An Arrow Against Idolatry, Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Of Jeroboams Jdolatry that infected Jsrael; and of the pretenses that he mought make for his sin.
THat the allurements of this whore Idolatry, with her deceits and snares, may be further manifested, and people be warned to avoyd her destruction: I will yet prosecute this argument against her, to uncover her skirts and disclose her iniquity; hunting her steps, as they are traced in the Scriptures, and left to be seen as a perpetuall type in Israel.
2 The common-wealth of Israel did never enjoy such peace and happinesse, as in the daies of Salomon son of David, who reigned fortie yeares. Him a2 Sam. 1▪ 24.25.the Lord loved (whereupon he was named Jedidjah;) and chose b1 Chron▪ 28.5.him from among many sonns, to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel, and cvers. 6.to build his house and courts, and to be his son, and he would be his father. He gaue d2 Chron. 1.12.unto him wisedom and knowledg, and riches and treasures and honour, so as there was no King like him before or after. But Solomon e1 King. 11.1,— 4.loved many strange women, who withdrew him from the louelove of God, that he fvers. 5.followed the abominations and idolatries of the Hea…hen. Then God gvers. 9.10was angry, because he had turned his heart from him, who had appeared unto him twise, and given him a charge concerning this thing, that hee should not follow other Gods, but hee kept not that which the Lord had commanded him. Therefore God hvers. 11.rent the Kingdom from him, and gaue it to his servant iver. 26.29Ieroboam son of Nebat, a man of the tribe of Ephraim; with this certification, that if kvers. 38.he would hearken to all that God commanded him, and walk in his waies, and doe the right in his eyes; he would be with him, and build him a sure house, and giuegive Israel unto him. Now when Solomon was dead, all this came to passe; for Rehoboam his son, l1 Kin. 12.lost the most part of his realm, and ten Tribes declined after Ieroboam, and chose him their King.
3 But he (though otherwise a man wise and politick,) wanting heavenly wisedom, relyed not in faith on the promise of God, but went and consulted with flesh and bloud, how he mought confirm the Kingdom to himselfe. And thinking m1 King. 12.26, &c.in his heart, that if the people should (as they were wont) goe up to Ierusalem to worship God there; their hearts would turn from him to Solomons son, who reigned in that place, and so they would kill him. Being fraught with this fear, and void of faith; he thought to prevent these evils, by setting up a place of Gods publick worship, in his own dominions. And knowing that the people would not easily be drawn to a new religion, he retained a shew still of the old, not altering any article of the faith, nor yet many of the externall rites; but as in Ierusalem there was a Temple, and Altar, and other outward signes of Gods habitation with his Church; so would Ieroboam in Israel, make Temples, and Altars, and signes of Gods presence, that his people mought serv him there. Then n1 King. ….28, &c.made he two calues or oxen of gold, and set one at Bethel, another at Dan, with houses and altars, and other like furniture, and said to the people, overs. 28.It is too much for you to goe up to Ierusalem, behold thy Gods (ô Israel,) which brought thee up out of the land of Aegypt.
4 The changes and corruptions which he brought into Gods worship, were cheifly these. First of the place, which God had p2 Chro. 7.6.chosen to be at Ierusalem: but Ieroboam would hauehave q1 King. 12.29.at Dan and Bethel. Secondly, of the signes or testimonies of the divine presence; which at Ierusalem was by Gods own ordinance, rExod. 25, 10,—22. Num. 7.89 Psal. 80.1.the ark of the covenant, with the glorious golden Cherubims whereon hee …ate, and from which his voyce had been heard: but at Bethel and Dan, by Ieroboams device, s1 King. 12.28.were bullocks or calues of gold. Thirdly, of the time; for the feast of Tabernacles appointed of God tLev. 23.34to be kept the 15 day of the seventh month; Ieroboam put off untill u1 King. 12.32.the 15 day of the eighth monethmonth. Fourthly, of the persons administring the holy things; which by Gods authority xNum. 18 1.7. Deut. 10.8.were Aarons sonns, and their brethren the Levits: but by Ieroboams dispensation, y1 King. 12.31.were of other parts and lowest of the people. These things being ‘vers. 31.consulted of, and agreed upon by the King and State, the people of Israel yeelded unto; and practised accordingly; shewing their prompt obedience and devotion in going, zvers. 30.because of the one, even to Dan, a citie in the utmost part of all the land. Thus sinned Ieroboam, & made Israel to sin; and it “1 King. 13.34.turned to sin unto his house, even to root it out and destroy it from the face of the earth.
5 Against this innovation, there were some that presently rose up, refusing to follow the religion of the King; especially the Priests and Levites, (according to the charge they had ‘,’Deut. 33 10.to teach Jankob Gods judgements, and Israel his law,) “2 Chron. 11.13.resisted the superstition, and put the people in mind of their duty; which Jeroboam perceiving, ‘vers. 14.put them from their office, and ,‘,2 Chron. 13.….droue them out of his realm. Some also there were of ”2 Chron. 11.16.all the Tribes of Israel, that hearkning to the wholesome doctrine of their Ministers, and following their good example, left their own Country; and resorted to Ierusalem, so strengthning the kingdom of Iudah. Thus was there a controversie among the people, about these (the Kings) ceremonies; some counting them novelties, and profane superstition; others (and they the many,) esteeming them laudable, and well-fitting their State. But the men of Iudah reproched them for this, as having a2 Chron. 13.11▪forsaken God, and made bvers. 8.them golden calues for Gods, and done many like abominations. The Lord also used other means to draw the King and people to repentance, by the admonition c1 Kin. 13 1.2, &c.of a Prophet, confirmed by miracle; by striking dead Ieroboams arm, and healing it again; and by d1 King. 14.taking away his beloved son Abijah. These things, though they could not but trouble both King and people, yet could they not prevail to bring them to repentance; for Ieroboam had many things to say for himselfe, and much could he colour his new coynd religion, answering the objections that were made against them, by th…s, or the like apologie.
6 I See my course, (ô men of Israel,) to be much suspected, if not wholly misliked of many▪ some thinking my ceremonies to savour too rankly of Heathen superstition; some charging me plainly with flat apostasie and forsaking of God. But how far off I am from all such impiety (how ever it please men to mistake my meaning, and pervert my actions) I hope to manifest unto all indifferent persons. Chiefly sith that I hauehave neither spoken nor done against any article of the ancient faith, nor changed any fundamentall ordinance of religion, given us by Moses; but worship with reverence the God of my fathers, and louelove him (as I am taught) eDeut. 6 4.5, & 30.20▪with all my heart, and with all my soul, cleaving unto him alone who is my life, and the length of my daies. Other Gods of the nations I utterly abhor, with all their impure rites and services; and if any shall now or hereafter decline to such abomination, I trust we shall shew f2▪ Kin. 10▪ 16.28.29.the zeal that we hauehave for the Lord our God, against all their impiety. The alteration that I hauehave made, is in matters of circumstance, things meerly ceremoniall; whereof there is no expresse, certain or permanent law given us of God; and which are variable, as time, place, and person giuegive occasion; and such as good Kings hauehave changed before me; and hauehave been blamelesse.
7 And first for the place where God is to be worshipped, which many now would hauehave at Ierusalem onelyonly; I finde the practise of our Patriarch Abraham, and the fathers following, to be far otherwise. They sacrificed to God, as occasion was offered, in every place they came; in gGen. 12.7.8.Shechem, and in this hGen. 35.7Bethel; in the plain iGen. 13.18of Mamre; and in kGen. 26.25.Beersheba: so this superstition of tying God to one place was not hatched in their daies. After this, when our fathers came out of Aegypt, they lExo. 24.5offered sacrifices in the wildernesse, and being come into this land, in how sundry places of it hauehave they served God? At m1 Sam. 1 3, &c.Shilo the Tabernacle & Ark was many daies, and all Israel sacrificed there. Again at n1 Sam. 7.1.2.Kirjath-jearim the Ark had abiding twenty years, and there men sought the Lord: and after that, in o1 Sam. 21 1.6, &c.other places many. But when David was King, he removed the Ark p2 Sam. 6, 13, &c.to Ierusalem; and the Tabernacle which Moses had made, he left in a high place q1 Chron. 21.29.at Gibeon: and thus were there two places of publick worship at one time; and Salomon sacrificed r1 King. 3.4.15.in them both. And shall we now grow so superstitious, as to binde God to any one place. Nay, this all is the Lords land, and his eyes are in every part of the same: and it is not so materiall where we doe worship, as whom we worship, and with what affection; for our God is neer in all times and places, to all that call upon him in truth.
8 But it will be said, that Ierusalem is the place which God hath chosen; promising unto Solomon s1 King. 9.3.to put his name in the Temple there for ever, and that his eyes and heart should be there perpetually. I answer, the promise and covenant was conditionall, if Gods tvers. 4.statutes and judgments were observed: for if they should turn away, and uvers. 6.serue other Gods, God said xvers. 7.8▪he would cast out of his sight, that house which hee had hallowed for his name; and it should be an astonishment & a hissing to all that passe thereby. And see we not how Solomon forfeited his bond? His wiues y1 King. 11.4.turned his heart after other Gods: hee followed zvers. 5.Ashteroth, and Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech; and other abominations of the Gentiles, and “vers. 7.built them high places: for which his wickednesse God was angry, and hath rent his Kingdom from his son, and given it to me. Look to Gods place which was in Shilo, a1 Sam. 4. Psal. 78.60 &c.where he set his name at the beginning; and see what he did to it for the iniquity of Israel: even bIer. 7.12 14.so will the Lord doe to that house in Ierusalem wherupon his name is called, wherin also they trust. Example see in the rent of the Kingdom▪ for at the same time when promise was made to dwell in that house for ever, God promised c1 King. 9.3.1.also to stablish that throne of Solomons for ever: howbeit already the throne is thrown down, and most of the Realm committed to me. As is the one, doubtlesse so is the other; no sanctity remaineth in the place so polluted with idolatry: the holinesse is gone.
9 And now that this Bethel where I build a house to our God, is the place which he hath chosen to dwell therin; we may boldly say; for it is most renoumed, the chiefe and supereminent place in the land. They boast in Ierusalem, how their Temple standeth upon mount d2 Chr. 3.1Morijah, where Abraham our father eGen. 22.2, &c.offered his son Isaak (a type of the Messiah) for a sacrifice to God: we also can glory, how Jaakob our Patriarch saw in this our place, a fGen. 28.12.ladder that reached from earth to heaven, by which the Angels of God went up and down; a type also doubtlesse of our Messiah to come; by whom, as by a ladder we shall get up to heaven, whom gPsal. 97.7all the Angels of God shall worship when he commeth, and shall be seen to ascend and descend upon him. Here God appeared to our father Jaakob, hGen. 28.13.14.promising him the land, and heyres to possesse it. He then acknowledged how ivers. 16.17, &c.the Lord was in this reverend place, that it was no other but the house of God, & the very gate of heaven; & therupon gaue it a new name Bethel, Gods house; wheras at first it was kvers. 19.called Luz: yea Jaakob vowed that at his safe returne, the stone which here he had set up for a pillar, lvers. 22.should be Gods house. And this his devotion was approved of God, who expresly commanded him mGen. 35 1, &c.to dwell in Bethel, and make him an Altar here; which hee performing, God graciously accepted, & appeared again with new promises in this place, whereupon the name was againe confirmed to be Gods house or nvers. 13▪ 14.15.Bethel. Thus having so venerable antiquity on our side; can any man doubt but it is more safe to worship here at Bethel, a place sanctified of old, and so long continuing; then at Sion, of late so fouly polluted by Solomons grosse idolatry.
10 And me thinks the remembrance of that late impiety, should keep men from doting so on that place; for it is much to be feared Rehoboam will set up ere long his fathers religion, who followed strange Gods; seeing hee walketh already in his evill way of oppressing the people, and o1 King. 12.3.4.13.14.could not be brought to ease them at all of any taxe or burthen, wherwith his father loded them. As hee followeth his father in sinning against the people, so is hee like to doe in sinning against God. For loe the hie places which Solomon builded for Ashteroth and Chemosh and Milcom, the idols of the Heathen, p2 King. 23.13.are left standing still, even before Ierusalem, and on the right hand of the mount of corruption, and are like there to cont…nue. Which wherfore is it, but for a snare to the people, that they may fall again to the former sin?
11 I now being King, doe hold it my duty to keep al my subjects from such danger of idolatry; and to look that the true God be served in my Kingdom, lest men either grow prophane, or turn unto vanities. For to goe to Ierusalem it may proue perilous; sure it is q1 King. 12.28.overmuch for the people that dwell a far off, and seemeth to me altogether unreasonable. For may and ought not every Prince and people to serue God in their own countrey? Was there any before me, that mought not doe it; and am I more in bondage then all? Besides, who knoweth not the grudge that Rehoboam hath against us, whom of late r2 Chr. 1 1—4.he would hauehave warred with, if God had not stayed him? Why, hee counteth me and my people s2 Chro… 13.6.rebels; and if he can get me within his dominion, he will surely cut off my head, and the heads of many moe. And doth God, (who tHos. 6desireth mercy rather then sacrifice) require of men thus for to runn upon the swords …oint, and indanger their liues without cause, and onelyonly for a circumstance of place? I am not so weak of judgement, as to think it; neither will I be so unwise as to hearken to these Levites, who kindle the fire of contention among my subjects, and teach that we all must goe up to Ierusalem, or else we may offer no sacrifice to God. Beleev them that list; I hauehave otherwise learned the truth of the Law; and trust we shall so serue the Lord at home, as will please him well enough.
12 For the worship that here we perform unto God, is (for the substance) the same that himselfe commanded by Moses. Wee serue the same God a1 King. 2.28.that brought us up out of the land of Aegipt: and this is bExod. 20.….3.the first and the great commandment on which all other do depend; the keeping wherof, cPsal. 81.8 ….10.hath the promise of reward. Wee offer the sacrifices of beeues and sheep, wee burn incense, pay first fruits and tithes of all we possesse; we observ all the ordinances that our fathers hauehave kept since the world began, and God hath confirmed in his written law for ever. Wee hold the main article of our Messiah to come, and of redempt…on from our sinnes by him; by which faith our ancestors hauehave pleased God: and unto this he leadeth us in his Law. In this faith offer we according to the Law, dLev. 4.4.3.14—20bullocks for attonement and forgiuenesse of our sins; a shadow unto us of our Messiah, who shall be led as an oxe to the slaughter, and purge our iniquity by his own bloud. In testimony of this true & catholick faith, I hauehave made these bullocks e2 King. 12.28.of gold (similitudes of the greatest sacrifices,) as representations of that our true sacrifice, the promised Saviour whom we expect.
13 If here it be said, wee doe against God, in making these golden figures; because he forbiddeth fExod. 2graven images to be made: the answer is easie, Gods meaning is not to forbid all images simply, but onelyonly idols that hauehave divine worship done unto them. Such as was that Calfe which our fathers gExod. 3…made in the wildernesse: for they hPsal. 10 19.worshipped the molten image it self (not God by the image,) but made them iEx. 32.3Gods of gold, which was against the expresse kEx. 20.2words of the Law; yea, they were so grosse, as they turned him lPs. 106.…their glory, into the similitude of a bullock that eateth grasse; and mvers. 2forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Aegipt for them. But God forbid, and farr be it from us (good people) that wee should thus doe. Wee worship not the images of our bullocks here, any more then we worshipped the images of the Cherubims, and other resemblances, in Solomons Temple: but we worship God, and him onelyonly doe we serue, even n1 King. 12.28.the God that brought us out of Aegypt, not any other.
14 Yet some are so hardly prejudiced against me, as they spare not to say, I o2 Chron. …3.8.hauehave made you these golden calues for Gods, and think that I giuegive the honour to them, that is due to the eternall and blessed God himselfe; because (forsooth) I said, p1 King. 12.28.Behold thy Gods ô Israel. But were I so minded; I should be indeed more brutish then a calfe my selfe. What, should I deny the Creator of the world; the God of all our fathers; the wonders wrought for us in Aegypt, and other places; and turn to these images which are made with mens hands, and think them very Gods? Far be such a grosse conceit, from every true Israelite. Nay, if I should hauehave attempted any such thing, would you not hauehave stoned me? And as for my speech in calling them Gods, who is there so simple that knows it not to be figuratiue, and very familiar to every mans ears? I am not the first, that thus hath spoken, our fathers before me used often such phrases. When the Angel of God appeared unto Abraham, he called the place qGen. 22.14.Jehovahjireh, that is, The Lord seeth. Jaakob built an Altar, and called the place, rGen. 35.7The God of Bethel: Moses himselfe made an Altar in the desert, & named it sExod. 17 15.Jehovah Nissi, that is, The Lord my banner. Yet none of us, I trow, doe think that they esteemed these places or altars, to be properly Gods. The Ark is called t1 Sam 4.21.the glorie of Jsrael; uPs. 78.61the strength of God; the xPs. 24.7.King of glorie; and (what can be said more) the y1 Sam. 6.20.holy Lord God. The Lamb is called, zExod. 12.11.the Lords Passeover; and many such like Sacramentall speeches, hauehave we and our ancestors been accustomed unto. What if I should call the pascall Lamb, our Messiah; because it is a type of him: or the Manna which our fathers did eat, and water which they drank out of the rock; the body and bloud of our Messiah: should I for this be suspected of Idolatry? My enemies mought be ashamed thus to cavil, and calumniate my honest actions, who hauehave made these visible signes, for to serv the true God by; and to be but as testimonies of his presence here.
15 And that this is lawfull, the Law it selfe will shew: which intendeth not the prohibition of all images, but the abuse of them as idols; for so it is written, aEx. 20.5.Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serv them; whereby God explaneth his mind, which is, that we should make no graven images for to worship them; but to worship God by them, where is that forbidden? Nay the contrary is evident; for hauehave wee not worshipped God in Ierusalem, and other places, by images; What are the bEx. 25.18, &c.golden winged Cherubims upon the Ark, but images, by which both we and our fathers hauehave honoured God. And if any object, that those were made by Moses at Gods command; but none else may be made by any other: let him look into Solomons Temple builded but the other day, and there he shall find c1 King. 6 23, &c.two new Cherubims of great and high stature, whose wings reach from one end of the holy place to another; and besides these, all the dvers. 29.walls of the Temple are full of such figures. Perhaps some will say, it is tolerable to hauehave the shape of Cherubims, as being figures of eGen. 3.24Angels; but any other forms, especially of beasts is utterly unlawfull. Well, however the Law forbiddeth to make the likenes of fExo. 20.4things in heaven, as of things in earth, and so the Angels may no more be pourtrahed then beasts or birds: yet to take away scruple, I refer you to Solomons g1 King. 7.25.twelv oxen, or bulls of brasse, wh…ch bear up that molten sea, which standeth at the dore of the Temple for the Priests to wash in: also to h1 King. 7.29.the Lions, Bulls and Cherubims wrought upon the ten brazen bases of the cauldrons, wherin the work of the burnt offerings i2 Chron. 4.6.is washed and cleansed every day. If Solomon in his Temple might make bulls of brasse, is it a sin for me to make such of gold? Tush, these are but the cavils of these Puritan Priests and Levites, that of a stomack and refractary minde will not be conformable to my ceremonies; whom therefore I mean k2 Chron. 13.9.to driue out of my country, that they trouble my people no more.
16 Yet will I doe my best, to satisfie them ere they goe, in whatsoever they can say against me. To proceed therfore to the time, (another circumstance which they object, for want of more weighty matter;) they think it much that I hauehave pro…oged the feast of Tabernacles, untill the k1 King. ….32.15 day of the 8 monethmonth; because it is appointed by Moses to be kept l…ev. 23.39the 15 day of the 7 monethmonth. Herein they still doe but strain out a gnat: for so the thing it selfe be observed, what skilleth it for the change of the monethmonth? The feasts were made for men, not men for the feasts; and if we keep them in any meet and commodious time, it pleaseth God well enough: which I will further shew by the Law it selfe. When our fathers came out of Aegypt, they kept by Gods commandment the Paschal feast upon mEx. 12.6the 14 day of the first monethmonth; and this was enacted to be an ordinance nvers. 24.for ever. After, it fell out, when a Passeover oNum. 9.… — 5.was kept in the wildernesse, that certain men pvers. 6.7.defiled by a dead man, could not keep it by reason of their uncleannesse, and came unto Moses to know what they should doe. He could not tell, qvers. 8.till hee had asked the Lord. Then God spake and said, rvers. 10, &c.If any of you, or your posterity, be unclean, or in a journey, let him keep the Pascha in the 14 day of the second monethmonth. Behold here how God explaineth his own law, shewing that hee respecteth not the monethmonth, as though there were any holinesse in it; but if the feast were kept, though a monethmonth after, (upon just occasion,) it should be acceptable: Forasmuch then as we hauehave so pregnant an example of occasionall changing the time, without any sin: me thinks these men are too too precise; that condemn me, who upon just occasion, and advice with others, hauehave deferred this feast, a monethmonth longer then ordinary.
17 It may be these men, make question of my authority, and think me not the lawfull supreme Governour, under God, of the Church; or that my primacy beares me not out to alter ceremonies or circumstances in religion: but this I can sufficiently clear. For I hauehave my kingly office from God the King of kings; s1 King▪ 11.29, &hee appointed me hereunto by his Prophet, and chose me t1 King▪ 12.20.by his people. I am not inferiour to any Prince that hath been before me. What though I be not born of kingly bloud? neither was David. And what though Solomon and Rehoboam his son, were possessed of the crown before me? So was Saul and Ishbosheth his son possessed of it before king David. But God for Sauls sin, u1 Sa… 12.28.gaue the kingdom to David his servant, and no man doubteth of his lawfull title: so God for Solomons sin, x1 King. …1.31.hath given this kingdom to me his servant; and my title is just. Neither goe I beyond my line; I am content with my ten Tribes, let Rehoboam hauehave the rest. Now being your lawfull Prince, ô Israel, it lyeth me upon to see the Church ordered, as well as the Common-wealth; to make Lawes (no… contrary to the lawes of God,) for the holy and peaceable government of you; to take heed you fall not to Solomons idolatry, or follow other Gods. Things substantiall and fundamentall; I will in no wise change: circumstances of things, and ceremonies I may freely change, for they are not permanent or perpetuall.
18 And herein I can assure my selfe and others, by example of DAVID the beloved of GOD, y1 King. …1.34.38.commended to me for his holy walking and upright admistration. He ordred many things in the service of God, otherwise then he had expresse warrant for, in the written Law. He removed the Ark, z1 Chron. 13. & 15.from Kirjathjearim to Ierusalem. He appointed a1 Chr. 16 ….5, &c.instruments of musick, cimbals, and vials, and harps, &c. wherof there is no mention in Moses Law. He b1 Chron. 23. & 25.distributed the Levites into their orders and offices, making some singers, some porters, some assistants to the Priests: yea, and c1 Chr. 24the sacrifices hee set in 24 classes or courses; and where shall we find these things warranted in the Law? If David then our worthy Predecessor, did thus order the Church, and alter the ceremonies, by his regall authority: may not I, which hauehave equall power in my dominions doe the like? And Solomon his son, before he fell from the true God to idols, did many things otherwise then is written in Moses; and God did allow them. In his famous Temple he had d2 Chron. 4.7.8.ten golden candlesticks, and ten tables; whereas God by Moses, ordained of each eEx. 26.35but one. In sted of one laver that Moses made to wash in, Solomon made f2 Chr. 4.6ten cauldrons; besides that other vessel, which for the hugeness of it, is called gvers. 2.a sea: with many other differences, which who so compareth his works with Moses writings may easily perceiv. These Priests of Levi are much to bee pittied, that urge so the letter of the Law, which I think they understand not. They say it is written, hDeut. 4.2Yee shall put nothing to the word that J command you, nor take ought therefrom; but they minde not how this intendeth matters of faith, and doctrines fundamentall, which I willingly grant may in no wise be corrupted: but ceremonies are variable, and circumstances may be changed upon every just occasion, as before I hauehave proved, and the practise of my godly predecessours doth approue. Accordingly mean I to retain my liberty, and maintain my prerogatiue royall.
19 It resteth to be scanned how we shal doe for Ministers, if the Priests of Levi be put away. And for this I i2 Chron. 13.9.am reproched as violating the Law; wheras necessity constraineth me to take other order. I know that Aarons sonnes are appoinred by Law to doe the Priests office: but the power is in the Church, of whom they had their authority; and mought still administer if they were not so scrupulous. It is then their own fault that they are deposed, and be it upon them: for wee will serv God as did our fathers, before these Aaronites injoyed the Priesthood. I finde that of old, the Patriarchs kGen. 12.8 & 13.4.18 &c.Abraham, Isaak and Jaakob, offered sacrifices themselues, even then when Melchisedek the lGen. 14▪18.19.Priest of the most high God lived in the land. I finde again how Moses did send mEx. 24.yong men of the children of Israel to offer burnt offrings and peace offrings to the Lord. How ever therefore for order sake, this work was committed to the sonns of Aaron, yet hold I it not to be of necessity to salvation, or of the essence and being of a true sacrifice, that an Aaronite must offer it. But seeing all the Lords people are holy, yea, a nEx. 19.kingdom of Priests, as the Lord calleth them in his Law: they may (no doubt) being duely sanctified and consecrate thereto, offer acceptable sacrifices unto God. And hereof will I hauehave care, that none shall administer o1 King 12.31.but such as are consecrate; but I will not debar p1 King. 13.33.any, be he of what Tribe soever, if he be fit otherwise. As for these refractarie Ministers, the Levites, I will revenge me of them, for they are the troublers of the State, the boutefeus that set on fire all the country. For loe, how many people q2 Chron 11.16.17▪of all the Tribes of Israel, are ready to leaue the land, and run to Rehoboam in Ierusalem. These men are the cause of all this stur, and faction: their doctrine impeacheth my supremacy, and disturbeth the peace of the Church. Wherfore as Solomon 1 Kin. 27cast out Abiathar from being Priest unto the Lord, because his hand was with Adonijah: I also by like right, 2 Chron. …1.14.will cast out these Priests of Levi, whose hands are with my enemy Rehoboam. So rest and peace shall be unto my selfe, and to my people.
20 Yet a few words more of the events that are happened; which in their simplicity many doe mistake and abuse against me. The Prophet 1 King. 3.1.that came out of Iudah to Bethel, and gaue there a sign; made some for to think, I had sinned in deed. My selfe, I confesse, was somewhat moved when I felt uvers. 4.my arm withered: but seriously weighing things after, as they were, I stayed my thoughts. For first, he came but as any false Prophet, (if God so permit,) may come at all times; I mean, with sign and wonder, but without word of truth, to convince the conscience. He xvers. 2.cryed against the altar: but shewed no law of the Lord to condemn it. He threatned destruction; but who knows when the day shall come; for no time was set down; that men may be held with continuall expectation. I find in the Law, that a yDeut. 13 1.2, &c.Prophet may arise, giving a sign or wonder, which shal come to passe: and yet his doctrine may be abominable, and God thereby zvers. 4.proveth the hearts of his people. The inchanters of Aegypt aExod. 7.11.12.could also doe miracles even like unto Moses: yet were they no Ministers of the Lord. What then though this falser had power to doe great things, and thereupon was hired by the King of Iudah to come preach against me, and seduce my people; no wise man will rest on counterfeit miracles, but will settle his heart on the Law of God; which that Prophet could not convince me with all (for then I had yeelded,) but sought to get credit by abusing that power, which God did permit him to hauehave for my tryall. The abuse of Gods name cannot goe long unpunished, for it is a great sin: neither scaped this Prophet due vengeance for his crime; but as he went homeward, he was slain b1 King. 13.24.by a Lyon. Well worthy end, for such as dissemble the message of the most High. How ever therefore some think of this matter, I am not perswaded hee was a man of God, that came to so fearfull a death.
21 But the death c1 Kin. 14of mine own son Abijah, sate neerer me, and made me look narrowly into mine actions, till I found indeed whereof to resolue. I sent mine own wife dvers. 2.to Ahijah the Prophet for counsell about him: but the cholerik old man evers. 6.would not suffer her to speak, but breaking out into heat and menaces, gaue her an answer before she asked. It is easie to see his partiall affection; hee leaneth towards Iudah, and speaketh with bitternesse against me, that never did him hurt. And were it indeed that I had offended; my fault mought bee shewed me in louelove and meeknesse: which would better beseem the Prophets of God, then this their distempered carriage. And what was the cause, why he did so threaten me? even the common calumnie that the Iews doe giuegive out, for he said, fvers. 9·J had made me other Gods: but how false this is I hauehave shewed before; and it became not his gray head to beleev such reports, and condemn me unheard: I hauehave not forsaken the Lord my God, but the thing is mistaken by the gvers. 4.blinde Prophet, who discerneth no better my actions, then hee can doe colours. My son is dead and gone, for his day was come: if he were cut off before the time, it was rather for his vice then for his vertue. The Prophet sayd there was hvers. 13.some goodnesse found in my son, towards the Lord God of Israel; and therefore he must die. But doth the Lord use so to reward them that are good before him? It is said in the Scripture of wicked men, that they iPsa. 55.23shall not liue out halfe their daies: yet now this yong mans death is brought as an argument to proue hee was godly. Ahijah, I perceiv, is too old to bee k1 Sam. 9.9.a Seer any longer; else could he not hauehave been so much overseen in this his new doctrine. Gods law lExod. 20biddeth children to honour their parents, that their daies may be long in the land: but this my child had his daies shortned; doubtlesse for disobedience. My other sonns m1 Chron 11.14.consented to that which I did about religion; and they liue and prosper: he onelyonly would be more precise then his brethren, and his honour is laid in the dust. Thus see I in my house the proverb fulfilled, nPro. 10.…The fear of the Lord increaseth the daies: but the yeares of the wicked shall be diminished. For which I lament, through fatherly affection, but am nothing moved to leav my religion; nay rather these judgements confirm me therein, for I see how they that speak against it are cut off. Yea, God himselfe hath been my Protectour, and with-held o2 Chron. …1.2.3.4.by his Prophet, my enemies of Iudah from fighting against me. On him will I lean, and trust in his name; being fully resolved not to alter my course, but I and my people to continue as we are, until we lye down in peace.