An arrovv against idolatrie Taken out of the quiver of the Lord of hosts. By H.A.

CHAP. II. (Book 2)

How fast the sin of Idolatrie cleaveth to all flesh.

THE service of idols, or of God by them, although it be a sin more reprehended in Gods word, more punish∣ed in his works, then other vices: yet is it most common and familiar with the sons of Adam, easily compassing them about, and hanging fast upon them. As may ap∣pear by three demonstrations; first, how the best men in the world doe easily fall into it; secondly, after, what pleasure they take in it; thirdly, and then, how hardly they are drawn from it. Of all these, the Scriptures giue testimonies many.

2 When God had renewed the face of the world, after the sin-floud, and Noahs three sonnes Sem,* 1.1 Ham, and Iapheth had multiplyed on the earth: our father A∣bram, with his father Terah, were foul of this sin,* 1.2 and served strange Gods, till the true God called him from that impiety. In his daies, idolatrie was spread over all, but men would not be reclaimed from it, either by Abrahams word or sword; though “ 1.3 Kings were given as dust unto

it, and as scattred stubble unto his bow. The Nations in deed saw this great work of God, and were afraid; a 1.4 yet turned they not unto him from Idols, but strengthned one another in their false re∣ligion; and made them moe images, to saue them from destruction.

3 When Abram would provide a wife for his son, of the best that he could find, (for the Canaanites he b 1.5 abhorred:) hee sent to his kindred of Nahors house, who yet was not free from this leven of idolatrie, neither c 1.6 he nor his posteritie. Into Iaakobs house did this canker creep, and his retinue also were polluted with d 1.7 strange Gods, which Iaakob did his best for to doe away.

4. But when he came with his family into Aegipt, (a land full of Idols;) having prepared his house as a pure virgin for the Lord: after his decease, the Aegypti∣ans infected his children with idolatrie, even in her youth e 1.8 laid they with this vir∣gin Israel, bruised the breasts of her vir∣ginity, and powred their whordoms up∣on her: Then was God wroth with ido∣latrous Aegypt, and lifted up his hand to bring his people from among them, and

to execute judgment, f 1.9 both upon their Gods, and upon their first born, that mi∣nistred unto them: and unto Israel hee sayd,* 1.10 Defile not your selvs with the idols of Aegipt, I am the Lord your God: but g 1.11 Israel would not hear, nor leav her abo∣minations; or idols which she had loved. Yet God h 1.12 respecting his own name, brought them out of Aegypt into the wil∣dernesse, where i 1.13 hee gaue them his sta∣tutes, and declared his judgements unto them; k 1.14 severely and often charging them to keep themselvs from idolatrie.

5 In those daies notwithstanding, they made them l 1.15 Gods of gold, and m 1.16 worship∣ped the work of their own hands, even a molten calf: and stayed not there, but were given over, unto further evil, even to serue the n 1.17 host of heaven, as it is writ∣ten in the book of the Prophets, O house of Israel, haue yee offred to me slain beasts and sacrifices, fortie yeares in the wildernes? nay, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, the figures which ye made to worship them. Also they joyned themselvs to o 1.18 Baal-peor, and did eat the sacrifices of the dead, such was the great fall of the people whom God

had chosen from among all peoples of the earth, for to be his; they p 1.19 sacrificed to divils after whom they went a whoring, as Moses told them.

6 When notwithstanding all this, God brought them in mercy to Canaan, q 1.20 a land flowing with milk and honey, and most pleasant of all Countries; and cast out the Heathens before their faces, and r 1.21 warned them to beware of their idols: yet there also they did s 1.22 wickedly, served Baalim, and forsook the Lord God of their fathers, and followed the gods of the peoples round about them; serving their idols, and t 1.23 sacrificing their sonnes and their daughters unto divils, and shed∣ding the innocent bloud of their chil∣dren whom they offred unto the idols of Canaan. And thus they did from age to age, whiles the Iudges ruled them; till God u 1.24 was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel, and forsook the habitation of Shilo, the tabernacle where hee dwelt among men, and delivered his power (the Ark of the covenant) into captivity, and his beautie into the enemies hand.

7 Yet after this again in Samuels daies, x 1.25 they were defiled with their idols; and

in the daies of the Kings, they increased wrath. Solomon himselfe, the wisestman on earth a 1.26 fell into this folly of serving idols, even the abomination of the Hea∣thens; although God had b 1.27 appeared unto him twice, and given him a charge con∣cerning this thing. And Rehoboam his son, though for his fathers sinne c 1.28 he lost the most part of his Kingdom, yet gaue him∣self to idolatry, he forsook d 1.29 the Law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. Then Iudah e 1.30 wrought wickednes in the sight of the Lord; and provoked him more with their sinns which they cōmit∣ted, then all that which their fathers had done; for they f 1.31 built them high Places, and statues (or pillars) and g 1.32 strange al∣tars, and groues on every high hill, and under every green tree. And Rehoboam made h 1.33 Gillullim, filthy idols, and i 1.34Chammanim idols, or images of the Sun, and Maacah his wife made k 1.35 Miphletseth an idol of terrour, in a groue. And Abi∣jam his sonne, l 1.36 walked in all his fathers sinnes, neither was his heart perfect with the Lord his God; although m 1.37 he despi∣sed Ierobams calues, and boasted that n 1.38 God was with him.

8 Idolatry being thus fastned upon Iudah, could hardly ever be weeded out again: for though Asa the next King, did his best, o 1.39 with an upright heart, to abo∣lish all the idols that his fathers had brought in, yet p 1.40 were the high places not taken away, but remained till Iehoshaphat his son was King, who took away many both q 1.41 groues & high places, howbeit not all; for r 1.42 the people had not yet prepared their harts unto the God of their fathers, but s 1.43 offered still, and burnt incense in the high places. And when Iehoshaphat was dead, his wicked son Ioram t 1.44 walked in the waies of the most idolatrous Kings of Israel, even of Ahabs house, whose daughter he maried; and he u 1.45 made high places in the mountains of Iudah, and caused and compelled Ierusalem and Iu∣dah to commit fornication, that is, ido∣latry. And Ahaziah his son, continued x 1.46 his wicked way, counselled also there∣to by his ungracious mother Athaliah; who after her sonnes death, broke up the house of God, and y 1.47 all the things that were dedicated for the house of the Lord, were bestowed upon Baalim. Thus Baal was honoured of the people

of God, a 1.48 had a house, and altars, and images, and a Priest to minister unto him.

9 The Lord abhorring this great im∣piety, sent this wicked King and his mo∣ther both soon unto hell; and set Ioash b 1.49his yong sonne upon his throne; who had for his Tutor and Patron, the good high Priest Iehojadah: by whose advice, the people c 1.50 destroyed Baal and his house, and Gods d 1.51 true worship was restored; al∣beit not brought as yet to the primitiue sincerity, for the e 1.52 people offered still, and burnt incense in the high places un∣taken away. But so soon as this f 1.53 aged father the Priest was dead; the Princes of Iudah g 1.54 fawning on the King, turned him away to the former superstition; and again they h 1.55 left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groues and greivous idols; and the high Preists son, (the Kings cosin) who prophesied against their sins, they i 1.56 stoned him to death (by the unthankful Kings cōmandment,) in the court of the Lords house, even be∣tween k 1.57 the temple and the altar.

10 When Ioash was taken away l 1.58 by a bloudy death, Amaziah his son succeeded m 1.59 like his father; did uprightly in the

eyes of the Lord, n 1.60 but not with a perfect heart; for idolatry still continued in Iu∣dah, and o 1.61 the people burnt incense in the high places. And the King himselfe (to add unto all his fathers sinnes) brought the Gods of the Aedomites, p 1.62 and set them up to be his Gods, and worshipped them, and burned incense unto them, which turned to his ruin. But Vzziah his son, sought God and did uprightly, yet q 1.63 according to all that his father Amaziah did; for the r 1.64 high places stood still for offerings and in∣cense, and Iothan his son s 1.65 trode the ve∣ry same steps. But Achaz son of Io∣tham marred all again, and made it worse then before; for t 1.66 he walked in the way of the Kings of Israel; yea, and made his son to passe through the fire, after the abominations of the Heathen; and made an altar in the Lords house u 1.67 like to the idolatrous altar which he saw in Damas∣cus; and x 1.68 brake down the work in the temple of God; and made y 1.69 molten ima∣ges for Baalim; yea being afflicted for his sins, he trespassed z 1.70 the more against the the Lord, sacrificing to the Gods of Da∣mascus which had plagued him; “ 1.71 break∣ing

the vessels, and shutting up the dores of the Lords house, making altars in eve∣ry corner of Ierusalem, and high places “ 1.72 in every citie of Iudah, to burn incense unto other Gods. And thus Ierusalem a 1.73 Aholibah, marred her selfe with inordi∣nate loue, and with her fornications, more then her idolatrous sister Aholah, or Sa∣maria: for Iudah b 1.74 forsook the Lord, & turned their faces from his tabernacle, shut the dores of his house, quenched his lamps, and neither burnt incense, nor offered burnt offerings in the sanctuarie unto the God of Israel, but sacrificed c 1.75 to Divils, new Gods whom they knew not, nor their fathers, and burnt incense to d 1.76 Nehushtan, the serpent of brasse.

11 Then God raised them up the good King Ezekias, who e 1.77 did uprightly in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. He ope∣ned the dores of the house of the Lord, brought in the Priests and Levites; * 1.78 clen∣sed the Temple, altar, and instruments of Gods service; sacrificed unto God g 1.79 for their sinnes; restored the true worship; sought the conversion h 1.80 of all Israel; i 1.81 caused them to break the images, cut

down the groues, break down the high places and altars through all his Domini∣ons; and, k 1.82 brake in peeces the brazen serpent that Moses had made, and Israel polluted. Thus dealt hee l 1.83 well and up∣rightly, and truely, before the Lord his God, even with all his heart, and depar∣ted not from him. But when he was laid down in peace, Manasses his son, repea∣ted all the former evils, and added more unto them, if ought mought be. For m 1.84 he went back, and built the high pla∣ces which his father had broke down; and set up altars for Baalim, and made groues, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them, and built al∣tars to them in the Lords house; & made strange Gods, and caused his sonnes to passe through the fire; and gaue himselfe to witchcraft, and charming, and sorce∣rie, and used them that had familiar spi∣rits; and n 1.85 shed innocent bloud exceed∣ing much, till he filled Ierusalem from corner to corner; and made Iudah and Ierusalem to erre, to o 1.86 doe worse then the heathen whom the Lord had destroyed before them. The p 1.87 children gathered wood, and the fathers kindled the fire,

and the women kneaded the dough, to make cakes to the Queen of heaven, and to power out drink offerings unto other Gods, that they mought provoke the Lord to anger: they * 1.88 set their abominati∣ons in the house wherupon his name was called, to pollute it: they * 1.89 builded the hie places of Baal, to burn their sonnes with fire for burnt offrings unto Baal and un∣to * 1.90 Molech. By which abominations they so provoked the Lord, as hee forbad his Prophets * 1.91 to pray any more to doe the people good; for they * 1.92 had kindled a fire in his anger, which should burn for ever.

12 And although Manasses rewed all before his death, * 1.93 and repented hearti∣ly when he lay fettered in Babel, and be∣ing restored to his Kingdom, * 1.94 took away the strange Gods, and altars and images that he had made, and restored in Iudah Gods true religion, saue onely that * 1.95 the people sacrificed in the high places: yet Amon his son would not be warned by his fathers evils; but turned again from God, made * 1.96 idols, and images, and altars of Baalim, high places, and groues; and sacrificed * 1.97 to all the images which his fa∣ther

had made, and served them, & hum∣bled not himselfe as his father Manasses had done: wherefore he was soon rooted out of the land of the living, and laid in dust.

13 l 1.98 Iosias his son abolished all these for∣mer idolatries & monuments of them; & did uprightly in the sight of God, as Da∣vid had done, and m 1.99 trembled at his law & judgments: but the people n 1.100 would not hear the words of the Prophets, calling them from their idolatry, they sought not the Lord, many of them, but o 1.101 worshiped the host of heaven, on the house tops; re∣maining p 1.102 frozen in their dregs; and shew∣ed themselvs to be q 1.103 a Nation not worthy to be loved. So when Iosiah was dead, Ie∣hoahaz his son, r 1.104 did as evill as all his fa∣thers, for the time which he raigned, which was but 3 moneths: and Iehojakim his successor s 1.105 dealt as badly; and t 1.106 killed the Prophets which called them to repen∣tance, and u 1.107 burned their writings. And after him x 1.108 Iehojachim proved no better; though in these daies death came up into their windows, and Gods wrath was in powring out upon Ierusalem. And Zede∣kiah the last King, did y 1.109 still evill in the

Lords eyes; a 1.110 neither he nor his servants, nor the people of the land, would obey the words of the Lord; b 1.111 therefore the wrath of the Lord, was against Ierusalem and Iudah, untill he cast them out of his sight. For it was not the Kings onely, that did all these evils, but also c 1.112 their wiues, d 1.113 and the Princes of the land, the Priests and the Prophets, and the men of Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem, even the e 1.114 chief of the people trespassed won∣derfully, according to all the abomina∣tions of the Heathen, and polluted the house of the Lord, which he had sancti∣fied in Ierusalem, and f 1.115 mocked the mes∣sengers of God, despised his words, and misused his Prophets, untill the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, and till there was no remedy. For that Citie Ierusalem had g 1.116 been unto him a provo∣cation of his anger, and of his wrath; from the day they built it, even unto the day that he should remoue it out of his sight: they had h 1.117 whorish hearts, and their eyes went a whoring after their idols: and with them i 1.118 they committed adultery, till being wexen old in adulteries God said, k 1.119 Now shall she

and her fornications come to an end.

14 And as it was with Iudah, so was it also with the ten tribes of Israel; who sucked the milk of Idol superstition in the daies of l 1.120 Ieroboam sonne of Nebat, whereunto they were addicted m 1.121 alwaies after, so long as their Common-wealth did stand; even throughout the raign of nineteene Kings, who added unto their fore-fathers sinnes, and drew the people to most horrible impieties, for which the land did spew them out, n 1.122 and Heathens came to dwell in their sted. As these are o 1.123 ensamples to us, to the intent that wee should not be idolaters like them; & are written p 1.124 to admonish us, upon whom the ends of the world are come: so doe they plainly manifest the strength of this be∣witching sin of idolatry, which as a har∣lot stealeth away the heart of man; and the pronenesse of all flesh, (not of such onely as are aliants from the Church, but even of Gods own called people,) to fall into this vice, if God restrain them not by his speciall grace.

15 Now for the pleasure that men take in this sin; it may be conjectured, by the readines of all sorts of people (as we

haue seen) to fall thereinto; and by the cause of the same, which is the flesh, (one of the * 1.125 works wherof it is,) and there∣fore must needs delight the fleshly: and that so much the more as it proceedeth from the chiefest part of the flesh, namely conscience,* 1.126 wisedom, reason, knowledge, judgement, prudence, policie, and what∣soever is most excellent in the naturall man. It may also further be shewed by examples & similitudes which the Scrip∣ture setteth down.

16 The Prophet Esaias calleth mens idols their b 1.127 delectable things; because of their desire that is towards them, & their pleasure in them. Ezekiel compareth the idolaters of Israel, to c 1.128 a woman infla∣med with loue towards some goodly yong man, on whom she hath cast her eies, and fixt her affections: and forgetting all modesty, she d 1.129 sendeth messengers for him, and bringeth him to her e 1.130 into the bed of loue, so f 1.131 discovering her forni∣cation and disclosing her shame. Teach∣ing us by this similitude, that idolatry is as sweet to the corrupted conscience and mind of man, as lust and fornication, is to any wanton body.

17 The objects also of this vice, are very pleasurefull and alluring: for the doctrines, rites, ceremonies and observan∣ces of false religion, with the gifts and learning of the Teachers therof; are like unto the goodly proportion, comely sta∣ture and glorious apparel, which set forth and adorn the persons of men, making them seem like g 1.132 Captains and Princes▪ and pleasant choise-youths, clothed in silks, and h 1.133 all kind of Gentleman-like apparell, whereby the womans heart, i 1.134 as soon as she sees them, becomes enamou∣red. The externall pomp and shew that idolatry carryeth with it, in temples and altars, and images of gold, in copes and vestiments, in organs & melodie, in peace∣able k 1.135 visions, sweet prophesies, and lying divinations; in diligent l 1.136 sacrificing, tith∣ing, thanksgiving, and proclaiming free offrings, with other like devotions: these giue content to the worshippers consci∣ence, and please the minde no lesse then m 1.137 a feast with peace offrings, and after it a sweet perfumed bed, decked with quilts & curtains most fine and costly, & n 1.138 cour∣teous intertainment of a paramour, with fill of loue, and pleasure of dalliance all

the night, is to a loose and lustfull yong man, given over to the fleshly and sensuall sin of whoredom.

18 Agreeable to these similitudes, are the things foretold of the idolatry of An∣tichrist, whose false Church is resembled o 1.139 by a whore; the doctrines, superstitions, rites, ceremonies of the same, as the wine of her fornication;* 1.140 making drunk the kings & inhabitants of the earth. And the more to allure them thereunto, her cup (wherin are the abominations, and filthines of her fornication:* 1.141) is of gold; her selfe is arayed with purple and skarlet, and guilded with gold and precious stones and pearles; counter∣feiting hereby the habite & ornaments of the true Church, the p 1.142 Spowse of Christ, whose q 1.143 shining is like to gold and stones most cleer and precious; her lips r 1.144 like scarlet, and her loue much better then wine. The pleasantnesse of that false re∣ligion, enamouring so many s 1.145 fooles, is noted by t 1.146 the aboundance of her plea∣sures, wherby her merchants wexed rich; u 1.147 the luxurious life and fornication of Kings with her, x 1.148 the apples that her soule lusted after, and all things that were fat and excellent; y 1.149 the musick and melodie

that there was heard; and is signified fur∣ther by z 1.150 the sorrow and lament which all her lovers make for her desolation. Now when the Holy Ghost taketh the most pleasant delightfull things in the world, and by them noteth out that counterfeit religion; what would he but teach us and warn us hereby of the sweetnesse of this deceit, which lulleth men in security; ha∣ving their wits bewitched with the whors inchanting song;* 1.151 Who so is simple let him come hither; stollen waters are sweet, and hid bread is pleasant.

19. But if the intising words of others, doe so far prevail with men, that “ 1.152 they follow straightway, as oxen that goe to to the slaughter, and as fools to the stocks for correction, till a dart strike through their liver; what may wee think is the strength of a mans own heart, when he ‘ 1.153 goeth a whoring with his own inventi∣ons; how easily will it prevail against him? Every man naturally pleaseth himselfe, and liketh well of his own designes; lov∣ing the fruit of his wit, as the child of his body: that when ‘,’ 1.154 he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth (an idol, that is) iniquity; it groweth up with him, and

delighteth him, and he * 1.155 rejoyceth in his own invention; perswading himself that * 1.156 now the Lord will be good unto him, seeing he hath found out a truth, or right manner of worshipping God. For this his devise, (specially if it be painted with some colour of holy scriptures,) he estee∣meth as * 1.157 an image come down from Iu∣piter, a doctrine from heaven it self. And henceforward, all the blessings that he injoyeth doe flow from this, that d 1.158 he burneth incense to the Queen of heaven, the idol that he hath made e 1.159 according to his own understanding. wherefore he will loose his life, rather then his religi∣on, which he defends with tooth & nayl, lest the f 1.160 magnificence of his Diana should be destroyed; he will g 1.161 preach, and h 1.162 dis∣pute, i 1.163 and write for the same, against whomsoever; and k 1.164 persecute (if it bee in his power) all that contradict it. And whatsoever is said from the word of the Lord against it, he l 1.165 will not hear; being as hardly induced to think it no truth, which his own wit hath discovered, as were the Ephesians to think m 1.166 them no Gods, which were made with hands; for his idoll invention hath bereft him of

sound judgment, a seduced hart hath de∣ceived him, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say.* 1.167 Is there not a lye in my right hand?

20 So in his blind devotion he con∣tinueth, blessing himselfe in his evill, feighning that he is high in Gods fa∣vour, and shall haue peace, n 1.168 although he walk in the wrest and obstinacie of his own heart; and that o 1.169 because he is guiltlesse, surely Gods wrath shall turn from him: For hee p 1.170 followeth no idols, (whatsoever men say,) but he q 1.171 swears, the Lord liveth; and will shew by his works, the r 1.172 zeal that hee hath for the Lord against idolaters. Hee bringeth s 1.173 his sacrifices and his tithes, offreth thanksgiving, proclaimeth free offrings; yea willing he is to please the Lord, though it cost him t 1.174 thousands of rammes, or ten thousand rivers of oil; and to giue his first-born, the fruit of his body, for the sinne of his soule: and though he burn incense to Baal, u 1.175 yet will he come and stand before God in the house whereupon his name is called, and say, J am delivered; he will x 1.176 lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the

Lord with me? No evill can come upon me; neither a 1.177 shall the plague come unto me, neither shall I see sword nor famine.

21 Finally, the Lord, to teach us how fast this sin cleaveth unto us, saith by his Prophet of the idolatrie of Iudah (his own professant people,) b 1.178 that it was written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a Diamond graven upon the ta∣ble of their heart; shewing that the inmost affections are most deeply and continual∣ly inffected with this vice, and addicted unto it; from which, no kind perswasion, no earnest dehortation, nor dreadfull threatning will turn them. For when Ie∣rusalem had given themselvs to this ini∣quity; the Lord sent unto them c 1.179 all his servants the Prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying; return now every man from his evill way, and amend your works, and goe not after other gods to serv them, and yee shall dwell in the land which I haue given unto you and to your fathers; d 1.180 oh doe not this abominable thing that I hate: but they would not hear, nor incline their ear, to turn from their wickednesse, and to burn no more incense unto other Gods. And now are

we come to the last demonstration, how hardly this sinne is left, when once men haue tasted the bitter sweetnesse of the same. Which may be seen by the wilfull and stiffe persisting herein, notwithstand∣ing all judgments threatned, all punish∣ments inflicted therfore. And hereof let Israel be our pattern.

22 After that they had forsaken the Lord, to follow their idols, he (to reclaim them from the iniquity) denounced, and brought upon them many heavie judge∣ments. King Ieroboam son of Nebat, the author of sin to the people, was e 1.181 rebuked by a Prophet, heard the destruction of his religion threatned; felt his own arm mi∣raculously withered and recured▪ saw the altar rent before his eyes: yet could hee not perceiv the impietie of his trespasse. He had again another f 1.182 Prophets reproof, heard the horrible ruin of his house me∣naced, that his posterity should be swept away as dung, and eaten of dogs and fowls of the aier; and by the death of his son Abijah, was deterred, if it mought haue been, from proceeding in his ido∣latry: but all this prevailed nothing. He lost in one battell that he fought with Iu∣dah,

* 1.183 fiue hundred thousand chosen men; and some of his cities: and yet had no heart to return unto the Lord; till he was h 1.184 plagued of God and died. And the yere after, Nadab his son walking in his fathers sin, i 1.185 was murdered, and all Ieroboams house, (none left aliue) de∣stroyed, according to the word of the Lord.

23 Baasha, whose hands had executed Gods wrath on Ieroboams house, yet had no grace to forsake his sinne; no not though he were threatned for it by a Pro∣phet, k 1.186 to haue like vengeance brought upon his own posterity; but continued in that Idolatrie to his dying day; and Elah his son, in the second year of his reign, felt the reward of his fathers sins, and of his own, l 1.187 was kild by a conspi∣racie, and all that family rooted out, none left unto Baasha, either of his kinsfolks, or his friends. Neither yet would Zimri, who rooted out Bashaes house be warned himselfe, but walked still in Ieroboams sin, wherfore m 1.188 reigning but seven daies, God hastened wrath up∣on his head, and he burned himselfe in his distresse.

24 All this notwithstanding the peo∣ple of Israel, and Kings that succeeded, left not Ieroboams sinns, but added moe unto them, and did worse then he. And although wrath was encreased upon the Nation, n 1.189 by sword and by famine, that women o 1.190 did eat their own children for hunger, and the Prophets did p 1.191 weep to think of the plagues before they came upon them: yet could they not bee perswaded to leav their idolatrie. The Lord gaue them cleannesse of teeth, and scarseness of bread in all their cities, q 1.192 yet turned they not unto him. Hee with-held rain from them, and made them wander about to seek water to drink; r 1.193 yet turned they not unto the Lord. He smote them with blasting and mel dew, and kanker worms did con∣sume their fruits; s 1.194 yet turned they not unto the Lord. Pestilence he sent among them after the manner of Aegipt, and killed their yong men with the sword; t 1.195 yet turned they not unto the Lord. Hee overthrew them, as God overthrew So∣dom and Gomorrah, and they were as a firebrand pluckt out of the burning; u 1.196 yet turned they not unto the Lord.

And though the Lord a 1.197 testified unto them by all the Prophets, and by all the Seers, saying; Turn from your evill waies, and keep my commandements: yet would they not hear, but followed vanity, and became vain in their idolatry, till the land did spue them out, as it had spued out the Heathens that dwelt before them, & they were b 1.198 spoyled by the Assirians, and cari∣ed captives among the Heathens, and He∣thens came and dwelt in their sted.

25 In like manner fared it with the Kingdom of Iudah; many plagues did they feel for their idol service, and many moe were threatned: yet would they not turn from this iniquity. Presently upon Rehoboams apostasie c 1.199 they were set upon by the King of Aegypt, their strong cities taken; the treasures of the Lords house, and of the Kings, were lost▪ and the men themselvs made d 1.200 servants to Shishak.

27 The idolatrous Kings after, aug∣mented sin and wrath, but could not be brought to amendment. Jehoram lost e 1.201 Aedom; had his house and children rob∣bed and carried away f 1.202 by the Philistims and Arabians, and himself after two years sore sicknesse, g 1.203 had his guts fall out, and

so died. Amaziah was h 1.204 taken by the King of Israel, the wall of Ierusalem was broken, and the temple robbed. Achaz was sold into the hands of i 1.205 the Kings of Aram & of Israel; and six score thousand valiant men of Iudah were killed in one day; (k 1.206 because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers,) and two hundred thousand taken prisoners; be∣sides l 1.207 other miseries that came upon the Countrie. But these and other plagues many which God laid upon them, till m 1.208 the whole head was sick, and the whole heart heavie, from the sole of the foot unto the head, there was nothing whole therin, but wounds and swelling and pu∣trified sores; the land wasted, the cities burnt with fire, and the daughter Sion re∣mained like a cottage in a vineyard: yet the more they were smitten, n 1.209 the more they fell away; all labour was spent in vain upon them, the o 1.210 bellows were burnt, the lead consumed in the fire, the founder melted in vain, they were called reprobate silver, because the Lord had rejected thē. For though he threatned p 1.211 to make Ieru∣salem a heap, and a den of Dragons, and to make the cities of Iudah wast without

an inhabitant, and sent unto them saying, a 1.212 Behold I prepare a plague for you, and purpose a thing against you, turn you therefore every one from his evill way; b 1.213 yet they said desperately, surely we will walk after our own imaginations, and do every man after the speculation of his wicked heart.

27 Moreover, when God had brought upon them the desolation threatned, that c 1.214 Ierusalem was broken up by the Baby∣lonians, the temple burned, the people killed, and the rest caried prisoners into Babel; some poore men onely d 1.215 left to till the land; yet that remnant afterward fled e 1.216 into Aegypt, both small and great; and there committed idolatry again with f 1.217 the works of their hands, burning incense unto other Gods in the land of Aegipt, that they might bring de∣struction unto themselvs, and be a curse, and a reproach among all Nations of the earth.

28 Behold in this mirrour (whosoever thou art that readest,) the readines of all flesh to fall away from God; the pleasure that men take in their own vain inven∣••••ons; and the difficultie to draw them

from following after Satan. Behold the madnesse, and blindnes, and astonishment of heart wherewith they are stricken that be given to idolatry; and how this gan∣grene did spread the whole body over, in the Church of Israel; whose historie is left written for example and warning to us, who all are subject to fall into like sin, are lyable to like plagues, and of like obstinacy in evill. For though God haue scourged Christendom with fire, & smoke, and brimstone, g 1.218 out of the horses mouthes and horsmen, conducted by the Angels of destruction: yet the remnant of men not killed by these plagues, h 1.219 haue not repented of the works of their hands, that they should not worship divils, and idols of gold and silver, and of brasse, and of stone, and of wood, which neither can see, neither hear, nor goe; men i 1.220 haue blasphemed the God of heaven, for their paines and for their sores, and repented not of their works. All k 1.221 the world wondreth and followeth the beast, admi∣reth the glory and magnificence of the l 1.222 whore, and without Gods speciall grace, none can keep himselfe from her, for she sitteth m 1.223 in the high places of the

citie, calling them that passe by the way; and her lips a 1.224 drop the honey comb li∣quor, and her mouth is softer then oile; though her end be bitter as wormwood, & sharp as a two-edged sword. She taketh her b 1.225 fair jewels of Gods gold and silver, the holy Scripture and treasures therein; and with them she maketh her images and heresies; and covereth them with broy∣dered garments, as wrought by Gods own spirit; and setteth his oil and perfume be∣fore them. She c 1.226 washeth her self, as if she were clean from all iniquity; and painteth her eyes, as if she had the very visage of true faith; and decketh her with orna∣ments, as wanting no gifts of knowledg, or utterance, or other furniture of the spirit; and she sitteth upon a costly bed, as being seated and constituted in the best perfection. Her table is furnisht with Gods incense and oil; for the word, pray∣ers, sacraments, are the diet of devotion wherewith she feedeth her lovers; and d 1.227 a voyce of a multitude being at ease, is with her; for many fools follow her, because of her worldly prosperity, she allureth and intertaineth all comers. Thus with * 1.228 her great craft she causeth men to yeeld,

and felleth down many wounded; f 1.229 great is the number of all that are k••ll••d by her; for her heart is g 1.230 nets and sna••es, and her hands bands; he that is good before God shall be delivered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen. 10.
• * 1.2

  Ios. 24.2.
• “ 1.3

  Gen. 14.14— 17.
• a 1.4

  Isa. 41.2 — 5.6.7.
• b 1.5

  Gen. 24.3 &c.
• c 1.6

  Gen. 31.53.19.
• d 1.7

  Gen. 35.2
• e 1.8

  Eze. 23.8
• f 1.9

  Num. 33.4.
• * 1.10

  Eze. 20.6.7
• g 1.11

  Vers. 8.
• h 1.12

  Vers. 9.
• i 1.13

  Ver. 10.11
• k 1.14

  Exod. 20 3.4.5.23, & 23.24.32.33.
• l 1.15

  Ex. 32.31
• m 1.16

  Vers. 8.
• n 1.17

  Act. 7.42.43. Amos 5.
• o 1.18

  Num. 25 2.3. Psa. 106.28
• p 1.19

  Lev. 17.7.
• q 1.20

  Ezek. 20.15.
• r 1.21

  Deut. 24.25.26.
• s 1.22

  Iudg. 2.11 12, 13, 19▪ & 3.7, &c.
• t 1.23

  Psal. 106.37, 38.
• u 1.24

  Psal. 78.59.60.
• x 1.25

  1 Sam. 7 3, 4.
• a 1.26

  1 King. 11.5.
• b 1.27

  vers. 9.10
• c 1.28

  ver. 11.12
• d 1.29

  2 Chron. 12.1.
• e 1.30

  1 King. 14.22.
• f 1.31

  vers. 23.
• g 1.32

  1 Chron. 14.3.
• h 1.33

  1 King. 15.12.
• i 1.34

  2 Chron. 14 5.
• k 1.35

  1 King. 15.13.
• l 1.36

  1 King. 15.2.3.
• m 1.37

  2 Chron. 13.8.9.
• n 1.38

  Vers. 10.12.
• o 1.39

  1 King. 15.11, &c. 2 Chron. 14 3, &c. & 15.8.
• p 1.40

  1 King. 15.14.
• q 1.41

  2 Chron. 17.6.
• r 1.42

  2 Chron. 20.33.
• s 1.43

  1 King. 22.43.
• t 1.44

  2 King. 8 16.18.
• u 1.45

  2 Chron. 21.11.
• x 1.46

  2 Chron. 22.2, 3, 4.
• y 1.47

  2 Chron. 24.7.
• a 1.48

  2 King. 11.18.
• b 1.49

  2 Chron. 24.1.
• c 1.50

  2 Chron. 23.17.
• d 1.51

  Vers. 18.
• e 1.52

  2 King. 12 3.
• f 1.53

  2 Chron. 24.15.
• g 1.54

  vers. 17.
• h 1.55

  vers. 18.
• i 1.56

  ver. 20.21
• k 1.57

  Mat. 23, 35.
• l 1.58

  2 Chron. 24.25.
• m 1.59

  2 King. 14.3.
• n 1.60

  2 Chron. 25.2.
• o 1.61

  2 King. 14, 4.
• p 1.62

  2 Chron. 25.14.
• q 1.63

  2 Chron. 26.3, 4, 5.
• r 1.64

  2 King. 15▪4.
• s 1.65

  vers. 32.34.35.
• t 1.66

  2 Kin. 16 1.2, 3, &c.
• u 1.67

  ver. 10, &c.
• x 1.68

  ver. 17.
• y 1.69

  2 Chron. 28.2, 3.
• z 1.70

  ver. 22.23
• “ 1.71

  vers. 24.
• “ 1.72

  vers. 25.
• a 1.73

  Ezek. 23.11.
• b 1.74

  2 Chron. 29.6.7.
• c 1.75

  Deut. 32.17.
• d 1.76

  2 King. 18.4.
• e 1.77

  2 Chron. 29.1.2 &c.
• * 1.78

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16, &c.
• g 1.79

  vers. 21.25.29.
• h 1.80

  2 Chron. 30.1, &c.
• i 1.81

  2 Chron. 30.1, &c.
• k 1.82

  2 King. 18.4.
• l 1.83

  2 Chron▪ 31.20.21.
• m 1.84

  2 Chron▪ 33.3, &c.
• n 1.85

  2 King. 21.16.
• o 1.86

  2 Chron 33.9.
• p 1.87

  Ier. 7.17 18.
• * 1.88

  vers. 30.
• * 1.89

  Ier. 19.5.
• * 1.90

  Ier. 32.35
• * 1.91

  Ier. 11.14 & 14.11.
• * 1.92

  Ier. 17.4.
• * 1.93

  2 Chro, 33 ••1, 12, &c.
• * 1.94

  vers. 15.16
• * 1.95

  vers. 17.
• * 1.96

  2 Chro. 34 ••, 4. 2 King. 23, ••4.
• * 1.97

  2 Chron. ••3.22.
• l 1.98

  2 Chr. 3••
• m 1.99

  vers. 19▪ 27.
• n 1.100

  Ier. 25.3 4, &c.
• o 1.101

  Zeph. 1.5
• p 1.102

  vers. 12.
• q 1.103

  Zeph. 2.
• r 1.104

  2 King. 2•• 31.32.
• s 1.105

  ver. 36.3▪
• t 1.106

  Ier. 26.2•• 23.
• u 1.107

  Jer. 36.2 25.
• x 1.108

  2 King. 24.8.
• y 1.109

  2 King▪ 24.18.19
• a 1.110

  Jer. 37.1.••.
• b 1.111

  2 King. ••4.20.
• c 1.112

  Ier. 44.9.
• d 1.113

  Ier. 32.32
• e 1.114

  2 Chron. ••6.14.
• f 1.115

  vers. 16.
• g 1.116

  Ier. 32.31
• h 1.117

  Eze. 6.9.
• i 1.118

  Ezek. 23.••7.
• k 1.119

  vers. 43.
• l 1.120

  1 King 12.28 30.
• m 1.121

  2 King 10.28.29. & 15.27.28, &c.
• n 1.122

  2 Kin. 17
• o 1.123

  1 Cor. 1•• 6.7.
• p 1.124

  vers. 11.
• * 1.125

  Gal. 5.19 ••0.
• * 1.126

  Rom. 1.22, &c. ••. Cor. 1.20 ••1, &c.
• b 1.127

  Esa. 44.9.
• c 1.128

  Ezek. 23.2, 3.5, &c.
• d 1.129

  vers. 16.
• e 1.130

  vers, 17.
• f 1.131

  vers. 18.
• g 1.132

  Eze. 23.6
• h 1.133

  ver. 12.15
• i 1.134

  vers. 16.
• k 1.135

  Ezek. 13.16, 7.
• l 1.136

  Amos 4.4, 5.
• m 1.137

  Pro. 7.14▪ 16.17, &c.
• n 1.138

  vers. 13.15.18.
• o 1.139

  Rev. 17.1
• * 1.140

  vers. 2.
• * 1.141

  vers. 4.
• p 1.142

  Rev. 21.2
• q 1.143

  ver. 11.18
• r 1.144

  Song. 4 3.10.
• s 1.145

  Prov. 7.7
• t 1.146

  Rev. 18.3
• u 1.147

  vers. 9.
• x 1.148

  vers. 14.
• y 1.149

  vers. 22.
• z 1.150

  vers. 9.15▪ 16.19.
• * 1.151

  Prov. 9.16▪ 17.
• “ 1.152

  Pro. 7.22
• ‘ 1.153

  Ps. 106.39
• ‘,’ 1.154

  Isa. 59.
• * 1.155

  Act. 7.41
• * 1.156

  Iudg. 17.3.
• * 1.157

  Act. 19.••5.
• d 1.158

  Ier. 44.17
• e 1.159

  Hos. 13.2
• f 1.160

  Act. 19.26
• g 1.161

  Ier· 28.11
• h 1.162

  Act. 17.18.
• i 1.163

  Ier. 29.25
• k 1.164

  1 King. 13 4.
• l 1.165

  Ier· 44.16
• m 1.166

  Act. 19.26.
• * 1.167

  Isa. 44.29.
• n 1.168

  Deut. 20.19.
• o 1.169

  Ier. 2.35·
• p 1.170

  vers. 23.
• q 1.171

  Ier. 5.2.
• r 1.172

  2 King. 10.16.
• s 1.173

  Amos 4.4.5.
• t 1.174

  Mic. 6.7.
• u 1.175

  Ier. 7.9▪ 10.
• x 1.176

  Mi••. 3.22
• a 1.177

  Ier. 5.12.
• b 1.178

  Ier. 17.1.
• c 1.179

  Ier. 35.15
• d 1.180

  Ier. 44.4, 5.
• e 1.181

  1 King. 1 1, &c.
• f 1.182

  1 King. 1 1, &c.
• * 1.183

  2 Chron. 3.17.
• h 1.184

  vers. 20.
• i 1.185

  1 Kin. 15 25 — 28.29
• k 1.186

  1 King. 16.1,—4.
• l 1.187

  1 King. 16.8,— 13.
• m 1.188

  1 King. 16.15.18.19.
• n 1.189

  2 King. 6 24.25.
• o 1.190

  ver. 28.29
• p 1.191

  2 King. 8.11.12.
• q 1.192

  Amos 4.6.
• r 1.193

  Vers. 8.
• s 1.194

  vers. 9.
• t 1.195

  vers. 10.
• u 1.196

  vers. 11▪
• a 1.197

  2 King. 17 13.14, &c.
• b 1.198

  ver. 23.24
• c 1.199

  2 Chron. 12.1.2, &c.
• d 1.200

  vers. 8.
• e 1.201

  2 Chron. 21.8.
• f 1.202

  ver. 16.17
• g 1.203

  vers. 19.
• h 1.204

  2 King▪ 14.13.14, &c.
• i 1.205

  2 Chron. 28.5.
• k 1.206

  vers. 6.
• l 1.207

  vers. 17.18.19.
• m 1.208

  Isa. 1.5▪ 6.7.
• n 1.209

  vers. 5.
• o 1.210

  Jer. 6.2•• 30.
• p 1.211

  Ier. 9.1••
• a 1.212

  Ier. 18.11
• b 1.213

  vers. 12.
• c 1.214

  2 Chr. 36
• d 1.215

  2 King. ••.5.12.
• e 1.216

  Ier. 43.5 ••.7.
• f 1.217

  Jer. 44.8.
• g 1.218

  Rev. ••.17, &c.
• h 1.219

  vers. 20.
• i 1.220

  Rev. 16.11.
• k 1.221

  Rev. 13.3
• l 1.222

  Rev. 17.
• m 1.223

  Prov. 9.14.15.
• a 1.224

  Prov. 5.3.
• b 1.225

  Ezek. 16.17.18.
• c 1.226

  Ezek. 23.40.41.
• d 1.227

  vers. 42.
• * 1.228

  Pro. 7.21.
• f 1.229

  vers. 26.
• g 1.230

  Eccles. 7.28.