Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 19
CHAP. 19.
1 WHen now they came to be in subiection to others, we are first to see, who they are of whom the Story goeth for that matter: then, what was their estate therein. That we may the more certainely find who they were, we are to know, that some of them are now gone before: and some come after. Those that are gone before, were taken away at two seuerall times: and eyther of them, it seemeth, at the closing vp of one yeare of Nebuchadnezzars raigne; and in the beginning of the next ensuing. And that is (wee see) an vsuall thing in many cases, when as the thing that is done, is not of so ready dispatch, but that the doing of it doth aske some time, and commeth to hand towardes the end of the yeare then being; and taketh vp some of the yeare ensuing before that it can be performed: which, in this matter, the conferring together of sundry places of the Text, doth plainely teach vsus. The former of 1 King. 24: 1 Ier. 25: 1. Dan. 1: 1 2 King. 24: 10▪ 16. Ier. 52: …8.those was in the end of the seauenth, and in the beginning of the eight yeares of his raigne, after that he had put Iehoiakim to death, and that Iehoiachin his Sonne had for a time raigned in his roome: then carrying away with him to Babylon, of the Tribe of Iudah (who are the seede that now wee speake off) three thousand and three and twenty persons. At which time notwithstanding there is mention made of ten thousand first, and seauen thousand soone after, and of one thousand besides, then to bee 1 King. 24▪ 14, 16.carried captiue away: the former of which is noted, and so seemeth to bee, the totall summe both of Israell and Iudah mingled together; and the seauen thousand of Israell onelyonly, besides those others of the Tribe of Iudah. And as for that one od thousand, the Text it selfe sheweth that they were all of one Mystery or Trade: and belike of both sorts of the others. The latter of them was, when Zedechiah had 2 Kin. 25: …-11 Ier 52: 29rebelled against him, and thereby hee in a rage against them, in the ende of the eighteenth, and beginning of the ninteenth yeares of his raigne: at which time, hee gaue so free liberty to the sword now, and made such hauocke generally of all, that he 2 Chr. 36: 17tooke away but eight hundred thirty and two; and belike could then find no mo that he thought worth the carrying. Those that came after, were by occasion that after this was giuen to the King of Babylon to send in his forces againe: at which time hee tooke those thence that now we speake of. So first the occasion: then, of this effect that came thereon. The occasion was, that many of the greater and meaner sort, who for feare of the Babylonians had fled the Land, and so remained in other 2 King. 25: 2…-24. Ier. 40: 1-43: 7.Countries, till the hoast of the Babylonians was gone home, now began to come in againe, and to behaue themselues very disorderly and seditiously too: first Treacherously killing the Gouernour and his adhaerents whom the King had left on behalfe of those that yet remained; then, dissembling first that they would bee ruled by God, if it were sure that he would hauehave them there to tarry, when they vnderstoode that so he would, vtterly refusing so to doe, going downe into Egypt themselues, and forcibly taking downe with them, the Prophet Ieremy and Baru… his attendant withall. This occasion being giuen, the king of Babel sent in his forces again (it is not particulatly so recorded in the Text, but so to be gathered, because of that which now was doone, and because it is plainely set downe, that Nebuzar-adan his chiefe Steward was there about it) in the three and twentith yeare of his raigne, and then tooke Ier. 52: 30.thence seauen hundred and fiue and forty persons. These they are that were taken captiue to Babylon, on whom the Story now following doth treat: all of them beeing new no moe, but onelyonly foure thousand and sixe hundred. But whereas nowe wee vnderstand of another sort of them gone downe into Aegipt, and that they are none of this company, it shall be good that first we consider of them: and then come to the Story of those that are gone to Babylon. In their Story that are gone into Aegipt, first it is good that we note the effect of the whole: then, that we consider of one particular more specially. The effect of the whole is, that they continued in Ier. 43: 8-44: 30.their wonted sinnes; and would in no wise bee by the Prophet reformed: and that God thereuppon, by that his Prophet denounced vntounto them, that the King of Babylon should come thyther also, and that none of them should euer returne to theyr Land againe, but one way or other perrish there in the Land of Aegipt. That one particular which is good to bee marked besides, is, that they also had a Queene of Ier▪ 7: 8. 44: 15-19. Ier. 44: 25, 26Heauen, whom they would worship as before they were wont, whosoeuer sayd nay: & that the Lords iudgment vponupon them for the same, was, that his name should not be called vponupon thence-forth by any of them; belike to teach them and vsus too, that those two neuer stand together.
2 Hauing thus found, that they were onelyonly those that went to Babylon, on whom the Story hence-forward goeth, and beeing now to see what was their estate in that their subiection, wee are first to consider of their captiuity: then, in what case they afterward stood, vntill the comming of Iesus Christ. Their Captiuity was to reach out vntounto the space of threescore and ten yeares, from the first beginning of it, vntounto their deliuerance againe: which is by diuers diuersly reckoned, because there were captiues taken from Hierusalem, at diuers seueral and sundry times, as the Story it selfe declareth; but the oddes that is betwixt them, is not great, nor to the substance of the thing it selfe much materiall. As when the day doth first breake in the morning, or close vp at night, or in a Sunne-dyall the Sunne entereth into any houre, or doth first leaue it againe, it is hard for any, though neuer so attentiuely marking, so to set downe the very moment or instant of it, but that others attentiuely marking too, may be notwithstanding of other iudgement. As touching their Captiuity in Babylon, because it was finished by their deliuerance thence; therefore it shall not be amisse, that we couple these two together: first considering of their Captiuity it selfe; then of their deliuerance also. In their Captiuity it selfe we are to note two speciall thinges: one, that as it was meant a chasticement vntounto them, so may we looke to finde it none other; the other, that neuerthelesse it pleased God, some-thing to mittigate the same vntounto them, by the comforts that he gaue them therein. That as it was meant as a chasticement vntounto them, so it was indeede, wee hauehave it not set downe by any speciall Stories thereof (as, in what thinges they were hardly dealt with there) but left as plaine enough of it selfe: the Babyloniaus being now so mighty a people, and by their great successe being growne so insolent as they were, and as by the infirmity of our common Nature all men are; and beeing besides so ignorant of the truth, and of the true worshippe of God, that the Iewes, who onelyonly had the truth among them, and by it were more odious to all Idolaters whatsoeuer, must needes be odious also to them. The comforts that he gaue them therein, were some of them vnderunder the King that now raigned ouer them: others, vnderunder those that followed. VnderUnder the King that now raigned ouer them, wee read of some comfortes that they had soone after they came thyther: and some againe in the time ensuing. Soone after they came thyther, the comfortes that were giuen them were, first by raising vp some of themselues to good place among them; then by abasing those that were their enemies. Those whom hee aduanced soone after they came thither, were, Daniell, and certaine others: first praeparing them vntounto it, then bringing them to the aduancement it selfe. An order or course that is so much the rather to be of vsus obserued, for that we euer couet to be aduanced, but care not to be enable vntounto it before: that being … that pleaseth our humor well; but this beeing painefull, and therefore on all handes declined of vsus. Praepared vntounto it they were, first by the order that the King himselfe did take for them and others: but then much more, by the good course that these did more specially take. The order that the King tooke for them and others, was, that such youths of the Issue of Princes and Noble-men as now he had gotten together Dan. 1: 3-5out of the Countries that he had subdued, so many of them as were likely and towards, should hauehave an ordinary, like Noble mens Children, and bee instructed both in language of that Countrey, and in all such wisedome and learning as was meet to enable them, to be about the King himselfe, and to attend him: Among these there were foure that were taken out of Iury (whether there were, of this sort, any moe or Ibid. 6, 7.not, wee cannot tell) Daniell himselfe, and three others with him: who were Hananiah, Misaell and Azariah; but then hauing these names changed, and others giuen them. The good purpose that they did more specially hold, is first attributed Ibid. 8. Ibid. 10, 12to Daniell onelyonly; but then communicated to the others also: and so it may probably seeme, that it began of him; but then, that the others, being stirred vp by his example, did readily ioyne themselues vntounto him. As we also find by experience sometimes, that the good example of one, doth lead on others: & so may we learn, that euer it is good that some be doing; and more honorable it is, in goodnesse to be the beginners our selues, than followers of others. The purpose that they took, was, that they would rather Ibid. 8-16.fare hardly, than (euen in that their captiuity) eat of such things as God by his law had forbidden vntounto thē: which by the fauour that Daniel had with their keeper, soon after vponupon some triall they obtained. Whereby it came to passe, that as the Kings desire Ibid 17-20was to hauehave all those youths well instructed: so were those foure especially, and far exceeded al the residue therein; and Daniel besides, specially endued with the vnderstanding of visions and dreams. They being thus praepared, and the time now being neer, that God would bring them to the aduancement it selfe, first he occasioneth the King to do it: then, the King accordingly doth it. He occasioneth the King to do it, first by bringing him into some speciall want of helpe: then, by Daniell, yeelding that help vntounto him to his full eontentment. The want of helpe that he was in, was by Dan. 2: 1-12that his dreame which troubled him much, for that hee conceiued it to bee a matter of speciall importance: and yet neyther did vnderstand the meaning of it; neyther could hee call to his minde againe the Dreame it selfe. In the helpe that heerein it pleased God by Daniell to giuegive him, we are to consider of it, first as it was an help vntounto him: then, as it is instruction to vsus. As it was an helpe vntounto him, first it is set downe generally: then, more specially. Generally, Daniell dooth tell him, that Ibid. 13-45whereas hee was reuoluing or casting in his minde, what shoulde bee after him: it pleased GOD, by that great Image to repraesent the same vntounto him; it bearing a resemblaunce, both of that mighty State of his then, and of such as (for a good time) should afterward follow. That which hee did impart vntounto him more specially, was, eyther to shewe the manner of those States while they stood: or else as touching the abolishing of them. While they were to stand, he noteth two things: one, that they were terrible all; the other, that still they declined to bee baser and baser. And true it is, that all such Empyres lightly are greeuous to the people ouer Ibid 31-43.whom they are; and the longer they doe enioy them in peace, the more doe they euer growe vppon them, and euer deuise occasions to hauke them in, more and more: and that such as succeede in the roome of the former, as in time they followe the others, so are they often the baser also. In that which hee speaketh more specially of the abolishing of those States, hee noteth two thinges: one, that they should bee abolished; the other, that it should bee by a mightier State than any of those. As it is instruction to vsus, to our great comfort we may conceiue, that Ibid, 44, 45as those mighty earthly powers were abolished by the comming of Christ, when neuerthelesse he came then but in great weaknesse, in comparison; so will all other such like, and the whole power of the World whatsoeuer, much rather giuegive place, as hauing no power at all to stand then, when hee shall againe come in power and glory: and that the power and glory of the World beeing swallowed vp in the power and glory of the kingdome of Iesus Christ, so many as are in Christ hauehave no losse but gaine thereby. The King being thus far occasioned, was very greatly affected thereat, Ibid. 46-49and did much aduance not onelyonly Daniell himselfe: but, at his request, those three fellowes also of his besides: not to be doubted, but to the speciall good comfort and helpe of all the residue of that Nation; but of those that were there already, and of those that shortly after were brought vntounto them.
3 In the Story of those their enemies that were about this time abased, first wee hauehave the occasion thereof deliuered vntounto vsus: then, how they were thereon abased. In that which was the occasion of it, we hauehave some part of it plainely recorded: some other againe, that is but implyed. That which is plainly recorded, was the setting vp of that rich & glorious Image: and, that so straight commandement was giuen, that Dan. 3: 1-7all sorts of people there, at once, should, at a signe giuen, al together fall downe and worship it. That which is not so plainly set downe, but yet may seeme to be plainely implied, is wherupon, or for what cause, this Image may seem to be erected: which may well seeme to be, in truth to ouerthrow the most of those that were now aduaunced; and yet as on a needfull pollicy on behalfe of the State. That their intent might well be, to ouerthrow or vndermine the most of those that were so aduanced, it may seem, Ibid. 8-12because they did so readily accuse them; as conceiuing before, that because theyr Law did so plainely forbid the worshipping of Images, and these were men of so speciall reckoning for their regard vntounto the Law, therefore they were likely enough to catch them hereby: and the experience of all ages teacheth, that great men that ly at receit of Courtly paeferments, can hardly brooke it that strangers should be praeferred before them; especially such as these, being of so base a reckoning as these were now with them, being in captiuity vntounto the. That they did not then accuse Daniell too (for we may well hope, that he also did not worship, though in their accusation they make no mention of him) it may well be, that they did but that in pollicy onelyonly: as fearing that his authority and credit was so great with the King, as that so they might hauehave marred all, if they had taken him in with the rest. Those that were abased heereby, were of two sorts also: some, of whom we hauehave such matter plainly recorded; others of whom it is againe but onelyonly implyed. Those of whom wee hauehave such matter plainely recorded, are all the company generally: and one aboue others more specially. All the company generally had no small abasing in this, that that their new and glorious God, and their worshipping of him, yea and that whole solemnity it selfe, was by those three Seruants of God so much crossed, yea and by God himselfe (in so miraculous defense of his Seruaunts) so plainely disgraced. More specially, the King himselfe, who now in this did make himselfe theyr Enemy too, and was accordingly dealt withall for it: first while he persisted in that course wherein yet he was; then, in that he was forced in the end to yeeld. While hee persisted in the course wherein yet hee was, hee fustayned a kinde of abasing first in his owne person: then, in certaine to him appertayning. In his owne person hee was so farre abased Ibid. 13-18based in it, that notwithstanding his greeuous expostulation with them for that they had not already worshipped, as hee had commaunded; and his second charge that now they should doe it, or other-wise incurre euen the vtter-most of his most grieuous displeasure: yet notwithstanding, for all his owne greatnesse, and that all the others did readily obey him generally, hee nothing at all praeuayled with any of them. Those that did appertaine vntounto him, were of the most valiant in all his Army, and had the charge to bind them, and to cast them into that fiery Furnace which was for that purpose prouided: which when they accordingly did, they were slaine with Ibid. 19-23the fire whereinto they did cast those others; and so, whether they were of his Captains or Souldiers, the King did leese them. But whereas these Seruants of God were not burnt, and had no hurt at all by the execution of that terryble sentence of the King against them, it so wrought with the King, that God had thus myraculously Ibid. 24-30deliuered those his Seruants, that he not onelyonly now gaue glory to God, and made it death for any to speake any blasphemy against him, for that none other could so deliuer as hee now had doone: but now also, did specially aduaunce those whom hee had condemned before. In the time that …ed in the raigne of this King, one other story there is, out of which there might …se much good comfort to the people of God, and most likely it is, that so there did: namely, that great and rare ab…sing of the King himselfe, which befell him towards the end of his raigne, and as it seemeth, in the last ten yeares thereof, which also continued the space of seauen Dan. … 33. 4: 1 Termel … Brough… an. 344….yeares together. For in that the King himselfe was so abased, it is most likely, that such people as were in captiuity vnderunder him, had the more ease thereby: and comfort withall to see how God reuenged their cause vponupon him: and whereas God foreshewed that vntounto him before, by a dreame that he sent him, and none could expound the same vntounto him but Daniell onelyonly, of all those peoples that were in captiuity none more likely than Dauiels people to hauehave such fauour as that would yeeld. Those other Kinges that followed, in this mighty State that now we speake of, during the time of their captiuity (such as are by vndoubted authority noted vntounto vsus) were two: Euilmerodak; and Baltasar: Euilmerodak succeeding Nebucadnezzar his Father, so soone 2 King. 25: 27. 30. Ier. 52: 31-34as he came to the Kingdome, discharged Iehoi…hin or I…honias out of prison; took him to his owne Table and aduanced his Throne aboue the Thrones of all the Kings that were with him there: a matter that could not bee but to the comfort and case of that people, when as their King was in that reputation with that mighty Monarch vnderunder whom they were. In Balthasars time we hauehave some, while yet he had longer time to gouerne: and one immediatly before he was to leese both his Kingdome and life together, Those that we hauehave while yet he had some longer time to gouern, are two: one, in the first; the other, in the third years of his raign. In the first year of his raign was that vision that Daniel had imparted to him, as touching the great troubles which Dan. 7: 1-28after their deliuerance out of captiuity should befall them, and he vppon them a long time after; and which Daniell did likewise declare to the people: by the which they were giuen to vnderstand, that when their Captiuity should be ended yet should not their afflictions and exercises thereupon cease; but then withall, both that such as did molest them should be remembred, and that a King or deliueret should be giuen vntounto thē, who should be most mighty, and whose kingdom should endure for euer. In the Dan. 8: 1-27third yeare of it, was that other vision of the ouerthrow of the Persian state: & how deeply the people of God should be exercised by the Gracian succeeding: especially, by an vngracious Imp in the latter part of it. And the comfort they had in this, was, that it pleased God so familiarly to deale with one of themselues: and that by him, both they were fore-warned of those their troubles; and were assured withall, that God would be auenged on those that should so trouble them. That one that went immediatly before he was to leese his kingdome & life together, was that hand-writing Dan. 5: 1-29seene on the wall, that made the King and all his company astonied at it, euen in the midst of that great feasting of theirs, whereby the imminent ruine of that praesent State was denounced vntounto them: and none but Daniel was able to expound that same vntounto them; for which likewise he was then rewarded with speciall honor. Both which in all reason must make that little time of their captiuity much more easie vntounto them, than otherwise it was likely to hauehave done.
4 The time of their Captiuity being now in a manner expired, the end of Balthasars 2 Chr. 36: 22, 22. Dan. 5: 30, 31 Esr 1: 1-4.raigne closing vp the time of the Babylonian State, and almost the full tearme of the seauenty yeares of their Captiuity, we are to consider, in what sort it pleased God to woorke their deliuerance, so that hauing accomplished the time of theyr Captiuity, they might returne to theyr Countrey againe. To that end it pleased God, first to make a way vntounto it: then, to performe the thing it selfe. To make a way vntounto it, hee would first abolish the State that then stood: and then set vppe another in steede thereof. The State that then stood, was that mighty State of Babylon, as wee hauehave seene already: and for it, wee may doe well to consider, not onelyonly that it was remooued, but some pointes also of the manner of it. In that it was remooued, they hauing before made such hauocke of the people of God as they had, and yet holding them in subiection: wee also may hauehave good hope to see this Babylon of ours, which hath so imbrewed it selfe in the blood of Gods Seruaunts, and yet keepeth many of them Captiue still, in his good time to be remoued, that his people may againe returne; and not onelyonly the maine body of it, but the seuerall armes and braunches withall, that, according to their power, doe yet keepe some of the people of God in captiuity, as Princes their Subiects, Parents their Children, Maisters their Seruants, and Land-Lordes their Tenants. That with vsus also, eueryevery depth bee filled vp, eueryevery height brought low, all crooked and intricate turnings bee made straight, Isa. 40: 3-….and all rough wayes bee made very plaine, that the people may hauehave so ready a way to returne, that it may be euident to all, that GOD doth now deliuer his people, to his glory: and that though the power or glory of some of them in particular Ibid. 6-8may yet bee great; yet that it shall soone shew it selfe but as the Flower of the Fielde, euen melting away, by that breath of the LORD that nowe commeth on it. In the manner of it wee may note, that they were surprized in the middest of their iollity: and, as they were prophanely abusing those holy vessels. And so the enemies of the Gospel may be in their iollitie, set vponupon mischiefe, doubting no perrils, casting no dangers, but making merry, and accounting all their own sure enough: and yet euen then also hauehave their destruction to rush in vponupon them, when they do least feare it; and when they hauehave accounted themselues the farthest from it. In that it came vponupon them when they were profanely abusing those holy vessels, it may be a warning to so many of vsus as yet with-hold such maintenance or liuings of the Ministerie, as by right are due vntounto them, and both they and the people hauehave neede of, to Gods glory, and their owne soules health: that wee also are liable to the selfe-same iudgements; and that, if we hauehave them not nowe, there bee heauier that abide vsus hereafter. That other that he did then set vp in steed of that which thus hee abolished, was of the Medes and the Persians: the Medes being of greater reckning before, but the Persians growing to be the mightier now; and at this time both concurring, or vniting themselues together. Who when they came Isa. 13: 17 Mat. Beroald. Chr. lib. 3. cap. 6. pag. 145.in place, did indeed (not long after) giuegive the people leaue to returne, and very good helpe thereunto besides; yet not in such sort, but that first there were some difficulties, of the people of God to be deuoured: hauing certaine storie of some that befell vntounto Daniell; and of others that it seemeth many of the people beside conceaued. Those that besell vntounto Daniell, we finde to be two: one, his casting into the Lions den; the other, that their deliuerance came not so readily, but that hee was faine first to pray for it. That he was cast into the Den of Lions, is recorded before that other of his praying, and allotted to the raigne of Darius: and so it may well be, that it was soone after the Medes and Persians came to the kingdome; and that finding Daniell in speciall place then, and (it may bee) hearing of his woorth Dan. 5: 29before, the new King did now thinke good to vse him in such place of credit in his Ibid. 6: 1-3affaires also, and thought to aduance him farther too. Wherein it shall bee good to mark, how it pleased God to deale with him, that so we may be better warned as touching our selues. It pleased God so to deale with him, that first hee brought him into great danger: and then did send him great deliuerance. He was brought into that danger, nothing at all of his owne default: but altogether by certaine others. Himselfe held so good a course in all his waies, that when the great men of the Medes and Persians (belike on enuie of the great place the King had giuen him, especially, hee being but a stranger and a captiue among them) would gladly Ibid. 4, 5, 10hauehave found some fault with him, yet could they finde none at all in any of all his wayes whatsoeuer: so that they were faine to make their quarrell, and to ground their accusation vponupon the exercise of his Religion, in that as it seemeth, they had noted him diuers times, in his owne chamber, to make his supplications and prayers to God; as the godlier sort in all ages, as occasions are at any time offered, hauehave now and then vsed to doe. But vponupon this ground they went to the King, and obtained Ibid. 4-18such a decree or law to be inacted by him, as vnwitting to the King might intangle the life of Daniell: and so stifly did vrge the execution of it when they had obtained it, that Daniell was cast in the den of the Lyons, though the King himselfe would faine hauehave deliuered him. As touching which one point, that the King would hauehave deliuered him if he might (which he might not do for that the Lawes of the Medes & Persians were such, as that no decree confirmed by the King might be altered) it is good to note, that although it bee good and needfull for all states generally, that the Laws they hauehave made be well obserued: yet is it both good & needfull likewise, that there be a power reserued to dispense therewith, so oft as the letter of the Lawe may intangle, such as the Law-makers did not meane, and are not within the …quity of it; and that there is none so meete with whom … leaue that speciall power, as the King himselfe, or such as are in Soueraigne place. The deliuerance that in this case God did send him, was, that hee was extraordinarily Ibid. 19-28preserued from the mouthes of the Lions; and his aduersaries with their Children and Wiues, cast-in i… his s…e…de… belike to teach this new people, who were so lately come to the fruition of this state; what manner of God he was whome that people professed, how able and …ndf…l he was, both to preserue those that serued him, and to punnish those that opposed themselues against them; as also the king himselfe did so take it, and both warned others of it, and thenceforward accordingly esteemed of Daniell. That their deliuerance came not so readily, but that Daniel was faine to pray for it, we are first to consider, how that appeareth: then, what our selues are to gather out of it. It doth sufficiently appeare, for that the Medes and Dan. 5: 30, 31Persians were then fully possessed of Babylon, and of the whole State thereunto appertaining: and yet did it not so readily come in then, but that Daniel, though but in the selfe-same year, in great heauinesse addressed himself to prayer about it, euen with fasting Ibid. 9: 1-19Sack-cloth, and Ashes. As also it is noted by one that is praecise in calculating the time, out of Herodotus, that this their getting of Babylon, was in the spring time of the year (who likewise supposeth that Daniels Prayer was about their Feast of Passeouer: Laur. Codoman in. Annal. in an. 3603 … 3604.and setteth downe their gaining of Babylon, and their licence to depart in two seuerall yeares of the world; one, in 3603. the other in 3604.) and wee hauehave no time mentioned in the Text it selfe, of any sooner aryuall of theirs in their Countrey, but a Ezr. 3: 1-6little before the seauenth month of the yeare; as also there bee some circumstances there, that doe most import, that then they were but newly come thyther. That which out of it wee are to gather, is some part of it of that time praesent: but some part againe of the time ensuing. That which is of that time praesent, is, both that Princes (though other-wise good) are but seldome in such thinges so forward as were to be wished: and that for such thinges as God hath promised and meaneth to giuegive vsus, neuerthelesse he dooth not make such hast therein, but that hee leaueth vsus time to seeke to him for them, and occasioneth vsus so to doe. That which is of the time ensuing, is out of the answer that Daniell had on that his praier: wherein though Dan. 9: 20-27he had certaine comforts giuen, yet both those comforts were not in so plain speeches deliuered vntounto him, but that it was some-what hard▪ to vnderstand them (and so are they yet, euen to these dayes also;) and hee might (euen at the first sight) see, that much more trouble did yet abide them. Belike, a resolued course with God, for all his people; euer, in this Worlde, to bee vnderunder the crosse, that so hee may doe them the more good in the Worlde to come: and that it may neuer (lightly) bee sufficient for the Children, that their Fathers had suffered much; but that, as they also were his people, one way or other they should drink of the same cup, that so they might be partakers with them in glory. For therein we may plainely and vndoubtedly see (and yet not entering into any particulars of it, but leauing them to others, that hauehave better helpes, to be by them decided, as indeede there is great variety of mens iudgementes therein) that now this people, for whom Daniell was so carefull to hauehave them restored home againe, were not any long time after to stand or to bee a people: but that whatsoeuer promises they had of GOD, to themselues and theyr State, theyr promises and praerogatiues, were now very shortly all at an ende. In Queene Maries time, when Images came in requaest againe, and a Caruer was busily occupyed in repayring some that in King Edwardes time had beene some-what defaced, as making new Noses to such as had their former strucken off before, one espying how he was occupyed (one, that her selfe detested Idolatry, and The wife of one Prest. Acts and Monument pag. 2051. 1.belike had some knowledge, as it pleased God: for other-wise she was but a simple Woman, but ready and bold in the cause of Religion, that their date then was but short) gaue the caruer plainly to vnderstand, & in the way of ascoffe, as that case required, that hee was very fondly occupied, in making new Noses to those, that shortly after should loose their heads. The matter that now we hauehave in hand is of much greater importance: but that taunt of the woman, may some-thing open a readier way to the vnderstanding of this matter also. For Daniell, wee may plainely see, by the earnestnesse of his prayer, that hee was very carefull for them, and by the occasion hee tooke vntounto it, that it was for that distressed people, and for the desolation of the Citty that had so notable promises, and neuerthelesse was so desolate nowe; wishing now returne to the people, and the building againe of Hierusalem: and so goeth it directly vntounto the matter, that GOD dooth giuegive him to vnderstand, that the people and Citty for whom hee was so carefull, were not such as hee s…ed thereby to conceiue them to bee; but that for theyr great vnthankefulnesse, when GOD shortly after should performe the rest of his promised fauours vntounto them, should come to a finall and pittyfull end. To which ende also it is not amisse to marke, that it is not deliuered vntounto him, as to goe and wame the people thereof, least those heauy iudgements come vponupon them: but a thing already determined and impatred to him as a secret, and for the speciall fauour that God did beare him. The order the Angel obserueth therein, is first that he doth it but generally: only shewing, that then there was but a short time wherein God would dispatch whatsoeuer Ibid. 23. Ibid. 24.he had to do with them, & not seeming to talke of years but of weekes, so to note the time to be short, but yet that God would afford them the time that he spake of in very good measure. Then more specially, that although they now returned, yet Ibid 25.would it bee long before they should attaine to hauehave any good estate among them: and that when they had attayned thereto, yet shoulde they hauehave many troubles Ibid. 26.withall; and when it had so stood but a short time to speake of, then should it suddainely, and, as it were, in a moment rush downe at once, neuer to bee set vp or repaired Ibid. 27.againe. That there were other difficulties also, which it seemeth, were conceiued of the people, may probably bee gathered, for that by the Story of Ester following, where we hauehave mention of so many of the Iewes there remayning still, when neuerthelesse they had free leaue to returne: they belike seeing some reason to moue them, not to be so forward yet, and thereupon staying behinde as they did. It may well be, and is most likely, that for most of them it was no more but worldly respects that did so stay them: but it may likewise be, for many of them, that they saw (as they thought) iust cause to doubt, that it was no wisedome yet to be doing.
5 To performe the thing it selfe vntounto them, it pleased him so to worke in the heartes of those to whom it appertayned, that soone after it was effected. Those to whom it appertained, were first those that were in Babylon, to whom as yet they were in subiection: then the Iewes or people of God that were now to be deliuered. Those that were in Babylon, to whom the people were yet in subiection, were first (as their Story in this, doth occasion vsus to consider) King Cyrus himselfe: then, certain of his people besides. Betwixt these the matter proceeded, as it were by two degrees: and so are we to consider what was done, first in the former; then also, in the latter of them. In the former of them King Cyrus himselfe, soone after that hee 2 Chr. 36: 22, 23. Ezr. 1: 1-4. 2 Esdr. 2: 1-7came to the Crowne, by open Proclamation first acknowledging the goodnesse of God towardes him, and the charge that hee had giuen him to build him an House in Hierusalem: both giueth free liberty to the Iewes to returne (so many as would) there to build the House of the Lorde; and besides willeth his owne people among whom they dwelt, to be helping vntounto them. That which heereuppon was done by the people of God, was, that the chiefe Fathers, and the Priestes and Leuites, together Ezr. 1: 5. 1 Esdr. 2: 8with all such of the people, as whose spirite God had mooued thereunto, assembled themselues together to make theyr returne, according to the licence or leaue that now was giuen them. This mercy hath God in this praesent age, vouchsafed likewise to many of vsus, that we may return (to the free professiō of the truth in Christ) againe if we will: and so ought wee to addresse our selues againe to returne: as also those doe, in some kinde of measure, to whom it hath pleased GOD to vouchsafe them such mercy, as effectually to mooue their hearts vntounto it. In the latter of them we may see the readynesse of the Iewes heerein to be well required, and encouraged withall to proceede: first by the people among whom they dwelt; then also, by king Cyrus himselfe. The people among whom they dwelt, bestowed liberally vppon Ezr 1: 6 1 Esdr. 2: 9them towardes their iourney: and, as it seemeth, sent with them besides; a free-will offering, towardes the woorke that they had in hand, the rearing vp of that Temple to God. A speciall good token of the fauour and goodnesse of God towards them, that so did frame the hearts of their enemies, to bee helping so well to themselues and their businesse: whereas wee are but seldome able, to obtaine the like of out friendes, that are of the same profession with vsus. King Cyrus himselfe did likewise bring forth and deliuer vntounto them, all the rich Plate at the Temple of God at Hierusalem, Ezr. 1: 9-11 1 Esd 2: 10-15which Nebucadnezzer had taken thence long before, which hee also and the other Kings that followed had hitherto kept and vsed as their owne; euen fiue thousand and foure hundred parcels of them (wee hauehave else-where set downe threescore 1 Esdr 2: 14. 1 King 3: 13. 7▪ 48. 50. 2 King 25: 15, 16.and nine moe) massie and faire, beeing such, we may conceiue, so nere as they could, as Salomon had made to the vse of the Temple, and he made them in his great abundance, in the glory, and to the glory of that great and glorious Kingdome of his) and all of them eyther of Gold or of Siluer. Which Story is, as it seemeth to me, of very rare and speciall note, first if wee looke no farther but onelyonly vntounto Cyrus therein: but then especially, if in it we cast our eyes vntounto God. If wee looke but vntounto Cyrus therein, soone may we finde, that as he was but a naturall man, hee might easily conceiue, that as the case now stood with him, hee had more reason still to keepe them, than so to part with them. For himselfe neuer tooke them thence; but one of his praedecessors long before: and he might easily come to the knowledge of this, that for the sinne of the people God had giuen them, and all that they had into his hands; Ier. 20: 4, 5. 27: 1-7. 40: 2, 3so that hee was but Gods executioner therein, and that in duty hee was to doe him that seruice, and might lawfully take, to his owne vse, all the spoile of them. Being also so rich a booty as they were, so faire an ornament vntounto his State, and so needfull an helpe (if neede should bee) to further his warres, there was sufficient ground or warrant, for a naturall man, still to hauehave kept them: and no way at all, to escape the note of vnaduised dealing, withall his States-men that were about him, so easily to part with such a booty, so arising or comming as that did to him. Againe, if himselfe were disposed there-with to furnish the Temple of God at Hierusalem, yet what neede he to bee so forward when yet there was no Temple builded, nor yet in building: and, though it were builded, and the same very stately too, and were magnificent; yet that euen the best wisedome of naturall men, and such as are but meere Politicians, might easily resolue, that halfe of those parcels, or a much lesse part, might easily serue them. Whereunto, if such as might seeme to hauehave a care of Religion, and of the aduancement of it, as much as any, shoulde put in their vie, that Religion needed not those earthly ornaments, and that they might make the teachers of it to forget themselus, or to degenerate, in what perplexity might we conceiue this King would hauehave beene, if hee had beene any thing doubtfull before? But hee was resolute, and heroicall too: and accordingly carryed himselfe in all that action. God, indeede, had made him great; and that he confesseth: but wee vnderstand of no farther charge that he had for this matter (at least, that himselfe doth take with) but only that he was to build him a Temple in Hierusalem. So it may be, he needed not at all to goe any farther: and seeing there was not such vse of those thinges yet, hee had no great cause so soone to hauehave sent them. If in it we cast our eyes vntounto God, 2 Chr. 36: 1. Ezr. 1: 1▪ Esdr. 2: 2. Esa. 44: …8seeing that this doing of Cyrus is so much ascribed vntounto the Lord as it is, out of it we may gather, that it was of the Lord, that howsoeuer God before had giuen the people themselues, and those holy implements, vntounto those Monarkes of Babylon; yet now he would hauehave all returned home againe, not onelyonly the people themselues, but those holy vessels withall; and that God did not direct Cyrus now, seeing they had so long had them, therefore to keepe them still; much lesse, to make some part to serue them. When the Spirite of God doth in such case mooue any of vsus, then be we sure, that all such thinges must euer bee carried in more honourable manner, and much more agreeably to the rule of aequity, than otherwise our selues should thinke that we needed to doe. Our selues hauehave had, and yet hauehave, in this our age ours, a case much like. Monasteries and Chanteries had gotten away, almost all those holy Vessels, from most of our Churches, all Christendome ouer; and namely, in this Land of ou…: I meane; that ancient, due, and needfull maintenance vntounto the Ministery; such as God himselfe appointed to his people of old. The sinnes of the people had (no doubt) so first deserued: and so did God in his iust iudgements, then giuegive them to others. But when those houses had filled the measure of their sinne also, then did God strengthen the lawfull Magistrate, of long time vnable to deale with them before, to looke into their doinges, and to with-draw from them againe, what God was content they enioyed before, and to that time held▪ to the iust chasticement of vsus his people▪ and they; according as God hath enabled them, hauehave with-drawn those thinges from them indeede. But whereas Cyrus did not onelyonly be…ue those Babylonians of them, but forth-with sent them away to Hierusalem, heerein most of the Princes of Christendome hauehave not yet attained vntounto the pitch of his example. In this Realme of ours it pleased God to raise vp a notable Cyrus for the first part of it with great power, and terrour to them all, hee wrested them out of the handes of those Babylonians of ours; but then, the Nobility and Commons thinking good to bestow them on him, to the vse of the whole, he also thought good so to take them. Wherein if in his own conscience he had found he had done amisse, or at least not so well as he might hauehave done, to the glory of God & good of the people, he had time enough after to hauehave bettered his course therein. His son succeeded; but vnderunder age: yet in those tender years of singular hope. But those that sat at the sterne then, seemed to hauehave taken (for diuers of thē) such sweetnes in those they had gotten before, that they seemed rather to cast in their heads how to get mo, than how to returne those againe that once they had gotten. This held but a while; God himselfe soone taking away the ground that they stood on, when they did make it so to serue them: and it may be, that euen it was as great a cause as any other, that so soone we lost so great a comfort. Of that line we had another then next following, who made towardes it maruelous well; elder in yeares, but latter by sex: such a Princesse, as excepting but two things onelyonly, all true subiects might to their comfort hauehave well enioyed. But euen in those also she might be held somewhat excused: being, as she was, brought vp in the one; and neere allied vntounto the other. But for the matter we speake of, shee readily gaue so good an example in her kinde, that I know not yet to be matched by any, and may prooue to to be a condemnation to many. Since that wee had another of the same, a very rare Iewell indeede, whom also it pleased God to blesse (for aboue his endowments of her, though those also were very great) with long continuance and great successe: but then were wee so farre from going forward with that good worke to our hands begun, that euen then it was brought cleane backe againe; and a way left open to many (that would) to proceede farther therein, so oft as such opportunity should bee offered, as themselues thought good to worke by. So it hath pleased God to make an end of that line, and …w hath begun on another next vntounto it: and God eueryevery blesse the purpose it selfe, with the instruments and meanes whereby it pleaseth him to worke. Otherwise notable Princes no doubt wee may hauehave; furnished also with men of great depth for wisedome and learning: and yet our sinnes may iustly deserue, that this example of Cyrus be nothing neere followed of them; nor so much as found by many of them, that it were to be followed.
6 That which the Iewes heereupon did, was, that as before they were setting in hand with their iourney: so now, being better holpen and encouraged vntounto it, than in likelihood might be expected, they do more readily betake themselues vntounto it. And so they returned, to the number of two and forty thousand, three hundred and threescore persons: then also hauing among them, of men-seruants and Ezr. 2: 1-64 1 Esdr. 5: 7-41 Ezr. 2: 65 1 Esdr. 5: 42maid-seruants, seauen thousand, three hundred, thirty and seauen. At which time it seemeth they brought cattle with them also to stocke their grounds, both great and small, because the King had willed his people to help them with cattle; and we read that the people so did: but we hauehave no Story but of such as were for burthen. But of such sortes we read, that they had Horses, seauen hundred, sixe and thirty; Ezr. 2: 66, 67 1 Esdr. 5: 43Mules, two hundred forty fiue; Camels, foure hundred, thirty and fiue; Asses, sixe thousand, seauen hundred and twenty. There is in these places of Esdras alleadged some little oddes in the numbers recited: but these are to be ouer-ruled by the other. As for the other, that Darius sent those forces with them to safe conduct 1 Esdr. 5: 1-3them home, and sent them in so fauorable & comfortable manner with instruments of Musicke, not as captiues, but as beloued and speciall friends, as vntounto a wedding because there is nothing against it, & is not (in the nature of it) a thing vnlikely, we may probably conceiue, that so it might be indeed. But sure it is, that their tearme being now expired, Babylon was no longer-able to keepe them: they might with good will part with them, as cheap as with ill. Part with them they must, whether they would or not. And then as Laban at least praetended, that he would hauehave Gen. 31. 27sent Iacob home with melody also, had hee made him priuy to his departure: so it may bee that these now did, when they sawe they could keepe them no longer. Which if wee marke wee may finde to bee verryfied in these dayes also: first, in that that nowe they returned, very plainely; then partly likewise, in that manner of it. For as it could not be withstood then, but that they returned, when the time was come that God had appointed: so doe we see it now in these dayes of the Gospell, that whereas wee hauehave long beene in captiuity vnderunder the power of darknesse, spreading it selfe vppon vsus, from the corrupt and decayed estate of the Church of Rome, not seauenty yeares onelyonly, but euen seauenty times seuen yeares, and those in iust and full measure (for, for the space of fiue hundred yeares, now not long since accomplished, they hauehave in a manner taken their pleasure all Christendome ouer, though neuerthelesse at no time to speake of, at least in no age withour resistance) our returne vntounto the truth of the Gospell againe is already begun, and dayly enlarged, yea and comfortably aduaunced too. Daniell and his three Dan. …: 18. 49. 3: 29, 30. Dan. 4: 26-30fellowes were highly aduanced in that estate of Babylon before; Nabuchad-nezzar himselfe abased towards the end of his raigne, for seauen yeares together; Iehoiachin or Iechoniah (the captiue King of the Iewes) let out of prison by Euil merodak, 2 King. 25: 27-30.and in speciall great fauour with him; and Daniell againe, in the raigne of Balthasar was in that reckoning, that hee was vouchsafed the pallace of Susan, and there imployed in the Kings businesie: and yet none of these, nor altogether, by any force or fauour they had, could at any time worke their deliuerance before. But now, when the appointed time was come, it was not those mighty Monarks of Babilon, that were able to keep them; nor able so much as to help themselues neither: they were from heauen proclaimed before, to be but grasse, and the glory of them, to be Isa. 40: 6-8but as the flower of the field; and no more able, in all their power, in that day to stand, that God in his secret purpose appointed for them, than the flower against a sharp nipping winde. Wee also hauehave had, all Christendome ouer, at times, here and there, and namely in this land of ours, many notable Princes, godly and great learned men, who a man might thinke, had been able, long before this to hauehave deliuered themselues and their people, from that Babilonish captiuity of theirs wherin they were; as also attempts sometimes hauehave beene made: but the time was not then come, and so they could not; and so were they faine to lye downe againe vnderunder the Altar, and patiently to await, till the number of their brethren were accomplished Reuel. 6: 9-11with them. In these dayes of ours, God hath so well begun our deliuerance already, that thereby we may probably conceiue, that now hee doth meane to goe forward with it, and not to breake of till he hauehave done it. Himselfe hath told vsus, that after those euill and heauy dayes, when the Sun should bee darkned, and the Mat. 24: …9. 31.Moone loose her light, and that there should be of the starres th… should fall from heauen (all which thinges are plainely done, in that power of darknesse that late raigned ouer vsus) he would then send his Angels (which also may be his seruants in the Ministerie of the word) with a great sound of a trump (and the Gospell is nowe in great measure deliuered vntounto vsus) to gather together his elect from where they were scattered vnderunder the Heauen. Saint Paul doeth tell vsus, that the second comming of Christ should not be, till there were a departing first; and, that it should be 2 Thes. 2: 3, 4; 8.in the Temple or Church of God: but then that hee by whom it should come, should be reuealed, and consumed with the spirit of his mouth, or, as it is commonly tearmed, by the preaching of the Gospell. In the Reuelation it is plaine (besides many things else concurting therewith) that the illuminating or lightning of the earth going Apoc. 18: 1, 2before, the vtter ruin or fall of Babylon followeth immediately after. Which course also seeing himselfe hath hitherto held, we may well hope, that he will not vary now. When hee did set in hand with the deliuerance of his people out of their bondage in Egypt, after that once he began to do it, and did not leaue of till hee had done it. Moses did seeme to make towardes it before, conceiuing his bretheren Exod. 2: 11 Act. 7: 23-26would hauehave vnderstoode, that God by his handes would giuegive them deliuerance; and thereupon (it seemeth) left the Court, and offered himselfe so farre to his bretheren as then he did: but God would not that way do it, nor at that time neyther; and so it did not prosper with him. The Egyptians also, when once they were gone, and before they got out of their Dominions, when as likewise (as the case stoode then) it seemed to bee a most easie matter to get them againe, made after them a-pace with maine force, and endeuoured the best that they could, to bring them backe vntounto their former bondage: but they had had their time of them before, and they had vsed them then as themselues thought good; and neuer might they looke to hauehave them againe. Themselues they might ouerthrow in the Sea; and so they did: but they must bid the people of God a due for euer. The Babylonians did not vse (that wee reade of) so hard measure towards their captiues the Iewes: but God indeede changed the suit, and set others in their roomes. Had they stoode: yet the date of the Iewes was out; and were not there to bee kept any longer. Our Babylonians are of a stiffer kinde: still would they keepe such as they hauehave; and get againe those that are gon. They make after a-pace, so oft as they may; and mightily threaten, as though whatsoeuer they would, they could: but wee know, that the Sea of their power is ebbing already; so that flash in they may, but then must those waues of theirs suck-up, and euer sink-in, or settle downward more and more. While they were to bee flowing, there was no power to hold them out, but that needes they must come to their heigth: they are to ebbe now; and there is no power can keepe them in, but that needs they must hence away to their depth.