MOst like it is, that Athalia had many times, with great indignation, be∣wailed [unspec 10] the rashnesse of her Nephew Iehoram the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who did foo∣lishly cast himselfe into the very throat of danger, gaping vpon him, only through his eager desire of quickly knowing what the matter meant: yet, shee her selfe, by the like bait, was taken in the like trap, and hauing liued such a life as Iezabel had done, was rewarded with a sutable death. These two Queenes were in many points much alike, each of them was Daughter, Wife, and Mother to a King; each of them ruled her husband; was an Idolatresse, and a Murdresse. The only difference appearing in their conditions, is, that Iezabel is more noted as incontinent of body, Athalia as ambitious: So that each of them [unspec 20] surviuing her husband about eight yeeres, did spend the time in satisfying her owne affections; the one vsing tyrannie, as the exercise of her haughtie minde; the other painting her face, for the ornament of her vnchaste body. In the manner of their death little difference there was, or in those things which may seeme in this world to pertaine vnto the dead when they are gone. Each of them was taken on the sud∣daine by Conspirators, and each of them exclayming vpon the Treason, receiued sentence from the mouth of one that had liued vnder her subjection; in execution whereof, Iezabel was trampled vnder the feet of her enemies horses; Athalia slaine at her owne horse-gate; the death of Athalia hauing (though not much) the more leisure to vexe her proud heart; that of Iezabel, the more indignitie, and shame of [unspec 30] body. Touching their buriall, Iezabel was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Dogges, as the Lord had threatned by the Prophet Elias; what became of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wee doe not finde. Like enough it is, that she was buried, as hauing not persecuted and slaine the Lords Pro∣phets, but suffered the Priests to exercise their function; yet of her buriall there is no monument; for shee was a Church robber. The seruice of Baal erected by these two Queenes, was destroyed as soone as they were gone, and their Chaplaines, the Priests of that Religion, slaine. Herein also it came to passe, alike, as touching them both when they were dead; the Kings who slue them, were afterwards 〈◊〉〈◊〉, both of them by the same hand of Hazael the Syrian; in which point Athalia had the greater honour, if the Syrian (who seemes to haue beene her good friend) pre∣tended [unspec 40] her reuenge, as any part of his quarrell to Iuda. Concerning children, all be∣longing to Iezabel, perished in few dayes after her: whether Athalia left any behinde her, it is vncertaine; shee had sonnes liuing after shee was Queene, of whom, or of any other, that they were slaine with her, we doe not finde.
This is a matter not vnworthie of consideration, in regard of much that may de∣pend vpon it. For if the children of Athalia had beene in Ierusalem when their Mo∣ther fell, their death would surely haue followed hers as neerely, and beene regi∣stred, as well as the death of Mattan the Priest of Baal. That Law by which God* 1.1 sorbade that the children should die for the fathers, could not haue saued these vngraci∣ous Imps, whom the clause following would haue cut off, which commands, that [unspec 50] euery man shall die for his owne sinne. Seeing therefore that they had beene pro∣fessors & aduancers of that vile and Idolatrous worship of Baal, yea had robbed the Temple of the Lord, and enriched the house of Baal with the spoile of it; likely it is, that they should not haue escaped with life, if Iehoiada the Priest could haue got∣ten