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

Proud men,

Have cause to feare.

1 God's slighting and neglecting of them, (for, however some translate; yet the place is most easily thus interpreted: & the context seemes to require it) Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect to the lowly: but the proud he knoweth a farre off, Psal. 138. 6. He knoweth them well enough; and that they shall know one day: but he doth not ac∣knowledge, nor respect them. Thinke it not strange. The higher men are, the further from heaven See more in sect. 4.

2 God's anger and resolution to punish them. for it is said even of Hezekiah; & though he were onely too glad, or (as we say) proud of a mercy, the recovery of his health. His heart was lifted up, therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah, and Jerusalem, 2 Chr 32. 25. This wrath was executed, after his death: and it had beene executed before, had he not humbled himselfe for having exalted himself: Hezekiah humbled himselfe for the pride of his heart, &c. So the wrath of the Lord came not

upon them in the daies of Hezekiah, verse. 26.

3 God's hatred. Both when it is expressed in behaviour. These six things doth the Lord hate, yea seven are an abomination to him. A proud look, &c. Prov: 6. 17. And when it is only in the heart, (as there are too many proud hearts, with dejected looks.) Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomination to the Lord, c: 16. 5. And no wonder: for God know∣eth, whereof he is made; and that he is but dust, Ps: 103, 14. How doe our stomacks rise, when we see a man proud, whom we know to come of a very meane descent?

4 God's setting himselfe against them. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. He resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. I believe this was an ordinary saying, in the times of the Apostles; like a proverb. Both Peter and James have it, in their Epistles, 1 Pet. 5. 5. James 4. 6. It was one of Solomon's proverbs, long before, Surely he scorneth the scorners, but giveth grace to the lowly, Prov. 3. 34. It is a fearfull thing when God resolves to punish a man after that manner, as he sins against him: when he will walke contrary to them, that walke contrary to him; and shew himselfe froward with the froward: or, (as it is here)

when he scorneth, the scorners. If one scor∣ner, or one froward man, meet with ano∣ther; woe to him that is weakest. The more proud, the more resistance; the more resi∣stance the more paine, and enraging of the adversary for the present; and the greater punishment to come. God takes a kind of delight, to deale with such men: as a valiant souldier doth, to deale with a stubborn enemy, whom he hopes to conquer. If all the Kings of the earth should set themselves against him; it would be but so much laughing mat∣ter to him. Psal. 2. 2, 4. Me thinkes, I see God, like a challenged enemy, after long pro∣vocation, as it were, entring into the lists a∣gainst Babylon; when I read those words of his, Behold I am against thee, O thou most proud, Jer. 50. 31. AGAINST thee] or, To thee (so the Hebrew) as if he should say. Have at thee: or, Come on, Babylon; now I am for thee. now I see thee proud, now thou art a fit object to exercise my full strength upon. God doth not punish any so delibe∣rately, (as I may say) or with such resolution; as he doth a proud man. The Lord of hosts hath purposed it (or, upon consultation determi∣ned) to stain the pridea of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth

Is: 23. 9. And no wonder: if it be according to that saying of the Jewes, In whomsoever is haughtinesse of spirit, God saies of him: I and he, cannot dwell together in one world. So that the next thing he must expect is

5 Certaine punishment, in spite of all his strength, and endeavours to the contrary. (for to thus much the words will amount; expound them how you will) Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand joyne in hand, he shall not be un∣punished, Prov: 16. 5.

The punishments, which the Scripture mentions are

1 Abasement. It was a common say∣ing among the Jews, Whosoever exalteth him∣selfe shall be abased, and he that humbleth him∣selfe shall be exalted. Our Saviour (belike) used it often. Luke speakes of twice, as c. 14 11. c. 8. 14. Abasement I say: both by, and with God: whether it be pride towards him, or towards men. For one of those times, our Saviour used it upon occasion of the Phari∣see's justifying himselfe, c. 18. the other, upon occasion of a mans taking the uppermost seat at a feast, without entreaty, c. 14. Evills (of punishment doe not spring out of the ground. They come all from above: and therefore no wonder that the highest things beare the

brunt, and the lowest escape. The day of the Lord of hoasts, shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up: and hee shall bee brought low. And upon all the Cedras of Libanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all the Oakes of Bashan, and upon all the high moun∣taines , and upon all the hills that are lifted up &c. Isa: 2. 12. to 18. See c. 5, 15. c. 13. 11. c. 14. 13. Job 40. 12. Infinite many more texts for such like threatning expressions, might be brought against pride. But I am oath to offer you to many, lest you resolve to take none at all. There be likewise many exam∣ples of men, & people that have beene abased for their pride. wherof I will only namea few, in whose relation pride is chiefly menti∣oned & they are 1 the Sodomites, Ez: 16. 49. 2 Nebucadnezar, Dan: 5. 20, 21 3 Belshaz∣zar (his son) ibid. vers. 23. 4 The Tyrians, Ezek: 28. 6. 5 The Assyrians, Ezek: 31. 10. 6 The Moabites, Isa: 16. 6. So likewise ex∣amples of evills occasioned by pride, doubtles, I might produce many: but that it is not a∣greeable with my purpose, to speak of conse∣quents; except such as are necessary, or imme∣diate. However I will name one, viz: Ama∣ziah King of Judah. who being lifted up for his victory over the Edomites; when he had no occasion given him, would needs chal∣lenge

Joash King of Israel to fight with him; and was overthrowne, and taken prisoner: and both the Court, and Temple plundered, 2 Chron: 25. 19, 22. And I referre you to three or foure more the like instances, in the Chapter of Despising.

2 Shame (an attendant of the former punishment) When pride commeth then com∣meth shame, Pro: 11. 2. and indeed shame can∣not come without pride: for a humble man, befall him what will, hath no cause of shame if he have of griefe. Shame I say: not onely (as we usually take the word) being ashamed; but, (as the originall is) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the shame of reproach. When a proud man falls; many will reproach him, and no body will pity him See Ps. 119 78. As likewi••e the punishment of proud women, Isa: 3, 17. and the parable of the guest, who was made with shame to take the lowest roome, Luk: 14. 9.

3 Diseases upon their bodies (which they have too proudly clothed, or carried) Because the daughters of Sion are haughty, and walke with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they goe, and making a tinkling with their feet. Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crowne of the head of the daughters of Sion, &c. Isa: 3. 16, 17. with the following verses. Joash King of Israel, was punished with very loathsome diseases:

so that no body could endure to come near him, 2 Chr. 24, 25. And he is thought to have been thus punished, chiefly for his pride viz. in suffering men to adore him & worship him, as a God. For this Hierom and others conceive to be meant by those words, v. 17: of the aforesaid chapter, After the death of Jehoiada (because, say they, it could not be suffe∣red, while Jehoiada was living) came the Prin∣ces of Judah, and made obeysance to the King. now saith one, by this filthines, & uncleannes of his body, through diseases; God did mind him of the uncleannesse of his soule, through pride. The Septuagint in Prov: 16. 5 where we render abomination, translate, un∣cleane.

4 Ruine and destruction. Up∣on their persons: Hee that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction (and that is easie enough to be found) Prov: 17. 19 As surely as he that exalteth his gate (as we call it) in going, and takes no notice of his way, is sure to fall. See Mal: 4. 1. Upon their Families. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, c: 15. 25. Pride will have a fall, is so true a saying: that if we once see a man proud, we may con∣clude, whereto he will. For he is fallen with

God already: dead in Law, there wants only execution. 'Tis God's way, when hee will de∣stroy a man to the purpose: to let him get up high: and then his fall will bee the greater. Thus much is implied (viz: that pride is com∣monly both a signe, or a means of a man's ru∣ine) in these words, Pride goeth before destru∣ction, and a haughty spirit before a fall, Prov: 16. 18. See c: 18. 12. Jeremiah knew this very well: and that was it that made him mourne so bitterly for the pride of the Israelites: But if yee will not heare it, my soule shall weep in se∣cret places for your pride, Jer: 13. 17. Why? be∣cause he was certaine now, that their captivi∣ty was determined: as certaine, as if it were already fulfilled. for so he speaks in the same verse, Because the Lords flock Is carried away. See his mourning (for he was a man of a ve∣ry pitifull spirit; witnesse his Lamentations: otherwise hee would never have mourned for proud men, above any) for Moab's destru∣ction for the like cause, c. 48, 28. 31. It was said above, If yee will not heare it, my soule shall weep for your pride. Now give me leave upon these words, to take occasion to tell you, that (as I take it) both here and in seve∣rall other places of the Prophets, when com∣plaint is made of the pride of the Israelites, it is chiefly meant of stiffenesse and stoutnesse

of spirit, in not believing and fea∣ring God's threats and judgements. And so in the Proverbs and else∣where, I believe it is many times meant of stoutnesse of spirit in refusing to heare instruction: as ch: 13. 10. &c. I say, pride (in the Scrip∣ture) is many times meant of pride towards God; as well as towards men.

5 Being condemned to hell (if 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 be rightly rendred) Not a Novicea lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condem∣nation of the divell. 1 Tim: 3. 6. Yea though you should in this place, translate otherwise then we have translated: yet neverthelesse will proud men have cause to feare this punishment, because it was the Divels punishment, and inflicted upon him for this sinne: as most Di∣vines say; and as it may seeme to be prov∣ed by those wordes of Jude vere 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation, &c. For though the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (kept) may seem to imply ra∣ther

regard, then contentednesse, in keeping: (a•• in keeping the Commandements, or the like: for so it is oftenest used) and so consequently that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may not be translated otherwise then with Beza, Originem; or with us, first estate, cautiously and dubiously. yet it being said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (their OWNE first estate) and not only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as it is afterward 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, their OWNE habitation.) though this be not so much, yet it may be of some moment, to make us incline to the translation of the Vulgar, who tran∣slate it principatū, principality: so that we may render it, first STATE; as well as first ESTATE: making 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be understood of honour. Now hereby the ambition of the Angels, in desiring to be equall with God, having an honourable condition of their owne already, is not onely expressed, but aggravated. What ever the Divel's sinne was: First, he could not deserve such a punish∣ment as he had, for any sinne, better then for such pride & ambition: if being as high as heaven already, he desired to be higher yet. 2 No other punishment could have beene so suitable either to the sinne of pride; or to that rule of Gods providence of abasing the proud, &c. If being as high as heaven; he was abased as low as hell. Thus you see, what a numerous traine of Pursuyvants attend the

proud man: enough to frighten him in for all his stomack, if he would but vouchsafe to look behind him. And therefore well might David say, that God PLENTIFUL∣LY rewardeth the proud doer, Ps. 31. 23. and I may justly cry with Isaiah, Woe to the crowne of pride c. 28. 1.

But were there never a one of these pla∣ces of Scripture, to threaten a proud man withall: yet hath he just cause of fearing many evills and punishments, even from the very nature and quality of his sinne: that which the Scripture also takes notice of, as

1 Because it makes him contentious: (and he that is so, can never live a quiet life.) Only by pride cometh contention, Prov: 13. 10.

2 Because it makes him hated. Him that hath a high looke, and a proud heart, I will not suffer, Ps. 101. 5. I did not EATE with him, some translate. Others, I could not BE with him.

3 Because it makes him thinke, he is secure, and so deceives him; as it did E∣dom. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rocks Obad: 3.

4 Because it makes them impudent in sin∣ning, so that they declare their iniquities; and cause God to punish many times, when else he would not. The pride of Israel doth

testifie to (or in) his face, Hos. 5. 5. Hebr. The pride of Israel doth answer in his face. now whether by answer, be here intended, Ephra∣im, and Israel their likenesse one to another in pride: (as it may seeme to be, because in the verses before, they are complained of to∣gether, and here in this verse it is immedi∣ately added, Therefore shall Israel and E∣phraim fall in their iniquity:) or, whether it be meant of a defending of sinne in not hi∣ding it, but acknowledging it, and replying in the defence of it, when they were re∣proved: as it is said in Esaiah (c. 3. 9.) The acknowledgement of their face doth answer in them (or against them: or as we translate, The shew of the Countenance doth witnesse a∣gainst thē.) Either way it will be impudence enough. for they should have beene ashe∣med of one another; and layne their hands upon their mouthes. No sinner can be so ea∣sily condemned for sinne, as a proud man: be∣c••use he needs no witnesse. He will con∣fesse it, (shall I say?) or rather, boast of it of himselfe. A man••s pride will bring him low, Prov. 29. 23. you need have nothing else to do it. Proud men reward evill to them∣selves, none like them. And therefore woe unto them, Isa. 3. 9. See of this Pride to∣wards God, in the Chapter of Impudence.

Notes

• I chuse this title, rather then Pride: because, though all these pu∣nishments mentioned were infli∣cted upon proud mē, yet some of th••m it is not expres∣sed, that they were inflicted for pride.
• Hebr. a∣bominatiō of his soul.
• This he often doth, not for∣giving trespasses against him, to those, who will not forgive trespasses against them, Matth. 6. 15. and executing judgement without mercy, on him that hath shewed no mercy, Jam. 2. 13. &c.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I know not whether the word doth signifie onely excellencie: but here the Sept. translate it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the vulgar Superbiam.
• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Buxtorf. ex Sota fo. 5. coll. 1
• Aesop being ask¦ed, What God did in heaven? made an¦swer 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, he makes high things low, and low things high.
• Feriunt summos fulmina montes. Sen.
• Contu∣melia, Hie∣rome: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Sept: who usually call pride it selfe by that name.
• In his Hebrew qu••stio••s.
• Cassian. institut. l. 16 c. 21. ut carnis ig∣nominiosa contagio patefaceret immun∣ditiem cordis ejus occultam, quam su∣perbiae malo contra∣xerat: ac manifestâ pollutione corporis probaretur impurus, qui elatione spiritus, factum se non senti∣ebat immundum.
• Illa pror∣sus ruina, quae fit in occulto, praecedit ruiuam, quae fit in manifesto: dum illa ruina non esse putatur, August. de civ. Dei. l. 14. c. 13.
• In two places of the Psalmes viz. Ps. 31. 23. & Ps. 101 6. you have faithfull, and proud, opposed one to the other, though (as I have elsewhere said) in the old Testament, by faithfull, is meant trusty; or, one that may be believed: ra∣ther then one that will believe.
• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Vulgar translate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, judicium. Be∣za is indifferent, for criminationem, or, condemnationem. & Erasmus renders 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 calumniatoris, as he doth Eph. 4. 27.
• Which is not an ex∣pression of their pu∣nishment but of their sin, as the former part of the verse is, as ap∣peares by the conjun∣ction 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Sequitur superbos ultor à te•• go deus. Sen.
• The Sep∣tuag. & so the Rom Psal.
• * Hierom.
• Isa 3. 9.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Respon∣debit. Hie∣ron. as it is said, Prov. 27. 19. Face an∣swereth face.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉