A Complete and Compendious Church History, Chapter 17

A Complete and Compendious Church History · Chapter 17

p. 189The Seventeenth Plot againſt the CHURCH, in Judah: Defeated by GOD.

CHAP. XVII.

WHen the Devil ſaw how ſucceſsful he had been in Debauching and Deſtroying the Ten Tribes of Iſrael, He falls upon his 17th. Plot againſt the Kingdom of Judah, which yet Ruled with God, and was Faithful with the Saints, Hoſ. 11. 12. God was ſincerely ſerved amongſt them, and they Held faſt their firſt integrity, the True Religion was Publickly Profeſſed, and the True Worſhip of God was Purely Preſerved in the Temple at Jeruſalem: This made Abijah (the next to Rehoboam, though none of the beſt) to boaſt ſo boldly, and therefore prevailed, 2 Chro. 13. 10, 17. Iſraels Apoſtacy was not onelyonly Aggravated, but alſo Vanquiſhed by Judahs Integrity: yea, and Judah was Kind, Courteous and Communicative to thoſe good Souls that left the Ten Tribes and came thither to Injoy the Pure and Publick Worſhip of God.

p. 190This the Envious One eſpying and Envying, Endeavours to Corrupt Jeruſalem as he had done Samaria, that ſo Aholah and Aholibah might be both Alike, nay, the latter to be worſe than the former, (as afterwards,) Ezek. 16. 2, 45, 48. and 23. 4, 11. Yea, that Prince of the Ayr (the Devil) never gave over his ſtormy Blaſts (with his ſtinking Breath) until he had Blown out that Lamp which God had promis'd to give David in Jeruſalem, 1 Kin. 15. 4. at the laſt, which did fall out about the 3420 Y. of the World, in the 11th. Y. of Zedekiah, when Ezekiels 390 Y. (mentioned Ezek. 4. 5.) were exactly accompliſh'd,) in that fatal Fall of Jeruſalem, for which Jeremy Writt his Book of Lamentations to Condole the ſad Condition of the Church, becauſe the Crown was faln from her Head, Lam. 5. 15, 16. and her Light, or Lamp, was Extinct by the Devils Extinguiſher; then was ſhe brought into darkneſs, and not into light, Lam. 3. 2. and removed into dark places, as they that be dead, v. 6. ſo put into the Dark Graves of Babylon, until the Time of their Opening came, Ezek. 37. 12. &c.

Now to Reduce the Church to this faln and Extinct Eſtate: The Devil Deſigns againſt her many Maladies, and 'tis remarkable, God ſent her as many Remedies, in Raiſing up a good King for a bad, a good King for a bad, almoſt, all-along, (whereas thoſe of Iſrael were all bad p. 191Univerſally) until they had ſinned themſelves beyond the Reach of all Remedies, Prov. 22. 1. 2 Chro. 36. 16. Oh Dreadful and Direful Divine Sentence!

Satans (firſt) Blaſt againſt the Lamp of the Church in this 17th. Plot, was, in Rehoboam, who at 41 Y. old was Childiſh and Simple, 2 Chro. 12. 13. with 13. 7. but of an Haughty and Hard-oppreſſing Spirit, ſo prooved himſelf a very Fool, Eccleſ. 2. 19. though he were the Son of ſo Wiſe a Father, a very fit Tool for the Devil; and though for 3 Y. he did Well, 2 Chron. 11. 17. yet after he did Evil, and Judah with him, which brought up Shiſhak K. of Aegypt, to Plunder Jeruſalem, 1 Kin. 14. 22, 23, 24. Upon this; the Devil got the Golden Shields of Solomon changed into Brazen ones, v. 27. as he had made the faithful City now to become an Harlot: No Wonder therefore, that her Silver was become Droſs, and her Gold turned into Braſs, Iſa. 1. 21, 22. Shiſhak (prompted to this Enterprize by Jeroboam who had lived in the Court of Aegypt, and (as ſome ſay) Married a Wife of the Blood-Royal) eaſily prevaileth through the Puſillanimity and Effeminacy of Rehoboam, but eſpecially becauſe Judah had Tranſgreſſed againſt the Lord, 2 Chron. 12. 2. His Prevalency could not have happened without the Church's Prevarication: Notwithſtanding at the Preaching of the Prophet Shemaiah, p. 192(which was a great Divine favour) both Princes and People Humbled themſelves, v. 5, 6. (which was a greater Divine favour,) but the greateſt of all was, that God did not then pour out his whole Wrath, but granted them ſome Deliverance, v. 7, 8. So that things went well in Judah, v. 12.

The Devils 2d. Blaſt againſt Davids promiſed Lamp, was in the Reign of Rehoboams Son, call'd Abijah, 2 Chron. 12. 16. ſo his Father named him, (ſignifying, [The Lord is my Father,] with Reſpect to that Promiſe made to David, 2 Sam. 7. 14. but becauſe he Walked not in the ways of David, therefore is Abijah called Abijam, 1 Kin. 15. 1. which ſignifies, [My Father is a Sea,] Indeed his Father was as Inconſtant in good as the Fluctuating Sea, becauſe he Prepared not his Heart to ſeek the Lord, 2 Chro. 12. 24. he had only ſome ſlaſhy and fleeting Reſolutions (in his aforeſaid Humblings,) but he did not draw them out into Execution, becauſe they Sprang not from his Heart, (that right Spring of all True goodneſs:) ſo they were ſoon off again, and he wavering like a wave of the Sea, Jam. 1.6. was driven by the Wind of Temptation to do Evil, and ſo Dyes, leaving a Diminiſh'd and Impoveriſh'd Kingdom to his Son Abijah or Abijam, who did Evil like his Father. Though the Book of Chronicles layeth no Wickedneſs to his Charge, (ſo joyns Jah [the Name of p. 193God] to his name Abijah, yet the Book of Kings Chargeth him with the Wickedneſs of his Fathers ways, and therefore calls him Abijam, as above, 1 Kin. 15. 3. Though at firſt, when he went out to War againſt Jeroboams vaſt Army, he ſeemed to be good, pretending to, and pleading hard for Religion, 2 Chron. 13. 5, 10, 12. and praying to God in his Diſtreſs, v. 14. and believing in God, v. 18. but being puffed up with this great Victory, he falls away, and ſhew'd himſelf in his Colours, treading in the ſame Dirty ſteps of his Idolatrous Father, who, when he Recover'd Bethel from Jeroboam, 2 Chron. 13. 19. did not Deſtroy the Calf and Idolatry there, for which cauſe ('tis probable) God ſhorten'd both his Reign and his Life; Oh what a ſad Aſpect had the Church in that Day, when not onelyonly Iſrael Worſhip'd Jeroboams Calves, but alſo Judah Built them high places, and Images, and Groves on every High Hill, and under every Green-Tree, 1 Kin. 14. 22, 23. Yea, and Tolerated Sodomy in the Land, v. 24. This ſad Face of the Church (and that continuing two Kings Reigns) muſt needs ſadden the Hearts of thoſe Faithful Ones, who (among the 12 Tribes) were Gods Remnant, and Inſtantly ſerved him Day and Night, Act. 26. 7. There was no Viſible Church in the whole World, but in this little part of it, And how was the Church here moſt Deplorably Depraved? God ſometimes p. 194ſuffers his Church (as he doth the Moon) to Wane out of ſight and to be Ecclipſed; yet ſuch Gloomy times ſhall not laſt always, God cauſeth Light to Spring up by Aſa (the 3d. King after the Revolt,) who Revives the Church, and Refreſhes the Children of God by a Right Reformation of Religion, 1 Kin. 15. 11. both in the Privative and in the Poſitive part. 1. The Privative. He, finding Sodom in Jeruſalem, Roots out the Sodomites, v. 12. Demoliſhes the Idols, thoſe Dirty Dung-hill Deities, (call'd [Deos ſtercoreos] becauſe of the Stench wherewith they offend Almighty God; yea, removes Maachah from being Queen-Regent for ſetting up a moſt filthy Idol in honour of Venus, ſuppoſed the Picture of Pan or Priapus, v. 13. (2ly.) The Poſitive part; He doth not onelyonly put down Idolatry, &c. but he ſets up and Reſtores the Splendour of Temple-Worſhip: 'Twas his Grand-Father Rehoboam that turn'd Solomons Gold into Braſs; now Aſa turns Rehoboams Braſs into Gold, 1 Kin. 15. 15. 'Tis ſaid of Auguſtus Coeſar, [Romam Invenit lateritiam, Reliquit Marmoream,] He ſound Rome all of Brick, he left it all of Marble: So it may be ſaid, as Rehoboam had turn'd Jeruſalems Marble into Brick, ſo Aſa turns it back from Brick to Marble as Solomon had left it. 'Tis a Wonder, that both Sodomy and the Worſt ſort of Idolatry (to wit, Priapiſm) ſhould be found amongſt Mankind, (being p. 195ſo contrary to the Light of Nature, Rom. 1. 19, to 28.) but much more amongſt the onelyonly profeſſors of Religion that were then upon Earth. Here the Devils Deſign had notable Succeſs; yet behold as great a Wonder in the Churches Remedy, (as was in her Malady) the Lord raiſes up a good Son (Aſa) from the Seed of an evil Father (Abijam;) and from the Soil of an Idolatrous Mother (Maachah;) and makes him to be ſuch an Impartial Reformer, as he would not grant a Diſpenſation to his own Mother or Grand-Mother, 1 Kin. 15. 13. and 2 Chron. 15. 16. He finds her Unreclaimable from her Idols in her ſelf, and very Influential upon the People; Hereupon, the Law of God (in Command: 1. 2.) Preponderates the Law of Nature, (Command. 5th.) Down goes her Idols from their Station, and her ſelf from her Regency, becauſe his Heart was perfect with the Lord, 1 Kin. 15. 14. And as a Reward of his Covenant-Reformation, God gave him a glorious Victory over the greateſt Army that ever we read of in any Hiſtory, to wit, a Thouſand Thouſand Aethiopians, who (likely) were call'd in by the Ten Tribes (at the Devils Inſtigation) in Revenge of their Five Hundred Thouſand which Abijam had overthrown, 2 Chron. 14. 9, to 12. God at good Aſa's Prayer Smote his Enemies, and (as the Word ſignifies) Tumbl'd them down Headlong: Aſa Reign'd long to do p. 196great and good things for the Church. Therefore the Devil (who did owe him an ill turn, and had been hitherto under a Divine Reſtriction, which to him is a grievous Vexation) at laſt gets leave to Touch him with his Churliſh Touches, (as Job 1. 11, 12.) to wit, in cauſing him (1) to Connive at the Will-Worſhip in the High-places, miſ-devoted for the Worſhip of God, (who had Confined it to the Temple;) though he Demoliſhed thoſe ſet up in honour of Idols, 1 Kin. 15. 13, 14. this God graciouſly overlooks, beholding Truth in his Heart: God tenderly covers Aſa's Frailty with the Mantle of Sincerity, which he would not do for Unfound Jehu, though Excellent things were done by him, 2 Kin. 10.31. and inaſmuch as the Indulgency of Aſa's God did draw a Croſs-line over all Aſa's Weakneſſes; Satan loſt his Deſign in Tempting him to this Sin, and to the following alſo. (2) To a Relyance on the King of Syria more than upon the Lord, 2 Chron. 16. 7, 8, 9. Conſidence on Man (an Arm of Fleſh) draws off his Confidence on God, (who gave him Victory over the Million of Aethiopians) Iſa. 31. 1, 2. He truſteth. not God at all, who truſteth not God above and over all: Aſa Hires Benhadad with Sacrilegious Treaſure, unfaithfully to break his League with Baaſha, and brings a Wicked Enemy into Gods Inheritance: (3) To that which was worſe, even to the Impriſoning of p. 197Hanani the Prophet, for reprooving him for his ſin, v. 10. Aſa, inſtead of comming to Repentance and calling for Mercy, in a great rage againſt his Faithful reproover, commands Revenge. (4) To be as Harſh to the People as he was to the Prophet, Tyrannically trampling upon thoſe that proteſted againſt his Tyranny to the Lords Prophet; for this, God did not onelyonly ſend upon his Kingdom continual War, v. 11. but upon himſelf the ſharp Dolorous Gout, v. 12. whereby God clapp'd him up a cloſer Priſoner by the Heels in his Bed, and with more Torturing Fetters, than he had done Gods Prophet in Priſon: Then (5) to ſeek to the Phyſitians for Cure of his Gout, and not to God, v. 12. Thus falls he into his former ſin of Creature-Confidence; He that in his outward ſtraits ſought to Benhadad, and not to God, now in his Inward Sore ſeeks not to God, but to Phyſitians, not depending upon the Lord for his Bleſſing upon Men and Means. No Wonder therefore that his Diſeaſe ſtruck upward to his Head and Heart, and that his Hot Feet carried him to his Cold Grave, v. 13. Notwithſtanding all thoſe Failings the Devil loſt his Deſign, for 'tis more than probable, that Aſa repented before he Dyed; Seeing (1) God gave him this commendable Character, That his Heart was Perfect with the Lord all his Days, 1 Kin. 15. 14. 2 Chron. 15. 17. and 20. 32. and (2) his People gave him a moſt Honourable p. 198Funeral, 2 Chron. 16. 14. which was Denyed to Wicked Jehoram, Ch. 21. 19. and which they would not have done (in that coſtly Solemnity) for Aſa, had he not Repented and Reformed, to be thus Honoured at his Burial; Yea, and God bleſt him with a long Reign (of 41 Y. v. 13.) wherein he ſaw many Succeſſions and Changes upon the Throne of the Ten Tribes, who were all ſpeedily rooted out by their Idolatry, whereas good Aſa was long Eſtabliſh'd upon his Throne by his True Piety, in Deſpight of the Devil; leaving his godly Son Jehoſophat (the 4th. King) to ſucceed him, who prooved one of the beſt of the Princes of Judah, whom God Stirred up for a Farther Reformation of Religion, and for a fuller Preſervation of his Church, &c. 2 Chro. 17, &c. The Father was good, but the Son was better, inaſmuch as he Repented, when he was Reprooved, (which his Father did not, but Raged,) Ch. 19. 2, 4. where the Son (Jehu) ſucceeded better than his Father (Hanani,) Ch. 16. 7. Now for this his great Goodneſs the Devil envyed him, ſinding him more forward and forth-putting in religion and reformation than his Father. Hereupon Satan ſets upon his over-good Nature, and over-facile Diſpoſition, ſeduces him into an Aſſinity with Wicked Ahah, 1 Kin. 22. 44. to a Match 'twixt Jehoram his Son, and Athaliah Ahab's wicked Daughter, 2 Kin. 8. 18. and to a Courtly Complyance p. 199in Ahabs Warring againſt Syria, which had like to have coſt him his life, 1 Kin. 22. 2, 4; 31. Here the Devil had Entangled good Jehoſaphat into moſt deſperate Danger; but God Diſappoints the Devils Deſign: Jehoſaphat Cryed out, that is, to the Lord, 1 Kin. 22. 32. and the Lord Helped him, 2 Chron. 18. 31. So he returned to his Houſe in Peace, Ch. 19. 1. which his Ally Ahab did not, as Micaiah fore-told him, 1 Kin. 22. 28. finding it True (but too late) that a whole Council (of falſe Prophets eſpecially) may Err, in telling him the contrary: Jehoſaphat now is a Brand pluck'd out of the Fire, ſo dare not do as he had done, 2 Chron. 19. 4. and 1 Kin. 22. 49. he now ſtays at Jeruſalem, making no more any courtly goings on Progreſs to Samaria, 2 Chron. 19. 4. This good Man made Peace with bad Ahab the Father, 2 Chron. 19. 3. and with bad Ahaziah the Son, Ch. 20. 35. but better he had not done ſo, for God was deeply Diſpleaſed with it, therefore was Wrath upon him, 2 Chron. 10. 2. A Man had better be at Variance with all the World, than with God and his own Conſcience: He that parts with his inward peace to purchaſe the outward, pays too dear a rate for it, one may buy Gold too dear, as Jehoſaphat did for his Deſired and Deſigned Gold. While his Converſation was Godly, God bleſt him with a moſt Signal Victory over Moah, Ammon, and Mount-Seir, 2 Chro. 19. 20. p. 200then God was highly pleaſed with him; but when his Confederacy was once wicked, then God was highly Diſpleaſed with him, and broke his Ships even in the very Harbour (before ſetting out) with a Tempeſt, 2 Chron. 20. 36. as the Lords Prophet foretold him, v. 37. and upon this fore-warning, though Ahaziah did ſollicit him to a 2d Attempt, as looking upon the miſcarriage of the 1ſt to be onelyonly a Caſualty, (not Eying the Hand of God againſt it,) yet Jehoſaphat would not, for upon the Prophets Reproof he Repented and Refuſed, 1 Kin. 22. 49. he dare not Venture upon a 2d. Expedition, when God had Blaſted the firſt; and though Wicked Ahaziah would not behold the Hand of God in his Judgements, yet good Jehoſophat heard the Voice of the Rod, Mic. 6. 9. and knew that this Breaking Blaſt came from God, (who holdeth the Winds in his Fiſts, Prov. 30. 4.) and that it came from Gods Faithfulneſs, Pſal. 119.75. who will not proſper the evil Enterprizes of his own Children: Thus the Devil loſt his Deſign againſt Jehoſaphat, (as Jehoſaphat loſt his about Gold;) and though he Contrived New Plots againſt the Church by the following Kings of Judah, (finding them fitter Inſtruments for him than their fore-Fathers,) yet did the Lord Laugh them to Nothing in thoſe better Kings whom God Rais'd up to deſtroy the Devils Deſigns: 'Tis true, Jehoram, p. 201(the 5th. King) of a pious Father was an impious Son, than whom a worſe could hardly be found, who (being an Idolater, like all ſuch) laid the Foundation of his Kingdom in the Blood of his Brethren, becauſe (as Rabbins ſay) they Walked in the good ways of Jehoſaphat, and would not yield to his Idolatries: Athaliah, his Wife (who was now the Jezabel of Jeruſalem) ſtirred him up to all Villany, 2 Chron. 21. 4, 5, 6, 13. yet all this moved not God to gratifie the Devil in caſting off his people; Oh the yerning of Divine Bowels in that, [Howbeit the Lord would not do it, but preſerv'd a Lamp or Light for the Church, v. 7. out of which there came at length that Sun of Righteouſneſs the Lord Jeſus, that light of the World; and the Devil in Jehoram ſhall not carry it without a Controul from Heaven, both (1) by that Letter brought to him from one that was then in Heaven, v. 12. to Convince him of, and to Confound him for his Abominable Impiety, which Writing (ſome ſay) an Angel handed to him out of Paradiſe to his greater Confuſion, not unlike the handwriting upon the Wall in Belſhazzar's Palace, Dan. 5. and (2) by the ſtroke wherewith the Lord (from Heaven) ſmote him in his Bowels, v. 18. which incurable Diſeaſe and torturing Malady laſted Two full Years, v. 19. a long time to lye under intollerable Torment, and yet all this was but a typical Hell, and a fore-taſt p. 202of Eternal Miſery prepared for him, who was all that while an incorrigible Wretch, he lived wickedly, and dyed wiſhedly: There was no Healing for his Body, and as little for his Soul: he dyed under the Diſpleaſure both of God and Men, for he Departed without being Deſired, v. 20. his Subjects had no Bowels for him, who had no Bowels for them, (much leſs for his own Brethren whom he flew) and who dyed loath ſomely of a Diſeaſe in his Bowels; therefore they afford him neither Subjects Tears, nor a Royal Tomb: Be Wiſe now therefore, Oh ye Kings, &c. Pſal. 2. 11, 12. Fugite ergò Reges, ejuſmodi exitum, fugien…o hujuſmodi flagitium, ſaith Ambroſe; Overthrow not your ſelves and your Houſes by lifting up your Horns on high againſt God.

Neither did Ahaziah, Azariah, Jehoahaz, (that Man of Three names) the 6th. King of Judah, fare better, becauſe he prooved ſo bad, though by a marvellous Providence he was preſerved (as a Lamp promiſed to David) from the Rigid Murders of the Ragged Arabians, 2 Chron. 21. 17. with Ch. 22. 1, 6. he was made King by the chief City of the Kingdom, the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, while Jehoram lay miſerably under the Gripes, and not minding the matters of Succeſſion. Notwithſtanding the Kindneſs both of God, in his Preſervation, and of Men in his Preferment; he alſo walked in Wicked ways, wicked Athaliah p. 203(his Mother,) and other wicked ones being his Counſellers to do wickedly to his own Deſtruction, 2 Chron. 22. 3, 4, 5. He confederates with his wicked Cozen Jehoram of Iſrael, in the War againſt the Syrians, wherein his Cozen being wounded, went to be Cured of his wounds. This curſed Sprig of Athaliah goes to Complement him, and to Condole with him, which coſt him his life by the hands of furious Jehu, whom God raiſed up to Ruine and Root out Ahabs curſed Family, 2 Kin. 9. 14, 15, 16, 27. and 2 Chron. 22. 7, 8, 9. Thus as he had joyn'd with Jehoram in Sin, he was joyned with him in Slaughter, and that by the Appointment of God, even at a time of great Joy and Jollity for the recovery of Ramoth-Gilcad. Wicked Men are taken in an evil Net at the worſt, and when they never dream of Deſtruction; S…c Deus, quos Deſtruit, Dementat; So God Infatuates them before their fatal Foil and Fall come upon them: and 'tis Remarkable, no place muſt ſerve wherein Ahaziah ſhall be ſlain, but Gur, by Iblaim, where ('tis ſuppoſed) his Father Jehoram had ſlain his Brethren, (as Ahab had done Naboth at Jezreel,) thither did he ſlye, and there Divine Vengeance (which purſued) overtakes him; yet receiveth he Courteſie from Jehoſaphats Duſt, Holineſs hath its Honour even in Ʋnholy Hearts; he for his good Grand-Fathers fake had a Royal Sepulchre and Funeral: Upon p. 204which, his Wicked Mother Athaliah (in the 7th. place) Uſurps the Kingdom, by whom the Devils firſt Deſign was to Root out that Race whereof Chriſt was to be Born, 2 Chron. 22. 10. but the Great God did Counterwork him, who had his Compaſſionate and Pious Princeſs Jehoſheba, (the godly Prieſts Wife, ☞ even in this bad Age, ſuch were inſomuch and ſo good eſtimation, as Kings Marryed their Daughters to them, 2 Kin. 11. 2.) As the Devil had his Jezabels and Athaliahs to cut off all Competitors that ſtood in their way: That Old promiſe, Gen. 49. 10. The Scepter ſhall not depart foom Judah, &c.▪ and the late promiſe of Preſerving David a Lamp, &c. 1 Kin. 11. 36. Spoil'd all Satans Engines and Endeavours, by Vertue hereof Jehoſheba Sacredly as well as Secretly, ſtole young Joaſh out of the Royal Nurſery, nouriſh'd him up in the Temple Six Years, ſo long lay he hid not onelyonly in the Houſe, but alſo in the Hand of the Lord from Athaliahs bloody Hands: All this time that wicked Woman (being Devoted to Deſtruction as one of Ahabs Family) not onelyonly eſcapes Jehu's Hand, but was ſpared Seven Y. long to Revel in more miſchief for the puniſhment of the peoples ſin; but by the pious and prudent Contrivance of good Jehohiada) in Subordination to Gods' providence) ſhe was brought to condign Puniſhment, and the right Heir Joaſh (at Seven Y. old) Inthron'd to be p. 205the 8th. King. ☞ Behold how low Davids promiſed Lamp was Reduced, even to one Suckling Child, yet the promiſe is made good in Deſpight of the Devil and this Devilſh Woman, who ſought his life alſo, as Herod did the Holy Child Jeſus's: ☞ ſo fooliſh it is to Fight againſt God and his Promiſe.

This 8th. King Joaſh, Jehoiada had no ſooner brought to the Crown, but he brought his people into the Covenant, 2 Kin. 11. 12, 17. Joaſh repairs the Temple, (his Sauctuary for Six Y. as well as Gods,) and Rules well under the Tutorage of his good Unckle, and reforms all that were deformed: no ſooner was Jehoiada Dead, but his cringing Courtiers Debauch him, 2 Chron. 24. 17. he forgets God, forſakes his Temple, and falls into open Idolatry, v. 18. yea, and out of monſtrous Ingratitude falls foul upon Zechariah the Son of Jehoiada (to whom he did owe both his life and his Kingdom) and ſtones him to Death, for no other fault but for his Dealing faithfully with him, v. 20, 21, 22. In his Reign Obſerve, God was at the beginning, the Devil in the middle, and God again at the end: thus the Devil is hedg'd in both before and behind by the Almighty God, ſo that he cannot carry it as he would; for though he play'd his pranks after Jehoiada's Death in the latter end of Joaſh Reign, yet God will bring up the Rear, looks upon him, and requites him according to p. 206Dying Zachary's Prayer, for 1. the Syrians are the Executioners of Gods Vengeance, and Deſtroyed all his flattering Sycophants that had Seduced him, v. 17, 23, 24. though the Syrian Army was but a ſmall Company, 2. God plagued him with fore Diſeaſes contracted (poſſibly) by the wounds he had received: 3. God gave him up to be Treacherouſly ſlain by his Servants, becauſe he had Conſpir'd the Death of his faithful Servant Zechariah, v. 25. Thus though the Beginning ſhould be Satans, (as in Iob's Caſe) yet the End will be the Lords, Iam. 5. 11. Neither did it fall out better with his Son Amaziah, (the 9th. King,) who, though in his beginning, did works, that were materially good, yet prooved not ſo formally and eventually; no ſooner departed he from God, but his Subjects hearts departed from him, 2 Chron. 25. 14, 16. God gave him up to Worſhip thoſe very Idols of Edom, which could not deliver them out of his hands, v. 15. as a juſt Puniſhment of his Pride and Hypocriſie, and prooving Unreclaimable at the reproof of Gods Prophet, he was told by him, [I know that God hath Determined to Deſtroy thee,] v. 16. ☞ An Uncounſellable perſon hath Gods Brand for Deſtruction put upon Him: No ſooner had he abuſed his Victory (God gave him over Edom) to groſs Idolatry with their Idols, but God rais'd him up a Scourge, even the Cedar of Iſrael, to Tread down this proud p. 207Thiſtle of Iudah, v. 18. 22. and to plunder Ieruſalem: After this he ſpent his time ſordidly, ſerving falſe Gods without remorſe. Hereupon he falls under the Univerſal Hatred of his People, (whom he had ſubjected to ſo much miſery by his fond Challenging of Ioaſh,) they Unanimouſly Conſpire againſt him, v. 27. forces him to ſlee from Ieruſalem to Luchiſh for his ſafety, they purſue him and ſlay him. Thus ended the Devils Inſtrument (for Corrupting the Church,) who had (indeed) a fair Beginning, but in his latter end did notoriouſly Apoſtatize.

Neither did Ʋzziah or Azariah his Son, (whom all the People of Iudah made the 10th. King in his ſtead, 2 Chron. 26. 1.) make a better End: 'Tis no good Commendation that is given him, [That he did according to all that his Father Amaziah had done, 2 Kin. 15. 3. they both began fairly, but ended foully. This [Deſinit in piſcem] or bad Ending, marrs many a Mans better Beginning; ☞ Oh how many Young ſeeming Saints become no better than Old Incarnate Devils at the laſt. Thus Ʋzziah at the firſt was wholly taken up in Conſulting with God, while Zachariah the Prophet was his Houſhold-Chaplain, and as long as he ſought the Lord, God made him to Proſper, 2 Chron. 26. 4, 5, 6. God Helped him againſt all his Enemies, v. 7. God uſually deals with Men as they deal with him; thoſe that Honour p. 208him, he doth Honour them, 1 Sam. 2. 30. and God ſtrengthened him exeeedingly, v. 8, 15. This ſwell'd him up into Arrogancy and Impudency, v. 16. his Victories and magnificence made him proud, then was he become a ſit Inſtrument for the Devil to Debauch Gods Worſhip in the Church: out of Curioſity and Inſolency he invades the Prieſts Office, (embolden'd hereunto, becauſe he had Marryed Ieruſha the Daughter of Zadok the High-Prieſt, 2 Kin. 15. 33.) Therefore the Lord spat in his Face, that he might be aſhamed, and others warned: God ſmote him with Leproſie, 2 Chron. 26. 18, 19. and at that time (ſaith Ioſephus) was that Terrible Earth-quake, Amos 1. 1. Zech. 14. 5. even while his Wrath was hot againſt the Holy Prieſts, who withſtood him; Gods Wrath waxed Hot againſt him, and takeing their part, (as he did their Office) he makes a Leproſie immediately to riſe up in his Forehead, and ſo by preſuming to go into the Temple farther than he ſhould, did loſe that liberty which before he had: This Arrogant Act did not onelyonly caſt him out of the Houſe of God, but alſo out the Holy City. (for Lepers by the Law were to live by themſelves, Levit. 13. 46.) Yea, and at laſt caſt him out of the World, who was then Buryed in ſome By-corner of the Kings Burying-place for they ſaid, He was a Leper, 2 Chro. 26. 20, to 23. leaving his Son Iotham to Succeed p. 209him as the 11th. King, who did learn to beware from his Fathers Harm, He entered not into the Temple (to Uſurp the Prieſts Office) 2 Chron. 27. 2. though Son of the Prieſts Seed, of the Daughter of Zadok, 2 Kin. 15. 33. Then did Davids Lamp (God promis'd him) burn brighter than before, notwithſtanding all the Devils blaſts againſt it; for Jotham was a good Prince, and did that which was right in the ſight of the Lord, v. 34. both for Matter, Manner, Motive, and End; yet had this very Lamp one filthy Snuff in it to darken its ſplendour and glory: to wit, The High-Places were not Removed, v. 35. And the People did yet Corruptly. 2 Chro. 27. 2. had Jotham removed thoſe High-places. he had prevented the peoples corruption: ☞ Oh how hardly comes off a thorough Reformation: It was with the good Kings, (in reſpect of thoſe High-places) as it was with Jonathans Signal Arrows, Two whereof fell ſhort, and but one beyond the Mark, 1 Sam. 20. 36. ſo where one of them ſhot home to the Mark of the Divine Inſtitution, as Hezekiah and Joſiah did, many fell ſhort, as 1 Kin. 14. 14. and 2 Kin. 12. 3. and 15. 4, 5. and Here, whereas they ſhould have removed not onelyonly thoſe for Idol-Worſhip, (as they did) but alſo thoſe for Gods Worſhip too, according to Gods Inſtitution, Deut. 12. 5, 6, 11. Thoſe High-places unremoved was as the Neſt-Egg to make the Hen of Will-Worſhip p. 210and Idolatry to return again, when his Son Ahaz (the 12 King) ſucceeded, who brought in all the Idolatry of the Kings of Iſrael, 2 Chron. 28. 2. and went beyond the worſt of them all in Wickedneſs, for 1. he burnt his Children in the Fire, v. 3. in Honour of Moloch, which was the Devil, Pſa. 106. 37. Some he cauſed to paſs onelyonly through the fire to purge them from evil, as the Papiſts ſend their Friends to their ſuppoſed Fire of Purgatory, which (they conceit) their Maſſes make them paſs thorough to Heaven. 2. He ſet up the Altar of Damaſcus in the place of Gods Altar, (which he thruſt into a by-corner out of the way) by the help of Ʋrijah (that Temporizing Paraſitical Prieſt, a fit Helve for ſuch an Hatchet,) and Ahaz approached his New Altar, and burnt his Offering upon it, &c. Ʋrijah ſuffering him ſo to do, whereas Azariah (a far better Prieſt) would not permit his Grand-Father Ʋzziah (a far better King) to do ſo, 2 Chron. 26. 18. 2 Kin. 16. 10, to 16. 3. He did wickedly as he could, with both Hands earneſtly, Mic. 7. 3. as if afraid to be out-done by others, and as if he had been delivered to Work all Abomination, Jer. 7. 10. He took long ſtrides toward Hell, which did gape for him, and was but a little before him; Ʋzziah (his Grand-Father) was ſmitten with bodily Leproſie for the like Sin (of Invading the Prieſts Office,) but Ahaz was ſmitten with p. 211a worſe Judgement, to wit, with ſuch an hardneſs of Heart, that he became ſo ſtubborn and ſtiff-necked even in the time of his diſtreſs, as he would rather Break than Bend, 2 Chron. 28.22. Adding Rebellion to his Sin, Job. 34.37. and Jer. 48. 4. Hereupon the Lord ſet a black Brand upon him, as upon Cain, Gen. 4. 15. upon Dathan, Numb. 26. 9. and here upon him, [This is that King Ahaz,] and all for his Stubborneſs: this is that ſtigmatiz'd Beaſt, and ſtinking Belialiſt with his Mark of Ignominy, 2 Chron. 28. v. 22, to 25. provoking the Lord to Anger, &c. and (as he provoked the Lord, ſo) his own Subjects to Anger; inſomuch as they vouchſafed not his Dead Body a Royal Sepulchre, v. 27. Notwithſtanding all this, The Devil cannot Run down the Church in Iudah by ſuch a Dangerous Inſtrument ſtill; for God raiſes up Hezekiah (the 13th. King) to Undoe all that his Father (Ahaz) had done, by the Help of his godly Mother [Abiah,] whoſe Piety could not prevail upon her Husbands Pertinacy, yet had her good Inſtructions a moſt Bleſſed Influence upon her Tender Son, 2 Kin. 18. 2. and 2 Chro. 29. 1, 2. Here the Rule [Partus ſequitur ventrem, The Birth follows the Belly,] holds good: as Ahaz had ſtood like a Pricking Thiſtle betwixt Two Fragrant Roſes, his good Father Jotham, and his godly Son Hezekiah) ſo Hezekiah ſtands up like a Freſh Spring p. 212after a ſharp Winter, and (by the good Hand of God upon him) brought the Ship of the Church in Iudah, from a Troubleſome, ſtormy and Tempeſtuous Sea, into a Safe and Quiet Harbour; according to the ſignification of his Name, [Hezekiah.] The Lord was his ſtrength, inſomuch that he obtained ſundry Famous Remarques (better than the Brand by a black Coal on Ahaz) upon him: as (1.) his neglecting no time in his Generation-Work, but falls upon Reforming Religion in the firſt place, in the firſt Year, in the Firſt Month, in the firſt Day of the Month, and on the Firſt Day of his Reign, even immediately upon his Corronation-Day, 2 Chron. 29. 3, 4, 5, 17. This he doth effect by Convocating an Aſſembly, or Synod, or Council of godly Prieſts and Levites, (whom his Idolatrous Father had forced from their Temple-Service) to which Convocation this pious Prince made a prudent, pithy, and pious Oration, hereby he removes thoſe High-places, (that Neſt-Egg of Idolatry) which the beſt of his Predeceſſors could never remove, and the brazen Serpent which Moſes had made, (not for an object of Worſhip, but for means of a Cure) he brake in pieces, when Abuſed to Idolatry, calling it (when ſo broken) Nehuſhtan, a little poor paltry piece of Braſs, for the ſhameing of ſuch as had ſo doted upon it, 2 Kin. 18. 4, 5. His Confidence in God was the Cauſe of p. 213his Courage in ſo doing, who could not but expect Oppoſition at ſuch an Antient Reliques Depoſition, it being now about 730 Y. old; Fiat juſtitia, etſi Coelum Ruat; Duty muſt be done, whatever be its Conſequences. (2.) his Riſing early the next Morning (after his Godly Speech to his Synod of Divines) to call a Parliament, the Repreſentatives of the Kingdom, with whom (after ſeeking Reconciliation with God by his Attonement-Offering for the late Apoſtacy) he Conſults 2 Chro. 30. 2. the better to effect his Intended reformation, 2 Chro. 29. 20, 21, &c. and with whoſe Concurrence he not onelyonly Accompliſheth the Removeal of the High-places, and of the Brazen-Serpent (aforeſaid,) but alſo the Cleanſing of the Temple and Kingdom of all the Idols, and of all their Trinkets, Traſh and Trumpery, he would leave nothing behind that might make Idolaters Hope for a Deſired Day of return, 2 Chron. 29. 15, 16, 18, 19. and Ch. 31. 1. ☞ Oh that our Reformers had caſt all Romiſh-Reliques into the Town-Ditch, or Kidron. The (3d.) Famous Remarque is his conſenting to an Act of Parliament for Keeping a Paſſeover according to Gods Law, and Inviting his Brethren of the Neighbour-Kingdom thereunto, 2 Chron. 30. 1, 5. 6. at which Celebration, this good King (1) Prayed heartily for the People, that God would pardon their Unpreparedneſs, and (2) he ſpake comfortably to p. 214the Miniſters, to encourage them in their work, ☞ Oh how few ſuch Princes are found in the World? Therefore hath he the Honour of a None-ſuch; None like Hezekiah, before him, (among all the Kings of Judah) nor after him, 1. for his miraculous Healing-Prayer, 2 Chro. 30, 20. and 2. for his Early Eſſay of reformation, (beginning in the firſt Y. (and Day) of his reign, but Joſiah began in his Eight, 2 Chro. 34. 3. 3. neither is it found that any other K. ſo Prevailed with God as he did, 2 Kin. 19. 15. and 20. 2.) all 3 Conſidered make him a None-ſuch.

No wonder if the Devil look upon all this with an Envious Eye, ſo falls to Work in his plotting againſt him, and (1) he ſtirrs up Senacherib (whoſe Father Salmanezer had Captivated the Ten Tribes, 2 Kin. 17. 3.) to come and Beleagure Jeruſalem, Ch. 18. 17. Obſerve the Time when the Devil did this, 'twas, after theſe things, 2 Chron. 32. 1. to wit, Immediately after Hezekiah had ſet all things in Order (by the Advice of his Grand Council) both in Church and State, and immediately after the Glorious Celebration of the Paſſeover; Up comes Senacherib with his Army, and thought to ſwallow up Iudah, as his Father had Iſrael; [He thought to win them for himſelf,] but did this Deſign of the Devil take? No, the Lord laugh'd it to Nothing, for He ſent his Angel, v. 21. (at Hezekiahs Prayer, 2 Kin. 19. 15, 35.) in that very Night, when p. 215they were preparing for a ſtorm the next morning, who ſmote (with a Plague) 185000 of them, with their Leaders, Captains, and mighty Men of Valour, 2 Chron. 32. 21. and Railing Rabſhakeh among, if not above the reſt, for his Abominable Blaſphemies againſt the God of Iſrael, (for we hear no more of him) Yea, and Senacherib himſelf hardly eſcaped, having his Head and Beard (as the Rabbins ſay) ſinged by the Fire of God, according to Iſa. 33. 11, 12. However his Preſervation from the ſtroke of Gods Angel, was but a reſervation for the ſtroke of his own Sons, for he returning with ſhame of Face to his own land, 2 Chron. 32. 21. as he was Worſhipping Niſroch his Tutelar God, (to whom he Aſcribed his preſervation) his Two Eldeſt Sons (that came forth out of his own Bowels, and yet neither of them having Bowels for their own Father, nor awe to his Idol) Conſpire together, and ſmote him with the Sword even in the very Act of Worſhipping a God that could not preſerve him, 2 Kin. 19. 37. ☞ As this Fatal End of Senacherib ſounds a loud Alarum to all proud and Blaſphemous Princes and Perſons; ſo it Diſcovers their Vaſſalage and Slavery (far worſe than that of the Turks) to a Curſed and Cruel Maſter, who loves Treaſons, but hates Traitors: As it is moſt ſure that Satan ſtirr'd up Senacherib to war againſt the Church of God, ſo 'tis no leſs ſure that he alſo ſtirr'd p. 216up thoſe his Two Sons to Murder their own Father, for he is a Murderer from the beginning, Joh. 8. 44. Such as dare be his Drudges and do his Deviliſh Work, can expect to have at laſt no better than ſuch Deviliſh Wages; Oh who would wear his Curſed Livery? (2ly.) When Satan ſaw himſelf Baſſled in Senacharib (his Extrinſick Engine) againſt Hezekiah, he makes an Experiment of an Intrinſick, in Tempting him to Pride and ſelf Admiration: This he ſucceſsfully effects in the Matter of the Embaſſadors of Babylon, wherein God left him to himſelf to let him ſee what was in his Heart, 2 Chron. 32. 25, 31. the Occaſion and Opportunity of the Temptation was this, Hezekiah had been mortally ſick of the Plague, (that had ſeized upon his Vitals,) and he had (likely) the Tokens alſo, ſo that in humane apprehenſion a [Miſerere mei] was Writ upon him, he was as a Dead Man; yet at his Prayers and Tears God gives him a new Leaſe of his Life, (even a Leaſe of Two Lives) Two Seven Years, and one more, to wit, Fifteen Years; ſo that 1ſt. his Recovery [in Three Days] was miraculous by a Cataplaſme or Plaiſter of Figs applyed to his Carbuncle; 2ly. to him alone (and to none elſe in Scripture) God makes known the Term and Period of his Life. 3ly. As a Sign of his ſudden and ſupernatural Cure, and of his ſuper-added Term of Life. The Sun in the Firmament muſt not p. 217know the time of his going down, that Hezekiah might know his: 4ly. The Caldeans Obſerving how the Sun (their God) had honoured him in its retrograde motion, come 680 miles to Honour him in their Courtſhip and kind Congratulation: All theſe Four peculiar Priviledges Tickled his Depraved Nature, God (for this once) withdrawing, and Satan improoving, blows up this Bladder of Pride, and makes him Act like a petty-God within himſelf, without Dependency upon his God; he ſhews the Embaſſadors all his Treaſures, 2 Kin. 20, 12. 13. Hereby Gold-thirſty Babylon knew where to have a full Draught, where to have a fit and fat Booty, Oh ſublime Folly! yet the Devil is Diſappointed of his Deſign, God forſakes not Hezekiah utterly, Pſal. 119. 8. but ſends Iſaiah to prick this Bladder, lets Pride out of his Heart, (which had been lifted up net as Jehoſaphats in the ways of God, 2 Chron. 17. 6. but in ſelf-Admiration and Ambition, which is the Work of the Devil, Ch. 32. 25.) hereat Hezekiah is Humbled, Hearing how his oſtentation Contributes to the Babyloniſh-Captivity, 2 Kin. 20, 16, 19. Satans Snare is broken, and his Soul is Delivered, Pſa. 1…4.7. For the very laſt thing we hear of Hezekiah, is of his goodneſs, 2 Chron. 32. 32. But the Devil plaid a better Game upon his Son Manaſſeh (the 14th. King,) whom he wrought and brought up to p. 218become a Sinner of the largeſt ſize, 1. in his Defying of God, 2. in his Deſtroying of Men, 3. in his Deifying of Devils; yet loſt he his Game at laſt, though it laſted longeſt, Manaſſeh having the longeſt Reign we read of in the Holy Hiſtory, even 55 Years, 2 Kin. 21. 1, to 12, 16. 2 Chron. 33. 1, to 10. This Degenerate Plant of a noble Vine, this Manaſſeh was a Matchleſs Man in Sin, and quickly made mad Work, turning all upſide down; he Deformed all his good Father had Reformed, yet (as Romaniſts do) under the notion of the Old Religion, and therefore by all means muſt be done: Notwithſtanding Affliction tamed this Wild Aſs, this Monſter of Men, ſtop'd him in his Career, yea, brought him Home to God, v. 11, 12. &c. and he that had out-faced Heaven in his Sin, comes to hide himſelf among the Thorns, as 1 Sam. 13. 6. in this lurking Hole his Sin finds him out, (and God for his Sin) Numb. 32. 23. becauſe he would not find his own ſin out; there he was taken, and put into Fetters, and brought to Babylon; now beholding his Golden Chain of a King Changed into an Iron-Chain of a Captive, he bethinks himſelf and beſought the Lord, v. 12. thoſe Sanctify'd Fetters broke the Devils ſinful Fetters; when the Rod spake, he heard it, Mic. 6. 9. who would not hear the Word, v. 10. though powerfully Preach'd to him by Iſaiah, Micah, Joel, Habbakuk, p. 219&c. the Darkneſs of his Dungeon helps him to the Light of Gods Love, though he had caſt off his God, yet his God had not caſt him off; Satan would have Coached him to Hell in Proſperity, but his God Laſhes him to Heaven by Adverſity: As he had ſinned greatly, ſo he Humbled greatly, that there might be a proportion 'twixt his Sinning and his Sorrowing, as he is Humbled for Sin, ſo is he Quicken'd to Pray'r, wherein he comes with Fetters on his Feet to his God, as diſtreſſed Benhadad did with a Rope about his Neck to the merciful King of Iſrael, 1 Kin. 20. 31, 32. no ſooner did he find (through Grace) a Praying Heart, but his God finds alſo a Pittying Heart, v. 13. his God heard both his Pray'r for himſelf, and Solomons Pray'r for him, 1 Kin. 8.46, to 51. Now is this Deſign of the Devil Diſappointed, Manaſſeh is Returned and Reſtored to his Realm, and his Reformation (the Bleſſed Evidence of his True Repentance) was as large as his Deformation had been, and he moſt Remarkably Reduced his Subjects, (whom he had formally Seduced out of the Right Religion) into it again, v. 15, 16. as Luk. 22. 32. When he had Reform'd effectually, he dyes Religiouſly, and leaves Amon (an Irreligious Son) to ſucceed him (the 15th. King of Judah) at 22 Y. of Age: he was old enough to take warning by his Fathers Example, yet would not be Warned, but was rather p. 220Hardened in his Wickedneſs thereby, as thinking to take a long ſwing in ſin (as Mannaſſeh had done,) and to Repent afterward as his Father did; but Gods Thoughts were otherwiſe, who neither gave him the space nor the Grace of Repentance: This Man (that Treſpaſſed more and more after ſuch loud Praemonitions; 2 Chro. 33. 23.) was a ſit Engine for the Devil to reſtore the Worſhip of thoſe Images his Father had onelyonly laid aſide and not Burned, as he ſhould have done, Deut. 7. 5. Inſtead of which (the Rabbins ſay) this Amon Burned the Law of God, adding Rebellion to his Sin; He Imitates his Father in his Race and Rage of Sin, but not in his Repentance for Sin. God therefore ſoon cut him off (as judging it high time after a Year or Two Tryal) by the hands of his own Servants, 2 Kin. 21. 19, 23. which was a wicked Act in them, yet a juſt Judgement from God, as he had Conſpir'd with Satan to Deſtroy the Church; ſo God ſuffers his Servants to Conſpire his Deſtruction. This Spoil'd the Devils Plot, and yet it was worſe ſpoil'd by Joſiah his Son, whom God Rais'd up (the 16th. King) to be his Salvation, (as his Name, which was given him about 340 Y. before he was Born, 1 Kin. 13. 2. doth ſignifie) and to be as a freſh Spring after a ſharp Winter (as Hezekiah after Ahaz) to the Diſtreſſed Church: God had much Work for him to do in a little time, therefore God p. 221ſoon removes his Wicked Father out of the way, and ſets this godly Son upon the Throne betime, at Eight Y. old God Advances him thither, and there ſhows him (as on a Stage) to the World, as the Wonder of the World. Joſiah zealouſly lays out his Life until he was 39 Y. old in Reforming Religion, removing all he knew to be Evil, and reſtoring all he underſtood to be good, even all he could poſſibly do to Divert the Deſolation of the Kingdom foretold by the Prophets, but then the Decree was even ready to bring forth, Zeph. 2. 2. God turned not away from his. Wrath, 2 Kin. 23. 26, 27. he is Unchangeably reſolv'd on their Utter Ruine, becauſe the Peoples Reformation was but ſeigned, Jer. 3. 10. and 4. 3. God is Abſolute in Threatning, becauſe Reſolute in Puniſhing: Now the Devil, being notoriouſly Enraged at Joſiahs Glorious reformation, Tempts him to a Fool-Hardy Raſhneſs in Affronting Pharaoh-Necho without any provocation, and without Conſulting the Lord by Jeremiah, Zephaniah, &c. So he ruſhes upon his own ruine, v. 29. and 2 Chron. 35. 20, 22, 23. No doubt, but the Devil had an Hand in the Death of this peerleſs Prince, wherein Dyed alſo the Felicity of that Kingdom, for whom all Judah and Jeruſalem (as they had good cauſe) made great lamentation, v. 24, 25. yea, and 'tis no leſs to be doubted, that God had an Holy Hand (as the Devil had a wicked) p. 222in Joſiah's Death, for now he who ſtood in the way of Gods Judgements, was removed, and now the way lay open for the Divine Decree to bring forth, and all Gods Direful Threatnings to ruſh in upon that ſinful Nation: Yea, and God made good Joſiah to Dye in Peace (according to his Word, 2 Kin. 2…. 20.) though (through the Devils Temptation) he Dyed in War; for 1. he Dyed before that General Deluge of Deſolation came on the Land, (as the next Word explains it:) 2. He Dyed in Gods favour, though by the Hand of an Enemy: 3. The Tenderneſs of his Soul had made War to become Peace to him, his Humiliation had Altered the very Nature of Trouble. 4. He went then to Everlaſting peace: The Four laſt Kings were all Wicked as Jehoahaz (the 17th. King) Joſiahs younger Son, and beſt beloved of his Subjects, who therefore ſettl'd him on the Throne, 2 Kin. 23. 30. but for his ill-Reigning, at Eight Months end Pharaoh-Necho Depoſes him, and Diſpoſes of his Crown to his Elder Brother Eliakim, whom he named Jehoiakim, v. 34. who was a great Exacter, and got from his Subjects a greater ſumm of Curſes than of Coin, v. 35. he was the 18 King, a Degenerate Plant from Joſiah, who Trembled at the Reading of the Law, Ch. 19. 34. but this Son cut it in pieces, Jer. 36. 23. and Burnt it: he flew Ʋrijah the Prophet, Jer. 26. 23. and p. 223would have ſlain Jeremy and Barach, but that the Lord hid them, Jer. 36. 26. For his Wickedneſs he was taken Captive by Nebuchadnezzar, againſt whom he had rebelled, and was ſlain in the way, where he had the Burial of an Aſs, Jer. 22. 18, 19. His Son Coniah, or Jehoiakin (the 19th. King) is Wicked alſo, Jer. 22. 24, &c. and within Three Months ſurrenders the City, got Quarter for his Life, and Uſed kindly after for his yielding, Ch. 24. 11. and 25. 27. Zedekiah (the 20th.) whoſe Pride againſt God, 2 Chron. 36. 12. and Perjury to Nebuchadnezzar, prepared him for Deſtruction, v. 13. And there was then a general Defection both of Prieſts and People; now Gods wrath comes on them without Remedy, v. 14, 16. the Devil is well-pleaſed (as God was diſpleaſed) to ſee the Temple burnt, and Judah carried Captive to Babylon.