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. XV. Giveing an Account of the Charity of Abra∣ham towards Pilgrims, and the Tenderness of God towards him. (Book 15)

GOD gives himself entirely to Abraham, and Abraham hath nothing which he gives not for his sake.

He made this evidently appear, when being in the Valley of Mambre at the opening of his Tents, about high Noon, he saw three Pilgrims tann'd with the Ardors of the Sun, and tyred at least in appear∣ance with the pains and toyl of their journey: for immediately this magnificent, cordiall, and devout Man, who bore God and men in his heart, prevent∣ed these travellors, and his Soul which allwayes dis∣covered truth amidst shadows, ador'd the Majesty of one God hidden under the habit of these three Pilgrims. Afterwards he offered them his Table and House and not satisfied with these profers, he treated them in words and deeds, and then to render his duties more perfect he mixed them with so much sweetness, so much cordiality, and so much rever∣ence, that afterwards he would needs wash their feet, honouring them not only as guests, but also as Masters of his House.

This Heavenly practise is in a word, as Solomon said, to cast ones Bread upon the torrent of Waves to receive it in aeternity.

In ••ffect, these three guests whom Abraham re∣••eived into his tents with so much affection, zeal,

and reverence, made a Paradise under one Pavillion; these were also Angels of Heaven, having only the shape and countenance of Men; from whence I ga∣ther, that under Ragged Garments, and a skin torn with Ulcers, and eaten up with Cankers, God and his Angels often conceal themselves; but to proceed when the crimes and execrations of So••om and Go∣••o••rha pres••i••gly ca••e •• upon Gods Justice, and when the bl••ckest vapor•• of these horrid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ascen••ed even as high as Heaven, this most a••••••lure Judge, who makes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de••••••tive decrees withou•• d••••••n∣dence or ••ounsell demeaned hims••lf as if he dur••t ••ot doe it witho••t the advice of A••raham.

Ah wh••t! saith he, c••n I con••••••l my d••signs an•• thoughts from my dear Abraham, who is to b•• th•• Pil∣lar, of the Worl••, and the Father of so m••ny Na••io••s? No certainly, but I m••st discharge part of my displea∣sure into his b••s••me, th•••• he may shar•• with me in my d••signs as well as in my cont••••tm••nts.

H••arken then Abraham, dost thou well un••erstand, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, what p••sseth? For my part I hear a con∣fused 〈◊〉〈◊〉. which daily sounds louder and louder; it is surely the Voice of my Justice which requires vengeance ag••inst the ••••habitants of Sodom and Go∣morrha, which have re••••red their Cities an Abyss of horrors and abominations. Dost thou not hear these impure Mouths, these poy••••••••us Tongues, these bewitched Hearts, these fleshy Sou••s, these Soul-less Bo••ies, an•• these ungodly Men without Faith, without Law, and without Honour?

Abraham, But what my God! hast thou not Eyes whic•• pi••rce from the highest Heaven, even into the cen∣ter of Hell? And is not the least of thy gl••nces abl•• to diss••pate all the shadows of the Night. Why dost tho•• t••en say ••••ou wilt descend into Sodom, and s••e in per∣s••n what p••ss••th before thine Eyes. But now whe•• A••raham himself at last beh••ld the Lighted Torche•• which were to be the Instruments of this sad Incer∣dium,

the Sanctity and freeness of his Heart per∣mitted him to say.••

Ah! What great God! Could it possibly happen that thy indignation should be Blind, and that thy Thunder∣bolts should equally fall upon the Iust and Sinners? God of Goodness canst thou behold the innocent in the midst of punishments, without some touch of Compas∣sion? Alas Lord! Wilt thou not pardon this Criminall City, if in c••se but fifty innocent Persons be found in it; is not this a Motive powerfull enough to invite thee unto Commiseration? Ah! Let it be never then said, that thy just providence, which extends it self over all the Empires of the World, hath stifled Vice and Vertue under the same Ashes.

Is not this an innocent freedom, and capable of moving even the Bowels of Gods mercy? Indeed God promised him to deliver all those that were invelaped in that ••rime, in case there were s••und not fif••y, but ten only worthy of pardon.

But it seems the iniquity of Men is so much the more enormous, as the goodness of God is immense and admirable. And who would believe that Ver∣tue and Piety are in such sort banished from the Earth as some good Men may not be found in it? It is then for this cause God advanced towards Sodom, to cha••tise their Vices, and to extinguish the lust of their Women with a Deluge of Fire.