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. XXVII. Giveing an Account of the wonderfull manner of Pharaoh's being swallowed up in the Red-Sea. (Book 27)

AND now methinks I see Pharaoh with all his Egyptian forces ready to be swallowed up in the Billows of an unexorable Element, which will open its waves to make a dreadfull Sepulcher 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••his cruel and disastrous Tyrant, about whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most holy sweetness and the most amiable patience ••f Heaven is wearied.

Having then received news that the Israel•••••••• ••ere incamped upon the side of a little Hill situated ••etween the Fort of Magdalin and the Red-Sea, and ••ery near Mount Beelsophon: He believed this wa•• ••••e best way to surround them; and that in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ese Rocks, Dungeons and Seas, serve but for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••rge▪ Grave to bury them, and to extinguish 〈…〉〈…〉 the name and memory of this People, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 occasion'd to him so many misfortunes. He sa•• ••••em at least in a condition to dye of Hunger and ••hirst, after he had ingaged them all in 'these bad ••••ssages, or re••uced them to the necessity of yield••••••••, and returning unto the same servitude out o•• ••••ich they thought themselves delivered: But no∣••••••ng being able to resist this wise hand which levels 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most rugged pathes, makes straight all crooke•• ••••ys, and Armes invisible Troops, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••erfull squadrons, went on conducting this 〈…〉〈…〉 Prince directly into the Abyss, where he 〈…〉〈…〉 to precipitate the Israelites; and the I 〈…〉〈…〉 in which he prepares to inclose these 〈…〉〈…〉 was the sepulchre of his life, and the 〈…〉〈…〉

Rock towards which his power and greatness ad∣vanced to be dash••d in pieces.

P••or Worldly Men, unhappy Egyptians, you who bandy against Heaven, and make Warr against the Almighty, how we••k are your designes, and how rash are your enterprises? Whither think you to go with so great a train, with such a convoy, with so much Baggage, and so much noise? whither think you to conduct all the••e Instruments of horrour and threats? Are you not afraid that the lightnings of Heaven and the Billows of the Ocean, will conspire agains•• you? And that at length the same lot will befall yo•• as unto Pharaoh, who being accompanied with hi•• bravest Captains, and followed by all the Chariot of Egypt, went pursuing Moses and the Hebrew•• when these poor People no longer knowing on wh•••• side to turn themselves, and with an Eye of pitt•• beholding their Conductor, began to say unto hi•• with weeping and trembling hearts.

Ah Moses! Why have you brought us into this So••••∣tary place? Are there not Tombs enough in Egy•••• without coming to seek them in this de••art? Alas! whe•••• are we? and did we not tell you, that it were much b••••••ter to live in the service of the Egyptians, than to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in these savage places desti••ute of all hum••ne S••••cours?

Courage my Friends, answred Moses, you must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing, for God hath determined to make his power ••••••pear in your favour, and all these En••mies which p••••••sue you, are even ready to perish b••fore your Eyes; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when you hold your Arms across, and your Mouth is 〈…〉〈…〉 vengeance will Thund••r over their Heads, and 〈…〉〈…〉 which hath a thousand armed hands will 〈…〉〈…〉 in an instant.

In effect, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soon as Moses had lifted up his 〈…〉〈…〉 Mouth and hands towards Heaven, his voice 〈…〉〈…〉 made so loud an Echo, as God himself 〈…〉〈…〉, what moved him to such violent Clam••••

though he were not ignorant of it; But he did this to excite him the more, and more strongly to invite him to pass the sea.

Thus then did Moses cry out speaking unto God, and his prayer, saith Josephus, was in this manner.

O Lord, these Seas, and these Mountains are yours, and ready to obey the least of your Commands. They may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us then to pass; and it rests only in you, that we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our flight in the Air like Birds, and find a Sanctu∣ary in every place where you ordain.

No, no, Moses, saith God, March in the head of your Troops, and when you approach neer the Sea, lift up your Rod, stretch forth your arm upon the billows, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may cut them in two, and cause all your Company to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 over without wetting their f••••t. Mean-while I will harden pharoah's heart, who following you, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as a subject unto my Glory, to raise unto it self 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eternal trophy upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this proud Element; which must submit unto my Laws and Commands. Hence-〈…〉〈…〉 Lord, and that when I please, I can make 〈…〉〈…〉, and their whole train become the 〈…〉〈…〉 of an eternal reproach.

At the same time the Angel of God which conduct∣ed the people of Israel 〈…〉〈…〉 during the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and by a Christ in the day, we••t to a place 〈…〉〈…〉 between the two Armies, casting forth rayes slight, and a pleasing shallow upon the Israel∣〈…〉〈…〉, whilst it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Egyptians with a tenebrous 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and a thick darknes••, which left them only 〈◊〉〈◊〉 glimmering to follow their enemies, whom ne∣••ertheless they could not discern.

In 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Light and Darkness 〈…〉〈…〉 to the orders it hath received, the Spi∣••••t which animated this miraculous body, divided the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in two parts, and made a large passage through 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Waves, to cause all these troops to march in safe∣••••, which were usher'd by a hot and violent wind

which left not one drop of water upon the Sand. This was an admirable prospec••, and a spectacle worthy the eyes and h••nds of the Almighty God. And truly when did we e••er see so many millions of men (without counting their baggage) pa••sing from midnight till morning between banks of Christ ••ll, and mountains of Water, where by means of the light and rayes of this i••luminate•• Pillar, a man would have sworn that there had been a thousand little Suns?

Let us look now upon Pharoah, who having rang∣ed his Tribes by compani••••, and in order, begins to lift up his hand toward the Sea, which at the same time made all these liquid bulwarks, and floating ar∣ches, it had suspended in the Air, to roul down, so that all the Egyptians, who had advanced too far, were swallowed up, with all their Chariots an•• bag∣gage. The great God of Moses, and of the Israe∣••lites, having made use of this miraculous elevation of the Waves, to make for them a deep Abyss, and to erect a trophy for those who have but the Vict∣ims of their fury; it was also through the flames which formed the Pillar of fire, that the reve••ging looks of Justice gave them their last assignations, and that her hand overthrew their Chariots, a d dis∣mounted all theis Wheels, to make a lamentable shipwrack of all their pompous and magnificent pre∣paration which attended them. In si••e, these blind people discern'd that God was again••t them, and for the Israelites; but too late, for whe•• th••y thought to escape by flight, they perceived that the elements, and totall nature had revolted against th••m, and that they could have no longer any refuge or retreit, but under the waves of the Ocean.

In fine, Pharoah is drown••d, this great Dragon is dead, his rage is satiated; he hath h••ard the voice of Thun••er, and Thunder hath broken the wheeles of his Chario••; He is no more, or at l••ast is groaning and dis∣pairing

in a Pool of Sulphar, in a Sea of flames, and in an Eternity of Punishment. Moses and the Israelites on the banks of the shore, and in a Paradise of delights 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Canticles of joy and Songs of triumph, to render thanks unto God for their deliverance. Which they do in the following manner: Saying,

Let us sing, Let us sing Victory: And let it be every where known, that it is the great God of Israel who hath freed us from Irons, and from the slavery under which we have so 〈…〉〈…〉. He hath loosned our fetters, he hath brok••n our Chains, and thrown both Horses and Ri••••rs, Pharoah and his Troops, Egypt and ••er Chari∣••ts, into the bottom of the Sea.

Grant then, O Lord! that at the entry into this desert, our Enemies may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such a horror as may render them insens••••le, and unable to hurt us, untill we are on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Land of Promise, and in our Country where thou wilt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us as flow••rs of Paradise, and as so many slips of 〈…〉〈…〉. Our Conquerours are already vanquished, and all strangers are affrighted. The Philistians already 〈…〉〈…〉, all the Princes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Fear hath 〈…〉〈…〉 on the minds of the most Couragious, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 even of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are become as bodyes with∣••ut So••ls or resentment.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 them with f••ar and terrour, whilst we shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with joy and delight into thy Sanctuary. Mean∣•••••••••• reign in the Ages of Ages, and if it may be, even ••••yond Eternity: For in fine, Pharaoh is no more, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all that he ever was, there scarse remains so much as 〈…〉〈…〉 of it, and none but Mariners shall find some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of those Chariots, which shall be seen upon this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where he intended to erect his Trophey, his Throne, 〈…〉〈…〉 fairest hopes.

Well then my faithfull Companions, let us sing victo∣••••, l••t us sing together you chast Virgins of Iudea, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Daughters of Sion, holy Souls, let us sing Canticles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 joy, in honour of him who is our Redeemer; Lucifer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fallen from his Throne; the Dragon is swallowed up

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in the billows of the Sea, and all these Traytors, who intended to drown us, are overwhelmed with the waves, and wher•• they thought to gather Laurels, and P••lms, they found nothing but an harvest over-spread with Cy∣pres, and a vast Sepulcher in the bottom of the Sea, where they prop••se to themselves to erect a Theater of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and a field of Triumph.

On Jacob's Purchase.

How 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was Jacob's motion, and how strange 〈…〉〈…〉 how 〈…〉〈…〉 was th'exchange! 〈…〉〈…〉 inheritance? Why could not hungry Esau strive t'enhaunce His price a 〈◊〉〈◊〉? So much und••r foot; Well might he give him broath and drink too boot: An easie price! the cas•• is ev'n our own; For toys we often sell our Heaven, our Crown.

On Esau.

When hast thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Nay, what shall Esau do? L••st both his Birth-right and his Blessing too! 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath poor Esau l••st but empty tears, And plain•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cannot reach th•• old Man's ears? What wi•••• the Father's Di•••• and thine own. The Birth-right's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and thy blessing's gone: How does one mischief overtake another? In both, how overtaken by a Brother? Could their imperious stomach but have stay'd, And if thy Father's had not been delay'd, Thou hadst not need have wept and pleaded so, But kept thy Birth-right and thy Bl••ssing too. Had thy unprosperous, thy unlucky hand Dispatch'd thy Ven'••on, as it did thy Land, Thy sorrows had not made so great a heap; That had not been so dear, nor this so cheap:

Had thine giv'n place but to thy Father's will, Th'adst thy Birth-right, and thy Blessing still.

On Jacob's Pillow.

The Bed was Earth, the raised Pillow Ston••s, Whereupon poor Jacob rests his Head, his Bones; Heaven was his Canopie; the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of night Were his drawn Curtains, to exclude the Light; Poor state of Isaack's heir! it seems to me, His Cattle found as soft a Bed as he: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God appeared there his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, his Crown; God us not alwayes seen in Beds of Doun; O, if that God, shall please to make my Bed, I care not where I r••st my Bones, my Head; Wi••h thee, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wants can never prove extream, With Jacob's Pillow, give me Jacob's Dream.

On Zacheus.

M••thinks, I see, with what a 〈…〉〈…〉. Zacheus climd the Tr••e: But, O how ••ast, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 full of speed, ca••st thou imagine (〈◊〉〈◊〉 Our saviour call'd) be powder'd down agen! 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ne'r made tryal, if the boughs were ••ound, Or rotten; nor how far 'twas to the ground: T••••re was no danger fear'd; at such a Call, He'l venture nothing, that dare fear to fall, Needs must he down, by such a Spirit driven, Nor could he fall unl••ss he fell to Heaven. Down came Zacheus ravisht from the Tree, Bird that was shot ne'r dropt so quick as he. Short Legg'd Zacheus, 'twas the happiest Tree That ever mortal clim'd, I mean to thee; Thy pains in going up, received the Crown Of all thy labour at thy coming down:

Thy Statute's lowness gave thee fair occasion To mount that Tree, that Tree, to find Salvation: But was't the Tree, Zac••eus? No, 'twas he, Whose ••leeding Body dy'd upon the Tree. W••ll clim'd Zacheus, '••was a step w••ll giv'n: From hence to th•• Tree, and from the Tr••e to Heaven.

On Abraham's pleading for S••dom.

••ow ••••ath was right••ous Abraham to cease, To ••eat the price of 〈…〉〈…〉 p••ace! M••••k how his h••ly boldness interc••pts God••s Iustice; brings his mercy down by steps: He dares not bi•• so few as ten at ••irst; Nor yet from fifty righteous p••rsons, du••st Hi•• zeal, on sudden, mak•• too great a fall, Although he wisht Sal••ation to them all. 〈…〉〈…〉 thy dying Son has Pow••'r to clear, A Wo••ld of Sin, t••at one shall not appear ••••f••re thine angry Eyes: What wonder then, To s••e thee fall, from fifty d••wn to ten!

On the E••yptians Famine.

Mark but the course the pin'd Egyptians r••n: W••en all th••ir Coi••, when all their Corn is go•• Th••y come to Ios••ph, and their stomacks plea•• Th••y change their Beasts for Corn, the I 〈…〉〈…〉 Bread; Yet still the•• want: Observe now what they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 They give their Lands, & yield their Bodies to•• Now they have Corn enough; and now they sh•••• Have Seed to Sow their barren Soil withal; P••ov••ded that the fi••••h of their Increase Be Pharo••'s: Now their stomacks are at pea••••

Thus when the Famine of the World shall strike Our hungry Souls: our Souls must do the like. We first must part with, (as by their directions) Our Flocks our Beasts, our Bestial affections; When they are gone, and then must sinners do? Give up their Lands, their Souls and Bodies too; O, then our hearts shall be refresht and fed, We shall have Seed to sow, and present Bread: Allowing but the fifth of our Increase, We shall have plenty, and our Souls have peace. How art thou pleas'd, good God, that Man should live, How slow art thou to take! how free to give!

On Gods Law.

The sacred Law of God, Is like to Moses Rod: If we but keep it in our hand It will do wonders in the Land; If we ••light and throw it to the ground, 'Twill turn a Serpent, and inflict a Wound. •• Wound that Flesh and Blood cannot endure, Nor salve, until the brazen Serpent cure: I wish not Lord, thou should'st withold it Nor would I have it, and not hold it: O teach me then, my God, To handle Moses Rod.

On Balaam's Ass.

••he Ass that for her slowness was forbid ••o be imployed in God's service, did ••erform good service now in being slow; ••he Ass received stripes, but would not go:

She baulk'd the way, and Balaam could not guid•• her: The Ass had far more wisdom than the Rider: The Message being bad, the Ass was loath To be the bearer: 'twas a happy Sloth; 'Twas well for Balaam: had his Ass but try'd Another step, Balaam had surely dy••d. Poor Ass! And was thy faithful service pay'd With 〈◊〉〈◊〉-repeated stro••kes? Ha••'••t thou obey'd Thy Lo••d had b••ught thy travel with his bloo•• Such is M••rs pa••ment, often bad f••r good: Th•• Ass begins to question with his Master, Argues th•• case, pleads why he went no faster▪ Nay, sh••w him M••st••ries, far beyond his reach▪ Sure God wants Prophets, when dull A••s Preach▪ The Ass p••r••eives the Angel, and falls down; When Balaam sees him not, or sees unknown: Nor i••'t a won••••r this: God's Spirit did pass From bli••dfold Balaam into Balaam's Ass.

Davids Epitaph on Jonathan.

Here li••s the fair••st Flower that stood In Isra••ls Garden; now in Bloo••: Which Death to make her Garland gay, Hath ••r••pt, against her Triumph-day: Here, h••re, lies ••e whose Actions pend, The perfect Cop•• of a Fri••nd: Wh••se milk white V••llam did i••ear No least suspition of a Blur: Here lies the example of a Brother Not to be follow'd by another: The fair int••nded Counter-part Of Davids jo••, of Davids heart. R••st then, for ever rest alone, Thy Ashes can be touch'd by n ne, Till Death hath pickt ou•• such another? Here lies a Flower, a Friend, a Brother.

On Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

It spreads the sweet perfume of Solomon's Fame, Affects the Coasts; and his Illustrious Name Cannot be hid: the ••nbeliev'd report Must fly with Eagles wings to th'honoured Court Of Princely Sheba: Sheba must not rest, Until her eyes become th'invited Guest, Of Fame's loud Trumpet; her Impatience strives With light foot Time, while her Ambition drives Her Chariot-wheels, and give an airy passage To th'quick delivery of her hearts Embassage: True Wisdom, planted in the hearts of Kings, Needs no more glory than the glory 't brings; And lik•• the Sun is view'd by her own light, B••ing by her own reflection, made more bright: The emulous Queen's arriv'd she gon to the Court, No eye-delighting Masque, nor pricely sport, To entertain her? No, her eye, her ear ••s take up, and scorns to see, to hear ••n••eriour things; Sh' allows her ear, her eye No less than Oracles and Majesty: ••ow empty pastimes do desolve and fly To th••ir true nothing, when true wisdom's by! Th' arriv'd Queen has audience, moves disputes▪ Wi••e Solomon attends replys, confutes; ••he objects, he answers; she afresh propounds; ••he proves, maintains it, he decides, confounds ••he smiles, she wo••ders, being over-daz'd, ••ith his bright beams, stands silent, stands amaz'd. ••ow Scripture-like Apocrypha's appear ••o common Bo••ks! how p••or, when Scripture's near!

The Queen is pleas'd who never yet did know The blast of Fa••e less pro••igal▪ than now; For now the gr••at••st part of what she k••ew By Fame, is sound the least of what is true; We ••ften find that Fame in prime of Youth: Do••s add to F••lshood, and su••stract from truth, T••e thankful Q••een does with a lib'ral hand, Pr••••ent him with the Riches of h••r La••d, Where wis••om go••s before, we oft••n find Th••t temporal Bl••ssings s••ldom slay b••hind: Lord, g••ant me Wisdom, and I shall posses Enough, have more, or have content with less.

On Job's Temptation.

God questions Satan: Bo••••s is Iob's desert, In the perfection of a simple h••art. I••b's Faith was fervent; S••tan was as chill To yield it▪ but must yield against his wi••••; Condems it to be servile, to be bought With God's own coyn: Does Iob serve God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nought? It is a common trick the Te••per uses▪ The Faith he cannot conquer, he abuses. Alas, that ••aith requires not so much praise, 'Tis a good Faith, as Faiths go now adayes: It is not strength••'d by the indulgent hand That blest his Labours, and inrich'd his Land, Puff out the Fire; his Faith will quickly chill: Satan puff tho••: nay, Satan puff thy will: Nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nor ••lou••▪ of small, or great estate, Are certain ba••g••s of God's love or hate. What's now to do? Poor Iob must be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Of all his strong••r Herd••; Fire, sent from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Must burn his f••uitful Flocks, that none 〈◊〉〈◊〉 His house fall and all his Childer'n slain; And yet not curse? Alas poor Iob addre••ses His thoughts to heaven, he worships God •• ble••ses:

The lively Faith that can retain her God▪ May groan•• but seldom rave beneath the Rod. But what says Satan now? The hedge is broke, That fenc'd my Servant Iob? What further Cloak For his uprightness hath he? What pretence For his continual Love and Innocence? Has not thy malice had her own desire? 'Twas soundly puf••'d, thy puffs has blown the fire: Gods trials are like bellows: Satan's blower, Blows out false Faiths, makes true ones blaze the more: True, Lord, his faith is tough; but Snailes as well Can thrive without, as live within their shell: To save alive who would not lose some skin? Touch but his Horns, O how hee'l draw them in. Satan, I give thy malice leave, be free To peel the Bark, but spare to touch the Tree; Fear not the li•••• flock: The great••st ill Your f••es can do's to scratch: They cannot kill: What now's th' exploit? Afflicted Iob does lie, A very Hospital of ••••••sery: I think that all the Vlcers, that have bin In Egypt cur'd are broken out again In his distempered flesh; Iob is still The very same, not charg'd ••is God with ill. A Faith th••t lodges in a double Brest, May stand the touch, non•• ••ut true faith the Test. If these be ••lames poor man must swelter in, He needs a World of patience, not to sin.

On Solomon's Rejoyce.

Young Man, Rejoyce: What jolly mirth is here; Let thy heart char thee; What deli••ious Cear? In thy young dayes; Thy ca••es will relish swe••ter Walk thy own wayes; Thy cares will pass the ••lee∣ter:

Please••t•• own heart; Carve where it likes thee best: Delight thine Eyes; And be a joyful Guest: But know withal, the day will come, whereon Thy Iudge will doom thee for the deeds th'ast done: O what a Feast! O what a Reck'ning's here! The Cates are sweet; the Shot's extreamly dear: Lord, I have been, and am, a daily Guest (Too oft invited) at the Young-mans Feast? The Reckning's great; although I cannot pay, I can confess; Great God, before this day, I had been dragg'd to the redeemless Jayl, Hadst thou not pleased t'accept my Saviour's Bail; Lord, he must bear't, I doubt, for I can get Nor Coin to pay, nor labour out the debt: I cannot Dig, my Joynts are stark and lame: But I can Beg, although I beg with shame; I have no Grace in begging; can receive The first repulse; I have no Faith to crave: If the entertainments of the Feast be these! Lord, give me Famine, take the Feast, that please.