HIstories which contain the declaration of things true and profitable for the life of man , haue alwayes beene greatly esteemed of all men , who were not altogether Barbarous , as well for the great pleasure , as for the exceeding profitte which is receiued by them : and because besides it is a most commendable matter for vs to knowe , and a shamefull ▪ matter to be ignorant of , those u●ble and v●liant acts , which haue beene atchieued by those that liued in former ages before vs . So then , Cicero the cheefe Father of the Romane eloqence , did not without cause say , that Histories are the witnesses of times , the light of truth , the life of memorie , the schoole-m●stresse of life , and the messenger of antiquitie . For without Histories ▪ what certaintie can we haue of things past ? what truth of things spoken and done in former ages ? howe voyde shoulde our memorie bee of the knowledge of so many notable things , which hapned before our dayes ? and then what skill or vse could there bee of things altogether vnknowne ? We should as children passe ouer our life , ignorant of all reuerend antiquitie . Now then , if euery Historie faithfully committed to writing , deserueth this prayse , and glorieth worthily in these titles , howe much more may wee truely say , that the sacred Histories onely , are free from all suspition , which were endited by the Spirite of God , written by the Prophets , and carefully preserued in the Church : which sette before our eyes the true originall of all things , teach the beginning and order of times , lay downe the truth of all things past , stirre vp in vs , and refresh the memorie of works , both humane and diuine , and propose vnto vs sound examples , by which we may frame our whole life to the true knowledge and sincere worship of God ? Adde hereunto , that the state of the Church is represented vnto vs by the same Histories , and that the enemies of the same ▪ her fights and sufferings , Gods manifold succours , and at the last , the full deliuerances thereof are in them plainely set downe to her view . Amongst all the rest , this Historie of Ester , which by Gods fauor we take in hand , doth propose vnto vs , euen as in a glasse , the wonderful prouidence of God , in preseruing , cherishing , and defending his Church : then againe , the treacheries and cruell mindes of her most deadly enemies : and last of all , the carefulnesse and dutie of the godly , as well at all other times , as then principally , when dangers hang ouer their heads , and threaten vnto them all extremitie . The name of the authour is vnknowne , neither doth it much auaile vs to know who wrote it ( as in such like Histories of the Iudges , Ruth , Samuel , Kings , and Iob , ) so that we know that it is sacred and diuine , and hath been so taken and receiued alwaies in the Church of God : sith the holy ghost hath engrauen it in the hearts of the faithfull by sufficient testimonies . This Historie therefore bearing for title the name of Ester , ( because Ester was as a principall instrument , which God did vse for the deliuerance of his Church , when it was like vtterly to haue bin destroyed in her time , throughout all the prouinces of Assuerus ) is adorned with this note of diuine maiestie and vndoubted truth , and layde vp in writing amongst the holy monuments , for the instruction and consolation of the Church , throughout all ages . For as the Apostle Paul saith : Whatsoeuer things are written afore time , are written for our learning , Rom. 15. 4. that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope . For so notable and extraordinarie deliuerances of the Church of God , at sundrie times , and in diuers manners , were not gathered togither and committed to writing , without the ordinance and direction of Gods diuine prouidence : but that diligently beholding howe great a care the Lord hath alwayes had of his people , and with how vnwearied endeuour hee hath brought vnto them present helpe in greatest distresse : we may learne to place our hope in him alone , and to rest our selues onely on him , whose goodnesse and truth endureth for euer .

The time when these things happened , was in the raigne of Assuerus : but who this Assuerus was , or at what time he raigned , it is not agreed vppon by all writers : yet notwithstanding by comparing of other places of holy Scripture , in which mention is made of Assuerus , as Esra 4. 6. it appeareth that this Assuerus is hee , whom the prophane Hystorians call Darius , the sonne of Hystaspis , which after the death of Cambyses the son of Cyrus , had obtained the Kingdome . Wherefore , whereas this Historie setteth down a rehearsall from the third yeare of the raigne of Assuerus , and the conspiracie of Haman falles out the twelfth yeare : those things which are here recited , seeme to haue happened in the two and thirtieth yeare after that the people by the decree of Cyrus , ●ad leaue to returne out of the captiuitie into they rowne Countrey . For Cyrus and Cambyses raigned nine yeare : the two Magi surprised Babilon a yeare , about the ende whereof Assuerus obtained the Kingdome . So that there were but only tenne yeares past from the establishment of the Monarch of the Persians and Medes , when Assuerus got the Kingdome , in whose twelfth yeare this conspiracie happened . But then it must needes bee that Mardochaeus must bee verie olde , because as wee shall heare in the seconde Chapter , hee was carried into Captiuitie with Iechoniah , from which time vnto this , there passed more then foure score yeares . But the Lorde as often as the necessitie of his Church hath so required , hath preserued certaine men strong and sounde for that purpose . And let these things suffice to haue beene spoken of the time . For their opinion hath not sufficient grounde , which place these things vnder the time of the Captiuitie ▪ because that during the time of that fast Monarchie of the Babylonians , none of the Persians had so large an Empire ●s this Assuerus , r●igning from India ▪ vnto Aethiop●● .

The drift of this Historie , is to make manifest , howe the poore Church of those who remaine dispearsed in diuers ●egions , into which they were led away ●aptiues , ( when as a most certain and pre●ent destruction hanged ouer their heads ) was by the peculiar care and sauour of God , deliuered ▪ from the slaughter , and ●s it were , plucked out of the iawes of ●heir enemies : the death which they ●●re●tned , and the det● and traps which ●hey pr●pared for others , beeing tur●ed ouer vppon the aduersaries owne ▪ ●eades . So that this Historie consisteth ●f two partes , of the which the first con●●ineth the mischie●s prepared against ▪ the ●ewes , in the fiue first Chapters ▪ the ●ther contayneth the happie issue and ●iraculous deliueraunce from them , in ●●e rest of the Booke . As concerning ●e former parte ▪ in the ▪ first two Chap●ers is recited the reiecting of Vashti , and ●he exalting of Ester succeeding in her place . In the third Chapter is recorded howe greatly Haman is had in fauour and authoritre with Assuerus & his courtiers , and with howe great and deadly hatred hee prosecuted Mardochaeus and all the rest of the Iewes . The fourth containeth the praiers and supplications of the Iewes vnto God , when they sawe so certaine a destruction to be readie to light on them . The fift sheweth the preparation to the deliuerance , the wrath and furie of Ha●man notwithstanding increasing still against Mardochaeus : and this is the first part of the booke . In the other part wherin the deliuerance is contained , in the sixt Chapter , is declared the honour which Mardochaeus receiueth from the King by the ministrie of Haman : and heereuppon the beginning of the euils that followed , and an extreame dispaire of bringing his purpose to passe , is foretolde him by his wife . In the seuenth it is noted , howe he was hanged on the gallowes which he had prepared . In the two next Chapters is recited the slaughter of the enemies killed by the Iewes , as well in Susa , as in allother prouinces , to the number of three score and fifteene thousand men : amongst whom were the tenne sonnes of Haman 〈◊〉 , and after hanged vpon gallowes . Herehence ariseth great ioy and gladnes ●o the Iewes , and that day is appoynted ●earely to celebrate so great a benefit ●eceiued at Gods hand . The last Chapter 〈◊〉 teacheth , that Mardochaeus beeing ●n great fauour and authoritie with the King , and succeeding in Hamans place , ●mployeth al his force to the good of the ●hurch . And thus this Historie containeth ●he space of fifteene yeares , though some ●ount more , some lesse .

The vse and profit of this Historie is great . For first out of it wee learne , what ●or the most part , is the state and conditi●n of the Church in this world : to wit , to ●e dispearsed heere and there vnder the ●ower and dominion of infidell Kings : to ●e basely accounted of , and hated of am●itious Courtiers : to bee subiect to manie ●launders , and to be appoynted euen vn●o death : so that it shall be free for euerie ●ne without controlment , to exercise ty●annie against it . Contrariwise , that the children of this worlde , ( whiles others 〈◊〉 , are despised , and subiect to the crosse ) follow their pleasures , abounde in riches and honour , and they who are stirred vppe with greater rage of vnrulie minds , go about to compasse the death and destruction of the poore faythfull ones by which wicked counsels Kings easily suffer themselues to bee perswaded , and so deceiued . But all these things happen not without Gods decree and prouidence , to those whom by these meanes hee will haue exercised and prooued , that they may acknowledge the greatnesse of theyr sinnes , bee remooued from the loue of this worlde , be brought to true repen●ance , bee made like vnto theyr head , yeelde testimonie and witnesse to the trueth , and bee lifted vppe into the hope of the Kingdome of heauen . The causes then of the afflictions with which for the most parte wee see the Church of GOD to wrestle , are on the one side the will of God , both that the spots and blemishes wherwith as yet shee is dimmed , may bee washed away , and also that the vertue wherewith GOD hath endued her , may shine the more bright . On the other side , the most venemous hatred of the worlde against the truth and pure Religion , and also the credulitie of ●●ose , who sitte at the stearne of the ●●eatest Empires , together with theyr 〈◊〉 great carelesnesse , to search out the 〈◊〉 or false Religion , or to iudge of 〈◊〉 vprightly . Especially wee are to ob●●rue the trecherous and exceeding rage 〈◊〉 Satan , moouing and driuing men at 〈◊〉 becke , and going about by all meanes ●●ssible , to extinguish the light of the ●●auenly doctrine .

Next wee are to note what are the ●●ercises of the faythfull , when afflic●●●ns growe vppon them , to wit , teares , 〈◊〉 , prayer , whence they hope for ●elpe : with what constancie and bold●●sse they ought to bee endued , that are ●●noured with the greatest gifts in the ●hurch : who ought , following the ●●ample of Mardochaeus and Ester , o●●rcomming all difficulties , to employ ●●eyr whole labour for the Church , ●●ensoeuer any daunger is like to fall 〈◊〉 it . For lette this be the onely ende of ●●ose gifts whatsoeuer , which men haue receiued from God , and of the authoritie and fauour , whereby they be of power 〈◊〉 , euen the glory of God , and the good of the Church , leauing the euent of tho●● things which by reason of our dutie , 〈◊〉 the feare of God are taken in hand , 〈◊〉 his good will and pleasure . Nowe wher● as God is at hand , the helper of his , in 〈◊〉 fitte time , and by so many meanes : 〈◊〉 learne first , that it was not without 〈◊〉 said , that The ●ye of the Lord is vpon 〈◊〉 Psal. 33 18. Psal. 121. that feare him , and hope in his mercie : 〈◊〉 that He that keepeth Israel doth not slumbe●● and therefore that wee may safely 〈◊〉 vnto him , and looke for his helpe . Nex● that the Lord is admirable in the defenc● of his , and reuenge of his enemies : that 〈◊〉 may know , that it is hee alone that sauet● 〈◊〉 43 ▪ ●● . and none other : that prayer and supplicat●ons are not powred out before him , 〈◊〉 trust reposed in his goodnesse in vaine● and that al may be compelled to acknowledge in his works , his hand and power● Therefore often times by himselfe , without any meanes of man , rouengeth he 〈◊〉 himselfe on his enemies . So in olde tim● Pharao runnes headlong into the sea with his horses & chariots : so the hoast of Sennacherib Exod. 14. 1 ▪ King . 19. was slain and discomfited ▪ Sometimes indeed he vseth humane meanes ▪ but th●se so strange and vnlooked for ▪ that all men are driuen to wonder at it : as Iudg. 3. 2● ▪ 22. & 4. 21. & 7. 22. 〈◊〉 Eglon was slain by Ehud : Siser● by 〈◊〉 : the hoast of the Madianites , ouer●●●wne with a great slaughter , by three 〈◊〉 men following Gedeon , who 〈◊〉 not , but onely blew their 〈◊〉 : and as this Haman of whom we are 〈◊〉 , hanged vpon the same gallowes 〈◊〉 himselfe had sette vp , euen by his 〈◊〉 , of whom before he had 〈◊〉 so great honours . Hereby it is 〈◊〉 , that the hearts of Kings are in the Prou. 21. 1. 〈◊〉 of the Lorde , which hee turneth at his 〈◊〉 : so that in a moment hee so 〈◊〉 the hand of him who had signed and 〈◊〉 the death of the poore and inno●●●t faithfull , that he turneth the same to 〈◊〉 punishment of them , whom before he 〈◊〉 furnished with authoritie and power , 〈◊〉 the ouerthrowing of the true 〈◊〉 ▪ Here also this is apparant , that when 〈◊〉 goeth about to deliuer his Church 〈◊〉 the oppression of tyrants , hee first 〈◊〉 taketh away with shame and 〈◊〉 , the cheefe and head , and after 〈◊〉 vp his reuenging hand against the 〈◊〉 of the members of the conspiracie . 〈◊〉 Pharao perished not alone in the sea , but together with his hoast . So Eglo● slaine , and then the restare punished , Sisara is put to flight with his armie .

Haman is hanged , after that his 〈◊〉 and a great multitude of the 〈◊〉 of Gods people , are vtterly . destroye those beeing chosen to execute this 〈◊〉 geance , and strengthened therunto , by 〈◊〉 authoritie of the lawfull Magistra●e , 〈◊〉 were before appoynted to the 〈◊〉 Neither are the examples fewe of 〈◊〉 uers such exployts , occurring 〈◊〉 where in holy Writ , as in the 〈◊〉 of the Iudges , Samuel , and the King in which we often see the people of 〈◊〉 defending themselues with lawful arme to haue destroyed their enemies 〈◊〉 great slaughters , and not to haue span often times neither women or children● great is the wrath of God , in reuengin the iniuries offered to himselfe , in th● person of his Church , whome hee loue● as his most dearest spouse . So many time when the enemies of the people of 〈◊〉 are most ioyfull and tryumphant , as 〈◊〉ming vnto themselues to haue fully 〈◊〉 the euent of their practises ; then is the ioy & triumph turned into mourning 〈◊〉 sorrow . Contrariwise , the groanes of the 〈◊〉 , and her teares , are changed into 〈◊〉 voyce of a song and m●●th , as the 〈◊〉 singeth . Sorrow may lodge with her for psal. 30. 5. 〈◊〉 , but ioy commeth in the morning : and 〈◊〉 wrath of God endureth but a moment , but 〈◊〉 fauor is life euerlasting . Let the 〈◊〉 therefore consecrate vnto the Lorde 〈◊〉 ioy & gladuesse , and let them in it 〈◊〉 vp a perpetuall monument & 〈◊〉 of his benefits , as here we shall see 〈◊〉 be done by these seely captiues , who 〈◊〉 so great a safetie from the Lord ▪ 〈◊〉 thus much sufficeth to haue spoken 〈◊〉 the fruits of this Historie .

Let vs now then set in hand with the 〈◊〉 it selfe , and first heere offereth 〈◊〉 vnto vs , the greatnesse of the 〈◊〉 of Assuerus , which is described vnto 〈◊〉 by two circumstances the first , that he 〈◊〉 from India to Aethiopra : the 〈◊〉 , that twentie seauen prouinces 〈◊〉 him , & that he had his emperiall seate 〈◊〉 the royall Citie Susa , among the 〈◊〉 . So that the greatest parte of the 〈◊〉 world , was subiect vnto him , euen 〈◊〉 goodliest , richest & most fruitful 〈◊〉 : seeing he had vnder his domini●● all Asia , and no small part of Affrica , in the which Egypt and Aethiopia are scituate . So Babylon , Assyria , Syria , and Iudaea , were at his commaunde , and hee gouerned al these kingdomes in great peace , being free from the feare of all enemies , either abroade or at home , which is easily gathered by that feast , of which a little after we shall entreate . So the Church then was vnder his Empire : for they that were returned againe into Iudaea by Cyrus permission , acknowledged him for their King , did yeeld him fealtie , and paid him tribute . But be it farre from vs , that we● should iudge by this dignitie and largenesse of so peaceable and flourishing an Empire , that Assuerus and the Persians were more fauored & cared for by God , then all other Kings and people . For God did more esteeme those poore and miserable captiues dispearsed here and there , and subiect to that great monarch , then either the King himselfe , or the rest of his subiects , seeing they were the Lords 〈◊〉 Ekod . 19. 6. 1. Pet , 2. 5. 9 ritance , a chosen people , a holy nation , a kingly priesthood . Wee may not therefore iudge of Gods loue or hatred , by the glorie , dignitie , or largenesse of great Empires , but by the forme of the couenant which hee 〈◊〉 made with his : and by the 〈◊〉 of that free adoption , into the which 〈◊〉 the most part are receiued the base 〈◊〉 contemptible before men , when the 〈◊〉 and hautie are reiected , because they 〈◊〉 haue disdained it . In the meane 〈◊〉 God will haue his to bee subiect 〈◊〉 vnto Infidell Kings , that wee may 〈◊〉 sufficient experience That the Lords Iohn . 18 : 36. 〈◊〉 is not of this world , neyther that 〈◊〉 church is to be sought for in the 〈◊〉 of the Empires of this worlde . 〈◊〉 notwithstanding , I denie not , but that 〈◊〉 giueth Kingdomes and 〈◊〉 to his , euen that it may be made 〈◊〉 , that Kings are appoynted by God , 〈◊〉 that he placeth in the Throne whom 〈◊〉 him : Although the glorie of 〈◊〉 and Empires in the Church , 〈◊〉 not continued long . Dauid indeede 〈◊〉 a mightie King : but how great I pray , comparison of the Monarchies of 〈◊〉 and Babylon ? Constantine obtayned 〈◊〉 Empire , both of the East and West , 〈◊〉 after him some godly Emperours , as 〈◊〉 the Theodosii , but the glorie of so 〈◊〉 an Empire quicklie fell : the barbarous Nations that came out of the North , spoyling and waste it , and seasing on the chiefe & greatest part of it : the Turke also and Saracens , and other fauourers of Ma●●homets sect , at this day possessing the greatest part of the worlde . And this not without great cause ; least the faythfull should suppose , that this outward glorie and greatnesse of Dominion , were a note of the Church : but rather that they shoulde followe the light of the Gospel : for there indeede is the Church , where Christ Iesus is acknowledged for the one lie authour of saluation . Nowe GOD gaue so great an Empire vnto Assuerus for none other ende , but to preserue pollicie , and the estate of those Nations : to establish lawes , to represse confusions wherewith among themselues those fiero people woulde haue beene troubled , and to brydle Tyraunts , whose pride and arrogancie quicklie woulde bee , kindled if they were not restrained by a greater power . For great Empires , though in there most corrupt men haue the gouernment yet they bind togither ( as it were ) with firme bande manie people , though otherwise much different in maners and condition , and draw them backe by good lawes and orders to a more ciuil kind of life . God by this meanes making a way to his word , as oft as it seemeth good vnto him , to frame men vnto the obedience of his will . Let vs not therefore thinke that there is heere mention made of the largenesse of Assuerus Empire , to the commendation of his prowesse and wisedome , as though he by his power and counsell had gotten to himselfe so great a Dominion : 〈◊〉 to lay before our eyes the prouidence Dan. f. 32. of our God , who at his pleasure appoynteth and establisheth kingdoms : and trans●ateth them from one nation to another , as it was foretold by Daniel , and deliuered in 〈◊〉 dreame to Nabuchadnezar , in the vision of that great Image , whose head was of gold , the armes and breast of siluer . So we haue seene it come to passe , that that great Monarchy of the Babylonians , which was figured by the golden head , was taken away by the Monarchie of the Persians and Medes , begun by Cyrus , encreased by Cambyses , and confirmed by Assuerus , who did not discend from Cyrus , but was chosen 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 King by the neighing of his horse , as Hystories report .