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

Such as seek to them are threatn'd or punish'd▪

1 With Cutting off: The soule that turnet•• after such as have familiar spirits, and after wisards* 1.1 to goe a whoring after them: I will even set my face against that soule, and will cut him off from amongst his people Levit: 20, 6.

Wisard's] the Hebrew word is Jiddehonim, which signifies, knowing; and therefore no doubt, the threat is of large extent: inso∣much, that unlesse Astrology shrink it selfe into a narrower compasse then usually it doeth, I doe not see well how it can avoide it. Indeed Jonathan (the Later) in his trans∣lation, and the Jew's in their Talmudicall fa∣bles, make this word to signifie only such as inquir'd at the mouth of the creature cal∣led Jiddoah (whose head they put into their mouthes: and after that, they say, it spake) But however, to me the word seems in its genuine signification to import, all such as are over earnest and curious to know. either such as seek to know things which Di∣vine wisedome hath reserv'd for it selfe to

know; which later sort (perhaps) are more especially called Diviners.

2 Death: So Saul died for his transgression &c. and also for asking councell of one that had a familiar spirit to enquire of it (well might rebellion be said to be as the sin of Di∣vination; for after Saul had committed that, it was not long ere he committed this; and he that makes no conscience of one, wili make little scruple of the other) and inqui∣red not of the Lord; wherefore he slew him. 1 Chr: 10, 13, 14.

And also for asking] 'tis not said, he di∣ed for his transgression, and for asking; as if he should not have been thus punish't, if he had committed but one of these sins: but, he died for his transgression, and also for asking, or he died also for asking, &c. as if it had beene said. Hee was justly thus punished, for his Disobedience: nay, he had been justly thus punished, without that sin; or if it had bin onely for his asking councell of one that had a familiar Spirit. Nay (perhaps) there may be thus much intimated in these words, viz: that he was punished with the losse of his life, rather for this sinne, then for the for∣mer (for, for that he was more peculiarly punished with the losse of the Kingly gover∣ment; which was a fit punishment for his re∣bellion against the King of Heaven,) for

these reasons. First, because the sinne is ag∣gravated with variety of expressions; such as, asking; to enquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord. Secondly, because the punishment is repeated presently after the mention of it; for it was said v. 13, he died &c. and it is said againe v. 14. wherefore he slew him.

He (that is God) slew him] which accords with the words of the threat before men∣tioned, I will cut him off, I, my selfe: not onely the people shall cut him off from a∣mong the Congregation (by Excommunica∣tion) but I my selfe will cutt him quite off from amongst his people, by some extraor∣dinary judgement.

Ahaziah (King of Israel) seeking to Baalzebub to know whether he should recover of his sicknesse, received it both for his punishment, & his answer, Not to recover, 2 King. 1, 6.

Notes

• * 1.1

  We usu∣ally call thē Cunning women.