Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 17 (2 of 3)

Of the Head Cornerstone · Chapter 17 (2 of 3)

p. 4456 As touching those two others that were offensiue to God, the former of them Araigned some reasonable time: the latter was very soone cut off. He that raigned some Iehoram.reasonable time, was Iehoram, the Sonne of Iehoshaphat: a very bad one; and yet raigning eight yeares. That he was so bad, though he were therein very vnlike to his B1 King. 22: 50 2 Kin 8: 16. 17 2 Chr. 21: 1, 5, 20.1 Kgs 22:502 Kgs 8:162 Kgs 8:172 Chr 21:12 Chr 21:52 Chr 21:20Father: yet may his Father iustly be accounted to bee in fault for much of his naughtinesse, for marrying him into so naughty a stocke as he did. His Story dooth fitly deuide it selfe into two principall partes: first, how he offended; then, how hee was punished or chasticed for it. His offence was most part of it in corruption of Religion: but some part of it in tyranny also. That part of it that was in corruption of religion, was, first (but generally) that he did euill in the sight of the Lord, not therein 2 King 1: 18 2 Chr. 21: 6 Ibid. & 13.2 Kgs 1:182 Chr 21:6shewing any particular wherein he did so ill: but then more specially he is noted, that hauing Ahabs Daughter to Wife, hee walked in the waies of the Kinges of Israell, euen as did the house of Ahab; and, not so content, made high-places in the Mountaines 2 Chr. 21: 11, 13.2 Chr 21:112 Chr 21:13of Iudah, and compelled the Inhabitants of Ierusalem and all Iudah there to worship. That other part which was in tyranny, was, that whereas he had many bretheren besides, the Sonnes of Iehoshaphat as well as himselfe, which also were better Ibid. 2-4. 13than he; whom his Father while yet he liued, had honorably and richly placed in certaine strong Citties of Iudah, but giuing the kingdome onelyonly to him as being his eldest: after that he had made himselfe strong, or established himselfe in his kingdom, then did hee destroy both those his brethren, and many of the Princes of Iudah besides. His punishment or chasticement that ensued thereon, was not great in comparison, and mingled much with gracious lenity. For though he had now iustly deserued to be cut off also, yet seeing he had slaine all his Bretheren, so that himselfe onelyonly was Ibid. 7.left of that line, and God had promised long before, that hee would not vtterly destroy the House of Dauid: therefore God would not now destroy him also, but spared him because of the couenant that he had made with Dauid before. Yet both at this praesent he laide some chasticement on him: and did likewise threaten him more. The chasticement that now he laid vponupon him, was yet but in such as were in subiection vntounto him: and those were, the Edomites yet; and his owne people besides. The chasticement that hee had in the Edomites, was, that now they rebelled: and yet it 2 kin 8: 20-22 2 chr. 21. 8-10 2 King. 8: 22 2 Chr. 21: 10 2 Chr. 21: 202 Kgs 8:222 Chr 21:102 Chr 21:20pleased God to giuegive him a good reuenge on them; though thereby he did not bring them backe to their allegiance again. In his owne people the chasticement that God did lay on him, was, first by one Citty, Libnah, in the borders of his kingdom, which now also rebelled against him: then, by all the people generally, that they had no liking of him, and so no desire to enioy him. That which hee threatned farther vntounto him, was afterward likewise performed. Threatened or denounced it was vntounto him, in so rare and strange manner, that some force hath bin offered to the Text it selfe, to Cmake the matter to accord to the time. For he was thus threatned, or had those iudgments denounced vntounto him from the Lorde himselfe, by the ministery of Elias, by a writing or letter that came from him to Iehoram the King: and yet notwithstanding, Elias was taken vp a good while before. Hereupon some hauehave conceiued, that Elias Lyr. et Hebr…i. Fra. Vatabl. Bibl. Angl. Conr. Pellic. Pet. Martyr.Heb 1wrote it after his taking vp: others, that the name is mistaken, Elias put in for Eliseus, or that such should be the meaning of it. A third opinion there is, which in my iudgment is much the likelier, & noted by diuers: but it seemeth strange, that it shold be but thought on onelyonly & not commended, or noted as the likeliest of them; but so to be lest at large as they are. For there is no quaestion, but that Elias, by the Spirite that was in him, might fore-see that, as well as hee did many other thinges besides: and to great purpose it was (to make it so much the plainer to all, that his Ministery was of God) that hee should set it downe while he was on earth among them, to bee deliuered vntounto the King, what time hee should hauehave doone those thinges that the Prophet had there fore-shewed that hee should doe; so, by fore-shewing those his base imployments, the more to assure him of those iudgement also. And seeing the Scriptures doe not vse to teach vsus, to depend (for farther instruction) on Saintes departed (but Lyranus indeede, might in those dayes bee so farre distempered in that perswasion, that it may bee no maruell if hee contented him-selfe there-with) nor simply to tearme one Ptophet by the Name of another, vnlesse there bee p. 446some farther reach (as in tearming Iohn Baptist, Elias;) but one the other side, are euer carefull to leaue vntounto vsus the Ministery of the true seruants of God, in good credit, or well confirmed vntounto vsus: hence may we probably gather, first that none other way can we make so good vse thereof, as so to take it; then also, that neither of the other stand so warranted or consonant to other Scripture, as this that wee speake off. That which is denounced vntounto him in the name of the Lord, by that Ibid. 12-15.Epistle or writing that from Elias was deliuered vntounto him, was, that because himselfe did so corruptly professe, and had corrupted others so much thereby; and because of those detestable Murthers by him committed: hee also must bee roundly punnished for it, both in such as belonged vntounto him, and in his owne person too. Performed it was, first in such as belonged vntounto him: then, in his owne person also: Of such as belonged vntounto him, first the Land, it selfe and his treasure is mentioned: then certaine persons neere vntounto him. Of the Land it is saide, that the Philistims, and certaine of the Arabians (stirred vp also by God himselfe) brake into the Land Ibi. 16, 17. 22▪(and then were they like to deale accordingly with it) & of this treasure, that they tooke away with them all the Kings substance or treasure (and then were they not Dlikely to spare others:) of those that were neere vntounto him (his Sonnes and Wiues) likewise that they tooke away and slew all, sauing that they left him one onelyonly son, and the same the youngest. Of his person it is said likewise, that the Lord smote Ibid. 18, 19.him with an incurable disease in his bowels, so that after two yeares his very Guts fell out by the reason of that his disease, and so hee died by that, it seemeth, and other sore diseases ioyned therewith: and was sunke withall into so deepe dislike with his people, that wheras now they had takē vp a custome to be at the charges of much spices to be consumed, and burnt at the funerall of their Kings, now did they no such matter for him. An example not to be lightly regarded, that euen Kings can hauehave no good-will nor honour in the hearts of their subiects, but in the Lord: and that, euen they also, notwithstanding their good auncesters before, and their owne greatnesse after, if needes they will any way make themselues publique offenses to others, they may not thinke much if they be made examples to others also of some fearefull and publique reuenge.

7 He that was very soone cut off, was Ahaziah his Sonne, called also Iehoahaz, Aand Azariah; and hee raigned but one yeare: sauing that the Booke of the Ahaziah 6Chronicles doth heere againe in such sort set downe his age when hee came to the … Kin 8: 25, 26 2 Chr. 21: 17. 22: 1, 2, 6. 2 King. 8: 17 2 Chr. 22: 2 Beroald. Lyr. Pet. Mar. Bibl. Angl. Tremel. Iun. 2 King. 8: 27 3 Chr. 3, 4, 5.2 Chr 21:172 Chr 21:222 Chr 21:12 Chr 21:22 Chr 21:62 Kgs 8:172 Chr 22:22 Kgs 8:27Crowne, that out of it (to reconcile that place to another) some hauehave supposed, though not in such sense as is spoken off heere, yet in some sort that he raigned mo. In which two places, aptly to reconcile them together, is another of his difficulties that we spake of before: and yet, both before and after, reconciled by others. But as touching the substance of his Story, it is no more in effect but that he also did ill in the eies of the Lord; and was accordingly punnished for it. The euill that hee did in the eies of the Lord, was, that he walked in the waies of the house of Ahab; and there be two reasons giuen why so he did: one, that his Mother (being ill disposed her selfe) did counsell him to do wickedly; the other, that they of the house of Ahab were his Counsellers, and that he was ruled by them. One thing there is so noted of him, as seemeth to import, that he was ruled by them in that likewise: which was, that he also associated himselfe to his Vnckle Iehoram the King of Israell, in his warfare against the Syrians; the like fault that his Grand-Father Iehoshaphat Bhad made before, though he at that time escaped better than his Grand-Father did. The punnishment hee had, is first set downe but generally: but then more specially also. Generally it is noted to be his destruction: a iust end for such as follow Ibid. 4.so bad Counsellers; and not very vnmeete neither, for such as goe no farther than to hauehave such about them, though they thinke to take heede of following of them. More specially it is noted, how he came to that destruction of his: and first as it came vntounto him from aboue; then, as it came vntounto him from beneath. As it came vntounto him from aboue, it is plainely noted, that it came of God: a good warning Ibid. 7.to those that doe ill, that God casteth, in his good time, how to meete with p. 447them; & good comfort to such as are annoyed by them (as the better sort were now by his bad gouernment) that he will not faile, in time to remoue such annoyance from them. As it came to him from beneath, by the secondary causes which God had ordained, whereby to accomplish his iudgements on him, it is noted, that he came iust in the way of Iehu, and at such time as he was come to do execution on the house of Ahab (of which he was one) both himselfe and many others of his neerest kindred besides: 2 King. 9: 16, 27 10: 12-14 … Chr. 22: 7. 92 Kgs 9:162 Kgs 9:27they hauing then none other purpose, but, in the way of duty & friendship, to visit the King and his Children, on occasion that the King was now diseased by the wounds the Syrians had a little before giuen him; but so falling into the hands of Iehu, and he accordingly giuing none of them all any sparing. Neuerthelesse, because Ahaziah the King himselfe was descended of Iehoshaphat, it was thought good that 2 King. 9: 28 2 Chr. 22: 92 Kgs 9:282 Chr 22:9he should be buried, and so he was; godlines and true sincerity, beeing of that force, that such as otherwise are mortall enemies, do neuerthelesse yeeld not a little vntounto it.

8 Now the time being come, that God would giuegive a snub to the Scepter of Iudah Aand line of Dauid, or lay his hand somewhat hard on them both, so to teach the people, not to praesume in those his promises, vnlesse they better kept that part of the Couenant which appertained to them to keepe, Athaliah, the Queene-Mother, vnderstanding Athaliah. 7.her Sonne, Ahaziah, the late King, to be slaine, thereupon destroied the residue that were left of the race of Iehoshaphat, and hir-selfe inuaded and vsurped 2 King. 11: 1-3 2 Chr. 22: 10. 12.2 Kgs 11:1–32 Chr 22:102 Chr 22:12the Crowne of Iudah, and so for the space of sixe yeares raigned as Queene: and yet, as God would hauehave it, there was one little Childe of the right issue remaining, praeserued from that slaughter, and secretly kept, till it pleased God to send a fit time Bto obtaine the right to him appertaining. But as this woman was but an vsurper, and came not vntounto it but by bloud: so she did not enioy it long, and made some part of satisfaction to the bloud of others, by her own bloud also. And being an vsurper as she was, we hauehave no Story of her gouernment (belike because she was an vsurper, as not vouchsafing to attribute any gouernment vntounto her, seeing shee had no right to the place) but only of some doing of others to her appertaining: and how she was deposed againe. But though we hauehave no Story of her gouernment, yet notwithstanding, if our selues doe but a little consider what it was that now she did, we may soone perceiue that she did very ill: first interrupting a speciall ordinance of God hefore; then, that so she behaued her selfe as she did, to attaine to her owne desire therein. She interrupted a special ordinance of God before, in that she vsurped to raign there, where God before had giuen the Scepter to the Tribe of Iudah; and afterward also, of all that Tribe, peculiarly to the line of Dauid: her selfe being a meere stranger to them both. To attaine to her owne desire therein, she likewise did very ill, in that she so striued to come to that place, whereunto she had no calling at all: vtterly destroying, so nere as she could, all that were of the roial blood; herselfe hauing had a Father in law, an husband, & some issuing thereof. In those others to her appertaining we are, not onelyonly to consider, what it was that they did: but withall, who it may seeme they were that there are spoken of. That which they did, was, that they brake vp the house of 2 Chr. 24: 7.2 Chr 24:7God: & all the things that were dedicated for the house of the Lord, they did bestow vponupon Baalim, their Idols. God be thanked we hauehave not such kind of Idols among vsus now: but such we had when time was; and some we hauehave, of another kinde, in place of them yet. When we had such Idols among vsus, we also, for many of vsus, after a sort brake vp the house of God, and imploied those Church-liuings that were giuen to the maintenance of the Gospell, to the vse and maintenance of Popish Idolatry: and now that we hauehave no such Idols, we apply many of them to prophane vses, to the maintenance of our selues and ours. Who they were, that heerein are spoken of, we had neede to consider, first on behalfe of Athaliah: then on behalfe of those her Children. On behalfe of Athaliah we had need to do it, for that it seemeth the Text doth attribute no more vntounto her, but onelyonly that she was a bad woman: & not that she was Cone of those had their hands in that sacriledge; but that it was her children only. And yet most of our translations do ioyne her & her children in that action together, Vulg. edit. Lyr. Con Pellic. Fr. Vatab. Bibl. Angl. Tremel. Iun.as indeed it is (by her disposition) a thing likely enough: but others there be, that do rather ascribe it onelyonly to her Children. On the behalfe of her Children it is needefull to be considered, so to giuegive the Story thereof his due place as touching the time. p. 448For this is related, as appertaining to the time of her vsurped raigne ouer Iudah: but at that time she had no Children, those being slaine a little before by Iehu; or (which is not so likely) by her owne selfe, immediatly after that slaughter that Iehu made, and before her selfe began her vsurped raigne. And if she had others by a former Husband (but then had she not beene so meete for the marriage of a King) or if she had others by abuse of her selfe in Wedlocke (as indeede she was a bad Woman in Idolatry, and experience teacheth vsus, that our Idolaters of the Church of Rome, are, of all others among vsus, the most loose in that kinde of vice:) yet the word of God beeing so plaine as it is, that hee would vtterly roote out the posterity of Ahab, and wee hauing no Story of any slaughter of this part of them (in the Kings of Iudah, I meane) but onelyonly those two, till we come to the the slaughter of Athaliah herselfe; heereby it seemeth, that although the Story of this sacriledge bee heere remembred, yet that it belonged to a former time, as to the dayes of Iehoram or Ahaziah. But whensoeuer it was done, and whether her selfe stood cleere of it or not, the Text is plaine that done it was, and that her Children had their handes in it. As touching her deposing againe, wee are first to consider the occasion of it: then, in what manner it was performed. The occasion was, that whereas shee was a wrongfull vsurper, there was one yet remaining, to whom the Crowne did by right appertaine: wherein first wee are to consider of the Story it selfe, how that one was praeserued; then of another thing thereof arising. That one was praeserued by the High-Priests 2 King. 11: 1-3 2 Chr. 22: 10-12.2 Kgs 11:1–32 Chr 22:10–12Wife, being the Daughter of Iehoram the late King, who beeing mooued by compassion to see so many of her neere Kinsfolke slaughtered, and belike beeing by her Parentage so friended among them, that shee had good meanes to doe it, conuayed away one little Child that should hauehave beene slaine with the rest, together with his Nurse, and kept them secret sixe yeares together. That other thing that ariseth heereof, is as touching that marriage of the High-Priest: this being a plaine testimony, not onelyonly that the High-Priest was then a married man (as also they were all in a Dmanner;) but withall, that then the Priest-hood it seemeth was in that reuerence and honour, that they were accounted sufficient matches for the best sort of them. The performance of it was, that the High-Priest, in the seauenth yeare after, so acquainted 2 Kin. 11: 4-16 2 Chr 23: 1-152 Kgs 11:4–162 Chr 23:1–15certaine of the Nobles of Iudah therewith, made such prouision, and tooke such order, that on the suddaine Ioash that Childe, called also Iehoash, the rightfull heire, was proclaimed King, and Athaliah the vsurper there-withall slaine, as before shee had deserued in the slaughter of others: and hauing so doone, they altogether accomplish such thinges as did appertaine to the establishing of the King in his Kingdome, to the reioycing of all the people; and both the people on the one side destroied 2 King. 11: 17-20. 2 Chro. 23: 16-21.2 Kgs 11:17–202 Chr 23:16–21the House of Baal, together with the Priest and other things thereunto appertayning, and the High Priest tooke praesent order for the Temple and seruice of God to hauehave the same from that time forward orderly done.

9 The vsurper being thus remooued, and her Pageant beeing in this sort playde, AGod also himselfe hauing thus farre laid his admonishing hand, both vponupon the Scepter of Iudah, and Line of Dauid, wee are now to consider of the rest of their time, so long as the kingdome of Israell stood, when God of his goodnesse now restored both the Scepter of Iudah, and the Line of Dauid to the Crown among them again. But though now he eased them of this kinde of chasticement, it was not long, before they much forgot themselues againe: and so occasioned him to giuegive vntounto them that sharper warning that before we spake of, the casting off (for euer) of theyr Brethren the Children of Israell. In which compasse of time it is plaine, that once God did set them vppe againe, and as it were gaue them good footing, that so they might stand better if they would: and when they neuerthelesse in their infirmity did fall, then did he recouer them also yet once more. So are wee first to consider, how ill they kept their standing when now they were set vp: then, how they were notwithstanding againe recouered. How ill they kept theyr standing now, when they were againe set vp, that we may the better finde, we are first to consider of this their setting vp: and afterward, of their standing therein. Set vp they were, by him that nowe p. 449succeeded next, in the first part of his raigne, so long as Iehoiada the High-Priest lyued: which how long it was, or how many yeares of his raigne were spent therein, Ioash. 8.we hauehave not specified vntounto vsus. But considering that hee came to the kingdome, as we heard before, but a very Child, when he was but seauen yeare old, and for a time B2 King. 11: 21 2 Chr. 24: 12 Kgs 11:212 Chr 24:1was vnderunder the gouernment of Iehorada the High-Priest, some part of that good which in his time was done, and vntounto him is commonly attributed, is chiefely to bee ascribed (vnderunder God) to those that were his gouernors then: and yet the education that then he had, wrought so well with him, that himselfe also was well occupyed after, and so of right must hauehave part of the good that in his time was done, to himselfe ascribed. In that which is chiefely to be ascribed to his gouernors then (next, and immedialy vnderunder God) it shall not bee amisse, first to see what the same was: then, how to apply it to our selues. It was, that in all his raigne of forty yeares, we finde not any part of his better gouernment that is to be ascribed vntounto Iehoiada, but onelyonly so much as was done at the first, when first the King was brought to his Kingdome: and that which afterward is onelyonly in generall tearmes deliuered vntounto vsus. In that which was done at the first, wee hauehave noted vntounto vsus, not onelyonly what the thing it selfe was: but some effectes withall that followed thereon. The thing it selfe was, if we marke, first, to bring all againe vntounto God: then, to settle some good order among themselues. To bring all againe vntounto God, it was, that the former couenant was made betwixt the Lord on the one party, and the King and the people on the other 2 King. 11▪ 1▪ 2 Chr. 23: 1…2 Kgs 11:12 Chr 23:1party: which was, that they should thence-forward be the Lordes people. To settle good order among themselues, first they began with Soueraigne power, which was to ioyne altogether in one: and then came to Diuine Seruice, or to the publique worshippe of God. As touching Soueraigne power, it was, that the second couenant was made, that which was betwixt the King and the people (that the King 2 King. 11: 1:2 Kgs 11:1should well and orderly gouerne: and that the people should dutifully obey:) and then, that accordingly they did place him, in publique and solemne manner, in the Ibid. 19. 2 Chr. 23: 20 2 King. 11: 18 2. Chro. 23: 18, 19.2 Chr 23:202 Kgs 11:182 Chr 23:182 Chr 23:19Throne of the Kingdome. As touching Diuine Seruice, or the publique worship of God, Iehoiada tooke order likewise, that thinges should bee doone according to the Lawe of God and ordinance of Dauid: and appoinred Warders and Porters to the House of the Lorde, for the better accomplishment of diuers seruices there to be done. These effectes that wee hauehave noted withall that followed thereon, were, that the Land was quiet now, when that vsurpation was thus abolished: and, that all 2 King 11: 20 2 Chr. 23: 212 Kgs 11:202 Chr 23:21the people greatly reioyced. That which is afterward onelyonly in generall tearmes deliuered vntounto vsus, is, that all the dayes of Iehoiada, or so long as the King tooke his 2 King. 12. 2 2 Chr. 24: 2, 142 Kgs 12:22 Chr 24:22 Chr 24:14direction from him, both the King did that which was good in the sight of the Lord: Cand the publique Seruice of GOD was duly obserued. How wee may apply this Story vntounto our selues, is, for some part of it, reasonable plaine; but some other thing there is againe, that it may be, would not bee so easily espyed. That which is reasonable plaine, is, that Princes and all other Superiours doe then gouerne best, when they take theyr direction from those that are best exercised in the word of GOD, beeing withall iudicious and zealous on the behalfe of Gods glory: and on the other side, the lesse that they regard to take theyr dyrection thence, the moe errours doe they commit, and the more they bring themselues in daunger of the righteous iudgements of God. That, which it may be, would not so easily be espyed, is, that the like hath beene done of late among vsus, that was then doone among them. For as it was the High-Priest and his Wife then (the marriage of that order beeing then so tendered, that he was vouchsafed to marry in great bloud) by whom it pleased God then to praeserue the royall Seede; and, when conuenient time was come, to bring him foorth, to the vtter ruine of that wrongfull vsurpation which was gotten into the place then: so in these daies also it hath pleased God, by the Ministery, to praeserue that most roiall Seed of God, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kinges, the Scepter of Iudah and Line of Dauid, to whom onelyonly vnderunder the Father, the right of all Kingdoms do originally appertaine, & in the time that the wisdome of God had to that end appointed, to bring him forth to the vtter ruine of that Strumpet of Babylon, our late Athalia, hauing then gotten the place, and tyra…zing ouer p. 450vsus at her pleasure; especially among those, where the marriage of that sort had bin vouchsafed that regard that is due vntounto it. That which arose of Ioas himself, & out of the education that before he had, but yet notwithstanding may iustly be to him ascribed, was (that we read of) only about repairing & getting in a readines the house of the Lord to such vse as wherunto it was before ordained; and about this we find him to be occupied twice: first, giuing charge thereof to the Priests & Leuites; then after himself also dealing with it. What time he gaue charge therof to the Priests & Leuites, we hauehave not noted; but by the order of the Texte it seemeth, that it was long, before he did it; for that he had married two wiues before: but sure it is, that 2 Chr. 24: 3. 42 Chr 24:32 Chr 24:4some time or other he did it; and therein it is plain, that he had a care of the Howse of God, though, it seemeth to me, nothing so great as he ought to hauehave had, nor as some perswade themselues of him. For at this time (for ought that we reade) he 2 King. 12: 4. 5 2 Chr. 24: 5.2 Kgs 12:42 Kgs 12:52 Chr 24:5laide the burthen heereof onelyonly vponupon the Priests and Leuites: and the charges to be raised out of the purses of the people. It appertained indeed to the Priests and DLeuites, to hauehave speciall care about that businesse, and it may be there was some honour giuen them therein, at least, that so they would seem to do: but, after so great decay going before, in the dayes of Iehoram, Ahaziah, and Athalia, and after so long a pause in this King now, to lay it onelyonly on the purses of the people, and to make the Priests and Leuites to be the gatherers of it, when it might be so plainely intended, that it was their owne businesse withall, was no such course, as I do take it, as a sound and ready zeale would then hauehave vsed. And seeing it is plainly said, that afterward it came into Ioas his minde, to repaire the house of the Lorde, wee 2 Chr. 24: 42 Chr 24:4neede go no farther to gather, that there was a time, and the same a longer time to than was meete, before that he, though not Idolatrous, but in his measure well giuen, did occupy his head with that businesse. Whereby also it may well bee, that whereas it is noted, that the Leuites made no hast therein (the Priestes also beeing some part of them) they were not altogether so much in fault, as some do account Ibid. 5. & 2 King. …2: 6 Fr. Vatab. Ioā. wolph.2 Kgs 2:6them; but because it was such a kinde of businesse, as wherein they coulde preuaile but little: as in all ages we see by experience, that where Soueraigne power dooth not interpose it selfe withall, and that in good measure, there do not any other Inferiors to any purpose preuaile, though much more gracious with the people, than for the most part are such as were these. When himselfe would hauehave some dealing in it, the time is noted to be the three and twentith yeare of this King: not plainly set downe, whether it were of his age or raigne, and so left at large by the most, 2 King. 12: 62 Kgs 12:6but by some plainly set downe to be of his raigne. If it were of his age, there was Lyr. Pel. wolph Tremel Iun. Bibl. Angl. Ioseph antiq lib 9. cap. 8. F. Vatnothing done for fifteene yeares and better; if it were of his raigne, then was it seuen years longer: the shorter of them both being a great deale to long, for so needs full a worke as it, on all hands to be so slipped. The course that hee tooke when now himselfe did set in hand with it, was in effect but the same that he prescribed to them before: but in his hands it proceeded much better, than it did or could do in theirs. It was in effect but the same, because it was still to come out of the Purses of the people. But it seemeth, that now there was speciall and extraordinary cause 2 Chr. 14: 6, 92 Chr 14:62 Chr 14:9so to do: and therefore that Ioas being more willing than able to take that work in hand, leaned now to that helpe that God directed Moses vntounto, when the Tabernacle was to be erected. Wherein notwithstanding it may well bee, the King had EExo. 30: 11-16Exod 30:11–16preuailed but little neither, but that by the aduise of Iehoiada it seemeth (and Iosephus is plaine therein) hee yeelded the oblation to bee but voluntary: which also A… lib 9 cap 8may well be the cause, why both the King would not now hauehave the Priests and Leuites to be the gatherers of it, as he had appointed before; and not, as some hauehave 2 King. 12: 72 Kgs 12:7conceyued, for that he tooke them to bee faulty therein, but rather that the king himselfe did now perceiue, that he had not taken so good a course therein before. To which end also it seemeth to be so specially noted, that the Priests consented to receiue no more money of the people towards the worke of the Temple: as hauing made assay before, but finding the people so vnwilling thereto, that now with good Ibid. 8.wil they would hauehave bin deliuered of it. It proceeded much better now than it did p. 451before, for that being now made but a voluntary contribution, it is plainely noted, 2 kin. 12: 9 1… 2 chr. 24: 8-1….that both all the Princes or Heads-men of the people, and all the people themselues, did now come-in with very good-will, and gaue so well, that they were faine ofttimes to empty the Chest: and had thereby not onelyonly to repaire the building, but to furnish it againe with needefull implements, yea euen with Plate of Siluer and Gold. And yet the Text doth in one thing giuegive them good Testimony withall, that in it they did much better, than wee in such cases, by our wonted vsage, were like to do: namely, that they did not in this their neede meddle with those thinges that did properly belong to the Priests, but left them vntouched vntounto them. The worke-men 2 King. 12: …62 Kgs 12:6also did now go so willingly about their businesse, that not onelyonly those that set them a-work, trusted them with the Money that was brought in; they saw that they dealt so faithfully therein: but euen the workmen themselues, according to the trust reposed in them, hauing much Mony left when they had finished all the building, brought it into the King and High-Priest; and they likewise, of it, did make the furniture and Plate aforesaid. So it seemeth, that so long as the Priestes and Leuites had it imposed on them, to gather-vp those former impositions, as to be paid of right now also, neither would the people pay them, neither were the Priests and Leuites willing to vrge them: but when now that course was, after a sort, waiued or giuen-ouer, and made but arbitrary to the giuers themseles (for though there was Proclaimation made throughout the Land, to bring vntounto the Lord, the tax that Moses in the Wildernesse had laid vponupon them; as indeede being the King, he was not to seeme to take repulse, but was rather to require it still: yet none was now appointed to gather it of them, and so to marke whether they did it truely or not, but had the matter now referred vntounto themselues in a manner, in that themselues were to bring it in) it found a ready Fand praesent dispatch, and the contributors themselues very well pleased. A good example to show how vnwilling the people are, that such impositions, as by occasion sometimes hauehave beene laid vponupon them, should afterward, when the cause hath ceased, be neuerthelesse vrged vntounto them againe: and yet this was a Prince as welcome vntounto them, as lightly none more, as also but to the vse of the Temple; and in such a time as themselues might conceiue did much require it, because of the spoyle which the enemies made towardes the end of Iehorams raigne, and Athalia in her vsurpation.

10 The estate of this people being thus farre raised or set vp againe, and being Anow to see how ill they held their standing therein, we are first to begin with him in whose Story yet wee are: then, to come vntounto others suc…eding. Beginning with him in whose Story yet we are, first we finde one ill toke… it, or such as boaded that they would keepe their standing but ill: then hauehave wee proofe of the thing it selfe. The ill token that wee hauehave of it, is that the King did not take away the 2 King. 12: 32 Kgs 12:3High-places (when he was at the best) but suffered the people to offer and burne incense there. Comming to the proofe of the thing it selfe, we finde that he kept his standing very ill: but that God did accordingly remember him for it. Wee finde that he kept his standing ill, hee and all the people with him, immediately after the death of Iehoiada: and yet not so very soone after, but that for a while it seemeth they stoode reasonable well; but then, that not long after they fouly fell. It seemeth that a while after they stoode reasonable well, because that when Iehoiada was dead, they affoorded to bury him so honourably as they did, in the Citty of Dauid with the 2 Chr. 24: 15, 16.2 Chr 24:152 Chr 24:16Kings: as hauing iustly deserued the same, for the good that hee had done among them. Where againe we hauehave another probability, that there was not such fault in him, as some of our Interpreters doe conceiue, out of the speach of the King to him 2 King. 12: 172 Kgs 12:17and others of his fellowes, about the not gathering of the Money aforesaid. That neuerthelesse not long after they fouly fell, is very plainly deliuered vntounto vsus: and first by what meanes it was wrought; then, how fouly it was that they fell. The meanes whereby it was wrought, was by such dealing as the Princes had with the King, which what it was, is not so plainely set downe, but that diuers doe diuersly take it: some, that they attributed Diuine honour vntounto him, and so puft him vp thereby, that hee p. 452quickly forgot himselfe so farre as hee did; but most men inclining rather, that they Con. Pellic. Fran. Vatab. Tremel. Iun. Bibl. Angl.wrought him no farther, but that he neede not be so religious, but might well liue as Bhe list, and take his pleasure in all thinges as should best like himselfe. But neither of these seeme vntounto mee to goe rightly and fully vntounto it; for that either of those had disswaded him from all Religion: whereas the Text it selfe sheweth immediately after, 2 Chr. 24: 1…2 Chr 24:1that hee and the people were religious in some kinde; but indeede in another kind than before, and the same starke naught. So it seemeth rather, that these Princes were meere polititians, and accounted it to make much for the quiet and peace of the State, and for better friendship of all their neighbours, not to be so cleane contrary to all others in matters of Religion, as they were in the course that then they were in: but rather that somewhat they yeelded vntounto them, to bee neighbour-like with them; and that the neerer they could come to be like to the rest, the better must it bee for them all, in all such matters as wherein they were to hauehave any dealing with others. It is plainely set down that the King yeelded therein to be aduised by them: Ibid. 17. Ibid. 18.and it followeth immediately after, that they left their owne Religion or manner of worshipping, & betooke themselues to such Religion or manner of worshipping, as their neighbours about them vsed. So, the latter, expoundeth the former: or, that which thereupon they did, doth shew what aduise it was that was giuen. How fouly they fell heerein appeareth first, in that whereunto they had now betaken themselues: then, in that they claue vntounto it so fast as they did. That whereunto they had now betaken themselues, was, cleane to forsake true Religion; and, in effect, GOD himselfe, the onelyonly Lord: and to betake themselues to most foolish and grose Idolatry; sauing onelyonly that it went for currant with all their neighbours, because of the ignorance that was in them. When we are to consider how fast they claue to these their waies now, it shall not be amisse, that some of vsus especially doe marke another thing thereunto appertaining: but first, how fast they claue to those waies of theirs; then, of that other matter heereunto appertaining. They claue so fast to those waies 2 Chro. 24: 19-22.2 Chr 24:19–22of theirs, that though the Lord sent Prophets among them, who did earnestly call vponupon them, and protested heauy iudgements against them vnlesse they repented; and, that one of those Prophets was Zachariah, the sonne of Iehoiadah, who had deserued so well of the King, and of the people, and was neere Kinsman vntounto the King: yet would they in no wise be ruled by those their Prophets; but farther than so, euen conspired against the said Zachariah, and at the commandement of the King stoned him to death, euen in the in most and chiefest coutt of the Temple, betweene the Temple and the Altar euen as it were in the praesence of God and before his face. As notable an insolen…s lightly hath beene hard of by any. That other thing hereunto Mat. 23: 35.Matt 23:35appertaining … collection that one of the blind guides of this age of ours hath gathered to mak… much against those that professe the Gospell, whom, to the furtherance CPointz.of his purpose there, he calleth Protestants: and he gathereth it but of one part of the Text, wherein we hauehave this Story aforesaid. The man that I speake off, is one of their learned writers, one of our owne Country-men, of the time and crew of D. Harding, Stapleton, Dorman and others: and that Booke of his, wherein this is, is of a chiefe and principall matter of their profession, the Reall praesence of the body and bloud of Christ in their Sacrament of the Altar, as it pleaseth them to tearme it. There hee telleth vsus, that there bee two sorts of Protestants: one, but simple: the other, malicious. The malicious are they, against whom hee bendeth that redoubted force of his: and telleth vsus withall, that the Prophets of old were troubled with those malicious Protestants; and therein referring vsus to one verse of this Text aforesayd. 2 Chr 24: 192 Chr 24:19On which his interpretation is, that when God sent his Prophets among them, those malicious Protestants would in no wise heare them. Whereas the truth is, that they were the Prophets themselues, and not any of the people, that were the Protestants there: and so he did them great wrong to tearme them malicious. Especially when their owne Bible so plainely readeth, Mittebat{que} eis prophetas, vt reuerterentur Ioā. Heuten. ex officina Chr. Plantini, Ant…p. 1569.ad Dominum: quos Protestantes, illi audire nolebant. that is, And [God] sent them Prophets: whom protesting, they would not heare. But his dexterity thought good, to ioyne Protestantes and illi together: an then telleth vsus, that they were Protestantes p. 453illi, those malicious Protestantes, that were so contrary to the Prophets then. Now whether this place do proue any such malicious Protestants, or not, leauing that to his farther Consideration: sure wee are, wee neede goe no farther, than to this his Collection onelyonly, to gather, that so farre as the rest are like to himselfe, the Papistes hauehave but ignoraunt Leaders. How it pleased God to remember them for this, both the King himselfe and those his Princes that did peruert him, and in some sort the whole lande besides, wee hauehave set downe, first as touching them altogether: then, as touching the King by himselfe. As touching them altogether, we hauehave that set downe in two seuerall places; first, in the second Booke of the Kings, then in the second Booke of the Chronicles: but so withall, that although in something they agree; yet in some other they are (not any thing contrary, but) so diuers, that there is some diuersity among the learned about it. They agree in this, that the Syrians soone after came into the lande, and made warre vppon them: but then, are they diuers in this againe, that by the one place it seemeth, the enemy was pacified with mony, and so sent home without doing Dthem any hurt; by the other, that a battell was fought betwixt them, and Ioseph. Ant. lib cap 8 Conr. Pellic. Bibl. An…. Tremel. Iun. Lyranus.that the enemies preuailed, and tooke their own pleasure on them. So commeth it to passe, that most men make no scruple at it, but take them both as one Story, as it seemeth, as if when the Syrians had preuailed against them, then Ioash gaue him, the Treasure that there is mentioned to with-draw his forces from him; and one of them there is, who in plaine tearmes doth so expound it: but two others there bee, that (with greater probability, it seemeth) conceyue two seuerall inuasions to bee Ioā. wolphius Fra. Vatablus. 2 King. 12: 17, 18.2 Kgs 12:172 Kgs 12:18noted in those two places, one of them going no farther, but that so it may be conceyued; the other, being more tesolute in it. And the former of those two innasions was, when Ioash gaue all that Treasure, and those consecrated things vntounto the King of Syria to depart from him, and for that time obtained his desire therein: Ioash belike, as yet making no greater reckoning of that his reuolting from God, nor of shedding that innocent blood where-unto himselfe was so deepely beholding, but that putting himselfe to this losse in these, it might be a full satisfaction, himselfe and his people abiding still notwithstanding, in those corrupt wayes whereunto they had betaken themselues now. But God would not put it vp so: but would hauehave it farther punnished. So the Syrians comming againe the next yeare after, 2 Par. 24: 23-25.2 Chr 24:23–25though they were but few to speake of in comparison of the forces of Iudah that went against them; yet the Lord so ordered the matter, for the sinne of his people, that they preuailed: at which time prosecuting the course of their good successe, they destroyed all the Princes from amongst the people, and sent all the spoyle of them to Damascus; and the King him-selfe did they entreate very dishonourably, one way or other (for it is not declared how) and then departed, leauing the King in great diseases. A iust reward for grosse Idolatry, so back as it was by so bloody ingratitude, as they were now entred into: and a meete recompence for those prophane 2 Chr. 24: 25 2 Kings. 12: 20, 21. 2 Chro. 24: 25, 26. Fra. Vatabl.2 Chr 24:252 Kgs 12:202 Kgs 12:212 Chr 24:26polliticians, the Authors of it. As touching that punnishment that the king had by himselfe, both he was much diseased in his body; and treacherously slayne by his owne seruants: euen by his owne, as the Text doth lead vsus to gather, though one there be of speciall account (but I wonder whereupon) that dooth ascribe the same to the seruants of Hazael.

11. Those others that succeeded, are foure: the first three being nothing Aso ill as was Ioash in these his latter dayes, but much better, and yet indeede boading a declining estate; and the fourth of them in full measure exhibiting the same Bvntounto vsus. Those three that boaded a declining estate, were (as it were) of the midsort, neyther altogether so good, not so ill as diuers others: two of the former declining from better to worse; the third euer keeping much like to himselfe. Those two that declined from better to worse, were Amaziah, and Azariah, who in like Amazias. 9.sort was called Ʋzziah. Amazias succeeded his Father Ioas; and raigned nyne and twenty yeares in Ierusalem: first reasonably wel; but afterward to the offence and displeasure of God. While he raigned reasonably well, we are to consider, 2 King. 14: 1. 2 2 Chr. 25: 1.2 Kgs 14:12 Kgs 14:22 Chr 25:1first, what was the manner of his Gouernement: then, howe it pleased GOD to blesse him therein. In his manner of gouernment, first wee hauehave something noted vntounto vsus that concerneth the whole generally: then, certaine particulars 2 King. 14: 3, 4 2 Chro. 25: 22 Kgs 14:32 Kgs 14:42 Chr 25:2besides. Concerning his whole gouernment generally (for the time that he stood) hee hath this commendation giuen him, that hee did vprightly in the sight of the Lord: but then it is added withall, that his doings were not with a perfect heart, like vntounto Dauid, but like vntounto Ioas his Father; and that the High-places were not taken away, but that the people did sacrifice & burnt incense in them. The particulars which are commendable in him are two: one, a good moderation of his owne affections; the other, a good branch of obedience to God. That good moderation of his owne affections, was in the execution of those that slew his Father: first, in that he was not so hasty to doe it, or to make enquiry of them, till the Kingdome 2 King. 14: 5, 6 2 Chr. 25: 3, 4.2 Kgs 14:52 Kgs 14:62 Chr 25:32 Chr 25:4was established vntounto him; then, that he executed but the offenders themselues, and not their children withall, as it was the manner of diuers then in their heate to do, though plainely forbidden by the Lawe of God. That good branch of obedience Deut. 24: 16Deut 24:16to God, that is recorded of him, is, that when on a time hee was purposed to Warre vponupon the Edomites, and to that ende had waged out of Israell one hundred 2 Chr. 25: 6-102 Chr 25:6–10thousand men, and had already giuen them their pay, one hundred Talents of Siluer; beeing then admonished by some Prophet or man of God, not to vse them in that his seruice but to send them away againe: he readily yeelded to do as the Prophet did aduise him, and so discharged them of that peece of seruice, and dismissed them cleane out of his Army. A speciall good example of obedience in him; and the more we marke it, the better it may appeare vntounto vsus: first, if wee marke how farre he had proceeded in it before; then, if we thereunto lay, in what sort he was disswaded from it now. He had proceeded therein so farre before, that then hee must cleane leese those hundred Talants of Siluer, and the hope of that their seruice Cwhich by likelihood might hauehave beene to good vse vntounto him: and so dismissing them when now they were come, might easily breede much heart-burning in them, and so turne to his hurt, as in the end indeede it did: He was not disswaded from Ibid. 13.it by any of his Counsell, or of his Captaines, nor by any States-men besides; yet this being a matter of warfare and State: but onelyonly by a Prophet or man of God, as by some Diuine, Minister, or Preacher with vsus, of vndoubted and knowne integrity and iudgement; and the same Prophet or man of God disswading him from it, not, in plaine tearmes, in the name of the Lord, but, as it were, himselfe so aduising him, & threatning the losse of the field if he did not obey. Out of which it may seeme that wee ought to gather, that euen in such matters also wee ought to make speciall good reckoning of the aduise of such of the Ministery as are knowne to bee of God indeede; though they doe not acquaint vsus with, nor our selues see, what word of God it is whereon they ground their aduise vntounto vsus: then also, that seeing God by his seruant reprooued that his taking-in of those Israelites to his ayd, and though being admonished hee did amend it; neither should we leane to any such aid, neither should we thinke it strange to be chasticed for it, if at any time we hauehave so done, though afterward we did forethinke it. It pleased God so to blesse him whilest thus hee stoode towardes God, that notwithstanding those inuasions, and destruction of the people that were since the daies of Iehoshaphat, in the daies of Iehoram, Ahaziah, Athalia and Ioash, hee had an Army of his owne people now, of Ibid. 5. 11, 12 2 King. 14: 72 Kgs 14:7three hundred thousand chosen men for the warres: and, going against the Edomites, he so preuailed against them, that hee destroyed twenty thousand of themselues, and tooke a strong hold from them besides. When his raigne and doings were to the offense and displeasure of God, we are then in like sort to consider, first what those his waies were: then, how God did punnish him for them. His waies were now cleane contrary to his better waies before, aduancing one kind of grosse Idolatry now: and not abiding the Prophet to reprooue it neither. His Idolatry was, that hauing ouercome the Edomites, hee brought home their Gods with him, 2 Chr. 25: 142 Chr 25:14and made them his (a wise part of him) worshipping them, and burning incense vntounto them. When thereupon God sent a Prophet to reprooue him for it, hee was so offended with him, that hee commaunded him to silence, and vrged him to aduise p. 455Ibid: 15, 16himselfe whether hee were any of the Kings Priuy Counsell; so insinuating, it seemeth, that there was some high poynt of policie in it: but the Prophet told him, Dnotwithstanding all his policie, that hee did well know, that it should bee his vtter ruine, and that from the Lord, that now hee made so little reckoning of this reproofe that hee had giuen him. His punnishment for this is his falling away, was of such nature, as that it seemeth God was disposed to rayse it onelyonly from thence, from whence the same his reuolting came, euen from himselfe: first by the Israelites his neighbours adioyning; then, by his owne people at home. The Israelites, his neighbors adioyning, himselfe (and by the aduise of his Counsell too; such belike 2 King. 14: 8-…4, 17. 2 Chro 25: 1…-24, 25.2 Kgs 14:82 Chr 25:1–242 Chr 25:25as had led him vntounto that high poynt of policie before) prouoked to the field, and would not rest till the battell were agreed vponupon: but when it came to triall, he receiued (and well deserued) great dishonor, and losse thereby; and liued to enioy it many yeares after. As touching his owne people, he had now made himselfe so 2 King. 14: 19 20. 2 Chr. 25 27, 28.2 Kgs 14:192 Chr 25:272 Chr 25:28odious to them (after that he was so turned from the Lord) by his bad gouernment, and by the dishonor and hurt they had gained thereby, that they did not onelyonly determine to dispatch him: but (when, belike perceiuing it, hee thought to saue himselfe by flight) pursued after him, and so ouertooke him, and slew him; though neuertheles they brought him to Ierusalem, and buried him there, belike for the place that he had beene in, or for the good things were in him before.

12 Azarias his Sonne, otherwise called Ozias or Vzziah also, was made King AAzarias, or Vzzias, 10 2 King …5: 1, 2 2 Chr. 26: 1, 32 Kgs 5:12 Kgs 5:22 Chr 26:12 Chr 26:3in steede of his Father, and raigned fifty and two yeares. Concerning whome, first wee are to consider of that part of his gouernment, which was (that wee read of) without offence to GOD: then, of that part wherein hee offended. Of that part of his gouernment that was (for any thing that wee read to the contrary) without offence to GOD, wee hauehave something noted againe, first to shewe what the thing it selfe was: then, howe God did blesse him therein. To finde what it selfe was, wee must note againe, that both wee hauehave somewhat set downe concerning the whole: and some particulers likewise besides. That which doeth concerne the whole, is, that hee did vprightly in the sight of the Lord: sauing that 2 King. 15▪ 3, 4 2 Chr. 26: 4.2 Kgs 15:32 Kgs 15:42 Chr 26:4it was but as Amaziah his Father had done before; and so, that hee also did not put downe the High-places, but that the people still Sacrificed and burnt incense there in his time also. So that the vprightnesse of his doing that is spoken of here, is none other to speake of, than as in his father before, and his sonne after, that hee turned not to Idolatrie as many others had done, but professed the Lord, and the true worship of him. Those particulers that are noted of him besides, are of two sorts: one of them, of his regard towardes God; others, of inferiour affaires beneath. BHis regard to God is noted to be such, as that in the dayes of one Zecharias, 2 Chr. 26: 52 Chr 26:5a Prophet in his time (a man noted to be well seene in the knowleege and feare of God, and sincerely, it seemeth, teaching the same) he then more specially sought the Lord. And so it seemeth the fault is oftimes in the Prophets & Ministers themselues, that many do not better seek the Lord: as seldome hauing any good prouocation thereto, in those that occupie those roomes among them. Those others that were of inferior affaires beneath, were of two sortes also: some, about the whole estate; others about his owne priuate. About the whole estate were those his buildinges, fortifications, and prouisions against the time of Warre that wee reade Ibi. 2, 9, 14, 15of: and it seemeth, that therein hee much excelled most of those that had beene before him. About his owne priuate it is noted likewise, that hee was very Ibid. 10.much imployed: and that hee was (as wee tearme it) a great Husband: hee himselfe hauing a speciall inclination or louelove vntounto it. While in this sort hee Ibid. 5, 10-13gouerned, GOD did so prosper him, and his blessing was so plentifully on him (especially then, when in some better measure he sought the Lord) that he was very prosperous at home and abroad. At home hee had, for the defence of the whole, an army of three hundred and seauen thousand, and fiue hundered valiant men; and two thousand and sixe hundred Leaders or Captaines for them: and of his owne priuate, great possessions in groundes and Cattle. Abroad, it is generally p. 456saide, for all the peoples round about him, that his name was great, or that it Ibid. 6-8, 15did spread farre: and, for certaine of them, more specially, that he did most valiantly against his Enemies, and mightily praeuailed both against the Philistims and Arabians; and of the Ammonites, that he was much honoured and praesented with guiftes by them. When hee offended, wee are likewise to consider, first of his offence: then, of his punishment. His offence was not Idolatry as his Fathers was, nor so much as offering vntounto GOD any such worshippe as God himselfe did not require: but onelyonly that himselfe would needes doe a worshippe to God, which God had appointed Ibid. 16-19to bee done by others; namely, to burne Incense or sweete Perfume, on the Altar that was thereunto appointed. Of which his sinne there were two principall braunches: one, that himselfe did first offer to doe it; the other, that he would be so little saide by the Priestes therein, that they were faine to oppose themselues against him in some forcible manner. That himselfe did first offer to doe it, it argueth in him, eyther great ignorance in the Law of God (and that was a great fault in him:) or else, that he was very head-strong and stubborne, and so not disposed to be ruled Cthereby; which was the greater fault of the two. Now because it is so plainely noted, that when hee was strong, or that God had made him great, his heart began to Ibid. 16.be lifted vp, that seemeth to cast it vntounto the latter: as, that it was not of ignorance, but of wilfulnesse rather. But that relation or report of the highnesse of his mind therein, may hauehave respect vntounto that his stubbornnesse, when hee had himselfe ignorantly attempted it first, and then would not afterward be ruled by the Priestes therein, till it pleased God himselfe to lay his hand vppon him. So his fault was great in eyher of them: but much greater in the latter part of it, when hee would not bee aduysed by the Priestes, those peculiar Seruantes of God in those affayres, and so many of them gathered together. His punnishment for this was, some part of it, but onelyonly as it were of men: but the rest, plainely by God. That part of it which wee may account to bee of men, was, that so he was resisted or with-stood, he beeing so Ibid. 17, 18mighty and renowned a Prince, of a few of his owne seely poore subiectes: but indeede we our selues doe stirre vp others against vsus, whensoeuer wee go against the word of God; and may not thinke it strange then, if we be roundly with-stood, and mightily crossed, euen by the simplest Creatures that are. That which was of God, was a praesent punishment in it selfe: and carried another with it besides. It was in it selfe a praesent punnishment for that hee was, euen at that time, so strangely strucken Ibid 19. 2 King. 15: 52 Kgs 15:5with so ill and so foule a disease, as the Leprosie was reputed and knowne to be. That other that it carryed with it besides, was, that thereby hee was separated from among 2 Chr. 26 20-23.2 Chr 26:20–23men (and so from the managing of his Kingdome likewise, and of his owne priuate affaires withall, for a great part of them and faine to dwell alone all the dayes of his life after: and that when hee died, hee was not vouchsafed so honourable buryall neither, as otherwise his place had required. A good example to be a warning to all to take heede, of diuers speciall matters: some reasonable plaine vntounto all; others, that would not be soone perceiued. Those that are reasonable plain vntounto all, are, first that none meddle with the office of Priest-hoode (and so not with the Mynistery now) but such as are orderly called vntounto it; and therein are Lay-folke to take heede how they meddle with priuate Baptisme: the other, that wee bee not so resolute in our owne waies, when wee are reprooued by such, as God hath to that end appointed. Those that would not be so soone perceiued, are other two: one, that whereas that Priest-hood was a figure of Christ by whom onelyonly wee are to come with our worship to God, neyther may we come by our selues, nor by any other Dbut onelyonly by him; the other, that whereas the Priests did not shew him the place of the Law where it was forbidden, but onelyonly told him that he might not doe it, and yet God strucke him for that he would not be ruled by them, neyther may we looke to stand excused in any such disobedience of ours, to any the like Seruants of God, though they doe not euer acquaint vsus with the places whereon they ground the reproofe that they giuegive vsus.

p. 45713 He that euer kept much like to himselfe was Iotham, the Sonne of this AIotham. 11 2 kin 15: 32, 33 2 Chr. 27: 12 Chr 27:1Ʋzziah or Azariah: who also raigned sixteene yeares. In whom we hauehave some thinges of that nature, that they doe reasonable plainely shew themselues what they are: others, that do not. Those that doe reasonable plainely shew themselues what they are, are some of them commendable: others, reprooueable. In those that are commendable, it shall be good for vsus to consider, first what they were: then, how in those waies God did prosper him. Commendable it was, that he did vprightly in the 2 King. 15: 34. 35. 2 Chr. 27: 2, 3, 6. 2 Chr. 27: 5, 62 Kgs 15:342 Kgs 15:352 Chr 27:22 Chr 27:32 Chr 27:62 Chr 27:5sight of the Lorde (though that also were but in comparison of diuers others:) and built both the highest gate of the house of the Lorde; and a good part of the Wall West of the Temple. In those waies of his God did so prosper him, that he praeuailed against the Ammonites, and had them tributaries three yeares: and generally, that he grew mighty, because he directed his way before the Lord his God. A place neuerthelesse that more commendeth the goodnesse of God, that coulde so graciously accept of that his seruice: than it cleereth that seruice to bee so woorthy to bee accepted; as may appeare by that which followeth. In those that were reprooueable we are likewise to consider, first what they were: then, how wee may conceiue that they also were punished. What they were might soone be seene, but that, as some of them are out of quaestion: so there is one, of which there is quaestion made by diuers. Those that are out of quaestion, are two: one, that hee did not seeke the Lord, but as 2 King 15: 34 35. 2 Chr. 27: 2.2 Kgs 15:342 Chr 27:2his Father had done before: the other, that he left the High-places standing, and suffered the people to worship there. That one point of his waies, whereof there is quaestion made by diuers, is, that he entered not into the Temple: which as diuers do take it, is noted as a thing commendable in him; whereas, by the placing of it, it may seeme to be reprooueable, and so do I thinke it may rather bee taken. Such as account it commendable in him, do take the sense to be, that although in profession, or Lyr. in 4. Reg. 15. i, k. Bibl. Angl. 1594. in annot. in 2. Chr. 27: 2. Ioan. wolph. in 2 Reg 15: 34-382 Chr 272 Kgs 15:34–38in his waies before the Lord, hee was such as his Father was: yet whereas his Father did (against the Lawe of God) enter into the Temple, there to burne Incense before the Lord, his Son did neuer offend in that. And out of this, the sense beeing so, it is Bwell gathered, that therein he is a good patterne to vsus, so to follow the good wayes of our Elders, that neuerthelesse we do not withall follow their ill. The placing of it that I speake of, which may rather lead vsus to conceiue, that it noteth some-thing reproueable in him, is because it is placed with such aqualification before: and after againe, so matched or coupled, as there it is. The qualification where-with it is placed before, is the manner of his Fathers profession: wherein the sense may bee, that hee also was none of those that turned a-side to any Idols, but professed the Lord the onelyonly true God, and did worshippe none other but him; but yet did not make vse of the Temple, or frequent the same, in any such sort as he ought to hauehave done, and as his Father (besides that his transgression) before had doone. And in this wee may well conceiue, that this exception, of not entering into the Temple, may rather hauehave relation vntounto the vsuall course of all the better sort generally, and of his owne Father too in that which was commendable in him, than to that one particular action, neuer heard of in any of the Kinges but onelyonly in him, and that but once neyther. In such matching or coupling of it as after wee finde, it is very plaine and out of quaestion, that it is coupled with that which is ill: namely, that the people were yet far out of order. And then, seeing things of like nature are so commonly coupled together, that by the one we may soone perceiue what the other is like to bee; it seemeth the sense doth most naturally fall out to note, that there were defects both in the King, and in the people: in the King, that euen in his best things he was but like vntounto his Father in those thinges that were commendable in him, and had one defect more that his Father had not; and that the people were wrong besides. What his not entering into the Temple may be, me-thinke wee may well conceiue, by that which followed on that fearefull iudgement that was cast on Ananias and Sapphira his wife, Act. 5: 1-13Acts 5:1–13for that want of integrity and sincere dealing, that was found in them: namely, that it strucke such a feare in others, that there were many that magnyfied those that were of the Congregation, or that holy company, who neuerthelesse durst not ioine themselues p. 458unto them. For so it may be, that Iotham was so terrified by that iudgement cast on his Father, that though hee also magnified God, yea and iustified his iudgements therein: yet himselfe durst not thenceforward draw so neere, least that some way or other hee also might slip, and so pull downe some kinde of heauy iudgement Cvponupon him. Our own experience doth often teach vsus, euen in those that detest Idolatry, and are specially giuen to the Gospell, that neuerthelesse diuers of them doe long sometimes absent themselues from the holy Communion, euen for the very aw of God that they stand in, least they offend in not comming so well prepared as they ought to doe: and then may we more easily conceiue, that such a iudgement cast on his Father, and when he had no other meaning that we are able to charge him withall, but onelyonly that he meant deuoutly to worship, might not a little terrifie the Sonne in this that we speake off; and yet leaue vntounto him withall, that so farre as it went, hee had a speciall regard of God, in some such measure as both his Father and Grand-Father had, and came not short of them but in this point onelyonly. And one there is, …o…r. Pellic. in 4. Reg. 15: 34-36.who by occasion of this Iotham, though he doe not plainely charge him, not to hauehave worshipped at Ierusalem, but in some other of the High-places in those parts: yet he plainely setteth downe, that it was a common negligence in all their Kings, to worshippe, not onelyonly at Ierusalem, but eueryevery where in the High-places too; yet there to worship none other but onelyonly the Lord. And then, if it were so common with others euen good Kings too, elsewhere to worship: it may bee lesse maruell, if this (much more) refused the Temple it selfe, & elsewhere did it; and yet hauehave that commendation too, neuer worshipping but only the Lord, and doing it with some special zeale. How these defects in him were punished, is likewise drawn into quaestion: so that here also it shalbe needful not only to set downe what may seem to be the truth it selfe; but to cleere it of the doubt thereon conceiued. That which wee may take to bee the truth it selfe, is, that the end of his raigne was troublesome, because it is 2 King. 15: 372 Kgs 15:37sayde, that in those daies the Lord began to send in against Iudah both the King of Syria, and the King of Israell. Of whom though we hauehave no particular Story, what hurt they did or what trouble they wrought to the King or his Land: yet may wee iustly conceiue, that the Lord sending them in, and sending them against Iudah, or as enemies thereunto, they did them some hurt or wrought, them some trouble one way or other; though nothing so much, as after they did, in the daies of him that next succeeded. The doubt that is thereon conceiued, is not plainely set downe, but onelyonly implyed: namely, that no such trouble came vntounto himselfe or his Land, in all his time. And it seemeth that so they conceiue, first by one place of Scripture Dsoone after ensuing: then, by a conceiued opinion of others. The place of Scripture soone after ensuing, is, that they both came into Ierusalem, and besiedged it; but yet that they could not praeuaile against it: neuerthelesse, that then they recouered 2 Kin. 16: 5, 62 Kgs 16:52 Kgs 16:6Elah againe, which Vzziah had gotten from them a little before. Out of this Ibid. 14: 22place they gather, that seeing this is the first enterance of the Syrians & Israelites that now we reade of in particular: therefore is that other place before to be vnderstood Lyr. Io. wolph. Bibl. Angl.of this that is spoken off now; and so, nothing appertaining to the time of Iotham, but onelyonly to the time of Ahaz his Sonne. But the Text doth plainely, in the time and Story of Iotham, say, that in those daies the Lord began to send those in: and, in the daies of Ahaz next following, that they came vp to Ierusalem, and besiedged it. A difference so plaine in it selfe, that it may bee sufficient to note two seuerall inuasions; though we hauehave not the particular Story of the former of them: and so is it taken Con. Pellic. Tremel. Iun.by others also. That conceiued opinion of others is, that this Iotham that now we speake off, was so good a King, and altogether (as it were) without such faults as others had: an opinion much conceiued by Iosephus, and plainely held by most of the Hebrewes; and yet without any sufficient ground-worke for so weighty a building as Ant. lib. 9. cap. 11. Conr. Pellic. in 2 Chr. 27: 1-32 Chr 27:1–3it. But that being once conceiued, then is it so much the harder measure to conceiue any such speciall defects in him: and so it may very well be, that thereupon they rather framed this aforesaid interpretation of theirs. Those thinges that doe not so plainely shew themselues what they are, were those his buildings in the Mountaines, and in the Forrests: which it may bee, were to publique vse, eyther fortifications, or p. 4952 Chr. 27: 2, 42 Chr 27:22 Chr 27:4for habitation; as also it may be, seeing his waies are so plainely referred vntounto his Fathers, that they were, many of them at the least, to his owne priuate vse. Which also we may the rather conceiue, for that Isaiah beginning his prophecy first in the dayes Isa. 1: 1. Ibid. 5: 8▪ 10Isa 1:1of these two Kings, Vzziah the Father, and Iotham his Son, doth so plainely cry out against laying house to house, and land to land: a kind of ciuill disease that most of all raigneth in any State, when the Princes and other Heads-men thereof are therewith smited themselues, and so can neyther agree to any good lawes to the contrary, nor reproue others therein; nor in any wise auoid, but by their example to lead others amaine vntounto it.