Contemplations. LlB.XX. Ahaz with hiJ new Altar. - lllh•m in the Kmgdome of Judah : an ill fon ofa good fath<rDot more the h<ir of DA<Jids fear,then of Jtrohtms fin:Though Ifrael play rhe harlor,yerwbocan abide that Judah lhould fin~ A _ ~Fr<r many unhappy changes ofrhetwo thrones, Ah•tfucfeeds It is bard not to be infetted withaconragiousneighbour-lloo<h ~~~~~~~ who ever read that the Kiogdome of lfraelwas feafoned with lj the vicinity ofthe true Religion of}udah ~ Goodneffe (fuch as .:;..::_==--- our nature is)is not fo apt to fpread: A rainred ayre doth more eafily affect a found body, then an wholcfomc ayre can clearerhe lick: Superl!ition B bath ever been morefuccelfefull, then truth;The yong ycares of ..Ah•z arc foon mif.Jed ro a plaufible miC. devotion. A man that isoncefalnefromrrurh, knowcsnot where he thall l!ay: From the Calves of Ier•h,.m is Ah-.:. drawn ro the gods ofthe heathen; yea,now,Bulls and Goaresare too little forthofe new deities, his own fltlh and blood is but dear enough; _Tie mAIIt hil Jinnt llp•ffi lhroNgh theirfre. Wher~ doe we find any religious lfraehre rhus zealous for God? Neither doth rhe hohndle and mercy of our God require focrudl a facri6ce: neither is ourdull, and niggardly hand ready to gratifie himwith more eafie obediences; 0 God how ~ladly lhould we offer unto th<e our foules, and bodies,which we moy enjoy fo much the more, when they are thine1 fince zealous Pagans tlick not to l«fc theirown lk{h, and blood inan Idols c fire~ He th:ubath thus lhamcfully call: offrhe Godofbis fathors, cannot be longwith• out a fearfull revenge.The Kingoflfrael galls him on the one fide; the King of SJriA on the other:To avoid the lhock ofboth, Ah•t doth not betake him!clfe to the God whom he h3d offcnded,whowas able to make his cnemitsat peacewith him· butto Tlgl•h Piltjir King of A foNT: himdoth hewoo with fnites,with gifts1and rob; God ofthofe prefeots,whi'h may iodcar fo!lrong a helper. He that thought not his fan too dear for an Idoll,thinksnor Gods filver and gold toodear for an Idola. trousabettor. · Ohthe infinite patience ofthe Almighty! God gives fucceffc a while to fo olfen· five a tivality: This Affiri•n King prevailes againft the King of SJrl•, kills llim,and D rakes his chiefe City, D•m•{ttu; The quarrdl of the }Ciog of Judah bath enlarged theTerritoriesofhis affill:ant,beyood hope; And now, whiles this v1 jfjr;,,. viC!or is enjoying the poffeffion ofhis new-won D•m•ftm, v1 h•:{.gncs up thither to meet him,to congratulate the viC!ory, to 361de umo thoferriumphs, which were drawne on by his felicitation.There he fees a new falhioned Altar, that pleafes his eye1 that old forme of S•l•mons, which was made by the pattern lhewed to <Jit•Jis in the Mottnr, is now grown l!ale,and defpicable; A modell of this more exquifite frame is feat t_o Yrij•h, the Priell:; and_mul! be fampled in ~erufil!"'· • . · Ills adangerous prefumptton to make mnovattons, tf but 10 the mcumll:ances ofGods worlhip. Thofe humaneadditions which would feem to gracethe.in!litu· rion of God,depraveit: That infinite wifdome knowes bell: what will plearc it felfe, ,E •nd prefcrib<S accordingly ; The foolilhncffe ofGoclis wifer then the wifdome of men1 Idolatry and fallhood is commonly more gawdy and plaufible, then ttuth1 That heart which can for the outward homclincffedcfpifethe ordinancesofGod, is already aliened from true Rellgion,aod lies open to the groffel! fup<r!lition. N<vernny Prince was fofouldy idolatrons,as that he wanted a Pridl to ftcond him: An Yrij•b is firto humour an ..A hAz . Greatneffc could never commar.cl any thing,which fome fervile wits were not ready bOth to applaud,and jul!ifie. Ere the King canbe returned from D•,.aftm ,thealtar is finilhcd; lt werehappy if true godlines could be fo forward in tlte profecurions ofgood.NFither is this l!range pile reartd only,butrhrull: up borwixt Gods Altar, and theTtmple; in oo app21<nt precedency,as if hehad faid,Lctthe God of !odAb come behindc the Deities of SJ• ,;,, And
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