A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament

true Prophet (however despised and afflicted by thy own worthless Countrymen) I will not only loose those Bonds which they basely put upon thee, but I will look well to thee, so that thou shalt lack nothing, and behold all the Land is before thee, &c. what could Pharaoh say more to Joseph, Gen. 47.6. or Abraham to Lot, Gen. 13.9. in granting so noble a Choice, and moreover he gave Jeremy necessaries for his Journey, coming so Naked and Needy out of his late Prison, and a Present fit for a Prophet, Jer. 40. ver. 5.

Remark the Sixth, The Fate of that Remnant who the King of Babylon left behind, 2 Kings 25.23, to 26. Jer. 40.6, 7.

Mark 1. 'Twas God's kindness to this poor People, in moving Nebuchadnezzar to make so good a Man (one of their own Country as Gedaliah was) to be their Governor, had a Babylonian Officer been set over them, he would have ruled over them with Rigour, Gedaliah being known to be a Prudent and Pious Man, Jeremy (being left to his choice) came to him, and so did the Remnant of the Jews, even all the Captains of the Army, which had been scattered from Zedekiah in his flight, 2 Kings 25.5, 23.

Mark 2. And among the rest came Ishmael of the Blood-Royal, Jer. 40.8. and 41.1 Therefore he envy'd Gedaliah for such great preserment, looking upon him as a Traitor to his Country, in becoming Governor by a Babylonish Power, which yet he did in Obedience to God's Word by the Prophet Jeremy, but who can stand before Envy, that sharp fang'd Malignity, Prov. 27.4. which after cut down good Gedaliah.

Mark 3. Though Ishmael proved a very Judas, yet other Jews came for juster Ends, to whom Gedaliah sware his good Affection, Jer. 40.9, 10. bidding them fall to their Husbandry under his Protection, &c. Moreover many Jews (who had fled into Foreign Parts for Succor and Safety) resorted likewise to Gedaliah in Mizpah, and they also did gather Wine and Summer-fruits in abundance, ver. 11, 12. which was God's Blessing upon them for loving that Holy Land above profane Nations.

Mark 4. Johanan the then honest Captain came and informed Gedaliah, that the King of the Ammonites had employed Ishmael to slay him, but good Gedaliah believed it not, ver. 13.14. thinking probably that Ishmael durst not do it, both because of his own Innocency, and the Babylonian Power to avenge such Attempts, beside he might suspect likewise, that the other Captains did Envy Ishmael for his so much pretended Familiarity with him, therefore he hindered Johanan from executing Ishmael, ver. 15, 16, from his too much Credulity and Security, &c.

Mark 5. The Murder of good Gedaliah by that wicked Wretch Ishmael, 2 Kings 25.25. this he did within two or three Months after the Destruction of Jerusalem, Jer. 41.1, 2. He and ten Desperado's with him (to whom Ishmael probably had promised to restore their Principalities, when he should be King, or (at least) Vice-Roy under Baalis King of Ammon, who was the Chief Engineer of all the ensuing Mischiefs, set on work undoubtedly by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils to hinder so good a Work:) All these, having done their Homage before, came to Feast with Gedaliah, pretending a friendly Visit, and when they saw (saith Josephus ) Gedaliah Merry with Wine, they took this opportunity to smite and slay him, and with him all his Guests the Jews (that were with him) and the Chaldeans also there present, that his bloody Act might not be known, Jer. 41. ver. 3, 4.

Mark 6. Ishmael also flaies seventy Samaritan Proselytes, such as were coming to the Feast of Tabernacles in this seventh Month, wherein Solomon of old had kept the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple, and sent the People with glad Hearts home, 2 Chron. 7.10. 1 Kings 8.66. but how is the Matter now altered: These Innocent Men, who had not offended Ishmael so much as by the least Word, but going in the simplicity of their Hearts to worship God (in Mourning for the burnt Temple, &c.) and to wait upon Gedaliah, which was Ishmael 's main quarrel against them, this brutish bloody Butcher falls foul upon these fourscore Men, Jer. 41.5, 6. whom with his Crocodile Tears and deep Dissimulation he had deceived at the first, to find out how they stood affected to Gedaliah, and no sooner did he understand that they did but once own him, but he and his Slaughter-slaves began their Execution of the Innocent, ver. 7.

Mark 7. But Ten of those Fourscore pleaded for their Lives, and were spared, ver. 8. saying, [We have Treasures hid on the Field] knowing. Soldiers will do much for Money, and willing enough these Men were to part with their Wealth for redeeming their Lives. In this case Ishmael's Covetousness conquered his Cruelty, preferring their Coin above their Blood, and hoping to make a farther Prize of them by carrying them away Captive, &c. After he had cast the 70 slaughtered Samaritans into a Trench that Asa had made to be a stop betwixt the Samaritans and himself, and now 'tis filled up with such Samaritans as were Friends to the true Religion, ver. 9. which before was a Fence against such as were Enemies, then carried Ishmael away Captives, all the remainder at Mizpah, even the King's Daughters, ver. 10. his own Kinswomen, whom the Babylonians had spared: Thus found they less favor from a fulse Brother, than they had done from a professed Foe. N.B. And thus Heretics have out-done Heathens in Cruelty to the true Church in all Ages, &c.

Mark 8. Then Johanan hearing of Gedaliah's Death, went to fight against Ishmael, ver. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. This Act of Fortitude, like that of Abraham 's for Rescuing Lot, God made successful to Rescue the Captives, full glad hereof: But the grand wretch escaped to Ammon with disgrace; for no doubt but his Defeat and disappointment of his high Design (for catching the Crown) would be twitted in his Teeth by Baalis King of Ammon, with whom he had absconded, and secured himself from the Storm during the Siege of Jerusalem, Jer. 40.14. N.B. With what Honor, and with what Conscience could this bloody Judas live among the Ammonites-Courtiers, who would ever be reproaching him for the Miscarriage of his Arrogant and Roguish Treachery! this must be more Vexation to his ambitions Mind, than Death itself.

Remark the Seventh: The Captains and Common People (upon the Death of Gedaliah ) resolve to go down to Egypt, and did so, 2 Kings 25. ver. 26. though' they had promised to be Ruled by the Counsel of the Lord in the mouth of the Prophet Jeremy, Jer. 42. and 43.

Mark 1. Johanan and the rest feared that the King of Babylon would send his Captains to Revenge the Murder of Gedaliah, and with him, of many Chaldeans the Governor's Companions, 2 Kings 25.25. whom Johanan and his Captains (as he might imagine) should have both cautioned and better guarded: They therefore were afraid, that the Chaldeans would come to punish them for their Neglect, Jer. 41.18.

Mark 2. Hereupon they humbly prayed the Prophet for Divine direction, Jer. 42. 1, 2, 3. yet all this was but deep Dissimulation, for they had set themselves in the way to Egypt, before they came with this Request to the Prophet, Jer. 41.17. yet do they promise with an Oath, what they never meant to perform, Jer. 42. ver. 4, 5, 6, 19, 20.

Mark 3. God delayed Ten Days before he would Answer the Prophet's Prayer for Direction, Jer. 42. v. 7. No doubt but these Dissemblers were impatient enough under such a long Delay, yet God seemed by his silence to say to them, [I will not be inquired of by you,] Ezek. 20.3. unworthy of an Answer.

Mark 4. At last the Prophet comes, and from God promiseth them protection from the Chaldeans, ver. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. if still they will stay in their own Land; but withal, threatens Sword, Famine, and Pestilence to overtake them if they went down to Egypt, both against God's express prohibition, Deut. 17.16. and against that direful Commination, Deut. 28.68. telling them, such stubborn Sinners cannot run out of the reach of God's Rod, Jer. 42.13. to 22.

Mark 5. The Proud Men endeavor to discredit this Prophecy, alleging, 'twas but a Juggle betwixt Jeremy and Baruch, Jer. 43.1, 2, 3. which was notoriously improbable; for what could Baruch gain by such a Colloguing Bargain, in setting the Prophet against his own Country-men for a common Disturbance?

Mark 6. Hypocrisy will at long-run discover itself, [Some Men's Sins are open beforehand, &c. and others follow after.] 1 Tim. 5.24. Here Johanan shows himself an Hypocrite, ver. 4, 5, 6. than which, nothing is more Audacious and Desperate when once discovered. This Desperado (in despite of God's contrary Command) begins his March for Egypt, (taking along with him all the Remnant of Judah) as if he would desperately spit in the face of Heaven, and daringly challenge Jehovah to a Duel, as Galigula did his Jove, &c. Yea, Jeremy and Baruch he takes with him also, and not without a special Providence, these wretches must still have a Prophet to make them more inexecusable.

Mark 7. Poor Jeremy is hurry'd down to Egypt sore against his Will: Thus many of God's faithful Servants are carried whither they would not go, as Peter, Joh. 21.18. But 'tis comfortable to consider, as 'tis no Untrodden Path, many have gone before therein; so God hath some special Work for them, as for Jeremy here, who no sooner comes there, but he Prophesies against Egypt, and against them too that carried him thither, Jer. 43.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

Mark 8. Now are these Remnants of the Jews settled in Egypt, and in time fall to open Idolatry; the Prophet Jeremy reproves them for it, and for their Obstinacy, &c. for which, by Figures, (joining Paradigms with his Prophecies to make more Impression) he foretells both theirs and Egypt's Destruction, Jer. 43.8, 9. He builds an Altar of Brick, and tells them how the King of Babylon shall set his Throne upon those Stones, and much more amply and plainly in the following verses, and in Chap. 44. throughout; for which, some say, his Ungrateful Country-men stoned him with Brick-bats. N. B. This was all the Reward that this faithful Servant of God received for his One and forty Years pains taken amongst them.

Mark 9. As to this Remnant, the Lord set his face against them for Evil in Egypt, whither they could easily come; Sed Revocare gradum, &c. hic labor, hoc opus est; they never returned to their Country, but all perished there, (save a Methe-Mispar, a poor few, a small Remnant which God reserved for Royal Use) when Pharaoh Hophra, that proud Prince, was slain by Nebuchadnezzar, as both Josephus and Jerome do affirm, according to Jeremy's Prophecy, Jer. 44.11, 12, 13, 14, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. Josephus saith, that Nebuchadnezzar came (about five Years after he had taken Jerusalem ) against Egypt and overcame it, and slew this their King, not sparing these Jews who had so highly incensed him, by the Death of Gedaliah his Deputy Governor in Juded, and by their running down thereupon to this King of Egypt for Refuge.

Remark the Eighth; Leaving this Remnant lodged in Egypt, and gradually consumed under the weight of Jehovah's Oath, Jer. 44.26, 27, 28. whose Word would be sure to stand against their stubbornness, and in God's time did Hit them, when it might most hurt them, and waste them away, &c. N. B. Now let us return to those Jews who were carried by force in to Captivity from Judea to Babylon with Zedekiah, whereof an Account is given, 2 Kings 25.11. 2 Chron. 36.20. and Jer. 52.30. who in all were reckoned to be but Four Thousand and six Hundred. Now if it be well weighed how vastly Numerous those two Tribes had been in Numb. 1. and 26. where they were numbered, and afterwards under sundry Kings of Judah, yet are now reduced to so small a number here; which intimates what a dreadful matter it is to provoke the Lord, by mocking and misusing his Messengers, till there was no Remedy, 2 Chron. 36.16. No doubt but multitudes perished by the Sword, Famine and Pestilence. N. B. 'It is true indeed, the Reader must Ruminate and Remark, there were Three Captivities of Judah Recorded in Scripture; the first was in the latter end of the 7th. and beginning of the 8th. Year of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 52.28. and 2 Kings 24.12, 13, 14, &c. to the number of 18000 Captives in all, at Jehoiakim 's resigning himself and the City, &c. of which before: The second was in the 18th. of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 52.29. This was the time when the City was broken up in the 11th. Year of Zedekiah, which is called the 19th. of Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 25.8. the Old Year expiring and the New entering, &c. Again, a third is mentioned in the Twenty-third Year of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 52.30. which was about four Years after the former, and supposed to be upon the provocation of Ishmael 's so barbarously murdering Gedaliah his Lieutenant-Governor. Upon which Nebuzaradan came up and carried away Captive seven Hundred forty five Persons, as an addition to the eight Hundred and Thirty-two before. N. B. The Captivity of King Manasseh going before all these, makes up the number Four Captivities, according to Sir Walter Rawleigh, who makes that of Jehoiakim (with whom Daniel was) and that of Jeconiah, (with whom Ezekiel was) to be two Distinct Captivities; but because they were within some few Months each of other, the latter Reigning but three Months after the former, 2 Kings 24.8. 2 Chron. 36.9. therefore if not one (as some say) there be Five Captivities upon Record, lodging the Jews in Babylon.

Remarks upon the Seventy Years Captivity.

Remark the First; The Lord by Jeremy had revealed the continuance of this Captivity to be for Seventy Years, Jer. 25.9, 12. and 26.6, 7. and 29.10. that so long the Land should enjoy her Sabbaths, 2 Chron. 36.21. being eased of that wicked weight of a Race of Rebels against God, that brought upon it most heavy Curses, and tired it out with continual Tillage: But where to commence this Computation, and on what Year to six the Head of this Account, there is no small Controversy: Dr. Lightfoot counts them to begin the 4th. of Jehoiakim. See my Discovery of Antichrist, p. 151, 152, 153. Others reckon them from the 11th Year of Zedekiah, which made the promised and expected Jabile of Freedom to the Jews themselves the more uncertain, seeing the precise point of Time or Epocha of its beginning was not clearly expressed by any Prophet. Daniel only foots the Account in the beginning of Jehoiakim 's Reign, Dan. 1.1. Jer. 25.1. which was the first News we hear of Nebuchadnezzar, and supposed to be the first Year of his Reign, which he began with this Expedition against Jerusalem, &c. and the same Daniel understood from Jeremy 's Prophecy, when the 70 Years Captivity were expired, Dan. 9.2. reckoning from the first of Nebuchadnezzar, in the latter end of Jehoiakim 's third, and in the beginning of his fourth, (oft promiscuously expressed in Scripture) he knew when it was about to expire. N. B. So falls he on speaking the same in his Prayers which God had spoken in his Promises, ver. 3, &c. and soon after performed with his Providences, the effect of that former sweet Harmony in his Prayer, with God's Promise. Besides, as there were sundry Captivities, so there were sundry Returns, &c.

Remark the Second; This Captivity of the Jews in Babylon was as Bad as Israel 's Bondage in Egypt; for 'tis not only said that the Jews were Servants (or Salves ) to Nebuchadnezzar, to Evil Merodach and to Belshazzar, 2 Chron. 26.20. as had been foretold, Jer. 27.6, 7. until his end come by the Kingdom of Persia, but 'tis also expressly declared, that the Jews were Slaves in Babylon as the Israelites made Brick in Egypt, 1 Chron. 4.22, 23. both which works were working in Morter, as Exod. 1.14. yea the Jews Bondage in Babylon was much worse than that in Egypt in this respect, insomuch as Israel's Souls were Free there, while their Bodies were in Bondage; for in Egypt they were not compelled to Worship Isis and Osiris those Egyptian Idols, but there had their liberty to serve the True Jehovah, whereas in Babylon the Jews were compelled to worship Idols, Dan. 3.1, 6, &c.

Remark the Third; In the beginning of this 70 Years Captivity, the Prophet Jeremy composeth the sad Ditty of his Lamentations, wherein he most dolefully bewails the Misery of Jerusalem and of the Jews, who were now carried Captives about 600 Miles from their own Country; yet doth he it most Elegantly, for all the Chapters in that Elegiack Book (excepting the last) are Alphabetical, every Verse beginning in order with the Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, and the Third Chapter doing so three times over, and all of it with singular Artifice in a Poetical Strain and Rapture; take one passage for a taste, [Oi na lanu, chi chattanu] Lam. 5.16. which words run in a Rhiming Rhythmical Verse, signifying [Woe to us that we have Sinned]; and indeed the whole of his Discourse therein is carried on in a stately Style, in figurative Terms, full of Passion and Compassion; as to show his love to his Country, so to work upon his hard-hearted Country-men, pressing them to Repentance, Prayer, Patience, together with a Sanctify'd use of all their Sufferings, and a confident expectation of a most happy Issue at the end, notwithstanding his doleful [Echa] which signifies [How] which he useth no fewer than three times in the 1st. Verse of Lamentations; the 1st. intimating, 1. How are all the Holy Vessels of God's Sanctuary now carried into Captivity? 2 Kin. 25.13, 14, 15, 16. 2 Chron. 36.18. Jer. 52.17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. All the Instruments of God's Service, together with the Ornaments of the Temple, were all carried away, as had been foretold by Jeremy, Jer. 27.21, 22. where he adds to that Threatning (which they then would not believe) a comforting promise, that a great part of those Vessels should be brought back again, and be anew Consecrated to the Lord's Service, Ezra 1, 7. and 7.16. The 2. Echa, or [How] is the Glorious Temple (that Solomon built for an House to the Lord, the Wonder of the World, &c.) now laid in Ashes, because his People had notoriously profaned it and all the Holy Vessels of it? &c. And the 3. Echa, or [How] is, His bewailing the Desolations both of City and Country, once full of People, able to send forth vast Armies in the Days of David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, &c. once a Princess commanding many Nations, but now a Solitary Widow, forsaken of her God, of her King, and of her People, &c.

Remark the Fourth; The Occurrencies Recorded in Scripture which happened in the first Year of this long Captivity, are

Mark 1. Young Daniel, and three other young Nobles of the Blood-Royal, are brought to Babylon, as had been foretold, Isa. 39.7. where they refused to Defile themselves with the Court's Diet, because it was oft such as was forbidden by the Law of God, Levite. 11. and Deut. 14. which would have been an offense to their weaker Brethren, with whom they chose rather to sympathize in their Adversity, than to live in excess and fullness, Amos 6.6. This was done in the third Year of Jehoiakim, Dan. 1.1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 15. Their Pulse and Water in their austerity of Life made them look fresh and fat; showing, Man lives not by Bread only, &c. Deut. 8.3. Matth. 4.4. The main matter that made them look so well, was God's blessing on their courser fare: Josephus the Jew is much mistaken in Antiq. lib. 10. cap. 7. making this to fall out in the 4th. Yea of Nebuchadnezzar, and in the 8th. of Jehoiakim. Rabbi Don Joseph upon Daniel, doth better, saying, Nebuchadnezzar in the first Year of his Absolute Reign (after his Father's Death) came up against Jerusalem in the latter part of Jehoiakim's third Year, and took it in the beginning of his fourth, Dan. 1.1. Jer. 25.1.

Mark 2. In this same first Year of the Captivity it was, that Jeremy prepared a Cup of Indignation for Jerusalem, and for all the Nations round about it, and at last for Babylon itself, Jer. 25.1, &c. The Captivity began at the first Year of Nebuchadnezzar, and ended at the first Year of Cyrus and Darius, 2 Chron. 36.20, 21, 22. (in which Court Daniel continued all that time, Dan. 1. ver. 1, 21.) Jeremy 's Cup was Babylon's Sword which was Commission'd by God, Jer. 47.6, 7. and caused to ride its Circuit like a Judge in Scarlet. N. B. And this Cup though' it began at Jerusalem ( Judgment begins at God's House, Ezek. 9.6. 1 Pet. 4.17.) and made Judea Desolate for Seventy Years; yet after it had gone its Round, running from Nation to Nation, it ends at last at Babylon itself, Jer. 25.9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, to 29. the Scourging Rod God burns at last.

Mark 3. In this Year also Baruch writes the Prophecy of Jeremy in a Book, Jer. 36.1, to 8. About twenty Years had Jeremy spent his pious pains among them, for he began to Phophesy in the 13th. Year of Josiah, Jer. 1.2. (who Reigned 31 Years) so as Jeremy Prophesied 18 Years during Josiah 's Life, and this was the 4th. Year of Jehoiakim. Here God commands Jeremy to Record all the Revelations he had from God for 22 Years last past, and to write the sum of all his Sermons, that they might be reserved as Witnesses against them, seeing they had been nothing better by that Doom he had so deservedly denounced against them, Chap. 25, &c. And now the Time drew near, wherein all was coming to pass; at this juncture Jeremy was confined to his House by Jehoiakim; for he says, Jer. 36.5. I am shut up. Therefore Baruch must Read the Roll for him.

Remark the Fifth; There is no particular Occurrence Recorded in many of the following Years of the Captivity, yet in the Second of the Seventy there is, namely, the Reading this Roll publicly upon a public Fast-day, and the Effects thereof, Jer. 36.9, to the end: A Fast-day (on which a great concourse of People could not but be expected from all parts of the Country) was a fit Season for Reading this Scripture Roll, yet was it not the Ordinary Yearly Fast, Levite. 23.27. called the Day of Expiation or Atonement, for that was held on the Tenth Day of the Seventh Month, whereas this was kept in the Ninth Month, appointed upon Emergency for fear of the Chaldeans, &c.

Mark 1. It seems there was some Form or Carcase of Religion yet left in this so Degenerated Nation, insomuch that a Fast was observed; for the Prophets (God sent them) kept the Coal from being quite quenched. N. B. This is one difference betwixt the Lord's casting off the Jews at this time, and that of his casting them out for Crucifying of Christ afterwards; for now God sent them Prophets both before and all along their Captivity, therefore 'tis call's a Transmigration only; but this last easting out hath had no Prophets sent from God to them, so their House is left Desolate, as if under an utter Rejection for almost this Seventeen Hundred Years, &c.

Mark 2. Baruch Read this Roll probably out of a Chamber-window or some Balcony, that all the People under him might the better hear, ver. 10. The Princes (it seems) were not present at this Fast, but were Solacing themselves with their Court-Consolations, while the People were Humbling themselves before the Lord and Trembling at the Word: Therefore Micaiah, (one that had heard it) runs to tell these Privy-Counselors, ver. 11, 12, 13. They sent Jehudi to fetch Baruch, who comes courageously, and these Princes (not all out so bad as the King ) very courteously bade him [Sit down and Read the Roll,] v. 14, 15, 16. So far they were at the first affected with it, that though' they durst do no other but Acquaint the King; yet knowing the fierceness of his Temper, &c. advise Baruch to Hide himself and Jeremy, ver. 17, 18, 19, 20. hereby all beard their Doom, Princes as well as People.

Mark 3. Jehoiakim had so Debauch'd his own Conscience, that he falls into a Rage to hear this Divine Revelation: This was the Ninth Month, answering to the latter part of our November, and the former of our December, so 'twas a Cold Season, yet the King's Soul was colder than his Body; for while he was warming the latter in his Winter-Chamber, the former was cold and careless of calling upon God, not at all countenancing and encouraging his People with his Presence, who at this very juncture were now Cold and Empty, Fasting and Praying in the Temple, and had been hearing the word of God read to them by Baruch, ver. 20, 21, 22.

Mark 4, No sooner had Jehoiakim heard two or three Columns read by Jehudi, but he (Tiger-like) catches up the Penknife, cuts this precious Piece in Pieces, and casts it in to the Fire, ver. 23, 24, yet neither the King nor those cursed Court-Parasites were afraid. N. B. Jehoiakim 's Father, good Josiah had his Heart melted at the hearing of the Law, 2 Chron. 34.27. but so had not this desperate degenerate Son of his, who like a Frantick Person, doomed those innocent Papers (as it were) to a double Death, (they must be both cut and burnt ) and he himself will be the Executioner.

Mark 5. Elnathan, who had been too active before for the King in apprehending, and executing Urijah the Prophet, Jer. 26.22. and now possibly touched with some remorse, interceded with the King for the Rolls saving, &c. Jer. 36. ver. 25. Notwithstanding this Intercession of Elnathan and his two Partners ( Delaiah and Gemariah ) Jehoiakim desperately runs on headlong to perpetrate that unparalleled Impiety to destroy it; and not only so but immediately in a rage sent his Serjeants to Arrest Jeremy and Baruch, but the Lord hid them from the hands of his Blood Hounds, ver. 26. N.B. The Rabbins say, God cast a Scotoma or Mist before their Eyes, as Gen. 19.11. and 2 Kings 6.18. or God might provide for them an hiding Place in some honest Man's House, as those Princes had advised them to do, ver. 19. which they might warrantably do when hunted for their precious Lives, seeing there is no Fence but Flight, nor Counsel but Concealment, to succor an Innocent Subject against the Mad Fury of an enraged Sovereign.

Mark 6. Shall this Frantick King escape by Iniquity? No verily, God in anger casts him down, Psalm 56.7. for here he is made to know, as God's Word cannot be bound, 2 Tim. 2.9. so nor can it be burnt or abolished by all the Tyrants of the World: God will revive and preserve it, Matth. 5.18. as he doth here, ver. 27, 28. adding a most doleful Doom to this destroyer of it, ver. 29, 30, 31, 32. In the new written Roll 'tis said, that his Successor should but sit on the Throne for three Months and some odd Days, and that himself should have a most Infamous Funeral, the Burial of an Ass threatened before, Jer. 22.19. whereas his good Father Josiah both lived and died in Glory, &c.

Remark the Sixth, No Historical Passage is found Recorded in Scripture, as precisely fixed upon either the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh Year of the Captivity. The Story of Jeremy 's setting Wine before the Rechabites is indeed said to be in the Days of Jehoiakim, Jer. 35.1. but in what Year 'tis not mentioned; yet as the end of that Action is clearly expressed, that their abstinence from Wine, &c. did show their faithfulness to a Law of their Father, to aggravate thereby the Jews falsehood and faithlesness to the Covenant of their God; so they tell the Prophet there, ver. 11. the Reason why they now had left their Tents and were come into the City; 'twas for fear of the Chaldeans, and of the Syrians that joined with them to invade the Land, 2 Kings 24.2. which was the Army that came up against Jehoiakim, when he rebel'd against the King of Babylon (as is before noted) at the Instigation of the King of Egypt: Therefore this Relation of the Rechabites must be about the latter Years of Jehoiakim, who in the eleventh Year of his Reign (which Dr. Lightfoot reckons the eighth Year of the Captivity) was Captivated, killed and buried with the Burial of an Ass, 2 Kings 24.2, 5, 6. 2 Chron. 36.5, 6. Jer. 22.19. and 36.30, 31. Ezek. 19.9. 'tis supposed (from this last Scripture) that the Chaldeans put an Iron Collar upon this Captive-King's Neck and fastened an Iron Chain at it, to drag him to and fro at Pleasure; which Chain was enough to change the Roaring of this Lion, into the Roarings of a despairing miserable Caitiff. This hard usage might soon kill this proud King, and break his haughty Heart, &c. which being done and he Dead, they cast his Corps out like Carrion into some by-Corner, &c. N.B. A Just Hand of God upon this wicked Prince, that he who had made so many to weep (by his squeezing so much Money out of them to please Pharaoh ) should have none to weep over him when Dead; that he who had so stately a Palace in Jerusalem, should now not have so much as a Grave to House his Carcase in, but be in an infamous Manner thrown into a Ditch, or on a Dunghil to be devoured by the Beasts of the Earth, and by the fowls of Heaven.

Remark the Seventh, The Scripture of Truth doth in the next Place relate the most remarkable Occurrencies; As First, Of the eighth Year of Nebuchadnezzar 's Reign, 2 Kings 24.12. which was likewise the eighth Year of the Captivity (for there is a Synchronism betwixt them, both being of one Time and running in Parallel Lines together) then were three thousand twenty three Jews carried Captive to Babylon at Jehoiakim 's Captivity, Jer. 52.28. which saith, it was done in the seventh Year. This seeming Contradiction, Grotius, Vatablus, and Dr. Lightfoot do reconcile, saying, First, The Siege began in the latter End of the seventh Year, and the City was taken in the beginning of the eighth. Secondly, In the same Year was the next Captivity of Jehoiakim or Jeconiah, who reigned but three Months and ten Days of that Year (as before); he was no sooner on the Throne, but Jeremy denounceth his Captivity, and the fall of that earthly Kingdom of Solomon, calling the Earth, Earth, Earth, to hear the Word of the Lord, Jer. 22.24, 29, 30. and thereupon foretelleth the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ, one greater than Solomon, Jer. 23.5, 6. denouncing woes against those cursed Guides that hastened the Ruin of David 's earthly Kingdom, from thence to the End; then it was that ten thousand out of the City, and eight thousand out of the Country were carried Captive, 2 Kings 24.14, to 17. and with them Mordecai, Esth. 2.6. and Ezekiel, Ezek. 1.2. and 40.1. Thirdly, In the ninth Year of the Captivity came Zedekiah to the Kingdom, 2 Kings 24.17, to 20. Jer. 52.1, 2, 3. 2 Chron. 36.11, 12, 13. the Sins of the People were the true Cause why God gave them this wicked King, who broke Covenant both with God, Jer. 34.17. and with Man, Ezek▪ 17.18, 19. God hardened his Heart, that he humbled not himself, &c.

Remark the Eighth, The next remarkable Passage Recorded, is in the nineteenth Year of the Captivity, which was the nineteenth Year of Nebuchadnezzar 's Reign, and the eleventh of Zedekiah 's. Then was the full, fatal and final Fall of that Earthly Kingdom, &c. 2 Kings 25.2. Jer. 39.2. and 52.12. 'tis true, this Time is called the eighteenth Year of Nebuchadnezzar, ver. 29. Jer. 52. and the ninth Year of Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25.1. and Ezek. 24.1. but we must suppose the King of Babylon besieged Jerusalem about two Years before it was [ Tibbakang, Hebr.] broken up with Battering Rams, saith Vatablus, 2 Kings 25.4, 8. nor may we say with Grotius▪ that this Place of the eighteenth Year seems to be corrected by that Place of the nineteenth, but better say with Lyra, 'twas the latter end of the eighteenth, and in the beginning of the nineteenth; and though the Books of Kings and Chronicles give no account of any Occurrence betwixt those Years of nine and nineteenth of the Captivity, yet find we some Passages of Remark in the two Prophets of Jeremy and Ezekiel.

Mark First, In Jeremy, who relateth how Hananiah in the beginning of Zedekiah 's Reign in the Fourth Year; falsely foretold the return of the Captives within two Years, Jer. 28.1, &c. This Priest probably (but a pretended Prophet ) had seen how ill Urijah and Jeremy had sped, by telling the Truth; therefore he resolves to Preach Placentia, pleasing Matters, to have Honor from the Princes, and likely lucre too from the People; so he affronts Jeremy publicly in the Temple, as a lying Prophet, in saying the Captivity would continue for seventy Years; but the Issue was, Hananiah is struck with Death within two Months after his false Prediction, because he taught Rebellion against the Lord, as Jeremy had foretold him, ver. 14, 15, 16, 17.

Mark 2. After this Jeremy tells us, how he sent a Letter to the Children of the Captivity in Babylon in the former part of Zedekiah 's Reign, the Date and Contents thereof are declared, Jer. 29.1, 2, 3, &c. and Chap. 30. and 31. altogether Consolatory to the Captives; and Chap. 49.34. and Jer. 50. and 51. in another Letter afterward to Comfort them, that they must Exercise Patience, and not Antedate Promises, as their false Prophets prompted them to do (against whom Jeremy denounced their most dreadful Doom, Jer. 29.21, 22.) yet would they but wait, God in due Time would deliver them, and destroy Babylon, and Elam that helped her. Calvin saith, that Zedekiah suffered Jeremy's Letters to be sent by his Messengers [Non ex Pietatis studio] not from any Respect either to God or to his Prophet, but out of Self-Love▪ for he had heard by Hananiah that Itconiah (his Corrival) and the Captives would in two Years Time come back to Jerusalem; if so, he must resign up his Throne, wherein the King of Babylon had seated him; therefore sends he Ambassadors to Nebuchadnezzar to testify how obsequious he was to his Lord and Master, and was Content they should carry Jeremy 's Letters, knowing the purport of them was to persuade the People there Patience, and to live peaceably in Babylon, and not think yet of returning, to give him Disturbance.

Mark Thirdly, In Ezekiel, whom in the fifth Year of Jehoiakim 's Captivity, and the thirteenth of the first (as Dr. Lightfoot computes) the Lord raised up a Prophet in Babylon (as Jeremy was in Jerusalem ) and he began to Prophesy in the fifth Year of Jehoiakim 's or Jeconiah 's Captivity, or (as some call it with Lavater ) a Transmigration, because he yielded to the Besieger, &c. Ezek. 1.2. and the same Ezekiel foretells the fatal Issue of Zedekiah 's breaking his Covenant: First with God, Ezek. 16.38. and then with Man, even with the King of Babylon, Ezek. 17.15. who had set him up, and sworn him to be faithful; yet he revolts and seeks succor from the King of Egypt, which perfidious Perjury and Treachery was the true Cause of Ruining all, 2 Chron. 36.13.

Mark Fourthly, Ezekiel also (in the sixth Year of Jeconiah 's Captivity, and the fourteenth of the first ) hath the Lord showing him, what just Causes he had to remove his Glory from the Temple, Ezek. 8.1, &c. Chap. 9. and 10. and 11. and 12. and so on to Chap. 20. All this must be while Zedekiah Reigned, the King of Babylon had set him as a Vine, Ezek. 17.6. but not Content with that, he must needs be a Cedar [out Caesar, aut nullus] therefore did he bend his Boughs and Roots toward the other great Eagle, Pharaoh, for relief, ver. 7, 8. so falsified his Fidelity, which was his utter Destruction.

Mark Fifthly, Again Ezekiel Prophesies in the seventh year of Jeconiah 's Captivity, and of Zedekiah 's Reign, Ezek. 20.1. which was two Years and five Months before the fatal Siege began, here some rank Hypocrites came to be resolved of Ezekiel, whether it were better to shake off the Babylonian Yoke, or patiently to bear it: Whereas beforehand they came concluded what course to take, ver. 31, 32. Ezekiel by his Prophetick Spirit pierced into their putid Hypocrisy, loathed their false looks, and abhor'd their Motion, God had no Answer for such no more than he had for Saul, 1 Sam. 28.15. the Prayers of such are an Abomination, Prov. 21.27. yet tells them, the Day of this Profane Person was now come, and the Crown must be overturned, overturned, overturned until Christ come, Ezek. 21.25, 26, 27. the Earthly Kingdom shall be no more in its former Glory.

Remark the Ninth, Now Ezekiel returns us to the eleventh year of Zedekiah, and the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, and of the first Captivity, Ezek. 26.1, &c. all which Computations, Grotius, &c. make contemporary: Now are Ezekiel 's three hundred and ninety years completed from the first Division of Israel 's Kingdom into ten Tribes and two, Ezek. 4.5. and now was the City and the Temple destroyed, &c. 2 Kings 25.2, to 20. 2 Chron. 36.17. to 21. Jer. 39.2, to 15. and 52.5, to 28. N.B. Having made this most necessary Digression in enquiring what happened betwixt the ninth and nineteenth of the seventy Years Captivity;

The Enquiry following, is, what followed this fatal nineteenth year?

Answer, The Prophets Jeremy and Ezekiel, do supply what is not Recorded either in the Book of Kings, or in that of Chronicles.

Mark 1. Jeremy gives an account of what was done in the twenty third year, &c. Jer. 52.30. Nebuzaradan comes then and carries away seven hundred and forty five more Captives, probably to revenge Gedaliah 's Murder.

Mark 2. Ezekiel tells of a Messenger that came with sad Tidings of all that had been done at Jerusalem, unto him now Captive in Babylon, Ezek. 33.21. and this he dateth in the twelfth Year of his own Captivity, which at least was the twentieth of the first Captivity, Ezek. 1.2. The City and Temple had been burnt one Year and five Months before this Messenger came to Ezekiel.

Mark 3. Ezekiel saith, that in the five and twentieth Year of Jeconiah 's and his own Captivity, which was the thirty third Year of the first Captivity and of Nebuchadnezzar 's Reign, the Lord shows him a new and more glorious Temple, than that which was burnt being bigger than all the old Jerusalem, and a new Jerusalem bigger than all the Land of Canaan, Ezek. 40.1, &c. who (after the Defeat of Gog and Magog in the foregoing Chapters described) brings a new Prophecy in his last nine Chapters concerning the Christian Church, and the Spiritual State and Constitution of it, all under Typical and Figurative Representations. Thus the Wiser of the Rabbins understand those Chapters, not of Earthly Accommodations, according to the Letter, but of Heavenly Accomplishments in a Spiritual and Mystical Sense: And thus John the Divine doth Interpret them, Rev. 21. and 22. Chapters, of an Heavenly Jerusalem that Mother of us all, both Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles, &c.

Mark 4. Ezekiel Records, Ezek. 29.17, &c. How in the twenty seventh of his Captivity (which was the thirty fifth of the first, saith Junius ) Nebuchadnezzar had lately taken Tyrus, which cost very dear, even thirteen Years Siege, saith Grotius, this Year God gave him Egypt as his Wages for his Soldiers hard Service, ver. 18, 19, 20. the King of Egypt was the only Potent Prince that now stood against him ( Jeremy 's Cup having gone round to subdue all other Nations ) and Egypt being subdued likewise (saith Lavater ) now is Nebuchadnezzar (in the thirty sixth Year of the Captivity ) the most absolute and universal Monarch of all the World, and is become the golden Head, a Tall Tree towering up as high as Heaven, he grows proud and will be worship'd as a God in the second Year of his entire Monarchy, Dan. 2.1. the three Nobles (now forty Years old, so improperly called Children ) deny it, yet are delivered, Dan. 3. the Tree is cut down, and he is sent a Grazing among Beasts for seven Years in Madness and Misery, Dan. 4 and then restored to his Wits, and to his Throne. N.B. Most famous is the History of the thirty seventh Year of the Captivity of Jehoiakim or Jeconiah, recorded in 2 Kings 25.27. to the end; and Jer. 52.31, 32, 33, 34. which sacred Records, jointly afford us many Remarks: As

First, This thirty seventh of Jeconiah was the forty third of the first Captivity, for Nebuchadnezzar was struck with his Madness by the Hand of Heaven, which began in the thirty sixth Year of the first Captivity, and of his Reign, when he was come to his A •• the highest Pitch of his Elevation, Dan. 4.4. that was the Year of his Triumph, and then had he the Vision of his Downfal, ver. 30, 31, 32, 33. His Disease was not only a Frenzy, but also a Lycanthropy, saith Dr. Willet, for beside the brutish change of his Mind, his Body was much changed in Living and Feeding among Wild Beasts, and though he was not transformed into a Beast, yet was he so deformed, that the Beasts took him for a Beast, as going upon all four, and feeding as they did, and though in shape d ffering from them, yet might they look upon him as a Monster among them: Thus was this proud Prince cast down from his highest Pinacle of Pride, He, who had driven so many People out of their Countries, is by a just Judgment of God driven out of his own Kingdom, and from all Company of Mankind, and this was done by his own Courtiers, when they saw him begin to be Mad; lest he should do much Mischief by his Madness, and now for his brutish Conditions, He now hath the Brutes for his Companions, &c. N.B. He who was wont to be fed with the Daintiest Fare, He now eateth Grass as an Ox, instead of his Purple and Royal Robes, He is now covered all over with ugly Hair and shaggy like a Beast or thick and black like Eagles Feathers, and his Hands, that had held the Royal Scepter (which gave Commands to all the World) are now deformed with long and sharp Nails like Birds Claws, so that in the whole of his Shape, he came nearer to a wild Beast than to a Man, yea for his precious Ointments, he is now wet with the Dew of Heaven, and all this for seven Years together (so long was God in taming this sturdy Rebel ) which being added to thirty six, the Year of his profoundest Pride, make up the number of forty three, being the forty third Year of the first Captivity.

Remark the Second, When those seven Years were expired in God's hiding Pride from him, Job 33.17. (which could not be soon nor easily done, as when some Vital Part is corrupted, the Cure is difficult and long in doing) then was the merciful God pleased (who had by a Miracle of Mercy hitherto preserved him from being worry'd by wild Beasts ) to restore him to the use of his Reason, causing him to lift up his Eyes to Heaven, with which he had for seven Years looked down altogether to the Earth, and so much Religion God gave him as to acknowledge God's greatness, his own vileness, and the Worlds nothingness, Dan. 4.34, 35. then did his Lord's and Counselors (by the Direction of God and Daniel, faith Calvin ) come with Compassion to him, ver. 36. yea such as had before despised and rejected him, when they saw his former Splendour and Majesty returned by the great God upon him, they came creeping to him, and by an universal Consent of his both Peers and People, he was reinvested in the Throne, and became the most August and Magnificent King upon Earth, and his Kingdom was therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms, Isa. 47.7, 8. after this He Reigned two Years, Praising the God of his Mercy, Dan 4. ver. 47. and then Died. &c.

Remark the Third, 'It is expressly affirmed, that Jehoiakim or Jeconiah 's Head was listed up in the thirty seventh Year of his Captivity, but the Day of the Month is rendered doubtful, because 'tis said to be done on the twenty fifth Day, Jer. 52.31. and on the twenty seventh Day, 2 Kings 25.27. here's a double Date, and therefore the one is to be doubted: Hereupon Cappel saith, there must be lapsus Librarii in one of those Dates: But Buxtorf answers, 'tis better to acknowledge our own Ignorance, than to accuse the Sacred Text of Corruption, for the Decree at Court (for his Advancement) might be on the twenty fifth Day, and the Execution on the twenty seventh, or he was brought out of Prison, on the former Day (saith Learned Lightfoot ) and promoted above all Kings, &c. on the latter Day; and his Head is said to be lifted up (or magnifi'd in Chaldee ) because as a Captive King [Demisso capite ambulabat] he walked with a dejected Countenance, as Gen. 40.7, 13. but now both his Release and Advancement was an Elevation both to his Mind and to his Looks.

Remark the Fourth; The occasion of his Exaltation was this: Nebuchadnezzar dies, and Evil-Merodach his Son succeeds him. The cause of this Successor's favor to Jeconiah was (1.) either, as the Rabbins, Lyra and Sanctius say, That his Father returning to his Right Mind, and being restored to his Throne, (in which his Son had sat, during his Fathers grazing among the Beasts of the Field for seven Years) and now hearing of his Sons Male-Administration of the Government in that Interregnum, and of his Rejoicing at his Fathers Madness and Misery, he cast his Son into the same Prison where Jehoiakim was, who told him his Case, and thereby found this favor with him, &c. Or, (2ly.) as Learned Gattaker (declining this Tale told by the Talmudists ) saith, If Conjectures may be given in a Case so uncertain, it may be supposed, that Jehoiakim being a Youth of 18 Years when brought Captive to Babylon, 2 Kings 24.8. and of a comely Countenance, and having been King of a Kingdom of great Note in those times, this induced Evil-Merodach (then but a Stripling, and about the same Age ) to cast a campassionate Eye and Affection upon him, who, though' he could not show his favor to him while his Father lived, yet he did it after his Decease, when Royal Power came into his hands so to do. Or, (3ly.) as some others say, this Favor was shewn him, because of his voluntary yielding himself unto Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 24.12. whereunto some add [according to the Advice of the Prophet Jeremy] which God hereby made to appear that he approved of: But we read of no such Advice given by Jeremy to Jehoiakim, though' to Zedekiah 'tis Recorded he did so, Jer. 38.17, 18. but nowhere is it said so to Jeconiah, &c. But (4ly.) though' the Cause on Man's part be hard to assign, being uncertain, yet this is certain on God's part, that God made many so be pitied by those that carried them Captive, Psal. 106.46. Jer. 15.11. Dan. 1.9. and 2.48, 49. and 3.30 and 6.2, 28. Neh. 1.12. and 2.8. Acts 7.10. God gave Acceptance thus for Jehoiakim, &c.

Remark the Fifth; Evil-Merodach in the first Year of his Reign (after his Father had Reigned 45 Years current ) showeth favor to this Jehoiakim or Jeconiah, the manner how he did it is Recorded, 2 Kin. 25.27, 28, 29, 30. and Jer. 52.31, to 34. There those Acts of Favor are Reducible to these Six Heads. 1. His Releasing him from Prison, ver. 31. after he had been 37 Years a Prisoner, which was a long time to live in a Prison, till he was 55 Years old, 2 Kings 24.8. yet after all, the Lord Released him, because he had yielded to his Enemy, &c. 2. Evil-Merodach spake kindly to him, ver. 32. probably from some private Affection to his Person, and from some Lenity he had learned out of his Father's Madness and Misery: Nor did he only speak good words to him, but he also did good Deeds for him, beyond his expectation. 3. He sets his Throne above the Thrones of his fellow Captive Kings, such as Nebuchadnezzar had lodged there, yet afforded them some Evidences of Royal Dignity above common Captives, while kept in Captivity, but Jeconiah had the Precedency above them all. 4. He changed his Prison-Garments, ver. 33. as Unfit for the King's Presence. So 'tis said of Joseph, Gen. 41.14, 42. Now is he Array'd not in mean Apparel, but in the quality of a Prince at Liberty. 5. He is Admitted to the King's Table, Eating daily with him, as did Croesus with Cyrus, saith Grotius, and as David did with Saul, 1 Sam. 20.3, 27. N. B. Oh that we may do so with Christ, &c. 6. And he had an Allowance at the King's Cost and Charges for himself and his Household assigned him, every day a Portion all the days of his life, ver. 34. so long as these two Kings lived together. This likewise is a Believer's Portion, who therefore may feed with joy, Eccles. 9.7. N. B. 1. Evil in Hebr. signifies a Fool. Hence some say, this King of Babylon's cursed Courtiers called him [Evil-Merodach] that is [Fool-Merodach] because he was so kind to Jehoiachin and his People. N.B. 2. The Lot of this Jehoiachin was far better than that of his Predecessor Jehoiakim, whom the King of Babylon slew outright, and gave him the Burial of an Ass, as is aforesaid: Now a living Dog is better than a dead Lion; this Man lived long, though' the life of a Prisoner, and better than that of his Successor Zedekiah; who though' not slain, but let to live in Prison, yet was he deprived of his Eyes, and lived blind all his days, never coming to any such Preferment. N. B. 3. This Jeconiah and his Company of Con Captives were the Basket of good Figs which Jeremy spake of so comfortably, that they might be Eaten, and that they should Return, &c. Jer. 24.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The Rabbins report, that Jeconiah, though' he had been a Wicked Prince, and therefore was writ Childless &c. Jer. 22.24, to 30. yet Repented of his Wickedness, (as Manasseh had done before him) and therefore was preferred by Evil-Merodach till the day of his Death: But Zedekiah and his Subjects were the Basket of evil Figs, Jer. 24.8, 9, 10. who were looked upon as the Happier because then at Home, and laughing at Jeconiah and his Company as Cowards, for yielding, &c. No doubt but these Fellow-Captives did share with Jeconiah in his Comforts, when he was thus preferred, though' no mention be made of it: So little is there lost either in doing or suffering for God's sake, whose Retributions are more than bountiful as to Jeconiah, &c. when the other Rotten Figs never Return'd (as the others did ) but were cast to the Dunghil, &c.

Remark the Sixth; The Babylonian Empire (after it had swallowed up the Assyrian, as is before observed) ran along in parallel Lines with the Jews Captivity; they were contemporary, beginning and ending (much-what) about one and the same time; for the first Year of Nebuchadnezzar (that most Absolute Monarch of Babylon ) was the latter end of the Third Year of Jehoiakim, Dan. 1.1. and the beginning of his Fourth. Jer. 25.1. and then began the Seventy Years Captivity of the Jews, as is aforesaid. Now Jeremy foretold that the Jews should continue Captives during the Reign of Three Kings of Babylon, Jer. 27.7. They must serve the Father Nebuchadnezzar, and his Son Evil-Merodach, and his Grandson Belshazzar; and then that mighty Monarchy should come from its Rise to its Ruin. 'It is manifest that the Father Reigned 45 Years, and his Son 23 Years, and his Grandson only about 3 Years; all which Years cast up together, amount to the Expiration of the Seventy Years Captivity, and of the Babylonish Monarchy, whereof Daniel had a Vision in the first Year of Belshazzar, Dan. 7.1. where the Prophecy of Daniel properly begins, his former Chapters being mostly Historical, and therefore laid together before he begins his Prophetical matters, to the end of his Book. In Daniel 5. he gives the History of Belshazzar, speaking nothing of Evil-Merodach, because nothing Remarkable came to pass in his Reign, save only his Releasing and Advancing Jeconiah, which had been related before, 2 Kings 25.27, &c. and Jer. 52.31, &c.

Mark 1. In this History of Belshazzar, His Name signifies Bel (that Idol of Babel, Isa. 46.1.) is my Power and Treasure: Thus they attributed to a Dunghill-Deity what belonged to Jehovah the True God.

Mark 2. Nebuchadnezzar is oft called this Man's Father, Dan. 5.11, 13, 18, &c. who indeed was his Grandfather, as appears from Jer. 27.7. and so the Acceptation is usual in Scripture. Thus Abraham is called the Father of the Jews, Isa. 51. 2. John 8.56. and David the Father of Josiah, 2 Chron. 34.2. and Christ the Son of David, Mat. 1.1.

Mark 3. About the latter end of Belshazzar's second Year of his Reign, and beginning of his third, Babylon's sins were come to the full, and Belshazzar toppeth them up with his Drunken and Idolatrous Feast, Dan. 5.1, 2, &c. whereof Jeremy had foretold, Jer. 25.26. calling that bezelling King of Babylon the King of Sheshach, for his quaffing in the Sacred Vessels of God's Temple to the honor of Shac the Babylonian Goddess, and in contempt of Jehovah; he was drunk, spewed, and fell, Jer. 25.27.

Mark 4. This Drunken Feast is mentioned by Herodotus and Xenophon, solemnized upon his Birth-day (say some) or on the occasion of an Anniversary Solemnity. However, Cyrus took this opportunity (saith Xenophon ) and made himself Master of the City. N.B. Most strange is the security and stupidity of Belshazzar, to be bezelling and drinking himself drunk, and his thousand Lord's all likely drunk for company, while he was besieged by so potent an Enemy.

Mark 5. When Belshazzar was swallowed up with that Wine, Isa. 28.7. (which he had swallowed down ) he sends for the Sacred Vessels of God's Sanctuary for him and his Concubines to carouse in them, sparing those Vessels he had consecrated to his Idols. Thus while Wine was in, his Wit was out, Hos. 4.11. and 7.5. He casteth off all fear of God, and falls into the sins of Sacrilege and Blasphemy, triumphing (saith Calvin ) over the God of Israel.

Mark 6. In the midst of their mad Merriments, the same Divine Hand that had written the Law upon Two Tables, Exod. 31.18. now writes the Doom of Babel and of Belshazzar upon the Wall of the Palace, Dan. 5.5. This strange sight immediately mar'd all their mirth, v. 6. making it to dwindle into a dreadful consternation, and made this God-contemning King to knock his knees the one against the other from Horror and Astonishment; so that Urina defluebat, saith Grotius, he plainly bepiss'd his breeches.

Mark 7. In this Fitt of Soul-confounding fear (which Isaiah had foretold, Isa. 21.4. and Jeremy, Jer. 50.43.) he calls for his Chaldean Conjurers, ver. 7. promising Promotion (next to himself and the Queen-Mother ) to him that could Read the Writing on the Wall; but all these Wise-men of Babylon were become Fools, as Isa. 19.11, 13. and could not Read it, though' in their own Language, ver. 8. The King can better Read those bitter things writ upon the Wall of his Conscience, being made Legible when held to the Fire of God's Wrath; as the Fire will discover those Letters which are written with the Juice of an Onion, &c. No wonder then, if now he were thus damp'd, ver. 9. and cast into Melancholick Dumps.

Mark 8. When all were at this confounding Non-plus, the Queen came in and directed Belshazzar to Daniel, &c. ver. 10, 12, 13. This Woman (saith Grotius ) was not his Wife (for his Wives and Concubines were present with him, ver. 2, 3. so could not be said to come in ) but she was his Mother the Queen of Evil-Merodah, or rather his Grandmother the Queen of Nebuchadnezzar, who was now an Old Woman, and whom Herodotus calleth Nicochris, and greatly commendeth her for her Wisdom and ability of Speech, whereof she gives here Ample Evidences: As (1.) in her Absence from this Unseasonable and Intemperate Feast, which was an Argument of her Temperance. (2.) She prudently insinuateth into the Affrighted King, by the ordinary Salutation, O King, Live forever. (3.) She with the Gravity of a Matron, exhorts him to bear up, and not be overmuch troubled: And (4.) She makes Honorable mention of Daniel, (though' in a Pagan Dialect ) and persuades the King to make use of him by her own Experience. N. B. Here a Woman's Wisdom outstripped all the Wise-men of Babylon: We use to say, The Wit of a Woman is best at a pinch, and sometimes more prompt than a Man 's is, as Judge. 13.23.

Remark the Seventh; Daniel is called in, Reads and Interprets, ver. 13, to 29.

Mark 1. Belshazzar (as Ignorant of him ) asks if he were the Man, ver. 13. Daniel had deserved of the Babylonian State to have been better known of Belshazzar and better Respected, seeing he had been so famous for his Oracles, and so highly honor'd by his Grand-father Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 2. and Dan. 4.

Mark 2. This Silly and Shallow King (now almost affrighted out of his little Wit) can say nothing to Daniel but what was put before into his Mouth by his Wiser Grand-mother, ver. 14. only what she had discreetly concealed (that he was one of the Captives ) this he blurts out in way of Reproach to Daniel, but for a Vaunt of his Grand-father's Victories, yet never takes notice of the Honor that had been done to Daniel; nor could Belshazzar be so Ignorant of Daniel as he seemed to be, ver. 16. for he knew the Dreams, Honors and Troubles of his Grand-father, ver. 22.

Mark 3. Daniel (who had not intruded himself among the Astrologers, but came at the King's Call) hereupon, after a Noble Rejection of his Offers, knowing they were of a short date, ver. 17. begins first to preach a severe Sermon to him as one Rejected of God, ver. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. because he had not taken warning by God's severity against his Grand-father for his Pride, &c. N. B. Not to profit by former Examples (especially such as are Domestical ) is a great Aggravation and a gross Provocation to the Great God.

Mark 4. Then Daniel read the Writing, &c. ver. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. which none of the Chaldeans could do, because (saith Weems ) it was writ in the Samaritan Characters; so the Babylonians could not Read them, nor could the Jews understand them, because they understood not the Chaldee Tongue as Daniel did: Lavater and Maldonado think, that only the Initial Letters [M.T.P.] were writ for Mene, Tekel, Peres; as J. N. R. J. for Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum; and S. P. Q. R. for Senatus Populusque Romanus; or as M. K. B. J. that is, Michemoka Baelohim Jehovah; the words of Exod. 15.11. which was the Motto upon the Maccabees Ensign in their Wars, &c. But the Rabbies say, though' they were Chaldee words writ at length, yet in Samaritan Characters; beside, the Interpretation was Metaphorical, as weighing in a Balance; and above all, God had blinded all the Wise-men's Minds, reserving this Honor for Daniel.

Mark 5. The Interpretation, 1. Mene, Mene, ver. 25, 26. The word is doubled (saith Vatablus and Calvin ) for more Confirmation, or because both the Jews Captivity and Belshazzar's Kingdom were now completed in Number, (saith Maldonado ) both those two Reckonings were now cast up, &c. 2. Tekel, ver. 27. Thou hast no Weight nor Worth in God's Balance; as thou hast made light of God, of his People and Vessels, so God Accounts as light of thee; thou art now to be cast away as Reprobate Silver, according to all former Prophecies in Isa. 13, and 14, &c. Jer. 25.12. and 50, and 57. and Dan. 2.32. saith Maldonado. 3. Peres, ver. 28. Thy Kingdom is Divided between the Medes and Persians: They are jointly called [ a Chariot with a couple of Horsemen, &c. Isa. 21.7, 9.] and thus Daniel Interprets it; for Cyrus the Persian was joined with Darius the Median in the Siege of Babylon, though' the latter only carries the Name here (saith Dr. Lightfoot ) because he was the much Older Man, and indeed Cyrus's Grand-father, as Heathen Writers do affirm.

Mark 6. Belshazzar (without any Nay-say ) performs his Promise, as loath to be worse than his word, (so Herod, Matth. 14.9.) and desirous to oblige Daniel 's favor at a dead lift: And Daniel at length admits it, partly that he might not seem too rudely to slight the King's Kindness as one disaffected; and partly that he might be the better known to the Persians, and so become a Comfort to God's poor People, as afterward he did, &c.

Remark the Eighth; Babylon is taken, Belshazzar slain, and Darius succeeds, v. 30, 31.

Mark 1. Maldonado out of Xenophon saith, That the Babylonians kept Carrousing with their Cups that Night after their sumptuous Supper Feast, bragging how they were Victualled for 20 Years Siege, and not at all fearing the Assault of the Besiegers, who immediately began to Storm the City, [Somno vinoque Sepultam] half drowned in Drink and Sleep: The Sentinels and Watchmen give the Alarm, as Isa. 21.5. crying, Arm, Arm: And one Post runs to meet another, to tell the King that his City was taken at one end, as Jer. 51.31. All being punctually foretold fifty Years before this.

Mark 2. Tho' Josephus saith nothing of the manner how Babylon was taken, yet other Learned Men say it was betrayed by Gaddatha and Gobryas, two of Belshazzar's Courtiers whom he had wronged; upon which they (to be revenged of him) fled to the Besiegers, directed Cyrus 's Soldiers a private way into the City and into the King's Palace, and first Killing the Guard, they kill the King, saith Xenophon.

Mark 3. This was the fatal Night wherein famous Babylon fell, according to many Predictions of the Prophets, as by Isaiah: (1.) Isa. 13.17. God stirred up the Medes, &c. and Lucifer 's is fallen from Heaven; the King of Babylon had been the Terror of the World, so called the Morning Star, Isa. 14.11, 12. and 20. Belshazzar being slain at his Drunken Feast was not Embalmed (as was their custom with Kings) but wanted Funeral Rites, those Dues of the Dead. Again, Isa. 21.2, 3, 4, 5. The Prophet Acts Belshazzar 's part, crying, [ I Belshazzar am in a woeful case, &c. the Night of my Pleasure and Revelling is turned into Fear, the Hand-writing of the Wall has mar'd my Mirth; I cried, [Prepare the Table] but (1.) more need have said, [Prepare the Battle.] Again, Isa. 47.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Babylon, the Lady of the World, becomes a forlorn Widow bereft of her Children; to wit, Monarchy and Kingdoms. (2.) Jeremy foretold all this with Isaiah; as Jer. 25.12, 16. Babylon shall be moved, and she shall be Mad. Again, Jer. 50.17, 18. Belshazzar 's Bones shall be broken, and his Empire translated to the Medes and Persians. Again, Jer. 51.2, 13, 39. God sends Fanners that make clean work, its end was come; their Wine at their Drunken Feast was mixed with the wrath of God, so it wrought speedily and furiously; and Bel is made to belch up all his Spoils, ver. 44. yea the Vessels of the Temple, (Ezra 1.7. and 5.14.) and Babylon is spoiled, ver. 55, &c. (3.) Habakkuk foretells the Fall of Belshazzar, whom he brands with four Faults, a Wine-bibber, &c. Hab. 2.5, &c. denouncing dismal Woes against him and his City, to the end of the Chapter, especially for forcing Drink upon others, ver. 15. the practice of Roaring Boys in our days, not observing Esth. 1.8, &c. Ahasnerus's Law, and

N. B. Babylon was first built by Nimrod, as Nineveh was after by his Nephew Ninus, Gen. 10.11. Historians tell us, its Walls were strong to a Miracle, being two hundred Cubits high (of the largest size of Cubits) and fifty Cubits thick, having an hundred Brazen Gates, and many stately Towers, &c. It had lasted the head City of the Assyrian and Chaldean Monarchy for 1700 Years, until Cyrus came, and then down tumbles Babylon, with its strong Walls, Gates and Towers. N. B. As certainly, speedily, and utterly as the literal Babylon did here fall, accordingly shall Mystical Babylon do in God's time, [Babylon is fallen, is fallen, ] Rev. 14.8. and 18.2. is borrowed from Isa. 21.9. Daniel tells Darius 's Age, Dan. 5.31. to show, the Destroyer of Babylon was born in that very Year wherein the King of Babylon was destroying Jerusalem; thus God provided a Remedy for the Jews, when the Malady lay so heavy upon them, &c.