as
hee
lists
;
This
priuiledge
is
reserued
to
him
that
made
it
;
It
is
not
of
him
that
wils
,
nor
of
him
that
runs
,
but
of
God
that
showes
mercy
:
and
that
mercy
neglected
,
iustly
binds
ouer
to
iudgement
.
I
wonder
not
at
Manasseh
,
either
sinning
,
or
repenting
,
I
wonder
at
thy
goodnesse
,
ô
Lord
;
who
after
thy
iust
permission
of
his
sinne
,
callest
him
thus
graciously
to
repent
,
and
so
graciously
receiuest
him
repenting
:
So
as
Manasseh
was
not
a
more
loathsome
and
monstrous
spectacle
of
wickednesse
,
then
he
is
now
a
pleasing
and
vsefull
patterne
of
conuersion
;
Who
can
now
despaire
of
thy
mercie
,
ô
God
,
that
sees
the
teares
of
a
Manasseh
accepted
?
when
wee
haue
debauched
our
worst
;
our
euill
cannot
match
with
thy
goodnesse
;
rather
it
is
the
praise
of
thine
infinite
store
,
that
where
sinne
abounds
,
grace
abounds
much
more
;
O
keepe
vs
from
a
presumption
of
grace
,
that
wee
may
repent
;
and
raise
vs
from
a
distrust
of
grace
when
wee
haue
repented
.
No
sooner
is
Manasseh
penitent
,
then
he
is
free
;
his
prayers
haue
at
once
loosed
him
from
his
sinnes
,
and
from
his
chaines
;
and
of
a
captiue
haue
made
him
a
King
;
and
from
the
dungeon
of
Babylon
haue
restored
him
to
the
palace
of
Ierusalem
:
How
easie
is
it
for
the
same
hand
that
wounds
to
cure
:
What
cannot
feruent
prayers
doe
,
eyther
for
our
rescuing
from
euill
,
or
for
our
inuesting
with
good
?
Then
Manasseh
knew
that
the
Lord
he
was
God
.
Then
?
and
not
before
?
Could
his
yonger
eares
escape
the
knowledge
of
Gods
miraculous
deliuerance
of
Ierusalem
from
the
Assyrians
?
Could
hee
but
know
the
slaughter
that
Gods
Angell
made
in
one
night
,
of
an
hundred
fourescore
and
fiue
thousand
?
Could
he
but
haue
heard
the
iust
reuenge
vpon
Senacherib
?
Could
he
be
ignorant
of
his
fathers
supernaturall
recouery
?
Could
hee
but
see
that
euer-lasting
monument
of
the
noted
degrees
in
the
Dyall
of
Ahaz
?
Could
he
auoid
the
sense
of
those
fifteene
yeares
,
which
were
super-added
to
his
fathers
age
?
What
one
of
these
proofes
doth
not
euince
a
Deity
?
Yet
,
till
his
owne
smart
,
and
cure
,
Manasseh
knew
not
that
the
Lord
was
God
.
Foolish
sinners
pay
deare
for
their
knowledge
;
neither
will
indure
to
be
taught
good-cheape
:
so
we
haue
seene
resty
horses
that
will
not
moue
till
they
bleed
with
the
spur
:
So
we
haue
seene
dull
and
carelesse
children
,
that
will
learne
nothing
but
what
is
put
into
them
with
the
rod
.
The
Almighty
wil
be
sure
to
be
knowne
for
what
he
is
:
if
not
by
faire
meanes
,
yet
by
foule
;
If
our
prosperity
,
and
peace
,
and
sweet
experience
of
his
mercy
can
win
vs
to
acknowledge
him
,
it
is
more
for
our
ease
,
but
,
if
we
will
needes
bee
taught
by
stripes
,
it
is
no
lesse
for
his
glory
.
Manasseh
now
returnes
another
man
to
Ierusalem
:
With
what
indignation
doth
hee
looke
vpon
his
old
follies
?
and
now
,
all
the
amends
he
can
make
,
is
to
vndoe
what
he
did
;
to
doe
that
which
hee
vndid
:
Hee
tooke
away
the
strange
Gods
,
and
the
Idoll
out
of
the
house
of
the
Lord
,
and
all
the
altars
that
he
had
built
in
the
mount
of
the
house
of
the
Lord
,
and
in
Ierusalem
,
and
cast
them
out
of
the
City
.
True
repentance
beginnes
to
decline
at
the
ablatiue
;
destroying
those
monuments
of
shame
which
former
errour
had
reared
;
The
thornes
must
first
be
stubbed
vp
,
ere
the
ground
can
be
capable
of
seed
;
The
true
method
of
grace
,
is
,
first
,
Cease
to
doe
euill
;
then
,
Learne
to
doe
good
.
In
vaine
had
Manasseh
professed
a
repentance
,
if
the
strange
gods
had
still
held
possession
of
Ierusalem
,
if
the
Idoll
had
still
harboured
in
Gods
Temple
,
if
forraigne
altars
had
still
smoked
vpon
the
holy
mountaine
;
Away
with
all
this
trash
,
when
once
Manasseh
comes
to
a
true
sense
of
piety
.
There
is
nothing
but
hypocrisie
in
that
penitent
,
who
after
all
vowes
,
and
teares
,
retaines
his
old
abhominations
;
It
is
that
poore
peece
of
satisfaction
which
we
can
giue
to
the
diuine
iustice
,
in
an
hearty
indignation
,
to
fling
downe
that
cup
of
wickednesse
wherewith
wee
haue
beene
bewitched
,
and
to
trample
vpon
the
shreads
:
without
which
,
confession
is
but
winde
,
and
the
drops
of
contrition
,
water
.
The
liuing
God
loues
to
dwell
cleane
,
hee
will
not
come
vnder
the
roofe
of
Idols
,
nor
admit
Idols
to
come
vnder
his
:
First
therfore
,
Manasseh
casts
out
the
strange
Gods
and
Idols
,
and
altars
;
and
then
,
He
repaires
the
Altar
of
the
Lord
,
and
sacrifices
thereon
peace-offerings
,
and
thanke-offerings
.
Not
,
till
he
had
pull'd
down
,
might
he
build
;
and
when
hee
had
pull'd
downe
,
hee
must
build
:
True
repentance
is
no
lesse
actiue
of
good
.
What
is
it
the
better
,
if
when
the
Idolatrous
altars
are
defaced
,
the
true
God
hath
not
an
Altar
erected
to
his
Name
?
In
many
Altars
was
superstition
,
in
no
altars
,
Atheisme
.
Neither
doth
penitent
Manasseh
build
God
a
new
Altar
,
but
hee
repaires
the
old
,
which
by
long
dis-vse
lay
wast
,
and
was
mossie
&
mouldred
with
age
&
neglect
.
God
loues
well
his
owne
institutions
;
neither
can
he
abide
innouations
,
so
much
as
in
the
out-sides
of
his
seruices
.
It
is
an
happy
worke
to
vindicate
any
ordinance
of
God
from
the
iniurie
of
times
,
and
to
restore
it
to
the
originall
glory
.
What
haue
our
pious
gouernors
done
other
in
religion
?
had
wee
gone
about
to
lay
a
new
foundation
,
the
worke
had
been
accursed
;
now
wee
haue
onely
scraped
off
some
superfluous
mosse
,
that
was
growne
vpon
these
holy
stones
,
we
haue
cemented
some
broken
peeces
,
we
haue
pointed
some
crazie
corners
with
wholsome
morter
,
in
stead
of
base
clay
,
wherewith
it
was
disgracefully
patched
vp
:
The
altar
is
old
,
it
is
Gods
altar
:
It
is
not
new
,
not
ours
:
If
we
haue
layd
one
new
stone
in
this
sacred
building
,
let
it
flye
in
our
faces
,
and
beat
out
our
eyes
.
On
this
repaired
altar
doth
Manasseh
send
vp
the
sacrifices
of
his
peace
,
of
his
thankfulnesse
;
and
doubtlesse
the
God
of
heauen
smels
a
sweet
sauour
of
rest
;
No
perfume
is
so
pleasing
to
God
,
as
that
which
is
cast
in
by
a
penitent
hand
.
It
had
not
serued
the
turne
that
Manasseh
had
approched
alone
to
this
renued
altar
;
As
his
leud
example
had
withdrawn
the
people
from
their
God
;
so
now
he
commands
Iudah
to
serue
the
Lord
God
of
Israel
;
Had
he
been
silent
,
he
could
not
haue
been
vnfollowed
:
Euery
act
of
greatnesse
is
preceptiue
;
but
now
that
religion
is
made
Law
,
what
Israelite
will
not
be
deuout
?
The
true
God
hath
now
no
competitour
in
Iudah
;
All
the
Idolls
are
pull'd
downe
,
the
high
places
will
not
be
pull'd
downe
;
An
ill
guise
is
easilie
taken
vp
,
it
is
not
so
easily
left
.
After
a
common
deprauation
of
religion
,
it
is
hard
to
returne
vnto
the
first
purity
:
as
when
a
garment
is
deeply
soiled
,
it
cannot
without
many
lauers
recouer
the
former
cleannesse
.
IOSIAH'S
Reformation
.
YEt
,
if
wee
must
alter
Ioash
:
Ioash
beganne
well
,
and
ended
ill
:
Manasseh
began
ill
,
and
ended
well
;
his
age
varied
from
his
youth
,
no
lesse
,
then
one
mans
condition
can
varie
from
another
;
His
posterity
succeeded
in
both
;
Amnon
his
sonne
succeeded
in
the
sinnes
of
Manassehs
youth
;
Iosiah
his
grandchild
succeeded
in
the
vertues
of
his
age
.
What
a
vast
difference
doth
grace
make
in
the
same
age
?
Manasseh
began
his
reigne
at
twelue
yeares
;
Iosiah
at
eight
;
Manasseh
was
religiously
bred
vnder
Hezekiah
;
Iosiah
was
mis-nurtured
vnder
Amnon
;
and
yet
Manasseh
runs
into
absurd
Idolatries
,
Iosiah
is
holie
and
deuout
.
The
Spirit
of
God
breathes
freely
;
not
confining
it selfe
to
times
,
or
meanes
.
No
rules
can
bind
the
hands
of
the
Almightie
;
It
is
in
ordinarie
proofe
too
true
a
word
,
that
was
said
of
old
,
Woe
be
to
thee
,
O
Land
,
whose
King
is
a
child
:
the
goodnesse
of
God
makes
his
owne
exceptions
;
Iudah
neuer
fared
better
,
then
in
the
green
years
of
a
Iosiah
:
If
wee
may
not
rather
measure
youth
,
and
age
by
gouernment
,
and
disposition
,
then
by
yeares
:
Surely
thus
,
Iosiah
was
older
with
smooth
cheekes
,
then
Manasseh
with
gray
haires
.
Happy
is
the
infancie
of
Princes
,
when
it
falls
into
the
hands
of
faithfull
Counsellors
.
A
good
patterne
is
no
small
helpe
for
young
beginners
;
Iosiah
sets
his
father
Dauid
before
him
,
not
Amnon
,
not
Manasseh
:
Examples
are
the
best
rules
for
the
inexperienced
;
where
their
choice
is
good
,
the
directions
are
easiest
:
The
lawes
of
God
are
the
wayes
of
Dauid
;
Those
lawes
were
the
rule
,
these
wayes
were
the
practice
;
Good
Iosiah
walkes
in
all
the
wayes
of
his
Father
Dauid
.
Euen
the
minority
of
Iosiah
was
not
idle
;
we
cannot
be
good
too
early
:
At
eight
yeares
it
was
enough
to
haue
his
eare
open
to
heare
good
counsaile
;
to
haue
his
eies
&
hart
open
to
seek
after
God
:
At
twelue
,
he
begins
to
act
:
and
showes
well
that
hee
hath
found
the
God
he
sought
:
Then
he
addresses
The
house
must
first
be
clensed
,
ere
it
can
bee
garnished
;
no
man
will
cast
away
his
cost
vpon
vncleane
heaps
;
so
soone
as
the
Temple
was
purged
,
Iosiah
bends
his
thoughts
vpon
the
repayring
,
and
beautifying
of
this
house
of
the
Lord
.
What
stir
was
there
in
Iudah
,
wherein
Gods
Temple
suffered
not
?
Sixe
seuerall
times
was
it
pillaged
,
whether
out
of
force
,
or
will
:
First
,
Iehoash
King
of
Iudah
is
faine
by
the
spoile
of
it
to
stop
the
mouth
of
Hazael
;
Then
,
Ioash
King
of
Israel
fils
his
owne
hands
with
that
sacred
spoile
,
in
the
dayes
of
Amaziah
;
after
this
,
Ahaz
rifles
it
for
Tiglath
Pileser
,
King
of
Assyria
;
then
Hezekiah
is
forced
to
ransacke
the
treasures
of
it
for
Senacherib
;
yet
after
,
the
sacriledge
of
Manasseh
makes
that
booty
of
it
,
which
his
later
times
indeuoured
to
restore
;
and
now
lastly
,
Amnon
his
sonne
neglects
the
frame
,
embeazels
the
furniture
of
this
holy
place
:
The
very
pile
began
to
complaine
of
age
and
vnrespect
:
Now
comes
good
Iosiah
,
and
in
his
eighteenth
yeare
(
when
other
young
Gallants
would
haue
thought
of
nothing
but
pleasure
,
and
iollity
)
takes
vp
the
latest
care
of
his
father
Dauid
,
and
giues
order
for
the
repayring
of
the
Temple
.
The
keepers
of
the
doore
haue
receiued
the
contribution
of
all
faithfull
Iewes
,
for
this
pious
vse
;
the
King
sends
Shaphan
the
scribe
to
Hilkijah
the
Priest
to
summe
it
vp
,
and
to
deliuer
it
vnto
Carpenters
,
and
Masons
,
for
so
holy
a
worke
.
How
well
doth
it
beseeme
the
care
of
a
religious
Prince
,
to
set
the
Priests
and
Scribes
in
hand
with
reedifying
the
Temple
?
The
command
is
the
Kings
,
the
charge
is
the
high-Priests
,
the
execution
is
the
workmens
;
when
the
laborers
are
faithfull
in
doing
the
worke
,
and
the
high
Priest
in
directing
it
,
and
the
King
in
inioining
it
,
Gods
House
cannot
faile
of
an
happy
perfection
;
but
when
any
of
these
slackens
,
the
businesse
must
needs
languish
.
How
God
blesses
the
deuout
indeuours
of
his
seruants
?
Whiles
Hilkijah
was
diligently
suruaying
the
breaches
and
the
reparation
of
the
Temple
,
hee
lights
vpon
the
booke
of
the
Law
:
The
authenticke
and
originall
Booke
of
Hilkijah
the
Priest
,
and
Shaphan
the
scribe
do
not
ingrosse
this
invaluable
wealth
into
their
owne
hands
,
nor
suppresse
these
more
then
sacred
roles
,
for
their
owne
aduantage
;
but
trans-mit
them
,
first
to
the
eares
of
the
King
,
then
by
him
,
to
the
people
:
It
is
not
the
praise
of
a
good
scribe
,
to
lay
vp
,
but
to
bring
forth
,
both
old
and
new
:
And
if
the
Priests
lips
shall
keepe
knowledge
,
they
keep
it
to
impart
,
not
to
smother
:
The
people
shall
seeke
the
Law
at
his
mouth
;
for
hee
is
the
messenger
of
the
Lord
of
Hosts
.
So
soone
as
the
good
King
heares
the
words
of
the
booke
of
the
Law
,
and
in
speciall
,
those
dreadfull
threats
of
iudgement
,
denounced
against
the
Idolatries
of
his
Iudah
;
he
rends
his
clothes
,
to
show
his
heart
rent
with
sorrow
,
and
fearfull
expectation
of
those
plagues
;
and
washes
his
bosome
with
teares
.
Oh
gracious
tendernesse
of
Iosiah
:
he
doth
but
once
heare
the
Law
read
,
and
is
thus
humbled
;
humbled
for
his
fathers
sins
,
for
the
sins
of
his
people
:
how
many
of
vs
,
after
a
thousand
hammerings
of
the
menaces
of
Gods
Law
,
vpon
our
guilty
soules
,
continue
yet
insensible
of
our
danger
?
The
very
reading
of
this
Law
doth
thus
affect
him
;
the
preaching
of
it
stirs
not
vs
;
The
sinnes
of
others
strucke
thus
deepe
with
him
;
our
owne
are
sleighted
by
vs
:
A
soft
hart
is
the
best
tempered
for
God
:
So
Physitians
are
wont
to
like
those
bodies
best
,
which
are
easiest
to
worke
vpon
:
O
God
make
our
clay
,
waxe
,
and
our
waxe
pliable
to
thine
hand
;
so
shall
we
be
sure
to
be
free
either
from
sin
,
or
from
the
hurt
of
sin
.
It
is
no
holy
sorrow
that
sends
vs
not
to
God
;
Iosiah
is
not
moaped
with
a
distractiue
griefe
,
or
an
astonishing
feare
,
but
in
the
height
of
his
passion
,
sends
fiue
choice
messengers
to
Huldah
the
Prophetesse
,
to
enquire
of
the
Lord
,
for
himselfe
,
for
Iudah
:
It
is
an
happie
trouble
that
driues
vs
to
this
refuge
.
I
doe
not
heare
any
of
these
Courtiers
reply
to
this
godly
motion
of
their
young
King
:
Alas
,
Sir
,
what
meanes
this
deepe
perplexity
?
What
needs
all
this
busie
inquisition
?
If
your
father
were
idolatrous
,
what
is
that
to
you
,
who
haue
abandoned
his
sinnes
?
If
your
people
were
once
idolatrous
,
what
is
that
to
you
,
yea
to
them
,
who
haue
expiated
these
crimes
by
their
repentance
?
Haue
you
not
carefully
reformed
all
those
abuses
?
hath
not
your
happy
reformation
made
an
abundant
amends
for
those
wrongs
?
Spare
your
teares
,
and
saue
the
labor
of
your
messengers
;
All
is
well
,
all
shall
be
well
;
these
iudgements
are
for
the
obstinate
;
had
we
beene
still
guilty
,
these
feares
had
been
iust
:
were
wee
still
in
danger
,
what
had
we
gained
by
our
conuersion
?
Rather
,
as
glad
to
second
the
religious
cares
of
their
young
King
,
they
feed
his
holy
anxieties
with
a
iust
aggrauation
of
perill
;
and
by
their
good
counsell
,
whet
these
his
zealous
desires
of
a
speedy
resolution
:
That
state
cannot
but
be
happy
,
whose
Priests
and
Peeres
are
ready
as
to
suggest
,
so
to
cherish
,
and
execute
the
deuout
proiects
of
their
Soueraignes
.
The
graue
Priest
,
the
learned
scribe
,
the
honourable
Courtiers
doe
not
disdaine
to
knocke
at
the
doore
of
a
Prophetesse
:
Neither
doth
any
of
them
say
;
It
were
hard
if
wee
should
not
haue
as
much
acquaintance
with
God
,
as
a
woman
;
but
in
an
humble
acknowledgement
of
her
Graces
,
they
come
to
learne
the
will
of
God
,
from
her
mouth
:
True
piety
is
modest
,
and
stands
not
vpon
termes
of
reputation
,
in
the
businesses
of
God
;
but
willingly
honors
his
gifts
in
any
subiect
,
least
of
all
in
it selfe
.
The
sexe
is
not
more
noted
in
Huldah
,
then
the
condition
;
As
she
was
a
woman
,
so
a
wife
;
the
wife
of
Shallum
:
Holy
matrimony
was
no
hindrance
to
her
diuine
reuelations
;
she
was
at
once
a
Prophetesse
in
her
colledge
,
an
huswife
in
her
family
;
It
was
neuer
the
practice
of
God
to
confine
his
graces
to
virginitie
:
At
this
very
time
the
famous
Prophet
Ieremy
flourished
,
some
years
had
he
already
spent
in
this
publike
seruice
;
why
was
not
he
rather
consulted
by
Iosiah
?
It
is
not
vnlike
that
some
propheticall
imployments
called
him
away
,
at
this
time
from
Ierusalem
:
His
presence
could
not
haue
beene
balked
:
purposely
,
doubtlesse
doth
God
cast
this
message
vpon
the
point
of
that
absence
,
that
hee
might
honor
the
weaker
vessell
with
his
diuine
oracle
;
and
exercise
the
humility
of
so
great
clients
:
In
the
answers
of
God
,
it
is
not
to
be
regarded
,
who
speakes
,
but
from
whom
:
The
iniury
redounds
to
God
,
if
the
weaknesses
of
the
person
cause
vs
to
vndervalue
the
authority
of
the
function
.
As
Iosiah
and
his
messengers
do
not
despise
Huldah
,
because
shee
was
a
woman
;
so
Huldah
doth
not
flatter
Iosiah
,
because
a
King
:
Goe
tell
the
man
that
sent
you
;
Thus
saith
the
Lord
:
Behold
I
will
bring
euill
vpon
this
place
.
Loe
,
hee
that
was
as
God
to
his
subiects
,
is
but
as
a
man
to
the
Prophetesse
:
neither
is
the
message
euer
the
sweeter
,
because
it
is
required
by
a
Prince
:
No
circumstance
may
vary
the
forme
of
diuine
truth
.
Euill
must
befall
Ierusalem
and
Iudah
,
yea
,
all
the
words
of
that
booke
,
must
allight
vpon
the
inhabitants
of
both
:
In
how
bad
a
case
we
may
bee
,
and
yet
thinke
our selues
not
safe
onely
,
but
happy
?
These
Iewes
had
forgotten
their
old
reuolts
;
and
now
hauing
framed
themselues
to
holy
courses
;
promised
themselues
nothing
but
peace
,
when
the
Prophetesse
foresees
,
and
foretels
their
approching
ruine
:
Euen
their
old
score
must
be
paid
,
after
the
opinion
of
a
cleer
agreement
.
In
vaine
shall
wee
hope
to
quit
our
arrerages
by
prorogation
.
This
Prophetesse
had
immediate
visions
from
God
,
yet
shee
must
speake
out
of
the
Booke
;
There
was
neuer
any
reuelation
from
the
Lord
,
that
crossed
his
writings
:
His
hand
,
and
his
tongue
agree
eternally
:
If
that
booke
haue
cursed
Iudah
,
she
may
not
absolue
it
.
Yet
,
what
a
gracious
mixture
was
here
of
mercy
,
with
souerity
;
seuerity
to
Iudah
,
mercy
to
Iosiah
;
Iudah
shall
be
plagued
,
and
shall
become
a
desolation
,
and
a
curse
;
Iosiah
shall
bee
quietly
housed
in
his
graue
,
before
this
storme
fall
vpon
Iudah
:
His
eye
shall
not
see
,
what
his
people
shall
feele
:
It
is
enough
that
the
expectation
of
these
euills
afflicts
him
,
the
sense
shall
not
.
Whence
is
this
indulgence
?
Because
thine
heart
was
tender
,
and
thou
hast
humbled
thy selfe
before
the
Lord
.
How
happy
a
thing
it
is
to
bee
a
reed
vnto
Gods
iudgements
,
rather
then
an
oake
,
the
meeke
and
gentle
reed
stoops
and
therefore
stands
,
the
oake
stands
stiffely
out
against
the
strongest
gust
,
and
therefore
is
turned
vp
by
the
roots
:
At
least
,
let
vs
lament
those
sins
wee
haue
not
auoyded
;
and
mourne
for
the
sins
of
others
,
whiles
wee
hate
our
owne
.
He
that
found
himselfe
exempted
from
this
vengeance
,
by
his
repentance
and
deepe
humiliation
,
would
faine
find
the
fame
way
for
the
deliuerance
of
his
people
:
The
same
words
of
the
Law
therefore
,
that
had
wrought
vpon
his
heart
,
are
by
him
caused
to
be
publikely
read
in
the
eares
of
Iudah
,
and
Ierusalem
;
The
assembly
is
vniuersall
,
of
Priests
,
Prophets
,
people
,
both
small
and
great
;
because
the
sin
was
such
,
the
danger
was
such
:
that
no
man
may
complaine
to
want
information
,
the
Law
of
God
sounds
in
euery
eare
.
If
our
eare
be
shut
to
the
Law
,
the
sin
is
ours
;
but
if
the
Law
be
shut
to
our
eares
,
the
sin
is
of
our
gouernors
:
Woe
be
to
them
that
hide
Gods
booke
from
the
people
,
as
they
would
doe
rats-bane
from
the
eye
of
children
:
Ignorant
soules
cannot
perish
without
their
murder
:
There
is
no
feare
of
knowing
too
much
,
there
is
too
much
feare
of
practizing
too
little
:
Now
,
if
the
people
doe
not
imitate
their
King
in
relenting
,
they
are
not
worthy
to
partake
with
him
in
his
impunitie
.
Howsoeuer
,
they
shall
not
want
a
great
example
;
as
of
sorrow
,
so
of
amendment
.
Good
Iosiah
stands
by
the
pillar
,
and
solemnly
renewes
his
Couenant
with
his
God
;
the
people
cannot
for
shame
refuse
to
second
him
:
Euen
they
that
lookt
for
a
destruction
,
yet
doe
not
with-draw
their
obedience
;
Gods
Children
may
not
be
sullen
vnder
his
corrections
,
but
whether
they
expect
or
feele
smart
,
are
no
other
then
dutifull
to
his
awfull
hand
.
As
a
man
that
findes
hee
hath
done
something
that
might
indanger
the
forfait
of
his
fauour
,
puts
himselfe
into
some
deseruing
action
,
whereby
hee
may
hope
to
re-indeare
himselfe
,
so
doth
Iosiah
here
;
No
indeauor
is
enough
to
testifie
his
zeale
to
that
name
of
God
which
was
so
profaned
by
his
peoples
Idolatry
;
What
euer
monuments
were
yet
remaining
of
wicked
Paganisme
,
hee
defaces
with
indignation
;
hee
burnes
the
vessels
of
Baal
,
and
puts
downe
his
Chemarim
,
destroyes
the
houses
of
the
Sodomites
,
strawes
the
powder
of
their
idols
in
the
brooke
Kedron
,
defiles
Topheth
,
takes
away
the
horses
,
of
the
Sun
,
burns
the
charets
of
the
Sun
with
fire
,
and
omits
nothing
that
might
reconcile
God
,
cleare
Iudah
,
perfit
a
reformation
.
Neither
is
this
care
confined
to
Ierusalem
,
and
the
neighboring
Townes
,
but
stretches
it selfe
to
the
vtmost
coasts
of
Iosiahs
Kingdome
;
Bethel
was
the
infamous
seat
of
the
pollution
of
Israel
;
it
seemes
the
heyres
of
Ieroboam
(
who
set
vp
his
golden
calfe
there
)
inioyed
it
not
long
;
the
Kings
of
Iudah
recouered
it
to
their
crown
,
but
,
it
had
not
yet
recouered
it selfe
from
that
ancient
infection
:
Thither
doth
good
Iosiah
send
the
vnhallowed
ashes
of
Baals
Reliques
,
to
staine
that
altar
first
,
which
hee
will
soone
after
deface
.
The
time
was
,
and
it
was
no
lesse
then
three
hundred
and
fiftie
yeares
since
,
that
the
man
of
God
,
out
of
Iudah
,
cried
against
Ieroboams
altar
;
O
Altar
,
Altar
;
Thus
saith
the
Lord
;
Behold
a
Child
shall
be
borne
,
vnto
the
House
of
Dauid
,
Iosiah
by
name
,
and
vpon
thee
shall
he
offer
the
Priests
of
the
high-places
,
that
burne
incense
vpon
thee
,
and
mens
bones
shall
be
burnt
vpon
thee
.
And
now
is
the
houre
come
,
wherein
euerie
of
those
words
shall
bee
accomplished
:
It
could
not
but
bee
a
great
confirmation
to
Iosiah
,
to
see
that
God
had
so
long
agoe
fore-markt
him
for
his
owne
;
and
fore-nam'd
him
to
so
zealous
a
seruice
.
All
our
names
are
equally
fore-known
of
that
diuine
prouidence
,
though
not
fore-spoken
:
neither
can
any
act
passe
from
vs
,
which
was
not
pre-determined
in
that
eternall
Counsell
of
the
Almightie
:
neither
can
any
act
that
is
there
pre-determined
bee
vnfulfilled
vpon
earth
:
Interuention
of
time
breakes
no
square
in
the
diuine
decrees
:
Our
pur-blind
eies
see
nothing
,
but
that
which
toucheth
their
lidds
;
the
quicke
sight
of
Gods
prescience
sees
that
,
as
present
,
which
is
a
world
off
:
According
to
the
prediction
,
the
stench
of
dead
mens
bones
is
a
fit
perfume
to
send
vp
from
this
altar
to
heauen
;
whose
best
sacrifices
sauoured
worse
in
the
nosthrils
of
God
.
And
the
blood
of
the
idolatrous
sacrificers
was
a
meet
oblation
to
that
God
,
who
had
beene
dishonoured
by
their
burnt-offerings
to
his
base
corriualls
.
Euen
that
Prophet
who
fore-told
this
,
had
his
toomb
in
Bethel
,
and
that
toomb
had
his
inscription
;
His
last
weakenesse
might
not
rob
him
of
the
honour
of
his
sepulture
:
How
palpablie
doe
these
Israelites
condemne
themselues
,
whiles
they
reserue
so
famous
a
monument
of
their
own
conviction
.
It
was
no
preiudice
to
this
holy
Prophet
,
that
his
bones
lay
amongst
the
sepulchers
of
idolaters
.
His
Epitaph
preserued
those
bones
from
burning
,
vpon
that
altar
,
which
he
had
accursed
;
As
the
Lyon
might
not
teare
his
carcasse
,
when
hee
died
,
so
now
,
the
furie
of
the
multitude
may
not
violate
his
verie
bones
,
in
the
graue
.
I
doe
not
see
Iosiah
:
saue
them
for
reliques
;
I
heare
him
command
they
shall
rest
in
peace
;
it
is
fit
the
dead
bodies
of
Gods
Saints
should
be
as
free
from
contempt
,
as
from
superstition
.
After
the
remouall
of
these
rites
of
false
worship
,
it
is
time
to
bring
in
the
true
:
Now
a
solemne
Passouer
shall
be
kept
vnto
the
Lord
,
by
the
charge
of
Iosiah
:
That
book
of
the
Law
sets
him
,
the
time
,
place
,
circumstances
of
this
sacrament
,
his
zeale
so
carefully
followes
it
,
that
since
the
dayes
of
Samuel
,
this
feast
was
neuer
so
gloriously
,
so
punctually
celebrated
.
Ierusalem
is
the
place
,
the
fourteenth
day
of
the
first
moneth
is
the
time
,
the
Leuites
are
the
actors
,
a
yearling
and
spotlesse
Lambe
is
the
prouision
;
no
bone
of
it
is
broken
,
the
blood
is
sprinkled
vpon
the
doore-postes
,
it
is
roasted
whole
,
eaten
with
sowre
herbs
,
with
bread
vnleauened
;
the
remainder
is
consumed
by
fire
.
The
law
,
the
sacrifices
,
had
beene
in
vaine
,
if
the
Passouer
had
beene
neglected
.
No
true
Israelite
might
want
,
whether
this
monument
of
their
deliuerance
past
,
or
this
Type
of
the
Messiah
to
come
.
Rather
then
faile
,
Iosiahs
bountie
shall
supplie
to
Iudah
Lambs
for
their
paschall
deuotion
:
No
almes
is
so
acceptable
,
as
that
whereby
the
soule
is
furthered
.
IOSIAH
'S
Death
;
with
the
desolation
of
the
Temple
,
and
Ierusalem
.
IOsiah
hath
now
happily
setled
the
Pharaoh
Necho
King
of
Egipt
comes
vp
to
fight
against
the
King
of
Assyria
:
What
is
that
to
Iosiah
?
Perhaps
the
Egiptians
attempted
to
passe
through
the
land
of
Iudah
,
towards
Carchemish
the
seat
of
his
war
;
but
,
as
a
neighbour
,
not
as
an
enemy
:
Iosiah
resists
him
;
as
neither
holding
it
safe
to
admit
a
forraigne
power
into
the
bosome
of
his
Countrey
,
nor
daring
to
giue
so
faire
an
occasion
of
prouoking
the
Assyrian
hostility
against
him
.
The
King
of
Egipt
mildly
deprecates
this
enmity
,
hee
sends
Ambassadors
to
Iosiah
,
saying
,
What
haue
I
to
doe
with
thee
thou
King
of
Iudah
,
I
come
not
against
thee
,
this
day
,
but
against
the
house
wherewith
I
haue
warre
;
for
God
commanded
me
to
make
hast
;
forbeare
thee
from
medling
with
God
,
who
is
with
me
,
that
hee
destroy
thee
not
.
What
friend
could
haue
sayd
more
?
what
Prophet
could
haue
aduised
more
holily
?
why
doth
not
good
Iosiah
say
with
himselfe
;
There
may
bee
truth
in
this
suggestion
;
God
may
haue
sent
this
man
,
to
be
a
scourge
of
mine
old
enemy
,
of
Ashur
:
If
the
hand
of
the
Almighty
be
in
this
designe
,
why
doe
I
oppose
it
?
The
quarrell
is
not
mine
,
why
do
I
thrust
my
finger
into
this
flame
,
vnbidden
?
Wherefore
should
I
hazard
the
effusion
of
blood
,
vpon
an
harmlesse
passage
?
Can
I
heare
him
plead
a
command
from
God
,
and
not
inquire
into
it
?
How
easie
is
it
for
me
to
know
the
certainty
of
this
pretended
commission
?
Haue
not
I
the
Priests
,
and
Prophets
of
God
about
me
?
Let
mee
first
goe
and
consult
his
oracle
;
If
God
haue
sent
him
,
and
forbidden
mee
,
why
should
my
courage
cary
me
against
my
piety
?
It
is
strange
that
the
good
hart
of
Iosiah
could
escape
these
thoughts
;
these
resolutions
:
Yet
,
hee
that
vpon
the
generall
threats
of
Gods
Law
against
Iudah
,
sends
messengers
to
inquire
of
a
Prophetesse
;
now
,
vpon
these
particular
threats
of
danger
to
himselfe
,
speaks
not
,
stirs
not
.
The
famous
Prophet
Ieremy
was
then
liuing
,
and
Zephaniah
;
besides
a
whole
Colledge
of
Seers
,
Iosiah
doth
not
so
much
as
send
out
of
doores
,
to
aske
,
Shall
I
goe
vp
against
the
King
of
Egipt
?
Sometimes
,
both
grace
and
wit
are
asleepe
in
the
holiest
and
wariest
brests
:
The
best
of
all
Gods
Saints
may
bee
sometimes
miscaried
by
their
passions
,
to
their
cost
.
The
wise
prouidence
of
God
hath
mercifully
determined
to
leaue
Iosiah
to
his
owne
counsels
,
that
by
the
weaknesse
of
his
seruant
,
hee
might
take
occasion
to
perfit
his
glory
:
Euen
that
wherein
Iosiah
was
wanting
vnto
God
,
shall
concurre
to
the
making
vp
of
Gods
promise
to
Iosiah
:
when
we
are
the
most
blind-folded
,
we
run
on
the
waies
of
Gods
hidden
decrees
;
and
,
what
euer
our
intents
be
,
cannot
,
if
wee
would
,
goe
out
of
that
vnknowne
path
.
Needs
will
Iosiah
put
himselfe
into
armes
against
an
vnwilling
enemie
;
and
,
to
bee
lesse
noted
,
disguises
himselfe
.
The
fatall
arrow
of
an
Egyptian
archer
findes
him
out
,
in
the
throng
,
and
giues
him
his
deaths-wound
;
Now
,
too
late
hee
calls
to
a
retrait
;
his
changed
Charet
is
turned
to
a
Biere
,
to
carie
his
bleeding
corps
to
his
graue
,
in
Ierusalem
.
What
eye
doth
not
now
pitie
and
lament
the
vntimely
end
of
a
Iosiah
?
Whom
can
it
choose
but
affect
,
to
see
a
religious
,
iust
,
vertuous
Prince
snatcht
away
in
the
vigour
of
his
age
?
After
all
our
foolish
moane
,
the
prouidence
that
directed
that
shaft
to
his
lighting
place
,
intends
that
wound
for
a
stroke
of
mercy
:
The
God
whom
Iosiah
serues
,
looks
through
his
death
,
at
his
glorie
:
and
by
this
sudden
violence
will
deliuer
him
from
the
view
,
and
participation
of
the
miseries
of
Iudah
,
which
had
beene
many
deaths
;
and
fetches
him
to
the
participation
of
that
happinesse
,
which
could
countervaile
more
deathes
,
then
could
be
incident
into
a
Iosiah
.
Oh
the
wonderfull
goodnesse
of
the
Almighty
,
whose
verie
iudgements
are
mercifull
;
Oh
the
safe
condicion
of
Gods
children
,
whom
very
paine
easeth
,
whom
death
reuiues
,
whom
dissolution
vnites
,
whom
lastly
their
verie
sinne
and
temptation
glorifies
.
How
happily
hath
Iosiah
gained
by
this
change
?
In
stead
of
a
froward
people
,
he
now
is
sorted
with
Saints
and
Angels
;
in
stead
of
a
fading
,
and
corruptible
crowne
,
he
now
inioyes
an
eternall
.
The
orphane
subiects
are
readie
to
weepe
out
their
eyes
,
for
sorrow
;
their
losse
cannot
be
so
great
,
as
his
gaine
:
he
is
glorious
,
they
,
as
their
sins
had
deserued
,
miserable
.
If
the
separated
soule
could
be
capable
of
passion
,
could
Iosiah
haue
seene
,
after
his
departure
,
the
calamities
of
his
sons
,
of
his
people
,
it
could
not
but
haue
laid
siege
to
his
peace
.
The
sad
subiects
proclaime
his
sonne
Iehoahaz
,
King
,
in
stead
of
so
lamented
a
father
;
He
both
doth
ill
,
and
fares
ill
:
By
that
time
he
hath
sat
but
three
moneths
in
the
throne
,
Pharaoh
Nechoh
King
of
Egypt
seconds
the
fathers
death
,
with
the
sonnes
captiuity
:
This
victorious
enemy
puts
downe
the
wicked
sonne
of
Iosiah
,
and
lades
him
with
chains
at
Riblath
,
in
the
land
of
Hamath
;
and
lades
his
people
with
the
tribute
of
an
hundred
talents
of
siluer
,
and
a
talent
of
gold
:
Yet
,
as
if
he
that
was
vnwilling
to
fight
with
Iosiah
,
were
no
lesse
vnwilling
to
root
out
his
posterity
,
this
Egyptian
sets
Eliakim
,
the
second
sonne
of
Iosiah
,
vpon
the
seat
of
his
father
;
&
,
that
he
might
be
al
his
,
changes
his
name
to
Iehoiakim
:
oh
the
woful
&
vnworthy
succession
of
Iosiah
;
one
son
is
a
prisoner
,
the
other
is
a
tributary
;
both
are
wicked
.
After
that
Iehoiakim
hath
been
some
yeares
Pharaohs
Bayliue
,
to
gather
,
and
racke
the
deare
rents
of
Iudah
;
Nebuchadnezzar
the
great
King
of
Babylon
comes
vp
,
and
sweepes
away
both
the
Lord
,
and
his
Feodary
,
Pharaoh
,
and
Iehoiakim
.
So
farre
was
the
ambitious
Egyptian
from
maintaining
his
incroachment
vpon
the
territories
of
Iudah
,
that
hee
could
not
now
hold
his
owne
:
From
Nilus
to
Euphrates
,
all
is
lost
:
So
subiect
are
the
lesser
powers
still
to
bee
swallowed
vp
of
the
greater
;
so
iust
it
is
with
God
,
that
they
which
will
bee
affecting
vndue
inlargement
of
their
estates
,
should
fall
short
of
what
they
had
.
Iehoiakim
is
caried
in
fetters
to
Babylon
:
and
now
in
that
dungeon
of
his
captiuity
,
hath
more
leasure
,
then
grace
,
to
bethinke
himselfe
of
all
his
abominations
;
and
whiles
hee
inherits
the
sad
lodging
of
his
great
grandfather
,
Manasseh
,
inherits
not
his
successe
.
Whiles
hee
is
rotting
in
this
Goale
,
his
young
sonne
Iehoiachin
starts
vp
in
his
throne
;
like
to
a
mushrom
that
rises
vp
in
a
night
,
and
withers
in
a
day
:
Within
three
moneths
,
and
ten
dayes
,
is
that
young
Prince
(
the
meet
son
of
such
a
father
)
fetcht
vp
in
irons
to
his
fathers
prison
;
Neither
shall
he
goe
alone
;
his
attendance
shal
adde
to
his
misery
;
His
mother
,
his
wiues
,
his
officers
,
his
peeres
,
his
craftsmen
,
his
warriours
accompany
him
,
manicled
,
and
chained
,
to
their
perpetuall
bondage
.
Now
,
according
to
Isaiahs
word
,
it
would
haue
been
great
preferment
for
the
fruit
of
Hezekiahs
loynes
to
bee
Pages
in
the
Court
of
Babylon
.
One
only
branch
yet
remaines
of
the
vnhappy
stocke
of
holy
Iosiah
,
Mattaniah
,
the
brother
of
Iehoiakim
,
whom
Nebuchadnezar
(
changing
his
name
to
Zedekiah
)
sets
vp
in
that
forlorne
,
and
tributary
throne
;
There
might
hee
haue
liued
(
though
an
vnderling
)
yet
peaceable
;
This
man
(
to
make
vp
the
measure
of
Gods
iust
iudgments
)
as
he
was
euer
a
rebell
to
God
,
so
proues
rebellious
to
his
Soueraigne
master
,
the
King
of
Babylon
:
The
Prophet
Ieremy
hath
forewarn'd
him
in
vain
;
nothing
could
teach
this
man
,
but
smart
.
Who
can
looke
for
other
then
fury
from
Nebuchadnezzar
,
against
Ierusalem
,
which
now
had
affronted
him
with
three
seuerall
successions
of
reuolts
,
and
conspiracies
against
his
gouernment
;
and
thrice
abused
his
bounty
,
and
indulgence
?
with
a
mighty
army
doth
he
therfore
come
vp
against
his
seditious
deputy
;
and
besieges
Ierusalem
,
and
blockes
it
vp
with
forts
round
about
.
After
two
yeares
siege
,
the
Chaldees
without
,
and
the
famine
within
,
haue
preuailed
;
King
Zedekiah
and
his
souldiers
are
fled
away
by
night
,
as
thinking
themselues
happy
,
if
they
might
abandon
their
walls
,
and
saue
their
liues
.
The
Chaldees
(
as
caring
more
for
the
birdes
,
then
for
the
nest
)
pursue
them
,
and
ouertake
Zedekiah
,
forsaken
of
all
his
forces
,
in
the
plaine
of
Iericho
,
and
bring
him
to
Nebuchadnezzar
,
King
of
Babylon
.
What
can
so
vnthankfull
and
perfidious
a
vassall
expect
,
but
the
worst
of
reuenge
?
The
sentence
is
fearfull
:
First
,
the
sonnes
of
Zedekiah
are
slaine
before
his
eyes
;
then
those
eyes
of
his
(
as
if
they
had
seene
enough
,
when
they
had
seene
him
childlesse
)
are
put
out
:
His
eyes
are
onely
lent
him
so
long
,
as
to
torment
him
with
the
sight
of
his
owne
vtmost
discomfort
;
Had
his
sonnes
but
ouer-liued
his
eies
,
the
griefe
had
beene
so
much
the
lesse
,
as
the
apprehension
of
it
had
beene
lesse
liuely
,
and
piercing
;
Now
,
this
wofull
obiect
shall
shut
vp
his
sight
,
that
,
euen
when
his
bodily
eyes
are
gone
,
yet
the
eyes
of
his
minde
might
euer
see
what
he
last
saw
;
That
thus
his
sonnes
might
bee
euer
dying
before
him
,
and
himselfe
in
their
death
euer
miserable
.
Who
doth
not
now
wish
that
the
blood
of
Hezekiah
and
Iosiah
could
haue
beene
seuered
from
these
impure
dregs
of
their
lewd
issue
?
no
man
could
pity
the
offenders
,
were
it
not
for
the
mixture
of
the
interest
of
so
holy
progenitors
.
No
more
sorrow
can
come
in
at
the
windowes
of
Zedekiah
,
more
shall
come
in
at
his
doores
;
his
care
shall
receiue
what
more
to
rue
for
his
Ierusalem
:
Nebuzaradan
the
great
Marshall
of
the
King
of
Babylon
comes
vp
against
that
deplored
City
,
and
breakes
downe
the
walls
of
it
,
round
about
,
and
burnes
the
Temple
of
the
Lord
,
and
the
Kings
house
,
and
euery
faire
Pallace
of
Ierusalem
,
with
fire
;
driues
away
the
remainder
of
her
inhabitants
,
into
Captiuity
,
caries
away
the
last
spoiles
of
the
glorious
Temple
.
Oh
Ierusalem
,
Ierusalem
,
the
wonder
of
all
times
,
the
paragon
of
nations
,
the
glory
of
the
earth
,
the
fauourite
of
heauen
,
how
art
thou
now
become
heapes
of
ashes
,
hilles
of
rubbish
,
a
spectacle
of
desolation
,
a
monument
of
ruine
?
Iflater
,
yet
no
lesse
deepe
hast
thou
now
pledged
that
bitter
cup
of
Gods
vengeance
,
to
thy
sister
Samaria
;
How
carefully
had
thy
God
forwarned
thee
?
Thogh
Israel
play
the
harlot
,
yet
,
let
not
Iudah
sinne
:
Loe
now
,
as
thine
iniquities
,
so
thy
iudgements
haue
ouertaken
her
:
Both
lye
together
in
the
dust
,
both
are
made
a
curse
to
all
posterities
:
Oh
God
,
what
place
shall
thy
iustice
spare
,
if
Ierusalem
haue
perished
?
If
that
delight
of
thine
were
cut
off
for
her
wickednesse
,
Let
not
vs
bee
high
minded
but
feare
.
What
pity
it
was
to
see
those
goodly
Cedars
of
the
Temple
flaming
vp
higher
then
they
stood
in
Lebanon
?
to
see
those
curious
marbles
,
which
neuer
felt
the
dint
of
the
pick-axe
,
or
hammer
,
in
the
laying
,
wounded
with
mattockes
,
and
wounding
the
earth
in
their
fall
?
to
see
the
holy
of
holies
,
whereinto
none
might
enter
but
the
high-priest
,
once
a
yeare
,
thronged
with
Pagans
;
the
vailes
rent
,
the
sacred
Arke
of
God
vilated
,
and
defaced
,
the
Tables
ouer-turned
,
the
altars
broke
down
,
the
pillars
demolished
,
the
pauements
digged
vp
,
yea
,
the
very
ground
,
where
that
famous
pile
stood
,
deformed
.
O
God
,
thou
woldst
rather
haue
no
visible
house
vpon
earth
,
then
indure
it
defiled
with
Idolatries
.
Foure
hundred
thirty
and
sixe
yeares
had
that
Temple
stood
,
and
beautified
the
earth
,
and
honored
heauen
,
now
it
is
turned
into
rude
heapes
;
There
is
no
prescription
to
be
pleaded
for
the
fauour
of
the
Almighty
:
Onely
that
Temple
,
not
made
with
hands
,
is
eternall
in
the
heauens
.
Thither
hee
graciously
bring
vs
,
that
hath
ordain'd
vs
thither
,
for
the
sake
of
that
glorious
high-Priest
,
that
hath
once
for
all
entred
into
that
holy
of
holies
,
Amen
.