The Garden of Zion, Part 1

The Garden of Zion · Part 1

THE GARDEN OF ZION.

ADAM. Earth.

THis is the man who after ſea and land

Was made of Earth by great JEHOVAHS hand:

In his noſtrils He breath'd the breath of life,

And of a rib Hee form'd for him a wife:

…ithin this clay immortall life He placed,

…f he by ſin had not himſelf diſgraced:

By divine favour He gave him a pledge,

True holineſſe, which was His own image:

He in great love did chooſe him as His heir,

p. 2And made him of ſo foule a maſſe ſo fair

His great VICE-ROY: yea, His beloved Son,

Perfect and peerleſſe, even a Paragon.

But, Oh alas, he did not ſo abide,

But loſt this image by his fooliſh pride,

And unbelief, whereon (as on a rock)

He made ſhipwrack, a ſenſeleſſe ſottiſh block;

That learned Tree, the Tree of good and ill,

Abuſde by man, did mankinde ſpoile and ſpill:

When he was well, content he could not ſit.

But loſt us all by a forbidden bit;

The lofty wife, and the crafty Serpent,

For Adams fall were Satans inſtrument:

The ſprite apoſtat reſiding within,

That ſpeckled beaſt, with ſmooth damask skin

The ſimple ſexe deceived craftily,

Aſſuring her with GOD equall to be:

Poor Adam chiefly by her loſt his life,

Who was his Phoenix, Sister, Daughter, Wife:

The earth therefore for pleaſant fruits and corne…

Brought nothing foorth but nettles, thistles, thorne

When man did look of fruits to get a feaſt,

The briers and burs did bristle up their breast:

The LORD on man no meat then would allow,

Till firſt the ſweat ſhould bubble on his brow.

He who before was holy, meek, and wiſe,

A fool by ſin, was thruſt from paradiſe,

p. 3A glorious Park, wherein (without all tearm)

He might have dwelt, if he had pay'd his Farm.

But now diſgrac'd for diſobedience,

To dwell in Eden he hath not licence:

The tree of life to him may not affoord

Her fruit; A Cherub boaſts him with a ſword:

Nine hundred, and als thirty years he lived,

…mmortall firſt, at laſt for ſin he died.

Thus he whom ſatan by ſin did deceive,

A ſlimy Burgar was laid in his grave.

The Uſe.

When thou haſt ſinn'd, beware thy ſelfe to hide,

…n Adams fall behold the fruits of pride,

Of ſtrong made weak, of wiſe become a foole,

Gods character cancell'd with griefe and doole,

Great ſweat of browes, no reſt untill our bones,

…e cooped up in a cold heap of ſtones:

…h that our ſenſe as the ſpiders could be,

Which ſtarts as ſoone as ſtirres the buzzing flie,

Within her web; Oh that we could begin

…o feele, to hate the least approach of ſin.

p. 4EVAH. Living.

ISHAH of man was after call'd EVAH,

From life by ADAM direct'd by JOVAH

She of a rib was made the firſt woman,

Who by her pride brought many woes to man

Mans other ſelf, his love, his help, his wife,

With the ſerpent was cauſe of all the ſtrife:

For ſuch a fault, her poor condition

Was paine in birth and great ſubjection:

But heere her comfort in her greateſt need,

The womans ſeede ſhall bruiſe the ſerpents head:

The Son of Marie, Jeſus Chriſt our Lord,

'Twixt God and man ſhall make a bleſt accor…

The Uſe.

Let EVAHS fall vaine vvomen terrifie,

And teach them all to love humilitie:

Blest be her ſeede vvho us reſtor'd againe,

And of our ſins unreel'd the ſnarled skain.

CAIN. Poſſeſſion.

FIrſt borne of man, name from poſſeſſion,

A ſacrificer by profeſſion:

p. 5…hy browe did fall with an envious eye,

…ecauſe the Lord prefer'd Abel to thee:

…hou of Abel a bloody murderer

…ecamſt, who ſhould have beene his beſt keeper:

…ecauſe his blood doth cry aloud to me,

…hou on the earth a vagabound ſhall be.

The Uſe

…y Cains madneſſe thou may clearely try

What monſters lurke in the ſinne of envy:

…inne ſoone is done, but after comes the ſmart,

… vagabound, all trembling at the heart,

…en ſinne in ſecret, but God keeps account

… his exchequer how their ſinnes do mount.

ABEL. Vanitie.

THou ſecond Sonne, thy name is vanitie

Thy Hebrew name did ſo foretell to thee:

…hy cruel brother through envy and ſtrife

… thy faire youth bereft thee of thy life:

…ods holy worſhip thou didſt not neglect,

… thy ſervice JEHOVAH had reſpect:

…hough in thy youth of death thou trod the path

…t ſtill thou lives renowned for thy faith.

p. 6The Uſe.

It is no wonder by envie and wrath

To ſee juſt men unjuſtly put to death,

Moſt bleſt is he whoſe heart baſe ſlimy he

Surmounting, towards his creature leaps:

Strive vvith Abel to dwell above the o…

Whoſe restlſſe dance no ſtop at all diſturbs…

Be like Abel that yee abode may make,

In ſhineing robs above the Zodiack.

LAMECH. Diminiſhed or depauperat.

THou bragging LAMECH of vaine Cains

To boaſt and kill thou didſt thy ſelf ſola…

Thou fear'd not God, nor ſhamefull infami…

Of all thou firſt liv'd, in polygamie:

Foole with two wives thou led a ſinfull life…

ZILLAH the ſhaddow, but ADAM the wife

The Uſe.

In theſe hardly great courage ſhall yee fi…

Whoſe words are brags, and vaine bubb vvind:

p. 7…he deepeſt floods do run moſt quietlie,

…ith ſilver streames to carry to the ſea;

…ut naughty brookes in broken streames do guſh,

…nd roaring dovvne the horned cliff do ruſh.

SETH. Set or appointed.

NOw welcome SETH, for ADAM a third Son,

Set and appointed to fill ABELS roome,

…hy godlineſſe did many ſoules refreſh,

…f thee came Chriſt, our Lord after the fleſh.

The Uſe.

…od rich in comforts can his Saints relieve,

…f he take one, he can another give:

…f croſſes come vvhichwhich do our comforts marre,

…od can anone ſend joyes to eaſe our farre.

ENOCH. Sorrovvfull.

O Deare to God with ſorrow in thy name,

Thy heart was griev'd to ſee the worlds ſhame:

p. 8While CAINS race provoked God right ſore,

Thou walk'd with God, and ſo was ſeen no m…

The Uſe.

Learne heere thy life, at Gods ſervice to ſpe…

An holy life brings to an happie end:

Balam may vviſh the righteous death to …

But, he profane, that day ſhall never ſee.

METHUSELAH. Emiſſion dart or death.

THy name is death, emiſſion, or dart,

By it ENOCH foretold the worlds ſmart

As ſome eſteeme the laſt yeere of thy life,

God with a flood did end this worlds ſtrife:

To longeſt life of all thou didſt attaine

Nine hundred yeares thou liv'd and ſixtie nine…

The Uſe.

Let all men learne their few years well to ſpe…

For longeſt life at laſt will have an end:

He who ſtrouts now, in grave ſhall ſoone be co…

What is mans life but a tale that is told?

p. 9NOAH. Reſt or comfort.

SOn of LAMECH, Son of METHUSELAH,

Thou for GODS comforts called was NOAH:

…he LORD ſaid LAMECH curſde hath ſea and land,

This Son ſhall be a reſting for our hand:

…n this mans time the bad and faithfull ſeed

To mariage moſt vilely did proceed:

While all men ſpoil'd were with corruption,

This man was juſt in his generation:

God with his comforts did his ſoul refreſh,

When he intended the end of all fleſh:

Thy vertues, NOAH, I can not expreſſe,

Thou wiſe preacher, herauld of righteouſneſſe:

Whil'ſt in the deep all others death did ſuffer,

Thou ſafely lived in an Ark of Gopher.

Thy ſelf, thy wife, alſo thy children three,

With their three wives were in that houſe of tree:

The haughty ſtreame this houſe did high exalt,

Which at the laſt on Ararat did halt

The Rav'n, the Dove, NOAH did forth command,

Two ſcouts to ſpy if there was any land;

At laſt the Dove (to tell him of reliefe)

Brought in her mouth of an olive a leafe.

p. 10When floods were paſt, by Gods mercy divine,

NOAH began to plant a pleaſant vine.

But (Oh) that great herauld of righteouſneſſe,

Was plunged in moſt filthy drunkenneſſe;

Againſt JEHOVAHS great commandement,

He voide of ſenſe, lay naked in his tent:

Nine hundred and als fiftie yeeres he liv'd,

Juſt in two worlds, at laſt by death bereav'd.

The Uſe.

Let good men learne all ſins alwayes to ſhu…

And not to staine a life that's well begun:

Fy oh, alas, that for a drinke of wine

This great Herauld (whoſe vertues bright d… ſhine)

Should have forgot his GOD ſo ſpedilie,

VVho had him ſav'd within his houſe of tree

Fy, that he ſhould have blotted his good na…

By lying naked in his tent with ſhame,

Before the face of his three children deare,

VVhoſe life ſhould them have taught the Lor… to feare:

Behold how ſ…one the life of the godlie,

VVith ſin (as with a damp) may darkned b…

p. 11…f one fault let not drunkards make a ſafeguard,

…r once drunke makes not man to bee a drunkard.

SEM. JAPHET. Fame. Beautie.

SEM, Son of NOAH, firſt in dignitie,

The noble Jew hath his deſcent from thee:

…hy Godlineſſe, thy Glory, and thy Fame

…y JOVAHS pen are written in thy name:

…APHET, Beautie, thou haſt the ſecond place

…o dwell with SEM the LORD GOD grant thee grace:

…wo bleſt Brethren, right noble was your fact:

…n cov'ring NOAH yee turned your back:

…ight worthy Sonnes, eternall is your fame,

…n modeſtie yee hid your fathers ſhame.

The Uſe.

…eere children learne your parents to reſpect;

God ſhall you bleſſe, and all your wayes direct,

And you preſerve, that no man do you wrong,

…n earth he ſhall your happy dayes prolong.

p. 12HAM. Hote or black.

HOt as hells fire, coal-black, even like t… devill,

Profane villain, taught onelyonly to do evill;

O curſed HAM, thou full of wickedneſſe,

Becauſe thou ſpy'd thy fathers nackedneſſe,

Becauſe his ſhame thou ſcorned with thine eye

Servant of ſervants thou ſhalt ever be,

The Uſe.

Curſ'd is that ſonne that ever he was born

That ſets himſelf his parents for to ſcorne

An Elf, not man, he called well may be

Who takes delight his parents ſhame to ſe…

NIMROD. A Rebell.

NIMROD thy name is as much as rebell,

Whom ſome eſteeme cheef builder of Ba…

This man of HAM (as holy writs record)

A mighty hunter was before the LORD.

p. 13The Uſe.

…on this earth thou be a mighty man,

…eware with Nimrod to play the tyran.

…hough men ſet up moſt high and ſtately towrs

…uch Caſtles will not keep them from GODS ſhowres.

ABRAM. Father high. ABRAHAM. Father of a multitude.

BEhold the Sonne of ancient TERAH,

The faithfull husband of godly SARAH:

This Father high, was firſt called ABRAM

For multitude turn'd into ABRAHAM:

Looke up, ſaid GOD, and count theſe ſtarr's moſt hie,

Of thy Children ſuch ſhall the number be:

Be perfect, walk in my commandement,

I mind with thee to make a Covenant:

When Amraphel was King of great Shinar,

The mightie Arioch, King of Ellaſar,

p. 14Chedorlaomer of faire Elam King;

And Tidal Prince, of Nations did bring

A great Armie, with boaſt againſt Bera

King of Sodom, as als againſt Birſha;

Gomorrahs King, and Admahs Shinab ſtout,

Who armed with great forces then came out;

And als againſt the Zehoims Shemither,

And Belahs Prince came all theſe Kings togeth…

In bloody war, theſe foure Kings againſt five

Came to the fields, and in battell did ſtrive;

But Sodoms men were forc'd to turne the back

Their foes ſome kill'd and ſome captives did ta…

Among whom was LOT nephew of ABRAM

Who to help Sodom unto battell came:

When ABRAM heard this, he in continent

Did cry for armes, and to the Battell went

With his ſervants, three hundred and eightee…

Who in his houſe well trained up had beene:

He among theſe (as a ſtout Generall)

Did rout his foes, and LOT reſcu'd, and all

His goods, and captives which they tooke awa…

He back againe did bring without delay;

Then met him (by a providence divine)

Melchiſedeck, who brought him bread and wine

And bleſt him, after he had given that feaſt,

For Salems King he was, and the Lords Prieſt:

Unto him ABRAM in that bleſſed day

p. 15With chearefull heart the tithes of all did pay;

But as for ſpoile nothing I will he ſaid

…eſt SODOME ſay, I ABRAM rich have made.

The Battel of Abraham, againſt Amraphel, King of Shinar; Arioch, King of Nations, wherein he reſcued his brother Son Lot, who had beene taken priſoner by them.

This Paraphraſe was made in verſe by the Prince of Engliſh Poets, JOSHUA SYLVESTER.

ABRAM perceiving now the Army neer,

By their own Fires; 'gan thus his Troups to cheer:

Souldiers (ſaid he) behold, this happy Night

Shall make amends for that diſ-aſtrous Fight

Was fought in Siddim, and acquittance cry,

p. 16For Sodom's ſhame, and Lot's captivitie: adorn'd

Me thinks, already Victory

With Bowes, and Blades, and Casks, and Cro… return'd

From th' Enemie, on our triumphant ſpears

Erecteth Trophe is far more rich then theirs:

Me thinkes, already on our gliſtring Creſts,

The glorious Garland of the Conqueſt reſts;

Our way to vertue lyes ſo ſmooth and plain,

With paineleſſe Honour, and unvent'red Gain

This hoaſt, you ſee, is not the valiant Troup

That ſtript Gomorrha, and made Segor ſtoop;

That Jordan, Inde, and Euphrates admire;

But a foule Heard of Swine wall'wing in m…

Regard them as they are, not as they were:

See but their ſloath, do not their number fear:

He that's aſleep is dead, and he that's dead

Bites not (they ſay): What have we then dread?

Why ſtay we, Lads? already down they are.

Their throats be naked, and their boſoms bare,

Their lives lie proſtrate heer at our command;

And Fortune cals but for your helping hand.

Come, follow me: rather, the Lord of Hoaſts

(Terror of Tyrants) who through all the Coaſts with a trough

Of all the Earth confoundeth

All worldly power, and brings mens plots nought:

p. 17Come (happy Troup) follow with one accord

…h'invincible brave Standart of the Lord.

This ſaid; eft-ſoons I wot not what a grace,

What divine beam reflected on his face:

…or as in March, the Serpent, having caſt

…is old foule skin, crawls from his hole full faſt,

…iſſes, and ſtings, and ſtares us in the face,

…nd (gold-like) gliſtring, glides along the graſſe:

…o Heav'n enſpires freſh vigour in each part,

His blood renews, his heart doth take new heart,

… martiall furie in his breaſt there boyls,

His ſtature ſeems more taller then yer-whiles,

Youth paints his cheeks with Roſe and Lilly Dies,

A lovely Lightning ſparkels in his eyes;

So that his gallant Port and gracefull voice

Confirms the fainteſt, makes the ſad rejoice.

Then, on the Camp he ſets, where round about

Lie mingled Carrs, and Horſe, and Men that rout:

Reſt ſeizeth all; (and wanting what is fed)

The fire it ſelf ſlept in his aſhy bed.

Th' Hebrews the-while laid-on on back or breſt,

Or arm, or ſide, according at their reſt

To th'ground had bound them: and thoſe lives bereft

The which Death's Image in an Image reft.

Heer, one beheaded on a Trunk of Pine,

p. 18Pours-out at once his gore, his ghoſt, and wi…

The full Helm hops, and with a voice confuſe

Murmurs, as if it his fell Fate accuſed.

Another, taken by inchanting ſleep,

Mid Pots and Cups, and Flagons, quaffing de…

Doth at a wound, given in his rattling gorge

The Wine againe in his owne Cup diſ-gorge.

Another, while ingeniouſly he playes

Upon his Lute ſome paſſing-pleaſing Layes,

Sleep ſeales his eyes up with a gloomy cloud▪

And yet his hand ſtill quavers light and lowd

But, at the laſt it ſinks, and, offring fair

To ſtrike the Baſe, ſtrikes but the empty aire

His ſoul deſcending to th' Infernall Coaſts,

Goes to conclude his Song unto the Ghoſts:

Dolefull it was, not for the Argument

(For't was of Love) but for the ſad event.

Another wak'ned with thoſe lowd alarms,

Starts-up, and groapeth round about for arms

Which, ah too ſoon he findeth, for his part:

For a keen poignard ſtabs him to the heart.

Like as a Tigreſs, having with the gore

Of Buls and Hiefers made her ſpots the more

And pav'd a Plain with Creatures mangled lim…

Views on each ſide her valiant ſtratagems,

Treads on the vanquiſht, and is proudly-ſad,

That no more Foes, nor no more Maw ſhe ha…

p. 19Th… th' Hebrew ſtalking round-about the ſlain,

…raves (but it boots not) and would very fain

…hat thoſe dead bodies might their ghoſts re-gather,

…r that thoſe mountaines would produce him (rather)

…ome Foes more wakefull, that more manfully

… blood-drown'd Valleyes might his valour try.

Amor's three ſons did no leſſe ſlaughter make;

…bram for zeale, they but for furies ſake:

…his nails a Souldier with his Sword to th'ground;

…hat, at a blow, th' heads of two Heads diſcrownd.

…his underneath a Chariot kils the driver:

…hat, lops off legs and arms, and heads doth ſhiver.

The Tents already all in blood do ſwim,

…uſhing from ſundry Corps, from ſeverall lim.

… brief, ſo many ravening Wolves they ſeem,

…ithin whoſe breaſt, fierce Famine biteth keen,

…ho ſoftly ſtealing to ſome fold of Sheep

While both the Shepheard and his Cur doth ſleep)

…urbuſh their hungry teeth, tear, kill, and prey

…pon the beſt, to eat and bear-away.

Yet, at the length, the vanquiſhed awake,

…nd (re-ary'd) the Victors under-take;

…utting the three proud Amorites, to flight,

…ho but for Abram, had bin routed quite.

p. 20Sleep, ſleep (poor Pagans) ſith you needs dye,

Go ſleep again, and ſo dye eaſily,

Dye yer ye think on death, and in your Drea…

Gaſp-out your ſoules; Let not your dazled b…

Behold the hauock and the horrour too

Of th' Execution, that our Swords ſhall do…

Hacking your bodies to heaw-out your breat…

Yer Death, to fright you with a thouſand dea…

Said Abraham: and pointing every word

With the keen point of his quicke-whirled ſw…

(As ſwift in doing, as in ſaying ſo)

More fiercely chargeth the inſulting Foe,

Than ever ſtorm-full cloud, which fed … water's

Thin moiſt-full fumes (the ſnowy mounta… daughters)

Showr'd heaps of hail-ſhot, or pour'd flood rain.

On ſlender ſtems of the new tender Grain:

Through bloud, and blades, through danger, and death,

Through mangled Corps and carrs he traverſe…

And partly in the ſhock, part with the blowes

He breaketh in through thickeſt of his Foes,

And by his travell topſi-turneth then

The live and dead, and half-dead horſe and …

p. 21…is bright-keen Fauchin never threats, but hits;

…or hits, but hurts; nor hurts, but that it ſplits

…ome privie poſtern, whence to Hell (in Poſt)

…ome groaning Pagan may ga…p out his ghoſt:

…e all aſſayls, and him ſo brave beſtow's,

…hat in his fight he deals more deaths than blows.

As the North-winde, re-clearing-up the front

…f cloudy Heav'ns, towards the South doth hunt

…he ſhowr's that Auſters ſpungie thirſt exhales

…ut of thoſe Seas that circle Orans wals:

…o where-ſo-e're our Hebrew Champion wield

…is war-like weapon and his gliſtring ſhield

Whoſe glorious ſplendor darts a dreadfull light)

…ll turn their backs, and all be-take to flight:

…orgetting Fame, Shame, Vertue, Hope, and all

…heir hearts are don, and down their weapons fall.

…, if that any be ſo ſtrangely-ſtout

…s not to faint, but bravely yet hold out,

…as! it boots not, for it cannot ſtop

…e victory, but haſt his own miſhap.

…ut in what Fence-ſchoole, of what Maſter, ſay,

…ave Pearl of Souldiers, learn'd thy hand… to play

at ſo ſundry weapons, ſuch paſſados,

…ch thruſts, ſuch foyns, ſtramazos, and ſtoccados?

…en of that mighty God, whoſe ſacred might

p. 22Made Heav'n and Earth (and them ſo bra… bedight)

Of meerely nothing: of that God of Powr

Who ſwore to be thy Target and thy Towr:

Of that high God, who fortifies the weak,

Who teacheth his, even ſteely bowes to break

Who doth his Childrens zealous hearts inflam…

But daunts the proud, and doth their cou… tame.

Thy Sword abates th'armed, the ſtrong ſtout;

Thou cleav'ſt, thou kill'ſt: The faint diſar… rout,

The lightning of thine eyes, thy voices thunde…

And thy ſtern dreadfull port confounds wi… wonder:

Death and Deſpair, Horror and Fury fight

Under thine Enſignes in the diſmall Night:

Thou ſlayeſt this, and that thou threat'ſt as m…

This thou purſu'ſt, that thou diſdain'ſt to touch

In brief (thou bleſt Knight brave) thou q… at once

Valiant and vile, arm'd and unarmed ones.

Heer, thine even hand (even in a twinck trice)

In equall halves a Pagans head doth ſlyce:

Down on each ſhoulder looketh eyther half,

p. 23…o gaze upon his gaſtly Epitaph,

… lines of blood writ round about him fair,

…nder the curtain of his parted hair.

…eer, through a Jerkin (more than Musket proof)

…ade twelve-fold double of Eaſt-countrey Buff,

…lean through and through thy deadly ſhaft doth thrill

…gyants bulk; the wounded hulk doth reel:

…he head behind appears, before, the feathers:

…nd th' Ethnick ſoul flies both waies out togethers:

…eere thou doſt cleave, with thy keen fauchins force,

…he Bards and Breaſt-plate of a furious Horſe,

…o ſooner hurt, but he recoyleth back,

…riting his fortune in a bloody track:

…hy barbed dart, heer at a Chaldee flyes,

…nd in an inſtant lardeth both his thighes,

…hile he (blaſpheming his hard ſtars and ſtate)

…ops (Like a Pie) in ſtead of wonted gate.

Now LOT (the while) eſcapt from ELAMS hands,

…ree from the burden of his yron bands;

…ith juſt revenge retorts his taken wrong,

…is feet grow ſwift, his ſinews wexen ſtrong,

…is heart revives; and his revived heart

…upplies new ſpirits to all and every part.

p. 24And as a wilde and wanton Colt, got out

Of ſome great Stable, ſtaring ſcuds about;

Shakes his proud head and creſt, yerks out heels,

Butts at the ayre, beats on the humble fields,

His flying ſhadow now purſues amaine,

Anone (amaz'd) flies it as faſt againe,

Againe beholds it with ſelf-proud delight,

Lookes on his legs, ſets his ſtiffe taile right,

And neighs ſo loud to Mares beyond the Moun…

That with the noyſe the neighbour hills re… ſound:

So, one while Lot ſets on a Troop of Horſe,

A band of Sling-men he anone doth force,

Anone he puſheth through a Stand of Pikes,

A wing of Archers off anon he ſtrikes,

Anone he ſtalks about a ſteepfull Rock,

Where ſome, to ſhun deaths (never ſhunned ſtroak,

Had clambred-up; at length a path he ſpyes,

Where up he mounts, and doth their Mount ſ…priſe:

Whence, ſtones hee heaves, ſo heavie and huge,

That in our Age, three men could hardly bouge

Under whoſe weight his flying Foes he daſhes,

p. 25A…d in their fleſh, bones, ſtones, and ſteele hee paſhes:

…metimes he ſhoots, ſometimes he ſhakes a Pike,

…hich death to many, dread to all doth ſtrike.

…me in the breaſt he wounds, ſome in the backs,

…me on the hanch, ſome on the head he hacks,

… heaws downe all; and maketh where he ſtood

Mount of bodies in a Moat of blood.

At length the PAGANS wholly left the place.

…en both Sides ran; theſe chaſed, thoſe to chaſe:

…eſe only uſe their heels; thoſe heels and hands:

…oſe wiſh but a fair way: theſe that the ſands

…ould quickly gape, and ſwallow quick to Hell

…emſelves that fled, and them that ch…c't ſo, fell:

…eſe render nought but blows, thoſe nought but blood:

…oth ſides have broak their ranks: pel-mel they ſcud;

…hoakt-up with duſt, diſordered, diſ-aray'd:

… either Command, Threat, nor Intreat obey'd.

p. 26Thou that (late) bragdſt, that thy wh… Wormly brave

Could dry-foot run upon the liquid Wave,

And on the ſand leaving no print behinde

Out-ſwifted Arrows, and out-went the Win…

With a ſteel Dart, by ABRAH'M ſtifly ſent,

Art 'twixt thy Cuirace and thy Saddle ſlent:

And thou that thrice, neer Tigris ſilver ſource

Hadſt won the Bell, as beſt in every Courſe,

Art caught by LOT, and (thrild from ſide ſide)

Looſeſt thy ſpeed-praiſe, and thy life beſide.

It ſeems no Fight, but (rather as befals)

An execution of ſad criminals:

Who-ſo eſcapes the ſword, eſcapes not ſo

His ſad deſtruction; or, if any tho

Eſcap't at all, they were but (few at leaſt)

To rue the fatall ruine of the reſt:

For th' Uncle and the Nephew never lin,

Till out of CANAAN they have chec't th… clean:

Like to a Caſt of Falcons that purſue

A flight of Pigeons through the Welkin ble…

Stooping at this and that, that to their Louve…

(To ſave their lives) they hardly can recove…

p. 27ABRAHAM after feaſted Angels three,

Whom SODOMS cry brought from the Heavens hie;

…ile he with GOD was walking in the way,

… SODOM, GOD thus in him ſelf did ſay,

…m this good man I will no more conceale

… whole purpoſe: to him I will reveale.

…s is mine earand SODOM to deſtroy,

… their vile ſins I can not heare the cry:

…RAHAM at this ſpeach began to plead,

…r to ſave theſe that godly were indeed,

… ſpake for SODOM in humilitie,

…d brought the great GOD to ten from fiftie:

…t LOT alone was found; therefore in ire.

…D burnt theſe villains with a brimstone-fire:

…hile to this man GOD promiſde a reward:

…hold, ſaid he, ſuch things I not regard:

…hat ſhall I do with great heaps of riches?

…hat wilt thou give ſince that I go childleſſe?

…hat comfort have I to be heere or there?

…his ELIEZER, he muſt be mine heire.

…ot ſo, ſaid God, I ſpeake the veritie,

…s Stars in number ſo ſhall thy ſeed be:

…irſt unto him wilde ISHMAEL was borne,

…ho was caſt out both for his pride and ſcorne;

…ut after him came ISAAC at the laſt,

… Son after SARAHS custome was paſt:

p. 28GOD for ABRAHAMS faith to exerciſe,

Commanded him his Son to ſacrifice:

He ſuddainly (with timber, fire, and ſword,

Went to obey his great Creators word:

While he did lift his hand to bring the ſtroake

Spare, ſpare, cry'd GOD, thine only Son ISAA…

Thy faith to me hath ſhown what I would w…

Give me the Ram that caught is in the buſh:

Becauſe heere God did ABRAHAM ſolace,

IEHOVAH-JIREH called was the place:

After that SARAH ended had her life,

He took KETURAH for to be his wife;

To her children he gave gifts for partage,

But for ISAAC reſerv'd the heritage:

At laſt he di'd, after that he had beene

Of yeers a hundred, threeſcore and fifeteene

The Uſe.

Learne heere of good Abraham not to feare

To give to GOD what is to us moſt deare:

He was renown'd both for his workes and fai…

Let all men ſtrive to walk in the ſame path.

That they at last may get a heavenly crowne,

And with Abraham at Table ſit downe.

p. 29SARAI. My Miſtreſſe. SARAH. Miſtreſſe of a multitude.

MY Miſtreſſe Sarai, Sarah multitude,

The letter (H) a promiſe doth include:

…en thou was untill thy cuſtomes paſt,

… great JOVAH brought Iſaac at the laſt:

…en GOD did ſpeake thou leugh behinde the doore,

…s was thy fault, thou was reprov'd therefore:

…er thy Smiling Smelling of thy ſcorn,

…D made thee laugh after Iſaac was borne:

…s grave matron in houſe the moſt time ſpent;

…ere is Sarah? behold her in the tent:

Kiriatharbah Sarah ſick and pale,

…aſt by death laid down her mortall vale.

The Uſe.

… women all both old and young heere learne,

… love their tent more then the wine taverne:

… is most ſeemely that when any come

… ſeek them, then they finde them at their home:

p. 30The whoores marke is, as Solomon h… try'd,

Within the houſe her feet do not abide.

ISHMAEL. God ſhall heare.

ABRAHAMS Son, which Hagar firſt bear,

Doth ſignifie that God the Lord ſhall heare:

In younger yeares to ſcorne thou ſoone began

To perſecute, to live like a wild man:

Caſt out, ſaid Sarah, this fool full of rage,

For with Iſaac he ſhall have no partage.

The Uſe.

Take heede, O Youth, bee not like this … lorne,

Who wanting grace eartly began to ſcorn:

Fyon vaine man, who to ſcoff ſlily ſlips

VVith mouth awry, and his wide yavvni… lips,

No ſurer ſigne to be burnt vvith hells fire

Than on this earth to ſit in ſcorners chire.

p. 31ISAAC. Laughter or joy.

BEhold and ſee, Iſaac a joyfull name,

Which brings laughter to all that heare the ſame,

…r from his loins (as Scripture doth record)

…me JESUS CHRIST, our onelyonly KING and LORD.

…D was his fear, he liv'd a holy life,

…o concubine; Rebeccah was his wife:

…s firſt Son Eſau, by his veniſon

…id ſtill conquere his beſt affection;

…t great JOVAH, by Jacobs Kids did move

…im to beſtow the bleſſing on his love:

…o bleſſe Eſau he doth what he beſt can,

…t his blinde eyes can not diſcerne the man:

…is hearing eare ſoone Jacobs voice did know,

…ut the Kid-skinnes ſaid ſure, this is Eſau:

…e living long after his eyes were loſt,

…ld full of dayes at laſt gave up the ghoſt.

The Uſe.

…o be profaine, to ravell eke forbeare,

…earne of good Iſaac the great God to fear:

p. 32Too many luske in ſloath and loſe that gai…

At firſt they wex, at laſt they do but wain…

Let us therefore our falſe hearts ſift ſo neer…

That of ſuch guilt, the Lord may hold us cl…

In good Iſaac this comfort men may finde

That good men may be dumb, or deaf, or bl…

REBEKAH. Fat, luſtie.

REBEKAH fat, and in body luſty,

A wife for Iſaac pleaſant to the eye

Bethuels Labans fathers brothers love

Her heart to ſtay from Iſaac could not move:

Heare now, ſaid they, the Damſells yea or no;

I will, ſaid She moſt gladly to him go.

Shee meeting Iſaac in the evening tide,

Under a vaile her comely face did hide;

She lighted down with moſt hearty ſubmiſſion

Her vaile declar'd her moſt humble ſubjection

She feared GOD, She loved the right path,

Her ſoule abhor'd the vile idoles of Heth:

The Sprite of GOD her holy heart did move,

To like the Lad, whom GOD himſelf did lo…

Iſaac lov'd Eſau; She lov'd Jacob beſt,

The man whom GOD allowed to be bleſt:

p. 33… wonder how a woman this could finde

…herein Iſaac God ſeer was ſo blinde.

The Uſe.

…hold how GOD to baſer will reveale,

…hat which he will from cleare ſeers conceale:

…is graces where he likes do ſpring and ſprout,

…oſt free he is elſe where to ſend them out:

…he weakſt veſſell he for his ſervice

…n steele and ſtrengthen, without prejudice.

ESAU. Made, perfected.

BEhold ESAU made perfect like a Lade,

Of greater ſtrength, not weakly like a Babe:

… his great ſtrength a paſſage he did finde,

…nd left poor Jacob at his heels behinde:

…ed he was; now heare the expoſition,

…holerick cruell without all compaſſion:

…he red Dragon to all did ſignifie,

…hat redneſſe is a ſigne of crueltie:

…hile other babes are borne both ſmooth and bare,

…ll of him was like mantle of haire:

p. 34What others ſay, from you I will not hide,

The Greek tranſlateth all like a rough hide:

This man profane, as is in Scripture told

His birthright ſpent, yea, it for potage ſold:

This Belly-god to his eternall ſhame

From red potage got Edom for his name:

Hated of GOD, profane in all his cariage,

With godleſſe Heth he matched in his mariag…

He liv'd a Prince, ſojourning in Mount Seir

He turn'd his back upon his fathers fear.

The Uſe.

Beware with Eſau for an earthlie thing

For back or belly, to loſſe the bleſſing:

Better it is in open field to ly,

Quiv'ring for cold no cov'ring but the sky

Pinch'd with famine like a pale feeble wig…

Then for this earth Gods good bleſſings to ſli…

JACOB. The heele.

HEere is the man ſo called from the heele,

Who for wreſtling was called Iſrael

Belov d of GOD, as ſoone as he began,

p. 35Prince with God, that ſhould prevaile with man:

…e youngeſt twin, beloved of his mother,

…t for GODS grace d…ſdained of his brother:

…hen he bleſſed perceiv'd his brothers eye

…arkling with fire, to Laban he did flie:

… lodge at home for him it was not ſafe,

… paſt Jordan a poore man with his ſtaffe:

… this journey he lighted on a place

…z, called Bethel, becauſe of GODS grace:

… ladder there he ſaw in his good dreame,

…oſe top did reach unto the Starrie Heav'n:

… this ladder the Angels Sprits of love

…ent down and up, JEHOVAH ſtood above;

…m thence he ſpake to Iacob in his dreame,

…m thy GOD, who am the GOD of H…av'n;

…s land ſhall thee and als thy children feede,

… will give to thee and to thy ſeede:

…ill thee bleſſe with great posteritie;

… all the earth in thee ſhall bleſſed be:

…ile this wreſtler who in wreſtling did weep,

…rd thus GOD ſpeak, he wakened out of ſleepe,

… heart trembled, and pale was all his face

… ſaid afraide, how dreadfull is this place?

…mble all, most fearfull is this dreame:

… is Gods houſe, this is the gate of Heav'n:

p. 36At laſt he came unto the land of Padan,

Where for a ſpace he ſerved uncle Laban:

In faith and truth he ſerv'd with all his migh…

Spent with dayes heat, and with the frost night:

For labour Laban did his daughter ſell,

But blear'd Leah he gave for fair Rachel;

To ſerve ſeven yeeres the bargan had made,

For beautie; but the bleare eyes came to bed:

Jacob at laſt to make all oddes even

Reſolv'd for Rachel to ſerve other ſeven:

Of Labans ſervice at laſt he wearie,

With both his wives conſtrained was to flie;

Then uncle Laban hotly him purſu'd.

But great IEHOVAH his ſervant reſcu'd:

GOD came to Laban in the night, and ſaid,

Take heede to ſpeake to Jacob good or bad:

My daughters to Jacob was Labans word,

Are like poore captives taken by the ſword:

What haſt thou done? wherefore didſt thou flee?

In ſo doing thou haſt done fooliſhly:

Behold one thing, which meriteth the rods,

Thou art a theefe, why haſt thou ſtolne my gods?

Why haſt thou thus of my love made a rent?

Behold they are ſtolne and hid in thy tent:

p. 37From tent to tent, laſt he came to Rachel,

But where thy were theſe dumb gods could not tell;

At laſt Laban no more would Iacob grieve,

But to returne, reſolv'd to take his leave:

For Rachels ſake and Leahs he did g…ant

To make with Iacob a ſure Covenant:

Of many ſtones they made a goodly heape

Upon the which they did together eate:

This heape of witneſſe by godly Jacob

…n Hebrew tongue was called GILEAD:

…ut this great heap in words of SYRIA

…ABAN called Jegar Sahadutha:

…fter kiſſing, and bleſſing for a ſpace.

…is children, LABAN return'd to his place.

…hen this was paſt, behold ESAU with boaſt,

…ut God did meet his ſervant with an hoaſt:

…hen this was done, the great God eternall

…reſtled with Jacob long in Peniel:

…hey ſtrove all night unto the light of day,

…ow let me go to JACOB God did ſay:

…o, ſaid JACOB, a bleſſing firſt appoint

…o me, whoſe thigh thou haſt thruſt out of joint:

…hy name, ſaid God, hence ISRAEL ſhall be;

…revaile with man, thou haſt prevail'd with me▪

…ehold now Eſau with foure hundred men,

…ehold alſo the love of theſe brethren;

p. 38Behold JACOB ſeven times hee bowes knee;

ESAU him meets, and kiſſeth lovingly:

They weepe, they kiſſe, in others armes goe,

ESAU content, will be no more a foe.

Is this feare paſt, a new ſorrow doth come

His dear Dinah defil'd by Hamors ſonne:

How his two ſons did make his name to ſtin…

By Sichems blood, it hurts my heart to think…

He purg'd his ho…ſe of all idolatrie,

Their idole gods he hide under a tree:

As he did paſſe f'om Ephrath to Bethel,

Death came and tooke from him his fair Rac…

From this ſorrow having a little breath,

Behold another by his fathers death:

REUBEN his ſonne defiled had his bed

As though with bread, he was with ſorr… fed.

This prickt his heart, and this his bowels ſm…

When he did ſee good JOSEPHS bloody coat

This holy man ſo toſſ'd with griefe and ſtrife,

Paſt ſo the few and ill yeares of his life.

At laſt on bed moſt ready for to die,

To all his ſonnes he left a Legacie;

To ſome reproofs, to ſome comforts moſt ſw…

When he had done, he gathred up his feet.

p. 39The Uſe.

… ſerve how God of twins can one forſake,

…d th' other chooſe, ev'n for his mercies ſake:

… one he did love, becauſe it did him pleaſe,

… th' other he abhorr'd to caſt his eyes,

… hated infant, an abhorr'd Eſau.

…efore that ever this worlds light he ſaw.

… Jacob learne to get thee haſtilie

…rre from an Eſaus wicked companie,

…ith ſtaffe in hand, where God ſhall thee direct,

…r wicked men moſt hurtfully infect.

… Jacob learne when thou begins to pray,

… wreſtle well, and not let God away

…ll he thee bleſſe, though it were all the night;

…cob prevail d not till the day vvas light:

… Jacob learne, if thou a Laban ſerve,

…oſt vvatchfully his goods all to preſerve;

…hough he churliſh have not to thee regard,

…hou ſhalt not faile to get the LORDS revvard.

…earne heere to look for ſable clouds of grief,

…fore death bring full and finall releefe.

p. 40REUBEN. See a ſonne.

HEre ſee a Sonne, for REUBEN is his na…

With vile inceſt, he did himſelfe defame

Becauſe his ſinne was grievous in Gods ſight,

Of th… firſt-borne this REUBEN loſt the right

LEVI, Judah, and JOSEPH, for his ſpot,

His Crown, portion, and als his Prieſthood go…

Becauſe he weept with a repenting eye,

Let Reuben live, (ſaid MOSES) and not die.

The Uſe.

Great loſſe by ſin yet if we can repent,

The LORD in mercy ſhall make up our rent:

Beware of ſin, flee farre from it anone,

Lest that thou heare, thy dignitie is gone.

SIMEON. Hearing.

BEcauſe the LORD did LEAHS prayer heare…

She call'd him SIMEON when She did hi… beare:

In MOSES writs ſo fa… as they us tell,

Of his brethren he was the moſt cruell.

p. 41H… heard not GOD, nor yet good JACOBS voice,

… ſhed much blood he gladly did rejoice;

… get of SICHEM his cruell intent,

… vilely did abuſe GODS Sacrament,

… any reading hardly can I try,

…hy MOSES bleſſing the reſt, paſt him by.

The Uſe.

…ere learne in wrongs thine anger to aſſwage,

…ODS pen doth curſe all ſinfull wrath and rage;

…t men beware either to do or think,

…t which may make their parents name to ſtinke.

LEVI. Joining.

BIrth of Children in huſbands breaſts doth coine

…ew love, which makes their tender hearts to joine:

…r this chiefe cauſe, as in the hiſtorie

… manifeſt, LEAH call'd him LEVI;

…mong theſe tribes this LEVI was the prieſt,

p. 42With Vrim Tummim on his holy breaſt:

Becauſe he bare the Sword of crueltie,

His race in JACOB ſcattred was to be.

The Uſe.

Learne this before to doe ill thou begin,

Divide and ſcatter are the fruits of ſin:

The ſins of men great Tribes do ſpoile a… ſpill,

For this cauſe ſorrowes them pinch pierce, thrill:

If we feare GOD, hee ſuch griefs ſhall preſse;

Yea, kill our cares, and calme ſtormes diſtreſſe.

But if we joine with Levi to ſhed blood,

To rage and roare, as men in a mad moo…

Wee ſhall at laſt with confuſion be cloathe…

Wrapped in ſhame, diſperſde, deſpiſde, and thed.

JUDAH. Praiſe.

THis is the King, the great God will him rai…

This is the man whom his brethren ſhall praiſe

p. 43…e ſhall be LORD, his ſhall be the Kingdome,

…ntill the time that great SHILOH ſhall come:

…his is the man enrich'd with gifts divine,

…eth white with milk, and als eyes red with wine;

…oth grave and wiſe he was, as may appeare,

… that his ſpeach made for Benjamin dear:

…is was his fault from vice he was not pure,

…e lay with TAMAR, masked like a whoore.

The Uſe.

…et men heere learne, who have received grace,

… feare, to faile, and fall into diſgrace:

… men be looſe, when as they ſhould be cheſt,

…hey may at last, fall into vile incest.

ZEBULON. Dwelling.

THis is the ſixt, a rich and good dowry,

Said LEAH, JACOB now will dwell with mee:

…is younger ſonne then ISSACHAR, and yet

…e was before him at the bleſſing ſet,

… rich merchant appointed for to be,

… ſtately ſhips ſailling on the deep ſea.

p. 44The Uſe.

Obſerve heere how the great Jovah comman…

Some to be King, ſome Prieſt, and ſom… Merchands.

ISSACHAR. An hire.

FIft Sonne of LEAH thy name is a hire,

Great reſt and eaſe were chiefly thy deſire:

When reſt and eaſe to thee were brought … paſſe,

Betweene two burdens, thou crouch'd like an aſſe.

The Uſe.

Take heed, beware, this is a great diſeaſe,

To loiter and to ſeeke our carnall eaſe.

DAN. Judgement

THe mightie God his peoples cheefe refuge

Hath ſet apart this DAN to be a JUDGE:

His enemies he ſhall pull downe and ſlay,

Mighty by wiles, an Adder in the way:

p. 45… teeth in heeles of horſe he fixeth faſt,

…ill flatlings the rider fall at laſt.

The Uſe.

…at good for God we cannot doe by might,

…e muſt performe it by a holy ſlight.

GAD. A troup, an armie.

…AD in thy name is both troup and armie,

Yet for a ſpace thou ſhalt diſtreſſed be:

… time ſhall come when thy dangers are paſt,

…t thou thy foes ſhall overcome at laſt.

The Uſe.

…re not to ſee good men goe under foot,

… laſt the bad ſhall periſh branch and root.

ASHER. Bleſſing.

VVOrthy ASHER, I can not paſſe from thee,

… name containes bleſſe and felicite:

p. 46None ſhall be able thy bleſſings to ſpoile,

Thy bread is fat, thou dips thy feete in oyle.

The Uſe.

Heere learne that Jovah riches doth beſto…

On ſome, making their Cup to overflow.

NAPHTALI. My wreſtling.

VVHile I behold this wreſtler in my mi…

I ſee him ſwift, light-footed, li… a Hinde;

When in Battell he prevailed by Swords,

In praiſe to GOD he gave right goodly Words.

The Uſe.

Heere learne when GOD in war gives vict…

With goodly words to praiſe him thankfull…

JOSEPH. Adding.

I Adde to ſpeak of JOSEPH the firſt borne,

Of faire RACHEL, whom grace did mu… adorne:

p. 47This is the Lad, conſider well and try,

…or dreams, and coat the object of envy:

…rom doing ill his brethren could not fit,

…aſt Maſter Dreamer now into a pit:

…y Reubens merciemercy (this poore Iſralite)

…as drawne out, and ſold to an Iſmalite;

…fter by GODS aſſiſtance Singular,

…n Egypt he was ſold to Potiphar,

… that land (by GODS mercy and great might)

…e found great favour in his Maſters ſight;

… are in beaut…e he was and chaſtitie,

…s vile Miſtreſſe on him did caſt an eye;

…ut no propins could him allure or move,

…o yeeld unto that moſt vile ſtrumpets love;

…ecauſe of this, by a ſort of tr…aſon,

…haſte JOSEPH was caſt into a priſon,

…herefore a ſpace he did abide much griev'd

…y dreams againe he ſhortly was reliev'd:

…y the firſt Dreame he reſtor'd the Butler,

…ut by the next he hanged the Baker:

…y ſo doing he conquer'd a great name,

…o that Pharo was moved with his fame:

…he ears of corne, and kine, both fat and leane,

…ade Pharao ſeeke the meaning of his dreame;

…hough many there in learning did excell,

…et none but JOSEPH could the meaning tell;

…hen was he high lift up to dignitie,

p. 48The voice of all was ABRECH, bow the …

When he had to this honour great attain'd

His father and his brethren he maintain'd:

At laſt his father on the bed of death,

Pow'd out this bleſſing with a holy breath.

JACOBS Bleſſing for JOSEPH.

TO thee, JOSEPH, my heart did muccline,

Thou art the bough of a moſt fruitfull Vine:

His brethen, Miſtreſſe, cauſers of his ſmart

Like bloody Archers ſorely griev'd his heart:

But faith his bow and armes of vertues ſtro…

Abode in ſtrength theſe enemies among:

It was not his ſtrength, but the arme of Go…

The hands of the mighty God of JACOB:

Bleſſings below, and heav'ns bleſſings ſureli…

Bleſſings of breaſts, and wombe belong to th…

God ſhall not faile my bleſſings to fullfill,

Sure ſhall they be unto the outmoſt hill;

Eternall bleſſings ſhall come with g…eat ſpeed

Like glorious garlands for to crown thine hea…

Father ISAAC gave great bleſſings to me,

But greater bleſſings I ſhall give to thee.

p. 49The Uſe.

…hough many ſorrowes godly hearts do wound,

…et at the laſt great comforts ſhall abound:

…hough men to priſon go, and to the ſtocks,

… toſſed be, as ſhips among great rocks,

…r be ſo greev'd, that they can not a little,

…v'n but get leave to ſwallow dovvne their ſpettle,

…et if on God their faith ſhall fix its eye,

…hey with Joſeph a good outgate ſhall ſee.

BENJAMIN. Son of the right hand.

AT thy bitth Rachel was in hard labour,

Therefore thy name was ſon of my dolour,

…t thy birth JACOB his deare RACHEL loſt,

…hen thou waſt borne, ſhe yeelded up the ghoſt:

…ot ſonne of ſorrow JACOB did command,

…hee to be cal'd but ſonne of the right hand.

…ow BENjAMIN come hither unto me,

…hat thou may heare what thy bleſſing ſhall be:

…hou ſtrong in war thy fierceſt foes ſhall foile,

…irſt overcome, and laſt divide the ſpoile.

p. 50The Uſe.

Without children Rachel ſhe vvould but …

Hovv brittle are ſuch pleaſures heere yee …

In this bleſſing let all men learne thus fa…

That it is God that makes men ſtout in …

MOSES. Dravvn out.

THis Sonne of AMRAM, and of JOCHEB…

Gods good people through many dan…led;

When he was borne he was a goodly child,

In all his life he was both meeke and milde;

From drawing out at firſt he got his name,

His vertues after ſpread abroad his fame:

With JOCHEBED three months he did abid…

For PHAROS fear ſhe durſt him no more hid…

Poore mothers bowels heere behold and ma…

She made for him of Bulruſhes an Arke:

She made great haſte, and ſtirred well her tim…

The Arke with pitch ſhe dawbed, and with ſh…

Thus was good Moſes ſet upon the River,

In a poore Boat without an Oare or Ruther:

While proud Nilus her brinks did overflow,

This young Boat-man could neither ſtirre nor ro…

p. 51Judge ye what griefe poore Jochebed did feele

…hile ſhe thought of the Nilus Crocodile:

…hen Moſes thus did ly among the ruſh,

…ing Pharos daughter came her ſelf to waſh

…mong the flags, the Ark ſhe did eſpy,

…herein babe Moſes did weep bitterly.

…las, ſaid ſhe, with great compaſſion,

…his is ſome Babe of th' Hebrew Nation:

… ſoone as Miriam heard this good ſaying,

…e ready was an Hebrew Nurſe to bring:

…en Pharos daughter earnſt'ly did deſire

…chebed nurſe, and ſhe to pay the hire:

When he was growen, one day he did eſpy

… man of Egypt ſmiting bitterly

… Iſraelite, both with his foot and hand,

…oſes him ſlew, and hid him in the ſand:

…t afterward he perceiving two other,

… Iſraelite, even ſmiting his own brother;

… th' one he ſaid, God doth not this allow,

…ou art perverſe in ſmitting thy fellow.

…ho made thee Judge? anſw'red this perverſe man,

…ilt thou me kill as thou didſt th' Egyptian.

… is matter (ſaid MOSES) is come to light,

… refuge is to ſave my life by flight:

…n MOSES from the land of Egypt fled,

… to the land of Midian, where he fed,

p. 52The flock of JETHRO in a painfull life,

Who gave to him his ZIPPORAH for wife:

In this meane time (as by GODS word we ſe…

PHARO the tyran of Egypt did die;

Gods people then their burdens did bemone,

God with reſpect did heare their ſighs and gro…

As MOSES fed the flock at Mount SINAH,

There in a fire appear'd the great JOVAH:

The fire the buſh did burne, but not conſume

VVith ſhooes on feet MOSES did then preſ…

For to draw neere; he heard this divine ſoun…

Pull off thy ſhoes, for this is holy ground;

I am the great Almighty Lord he ſaid,

To look on God then MOSES was affraid:

I have ſaid God with much compaſſion

Seene of my people the great affliction:

On Iſraels back the burdens deep furrowes

Have made, and now I pittie their ſorrowes

Go to that Tyran with thy little rod,

And tell that thou art ſent from the great Go…

How ſhall I goe? ſaid MOSES, I thy name

Know not, if thy people enquire the ſame:

Say thou, ſaid God, by my commandement

I AM THAT I AM hath me ſurely ſent.

Oh, ſaid Moſes, they will not believe me,

Where will they ſay, did GOD appeare to the …

They ſhall, ſaid GOD, know that I have thee

p. 53…aſt downe thy rod, and lo it a ſerpent;

…gaine behold a rod it ſhall become:

…nother ſigne ſhall be in thy boſome:

…t in thine hand and ſee it white as ſnow,

…d whole againe, that they may clearely know

…at thou by GOD Almighty haſt beene ſent,

…d what thou doſt is by commandement.

…as, ſaid Moſes, my words hardly flow,

…er both my ſpeach and als my tongue is ſlow.

… are not, ſaid GOD, let not that cauſe thee griefe

…rme the ſpeach, I make thee dumb and deaf.

…, ſaid Moſes, mine heart I cannot frame,

… go this earand to ſpeake in thy name:

…en GOD with Moſes in great anger chod,

…on a mouth ſhall be, and thou as GOD:

… as afterward theſe noble brethren two

…ent on, and ſtood before the great Pharo:

…mmanding him with great authoritie,

… free GODS people from captivitie:

…cauſe that this King thus hardned his heart,

…ten great plagues his Kingdome felt the ſmart.

The ten plagues of Egypt contained in five Latine verſe.

…ma rubens unda, Ranarum plaga ſecunda,

…e culex triſtis; post Muſca nocentior istis

p. 54Quinta pecus ſtravit; Authraces ſexta …vit;

Poſt ſequitur grando, poſt Bruchus dente fando;

Nona tegit ſolem; primam nec at ultima pro…

The ten plagues of Egypt in Engliſh verſe.

Blood firſt, then frogs, and third the l… filthie;

Fourth after all theſe came the noiſom flie,

The fift upon the beasts vvas the murrai…

Sixt lothſome boiles breakeing foorth vv… great blaine;

Seventh haile, eight locuſts, and the nin… darkeneſse;

Laſt on the firſt borne both death and diſt…

In other verſe.

Blood, frogs and lice, a mixed ſvvarme

Murraine that beaſts annoyde;

Boiles, haile, locuſts and darkneſse thick;

The firſt borne all deſtroyde.

p. 55VVHen this was done, MOSES with his armie

…ent with all haſt towards the deep red ſea;

…ere Iſrael enrich'd with great butin,

…gainſt MOSES began ſo to mutin;

…n both ſides mountaines, and the ſea before,

…hold PHARO behind us to devore:

… Moſes now the cauſe of our diſtreſſe,

…ou haſt us brought to die in wilderneſſe.

… and ſtill, ſaid Moſes, ſtay your paſſion,

…d ye ſhall ſee the Lords ſalvation:

…retch out thy hand, ſaid God, over the ſea,

…d by thy rod devided ſhall it be;

…en Moſes his hand of ſtrong faith out-ſtretched,

… an Eaſt wind the deep ſea was divided:

…hen Iſrael this great comfort had found,

…mong waters they walked on drie ground:

…e mighty Lord made way unto them all,

…e waters were on every ſide a wall;

…hen with an armie PHARO them purſu'd,

…ut (overwhelm'd with waves) they were ſubdu'd;

…y let us flee, ſaid they, and turne the heeles;

…ut great JOVAH tooke off their charet wheeles.

…ODS Iſra'l had (in all this fearfull tide)

… Cloud for ſconce, and als a Fire for guide:

p. 56At laſt Iſra'l ſaved both leſſe and more,

Saw Pharos hoaſt dead upon the Sea ſhore;

Then Moſes with the people ſpake, ſaying,

A ſong of praiſe to JOVAH let us ſing.

The Song of Moſes at the red Sea.

I Will novv ſing unto the Lord,

for he hath gloriouſly

Triumphed over all his foes,

novv drovvn'd in the red Sea;

2 The Lord he is my Strength and Song,

and my Salvation;

I gladly vvill prepare for him

an habitation.

3 With frothy deepths God covered them,

this work he did alone.

His heavy wrath did preſse them ſo,

they ſanke down like a ſtone.

4 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become

moſt glorious in great power:

Thine arme, and thy right hand thy foes

have novv daſht all to povvder.

p. 575 Thou haſt thy foes now overthrown

in great excellencie:

…hou ſentest foorth thy fearfull wrath,

that they conſum'd might be;

And with the blaſt of thy noſtrils

the waters gathered there;

he floods stood upright as an heap

the deepths congealed were:

The en'my ſaid, I will purſue,

them will I overtake,

will divide the ſpoile, my lust

on them novv vvill I vvreake:

It is novv time to dravv my Svvord,

them vvill I all deſtroy:

purpoſe novv to make an end,

and this ſhall be my joy:

But thou, O Lord, vvith thy great vvinde,

moſt fearfully did blovv:

…hey ſanke as lead in vvaters deep,

the vvaves did overflovv:

Who is like unto thee, O Lord,

amongſt the greateſt gods?

…ho is like thee ſo glorious

ſo mighty by thy rods?

p. 5811 Thou stretchedſt out thy ſtrong right h…

Earth ſwallowed them wholly;

In mercy thou led foorth thine owne

whom thou hadſt bought dearly:

12 The people all ſhall heare of this,

and they ſhall be afraide;

The indwellers of Palestine

with grief ſhall be diſmaide;

13 The Duks of Edom all amaz'd,

with Moab tremble ſhall,

The indwellers of Canaan,

ſhall melt away and fall.

14 Both feare and dread ſhall fall on them

by strength of thine army;

Ʋntill Iſra'l paſſe over, they

ſtill as a ſtone ſhall be:

15 Thou ſtrong ſhalt bring them in, and

them in thine holy place,

Even in thy ſanctuary, O Lord,

eſtabliſh'd by thy grace:

16 The Lord ſhall reigne for evermore,

moſt like a mighty King;

For he on Pharo and his hoſt

the loftie waves did bring,

p. 5917 But as for his deare Iſrael,

in bottome of the Sea:

…tweene two walls of waters deep

they went both ſure and dry.

Miriams ſong at the red Sea.

THen Miriam the Propheteſſe,

the ſiſter of Aaron,

…anced with women skilfully,

playing Timbrels upon.

And Miriam thus anſwerde them,

praiſe God moſt joyfully;

or he the rider and his horſe

hath drown'd in the red Sea.

AFter all this Iſra'l in wilderneſſe,

Of Shur by thirſt did ſuffer great diſtreſſe:

…hat ſhall we drink? ſaid they, ah ſhall we die?

…hen Moſes cry'd, and GOD ſhew'd him a tree:

…ith this tree Moſes direct'd by GODS ſprite,

…t Marah made the bitter waters ſweet:

…rom thence to Sin he did the people lead

p. 60Who did murmur becauſe they wanted brea…

There God the Lord did feed that numb… hoaſt

With ſweet Mannah, round, ſmall as the froſt:

Againe for thirſt Iſra'l at Rephidim,

Did murmur againſt the great God of Heav'…

Then God his ſervant Moſes did command,

To ſmite the rock with his rod in his hand;

For chiding, ſtriving, heere with great Iovah,

The place was call'd Maſſah and Meribah;

God by Moſes his people did protect,

In that great battell againſt Amalek,

His heavy hands Aaron and Hur did ſtay,

By his prayers Iſra'l prevail'd that day:

By his prayers they got the victory.

He built the Altar Jehovah Niſſi.

At Horeb, where before he did keep ſheepe,

Iethro him brought his wife and children eke:

When Iethro had to him counſell imparted,

To his owne land from Moſes he departed:

Then Moſes went up to God on Sinai,

Who did direct him, all theſe words to ſay,

What I have done in Egypt yee did ſee,

On Eagles wings I bare you tenderlie:

Now therefore if yee will obey my voice,

Above all people ye ſhall be my choiſe;

p. 61… Prieſts to me, ye ſhall be a kingdome,

… treaſure deare, an holy Nation.

…at ſaid, Moſes, a man filled with grace,

…id all theſe words before the peoples face:

…en all the people anſw'red him unto,

… that the Lord hath ſpoken we will doe;

…e to, goe to, to Moſes God did ſay,

… …pare Iſrael to morrow and to day,

… the third day with glory and renown,

…fore Iſra'l I minde for to come downe;

…ke heed for if man, or heaſt that have breath,

…t touch the mount they ſhall be put to death:

… any touch, the mount they ſhall be then

…ot throw, or ſtoned whether beaſts or men:

…t to come up to them it ſhall belong,

…hen they ſhall heare the Trumpet ſounding long:

… the third day thundrings and lightnings paſt,

…e cloud and Trumpet made them all agaſt;

…en ſmoak and fire on SINAH for a ſpace,

…cended as the ſmoak of a furnace;

…en all the people trembled fearfully,

…a the mount SINAH quaked all greatly:

…en God came down whom MOSES heard and ſaw,

…d in two Tables wrot his fierie Law:

…hile MOSES was upon the mount with God,

…ey made a calf as if they had beene mad,

p. 62Of Egypts ſpoile to make it they were bold,

Even of Gods gifts, they had no other gold

They ate, they dranke, and then roſe up to p…

Behold thy gods foole ISRAEL could ſay;

Go get thee downe, ſaid God to MOSES th…

For thy people are rather beaſts then men:

Let me alone, intreat not for this fall,

For in furie I will conſume them all:

Oh, ſaid Moſes, why doth thy wrath wax

Againſt Iſra'l, thine heritage and lot?

Think on Abraham, Iſaac, and Iſra'l,

On thy people let not thine anger fall:

While this grief Moſes in his heart did feele

The Lord in haſt repented of the evill:

Then Moſes ſwiftly from the mount went do…

And brought with him the worthie ſonne of …

While he and Moſes from the Camp were far…

Good Joſhuah ſaid I heare a noiſe of war;

But old Moſes with his diſcerning eare,

Said not, but voice of ſinging do I heare;

When he came neere and ſaw that filthie blot,

A golden idol, not Gods childrens ſpot,

He brake Gods Tables in his kindled ire,

The golded Calf he burnt into the fire;

He ground it ſmall, and ſtraw'd it in their dri…

That they an idole, not God might it think:

Then Moſes wroth, unto the Levits cri'd,

p. 63… every man his ſharpe ſword by his ſide:

…e through the camp, your brethren gorre and ſlay,

…at the great God you all may bleſſe this day:

…en the Levits theſe wicked men had ſlaine,

…to the mount Moſes return'd againe:

God be ſaid, alas while I behold,

a'l hath made unto them gods of gold:

…ve mercy, Lord, with eyes of pitie looke,

…don, or elſe me blot out of thy Booke:

…w goe, ſaid God, as I ſhall give thee grace,

…duct Iſra'l unto my promiſ'd place;

…aite my time, when once I ſhall begin,

… viſit; they ſhall ſuffer for their ſinne.

…ter this MOSES, faithfull, full of grace

…d great deſire, to ſee the Lords ſweet face;

…HOVAH good to hear him was not ſlack,

… ſpare his life he let him ſee his back.

What verſe, what pen can paint this great Divine,

…hoſe face JOVAH made with his face to ſhine?

…ith God on SINAH fourtie dayes he paſt,

…l this time he kept a moſt ſolemne faſt:

…here of JOVAH whoſe wiſedome doth excell,

…e learn'd the Laws which he taught Iſrael,

… him God moſt excellent gifts did give,

…e was the meekeſt that on earth did live:

p. 64Of yeeres he liv'd a hundred and twentie,

Without weakneſſe and d…mneſſe of the eye:

Becauſe at MASSAH he fail'd in his faith,

Of CANAAN he might not tread the path:

To climb NEBO the LORD did him comman…

That he might ſee from thence the holy land.

When this was done this man of GOD did die

In MOAB land, where GOD did him burie:

Before or after came none in his place,

Who knew JOVAH ſo clearly face to face.

The Song of Moſes before his death.

THE PREFACE.

O Pleaſant heavens that are above,

with diligence give eare;

And I will ſpeake; O earth below,

the wordes of my mouth heare:

2 My doctrine ſhall drop as the raine,

my ſpeach as dew ſhall paſſe;

As ſmall raine on the tender herbe,

and ſhowres upon the graſse.

p. 653 Becauſe I ſurely will publiſh

the bleſt name of the Lord:

… greatneſſe therefore to Gods name,

aſcribe with one accord.

I. PART.

HEE is the rock, his worke perfect,

all his wayes judgement be;

… God of trueth, and without ſin,

moſt juſt and right is He:

They have corrupt themſelves, their ſpot

is not the ſpot alwayes

his children, they are perverſe,

a race of crooked wayes.

Ʋnwiſe people! doe yee the Lord

thus requite? is not He

…y father buyer? hath he not

made and eſtabliſh'd thee?

Remember ye the dayes of old,

yeeres paſt conſider well:

…ke thy father he will thee ſhew,

thy Elders will thee tell.

When the moſt High for nations

did heritage divide;

p. 66Sufficient bounds for Iſrael,

he wiſely did provide;

9 For the Lord for his portion hath

his people without blot;

Jacob is his inheritance,

appointed as by lot;

10 He found him in a deſert land,

and waſte wilderneſſe, hee

Him led, inſtructed, and him kept,

as th' Apple of his eye.

11 As an Eagle ſtir's up her nest,

fluttreth her young upon,

Her wings doth ſpread, and taketh them

to carry them thereon,

12 So the good Lord alone did him

lead in all wayes ſafelie,

And there with him was no ſtrange god

in all that company.

13 He made them ride on Canaan high,

that he th' increaſe might eat;

He made him ſucke honey and oyle,

that were in rocks most ſweet:

14 Butter of kine, and milk of ſheepe

he gave to every man,

p. 67…ith fat of Lambes, and alſo Rams,

of the bread of Baſhan.

…e gave them goats vvith the fat of

Kidneyes, of Wheat right good;

…nd thou didst of the ſvveet grapes drink

the pure Wine, red like blood.

II. PART.

BƲt Jeſhurun vvho ſhould have beene

most righteous, did kick:

…ou art exceeding vvaxed fat;

thou art alſo grovvn thick.

…ou covered art vvith fatneſſe, then

His Maker he forſook,

…nd of his ſure ſalvations rock

no care at all he took.

With ſtrange gods they provoked Him

unto great jealouſie;

…ith great abominations they

mov'd Him to be angrie.

They ſacrificed unto dev'ls,

to gods whom they not knew,

…hom your fathers did never fear,

becauſe they were but new.

p. 6818 Thou art unmindfull of the Rock

that did thee once beget,

And the Lord God that formed thee

thou did'ſt alwayes forget.

IIII. PART.

AND when the Lord ſaw it, he did

ahhorre them all anone:

Becauſe of the provokeing of

both Daughter, and of Son.

20 He ſaid, I will my face from them

hide, and I will now ſee

Their end, they are a froward race,

in whom no faith can be.

21 With that which is not god they have

me mov'd to jealouſie,

They have me to anger provok'd,

with their great vanitie:

I them alſo to jealouſie,

with ſuch as are no flock,

Will move; them to anger with fooles,

I ſurely will provoke.

22 For in my wrath fire kindled is,

ſuch as no tongue can tell;

p. 69…t ſhall not ceaſe alwayes to burne,

even to the loweſt hell:

And ſhall conſume the earth with her

increaſe, poor mans deſire,

And the foundations of the mount

ſhall ſurely ſet on fire.

3 A heap of miſchiefs upon them

I certainly will ſend;

alſo upon them in wrath

mine arrovves vvill novv ſpend.

4 They ſhall conſumed be and burnt,

vvith paine of hunger great;

…nd ſuddainly ſhall be devour'd,

vvith a moſt burning heat:

…nd vvith bitter deſtruction

I vvill als on them thruſt

…he teeth of beaſts, vvith the poyſon

of ſerpents of the dust:

… The ſvvord vvithout, terrour vvithin,

ſhall destroy, and not ſpare,

…e young man, virgin, the ſuckling,

vvith the man of gray haire:

… I ſaid, I vvould into corners

them quickly ſcatter, then

p. 70I would make their rememberance

to ceaſe from among men;

27 Were it not that I the great wrath

fear'd of the enemie;

Leſt their vaine adverſaries ſhould

behave themſelves ſtrangly,

And leſt that they (puft up with pride)

ſhould ſay theſe wordes right ſoone,

Our hand is now high, and the Lord

hath not all this work done.

28 For they are a vaine nation,

of wholeſome counſell voide:

Neither in their hearts fooliſh doth

understanding abide.

29 O that they were wiſe, ſo that they

this clearely underſtood;

That they would now their latter end

conſider for their good.

30 How ſhould but one a thouſand chaſe,

and two als put to flight

Ten thouſand, if their Rock had not

then ſold and ſhut up right?

32 For their rock in no way is as

our Rock that is mightie,

p. 71…ee ſeeke no other this to judge

but our owne enemie:

…2 Of Sodom and Gomorrahs field

their vine I truely call,

…heir great cluſters are moſt bitter,

their grapes are grapes of gall.

…3 Their wine is Dragons poiſon, which

from theſe grapes doth distill,

And is the deadly venime of

most cruell Aſpes that kill.

…4 Is not this wickedneſſe laid up

in ſtore, there to abide,

And ſeal'd up among my treaſures,

like that which one doth hide?

IIII. PART.

TO me belongeth vengeance, and

recompence for their crime,

Their wicked foot ſhall ſurely ſlide

in due appointed time:

For their day of calamitie

is ſurely neere at hand,

And the things that ſhall come on them

make haſte, and ſhall not ſtand;

p. 7236 For the Lord ſhall his people judge,

and for his folks repent,

When he ſees all their power gone,

and altogether ſpent:

37 And he in his great wrath ſhall ſay,

Where are their gods of might

Their rock in whom they truſted much?

they come not now in ſight.

38 Which ate fatlings, and wine off'rings

in drinke did not reject,

Let them riſe up, and with their ſtrength

you help, and als protect.

39 See now that I am he, even I

no god there is with me:

I kill, I alſo make alive,

I wound, and heal ſafely;

Neither is there among the gods

any, by Sea or Land,

That by their ſtrength deliver can

out of my mighty hand:

40 For I my hand unto the Heav'n

do now lift up and heave:

In ſigne that I this great oath make,

for ever as I live.

p. 7341 If I my glitt'ring Sword whet, and

judge in ſeveritie,

will ſurely reward vengeance,

to my foes that hate me:

…2 I will mine arrowes in my wrath,

which is now kindled ſore,

Make drunk with blood (and my Sword ſhall

their filthie fleſh devore.)

…nd that with the blood of the ſlaine,

and of captives that be,

…rom the beginning of revenge,

upon the enemie.

…3 Rejoice yee nations with his folke,

for he who doth not change,

Will the blood of his ſervants dear

moſt ſpeedily avenge;

And to his adverſaries will

render a vengeance full;

And to his land and his people

will be moſt mercifull.

The Uſe.

He who deſires like good Moſes to be

In all Gods houſe, let him ſerve faithfullie:

p. 74He who vvith Moſes vvould be a Divine,

Muſt ſpeak vvith God untill that his face ſh…

None is ſo good but he vvill get aſſaults,

Love Moſes vertues, but flee from his fault

To circumciſe his Son he did delay,

At Meribah he alſo vvent aſtray;

At theſe vvaters he failed in his faith,

For vvhichwhich he might not tread in Canans pa…

See vvhat it is to ſin againſt the Lord,

Who Moſes ſin to ſpare vvould not accord;

God hateth ſin in beſt men, as yee ſee,

Though they be dear as th' apple of his eye.

AARON. Prince of praiſe.

THis Prince of praiſe was Moſes brother …

Elder then MOSES, the ſpace of three y…

Theſe brethren two were men of great reque…

MOSES was King, but Aaron was the Prieſt …

He was deſign'd ſuch by the Almond rod;

Mouth to MOSES, to him Moſes as God:

When God by him as high Prieſt was ador'd,

His body was with theſe garments decor'd:

A girdle, mitter, and a broidred coat,

p. 75…ob, an Ephod, and a rich breaſt-plate,

…ith URIM TUMMIM an excellent thing,

…s incenſe cenſer in his hand did hing;

…elve precious ſtones on his breaſt were without,

…lls, Pomegranats his Ephod hang about,

…on his brow there was a plate of gold,

…aring theſe words, HOLINES TO THE LORD:

… the Holy of Holys thus he ſtood,

…fore the Lord with a baſon of blood:

…nce in his life (alas) he playd the foole

…hen he the Calf form'd with a graving toole,

…fter he ſaw it, this he added more

…e raſhly built an Altar it before:

…ecauſe at MASSAH he fail'd in his faith,

…f Canaan he might not tread the path;

…ripe off his garments, put them on his Son,

…or he in office no more may remaine:

…pon mount HOR death him of life bereaved,

…ho fourtie yeares in wilderneſſe had lived.

…hen God him tooke from this earths miſerie,

…f age he was an hundred twentie three:

…his holy man, moſt upright in his wayes,

…as after death lamented thirty dayes.

The Uſe.

Moſt happy he who hath his breaſt within,

…hat which without was ſealed by Tummim.

p. 76Let no man a vaine people for to pleaſe,

Doe that which may the mighty Lord diſple…

MIRIAM. Bitterneſſe.

THis MOSES ſiſter daughter of AMRAM▪

From bitterneſſe was called MIRIAM;

Elder then Moſes at the river ſide,

She watcht the Boat wherein they did him …

At the red ſea when MOSES men among

Did daunce, with women ſhe had als her ſo…

She did her ſelfe in godly words expreſſe,

With gifts adorn'd, ſhe was a Propheteſſe;

She had her faults in her moſt holy life,

She greeved MOSES by her words of ſtrife

She with ARON the ill quarel began,

For ZIPPORAH the Ethiopian.

Tuſh tuſh, ſaid they, hath God ſpoken on…

By MOSES, and not by us as plainely?

This Moſes heard, but being very meek,

From God in wrath he no revenge did ſeeke

But God in wrath (when he theſe things did

Unto them cri'd, Come out, come out ye three,

Though I my wrath againſt you have delay'd,

To greeve Moſes how were ye not afraide?

… proud in heart, inferiour in place,

p. 77… you by dreams, to him I ſpeake by face:

…hen GOD had ſhowne how they had gone aſtray,

… kindled wrath and rage he went away:

…en this was done; behold a great ſorrow,

…RIE became leprous white as the ſnow:

…er her fleſh was conſum'd by the Lord,

…ſes did pray, and then ſhe was reſtor'd:

…cauſe God was provoked by her ſinne,

… died in the wilderneſſe of ZIN:

…nſider heere two brethren, and MARIE,

…pointed guids for Iſrael to be:

…cauſe by ſinne they ſtirred up Gods wrath,

Canaan they might not tread the path:

… on HOR, Moſes at NEBO ſteep,

…y in Zin by death did ſoftly ſleep.

… wilderneſſe AMRAMS three children deare

…eir life did finiſh in the fourtie yeere.

The Uſe.

…oſt godlie hearts vaine pride doth whiles aſſault,

…ey live not heere, that live without a fault:

…th carefulneſſe let men and vvomen try,

… …t in their hearts no place bee for envy.

p. 78BALAK. A Robber.

BALAAM. A Devorer.

After that Iſra'l in battell fighting

Had overcome ſtrong Og of Baſhan K…

BALAK king of Moab, ſon of ZIPPOR,

Sent men for Bala'm the ſon of BEOR,

Who dwelt in Pethor; to him they did ſay

Behold from Egypt, in battell aray,

A people is come, who is moſt mighty,

In number great for to fight againſt me:

Come now therefore, I pray thee, without

Curſe Iſrael that ſo I may prevaile,

For this I wot, that he whom thou ſhalt ble…

Shall be bleſſed, and curſ'd whom thou curſe;

So the Elders, that were of Moab land,

Departed with great rewards in their hand

They came unto BALAAM, and thus ſpake

Unto him the words of their King BALAK

He ſaid to them, Lodge heere this night ſu…

I ſhall you tell what the Lord ſaith to me;

And God came unto BALAAM, and ſaid,

What men are theſe that doe with thee abi…

And Bala'm ſaid to God, Balak ſurelie

The ſon of ZIPPOR hath ſent unto me,

p. 79B…hold, ſaith he, from Egypt a great band

… ſouldiers that cover all the land,

…me curſe me them, peradventure I ſhall

…able for to overcome them all:

…d God ſaid to BALA'M, Thou ſhalt not goe

…th them, thou ſhalt not curſe the people ſo,

…r they are bleſſ'd; BALA'M in the morning

…ſe up, and went to BALAKS men, ſaying,

…e Princes of King BALAK get ye now

…o your owne land; for to go with you

…e mightie Lord will not give leave to me,

…en the Princes of Moab moſt early

…ſe up, and unto their King BALAK went,

…d ſaid, BALA'M for thy commandement,

…th no wiſe care; hee (proud of his wiſedome)

…ainely refuſeth with us for to come;

…d Balak ſent againe by the ſame way

…inces that were more reſpectfull then they;

…ho ſaid to him, Balak, ſon of Zippor,

…ith great deſire hath us all ſent thee for:

… bids us ſay, Let nothing I pray thee

…ee hinder from now coming unto me:

… will promote thee for thy great wiſedome,

…herefore to curſe this people ſhortly come;

…hen to Balaks ſervants Bala'm moſt bold,

…id, If Balak of ſilver and of gold,

p. 80Would his houſe full me give, I not therefore

Could go beyond the Lords word, leſſe or m…

Yet all this night heere tary, I you pray,

That I may know what more the LORD will

And GOD came unto Balaam at night,

And ſaid to him, What was moſt juſt and rig…

If theſe men come againe for to call thee,

Riſe up, and als go with them ſpeedilie;

But yet the word that I ſhall to thee ſay,

That ſhalt thou do moſt carefully alway;

And Balaam roſe up in the morning,

And on his aſſe went unto Moabs King;

But Gods anger was then incontinent

Kindled, becauſe he with theſe Princes went

And the Angel of the great God that day,

For adverſarie ſtood there in the way;

Thus on his aſſe he rode Balak unto,

And his two ſervants were with him alſo;

And the aſſe ſaw the Angel of the Lord

In the way ſtanding, with a gliſtring Sword;

And the aſſe turn'd aſide out of the way,

And went into the field without delay,

And Balam ſmote the aſſe with great diſdaine

To turne her ſoone into the way againe:

But the angel of the Lord in great wrath,

Of the vineyards ſtood in a narrow path,

Which on both ſides was fenced with a wall,

p. 81… when the aſſe (for fear ready to fall)

… the Angel of the Lord in the way,

…till the Wall ſhe did without delay

…ſh Balams foot, then he inflamed hote,

…th ſtaffe in hand the aſſe in fury ſmote.

…en the Lord op'ned the mouth of the aſſe,

…o ſaid to Balam, What is my treſpaſſe?

…y doſt thou ſtrike? What have I done to thee,

…at thou haſt ſo me ſmitten theſe times three?

…n Balam ſaid unto the aſſe, ſurely

…cauſe thou haſt in the way mocked me:

…ould there were a Sword in mine hand ſtill,

…r now I would in wrath thee ſurely kill.

…en ſaid the aſſe, Am I not thine alway,

… which thou haſt ridden ev'n to this day?

…as I before wont ſo to do to thee?

…y, ſaid Balam, thou didſt not ſo to me:

…en Balam's eyes the Lord without delay

…'ned, who ſaw Gods Angel in the way,

…ith his ſword drawen; then he in the ſame place

…w'd down his head, and fell flat on his face:

…en ſaid the Angel, For what great treſpaſſe

…ſt thou theſe three times thus ſmitten thine aſſe?

…hold I went out for to withſtand thee,

…cauſe thy way is perverſe before me;

p. 82Thine aſſe a beaſt did well for thee provide,

She fearing me, turned three times aſide:

Unleſſe ſhe had from Me thus turn'd away,

I had her ſav'd, and had ſlain thee this day.

Then Balam ſaid, I have the LORDS comman…

Broken by ſin; for that thou heer didſt ſtand

I did not know: Now therefore without let,

If thou be wroth, back ſoone I will me get.

No ſaid the Angel unto Balam then,

Now take thine own will, and go with the men…

But only ſpeak that which I ſpeak to thee,

So Balam went towards Balak quickly.

When Balak heard this, he incontinent

To meet Balaam to a city went

Of Moab land, in borders of Arnon,

Which is the outmoſt coaſt lying alone:

Then Balak ſaid unto Balam, Did I

Not ſend for thee, to call thee by and by?

Wherefore came thou not at the firſt to me?

Am I not able for to honour thee?

And Balam ſaid to Balak, I a man

Am come unto thee, to do what I can:

Have I now power any thing to ſay,

What GOD me bids that ſhall I ſpeak this day:

Then Balak went anone with Balaam,

And quickly to Kiriath-Huzoth they came;

There Balak oxen did offer with ſheep,

p. 83He ſent for BALAM whoſe ſcience was deep:

The morrow after BALAM came quicklie

To Baals high places, that he might ſee

From thence of GODS ISRA'L the utmoſt part,

That by his curſe that whole people might ſmart;

And Balam ſaid unto Balak, Build me

Heere ſev'n altars, and prepare heere quicklie

Seven oxen faire, and ſeven fat rams alſo;

Balak as Balam had ſpoken, did ſo;

And Balak and Balam off'red quicklie

On each altar for ſacrifice to be,

A Bullock and a Ram; Then Balam ſpake

Unto this King, that called was Balak:

Stand by thy burnt off'ring, and I will go,

Peradventure GOD will come me unto,

And give counſell: what he ſhall ſhew to me

I will without failing all tell to thee.

Then Balaam unto an high place went,

And the Lord there met him incontinent;

Then he ſaid, I ſev'n altars did prepare,

And there have off'red; now to me declare,

What I ſhall ſay to Balak Moabs King,

Then GOD put in his mouth this word, ſaying,

Returne unto Balak, and thus boldlie

To him thou ſhalt ſpeake this meſſage from me;

Then he return'd when he thus underſtood,

And went to Balak who with Princes ſtood.

p. 84And he tooke up his parable and ſaid,

Balak the King, This charge on me hath laid

From Aram I have beene brought by this Kin…

Out of the mountaines of the Eaſt, ſaying,

Come curſe me Jacob, and Iſra'l defy,

Whom God hath not curſt, how him curſe ſhal

For from the top of the rocks I him ſee,

And him behold from the hils that are hie:

Loe this people in a great number throng

Shall dwell alone; and nations among

Shall not be reck'ned; who can count or tell

The duſt of Jacob, or fourth of Iſra'l?

Let me the death of the righteous man die,

And let my laſt end like unto his be.

And Balak ſaid unto Balaam ſoone,

What meaneſt thou? What haſt thou to me do

Mine enemies to curſe I did take thee,

Behold thou haſt them bleſſed moſt ſurely.

Then Balaam ſaid, Think not this uncouth,

For I muſt ſpeake what God puts in my mouth

Then Balak ſaid, I pray now come with me

Unto a place, from whence thou may them …

The out moſt part thou ſhalt ſee and no more,

Come and curſe me them all from thence the…fore.

p. 85He brought him to the field of ZOPHIM land,

To PISGAS top, whether God did command:

MOSES to go the promiſde land to ſee,

That ſo after that ſight MOSES might die.

There Balam ſaid to Balak, Stand heere by

Thy burnt off'ring, untill that quickly I

Do yonder meet the great Almighty Lord,

And the LORD met Balam, and put his word

In Balams mouth, and likewiſe ſaid that day,

Returne againe unto Balak, and ſay,

When Balam came unto Balak the King,

Behold he there ſtood by his burnt off'ring;

There with him were Princes of MOAB land,

Then Balak ſaid, Now let me underſtand

What the LORD GOD in this perplexitie

Hath both reveal'd, and ſpoken unto thee:

And he tooke up his parable and ſaid,

Riſe up Balak, and heare an anſwere made:

Thou Son of Zippor hearken unto me,

The Lord is not a man that he ſhould lie,

Nor the Son of man that he ſhould repent,

To ſay one thing, and after to relent.

Hath the Lord ſaid, and ſhall he not it do?

Hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he it not to

Perfection bring? Behold I now muſt bleſſe,

God hath bleſſed, and I can not reverſe;

p. 86In Jacob he hath not iniquitie

Beheld, neither at any time hath he

Seene perverſeneſſe in all Iſra'l about,

God is with him; among them is a ſhout

Of a King; God from Egypt land forlorne

Them brought; He hath as of an Ʋnicorne

The ſtrength, ſurely where God is ſtill preſ…

Against Jacob there is no enchantment;

Neither againſt the Lords moſt deare Iſra'l

Can divination once prevaile at all:

According to this time it ſhall be thought,

And ſaid of Jacob, what hath the Lord wro…

Behold the people ſhall riſe up anone,

As a great Lion and a young Lion

Lifts up himſelfe and lyes not downe again,

Ʋntill he eat and drink blood of the ſlaine;

And Balak ſaid unto Balam that day,

Neither them curſe nor yet bleſſe I thee pray

Told I not thee, ſaid Balaam unto

Balak, all that GOD ſaith, that I muſt doe.

Yet Balak ſaid unto Balam that day,

Come now with me I do thee heartly pray;

I will bring thee unto another place,

Peradventure thou wilt from God get grace,

That thou may'ſt for my poor Kingdomes de…

p. 87Powre on them all a heavy curſe from thence.

Then King Balak brought Balaam anone,

To PEORS top that looks to JESHIMON;

And Balam ſaid unto Balak, Build me

Heere ſev'n altars, prepare right ſpeedily:

Heere ſev'n bullocks, and ſev'n fat rams well fed,

And Balak did as Balaam had ſaid:

There were off'red a Bullock, and a Ram,

On each altar they did performe the ſame;

And when Balam ſaw that it pleaſ'd the LORD,

To bleſſe ISRA'L, he did no more accord,

As heeretofore to go incontinent,

For by his art to ſeeke for enchantment;

But he perplex'd in Sprite with great diſtreſſe,

Did ſet his face toward the wilderneſſe;

Then Balaam his eyes aloft lifting,

Saw ISRAEL in his tents abiding

According to their Tribes; GODS Spirit anone

With this parable came Balam upon.

Balam the Son of Beor hateing lies

Hath ſaid, even the man who hath op'ned eyes,

He hath ſaid which heard the LORDS words truely,

Which ſaw the viſion of the Almighty,

Falling into a great trance, but having

His eyes open to diſcerne every thing;

How good thy tents are Jacob who can tell,

And thy fair tabernacles, O Iſrael?

As the valleyes all ſpread forth do abide,

As greene gardens by the fair rivers ſide,

As ligne-aloes which is of ſweeteſt ſmell,

As beſides waters Cedars high and tall;

Out of his buckets be ſhall powre indeed,

The waters and in great waters his ſeed,

And his King higher then Agag ſhall be,

And his Kingdome ſhall be exalted hie:

God brought him out of Egypt land forlorne,

He hath the ſtrength as of an Ʋnicorne;

Hee ſhall eat up all thoſe that are his foe,

And break their bones, and pierce them thro… alſo:

With his arrowes he couched he lay downe,

As a Lion, and as a great Lion,

Who ſhall him ſtirre up? he that ſhall thee ble…

Is bleſſed, and curſed that ſhall thee curſe:

Then Balaks anger kindled with deſpight

Wa… 'gainſt Balam; together he did ſmite

His hands, ſaying, I called thee ſurely,

For to curſe, but thou haſt bleſſd theſe times thre…

Therefore now flee unto thy place and lot,

I thought thee to great honour to promote;

But lo the Lord in this hath not beene ſlack,

p. 88…n wrath he hath from honour keept thee back.

And Balam ſaid unto Balak, This thing

Spake I not to thy meſſengers, ſaying,

If Balak of ſilver and gold alſo

Would me his houſe full give, I cannot go

Beyond the great Gods will in any kind,

For to do good or bad of mine own mind;

But what it ſhall pleaſe the great God to ſay

To me, that I will ſpeak without delay:

And now I to my people go quicklie,

Come therefore and I will advertiſe thee,

What this people (moſt bleſſed) ſhall alwayes

Doe to thy people in the latter dayes;

And he took up his parable anone,

And ſaid thus wiſe, Balam of BEOR ſonne

Hath ſaid, and the man who doth hate all lies,

Who hath at all times cleare and open eyes,

He hath ſaid, which hath heard Gods word truelie,

And knew als the knowledge of the moſt Hie;

Which of th' Almightie ſaw the viſion,

Falling into a trance with eyes open;

Though not at this time, yet I ſhall him ſee,

Though not nigh, I behold him ſhall clearlie;

Out of Jacob there ſhall come a ſtarre bright,

Out of Iſra'l a ſcepter with great might,

p. 89Shall riſe and corners of Moab annoy,

And all the Children of Sheth ſhall deſtroy,

And Edome a poſſeſſion ſhall be,

Seir alſo ſhall be for his enemie,

A large poſſeſſion, and Iſrael alſo

With courage great, right valiantly ſhall do

Out of good Jacob ſhall come he that ſhall

Have great and large Dominion over all,

And ſhall by his great power Almighty,

Deſtroy him that remains of the city:

And when on curſ'd Amalek he did looke,

He deep thinking his parable up tooke,

And ſaid ſtrong is thy dwelling place ſurely;

Thou putt'ſt thy neſt in a rocke for ſafety;

Nevertheleſſe the Kenite waſted ſhall,

Be till Aſhur, thee carie captive all;

And he tooke up his parable, ſaying,

Alas who ſhall live, when the Lord this thing

Shall do? and ſhips with threatning and wi… boast,

Shall come in numbers from the Chittim coa…

And ſhall afflict Aſhur and alſo Eber,

And he alwayes ſure periſh ſhall for ever:

So Balam roſe up, and without delay

Went to his place: als Balak went his way.

p. 90Whether Balam did go, it's not certaine,

But for his wicked counſell he was ſlaine,

By ISRAEL as MOSES did command,

In their journey towards the holy land.

The Uſe.

Let Prophets heere learne not for gaine or eaſe,

To ſeeke Princes by ill counſell to pleaſe;

For if in this ſort they the Lord offend,

They vvith Balam ſhall get a fearfull end.

CALEB. As heart.

CALEB his name was Heart which did not faile,

He was the ſpy who encourag'd ISRA'L,

With JOSHUAH; the other ten afraide,

By ill report the Lords people betray'd:

Behold heere written for their blot and ſhame,

Of all theſe ill ſpyes every man by name,

Shammah, Shaphat, Igal, and Gaddiel,

Palti, Sethur, Gaddi and Ammiel,

Nahby, Gevel; Theſe were the ill ſpyes ten,

Who did caſt down the hearts of ISRALS men:

But ſtout CALEB, deſcended of Judah,

And of EPHRAIM godly JOSHUAH,

p. 91The trembling hearts of ISRA'L did comfort,

To have courage they did them all exhort:

For this cauſe of all ISRAEL theſe two,

Got leave from GOD to Canaan to go.

The Uſe.

The man that would have heaven for his reward,

In Gods battels muſt not be a Coward:

He who is ſent a matter for to try,

For no reſpect muſt deal unfaithfully.

JOSHUAH. A Saviour.

THou worthy man, firſt called OSHEAH,

By MOSES waſt called JEHOSHUAH,

Type of JESUS, a Saviour by command,

Thou ledſt Iſra'l unto the holy land:

This Son of NUN, ſtout, was full of wiſdome,

For MOSES had laid his hands him upon:

From SHITTIM he ſent two men ſecretly,

To view the land, and Jericho to ſpy;

Though King and Laws to do ſuch things forbid,

Rachab theſe ſpyes cloſe in her chamber hid,

Not fearing thing that could to her befall,

By a coard She let them downe from the wall:

p. 92After good Joſhuah all theſe things had done,

He went to Jordan from Shittim anone.

When the Prieſts feet in that river did ſtand,

JORDANS paſſage became like the dry land:

There twelve ſtones were for a memoriall

Set; Other twelve were pitched in Gilgal,

For to declare to all poſteritie

What GOD had done by his hand Almighty:

Then good Joſhuah, with great affection

By knives began the circumciſion;

Then Manna ceaſ'd; An Angel did appear

To Joſhuah who was GODS ſervant deare:

What art thou, ſaid he, friend or fo, with boaſt?

A friend, a friend, the Captaine of Gods hoſt,

The Angel ſaid; I am not for offence,

I bear the Sword for thee and thines defence:

Go to beſeege the citie Jericho

For great Canons, Trumpets of Ram hornes blo:

Down down their walls with power I wil bring,

Let all beware of the accurſed thing:

When JOVAH theſe walls had brought to the ground,

Amongſt Iſra'l a curſed man was found:

Achan the theef provokeing GOD to ire,

Firſt was ſtoned, and after burnt with fire:

In GODS good will this thief made ſuch a crack,

That Iſral's hoſt at Ai did turne the back;

p. 93When by his death the LORD began to be

Content; the men of AI began to flie:

Then GODS people in furie and in ire

Entred the Citie, and ſet it on fire:

After that JOSHUAH had burnt this Citie,

The King of Ai he hanged on a tree:

The Gibeonites hearing of this report

To ſave themſelves found out this crowned ſport

Get clouted ſhooes, old bottels, garments rent,

Old mouldie bread, that we a covenant

May make with ISRA'L, for we are afraid,

That by their force our countrey be deſtroyd.

Then ISRA'L made with them a ſure accord,

Neglecting to ſeeke counſell from the LORD:

When all was known. ISRA'L began to grieve,

But for their oath they ſuffred them to live:

Now curſed be ye, baſe hewers of wood,

Drawers of water for the houſe of God,

Such ſhall ye be, ſuch ſhall ye be eachone,

Said JOSHUAH to theſe of Gibeon.

When this was done five Kings of Cananites,

With ire conſpir'd againſt theſe Gibeonites,

Becauſe without their knowledge and conſent

They had with ISRAL made a covenant:

Then JOSHUAH to help poor GIBEON

Chaſed theſe Kings along to Bethoron:

The LORD himſelf for to cruſh all their bones,

p. 94Threw downe from heav'n on this armie great ſtones:

Till all was done the Sun in Gibeon

Stood ſtill, and als the Moone in Ajalon,

That JOSHUAH full victory might have;

Five Kings he tooke, and cloſed, in a cave:

After he had fulfill'd his victorie,

He took them out and hang'd them on a tree:

To keep Iſra'l from ſtrife and anger hote,

He did divide to them the land by lot.

When all was done when death and grave were near,

He ſpake ISRA'L that they the LORD ſhould feare;

Serve him in trueth, ſerve him in fear, ſaid he,

All idole gods caſt far away from thee:

The people all with one voice did accord

To paſſe from idols, and to ſerve the LORD:

This man of GOD (before his life was ſpent)

With Gods people made a ſure Covenant

In Shechem: there he raiſed up a ſtone,

For a witneſſe of all was ſaid and done:

At laſt this man of bleſsings manifold

Went from this earth fiveſcore and ten yeeres old.

After his death (this man of great account.)

With grief was buri'd on Ephraim Mount.

p. 95The Uſe.

Worthy Captaine, who will not thee commend?

A godly life makes ay a godly end.

Who fights for GOD, with never fading baye…

Shall have his Temples trimmed, and with laye…

Men and women his praiſes ſhall extoll,

His name famous ſhall be in Jovahs roll.