The Churchs Deliverance, Tract · Chapter 2 (3 of 4)

The Churchs Deliverance · Tract · Chapter 2 (3 of 4)

p. 134A notable marke of the true childe of God:Obſ. 86. Obedience to lawful authority, a true marke of the Child of god. 4. Sam. 15. Namely in lawful things, to bee obedient to ſuperiors commaunds; 1. So hath God commanded; 2. ſo ſhal we prolong our daies, 3. ſo is corruption humbled and patience tryed. 4. ſo is faith excerciſed, and order maintained. 5. ſo is God honoured better then with ſacrifice. 6. and man alſo 7by obeying more honored then if he could commaund 8obedience. In a word, where obedience is, there is ſafety, 9and all proſperity: but confuſiō followeth diſorder and diſobedience. What may we then iudge of thoſe y^• iuſtifie treaſon and rebellion in inferiors? that allow the ſubiect to rebel againſt the Prince, yea to take his life from him? that warrant the childe to forſake their parents, and p. 135iuſtifie diſobedience in al ſorts: ſhall we think y^t this proceeds from an heroical ſpirit? Shal we eſteem it as greater obedience and honour vntounto God? who becauſe hee is obeyed aboue man, therfore wee muſt not obey man in him, & vnderunder him? So the Papiſts aduance their traitors & iuſtifie their treaſōs: Surely how neceſſarily muſt theſe erre, not knowing the Scriptures? how fearefully do theſe reiect God in not obeying his ordinance? ſhall wee looke that God will honour them that doe thus diſhonour him? Bleſſed bee our GOD who hath maintained his own cauſe, and hath iuſtified his ordinance in the confuſion of his enemies. So lette all thine enemies periſh oh Lord, ſo bee thou exalted in the protection of thine Annoynted.

But wherin doth this obedience of Heſter ſhew it ſelfe?Obſ. 87. Sincere obedience rather reſpects the power of the Commander then the worth of the thing commanded. Surely in concealing a ſecret not fitte to be known; No doubt her father had giuen her many other good leſſons, & happily among ſo many, ſhe might hauehave forgottē this; or happily ſhe might hauehave diſpenſed with it, as a matter of no great conſequence; and ſeeing it was a thing would not be long hid, why might ſhe not preuent the diſcouery thereof by others, and ſo make her own peace by the benefit of ſuch fauors w^t were caſt vponupon hir by y^e Eunuch and ſuch like? neglecting the eſtate of the reſt of her country. Surely (I take it) herein we may obſerue the conſcionableneſſe of her obedience; that though ſhee might hauehave thus ſtrayned in the poynt, yet the reuerent authority of the commander keepes her from theſe demurres, and ſo not ſo much ſhee conſiders the waight of the thing commaunded; as that ſhe is ſimply led by the authority of her ſuperiors.

A notable euidence, of the ſincerity of our obedience, that it depend not ſo much vppon the thing commanded, as vppon the iuſt authority of the commander him-ſelfe: becauſe as our ſeruice is then moſt acceptable to GOD when it hath leaſt reſpect to our ſelues, and moſt to his glory, ſo it is moſt free from mercenary baſeneſſe p. 136when we ſtand not ſo much vponupon the thing commanded which doth concerne our owne good; as vponupon the power of the commander for whoſe ſake we do it.

Thus did the Lord trye the obedience of our firſt parents, the thinges he commandes might ſeeme to bee of no great waight, but that the Authoritie and commander gaue power thereto: which they not wayghing duely (as in conſcience they ſhould) but principally reſpecting what a ſmal matter was only impoſed; not to cutte of an Apple: were therefore eaſily drawne to very fearefull diſobedyence; and ſo hauehave ſette their childrens teeth on edge, by eating that forbidden fruit.

Vſe. 1. Whereby wee may learne, how to certifie our 1obedience. Namely to hauehave an eſpeciall reſpect to y^e iuſt power of the ſuperior, and ſo in reuerence of that power, 2to yeeld obedience to his righteous commaund: not making difference thereof, in regard of the things cōmanded, but performing indifferent obedience to al alike; as they proceed from a like power of thoſe whome God hath ſet 3ouer vsus: making conſcience as well of the leaſt as y^e greateſt commaunds; becauſe the Commaunder is the ſame, 4and his power as great in the leaſt as in the greateſt: And our faith and humilitie beeing more tryed in obeying the leaſt, will be a good meanes to further to preferment, that ſo not obeying man for hope of reward; we may not yet be diſapointed of our hope in the reward aboue.Obſ. 88. True obedience performed as wel in abſence as in preſence. Thus doth the Lord approue the ſincerity of Heſters obedience. VntoUnto which if wee ſhall adde that which further in is remembred in the 20. verſe, that Heſter did euen as conſcionably after the wordes of Mordecai, beeing now from vnderunder his gouernment, as when ſhe was nouriſhed by him: We hauehave herein a further teſtimony of the vprightneſſe thereof. The holy Ghoſt (as I take it) ſignifying herein vntounto vsus the maine ground of her obedience: Namely that though ſhee was now exempted from the ſight and gouernment of her earthly father Mordecai, yet ſhee remayned vnderunder the obeyſance of her heauenly p. 137Father: For whoſe ſake ſhee performes as conſcionably obedience to Mordecai being abſent, as if he had hir vnderunder neuer ſo much ſubiection. So doth ſhe approue her obedience to bee in the ſight of God,Col, 3. 22. and ſo is cleared from eye-ſeruice, and ſuch like; ſo doth ſhe witneſſe it alſo to be for the Lords ſake, and ſo purgeth it vtterly of all carnall reſpects: And in this her bodily abſence performing as true ſeruice vntounto Mordecai as if he were preſent; ſhee retaines her right in the holy family, and ſo is partaker of the prayers, and bleſſings thereof. Yea ſhee keeps hereby within the couenant of God, and ſo prepares a way for further bleſſings.

Behold here a patterne of ſincere obedience: And doth not the Lord requite it accordingly? Yea ſurely, as Heſter obeyes Mordecai when he is out of her ſight; ſo doth Mordecai care for Heſter though now ſhe be from vnderunder his gouernment. For ſo it followeth.

And Mordecai walked eueryevery day before the Court of the womens houſe, Verſ, 11.to know if Heſter did well, and what ſhould be done with her. Thus carefull is he of his Nephew euen when ſhee is of yeares to gouerne her ſelfe.

So ought parents not to reiect the care of their children,Obſ. 89. Parents how far to extend their care for their children euen when they ſeeme to hauehave leaſt need of them: Becauſe 1. as hereby they ſhew the ſoundneſſe of their affection: ſo this riper eſtate of their children, doth now moſt require this care, as expoſing their children to more fearefull extremities, as now knowing their ſtrength, and 2ſo now ſtrong to do euill. And wherein ſhall earthly parents 3better reſemble their heauenly Father, then by continuall 4louelove and care of their poſteritie? Nay how ſhall they otherwiſe differ from bruit beaſts, if they onelyonly care for their children to hatch them vp, & ſo ſend them forth into the world;Ruth, 2. and there's an end. Had not Iob a dayly care of his children, though in regard of the world, they had no need of him? Becauſe the more they had of the world, the longer they had liued therein, the more they were ſubiect to greater danger?Iob. 1.Job 1 what care had Naomi of p. 138her daughter in law Ruth? how did Moyſes take care for Gods people when they enioyed great proſperity?

Vſe 1. Wel let Mordecai condemne prophane parents that thinke much to giuegive their Children euen bringing vp, if they hauehave done this, they thinke they are fully diſcharged; eſpecially if they can prouide them ſome trade, or portion to get a liuing withall: Alas if they conſidered well, the greateſt care is behind; when do children more greiue and ſhame their parents, then at this eſtate? when they come to their owne liberty, and hauehave fuell to their luſts? and how many iuſt curſes doe lie vponupon parents, not for giuing too little, when they were Children, as for giuing to much libertie, when they hauehave growne vp to be men.

If you ſay they are now paſt correction, they are better able then I,Obiect. wherein then ſhould I ſhew my care?

Surely giuegive good example vntounto them, that ſo they may be ordered.Anſ. 1. Let them be often in thine eye, that ſo thy 2preſence may awe them; Spare not to reproue them plainely, 3and forget not inſtruction as occaſion ſhalbe offered. 4Keepe them to the dueties of children, without reſpect of 5their age, or ritches: ſo ſhalt thou keepe thy iuſt authoritie ouer them. Keepe the ſtaffe in thine hand, and let 6their maintenance come from thee. Let the Magiſtrate 7helpe thee if correction here be needefull: But eſpecially 8craue helpe of GOD, that his bleſſing may bee vponupon them.Obſer. 89. Care how it may ſt…nd with the prouidence of God.

But what need Mordecai take this care of Heſter? was he not perſwaded that GOD would care for her? Yea ſurely, and therefore alſo is he carefull for her, becauſe he knowes the prouidence of God to ſubordinate 1fit meanes. And who more fitte to care for her then he that had bound himſelfe thereto?Act. 27.Acts 27 So then an honeſt 2careſtands well with Gods prouidence and faith therein: 3as whereby we both ſhew our ſincere obedience in 4vſing ſuch weake meanes as are ſubordinate thereto, and p. 139ſo auoide ſecurity and preſumption, two maine enemies of our moſt holy faith.

Vſe. 1. Which as it condemneth their preſumption, that caſt all vponupon God, neglecting the meanes: So on the other 2ſide it reproueth their carnall confidence who reſt all on themſelues and ſhut out God. The meane which (I take 3it) is to bee obſerued herein, is an obedience to Gods commandement, to watch circumſpectly in our callings, 1. caſting about the beſt meanes, and 2. caring to compaſſe our deſires, that we neither tie 3. the iſſue abſolutely to our labour, but referre it wholy to the bleſſing of GOD, nor 4. ſacrifice to our care as if by it we had obtained, nor by it make 5. ſacrifices of our ſelues to Satan in our cruell macerating of our ſelues to impotency and diſtruſt. But as we muſt 1. care, to be humbled thereby; ſo we muſt alſo caſt our 2. care on God, for he careth for vsus, 3. contenting our ſelues that we hauehave done our beſt,1 Pet. 4.1 Pet 4 howſoeuer happily it may hauehave bad ſucceſſe, and beeing 4. comforted further alſo in the greateſt plunges, becauſe our GOD ſhall turne all to our good. Thus doth Mordecai giuegive God the glory of his faith, while yet he ſhewes his louelove to his kinſwoman. And doth not the Lord giuegive a gracious iſſue thereto? Conſider I pray you what followeth next.

12. And when the courſe of eueryevery maide came to go in to King Ahaſhucroſh after that ſhe had beene &c.

In theſe three next verſes, the holy Ghoſt ſets downe the abhominable cuſtome of theſe maidens; in their preparing to the Kings bedde; and alſo, their admittance to the ſame.

Their preparation is ſet downe by two circumſtances. Firſt by the continuance of Time which was allotted for this preparation: It was no leſſe then twelue moneths. 2. It is alſo deſcribed by the meanes thereof, and thoſe are of two ſorts. The firſt is ordinary, and this alſo is two-fold, they muſt be annointed and purified ſixe moneths, with oyle of mirrhe. 2. and the other ſixe monethes with ſweet odours, and in the purifying of the women.

p. 140The extraordinary meanes that is allowed for their purification, is here deſcribed indiferently: Namely whatſoeuer any of the Virgins did otherwiſe require, to ſet out their beauty, and ſteale away the Kings heart, that muſt alſo be giuen vntounto them.

The maidens being thus prepared, are in the ſecond place, admitted to the Kings bed, and herein alſo we may obſerue two circumſtances.

1. The time of their admiſſion, a very ſhort time: In the euening ſhee went and on the morrow ſhee returned &c.

2. The condition of her admiſſion is here alſo commended, vntounto vsus. Namely that when euer ſhe returned, ſhee came vntounto the King no more except ſhee pleaſed the King and were called by name. This is breefely the ſumme of theſe words.

Wherein that no leſſe then a yeare muſt be ſpent in fitting theſe miſerable Virgins to the luſt of the King,Obſer. 90. A marke of the wicked to riot out time. doth not this ſet out vntounto vsus, his moſt prodigious luxury, and profuſion? doth it not diſcouer ſuch effeminateneſſe, as cannot well be deciphred? May we not herein obſerue a note of deſperate folly thus to riot out time in vanity? May we not ſet it downe as a marke of him, that knowes not GOD, that he makes no conſcience of the redeeming of the time,Times portion. but rather imploies his wits and wealth 1in the ſpending and waſting thereof? Surely if time be in this regard moſt pretious,2 Cor. 6. 2.2 Cor 6:2 becauſe the Lord therein offers vsus a pearle of chiefeſt price, no meaner a Iewell, then the ſaluation of our ſoules? Muſt not ſaluation be farre from them,Pro. 1. 24. 25Prov 1:24Prov 1:25 that neglect ſo gratious opportunitie? can they be accepted of God,Act. 1. 7.Acts 1:7 that refuſe this acceptable time? And is 2it not more then madneſſe thus to riot out time which is not ours to diſpoſe, but in the hands of God? can we be excuſed when the bride-grome ſhall come on the ſuddaine?

Vſe. Oh that we were wiſe to conſider theſe things! that our Time-ſeruers would lay it to their hearts: what a heauy wittnes time wilbe againſt them, when neglecting p. 141the Iewell thereof the ſaluation of our ſoules, they are only ſlaues to the corruptions of time? Did our gameſters 2wiſely conſider of this, that togither with their witte, and money, and honeſtie, they alſo play away their time, that moſt pretious time which can neuer be wonne againe: ſurely they would labour with God,Pſa. 90. …2l.Ps 90:2 that he would teach them to number their daies, that ſo they might apply their 3hearts vntounto wiſdome. And ſhall not time be a witneſſe againſt our wordlings, who hauehave no leyſure to come to the marriage of the Kings ſonne? but all time is to little for their farmes and for their oxen? What ſhall I ſay to our prophane E…awes; that ſay it is not yet time to build the houſe 4of God? good time enough behinds for the ſaluation of our ſoules: Let vsus be wiſe, and take the time while wee may: let vsus looke to the maine chance; Let our owne houſes go forward: What is this birth-right to vsus? ſhall we die for hunger? hearken how our voluptuous-perſons, hauehave diſpoſed of time? At all times let thy garments bee white, and let no oyle be lacking vponupon thy head. Eccle. 9. 8.Eccl 9:8Let vsus eate and drinke, 1 Cor. 15. 251 Cor 15:25for to morrow we ſhal die: ſoule take thy eaſe thou haſt goods laid vp for many yeares. Shall not the Lord of that …eruant come in an houre when he knowes not? ſhall not he ſay, and make it good, thou fo…le this night ſhall thy ſoule be taken away from thee? Luk. 12. 20.Luke 12:20But why ſpeake we to the bellie that hath no eares? Surely the voice of Time yet was in our ſtreets and the man of wiſdome,Math 6. 1 Pro. Eſay 55. 2 T…me how to be redeemed. Pro. 6Matt 6:1Isa 55:2Prov 6 ſhall heare the name of God. Oh yee fooliſh how long will yee louelove fooliſhneſſe? Why doe yee lay out ſiluer, and not for bread? Why do you ſpend your time, and ſtrength, without being ſatisfied? Say not with thy ſelfe, yet a little ſleepe, yet a litle ſlumbe…? put not off (as Felix did) til a more conuenient time? Oh boaſt not of to morrow, for thou knoweſt not what a day may bring forth! rather admire the mercy of thy God, that thou art not alreadie conſumed: and ſeeing the Lord hath ſpared thee,Eccle. 5. 12Eccl 5:12 to recouer what thou haſt loſt, Oh thinke it ſufficient that thou haſt ſpent the time paſt,Lam. 3. 13.Lam 3:13 after the luſt of the Gentiles: the more time thou haſt loſt, the p. 141more doe thou labour for the time to come and redeeme thy time with the price of thy former pleaſures Account daily with thy ſelfe how thou doſt beſtow it, and esteeme eueryevery minuite pretious that is offered thee,Eccle. 5.Eccl 5 and be ſure thou feeſt therein an image of eternity. And conſidering that the patience of the Lord doth lead thee to repentance,Rom 2. 4.Rom 2:4 make no long tarying to turne to the Lord thy God, leaſt abuſing his patience,Gen. 27.Gen 27 thou harden thine heart, and though thou cry after, yea bitterly as Eſau did, yet the Lord will not heare thee,Pro. 1. 24. 28.Prov 1:24Prov 1:28 becauſe thou wouldſt not heare him. Oh that we were wiſe to conſider theſe things! But they that are filthy will be filthier ſtill.

Behold his drunkenneſſe added to thirſt: you hauehave heard how theſe Princes Minions ſpend their time,Obſ. 91. Another marke of the wicked to riot cut Gods good creatures a whole yeare at leaſt muſt be ſpent to fit them to vncleaneſſe, that ſo they may more deſperately follow the ſame all their life long. And ſhal they only giuegive an account of y^e miſpending of their time? No ſurely: what is there that eſcapes taynture by this abuſe of time? The ſoule that is hardned and made impudent in ſinne, the body is made a factor and baud for ſinne, the good creatures of God are made fuell to ſinne, heer's no ſparing of coſt to maintaine ſinne: All the creatures of God are to little in this caſe, but that Art alſo muſt be made a broker euen to corrupt nature (ſix moneths 1with oyle of myrhe, and ſix moneths with ſweet odors) 2and ſuch other purifyings as do belong to women. No end 3of exceſſe vponupon pretence of our right in the creature: No end 4of abuſe to condemne our vſurped power ouer them: ſo corrupt is our nature to abuſe our liberty,Rom. 8. 19.Rom 8:19 ſo iuſt is the Lord to turne our liberty to our further condemnation;Ioel. 1.Joel 1 that the creature abuſed, being ſubiect to vanity, might cry vntounto the Lord to be eaſed of the burthen, and ſo haſten vengeance vponupon the wicked, while they heape abuſe vponupon the creature.

Vſe. 1. A notable euidence of the fearefull condition of the wicked, who in the iudgement of the world ſeeme therfore to be moſt happy, becauſe they hauehave moſt commaunds p. 143ouer outward bleſſings. Whoſe great liberty on the creatures, prouoking to greater abuſe, doth either thereby moue the Lord to caſt out ſuch Nebuchadnezzars as beaſts in this life,Dan. 4.Dan 4 and to ſtrippe them of all, or elſe there continuance in theſe bleſſings, encreaſing ſinne vponupon them, doth thereby further vengeance againſt the day of reckoning. A thing which becauſe the wicked cannot avoyd as vſurping ouer Gods bleſſings, and therefore neceſſarily making them ſtrangers vntounto them.How to preuent abuſe of the creatures. …. Cor. …. 17. 1. Tim. 4. 4.1 Tim 4:4 That we may therefore avoyd running into the ſame exceſſe; let vsus labour to be in Christ, that ſo we may hauehave a right in theſe things, and let vsus renew our right by prayer and holy imployment of them in our ſeuerall callings, that ſo we may attaine to a right vſe of them, frugally husbanding them as the good bleſſings of God, and vſing them ſoberly as hand-maides to higher graces,1. Tim. 6. 19.1 Tim 6:19 that ſo we may lay vp a good foundation by them, and alſo giuegive a cheerefull account for them at the day of Chriſt Ieſus.

But is there no colour for this great exceſſe? might not this be imputed as a complement of ſtate, Obſ. 92. The wicked hauehave pretences for their greateſt abuſes.that theſe maidens ſhould hauehave ſuch exquiſite preparations, becauſe it was for the moſt excellent perſonage? might not ſeemelineſſe, and neceſſity be here pretended, that they might be offered fitly and vnſpotted to the bed of a King? might not liberty be pleaded, and therefore who ſhall reſtraine? might not ability be avouched to iuſtifie this coſt? Surely the greateſt ſinnes will hauehave their cloakes, pride muſt go for cleanlineſſe, and exceſſe muſt keepe ſtate, the clenſing of the body muſt be with the defiling of the ſoule, and luſt will hauehave a law to enrage and prouoke the ſame. Thus are the wicked deceiued, while they deceiue others, thus are they hardned in their ſinne while it hath a cloake to keepe it from ſhame: Thus pretending what they may doe, what euill will they not proſecute with greedineſſe, ſeeing power is in their hands, and ſo hauing made vp the meaſure of their ſinne, bee ſuddenly p. 144caught with deſtruction, while they ſay peace and ſecurity. 1. Theſſ. 5. 3.

Vſe 1. Oh that we would trie our ſelues whether we ſtand in grace or no! To ſinne is naturall, but to cloake ſinne is diueliſh.2 And therefore though outward ability may afford meanes of ſuch exceſſe;Rules for moderation in the creatures. yet the ability of the minde ſhould temper ſuch meanes, for the good of both; and though it be lawfull for me to take my fill of Gods creatures, yet expediency will moderate as may beſt fit me to glorifie my Creator: And what ſhould neceſſity do with ſuch ſuperfluity? what ſeemelineſſe can their be where Nature is thus adulterated? As for complement of ſtate to be furniſhed hereby, what greater abaſement of ſtate then to be a ſlaue where it ſhould rule? and what more enthrals greatneſſe then abuſe of it power, then exceſſe in it libertie? Let vsus therefore caſt away theſe cloakes of ſhame; and in the feare of GOD,1 Cor. 10, 311 Cor 10:31 learne we an holie and ſober 1vſe of the bleſſings of God, let not examples deceiue vsus, 2nor libertie enthrall vsus: let not neceſſity make vsus …antons, 3nor fulneſſe make vsus miſerable. But vſe we the bleſſings of 4GOD to the glorie of the giuer: Let our callings be the 5meaſure, and our ſaluation the end, let neceſſity bee the motiue, 6and true liberty the moderator: Let experience be the Iudge, 1 Cor 10. 8 Rom. Math. 251 Cor 10:8Matt 25and edification the marke we aime at: ſo ſhall we vſe aright the good bleſſings of God: and being faithfull in a little, we ſhalbe made ſtewards of great bleſſings.

Well thus we hauehave remoued theſe ſhameleſſe vyzards, and pretences for this. Now let vsus examine the true cauſe of this exceſſe. It followeth in the. 13. verſe. What ſoeuer ſhe called for, Obſer. 93. The wicked moſt eagerly be…t vponupon their luſts, and ſpare no coſt for the ſat flying thereof. Exod. 32Exod 32it was giuen vntounto her to go with her out of the womens houſe into the Kings houſe. Lo here the maine cauſe of all this ſuperfluity. It was to go into the houſe of the King, to ſatisfie his luſt: And therefore ſpare no coſt, let there be giuen what-ſoeuer is called for: So engerly are the wicked bent to the ſatisfying of their luſts, ſo do they ſpare no coſt, for the fulfilling thereof. Not their eare-rings and bracelets but ſhall go willingly to make the p. 145yea the fruit of their bodie, for the ſinne of their ſoule.Mich. 6.Mic 6 Such paines do they take to increaſe their paine: ſo fooliſh are 1they to beſtow ſuch coſt vponupon ſo hard a reckoning. And 2yet how ſhall they bewray their louelove to ſinne, vnleſſe it coſt them thus deare? How ſhall they iuſtifie this vanity in the eye of the world, but by being at ſo great coſt 3for it? if it were not worth it, ſurely ſuch wiſe men would not lay out ſo much vponupon it. It were not worth the hauing, vnleſſe it coſt them thus deere. How ſhould they make others in louelove with ſinne but by prizing it 4ſo highly? How ſhould ſinne bee nouriſhed, but by 5ſuch aboundance of fuell? There credit now binding 6them, hauing laid out ſo much vponupon it, to make the 7beſt of their bargaine; And this coſt, giuing for a time ſome miſerable comfort in the ſinne, that ſo they might at length make vppe the meaſure thereof.

Vſes 1. Which as it condemneth that opinion of the world, that rich men are onelyonly righteous, and onelyonly the poore wicked; whereas rather theſe being not able to be at the coſt of ſinne, are ſo kept from it, the other hauing where-withall, are the likelier chapmen: So it much 2more condemneth theſe badde market-men, who caſt away their money on ſuch traſh as ſinne is: yea hereby alſo do caſt away themſelues.

Surely if GOD be the beſtower of thoſe outward bleſſings, and to this end they were giuen, that he might 3hauehave the glorie: are not great ones here tied to Gods ſeruice with a greater bond? hauehave they not better meanes and leiſure then others to intend the ſame? And yet 4this ſhall not excuſe the poore, but they are badde huſbands alſo: Though they hauehave not ſuch meanes, yet they can beſtow to much coſt on ſinne: they will beſtow their Time, and whatſoeuer they hauehave: their wills are as good, though they cannot put it in practize; and what can the diuell hauehave more then all that they hauehave.

Well let ſuch conſider of this, that thinke all coſt to p. 1465little … ſeruice of GOD,1 Malack. that robbe the LORD in tythes, and offerings: that giuegive him but the lippes, and out-ſide in his ſeruice, that rent him in the power and plenty thereof, as if we could be to righteous or he too much ſerued, ſhall not the groſſe ſinner riſe vp in iudgement againſt them?

But what? muſt theſe wantons hauehave whatſoeuer they call for? muſt they do what they liſt as (if their were no King in Iſrael) and yet doth the King commande it?Indg 17 doth authority allow ſuch licence to ſinne?

Behold here a note of wicked Magiſtrates,Obſer. 94. Wicked …ag…t…rates giuegive the bridle to ſinne, and countenance wickedneſſe in others. inſtead of bridling ſinne, they giuegive the reine to it. Elſe how ſhould their example bee warranted if they did not warrant others? How ſhould they hope for the louelove of their people, if they gaue them not this liberty, if they made them not like vntounto them? How ſhould they (as they thinke) keepe 1their ſubiects from plotting againſt them, but by drowning 2them, thus in all kind of filthineſſe? How ſhould they 3hope to rule them at their pleaſure, if they did not thus infatuate 4and abiect them to all kind of pleaſures?

Thus doth Atheiſticall policy giuegive liberty to ſinne. But not I pray you to the confuſion thereof? Let vsus a little examine theſe grounds? muſt ſinne be made common that I may goe vncontrouled? what extraordinary priuiledge and delight can I hauehave herein, ſeeing I abaſe my pleaſures as common to eueryevery one? What ſecurity can I hauehave in the continuance of them when I hauehave ſo many ſharers and ſpoilers thereof? Ought I not therefore rather reſtraine ſinne in others, that ſo I may in them reforme my ſelfe? that my ill example may be better indured, when I am beloued not for my owne worth, but for conſcience ſake? ſurely euen a bad husband, will yet ſee his ſeruants ſhall worke, that ſo he may hauehave to maintaine his vnthri…tineſſe with all: And ſhall I hope to bee beloued of my people by giuing that libertie which makes them hatefull to themſelues, and vnfit for any duty wherby they might ſhew their louelove?

p. 147Surely though by this meanes I make them like vntounto me, yet neither is likeneſſe in ſinne the ground of louelove eſpecially betweene the Prince and ſubiect, neither will fellowſhippe in euill euer breede true louelove, but rather iealouſie and hatred arc the hand-maides thereof.1 Sam. 141 Sam 14 Remember Amnons louelove to Thamar, and the iſſue thereof.

And ſhall euil be preuented by giuing the reyne thereto? doth not liberty to ſinne giuegive ſtrength thereto, euen iuſtly to be auenged, of ſuch fooliſh indulgence? It may be this licence may for a time abiect the ſubiect to a ſlauiſh obedience, and hauing made him a beaſ… you may happily ſo vſe him as your drudge and pack-horſe, but if you tread on a worme to hard, he will turne againe: and while you hope the better to rule him by drawing him in pleaſure, take heed you make him not more ſauage and hard to be tamed.

And therefore if you plot for true louelove and ſecurity of your ſtates,Obſer. 95. Princes how to ſecure their eſtates. kiſſe you the Sonne of righteouſneſſe, that your people may embrace you: GiueGive lawes that may breed feare, and chaſe away the wicked, by the power thereof, ſo ſhall your thrones be eſtabliſhed in iuſtice. So ſhall the righteous dwell in peace, and ſhall bleſſe your gouernment. This ſhalbe the meanes to preuent al conſpiracies, when the Keeper of Iſrael watcheth ouer your Kingdomes, and knitteth the hearts of your people towards you, and by this you ſhall learne to be mercifull to your beaſts, much more to your ſubiects, that they may cheerefully obey you. Thus ought Godly Princes gouerne their people: But as for our Perſia ▪ Monarch his luſt is his law, and his belly his God, and therefore no maruaile if he do after his kind, and in his greateſt wiſdome haſten his owne diſtruction.

For to come now to the iſſue of all this preparation: of all this libertie and abuſe of GODS creatures: Is it not to prouoke the luſt of this Epicure, and ſo to waſt his bodie, and deſtroy his ſoule? yea ſurely, the p. 148holie Ghoſt witneſſeth no leſſe, in that which followeth.

In the euening ſhee went and on the morrowe ſhee returned,Verſ. 14 into the ſecond houſe of the women vnderunder the hand of Shaaſhgaz the Kings Eunuch, which kept the Concubines: ſhee came in to the King no more; except ſhee pleaſed the King; and that ſhe were called by name.

In which words the admiſſion of theſe maidens to the Kings bedde is declared vntounto vsus: and, i. the Time of their admiſſion is ſpecified, in the euening ſhee went, and on the morrowe ſhee returned that is to ſay,Iob 24, 15Job 24:15 She is, to goe in the euening, as fitteſt for a worke of darkeneſſe, the eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, he is aſhamed of the light, he feares it will bewray him. And her pleaſure continues but for a night:Obſer. 96. The pleaſures of the wicked very ſ…ort and …lippery. ſo momentary are the pleaſures which the wicked do enioy. So iuſt is the LORD to confound their vaine confidence, that while they promiſe to themſelues perpetuitie therein; they both preſume of more then the nature of their pleaſures can performe, and are preuented by Gods iuſtice confounding the ſame, euen in their greateſt likelihood and ability thereof. Luk. 12. 20.

Vſe 1. And ſhall we ſet our hearts on that which is ſuch a ſtranger vntounto vsus? So daungerous in the vſe? So 2fearefull in the change? Shall we to catch theſe ſhadowes, forſake the ſubſtance? ſhall the pleaſures of the right hand which laſt for euermore, ſhall theſe (I ſay) be diſclaimed for theſe pleaſures of ſinne which endure but for a ſeaſon? Shall we thinke our ſelues vnhappie becauſe 3we drinke not of theſe broken miſeries? Shall we eſteeme thoſe bleſſed that abide in ſuch ſlipperie places?Iere. 2Jer 2 Shall we not rather chooſe with Moyſes hauing 4an eye to the recompence of the rewarde? Ought wee not the rather to ſecure theſe ſlipperie Eſtates 5by ſanctifying them daylie in an holie vſe thereof,Pſal. 73Ps 73 6and readineſſe to forgoe them, when the LORD ſhall call?Hebr. 11Heb 11

p. 149But is there not a miſtery in this, that the Virgin muſt come in the euening, and returne in the morning. She muſt ſtay but a night, luſt muſt hauehave change, that it may be ſatisfied,Obſer. 97. Variety in ſin the greateſt ſnare thereto. and change hath a ſore with it, to conſume the body, and ſo to be auenged for the abuſe of this liberty.

So wiſe are the wicked for the maintenance of ſinne. 1So iuſt is the LORD, in confounding this their wiſdome, 2as making it the meanes to haſten their deſtruction. So is the Epicure met withall in the variety of his danties, ſo is ambition tangled in the ſtirrops of her climing, ſo variety of meanes to ſinne, is the ſnare thereto.

Vſe 1. And may not they then be condemned of extreame follie, which thinke it pleaſanteſt ſwimming; where there is many baites? they may bee here, or there: what liberty is this?

2. Is not their madneſſe intollerable, that when one is to much to choake them, wil be nibbling at them all… nay, will ſwallow them greedily, as if they had found great ſpoiles. Surely ſuch is the caſe of the Whore-maiſter, and drunkard: ſuch is the ambitious perſon, the coueteous, and oppreſſor: ſuch are all they that delight in ſinne, theſe muſt hauehave variety▪ that their confuſion may be the greater. Oh let vsus not therefore binde ſinnes togither! 3Let vsus feare ſuch baites as may further change in 4ſinne. Let complementers looke to this, and factors for other 5mens ſinnes. Let vsus ſingle out our ſinnes that we 6may the better ouer-maiſter them. Let vsus not ſeeke 7after greatneſſe, which may yeeld vsus this libertie: But 8rather pray for ſuperiors that hauehave ſuch ba…tes to ſinne, 9And not liue by examples, which may ſo dangerouſly corrupt vsus.

Well thus we hauehave heard what ſhort pleaſure this poore maiden hath had.Obſ. 98. The wicked fall deeper and deeper into ſinne. Now let vsus heare a little of her paine. It followeth. Shee returned into the ſecond houſe of the women: that hauing made ſale of her honeſty, and ſo changed her happie eſtate of Virginity to become a p. 150Concubine, ſhe changeth alſo her habitation: And whereas before ſhe was in the houſe of the Virgins; now ſhe is remoued to the houſe of the women; ſuch as had left their honeſties behind them,R…aſons I. that here among fellowes in euill griefe might be prouoked, and yet notwithſtanding ſhe might be hardened in her ſinne; as being here like to finde companions therein, & ſo miſerable comforters to excuſe and iuſtifie the ſame. So cunning is Satan to maintaine his new gotten hold: So vnthankefull is ſinne to recompence our ſeruice with ſhame and ſorrow. 1So deſperate is the condition of the wicked, they ſinke 2deeper and deeper: So iuſt is the Lord in their appointed 3condemnation, that neither ſhortneſſe of pleaſure, nor 4change thereof into ſorrow; nor diſgrace of men, nor ſting of conſcience: nothing ſhall ſtay the wicked, indeede nothing can ſtay them, till they hauehave made vp their meaſure, that God may powre on his.

1. Well let this aduize vsus not to beleeue the faire promiſes of the world; the beſt recompence ſhe can yeeld vsus when ſhe hath made vsus ſerue her luſt, is to thruſt vsus into the houſe of the women, to reape deſperate ſorrow for the ſame, or elſe to harden vsus further therein, ſeeing now we are knowne to be but broken ware, here is the beſt remedie the world affords for ſinne, euen to ſend vsus to our like companions in euill: that ſo we may hauehave company to go to hell withall.

2Who ſo is wiſe let him vnderſtand theſe things, let him not hope to recouer out of ſinne by giuing further liberty thereto through fellowſhippe &c. Let him take heed of the houſe of the women, of pleaſure, ſencerity &c. ſuch meanes as do harden. Nay let him not enter into his brothers houſe in the day of his humiliation: miſerable comforters are theſe all.

But let him go to his God, by true repentance, and 3let him ſingle out the Lord, that ſo he may be more vile in his preſence:Abac. 3.Hab 3 ſo ſhall he finde reſt in the euill day.Pſal. 32. 5.Ps 32:5 I ſaid I will confeſſe my ſinnes vntounto the LORD and thou p. 151forgaueſt me the iniquity of them.

But let vsus a little further conſider of that which followeth.

Shee came into the King no more, except ſhece pleaſed the King and, (this was a ſigne that ſhee pleaſed the King) if that ſhee were called by name.

Behold here a further euidence of the badde wages of ſinne:Obſer. 99. The vnſatiablenes of the wicked in ſin hath th…s puniſhment attending on it in this life that it ſhall not be ſatisfied. This defiled woman muſt now burne in luſt, and ſhall not be ſatisfied▪ to the King ſhee muſt come no more, but at a long leyſure and for other meanes, the iealouſie and honour of the Prince, and the watchfulneſſe and ſafety of the keeper will looke to it ſoundly. What then is her puniſhment? ſurely not onelyonly to be denied of that, which ſhe moſt deſireth, but by this deniall to be tormented with the rage of her vnſatisfied luſt, to the great vexation both of bodie, and ſoule.

So is the couetous man tormented in the reſtraint of his vnſatiable deſire; ſo is the proude man reproched becauſe the world will not honour him;Haman. 5 Heſter. ſo is the Epicure puniſhed in this life,Ariſtot. et Plin. de Aquilis. by being giuen vp to ſuch a deſire of eating, that nothing can ſatisfie; ſo do the birds of prey euen die for famine. So patient is the Lord hereby to prouoke the wicked to repentance, ſo iuſtly doth 1hee haſten hereby their condemnation, becauſe ſinne 2reſtrained is the more enraged: ſo wiſely doth hee diſcouer 3hereby the vnſatiableneſſe of the minde to ſinne: ſo righteouſlie doth he ſeeke vppe into them, there eternall 4vengeance by this, that as their deſire to ſinne is vnſatiable, and in this life is reſtrained; ſo for this their infinite deſire, they ſhall eternally burne in hell: where yet they ſhalbe vtterly depriued, of all ſatisfaction of their luſts.

1. Oh conſider this you that forget GOD, and p. 152dead your conſciences,Eph. 4 19. Non cum ſatietate, ſed cū …ditate indicat ſp…ritus appe… inſatibi…e, nō ſatiandum.Eph 4:19 that you may commit ſinne with greedineſſe: you that enlarge your deſires as hell, that you may take your fill of ſinne: behold the more greedie you are, the leſſe you ſhall be ſatiſfied; euen no leſſe then hell that neuer can bee ſatiſfied. Doe you not ſee herein how ſinne will owe you nothing? your deſires ſhall bee laide open, how vnſatiable they are: and God ſhall giuegive 2you your deſire, you ſhall not bee ſatiſfied. And therefore condemne not Gods iuſtice, but the vnſatiableneſſe 3of your deſire. Is not this a fearefull ſatiating of the wicked with his owne wayes? Prou. 14. 4Prov 14:4when hee ſhall not bee ſatiſfied, wherein hee is vnſatiable, when his …atiating in ſinne doth make him more vnſatiable: how iuſt is it that offenders ſhould burne in luſt, and ſo bee deemed the comfort 4of mariage. Oh leaue therefore to purge the fountaine of this miſchiefe, labour to preuent vnſatiableneſſe in ſinne, 1. purge it from the heart, or elſe it muſt bee vnſatiable; 2.Vnſati…bleneſſe in ſinne how to bee preuented. refraine it in the occaſions, which may breed a deſire of vnſatiableneſſe, looke to the libertie of ſinne, that in giuing thee thy deſire, ſhall nothing leſſe then ſatisfie thee: and conſider wiſely the reſt of ſinne, euen reſtleſſe torment, and yet neuer ſatiſfied.

5And ſeeing our deſires in euill hauehave ſuch ill ſucceſſe, oh let vsus labour to place them on the true obiect; let Heauen bee our marke, and godlineſſe our race: here wee ſhall bee ſatisfied, as hauing aſſurance by faith, and yet ſtill deſire, beeing ledde forward by hope, that ſo wee may at length obtaine the fulneſſe of our deſire, in the end of our faith, which is the fulneſſe of ioy for euermore.

Thus wee may ſee (for concluſion of this point) that whether the wicked winne or looſe in ſinne theres no gaine on eyther ſide.Obſer. 100. The wicked, winners or looſers fare the worſe by ſinne. The King hee takes his libertie more freely, and is a looſer thereby, hee encreaſeth his ſinne by abuſing the chaſtitie of others, and putting off repentance by a new ſupplie; and his body alſo gettes nothing by the bargaine: as for the poore Concubine, p. 153her loſſe is apparant, ſhee parts full vnwillingly with the bed of her pleaſure, and meetes vntimely with the houſe of her ſorrow, ſhee burnes within, and freezeth without, the King hath ſo his deſire that hee may be leſſe ſatiſfied; the Concubine hath not hers, and therfore is not ſatiſfied, and yet the Lord moſt righteous herein: who in not giuing her her preſent deſire, ſatiſfies her inward and maine purpoſe, & by this meanes inflameth the ſame namely neuer to be ſatiſfied, but euer to burne in luſt. Let this impoſe ſilence to all bragging of diminiſhing of ſinne; the begger he flatters himſelfe that hee is not prodigall, and the gelded perſon that hee is not incontinent: what gets hee hereby, ſeeing hee would be ſo? The great one he boaſts that he ſteales not for neede, he flatters himſelfe that hee hath enough to doe at home, what doth this aduantage him if he ſteale without neede? nay how ſhall we know hereby, but that he would if he had need whether wee be reſtrained in what we would, or enioy our deſire to the vtmoſt: ſinne got ground in both; the outward reſtraint encreaſeth the inward deſire, and the inward deſire is alſo enraged by the outward accompliſhment thereof. Let vsus therefore labour firſt to rectifie our defires by the word of GOD, …abou… wee to hauehave our perſons accepted of GOD, ſo ſinne reſtrained, or committed, ſhall bee leſſe deſired. And ſo much concerning the abhominable cuſtome of theſe Concubines. Now let vsus ſee how GOD bringeth light out of darkeneſſe. It followeth.

Now when the courſe of Heſter the daughter of Abihail the Vnckle of Mordecay, Verſ. 15. 16 17 18.which had taken her as his one Daughter came, that ſhee ſhould goe into the King, &c.

In theſe foure next verſes, the holy Ghoſt ſets downe vntounto vsus, 1. the admittance of Heſter into the Kings preſence, 2. her aduancement to the mariage bed, and ſo to p. 154the kingdome, and 3. the ſolemnitie thereof. And that ſtill wee may ſee the Lord is like himſelfe in vſing fitte meanes to bring good things to paſſe: the ſpirit of God ſets downe in this 15. verſe, diuerſe notable circumſtances to ſhew the orderly and worthy admittance of this poore captiue to ſo great ſoueraigntie. Firſt, it is ſayd, When the courſe of Heſter came, that is; ſhee is not hoyſed on the ſuddaine, leaſt ſhee might bee vnprepared, and puffed vp therewith: neither is ſhe called before her courſe, leaſt her …ellows might enuie her, as being grieued at it: neither ſhall ſhe ſtay after her courſe to put her out of hope: but euen in the fit time.

When her courſe came, Obſ. 98. Gods children are aduanced in conuenient time.then is ſhe called, then is ſhee aduanced. So when his appointed time came, and the councell of the Lord has tryed him, then did the King ſend for Ioſeph and looſe him, then was hee deliuered and made Lord of the houſe.

Thus hath God an appointed time to aduance his 1Children, which ſhalbe fitteſt and moſt comfortable 2for them, that they may know their aduancement is 3not by chance but determined of the LORD: that they might wait with patience the LORDS good leyſure, and bee confirmed in faith, for the accompliſhment thereof.

Vſe 1. And therefore, as in vaine do the wicked threaten, (as if the times were in their hands) becauſe Eliah ſhall proſper, and his word ſhall preuaile againſt 2Iezabel: ſo weake is the faith of GODS children, that will preſcribe GOD his time: ſeeing when it is fitteſt then it ſhall come to paſſe, and art thou wiſer then 3GOD? Oh that we would be ſtill! and the LORD 4would eſtabliſh our hearts? that wee would fit our ſelues, to the time, that God hath appointed.

Surely there is an end …thy hope ſhall not bee out of,Pro. 2… 18Prov 2:18 yea the patient abiding of the righteous ſhalbee galdneſſe.

p. 155And ſeeing the Lord will not hide from his children what may be for their good,Obſ. 102. The apointed time of deliuerance is not obſcurely to be gathered out of the word. and they that liue by faith may ſee a farre of, though the times and ſeaſons are in the hands of God, yet hath he not left vsus without very probable markes, whereby we may diſcouer the time of a deliuerance, that ſo we may be better fitted to the entertainment thereof and be confirmed in our faith, in the enioying of the ſame: when the ſignes do graciouſly anſwer our expectation.

To this pupoſe is it, that as the Lord hath appointed a time when he will deliuer his Church; ſo doth he alſo in the word diſcouer the ſame; and alſo not obſcurely layes open the markes of his childrens apprehenſion thereof.Tokens hereof. And theſe are either in regard of God who is the delyuerer, or 1in reſpect of them-ſelues that are to be deliuered, or in 2regard of their enemies from whome they are to be deliuered.

Concerning almighty God as he is the onelyonly deliuerer of his Church:1. In reſpect of God. ſo doth he commend him-ſelfe vntounto vsus by ſome ſpeciall actions in the word; when he purpoſeth to deliver his people; while his people are vnderunder the burthen, he is ſaid to be a ſleepe to forget them, to be angry with them, Pſal. …4.Ps 4&c. not that indeed he is angry, but becauſe he ſhowes ſuch effects,Pſal. 77.Ps 77 which wee do being angry: neither that he forgets them, otherwiſe then not to anſwere their preſent deſires, neither indeed is hee otherwiſe a ſleepe, then that gratiouſly preſeruing them in the eſtate of their affliction, he doth not yet deliuer them out of the ſame. But when the Lord purpoſeth to deliuer his people, then the ſpirit diſcribes him in another manner. Namely that he awaketh and rowſeth vp him-ſelfe as one out of ſleepe, he returneth to his people, Pſal. 74.Ps 74and hath compaſſion on them and he repents him of the euill▪ Pſal. 101.Ps 101&c. And that we may know that the Lord is awake he doth manifeſt the ſame by many notable ſignes of his ſpeciall prouidence.

p. 156As firſt he puts on righteouſneſſe as an habergeon & an helmet of ſaluation upon his head: …ſay. 59. 17. 18.hee puts on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and is clad with zeale as a cloake. To what end? Surely to make recompence to requite the fury of his aduerſaries, with a recompēce to his enemies, he will fully repay y^e Ilands; mark I pray you how the holy Ghoſt ſets down the order of y^e execution of Gods recompence 1. He makes inquirie of the fury of his aduerſaries, he comes downe to ſee whether they hauehave done altogether according to that cry againſt God and his children:Ceneſ. 18. Pſal, 9. 12. He makes inquiſition for blood, and remembers it: and forgets not the complaint of the poore. But doth the Lord make this inquiſition? How doth hee approue the righteouſnes of the complaint of the poore?

Surely,Pſal, 44. 1▪ By making it apparent that his children for his ſake ſuffer all theſe euills, in that neither would their enemies perſecute them,Exod, 5. if they would renounce their God, & yet they ſhall giuegive teſtimony of their righteouſneſſe,1 Sam, 24. 26. though for their credits they muſt ſtill proceed againſt them. So was our Sauiour Chriſt approued by Pylate & his wife: ſo did Saul iuſtifie Dauid and yet he continued perſecuting of him: ſo hauehave Gods children bene iuſtified by their enemies. By which it commeth to paſſe that the more the godly are iuſtified, the wicked are more inraged, and ſo laye more grieuous burthens vppon the Church of God. What followeth here-vponupon. Now doth the Church 2of God increaſe her cries, and ſo the Lord doth yet further ſhew him-ſelfe for y^e deliuerance therof.Iudge, 5. Namely he raizeth vp ſome extraordinary Champions to venture themſelues for the reſkuing of his people:Nehem. 2.Neh 2 Now ſtands vp Nehemiah, 4 H…ſtor.and now reſolues Heſter, Exod. 4.Exod 4if I periſh I periſh; Now is Moyſes ſent forth though ſore againſt his will.

And wil not y^• Lord accompany theſe his ſeruants with 3extraordinary power? Yea ſurely: behold here a third note when God will deliuer his people:Gen. 15. 14. Pſal, 106.Gen 15:14 Namely hee will ſend fearefull ſignes into the Land of Ham, and ſhew his wonders in Egipt, and the red Sea, that ſo the wicked may bee p. 157compelled,1 Sam, 5. to lette his people go: he will ſend Emeroids among the Philiſtines, and ſoare plagues vppon the vncircumciſed, that ſo they may bee compelled to ſend y^e Arke home.Geneſ, 15. 14. Thus will the Lord Iudge the Nations before he deliuer his people; that their hearts hereby being hardned, & more indurate againſt God and his people, the deliuerance of the Church may be more free and glorious, and y^e confuſion of the wicked more iuſt and fearefull. Thus doth the Lord awake and returne when he will deliuer his children, giuing them herein theſe apparant markes. Namely, Firſt The clearing of his children by the mouthes of their enemies: Second, The raizing ſome vp among them to ſpend their liues in his cauſe. Third, inflicting many ſecret and open iudgements vponupon their mallicious enemies.Fox. So before he deliuered his Church from the tyrants of Antichriſt among vsus, were not ſome of the perſecutors made fearefull ſpectators of Gods wrath, to bridle or harden the reſt? And to iuſtifie the Church of God?

And ſurely if we do conſider the ſtate of the Church of God,2 In regard of the church. when the Lord prepares it to a gratious deliuerance, we ſhall find many euident tokens therein: to giuegive good hope of the haſtening of the work: by which we may be confirmed in the expectation thereof.

To this purpoſe we may obſerue a different eſtate of y^e Church of God vnderunder troubles. Firſt, ſhe ſtandes vponupon her priuiledge, as if ſhe had wrong herein: ſhee looks to former times, and meruailes why ſhe is thus: ſhe growes impatient vnderunder the burthen, and complaines of her louers, that they hauehave deceiued her; ſhe diſſembles with God and ſeekes to humaine helpers; ſhe yeelds to the preſent neceſſity, and ſo ſhe bowes her neck to the yoakes, and her conſcience to the luſt of the oppreſſor: ſhe giues her moſt pretious things for meat, and obiecting her ſelfe to the iniquitie of the time, ſhe giues ouer hope euer to riſe againe, Thus you ſhall find to hauehave beene the ſtate of the Church of God vppon it entrance into captiuity: and ſo along toward the time of her appoynted deliuerance. As the p. 158Prophets do moſt liuely decipher the ſame:Vid. Ierem, 41. 42. who liued with them in the captiuity, and obſerued their vſe therof. And ſurely if we obſerue the prouidence of God herein:Lament, 2. 3. 1 Lamen, 11. Ezech. doth it not exceedingly iuſtifie this righteous hād of god againſt his church? Doth not the church of God hereby ſink deeper in the myre, and ſo ſet her ſelfe more ſtrongly in the bondes of Gods iuſtice, that ſo the time appointed of her trouble may be accompliſhed ouer her? And doth not the Lord admirably by this meanes bring light out of darkeneſſe, and ſo prepare his Church to her appointed deliuerance? Yea ſurely the more Gods children wreſtle with the rod, the more they are beaten, and at length tired therewith: and ſo in the end being throughly weary, y^e poore church of God would gladly find ſome reſt. And ſeeing the hope of the Hils is but in vaine, and ſhe findes it too true that her louers hauehave deceiued her:Ierem, 3. Therefore ſhee reſolues to go and returne to her firſt husband: 1 Lamen. 19.to looke vp vntounto the Lord and wait for God her Sauiour: Oſea, 2. Mich, 7.Aſſuring her ſelfe that her God will heare;Pſal, 66. And being fully reſolued that if there be iniquity in her hand, the Lord will not heare her prayers; therefore ſhe purpoſeth to forſake her Louers, and renounce her ſinnes. Heere is it,Lament, 1. that ſhee weepes continually and giues no reſt to her eyes, becauſe the Lord hath forſaken his reſt: And that her ſorrow may be more kindly,Pſal, 137. and take deeper impreſſion, Shee remembers Syon, Lamen, 5. 18.while ſhe ſits in Babilon: ſhee remembers all her pleaſant things, that ſhe had in times paſt: And withall remembers her rebellion which was the cauſe of that great loſſe:1 Lamen, 7. And ſo apprehends her affliction from the cauſe and greatneſſe thereof: Thus is ſhee brought to iuſtifie the Lord,1 Lamen, 18. becauſe ſhee hath rebelled againſt him, Pſal, 6.And beeing ſent out of her ſelfe by an holy diſpaire,Ezec, 28. 45. acknowledging that ſhe is worthy to bee cutte off: Shee recouers ſtrength in God from her owne weakeneſſe: the more vile ſhee findes her ſelfe, the more ſhee ſtriues with her God to reſtore her beautie vntounto her,1 Lamen, 21. 22. ſhee layes hold on GODS promiſes for the p. 159confuſion of her enemies, and in their confuſion ſees a farre off her deliuerance; here ſhe ſtaies not, but drawes neerer vntounto God;Lament, 2. and ſo yet further abaſeth her ſelfe in the fury of her miſery,Lament, 3. and ſo farre ſhe wades in the apprehenſion thereof as that ſhe diſpaires of Gods mercy;Lament, 5 …1. ſhee concludes in her weakeneſſe,Lam, 3. that her ſtrength and hope is periſhed from the Lord. Lamen. 3. 54. 23. 24. 56. 57. 58. 59. 31. 40. 41. 44. 45.Being thus paſt hope, and ſo euen her ſpirituall weapons fayling her; now ſhe is recouered by the Lord, & hopes aboue hope: ſhe confirmes her faith from former experience, and comforts her ſelfe in hir true humiliation; and ſo gathers aſſurance that the Lord wil not forſake for euer. She is perſwaded he will returne: ſhe ſees him comming a farre off: Here-vponupon ſhe prepares her ſelfe to meete her God by examining of her ſelfe, and trying her waies; ſhe incounters her God by earneſt and hearty prayer, though ſhee hauehave the repulſe; yet ſhe will hauehave no nay: Her eye droppeth without stay, till the Lord looke downe and behold from heauen.

And conſidering the promiſes of God for the reſeruing of the Church: ſhe preſſeth the Lord to ariſe and hauehave mercy vponupon Syon; and by the power of faith gathers y^• the appointed time is come.Pſal, 102. 14. 15. That his ſeruāts might delight in the ſtones thereof; and ſhew compaſſion vntounto the duſt of the ſame. Thus is the Church changed and purged inwardly, that ſo ſhee may bee fitter for outward glory: And ſo being fitted, ſhee applaudes the time thereof, not ſo much for her owne good, as for the glory of God, which ſhall be magnified in the reſtoring thereof. And from hir own eſtate may the Church of God gather apparant notes of her deliuerance.

Now if wee ſhall looke into the practiſes of Gods enemies: 3 In regard of our enemies.they will alſo teach vsus to geſſe at the time of the Churches deliuerance.Pſal. 119.Ps 119 VVhen they make no ſpare of deſtroying, and will roote out GODS word, then it is time for the Lord to put to his hand for they hauehave deſtroied thy law, whē by their pollicy, & cruelty they hauehave made ſuch hauock, that there is none to offer him-ſelfe in the p. 160cause of God:Eſay 59. 16.Isa 59:16 then ſhall the Lords arme ſaue it, his righteouſneſſe it ſelfe ſhall ſuſtaine his cauſe: when they ſhall open their mouthes againſt heauen, and blaſpheme the power and mercy of God.Pſal, 6. 12. Pſal, 9. 16. Then I wil vp (ſaith the Lord) to auenge the poore, then ſhall the Lord be knowne by exempting of iudgements the wicked ſhall be turned into hell, and all the Nations that forget God: Iſay, 28. 15.Yea, when the wicked hauehave made a couenant with hell, and ſo in their ſecurity do bleſſe their ſoules: as if they had Gods children ſo ſure, that none could deliuer them: as if their happineſſe were ſo ſure,1 Theſſ. 5. 3.1 Thess 5:3 that none could remoue them: Then ſhall a ſodaine deſtruction come vponupon them: and they ſhal not be able to auoid it. Then ſhall the deſtruction of the wicked bee the deliuerance of the Church. Thus euen from our enemyes wee may heare good newes of deliuerance; their owne mouthes will tell vsus, their practiſes cannot hid eit.

A ſecond probabilitie of Heſters aduancement, is that ſhee is of the ſeed of the righteous,Pſal. 111.Ps 111 which ſhall be mighty on the earth;Obſ. 103. Gods children in this life aduanced to higheſt dignity. ſhe is ſay they, The daughter of Abihail the Vncle of Mordecai. i. She is a Iew to whom belongeth the birth-right, whoſe priuiledge it was to rule the Nations; to whom Eſau and all his poſterity ſhould bow, and do homage.

So faithfull is the LORD in keeping couenant 1for euer: So truly is Godlineſſe profitable for this life: ſo 2all are ours both by right and poſſeſſion: ſo are Gods 3children beſt able to vſe proſperity: ſo is eternall happines 4hereby ſealed vp vntounto them. So would the Lord hereby 5teach vsus that theſe temporal bleſſings are not euil, becauſe he beſtowes them in greateſt meaſure vppon them. The vſes hereof ſee Obſ. 79.

OnelyOnly wee may not here forget what the holy Ghoſt vouchſafes vsus againe to remember.

Namely, that Heſter was taken by Mordecai for his daughter.

Thus the Lord thinks it fit againe to make honourable p. 161mention of this charitable worke of Mordecai: The good deeds of Gods children are not forgotten of the Lord.As wherin he was glorified and did delight therin, to confounde the practize of the wicked, that ſeeke to obliterat the ſame and to approue to his children the acceptaunce of the ſame, as alſo to aſſure them hereby of the reward to come, and withall to prouoke the Saints to the imitation thereof.

Oh how vainely then doth the wicked hope to put out their names from vnderunder Heauen: whoſe names as they are 1written in the booke of life, ſo their workes alſo are regiſtred in the eternall word of God, how wickedly do they depraue, 2and obſcure thoſe gratious deeds, which the Lord of glory makes glorious by his remembrance? how weake 3are the Saints to doubt of their well doing, ſeeing the 4God of truth giues euidence thereto. What comfort may 5we hauehave in the acceptance of our labours, ſeeing the righteous Lord takes ſuch delight in them? how may we be eſtabliſhed againſt the reproches of the world? how little need we eſteeme to be iudged of men, 1. Cor. 44.ſeeing it is God that approueth? who can condemne? with what confidence may 6we prepare our ſelues to ſtand before that righteous Iudge,Reue. 3.Rev 3 who allready preſents our prayers in the golden cenſor of his righteouſneſſe: and doth not onelyonly make mention of vsus, but mediation for vsus at the throne of glory, that wee might not bee confounded in the day of refreſhing?

A third likelyhood here ſet downe of Hesters aduancement, is her confidence in God and relying on his immediate prouidence, ſpecified in this; that it is ſaid.

She deſired nothing but what Hege the Kings Eunuch the keeper of the women ſaid.

Wherein the ſpirit of God would giuegive vsus to vnderſtand, that though the other maydens ſtanding vponupon there preferment, vſed all art to ſet out there beauty as the meanes thereof: and therefore ſpared not to demaund of the Eunuch ſuch meanes of painting, &c. as might further the ſame, yet this gratious virgin, contenting her ſelfe with y^• image which God had ſet on her, p. 162and reſting on the diuine prouidence, that had enclinde the heart of the Eunuch towards her: ſhe doth not impudently preſſe him further then God ſhould moue his heart: but humbly takes what Hege directs her to: who no doubt being enclined of the LORD to ſhew her extraordinary fauour; was alſo reſtrained of the LORD▪ that hee ſhould not offer her otherwiſe then was fit for her profeſſion. The LORD as it is likely, giuing her a like fauour in the eyes of this Eunuch as he gaue vntounto Daniel with the other, that ſhe was not defiled with this vaine and ſuperfluous preparation, but as ſhe was willing to leaue the Eunuch to his liberty, ſo the Eunuch alſo might leaue her to hers: how-ſo-euer, though in other things ſhe might happily ſubmit her ſelfe to the preſent neceſſity: as to take that which the Eunuch offers her,Obſe. 105. Gods childrens preferment is in faith. and ſo might diſcouer her weakeneſſe and want, of courage, yet in this doth her faith appeare not obſcurely that ſhe doth not ambitiouſly ſeeke by corrupt meanes to aduance her ſelfe: but ſoberlie entertaines the meanes that are caſt vponupon her, reſting on GODS prouidence for the good ſucceſſe thereof.Sect. 1. 3 Notes of faith. And ſurely (as I take it) wee may here obſerue diuers notes of liuelie faith.

One is that ſhe preſſeth not impudently to inſinuate into the fauour of this wicked Eunuch, though by the Kings avthority ſhee might hauehave occaſion thereto, leſt ſhee ſhould ſeeme to depend vponupon him and giuegive him ſome aduantage ouer her pretious liberty; To receiue what is offered by him, eſpecially moued thereto by the LORD, herein ſhee ſhewes her faith; which knowing all was hers, doth herein take her right, and ſhewes her power therein, in that ſhee refuſeth not her owne, though tendred by the wicked, Shee knew the prophaneſſe of the Eunuch could not make GODS bleſſing▪ ineffectuall to his children; And therefore ſhee receiues them aright, though from an vniuſt poſſeſſor. And laſtly in that ſhe vſeth such ordinary meanes p. 163as were offered, not ſeeking to aduance her-ſelfe by adulterating, or prophaning of nature; herein alſo in the third place ſhe ſheweth her faith, which as it refuſeth not meanes, ſo it is not curious of meanes; but takes what are offered, reiects ſuch as are not warrantable.

Whereby we may learne that the aduancement to Gods children is warrantable and for their good, ſeeing it is in faith, and hereby to try our ſelues whether we be in the faith or no.

A fourth token of her aduancement is this which followeth.Note of Heſters aduancement.

And Heſter found fauor in the ſight of all them that looked vponupon her.

Thus did the Lord make her gratious in the eyes of all men that her aduancement might be with more power, and leſſe enuy: both for her owne and the good of others, that ſhee both to the wicked might be a great terror, as 1being conuinced with the brightneſſe of maieſty appearing gloriouſly in her, and the Godly might hauehave a more gratious protection of her, yea her owne ſlippery eſtate 2might hereby be the better ſerued.

And ſurely; Obſ. 106. Gods children gratious in the eies of al men.howſoeuer it be the property of GODS children to be hated of all men, yet is not this incident vntounto all, or not at all times. Some may be exempted by ſpeciall preuiledge: All at ſome-time ſhall hauehave a generall approbation.Math. 10.Matt 10 So had our Sauiour fauour with GOD and men, who after was hated of all and forſaken of his owne, ſo when the waies of man do pleaſe the LORD, hee will make all his enemies at peace with him: either they ſhall willingly approue him, or GOD ſhall extraordinarily bridle them: So doth Hester here finde fauour in the ſight of all, not that happyly ſome one might not repine at her: but generally the moſt part applauded her beautie, the LORD turning their eyes vppon her, … p. 164and their hearts toward her.

The ſpeech I take it is hyperbolicall; we being by the vniuerſall to vnderſtand the moſt, or better ſort, who giuing her intertainement the inferior durſt not openly gaineſay. And yet more likely for Heſter to be applauded of all: becauſe, as there was that apparent which might ſet the eyes of all vponupon her, and moue their hearts towards her, namely her beauty, ſo that was concealed which would hauehave made her hatefull, namely her religion and country; eſpecially wee are to aſcribe this to the ouerruling hand of GOD, who thus giues her fauour generally with all, that ſo her fauour might be more eaſily perceiued, and conſtantly maintained with the King, who the rather would affect, where his people liked, and was likelier hereby to ſettle his affection, and ſo to continue it to Heſter for the good of the Church.Obſe. 107. Wicked why have Gods children being forced to approue them. Howſoeuer for the comfort of GODS children let mee adde this further, that though it be our lotts generally to be hated, yet they that cry. Crucifie him, ſhall before cry hoſanna, euen they ſhall be conuinced in conſcience, that wee are to bee approued, yea their owne mouthes ſhall giuegive teſtimony vntounto vsus, if it ſhall then bee demaunded: why they doe after hate vsus,1. Pet. 4. 4.1 Pet 4:4 the reaſon is plaine, becauſe as they loued vsus, to make vsus like vntounto them, or to like of them: that ſo the may fare the better for vsus;Iho 16. 2. ſo when they ſee that we neither like of them,Ioh. 15.John 15 nor can be like vntounto them: therefore they ſpeake euill of vsus, therefore they hate vsus. Thus do the wicked louelove vsus, before they hate vsus. And doe they not alſo approue vsus euen while they proſecute their malice againſt vsus? yea ſurely though they thinke they do God good ſeruice, while they thus hardly entreat vsus, yet in that they perſecute vsus, they ſhew we are not of them, we are contrary to them. And do they not herein wonderfully iuſtifie the generation of the iuſt. Nay would they not fetch vsus againe, when they hauehave made vsus away? do they not approue vsus when they hauehave made p. 165a riddance of vsus?Math. 23. 29. 30.Matt 23:29Matt 23:30 elſe; Why doe they build the tombes of the Prophets: and garniſh the ſepulchers of the righteous: and ſay if we had beene in the daies of our Fathers, we would not hauehave beene partners with them in the bloud of the Prophets: What can we hauehave more? ſeeing they that hate vsus do thus approue of vsus? Is not the LORD wonderfull to cleare vsus by the mouthes of our enemies? may not the Children of God hauehave this teſtimony to be approued of all?

And ſurely if we conſider the power of GOD; who 1hath the hearts of all men in his hands, if wee obſerue neither bountie of Godlineſſe, which is able to rauiſh all: If wee wey the priuiledge that the Children of GOD hauehave, that all ſhall do ſeruice vntounto them: If wee apprehend the purpoſe of GOD herein, to make the world more inexcuſable; wee ſhall finde it no hard matter with Gods Children to be approued generally, and hauehave fauorable reſpect of all that looke on them.

And therefore as this may ſerue to commend the greateſt Godlineſſe, So it wilbe a heauie witneſſe againſt 1the vngodly that hate where they ſhould louelove. 2Oh what comfort is here to Gods Children that the world ſhall iuſtifie them! What vantage hauehave they of 3the wicked whoſe tongues ſhall condemne themſelues to iuſtifie the righteous? May wee now hope to finde 4ſuch fauour as will ſerue the turne, when GOD at his 5pleaſure, ſhall turne all hearts towards vsus? And ſhall 6we then make ſhip-wrack of a good conſcience to winne the fauour of men? Is there no way to bee gracious with the world but by doubting with it? Oh that we would trie God in this caſe! how ſhould we preuaile with men?

Well,Iacob. Gene. 32.Gen 32 what may we learne further out of this point, that Heſter being to be aduanced is thus gracious in the eyes of all?Obſ. 108. … are to be grat…us, in the eyes of their people.

Surely; that ſuch as are to be in authority, and raiſed to greatneſſe: they are to be gratious in the eyes of their p. 166people: hereby the Lord approues their gouernement: and ſo knitting the heartes of the people vntounto them, confirmes and eſtabliſheth the ſame by this meanes: the bleſſinges of gouernment are plentifully inioied on either ſide; The Prince rules in louelove, and the people obey in truth; and both ſubiect and people are prepared to eternall happineſſe.

Oh that Princes would wiſely lay this to their hearts!and by what meanes. That they did know that the louelove of their ſubiects is the beſt maintainer of the Crowne and armor of the Prince: 1Surely they would labour to gette and increaſe their 2louelove, by requiting ingenuous ſeruice, and accepting it 3cheerefully; by prizing highly the liues of their people, 4and preſeruing their Chriſtian liberty aboue their liues.

Thus may Princes bee gratious in the eyes of their 5people, if they eſtrange not them-ſelues from them, nor 6vſe them as ſtrangers; eſpecially if they make them gratious 7in the eyes of God, by giuing good examples vntounto them, and prouiding for their inſtruction in the word of life.

Thus is Heſter gratious in the eyes of all men. VVhat followeth here-vponupon?

Namely; Verſe.So Heſter was taken vntounto King Ahaſhueroſh, into his houſe royall in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the ſeauenth yeare of his raigne.

In which words the ſpirit of God ſets downe the receiuing of Heſter into the Kinges houſe, and the time therof: that ſo this great benefit might bee the rather remembred.Obſ. 109. Gods children are not alwaies vnderunder the rod, but at length find deliuerance from the ſame &c.

And that this miſerable captiue is now taken to the royall Pallace of this great Monarch, and after many changes, and remouings from Mordecaies houſe to the houſe of the maidens, is at length brought to a place of reſt and honour: Doth not this commend vntounto p. 167vsus the exceeding faithfulneſſe of God, that will not ſuffer his children alwayes to lye vnderunder the burthen, and continually to paſſe through fire and water,Pſal. 66.Ps 66 but at the length wil bring them to a wealthyer place.

Did not Ioſeph at length ſee an end of his troubles Was not Mordecai quiet at length? Did hee not finde reſt and honour? Yea ſurely, the Lord is mercifull, and 1will not alwayes bee chiding, becauſe mercy pleaſeth him:Mich, 7. he will returne and hauehave mercy, that his people may gloryfie him. The rod of the vngodly ſhall not alwaies 2reſt vppon the lot of the righteous,Pſal, 50. 15. leaſt the righteous put forth his hand to wickedneſſe. The Lord will heare 3the prayers of his children,Pſal, 125. Pſal, 21. 2. and he will make them hidings for others, that are in trouble; they ſhall hauehave gratious 4experience of his mercyfull deliuerance, that they 5may bee more willing to committe them-ſelues to him in well-doing, and ſo be better fitted to their eternall reſt.

Loe thus ſhall the man bee bleſſed that feareth the Lord.Vſe. 1. Mich, 7. 8. 9. Reioyce not therefore againſt me oh myne enemies, for though I fall yet I ſhall riſe againe. Oh that 2wee could wait the Lords leyſure and hee would eſtabliſh our hearts; marke well the iuſt man, and the end 3of that man is peace. Faint not therefore vnderunder the burthen, 4neither repine thereat, for thy Sauiour Chriſt doth 5beare the waight thereof: and at length he will caſe thy ſhoulders of all; ſorrow may be in the euening, but ioy is in the morning.Ionas, 2. Eſay, 54. 7 8. I ſayd I mas caſt out of thy ſight, yet will I looke backe towards thy holy Temple: For a little while did I forſake thee but in euerlaſting compaſſion will I gather thee againe, though I vtterly deſtroy al the nations where I hauehave ſcattered thee, yet wil I not deſtroy thee; but I wil correct thee by Iudgement and not vtterly cut thee off: Ierem. 30. Pſal. 73.Jer 30Ps 73But I will guide thee by my counſel, and after bring thee to glory.

Thus is Heſter now receiued into the houſe-royall of the King.Pſal, 30. Pſal, 21. The Lord hath ſette her vp, and not ſuffered her foes to triumph ouer her, and becauſe the heart of his ſeruant truſted in the Lord and in the mercies of the moſt high: p. 168therefore ſhee ſhall not ſlide: Pſal. 112Ps 112her heart is eſtabliſhed in the Lord her God: and therefore ſhee will not feare vntill ſhe ſee her deſire vponupon her enemies.

And is not ſo great a bleſſing worthy remembrance? yea ſurely, the holy Ghoſt preciſely ſets downe the day and yeare thereof: that ſo we might be prouoked to remember the ſame And might learne that ſuch bleſſings ought ſo long to be remembred of vsus, as the daies and times continue in our vſe. So hath the Lord tendered great bleſſings to his Church, at eſpeciall times. The returne of the captiuity in the firſt yeare of Darius: the paſſion at the feaſt of the paſſe-ouer:Dan. 1. Math. 26. Act. 2.Dan 1Matt 26Acts 2 The gift of tongues, at the feaſt of the pentecoſt &c.

1. That the extraordinarineſſe of the time, might put vsus in minde of the extraordinary bleſſing, and be a continuall remembrance of the …ame for the praiſes of God. So hath the Church of God appointed and ſet ſolemne times for the perpetuall remembrance of great bleſſings: and commended therein the celebration of Gods bleſſings, for euer,Heſt. 9. ſo was the 14. day of Ader ſet apart to this purpoſe by ſter and Mordecai: ſo is the 5… of Nouember conſecrated to the remembrance of the moſt admirable deliuerance of the …ritaine State and people from the gunpowder treaſon.Obſer. 110. Great mercies of God are to be had in remembrance by ſpecial time appointed thereto. And ſurely, as theſe great fauours of God are liuelie teſtimonies of his power and goodneſſe: ſo are they worthy to be had in remembrance, yea very profitable is the remembrance thereof to vsus, both to ſtirre vp our thankfulneſſe, and encreaſe our faith, that ſo they may be ſanctified, continued and encreaſed vponupon vsus; yea be vndoubted pleadges of eternall happineſſe.

And therefore ſeeing the Lord hereby prouides, that his bleſſings may not be forgotten, and ſo paſſe without 1their true vſe; this may ſerue for the great condemnation of the world: who on the contrarie, vſeth all occaſions to put out the remembrance of Gods mercies from the earth: either aſcribing Gods mercies to their wit or deſart, or putting them off to ſecond cauſes: as if p. 169not the LORD but ſome ordinarie meanes had compaſſed the ſame: or which is worſt of all imputing them to blind chance &c.. And are not they alſo as faultie 2herein, that diminiſh and obſcure the great workes of GOD, either not regarding them at all, or ſpeaking baſely of them? What ſhall we thinke of theſe, that gnaſh their 3teeth hereat, that repine that the Lord ſhould bee gracious vntounto his people? And are there not ſome that 4thinke ſuch great deliuerances are diſcredits vntounto a people, as ſignifying what they had deſerued: and what ſome of their owne bowells would hauehave executed on their Fathers and brethren.

May nor pollicie aduize that ſo great mercies of God ſhould be ſuppreſſed, leſt the reioycing thereof, vpbrading 5the wicked ſhould prouoke them to renue their malice and multiplie their miſchiefes? Surely if there were 6no other euidence to condemne vsus of vnthankefulneſſe, yet the generall ſecurity of a people and encreaſe of ſinne, is a fearefull witneſſe of their forgetfulneſſe of a bleſſing: and ſo may bee a meanes to turne it vntounto a curſe.

Well let vsus looke our faces wiſely in this glaſſe: and 7as the Lord hath offered vsus time to remember ſo great mercies: ſo let vsus daylie meditate on the wonders of our GOD. Let vsus keepe a regeſter of Gods bleſſings that 8we may keepe our ſelues in the poſſeſſions of them. And 9let vsus withall keepe an account of our ſinnes: that ſo we may ſee, what need we hauehave of Gods merciemercy, and ſo the rather meditate thereon.

And for our comfort let vsus further learne this; that 10as God neuer beſtowes great bleſſings but they ſhalbe truelie ſanctified vntounto ſome: ſo if that by this holie remembrance, we ſhall keepe our right in them, we ſhall not onelyonly be deliuered in the euill day, when the LORD ſhall take vengeance on the vnthankefulneſſe of the world: but we ſhall ſee ſome greater things then theſe; the LORD will deale wonderfully p. 170betweene Iſrael and Aegipt: when the obſtinate ſhalbe confounded: then ſhall the righteous flowriſh: yea the Lord will prouide meanes for the conſtancy of their happineſſe: for ſo it followeth.

And the King loued Heſter aboue all the women,Verſ. 17. and ſhee found grace and fauour in his ſight more then all the Virgins: ſo that hee ſet the crowne of the Kingdome vponupon her head: and made her Queene inſteede of Vaſhty.

In which words the ſpirit of God, ſetteth downe what befell Heſter after her taking into the Kings houſe. Namely that ſhe is aduanced further to bee Queene in ſteed of Vaſhtie, which is notably deſcribed. Firſt by the occaſion hereto; Namely that the King loued her aboue all the women. And ſecondly by the ſigne of this preferment, hee ſet the crowne of the Kingdome vponupon her head.

Concerning the extraordinarie fauour and affection,Obſ. III. God makes his children gratious when it may ſerue for his glory and their good. that the King is here ſayd to beare vntounto this gracious maiden. As it was the admirable worke of God for her more ſpeedie and ſure aduancement, neceſſarily to be taken at this time, when the yron was in the fire: Carnall louelove being ſo inconſtant, eſpecially when it is in ſome ſort ſatisfied: And the poore maiden (no doubt) much 1humbled with yeelding to the preſent neceſſity; and therefore had neede of ſome meanes to caſt light out 2of darkeneſſe, that their might be hope of ſanctifying of this ſinne into her: So doth it herein moſt notably commend the power, merciemercy and Wiſdome of GOD vntounto vsus.

His power in this: that he both can turne the affections of the wicked vponupon his Children, and ſettle them conſtantlie therevpon, when as the cauſe in them rather threatenes change.

His wiſdome alſo appeares in this: that this extraordinary fauour of the Prince, being now neceſſary, for the p. 171aduancement of Heſter, and ſo for the good of the Church, though afterward it bated (to ſhew the inconſtancie of fleſh, and alſo a further power of God in the reuiuing of the ſame) yet now it increaſeth contrarie to the carnall occaſion, which being ſatisfied, vſually breedes loathing: eſpeciall in thoſe, whoſe honour and delight in is change, ſo that aboue all the reſt onelyonly Heſter is gracious: the fauour of this great Monarche is conſtant to her.

And the merciemercy of God doth alſo ſhine herein moſt comfortably, both to the good of the Church, and perticular contentment of his ſeruant.

The Church hereby is now prouided for a deliuerer: before ſhe be plunged into the extremitie of her daunger: and the poore maiden is by this aduancement recompenced for hir loſſe; and comforted alſo in ſome meaſure with the ſanctifying of the ſame in a lawfull calling?

Aud ſurely that the Lord prouided a Sauiour before man had ſinned:Obſer. 112. God prouides a deliuerer for his Church before it be caſt into the extremity of daunger. Eſay 65. Math. 6.Isa 65Matt 6 that Moyſes is borne before Iſraels oppreſſion is encreaſed; that Ioſephes aduanced before the famine is in Canaan: that Heſter is aduanced before Hamans conſpiring breakes forth, doth not this exceedingly commend the watchfulneſſe of GOD ouer his Church? Doth not this manifeſt the freeneſſe of his louelove, that goes before the particular obiect? Doth not this ſerue much to the confirmation of our faith, that before we call he will heare vsus, before we hauehave neede hee willl prouide for vsus? So did the LORD prouide an Elizabeth before the great and ſharpe ſtorme fell vponupon his Church.

Vſe 1. And ſhall we then feare that the Lord will forſake vsus in our troubles when he prouides meanes of deliuerance before troubles come? Is he a God a farre off, and ſhall we not beleeue him to be a GOD nere at hand?2 Pet. 1. 8.2 Pet 1:8 Oh let vsus learne to liue by faith, ſo ſhall we ſee a farre off! Let it ſtay vsus in our preſent troubles, that p. 172God loued vsus before we were: that euen when we were his 4enemies,Pſal, 139. he ſought vsus, and preuented vsus, and ſhall he not now much more reſkue vsus beeing his friends? Oh wee of little faith!

But are the mercies of God here at an end? No ſurely,Obſ. 113. The mercies of God to his children paſt finding out. the mercies of the Lord are euerlaſting, and his truth paſt finding out: Wade wee yet further into them in this particular caſe of Heſter, and let vsus willingly looſe our ſelues in the meditation thereof. Was it not a great mercy of the Lord, to aduance her to the Kinges houſe: And was it not a greater mercy that in the Kings houſe ſhee is humbled, that ſo by renuing her repentance ſhee might bee better fitted to her further eſtate. And was not the mercy of God very admirable herein, that being abaſed by the King, ſhe yet finds extraordinary fauour in his ſight, that ſo ſhee might finde comfort in her former ſorrow? But was it not yet a further mercy, that beeing a ſubiect, yea a ſtranger▪ and of the abhominable and inthralled Nation; yet ſhee is called to bee the lawfull wife of ſo mighty a Monarch, and not onelyonly ſo, but euen to bee aduanced to the hygheſt dignitye of all.

1So conſtant is the LORD, that whome hee loueth,Iohn, 13. 2. 2hee loueth to the end: Such a priuiledge hath godlyneſſe that to the pure all thinges are pure:1 Tit, 14. So ſure is our ſaluation that euen all thinges ſhall 3turne to our good.Rom. 8. 29.Rom 8:29

Vſe. 1. And ſhall wee then ſinke vnderunder the burthen 2of our ſinnes, ſeeing wee cannot ſound the depth of the mercies of God? Shall wee plead vnwiſely againſt GOD, ſeeing hee cannot chooſe but louelove vsus, ſeeing his louelove is manifeſted in our ſinnes, and his power in 3our weakeneſſe? Shall wee repine at his chaſtiſements, 4ſeeing of very faithfulneſſe hee doth correct vsus? 5Shall wee diſtruſt his bleſſinges, ſeeing hee beſtowes them in mercy? Surely, if we ſee not mercy eueryevery where wee want the eye of faith, And if wee laye not p. 173hold of eternal mercies, we fight not y^e good fight of faith.

But lette vsus examine a little further this caſe of Heſter? 1 Tim, 4. Obſ. 114. Whether great proſperity be a bleſſing in mercy to Gods children.May wee truly ſay that here's nothing but mercy? Was it the mercy of God, that ſhee ſhould bee ſo highly aduanced? VVhy then doth the ſpirit teach Gods children to pray, that the Lord would not giuegive them neither pouerty nor riches: Obiect. Prouer, 30.leaſt beeing full they ſhould deny him: being empty they ſhould blaſpheme God.

Anſ. Surely the prayer of the ſeruant of God, as it was conditionall, not ſimply renouncing either fulneſſe, or want, but as it might ſtand with the will of God and good of the receiuer: ſo thereby doth it graunt a power vntounto God, to giuegive either fulnes or impoſe wāt at his pleaſure. And ſeeing where God giues in louelove, he alſo ſanctifies the gift, may not then the Lord giuegive fulneſſe, and yet preſerue in humility, and obedience? May he not lay pouerty on his child, and yet keepe him from impatience? Yet at leaſt ſo farre as that he ſhall not take the name of God in vaine: Indeed if nature be left to it ſelfe, and that as this moſt likely and vſuall be conſidered in this caſe: fulneſſe may breed forgetfulneſſe, and pouerty prophaneſſe and diſtruſt of Gods prouidence. And therefore in regard of our weakeneſſe and aptneſſe to offend in the exceſſe: Yea conſidering our folly, that wee knowe not whats fitteſt for vsus; and the wiſdome of God, which wee muſt not ſette to ſchoole: The ſpirit teacheth vsus rather to pray for the meane, that God would feede vsus with food conuenient for vsus, neither yet ſimply to tye God to this meaſure, as if no other were fit for vsus, but to acknowledge herein our infirmity to God, who as without GOD wee are not able to compaſſe any, ſo leaſt able to ſway that ſtate, w^t is moſt ſubiect to temptation: & yet this doth not preiudice, but God may giuegive euen fulnes: ſeeing hee doth make euen y^e greateſt honors conuenient for his children, and therein doth ſhew his great mercy in their preſeruation: by how much the more their eſtate is ſubiect to temptation.

p. 174Yet if it ſhall now be demanded,Queſ. VVhether a man may praie for aboundance? ſeeing the Lord giues fulneſſe, whether I may not lawfully ſeeke it by prayer of him?

Anſ. Surely where God in particular hath promiſed, aud leades me along with apparant likelyhoods thereof, there I may ſafely draw on the Lord, to the accompliſhment of his worke; becauſe by faith we obtaine the promiſes: and prayer is the meanes to expreſſe and increaſe our ſaith. And this was the caſe of Dauid when he prayed for the accompliſhment of Gods promiſe concerning the Kingdome. But where there is no ſuch manifeſtation of Gods purpoſe in perticular, there I may ſafely deſire in generall what God will caſt vppon me for my fitting vntounto him: but for this or that condition, I muſt leaue it to God, leaſt I preiudice his wiſdome, and diſcouer my diſtruſt, leaſt I preſume to come to god, wheras al he giues vsus is of free mercy. Only I deny not but ſome extraordinary inſtinct may warrant ſome perticuler extraordinary practiſe in this caſe: which being ſingular, is not to be imitated of vsus.

If it ſhall be further demanded whether it be lawfull to receiue ſuch excellent bleſſings as are caſt vponupon vsus,Queſ. Whether it be lawfull to receiue great bleſſings offered? ſeeing Eliſha refuſed Nahamans gifts, &c. Daniel at the firſt refuſed the Kings reward;

Anſ. Surely I ſee not, but God being the only giuer, and wee 1hauing the beſt right; much good likely to be redeemed hereby, 2and good meanes vſed in the compaſſing thereof; theſe 3thinges conſidered, I ſee not but we may lawfully receiue 4them, as the ſpeciall pledges of Gods fauor: if there be no leproſie or ſuch like miſchiefe attending vppon them.

As for Eliſha and Daniel, their refuſal was iuſt, becauſe the giftes of theſe giuers were reſpectiue and conditional, if they would doe ſuch a thing for them,Queſ. Whether the Miniſter may receiue wages for his paines? or in regard of ſuch a thing done: and therefore the ſeruants of God, to ſhew they were not mercenary, did iuſtly refuſe theſe reprochfull giftes. (Say you) may we not then receiue a recompence in lieu of our paines? Is not the labourer worthy of his hire? May hee not iuſtly exact it? May he not p. 175lawfully receiue it?

Yea ſurely, 1 Cor, 9.the Lord hath appointed, that they which ſerue at the Altar ſhould …ue of the Altar: It is a ſinne not to giuegive: It is a greater ſinne to ſpoile and deny: and therfore it is moſt lawfull to receiue what is due vntounto vsus. And yet ſometime we may refuſe, though not ſimply as Eliſha did: Sometime we may not exact, though we hauehave power, as the bleſſed Apoſtle Paul did.1 Cor. 11.1 Cor 11 Yea may refuſe firſt, & yet receiue afterward, as Daniel did: refuſe wee may when the wicked thinke our paines no better worth then their gifts, or hope that only by theſe gifts they may compaſſe the benefit of our paines: So did Daniell firſt refuſe the gifts of the King: So did Peter refuſe the gifts of Simon Magus; And yet to ſhew our right, wee may alſo receiue them for our vſe; when theſe ſtumbling-blockes are remoued: So did Daniel afterward receiue thoſe honours which before he refuſed.Queſ. Heſters marriage whether lawful or no? And was there not ſome ſuch ſtūbling-block in the aduancement of Heſter? Might ſhe ſafely marry with him that was diuorced from his wife? (and acccording to the cuſtome of theſe countries) was not without his choyce of wiues. Surely the Lord Ieſus him-ſelfe the moſt perfect examiner of the Law, he hath determined, y^t whoſoeuer puts away his wife, vnleſſe it be for fornication, commits adultery: And therefore it followeth that who ſoeuer marrieth with the party, that takes this liberty to be diuorced, not vponupon that vrgent occaſion; doth no leſſe commit adultery. And did not the Lord therefore (though hee had aboundance of ſpirit) yet appoint this knot in marriage to bee onelyonly of two, and no more: becauſe he ſought an holy ſeed? How then may Heſter bee cleared from the caſe of adultery? How can ſhe bee freed from an vnholy marriage?

Anſ. May not the Law-giuer diſpence with his Law? And may not that in Heſter be good by a diſpenſation, which in others without ſuch extraordinary priuiledge, is ſimply euill? And what though the Lord ſhoulde admitte ſinne in the accompliſhment of the worke: p. 176may hee not pardon the ſinner, and get him-ſelfe the glory. Surely though wee dare not ſimply iuſtifie Heſter in this caſe; yet if we ſhall meaſure things by the manner & ſucceſſe, did not the Lord admirably bring this thing to paſſe? Did it not tend to the great good of the Church.

Nay who I pray you were looſers hereby? The Lord hee winnes him-ſelfe great glory, in aduancing ſo highly his hand-maid from ſo baſe an eſtate. Heſter looſes not heereby, ſhee obtaines the greateſt honour and content that the earth can afford; and yet ſhee forſakes not her righteouſneſſe, but rather increaſeth it.

The King hee gaines hereby ſome truer contentment of his mind and reſtraint of his luſts, yea his reproche in repudiating Vaſhty is hereby well cured: The Prouinces and whole Kingdome, they obtaine reſt from their grieuous oppreſſions: And the poore Church of God, that is the greateſt gayner, as being deliuered from a moſt deſperate extremity, and aduanced alſo to great peace and proſperity, euen in a ſtrange land.

But yet ther is an other flaw in this marriage:Queſ. Whether lawfull to marry with an Infidel. ſhe marries with an Infidell and curſed Idolater: how may this bee diſpenſed withall?

Surely by the ſame Lord who brings light out of darkneſſe, and turnes the euills of his children to his glory, and their good. And yet wee may not ſimply condemne this maiden herein: ſhe was a ſubiect, and therefore could not do what ſhe would in this caſe. And yet the Lord here did what he would:Ioſ, 23. yea what Heſter ſimply was not to refuſe. For though the Lord had commanded that his people ſhould not marry with Idolaters,Iudg. 3. Deut, 21.Judg 3 yet doth he alſo not ſimply deny them vppon conditions to marry with ſuch captiues as they had taken in war. And the Saints of God hauehave warrantably matched with ſtrangers, & the Idolatrous brood &c. As Boaz with Ruth, Sampſon with the Philiſtian &c. When the occaſions hauehave beene extraordinary and the diſpenſation heauenly.

p. 177And therefore no warrant for vsus that hauehave choyce of holy ſeede to ſowe amongſt the thornes: thereby to wound our owne ſoules, and choake our ſeed, or elſe by the egge of the Serpent, to breed the Cockatrice, to hauehave mungrell iſſue, that ſhall ſpeake halfe Aſhur and halfe Canoon; ſhall not this vnequall yoake caſt out the yoake of Chriſt? ſhall not the ſtranger deuoure our ſdtrength? ſhall not the curſe of God caſt out ſuch roote and branches from the face of the earth?

Well, thus wee ſee the mercy of God truly iuſtified in Heſters aduancement: let vsus now ſee how Ahaſhueroſh the King iuſtifieth and adorneth the ſame: It followeth.

Hee ſets the Crowne of the kingdome vponupon her head, and made her Queene, &c.

Loe here the enſigne of this great honour which is due vntounto this poore captiue, the Crowne of the Kingdome is ſet vponupon her head. So doth this new Bride-grome ſtriue to doe all honour vntounto his bride: So doth God confirme his child in this extraordinarie dignitie: by this meanes is Heſters aduancement made knowne to the Church of God, and by this full performance of complement, is more honored and approoued. But this is not all: It followeth.

Then the King made a great Feaſt to all his Princes and Nobles,Verſe, 18. &c.

In which words the holy Ghoſt ſets downe vntounto vsus the ſolemnization of this royall mariage, and that by fiue circumſtances.

1. The King makes a great feaſt thereat to all his Princes and ſeruants.

2. This Feaſt is dedicated to the memoriall of Heſter, which was Heſters feaſt.

3. Reſt is giuen to the Prouinces, they are made pertakers of this common ioy, that the mariage of Heſter might be more acceptable to them.

4. The King gives giftes vntounto the poore, and ſends preſents abroad farre and neere.

5. Hee ſhewes the power of the King in this his p. 178magnificence, to ſignifie his true contentmēt & ioy in this mariage. And firſt, to adde greater ſtate & ſolemnity to y^e mariage of his new ſpouſe, the King yet further makes a ſolemne feaſt to all his Princes and Nobles; of the lawfulneſſe and right vſe whereof we hauehave ſpoken plentifully heretofore.Obſer. 115. Feaſting lawfull at mariages. Only thus much we may further adde concerning the occaſion of this feaſt: that the cuſtome of ſolemnizing mariages with feaſts hath beene ancient and commendable, as being a time of great ioy, and therefore fitte to be ſhewed in the meanes of ioy; eſpecially in regarde of ſuch company, as at ſuch times come togeather: who may lawfully take occaſion of a more liberall refreſhing. And therefore not vnlawfull to bee vſed, and hereby euen of Chriſtians, who as they know their libertie: ſo alſo they can beſt tell how to vſe it, in a wiſe diuiding of the time, and moderation of Gods bleſſings.