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

Hatred.

For this men are punished. 1. With Need of their help whom they hate. The Gileadites, who hated their brother Jephtah, and turn∣ed him out of doores for being the Son of a Harlot. Judg: 11. 2; afterwards, when the Ammonites made warre with them, were faine to send to him, to be their Gene∣rall, vers: 6. 7. Surely had men but so much Policy, as they should have, they would avoid hatred and enmity. First, be∣cause there is no body so selfe-sufficient, but one time or other he may stand in need of another mans help. Secondly, because there is no body so insufficient, but one time or other, his help may stand another man in∣stead. And thirdly, because there is no bo∣dy, but his necessities are so various, that, seeing God hath so variously endowed men with abilities, such a mans help may stand him in steed, when no bodies help but his will serve.

2 God's doing good to those whom they hate; then which there can be no greater punish∣ment, because there can be no greater vexa∣tion,

then to be so punished. When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren, Gen: 29. 31. If Joseph's Brethren Hate him, for dreaming a dreame; he shall dreame againe, notwith∣standing that, and dreame better. Insteed of having obeysance made, only by their sheafes to his sheafe; he shall have it made by the Sun, and the Moone, and eleven starres to his owne person, Gen: 37. 5, 7, 8, 9: which was a more plaine revelation of his future preferment. Malicious prosecuting men with hatred, is like a succeslesse assault made upon a weak Fort: which doth but cause the enemy to make it the stronger, & guard it the better. God very often doth, as I have seen many Parents doe, when they see one of their childrē hated by his brethren, viz: If they hated him, love him; if they loved him, love him better, and resolve to give him the more. Me thinks therefore, thou mightest forbeare to hate another, were it but for meere envy to him.

3 Their owne hurting themselves. viz: By not believing, or refusing to aske, or follow, the advice of those whom they hate. Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man Mi∣caiah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord; but I hate him, for he doth not phophecie good concerning mee, but evill, 1 King. 22. 8. and

therefore refusing his advise, viz. Not to goe up to Ramoth Gillead, he went up, and was there wounded, and died of his wound. v. 35. 'Tis as strange to see, as it is common to be seen, how men take, and refuse, such and such courses, to their owne ruine, meerly to be contrary to one, whom they doe not like. dis∣plicet Author* 1.1 the Author dislikes me, is all they can say. But yet so it is; our hatred to others, is stronger then our love to our selves. Justina 1.2 sayes of Alexander, plus loetitiae cognitis mortibus duorum aemulorum regum, quam doloris amissi cum Sopyrione exercitus suscepit, He tookemore joy at the death of two Kings his confederates, whom he emulated, then then he did sorrow at the losse of his army.

4 Not-having their prayers heard, or any duty, that they performe accepted, though it be never so good, though it be as a gift, or free∣will offering; as may be gathered, by our Sa∣viour's forbidding the Jewes to offer a gift, till they were in charity with their Neigh∣bours: If thou bring thy gift to the Altar, and there remembrest, that thy Brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the Altar; (we must not, as it is our common practise, forbeare duties, because we are not in charitie; because it is our duty to be in charity, that we may not forbeare) and goe thy way, first be rconciled to thy Brother,

and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly &c. Mat. 5. 23, 24, 25. Be reconciled to thy brother] (though his brother had somewhat against him, and had therefore most need of being reconci∣led) and, Agree with thine adversary, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be well minded towards him; or, beare him love and good will; do but do this, and then come, and welcome. If it be possible, recon∣cile thy brother to thee: if not, be sure be reconciled to him, and be friends with him. For doubtlesse, not for my adversa∣sarie's not being friends with me, (although I have wronged him;) but onely, for my not being friends with him, my offering and prayers cannot find acceptance: and this, I believe, was that which Christ re∣quired. See 1 Pet. 3. 7.

5 (If it be towards a brother) The same, that those, who LOVE NOT GOD. If a man say, I love God (for this every one will say, though he be the most wicked wretch that ever lived) and hateth his brother, he is a liar, 1 Joh. 4. 20. If he, that is the world's friend, be God's enemy; he that is his brother's ene∣my, cannot be God's friend, James 4. 4.

6 The same, that MURDERERS, & Such as have not passed from death to life. Who so Hateth his brother, is a murderer: and yee know that no murderer hath eternall life abi∣ding

in him, 1 Joh. 3. 15. Surely his punish∣ment must needs be damnation. For he that lives this life in a death of sinne, must needs live the next, in a death of misery. Now he that loveth not (much more, he that Hateth) his brother, abideth in death, vers. 14. or, he hath not yet passed from the life of the old man, which is but death (in comparison,) to the life of the new man, or the life of Christ; which onely is life indeed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ovid Met: lib. 8. Fab. 4.
• a 1.2

  l. 12. c. 11. So•• l. 18. c. 5. (speak∣ing of the Thessali) tanto odio Phocensi∣um arden∣tes, ut ob∣liti cladiū suarum perire ipsi quam non perdere e∣os praeop∣tarent.