Job in the West, Sermon (2 of 3)
But I will contract: 4. Sinfull ſelfe. 1 Iohn 2.16.Fourthly and finally, there is a meer Sinfull, or Lustfull-ſelfe, that is, the ſelfe of ſin and luſt; and this is threefold, according to the three Cardinall luſts, as they are reckoned up by St. Iohn: The luſt of the fleſh; this is pleaſure: The luſt of the eyes; that is profit: and the pride of life; this is pride it ſelfe. Every of theſe hath cauſed the dwellings of many Nations and Perſons to caſt them out. Take a ſhort inſtance or two in each. Firſt, in the Luſts of the fleſh: Thus, that one foule act of uncleanneſſe, committed and defended by the Gibeathites, did almoſt utterly root out the tribe of Benjamin. Iuſtin. H…ſt. Homer. Iliad.And the effeminacie of one Sardanapalus, and adultery of one Paris, did put an end to the famous Aſſyrian Monarchy, and to the Trojan kingdome. Next, in the Luſts of the eyes: Thus, the ſacrilegious Covetouſnes of one Achan did endanger the whole campe of Iſrael; and the niggardlineſſe of the beſieged Citizens of Constantinople loſt that Eaſterne City and Empire to that barbarous Turkiſh Sultan. 2 Chron. 25.17, 18, &cLaſtly, in the Pride of life: Thus (finally) King Amaziab, by his pride, loſt both Ieruſalem, and himſelfe, and all the treaſures of the Lords houſe, and of his owne: And arrogant Senacherib, by his proud blaſphemie, loſt one hundred eighty five thouſand of his men in one night.
4. Quaere. Emulations &c.Fourthly and finally, Quaere, Concerning an evill ſpirit of Emulation, Diſtance, and Jealouſie; I doe adde theſe in the laſt place, as the immediate fruits of the former evill of Selfe-love. Emulations ſometimes there are betwixt Commander and Commander, as that betwixt Ioab and Abner, which in fine loſt the houſe of Saul, and did coſt the lives of them both. The method was this, Firſt, Abner takes diſtaſte againſt Iſhboſbeth, 2 Sam. 3.7, 8, 9. Verſe 26, 27.becauſe he reproved him for his uncleanneſſe; and, ſouldier like, he ſweares to be revenged upon him: which he doth, by revolting to David. Hereupon Ioab (Davids Generall) groweth jealous of Abners preferment, and therefore ſtabs him: 2 Sam. 20 4, 9, 10. 1 Kings 2.31, 32, 33, 34.For this (and another like act of Emulation againſt Amaſa) Ioab himſelfe is at laſt cut off by the ſword of Juſtice. Sometimes evill Emulations are betwixt Commanders, or Governours, and the Common people: Such was that evill ſpirit that was raiſed betwixt Abimelech and the men of Shechem: Iudg 9.22, 23.ſo that the men of Shechem dealt treacherouſly with Abimelech, and he cruelly with them: And thus there came out a fire from each other, which devoured them both; for, Verſe 44, 45, 48, 49, 53.in concluſion, the City was beaten downe, and ſowed with ſalt; the Castle or Tower burnt with fire, and a thouſand in it, men and women; and afterward, The brains of Abimelech himſelfe were beaten out with a milstone, from the hands of a woman. Thus Abimelech loſt his military Idol, the Idol of honour; and they their towniſh Idol, the Idol of priviledges. All this, to ſhew us the miſchiefes of Emulations, and ſinfull jealouſies. Nay, let me adde this one word more: I have ſome-where obſerved, that even the Emulations of the wives of eminent and active perſons, have proved pernicious to the publike; eſpecially in the criticall, and craſie times of reformation. *Cambden in Apparat. ad Hiſter. Elizabeth.Thus, in the Raigne of King Edward the ſixth, the womaniſh Emulation, betwixt the Queene Dowager, wife to the lord Admirall; and the Dutcheſſe of Somerſet, wife to the lord Protector his brother (they falling out about place, and precedencie) did occaſion, and cauſe the ruine of both their lords and husbands: firſt the Admirall loſt his head, and then the Duke, to the unſpeakable detriment of the common Proteſtant cauſe then in England. Beware therefore of party-makings in Armies, in Committies, in Counties, for the carrying on of private intereſts and deſignes.
Thus I have hitherto endeavoured Theologically, by way of Quaeries, to direct and help you, and my ſelfe, in ſearching out our owne ſins, and the ſins of the Countrie, for which wee doe mourne this day.
There is another way that may help us in this worke, Other helps for the finding out of the ſins of thewhich I may call Geographicall, that is, by travelling mentally over, and thorough thoſe ſeverall Shires, and Counties, and the principall parts, and places of them: there obſerving and ſurveying what things and places have had or given the greateſt occaſions of ſin and provocation. You know, Brethren, that every one of the five Westerne Counties have their eſpeciall fruits and commodities, which they ſend forth unto other parts: as, the Tinne of Cornwall; the Clothing of Devon; the Lead, Coale, and Cattle of Somerſet; the flocks of Dorſet; and the Corne of Wilts, are knowen, and famous.
So, ſeverall Counties have their ſpeciall ſins, and occaſions of ſinning, T…t. 1.1….that are Epidemicall amongſt them, and peculiar to them: as the Cretians had their ſpeciall vices. And thus the ſins of the Mines, and the ſins of the Moores, are very conſiderable, and did run through diverſe Counties in the Weſt. Alas! thoſe poore Creatures that laboured in the pits of Tinne, Lead, and Coale; how were their ſouls made more black, and rude with Ignorance and prophaneneſſe, then their bodies, with ſoot and oare? And yet who did pitie their condition? How few did looke after their ſalvation? And therefore now you ſee, thoſe pits and places have been mines of men, and ſtore-houſes of fuell, bullets, fire, and ſouldiers, for the black and prophane cauſe of the enemie: All this is matter of Lamentation.
1. DanmoniiOr if you will have it more particularly, let the exiled Danmonii (the people of Devon and Cornwall) cry out, and mourne for the contentious law-ſuits of Cornwall, and for that cruell goodlucke, (I thinke they call it) in which there was ſo much cruelty exerciſed upon poor ſhip-wrackt ſtrangers; ſuch as our ſelves are now become, in a ſtrange City. But chiefly let us weep blood (if it were poſſible) for the vaile of blindneſſe, errour, and excaecation, that lieth at preſent upon multitudes in that Countrie.
2. Belgae of Somerſet.Next, let us, the exiled Belgae of Somerſet, ſit downe, and mourne particularly for the ſins of the Bath, and of the Biſhopricke of that County. Firſt I ſay of the Bath, for there the Luſts of thoſe ſtrangers that bathed, did often times out-boyle (with fire of Luſt) the ſcalding waters of the Bath: And the Aire had in it a greater ſcum of oaths, then was that other ſcum which was found upon the waters. Oh the blaſphemies, and uncleanneſſes, of thought, word, and action, that were committed againſt God and man, in that place at every ſpring and fall! A Patient could hardly go thither for a cure of his Body, but he came off with ſome diſeaſe or ulcer in his Soul and conſcience. Let us mourn therfore for the ſins of the Bath, and weep we alſo for the ſins of that Biſhopricke above many others; for, I doe not onelyonly impute the totall demoliſhing of Lectures in that Countie to that preſent man of ſin, which is ſaid to have given God thanks, that he had now never a Lecture left in his Dioceſſe; but even to that Chire it ſelfe doe I eſpecially impute all thoſe Wakes, Revells, May-poles &c. that ſo much abounded in thoſe parts.
Wilts.As for the other Belgae, thoſe of Wilts, that are rich in Corne, let them ſearch the Records of their hearts and memories, whether that crying and curſing ſinne of Corn-hoarding hath not been found amongſt them; ſeeing the great commodity of their Country did eſpecially tempt them thereunto. And where they find that great act of oppreſſion, let them lay to heart that terrible Proverb of the Wiſe-man, Hee, that is, Every one, Prov. 11.26.that withholdeth Corne, that is, to raiſe the Market, the people ſhall curſe him: and that curſe muſt needs fall heavie which cometh from a multitude, by authority from the Lord. And ſo much for a hint to them.
3. Durotriges.Finally, as for (the Durotrîges) the people of Dorſet that abound with Flocks, they may ſit downe and make diligent ſearch after the Sheep-Maſters ſinnes. I have not art enough to particularize; onelyonly, if any thing out of that Quaere that is put to paſtorall Reuben or Iſſachar may doe them good, let them heare and conſider it; Judg. 5.16.that is, let them beware of abiding amongſt the ſheepfolds, to heare the bleatings of the flocks, now that there is ſo much bleſſing promiſed to ſuch as doe offer themſelves willingly, and that ſuch bitter curſes are flying againſt thoſe that come not up to the Lords help. Thus have I ſhot mine arrowes every-way: (much at an adventure, I confeſſe) that by all meanes I might hit ſome. Theſe are Geographicall hints and helps to ſearch after our ejecting ſinnes. And ſo much concerning ſuch directions for humiliation, as are taken from the Effect of ſin.
2. By the Proportions betwixt ſinne and puniſhment; in Mich. 6.9. Kind.Secondly, Wee may be directed in our ſin-ſearching, by obſerving the Proportions betwixt our ſinnes and puniſhments. Puniſhment is the fruit and iſſue of ſinne: and they are ſometimes ſo well alike, that you may know the mother by the daughter; wee may ſee written upon the Rod, both by whom, and for what it is appointed. Now this Proportion 'twixt ſinnes and puniſhments is manifold: There is ſometimes a Proportion of Kind betwixt them; the wages are paid in the very ſame metall that the worke is made of. This Adonibezek, though an Heathen, could diſcerne, when hee ſaid, Iudg. 1.7.Threeſcore and ten Kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, ſo God hath requited mee; for the Iſraelites had cut off both his thumbs and his great toes. Loe, there was a double proportion betwixt his ſinne and puniſhment: Firſt, of Kind; Cutting for Cutting; according to that other Scripture, All they that take the ſword ſhall periſh with the ſword: Mat. 26.52.And next, of Parts; Thumb for Thumb, and Toe for Toe. Thus alſo King Davids ſinnes were puniſhed with the ſame Kind, though in higher degrees; his Adultery with Bathſheba, by the Inceſt of Amon; his Murther of Ʋriah, with the Fratricide of Abſalom.
2. Time. Num. 14 34Sometimes there is a Proportion of Time betwixt the ſin and puniſhment: Thus murmuring Iſraels forty dayes ſearch of the land of Cunaan, was paid home with forty yeares wandring in the wilderneſſe from that time.
Place.3. Sometimes there is a Proportion of Place: Thus King Jorams Carcaſſe muſt be caſt into the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite; 2 Kin. 9.35, 36.and Jezabels bloud muſt bee licked by the dogs in the ſame field where they had licked Naboths before.
4. Finally, 1 Kin. 21.23. Meaſure. Rev. 18.6, 7.there is ſometimes a Proportion of Meaſure and Degrees: So in the puniſhment of Romiſh Babylon; Reward her even as ſhee rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her workes: in the cup which ſhee hath filled, fill to her double. How much ſhee hath glorified herſelfe, and lived deliciouſly, ſo much torment and ſorrow give her. All theſe Proportions are ſo many hints to direct us in our ſearch after the ſpeciall provoking cauſes of our Countries miſeries.
Shall I adventure upon an Application? Application of thoſe Proportions.Suppoſe that the people of one City, Corporation, or Pariſh, were too ſelfiſh and covetous; and that it was their great worke and ſinne to endeavour to build their neſts ſo high, that no hand ſhould reach them; or ſo cloſely, that no eye ſhould find their wealth; and there they ſate brooding (ſuppoſe) upon their bags, till firſt their neighbours were loſt, and then themſelves, for want of money: And now the Lord, it may be, hath proportionably ſet a needy, greedy Horſe-leach to raigne over them, which cryes nothing but, Give, give; and having met with the Booty, vaunteth himſelfe in the language of that Aſſyrian Rod, Iſai. 10.14.My hand hath found as a neſt the riches of the people: and as one gathereth egges that are left, have I gathered all the earth, and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. That is, hee had climbed the tree, hee had opened the thicke buſhes, and ſo did ſearch and find out the hidden nest of wealth and treaſure; plucking thence the beloved egges, and feathered young ones, as his prey and game, whileſt the quondam owner (like the damme) was faine to fly away; or if hee ſtayed, yet durſt not ſo much as to flutter, or to peep openly; but is forced to ſit downe in ſilence, 2 Sam 3 15, 16.as Phaltiel the ſonne of Laiſh was huſh'd, when Abner the Commander carried away his wife before his eyes. Another Place, Perſon, or Town-ſhip, (peradventure) have ſtood too Towniſhly upon their Priviledges and Liberties; bearing themſelves too high, becauſe of Friends, Charters, and Worſhip; and therefore, it may be, the Lord hath proportionably ſet a Leopard to watch over them, … 5, 6.and their Cities; ſo that every one that goeth out thence is in danger to be torne in pieces: that is, their Patron is a Miſcreant, one that delights in bloud and rapine. Or, to make but one Suppoſition more: You know, Brethren, that ſinfull ſtrangeneſſe, and neglect of Chriſtian communion, hath been too great a fault amongſt Weſterne Profeſſors. And now, behold, how proportionably doth the Lord puniſh us for this ſinne, by forcing us thus together, as a Shepherd doth fetch in his ſtragling ſheep with his dog? hee cauſeth him to bite one, and to lugge another, untill hee hath brought them into a cloſe and compact body together. Some of us heretofore were ſcarcely well acquainted with our nextneighbour-profeſſors; and therefore wee are now made nextneighbours to our Brethren of other Shires. And behold, this one Church doth containe at once the Exiled fragments of five ſpacious Counties, which are forced by one common calamity, to bee weeping Pew-neighbours this day. But now, if after all this conſtrained acquaintance, and forced communion, wee ſhall ſtill retaine and cheriſh our old ſinne of unchriſtian diſtance; then, beleeve it, Brethren, beleeve it, the Lord will make us friends and familiars at dearer rates, and by ſome ſharper meanes: Perhaps bee will impriſon us next in the ſame Gaole; yea, fetter and manacle us together with the ſame Irons; (remember my words) and ſo try whether or no one Dungeon, one Chaine, or one Fire, (as it was in Queene Maries dayes) will make us to aſſociate, and grow acquainted: …is and Mo…u…ie…s.for ſo I have read, Doctor Ridley (a Conformiſt) and Maſter Hooper (a Non-Conformiſt) both Biſhops, were reconciled by Martyrdome.
Thus you ſee, that this help of finding ſinnes by their Proportions with their puniſhments, is a quick and ſearching receipt. I ſhould bee very loath to give gall and worm-wood to any place or perſon that is upon the Croſſe; but I ſhould bee as loath, on the other ſide, to neglect the giving of a wholeſome (though bitter) potion of cleanſing phyſicke, now that our ſoules are prepared and opened by afflictions: And this is the reaſon why I have gone ſo deep with theſe Probes. And now, to cloſe up, let mee beſeech and charge you, and my ſelfe, to make uſe of all theſe helps and hints in ſecret, betwixt God and our conſciences. The Lord hath given us leaſure more than enough to ſtudy our Country, and to read over our by-paſt dayes and actions: hee hath alſo added the provocatives of baniſhment and diſtreſſe. Afflictions muſt be Inſtructions.Times of afflictions are times of inſtructions: let it bee our care to make them ſuch unto our ſelves. And to help us therein, let us know, that Affliction doth further Inſtruction two wayes: Firſt, a remembrancer of ſinne that was before forgotten: Gen. 41 1….This wee ſee in Joſephs brethren, when hee had put them all together into ward three dayes in Egypt, They ſaid one to another, Verſe 21.Wee are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that wee ſaw the anguiſh of his ſoule when hee beſought us, and wee would not heare: therefore is this diſtreſſe come upon us. Obſerve there, how the proportion of their puniſhment did bring their ſinne to remembrance: Their fault was unbrotherly cruell dealing with Joſeph, in ſelling him into Egypt; and this they doe now call to mind, by that harſh uſage and impriſonment which themſelves have met withall in the ſame Egypt. Thus Affliction is a tell-troth, a remembrancer of ſinne. Next, it is alſo an humbler for ſinne that had not been duly felt before: This wee ſee in Manaſſeh's caſe, who in the day of his proſperity puffed at God and his Prophets, 2 Ch…on. 33.11.Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the Captains of the hoſte of the King of Aſſyria, which tooke Manaſſeh among the thornes, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. This was the way to take and tame ſuch a wilde Aſſe of the wilderneſſe. Firſt, the Lord drives him to the hedge, and makes him hide his head in a buſh, among the thornes: next, hee doth fetter, and (as it were) croſſe-fetter him, and ſo carryes him to the Pound; he bound him with chaines, and carried him to Babylon. This round uſage breaks his ſpirit, and makes him fall to begging of mercy; And when hee was in affliction, hee beſought the Lord his God, Verſe 12.and humbled himſelfe greatly before the God of his fathers. Let us in like manner accept of, and apply the puniſhment of our iniquities; and with Daniel, in his exilement, Dan. 9.20.thus confeſſe our owne ſinne, and the ſinne of our people, preſenting our ſupplication before the Lord our God, for the holy Mountaine of our God. So much be ſpoken concerning the cauſe or matter of our Lamentation for our Country; namely, the evils of ſinne which are found there. And in this generall I have beene the more large, becauſe the mourning for ſinne is the moſt ſpirituall and ingenuous of all ſorrowes; and becauſe this is that onelyonly right way that our ſelves and our little ones muſt tread, if wee meane to returne and ſee our native Country againe.
Secondly, 2. Mourn for the ſufferings of the Weſt.Let us alſo lament and mourne over the Countries of our Nativity, becauſe of their Penall evills; that is, the evills of ſuffering, which are the effects and puniſhments of thoſe ſinnes. The former conſideration ought to move every Chriſtian to pity the Weſt, becauſe of their ſinnes; but this argument ſhould prevaile with every one, that hath the bowels of humanity, to weep over them, even becauſe of their ſufferings. If there bee any quarter of this Land, that may at preſent be properly called, The Joblike part of great Britaine; then certainly the Weſt hath great right to that Epithite: How great a right, I ſhall ſhew and prove in an enſuing Parallel. In which wee will endeavour to ſet the afflicted man Job of the Eaſt, and the afflicted Job-like Country of the Weſt over againſt each other; 1 Sam. 20.41.that ſo, like David and Jonathan, they may ſtrive together in weeping, untill wee ſhall ſee which exceedeth.
The miſeries of both thoſe Jobs (that Man and this Country) have beene ſome-what Methodicall: A Parallel betwixt the miſeries of Job and the Weſt. viz.The ſame Satan, and his like Inſtruments, have kept well-nigh the ſame order in laying on torments upon them both. The generall parts of their miſeries may bee theſe two: Firſt, the [Ʋnde] the top, ſtation, or pinacle from which Satan and his Inſtruments have caſt them downe both; that is, the very Zenith, or height of their happineſſe.
Secondly, the [Quo] that is, the bottome, depth, and gulfe of calamity into which hee did degrade and thruſt them: this is the very Nadar of their diſtreſſe and miſery.1. From whence they are caſt down; Non Quo, ſed Unde.
Firſt, let us ſpeake a litle of the [Ʋnde] or whence, that is the height of happineſſe; from whence firſt Iob, and now our Countrie, have been caſt down: becauſe, *Miſerrimum eſt faiſſe ſelicem. Jobs Holineſſe. Iob. 1.1, 2, 2, 4, 5.to an ingenuous ſpirit, this hath been the greateſt aggravation of a fall: Iob was throwne downe from his primitive proſperous estate, as wee called it: 'tis ſhadowed in his firſt Chapter, at the beginning; there he is deſcribed by his holineſſe, and happineſſe: Firſt by his holineſſe; he was inwardly ſincere towards God, and that man was perfect; and outwardly honeſt towards men, and upright: yea, he had a ſound principle of both, one that feared God; and this principle was ſtrong and generall, he eſchewed evill. Before I give a parallel to this branch, let me Apologize a litle in the words of that mourning *Non ſum ambiti…ſus in malis &c. Quintil. Iob. 13.7.Oratour, when he praiſed his deceaſed ſonne. Brethren, I am not (I hope) ambitious in and of our miſerie; and I ſhould be loath to tell a lie for God: but, on the other part, I would, in the worſt of times, be juſt and pious toward my dying Countrie; and therefore muſt now ſpeake ſomething to the praiſe of the pietie of the Weſt: and that both Negatively, The Weſt.and Poſitively.
For the firſt, let me ſay, Orthodox.Thoſe parts were as free (I conceive) from Antichriſtian Papiſts on the left-hand extreame, and from uncatechiſed Sectaries on the right, as any proportionable tract of land in the Kingdome. The God of truth make all our now diſperſed Profeſſors in thoſe parts, and our few garriſons at home, Revel. 16.15.ſtill wiſe and watchfull to keepe their garments in theſe pilfering times, leſt they walke naked, and they ſee their ſhame. Next, Poſitively, I might mention the wonderfull breaking forth of light in thoſe parts of late, the Goſpel going like the ſun from Eaſt to Weſt; the ſpringing of Lectures, and the ſtout endeavours to hold them up; together with a great multiplication of beleevers in diverſe places of thoſe Counties, all proving the great day-break of godlineſs in the Weſt. Beſides, in the laſt times, ſince theſe troubles began, the extraordinarie cryes to heaven, and ſeekings to God, publikely, privatly, with prayer, faſting, and teares, in many places were ſuch, as would (I thinke) have forced the moſt adverſe Anti-weſterne ſpirit to confeſſe, that there was much of the feare of God in thoſe places. But all this I ſhall paſſe, and would adde but one onelyonly conſideration; and that is, Multitudes baniſhed. About 500 exiles from Devon and Exon alone are in theſe parts.the numerous armie of Martyres, (exiles I meane) which are now come off from thoſe quarters, for that cauſe of God, and for the teſtimonie of Ieſus. Such an armie and number they are, of men, women, and children, as I dare ſay cannot be parallel'd from any proportionable part of the land: And (which is yet more) theſe poore ſouls, generally, did not ſtay and linger untill the palpable Popery, and intolerable Tyranny of the enemie did thruſt them out, as Lot and his wife came out of Sodom; but they came off in the beginning of the ſtorm, before the paint of Iezebels face was wiped off, when few but thorow Chriſtians could diſcerne the cauſe, or would adventure the whole for it: which proveth, (even to the face of Calumnie it ſelfe) that in the Weſt there was many a man that was perfect and upright, that feared God, and eſchewed evil. So much concerning the Parallel to Iobs holines. But
Secondly, Jobs, Happines. Job 1, 2, 3.Iob was rich and happy, both in his children and goods; Of children, And there were borne unto him ſeven ſons, and three daughters. His ſubſtance alſo was ſeven thouſand ſheep, and three thouſand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred ſhee-aſſes, and a very great houſhold; ſo that this man was the greateſt of all the men of the Eaſt. And ſurely the Weſt for populouſneſſe, The Weſt.might well have borrowed that old title of the North; as it was called [officina hominum] the ſhop of men: It was the populous No of the kingdome, whoſe ſtreets and fields were ſowne with the ſeed of man, and the ſeed of beaſts; as hath appeared too well ſince the beginning of theſe warres. And as for riches, thoſe parts were juſtly called the Weſt Indies of great Britaine. This is the [Ʋnde] the height and happineſſe, whence both Iob and our Countrie are caſt downe: that is, the privative part of their calamitie. So much concerning that firſt.
Secondly, but the greateſt bulk and burthen of the miſeries both of the Eaſterne and Weſterne Iob, doth ly in that ſecond part, 2. Whither they are caſt downe. here,which I call the [Quo] the [whither] of their ſufferings, containing all thoſe poſitive afflictions and cruelties that were laid upon them: And this I ſhall ſtill goe on to ſhew by a parallel betwixt their afflictions, as (I promiſed.) The enemies of holy Iob were very Methodicall in their cruelties: They did not kill and cruſh him at one blow; No, that had been a *Occidere, eſt vetarecuptentom mori, Sen.kind of merciemercy to him: but they dealt with him, as the American Canibals are wont to handle their Priſoners: It is ſaid of them, that when they take a priſoner, they doe feed upon him alive, and by degrees; for they cut off one piece of fleſh from his arme (ſuppoſe) or thigh, or other brawny part to day, which they doe roaſt, and eate before his eyes, ſearing up the wounded place with a fire-brand, to ſtanch the blood; perhaps anon, or to morrow, they cut off another meale from him: thus carrying the poor wretch up and downe with them dying dayly, whilſt he ſeeth himſelfe eaten up by degrees; The ſeverall ſteps or degrees of … miſe… which ….to the unutterable aggravation of his horrour and torment. So dealt Satan and his inſtruments with Iob: They did not devoure him at once, but did bite, and eate him up by parts and pieces.
1. For firſt, he is undone in his eſtate by rapine and plundring; and ſo rob'd of his temporall riches.
2. Hee is ſmitten in his body with ſores and ulcers; and ſo ſtript of naturall comforts.
3. He is afflicted in his ſoule by falſe accuſations, and by deſertions; and ſo deprived of his ſpirituall treaſures. So that in the whole, he is made miſerable all over; in ſoule, body, and goods. This method of cruelty is well like unto that which the Prophet Micah doth charge upon the Tyrants in his time: Heare, M…cah 3.5, 2, 3,I pray you, O heads of Jacob, who hate the good, and love the evill, who plucke off the skinne from off them, and their fleſh from off their bones. Who alſo eate the fleſh of my people, and flay the skin from off them, and they break… their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as fleſh within the cauldron. Marke the accurate method of thoſe Tyrants: Firſt, they did not onelyonly plucke off the fleece, but flayed off the skin, of their ſheep which they ſhould have fed: Who pluck off their skin from off them. This may be compared to the undoing of Iob in his estate by rapine, and plunder. When they had thus skinned them, then, Secondly, they fall upon their fleſh, and doe feed upon that; and their fleſh from off their bones. As the fleece and skin of the poor flock did ſerve to cloath them, ſo their fleſh and bloud are made meate and drinke to feed them. This doth anſwer to the ſmiting of Iob with ſores and ulcers in his body. Laſtly, there being nothing now left but the bare bones, yet thoſe worſe then Ravens have not done with him, but will fetch ſomething more out of thoſe; and therefore 'tis added, they breake their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot: That is, they doe firſt heat and beat them, to fetch out the marrow; and when they have gotten as much as will run out, at laſt they chop and boile them againe, to force out the utmoſt drops of fatneſſe and moiſture. And this laſt act of cruelty may run parallel with Satans afflicting of the ſoule of Iob by falſe accuſations, and ſpirituall calumnies. So much in generall.
But wee will now trace the ſteps of this cruelty towards Iob in 'its particulars, giving our Weſterne parallels as wee goe.
The firſt ſtep was the undoing of Iob in his outward eſtate, 1. He is undone in his eſtate;by rapines and plundrings; the fleecing and flaying of his wooll and skin of temporalls. This is expreſſed in ſeven verſes together, in which there is a ſecond method, or ſubdiviſion of cruelty, Iob. 1.13. &…. 10. 20.expreſſed with great varieties, both of Tyranny and Miſeries: for, if wee look 1. upon the inſtruments of that Scene, there wee find Satan himſelfe Commander in chiefe; and his forces are of two ſorts: Some, naturall, and more ordinary inſtruments; as the Sabeans and Caldeans: Others, ſupernaturall, and extraordinary; as the fire of God falling from heaven, and a great wind from the wilderneſſe. The Sabeans were (as moſt conclude) a people inhabiting Arabia-felix, neare the Country where Job dwelt; famous for nothing but theft and robberies: They were, in two words, his plundering neighbours. The Caldeans were a people inhabiting Caldea; and are deſcribed by the Prophet Habakkuk, …b. 1.6, 7, 8.to be a bitter and haſty nation, terrible and dreadfull; their horſes are ſwifter then the Leopards, and are more fierce then the evening wolves: Theſe lived farther off from Job; and were, in two words, more unmercifull ſtrangers. As for the fire of God from heaven, and the great wind from the wilderneſſe, Satans deſigne in uſing thoſe, was, to ſhake the foundations of Jobs confidence in his God, and to perſwade him that the Lord himſelfe was now become his Enemy, and did puniſh him as an hypocrite in his wrath: As if Satan ſhould have ſaid, Now Job, thou ſeeſt clearly that theſe evils doe not come out of the duſt, but immediatly from God; they are not tryals, but judgements: thou ſeeſt the very Judgement of Sodom is come upon thee, (for the Judgement of Sodom was not ſo long before his time, nor ſo farre from this place, Gen. 19.14.but that Satan might now urge it,) even a fire from the Lord out of heaven; nay, and this fire is fallen upon thy ſheep too, thy chiefe beaſts for ſacrifice; to ſhew, that thy very oblations are abominable: and therefore, Curſe God, and dye; or, at leaſt, let goe thine integrity, and acknowledge thy ſelfe to bee a wretched diſſembler. For thus theſe hints were afterwards taken up by Jobs Wife, Job 2.9.and his three Friends. So much concerning the Inſtruments.
2. If wee conſider the Objects of this cruelty, upon which it was exerciſed, wee find them to be many; yea, all the ſubſtance of Job that was capable of plundering. Let us take a ſhort Inventory of his temporall eſtate, and ſo croſſe out every particular as it was loſt. Job 1.3. with 14.15.Imprimis, Beaſts for tillage and breeding; Hee had five hundred yoke of plowing oxen, and five hundred ſhee-affes, and a competent number of Hines attending them. Upon all theſe the Sabeans fell, Verſe 16.and tooke them away; ſlaying all the ſervants (but one) with the edge of the ſword. Next, for food and clothing; Hee had ſeven thouſand ſheep, with a competent number of Shepherds watching over them. Upon theſe the fire of God fell from heaven, and burnt up both ſheep and Shepherds, one onelyonly ſervant eſcaping to tell it. Thirdly, for carriage and labour; Verſe 17.He had three thouſand camels, and a competent number of Servants to keep them. Againſt theſe the Caldeans made out three bands, and ruſhed upon them, and carried them away; ſlaying all the Servants but one onelyonly Meſſenger. Laſtly, Hee had for his comfort, yet remaining, ſeven ſonnes, and three daughters, Verſ. 18, 19which were this day eating and drinking wine in their eldeſt brothers houſe; and behold, a great wind from the wilderneſſe over-turneth the houſe upon them all, and ſo both ſlew and buried them at once. So that of all his eleven thouſand and five hundred Cattell, of all his very great houſhold of Servants, of all his ten Children, not a Hoofe, not a Lad, not a Child is left, to feed, clothe, ſerve, or comfort him; but only foure miſerable Meſſengers; beſides, three cenſorious Friends, and a deſpairing Wife. So much concerning the Objects.
3. If wee obſerve together the order, the meaſure, and the managing or marſhalling of this cruelty, wee find it thus: Firſt, for Time; Satan doth chooſe the Feaſting day of Jobs Children, Job 1.13.both for his owne greater advantage, that hee might take them together; and for the greater aggravation of the ſtroke upon Job and them, by turning ſuddenly their great mirth into ſo great mourning. Nay, perhaps, hee had a plot upon their ſoules too; hoping to take them in their ſinnes, or unprepared: for wee read, that when the dayes of their feaſting were gone about, Verſe 5.Job was wont to ſend and ſanctifie them, and to riſe up early in the morning and offer burnt-offerings, according to the number of them all; as fearing leſt they had ſinned. Therefore Satan choſe this time; 2 Sam. 13.28, 29.dealing with them as Abſalom did with his brother Amnon, Hee commanded his ſervants, ſaying, Mark yee now when Amnons heart is merry with wine, and when I ſay unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him, feare not. Thus dealt Satan with Jobs Children, that hee might kill ſoule and body together. Therefore the Time is remarkable: ſo alſo is the Manner, and Ordering of this ſtroke very obſervable. The buſineſſe is ſo contrived, that there are ſeverall Armies of Enemies levied; as Sabeans and Caldeans: and thoſe Armies doe afflict Job by ſeverall parties too: the Caldeans doe divide themſelves into three Bands: beſides, there was fire from heaven, and a wind from the wilderneſſe: And all this variety was thus marſhalled by Satan, for the greater aggravation of Jobs afflictions.
Oh! Weſterne Parallel.how eaſily might all theſe Inſtruments, Objects, Order, and Meaſure of holy Jobs Calamities, be amply parallel'd by our Weſterne ſufferings? With what facility could I here expatiate? Take but ſome few hints and ſips.
1. Plundering by Neighbours. Pſal. 55.12, 13, 14.1. Was Job ſtrip'd by Sabeans, who were his Plundering Neighbours? Alas! this is the common lot of all Gods people, in theſe warres; but eſpecially in the poore Weſt: There almoſt every Saint may cry out in the words of the oppreſſed Pſalmiſt; For it was not mine enemy that reproached mee, then I could have borne it: neither was it hee that hated mee, that did magnifie himſelfe againſt me, then I would have hid my ſelfe from him. But it was thou, a man, mine equall, my guide and mine acquaintance. Wee took ſweet counſell together, and walked to the houſe of God in company. Surely, many thouſands of titular Chriſtians in this Land, were, in times of peace, but as Wolves in a Cage, but as Lyons tamed by art; they wanted nothing but liberty and opportunity to ſhew their wolviſh and worrying natures; which now theſe preſent commotions have diſcovered. Who could have imagined foure yeares agoe, when the people of this Kingdome walked, talked, viſited, and dwelt peaceably and merrily together, as neighbours and friends; nay, as brethren and ſiſters; that they had carried ſuch tongues in their heads, or ſuch hearts in their breſts, as doe now appeare? Such tongues, I ſay, as could have cryed, Round-heads, Rebells, Dogs, Devils, to their owne Proteſtant neighbours, friends, familiars, brethren? Such hearts as could cloſe and joyn with armed Papiſts, and proclaimed Iriſh Rebels, againſt their owne choſen Proteſtant Parliament, eſtabliſhed by Act of Parliament? Surely, if a man could have propheſied theſe things, but for foure or five yeares ſince, none would have beleeved his report; but men would rather have queſtioned the crazineſſe of his braines. Nay, if a Propheticall Miniſter ſhould have ſetled his countenance ſtedfaſtly, ſeven years ſince, upon ſuch or ſuch a Gentleman, his neighbour, or (perhaps) Pariſhioner, 2 Kin. 8.11, 12.and ſhould have wept over him, as Eliſha did ſometime over Hazael; and being asked (as hee) Why weepeſt thou? ſhould have anſwered, Becauſe I know the evill that thou wilt doe to the children of England: their ſtrong holds wilt thou ſet on fire, and their yong men wilt thou ſlay with the ſword, and wilt daſh their children, and rip up their women with child: that is, thou ſhalt joyn with Papiſts, and Iriſh Rebels, after they have maſſacred above an hundred thouſand Proteſtants in Ireland; and ſhalt with them take up Armes againſt the Engliſh Proteſtant Parliament: Nay, thou ſhalt plunder and impriſon thine owne neighbours and friends; beſiege their townes, fire their houſes; ſtarve, ſlay, and hang up their ſons; abuſe their daughters: and all this with ſport and rejoycing: Would not ſuch a man have replyed in Hazaels words, But what! Is thy ſervant a dog, Verſe 13.that hee ſhould doe this great thing? What? would you make mee no Proteſtant, no Chriſtian, no Man; but a Papiſt, a Heathen, a Monſter; nay, worſe than a *Saevis inter ſe convenit urſis.Beare or a Tyger, that loveth and preſerveth his owne kindred? Thus, doubtleſſe, men would then have anſwered to ſuch a Propheticall Eliſha: Nay, they would have added that loud voyce of Feſtus unto Paul, Acts 26.24.Thou art beſide thy ſelfe, Preacher, much learning hath made thee mad: the man hath loſt his charity and his wits together; away with him to the Priſon, to the Bedlam, for his ſedition and diſtraction. Nay, did not ſome men charge Gods Miniſters almoſt ſo high, when they did but fore-tell us of this very ſword which now wee feele? Let this bee the firſt Parallel.
2. Againe, was Job plundered by Caldeans, which were mercileſſe Strangers? Alas! 2. By Strangers. Hab. 1.6, 7, 8.what a valley of Jehoſhaphat is England now made; to which, all the ſtrange fowles of the aire are come together to devoure? Yea, doe not (in Habakkuks words) the bitter and haſty nations march through the breadth of the Land, to poſſeſſe the dwelling places that are not theirs? Are they not terrible and dreadfull, and their horſes ſwifter than the Leopards, and more fierce than the evening Wolves? Are not their horſemen come from farre? doe they not fly as the Eagle that haſteth to eat? Doe they not come all for violence? Yea, Verſ. 9,10they will (I feare) ſcoffe at the Kings (in the end,) and the Princes ſhall be a ſcorne unto them, &c. But theſe fierce Strangers have eſpecially abounded in the Weſt, whoſe ſhores doe day and night lie open upon both ſides, South and North, to receive both French and Iriſh: who, together with High and Low-Germans, are let-in at thoſe Poſterne doores, to the funerals of Great Britaine, by her owne ſonnes. Nay, and the Enemy tells us, that Moors and Turks ſhall bee called in too, rather than the Round-heads ſhall prevaile. Ah, miſerable England, the common Mother of us all! and are thy Children now come to that Principle of profeſſed ſelfe-deſtruction?
It is recorded in our *Bakers Chroni…le, & al. i.Chronicles, as an inexpiable horrid impiety in King John, that hee is ſaid to have ſent to Mirammumalim, King of Africk and Morocco, with offer of his Kingdome to him, upon condition that hee would come and aide him with his Barbarians againſt his owne people. And is it now growne lawfull, yea warrantable and neceſſary, not onelyonly to arme our owne Papiſts, but to call in proſcribed Iriſh Rebels, yea, Turks and Infidels, to kill and ſlay Chriſtians, Proteſtants, Parliaments? The good Lord ſhake up the Britiſh Nation out of their ſpirituall ſleeping ſickneſſe, Hoſ. 7.8, 9.and cauſe our England to ſee how ſhee hath mixed her ſelfe among the people, and is a Cake not turned: How ſtrangers have devoured her ſtrength, and ſhee knoweth it not: yea, gray haires are here and there upon her, yet ſhee knoweth it not. 3. Firings.I am perſwaded that the Hiſtories of theſe times will be ſo ſtrange to after Ages, that though Truth herſelfe be the Compiler, yet there will need the Sanction of ſome publike Act or Statute, to command incredulous poſterity to beleeve them. That's a ſecond Parallel.
3. Againe, did the Enemy conſume Jobs ſubſtance with fire? Alas poore Weſt! thou maiſt compare heaps of aſhes with moſt parts of the Land: Thou haſt beene made the Land of fire and ſmoke in divers places: as the aThe Subu…bs of Exon, at every gate.City, the bBemmiſter, Axminſter, Market Towns, &c.Townes, the cIlford-Combe, Stoke, &c.Pariſhes, and divers ſtately and ancient dEight or nine ſtately Manſions burnt and pulled downe within five or ſix miles together, neare Lyme.Manſions doe teſtifie: ſome of them being cruelly turned to aſhes by the Enemy; others neceſſarily fired by our Friends, to burne out the Hornets that were gotten into them: and, by this meanes, hundreds of families have been turned out, like herds of cattell, into the open fields and woods; leaving dung-hils and heaps of aſhes, in the places where their goods and dwellings did lately ſtand.
4. But did Satan labour alſo by thoſe extraordinary plagues (the fire of God from Heaven, and a great Wind from the Wilderneſſe,) 4. Falſe charges.to ſhake Jobs holy confidence, and to make him queſtion his owne integrity? Did Satan intitle the Lord to thoſe judgements, as if God had been on his ſide againſt Job? Oh this! this hath been the great Engine and impudent deſigne of the Enemy, and it hath been very cloſely followed by them in the Weſt; they have cunningly endeavoured by the (ſometimes) proſperous outward ſucceſſe of the wicked, and the extraordinary heavy afflictions and defeats of the godly party in thoſe Countries, to entitle the Lord to their ſide and cauſe, againſt his owne people and party. But this ſtratagem is old, as old as Rabſhakeh's himſelfe, who (it ſeems) was their copy in like caſe: For when S…nnacherib, coming up againſt reforming Hez kiah, ſent Rabſhakeh, 2 Kin. 18.in a reviling meſſage, to Ieruſalem; we find that he doth eſpecially inſiſt upon two common places, which are the great engines of the Enemy now a daies; and therfore they are well worthy our peruſall, viz. Firſt, he doth aſperſe & charge Hezekiahs reformation with Sacriledge and Innovation: But if he ſay unto me, We truſt in the Lord our God: Verſe 22.Is not that he whoſe high places, and whoſe altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath ſaid to Iudah and Ieruſalem, Ye ſhall worſhip before this altar in Jeruſalem? As if he had ſaid, Good people, looke about you, I am come purpoſely to undecerve you: This Hezekiah and his faction, under the name of Reformation, doe take away all the antiquity, glory, and beauty of your Religion. You ſee how he hath removed the high places of Gods good ſervice, and divine worſhip; thoſe places that were ſo venerable for their antiquity, that they have been continued through the raignes of twelve noble Kings before this time: So honourable for their inſtitution, that they were erected by Solomon himſelfe of moſt happy memory; the wiſeſt and moſt glorious King that ever ſwayed the Scepter of David; and is Hezekiah now become wiſer then Solomon? Or can yee hope for more bleſſed dayes then his Who made ſilver to be in Jeruſalem as ſtones, 1 Kin. 10.27.and Cedars made he to be as Sycamore trees, that are in the vale for abundance? Or what, had this young King, at twenty five yeares old, more underſtanding and devotion then all his grave and pious anceſtors? What, then Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Aſa, Iehoſhaphat, Ioaſh, (and his Iehoiada) Ʋzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz his owne Father, that he makes ſuch ſtrange worke in the ſervice of God? Nay further yet, good people, beſides your high places, conſider, your high Altars are alſo taken away, and yee are all confined, to your unſpeakeable charge, trouble, and travell, to worſhip before this one Altar in Jeruſalem. Secondly, he doth intitle the Lord unto his ſide againſt Hezekiah and the reformers, Am I now come up without the Lord againſt this place, 2 Kin. 18.25.to deſtroy it? The Lord ſaid to me, Verſe 20.Goe up againſt this place, and deſtroy it: As if he had ſaid, O ye Rebels! (for ſo he had called them before) How durſt yee to fight againſt your King, the great King of Aſſyria, and yet pretend that ye ſtand for God and for his Reformation? Behold and ſee, we have an expreſſe command, a poſitive commiſſion to fight againſt you; and here Rabſhakeh might have cited ſome Text out of the Prophets, which doe ſeeme to licence and call in the Aſſyrians, as the Lords rod, againſt Iſrael for their ſins; as Iſaiah, Jeremiah, Ezechiel, Hoſea, and others. You ſee then that it is no new thing for the moſt cruel enemies againſt reformation, yea for Rabſhakeh himſelfe, to pretend and plead loudly, that the Lord is on their ſide, againſt his owne holy people. 'Tis no new thing for the theeves themſelves to cry, Stop the theefe, upon thoſe that are their lawfull purſuers. That is a fourth Parallel.
5. Succeſſions of Enemies.5. But farther yet, Did Satan ſend enemies upon enemies, and armies by ſeverall parties, upon Iobs goods?
Alas, poor Weſt! in this thing alſo canſt thou compare too well: Have not the armies of thine enemies taken their ſucceſſive turnes at thee? When a well-affected Towne or Pariſh had firſt been plowed by their owne Malignant Gentry and neighbours, (as by the Sabeans) with heavie fines and amercements; then come other forces, that were raiſed in Counties farther off, and they doe harrow them by weekly taxes, and free-quarter: when theſe are called away, then, thirdly, the French, Iriſh, and other Foreiners, a people of a ſtrange Language, (like the Caldeans) are ſent upon them; and theſe by their cruell plundrings doe, as it were, breake the clods by parties and degrees, as thoſe Caldeans made out three bands: The firſt drives away the husband-mans cattle, which he may redeeme againe for a ſumme of money: that is no ſooner done, but a ſecond band cometh, and driveth them againe, requiring another ranſome; which the poor owner hath no ſooner made up by borrowing, pawning, and begging, but anon cometh the third band, and they doe finally ſweep away all this thrice purchaſed ſtock and ſtuffe, there being no more ability left to buy them againe a fourth time. And theſe ſeverall bands of the enemie, are like thoſe three ſwords of Hazael, Jehu, and Eliſha, of which 'tis ſaid, And it ſhall come to paſſe, 1 King 19.17.that him that eſcapeth the ſword of Hazael (a ſtranger) ſhall Iehu ſlay: and him that eſcapeth the ſword of Iehu (their King) ſhall Eliſha (their Prophet) ſlay. Thus the firſt parallels doe run too evenly, which I called (the undoing of Iob in his temporals, by rapine and plundring.) I ſhall be ſhorter in the two following generalls. Remember all this was but the fleecing of Iob, but the plundring of his eſtate; and skin for skin, (as Satan truly urged) all that a man hath will he give for his life; that is, temporall afflictions are lighter then corporall. Let us therefore conſider
Secondly, the Smiting of Iob in his body with ſores and ulcers, 2. The ſmiting of Iob in his body.the ſtripping him of all Naturall comforts, which was called the plucking and eating the fleſh from the bones; not onelyonly his children (which were fleſh of his fleſh) even ſeven ſons and three daughters, were ſmitten dead in one place at a blow amidſt their feaſting, and his wife is turned againſt him; but his owne body, skin and fleſh, are lamentably afflicted and mangled. Satan obtaineth a ſecond commiſſion; by which he hath power to lay any torment upon him on this ſide death, and he follows it to the purpoſe: So went Satan forth from the preſence of the Lord. Iob 2.7.The time is not long, you ſee, betwixt his commiſſion, and the execution thereof; and ſmote Iob, that is, both ſuddainly and vehemently with ſore boyles, from the ſole of his foot unto his crowne. Note there, (in the kind) they were boyles; Intenſively, they were ſore (or the worſt ſort of tormenting) boyles; and extenſively, they were from the ſole of his foot unto his crowne; that is, he was all over-run with the worſt kind of boyles: Verſe 8.It is added, And he took him a potſheard to ſcrape himſelfe withall, and he ſate downe among the aſhes. Mr. Caryl ad loc.There are (ſaith one) divers aggravations of his affliction in that verſe; as firſt, if wee conſider the Chirurgion; he could get, it ſeems, none to dreſſe him; nor wife, nor ſervants, nor friends would meddle with him, but himſelfe is faine to be his owne Chirurgion: he took [him.] Secondly, obſerve the toole, or dreſſing inſtrument which he doth uſe, it was a ſheard, (as wee call it) either becauſe he was loath to touch his loathſome fleſh with his hand, or becauſe his boyles did ſo over-ſpread his hands to the very nailes, that it was a paine to him to touch himſelfe: he tooke a [potſheard.] Thirdly, the lodging or pallet he had to reſt upon in this noiſome grievous condition, he maketh his bed in the duſt: And that either (Electivè) by choice, in token of his abaſement; or (neceſſariò) out of meer neceſſitie, being enforced thus to doe by his povertie or loathſomneſſe. Thus every circumſtance and interpretation doth proclaime his extreame affliction. Parallels inFor a Weſterne parallel to all this map, or rather Anatomie of miſeries, I will gather but ſome particulars of the corporall and naturall ſufferings and torments of our Country and Country-men, in thoſe things which doe afflict their Liberties, Livelihood, Lives.
The Weſt is now generally become a kind of Turkey (to ſpeak vulgarly) to all that are Chriſtians indeed; 1. Slaveries.the Ports that are in the enemies hand are as ſo many Algiers and Sallies, to all true proteſtant Engliſh Paſſengers; for not onelyonly their goods, but their perſons are there taken captives, and ſet at ranſome. The In-land places, are like the maine of Barbarie; for the poor Country-men, Yeomandry, and Artificers, are taken priſoners from their fields and ſhops, at the pleaſure of the nefarious and neceſſitous ſouldiers, and are driven by them as their Captives into the next garriſon: Whence they are ſold out againe at ſuch prices and ranſoms, as their Patrons are pleaſed to ſet upon them: Others, at the Tyrants pleaſure, are preſſed for their ſervice; and of theſe, ſome are againe ranſomed at the will of the petty Officers; others, not able to buy their lives, are forced along to the aſſault or battaile, being coupled, and bound together with cords or match, like dogs for the game, or rather like oxen for the plough, or (which is worſe, but more proper) like ſheep for the ſlaughter: if they doe attempt an eſcape from this death, and are taken, they are ſure of another at the next tree by hanging; their cords being removed from their armes to their necks: If they goe forward to the battaile or aſſault, they are forced on upon the Cannon, like the Turkiſh Aſapi, in the front, the horſmen like their Ianiſaries following them cloſely in the reare, with drawne ſwords, and piſtols cock't, to prick them forward, or to ſhoot them thorow; ſo that all the libertie that is now left them, is onelyonly to chooſe from which party, and in which part they will receive their death; whether from the adverſe party in their breaſts, or from their owne ſide in their backs: Meane while the poor creatures, as amazed betwixt this choice of deaths, may well take up that Lamentation of the Ancient Britains (our Anceſtors) in the downfall of Britaine, when thus they write, *Aetio 111 Cos. Gemitus Britanorum, Repellunt Barbar: ad mare, repellit mare ad Barbaros: Inter haec duo genera funerum aut jugulam…, aut mergimur. Camden. … Gild….To Aetius the Roman Conſul, the gr…anes of Britains, The Barbarians drive us back to the ſea, the ſea againe putteth us back upon the Barbarians: Thus between two kinds of death, either our throats be cut, or wee are drowned. So much concerning ſlavery.
As for the cruell impriſonments that are exerciſed in the Weſt, it doth ſtrike a kind of horrour into mine heart to recount them. If you look to the loathſomneſſe of priſons, I muſt tell you, there are ſuch in the Weſt as may compare with Ieremiahs dungeon, into which they let him downe with cords, and in the dungeon there was no water, but myre: ſo that Ieremiah ſunke in the myre. If you look to ſtraightneſſe and ſeverity, there is not onelyonly the common priſon, but the priſon of Peter, (as I may call it) where he ſtept betweene two ſouldiers, bound with two chaines, 2. Impriſonments. Iere. 33.6. Acts. 5.18. Acts. 12.6. Acts. 16.2…. Verſe 23, 24.and the keepers before the doore keept the priſon. Nay farther yet, there is the uſage of Paul and Silas, even the renting of their clothes, and command to beate them. And when many ſtripes have been laid upon them, a charge is given to the Iaylours to keepe them ſafely, and thereupon they are thruſt into the inner priſon, and their feete made faſt in the ſtockes. Where, ſomtimes they doe receive death at their noſtrils, by noyſome ſtenches, and peſtilent infections: ſometimes at their eyes, which doe affect their hearts at the ſight of their languiſhing fellow-members round about them: ſometimes at their cares, by the blaſphemous taunts, and direfull threatnings, and cenſures from the enemie: but chiefly at their mouthes, by cleanneſſe of teeth, by want of phyſicke, food, and moiſture; for the ſupply of which, when money hath been openly ſent unto them, it was ſeized; when ſecretly, yet it is ſoon exhauſted by the great and high prices that ſmall and low refreſhments are ſet at: and not onelyonly ſome viſiters have been denyed to ſpeak with their languiſhing, dying, fettered husbands, Nonpanis, non bauſtus aqua, non ultimus ignis: Hi…ſola haec duo ſunt, exul, & exilium Vide Senecdib de conſol. ad Helv. in principio.children, brethren; but others have been impriſoned for relieving of priſoners. Let me preſent you but with one modell of the Weſterne Priſons; it ſhall be that of Lidford, which is a little ſtraight ſtonie tower, ſcituate in a barren deſolate moore or wilderneſſe; the place is as farre from all fertilitie, as commerce; no harveſt, no trading are there to be found, but the priſon it ſelfe ſeemes to be baniſhed and impriſoned. In ſhort, the whole ſoyle of that moor is like the baniſhed * ſtoicks Corſica, yeelding nor bread, nor water, no nor fire enough (ſaith he) for a funerall. In this priſon, diverſe debtors …ve been ſtarved, and ſome were ſaid to eate their owne fleſh, even in thoſe times of peace and plenty: Gueſſe yee then, what cries and yells for bread and water there are now to be heard amongſt the many ſcores which at preſent are ſhut up in that ſtraight priſon? Yea the paſſengers doe heare the cries, ere they ſee the priſon. For a cloſe to this point of Impriſonments, take but this one word: It is a like difficult thing to find amongſt our enemies in the Weſt, a wicked man in their priſons, or a godly man out of them.
3. Deaths.Laſtly, if we look to varieties of Deaths and Baniſhments, there is ſtabbing, ſhooting, hanging, both by order, and at pleaſure; beſides, other multitudes of Saints doe die daily, by wandring up and downe in dons, and caves, and holes of the earth; yea ſome with their families have inhabited the woods, and clefts of the rocks, nay the tops of the ragged rocks; Sometimes leading their hungry little ones in their hands, and anon carrying them along in their armes, to goe and make their bed in the duſt, and to ſeek their bread out of deſolate places, Math. 2.18.all deſtitute, afflicted, tormented. There you might ſee in the ſtreets a Rachel, a mother weeping for her ſlaine children, Gen. 21.15, 16.and will not be comforted, becauſe they are not: Here, in a wood, ſits another Hagar-like, with a dry bottle, and a fainting ſonne, and ſhe lifts up her voice and weeps. Not farre off in an houſe, you may diſcover a third, like her of Zarephath, … Kin. 17.12.dreſſing and baking up the laſt meale of the Barrell, with the utmoſt oyle of the Cruſe, that ſhe and her family may eate it and die. Yea, it hath beene a lot which Ladies of honourable Families have not eſcaped, viz. after they have bin deprived of their houſes by fire, of their goods by plundring, of their lands by Sequeſtration, of their Sons (under yeares) by impriſonment, at laſt to eſcape to the next Garriſon on foot (almoſt bare-footed) in borrowed ſhooes, leaving their wearing Garments in the hands of the Enemy. But what doe I multiply inſtances, ſeeing the bare Hiſtory of Weſterne ſufferings of this kind, would ſeeme but meere Poetry to the multitude?3. The Afflicting of Job in his Soule.
The third and higheſt degree, or common place of the enemies cruelty upon Job, was afflicting of him in his ſoule with ſpirituall ſcourges and ſcorpions, by temptations, falſe accuſations, and deſertions: This was indeed like the breaking of the bones, and chopping of them in pieces as for the pot, and as fleſh within the Cauldron; Skin for skin, and all that a man hath will he give for his life, ſo ſaid Satan when he compared Jobs goods with his body; but Chriſtianity will tell us, life for life, and all that a man is, will he give for his ſoule: And againe, Prov 18.14.the ſpirit of man will ſupport his infirmities, but a wounded ſpirit who can beare? In the laſt place therefore, the enemy doth ſet upon his ſoule by a ſtrong temptation, from the wife of his boſom: Then ſaid his wife unto him, Iob 2.9.Wilt thou ſtill retaine thine integrity? Curſe God and die. In which words there is a ſcornefull exprobration, and a wicked direction, the exprobration in theſe words, Doſt thou ſtill retaine thine integrity? As if ſhee had ſaid, what! art thou ſo ſenſeleſſe, ſo ſottiſh, as ſtill to goe on in this courſe? What have all thy prayers, faſtings, and ſacrifices, profited thee? Where are the …arnings, what is the advantage of thine holineſſe and ſingularity? And yet doſt thou ſtill retaine thine integrity? Away with theſe emptie ſhewes, and fruitleſs devotions; delude thy ſelfe no longer with dreaming of help and happineſſe from thy Jehovah; but, ſeeing there is no hope of thy deliverance by his bleſſing, diſpatch thy ſelfe with a curſe; Curſe God and die.
Theſe bolts came from his wife; next what ſharpe and keen charges doth he receive from his miſtaking friends? Who, by their falſe accuſations and concluſions againſt him, did endeavour to diſpute him out of his innocency? Thus Eliphaz begins to charge him, Remember, I pray thee, who ever periſhed, Iob 4.7.being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Then Bildad doth ſecond him: Doth God pervert judgement? Iob 8.3.or doth the Almighty pervert juſtice? And laſtly, Iob 11.2, 3.Zophar the Naamathite is in the ſame ſtraine: Should a man full of talke be juſtified? ſhould thy lips make men hold their peace? Theſe are the darts of his friends. But finally, the Lord himſelfe doth ſtrike him thorow with ſpirituall agonies and deſertions; of which he complaineth in theſe words, The arrowes of the Almighty are within me, Iob 6.4.the poyſon whereof drinketh up my ſpirit: the terrors of God doe ſet themſelves in array againſt me. The Caldeans and Sabeans, the loſſes of his goods and children, together with the ulcers of his body, the cruell miſtakes of his friends, and the malignancy of his wife, were all as nothing to this ſpirituall battell-array.
Parallels.In my Weſterne parallel to this affliction, I muſt double my Lamentations: Alas, alas, poore native Country! This laſt degree of Jobs miſery is the higheſt and heavieſt of all, ſo is it that wherein thou canſt moſt aptly, and fully compare with this thy pattern: For,
Did Satan turne the mouth of Jobs owne Ordnance upon himſelfe, 1. Friends and kinſfolks treacherous. Gen 10.25.making his friends to become miſerable comforters? Did alſo the wife of his boſome turne Malignant? Surely, theſe our dayes are as the dayes of Peleg, in whoſe time the earth was divided; they are the very times of diviſion which were fore-told by our Saviour, when he ſayes, There ſhall be five in one houſe divided, three againſt two, Luke 12.51, 52.53. compared with Matth. 10.34, 35, 36.and two againſt three, (it is like that the three were Malignants,) the father ſhall be divided againſt the ſon, and the ſon againſt the father; the mother againſt the daughter, and the daughter againſt the mother; the mother in law againſt her daughter in law, and the daughter in law againſt her mother in law. Loe, there are the five, Stella ad loc.if you take the ſame woman to be both the mother, (to her ſon) and the mother in law (to his wife:) But though a ſhower of ſtormy diviſions hath over-ſpread the whole Land in generall, Luke 12.54yet you ſee this cloud ariſing eſpecially in the Weſt; there is the father divided againſt the ſon, that is, many an old, wicked, ambitious, Machivillian Saul, is there to be found hating his ſweet and faithfull ſon Ionathan, for cleaving to the juſt and holy cauſe of (David,) 1 Sam 20.30, 31.the men after Gods owne heart; yea, he is enkindled againſt him, railing at him, and calling him perverſe Rebell, (a remarkeable Title) and telling him that he will confound himſelfe, and the whole family by taking this ſide, &c. This is the father againſt the ſon. 2 Sam. 15, 16, 17 ChaptersNext, there is alſo the ſon againſt the father, that is, many a buſhie, bloody, ambitious Abſalom is there to be found, which doth not ſtick to murther his owne brethren, to plunder and defile his fathers houſe, and to drive him (if he be a man after Gods own heart) weeping and bare-foot, both from his owne habitations, Filius ante diem, &c.and from the publike ordinances; and all this to get the inheritance unto himſelfe before the time: this is the ſon againſt the father. As for mothers and daughters, &c. There you might ſee in every County many an unnaturall maſſacring Athaliah, 2 King 11.1.that doth not ſticke to ſwim to her own ends through a ſtream of guiltleſſe bloud. 2 Chron. 22.10.And many an hollow complementall Orpah, which doth kiſſe, and weepe over the cauſe of God, and thoſe which doe travaile for it, Ruth 1.14.but takes leave of them both at laſt. But what do I ſtraighten my ſelfe with inſtances? There are and have beene revolts, treacheries, and falſe charges, practiſed, diſcovered, and laid on in thoſe parts, by all ſorts of friends and relations: In Families there are Nabal-like husbands, 1 Sam. 25.17that doe hold under their wiſe and holy Abigails, ſo that they cannot ſpeake unto them for this Cauſe: And contrariwiſe, 2 Sam. 6.16, 20.there are ſome Michal-like Wives too, that ſcoffe at their Davids for their zeale in this Service. Amongſt Brethren, Gen. 4.8.there is many a Cain riſing up againſt his righteous brother, and ſlaying him, becauſe his owne workes are evill, and his brothers good: Yea, amongſt Twinns there are Eſaus, Gen. 32.6.that doe arme themſelves againſt their brethren and their families, becauſe God is with them. Amongſt Profeſſors, and profeſſed friends, there is many an Edomitiſh Doeg, 1 Sam. 22.9, 10. 1 Sam. 23.12that enſnareth the Lords Miniſters; yea, ſome Keilites, whole Pariſhes, that have betrayed their Protectors. Amongſt Servants and Clients, many a Ziba, delating his abſent innocent Maſter, 2 Sam. 16.2, 3to get his lands: Many a *Sir Curſon, (as I remember) Speeds Chron. H 7.Popilius, Fabricius in Hiſtor. Cicer. Mat. 26.14. 2 Sam. 4.7, 8.that begs a Commiſſion to cut off the head of that Cicero which defended him: yea, many a Judas, that ſelleth his Lord for ſilver pieces. Amongſt Commanders and Counſellors, there hath been many a Baanah and Rechab, that ſold their Lords head for preferment: Many a ſubtil Renegado, that did not ſtick to wound himſelfe, (like Synon) that he might thereby betray others; or to bee a proſcribed and proclaimed Rebell amongſt other men, (like that Knight in King Henry the ſeventh's time) that ſo hee might bee admitted freely to their Councell, and thereby give intelligence to the Enemy.
Brethren, I remember that the *Hor. Apol. Niliac. in Hieroglyph. lib. 1. numb. 66 Nichol. Cauſſino Interprete.Egyptians, in their Hieroglyphicks, did ſignifie the Weſt by a Crocodile, which is a beaſt that doth enſnare (and ſo kill) Paſſengers by his teares: And I am perſwaded, that our Weſt hath been the greateſt Country of adventitious and (ſome) home-bred Crocodiles in the whole Kingdome. So much concerning the miſchiefes that did come from pretended friends, who were parallel to Jobs Wife, and his three miſerable Comforters. But,
Did that Wife and thoſe Friends of Job taunt and upbraid him with heart-piercing language? 2. Enemies Blaſphemous.Did they tempt and cut him with blaſphemies? Herein the poore Weſterne ſuffering Saints can alſo compare. For I am perſwaded (upon too good grounds) that the blaſphemous inſolencies, even of Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Rabſhakeh, and that Apoſtate Julian himſelfe, have been matched and equalled by the Enemies in thoſe parts. Pharaoh (you know) did ſay, I know not the Lord, neither will I obey his voyce, to let Iſrael goe. Sennacherib and Rabſhakeh ſaid, Let not Hezekiah deceive you. — Let not thy God in whom thou truſtest deceive thee, &c. and Julian was wont, when he buffeted and tormented the Chriſtians, ſcoffingly to apply ſome Text of Scripture unto them, as, bidding them to turne the other cheeke alſo, &c.
Surely, many of our eares, eyes, and skins, have heard, ſeene, and felt, (horreſco referrens) even as horrid things as theſe. We have heard (as a godly *Mr. H. P.Miniſter, now with God, ſaid with tears, as hee marched out of Exon) both all the Attributes, and all the Ordinances of God blaſphemed over and over in one day; and that not by two or three, but by their whole Armies: Inſomuch that my ſelfe have wondred to heare ſo much Scripture and Divinity from the mouthes of divers of the illiterate, ignorant, and fottiſh common Souldiers, as they have belched out in taunting blaſphemies; as, Where are now your long ſanctified prayers by the Spirit? What is become of your holy Humiliations and Supplications? &c. But eſpecially (mee thought) they did ſtill fly in the face of our God, ſcoffing abundantly more at him than at any; yea, all his ſervants beſides: as, Where is your God now, O yee Hypocrites? Where is your holy Cauſe, your Cauſe, and all your hopes? Now you ſhall ſee God will come downe from heaven! yes, by-and-by you ſhall ſee it! No, no, farewell heaven, heaven is gone, your God is aſleep, &c. Oh, I am loath to beleeve mine owne eares; or, though I muſt doe it, yet I am afraid to repeat with my mouth the ſtudied blaſphemies of that one day. Brethren, Mat. 27.26, 27, 28, 30, &c.you may looke over the harmony of the Evangeliſts, and eſpecially Saint Matthew, and when you doe there read, how the Souldiers did take Jeſus (when hee was to bee crucified) into the common Hall, gathered unto him the whole Band, ſtripped him, put on him a ſcarlet robe, and a crowne of thornes upon his head, and a reed in his hand, then bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, ſaying, Haile, King of the Jewes; then ſpit upon him, blind-folded him, and ſmote him on the head, Mat. 26.67, 68.ſaying, Propheſie unto us, thou Chriſt, who ſmote thee? and when hee was upon the Croſſe, how they gave him vinegar to drink, mingled with gall, & parted his garments; alſo, how they that paſſed by reviled him, wagging their heads, ſaying, Thou ſavedſt others, thy ſelfe thou canſt not ſave; Thou that deſtroyeſt the Temple, if thou be the Sonne of God, come down; See if Elias will come and take him down, &c. I ſay it ſadly, when you doe read over this Chaine of amazing blaſphemies, then conſider, remember, and beleeve, that this whole Series may bee paralleld by the taunts and blaſphemies of the Weſterne Enemies. But, beſides theſe, there is another kind of blaſphemies, by horrid Oaths, and execrable Curſes: And in theſe alſo the Enemy is (like himſelfe) out of meaſure blaſphemous; for I dare challenge the Records of all Nations and Generations, to ſhew mee ſuch affecting, ſtudying, and buying of abominable, direfull, damning Oaths and Blaſphemies, as is daily practiſed among them. Oh, the anatomizing of Jeſus Chriſt limb by limb, by their horrid Swearing! Oh, the daring and miſ-calling of the whole Trinity, by their Rhetoricall new-ſought, new-bought Blaſphemies! Oh, the dammings, rammings, and ſhooting into hell, that is uſed in their Execrations! Nay, this is one teſt or touch-ſtone, by which ſome of them are wont to try a ſuſpected Round-head, Sweare, Dammee (ſay they,) and we ſhall beleeve thee that thou art a friend to the King. Oh, my friends! and is blaſphemy now become the true character of loyalty? then let us not be troubled if theſe men doe call us Rebels. But this kind of helliſhneſſe is come to that height, that (the truth is) I hold it not fit to ſpeake the whole truth in this Point: for there are ſuch blaſphemies amongſt them, as are not ſo much as to be named among Chriſtians. 1 Cor. 5.1.And now gueſſe yee, Brethren, in what condition are the poore Saints, which are forced to entertaine thoſe Miſcreants into their houſes, and to bee continually within view and hearing of their Diabolicall lives and language? what Meſechs (thinke yee,) what Kedars are their owne houſes unto them? Is not all this a hell upon earth to a gracious ſoule?