A view of the threats and punishments recorded in the Scriptures, alphabetically composed with some briefe observations upon severall texts / by Zachary Bogan ...

Christian READER.

GIve me leave to shew thee, what course I tooke in Composing this Booke. It was in very little more then a fortnight's time, that by the help of God I read the Bible over: and reduced every thing that I observed, to a certaine head, in Alphabeticall order. After this, I exa∣mined every place of Scripture, by the Originall, and the most noted Translations. Some few Texts, besides those which I ob∣served my selfe, I met with afterwards in other Bookes. Those bookes I knew not of before I had done reading the Bible. Which I much rejoyced for; both because of other things, which in reading I took in, together with those that were for this purpose: and because of the abundance of time and la∣bour, which I should have spent, in exami∣ning quotations; which are usually heaped up without choyce, or judgement. It cost me not a little pain, to examine only those

Texts, which they had, and I had not: out of feare, lest they had been apply'd to a wrong head, (a thing too ordinary in most Common place bookes.) But before I goe any further, now I have spoken of paine, give me leave to tell thee of (that, which I tooke abundance of comfort in, and which I may not conceale) the marvellous encou∣ragement, which it pleased God to afford me all along in this worke. Whereas ever since my sicknesse, I have not been able to read above a quarter of an houre at a time, without a great deale of wearinesse and paine: In reading the Scriptures, al∣though I read the same places ten times o∣ver, I was, I know not how, supplyed with a constant delight in what I did, and a de∣sire to goe further. If at any time I was weary, (as sometimes I was quite tired, through infirmities of body, and want of spirits:) as soone as I had but turned aside, but a few minutes, I found a sudden sup∣ply of desire to follow my businesse a∣gaine, as fresh as ever. Thus it was most commonly, when I was thus weary. and when it was not so, and I had noe appetite at all to the businesse: If I did but once take my bible in hand, to try how it would be then, and read a line, or two; I presently

recovered my appetite againe; as bodies fil∣led with winde use to get a stomack by ea∣ting. And these things I looke upon as great encouragements. whereunto I adde the health which I had, all the while I was doing this thing, better then I had these many yeares; yea though I used no exercise, or recreation. But à diuerticulo, to shew thee in what manner I have done every thing.

1 I have produced onely those texts, wherein mention is made, either of a pu∣nishment inflicted, or threatned for a sinne, wherewith God punisheth it; or of an evill fruit, and effect of it, whereby it punisheth it selfe. The Attendants and Consequents of it, I meddle not with, except such as are necessary, or ordinary, and whereof there are severall examples also in Scripture.

2 In the titles of the chapters, when the chapters speake only of punishments threa∣tened; I have written, Threatened. VVhen of punishments Inflicted, or of fruites and ef∣fects; punished, (or, have cause to fear.) When of both; Threatened, and punished.

3 The subject threatned or punished, for the most part I make the Sinne; but sometimes the Sinner (as Proud men &c: viz:) when the punishments mentioned were in∣deed inflicted upon such a sinner; but of

some of them, it is not so particulary ex∣pressed, that they were inflicted for that Sinne.

4 Sometimes I seeme to repeat one title twice: as in Oppression, Oathes, &c. And my reason is, Because I find Scriptures speaking sometimes in generall against Oppression, and sometimes but particularly of only such and such oppression, and I would not willingly missapply any threat.

5 In the Conclusion of many chapters, after I have shewed, what is expressed in Scripture, concerning punishments; I doe shew you what may be gathered from the Scripture, concerning the odiousnesse, or concerning the danger of it: either by the names that are given it, or the manner that the Scriptures speake of it. And sometimes I shew you, what may be conjectured from the nature of the sinne: or from comparison of the like things among men.

6 Some more notable threats, and pu∣nishments, as Being left to our selves &c. I have inserted, although the cause be not mentioned: as taking them to be of use also, as well as the rest. not onely because the greatest sort of punishments may be the just reward of the least sinne: but because reading of such a fearefull punishment,

without finding for what sinne it was infli∣cted, may make men wary of committing a∣ny sinne, for feare of committing that.

7 Some prophecies of sinnes, as Apostasie &c. I have inserted for Threats: because those sinnes are punishments too, as well as sinnes; and are so spoken of, viz. in a threa∣tening manner: and because there can be no greater punishment, then to be left to the Commission of them.

8 In setting downe the places of Scrip∣ture I have not followed the order of the Bible, but of the punishments; placing them after God's method of mercy, from lesse to greater. But in mentioning the sins, where there are severall titles under one subject, (as in Ministers, Parents, &c.) I have obser∣ved the contrary order, the lesse after the greater: the more to set forth the worth of that Subject, and the greatnsse of the re∣spect due to it.

Having in this manner digested my Col∣lections, I intended so to print them, with∣out saying any thing my selfe upon any place of Scripture: till by the perswasion of a friend, whom I very much esteemed, I was induced to the contrary. But I must earnestly entreat thee, to beare with my weaknesse, whensoever thou discoverest it. And if upon any subject, I have suffered

my pen to run on too far (as in the chapters of Covetousnesse. Company-keeping. Blas∣phemy &c,) beare with that too. And if thou hast not the patience to read thorow; passe to the next Chapter, and be not an∣gry. And so likewise doe, when thou meetest with any criticall observations on the Greek or Hebrew: if thou dost not like them or canst not understand them; yet keep the book still in thy hand, and passe on to o∣ther things. I speake in this manner, be∣cause I know how unwilling men are to read of threats, and punishments: and how forward, and sawcy they are to catch at the promises. I shall desire thee likewise, when thou meetest with any thing that doth not satisfie thee, or like thee; to suspend thy judgement, till thou hast read the Ap∣pendix.

I will but wipe off an aspersion or two, & then dismisse thee. The first is, that I was too bold, to venture abroad so young; unlesse I had more learning and Judge∣ment. And I confesse, this was once my owne objection to my selfe. But I thought it sufficently answered by replying, It was not I, that went abroad so much, as the Scriptures; or I, and the Scriptures before me. The second aspersion is, that I was

too hasty in printing a thing so suddenly attempted, and performed in so little time; as is declared in the former Epistle. To this I answer 1 That there was not so much need of longer time; most of the book being Scripture, and not mine owne inven∣tion. 2 I thought upon the want of a booke of this nature, and the usefulnesse of it. 3 I understood, at every opportunity of hearing from my friends, their earnest desire of seeing what I had done. 4 I thought that although I had made such hast, yet I might boldly say, there would be found but litle signe of it. perhaps, thou wilt meet with some oversights in the printing: but not many materiall; and those I have affixed to the Appendix.

5 I though upon the* 1.1 saying, Nihil est inventum simul & perfectum, that never a∣ny thing was perfect at the first, though there were never so much time spent about it. Well, I weigh not to censures. So ten may read me, I will give a hundred leave to censure me. Under a good Conscience, I care not what it cost me to convert a sin∣ner. My prayer to God is, that he would incline thy heart to read the judgments of God written in his book: & when thou hast done to humble thy selfe under his migh∣ty

hand, that so he may exalt the main•• thing, which in the Composing of this book was aimed at, by

Thy Servant in Jesus Christ Z. B.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cic, lih. de clar. orator.