Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 20 (4 of 4)

Of the Head Cornerstone · Chapter 20 (4 of 4)

p. 55125 As touching those that came not downe at all, neyther yet tarryed Athere for the good of the people, but rather in some other respectes (at least, for the most part of them) wee hauehave, as it seemeth, two Stories of them: of one there is no quaestion at all, that I doe know of; but of the other there is. That whereof there is no quaestion at all, is that Story of the people in the dayes of Ester: a speciall good Story in it selfe; and such as giueth vsus good occasion to Ester.consider of one other thing also. The Story it selfe is first, and for the most part, of a notable daunger that all the whole company of the people of God were in Bthat tarryed behinde; and how it pleased God to deliuer them from it: but then, we hauehave some farther Srory of that State, though much it be not. As touching that their daunger and deliuerance out of it againe, because it pleased him to doe it by one speciall meane, that he to that purpose ordained, therefore doth the Story shewe, first, how it pleased God to prouide that meane: then, how it pleased him thereby to worke their deliuerance, when they were falne in the danger wee speake of. The meane was, that Ester being by her lynage or people, a Iew, or one of that peculiar people of God, other-wise (for any thing wee know) but a young Woman, of no speciall reckoning more than others, was neuerthelesse aduanced to bee Queene, the King Assuerus or Ahashoerosh, called also Darius, taking that liking of her, that he ioyned himselfe in marryage with her. Hee was marryed to another before: but as matters fell out, shee was dyuorced, and Ester taken in, in her roome. First then we are to see, how it fell out, that the other was diuorced: then, how this was taken in, in stead of that other. The other was diuorced, for that on a time shee did not obey the Kinges commaundement, which notwithstanding was not imposed on her, as she was his subiect; but only as she was his wife. For on a time being purposed to shew forth the power, and riches, Ester. 1: 1-11and glory of his kingdome he thought good to do the same by honorable & magnificent feasting of his Princes and people: and one speciall point of his glory then to be, that they then also might see the Q. in her magnificence. In all which excessiue roialty of his (which indeed was great, as there it is to vsus described) there was notwithstanding one good point of sobriety too. In that his royalty, it is good to learne to know, what is the vttermost pitch of al earthly pomp & glory: and so that there is no more nor greater matter, at the hands of the world to be expected. He p. 552was indeede a mighty Monarch, hauing an hundred and seauen and twenty Prouinces vnderunder him; many of those hauing beene great Kingdomes, and so after became againe, and yet could his great magnificence reach, but onelyonly to such trifles as those. An experiment of sufficient proofe in it selfe, that the World in that respect is like to a great glorious Merchant in shew, who is a very Banckrout and Begger indeede. But if, when that earthly Prince was disposed, to shew his magnificence, hee could so gloriously furnish his Feast, as it is noted in this that hee did; and so long continue it too: what then may wee looke for at the handes of GOD, when he shall be disposed to shew his glory, to all his Saints, Cin that most glorious Kingdome of his? That one speciall point of sobriety that was there in that excessiue feasting of his, was, that none should be compelled to drinke, but onelyonly as themselues would: a great condemnation to many of vsus, that make such wast of the good blessings of GOD: so immeasurably load the weaknesse of others; take such pleasure to see them ouer-taken there-with; and yet professe Christian sobriety too. In that his Queene must come in too, in her magnificence, to helpe to set foorth this pompe of his, wee may note another vse of marryage, than the Children of GOD doe know, or than Christian sobriety teacheth: but yet such, as experience so bewrayeth in many of vsus, that our selues might well enough see (at least the wiser sort doe) that our glory therein is no better than shame indeede; and that so much the more, as all men may see, how great good might redound to others, by the example of such moderation in such as are of cheefe rekoning among vsus. That the Queene refused to Ibid. 21, 22.come, when the King had so sent for her, is not any way, I thinke, to be excused: and yet it may seeme, that theyr sentence against her, was not altogether allowable neyther. Her refusing, for any thing we know, was in no wise to be excused, for that hee was not onelyonly her Husband (which in most cases had beene sufficent) but her Soueraigne (which lightly allowed no exception at all) who then sent for her: and for that he did send for her by so known men as he did; eueryevery of them, as wee tearme it beeing a sufficient warrant him-selfe. Theyr sentence against her was, to bee diuorced from the King; and the King to take his choyce of some other to his owne best liking; and this, first because her selfe hadde so disobeyed; then, because thereby shee had giuen so daungerous an example, to all other marryed Women besides. Whereunto the King farther added, to hauehave it proclaimed in all his Kingdomes, that in eueryevery mans House, the authority of commaunding there, should euer rest with the man; an order, that it is maruell if it did seeme strange vntounto any, when as not onelyonly the word of God, (wherewith it may be they were little or nothing acquainted) but euen the Law of Nature it selfe, and all ciuilitie and good order too requireth the same. Yet are there diuers maried women of so head-strong a Nature, especially if any way they excell theyr Husbands▪ as by possessions, birth, or wit, or but in theyr owne conceit, that it is no great maruaile though this King thought good to publish such a DLaw to his people. Yet in that theyr decree against Ʋashti, we do not find, that they first inquired any farther of the cause why she came not: & it may wel be, that she had good cause to be loath to hauehave gon, if it might please the King to spare her. If first they did not make any farther inquiry what reason shee had why she came not, then marryage beeing so indissoluble a knot as it is, hardly could they excuse themselues, but that they were some-what too hasty. The cause that shee might hauehave, why shee might bee loath to come, if it might please the King to spare her, was in womanly modesty or shamefastnesse for her selfe; and some reasonable good regard of the other Ladies and Matrons that so should attend her. For it is noted not onelyonly of the Babylonians before, but also of the Persians who Q. C…t. lib. 5.were come in their places now, and are the people that now wee speake of, that in their feastinges they were too too lasciuious oft-times, euen in open praesence, with such Women as feasted with them; as certaine of their Ambassadours on a time bought it deere in Greece, in the dayes of Amyntas, euen with the losse of p. 553C…i… lib. 2. pag. 145.their liues: and the Text it selfe noteth, that then the King him-selfe, when he so sent for her, was merry with Wine. But whether the sentence were eyther too hasty or to hard, it proceedeth against her, and so is shee thereby dyuorced, and deposed from that her dignity. Howe Ester was taken in, in her roome, is likewise set downe at large: but in such sort withall, as that by the Story it appeareth, there was there great libertie giuen to the flesh by most part of them: and some infirmitie much to be doubted in the better sort also. Great libertie was giuen to the flesh by the most part of them, and some infirmitie much to bee doubted in the better sort too, first in that they made no reckoning of getting such a number together to such a purpose: then in proceeding to take vntounto them the vse of them too. Of getting such a number together, it is plaine, that the most Ester. 2: 1-4part made no reckoning: first, those that gaue that aduise; then the King that liked thereof, and did accordingly. The better sort that had to doe herein, were Mordecay and Ester: Mordecay an auncient man, taken to Babylon with Iaconiah, and out-liuing all the Captiuity; and Ester his Cozin-Germane, yet at this time but a young Woman. The infirmity that may be doubted in them, was, Ibid. 5-8.that he, it seemeth, consented that shee might be one of that companie; and that shee agreed vntounto it. For that company was such, as out of quaestion were all likely to be abused (at least till the King should light on some such, as whom hee Ecould be content to marry:) but to come to the estate of marriage with him as vncertaine as might bee; and such as could light but on one of them neyther. In that course that was held to hauehave the vse of them, when so they were gotten together, they againe gaue great liberty vntounto the Flesh, both in that they tooke the vse of theyr bodies: and in that there must bee so nice and daynty praeparing of them vntounto it so long before. In which also it seemeth the consent of both these was in some measure praesent too: and yet a matter, that by the Nature of it should hauehave beene more greeuous vntounto them, than for the one so to hauehave beene pent vp vntounto death, and eueryevery moment to hauehave beene vnderunder the danger of it; and for the other, beeing so auncient a man as hee was, and such a Father to her (his neere Kins-Woman also, as could bee) as hee had beene, rather to hauehave followed her an hundred times to her Graue, than in such case so to attend the Court as he did to vnderstand of her estate therein. But loe heere-withall, the vnsearchable depth of the inaestimable goodnesse of God. They hauehave thus far yeelded, and yet, no doubt, but onelie their infirmity) to foule pullution: she, that should hauehave kept her body, in holinesse and honor; and he, that should hauehave bin her Shield and Buckler, yea euen her Knight or Champion in such a quarrell, euen vntounto death. And yet it pleaseth GOD, both in the meane season to giuegive her speciall fauour in the sight of the Eunuch that had the charge of her and the rest; and in her selfe that good moderation, that shee helde her selfe contented with that fauour and Ibid. 9-20.beauty that God had giuen her, and so did not seeke such other helpes as others, to commend their persons so much the better vntounto the King: and in the end to reward that abuse of her body first, with Matrimony immediatly after, and that in so rich and honourable manner as then he did, and to the praeseruation of so many thousands as not long after followed thereon.

26 The meane beeing thus before hand prouided, the Story of their daunger Aand deliuerance therein, dooth follow next after: but first of one man onelyonly; then of all the whole company of them. That one man onelyonly that was first in daunger, was Mardochaeus or Mordecay: for whom like-wise it pleased GOD first to lay a Ground-woorke of his fauour: and then thereby to set him safe when hee was in daunger. The Ground-woorke of that his fauour was, that whereas two of the Kinges Seruants thought to hauehave killed Ibid. 3: 1-6.the King, Mordecay getting vnderstanding of it, so discharged his duty therein, Bby the mediation of Ester, that the King was praeserued: and a note was entered into record, of Mordecaies good seruice therein. In the danger he was in, we p. 554first hauehave deliuered vntounto vsus the occasion of it: then, what the daunger it selfe was. The occasion of it was, that Mordecay offended Haman, a man of greatest reckoning Ibid. 3: 1-6.with the King, in that first of himselfe he did not that reuerence vntounto him that others did: then much more, when he vnderstood that others did put him in minde thereof, and yet then also hee would not doe it. As touching which reuerence, if it were so excessiue, as (for Mordecaies sake, belike) it is conceiued to be (otherwise praesupposing, that Mordecay would neuer hauehave denied to hauehave done that which duty required) then is Mordecay to be therein excused: but if it were but ordinary duty, and yet Mordecay had so big an heart (for men are men, euen the best of vsus al) that, because hee was of the race of the Amalakites, ancient enemies to the people of GOD, he could not finde in his heart to doe it, then by omitting that point of duty, himselfe was occasion of that his danger, though it pleased God of his goodnesse to helpe him therein. The danger that thereby he was in, was no lesse then death: and not only of himselfe, but of others withall; euen many thousands of his bretheren the people of God. But it shall be good for vsus to distinguish them yet: and, for a time, but to consider of his owne perrill onelyonly. And this his death did Haman so eagerly goe about (but as I said, of many others withall) that first he did cast for an happy day to sette in hand with his great and cruell designe: but then, Ibid 3: 7.when he had found out a day to his liking, yet he could not tarry so long for Mordecay, but must needes bee doing with him before; and so came in a morning betime to the Court, to beg that hee might make him away, and made no doubt but to obtaine it. The daunger that others were in with all, was, that for his sake hee would destroy all the Iewes in those parts besides: and to that end first did cast for a lucky day (as before is said) and tooke time largely vntounto it; and then, hauing sped thereof, sent out Commissions into all quarters, to hauehave the other people in a readinesse against a day, eueryevery where to set on the Iewes, and to make a clean riddance of them, hauing first gotten the Kings consent also vntounto it. But if it were so publikely and openly done, as by the Text it may seeme it was, it is then a good pattern how God did infatuate the ring-leader in this mischieuous purpose and all his company, that they had not the wit to go no more warily about it, but accounted themselues so sure of accomplishing their whole desire, that although the Iewes shoulde thereby see, many dayes before, their fearefull and vtter destruction comming vponupon Cthem, yet should they no way be able to scape it. This being the danger that they were in (Mordecay more specially, and all the rest generally) nowe are wee to see how it pleased God to worke their deliuerance: and first, how he gaue them grace to seeke vntounto him for it; then, how he did accordingly help them. That he gaue them grace to seeke vntounto him, wee hauehave but onelyonly a probability of it, if it should be strictly taken: but otherwise it is most likely that so they did, for that so they imployed themselues, as can no way else so well bee taken. Yet with this diuersity notwithstanding, that in all places else that which they did was of their own accord, for any thing that we finde to the contrary; but, in Shushan the chiefe Citty, by order appointed. That which in all places (where the Iewes dwelt) was done of their owne accord, was, that they rent their cloathes and did put on sack-cloth and Ibid. 4: 1-3.ashes, sorrowed, fasted, and wept (at least many of them) as their manner in such case was, when they saw how heauy a sentence was come forth against them, and in what daunger they were thereby: and this is noted to hauehave beene done, both by Mordecay himselfe in Shushan; and by the rest of the Iewes any where yet remaining in those parts. In that which was done in Shushan it selfe by order appointed, wee first hauehave noted the occasion of it: then, the thing it selfe. The occasion of it was, that Mordecay did so shew himselfe to Ester (yet but a far of, for that in such mourning Ibid. 4-15.sort he might not come into the Court: and then are the people of God, hauing cause to mourne so oft as they hauehave, barred thereby of much helpe that otherwise they might hope to obtaine at the hands of their Princes, if they might hauehave accesse vntounto them) and by messengers both acquainted her with the case as it stood, and required her helpe, first but after the vsuall manner, then more roundly. The thing it selfe was, that thereupon Ester, vntertaking to assay what shee could doe, p. 555Ibid. 16, 17.required first a publique fast of all the Iewes in that Citty for three dayes together; her selfe promising that shee and her company would ioyne with them therein, and then goe to the King about it: which fast was helde as shee required; yet, as it seemeth, but onelyonly such in effect, as of their owne accord many of them had done before, sauing that it may bee they did not so praecisely limit it to a speciall time. In all which wee doe not reade in playne tearmes, that they sought vntounto God, or called Don him: but it cannot bee otherwise better vnderstoode but that they did, the chiefe ende of all their sorrowing beeing to intreate his fauour and helpe. Neyther doe wee finde that they acknowledged that fault of theirs, for which it seemeth that GOD did thus shake the rodde at them: as being so worldly or carelesse of the woorshippe of GOD, as that thereuppon they stayed in those parts and went not downe into Iury with Zorobbabell to build the Temple. And though afterward Ezra came downe with some company with him: yet considering what a fauourable Commission hee had to helpe forward their businesse, his company was but small to such a purpose, in respect of those that this story sheweth to hauehave beene there still; neyther doe wee finde, that those that came with him, did the rather for this ioyne themselues with him. Nehemiah likewise came into the Countrey a fewe yeares after, an Officer in Court, and in great fauour with hys Prince on behalfe of the Common-wealth or estate of the Iewes: himselfe also beeing a notable man, and very thoroughly and faythfully imploying himselfe in that peece of seruice. And yet wee reade of none, but his owne retinue that came downe with him. Certainly a rare and wonderfull thing, that when they were so roundly put in minde of that profane carelesnesse of theirs before, and so quickened vp to a better regarde now, yet dooth it woorke so little with them, and still they abide so senselesse therein. So by that which followed after it, may reasonable probably bee gathered, that as wee doe not finde, for all their sorrowing, that they acknowledged their fault herein: so indeede they had no remorse thereof; but rather that theyr sorrowing was, that they sawe so fearefull a iudgement comming vppon them so fast, and so strongly as it did. GOD againe, as hee is a most gracious GOD, and exceedeth therein, farre aboue that which any heart created is able to conceaue, doth not stay, or delay his help towards them, till they yeelde to humble themselues vntounto him therein, for the which he layd his hand vppon them: but holdeth himselfe contented with this, that they are somewhat daunted, and that in some measure they humble themselues, when thus hee knitteth the browes vntounto them. Neyther doe wee nowe plainely finde, euen in these the better sort of them, that Mordecay did direct this Kins-woman of his, whome himselfe also had brought vp before, to seeke first vntounto GOD, but onelyonly would hauehave her helpe to the King: nor in eyther of them, that they finde any defect in themselues, that they had not beene more carefull to aduaunce the glory and woorshippe of OOD at home in their owne Countrey, and to the farther comfort Eof that his peculiar people; and themselues to woorshippe there with them. So that on all handes that matter may seeme to bee farre from them: and that if GOD will shewe them any fauour, it must bee of his owne goodnesse onelyonly, neyther the whole people generally, nor any of the better sort of them that wee doe reade of, acknowledging to hauehave offended therein for which nowe hee seemeth to lay his hand vppon them; and yet that sinne beeing so plaine in it selfe, that a blinde man might easily finde it, and such as were of any remorse coulde not chuse but sorrow for it. Howe neuerthelesse it pleased GOD to helpe them, being now to be seen, we may the better perceiue it, if we hauehave any reasonable eie to these two: first how weakly it may seem to be set in hand withall by them; yet how strongly (by the goodnes of God) it did proceed. It may seeme to be but weakely sette in hand-with (by Ester I meane) first for that shee was so vnwilling, at all to meddle with it: then also, when shee had vndertaken to assay what shee could doe. When she was so vnwilling at all to meddle with it, it is good to note, p. 556whereupon it was: and how she was informed therein. It was for that it lay vponupon the perrill of her life, by the reason of an order the Kinges of Persia had, that none Ibid. 10, 11.should come vntounto them vnlesse they were sent for, except that it pleased him to pardone them when so they were come. The praetense whereof (no doubt) was for the safety of the Kings person: but the secret or chiefe meaning of it might bee, that his seauen Counsellers, and such as were neerest about him, might without interruption do what themselues would; yea and readily cut of such as they list, if they should repaire to the King to informe him of any thing against them. For, but saying his arrant (as wee tearme it) before, in such sort as they on their credit might, euen that onelyonly might be enough to cut off any when he should come, though hee were as saklesse as might be. When she stucke vponupon that danger, hee sendeth her such word Ibid. 13, 14againe, as might better informe her what she had to doe therein, first vrging her by strict necessity: then vsing some other reasons that were of force likwise to perswade, but yet not so forcibly vrging, as gently leading her thereunto. For first, he putteth her out of doubt, that it is her owne case aswell as others: so that shee could not escape, if it proceeded against them, and were not staied. Then also making no doubt, Fbut that God would send them helpe one way or other, that if she would not assay to do it, some other should hauehave the honour of it: but that it might be, that purposely God had brought her to that place, that shee should do it. A good and needefull consideration for all those that are in place of speciall opportunity to doe any good: such place it selfe witnessing vntounto them, that therefore God hath giuen it vntounto them, that they out of it should yeeld to the people of God, what such place wil at any time affoord. When now being heereby resolued to take it in hand, she set in hand with it, it seemeth she went but weakely about it, in that she had (as it might seeme) speciall good opportunity vntounto it twice: and yet each of those times shee did differ it to some time ensuing. It is taken by others, as hauing some speciall policy in it, or as assured that God would afterward giuegive some better opportunity: but considering Lyr. Con. Pellic Tremel. Iun.how timerous naturally we are, when wee are to deale with personages of so speciall account, and so much the more if the cause be weighty, it seemeth to me, that timerousnesse was more likely to be the cause of that her delay, than any thing else; saue onelyonly for the former of them. For when at the first she found her selfe so welcome vntounto the King, that she had promise to hauehave granted vntounto her whatsoeuer she would Ibid. 5: 1-4.aske, euen to the one halfe of his Kingdome, but that Haman was now away, whom it seemeth shee thought good to hauehave in a readinesse when the matter should come in quaestion, so to make the readier dispatch of the businesse, this might seeme to bee as fit a time as she could hauehave wished: but seeing at this time hee was not there that we reade of, nor as it seemeth, therefore to such purpose, and in the course that shee intended, she might at this time very well thinke, that it was not so fit opportunity as she hoped ere long to hauehave. But the latter of those two times, when shee had Haman Ibid. 5-8.at hand, altogether as ready and as fit to her purpose as she could hauehave wished (for any thing that appeareth to the contrary) and the King likewise now renewed his former offer vntounto her, to grant her request, euen vntounto the halfe of his Kingdome: that now she put it of againe till the next day, when as delay is in all reason, and experience too, so very dangerous in all such attempts, as hang on tickell and rare opportunities, it cannot by any circumstance of Text, or by the best approued iudgements for the sounder course in such kind of dealing, bee so fitly ascribed to any thing else G(as I do take it) as to the common timerousnesse wee hauehave in all such cases, or as wee tearme it, that as yet her heart did not serue her. For that she had any purpose, so to Lyra….make Haman more odious to the other Nobles, in that hee was twice by her entreated to attend the King banquetting with her, and none but hee; or that it was any Conr. Pellic.deepe point of wisedome in her, and withall a notable moderation of her affections that could yet put of that, which full faine she would hauehave had: I for my part cannot conceiue, that eyther of them is so like as the other; as also, that shee was giuen to vnderstand from aboue, that within that time that she had now set downe, she should hauehave opportunity fit for her purpose, hath no warrant at all (that I can see) in the Tremel. Iun.Text it selfe. True it is, that next day she had (as thinges fell out in the meane season) p. 557a fitter opportunity then before, or yet shee had: at least the opportunity as fit as now (for such was the fauour of the King towardes her still, and in the selfe same Ester 7: 1, 2.tearmes deliuered vntounto her) and much greater encouragement, by the honour that was done vntounto Mordecay the same morning. But this was more than shee could know of, vnlesse it were extraordinarily imparted vntounto her: but that wee finde not; and then is it not for vsus so to determine. It seemeth rather, that God would thereby shew vsus, how weake we are, and how readily our heart doth faile vsus, to take such opportunities as God doth giuegive vsus; especially, in such things as are good seruices to him, though those also do much import our selues: and yet, that hee doth not reiect vsus in this our weaknesse, but onelyonly leaueth vsus so farre to our selues, as is sufficient to shew it vntounto vsus; and then himselfe worketh after his manner, to his owne glory, and to our comfort withall, and very admirably in both.

27 Now therefore to see how strongly by the goodnesse of God it did proceede, Anotwithstanding that great weakenesse of hers, as the danger they were in did first concerne Mordecay more specially; then also, all the Iewes or people of God generally: so the course or manner of Gods working for their good, was such, as first respected Mordecay more specially; then, all the rest of the people generally. For first as touching Mordecay, hee will not onelyonly saue his life; but also bring him to great honour: and both these, in rare and speciall manner. His life hee praeserueth Bwith the destruction of him that sought it; and hee bringeth him to the selfe same place of honour which his enemie had, but yet not all at once, but as it were by some degrees: first giuing him but some little tast of it; then, putting him in full possession thereof. When he gaue him but some little tast of it, yet was it such (all things considered) as was a great and speciall benefit: being at such time bestowed on him, when his enemies had thought to hauehave swallowed him vp. Which that wee may the better perceiue, first wee hauehave set downe vntounto vsus, how they were deuising against him his vtter ruin: then, how God notwithstanding did euen then begin to aduaunce him. In their deuising against him, wee hauehave deliuered vntounto vsus, how among them the matter was first debated: then, concluded. In the debating of it, himselfe doth first propound it vntounto such company as there he had: and then do they giuegive him such aduise as they thought meetest. That he did now propound it to his friends there, it arose vponupon a new discontentment that then hee tooke. That new discontentment of his was, that comming from the Feast a glad man, that the Ibid. 5: …-13Queene had vouchsafed him that honour, to be her onelyonly guest with the King, again he espied that Mordecay did him not that honour that others then did: whereat againe he was much grieued, but yet bridled his affections for the time. But comming home, and calling his wife and other friends vntounto him, there hee disgorged all vntounto them: namely, that whatsoeuer earthly thinges he yet had (which himselfe recounted vntounto them, and acknowledged the same to bee great) yet they all did giuegive him no such contentment, but that the discontentment hee had by that stifnesse of Mordecay, still persisting in doing no such reuerence vntounto him as others did, was more irksome vntounto him, than that he could take any comfort in any of those thinges he had besides, or in all together. A very good patterne, both how a man may be enraged on the behalfe of his owne glory, when it is touched, though neuer so lightly (for so was this case of his, beeing but one man among many thousands, that did not giuegive that honour vntounto him; nor he of any speciall reckoning yet; nor doing any farther disgrace vntounto him, but onelyonly that he did him not that honour:) and how little contentment there is in any earthly externall goods, against a small perturbation Cof the mind among men; and then is there much lesse in them, against the clamorousnesse of a guilty conscience towards God. The matter being thus by him propounded, his company then were not long before they gaue in their verdit thereon: and it was, that he should first rid himselfe of that his griefe: and then might he more Ibid. 14.merrily goe with the King to the banquet. To rid himselfe of his griefe first, their aduise was, to get a Gibbet set vp (to be in a readinesse) and, the same of great heigth (according to the desire of the reuenge that was in him, so the better to satisfie the p. 558ranc or of it:) then, that hee should goe the next morning betime to the King, and begge Mordecay to bee hanged thereon; a matter that they (belike) did take to be most easie by the fauour the King did beare him, little acquainted (as it seemeth) with that higher ouer-ruling power in Heauen, or if they knewe it, yet in this case making no reckoning of it. This was no sooner mooued by them, but that it was liked by him: and so on all handes concluded among them. Woorke-men are presently set on woorke to make the Gibbet: they were nowe to waite but the next morning; and that night (no doubt) was long, yet short enough if they knew all. They hauing nowe gone almost as farre ar they can, and so wee being to see, how God euen now began to aduance him, the King that night, not being able to Ibid. 6: 1-12.sleepe, and by that occasion causing some of his Chamber to reade vntounto him, they light on the place where it was recorded how Mordecay had saued the Kings lyfe, by detecting a conspiracie that two of his seruaunts had against him: whereuppon the King demaunding, howe that Mordecay had beene rewarded, and finding that nothing had beene done vntounto him as yet, hee demaunded of Haman (who nowe was come to begge Mordecay, to bee graced with that high Gibet of his, the person of Haman nowe groaning for it) if in case hee were disposed to grace any man with speciall fauour, in what sort, by his aduise, hee best might doe it. Haman then, conceauing it must needes bee himselfe that the King did meane of, as if all the worlde were fully disposed still to goe with him, hee made the stake so fayre as hee could, making no doubt but hee should get it. The King well liked of his deuise, and bad him doe so to Mordecay; and not to faile in any thing that hee had spoken: and hee on the other side (but no doubt with an heauy heart, if hee might hauehave done otherwise) was faine to doe it; but when hee had done, hee liked so ill of his game then, that hee cast vp his cards, and got him away as fast as hee could, a sorrowfull man. A speciall good patterne, howe the prouidence of God Dworketh here on earth among vsus: and that he faileth not those that are his. For as touching his prouidence, when it still followeth the course of secondary causes, it is so ouer-shadowed with thē, that we do not lightly perceiue it: whereas here, thogh al things be done by men, yet see we nothing in al these maters but such as sheweth it selfe to be the peculiar work of God; al things do so concur together, and so fitly answer each other without any help (as it were) of any. That he faileth not those that are his, though it bee also in his dealing towards all his people there then; yet wee note it but only in that which is towards Mordecay now: and that especially to be a mean to stay vsus from all inordinate aspiring to helpe our selues, when as that which God doth mean vsus, himselfe doth so readily bring in when himselfe thinketh good, that our selues doe not at any time need to slip any seruice to God to goe about it. God had saued the life of the king by Mordecaies meanes; yet do we not find, that he took any occasion thereby (as vsing the means which God had giuen him: for that is the thing, vnderunder which we shroud our greedy scamblings) to make suit for any recompence for that his seruice. When God again did now, vnwitting to him, put the king in mind of that his seruice, and framed his heart to shew himselfe thankfull for it, so that he had speciall honor done vntounto him, and that by his mortall enemy, so that in it he might plainly see the hand of God extended to his preferment; yet, when he had all that honor done vntounto him, he did not follow on that vaine to work farther on it (so to prosecute his good fortune, as men doe terme it) nor beare himselfe the higher for it; but returned to the kings gate againe, not any place of credit or charge as it seemeth, though some hauehave made such reckning of it (for besides Tremel. Iun. in Ester 2: 19.that we read of no such matter yet bestowed on him, we afterward finde, that when the king asked his seruants whether he had any recompence yet, they plainely answered, Ester. 6: 3.that then hee had none) but the wonted place of his attendance, such as before was noted. But when hee did no better follow on it, then did it so follow on Ibid. 2: 11.)him, that euen that day, it seemeth, it presented it selfe fully vntounto him. When Haman was so gotten home, hee recounted to his Wife and friendes howe sorrowful an accident had that morning befaln him: and they on the other side were now so far from giuing him any comfort in that discomfortable case of his that now they p. 559plainely acknowledged they had no hope but he would fall more and more, if that EIbid. 6: 13.Mordecay were a Iew before whom he had begun to stumble already. A good sentence to be marked in these dayes also: that they made such a reckoning of the fauour of God to that his people, that though God did afflict them some-times; yet when he beganne to vouchsafe them his fauour againe, and for their sakes to call their enemies to account of their doinges, then must the Enemy daily more and more be humbled, and his people more and more aduanced. For the Gospell in these daies hath an Haman in Rome, who long hath endeauoured to abolish it cleane (so farre as they hauehave thought good to stand against it) and to extinguish the memory of it. But in these dayes it pleaseth God to set in hand with the aduancement of the Gospell againe; and that Haman hath stumbled already. And his wiser Friends no doubt do see, and hauehave told him too, that the Gospel being of the Seed whereof it is, it is vnpossible for him to stand against it, and may look for none other, but dayly more and more to fall before it: While they were thus casting their losses at home, the time of the second dayes banquet approached, which Haman so little attended now (it seemeth, hee liked his game but ill) that Ibid. 14.the King was faine to send for him to come away: indeede a dismall banquet to him (though yet he saw nothing neere to the bottome of it, nor any others as yet: neyther the King whom the Issue of it was to passe, nor so much as Mordecay nor Ester neyther, who were to reape much benefit by it) but a ioyfull banket to others: and that very time, when God would now giuegive to Mordecay the full possession or fruition of that, whereof he gaue him but a tast before. For at the banket, Ibid. 7: 1 10when the King againe would know what was the suit that Ester had, promising now also as great fauour therein as before hee had done, and Ester thereupon told him, it was but the assurance of her owne life, and of her people that she desired, shewing him withall in how praesent danger they were by Haman there praesent: the King then was so thoroughly mooued against Haman, who had so much Ibid. 8: 1.abused him therein, that praesently hee tooke his Signet from him, and so put him out of authority, and office thereby, and soone after gaue sentence of death on him, and to be hanged (at his owne doores) on that very Gibet, that himselfe had prouided to hang Mordecay on. The Enemy being thus taken away, then the FKing both gaue vntounto Ester Hamans house: &, when she acquainted the King how neere Mordecay was vntounto her, he then committed his Signet to him, and put him Ibid. 8: 1, …in the place that Haman had.

28 Thus farre did the course of Gods working respect Mordecay chiefly: and Anow are we to consider of it, as it respected the rest of the people generally. Concerning which deliuerance of theirs, the Story doth so deliuer it vntounto vsus, as occasioneth vsus to consider, not onelyonly what it was in it selfe; but also what it was vntounto them, or as they esteemed of it. As it was in it selfe, it resteth in two principall points: one, as it was graunted of the King; another, as it was wrought foorth by by them. As it was graunted by the King, it was not the reuoking of that heauy Ibid. 8: 3-14.sentence that by Hamans meanes had passed against them before (the King himselfe acknowledging that hee might not so doe, that beeing a thing that was altogether against their Lawes or manner of gouernment) but an authorizing of them also to stand their owne defense against those that by the vertue of the former decree should goe about to suppresse them; and not onelyonly to defend themselues against them, but also to bee auenged on them, giuing them liberty therein both to destroy their persons, and to make spoyle of their goods. As it was wrought forth Ibid 15-17 Ibid. 9: 1-16by them, it is noted first, that it was great comfort and ioy vntounto them that Mordecay one of themselues was so greatly aduanced, and that they had that liberty giuen them against their Enemies: then also, that according to the liberty giuen them, they eueryevery where assembled themselues to be auenged on those that meant euill against them. As touching which matter wee hauehave it more specially set downe what was done, first in all other places besides, throughout all the Dominions and Prouinces to him appertaining: then, in the Citty of Shusan it selfe, the royall Citty p. 560or seat of the Kingdome. In all the other Prouinces it is noted, that euen the Rulers and Gouernors themselues were fauourable to the Iewes in this businesse, for Ibid. 9: 1-5, 16, 17.that they vnderstoode of the greatnesse of Mordecay, and so were afraid to come in any suspicion with him: and that the Iewes destroyed of those that would hauehave destroyed them, to the number of threescore and fifteene thousand, but that they neuer Bmedled with the spoyle, though they were vntounto it authorized also (though many of ours without authority doe fall to the spoyle where least they should) and that this they did, all on a day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the selfe same day that their enemies had gotten by the former decree, on which to hauehave destroyed them. In Shushan that which they did, may seeme to be the stranger, vnlesse there Ibid. 9: …-15be some reason conceiued. For there when they had taken their pleasure, as it were, on the day appointed, and therein destroyed fiue hundred persons, and the ten sonnes of Haman besides (but heere also not medling with the spoyle) by Queene Ester they craued, that they might hauehave liberty, the next day also to doe the like: and hauing that graunted vntounto them they then destroyed three hundred mo; and hanged vp (for example and terror) those ten Sonnes of Haman that were slaine the day before. The reason why they desired another day there, and had it granted, is not set down: but it seemeth to bee implyed, that their enemies there, were not yet quieted or set downe, by the first daies worke; and therefore that another was thought to be needfull. And very likely it is, that the Iewes being strangers there, and but captiues but a little before, were not suffered much to inhabite there, that being the chiefe Citty and the seat of the Kingdome then: and so that the Iewes being but few there in comparison, and their enemies many, another daies execution there was needefull for them, to hauehave rest from those enemies that the former decree had set vp against them, which being obtained, then qucikly they got them rest from them all. What this deliuerance was vntounto them, or how they esteemed of it, it is a matter plaine enough in it selfe: and yet is it good that wee doe more specially consider, in what sort themselues did testifie, how they were affected at it. For if we marke, we may note, that in such sort they did it, as both might witnesse what comfort and ioy it was vntounto them; and withall might scorne the folly of others. What comfort and ioy it was vntounto them, they shewed, first for that praesent: then also for the time to come. For that praesent they shewed it, in that they kept the next daies ensuing, the foureteenth Ibid. 17-19and fifteenth of that month with so great festiuity or reioycing as they did: the fourteenth, for that rest they got from all their enemies generalry, on the thirteenth day before; & the fifteenth, for that farther assurance therein, that they got in the chiefe Citty of all, the foureteenth day of that month also. For the time to come they did it, in that their Superiors ordained, and themselues agreed, that thence-forward Ibid. 20-32they would keepe those two daies with ioy and gladnesse: Mordecay first at that praesent writing to all the Iewes in all the Prouinces so to do; and then, both the Queene Cand he againe the second time, setting downe a plaine decree for the due obseruing of them, to all their posterity ensuing. Those others whose folly therein they would scorne, were those their enemies, and especially Haman, the very ring-leader vntounto them all: and that which they would scorne in them, was that their busie cyphering Ibid. 24, 26, 28, 31, 32.or casting of lots for a luckie day, wherein to doe this their intended feat, running ouer almost a twelue-month therein, that so they might light on a luckie day wherein to dispatch it. So they called these two feastiuall daies, Purim, or the daies of Lots, in scorne to those that had light on such daies, as whereon their owne deuise turned to bee so bloody, and reprochfull vntounto themselues. A good example to vsus, both to be carefull to commend the speciall fauours of God towardes vsus, to all out posterity ensuing: and what account to make of that heathenish superstition, that some daies are such as afford no good successe vntounto such businesse as wee hauehave to doe, and therefore to cast for some luckie day when we hauehave any speciall thing to do.

29 That farther Story that we hauehave of that state (indeede, not much) is partly Aof the King himselfe; and partly of this great Officer of his now, Mardochaeus, or Mordecay. Of the King himselfe there be two thinges reported: one, that he laid p. 561Ibid. 10: 1, 2a tribute on all the maine Land, and on the Islands of the Sea that were any part of his Dominions; the other that his power and greatnesse, were in the Chronicles of the Medes and Persians, recorded. Like lips, like Lettice againe. If there bee no worthier matter in him, but readily to lay vponupon his people the burthen of such payments, as Princes are wont sometimes to doe (more than they neede, but to keepe their people low, that so themselues may so much the easilier impose the yoke of some kind of seruitude on them) euen those Chronicles of the Medes and Persians, are sufficient records of all his greatnesse: Chronicles, that are not extant now, nor hauehave beene these many ages already past; and if they were, yet of small credit, and in no great request, euen in the world. And whereas the iudgement of those daies was, that in comparison of those two other Kings of Persia that went immediately before him, Cyrus the one, Cambyses the other, allowing Cyrus to hauehave ruled as a Father, and Cambyses as a Lord, they did set downe this Darius to be, as it were, an Huckster, or one that made Money of all: it may bee, that the Spirit of God did now note that in him, as a principall part of his gouernment among them, to see that none of his Dominions Bescaped those paiments that he meant to impose vponupon them. Men, indeed, are wont to bee discontented with such paiments as are iustly required; and so their censure may oft-times in such case be of no great reckoning, to touch the conscience of any: but if the Spirit of God do concur withall, improuing the course that of any is taken therein, then is there no quaestion, but that that censure is indeede to be feared. Much better had it beene (so farre as hee had no neede to vrge them) rather as a Father, to hauehave beene so giuing vntounto them, than taking of them, that his goodnesse might rather hauehave beene recorded in the hearts of his people, than his greatnes in the Chronicles of the Medes and Persians. Of Mordecay who was but his seruant, neuerthelesse there bee more honourable thinges reported: and first what hee was with the King; then what he was with his owne people. With the King he was Ibid. 2, 3.in so speciall fauour, that he did so greatly aduance him, that it also was entered into those Chronicles together with the greatnesse of the King himselfe: an argument of great probability, albeit we had no farther knowledge of him, that hee was a man of speciall great worth, whom so mighty a Prince as he, should so greatly aduance as to make him next to himselfe, being still a stranger vntounto him, and, a little before, a captiue too. With his owne people the Iewes he was not onelyonly great, but acceptable Ibid. 3.too, or of great price with them: and no maruell, because it is noted of him, that he procured the wealth of his people, and vsed to speake peaceably vntounto them. A very good token, that such of our great men are good, as are in speciall Authority vnderunder their Prince, when they are of great price with the people also. But that can they not be, if they seeke aboue measure to gird them in daily more and more: or, if but in speech they deale roughly with them. We are all their owne people and bretheren now: but though we bee (so farre) all in one case: yet euer there are some, more specially to that reckoing appertaining (as the Ministery often, and the poore Commons euer) of whom there is more speciall regard to be had therein, & in whose estate it is (lightly) vndoubtedly seene, whether those that are in speciall place vnderunder their Prince, be good or not. Which the more that at any time we finde, the better may we see, that God then doth draw vsus vntounto him by louelove; and wee are so much the more to thanke him: and the lesse againe that we do at any time finde it, the more plain it is vntounto vsus, that God is then offended with vsus; and therefore, that in such case, we are the more to examine wherein we are wrong, and then, amending the same so Cfar as we can, so to seeke vntounto God for his farther fauour.

30 That one other thing, of which this Story of Ester doth giuegive vsus good occasion Alikewise to consider, is not appropriate to this Story onelyonly: but something appertaining to diuers other Stories of Scripture besides, as the people of God hauehave had some speciall dealing with Forraigne peoples. But because it is very praegnant heere, and the last of that sort (that are of any speciall moment) as I do take it, therefore thought I it meetest heere to be remembred. It is no more but this, that whereas there be diuers Heathen writers, that do purposely write of the Persian Story, and p. 562of this Darius that now we speake of: yet is it noted, that none of them all do make any mention of this Mardoch…; and so, not of any such place giuen vntounto him. But Conr. Pellic. …n Ester. 10: 2.so is it for diuers others besides, in the times both of the Kinges of Babylon before, and of the Kings of the Medes and Persians after. In all which it seemeth, first that there was some fault in those writers: then also, that God may hauehave other meaning therein. The fault that may seeme to be in those writers, was, eyther of negligence, or else of malice. Of negligence it may be, that they being ignorant of God, and that the Iewes were his peculiar people, they did not regard to cast their eyes to any such matters: so that God might do many great thinges among them, and yet little or nothing regarded by them. Of malice it may be, that, because the Iewes were, for the most part, very odious to all other peoples, for that they were so diuided from all others in religious rites and ceremonies, and were in such sort to destroy the Canaanites as they were commanded, and might not hauehave any speciall society with diuers other peoples besides: therefore, whatsoeuer might tend to their commendation, or credit with others, that would they passe by and see not, and of the two rather chuse to suppresse it, than to commend it to the knowledge of others. GOD also might doe it of speciall purpose, both to shew vsus the defect of all such writers, that wee should not ouer-much trust vntounto them, when they are so defectiue, as the omitting of such matrers dooth shew they are: and that hee would make triall of vsus, whether we can trust that which it pleaseth him to deliuer vntounto vsus, though there be no body else to auow it besides.

31 That other Story that wee hauehave of those that taried behinde, of which Bnotwithstanding there is some quaestion, appertaineth to the time when the Temple was builded, and is concerning that quaestion moued of those two fasting dayes that the Iewes had taken vponupon them to obserue during the time of their captiuity, but now made quaestion thereof themselues, whether they were bound to obserue them still or not. Concerning which matter, the quaestion is not, whether there were any such thing or not; but onelyonly by whom the quaestion was mooued: whether by those that yet taried behinde in Babylon, and in other places of those Countries: or by the Iewes that were already returned to their owne Land, but did not dwell at Ierusalem (neere to the Temple) but onelyonly in other places of the Countrey farther of. Now those themselues that mooue the quaestion doe graunt, that all Tremel. Iun. in Zach. 7: 2.Zech 7:2others generally are of opinion, that they were those that yet taried behinde, who sent about this matter: and yet themselues doe peremtorily ouer-rule it, to be those that were returned already. They professe likewise, that the occasion and argument of that demaund doe lead them to bee of that opinion: and yet bring no other matter for the occasion or argument of it that they conceiue, than the same whereon the others also doe build; sauing, that they account the nature of this demaund to bee such, as that in open sight it dooth no lesse, but much more appertaine, to those that were already returned, than vntounto those that taried behinde. This they say; but bring no farther proofe of their opinion: and so is it so much the stranger, that they doe so easily sunder themselues from the iudgement of all others besides. Concerning which, it seemeth to mee, that for sufficient resolution heerein (that it should rather bee the quaestion of those that tarried behinde) wee neede goe no farther, but onelyonly to marke the quaestion it selfe: and in what manner it was demaunded. The quaestion it selfe, may seeme rather to respect those that tarried behinde, than those that were come home, because the doubtfulnesse of the quaestion dooth not noely stand vponupon the knowledge of the estate of those that were returned: but much more on want of the knowledge of it. For if it were knowne, that the Temple was builded, and the common-wealth set vp againe (though but in some meaner measure) the doubtfulnesse of the quaestion were then no more, but onelyonly on this: whether, seeing they tooke vppe those two fasting-dayes, one of them for the ruin of the Temple, Cthe other for the slaughter of Gedaliah (by whose vnseasonable taking away p. 563their whole estate then fell flat to the ground) i… … that yet they … obserue them, or might not rather giuegive them vp no…, when the Temple was builded, and the common-wealth in some measure reared againe. But thus much of the quaestion concerned both sortes of them, as well those that were returned, as those that were not, and both alike. But now, if we goe farther, to consider whether of these two sortes were more likely to knowe the …y, whether the Temple were yet builded, or any reasonable forme of a Common-Wealth obtayned: there is no quaestion, but that those that were returned, were the likelyest to know best in what case those thinges were among them, and so needed they least to inquire for that matter. So falleth it out, that though in the former of th…se respectes, it stand indifferent to eyther of them; yet in the latter it leaneth altogether to the one sort of them: nothing at all fitting those that are at home, to moue any quaestion that should depend vponupon the not knowing of theyr estate there; but fitting the others maruellous well for that they were many hundred miles of, and might well be doubtful in what estate they were there, if they were not (for many of them) altogether ignorant of it. If we go to the manner of demanding that quaestion, that beareth witnesse much more cleerely, that it was the quaestion of those that yet were behind; and not of those that were already returned: euen only because they sent to the House of GOD in Hierusalem about it. For first there is no quaestion at all, but that this quaestion came from the whole body (as it were) of them: eyther of those that were returned; or of those that yet tarryed behinde. It could not so come from the body (or in common) of those that were returned, because many of them, and the cheefe part of them (for so many) did dwell in Hierusalem it selfe: and as for the residue of them, they also dwelt in such sort round about Hierusalem (eueryevery one in theyr owne Citties at home) that if they would confer of any matter in common, there were no place so fit for them all to meete in, to conferre thereof, as Hierusalem it selfe. For since the time that Salmanassar placed those other peoples in the Cittyes of Israell, we neede not to doubt, but that they still kept theyr holde in those. So that when Dthese returned, they had (to speake of) but theyr wonted Cittyes to dwell in, those that belonged to Iudah and Beniamin: and those, it is knowne, compassed Hierusalem on eueryevery side; and hadde theyr combyning or coupling together, as they were all but one body, no where so much as in Hierusalem it selfe. And when, a little after this, wee hauehave it more specially set downe, where the Iewes Neh. 11: 25-30. Tremel. Iun.Neh 11:25–30that returned did now inhabit, euen those that are of opinion, that this quaestion was mooued by those that returned, doe neuerthelesse marke, that the Cittyes there named, did all appertaine eyther to Iudah, or to Simeon who mingled with them: as on the other side for Beniamin, the Text it selfe dooth witnesse, that Ios. 18: 11.Josh 18:11theyr Cittyes did lye betwixt Iudah and Ioseph, (as indeede Ephraim lay on the North-side of them, euen as Iudah did on the South) closing vppe Hierusalem Chr. Adrichom.as it were in the bosome or middest of them both. But these Cittyes of Beniamin that now wee speake of, were I graunt those that were theyr portion before: which neuerthelesse dooth not altar the case, for that wee hauehave no reason to conceiue they got any others now; but rather might bee glad if they had all those, or so many of them as now they needed. Then also, seeing it plaine, that they sent, euen that very sending dooth not so well square to those that returned, and in person so often repayred thyther them-selues as vntounto those that yet were behinde: all those beeing at Hierusalem alreadie, as touching the bodie of them all, and none beeing distant thence but onelyonly as they were particulars, and yet so very often repayring thyther too; and these onelyonly, both in particulars, and in the whole bodie or communitie of them all, beeing absent from it, and the neerest of them far distant also. Being then resolued who they were that sent to Hierusalem about this matter, and so hauing the readier way now to come to the matter it selfe, wee are first to consider of the quaestion mooued by them: then of the aunswere that was giuen them from God. In the quaestion p. 564mooued by them, we are first to beginne with the occasion of it: and so to come to the quaestion it selfe. The occasion of it was, that they had taken vppe certaine fa…ing dayes before, which eueryevery yeere of their owne accord they would obserue: themselues moouing the quaestion but of one; but the Lorde himselfe directing Zach. 7: 1-3Zech 7:1–3his Prophet to remember them of others also, praesently of one moe, and a little after of two other besides. Which Fasting-dayes of theirs are by the help EIbid. 5. 8: 19of Ieremy noted to be, one of them towardes the ende of one yeare: the others, all in the next yeare ensuing. That which was towards the end of the yeare, was in the tenth month thereof, what time the King of Babylon did first begin to besiedge Ier. 52: 4.Jer 52:4Hierusalem. The others that were all in the next yeare following, were some of them by occasion of farther griefe for that which after befell to Ierusalem: and one of them for the pittifull slaughter of a worthy personage among them. That which befell to Hierusalem after, were two speciall calamities: one, to the Citty; another to the Temple. That which befell vntounto the Citty, was in the fourth month Ibid. 6, 7.of the new yeare following: and it was, that then the enemies brake into the Citty and got it, it beeing greatly distressed by Famine before. That which befell vntounto the Temple, was in the next month following; and it was no lesse than the Ibid. 12. 2 King. 25: 82 Kgs 25:8vtter ruine or destruction of it by Fire: the enemies putting fire vntounto it; and it burning foure daies long, before it was consumed with it. That worthy personage that was slaughtered so pittyfully, was Gedaliah, whom the King of Babylon had left to bee Gouernour to the people that remained: who accordingly gouerned them so wel, that as then they stood a people yet; so there was good hope that vnderunder him that they might hauehave doone so long, and hauehave beene in reasonable good case too. But then certaine loose Gallants came treacherously and slue him, as Ier. 41: 1-3.Jer 41:1–3being too much for the Babylonians: whereupon soone after the Land was cleane rid of all the rest of them; and, so were they there, not only no Common-wealth, but also no people at all. Which calamity befell in the seauenth month next ensuing. So their foure Fasting-daies, that nowe for many yeares they had euerie yeere kept, were on those daies, it seemeth, on which those calamities befel them: the siedge begun; the Citty gotten; the Temple burnt; and Gedaliah slaine. As touching the quaestion it selfe, whereas they had foure Fasting-dayes in all, and yet mooue the quaestion but of one of them onelyonly, it shall bee good to consider, whereupon they may seeme to doe it: then, what it is they mooue concerning it. They may seeme to make choyce of that their first months fast, as most concerning God, because it was on behalfe of his house then consumed with Fire. For such is the nature of Hypocriticall, that is, of all our common or ordinary deuotion, to plead most on such thinges whereby it may most seeme, that wee hauehave made God Fbeholding vntounto vsus. That which they moue concerning it, is, whether they were stil to continue that wonted fasting of theirs, or whether now (as the world was mended with them) they might not leaue it; implying thereby, both that themselues made no doubt of it, but that so long as the House of God lay wast, or was buried in the ruines and rubble of it, so long as they had to obserue such a generall set and solemne sorrowing for it; but that now the cause of that their sorrowing being taken away, that in their iudgementes they were tied vntounto it still, but yet that they thought it to be their duty, first to acquaint him with it, and therein to doe as hee would hauehave them. Wherein we hauehave a plaine example, first that we may in time so intangle our selues in such voluntary obseruations, as that in the end, though they were but voluntary first, yet wee account them necessary after: and that then wee readily obtrude them to God, as for his sake being doone; and that, so if it please him, we are ready to continue them also. The answer that hereunto was giuen them of God, consisted of two principall points: one, concerning this that they speake of; the other, as touching some other thinges, nothing at all heere remembred by them. Concerning the matter that now they spake of, the effect of his answer is, that he neuer willed them so to do, & so will hauehave no dealing at all with it now: but that it was their own doing before, and that (for him) they should now determine of it as they thought good; himselfe would in no wise medle with it. As touching those p. 565other thinges nothing at all remembered now by them, they are in effect, that they Zac. 7: 4-12.should hauehave had speciall regard to the word of God sent vntounto thē by his Prophets before, & hauehave behaued themselues wel one towards another; and that so they had pleased him indeed: but that they could neuer like to doe therein as he would hauehave had them; & therfore that he careth as litle, for this their voluntary seruice in these. A notable place to teach vsus two very good and needfull pointes: how carelesse we are of those things that concerne true godlines indeed, and neuerthelesse not without deuotion in such waies as our selues do like of; and how little God regardeth those waies of ours, and euer turneth vsus vntounto those others that he requireth. And yet were it hard to finde any one worke of our voluntary worshipping whatsoeuer, that in our owne iudgement were likely to bee more acceptable to God, than these fasting-dayes of theirs in such sort as they did take them vp at the first, Gand afterward vse them. For they tooke them vp at the first vppon seuerall great and pregnant tokens of the great displeasure of God against them for their sinnes: their head Citty besiedged; soone after taken; their Temple burnt; and the land dispeopled. In all which and in eueryevery of them, they had good cause to stir vp themselues yearely to some speciall sorrow for so heauy an hand of God, so many wayes then laid vppon them. Their manner of doeing it was to seperate or with-drawe themselues for the time, from their delights and pleasures, and from their vsuall affaires besides; and to giuegive themselues to some set sorrowing and lamentation; and many of them euen in sack-cloath and ashes, putting on such homely and base apparrell, and so deforming themselues besides, as vnwoorthy any better reckoning with any. In all which their fasts, forbearing of meat for the time was an appendant, as the forbearing of their lawfull liberty in other things also for that present: but neither it, nor any of the others being so for the time forborne were of the substance of their fasting, no, not in their owne iudgement) but onelyonly their weeping and sorrowing, as their owne very words doe reasonable plainely witnesse vntounto vsus. For they doe not plead vppon their abstinence from meat, or on the forbearing of those other thinges that otherwise they might lawfully hauehave imployed themselues about, as but resting therein: but on that they wept and sorrowed, and that they Zac. 7: 3.seperated themselues from all other things, not as resting therein, but the better to helpe them forward in that other action which at such times they chiefly intended. Whereas on the other side our fastings, though the glory or flower of all the deuotion that many of vsus hauehave, doe not consist of the substance of fasting: but onelyonly in some appendant of it; and for the most part, but in sleight or easie manner. But if God did looke so strangely on these fastings of theirs, and would hauehave nothing to do with them: both the vsuall fastings, and many other voluntary worshippings, which were vsed in the power of darknesse, may goe whistle, as they say, for any fauor they are like to find at the hands of God, for any thing they find in this patterne that now we are in.