The Garden of Zion, Part 7

The Garden of Zion · Part 7

p. 269THE GARDEN OF ZION.

Of the Kings of Iſrael. 1. Jeroboam: 2. Nadab: 3. Baaſha: 4. Elah: 5. Zimri: 6. Omri: 7. Ahab: 8. Ahaziah. 9. Joram: 10. Jehu: 11. Jehoahaz: 12. Jehoaſh: 13. Jeroboam: 14. Zechariah, laſt of Ichus race: 15: Shallum: 16. Menahem: 17. Pekajah: 18. Pekah. 19. Hoſhea.

A Prayer.

O Well of life, novv ſhovv thy golden ſource

A ſilver pipe make my heart for its uſe:

In holy tearmes make me the praiſe expreſſe,

Which is most due unto thy holineſſe;

p. 270I beg thy light and grace for to diſerne,

That teaching others, I my ſelf may learne.

Ecclipſe me not like the Coach of the Moone

When it is black, but turne my night to Noone:

My brest, O Lord, vvith ſacred verſes fill,

Which I may vvrite vvith a moſt nimble quil.

Of Judahs Kings, as vve have underſtood,

Many vvere bad, but fevv alas vvere good;

But Iſra'ls Kings thy vvord them All doth blame,

Not one of them did truely feare thy name,

They vvith idols thy vvorſhip did abuſe,

Of their ill lives teach me to make good uſe.

1. JEROBOAM. Contending or ſtriving vvith the people.

THis wicked man at firſt but a ſervant

To Solomon, did ſcorne Gods Covenant:

This Son of Nebat ſtinketh filthilie,

His name is rotten by idolatrie:

None Like to him in Scripture I can find,

For none as he made Gods if a'l to ſin:

At firſt Solomon, for his induſtrie;

p. 271This young man ſet up in a high degree,

For his valour and for his brave courage,

Of Joſephs houſe he gave to him the charge;

But after that, the Prophet Ah…jah

Did clearly ſhew from the great Jehovah:

That Jeroboam ten T…ibes ſhould command,

But two as Lamps for Davids houſe ſhould ſtand;

Becauſe Solomon by idolatrie,

To a great wrath had provok'd the moſt hie:

When Solomon heard that he ſhould be King,

He ſought by death ſuch honours downe to bring:

But he to the King of Egypt anone

Fled, and was there untill King Solomon

Did end his dayes; then after he came back,

From Egypt King who called was Shiſhak.

The Iſra'lits aſſembled at Schechem,

To Crowne with pomp the young Rehoboam,

By Jeroboams inſtigation,

Were mov'd to make for relexation

… ſute to him, who anſw'red them roughly,

Therefore according to the Prophecy

Of Abijah, ten Tribs were quickly rent

…rom Davids houſe, then they incontinent,

…onſid'ring what ſtrength they had of men,

…o Jeroboam ſent of their brethren

…im for to Crowne ſoone King of Iſrael,

…his purpoſe was from the great Eternel:

p. 272When Rehoboam was come to Salem,

An hundred foureſcore thouſand choſen men

He gath'red for in a bloody Battell,

To fight againſt the houſe of Iſrael;

By force of war this ill adviſed King,

Thought well the Kingdome backe againe … bring:

But then unto the Prophet Semajah,

There came a word from the great Jehovah

Who ſaid to Rehoboam and his hoaſt,

It is not time either to fight or boaſt;

Let not now Judah againſt Iſrael

Come for to fight in a bloody Battell;

This matter is from the Lord righteous,

Let ev'ry man therefore turne to his houſe:

Then they GODS word did hear with hu… heart,

And ſo they all returning did depart.

Then Jeroboam Shechem and Penuel

Moſt Princely built, and als in them did dwell

He proud in ſprit, ſaid theſe words in his heart,

I feare at laſt that Davids houſe depart

From me and mine, to turne unto their Lord,

And ſo me kill in furie with the ſword;

If they go up for the great GODS ſervice,

To do at Salem dayly ſacrifice:

p. 273Then Jeroboam with his bad counſell,

Two calves of gold made againſt th'Eternell:

It is too much, ſaid he, for you to goe

Vp to Salem; both paine and coſt alſo

It is to go ſo farre to th' Eternell;

See heere more near thy gods O Iſrael:

Of theſe two calves in Bethel he ſet one,

At Dan another which brought down his Throne

Thus did this vile man his Kingdome begin

With dead idols, which thing became a ſin:

Before theſe calves the people ſpeedily,

Did worſhip with moſt vile idolatrie;

He vile houſes of hie places did make,

And baſe Prieſts that were not of Levis ſtock:

On Bethels Altar which was great offence,

He ſacrificed and als burnt incenſe.

While this he did, behold anone a jar,

A man from GOD thus cri'd Altar, Altar;

…hus ſaith the LORD a childe of Davids houſe,

…oſiah King a man most righteous,

He in a zeale and godlie jealouſie,

…hall ſuch Priests bones moſt curſed burne on thee:

…ee now a ſigne, the Altar ſhall be rent,

…he aſhes ſhall be powred out and ſpent.

p. 274When Jeroboam heard from th' Eternel,

What this man ſaid 'gainſt th' Altar in Bethel,

From the Altar he did put forth his hand,

Saying lay hold on this man I command;

But GOD dri'd up the arme of this profane,

So that he could not pull it in againe;

GOD rent th' Altar and aſhes powred out

Then the King trembling, who before was ſtout▪

Said to GODS man, a man of gift and grace,

Pray thou for me, and now intreat Gods face,

That he to me my hand would now reſtore;

When he did pray, it became as before.

Then ſaid the King, I will thee now reward

Come home with me; but he did not regard

All the Kings gifts; for the halfe of thine houſ…

Said he, I will not in this untimeous

Time go with thee, a man voide of all grace,

I will not eat neither drink in this place;

For no requeſt to go I will accord,

For ſo it was me charged by the LORD.

At this ſame time as Scriptures to us tell,

There dwelt an old Prophet at this Bethel;

His ſons him told what great things had bee… done

By the Prophet at Bethel; then right ſoone

To them he ſaid, now ſaddle me mine Aſſe;

He rode thereon, and to him where he was

p. 275Under an Oake, ſitting ſoftly he came

…nd ſaid to him, tell me if thou the man

…f GOD art, whom the great LORD JEHOVAH,

…nt to our King from the land of Judah.

I am, ſaid he; Come home ſaid he with me,

…efreſh thy ſelf with meat and be merrie:

…o ſaid, Gods man, this thing I may not do,

… will not eat nor yet thy houſe goe to;

…rom GODS precept I may not go aſtray,

… muſt not eate nor returne by the way

…hat I came firſt; But thou muſt not do ſo

…id the old man, a Prophet I alſo

…m as thou art, an Angel to me ſpake,

…hat unto mine houſe I ſhould bring thee back.

While they at Table were eating gladely,

…he Sprite of GOD made the old Prophet cry,

…nto the Prophet who came from Judah,

…hus ſaith, the LORD, ev'n the great Jehovah:

…ecauſe thou haſt rebell'd, this meſſage have

…ith thy fathers thou ſhalt not lye in grave.

When this was ſaid, GODS man he went away,

…n his journey a Lion by the way

…im met and kill'd, but ſo it came to paſſe,

…e did not eat the man nor yet the Aſſe

Whereon he rode: Behold men paſſing by,

…nd ſeeing this came, unto the city,

p. 276Where the old man was who at this report,

Was moved much and did his ſons exhort

To bring his Aſſe, that he might ride and ſee,

To know the trueth of all that hiſtorie:

When he came there, both Lion and the Aſſe

Were ſtanding neere the dead Prophets carcaſe

He the dead corps upon his Aſſe did lay,

And with great grief brought it to the city;

There as a childe lamented by his mother,

He mourned, and ſaid; Oh, Alas my brother

Then ſaid this old man to his ſons apart,

The mighty Lord this tells me in mine heart,

What this Prophet hath ſaid againſt Bethell,

Shall all be done by the great Eternell:

When I am dead ſee that ye then me lay,

In this ſame grave wherein Gods man doth ly…

Now Jeroboam with his healed hand,

Did not regard what Jovah did command;

Baſe Prieſts he made even of the baſeſt ſort,

He ſet them up GODS people to exhort;

Who did deſire, he did them conſecrate

For Prieſts, though villains and moſt reprobate

Yea he himſelf a King voide of all grace,

Became a Prieſt to ſerve at an high place;

Theſe were his great ſins a moſt ſhamefull thin…

Which cut him off from ruling more as King:

p. 277Thus voide of honour of glory and fame,

He liv'd and di'd with a moſt rotten name.

Then Jeroboam ſent to Ahijah

His wife, to know if his ſon Abijah

Then ſick, ſhould live or die; then ſhe thus wiſe

Before that blinde man did her ſelf diſguiſe:

At this ſame time the word came from JOVAH,

Which ſaid unto the Prophet Ahijah,

Behold now coming Jeroboams wife,

To aske of thee concerning her ſons life;

This know in time, take heede and now be wiſe,

For when ſhe comes ſhe will her ſelf diſguiſe;

When ſhe ſhall come her doubts for to diſcuſſe,

Then ſay to her in my words thus and thus.

When Ahija heard the ſound of her feet,

Then coming in, he ſpake as he thought meet;

Come in thou wife of Jeroboam vaine,

What mean'ſt thou ſome other thy ſelf to faine?

Hard tidings for thee are from th'Eternell,

Goe and them quickly to thy husband tell:

Thus ſaith, the LORD, who rules both Land and Sea,

For as much as I have exalted thee;

And of a Servant hath made thee a Prince

Ov'r my people, yet haſt thou ever ſince,

By thy vaine pride and vile idolatrie,

p. 278Done evill above all that were before thee;

Like baſeſt men who do the LORD forſake,

Thou haſt me caſt proudly behinde thy backe:

Therefore, I Lord, who am moſt righteous,

Shall bring much evill on Jeroboams houſe;

From him I will cut off both great and ſmall,

Not leaving one to piſſe againſt the wall:

I will the remnant of his houſe deſtroy,

As a doung hill which men carie away:

Theſe of his loines who die in the city,

Shall by vile dogs be rent moſt cruelly;

If any fall among the fields most faire,

Food they ſhall be to the Fowles of the aire;

Ariſe woman, to thine owne houſe get thee,

For when thou enters into the Citie

Thy childe ſhall die, for him Iſra'l ſhall weepe,

And him burie that he ingrave may ſleepe;

Becauſe in him, as God hath ſaid the word,

There is ſome good thing found toward th… LORD:

Moreover God for his glory and praiſe,

A worthy King in Iſrael ſhall raiſe,

Who Jeroboams wicked houſe that day,

Shall all cut off and ſweepe like doung away:

p. 279But what? Even now the Lord who is perfite,

As reeds in water ſhall Iſrael ſmite:

Becauſe they heard not what he did command,

He ſhall them roote up out of this good land;

He ſhall them all ſcatter beyond the river,

Becauſe by groves they ſtirred up his anger.

When this was ſaid to Jeroboams wife

She roſe and went to Tirzah, but the life

Of her young child, was then ended moſt ſure,

When ſhe came to the threſhold of the doore:

They buri'd him and mourned as Jovah,

Had ſaid before by Prophet Ahijah.

When Jeroboam years twenty and two

Had reign'd, he died a man of ſin and woe.

The Uſe.

Let Kings heere learne that the great GOD most hie,

Shall root them out, if with idolatrie

They ſtaine his land; though for a time forborne

They be, at laſt none ſhall ſit on their Throne

Sprung from their loines; the Lord ſhall them deface,

Both root and branch ſhall be cut from their race.

p. 2802. NADAB. A Prince or willing.

WHen Jeroboam moſt wicked was dead,

Then Nadab his ſon reigned in his ſtead,

Ill fathers ſon who walked in his way,

At Gibbethon Baaſha did him ſlay:

Ill fathers ſon of a moſt wicked race,

He ſway'd the Septer but for two years ſpace.

The Uſe.

Let all men, chiefly Kings, heere learne and …

What are the f…uits of vile idolatrie;

Such in Gods love have rarely roome or place

GOD pulls them downe and ſoone roots out th… race.

3. BAASHA. A doer.

Baaſha ſmot Jerobo'ms houſe with death,

To him he left not any that had breath:

Thus Jeroboam for his great treſpaſſe,

By Baaſha ſhortly was made childeleſſe;

p. 281Though thus he did theſe wicked children ſlay,

He walked ſtill in Jeroboams way:

To him Jehu the ſon of Hannani,

From GOD was ſent to tell him this plainely,

I have exalted thee out of the duſt,

My people hath beene ſubject to thy lust;

Thou hast walked in Jeroboams way,

Therefore the Scepter thou may no more ſway;

With Jeroboam I Baaſhas race,

Will cleane root out, and will wholly deface;

To Dogs and Fowles his children ſhall be meat,

They in the fields and cities ſhall them eate:

Laſt this ill man after he had twenty

And foure years reign'd, he in GODS wrath did die,

The Uſe.

To puniſh ſin and not reformed be,

Is but a fruit of pride and vaine glory:

Let all theſe who mens manners would reforme,

Ʋnto GODS will their owne life ſo conforme.

p. 2824. ELAH. Strength.

AFter Baaſha came his ſon Elah,

Who governed Iſrael in Tirzah;

While with Arzah h…s ſteward he did feaſt,

He drank himſelfe more drunk then any beaſt:

While Elah was in drunkeneſſe filthie,

He killed was by his ſervant Zimri:

This filthie man to ſoberneſſe a foe,

All his glory enjoy'd but poore years two.

The Uſe.

Beware to make of ſin a play or ſport,

It ends our dayes, and cuts our honours ſhort.

5. ZIMRI. A cutter.

THis ill ſervant after his Maſter ſlaine,

Did ſway the Scepter and with great diſdai…

Deſtroyed all the houſe of Baaſha,

As Jehu had declared from JOVAH:

He kill'd his friends and al… h…s kinsfolk all,

p. 283He left not one to piſſe againſt the wall:

The people hearing what in great furie,

To King Elah had beene done by Zimri,

Therefore againſt him with greef and diſdaine,

They Crown'd King Omri a moſt brave Captain:

He with an armie then came ſpeedilie,

And in fair Tirzah beſieged Zimri:

When Zimri ſaw all theſe men ſo conſpire,

He in his palace burnt himſelfe with fire:

He for a Crowne walked in bloody wayes,

And yet his Kingdome laſted but ſeven dayes.

The Uſe.

Death of ill men the living doth exhort

To feare the Lord, and not in ſin to ſport:

Let ſubjects learne who have grace or reaſon,

For no reſpect to have hand in treaſon.

6. OMRI. Meaſure, or handfull,

WHen the moſt part had Crowned KING Omri;

Halfe of the people did follow Tibni;

But the moſt part ſet Omri on the Throne

So Tibni died, and Omri reign'd alone,

p. 284Twelve yeeres he reign'd; this ill King fro… Shemer.

Samariahs hill for two talents ſilver

Did buy; On this hill he built a citie,

Which from that Shemer he ordain'd to be,

Called Samariah which great citie ſtill,

Hath name from Shemer owner of that hill.

But this Omri wax'd wicked more and more,

Yea, he did worſe then all that were before;

Both King and Captaine wicked in his dayes,

He walked in all Jeroboams wayes:

This Omri di'd by the hand of JOVAH,

And buried was in his Samariah.

The Uſe.

Let Kings heere learne not to ſinne more an… more,

Leſt they waxe worſe then all that were before.

7. AHAB. Beloved.

THis Son of Omri wicked more and more,

Did worſe then all the Kings that were before:

p. 285When he was once advanced to be King,

…o him it ſeem'd to be but a light thing;

…o walk in Jeroboams wicked way,

…ut alſo he would farther go aſtray.

Ethbals daughter who was of Zidon King,

…aine Jezabel for wife he did home bring:

…ith her vile gods forſakeing th'Eternall,

…e like a beaſt went and did ſerve Baal;

…e made a grove, he GOD provoked more,

…hen all the Kings of Iſra'l did before.

In his dayes Hiel building Jericho,

…aid ground and gates with much ſorrow and woe;

On Abiram the firſt borne and Segub,

The ground and gates a great judgement did rub.

When Ahab was lying in wickedneſſe,

God ſent Elijah to preach great diſtreſſe

…gainſt the land: This ſaid he from the Lord,

No dew, no raine, according to my word

Theſe yeers ſhall be, Then God ſaid to this man,

Goe hide thy ſelfe at Cherith neere Jordan;

…hou of the Brooke ſhalt drinke vvaters moſt freſh,

… Ravens ordain'd have to feede thee with fleſh;

And ſo he went, and ſo the Ravens did bring

Both bread and fleſh, at morne, and als evening.

A little after the brook was dri'd up,

p. 286So that Elijah could not drink or ſup.

Then came to him a word from th' Eternel

To Zarephath of Zidon goe and dwell,

Obey my word which is not falſe or vaine,

A widow there ſhall ſurely thee maintaine:

So he aroſe to Zerephath to go;

When he was come, Elijah found all ſo

As God had ſaid, Behold a poor widow,

Gath'ring ſome ſticks with much grief and row;

To her he ſaid fetch me a drink I pray,

Of water, with ſome bread without delay.

As GOD lives ſaid ſhe I have not a cak…

But an handfull of meale which I muſt take

With oyle in cruſe, and with sticks ſpeedilie

It dreſſe, and with my ſon it eat and die.

Then to that widow, good Elijah ſaid,

Take courage now thou needst not be afraide;

But ſee that firſt for me thou dreſſe a cake,

And after for thee and for thy ſon make,

For thus ſaith, the Lord, God of Iſrael,

The poore handfull of meal in thy Barrell,

Shall not be ſpent, nor yet the cruſe of oyle

Shall faile, till raine hath made a fertile ſoil…

Then ſhe in haſt prepar'd for Elijah

p. 287Both cake and oyle; as the word from Jovah

Had ſaid, both meal and oyle did laſt alwayes,

…hereof theſe three perſons eat many dayes.

After theſe things, this womans ſon fell ſick,

…ll breath was paſt, then ſhe began to ſeek

…lijahs help, what I to doe with thee,

…ave man of GOD, ſaid ſhee, that thou from me

…y ſon ſhould take, and for a ſore vengeance.

…hould call my ſin now to remembrance?

…ive me thy ſon, to the widow ſaid he

…rom her boſome unto a loft quicklie,

…e cari'd him, and as the ſprit him led,

…e laid that child ſoftly on his owne bed,

…nto the LORD he cri'd what haſt thou done?

…las, O LORD, why haſt thou ſlaine her ſon?

…hen this was ſaid upon the child times three,

… stretch'd himſelfe and cried mightily

… to the LORD, O LORD, I humbly pray,

…store the ſoule unto this childe the day.

The Lord from hearing then could not refraine,

…t ſent the childs ſoul into him againe:

…en Elijah the living child brought low,

…om the high loft and to the poore widow

…ſtor'd her ſon, who ſaid to Elijah,

…w do I know that thou art from Jovah,

…d that the word of the LORD in thy lips.

…rueth unfained withou lies or ſlips.

p. 288It came to paſſe, then after many dayes,

GOD to Elijah walking in GODS wayes

Came, thus and ſaid, now go to Ahab King,

For I now raine upon the Earth will bring

When GOD theſe words ſpake unto Elijah,

A ſore famine was in Samaria:

In this famine by drougth Ahab the King,

With Obadiah, for their beaſts ſaving,

Went through the land ſeeking brook and fo… taine,

For with water the poor beaſts life maintaine:

Ahab this way, but Obadiah tooke,

Another way to ſeek fountaine and brook.

As Obadiah walked in the way,

Behold Elijah who met him that day:

When he him knew he fell upon his face,

And ſaid art thou Elijah? By GODS grace

I am ſaid he; go and to Ahab tell,

Elijah is heer from the Eternell.

Alas, ſaid he, what have I done this day,

That now for thee, King Ahab ſhould me ſlay

There is no Kingdome there is no countrey,

Whether my LORD hath not ſent to ſeeke t…

And when they anſwred that thou waſt … heer,

He tooke an oath and deeply made them ſw…

p. 289That they thee found not; now thou ſay'ſt go tell

Ahab, my LORD, the great King of Iſrael,

Behold Elijah is come here ſurelie,

But oh Alas, aſſoone as I from thee

Am gone, Gods ſprite vvill carry thee avvay,

And then in rage King Ahab vvill me ſlay:

I ſpeake the trueth, no lie is in my mouth,

I thy ſervant fear the Lord, from my youth▪

Was it not told thee hovv from Jezabel,

I hid the Prophets of the Eternel?

With bread and vvater their life I did ſave,

An hundred men by fiftie in a cave;

And novv thou ſay'ſt goe to Ahab and tell,

Elijah is heere from the Eternel.

No, ſaid, Elijah as God lives I ſay,

To Ahab I will ſhew my ſelf this day.

As ſoone as King Ahab ſaw Elijah,

With great contempt he ſaid to him Aha,

Art thou the man that troubleſt Iſrael?

Not I, ſaid he, but thou vvho th' Eternell,

Hast novv forſaken vvith thy fathers houſe,

To follovv Baal in a vvicked courſe:

Therefore novv ſend and unto mount Carmel,

Gather to me the men of Iſrael,

The falſe Prophets eight hundred and fiftie,

p. 290See that they als unto me gath'red be;

Then Ahab ſent unto all Iſrael,

And gathred all theſe Prophets to Carmel.

Then by the people Elijah well ſeene,

Said, how long two opinions betweene,

Thus will ye halt? If GOD, be GOD, allow

Him for to ſerve, if not, Baal follow.

When hee theſe wordes ſpake with great co…dence,

Among the people there was deep ſilence:

Elijah ſaid, Gods cauſe I will maintaine,

For the LORD here I only one remaine,

But Baals Prophets a great number be,

Heere they are foure hundred men and fiftie:

Give two bullocks the true GOD to enquire,

Let him be GOD who ſhall anſwere by fire.

When the people that ſaying underſtood,

All with one voice they ſaid the word is goo…

Then Elijah to theſe Prophets did ſay,

Chuſe an bullock and dreſſe it firſt this day

For ye be many, begin to enquire,

If your god can-now aſwere you by fire.

Then they did take and there dreſſe a Bullo…

They cri'd aloud, and on their breaſt did knoc…

From morne to evening, they did not forbeare

To cry Baal, but Baal could not heare:

No voice was heard, nor any anſwere made,

p. 291On the Altar they leapt as they were madde.

At noone Elijah them began to mocke,

Now cry aloud, now your breaſts dump and knock

He is a god, either he is talking,

…r he his foes fiercely is purſueing,

…r in a journey, or moſt faſt aſleepe

…hat he may heare, now to him cry and weepe.

They cri'd aloud, and cut themſelves with knives

…nd lancets, als with perrell of their lives;

…ut when midday in ſuch jangling was paſt

…ithout anſwere; Then Elijah at laſt,

…aid to the people, come neere me right ſoone;

…hen they came neere, to ſee what ſhould bee done.

Gods Altar he repair'd with courage ſtout,

…e made a large trench the Altar about;

…ill foure barrels with water, then ſaid he,

…nd with it drench the ſacrifice quicklie;

…gaine, againe, yea third time do the like,

…ill it paſſe ov'r the trinches higheſt dike:

…hus did they all, which was ordain'd by him.

…hey made Altar and trench with water ſwim:

Then ſaid Elijah, O GOD, of Iſra'l,

…et it be knowne that thou art th' Eternal;

p. 292Let it be knowne that thou art GOD and LORD

And that theſe things I have done at th… word;

Heere me O LORD, heare me now I the… pray,

That this people may ſurely know this day

That thou art God, who do'ſt them all maintai…

And that thou haſt their heart turn'd bac… againe.

Wh…n this was ſaid, from the great Eternel,

A ſacred fire downe from the high Heav'ns fell

This fire fall'n downe for the great GODS ſ…vice,

Did with all haſt conſume the ſacrifice;

The wood and ſtones, with duſt it did conſume,

The trench water it licked up right ſoone;

When this was done all men on face afraide,

The LORD is GOD, the Lord GOD t… cri'd.

Then ſaid Elijah, take theſe Prophets vile;

See none eſcape, ſee that none you beguile:

Then they tooke them, and Elijah anone,

Did ſlay theſe Prieſts downe at the brooke ſhon.

When this was done good Elijah did ſay

To King Ahab, I have good news this day;

p. 293Go eat and drink my word it is not vaine,

… heare a ſound of aboundance of raine:

…o Ahab went up, to eat and to drink,

…ut Elijah in himſelf thus did think,

… will go up to the top of Carmel

…o ſee ſome ſigne of raine from th' Eternel.

Then he went up, and there, as might be ſeene,

Caſt himſelfe downe and put his face betweene

His knees, and ſaid, to his ſervant goe ſee,

…f thou can ſpy ſome clouds upon the Sea:

Then he went up at the Prophets ſaying,

And turned back, he ſaid, There is nothing;

…even times againe to goe he did command,

At laſt he ſaw a cloud like a mans hands.

Then ſaid Elijah go without delay,

And to Ahab this from Elijah ſay,

Now get thee down and thy Charet prepaire,

Before the raine, as long as it is faire:

…n the meane time heav'ns black with clouds and winde,

Powr'd downe great raine before and als behinde.

Then Ahab rode and went to Jezreel,

Elijah als ſtrength'ned by th' Eternel

Did gird his loines, and before Ahab ran,

Ahab in Coache, but Elijah foot man:

Thus the Prophet of the great Eternel,

p. 294Before the King did run to Jezreel.

Then to Jezabel Ahab every word,

Did tell plainly how that Elijahs ſword

Had ſlaine her Prieſts, not having ſpared one,

And that beſides the curſed brooke Kiſhon:

Then Jezabel this hard meſſage did ſend

To Elijah, ſo the gods me defend,

For thy ill prats, and for thy bloody crime,

Thy life ſhall paſſe the morrow at this time.

When he heard this, he in great fear aroſe,

His heart trembled and could not well repoſe:

He in all haſt went to Beerſhebah,

Which is a part of the land of Judah;

He left his ſervants there in his diſtreſſe,

A dayes journey he went in wilderneſſe;

There ſet downe under a Juniper-tree,

He did requeſt the Lord that he might die;

I am not better then my fathers dear,

Said he, now take my life from all this fear.

As he did ly under the Juniper

Right faſt aſleepe, to him there a dinner

An Angel brought to refreſh him with meat;

He touched him, and ſaid, Ariſe and eat:

As he awoke, behold a cake of bread

Was on the coales, and a cruſe at his head

Of water good; Then Elijah to eat

And drink began, and after fell aſleep.

p. 295The ſecond time the Angel came againe,

…ho did for him a new dinner ordaine;

…riſe, ſaid he, and eat now ſpeedily,

…ecauſe the journey is too great for thee:

…ee what great care the good Lord had that day,

…hat Elijah ſhould not faint by the way:

…hus he aroſe to eate and drink quickly,

… this foods ſtrength he walked dayes fourty,

…nd fourtie nights, till to the mount of God,

…oreb he came where he made ſome abode.

While he was there lodged in a poor cave,

…he God of heav'n who takes delight to ſave

…is ſervants, ſaid, to his Elijah dear,

…hat now Elijah? What now doeſt thou heare?

My heart, ſaid he, hath beene verie jealous;

…or the great God who is moſt righteous:

…ll is now loſt, all thy ſervants away

…re taken, now they ſeek me als to ſlay;

…oe foorth, ſaid God, and ſtand upon the Mount;

…hee will I teach all dangers to ſurmount.

Behold at firſt a boiſtrous mighty winde,

…hich brake the Rockes and all that it could finde:

After the winde rageing came an earthquake,

…hich made Horeb from end to end to ſhake:

p. 296After the earthquake came a burning fire,

But in theſe three was not the Lords deſire;

He was not there; After came a ſmall voi…

Where to abide, the Lord did much rejoice:

When Elijah heard this voice full of grace,

He in his mantle wrapped all his face;

He went out and ſtood before Jehovah,

Who ſaid, what do'ſt thou now heere Elijah?

My heart, ſaid he, hath been very jealous

For the great God who is moſt righteous,

Thine Altars, Prophets, and thy Covenant,

Throwne downe and ſlaine they have with gr… contempt,

And als forſaken; thy ſervants away

Are taken; Now they ſeeke me als to ſlay:

Goe, ſaid the Lord, returne to Damaſcus,

And when thou comest to that deſert, thus

Anoint Hazael King of Syria,

And Jehu for Iſra'l, als Eliſha

For Prophet in thy roome, theſe all anoint,

For ſo theſe things to be I do appoint:

For the great ſins acted by Iſrael,

'Gainſt them ſhall come the ſword of Hazael

Whom he ſhall ſpaire, the mighty man Jeh…

p. 297…all with his ſword all into pieces hew;

… any from Jehu eſcape away,

…hem ſhall the ſword of good Eliſha ſlay:

…t know Elijah for all thou heares and ſees,

…ven thouſand who have not bowed the knees,

…ave me left who have not done amiſſe,

…r once ſo much to give Baal a Kiſſe.

When this was done, from Horeb Elijah,

…parted ſoone and found out Eliſha;

…hen he him ſaw with his twelve Oxen yoke

…wing, on him quickly he caſt his cloak:

…en he left all and ran moſt ſpeedilie,

…ter Elijah, ſaying, now let me,

…e that which to do can not be amiſſe,

…t me my father and my mother kiſſe:

…d then I promiſe moſt aſſuredlie,

…ith all mine heart to follow after thee:

…e back againe, delay not, goe right ſoone,

…id Elijah, for what now have I done?

…is done Eliſha came incontinent,

…nd with Elijah he went as ſervant.

Then came Benhadad ſtrong from Syria,

…ith thirty two Kings 'gainſt Samaria:

…s meſſengers he unto Ahab King,

… to the City ſent with this ſaying;

…us ſaith Benhadad, who darre now repine,

p. 298Thy Silver, Gold, Wives, Children all a… mine:

To him Ahab anſw'red, my Lord, O King,

What haſt thou ſaid, it is a true ſaying;

For I am thine and all that I can have,

Grant me friendſhip no other thing I crave.

When Benhadad theſe words of courteſie

Did heare, his heart was lifted up proudly,

His meſſenger he back againe then ſent,

Unto Ahab with this commandement;

I will to morrow my ſtrong ſervants ſend,

Who all thine houſe ſhall ſearch from e… to end:

What in thine eyes is most pleaſant that da…

They in their hands ſhall carie all away.

Then Ahab ſpake his Elders with great grief…

See how this man now ſeeketh a miſcheefe:

My ſilver, gold, my wives, children, freely,

I offred to him, who doth as ye ſee:

Then the elders with ſuch words not conten…

Said to Ahab, beware to give conſent,

Regard him not; Then Ahab made report,

To the meſſengers in words of this ſort;

What the King firſt deſired, it unto

I ſoone yeelded, but this I cannot doe.

When the meſſengers had made their report

p. 299Unto Benhadad in words of thss ſort,

…hen Benhadad ſent backe unto the King,

His ſervants ſoone with theſe words of threatning:

The gods do ſo to me and more alſo,

…f for the people that with me ſhall go

The duſt of all Samarias Citie,

Shall now ſuffice for them handfulls to be.

Then Ahab anſw'red tell yee now your King

We will not yeeld for all his great threatning,

Let not him that girdeth on the harneſſe.

So boaſt himſelf as free of all distreſſe.

When they report made of all this ſaying,

Benhadad with his Kings were then drinking

…nto his tent: To his ſervants that day,

He ſaid be now all in Battell aray;

When this was heard, his ſtrong men ſpeedilie

Did rank themſelves againſt that fair Citie:

Behold anone a Prophet from the LORD,

Who did King Ahab comfort with this word,

Thus ſaith the Lord, this hoſt without delay,

… will deliver in thine hand this day:

Though Benhadad now boaſt much of his ſword,

…hab ſhall know that I am God the Lord.

Then Ahab ſaid, by whom ſhall this be done,

…he man of God gave him this anſwere ſoone;

p. 300By the young men of good worthy Princes,

Who mighty are among the Provinces,

Then ſaid, Ahab, tell me from th' Eternell,

Who ſhall among us order the Battell?

To that the Prophet ſhortly did reply,

Even thou who art the Lord of the city:

Then Ahab call'd the young men him unto

Who were numbred two hundred thirtie two

The hoſt it ſelf which Ahab did command,

In number all were but poor ſeven thouſand.

When theſe brave men went to battel… noone,

Benhadad drunk was in his pavillion

With thirtie two Kings, who this moſt did th…

How their bellies might be filled with drink:

Then the young men of the Princes that day,

Before the reſt went firſt in their aray.

When Benhadad the King of Syria,

Heard that theſe men were from Samaria,

He ſaid, whether they be for peace or warre

Take them alive, but to ſlay them beware.

When this was ſaid, armie againſt armie

Began to fight, but Syria to flie

Made haſt; That day poor Iſrael with few,

Benhadads great hoſt bravely overthrew:

To King Ahab the Prophet came againe,

And ſaid, mark well, my counſell not diſdain

p. 301…or ſurely at the returne of the yeer,

…enhadad will with a new armie ſtir:

Then Benhadads ſervants to him did ſay,

…heir gods are gods of hills, therefore now they

…e ſtronger then we, let us in the plaine

…gainſt them fight, and they ſhall ſoone bee ſlaine:

Doe this als if thou wouldſt prevaile this day,

…ake heede and take theſe drunken Kings away,

…nd put Captaines with order in their place,

… ſhalt thou ſoone thy ſtrongeſt foes deface:

Make up an armie like that which thou loſt.

…haret for charet, horſe for horſe to poſt,

…nd runne them downe in ſome field that is plaine,

…hen ſhall we ſee their armie foil'd and ſlaine.

It came to paſſe at the turne of the yeere,

…hat Benhadad to fill mens hearts with fear,

…ame with an hoſt of charets and of men,

…nto Aphek againſt Iſral's children:

…ke little Kids Iſra'l was in aray,

…ut Syrians fill'd the countrey that day.

While all in order were fet for battell,

… man of God came unto Iſrael,

p. 302And ſaid, GOD ſaith becauſe the Syr… boast,

That GOD on hills can onelyonly help your hoſt ▪

It ſhall be ſeene that ſuch words are but v…

For as on hills ſo am I in the plaine,

For good ſucceſſe this day, I give my wor…

And yee ſhall all know that I am the LO…

Then theſe two armies fill'd with co… much,

Did ſev'n dayes one againſt another pitch:

In the ſeventh day, they joined the Battell;

An hundred thouſand that day by Iſra'l

Of Syrians were ſlaine, the reſt did flie

Unto Aphek, and there in that citie

Upon twenty ſev'n thouſand men a wall,

Fell with great noiſe, which killed great ſmall.

Then Benhadad who durſt no more abide,

Came to the citie for himſelfe to hide

In ſome chamber, there his ſervants did ſay,

Our foes by force have much prevail'd day,

But vve have heard vvhichwhich comfort t… brings,

That mercifull are all Iſraels Kings;

Let us quickly ſeeing there be ſuch hopes

p. 303…ut on ſackcloth, and bind our heads vvith ropes,

…nd go to Abab vvith humilitie,

…eradventure that King vvill pardon thee.

As they had ſaid, ſo quickly in theſe hopes

…ey got ſackcloth, and bound their heads with ropes:

…en to Ahab adorn'd with Majeſtie,

…ey came with theſe ſignes of humilitie,

King, ſaid they, let there be no more strife,

…ore Benhadad from thee doth beg his life.

…hat? Said the King, is your Maſter not dead?

…ell him that he my brother is indeed:

… bring him forth that novv I may him ſee,

…d that he may in Charet ride vvith me.

Then Benhadad ſaid to Ahab therefore,

… thee the Cities I will now reſtore,

…hich my ſtout father tooke from Iſrael,

… thy brave Captaines to thee may well tell.

…hen ſaid Ahab this Covenant this day

…all betwixt us; So he ſent him away.

Then came a Prophet with his owne accord,

…ho to his neighboure in words of the Lord,

…id ſmite me ſoone, I pray thee now ſmite me,

…hat? Said the man, wherefore ſhould I ſmite thee?

p. 304Becauſe ſaid he, thou wouldſt not now obey

GODS voice by me, a Lion ſhall thee ſlay:

So as the Prophet ſaid it came to paſſe,

A Lion ſlew him for this his treſpaſſe:

Then the Prophet another found quickly,

And as before ſaid to him ſmite thou me:

Then he not ſlack, quickly a weapon found,

And did him ſmite which made a bloody woun…

Thus the Prophet ſore wounded went away,

And waited on King Ahab by the way:

He thus diſguiſd with aſhes on his face,

Did cry to Ahab paſſing by that place,

Thy ſervant went out into the Battell

While there I was, this unto me befell;

Behold a man turning himſelfe aſide,

Who brought a man unto me, and thus ſaid

Keep me this man, for if he be miſſing,

Then for his life, thy life ſhall be the thing

Which ſhall be ranſome; or ſurely deliver

Without delay, a full talent of ſilver:

But as thy ſervant buſie was, anone

This captive man away from me was gone.

When this was ſaid, then ſaid to him the K…

Now thou thy ſelf haſt decided the thing;

Of that matter ſpeak thou no more to me,

p. 305Thus haſt thou done, ſo ſhall thy judgement bee.

When that was ſaid, the Prophet in that place,

Haſted and took the aſhes from his face:

…hen did the King diſcerne there moſt clearely,

…hat this man was come with ſome Prophecy.

…hen ſaid the Prophet, Thus ſaith GOD the LORD,

…ecauſe thou haſt rebell'd againſt my word,

…ecauſe thou hast let goe out of thine hand,

… man whom I to destroy did command,

…cauſe that thou refuſed to do this,

…hy peoples life, and thine ſhall go for his:

…en King Ahab went to his houſe heavy,

…hich then was in Samarias city.

After theſe things it befell in that place,

…at good Naboth hard by Ahabs palace,

…d a vineyard which was in Jezreel;

…is man his vineyard was deſir'd to ſell

Ahab King who offred him money,

… a vineyard better then it could be.

But this anſwere to Ahab he did tell,

…e LORD forbid that I to thee ſhould ſell,

…at which I have for mine inheritance

…m my fathers, and not by hap or chance.

Then Ahab to his houſe return'd heavy,

p. 306And laid him downe upon his bed ſadly;

He turn'd away his face in his ſick bed,

He freted ſo that he would eat no bread:

But Jezabel his wife came him unto,

Ariſe ſaid ſhe, I know well what to doe:

Do'ſt thou not rule the Kingdome of Iſra'l?

Art thou not King over both great and ſmall

Ariſe and eat and alſo be merrie,

For Naboths vineyard I will give to thee.

So to the Elders ſhe in Ahabs name,

Sent Sealed letters a faſt to proclame;

Set Naboth ſoone, ſaid ſhe, in ſome h… place

Among the people? ſet before his face,

Two wicked men who may witneſſe this thin…

That Naboth hath blaſpheem'd GOD and King:

When that is done, him carie out quickly,

Him ſtone with ſtones that he may ſurely di…

Then the Elders ill Judges without grace,

Condemn'd Naboth to be ſton'd in that place▪

When he was dead they ſent to Jezabel,

For to tell how all the matter befell;

When ſhe this knew, ſhe unto ſick Ahab

Did cry ariſe, for now Naboths vineyard

p. 307… in thy pow'r go take poſſeſſion,

…ho darre controll a great Kings action?

When AHAB hea…d that poore Naboth was dead,

…e went unto his vineyard with great ſpeed.

…or of the ſame to take poſſeſſion,

…ho darre controll a great Kings action?

Then the Lord ſpake to Elijah ſaying,

Ariſe goe downe, to meet Ahab the King;

…ehold how he in his great wickedneſſe,

… gone poore Naboths vineyard to poſſeſſe,

…eake unto him by my direction,

…aſt thou killed and als poſſeſſion

…ast taken now? Where thou haſt Naboth good

…illed with ſtones, there dogges ſhall lick thy blood.

Then ſaid Ahab to Elijah quickly,

…aſt thou me found, O thou mine enemy?

…ea, ſaid Elijah, for with all thy might,

…hou haſt thee ſold to do ill in GODS ſight:

…ehold I will bring fearefull plagues on thee,

…hee will I ſpoile of all posteritie,

…hem will I ſlay that piſſe againſt the wall,

…oth him that s ſhut up and left in Iſra'l:

p. 308Behold alſo for thy vile bloody ſpot,

Thine houſe like that of the ſon of Nebat

Shall be brought downe, or like to Baaſha,

Whoſe race was rooted out by Jehovah.

The LORD alſo ſpake this to Jezebel,

The dogs moſt vile ſhall her in Jezreel

Eat; Ahabs children ſhall deſtoyed be

By ſoules in fields, by dogs in the city.

Among the Kings which govern'd Iſrael,

None was like Ahab who himſelfe did ſell

To work miſchiefe, in the courſe of his life,

To this he was by Jezebel his wife

Moſt ſtirred up; he like a raging foole,

Did give himſelfe to Amorits idol.

When Ahab heard theſe words of Elijah,

Which threatningly he ſpake from Jehovah;

He rent his cloths, and put ſack on his fleſh

Then he with meat would not himſelf refreſh,

This King did lye in great humilitie

In ſack, alſo a mourner went ſoftly.

Then came the word from the great Jehova…

Unto his faithfull Prophet Elijah,

To whom he ſaid, Behold how before me,

Ahab the King in ſackloth moſt humblie,

Doth lye and faſt, I promiſe for this thing,

In his lifetime judgements I will not bring;

p. 309…ut becauſe I am a GOD righteous,

My plagues after ſhall come upon his houſe.

Then Iſrael living without all feare,

…or three yeers ſpace was free of bloody warre

…ith Syria; The third yeer it befell,

…ſaphat came to the King of Iſ…a'l:

…ven King Ahab who to his ſervants ſaid,

…now ye not well that Ramoth in Gilead

… ours by right, and yet we care no thing,

… to reſcue from the great Syrians King?

To Joſaphat, Ahab ſaid ſo and ſo,

…ilt thou O King, to Ramoth with me go,

… fight againſt the Syrian armie?

…th horſe and man at thy ſervice ſhall be,

…id good Joſaphat: But this I deſire,

…at thou this day at the Lords word enquire.

Then King Ahab gath'red together there,

…s falſe Prophets the matter to declare;

… them, he ſaid, now give me your counſell,

…'gainſt Ramoth I ſhall goe in Battell:

… up, ſaid they, for ſo God doth command,

…ho ſhall ſurely ſhute Ramoth in thine hand.

Joſaphat ſaid, yet farther I deſire,

… there not heere of whom we may enquire,

Prophet of the Lord beſides? yet one

…ere is, ſaid Ahab, Micajah the Son

Imlah, whom I hate, for he for me,

p. 310Hath never good in all his propheſie.

Joſaphat ſaid, Let not the King ſay ſo,

We heard the reſt, we will heare him alſo.

Thus Ahab ſent for Micajah that day,

To heare alſo what he to them could ſay:

Then theſe two Kings ſate in great dignitie,

Each on his Throne adorn'd with Majeſtie,

In the entrance of Samarias gate,

Waiting upon Micajah the Prophet;

Before he came the Prophets pleaſantlie,

Unto theſe Kings did good things prophecie,

Zedekiah Son of Chenaanah,

With hornes of yron, ſaid, Thus ſaith Jehovah,

With theſe yron hornes, this I now give for doome,

The Syrians hoſt thou ſhalt puſh and conſume;

So likewiſe all the Prophets then by order

Said unto him, Goe to Ramoth and proſper;

The warre is Gods and good is thine earand,

The Lord ſhall Ramoth put into thine hand.

He that was gone for to call Micajah,

Said unto him, Behold from Jehovah,

All the Prophets ſpeake good with one acco…

Ʋnto the King; So alſo let thy word

Be like to theirs, be not too ſtrict and rude,

But to the King ſpeake thou that which is good.

Then him anſwer'd the Prophet Micajah

p. 311…s God liveth what unto me Jovah,

… his good Sprite at this time ſhall reveale,

…hat from King Ahab I ſhall not conceale.

When he was come the King ſaid ſo and ſo,

Micajah tell if we to Battell go

…all against Ramoth, or ſhall we forbeare?

…hat is thy minde? Let me an anſwere heare.

Go and proſper, ſaid, Micajah in ſcorne,

…od in thine hand ſhall that people forlorne,

…eliver now; ſpeake trueth I thee adjure,

…id Ahab, for I cannot ſcorne endure.

…hen ſaid Micajah the trueth I will tell,

…pon the hills I ſaw all Iſrael,

As wandring ſheepe that have not a ſheepheard:

…hen this I ſaw then the Lord to me ſaid,

…heſe have no maſter, this is mine advice,

…hat every man goe to his houſe in peace.

…ehold ſaid Ahab, to Joſaphat King,

…id I not rightly conjecture this thing,

…hat this Micajah in his prophecie,

…ould ſay no good in what concerneth me?

…hen ſaid Micajah, heare now thou therefore,

… the Lords Prophet yet will tell thee more;

… ſaw the Lord ſitting upon his Throne,

p. 312Before him there all heav'ns hoſt came anone:

Then ſaid the Lord who beſt among you all,

Can move Ahab for to goe up and fall

At Ramoth? One ſaid this, another that,

At laſt came foorth, a ſpirit, a reprobate,

Who stood before the mightie Lord, and ſai…

I take in hand that I ſhall him perſwade.

Then ſaid the Lord, unto that Spirit wherewi…

With many lyes, ſaid he, I will goe foorth

And him deceive; Goe foorth, ſaid GO… doe ſo,

Thou ſhalt perſwade him and prevaile alſo.

But Zedekiah Son of Chenaanah,

Went neere and ſmote the cheeke of Micajah

Which way, ſaid he, the Sprite of God from me,

A Prophet went for to ſpeake unto thee?

Then ſaid Micajah for thy boaſt and pride,

The day ſhall come that thou thy ſelfe ſhalt hi…

In inner chambers cloſe, Then ſaid the King,

Take this Micajah and ſoone do this thing;

Put this fellow into ſome vile priſon,

And feede him with bread of affliction,

And water als untill I come in peace

From the Battell; This well me now do pleaſe,

Said Micajah, for if thou come ſafelie

p. 313Fr…m that Battell the Lord hath not by me

…ken at all; This is moſt ſure I tell,

…rken O people and conſider well.

…o the King Ahab and Joſaphat both,

…th their great Armie went up to Ramoth:

…n Ahab King reſolved by adviſe,

…he Battell he did him ſelfe diſguiſe;

… he had ſaid unto Joſaphat King;

… on thy robes in time of the fighting.

…he King of Syria had his thirtie two,

…taines commanded, ſaying, ſo and ſo;

… that ye fight neither with great nor ſmall,

…e onelyonly with the King of Iſrael.

When the Captaines Joſaphats rich clothing

… ſee, they thought he had been Iſra'ls King:

…n they aſide turned with all their might,

…inſt Joſaphat with forces to fight.

…hen King Joſaphat with a mighty ſhout,

…ong his foes in danger cried out;

…en the Captaines in that bloody Battell,

… that he was not the King of Iſra'l,

…y turned back and quickly went him fro,

…eek Ahab, who was their cheefeſt foe.

…hen at a venture a man drew a bow,

… hurt Ahab with a deadly arrow;

…n ſaid Ahab to him who his coch drave

… wounded, if thou my life can ſave

p. 314Delay no more, with diligence make haſt,

And carry me aſide out of the hoſt.

So Ahab died, and in Samaria,

Was buried as the Prophet Micajah

Before had told, who it well underſtood;

They waſh'd the coch, the dogges did lick blood.

The Uſe.

Let Kings heer learne to ſhun ill company,

A Jezebel ſtain'd with idolatry:

Let Kings heere learne GODS Lawes fo… regard,

Ahab did loſſe his Crowne for a vineyear…

Let Kings heere learne GODS Micajah heare,

And not to baſe Placebos to give eare.

8. AHAZIAH. The poſseſſion of GOD.

THis wicked ſon after Ahab was dead,

In wickedneſſe did unto him ſucceed:

He like his father did worſhip Baal,

And ſo provok'd the great God Eternal.

p. 315A few dayes after a great greif befell,

…ng Ahaziah through a latteſſe fell

…om an high chamber, whereby he made ſick.

…om Ba'lzebub his life and health did ſeeke.

Then an Angel ſent from the great Jovah,

…id to his Prophet faithfull Elijah,

…iſe go up and the Kings ſervants meet,

…d ſay unto them in theſe words moſt meet,

… it not becauſe that in all Iſra'l

…ere is no GOD, that thou go'ſt to Baal?

…w therefore heare that which the LORD hath ſaid,

…ou ſhalt not therefore come downe from thy bed:

…hen this meſſage Elijah had imparted,

… went his way and from theſe men departed.

Then meſſengers unto the King came back,

…ho ſaid unto them why are ye ſo ſlack,

… to returne from the way I you ſent,

…om Ba'lzebub who onelyonly can content

… troubled heart? Then anſwer'd they the King,

… man us met who ſent us back, ſaying,

… tell your Prince who hath you fooliſhlie,

…t to idoles wherein is no ſafetie,

…it not becauſe that in all Iſra'l,

p. 316There is no God that thou go'ſt to Baal?

Now therefore heare what the Lord God … ſaid,

Thou ſhalt not therefore come downe from … bed.

What man was he that came you up to mee…

Said Ahaziah both troubled and ſick:

He was, ſaid they, a man old and hoary,

Who bade us turne and no longer tarry:

This hoary man who did us thus enjoine,

A leather girdle had about his loines:

The man that is clothed with that habite,

Is moſt ſurely Elijah the Tiſhbite:

Then did the King a Captaine of fiftie,

Send unto him ſitting on an hill hie;

They ſaid, Thus ſaith the man that beares crowne,

Thou man of GOD ſee that thou ſoone c… downe.

Elijah ſaid, if man of God I be,

Let fire come downe and thee and thy fiftie

Conſume and ſlay; with theſe wordes fell fire,

Which did as good Elijah did deſire,

Againe the King a Captaine with fiftie,

Sent to Elijah commanding quicklie

p. 317…r to come downe, as had been ſaid before,

…eſe words they ſpake to fright him more and more;

…ey ſaid, Thus ſaith the man that beares the Crovvne,

…ou man of GOD, ſee that thou ſoone come dovvne.

Elijah ſaid, if man of God I be,

…t fire comedowne, and thee and thy fiftie

…nſume and ſlay with theſe words fell a fire,

…hich did as good Elijah did deſire.

He ſent againe a Captaine of fifty,

…ho came and at Elijahs feet humbly

…d ſupplicat that he his favour might

…nd, that his life might be deare in his ſight.

Then ſaid th' Angel Elijah now go downe,

…are not the face of him that beares the Crown;

…en he aroſe and went unto the King

…nd ſaid, This is the mighty Lords ſaying;

… as much as thou to Baalzebub

…ſt ſent, a diſgrace on the LORD to rub,

…erefore I tell thee what GOD unto me

…th ſaid in wrath, is it not certainly?

…it not becauſe that in all Iſra'l

…ere is no GOD, that thou unto Baal

…uld ſend? Therefore from thy bed certainly

p. 318Thou ſhalt not come downe but ſhalt ſurely

Thus after two yeers that he bare the crowne,

Unto the duſt by death he was brought downe

The Uſe.

Let all men learne in ſickneſſe and diſtre…

To trust in God who ever good ſucceſſe,

Grants unto theſe that upon him depend

Who do not ſo, ſhall feel it in the end:

Hear this who with ſhit children in your a…

Run to witches, to ſtithies, ſalves, and cha…

9. JEHORAM. The highneſſe of GOD

KIng Ahaziah after him had none,

Who in Iſra'l ſucceeded to his Throne;

But Jehoram his brother in that day,

Sat on the Throne and did the ſcepter ſway:

Of this man who did from the LORD depart…

With an arrow Jehu did pierce the heart:

He was ſon of Ahab and Jezebel,

A race much hated of God Eternel.

p. 319The Uſe.

…t all Kings heere learne not to go aſtray,

… they in peace would long their ſcepter ſway;

… Kings from GOD in their folly depart,

…D arrowes hath vvherewith to pierce their heart.

ELIJAH. The mightie Lord.

… Jorams reigne Gods word in hiſtory,

…nſerts concerning Elijah worthy.

When to take up Elijah in his minde

…e Lord had purpoſe by a great whirlewinde:

…en Elijah the Prophet from Gilgal

…ent with Eliſha, and to him did call,

…d ſaid, Here tarry, for the Eternel,

…th me ordain'd for to go to Bethel:

…ſha ſaid, As the great God doth live,

… no requeſt will I Elijah leave:

…en theſe two Prophets of the Eternel,

…gether went down unto faire Bethel:

…s of the Prophets there to Eliſha,

…d, Knowſt not thou thy Maſter Elijah,

p. 320Shall from thine head be pull'd away this day?

I know, ſaid he, hold ye your peace I ſay.

Als Elijah, ſaid to Eliſha ſo,

I pray thee tary, for to Jericho

The Lord hath ſent me, I muſt him obey,

But as for thee thou ſhalt do well to ſtay:

Eliſha ſaid, as the great God doth live,

For no requeſt will I Elijah leave:

When they were come unto fair Jericho,

The Prophets ſons ſaid to Eliſha ſo,

Haſt thou not heard that thy Maſter this day,

From thee by God ſhould be pulled away?

Yea I it know, ſaid he, moſt certainly,

Hold ye your peace, and hencefoorth let me b…

Elijah ſaid to Eliſha his man,

Now tarry here, for God me to Jordan

Hath ſent: As the moſt mighty Lord doth live

Said Eliſha, I minde thee not to leave:

When Elijah this matter thought upon

He yeelded then, and ſo the two went on:

There fiftie men who then all Prophets were,

Stood ov'r againſt for to view them a farre.

There Elijah with Eliſha his man,

Moſt gravely ſtood hard by the flood Jordan:

Then Elijah tooke his mantle anone,

With it by faith he ſtrooke the flood upon;

p. 321…y this the waters they divided found,

… that theſe two went ov'r on the dry ground.

When they the Jordan together had paſt,

…ijah ſaid to Eliſha at laſt,

…ke now what thou deſires I doe for thee,

…fore by God I be lifted on hie:

…ou hast me ſerv'd with reſpect and regard,

…e what thou wouldſt have now for thy reward.

Eliſha ſaid, this is my ſute to thee,

…t thy good Sprite be doubled now on me;

…hen Elijah heard Eliſhas ſaying,

…e ſaid, thou haſt now asked a heard thing;

…evertheleſſe, if thou ſhalt then me ſee,

…hen the great God ſhall take me up on hie,

… ſhall be ſo unto thee as thou would;

…t not, if then thou canſt me not behold.

It came to paſſe as theſe two went on ſtill,

…hold a ſigne the promiſe to fulfill;

…cording to good Eliſhas deſire,

…ere appeared a faire charet of fire:

…ith great horſes which parted them that day,

Elijah in whirlewinde went away:

When Eliſha had ſeene all that befell,

… father, father, charet of Iſra'l,

…d their horſemen he thus aloud did cry,

…t he him ſaw no more after that day.

Then Eliſha for grief incontinent

p. 322Tooke his own clothes and in two pieces rent▪

Laſt after this, the Prophet Eliſha,

Tooke up the mantle of good Elijah

That fell on him; and ſo went back anone,

And ſtood beſides the bank of the Jordan;

With that mantle he ſmote the waters deep,

Which both above, and beneath back did creep

For Gods ſervant to make a ready way,

That good Eliſha might paſſe through that day.

When the Prophets that were at Jericho

Saw Eliſha, they all ſaid ſo and ſo,

Behold the ſprit of faithfull Elijah

Doth reſt upon his ſervant Eliſha;

Theſe came to meet him with all diligence,

And bow'd before him with great reverence.

Behold, ſaid they, there be with us fiftie

Strong men of worth, let them goe we p… thee,

And ſeeke thy Maſter, leaſt peradventure

The Sprite of God who had of him the cure

Hath taken him, and hath him cast upon

Some high mountaine, or low valley alone.

Then ſaid Eliſha, your zeal I commend,

But my adviſe is that ye ſhall not ſend:

From their purpoſe he could them not reclam…

They urged ſo that he did bluſh for ſhame:

p. 323Therefore he ſaid, if it be your will ſend,

…ey ſent therefore and three dayes to an end

…id ſeek, and ſeek on valley and mountaine,

…t nothing found, and ſo return'd againe:

…hen to Eliſha they at Jericho

…me with report, how they both to and fro

…d wandred; to them Eliſha did ſay,

…old you that before ye went away.

The Uſe.

…t Prophets learne vvho ſerve the great Jovah,

… follovv the footſteps of Elijah:

… ſpar'd not great Kings, but did them rebuke,

…hen they Jehovah moſt leudly forſooke:

…oſt Kings are ſlaine by the vile flatterie,

… baſe fellowes, who walk not uprightly:

…t all Elijahs that walk in GODS way,

…oke for GODS coch to carie them away.

ELISHA My GOD ſalvation.

…Hen Eliſha ſojourn'd at Jericho,

The men of that city came him unto,

p. 324Who ſaid, behold a place that is pleaſant,

But the water is nought, and good ground ſca…

Then ſaid Eliſha bring me a new cruſe,

Put ſalt therein whereof I may make uſe;

When this was done, he went forth to the ſpri…

Of theſe waters, and caſt the ſalt therein:

And ſaid, Thus ſaith the mighty LORD, I have

Healed theſe waters as yee may perceive;

Henceforth no death or any barren land

Heer ſhall be ſeene, for ſo doth GOD comman…

Then Eliſha from thence went to Bethel,

As he did go this Tragedie befell:

Some children came out of Bethels city,

Who ſaid unto the Prophet tauntingly,

Go up thou bald head, go up thou bald-head,

He turned back and curſed them with ſpeed.

Then from the wood came Bears incontinent,

Who fourtie two all into pieces rent:

From thence to faire Carmel went Eliſha,

And from Carmel unto Samaria.

Now Jehoram ill Ahabs ſecond ſon,

In Samaria did ſit on the Throne;

He did much ill in great Jehovahs ſight,

Yet not like Ahab; for this which was right

He did; Baals image he put away,

To which Ahab his father went aſtray:

But Jeroboams ſins he could not leave,

p. 325…o theſe idols his fooliſh heart did cleave.

In this time Meſha who of Moab King

…as a ſheepmaſter, who much ſheep did bring

… Ahabs dayes, when once Ahab was dead,

…is man rebell'd againſt the Royall ſeed.

…en Jehoram the King of Iſrael,

…ſaphats help deſired in Battell

…gainſt Moab; He ſaid with horſe and man

…gainſt Moab I will do what I can

…or thee and thine, Thus the King Jehoram,

…ith Joſaphat, and the King of Edom

…ent to that war; three Kings in company,

…eſolv'd to fight againſt Moab ſtoutly,

…id of ſeven dayes journey fetch a compaſſe,

…t had no water for man, horſe, or aſſe;

…as, ſaid Joram, it is great pitie

…at we three Kings by Moabs great armie

…ould be deſtroy'd; Then Joſaphat did ſay,

… there not heer ſome good Prophet this day?

Behold, ſaid one, the Prophet Eliſha,

…hich water on the hands of Elijah

…id powre; Then ſaid Jehoſaphat the King,

… pleaſeth me to heare of that ſaying;

…or a good man he is in work and word,

…et us him hear, for with him is the Lord:

… theſe three Kings went downe to Eliſha

… know what he would ſay from Jehovah.

p. 326Then good Eliſha to Jehoram King,

Theſe words of wrath had unto him ſaying,

To ſpeak to thee I have no great deſire,

Go to thy fathers Prophets and enquire:

Were it not that I did regard ſurelie

Jehoſhaphat, I would not look on thee:

But now that I what is to come may tell,

Bring unto me a most cunning Minſtrell.

When he did play, then ſoon it came to paſſ…

That on Eliſha the hand of GOD was;

Then ſaid Eliſha make ditches quickly,

In great aboundance in this faire valley.

Thus ſaith the LORD, yee neither w… nor raine

Shall ſee, and yet the ditches of the plaine

Shall be filled with water, that yee may

Both yee and all your cattell drink this day…

This thing is light, GOD may it ſoone c… mand,

The Moabites he ſhall put in your hand;

And yee ſhall ſmite ev'ry fenced citie,

And als yee ſhall fell downe evry good tr…

Yee ſhall alſo their wells of water ſtop,

That in their thirſt they receive not a drop;

As he had ſaid, ſo water came anone,

p. 327W…th abundance by the way of Edom.

When Moabites heard that the Kings that day

…re come to fight, they in their beſt aray,

…th armour bright then all ſtood in the border,

…s for Battell theſe men were ſet in order.

When Moabites roſe in the morning ſoon,

…old the Sun upon theſe waters ſhone;

…e Sun beames made theſe waters to ſeeme red,

…e Moabites ſaid ſurely it is blood;

…e Kings ſurely have one another ſlaine,

…e ſpoile for us now ſafely doth remaine:

…en they came to the Camp of Iſrael,

…e Iſraelites upon them fiercely fell,

…hat they fled from Iſra'l ſpeedily,

…o did them chaſe unto their own countrey;

…eir cities fair they did beat down at laſt,

…on their fields each man a ſtone did caſt

… of his ſling, and ſtopped every well,

…eir faireſt trees alſo they did down fell.

When Moabs King ſaw the Battell too ſore

…t him, he tooke ſeven hundred men therefore,

… break even throw unto great Edoms King,

… finding that he could not do that thing;

… eldeſt Son he tooke before them all,

…hom for an offring he burnt on the wall;

…is eldeſt Son belong'd to Edoms King,

p. 328Whom Moab had as Captive in keeping.

When Edom ſaw, that for to ſave his Son

Iſra'l would not breake up that ſiege right ſo…

He in his heart being full of fury,

Againſt Iſr'al return'd to his country.

Then a certaine poor afflicted widow

Came to Eliſha with grief and ſorrow,

Saying, My husband a Prophet is dead,

Thou know'ſt right well that he the LO… indeed

Did feare; And now alas the creditour

Is come to take my two ſons at this hour,

To be bond men; To her with great pitie

Elijah ſaid, what ſhall I do for thee?

Tell me, ſaid he, what haſt thou in thine ho…

A pot of oyle, ſaid ſhe, who had no ſpouſe.

Goe, ſaid Eliſha, and veſſels borrow

From thy neighbours, yea borrow not a few▪

When thou comes in, then ſhut the doo… hinde,

For Gods bleſſing on that oyle thou ſhalt find

When ſhe her pot in theſe veſſels did powre,

All the veſſels were filled in that houre;

When all was ſought there were no veſſels m…

In all the houſe, the oyle did ſtay therefore:

How all was done ſhe to the Prophet told,

p. 329…o did appoint all the oyle to be ſold,

…ay debt of the firſt and readieſt,

… after that to live upon the reſt.

After all this it fell upon a day,

…t to Shunem Eliſha had his way,

…ere was a woman full of charitie,

… him conſtrained her gueſt for to be;

… ſo it was as oft as he did paſſe

… them, he entred and no ſtranger was.

Then ſaid ſhe to her husband lovingly,

…s man of God which often paſſeth by

… a good man; to us a matter ſmall

…ill be for him to build on the wall

…hamber, with a table stoole, a bed,

…d candleſtick; If ſuch a gueſt be fed

…o our houſe, it ſhall be found our beſt,

…ſo we do the LORD vvill bleſſe the rest.

So it fell that Eliſha on a day,

… to this houſe of Shunem made his way;

…en ſaid he to Gehazi his ſervant,

…s Shunamite call thou incontinent,

…hen ſhe was come and did before him ſtand,

… earneſtly did deſire t'underſtand,

…hat thing he might for her great care procure,

…th King Captaine whereof ſhe might be ſure.

Among mine owne people, ſaid ſhee I dwell,

p. 330Thou need'ſt not King, nor yet the Capta… tell

Of mine eſtate; At laſt ſaid Gehazi,

This is the point, this is the veritie,

She hath no child in all her rich houſhold

To be their heire, and als her Lord is old.

Then ſaid Eliſha about this ſeaſon,

Of time of life thou ſhalt embrace a ſon;

Then ſaid ſhe to him, Oh now do not lie

To thine handmaid, but ſpeake the veritie;

So it befell that at the ſame ſeaſon

She did conceive, and after bare a ſon.

When he was growne it fell upon a day;

That this young child with his father to play

Went out among reapers, at laſt he ſaid,

Unto his father, oh my head, my head;

His father dear ſaid to a lade ſhortly,

This ſick child now to his mother cary;

When ſhe him got, ſhe ſet him on her knee,

About the noone ſickneſſe made him to die:

Then ſhe went up and laid him on the bed

Of Eliſha, the dear ſervant of God,

On him ſhe ſhut the doore and went away,

And to her huſband thus and thus day ſay;

Send me I pray a young man with an aſse,

That to Eliſha I may ſhortly paſſe;

Why wilt thou go, ſaid he to her, I pray,

p. 331… is not new Moone, nor yet ſabbath day;

Yet let me go, ſaid ſhe, all ſhall be well,

…er aſſe ſhe ſadled, and came to Carmel

…nto Eliſha, ſo it came to paſſe,

…hen he her ſaw, wondring what matter was,

…e ſaid anone to ſervant Gehazi,

…he Shunamite behold, what can this be?

…o run and meet her from this mount Carmel,

…nd know of her if all at home do well;

…ll well, ſaid ſhe, then at Eliſhas feet

…e fell downe there, and then began to weepe;

Then Gehazi came faſt to thruſt away

…he Shunamite in great diſtreſſe that day;

…et her alone, ſaid Eliſha, behold

…reat grief of heart, which GOD hath not me told.

She ſaid, did I deſire a Son to have?

…id I not ſay, ſee thou me not deceive?

Then ſaid Eliſha unto Gehazi,

…rd up thy loines, and take my ſtaffe quicklie,

…e that no man thou ſalute by the way,

…or do no thing that may procure delay;

…hen thou art come with ſpeede unto the place,

p. 332See that this ſtaffe thou lay on the ch… face;

But the mother would not leave Eliſha,

For ſo ſhe ſware by the great Jehovah:

Then ſhe aroſe, Eliſha did follow,

All for to ſtint the Shunamits ſorrow.

Then Gehazi the ſtaffe upon the face

Of the childe laide, but during all that ſpace

Was neither voice nor yet any hearing,

Wherefore he turn'd to Eliſha, ſaying

The childe is not awak'd, there is no life;

Then Eliſha came with that worthy wife;

And ſaw the childe laid dead upon his bed,

Then to them all the good Eliſha ſaid,

Retire your ſelfe and let me here alone

Be with the childe, then they retir'd anone,

Then Eliſha with zeal began to pray,

He went up als, and upon the childe lay;

He mouth to mouth, and eyes to eyes did joi…

And hands to hands, and ſtretch'd him… upon

The young dead childe, there without h… harme

Then the young childes fleſh anone wa… warme:

Then he return'd and walked to and fro,

And on the childe he ſtretched him alſo.

p. 333…hen at the laſt the young childe ſeven times neeſd

… eyes were opened, and ſo was reviv'd:

… calling for the Shunamite anone,

…a ſaid to her, Take up thy Son:

…n ſhe went in and full of comforts ſweet,

… downe at the Prophet Eliſhas feet;

… bow'd her ſelf humbly unto the ground,

…ling ſwetly for her great comforts found.

…fter Eliſha came unto Gilgal,

… great dearth which troubled great and ſmall,

… on the great pot ſaid he to make meat,

…t the ſons of the Prophets now may eat;

…en the ſervant heard theſe Eliſhas words,

… went and of a wild vine gathred gourds,

…lap full which he ſhred into the pot,

… at theſe herbs were that ſervant then knew not;

…en the Prophets theſe herbs began to eat,

… cryed out that death was in their meat;

… Eliſha bad his ſervants bring meal,

…ch put in pot they did no more death feel.

…hen Naaman great Captaine of the hoſt

Syria, who would have ſpar'd no coſt

…e helped of his vile leproſie,

…rn'd of a maid, who by captivitie

… in his houſe, that in Samaria

p. 334There was a Prophet called Eliſha

Who could him help, and heale moſt perfectlie

Of his diſeaſe of wofull leproſie.

Then ſaid the King of Syria, Go to,

I will now ſend a faire letter unto

Jehoram King, who guideth Iſrael,

Then the man went, and tooke with him of al…

Beſt things; Of ſilver he tooke ten talents,

Six thouſand pieces of gold, of rayments

Ten changes, and ſo brought unto the King,

The Kings letter containing this ſaying,

Behold therewith I have ſent unto thee

Naaman to be heal'd of leproſie.

When King Jehoram heard this letter read,

He in amazement this utt'red and ſaid,

Am I a God to kill or make alive?

Who in beſt Phyſick can ſo deeply dive?

Wherefore now ſee, it is eaſie to tell,

That he now ſeekes againſt me a quarrell.

When Eliſha had heard how that the King

Had rent his clothes, he ſent him this ſaying,

Be not amaz'd, let him now come to me,

And he ſhall know that a Prophet ſurelie

Is in Iſra'l; So to Eliſhas doore

Naaman came, and ſtood there it before,

With horſe, charets, in pompe and dignitie,

Then a ſervant Eliſha ſent quicklie

p. 335With this meſſage, goe to the Jordan fair,

…nd ſev'n times waſh thee in the water there,

…o ſhall thy fleſh againe come unto thee,

…hou ſhalt be cleane, and that moſt perfectly.

But Naaman was wroth, and went away,

…nd ſaid, Behold, I thought the man this day

…ill ſurely come and pray unto his GOD,

And touch the place and cleanſe me of this rod;

…ana, Pharpar right well I can tell,

…e better rivers then theſe of Iſra'l:

May I not waſh in them, and ſo be cleane?

…us he turned and all in rage was ſeene.

Then came to him his ſervant thus ſaying,

My father, if the Prophet ſome great thing

…d ordain'd thee, wouldſt thou not have it done?

… much rather when thou thy health ſo ſoone

…y have by waſhing in water ſoftlie?

…ſh and bee cleane, hee ſaith no mere to thee.

…t that wiſe word great Captaine Naaman,

…waded was ſoone to waſh in Jordan;

p. 336His fleſh like childes fleſh was then cleare… ſeene

To be reſtord, ſo Naaman was cleane.

Then he return'd with all his companie,

And ſtood before Eliſha, who did ſee

What God had done, then ſaid Na'man behold,

I this in heart will all my lifetime hold:

And now I will heer in thy preſence tell,

In all the earth but onelyonly in Iſra'l

There is no GOD; Therefore heare t… ſaying?

I pray thee take from me now a bleſſing:

What? ſaid Eliſha no bleſſing I crave,

Of thy preſents nothing I will receive:

And though he urged and requeſt did make,

Yet Eliſha his preſent would not take.

Then ſaid Na'man, Eliſha I pray thee,

Let two Mules burdens of earth unto me

Be given, for hencefoorth I heere give m… word,

To quite all ſtranqe gods for to ſerve th… LORD:

In this thing the LORD thy ſervant p… don,

If I hencefoorth in the houſe of Rimmon,

p. 337Bow downe my ſelfe vvith my Master and King,

…he LORD pardon thy ſervant in this thing:

Then ſaid Eliſha goe in peace this day,

Thus he departed and ſo went away.

But Gehazi did from his Maſter ſlide,

After the man he went to get a bribe:

… will ſaid he ſome earand to him make;

… will now run and ſome what of him take,

When Naaman ſaw the man thus running,

He lighted downe and ſaid? What is the thing

That thou deſir'ſt? What now? Are all things well?

All well, ſaid he; My Maſter bids thee tell,

Behold even now there be come unto me

From Ephraim mount two young men moſt worthie,

Sons of the Prophets, let them from thee have

…art of the preſent, nothing more I crave,

But of good ſilver onelyonly one talent,

And with that als two changes of raiment.

Then ſaid Na'aman take two talents for one,

Them with the raiment he ſoone laid upon

Two of his ſervants, who bare them before

Gehazi, who fearing his Maſter ſore,

Tooke the baſe bribe, and ſent them backe quicklie,

p. 338For ſo he thought to hide his villanie.

Then he went in and ſtood before his Lord,

Who ſaid to him, now tell me in a word

Whence comeſt thou? Tell me what thou, h… done;

Thy ſervant went no whether ſaid he ſoone:

Fy man, ſaid he, went not mine heart w… thee,

When the man turn'd againe ſo ſpeedilie?

From his charet to meet a craftie knave

Who ran after a ſhamefull bribe to crave:

Is this a time, money, garments, to ſeeke,

Oxen or ſheep, vineyards or ſervants eke

Behold therefore Naamans leproſie

To thee and thine ſhall cleave most ſpeedilie:

When this was ſaid, that men GODS f… might know,

That villaine went out, leper whit as ſnow.

Then the Prophets unto Eliſha ſaid,

We can not well in this ſtrait roome abide,

Let us we pray thee go unto Jordan,

And there a great beame ſhall by ev'ry man

Be cut, that we GODS ſervants in Iſra'l

May have a place wherein that we may dwel…

p. 339…en ſaid Eliſha make ready to goe;

…en ſaid one, thou with us muſt be alſo,

…will, ſaid he, and ſo with them he went,

…nto Jordan, where they incontinent

…id cut downe wood, but as one did downe fell

… beame, his Axe head in the water fell:

…hen the man cri'd with great grief and ſorrow,

…as Maſter this axe I did borrow.

Eliſha ſaid, I will thee now ſolace,

… in Jordan thou canſt point the right place

…here it did fall; Which when he ſhew to him,

…e by a ſticke made the axe head to ſwimme:

…o Eliſha aſſwag'd his great ſorrow,

…y rendring th' axe which that man did borrow.

Then Syrias King againſt all Iſrael,

…tended war by his ſervants counſell,

… ſuch and ſuch, a moſt fit place ſaid he,

…ncampad ſhall my greateſt forces be,

…hen Eliſha unto Jehoram King,

…nt ſpeedy meſſage to warne him faying,

…ke heed that thou now paſſe not ſuch a place,

…or there in waite are foes thee to deface;

…hen Jehoram hearkning this counſell wiſe,

…id ſave himſelf, there more then once or twiſe.

For this the King of Syrias heart was ſore

…roubled, his ſervants he did call therefore,

p. 340And ſaid unto them, can no man me tell

Who traitours us to the King of Iſra'l?

Then ſaid one, O King thinke not ſo I pray,

For what in thy bedchamber thou do'ſt ſay,

That Eliſha can moſt perfectly tell

To Jehoram the King of Iſrael.

Goe ſaid the King, ſpye mee where is t… man:

Behold, ſaid they, he is now in Dothan;

Therefore the King ſent thither with great boaſt

Of horſes charets, a moſt mighty hoſt;

Then came theſe men by night who were m… ſtout,

And compaſſe did the city round about;

When Eliſhas ſervant was up earely,

Behold an hoſt did compaſſe the city;

Then he all trembling did ſpeak ſo and ſo,

Alas, good Maſter, how now ſhall we do?

Then ſaid Eliſha, thou needſt not to feare,

For moe with us then with theſe men be hee…

Then Eliſha unto the Lord did pray,

That God his eyes would open in that day,

When GOD him heard as he did then deſire,

His ſervant, horſes, and charets of fire,

Did on the mountaine then moſt clearly ſee,

About Eliſha for guard and ſafetie.

Then Eliſha moſt bold in all diſtreſſe,

p. 341…ntreated God to ſmite them with blindneſſe:

…nd ſo he did; Then Eliſha did ſay

…o theſe blind men, this is not the right way;

…f ye would the ſtraight path unto theſe take

…hom ye now ſeek, follow me at the back;

…ut he them led unto Samaria;

…hen to the Lord ſaid Prophet Eliſha,

…pen the eyes of theſe me, n I thee pray,

…hat they may ſee where they remaine this day:

…hen God op'ned their eyes and they did ſee,

…hat they were in Samarias citie.

Then Jehoram as his heart did indite,

Cri'd Eliſha my father ſhall I ſmite?

Sall I them ſmite? No, ſaid Eliſha, ſpare

For all theſe men now Gods priſoners are:

Would'ſt thou theſe ſmite, whom thou by ſword or bow

Haſt taken captive? would thou that allow?

Set rather bread and water them before,

That they may eate and drink, and come no more

To fight with us; ſo as GODS man did ſay

The King he did, and theſe men went away.

After Benhadad King of Syria,

Came with an hoſt againſt Samaria:

The ſiege was ſore, great als was the famine,

An Aſſes-head which rarely hath been ſeene,

For foureſcore pieces of ſilver was ſold,

p. 342Doues doung was deare, what one ſmall kabb… could hold,

Coſt there at that time no leſſe then twenty

Pieces, ſuch was the dearth in that citie.

Then Joram King upon the wall paſſing,

Heard a woman cry, Help my LORD O King;

If GOD, ſaid he, help thee not in diſtreſſe,

I cannot by Barne-floore, or yet winepreſſe:

Yet, ſaid the King, tell me what aileth thee:

This woman, ſaid, ſhe in fraud ſaid to me,

We hunger ſore, give us thy ſon for meat

The day, and after we my ſon ſhall eat.

At her deſire my poore ſon we first boil'd

But on the nixt day, ſhe falſe me beguild;

She hid her ſone; this is a true ſaying,

This makes me cry, help me my O Lord O King

When the King heard theſe wordes of gre… ſorrow,

He rent his clothes, theſe who did him follow

Beheld and ſaw what cloths he had within,

Even baſe ſackcloth neereſt unto his skin,

Then ſaid Joram, the LORD do ſo and more

To me, if that Eliſhas head therefore

Shall ſtand on him; Eliſha in his houſe

Did ſit when Joram, moſt unrighteous,

A meſſenger ſent ſwift from him before,

p. 343But ere he came, Eliſha grieved ſore,

…id to the Elders, See this murth'rers ſeed

…ath ſent a man to take away mine head,

…hen he cometh, let him no entrie finde,

…ere with a ſound his Maſter feet behinde:

…en came the man with this blaſphemous word,

…e will no longer waite upon the Lord;

…his ill from him is, he will no help ſend,

…e need not look that he us now defend.

Then ſaid Eliſha, heare from Jehovah

…o morrow in the fair Samaria,

…oth flowre and barley in a great cheapneſſe

…all be for to relieve this great diſtreſſe.

Then ſaid a Lord on whoſe hand lean'd the King,

…his Prophet tells us a moſt ſcornefull thing;

…hough GOD Heav'ns windowes by his arme mightie

…hould open wide, this thing it could not bee:

…hen ſaid Eliſha, thou ſhalt ſee that meat,

…ut God of it ſhall not give thee to eat.

While Samaria was in this eſtate,

…oure leprous men were lying at its gate;

…ch to other ſaid in perplexitie,

p. 344If vvee ſit heere; vvee vvill not fail die;

Now let us goe unto the Syrian hoste;

Men pinch'd vvith hunger muſt not mens boaſt:

If they alive us ſave, then ſhall we live,

If they us kill, to be vvell vvee believe;

Then they roſe up in the twilight moſt faire,

They to the camp came but found no man the…

For the great Lord the Syrians in his boaſt

Had troubled ſore with noiſe of a great hoſt:

For certaine, ſaid they, the King of Iſra'l

Hath hired Hittits and Egyptians tall,

To come upon us wherefore they that day

Troubled aroſe, in haſt and went away:

They left their tents their horſes and their

And als the camp, and all that therein was.

When theſe lepers came to the Syrians ca…

With joyfull hearts they all both ate and dra…

When that was done theſe foure incontinen…

Did carry thence both ſilver and raiment:

What they deſir'd none did them there forbi…

They got riches, and in the ground it hid;

Then each man ſaid, This is a day of grace,

We do not well for this to hold our peace

In good tidings; If we to morning light

p. 345…y, ſome miſchiefe will upon us light:

…w therefore come that we may go and tell

Kings houſehold, what the great Eternel

…h done for us: Then to the city ſoone

…y went, and told perfectly was done.

When the King heard this, he aroſe by night,

…d ſaid, This is but policie and ſlight;

…ſe men do know that we be much hungry,

…refore to draw us from our ſtrong city,

…y hide themſelves, that when we are come out,

…ey may ſurpriſe and compaſſe us about.

Then ſaid one, let five horſe men goe and view,

… ſee if what the lepers ſay be true;

…eſe five men, as the King did them allow,

…ent on horſe back the Syrians to follow;

…ey follow'd them unto the faire Jordan,

…ong the Syrians there was not a man

…ho had a heart or hand to fight that day;

…r haſt their clothes and armes they caſt away.

When the Meſſengers returned and told,

…hat God had done by mercies manifold,

…e people went and their rich tents did ſpoile,

…us God himſelf did that day Syria foile:

Eliſha had ſpoken of cheapneſſe,

…f flowre and barley, ſo it came to paſſe.

p. 346But that great Lord who doubted in his h…

The plentie ſaw, but of it did not taſte;

For while the people went out in a ſpate

To get vivers, they trode him in the gate.

Then ſaid Eliſha to the Shunamite,

Goe from thy place to another more meet;

For the LORD ſurely will for whole ye… ſeven

Afflict Iſrael with a ſore famine:

Then ſhe aroſe at Eliſhas command,

And ſojourned in the Philiſtines land.

At ſeven yeeres end ſhe returned and ſaid

Unto the King, Oh pitie thine handmai…

My houſe and land cauſe novv to mee ſtore;

Grant mee mine ovvne, O King I crave more.

In this meane time the King with Gehazi

Did talke and ſay, Now briefly tell to me,

What great wonders the mighty LORD JOV…

Hath wrought by thy good Maſter Eliſha;

As Gehazi all ſuch things was telling,

Behold the woman comes before the King,

Whoſe Son he had reſtored unto life,

Then ſaid Gehazi, behold here the wife,

And this her Son whom by the Lords power,

p. 347El…ha did from death to life reſtore.

When the King heard the womans petition,

…t ſhe might have of all reſtitution;

Officer he ſent who went therefore,

…d unto her, her whole rents did reſtore.

Then to Damaſcus came good Eliſha,

…d Benhadad, the King of Syria,

…ng then ſicke, one came to him and told,

…od Eliſha the man of GOD behold

…hither come; Then unto Hazael,

…e Syrian King his minde did freely tell;

… to the man, ſaid he, and in thine hand

…ke him a preſent, for ſo I command;

…is alſo try, for ſo it doth me pleaſe,

I recover ſhall of this diſeaſe.

Then Hazael with a moſt rich preſent

…to Eliſha went incontinent;

…urty Camels burden Hazael thus,

…ought to Eliſha from rich Damaſcus;

…ho ſaid, Benhadad King of Syria,

…th ſent Hazael to thee Eliſha

… try, if now to tell him it the pleaſe,

… he recover ſhall of this diſeaſe.

Go, ſaid Eliſha, to Benhadad ſay,

…o recover moſt certainly thou may,

…owbeit the Lord hath clearely ſhewed me,

…hat at this time King Benhadad ſhall die.

p. 348When this was ſaid, he ſet his countenanc…

On Hazael, on him his eyes did glance

With piercing looks; then in a ſorrow deep

Good Eliſha the man of God did weep:

Then Hazael ſaid, I proy thee me tell,

Why weeps my Lord? Alas for Iſrael

Said Eliſha, for I now clearely ſee

What great miſchief ſhall to Iſra'l by thee

Be done; their ſtrong holds thou ſhalt ſ… fire,

Their young men ſlay, thou ſhalt in rage ire

Their children daſh, thou ſhalt als their w…

With child rip up; when this was all ſaid, …

Hazael ſaid this is a hard ſaying,

Am I a dogge that I ſhould do ſuch thing?

Then to him ſaid the Prophet Eliſha,

GOD ſaith, thou ſhalt be King of Syria?

Then he came to Benhadad ſpeedily,

Who ſaid, what ſaid Eliſha unto thee?

He told me, ſaid he, that thou ſhould'ſt recov…

Of this diſeaſe, ſo he did not diſcover

What he had heard; ſhortly it came to paſſe

That he a thick cloth ſpred upon his face;

So after Benhadad the King was dead,

His ſervant Haza'l reigned in his ſtead.

After Eliſha had anointed King

p. 349…u, who downe ill Ahabs houſe did bring

…ehus ſons time who call'd was Joaſh,

…ha fell in a deadly ſickneſſe,

…en to Eliſha came Joaſh the King,

…o ſaid theſe words over his face weeping,

…y father, my father, whom Iſra'l

…ir strong Charet and Horſemen well did call.

Then ſaid Eliſha, take to thee a bow;

…d arrowes als on ſhooting to beſtow:

…en he did as Eliſha did command,

…ha put his hand upon his hand;

…en the window and now ſhoot a ſhot,

…d Eliſha, ſo the King, as by lot,

…ected well, did ſhoot; This ſharp arrow,

…d Eliſha, to thee declares that now,

…is is the arrow of Gods deliv'rance

…m Syria, whereon he ſhall vengeance

…ke by his might; Againe unto the King

…ſha had this Prophetick, ſaying,

…ke now thine arrowes, and ſmite on the ground,

…r in Gods eyes Iſra'l hath favour found:

…en he ſmote thriſe, but afterward did ſtay,

…r this Eliſha moſt wroth ſaid that day,

five or ſix times thou hadſt well the ground

…itten, thou hadſt a full victory found

…ainſt Syria, who do you much deſpiſe,

p. 350Whereas thou ſhalt ſmite Syria but thriſe.

Then God by death Eliſha tooke away,

And Iſrael was invaded that day

By Moabits; they bearing a dead man,

Afraide by troops, to Eliſhas grave ran,

And let him downe; As ſoone as he the ſhee

And bones did touch, he ſtood upon his feet.

The Uſe.

Let Prophets learne by Eliſhas practice,

Plough and Oxen to quite for GODS ſervi…

Who ſerves the Lord, hee great advant… hath,

Advantage both in life and als in death:

Let Prophets learne by Eliſhas deſire,

A doubled ſprit of grace for to require:

Silver and gold at last men ſhall diſdaine,

And ſhall confeſſe that grace is onelyonly gaine.

10. JEHU. Subſisting or advanced.

WHen Eliſha an young man did appoint,

To go with oyle Jehu for to anoint,

p. 351T…e young man went to Ramoth Gilead,

…d did all, as good Eliſha him bade;

…hen hee there came, the Captaines were ſitting,

…en he to Jehu addreſſd this ſaying.

To thee O Captaine I have an earand,

…hich thee to tell Eliſha did command;

…en he aroſe and went into an houſe

…ith this young man, who with oyle precious

…d him anoint, ſubjoining this ſaying,

…ou art by GOD appointed to be King:

…e bloody houſe of Ahab thou ſhalt ſmite,

…r his great ſins of malice and deſpite,

…e blood and whooredome of vile Jezebel

…all be avenged by the Eternell,

…r the whole houſe of Ahab ſhall periſh,

…OD ſhall leave none againſt the wall to piſſe:

…is houſe ſhall be, ſaith the great Jehovah,

…ke Jeroboams or like Baaſha:

…ikewiſe in the portion of Jezreel,

…he dogges ſhall eat the fleſh of Jezebel,

…r her vile ſins, and her moſt bloody furie,

…hen ſhee is dead none ſhall her carcaſe burie:

p. 352When this young man had thus all theſe t… ſaid,

The doore he op'ned, and with ſpeed he fled

When this was done, one ſaid unto Jehu…

Wherefore to thee came now this mad fellow

Then ſaid he, this mans communication

Yee well know, I need no more expreſſion.

All is moſt falſe, ſaid they, which thou do…

Now tell us truely what thou heard'ſt this …

I will not faine, ſaid he, but will you tell,

He me anointed hath King of Iſra'l.

When theſe men heard of Jehu this ſayin…

They trumpets blew, and cri'd, Jehu is Kin…

So Jehu King 'gainſt Joram did conſpire,

To Jezreel he in wrath hot like fire

Rod in charet for there Joram to ſlay

With Ahazia, who was come that day,

To ſee Joram who there cured his wounds,

Made by Hazael fighting in his bounds.

Then on a high tower in faire Jezreel

Stood a watch-man, who to the King did

I clearely ſee a huge great company,

Then Joram ſaid take an horſeman quickly

And ſend to meet them; to them let him

Is it for peace that ye come ſo this day?

When he thus ſaid, ſtout Jehu in a rage

Said, turne behinde me, a moſt ſure preſage

p. 353… bloody warre: The watchman this ſeeing

…ow all appear'd, declar'd unto the King.

Yet once againe a horſeman to them ſend,

…id King Joram, that what theſe men intend

…e may now know, then went that ſecond man,

…ho one horſeback to Jehus armie ran,

…d ſaid, whether peace or war intend yee?

… him Jehu als ſaid, Turne behind me:

…en ſaid the watchman in words true and plaine,

… came to them, but commeth not againe;

…hink I ſee Jehu ſon of Nimſhi,

…r in driving he doth drive furiouſly.

Then Joram ſaid, make ſhortly ready now,

…at in our charets we againſt Jehu

…y goe; Then Joram armed went anone

…th Ahazia his own ſiſters Son

…g of Judah he went to that Battel,

…d met Jehu in the plat of Jezre'l

…ere Naboth died; When Joram ſaw Jehu,

…cri'd aloud, Is it peace for us now?

What peace, ſaid he, as long as Jezebel,

…ne ill mother with whooredomes doth rebell,

…l als witchcrafts? Then Joram turn'd quickly

Ahaziah, and ſaid, treachery

Then Jehu drew a bow in anger hote,

… Jehoram betweene the armes he ſhote:

p. 354The piercing arrow went out at his heart,

And he anone ſanke downe in his charet.

Then ſaid Jehu to Bidkar his Captaine,

Take up this corps, and caſt it with diſdaine

On Naboths field: When we did ſerve Ahab

We heard by God this burden on him laide;

Surely, ſaid God, I have ſeene yeſterday

The blood of Naboth: In this plat repay

I will that murder, in that plat of ground

Let him be caſt, that the Lord may be found

Both juſt and true; When Ahaziah King

This ſlaughter ſaw, he in his heart fainting,

With all his might in his charet did flie,

And Jehu after follow'd him quicklie;

To ſmite him, als his ſervants he did ſpurre

With cryes, who ſmote him going up to Gu…

Which is by Ibla'm; he to Megiddo

Did flie anone, and there he died alſo.

Then Jehu came with haſte to Jezreel,

Where was the witch, and vile whoore Jezeb…

When ſhe it heard, ſhe then painted her face,

And tyr'd her head with folies in that place:

She looked out, and ſaid unto Jehu,

Had Zimri peace who his own Master ſlew?

Then Jehu lifting up his face unto

The window, ſaid, who is on my ſide, who

To him three Eunuches looked out anone,

p. 355… them he ſaid, ſee that ye throw her downe;

…d ſo they did, ſo that then from the wall

…r ſprinkled blood on the Horſes did fall:

…ere King Jehu in zeale and anger hot

…eene Jezebel quickly troad under foot.

When he was come in for to eate and drinke,

Jezebel he began thus to thinke;

…e ſee now this curſed woman, ſaid he,

…r ſhe is a Kings daughter verily,

…e burie her; they went at his commands,

…t onelyonly the skull, feet, palms of her hands

…ey found; the greedy dogs got all the reſt;

…en Jehu heard this, he eſteemed beſt

thinke of that which Propet Elijah

…d threatned from his Maſter Jehovah.

In the ſame place of pleaſant Jezreel,

…e dogs ſhall eate the fleſh of Jezebel,

…rvile carkaſe as doung upon the field

…all be, no faird or force ſhall there it ſhield;

…hile her dead bones ſcattred in Jezreel

…all be, none ſhall ſay; This is Jez…bel.

Thus this ill wife of wicked King Ahab,

…ſt Queene, laſt queane, a vile and dirty drab,

…as to the dogs by the Lord given for meat,

…ho did her eat, except skull, palms, and feet.

In Samria King Ahab had then

p. 356Of ſons that were in count threeſcore and ten;

Then Jehu wrote to theſe of Jezreel,

And Samaria, ſee if ye expell

My forces can; Of Ahab take a Son,

And ſee if ye darre ſet him on the Throne.

They at theſe wordes were then exceeding lie

Afraid, and ſaid, it were to us folie

To fight a man, whoſe force and mighty hand

Two great Kings were not able to withſtand;

Therefore the Rulers ſent unto Jehu,

Saying, We are thy humble ſervants now;

What thou deſireſt, now command and ſay,

With one conſent we will Jehu obey.

Then Jehu wrote to them of the citie,

If ye be mine and will hearken to me,

Take the Sons of Ahab and Jezebel,

And ſend their heads to me in Jezreel:

Threeſcore and ten Sons of Ahab they ſlew,

Their heads in baskets they ſent to Jehu:

What they had done, men told unto the King,

Who ſaid, lay them in heaps till the morning:

So Jehu King direct'd by th' Eternel,

Slew all that Ahab had in Jezreel,

Both all his great men, his kinsfolks and Prieſts

None would he ſave for prayer or requeſts.

Then from Jezreel Jehu went away,

p. 357…to Samaria there he by the way

…d meet comeing Ahazias brethren,

… them he ſaid, who, or what ſort of men

…e ye? ſaid they, we are of Royall blood,

…e are come downe, ſo it ſeems to us good,

…ndly to ſ…e the children of the King

…d them ſalute, we meane none other thing.

Then ſaid Jehu, take all theſe men alive,

…ho are in number thirty ſeven and five;

…ey to obey the precepts of Jehu,

…d take them all, and at a pit them ſlew.

After Jehu did meet Jehonadab,

…ho was the Son of one, called Rechab;

… him he ſaid; Is thine heart right with me,

… mine with thee? He ſaid, it is truely;

…en ſaid Jehu, give to me now thine hand,

…ter my Coch as King I thee command;

…w come, ſaid he, according to my word,

…d ſee what zeal I have had for the Lord.

Then Jehu came unto Samaria,

… the direction of the great Jovah;

… Ahabs race he left not one at all,

…ho after him did piſſe againſt the wall:

…us he fulfill'd the words of Jehovah,

…hich he before did ſpeake by Elijah.

Then Jehu by a goodly ſtratageme,

…th'red the people, and ſaid unto them,

p. 358Ahab ſerved but with a little touch

Great god Baal, but I will ſerve him much;

Therefore to me gather the Prophets all,

That I with them may ſerve the god Baal;

Let none be wanting at this gods ſervice,

For I for Baal have a ſacrifice.

Let this be done, ſee that ye me believe

If any come not, he ſure ſhall not live,

But Jehu all this did by ſubtilty,

That Baals ſervice he might utterly

Deſtroy; Jehu commanded to proclaime,

That he a great aſſemblie did ordaine.

Then Baals men, his ſervice to defend,

Came to his houſe, which they from end to en…

Did fill; when Jehu ſaw them all preſent,

Unto a ſervant he gave commandment,

To bring foorth the veſtments for all quickly

From Baals houſe, where Baals men onelyonly

Could claime a roome: When Baals men beg

To ſacrifice, King Jehu did ordaine,

Foureſcore of men who ſtood armed withou…

To goe and ſlay, and compaſſe them about;

If any, ſaid he, of theſe ye let goe,

Your life ſurely ſhall be for his alſo.

Then the ſtout Captaines at King Jehus w…

Did ſmite theſe men with the edge of the ſwo…

And caſt them out and to the city went,

p. 359T…ere they from Baals houſe incontinent

…ught the images, which they in great ire

… breake and burne in the midſt of a fire:

…ey Baals houſe brake downe without delay,

…ich a draught-houſe they made unto this day;

…us Jehu ſtrength'ned by the Eternel,

…ſtroyed Baal out of Iſrael.

Then to Jehu the Lord made a promiſe,

…cause he had 'gainſt Ahab done ſervice,

…at the fourth man that ſhould come of his race,

…ould ſit as King and rule into his place:

…t to walk juſtly Jehu tooke no heed,

…r his vaine heart was not upright indeed;

Ahabs ſlaughter he did greatly faile;

…r what he did was not in holy zeale

…r Gods glory; but for commendation,

…r Throne, Scepter, and vaine oſtentation:

… zeal he ſeem'd to do for th' Eternel,

…d yet did ſtill worſhip calves at Bethel

… laſt Jehu with his fathers ſoftlie

…id ſleep deaths ſleep, and in the faire citie

…f Samaria, after his laſt breath

…as buried; a way for all the earth.

p. 360The Uſe.

Let Kings heere learne when they with for… and might

Doe ſerve the Lord, to have an heart u… right;

If ſerving God men have another aime;

Their vaine glory at laſt ſhall end with ſham…

We may heere learne in Jehus hiſtorie,

That all is not zeal that ſeems zeal to be:

Men may do much, as fight, preach, good m… ſave,

And yet for all be but a painted grave.

The uſe of Jezebels death.

Let Queenes heere alſo learne by Jezebel,

With vaine idoles not to greeve th Eternel▪

For he there bones with Jezebels can daſh,

And unto dogs alſo can give their fleſh.

11. JEHOAHAZ. The poſſeſſion of God.

THis Jehus ſon God to the Throne did brin…

Who ſeventeene years of Iſrael was King

p. 361Though God him ſet up by his power and might,

…t he did that which was ill in his ſight;

…eaſtly man, by the calves of Bethel,

…th Jeroboam he the Eternel

…d much provoke; Als in Samaria

…ere ſtood a grove, which greeved Jehovah;

…r this the anger of the Eternel

…as kindled much againſt all Iſrael:

… Hazael and alſo Benhadad

…rr'd up to plague this people that was bad.

Then Jeho'haz unto the Lord did pray,

…ho heard his ſute, and that without delay,

…r God was moved with compaſſion,

…hen he did ſee their great oppreſſion:

… man was found by the hand of Jovah,

…ho took from Iſra l the yoke of Syria;

…or this Kings ſins God made his forces ſmall,

…ftie horſemen with ten charets for all,

…en thouſand foot he had, a moſt poore King,

…is men were made like the duſt by threſhing.

The Uſe.

…et Kings heere learne that vile idolatrie

… a great foe to all proſperitie:

… King and Subjects doe what is unjust,

p. 362Their Thrones and States ſhall threſhen b… to duſt.

12. JEHOASH. Burning or diſtruſting.

THis ſecond man from grand-father Jehu,

Did wicked Kings in wickedneſſe follow▪

This man, as by the hiſtorie appeares,

In Samaria did reigne ſixteene yeeres:

He Amaziah in Battell alive

Did take, and als led him away captive:

After, he ſpoil'd the houſe of great Jovah,

And cari'd all unto Samaria:

He ceaſed not from Ieroboams ſin,

But like a foole raſhly did walk therein:

In Samaria after his laſt breath

He buri'd, was, a way for all the earth.

The Uſe.

Let Kings here learne who would in mem…rie

Have good report, to ſhunne idolatrie:

Let Kings heere learne that ſpoilers of Gods houſe

Shall not long after have ſtate proſperous.

p. 36313. JEROBOAM. Contending or ſtriveing with the people.

THis was the third from grand father Jehu,

He did ill Kings in wickedneſſe follow:

…his Jeroboam Ieroboams ſin

…id well allow, and alſo walk'd therein:

…ccording to the word of great Jovah,

…hich he did ſpeake by the Prophet Ionah;

…e did reſtore Iſraels coaſt and gaine,

…rom Hamath unto the ſea of the plaine,

…or the Lord ſaw Iſra'ls affliction

…as very bitter, and had compaſſion;

…or at this time none was ſhut up or left,

…oor Iſrael of all help was bereft.

…he Lord ſaid, Not that he from under heaven

Would wholly blot out his owne Iſra'ls name,

…ut would them ſave, as it then came to paſſe

…y Ieroboam the Son of Ioaſh;

…his man, as by the hiſtorie appeares,

…id reigne the ſpace of fourtie and one yeeres.

The Uſe.

…et Kings heere learne that vile idolatrie,

…mong vertues reſſembles a dead flee:

p. 365Such may doe good and ſeeme to have G… favour,

But this dead flie ſends out a ſtinking ſav…

14. ZECHARIAH. The rememberance of the Lord.

HEere Zechariah laſt of Iehus race,

Who on the Throne of Iſrael had place▪

He fear'd not God, for he wicked in heart,

From Ieroboams ſins did not depart.

At laſt Shallum in rage and furie hot,

Before the people Zechariah ſmot:

He ſix moneths did reigne in Iſrael,

When that was done by Shallums hand he fel…

The Uſe.

Let Kings heere learne that ſin is not a ſport,

It ends their dayes, and cuts their honours ſh…

15. SHALLUM. Peace, Proſperitie.

THen Shallum King who was Son of Iabe…

Came to the Throne by his great wicked…

p. 364A full monethmonth he did the Scepter ſway,

Then Menahem this murderer did ſlay.

The Uſe.

Let Kings heere learne that ſin is not a ſport,

It ends their dayes and cuts their honours ſhort.

Who for to riſe make other men to fall,

Shall ruſh downe ſhortly like a trott'ring wall:

Let Kings heere learne that conqueſt is not good

Which is obtain'd by ſhedding humane blood.

16. MENAHEM. A roarer.

THen Menahem with the ſword ſmote Tipſah,

And alſo the coaſts thereof from Tirzah,

Becauſe to him they op'ned not their gates,

All that he found in all theſe bounds and feats:

With ſword this Roarer ſmote moſt cruelly,

Of the women he did cut the belly

Where children lay; He moſt wicked in heart,

From Ieroboams ſins did not depart.

p. 366At laſt came Pul the great Aſſyrian King,

Againſt the land great forces he did bring:

Then Menahem great ſummes to him did pay,

So Pul with all his forces went away;

Ten yeeres he did reigne, and after by death

This King he went the way of all the earth.

The Uſe.

Let Kings beware to staine their memorie

With vile murder, and blood of crueltie,

To kill women it is moſt inhumane,

In ſuch doings is neitheir glore nor gaine.

17. PEKAJAH. The opning of GOD, or brought out by GOD

THen Menahems ſon, called Pekajah,

Began to reigne in faire Samaria;

He fear'd not GOD, for he wicked in heart,

From Jeroboams ſins did not depart.

Then Pekah the ſon of Remalia,

A captaine ſtout, did againſt Pekajah

Conſpire, whom he without merciemercy or grace

Did with the ſword kill in his owne palace,

p. 363…ith Argob Arieh and other fiftie,

…f Gileadites who felt his crueltie.

The Uſe.

…t Kings here learne that ſin is not a ſport,

…ends their dayes, it cuts their honours ſhort;

… to their children they ſeeke glore or gaine

…nlawfully ſuch things ſhall not remaine:

Menahem could looke hi… of his grave,

…kajah might ſay. Nothi…g now I have

… all thy conqueſt: Thus it is not good,

… come to Thrones by ſhedding humane blood.

18. PEKAH. Open.

…Fter that Pekah the Son of Remalia,

Had with the ſword ſlaine the King Pekajah,

… force of armes, this wicked man anone,

…d then uſurpe Iſraels Crowne and Throne:

…is murtherer was moſt profane in heart;

…m the vile idoles he would not depart,

…ich Jeroboam at Bethel and Dan

…d ſet up; At laſt the King Aſſyrian,

p. 364Tiglath, Pilezer with an armie ſtrong

Tooke Kedeſh-Hazor, Galile, Jion,

Abel-Beth Ma'chah of faire Naphtali,

The braveſt men he in Captivitie

Cari'd away unto Aſſyria.

At laſt Hoſhea the ſon of Ela,

Againſt Pekah made a conſpiracie,

He wounded Pekah, ſo that he did die:

Thus King Pekah moſt cruell and profane,

In the yeere twenti… …f his reigne was ſlaine.

The Uſe.

Let Kings heere learne, whoſe charets are th… ſwords,

That they ſhall reckon for their deads … wordes:

If they uſurpe Crowne, Scepter, or the Thr…

The LORD ſhall come with great venge… anone:

As Peka ſlew Pekajah to be King,

So Hoſhea that Pekah downe did bring:

Killers of men rarely this favour have

From GOD to goe in peace unto t… grave.

p. 36519. HOSHEA. A ſaviour.

IN Ahaz twelft yeere King of fair Judah,

Began to reigne this man, ſon of Elah:

…ow Iſrael were come to their laſt caſt,

…f all their Kings Hoſhea was the laſt:

…e ſerved not Jovah with all his might,

…ut fooliſhly did evil into his ſight;

…et was he not ſo vaine, nor yet ſo vile

…s other Kings had beene in Iſrael.

At laſt came up, againſt this Hoſhea,

…halmanezer King of Aſſyria

…nto this King Hoſhea a ſervant

…ecame; To him he gave coſtly preſents,

…ut afterward to be free of this foe,

…e meſſengers ſent to the mighty So

…ng of Egypt: Then Shalmanezer ſoone

…d ſhut him up, and bound him in priſon:

…hus Hoſhea, a man of Elahs line,

…d ſway the Scepter the ſpace of years nine.

At this ſame time Iſra'l was gone aſtray,

…ey were profane, not caring for GODS way;

…ey vainly feared gods that were no GOD,

…herefore God ſcourg'd them with th' Aſſyrian rod;

p. 366Yea more this vile people with all their mig…

Did ſecretly theſe things that were not right:

They built High places in ev'ry citie,

They like the Heathen with idolatrie

Provok'd the LORD yea like moſt foo… fooles,

They tooke pleaſure to ſerve moſt vile idols.

Yet 'gainſt Iſra'l the LORD did teſtifie,

And ſaid, Iſra'l yet returne unto me

From your ill wayes; if my name ye will fe…

Yee yet to me ſhall be a people deare.

But from their ill wayes they would not part,

Their neck they ſtifned and hardned their he…

In their mad courſe they follow'd vanitie,

Running themſelves in vile idolatrie;

Molten images, calves, and groves they made,

Heav'ns hoſt alſo, as though they had beene ma…

They did worſhip, and for to haſt their fall,

They did oppoint great ſervice for Baal:

Yet further to provoke the Lord to ire,

They made their children to paſſe through fire:

For theſe their ſins the LORD by his great mi…

All Iſrael remov'd out of his ſight

Heere for the ſins of vile idolatrie,

Yee ſee the end of Iſra'ls Monarchie:

p. 367…gs of Iſrael heere did end their race,

…auſe they were profane and voide of grace.

The Uſe.

Prince and people meditate Gods law,

… to provoke ſee that they ſtand in awe:

Kings pride 'gainst him ſtiffen their necke,

…ir Crownes, and Thrones, and Scepters hee will breake:

Nations againſt the LORD be ſtout,

… will both King and people als root out:

… mightie LORD great Jovah hath ſaid this,

…ee ſinne, yee and your King ſhall periſh.

A WATCH WORD, Concerning the fourty and one Kings that did reigne over GODS people.

…et Princes learne by theſe one and fourty

How rare it is both good and Prince to be:

…s moſt cleare that it is a heard thing,

… be both good and honou'rd as a King;

…eed, luſt, and pride, do cogge moſt eaſily,

…emſelves in hearts poiſon'd with flatterie.