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

CHAP. III. (Book 3)

Of Jeroboams Jdolatry that infected Jsrael; and of the pretenses that he mought make for his sin.

THat the allurements of this whore Idolatry, with her deceits and snares, may be further manifested, and people be warned to avoyd her destruction: I will yet prosecute this argument against her, to uncover her skirts and disclose her ini∣quity; hunting her steps, as they are traced in the Scriptures, and left to be seen as a perpetuall type in Israel.

2 The common-wealth of Israel did never enjoy such peace and happinesse, as in the daies of Salomon son of David, who reigned fortie yeares. Him a 1.1 the Lord loved (whereupon he was named Jedid∣jah;) and chose b 1.2 him from among many sonns, to sit upon the throne of the king∣dom

of the Lord over Israel, and c 1.3 to build his house and courts, and to be his son, and he would be his father. He gaue d 1.4 unto him wisedom and knowledg, and riches and treasures and honour, so as there was no King like him before or af∣ter. But Solomon e 1.5 loved many strange women, who withdrew him from the loue of God, that he f 1.6 followed the abo∣minations and idolatries of the Hea••hen. Then God g 1.7 was angry, because he had turned his heart from him, who had ap∣peared unto him twise, and given him a charge concerning this thing, that hee should not follow other Gods, but hee kept not that which the Lord had com∣manded him. Therefore God h 1.8 rent the Kingdom from him, and gaue it to his servant i 1.9 Ieroboam son of Nebat, a man of the tribe of Ephraim; with this certifi∣cation, that if k 1.10 he would hearken to all that God commanded him, and walk in his waies, and doe the right in his eyes; he would be with him, and build him a sure house, and giue Israel unto him. Now when Solomon was dead, all this came to passe; for Rehoboam his son, l 1.11 lost the most part of his realm, and ten Tribes

declined after Ieroboam, and chose him their King.

3 But he (though otherwise a man wise and politick,) wanting heavenly wisedom, relyed not in faith on the pro∣mise of God, but went and consulted with flesh and bloud, how he mought confirm the Kingdom to himselfe. And thinking m 1.12 in his heart, that if the people should (as they were wont) goe up to Ierusalem to worship God there; their hearts would turn from him to Solomons son, who reigned in that place, and so they would kill him. Being fraught with this fear, and void of faith; he thought to prevent these evils, by setting up a place of Gods publick worship, in his own dominions. And knowing that the people would not easily be drawn to a new religion, he retained a shew still of the old, not altering any article of the faith, nor yet many of the externall rites; but as in Ierusalem there was a Temple, and Altar, and other outward signes of Gods habitation with his Church; so would Ieroboam in Israel, make Temples, and Altars, and signes of Gods presence, that his people mought serv him there.

Then n 1.13 made he two calues or oxen of gold, and set one at Bethel, another at Dan, with houses and altars, and other like furniture, and said to the people, o 1.14 It is too much for you to goe up to Ierusa∣lem, behold thy Gods (ô Israel,) which brought thee up out of the land of Aegypt.

4 The changes and corruptions which he brought into Gods worship, were cheifly these. First of the place, which God had p 1.15 chosen to be at Ierusa∣lem: but Ieroboam would haue q 1.16 at Dan and Bethel. Secondly, of the signes or testimonies of the divine presence; which at Ierusalem was by Gods own ordi∣nance, r 1.17 the ark of the covenant, with the glorious golden Cherubims whereon hee ••ate, and from which his voyce had been heard: but at Bethel and Dan, by Ierobo∣ams device, s 1.18 were bullocks or calues of gold. Thirdly, of the time; for the feast of Tabernacles appointed of God t 1.19 to be kept the 15 day of the seventh month; Ieroboam put off untill u 1.20 the 15 day of the eighth moneth. Fourthly, of the persons administring the holy things; which by Gods authority x 1.21 were Aarons sonns, and

their brethren the Levits: but by Ierobo∣ams dispensation, y 1.22 were of other parts and lowest of the people. These things being ‘ 1.23 consulted of, and agreed upon by the King and State, the people of Israel yeelded unto; and practised accord∣ingly; shewing their prompt obedience and devotion in going, z 1.24 because of the one, even to Dan, a citie in the utmost part of all the land. Thus sinned Ieroboam, & made Israel to sin; and it “ 1.25 turned to sin unto his house, even to root it out and de∣stroy it from the face of the earth.

5 Against this innovation, there were some that presently rose up, refusing to follow the religion of the King; especi∣ally the Priests and Levites, (according to the charge they had ‘,’ 1.26 to teach Jankob Gods judgements, and Israel his law,) “ 1.27 resisted the superstition, and put the people in mind of their duty; which Je∣roboam perceiving, ‘ 1.28 put them from their office, and ,‘, 1.29 droue them out of his realm. Some also there were of ” 1.30 all the Tribes of Israel, that hearkning to the wholesome doctrine of their Ministers, and following their good example, left their own Country; and resorted to Ie∣rusalem,

so strengthning the kingdom of Iudah. Thus was there a controversie among the people, about these (the Kings) ceremonies; some counting them novel∣ties, and profane superstition; others (and they the many,) esteeming them laudable, and well-fitting their State. But the men of Iudah reproched them for this, as having a 1.31 forsaken God, and made b 1.32 them golden calues for Gods, and done many like abominations. The Lord also used other means to draw the King and people to repentance, by the admonition c 1.33 of a Prophet, confirmed by miracle; by stri∣king dead Ieroboams arm, and healing it again; and by d 1.34 taking away his beloved son Abijah. These things, though they could not but trouble both King and people, yet could they not prevail to bring them to repentance; for Ieroboam had many things to say for himselfe, and much could he colour his new coynd religion, answering the objections that were made against them, by th••s, or the like apologie.

6 I See my course, (ô men of Israel,) to be much suspected, if not whol∣ly misliked of many▪ some thinking my

ceremonies to savour too rankly of Hea∣then superstition; some charging me plain∣ly with flat apostasie and forsaking of God. But how far off I am from all such impiety (how ever it please men to mi∣stake my meaning, and pervert my acti∣ons) I hope to manifest unto all indiffe∣rent persons. Chiefly sith that I haue nei∣ther spoken nor done against any article of the ancient faith, nor changed any fun∣damentall ordinance of religion, given us by Moses; but worship with reverence the God of my fathers, and loue him (as I am taught) e 1.35 with all my heart, and with all my soul, cleaving unto him alone who is my life, and the length of my daies. Other Gods of the nations I utterly ab∣hor, with all their impure rites and servi∣ces; and if any shall now or hereafter de∣cline to such abomination, I trust we shall shew f 1.36 the zeal that we haue for the Lord our God, against all their impiety. The al∣teration that I haue made, is in matters of circumstance, things meerly ceremo∣niall; whereof there is no expresse, cer∣tain or permanent law given us of God; and which are variable, as time, place, and person giue occasion; and such as good

Kings haue changed before me; and haue been blamelesse.

7 And first for the place where God is to be worshipped, which many now would haue at Ierusalem onely; I finde the practise of our Patriarch Abraham, and the fathers following, to be far other∣wise. They sacrificed to God, as occasion was offered, in every place they came; in g 1.37 Shechem, and in this h 1.38 Bethel; in the plain i 1.39 of Mamre; and in k 1.40 Beersheba: so this superstition of tying God to one place was not hatched in their daies. Af∣ter this, when our fathers came out of Aegypt, they l 1.41 offered sacrifices in the wil∣dernesse, and being come into this land, in how sundry places of it haue they ser∣ved God? At m 1.42 Shilo the Tabernacle & Ark was many daies, and all Israel sacrifi∣ced there. Again at n 1.43 Kirjath-jearim the Ark had abiding twenty years, and there men sought the Lord: and after that, in o 1.44 other places many. But when David was King, he removed the Ark p 1.45 to Ie∣rusalem; and the Tabernacle which Mo∣ses had made, he left in a high place q 1.46 at Gibeon: and thus were there two places of publick worship at one time; and Sa∣lomon

sacrificed r 1.47 in them both. And shall we now grow so superstitious, as to binde God to any one place. Nay, this all is the Lords land, and his eyes are in every part of the same: and it is not so materiall where we doe worship, as whom we wor∣ship, and with what affection; for our God is neer in all times and places, to all that call upon him in truth.

8 But it will be said, that Ierusalem is the place which God hath chosen; promi∣sing unto Solomon s 1.48 to put his name in the Temple there for ever, and that his eyes and heart should be there perpetually. I answer, the promise and covenant was conditionall, if Gods t 1.49 statutes and judg∣ments were observed: for if they should turn away, and u 1.50 serue other Gods, God said x 1.51 he would cast out of his sight, that house which hee had hallowed for his name; and it should be an astonishment & a hissing to all that passe thereby. And see we not how Solomon forfeited his bond? His wiues y 1.52 turned his heart after other Gods: hee followed z 1.53 Ashteroth, and Mil∣com, Chemosh, and Molech; and other abo∣minations of the Gentiles, and “ 1.54 built them high places: for which his wicked∣nesse

God was angry, and hath rent his Kingdom from his son, and given it to me. Look to Gods place which was in Shilo, a 1.55 where he set his name at the begin∣ning; and see what he did to it for the ini∣quity of Israel: even b 1.56 so will the Lord doe to that house in Ierusalem wherupon his name is called, wherin also they trust. Example see in the rent of the Kingdom▪ for at the same time when promise was made to dwell in that house for ever, God promised c 1.57 also to stablish that throne of Solomons for ever: howbeit already the throne is thrown down, and most of the Realm committed to me. As is the one, doubtlesse so is the other; no sanctity re∣maineth in the place so polluted with ido∣latry: the holinesse is gone.

9 And now that this Bethel where I build a house to our God, is the place which he hath chosen to dwell therin; we may boldly say; for it is most renoumed, the chiefe and supereminent place in the land. They boast in Ierusalem, how their Temple standeth upon mount d 1.58 Morijah, where Abraham our father e 1.59 offered his son Isaak (a type of the Messiah) for a sacrifice to God: we also can glory, how

Jaakob our Patriarch saw in this our place, a f 1.60 ladder that reached from earth to hea∣ven, by which the Angels of God went up and down; a type also doubtlesse of our Messiah to come; by whom, as by a ladder we shall get up to heaven, whom g 1.61 all the Angels of God shall worship when he commeth, and shall be seen to ascend and descend upon him. Here God appeared to our father Jaakob, h 1.62 promi∣sing him the land, and heyres to possesse it. He then acknowledged how i 1.63 the Lord was in this reverend place, that it was no other but the house of God, & the very gate of heaven; & therupon gaue it a new name Bethel, Gods house; wheras at first it was k 1.64 called Luz: yea Jaakob vowed that at his safe returne, the stone which here he had set up for a pillar, l 1.65 should be Gods house. And this his devotion was approved of God, who expresly com∣manded him m 1.66 to dwell in Bethel, and make him an Altar here; which hee per∣forming, God graciously accepted, & ap∣peared again with new promises in this place, whereupon the name was againe confirmed to be Gods house or n 1.67 Bethel. Thus having so venerable antiquity on

our side; can any man doubt but it is more safe to worship here at Bethel, a place san∣ctified of old, and so long continuing; then at Sion, of late so fouly polluted by Solomons grosse idolatry.

10 And me thinks the remembrance of that late impiety, should keep men from doting so on that place; for it is much to be feared Rehoboam will set up ere long his fathers religion, who fol∣lowed strange Gods; seeing hee walketh already in his evill way of oppressing the people, and o 1.68 could not be brought to ease them at all of any taxe or burthen, wherwith his father loded them. As hee followeth his father in sinning against the people, so is hee like to doe in sinning against God. For loe the hie places which Solomon builded for Ashteroth and Che∣mosh and Milcom, the idols of the Hea∣then, p 1.69 are left standing still, even before Ierusalem, and on the right hand of the mount of corruption, and are like there to cont••nue. Which wherfore is it, but for a snare to the people, that they may fall again to the former sin?

11 I now being King, doe hold it my duty to keep al my subjects from such

danger of idolatry; and to look that the true God be served in my Kingdom, lest men either grow prophane, or turn unto vanities. For to goe to Ierusalem it may proue perilous; sure it is q 1.70 overmuch for the people that dwell a far off, and seem∣eth to me altogether unreasonable. For may and ought not every Prince and peo∣ple to serue God in their own countrey? Was there any before me, that mought not doe it; and am I more in bondage then all? Besides, who knoweth not the grudge that Rehoboam hath against us, whom of late r 1.71 he would haue warred with, if God had not stayed him? Why, hee counteth me and my people s 1.72 rebels; and if he can get me within his dominion, he will sure∣ly cut off my head, and the heads of many moe. And doth God, (who t 1.73 desireth mercy rather then sacrifice) require of men thus for to runn upon the swords ••oint, and indanger their liues without cause, and onely for a circumstance of place? I am not so weak of judgement, as to think it; neither will I be so unwise as to hearken to these Levites, who kin∣dle the fire of contention among my sub∣jects, and teach that we all must goe up

to Ierusalem, or else we may offer no sa∣crifice to God. Beleev them that list; I haue otherwise learned the truth of the Law; and trust we shall so serue the Lord at home, as will please him well enough.

12 For the worship that here we per∣form unto God, is (for the substance) the same that himselfe commanded by Moses. Wee serue the same God a 1.74 that brought us up out of the land of Aegipt: and this is b 1.75 the first and the great com∣mandment on which all other do depend; the keeping wherof, c 1.76 hath the promise of reward. Wee offer the sacrifices of beeues and sheep, wee burn incense, pay first fruits and tithes of all we possesse; we observ all the ordinances that our fa∣thers haue kept since the world began, and God hath confirmed in his written law for ever. Wee hold the main article of our Messiah to come, and of re∣dempt••on from our sinnes by him; by which faith our ancestors haue pleased God: and unto this he leadeth us in his Law. In this faith offer we according to the Law, d 1.77 bullocks for attonement and forgiuenesse of our sins; a shadow unto us of our Messiah, who shall be led as an oxe

to the slaughter, and purge our iniquity by his own bloud. In testimony of this true & catholick faith, I haue made these bul∣locks e 1.78 of gold (similitudes of the greatest sacrifices,) as representations of that our true sacrifice, the promised Saviour whom we expect.

13 If here it be said, wee doe against God, in making these golden figures; be∣cause he forbiddeth f 1.79 graven images to be made: the answer is easie, Gods mean∣ing is not to forbid all images simply, but onely idols that haue divine worship done unto them. Such as was that Calfe which our fathers g 1.80 made in the wildernesse: for they h 1.81 worshipped the molten image it self (not God by the image,) but made them i 1.82 Gods of gold, which was against the ex∣presse k 1.83 words of the Law; yea, they were so grosse, as they turned him l 1.84 their glory, into the similitude of a bullock that eat∣eth grasse; and m 1.85 forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Aegipt for them. But God forbid, and farr be it from us (good people) that wee should thus doe. Wee worship not the images of our bullocks here, any more then we worshipped the images of the Che∣rubims,

and other resemblances, in Solo∣mons Temple: but we worship God, and him onely doe we serue, even n 1.86 the God that brought us out of Aegypt, not any other.

14 Yet some are so hardly prejudiced against me, as they spare not to say, I o 1.87 haue made you these golden calues for Gods, and think that I giue the honour to them, that is due to the eternall and blessed God himselfe; because (forsooth) I said, p 1.88 Behold thy Gods ô Israel. But were I so minded; I should be indeed more brutish then a calfe my selfe. What, should I deny the Creator of the world; the God of all our fathers; the wonders wrought for us in Aegypt, and other places; and turn to these images which are made with mens hands, and think them very Gods? Far be such a grosse conceit, from every true Israelite. Nay, if I should haue at∣tempted any such thing, would you not haue stoned me? And as for my speech in calling them Gods, who is there so simple that knows it not to be figuratiue, and ve∣ry familiar to every mans ears? I am not the first, that thus hath spoken, our fa∣thers before me used often such phrases.

When the Angel of God appeared unto Abraham, he called the place q 1.89 Jehovah∣jireh, that is, The Lord seeth. Jaakob built an Altar, and called the place, r 1.90 The God of Bethel: Moses himselfe made an Altar in the desert, & named it s 1.91 Jehovah Nissi, that is, The Lord my banner. Yet none of us, I trow, doe think that they esteemed these places or altars, to be properly Gods. The Ark is called t 1.92 the glorie of Jsrael; u 1.93 the strength of God; the x 1.94 King of glorie; and (what can be said more) the y 1.95 holy Lord God. The Lamb is called, z 1.96 the Lords Passeover; and many such like Sa∣cramentall speeches, haue we and our an∣cestors been accustomed unto. What if I should call the pascall Lamb, our Messiah; because it is a type of him: or the Manna which our fathers did eat, and water which they drank out of the rock; the bo∣dy and bloud of our Messiah: should I for this be suspected of Idolatry? My enemies mought be ashamed thus to cavil, and calumniate my honest actions, who haue made these visible signes, for to serv the true God by; and to be but as testimo∣nies of his presence here.

15 And that this is lawfull, the Law it

selfe will shew: which intendeth not the prohibition of all images, but the abuse of them as idols; for so it is written, a 1.97 Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serv them; whereby God explaneth his mind, which is, that we should make no graven images for to worship them; but to wor∣ship God by them, where is that forbid∣den? Nay the contrary is evident; for haue wee not worshipped God in Ierusa∣lem, and other places, by images; What are the b 1.98 golden winged Cherubims upon the Ark, but images, by which both we and our fathers haue honoured God. And if any object, that those were made by Moses at Gods command; but none else may be made by any other: let him look into Solomons Temple builded but the other day, and there he shall find c 1.99 two new Cherubims of great and high stature, whose wings reach from one end of the holy place to another; and besides these, all the d 1.100 walls of the Temple are full of such figures. Perhaps some will say, it is tolerable to haue the shape of Cherubims, as being figures of e 1.101 Angels; but any other forms, especially of beasts is utter∣ly unlawfull. Well, however the Law

forbiddeth to make the likenes of f 1.102 things in heaven, as of things in earth, and so the Angels may no more be pourtrahed then beasts or birds: yet to take away scru∣ple, I refer you to Solomons g 1.103 twelv oxen, or bulls of brasse, wh••ch bear up that molten sea, which standeth at the dore of the Temple for the Priests to wash in: also to h 1.104 the Lions, Bulls and Cherubims wrought upon the ten brazen bases of the cauldrons, wherin the work of the burnt offerings i 1.105 is washed and cleansed every day. If Solomon in his Temple might make bulls of brasse, is it a sin for me to make such of gold? Tush, these are but the cavils of these Puritan Priests and Le∣vites, that of a stomack and refractary minde will not be conformable to my ce∣remonies; whom therefore I mean k 1.106 to driue out of my country, that they trou∣ble my people no more.

16 Yet will I doe my best, to satisfie them ere they goe, in whatsoever they can say against me. To proceed therfore to the time, (another circumstance which they object, for want of more weighty mat∣ter;) they think it much that I haue pro∣••oged the feast of Tabernacles, untill

the k 1.107 15 day of the 8 moneth; because it is appointed by Moses to be kept l 1.108 the 15 day of the 7 moneth. Herein they still doe but strain out a gnat: for so the thing it selfe be observed, what skilleth it for the change of the moneth? The feasts were made for men, not men for the feasts; and if we keep them in any meet and commodious time, it pleaseth God well enough: which I will further shew by the Law it selfe. When our fathers came out of Aegypt, they kept by Gods command∣ment the Paschal feast upon m 1.109 the 14 day of the first moneth; and this was enacted to be an ordinance n 1.110 for ever. After, it fell out, when a Passeover o 1.111 was kept in the wildernesse, that certain men p 1.112 defiled by a dead man, could not keep it by rea∣son of their uncleannesse, and came unto Moses to know what they should doe. He could not tell, q 1.113 till hee had asked the Lord. Then God spake and said, r 1.114 If any of you, or your posterity, be unclean, or in a journey, let him keep the Pascha in the 14 day of the second moneth. Be∣hold here how God explaineth his own law, shewing that hee respecteth not the moneth, as though there were any holi∣nesse

in it; but if the feast were kept, though a moneth after, (upon just occasi∣on,) it should be acceptable: Forasmuch then as we haue so pregnant an example of occasionall changing the time, without any sin: me thinks these men are too too precise; that condemn me, who upon just occasion, and advice with others, haue de∣ferred this feast, a moneth longer then ordinary.

17 It may be these men, make questi∣on of my authority, and think me not the lawfull supreme Governour, under God, of the Church; or that my pri∣macy beares me not out to alter ceremo∣nies or circumstances in religion: but this I can sufficiently clear. For I haue my kingly office from God the King of kings; s 1.115 hee appointed me hereunto by his Prophet, and chose me t 1.116 by his peo∣ple. I am not inferiour to any Prince that hath been before me. What though I be not born of kingly bloud? neither was David. And what though Solomon and Rehoboam his son, were possessed of the crown before me? So was Saul and Ish∣bosheth his son possessed of it before king David. But God for Sauls sin, u 1.117 gaue the

kingdom to David his servant, and no man doubteth of his lawfull title: so God for Solomons sin, x 1.118 hath given this king∣dom to me his servant; and my title is just. Neither goe I beyond my line; I am content with my ten Tribes, let Rehobo∣am haue the rest. Now being your law∣full Prince, ô Israel, it lyeth me upon to see the Church ordered, as well as the Common-wealth; to make Lawes (no•• contrary to the lawes of God,) for the holy and peaceable government of you; to take heed you fall not to Solomons ido∣latry, or follow other Gods. Things sub∣stantiall and fundamentall; I will in no wise change: circumstances of things, and ceremonies I may freely change, for they are not permanent or perpetuall.

18 And herein I can assure my selfe and others, by example of DAVID the beloved of GOD, y 1.119 commended to me for his holy walking and upright admi∣stration. He ordred many things in the service of God, otherwise then he had expresse warrant for, in the written Law. He removed the Ark, z 1.120 from Kirjath∣jearim to Ierusalem. He appointed a 1.121 in∣struments of musick, cimbals, and vials,

and harps, &c. wherof there is no menti∣on in Moses Law. He b 1.122 distributed the Levites into their orders and offices, ma∣king some singers, some porters, some assistants to the Priests: yea, and c 1.123 the sa∣crifices hee set in 24 classes or courses; and where shall we find these things war∣ranted in the Law? If David then our worthy Predecessor, did thus order the Church, and alter the ceremonies, by his regall authority: may not I, which haue equall power in my dominions doe the like? And Solomon his son, before he fell from the true God to idols, did many things otherwise then is written in Moses; and God did allow them. In his famous Temple he had d 1.124 ten golden candlesticks, and ten tables; whereas God by Moses, ordained of each e 1.125 but one. In sted of one laver that Moses made to wash in, Solomon made f 1.126 ten cauldrons; besides that other vessel, which for the hugeness of it, is cal∣led g 1.127 a sea: with many other differences, which who so compareth his works with Moses writings may easily perceiv. These Priests of Levi are much to bee pittied, that urge so the letter of the Law, which I think they understand not. They

say it is written, h 1.128 Yee shall put nothing to the word that J command you, nor take ought therefrom; but they minde not how this intendeth matters of faith, and doctrines fundamentall, which I willing∣ly grant may in no wise be corrupted: but ceremonies are variable, and circumstan∣ces may be changed upon every just occa∣sion, as before I haue proved, and the practise of my godly predecessours doth approue. Accordingly mean I to retain my liberty, and maintain my prerogatiue royall.

19 It resteth to be scanned how we shal doe for Ministers, if the Priests of Levi be put away. And for this I i 1.129 am reproch∣ed as violating the Law; wheras necessity constraineth me to take other order. I know that Aarons sonnes are appoinred by Law to doe the Priests office: but the power is in the Church, of whom they had their authority; and mought still ad∣minister if they were not so scrupulous. It is then their own fault that they are depo∣sed, and be it upon them: for wee will serv God as did our fathers, before these Aaronites injoyed the Priesthood. I finde that of old, the Patriarchs k 1.130 Abraham,

Isaak and Jaakob, offered sacrifices them∣selues, even then when Melchisedek the l 1.131 Priest of the most high God lived in the land. I finde again how Moses did send m 1.132 yong men of the children of Israel to offer burnt offrings and peace offrings to the Lord. How ever therefore for order sake, this work was committed to the sonns of Aaron, yet hold I it not to be of necessity to salvation, or of the essence and being of a true sacrifice, that an Aa∣ronite must offer it. But seeing all the Lords people are holy, yea, a n 1.133 kingdom of Priests, as the Lord calleth them in his Law: they may (no doubt) being duely sanctified and consecrate thereto, offer ac∣ceptable sacrifices unto God. And hereof will I haue care, that none shall administer o 1.134 but such as are consecrate; but I will not debar p 1.135 any, be he of what Tribe soever, if he be fit otherwise. As for these re∣fractarie Ministers, the Levites, I will re∣venge me of them, for they are the trou∣blers of the State, the boutefeus that set on fire all the country. For loe, how ma∣ny people q 1.136 of all the Tribes of Israel, are ready to leaue the land, and run to Re∣hoboam in Ierusalem. These men are the

cause of all this stur, and faction: their doctrine impeacheth my supremacy, and disturbeth the peace of the Church. Wherfore as Solomon * 1.137 cast out Abiathar from being Priest unto the Lord, because his hand was with Adonijah: I also by like right, * 1.138 will cast out these Priests of Levi, whose hands are with my enemy Rehobo∣am. So rest and peace shall be unto my selfe, and to my people.

20 Yet a few words more of the events that are happened; which in their simplicity many doe mistake and abuse against me. The Prophet * 1.139 that came out of Iudah to Bethel, and gaue there a sign; made some for to think, I had sinned in deed. My selfe, I confesse, was somewhat moved when I felt u 1.140 my arm withered: but seriously weighing things after, as they were, I stayed my thoughts. For first, he came but as any false Prophet, (if God so permit,) may come at all times; I mean, with sign and wonder, but with∣out word of truth, to convince the con∣science. He x 1.141 cryed against the altar: but shewed no law of the Lord to condemn it. He threatned destruction; but who knows when the day shall come; for no

time was set down; that men may be held with continuall expectation. I find in the Law, that a y 1.142 Prophet may arise, giving a sign or wonder, which shal come to passe: and yet his doctrine may be abominable, and God thereby z 1.143 proveth the hearts of his people. The inchanters of Aegypt a 1.144 could also doe miracles even like unto Moses: yet were they no Ministers of the Lord. What then though this falser had power to doe great things, and thereupon was hired by the King of Iudah to come preach against me, and seduce my people; no wise man will rest on coun∣terfeit miracles, but will settle his heart on the Law of God; which that Prophet could not convince me with all (for then I had yeelded,) but sought to get credit by abusing that power, which God did permit him to haue for my tryall. The abuse of Gods name cannot goe long un∣punished, for it is a great sin: neither sca∣ped this Prophet due vengeance for his crime; but as he went homeward, he was slain b 1.145 by a Lyon. Well worthy end, for such as dissemble the message of the most High. How ever therefore some think of this matter, I am not perswaded

hee was a man of God, that came to so fearfull a death.

21 But the death c 1.146 of mine own son Abijah, sate neerer me, and made me look narrowly into mine actions, till I found indeed whereof to resolue. I sent mine own wife d 1.147 to Ahijah the Prophet for counsell about him: but the cholerik old man e 1.148 would not suffer her to speak, but breaking out into heat and menaces, gaue her an answer before she asked. It is easie to see his partiall affection; hee leaneth towards Iudah, and speaketh with bitternesse against me, that never did him hurt. And were it indeed that I had offended; my fault mought bee shewed me in loue and meeknesse: which would better beseem the Prophets of God, then this their distempered carriage. And what was the cause, why he did so threaten me? even the common calumnie that the Iews doe giue out, for he said, f 1.149 J had made me other Gods: but how false this is I haue shewed before; and it became not his gray head to beleev such reports, and condemn me unheard: I haue not forsaken the Lord my God, but the thing is mistaken by the g 1.150 blinde Prophet, who discerneth

no better my actions, then hee can doe colours. My son is dead and gone, for his day was come: if he were cut off before the time, it was rather for his vice then for his vertue. The Prophet sayd there was h 1.151 some goodnesse found in my son, towards the Lord God of Israel; and therefore he must die. But doth the Lord use so to reward them that are good before him? It is said in the Scripture of wicked men, that they i 1.152 shall not liue out halfe their daies: yet now this yong mans death is brought as an argument to proue hee was godly. Ahijah, I perceiv, is too old to bee k 1.153 a Seer any longer; else could he not haue been so much overseen in this his new doctrine. Gods law l 1.154 biddeth children to honour their parents, that their daies may be long in the land: but this my child had his daies shortned; doubtlesse for disobe∣dience. My other sonns m 1.155 consented to that which I did about religion; and they liue and prosper: he onely would be more precise then his brethren, and his honour is laid in the dust. Thus see I in my house the proverb fulfilled, n 1.156 The fear of the Lord increaseth the daies: but the yeares of the wicked shall be diminished. For which

I lament, through fatherly affection, but am nothing moved to leav my religion; nay rather these judgements confirm me therein, for I see how they that speak against it are cut off. Yea, God himselfe hath been my Protectour, and with-held o 1.157 by his Prophet, my enemies of Iudah from fighting against me. On him will I lean, and trust in his name; being fully resolved not to alter my course, but I and my people to continue as we are, until we lye down in peace.

Notes

• a 1.1

  2 Sam. 1▪ 24.25.
• b 1.2

  1 Chron▪ 28.5.
• c 1.3

  vers. 6.
• d 1.4

  2 Chron. 1.12.
• e 1.5

  1 King. 11.1,— 4.
• f 1.6

  vers. 5.
• g 1.7

  vers. 9.10
• h 1.8

  vers. 11.
• i 1.9

  ver. 26.29
• k 1.10

  vers. 38.
• l 1.11

  1 Kin. 12.
• m 1.12

  1 King. 12.26, &c.
• n 1.13

  1 King. ••.28, &c.
• o 1.14

  vers. 28.
• p 1.15

  2 Chro. 7.6.
• q 1.16

  1 King. 12.29.
• r 1.17

  Exod. 25, 10,—22. Num. 7.89 Psal. 80.1.
• s 1.18

  1 King. 12.28.
• t 1.19

  Lev. 23.34
• u 1.20

  1 King. 12.32.
• x 1.21

  Num. 18 1.7. Deut. 10.8.
• y 1.22

  1 King. 12.31.
• ‘ 1.23

  vers. 31.
• z 1.24

  vers. 30.
• “ 1.25

  1 King. 13.34.
• ‘,’ 1.26

  Deut. 33 10.
• “ 1.27

  2 Chron. 11.13.
• ‘ 1.28

  vers. 14.
• ,‘, 1.29

  2 Chron. 13.••.
• ” 1.30

  2 Chron. 11.16.
• a 1.31

  2 Chron. 13.11▪
• b 1.32

  vers. 8.
• c 1.33

  1 Kin. 13 1.2, &c.
• d 1.34

  1 King. 14.
• e 1.35

  Deut. 6 4.5, & 30.20▪
• f 1.36

  2▪ Kin. 10▪ 16.28.29.
• g 1.37

  Gen. 12.7.8.
• h 1.38

  Gen. 35.7
• i 1.39

  Gen. 13.18
• k 1.40

  Gen. 26.25.
• l 1.41

  Exo. 24.5
• m 1.42

  1 Sam. 1 3, &c.
• n 1.43

  1 Sam. 7.1.2.
• o 1.44

  1 Sam. 21 1.6, &c.
• p 1.45

  2 Sam. 6, 13, &c.
• q 1.46

  1 Chron. 21.29.
• r 1.47

  1 King. 3.4.15.
• s 1.48

  1 King. 9.3.
• t 1.49

  vers. 4.
• u 1.50

  vers. 6.
• x 1.51

  vers. 7.8▪
• y 1.52

  1 King. 11.4.
• z 1.53

  vers. 5.
• “ 1.54

  vers. 7.
• a 1.55

  1 Sam. 4. Psal. 78.60 &c.
• b 1.56

  Ier. 7.12 14.
• c 1.57

  1 King. 9.3.1.
• d 1.58

  2 Chr. 3.1
• e 1.59

  Gen. 22.2, &c.
• f 1.60

  Gen. 28.12.
• g 1.61

  Psal. 97.7
• h 1.62

  Gen. 28.13.14.
• i 1.63

  vers. 16.17, &c.
• k 1.64

  vers. 19.
• l 1.65

  vers. 22.
• m 1.66

  Gen. 35 1, &c.
• n 1.67

  vers. 13▪ 14.15.
• o 1.68

  1 King. 12.3.4.13.14.
• p 1.69

  2 King. 23.13.
• q 1.70

  1 King. 12.28.
• r 1.71

  2 Chr. 1 1—4.
• s 1.72

  2 Chro•• 13.6.
• t 1.73

  Hos. 6
• a 1.74

  1 King. 2.28.
• b 1.75

  Exod. 20.••.3.
• c 1.76

  Psal. 81.8 ••.10.
• d 1.77

  Lev. 4.4.3.14—20
• e 1.78

  2 King. 12.28.
• f 1.79

  Exod. 2
• g 1.80

  Exod. 3••
• h 1.81

  Psal. 10 19.
• i 1.82

  Ex. 32.3
• k 1.83

  Ex. 20.2
• l 1.84

  Ps. 106.••••
• m 1.85

  vers. 2
• n 1.86

  1 King. 12.28.
• o 1.87

  2 Chron. ••3.8.
• p 1.88

  1 King. 12.28.
• q 1.89

  Gen. 22.14.
• r 1.90

  Gen. 35.7
• s 1.91

  Exod. 17 15.
• t 1.92

  1 Sam 4.21.
• u 1.93

  Ps. 78.61
• x 1.94

  Ps. 24.7.
• y 1.95

  1 Sam. 6.20.
• z 1.96

  Exod. 12.11.
• a 1.97

  Ex. 20.5.
• b 1.98

  Ex. 25.18, &c.
• c 1.99

  1 King. 6 23, &c.
• d 1.100

  vers. 29.
• e 1.101

  Gen. 3.24
• f 1.102

  Exo. 20.4
• g 1.103

  1 King. 7.25.
• h 1.104

  1 King. 7.29.
• i 1.105

  2 Chron. 4.6.
• k 1.106

  2 Chron. 13.9.
• k 1.107

  1 King. ••.32.
• l 1.108

  ••ev. 23.39
• m 1.109

  Ex. 12.6
• n 1.110

  vers. 24.
• o 1.111

  Num. 9.•• — 5.
• p 1.112

  vers. 6.7.
• q 1.113

  vers. 8.
• r 1.114

  vers. 10, &c.
• s 1.115

  1 King▪ 11.29, &
• t 1.116

  1 King▪ 12.20.
• u 1.117

  1 Sa•• 12.28.
• x 1.118

  1 King. ••1.31.
• y 1.119

  1 King. ••1.34.38.
• z 1.120

  1 Chron. 13. & 15.
• a 1.121

  1 Chr. 16 ••.5, &c.
• b 1.122

  1 Chron. 23. & 25.
• c 1.123

  1 Chr. 24
• d 1.124

  2 Chron. 4.7.8.
• e 1.125

  Ex. 26.35
• f 1.126

  2 Chr. 4.6
• g 1.127

  vers. 2.
• h 1.128

  Deut. 4.2
• i 1.129

  2 Chron. 13.9.
• k 1.130

  Gen. 12.8 & 13.4.18 &c.
• l 1.131

  Gen. 14▪18.19.
• m 1.132

  Ex. 24.
• n 1.133

  Ex. 19.
• o 1.134

  1 King 12.31.
• p 1.135

  1 King. 13.33.
• q 1.136

  2 Chron 11.16.17▪
• * 1.137

  1 Kin. 27
• * 1.138

  2 Chron. ••1.14.
• * 1.139

  1 King. 3.1.
• u 1.140

  vers. 4.
• x 1.141

  vers. 2.
• y 1.142

  Deut. 13 1.2, &c.
• z 1.143

  vers. 4.
• a 1.144

  Exod. 7.11.12.
• b 1.145

  1 King. 13.24.
• c 1.146

  1 Kin. 14
• d 1.147

  vers. 2.
• e 1.148

  vers. 6.
• f 1.149

  vers. 9·
• g 1.150

  vers. 4.
• h 1.151

  vers. 13.
• i 1.152

  Psa. 55.23
• k 1.153

  1 Sam. 9.9.
• l 1.154

  Exod. 20
• m 1.155

  1 Chron 11.14.
• n 1.156

  Pro. 10.••
• o 1.157

  2 Chron. ••1.2.3.4.