Heavenly pastime, or, Pleasant observations on all the most remarkable passages throughout the Holy Bible of the Old and New Testament newly allegoriz'd in several delightful dialogues, poems, similitudes, and divine fancies / by John Dunton, author of The sickmans passing-bell.

CHAP. XII. 〈…〉〈…〉 account of the Voyages of 〈…〉〈…〉 Sara into the Land of Egypt. (Book 12)

Gen. 12.

〈…〉〈…〉 on, and 'tho the Age And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Terah slow'd his Pilgrimage; The rest of his he 〈…〉〈…〉 in sine, To Canaan (since called 〈◊〉〈◊〉.)

ABRAHAM now leaving his own Countrey, instantly cast up his eyes, and well resolv'd to follow God every where, who served him for a Master, a Conductor, a Sanctuary and Countrey. He left then the plains and val••ies, to ascend the Moun∣tains, as still desireous alwaies to make new progres∣ses, and to advance without any intermission.

It is he then whom I see spreading his Pavillions on the top of a Mountain, and erecting an Altar to invoke the name, and assistance of God his Con∣ductor.

Listen a while, and hear from his Mouth the thoughts of his Soul!

Great God! I have forsaken all for thee,* 1.1 and at the first command I recei∣ved, I obeyed the voice of thy most ami∣able providence; at length b••hol•• me here out of my Countrey, f••r from my own Poss••ssi••ns, and severed from my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Friends: I am ig••orant, where I am; but •• only ••••ow that I am with th••e. It sufficeth me, O my God, all my desires are pleased, and my Soul is ful∣ly s••••i••fied. Farewell all my K••••dred, farewell my Frien••s, f••rewell my Coun••rey. O my God! me t••••nk•• at ev••ry st••p I make, I Conquer a Kingdom, all m••

Guests are Kindred, the little Hills are my Dungeons ••he F••elds my Ci••i••s, and all t••••t the day discovers to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Earth, of Rivers, of Air, and of Seas, is my Countrey, my House, an•• my pl••••e of Entertainment.

And now without further d••lay I leave the east to ••••vance unto the South.

Now I no wayes doubt, but our Pilgrim in his ••••urneys, towards the South ••eels also more resplen∣••••nt ardors, and more infired lightnings, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him with more violent, and more lively 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and designs.

Mean while a general ••amine came over all the ••and of Canaan▪ in so much a••our h••ppy Traveller is ••••forc'd to take a farther jo••rney, and to descend ••••to Egypt.

This Man Wholy inlightn'd by God, and who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Bosome of his faithfull moity, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and most holy flames of his Love, beheld a far 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the smoak of a most dangerous fire, and fearing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his dear Sara should be there either by mishap 〈◊〉〈◊〉 force surprised, he thought it h•• to say unto her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the manner following:

Abraham. Dear Wife, we are h••re on the Confines of ••••ypt: But yet I am afraid, least these Souls a thousand: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more ••l••ck than their Bodies, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not s••me blemish o••: 〈…〉〈…〉. Tell them then I pray the••, th•••• thou ar••, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sister, and ••hat I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hy Brother▪ ••o th•• 〈…〉〈…〉 may ••••pe by this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Stratagem.

All these for••••asts were not grounded on a vain 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and some erroneous Judgment; for scarce ••re these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Doves of Chaldea, these two Turtles, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these two chast Lover•• ••••tred into Eg••pt••; but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Pr••uces of Phar••oh, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉 impurities, carried away the chast Sara, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brough•• her to Court; whi••h was a Saraglio of 〈…〉〈…〉. But however c••urage! co••rage Abraham, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no wayes doubt but the fidelity which thy Sara 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ow'd unto thee will be proportionable to that

thou rendrest unto God. Lay aside therefore now all thy fears, and thou also Sara do the like, for thy Heart is a Sanctuary of Peace, and a Temple of Love, of which God alone, and Abraham keep the Keys.

And now let us return to Pharaoh, who was really constrain'd to stifle his unlawfull loves in the Ocean of his miseries, and who at last restor'd to Abraham the flower, which had been cruelly wrested from him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A farewell to the World.