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1. AFter these sad, and scrupulous Quaeries, and Objections, which presented them∣selves unto me, I could do no other, then (as a Prophet, a Watchman, a Seer of Israel) be∣take my self to my watch-tower, and, with all Reverence, and Patience, expect, what the Di∣vine Oracle would discover unto me, and make me able to return, as the best solution of those
doubts, and (d) Interrogatories of my former Discourse.
2. And such did the solution prove to be, that others have as much reason to observe it, as I have. Therefore was I commanded by God himself, so clearly to deliver, and explain the Vision, which I shall now relate; that it might be given down to Posterity, as a thing writ∣ten, in (e) Tables of some durable substance, and in fair Capitall letters, so that he that runs might read it, and see in it, as in a little Map, a draught of those waies of Gods divine Wisedome, and Justice, in the ordering, and disposing of things below, far beyond the reach of our weak judgement, and apprehension.
3. And beyond the little compasse of our time too. For, it lookes further, than our short and euill dayes. Yet, as they that live to see it accomplished, will account the hardest part of it to be slipped over, as in a dream: so we that (by the eie of faith) can look forward, and fix our thoughts upon that end (which will prove the end of our misery, and the end of our Enemies prosperity) may see it posting on, as all our Times do, with such speed, as
if it were (f) carried upon the wings of the wind. For all which speed, nothing that is foretold of it, will fail, or (g) come short of the truth. Therefore let no seeming delay take off our expectation, and hope in Gods promises, which will certainly come at last, and cannot (h) come slowly to a heart, that is ready, and prepared for it: and wants not that solace, wherewith it may, in the mean while, support it self.
4. But that heavie, faint, (i) distrustfull Soule, that drawes back with feares, and sad apprehensions of danger, faster than affiance in divine promises can incite it forward: that Soule is not yet in the right posture, wherein it should be. Nay, it wants that which is the very life of a Soul, that is in the right indeed. For it is by a true constant Faith, that the righte∣ous man layes hold upon Life. It is Faith, and confidence in the truth of Gods word, and
promise, which makes him (k) accepted in the sight of God: and is a good meanes, both to keep him a constant servant of God in all Piety, and Obedience, (which prepares him the more for the waies of his present delivery) and to furnish him with a modest security of Happinesse hereafter. For, He that is made righteous, or justified by Faith, shall live for ever.
5. Now he that labours for such a Faith, is a fit Auditor for such a Prophesie as this, which (after this Preface) I will now proceed to de∣clare: that you may with me (in this Vision, and Divine speculation from my Propheticall Watch-tower) plainly foresee, what our com∣mon Enemy, the Chaldaean, will prove, after all the insolencies, and presumptions upon his own fortunate successes, & our sad afflictions. You might see him then drunk with wine, & drunk with pride, and as a drunken man so shall he
afterward be tottering in his fortunes va∣rious, and inconsistent to himself, and to what he was every way: reeling, and wavering, and tumbled about from his highest, and most prosperous estate to worse, and worse. It was his own covetons, and ambitious desire, that set him on work, and thrust him forward, till he got up at last to that high pitch of honour, and abundance of wealth: from which, he must begin his heavier ruine, and downfall. For the longing of his greedy Soule, in his filthy Avarice, was enlarged like Hell, (as if he would have the Devill and all) and in his Malice, and cruelty, he gaped after our destruction, like Death, and the Grave, that will never be satisfied. The Addition of whole nations and severall sorts of People, either slain by his sword, or subdued, and united to his former too vast Empire, could not work so much upon him, as to make him think, that he had e∣nough, either of their blood, or of their wealth.
6. Will you see, after all this, how he shall be exposed to the scorn, and derision of them, whom he hath rifled, and plundered, and abu∣sed at his own pleasure? The time is coming on apace, when they shall take up a gibing taunt, and Parable against him, and say: Woe to him, that had too much of his own, and yet would never leave scraping, and heaping more and more together, out of others little store. How long will he thus toyle, and bustle in the world, to take from them? And how little a while shall he live to enjoy it? His heaps of gold and silver which he studies to multiply without end, are but heaps of Earth, a little more resined than that thick mire, and clay, that shall, after awhile, stop his own greedy mouth.
7. For, as he lies gaping after us, and ours: so others shall arise up (l) from a place he little suspects, that shall gape after him, and his. Nay, they shall more than gape, and threaten, and show their teeth. It shall not be long, before he feels, that they can bite too. And well might I say, that they should arise. For though (in his supine ease, and securitie) he may conceive them to lie still, and have no such
intentions against him, unlesse it were in a dream: yet shall they suddenly awake rouse up themselves, and him too, muster up their forces, make toward him, (m) shake him in pieces, and divide him as a rich prey.
8. Thus will they do, and thus will they speak of thee, and thy just doom, thou proud Chaldean. And as thou hast preyed upon many nations, and enriched thy self with their spoiles: so shall all they that are left about thee, help to expose thee to the like spoil, and rapine. All which may justly come upon thee, for thy bloudy cruelty, and other most injurious acts of thine, which ever attended thy too furious execution of Gods anger upon ours, and other (n) Cities, and Countries, and them that dwell in them.
9. Woe be to his covetous, and foolish Ambi∣tion, that longs for that which cannot but prove the ruine of himself, and his own house. For while he thinks of building his nest so high, as may set it (o) out of the reach of all dan∣ger: that very rise doth not onely expose it to the greater hazard, but make the fall so much the more fearfull, when it doth come.
10. Whosoever thou art (Chaldaean, or other) that couldst entertain a fancy of such a vast, and high building, thou wert not well ad∣vised, to take this for the best course of ad∣vancing thy self, and thy Posteritie. This was not to make way to your honour, but to your shame. And know this, that while thou resol∣vest to raise thy self, and Thine by the (p) utter ruine of many other People, thou sinnest against thy own Soule, and makest thy self the great∣est meanes of thy own down-fall, and their rising again.
11. For rather than such crying sins shall not be silenced, with the execution of Justice, the very stones out of the wall will help on the Cry, and the beam out of the Timber-work will answer them, in as loud, and true a testimony against such cruelty, and oppression.
12. And the joynt cry of all together, will be nothing but woe. Wo to him that layes the foundation of a Town in blood, and most in∣juriously makes preparation of raising a City to himself out of others ruines.
13. Upon this cry of the Wood, and Stones, that they have heaped together, mark if this Sentence proceeds not from the Lord of Hostes:
that This wicked warlike People have, in all their great toyle to get from others, but onely laboured to kindle a fire, wherein all they have shall be consumed. Or, at least, all that they have so unjustly gotten, if it be not justly taken away, shall serve them, and theirs, for some other use, which shall show them the vanity of their own dangerous attempts.
14. For ere it be long, as the immense waters do fill, and cover the bottom of the vast Sea: so shall their spacious Land be covered, and over∣flowed with that which is more unruly than any waters, with innumerous troupes of seve∣ral Nations, and People, that shall come against the Chaldeans, and let all the world (q) know (in the finall recompense, and revenge of our enemies) what cause they have every where to joyn with us, in giving all Praise, and Glory unto God.
15. And that universal glory to God shall be accompanied with another particular woe to our insulting Enemies. Wo be to him, that gaines so far upon his Friend, and Confederate, or any that have near reference unto him, as first to besot him with his strong, and inticing liquor: and then to make use of that time of
infirmitie, for the discovery of his nakednesse, and the disclosing of any secret, which he knowes is best gotten out of him, when the warm drink hath sweetly washed away the re∣membrance of his Duty.
16. This wo is for thee, O Chaldaean, that art so ready to discover, and deride the weak∣nesse of others: For thou shalt be fuller of shame, than glory, when thou meetest with thy reward at last in a worse cup, whereof thou shalt be forced to drink deeply, when (r) thy turn comes. So shall thy nakednesse also come to be discovered, when (s) in the midst of thy Pride, and Gallantry, the right hand of the Lord, (which cannot be resisted,) shall hold out that cup unto thee, and make thee drink it all off, though thou art forced to cast it up again to thy further disgrace. And so shall Divine Justice repay thee with that shame, and affliction, which thou hast abundantly deser∣ved for thy insolent opprobrious dealing with others, whom thou hast laid open, and naked to all kinds of injury, and reproach.
17. And deserved again (if thou hadst no other fault) for thy base, sacrilegious, and
scornfull abuses of the (t) Temple, to which the whole Forrest of Lebanon did contribute her best Timber, and therefore gave it also the name of another more sacred Lebanon: but thy violent profane Army have now turned it again into the likenesse of a ruder Forrest, that the wild Beasts have had to do withall. That (u) open injury to Lebanon, that spoil, and havock made there, to the very laying it in the dust, shall beat those Beasts (thy rude Souldiers) into dust, that behaved themselves there like wild Beasts indeed, rather than like men. That Impiety, in the desolation of my holy house, (saith the sacred Oracle) (x) shall overwhelm thee with a worthy punishment, and thy own Houses, and fair structures shall there∣fore be laid as waste, and desolate, as that which is the openest, and vastest Habitation of the wild Beasts of the Forrest. The rather be∣cause of thy imitation of those savage Crea∣tures in the effusion of blood, and ransacking of so many (y) Persons, and Places, as do now, in their ruines, give a testimony of thy barba∣rous proceeding against them all.
18. All which Sacriledge, and cruell Bar∣barisine was accompanied with other waies of
Irreligion, and Idolatry, and what fruit, and advantage did any of them gain? What pro∣fit can be shewed from the graven, and molten Images? He that made them, and he that preach∣ed them up for Deities, were both of them Inventers, and Dispersers of Lies. Yet could that Maker, and Raiser of them adde this folly to the other, to trust, and repose a confidence upon such mute, and false Gods, as could not so much as make answer unto their Prayers.
19. And this calls for another wo upon that sinfull nation. Wo to him that commenceth his Prayer for releif to a piece of wood: and calls to the dumb Idol of stone, to awake, and give him audience. The Idol it self might teach him, that another Deitie would be looked after, if he look for help. For who cannot see, that, though it be fairly guilded over with silver, and gold, to seem glorious to the eie, yet there is not so much breath, and spirit within it, as can adde life, and vigour to that glittering outside.
20. But the Lord is not so. Heaven is the glo∣rious Temple, wherein he dwells, and whereof all other Temples are but figures. And the Reve∣rence we show in them, is a Copy of that (z) Fear and Reverence that is due to Him from all the ends of the Earth.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 argumentum, vel argumentatio, ut Job. 23, 1.
ut antiquitus in buxo, cedro, &c.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in notionem sufflandi.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
Sié exponitur hic locus, Hebr. 10. 38. ub. in [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] apparet vestigium antiquae lectionis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 idem est quod 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 obini afflictionibus, & turbari, deficere, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, q. animo contrabi. Qui autem malunt adhaerere, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (in notione eminentiae) aprè possunt exponere de superbiâ & confidentiâ in propriis viribus, quae Chaldaeos ad interi∣tum produxit, cum fides interim in Deum pios Israelitas, & vivos con∣servaret, & pristinae etiam Paci restitueret. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fidem, ve∣ritatem, & constantiam complectitur, ex naturâ vocis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
quod refertur ad [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Heb. 10.38. a sit Rom. 1. 17. & Hebr. 10,38. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] construitur cum [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] & idem est quod 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ut apparet ex scop••, & mente totius Epist. ad Romanos.
This may allude to proud Baltassar, and the Childeans, that in a drunken fit, made bold with the sacred Ves∣sels of the Temple, and were that night showed the uncer∣tain estate of humane greatnesse: falling them from their height of glory, and command to little lesse than slavery under the Medes, and Persians.
Our English Translation expresseth all very well in one word. [He shall not endure] i. he shall not hold out in that condition, nor continue in that prosperity he was. The Hebrew signifies pro∣perly, [he shall have no sure Mansion.] He shall be like one turned out of his house, to seek his fortune, as we use to say. Non dimorerà in casa sua, (saith Diod. in his Ital. Translation.)
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 commav••re, exagitare, lacerare.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sing. pro plur. ut v. 17.
hebr. de manu.
hebr. cutting off.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut agnoscant.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
p••r Lebanum plerique Templ••m intelligunt.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 conteret eas (seras) i. milnes.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 conteret eas (seras) i. milnes.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
ut v 8.
hebr. explicatur per silentium.