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

They are punished in their Posterity.

By Death, or some other great calamity: as you may see 1 In Joab, according to David's threat to him. For, when Joab had trecherously murdered Abner (who came over to him) by taking him aside to speak with him, thus he spake, I, and my kingdome are guiltles before the Lord for ever from the bloud of Ab∣ner the sonne of Ner, let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his fathers house, and let there not faile from the house of Joab, one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staffe; or that falleth on the sword, or that lack∣eth bread, 2 Sam. 3. 28, 29. See also Solomon's threat concerning him, 1 Kings 2. 33. after

which, it is said also, that hee himselfe was slaine by Benaiah, at the command of Solomon, even when he hung upon the altar. 1 Kings 2. 28. to 34. For God will not be a refuge for murderers: neither were the cities of refuge appointed for them, Deut. 19. 11: 2 In David, (for the murder of Ʋriah,) according to Nathans threat, Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house: because thou shast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Ʋriah the Hittite to be thy wife, 2 Sam: 12. 10. 3 In Saul (for murdering the Gibeo∣nites) For when the Gibeonites were asked by David, what satisfaction they desired: they demanded seven of Sauls sonnes; and hung them all up with his consent, 2 Sam: 21 9 4 In Ahab, for murdering Naboth. For Jo∣ram his son King of Israel, was by Jehu▪ (who was already anointed king in his stead) shot to death with an arrow, as hee sate in in his chariot, 2 Kings 9. 24. See what he sayes, when he had kil'd him, v. 25 26 It was not long after, ere Jehu put to death all the rest of his familie; causing the heads of se∣ventie of his sonnes, to be brought to him at one time, to Jezreel in baskets, c 10. 7. Thus you see how loud, and how long, bloud crieth: and how deeply it staineth; so that no∣thing but bloud will fetch it out again▪ espe∣cially if it be in a place, where the true reli∣gion

is professed: for then the punishment will be, as to one, that hath defiled God's dwel∣ling: which must needs anger him exceed∣ingly, Num: 35, 33, 34. So yee shall not pollute the land, wherein yee are: for bloud it defi∣leth the land; and the land cannot be cleansed of the bloud, that is shed therein, but by the bloud of him that shed it. DEFILE not therefore the land which yee shall inhabit wherein I DWELL: for I the Lord DWELL among the children of Israel.

The Odiousnesse of this sinne, and how certaine it is to be punished, may be further gathered out of the Scriptures thus,

1 By the strictnesse of God's requiring the blood shed (as if it were a thing more his owne, then other things) even at the hand of a beast, that hath neither hand, nor reason, Gen. 9. 5. For if a beast killed a man, yea, though it were an Oxe (the most usefull beast of any,) it was to be stoned to death: and none of his flesh was to be eaten, Exod. 21. 28.

2 By the strictnesse of God's inquiring af∣ter it. I doe not read of his making inqui∣sition, for any thing but this: and for this he allowes times of purpose, as if it were a bu∣sinesse, which he constantly does, and which he will not by any meanes omit. When hee maketh inquisition for blouds, be remembreth

them. Ps. 9. 12. No wonder then, there are such strange discoveries of murder, so deeply concealed, so long agoe committed. Sithence he, who is the searcher even of hearts, maketh inquest for it: and shall not he search* 1.1 it out? See Isai 26. 21. I might produce many exam∣ples of such discoveries, if it were not beyond my bounds.

3 By the strictnesse of the Enquiry, which he prescribed to the Elders of the Is∣raelites, when they found a man slaine, and it was not knowne, who kill'd him. As like∣wise by the forme of prayer given them, wherein they wereto desire God, not to lay even such a man's bloud to their charge, Deut. 21. 1.

4 By Davids charge to Solomon concer∣ning Joab, for murdering Abner and Amasa* 1.2: Let not his hoary head goe downe to the grave in peace, 1 Kings 2. 5.

5 By the punishment, which the Sheche∣mites suffered, for helping. Abimelech in the murder of his brethren: viz: the slaughter of themselves; and the utter ruine of their city, by the hand of Abimelech himselfe. Then God sent an evill spirit betweene Abimelech, and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech. That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Je∣rubaal might come, and their blood come upon

Abimelech thir Brother which slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in Killing of his brethren, Judg. 9. 23, 24.

6 Lastly, by what is said of the importu∣nate cries of such, as have been murdered: which are sure to be heard; Rev: 6. 10. How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge, and avenge our bloud, on them that dwell on the earth?

What ever thou doest, let the life of a man be precious in thy sight. If thou hast the invitation of an opportunity to Save it: as thou hatest bloud, doe it. For there are but two waies, To Save life, or to Kill Mark: 3. 4. If thou hast the provocation of an inju∣rie to destroy it; as thou lovest life, doe it not. For if thou hast not hated bloud, even bloud shall pursue thee, Ezek: 35. 6. Take heed of a bloudy hard heart. How many Murderers, are there, that never lifted up their hand to hurt a man?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ps. 44. 21,
• * 1.2

  Whom he murdered most trea∣cherously embracing ••hē so closly that their blood came out upon his girdle, and his shooes, v. 5.