A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 91 – Chapter 94
CHAP. XCI. Remuneration, Retaliation, Requital.
COmmanded sometime by God, Gen 9. 6. Exod. 21. 23, &c. Lev. 24. 19, &c. Matth. 5. 38. Psal. 137. 8. Jer. 50. 15. Rev. 18. 6.
Thus God threatens to the enemies of his Church, Jer. 30. 16. & 48. 26, 27. & 49. 2. Rev. 13. 10. Jer. 51. 49. Ezek. 35. 5, 6. & 39. 30. Hab. 2. 8. Joel 3. 6, 7, 8. 1 Thess. 1. 6.
To those that sin in his Church: Pit for pit, Psal. 7. 15, 16. Idolatry for Idolatry, Jer. 5. 19. Spoil for spoil, Isa. 33. 1. Prov 22. 23. Treachery for treachery, Isa. 33. 1. Harlots hire for harlots hire, Mich. 1. 7. Not to hear shall not be heard, Prov. 1. 28. Zach. 7. 13. Altars for sin with Altars to sin, Hos. 8. 11. they that judge shall be judged, Matth. 7. 2.
Scriptural Examples; Pharaoh drowned others, and was drowned himself, Exod. 1. 22. with 14. 27. 30. Abimelech, and the Sechemites, Judg. 9. 24, 56, 57. Adonibezek, Judg. 1. 7. Levites Concubine, Judg. 19. 2, 25. Ahab, and Jesabel, 1 King. 21. 19. with 22. 34, 38. & 18. 13. & 22. 23. 2 King. 9. 33, 36, 37. Kings which were traytors, and slew others, were slain themselves, 2 King. 15. 10, 14, 23, 25, 30. Agag, 1 Sam. 15. 33. Joab, 1 King. 2. 32. Daniel's enemies, Dan. 6. 7, 12, 15, 24.
Other Examples.
Orodes King of Parthia who had overcome and slain Crassus the Roman Consul; in his old age fell desperately sick for grief at the losse of his son Pacones, slain by Venticius: yet his younger son Phraates had not patience to expect his death, but gave him poison to accelerate it: But behold Gods providence, the poison proving a strong purge, wrought out not onelyonly it self, but the disease too; so that Orodes recovered beyond expectation: which Phraates seeing, strangled him, and to settle him the surer in his Kingdome obtained by Parricide, he entred into league with the Romans, sending back the Ensigns of Crassus, and other Presents: the Romans to requite him, sent him great gifts, and amongst the rest a beautiful Italian strumpet, by whom he had a son, which being grown up, by the advice, and help of his mother, poisoned his father to get his Crown. Tulit quae meruit, et quae docuit. Lipsius.
Mithridates King of Pontus to get the Crown slew his mother, brother, and her three sons, and as many daughters: but in his old age his own son Phanacus slow him for the same cause. Lipsius.
Ptolemaeus one of Alexander's Successours, expelling Antigonus seizeth upon Macedonia; makes peace with Antiochus: enters into league and affinity with Pyrrhus: now all things were sure but onelyfor his sister Arsinoe, and her sons, who had been married to Lysimachus King of Macedonia: therefore intending to entrap her; he sent Ambassadours to her pretending love, promising to marry her, to make her partner with him in the Kingdom, and her sons his heires; protesting that he took up armes for no other end: proffering to swear upon the holy Altars when, and where she pleased, that all this was in good faith. The poor Lady deceived hereby, sent some of her friends to take his oath, before whom he went into the most ancient Temple, and there touching the gods, and the Altar, swears. That he sincerely purposed to marry her, to make her his Queen, and her children his heires: otherwise he prayes for vengeance upon himself, &c. Upon this Arsinoe comes to him, is married, and crowned Queen of Macedonia: then she delivers up to him Cassandrea, a most strong City, where her children, and all her treasures were; he having now his desire, sends men that slew her children in their mothers lap, and drave her into exile: but God suffered not this wickednesse to go long unrevenged; for presently after the Gaules brake into Macedonia, overthrew Ptolemie, cut off his head, and carried it upon a Lance about with them. Lipsius.
CHAP. XCII. Love of God to his Children, and their love to him.
THe Spouses to Christ, Cant. 2. 5, 7. & 5. 8. & 8. 6, 7. Jer. 2. 2. Cant. 1, 3, 4. & 3. 1, &c.
Christ's to his Spouse, Cant. 2. 4.
God's to his people is eternal, Jer. 31. 3. Rom. 8. 35, 39.
It's great, Hos. 3. 1. & 11. 4. Ephes. 2. 4. & 3. 19. 1 Joh. 3. 1. & 4. 16.
So should our love to him be: as 2 Cor. 5. 14. Deut. 6. 5. & 10. 12. & 11. 1▪ 13, 22. & 30. 6, 16, 20. Jos. 22. 5. & 23. 11. Psal. 31. 23. Matth. 22. 37. Mar. 12. 30. Luk. 10 27.
Every thing shall turn to the good of such, Rom. 8. 28. Great things are prepared for them, 1 Cor. 2. 9. and promised, Jam. 1. 12. & 2. 5. They shall be joyful, Psal. 5. 11. Blessed, Psal. 69. 36. & 119. 132. Have peace, Psal. 119. 165. Be preserved, Psal. 145. 20.
Scriptural Examples: David, Psal. 18. 1. Solomon, 1 King. 3. 3.
Solomon was beloved of God, 2 Sam. 12. 24. and Israel, 1 King. 10. 9. 2▪ Chron. 9. 1. Psal. 4…. 4. Hos. 11. 1. and the world of the Elect, Joh. 3. 16. and Paul, Gal. 2. 20. the Church, Rev. 1. 5. Jacob, Rom. 9. 13.
Other Examples.
Artabazus (in Xenophon) when Cyrus had given him a cup of gold, and to Chrysantas a kisse in token of his special favour, complained, that the cup which Alexander had given him was not so good gold as the Kisse which he gave to Chrysantas: So the secret kisses which God gives to his children, are better then all the riches, and honours which he gives to the wicked.
Vespasian the Emperour commanded that a liberal reward should be given to a woman that came, and professed that she was in Love with him: whereupon his Steward asked him under what Item he should put that gift in his book of accounts? Vespasiano adamato, saith the Emperour: Item▪ to her that loved Vespasian. So when God gives much, or forgives much to any, you may write this Item, Because he loved much.
Galeacius Caracciolus being tempted by a Jesuite with a great summe of gold to return from Geneva into Iealy, made this answer; Let their gold perish with them who prefer all the gold in the world before the love of God, or one daies society with Jesus Christ, and his holy Spirit. See his Life in my second Part.
CHAP. XCIII. Reproof, Reprehension.
THe wise love it, Prov. 29. 25. & 25. 12. & 13. 18. & 15. 5, 31. & 17. 10. & 29. 15. and 6. 23.
It's the Ministers duty, 2 Tim. 4. 2. Gods Word is profitable for it, 2 Tim. 3. 16.
Scorners will not endure it, Prov. 9. 8. & 15. 12. Isa. 29. 21.
Such are neer to destruction, Prov. 29. 1. & 10. 17. Are brutish, Prov. 12. 1. & 15. 10, 32.
David desired it, Psal. 141. 5.
Herod could not endure it, Luk. 3. 19. Nor the wicked, Prov. 1. 25, 30. & 5. 12.
Reproof not endured.
Cambyses King of Persia being reproved by Prexaspes, one of his Nobles that was familiar with him, for his drunkennesse, was so impatient of reproof, that he caused the son of Prexaspes to be set before him, saying, If I can shoot just into thy sons heart, neither thou nor the Persians have any cause to charge me with drunkennesse: and so shooting he slew him, and then caused his body to be opened, where the arrow was found in the middest of his heart, whereupon he much rejoyced, saying to Prexaspes, Whether doest thou now believe that I am sober, or drunk, &c? Pez. Mel. Hist.
The same Cambyses having caused twelve of his Nobles to be put to death, Croesus, who was left as a Counsellor to him by his father Cyrus, reproved him for it, admonishing him not so to give way to his passion, lest he provoked his Subjects to rise up against him: Cambyses instead of making a good use of it, took a bowe, and would have slain Croesus for it, but he escaping from him, Cambyses commanded his servants to slay him: yet they thinking that he would afterwards repent it; hid Croesus, and slew him not; and when Cambyses not long after wanted Croesus for his faithful counsel, and bemoaned his rash putting of him to death: his servants expecting a great reward, brought him forth. Cambyses was glad that Croesus was alive, but yet he put his servants to death for sparing him contrary to his command. Pez. Mel. Hist.
Philip King of Macedon having great contentions in his Family, was thus reproved by Demarathus the Corinthian for it: Philip asking him what concord there was amongst the Grecians? Sir, said he, it is not fit for you to enquire after the affaires of Greece, who cannot settle, and maintain peace in your own Family. Diod. Sic.
Alexander M. writing to Philotas, one of his brave Captains, sent him word how that the Oracle of Jupiter Hamon had acknowledged him to be his son: Philotas wrote back, That he was glad that he was received into the number of the gods: but withal that he could not but be sensible how miserable they were that should live under one that thought himself more then a man: which reproof Alexander never forgat till he had taken away his life. Q. Cur.
CHAP. XCIV. Repentance, and Reformation the way to pacifie Gods wrath.
REpentance exhorted to, Ezek. 14. 6. & 18. 30. Matth. 3. 2. & 4. 17. Mar. 1. 15. Act. 2 38. & 3. 19. & 8. 22. Rev. 2. 5, 16. & 3. 3, 19.
Repentance attributed to God, Gen. 6. 6. Exod. 32. 14. Judg. 2. 18. 1 Sam. 15. 35. 2 Sam. 24. 16. Psal. 106 45. Jer. 26. 19. Amos 7. 3, 6. Jon. 3. 10. & 4. 2. Joel 2 13. Hos. 11. 8.
Repentance turns away God's wrath, 1 King. 18. 30, &c. Jer. 26. 3, 13. Ezek. 18. 30. Joel 2. 14. Jona. 3. 9. Rev 2. 5, 16, 22. Exod. 32. 14. 2 Sam. 24. 15, 16. Jer. 31. 19, 20. Jona. 3. 9, 10. 2 Chron. 7. 14, &c. We have Gods promise for it▪ Lev. 26. 41, &c. 2 Chron. 12. 7. & 24. 37. in the example of Josiah; And Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 26. And Manasses, 2 Chr. 33. 12, 13.
The Romans punished a young man that was seen looking out at a window with a Crown of Roses upon his head in the time of a publick calamity.
At a time in Athens strange Prodigies were seen, and the Prognosticators told the people, that they perceived by their sacrifices that the City was defiled with some abominable and filthy thing: Hereupon they sent to Crete for Epimenides, an holy, and devout man, and one who was esteemed a Prophet. He being come, taught them to make their Sacrifices with lesse cost, whereby they were more frequent. He taught them to pray daily to the gods, to mourn moderately for the dead, &c. and so brought them by degrces to much holinesse, and devotion, to much justice, and unity amongst themselves; by which means for a time they enjoyed great tranquillity. Plut.
Alexanders Macedonians being sensible of his displeasure, laid by theit Armes, put on mourning apparel, came running in Troops to his Tent, where for almost three daies together they remained with loud cryes, and abundance of teares, testifying their remorse for offending him, and beseeching his pardon, which at last they obtained. How much more should we repent of, and mourn for offending God, and implore his pardon, &c?