5THE FIRST PART Of the SUM of the HOLY HISTORY.
SECT. I.
IN the Beginning GOD alone,
did Heaven and Earth create;
He ſpake the Word, and it was done,Geneſis. Chap. 1.
as Scriptures do relate.
The Earth had neither Form nor Face,
the Darkneſs covered all,
When thus he made in ſix days ſpace,
the Creatures great and ſmall.
The firſt Day he commanded Light,
The Darkneſs to prevent:
The ſecond Day he rear'd in ſight,
the ſtately Firmament:
The third, the Earth with Fruits adorn'd,
the ſwelling Sea debars;
The fourth, the Sun and Moon were form'd,
with all the Glorious Stars:
6 The fifth, the Fiſh with Scales and Fins,
and then the feathered Foul:
The ſixth, the Beaſts and creeping things,
and then that living Soul,
Which that one God, in Perſons Three,
did make by Conſultation,
With purpoſe that the ſame ſhould be,
the Mirror of Creation.
Even Male, and Female perfect man,
right Holy, Wiſe, and Juſt:
For he did bear God's Image then,
though he were made of Duſt.
Thus having finiſh't all with ſpeed,
and bleſt them, and proteſted,
That each thing made was good indeed,
the ſeventh Day he reſted.
For Adam's Aid, who was alone,
the Lord God formed Eve:
Fleſh of his fleſh, Bone of his bone,
and unto them did give,
A Sovereign Power in Paradiſe,
to rule by Sea and Land.
And all the Creatures did rejoyce,
to do what they command;
And all the Fruits were theirs for meat,
that in the Garden grew;
Save one alone, which if they eat,
Death certain ſhall enſue.
But Eve for all that liſtened
unto the Serpent's lies,
And took and eat the Fruit forbid;
yea, Adam ate likewiſe,
And thereby thought like God to be;
but for this great Offence,
Poor Souls! to ſhame and miſery
they were caſt out from thence.
7Now wretched Man was wrapt in woe,
and in his loyns his Heirs,
For curſed and corrupt they go:Verſe 15.
yet to prevent deſpairs,
God promiſed them to reſtore
unto a State more ſtable,
And Eve unto her Husband bore,Chap. 4.
Cain and his brother Abel.
Abel was ſlain by curſed Cain,
who did his Goodneſs ſcorn,Anno mundi, 130.
But Evah did conceive again,
and godly Seth was born.
SECT. II.
FRom Seth did ſpring a Race of Men
religious and upright,
Yea Henoch walkt with God, and then
was taken out of ſight.
His Grand-child Lamech did beget
Noah: and then began,Anno 1056
The Sons of God their face to ſet,
on Daughters fair of Man:
Thence Giants came and mungrel kind,Chap. 6.
on whom the Lord did frown,
And for their ſin and wicked mind,
did threat the World to drown.
Noah alone on Earth did live,
uprightly; him God ſent,
And did an hundred Years them give,
and twenty to repent.
Mean while built Noah at his Charge,
an Ark three ſtories high:
The wicked World liv'd ſtill at large,
and dream'd that Noe did lie:
8 Till Fountains burſt, and open ſtood,
Heaven's windows all,Chap. 7.
for rain, Which quickly caus'd a fearful Flood,
for down it pours amain,
And all the Earth with ruin fills;Anno 1656.
Men, Beaſts, and Birds muſt die,
When as the Flood above the Hills
flow'd fifteen Cubits high.
Which rag'd well near a Year about,
and then was Noah bidden
To bring thoſe living Creatures out,
which in the Ark were hidden.
And out they came, both they and theirs,
four Women and four Men,
The unclean Creatures all by pairs,
the clean by ſevens; and then,
They offer'd Sacrifice,Chap. 8.
God ſmell'd a ſmell of Reſt; wherefore
He promiſed though Man rebell'd
to drown the World no more:
And plac'd the Rainbow for a pledge
and did again vouchſafe
To Man, a Sovereign Priviledge
above the Beaſts,Chap. 9.
and gave Their fleſh for Food. Thus having made
a Covenant of Peace,
With Noah and his Sons; he bad
they ſhould Mankind increaſe.
Of Japhet did the Gentiles ſpring,
of Cham the Canaanite,
Who curſt was for uncovering
his Father's ſhameful ſight,
But Sem unto the Bleſſed Line,
was Heir, and from him came,
A Race and Progeny Divine
to Father Abraham.
9Now all the World, in ſpeech was one,
and did to build conſpire
A Babel, and confuſion
they gained for their hire.
SECT. III.
THis Abraham a faithful Man,
left Land and Kindred all,Anno 2008.
And wandring up and down he ran
where e're his God did call.
From Ʋr he went to Canaan,Chap. 12.
with Sara and with Lot,
To ſettle there he ſcarce began
but that by Famine hot,
To Aegypt he was forc'd to flie,
where fearing much his life,
Before King Pharaoh fainingly
he did deny his Wife.
To Bethel he goes back again,Chap. 13.
where Strife began to grow,
'Twixt Lot and him; for Wealth amain,
did in upon them flow.
Old Abraham, with humble Heart,
to younger Lot gave place,
And in diſtreſs did take his part
and reſcue him in chaſe. Chap. 14.
Melchizedec did him meet and bleſs,
but childleſs ſtill he ſtaid,
Till Iſhmael;Chap. 16.
and that increaſe was but by Sara's Maid:
Yet God by ſpecial Promiſes,Chap. 13.16.15.5.17.6. Chap. 17.
himſelf did often tie,
As Heavens Stars, and ſand of Seas,
his Seed to multiply.
10And ſeal'd it with a Sacrament,
to him and his Heirs Male;
When ſolemnly he did appoint,
to circumciſe them all.
Mean time he did him entertain,Jam. 2.23.
very familiarly;
Much like a Friend,Chap. 18.
as was moſt plain, when Sodom's ſinful cry
Did pierce the Skies, and God down came,
and if but Ten good Men
Could there been found; for Abraham,
the Lord had ſpar'd it then.
So Fire and Brimſtone fearfully
from Heaven fell apace,
And furnace-like the ſmoak did fly:Chap. 19.
juſt Lot in better caſe,
To little Zoar fled for life,
where in a drunken mood,
On's Daughters (having loſt his Wife)
he got a * curſed Brood.
SECT. IV.
THence Abraham went to Gerar Land,Chap. 20.
where he again for fear,
Deny'd his Wife, but by God's Hand,
Abimelech did forbear.
Long had he waited, hope was paſt,
yet ſtill he did believe;
And God remembred him at laſt,
and Sara did Conceive:Chap. 21.
And in her old Age Iſaac bare,
and nurſt him on her knee,
And joyful Abram did not ſpare
to make a feaſt; but ſee
11 This only Son, and only Heir,
of Promiſe God Commands,
To be both ſlain,Anno 2108
and burnt with fire and that by Abram's hand.
Well: he obey'd, and call'd his Men,
Wood, Knife, and ſome he took,
On, to the place they go, and when
was bent the deadly Stroke
God ſtaid his hand, and in the ſtead
of Iſaac there was ty'd,
A Ram for Sacrifice. Indeed
here Abraham's Faith was try'd. Chap. 22.
His Son thus ſpar'd, his godly Care
was next about to ſpy,
For him a Wife, and therefore ſware
his Man's Fidelity. Chap. 24.
Who full religiouſly perform'd
the Office on him laid,
And with Rebeckah ſoon return'd,
a fair and vertuous Maid;
Whom Iſaac married, but ſtill,
She barren was, they pray'd:
God heard, and granted all their Will,Chap. 25.
and further to her ſaid;
The Babes that in her Womb did ſtrive,
were Twins and Nations twain,
The younger ſhould prevail and thrive,
the elder ſhould remain
A ſervant: Eſau was his Name,
and as he Veniſon ſought,
And back again well wearied came,
his Brother Jacob bought
His Birth-right for a Meſs of Broth,
mean while was Iſaac bleſſed,
Though envious Philiſtines be wroth,Chap. 26. ver. 14, 15.
and him with Wrongs oppreſſed.
12When Age came on and Eyes waxt dim,
then ſolemnly he meant,
To bleſs his Son, requiring him,
Veniſon for that intent.
About goes Eſau with his Bow,
but Jacob doth prevent him;
The means his Mother did him ſhow,
and cunningly preſent him,Chap. 7.
In Eſau's Clothes and Skins of Kids,
unto his Father; who
Miſtruſts the Voice and therefore bids,
come near to feel and know.
With fat of Earth, and Heaven's Dew,
with happy Seed and Kin,
He bleſt him (reverend was the ſhew)
and then came Eſau in.
And he with Tears and piteous Moan,
the Bleſſing ſought in vain,
He came too late, alas 'twas gone,
with that he beat his Brain
To ſeek and work Revenge, and then
the days (quoth he) make ſpeed,
Of mourning for my Father, when
I'll ſlay him for this Deed.
SECT. V.
THen did Rebeckah forthwith call,
and ſend Jacob away,
Leſt Eſau ſhould upon him fall,
his bloody Vow to pay.
And Iſaac charg'd him (taking leave)
to play a wiſer part,
Then Eſau, who did vex and grieve,
by heathen Wives his Heart. Chap. 21.
13But he ſhould to his Uncle go,
and match in godly Race,
And bleſſing ſhould be with him; ſo,
he went out from their face:
As he in fields that night did ſleep,
in Haran on a Stone;
By Dream he ſaw a Ladder ſteep
from Heaven; and thereon
The Angels paſſing, and above
God ſtanding all in view,
The bleſſed Promiſe of his Love,
with Jacob to renew.
There Jacob vow'd the Lord to fear:
thence on he went apace,
Inquiring in the fields to hear,
of Laban's dwelling place.
The Shepherds ſhew'd him readily,Chap. 29.
his Couſin Rachel there:
Whom he ſaluted chearfully,
and ſhe could not forbear,
But ran and carry'd home the News:
then Laban hies to meet him,
To dwell there he muſt not refuſe,
where all his Kindred greet him:
A match was made, and ſeven Years
for Rachel ſerve he muſt;
But Leah in the light appears,
ſo falſe was Laban's truſt.
Well, ſeven more he was content,
to ſerve for his Beloved,
And thought the time full quickly ſpent,Chap. 29. verſ. 20. Chap. 31.38, 39.
though full of Toyl it proved.
God bleſſed Laban for his ſake,
but him he bleſt much more.
Whatever Wages he did take,
to him was Gain and Store.
14Then Laban did envy his Wealth,
yet loath to let him go,
But Jacob fled away by ſtealth,Chap. 31.
and made him (following) know
The wrong he did; and both good Friends,
after a chiding parted.
Then Jacob in his Journey ſends
to pacifie hard-hearted
Eſau his Brother, who in Arms
was then againſt him bent;
But God prevented all the Harms,
and Eſau did relent.
So Jacob called Iſrael,Chap. 32.
(for God had chang'd his Name
When he prevail'd at Peniel)
in peace to Shechem came.
Here Dinah did a gadding go
and to her ſelf brought Shame:
And to the Shechemites much wo,
and to her Brethren Blame.
SECT. VI.
THence up to Bethel had he word,
to go to pay his Vow
Of Holy Worſhip,Chap. 35.
for the Lord again to Canaan now;
From Padan Aram had him ſet;
where mightily he grew
In Family and Subſtance great:
his Sons Names here enſue.
Reuben, Dan, Levi, Simeon,
Iſſachar,Chap. 29.30.
Napthalin, Aſer, Gad, Judah, Zebulon,
Joſeph and Benjamin.
Theſe Twelve were Patriarchs, whoſe Seed,
ſtill multiplied more,
15 Even to thoſe Thouſands promiſed
ſo oft and long before.
Judah the Royal Line enjoy'd,
who for a Deed amiſs,
Had Tamar's Life with fire deſtroy'd,
but that the Fault was his.
Young Joſeph Jacob's Joy,Chap. 37.
the reſt ſtill ſtomached and ſpited,
Yet Hatred he deſerved leaſt,
had him his Brethren righted;
For Envy they conſpir'd to kill,
but Reuben did perſwade;
Yet ſecretly they did him ſell,
to Men of Merchants Trade;Chap. 38.
Who ſold him unto Potiphar,
where though he lived chaſte,
And faithfully himſelf did bear,
yet was in Priſon caſt. Chap. 39.
But God beheld his Miſery,
and gave him Wiſdom great;
By which he was advanced high,
even next to Pharaoh's Seat.
For when the King no Reſt could find,
of Dreams that him had paſt,Chap. 41.
Th' ungrateful Butler then to mind
doth Joſeph call at laſt.
And then he was from Priſon ſent,
and ſet before the King;
Where he to Pharaoh's great Content,
Expounded every thing.
Beſides, he ſhew'd a ready way,
the Famine to withſtand,
Which Pharaoh lik'd, and then did lay
on him the Charge in hand.
So by him was Proviſion made,
againſt the time of Need:
16 Wherewith (to Pharaoh's gainful Trade)
all Aegypt he did feed. Chap. 47. verſ. 14.17.19.
SECT. VII.
OLD Jacob and his Sons alſo,Chap. 42.
were pinch'd with Penury,
Wherefore he charged them to go
and Food in Aegypt buy.
They went with Grief, and bought in Fear,
not dreaming of their Brother,
Nor did he Countenance them bear
more kind than any other;
Till when they came to him again,Chap. 45.
Affection was ſo great,
He could no longer it contain,
within his Breaſt for heat.
With weeping Eye and joyful Tongue,
he then did plainly tell,
He was their Brother Joſeph, whom
to Aegypt they did ſell.
The Joy of either was ſo much,
that neither now could bear it;
Their ſobbing Paſſion was ſuch,
that Pharaoh's Houſe did hear it.
Who underſtanding what they were,
commanded preſently,
With Charets, Horſe, and Furniture
for Jacob they ſhould hie.
So He with all his Family,Anno 2298. Chap. 46.
came thither out of hand;
And welcomed moſt lovingly,
were plac'd in Goſhen Land.
In Goſhen Land did Jacob ſee
the fulneſs of his days,Chap. 47.
17 And in his Sons Proſperity,
his fill of earthly Joys.
But ſolemnly before his Death,
he bleſt his Sons each one:Chap. 49.
And Joſeph eke gave up the Breath,
e're many Years were gone. Chap. 50.
Now when theſe Fathers both were dead,
and ſtill their Seed did grow:
There roſe a Pharaoh in his ſtead,
that did not Joſeph know.
He Tyrant-like with heavy Hand,
of Bondage preſt them down,Exodus. Chap. 1.
And gave the Midwives ſtrait command,
the Males to kill or drown.
SECT. VIII.
BOrn in theſe Flames was Moſes mild,Anno 2428.
and by God's Providence,
Though caſt in River Flags (poor Child)
yet was he freed thence;
By Pharaoh's Daughter, who did take,Chap. 2.
and keep him as her own;
Until he came to Man's Eſtate,
when fearing to be known,
For killing an Aegyptian; he
forſook the Court and fled:
And all this was by God's Decree,
whoſe Work muſt now be ſped.
For God had heard the grievous Cry,
of Hebrews ſore oppreſſed,
And Moſes he meant to imploy
in having it redreſſed. Chap. 3.
And called and ſent him away,Chap. 4.
to proud King Pharaoh;
18 Requiring him without delay
to let his People go.
But Pharaoh did the Lord deſpiſe,Anno 2508.
and asked what was he?
Increaſing more and more their Cries,
by greater Cruelty.
The Lord to tame this Tyrant ſtout,Chap. 5.
and his own Folk to right,
With Moſes ſendeth Aaron out,Chap. 7.
to make him know his Might.
They cauſed Blood, Frogs, Lice, and Flies,
with Murrain, Scabs, and Hail;
And Graſhoppers and darkened Skies,
all Aegypt to aſſail;Chap. 8.
Excepting Goſhen Land,Chap. 9.
where dwelt God's People Iſrael. Chap. 10.
Yet Pharaoh's Heart did nothing melt,
for ſtill he did rebel.
Then was the Paſſover ordain'd,
and with the Paſchal Blood,Chap. 12.
The Poſts of all their Doors were ſtain'd,
for their Safegard and Good;
Leſt that the Angel paſſing by,
ſhould ſmite them with the reſt:
For he the Firſt-born did deſtroy,
of Aegypt Man and Beaſt:
Which Slaughter caus'd them dreadfully
at Midnight up to ſtart,
And to entreat with woful Cry,
all Iſrael to depart.
From Aegypt then they forced went,
with borrowed Jewels plenty,
When they in Aegypt Years had ſpent
four Hundred Ten and Twenty.
But Pharaoh did repent the Deed,
and forthwith did not ſlack,
19 With Men and Chariots to make ſpeed
again to bring them back.
And to the Red-Sea them purſu'd,
they paſſed thorow dry,Chap. 14.
He followed with Courage proud,
but in the midſt did lie.
For God affrighted Man and Horſe,
and made his Chariots fall;
The Sea return'd with raging Force,
and drowned King and all.
Of this ſo ſtrange Deliverance,
was then a godly Song,Chap. 15.
Recorded for Remembrance,
and ſo they march't along.
SECT. IX.
ABout this time (the learned Judge)
did patient Job endure,Job.
All Miſchiefs that the Devil's Grudge,
and Malice could procure
To Children, Servants, Goods, good Name,
to Body, and to his Mind;
By Fire, Sword, Whirlwinds, Botch and Blain,
by Wife and Friends unkind.
Who long and large Diſcourſe•had,
to prove him plagu'd for ſin,
Whereby they did Affliction add,
to Miſery he was in.
And to ſuch Paſſions did him drive,
'twixt hearts Deſpair and Hope,
That Fleſh and Spirit did ſtrongly ſtrive,
and ſcarce to Breath gave ſcope:
But God at laſt, Juſt Job commends,Chap. 42.
and doubl'd his former Weal,
20 And check't his three cenſorious Friends,
but now to Iſrael.
The Lord their God in open ſight
directed them the way;Chap. 13.
By fiery Pillar in the Night,
and ſhady Cloud by Day.
With Angel's Food and Waters fine,
from Rocks that forced Stream,
He fill'd them,Chap. 15.24.16.3.17.3.
yet they did repine full oft, e're that they came
To Sinai; where the God of Might
in Glory did appear
And Iſrael trembled at the ſight:Chap. 19.
nor durſt,Chap. 20.
nor might come near. There did He give the Ten Commands,
and other Laws did Write,
For to contain them in the Bands
of Holineſs and Right.
There did he unto Moſes ſhowChap. 26.
the Tabernacle's Frame;
In every Point he taught him how
to make and uſe the ſame. Chap. 28.
There made he choice of Levi's Tribe,
the Prieſthood to attend.
And did their Duties all deſcribe
at large from End to End.
Mean while had Iſrael made a Calf,Chap. 32.
and grievouſly offended;
But Moſes Zeal in God's behalf,
deſerves to be commended:
Who ſharply puniſh'd with the Sword,
about three Thouſand Men,
And earneſtly beſought the Lord,
to ſpare the Remnant then.
God granted it,Chap. 33, 34.
and promiſed his Angel ſhould (in Token
21 Of Love) them lead; and then he did
renew the Tables broken.
Full forty Days and forty Nights,
was Moſes in the Hill,
Recording what the Lord indites,
his Precepts, Laws and Will.
Familiarly and face to face,
and faſting from all Food,
He waited in that Holy Place:
and thence he came and ſtood
In preſs of People to recite
all that the Lord had ſaid;Cap. 34.30.
What time his Face did ſhine ſo bright,
as made them much afraid.
SECT. X.
WHen as the Tabernacle now,Anno 2510.
was finiſhed and reared:
And with Appurtenances due,Chap. 40.
well furniſhed appeared.
Towards Canaan the promis'd Land,Numbers. Chap. 10.
that flow'd with Milk and Hony,
They marched forth Band after Band,
with ſtubborn Hearts and ſtony.
For by the way they ſoon forgot
Gods Mercy and his Power;
And car'd not how they him provok'd
to Anger every hour.
They long for Fleſh, they MANNA loath,Chap. 11.
and back they will retire.
They fret at GOD and Moſes both,Chap. 14.
for croſſing their deſire:
Nor would they warned be, though they
his dreadful Judgments ſaw
22 On them inflicted day by day,
which liv'd not under Law.
As Korah,Chap. 16.
Dathan, Abiram, with thouſands more among,Chap. 12.
Nadab, Abihu, Miriam,
and ſuch as Serpents ſtung.
Yet tempted they the Lord ſo long,
and with ſo high an hand;
That in his Wrath he ſwore, not one,
ſhould enter to the Land.
Save Joſhua and Caleb, who
returning with the Spies,Chap. 14.
Affirm'd the Truth that they did know,
and croſs'd their Fellows Lies.
So wandred they in Wilderneſs,
the ſpace of forty Years;
Till all were dead that did tranſgreſs;
as by God's Book appears. Chap. 26.64.
Their Sons he then did forward bring,
'gainſt all that kept them back,
As Sihon, Og, and Moab's King,
whoſe Name was Balaack.
Who hired Balaam them to curſe,
and ſo thought to moleſt them;
But for himſelf it was much worſe,
for Balaam three times bleſt them:
He and thoſe two, and five Kings more,
which were of Midian,Chap. 21.24.
Were in revenge of Baal-peor,
ſubdued, ſpoiled, ſlain. Chap. 22.
Here Reuben's Tribe, and Gad alſo,Chap. 31.
their Heritage poſſeſt,
On promiſe they ſhould marching go
in Arms before the reſt. Chap. 25.17, 18.
Here Moſes named every one
that ſhould the Land divide,Chap. 32. Numb. 34.
23 And gave a fit Poſſeſſion
unto each ſeveral Tribe.
And now muſt Moſes make an End,
as did his Fathers all:
Wherefore he did not time miſpend,Deut. 31.
but preſently did call
For Joſhua, and gave him Charge,
the People to conduct,
Whom he by Sermons long and large,Chap. 28.29.30.32.33.
divinely did inſtruct.
Which with a ſweet and Swan-like Song,
in heavenly wiſe he ended;
And bleſt the Tribes each one along,
and forthwith he aſcended
Mount Nebo, unto Piſgah Top,Chap. 34.
whence as he did ſurvey,
The Canaan Land, the earthly Hope,
God took his Soul away,Anno 2549.
To Heavens reſt; and buried then,
his Body none know where,
When Peerleſs he amongſt all Men,
had lived ſixſcore Year:
And yet his Eye-ſight did not dim,
nor Natures Forces wither;
There Iſrael lamented him,
for thirty Days together.
SECT. XI.
THen did the Lord call Joſhua,Joſhua 1.
and bid him to be Strong,
And truſt in him who is his Stay,
and boldly go along.
So he the Captain ſends out Spies,Chap. 2.
whom Rahab ſafe did hide,
And they return'd in joyful wiſe,
which made them to provide
24 To paſs with ſpeed into the Land,
at Joſhua his Word,Chap. 3.
The Jordan Waters back did ſtand,
and Paſſage dry afford.
In midſt whereof in open view,Chap. 4.
they did a Pillar rear,
The Circumciſion they renew,Chap. 5.
the Manna ceaſed there. Chap. 6.
Then ſet they upon Jericho,Chap. 7.
and alſo upon Ai.
But Achan's Sin did work them wo,
and from the Conqueſt ſtay,
The Gibeonites by Subtilty
were ſaved,Chap. 9.
but the caſe Of all the reſt, was for to die,
and give God's People place:
Who caſt them out, and did them kill,
with a victorious Hand,
For this the Sun and Moon ſtood ſtill,
at Joſhua's Command. Chap. 10.
When he had now fully poſſeſt,
each ſeveral Tribe in order,
And given to all Content and Reſt
By Lot in every Border:
Religiouſly he did them preſs,
a Holy League to make,Chap. 24.
For him and his,Chap. 25.
he did profeſs none other God to take:
And them and theirs he did adjure
to fear this God for ay.
So having ſeal'd the Covenant ſure,
he paſs'd by Death away. Anno 2566.
Full ſoon had they the Lord forgot,
when Joſhua was dead,
Then Judah had the Charge and Lot
their Armies forth to lead,Chap. 1
25 But for their great Tranſgreſſions,
and League with Canaanite,
God gave them to Oppreſſions,
of cruel Men of Might.
Who ſpoyl'd them without Mean or End,
and did them ſorely grieve,
Until their God did Judges ſend,Chap. 2.
their Grievance to relieve;
Againſt King Cuſhan's Tyranny,Chap. 3.
ſtout Othniel raiſed he,
And when fat Eglon made them cry,
lame Ehud made them free.
'Gainſt Siſera of Canaan,
did Deborah prevail,
Now Ruth obtain'd that honeſt Man,Chap. 4.
when nearer kin did fail,
'Gainſt Midian a mighty Hoſt,Chap. 7.
march'd Captain Gideon.
Bloody Abimelech did boaſt;Chap. 9.
he next would Reign or none,
The proud oppreſſing Ammonite,Chap. 11.
by Iphtah was ſubdued;
The Philiſtines for all their Spite,Chap. 15.
the Birth of Sampſon rued.
Whoſe matchleſs Strength miraculous,
was over-match'd by Guile,
Of Dalilah perfideousChap. 16.
who wrought his Bane the while.
When none amongſt them rul'd as King,
each what he liſted did:
Then Micah made a molten thing,Chap. 17.
and it he worſhipped.
And at ſuch time, that hainous ſin,
upon the Levite's Wife,
'Twixt Iſrael and Benjamin,Chap. 19.
coſt many a thouſands life. Chap. 20.
26SECT. XII.
ELI was Judge in Iſrael,1 Sam.
when for his Sons lewd ways,
God threatned him by Samuel. Chap. 3.
that he a Scourge would raiſe:
This Samuel a righteous Man,
was laſt of all that judged,
And in his time the Kings began,Anno 2905.
for then the people grudged;
And being male-content and ſad,Chap. 8.
would have a King to Reign,
O're them as other Nations had,
which was to Samuel's pain.
But yet the Lord did them appoint,
a goodly Man and tall,Chap. 9.
And Samuel did him anoint
their King; his Name was Saul.
A Princely Mind God to him gave,
with Complements of Place;
And he with Jonathan did brave
His Enemies oft in Chaſe. Chap. 13.
Yet God that him advanc'd ſo high,Chap. 14.
from Toyl and Aſſes Care;
He diſobey'd when fooliſhly,Chap. 15.2.
King Agag he did ſpare. Chap. 15.
Therefore the Lord did him reject,
and little David choſe,
Anointed Iſrael's King Elect,Chap. 16.
when he ſhould Saul Depoſe.
Now great Goliah plaid his Prize,Chap. 17.
but David knockt him down,
The People ſhout with joyful Cries,Chap. 18.
and give him chief Renown.
27Saul bit the Lip at David's Praiſe,
and hated him the more;
Yea, ſought his Life all manner ways,
and chas'd him like a Boar. Chap. 19, 20.
With Javelin and with threatning Sword,
with Troops of Horſe and Men,
From Houſe and Home, from Bed and Board,Chap. 22, 23.
from Deſart, Den to Den.
Forced he was himſelf to fain,
with Achiſh to be mad,Chap. 21.
And for Defence to entertain
lewd Runnagates was glad. Chap. 21.
But Jonathan his faithful Friend,Chap. 18.
at no time did forſake him,Chap. 19.
And ever did him warning ſend,
when Saul us'd means to take him. Chap. 20.
Although for it he did engage,
himſelf in Danger deep,
For ſuch was Saul's ſuſpicious Rage,
none might his Counſel keep.
Abimelcch did give him BreadChap. 22.
in his Neceſſity,
But for it he was murdered,Chap. 22.
and all his Progeny.
Had David labour'd like for like,
his Enemy to repay,
He had both time and place to ſtrike,Chap. 24.
and Soldiers bad him ſlay:Chap. 26.
When they were come in Cave alone,
when with him faſt aſleep,
But he the Lord's Anointed one,
from harm did ſafely keep.
And that he did both Mercy love,Chap. 25.
and bloody Vengeance flee,
When churliſh Nabal did him move,
wiſe Abigail did ſee.
28Now Saul with Envy almoſt pin'd,Chap. 23.
and driven to diſtreſs,
Sought by a wretched Witch to find,
ſome Comfort and Redreſs.
Of which he fail'd, and in the field
as deſperately he fought.
His Sons were ſlain,Chap. 31.
his Soldiers yield, and gaſtly he beſought
His Armor-bearer him to kill;
but he the deed abhor• 'd,
His own Heart blood he then did ſpill,
with his own Hand and Sword.
SECT. XIII.
THen David was proclaim'd and reign'd2 Sam. Anno 2945.
in Hebron, Judah's King:
But Iſhboſheth had Iſrael gain'd,
by Abners counſelling.
Long War was 'twixt the Houſes both,Chap. 2.
of David and of Saul,
Till Abner with his new King Wroth
to David's ſide did fall.
This Abner and eke Iſhboſheth,Chap. 3.
were ſlain by Villany:
But David did lament their death,
and Murderers all defie,
And being now eſtabliſhed,Chap. 4.
ſole King of all the Land:
And ſeeing each thing proſpered,Chap. 5.
that he did take in hand:
He ſolemnly doth think it fit,
to fetch the Ark more near him,
But Ʋzzah's Death did hinder it,Chap. 6.
God's Judgment did ſo fear him.
29Yet afterward he brought it on,
and purpoſed to rear,
A Houſe for God; but he would none,Chap. 7.
as Nathan made appear.
When he had all his Foes ſubdu'd,
and as a Monarch reign'd,
In Peace and Eaſe; ſee what enſu'd,
his upright Life was ſtain'd,Chap. 11.
With Murder and Adultery,Chap. 12.
whereof though he repented,
Yet was he puniſh'd diverſly
with haps to be lamented.
Firſt Abſalom ſhed Amnon's Blood,Chap. 13.
for Inceſt then he roſe,
And like a Villain armed ſtood,Chap. 15.
his Father to depoſe.
Achitophel that crafty Wretch
had chief hand in this Matter,
But Huſhai did him o're-reach,Chap. 17.
by Skill he had to flatter.
Shimei doth curſe, and rail,Chap. 19.
and throw ſtones at him as he fled,
Sheba doth now Rebellion blow,
but for it loſt his Head.
The Peoples haſty numbering,Chap. 24.
coſt ſeventy thouſand Lives,1 Kings.
And laſtly in his aged Years,Chap. 1.
the Son a Wanton bred,
Even Adoniah boldly tears
the Crown from off his Head.
This Prophet after God's own heart.
this ſweet Pſalm-ſinging Prince,
Did to his God at laſt depart,
with Peace of Conſcience.
30SECT. IV.
NExt him did Salomon his Son,Anno 2985.
the Kingdoms Scepter ſway,
There never ſate on regal Throne,
his peer unto this day.
For Wealth,1 Kings.
for State, for princely Port, for Plenty and for Peace,
For Wiſdom rare, and great reſort;
which made his Fame increaſe.
Witneſs his Sentence in that Caſe,Chap. 3.
of Queans crying out of Wrongs,
His Purveiance,Chap. 4.
his horſes Race, his Proverbs, Writings, Songs:
Witneſs the Glorious Temple,Chap. 6.
which he built for God's Great Name;
The Carvings, Coverings, Hangings rich,
the Treaſures of the ſame.
Witneſs his Prayers that excel,Chap. 8.
for Words, for Zeal, for Fitneſs,
His Offerings wonderful and well
may that wiſe Queen bear witneſs.
Who wondring at the comon fame,
unto his Court reſorted,
To hear and ſee; and when ſhe came,Chap. 107.
loe! half was not reported.
Yet Solomon who had theſe Mines
of Wiſdom and of Treaſure,
By many Wives and Concubines,
and ſurfeiting in Pleaſure;
Was drawn from true ReligionChap. 11.
and from Sincerity,
To wicked Superſtition,
and groſs Idolatry.
31For which God's Judgment did begin,
his Kingdom rent in twain,
Judah alone and Benjamin,
did to his Heirs remain.
The other Tribes, in number Ten,
from their Allegiance fell;
Set up a King, and nam'd him then,
the King of Iſrael.
His Throne was at Samaria
on which he ruled them;
But Judah's Seat Imperial,
was fair Jeruſalem.
And there did Rehoboam reign,Anno 3015
when Shiſhak rob'd the Temple:Chap. 12.
And next him, his Son Abiam,Chap. 14.
the worſe for his ill Example.
Then Aſa, then Jehoſaphat,Chap. 15.14.
both good and holy Kings,
For reformation; ſaving that,Chap. 22.43.
they let alone ſome things.
SECT. V. Kings of Iſrael.
MEan time, in Iſrael, Nebat's Son,Chap. 12.
King Jeroboam reigned.
Who firſt, at Bethel and at Dan,
thoſe Calves and Prieſts ordained,
Nadab his Son, King Baaſa,Chap. 15.
King Elah, and King Zimri,
Did for the Crown each other ſlay.
ſo likewiſe did King Omri:Chap. 16.
32 But his Son Ahab with his Wife,
that curſed Jezabel,
Exceeded in ungodly Life,
and to ſuch Fur•fell:
That good Eliah fled for fear,Chap. 17.
who was by Ravens fed;
Who rais'd the Widows Son moſt dear,
who laid Baal's Prophets dead.
By whom King Ahab warning had;Chap. 18.
but words did naught prevail,
Nor Famine, nor yet Benhadad,Verſe 2.
who ſtrongly did aſſail
Samaria:Chap. 21.
yet for all that he killed Naboth juſt,
And after got Jehoſaphat,Chap. 22.
to ſerve unto his Luſt.
For croſſing which, poor Micaiah,Verſe 27.
was in the Dungeon caſt,
But Joſaphat in Battel ſaw,Verse 34.
proud Ahab ſlain at laſt.
His Son took place when he was dead,
even wicked Ahaziah,
And after him was Joram Head,Chap. 1.
as then did good Eliah,
In fiery Chariot take his flight
to Heaven;Chap. 2.
and in his place, His Spirit did on Eliſha light,
with double Power and Grace.
To work great Miracles,Chap. 4.
as by the increaſed Oyl was proved,
And by Naaman's Leproſie,Chap. 5.
which ſtrangely he removed.
And by the Plenty prophe••ed,Chap. 7.
in ſtarv'd Samaria,
Which the proud Prince that ſaid he ly'd,
to his ſmall comfort ſaw.
33But Jehu did this Joram quell,
and reigned in his ſtead,
He ſlew alſo vile Jezebel,Chap. 9.
Baal's Prieſts and Ahab's Seed:Chap. 10.
His wicked Son Jehoahaz,Chap. 13.
ſucceeded;Verſ. 3.4.
and the next Was his Son Joaſh:Verſ. 25.
either was by Aram's Armies vext.
Next Joaſh, Jeroboam's Plea,
and Place was to ſucceed,
Now Jonas threatned Ninivy,Chap. 14.23.
but they repent with ſpeed.
Now did Hoſea take his Text,
and Amos Propheſie,
But Jeroboam dead,Chap. 15.
the next was his Son Zachary.
Whom Shallum ſlew in open fightVerſe 10.
and reigned in his ſtead,
But Menahem did him requite,Verſ. 14.
and in his Seat ſucceed.
Then Pekahiah, Men'hem's Son,Verſ. 23.
did wear the Crown until
His Captain Pekah ſeiz'd thereon,Verſ. 25.
and did his Sovereign kill.
Nor had this Pekah reigned long,
but he receiv'd his Doom,
Hoſhea did revenge the Wrong,Verſ. 30.
and reigned in his room
In his time did Salmanazer,Chap. 17.
beſiege Samaria ſtrong,verſ. 6.
And took Hoſhea Priſoner,Anno 3265.
and led with him along,
All Iſrael into Syria,
where they did ſtill remain,
And planted in Samaria,
of his Aſſyrian Train.
34Whom God by Lyons did moleſt,Verſ. 25.
for their Idolatries,
Which made them get an Hebrew Prieſt,
to teach them better ways.
SECT. XVI. The Kings of Judah.
THus leaving Iſrael diſpoſſeſt,
the courſe of Story brings
Us back to Judah, which was bleſt,
with more religious Kings.
There next unto Jehoſophat,
did his Son Joram Reign,
Then Ahaziah,Chap. 8.
then upſtart Athalia who had ſlain
All the Kings Sons that ſhe could catch;Chap. 11.
young Joaſh ſcap't alone,
By help of Friends, who made a Match,
to place him on his Throne.
He reign'd and did God's Houſe repair,
and left them when he died
King Amaſt, his hopeful Heir,
then Joel propheſied.
Ʋzziah Amaziah's Son,Chap. 12.
was ſtruck with Leproſie. Chap. 14.
As he did reign,Chap. 15.
and then begun Iſaiah's Propheſie.
Jotham a Prince of God's beheſt,Chap. 16.
ſucceeded next Ʋzziah:Chap. 18.
And after him Ahaz that beaſt,Anno 3260.
and then reign'd Hezekiah. Chap. 18.
Againſt him proud Senacherib,Chap. 19.
ſent railing Rabſhekee,
35 Who to his coſt was anſwered,
and caus'd with ſhame to flee.
Now was the Prophet Micak heard,
and Nahum: but we find,
That this good King from death reſerv'dChap. 20.
towards Babel is too kind.
Next him, his Son Manaſſe reign'd,Chap. 21.
a wicked cruel King,1 Chron. 33.12, 13.
Until he was in Babel chain'd:
but thence God did him bring.
Ammon a man profanely vain,
his Father worſe way took,
And was by his own ſervants ſlain:
now preached Habakkuk. 2 Kings 21.13.
Then young Joſiah, Ammon's Son,
a worthy Prince and zealous,
Made ſuch a ReformationChap. 12.
as was and will be famous.
Now Jeremiah Trumpet-like
cries out; and Zephaniah:
But Necho's men in Battel ſtrike,
and kill good King Joſiah. Chap. 23.
His Son Jehoahaz the Crown
obtain'd; but reign'd not long,
For Pharaoh Necho put him down,
and c•ain'd with Fetters ſtrong;2 Kings 24 1.
And plac'd his Brother in his room,
Jehoiakim by name,2 Chron. 36.4.
Who Babel's Vaſſal did become
for three Years ſpace with ſhame.
And then rebelling brought againAnno 3389.
great Nebuchadnezzar.
With all his huge and warlike Train:
who took him Priſoner,
And bound and carried him away,
with whom to Babylon,
36 Ezekiel and Mordecai,1 Chron. 3.16.
and Daniel are gone,
With other moe of Royal Seed,2 Kings 24.8.
young Jechoni alone,verſ. 10, 11.
Was left behind in's Fathers ſtead:
to ſit on Judah's Throne;
Nor ſate he long but Babel doth,
his Souldiers ſtout command,
To fetch him and his Treaſure both,
and Chief Men of the Land.
His Unkle Zedekiah plac'd,Anno 3399.
was in his room, and c•owned;
Who likewiſe did rebel at laſt,
but Babel's King ſo frowned,Chap. 24.17.
That up againſt Jeruſalem,
the fourth time that he came,ver. 17.20.
He by ſtrong Siege ſo ſtarved them,Chap. 25.
that Warriours fled with ſhame. Verſe 3.5.
King Zedekiah alſo fled,
but Chaldees quickly caught him,
And that due Judgment might be had,Chap. 25.
they unto Riblah brought him,
And ſlew his Sons before his face,Verſe 6.
and then put out his Eyes,
And chained him with all Diſgrace,
that elſe they could deviſe.
And ſo to Babel they return,Anno. 3400.
with Priſoners and with Prey,
The Temple after that they burn,
and take all thence away.
Yea,Verſe 8, 9.
burnt the Palace fair and rich, which Solomon did build:
And all the goodly Houſes which
Jeruſalem did yield.
37SECT. XVII.
BEing now at Babel faſt in Hold,Dantel.
the fineſt Wits were ſought,Chap. 1.
Or captive Children to be ſchool'd,
and Chaldee learning taught.
There Daniel among the reſt,
did to ſuch Ripeneſs come,
That when a Dream the King oppreſt,
and Wizzards all were dumb.
The Dream forgotten, he diſclos'd,Chap. 2.
which was an Image greatVerſe 27.
Of Metals different compos'd,
from head unto the feet.
This made the King much to admire,Verſe 4, 6.
him and his fellows all,
Yet three were caſt into the fire,Chap. 3.
for that they would not fall
Before his Image hugely trim:
but fire could take no hold.
Another Dream then vexed him,
which Daniel did unfold;Chap. 4.
And eke the ſtate of future Times,
Of Monarchs Crowns ſurpriſing. Chap. 7, 8, 11, 12.
Of Chriſt preciſely he divines
and of the Deads ariſing,
But Babel's King reſtored back,Chap. 4.
from Beaſts made better end,
Next him reign'd Evilmerodach,
even Jeconiah's Friend,
To him ſucceded Balſhazzar. Jer. 20.
who in his drunken Feaſt,
Did neither God nor's People ſpare,Chap. 25.
for Blaſphemy and Jeſt;
38 Till fingers writing on a wall,
dazling his very ſight,
Did ſo his Countenance appall,Verſe 8.
was never man ſo fright.
This Writing Daniel did expound
unto his further pain,
For even that night he was uncrown'd,Verſe 30.
and by Darius ſlain.
SECT. XVIII.
WHen now full ſeventy Years were ſpent,Anno 3458.
in their Captivity,
King Cyrus Proclamation ſent,
for their Delivery.
Zerubbabel doth then retire,Ezra. Chap. 1.
with all the Temples Treaſure.
And full Commiſſion to repair
the Ruins at their pleaſure.
But crafty Foes did plot apace,
the Lord's Work to withſtand,Chap. 4.
By flattering Speech unto their face.
and Letters under hand;
Yea, Haman's Hatred cankered,
had clean deſtroy'd them all,
Had not Queen Eſther ventured,Eſther. Chap. 3.
and ſav'd them from the Thrall,
Then Haggai, alſo Zachary,Ezra. Chap. 5.
the ſlackneſs do reprove;
And ſhortly after Malachi,
their lack of Zeal and Love.
At laſt the Temple finiſhed,
was by Zerubbabel,
And Nehemi with Letters ſped,Nehemia. Chap. 2.
to build the Walls as well.
39Which he perform'd for all the hate
of Enemies prophane,Chap. 6.15.
Tobiah, wicked Sanballat,
and worſe Samaritane.
And then he kept a ſolemn Feaſt,
whereat the Law was read,Chap. 4. Verſe 1, 2. Chap. 8.
And ſeal'd a Covenant with the reſt,
their God to ſerve and dread.
Next Kings and Dukes, the Maccabees,Chap. 10.
(as Stories do recite)
Did rule them: but the Monarchies,
ſtill top't them by their Might. 1 The Babylonians.
In ſuch Subjection did they mourn,2 The Grecians.
four hundred Years, and odd,
Until Meſſiah, Chriſt was born,3 The Romans.
true Man and very God.
49THE SECOND PART
SECT. I.
OF Abram's Seed and David's Line
directly Chriſt deſcended:Mat. 1. Luke 3.
So have th' Evangeliſts Divine
by Scripture left commended.
Before him was an Herald ſent,
his Coming to proclaim:
Who cry'd in Wilderneſs, Repent,Mat. 3.
the Paths of God make plain.
His Clothing was of Hair and Skin,
his Meat of no great Coſt,
And for reproving Herod's ſin,Mat. 14.
his Head at laſt he loſt.
This was that John the Baptiſt whoſe
Birth, Name and Office high,
The Angel Gabriel did diſcloſe,Luke 1.
to his Father Zachary.
Who thought it not to be believ'd,Verſe 18.
and for it was ſtruck dumb,
Till old Elizabeth had Conceiv'd
and all to paſs was come.
To Mary eke of Nazaret,Verſe 26.
a Virgin Pure and Chaſt,
50 With Salutation high and great,
this Gabriel did haſte.
Shewing that ſhe muſt Mother be,
God's dear Son forth to bring,
The Holy Ghoſt by high Decree,
her overſhadowing.
And at that very time betroth't
ſhe was to Joſeph Juſt:
When being found with Child,Mat. 1.
he thought that part with her he muſt.
But then an Angel warned him
by Dream to keep her ſtill,
For that ſhe had Conceiv'd within,
was God's own Work and Will,
At Bethlem ſhe was brought to Bed,
and Jeſus Chriſt was Born,
And in a Manger ſwaddeled,Luke 2.
as one caſt out to ſcorn:
But heavenly Angels made him known
to Shepherds, forthwith they
Found out the Babe, as had been ſhown,
and publiſh't it with Joy.
Then was he Circumcis'd and Nam'd,
and (as the Law indented)
Brought to the Temple, fitly fram'd,
and to the Lord preſented.
Where Holy Simeon did him bleſs,
and with a Song embrace him:
And aged Ann, a Propheteſs,
preach't publickly to grace him.
Yea, Eaſtern Wiſemen came from far,
and did rich Treaſures bring,
Directed by a ſpecial Star,
to find out Judah's King.
Who worſhipped, and warned were
by God in their return,
51 To take good heed, and not come near,
King Herod who did burn
With Wrath and Envy 'gainſt this newborn
greater King of Jury,
And being mocked ſent and ſlew
the Infants in a Fury.
But God to Joſeph warning gave,
to Aegypt thence to fly,
The Babe and Mother, there to ſave,
from Herod's Cruelty.
King Herod dead, then haſted he
to Iſrael again:
But turn'd aſide to Galilee,
becauſe his Son did reign.
And all this was for to acquite
the Propheſies of old,
From Aegypt and a Nazarite,
to come he was foretold.
SECT. II.
AT twelve Years old with Doctors he
in Temple doth diſpute;Luke 2.
The Hearers all amaſed be,Verſ. 46.
his Mother is alſo mute.
At thirty Years he was by John
Baptiz'd in Jordan, and
Proclaimed God's Beloved Son,Mat. 3.
while Heavens open ſtand.
To Wilderneſs then was he led,Mat. 4.
and faſted forty Days:
The Devil there he vanquiſhed,
though tempted many ways.
And ſo, his Miniſtry of Weight,
he cloſely ſets about:
52 He chuſeth Twelve Apoſtles ſtraight,Mat. 10. Luke 10.
and alſo ſends them out:
And ſeventy more, by two and two,
he ſent with like Command,
To Preach, to Heal, and to Subdue
the Devils that did withſtand.
To quicken them, the more, he did
part of his Glory ſhew,
Being on the Mount transfigured
into an heavenly Hew. Mat. 17.
Nor was he idle,John 2.14. Luke 19.45.
but did purge, the Temple firſt and laſt,
And ſtill he did Repentance urge
as up and down he paſt.
At Nazaret he took his Text
in Eſay's Propheſie:Matt. 13.
Whence hardly ſcaping,Luke 4.
he did next to Capernaum hie.
There Satan ſhew'd his diſcontent,
but ſtrongly was caſt out.
Unto the great Aſtoniſhment,
of all that ſtood about.
He taught a Doctor of the Law,Matt. 4. John 3.
a Leſſon new and ſtrange.
In the Woman of Samaria
he wrought a wondrous Change. John 4. Matt. 5.
He made a Sermon on the Mount,
moſt heavenly and large.
Nine bleſſed Sorts he did recount,
and preſs the Preachers Charge.
The Laws of God he likewiſe there
did perfectly Expound,
He taught them how to pray,Matt. 6.
and where and gave them Precepts ſound.
For practice of True Piety,
and taking heed alſo,
53 Of Cares and of Hypocriſie,
and many Duties moe,
Which uttered were in Parable,Matt. 6. verſe 26. Chriſt's Parables.
or in plain Speeches brought,
Each Word and every Syllable,
with Power upon them wrought.
By Builders. (Mat. 7.24. Mat. 21.22. Luke 14.28.
Bridegroom. (Mat. 9.15. cap. 22.2. cap. 25.1.
Brides. (Mat. 6.26. cap. 10.29. cap. 23.37.
And Bread. (Mat. 15.26. cap. 7.9. John 6.48.
By Beaſts. (Mat. 8.20. cap. 7.6, 15. cap. 12.34.
Thieves. (Mat. 24.43. Luke 10.30. John 10.1.
Spirits unclean. (Mat. 12.27. & verſe 47.
By Servants. (Mat. 6.24. & 18.31. & 24.46. Lu. 17.7.
Shepherds. (Mat. 18.12. Jo. 10.11. Mat. 9.36. & 25.33.
Salt. (Mat. 5.13. Luke 14.34. Mark 9.49.
And Seeds. (Mat. 13.3. cap. 17.10. cap. 13.24. & v. 31.
By Net. (Mat. 13.47.
New Cloth and Wine. (Mat. 9.16. & verſe 17.
By Light. (Mat. 5.14, 15. & 73. & 6.22. John 8.12.
And Leven. (Mat. 13.33. & 16.6.
Feaſts. (Luke 14. verſe 12. verſe 8. verſe 16.
And Friends. (Luke 11.5. & 16.9.
By rich Men. (Luke 12.16. & 16.1.19. & 18.10.
Trees. (Mat. 7.17. & 12.33. & 15.13. & 21.19. — & 26.32. Luke 13.6.
And Treaſure. (Mat. 6.19. & 12.35. & 13.34.52. — & 25.14.
By Children. (Mat. 11.16. & 18.3. & 24.28. Lu. 15.11.
Women. (Mat. 12.50. & 24.41. Luke 15.8.
Ways. (Mat. 7.13. John 14.6.
And Vines. (Mat. 21.33. & 20. 1 John 15.1.
he taught them out of meaſure,
Deep Myſteries which long lay hid,
which he from Heaven brought
54 And by ſtrange Miracles he did
confirm what he had taught.
SECT. III.
AT Cana he did at their need,Chriſt's Miracles. John 2. Matt. 14.
turn Water into Wine,
And with five Loaves five Thouſand fed.
by his great Power Divine.
Another time four thouſand Men,Matt. 15.
with ſeven Loaves he filled.
He walked on the Sea,Mat. 6.26. & 15.32.
and when it rag'd, the Waves he ſtilled.
Cood ſight he gave to many blind,
Mat. 9. & 12. & 20. Mark 8. John 9.
And Speech unto the dumb,
Mat. 9.32. & 12.22. Mat. 7.32.
The lame, their Limbs do firmly find,
Mat. 12.10. Luke 13.11. John 5.8.
The deaf to Hearing come. Mark 7.32.
He healed Sickneſſes long bred.
Mat. 4.24. & 8.6.14. & 9.20. & 14.26.
Even foul and leprous Evils,
Mat. 8.3. Luke 17.12.
Yea more, he raiſed up the dead,
Luke 7.12. Joh. 11.1. & 5.21. Mark 5.41.
And diſpoſſeſt the Devils.
Mat. 8.29. & 9.31. & 17.15. Mark 9.20.
Yet for all this he was not free,
but had Controllers many,
To carp and quarrel, pry and ſee,
if fault they could find any. Mat. 26.2. Cap. 22.35. John 8.6.
Among the reſt the Sadducees,
with thoſe of Herod's Train,
55 The Scribes alſo and Phariſees
did ever more remain
His deadly Enemies, and did ſeek
to trap him in a Snare,
By crafty Queſtions, rough or meek,
what way, they did not care.
Mat. 19.3. & 22.16.35. Mat. 8.11. Luke
— 10.25. & 11.15.
But yet his hour was not come,
he ſtill preach't painfully,
And them bequeath'd a heavy Doom,Matt. 23.
for their Hypocriſie.
Jeruſalem her fearful State,Matt. 24.
he did with Grief foreſay,
The manner eke he did relate,
of the laſt Judgment-day.
But comforteth his choſen Ones,
with ſpiritual Conſolation,
As ſweetly may be ſeen in John's
divine and long Relation. John 14.1•, 16, 17.
And ſo to Bethani he went,
where Simon him received;
And Mary's Box upon him ſpent,Matt. 26.
diſſembling Judas grieved.
Then was the Paſſover prepar'd,
and Judas pointed out,
A Traitor to his Sovereign Lord:
and then he went about,
A work of Grace, a Sacrament,
a Supper to ordain,
A Seal of Love, a Teſtament,
that ſhould with his remain:
Thence went he to Mount Olivet
as was his uſe to pray,
Of ſcattering and of Scandal great,
he told them by the way.
56SECT. IV.
MEan while did Prieſts a Council call,
and did his Death conſpire,
They hired Judas in their Hall,
to work them their deſire:
Who promis'd to effect it ſo,
as that they ſhould not miſs;
With him their Captain, on they go,
their Token is a Kiſs.
As Chriſt in Garden praying was,
with Sighs and Groans moſt deep,
That fearful Cup to have it paſs,
the reſt oppreſt with ſleep:
In comes this rude and bloody Rout,
which Peter could not bear,
But drew his Sword and laid about,
and cut off Malchus Ear;
Which Jeſus heal'd,John 18.
and to their Will, he yields though at his words,
They firſt gave ground and backward fell,Verſe 6.
though arm'd with Clubs and Swords.
The poor Apoſtles fly for fear,Matt. 26.
yea,Verſe 56.
Peter thrice denied His Maſter;Chap. 27.
Judas doth deſpair and hang'd himſelf and died. Verſe 5.
To high Prieſts-Hall they led him then,
and witneſs falſe ſuborned:
Spat in his Face,Matt. 14.
and by their Men, he was both beat and ſcorned.
Then did they him to Pilate ſend,Matt. 27.
where being found moſt clear,
To free him Pilate did intend,
and that the Jews did fear.
57And then began with Might and Main,
tumultuouſly to cry,
To let looſe Barabbas again,Luke, 23.
and Chriſt to Crucifie.
Nor were the common Souldiers ſlack,Matt. 27.
to ſtrip him of his Weed,
A Scarlet Robe put on his Back,
and in his Hand a Reed.
And on his Head a Crown of Thorns,
then do they bow the Knee.
So, on him having ſpent their Scorns,
to Golgotha goes he,
They forced Simon by the way,
to help him bear his Croſs,
On which they did his Hands diſplay,
and nail, without remorſe:
Betwixt two Thieves they did him place,
and gave him Gall to drink,
They ſhew'd him all the vile diſgrace,
that Heart of Man could think:
Thieves, Phariſees, Prieſts, Paſſers by,Mat. 27.38. Luke 23.34.
all ſcoff and wag and Head,
All which he bare moſt patiently,
till all was finiſhed.
Then rent the Temple vail in twain,Matt. 27.
the Stones did cleave aſunder.
The Graves did ope, the dead again,
did riſe and walk with wonder.
The Earth lay trembling, and the Sun
abaſh't in darkneſs bode,
And then cry'd the Centurion,Luke 23. Matt. 27.
this was the Son of God.
His Body Joſeph did take down,
and lap in Linnen ſweet,
And in a new Tomb of his own,
did bury it as was meet.
58The Prieſts his Reſurrection fear'd
and therefore took good heed,
To keep him ſure with Watch and Ward,
and ſeal'd the Tomb with ſpeed.
But he the third Day did ariſe,Matt. 28.
as he had them foretold,
Then did the Prieſts, to publiſh lies,
corrupt the Guard with Gold.
SECT. V.
CHRIST being Riſen, did appear,
and charged the Eleven,
To Preach and Baptize every where,
by warranty from Heaven.
And purpoſing to furniſh them,
with Knowledge, Tongues and Art,
He bids them from Jeruſalem,Chap. 1
in no wiſe to depart.
Till Promiſes performed were;
which ſaid; out of their ſight,
A Cloud to Heaven did him bear,
and two in Garments white,
Did check their gazing, and fore-ſhow
his coming back again.
Then to the City back they go,
where all as one remain
In Prayer and Requeſt to God:
there Pe er doth propoſe
To fill the number that was od;
the Lot Matthias choſe.
Upon the day of Pentecoſt,Chap 2.
in cloven Tongues like fire,
From Heaven high the Holy Ghoſt,
th' Apoſtles did inſpire.
59Then did they in ſtrange Tongues report
the wondrous Works of God,
Aſtoniſh't was therewith each ſort
of Strangers that abode
Within the City; others mook't,
but Peter took their part,
And by his Sermon ſoundly knock't,Chap. 3.
three Thouſand at the Heart.
Then John and he together joyn'd,Chap. 3.
and heal'd the Creeple lame,
To Priſon though they were confin'd,
yet were they freed for ſhame.
To preach the Truth they were all bold,Chap. 4.
and many Wonders wrought,
Nor would they be by Prieſts controll'd
though oft in danger brought.
For they in ſuffering did rejoyce,
and God ſent Help at need;
The Hypocrites at Peter's voice,Chap. 5.
were ſuddenly ſtruck dead.
Then did they for poor Widows moan,Chap. 6.
ſeven honeſt Deacons chuſe,
Of which was bleſſed Stephen one,Chap. 7.
who martyr'd was by Jews.
Saul was conſenting to this deed,Chap. 8
and with his threatning ſore,
Scattered th' Apoſtles far and wide,
but God's Word grew the more.
By Philip in Samaria,
with Power it was taught,
And into Aethiopia,
'twas by th' Eunuch brought:
Damaſcus ſuccoured many a Saint;
which Saul no ſooner found,
But to the Prieſts he made Complaint,
for power to bring them bound.
60And quickly ſped: but ſee a change,
this hot blood-ſucking Saul,
By Viſion heavenly and ſtrange,
became bold-preaching Paul.
At Joppa Peter rais'd the dead,Chap. 10.
and did the Goſpel plant,
And in Caeſarea he ſped,
Captain Cornelius want.
At Antioch the Word was ſpread,Chap. 11.
by Preachers there diſperſt,
Who truly following Chriſt the Head,
were there call'd Chriſtians firſt.
Now Herod ſtormed:Chap. 12.
James was ſlain, and Peter priſoned faſt:
An Angel looſed Peter's Chain,
Worms eat the King at laſt.
SECT. VI.
BUt Paul (call'd Saul) ſurpaſt them all,
in Patience and Pains-taking:
To preach the Word to great and ſmall,
he evermore was waking;
By Day, by Night, by Sea, by Land,
by Pen, and eke by Mouth,
Though Perils great were oft at hand,
yet publiſh't he the Truth:
Four ſpecial Journeys did he make,
in leſſer Aſia one,
And twice he croſs'd the**or Mare Aegeum.
* Grecian Lake, and then to Rome is gone.
With him alſo the Holy Ghoſt,Chap. 13.
ſet Barnabas apart.
Their Charge was in the heathen Coaſt,
the Gentiles to convert.
61From Antioch they firſt ſet out,
and unto Paphos came:
Where Sergius to the Faith was brought,
and Elimas to ſhame,
Then in Piſidia did he preach,
and in Iconion,
He ſtayed long, and ſtill did teach,Chap. 14.
till Stirs cauſe him be gone.
Thence did he unto Lyſtra flee,Chap. 14.
and there he heal'd the Lame,Verſe 11.19.
For which, a god, then ſton'd, but he,
thence back to Antioch came.
Th' Apoſtles at Jeruſalem,Chap. 15.
did now a Council call,
A falſe Opinion to condemn
which did the Church befal.
A ſecond Journey they intend,
but John Mark doth divide them:
Barnabas doth to Cyprus bend,
but Paul and Sylas hide them.
Through Syria and Silicia,
and with them they conſort
Young Timothy, of whom they have,Chap. 16.
a ſpecial good Report.
To Macedonia by night,
they called were and ſent,
The Devil there gives God his Right,Verſ. 17.
there Lydia doth repent,
And eke the Jaylor: forthwith they
to Theſſalonica moved,
Thence to Berea,Chap. 17.
where they joy to ſee their preaching proved.
In Athens next did Paul diſpute,Chap. 18.
and thence to Corinth came,Verſe 3.
Where he with Aquila did ſute,
and Criſpus Chriſtian frame.
62There Gallio doth ſhift his hand
though hardly Jews complain,
So back he goes to Syria and
to Antioch again. Verſe 22.
SECT. VII.
THen did he his third Journey haſt,
towards Graecia once more.
Through leſſer Aſia he paſt,
as he had done before.
At Epheſus he made ſome ſtay,
for there the Word prevailed,
There was Apollo ſhew'd the way,Chap. 19.
and there Demetrius railed.
Philippi laſt he viſited,
and thence he ſailed back,
To Troas; where he rais'd the dead
and after did not ſlack,
Unto Jeruſalem to come;
yet ſailing thither-ward,Chap. 20.
The planted Churches all and ſome
to ſee, he had regard.
(For in his Journies as he went)
he preach'd and Churches planted,
And coming back, was diligent
for to ſupply what wanted.
He did Confirm them, and Ordain
Elders in every place,
With Faſt and Prayer, and then again
commend them to God's Grace.
At Ptolemais one day they bide,
and to Ceſarea walked,
Where Philip's Daughters propheſi'd,
and Agabus fore-talked
Of Paul his Bands and Sufferings great,Chap. 21.
but he was naught diſmai'd
63 To ſuffer Death (though they intreat)
he ready was he ſaid:
So, up he went, and being there
made to them full relation;
With Praiſe to God they gladly hear
the Gentiles ſtrange vocation.
To pleaſe the Jews, they did adviſe
to purifie him there,
But in the Temple Stirs ariſe,
and like to coſt him dear.
Had not the Captain ceas'd the ſtrife,
and by his great Friendſhip,
Account he rendred of his Life,
and Faith, and ſcap't the Whip.
Then was he brought before the Prieſt,Chap. 22.
and ſmitten, but the Fray,
'Twixt Sadducees, Scribes, and the reſt,
hindred the Plea that day.
Then was he unto Felix ſent,Chap. 23.
his Anſwer there to make,
Thither alſo the high Prieſt went,
and did Tertullus take:
The Orator, to plead their Caſe;Chap. 24.
but nothing yet they gain'd.
Till Feſtus came in Felix place,
before him being raign'd,
And King Agrippa:Chap. 25.
he thinks well to yield him up in Bands:
But Paul to Caeſar did appeal,Chap. 26.
and ſo eſcap'd their Hands.
To Italy then was he bound,
with a Centurions Guard:
But Perils great on Sea they found,Chap. 27.
the like hath ſcarce been heard.
Toſt up and down the Ship at laſt,Chap. 27.
ſtuck faſt within the Sand:
64 And there was all to pieces daſht:
yet all came ſafe to Land,
At Malta:Chap 28.
where the Viper quick, maid the Barbarians quail,
Paul ſcap'd the Danger, heal'd their ſick,
and thence to Rome did ſail.
Where he arriving was by Jews,
both met and entertained,
He told the Brethren joyful News,
and two Years there remained
In his own Houſe, but guarded by
a Souldier of the Train,
Until that Nero cruelly,
did cauſe him to be ſlain.
SECT. VIII.
AS Paul in preaching got the Prize,
ſo John did mount moſt high,
God's Holy hidden Myſteries,Revelation.
and Secrets to deſcry.
Who, in the Spirit, on the Lord's Day,
in Patmos baniſhed,
Wrote Words divine, and bleſt are they
which underſtand and read.
Firſt, to the ſeven Churches he
ſends healthful Salutation,Chap. 4.
Then ſets he out God's Majeſty
and Book of Revelation. Chap. 5.
But ſeven Seals this Book did cloſe,
and none could be found out
Worthy the Seals for to unloſe,
till came the Lyon ſtout
Of Judah's Tribe, the Lamb once ſlain,
he every Seal did open,
65 And each Seal drew as in a Chain,
ſome ſtrange and ſpecial Token.
The firſt reveal'd a Horſe milk white,
(the Goſpel's Speed and Power)
The ſecond red,Chap. 6.
and did delight by bloodſhed to devour.
The third was black, and notice had
of Plague and Famine fell,
The fourth Horſe then full pale and ſad,
did Antichriſt foretel,
The fifth Seal open'd did bewray,
Saints Souls that had been killed;
Which under Heavens Altar lay,
till were the Number filled.
The ſixth unſealed, there were ſeen
moſt fearful Signs and Wonders:Chap. 7.
But God ſeal'd (ſpite of Satan's ſpleen)
twelve times twelve thouſand Numbers:
Laſt, opening the ſeventh Seal,
loe Angels ſeven attend,Chap. 8.
Before the Lord,Chap. 11.15.
and they reveal the World's State to the end. Chap. 8.
Theſe Angels ſeven Trumpets had,
but each in order blows,
And for the World would be ſo bad,
denounced nought but Woes.
SECT. IX.
THen mightily with glorious Look,Chap. 10.
Chriſt Jeſus is revealed,
And in his Hand a little Book,
but open and unſealed.
This Book Saint John did take and ate,
and it th' Eſtate contained,
66 Of God's Church preſent, and of that
her Glory which remained.
For preſent ſtate, ſhe never wants,
the preaching of God's Spell,
Two Candleſticks,Chap. 11.
two Olive Plants, two Witneſſes this tell.
And though ſhe cloath'd be with the Sun,
and on the Moon do tread;
Yet Wars againſt her are begun,
by Foes that make her dread:
And firſt the Dragon caus'd her flie,Chap. 12.
into God's Wilderneſs,
But Michael from Heaven high,
his Fury doth repreſs.
Then did a Beaſt make War on her,Chap. 13.
ſeven headed, and ten horned.
And after him there did appear
another Beaſt adorned.
Like to the Lamb, with Horns but two
yet Dragon-like he ſpake,
And did what the firſt Beaſt could do,
compelling all to take
His Mark upon their Fore-head: yet
the Lamb had thouſands ſtill,
On Earth,Chap. 14.
that him with Praiſes greet, ſigned to do his Will.
SECT. X.
NOr doth he Babylon forget,Chap. 14.
th' Idolatrous drunken Whore,
Three Angels he againſt her ſet,
and after ſeven more;
The firſt, by preaching to deſcry.
the next, to ſhew her Fall,
67 The third doth Torments notifie,
bequeath'd her Lovers all.
Thoſe ſeven, ſeven Vials had,Chap. 19.
full of the Wrath of God,
Which they pour'd out as they were bad
on all the Earth abroad. Chap. 16.
Unto the ruin of the Beaſt,
and of the Whore of Rome:Chap. 17.
That golden purple Antichriſt;
for this her heavy Doom,
Kings of the Earth, and Merchants proud,Chap. 18.
take up a Lamentation:
But Holy Saints ſing Praiſes loud,
for Churches Preſervation,
Unto the Conquerous of Fame,,Chap. 19.
that cloath'd is with the Word,
And bears on Thigh, a mighty Name.
and in in his Mouth a Sword:
Who ſummoned triumphantly,
to his victorious Feaſt,
The Fowls that by mid-heaven flie,
as for his Foe, the Beaſt,
He with the Prophet falſe were caſt
into the Brimſtone Lake:
The Sword devoured all the reſt,
that part with him did take.
And then the Devil that Dragon ſtout,Chap. 20.
that Serpent old (once chained,
A thouſand years, and then let out,
he fiercely rag'd and reigned,
With Gog and Magog's armed Strength,Chap. 20.9.
whom God conſum'd in ire,)
The Devil (I ſay) was caſt at length,
in Lake of Brimſtone fire.
And with him all the damned Race:
for God comes on his Throne,
68 A dreadful Judge, before whoſe Face,
both Heaven and Earth are gone,
And Hell, and Grave, and Se•, and Land,
deliver up their dead;
Who all before the Judge do ſtand,
and Books are opened;
As they have done, Doom doth begin,
his Work each one commendeth;
The wicked out, the godly in,
and ſo the Seſſion endeth.
SECT. XI.
NOw doth Saint John lively deſcribe,
the Church her glorious State,
Wife of the Lamb, th' eſpouſed Bride,
Chriſt Jeſus heavenly Mate:
Who was found worthy to be clad,Chap. 19.
in pure and bright Aray:
And was exhorted to be glad,
againſt her Marriage day.
Jeruſalem New, Holy, Great,
from Heaven down deſcending,Chap. 21.
God and the Lamb there hold their Seat,
it lightning and defending.
The Form it is each way four ſquare,
the Matter Gold and Pearl,
The Citizens more noble are,
than earthly Lord or Earl,
Twelve Gates there are for Entrance wide,
the Porters Angels ſtout,
A Wall moſt high on every ſide,
doth compaſs it about.
The weight of Glory there reſerv'd,
can no Man's tongue impart,
69 Eye hath not ſeen, Ear hath not heard,
nor enter can Man's Heart.
There is no Sorrow, Pain nor Care,Chap. 22.
no want of Cloth or Food,
No Filth, no Darkneſs, Curſe, nor Fear,
No want of any Good.
There is of Life the Tree and Spring,
the Store-houſe of all Treaſures:
There Saints triumph, there Angels ſing,
in Paradiſe of Pleaſures.
There lives our Head, let us not ſlack,
but ever watch and pray:
Our Saviour will come quickly back;
even ſo, come Lord away.
Sine fine ſit Laus Deo.