Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friars, London.Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.
William Gouge 1578–1653London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1631
[16], 128, [8], 129-176, [16], 177-436, [12] p. · 148k words · STC 12116 · ESTC S103284
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It remains then that the Amalekites and Israelites came all from Isaac: so as in relation to him they were of the 1same stock. Yet were the Amalekites as malicious enemies against the Israelites as ever were any. He therefore spake a truth, that said, Amalek carieth the shape of the Devil. Of their enmity the Holy Ghost giveth these evidences.
It remaines then that the Amalakites and Israelites came all from Isaak: so as in relation to him they were of the 1same stock. Yet were the Amalakites as malicious enemies against the Ifraclites as ever were any. He therefore spake a truth, that said, Amalek carieth the shape of the Devill. Of their enmity the Holy Ghost giveth these evidences.
1Amalech figuram portat Diaboli. Cypr de Exhort. Mort. cap. 8. Evidences of Amaleks malice against Israel. Num. 24. 20.
1. They were the first that enemy-like set upon Israel, after their escape out of Egypt through the Red Sea. This Balaam acknowledgeth where he saith, Amalek was the first of the nations, meaning (as our last English Translators have noted in the margin of that place) The first that warred against Israel.
2. They could not long keep in their malicious mind against Israel: for before the third month of their being in the wilderness they assault them.
3. They set upon Israel without any cause, or provocation on Israels part. Israel had not as yet taken arms 1against any.
⟨p. 184⟩4. What they did they did most basely. For they laid
wait for Israel in the way when he came up from Egypt: and smote the hindmost of them: even all that were feeble behind them, when they were faint and weary.
5. Notwithstanding that they were here discomfited by Israel, yet after this they take advantage against them: and when some of Israel went up to the top of the hill without Moses their guide, and the Ark their confidence, the Amalekites with the Canaanites smote them, and discomfited them
Agag, thy sword hath made women childless, imply many mischiefs which Amalek did to Israel.
9. In Davids absence, and while the Israelites are in camp against the Philistines, the Amalekites invade Ziklag
that belonged to David, and burn it, and take the women captive, and go away with all the spoil thereof.
10. Haman that cruel enemy of the Jews, who sought utterly to root out the whole nation, was an Amalekite. For
their Kings were called Agag, as the Egyptian Kings, Pharaoh. Hereupon is Haman styled an Agagite, who was an Amalekite.
11. The Psalmist putteth them into the Catalogue of Israels implacable enemies.
utter destruction: and Gods displeasure against Saul for sparing them.
1. They were the first that enemie-like set upon Israel, after their escape out of Egypt thorow the Red Sea. This Balaam acknowledgeth where he saith, Amalek was the first of the nations, meaning (as our last English Translators have noted in the margin of that place) The first that warred against Israel.
2. They could not long keepe in their malicious mind against Israel: for before the third moneth of their being in the wildernesse they assault them.
3. They set upon Israel without any cause, or provocation on Israels part. Israel had not as yet taken armes 1against any.
⟨p. 184⟩4. What they did they did most basely. For they laid 2wait for Israel in the way when he came up from Egypt: and smote the hindmost of them: even all that were feeble behind them, when they were faint and weary.
5. Notwithstanding that they were here discomfited by Israel, yet after this they take advantage against them: and when some of Israel went up to the top of the hill without Moses their guide, and the Arke their confid•nce, the Amalakites with the Canaanites smote them, and discomfited them 3euen to Hormah.
6. They joyned with the King of Moab, and with the children of Ammon, and went and smote Israel.4
7. They joyned with the Midianites, and with the children of the East to spoile Israel, leaving them no sustenance, nor sheep, nor oxe, nor asse.5
8. The answer which God made to Israel in these words, 6The Zidonians, and the Amalakites, and Maonites did oppresse you, &c. And this phrase which Samuel useth to 7Agag, thy sword hath made women childlesse, imply many mischiefs which Amalek did to Israel.
9. In Davids absence, and while the Israelites are in camp against the Philistines, the Amalakites invade Ziklag 8that belonged to David, and burne it, and take the women captive, and go away with all the spoile thereof.
10. Haman that cruell enemy of the Iewes, who sought utterly to root out the whole nation, was an Amalakite. For 9their Kings were called Agag, as the Egyptian Kings, Pharaoh. Hereupon is Haman stiled an Agagite, who was an Amalakite.
11. The Psalmist putteth them into the Catalogue of Israels implacable enemies.10
12. Gods oath against them giveth evidence of their malicious 11mind against Israel.
13. So do the many charges which God giveth for their 12utter destruction: and Gods displeasure against Saul for sparing them.
These evidences do sufficiently show what malice Amalek ⟨p. 185⟩had against Israel: whereof no just cause was given on Israels part: but such as these on Amaleks part.
These evidences do sufficiently shew what malice Amalek ⟨p. 185⟩had against Israel: whereof no just cause was given on Israels part: but such as these on Amaleks part.
1. The brood was a bastard brood. It issued from an illegitimate 1stock. Now commonly such as are basely borne, even they and their issue are of ill dispositions. Instance Ismael, Ammon, Moab, Abimelich the base son of Jerubbaal, and many others. God therefore would not have a bastard enter into his congregation, even to his tenth generation.2
2. The inveterate hatred of their ancient predecessor 3Èsau against Jacob was propagated to this his posterity.
3, There was no fear of God in them. Now where no 4fear of God is, there is no restraint of malice, or of any other corruption.
4. The divine blessing which accompanied Israel: for an envious eye is evil because of others good.5
5. The Arabians (among whom the Amalekites are reckoned) living much on spoil, the Amalekites saw that good booties might be had from Israel: and at this time they well understood what jewels and treasures Israel had brought out of Egypt.
6. The Amalekites had forsaken the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom Israel still professed: and so were of a contrary religion.6
1. The brood was a bastard brood. It issued from an illegitimate 1stock. Now commonly such as are basely borne, even they and their issue are of ill dispositions. Instance Ismael, Ammon, Moab, Abimelich the base sonne of Ierubbaal, and many others. God therefore would not have a bastard enter into his congregation, even to his tenth generation.2
2. The inveterate hatred of their ancient predecessour 3Èsau against Iacob was propagated to this his posterity.
3, There was no feare of God in them. Now where no 4feare of God is, there is no restraint of malice, or of any other corruption.
4. The divine blessing which accompanied Israel: for an envious eye is evill because of others good.5
5. The Arabians (among whom the Amalakites are reckoned) living much on spoile, the Amalakites saw that good booties might be had from Israel: and at this time they well understood what jewels and treasures Israel had brought out of Egypt.
6. The Amalakites had forsaken the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, whom Israel still professed: and so were of a contrary religion.6
The implacable hatred of the Amalekites giveth evidence, 1that
THe implacable hatred of the Amalakites giveth evidence, 1that
1Malicia si […] si ue si. Hier Comment in Eccles […] qui proposi•o […]. Chrys. Deminic. 22. post Pentecost.Malicia si 〈…〉 si ue si. Hier Cōment in Eccles 〈…〉 qui proposi•o 〈…〉. Chrys. Deminic. 22. post Pentecost.
Inveterate hatred is hardly satisfied. It endeth not with a mans life, but is oft propagated to posterity. Amalek received it from his grand-father Esau and propagated it to his posterity. The forementioned instances give abundant proof hereof. The like may be exemplified in the other branch of ⟨p. 186⟩Esau's posterity, the Edomites; and in the Ishmaelites and Hagarens, the of spring of Hagar, Abraham's concubine: 1and in the Moabites and Ammonites, the progeny of Lot. The Prophets are full of expostulations and exclamations against all these, for their bitter hatred against Israel, manifested by all the occasions that they could take of doing any mischief unto them. Though there was a nearer propinquity betwixt all these and the Jews, then betwixt them and other nations, yet their hatred was more against the Jews then against any other nation; so as they were ready to join with others against the Jews, and when by others the Jews had been overthrown and captivated, they would insult. How implacable and insatiable was the hatred of the Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, and other Jews against Christ and his Apostles? To omit the many instances that for proof hereof might be gathered out of the histories of the Evangelists, of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul beareth this witness against them, They killed the Lord Jesus, and 2their own Prophets, and have persecuted us, &c. Ecclesiastical histories give instances of like hatred and malice of others in succeeding ages. And we in our age have found woeful experience of as much in the hatred of Papists and others against us.
Inveterate hatred is hardly satisfied. It endeth not with a mans life, but is oft propagated to posterity. Amalek received it from his grand-father Esau and propagated it to his posterity. The forementioned instances give abundant proof hereof. The like may be exemplified in the other branch of ⟨p. 186⟩Esaus posterity, the Edomites; and in the Ishmaelites and Hagarens, the of spring of Hagar, Abrahams concubine: 1and in the Moabites and Ammonites, the progenie of Lot. The Prophets are full of expostulations and exclamations against all these, for their bitter hatred against Israel, manifested by all the occasions that they could take of doing any mischiefe unto them. Though there was a nearer propinquity betwixt all these and the Iewes, then betwixt them and other nations, yet their hatred was more against the Iewes then against any other nation; so as they were ready to joyne with others against the Iewes, and when by others the Iewes had beene overthrowne and captivated, they would insult. How implacable and insatiable was the hatred of the Priests, Scribes, Pharisies, and other Iewes against Christ and his Apostles? To omit the many instances that for proofe hereof might be gathered out of the histories of the Evangelists, of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul beareth this witnesse against them, They killed the Lord Iesus, and 2their owne Prophets, and have persecuted us, &c. Ecclesiasticall histories give instances of like hatred and malice of others in succeeding ages. And we in our age have found wofull experience of as much in the hatred of Papists and others against us.
Wrathful and revengeful affections, whereof malice and 1hatred are not the least, are of a spreading and increasing nature: like fire, the longer it continueth (especially having matter to work upon) the further it spreadeth it self, and the hotter it waxeth. But the fore-named affections can never want fuel. Goodness it self, by reason of the malignant disposition of such as are malicious, becomes fuel to 2the fire of malice and hatred. These fiery affections therefore may fitly and justly be added to the number of those things that are never satisfied, nor will say, It is enough. (Pro. 30. 15.) Especially against truth and virtue is malice always mad.
Wrathfull and revengefull affections, whereof malice and 1hatred are not the least, are of a spreading and increasing nature: like fire, the longer it continueth (especially having matter to work upon) the further it spreadeth it selfe, and the hotter it waxeth. But the fore-named affections can never want fuell. Goodnesse it selfe, by reason of the malignant disposition of such as are malicious, becomes fuell to 2the fire of malice and hatred. These fiery affections therefore may fitly and justly be added to the number of those things that are never satisfied, nor will say, It is enough. (Pro. 30. 15.) Especially against truth and vertue is malice alwaies mad.
1Malice of an increasing nature.
2Semper contra virtutem insanit malicia. Chrys. in Gen. 6. Hom 23. The power of Satan. and depth of corruption in natural men.Semper contra virtutem insanit malicia. Chrys. in Gen. 6. Hom 23. The power of Sathan. and depth of corruption in naturall men.
Both the power which the God of this world hath over the men of this world, and also the deep rooting that corruption ⟨p. 187⟩hath taken in the hearts of natural men, is hereby 1manifested. That which so far spreadeth it self, which so long continueth, which is so unsatiable, as we heard malice and hatred to be, must needs have fast and deep rooting. And the fire which is ever and anon flaming forth, must needs be blown up by some means or other. Now the Devil is he, that is ready at all turns, where he observeth fire to be, to blow it up. And, where he is suffered so incessantly to incense the fire of malice, what can we else think but that he there beareth a great sway; yea that he hath the whole rule? A matter of much humiliation. For what is more contrary to the Divine nature? Surely in this respect there is a great gulf betwixt it and us. For where he is always delighted in doing good, on the contrary, the pernicious affection of malice doth work in us a desire to do wrong even to such as are harmless.
Both the power which the God of this world hath over the men of this world, and also the deep rooting that corruption ⟨p. 187⟩hath taken in the hearts of naturall men, is hereby 1manifested. That which so farre spreadeth it selfe, which so long continueth, which is so unsatiable, as we heard malice and hatred to be, must needs have fast and deep rooting. And the fire which is ever and anon flaming forth, must needs be blowne up by some means or other. Now the Devill is he, that is ready at all turnes, where he observeth fire to be, to blow it up. And, where he is suffered so incessantly to incense the fire of malice, what can we els thinke but that he there beareth a great sway; yea that he hath the whole rule? A matter of much humiliation. For what is more contrary to the Divine nature? Surely in this respect there is a great gulfe betwixt it and us. For where he is alwaies delighted in doing good, on the contrary, the pernicious affection of malice doth worke in us a desire to do wrong even to such as are harmlesse.
1Quid longius à voluntate diu inâ quam malicia? Planè chaos magnum inter nos & illam firmatum est in hac part: cumsemper eum delectet praestare beneficia, & ingra'is no bis è contra suggerat affectio crudel ssima & innoxijs veil nocere. Bern. in Quadrag. Serm. 6.Quid longius à voluntate diu inâ quam malicia? Planè chaos magnum inter nos & illam firmatum est in hac parte: cumsemper eum delectet praestare beneficia, & ingra'is no bis è contra suggerat affectio crudel ssima & innoxijs velle nocere. Bern. in Quadrag. Serm. 6.
How wise and circumspect ought we to be, that are of 1the Church of God, so long as we live in this world, that we give not unnecessary advantages to such malicious persons, whose wrath is implacable, whose hatred is unsatiable? So long as there are Israelites in the world, there will be Amalekites. So long as there are people that profess the name of the true God, there will be malicious enemies that for their profession sake will work them all the mischief that possibly they can. As there is a direct contrariety betwixt truth and error, so there is an inbred antipathy betwixt professors and maintainers of the one and the other (as is betwixt the wolf and the lamb) by reason of that malicious and mischievous disposition that is in enemies of the truth. The nearest bonds of nature are in this case little or nothing regarded. For, the brother will betray the brother to 2death: and the father the son: and the children will rise against the parents, and cause them to die.
How wise and circumspect ought we to be, that are of 1the Church of God, so long as we live in this world, that we give not unnecessary advantages to such malicious persons, whose wrath is implacable, whose hatred is unsatiable? So long as there are Israelites in the world, there wilbe Amalakites. So long as there are people that professe the name of the true God, there wilbe malicious enemies that for their profession sake will worke them all the mischiefe that possibly they can. As there is a direct contrariety betwixt truth and errour, so there is an imbred antipathy betwixt professours and maintainers of the one and the other (as is betwixt the wolfe and the lambe) by reason of that malicious and mischievous disposition that is in enemies of the truth. The nearest bonds of nature are in this case little or nothing regarded. For, the brother will betray the brother to 2death: and the father the sonne: and the children will rise against the parents, and cause them to die.
Among other reasons of this immortal feud against worshippers of the true God, and professors of the true Religion, this is one of the chief, that Truth is a light, that discovereth the evils that lie hid in darkness. Now the ⟨p. 188⟩nearer that such as are of the light are to such as live in darkness, the more conspicuously are their evil deeds discovered: which makes them the more fret and fume.
Among other reasons of this immortall fewde against worshippers of the true God, and professours of the true Religion, this is one of the chiefe, that Truth is a light, that discovereth the evils that lie hid in darknesse. Now the ⟨p. 188⟩nearer that such as are of the light are to such as live in darknesse, the more conspicuously are their evill deeds discovered: which makes them the more fret and fume.
What wonder is it, if the like fall out in our days? Before our days it was so: and after our days it is like to be so, Papists to Protestants are as Amalekites to Israelites. We see therefore that no propinquity of country, kindred, neighbour-hood, or the like, can restrain their malice, but they are ready to take all advantages they can against us. Their profession being palpable Antichristianism, this their malice against us is an evidence that our Religion is true, and Orthodox Christianity: which may minister unto us no small comfort against their bitter hatred of us.
What wonder is it, if the like fall out in our daies? Before our daies it was so: and after our daies it is like to be so, Papists to Protestants are as Amalakites to Israelites. We see therefore that no propinquity of country, kindred, neighbour-hood, or the like, can restraine their malice, but they are ready to take all advantages they can against us. Their profession being palpable Antichristianisme, this their malice against us is an evidence that our Religion is true, and Orthodoxe Christianity: which may minister unto us no small comfort against their bitter hatred of us.
II. The evidence of the Amalekites malice is noted in these two words, came, fought. The first word, acame, implieth that the Amalekites first set upon the Israelites. The other, and fought, importeth an hostile attempt against them, whereby the Amalekites thought to have utterly destroyed the Israelites. bThe word signifieth to devour and consume, as well as to fight against; or to join both together, it signifieth by fighting to consume. In allusion whereunto David saith of the ordinary instrument of war, cThe sword devoureth one as well as another. And where dMoses speaketh of devouring, he useth this word.
II. THe evidence of the Amalakites malice is noted in these two words, came, fought. The first word, acame, implieth that the Amalakites first set upon the Israelites. The other, and fought, importeth an hostile attempt against them, whereby the Amalakites thought to have utterly destroyed the Israelites. bThe word signifieth to devoure and consume, as well as to fight against; or to joyne both together, it signifieth by fighting to consume. In allusion whereunto David saith of the ordinary instrument of war, cThe sword devoureth one as well as another. And where dMoses speaketh of devouring, he useth this word.
a[Greek or Hebrew] [Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
dDeut. 32. 24. [Greek or Hebrew] [Greek or Hebrew] sumpti, comesti, excsi. Malice provokes to do wrong.Deut. 32. 24. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉〈non-Latin alphabet〉 sumpti, comesti, excsi. Malice provokes to do wrong.
