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laiSTORICAL and FAMILIiOt 

S S A Y S, 

ON THE 



By JOHN COLLIER, 

.XATE OF CHARTER-HOUSE SQUARE, LONDON; 
NOW OF HIGH-WYCOMBE, BUCKS. 




« Thefe STUDIES improve Youth, and art 
** the Embdlijhmmt and joy of Age ^ they add Grace ^ 
" and. Dignity to Projperity, and afford the JureA /^\^ 
** Refuge and Confolation in Adverjity, they delightl'Jjy-j. 
** usatHome, arid are no hindrance to Enjoyment 
*^ Abroad^ they go to Bed -with us, Travel with 
" tts, xind are our Companions in the Country.** 

Cicero. 

I N TWO VOLUMES. 



VOL. IL 



HIGH-WYCOMBE; 
.PRINTED AND SOLD £Y SAMUEL GAVE, 



M,DCC^CI. 



^. 



CONTENTS 

OF THE 

SECOND VOLUME. 



ESSAY XVU. 

Page 
On the BOOKS of the CHRONICLES, 3 

EZRA, XI 

NEHEMIAH, 25 

ESTHER, 34 

XVIII. 
Continuation of the JEWISH HISTORY 
to the Reign of HEROD, 47 

XIX. 

On the Life and Reign of HEROD, 90 

XX. 
On the BOOK of JOB, 153 

XXI. 
On tlie BOOK of PSALMS, 164 

XXII. 
On the WORKS of SOLOMON. 

BOOK of PROVERBS 209 

, ECCLESIASTES, 217 
SpNGS, 222 

ESSAY 



C ii )i 

ESSAY XXIII. 

Page 
Introduaion to the PROPHETS. 225 

Life of ELIJAH, 235 

XXIV. 

On the Life of the PROPHET ELISHA, 256 

XXV. 

On the Life of the PROPHET ISAIAH, 287 

XXVI. 
On the Life, Books, and PROPHESIES of 

JEREMIAH, 308 

His Lamentations, ....i 326 

XXVII. 
On the Book of the Prophefies of EZE- 
KIEL, 329 

XXVIII. 
On the Life and PropheGes of DANIEL, 342 

XXIX. 
On the BOOKS of the TWELVE LESSEE 
PROPHETS, 371 

XXX. 

A BRIEF SUMMARY, by Way of CON- 
CLUSION - -— 404 



ON T H fi 

B o o "Hk s 



O £ T H Ji 



CHRONICLES, 
EZRA, 
N E H £ M I A H4 



A N 1> 



ESTHER, 



Vol. Hi, 



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O N T H fi 

BOO ^1K S 



O £ T H Ji 



CHRONICLES, 
EZRA, 
NEHEMIAH« 



A N 1> 



ESTHER, 



Vol. Hi, 



M 



OH T H £ 



BOO ^"^ S 



O £ T H JB 



CHRONICLES, 
EZRA, 
N E H £ M I A H4 



A N I> 



ESTHER, 



Vot. n^ 



(3 ) 



E S S A Y XVII. 

ON THE BOOKS OF THE 

CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS OF 
JUDAH AND ISRAEL. 



Book the First. 



T^HE CHRONICLES are Regifters of 
' -^ Afts done from time to time, the Hebrew 
title is, Words of days, or Deeds of days. 

They are journals extraSed by Ezra, tt very 
learned Jew, and an highly eminent, pious, and 
good Man. 

A 2 Ezra 



( 4 ) 

Ezra copied them from the Jewifli Records 
after their return from the feventy years Cap- 
tivity in Babylon, about the year of the World, 
3407, and 516 years before the birth of our 
Saviour. 

The Genealogies in this book arc carried back 
as far as Adam, a Period of more than 3000 
years. Records of high importance to the Jews. 
This Regifter regulated their Precedency, as 
many priviledges were refufed all thofe who could 
not make out their defcent, and it w^as a regifter 
alfo of their marriages. 

A regular and unfpotted lineage was required 
of thofe who afpired to the Priefthood, and fuch 
as could not produce it were held incapable of 
admiffion to the Dignity. 

This Divifion of families, as recognized before 
the DeftruStion of Jerufalem, enabled each tribe 
on their return from Captivity to find out its 
own inheritance, appropriated to it originally by 
Lot. 

This firft Book of Chronicles contains the 
Hiftory of 2987 years, and 2947 of thefe are 
fo very concife as to be only Genealogies, ex- 
cept a very few biftorical paffages interfperfed, 

for 



\ 



C 5 ) 

for the J^^ws could then refer to the books and 
records themfelves. T'lefe are all fince loft, the 
Hirtory to us therefore is vcry.imperfeQ:; the Ti- 
tles of thofe Books lo 1 were, *' The Wars of the 
Lord." ''Jaiher'* and a third book of f Kings, 
to,^ether \vi<h the Chro]»icles of the Reigns of 
tlie Kings of Judali and Ifrael, to which larger 
hiftory thefe we have extant, are continually re- 
ferring. 

This firft Book relates alfo the Death of Saul^ 
and the laft forty years are the Ads of Oavi4 
during his Reign. In the latter end, Solomon i$ 
appointed his fucceflbr, and anointed by Zadoc^ 
the High Prieft and Nathan the Prophet, King of 
Ifrael. You have here recorded alfo David's glo- 
rious highly eloquent Speech, and pious advice to 
his Son Solomon." " And thou Solomon my Son, 
know thou the God of thy Fathers, and ferve 
him with a perfeQ: heart and a willing mind : 
for the Lord fearcheth all hearts, and under- 
ftandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts^ 
If thou feek Him, He will be found of thee ; 
but if thou forfake Him, He will caft thee off for 
ever/' 

It was at this time David, convened all the 
Nobjes, the Elders, and the States of the King- 
dom, 



( 6 ) 

tiom^ a folemn and highly important affembling 
of all^his People, to fecure their friendlhip, pa- 
tronage and affiftance to his Son and Succeflbr, 
in defigning^ planning, in order to carry on and 
complete this fuperb and magnificent Edifice 
the Temple of God, — and He perfuaded and 
invited them, to a liberal contribution for a 
fervice fo very expenfive and important, in a very 
eloquent, wife and affeftionate Speech, David 
powerfully excited their feelings, and then made 
himfelf a moft royal, noble, and fumptuous pre- 
fent, with all the fpirit of piety and of true and 
i;enuine Liberality. 

Such Royal munificence infpired a generofity 
and it ran throughout the whole affembly, each 
was ambitious to imitate the glorious liberality 
of. their Prince, each one eagerly brought hi^ 
offering, rejoicing to contribute his fliare for the 
facred fervice, and building a Temple to the 
name and honour of the God of Ifrael. The 
Subfcription and Contribution on this occafion 
amounted to five thoufand Talents* and ten 
thoufand Drams of Gold, ten thoufand talents of 
Silver, eighteen thoufand of Brafs, and a hundred 
thoufand talents of Iron, aiid they were all 
paid in to the King's Treafury, together with a 

• A Jewifli Talent of Gold, 7200 1. 

number 



( 7 J 

number of valuable Jewels, now prefentcd to the 
ftate. 

David's heart was quite elated at feeing the 
willingnefs and the generofity of this auguft 
AlTembly and in the fulnefs of his joy, he burfti 
forth into rapturous stddreffes and thanksgivingt 
to God. 

His prayer is fervent and moft devout, ia 
words fo wife, well-chofen, and fofuited to his 
feelings and the fubjea, that you muft read 
them with high delight. 

It was at this affembly the people confirmed 
Davd's choice of his Son Solomon to fuccecd 
him, and now they anointed him a fecond time 
King over all Ifrael. 

*Tis impoffible to conceive a Solemnity fo 
grand and truly royal, fo religious, magnificent 
tnd hofpitable, overabounding with the genuine 
Spirit of Liberality ; an Affembly of joy and 
gladnefs, a feaft and a thanksgiving, and it con«r 
eluded with fo wife a fettlement of the govern- 
jBient as produced almoft forty years uninterrupt* 
ed profperity apd peace* 

On 



C 8 ) 

On this occafion David compofed that admi- 
rable Ode the feventy-fecond Pfalm. When So- 
lomon was crowned it was appointed to be re- 
htarfed in the facred Oratorio, and ftiled 

^ The Grand Coronation Anthem/* 

In the twenty-ninth chapter, David full of 
years, riches, and honours, died, and they bu- 
ried him with great magnificence in his owh fe- 
pulchre, and in the city of David, In purfuance 
of his exprefs orders and direftions Solomon af- 
cfendctd the throne of Iftael, and this amiable 
yimn^ Prince was at the age of Eighteem 




The 



( 9 ) 



OH T H % BOOKS OF TKX 

CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS OF 
JUDAH AND JSJiA^l. 



'm . I 



. Book ri^jt S^cojffi^^ 

THIS Book records the Hiftory of four 
hundre4 and feventy-two years^ and begins 
with the Reign of Solomon^ carrying on the hif* 
tory of tlie Jews to their return from Babylon^ 
after their feventy years Captivity, It ends at 
the fame period as the Second Book of the 
Kings, 

The Reign of Solomon fills up much of this 
Book. The life and tranfa^ions of that amiable 
Prince have been already related ; his Splendour 
und Wifdom are here largely dweU upoii^ and 

Voh. Ih C his 



his aifiduous employment in building the Temple, 
the moft magnificent Edifice in the World, con- 
ftm^d of white marble, in immenf^ (q\\A pieces 
of fixty feet, and fome even of larger dimenfions, 
the infide of the Walls and the Beams were all 
Cedar, covered with plates of Gold, and alfo 
the Roof, fo that when the Sun fhone it call a 
blaze of lig^t dazzling all ^Bf. I^ehe^ld it. Tbi^ 
Building employed One hundred and fixty thou- 
land workmei^ afid^t)^ree thoufan^ t^re^. hundred 
Overfeers/ during the fpace of feven years. 

The hiftoiy of tjbeJ^ingdpiR.of Judak is here 
recorded under nineteen Kings, all of David's 
poftcrity, and the Reign of Athaliah the,Ufurper, 
the mother of*A&azia&,' King of Judah, and it 
reprefents to you the gradual approaches and de« 
clwfipn of .tjfaiat Kingdoau After the &:ft/nih| 
CtofieiiSy t^e^ Ht%27 o( Jiidiih is in thisjaook-^ 
moitt^ 4^m&\f r^l9lic4$ withmt bei|^ blendeil 
wijfe the rsigw of. tte King* of IfracL 



( " ) 



/••l.'li*. : 110.":"? ..? ;riO.-t 



o'n" the boo k of 



EZRA. 



■- ■ ■> •■ ^ . • ■■ ,'^ 

pf HENCEFORWARD you are not to look oni 

^ -^ the Jews Free, Rich, and glorious^ undet; 
the direaforts ""of Prophets and Opulent W^like. 
Morikrch^. They had been fold as flaves^aqd after! 
the ciiftbrn' of Tyrants' and Conquerors, diC-^ 
perfcd through all that vaft and mighty Empire.. 
Sonie^fev eminent and worthy CharaSlers attain- 
ed to PoRs of Honour, in them grew opulent, 
arid Were highly diftinguiihed at Court. 

Of the vaft numbers who had been carried 

away captive to Babylon, not mor^ than fifty 

C 2 dioufand 



ilioufand Jews returned, find they were of thfc 
jK>orer fort, from among the moft indigent. The 
richerj who (laid behind, raifed a fubfcription 
to fupport them in their journey. 

Thd prdI)ofal made to the Jews was, that they 
fhould be governed by their own laws ; but, as 
they wete under fubjedion to Perfia^ and after^ 
Vards to Syria and Rome, their Privileges, and 
even their Religion itfelf, much depended on the 
will of their Conquerors* 

[3468.] God was pleafed td raifc ttp for the 
Jews a Deliverer, foon after their feventy years 
taptivity was ended. In the very firft year of 
^e reign of Cyrus, Daniel the Prophet, whom 
Cyfus found at Babylon, Hn old Minifter, high 
in r«pu(e throughout t;he Eaft, and juft now had 
appointed him Prime Minifter in the Court of 
Per^a, this zealous good man warmly interefted 
himfelf, and pointed out to that Printe the Pro- 
phecies refpefting the Jews, lipon which Cyrus 
publilhed an Edift for their relcafe, offering 
them all and every one the liberty of returning 
to their own Country to rebuild Jerufalem and 
the Teinple* They were to take with them their 
gold and filver, a number of beafts for Sacrifice, 
togethef with all the rich veffels and utenfils of 

the 



( »8 ) 

4lie Altar and the Temple which had been cut^ 
ried away to Babylon^ and unwifely brought out 
to grace the Tables of Belfhazzer. Zerubbabc^ 
a prince of Judah, was nominated as Viceroy, 
and appointed their Chief Magiftrate^ Leader, 
and Governon They went out near fifty thou* 
iand fouls* During the Captivity the Polity of 
the Jews had been in fad diftra£Uon^ and as theic 
Religion was much unobferved^ it was alfo at 
Babylon much corrupted. 

Immediately on the publication of the £di6E 
th e Chiefs of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin 
aflembledat Babylon, with the Priefts and Lc- 
vites, and as many, as retaining a love for their 
Country, and a zeal for the honour of their Godj, 
^ere difpofed to return to that once happy land, 
and now came and flgnified their intention to go. 
The Wealthy among them, and many who had 
formed connexions, and were engaged in trafHck, 
or had acquired places and employments, chofe 
rather to ftay, and contented themfelves with 
railing a large contribution to fupply their Breth- 
ren with what they could fpare of Gold, Silver^ 
ahd Valuables for the Temple. 

Zerubbabel, a Prince of the Blood-royal, 
Ijrandfon of Jehoiakim, and Jefhua the High 

Prittt 



( n ) 

Piftft-hcadcd the Party. They had many m^rt- 
ihgs-, cbncertcd riieir plans, accepted the liberal 
donations^ and fet forward on their'jbnrney. 

Hrwais fofefeeing this return and Journey of the 
Ifirtlifitis/ Ifaiah cbmpofed that highly eloquent 
attd; ti'itimphal Ode recorded in the f^ourteentll 
Chapter of that prophet. A Biirft bf Joy on their 
rdcaf^i artd the Revolution and viciflitiide taking 
place. 

Each Tribe on their arrivat in Jvidaea looked, 
out for his own Patrimony, fenced oflF their 
gfowds, rebuilt their houfes, the eftates of their 
Others, nianured their lands^ and they had laij(> 
deftitute and fallow two and fifty y^ars^ Zerub-^ 
babel> . Jefhua the Higlpt Prieft, and a numerous 
body of Priefts and Levites, with a large Party, 
proceeded on to Jerufalem, and as foon as ever 
th^y could be accommodated and lodged, the 
Gpvcmor called together the Heads of. all the fa- 
milies, formed his Sanhedrim> or grand Council, 
Mid inftantly fet about re-eftablifhing the Jewifh 
Commonwealth in Church and State. By the 
firft Decree of the Governor and Council; a free 
wUl-oifering was levied, from every individttal 
Pcrfon according to his Circumftancesj and 
though they were fo poor, what was now brought 

in 



( IS ) 

in, tagcther with th^ Gifts of the richer Bretloren 
they left behind, amounted tQ £•^^^OQ^ Upoa 
this ftock th«y began their Work^ the Prieftsj^ 
L^vitcs, Singers^ and Officers of the Temple^ 
%tled thcmfelvej as well as they could in or near 
Jerulalem, the greater part difpcrfed themfelvet 
about the Cities and^ Country where tbay had for* 
tt^erly livedo andr the very firfl: bujGnefs was^ tol10^ 
b^ild the AUai: for burntr-offerings^ aiid offer up 
diiiy the morning and evening Sacrifice. At dm . 
fc^cotmnof the AkarrWere four fmali PiUar^t 
eaafi^ a cubit in ke.^ht, ^^ thefe were called the 
Ho^ns of the > Altao::* A whole year was now eik^o 
pio^di vx coUe^ng Materials and Workmen^ 
c^lpitiraSin^ with Carpentiur^ Mafons^ and: Ovarii 
feer^ and they fent to Tyre and Sidon for Cedart; ; 
as Cyrus had dire^ed them^ In the fecond 
Manth^of - the fecond Year, thi& foundarion of the 
Tempte wa$» laid with* great fotemnity. Zend>«. 
babel their Governor, Jeftua: their High Priel^ 
the Owncil, H^ads, and whole Corigregatioii, 
wcfc* alt- prtfent while- thee firft ftone was' laid. 
The Trumpetert blew the Thimpets, a large Band 
#f Mjafic played* ajid. the Voices ajl ftruck' up^— 

*^' Pr^eye:!the Lord! Sing^^oud unto God J 
f and all the 'People ihouted/* 

Many 



f 16 ) 

Many were the mterruptions to the Buildings 
great the Oppofition and Difficulties they met 
wtd!» powerful enemies endeavoured to put a 
ftop to the Work, and it ftood ftill for years^ at 
length, under the eye and daily attendance of 
three Prophets, their many fignal and promifing 
encouragements, and immenfe gifts from the 
Court of Perfia^ it was finilhed, but not till the 
foundation had • been laid twenty years. Thi 
Dedication of it was ceiebra[ted by' the Priefts, ^ 
Levites, and all Ifrael, with great j6y arid high 
Solemnity, and they ofieted up a hiindred BuU ' 
locks, two hundred Rams, fbufhundred Lambs, 
aad for a fin-offermg for all Ifrael, twelve He 
goats according to the Number of the Tribeis of 
IfraeL 

The return to JeruTalem commences the Boo)( 
0f £zra> and it informs you of the three Wor^ , 
thies God rajfed up ibirhis people. Zerubba* 
B£L, who built the Temple and the AHar; 
ExRA, who reformed their Religion ; and Nb*. 
H it Ml AH, who built the walls of the City* 

Thei[hiftpfy of Zzuxjbbabel is recorded ia. 
thefirft Six Chapters of this Book, and jE:;sra 
himfelf is the fubjeft of the four iaft* 



It 



C «r ) 

It contains'a period odTpne handled* and'fol^ 
liK years, and the A8ks thereof wt re Kopoi]^U(|^4 
during, the Reigne of fix fucceffiv^ Perfian MiQp- 
narchs : Cyrus, Darius, Ahafuerus, Artaxerxes, 
Darius, the Secohd<^ and a Second Artaxerrxes. 
Seventy-nine yeats^ after their efti»|(|ifliiiient, by 
the intereft of Either, who on dicf depofitigii of 
Yalhtr, wa^- afterwards Queen to Ahafoerua ^ 
Ezra, the fqn of Scraiah, a very learned Jcw^ of 
the houfeof Aarpn, obtained a full ConuniflBon 
from Artaxerxes* id fuicceed ZenibbabeF^ the 
prefent yiceroy, and rettum to Jerufelem, with 
as many of his Nation, now refiding at ShufiiaA 
or Babylon, as were willing to go with hhn^ and 
there to reguFate and reform all mattersr.of flfatc, 
and reftore the wofftiip of God among the JeWB 
ill the City of Jerufalem. 

The Jiig^ reputation of Ezra iri the Court ibi 
Perfia may be judged of by the Qosm»9k>t^ '^ 
fblf; it ran thus : 

" Artaxerxes, King of Kings, unto £zra, 
" Prieft of the l^^ pf |hp Go4 of Pe»ven 

V fc^%f It is our decree, whofo^ver of you 

V he idfrgriOu» pf retMirping jto Jprufalem, ^ pcTri^ 
•^ Wit^pd to ^ fijdfejy tliji^cr,*' &c. &c. 

• Ahafuerus raeaus Prince, Head, or CbiefL 

I> and 



( 18 ) 

'and they were to carry with them immenfe pre- 
fents from the King, and many valuable free- 
-will oflFerings from their wealthy Brethren. 

In the middle of March, about the year of 
the World 3546. Ezra, fet out on his Jour- 
ney, and he pitchedhis Tents, on the Banks of 
the River Ahavah, and waited there to colleft 
and aflemble all his Company^ 

Ezra here invited to join him two hundred 
and twenty Nethenims (a race of Gibeonitcs de^ 
dicated to the Service of the Altar) and a number 
of Priefts and Levites to officiate in the Services 
of the Temple. As foon as he had here affem- 
bled a large Body of People, Ezra iffued out a 
proclamation for a general Faft, and Days of 
Thankfgiving to implore the bleffing and Protec- 
tion of God, he then proceeded on his Journey, 
•and arrived with all his Company fafe at Jerufa- 
lem, in the middle of the Month of July about 
four Months after he had fet out 

At Jerufalem, Ezra convened the Heads 

and Elders of the People, and as foon as poffible 

^he formed an affembly, and before them all Ezra 

broke the Seals of his Commiffion, had it pubr 

Ucklv 



C *9 ) 

lickly read, and delivered up to theTreafury and 
Priefts all the offerings which hid been made by 
the King of Perfia, the Nobles, and thofe of the 
Jeys who chofe to continue and refide at Baby- 
Jon. Ezra next, from among the wifeft of the 
People, appointed Judges and Magiftrates, an4 
gave each of them their Commiffion, impowering 
them, not only to infli^ Fines and Imprifonment^ 
but even capitally to conviS, a power of Life 
smd Death. 

Ezra maintained the Supreme Authority un- 
der his Commiffion from the Perfian Court thir- 
teen Years, employing himfelf in the faithful diC 
charge of every part of his Duty with the moft 
pious Zeal and affiduity, and yet Ezra does not 
feem to have had Power or Inftuc^nce enough t6 
make the neceffary Reform, and even the City 
fo comfortable and habitable as to invite a gene*^ 
ral Refort to the Metropolis, for the very Walls 
were yet in ruins. 

At this time Nehemiah fucceeded him as Go- 
vernor or Viceroy, and; he brought with him 
a new Commiffion with Authority and frefii 
Powers from Perfia. 



D id EZRA^ 



( 4«> ) 

Epi*K^ widi. Piety and a graceful CondefcM* 
fttini «ffume(l how a fubordiiiate ftation, he 
ftSK^ Bs Preftdent to the iSanhedriin, the Grand 
Gountil of the £Iders^ and employed his whole 
tiiile in reforming the Jewifc Church, reftoring 
Ul its Rites anfl Difcipline. He carefully exa- 
mined all the {acred Books; revifed, correfted, 
and puhlifiied a new £(ytion of them, and re- 
dikused the Mofaic Xaw to its primitive ftandard 
and purity, and he fixed the Numjbef of the 
Books of the Old Teftament to twenty-two^ 
E^RA was learned and well verfed. in themjall^ 
his htgh Station anjd Authority enabled him to 
coUe8. the befi; copies, £z r a was himfelf infpir- 
edf zealous for God, and he engaged in this ar- 
duous work three Prophets, Haggai, ^acha* 
RIAHj andMALACHi. 

When NiHEMiAit was eftabliflied in his new 
<Jbvi!irnnicnt, Ezra, relieved from publick Du- 
ties «and Affairs of the State, now brought forth 
his facred Volume, and expounded in it |uib« 
lickly from morning till noon^ and that he might 
te Ibetter heard, he caufed a Scaffold to be ere£l* 
edin one of the wideft Streets of the City. Ezra 
itimfelffiood leaning on a high defk in the middle, 
and on each fide of him ftood fix Priefts, inter- 
l^eters and afliftants, and as Ezra fpoke in He* 

brew 



( ?l J, 

btew, the Priefts explained in 4ie Chaidee^ a 
language they had been lately wfed to/ AU the 
people (and fome came from very distant ^part^ 
efpecially on feaft days and holids^s) could thus 
diftin6Uy hear him^ and had the Law ^nd theif' 
Duty explained and recommended ful^ to ihem. 
every day. ^ 

The laft Work Ezr A perfbrftied was reftortng^ 

to the People the facred Service t)f the Temple^ 

according to the original and ufaal Form before 

.fhe Captivity, he fcvifed khd amended all the 

jfewiCh Liturgy, adding tb it many new Prayers 

and Forms of Thankfgiving, compofed fince their 

^return from 3abylon, on thefileiSngs of. Liberty 

and Deliverance. This pious and tmly good 

Man employed himfelf in con^fing .a/Service 

fuited to the Dedication of this new Ten^le, and 

^as Plalms ^in^ ^ritual Hymns entered into almoft 

cv^ry part of the jewifli worlhip, he revifed 

.them ^1, |»nd took the ^greateft Pains to me* 

fthodiz^ an^ ct^lpQ- them ; he added alfo many 

fpf his owp ^ompofition^ and the order they arc 

BOW placed ip,. Our Saviour^ ^d after him his 

Apoftles^ alw^s. referre4 to them. 

E^RA had been now fome years fucoeeded in 
,his Gpvernment by Nehsmiah, who had .been 

' * • honour- 



( 22 ) 

honorably, ufefully, and zealoufly employed 
under his new Commiffion from the Court of 
Perfia, Ezra had at firft introduced him, and 
given him all the afliftance in his power^ after 
which he confined his ufefulnefs, prefiding morci 
particularly over the Church. Some Authors 
affert that he now died, and was buried in Jeru- 
falem i but others fay, that in his old age he. re- 
turned into Perfia, and that be died there at th^ 
age of one hundred and twenty. E2:ra brings 
down . the Hiftory of the Jews to the twentieth 
Year of Ahafuerus, the then reigning King of 
Perfia. - 

From the very firft of his Commiffion Ezra 
a8:eil with gr^at difintereftednefs for the good of 
his Country, and continued his ufefulnefs in the 
State as much by the Authority of the New Go^ 
vernor as before by bis own, for his Succeflbr 
had the fame Zeal for the Honour of God, and 
the fame patriotic endeavours for the Welfare 
of the People, and in right earneft coincided 
with him in the Work. Ezra, as a Prieft, a 
Preacher of Righteoufnefs, and a fldlful^ Scribe 
of the Law of God, unweariedly went on to per- 
feft the Reformation he had begun, and fpent 
almoft his, whole time preparing correO: Edition* 
of the Holy Scriptures, during the Babylonifh 

Captivity 



Capiiyity tbejr : had >een loft and many of them 
diftroyed, what remained were chiefly in private 
hands, Ezra rcftored them again as. it were by 
divine Revelation. 

HecorreSed all the Errors that had crept into 
the various Copies by negligence or miftake. 

He coUefted all the Books together, placed 
them in order, fettled the Canon of Scripture for 
his Time, the. Law, the Prophets, the Holy 
Writings, and Our Savionr, notices this three- 
fold Divilion. Ezra added what was neceflary 
Tor illuftf ating, connefting, or completing them^ 

This very eminent, pious, and good man may 
truly be faid to be a fecond Founder of the 
Jewifli Church and State. A Charafter highly 
efteemed, honoured, and beloyed, a divine Law- 
giver, zealous for God, and he was ftiled a fa- 
cond Mofes. 

In the Church of St. Dominic, in Bononia, 
is a Copy of the Hebrew Scriptures, kept with 
a great deal of Care, faid to be written by Ezra 
himfelf;^upoQ Leather, made up into a Roll, ac- 
cording to the ancient Minner, 

It 



< «4 ) 

ft wtebnly after their recum from Captivity 
l6e Niame of Jews became common amongft 
Attn. The Book of £zra is a continuataon of 
the Hiftory from the time the Book of the Chro- 
iiicles conclude^ and fo exa£t that the two firft 
verfes^ and part of the third are a repetition of 
the two laft Verfes of the Second Book of 
Chronicles^ The interveaing tinie of their Cap^ 
tivity^ A^i^ion;^ and Puniftment^ is very little 
noticed any where^ Jewilh Authors feem d^fi^iw 
tfdly %o pafs over that fad j^eriod. You forrow- 
fully view a h^rrafled aud difcQnfblat^ people^ th^ 
tetter^ or rather the richer Sgn* reconciled t^ 
ihe mode of Life^ and Cuftoms of their Oppref*. 
Ibrs» engaged ia fome hufinels and ^^iployment 
vUh them> cpnteftted thegifelve< with ftaying ia 
Babylon* The poorer ^ u«pfavide4 mo^^ 
them make up the principal NiM^M»f^ of ti^ffi wor- 
turniiyg hapde to. a ^^ntry wlHifJi k^A l«ng, 1^ 
.defolate. Relu£lantly they fet abou{ f g^ilf^ipg 
of their Temple^ fome of them recognizing the 
Aiagnificetice'and Gfery 6f t^eOM^ iin<!enMmch 
oppofition fhey ^it^tted 611 (he Wottt, Md atlaft^ 
Jdter twenty yeai^s^ ifwis flmffieic^> l»i^ 'fH fet^tl 
D^dici^oiS fi^tom^ iti the Ve&r tff ttfe WWiit 
3489 and 515 befote tH^llift^^^Otfit »An<^vfK. 



( 25 } 



I II i i n ■ i^r^ 



ON THEBOOK Of 



N E H E M I, A. Hv 



TH I S (giT^at and good man Qandsa noble In^ 
Ihince of a difinterefted Patriot, unweariedly 
^duous, jealous, ^^d wife. Neiijcmi.ah was a 
j€% but Hq i^d never fecn JerulaLlcni. ^ His an« 
a^Rs^s ha4 lived and 'died there. His Father waa 
cai^ied m early, lif^ to Shufban, metropolis of 
Periia,^,)ie had been fortunate enough to obtain 
u Establishment at Courts and he c^ofe rather to 
continue in his office than give it up and return 
with his countrymen^ when on the Edift iffucd 
VojL* II. E out 



( 3« ) 

mined to kill him, and he wds advifed to take 
fefuge in the Temple; but Nehemiah faid, 

«* Should fuch a man as I flee ? Who is tbere, 
*• being as I am, would go into the Temple to 
•* favc his life ? I will not go in/* 

After the walls were completely fihifhed, as 
Nehemiah's firft Commiflion extended only to 
the rebuilding of the walls, he was obliged to tak<^ 
a Journey back to Shufhan, in order to obtain z 
new one. He entrufted the care of his govern** 
ment and the city to two of his Brothers during 
. kis abfence. 

On Nehemiah's return to Jerufalem, he bufily 
employed himfelf in peopling and fortifi^ng the 
city, and beautifying the new Temple. It was at 
this time Ezra gave his publick leQures from 
morning till noon, in the open ftreet, where he; 
had caufed a fcafFold to be ere6ked, and a high 
deflc; in which he fat himfelf, and on each fide 
of him flood Gx Priefts to interpret what he (aid 
Jo the People. 

Ezra read his Oration in Hebrew, and they 
explained it in the Chaldee, a language they had. 
long been ufed to. and many of them knew no 
•ther. 

All 



( 3i y 

AH the abafes and diforders of the State, as 
far as his influence and aathority reached, Ne* 
H EMI AH zcalonfly and diligently correfted. He 
now aflembled all the People and made a contru 
bution for carrying on the embellilhments and 
adorning the Temple, and for the maintenance 
and fupport of its Service, and he fet them a 
Princely example, giving them himfelf a thoufand 
drams of Gold, fifty diflies, two hundred and fifty 
two veftments for tfie Priefts. In order to accom-^ 
inodate the Priefts and Levites, he built theoi 
houfes near the Temple, and he encouraged them, 
all he could, to a regular and devout {attendance 
on its fervices. ■ 

Nehemiah kept a Princely table, a fplendid 
lEquipage,'and a train of fervants, altogether at 
his own expence, exa6Ung no tribute whatever. 
Thus with the higheft credit, generofity, and ho- 
nour, he completed the tenor of his Commiffion. 
Nehemiah had prefided as Governor twelve 
Years, and now according to his promife he re- 
turned back to the Cpurt of Perfia. After fiye 
Years refidence at Shuflian, Nehemiah obtained 
a grant to return to his Viceroy fliip at Jerulalem, 
and he witnefled a very great depravity and cor- 
ruption both in the Church and Commonwealth^ 
they had profaned the Teooiple and negle£ted its 

Services^ 



( 32 } 



Services, tbey bad broke tbeir Sabbaths, and made 
die d^y^ a day of traffick^ and tbey followed their 
ibrelhing and plowing, and ufual occupations on 
it* 

N^HEMiAH affembled the Magillrates and fe<«^ 
verely reproved them, from fun-fet every Friday 
he ihut up the city gates, and would not fuffef 
them to be opened till the Sabbath was over, he 
prevented hereby. the Tyrians from bringing in 
their merchandizes, and they altogether deiifted, 
the cuftom and pra6M^e henicefocward was totally 
abolifhed* 

LeSures and expofitions on the Rnitateucii 
were daily given in Jerulalem^ Nehemiah lire- 
iiuou% enforced the obfervance of the Mofaic 
Law througbout the Kingdom, they were at firft 
read in the ftreets and market-places, till 
ScbcK>ls arid Seminaries were formed, and Syna- 
gogues bui]t for the purpc^e, thefe; laft were not 
conipleliely finilhed and occdpied till after the 
death of this very amiable, pious, .and good 

He thus xarried oh the Refonaation hcnh of 
Cbttrfch atfd Slate. NekeiAiah wrote hknfetf 
lIMs Ms owti HJftbry artd-Bcrok, aiid brifjgs dawh 
the Ttarftifticrns of the Jews tathfe^Rfeiga ^ 

Darius 



( 33 ) 

Darius Nothus, a Perfian King, vho had changed 
his name to Ochus, and to about 422 Years be* 
fore the birth of Our Saviour. He is believed to 
be the laft Governor fent from Perfia. The Go- 
vernment of Judaea was afterwards maintained by 
the High Priefts till Alejtander the Great totally 
deftroyed the Perfian Empire. 

It is no where recorded where Nehemiah died, 
Jofephus only fays, his death fell out after he was^ 
very far advanced in years. 

This truly zealous and difintereded Patriot had 
hU recompence in both Worlds, happy in the love 
of his people, in the fuccefs of his hpjieft ..labours, 
in recording his own hiftory, t'ranfmitting his 
name and reputation to all generations, a part 
of Holy Writ more honourable and durable than 
tlje Grecian Pillar, or the Roman Statue, his liberi. 
ality, difinterellcdQefs, courage, and indullry, his- 
aSe^ipnate feelings afad love of his Country will 
live thefe for ever. 




Vol. li: ' F 



( 34 ) 



ON THE BOOK or 



E S T H E R. 



THE Jews, refcued from a general Maflacre, 
to which they had been devoted by a haugh- 
ty and imperious Lord, firfl fs^vourite in the Court 
of Perfia, a moft amiable and very beautiful Prin- 
cefs, Esther, once a Jewifli captive, but now 
Queen to Ahafuerus, by her intereft and influence 
with the King faved them, and a Jewifli Feftival^ 
called Purim, or the Feaft of Lots^ is annually fo«« 
lemnized in commemoration, 

Mgrdecaif 



( 35 ) 

Mordecai, her Uncle, perpetuates the memory 
of this fignal and mod wonderful deliverance, and 
he writes himfelf a narrative of all the Plot, 
and the very extraordinary Providence by which 
it was difcovered and prevented. 

Ahafuerus is a name of royal dignity and dif- 
tinClion rather than a furname. The hiftory in- 
forms us, . 

" A great Monarch, King of Perfia, made a 
" fumptuous Feaft in his Palace at Shulhan, the 
" Metropolis of his Kingdom, and in high Spirits 
** all jovial in the banqueting-hall, he fent a mef- 
" fage to Vafliti, his Queen, and defired her to 
** join his Company gorgeoufly arrayed in all her 
*** royal apparel, and that fhe would take her feat, 
•* now in the fight, of all his Nobles." 

A requeft fo unexpefted and very unufual, as the 
laws of Perfia forbad a wife's appearance before 
ftrangers, the Queen modeftly declines, and ven- 
tures to difobey. The haughty Monarch, unufed 
to all oppofition, was outrageoufly angry, in his 
firft fury he inftantaneoufly fummonfed his Grand 
Council of Seven, lays before them his accufa- 
tion, and Vafliti's difobedience, they, dreading 
both his paflion and tke efFcfts of fuch a conduft 
F « i« 



(36 ) 

in fo elevated a ftation, pafled a fentencc of di- 
vorce and condepination on her Majefty, com- 
manding her to be dethroned immediately. 

The King had time to cool, he became all pity 
and defpair, he loved Vafhti, fhe was the firft of 
beauties, her crime was modefty, flic had violated 
no law, he had unwittingly done it himfelf, his 
vanity and pride the caufe, but the Council v^ere 
to be honoured, and Vafhli, Queen of Perfia, was 
dethroned. 

The King fell into a ftate of defpondency, and 
in order to divert his melancholy, and induce hini 
to think the lefs of Vafiui, his Nobles came to 
him, requefting his Majefty to make choice of 
another Queen. A number of young virgins were 
always provided for, in elegant apartments in the 
Palace, and they regularly underwent a fix months 
preparation with odours and rich perfumes ; from 
among thefe the Kings of Perfia made their choice 
when they married. The winning Beauty and fu- 
perior elegance of Efther inflamed the loye of 
Ahafuerus, and He advanced her to the throne of 
Perfia ; flie was indeed a moft beautiful virgin, ari 
orphan of the Tribe of Benjamin, brought up 
and adopted by her uncle Mordecai, who was , 
himfelf a defcqndant of thofe who had beet^ 

brought 



( 37 ) 

farought captive to Babylon, and as he oDnftatttly 
attended ^t tloe Palace-gate feems to 4iave beert 
one of ihe King's Porters. Mordecai had intereft 
enough at Court to intrpdjace his Niece into the 
Palace among other Beauties, Candidatefif for Roy#i 
alty, and to fucceed Vafliti, the late Queen, now 
in her difgrace. 

Haman was firft favourite in the Court of Aha* 
fuetus, haughty, infolcnt, and vam, ^n Amala^^ 
kite, a uioft avowed enemy to all the Jews, a 
wicked minider, indulgent only to his paffions, 
withh®nours next to royal, his pride was daily fed 
with the bafe homage of an Afiatic Court. One 
Officer only of all the hpufhold refufed to prof- 
tratehimfelf before Haman^ Mordecai the Jew; 
he with virtuous indignation, difgufted with his 
vanity, and knowing him to be an Amalakite, 
bowed* not, nor did him reverence, Haman was 
full of wrath, he thought it too litde, and Mor- 
decai too contemptible an objeft, to execute his 
rdfentment and wanton cruelty on him alone„ he 
determined to deftroy and totally extirpate all the 
race of Jews throughout the Kingdom, but to dif- 
tirtguifh Mordecai, and punifh his undutifulnefs, 
Haman had erefted a gallows, 150 feet high, in 
^kis own (court-yard for Mordecai. 

JuH 



( 38 ) 

Jull about this time a confpiracy was entered 
into by fome place-men at Court, and it was dif- 
covered by a Jew, and that Jew revealed it to 
Mordecai, he told it his Neice, entrufting the 
fecret with the Queen, a very wife and fure me- 
thod of preventing the mifchief, and acquiring 
the love and regard of the King. The whole 
tranfaftionwas regiftered in the State Volume, and 
one night, the King being unufually wakeful, he 
ordered up the books, and enquired, what had 
been done fbr Mordecai ? and who was without in 
waiting ? and they faid, Haman is juft now enter- 
ing the great Gate, the King fent for him in, and 
aflced him what honour and dignity, He fliould 
confer on one, who had, with the moft loyal zeal 
and afFeClion, diftinguifhed his fidelity to him. 
Haman's good opinion of himfelf, in bis highly 
exalted fiation, had conceit enough to apply this 
Princely. favour to himfelf, and he faid, 

" Let the royal apparel be brought out, which 
** the King ufeth to wear, and the horfe which 
" the King rideth upon, and the Crown royal 
♦* which is fet upon his head, let them be delivered 
*' to one of the King's moft noble Princes, to 
** array the man whom the King delighteth to 
" honour — thus leading him, and proclaiming his 
•* loyalty, through the high ftrcets of Shufhan." 

The 



C 39 ) 

The King inftantly replied to Haman/make bethel 

"Do you take the apparel, and the horfc, and 
" do you even fo to Mordecai the Jew that litteth 
^< at the gate, and let nothing fail of all that thou 
" haft fpoken.** 

Mordecai, after receiving thcfe high and dfC- 
tinguiflied honours, led in princely date by Ha-- 
man, was fet down at the gate of the Palace. 
Haman ahafhed and mortified, covered up his' 
face, he mourned bitterly, and hafted home to 
his own houfe; the plot he had lain, and fo cun^* 
ningly contrived againft Mordecai and the Jew3« 
he faw plainly was difcovered, and while he was 
telling his fufpicions, and fad ftory, to a fe1e3; 
party of his friends, and Zerefix his wife, evca 
while they were yet talking, the King's Chamber- 
lain brought a meflage inviting Haman tu a Ban« 
quet Queen Efther had prepared for the King and 
him. 

The entertainment and invitation to a feaft, wa^ 
the ufual mode of petitioning the throne, and \i 
lafted two days : 

" On thefccond the King enquired of Estheii 
1! whatrequcft ihe had to make to him, affujedly 

" it 



C 4^ ) 

•^ it fhould he granted her, even to the half of 
t' his Kingdom/' 

• The Queen, encouraged by his courtefy, moll' 
fubmiffively add/efled- him : 

<« If I have found favour in thy fight, O King, 
« let my life be given me at my petition, and my 
<** people at my requeft ; I, and my people ate 
•^ fold, to be deftroyed, to be flain, arid to 
?* perilh/' 

The King, wonderfully aftoniflied, enquired, 

;• Who is he ? where is he ? who^faus prefumes ?*•' 

And Efther replies, 

•'"•The adVerfary, the enemy, is this wicked 
« Haman." 

Haman> was all confafion— -fore afraid— The 
King arofe from the Banquet in high wrath — walk-' 
cd out into the Palace Garden — Haman availed 
himfelf of the moment, feH down proftrate before 
the Queen, and while he was molt' earneftly fuing 
for his life, the King walks back again into the 
Hall. He mifconftrued Haman's abafementr and 
and fubmilfive pofturck To prevent aggravation, 
the Officers in waiting covered Haman's mouth, 

and 



( 4. ) 

and one of them^ Harboniahj faid, 

<' Behold the Gallows fifty Cubits high *' 
Hainan hath fet it up for Mordecai> and it 
ftands in the Court-yard of Haman. The Kinjn^ 
inftantly replied: 

*• Hang^aman thereon " 

The Hiftory informs us^ that on the Gallow$ 
prepared for Mordecai they hanged Haman» and 
that the King's wrath was by this means pacified* 

The Method M ordecsd took to make known 
the cruel defign and Plot of Haman^ is 
highly curious and interefiing ; he cloathed him- 
felf in Sack-cloth and Afhes^ and placed himfelf 
before the Palace-gate leading to the Queen's 
Appartment ; Either feeing him from the Win- 
dows, fent haftily to know the caufe. Mordecai 
fent her Majefty word of Haman's intentions, 
and the Edi6l already ilFued out from the King: 
he eari^efly prelTes her to go to Him and prevent 
its murderous £xecution, the Queen names her 
great di^ulty, and the danger fhe fhoutd run 
but is over-perfuaded by the Arguments and the 
cntreatry of her Uncle, one flrong reafon among 
. many others exceedingly ftruck her. • 

She might have been'raifed to the Throne, even 
for this very piirpofe of faving her people. 

G I 



r 4i } 

It . wf s . the eftattiffied taw '6f ' Perfia to adnfrtt 
no one whatever into tKeTrefehi^^-(!liaihbfe'rwu^ 
out a fiinf^iiibns, anci leave firtt' dbtkihtd, the 
ftiiig uTuily tat en-tlifdhfecl gbfgeoti^^ arrajrfeft 
a Golden Sceptre always by hiitt, eftcoriiit)aiftd 
with a body-guard armed e^gh with a hatchet^.to . 
execute the ^commands of the Sovereign and 
brftdlier tv^ij' dnk who fiibakl enter witlifiut 
^W^s, tiAkfe dfe 'Gi^den St€^ wa« hdd^cnit 
to'^f^vcliirh. '^Ht^e'^rofe itiP6 diftrds and dsiu 
g<j^^ pf the .Queei\, but her Qwn native Sweet- 
Ijefs, duty ^o jder Ujacle^ and moit piF a^l affeEfioji 
fpr her Peqpl^ overcame her own perfonal 
Safety and alskrml, She now enjoins upon her- 
fdf and all her. Maidens, a three days Faft 
fpcnt in devout and folemn Prayers to GocL 
3nd: at the end of them, arrayed in her moft 
fplendid Attire, Ihe intruded into the preferice- 
Chamber and lupft fubmiffively^ approached the 
Throne. Her -heart here began to fail her ^ 
the King ftrangely agitated, his wonder and fur^ 
prife alarmed her the more, the Queen fainted 
away^ and is upheld wholly by her two Maidens^ 
the King was ftruck with grief and terror. He 
defcends from his Throne, full of Tendernefs ' 
Pity and wonder; He keeps waving over he*ir 
his Golden Sceptre, the token of fafeCy and pro* 
teftion, inoft kindly He tooths, arid careffes her, 

as 



f n 



i 



asfoonasthc Queen^ bad . recovered, fhe grate- 
fiijly thanks his M^ielf y, aind Tolicits ' the honour 
of his company to tne Banquet^ The haa pre- 
pared, when the invitation was accepted. It alihofE 
always followed that the requeft there made, was 
fuccefsfully granted. 

Thefe are the feriking An«:dotes of this in- 
ftruftive and entertaining Hiftpry. 

Mordecai was advanced to the higheft hon- 
ours, he was in Rule and Authority the fecond 
in the Kingdom ; he promoted all his Kindred 
to Pofts of Dignity and Emolument, and his 
Country-men were w£^iljB^,^d profperous. 

We learn from the Si^bry alfo, the Means 
Efther made ufe ofj'^is^lpSgBciire fo much good 
to her Nation. Zeal and piety, devout appro- 
aches to God by falling and prayer, and an a- 
nual Commemoration of fo happy an Event, a 
grateful offering of Praife and thankfgiving, by 
all the Tews throughout every City. 

The over-ruling Providence of God is fignally 
difplayed, and the fure and certain means of 
acquiring his Favour. In a Synagogue of the 
Jews at Amadam in Perfia, are ftill fhewn the 
Tombs of Mordecai and Efther. — 

7 * V V ^ Thi?! 



( 44 ) 

This b6ok finiihes the Hiftory of the Jews, 
u conveyed down to us in the Scriptuii^ of die 
Old TeftamenL 



« 




REIGNS OF TH£ HIGH 
PRIESTS 

BEING A 

CONTINUATION 

O V THE 

JEWISH HISTORY, 

FROM THE PERIOD WHERE THE 

OLD TESTAMENT FINISHES 

TO THB 

REIGN OF HEROD, 
Forty Years before the Appearance of 
OUR SAVIOUR- 



T- ,. 



( 47 ) 

I 

E S S A Y XV«L 



I r . ■ > 



^m^^mm 



THE laft Governprr^ijt tjo X^Pi^A {i;(m 
the Cowl of Ferga >r^ NEKfMi^^ 
after hts Vkeroyibiip» Ju^S^ wm 9^eA Pf fifff 
Pxe&diure of Sji^ ^d ihe |fF^§ becs^e fuls^jjq^ 
to tbe reigning ,Q(mquer<)jrs x]^ ^t Sjb^j^^ 
.TheHigh Prieft fioar :the tigie i^eio^ w^ts veftQ4 
Iffinb tlie Authority and regulation of Churfl^ 
imd fState^ and ihe Hebrewif jKuuka ycairly vilwip 
>W> Syria,* i 

Jehoida § the High t^rieft at this time died apia 
was fucceeded by ins Son Jonathan, f 

Jonathan f mslintained the Authority togethtfr 
•with the Dignity of the Prieft^hood, in full ejL 
cttife^f their power as delegated by Syria two 
and thirty year^r, at which time Jonathan di^ 
tattd J A D u A hiS'^Son alfumed both the Author!* 
tyand Offite of ^he Prieft-hood, in room of bi« 
*Tather." 

.♦BrforcChrift409, § Jehoida. $ Jonathan, fjadua. 

At 



( 48 ) 

At this time Alexander^ in the hour of Vidory 
with his Laurel Crown returned in all his Glory 
and Triumph from the redudion of Tyre» and 
tout overthrow of the Tyrian Empire : With 
his vidorious troops^ Alexander was on the full 
march againft Jerufalem : Jadua ( the High 
Prieft ) forely alarmed and apprifed of his in^ 
tentions arrayed himfelf in his Pontifical Robes^ 
Mbitedall his Priefis in their refpedlvedrelTes^ 
and accompanied by a concourfe of People all 
in lirfnte veftures, made a folemn Proceffion to a 
tifing ground a little ouf of the City, and placed 
tlidnfelves oh an eminence by the fide of which 
^ Alexander and his Army were to pafs. The King 
ftruck with the fight of the Venerable Prelate^ 
his graceful and magnificent drefs, the Name of 
God emblazoned on his front and encircled by 
his Priefts, Alexander was feizedwith a panicky 
a facred and religious awe, he advanced reve- 
rentially towards him, refpeftfully bowing, he 
ci<ibraced him, and worfhiped the facred Divinity 
infcribed on bis Mitre : The King, then direfU 
iqg his Army to follow, marched flowly on^^ 
attended by the High Prieft and alibis Retinue 
through the City of Jerufalem to the Temple^ 
Alexander there with reverence himfelf wiw 
nefled, the Devotion and ceremonious Pomp of 
Jcwilh Worfliip and the Solemnities of Sacrifice. 

The 



( 49 ) 

The High Prieft with great propriety, while 
now in the Temple, pointed out to the Conquer- 
or all the Prophefies refpefting himfelf, fignaU 
ly fore-telling his many glorious viftories and 
wide extended Dominions, whereupon the Jews 
obtained exemption from tribute one year in 
feven, and a free Charter for the Exercife of 
their Religion and Laws. And Alexander ever 
after diftinguiftied the Jews by many honours^ , 
and fignal favours in every part of his Kingdom 
both in and out of Palaeftine. 

In the twentieth year of his pontificate Jadua 
died, Onias his Son fucceeded him, and Onias 
retained the Dignity twenty-one years. 

By the Death of Alexander, their very gene- 
rous friend, the Jews fuftained a very great lofs : 
as Judaea lay between Syria and Egypt, it be- 
came at different times in bondage and fubjeftion 
* to them both. ' . . 

Ptolemy King of Egypt with' a formidable 
. Army firft invaded Judaea, and laid clofe fiege to 
its Capital. Ptolemy well aware' of the Hebrew 
: Laws and the ftriftnefs of Jewifh Worfhip, or- 
dered on their Sabbath a general Storm and all 
his Engines to work : He thus made himfelf 
. Vol. n, H Maftcr 



( 50 ) 

- Rafter of the City without oppofition or re- 
fiftance and led away Captive one hundred thou- 
fend Jews. 

JuDiEA remained under fubjeftion to Egypt 
five years. Simon furnamed the Juft was their 
Sovereign Pontiff, at this time Simon died af- 
ter He had diftinguifliingly honoured the High- 
Priefthood nine years ; highly eminent was this 
great and good Man for his Sanftity, Integrity 
and Patriotifm. Simon was the laft member re- 
maining of the Great Synagogue, confifting of 
one hundred and twenty. He had unweariedly 
meployed himfelf in completing the Canon of the 
Holy Scriptures and finally fettling the jewilh 
Liturgy : 

** The Books Simon added to the facred Canon 
" were, the two books of the Chronicles, the 
** books of Ezra, N^hemiah, Efther and Ma- 
" lachi.'* 

Simon was fuccceded in his high Office by 
Eleazar his Brother, his Son being an infant, 
and Eleazar officiated as High Prieft fifteen 
years. He left a Son named Onias at the age of 

Eleazar, Manaffcs. Onias the Second. 

thirty. 



( '5^ ) 

thirty, but his Son wis fet alide in order to make 
way for his Great Uncle Manaifes^ and ManafTes 
was Uncle to Simon the Juft. The High Prieft 
was very far advanced in years when He affumed 
the Dignity : Manaffes died foon after, and Oniaa 
his grand Nephew now thirty two fucceeded him. 

On IAS unlike his Anceftors was bafe, fordid, 
felfifh and indolent, fo avaritious, his money 
was his God: his Avarice and meannefs were 
moft wretchedly ill-timed, and at length ar- 
rived to fo high a pitch as to induce him to put • 
into his own Coffers, the tribute money he had 
engaged to pay to Syria, the jQiakneful deteSion 
and enquiry occafioned much diftrefs and trouble 
to his country. 

At the Death of Onias, Sinion the fecond 
was nominated to the High Prieft-hood and fuc- 
ceeded his Father : A Pontiff" of amiable man- 
ners, true Dignity, and Piety, Zealous for God, 
of diftinguifhed honour, conduft and bravery. 
At the Death of Simon the fecond, Onias the 
third took upon him the Government, and be- 
came, their High Prieft, He alfo was a highly 

Simon the fecond. Before Chrift^237. Onias 
the third. 

H 2 worth 



(52 ) 

worthy Charafter of fignal Clemency, benevo- 
lence and Piety: It was in the eighth ye^r of his 
Pontificate, the Jews loft their good friend and 
Proteftor, Antiochus King of Syria, and Antio- 
chus was fucceeded in his Government by Seleu- 
cus. 

JuDiEA had enjoyed a profound peace now 
for fome years, and preferved a ftriQ: adherence 
to her Religion aqd Laws : the Common-wealth 
was arrived at high honours, courted by fovereign 
Princes, and the Jews had received many fump-' 
tuous and magnificent Prefents, and rich offer- 
ings to the Temple. 

After Onias had thus wifely and rcligioufly 
governed and inftrufted the People four and 
twenty years, the High Prieft-hood was treache- 
roufly taken from him by Jafon, one of his Bro- 
thers. At the Death of Selencus King of Syria, 
Jafon was informed of the empty Coffers of the 
Kingdom: The Young Prince his Son on his 
coming to the Crown, found the treafury quite 
exhaufted, and his Country impoverifhed by the 
large tribute, his Predeceffors had annually paid 
to Rome: Jafon took the advantage of Young 

Jafon. 

Antiochus 's 



( S3 ) . 

Antiochus's Penury, he went to Antioch and 
made him an offer of three hundred and fifty 
Talents, for the High Prieft-hood and the Go- 
Vjernment of Judaea. Antiochus accepted his of- 
fer, inftantly commanded his Commiffion to be 
made out, and figned an order for Onias's depo- 
lition and confinement, together with his banifh^ 
ment from Judaea, without this laft caution, Jafon 
would have had no profpe£l of enjoying, this his 
ill-gotten Dignity, as the amiable Charafter and 
fignal Piety of his Brother, muft have revived the 
refentment and hatred of the People, and proved 
a conftant Oheck to his Authority and influcutc* 

After this, Jafon returned with his Commif- 
fion and new Powers, and raifing a powerful Par- 
ty, fet about eftablilhing himfelf in his Dignities, 
and the Governnient he had bafely purchafed. 
Availing himfelf ftill of the empty treafury and 
neceffities of the Syrian Prince, He prcfented 
Antiochus with one hundred and fifty Taleiit$ 
more, for liberty to erefl in Jerufalem an Am^ 
phitheatre, in a foreign ftile, for training up the 
Hebrew Youth in Gymnaftic Exercifes, after the 
Grecian manner, and correfponding with the 
Olympic Games, and he tacked to his new Pa^^i 

Before Chrift 175. 

tenn. 



< 54 ) 

tent, the valuable Privilege of making fuch of 
his fubjefts as he thought fit^ Citizens of And- 
och, (Metropolis of Syria, and of all the Eaft) 
conferring on them at pleafure, the freedom of 
that celebrated City. To this fuperb Amphi- 
theatre^ J^^fon gave the name of Gymnafium' 
A wonderful Change was foon experienced in 
Jerufalem — a general Apoftacy fucceeded — Aca- 
demies were inftituted, and fuitable buildings 
ere&ed both for the jewifh Youth, and for Men 
grown up, where indecencies difgraceful to hu- 
manity, in bold defiance of the Hebrew Laws, 
were publickly exhibited — both Priefts and Laity 
negle&ed the Service of the Temple, and they 
all flocked to the heathenifh Amphitheatre, where- 
by the Jewilh Laws, their Religion and Rights 
.were all of them facrificed to the wild Ambition 
and impiety of Jafon. 

Th k Young Prince, Antiochus Epiphanes, af- 
ter his Coronation and eftablifhment in his King- 
dom, on hearing a report that the King of Egypt- 
juft now come of Age, defigned to attempt the 
recovery of Palaeftine, He fet out on a Tour 
through the Neighbouring Provinces, and vifited 
^ Jerufalem in his way. jafon moft highly delight- 
ed to ingratiate himfelf in the favour of Antio- 
chu», received his Majefty with great ftate and 

magnifi- 



( 55 ) 

magnificence^ notwithftanding which, after the 
King's return to Antioch, MeneUus, Jafon's Bro- 
ther, He treachefoufly treated with Antiochus 
for the Prieft-hood, and when he was fent to the 
Court of Syria to pay the annual Tribute Money 
he offered the King three hundred Talents more 
for the High Prieft-hood, than his Brother Jafon 
had given: Antiochus made no Scruple to accept 
his Offer, ordered his Secretary to make out a 
frefh Commiffion, and Menelaus returned with 
it to Jerufalem, in the third year only, of Jafon^s * 
Pontificate. A moft infamous and wretched ufe 
Menelaus made of the Authority and Dignity, he 
alfo had fo impioufly purchafed : Menelaus im- 
poveriflied all his Country, the Capital became 
deftitute and unprotefted, the Sanhedrim or 
Grand [Council were fo terrified they held their 
peace from neceffity-^by degrees he enfiaved 
Judaea, and overturned all that was left of her Re- 
ligion and her liberties. With all his Art, Qp«- 
preffion, and endeavours, Menelaus could not 
, raife the immenfe Sum he. had agreted to pay An- 
tiochus, (thp he had fecretly melted down the 
Golden Veffels of the Temple,) upon which all 
was Riot, tumult, and Confufion. Jafon ani- 
mated by thefe new troubles, availed himfelf of 
the times and with a band of refolute an^ defpc- 
rate Men, He appeared. irt tlw City Gates, with- 

•ut 



( 56 ) 

out any oppofition entered Jerufalem, and drove 
Menelaus and his Party into' the Citadel, Jafon 
was in high fpirits, glutting his revenge on his 
brother, and executing the moft horrid Barbari- 
ties on all who oppofed him, when in the midft of 
his triumph, a Meffenger came running to inform 
him Antiochus, the Syrian Monarch, at the head 
of a formidable Army, was on the full march and 
not very far from the City. Upon this intelligence 
Jafoh and his bold and refolute men were imme » 
diately forced to quit it. The Citizens and 
Soldiery alarmed, and apprized of Antiochiis's 
fiercenefs, and intention to flaughter them, at- 
tempted at firft to fliut themfelves up, and make 
all the refiftance in their power, but the Gates 
were battered and forced open, and the city ta- 
ken by ftorm. With the moft favage Cruelty An- 
tiochus murdered •forty thoufand Jews, the reft he 
took Captive, and ordered them to be fold for 
Slaves to all the neighbouring Nations around : 
The Haughty Tyrant then commanded Menelaus 
to attend him to the Temple, this infamous and 
abandoned Prieft entered it with him, impioufly 
polluting that facred Edifice throughout, and even 
the Holy of Holies : In wanton blafphemy Anti- 
ochus, facrilegioufly offered up on the Altar of 

Before Chrift 170. 

burnt 



-^ 



( 57 ) 

burnt ofFcrings, a SoW;> and fcattered its frag- 
ments over all the Temple, and the King carried 
oflF with him the golden Altar of Incenfe, the 
(hew bread table, the golden candleftick^ vefTels, 
utqnfils and donatives to the value of eighteen 
hundred talents of gold, tpgether with the plunder 
of the ..whole City. On his return to' Antioch, 
H^ iffued out a Decree for fuppreffing through^ 
out his Dominions every Religion, all worCbip to 
the Gods^, ..except the worfliip of the Idols he 
himfelf had fet up, and to whom alone he paid his 
Adoration^ Antiochus enraged at the Conduft 
of the Jews, and in order to humble them, com- 
manded all, and every one of his Subjefts to ab- 
ftain ^from their Religious Ufages and Cuf- 
tpms and the offering up of Sacrifice. Every 
"perfon was^exaniiried by okh, every houfc fearch- 
cd to acquire pbfleffion of all the copies of the 
Hebrew Canon, and the book of the Laws : Offi- 
cers and Overfeers Were appointed to receive 
them: His Soldiery were difpatched into Judaea, 
to enforqe. the heathen worfliip, and ereft Idols 
and Imag<i$ in all and eyery Synagogue through- 
put thcKingdoi^ and in the Temple of Jeruiklcm. 
.Athenaeus was appointed Overfeer in Judaea, and 
in the exercife of his Coramiffion, he firft put a 
ilop to all Sacrifices and the Service of the Tem- 
ple j all Worfhip to the God pf Ifrael ccafed ; the 
Vol. JI, I the 



,( 58 ) 

thejcwifh Religion wa»'tmally fllpprelfedj flic 
Temple was polluted with'human blood, and the 
filthieft abominations ; tftieir Sabbaths by- exprefs 
tommind unobferved ; their fblemn ' falls and 
feafts profaned; their children forbad to be cir- 
tumcifibd; their Laws aboliflied : ind v^Hofoever 
w^ deteded in the obfei^^ce of a jcwifli fitc. 
Was put to death on the Spot. The Statue of 
Jtij^iter was fetup on the Attar of burnt offeiings^ 
and Heathen Worfliip was by force of anhs 
impioufly introduced and eftabliflied thibu^ 
out Judasa, in the City of Jerufalem and the 
Temple. 

During this bloody and murderous perfecution 
for forty days together, there were fecn over the 
City and the Temple, ftrange conflifts in the air^ 
Horfe-men and Fopt-men armed with fiery fliields^ 
ipears and fwords, fighting and charging In battle 
array; and great Calamities, War and Defolation. 
were foreboded by them. 

Antiochus in his march through Palaeftine, did- 
patched Appollonius, a Revenue Officer and well 
known to the Jews, at the head of s2,ooo men to 
plunder all the Cities of Judah ; his Commiffiou 
^^fP pu^ ^ death every man and fend off the 

Before Clulft|69; 

vromtn 



(59) 

women and children for falc. Appollomus^ the 
Jews fuppofed, was only come to collect the tri- 
bute money ; he had formerly been their tax ga- 
therer. AppoUonius waited peaceably till the 
next Sabbath^ and while all was in profound quiet^ 
he drew out his troops, commanding them to 
butcher all and every man they found : the Jews 
made no refiftance, chufittg to be thus flaughtered 
rather than break their Sabbath, by (landing even 
on their own defence. Deferted and thus polluted 
the City of Jerufalem, and the Temple remained 
near four years ; fuch of the Jews, who efcaped 
the Maflacre,hid themfelves in caverns and holds, 
amidfl: the craggy rocks, living on roots a^d 
wild herbs to avoid death, or what they thought 
a ftill greater evil, apoftacy. 

Mattatbias, a Pi:ipft> ^^o bad retired with his 
children .to a fepajily ejjkate at Modin, a learnipd 
pious at^d good man, zealous for the law of tJod 
was among the firft who oppofed the progrefs of 
this bloody perfecution; the overfeer and )ii$ 
guard, knowing his refpeftabilty and influence 
were very tirgeht with him^ and would fain haVe 
perfuaded fiim to acquiefce, but Mattathias in the 
kearfng of all the People, cri^d out aloud-^poi^- 

Mattathias. Before C^rift 167. 

It thpritj^ 



( ^o ) 

, authority, no conGderation fhould induce him, oi* 
bis family to forfake the law of the God of Ifrael, 
they would walk in His covenant and obferve His 
ordinances, the commands (he faid) of no King on 
earth ihould force them to depart from their duty. 
Seeing at this inftant, a Jew prefenting hirofelf be- 
fore the heathen Altar, and worfliipping an Idof 
there erefted, with a religious zeal, Mattathias 
ran up to the apoftate and flew him; his fons fired 
with the fame fpirit, with the refolution and zeal of 
the Father, ftabbed the Overfeer and all his men, 
overthrew the altar, and felled the Image to the 
ground, crying out, follow, all ye who are zea- 
lous for the law of God — follow, follow. Matta- 
"^ thias collefting his own family, and all who would 
and dared to join him, fled away to the deferts 
and mountains and there aflembling, formed a 
little army, bold, refolute, zealous and brave. 

The Syrian Monarch, feeing his orders not 
thoroughly conformed to in Judsea, marched thither 
in perfon to enforce their obfervance, and on this 
occafion, happened the martyrdom of good £Iea- 
zar, highly venerable and amiable, at ninety years 
of age, a Prieft of great learning, probity and zeal 
for God, they led forth the good old man to the 
butchering fcaffold, demanded from him a public 
recantation, the proof they required was, his eat- 
ing the fwine's flcfli they brought him: with refolute 

firmnefs 



( €i } 

fmmnefs and becoming refentment, abhorring the 
baienefs and the infult, the venerable Prieft pre- 
ferred the fad alternative, a bloody and imme^ 
diate execution. 

Aftei- Eleazar the feven heroic youths, ail bro- 
thers, together with their mother, were ftretched 
on the rack, one after the other, enduring the 
moft exquifite torments, with a courage and 
firmnefs almoft incredible, whilft their highly 
fpirited mother, divefted of the weaknefs of her 
fex, ftooci by each of her fuffering Tons, afluring 
him and infpiring him with the glorious and near 
profpeft of an Immortal reward ; laft of all, flic 
washerfelf facrificed to the Tyrant's fury, and died 
with the fame intrepidity and refolution with 
which flie had fo nobly irifpirited her fons. 

After Antiochus*s return to Syria, Matta-* 
thias's party greatly increafed, and as foon as 
they became powerful they left their faftnefles, 
caves and rocks, took the field, courageoufly en- 
tered the Cities, pulled down the Images and 
Heathen altars, caufed the male children to be 
circumcifed, and put to death the Syrian officers, 
the foldiery, and their apoftatifing countrymen ; 
after which they opened all the Synagogues, re- 
eftablifhed the Jewifh worfhip, and the folemni- 
ties 6f Sacrifice. Mattathias quite worn out with 

the 



I 62 ) 

tjBH^ tare &tigiies» Mertioris and warrare he had 
iin^^gone, aflembled his fons^ and informed 
ijfi^ God was punithiog Judaea for the pride> 
oppreffion and impiety of the People: 

•* BviXy* fay^ he, '^ be ye, my fons, valiant 
^* Md ?e^<i\*s for the Law of the God of Ifrael, 
** expofe your lives in its defence, there is a 
^ gloriott^ yevard annexed to perfeverance : Let 
*^ iqe bring back to your memory the zeal, in* 
*■ trfgi^ity and fpirit of yoqr anceftors, to ani- 
V mate yc^ur hope, and encourage you to a 
^^ ft#a4y rpli^npe on the power and the protec- 
^ tianrof God.'* Thus infpired, my dear chil- 
^' dr^Bj^ ?in4 Aus courageous in the defence of 
^ yoUP hWW^i your Liberties and your Religion, 
** yoi^ will ?Jpt, you cannot fail of fuccefs. My 
** Son Simon has fhewed himfelf a man of con- 
^ fummate wifdom, follow his advice as a Father 
** and a Counfellor ; Judas is well known for his 
^ valour and condu6t, let him be your General, 
•* head your army and lead you out to battle. 
c* My valiant Sons, God Almighty profper you 
^* and crown your valour with glory, honour and 
'' fuccefs/* 

After tU$ tender and affeftionate interview, 
iSiaB his lad leave and ^y'l^g advice, Maxtatbiai» 
in a |;oQd old age expired* and they buried him 

at 



( 63 ) 

at Modin with his Anceftors ; and all the &ith&Ll 
wept. 

Judas Maccabeus on Ac dying requeft and 
laft direftions of his Father, and the corifent 
and appointment of his brothers/ took on him 
the command of the forces, and ereded hi» 
flandard ; with diftinguifhed valour he led them 
Forth to battle, both atgainft the 'Syrian Heau 
then, and fuch of their countrymen as • had af- 
fented to their worfhip. Judas chofe for a motto 
on his colours: 

^« Who is like to thee among the Gods, O 
** Jehovah." 

In Hebrew the initials of the fentence make 
(he word, Maccabees. His gallant troops con- 
filling of men refolute and religious, grew every- 
day more and more numerous/ and quickly en- 
abled Him to purfue the plan and wife intentions 
of. his Fatheri and he went round the cities of 
Jttdah, broke t6 pieces all the idols and their altars, 
and 'cut 6ff this Idolaters, and Apoftates. Judas 
fet about repairing their fortifications, built them 
new fortreffes and garrifoned them. After teany 
fignal, and fome glorious and moft aftonifhing 
viClorics, He drove out the Syrians. from the 

• Judas Maccabeus, ^ Before Chrift,-f64. 

city 



( 64 ) 

city of Jcrufalem and retook it : Heaps of rub- 
bilh covered the city; the fanCluary had Iain long 
defolate ; the houfes, palaces^ and even the gates 
were burnt down, the altars and holy places pro- 
faned or demolilhed, and the grand area and 
court of the Sanftuary was over-ran with briers. 
Judas and his men rent their cloaths, coyered 
their heads with duft, and filled the air with la- 
mentations, and tokens of the livelieft forrow. 
Judas employed all hands, he fet about cleanfing 
and removing the rubbifli both from the city and 
the temple, dedicating them all anew to the fer- 
vice of God ; He appointed the priefts, caufed a 
new altar to be erefted ; a golden table, an altar 
of incenfe, the golden candleftick were each of 
them made and replaced, and He allotted all his 
rich fpoils, and dedicated all his treafures tothefer- 
vice of the Temple. This.folemri dedication lafted 
eight days, and was celebrated with great joy and 
illuminations at every man's door the whole time; 
whence it was called the Fcaft of Lights, and was an- 
nually commemorated throughout the city. Judas 
governed the Jews with high fpirit, magnanimity 
and good condufl; he re-eftabliflied their religion, 
and advantaged the common wealth very greatly 
by a refpeaful alliance with Rome : But afte^ 
having fo bravely fought their battles, and en- 
countered with many difficulties and difcourage- 

ments^ 



( ^5 ) 

mcnts> this virtuous and vcxy gallant General was 
Ifein in' the field t)F battle^ refoittteljr engaging 
with only eight htnidred men^ a moft formidable 
ntfxty ; bis 'Own troops had- on this occafion der 
fert^d him« smd Judas fword in hand died fight- 
ing for hii country. Johathan and Simon his 
two brothers aflPeffionatcIy 'mourned over a fate 

^ unfortunate^ and honourably buried him at 

-^Modliuj in the fepulchre of his Fathers. Under a 
government fo threstteiied^ ' amidft' dangers and 

'alknn/thpfeofJhtf Jeifs-.who ftill*retaiiied a love 

for their rdigiori, aftd their country, aflembled in 

d^body,; and elefttd Jonathan their General, 

d^firing.tb fight under his ftandard, and invefted 

riiiitr^kh^'tht: aiifhority and lowers of his late 
brbthfer. Jonathan foon found himfelf at the 

-Keatf of a ' formidable pirty and a numerous 

- a'rmy; atid-^y has brave ty ^nd good condu'£l, he 
il^QLabiUh^d himfelf and his gov-emment more and 
more everyday^ ; .; .... 

..-A Civil War at this time broke out in Syria. 
Demetrius and Alexander were opponents ; both 
Princes endeavoured to gain Jonathan over to 
tl>eir party. . Alexander fent his pi-opofals firft. 
He ,wpujd appoint Jonathan to the dignity of 
. the ,Hi^-.pricitl^o^d, and diftinguifh him by the 

- title of the King's Friend, .and he ordered him a 

'■"'/■ ^ ■ ' ^ • 

' ■ ' ■ *'Hefi)fe Chrift, i6x. 

' -'-^^ < W ' - pur. 



( 66 ) 

purple robe, and a crown of gold, the enfigns of 
royalty. Demetrius refolved to outbid Alexan*. 

*der and he offered much more, but that Mo- 
narch's known enmity to the Jews, the oppref- 
fion and fufferings they had already endured 
under him, made all his offers fufpeftedj Jona- 
than dared not triifl Demetrius, and therefore chofc. 
to enter into a treaty with his opponent. Jona^ 
than invefled himfelf with the dignity of the High- 
prieflhood, and now for the firft time put on the 
Pontifical Robes, after that high arid facred t>f* 
fice had been wholly laid afide feven years, and 
for feveral defcents it continued uninterrupedly 

' in his family until the reign of Herod, when he 
changed it from an office of inheritance to that 
of arbitrary will and pleafure, and the High- 
prieflhood was ever afterwards fo held till the 
total extindion and abolition of it by the de- 
ftruftion of the Temple by the Romans. 

Judas had fome time before his death for- 
warded an EmbafTy to Rome ; he had heard of 
the growing power of the Senate, their high 
prowefs and wife policy, and he made an ho- 
nourable and amicable alliance with them: la 
like manner, Jonathan after he had been ap- 
pointed his fucceffor, their General in a military 
capacity, and invefted with the fupreme autho-* 

rityof Church and States He fent ambafladors 

tcr 



X ^7 .) 

to Rome to renew the league fubfifting between 
(bent. They were received by the Senate with 
honour, and moft refpeOfuUy fent back to J^ 
rufalem. After Jonathan had thus eftablifhed his 
Government and ftrengthened sdl his interefts at 
liome and a:broad> He was bafely enfnared and 
betrayed: by treachery Jonathan was ftronglyfoli<- 
cited to leave his Army, and with only a thoufand 
of his brave foldiers to enter tl^e city of Ptole». 
mais; quite unfufpe6king any ^bufli or frauds 
Jonathan fell a facrifiee to ihi^ arts and inlihu* 
ations of a Syrian Tyrant, the highly -artful Try»- 
phon. Bloody, fcheming,and ambitious Tryphon 
ordered the gates of Ptolemais to be ftut upon 
• them, and every one of his men to be murdered. 
Jons^than himfelf was only fpared until Tryphon 
had treacheroufly obtained a large Sum for his 
Ranfom, as fpon as ever the Meffengers returned 
and he had got the money in his hands, Tryphon 
cruely caufed Jonathan to be maffacred* 

Jonathan had governed ^he Jews about feven^ 
teen years; as foon as the news of his bafe 
feizuf e and confinenaent, and the bloody flaughter 
of his» brave troops had reached Jerufalem, the 
wholq city Kjras in^an uproar; they every mon^ent 

\ V ^ Before Chrift, 141. 

' *^ W ? cxpcaii4 



( 68 ) 

cxp^dod the perfidious murderer at their ga^es^ 
«ided by a Syrian army, and. their apoftate coun- 
trymenj: under fuch diftra&ion and high alarm 
they: applied for fuccour and deliverance to 
Simon:: ..Simoi^. was the only one pf all the 
ions of Mattathias now left^ Iq. the .exigency of 
the. jnomonty they ^e&e4 Simon . their General^i 
ianmionedjEt council^ in/lant^y met and drew out 
Jiifi •commiffiQJQi^dji fop9 as eyegr i^ was figned^ in a 
spirited and manly fpeech Simon thus addrefled 
the court — 

^\ Xqu, my Cpuntrymen^ are not ignorant how 
•' t^rayely my .Father, Brothers, and I myfelf hayc 
y fought in defence . of our Laws an^ Religion, 
•• our Temple and our Nation ; they have facri- 
^* ficed their lives and fortune in that glori- 
** ous caufe ; I, only I furvive to maintain it ; 
** God forbid I ihould value my life at a 
" higher price than they did theirs: Behold 
^' me then as willing, as ready as. they to glo- 
" ry in the undertaking, to die, in defence of 
*' our Nation, our Temple, our Wives and our 
*' Children." 

' . ». . ■ 

With loud Huzzas the People all proclaimed 

him their Commander and General, and Simon 
aflumed the facred office and dignity of the 

Prieft- 



f 



(89 ,) 

Frienhood ; Simon fent and prdddfcia ibe bdnt;) 

of Jonathan and thd llbncs of IBs " ltk( iBks 

\vho had beeii murdered witli tifb; and IftlHfed 

them in the fepulchre of ^i ix)^iSxkt at^MoOftt, 

and ereaed a (lately lAbiiiAieift tb tfidrrffei^^ 

As (oon as p6ffit)te ^imtii^^^^^i MSSOSiAikt 

to Rome, ahdf to fuch bft^ir tblift^ atiivfere ih ifl- 

. liance with him. The S'iiiaie f fifi^!^!^ 6rdei%d 

out the Tribunes, and 4 bbdy rif difcii dtizeflft^^ T6 

meet the Jewifh Aibtibkflkdai's sii 15ohiaitfai^ gMMk 

near the City, and they libm)Ul^lfly i^iVed t!)»ll, 

gave them an immediate k^dibrice, f edcNK^ng <he 

league made with his pfediideflbrs; The Senate 

ordered its ratification to be engraved on tables of 

fcrafs, iJacI It carried alon^ wiife ajfiin to Jeftirttim^ 

anci Simon caiifed thte inilliriiAniat'^f AHi«iee|l*-. 

licly to be read before kl! Ihe TJoiJliS. TftfeHiiilHifi. 

i^dors feiit to Lace^aem^^ anB thtir dtlib'r Alli^ 

returned with autnentic infthSUi^ftts 'oJF itiheir rea- 

dine/s alfo, to ratj^e all tl£b$r former tre^ 

jfu^aea. 

Tiie Priefts, Elders, WigffttStis and Feoi)te, 
held at this time a genersil coi^voc^tibnt knd ^flfcitt-. 
bled at 'Jcrufalem ; it was agreeTl at ^fliis ktigiiil 
ineeting pdrpotely converfed, thlt the (Kpretbie 
^vernment of the Nation ahcl'the dignity of the 
Higb^priefi'hoocl'lhouidbe'bdthffettr^dUUd^M 

cd 



( 70 ) 

^ on Simon and on hb pofterity after him, thu^ 
.making tbetti hereditary^ in his family ; a Public in- 
ftmmenc was drawn out and (igned, wherein the 
heroic anions of his anceftors, and Simon's good 
deeds were recognized and honourably mentioned, 
in gratefal acknowledgement for all which the 
JSead% Chiefs and Elders of Ifrael, conftituted 
and 'ele£ked him their Prince and High Prieft, botl^ 
which dignities were by this national Charter to 
4efc^nd to jbis pofterity. A copy of the aft was en-^ 
graven on hrafs,^d hung up in the Sanduary, the 
otigm^\ depofited in the treafury of the Temple, 
among the facred archives and records of Judxa^' 

Simon took on him the ftate^ fiile and authority 
of Prince as well as High-Prieft, and both digni- 
ties became henceforward hereditary in his family, 
who were fovercign Pontiffs and fovereign Princes 
of the Jewifh Nation. Being thus eftablifh^d in 
?he independent fovereignty of Judaea, Simon fet 
out on a general circuit throughout his Kingdom', 
He confulted for its fecurity, repaired the fortrefles 
and built many new onies, he fortified the walls^ 
provided himfelf with magnificent apartments fqr 
all his hoiifehold and family, and made Jerufalem 
his place of refidence and where he kept his court ; 
his fon John (afterwards named Hyrcan) well 
Jkilled in military prowefs, valiant and brave, he « 

appointedj 



( 71 ) 

appointed Captain-general over all die farces of 
Judsca. 

Simon maintained his Government and higii 
dignities eight years. At this time he iet out da 
another tour, a progrefs through the cities of Ju- 
dah, in order to regulate whatever. he, found amiC;, 
. and provide for the comfort and feeurity oF all h;^ 
people; two of his Tons Judas and Mattathias ac« 
companiedhini, at the gates of the City of Jericho, 
they were met by Ptolemy the Governor; Ptole- 
my had married his daughter, and he dutifully and 
refpedfully invited them to the Caftle, where be 
had ordered an entertainment. Simon and his two 
fons pleafed with his courtefy and fufpeding n^ 
evil, readily accepted his invitation, and the/ 
all drove up to the Governor*s apartments. Ptole- 
my hail peifidioufly lain apian for the govern- 
ment . pf Judaea, ambitious and vain he had for 
tbi^ purpofe co;icerted all his fchemes with the 
courtjipf Syria, in order>to accompUlh w:hicb, he 
plotted the deftruEion of his Father-in*law, and 
both his fpns, moll inhumanly after dinner when 
hisguefts were in high joy, and in the midft of 
their caroufals, he brought forth his ;rourdercr», 
whom he had fecreted, and aflaflinated all three, 
while they were ftill fitting at the banquet. The 
young Governor then inftantly difpatchcd a party 

to 



.( 72 ) 

,toGazara» .the rcfideft^e of Jol^n, vfao was Ca]>- 
tain-general of the Forces of Judaea, in order to 
murder him; but John had luckily receivcfd time- 
IyiiotiQeo£.w)M^'hL^d bqen done at Jericho, and 
he cottrageonfly faUied out on fbe party^ and cut 
them all to. pieces. 

John^ on. feeipg his^ danger fet ofi^ inftantly and 
made- the. beftj^of bis way to J^rufalem ; yoUng 
Ptolemy (Gro^ernor of Jericho) arrived as ifobii 
as He, and they i>otl\prefepted themfelves al £f* 
fercnt gates^ s^nd demapded admittance, f^roik 
the high refpe£^ they bore the Pather apd. ^nqpiSt* 
ors, John was with open arms received^ ^^"^ '^^^ 
murderer of Simon .and the. two jroung Princes 
MM the mortification of being repulfed wit^ all 
his bloody followers, 

Afiuming now the name of Hyrcan, John 
was publicly proclaimed Prince o{ Judtea; and 
High^Prieft in his Father*s fiead« He headed Us 
airmy, fortified himfelf on the mountain near the 
Temple, and provided for his own fafety and bis 
People's. Ptolemy chagrined and forely difap- 
pointed returned back with his army, and laid all 
iiis fufferings and difgrace before the court of 
Syria. Thus was the city of Jerufalem and the 

John Hyrcan, 

Temple 



( 73 ) 

Temple happily prieferved, and peace reftored ia • 
the moment of danger, confternation and alarm. 
Hyrcan aflumed the ftile of Prince and the dig- 
nity of the High-priefthood, and employed his 
utmoft care^ wifaom, and diligence in providing 
for the fafetyand eftablifhing the peace and hap-- 
pinefa of the Nation. In the eighth year of his 
fpvereigiity Hyrcan fent an embafly to Rome, 
to renew the league made with Simon his Father, 
the Senate refpeftfully complied, received the 
Jewiih Anibafladors with honour, ordered their 
expences to be paid from their own treafury, and' 
they gave them honourary letters of recommien-k 
dation to all the States through which they were 
to pais. Hyrcan;!; and all bis Court were fo 
pleafed with the politenefs of the Senate, and 
the honours they had done them, that they 
fint another embafly the year following, returned 
them thanks, and prefented them with a magnifi^ 
cent cup and a fhield of gold of great value; 
the Senate gracioufl^ accepted both prefents, ra- 
tified and confirmed tp the Jews their privildges, 
and the league of amity and alliance, before 
granted, and already recorded in the archieves 
of Rome. 

Hyrcan was thus fccurely eftabliflied and fettled 

t 127. 
Vol. 11 L in 



( 74 ) 

id his dominrons, whilffi his tWo powerful rteigh-* 
bburs Syria and Egypt were diftrafted with broib 
athomej and war abroad. Having added Sa« 
maria and Galilee, to the territories of Judah^ 
the Jewi& Prince became mofe and more fbr- 
ihidabte, and he kept poffeffion of both a> long 
as he lived. Hyrcan'^s Wifdom and Prudence 
in Council at home, and his Bravery and Gon-* 
quefts abroad diftinguifhingty honoured and fig- 
nalized his Reign. The Common-wealth and the 
JewiJDb Religion recovered their glory more at thi» 
period than at any other fince their Captivity and 
return from BabylcMi. Three high and fignal digni- 
ties were all> at one and the fame time enjoyed by 
Hyrcan, Royalty — the Prieft-hood — and the gift 
of Prophecy, and he retained them nine and 
twenty years. This Prince was fo excefliveljr 
fond of his two eldeft fons, he avoided naming 
either his Succeffor. His third fon, Alexander, 
he took a diflike to, in a Vifion, Hyrcan faid, 
this fon had been pointed out to him as the 
one, who would fucceed to his Government, 
but Hyrcan neVer took one ftep to prevent hit 
fupplanting his elder brothers : He left indeed 
five fons, Ariftobulus, Antigonus, Alexandier, a 
fourth unknown and un-namand, and Abfalom who 
\^s his youngeft. In the latter end of his life, 
this amiable Prince was moft infolently and mali- 

cioufly 



( 75 ), 

ciojafly treated by the haughty Pharifees, a feft. he 
had honoured and highly favoured, but on their 
growing fo arrogant, afpiring and mutinous, Hyr- 
can totally deferted their party and refufed to 
meet them, much civil commotion and troubles 
his Ihynefs occafioned, and Hyrcan died the year 
after they had begun, many infults he bore, and 
many fuflferings he endured which embittered his 
life, and very probably Ihortened it^ 

According to the Jewifli Law eftablifhed by 
Mofes, Ariftobulus as his eldeftfon affumedhis 
Father's dignities and government, but he lived 
in a habit of fo much love and friendihip with his 
brother Antigonus, that he admitted him from the 
firft to Ihare the Government with him. The 
other three brothers, Ariftobulus commanded to 
be kept clofe prifoners. Hyrcan's widow at this 
time prefented a petition and fent a meffagc to her 
fon, infprming him, by the will of his Father fee 
had been appointed to the Sovereignty, upon 
which meflage, Ariftobulus caufed his mother to 
be immediately fent under a guard into confine^ 
ment, and (he was there cruelly ftarved to death* 

Ariftobulus affumed the title of King and he 
wore a royal diadem. 

Iq8» Ariftobulus, 107. 



( 7^ ) 

As foon a$ he had eftablifhed his houfchold and 
family concerns. He headed his army and match- 
ed them into Iturea, wjafting all ihe country and 
and laying fiege to its cities. It happened in the 
midft pf his viftories and fucccffcs\s, Ariftobulus 
was taken ill, and obliged to be brought back ii> 
a litter to Jerufalem, his brother Antigonus waf 
left behind to complete the conqueft of the 
Province : the King's ficknefs grew worfe, and 
appeared to thrieaten his life, his Courtiers >verc 
Jealous of his brother Antigonus, and they fc^ 
cretly excited a like jealoufy in the King, and 
among the firft who fludioufly fomented it wa^ 
the Queen. On Antigonu^'s return %yith his ar- 
my to Jerufalen>, he inimediately marched pn to 
the Teinplc in martial array, accompanied with 
his guards and without llaying even to take 
off his armour, pioufly to return thanks to God 
for his fucceffes, and offer up his prayers and 
yoyf^ for his brothers recovery: Antigonus's con- 
dud and warlike drefs, were reprefented to the 
fick King as an attempt upon his government, 
and even on his life, too eafily he gave credit to 
the rumour and fufpicion, and the King fent a 
meffage to bis brother defiring to fee him in hi* 

bed^ 



bed-tbiamiMsr^ but requefted him firft of all to 
t^^e off his armour^ he laid fo great a ftrefs on 
this requeft, as to inform Antigonus an omiffipn 
in this point would be imputed to him as treafon. 

After this exprefs command^ and the meffen- 
gers were returned, the Queen fat down and 
wrote him a letter, that the King having juft then 
been told of the elegance and beauty of his ar- 
mour, his Majefty had altered his mind, and now 
was waiting to fee him before he pulled his ar- 
mour off, or changed any part of his drefs. In 
paffing through the gallery to the King's bed^ 
chamber the guards flew Antigonus. The affa- 
ffination molt violently agitated the King, He was 
foon made acquainted with the circumftancesb 
and undeceived about them, Ariftobulus refleQed 
with the kecneft remorfe, both on his brother's 
death, and on the ftill more cruel murder of his 
Mother : the bitter anguifli, hurry and diftrafti- 
on brought on a vomiting of blood, in carrying 
but the bafon with the blood acrofs the gallery th^ 
bafon was broke and the blood was mixed with 
the yet ftreaming blood of his brother. Arifto- 
bulus on hearing a buftle was informed of the ac- 
cident and he very foon after expired. 

The 



( 7» ) 

The Queen inftantly fent to the prifon arid re- 
leafed his. brother Alexander, and caured him im- 
mediately to be proclaimed and enthroned. 

Alexander's reign began with figning the feni.r 
t^nce for the execution of his fourth brother, he 
was accufed and fufpefted of forae treafonabk 
attempt upon the government. 

Abfolom the youngeft no doubt intimidated by 
fuch feverity, exprefled his being contented to 
lead a private life,^ s^nd he was taken under the 
proteftion of the King as long as he lived. 

Alexander was a fpirited, very fubtle and 
warlike Prince. The troubles of Syria ftill fub- 
lifted, inteftine broils diftrafted the Empire^ 
two contending brothers difputed for fupremacy, 
Alexander availed himfelf of their quarrel, and 
He marched a powerful army to Ptolemais, but he 
was not fuccefsful, for hearing his own kingdom 
was threatened and in danger, he was forced to 
return back in order to proteft it. 

Alexander afterwards led his forces^ acrpfs the 
river Jordan, and he took the fortrefs of Gadara 
and fomc valuable towns and fortreffes about if 

BcfQjPcChrift 105, Alexwden 



(79 ) 

Tht Pharlfees at this time grew more and more 
tumultuous^ and they occafioned him a great 
deal of trouble ; inviduous and turbulent, they 
were exafperating all the People againft their 
Prince, and while Alexander was officiating in 
his holy funflron and in bis Pontifical robes, on 
a high feftival, they pelted ftones at him in the 
Temple ; infults fo impious and at fuch a feafon 
occafioned an univerlal riot and confufion. Alex- 
ander inftahtly fufpended the ceremonies. He 
aifumed the General and all his wonted fpirit; He 
o rdered in his Guards,- and before he could quell 
the tumult, no lefs than fix thoufand of his Peo- 
ple were flain- A genius fo warlike kept Alex- 
der always in full employ, and principally from 
home. He was highly fuccefsful in his arms, 
obtained many glorious and very fignal Vic- 
tories, and often returned in triumph to Jeru- 
faleth amidft the loudeft acclamations of his Peo- 
ple. At length, having lefs to do, Alexander 
funk into debauchery and drinking, an obftinate 
Quartan ague was by this means brought on, and 
it never left him as long as he lived ; totally 
exhaufted with fatigue, difeafe and intemperance, 
and yet ffoth his 16V«; of arms,, even at this time, 
encamped before the Caftle of Regada, to which 
he had laid clofe ficge. Alexander died in the 

Camp, 



( 8o ) 

Csmp» in the twenty-feventh year of his reign, 
and the forty-ninth of his age. He left two 
ions Hyrcanf and Ariftobulus, but by his Will he 
bequeathed his Government to his wife Alex- 
andra during her life^ and afterwards to the 

fon ihe ihould then inake choice of. 

• 

Alexandra in a flood of tears exprefled to her 
dying Hufband her juft dread and apprehen- 
fions from the Pharifees, and they were a very 
powerful feft at that time in Jerufalem: Alexander 
liftened to her with great emotion^ and he em* 
ployed his laft moments in contriving the moft 
falutary expedient for removing them: after he 
had thought on the fubjeft, Alexander told her, 
*^ You are not unacquainted with the caufe of 
^ our mutual enmity, I am well aware your fecu- 
** rity and happinefs, when I am dead, muft rife 
^ or fall, as you make them your friends or foes . 
*^ I advife you therefore to keep my death a fe- 
" cret from the army, 'till they have taken the 
** Fort — then lead them in triumph to Jerufalem 
•* * — carry my body with you,' and as foon as you 
'^ come thither, affemble the Heads and princi- 
•' pal Leaders of the Seel, ^jpd lay -it before them, 
** tell them you fubmit it wholly to them^ after 
" the injuries it had done them, to give it burial 
** or c$ift it ignoftiinioufly on the high- ways; as 

" for 



( 8i ) 

*' for your part, you are devoted to them, they 
*' (hall always be your firft advifers^ at the head 
** of your council, you will do nothing without 
*' their confent and approbation, begin inftantly 
** fhewing them fome marks of your favour and 
** friendfliip, upon which they will order my bo- 
«* dy a royal burial, and fupport you and your 
* fons in the peaceful enjoyment of the kingdom^ 

Upon thi s wife advice and Alexander's laft dire£li<« 
ons Alexandra affumed the Government, ingratia-* 
t?d herfelf with that powerful feft, enlifted under 
their banner, and' ftie invefted Hyrcan her eldeft 
fon with the High-pricfthood. 

Alexandra reigned nine yeairs, and died in the 
fcventy-third year of her age, leaving by will 
the whole Government to the High Prieft. 
Ariftobulus, the yoiingeft fon, from the death 
of his Mother, refolved to oppbfe his brother 
Hyrcan; He fet up his Itandard, headed a for- 
midable army, and marched them to the PMti 
of Jericho; a moft defperate battle was here 
* fought, and almoil all of Hyrcan' s forces that re- 
mained went over to Ariftobulus. Hyrcan had 
only time to fly to Jerufalem ; he here fliut him- 
fclf up with a fmall Party in the Citadel, and was 

Before Chrift yg* Alexandra. Hyrcan the Second ; 
Before- Chrift 69* Ariftobulus the Second. 
Vol. 11/ M glad 



( 80 

glad to accept of any terms and offers of Peace 
he could procure. 

Ariftobulus divefted him immediately both of 
his Regal and Pc^tifical dignities, commanding 
him to refign them up to him, and retire to a dif- 
tance from the capital and a private ftation^ 
Hyrcan had only pofleffed his royalties three 
months^ and he was under the neceflity of giving 
up without more oppofition and delay, what he 
found it totally imprafticable to retain. 

Ariftobulus thus afcended the throne of .his 
JFather, but he enjoyed its honours very little, 
nor indeed the government long. Antipater 
father of Herod, who had been appointed to the 
government of Idumea, very foon after this, 
brought Aretas into Judaea. Aretas was an Ara- 
bian Prince, and he headed an army of five thou- 
fandmen toefpoufe the caufe and interefts of Hyr- 
can; Ariftobulus coUefting all his forces, marched 
out to meet him, a moft obftinate battle enfued, 
but Viftory was declared for Aretas, Ariftobulus^ 
totally defeated, fled for refuge to Jerufalcm, 
.clofely purfucd by Aretas, who entered the Me- 
tropolis without oppofition, and drove him into 
the Temple, to which he laid clofe fiege, and 
furroundcd it with ^his army. All J erufalem de- 
clared for the conqueror. * 

*^rifto- 



% 



( H ) 

Ariftobulus thus totally forfaken and blocked 
up, wa^s compelled to have recourfe to the Romans 
The two brothers Hyrcan and Ariftobulus appli- 
ed both at the fame time to Scaurus the Roman 
General, and they both of them offered him a 
bribe of four hundred talents; Scaurus declared 
for Ariftobulus, and he wrote a letter to Are* 
tas, the Arabian Prince, commanding him 
to withdraw his troops inftantly from Jerufalem 
or Pompey (he faid) would march his army 
againft him, and publicly proclaim Arabia, the 
Enemy of Rome. Aretas not daring to provoke 
a Roman General, lad his troops out of Judsea^ 
upon which Scaurus marched on with his army to 
Pamafcus. 

Ariftobulus thus timely relieved, afTembled all 
tjie forces he could raife and purfued Aretas, 
he overtook him and his brother Hyrcan, and 
obtained a complete viftoryj^ killed feven thou-* 
fend of their troops, and amongft them a Gene- 
ral-ofiicer, brother to Antipater^ Jt was foon 
iiftcr this,^ that Pompey marched himfelf with his 
urmy to Damafcus, 

To grace and honour a Roman Chief,' Pom- 
pey Y^as here refpeftfuUy met by the Ambairadors 
from all the neighbouring ftates, Judaea, Syrii 
ind Egypt, and during this cxcurfioh n<5; lefs than 
twelve- Kings came in pcrfon, courteoufly to pay 
Ms him 



( 84 ) 

Bim homage. Pompey had been informed of the 
competition between the two brothers, and He 
commanded Hyrcan and Ariftobulus botli to ap- 
pear before him. A court was convened^ before 
vhich, each brother pleaded his own right to the 
Jewifli Republic. Pompey was fetpng out on an 
expedition againft Arabia, he declined thereforcr 
. deciding in favour of either until his return* 

Aretas, the Arabian Prince, had in fome in- 
ftance ncglefted to pay due honour to the Ro- 
man arms, but he was highly alarmed as foon as 
ever he faw then) '^ at his door$. Aretas on thq 
frontiers of his kingdom fubmiffively met Pom-, 
pey and paid him homage, notwithftanding his 
refpeftful fubj^ftion, in martial array Pompey 
entered Arabia, marched his troops up to Pelra, 
took poflefEon of the capital, and placed a Ro-^ 
man guard over the King, afterwards on his re- 
newed offers of fubmiffion, and affenting fully to 
the terms of the Conqueror, Aretas obtained his 
releafe and Pompey with the Roman army return- 
ed back to Damafcus. The news of Ariftobu- 
lus's revolt and oppofition was here told to Pohk 
pey : lyhile He was in Arabia, the Jewifli Prince 
had left Damafci^s, he was returned to J-udaea: 
Ariftobulus had there fortified himfelf, and fliut 
himfelf up. The Roman Chief inftantly marched 
bis army againft him, and entered Judaea : AriL 

\ ^ tobulii^ 



(85 } 

tobidtjis was pofted at the entrance in a fortrefs of 
immenfe ftrength — Pompey commanded him down; 
the King's friends/ highly awed^ perfuaded him to 
obey — He did fo. — Admitted to an aadience. He 
held a converfation with Pompey, after which Arif* 
tobulus was told he n^ight go back to his fortrels. 
Several parleys were afterwards aflented Co 
in hopes of inducing Pompey to decide 19 
his favour, but AriRobulus grew fufpicious, and 
he carefully gairifoned all his ftrong places and ** 
prepared for a vigorous defence. Pompey learned 
what he had been doings obtained another meetr 
ing, and obliged him to put all thofe ftrong Holds 
by way of fecjiieftration into his hands, and he 
compelled him inftantly to fign orders for. fa 
doing, to all his Governors, and the Keepers of 
thofe fortreffes. Alarmed, incenfed, difpirited, 
Ariilobulus hafted to Jcrufalem ; Pompey fol- 
lowed clofe at his heels, he encamped his army at 
Jericho, and then marched forward to the capital* 
Ariftobulus came out fubmiffively to meet Pom^ 
pey, ^nd made him an offer of an immenfe funi 
of money : His offer was accepted, and while 
Ariftobulus was yiet with him, Pompey fent Ga* 
binius, his Lieutenant-general with a proper guard 
to receive the money. On his approach to the 
City gates. He found them fliut, and Gabinjai 
was told from the walls, the citizens would not 

affcnt 



( 85 ) 

afient <o the agreement. Pompey ordered Arifto- 
Imltts i» irons ; with his whole army He advanced 
to the City-gatcs; a divifion within weakned all 
its powers ; two oppoiite parties contending; 
Hyrcan's party at length prevailed, and threw 
them open; the adherents to Ariftobulus retreated 
and fortified themfelves in the Temple, and on 
Mount Moriah. Ponapcy and his guards, and 
bit whole army marched through the City and 
laid clofe fiege to the Temple : The place held 
out three months againft them all ; at length a 
boge Tower was thrown. down, and To. great a part 
of the wall fell with it, a breach was made large 
tnougfa for an aflault; the place was taken fword 
in hand, but fo bloody the flaughter that more 
iban twelve thoufand were flain* Pompey and 
his General-officers now entered the Temple, and 
what to a pious Jew appeared moft facrilegigus, 
even the Holy of Holies : He call a curious eye 
oil the golden Table for the fliew bread, the Can** 
dteftick, the magnificent Cenfers, lamps, and other 
golden veffels and all the rich perfumes, but in- 
Ipiredwith a facred awe, and. the folemnities of 
the place, he did not even touch any one of 
them : To make then> all the amends in his 
power, Pompey ordered them to purify the Tern- 
p!e, and on the very next day its ufual fervices 

were 



_ ( 8? ) 

t^cre rcramed. Ttiu« art end was put to the 
bloody quarrel and contention of the two bro- 
thers. Pompcy ordered the cky-walls to be dc- 
molifhed, He re-eflaftlifhed Hytcan on the 
Jewilh throne, and impofed on him an VMmA 
tribute to Rome. 

Ariftoburus and his two fons were lent under 
a guaird to the Roman camp, to add to the high 
honours and glory of his triumph; A decree wis 
afterw^rdi^ made by the Senate, in favoof of 
Hyrcan, affigning to hhn and his pofteiitjr the 
ffigh-prieflliood^and Sovereignty of Judasa, and 
at the fame time Antrpater was appointed i6 a 
high office in the Government, called Procurator: 
Ifyfcan the' following year fent to Rome and pw!- 
fented' a petition to the Senate requefiing leave 
to rebuild the walk of Jerulalem, and it was ini- 
mediately granted him. 

Thus Hyrcan prefided over Judaea> tillfa toul 
^bapge fosie time after took place in the Govera- 
iHeAt* By, authority from the Senate, Gabinius a 
Roma9 General entered Judaea with his army, 
44MldempU(bed fome of its ftrongeft fortrefles. to 
prevent hereby the means and power of a future 
revolt; Gabinius after this divided the province 

Before Chrift 63, Hyrcan the Second Rcftored- 

into 



( 88 ) 

into five diftrid^, and ereded a court of judi« 
cature in each : Jerufalem, Gadara, Amath, Jc < 
xicbo and Sephoris in Galilee. An Ariftocracy 
was thus eftablifhed, and the Jews hereby brought 
totally under fubjedion to the Romans. Hyrcan 
was continued by the appointment of the Senate 
in the (acred office and dignity of the Priefthood. 

Crafliis, a Roman General, was now fent from 
Rome to fucceed Gabinius as Governor of Judsea: 
A {landing army was eftabliihed^ and the Roman 
Arms preferved the Country in profound peace. 
The ruling paSion of Craflus the new Governor 
was avarice, and the firft exercife of his Authority 
was a high indulgence and gratification of iu 
Craflus plundered the Temple and carried off the 
folid beams of gold, magnificent veffels, utenfils 
and golden tables, and they amounted to more, 
than two million of our money. Craflus fooB 
after marched his army from hence to Parthia, 
where be loft his life; and Caffius another Roman 
General^ at that time in Syria was commiffioned to 
colleft all of the Roman army that was difperfcd 
throughout that Empire and to march with them 
into Judaea and fucceed Craflus in his GoverB« 
mcnt. 

Before Chrift 54. Craflus. Caflius; 

Three 



C 89 ) 

Three years after this Julius Caefar aflumed 
Ae Sovereignty of Rome, and a civil war fooh 
cnfuing, when Caefar and Pompey were com- 
petitors, the Jews had a little time to recruit 
thf mfelves ; the General appointed by the Senate 
to command that part of their army employed in 
Syria and Judaea, had been highly fuccefsful in 
all his expeditions, and he wrote to Rome an ac- 
count of his vidories, candidly attributing the 
glory of his fucceffes to Antipater's information 
bravery and good conduft ; in all his letters bpth 
to Caefar and the Senate, he never failed to paft 
the greateft encomiums on the Jewifli Commander* 

Upon this Caefar conftituted Antipatcr a CitL 
zen of Rome, Lieutenant and Procurator of 
Judaea; 'and when the Bmperof vifited Jerufalem, 
Antipatef ufed his utmoft efforts to recon- 
cile the minds of the People to the new\ Govern- 
ment, highly extolling the Emperor, the grandeur 
and amazing power of the Empire, exhorting the 
Jews to a prudent and cheerful fubmiflioii apd 
obedience: for ROME (he faidj wpuld always 
/be obeyed. 



you n, u EssAV 



ESSAY XIX. 



O N 



THE LIFE AND REIGJT 



O F 



HEROD. 



TH E many and fignal Services of An- 
tipater, and the Affiftance he, from time te 
time, had fiven the Roman Army, when ftationcd 
in Syria and Judaea, gained him much refpeft and 
attraded the notice of the Senate, who voted 
him the freedom of their City, invcfting the 
Jewilh Commander with the honours and privi* 
h^es of a Roman Citizen^ 

Herod 



C 91 ) 

- Herod his youngeft Son was firft promoted 
t© the Tetrarchy of Galilee, and afterwardt 
obtained an appointment in Caele-Syria, and a 
promife of the Government of Judaea. 

While Rome was engaged in domeftic quar-* 
rels and the Triumvirs were contending for Em- 
pire, more particularly during the commotions 
and civil difcord among the friends of Mark 
Antony and Oftavianus, Fiilvia (his Wife) died 
and Antony put a flop to all further differences 
by marrying Odavia. Thefe Nuptials were cele- 
brated at Rome with great Splendour and Magni* 
ficence. 

It was foon after, that Judaea again became 
a Scene of bloodflied and diftraftion. The Su- 
preme Authority had been as yet chiefly vefted 
in the High-Prieil, Pacorus, Prince of Parthia, 
entered into a convention with Antigonus, a 
younger Son of Ariftobulus, who^as now laying 
his claim and contending for the Jewifli Crown. 
Antigonus promifed the young Prince, in cafe 
he fettled him in the Government arfd reftored 
him to the Throne of his Father, a reward of 
a thoufand Talents, and to infpire the youthful 
Hero and his party, with zeal and gallantry, he 
offered to prefent to Parthia five hundred of the 
faireft of the Jewilh Women. 

N 2 As 



(90 

As foon as this Agreement was ratified, Anti- 
gonus fet about raifing an Army and was joined 
by Pacorus himfelf, at the Head of the Parthians, 
the two Armies furrounded the Citadel, took pof- 
feflion of the Palace, by force of Arms and partly 
by bribes and- treachery (at length) they became 
Matters of Jerufalem, Hyrcan the High-Priefit 
and Phafael (a Brother of Herod's) they loaded 
with irons, and Herod to avoid a like fate, dole 
Away by night, and brought off with him his 
Mother, and Sifter and all his Family, together 
with fuch of his effefls as he could carry with hiift, 
and a part of the Army under his command^ 
they all made the beft of their way to Malfada, an 
almoft impregnable Cattle and the ttrongett Fortifefs 
in the Kingdom, there Herod fecured his trea*. 
fures and placed his Family, he furniftied the 
Garrifon with ammunition and implements of 
War, laid in a ftore of Provifion for feveral 
months, appointed his Brother Jofeph Governor, 
and left him with eight hundred Men to defend it. 
Herod with the remainder of his followers fled 
from hence to Petra, Metropolis of Arabia, but 
Malchus the Arabian Prince, although his friend, 
would afford him no refuge or affittancc whatever, 
the King even fent Mcflengers to meet hirti, 
commanding Herod to quit the Country with 
all his Party, alledging that Parthia had forbad 
his receiving them or admitting their ftay. 

On 



' ( 93 ) 

On this difappointmcnt, Hcfod was under a 
neceffity of difmiffing many of his men, and h6 
ftow made the beft of his way for Egypt, at 
Rhinocorura the fad news was brought hirh of 
the death of his Brother Phafael, who knowing 
his fentence and fatq to be determined on, in 
brdcr to prevent the horror and difgrace of a 
publick execution, Phafael the night before, beat 
but his own brains againft the Prifon wall. 

Herod proceeded on to Pelufium, artd thence 
to Alexandria, where he embarked oh board a 
Veffcl, and failed by the way of Rhodes and 
Brandufium to Ronie. 

Immediately on his arrival, Hetod if^ttd on 
Mark Antony and then on Qftaviatnlis, He in* 
formed them both of the fad diftraftiOM of the 
Jewifh State, of the Parthian Army, and the 
invafion and revolution in Jerufalenu A i^emem- 
brance of bis Father's fervices and friendfliip^ 
and a large fum of money which he offered^ fa 
won upon them both, that they* frankly p^omifed 
him their intereft and affiftance. Mark Antony 
cfpoufed his caufe much naore warmly than 
Herod ever expe£led, or even once thought off, 
he only meant to folicit the Government for 
Ariftobulus, a very young Prince, the Brother 

of 



( 94 ) 

ef his beloved Mariamne, and a Grand fon or 
Hyrcan's. 

Antony convened a Senate, to which he gave 
orders that Herod fliould be introduced, and 
contrived to have him led into Court between 
Meffala and Atratinus, two Noble Senators of 
Rome and their firft Orators. In a ftudied and 
graceful fpeech, they opened the Jewifli caufe, 
by recognizing the friendfliip, bravery, the many 
and eminent fervices of Antipater and his Fa- 
mily, and degradingly contrafting them with their 
Rival, reprefenting Amigonus as a Ufurpcr 
feditious and turbulent, an avowed Enemy to 
Rome, and he had accepted the Jewifli Crown 
from Parthia. 

After an eloquent and fpirited harangue Ami- 
gonus, at this very meeting, was declared and 
publickly voted an Enemy to Rome, and 
Herod by the unanimous voice pf the Senate was^ 
clefted King of Judaea. A decree was inftantly 
made out, pafled the ufual forms, was entered on 
their regifter and depofited in the Archieves of 
the State. 

Herod, King of Judaea, with his laurel Crown, 
between Mark Antony and Oftavianus, in 
Sovereignty and Majefty was conduced to the 

Palace 



{ 95 } 

Palace, followed by the Tribunes, theConfuIs 
and Senators of Rome, and Antony feafted the 
Court with great munificence and fplendour. 

Thus Herod became invefted with Royalty^ 
and feven days after his inauguration, he fet out 
on his return, and failed with all his party from 
Brandufium to Ptoiemais. 

Ventidius, the Roman General Rationed in 
Syria, had marched with his Army into Judaea 
and drove out the Parthians, after which he en- 
camped in the neighbourhood of Jerufalem, and 
there accepted a bribe from Antigonus. Herod, 
foon after his landing and making known his 
honours, raifed a powerful Army at Ptoiemais, 
all Galilee repaired to the ftandard of Herod ; 
the King foon found himfelf ftrong enough to 
march againfl: Antigonus, and relieve Maflada, to 
which he had lain clofe fiege. On Herodf's 
arrival they abandoned the Fortrefs, and the 
Jewifli Prince was moft joyfully received by his 
Family. From hence Herod marched his Army 
into Samaria and foon after confummated his 
marriage with Mj^riamne, to whom he had been 
betrothed four years before; a Princefs of ex^ 
quifite beauty, amiable accomplifhments and the 
moft exalted virtues, the Daughter of Alexandra 
and Grand-Daughter to Hyrcan. 

By 



By this time Mark Antony's letters from. Rome 
|iad reached Ventidius with exprefs orders, and 
the commands of the Senate, to aflift the Jewifli 
King with all his Forces. Herod's own Army 
every day cncreafed^ and he was refolute and 
courageous enough to march them againft Jerufa- 
leip. Herod encamped with his Army and fat 
down before it, but his moft vigorous effbrti 
failed him, and Herod here endured a harrafling 
and tedious difappointment; at length (on the 
King's requeft) Antony difpatched Machaerus, 
another General Officer, with two legions and 
a Body of Cavalry to his affiftance, notwithftand- 
ing all which, it was the year following, and 
after fo clofe a fiege as to occafion a fatnine, that 
Herod's Army, together with the Roman, effefted 
a breach in the walls and took the ftrong Hold of 
Jerufalem by ftovm. 

The Roman Soldiers furioully jufiied i^to the 
City, plundering and ravaging with a moft terrible 
and bloody flaughtcr. Herod ufed every means 
in his power to oppofe it, and at laft told the 
Koman General, if the butchery was not put a 
ftop to, Rome would make him King of a Wil- 
dernefs, and bis fuccefs would prove his greateft 
mifery; but the City had been taken by afTault, 
and the Roman General faid, he did not know 
how to forbid it, Herod was under the neceffity 
• ^ of 



( SI ) 

t>f bribing liiem krgely to defift, and with tthc 
Utmoft difficulty and exertion of his power an4 
influence, he did^t laft happily put an end to ihj 
i:j5irnage. 

. The fiege had lafted $x i^orithij, Antigpnij^ 
Joaded with heavy chains was led away under 
a Roman Guard, and by Sociiis a GeneraJ 
iOfficer delivered up to Antony. Mark Antony 
was very deljirous of ;refe.rving the depofecjt 
Prince to grace the honours of his triumph, but 
Herod, fearing every thing from a Rival, un- 
weariedly kept petitioning his death, and at 
laft by the offer of a large bribe prevailed on the 
iRomarj Chief to pafs f(^ntenge on Antigonus, and 
he ordered him out to an ignominious and ftiame- 
ful execution; this young Prince was treated as a 
private criminal, fent to Antioch, there tied to a 
whipping po2, publickly, and djfgracefully 
lalhed, and afterwards beheaded. 

By contempt, and fuch an unprecedented 
mode of punifhing a Crowned head, Antony 
intended to render the memory of this Prince 
defpifed by; the Jews, thought it a probable 
means of fupporting his generous friend, and 
putting a check to prefent tumults and future 
Tevo]ts io Judaea. 

Forty Ye.^rs before Chrift, 
y.^:^; ^' 9 Poffeffion 



( 9* ) 

Poffeffion of Jerufalem and the death of Anti- 
gonus, who was the laft of the Afmonean Family, 
eftablifhed Herod on the Jewifli Thione. His 
treafury had been quite exhaufted, and there 
was yet a powerful party which bore him i^-re- 
concileable hatred. Herod was therefore under 
a ncceffity (as he thought) of beginning his 
reign with vigour and even with oppreffion and 
bloodihed. As foon therefore as he had well 
fettled himfelf in Jerufalem, he collefted toge« 
ther all the gold, filver, and valuables of his 
Citizens, he, ordered it all to be carried to his 
treafury and the plate to be melted down, and 
hereby he foon amaHed an immenfe property. 

Herod next feizcd on all the eftates of the 
Revolutionifts, and on the perfons of thofe who 
had efpoufed the caufe of Antigonus, many of 
them he put to death and he placed a guard ov^r 
their houfes, and the King commanded them to 
examine every coffin, infpeft if they were really 
dead, and that no part of the family Treafure 
was conveyed away with the bodies^ 

Herod maintained, a jealoufy refpefting 
Hyrcan, he had obtained the fame honours 
from Rome, for he had alfo been invefted 
by the Senate with the Supreme Authority. 
Hyrcan had cfcaped with his life, but to incapaci- 
tate him in future for the Pontifical fundion, 

Antigonus 



( 99 ). 

Aht\gonns bad caufed both his ears to be cut ofF, 
atid the Parthian Prince, in order to prevent 
frelh infurre6lions had carried the unfortunate 
High-Prieft away with him. Hyrcan was now 
in Babylon, he had been there politely received 
by Phaartes the Parthian King, and treated 
with great refpefl: and reverence. The High 
Prieft-hood was-difpofcd of by Herod to Ananel, 
an obfcure Prieft not likely to interfere with the 
Government of his Prerogative. Notwith* 
flanding Hyrcan's fituation, fuch was his love 
and partiality for his Country, and fuch his in- 
nocence and confidence in the friendfhip of the 
King, that he was anxioufly impatient and 
wifhing much to fpend the remainder of his life in 
Jerufalem. His friends would fain have dilTua* 
dedhim, alledging the folly and great hazard of. 
putting himfelf in Herod*s Power, and the ho- 
nour, fafety and happinefs, he was peacefully 
enjoying at Babylon. 

Herod highly artful and politic, fent firft to 
Hyrcan a friendly invitation, he was now fettled 
in his Government and earneftly requefted him 
to partake of his Sovereignty and of. the hon- 
ours of his ftation, as a grateful return of 
former friendfhip. Herod accompanied his in- 
vitation with a rich prefent to the Parthian. 
Kingj alking his Majefty's leave for his vencr-/ 
O a able 



( lop ) 

ftKle friend, to return and end his days It, 
Jcrufalem, Herod fent alfd prefcnts to fome of 
the Parthian Nobility, Men of influence and^. 
dignity ^t Court, engaging them in favour 
of his Siiit; Whiift this was hegociatih^. Herod 
6il foirie pretence or other^ contrived to quar^ 
rel with Alexandra Daughter of Hyrcan^ and 
Mother of his Beloved Mariamne, aiid he or- 
tiered her to he confined to her Palace U 
Jericho, and placed a guard over her. Alexaii4 
4ra watched her orppohiinity, conveyed a ti^ttef 
to Cleopatra, th& i:elebrated Egyptian Queeb, 
it informed her, of her fad fituation^ fnd 
Herod's cruelty ; upon which, the Qiieeh invit- 
ed her into Egypt, and Alexandra warned trcry. 
little perfuaflbn to accept it, the difficuUy wasi 
how to get away and conceal hei: efcape. She 
difpatched a faithful fervant to hire a VeSel^ 
and another was entfufted with the gteateft 
fecresy to jprocUre two coffins, one for herfelfj 
and another for her Son Ariftobpliis— thus they 
were both to be conveyed and put Jiboafd the 
ihip. Herod was apprized of their whole de-i 
fign, he admitted them to be carrieci out of 
the Palace, and whpn Ihey had got iiaJf-way; 
be caufed them to be arrefted jmd hirought 
back to Jeiricho. The refentmem <jf the Egypi 
tian Queen Herod dreaded, and he nowfcautiouriy 
turnied his thoughts ^o ?no^?r^ic it; fee wa* a for*^ 
^ iiiidablc 



V 



«.- 



le neigbbour^ a Rival at Rome, and higli id 
^ fovomr of Antony. Herod therefore put od 
the Malk of kindnefs and Clemency, and mth 
^nderfiil Art evei^ brought on an ohtward recon- 
ciliation, but from that monient he refolved to get 
rid of Ariftobuliis the yoilng Prince, Immediatclyf 
iijpoa this Change in hfer A0iiir^, Alexandra! 
renewed hci- applications to Hcrdd ibr lier Son j 
Ananel was 'a Babyldniih Prieft, and her haughty 
Spirit coiild not bear the indignity of hi& filling 
tHe Pontifical Cbair^ a Station and pre-eminence 
belonging only to Ariflobulu^. Her inceffant . 
And Unwearied applications at length prievailedi 
iierod admitted her plea^ biit he plainly fore-> 
faw that the young Prince had an equal right and 
claim on the Gtowri. Herod depofed Ananel* 
and Ariftohuliis was appointed to the High-Prieft- 
hood. A nioft highly pkafing and elegant youth 
iind only feventeen ; Herod told Alexandra he 
had really intended the Prieft-hood for her Sonj| 
and Anaiiel had only fqpplied his place, until 
befliould arrive at an age cojrrefponding with the 
facred office and dignity. When Ariftobulus, 
arrayed in- his pontifical robes, officiated at the 
Altar, the Pieople flood aftonilhed at his felegantf 
"gracefdt and Majeftic figure^ he was the general 
talk of M^ they beheld in him, the worth and 
fplendoui! of his Anceftors again revived, and they 
^ed tha Temple imi the City with his praife. 

Thirty-five Years before Chrift* 



( 102 ) 

As foon as the Feaft of Tabernacles was aver, ' 
Herod and Ariftobulus fet out together on a ' 
vifit to Jericho, Alexandra had invited them 
both to a fumptuous entertainment, the weather ' 
was hot, and it vfzs propofed to Ariftobulus to 
bathe in an elegant bafon in the neighbourhoodj 
Herod had engaged two villains, who leaped inj 
and kept the young Prince tinder water until he 
was quite dead. The murderous deed was, as 
much as pofiible^ difguifed and gloffcd over. 
Herod afFefted the deepeft forrow, put on a 
mourning drcTs, ordered a moft magnificent 
funeral, and a ftately monument to his memory. 
Upon this dark event, Ananel was reftored to 
the office of the High-Priefthood. Notwith- 
ftanding all his art, Herod was well known to • 
have been the murderer of Ariftobulus, and the 
tranfadion and infamy made him truly odious to 
the People. Poor Alexandra, his diftrafted • 
Mother, was with great difficulty prevented from 
laying violent hands on herfelf; in her calmer 
moments, when fhe could reafon with lefs deTpair, 
ftie confidered her life might avenge the death 
of her Son, and bring about the ruin of his mur^ - 
derer; (he wrote a forrowful and paffionate lettef 
to Cleopatra, and the Queen, from motives of 
ambition rather than from pity and a fenfe of the 
horror of the crime, wrote herfelf a letter to 
Antony who was then at Rome, feverely accufing 

and 



\ 



C 103 .) 

and foliciting with feeming earneftnefs the Punifh-' 
meiH of Herod,- and Ihe was not without hopes of 
obtaining even a grant of his Kingdom, 

It was not long after this, the Egyptian Queen 
with her gay bark in Princely pomp, fct fail 
on a journey to meet her Antony, the 
Royal Lovers met and agreed to ipake fome 
ftay at Laodicea. Antony fent an exprefs to 
Jerufalem commanding Herod to meet him there. 
Herod did not difobey his patron, much againft 
his will he fet out, but he carried with him am 
ixnmenfe bribe whijph purphafed him both an 
honourable reception and a fure acquital. An^ 
tony fatisfied the avarix^e of Cleopatra by pr^efeniu 
i.ng her with the Province of Casle-Syria. On 
Herod's journey into Syria, having reafons for 

. fufpefting his fafety, and that he was going to be 
tried for his life, he left exprefs orders at home, 
to put to death bis beloved wife, the highly beau- 
tiful Mariamne, in cafe they fhould hear of a 
deciiion againft him. Herod knew the fame of 
her beauty had long reached Rome, and to have 
left fuch charms in poffcffion of a Rival, even 
after his death, was more dreadful to him than 

jany fufferings whatever. 

Tjiirty-four Years before Chrift. 

M;]iri4n)np 



( 1Q4 ) 

Mariamne was apprized of the Woody order?. 
,^e had wrefted out the Secret. Mariaiocine an4 
Alexandra were met, in order to confult ho\/ 
)they fhould revenge themfelves on Herod, whei^ 
)the News of the Kings death was currently 
fpread in the City, Antony (they faid) had piit 
Herod to death. The Queen and Alexandra 
•immediateJy defircd ' a guard to condu8: them 
to the Roman Eagle, this was the ftandard of 
-fafety erefted near Jerufalem, but in the midft 
^f . iheir preparations. Letters arrived from 
flerod. Herod had gained his caufe, and Mark 
Arrtony was heaping on him a profufion of ho- 
nours, adding daily new ftjrength and yigo^^ to his 
<Jov€rnment,' Antony had appointed him orie 
of his Privy Council, and was regaling bim at 
liis moft fplendid Entertainments. 

Upon Herod*s return Salome infornyed . frer 
brother of what had happened, and fecretly. 
infinuated Mariamne had been praflifing ftrangp 
familiarities with his brother Jofeph. Th^ vir- 
tuous Mariamne, at her very firft interview 
eafily cleared her Innocence, but fhe could not 
help mentioning to Herod, the bloody and cruel 
orders he had left refpeftiiiig herfelf and her 
Mother, and fhe^ ftrikingly told him, it was ^ 
lavage mark of his barbarity. 



( 1^5 ) 

» 

The dctc£lion (tabbed the jealous tyrim tp 
jthe heart, he inliantly concluded nothing leli? 
than criminality could h^ve extorted the fatal 
Secret. In the firft fallies qf his fury, he ^ypuld 
:)iave ftabbie4 Mari^mne, now excefs of Loye ^n4 
iiow refentment alternately diftra£t<;d him^ ^eroj^ 
jnftantly ordered his Brother Jofeph to .exec^r 
tion, and he c^ufed 4^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ confine4 
in a dungeon and put her in irons, a^ a prg^ 
nioter of the mifchief and the plotj, 

Cleopatra returning with Antopy from the 
Euphrates, about this time croffed over Judaea^ 
Herod was highly provoked by the infalts and 
Avarice of the Queen, Ihe had attempted 
his ruin, wrote .Jo Antony tp remove him^ 
and had a<3ually obtained, from Rome, the re- 
venue pf the fertile territories pf Jericho, the 
richeft and pleafanteft pf ^11 Judaea, and by 
far. the moft yaluable, Herod highly jatrtfu) 
knew how to cpnceal his difguft, he enter- 
tained her with the greatefl: fplendour J^n^ pag- 
niiicence, while he yas all the time^ fecretly (con- 
triving to put her to death, and would eagerly 
have 4one it, had he not feared the confequences 
would have been fatal to his Kingdom, his 
friends adyifed him rather to win her pver to his 
interefts by bribes and cpftly prefents, which 
he di4 do, and with wonderful profufenefs. 
|lerod punftually remitted her jhc revenues 

yph U^ ?. Antony 



( io6 ) 

*Antony bad allotted her, in hopes of retaining; 
her favour. Cleopatra's avarice was never to be 
fatisfied, with the mod cunning contrivance, the 
Egyptian Queen was plotting the ruin of Herod, 
in order to obtain a grant of his whole Kingdom, 
and by an .artful and fraudulent ambufli, the 
JewiOi Army was cut to pieces by her General 
and a feleft band, Herod himfelf efcaping only 
with his life. 

$ A tremendous earthquake at this time fliook 
Judaea, awful and alarming was the fhock, many 
thoufands were in an inftant fwallowed up and 
much cattle. It happened in the year of the 
World, three thoufand nine hundred and 
feventy-three, and Herod had now reigned over 
Judaea feven years. His Country was at thi» 
time engaged in a war with Arabia, and on ac- 
count of thefe fad calamities at home, Herod 
forwarded an EmbafTy, and fued to the Arabians 
for peace ; the account of the earthquake had 
been greatly magnified; Arabia rejefted hi» 
offers, flew all the Ambaffadors that brought 
them, and fuddenly marched a formidable Army 
into Judaea, expecting to have found it defti- 
tutc and defencelcfs. Herod's forces were 

* Thirty-two Years before Chrift^ 
§ Thirty-one Years before Chrift. 

terrifie(i 



■\ 



( ><>7 ) 

terrified, they were all abandoning him. it wa» 
with the gre^Lteft difficulty he could give them 
any courage and rally them. 

Herod marched in their front, he led them on 
the other fide Jordan, two very obftinate battles 
were there fought, Herod was conqueror in 
both, the Arabians now, in their turn fued for 
peace, and after Herod had named his own con- 
ditions he led hU Army back in triumph to 
Jerufale 



lem. 



Caefar's defeat of Antony at the battle of 
Aftium deprived Herod of a generous and fteady 
friend,^ and he was very near falling a facnfice to 
the refentroent of the Conqueror. Upon Mark 
Antony's overthrow and the dcftruQion of his 
Army, Herod fent to him immediately, advifing 
him to put Cleopatra to death, and feize on 
her Kingdom and her Treafures, he would thus 
be enabled to raife new Forces, make a frefti 
ftruggle for the Empire, or at the worft, obtain 
better overtures for peace. Herod affured him 
of his bed fupport, offered him his treafures, 
his whole Army and his ftrong Holds, places of 
jgreat fafety and almoft impregnable, where he 
might at leaft withftand, and in time over-power 
Auguftus. Antony's attachment and fondnefs 

§' Thirty Years before Chrift. 

Pa . for 



( id8 ) 

fdt tlidt Pfiricef^ ^fr'ould hat admit him to cietifeeU 
rate a moment, a flave to Cleopatra, he refufcd 
all the offers of iierod* The Jewifli Monarch 
iipo n this, turned sill his thoughts to his own 
fafety^ and making peace himfelf with Auguftus. 
Before he fct out on that expedition, he decern 
Iniried firll td get rid of Hyrcan, he was the only 
fufViving tnale of the Family, in the archives of 
komc be had bceti formally regiftered and acknow- 
ledged King of Jiidsca, and he had entered intd 
dh alliance with the Senate ; were Hyrcan dead^ 
Hefbd thought he might obtain better terms an(l 
tnof^ fuccefs. He well knew his dignities ivcrd 
jproGured him by Antony, and Alexandral fcvef 
watchful over the intercfts of her Fathef, and 
, ftudying howlhe might revenge herfelf on Hgfodi 
eagerly eyed the prefent Revolution, tind ^11 thd 
Advantages it could procure her Farhiiy. rifefod re-* 
iblved not td wait on the new Enipdrdf tintil hi 
had removed this obftacle, and in the eightieth 
year of his age, he caufed the Vi^neiPablc and 
amiable old man, the Grandfathcf bf his betovcd 
Mariamne, to be beheaded brt A |)Ublick fcaJSTold; 
and with the ignominy t>f H ttaitof i InimmedU 
atcly after the executidil, while feeking with 
the blood of Hyrcari, Herbd fet about fettling 
his family^ and contrived how he might beft 
fecure his MariAihhfe atid Alexandra her Mother^ 
>low weeping over their afFcSioiiitc Parent and 

hU 



( i<>9 ) 

l)ii difgrace. Under the care of his High Trea- 
furer and Sohemiis one of his Chief Confidents, 
he fent them to Maflada, the ftrongeft For- 
trefs in his Kingdom; in cafe he {hould not 
fUcceed in his applications to Auguftus, he bound 
Sohemus by a fecret and moft folemn oath to 
put both tbofe Princefles to death, after which h^ 
dire6led that his party fhould raifc all the forces 
they could poffibly coHe6l, and ere€l a ftandard 
in defenfe of his Governmetit. 

Herod's donieftic plans thus fettled, he em- 
barked for Rhodes. Auguftus and his Army 
were at that time there. Herod folliciled an 
audience with the Emperor, fupcrbly arrayed irt 
all his Royalty except his Crown, the King appear- 
ed and gracefully paid his homage to Auguftus^ 
Herod boldly acknowledged his friendfhip, and 
ftrong Attachment to Antony, his Offers of 
Affiftance to him of Men, Arms^ Money, 
and every neceflary for War. He informed 
the Emperor of the advice he had given him 
to caufe the Egyptian Queen to be put to death, 
and as a means of obtaining a more advantageou$ 
peace to fcize on her Kingdoni and her treafures. 
Honour, Friendfhip, Gratitude to Antony deman- 
ded all this, but Antony by rejefting my advice 
left me. at liberty, now, to make a like tender of 
Wy fervices to Auguflus^ and if you think thent 

worth 



{ no ) 

worth your acceptance, and can but forget the 
pad, you Ihall fiijd me as fincere and fteady ^ 
friend to you, and the interefts of Rome, as 
I have hitherto been to Antony. The confix 
dence Herod affumed, his open fpeech and 
gallant conduft, were all noticed and favourably 
taken by Auguftus, and he told him, he accepted 
his offers and his friendfhip, he would confirm to 
him his Kingdom, and ordered him to put on his 
Diadem and wear it in his prefence, a mark and 
Itoken of hjs proteftion and friendfliip. Elatecl 
with his honours and highly plcafcd with his 
fuccefs, Herod liberally and profufely mj^de an 
offer of all his rich prcfents to Auguftus, npt fof*» 
getting his confidential friends; and Herod now 
ftood higher in the good opinion and friendfhip of 
the Emperor, than any of the tributary Princes. 
Thus gratified, he returned in great joy to Jeriw 
falem, and he drove on to Maffada, in haft e to 
meet his beloved Mariamne, and when with 
love and tendernefs he was careffing the Queen 
^nd telling her all his glory and fucceffes, fhc 
burft into tears and fighs, by a forbidding cold^ 
nefs and difdainful return, flie checked all his 
warmth and ardour of affeftion ; in a moihent all 
was fiercenefs and refentment, he threatened, he 
Reproached, he terrified, now all tendernefs and 
love, now fury anger and diftraQion, thus he 
tortured himfcif and frightened all around him^ 

Mariamne's 



( 111 ) 

Mafiamne's averfion fettled into a deep melan- 
choly. Not very long after Herod's return, 
Auguftus in his way to Egypt palfed through 
Syria, Herod thought it highly neceffary to (hew 
his gratitude and refpefl: to the Emperor, and he 
fet out to meet him at Ptolemais ; with incredi- 
ble magnificence he entertained him there and 
his whole Army, and as they were to paf^ 
through a long traft of barren defcrt, he furniflied 
him and all his Army with bread, wine, and 
dther provifions, Herod accompamed the Em- 
J>eror as far as Pelufium, and prefented him with 
eight hundred talents. Auguftus was charmed 
both with his politenefs, and his generofity, and 
he was highly pleafed with his company. 

On the Emperbrs return from Egypt, Herod 
iigain met him with the fame hofpitatlity and 
tefpeft, in rccompence for which Auguftus now 
reftored him the territories and Revenues 
of Jericho, Gadara, Hippon and Samaria, and 
he added to them, two very ativantageous Sea- 
|)orts, an enlargement to his Revenues and a valu- 
sible Acquifitfon to his Kingdom. Four thou- 
fand Gaills who had been Life Guards, to Cle- 
opatra, the Emperor now prefented to thie 
Jewifli Favdurite. After Herod bad taken 
leave of Auguftus, and returned to Jerufalem, 
fhc King's^ diilrcfr and wretehednefs on account 

of 



( iia ) 

of Mariamne was all renewed, almoft a yeaf 
liad now paffed over, during which, many tu- 
iiiultuous agitations diftrafted his private thougbt^ 
land all his folitary hours, he faw plainly h^r diC- 
guft, he felt her difdain and contempt, Jic rt^ 
(CoUefted her bitter and moft mortifying Speeches? 
be well knew how he had difgraced her Griand- 
fathers memory by a publick Execution and 
fccretly murdered her Brother, and more than 
once laid a plan for the Murder of herfelf 

' and her Mother — The favage Tyrant, ever on 
tiie rack, was always blaming her reproachei^ 
^d unaffe£lionate Condu£l, and one day, when 
highly enraged and exafperated, he was on the 
point of killing her with his own hands, ii| 
this moment of Madnefs and Diftradion^ SaU 
jome (his Sifter) corrupted ^ the King's Cup-r 
bearer to rufh in and make the blackeft acr* 
cufation, hearing an unuAial noiie, flie fent him 
in to Herod^ with a cup in one hapd and 
gi purfe in the other^ Mariamne (he (aid) had 
bribed him with the one, to adminifter ip the 
King the Poifon in the othen On this alarni- 

* ing Charge^ Herod gave inftance Orders for 
n publick Trial of the Queen, He packed a 
Jet of Judges from among his Creatures, and 
Jlerod himfelf carried on the Profecution. They 
jplainly forefaw he .intended the Death of 
jlvjananjae^ sind the^ vi(hcd rather to hav^ 



I 



( M3 ) 

jbfought about Confin^mient only and banifi).^ 
pient,. until the King'' ha4 more maturely . con? 
fulted th^ feelings of his own heart, amj 
y,eigJied the confequ^nces and efFeSt hcr death 
jnjght h^ye upon him, bijt Salome knowing 
^er Brother'? jiptnjels to relapfe, and how very 
fluSuating h;? pijnd already had becn^ pre? 
vailed on hjni to fign an order for her Ex^ 
^cutipn* Mariamne receiyed the fat^ fummon^ 
5\ri,th an heroic po^r^ge. and resignation, becom- 
jing virtuous Jnnogeiicp, anjl her exalted Station 5 
yil^b fweet fompofu^e an^ Serenity flie n^oyed 
forwards to the Scaffold^ but (O' horrible) ^t the 
place pf Execution, this amiable Princefs encoun- 
tered a new trial and thg mod feyere of all. 
Alexandra hej: Mother pxpeflting a Jiikc jFate, 
.and by every j^rt and coi)trivanee, cunningly 
devifing how {he might prevent it, here met 
the virtuous fuffering Queen, and becajmc the 
open and infolent accufer of her owij Paughter^ 
with themoft indifcreet and publick infult, bafe- 
ly loading her with bitter reproaches and even 
with the odium of guilt and criminality, fhe tore 
Mariamne's hair, deranged her drefs, and even 
paffionately ftruck her on the fcaffold. 

Mariamne fuffered all h.er violence, and 

bore her pretended refentmcnt without " even a 

.change pf CQuntenance, b^t what was excited 

by fhame and abhorrence of an artifice fo 

^ Vol. II, O ' bafe 



bafe and diGngenuous. With the fame firm* 

.nefs and conftancy, with uhich (he had lived; 
Mariamne fubmittcd to die. 

Herod was all anguilb, and the keeneft re- 
morFe^ even to Madneft and Defpondency ; 
foon as his rage was alTuaged with the bfood 
of this virtuous^ and moft beautiful Queen^ the 
remembrance of his love returned, and with 
it the moft heart-piercing forrow and diftrac- 
tion. Herod by every Art would fain have 
got the Better of this his poignant Grief for 
Marianine. Mariamne was ever uppermoft^ Wheri^ 
ever he went the thoughts of Mariamne purRied 
him, under the horrors of guilt, confcience riioi^ 
and more wretched, life more and more infuppor- 
table. Herod fhut himfelf up, he called aloud 
on Mariamne. He ordered every one he faw 
to fetch his Mariamne ; wine, company, feaftJng 
none brought him relief, now fierce and fran- 
tic with horror, now fwooning and fainting 
with defpair. At this time a grievous Peftilencc 
broke out in Judaea, and fwept away Multi- 
tudes, a new mifery to Herod, and fatal - 
and deftrudive to his People, it was looked 
upon as a juft Judgment from God, for the 
innocent blood he bad fhed, and moft pf all 
for the blood of his much revered and highly 
injured Queen, 

Twenty-eight Years before Cbrift, 

Hcrik 



"V 



( ii5 ) 

Heroi^.chofe now to retire to the Deferts 
to avoid the Plague^ and under a pretence of 
hunting, but in reality it was to fhuh the 
fight of Mcrt, H% #as there feized with a 
violent and painful* diftemper in hi^ bowels, 
and was carried ba^k to Samaria. His con- 
ftitution did at length get the better of his 
difeafe, but his ftate of mind grew nrore and 
more favage, brutifli, and wretched. He indulg- 
ed himfelf in the bafeft and moft wanton cru- 
elties^ he fpared neither friend nor foe, every 
tjay he facrificed his Relations and beft friend* 
to his paffions, humour and infatiable fury. 

The moft unnatural Mother of the Virtuous 
Mariamne fell the firft Vi£tim to his Rage af- 
ter her Daughter, for during Herod's late ill" 
nefs * at Samaria, in hopes the difeafe might 
prove fatal, Alexandra attempted to corrupt 
the Governors of two Fortreffes, Antonia, and 
Jerufalem, and would fain -have perfuaded 
tbem to yield them both up to her }• they were 
the two main Keys of tlie Kingdom, the one 
commanding the City, the other the Temple# ' 
^nd Ihe alfo endeavoured to get poffeffion of 
the ypung Princes, Herod-s Ghildren, alledg- 
ing as a reafon, fhe was only fecuring the 
Kingdom for thofe of his Children by Mari- 
fiLmnc* The Governors well knew her Am* 
bition ^nd her , intriguing Spirit, and they rather 

Chofig to reveal the whole Plot lo the King. 

Q A Hefod 



Herod paired fenteiiCe himfelf on Alexanari 
And cbmmahded ihat ihe fliould, without any 
further trial ivHateveri immediately ht put 
iti death* 

Thci hcxt dbjeGtof hisrige, wai CaftoWes, hi* 
Sifter Saloiiie'^ fecond hufband, and HefodI 
ibme time before had put to deaUi ihe lirflt* 

As lie How thought himfelf feciirely feated crtl 
the Jewifh Throrie, Hferdd grevv very inattentive 
ih his i^evgrerice and rcfpeO; to thci Laws^ Ahi 
ihewed a high difregatd to tbeit Religifcihi 
Somfe of their Cerfemoriies he entirely aBdlilBji 
*d^ and many fdreign ciiftcrms ht intfocliJired^ 
fcxprfefsly foirbad the Jew. 

A Stately and Magnificent Theatre hd bdilt 
iii the City, gtnd a fpacioiis ArHj^hltJieaiire iri 
the fuburbs. He inftitutcd piiblick Barnes in 
honour of Auguftus, ccJpying ihi Speaaclesi 
Show^ and Magnififcencfc of feotiie; il'6 intro-^ 
dUced Wreftlets, Player^, tJladialori iind Mufi^ 
fciahs, and appointed JJriiei Id Charioteers^ 
Horfeiiien, and RacerSi Hd got together a 
hiimber of wild Beafts; iiferce imd favag^i and 
they fought furioufly i^ith kerij thit Zealous 
Jew, faw with hoiffoi^, IKe ihirbads and heathenifh 
Cuftom^ h6 had Ibrotighi \hi and fliuddered 
lit the Idei bf eAjJbfirig Men, in fport, tO 
the favage ^efcraefs bt thii Lion* 

Th4 



( iiy 1 

^he ^Trophies too, ^ith which ht had higli- 
1y ornamented the Theatres refembled Imagesf, 
iind the Jewifti Religion prohibited their be-i 
ing erefted any 'where. A General Murmur^ 
arid difguft ran through the City. Herod 
had prdfaned Jerufalem, , and thdir very Souls 
abhorred thfe Idols he.ftt up. Herod aflumed 
a clemency and moderation, be harangued 
the People hintfelf, tvoiild fain have appeafed 
and convinced them, but the heathenifli Novelties 
he had introduced fo inflamed all • R-anics, they 
ho longer looked upon him as a Jewifh King^ 
he was a Heathen and a Tyrants 

lo 6rder to ftab the King, gr {btn6 of his 
Courtiers and Abettors, Ten bold and refolute 
Jews entbred the Theatre, with daggers, whrdi 
they had carefully concealed. Should they 
jperilh in the attempt^ one Point they were 
j*ure to g^in, Herod would be expofed and 
defpifed, the Tyrant become odious. 

Herod kept always aboiit him very Watch^ 

lul Sjpiesj they internlixed with all Companies^ 

ind he, ih difgiiife, often a£led as a Spye him^ 

ielf; the Plot was difcovered, the Affaffins detefted 

^erfc feized with their daggers upon them* Herod 

put theta all to the torture. The People witht 

k fpirit of fury and tevenge, paflionately cut to 

pieces the body of the Informer, ^nd threw 

fhi ihangled carcafe to the ' Dogs. -^ 

Twenty^fivc Years before Chrift, 

Th* 



C 118 ) 

The favage exblbition on the Scaffold and the 
Wheel, of thefe ten bold and refolute Jews, fo ex- 
afpcrated their Countrymen, Herod was afraid of 
a general infurredion and revolt* He fet about 
fortifying Jerufalem, and almoft rebuilt Samaria^ 
new naming it Sebafte, and Herod repaired 
and garrifoned his Strong-Holds and Fortrefles. 

It was foon after this tumult had fubfided, 
in the thirteenth year of his Reign, a very long 
Drought afflifted Judaea, occafioning a Famine, 
and it was followed by a peftilence^ almoft 
incredible was the lift of the numbers daily 
dying. As the treafury was quite exhaufted by 
fo many expenfive buildings, Herod melted 
down all his plate, an immenfe quantity, and 
fent it into Egypt to procure a fupply of 
Provifions and necefTaries. The greateft part 
of their flieep perilhed, and the People were 
in danger of wanting wool, for cloathing, 
long before winter was over. Herod liberal- 
ly diftributed, of his own free bounty, necef- 
fariefi to every one, he ere&ed Magazines for 
the grain he had purchafed, at feed-time he 
fowed all their lands> and at harveft fent 
fifty thoufand of his Men to aflift the Reapers, by 
fuch generofity and prudent management, Herod 
foon changed the minds of his Subjefts, and 
their hatred into admiration, for his well-timed 
liberality ftored the Country anew, and re- 

*reftiing rains now fucceeding the Droughty 

the^ 



( 't^9 ) 

they fet about the labours of the fields cul- 
tivated their land, and it foon recovered its 
fruitfulnefs and profperity. 

The late Calamity being redreffcd, and the 
land invigorated, Herod's rage and love for 
building again returned, and he caufed a ftately 
and moft aaagnificent Palace to be built near 
the Temple, two fpacious and moft fumptuous 
apartments, he named after Auguftus and , King 
Agrippa, and another Royal Palace which he 
now built, he called, Herodion* 

One Simon, a Jewifli Prieft, was reported 
to have a Daughter,, in the opinion of all who 
faw her, a- moft^ aftonifhing beauty, and it was 
told to Herod, The King defired he might 
be introduced to her, . and when he beheld 
her very elegant features, he was inftantly charm- 
ed with her appearance, and Herod judged it 
prudent and moft for his happinefs to marry her. 
He began therefore by heaping honours on her 
family, raifing them to places of Dignity, and 
he depofed Jefus the High Prieft, on purpofc 
to confer that high Dignity on Simon, upon 
which, he concluded the Alliance, and with 
Pomp and great Magnificence, Herod folcmniz- 
ed his Marriage with Mariamnc his Daughter. 

1 Venty-threc Years before Chrift. 

Herod, 



J 



. Herod once njorp felt his Ambition highly 
gratilied,. He vi^as cfteeined and honoure4 by 
Auguftus, and rcfpefted either tRrough love pjr 
fear by his' neighbours and fubjefts. His twQ 
favourite Sons by Mariamne he fent to Rome 
they were now grown i^p, and Auguftui 
undertook himfelf the care of their Education^ 
and affigned them an appartment in the Palace* 
The Emperor had lately prefcntcd Herod with 
feveral new Provinces, and he had given bim 
{eave to name which of his Sons he pleafe4 
to be his fucceffbr. But he had built a vaft 
pumbpr of Edifices, and having, after a foreigii 
Style, adorned them with Imagery ^nd fu^ptuoii^ 
ornaments, the Jews looked upon them with a 
jealous Eye, and a fccret difguft, they feemed 
evidently tending to corrupt their Morals and 
to undermine the purity of their Religion, they 
,\cxpreffed their difcontent in murmurs and la- 
- mentations, and in order now to filcncethem, 
Herod remitted one third part of their taxes and 
annuai tribute they had paid him, but that 
they might be fenfible he had noticed their 
mutiny and tabals, Herod iffued out an edift, 
forbidding all publick and private Affemblies, on 
account of feafts or any pretence whatever, and 
the penalty was death. In the midft of every 
meeting and Society Herod had his fpies, and 
p^ foop lea^'at how inefFe£i:ual all his precau* 



fferfS were to bring about fubje6iion and otiedU 
WcCi he was therefore for exaBing from all an4 
every one of his ftibjefts a ftrift and folerhn 
Oath of allegiance and fidelity. This edift 
met with a moft violent oppofttion, Herod was un- 
der the neceffity of fetting it afide, and evert 
wink at their difobedience, leaft he fhould exaf-* 
perate them by a Ihew of refenlment. 

A far happier expedient of pleafing and qui- 
eting the people was now under contemplation 
with Herod, and one which would gratify hi$ 
ambition by perpetuating his Memory, uncon^i^ 
querable w^s his vanity and love of Glory 
always. Herod convened a general Affembly of 
his People, in a ftudied Harangue with all the 
Eloquence he could difplayy he folemnly prpfeffed 
a zeal for God, for his fervice and honour^ 
, In return for his many benefits and a grateful 
acknowledgment of his mercies, he reminded 
them of the Magnificence and Gi^andeur of 
tjieir firft Temple, and how vaftly inferior, and 
unlike it, the prefent. It was God who raifed 
him to the high honours of the Jewifh Crown^ 
and he had blefled him with fccurity and peace^ 
great Affluence, and with a Friendihip and 
Alliance with Rome ; he felt . himfelf bound 
by the ftrong ties of duty, veneratioti, and 
gratitude to make a fignal avowal of his bleffings, 
yofc. II< ; R and 



C ?22 ) 

and be hoped, a reftoring of dicir Temple t« 
more of its former Splendour and MagniBcence. 
vould meet all their wi flies and moft hearty con- 
currence. To remove every fufpicion and doubt^ 
Herod aflured them, no one ftone .fliould 
be difpiaced from the prefent building, untiL 
every Material for the new fliould be comple- . 
ted. He initantly (et to work ten thoufand Ar- 
tificers, and he commiflioned and engaged a. 
thoufand Prieft^ to infped them, a thoufand 
Carts were employed in fetching and bringing 
in the various Articles, and fuch a Multitude 
of hands were kept in pay, that at the end of 
the fecond year, every thing was in readincfs, fo 
that they now begun pulling down the old build- 
ing, and rearing up the New, in about eighteen 
months th6 body of the Temple was finiflied> 
during which time, Jofephus informs us, it never 
once rained in the day-time, it fcH only in the 
night. The remainder took up feveral years, 
but in a little more then eight years, publick 
Service was performed regularly in the new 
Temple. 

While the building was fo cxpeditioufly and. 
profperoufly carrying on, Herod made a Voyjagc 
to Rome, a refpeflful Vifit to the JEmpcror and 

Sixteen Years before thrift. 

aflPtaionatcIy 



{ i23 ) 

itfeQiortatcly to notice his Sons. Auguftus con- 
"grattilated him on his arrival, and received the 
JewiQi Prince with all the Marks of fricndfhip 
•rid refpeQ, he entertained him with great fplen- 
dour, and direfted that his two Sons fhould be im- 
mediately given up to their Father. Herod was 
delighted with their high and elegant accom- 
pliihments^ their prudent and wife Education, 
and he gratefully acknowledged the favour in 
moft refpeftful terms, and with magnificent pre- 
fents to the Emperor. He made only a fliort 
ftay, and then fet out on his journey back to 
Judaea, accompanied by the two young Princes ; 
with the loudeft acclamations, anil general joyy the 
Father and his Sons were now received at Jeru- 
lalem. The dignity, majeflic port, and beha- 
viour of the young men, their elegant accomplifli. 
ments and high education at Kome, their graceful 
manners were the general talk, and univer- 
fal topics, exciting a burft of applaufe. Herod 
fought out refpeflable and fuitable Ccnneftions 
for them both, he married Alexander to Glapbyra 
daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia, and 
Ariftobulus to Berenice daughter of his Sifter 
Salome. 

Agrippa was at this time returned from Italy 
4nd fettled in Afia, Herod went in peffon and 

Fifteen Years before Chrift. 

R 2 requefted 



( ♦24 ) 

fequefted the honour of a vifit from him at thci 
Court of Jerufalein^ and he offered him his Affifi* 
tance in an expedition he was undertaking againft 
the fiofphorans ; King Agrippa accepted both hi$ 
invitation and affiftance^ and after much Glory 
and fignal Succefs^ Herod himfelf conduiEled the 
King into Judaea, led him a circuity in order to pafs 
through the new Cities he had built, and fbew him 
the magnificent Edifices in Sebafle^ Alexandrioti 
faind Cefarea ; Herod then proceeded on with the 
King to Jerufalem, and at a fliort diftance from 
the Metropolis, a concourfe of People met them 
in high Feftivity, and walked all the way be-, 
fore them with fhouting and Mufic quite through 
the Qity to the Gates of the Palace. Agrippa 
W»s received with moft fuperb magnificence^ 
Herod, the very next day, convened a grand 
AlTembly of his Nobles and People, in a graceful 
fpeech he laid before them a genieral plan of his 
expedition and fuccefs with King Agrippa, his 
refpe£lable and highly honourable Gueft, and 
feeing them flill murmuring and petitioning for a 
redrefi of grievances, he at that time generoufly 
remitted them a fourth part more of all their taxes 
and yearly tribute. By fuch liberality, and w^ell* 
timed policy^ Herod kept peace and quietnefs 
among the people, but feuds and domeitic troubles 



-N 



fourteen Years before Chriftt 

fiioft 



^ inoft poignantly diftrefled him at homc^ und 
tore all his family to pieces. The two Bro* 
jthers were exercifiug every where a haughtfr 
Lordlinefs, a growing Ambition daily and hour^ 
Jy on the increafe. To fupprefs their pre* 
fumption, Herod brought home and introduced 
at Court his Son Antipater, who was born to 
hifti by Dofithea a former Wife, and had only 
been privately educated, he now careffed him^ 
raifed him to poils of honour, and was daily 
heaping favours upon him. Alexander and 
Ariftobulus (Sons of Mariamne) faw with envjr 
the honours fo partially bellowed by their Fa- 
jther, and when thus exafperated were much 
freer in their Speeches and infinuations refped-i 
ing him, thefe were all fecretly whifpered to 
Herod, for while Antipater employed all hig 
Art to cultivate a good underllanding with his 
Father, he took care he Ihould be told of sdl 
the Speeches of his Brothers. Herod's dif- 
tinguifliing kindnefs to Antipater was noticed by 
his Nobles, the Court, and by all the people 
every one loo)^ed on him as his Father's fucceflbr^ 
King Agrippa was, at this time, fetting out for 
Rome, and Herod obtained leave for his Son 
Antipater to accompany him. Agrippa himfelf 
offered to prefent the young Prince to the Em^ 

* l^cror^ and introduce him to the Senate. 

. . . Antipater 



( ^^s ) 

Antipater fct out on his journey and acconi- 
panied King Agrippa, but during his abfcnce both 
by his Agents and his Letters he fo exafperatcd 
Herod, and raifed fo many jealoufies in his breaft 
againft the Brothers, Herod looked upon them 
both as ufurpcrs, even guihy of trcafon, and his 
moft dangerous enemies. He refolved to fet out 
himfelf for Rome, and carry his ambitious Soiwf 
Alexander and AHftobulus with him, and arraign 
their condu£l at the tribunal of Auguftus. Herod 
heard, Cacfar was at this time at Aquileia, he 
went to him there, and before the Emperor accufed 
the two young Princes of high treafon, both againft 
his life, and Government. On fuch an unjuft and 
difgraceful accufation, the young Princes fell into ^ 
flood of Tears, with carneft warmth, but with be- 
coming modefty, Alexander pleaded before Au- 
guftus his own caufe and his brothers, the Emperor 
and every one prcfent were fully fatisfied of their 
innocence; in a highly graceful manner, Auguftus> 
in open court, reproved Herod for his rafhnefs 
and too eafy credulity, and for the prefent, the 
Father was filenced, and feemed reconciled to 
his Children— ^The young Princes upon this look- 
ed up to the Father for his wonted favour- 
Herod anticipated their looks and defign, and 
he went up to them, and cordially embra^ 

Thirteen Years before Cbrift. 



( 127 ) 

ccd, firft the one, and then the other, and 
tears ran down his eyes and theirs, and every 
one prefent fhed tears on feeing fo affeBing 
fo very intereding a fight. But Herod was too 
furpicious in his temper, the young Princes 
not. enough on their guard, and their enemies 
i30iuch top artful and interefted, not to give 
caufe for frefh diifention and jealoufies ; a 
Speech of Herod*s in the Jewilh AffemWy, 
foon after his return, wherein he informed 
them of his bufinefs at Aquileia, and the re« 
conciliation brought about by Auguftus, added; 
I do intend my Sons ihall reign after me ; 
Antipater firft, then Alexander, and laftly, Arifto- 
bulus — But, while I live I will reign alone — 
A fpeech which excited new difcord among 
the Brothers^ 

The City of Cefarea was juft at this time 
completed, it had been twelve years in build- 
ing, and Herod, in high feftivity with Royal 
magnificence and fplendour, caufed a dedication 
of it, and in conformity to the cuftoms he had 
witneifed at Rome, in honour of Auguftus, he 
appointed Games to be celebrated in the The-* 
a^Lres he had purpofely erefted. Towards the 
fplendour of thefe lively fports Livia the wife 

Ten Years before Chrift, 

0^ 



r 128 ) 

ftf the Eraperor contributed five hundrcdi TaicntJf 
cot of her own coffers. To this Fcftival and Pom*, 
pous Dedication Herod had invited the Emperors 
and feleQed his Guefts from among the firft 
quality, and with moft aftonifhing Grandeur he 
entertained them. Auguftus faid, the Soul of 
Herod was much too great for his Kingdom^ 

Although the Jewiih King was thus diften^ 
fuiihingly honoured with the friendfhip of the 
Emperor^ and the protection of Rome» and fo 
greatly refpe6ied by King Agrippa^ Herod difin^^ 
gaged from affairs of fta:te was in himfelf moft 
Qiiferable, inceffantly worried by a conftant fcene^ 
of rancour and domeftic ftrife, and by the hel^ 
lifii Machinations of Salome his Sifter, and hit 
Brother Pheroras. His coffers too, were again to-^. 
tally exhaufted, to remedy this laft evil and provide 
a prefent fupply of neceffaries, Herod adopted 
a very ftrange and defperate method. He caft 
his eyes on the Tombs of David and Solomon^ 
he pretended he had heard very large fum» 
were depofited in them, with the utmoft priva- 
cy Herod put his defigns in executron. At the 
dead of night, he entered the Sepulchres acw 
companied by a few confidents, he there found 
foiiie rich veffels, curioufly wrought, and he cau-. 
ed them all ' to be carried off, he then ven- 
tured to feateh imo the coffins themfelves, ar 
* i ftiddej* 



( '29 ) 

fudden chill and miraculous flafh inftantly ftrucfc 
dead two of his guards, Herod and all his retinue 
'Were fo feared, he put a ftbp to all further 
fearch. To make feme fatisfaftion and atone- 
4nent for his late facriledge, Herod erefted a 
ilately, Monument of white marble at the exu 
trance into the Royal Sepulchres, and the Jews 
looked upon it as a Monument of his crime 
rather then an expiation 'of it. A fpirit of 
revenge and wanton cruelty was always tor- 
menting the King, and he exercifed it on his 
Sons, and on all who efpoufed their caufe, this 
occafioned difguft, great diflentions, and the ah*, 
horrence of his People. His Sifter Salome had 
worked him up to fuch a pitch of jealoafy 
and diftraSion,- Herod aflumed the rage and 
fury of a. Tyrant, and laid afide the feelings 
of the Father and the King, his* Palace was d 
flaughter-houfcj and Jerufalem was covered with 
blood. One of Salome's deep laid fchemes was, 
to get Alexander told, Herod was {6 defpe-, 
ratqiy in love with -his Wife Glaphyra, the King 
could not live without her„ Alexander inftant^ 
iy requefted an Audience with his Father^ in 
the humbleft manner, in a flood of tears,, he ex- 
poftulated with him on the impiety of the-aB^ 
and his fad fuficring^ for his Wife. Herod 

Nine Years before Chrift. 
%fou 11, S anonilhing 



( '30 ) 

iftonifhed 2[t the accufation, and cntird/ ihhdl 
cent, fent for Pheroras and wondered how he 
and Salome could lay fo black a perfidy to his 
charge — Salome denied it all with the boldeft af- 
furance, but Herod read her giiilt in hci coun-i- 
tenance, and ordered her, and her Brother, to be 
baniflied the Court, after which, Herod comi 
mended the prudent moderation and wife proi 
ceedure of his Son. Alexander had been ac- 
Gufed of corrupting two. of his favourite Minif- 
ters, his high Steward, and his Cupbearer, and 
he put them both to the torture ; in their Ago- 
ny, they confefled having received prcfents from 
the young Prince, but moft peremptorily denied 
his having ever fpokeii to them, one difrefpcft^ 
fill word of the King. Herod ordered them 
again upon the rack, and pretended to eolleft 
enough from their confefBpn to commit hjs 
Son to prifon,. and put him in irons. 

Under fuch treatment Alexander grew defp^* 
rate, and he tranfmitted to his Father an accufation 
againft Salome and Pheroras, as the abettors of his 
troubles, and caufe of all his mifery and difgrace. 
With this meflage arid new information, Herod 
was all on fii^e, he knew not whom to truft * 
Racks, Imprifonmentis and bloody Executions 
^ere every where abroa J — Fear, Alarm and tu- 
mult at home— and within his own breaft he felt a 

>vild- 



( *3» J 

vildncH', fudden ftarts, and agonies of heart, 
whcnevet he llcpt he wa^ flying from his Sons^ 
ihey and their Abettors w^re purfuing him night 
aiBd day. 

During thefe diftrafting fcenes of horror and 
difpair^ Archclaus, King of Cappadocia and Fa- 
ther of Glaphyra, in a lucky momenj: paid a vifit at 
the Court of Jerufalcm. He began by pitying his 
very miferablc Friend, and condemning th/e bafe- 
pefs and perfidy of his Sons, he exprejfed his in- 
tentions of taking home his Diaughter, and leaving 
Alexander to his Fathers rcfentment, but Ar- 
chclaus had the addrefs, under this foothing 
difguife to explode and reafon him out of al' 
thefe malicious accufations, and extorted con-- 
fpflions^ and perfuade Herod of his Sons in- 
nocence, and he even at laft fo worked upon 
him, that he turned interccflor himfelf for A- 
lexander, by all which rneans Archelaus fettled 
a family calm, at Icaft for tb,c prefent, Pherpra^" 
his Brother, can^e to; the Palace, afFe6iing grea 
diftrefs, and in the deeped mourning proftrated 
himfelf at the feet of Herod, and confcfTed 
he only was the Perpetrator and the Villain, 
5ind he, it was, who raifed all the flanders 
againft his Sons. Upon this confeffion of his 

Eight Years before Cbrift. 

Brothers, 



I 



( 132 ) 

Brothers, Herod fet out, accompanied by the 
two young Princes, for Italy, he was willing 
himfelf to explain the whole affair to the Em- 
peror, and he efcorted King Archelaus as far as 
Antioch in his way home to Cappadoeia* 

Phcroras and Salome ever refllefs and dm-^ 
bitious, after a time, again raifed new jealoufies^ 
and told Herod of fome frefh plots and ai&gna^ 
tions concerted againft him by his Sons. The 
King again wrote his troubles to Auguftusj and 
the Emperor feeing Herod refolved on the 
ruin of his Sons, fcnt back a commiffion, em* 
powering Herod to have them tried at Berytus^ 
before the Princes, Nobles, and Governors of Sy- 
ria, the Emperor laid great ftrefs on King Ar- 
chelausj the Father of Glaphyra being one, and 
further added^ that in cafe the young Princes 
were by that Court found guilty, the mode of 
punifhmcnt, as well as the degree of it, (hould 
be wholly left to the clemency of the Father^ 
Herod obeyed the commands of the Emperor, and 
he inftantly fet about the bufinefs, and convened 
the Court, excluding none^ except the Cappado- 
cian King, whom he fufpe6led of partiality and fa- 
vour to his Sons, and Herod (during this time) 

A Town belonging to the Sidonians, 

' • young 



r 133 ) 

Cautioufly placed the young Princes at Pktonc 
under a ftrong Guard. 

Before an Affembly of friofe than five hundred 
People J Herod himfclf flood forth their accufer, 
and with a furious and favage violence brought 
in his witneflcs, dwelt with carneftnefs and ran- 
cour on every argument^ by which he could black-* 
en and condemn his Children^ Herod's vehe- 
mence* and brutality was fo great, as even to excite 
aftonifhment and indignation in the Judges and ia 
the whole Court* Herod concluded his fpeech 
with telling them. He was himfelf a King, and 
according to the Laws of Judaea, he could him- 
fclf have punifhed them ; to avoid the imputa- 
tion of injuftice (St cruelty, and the feelings of 
miftruft and fufpicion, he rather chofe to meet 
this publick Trial, and obtain the judgement 
and decifion of fo x\uguft an Affembly. The 
two young Princes were condemned to die* 
Hetod was to execute the fentencc of the Court, 
when, and how^ he thought fit. From Platone 
they were removed to the City of Sebafte, and 
there ftrangled, or as others fay, hung on a 
Gallows. Their bodies were afterwards buried 
at Alexandrion among the noble and moll worthy 

Anceftors of Mariamne. The unhappy widow of 
•Alexander was fcnt back to Cappadocia, and 

Herod returned, with her, the dowry Ihe brought. 

Glaphyra left two Sons behind her, and Arifto- 
bulus Herod's youngeft Son left alfo two more 

born 



( 134 ) 

\fOTn to him by Berenice the Daughter of 
his Sifter Salome. Herod took them all under 
hiis care and patronage, and attended himfellf to 
their Education. 

Antipater had now no Rival, but his Father and 
Pheroras his Uncle, both the Son and the Brother 
laid a deep plot to take off Herod, the better t<^ 
fcreen their villainy, Pheroras retired to his 
"tctrarchy, firft taking a folemn oath, never more 
to return to Court while his Brother Herod 
lived. Antipater contrived to be fent for to 
Rome, there to pay his honours to Auguftus. 
Their inftrumcnts were in the mean time let tp 
work on this bloody bufincfs. Herod at this 
time fell fick, and he fent for his Brotlier. Phe- 
roras excufcd himfclf, alledging the oath he had 
taken. Hcrod*$ illnefs proved fhort, and it was 
foon after his recovery, he heard his Brother 
Pheroras was fuddenly fcized, and in danger of 
dying, Herod was fo far from refenting his late 
condu6l and refufal, he paid him a kind and 
brotherly vifit, uninvited. Pheroras in a few 
days died, and Herod caufed him to be magnifi- 
cently buried at Jerufalem. After the funeral, 
two of Phcroras's fervants requefted an audience 
with Herod, and they demanded juftice againft 
Salome their Miftrefs (the Sifter both of Herod 
and Pheroras) the ^ two fervants accufed Salome^ 



( 135 ) 

of having poifoned their Mafter. Herod's 
ufual method was always to extort truth by the 
Rack, excefs of torture forced from one Woman 
ft confcflion, that Dofithea, Antipater's Mother, 
had procured a cup of poifort for the King, 
Salome acknowledged, ftie knew it to be true, 
and added, fhe would go and fetch a part of it 
which remained, but inftead of fo doing, flie flung 
herfelf down from a high gallery, her fall did not 
prove fatal, and on a promife of pardon (he told 
her Brother, that Pheroras tlung with grief and 
remorfe at his laft unexpefted vifit, had ordered 
her to fetch the poifon, and deftroy it before 
his face. Thus was Herod convinced of Anti- 
pater's perfidy, he faw he was artfully and bafel/ 
cxercifing it on his Father, and he had already 
accompliflied it on his two amiable Brothers, 
Alexander and Ariftobulus, the Sons of his be- 
ioved Mariamne. 

The Queen, Herod's prefent Wife (of the 
fame name) was accufed of behig concerned in 
this laft moft horrid plot, nothing was abfolutety 
proved againft her^ but Herod baniflied her the 
Kingdom, difinherited her Son Herod, and dc- 
pofed Simon, her Father, immediately from the 
High-Priefthood and took from him his dignities^ 
fipiitbea alfo was ft ripped of all her honours and 

Qoftly 



( 136 ) 

coftly ornaments, and flie too was banifhcd thd 
Court of Jerufalem. 

Herod's fad di(lra£lions grew more and more 
infufferable. His confcience mod poignantly 
flung him» he was every moment tortured with 
its upbraidings^ he had murdered the virtuous 
Mariamne, and her two graceful^ highly ac- 
compliflied Sons ; his Crown was now in danger 
and even his life from Antipater ; Rivers of 
innocent blood had flooded his whole Reign ; hit 
declining years, and old age, were all tormented 
and embittered by the hellifli intrigues of Salome 
his Sifter ; his Perfon dreaded and hated ; hia 
Family abhorred by all the Nation ; and laft of 
all his Crown, and all his glories on tb&eveof 
being eclipfed, by the birth of a Miraculous Child» 
by Heaven and Earth proclaimed, the promifed 
the long expefted Meffiah and Saviour of a 
World. Such were the national Feuds, the 
animofitics and cxpeftations of the People, and 
fuch the diftrafted ftate of Herod, when the 
Angel Gabriel, who had been employed to ma-*, 
nifeft to the Prophet Daniel, the prccife time of 
the coming of the Meffiah, by a determinate num- 
ber of weeks, was now fent on a Commiffion to 
Zachary, a Piieft of ftrift piety, and of the courfe 
of Abiah, while he was in the midft of his duty 

offering 



( w ) 

^•flfering up inccnfe in the Temple. Gabriel here 
informed him of the birth of a Son, whom Eliza, 
beth hislwife fhould Ihortly bear him. That Soft 
(hoiild have the diftinguiflied honour of being the 
Fore-runner and Harbinger of the great Mcffiah, 
Saviour of a World. Surprifed at what he faw and 
more by what he heard, and feeling fo confcious 
of his own and Elizabeth's extreme old Age, 
Zacharia^ refjpedfully afked a token to confirm 
his belief of the interefting meffage he hadbroughr^ 
and Gabriel's grant of his requeft, while it af- 
forded him a confirmation, it feverely reproved 
his diftruft. Erom\that moment Zaehary was 
ftruck dumb, and continued fo, until the birth 
of his promifed Son. It was fix n^ontjis afjter> 
when the Angel was again. fent on a meffage ti> 
Nazareth^ to a virgin named Mary, flie was at 
that time under the gua'rdiarifliip of Jofeph, to 
whom Ihe had been betrothed, they were both 
of them of the houfe and Lineage of Dayid^ 
The glad tidings the Angel imparte4 were, th^^t . 
by the favour df God, fhe was By him made 
choice of, to be the highly honoured and happy 
Mother of the Meffiah, that Saviour of the World 
now expefted to be borh; GaWicl 4irefted her 
to name the child Jefus; Mary in great afto- 
niftiment was doubting and wondering how thefa 
.things could be, and thfe Angel kindly conde- 
^ended to relieve her perplexity, by revealing 
V^i. IX T to 



( i38 } 

to her the miraculous Conception of this Di- 
vine Childt with humble confidence, Mary grate- 
fully fubmitted to the will of Heaven; before 
the Angel left her, in order to comfort Mary, he 
informed her of the pregnancy of her coufin 
Elizabeth, and fhe very foon after, fet out on 
a journey to the hilly country, to congratulate 
her and her hufband upon it, after a vifit o*^ 
three months, Mary returned home to Naza- 
reth. Elizabeth ivas fafely delivered of her pro- 
mifed Son and {he named him John; Zacharias 
teftified his confent in writing, immediately up- 
on which, his tongue was loofed and he joy- 
fully fung praifes to God. 

Jofeph had been apprized by an Angel of 
the conception of Mary his betrothed wife, and 
was exprefsly direfted to take hf r, and her Child^ 
under his patronage and proteftion, moreover 
the Child about to be born was appointed by God 
to be the long looked for Meffiah the Saviour 
of the world. Jofeph readily obeyed and took 
her to his own home. A decree of the Em- 
peror, at this time reached Judaea, commanding 
an eftimate to be made of all Eftates, and a 
Hegifter of all perfohs in that Kingdom, this 
decree obliged Jofeph and the efpoufed Virgin 
fO repair to Bethlehem, the City of David, now 
Bethlehem was the City foretold by the Pro-:* 

phet9 



( 139 ) 

jAets as the birth-place of the Mcffiah; On this 
occafion a great concourfe of people had refort- 
!cd thither to be regiftered, Jofeph and Mary 
were therefore put to two inconveniences, their 
ftay was much longer, and they could obtaih 
no lodging or accomodation; as the time for 
her delivery was now come, fiie was forced to 
take up her habitation in a liable ; Mary there 
brought forth her Godlike Son^ and wrapped 
him in fwadling Cloaths and laid him in a Man- 
ger. The News was firft announced to the Shep- 
herds as they were watching their flocks, an 
Angel revealed it to thera^ and a multitude of 
the Heavenly Hoft were feen accompaning him. 
To the ftablc pf the humble cot, fome diftiri- 
guilhed charaQers, the wife Men from the caft 
were condu6ted into Judaea, to make their con- 
gratulations and firft offerings to the Saviour^ 
according to the Mofaic law the child was cir- 
cumcifed on the eighth day, and as the Angel 
Gabriel direCled, they named him Jefus, 

Juft at this junfture all Jerufalem was in an 
up^roar, for thefe Magi or wife Men from the 
eaft came in a body to the Metropolis, under 
the guidance of a miraculous new Star, which 
moved on majeftically before them, direftiftg 
them as it were to the place and pcrfon they 
were in fcarch of. As thefe travellers looked 
T a upon 



( 140 ) 

upon him as King of the Jews, they cam^ 
firH to Jerufalem, where he was moft likely to 
be born or heard of — their arrival, and the rca- 
Tons they alfegned. filled the whole City . with 
conliernation — The Sanhedrim or Grand Coun- 
cil were inftahtly fummoned, and confuUed zs 
io the place of his birth, and they all -named 
Bethlehem. Herod who dreamt of nothing biii 
earthly grandeur and an earthly Kingdom, even 
now looked on this Infant as a Rivals and re* 
folved from that moment to deftroy it. He fent 
a meflage to the Magi, and requested to fee 
them at the Palace, he was very inquifitive about 
their errand, fifted them every one, and of 
every circumftance about the Star, ftudyinghow 
he might bed accomplifh his bloody purpofci 
and then, he artfully difmiffed them^ go (fays he) 
and fearch diligently for the young Child, and 
when you have found him, bring me word, that 
I may go likewife and pay my homage to him* 
As the wife men paffed out of the City Gates, 
they were greatly rejoiced to fee the fame Star 
appear and moving on before them; it fixed 
itfelf over the houfe where the young Child lay, 
and perpendicularly fliot down its rays upon it. 
Here with devout reverence they approached 
the young Babe, and knelt down before it, they 
opened the tieafures they had brought, and 
hiade an offering to him of gold, frankinfenfe 

and 



( HI i 

Arid myrrh ; after this they were ordered id 
return home another . way without pafling near 
Jerufalem. At the end of forty days, according 
to the jewifli cuftom, he was brought to the 
t'empie at Jerufalem, and prefented to the 
Lord with the offering ufual on ibefe occa- 
iions. It was here Simeon, a very amiable and 
venerable JPrieft^ of confummate piety, and 
endowed with a fpirit of Prophecy met them y 
Simeon « had an intimation from God that he 
ihould not fee death, until he had feen with 
iiis eyes the Lord of life, the promifed Meffiah j 
he held up the Babe in his arms, and in 
language ftrikingly prophetic^ Simeon revealed 
to his Mother the many forrows, -blafphemies* 
iand perfecutions, this divine innocent was deft i- 
ned to endure. Sufferings, in which indeed Ihe 
would herfelf partake, and then in a fort of ex- 
tacy, he pioufly fung his own requiem — 

" LQrd now letteft thou thy fervant depart in 
** peace, foir mine tyt^ have feen thy falvation"— ^ 

after which, he reftored the Babe to his Mother- 
A devout and venerable Prophetefs named 
Anna,*cbming at that inftant to the Temple, with 
piety and holy ardour, proclaimed the glad 
Tidings and confirmed the truth to all the faithful 
Ifraelitesi 

Herod 



( 142 ) 

Herod had been forely difappointed at hear-^ 
fug the wife men from the Eaft had returned 
liome another way, and the year following he 
iffued out an edift commanding all and every 
male infant to be maflacred, not only in Beth-: 
lehcm, but throughout all the Towns, Villages, 
and Coafts round about, all from two years old 
and under. 

An author of the fifth Century relates, that 
at this very time, in the Town of Bethlehem, 
Herod had a little boy at nurfe, and that 
jtmong the reft, his own little innocent was maf-. 
fiicred. Auguftus is faid on this occafion to have 
pafled a fevere refleaion on him, but it applied 
very literally alfo to Antipatcr and his Sons by 
Mariamne. 

** I had rather be Herod's hog, than hi« 
« Son. 

The Providence of God had fo ordered it, 
that the Mother had conveyed the young Child 
far out of the reach of thefe bloody executio-^ 
ners. 

Antipater having fome miftruft refpefting thfi 
former poifon he had procured, forwarded now 
a frefh fupply to his Mother, by a confidential 
fervant named Batillus, leaft the old one fliould 
in any way have mifcarried. Batillus imme- 
-diately on his arrival at Jerufalem was appre- 
hended, Herod having unravelled his whole 

plot» 



( 143 ) 

plot, caufed him to be put to the torture, and 
he here made a full confeflion of his whole 
errand from Rome. Having extorted this 
confirmation, Herod wrote a letter to his Son, 
atid flighlly complained to him of fome ill 
treatment he had received from his Mother, he 
intreated him to make what hade he could lK>me» 
left a long abfcnce fhould give a handle to hh 
enemies, and affed his interefts in the Succeffionj 
Herod with feeming affeftion concludexi with 
afluring his Son he freely forgave all pall miCr 
carriages, and would on his arrival fliew faim 
every mark of paternal love, fatisfaQion and 
joy. 

Antipater's hopes at this time were, his Fa- 
ther had taken the poifon, and was laid in his 
grave. He inftantly prepared for his journey 
and fet out for Jerufalem, and it was much 
about the time of the maffacre at Bethlehem; 
at Tarentum a difpatch met him, and it brought 
the news of the death of his Uncle Pheroras; 
Antipater was greatly alarmed, and compared what 
he now heard3 with the accounts of his Mother's 
difgracc. He had no love whatever for his Un- 
cle, but he fadly feared he might have miffed 
his aim of poifoning the King. He purfued his 
journey as far as Sicily, and ftopt at Celenderis. 
here he called a ' council of his companions and 

fricrid'^ 



( Hi ) 

friends, named his fears, talked ' over hi^ 
Uncles death, and hii Mother's banilhment, he 
grew jealous and fufpicious, thought it was a 
fed Omen, and enquired if he fhould proceed 
homewards or return bacic to Rome. His friendf 
told him nothing would fo furely difpei his 
fathers fufpicions as his prefence and return to 
Court, and over perfuaded him to get on board 
again, after which a fair wind foon landed him 
at Sebaftc; inftead of meeting here the (houts 
and acclamations he fully expefted, the Peo- 
ple were murmuring and loading him all the 
way he went with the bittereft reproaches, im-* 
puting to him the bloody execution and fuf- 
ferings of both his Brothers. 

Amipatef haftened from hence direftly to 
Jerufalem, Herod had fo clofely concealed his 
defigns that the Prince drove on to the Palace* 
the gates were inftantly flung open to him, but 
all his retinue were refufed admittance; as foon 
as Amipater was uflicrcd in to the prefence of 
the King, he threw himfelf at his feet and oL 
fered to embrace his knees, he here met at 
ftern repulfe, and was arrefted on the fpot, An- 
tipater afked the reafon, and was only upbraid- 
ed as being the caufe of the death of his two 
brothers, and that he (hould be formally ar- 
jTaigncd and. tried before Quintrlius Varus the. 

GQveynf^ 



( H5 ) 

Governor of Syria, now on a vifit at the Court 
of Herod ; at this folemn and highly awful trial of 
his rebtfllious and unnatural Son, the Fathci^had 
prevailed upon Varus to fit as Judge, and as 
all things were in readinefs, the very next day 
the court fat, and Antipaters trial commenced^ 
An Auguft and numerous aflembly had been 
purpofely convened, and the young Prince wa* 
brought into Court before them; Antipater fell 
on his knees, petitioning to be heard, at lead 
before fentence fhould be pafled againft him* 
Herod commanded him to ftand up, that he 
might the better level his Refentments at him. 
He began by informing the court of his defigns 
to poifon him, and unravelled the confpiracy 
he had difcovered and extorted from Barillus> 
proving the truth, as he went on, by witncffcs, the 
clearcft and moft authentic evidence, after which* 
he named, and with a vehemence exprcffive 
of what he felt, Antipater's deteftable conduft 
and treachery to his brothers, then fixing his 
eyes on his Son he added, if they were guilty 
Thou haft been their unnatural follower — if they 
were* innocent, their cruel and bloody Mur- 
derer. Herod's exertion and exccfs of grief 
occafioned now a flood of tears, he could go 
on no longer, and he beckoned to his chief 

counfellor, Damafcen, ordering him to go on with 

ijie accufation^ and bring in his proofs. Da-^ 

Vol. II. U mafccn 



( hs ) 

niafcen was prevented by the young Piincc, who 
now requefted leave to fpeak for himfelf; he 
argued how improbable it was, for one in his 
fituation, to comunt a crime fo horrible, a para- 
cide fo monftrous, and efpecially as he had 
ftill before his eyes, the dreadful punifhment his 
two Brothers had fuffered for a like offence, 
lie went on accufing of falfehood, and of the bafeft 
corruption all the witnefles, but here Damafcen 
interrupted him, and gave fuch fatisfaftory 
evidence of their veracity, as left the Court no 
room to doubt of Antipater's guilt. The Judge 
i>ow informed the Prince, the Court were wait- 
ing his reply, and Herod and himfelf defirous, that 
he (hould bring in, whatever pi oofs of innocence 
be had to offer. Antipater could only have 
recourfe to oaths and imprecations, the refuge of 
the blackell crirtiinals, and he began calling down 
the heavieft curfes on bimlclf, in cafe he were 
guilty. To f :ch impiety and declamation Va- 
rus inftantly put a flop, by ordering into Court 
the poifon fwore to by the witnefs, and having 
caufed a condemned criminal to be led into th^e 
midft of the Affembly, a part only of the poifon 
was given bim. The wretch fell down dead 
almolt as loon as he bad drank it. The Judge 
sarofe fiom *the bench, brolie up the Court, and 
^ave his opinion only to Herod. The young 
^xincc Avas remanded ]:iack.to Pxifon, and Herod 

^Qrwardc^f^ 



r H7 ) 

forwdrded to Rome the account of the wijo»^ 
trial, charging the meflcnger, who had been pre- 
fent throughout, to give the Emperor every 
further particular he might require. 

Whilft thefe fad tidings were forwarding to 
Rome, a mod miferable and dreadful difeafe 
feized Herod, an ulceration of his bowels with 
excruciating paints his body and limbs were 
covered with running fores, and in fome places 
vermin and worms, ofFenfively loathfome, eat 
away his flefh. He was befides this worn out with 
age, (icknefs, and infirmities, a torment to himfclf 
and to every one around him Herod feemcd 
Very defiroUs to make his wjII, and to appoint 
his youngeft Son, his heir and fucceffor, he 
had two other Sons, Archelaus and Phillip, but 
fo much had been faid againft them, they were 
Tiow both out of favour. 

iHerod bcqaeathed a thoufand talents to 
Auguftus, and five hundred more to Livia the 
Emprefs. A very large Legacy to his unworthy 
Sifter, the reft and refidwe of his eftates and reve* 
nncs, he ordered to be divided among his children. 
Notwithftanding his fufferings, Herod, was roufcd 
from his languor and defpair, by a tumult and 
infurreftion in the City, he fet about quelling it 
>^7kh wonderful agility, the Ring-leader be burnt 

U a alive^ 



( m8 ) 

alive, and fome of his confederates. The King's 
difcafe grew every day more and more loathfome 
and inveterate, what feemed mod to mortify him 
was, his forefeeing the Nation would feel no 
forrow for his death, inhuman, favage and deC 
perate, he bethought himfelf however of the 
moft horrid of all expedients to prevent their' 
rejoicing. On account of the late riots, Herod 
had caufed himfelf to be carried in a litter 
to Jericho, and here he iffued out a fummons> 
commanding the Elders and Heads of all the 
Jews to repair thither under penalty of death. 
On their arrival Herod (hut them all up in a . 
magnificent Amphitheatre, and fent for his 
Silier Salome and Alexas her hufband, giving 
them a ftrift and fecret charge to have them 
butchered, as foon as his breath was gone, by 
which means added he, I fhall damp the Peoples 
Joy, and fccurc a real mourning at my death. 

At this time the meffengers returned fromi 
Rome. The Emperor ' confirmed the fen, 
lence, and figncd the dead warrant for Antipater's 
execution. Herod's mifery and tortures, more 
and more exquifite, occafioned after the bitter 
cries of a moft painful attack, a report that he was 
dead, it reached the prifon where his Son was con- 
fined, Antipaier was overjoyed, and he fent for the 
goaler and confultcd him on the happy event, the 

goaler 



( M9 ) 

ip>aler acquainted tjie King, and threw him into 
a mod violent rage, Herod inftantly difpatched 
his body guard and put his Son to death ; the 
Father outlived him only five days, during thefe, 
he made his will afrefli ; Herod left his Kingdomi 
to his Son Archelaus, made Antipas, Tetrarch 
of Galilee, and bequeathed to his Son Philip 
the Regions of Trachonitis, Gaulon, Batanea, and 
Panias, and he now conftituted them into a Te-^ 
trarchy. A legacy both in money and land he 
left to Salome. Herod died in the feventieth 
year of-hb Age, and he had reigned thiny- 
feven. 

In fpite of all the oaths they had taken and 
the proteftations they had made, Salome and 
Alexas, were fo far from executing the laft 
bloody and tyrannical orders of their Brother, 
that they affiduoufly ftrove to hide the fccret 
from the nation, they repaired immediately to 
the Hippodrome, the fpacious Amphitheatre where 
the Jews were (hut up, and caufed the gates to 
be all flung open, and dircfted them, as by order 
of the King, to return home, they accordingly fct 
out on their journey to Jerufalem, after which 
they publifhed the news of Herod's death, and 
fummoned to the Hippodrome all the General 
Oificers and Soldiery, and read them a letter 
from the dcceafcd King^ in which he thanked 

them 



thtfrn, for their paft fervices and fidelity to hiro^ 
and he wiflied them now to (hew it to bis Son 
Archclaus, whom he had appointed his Succcflbr. 
Ptolemy, Lord-keeper of the royal Seal, now read 
to them the will All the Pe(>ple Ihoutcd, Long 
Live King Archelaus. Both Officers and Soldiers 
paid him homage, and affured him of their 
allegiance and attachment* 

A moft magnificent funeral was now fumptu- 
bufly prepared for Herod by his Son, his body 
was placed in a gorgeous litter all of gold, 
and enriched with precious (tones, the royal 
crown on his head, and a golden fceptre in his 
hand, his Sdns, Grandfons, Salome his Sifttir 
and Alexas her Hu(band, with all the reft of hi& 
Relations marched by the fide, and his General 
Officers, Civil and Military followed according 
to their ranks; his Guards led the Van, fully 
accoutred and in order of battle ; five hundred 
of the King's domeftics clofed the proceffioA 
with fpices and aromatic perfumes, thus in fo- 
lemn pomp they moved flowly on to the Caftlfc 
of Herodion, where according to his laft ex^ 
prefs orders, they depofiied the remains of this 
bloody3 cruel, and abandoned Tyrant. 

After the death of Herod, the Kingdom was 
^divided into four parts. Each divifion wai 

talle4 



( i5i ) 

•atled a Tetrarchy, and governed by a Prince^ 
:>rho bore the name o£ Tetr^rch. 



The Life of HEROD exhibits a ftrange 
Mixture cf Wretchediiefs and Vanity — A Scene 
perpetually Shifting — A Soul ever on the Rack — 
Bold, Entcrprizing, Refolute — A Man of 
great Addrefs— Popular in his Behaviour — Ge- 
nerous and Prince-iike in his Expences and 
Entertainments, whofe ruling Paffion was Am- 
bition— -He was jealous of Power — Defigning — 
Ever on the Watch — Sufpicious of all the 
World — Inexorably Cruel and Rapacious — 
A Slave to PaflBon, he knew no Law but Will — 
.Of Implacable Refentment — Uninfluenced by 
Reafon — Irreconcileable to Penitence — Without 
B-eligipn and without Humanity. 



ND OF THE JEWISIi 
HISTORY 



JQC A V 



^ 



f 1 • ' -f 



E S S A Y XX. 



ON THE BOOK OJ" 



O B. 



XHE moft ancient account we have of this 
venerable Patriarch, this model of patience 
ftill held up for our example, is, that he lived on 
the confines of Idumea and Arabia, he married 
an Arabian Princefs, his eldeft Son was named 
Ennon, and the Hiftory informs us, he had 
afterwards fix other SonSy and three Daughters. 

Job was the Son of Zarah, and the fifth in 
defcent from Jacob, in the line, of Efau, he 
l-ergned in Idumea, and his Palace was in the 
City of Denaba. The royal friends who vifited 

VojL^ II, X him 



154 ) 

him in his abafement and afflictions, v^crc Elr- 
phaz King of Teman, Bildad and Zophaz two 
other neighbouring Kings, and Elihu (the mean- 
ing of this name is, " my God is he.") Elihu was 
Son ofBarachel, a wife and good man, modeft, 
amiable, and refpeflful. 

Job is fuppofed to have been a cotemporarjr 
with Mofes, and forac authors have thought, that 
Mofes himfelf, while he lived in Midian, wrote 
the Book of Job, antecedent to his Government 
over Ifrael, ar^d his fongs and triumphal odes, 
cfpecially that in commemoration of the miracle 
wrought in favour of the Ifraelites, and to the 
deftru£lion of Pharoah and the Egyptian Hoft, 
is an elegant and pleafing pi oof of his poetic 
genius and abilities, but if Mofes was the Author^ 
the four laft verfes muft have been added by 
fome infpired perfon in order to complete the 
Hiftory. 

The Book was written in Hebrew, and in 
verfe, the ftile is lofty and fublime, abounding; 
with Imagery, and a variety of interefting, 
highly awful events, and charaders. It defcribes 
Job, as a powerful and magnificent Prince 
honourable, royal, abounding in poffeffions, he was 
the greateft of all the Eaft, and mod reafonably 
cxpe^inga long enjoyment of his honours, for 

the 



{^55) 

the hand of providence which had fo liberally 
beftowed, up held him, and led him forwards, 
engaged, as it were, in the prefervation, and 
continuance- of his bleffings. " God had fet a 
" hedge about him, and about all that he had, 
*^ on every fide, and his fubftance increafed 
" daily. 

He was bleffed with a numerous offspring of 
Sons and Daughters, enjoying his affluence, in- 
heritors of his happinefs, and to an afFeftionate 
Parent, that is furely a long and lengthened out 
enjoyment, as he was to live, over and over 
again, in his pofterity. 

Job was a virtuous Prince in the h-igh rellifh 
of all his bleffings, diffufing their beneficial influ- 
ence all around him- " A perfeft and upright 
** Man, one that feared God, and efchewed 
•^ evil/' 

It was in the height and funfliine ^f profperity, 
amidft the innocent gaity and enchanting fwe^. 
nefsof domeftic life, and while he was poffeffing 
the higheft national honours, that in one ioftant, 
(events and caufes equally unforefeen) all was 
changed into forrow, and utter defpair. The 
fortunes of this good man were blafted, lightening 
from Heaven ftruck dead all his flocks and 
herds, his numerous offspring, thofe moft en- 
X a dearing 



1 



( t56 ) 

dearing pledges of his future happinefs, were all 
fnatched from him at a blow, ^* for his children 
^' were met together in their elder Brother** 
** houfe, a meeting of love and joy, a familyr 
*' fwft, when a Hurricane fmote the four corners 
*' of the houfe^ and it fell, and buried them all 
in its ruins. 

The news of thefe fad difafters is quickl/ 
brought to the Palace, one Meffenger on the 
heels of another. The lofi^ of all his riches, his 
Oxen, and ^Camels, and Afles, and Sheep, the 
^ffedionitte Patriarch bore with wonderful calm*- 
nefs and filent refignation, but he was fo fond of 
his children, fo jealous and fearful was he of 
their offending God, that at every feaft and fa-"- 
mily vifit. Job rofe up early, and offered a finv 
offering and a peace-offering for each of his 
Sons, leaft (fays he) amidfl his gaity and mirth 
he may have blafphemed his God, and when he 
heard of his dear childrens calamity, his feven 
Sons and his three Daughters all in riper years 
and the fullefl enjoyment. Job rofe from his 
feat, walked to and fro, he rent his garments^ 
he Ihaved his head, fell proflratcj on the ground 
before God, and breathed out a pious Soliloquy 
on the day of his birth, and the hour of his 
death, pointing out a likenefs which no inter-* 
vening events, profperous or adverfe, could 

ever 



{^57 ) 

ever alter or deftroy. • Job found himfelf fooa 
befet with a new and excruciating mifery, a 
painful difeafe of body was added to the lorrowf 
and diftraftion of his mind, andjuft at a tim^ 
wben he in patience was collecting all his ftrength 
and fortitude to affuage them. Sore and angry 
boils refembling the fmali pox, ofFenfively loath- 
fome, covered him all oven Job fat \n fack- 
cloth and alhes, fufFering from unjuft calumnia- 
tions, and accumulated mifer)^ which was only 
countertfalanced by confcious innocence and reli^ 
ance on God. The Hiftory concludes with a 
highly pleafing, and enchanting rcftoration to 
eafe, dignity^ honour, wealth and happinefs, the 
reward of his virtues and his trials, the Appro- 
bation of his God. 

The poem is lively, and animated, wrought 
up with all the beauty and fublimity of figure, 
the luxuriance of defcription, ferious yet pleafing^ 
awful, pathetic, and inftruQive, full of God, his 
perfections, and providence, under mifery fo 
humiliating clofely adhering to God, and in 
;he never-ceafing exercife of patient fubmiflion, 
fortitude and refignation. It is furely a very 
bejiutiful fpeqimen of Primitive Theology, and of 
^ Gentile piety. 

A fiibjeft fo pathetic, is wonderfully fuited to 
the c^calted, ftrong, and animated expreffions of 

the 



1 



( 158 ) 

the Eaft, and one might challenge the moft cele- 
brated Authors of antiquity, even there, to pro- 
duce a fpecimen of eloquence fo noble and 
thofijughly affefling. 

The Apoftle Sf. James, divides the book of 
Job into *' the Patience of Job; and the Cataf- 
•* trophe or Event." A divine tragi-comedy^ 
the forrow and bitter ^nguilh, fweetly ending, in 
enlarged profperity, and more complete enjoy- 
ment. . Armed with Wifdom, Righteouftiefs, and 
Patience, this good man feems to ftand impreg- 
nable; he was learned in all the arts and philo- 
fophy of the fchools, in aftronomy and the con- 
ilellations, and we are told, writing, fome traces 
of navigation, the fecrets and beauties of nature, 
and much fublime and ufeful knowledge was then, 
and there acquired, and cultivated. His divine 
fortitude, his fincerity, piety, and humble deport- 
ment moft amiably exhibit his Righteoufnefs. 

Although the charges of his friends were heavy, 
they were all of them falfe; hefenfibly felt them> 
but integrity and confcience were both on his fide, 
a counter-evidence to their accufations ; bis 
fpirit was thus kept alive, his ferenity returnS| 
his mind ftrengthen's, podeffing himfelf, he tri- 
umphs in his uprighmefs. 

His Patience, fo fevereiy tried, appears the 
more honourable and exemplary, after his having 

enjoyed 



( ^59 ) 

(tpjoyed fo dignified a ftation, fuch affluence 
and refpeaability. He was ftripped quite na^ 
l^ed, not one of all his many Comforts left him 
to enjoy; lafflifted by God, by Men, and by 
X)^vils; by friends, and by foes defpifed, flan-# 
dered, calumniated ; fhamcfully and paffionately 
ordered by his Wife, to eurfe his God and 
die. 

The Subjeft of conteft and difpute between 
Job, and the three neighbouring Princes, who 
came to vifit him, feems to be, whether God 
diftributes rewards and puniflimcnts in cxa6k 
proportion to the Merit, or Demerit, of each 
individuaf, his pretended friends affert He does, 
and therefore thfc uncommon feverity of the 
Calamities, nptwithftanding his apparent rightc* 
oufnefs, prove Job in reality a grievous Sinner, 
They highly aggravate his fuppofed Guilt, by' 
the imputation of Hypocrify, and call upon him 
to confefs it, and acknowlegde the juftice of 
his punifhment. Job never once prefumes to 
accufe the Supreme Being of injuftice, yet aflerts 
his own innocence and uprightnefs, in the 
moft humble and pathetic language. 

Elihu, another Fjciend, attempted to arbi- 
irate the matter, by alledging the impoffibility 
xhat fo frail and ignorant a creature as Man, 
&ould comprehend the ways of the Almighty, 



( i6o } 

fimd therefore condemns the unjuft and cruet 
inference^ the three royal friends had drawn 
from the fuflPerings of Job. Elihu, after tbif, 
blames Job for his Prefumption^ his ac«^ 
quitting himfelf of all Iniquity, fuice the beft 
of Men are not pure In the fight of God, 
but ''all have fomething to repent of, and 
Elihu advifes Job to make this ufc of hi* 
afflidions. At laft^ by a bold and moft fublime 
figure of Poetry, the Supreme Being is bimfelf 
introduced, fpeaking from the Whirlwind, and 
filencing them all^ by the moft amazing dif- 
play of his Power, Magnificence and Wifdom, 
and the comparative littlenefs, and ignorance 
of Man* Life and Immortality were not 
as yet brought to light by the Gofpel, and a fu- 
ture retribution, that moft fatisfaftory of all 
folutions, remained yet to be difclofed. 

The fourteenth Chapter, is a very awful, 
eloquent, and pathetic re prefentation of mortali- 
ty. " Man that is born of a Woman, has but 
'* a few days to live, and is full of trouble ; he 
fpringeth up as a flower, and is cut down ; he 
fleeth alfo as a fhadow, and continueth not. 

The twenty-ninth, a fwcet enchanting piQure 
of domeftic life, united with Royal Dignity in 
all its higheft honours^ Befides being a Prince 

Job 



( 1^1 ) 

Job fat as Judge among his People. *' From mjr 
*' youth, companion was brought up with me as 
'* a Father. I put on righteoufnefs and it 
*' cloathcd me.'* My judgment was as a Robe 
and a Diadem. I delivered the poor that cried, 
and the fatherlefs, and him that had none to help 
him. The blefling of him, that was ready ta 
pcrifli, came upon me, and I caufed the Widows 
heart to leap for joy. I was eyes to the blind, 
and feet was I to the lame. I was a Father to 
the poor. I break the jaws of the wicked, and 
plucked the fpoil out of his teeth. 

After this you read the highly finifhed portrait 
of the War-horfe. 

The Generous Beaft will arreft your fancy, 
and fire your imagination Leaving unnoticed, 
figure, lineaments, and motion, the ornaments 
of leffer Poets, with wortderful fpirit and vivacity 
he animates his defcription with the beauties of 
the Horfes mind. Imagine two Armies on the 
point of engaging, colours flying, the firft fignal 
given by blowing up the trumpets, ever after 
the Horfc is on a foam; the delay of the fecond 
trumpet is of high importance to his .figure, 
pawing and ftriking his hoof all fury and impa- 
tience for the battle. 

. Vol. II Y Goij 



( ^62 ) 

God is himfelf the Speaker. 

*' Haft thou cloaihed his Neck with Thunder^ 
^* the Glory of his Nollrils is terrible. He 
^' paweth in die Valley, rejoicing in his ftrength. 
** He goeth out to meet the armed men, mocking 
*' at fear. The quiver ratdcth againll him, the 
*' glittering fpear and the fhield. He fwalloweih 
*• up the ground with fiercenefs. He careth 
•* not for the found of the trumpet, fmelling die 
♦* batde afar off, the Thunder of the Captains 
^ and the flioudng." 

But the grand amazing difplay of Power, Ma- 
jefly, and Sublimity throughout the thirty. eighth 
Chapter to the laft, where every line delineates 
the God, every fentcncc opens with fome new 
grand objcfl in Creadon, no pen can defcribe, no 
tongue exprcfs, no thoughts conceive, and no 
eye read wiifiout abafement and annihilation^ 
and yet, after Job has thus awfully impreffed on 
your mind the fublime attributes, and infinite 
Majefty of Almighty God, as exemplified in the 
aftonifhing wanders of Creation, he finds a 
means of aggrandizing, and raifing your concep- 
tions higher ttill, *nd by how fimple a mode ? 

^ Lo, thefe arc a part of His ways; 

^ bow very liitlc a portion is heard Of Him/* 



r 1S3 ) 

In like manner, Milton ir^ the execution of that 
glorious commiflion, given the MefBah to extir- 
pate the Hoft of Rebel Angels. 

" Go, thou Mightieft, in thy Father's Might/' 

then cloathing him 'with Terror and Majcfty, even 
more than he could defcribe, finds a way to 
make you conceive of him far more Mighty and 
terrific dill. 

*' Yet half his ftrength he put not forth, but 

'* checked 
** His Thunder in mid volley." — 

The Hiftory now pleafingly informs you. Job 
is rcftored to health, dignity, riches and enjoy- 
ment, and the Lord gave Job twice as much 
as he had before, and the Lord blefTed his 
latter end, more than his beginning. He had 
fourteen thoufand Sheep, fix thoufand Camcls» 
and a thoufand yoke of Oxen, and a thoufand 
(he Afles. 

Job had alfo feven Sons and three Daughters, 
and no Women were found fo fair as the Daugh- 
ters of Job. • 

He lived after this, an hundred and forty 
years, and faw his Sons, and his Sons Sons, even 
four Generations. 

Job was then gathered to his Fathers, old, and 
full of days, riches, and honour. 

y 2 ESSAY 



ESSAY XXI. 



ON THE BOOK OF 



PSA L M S. 



THESE compofitions were made at difFc- 
rent feafons^ and on many and various 
occafions by David, Solomon and Hezekiah, 
Kingj of Ifrael and Judah, and by Afaph, Mcfes 
and others. 

Ezra, a very learned Jew, of the houfe of 
Aaron, (who by the intereft of Queen Efther had 
b( en deputed as Viceroy from the Court of 
Terfia) firft made a colleftion of them at Jeru- 
alem, 

Ezra 



( 1^5 ) 

Ezra prefided over the Jewifli Church and Na- 
tion thirteen years, and was then fucceeded by 
Nehemiah. On the arrival of this new Governor, 
Ezra, with dignity and graceful condefcenlion, 
applied himfelf wholly to the fervices of the 
Temple ; he fat as Prefident in the grand Sanhe- 
drim, and there, as one of his employments, Ezra 
i-evifed, and accommodated to the fervices of 
the day, this Book of Pfalms. The Jews were 
great lovers of mufick, and attributed much influ- 
ence to its charms, it calmed the paffions and ex- 
cited devotion. 

Divine fongs, and Hymns of praife and thaukf- 
giving (one part of the chorus anfwering to another 
as you now fee in the choirs of Cathedrals) formed 
a very principal part of the Jewifh Worfhip, and 
the Pfalms were referred to, in the order in 
which they are now placed, by our Saviour 
himfelf and his Apoftles, 

Jewifh hymns were always and juftly admired 
for their grandeur, ftrength and lofiinefs of c.\- 
preffion, and the elegance and beauty of their ima- 
gery. Mofes was eminently diflinguiflied as ;k 
Poet as well as a I.egiflator, the burfts of elo^ 
quence, the flights of fancy and poetic fweet- 
nefs delight you, the fpirit of true piety and 
warmth of devotion never breathed more fcr- 
vently than in thefc Divine Compofuions. 

The 



( ^66 ) 

The rich vein of Poetry mud have greatly 
fufFered by a profe tranflation. How highly 
captivating and beautiful muft they have been in 
the original? 

Meditations fo fublime are beyond all com- 
mendation ; Devotion fo devout furpaffes all ex- 
prefTion; yet in Hebrew, and in elegant verre> 
fang aloud unto God in the fpacious Temple, 
with the blaft of trumpets, and the men fingers 
and the women fingers, with the timbrel and the 
harp, in Jewifh pomp, on a folemn feflival and 
general thankfgiving, we might conceive ftill 
higher of their loftinefs and Majcfty, catch more 
of the flame of devotion and be loft in extafy. 
Even now to read them after fo many of their 
beauties are obfcured, Compofitions fo animated 
and fublime, draw us off from converfe with men 
to devout communion with our Gcd. 

A feleO: portion were daily fung as 'moraing 
and evening exercifcs in the Temple, one was 
always chaunted at the firft opening of the doors> 
and another at (hutting them up at night, others 
while the Sacrifices were offering up. Sometimes 
the King bore a part alone, fpeaking in his own 
perfon, the refponfes made by the Priefts and 
Levitcs, and all the PeopFe joined in chorus. 
They are wifely fuitcd to private devotion, as 

well 



( i67 } 

ttell as publick worfliip, to folemn fafts and days^ 
of humiliation, to feafts, weddings and convivi- 
ality. Anthems of commemoration, thankfgiv-* 
ing and joy, as well as folemn Dirges and Fu-* 
neral odes. 

Some were compofed in times of trouble and 
fcenes of diftrefs, under Saul's perfecutions, Ab- 
falom*s rebellion, and in captivity and bondage, 
fome fongs of Triumph, after (ignal deliverances 
and fung on folemn feaft days, many are peniten- 
tial, ingenuous confeffions and deep contrition, 
and it is pathetically and juftly remarked, that 
ilo prefent pleafure and gratification, could ever 
counterbalance the mifery, diftraclion and fuffcr- 
ings, the Royal Penitent fo exquifitely defcribes 
in fome of them. How defirable to efcape 
the heart -piercing forrow of fuch Repentance, by 
avoiding Sin, which coils fuch bitter anguilh 
iind contrition. 

Theje fublime hymns breath throughout fo 
divine an eloquence, you grow devout on read- 
ing them, and the Jews gave out, that whofoevei* 
\TOuld make the trial, and repeat them over 
three times every day, would furely be inhabi- 
tants of the Heav(;nly Canaan. Thus they reduce 
fighteoufnefs to praftice, for while we acquire 
£lie fentiments^ we perform the oftrccs of devo- 



( i68 ) 

tion. Oar Saviour ufed them as fuch on th^ 
crofs, breathing out his fpirit with the words of 
David. No tongue of Man or Angel can con- 
vey a higher idea of any compoCtion, or of their 
felicity who rightly ufc it. 

Many of the Pfalms are Prophecies, and re- 
ferred to, as fuch, by our Saviour and his 
Apoflles. To bear teftimony to him and hi» 
divine miffion, is indeed one great and ultimate 
defign of all the lacred writers. 

Not only the prediftions themfelves but cvea 
the accomplifliment of many is here related* 
The fufferings of our Saviour are all of them 
minutely defcribed, and the manner of his death 
on the crofs, with every attendant circumftance 
of mockery and horror, even to the parting of 
bis garments and to the cafting lots for his vefture. 
The Royal Pfalmift moft obvioufly delineates 
Man*s redemption, the incarnation, the paffion, 
the refurre6lion and the afcenfion of the Son of 
God, as if he were an eye-witnefx, afferting what 
he now faw upon the fpot, rather than, as a Pro- 
phet, naming events a thoufand years before their 
accomplifliment. 

The repetitions refemble a form of prayer om 
extraordinary occafions; the works of creation 

and 



( 1^9 ) 

ind providence, but more cfpecially the good- 
iiefs and mercy of God, are a frequent thcmrf 
of praifc, devotion,' and gratitude. 

The Book contains one hundred and fifty 
llymns or Pfalm^, and is divided into five parti 
or books. The firft finifhes with the forty-firl! 
Pfalm, and concludes with Ameri and Aftieif; 
The fecond Book at the feventy-fecondy with the 
fame, only adding the prayers of David, the 
Son of Jeffe, are ended. The third Book ends' 
4t the eighfy-ninth, and the fourth at the hundred 
and fixth. The fifth includes the remainder. 
Amen Amen concludes the firft three. A fingJe 
Amen the fourth, and the laft finilhes ^ith Hal- 
lelujah. Praife ye the Lord. The Hebrew' 
word is ex pre (five of great joy and holy rap- 
ture. 

I. The firft Pfalm is a Preface to the whole 
Book. A powerful perfuafive to the feriou^ 
Itudy of it. 

The hj^p()inefs of Mah, what it is — wherein 
it confifteth ? 1 he kindeft and wifeft advice (a 
beautiful clirnax) direfting you not to go intcy 
the company of the ungodly — not to ftay in if — • 
^ot to habituate yaurfelf Co fit in it — never to fit 
jki eafe, in it.^ 

Vol. II, Z II. The 



( 170 ) 

IT. The fecond is a high compliment, and 
elegant ode, on the fettlement of the Crown upon 
David and his Family. This was chofen for his 
grand Coronation Anthem. Verfe the eighth 
a Prophefy of the incarnation of Our Saviour, as 
St. Paul informs us, and the Apoftles declare 
God by the mouth of his fervant David, ut- 
tered thefe things concerning Chrift. * 

III. This Pfalm was compofed at the time 
of David's flight from his Son Abfalom, and 
defcribes the fafety he experienced under God's, 
proteftion. The feventh verfe exhibits a ftriking; 
image taken from beafts of prey. •'Thou fmiteil 
their cheek bone (where their ftrcngth lay) 
thou breakeft the teeth of the ungodly.'* God 
thus takes away, the power, and means of. 
hurting. 

IV. An inquiry after happinefs, a hymn full 
of aflurance and piety. The difpleafurc of God 
includes in it infamy and diftrefs, but his favour 
every thing great, good, and honourable. 

V. David's record and pious acknowledg- 
ment, that God is King over Ifrael. A devout 
addref« to God under trouble and perfecution. 

*Aas 13. 33, 

VI. Pious 



( 171 )' 

VI. Pious meditations during ficknefs, and on 
recovery. 

VII. Upon the flander of his hitler enemy 
Cufti the Benjamite. By a beautiful figure 
JDavid defcribes him already in his fufFering*, 
involved in the very calamity, he had been pre- 
paring for another. 

VIII. A Moon light Hymn, compofed foon 
after David's viftory over Goliah of Gath. Out 
of the mouths of babes and fucklings thou haft 
ordained ftrcngth, (comparing Goliah with him- 
felf, a mere child,) that thou mighteft ftill the 
Enemy, and this mighty Avenger. It alludes 
alfo to the viQory gained by Chriftianity over 
its Enemies, and thus Our Saviour applies it 
to himfelf and his Apoftles, the latter "though ig- 
norant and illiterate, void of power or intereft* 
triumphed over the wifdom of the wife, and 
filenced the cavils of the fubtile Pharifee. 

IX. X. Suppofed to be two parts of one 
Hymn. David had been delivered out of fome 
great diftrefs. Lively and pathetic reflexions on 
the opprefDon and infolence of Saul's Minifters. 
Impatient at feeing the Good involved in mifery, 
they called in queltion the very Being and Pro- 

* Matthew xxi, xvi. 

Z 2 videncc 



( ^7^ ) 

%>4cttcc of God; David affures them, notwitfi^^ 
AjitKling thefe fecming confufions, there was a 
Ood in Heaven ftill, a righteous God, who for 
fecrci caufcs, and for a w^ile, might fufFer the 
wicked to triumph, yet fooner or later, he would 
be a refuge for the oppreffed, a refuge in time 
of trouble. 

XI. In order to avoid the perfecution of 
Saul, David had fled to the Mountains, the 
Strong Hplds and the Rocks, in this Pfalm he 
holds a dialogue with his friends, and it was rer* 
hcarfed in the Tabernacle before the congrega-* 
tion upon certain occafions. 

XII. XIII. Supplications to God in great 
diftrefs. David here afferts, that in the Jewiflf| 
CEconomy, wickednefs was feldom indulged with 
profperity, fhould it appear fo, it was but for a 
fhort time, the flattering profpeft foon vanifliedi^ 
Delinquents were almofl: always puniflied. 

XIV. A Pfalm compofed in his flight fronai 
Jerufalem, lamenting the dcfcftion of his Peo- 
ple to Abfalom, "when the Lord bringeth us back 
to Jerufalem (from whence we are expelled) 
Jacob fliall rejoice and Ifrael Ihall be glad.*' 



^V, Aftcf 



jr\ 



( m J 

XV. After the rebellion wii quelled and 
J)avid had returned to Jcrufalein, he gives thif^ 
charafter and dpfcription of a citizen of Sion* 
Uis religion the habitual praftife of holincfi. 
An exaltation of moral virtues and intended fof 
the ufe of the Priefts, 

XVI. The Golden Pfalm, ftrongly exprelEng 
his confidence in God, whil^ he was under pcr^ 
fecutions, David implores the proteftion of 
God from this confideration, that he ftedfaftly 
adheres to God's law himfelf, and is ready to 
give his aid and fupport to all who do. St. Peter 
declares it a Prophcfy of the death, refurreSion^ 
and afcenfion of Chrift. 

XVII. A devout prayer of David's, a folemn 
avowal of his innocence, in oppofition to tho 
Courtiers of Saul, a confidential, hopeful and 
pathetic appeal to God; 

XVIIIt A Song of Triumph. David in the 
Ipftieft ftile, defcribes the Majefty of God, and 
the awful manner by which he extricates him out 
qf his difficulties, by arming the elements againft 
his adverfaries, thunder, lightning, hail and 
{eippef):^ with darknefs and alarming horrors. 

Go4 



im ) 

God is here'Majeftically introduced, encom?- 
pSifled with all the powdrs of nature, -with 
his Armory, and his indruments of vengeance 
around him. 

XIX. A difplay of God*s glory in Creation, a 
moft beautiful allufion to the Sun coming out of 
his chamber like a bridegroom at midnight 
{the ufual cuftom in Jerufalem when he was 
attended by his friends, with glaring lights and 
{orchcs, parading, the ftreets of the City) and 
rejoicing as a ftrong Man to run his race, con- 
fcioas and confident of his own ftrength. 

XX. XXI. Are fervent and devout pray- 
ers of the People for their King, they wer# 
chanted as Songs of triumph after viftory and 
deliverances. Military exploits againft Syria, and 

Ammon, Nations abounding in chariots and 
borfemen. 

XXII. This Pathetic Pfalm was compofed 

by David at Mehanaim. God had appeared to 
him on the fpot, by his Angel, during the rage 
of the Peftilence. David feelingly recollefts this 
s^wful interview, and how he had here tenderly 
pleaded with God in behalf of his people, and 
afrelh recounts his forrows and deep diftrefs. 
Our Saviour, on the ?Crofs, repeated this Epi- 
tome of his fufFerings and death, reminding as iv 
wjQte, his Heavenly Father, he was now fulfilling • 

all 



all the prophecies in that Pfalm, and claiming the 
gracious promifes, to his difciplcs and followers.* 

XXIII. An incomparable Ode of the paf- 
toral kind, the Sentiments are all borrowed from 
the Shepherd's life and charafter, and David 
had been a Shepherd. The AUufion is beau* 
tifuUy preferved throughout. It defervcs the 
higheft commendation, for its purity, fimplicity 
and elegance, a celebrated Poet has reftorcd 
it to harmony. 

The watchful care of providence, is repre- 
fented as leading and guiding his fteps along the 
green paftures, befide the ftill waters, in tl» 
paths of peace, fecurity and happinefs, even 
through the Valley of the fhadow of death, the 
Shepherd's crook and hia rod (hould uphold anidr 
proteft him, ^ 

XXIV. This Pfalm was compofed by David 
when he brought the Ark from the houfe o£ 
Obed-edom, to Mount Sion in Jerufalem, it 
was fung in two parts. The qucftions and re- 
fponfes at the end thus chanted, are highly pleaf- 
in& elegant and beautiful, and the two firit 

* Compare vcrfc xviii, with Mat, xxvii. and xxxv. 



( 176 ) 

Irerfes were fung by all the compiny in iiit 
proceffion. 

XXV. David in this t^faJm expreffe^ his hu-- 
mility, contrition, and dcjeftion, it was eom- 
pofed after he had given orders fo deftru&ive to 
trriah, for in all his diftrelfes before, he confi- 
dentially afferts and exults in his innocence. 

Each verfe begins fucceflively with a letter 
of the Hebrew alphabets 

XXVI. XXVIL XXVIII. AreHymn»ihad« 
in feafons of deep diftrefs, but before the for^ 
mcr, as the Royal Pfalmift in all of them ftronglj 
aflerts his innocence. *'I will wafh my bands in 
innocency" alluding to the cuftom of (he Jewt 
wafhing their hands in token of innocence and 
purity, before prayer and publick worfiiip. The 
twenty-feventh was compofed when he placed 
his Family under the guardianfhip of the King. 
of Moab who was their relation. 

XXIX. A Pfalm appointed to be fung in 
ftoims, thunder, lightning and tempeft, moft 
ptobably the elements had at thi« time facilitated 
Ibme fignal vi£tory over his Enemies. 

XXX. The Pfalm David commanded to be 
fung at the dedication of hi^ Palace; and again 

after 



( ^n ) 

afWr his ttwxxti from his flight and Abfalom's 
rebellioti, when he was reftored to the Ark, and 
the publick worfhip of God in the Tabernacle, 

\ XXXI. David faved, as it were, by a mifaclC;^ 

from falling into the hands of Saul^ fled from 
Keilah to the Wildernefs of Maon» here prays 
for fafety and fupport^ The words Our Saviour 
pronounced when expiring on the Crofs, are a 
J)art of verfe the fifth. ** Into thy hands I Coin^ 
*' mit my fpirit," the laft proof, before his death^ 
ivhich he gave the Jews of his being, notwith-. 
ftanding his fufferings, the true Mefliah, the Soti 
^f David. 

XXXll^ Contains a general confcffion for fin, 
tifed oil diys of expiation, and national humi- 
liation. The latter part records many wife 
rules and axioms for the condu£l of life, 

XXXIII. A Hymn of Praife and Thankfgiving 
for fome fignal deliverance. An allufion to the 
overthrow of Pharoah and his Hoft, and a beau- 
tiful one rcprefenrting the Horfe as a vain thing 
for fafety ; at (his tinle the oriental cavalry con- 
ftitutcd the power and ftrength of their Armies. 



XXXIV. A Pfalm wrote by David on his 

eliverance from Achifli King of Gathg Wife 

Vox, II A a and 



( 178 ) 

and moft perfuafive arguments to truft in God^ 
elegantly varied and enforced from his own expe- 
rience. Strength and Magninimity are of thein-i. 
felves no fecurity from want and diftrefs, *' young 
** Lions lack and fufFer hunger, they that feek 
** the Lord (hall not want iany good thing. 
Another Pfalm where each verfe begins with 
the letters of the alphabet, 

XXXV. A Pfalm compofed under the bittereft 
perfecutions from Saul, Doeg, and the Ziphites. 
Imprecations fo fevere have made feme queftioa 
the piety and charity of David, but put them in 
the future tenfe the objeflion vaniflies, and the 
Pfalm may be a prophefy refpefting them. 

XXXVL A Pfalm which contrails the malice* 
and treachery of Saul with the faithfulnefs and 
goodnefs of God. 

It feems compofed by David when Saul's 
jealoufy firft broke out, and under the mafk of 
friendfliip, he endeavoured to ruin and even to 
murder him. ' 

XXXVI L The Pfalmift writes purpofcly for 
the confolation of the affliaed, pathetically enters 
into all their feelings, moft wifely dire£i$ and 
encourages ihcm. Under the belief of an equal 
Providence, David revives and comforts the 

fufferer 



( ^79 ) 

fufficrer with the fure hopes that obedience and 
patient fubmifiion muft neceflarily end in happi* 

nejTs. The Profperity of the wicked however 

flattering vaniflies and is often reverfed. " 

Every other verfe begins fucceffively with the 

letters of the alphabet. 

XXXVIII. Expreffes his very deplorable 
condition^ his extreme mifery, and fincere re- 
pentance. It is called a Pfalm of remembrance, 
wherein he yeprefents the deep diftrefs he felt, on 
taking a leview of pad iniquities during a pre* 
fent fcene of grievous fufferings. 

XXXIX. A Pfalm occafioned by fome diftrefs 
which endangered his life, and led him to the 
many pathetic and elegant refle61ions on the 
vanity and fhortnefs of human life^ which are here 
cxprefTed. 

XL. Devout expreffions of gratitude for fome 
extraordinary bleffings, and moft faithful pro- 
mifcs of obedience in return. The Appftle Paul 
writing to the Jews endeavours from this very 
Pfalm to convince them of the defedivenefs of 
the Mofaic offerings for fin, and the neceffity of 
the propitiatory Sacrifice of Chrift. 

A a a XLf. This 



( i80 

XLI. This elegant addrefs to the feelings cofi^ 
eludes the firft Book of the Pfalms. 

The bleffednefs of thofe who confider the poor« 
It is faid to have been compofed during Abfalom*s 
inftirreftion. The virtue is warmly recommended 
to univerfal prafticc, and David afcribes hisowa 
deliverance and prcfervation, fplely to the bepe- 
volence of the Supreme Being. 

XLII. XLIII. More Pfalms during Abfalom's 
infurreftion when David was driven from Jerufa-* 
lem, apd baniflied fron^ this houfe of Gpd on 
Mount Sion. 

The fluftuations of hope and defpondency are 
defcribed with all the charms of poetry, and with 
all the pathos of diftrefs. Defpair is contrafted 
with hope throughout, but the Pfalmift elegantly 
concludes with a repetition in favour of the af- 
tendency of hope. 

" Hope thou in God, for I (hall yet praife him, 
«* he is the health of my countenance and my 
<* God ** Difregard to method is beautifully e^- 
preffive of his forrow. 

XLIV. Is a Pfalm wrote long after David** 
death by fome Prophet, when the churqh was in 
extreme mifery, and alludes to the oppreflioii 
and fufferings of the Jews under the Moabites, 

Canaanites 




r i8» ) 

,CaTiaanites and Philiftincs, who as their Lordt 
Und Conquerors impofed upon them Idolatry. 

XLV A Song of Loves. A chofen band of 
Virgins a{rcn:iblcd, and encircled the bride at 
the Jewilh marriages, finging a Hymn or Anthem 
in honour of her efpoufals. This is faid to be 
the ode rehearfed at the celebration of Solomon** 
marriage with Pharoah*s Daughter Queen Shu- 
lamite^ the ideas pleafingly allude to fome happy 
marriage. 

XLVL An elegant and triumphal ode ou 
the bleffings of peace, compofed by David after 
fome fignal viftory over Syria, when he poffefTed 
himfelf of their chariots and made the King- 
(iom tributary. 

XLVII. A Hymn of great joy, fung before 
the Ark^ 

XLVIII. Adefcription and eulogium, on the 
celebrated City of Jerufalem, when in its higheft 
glory, the magnificent Temple on Mount Mo- 
riah, the Palace caQled Lebanon Grove, becaufc 
all of Cedar, Solomon's fumptuous porch and 
feat of judgment, and Millo a fpacious beau- 
tiful fquare where the People met on feftivals and 
4ays of rejoicing, fome have reprefenied it as com- 

mencim 



( i82 ) 

mencing from the fleps of the Palace^ and ending 
on Mount Moriab^ in full view of an £difice> the 
ornament and glory of a World. 

XLIX. The Pfalmift in this compofition has 
made ufe of every art to improve and ennoble his 
fubjeS. The higheft wifdom was fuppofcd lo 
confift in difcovering the myfterious meaning of 
a parable or riddle; in order to excite the greater 
attention he tells you, he inclines his ear to a 
parable^ and opens his dark faying on the harp^ 
* and then burfts forth into an hiftorical comme- 
moration of God*s mercies to his People and 
the wifeft inftrudioni* 

L. Afaph compofed this Ffaltn, probably a 
contemporary with Jehofophat or Hezekiab. 

It is highly inftruftivc and full of Majefty, 
a Tribunal is erefted, the Judge on the Bencb» 
Witnefles and Delinquents fummoned, fentencc 
is pronounced, the moft animated ftriking and 
awful expoftulation and fpeech from the Judge, 
furpaffing all defcription. The cattle on a 
thoufand hills, fhould be, the cattle of the 
ewners of a thoufand hills> are mine. « 

LI. A very aflFefting penitential Pfalm, wrojc 
tinder the emotions excited by the Prophet 
Nathan's reproof, a moft excellent model of felf- 

abafement 



( i«3 ) 

abafement, teaching us in what manner we ought 
to lament our fins, ftrongly painting a wound- 
ed cbnfcience, heartfelt anguifli and poignant 
grief. David arrayed his fack-cloth in the 
deepeft mourning, thus diflinguifhed himfelf, and 
attended in perfon at its rehear fal. 

LII. On Doeg's fpiteful information, which 
caufed the High Priefls Death and four-fcore 
others. Doeg was himfelf the Executioner. Af- 
ter the accufation in the fourth verfe, the A- 
poftrophe is ftrikingly beautiful, and the fentiment 
very wife and inftruftive. A Tyrant glory- 
ing in mifchief, glories in difgrace, in the fame 
proportion as he departs from virtue, he lefTcns 
worth of charafter and true dignity. The ftory 
is recorded in the firft Book of Samuel,* and 
exhibits the fad confequences enfuing from the 
change 6f Government and their rejefting God. 

The Priefts were now deftroyed and none to 
attend the Ark, a fulfilling of the Prophefy which 
foretold the deftruftion of Eli*s houfe- in ^ one 
' day. 

LI 1 1. This Pfaim is almoft word for word as 
the fourteenth. A little varisitionfeems made to 
accommodate it to the prefent occafion, which 
vas Achitrophel'a very artful, but cruel advice 

to 
Samuel x%iu ix. 



( m ) 

to Abfalomi to purfue David , and ptit him t6 
death"* 

LIV. Occafioned by the Ziphites invitation 
to Saul and their perfecution of David, it is fup^ 
pofed the two laft verfes were added afters- 
wards. The Hiftpry is related in the firft Book 
of SamueL* 

LV. A Pfaim eompofed in the very beginning 
of Abfaloms rebellion. The intended flight » 
beautifully exprefled, ^* O that I had wings like 
*• a dove, then would I flee away and be at reft^** 

It is very pi£lurefque and pathetic, and no one 
can read fome parts of it without the tendereft 
emotions* 

I. VI. At a time David was blocked up by the 
l^hiliflines in Gath. Still he is comforted^ 
<* Thou telleft my wanderings, art a witncfs to my 
** diftrefs, as a vagabond, fleeing here and there. 
•' Put thou my tears into thy bottle, let them 
•^ not gufli unheeded, catch them ad they drop> 

LVIL David overwhelmeci with danget and 

diftreft, here pathetically calls forth every tender 

affeflion, and in anguifli, pours out his foul to 

God. He was now clofe hid and bloeked up ii> a 

cavCf 
Samuel JUf^iii. XI Xir 



( ^^5 ) 

xrave three t^oufand foldiers fifrroundcd him,andl 
fceking hiqa put. 

LVIII. Under perfecution when David ^ 
Saul's council-board \yas declared a Traitor aq4 
outlawed. A pfalm moft beautiful in its imagi* 
jnary, fuited to the feenius of the IJaft, in M ani- 
mated ftile dercribing the quick and terrible de- 
ftruction of the wiqked, by a variety of poetic^ 
und ye;ry figQJficant embli^ms and allufions^ 

LIX. A ^falnsi of Deliverance, ^nd a nghle 
' vindication of his Innocence, compofed after 
Michal (Saul's Daughter, and JDavid's Wife) 
jhad efFefted his efcape, by letting him down from 
a window. The Hiftory is recorded in the firft 
Book of Samuel. A mind^fo compofed and at 
peace is a forcible proof of faith and devotionJ 

LX, A Gjaijd CQinme^paorapo^i Anthem, re-i 
wording the fignaJ vidories over the Enemiea-bf 
Ifraeli efpecially in Mcfopotamia and Idumea; 
.Where^ at one time, no lefs tlian twelve .thoufand 
;were flain ip the Valley of SaU. 

Recorded in the fecond Book of Samuel,* an^J 
Book of Chronicles.t 

Vol. II, B b Moab 

/ II, Sam. Chap. viil. f Chronicles xviii. iii. iv. 



( i86 ) 

Moab is my''wa{h-pot (contemptible flaves) over 
Edom will I caft out my fhoe. An Emblem and 
bridge of abjefl: flavery. 

LXI. Devout fupplications to God, during 
his perfecutions from Saul or his flight from 
Abfalom. 

LXII. A Pfalm compofed after the defeat of 

Abfalom, but before his return to J^rufalem. 

Devout profeffions of Faith and confidence in 
God.- 

LXI 1 1. The Hiftory of this Pfalm is recorded 
in the firft Book of Samuel.t 
David was then under bitter perfecution, in 
the Wildernefs of Judah, drove from one lurk- 
ing-place to another, and yet warmly exprcfles 
his fervent piety with a cheerful fpirit of 
devotion. 

LXIV. The Court of Saul, to ingratiate thpm- 
felves with the King, afperfed the charafter of 
David with the utmoft virulence, and David 
compofed this Pfalm and prayer to God when 
he received the information. 

LXV. A Pfalm of Thankfgiving, for deliver- 
ance after fome long drought or famine, difplay- 

ing 
t I. Samuel xxii, v. xxiii. xiv. xv. 



( ^87-) 

ing the glories and beauty of the natural and 
ordinary works of proyidencej^ and a^vfully re- 
cognizing the extraordinary and tremendous, 
wifely afferting that the bleflednefs of Man de- 
pends on his near approaches to his Maker. 

•LXyi. A commemoration of /oijie :%nal 
deliverance or viftory over the Philiftiwes after 
peace was reftored. 

LXVII. LXVIIL Anthems in the proceffipn 
when the Ark was brought to Jerijifalem. ,A 
chofcn band of fingers walked firft in the trAJn, 
thefe were followed by the players on ipftr^nicnts, 
and in the midft of them a . virgin train with tim- 
brel and voice. David -laid afide his ; robes and 
enfigns of royalty, jwith .a. linen ephod, in^a.^e- 
vites drefs, be tuned his harp and acoompapied 
the fingers. 

Hyrbns of high fuhlimUy and grandeur, full .of 
nDbde.imaiges and poetic.fire. 

" LXIX. A Pfalm under deep affliftion and 
perfecution, the infpired writers of the new 
Teftament appear to it as a Proph.efy of the fuf- 
fcrings of Our Saviour, and the ./ubfeqaqnt 
punifliment of the Jjews for JBifideJrtyi 

LXX. Almort a repetition of the laft ,part.of 
the fortieth Pfalm, and made ufe of by David 
during Abfalom's rebellion. 

Bb2 LXXI. This 



( l^g j 

LXXI. This elegant compoGtion vi^^s^^oic 
by David in tte decline of life. The JeWifli 
commentators hatd declared the fufferings in this 
Ffalm to be typical of the Meffiah, Our Saviour 
in the very crifis of his agonies on the Crofs, 
refers to them (Verfc xi.) and thefeby gavfe the 
Jews a ftriking proof of bis being the Mcfliafti 

IXXli. The Royal Pfalmift fired with a hdljr 
tapture; retommetids his Soil and Succ^Qbrto 
the Prote^ion of God^ and prophetically enlarges 
bn all the blefllngs of his Reign. It was David's 
iaft slnd confpofed hot long before his death. 
Solomon's Coronation Antheih. 

Dsivid now aflembled all bis People and matle 
Aiit wife fettlement between his Son and them; 
The meeting and folemnity were trtily grand and 
royal^ a powerful Prince, and all the ftates ot 
his kihgdom religidufly 4ffembledi ati4 f^ft^d 
with royal munificence. The Govtrikhetit wktiM 
wifely eftablifbed produced forty years Pro(^ritjr 
and Peace. 

LXXIII; Commences thfe third Bobk 6t 
Pfalmsi and confifts of fevfenteeri. They are 
pHncipally dn fubjedi of Wrrbwi as the extrapr- 
tlinary providence very vifibly declined. This 
is a.Pfalm of Afaph the Seer. With elegance 
and btautiiful finiplicity, thfe Prophet conferfes 

how 



•^ 



wilf lie vras induced to envy the profpericy <>f 
^tle wicked^ and tells whatt rectified his judgment^ 
^ain^d him a perfe^ viStory over his prejudices^ 
4^d4he xnany advantages arifing from it. 

LXXt V. thfe Author of this Pfalm ifis a die- 
fcehdant of Afaph^ and probably had been pir- 
faiitted to ftay itl Jud^a after the Chaldaeins 
jpoffeflcd the land, the fad fubjea df it is, <hd 
JDiemolitioh of the Temple, Deftru6iion of the 
iCity,'and Defolation of the countr^« 

LXXV. A Sortg df triumph fung oh the dc* 
liverance of Jerufalem frdm the Aflytisln artoy 
i^omnianded by Senna-Cherib, in the reign of 
Hezekiab, but probably compofed by i)avid on 
iis acceflion« 

L5ixVl. A Grand ^oniihcttioratidn of a fa- 
inous Vidory; called a Song upon Aflyria, it^as 
iidopted om the fam< bccafion as the former, ahd 
JTung when the Cbaldaean army was deftroyed bei 
fore Jerufalem; The ftriking reflexion ih the 
tenth verfe was viry fignificant ot thei^" haughty 
menaces and difgracefiil deifeat. *• Surely ihii 
" wrath maii Ihall praife ibee : the rexxiamder of 
*• wrath Ihait thou reftrain.'* Which will you ad<^ 
tnire moil? its fimplicity, wifdom, or fublinai^ ? 



( J90 ) 

LXXVII. The Author, under the heavieft 
affiiHions and moft dejefted ftate of mind, records 
the national calamities of the Jews It was com- 
pcfed during their captivity in Babylon. The 
The Pfalmift confoles his captive brethren with 
hopes of deliverance, and to alleviate their fuf- 
ferings, he enumerates the miracles and fqpport 
God had wrought in their favour, and formerly 
aflPorded them. 

LXXVIII. A pathetic Narrative of the many 
mercies and miracles God had wrought for Ifrael. 
An abftrafl of the Jewifh hiftory from- their bond- 
age to the reign of David. 

LXXIV. This Pfalm is wrote on the fame oc- 
cifion as- the Seventy^fourth, the deftruftion of 
the Temple and the City, a moft fad pifture of 
diftrefs, national and pcrfonal. The Jews with 
great propriety adopted it when in captivity, fuf« 
feringrUn^er Nebuchadnezzer. 

LXXX. Afaph the Seer, in the reign of Hc- 
zekiah, compofed this Pfalm, whtn the Affyrian 
army was furrounding Jerufalem. The elegant 
alluiion and comparifon of Ifrael to a vine, is 
wonderfully pathetic, and highly ernblematical of 
their fituation; and the repetition in the lad 
vcrfe animated and divinely poetic. 

LXXXI. The 



( 190 

LXXXI. The Feaft of the New Moon, a ce- 
lebrated Jewifh Feftival, was always proclaimed 
by the found of trumpets, on the firft day of the 
feventh month. This highly, elegant, lively, and 
beautiful Hymn was compofed on that oecafK>ii» 

LXXXI I. During the reign of Hczekiah, 
corruption had infinuated itfelf into the higher 
Courts, and prevented the irafpattial adminiftra-. 
tion of jufticc. The Author of this Pfalm, in 
order to correfl: the abufe, reprefents to the 
Judges the Omniprefence of God; He was 
liimfelf prefent — He Himfelf prefided at all 
their Tribunals. 

LXXXIII. This Pfalm was firft compofed on 
account of fome .formidable alliance and confe^ 
deracy, fuppofed to be that of Moab and Am- 
nion ; it was afterwards revived and ufed on fi- 
milar occafions. 

LXXXI V. When David was driven front 
Jerufalem, and no accefs either to the Ark or 
Tabernacle, He then compofed this very beau- 
tiful Ode, expreffing his earneft breathings, and 
longings, to be reftored to the privileges of pub- 
lick worfhip. 

LXXXV. A Songof Thankfgivingon David's 
return to Jerufalem after Abfalom's rebellion^ 

and 



( »9? ) 

wd afterwards uf(pd by the Ifr|Leli.tes igpon th^ir 
f^turn from the feyenty years captivity in Baby^ 
|on^ during the interruption to tkc |>uilding of 
t^ir new Temple. 

tiXXXyi. A Pfalm^ or gather a deyo^t 
Prayer of David's under Saul's perfecution^ an4 
ufed during hij^ flight from Abfalom. 

JLXXXyiJ, The High Pj ^ife^of Jcrufakip, 

LXXXVIII. A Pfajm of Ipftruaions by He- 
man the Ezrahite. A mod inimitable Fixture of 
pjefpondency^ 

LXXXIV. A Pfalm wjrotc in Ap reign of 
Zedekiah, whofe fad and deplorable fate be la- 
qents, and aUb the.djefiruQtioa pjf t^e City ata^ 
Temple. 

XC. Commencing the fourth BooJc. A pathe- 
tic Hymn of Mofes, degandy defcriptive of 
Mortality, it was wrote after the return of the 
Spies^ on God*s pr9npuQcipj^ that (prrible and 
righteous judgment. << I will fmilc thi$ people 
with a peftilence and difinhprU them.? Mofes*^ 
ff^rvent prayer averted the immedis^te execution, 
.bul^ of thofe men» only Caleb and Jo{hua, and 
;the very young, thofe under twenty years of ag^, 
^d f<se the land of Canaan, t 



( *93 ) 

XCI. A Pfalm compofed after the raging and 
^eyaftation of a Peftilence, full of confolatipri 
and encouragement to thofe who furvived. A 
Prophefy alfo pf God's protection, and care X>wtif 
good Men, applied to our Saviour. The words 
(in the eleventh and twelfth verfes) wer6 ma^e uf^ 
;of by the 'J'erapter in the Wildernefs* 

XCII. A Sabbath-day Hymn, exciting tfee 
Ifraelites to thofe cx.e,rcifes, and efFufions of 
praife a;id gratitude, the peculiar duty of the 
Sabbath. The Rabbies have called it Adam's 
Song of jPraife pn the firft Sabbath, but others 
think it was wrote in the declen/ion pf the 
Jewifli empire. 

^ XCm. An Ode, by David, on Peace an4 
Tranquility, extolling the Powe,r and Maiefly p^ 
:Qod. 

XCIV. A Hymn of gre^t Sublimity and 
Beauty. ReJigion our iheet anchor, and amid^ 
life's triaU and troubles pur p;ily fure fuppOj|[]t 
.and confolaiion. 

The Argument from ourfdvcs, is wonderfully 
Atfifc and conclufive, refpetiing the prefence and 
knowledge of God. ** He that planteih the 
.*' ear, Ihall he not hear ? He that formed the 

.Yf £. II. jC c „ eye^ 



( 194 5 

*' eye, (hall he not fee ? He that tcacheth man 
*' knowledge, (ball he not know ?*' 

XCV. David's Direftions and Inftruftions for 
the fervice of the Temple, to excite Reverence 
and Attention in the Audience. 

XCVI. A Pfalm of David, fung before the 
Ark, as it was bringing to Mount Sion. 

XCVI I. A Pfalm compofed on its being 
placed there. This Hymn was made ufe of on 
his re-eftabii(hment and return from Jerufalem 
after AbfaJom's death. 

XCVIII. and XCIX. Beautiful and highljr 
animated Commemoration Anthems, Triumphal 
Odes, after fignal Viflories, and they are re- 
ferred to as Prophefies. 

C. A moft lively and glorious Exhortation to 
praife God. Sung while the Sacrifices of Thankf- 
giving \vcre offering up^ 

CI. A Solemn Vow. David's pious Refolution 
to guide well his Houfe, his People, and his 
Kingdom ; a noble profefEon of Godlinefs, and 
highly to his honour. 

CII. A Penitential Pfalm, written in deep af^ 
fliQion during the captivity in Babylon. The 

Author 



( ^95 ) 

Author unknown, but the fentiments are wonder* 
fuHy pathetic, and adapted to feafons of diftrefs. 

cm. Reflections on Recovery after a dan- 
gerous Sicknefs. In the latter part, David gives 
a noble and fublime idea of God's mercy and 
placability^ correfponding with liis Parental 
and tender feelings towards bis Creatures. 

CIV. An exquifitely beautiful Hymn, lofty 
and full of Majefty. Compofed by David in the 
Foreft of Hareth, furrounded by Paftoral Scenes 
which he enchantingly defcribes. Univerfal na- 
ture depends on its Almighty Creator. He with- 
draws his breath, they die ; he breathes, and they 
revive. The idea expreffed in the third verfc, fills 
you with wonder and abafement. The ferene 
deliberate walk of the Deity upon a Creature, 
while in all the fiercenefs of velocity, is a poetic 
flight conceived with inimitable beauty. 

CV. Compofed by David at [the High Fcftival 
Sacrifice, and it was fung before the Ark, as re- 
corded in the firft Book of Chronicles.* It was 
adopted as a Commemoration Anthem after his 
^oiious viftories over the Philiftincs. A brief 
fummary of the Jcwifli Hiftory fuited to Children 
and Foreigners. 

C c 2 CVk. 

Chroniclts xvi, vii. 



CVt . A Pfalm for publick Worfhip, grated 
Acknowledgments and Tliankfgiving?. It is alfo 
a fad narrative of the People's rebellion, their 
high Ingratitude^ and God's unwearied Forbear- 
ance* It tvas Wrote iti the time of the Ifraeliiest 
captivity and difperfiorl ; a fuitable Appendix to 
the former.* 

CVif. A Call and Invitation to All, to sic- 

i 

knowledge the true God, to pfaife Him fof hii 
Mercies, and to tremble at his Judgments. He 
jpdints out a variety of affliftive cafes, and 
fcach of them prove, thit there are no fufFerlrtgs^ 
however grievous, beyond the reach of thie pdwei* 
and goodnefs of God. V/ith clegslnce and high 
fublimityi it dcfcribes God'j adminiftrativc pro- 
vidence dgainft Unbelievers^ The ditigeM off at 
Sea Voyage, a terrible Storth and inftantatieoui 
Calm are beautifully pifturefqu^, incdricieivably 
expireflive. God commands — the Sei i-ddrs and 

iwells impetuous — the Waves afcend Id Heaven 
and dowri to the deep — and again^ at th« Voice of 
God> a filence and a dead calrii iriftantarieoufl)^ 
follow. The contraft and tratifitidti hdw poetic ? 

CVIIIi ThisPfaimisi tet)etiti6h of the fifty* 

feventh and fixtieth, and tldW revived as a prayer 

tof ihankfgiving and cdnfiderice in God. 

CiX. A 
* See Vferft xlvii* 



1 



( ^97 ) 

Ctk. A Pfalm under Perrecution. Review- 
ing David's merciful and mild temper, even to- 
wards his Enerhies, and comparing it with the 
feverity of thefe iniprecatlouns, this compofition 
is fuppofed by fome to be prophecies^ and by 
irithers that the cotfes are David's Enemies on 
him, if you add the word, ** faying*' at the end 
of the fifth vet'fe, it may be invariably read fa 
throughout, the eighth verfe is applied to Judas 
4*y the ^pbftle Peter. 

ex. David's Prophefy refpefting thfc Meffiah^ 
knd Our Saviour informs us, it was the Holy 
tJhoft who infpired the Royal Pfalmift when he 
Wrote it. 

CXi. A Grateful Coitimemoration of the 
goodnefs of God, appointed to be fiing on High 
Feftivals. 

CXil. Called David's Creed. A graceful 
ind elegant piflure of a good man in affluence^ 
with the priviledges and rewards annexed to tht 
tharaSer. 

CXIII* This Pfalih -and five following were 
rehfcarfed at their Feftivals, their new Moons, ancJ 
on the Pafcbal Night, one of thefe were chofeii 
by Our Saviour on that ever memorable occa- 
^on^ 

CXtV. A 



( 198 ) 

CXIV. A beautiful allufion to the departure 
of the Ifraelites out of Egypt. After the con-. 
vulfions and confternation of nature, the Pfalmift 
ftrikes you with agreeable furprize, by drawing 
away the veil, and fo awfully introducing the 
prefencc of the Almighty. " Tremble thou 
" earth at the prefence of the Lord, at the pre- 
•« fence of the God of Jacob.*' 

CXV. A Song of Triumph after fome viQory 
over an Idolatrous Adverfgiry. Contrafting the 
Idol Gods they worfhipped, with Jehovah, the 
God of Ifrael. 

CXVI. David's confblation under the diftrefs 
he felt, at the revolt of fome particular friends, 
during Abfalom's rebellion. The fupport of God 
in trouble afforded him the higheft pleafure, 
and was a powerful perfuafive to love and ferve 
him. 

CXVII, A Pfalm expreffing Ifraels gratitude 
to God for fo many diftinguilhing bleffings and 
favours. 

This is a prophefy of the general joy of all na- 
tions at the coming of the Meffiah and propoga*^ 
tion of the Gofpel, and thus the Apoftle Paul 
applies it. 

CXVIII. A 



I 



( m ) 

ex VI II. A Song of Triumph. ViBory U 
afcribed to God, his arm fought valiantly. It 
'ivas wrote after David's fettlement over all Ifrael 
and fung in parts. 

To verle the twentieth was fung by David — 
Verfes twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, 
twenty-four were fung by the People. The Priefts 
then pronounced the benediflion, after which 
(verfe twenty-eighth) the Pfalmift begins again, 
and affirms, he will never be forgetful of his God. 
^ Thou art my God, and I will praife thee, thou 
'* art ray God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks 
" unto the Lord for he is good ; for his mercy 
*^ endureth for ever/' 

CXIX. A Pfalm divided into twenty-two 
ilanza's or parts, and every ftanza qtnfwering i^ 
the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 

The Royal Pfalmift difengages the thoughts 
and affe£lions of good men frpm the World, and 
fixes them on divine love, piety, and godlinefs, 
in order to make them more humble, meek, and 
harmlefs. Throughout the whole, he approves, 
admires, efteems and prefers religion and virtue 
for their own intrinfic w^orth and excellency^ 
powerfully inviting you to the ftudy, belief, and 
prafclife of your duty. 

This Pfalm is penned with great plainnefs and 
Simplicity of ftyle, fuited to all capacities. It 
i:j[>nfills of one hundred and fevcnty-fix verfes, 

mi 



( 200 ) 

and there ^irc nine words almoft of the fame fig^ 
nification, " Law, Statutes, Precept, Com- 
f* mandments, Teftimonies, Judgments, Word, 
** Righteoufnefs, Way," and but one fingle 
yerfe, where one oc more of them are not founds 
and without any tautology. There i^ ^ great 
deal of art in repeating the fame words fp pften^ 
!tf ith fo much variation of fe^fe* 

CXX. A Song of Excellencies, fung upon the 
ifteps leading up to the Temple on fedivaU an4 
iiolydays, defcriptive of the fufierings and diftj'ef^ 
tbey bad endured in Babylon^ and a prayei^ 
Aiited to their fituation. This Pfalm ^|id thjb 
iburteeii following are called fongs of degrees. 

CXX I. A Pfalm coippofed by David during 
Abfaiom's rebellion.. David fung himfelf the 
two firft verfes, and the People all burft fortb 
and chanted the remainder, 

CXXII. Compofed for the Sabbathor folemn 
Feafts, and ufed by thofe who vifited the Ark^ 
David expreffes his devout joy at the fcttlemenj^ 
of it. 

CXXIIL One af David's firft Pfalms whcM 
4.he Ifraelites were without fword or fpear, wrote 
under oppreffion and in the dcepeft diflrefs. 

The 



( 201 ) 

The Evangelift St. Luke recommends it as a 
model of patience, and perfcverance in prayer. 

CXXIV. A commemoration of fome fignal 
viftory and providential efcape, fuppofed to be 
by thunder and lightning. The Pfalmifts ex- 
treme danger is beautifully figured by the greedy 
fwallow of a wild beaft, and by drowning. 

CXXV, On the arrival of the Aflyrian Mo- 
narch before Jerufalem. Hezekiah applied to 
the Prophet Ifaiah, and thefe words fo elegant 
fublime and poetical were diftated by the Pro- 
phet himfelf. The Safety of all thofe who truft 
in God. 

CXXVI. Easra's Hymn of encouragement oh 
the return of the Jews from their captivity ih 
Babylon. The benefit of affliftions experi- 
enced afterwards. " They who fow in tears 
** (hall reap in joy. He who goeth forth and 
*' weepeth, bearing precious feed, fhall doubt- 
** lefs come again rejoicing, bringing his flieavcs 
•* with him.'' 

CXXVII. A Pfalm of Solomon^s, founded on 
a pious maxim. 

" A man's heart devifeth his way, but the 
€* Lord dircdeth h;s fteps." Written when he 
was planning the building of the Temple. 

Voj.. lU D d CXXVIII. 



( 202 ) 

CXXVIII. A celebrated Marriage Ode. 
A Song of Solomon's, harmonious and in high 
efteem. A gradual rife of blefBngs. 

CXXIX. By Ezra, on the threatnings and 
combinations of the neighbouring ftates oppcfing 
their rebuilding Jerufalem. 

CXXX. A Pfalm of David under the rebukes 
of his confcience, and the dread of having of- 
fended God. A folemn and devout addrefs for 
forgivenefs, 

CXXXI. Under the malicious reports of his 
afpiring to the Throne, during the life time of 
Saul, David wrote this folemn appeal and anfwer 
to his accufers. 

CXXXII. A Pfalm of Solomon's on his re- 
moval of the Ark. He appointed it as a fet 
form of prayer in the Temple, and it is a Pro* 
phefy of Samuel's.t 

CXXXIII. On the union of the houfes of 
Ifrael and Judah, under David, and a great ani- 
mofity fubdfting among the Tribes at Abfalom's 
death, David re-publiflied this fhort exhortatiou 
to unity and brotherly love. 

CXXXIV. A 

t 2 Samuel vii. v. xii. 



( 203 ) 

CXXXIV- A Levite's Hymn, fung "on fliuu 
ting the gates of the Temple, recommending 
vigilance and a pious difcharge of duty. The 
two firft verfes were fung by the People, and the 
laft is a Levite's anfwer. 

CXXXV. A Morning Hymn, fung by thofe 
who flept in the Temple, on the firft opening of 
the gates. 

CXXXVL A part of the daily fervice of the 
Temple. A commemoration of the attributes of 
God. All of them fubjefts of devout praife and 
tbankfgiving, but his mercy and gbodnefs more 
particularly, hence the elegant conclufion of 
every verfe, " for his mercy endureth for ever." 

This was David's own adding, and it was re-, 
hearfed and fung in the fame manner by Solomon, 
Jehofophat, and others. 

CXXXVir. A Pfalm wrote by the Prophet 

Jeremiah for the ufe of thofe who were going into 

captivity. A beautiful and moft pathetic com- 

pofuion. A citizen of Jerufalem reprefcnted 

as banifhed to Babylon, fitting mournfully by 

the river fide, and looking towards his dear 

Country. His new matters afk of him a fong and 

a tune on his harp, the Jew with indignation and 

grief, cries out, how Ihall I fing the Lord's fong . 

in 
Dd « 



( 203 ) 

JV. A Levite's Hymn, fung on fliut- 

gates oF the Temple, recommending 

, ^^^ and a pious difcharge of duty. The 

ftfl verfe$ were fung by the People, and the 

|Levite*s anfwer. 

lXV. a Morning Hymn, fung by thofe 
k in the Temple, on the firft opening of 
Is. 

iXVI. A part of the daily fervicc of the 
A commemoration of the attributes of 

LU of them fubjefts of devout praife and 

ang, but. his mercy and gbodnefs more 
iirly, hence the elegant conclufion of 
trfe, " for his mercy endureth for ever." 

iras David's own adding, and it was re- 
mind fung in the fame manner by Solomon, 

sat^ and others, 

[VII. A Pfahn wrote by the Prophet 
r for the ufe of thofe who were going into 
A beautiful and moft pathetic com- 
A- citizen of Jerufalem reprcfcntcd 
icd to Babylon, fitting mournfully by 
fide, and looking towards his dear 
His new maftcrs afk of him a fong and 
r urn ^^^ ''^T* ^'^c Jc^^ ^^^^ indignation and 
|| 3es out, how ihall I fing the Lord's fong 

Del s 



( 204 ) 

in a ft range land, and then tenderly burfts out. 
•' If I forget thee, O' Jerufalem, let my right hand 
forget her cunning, if I do not remember thee, 
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth/'' 

CXXXVIII. Compofed by David foon after 
his afcenfion, an acknowledgment of God's 
goodnefs in advancing hirfi to the Throne, froifl 
fcenes of perfecuiion and deep diftr^fs. The 
Prophet* Haggai and Zachariah introduced it 
into the fervicc of the Templfe, after the cap* 
tivity, 

CXXXIX. Defervedly efteemed the moff 
interefting, noble, and fublime of all the Book 
of Pfalms. David wrote it as a full anfwcr to 
the afperfions on his charaQer. A ferious and 
very folemn appeal to God. It begins with ah 
awful furvey of his Omnifcience, the nobfeft 
fublirae and moft elevated ftrain of thought is 
then purfucd. 

Our AftionSi Thoughts, whole Life, naked and 
open to the view of God, Afar off before I can 
conceive or form a thought, thou knoweft it, my 
fecret whifper, and all my meaning, before my 
tongue can utter it. 

From fuch power or knowledge, whither cail 
I flee ? The wings of the morning, the Sun beams 

in 



( 205 ) 

in point df fwiftnefs avail me nothing, thy fwificr 
hand would firft arrive, and arreft me every 
where, in Heaven above or Hdl below. 

Darknefs is no veil or covering, with equal 
cafe, the eye of God pervades the darkeft me- ' 
dium or the brighteft, and feeing me (when yet 
as it were, there was none of me) now formed 
«nd made up of flefh and bone, much more O* 
God muft thou fee me and know me, fince thou 
haft not only made me and falhioned me, but by 
thy right hand hath led me, and to the prefent 
moment upheld, condufted and difpofed of me. 
Good God ! how penetrating ? how incompre-* 
henfible ? 

CXL. A Pfalm under Saul's perfecution, the 
•alumnies of Doeg, and the treachery of the 
Ziphites. In grateful remembrance of God's 
deliverance, David appointed it to be fung and 
publickly rehearfed on his acceflion. 

CXLI. A Pfalm of David, conipofed the, 
night before his flight to Achifh, King of Gath, 
after the bloody flaughter of Ahiipelec and hiis 
Priefts praying for Caution, Prudence, and 
Prcfervation amidft the idolatries of the PhiliC 
tines. 

CXLI I. An earneft and devout fupplication 
to God in deep diftrefs, when David was Ihut u[» 

andi 



( 206 ) 

md concealed in the cave of Engedi. The filcfit 
Workings of his mind vrhen his Safety depended 
on his ftiilnefs. 

CXLIIL The laft of David's Penitential 
Ffalms, exprefling the ftrongeft fenfe and indig- 
nation againft guilt, and .very pathetic expoftula- 
tions with God, when he was on his (light from 
Abfalom and paffmg over Jordan by night. 

CXLIV. A grateful commemoration of a 
Viftory over the Philiftines foon after David's 
acceffion. 

CXLV. A very elegant Pfalm of praifc and 
thankfgiving. The Jews were fo fond of this 
devout and very beautiful ode, that they be- 
lieved every one who would repeat it three 
times every day, would be inhabitants of the 
Heavenly Canaan. 

CXLVI. A Pfalm compofed by fome pious 
Jew after the captivity. One from experience 
taught, not to put his truft in Princes. In order 
to elevate the Minds of the Singers to the 
higheft pitch of joy and rapture, it ends with 
Halelujah — Praife ye the Lord. 

CXLVIL 



{ 207 } 

CXLVII. National thankfgivings to God, 
for the revelation of his will and for his ex- 
cellent Laws, by Nehcmiah, fung at the new 
dedication of the fecond Temple. 

CXLVIIl. A lively animated Invocation on 
-all Creatures individually to worftip God their 
Creator. Ideas enchantingly pleaiing, glowing 
^ith holy rapture and pure devotion. A Pfalm 
of David, wrote in the moft flourifliing date of 
his Kingdom, perfonal Thankgiyings too iiu 
adequate to the divine bleflings he enjoyed. All 
Creation is fummoned forth to join him. 

CXLIX. CL. Magnificent Commemora- 
tions of Signal ViSorie?, and Military Odes, 
fung before engagements, and iluring thefr 
marches. 

Befides xhefe Pfalms, one more is faid to be 
wrote by David, very young, on his encounter 
with Goliah. 

X. " I WAS fmall, the leaft among my Brethren^ 
*^ The youngeft in my Father's houfc. 

^, " My hands made an Organ, 
" Attd mypingcrs timed the Harp. 

3. '< An^ 



( 2o8 ) 

3. ** And who fliall declare to my Lord ? 
" The Lord, He hiinfelf fliall hear me. 

4. ** He fcnt his Angel out, 

** He took me from my Father's fliccp, 

" And anointed me with the oil of his anointment, 

5. " My Brethren were many and great, 

• ** But the Lord did not think well of them. 

6. ** I went out to encounter the Stranger, 
** He curs'd me by his Idols and Gods, 

7. ** Three ftones caft I, which pierced his Forehead 
" In the ftrength of the Lord, he lay proftrate. 

8i /* Drawing out his Sword, I cut off bis head, 
** And took away the Reproach from my Country/ 

This Compofition may be fuppofed too puerile 
to be admitted, as the Pfalms of David abound 
with Images highly poetical and elegant, his 
thoughts inexpreflibly grand, lofty, elevated, and 
fublime. 



ESSAY 



\ 



ESSAY 3^X11, 



ON T H £ 



WORKS OF SOLOMON, 



BOOK OF PROVERBS^ 

£ C C L E S I A S T E S— r-S O N G S, 

: i. .1 J! P"P", J . I 

P R O V E R B S. 

-QOLOMON wfts the firft Author properly 
^ cs^lled a ^^oralift• His Book ' contains a 
^ich .ftqre of Wifdoin, and Divine Knowledge^ 
iiighly inftruftive, of infinite ufe to the right 
^condyQ; of the prefent Life, and to» the {tilJL 
jinore important intcreils of a future. It is a 
yo>."lI. Ee liopk 



C 210 ) 

Book often referred to by the Evangelical Wri- 
ters, and was the refult of confideration and ex- 
perience in maturer life, when the Royal Preach- 
er had multiplied his ftorcs from a long obfer- 
vation on Men and the World. His wife Re- 
fleftions and moral Sayings are concifely cxpref- 
fed, fimple and plain, but folid and good. Tho 
Proverbs generally confift of two Sentences, the 
fecond is fometimes a rcduplification, fometimes 
an explanation, and fometimes a contrail and op- 
pofitionto the iirft. 

A detached piece of Hiftory may be neither 
underftood nor retained, but a few of tbefc, well 
chofen and digefted, will be very pertinently 
ufeful on many occafions. Some one or other of 
them may fuit the moment, ftrike the fancy and 
imagination, and be almoft mechanically remem- 
bered, fhort — concifc — independent Wife-Say- 
ings, fubjefls of our Contemplation and regula- 
tors of our ConduS 

The Ancients were ufed to divide all Books 
into verfes, and the learning of the Eaft confifted 
touch in interpreting Riddles — Parables — Pithy 
-Sentences ; and Solomon, in a reign of forty 
years, uninterrupted Peace, excelled much in all 
thefe lively fports and fancies. He fpoke more 
than three thoufand, and it was a frequent, en- 
tertaining 



V. 



( 211 ) 

tcrtaining^ and inftruftiye amufement of tligfc 
times, to be refolying and explaining them. 

Some were confecrsLted >in Temples and attri- 
buted to ^ the Gods, too wife for Mortals, v They 
w.ere engraven on Columns, Statues, Pillars, Al- 
tars, Bufls. and Coins. The celebrated Speaker* 
and Writers were popularly revered, atid noticed 
with honorary titles, as in Arts and Sciences; ao 
elegant Painter, Architeft or Statuary; 6rin Li- 
terature, a Linguift, a Poet or Hiftorian. 

The Ancients afcribed wonderful power and 
efficacy to them, they were influential as charms, 
to allay impetuofity and paffion, to reclaim the 
vicious, as well as excitements to emulation, glory 
and virtue. They very much preferred' them 
to a ferious fludied reproof, to 4 long elaborate 
difcourfe. It was the fa(hion of the\timis id 
write thus loofelv and without coherence, it led 
you to think, compare, apply, to habits of re- 
fleftion and improvement. 

Princes fent their SayingS and Riddles to one 

, another, it was a great honour to itnveil their 

Myftery, the entertainment of a Drawing-room 

or a Court, and a reward was very ufually held 

out to the Perfon who unriddled them the firft. 

.V- 

Ec a ' As 



( 212 j 

As ilo one fubjeft i^ long purfued^ very litifd 
order is obferved throughout the Book. It is 
divided into five parts, Tfie firft extends to the 
tenth Chapter, and is a highly pleating Preface or 
Introdud;ion^ moft pi6hirerque and beautifnl. £x^ 
hortations from an experieneed Tutor to his PupiU 
Wherein he employs Wit, Ridicule, the bluQies' 
of ingentious Modefty, and all the arts of Per-r 
ibafion, in fw^t and ever-varying Language^ to' 
■^engage and intereft you in the cairfc and dc-^ 
fence of Innocence and Piety* 

The feeond part ends' at the fevenlccAtb vcf fe 
of the twenty-fecond Chapter, and contains plaint 
and fimple Rules and Mkxims adapted to the in-J 
ftruEtion of Youth, and they might be intended 
by Solomon for his Son. To ufe his own Si- 
mile, *' they ard Apples of Gold, in Piftures of 
« Silver/* 

The third part carries you on to the twenty- 
fifth Chapter ; for a more lively efFefty the Tutor 
is here fuppofed to addrefs his Pupil as prefent, 
his Exhortations and Inftruftiomi are therefore 
more connefted. 

The fourth part ends at the thirtieth Chapter^ 
and is fuppofed to have been added to the Book 
after Solomon's deathi 

The 



\ 



( 2^3 ) 

"the fifth conUins a fragment of To raN^ prudent 
Admonitions^ which Agur delivered to his PupiU 
ithiel and Ucalj and alfo His Prophecj';, Prayer^ 
and Confeffioni 

Agur commences his addreft to his Pupils 
Vith a Hiodeft and humbfe fenfe of his own no4 
tbingnefs and Ignorance; Agur claims no diving 
infpiration, at lead an imperfeft and iricampre- 
henfive one. Knowledge belongeth unto God^ 
is his prerogative alone, and therefore yoa ItHiel 
and Ucal muft not expeft Divine Myfteries front • 
me, or any man, but from the word of God: 
thus wifely inculcating in his Pupils a humble 
teachable terhjier, iiiiprefling on them the Weak-^ 
nefs of all human underftanding, and the im- 
perfeftion of its higheft attainments. 

Agur's devout and fervent Prayer to God 
follows this very modeft IntroduQion. 

'* Two things have t required of Thee, O 
«' God ! deny me not them i)efore I die. Re- 
*' move from me Vanity dnd Lies i give rfte 
** neither Poverty nor Ri<:hes, feed me with 
•• Food convenient for me, left I be full and 
*' deny Thee, and fay, who is the Lord? dr 
*• left I be poor and fteal, and take the Namej 
•* of my God in vain.'* O ! blefled moderation^ 

in 



rr* 



( 214 ) 

in an age when Temporal Bleffings were mare 
exprefsly promifed, and Spiritual lefs clearly un^ 
derftood. 

Nothing can evince the juftncPs and propriety 
of Agur's petition, nor redound fb much to 
Agur's honour, as that his judgment ihould be 
confirmed by Divine Wifdom itfelf, ** Give us 
** this day our daily bread," implying like 
Agur's, a conditional requeft for a fupply of 
fucb things as our fituation in life requires, ac- 
companied with a peifefl fubmiflion, to the 
via of God. 

Agur alludes to the cuftom of feeding Slaves, 
a certain meafure of food was daily allowed 
them, they were kept fecure from want, though 
they had nothing fuperfluous in conftant de- 
pendance, but receiving a daily fupply, Agur 
prays only for daily fubfiftence, that he may 
be daily induced to return thanks, ancf renew his 
petition to God. 

Wife and highly inftruQive are the reafons 
he affigns, left I be full, and lie, and contemp- 
tuous fay, who is the Lord? deny the being 
and providence of God (I can aft and live on 
my own without him) or left I be poor and 

fteal. 



( 2^5 ) 

Ileal, and take the name of my God in vain, 
^fe a falfe oath to vindicate myfelf, when I am 
fufpeaed and accufcd, for theft was not pu- 
nifhed by death, but by reftitulion, fine or pe- 
nalty, apd an. oath was adminiftercd to the ac- 
cu(ed perfon, when fufficip nt evidence was 
wanted, oaths were then held moft facred, and 
an ingenuous mind might be induced to confef* 
iiis fault, rather than increafe his guilt by per- 
jury. 

Marty more wife direftibns ^and rules of con- 
^u£i, this good man give?? his pupils, accufe no 
fervarit rafhly, or malicioufly, there are mon- 
4iers fo unnatural as to curfe even their parents, 
Agur charges them not to deride a parent, though 
it be with a look or gefture, ** the eye that 
** mocketh his Father, and defpifeth to obey 
*\ his Mother, the Ravens of the Valley (hail 
^' pick it out, and the young Eagle (hall eat it/* 

He next guards them againft pride and info- 
ience, a haughty carriage and a contemptuous 
look, and with the keeneft rebuke, he laflies 
'the extortioner, and him that would grind the 
poor. After this, Agur names the induftriqus 
animals, thofe who provide their food in the 
Summer, and propofes them to his pupils, as 
examples of wifdom, ajUd concludes his le£ture» 



( 2l6 ) 

hy exhorting them earneftly to penitence, " if 
^ thou baft done foolifhiy in lifting up thyfelf, 
^ or if thou haft thought evii, lay thy hand 
^' upon thy mouth, do not juftify or excufe it, 
*• fileully and ferioufty confider the evil of it, 
•^ repent, and do fo no more. 

The laft Chapter is Queen ^^^hfheba's paf- 
fioi^te, motherly addrefs, and ^oo4 council to 
her ; Son Solomon, after he had ^fcended the 
throne of Ifrael, wife and pious advice, fuch 9. 
xegiilation of life and condud:, as would main- 
tain vigojur of body, and purity <)f mind; a 
-preffing invitation to temperance, and a free- 
dom from all exceftes* It is not far Kings to 
drink mne, O my Son ! give ftrong drink to 
}iim that is ready to periih, let him drink, for- 
getting his poverty, and remembring his mifery 
no more, allay his cares, and fears, and cheer his 
fpirits. Seating hex Son thenx>n his Throne, io 
his high Court of Juftice, flie reminds him of a 
Aria adherence to the laws, a firmnefs ojf 
^nind not to be Ihook, uninfluenced by partiality 
or indulgence. *' As a Jud^e, my Son, open thy 
ipouth to the dumb, and for th|pfe under fontence 
^<^ die. Judge a righteous judgment, and be 
the poor man's friend, and counfcllor." 

The 



.( 217 ) 

The remaining part of Bathfheba's fpeech, is 
her wife directions concerning Matrimony, iu 
the elegant Cmplicity and fweeteft line of do- 
meftic life, (he exhibits a beautiful and highly 
finifhed portrait of a virtuous Woman and a 
good Wife. 



O N T H E 

BOOK 

O F 

E C C L E S I A S T E S, 



IN the decline of life, upon a ferious review 
of all that had paffed, Solomon wrote his 
Book of Ecclefiaftes or the Preacher. * He here 
annalizes his large experience and obfervation» 
on the Vanity even of the ferious and thoughtful, 
as well as the gay and profp^rous fcenes of hu- 
man life. 

A curious and critical Inquiry^ after Happi- 
nefs, and the Royal Preacher informs you, how 
far you may fucceisfuUy purfue, and acquire it. 

Well grounded and liighly inftruclive arc his 
Refleftions on the Study of Wifdom. The ut- 
ter varVity and infufficiency cf Riches, Titles, 

Vol. IL F f Honours 



m 

Hinu'Urs to procure it. i^iubltion 1k>\\'' ufually 
dcdrufclive to ouifclvcs and others. The deccU 
aiul ucin^LT of the outer form of Gcdlinefs, with- 
out the inward and rubilatit>al reality, and Solo- 
Tiion expatiates largely on all their litileDefs and 
infuiSciency to liappincfs; and then lays down 
many wife and excellent Rules enfuring Tran- 
tjaility. Peace, and Enjoyment to the careful 
and attentive obfcrvcrs of them. 

..S O L O M O N'S W 1 3 E M A" X I M S. 

Maintain a grateful thankful Heart, in the free 
ufe of all your Bleffings. 

A humble Acquiefcencc and Refignation to 
' God, under ^11 the Kvents which may befal u^. 

Devout and reverential Addrelfcs, put up to 
('od in linccrity of Heart, and a' religious Per- 
Toru'iance of pur Vows. 

Patience and Submidion finder SuiTerings and 
•Oppi'efiion, unrullicd by Sorrows, unrepiiiing in 
Aliiiciiun. 

Maintain Caiujour, Pruilerice and Moderatipa 
iovvards ail Men. 

Meekncf?^ 



(. 219 ) 

McekiirTv^ Chanty, and Forbeararnce to all 
Vho have ofFcnded us. 

Loyalty^and Obedience to Superior**, Kindncfs 
and HuWranity to all. 

The wiTcft, fafeft, beft Preparation for Death, 
Judgment, and Eternity, is xhe habitual Fear oi 
God^ and the keeping his Commandments. 

The Book elegantly concludes with the awful 
reafon affigned, mod powerfully pcrniafivc. 
•* There is a day of future reckoning already 
^* announced, for every work, and cvciy fecret 
** thing, whether it be good, or whether ii be 
'' evil." 

Solomon well aware of the pronenefs of 
Youth (ever lively warm and hopeful) to pr^jfer 
the agreeable and prefent, to the ufeful and fu- 
ture, obferving how peculiarly amiable and lovelv 
Wifdom is, at fuch a fcafon, commences his l^it 
Chapter, with a Perfuafive to early Piety, and 
the moll highly finiflied Portrait of Old Age fol- 
lows it, pencilled in a fcientific and mod mailerly 
ftile, beautifully expreffive. 

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy 
Youth (the choiceft period of thv life) befoie the 

F f 3 CVii 



( 220 ) 

evil days come (ferve Him now, He will keq^ 
you then) and the years draw nigh, in whicK 
thou fhalt fay, I have no pleafure in them. 

Of the fecond verfc Man is himfelf the fub- 
jeft. While the Sun (the emblem of the foul), 
or the Light (reafon), or the Moon (inftinft and 
i^s powers), or the StaKs (luminaries of fancy* 
judgment, and experience ftored up in the me- 
mory) be not darkened, nor the Clouds return 
after the Rain, one mifery after another. 

In the third and fourth veifes the figure is 
varied, and your ideas are carried to the fimili- 
rude of a Iloufe or Caflle. In the day when 
the keepers of the houfe (the hands and arms) 
Ihall tremble, and the ftrong men (the feet and 
back) fhall bow ttiemfclves, and the grinders 
(ihe teeth) fhall ceafe becaufe they are few, and 
and thofe that look out of the windows be dark- 
ned, fo literally leprefciiting the tycs and the 
fpcftaclcs. 

And the doors fiiall be fliut to the ftreet, (the 
fiiouth, pafTages for the? voice, and to the llo- 
mach) when the found of the grinding is low, 
(fcarcely heard) and he fliall rife np at the 
voice of the biid, (eafily waked, full of aches 
andpiin<i) and ali tlie Daughters of mufic fliall 

be 



( 121 ) 

pe brouglit low, the orgmns fuch as the ears; lips, 
Uing% tong'Ji^ an4 teeth, all deadened and in^^r 
paired. 

Alfo when tliey (hall be afraid of that which 
is high, (foon giddy, weary, out of breath) and 
fear (hall be in the way (leaft they fliould be 
thruft, ftumble or hurt), and- the almond tree the 
forerunner of Spring (the emblem of the blof- 
foms of age, the white and hoary locks) fliall 
flourifh, and the grafshopper fhall be a burthen 
(the lighteft hop and its little fong fhall worry 
him) defire (of meat and drink and enjoyment) 
Ifeali fail, becaufe man goeth to his long home 
(the grave), and the mourners (a folemn procef- 
fion) go about the ftreets, attendants pn his fu- 
neral. 

Or ever the filver cord be loofed (the fpinal 
marrow beautifully white and fhining), or the 
golden bowl be broken (containing the brain), 
or the pitcher be broken at the fountain (the 
vaft capacious vein pouring into the heart, all the 
blood returning from the body), or the wheel 
(the high round arch of the great artery) broken 
at the ciftern the heart, the left ventricle of 
which, in each fyftole, replenifhes the wheel,^ 
which whirls the new made blood to all the parts. 
- of the body, 

The» 



( 222 ) 

Then fliall the Duft return to the earth as if 
was; and the Spirit fliall return 'up to Gcni who 
made it. 



ON THE 

CANTICLES, 

OR. 

SONGS OF ,SOLOMON. 



TH E youthful Monarchs fprightly Odes^ 
written in the warmth and luxuriance o^ 
fancy> aniidft the gaieft fcenes of all his life. 

'They are wrote in the allegorical, myftical 

and fublime langiwge of the Eaft, a kind of 

Drama uttered in the names of fcveral perfons; 

they defcribe the love andf happy marriage of 

two eminent perfons in high and exalted ftations, 

generally fuppofed to be Solomon himfelf, and 

.Queen Shulamite, the Daughter of Pharoah^ 

Khig of Egypt, 

The 



( ^23 ) 

The flights of fancy in thefe gay and Ittely 
tkHies, and the ever varying images, mewphot$ 
and figures throughout, ftrike you with furprize 
even at this diftance, when fo imany of their 
beauties muft be loft. 

The forty-fifth Pfalm, is an abridgment of 
ihis Song of Songs, and was the marriage ode 
publickly rehe^irfed at that folemnity, when a 
chofen band of young virgins, all in white, and 
bedecked with flowers, joyoufly met, encircling 
the bride, and chanted an Anthem, with the 
tabret and the harp, in honour of the happy Pair, 
a^id their Efpoufals. 

Thefe Songs aje all df them of the paftoral 
fcind, pleafingly defcriptivc of rural life, and the 
molt enchanting domeftic enjoyments. The 
Jewiili writers repiefent it as a parable and 
n)yllery alluding lo Chri.ft and the Church, 
the reading of it was forbad at Jerufalem until 
the age of thirty years, which was their facer- - 
dotal age, when realbn grown riper, the aflSe^i- 
ons were more compofed and iuited to contem- 
plate its divine tendency^ no doubt they had 
fears, left a very juvenile reader fliould give 
too wide a fcope to fancy, and attend too muc^j^ 



lo a literal undcrltanding cf it. 



U 



( 224 ) ' 

tt is however a fhort, elegant^ and beautifuf 
Poenit in which the name of God is not once 
mentioneds and in which no one religious or 
moral duty is recommended, and it is never 
cited either by Our Saviour, or any oae of his 
Apoftles. 




ESS Ay 



ESSAY XXIII, 



INTRODUCTION 

TO THE 

f R O P H E T S, 

A K p 

LIFE 

O F T H S 

PROPHET ELIJAH. 



TO the firft Ages, and to thofe who faw theiri 
performed. Miracles were the great proof 
of Revelation. To later Agfcs, the Prophecies 
afFord a moft unequivocal Proof, a permanent 
Miracle to all thofe vho ^itncfs their fulfil* 
sient. 
yoL. II. C g For 



( 225 ) 

. For the fpace of four hundred years, Jchovafa 
had himfelf prefided as Supreme Judge, Law- 
giver, and King over IfraeU God was thew 
pleafed to elcft Prophets, and they flourifhed in 
regular continued fucceflion a thoufand years.* 
Their Lives, Charafters, Miniftry, and Predic- 
tions, form a very interefting and moft inftruftivc 
part of the Hiftory. Their Denunciations are 
ftrikingly awful, their Promifes, Meflages, and 
information powerfully influentialj perftiafive, 
and conlblatory. By a reclufe life, auftere 
manners, and a peculiar Garb, they were fet 
apart and. diftinguifhed from the reft of the 
People, they were fupportcd and provided for, 
fometimes by miracle; fometimes living in a 
kind of Brotherhood or Community, under fome 
one 3s a fuperior; fometimes fequeftcred from 
the world, they wandered in Deferts or on 
Mountains, and flept in Caves, clad in hair (kins 
or coarfc woollen, and on mournful occafions in 
fackcloth and afhes, habituated to many hard- 
Ihips and the moft fimple ft/le of life, but yet they 
were looked up to as the eftablifhcd Oracles of 
their country, and confulted on all emergencie5. 
The haughty and abandoned Prince was oft-times 
compelled to obey, although the rebuke (hould 
fo enrage him^ as to endanger the \'\k of the 

Prophet,, 
* xlvii. Prophets & vi. Prophctefles^ 



( 227 ) 

froptiet. At Naioth, a very plea fan t village 
iiear the city of Ramah, Samuel endowed and 
founded a College, and alfo a School for the 
young Prophets. Another was built by the Pro- 
phet Elifha on Mount Caroiel, where he edu- 
cated a number of young Students, and boarded 
them himfelf ; and there were others atjcrufalena 
the capital, and at Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal, 
three celebralted and populous cities in Judaea. 

The Spirit of God taught theni in various 
Modes, conferring different degrees of illumina- 
tion, in Vifibnsj Dreams, and more abfolute 
CoHTcrfe and Revelations-^By coincidence with 
the High Prieft in the inftitutions of Urim and 
Thummim, called Light and Knowledge — By 
his Spirit fuperintending and guiding them in 
the exercife of their own underftandings, di- 
refting them in the communication of that 
Knowledge which they derived from ordinary 
fourccs of intelligence. 

Animated with holy ardour and zeal for God, 
they employed themfelves in the exalted OflBce 
'''* of teaching and reforming Mankind, no unwor- 
thy Paffions or difingenuous Motives interfered 
with their wife and great Dcfigns ; by every ex- 
ertion they inftrufted and reclaimed, reproved 
and threatened every rank, and ftation, even 

G g « the 



die ttooft exalted, and ihofe encirtled in the 
highcft Dignities, with a fearlefs affurahcc and 
fincerity, a mahly courage contimanding refpeft ;' 
^nd they evinced the integrity of their Charac- 
ters, by zealoufly encountciing Oppreffion, Ma- 
lice, Tottufc and Death in the caufe of Religion 
and Piciy; firmly fUpporting trial of ctuci Mock- 
ings a'nd Scoilrgings, yea, moreover of Bondaf 
And Imprifonment. They wetc Hoped, they 
•wei^c fawn afunder, were lempted^ were flain by 
the Sword, they walndered aboiit, deftifute, tor- 
mented, and afflifted. Suffered Martyrdom foir 
that Righteoufnefs, which; when impartially 
Viewed, commanded Veneration; the higheft Re- 
verence and Efleem. They delivered their pre- 
diftions openly and boldly in the ftfeets and 
places of piiblick relbrt, they (liick them iip bii 
the gates of the Temple and the City walls. 
After the lifual aind familiar cuftoms of the Eaft; 
they fometimes prbphefied by a£lion, aind they 
Vere ftrikingly impreflive and awful; always cor- 
refpondirig with true dignity and decorum. Je- 
remiah piit oil bonds aiid hung a yoke about hii 
neck, and walked pUblickly about the ftreets, 
ftrongly to intimate the fubjeftion God was 
sibout to bring oh Jerufalent. Ifaiah; a Prince 
and a Prophet, bare-footed, and almoft naked^ 
as a fign of approaching difttefs, walked about 

Jertifatlem* 



( 229 ) 

Jdrufalm. Jeremiah broke the Potter's veffel,' 
Ibrefhcwing delMation on jud^a ; and in the 
reign of Zedekiah, when a confedefa'cy Was 
forming in Jerufakm with iht neighbociring 
Kingdoms^ to free theinfclvef from* Aflyfian 
bondage, Jeremiah fent to each of the Ambaf- 
fadors then pVefent, at chain a^id a yoke^ highly 
rept'oi'ing th^tn for their ill-timed revolt and 
bppofitioh * in like ttanner Ezekiel prophefied 
by a£lion when he removed aill his Houfehold 
goods, to Excite attention in the; People to the 
Calaiilites he had fo awfully thtcaftened and fore- 
told; arid you will read of a very fanciful Pro- 
phefy of Elifha, by strrro'ws, at little before his 
death; 

They were often inured to great hafdfhips^ 
aind called upon to praStice the Virtues of Self- 
denial and Mortification. Apart from the World 
they held coriverffe with their Godj and acquired 
in feme Way; very fignail intimations, were em- 
ployed c^n Eriibaffies of high importance, often- 
tinies ftrikingly awful, warriing, threatening, per- 
fuafively exhorting, reafoning, and inviting alh 

Thiis they drew away the veil from futurity jf 
jrecoidcd the Hiftory of ages to conie, prc^ 
difted the glory of Kings unborn, of Empires yet 
to be formed, and they prdphefied of their total 

deitruc* 



( 230 ) 

deftruftion and overthrow, during their meridian 
Splendour. By his Prophets, God was pleafed 
to dcfcribe, centuries before their birth, and 
to call forth even by name, the Difpenfers of his 
Mercies, or the future Inftruments of his Veor 
geance. 

The Hiftory of the Hebrew Rcpublick, is aU 
moft one continued, record of Prophefy, their 
Calamities aud Captivities being foretold by their 
Prophets; but the grand objeft they had in view, 
was, defcribing moft circumftantially, and with 
incredible minutenefs and perfpicuity the 
Meffiah, «nd bis Kingdom. 

A blefling at firft held out in general promifef, 
defcribed under figures, exemplified by types^ 
and exhibited in inftitutions and living cha- 
rafters as the day fpring from on high advanced, 
and afterwards exprefsly forctohd in the full 
Luftrc of Prophefy. 

Every ftriking fcene of fuffcring is as mi- 
nutely delineated by the Prophets as if drawn 
on the fpot, in the moment the decrees were 
unrolling and Vifion exhibited in Reality. This 
wonderful fpirit of Prophefy pervades all time, 
Commences from the fall, extends to the final 
judgment the total diffolution of a World. 

For 



( 231 ) 

Tor fome Prophecies are fo incomprehenfiLle 
and full of Majcfty, as not to be explained by 
any circumftances in the life of Our Saviour 
on earth, and can only recfc've their accomplilh- 
ment at his fecond coming. ^* When he Ihall 
** judge the World in righteoufnefs.'* 

The language of the Four Greater and the 
Twelve Leffer Prophets is fublimeand magnificent, 
ftrong, animated and impreflGve; a ftile abound- 
ing with images of grandeur and Majefty ; its 
burfts of eloquence, its earned warmth, its af- 
fcSing exhortations, and awful appeals, furpafs 
every other compofition in the World; their 
apt and well chofen fimilies are wonderfully 
ftriking; their figures highly piflurefque and 
beautiful, bold, awful, and fublime. 

In the year of the World, three thoufand one 
hundred, and during the reign of Ahab King of 
Ifrael,^ Elijah the Prophet was fent with a very 
ftriking and awful mefTage to that Idolatrous 
Prince. No one could ever fay the Prophet 
died. Encompafled in a cloud; in a chariot all 
on fire, Elijah was feen afcending into Heaven 
in a whirlwind. 

At the appoiritment of God Elijah was fuc- 

cceded as a Prophet by Elifha* 

In 



. .. d«e\\ ^^^ V V^tb the bcfon» ^^ 

arc av/f^^^y f God. ^<^^°«*^* turc of ^°^^°' 

i, cotot^^^^ . and unaSett^ ^„d POt 

PropV»etf'^«^'^*'\e\Uftves ^^> . , of butnamty • 



(--233 ) 

^' (he ihould not j^ave compaiSon on the Son 
«' of her womb? y^ Ihe may foi;getj yet will I 
*• not forget thee, ©' Jerufalem/* 

The ftile of Jeremiahj^ the fecond of the Four 
Greater Prophets, is'' fti^ more adapted to the 
tender feelings of grief and defpondency ; and 
his Lamentations, are funeral odes, breathed out 
in fighs, moft eloquently plaintive ; it is faid of 
Sorrow, that fhe never flowed in fo natural, fo 
tender, fo prevailing a pathgs, as in thefe 
mournful elegies. 

The lively geniui of Ezekiel highly fpi- 
rited and fanciful, full of fire, impetuofity 
and vehemence, tremendous and tragical, a 
model of the eaftern ftile unequalled in grandeur 
and Majefty. The Prophet wrote in Captivity, 
and his language, like the rolling thunder, 
muft have roufed the moft defpondirg Jew. 

Daniel, the Fourth and laft of the Greater Pro* 
phets, amidft the luxury of an Afiatic Court, 
with honours next to royal, writes in a penfive 
ftile, grave, concife,^ perfpicuous, flowing with 
hittorical eafe, a pcrfed matter of addrefs, di- 
vinely eloquent ; the images by which he chofe 
to reprefent his Prophecies, are taken from the 
cnfigns and armorial devices of thofc Natior.3, 

Vol.. II. H h fPl^ 



( 234 ) 

for the Ram was the royal enfign of Pcrfia^ and 
the Goat the enablem or arajs of Macedoo. 

A loftinefs of Majefty, a ftile animated and 
fublime, charaflerize the writings of all the LefTcr 
Prophets, and one of them hurries you into alj 
the alarm, confternation and amazing terror pf 
a City, in the moment of deflrutVion. "^ J hear 
*' the noife, the noife, the crafh of the whip, 
*' the ratling of the wheels, the prancing of the 
*' horfes. the bounding of the chariots, I fee thp 
•* rpear and the bright fword, the fliield is all 
" blood, the valiant are in fcarlet, O' the car* 
cades, the carcafles, they {tumble on the corpfes^ 
Thus bold is the colouring of the Prophet Nahuro, 
when piofihefying of an event to take place 
more than half a Century afterwards, and of a 
City then in its highell glory^ metropolis of all 
the £aft. And the Prophet Habakkuk exalting 
with confcious dignify in his confidence and re^- 
jiance on God, perfonates the pious man, and 
comforts himfelf witJi the full affurance of 
,fafety under the divine proteftion, even while 
armies were ravaging his country^ ajid laying 
wafte his lands.. 

In the ages the Prophets livedo it was the 
praQice of all Nations to wrap up their difco.urfes 
and elpejcially xeligious truths in allegory; iind 

4Wf 



( ^35 J 

iXlf Saviour* condefcended ta teach in parafifles- 
and allufions^ No language tvhatever could fo 
wifely convey his divine information. It is aU 
ways an inftruftive and a highly pleafing tafk to 
fludy and unravel them. The Grecian column 
moulders into dutt; Sacred Writ remains, and 
holds up to view, the nobleft, moft exalted 
ideas of the power and Majefty of God, and im- 
preffes your mind with the fulleft conviftion of 
his Superintcndency and ever watchful Provi- 
dence. 



O If T H B 



PROPHET ELIJAH. 



^I^HE meaning of the word is, *' My God^ 
A Jehovah is he/^ Elijah, the Prophet fo 
J&igMy. favoured, is introduced in the feventeentb 
Chapter of the firft Book of the Kings. 

* H h 2 Elijah 



( 23S ) 

Elijah waj a Tiftibite, a Prophet of thtf Cjif 
of Gilead, born at Thifbe, a town on the other 
fide Jordan, in the Tribe of Gad, but we have na 
account at all of his parentage. To punifh thit 
Idolatrous Nation and bring them to repentance, 
and as a means of reftoring them to the favour 
of God, the Prophet was fent to Ahab King of 
Ifrael, with this Denunciation and very awful 
Meflage. — " God will neither fend Rain nor Dew 
** upon this Land, till I, his Prophet, fhall rc- 
•' turn again." Elijah confirmed his Prediftion 
vith an oath, and he then left the City, and went 
and took up his refidence at the Brook Cherith, 
itfh\ch ran through the valley leading down to 
the River Jordan, and here the Ravens are faid 
to have brought him meat day by day ; but itia 
more generally believed, the Inhabitants of a 
little Town, named Oreb, fituated near this ce- 
lebrated Brook ; as the Hebrew word Orebim 
tranflated Ravens, might be interpreted the 
Orcbims. 

God here provided for his Prophet during the 
the firft year of the Drought, but at this time, for 
•want of a fupply, the Brook dried up, and the 
Prophet was direfted to go to Zarephath, which 
lay between the ancient Cities of Tyre and Si^ 
don, twelve miles only from the former, he (hould 
there fiiid a widow Woman who would feed him. 

Elijah 



( 237 ) 

JSlijah immediately fct out, and not far from ttie 
gates of the City, he met a Woman picking up 
Ricks, it was in fome way made known to the 
Prophet, that (he was to be his provider ; upon 
\vhich intelligence Elijah goes up and fpeaks to 
her ; pray will you fetch me a drink of water ? 
The Woman went to draw it, but the Prophet 
called her back, and defired (he would bring a 
piece of bread with her. The Woman upon 
t^is declared her poverty, indeed her whole 
ftock of provifion was one fingle handful of 
meal, and a fmall crufe of oil, and. as he might - 
fee, fhe wavS picking up a few fticks to make a 
fire, and bake her little Hore for herfelf and her 
fon, probably the lait meal they (hould ever eat 
together, after that, (he and the poor Child would 
furcly both of them be ftarved to death. Elijah 
cheers his Holtefs, hope better thirigs (fays he) 
go do as you intended, bake your litfcle cake 
^nd bring me a piece of it, the Woman earneftly 
looking at him, he told her, *' The (lock of meal, 
*' nor the crufe of oil would neither of them be 
*' confumed, till God (hould gracioufly fend rain 
** upoi;i the earth, s^nd the Famine be no more." 
The Woman went away, her Faiih filences all her 
objeft ons, Ihe did as (he was ordered, and the 
barrel of ipeal wafted not, and the crufe of oil 
did not fail. She rapturoufly enjoyed the blef- 
fings the Prophet had foretold, a moft plentiful 

fupply 



( 23B ) 

Supply, arici for two ycatfs till the Drougfet. tttii 
the Famine were over. 

Thiis God provided again for his Propheft, paidi 
his widowed Hoftcfs for his bofard, and the Mother 
and the Son were both of them bieffed with his 
good company and inftruQions. Whenever fhef 
went to her crufe and her barrel, how pleafingly 
told. The Finger of God is here. 

Some time after this the Widow experiences 
the benefit of another Miracle wrought in her 
favour. Her only child, her Son grew fick, and 
ifter a few days he died ; the Mother wept 
aloud, (he beat her bread, fhe tore her hair^ ex- 
preffing the livelicft forrow and diftraftion. God 
Iras punifliing her for her fins, the Prophet, that 
good Man, had difcovered her wickednefs, and 
he had told it. Elijah comes to his Hoftefs, and 
comforts her, be of good cheer, where is youi* 
Son? Although he were even dead, he would 
bluing him back to life again^ Elijah was fhewn the 
chamber, and the dead youth ; the Prophet laid 
himfelf down lipon the Coi-pfe, and kept breath- 
ing into its mouthj at the fame time addreffing his 
God in an earned and very fervent prayer* 

*' Elijah's piety and devout fupplications pre- 
*' vail, the Child breathes^ the Youth revives, 
^ he lives again^ and the Prophet gives him up 

*• to 



C 239 ) 

^ to his Mother in healthy Overjoyed, in a 
^ trance of affeSionate feelings, a burii of ten- 
^* dernefs and furprile overpowers the poor 
** Widow, her doubts are rejiioved, her Faith 
^' revives; indeed iho:U art a Man of God, ancjl 
^* the worjd of the jLoid ii? thy mou*h is triuh.'' 

It was in the third year of the famine, whea 
ihe Prophet returned to Sattiaria and flicweql 
Jlimfelf to good Obadiah. Obadiah was Over- 
feer, and held the firft office in a]l the King'3 
Jloufehold. This good maji was jfearching 
.every where for a little food and ^ drink qF 
^ater to refrefh the few poor cattle whicb a3 
yet furvived the famine. The King, and he^ 
iiad juft parted, and Ahab faid, do ypu Obadiah 
go one way, I inyfelfwill go another, peradvenj-* 
,ture we rpay find grafs enough to fave the horfes 
.and mules alive, 4hat we loCe not all ihebeafts. 
Obadiah had fo diftingviifhed himfelf for ixi3 
piety and zeal for God and his Prophets, as to 
have rifked his life^ by concealing from tli^e 
fury of the angry Qiieen a hundxed of the 
young Prophets by fifties in a cave, and Obar 
4iah went every day himfe\f to feed t^hem on 
^read and water. 

While the King and his Ovexfeer thus (as it 
mt^t) dlvidtid .tU|^ jand, jiiid were fearchin^ 



( 240 ) 

throughout, Elijah met Obadiah, and he felt 
proftrate on the ground, expreffive of his reve- 
rence and hi$ joy, art thou not my Lord Elijah? 
and the Prophet delired Obadiah to introduce 
him to the King; " go tell thy Lord, behold 
^ Elijah is here ;** Obadiah over anxious for 
the Prophet's fafety as well as his own, pleads 
with him the danger which would attend his 
compliance ; Ahab will order you into his pre- 
fence, and when Icome to fetch you, the fpirit 
of your God, will carry you whither I know 
not, and Ahab will flay me, when I cannot find 
you; my life (my Lord) has not pafled altoge- 
ther ufelefs, was it not told my Lord, I con<* 
cealed a hundred men, by fifty in a cave, and 
fed them day by day myfelf, it would be fad 
for them ihould Ahab flay thy fervant ; from my 
youth, I thy fervant, fear the Lord always; 
Elijah refolutely perfifted, this very day (he 
told him) he would fliew himfelf to the King, 
as the Lord liveth, replied Obadiah, there is 
no Nation or Kingdom whither my Lord hath 
not fent to feek thee, and bring thee back to 
revoke the Sentence, and even took an oath of 
that Kingdom and Nation that they found thee 
not. No remonfl:rance availed. Obadiah was 
lyiofl: reluctantly forced on the meffage. Ahab 
haughty and paflionate, infultingly upbraided 
the Prophet, he was the caufe of the famine, 

' with 



( 541 ) 

With a bitter farcafm, the King afked Elijah 
art ihou he that troubleth Ifrael ? with^iigniiy the 
Frophet anfwered him, he was himfelf ihe caufe, 
Ifraels dillreffes arofe from his own Impiety ancj 
Idolatry, from the Idol Gods he had fet up, an4 
the heatheniih worfbip authorized and elUblifhed 
throughout his Kingdom ; feeing the King ftrucl^ 
with his manner, the Prophet now exprefsly 
and condefcendingly told him, " the Country 
" (hould have rain.*' The Famine hitherto had 
been exceeding fharp, and the fcarcity, both 
for man and bead fo great, they were ^H 
of them on the point of perifliing,. 

Notwithftanding the good news the Prophet 
brought, the conteft prefently began again, ancj 
the difpute between the King and Elijah ram 
high, Ahab grew warm, he accufed, threatened, 
and upbraided the Prophet, upon which Elijah 
propofed a latisfadory method which (ho^lcl 
convince the King, and all his People who it 
was that troubleth Ifrael. The Prophet defire4 
to have a meeting of the Priefts and Worfhip* 
pers of Baal in c rder to give his Majefty a pub^ 
lick demonftration of their impotence and folly, 
at which conteft and Trial Jllijah afl^cd th« 
King bimfelf to prefide. 

V&i. IL li Four 



( 242 ) 

Four hundred and fifty Prophets and Pricfts 
of Baal were fummoned by proclamation, and 
the Prophets of the Groves, her Majefty's 
Chaplains, which eat at the Queen's table, and 
a vaft concourfe of People all affembled upon 
Mount Carmel not far from the fea-ftiore. The 
Prophet addreffed himfelf fir ft to the People, 
and (fie faid) how long halt je between two 
opinions, there can be but one Supreme Jeho- 
vah, if the Lord be God worlhip him, but if 
Baal then follow him. In the prefence of their 
Sovereign the People kept a refpeQful filence, 
they forely felt the effefts of the famine and 
well knew Baal could not remove it. After a 
paufe Elijah fpeaks again, I ftand alone and 
fpeak the caufe of God, but Baal'* Prophets 
are four hundred and fifty, go order us now 
two Bullocks, they ftiall chufe one, cut it to 
pieces and lay it on wood, putting no fire under 
it. I will drefs the other and lay my viQim on 
wood, and put no fire under it. They (hall 
call unto Baal, and I will call on the name of 
the Lord; now the God who anfwereth by fire, 
]et him be God, and all the People aoiwered, 
** it is well fpoken*'* 

Elijah turning to the Priefts and Prophets of 
Baal direfted them to make choice of one BuL 
^ock and drefs it themfelvcs firft, for (ays he, ye 

are 



( 243 ) 

are "many; call on your God, after you have 
placed it on the Altar and the wood, but put 
ye no fire underneath. From neceffity they 
complied, after having prepared their Ox they 
begun their homage, they bowed and knelt, 
moft earncftly, they prayed, implored, vowed — 
all the powers of art, enchantment and divina- 
tion, were ftrenuoufly exerted, but in vain ; no 
facred fire blazed around their facrifice ; from 
morning to noon they were thus all fervent 
zeal and fupplication, then they cut and flafhed 
themfelves with knives, and lances, (after their 
bloody mode of worfhip). Elijah placid and at 
cafe, now began to ridicule them, and with the 
"wittieft pleafantry, attempted to reftify their 
nations and falfe ideas of a God; Baal, illuf- 
trious in their eyes, a great perfonage of uncon- 
troulable power, the Prophet by contrafting his 
limited fphere with the high ideas of omiuici- 
cncc and omnipotence, reprefeiUs Baal an 
image impotent, and ridiculous. " Cry aloud> 
Baal is a great God, he is bufy, or he will not 
hear, perhaps he is talking, or purfuing, on a 
journey, or a-fleep. 

The Prophets own trial fucceeded. Ahab.^ 
King of Ifrael, a vafl: multitude of his FeopU> ' 
all the Prieftc> and Prophets of Baal witnefles. 

I i a Elijah 



f 244 ) 

Elijali flew liis Ox, ordered the Pr!eftj5 to re-» 
ftove their oblation, and b( ckoned to all the Peq* 
J)le to draw near* The Prophet then took twelve 
large ftones (rhc number of the twelve Tiibes)^ 
and rears an Altar for himftlf, with a deep 
trench around it. He pours over it four pails of 
fea water, and after that four more» and filled the 
trench. Upon the Altar the Prophet piled his 
Vood, and over all he laid his Ox. Elijah theft 
put up a fervent and devout Prayer to God, 
humbly afking Him to vouchfafe to demonftrate 
fcis power before this People. A fire from Hea- 
ven alighted inftantly on the Altar, blazing and 
confunrjng the Sacrifice, and it dried up all 
the water in the- trench. 

All Ifrael fell proflrate on the ground, reve- 
rentially worfhipping the One only living and 
true God. 

Elij.ah availed himfelf of this their ferious dlf- 
pofiiion and devout homrge, and ^ ith authority 
commanded them to put to death all the Pricfts 
and Prophets of Baal ; infpired by what they faw, 
and the commands of the Prophet^ they drove 
them down to the Brook Kidron, and every one 
of them were drowned or flain. 

^he King much mortified and chagrined, 
at what he faW, ftood by and filently permitted it. 

Immediately 



C 245 ) 

Immediately afterwards Elijah walked up to 
Ahab, and fpoke comfortably and encouraging 
to him, Go home (fays he) to dinner, God will 
fliortly fend you rain. 

• The Prophet afcended the hill with his faithful 
fervant, and hz fat him down on the grafs, go 
(he fays) to his fervant, climb that Rock, and 
look towards the Sea, and tell me when you fee 
a cloud ; the (ley was quit0 clear and ferene, the 
young man mounts up the Rock, time after time, 
and fees nothing, the fevcnth time he brings 
Elijah word, fomcthing he did fee, but it was 
no bigger than a Man*s head, on hearing this the 
Prophet inftantly difpatched a hurrrying meffage 
to Ahab, to hade home or he would be wet, 
the (howe^r was jull coming, and the King had 
.only time to mount his Chariot and enter the 
Palace gates, before a fudden temped poured 
down rapidly. Elijah, to Ihew his humility, re- 
fpetlfully ran before the King as far as the City 
Jezreel, but he would not go up to the Palace, 
as he meant to avoid the furious anger of the 
Queen. Outrageous and frantick for the lofs 
of her Priefts, the Queen was vowing revenge 
on the Prophet, he fhould die, he fhould die, and 
before to-morrow*s dawn. Under this fore 
alarm and perfecuiion, Elijah left Samaria, and 
lie fled to a Defert not far from Beerlheba^ 



( 246 ) 

a City on the frontiers of the Tribe of Judah, 
and under the Government of Jehofophat. The 
Prophet over fatigued, and quite faint, here laid 
himfelf down under a Juniper tree, and he 
prayed to God that he might die, while the 
Prophet was lamenting and repining at his hun- 
ger, and at his many fore trials and troubles, he 
fell a-fleep^ foon as he awoke, Elijah found that 
meat and drink had both been fet by him, and 
the Prophet eat and drank and was refreflied, 
after which he proceeded on his journey, and 
came to the foot of Mount Sinai, the tremendous 
Mountain, held facred by all the Nations around, 
where Mofes, from the hand of God^ fo awfully 
received the Ifraelitifli Laws* Elijah perceived 
a large Cave, probably the fame where Mofes 
had been hid, here the Prophet ventured to 
turn in, made it his place of rcfidence, and 
fat down to indulge his melancholy. After 
he had lived here fome time, one morning 
Elijah heard a voice diftinSlly calling him, 
and it afked why he had left the City ? and why 

he hid himfelf there ? The Prophet anfwered, 
on account of my flaying her Priefts, the an- 

gfy Queen is perfecuting me, and endangering 

my life. The day following Elijah heard the 

voice accofting him again, and it ordered him out 

of the Cave, he fliould receive his inftru6lions 

in 



( 247 ) • 

in the open air on the Mount, and Hand be- 
fore the Lord. The Prophet obeyed, and as 
foon as he was well got out of the Cave, 

he was awfully Ihook by an earthquake, his 
eyes were at the fame time dazzled, and 
he was almoft blinded with a burft of light, 
accompanied with a mighty rufling, fuddenly 
the fcene changed, and all was in a moment 
fucceeded by a dead ftillnefs, and a perfect 
calm (an operation of Nature very fimilar to a 
fiery Volcano). God hereby intimating he would 
work for Ifrael, not by vifible exertions, might, 
or power, but by his fecret influence filently 
afting on the mind. The voice was now dif- 
linftly heard again, and it fpoke comfortably to 
the Prophet, who had wrapt his face in his man- 
tle, and ftood trembling, and almoft fenfelefs 
with hoiror ; ^* Be not afraid ; none of all your 
*• enemies fhall overpower you. Go home, 
•* anoint Jehu, the Son of Nemflii, King over 
" lirael. Hazael, of Damafcus, King of 'Syria. 
** Elilha, Son of Shaphat, of Abel-meholah, 
i* near the City of Abela, appoint him your Suc- 
-*' ceffor, a Prophet of the Moft High God. 
** As yet 1 have left me feven thoufand who have 
not bowed the knee to Baal,'* who will fecond 
your attempts, and declare againft Idolatry. 

Elijah made no delay, but fet out on his 
journey back to Samaria^ and as he pafled 

over 



C 248 ) 

©vcr the fields, he met with Eliflia, in com- 
pany with others at Plow, Elifha was driving 
(together wijh his fervants) not far from the 
City twelve yoke of Qxen; Elijah as foon 
as as he came near to him, threw his mantle 
over him, this was the fi nple mode of inau- 
guration the Prophet adopted, and defied thia 
wealthy farmer into his new office; Elifha in* 
ftantly prophefied; he left his Plow and hit- 
Oxen, and followed Elijah, only firft defired 
leave to tall together his Parents, Relations 
and Acquaintance and have one merry meeting, 
and take a farewell of them all. Eliflia killed 
two of his oxen, he cut up, and cooked the 
flefli, divided his feaft among his guefts, and 
then went away with the Prophet, and thejr 
look up their abode not very far from Jezrecl 
the City where Ahab and his Court at that 
time refided. Naboth who pofleffed a large 
eftate in this beautiful Valley, owned a Vine*, 
yard contiguous to the gardens of the Palace, 
it was aimoft in the King's grounds, and a 
moft eligible fpot for a kitchen garden. Ahab 
offered to make a purchafe of it, or to give 
Naboth fome other eflate in exchange; Na- 
both was wealthy, it was his patrimonial 
eftate, and in that Country it was edeemed 
very difgraceful to part wiih it, Naboth liked 
to cat himfelf of tbe fruit and pioduce of hit 

owii 



(, 249 ) 

own lands, and chofe to improve it for his 
children, and honourably hand it down lo poC 
terity j upon ihefe confiderations he uncour- 
tcoufly refufed the requeft of his Prince. Na- 
both's denial fo thoroughly vexed and nettled 
Ahab, he would neither eat, nor drink, nor 
wafli, nor drefs himfelf, nor could he fleep ; 
the King lay all day on the ground, fuller^ and 
fick from difappointment ; the Queen ftruck 
with a conduft fo ftrange, inquired what could 
be the caufc? and'flie was now told of the re«« 
queft, his Majefty had condefcendingly made, 
and of Naboth's refufal; ihe goes immediately 
to the King, art thou a Sovereign over Ifrael ? 
does it become the dignity of a King to fue 
to his fubjefil? why not feize on the Vineyard 
by force, give yourfelf no more trouble about 
fuch a Trifle, rife up, attend to your health, 
cat and drink and drefs yourfelf as ufual, I will 
give thee the Vineyard of Naboth the Jezree- 
lite. 

Jefebel fat down and flie wrote herfelF, and 
forwarded letters to the Nobles, Elders and 
Magiflrates of Jezreel, and fealed them with 
the royal fignet, commanding a Faft to be pro- 
claimed, an aflembly called, and the firll feat 
in it, to be given to Naboth. 

Vol. Ih K k His 



(250) 

His perfon and his prefence thus made furc of, 
the C()U!t was direSed to fuborn falfe witneffes, 
and impeach Naboth of high treafon and blaf- 
phemy; the punifliment for which, was death 
and confifcation ; the Judges were ordered 
therefore inftantly to pafs fentence on Naboth, 
and lead him out and ftone him. 

The Jezreelites dared not difobey the Queen, 
and they foon fent her word of the death of 
Naboth; •* Naboth is floned, and is dead." 
The Queen carries herfelf the news to Ahab, 
the King haftily arofe and went direftly to the 
Vineyard to take poffefEon ; the Prophet Elijah 
met Ahab on the fpot, the King highly awed> 
fays to him, " haft thou found me, O mine 
'* Enemy ? mofl folemnly the Prophet announ- 
ced the fad deftruftion, the murder of Naboth 
would bring upon him; the Queen; upon his 
Sons; and all and every one of . his Family. 
** The dogs fhould lick the blood of Ahab, and 
** on the felf-fame fpot, where they had licked 
•• the blood of Naboth; Jefebel his Queen 
*' fhould be devoured by dogs; his pofterity 
'* utterly be cut off; thofe who died in the 
" fields, the fowls of the air fhould eat, thofe 
'' who died in the City, the dogs. Thus all 
•* fhould lie inglorious and unburied.^' 

The 



( 251 ) 

The Prophet Elijah was, fome years after 
this, lent with an awful meffdge to Ahaziah the 
Son of Ahab, the baluftrades bad given away, 
and he fell from the roof of his Palace into the 
Court yard below, the King was forely bruifed 
and in very great agony ; in his anguHh and 
diltrefs, Ahaziah fent his fervants to Baal-zcbub 
the God of the Ekronites, to enquire if he 
fliould r.ecover. 

The Prophet Elijah was dire£t^d to go to meet 
the Meffcngers, order them back to the Palace, 
and give the' King this 'awful anfwer to his en- 
quiry. ** Is it not becaufc there is no God in 
'* Ifrael that thou fendett to the Idols of Ekron ? 
" therefore thou (halt not come down from the 
** bed on which thou lieft, but flialt furcly die." 

The fpeedy return of the Meffengers fur- 
prifed Ahaziah, but when they had 'told him of 
the Perfon they had met, his being acquainted 
Avith the errand they were fent on, and the an- 
fwer which he ordered them to deliver, the King 
was ftill more ttruck, and he inflantly aflced them, 
what fort of a Man was he ? and they faid a 
hairy Man, with a leathern girdle. 

Ahaziah now knew him to be the Prophet, 
and faid, fend me a Captain and his band of 
fifty, let them go and bring this Man before me. 
K k 2 The 



( 25« ) 

tht Prophet had mounted up a high hill, a 
part of Mount Carmel, and fat himfelf down> 
here an Angel appeared and guarded Elijah. 
The Captain and his band of foldiers climbed 
up and approached him. He fir ft fent him a 
meflage, commanding the Prophet down, and 
gave orders to his Men to furround him, rcfift** 
ance he told Elijah would avail him nothing, his 
Guard fhould carry him to the Palace 3 thus was 
he befet^ and no chance of efcape, and in cafe he 
furrenderedi the Prophet lay wholly at the 
meicy of the King. 

Elijah (appealing to his own dignity and cha^ 
rafter) told the OflBcer, Fire from Heaven would 
confume both him and his band^ and it was im- . 
mediately afterwards. Fire did come down and 
burnt to afhes the Captain and all his men ; an 
awful inftance of God's power, who thus inter- 
pofed and faved the life of his Prophet. 

The fatal news is carried to the Palace, Aha- 
zinh highly obftinate, though alarmed, difpatched 
another Captain, and his band of fifty. He 
with like menaces accofted Elijah, commanding 
him down, on the Prophets appeal. Fire froiii 
Heaven dcftroyed in like manner this fecond 
Captain and his men. The King fent in hafle 
a third Captain and his fifty. H,e, awfully inti* 

midated 



( fi^ ) 

Midatei! by the de (Irudion, and the fad fccnc he 
witneffed, and himfelf being of a mild and fwecfe 
difpofition, he fell on bis knees before the Pro- 
phet, and befought hinii faying, " O Man of 
" God, I pray thee let my life, and the lives 
•* of thefe fifty thy fervants be precious in thy 
*' fight." Elijah captivated with the modeft and 
humble behaviour ot this OflBcer, came down 
the hill with him, and went with his band to the 
Palace* 

The Prophet being ufliered in to the Royal 
prefence with firmnefs and magnanimity, deli- 
vered his awful Commiflion tp the King. " Since 
'* thou haft fent to Baal-zebub the God of Ekron, 
as if there had been no God in Ifrael, to enquire 
refpefling your recovery, I, the Prophet of the 
Moft High God, denounce death to thee. Thus 
the Prophet exhibited the dignity of his Ofl5ce, 
and gave a frclh proof of his Faith and Courage. 

The laft meflage Elijah was fent to deliver was 
to Jehoram, and the Prophet wrote him a letter 
to inform him, that on account of his impiety, 
abominations and Idolatry, God would infliCl 
an awful and very terrible judgment both on 
King and People, he then relates to him the 
death of the Queen and his Children, he himfelf 
Ihould but a very fhort time furvivc themi 

Elijah 



( 254 ) 

EHjah goes on to particularize the difcafe the 
King (hould fuffer under, and its fatal iffue, 
tormenting pains in his bowels, a bloody flux, 
which would end in a rupture, his bowels would 
fo burtt out, that he himfelf fhould fee them. 

It was foon a^ter this, his laft, and faci predic- 
tion, Elijah was taken from the fight of men, na*. 
one could ever fay the Prophet died. 

Elijah went to Gilgal, his faithful Eliflia fol- 
lowing, him, from thence to Bethel, and from 
thence to Jericho, and from Jericho to the Ri- 
ver Jordan ; at the two firft places Elijah would 
very fain have left Elifha, his faithful fervant 
would not be Ihaken off, no entreaties, no com- 
mands prevail ; when they came to the banks of 
the River, Elifha waved his mantle over the 
water, and it formed a wall like glafs on either 
hand, to the right and to the left, (a Miracle 
defigned to grace the laft day of the Prophet's 
abode on earth). The waters thus divided, the 
Prophets both paffed over dry fhod. 

Elijah on the other fide, and near the banks of 
Jordan ; enquired what he fliould do for his 
faithful fervant, and Elifha wifely, and wiih 
pious zeal, afked of him " A double portion of 
" his Spirit." Elijah faid^ it was indeed a difficult 

requeft. 






( 255 ) 

requeft, neverthelefs if he fliould fee him, after 
he was firft parted from him, it would be granted, 
hereby keeping his attention fixed on this won- 
derful Scene, 

Thus it was he comforted his faithful and very 
afFeClionate Servant, and while they were yet 
talking and thus prepared for parting — a bright 
Cloud, refembling a Chariot of Fire and Fiery 
Horfes, is faid to have come between them^ 
fepa rating them the one from the other. 

Elijah afcended up into Heaven in a whirl- 
wind. 




ESSAY 



ESSAY XXIV. 



O V TBS 



OF 



E L I S H A. 



AT the cxprcfs appointment of God, Elifba, 
the Son of Shaphat, a wealthy Farmer of 
AbeUMeholah, near the City of Abela, was ini- 
tiated into his high Prophetic Office, by the Pro* 
phet Elijah, and chofen his Succeflbr. 

In his Father's farm, Eliflia, together with 
the Hufbandmen, was driving twelve plows, with 

twelve 



{'^l7 ) 

twetv^ fevefal yoke of Oxen, and he himfelf 

"had the management, of the laft plow, when the 

Prophet Elijah, in hij journey from Mount Sinai 

* to Samaria, went up to him in the field, and 
tvithout any pfeamble there threw his mantle 
over him. This was the ceremorry of inaugu- 

* ration adopted by the Prophet. Elifha experi-i 
enced a wonderful charigd,- ahdinftantly began 

' prophelying. He aflced leave of Elijiih to give 
' a parting kifs to his Fathef and Mother, and 

* take an 'affeftidnate' farewel -of Ills Acquaintance, 
and the Prophet told'hihi, -^11 that- I have done, 
IS by inftigation from'^a higher- Power, and no 
hindrance to a pfudehf regard l!o your Relations; 

*upon which^ Elifh'a (according* to thecuftom of 
the times) flew two of bis Oxen, cooked the flefh, 
made a Fciill/aM'J divided tt aiiiong his FartiiFy 
and the Servants, amd thdn readily loft his Teem 
and his ?aTei>ts, and family eftate, and followed 
Elijah ; ever after, he becamLe-his watchful Com^ 
pariion aiid- faithful Servant. 

Upon the tranflation of the Prophet Elijah, 
'his conllarit attendant was by all the Sons of the 
Prophets, iinmcuiately recognized as his Succef- 
for, and they f^id one lo another, '' The Spi- 
** rii of. Elijiih does reft on the Prophet 
^\ Eh&a/' ' ' . 

YoL. II. Li la 



{ «58 ) 

In token of lively forrov« as foon as he could 
difcern the arcent of Elijah in the air^ Elifiia 
rent his cloaths. and in a kind of extafy, kept 
crying out, " My Father, my Father, the Chariot 
" of Ifrael and the Horfemen thereof.** An 
•afFefctionate and moft polite appeal. Your Coun- 
fels. Prayers, and Power with God, have done 
more for the defenee of Iirael| than their Cha- 
riots, Horfemen and warlike Frowefs. Seeing 
^he Mantle drop from Elijah as he rofe, Eliiba 
picked it up^ and walked to the banks of Jor-^ 
dan^ he waved it over the river^ and in humble de« 
pendance enquired, where is the Lord God of 
Elijah ? intimating that God is prefent. Although 
Elijah was gone — God was not. Eliflia fmote 
the waters, waving his Mantle over them, and 
they divided to the right hand and to the left, 
fo that the Prophet walked over dry-(hod. In 
order to ftrengthen £li(ha*s faith^ God fo ordered 
it« that with Elijah's Mantle, his Office and Spi« 
rit fhould reft on his Succ eflbr. The young Pro- 
phets here met Elifha, and gave a proof of an a« 
miable humility, by paying him the fame reverence 
they had always (hewn Elijah. They began by 
prefenting a petition to their new Mafter, behold 
• (fay they) there be here Fifty of thy fervants, ail 
ftrong men, we pray thee let us go feek Elijah, 
his Spirit only may be removed, his body left, 

wc 



( 259 y 

w* would fain give it ap honour abte buriaL 
Elijah told them ii would be to no purpofe. The 
Vduths were fo very prefling^ their importunity 
got the better of the Prophet^ modeft and hum- 
ble, he was quite afliamed to refufe, and he faid^ 
go. The Fifty young men fought diligently three 
days, and Elifha waited for them at the City of 
Jericho. On their return, he mildly faid. Did 
I- not fay unto you, go not ? A circumftance 
which promoted greater refpeS, and caufed the 
wifdom of their new Matter to be more no- 
ticed. 

: Before he rea^Dhed Jericho, the news of the 
Prophets afcent had been rumoured in that 
City, and the inhabitants were told of the arri- 
val of his Succeflbn The Heads and Elder s af* 
fembled in a body, and fubmiflively petitioned 
him to redrefs a grievance they had long la- 
l)oured under. Tbe water of their fprings, 
and their brook was unwholefome, and their 
land barren and unfruitful. ** The men of the 
** City faid, the fituation is indeed pleafant, as 
*« ray Lord feeth, but the water is naught and 
•f the ground barren.*' EHlba's firft miracle 
was mercy, be ufes a ceremonious form, which 
enhanced its notoriety, for be threw fait into 
the water, well known to add to its unplea- 

L 1 9 fantnefsi 



( 26o ) 

faptnefs, after which, he told them, " I have 
*' healed your waters, there will be no more 
^^ death or barren land henceforward^." From 
Jericho the Prophet journeyed on towards Be-; 
thel, the City of Jacob's Vifion, whence it got 
its name, but fince well, known for its impiety 
and idolatry and for being the City, in which 
Jeroboam had fet up the gplden calf in imita- 
tion of the Gods of Egypt. Wh^n Eliljia came 
near Bethel, a number of .Idolatrous youths ran 
out of th^ City, and fet on by their parents,, 
kept mocking and infuUing the Prophet,^ 
** What come you here for? get ye up to 
*' Heaven after your Mafter, go up thou Bald. 
*• head go." We want* none of' your company 
nor your Prophecies. On this riot, and 
infult, Elifha turned away from Bethel, and 
paffed by into another road which led to 
Mount Carmel, but ftill thefe wicked boys 
followed after him, riotous ahd noify, reviling 
and mocking, upon which the Prophet turned 
back and looked at them, in the fpirit of Pro- 
phecy Elifha denounced a curfe he well' 
knew' was fcilling upon thprn, and theft purfued 
his journey towards Carmel ; prefently, '' two 
*' She Bears ruflied out from a neighbouring 
*' wood and devoured two and forty of them.^' 
The inhabitants of Bethel all Idolaters,- were 

vexed 



( 26l ) 

^xcd to bave a college .of young Prophet* 
2M[nong thepfia they had a fettled averfion tq 
all the ftudents, and therefore, fent out thefc. 
Idolatrous, youths to infult tli^eir new mafler. ' 

At Mount Carmel, Ellflia took up his abode" 
at the School,' and vifited the Spns of the Pro- 
phets, on his initiation he was defirous'of re.- 
tjrerhent, to confider of bis new duties and 
euiploy, and more uninterruptedly hold conveffe 
with his God. After fome time the Prophet 
fct out from hence, and returned back to- Sam'a-' 
rja, and foon entered on a life of bufmefs apd 
more aflive zeal. 

' In his prophetic office Elifha's firftcsLll wa*' 
highly beneficial to his Countrynien. Jehoram- 
King of Ifrael. in alliance with the twd ICings 
of Judah and Edom, had marched a numerous, 
and powerful Army againil Moab; in order to^ 
fall on the rear of the Moabites, this .vaft Holt 
ftiade a wide circuit through the, wildernefs of 
Edom, it took them up no lefs than fevcnr 
days, air this while travelling acrofs this dry 
and fandy defert, the troops were at length 
quite faint exhaufted and dying for want of 
water* In this extremity, perifliing and gafp- 

. ' iftg» 



( ±62 ) 

ing, Jehoram paffionately faid» the L^rd battr 
called us three Kings together, to deliver ut 
an eafy prey to Moab. But Jehofophat, King of 
Judah, enquired for a Prophet of the Lord, 
Jehoram*s fervant told him, £li(ha Son of 
Shaphat, he was here, and the King replied, 
Elifiia is a true Prophet. Upon this the three 
Kings immediately fet out and walked down to 
the Prophet's tent, hoping by their condefcen- 
tion and the honour they did him, more ef- 
feQualiy tQ engage his affiftance. On their 
arrival at the tent, Elilha called out loudly to 
Jehoram, " what have I to do with thee? go get 
•• thee to the calves thy Father Worfliipped, or 
to Baal the God of thy Mother ;" the King 
anfwered him, you can have no refpeft for me, 
but pity this innocent King of Edom and 
good Jehofophat, involved in a like mifery and 
danger with myfclf. Elifha called for a mu* 
fical inftrument and compofed his mind, fome- 
what ruffled by iheir prefence and the calamity, 
after which he told them, '*ye fhall not fee wind, 
neither fhall ye fee rain, but go ye, make this 
valley full of ditches, all of them (hall be 
filled with water, and ye (hall drink, and your 
cattle, and your hearts ; and moreover it is 
not the only proof ye (hall witnefs of the 
power and goodnefs of God, now Ihewn you on 
account of Jchofophat, whofc virtue and piety 

I rcve- 



( 263 ) 

1 revere, it is indeed comparatively a light 
thing, for God will alfo deliver the Moabites 
into your hands, and ye (bail fmite every fenced 
City, and every choice City, and fell every 
goodly Tree/' 

The three Kings had only entertained hopes of 
defending themfelves, and retiring back from 
their Enemies, the Prophet inllantly procured 
a land flood (probably froni the rocks) which 
foon plentifully fupplied both men and beafts 
and refrtfhed them all ; the Moabites not in the 
lead dreaming of water, the next morning by 
the unufual reflection of the Sun looking red 
on the water, thought of nothing but blood, and 
that the three Kings muft have quarrelled and 
cut one another to pieces, and they faid, 
•* now Moab to the fpcil,'* raflxly without any 
martial order they advanced even to the 
Camp of Ifrael, where they were all flaugh* 
tered and the Army totally deftroyed, the 
King of Moab haftily fled, and he was 
almoft the only one who got back to bis 
Capital. 

This Heathenifti Prince, furious and frantic, 
on the City Wall publitkly exhibited the mod 
barbarous and horrid of ail Scenes, the murde« 
you.<5 burnl-offering^f his own Son, the heir to 

the 



• ( i64 ) 

the Crown of Moab, to appcafe*(ashe impi- 
oufly thought) the ariger of Chemofh his 
God. 

In the City of Samaria the Prophet was pre^ 
fentcd with a humble petition from a very poor 
Widow, her Hufband fhe faid was the Soh of a 
Prophet, he was lately dead, and had left her in 
great diftrefs; he died infolvent; the creditors 
were already in her houfe; they had arretted h^r 
two Sons and were carrying them off for flaves 
(according to the laws and cuftom of the Coun- 
try); the afFeflionate Mother tore her hair and 
wept aloud; Eliflia afked her what fhe might have 
left, and fhe anfwcred him, only a pot of oil. Go 
fays the Prophet to all your neighbours, borrow 
of them every vefTel and empty cafk yoii can 
procure, place them in your own houfe, and fhut 
yourfelf up with your two Sons alone, then take 
your little flore of oil, and begin pouring into th-at 
cafk which ftands firli; the poor Widow impli- 
citly obeyed, and the oil fo wonderfully en- 
creafed as to fill to the brim, all the vefTels aixl 
cafks file had been able to borrow. 

.. Overflowing with tears of joy, fhe inftanlly 
fought out her Benefactor, and told him -all her 
fuccefs. The Prophet now direfted her to go 
and fell as much of her oil^ as would pay all 

her 



( ^65 ) 

iicr late hufband's debts, and fupport herfclf and 
her family on the remainder. 

See the poor WidoW relieved from het diftreHf; 
her two Sons refcued from bondage, her hufband's 
Creditors fully paid, and a fwect independence 
allotted her for life. 

£lifha travelled next to (he City of Shuncmi 

in the Tribe of Iflachar, near Mount Carmel,' 

and as oft as he paffcd that road, a Family of 

figure and fortune always h'ofpifably efitert^ined 

him, and as file faw him very often, the Miffrefs 

6f the houfe took great no'tic<b of the fanftity of 

his life, the fervenci^ of hfs devotion, arid hig 

jseal for the horioar of his God; the rioife and 

buttle of her great family fhe thought mutt furely 

interrupt the Meditations and Prayers of this 

good Man, and fometiffies might even ofFerid his 

delicacy. After fhe had thoifght much on the 

fubjeft, fhe ConfuUed with htr hufb^nd, and 

propofed to him the building a litUe chamber on 

the wall, it would yet b^ within the premifes, 

and fhe would furnifh it (according to the fim- 

j)licity of the times) with a bed and a ftool, and 

a table and a cacndleftick, a little independence 

(fhe faid) was always enjoyed, fo (he propofed to 

hci^ hufband the making him a prefent of it, that 

Whenever he travelled the road, he might b6 

Vol. II. M m accommo^ 



( 266 ) 

accommodated with his own, and turn in thither, 
the obli«;ation would perhaps feem lefs, and a 
g'ateful difpufition lefs hurt by accepting it. 

This amiable friend had often fo liofpitably re- 
ceived the Prophet, and had jufl r.ow fettled ^ 
little home upon him ; he fends Gciiazi his fer- 
vant to enquire how he fliould make her fome 
return ; the good man felt the debt of kindnefi 
irkfomc ; would fhe be fpoken for to ihe King? 
or to the Captain of the Hod? His amiable 
Hoftefs had fet bounds to her defires, fwcetly 
contented, (lie fent him word, fhe dwelt in love 
and peace amongft her own People ; her ftation 
in her neighbourhood equalled all her wifhes. 
Moderation fo unafFefled while it was noticed bjr 
the Prophet, encreafed his difficulty, and he afk^ 
Gehazi, how fhall I repay this Woman's kind- 
nefs? Gehazi tells him, her Hufband is old, it 
would be a great joy, indeed, to her, to be a 
Mother. At the very next meeting, the Pro- 
phet acquaints his Hoftefs, fhe fliould have a Son. 
The Woman did not know how to believe even fo 
good a Man ; but flie found foon after the truth 
of the Prophets information. She bore a Son, 
the Child grew up and delighted her heart ; as 
it was one day in the fields with its Father -fol- 
lowing the reaper^;, the Child cried^ my head, 

03jr 



my head, it grew fuddenly Gck, the fond Father 
ttioft tenderly ordered it home, and it died foom 
after, at noon, in its Mother's arms. The dif- 
traQed Parent, overwhelmed with defpair, haftens 
with her dead Son up to the Prophet's Chamber, 
and there laid it down upon the bed, (he then 
aflced of her Hufband to fend her an Afs and a 
driver, they both feat themfclves upon it, and 
fhe fays, drive you on, and go forward, flack 
not thy riding, unlefs I bid thee, fhe made all 
the fpeed flie could to Carmel, where Eliflia 
dwelt, the Prophet faw her coming, while fhe was 
afar off he fufpefled the caufe, and haflily fends 
his fervant to enquire, is all well with thee ? is all 
well wiih tby Hufband? is all well with the 
Child? the Woman makes no flop, haflens on 
to the hill, a mofl earnefl and humble fuppliant, 
fhe caught the Prophet and held him by the 
feet— Gehazi thrufl her aM^ay — but the Man of 
God faid, let her alone, her foul is fore vexed, 
and the Lord hath hid it from me. The Woman 
was foon able to fpeak, and fhe pleads with the 
Prophet; did I defire a Son of my Lord? He 
was freely proraifed mle; furely thou art con- 
cerned to reftore me my dead Son, a Son, by 
your Prayers to God, you fo kindly procured 
me. Elifha would now fain have hurried away 
Gehazi his fervant, and he gave him his own 
M m 2 Staffs 



( ±6S ) 

Staff, and was dire£Hng him to lay it on th6 fee* 
pf the Child, but the wailings, and entreaties^ 
pnd diftraftion of the Mother prevail on the 
Prophet, •' I will never leave thee lill thou goeif^ 
Svith me.'- The prophet haftes away biinfelf, Ge* 
hazi his fervant ran forward with his Staffs ^nd 
pafled on before them^ and laid the Staff on the 
face of the Child, but as there was no appear- 
ance of life, he ran back and told hint), the Child 
was no^ awaked. Elifha now entered the room^ 
and he (hut the door upon them twain, jand he fejl 
jdoy/n upon the de^^d Child, and he put his mouth 
upon his mouth, and then, his eyes upon bis 
^yes, and his h^nds upon his hands^ and behoici 
the Child waifed wafro, the Prophet's fervent 
Prayers at length were heard, the breath returns^ 
the Child fneez^s, it opens its eyes, it revives^ 
and the Prophet fays to Gehazi, go call this Shu- 
namite— the Mothfsr comes — ^fhe fcarcely could 
believe what (he faw, (he fell proftrate on the 
ground, rapturoufly yet reverentially worshipping 
that Divine Power, which had wrought fo joyop$ 
a Miracle in her family. 

Eli(ha's habitation was principally at Moun( 
Carmel, he here eftabliflied a School, and taught 
himfelf a great number of young Students, train- 
ing them up for young Prophets^ thfs buildiiig 






( 8^9 ) 

Iras caiTed the College, and Elilha boarded them 
all himfelf, as well as prefided over their edui» 
cation* At the City of Gilgal there was another 
College of the Prophets ; and EliQia, as he wa| 
now a^ Shunem, travelled on to Gilgal, the Pro- 
phet had heard therf was a dearth in that City^ 
^nd he was anxious for the fafety and profperitjr 
of the College, Elilha went purpofely to comfort 
and encourage the young Prophets, to confirm 
them in their religious principles and daily daties. 

The morning after his arrival (he fays), fet ott 
the Pottage, and he fent Gehazi to gather herbi 
for it in the fiejd^, ajBDng the wholefome herba 
inhere plucked fome leaves of the Coloquintida, a 
Jiorrid bitter and poifpnous plant, and they were 
boiled among the reft in the Pottage. The Stii- 
jdents w^re all ftruck with the bitter tafte, and prcri 
fently were all fick and a vomiting, and they 
faid to EliQia— O! thou Man of God, there ii 
jdeath in the Ppt, Eli/ha afked for a little mea), 
and fpiinkled it into the difli, after which it be* 
j:ame wholefome and palatable^ and they all eat 
pf it very heartily. 

Another miracle in the eating \yay is recorded 
pf the Prophet, during his vifit at the College; 
ke is faid to ^have fed a hundred perfons, witl^ 

only 



( 250 ) 

0n\y twenty fmall loaves of barley bread, and 
ihey all had enough and to fparc^ 

Soon after Eli(ba*s return to Carmel, a Sy- 
rian General, the highly celebrated Naaman,^ 
Commander in Chief of the Armies of Syria, 
being afflifled with a leprofy, he obtained let- 
ters of recommendation from the King, hU 
Mafter, to Jehoragi King of Ifrael, requefting 
his permiflSon, to apply to the Prophet EliQia 
for afliftance and a cure. Naaman let out with 
a pompous retinue, a train of carriages, with 
noble and magnificent prefcnts on his journey 
to Samaria ; and he took with him ten talents 
of filver, and ten thoufand pieces of gold, and 
fen changes of raiment, to defray the charges of 
his journey, and for prefents to the Prophet and 
officers of the Court of Ifrael ; as foon as he had 
entered the City, Naaman forwarded to the Pa- 
lace, his petition and his letters of recommenda- 
tion from the King of Syria to Jehoram. 

The King mifunderftood the meffage, tbougbt 
this was only a pretence, the Syrians were wag^ 
ing war with him, in his furprize he cries out, 
** am I a God to kill or make alive, that thou 
•' fendeft hither a leper^fo inveterate a malady/* 

The 



. < ^91 ) 

The lepers \:hen were covered all over vrith 
foul fcurf, tncir flcfh fhrivelled, their joinU 
diRorted, molt horrid, ofFenfive, and loath- 
fome, to cure a leprofy was next to raifing 
the dead; the poor General, a miferable and 
ihocking fpeftacle, had with difficulty travelled 
a long journey from Damafcus, and the news 
of his arrival was foon carried to Mount Car-^ 
jnel, upon which Elifha wrote a letter to Jeho^ 
ram, defiring ihe King to fend the Syrian lepejr 
to Carmel, he ftiould foon be made to know^ 
there was a God in IfraeU 

Naaman with all his ftately retinue drove on 
to Carmel, and hi^ carriage flopt at the Pro- 
phet's door; Elifha fent his fervant to the c«fi. 
riage and direQed Naaman to the water fide, 
there to alight, and bathe himfelf, dipping fevca 
times in the River Jordan, after which bis fleik 
would be renewed, and his leprofy cured. The 
Syrian Lord expefling a ceremonious recep*- 
tion, and, all the formalities of a cure, replied 
in wrath, are not Abana and Parphar, Rivers 
£>f Damafcus, purer far, than all the waters of 
Ifracl ? Naaman drove off in a rage, but at 
ibon as he became calmer, his fervants refpeEU 
fully remind him of the great eafe with which 
$hc Pxoph€t'« dircftions cpuld be complied with^ 

" if 



( 292 ) 

^ if (fay they) thou hadft been bidden to da 
^* fome great thing, wouldft thou not have done 
** it? how much rather then, when he faith to 
*• thee wafh and be clean.*' As he paired on 
Kaaman reafoned the point with himfclf, be 
went down to the River, and he dipped him- 
fclf feven times, and his flelh came again sis 
trtfh as a young childs. 

Amazed at what he faw, arid 6verJoyed at 
lis cure, Naaman mounted his chariot, drove 
6n to Samaria and on to Carmef, he afights it 
the Prophet's door, and there profoundly reve- 
rences the God of Ifrael, the moft high God of 
all the earth, here he unloads all his prefentt 
ftnd lays them before the Prophet ; Eliflia ho- 
nourably refufcs them all, and would not ac- 
cept a reward. With the moft humble cour- 
tefy. Naaman, a Novice and a Heathen, ad- 
dreffes the Prophet, and he fays " thy fer- 
•* vant will henceforth facrifice to no God but 
'* thine-; give unto thy fcrvant tvi^o mules 
^' burthen of earth, to raife *att Altar more 
^* -holy and acceptable to him; and now I 
'' pray thee pardon thy fervantf when my 
Matter, leaning on me, pays his botoage and* 
l^orfliippeth Rimmon, and I bo^ itoyfelf in the 
hoxxk of Rimmon, pray your God for this 

thing 



( 273 ) 

jrtiing to pardon thy fcrvant ; Elifha does n6( 
fatisfy him about his doubt, go in pcace| 
v/as all tb^ f^rewjpl Salutation [gf the JPrg^ 
phet^ 

Gehazi (lands wondering at the conduft an4 
tefufal of his Mafter, a princely General, a 
ftranger, and froni a foreign Court, fo rich^ 
and he had brought his prefcnts from afar, he had 
received fo very marvellous a cure^ and his 
Matter to receive none of his prefcnts, Gehazt 
ran after the chariot and as foon as ev^r he cam^ 
near, Naaman flopped and refpcQfuUy alighted 
and inquired his meffage, two young men, Geha- 
zi faid, were juft come from Mount Ephraini 
on a vifit to his Mailer- would he fend by him ^ 
ialent of filver and two changes of raiment, Naa^ 
man all gratitude obliged him to take two ta^^ 
jents, together with the two changes of rai- 
ment, and Gehazi returned with them to Car-f 
mel; Elilha as foon as he faw Gehazi, a{k( 
from whence come you? and he anfwered, thy 
fervant w^ent no whither; ^'ifti^i replied, went 
not my heart with thee, when the man came 
down from his chariot to meet thee ! I had good 
reafons for perfifting to refufe all his gifts; was 
ihis a time to recciyfi money and garments ? 
^i^ch condu^ difgraces mv religion and me. 



r 274 ) 

The leprofy of Naairan fhall clcavt to thee, and 
to thy feed for ever. 

^' And he went out of his Mailers prefcnce, a 
** Leper as while as fnow." 

The number of the young Prophets encreaf- 
ing and the comfortable fubfiftancc and many 
bleffings they enjoyed under fo wife a niafter, 
and fo good a man, induced them to petition 
him to enlarge their College, they were now 
become a large body, and Elifha their Tutor, 
accompanied by all his difciples fet out toge- 
ther ({uch was the Cmplicity of the times) in 
order to fell timber, and they entered the Fo- 
left not very far from the banks of Jordan. 
The words of this petition, and ftill more the 
the Prophets anfwers, are wonderfully fimple 
and concife. ** I pray thee let us go to Jor- 
dan; and take every man a beam, and make a 
place where we may dwell, Elifha fays, go 
ye; but they faid, be content and go with thy 
fervants; Elifha anfwers, 1 will go; It was 
during this employment one of the ftudents 
dropped the head of his ax in the River, great- 
ly perplexed he told his trouble to Elifha, and 
behold, fays he, it is a borrowed one; Elifha 
enquired for the place, and, the Jews fay, he 
cut himfelf a handle, and dropped it in -the 

water 



( 275 ) 

wat^r, to wtiich the head of the ax was miri-^ 
culoufly joined. The young man faw his ax 
floating on the water, and fo near the bank, by 
ftooping down, he. took it out with great eafe, 

' Notwithftanding this late inftance of refpe£l 
and friendlhip from Jehoram, this highly noticed 
cure of Naaman, the Syrian Lord, the King his 
Matter very foon lay an- ambufcade againft the 
life of Jehoram, and it had very near proved 
fatal to that Prince; '* in fuch a place Ihall be 
*• my Camp, at thispafs I wiil feize th^ Ifraelhes 
" and perhaps Jehoram.** 'Eliflia deiefled the 
plot, and By his wife and well timed communica- 
tions prevented it ; he wrote a letter to the King 
— " Beware thou pafs not fuch a place, the 
*' Syrians are come down;" Jehoram fent 
his fpies, and a guard with them lo fecure the 
place and paffage; the Syrian King was forely 
difappointed, he was in great wroth, and when 
he had called a council, he afks, who amongft us 
is for Ifiael? and his Nobles anfwercd, my 
. Lord, O King, none of us, thy fervants are 
no fpies, but Elifha the Prophet that is in 
Ifrael, telleth the King of Ifrael, the words that 
thou fpeakeft in thy Bed-chamber; ftaggered at 
this report, and finding it confirmed, as all his 

N n 2 fchemes 



( 2^6 ) 

A^erttes il^ere defeated by the Prophet, iht S!y4- 
Han Prince enquires where \it was ; and fenda 
out his fpies; Elifha at that time was vifiting 4 
little City near Sechem, called Dothan, and the; 
King fent thither horfes and chariots and a 
great Hoft, and they came by night and rur-> 
founded it| 2t& foon as it was knovvn^ eatly in 
the morning, £li(ha*s fervant tan to him, alaa 
Mafter! what Ihall we do? behold horfes and chaii- 
cts and a mighty Hoft encompaffcih the City ; and 
Elifha anfweredj be of good cheer, they thaf 
arc with us, are more than they that be with 
therii ; on the Prophet's prayer and requeft, tbu 
eyes of the young man his fervant were opened^ 
and he faw horfes and chariots of fire round 
about Elilha, and behold they filled the inounr* 
tain ; the Syrian Troops had by this time entered 
Dothan, and at the Prophet's prayer, God fmptc 
them all with blindnefs, a fudden blaze of light 
cpnfufed all their fenfes, Elifha came himfelf 
and conduced them into the City of Samaria-^ 
When they were thus entrapped and all fecure, the 
Prophet prays that their eyes might be 0{)ened^ 
and behold, they faw themfelves in the midft 
of Samaria, furrounded with the Ifr^elitilh Army 
the King and his Guards^ Jehoram now runs 
up to Elifha^ and he tries out, my Father, my 
Father, fhall I fmite them? The Prophet an- 
swers no^ wouldett thou in cold blood fmite 

even 



f a77 ) 

il¥<!n,tiiore thou haft taken mih thy fword 6f 
thy bow. Set meat and drink before them. The 
King ordered them a plentiful fupp'y; and after 
they bad eat and drankj be fent tbem all away.. 

This was an aftion of great piety and charity 5 
doing good to enemies * an honour to their Re-* 
• ligion, and highly prudential, as hereby the Sy- 
rians might return the kindnefs to the Ifraeliiifli 
Captives^ and reverence a People fo humane and 
thus invincibly proteSed. 

An exploit fo recent, and an example fo mef- 
«fful were foon forgot ; Benhadad, King of Syrw^ 
boldly made his next attempt by open violence 
and the horror's of Wan With ail bia forceij 
and in conjunftion with his Allies, at the head of 
at numerous and nioft formidable army^ he en- 
tered Samaria, ravaged the Country, and laid 
clofe fiege to the Capital* The confcquencc of 
fo clofe a blockade was very fpeedily felt, th<i 
rapidity and fuddennefs of the Enemy's arrival 
had prevented the neceffary ftores, a Famine cjd^ 
fuedi an aFs's head fold for near ten pounds, and 
a pint meafure of peas for two (hillings, ever/ 
article of food was foon eat up. Jehoram^ 'm 
deep defpondency, was mufing on his Ramparts^ 
and walking round the City walls, to forward his 
Hcccflkry orders, and obfcrve the motions of the 

Enemy. 



C 278 1 

Enemy, and behold, a diftraSed Woman, alT 
vildnefs, threw herfelf proftrate at his feet, my 
Lord, O ! King — juftice — I pray you juftice on 
this Woman, (he with-holds my due, and I ani 
ftarving, *' Give (Ihe faid) thy Son, and let us 
** eat him lo-day, and we will dre's and eat my 
" Son to-morrow/* I boiled my Child, and wc 
did eat him; the next day when I looked for her's, 
behold ihe has eat him alone^ or faves his life. 
Jehoram fighed bitterly, and expreffed the livelieft 
forrow, he rent his cloaths, and the rents fhewed 
the fackcloth, the deep mourning, wherewith he 
had clad himfelf. The King's paffion vented iN 
felf firft on Elifha. "God do fo, and more 
" alfo to me, if the head of Elifha, Son Shaphat 
*' (land on him this day," and the King ipftantly 
difpatched one of his Guard in order to murder 
him. Elifha fat rc'ading his Lcftures at home, 
and the Elders, his Friends and his Students fat 
with him. Ere the Meffer ger arrived, fhut, fhwt 
the door, fays the Prophet, and hold it fait, fee 
how this Son of a Murderer has fent to take off 
my head? is not the found of his Maftt-r's feet 
behind him ? while he yet talked, the Meffen- 
ger and the King rufhed in upon them. This 
judgment (fays Jehoram) is from God — He hath 
inflifted it — He will not remove it — Women are 
eating up their children — Why bidft thou me 

wait 



( 279 ) 

wait on God for help ? I am weary of waiting, 
why wait longer ? The Prophet foon convinced 
him of his Innocence, and forced from the an*, 
gry King a tacit acknowledgment, it was the 
rod of the Almighty on account of his own Im-*^ 
piety and Idolatry. 

After which Elifha comforts Jehoram, and tella 
him, fo large a fupply of provifion would be 
brought into the City, even as foon as to-mor^ 
TOW, that a bufliel of fine flour would be fold for 
five-pence, and two bufhels of barley at the 
fame price, at the Gate of Samaria. 

That very night, ftruck with horror, and a 
dreadful panic, the Syrians thought they heard 
the noife of Horfes, rattling of Chariots, and a 
mighty Hoft, they fled in the utmoft terror and 
diftraftion, and they left all their Provifion and 
Baggage, even many of their Horfes and Aflcs, 
and much Cattle, the very roads were ftrewed with- 
cups and fpoons and garments they had dropped. 
The very next morning fb great was the plenty^ 
a^nd fo immenfe the fpoil, a bufliel of fine flour 
and two bufhels of barley were fold for a fliekel,* 
at the High Gate, the publick. Market of Sa- 
maria. 

It 

• Five-pence. 



{ 28o ) 

It was dming this hurry and confufion ihat t 
fioble Lord of Samaria, a favourite of the King*«, 
%vho had been appointed Ovcrfcer of the Gate, 
was trod to death by the Populace^ he had diU 
credited the Prophct*s aflertion, and farcaftically 
told him, " That might be, if the Lord vould 
•^ make Windows in Heaven/* Eli (ha replied, 
tliou ihall fee it with thine eye5, but (halt not 
laftc thereof. 

The Prophet had now one more opportunity 
ef ferving his amiable Hoftefs the Shunamite^ 
Eliiha had given her timely notice of the Famine, 
and on the Prophet's advice and information, fhe 
left the Country, retired into the land of the 
!PhiIiftines where there was plenty, and avoided 
'aill the diftrefs. She and her family had novr 
been abfent feven years, and when fhe returned, 
lier eftates bad all been fcized, they were difpofed 
of, and in the poffeffion of ftrangers. The Shu- 
namitefs reprcfented the cafe, legally laid her 
claim; but no arguments fhe could ufe availed, 
the prefent occupier bad made the purchafe, and 
would retain pofiTeflion, Upon which (he came 
up to Court, and made her appeal to the Throne, 

At the time fhe obtained an audience, and 
jiift as (he was conduaed into the prefencft 
Chamber, Gchazi was relating to the King the 

Aliraclei 



( 28l ) 

Miracles and very extraordinary hiftcry of his 
Mafter, and while he was telling the mod afto- 
nilhing one, his reftoring a dead body to life, the 
Shunamitefs eaught his eye, my Lord, O Kingr, 
fays Gehazi, ** This is the Woman — this is the 
." Son.'* Upon which the Kirg enquired of the 
Woman herfelf, and afked her to tell her own ftory. 
A kind providence »nd very feafonable concur- 
rence of events, for the King upon this, com- 
manded all her eftates to be reftored to her, and 
the whole profits which had been received 
from the time flie firft left Shunem, and he ap- 
pointed an officer to attend her, and fee that 
they were fully paid back to her and her Son. 

Elifha from hence took a journey to Damaf- 
cus, and he there foretold Benhadad's death 
and Hazael's acceffion to the Throne of Syria. 

The King was fick, and he heard of the 
Prophet's arrival at Damafcus, well knowing 
his charaSer and the fignal miracles he had 
performed, he fends Hazael, his fervant, with 
a moft magnificent prefent, in order to purchafe* 
his favour and notice, ten Camels laden with 
the bed riches of all his treafury. Hazael met 
Eliflia, and he ftood before him, and he bowed — 
*^ Thy Son Benhadad, King of Syria, fent me 
" to thee, and he faid, Ihall I recover from 

Vot. II. O o •' my 



( 282 ) 

" my difeafe ?" Elilha told him the malady was 
very ufually cured, but . the Lord had fhewed 
him, that the King would furely die. The 
Prophet looked fo very fteadily on Hazael, it 
put him quite out ofxountenance, Elifha's eyes 
at this inftant ran down v ith tears, Hazael fub- 
miflSvely and very refpeftfully enquired the 
caufe of the ^Prophet's grief, and he now tells 
him, I am reflefting on the evil thou wilt bring 
onlfrael; its ftrong Holds thou wilt fet on fire, 
its young Men thou wilt flay with the fword, 
the children fhalt thou dafh to pieces, and the 
Women with child fhalt thou rip up; Hazael 
fays, is thy fervant a dog? and he pleaded his 
great meanefs, the impofTibility of a perfon in 
his flation, to acquire even the power of aSing 
with fuch inhumanity. The Prophet now adds, 
but God hath fhewed me thou wilt be. King over 
Syria. 

Hazael's ambition took fire; he returned 
back to his Malter, and told him the Prophet 
had foretold his recovery; in order to prevent 
it, Hazael dipped a coarfe cloth in water, and 
he pretended to be cooling a profufe heat, but 
he held it on his mouth long enough to fuffo- 
catc him; after which, Hazael feized the Crown, 
and having in his interefl both the People and 
the Army, he afcendcd the Throne of Ben. 
hadad. 

Elifha 



■s 



( 283 ) 

Elifha on his return to Carmcl, direfled one 
of the young Prophets to gird up his loins 
for expedition, and take a horn of oil, and 
haftc away to Ramoth-Gilead ; at this time the 
Kings of Ifrael and Judah were both abfent, 
and Jehu was left in charge as Commander in 
Chief, 

The ycmng man was ordered to enquire for 
one oF the name of Jehu, the Son of Jehofophat 
and Grandfon of Nemfhi, to retire with hinv 
aloiie into an inner chamber and there anoint 
him King over Ifrael; the Officers were all 
fitting in council together when be arrived H 
Ramoth-Gilead, and the young Prophet prefents 
himfelf before them; I have an errand for 
thee O Captain, and Jehu faid, unto which of 
us? and he anfwered, unto thee O Captain, 
and he arofe and went into a back chamber in 
the houfc, and the young man took out his 
horn, poured the oil on his head, and faid, I 
have anointed thee King over the People of 
the Lord, even over Ifr?iel. 

The young Prophet then informed Jehu, 
God, by hi$ Prophet, had commanded him to 
deftroy the King; Jcfebel, bis Mother, Queen 
Dowager of Ifrael aqd extinguifh root and 
branch of the family of Ahab, With wonderful 
O Q a courage 



( 284 ) 

courage and difpatch, this Intrepid Hero exe- 
cuted the orders given him, the awful Sentence 
denounced by the Prophet on all the blood 
Royal of IfraeK 

This highly revered and good Man had now 
lived to fee the complctiorj of all he had foretold 
to Hazael^ before he was King of Syria, literally 
fulfilled in the reign of Jehoahaz. In the begin- 
ning of the reign of Joas, foon after his acceffion, 
Eliflia quite feeble, full of years, and now ap- 
proaching his end, the young Prince refpeftfully 
pays him a vifit, and on feeing him fo helplefs, 
the very vifible and evident approaches of the 
death of fo great a Prophet, and fo holy and good 
a Man, tenderly affefted him, and the King fell 
into a flood of tears, and faid to him, *• O! my 
** Father, my Father, the Chariot of Ifrael and the 
** Horfemen thereof," reminding him of Elijah's 
afcenfion, and his own words, at parting. The 
Prophet warmly felt the King's kindnefs, an4 
with a highly pleafing courtcfy, names to him 
the fucceffcs of his future Wars with Syria ; he 
fliould engage them in three pitched battles, an4 
come off Conqueror in thena all. 

The Prophet addreffes the young Princtby 
aQion. Take bow and arrows, and he bids him 
Ihoot ; after which, he tells him, thou flialt fmite. 

the 



( 285 ) 

the Syrians an Aphek> till thou haft confumed 
them. This was the Jirjl fign; and it rcfpeaed 
his viftories over Syria; and, the fecond, the 
number of thofe viftories. Again the Prophet 
fays, take the arrows and finite upon the ground; 
the King fmote thrice, and then flopped. At this 
Eliflia was wroth, thou fhouldft (fays he) have 
fmitten five, or fix times, then hadft thou fmitten 
Syria till thou hadft confumed it — whereas now 
thou wilt fmite Syria only thrice; for God had 
fignified to the Prophet, that the number of vie-, 
tories would correfpond with the number of the 
King's ftrokes. The Prophet therefore anxious 
for his fuccefs, and Ifrael's glory, paffionately la- 
ments he did not go on Ihooting, and by his re** 
peated viftories weaken, confume, and utterly de- 
ftroy the Syiians, 

It was during this War with Syria the good 
old Prophet died, and he had been buried near 
twelve months, when fome Ifraelites, who were 
carrying a corpfe in order to inter it, fell in with 
a band of Moabitifti robbers^ and as they were 
near the tomb of Eliftia, they depofited the body 
within it, and fled away for their lives, upon, 
touching the bones of the Prophet, the corpfe wa& 
reanimated, it revived and flood up on its feet ; 
of this Man, whofe name was Salum, the Jews 
ll^rmi tbivt he efcaped from (he toq^b^ livec^ 

many 



( 286 ) 

many years afterwards, and begat fons and daiigh- 
ers. Amidft the fad calamities of Ifrael, now 
challenged by Judah, and ravaged by Syria and 
Moab; but efpecially to Elifha's followers, a 
Miracle like this muft have yielded them loine 
prefent comfort, and afforded them a lively hope 
of an eternal life, whereof this was a manifeft 
pledge. 

They would refleft on God's former mercies 
and interpofition, that he had not utterly forfaken 
Ifrael, and the gojodnefs they now faw difplayed 
to an individual, might exert itfelf in their 
national reftoration and happinefs. 

In the charaftcr of this truly venerable and 
good Man in the Book of Ecclefiafticus, there 
feems a reference and confirmation given to the 
credit of this very wonderful Story, 

" Elifha was filled with the Spirit of Elijah. 
•* While he lived he was not over-awed by 
*' any Prince, neither could any ever bring 
•* him under fubjeftion; no word could over- 
^^ come him; and after his death, he prophefied/* 



ESSAY 



ESSAY XXV. 



ON THE 



BOOKS OF THE PROPHESIES, 



OF 



ISAIAH. 



nP H E meaning of the Hebrew woid, Ifaiab, 
. -^ is highly defcriptive of the Prophets Cha- 
racter. 

" The Salvation of Jehovah." 

Ifaiah, was the Son of Amoz, the Prophet 
whom God had before fent to the Ifraelites 
with denunciations, and awful threats, oh ac- 
count of their bafe Ingratitude, and Idolatry. 

• Amoz, 

3194, 8io, Before Chrift.' 



( 288 ) 

Atnoz was of the blood royal, and Brother to 
tJzziah, King of Judah. 

Ifaiah, his Son, was the firft of the Four 
Greater Prophets and diftinguifhed by the title 
of a Prince among them. Thus born a Pro- 
phet, Ifaiah was noticed very early in life for 
his piety, courage, and manly eloquence. 

He wrote, himfelf his own PropheGes and 
of almoft all of them, pofteriiy were able foon 
to form their own opinion, for in lefs than a 
century, the events he foretold, were very 
many of them fulfilled or fulfilling. Ifaiah'g 
intelligences and direfiions were ufually con- 
veyed to him in vifions and he was fo correft 
and clear, in all the predictions he made^ as 
never once to have erred. 

His ftile is diftinguifhed by its magnificence 
and fwectners, the lively beauty and aptnefs 
of its figures, wonderfully flriking and ani- 
mated, the fublimefl ft rains of poetry, flowing 
with inimitable elegance, loftinefs and Ma- 
jefty. 

The general divifion of the book is into five 
parts. 

The 



( 289 ) 

iPhe firft ends at the thirteeth Chapter, an4 
Contains five diftinft addreffes to, his Country-r* 
men. In fomc he feverely reproves them, iij 
others by the kindeft pronjifes he p^ifBonately 
exhorts and encourages them, ** ^ Remnant 
*' ihall be faved; it Ihall return ; as an elm, or 
^ an oak retains the fubftanc^ when the'lpav^^ 
*' are gone, fo ihfs ]Holy Seed ftiali be the jTufer 
•* ftance." 

The firft verfe concifely gives his genealogy^ 
and the names of the Kings under whofe reigns 
he prophefied, and they fucceffively flouriflicd, 
between three thoufand one hundred and ninety- 
four, and the year of the World, three thou- 
fand three hundred and five. The highly elo^ 
quent invocation in the fecond verfe, is a part 
of the fong of Mofes. ** Hear, O ! Heavens, 
^* and give ear, O! Earth." Ifaiah hereby reT- 
minds the Jews of their firft Lawgiver, and tha$ 
he had predifted the times now prefent. 

. " The four firft Chapters dontain the ^f^rophefic^l 
in the reign of King Uzziah, and in the fifth 
is an admonitory fong. A juft and ftrjking 
reprefcntation of a perverf^, maft ungrateful 
People, and an elegant an4 lively pi/6hire. I 
planted a Fence round my Vineyard (an extra- 
ordinary providence). I removed the ftonc^ 
Vol. I J. Pp 



(290) 

(vices and errors), I planted it with the choi^ 
ceft vines (Jofhua, the Judges, David). I built 
a Tower (Jcrufalem the Holy City) and made 
a wine prefs (Altars and Temple) I looked 
for grapes, and behold it brought forth wild 
grapes (idolatries and' immoralities). Be your- 
felves ihe Judges, what could I have done 
more for my Vineyard, that I have not done? 
Now will I take away the hedge and lay it wafte> 
it (hall not be pruned nor dug, the wall Ihall be 
broke and the Vineyard trodden down, I will 
command the clouds, and they fhall rain no 
rain upon it. 

Then quitting the parable, yet fwectly and 
poetically retaining the allufion, the Prophet 
ftrikingly concludes his Song. 

" The Vineyard of the Lord of Hofts is 
the houfe of Ifrael, and the men of Judah his 
pleafant plant; and he looked for judgment but 
behold oppreffion; for righteoufnefs, but be- 
hold a cry'' for vengeance. 

The fixth Chapter contains the prophefies in 
the reign of Jotham, the Father of Ahaz, and 
the remainder of this book or divifion relates to 
King Ahaz himfelf. 

Ahaz was the firft Prince Ifaiah was fent to. 
He was an Idolater, his fufferings and impiety 

arc 



( ^9^ ) 

•are Utgely expatiated on, in his reign, and the 
circumftance there told which occafioned the 
Prophet's firft vifit at his Court. Two formi- 
dable armies encompaffed Jerufalem, and they 
threatened a total deftruftion to the Empire. All 
was confternation and defpair. At thi^ critical 
moment Ifaiah entered the Palace, and in the 
exercife of his high prophetic office, he told 
the Ring, '* the Armies of Ifrael and Syria, 
they both will try their ftrength in vain. 

The Prophet's prediction was foon verified, 
both Kings finding all attempts fruitlefs, mor- 
tified and difappointed, marched with their Ar- 
mies back to Damafcus and Samaria. 

Having already mentioned the glorious light, 
and joy and viftory of the People of' God, the 
Prophet, in the ninth Chapter, in a very flrik- 
ing and animated flile introduces the perfon of 
the Mefliah who was fo fignally to difplay it, a 
Prophefy fo pregnant of proof, and fo unequi- 
vocal, the Jews have long and ftrenuoufly la- 
boured to evade and obfcure. 

Full of certainty and encouragement Ifaiah 
fays, *^ unto us (Jews) a child is born, unto us 
" a Son is given ; and the Government (over 
Church and People) fhall be upon his fhoulders 
(elegantly cxprelfiye of its weight and burden) 
P p 2 his 



( S92 ) 

ills name (hall be called Wonderful, (the narrfb 
of the Angel fent to Monoah anc} his Wife) 
Counfellor (declaring the council and decrees 
of Omnipotence, which he and his Apoftles 
have revealed from the. ftores of wifdom and 
knowledge) the Mighty God, the Everlafting 
Father (of all believers and a World to come) 
the Prince of Peace (he gave his life a ranfom 
lo procure ii)i 

In the tentji Chapter ttie Prophet denounces 
the judgments of God againft the Aflyriaa 
Empire and its reigning Monarch, Senna-Che- 
rib in particulah " O Aflyrian the rod of 
»' mine anger'* and Nineveh was in all its 
Pride and Glory, the Capital of a vaft Empire, 
JSxty miles in conipafs, its walls a hundred feet 
high, three chariots drove abreaft upon them, 
and they were ftrengthened with fifteen hundred 
Towe«. It was not very long after this Pro- 
jphefy, the Monarchy was- overthrown, and 
J^ineveh deftroycd. 

The eleventh Chapter comtnetices with another 
moft encouraging Prophefy refpefting the Meffiab^ 
under the fweeteft figures, defcribing, throughout^ 
that at that happy period. Men of fierce, cruel, 
and ungovernable difpofitions, ftiould, by the 
jinformation then given them; and the grace anci' 

goodt 



( 2flf3 ) 

goodriefs of their long cxpcSed Saviour, becdm< 
meek, humble, and traSable, .conquering all their 
obftinacy — ** the Wolf (hould dwell with the 
" Lamb ; the Leopard lie down with the Kid ; 
" the Lion with the Calf, and a little Child 
" fliould lead them/' 

An elegant Hymn of Praife and Thank fgiving 
follows and finifhes this firft Book. A grateful 
and joyous Addrefs to God for the many mercies 
which the Prophet had been fo delighting his 
Countrymen by recounting. 

The fecond Book includes the fourteen fbU 
lowing Chapters, ending at the twenty-eighth, and 
contains eight different Addreffes, defcribing the 
fates of Babylon, the Philiftines, Mpab, Syria^ 
Tyre and Egypt, and thefe Denunciations end 
at the twenty-fifth, the fubfequent three Chapters 
arc Songs of Praife and Thankfgiving. 

Ifaiah lived during the declenfion of the king- 
dom of Judah, and foretold the downfal of the 
Jews and their captivity, together with the de- 
ftrudion of their enemies, Nineveh, Babylon^ 
Tyre and Egypt j and great and mighty as they 
then were, all of them were plundered, de^ 
ftroyed, and laid wafte, exaflly in the manner the 
Prophet had {)redi£tedf 

The 



( 294 ) 

. The thirteenth Chapter opens with th^ bi!irden 
of Babylon, and the awful Prophefies refpefiing 
it ; in ar fubfequent Chapter, renewing this fame 
fubjeft, the Prophet fpeaks of the dellruQ:ion of 
Babylon, with fuch full affurance of the event, 
that he defcribes a thing future, as if it were al- 
ready paft. 

" Babylon is fallen, is fallen, its graven Image? 
** broken down to the ground ; Babylon is fud- 
^* dcniy fallen and deftroyed." 

At this very time, Babylon was the Haughty 
City, in all its grandeur and profperity. " The 
*' glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chal- 
** dees;'* the Golden City, abounding in wealth, 
fixty miles in circumference, and its walls three 
bundred and fifty feet high, and eighty-feven in 
thicknefs, its gates folid brafs, in number one 
hundred, and each of them ftrongly guarded and 
watched by night and by day. 

The fourteenth Chapter is Ifrael's Ode of 
Triumph, on the fall of Babylon, an animated, 
beautiful, and elegant compofition, abounding 
with the fevereft ftrokes of Irony, and the fub- 
limeft ftrains of Poetry. All Hell is reprefentcd 
as moved, and the Ghofts of Tyrants dead, as 
rifing up to meet the King of Babylon, with the 
keeneft infult, and with Sovereign fcorn they 
congratulate his arrival* 

The 



( 295 ) 

The fifteenth and fixteenth defcribe the fad and 
lamentable Hiftory of the Moabites. Moab was 
one of the incefl:uous Sons of Lot, that by the 
eldeft daughter; the land they inhabited was 
fituated in Arabia Petraea, a Nation notorious 
for Impiety, Inceft, and Idolatry. 

Syria and Ifrael arc the fubjefts of the feven- 
teenth, and God, by his Prophet, denounces 
heavy judgments and threatenings on them both. 
The nineteenth is the confufion and defolation of 
Egypt. 

In the twenty-third Chapter is related the fad 
and miferable overthrow of Tyre, the moft cele- 
brated City in the World, for its Opulence, 
Trade and Navigation, the Seat of Commerce^ 
the Centre of Riches. The higheft boaft of the 
Tyrians was their Antiquity, they then counted 
two thoufand three hundred years from the 
building of their City and their celebrated Tem- 
ple. The Mart of Nations, the crowning City, 
whofe Merchants were Princes, whofe Trafficker*^ 
the honourable of the Earth. 

Tyre was in this wealthy and flourifliing ftate, 
when Ifaiah prophefied its utter deftruftion, one 
hundred and twenty-five years before it hap- 
pened. The Prophet forefaw, and exprefsly 
qaines the fatal caufes of its ruin. The Luxury, 

. . Pride, 



« iay. °°' 



( 299 ) 

' Ifaiah had prophefied of his death, and the 
awful manner of it, together with many threat- 
iiin^s and denunciations refpefling his Empire. 

This Siege — this very fignal and providential 
deliverance arc the fubjefts of the thirty-fixih 
and thirty-feventh Chapters. Another vifit of 
the Prophets to King Hezekiah is recorded 
in the thirty-eighth. 

Hezekiah was fick, Ifaiah's awful meffage 
was, fet your affairs in order, make your will, 
fettle your Kingdom. God hath told me you 
will furely die. Hezekiah's tears, his peniten- 
tial forrow, and his prayers obtained for him 
a reprieve of fifteen years, the Prophet had 
taken his leave, but he was ordered to return 
to the Palace, and give the King this inftant 
'anfwer and confolation, the reward of his tears 
and his prayer. 

, Hezekiah,' overjoyed, received now a very 
extraordinary proof of Ifaiah's prophetic know- 
Jedge and power of working miracles. 

Chufe you (fays the Prophet) whether the fha- 
dow on the flcps, or dial of thq Palace fliould go 
ten degrees forward, or retire ten degrees back. 
Hezekiah preferred the latter, as the moft 
fignal and by far the moft likely to be noticed. 

Qq The 



( 8®«> ) 

The Chaldeans, great aftronomersj. wert 
alloniflied at the furprizing change they had 
vitnefled, being told of the King's recovery?, 
Balad King of Babylon forwarded Ambaffador* 
with magnificent prefcnts to Jerufalem, Heze- 
kiah courteoufly received them, ordered them 
to be fplendidly entertained, and recommended 
thefe foreign Minifters to the notice of his No- 
bles, fhewed them his treafures, his armory, 
his jewels and the grandeur of his Palaces, after 
-which they requefted an audience, took a re«- 
fpeftful leave of his Majefty, and carried back 
a reciprocal mark of friendfliip, fuitable prc- 
fents to the King of Babylon. Ifaiah enquired 
of Hezekiah who thofe men were, and from 
whence they came, the King told him, they 
came from Babylon, they had brought him a 
friendly and polite congratulation from Baladi 
being Foreigners and Strangers, he had fhewn 
them his riches, his ftore of arms and bis Pa- 
laces; the Prophet replied, thofe very riches 
fliall all be carried to Babylon, your Sons made 
eunuchs, fliall ferve the King of Babylon, God 
hath foretold me thefe things. 

The fubjea of the thirty-ninth Chapter is 
the feventy years captivity of the Jews in Baby- 
lon, and it was prophefied of, at a time Judah 
was in profound peace, and highly profperous. 

After 



( 3^1 ) 

*re vifits to the Palace which properly 

iiic fourth divifion of the Book, the 

■.iions are continued on in the fortieth 

iLcr, and henceforward Ifaiah writes a 

.r conneQed feries of his prophefies, the 

***■ '• lirfl addreffes refpefl: the Mcfliah, his ma- 

■'^♦eilation, with many introduftory and attendant 

tciimftances, and the firft of them is the 

)reaching of John the Baptift, recorded and 

prophefied of feven hundred years before he 

was born. 

The general fubje£ls purfued in the following 
Books are the Reftoration of the Jewifh Church 
after their captivity; the vanity and deftruftion of 
idols; a difplay of the power and providence of 
God; the Return of the Jews from Babylon ; but 
afterwards their rejcQion and the call of the 
Gentiles^ 

The fourth Book of Ifaiah is wrote in a ftile 
much the moft fublime and elegant. Wife 
fele6t, and forcible addreffes to his Brethren, 
divinely animated and pathetic^ well fuited to 
roufe the indolent, reprove and alarm the guilty, 
as well as to impart confolation to the pious 
and believing Jew. With manly eloquence 
exhorting andreafbning with his Countrymen^ 
warmly interefting their feelings, and pathetically 
arreftiiig the heart. 

In 



( 



( 3^2 ) 

In the fouy-third Chapter you read a re- 
viving and moft affeftioriatc confolation. 

" Fear not; I have redeemed thee; thou art 
** mine ; when thou pafleft through the waters 

** (under bondage to Egypt), I will be with thee, 

*' and through the Rivers (referring to Babylon) 

*' they (hall not overflow thee. When thou 

*' walkeft through the Fire (the devaftation of 

** Macedon) thou fhalt not be burnt; neither 

*' fhall the Flame (the Roman power) kindle 

*' upon thee. 1 am the Lord thy God, the 

* Holy One of Ifracl thy Saviour." 

Ifaiah's tender and affcftionate feelings are ftill 
more difplayed in the forty-fifth and forty-fixth 
Chapters. He had difcharged his duty ; he had 
foretold their captivity, and now he gives them 
in his own hand writing, a certificate, fully 
affuring them of deliverance, and re-eftablifh- 
mcnt. After feveiny years bondage they fhould 
mo{t certainly return from Babylon, rebuild 
their City and Temple, poflefs again their own 
eftates, to comfort and acquire their confidence, 
he names their deliverer (by name) Cyrus, the 
future conqueror of Babylon, above two hun- 
dred years before he was born, and gives hitn. 
the title of the anointed of the Lord. 

Thi^ 



( 3^3 ) 

This celebrated Hero extended his conqiiefta 
over all Afia, from the River Indus to the 
jEgcan Sea, immenfe were his treafures and, 
his fpoils, Afia abounding in wealth and 
luxury. 

The Prophet's prediftions refpefting. Perfia 
are all under the name of Elam. Perfia was 
not a name known in the life time of Ifaiah. 

The Chaldeans were haughty, over-bearing 
and unmerciful, and more of God's judgments 
are awfully denounced againft them in the 
forty-feventh Chapter, and the Prophet affigns 
the reafon, they were intended as warnings, 
and foretold as excitements to amendment. 
In the next Chapter Ifaiah addreffes and 
pleads with his Countrymen, and he tells 
them, God in kind condefcenfion, was im- 
preffing on their minds events which (how- 
ever awful) would certainly come to pafs, 
reafoniiig, as it were, with his People, con- 
vincing them of error, exciting them to peni- 
nitence, and thus affeftionately compelling them 
to obedience ; purfuing this pathetic ftilc, the 
Prophet in the next Chapter, by the mbft for- 
cible emblems of fympathy and compaffion, and 
the kiudeft expreflions of regard calls up every 

tc-nder 



( 3<>4 ) 

tender feelings and furprizes you by contraflin^ 
it with the loving kindnefs of Jehovah. 

** Can a Mother forget her fucking child, that 
** flie fhould not have compaffion on the child 
*' of her womb; yes; Ihe may forget, yet will I 
** not forget thee, O ! Jerufalem/* 

What heart but muft .yield to fuch powerful 
yearnings, and pleadings of humanity! 

The following Chapters make up the fifth 
divifion of the Book, and defcribe more partis 
cularly the appearance of our Saviour and the 
charafter of his Kingdom, from the fifty-fecond, 
quite to the end of the fifty-third, is one mani« 
feft, plain, and uninterrupted prediflion of the 
Mefliah, as the Evangelift St. John^ and the 
Apoftle St. Paul exprefsly inform us. Who 
can read this elegant Oration, almoft a Funeral 
Dirge, without a tear of anguifli and aftonifh- 
ment. Although a prophefy, it feems an ac-^ 
tual review, wonderfully affeCling and diftrefs- 
ful, the circuniftances of our Saviour's life,^ 
fufferings^and death, delineated with fuch pre- 
cifion and minutenefs, heightened with every 
feature of ignominy and diftrefs, that you view a 

portrait 



( 305 ) 

portrait clearly rcprefenting things paft, not 
events which were to take place feven hundred 
years afterwards. 

' The fubjeQs of the fifty-fourth Chapter are 
bleffings andpromifes.to the Gentiles; after the 
delivery of chjpfe prophefies, Ifaiah calls upon 
all and ev^ry one, to. make the right iufe 
of the leffons and inftruftions given thena, pa* 
thetically' reafoning, and forcibly deducing his 
arguments from the inexhauftible mercy and 
goodnefs of God, and with fublime beauty, the 
Prophet again contrails the ways of God with 
the ways of Man. 

" My thoughts are not as your thoughts, 
•* neither are your ways, my ways, faith the 
** Lord. As the Heaven'^ are higher than the 
" earth, fo are my . ways, higher than your 
♦* ways, and my thoughts,, than ypur thoughts/' 

In the 'fifty-ninth Chapter Ifaiah reveals the 
Covenant of the Redeemer, in the fixty-^fifth, the 
fejedkon of the .Jews, and calling in of the 
Gentiles. 

The Book the» concludes with dire,61l3i)ns 
how to ferve God tin fincerky, the molt 'reviv- 
ing confolations to the humble and aw1u^ de- 
nunciations againft the ungodly and impenitent^ 

Vol. II. Rr Manafleh 



( 3o6 ) 

Manaffeh, a Son of Hezekiah, at twelve years 
old arccnded the Throne of Judah, he grew 
up a bloody Idolatrous and mod abandoned 
Prince, (though he was afterwards as much 
noticed for his penitence). The Prophets had 
feverely reprimanded the young Prince, and 
in confequence of their threats and denunci- 
ations, ManafTeh treated them with the higheft 
infolence and cruelty, among other afts of de- 
fpotifm and brutifli inhumanity, he pafled fen-^ 
tence on this good Man, ordering him out to 
a bloody execution, mod barbaroufly command-, 
ing that the Prophet fhould be fawn afunder, 
and as Authors have aflerted, with a wooden faw» 

He was buried near Jerufalem, on the fide 
of Mount Sion, by the Royal Sepulchre, and 
under a very famous Oak, named Rogel. 

Befides his infpired knowledge, Ifaiah had a 
mind well cultivated and improved with all 
the learning of the Eaft. He is faid to have 
ihone the brighteft Luminary in the Jewifh 
Church. 

On account of the clearnefs of his Prophe- 
fies, refpeQing the Mefliah, he acquired the 
name of the Evangelical Prophet, and St. 
Jerom remarks that Zenophon's Hiftpry is an 

ekcelleot 



( 30? ) 

excellent comment on the Book of the Pro- 
phet Ifaiah; his Wife was always reverenced as* 
^ Prophetefs, 

The moft ancient encomium we meet with 
in Hiftory, refpefting the Prophet, is 

By an excellent fpirit he forefaw what would 
come to pafs, and fecret things or ever they 
came to be, for he was great and faithful in 
vifion, in his life-time the Sun went backward, 
be lengthened out the King's life, and com- 
forted thofe who mourned in Sion. 

Ecclefiafticus, ch. xlviii. 




R r 2 ESSAY 



E S S AY XXVI. 



ON THE 



LIFE, PROPHESIES, and BOOKS 



or 



JEREMIAH. 



A 



NAME of high honour. The Hebrew 
word implies, the Exaltation of the Lord. 



About the year of the World three thoufand 
three hundred and feventy-four, and fix hundred 
and thirty years before the birth of our Saviour, 
Jeremiah, Son gf Hilkiab, a native of Anathoth, 
a village three miles from Jcrufalem, appeared 
ia his Prophetic Charafter in that City, and he 
f^nk^d th? fecond ?imong the greater Prophets. 

About 



( 309 ) 

About the age of fourteen, at that very early 
period of life, Jeremiah was diftinguilhed and 
noticed with many tokens, and intimations, 
refpctiing his future Prophetic OSce and Em- 
ployment. 

At firft, modeftly pleading his youth, he fought 
with muchdiffidence, every opportunity of declin- 
ing the appointment. Jeremiah made choice of the 
lludy of Phvfick, and, he is faid, for fome years, » 
to have praftifed as a Ph)Gcian in Jerufalem* 
Jofiah, that virtuous^ and amiable young Prince, 
was at that lime Ki)ig of Judah; and although 
Hczekiah, with true piety and diligence, had 
collefted a number of Parchment Rolls, contain- 
ing Copies of the Law, and caufed them to be 
difperfcd throughout every Town ahd City in his 
Kingdom, yet neither the King nor the High 
Prieft could ever find one of them. The fiook 
of the Law, even at Jerufalem, had now been 
given up, for loft, fixty years, and on making a 
general repair, and removing for that purpofe a 
vafl^ load of lumber, the High Prieft caft his eye 
upon the Book, he fent it off inftantly by his 
Secretary to the Palace, and ordered him to give 
it into his Majefty's own hand. Jofiah with great 
zeal anxioufly fet about reading it, and when the 
King faw the very terrible judgments* therein 
denounced, he rent bis cloatbS| exprefled the 

livelieft 
f Deuteronomy xxviii, xxix, xxx, stsxi. 



( S^o ) 

livelicft forrow, and with true piety and earneft 
varmth bufied himfelf in reftoring the pure Wor- 
fhip of God in the Temple, the City, and 
throughout his Kingdom', abolifhing every where, 
the worlhip of the Groves and every fpecies of 
Idolatry. In the eleventh year of the reign of 
Jofiah, during that period, while the Book of the 
Law was loft, and fome fhort time before this 
beft of Princes had fo zealoufly employed himfelf 
and his whole Court, in hopes of averting from 
his own family and thcir's, the fad judgments de- 
pounced, Jeremiah made his publick appearance 
as a Prophet in Jerufalem. 

In the thirty-firft year of his reign, and thirty^ 
ninth of his age, in the field of battle, by a ran* 
dom (hot, JoGah received a mortal wound while 
he was reviewing his troops and reconnoitring 
the Enemy. The King was fitting in his Chariot:, 
his fervants lifted him into another Cs^rriage^ and 
they baftily drove back to Jerufalem. . Jofiah 
lived only till he reached the Palace, fainting and 
dying, as the blood was never ftopped, but kept 
pouring out all the way from his wound* 

On an event fo piteous and diflrefsful, Jere- 
miah wrote his firft Book of the Lamentations, a 
Funeral Dir^e, lung by a qhofen Band of Sing- 
ing Men and Singing Women, in folemn and 

mourtw 



( 311 ) 

qaournful proccffion, as they followed after bis 
corpfe, in Princely Pomp, with all its funeral 
honours, at the burial of good King Jofiah. This 
fir ft Book of the Lamentations of the Prophet Jc^ 
remiah is loft, the fecond and only one we have, 
was wrote on the fure conviftion, the Prophet 
then had, of the final deftruQion of Jerufalem. 

The firft Chapter opens with the Prophet's 
call and the commifBon given him; Jeremiah's 
modeft excufe; God's condefcending anfwer 
and encouraging aflurances. It gives a lift of 
the Kingdoms whofe future deftiny was to 
be the fubjcQ; of his prophefies. Jerufalem, 
Babylon, Perfia, and Egypt; and alfo the figni- 
ficant emblems and vifions, modes of intelli- 
gence, by which God was pleafed to converfc 
with his Prophet. 

Jeremiah's firft embafly is to Jerufalem, ami 
a regular fucceffion of awful and very intereft- 
ing addreffes fill up all the Chapters to the 
tenth. Go from Anathoth to Jerufalem, with 
my juft reproofs and admonitions, and in order 
to imprefs them on my People, remind them firft 
of the wonders I have already wrought for 
Ifrael; after which, the Prophet is dircCled 
earneftly to call upon his Brethren, to give a 
rcafon for theii: apoflacy and revolt, and he 

here 



C 312 ) 

here argues the cafe and pathetically converies 
with them. In the fourth Chapter, the Prophet'« 
language is changed^ and a martial fiile adopted. 
•* Blow ye the trumpet ; Affemble yourfelves ; 
*^ Get ye into the fenced Cities ; Set up the 
^ Standard in Sion'\ God was now about to 
punifh them, fending againft them foreign 
enemies^ his fervant from the Noith, for Ba- 
bylon was North of Jcrufalem. The Prophet 
with lively fpirit purOies his alarm, reprefents 
the trumpets as already founding, and tbe noife 
and fury of the battle, and then in glowing 
colours defcribes, the approaching I)eftru6tibn 
and the Havock of War. ** The Enemy fliall 
** gather, and pour down upon you as the Clouds^ 
** his Chariots fliall rattle as the Whirlwind, his 
f^ Horfes fwifter than Eagles. Deftruflion upon 
" deftruQion. O, my Soul! the Trumpets- 
•* found in my ears." 

The fifth Chapter begins. Run ye to and fro 
in the ftreets of Jerufalcm, and then fee ye, if 
ye can find one fingle man truly religious, and 
behold I will pardon the City, ftrongly expref- 
five of the univcrfal fpread of corruption over 
People and Priefts, over Magiftrates, Judges, 
Nobles, and Princes. As a puniftiment for fuch 
depravity, wherefore fays the Prophet, " A 
Lion out of the Foreft (Nebuchadnezzar) 

greedy 



{ 313 ) 

jgr«edy and ravenous as a Wolf^ and watchful 
as a Leopard (hall fpoil and devour them. A 
little further Jeremiah ftriKingly calls the attenr 
lion of his he^rejr^, to another more familiar em- 
blem, eicpreffive of tl^je Sovereign contrbul and 
aipaziqg ppwer of Jehoyah. " Fear ye not me 
" faith ihfi Lord, wijl yc not tremble at my 
** prefence, wlip have fet bounds to the raging 
.*^ fea, although the wayes thereof tofs thcm- 
^.* fcjves, yet can they not prevail, though they 
*' roar, yet can they not paf^ over," intimating 
xhat his power fo viGble ixx the boifterous fea^ 
svith much more apparent eafe. could cjontroul 
ihcijr rebellious ancj unruly fpirits. 

m 
The Prophet an a r^yieyr of the fore evils, 

he had fo awfully deiXQunced oh his Counitry, !^t 
length aflfeftiqpately breaths out in the math 
Chapter. " Q that my head v^ere waters, ^xj^ 
** my eyes a jfountain of tears^ 'th^ i .^nig^lit 
>* weep day ^nd nightrrt-Oh! that I had ini ibp 
y Wildernefs a lodging place for way-faring 
-V Men," a hut or a cottage to hide me from jke- 
Jng an syjz witnef^ to thp fad caflan^ti^.:^ .of 
Judah. 

.' The tenth jCh^ptejr }$ ad(iire0ed to the ten 
ITriJjes, jsind many of thera were already ill 
Captivity. The Prophet wifely admqnifhes 
^bam againft fiich inftitutions, cuftoi?^ an^ i4of 
Jatries, as tjiey wpuld now jvitncis, and witl;i 
Wphlh ^P ' JBr^f at 



( 3H ) 

great propriety contrafts the Idols of Babylon 
Mfhh the Lord Jehovah; in the eleventh verfe 
jou read a Je^^i(h confcflion of Faith, and what 
is well worthy of notice, although the Chapter 
was wrote in Hebrew, this verfe alone is in the 
Cha'dee letter. That his Countrymen when in 
Captivity might anfwer their Idolatrous Sedu- 
cers, in the very words of the Prophet, he 
'would not even iruft them to tranflate it. The 
Prophet repeatedly, with the moft earned zeal, 
guards and admcnifhes his fuffering brethren 
againft idol worfliip, temptations they would 
henceforward be fadly expofed to in Babylon. 
In the twelfth Chapter Jeremiah impreffes on 
their minds by way of encouragement, God's 
forbearance and his promifes to the penitent, 
in the fpirit of prophefy he extends ihefe glo- 
rious bleflings to the Gentiles, and foretells 
their converfion and ingraftment among the 
Jews, they fhould be joint partakers of the 
root and fatnefs of the Olive tree.t In the 
thirteenth the .Prophet wifely reafons with his 
Countrymen on the extreme danger of per- 
fifting in evil habits, adding thereby fin to fin, 
the difficuhy of repentance and work of refor- 
mation may at length amount almoft to an im- 
poflibility. " Can the ^Ethiopian change his 

'Vfkin, 
t Jeremiah xi. xvi. compared with Rom. xi. xviU 



< 3'5 ) 

^ ikin, or the Leopard his fpots? then may ye 
** alfo do good that are iaccutlomed to do evil/' 
Jeremiah purfues his prophefies under vari- 
ous apt fimilies, and after them follows a 
fad pifture of diftrefs, a fevere Famine, and 
God's declaration to his Prophet of hi^ mani- 
fold judgments, and utter rejeSion of the 
Jews, their Deftruftion, their Ciptivity and 
their Reftoration, and this laft (their return 
from Babylon) is fpoke of as a ftill greater 
deliverance than their efcape and miraculous 
rcfcue from Egyptian bondage. As Ifrael were 
already Captives, now follows the Prophefies 
which relate to the Seventy years Captivity oF 
Judah, and in the twenty-firft Chapter are re- 
corded the calamities in the reign of Zedekiah, 
the Peftilence, the Famine, and the Siege oF 
Jerufalem. For the Prophet lived to witnefs 
the fad and gradual declenfion and overthrow 
of the Kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah pri)pheficd 
of that yet vifible and moft aftonifhing picfer- 
vation of the Jews through a long fuccefli')n of 
ages and Empires, that very wonderful proof 
of his Patronage and Sovereignty. 

• ** Fear not Jacob my fervant, for I am with 
** thee, I will make a full end of all the Nati- 
/^ ons whither I have driven thee, but I will 
^' not make a full end of thee.'* The Jews live 

a diRiiia 



( 3i« ) 

t difcrift People, but not according td ihcii* c^it' 
laws, never elefting their own Magifti-ates, and 
Jto where enjoying the full excrcife of their fte-» 
iigioh: 

At a •period of their higheft glory, and wKilc 
they were harafling his country, Jereniiah fore- 
told the total overthrow and deftruftion of their 
Enemies; And the Egyptians^ the Affyfiarts, Ma- 
jcedon, and Rome, great atnd poiwerful as they 
dnce Were, are every one vaniflied as a dream^ 
their power, glory, and very names are loft» 
vhile the Vanauiflied and Captive Jew furvives 
his Conquerors, and although widely fcattered 
throughout every Nation and Kingdom upon 
Earth, preferves in them all, the form of his Re- 
ligion, and profeffes an adherence to it, not with- 
ttanding their Apoftafies were fo frequent, and fd 
often reproved, while they lived under their o^n 
Kings, and within fight of their Temple. 

The Prophet Jererriiah will furprize yoii with 
the minutenefs of his Prediftions refpefting Ba-* 
by Ion. and they were uttered at a time when that 
City and Empire were at their higheft Glory and 
in all their Pride. In the fourth year of the 
reign of Zedekiah, King of Judah, and fixty 
years before the Siege and Capture of Babylon, 



( §1^- ) 

tte Prophet foni hia Predidions refpeSl'ng it, hf 
Seraiah, to fome of his Brethren in that haughtjf 
City. In his tweiity-fifth Chapter, he names the 
exprers time when it was to happen, he telU 
them by vfhom, the Medes * in vivid colours, he 
ftiinutely defcribes the indolence, timidity and 
cowardice of the Babylonians^ they would fhul 
themfelvfes up in their walls. Jeremiah prophe- 
fles thfe Siege 5 the turning of the Channel of the 
River; the exa6l time, at a Grand Feftivsil; and 
that the City fliould be taken by farprizc. After 
this the Prophet foretold its total deftruQtion, its 
J)fcfent defolate flate^ the demolition of the walls 
and final overthrow^ ' 

Before Zedekiah had been placed on thtf 
Throde df IfraeL Nebuthadnezzar had carried 
away to Babylon many of the Jews, and Jere-Jk 
miahj out of kindnefs and friendfhip, kept writw 
ing letters to them, whenever the tribute money- 
was fent, defiiring they would ifiot flatter ihemifc 
felves with affy preferit expeftation^ of ddivcr* 
atice. Seventy ycari Captivity muft be fulfilled 
before their releafe ; upon which thefe. faffering 
Captive, diftreffed and angry at what the Pro-» 
phet had told them, wrotie letters back to th?it 
friends in Jerufalcm, praying, to have Jeremiab 
^uni&^d for uttering (as they luppof^d) the.dic<% 
■L lata 



C 318 ) 

tates of the King of Babylon/ and not thofc of 
the God of Ifrael. 

A Torrent of corruption at this time over- 
fpread Jerufalem, and Jeremiah^s unwearied 
attempts to ftem it were unnaturally and ungrate- 
fully received. The Prophet was bafdy in- 
fulted by Kings, by Priells and People, and 
upon a prediftion he had boldly uttered re- 
fpefting Jerufalem, and the Captivity of its in- 
habitants, Jeremiah was arretted and imprifoned. 
He lived to fee the fad accomplifliment of his 
Prophcfy, the City befieged and taken, its Pa- 
laces, and the magnificent Temple deftroyed 
by fire, its numerous Inhabitants led away cap- 
tive to Babylon, and at that fad and memorable 
period he anxioufly employed himfeif in ad- 
miniftering all the comfort in his power to his 
forrowful and defponding Countrymen; in the 
thirtieth Chapter he alTured them they would 
again return; their City and their » Temple 
would be again rebuilt; they fhould renew 
their poffeffions, their lands and eftates. So 
certain was the Prophet of this, happy event 
their Relloration, that houfes and fields and 
vineyards fhould be again at their difpofal^ 
that he purchafes the reverfion of an eftate* 
to take place afier they (hould have returned 

from 



C .319 ) 

from Gaptivity, the title deed to be made out 
to him and to his. heirs. Such a purchafe af- 
forded his Countrymen a full proof of the Pro- 
phet's own belief, and cxpeftation of their re- 
turn, and was a real comfort to them, under their 
oppreflion and affliftions. " I weighed him the 
" money, even feventeen Ihekels of filver, I 
, " fubfcribed the evidences, and I fealed it, and 
** took witneffes, and weighed him the money 
^* iri balances." 

To animate them more ftill, the Prophet goes 
on defcribing the general joy and feftivity, which 
would take place on the day of their Return, 
their again entering on their ancient Poffeffions, 
a Recovery of their long loft priviledgcs and 
enjo)ments, a Reftoration 10 the favour and pro^ 
tefclion of God. It is very v^fual with the Pro- 
ph^ t to contraft his fubjeft, in order to make his 
addrcfles more noticed, and imprefs them the 
ftronger, he therefore firft ftrikingly call to 
mind, and reprefents to them, the forrow and 
anguifti of tLai day when they would firfl be led 
away into Captivity. 

^* A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentations 
*' and bitter weepirgs. Rachacl weepirg for 
** her Children, refufed io be comforted, becaufip 

! * they 



( 320 ) . 

^ they were not,** Rachacl was Jacobus beloved 
Wife, her Tomb was fitaated between the Cities 
of Ramah and Bethlehem. In the melancholy 
journey of the Ifraelite.% when they Were to be 
canied away captive to Babylon, they wiere to 
pafs by this Pillar and Tomb of RachaeJ. Je- 
remiahj by a beautiful figure, pathetically intro- 
duces her, as rifing out of her Sepulchre, the 
afflided Mother of both the Tribes, and wcep^ 
ing for all her Children, bewailing the dire and 
fad cataftrophe. Sons and Daughters led away to 
bondage* In the £elf-fame diftrift of Bethlehem, 
jiear Ramah, when Herod butchered the Children 
from two years old and under, m^ny Mothers 
fuffered a fecond, mod ajffliftive blow ; no doubjt 
p. voice was again he^rd, bitter Lamentations, 
Cries, and the tendered yearnings for the inp.Qr 
/cent Viflims of his Madnefs. 

The many Threats and Denunciations the Prp^ 
fhet had repeatedly and fo boldly uttered, occa^ 
lioned him a very long imprifonment, and it wa5 
while under confinement Jeremiah caufed Barucl^ 
(his Scribe) to write from his mouth, the tenor 
^nd words of his Thr.eatnings and Prophefies^ 
^aruch carried them to the Temple op a folepn 
Fall Day, and read them audibly in the hearing 
.of a Jarge concourfe of People then and there 
affembled. In the middLc of bis Speech the 

?ar^l?f 



( 321 ) 

.Parchment Roll was fnatched out of Baruchf^ 
hand, and hallily ran away with to the Palace, 
and laid before the King, Jeh6iakim read a 
column or two, grew warrn^ and angry, cut the 
roll in pieccv^?. Hung it into the fire and burnt il, 
furious and impatient at the judgments awaiting 
him. 

When the City of Jerufalem was taken, the 
Aflyrian Prince ordered his General Officers 9 
enquire for the Prophet Jcreipiah, and to grant 
him prcrteftion and fafety before the City was 
burnt, or even the Soldiers admitted to plunder^ 
yis liberty and licenfe of living where he pleafed, 
was fealed and prefented to him. Jeremiad 
being told his friend Gedaliah had got the ap- 
pointment of Governor, he went and dweU 
with him at Mizpeh, Gedaliah ordered him a 
fvjpply of provifion, defire.d Jaim to fettle him- 
felf at any place he liked beft, buthefirftex- 
a£led from him^ according to form, the oa;t^s of 
allegiance to .the King of Babylon. 

At Mizpeh, Gedaliah^ the Governor^ was af- 
faffinated by Ifhmael,* a Prince of the blood 
rpyal of Judah, who ha4 . taken jefuge at Amm(;>n* 
The Prince with ten fpirited and refolute com;»- 
pinions who were all 9f a party, came on a 
yjfit to the Governor's houfe, Gedaliah re- 

VoL.n. TTt ceive 



f 822 ) 

ceived them as gucAs^ hofpitably and refpe^'f 
fully entertained them, but they, availing thcm-- 
fclves of the opportunity, at a Feaft be had* 
prepared for them, bafely murdered the Govcrr; 
nor and all the brave Cbaldaeans of his Court* 

On this bloody, and inhuman event, Jere- 
miah was carried away into Egypt. The Pro- 
phet there foretold the conqueft of Egypt, by 
Nebuchadnezzar, and the Capture and death of 
the King. "All (he faid) would be fpcedily ac- 
complifhed, the deftru6tion would be fwift and 
fudden, the Gods of Egypt would be aU dc- 
ftroyed," Thefe prediftions were very terrifying 
and obnoxious to the Egyptians, and they are 
the fubjefts of the forty-third Chapter, and the 
Book of Prophefies, as far as the forty«fourtb, 
relates principally events which happened after 
the Captivity oflfrael, but before the Captivity 
of Judah; and the following Chapters, to the 
laft but one, have all a reference to the latter, 
they relate almoft wholly to the Gentiles, and 
fecm placed here by themfelves becaufe they are 
unconnected with the reft. 

The Deftruftion of the Philiftines, at a time- 
the Country was at perfefl: peace and quiet, is 
prophefied of in the forty-feventh Chapter, and 
you view a beautiful Figure at the end of it, ftrik- 

ingly 



( 323 ) 

kigly elegant. Jeremiah repeatedly givds Life 
to the Sword of God, at his command it Iharp- 
iw^s, polifhei, prepares to obey, fets out at 
the appointed moment, and on the err4.»>d he 
commiffions it. Sometimes he name5 the places, 
as a^ainft Alkelon and the Cities on the Sea- 
shore; after which he returns it to its fcabbard 
and its place. In the forty-eighth, he prophe- 
fies th^ judgments on Moab, the meaning of 
ibe word is, " of a Father," and Moab was one 
of the incefluous Sons of Lot, that by the eF- 
dcft Daughter* The forty-ninth contains heavy 
denunciations and threatenings agaiikft the Op- 
preffors and Enemies of Judah. 

The dellruQion and total overthrow of Ba- 
bylon is prophetically foretold in the following 
Chapters, and Babylon was then the glory of 
Kingdoms, the Beauty of the Chaldees, the 
Golden City, abounding in treafures, its 
walls. Palaces, hanging gardens and artificial 
canals, for pomp and magnificence, the wonder 
of the World. 

The fifty-feciond Chapter is added by Ezra 
to complete the Hiftory. Ezra reprefents the 
Scige, and Capture of Jerufalem; Jeremiah had 
cxprefsly foretold it, and now, all that the 
Prophet had predifted was aQually accom- 
T t a plifticd 



( 3^4 ) 

plifhed Nebuchadnezzar, the Tyrant and the 
Conqueror, had glutted his barbarous and wan- 
ton cruelty on Zedekiah, his Captive, and 
caufed him to witnefs the publick maffacre of 
ill his Children, after which, he ftruck out both 
the King's eyes, indelibly to fix oh his mind» 
this laft and moft horrid Sight of all his lift. 
The Chapter further informs you of Nebuzar* 
adan, the King's Commander in Chidf, his hav- 
ing executed his commifEon from the Court of 
Babylon, and burnt down' the Palaces, the 
houfes of the Nobles, and the whole Ci^y to 
the ground, together with the fuperb and moft 
magnificent Temple itfelf, after it had ftood fouf 
hundred and feventy years, the ornament and 
glory of the World. 

This Chapter is a ufcful Preface to the Funeral 
Odes called the Book of the Lamentations. 

Jefemiah had executed his High Prophetic 
Office with affeftion, zeal, and fidelity, between 
forty and fifiy years^ and he is faid by forfie 
to have been now ftoned to death at Tali* 
panhes a royal City of Egypt, and by others 
to have been thrown into a pit and transfixed 
With darts. Alexander the great, on vifiting 
thfc tomb of Jeremiah, ordered his urn to be 

removed 



( 325 ) 

removed to Alexandria^ and built ai magnifi^ 
cent monument facred to :his memory. 

His prophefics were wrote under the feveral 
teigns of Jofiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah 
Kings of judah, and the fortieth and forty- 
fourth Chapters, under Gedaliah, who had ob- 
tained the appointment of Governor from thd 
Court of Babylon. 

The Prophet's Stile is wholly plaintive, adaptedl 
to Pity and Compaffion. Every foft and yield- 
ing paflion is here excited, exprefSve of the moft 
afl[e£lionate feelings for his Country* But his 
earned and zealous Admonitions, lead his de« 
luded Friends Ihould be over perfuaded to for- 
iake their Religion and their God, are ftrikingly 
animated and pathetic. Some of his Brethren 
>^ere already in Babylon, others almoft on the 
road, and they would all, ere long, be eye-wit- 
heffes to the vicious indulgencies and odious 
proftitutions of Pagan Worfhip and Impiety* 



bk 



( Satf ) 



ON THE 

B06k Of tHE LAMENTATIONS 

OP THE 

PROPHET JEREMIAH. 



A HIGHLY, elegant, and beautiful Funeral 
Ode, rather indeed, Several Odes, made ori 
mournful occafions, and here colleaed together. 

Every Verfe is a Sentence, and diveified with 
fome new, ftrong, lively Lnage of heart- felt 
Sorrow and Anxiety. A Book or Song of 
Mourning, and it was chanted publickly on wtry 
folcmn dittrcfsful Occafi^ins, Scafons of national 
or private Calamity. The firft Dook (unfortu- 
nately loll) was the Grand Funeral Dirge fung by 
a number of Singing Men, a chofen Band, and 
a Chorus of Virgins in mournful Proceffion, as 
they carried good King Jofiah to be buried. 

This 



( nn ) 

This is properly the fecopd Book of the L^.^^ 
mentations of J<^r^miab^ the occafjon of the Pro^ 
phct's writings it, was, the fure ConviQion hf 
then had of the final DeftruQion of Jcrufal^m. 

The thoughts feem to croud ia irregularis^ ^ 

mpou the Prophet's mind, and be utters tlaem 
with amazing tendernefs, elegance and eafe, as 
one Image, Perfon, or Figure, led hinpi naturally 
on to another. ♦ 

The Book is divided into five Parts ; in the 
firft, fecond and fourth, the Prophet is himfelf 
the Speaker, or he reprefents Jerufalem as fpeak- 
ing. In the third, the whole Body of the Jews 
in Chorus fpeak. The fifth is a kind of Epilogue,, 
in which this fame whole Body, groaning under 
all the preffure of Captivity, pour out their Sor- 
rows and Supplications fervently to God ii^ 
Prayer. 

To excite attention and aid the memory, the 
Prophet, with great propriety, affcnts to the 
ufual cuftom in Dirges and Funeral Orations, 
and fubdivides each of thefe five Parts into two 
and twenty Stanza's, and each Stanza in general 
confills of three Verfes, principally acroflical, 
the firft letter of each Stanza, following the order 
^f the Hebrew Alphabet ; the fifth Book differs 

in 



s.»* 



( 328 ) 

in this particular, and the Verfes are much ifaorter 
than the others* The third Book contains fixtv- 
fix Verfes. 

^.^ The ftile of this whole Ode is copious and pa- 

retic, adapted to the tendereft feelings of Grief 
and Defpondency. The Prophet mufes on the 
fad and melancholy fubjeft, and deplores the 
miferies of his Country moft diftrefsfully. In fo 
very concifc a manner, no Poem difplays fuch 
yery pertinent and fo ijincommon a variety of 
fuitable Circumftajices and Images, 

A celebrated Author fays. Sorrow never flowed 
in fo natural, fo tender, fo prevailing a Pathps, 
as in thefe mournful Elegies, One would think 
that every letter was wrote with a tear; every 
word the found of a breaking heart ; that the 
Author was a Man compounded of Sorrows ; dif- 
jciplinedto grief from his infancy; One who never 
jjprcathcd but in fighs, nor fpoke without a ^ro^ij. 




ESSAl^ 



I |- i m II M II 11 1 I iiiiiiirr — n T|fr-i — n nr^^~i — t 

E S S A Y XXVII. 

« M t H X 

LIFE Aiti) PROPHESlE$ 

. •■* 

E Z E K I E L. 



npHE name, Ezekicl, or the ftrength of God^ 
•*• is happily exprcffive of the Confidence arid 
Fortitude this Prophet difplayed* 

Ezekiel was the Son of Buzi^ a native dP 
Sarera» his Family vcr^ of the Sacerdotal racp 
and of the houfe of Aaron, he was therefore 
born both a Prieft and a Prophet 

In the Reign of Jehoiacttin, three months 

^ft^r his Coronation^ Nebuchadnezzar^ King of 

Vol, I J. U U »%• 



( 33^ ) 

Babylon, inarched a powerful Army into Judaea, 
and as foon as he came near Jerufalem^ the 
young Prince, by the advice of the Prophet 
Jijuemiaji, in the moft humble and fubmiffiye 
nanner, with all bis Wives, and his Mother the 
Queen Dowager, his Nobles and his whole 
Court came out in a body, threw open the City- 
gates, furrendered ihemfelves ^p, fued for mercy, 
and paid him homage. Nebuchadnezaar was, 
inf^xajrahte, the Jewifli Prince with all his parly 
were led away St^te-Prifoners to Babylon. 

At this time Ezekiel the Prophet, and Mor- 
decai Uncle to Queen Efthcr were made captive 
and put under cqnfineinent, they were not fuf- 
fered to accompany the Royal Family to Baby- 
Jon, but^were foon after placed with many 
others, on the bank^ of the Chcbar, a River of 
Melbpotamia, eaftward of the Euphrates, this 
J^iver emptied kfelf into the Euphrates about 
two hundred miles north of Babylon. But 
Ezekiel was afterwards brought to the Metro- 
polis, together with the celebrated Mordecai 
his Countryman, and the Prophet from time to 
time foretold at Babylon, almoft wholly the fame 
events as Jeremiah prophefied of in Jcrufalem. 
This laft PropKet had declared- King Zedckiah 
ihould never fee Babylon^ Ezekiel prediQcd 
Zedekiah fhoul4 be cai[-ried there^ apd end his 

day* 



( 33^ ) 

days in BabyTon, both Prophefifcis etsifltly caihe 
CO pa(s, Nebuchadnezzar found the trveans id 
reconcile them. By fttiking out the King's eyes, 
Zedekiah never faw Babylon^ but he was 1^ 
away Captive, from Jerafalem, lo grace VH 
proud a con^ueft, and add to the high hohouri^ 
of the Aflyriaw tridmph. Zedekiah lived feme 
yesirs afterwards a' State Prifoner, in Babylon; 
and died ihefe^ 

The Prophefies of Ezekiel were pincipally 
uttered in the former part of tfieir Captivity, the 
ftns and vices of bis Countrymen were yet 
praQ:ifed> many of them not forfaken, and the 
Jews as yet remained unhumbled, the Prophet's 
threats were thundering and tremendous, his 
rebukes ftrikingly fevere, intended to open their 
.eyes, aw^ke them from their lethargy, and they 
muft have rpufeifi the moft dejeSed and defpbnd^ 
ing Jew. Some years after, und^r their fact 
fufferings ai)d perfeci^tion^ when they were 
totally difcouraged, the Prophet Daniel, the 
Fourth and laft of the great Prophets was' comi. 
miffioned by God in mijch mercy to comfort 
find revive thj^n). 

' Ezckfel'^ caSf ^d eotiifrflffi&ri is^^ magnific^ntl)^, 
yet with reverential awe, related in the\begirt. 
piq^ of his Book. " The glory of the Lord at-i 

U u 2 " tended 



( 33^ ) 

*» tended by his Cherubims," a Serttfs pf ex^ 
traord nary vifions (on the banks of the ftiver. 
C^ebar) accompanied with a voice <tlftin8:ly 
utterii g his awful direSions and infditnatiort 
The Prophet ufually dates bis prediSions from 
the i£ra of his appointment to ibe prophetic 
office^ and he was then faid to be thirty years 
of age* The fourth Chapter opens with the 
Siege about to take place^ the approach of tho 
Chaldaean Army, the Battering Rams, the en^ 
gmes of* the befiegefs, and the Horfors and the 
t>in of war* Nebuchadnezzar under the enl*. 
blem of an eagle, fwift, ftrong and rapaciou^^ 
is taking his lofty flight, and perching upon 
the higheft Cedar, evert on Jerufalem, At 
this time Zedekiah was (lill reigning in Judah, 
and Jehoiachin and his Mother State Pritonets 
sn Babylon. In the following Chapters the 
JProphet reprefents the wickednefs of the Jews 
who were yet remaining at Jerufalem, under 
very fanciful emblems and parables, and he ex- 
prefsly names the punifhments God was intend* 
ing them. In the feventeenth, £2ekiel relates^ 
wirb fo much certainty, the prefent King's over- 
throw and lubfequent Captivity, together with all 
hU People^ as to name it as an event ^hich ha(| 
already taken place. 

After 



(333 ) 

- AFter the Prophefies on J.erufalemi thfc Pra# 
phct. forctels the deftrudion of thofe Nations^ 
vbo were now exulting in high triumph over 
his dirconfolate Countrymen^ and Nebuchad-^^ 
nezzar was-.the inftrument God firft employed to 
punifh Tyre; £gypt> Ammon^ Moabj and the 
Fhiliflines* 

Ezekiel with wonderful fpirit and elegance 
defcribes the flourilhing ftate of Tyre, and 
contrafts it with its overthrow and deftruftion, 
iaiid fome of thefe Chapters are beautiful and 
iperfeft clegies.t In the height of all its glory. 
Tyre, the mart of Nations, the crowning City, 
whofe merchants were Princes, whofe trafickeri 
the honourable of the earth, conveying all the 
commodities of the Eaft to the Wefl, and the 
Weft to the Eaft, Ezekiel prophefies us deftruc* 
tion, Nebuchadnezzar Ihould become Mailer of 
that anciept highly towering City; in the 
twenty-fixth Chapter and twenty-ninth, the 
Prophet is fo fure of the faft, that he relates 
tliis alfo as a tranfaQion which had already ta« 
ken place. 

The King of Babylon is faid to have made 
.his foldiers ferve a hard fervice againft Tyre, 

+ Chapters xxyii xxyiiit 

evcrjr 



r m ) 

«¥ery head WS15 tttadebald, every fliouldef ^s 
peeled, the liege lafted thirteen yiars, and wHeii 
the City at laft ' was taken, Nebuchadnezzar wai 
iadly difappointed of all its riches and its fpoils. 
it is literally and exprefsly faid, He received hd 
wages, theTyrian3 had carried oflp every things 
as foon as the inhabitant^ faw the foundation of 
their walls Ihaken by the Battering Raps, all 
their valuables, and even their furniture ihejr 
put on board their Ebips and carried off to the 
Iflands, Nebuchadnez zcr found the City empty, 
Ezekiel was commiifioned on this occafion tq 
promife the King the conqueft of Eg/pt as 4 
reward. The deftruftion of Tyre yas tp bp 
iinal, it was to be laid as bare as a rock, a place 
to fpread nets upon, and frpm the ccnf re of 
Trade, frequented by merchants from Eaft to 
Weft, Tyre is now a heap of ruins, a landing 
place for the boats of a few Fifhcr^men. The 
Prophet gives us, yet with elegant concifenefs, the 
whole hiftory of this mighty change. The higfi 
prpfperity of Tyre, its wealth and grandeur, in« 
troduced luxury, pride, violence and tyranny, 
felf-conceit, profanenefs, the fure and certain 
forerunners of dcftru£lion every where. 

The Prophet next foretiells the conqueft of 
Egypt. It Ihould (he faid) be fwift and fuddeii^^ , 
Egypt's Idols and her Gods fiiould be all de- 

ftroycd. 



\ 



( 335 ) 

|troy(;4- 9y ^ bewtiful an4 very natural figtiM^ 
^though highly fun^ifuj, the Prophet defcribes 
the indolence and haughty pride of Pharoah 
H«B*^r*fc » Hv»iU Swelling Crqcpdite lying in the 
midlt of his waters. *' My River is my own, I 
•' have made it for myfelf.*' Jeremiah propbe- 
fied he fhould &e uken and flain^ Ezekiel fore- 
tells defolation to his Couniry, and it fhould laft 
forty years, during; which time its inhabitanii 
fhould be all Slaves. 

Befides tbf3 Coniqueft of Egypt li^y Nehuchad- 
oezzar. it was alfo invaded and laid wafte by 
the Perfians« The pro(>hefie& of Ezekiel iipply 
to both the Perfian and the Babyloniih yoke« 

Cambyfe^, a celebrated General, with a for- 
midable Army entered Egypt at Pelufium, a 
fortified Town and Key to the whole Couu- 
try. 

The General boldly led his Trqops up to the 
gates of Pelufium^ but artfully in the front he 
placed a number of cal& and dog?^ and a drove 
of Iheep and oxen; animals, a}! held lacred by 
the Egyptians; feeing in. fuU view their Go(U, 
no one venturo<l tq caft a javelin or (hoot aii 
arrow. Cambyfes ftormed the Town made a 
breach, ift the walls, entered with his Army 

thus 



( 336 ) 

dius preceeded by their Gods. Cambyfes, the 
CcncTdA, walked forwards to their Temple, 
with his own hand, he flew Apis, the facred 
Ox, the Cod of £gypt» and demoliflied their 
Idols and their Altars. 

The thirty-firft Chapter is a beautiful hifto- 
^ical painting of Nebuchadnezzar's greatnefs, 
power, iecurity, fclf-fufficiency and haughiinefs, 
contrafted with his downfal and defti'uEtion. 
** I have caft him down even unto Hell/" 
In the thirty- third Ezekiel is introduced as a 
Watchman over Ifrael, receives his appoint- 
ment, and has his duty afligned him, and God 
condefcendingly reafons with his Prophet^ in 
language fo pathetic and perfuafive. ^* As I live 
** (faith th? Lord) I haVe no pleafur^ in the 
^ death of the wicked, but that the wicjced turh 
•* from his evil way and live; turn ye, turn 
•'ye — why will you die, Q! houfe of Ifrael?*^ 
The Kingdom of Chrift is a fubjed: of par^ gf 
the thirty-fourth. The Future Glorious Sh^pherci 
the defponding and difperfed flock. In' the 
thirtY-fifth and thirty -fixth judgment is announ- 
ced on Mount Seir, and it was then inhabited 
by the Edomites. After which follows an ex- 
prcf^ ippft Daer^ifut $ind ^racioif^ promife qf 

Refl9l«tioo 



{ ^37 ) 

Reftoratioii to Ifrael, from thcit prefent Bondajjtt 
ind Captivity. 

In ihjC: thirty A venth you read the inftru6Uvt . 
and very fanciful Vifion^ of the Valley of Dry 
Bones ; affording the difpairing Captive, the mod 
reviving confoladon from the viiSble Prcfenceand 
Ae Power of God; A Refurrcftion lively and 
ikfcriptive^ and addfeffirig them pointedly in A 
variety of views : A Soul emerging from Sih and 
Deaths to Life and Righteoufnefs : A Refioratioa 
jof the Service of the Temple, now long laid afide^ 
ks Liberty, Peace, and Devotion: , A Riefurrifti- 
t>n of the Bodies o£ Believers to Life £ternal. 
Such a Reprefentatioh irrefillibly inspired the de* 
fponding Captive with Faith and Hope ; the Pow*^ 
ex which he.iiow witBcffcd, was fo much more than 
equal to his forell Difmay, with how much eafc 
<K>uld it colleft, his perfecuied and dilpcrfed Na- 
rion, bring them back to their native Honje, cna- 
Me them to rebuild their Temple, and reftore 
dnd re-eftabliflr his People.^ Arid the chapter 
concludes with the animating Prophefy of th^ 
Glories and Graces of the Kingdom of Chrift^ 
his Tabernacle (hould be with Ifrael, He vfoujd be , 
their God, they fhould be his People. 

.The .tbirty-^ightb and thirty-ninth Chap^. 

fersy are Prbphefiet 4>f Gog: of t£ie knd 0f 

Vol. Ilr Xx. Magog; 



I 



( 338 ) 

Magog; a Northern Power coming with horfef 
and horfemen. He is to come up againfl: 
Ifrael in the latter days^ and he is to 
fall upon the Mountains of Ifrael; there the 
Judgments of God are predi&ed to overtake 
him. Thefe are ta be the laft enemies of the 
Jewilh Church, and is a Prophefy of Ezekiers, 
which yet remains to be falfiUed. The Mogul 
Tartars are ftill called by the name of Gog ; and 
the Turks, originally Natives of Tartary, arc 
fuppofed to be here meant. The Lamd of Ca- 
naan has long been in ihe pofleflion of the Turks» 
' and the Power and Strength of Europe has been 
as yet employed in vain to refcue it out of their 
bands. In what manner this Glorious Prophefy 
is to receive its completion, tinve only can ex- 
plain; as after thefe promifed ViQories, the 
Prophet foretells a diftant and final return of the 
Jews (in thefe latter days) from their wide dif- 
perfion, and a diffipation of the fad gloom over- 
Ihadowing them. God has referved that work 
for himfelf, when that once happy Country fhall 
be again the Scene of fomc future difplay of the 
Majefty, the Power, and the Providence o-f 
God. 

The lively genius of Ezekicl, fprightly and 
fertile, abounding with numerous and very fan- 
ciful images, exhibits much wife Inftruaion, very 
' awful 



( 339 ) 

'.awfai Threats, and the keeneft Reproof, under 
the varying Types and Emblems of a Seige, a 
Hair, a Chain, Coals of Fire, the Eagle and 
Vine, Lions Whelps, a boiling Pot, and dry 
Bones. 

The Prophet feems to have executed his high 
Commiffion with great fidelity, and has merited a 
v^ry juft Encomium from an Apocryphal Writer, 
by his earncft endeavours to inftruQ: and amend 
his Countrymen. The encouragement he offers 
them is fo wifely adapted to a State of Punifh- 
ment, and always ambitioufly aiming to keep 
alive a watchful and fubmiflive Reliance on 
God. 

The Prophet's Stile is unequalled in Force, 
Impetuofity, Weight and Grandeur. Such tre- 
mendous and very ftriking Addreffes to his Bre- 
thren, now Captives in Babylon, could not fail 
to excite their attention, awake and roufe them 
from their lethargy, dejeftion, and defpair. The 
Language is bold, vehement, lofty and magnifi- 
cent, a Stile pf Majefty peculiar to the Eaft; and 
Ezekrel, for his great freedom, his boldnefs, and 
the liberties he took with his Countrymen, was 
by them privately put to death. The Prophet's 
Remains were placed in a Sepulchre, in the Land 
of Maur^ between the two Rivers Euphrates ancj 
X X 2 Chabar, 



(84^0 

CT^abaf. The Prophet's Toimb was frequented 
and noticed with a fupcrftitious Devotion; and 
f(3ine pious Jews arc (aid to have kept a lamp »U 
vays burning in it. 

Near this famous Sepulchre, a Synagogue arid 
Library were eretted; and in the latter was fdid 
to have been depolited the original manufcrigt 
Writing of his Prophefies ; and it was always 
cercmonioufly brought out and publicly read be- 
fore all the people on the Day of Expiation. 

To fupprefs the murmurs and ingratitude of hi^i 
fellow-captives, the Prophet encouiagcs them to 
refignation, by promifcs of Deliverance ; and 
t awards the clofe of his Book, reveals to them 
many Prophefies, afluring them of the certainty 
of their Return, and of the re-eftabli{hment of 
their Cify and Temple. Ezekiel's Defcription 06 
this new Building, is a Myftical and Emblematical 
Reprefentaiion, and its fervice altogether Jewifli. 

The Hebrews confidered their Temple as the 
high Honour, Glory, and Safeguard of their 
Nation, the Defire of their Eye.% and Dwelling* 
place of their Strength. When the Prophet fore- 
told, and fo magnificently difplayed this new 
Temple, his Countrymen ftood in great need of 
Comfort, Information, and Promifes: They 
ivould not probably have been deCrous of return- 
ing borne, where the former Temple lay in ruins, 

bad 



V 



liftd they not been fpirited up and encouraged tFjr 
the promifes of a New One, as well as a ReftoriEi- 
tion of the Common Wealth. 

The Temple of their God, they looked upon 
as a Pledge of his Prefence, his Dwelling among 
his Peoj^le; and the laft Words and Conclufion of 
the Prophet's Book, is a very apt and glorious 
}AoUo for it : 

" The Lord is therz." 




KSSAV 



/ 



I 



ESSAY XXVIII. 



ON TH K 



BOOK op 

D A N I E L. 



K I S 



LIFE, CHARACTER, AND 
PROPHESIES. 



AF T E R a clofe, long-protraQed, and har^ 
raffing (iege, which had at length occafion^ 
cd a Famine and a Peftilence, the Walls of Jc- 
i^falem and its ftrong Holds were forced, a 
breach was made by Nebuchadnezzar, King of 
Babylon, and an entrance wide enough for his 
chariots and his army. The Conqueror levelled 
with the ground, and burnt to alhes, its Royal Pa- 
. Ijices, the Temple itfelf, the nioft magnificent Edi* 

ficc 





E: 



< 343 ) 
thie World, and he fet fire to the whole 



The young Princes, the beautiful and choicell 
th and Flower of the Nobility, were all fent 
Ives to Babylon ; aniongft thefe was Daniel^ 

Royal Blood, at the age of eighteen^ his per«- 

1 highly elegant and pleafmg. 

In compliance with the cuflom of the times, 
>dniel, as a Badge of Slavery, -was now named 
iellhaz2:ar. The King placed Daniel with Three 
nore under the firft and moft learned Preceptors 
of Chaldisea. Under the advantages of fo cele- 
brated a Court, this amiable Youth, during three 
years^ was trained and inftruQed in all the Learn*- 
ing of the Eaft, God giving him Skill and Know- 
ledge in Wifdom and Learning, and in under- 
Handing of dreams and vifions^ modes of con« 
veying information peculiar to thofe days ; and 
under thefe wife Tutors and Magicians, Daniel 
acquired Languages, a Knowledge of the Polity, 
Conftitution, Lawis and Cuiloms of Chald^a. 

The King himfelf was prefent when they paffed 
their publick Examinations; he took always a plea*- 
furc in their exercifes, and in converfing vyith them^ 
His Majefiy had often remarked to his Nobles^ 
after fuch interviews^ that he had found none of 
«U the Youths in Babylon fo fenfible^ learned. 



^3398^ 



#. 



( U4 ) 

md wife a« Bellhazzir alUd fais tbree Oompk* 
nions. 

A table was kept for Daniel, and the three 
Jfo^ng Men in the Palace, and it was covered 
diaily with elegant dainties from the King's owil 
table, Daniel, amiable and good, a captive 
youth, and in a foreign court, very much objeS- 
#d to this luxurious parade ; and one day he took 
eourage, and addrefled himfelf to Afchanes, the 
Steward of the Houlhold, requefliing, that the 
t>rovilion and generous allowance from the Kin^i 
table, might all be carried to his Family; and 
that he would fet before him and his companions 
ohly Dates and Pulfe. So pleafing a youth cotild 
not but be beloved; Afchanes kindly reafon^ 
with him, would . fain difTuade him from the a<* 
tempt, would it not injure his health ? It ml|(Kt 
alter his looks, be feen in his countenance^ 
Daniel pleaded ftrongly to be indulged^for a 
fliort time, would he only permit him to make 
trial -for ten days? In cafe he grew thinner, or Ai 
fliewed any alteration for the worfe, he would 
then immediately defift, and live as he fhould ad-^ 
vife him. The importunity of the fweet Youth 
prevailed on Afchanes ; and now his temperance 
added new graces to his perfon, purity and free- 
dom to his mind, his genius grew a6live and im- 
proved, his body graceful and more alert, and 
JM^banci^ lbo» exprefled his thorough fatisfadion,, 

picafingly 



( 345 ) 

plcafingly relieved of all bis fears refpeaiog 
him. 

Nebacheldnezzar, fomc time after this, wis won^ 
derfiiiliy perplexed wiih a Dream; and he con- 
vened his Magicians and all his Wife Men, and 
inquired of them what this Dream was about j 
for though the King felt fo very uneafy and dit- 
treffed, he had notwithftsLriding quite forgot it; 
and the King demanded alfo the Interpretation 
of the Dream. The Magicians met, they were 
all ftruck dumb— ^' The Gods alone could tell 
" what a man drea(rtit/' The fiiughty itlonatch, 
imafed to difappointment, gt^ew highly enraged 
and frantic with fury; he fent fof AriO(ih, tlife 
CWptain of his Guard, and after he hafd paffed 
Sentence on the \\^ho1^ Court, he ordered tlieni sift 
out to Execution. An occurrence fo Very ex- 
traordinary, was foon blazed abroad, arid it oc* 
cafioned^ the firft difplay of Dartiers Skill artd 
Superior Knowledge, TKis very amiable Yomli 
^*^as atribng them appoint'ed to fuffe'r ; and he g6es 
dire6lly to Arioch^ tW Captain in Waiting; arid 
he fays, Why is the Kling fo hafty ? Aftei* w'hicli 
Daniel r^afons wirii Him upon the Ffaflinefs antl 
Cnxehy of- the Deeree; and' requeifts ati audfi 
idrrite vJith big Majefty, Upon thi$ AriotK 
irfliercfd iiim' irtto the? ftby al PrefeWce, '/ 



( 346 ) 

Jinici :mA fiibcniffiTciy approached the 
r^roac^ indbc cold his Majcfty, he would fa- 
uiv cixn, refpcding what he w^s fo folicitous to 
<aaw ; 3ur x iz± petitions the King to allow him 
a ihort reipite. in order that he might retire and 
aaect ais diree Companions, and with them join 
in Prayer to God. Upon which, the execution of 
the Srft orders was delayed; and it was now 
during this their fervent and united Prayer, that 
the Secret was imparted to Daniel ; and he imme- 
diately repaired to Arioch, and obtained another 
aadience of the King. Daniel again refpeOfully 
and moft fubmiffively addrefles the Throne : He 
difdaimed all Merit and fuperior Knowledge, all 
poffibility of finding it out of Himfelf. Wifely 
and fuitably he firft imprefles the King's mind with 
the awful Power and Majefty of God ; and then 
told him of what he had dreamt, and gave him 
the whole Explanation. Amazed at what he 
beard, the King, after the cuftoms of the Eaft, 
ordered the fweeteft odours to be fpread around 
Daniel. He then threw himfelf down proftrate 
on hij face, and worlhipped him, avowing bis 
Gvxi, the God of Gods, invefted Daniel with the 
Gv^veroment of his whole Empire, called him by 
tbbe QJioxe of his own God, whom he fuleranly 
\icrihii>ped, ordered him the richeft prefents, 
^hi appointed him Head and Chief over all the 
M«ii$ici«in^ and vile Men of his kingdom. 

Daniel 



( 347 } 

Danid reverentially inftrufted the King, to di- 
re£i his devotions to God. 

The all-wife Governor of the Univerfe, can 
reveal as much of future Revolutions as he 
pleafes; and he has here removed the Veil, and 
difclofed to the Prophet Daniel, and King Ne- 
buchadnezzar, fome of the greateft and mott fig- 
nal Events of the World. The Hiftory of four 
powerful Empires are the fubjefts here propheti- 
cally recorded : 

Assyria or CnALDiEA.- 

Persia. 

Macedonia or Greece^ 

Rome. 

The Hiftories of thefe^ are thjc high embellifli- 
mcnts of Literature, the ftudy of the Learned, 
the amufement of the Polite j and though there 
were other Empires as eminent for the wifdom of 
their Conftitution, extent of their Dominion, and 
length of Duration, yet the future events of thefe 
four are particularly foretold, as having a rela- 
tion to the Jews, who were in captivity, with 
each of them in their turns: And in the Hiftory 
of thefe, we have a line of Prophefy conveyed 
down from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar^ to the 
full and complete eftablifhnnent of the Kingdom 
of the Meffiah. 

Honours 



f 



( 348 ) 

. Hotidurs fo profufe, iind on a jewlih Cdptlttf, 
e^tcited the envy of the Cpurt of B?ibyJon The 
Kobles affeitibled, and concerted a fchcirle to 
tain Dapich They prefcntcd a Petition to the 
king» tequfcfting him to caufe to be erefled on 
the pl^in^ of Dura^ a place of general refort 
VUhin the City walls, an Image of Gold^ fixi- 
ty cubits high. Nebuchadnezzar, acconipanied 
by his Prince* and Noblesj in the raoft f(^letiin 
toanner conftcrated it* He aflembled bis Tub- 
jeQs, and commanded them all, by found of 
trumpet, to fall down and worfliip it. At a fhori 
diftance, a fiery furnace was heated an<i prepare4 
for all thofe who fhoul4 refufe to pay it homage* 
The Jews infotm us, that Daniel retJrf^d intq 
£gypjt; but others fay, that on account of hij 
high dignities and elevated ftation, they did not 
pufh matters fo far as to accufe him; but hi^ 
Companions, equally unwilling to violate the 
laws of their Country, and dilobey the commands 
of God. were all three bound hand and fool, and 
caft into it: The Hiftory informs us, fo inti^nfe 
was the Heat, and fo furious the Flames, that it 
bad inftantly dettrOyed the men employed to 
throw them in» The King, at a diftance, ftood 
earneftly keeping his eyes fixed on fo very won- 
derful a fightw Did we not caft three men bound 
into the furnace ? I fee four loofe, ^nd V^alkjng 
to and fro in the firc^ unhurt^ and the fourth is 

like 



( m ) 

like the Son oC God. Awfully imprelTed and 
iftftoniflied, the King approached as near 9]s be* 
fafely could, to the mouth of the Fiirnace> and 
loudly calls out to them, Yc fervants of the Moft 
High God, come forth, come hither. All three 
walked from out the midft of the fire, their gar^ 
ments unchanged, and not one hair of tbeif 
heads iinged. In a fudden tr^nfport of devotion^ 
the King publifbed a frefc EdiQt, eommaniding, 
in the Eaftern ftile^ every Nation, and People of 
every Language, who fhould fpeak amifs of the 
God of Shadrach, Mefb^ch, and Abednego, to 
be put to death, and their bouCcs made a dung- 
hill. After fo honourable and diftinguilhcd a 
proof of innocence and Divine Proteftion, the 
King appointed them to pofts of high Dignity 
isuid natiotial Honours in the province of Babylon i 
Then ordering the Furnace to be heated feven 
limes hotter, the King commanded the Accufers 
to be al) ihro\yn in, ^nd they \yere inftanily con* 
fumed. 

Some time after this, another very extraordi* 
nary Dream perplexed the King, Nebucha<^* 
nezzar had but lately returned honie a Cgn*. 
queror; he had marched his vi6toiipus troopj 
back from the wars, and juft now entered Baby^. 
Ion in Triumph. The Dream was the reprefei>- 
Ution of a Tree, which was to be hewn down^ 

' . ' An 



( S50 ) 

All his Aftrologers and Magicians were again af- 
femblcd, a grand Council formed, but none of 
them were able to explain it. Daniel was fent 
for to the Palace, and introduced to the King, 
Daniel ftood penfive before the Throne, in afto- 
nifiiment, and under the tendered concern a whole 
hour. Nebuchadnezzar then commanded him to 
fpeak, whatfoever diftrefs the Interpretation of 
his Dream might portend. 

With true politenefs, Daniel mod pathetically 
accofted the King: Would to God, this inaufpi- 
cious Dream might only afFeft his enemies. Da- 
niel then informed him, the Tree was a repre-» 
fentation of himfelf ; the time would foon ar- 
rive, when he Ihould be driven out from fociety, 
and become as a beaft. Permit me now (fays he) 
moft earneftly to prefs upon your Majefty, fuch 
a( penitential forrow, and devout acknowledg-f 
ment, as may conciliate the favour of Almighty 
God, and efface the remembrance of your 
Crimes. A twelvemonth afterwards, while the 
King was forgetting it, exulting and haughtily re- 
cognizing all his glory, fwelled and puffed up in 
all his vanity, as he walked to and fro in his Pa- 
lace, he was heard to fay, '•* Is not this great Ba- 
bylon, that I have built by the might of my 
** Power, and for the honour of my Majefty." 
While the words were yet in his mouth, Ncbii-^ 
chadne?5sar was driven out from fociety, dwelt 

with 



I 



( 35» ) 

viiih the beads of the field, fed on grafs wkh the 
Ox> and his body was vetted with the dew of 
Heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles fea- 
thers., and his nails like birds claws. An elegant^ 
mod jud^ and lively portrait of infanity, ap- 
proaching nearly to the canine, he retains his me- 
mory, lofes his rcafon, and in the fport of fancy 
and delufion, affumcs the Brule. 

Under a fuccecding Reign, Daniel was again 
fummoned into the royal prcfence, and on a 
highly intereding and ver\' awful occafion. 
King Belfliazzar, Grandfon of Nebuchadnez- 
zar, on a high jubilee and day of publick re- 
joicing gave a magnificent banquet to a tkou- 
fand of his Nobles, he had fupcrbly graced hit 
tables with the highly ornamented Goiden Vcf- 
fels his Ancettors had plundered, and brouzh: 
away from out the Temple of Jerufalem. AVhiir 
he fat at table, fuddenly looking up, Belfliazzar 
faw a hand iffuing from out the wall, and writ- 
ing thereon, the letters were all didind, bat 
the words to him unintelligible, flruck with 
horror and alarm, the King grew faint, pa!c 
and gaftly, he orders in his Magicians, and all 
the Wife Men, but they were equally adonifhed 
and confounded with himfelf* The trumpets 
were founded, a proclamation idued out, im- 
mcnfe regards indantly oifercd, to whomfocvcr 

fliould 



( 35« ) 

Daniel was at that tin^e in Babylon^ and he 
was not deprived of his honours. The two Kings 
intended him as their Viceroy, but his firll ap- 
pointment was one of the three Chief Rulers of 
the Empire, and three hundred and ijxty- inferior 
Governors were elefted under them. After the 
Government had been thus fettled Aid confirm- 
ed, Daniel was invited to Ecbatan, and prevailed 
upon to refide in the Court of Perfia. 

He was a man of mod humane and tender 
feelings; after one of his Vifions, he funk under 
his grief and defpondency, Daniel fainted sind 
fell lick. After certain days (fays he) I arofe 
up, and returned to *the King's bufinefs. His 
ficknefs was the natural cfFeQ of diftrefs, on ac- 
count of his Religion and hi^ Country. He 
forefaw tlje future mifery and fufferings of his 
nation, and be fainted, his countenance changed, 
he fickened from grief and anxiety* Such affec* 
tionate Reprefentations, exhibit Daniel in a very 
pleaGng and amiable light, and give an additi^ 
onal luftre and glory to his Charafter. He mani*. 
fefts the fame publick fpirit and love of his Coun- 
try always. Amiable and Godrlike, no lefs emi^ 
nent a Patriot and a Statefman^ than a Pro^ 
phet. 

A Jewifh Captive, thus torn in early life from 
his country, and Daniel had now beep Ipqg in 
the higheft Pofts of Honour in a foreigi) fcrvice^ 



( SB7 ) 

yet he never once forgot his native homt ; his 
eyes were uplifted to heaven, his SouJ poured 
put in prayer to God, and devout fuppliq^tioiW 
for the Pardon, Frofperity, and Reftoration of his 
Countrymen. 

The diftinguilhing honours and partiality of his 
Sovereign, Daniel's own iperit and amiable cha- 
rafter, and the love and veneration of the peo- 
ple, all of them excited the envy of the Nobles, 
and the Perfian Court, Under the pretence and 
fanftion of Religion and Loyalty, they attempt- 
ed a deep-laid Plot againft the life of the Fa- 
vourite. They aflenibled together in Covincil, 
and froni thence went up, a numerous body, tp the 
Palace. In the Eaftern ftile they all paid him ho- 
mage— '* King Darius Live for ever" — and car- 
ried up an Addrefs to the King foon after his new 
accefEon. They dutifully requeftjcd him to ifluc 
by Proclamation, an order for a publick Re- 
joicing and Feftivity for thirty days; during 
which time, they folicited his Majefty to forbi(]i 
all, and every one of his fubjeCls, in every part 
of his dominions, to afk any thing of the Gods, 
" fave of thee, O King!" the Tranfgreflbr (be 
he who he may) fhould by the Decree be caft 
into th/s Lions Den, and there devoured. The 
King, on being told the Petition wa^ offered up 
b^ ^ Gen<jr^l ^jifembly of all his Noblc^ th^ 

Prefjdent^ 



( 358 ) 

Prefidcnts and Rulers of his People, and knowing 
Daniel was one of the firtt in dignity, the King 
leemed fully perfuaded of his being acquainted 
with It. Darius therefore, unwilcly but inno- 
cently affented to his Peoples requeft. By a 
publick EdiQ, the King granted their Petition, 
and forwarded and proclaimed hi9 orders through^ 
out all Medea. His Majefty really believed it 
an honour bis fubjcfis, the Princes and Nobles 
of his Court, were conferring upon him, on his 
new acquifitions and acceflion. 

In open Violation of this Law, which he had 
no fear of tranfgrefling, Daniel was fccn publickly 
worfliipping God, at his chamber window, with 
his face towards Jerufalem. The Nobles and 
Rulers having thus gained their point, ^11 met, 
and went up again in a body to the Palace, im- 
peached Daniel of High Treafon, in difobeying 
the royal Mandate. Darius now faw plainly their 
objeft and their malice, and that he had been 
unwarily deceived and enfnared. The Laws and 
Edifts of the Mcdes and Perfians were irrevoca- 
ble. The Nobles all affembled, they were wait- 
ing in the prefence chamber, claiming fentence 
of judgment upon Daniel, and expefting the 
warrant for execution. 

The King was all tears, full of grief and alarm^ 
he was difpleafed with himfelf for liftening to 
his fl«HLtcrers^ he laboured until fun fet to refcue 

his 



• ( 359 ) 

bis favourite, and though compelled at laft 10 
give him up, Darius could not help indulging a 
fecret hope, that Daniel's God would yet pro- 
te£l and prefer ve him. The King went out 
bimfelf to meet him, to comfort Daniel and en- 
treat him to fubmit with patience to fo very hard 
a fate, and fo unalterable a decree. The King 
accompanies him to the mouth of the Den, and 
would not part with him there, until after he had 
bimfelf vitneffed his being put in, taken an af- 
feftionate leave, fa^ the door faft ftiut, and af- 
fixed to it, his own feal, the royal fignet of 
Medea. Darius then went home, but fo full of 
grief he could neither eat, drink, nor fleep. 
Very early in the morning the King arofe, and 
repaired immediately to the Den, found all his 
feals unbroken, he broke them all bimfelf, and 
opened the door of the firft entrance, in great 
anxiety between hope and defpair, Darius 
called aloud on Daniel, '* Is thy God able to 
** deliver thee from the mouths of the Lions?" 
yes, O King! replies Daniel, my God hath fent 
his Angel, and held the Lions mouths. Darius 
overjoyed inftantly ordered him out, and mod 
gracioufly embraced Daniel. The Magiftrates 
and Nobles his accufers, obftinately perfifted in 
afferiing that the Lions had been fatiated and 
over-fed and had on that account refufed to de- 
vour Daniel. Upon this rumour the King com- 
manded 



I 



( 360 } 

ftiaiid^d a large portioh of flefh to be thrown into 
the Den, and after the Lions had gorged their 
fill, he ordered hh guard td thruft in the Ru- 
lers, Nobles and accufers of Daniel, and (cOn- 
fotmlng to the barbarity of the times) all their 
Wires, Children, and Families. The Lions as 
if atmbft famifhed, furioufly fell upon thenl all 
and devoured them. 

A new edi£t and proclamation was now if- 
fued out, and the King commanded all and 
every one of his fubjefts throughout all his 
Kingdom, to fall down and reverentially to 
worfhip the God of Daniel. And Daniel \<^as 
more and more beloved, honoured and efteemed, 
the firft favourite in the Court of Perfia. 

At Ecbatan the Metropolis of Perfia, Daniel 
at his own expence erefted a Tower of great 
magnificence and beauty, a Maufoleum for the 
Royal Family, it was a grateful tribute for the 
honours they had done him, and the cuftody of 
it was always entrufted to a Jewifh Prieft. 

Advanced in years which he had fpent in ufe- 
fulnefs, devotednefs to God, and the, higheft 
earthly honours, acquired and maintained in peri- 
lous and very critical times, under a variety of 
changes, from early life even to old age, and be- 
yond 



( 3^1 ) 

yond the feventy years captivity, full of days, 
piety and honours, Daniel died in the Palace of 
Shufhan, in the Capital of Perfia, and he is faid to 
be lain by himfelf in the Royal Sepulchre. 

The Hiftory of the Prophet Daniel, commen- 
ces from the firft Capture of Jerufalem, by Ne- 
buchadnezzar King of Babylon, at vhich time 
he was carried oflF with the young Princes, the 
beautiful and choiceft youth, and flower of their 
Nobility. As he lived beyond the Captivity, in 
the very firft year of the reign of Cyrus, Da- 
niel warmly interefted himfelf, and pointed out to 
that Prince all the PropheCes refpefting the 
Jews; upon which, Cyrus immediately publiflied 
an Edift^ for their releafe, offering them all, and 
every one, the liberty of returning to their own 
country, to rebuild the City of Jeriifalem and 
their Temple. . Daniel after this prophefied the 
laft and final Deftruftion of this fo highly-fa- 
voured City, and the total c^tinftion of the Jew- 
ifh Commonwealth by the Romans. 

The Stile of the Prophet Daniel is clear, con- 
cife, and penfive, yet flowing with all the eafe of 
hiftorical Narration ; his Chronology is moft ex- 
aO;, his Prophefies explicit, and very diftinft as 
to order and time ; they all depend on one ana- 

§3468- 
Vol. U. a a a ther; 



( 3^2 ) 

tber ; the eafieft lo be underftood is the firft, the 
Prophet has explained them himrelF, his meaniiig 
is mod clearly exprefled ; and after the (irft, in 
each fucceeding one» fomething new is added«: 

Our Saviour hirofelf quotes Daniel 4s a Pro- 
phet, and before the Jewifh Doftors, who were 
always ready enough to cavil, and had a fair op- 
portunity of difavowing the teftimpny. The ex- 
aft accomplilbment of bis Prophefies, as well 
tbofe which have been already fulfilled, as tbofe 
which are now viGbly fulfilling, atteft the truib^ 
and prove undeniably his Prophetic Knowledgi^ 
wd Veracity. 

The firft Chapters of the Book of Daniel, are 
hiftorical. A relation of the King's Dreams — 
The ignorance of the Magicians — Sentence of 
death paffed on them — Their efcape — Daniel's 
Interpretations of the King's Dream, after he had 
informed him of what it was he dreamt — The 
King's aftonifhment, and Eaftern modes of con- 
ferring Honours — Daniel's new dignities, and 
appointment to pofts of honour in the Court of 
Babylon* 

Nebuchadnezzar writes himfelf tbe fourth 
Chapter, tells his own ftory, relates his awful 
Dream, Daniel's Interpretation, the event which 
bad fo, humiliatingly taken place, and its a6iual 

accom- 



( 3% ) 

accomptiQitnent. The King concludes^ with a 
grateful commemoration of his Recovery, re- 
eftabliifament in his iCingdom^ and devout ac* 
knowledgment of God*s Providence and Good- 
nefs. Some little time before his death, Nebu- 
chadnezzar informed his Nobles of a Vifion he 
had feen. A mule (he faid) fliould come from 
out of Perfia, and impofe fervitude upon Baby- 
lon, his Coadjutor fhould be a Mede, the boaft 
of the Aflyrians. Cyrus is believed to be that 
Mule, he was born of parents of different nati- 
ons, the Mother the better, the Father the mean- 
er ; {he was a Mede, and the daughter of a King, 
be a Perfian, and fubjefl: to the Medes. The fifth 
Chapter contains a very interefting narrative; King 
Belfhazzar's profane Feaft, the awful Hand-writing 
on the wail, Daniel's wife and manly Reproof, 
his Speech and explanation of the Hand-writing, 
together with the fad and fatal Hiftory of its Ac- 
complifhment. A ftory fo well told, almoft 
makes you one of the Gucfts, and feats you in 
the Banqueting Hall. The fimplicity with which 
this tragic fcene is related, and with which it con- 
cludes, charaaerizcs all the writings of the Sacred 
Hiftorians. 

*« In that flight was BelAazzar the King of the 
•• Chaddacahs flain/* 

'Hie fixth Chapter b Daniel's own Hiftory, 

King Dams performs Bellhazzar's promife and 

A a a 2 appoints 



i 



( 3^4 ) 

appoints Daniel to the third poft of honour in 
the Kingdom of Babylon. Next to the Blood 
Royal, the firft was, General of the Army, the 
fecond, Prefident of the Palace, the third, Pre- 
fident of the land and Provinces. The Hiftory 
then records the Envy Daniel's high promotion 
excited; the enfnaring Petition of the Nobles; 
the Edia againft Prayer; Daniel's Piety, his 
fieady and virtuous perfeverance; the execution 
of the cruel fentence, and God's merciful and 
miraculous refcue of his Prophet. After this, 
you read the King's anxiety, his checks of con- 
fcience, his early vifit, at day-break, to the Li- 
on's Den, his breaking the Seals, and the joy he 
expreffed at Daniel's fafety. Then follows the 
judgment pronounced on his Accufcrs, they were 
all thrown into the Lions Den, and (conforming 
to the arbitrary cuftoms of the Tyrants of the 
Eaft) their whole families, their innocent wives 
and children, were caft in with them. 

The Chapter concludes, with a new Decree, in 
honour of the God of Daniel. 

In Eaftern pride, and magnificence, arrogating 
univerfality. King Darius wrote unto all peo- 
ple, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the 
earth. *« I make a Decree, that men trem- 
** ble and fear before the God of Daniel ; He 
" is the living God ; his dominion ihall be ever 

« to 



( 365 ) 

•* to the end; He hath delivered Daniel from 
" the power of the Lions/' 

The fix laft Chapters are Prophefies. The 
Vifion of wild Beafts, and the Throne of God. 
What was revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar 
^fpefting the four great Monarchies, Babylon, 
Perfia, Greece and Rome, is here again ex- 
prefsly told to Daniel, forty-eight years after. 
The reprefentation of four fierce wild Beaft, out 
of a ftormy lempeftuous fea, is emblematical of 
bloody wars and the commotions of the World. 
The Lion with Eagles wings (denoting its fwift- 
nefs) and the others were Eaftern Hieroglyphics 
and very ufual figures on their monuments and 
Altars; and the Throne of God is a Metaphor 
borrowed from the awful Solemnities of a Court 
of Judicature, and taken from the grand Sanhe- 
drim of the Jews. Thus far the Book is wrote 
in the Chaldee letter, henceforward Daniel 
writes in the Hebrew tongue. 

The eighth Chapter relates a Vifion five hun- 
dred and fifiy-three years before Chrift. The 
fate of Babylon was already known, and the 
Empire drawing towards its final conclufion. 
This Chapter relates the fecond vifion, and what 
in a preceeding Vifion was compared to a Bear^ 
is here prefigured by a Ram, and the two horns 

repre-, 



.( 366 ) 

reprefcnt the Einpire of the Medes sind Perfians. 
The royal enfign of the Perfians was always ibe 
Ram^ and the He Goat the Arms of Macedon. 

The ninth Chapter contains a Prayer for the 
Iteftoration of Ifrael^ and the anfwer to the 
Prayer, by the Angel Gabriel, is'efteemed the 
cleared . Prophefy of the Meffiah, in atl the 
Books of the old Teftament, and it exhibits the 
nobleft, firongeH, and mod unequivocal proof of 
Chriftianity; it determines precifely the exad 
time of our Saviour's birth, his entry upon his 
Miniftry—his being cut off, but not for him- 
felf<— the deftru3;ion of the Jews which was U> 
follow — their ceafing even to be a Nation — ihc 
new covenant and fpread of the Gofpelj in, 
and by the McfGah. 

The three laft Chapters relate a Vifion two 
years after the former. In the third year of 
Cyrus, King of Perfia, Daniel faw the Vifion 
recorded in the tenth Chapter and he dcfcribes 
the efFefts it had upon him, together with the awful 
vifit of Gabriel, the Angel fent from God U> 
comfort him, at which time Daniel muft have 
been upwards of ninety. 

In the eleventh Chapter, the fame times, and 
many of the fame events are 'enumerated, as 

were 



( 3«7 ) 

iftfetr foretoM By the Prophet Ezekrd, wbcT was 
cotemporary wtth Daniel^ and tbefe ar^ Pi^opfac- 

&CS which remain yet unfQiBlIed* 

The prediftians, arc wonderful and loldtrithete- 
gant fimpliGity^ th^y exhibit Daniel as a great ^ 
enlightened Prophet. Events, ttiai^y of tbeitt ac- 
tually accomplifhed, and others, ^s 10 liiqi! atid 
manner arid place fo exaQly foretold, have oc- 
cafioned fome (who ftudy to refill their evidence) 
to reprefent them, as related fubfequent to the 
tranfaflions, which they fo faithfully defcribe 
and prophetically record. Tbey extend from 
the firft eftablifliment of the Perfian Empire, 
five hundred and thirty years before Chrift, 
through a long length of fucceflive ages to the laft 
and general Refurredion, when He, our Saviour 
and Lord, fhall again appear — ** To judge the 
World in Righteoiifoefs." 

The Author of the Book of Ecclefiafticus is 
wholly filent, but Ezefeiel repeatedly makes the 
moft honourable mention of Daniel, extolling; 
the piety and wifdom of this highly favoured 
Prophet. 

• Our Saviour, before the Jewifli Teachers, 
exprefsly ftiles him Daniel the Prophet, and the 
Angel Gabriel when he delivered his Commiffion 
always addreffed him as a Man greatly be- 
loved. 

Daniel 



( 368 ) 

Daniel penned his own Prophefies^ he mote, 
a fad and mournful Hiftory of the fufferings and 
calamities of his Countrymen, many years be« 
fore the events took place, and this Prophet 
fignally names the Romans, as the future Con. 
querors^ and final Deftroyers of the City, the 
Temple and the Empire. 




ESSAY 



ESSAY XXIX. 



ON THE 



BOOKS OF THE 



TWELVE 



LESSER PROPHETS. 



H O S E A. 

JOEL. 

AMOS. 

OB AD I AH. 

JONAH. 

MIC AH. 



N A H U M. 
HABAKKUK. 
ZEPHANIAH. 
H A G G A L 
ZECHARIAH. 
M ALACHL 



Vol. n. 



Bbb 



H O S E A. 



3=C 



H O S E A. 



THIS Prophet was the Son of Been, arid 
the moft ancient of them ail except the Pro- 
phet Jonah. 

Hofea prophelied in the reign of Jeroboam the 
fecond, and under the reigns of five fucceeding 
Monarchs, and he lived in Samaria. 

By reading the Prophefics, you will readily 
diftinguifli them to have been wrote under very 
different reigns ; the three firft Chapters, during 
the reign of Jeroboam the fecond; the fourth in 
the inter-regnum which fucceeded it; a part of 
the fifth Chapter was wrote in the reign of Me- 
nahem, and all the remainder in the reigns of 
Pekah and Hofhea. 

In one continued ftrain of inveftive, the Pro- 
phet declaims againft the idolatry and fins of If- 
rael; He expofes with a zealous warmth the im- 
piety of Idol worfliip, the Gods erefted at Bethel 
B b b 2 and 



f 372 ) 

and Bethhavcn; calling loudly alfo on Judah to: 
fliun OflFences fo obnoxious. Pollutions fo infa- 
mous and abominable. The Prophet Hofea, in 
poetic fiaion, eloquently tells therfe,^* They; were 
" fowing to the wind, and they fhould reap the 
" whirlwind." Many ol'his Frediftions are very 
awful warnings and fevere threats; but Hofea, in 
others, highly confoles them, by foretelling the 
Reftoration of his countrymen here, and a final 
Happinefs hereafter. He prophefies of the call- 
ing of our Saviour out of Egypt ; his Refurrec- 
tion on the third Day; the amazing terror and ^ 
confternation .of a Judgment-day. Thus, amidft 
the denunciations of wrath, the Prophet revives 
them, by the dawn and expeftation of Bleffings 
yet in ftqre; animates them by the glorious prof- 
pefl: and full affurance of a Ranlbm from the 
grave; a Redemption from death, in order to en- 
courage them in the purfuit of righteoufnefs, 
and engage them the worfhip of Jehovah. 

The Prophet Hofea was a cotemporary with 
Amos and Joel ^ he maintained his dignity and 
high prophetic office almoft ninety years ; and 
there are many paffages in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, 
which feem to have been borrowed from the Pro- 
phet Hofea, During the younger part of his life^ 
under the reign of the Second Jeroboam, the 
people were very corrupt and Idolaters; per- 

fuafively 



( 373 } 

fuafively the Prophet reafons, reproves, and even 
threatens them; and as his life and ufefulnefs 
were fo long lengthened out, the Punifliments he 
had foretold and threatened them with, and fo 
very earneftly warned them againft, were moft of 
them inflided; events, this pioiis and good man 
feeh'ngly and very pathetically laments. Hofea 
had prophefied the Deftruftion of the ten Tribes 
of Ifrael; the city of Samaria, it3 capital, was 
befieged and taken in the days of the Prophet; 
Hofea was himfelf an eye-witnefs to it ; the inha- 
bitants were made captive, and the Prophet con- 
fined in a prifon, Thefe Prophefies were coL 
lefted together, without Date or Divifions, they 
are Writings of very great Antiquity, and necef- 
farily fome of them obfcure. 

The ftyle of Hofea is poetic, concife, and fen- 
tentious, peculiar to himfelf, and to the age he 
lived in. 



T«« 



THE SECOND OF THE LESSER FROPHETJ WAS, 



J 



O EL. 



npmS Prophet was the Son of Pethuel, and 
-*• of the Tribe of Reuben; cotetnporary 
with the Prophet Hofea, and a native of Beth* 
horon. 

. Joel zealoufly warm calls paflionately on all his 
Countrymen to repent, but he intermixes with his 
threats moft encouraging promifes both of tem- 
poral bleffings and celeftial rewards, among the 
former he foretells the reftoration of Ifrael, and 
he defcribes minutely the punifhmcnts which 
would hereafter be inflifted on its adverfaries. 

The Prophet earneftly preffes upon them the 
ufe of proper means. " Sanftify a faft, call ye 
^' a folemn atfembly, gather together the Elders, 
^* all the Inhabitants of the land, to the houfe of 

" your 



( 375 ) 

** your God, and cry unto the Lord ;' again, 
and again in the fecond Chapter. ** Blow up 
^' the trumpet in Zion — Call an affembly — pro- 
** claim a folemn Faft — let the Minifters and 
*• Priefts weep before the Altar, cry aloud to 
*« God, Tpare thy People, O God!" and Joel 
encourages them by the kindeft promifes, that 
the Lord will anfwer them, will fave them. He 
will be jealous for his land, the Lord will 
pity his People. 

Elegant and animated is the Style of the Pro- 
phet joe\, his two firft Chapters perfpicuous, 
fublime, highly defcriptive and poetic, abound- 
ing with metaphors and beautiful allufions; the 
third which is the laft Chapter foretells the 
judgments God was about to infli£l upon the 
enemies of his People, and future bleffings on 
the Church under the pleafing and poetic em- 
klcms of a Golden Age. 



AMOS 



AMOS. 



THIS Prophet the third of the Lefler Pro- 
phets, was a Shepherd, and at fruit Sea- 
fon a gatherer of Sycamore fruit, at Tekoa, 
twelve miles fouth of Jerufalem^ 

Two years before the tremendous earthquake 
which happened in the year of the World three 
thoufand two hundred and twenty-one and feven 
hundred and eighty-three years before the birth 
of our Saviour Amos began to prophefy, and in 
the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam the 
Second. 

The Prophet's commiffion ran, to go and Pro- 
phefy concerning Syria, the Philiftines, Tyre^ 
Edom, Ammon and Moab, but moft exprefsly 
againft Ifrael; the judgments the Prophet de- 
nounces are tremendous and full of horror, they 
threaten the total overthrow and deftruftion of 
thofe Kingdoms, and a little more than fixty 

years 



( 377 ) 

years afterwards, Samaria was befieged, its 
Capital taken, its Inhabitants carried away Cap^ 
live, and as the Prophet Ifaiah had foretold^ 
Ifrael was broken from being any more a Peo- 
ple. 

The types and emblems of the Prophet Amo» 
are fuitably chofe, highly fanciful and pic- 
turefquc, under the figure and reprefentation of 
Grafs-hoppers, devouring the herbage and the 
fruit; a furious Fire ravaging all before it; a 
Plumbet-line; a tottering Wall in the moment of 
tumbling, and burying in its ruins all the Idol 
Gods of Ifriel. 

An idolatrous Prieft, named Amaziah, . with 
malice and angry warmth, accufed. the Prophet 
Amos before the King, upon which he was. com- 
manded to leave the country. As the Prophet 
fet out on his journey, he mod ftrikingly ad- 
dreffed himfelf to Amaziah, and denounced this 
fevere and very heavy judgment at parting ; 
" Thy Wife fhall become an open Proftitute; 
** thy Sons and thy Daughters fhm, thou thyfelf 
•* fhall be carried Captive into a foreign land, 
<* and thou fhalt die there." It was not very 
long after this very awful predi£lion, the Ten 
Tribes of Ifrael were all carried away Captive in- 
to Aflyria. 

Vol. II. C c c Tekoa 



( 378 ) 

Tckoa lay on the borders of a greit wilderncfs^ 
and the Prophet Amos drew many of his images 
and atlufions from the fierce and terrific, wild and 
boifterous fcenes of Nature, Lions and Beads of 
prey, objeSs he was converfant with, fometimes 
pointing to awful figns in the Heavens, by all 
which he excited attention, and roufed the mod: 
indolent ; befides this the Prophet Amos addrefled 
them with a manly eloquence, and with an afFe£li- 
onate tendernefs heconfoles Ifrael by adding, God' 
will not utterly deftroy his People, after clean- 
fing and fifting them, a blefled difpenfation 
would in time moft certainly fucceed, with (e- 
curity, abundance and peace. 

The Prophet's whole compofition is elegant 
lofty and animated, although his life had been 
principally fpent in rural occupations and a Cot- 



Chapters x. xi. xr. 



THS 



7HE FOURTH OF THE LESSER PROPHETS p, 



OB A D I A H. 



'THHE liteial meaning of the name is a Servant 
-*• of God. This Prophet's Nation, Tribc» 
Family, and place of abode arc altogether un- 
known. Obadiab fecras a cotemporary with 
the Prophet Jeremiah, and he prophefies the 
fame events and dehunciattohs againft Edom, 
which Jeremiah had exprefsly foretold, Judg- 
ments which were all fulfilled. Obadiah's Pro- 
phefy is confined to pnly two fubjefts, and is 
contained in one fingle Chapter, very awful 
threatenings againft £dom, and the capture and 
deftrudion of Jerufalem by the A0yrian Mo- 
narch. 

The Chapter unfolds a very interefting fcene, 
and it is a highly inftruftive leffon againft ill- 
founded Exukation, and Human Confidence. 

CcCa THE 



THE MOST ANCIENT OF ALL THE PROPHETS 
WHO HAVE PUBLISHED THEIR PROPHE- 
CIES, IS 



JONAH, 



THIS Prpphet i3 placed the fifth among the 
leffer Prophets, notwithftanding his being 
the moft ancient of them all. 

He is fuppofed to have propheficd in the lattef 
end of the reign of Jehu, or the beginning of the 
reign of Jehoahaz, foon after Hazael, the Syrian 
Monarch, had fo forejy oppreffed Ifrael. 

Jonah's Commiffion .ran, "Go prophefy the 
" Deftruftion of Nineveh/' Inftead of obeying, 
the Prophet purpofely to avoid the Orders given 
him, fet out a voyage a direft contrary way. A 
fudden moft tremendous ftorm brought about 
his difcovery. In order to allay the tempeft, the 
mariners threw him over-board. The Provi- 
dence of God fo ordered it, a huge Whale fwaU 

lowed 



( 38i ) 

lowed up Jonah. In the immenfe belly of this 
Monfter, the Prophet was fafely lodged three 
days and three nights, and then difgorged upon 
the fands on the Sea fhore. 

A Miracle fo aftonifhing, brought to mind the 
Prophet's difobedience, imprefled him with a 
fenfe of his paft danger, and the interpofition of 
God in his wonderful efcape. The Prophet un- 
dertook his journey now in right earneft. 

Jonah was the fon of Amittai, of the Tribe of 
Zebulon, and born in the city of Gath-hoper, in 
Galilee. It was here he received his awful 
Commiffion to go Envoy to Nineveh. At that 
time Nineveh was the Capital of all the Eatt, the 
greateft City of the greateft Empire in the world, 
magnificently built on the Banks of the Tigris, 
Metropolis of Aflyria. 

Againft this proud and lofty city, the Prophet 
denounced a heavy and moft tremendous Ji^dg- 
ment. In the midft of the high ftreets of Nine- 
veh, Jonah opens his Commiffion, and delivers 
bis awful Meflage tp the inhabitants; and the 
Prophet affigns the reafohs why he was fent; God 
had noticed their rapacity, cruplty, and oppref- 
lion, their grofs impiety and idolatry. Severe 
and fignally terrifying were the Threatenings, awful 
j;he Denunciations he pronounced. It was fixty 

mile^ 



( 382 ) 

miles around the city walU, and three days jour- 
ney acrofs* On the evening of the firft day, the 
Prophet began, and loudly uttered his very 
alarming Prophefy. — " Yet forty days, and Nu 
'' neveh will be deftroyed.*' — The ftriking fo- 
lemnity with which the Prophet delivered his mef* 
fage, the highly interefting arid important cvfent 
it foretold, excited confternation and aftdnifli- 
ment, and drew an immenfe croud around him. 
Wonderful was the change the Prophet- s Meffage 
wrought on the inhabitants; awe and furprize led 
them to refleftion, penitence, felf-abafement ; 
King and People humbled themfelves before 
God ; they put on fackcloth and aflies on their 
head, they cried right earneftly to God, on which 
the doom of Nineveh was delayed for a time* 

Jonah's Prophefy holds, up to view a ftriking 
inftance of God's mercy to penitent and return^ 
ing finners i and the Prophet is a lingular Type 
of our Saviour's Burial and Refurreftion, ac- 
knowledged and referred to by our Saviour bim-r 
felf. 

Jonah would not believe fo great a King, fa 
immenfely populous a city, would hearken to 
him, or mind any thing he had to fay ; but in 
cafe they (hould, they might feize and imprifon 
pr punifh him; ^nd fqppofe he fhould even 

bring 



\ 



( 383 ) 

bring about a Reformation, by repenting, they 
might avert the judgments he had uttered, and he 
might be condemned as a falfe Prophet. Thefe 
fuggeftions puzzled Jonah, weakly folicitous for 
his own reputation, more than for the Glory of 
God, or the Prefervation of a Kingdom. After 
a Miracle bad convinced the Prophet, and fe^ 
him on his work, and he had made fome progrefs 
in it, Jonah grows paffionate, betrays much im- . 
patience, and he will die. God condefcends to 
reafon with his Prophet, fpares and pardons him, 
as well as Nineveh. This Hiftory is wonderful, 
the Prophet's chara6ler inftru&ive and entertain- 
ing; a paffionate fiery temper, but a good heart, 
very obftinate, but ingenuous, and open to con- 
viftion. 

The Prophefy of Jonah is a plain, and fimple 
narrative, except the Prophet's prayer, which 
forms a highly beautiful and very fublime Ode. 

This is the firft time we read of a Prophet 
fent to reform a Gentile Nation, and was furely 
a hopeful prelude to God's granting them, in 
fome future time, repentance unto life. 

Some difputes have arofe refpeflting the Whale 
which fwallowed up the Prophet, the Hebrew 
word fignifies a large fifh, and fome years ago oii 
the Coaft of Portugal, a fifh was caught by run- 
ning afhore, in whofe mouth when ftretched, a 
Man could ftand upright. 

THl 



THE SIXTH OF THE LESSeR PROPHETS, WAS 

M I C A H. 



A T a Village near the City Eleutheropolis, 
•^^^ named Morafti, in the Southern part of 
Judah lived the Prophet Micah, he prophefied 
under Jotham, and in the reigfis of Ahaz and 
Hezekiah, a cotemporary with Ifaiah, and a 
little before the Prophet Jeremiah who often 
and exprefsly quotes him. 

The Prophet Micah's commiffion ran, to go 
preach to the two Kingdoms of Judah andlfrael, 
and he denounces very fevere and heavy judg- 
ments on them both, and the Prophet executed 
his prophetic office with high animation and 
zeal. He foretold the invafion of Ifrael and 
Judah by Shalmanefer and Senna-Cherib, the 
Conquefts and Triumph of both. The Captivi- 
ties of Ifrael and Judah, and deliverance of the 

latter 



(385 ) 

latter; their difperfion ; the celtation of Prophefy; 
the overthrow of Aflyria; and Babylon, its proud 
and lofty Capital ; the birth of our Saviour at 
Bethlehem Ephratah ; exaltation of Chrift's 
Kingdom; and the fad deftruftion of Jerufalem 
and the Temple. This laft prediftion is faid to 
have faved the life of the Prophet Jeremiah, for 
on boldly uttering this Prophefy, Jeremiah was 
imprifoned, condemned, and would have been 
put to death, had it not appeared the Prophet 
Micah had foretold the fame event a hundred 
years before; highly eloquent is the Prophet's 
language; forcible, wife and comprehenfive his 
reafoning. " He hath Ihewed thee, O man, 
** what is good; and what doth the Lord 
** require of thee, 'but to do juftly, and to 
*« love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy 
** God!" And our Saviour condefcends to 
adopt the language of this Prophet, in one of his 
conv^rfdiions with his Difciples. 

If you read over the Hiftory of Ifrael and Ju- 
dah, from their firft divifion, Ifrael's Revolt and 
Apoftacy, and the Hiftory of Judah, under the 
reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah ; the Hif- 
tory of Ifrael, under the reigns of Zechariah, 
Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, and Hofea; the 
difcouffes of the Prophet are wonderfully fuited 
to the temper of thefe times, the difpofition and 
Vol. II. D d d . corrup- 



( a86 ) 

corniptibtis of the people he lived among. Undcfr 
moft of thefe reigns, the impiety, obftinacy , and 
wickednefs here reproved and threatened by the 
Prophet, were prevalent} and it was during the 
life-time of Micah, that the judgments he had 
foretold, were many of them inflifted, and in the 
very manner the Prophet had defcribed, with 
fword, peftilence, famine, difperfion, and capti- 
vity. Micah lived to fee Ifrael made, as he had 
predided, a Defolation and a Hifling ; for the 
Prophet furvived the ruins of this dead kingdom 
ten years. Judah's calamity, as furely, but more 
flowly, followed; within one hundred and thir- 
ty-three years, Jerufalem and the Temple were 
deftfoyed, its numerous inhabitants, King and 
People, carried captive to Babylon. 

In the fifth Chapter, you read a fignal Prophe- 
fy, of the birth of our Saviour, together with 
the wide extended Spread of his kingdom. And 
in the fixth, a pathetic and highly animated con- 
troverfy, exhibiting God's goodnefs, ^fFeftionately 
condefcending to reafon with his people, con- 
vince them of their ignorance, and reprove their 
injuftice and idolatry. This Prophet concludes 
with the fweeteft encouragement to his country- 
men, amounting to a full affurarice of mercy to 
the penitent, the prote^ion and the bleffing of 

the 



C 387 ) 

the Almighty. *' He will turn again, be will have 
*' companion on his People." 

The Prophet Micah's ftyle is elegant and lofty, 
and comes neareft to the ftyle of Ifaiah; concife 
but comprebenfiye, highly animated and poetic. 



THE SEVENTH OT THE LESSER PROPHETS, IS 

N A H U M. 



TH E name of this Prophet betokens Com- 
fort ; and it was very probably given bim, 
on account of the good tidings which he brought 
to Judah. A total deftruftion of Nineveh, at 
that time the Capital of Affyria, their very For- 
mi^dWe Enemy. 

Nahuan was bom in a fmall village in Galilee, 

his family unknown; be preceded the Prophets 

Jeremijah and Ezekiel, and propheiied about the 

D d d 2 year 



( 388 ) 

year of the world three thoufand two bundred and 
eighty-three. 

Nahum lived in the reign of Hezekiah, and 
about ninety years later thanjonah. He foretold 
the death of Senna-Chcrib, the Affyrian Mo- 
, narch, and with perfuafive eloquence the Prophet 
calls loudly on Judahto repent. •* Keep thy fo- 
*• lemn Feafts, O Judah! perform thy vows! the 
" wicked ihall no more pafs over thee, he is utterly^. 
** caftofiF/* Moft tremendous and alarming the 
Prophet paints, and in glowing colours, the 
overthrow and deftru6iion of Nineveh. She 
was then in all her glory and profperity, the 
proudeft, loftieft City in the world, the Court 
of the Aflyrian Empire. The moment is 
ftrikingly marked for her ruin and abolition, 
fublimely and moft awfully the Prophet an- 
nounces it. ** Jehovah himfelf proclaims Free- 
" dom to his people from the AiTyrian yoke — an- 
" nounces Himfelf the ruin of the mighty City — » 
" Jehovah heads the armies marching to befiege 
" it, ftriking them with terror and confternation — 
" It is He delivers up the city, its inhabitants, its 
" treafurcs, into the mercilefs hands of rapacious 
*^ and infatiable plundierers." The Prophet next 
relates the vengeance of Jehovah; the inftru- 
ments he makes ufe of; the Medes and Babylo- 
nians; their arms and drefs; their approach to 
the walls; the inundation of the river; the cap- 

cure 



( 389 ) 

turc of Nineveh; the cries, lamentations, flight 
of its inhabitants ; the amazing Terror of a City 
in the moment of deftruflion. " Woe to the 
'* bloody city; I hear the crafh of the whip, the 
*' rattling of the wheels, and the bounding of the 
** chariots ; 1 fee the fpear and the bright fword, 
** the fhield is all blood, the valiant are in fcar- 
** let" Full of majefty and grandeur is the ftyie 
of the Prophet Nahum. '* The Lord (fays he) 
** hath his way in the whirlwind, and the clouds 
** are the duft of his feet." Thus awful and 
fublime is his language, and the Prophet confines 
himfelf almoft wholly to this fingle event; except 
his appeal and exhortation to Judah, contained 
in one verfe in the firft Chapter, all the reft of 
the Prophefy, is one entire, beautiful Ode, full of 
fire, the boldeft colouring, a moft tremendous 
Revolution. The exordium on the Juftice, 
Power, and Majefty of God, is a truth fublimely 
told and with Divine Magnificence. 

About fixty years after this highly awful Pro- 
phefy, Nineveh was befieged, taken, and totally 
defl:royed. In the fecond century afterwards, no 
traces of this proud City remained, and now its 
verv Situation is unknown. 



HABAKKUK. 



H A B A K K U K.§ 



'Tp HIS Prophet was the eighth of the Icfftx 
•*- Prophets, and lived at the fame period, and 
during the fame reigns, as the Prophet Jeremiah. 
He foretels the Deftru£iioao.f Judah and Jeru- 
falem by the Chaldacans. 

The Prophet Habakkuk, when he came feri- 
bufly to rcfleCl and reafon with himfelf on the 
Prophefies he had delivered, was wonderfully 
agitated and perplexed. He daiVy witneffcd, and 
names often his furprize, at the feeming inequality 
in the ways of Providence, admitting theaffliBions 
and fufferings of good men, and the not unfre- 
quent profperity of the wicked. The Chaldac- 
ans, he faw, fo notorious for impiety, tiiumpbed 
and trampled over Judah, a Nation and People 
fo much more worthy than them ; but the Pro- 
phet was afterwards commiflioned to foretel that 

§ Name a Wrefter or Graplcr. 

the 



i 



( 391 ) 

the Medes and Perfians fhould, for the very fame 
crimes, punifti and be a fevere fcourge to the 
Chaldacans. Afterwhich, with fteady faith, and fer- 
vent prayer, the Prophet Habakkuk addreffes him- 
felf to God, gratefully recounting his many mer- 
cies, and faithfulnefs to his People, impreffing it on 
their memories as a fure foundation of their hope, 
and a pattern for their praQife under every dif* 
trefs, and the darkeft difpenfations of Provi- 
dence. With all the enthufiafm and warmth of.in- 
fpired piety, Habakkuk avowedly profefles his 
reliance on Jehovah, a confidence which no fu- 
ture change, event, or circumftance, fhould ever 
fiiake or leflen. 

By his Prophetic office Habakkuk was enabled, 
in the moft ftriking manner, to defcribe the 
haughty prowefs and grandeur of Aflyria, their 
victories, fierccnefs and rapidity, and afterwards 
to contraft the fcene, and reprefent their down- 
fal and deftruflion. He expatiates on the pride 
of Chaldaea, its impiety, falfe confidence and 
idolatry, and prophefies the humiliation, fufferings 
and even the infanity of their haughty Monarch. 

The tliird Chapter is a Song of fublinriiy and 
beauty, abounding with figures awfully defcrip- 
tive 1 the Prophet concludes with a pleafing. pic- 
ture df donfreftic life, a pious good man confo- 
ling and enjoying bimfelf in fall- a.ffaran«ee of 
Safely under the Divine Proteftion, even while 

formidable 



( 394 ) 

thankfulnefs, a grateful remembrance of paft mer- 
cies,, and a firm reliance on God; although he is 
now angry with them for their fins, God will 
not be unmindful of his Covenant and his 
People. 

The fecond chapter is a lively animated paint- 
ing, and in glowing colours reprefents, the de- 
ftruftion of the Enemies of Judah, the Philiftines, 
Moab, Amraon, Ethiopia, and Aflyria. The 
third, a heavy woe and very fcvere reproof to Je- 
rufalem, and both Chapters abound with Figures 
highly elegant and fublimc. 



H A G G A I. 



nn HIS Prophet was the firft who was fcnt to 
-*• Jerufalem, after the return of the Jews 
from their Captivity in Babylon,t and the tenth 
among the Leffer Prophets. 

t 3484^ 

Haggai 



C 395 ) 

Haggai was born in Babylon, the Prophet was 
fent from thence ' to Jerufalem, and his principal 
commiflion related to the Temple. As foon as he 
arrived, he waited upon the Governor and High 
Prieft, and headdrefled himfelf to all the people 
refpefting it. The Building had been fixteen 
years begun, but it had long been put a total 
flop to, by the exprefs orders of Cambyfcs, a Son 
of Cyrus, who had obtained the Government un- 
der the title of Viceroy. 

With the greateft earneftnefs and zeal, the 
Prophet ftirred up both Magiftrates and People, 
to fet about the work with diligence and affidui- 
ty ; on his prefling folicitations, and urging them 
fo unweariedly on the bufinefs, the Jews pleaded 
their extreme poverty. The Prophet reprobates 
their excufes, and feverely upbraids them with in- 
gratitude to God ; and afterwards to encourage 
them, Haggai gave them new afluranccs and pro- 
mifes of the Divine proteftion and blelling; they 
fliould immediately experience a wonderful in- 
creafe in their cattle, in their pafturage, on their 
vines and olives, of their gold and filver, an in- 
creafe which would henceforward always keep 
pace with their induftry and labour. 

After this, the Prophet goes on to give them a 

much higher encouragement ftill ; he infpircs 

them with foretelling the great and fignal blelfing 

E e e 2 and 



(396 ) 

And. glory of this their fecond Temple; it vfoitld 
aftonifliingly exceed the former ^ for their long- 
expefled, much wifhed for, jjnd ever blefled and 
glorious Mefliah, fliould make his perfonal ap- 
pearance in it. And vhile this fecond Temple 
flood, our Saviour aftually did appear ; he was 
prefented in it by his parents; acknowledged 
publickly by Simeon and Anna ; afterwards h^ 
taught therein, and by his gracious Prefence^ 
filled that Houfe with Glory; with the Glory of 
God, manifefted in the moft illuftrious Miracles; 
with the glorious tidings of Salvation, of Grace, 
of Righteoufnefs, and Truth, The work went on 
now rapidly and cheerfully, under the watchful 
eye and daily attendance of the Prophets Haggai 
and Zechariah. 

Some envious and very powerful opponents 
had fet themfelves againft this bufinefs, and they 
forwarded an embafly to Perfia, prefented a Peti- 
tion and Addrefs to Darius, at Shulhan, re« 
quefting him to lay new prohibitions, and ufe his 
royal authority to put a ftop to all further pro- 
grefs in the building. Inftead of granting their 
Petition, Darius fent back by the Ambafl&dors, a 
confirmation and enlargement of their Charters, 
and of all the privileges which had been granted 
them by Cyrus ; and the King annexed to them 
heavy penalties, on all and every one, who fhould 

in 



( 397 ) 

in futjire be accufedand convlfted of giving any 
hindrance whatever to the finilhing of the Tem* 
pie. In four years time, the whole Building was 
completed, a^d the (plemn Feaft of Dedication 
was at that time celebrated in it. 

The Prophet Haggai clofes his Prophefies, 
with many prediSions which refer to Wars and 
Seditions among the Gentile Nations, tending to 
the overthrow of the enemies of the Jews. He 
died in Jerufalem, and as he was of the Sacerdotal 
race, they interred him in a feleft ground, which 
had been allotted as a burial place to the Priefts. 



Z E C H A R I A H. 



nn HIS Prophet was the fon of Baracbiah, 
•*• of the Sacerdotal race, the grandfon of 
Iddo, and the eleventh among the Leffer Pro-, 
phets : He was a cotemporary with the Prophet 
Haggai, and prophefied only two months after 
him. Zechariah was the fecond Prophet fent by 

God 



( 398 3 

God to the returned captives at Jerufalem. He 
was commiffioned as well as Haggai, to prefs 
upon the Jews the building of the Temple. This 
Prophet reveals exprefsly, and more fully the 
Revolutions and Events which were now about 
to take place, even to the clofe and final diffolu- 
tion of the Empire, their fubjeftionand captivity 
to the Romans. 

Among the Leffer Prophets, Zechariah has a 
high pre-eminence for the number, excellence, 
and precifenefs of his Prophefies. In the plaineft 
and moft exaft manner, he foretells the coming of 
the Meffiah; his rejeflion by the Jews; the wars 
and bloody perfecutions under Antiochus Epi- 
phanes ; their wars with the Romans. He pro- 
phefies the death of Chrift ; and under the em- 
blem of a fhepherd, reprefents his ftieep as feat- 
tered. He next foretells the annulling of the 
Law of Mofes, and the new Covenant of Grace 
inftituted by Jefus Chrift; particularizes our Sa- 
viour's lowly entrance into Jerufalem upon an 
afs, and upon a colt, the foal of an afs ; and the 
thirty pieces of filver, the price paid to Judas If- 
cariot; alfo the Siege of Babylon by Darius; and 
it was on this very Prophefy, thofe Jews, who 
had continued in Babylon, availing themfelves of 
this information, took timely warning, and qtiit- 

ted 



^ ( 3^9 ) 

ted the city before the combined armies had fur- » 
icounded it. , 

The Prophet Zephaniah expatiates on the glo- 
rious Spread of Chriftianity, by the admiffion and 
convei'fion of the Gentiles. He foretells the per- 
fecutions and fufFerings of the Chriftians, and 
names the punifhment their perfecutors would in- 
fallibly bring upon themfelves. 

Together with the Revolutions and Changes of 
the Jewifli Empire, many of thefe Prophefies 
have a reference to the Empires of Perfia, Greece 
and Rome. 

The twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth Chap- 
ters, conftitute one fingle diftinfl: Prophefy re- 
fpefting the Chriftian Difpenfation. They inform 
you of fome fignal victories over the enemies 
of Jerufalem; of the reftoration and conver- 
fion of the Jews; of theii bitter remorfe and 
compunftion for having pierced the Mefliah; 
their admiffion by baptifm into the privi- 
leges of the Gofpel Covenant ; and of their 
deliverance from falfe Prophets ; the difper- 
fion of Chrift's Difciples; and prefervation of a 
fmall remainder ; the deftru6lion of Jerufalem by 
the Romans ; the final triumph and glorious 
eftablifliment of the Kingdom of Chrift ; all 
thefe the Prophet particularizes with great 
clearnefs, his ftyle is plaintive and it is faid by 

the 



( 400 ) 

the Jews, the fpirit of the Prophet Jeremiah had 
paffed on Zechariah. Throughout the Prophefies 
of this book there is a pleafing tranfition from one 
to another, a happy union and blending of prefent 
with future fcenes, a regularity and wife connexion 
peculiar to the writings of this Prophet. . 



M A L A C H I. 



THE name fignifies an Angel. The Prophet 
Malachi appeared in the latter part of the 
life-time of the Prophets Haggai and Zechariab, 
when Nehemiah was Governor, and fo pioufly 
and ufefuUy employed himfelf in re-building the 
walls of Jerufalem. 

Malachi was the laft Prophet fent to the Jews, 
all Prophefy now ceafed ; Malachi is therefore 
exprefsly called, the Seal of Prophefy; a wife 
appointment this, of the providence of God in 
order more confpicuoufly to difplay the coming 
#f thcMeffiah, the bleflSng all were looking up 

to 



( 491 ) 

%o with earneft exp^Qta^UQn. This happy weht th^ 
Prophet ijaoft ^xprcfsjy; fprci^ds, he ddcribey the 
perfon of John ti^tt Sftp^Qi^ bi^^ forerunner and 
mefienger^ preparing th« W9J/( for the Me$alf| 
difpofing the iQinds of the People po rtci^iyi^ 
him, an^: af^r thaty his appearance ; his office ; 
hi« dignity and ipany fignal featureis pf his 
life. 

At this time the Temple wasbuilt^ and although 
fo very lately completed^ its fervices were aU 
ready abufed and fhamefully neglcftei Th^ 
Prophet Malachi fevcrely reproves them for their 
profanation of it. He inforu^s them of the 
change, which would take place in the law, at the 
appearance of the MeflSah, the great Prophet 
fiimfelf; and he dire£ttsd and inftruded all hi^ 
countrymen to expert no other Prophet, before 
he himfclf fliould come^ except John the B^ip? 
tift, his immediate forerunner, a Prophet hpnoxy 
ed and-lignally diftingulflied by oyr SayioUr, eyci^ ^ 
as more than a Prqphet, 

Though the Prophet Matachi fpllowe4 fo clofe 
after thiC other Prophets, even in the life-time 
of Haggai and Zechariah, in^piety and vice ha^ 
inade a fad progrefe ; both Prieifts and People 
^etc guilty of £hameful ah4 xjapft enormouip 



( 402 ) 

crimes, Sabbath-breakings Adultery, cafting off 
the Law, or what was even worfe, a wrefting it 
to their finful pradices; denying God's Provi- 
dence, and abandoning his worfliip. On a re*, 
view of fuch conduct and ifiapiety, the wifdom 
and fuitablenefs of the Prophet's mode of re- 
claiming and reproving them, is peculiarly (cen. 
He firft impreflite on thei^ minds the coming^of 
the Meffiah; and then'de£crib^s his employment 
under the emblem of a Refiner or Purifier. 
** He fhall appear as a Refiner's fire, and lik|* 
« Fuller's Soap. He fhall fit as a Purifier of fil^ 
** ver.'* And his Argument, and way of reafon- 
ing with the Priefts, is affedionately influential 
and elegant, " A Son honoreth his Father, and 
^ a Servant his Mafter ; if then I be a Father, 
" where is mine honour ? and if I be a Mafter, 

" where is my fear?" fakh the Lord of 
Hofts, 

The Prophefies and Preaching of Malachi, ace 
direflcd to reftify all fuch vile abufes, which had 
difgraced the Jcwifti Worfliip, and crept into the 
Commonwealth; and many of the crimes and 
enormities fo zealoufly and feVfCrely reproved, 
were afterw^ards very much reformed by Nehe- 
miah, on his return the laft time from the court of 
Perfia, when he prevented the Tyrians from traf- 
ficking on Jthe Sa^bbath, by fliulting up the, City 

GAtej^ 



( 403 ) 

Crates from fun-fet on Friday, until the Sabbath 
tvas oyer, and this wifeGovernor fcverely reprov- 
ed the Magiftrates for negle£t of duty, and ftre^ 
nuoufly ^ enforced the obfervabce of the Lavr 
throughout the Kingdom. 




Fffa ESSAY 






t s s A t 



A SUMMARY 



O t THE 



H I S T O R V 



B Y w la * KJ t 



CONCLUSION, 



THE firft volume evei: wrote opehs with the 
Formation of a World. The revolution oC 
the earth on its own axis— The firft day, and the 
firft night. " And God faid, let their be light 
^' and there was light/* The Sun's Majcfty and 
Jj^il of i^lory on its eatr^nce^ its meridian lufircf 

and 



( 4^5 ) 

and ttje fi^rene and milder beauticis of the Moqu. 
The elevation of the air, and its fufpenfion, 
conftituting an atmofphere. The luxuriancy 
ana elegance with which the earth v/as cloath- 
cd. The introduftion of birds and beafts; 
and la<l of all, of a rational being into it. And 
Man walked fonhi Vicegerent* of the Almighty, 
as its Governor and Lord. Adam receives his 
benedifclion from God, and the Heavenly Hoft 
Rood gazing with wonder at this new acceffion to 
Creation. The Social alliance now formed for 
Adam, his burft of joy, his happy Marriage, and 
Adam declared her the dear Companion of his 
life. Seven years they reigned in Paradife, and 
yx)u re^d here of the daily duties and employ- 
ments allotted them. Then follows their Difobe^ 
dience their awful Summons, Trial, Sentence an* 
nouiiced, their Punifhment, expulfion fri)m all 
the happy interviews and prefenc^ of their God^ 
and from the Garden of Eden. 

The Hiftory foon relates the progrefir of vic« 
arid impiety^ 

Two young men, brothers, the one virtuous, 
the other wicked — -Cain murders his Brother for 
his piety, and the murderer is permitted to live^ 
A demonftration, and perhaps the firft proof of a 
figure flUkie. 



( 4oS ) 

from the Scriptures we learn^ the Birtli and( 
tommencement of early Ages; Mankind in infant 
cy ; Societies yet forming ; Men in tents, an<J 
fcattered tribes; Order and Civilization in their 
rude beginnings; the invention of Arts and Sci- 
ences ; the* literary charaflter of Enoch, his piety 
and diftinguifhed reward, modeftly and fo fimply 
related by his Hiltorian : 

** Enoch walked with God, and he was not." 

Then follows the rapid Torrent and amazing 
Overflow of vice and impiety, of error, fuperfli- 
tion, and idolatry, abominations prdduflive of 
utter deflru&ioni the total extirpation of a 
world, Noah only excepted^ Noah alone found 
favour with God, and was miraculoufly preferved 
with his family. 

The Story of Abraham, a lineal defcendant, 
called a grandfon of Noah's, the Heir of a new 
world, and the Friend of God, is wonderfully in- 
terefting; and the Scriptures now tell us, God 
chofe his children, the children of Ifrael his fon, 
as he had promifed Abraham, to be his peculiar 
people ; that he miraculoufly rdfcued ihem from 
flavery and bondage under Pharaoh, King of 
Egypt; and to give an allonifliing proof of his 
patronage and power, he defignedly led them out 
by the way of the Red Sea, opened a paflage fot 
his People in the deep, leading them through a& 

on 



i m ) 

^0 dry lanij to the .Wildernefs of Etbam, an4 
drowning an Egyptian Prince, and his mighty 
Hoft purfuing theoi. 

By a mixture of tencjerncfs and fey^rity, howhp 
t,rained ihem up near forty yejirs, wanderers in thp 
Wildern.efsj feeding and cloathing. inJGtrufting an^ 
reproving the.m, and at laft .cpjoduQin^ them fafe- 
\y to the Banks of Jordan, >yhere hp again opcA- 
ed a paflage of no lefs than fifteen miles in width, 
for them and their cattle^ and put them into the 
quiet poffeffion of a raoft fruitful and delighiful 
.country. 

It records the many wonders God had wrought 
ibr their prefervation, and his choice of Mofes, 
his awful interview, eleftion and eftabliihment, 
^together with the wife precepts God was pleafed 
to deliver his people by that divine Lawgiver. A 
,Code of Laws, civil and religious, which were 
xver after the (landing municipal Laws of the If- 
raelite«, by which they were governed, and ne- 
•ceffarily feparcitcd from ;ev'ery other Nation and 
•Kingdom. 

The Scriptures informs us God was himfclf their 
Judge, Lawgiver and King, and the High-Prieft 
his Minifter. He formed their Polity and was 
4iimfetf their Commander. He ilfaed out hh 
.orders and rules of war. He led their ArmieJt. 
iM;e fought their b^tdei,. Jlie i.ord of i'heir 



( 4o8 ) 

Hofts, The God of the Armies of Ifrael. He 
gave them evident figns of his Prefencc in th^ 
Tabernacle and Temple, anfwering them wben 
they confuUed him; making them profperous, 
when they ferved him; correSing them by t^m- 
poral calamities, when they forfook himj and 
receiving them into- his favour and proteftioji on 
repentance and amendn^ent. 

For the Space of four hundred years God thus 
Cgnally prefided over Ifrael, of all Governments 
by far the happieft and moft enviable. As a 
further demonftration of his wifdom and power^ 
God then raifed up a regular fucceffion of PrOr 
phets, in number forty,.feven and fix Prophctefles^ 
•* This light fhining in a dark place,*^ continued 
a thoufand years. The lives of the Prophets, 
their characters, miniftry and prediQions form^ 
curious, interefting, highly awful and inftruc* 
Uvepart of the Jewiflj Hiftory; drawing away 
the veil from futurity ; with precifion recor4- 
ing the TranfaQions of ages yet unborn ; mi* 
nutely and clearly holding up to view Events in 
jthe bofom of futurity; fpeaking of them as now 
prefent and tranfafting 5 reprefenting events at i 
diftance with fuch certainty, as if they had been 
eye-witneffes to their actual accomplifbment. 
Thus their meffages were often tremendous 
ifd »W&1, g» lycU »8 ppjnfojatory, warning, 

tt^rea^ening; 



( 4^ f 

tkttMmit^$» inftru£Ung and exWtiinf nlf. Tfat 
jPropheu were Gad-like and exalted charaders^ 
coofulted iipan a^l emergencies^ thfi venerably 
Itiid acknowledged oradei of theif Country. 

The Hebrew Kepubliie is alnioft one continued 
record of Pt'ophefy. Centuries belore their 
bwtb^ Qq4 c^lliijig forth by name tb« Difpenfeni 
of his Mercies^ or the filture {nftrumeipti of* his 
Vengeance* 

The firft Prophet^ and the firft Jevift Chief, 
invefted with fiipreme authority, was Mpsas^ a 
]^an greatly honoured and revered, whom God 
kjnew face to face^ a Divine Lawgiver, itifpired 
with patriotic s^alj, aod the moft ardent love for 
his People. 

Moses was born ini the year of the world two 
ihoufand four hundred and thirt^-4wo, and^died 
at the age c^ one hundred and twenty^ Under 
tUe title of Head Leader and Chief, Xpsas 
reigned over Ifrael forty yeafs^ 

At the appointment of God, Jpsir^ A vat by 
found of jNTumpet proclaimed thtoughoiit the 
camp, h^ fucceflor. Jo&ua entiei^ Canaan^ 
yaliantl}/ fought many famous battles; fubdued 
the Canaanites. At the eyierminating f^ord of 
Jpflii^ai the inhabitants fled; in about fix years, 
JbQ ac(||iired po^eijion of their town^, fortijied cir 

ypt^IL Pgg / Mcs^ 



( 410 ) 

ttes, and much of the country, and divided it 
among the twelve Tribes by lot. 

Jofhua maintained his Dignity, Head, Leader, » 
and Chief over Ifrael, five and twenty years, and 
died at t^ie age of one hundred and ten. 

After the death of Jofliua, each Tribe elefted 
its own General, and they were governed by 
their Elders; but feme eminent charafters,. 
Champions and Deliverers of Ifrael, God from 
time to time raifed up, and they were inverted 
with the authority under the title of Judges. 

The Judges were extraordinary MagiRrateis, 
they fat as Piefident in the Jewiffi Sanhedrim, 
were General Officers in the field, announced the 
Law, and regulated Divine Worfliip. A Succef^ 
fion of Fourteen maintained the dignity two hun- 
dred and fifty years ; but at different periods, 
more than a hundred years of fervitude and bon- 
dage intervened, the Ifraelitcs being repeatedly 
conquered by the Philiftines, became tributary to 
them, and to the five other neighbouring Nations 
around them. 

Samuel, the Prophet, was the la ft Judge of 
Ifrael^ After Samuel had, with true dignity and 
pious zeal, unweariedly governed his People 
twenty years, refcued them from flavery, and 
advanced them to honour and refpeftability, the 

Rulers 



( 4U ) 

IRulcrs and Magiftrates, the Heads, and Elden 
tumukuoufly affembled, and having in view thfs 
many lucrative titles, honours, po.fts, and . lux- 
uries of a Court, demanded of Samuel to eleft 
them a King. The Prophet's afFeaioiiate Speech 
and wife Remonftrance being rejefted, at the 
appointmeiJt of God, Saiil, the Son of Ki(h, a 
Benjamite, a tall and very beautiful youth, was 
anointed by Samuel^ King over Ifrael. Saul 
was a brave and gallant Officer, and David cele* 
'brates him for his warlike prowefs, and many fig- 
nal viaories; but ambition and jealoufy forely 
difgraced hiis charafter, and ftained it with many 
odious blemifhes* After a total defeat and mod 
bloody flaughter, in a conflifl with the Philiftines, 
Saul, together with^ three of his brave Sons, Jo- 
nathan, Ami nadab, and Malchi-fhua died glori- 
oufly fighting for their country. The Philiftines, 
as an honourable trophy, hung up their armour 
in the houfe of Aflitaroth, and expofed their 
mangled bodies on the walls of Beth.fhan. 

The Death of Saiil opened for David a fair and 
very natural road to the Throne of Ifrael. 

David. was .proclaimed at Hebron, then the 

capital of Judah, and the two Tribi^s of Judahand 

-Benjamin all. came and paid him homage. At 

the fanie time, Iftibofheth, a Son of Saul's, wa« 

G g g 2 proclaimed 



( <t. ) 

priUzmtd zi Mdianaim» by Akm, hk f^Oifd/k 
CJominatidcr in Chiet» , \^ 

Tlic Kiiigdom of Uut\ remained Hius divided 
(even years ; Ifliboflieth was then mordefed li^ 
Baanah and Rechab, tte two Captainif of blar 
guard» in whom he placed his gieatcft conBdeiieife'/ 
and hit head was brought by them to Hebroil^y 
and prefented to David.!^** Hf torA, O Kmj^^ 
^ behold the head of Iljiboflielhi (he Son of Smtih 
*' thini^ enemy! The Lord hath Avenged wi|r Lor^ 
f* the King, this day, of Saiif^ indt^ his feedL ^« 

On this events the twehe tribes aflembkd;: 
took the oath of allegiance to David» and anoinu* 
ed him King over all IfraeL 

David reigned forty yt$n^ and f«^ of A^ 
riches^ and honours^ this highfy-faVowtd 
Prince^ a Prophet and King of Ifrael, ^i&eni at &e^ 
age of fevefityi A few days before hia dead^^ ih^ 
good old King blew the trumpeu, and conv^nqi 
a general meeting <^ all his people^ their JEMcm 
and HeadS| his Nobles^ Qffi^eiA of Staue. pf^- 
their wiib the Prieis and i4evi|^ ^nd witb ODjalH: 
tnunificeilce^ ordeted a tboufand bttIV>ck$ 16 be^ 
iidded to the daily facrifite, anilieaftcil ill ht» 
People^ At this convention, Solomon bis Sem 
was feated on the Throne of Ifraeli mUktK^ 
vernment waa^lb wifely plaimed^ wihktnkh' 

,dlibHii4 



if ^0 1 

So%<nimtitU syt the age of dightieen, wheir he 
tKeoded ^ Throne of hu Faihfsr ; wd this 
junmg PfftAce^iboA After, exJHbued;idl tbiB la^gnir 
jKeense and gl<^ qf fubiunafy grea^efiu ^«ua«- 
lliE^^ wife and good, dwinely «iducated )>)r a Pfo^ 
jrfiet, add having witoeflied all hi8)i|% the fUm 
Adminiftfaiion and good G^^wKmBf^^ pf tim 
King» aad 4^^ re^ar and dev4Mit ^xercifes ^f ^ 
yefigioifts CoorV he Ibone the wKcft, ^ifnddQi^ 
aluiiiM^ powerful Monarch of t|M5 £aft,,4swc]t >ai« 
the rif^ft and moft exalted* 

Salomon di0d at the age of fifty^eight, and sl^ 
i)»pii|^Jie|iada thoufand v tvei and ^cmcubin^t, 
Solomon left.^nly oae Son, &£hoboam, and lie 
at theatre of fbrty^ 

jkkiw SicdkHAOn'^s deadi, Rdioboanil dCTemMed 
alt hit pe<^y hiil a Revolution at iM^ time took 
place* Ten i>f ihr taneWe Tiibei eleded Jere.. 
boan; a l^t«4» bravc^ and gdlant Officer, yAm 
IkmI baeQ^')oQg fraiefaing a favour^le oppoitunity 
to greai^ an Aii»bitioh, the Propliet Ahijah had 
9)ice |b ita^jqpoQedly ratfed. ^ 

^ K^oboamwas &yUd Kingof Judab, and J^* 
Irdbaam aflumed die title of King of Ifraei. 
fl^inqngbpol the Jewiih Hiftory, the two King* 

doms 



( 414 ) 

<doms remained thus divided; and there are re- 
corded the reigns of twenty fucc(^ffivc Kings oytt 
Judahy and nineteen who reigned over Ifrael. 

HosBEA was the laft King who fat on the If- 
raelitifli Throne; and in the ninth year of ihe 
reign of Hofhea, and in the year of the world 
three thoiifand two hundred and eighty-three. 
King and People were carried away captive; Sa- 
maria, the capital, laid in rubbilh ; the whole 
country laid wafte; the inhabitants widely dif- 
perfed; many of them were drove to the defolat^ 
frontiers of Halah and Habor, and fome to Nine- 
veh and Medea. Thus forlorn and widely' fcat- 
tered, the Ifraelites, in a foreign land, among 
I'yrants.and .Strangers, were condemned to end 
their:days in obfcurity and bondage. 

The Court of Affyria was now removed to Ba- 
bylon, and Nebuchadnezzar, uniting together 
the inhabitants of fuch nations as 'he had con- 
quered, a ftrange medley of Religions and Peo- 
ple, he gave them Samaria, and all the cities 
of Ifrael, where the ten Tribes bad 'dwelt; and 
he brought them from Babylon, from Cuthah, arid 
Ava, from Hamath .and Sepharvahim. As to 
the Ifraelites, after their difperfion and captivity, 
their very name was loft, 

ifraei 



( 415 ) 

'/ Ifraelhad ftood a feparate Kingdom from Jil-^ 
dah two hundred and fifty*fix years; and one 
hundred and thirty years after, the Kingdom of 
Judah alfo ended as a Monarchy, with the feven- 
ty years captivity in Babylon, in the year of the 
world three thoufand four hundred and thirteen; 
Afteit a clofe fi^ge of two years and a half, at 
which time the Scarcity had producefd both a Fa- 
mine and a Peftilence in the city, Nebuchadnez- 
zar ftormed and at length made a breach in' this 
almoft impregnable Fort, this ftrong Hold of 
Sion, entered Jerufalem with his army, facked and 
plundered the Temple, the royal Palaces, the 
Trcafury, the Palaces of all the Nobles, and the 
whole City; after which he burned them all to 
the ground, laid wafte the country, drove out all 
its wretched inhabitants, and by far the greater 
part he led away captive to Babylon. 

At the end of feventy years, and In the fiift 
year of the reign of Cyrus, the Prophet Daniel, 
Privy Counfellor and Lord Chamberlain in the 
Court of PerGa, pre'femed a Petition to the King, 
and laid before his Majefly allthe Prophefies re- 
fpeft^ng the captive Jews. Cyrus was that ami- 
able Prince who had been prophefied of, by 
name, two hundred years before his birth, ind he 
had lately added to his conquefis Babylon, the 
pr9u4fft cjty in the univerfe, flain Belihazzer, 
'' ^- ' the 



( 4t6 ) 

die reigning King; aad put Mh mi io tht Afff^ 
mn enquire. The Prince readiljf liAened to dtc 
reprefientatkm of Damd> whofe many virtutt had 
now advanced him lo die higheft koncNiii^ and 
Ims ifliied out a royal Edift tbiougHoiH Babjrloni^ 
m £i?our of all the Jews, granting Hf^mmyrM 
chott, fce^ liberty of returning faomei la take 
poflcffion of their former eftaie», and rehuild 
their Cily and Temple. The King made them a 
loyal prefent^ a liberal fapply of neceflariepi and 
all^ the magnificent veflels belonging to their for- 
mer Temple^ which had been brought away from 
JtniUj«u Judea had already tain defolate and 
J|Uo«a^«wo and fifty years ; and many of diofe 
Jews who accepted his Majefty's ofier» and re- 
tumed back^ bufity employed themfelves in (eek> 
xng out their family eftates^ fencing their grounds, 
cultivating their Iands» tod rebuildiDg fheir 
houfes* Zerubbabel» a Prince of the blood 
royal, Jelhua the High Prieft, fome few of the 
Heads and Elders, a numeroua body of PrieAs 
and Levites, proceeded on to Mount Moriah, and 
witneffed the fad ruins of both City and Temple. 
They here formed a Coancil, and conlbUed on 
the heft meafures for puuing in execution tho 
Gommiffiont they had brought from Perfia, and 
fettling an eftablifhment of the Jewiftn affairs, bodi 

inChiuvcbandStatet 

A Uttte 



• ( 417 ) 

' A little more than feventy years after, their re* 

^ turn, as anarchy and much diftraSion prevailed 

^ amongft all ranks and orders of people, and ^their 

Religion totally negiefted^ in fo muchi tha^ eY§n 

^thc fervice of the Temple had long been laid 

afidc, Ezra, a learned Jew, of the houfc of 

Aaroii, obtained an appipintmeiU from the Court 

of Perfia, and he fet out from Babylon, apcom^ 

panied by a (mailer. body of hi$ countrymen, and 

the new Viceroy and his party arrived faCet.at Jc* 

rufalem. 

Ezra was ^nta-oduced ^to the Gpvernor, 911^ raf- 
fcmbly of the JHead? and Elders were <:onven{id# 
before which his credential twere opened,, .apd 
Ezra for.m?i}ly invefted wUh hi^ dignity, i^is^^i^w 
powers, and authority^ _ Jhi^ pious and good 
man governed them, undjsr Perfia thirteen years; 
init nptwithftanding his anv^ble lexampl^ and 
zefilpus endeavours \o promote religious <>rdqr 
an4 fubordination, riqt, difcord ;and confufioni 
pxeyaikd itHrouchout Judc^t^^ and the <;ity walls 
were as yet in ruins; upon which Nehcmiah, .by 
the influence of Queen Efthcr, was fcnt from 
' Shuflhan, with exprefs orders to rebuild tliem, 
and he brought 'with him a frefli Commiffioh, 
which was the thifdf from the Court of Perfia. 

After the eftabli(bment. qf .tfee ncj/f yiccrjqy, 

wi^h true patriotifm and unafie6ted humility, 

Vot. IL Hhh Ezra 



( 418 ) 

Ezra, accepted of a fabordinate ftation. He now 
bufied himfelf in colUCling copies of the Sacred 
Canon^ and ever afterwards fat as Prefident in 
the Sanhedrim^ the Grand Council of the Jewifii 
Nation. 

The new Governor Unwcariedly employed 
himfelf in carrying on the Reform both of 
Church and State, with zeal and earneftnefs, 
correifting the tnany diforders and abufes which 
lad crept into both. With diligence and won- 
derful alacrity, this patriotic and diCntereffed 
Scatefman ftrenuoufly exerted himfelf in re- 
building the city walls. For this purpofe, he 
engaged a great number cf workmen, prefided 
over them all day himfelf, and in two and fifty 
days, Nehcmiah repaired and fortified them all 
•round the city. With the mofl fpirited liberality, 
he prefided over the Jews twelve years, and 
during his whole Viccroyfhip, he levied no Tax, 
exa£ied no Tribute, kept a princely table, a train 
of fervants and ^lendid equipages, all at his own 
cxpence. 

Nehemiah was the lafl Governor fent from the 

^ Court of Perfia. After his return to Shufhan^ 

Judaea was added to the Prefcfture of Syria, and 

the Jews became fubje£ls to the reigning mo- 

warehs of that Empire. The High Prieft, for the 

time 



( 4«9 ) ' 

time being, was vetted with the fuprcmc aotho- 
Tity of Church and State. His Powers and 
Commiffion were granted him from Syria, and 
the Jews now paid a yearly tribute to that 
Kingdom. 

Judaea was fituated between Egypt and Syria, 
and the Jews became, at different times, tribu- 
taries, and under fubjeftion to both. Ptolemy; 
King of Egypt, marched a powerful army' into 
Judaea; he made himfelf Matter of Jerufalem, 
and led away captive one hundred thoufand 
Jews. Judaea remained in bondage to Egypt 
five years, at which time Syria recovered her So- 
vereignty. Antiochus, the King, impbfed on 
them a yearly tax, but he contented himfelf with 
this token of fubmiflion, and as long as this 
Prince lived, he ever afterwards granted the Jews 
many favours, and aSs of kindneft and ffiend- 
fhip. 

At this period, Juda^ recovered much of its 
fplendor and profperity, enjoyed a profound 
peace, and preferved a ftriO: adherence to her Re- 
ligion and Laws. 

Antiochus was fucceeded in his Government 

by his fon Scleucus ; and at ^the death of Seleu- 

cus, Antiochus Epiphancs afcended th^ Throne 

pf Syria. Difappointed on finding his Coffers 

Hhh 2i and 



( 4?o ) 

mnd Trcafury quite cmptjry and hi* Country f^dly 
impoverilhed and exbaufted^ this young Prince 
was involved in many difficulties. Jafon^ a bro* 
ther of the High Prieft, availed himfelf of the ne- 
ceffities of Syria; he repaired to Antioch, ob^ 
tained an audience, and made bis Majefty an of- 
fer of three hundred talents for the HighwPricft^ 
hood and Government of Judea. Antiochus ac- 
cepted his pffer, direfied his. Secretary to make 
cut his Cpnimiffion, and Jafon. returned with full 
powers to Jerufalem. . Onias, their prefem 
High-Prieftj an amiable and worthy Prince, who 
had religioufly executed the Holy Fun£iion» and 
maintained the Government four and twenty 
yearsi was depofed^ and even banilhed the cottn* 
try, on purpofe to niake room for Jafon. : Three 
years after this, MenelauSj, another brother o( 
the High-Prieft, when he was fent to ^he Court 
of Syria, to pay the yearly, tribute, .Menclays 
treacheroufly treated with the King for^ the 
Priefthood and Government of Jucjsea, and offer- 
ed Antiochus three hundred talents rnore tha);i 
had been given him by Jafon. .The Syriau 
Prince made no fcruple whatever of clo^Qg ia 
with this new propofal alfo; he called again for hi« 
Secretary, and ordered hi6i to draw out a freflh 
commiffion for Menelaus ; with which he return- 
ed to Jerufalem, fummoned a Council^ and open« 
' ' ^ ' ' td 



( 421 ) 

ed before them his ctedeituals and new authori- 
ties from Syria. 

Aided by his Party, Menelau^ aflumed the 
Reins of Government, and the dignity of tlie 
High-Priefthood ; but by every means and art he 
could deyife, by fines and taxes, melting down 
his own plate, and much of the Publick's, toge- 
ther with fome of the facred veffels belonjgiiig to 
the Temple, Menelaus was not able to raife the 
Purchafe-nioney, he by fplemn oath had pro- 
mifed Syria. On this demur, all was riot and 
confuGon in the city. Jafon, ever watchful, 
availed faimfelf of the moment, with a bold and 
refolute band of his enraged and difappointed 
party, he fled in hafte to Jerufalera j by friends 
and bribes, Jafon gained admittance at the city 
gates, and drove Menelaus and his Courtiers, 
and all his guards, into the Citadel, butchering 
all and every one who oppofed them. While 
fword in ha^nd, Jafon and his defperate men were 
refolutely fighting their way, and bravely (landing 
their ground, Antiochus marched a powerful ar- 
my into Judaea, and approached Jerufalem. In 
the midft of his triumph, Jafon, with his bold and 
riotous party, were compelled to fly for their 
lives, and they haftily quitted the country, togef^ 
ther.with every fanguine hope of Royalty and 
Re^eftabliihment. The Magiftrates terrified and 
alarmed as the Syrians approached, at firft (Imt 

up 



( 422 ) 

up the city gatcf ; Antiochus battered them down, 
ftormed Jcrufalem, and marched his army 
through the high * ftreets to the Citadel, favagely 
butchering in his way no lefs than forty thoufand 
Jews. The King commanded Menelaus, the 
High Prieft, to follow him; and then, encom- 
pafled by his guard and general OflBcers, he en- 
tered tjie Temple, and (what a pious Jew (hud- 
dered at) even the Holy of Holies. In facrile- 
gious and wanton impiety, he thus blafphemed 
and violated the Jewifli Laws ; and to add to his 
cruelty, Antiochus ordered in a Hog, fcattered 
its blood over all the Temple, and laid the car- 
csife on the brazen Altar of Burnt-ofFe rings. 
With fuch abominations, he polluted the Sanftu-f 
ary, and abolifhed its fervices. The King car- 
ried off the golden Altar of Incenfe, the Shew- 
bread^Table, the golden Candleftick, veffels, 
utenfils, and donatives, to the value of eighteen 
hundred talents of gold, and brought them all to 
Antioch, together with the rich fpoils, and all the 
plunder of Judasa and Jerufalem J 

On his return home the Syrian Prince iffued 
out his Royal Ed.ft, forbidding, throughout his 
Dominions, all Religious Worlhip whatever, ex- 
cept the Idolatrous Worfhip, to the Heathen God, 
he had himfelf fet up. The King's Edia ex- 
tended to Judaea, and was obvioufly levelled 

againft 



( 423 ) 

againft thci Jews. All Worfliip to the God of 
Ifrael ceafed. The Temple was polluted with 
human b)ood, and the filthieft Abominations ; 
their Sabbaths forbid ; their Fads and . Feafts 
profaned ; their Law abolifhed ; and the obfer- 
vance of a Jewifh right punifhed with death. 
Antiochus caufed the Statue of Jupiter to be fct 
up, on the Brazen Altar of Burnt-Offerings, and 
Idols were publickl)^ worfliipped in theit* Syna« 
gogues. The pious Jew, reverencing his own 
. Laws, and zealoufly attached to his Religion, 
grew riotous and diftrafted, a general maffacre 
foon took place, and fuch of them as were happy 
enough to efcape alive, hid themfelves in Ca- 
verns and Holds among the craggy Rocks, fc- 
creted what little property they could, and lived 
here, on roots and wild herbs, to avoid Death, or 
(what they thought a ftill greater evil) Apoftacy- 

Hiftoriahs, facred and profane, faithfully re- 
cord, /that during thefe perfecutions, and for 
forty days, Judaea was fufFering under terrifying 
' and alarming Appearances in the Sky; tremen- 
dous Lights, refemWing Warriors in Armour; 
fierce Conflifts ; Armies in Battle Array ; Clafh- 
ing of Swords, Lances and Shields ; Martfel 
Clangors ; the Horrors and the Din of War. 

In prefence of this bloody Prince, and to 
fatiaie bis revenge, at the a^e of nfoety, good 

Eleazar 



( ^H } 

£|ea2iir, a v^neri^le Tiricft, was led fbirth to the 
l^utcherkig ScaiFoW, and after the moft fltame* 
{ul and lawlefs infult^ in open defiance of hu- 
manity, fuiFered all ^fae tortures of Martyrdom, 
And the Seven Brothers inlpired with holy ar. 
dour and religious zeal« together with their He- 
rote Mother, mangled and bleedings exhibited 
each, a new and ghaftiy fcene of horror, tragi- 
cally io feaft the favage Fury and glut the 
faelliih Madneb of the Tyrant. 

Difgraced and thus polluted^ Jerufalem and 

the Temple was deferted four years; but at 

length, from thefe fad fcenes of Idolatry, blood- 

fhed and diftradion, a Family of great piety, 

bravery, and zeal for God, refcued them. Mat- 

tathias, the Father, and his virtuous and infpi- 

rited Sons, with undaunted courage and intrepid 

dity, hazarded their lives in the glorious Oppo- 

fition, and juft at the moment of declaring it, 

feeing a Jew prefenting himfelf at the Heathen 

Altar and worlhipping an Idol, Mattathias ran 

up to the Apofiate and flew him ; his brave Sons 

now fired with the fame fpirit, inftantly (tabbed 

the Officer and his Guard of Syrian Soldiers, 

overthrew the Altar, and felled the Image to the 

ground. Mattathias and his Family, and all fuch 

who dared to join him, fled away to the Moun- 

tains^ there £3rmed a Community^ and enlifted ft 

lUtle Anny^ fpirited, rcfolutc» and bold« 

Thefe 



( 4^5 ) 

Thefe were the Afmonean§, the virtuous and 
patriotic. Reftorers of the JeWifh Law, their Re- 
ligion and Liberties, and the Hiftory of them 
forms an iuterefting and reviving Period, the 
Sons were inverted with the Dignity of the High* 
Priellhood, and were all of them Sovereign 
Princes, diftinguiflied for Piety, Magnanimity, 
and Valour. 

Thefe celebrated Heroes, this one virtuous 
Family, together with its Defcendarits, reigned 
over the Jews one hundred and twenty-fix years, 
and carry on the Hiftory to the reign of Herod, 
forty years before the birth of our Saviour, 

Antipater, the father of Herod, had with much 
cunning fignally diftinguifhed himfelf by aflifting 
the Roman arms, and particularly that part of 
their army ftationed in Judaea. The Generals, 
in all their letters to the Senate, paffed high en- 
comiums on the Jewifh Commander, afcribing 
their viflories and fuccefs to his good condud, 
information, and bravery; upon which Caefar in- 
vefted Antipater with the honours and privileges 
of a Roman citizen, and appointed him Lieute- 
nant and Procurator of Judaea. Caefar alfo ad- 
vanced his fon Herod to the Tetrarchy of Gali- 
lee, an<l added to it a poft of high bignity. in 
Casle-Syria, and a promifc of the government of 
Judaea. 

Vol. n. 1 i i Not 



( 426' ) 

Not long after thcfe honours had been con- 
ferred on Antipater and his fon Herod, a quar- 
rel arofe between the partifans of Mark Antony 
and Oftavianus, which was put a final ftop to, by 
Mark Antony's marriage with Oftavia. Juft at 
this time, Judaea became a fccne of bloodfhed 
and diftraftion. Pacorus, Prince of Parthia, en- 
tered into a convention with Antigonus, a 
younger fon of Ariftobulus, who was then in 
Arms, and contending for the Jewifh Crown. 
Paldorus marched a powerful army into Judaea, 
and encamped before Jerufalem; the Parthian 
army was joined by Antigonus and his party. 
By bribes, treachery, and force of arms, the al- 
lied armies became Matters of Jerufalem. Hyr- 
can, the High , Prieft, and Phafael, a brother of 
Herod, they put in irons, and plundered their 
Palaces and the Temple. Herod was at this time 
in Jerufalem, but to avoid falling into the hands 
of the Conqueror, at dead of night, he, his Mo- 
ther, his fitter Salome, his brother Jofeph, and 
all his family, ttole out, and made the beft of 
their Way to Maffada, took pofleflion of this 
ftrong Hold, the moft impregnable Fortrefs in the 
Kingdom; there he fecured his treafures, and 
placed his family, giving the command of it to 
his brother Jofeph, fupplying him with am- 
munition and implements of war, and he left 

with 



( 427 ) 

with him eight hundred men to defend the Caf- 
tle; after which, Herod, together with his foldi- 
ery, all fled away to Petra, the capital of Ara- 
bia. Malchus, the reigning Prince, refufed af- 
fording him either fhelter or afliftance; upon 
which, Herod difmifled a great part of his reti- 
nue, and haftened on with the remainder to 
Egypt, From Rhinocorura, he proceeded to 
Pelufium, and thence to Alexandria, where he 
embarked on board a veflel, and failed by the 
way of Rhodes and Brandufium for Rome. 

Herod was gracioufly received by Mark An- 
tony and O^avianus, and at a meeting of the Se- 
nate, purpofely convened^ he was unanimoufly 
elefted to the Sovereignty of Judaea. Herod, 
King of Judaea, between Mark Antony and Oc- 
s tavianus, followed by the Tribunes, Confuls, and 
Senators of Rome, was in royal pomp conduced 
to the Palace, and fealled with great elegance and 
hofpitality. > 

Herod reigned thirty-feven years, and died at 
the age of feventy, dreaded, abhorred, and ddf- 
pifed. He had long laiti languifliing under the 
ftench and corroding wafte of a moft loathforate 
difeafe, and the ftings and far feverer tortures of 
defpair. "(Senfelefs to Pains of death, from 
" Pangs of guilt.*' 

ilia In 



( 428 ) 

tn the latter end of the reign of Herod, thtf 
Angel Gabriel (who had made known to Daniel 
the precife time of the coming of the Meffiah, by 
a determinate number of weeks) was fent to Za- 
chary, a pious and upright Prieft, of the courfe 
ofAbiah; and while officiating at the altar, and 
offering up incenfe in the Temple, Gabriel in- 
formed him of the birth of a Son, and that Son 
fhould have the diftinguiflied Honour of being 
the Forerunner and Harbinger of their glorious 
and long looked-for Meffiah. Six months after, 
Gabriel was again fent to Nazareth, with a gra- 
cious meifage to Mary j God had honoured her 
to be the happy Mother of the Saviour, now ex- 
pefted to be born. The Angel direfted Mary 
to name the Child Jefus. In great aftonifhment 
and furprize, Mary flood wondring how thefc 
things could be, Gabriel reafons with her, and 
condefccndingly refolves her doubts and per- 
plexities. In humble confidence, Mary grate*- 
fully fubmitted to the Will of Heaven. Before 
the Angel took his leave, he comforts her by re.- 
vealing the unexpefled glad tidings be himfelf 
had brought to her coufin Elizabeth; upon 
which Mary fet out on a journey to the hilly 
country, to vifit her. Soon after her return, ah 
Edia from Auguflus Caefar, enjoining all the 
fubjeflts of the Roman Empire^ to repair to their 

fever^ 



( 429 } 

fevcral Cities, in order to have their names en- 
rolled for a general Taxation, obliged Jofeph, 
and his efpoufed Wife, to take a journey from 
Nazareth to Bethlehem, the City of David,: to 
be enrolled there, as they were both of them of 
the Lineage of David. Thus the Emperor's De- 
cree was fubfervient to the accornplifhmciu of 
the Prophefies refpefting the Meffiah. . Mary ar- 
rived at Bethlehem, and there fhe brought forth 
her Son, and her defcent from the Royal Line of 
David was publickly recognized. 

The Birth of the Meffiah was firft announced to 
the Shepherds, watching their flocks; an Angel 
delivered the Meflage, and a multitude of the 
Heavenly Hoft were feen accompanying him. 
3o aftonilhing was the Blaze of Light, the Shep- 
herds were fore afraid, and the Angel kindly 
tells them, '' Fear not ye, to you I bring glad 
'* Tidings; unto you is born a Saviour, the long 
'' looked-for Meffiah, Chrift the Lord." 

The whole Cboir, in rapturous joy, all burft 
forth, 

' Glory to God in the higheft, 

* Peace on Earth, good-will to Men." 

A new §tar, on the rehearfal of this Birth- 
day Ode, made its firft entrance, and fhone 
bright in the Heavens. From a far country, it 
condufted fhc Wife Men of the Eaft, and they 

came 



( 43^ ) 

came and brought their Offerings to Bethlehem^ 
and paid Homage to the Saviour. 

Over the houfe where the young Child lay, the 
Star magnificently fixed. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius 
Cxfar, when Caiphas was High Prieft at Jerufa- 
lem, John appeared as a Prophet, and ufhered in 
the Chriftian iEra. " The Kingdom of Heaven 
" is at hand." Until this glorious Proclamation 
by John, the Jewifh Oeconomy may be faid to 
have lafted ; and now the Miniftry of the Gofpel, 
the Kingdom of the Meffiah, to commence. 

After the Jews had been preferved a diftind 
People more than fourteen hundred years, in the 
fulnefs of time, according to the exad: Predidi- 
ons of all his Prophets, God had fulfilled his 
Promife, and now fent his Son to them. He 
was born among them at Bethlehem, cpmmiffion- 
ed to make a new, a better Covenant with them, 
to the Benefits of which they fhould be firft in- 
vited, and after them, uniting Jew and Gentile, 
every People of every Nation and Kindred 
throughout the Univerfe, 

During the thirtieth Jubilee, the laft that 
was ever celebrated in Canaan, about twenty 
years after the death of Herod, while the Jews 
were under bondage and in fubje&ion to Rome, 

Pontius 



f 431 ) 

Pontms Pilate, their Governor, our Saviour 
made his publick entrance into Jerufalem, and like 
a Rifing Sun, difpelled the Mifts of Ignorance, 
and brought Life and Immortality to Light. 
He openly preached in their Synagogues j during 
the fpace of three years, he went about — teaching 
as never man taught — explaining the Duties of 
Life, and enforcing his Divine Morality, by the 
moll winning, amiable, and condefcending Man- 
ners, the wifeft Precepts, and all the attraftive 
Charms and Majefty of Example. He revealed 
to his countrymen, a Religion refined, pure, and 
fpiritual; a Refurreftion from Death ; Remiffion 
from Sin ; and a Salvation never known to them 
before. The Jewifh Syftem had refpeO: to the 
narrow interefts of the prefcnt Life ; His opened 
to their view, the Certainty and unbounded 
Profpefts of a Future and Eternal. 

It was during the time of this his publick Min- 
iftry, Publius Lentulus, the Prefident, is faid thus 
to have mentioned him. His Letters were ad- 
dreffed to the Roman Senate. 



Confcripi 



( 432 } 
Confcript Fathers^ 

THERE appears among us a Man of great 

Virtue, named Jefus Chrijl^ the Gentiles ejleem him 

as a Prophet of Truth, but his own Difciples call 

him the Son of God. He raifeth the Dead to life^ 

and cureth all Manner of Difeafes. Of Stature 

fomewhat tall and comely ; his Hair the Colour of a 

Filbird fully ripe, curling and waved about his 

Shoulders ; a reverent Countenance, what you would 

both love and fear; his Look innnocent ; his Eyes 

quick ; in reproving terrible ; in admonifhing cour^ 

teous; in /peaking modejl and wife; none have ever 

feen him laugh, bvi many have feen him weep: for 

Jingular Beauty he furpajfes the Children of Men. 

One Defcription and Eulogium more will finifh 
my Effays, and that I take from Jofepbus the 
Jewifh Hiftorian. *' At this time appeared Jefus, 
** a wife Man, if it be lawful to call him a Man, 
** for he performed divers admirable works, the 
" Inftruftor of thofe who willingly enquired after 
«* Truth. He drew divers Jews and Greeks to 
** be his Followers. This was Chrift, accufed by 
<• the Princes of our Nation, condemned by our 
^* People, and punilhed with Crucifixion. Yet 
l[ they ceafed not to love him, who bad once fat 

•« their* 



( 433 ) 

** their love upon him, for he ^ppeartd dlfvc 
** again the third day, and a Nation from him 
*' took the Denomination of Chriftians'* 

Purfuing the allufion to the Sun, the gratideft 
objeQ: in our creation, permit me to extend it, by 
contemplating with you, how much more glori- 
ous this Sun of Righteoufnefs appeared in its 
Setting! although it exhibited convulfions of 
Nature Unutterably tremendous and awful ; for, 
added to the horrors of the fpeftacle, an Earths 
quake commenced the alarm, the earth trembled 
and fliook— the Rocks rent — the Graves open-, 
ed — ^the Vail of the Temple was torn afunder 
(probably while Caiphas, the High Prieft, was 
burning Incenfe behind it)-^and there was dark^ 
nefs at noon-day, a total Eclipfe, lafting three 
hours-^nd while the Moon was at the full.* The 
Stars of Heaven appeared, and fo univerfal the 
darknefs, it was over all the Earth, under the 
fame Hemifphere;. fo that/ a Heathen Philofo- 
pher, who witnefFed it in Egypt, cried out in 
aftonifhment, '* Behold the Divine Being, fufFer- 
" eth himfelf, or he fympathizeth with one who 
'^ does." Thefe were all in a fhort time fucceed- 
ed by fcenes in Judaea tranfcendently auguft and 
magnificent, and they accompanied the Re- 
furreftion and Afcenfion of the Son of God* 

*The fifteenth Day of the Mojstth NtsAS. 
VoL.Ih Kkk The 



f 434 ) 

r The Dead Warrant iflued out for Crucifixion 
by the Roman State, and figricd by: Pontius Pi-' 
late, was this : 

" Go, Officer, Nail his hands, coyer face and 
*• head with a hood, and hang up his body on the 
*• AccurfedTree/'* 

The Brow of our Lord was infultingly befet 
with a Crown of Thorns; the' Cap or Hood feems 
therefore to have been difpenfed with ; He could 
now fee his Mother and his favourite Difciple, 
to whona, with filial afFeftion, he fo thoughtfully 
configned her. Had this part of the Sentence 
been literally fulfilled, we might poffibiy have lofl 
this tender token of filial duty, thii careful pro-^ 
vifion, and kind alleviation of her forrows. 

The Jews, after bis death, more and more un- 
thankful and irreligious, and having now, at 
length, filled up the meafure of their iniquity, by 
fo many cruel perfecutions, and this laft tremens 
(ious, , mpft fad, and horrid fcene ^ God foon 
after chofe to punifh them, by >4eflroying' their 
, Polity, tearing up even with a Plough-fhare the 
very fpundation of their City, and laying their 
Temple in afhes ; at firft, in Slavery and Capti- 
vity, and under many difadyantages and preju- 

* Words of the Roman Warrant : 

I, LiCTOR, CoLLIGA MANUS, CaPUT OBNU- 
flTOf 5T lNP\ffiLIC£ A&BORE SUSPENDETO. 

dices, 



( 435 ) 

dices, even ftill, they are widely difperfed through 
the habitable world. In the remoteft parts of 
China, and over all the Eaft, the Jew is feen a 
bufy merchant, a Wanderer by profeflion, mar- 
rying only amongft his own Tribes, eating only 
according to his own Law, an unfortunate Bar to 
liberal, manly, and focial enjoyment, to domeftic 
conviviality, table converfation, and the agreea- 
ble intercourfes of life. Thus, in every Nation, 
Kingdom, and City, they appear as a cloud of 
witnefles, attefting the truth of the Old Tefta- 
ment, and fulfilling the Prophefies, By an il- 
luftrious aft of Divine Providence, aftonifhingly 
upheld, diftinft, unmixed, furyiving all their 
Conquerors, even to the prefent moment; and 
the pious Jew, yielding to a conviftion he could 
not refift, is looking forward to a brighter Period, 
: when his fcattered Tribes fhall be re-united, and 
his once happy country, long defolate and for- 
lorn, fhall again become the Scene of fome future 
Glory ; and afrefh difplay the Sovereignty, the 
Prefence, and the Majefty of God. 



FINIS. 



i 

I 



wi^ '%i 






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