The Garden of Zion, Part 8

The Garden of Zion · Part 8

p. 368THE GARDEN OF ZION. The Booke of Ezra.

A Prayer.

WHen night on men dumb ſilence ſha… distill,

When wearied bones them ſelves wit… ſleep do fill,

When gloomy darkneſse huſheth every thing,

Then let thy ſprit verſes of vertue bring

Into my mind, well ſtored with thy gra e,

Which may the hearts of worthy men ſolace:

While nights blacke mantle covreth a gre… part,

p. 369…t thine Aurora ſhine bright in mine heart:

…hen depths appeare where through I cannot ride,

… thy great Barge me togh againſt the tide.

In Babylon thy people years ſeventie,

…ere we arid much with long captivitie;

…pon them thou of thy wrath had the flaſhes

…rought, and had burnt their Temple Towne to aſhes;

…ut thou who never thy people forſook,

…ith mercies eyes at laſt did on them look.

Theſe verſes LORD now through thy ſtrainer paſſe,

And make them cleane as is the cleareſt glaſſe,

…hat by them may appeare even to the leaſt,

…ow thou by Ezra, who was ſcribe and Prieſt,

…eclared haſt how good Zorobabel,

…ho in great vertue highly did excell,

…ebuilt the Temple, and how by a jar

…ods peoples foes that worthy worke did mar

… Cyrus time, untill Darius King

…nto the cope oedain'd the houſe to bring.

p. 370EZRA An helper.

CHAP. 1.

AFter that Salems Temple had li… long

Burnt in aſhes, and the Jewes h… among

Their foes beene captives, GO… made Cyrus King

Of Perſia, to care for rebuilding

Of Gods fair houſe, for this occaſion,

He cauſd publiſh a proclamation.

When this was heard theſe who before di… mourne,

With joy in haſt provided to returne:

Then to Sheſhbazzar in a plenteous ſtore,

The Temples veſſels Cyrus did reſtore.

Chap. 2.

OF the people returned three thouſand,

Six hundred and thirty with ready hand

To build the houſe, which burnt before had been,

p. 371Of Prieſts there came a thouſand and ſeven teene,

…f Levites were a hundred thirty nine,

…ith Nethinims all with courage divine,

…ith them ſervants of Solomons children,

…l for to build were well prepared then.

…he Prieſts which could not ſhew their pedigree,

…ere not permitted in prieſts place to be:

…he Tirſhatha who did the reſt command,

…ould not permit that any tooke in hand.

…hat any ſhould of holy things make feaſt,

…ll with Urim and Tummim came a Prieſt.

…he whole number were fourty two thouſand,

…hree hundred threeſcore Jews from Babels land,

…ſides ſervants and maids for ſervice given,

…ere ſeven thouſand three hundred thirtie ſeven,

…ith horſes ſeven hundred, ſix and thirty,

…ith mules two hundred five and als fourty:

…eir Camels were foure hundred thirty five,

…ith them they did ſix thouſand aſſes drive,

…ith ſeven hundred and alſo twentie more

…e rich all freely offred to reſtore

…he houſe of GOD and build it in his place,

…hey all offred as GOD gave them the grace:

… thouſand dramnes of gold without delay,

…e thouſand pound of ſilver they did pay;

p. 272A hundred Prieſts garments they did prepare,

Which their courage in building did declare.

Chap. 3.

THen firſt of all came Prince Zerubabel,

With Jeſhua Prieſt for the Eternel,

They for the Lord a faire Altar did reare,

To offer to him who was Iſaks feare;

Their willingneſſe clearely for to declare,

To offer then they in no way did ſpare:

The workmen well rewarded were no ſlack,

Each man his charge did gladly undertake:

When the foundations of Gods houſe were caſt,

Some had great joy; Others were all agaſt,

And weeped ſore, even theſe who firſt had ſeene

What glory in Solomons works had beene:

Of joy andd weeping ſuch was then the noiſe,

That hardly could one well diſcerne the voice.

Chap. 4

VVHen this great worke begun was … Gods grace

Then wicked men anone it to diſgrace

Roſe up by craft, deceit and policie,

Offring them ſelves with them builders to be;

But not accepted, they in open way

p. 373…em for to hinder proudly did eſſay:

…ſhlam, Mithridath, Tabeel, and Rekum,

…e Chancelor, and Shimſhai Scribe did come

…gether, and againſt Jeruſalem

… Artaxerxes they wrote letters then,

…ewing that ſtubborne Jews who were proudly

…bellious, were rebuilding their city:

…en quickly back the King to them did write,

…at they the work anone ſhould interdite;

…en ceaſd the work untill the ſecond yeare

… Darius King, who Perſias crowne did beare.

Chap. 5.

…Hen Zerubabel and Shealtiel both,

Whom GOD with vertue from above did cloath,

…ey by Haggai and als by Zecharie

…ing ſtirr'd up, did with all induſtrie

…t forward the great work they had in hand;

…he reſt obey'd, and they did well command:

…tnai and Shether-boznai were their foes,

… hinder them they did a letter cloſe,

…d ſent it to Darius Perſias King,

…ewing that Cyrus had done the like thing;

…d now they this of Darius did deſire,

…hat he of Cyrus decree would enquire,

p. 374Who would not ſuffer this great houſe to be

Rebuilded, becauſe of their mutinie.

Chap. 6.

THen Darius the King made a decree,

That in the houſe of rolls a ſearch ſhould be,

Made by his ſervants with all diligence,

And there was found within the Medes Province

A roll, wherein was written a record,

Which did containe the decree word by word

Which Cyrus made, Gods houſe for to reſtore,

The height whereof ſhould be cubits threeſcore,

The breadth as much; and the expenſes ſhall,

From the Kings owne houſe ſhall be taken all.

When Darius found this enrolled decree,

He it confirm'd and ordaind all to be

Provided, ſo that they ſhould nothing want,

Which might them help either to build o… plant.

But yee Tatnai and Shetherboznai ſee,

That to this great work ye no hinder bee,

Alſo I have made a decree moſt faſt,

That who ſoever alter this word paſt,

The timber from his houſe ſhall be pull'd dow…

And ſhall be ſet up, and he hang'd thereon:

p. 375And that the greater feare mens hearts may fill,

…is houſe for this ſhall be made a dounghill:

…nd God that hath his name cauſd there to dwell,

…eſtroy ſhall all Kings and people that ſhall

…ut to their hand to Alter or deſtroy

…his houſe of GOD, who doth me now employ

…or this great work, for this I a decree

…ave made, let all be done right ſpeedilie:

…hen this was heard the Jews with diligence

…id build, and the King did pay the expence:

They proſp'red much through the ſweet prophecie

…f Haggai, and likewiſe of Zacharie.

In the ſixt year of Darius the King,

…he Jews GODS houſe unto the cope did bring,

…he Prieſts having this good occaſion,

…id keep the feaſt of dedication,

…nd the Paſſeouer with joy and gladneſſe,

…or God had looked on their ſore diſtreſſe

And made them joyfull, for he turn'd the heart

Of Darius, great kindneſſe to impart,

…o the builders which he did ſtill extend,

Untill that great worke was brought to an end.

Chap. 7.

NOw in the ſeventh year of the happy reigne,

Of Artaxerxes of great Babel King,

p. 376Ezra the Scribe, with his moſt cunning ſpeac…

Came from Babel to Salem for to teach

Gods people, where this good man found an…

Gods gracious hand there to be him upon:

For Ezra had prepared well his heart,

To ſeeke and ſearch Gods law in every part:

He Gods ſtatutes and judgements als did pre…

Unto Iſrael both by workes and ſpeach.

Unto Ezra great Artaxerxes King,

Commiſſion gave that he with every thing

Needfull for Gods houſe ſhould be furniſh'd w…

This Ezra got under the Kings broad ſeal:

The King with his counſellers did agree

Both gold and ſilver to give moſt freelie

For that effect; The King als did ordaine

That what ſilver ſcribe Ezra could obtaine,

From People, Prieſts, all ſhould be by and by

Imployed for God, rammes and lambes to buy

For ſacrifice, and what ſhould be wanting,

Should all be furniſh'd by Darius King,

Who did with ſpeede his Treaſurers command

To have all ſuch things ready in their hand,

Even Silver, Wheat, and Salt, and Oyle, … Wine,

To be for God from the King a propine,

For why, ſaid he, Should God wrath fearful bri…

Againſt the realme or againſt the King?

p. 377When this was done, Ezra rejoic'd greatlie,

…at God had mov'd the King to beautifie

…s houſe in Salem, and that he in end

…s mercy to him richly did extend:

…en ſaid he, I was ſtreth'ned mightilie,

… the hand of the Lord was upon me.

…en I did gather out of Iſrael

…o go with me, ev'n men which did excell.

Chap. 8.

…Hen diverſe from Babel with Ezra went,

Men who in vertue were moſt excellent:

…en to the river that to Ahana

…oth run, they were all gath'red by Ezra:

…ere we abode in tents ev'n three dayes ſpace,

…t could not finde any of Levis race.

…ter we had both Prieſts and people view'd,

…erefore to diverſe I would have it ſhew'd,

…at they for Gods houſe ſhould then quicklie bring

…en that were wiſe, and fit for miniſtring.

Then by the good hand of the Lord our God,

…ey brought unto us men of knowledge good

…e ſons of Mahli, the ſons of Levi,

number eighteene with other twentie.

…en I proclaim'd a faſt there, ſaid Ezra,

p. 378Even hard beſids the river Ahava,

That we our ſelves there where me may abod…

Might ſore afflict before th' Almighty God,

To ſeek of him a way with diligence

Both for our ſelves, our ſons and our ſubſtanc…

For I thought ſhame to ſeek from the King the…

A band of Souldiers, and als of Horſemen

Us to protect againſt our foes, for I

Had to the King uttred this ſpeach boldly,

The hand of GOD will ſurely their part ta…

That do him feare; But theſe that him forſak…

And with profane walk in the wicked path,

They ſurely ſhall feel the dint of his wrath;

So we beſought the Lord with hunmble faſt,

And he intreated was of us at laſt:

When this was done, Ezra great quantitie

Of ſilver gold, and fine copper quickly

Cauſd to be weighed to the Prieſts, and them

He ordain'd all to bring unto Salem.

On the twelft day of the firſt mon'th Ezra,

Departed from the river Ahava,

That we unto Jeruſalem might goe,

GOD by his hand us ſav'd from every foe.

So we unto Salem came in ſafetie,

Wherein the Temple we did clearly ſee

The ſilver gold well weighed, then anone,

We did deliver our commiſſion

p. 379Unto the Kings Livetenents whoſe abode

…as on this ſide of the river; of God

…he houſe they did moſt carefully prepare,

…hereby they did their diligence declare.

Chap. 9.

…Hen Ezra was kindled with holy rage,

Becauſe the people had in mariage

…ken the daughters of a wicked race,

…e holy ſeed, thus did themſelves diſgrace;

… among theſe moſt wicked Nations,

…ey follow'd their abominations;

…t let the commons of the people paſſe,

…e great Princes were chiefe in this treſpaſſe.

When I this thing did hear I quickly rent

…th greefe of heart my mantle and garment:

…oni'd I ſat downe, my heart did bleed,

…e haire I pluckt both off my beard and head;

Then came to me numbers with one accord,

…o with their hearts did truely fear the LORD,

…ey greeved were for their wicked practiſe,

…te aſtoni'd till even ſacrifice:

…en I aroſe up from my heavineſſe,

…ing my mantle in my ſore diſtreſſe

…t with my garment; then upon my knees

…ll downe, and to God did lift mine eyes,

p. 380Spreading my hands out to his Majeſtie,

And ſaid, O God, to lift my face to thee

I am aſham'd, for even over our head

Our ſins are greatly increaſed indeed,

And our treſpaſſe againſt thy holy name,

Up to the Heav'ns is growen up to our ſhame:

Since the dayes of our fathers we have ſeen,

That we in great treſpaſſe have ſurely been

Unto this day, and for our ſins have we,

Our Kings, our Prieſts been to captivitie,

And ſpoile deliv'red, and to ſhame of face,

As we this day do feele with great diſgrace.

And now the Lord to us with ſorrowes preſt,

A little ſpace hath made grace manifeſt,

That we eſcape might danger and diſgrace,

And get a naile in his moſt holy place,

That ſo our God might lighten cleare our eyes,

And in our bondage give a little eaſe:

For we who are Gods choſen heritage,

Among our foes were captives in bondage;

But God to us extended hath mercy,

Even in the ſight of Kings, who mightily

In Perſia rule, that he ſo by this thing,

Might unto us even give a reviving

For to ſet up GODS houſe with buildin… faire,

And deſolations thereof well repaire,

p. 381…nd ſo in Salem, and als in Judah,

… get a wall from the great JEHOVAH.

And now our GOD, alas what ſhall we ſay

…r we thy precepts have deſpiſd this day,

…d cleane forſaken, for in luſtfull rage

…ith the heathen we have in mariage

…fil'd our ſelves, in our treſpaſſes we

…fore thy face at this time ſtand guiltie.

Chap. 10.

VVHen Ezra thus did pray and weepe right ſore,

…d caſt himſelfe downe the LORDS houſe before:

…en Jehiels ſon, called Shechaniah,

… anſwere ſoone, and ſaid unto Ezra,

… have treſpaſſd againſt the LORDS command,

have eſpouſde the ſtrange wives of the land,

for all this we truely heere may tell,

…t touching this, there's hope in Iſrael.

…herefore now let us make without delay

…h GOD a Cov'nant, for to put away

…h all the wives and children moſt forlorne

…ch of theſe wives have hitherto been borne,

…e Ezra for this matter to thee

…ngeth; alſo we with thee will be:

p. 382Be of courage, and do as ye now hear,

Then roſe Ezra, and made Iſra'l to ſwear,

That they ſhould do according to his word

Then Ezra before the houſe of the LORD

Roſe, and quickly into the chamber went

Of Johanan, where he was miſcontent

For their ſins, who had beene cari'd away,

He ate no bread, no water in that day

He drank at all, and they proclaim'd quickly,

Unto the children of captivity,

Through all Judah and Salem, that together

They ſhould themſelves for this good purpo… gather:

Then within three dayes (as they did ordaine)

They greatly mourn'd for their ſinnes, and f…raine.

Then Ezra Prieſt ſtood up, and als did tell,

By wives yee have increaſd ſins in Iſra'l,

Therefore unto your fathers God confeſſe,

To do his pleaſure ſee that ye profeſſe;

Sever your ſelves from the men of the land,

And from ſtrange wives; Then all did ta… in hand;

While they heard Ezra ſpeaking thus that day,

That as he ſaid, they gladly would obey:

That GOD might turne away his anger hote,

Which kindled was by ſuch a filthie ſpot:

p. 383They gave their hands, that they would put away

…heir wives, and being moſt guilty that day;

…s God ordained, ſo it came to paſſe,

… ramme they offred for their great treſpaſſe.

The Uſe.

…eere learne, that though GOD with great miſerie,

…fflict his Church in long captivitie,

…et at the laſt before that they be ſhent

… of the evil will ſurely him repent;

Zerubbabel (with his precepts ſchool'd)

… can raiſe up Jeruſalem to build;

…r manners good he can finde out a ſcribe,

… learn'd Ezra wiſe precepts to preſcribe,

…ee wil not want, if it then needfull be,

good Haggai, and faithfull Zacharie:

…a Cyrus his ordinance recall,

Darius he for to build the wall

…n raiſe, who by a moſt conſtant decree

…ll furniſh all that thereto needfull be:

See how the LORD can wiſely with a beck,

A winke, a vvord, the greateſt things direct.