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. XX. Giveing an account of the Mariage of Isaack with Rebecca, and the Death of Abra∣ham. (Book 20)

Gen. 24.

The fair and chast Rebecca comes to draw, At a Well-Water, where a Man she saw, Who gifts to her in Isaacks Name presents, Which she accepts, and to Wed him consents.

THis poor Man Abraham was in the Hands of God and Providence, as a feather in the Air, which serves for sport unto the Winds, and as a Planet in the Heavens, which never rests, or as a Wheel in the Water, which is alwayes turning and in a continual motion: God led him out of Chaldea, Mesopotamia, Canaan and Egypt; from thence he causeth him to return unto the Cananites, where he stays for some time in the City of Sichem, sometime in that of Hebron, afterwards in ••erara, and then in Bersheba, and again in Hebron, as if he could not live but in Travelling, during whose Voyages Heaven is pleased to afford him a thousand Combats, and as many occasions of Victory.

In fine, after the deliverance of his Son, and the death of his Wife, he feeling himself wholy broken with old age, and upon the point of following the happy lot of Sara, resolved to seek a Wife for Isaack, and for that end he calls one of the most Faithfull Servants of his House called Eliezer, and having commanded him to lay his Hand under his Thigh, he conjured him by the name of God to seek a match for his Son in the Land of Haram.

Which being done, this wise Embassador chosen amongst the Domesticks of Abraham, began his jour∣ney to execute the designs and Commission of his Master, and departing from Bersheba he went di∣rectly to Mesopotamia carrying with him ten large Camels loaden with the rarest and most magnifi∣cent presents which were in Abrahams House.

Behold him then in the City of Nachor meditat∣ing with himself upon all the readiest and most fa∣cile means to expedite what had been given him in charge. What will he do?

First he departs out of the City and repairing where Women in their turns were wont to draw Water, he there rest his Camels, expecting untill Heaven should offer the opportunity he desired.

During this expectation he offered up his prayers unto God, saying▪ Lord God of Abraham, cast I beseech thee some propitious and favourable looks upon the designs of my Master.

This Faithfull Servant will not feed untill, He do his trust reposing Masters will. There's many now that will not Eat before They speed their Masters Work, they'l drink the more.

Great God take pitty of Abrah••m thy Faithfull Ser∣vant, it is by his appointmen•• I am in these territo∣ries, I expect here but the hour when the Maid shall come to draw Water out of this Fountain; i•• then, My God, thou dost give me this advice, I resolve no entreat the first which shall approach it▪ to afford me some Water to drink, if she grant me this favour, by this sign I shall presently believe▪ that it is doubtless she, whom thy holy Providence hath appointed for Isaacks Spouse.

Scarce had Eliezer ended his Coloquie, when a Mal•• called Rebecca appeared, fair and chast as the Day▪

who carried under her Arm an Earthen Pitcher to take up Water, Eliezer presented himself, humbly beseeching her to afford him some drink, to which Rebecca pre∣sently assented performing all that Curtesie and Charitie required.

The holy Scripture observes, that Eliezer very seriously contemplated all the actions of Rebecca, as being a Myrrour, in which he was to discern the marks of Gods conduct concerning Abraham and Isaack.

In fine, this prudent Man chose a fit time to pre∣sent unto Rebecca some Ear-rings and Bracelets. Af∣terwards he informed himself of the conveniencies which were in the House of his Maids Parents who spake unto him. Being then well instructed con∣cerning the alliances of Rebecca, and what was in her House, seeing also that all corresponded with his desires, he threw himself on the ground to render thanks unto his God, and to adore his ineffable goodness towards Abraham.

Mean while Rebecca hastens to her Parents to bring them the first news of what had passed, where∣of her Brother whose name was Laban, having taken notice, he went presently unto the Well from whence Rebecca came.

Finding Eliezer, he most affectionatly intreated him to visit his Fathers House, and having conduct∣ed him thither, he immediately gave Hay and Straw to his Camels, afterwards he washed his Feet, as also the Feet of those who came with him. Then Eliezer took occasion to publish the Commission which had been given him, and the artifices he had used to bring them to a Head, and to understand whether it were the will of God that Rebecca should be Isaacks Wife.

Eliezer could not doubt it, and Rebecca but too much testified by her silence that her desires con∣sented thereunto. Bathuel and Laban were also of

this opinion, and therefore they were to dispose themselves to the commands of God.

The promise then of Marriage being given on both sides; Eliezer made presents to Rebecca and her Bre∣thren; after this there was nothing but Feasts and adieus to the Kindred of this new promise; briefly some Dayes must be spent in rendring those duties which Honour and Nature required.

At last Rebecca took leave of her Mother and Bre∣thren, she with Eliezer and his Servants got up upon Camels, and they advanced with the best diligence they could to arrive at A••rahams House.

Isaack, who was allwayes in expe••tation, first recei∣ved the news of Rebecca's arrival. I leave to your thoughts what Ioy, what Kisses, and what Embraces. However it were, Rebecca is brought into the same a∣partment which Sara had w••ile she lived, and immedi∣ately the Marriage of Isaack with Rebecca was accom∣plished according to the Ordinances of Heaven, and the desires of Abraham, who after this Marriage took a Wife called Ketura, by whom he had six Children, who served to carry their Fathers Name and Blood through numerous Generations.

But here by the way we may suppose Isaack to Sa∣lute Rebecca upon her first Arrival, after the follow∣ing manner, viz.

A Dialogue between Isaack and Rebec∣ca upon their first meeting.

Isaack.

Welcome, welcome to my happy Arms▪ so made by this Embrace, my joy, my life, my love, my better part, how Gracious is the God of Abraham, in sending Isaack such a treasure.

Rebecca.

Alas my Lord! you make me blush to see you transported at this rate, for one not worthy of Great Abrahams Son; some Queen with Kingdoms to her dow•• had been more suitable than I.

Isa.

Not all the Queens the Eastern Countries yield, cou'd have been half so welcome to my Arms as my dear joy, my much loved and much admired Rebecca. O thou Phaenix of the World, let not so mean a thought enter thy Breast, as to conceive thine Isaack can este••m the Glittering honours black Am∣bition brings, or all the Glories that attend on pom∣peous Majesty, comparable to the warm joys of Love, that fire his Heart when his Rebecca smiles.

Reb.

Alas! Alas! I blush to death, if you pro∣ceed at this rate, all I can afford you, indeed is Love, and that shall ne're be wanting; my Arms shall still be open to receive you, and my Brest s••are your Cares, to do your will next his that made us, shall be the height of my Endeavours, never dareing to dispute what you my Lord Command.

Isa.

This Humility makes thee more lovely in my Eye than beauteous Morn, or Earth when deck∣ed with her ImbroideredLivery, Innameld with ten-thousand different Fragrancys.

Reb.

O you value me at too high a rate, and I must make it the future business of my self to deserve such an Esteem.

Isa.

Esteem, Why words can ne're express the boundless love my Soul conceives, thy Name was pleasant and transporting to my Ravished Ear, e're I beheld thy pleasant Face, adorned with so much daz∣ling brightness that I scarce conceive my self on Earth: So soft, so kind, so charming, and so beau∣teous a Treasure, Sceptered Monarchs would be proud to gain, and count themselves in the possessi∣ons happyer than to command the Knees of supple Nations, when their wastfull Sword had brought the World into subjection.

Reb.

O you overvalue me at such a rate, that you'l make me more indebted to your tender Love, than all the Service of my life can pay.

Isa.

My Tongue cannot express thy worth, nor

tell the Limmits of my Love; No more then, but lets to our Bridal Chamber, that my Actions may supply my Tongues defect, and there transported on thy dear Bosome in soft Murmurs, breath my passi∣on forth till thy bless'd Womb grows pregnant with the Issue of our Loves, and thou become the soft kind Mother of a hundred Princes.

Reb.

My Lord I'm all obedience, what your will's my Law, as now intirely yours to be disposed of at your pleasure.

Isa.

Then thus we go a Heaven united pair, To Reap the joys that past expressions are; From our chast Loves, let all a pattern take, Which must the Sons of Men thrice happy make; And be a means to lift their Soul•• above The World, where all is Joy and sacred Love.

But to proceed amongst all the Children of Abra∣ham, Isaack is the Master of the House, and Heir to all the possessions of Abraham.

I leave men to think as they please in what Ocean of delights Abrahams Heart did Swim, seeing all the Graces wherewith God had filled him, I am asto∣nished why he dyed not a thousand times for Joy at the sight of Isaack and his dear Wife, who had no affections but for God, for him, and for the gener∣all good of his family.

But Abraham must render unto Nature the ordinary tribute due unto her.* 1.1 This happy old Man, this Father of all the faithfull, this King of Nations, this incompareable Pa∣triark▪ having lived like a Pilgrim upon Earth was obli∣ged at l••st to arrive at the Haven, and to die in the Arms of Isaack and Ishmael, who buried him in the sa••e place where his Wife was intered.

When Natures health in Abraham was spent, Death doth distraine his Life for Adams rent.

His Sons do leave their Fathers Corps in Grave, Vnder an Oak where stands a double Cave.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Abrahams Death.