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

Ministers, their Due.

They that persecute them (for there is a pro∣phecy there shall be such, Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of Wolves, Mat. 10. 16.) are punished and threatned.

In the OLD TESTAMENT, 1 With making that member uselesse, which they us'd to hurt them. Jeroboam's hand which he did but put forth, to lay hold of the Prophet of Judah (for prophecying against his altar at Bethel* 1.1) was suddenly dried up, so that hee could not drawe it in againe to him, 1 Kings 13. 3,

2 Being Beholding to them for their pray∣ers: as in the same example. Entreat now, (quoth Jeroboam to the Prophet) that my hand may be restored me againe, vers. 6. It is as great a punishment this: as it is vexation, viz. for a man to have need of his enemie, whom he hates.

3 Blindnesse. The army, which Benha∣dad King of Syria sent to apprehend Elisha, (for informing the King of Israel of his plots) was upon his prayer smitten with

blindnesse, and led by him even into Sa∣maria, the chiefe city of their enemies, where he made them believe they should finde him, 2 King. 6. 19. Blindnesse] the Septuagint translate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not-seeing: as if they had not lost their sight, but their seeing: that is, their power to see for the present. Wherein, me thinkes, the hand of God doth more notoriously appeare, then in making them quite blind. The miracle would be greater; for every one would wonder more at it: and the punishment would be greater; for it would vexe them more: and punish∣ments are aggravated by vexation, as much as by any thing. It is a sadder punishment to take away the use of a thing; then to take away the thing: and it is seldome inslicted, but in anger. It is a way of punishing, as pe∣culiar to God, and as severe, as any; to make men not to perceive, when they see; and, not to understand, when they heare, Isa. 6. 9.

The word in the originall* 1.2 is in the plu∣rall number, viz. Blindnesses: and Aben Ez∣ra (a Jewish writer upon the Bible) saith, it is meant of two sorts of blindnesse, viz. of the eyes, and the heart. And indeed, unlesse they had been blind both wayes, (as it is likely) they would not have been led in that man∣ner, by a man, whom they did not know, in their enemies countrey. The word is used

likewise in Gen: 19. 11, concerning the Sodomites. who, had they not beene smit∣ten with blindnesse in another way, as well as in their eyes; would have been able to keep Lot's dore, when once they had found it, (as once they had.) But this is but conje∣cture. This place of Genesis also, may not un∣fitly bee brought into the chapter of the Punishments of those who persecute God's Ministers; although the story be concer∣ning Angels. For if Ministers are not An∣gels, (so as we usually take the word;) yet are they 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (the words in Hebrew, and in Greeke used to signifie An∣gels) i. e. Messengers; (to say nothing how we render it Angels in the Revel.) and Angels themselves are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉* 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (not onely 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, spirits, that are Ministers; but ministring spirits: as if that were the end for, and the employment in which chiefly they are) sent forth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to minister FOR thē which shall be heires of sal∣vation: as Ministers are, to minister To them

4 Being persecuted themselves. The Prophet Micaiah threatned Zedekiah when hee had stricken him, that he should be made run from chamber to chamber to hide himselfe, 1 Kings 22. 25. viz. being pursued by the Syrians. This is a very great punish∣ment,

viz. to fly when a man's enemy pur∣sues him. David's flying three moneths before his enemies, while they pursued him, was ranked with seven yeares famine, by God himselfe, 2 Sam. 24. 13. I make no doubt, but he, who is pursued, is alwayes in more torture of mind, (to say nothing, how he is sometimes in more of the body too) then hee who is taken. He feares more things, for he feares every thing. And he feares his Enemy more, being more afraid of not having quar∣ter, then the other is of not being suffered to live. The other hath past a great part of what is to come with him. It is lesse paine (I make no doubt) to be sure of hanging, then to be in suspence, whether he shall or no: unlesse there be ground of hopes.

5 Death. 1 By sword and famine. For thus the men of Anathoth were threatned, for cōspiring to kill the Prophet Jeremy; Behold I will punish them; the young men sball die by the sword, their sonns and their daughters shall die by famine, Jer: 11. 22. 2 By Fire. For so were two Captaines with their Companies of fifty (being sent one after the other, by Aha∣ziah King of Judah, to apprehend Elisha, for prophecying his death) destroied by fire from heaven, 2 Kings 1. 10, 11. In the Revela∣tion it is said, of the two Prophets, And if a∣ny man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of

their mouth, and devoureth their enimies, and if any man will hurt them, he must in this man∣ner be killed, ch: 11. 5. And if any man will hurt them, &c. And if any man will hurt them] twice the same words. Why, what? Is it such a matter to hurt them? It seemes, it is; for else it had not been repeated. and it is re∣peated, because it seemes, the holy Ghost, if a∣ny man did wonder and therefore aske the cause, why men should be so severely pu∣nished for so small a matter; thought it suf∣ficient satisfaction only to repeat the offence. If any man will hurt them] If he doe his endea∣vour to hurt them, 'tis sufficient: though hee have no successe.

In the NEW TESTAMENT, the punishments mentioned are both Spirituall and Corporall. Such as

1 Removall of the Gospell. For so our Savi∣our threatned the Priests and Elders, after he had told them the parable of the hus∣bandmen, who killed their Master's servants, whom he had sent to receive the fruits of his vineyard. The kingdome of heaven shall bee taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Mat. 21. 43,

2 Requiring at their hands, the blood of the Ministers and Prophets that have been persecuted heretofore, because they approve of

what was done to them, (for approving of a thing done, or to be done, is as bad as do∣ing it:) which way God is unquestionably just, in visiting the sinnes of the fathers upon the children Therefore also said the wisdome of God, I will send them Prophets and Apostles, and some of them they shall slay, and persecute. That the blood of all the Prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may bee required of this generation, Luk. 11. 49, 50.

3 Desolation of their houses: Thirdly, unlesse by house, you interpret the house of God, viz: the Temple: which if you doe, it will amount to a worse threat, viz: the losse of God's publike worship. for though in that sense, it were no punishment to others, yet were it a very great one to unbelieving Jewes, who would so account it. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the Pro∣phets, and stonest them which were sent unto thee, (in love to doe thee good.) how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and yee would not. Behold your house is left unto you desolate, Mat. 23. 37, 38. De∣solation of their houses, &c. not so much. or want of a dweller, as of a protectour: for it is not said, your house is left BY you, but To you, viz: by Christ; who because they refu∣sed to come to him, resolved to be gone from

them. at least, this is the first desertion, where∣upon the other followed not long after. Desolation of a house is greatest, even when it is full; if God be away. After this interpreta∣tion, the Dative case 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to you, is either by way of aggravation, to intimate their sad condition, when their house should be left to them alone, without God to protect them: or by way of indignation, onely to expresse the threat of desertion, the more angrily* 1.4; e∣specially, if we understand it of the Temple; that, which they stood so much upon. as if it had been said, Seeing you stand so much upon your Temple; your Temple shall be even left unto you: and see, what will become of it, and, you, when I am gone. In Jeremy you have some of the same na••ion thus speaking, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord are these, ch. 7. 4. which seemes to me, as if they had said, What doe these Prophets meane to threaten us with captivity, and desolation? Behold, have not wee the Temple of the Lord? and is not the Lord among us* 1.5? none evill can come upon us. We will never believe any such thing cā be, that God should forsake his own Temple, and his own People. just as if we should say, (as doubtlesse many do thinke, though they doe not say it) Are not we of the Church of England? have not we Gods ordinances amongst us? are we not called

by his name? are we not Christians? Doubtlesse, we are secure enough; let these Calvinisticall Preachers, that preach nothing but damnation, say what they will. but marke what follows in that chapter of Jeremy. in the 13 & 14 verses, you have both a complaint and a threat from God, very like to this of our Saviour: which I thinke not much to tran∣scribe. And now because ye have done all these workes, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early, and speaking, but ye heard not, and I called you, but ye answered not: therefore will I doe unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and to the place which I gave to you, and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. So you must interpret: unlesse you make the Dative case, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to you) to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, superfluously used, as the manner is, for it to be both in Hebrew, and in other languages: for thē it is no more, thē if it had beene said, your house is, (or, shall be) left de∣solate; or, your house is left to be made desolate; or, so, as it shall become desolate.

4 Destruction of themselves. For hereun∣to those husbandmen in the parable (for∣merly spoken of) were condemned, according to Luke ch: 20. 16. by our Saviour; but according to Matthew ch. 21. 41. by them∣selves, that is, the Priests and Elders. So like∣wise in the parable of those, that murdered

the Kings servants, whom he lovingly sent to invite them, to his sonnes wedding, it is said, The King sent forth his armies, and de∣stroyed those murtherers, and burnt up their cities, Mat. 22. 7. See c. 23. 35. The Apostle Paul saies of the Jewes (after he had spoken of their killing the Lord Jesus, and the Pro∣phets, and persecuting his Apostles) that wrath was come upon them to the utmost, 1. Thess: 2. 15, 16. In which place however (I speake it with reverence) I think the Greeke were better translated, wrath is come TO AN END upon them. To an end] I meane not of it's selfe, but of it's appointed time; at the end whereof, it shall be kept in no lon∣ger, but break forth into* 1.6 punishment. So that if you will make 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to be as much as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (as some doe,) it must not be meant in perpetuum, for ever; which is the com∣monly received signification of that He∣brew in which sence the Septuagint, doubt∣lesse, rendered it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Psalm. 9. 18.) but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, unto victory, or execution; ac∣cording as that greeke is rendred in Matt. 12. 20, He shall send forth judgement into vi∣ctory, that is, to execution.

This sense of the words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; First it suits very well with those Hebrew expressions 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dan. 11. 36. & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ezek. 7. 8. rendered, till the

indignation be accomplished; I will accomplish mine anger. Which I conceive (the last at least) to be spoken in that sence, as it is said, Jer. 25. 34, The dayes of your dispersions are accomplished, (in the Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, filled:) as if it had beene said, The daies, at the end whereof your dispersions shall begin, are fully come. In the like manner, as it is said in the Greeke, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Act. 2. 1. When the day of Pentecost was ac∣complished; or, fulfilled: that is, (as we ren∣der it) Fully come. So on the contrary, God is said to deferre his anger, when he continues indeed his anger, but deferres the execution of it, Isay 48 9.

2 It suits very well, with what is spoken before in the same verse, of filling up their sinnes: as if God had intended, when those should be filled up, that then the time of their punishment should be fulfilled also; that being God's appointed time. The Sep∣tuagint, who usually translate the Hebrew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, translating it so in Jeremy 50. 39. & Isa. 13. 20. (where it is said of Ba∣bylon, It shall never be inhabited) are there interpreted, not as we, (and the Latine also, in the last place) translate: but as the Latine translates in the first of those places, viz. usque in finem, untill the end: i. e. till the end of Gods appointed time, the decree whereof he will never revoke.

3 It suits very well with the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which will signify, Come upon (as it is here translated) that is, Come suddenly (for so wee use that expression in English) without the preposition 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 upon: and cannot be so pro∣perly said of a thing in the extremity, or in∣crease thereof; as in the Beginning. But e∣nough of this. I shall conclude this chapter of those that persecute Ministers, with what I have to say of the certainty of their pu∣nishment: and that shall be.

1 Two expressions of Paul. One, to A∣nanias the High Priest, when he commanded to smite him, viz: God shall smite thee thou whited wall, Act. 23. 3. God shall] or God will certainely ere it be long; for hee is about it al∣ready. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Whether God did in proper speech smite him indeed viz: by Death: or whether he did it another way, onely by removing him from his place, is not certain; but thus much we have read, it was not long after, that there was* 1.7 another put in his roome. The other expression, is that concer∣ning Alexander the Coppersmith (who he saies, did him much evill) viz: The Lord re∣ward him according to his works. 2. Tim. 4. 14. The Lord reward.] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, some read: but it is in a manuscript, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, shall (or will) re∣ward (as it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in 2. Tim. 2. 7.) and so the Syriack Interpreter and Augu∣stine

translate. And I must confesse, some∣times I think, that even so, as wee read viz: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it may be also rendred in a fu∣ture signification (at lest in the minde of the speaker, according to our english phrase) thus, The Lord MAY reward him according to his works, if he do; & it is a hundred to one, (or great chance) but he doe. So in that place of Timothy but now quoted (where we thus read the Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) that we may render thus: Con∣sider (or, mind) well what I tell thee: for I make no question then, but God will give thee understanding in all things.

2 A Prophecy of Jeremy, concerning his persecuters. But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one, therefore my persecuters shall stumble, and they shall not prevaile; they shall be greatly ashamed, for they shall not pro∣sper; their everlasting confusion shall nevor be forgotten, Jer: 20. 11. I might instance in a world of examples, especially of Kings, and great persons: but I am loath to goe beyond my bounds. And therefore I will only men∣tion two or three, whose Persecution is spo∣ken of in the Scripture. 1 Jezabel (the wife of Ahab) who had slaine divers Pro∣phets, and would have also slaine Elijah, 1 Kings 19. 14, was throwne out at window by her servants, and troden under foot by

her enemies, and eaten up by the dogs. 2 King 9. 36. according to Elijahs prophecy, 1 King 21. 13. 2. Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Baptist, Mat. 14. 10, was banished in∣to France, and there murdered, as he was a hunting* 1.8. You may marke the end also, of Herod Agrippa, who imprison'd Peter, and James: although his death be by Luke attri∣buted to another cause, Act 12. 33. The An∣gel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of wormes, and gave up the ghost. 3 Nero, who caus'd Paul to be put to death, (he call's him the Lyon 2 Tim. 4. 17) had been drawn through the city and whipped to death, (according to the sen∣tence of the Senate;) but that he cut his own throat before. Lastly Domitian, (called also Nero by the people,) who banished John the Evangelist into the Island Patmos* 1.9; was conspired against and murdered by his own wife, (and some of his friends:) and after his death both his name and all his Acts were eras'd and abolished by the decree of the Se∣nate. But what doe I talke of persecuting by offering violence, when as,

Such as Mocke at them, are punished,

1 With Wrath unappeaseable. But they mocked the messengers of God, and dispised his

words, and misused his Prophets, untill the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy, 2 Chron 36. 17. Against his people, &c.] whom he was loath to be so angry with, b••t being thus provoked, he could not forbeare.

2 Severe punishment, both on them, and theirs. The Jewes, because the Prophets had told them so many prophecies of God's judgements for their sinnes, and of nothing else: and because they saw none of those prophecies yet fulfilled: at length began to mock at them, when they met them; and to aske them in derision, (because with those words, usually they began their prophecie, especially of Gods* 1.10 judgements) What is the burden of the Lord; and their false Prophets and Priests would doe the like. But they are thus threatened by Jeremy, And as for the Prophet and the Priests, and the people that shall say, the burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man, and his house, Jer. 23. 34. So v. 36. Every man's word shall be his bur∣den] viz. either because God would burden them with heavie judgements, for thus spea∣king: or because it should lye as a burden upon their consciences hereafter, when those prophecies should be fulfilled, to have thus derided them.

3 Reproach; for their reproach* 1.11; And

I will bring an everlasting reproach upon them, and a perpetuall shame, which shall not be forgotten, Jer. 23. 40. We all know the proofe of this. The very name of a Jew is (to use the Scripture language) a reproach & a by-word, and a curse, to this day* 1.12. though I believe, these words are rather meant of their unhappinesse, then of their wickednesse.

4 Violent death by wild beasts. As Elisha was going up to Bethel, There came forth little children out of the city, and moc∣ked him, and said unto him, Goe up thou bald head, Goe up thou bald head. And he turned backe, and looked on them, and cursed them in the* 1.13 name of the Lord, and there came forth two shee beares out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them, 2 Kings 2. 23, 24. Children] what must the elder sort ex∣pect then? Some make this Allegory: (which I mention, because what is said, is not im∣pertinent to the subject in hand) Christ a Crucifying, was Elisha: the Jewes mocking him, and saying, If thou be that Christ the Sonne of God come down from the Crosse, were the children: and Titus and Vespasian, (who shortly after destroyed both them and their City) the two bears, (though in the masculin•• gender) because they were so fierce* 1.14, that they had better have met with a beare rob∣bed * of her whelps, then them.

Such as Despise them or sleight them

Shall be punished as despisers of Christ himselfe. He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you despiseth me, Luke 10. 16. Just as Moses told the Israelites Exod. 17. 2. Why chide you with me? wherefore doe ye tempt * 1.15 the Lord. And ch. 16. 7. he heareth your mur∣murings against the Lord. For what are wee, that you murmure against us? Let them put it off, how they will, viz: that they despise not God, but the men; their distinction will not serve. For he that truly respects me, will re∣spect any one that comes from mee, for my sake. Further

Such as Believe them not, have been punished and threatned

1 With violent death. That Lord, that would not believe Elisha (who, when Sama∣ria was besieged by the Syrians, even in the extremity of the famine, prophecied, that the next day, a measure of fine flowre should be sold for a shekle, &c. was by him threatned, that he should see it indeed with his own eyes, to his conviction; but he should but see it, to his griefe; for he should not eat of it. which fell out accordingly: for the next day, hee was troden to death by the hungry greedy peo∣ple,

as they pressed out at the gate, to take the spoile of their enemies camp, to satisfie their hunger, 2 Kings 7. 2. 17.

2 Being worse dealt with at the day of Judgement, then Sodome and Gomorrah: and how bad is that like to be! Whosoever shall not receive you, nor heare your words, when yee depart out of that house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for Sodome and Gomorrah in the day of judgement then for that city, Mat. 10, 14, 15. Further,

Such as will not suffer them to reap their carnall things.* 1.16

One may conjecture, their Condition is not safe, by the strictnesse of the charge gi∣ven to the Israelites, concerning the Levites, Take heed to thy selfe, (for thou wilt hurt thy selfe most,) that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upō the earth Deu. 12. 19 as long as thou livest upon the earth.] Come what will; poverty, or any condition: yet be sure to remember him: and that as long a•• thou art upon the earth; though thou art led captive out of thine own countrey. See the charge repeated Deut. 14. 27. after which it is added vers. 29. That the Lord may blesse themin all the worke of thine hand which thou doest. Which seemes to be spo∣ken,

as if otherwise, hee would not in this manner blesse them. Nay further yet

Such as doe not stand by them, in persecution

Have cause to to feare; as may be gathered by what Paul saies of those, who deserted him. At my first answer, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me, I pray God, that it may not be laid to their charge, 2 Tim. 4. 16 See the ch. of Not-helping the godly, at the end.

Notes

• * 1.1

  viz. that it should be rent; and the Priests offered upon it by Josi∣ah: which was accor∣dingly ful∣filled, 2. Kings 23. 14.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

  Heb. 1. 14.
• * 1.4

  As when we say, tuas res tibi ha∣bito. And as it is said Luk 10. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, wee wipe off To you, not AGAINST you) the dust, &c: not in scorn but by way of renoun∣cing.
• * 1.5

  Mic: 3. 11.
• * 1.6

  About twenty yeares, after these words were writ∣ten, their city was de stroied by Titus: at such ••imeas they were gathered thither to keepe the Passeover.
• * 1.7

  Ishmael Phabi.
• * 1.8

  Joseph. l. 18, c. 3.
• * 1.9

  Rev. 1. 9
• * 1.10

  Otherwise 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 translated by the Sept: Symm: & Theod. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, may signifie any charge, or message, which they had recei∣ved of God to carry to the people.
• * 1.11

  Jer. 6. 10. The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach.
• * 1.12

  See Jet. 44. 12.
• * 1.13

  See the Chap: of Blasphemy
• * 1.14

  Of most boasts the she is the fiercest: especially, when she bath young.
• * 1.15

  In Zach. 7. 13. For as he cryed, the Chalde saies, the Prophets prophecied
• * 1.16

  * 1. Cor. 9. 11.