A theological epitome or Divine compend apparently manifesting Gods great love and mercie towards man: notwithstanding of mans perverse disposition, and continuall vnthankefulnesse towards his God. By Iohn Kennedie.

A THEOLOGICAL EPITOME OR DIVINE COMPEND . WHen as Iehova did creat , His last worke most perfyte , Like his owne image made he that , In it tooke such delyte . So Male and Female made he man , this excl'nt worke to grace , The breath of life the LORD began to breath into his face . Thus Man being made a living Soule , the LORD him power gaue , O're every fish , and beast , and fowle , and all things life did haue . Then GOD bade Man subdue the Earth , increase and multiplie , And for Mans food the ground by birth , the LORD did fructifie . A garden Eastward GOD did make , in Edens fertile land , Which neither tree nor plant did lacke , such was his blest command . In midst of this fair garden stood , the tree of knowledge much , To man the rest GOD gaue as food , but this , man might not touch . The tree of life beside this was , and fruitfull trees for meat , Whereof man might without trespasse , by Gods leaue safely eate . But , if the tree of knowledge fruit , he taste , God did bequeath , Man out of Eden hee should root , and cause him die the death . Each sowle & beast which God had wrought as Gods command they came Before the man : as man best thought , to each hee gaue a name . Then God to make he thought it best , for man a helpe or aide , Thus heavy sleepe the man possest , which time the Lord convoyed , A rib out of mans side , and made A female of that bone , Closd vp the flesh againe , and said man should not liue alone : To man he brought his other part , or second selfe , ( quoth hee ) Both bone and flesh of mine thou art , thy name shall woman bee . Now man and woman naked were , in Paradice this time , And ne're asham'd till they did erre , committing sinfull cryme . For now the Serpent ( subtile beast ) perswaded Adams wife , Forbidden fruit at his request , to eate : and said her life Shee should not lose : but God knowes wel ( quoth hee ) when you doe taste , This fruit ; your knowledge shall excell , and you as Gods bee grac't . The woman thinking all was trew , the serpent to her spake , Disiring knowledge : shee some few forbidden fruit did take . Thereof shee ate and gaue her mate , and hee did eat also : Then did they see their owne estate , how they did naked goe . Therefore some fig-tree leaues they tooke , and sow'd them altogether , Made breeches thereof , now they looke , to runne they know not whether . For why ? into the coole of day , in garden they did heare , GODS voyce , where art thou Adam ? say most perfectly , come heere ? When Adam came the LORD before , he greatly was dismayde , Saying , hee naked was , therefore , to come hee was affraide . That thou wert naked who thee told , ( quoth GOD ) that thou wast hid , To eate the fruit hast thou beene bold , which I did thee forbid ? Then Adam said to GOD againe , the woman thou gaue mee , Gaue it to mee , and wee amaine , did eate of knowledge tree . ( Quoth shee ) the Serpent me deceav'de , in making mee belieue Great knowledge I should haue receav'd , when I did eate and giue , This fruite vnto my husband heere , Moving him eate likewise , Thus man who then to GOD was deere , did first his law despise , Then to the Serpent GOD spake thus , 'cause thou this thing hast done , Aboue all beasts I thee accurse , and cattell every one , Thou on thy bellie shall goe still , ( O sentence true and just ) Since thou mad'st man gainstand my will , thou ever shall eate dust , Betwixt thy seed , and womans seed , shall bee enimitie , Thou's bruise his heele , and he thy head shall breake assuredly . And to the woman GOD said now , thy sorrowes I 'le increase , In sorrow foorth thy children thou shalt bring with great distresse . Vnto thy husband , thy desire shall ever subject be , And hee as potent Lord or Syre , shall still rule over thee . But to the man thus spake the Lord , I 'le curse earth for thy sake , 'Cause my command thou hast abhorde , the earth I 'le barren make . The earth thus cursd for mans offence , God said : thereon thou's feede , In sweat of face , and euer hence , in sorrow shalt eate bread , Till to the dust thou doe returne , of which thou first was framde , This sentence should make man still mourn and bee of sin ashamde . So , of Gods power let vs cease , to dispute of the same , Who made man of earths superfice , a rare and exc'lent frame . Of basest thing in all the field , God made flesh , blood , and boue , To other things their forme did yeeld , by word and it was done . Gods love in the creation old , to man , his Saincts still sing , Who might haue made man if hee would a beast or creeping thing . And yet gaue man a liuing spreit , with witt did him indue , Fish , Fowle , and Beast , gaue man for meat and all on earth which grew . Next , in prerogatives Gods loue , to man is eminent , Who gaue him rule all things aboue , beneath the Firmament . And causde him name each other Creature according to mans will , What ere they bee in shape or stature , that name they yet keepe still . Againe Gods loue may well bee seene , to man : who did him place , In Edens garden euer greene , where hee might him solace . With Beasts Fouls Fruits & pleasant flowrs each one of severall dye , Which were refresht by heavenly showres and cherisht by Gods eye . Yet more then this Gods loue wee find , conspicuously appeare , To man-wards , who to mans owne minde made him a helper deare . Lest hee alone , might too much long , and lest his kinde should faile , By this late helpe GOD made man strong , and on the earth prevaile , Yet though from GOD these gifts man got , as tokens of his favour , The LORD perceaved man did not , of true obedience savour , Therefore in one thing hee restrainde , the man and that was this , Forbidden fruit hee him ordaind forbeare , lest that amisse , Might out of Eden him eject , from presence of his GOD , Who then intirely did affect man ; sparing justice rod , Till that in end through curious pride , and covetice of witt Wretcht man from Gods command did slid and did his law omitt . Then foorth the Lord ejected him , to plow the barren ground , In seas of woe he made man swimme , yet would not him confound . Thereafter Adam Eva knew , and shee brought foorth a sonne , And call'd him Cain ; this man slew just ABEL being alone . Then GOD to Cain said anone , ( who then in sinne did sleepe ) Where is thy brother ABEL gone ? Should I my brother keepe ? ( Quoth Cain ) I no way can tell : What hast thou done ? truelie Thy brothers blood thou didst expell , from ground cryes vnto mee . Therefore from earth thou art accurst , who op'ned hath her mouth , And blood received , which did burst , from ABELS wounds for truth , So when thou plows the ground , her strength shee shall not yeeld to thee : And thou a vagabound at length still on the earth shall bee . Farre greatter is my punishment , than able I 'me to beare ( Quoth Cain ) : for incontinent who finds me far or neare Since I am from thy face cast out , a runnagate made still : Who first confronts mee , without doubt , most sure hee will mee kill . Then God again this to him told , who killeth Cain : Sure His punishment shall bee seven fold , which doubtlesse hee 's endure . On Cain then God set a marke , lest any kill him might , Of Gods great mercie , thus the sparke was not quite out of sight . Then Cain from the presence went , of his most gratious God , To Edens east side , where his tent , he pitcht in land of Nod. So when that men were multiplied , on earth , and to them borne Were sonnes and daughters they espide , ( Gods sonnes I meane forlorne . ) That daughters of the men were faire , therefore they tooke them wives , Of all they liked every where , with whom they spent their liues . Therefore God said , my spirit shall with man not alwayes striue , For hee s but flesh subject to fall , I le him of lyfe depriue . At end of hundreth twentie yeeres , his dayes shall bee no moe , Then from his eyes wypt shall be teares , and rest his labour fro . Giants there were on earth those dayes , when Gods sonnes came ( even then ) Vnto mens daughters these alwayes , were strong and mightie men . Thus when God saw the wickednesse , of man on earth was great And that mans heart did still expresse . bad thoughts : God griev'd thereat . And that hee made man hee repents , and 's sorie in his heart , Because that man his whole intents , from sinne could nee're depart . Therefore God said , I will destroy from earth , and bring to nought , The man , the woman , girle and boy , and all that e're I wrought . Yet Noah in Gods eyes found grace , and walked with the Lord . An vpright man in everie cace , was hee : Scriptures record . To him God said ; Come is an end , of all flesh mee before : And since that man will not amend , but heapes vp sinnes in store , Thou therefore goe , and make an Arke , of Pine-tree I direct : Pitch it both in , and out : remarke that it haue no defect . For on the Earth I 'le bring a flood of waters from above . Which shall of breath all things denude , that on the earth doe move . Yet of each sort of liuing thing , two I 'le cause come to thee , These thou into the Arke shall bring , that they may saued bee . Gods mercie heere is manifest , to mankynde who convoyde , Him saue through floods : of fowle & beast some seed keept vndestroyde , He would not root all mankinde out , though man the same deservde , For when the deluge rag'd about the earth : he Noe preservde . But when the flood was overpast , and God did man restore , In Noah : men increased fast , yet did not God adore . Then all the earth one language spoke , each other vnderstood , And from the east they iourney tooke , in Shenars plaine abode , Each one to other said this time , let vs burne bricke anone , In stead of morter they had slime , and bricke in stead of stone . Then said they let vs build a towre , whose top to Heaven may reach , Lest wee bee scattred in one houre , now all were of one speach . But from aboue the Lord did then , the highest clouds come downe , When building were the sonnes of men , to see their towre and towne . Then said the Lord , the people vow and they all condiscend , To doe this thing : nor can they now , be stopt what they intend , Let vs their language then confound , that never one perceaue Anothers speech : let shame redound , to such as pride now haue . The Lord then scattred them from hence ▪ on all the earth abroad , And they left off their building hence , thus were they stopt by God . The name of it they Babell call , because the Lord did there Of men confound the language all , them scattering euerie-where . But yet Gods mercie did extend , here towards man likewise , For though hee did his God offend , by this proud exercise . Yet God his ruine never sought , and yet hee lets him see , That mans best wit and strength is nought without the Lords suppsee . For even the Lord his owne elect , are subject vnto sinne , As oft it proveth by effect , of weaknesse them within . Though God just Abraham did blesse , with graces manifold , And did by signes and words expresse , to him and Sarah old . That he would make a nation great , of them and of their seed , Yet Sarah thought her old estate , could no wayes children breed , Therefore within her selfe shee laught , ( for shee did God mistrust ) Saying , since I am old , and fraught with yeeres : shall I haue lust , Therefore God asked Abram why that Sarah his wife smilde , Saying , since I am old , can I in age , bring forth a childe , Shall any thing to God bee hard , at the appointed time , Returne to thee I le afterward , as one in youthfull prime . Sarah thy wise shall haue a sonne , but Sarah now denyed , That shee had laught , or such thing do●● ▪ for shee was much affraide . Thus may you see through lacke of faith ▪ Gods owne may him commove , Yet tast they not his cup of wrath , though hee doth them reprove . Examples many moe wee see , in Scripture how Gods flocke , Through their great infidelitie , him oft to wrath provoke . When Israelites by Moses hand , from Egypt were conduct , According to the Lords command , as God did him instruct . Hard by Pihahiroth , to grudge , 'gainst Moses they began : Asking why there he made them ludge , to perish euery man . Was there in Egypt ne're a graue , that thou broughtst vs to die , In Wildernesse : for now wee haue ( Quoth they ) no way to flie . Hudge mountaines are on 〈…〉 the Sea is vs before : Proud Pharohs host behinde vs ride , approaching evermore . But God to Moses said ( quoth hee ) stretch foorth thy rod , and so The Seas shall soone divided bee , and on drye ground you 's goe . But vpon Pharoh and his host , I will me honour get , Who in their strength and chariots boast , thinking they haue no lett . For midst the raging floods profound , without stop or delay , His men and chariots I 'le confound , before your eyes this day . As God had said , it came to passe , when Israelits were gone , The Sea returned where it was , Egyptians died eachone , In wildernesse of Shur againe , they water found no where , And then gainst Moses did complaine , when as they camped there . TO Marah when they came at last , they knew not what to thinke , The waters had so bitter taste , thereof they could not drinke . This place was Marah calde to name , or bitternesse : for why ? The bitter taste from water came , no Isralite could try . And now gainst Moses , murmure fast those people vndescreet , Till GOD shew him a tree , which cast in waters made them sweet , An ordinance GOD made them heare , and heere the people prov'd Of all the world to him most deare , and best of him belov'd , Yet when to wildernesse of Sin they came , ( betwixt Sinai And Elim ) they againe begin , to murmure and to cry 'Gainst Moses and Aaron the Priest , wishing that by GODS hand , In Egypt they had died at least , when ere they left that land ; For when ( quoth they ) by Egypts pots wee sate : well stuffde with flesh , The bellies full of bread , ( GOD wots ) wee eate , did vs refresh . Now GOD at evening store of quaile sent them ; the morning tyde Great store of Manna , without faile , lay on the mountaine side , Six dayes they did the same collect , for each an Omer full , Heere men may marke a strange effect , though that their braines bee dull . GODS providence to them was such , when they collect this meat , None had too little nor too much , to spare or yet to eate , The sixt day they collected still , as much as serv'd the morne , The seventh , or Sabbath day , GODS will was it should bee forborne . Yet diverse went that day to proue , to find it on the ground , But GOD the occasion did remoue of sinne , for none was found . Some others heapt it vp therefore , though GOD did them forbid , Vild crauling wormes they got in store , in that which they had hid . And yet into their Sabbaths food , though it was a long kept , GODS providence to them was good , no vermine therein crept : At last they came to Rephidim , where they did much annoy Their GOD : for now they raile on him , that did them there convoy . Because they could no water find , they murmurde at the first , 'Gainst Moses , saying is 't thy minde , to kill vs heere with thirst , Then Moses cryde vnto the LORD , saying what shall I doe , This people all with one accord to stone mee almost goe , Then GOD againe to Moses spake , and there did him direct Elders of Israell to take , and rod of great respect Into his hand , wherewith Hee smote the river : for behold Thy name I will still saue from blotte , as I haue oft thee told . In Horeb on the rocke I 'le stand before thee ; thou shall smite The Rock with rod , then I 'le command the water out come quite , That all the people then may drinke , then Moses did so right . Then through the Rocke the waters sinke , in Israels Elders sight . Then Massah called hee the place . and Maribah , because Of Israels contentious cace , whose temptings had no pause . Now by those proofes wee may perceiue ▪ that GODS great mercie yet Is towards man , though hee as slaue to sinne , doth sinne commit . Though Sarah old did misbelieue , GODS promise to her made , And through weak faith her God did grieue God kept what he had said ▪ Though Heaven and earth shall passe away and starrs , and Sunne and Moone , GODS blessed Word shall neere decay , what Hee speaks shall be done . For at appointed tyme hee came , which Sarah thought o'regone , And did returne to Abraham , and Sarah had a sonne : In whose seed are the Nations blest , of all the spatious earth , In whom wee liue , wee moue and rest , blest bee that Virgin birth . The covenant which GOD did make , with Abraham Hee kept , For Abrams seed did never lacke , things needfull , though they slept . And though they did their GOD offend , for Abrams sake , therefore Though GOD in Egypt did them send , Hee guards them evermore . And when their number greater was , that Pharoh waxt affraide Of them , yet would not let them passe , but still their journey staide , GOD then in Egypt wonders wrought , and by his mightie hand , Through the red sea his people brought , drownd all did them gainstand : Yet at Pihahiroth and Shur , at Marah and at Sin , And Meribah they made great sturre , murmuring themselues within : Though so they did , and that God swore , that these should not enjoy , The fertile land was them before , GOD did their seed convoy ; For Abrams sake , to that same land , which Hee to him had sworne To giue his seed , to whom as sand in number should bee borne . Thus may wee see GODS clemencie , was , is , and doth remaine Still towards ingrate man , though hee can ne're from sinne refraine , Wee see GODS people whom He lovde , did tempt Him every way , The justest man that ever movde , seven times doth sinne a day . Then happie are they who die yong , they fewer sinnes commit , Yet babes who lack the speach of tongue , are not found free of it . For though they 're free of actuall sinne , yet sinne originall , Which did in Paradise beginne , to hell will bring vs all , Vnlesse GODS mercie vs prevent , by Faith into CHRISTS blood , Wee haue our liues in sinne so spent , nought els can doe vs good . For since Adam and Eue did sinne , and towards GOD rebell , In them did then our sinne beginne , by which wee merite Hell : And if a man though ne're so strong ▪ doe wrong but one his like , Must hee not satisfie that wrong , or els let justice strike ; Much more then man offends his GOD , who 's partie both and judge , And in His hand holds justice rod , where can man haue refudge ? Likewise our fault is found so great , we can it ne're amend , Therefore Gods iustice doth vs threat with shame and fearefull end . But heere Gods mercie doth preuaile , and pacifies his wrath . He satisfaction for our faile , desires and not our death . But what way can wee satisfie , Our God for our offence , Our liues , yea soules , in no degree our misse can recompense . Yet since God sees that wee no way , can expiate his ire , Hee pities vs : if wee assay to doe his blest desire . And then himselfe the way finds out , himselfe to pacifie , Gods mercie great is without doubt , heere towards man wee see . For why the Lord the balme doth finde , to salue vp Sathans wound , Which men could never call to minde , who most in witt abound . CHRISTS precious blood it is the balme , that salues each Soule its sore , And makes sinnes surging seas be calme , which Sathans rage made roare . It is the ransome must vs saue , from Sathan , hell , and death , The meanes to raise vs from the graue , to gaine eternall breath . So since we see the LORD doth please to saue those who repent , And salue their sin-sicke Soules disease , through grace when they relent , Then let vs striue Him to obey , and glorifie His name , Who loues not see His children stray , nor yet to suffer shame . In sinners death the LORD of blesse , doth not delyte , beleeue , For Hee hath sworne , that He doth wish them to repent and liue . Hee bids them knock , Hee open shall , aske , and they shall receiue , Seeke , and they 'le find , and this is all that any heart can craue . Should then not wee our GOD still loue , who both our horne exalts ? And for our well , who from aboue , beggs pardon for our faults , If that a man condemnde to die , were saved by a Knight , Or some great man , would then not hee , serue that man day and night . Through sinne we are condemnd to hell , the great and second death , GOD who in mercie doth excell , vs saues by sacred Faith ; And more than this , His only Child , Hee gaue vnto the crosse , For our offences great and vild , the guiltlesse life did losse . And whilst his lyfe they tooke away , Our Blessed LORD said so , Forgiue them FATHER I Thee pray , they know not what they doe . Should wee not then still endevore , to serue the LORD of life , Who hath vs saved evermore from death and Sathans strife , Who framde vs likewise all of nought , and did our Soules redeeme , From death and hell , whilst Sathan sought of blesse vs to exeeme , For first our GOD graunts to receiue amends for our misdeed , And since amends Hee cannot haue , Himselfe finds the remeed . And last of all , Hee is content , Himselfe the mends to make , And for our sinnes Hee doth assent , His owne Sonnes life to take , What obligation then haue wee , towards our gratious LORD ? Who hath from hell thus set vs free , O then in one accord ! In Faith , and loue with hearts contreit , let vs our spirits raise , And yeeld to Father , Sonne , and Spreit , Thanks , Honour , Glorie , Praise . FINIS .