The history of the Old and New Testament extracted out of sacred Scripture and writings of the fathers : to which are added the lives, travels and sufferings of the apostles : with a large and exact historical chronology of all the affairs and actions related in the Bible : the whole illustrated with two hundred thirty four sculptures, and three maps, delineated and engraved by good artists / translated from the Sieur De Royaumont, by several hands ; supervised and recommended by Dr. Horneck, and other orthodox divines.

The CONTENTS of the Fourth Book of Moses, called NUMBERS.

THis Book is called Numbers, because it contains the several Numbrings of the Tribes of Israel, performed in the Desert by the Command of GOD, and particularly of the Levites. But besides this Numbring and Re∣gistring of the People, according to every par∣ticular Tribe, (but the Levites are exempted for the Service of the LORD, which both begin and conclude this Book) many other Matters are therein related. Here we find the Order, ac∣cording to which the 12 Tribes were to march in their Journey, as well as to encamp themselves about the Tabernacle.

Here is set down the Charge and Duty of the Priests and Levites; their Maintenance, and their miraculous Confirmation in the Priesthood. Here are Laws Ceremonial, Mo∣ral, Civil, and Mixt. Herein is represented to us the wonderful and singular Conduct GOD was pleased to use towards them, in leading them through the Wilderness, to the Land of Promise. Here are also related several Events, that hapned in their Journey, the Occasions, Circumstances, and Success whereof, afford us many good Lessons, as well in Ecclesiastical as Civil Matters.

We see here, that after the setting up and Consecration of the Tabernacle, the Heads or Princes of the Twelve Tribes, severally brought their Gifts and Offerings; and how that un∣grateful People were oft engaged in Murmu∣rings and Rebellions against the LORD, and against Moses, together with the dreadful Examples of terrible Judgments that succeeded them.

We read here also, how Moses was eased of the burthen of his solitary Administration, by the Assistance of Seventy Elders; notwith∣standing which, he meets with much trouble both from Aaron his Brother, and Miriam his Sister; as also, how he having sent some to discover the Land of Canaan, by reason of the ill Report of the Spies, and the Murmurings thence occasioned amongst the People, several Judgments were inflicted on them, whereby some immediately perished, the rest being sentenc'd to wander up and down in the Wilderness forty Years from their coming out of Egypt, and to die in it at last.

In this Book likewise are recorded several Sins both particular and common with their just Punishments, as well as the Vertues and Heroick Actions of good Men, with their particular Rewards. Moreover, the infinite Mercy of GOD is excellently set forth here, in his favourable acceptance of the Prayers of Moses, his faithful Servant; in the gracious pardoning of so many Crimes of such rebel∣lious and seditious Persons, and in the continu∣al pouring forth of his multiplied Blessings upon that People; whereof some were Spiri∣tual, in preserving the Truth of his Doctrine, and the Purity of his Service amongst them; and others Corporal, in delivering them from the hands of their Enemies, in giving them glorious Victories over them, and in graciously heaping upon them many other temporal Advan∣tages.

Lastly, We have here an account, how the Children of Israel prepared themselves to take possession of the Land of Canaan, whereof the Borders and Bounds are described; whereupon the Tribe of Reuben, that of Gad, and the half Tribe of Manasseh, having taken possession of the Country on that side Jordan; it is by the Command of GOD assign'd to them for an In∣heritance. Here are also Rules and Orders set down about dividing the Land of Canaan, with the exception of several Places and Cities, some of which were to be appropriated to the Le∣vites, and others, were to serve for Cities of Refuge.

This Book contains the History of the Events and Transactions of 38 Years and 9 Months, viz. from the second Month of the second Year, after the Departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt, to the beginning of the 11th Month of the 40th Year.

The Blasphemer Stoned.

GOD commands the Blasphemer of his Holy Name to be Stoned, and a∣nother that profaned the Sabbath, by gathering Sticks on that Holy Day.

AFter that GOD had (by the terrible and sudden Punishment of Nadab and A∣bihu) given an evident Example, how dangerous a thing it is for those that minister at the Al∣tar, to neglect the Rules of their holy Function, and to disobey him, whose more immediate Ministers they are; he gave another Example of the exactness of his Justice towards the Common People.

Two Jews quarrelling together, one of them in his transport of Rage and Choler blasphemed the Holy Name of GOD; the Ears of those that heard him being offended at those detestable Words, they seiz'd the Blasphemer, and brought him before Moses, who would not pronounce or determine any thing in the case, till he had enquired of GOD what was fit to be done.

GOD, in answer to his demand, com∣mands him to put the Blasphemer immediate∣ly out of the Camp, and that those who had heard his Blasphemy, should lay their Hands on his Head, and that afterwards all the Peo∣ple should stone him. This Order was accord∣ingly forthwith executed with a Severity, which at this time may make all those trem∣ble, who are not afraid in their Passion to blaspheme that Holy Name; as well as make those blush, who are so regardless of the Glo∣ry of GOD, as to suffer and wink at those that do it. And upon this occasion, GOD made a Law, That all Blasphemers, for time to come, should be stoned by the People.

Some time after their hapned another Ex∣ample of the Divine Justice and Severity. The Israelites being very exact in their out∣ward observance of the Holiness of the Sab∣bath-day, in which GOD had commanded them, but a while ago, with his own Mouth, not to do any servile Work, they chanc'd to find a Man gathering Sticks on that day, and brought him before Moses and Aaron, to pass Sentence upon him for that Transgression of the Divine Law, who ordered him to be put in Ward, till they had consulted the Will of GOD in that Matter.

After Enquiry, GOD commanded them to proceed (as in the foregoing Instance) viz. to bring the Sabbath-breaker without the Camp, and that all the People should stone him there.

Men at this time would take more care, and be more exact in keeping the Laws of GOD, if they saw themselves threatned with present Death, upon the breach of them; and the fear at least of so sudden and so severe a Punishment would put a stop to their rash Licentiousness.

But those who have learnt to obey the Law of GOD from a Principle of Love, and not from any fear of Punishments, cannot sufficiently be∣wail and lament to see the Liberty those that call themselves Christians take, to violate with∣out Fear or Care, the most sacred and inviolable Laws and Commands of GOD.

Their Faith presents them with a view of o∣ther Punishments, and much more to be feared than all Temporal Punishments whatsoever. And their Eyes gush forth with Tears, when they consider, That for the gathering of a few Sticks or Stubble (as all worldly things are no better) Men provoke the Anger of GOD against them, and draw down upon themselves Punishments that shall never end.

GOD never slackens the Severity of his Laws▪ He has once declared to Men, what he would have them do, and what he expects from them; and having so done, speaks no more, but leaves it to them, and if they be disobedient, 'tis at their own peril.

Men indeed may deceive themselves, and wrest the Law of GOD to their own Sense, and as they would fain have it; but however they may flat∣ter themselves, as this Sabbath-breaker probably also did: For what hurt was there in gathering a few Sticks? yet their excusing and acquitting of themselves will not prevent the Sentence of Death from being pronounced against them: And they will know, but alas too late (as saith St. Austin) That Man was vain in his Promi∣ses, but that GOD was true in his Threats and Menaces.

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50 Andrew Pitcarne alias wheler of Datchett in the County of Bucks Armiger▪ For advancement of this Worke, Contributed this Plate.

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51 Godfrey Richards of S^t. Martins in the ffields in Middlesex Esq▪ Providour to their Majesties Traine of Artillery in Jreland. For advancement of this Worke▪ Contributed this Plate.

THE TWELVE SPIES.

Moses sends forth 12 Spies to search the Land of Canaan. They make the People Murmur. GOD, to punish their Rebellious Murmurings, assures them, they shall not enter into the Land he had promised them.

THE severity of so many Chastisements, wherewith GOD exercised his People in so many different manners, was not suf∣ficient to put a stop to their Rebellious Mur∣murings, from which Aaron himself, and Mi∣riam his Sister, were not exempt: For being jealous of that great Authority GOD had con∣ferred upon Moses, they in a taunting man∣ner said, Hath the LORD indeed only spoken by Moses, Hath he not spoken also by us? And for a pretext of their Murmurings against him, they uphraided him, with having mar∣ried an Ethiopian Woman.

Moses, tho' he was sensible of the injustice of these their Reproaches, yet preserving his accustomed Meekness, seem'd not at all con∣cern'd at it. But GOD avenged Moses, who would not avenge himself, and sparing Aaron because of his holy Function, he struck Miri∣am with a Leprosie▪

Moses being afflicted to see his Sister in that condition, earnestly prayed to the LORD to heal her; but GOD told him it was but fit∣ting, that for the fault she had committed, she should be put forth of the Camp 7 days, after which she was healed, according to the Intercession of Moses.

This particular Murmuring of Aaron and Miriam against Moses being past, there soon arose another of the whole People: For GOD having commanded Moses to send a Man of each Tribe, to search the Land of Canaan, and to bring a Sample of the Fruits thereof, these Spies returned and brought a bunch of Grapes, which was an abundant proof of the excellency of the Soil: But withal told them, that the Land was inhabited by so Giant-like a People, that they could not think ever to conquer them.

The People had no sooner heard this dis∣couraging account from the Spies, but they began with one accord to murmur against Mo∣ses: They wish they had died in the Wilder∣ness, rather than to be put upon fighting a∣gainst Giants; and at last came to that wicked Resolution, to choose themselves a Leader, and return to Egypt.

Moses and Aaron seeing them lash out into these detestable Exorbitances, prostrated them∣selves before the LORD, to appease his An∣ger from breaking out upon them; whilst in the mean time Caleb and Joshuah endea∣voured by mild words, and encouraging Re∣presentations of the Land, to calm them, and to efface the fears which these false reports had raised in them. They assured them▪ that it was a very excellent Land, and that as long as GOD favoured them, they should easily be∣come Masters thereof.

But the People being strangely enraged, instead of giving ear to their Remonstrances, would needs have stoned them, had not they been stopt by the appearance of the Glory of the LORD, in the Tabernacle of the Congre∣gation; whence the LORD spake to Moses, commanding him to tell the People, that he had heard their murmurings, and that accor∣ding to their wishes he would deal with them; for as they had wished to die in the Wilderness, so they should all of them from 20 years old and upwards.

Joshua and Caleb only were excepted from this punishment, as having endeavoured to still the Murmurings of the People; the rest of the Spies were struck with sudden Death, as being the Authors of this great mischief.

GOD by this History seems to teach us, that when he promises us a great Reward, we ought not to discourage our selves with every small difficulty, that must be overcome before we can deserve it. We cannot enter into the Land of Promise without first overcoming the Enemies, which oppose our passage thither; but instead of being discouraged at the sight of th••se Ene∣mies, we ought to stir up our Faith, and cast our care upon GOD, who has promised to fight for us.

Thus Jesus Christ doth only promise his King∣dom to those who take it by force. We do re∣nounce the Kingdom of Heaven, by fearing to fight and strive for it; and they who instead of encouraging Souls in this Spiritual Com∣bat, do discourage them, shall be severely pu∣nished by GOD, as being the Authors of their Perdition.

KORAH, DATHAN, and ABIRAM.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Murmuring against Moses, and affecting the High-Priesthood, the Earth opens and swallows them alive.

THE Murmuring of the Children of Is∣rael, occasion'd by the report of the Spies, was soon after se∣conded by another, which more heinously offended the Divine Majesty. Ko∣rah, Dathan and Abiram, with 250 Princes of the People, arose in a se∣ditious manner against Moses and Aaron; and envying the Dignity and Authority they had over them, said, they had long enough Lorded it over the Lords People who were as holy as they, and that it was high time to set bounds to their arrogated power.

Moses having heard these their Words, fell upon his Face; and because he perceived that these Murm••rers affected the High Priesthood, he rebuked their Ambition, representing to Korah (who was of the Tribe of Levi) that the LORD had highly honoured them, in separating them from the rest of the Con∣gregation to do the service of the Tabernacle of the LORD; that they ought to content themselves with that holy Function, without raising their desires higher. And after he had told them, that this their Murmuring was level'd at the LORD himself, he bid them be in a readiness against the next day, with their Censers, and charged Aaron like∣wise to appear with his.

This done, Korah and his Party placed themselves on one side, and Aaron on the other; and at the same time the Glory of the LORD appeared to all the Congregation, and the LORD commanded Moses to bid the Peo∣ple, to get them away from those Rebellious Murmerers. Moses having given this Adver∣tisement to the People, told them, that GOD would now give them an undoubted proof, that he had done nothing but by express Or∣der from him; and that the extraordinary death of these Rebels, would justifie them in the eyes of them all.

Scarce had Moses made an end of speaking to the People, when the Earth opened and swallowed them, and all that belonged to them. Thus descended they alive to Hell, and pe∣rished in a moment from amidst the Congre∣gation of the Israelites, who ran away at the hidous cry of them, and for fear of being overtaken with the same Ruin.

At the same time a Fire came forth from GOD and consumed the 250 Partisans of Ko∣rah's Rebellion. Moses, by command from the LORD, order'd their Censers to be taken up, and beat into Plates, to cover the Altar, that they might be an eternal Monument of this severe Vengeance, and a warning to all, not to attempt the like for the future.

And yet for all this, the very next Morn∣ing they fell again to their old custom of Murmuring, charging Moses, that he had kill'd the People of the LORD. GOD at the same time would have consumed them in a moment, but for Moses his Intercession; who seeing, that Wrath was gone out from the LORD against the People, commanded Aaron to take his Censer with Incense, and to make Attonement for them; whereupon the Plague was stay'd, after that it had destroy'd 14700 Men, besides them that died about the matter of Korah.

After this the LORD, to ratifie the Priest∣hood to Aaron, commanded the Heads of every Tribe, to provide themselves Rods, and to write their Names upon them, and lay them up in the Tabernacle, the LORD being resolved to evidence to all, whom he had chosen to the Priesthood, by causing his Rod to Blossom. When the Rods were brought forth again, Aaron's Rod alone was found to have put forth Buds, Blossoms, and Almonds, which therefore GOD commanded should be kept for a Token, and laid up in the Ark of the Covenant, to prevent any such Rebellious pretences for the time to come.

This great and dreadful Example has al∣ways been a restraint upon Wise Men, from lightly engaging themselves to Minister at the Altar, and from rashly handling the Holy Censer, without a sure and satisfactory Call from GOD. The punishment of these three Re∣bels, and their Company, who were buried alive, yea, went down so to Hell (as the Scripture saith) inspires them with an humble back∣wardness to Holy Things. They know GOD is so great, that he cannot be served worthily, but by those he makes choice of himself to be his Ministers, and whom he qualifies with Di∣vine Vertues, for so Great and Sacred an em∣ploy; and therefore in deep humility they are ready to cry out with S. Paul, who is sufficient for these things?

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52 Richard Powis of S^t. Martins in the ffields, in Middlesex. Gent. For advancement of this Worke▪ Contributed this Plate.

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53 Mary Barington, daughter of Thomas Barinton▪ of Barington Hall in Essex Esq, by his wife the Lady Anne Rich. daughter of the R^t. Honourable Robert late Earle of Warwick. For advancement of this Worke. Contributed this Plate.

THE BRAZEN SERPENT.

The People murmuring against GOD, and against Moses, are punished with Fie∣ry Serpents, and are healed by looking up to the Brazen Serpent, which Moses erected at the command of GOD.

THE Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram being thus quell'd, some years after there hapned ano∣ther, which GOD most severely punished; for the People having now wan∣dred for many years up and down the Wilderness, and being tir'd with so many Marches and Counter-marches, they began again seditiously to murmur against Moses, expressing their dis∣content in bitter and passionate Expostula∣tions and Complaints, not only against him, but even GOD himself; saying, Wherefore have you brought us up out of Egypt, to die in this Wilderness? we have no Bread, and oft want Water, and our Souls loath this light Bread.

The LORD being provoked against them, for these their murmurings, he sent Fiery Ser∣pents amongst them, which caused a terrible destruction of the People, who died away soon after they were Stung by them. The most seditious and forward amongst them being terrified at this sudden and fatal Vengeance, changed their Complaints and Threats into Prayers and Lam••ntations; and coming to Moses, acknowledg'd their heinous Sin, where∣by they had provoked the Anger of the LORD against them, by murmuring against his Con∣duct and Guidance over them; and earnestly entreated him, to make intercession to the LORD for them, that they might be deli∣ver'd from this plague of the Fiery Serpents, forasmuch as the torment of their biting was altogether intolerable.

Moses accordingly humbly presents their Request before GOD, making earnest Inter∣cession for them; who being appeased by the charitable Prayers of that Holy Man, commands him to make a Serpent of Brass, and lift it up upon a Pole; assuring him, that all those who were bitten by the Fiery Serpent, should be healed of their Wounds, by looking up to it.

Thus it was that this Mortality ceased amongst the Peopl••. Which History, whether we respect the Judgment it self, or the Re∣medy GOD in his Mercy appointed for it, doth afford us very important Lessons and In∣structions. For the Fathers have considered this murmuring here of the People, and the bitterness of their Spirit venting it self in passionate and ungrateful Complaints and Ex∣postulations, (by reason of their long and wearisom wandrings in the dry and solitary Wilderness) as a lively Figure of those dange∣rous Spiritual Temptations which sometimes happen to the most perfect, who are oft in danger, without a vigorous exciting of their Faith and Trust in GOD, of being born down and discourag'd with the multiplied Pains and Difficulties they meet with in the strait and narrow way to Life. If they consent to these secret murmurings arising in their Hearts, they cannot fail of being bit with Fiery Serpents. I mean, Evil Spirits, who watch only first to discourage, and then to destroy them.

What remedy now is there for them in this dangerous Case? No other, but what is here set down; they must fix their Eyes upon the Brazen Serpent, which was a visible Em∣blem of JESUS CHRIST, as he himself as∣sures us in his Gospel. He did not disdain to assist our weak Understandings, in represent∣ing himself by a Serpent, yet not a common poysonous one, but a Serpent of Brass; because in taking our Flesh upon him, he did not par∣take of our Sin, which is, (and therefore may truly be called) the poyson of the Serpent, tho' he submitted himself to Death, which was the effect of Sin; not His, but Ours.

To this Divine Object, JESUS CHRIST, (lifted up upon the Cross) it is, that Believers must continually recall their Eyes, for to stif••e their Complaints, for to refresh and comfort them during their wearisom steps in this vast and howling Wilderness; frequently encou∣raging themselves with these and like words: Has the Captain of our Salvation, who was the Holy one of GOD, suffered so much with∣out the least Complaint; and shall we Sinners murmur? Has GOD so dealt with the green Tree? and do we think it just, he should spare the dry?

BALAAMS ASS SPEAKS.

Balaam the False Prophet blesseth the People of GOD against his Will, not∣withstanding that King Balak had sent for him to curse them. His Ass reproves him for beating her, because she stopt at the sight of an Angel, which Balaam perceived not.

AFTER so many Afflictions and Dif∣ficulties which Moses had been tryed with, in his Leading of the People; for a last proof of his Constancy, he was a little be∣fore his death to be exercised with Tryals, caused by the Artifices of a false Prophet.

The Israelites being encamp'd near to the borders of Moab, Balak their King terrifyed at their approach, sends for Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam in the Night time asks Counsel of GOD, what he should do; who strictly forbad him to undertake any such thing, forasmuch as he himself had blessed them: whereupon Balaam dismisses the Prin∣ces, Balak had sent to fetch him, with this Answer. But this Prince being resolved not to be put off so, sends other more honoura∣ble Persons to Balaam, and with richer Pre∣sents.

The covetousness of this false Prophet be∣ing awakened at the sight of these Presents, instead of firmly acquiescing in the first an∣swer GOD had given him, demanded again of GOD, whether he should go along with them, as if the Gold of these second Am∣bassadors could have the same power upon GOD, as it had on his Covetous Heart. So GOD leaving him to his desires, bad him go along with them. And as he was on the way, the Angel of the Lord met him and oppos'd him; yet Balaam did not see him; but the Ass on which he rode, saw the Angel, and stopping, fell down under him; and as Ba∣laam in a rage smote the Ass, GOD open∣ing her Mouth, she complain'd of his unjust Cruelty.

At the same time also the LORD open∣ed Balaams Eyes, and he saw the Angel standing in the way, and as he threatned to kill him, Balaam humbled himself before the Angel of the LORD; and told him, that if his Journey were displeasing to him, he was ready to return back again. But the Angel gave him leave to continue his Jour∣ney, only charged him to speak nothing, but what he received from GOD. And accordingly he did; for notwithstanding all the Perswasions and Promises of Balak to make him curse Israel, GOD made him to bless them; which extreamly provoked that King.

But Balaam being afraid of losing the Re∣wards he expected from Balak, made him endeavour by his Counsel, to destroy and fru∣strate the blessings he had pronounced to that People: For casting off his disguise of a true Prophet, he (like a wicked wretch) advised Balak to tempt the Children of Israel with the Moabitish Women, that being inveigled by them, and worshiping their Idols, GOD might in his Wrath deliver them into the hands of their Enemies.

This Advice of his had a most fatal suc∣cess; for these Idolatrous Women, by their Allurements, soon gain'd this easie People, to defile their Bodies and Souls with them.

Thus one false Prophet, who pretended to be a Man of God, was like (by his Artifices and Covetousness) to have been the cause of the ruin and destruction of all Gods People, if a true Minister of the Lord had not opposed it with an holy and highly commendable Zeal: For Phineas, the Grandson of Aaron, seeing a Jew committing lewdness with a Moabitish Woman, thrust them both through with his Sword, by which means the Plague was stayed, which the Wrath of God had kindled amongst them, whereof 24000 died.

The Jews then (as saith S. Ambrose) were more miraculously delivered by one true Priest, than they had before been corrupted by one False Prophet; and the Zeal and Piety of the one was of greater force, than the Avarice or Artifices of the other.

We find here, that the People of God are happy, when they have Persons amongst them, who by a wise zeal oppose the designs of those that would corrupt them. There will be always Balaams in the Church, that is, false Pro∣phets, who seek their own Interests, and not those of Jesus Christ. Wherefore it is greatly to be wish'd for, that the Church may not want such as Phineas, who were sensible of the least Evil that threatens it, and who aim at nothing but the Glory of God, and the Salva∣tion of his People.

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54 Richard Chevney of Hamerton in the Parish of Hackney in the County of Middlesex Esq. For Advancement of this Worke Contributed this Plate.

Notes

• The same Year 2514.
• The same year, 2514.
• The same year, 2514. and the 2d year after their coming out of Egypt.
• Anno Mundi 2252· bef••re Christ 1452. in the 6th Month of the 40th year after their coming out of Egypt
• Anno Mundi 2553. before Christ 1451.