hath stopt the mouth of his sick sovereign : no noise is heard; the carcass is fair; who can complain of any thing but the disease? O Hazael, thou shalt not thus easily stop the mouth of thine own conscience: that shall call thee traitor, even in thy chair of state, and shall check all thy royal triumphs with-"Thou hast founded thy throne in blood!" I am deceived if this wet cloth shall not wipe thy lips in thy jolliest feasts, and make thy best morsels unsavoury. Sovereignty is painful upon the fairest terms; but, upon treachery and murder, tormenting. Woful is the case of that man, whose public cares are aggravated with private guiltiness; and happy is he that can enjoy a little with the peace of an honest heart. CONTEMPLATION II. —JEHU WITH JEHORAM AND JEZEBEL. YET Hazael began his cruelty with loss. Ramoth-Gilead is won from him: Jehoram the son hath recovered that which Ahab his father attempted in vain. That city was dear-bought of Israel; it cost the life of Ahab, the blood of Jehoram; those wounds were healed with victory. The king tends his health at Jezreel, while the captains were enjoying and seconding their success at Ramoth. Old Elisha hath neither cottage nor foot of land, yet, sitting in an obscure corner, he gives order for kingdoms; not by way of authority (this usurpation had been no less proud than unjust), but by way of message from the God of kings: even a mean herald may go on a great errand. The prophets of the gospel have nothing to do but with spiritual kingdoms; to beat down the kingdoms of sin and Satan, to translate souls to the kingdom of heaven. He that renewed the life of the Shunamite's son, must stoop to age; that block lies in his way to Jehu. The aged prophet employs a speedier messenger, who must also gird up his loins for haste. No common pace will serve us, when we go on God's message: the very loss of minutes may be unrecoverable. This great seer of God well saw a present concurrence of all opportunities. The captains of the host were then readily combined for this exploit; the army was on foot, Jehoram absent: a small delay might have troubled the work: the dispersion of the captains and host, or the presence of the king, might either have defeated or slacked the dispatch. He is prodigal of his success, that is slow in his execution The directions of Elisha to the young prophet are full and punctual, whither to go, what to carry, what to do, where to do it, what to say, what speed to make, in his act, in his return. In the businesses of God, it matters not how little is left to our discretion: there is no important business of the Almighty, wherein his precepts are not strict and express: look how much more specialty there is in the charge of God, so much more danger is in the violation. The young prophet is curiously obedient, in his haste, in his observation and carriage; and finding Jehu, according to Elisha's prediction, set amongst the captains of the host, he singles him forth by a reverent compellation: "I have an errand to thee, O captain." Might not the prophet have stayed till the table had risen, and then have followed Jehu to his lodging? Surely the wisdom of God hath purposely pitched upon this season, that the public view of a sacred messenger, and the hasty evocation of so noted a person to such a secresy, might prepare the hearts of those commanders of Israel to the expectation of some great design. The inmost room is but close enough for this act. Ere many hours, all Israel shall know that, which yet may not be trusted with one eye: the goodness of God makes wise provision for the safety of his messengers, and, while he empbys their service, prevents their dangers. But how is it that, of all the kings of the ten tribes, none was ever anointed but Jehu? Is it for that the God, who would not countenance the erection of that usurped throne, would countenance the alteration? or is it, that by this visible testimony of divine ordination, the courage of the Israelitish captains might be raised up to second the high and boll attempt of him whom they saw destined from heaven to rule? Together with the oil of this unction, here was a charge of revenge; a revenge of the blood ofthe prophets upon Jezebel, of wickedness and idolatry upon Ahab: neither was ne extirpation of this lewd family fore-prophesied only to Jehu, but enjoined. Elijah foretold, and the world expected, some fearfil account of the abominable cruelty and impiety of that accursed house; now it is called for, when it seemed forgotten. Ahab shall have no posterity; Jezebel shall have no tomb but the dogs. This weful doom is committed to Jehu's executon. O the sure, though patient justice of the Almighty' Not only Ahab and Jezebel had : been bloody and idolatrous, but Israel was drawn into the partnership of their crimes all these shall share in the judgment. Elijah's complaint in the cave now receives this late answer: Hazael shall plague Israel, Jehu shall plague the house of Ahab and Jezebel. Elisha's servant thus seconds Elisha's master. When wickedness is ripe in the field, God will not let it shed to grow again, but cuts it up, by a just and seasonable vengeance. Ahab's drooping under the threat, hath put off the judgment from his own days; now it comes, and sweeps away his wife, his issue, and falls heavy upon his subjects. Please yourselves, Ŏ ye vain sinners, in the slow pace of vengeance; it will be neither less certain, nor more easy, for the delay; rather it were to pay for that leisure in the extremity. The prophet hath done his errand, and is gone. Jehu returns to his fellows, with his head not more wet with oil, than busied with thoughts: no doubt, his face bewrayed some inward tumults and distractions of imagination; neither seemed he to return the same he went out. They ask, therefore, Is all well? Wherefore came this mad fellow to thee?" The prophets of God were to these idolatrous Israelites like comets, who were never seen without the portendment of a mischief. When the priests of their Baal were quietly sacrificing, all was well; but now, when a prophet of God comes in sight, their guiltiness asks, "Is all well?" All would be well but for their sins they fear not these; they fear the reprover. Israel was come to a good pass, when the prophets of God went with them for madmen. O ye Baalitish ruffians, whither hath your impiety and profaneness carried you, that ye should thus blaspheme the servants of the living God? Ye, that run on madding after vain idols, tax the sober guides of true worship for madness. Thus it becomes the godless enemies of truth, the heralds of our patience, to miscall our innocence, to revile our most holy profession. What wonder is it that God's messengers are madmen unto those to whom the wisdom of God is foolishness? The message was not delivered to Jehu for a concealment, but for publication. Silence could not effect the word that was told him, common notice must: "Ye know the man, and his communication." The nabit shows you the man, the calling shows you his errand. Even prophets were distinguished by their clothes: their mantle was not the common wear. Why should not this sacred vocation be known by a peculiar attire? These captains had not called him a madman, if they had not known him a prophet: by the man, therefore, they might guess at his message. Prophets do not use to appear, but upon serious errands, whether of reproof, or of prediction. Nice civilities of denials were not then known to the world: they said, "It is false, tell us now." Amongst these captains, no combat, no unkindness, follows upon a word so rudely familiar. Jehu needs not tell them that the man was a prophet; he tells them the prophecy of the man, what he had said, what he had done. Their eyes had no sooner seen the oil, their ears had no sooner heard, "Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel," than they rise from their seats, as rapt with a tempest, and are hurled into arms: so do they haste to proclaim Jehu, that they scarce stay to snatch up their garments, which they had perhaps left behind them for speed, had they not meant, with these rich habiliments, to garnish a state for their new sovereign, to whom, having now erected an extemporal throne, they do, by the sound of trumpets, give the style of royalty, "Jehu is king." So much credit hath that mad fellow with these gallants of Israel, that upon his word they will presently adventure their lives, and change the crown. God gives a secret authority to his despised servants, so as they which hate their person, yet reverence their truth: even very scorners cannot but believe them. If, when the prophets of the gospel tell us of a spiritual kingdom, they be distrusted of those which profess to observe them, how shameful is the disproportion! how just shall their judgment be! Yet I cannot say whether mere obedience to the prophet, or personal dislikes of Jehoram, or partial respects to Jehu, drew the captains of Israel. The will of God may be done thanklessly, when, fulfilling the substance, we fail of the intention, and err in circumstance. Only Ramoth is conscious of this sudden inauguration: this new princedom yet reaches no further than the sound of the trumpet. Jehu is no less subtile than valiant: he knew, that the notice of this unexpected change might work a busy and dangerous resistance; he therefore gives order, that no messenger of the news may prevent his personal execution, that so he might surprise Jehoram in his palace of Jezreel, whether tending his late wounds, or securely feasting his friends, and dreaming of nothing less than danger; and might be seen and felt at once. Secresy is the lic affairs, when they are grown to a height safest guard of any design; disclosed pro- of disorder, and from thence to a ripeness jects are either frustrated, or made need- of miscarriage. Sooner may a well-meaning lessly difficult. man hurt himself, than redress the commou danger. Neither is Jehu more close than swift: that very trumpet, with the same wind, sounds his march; from the top of the stairs, he steps down into his chariot. That man means to speed, who can be at once reserved in his own counsels, and resolute and quick in his performances. These messengers were now within the mercy of a multitude: had they but endeavoured to retire, they had perished as wilfully as vainly. Whosoever will be striving against the torrent of a just judgment, must needs be carried down in the stream. Sometimes there is as much wisdom in yielding, as courage in resistance. Had this troop been far off, the watchman could not have descried the arrival of the messengers, their turning behind, the manner of the march. Jehu was a noted served more full of fire than his fellows: "The driving is like Jehu's, for he driveth furiously." God makes choice of fit instruments, as of mercy, so of revenge. These spirits were needful for so tragical a scene as was now preparing in Israel. Who could but pity the unhappy and unseasonable visitation of the grandchild of Jehoshaphat, were it not that he was degenerated into the family of Ahab? Ahazialı king of Judah is come to visit Jehoram king of Israel; the knowledge of his late received wounds hath drawn thither this kind, ill-captain; his carriage and motion were obmatched ally. He, who was partner of the war, cannot but be a visitor of the wounds. The two kings are in the height of their compliment and entertainments, when the watchman of the tower of Jezreel espies a troop afar off. For ought was known, there was nothing but peace in all the land of Israel; and Judah was now so combined with it, that both their kings were feasting under one roof; yet, in the midst of their supposed safety, the watch-tower is not unfurnished with heedy eyes.. No security of peace can free wise governors from a careful suspicion of what may come, and a providence against the worst. Even while we know of no enemies, the watch tower of due intelligence may not be empty. In vain are dangers foreseen, if they be not premonished; it is all one to have a blind and a mute watchman: this speaks what he sees, "I see a company." Jehoram and Ahaziah, as nettled with this forced patience of expectation, can no longer keep their seats, but will needs hasten their chariots, and fetch that costly satisfaction, which would not be sent, but given. They are infatuated which shall perish, otherwise Jehoram had been warned enough by the forcible retention of his messengers, to expect nothing but an enemy. A friend or a subject could not have been unwilling to be known, to be looked for. Now, forgetting his wounds, he will go to fetch death. Yet when he sees Jehu, whom he left a subject, hopes strive with his doubts : " Is Doubtless Jehoram's head was now full it peace, Jehu?" What may be the reason of thoughts; neither knew he what con- of this sudden journey? is the army foiled struction to put upon this approaching by the Syrians? is Ramoth recovered? or troop. Perhaps the Syrians, he thinks, hath the flight of the enemy left thee no may have recovered Ramoth, and chased further work? or is some other ill news the garrison of Israel: neither can he ima-guilty of thy haste? What means this ungine whether these should be hostile vic- wished presence and return? tors, or vanquished subjects, or conspiring rebels. Every way this rout was dreadful. O Jehoram! thou beginnest thy fears too late: hadst thou been afraid to provoke the God of Israel, thine innocency had yielded no room to these terrors. There needs no stay for an answer: the very face of Jehu, and those sparkling eyes of his, speak fury and death to Jehoram, which yet his tongue angrily seconds: 46 What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts, are so many?" Wicked tyrant! what speakest thou of peace with men, when thou hast thus long waged war with the Almighty? that cursed mother of thine hath nursed thee with blood, and trained thee up in abominable idolatries. A horseman is despatched, to discover the meaning of this descried concourse. He meets them, and inquires of peace; but receives a short answer : "What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me." A second is addressed with the same success. Both attend the train of Jehu, instead of returning. Indeed, it is not for Thou art not more hers, than her sin is private persons to hope to rectify the pub-thine; thou art polluted with her spiritual whoredoms, and enchanted with her hellish | of corruption: the son of good Jehoshaphat witchcrafts now that just God, whom is lost in Ahab's daughter. thou and thy parents have so heinously despised, sends thee by me this last message of his vengeance; which, while he spake, his hand is drawing up that deadly arrow, which shall cure the former wounds with a worse. Too late now doth wretched Jehoram turn his chariot and flee, and cry, Treason, O Ahaziah' There was treason before, O Jehoram! Thy treason against the majesty of God is now revenged by the treason of Jehu against thee. That fatal shaft, notwithstanding the swift pace of both the chariots, is directed to the heart of Jehoram: there is no erring of those feathers which are guided by the hand of destiny. How just are the judgments of God! It was in the field of Naboth, wherein Jehoram met with Jehu; that very ground called to him for blood. And now this new avenger remembers that prophecy which he heard out of the mouth of Elijah, in that very place, following the heels of Ahab, and is careful to perform it. Little did Jehu think, when he heard that message of Elijah, that his hands should act it. Now, as zealous of accomplishing the word of a prophet, he gives charge to Bidkar his captain, that the bleeding carcass of Jehoram should be cast upon that very plat of Naboth. O Naboth's blood well paid for! Ahab's blood is licked by dogs in the very place where those dogs licked Naboth's; Jehoram's blood shall manure that ground, which was wrung from Naboth; and Jezebel shall add to this compost. O garden of herbs dearly bought, royally dunged! What a resemblance there is betwixt the death of the father and the son, Ahab and Jehoram! Both are slain in their chariots, both with an arrow, both repay their blood to Naboth. And how perfect is this retaliation! Not only Naboth miscarried in that cruel injustice, but his sons also; else the inheritance of the vineyard had descended to his heirs, notwithstanding his pretended offence. And now, not only Ahab forfeits his blood to this field, but his son Jehoram also. Face doth not more answer to face, than punishment to sin. It was time for Ahaziah, king of Judah, to flee. Nay, it had been time long before to have fled from the sins, yea, from the house of Ahab. That brand is fearful which God sets upon him: "He did evil in the aight of the Lord, as did the house of Ahab;" for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab. Affinity is too often guilty Now he pays for his kind alliance, accompanying the son of Ahab in his death, whom he consorted with in his idolatry. Young Ahaziah was scarce warm in his throne, when the mismatched blood of Athaliah is required from him. Nothing is more dangerous than to be imped in a wicked family; this relation too often draws in a share both of sin and punishment. Who would not have looked that Jezebel, hearing of this bloody end of her son and pursuit of her ally, and the fearful proceedings of this prosperous conspiracy, should have put herself into sackcloth and ashes; and now, finding no means either of defence or escape, should have cast herself into such a posture of humiliation as might have moved the compassion of Jehu? Her proud heart could not suddenly learn to stoop; rather she recollects her high spirits, and, instead of humbling her soul by repentance, and addressing herself for an imminent death, she pranks up her old carcass, and paints her wrinkled face, and, as one that vainly hopes to daunt the courage of an usurper by the sudden beams of majesty, she looks out, and thinks to fright him with the challenge of a traitor, whose either mercy or justice could not be avoided. Extremity finds us such as our peace leaves us. Our last thoughts are spent upon that we most care for. Those, that have regarded their face more than their soul, in their latter end are more taken up with desire of seeming fair, than being happy. It is no marvel if a heart, obdured with the custom of sin, shut up gracelessly. Counterfeit beauty agrees well with inward uncleanness. Jehu's resolution was too strongly settled to be removed with a painted face, or an opprobrious tongue. He looks up to the window, and says, "Who is on my side, who?" There want not those everywhere, which will be ready to observe prevailing greatness. Two or three eunuchs look out; he bids them " throw her down:" They instantly lay hold on their lately adored mistress, and, notwithstanding all her shrieks and prayers, cast her down headlong into the street. What heed is to be taken of the deep professed services of hollow-hearted fol lowers? All this while they have humbly, with smiles and officious devotions, fawned upon their great queen; now, upon the call of a prosperous enemy, they forget their respects, her royalty; and cast her down, as willing executioners, into the jaws of a fearful death. It is hard for greatness to Thus must pride fall; insolent, idolatrous, cruel Jezebel, besprinkles the walls and pavement with her blood; and now those brains, that devised mischief against the servants of God, are strewed upon the stones; and she, that insulted upon the prophets, is trampled upon by the horses' heels: The wicked is kept for the day of destruction, and shall be brought forth to the day of wrath." 44 Death puts an end commonly to the highest displeasure. He, that was severe in the execution of the living, is merciful in the sepulture of the dead: "Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her, for she is a king's daughter." She, that upbraided Jehu with the name of Zimri, shall be interred by Jehu as Omri's daughter-in-law, as a Sidonian princess; somewhat must be yielded to humanity, somewhat to state. The dogs have prevented Jehu in this purpose, and have given her a living tomb, more ignoble than the worst of the earth; only the scull, hands, and feet of that vanished carcass, yet remain; the scull which was the roof of all her wicked devices, the hands and feet which were the executioners, these shall remain as the monuments of those shameful exequies; that future times, seeing these fragments of a body, might say, "The dogs were worthy of the rest: thus Jezebel is turned to dung and dog's meat; Elijah is verified, Naboth is revenged, Jezreel is purged, Jehu is zealous, and, in all, God is just." JEHU KILLING THE THERE were two prime cities of the ten tribes, which were the set courts of the kingdom of Israel - Samaria and Jezreel. The chief palace of the kingdom was Jezreel, the mother city of the kingdom was Samaria. Jehu is possessed of the one, without any sword drawn against him; Jezreel willingly changes the master, yielding itself to the victor of two kings, to the avenger of Jezebel: the next care is Samaria; either policy or force shall fetch in that head of the tribes. The plentiful issue of princes is no small assurance to the people. Ahab had sons | enough to furnish the thrones of all the neighbour nations, to maintain the hopes of succession to all times. How secure did he think the perpetuation of his posterity, when he saw seventy sons from his own loins! Neither was this royal issue trusted either to weak walls or to one roof; but to the strong bulwarks of Samaria, and therein to the several guards of the chief peers: it was the wise care of their parents not to have them obnoxious to the danger of a common miscarriage, or of those emulations which wait upon the cloyedness of an undivided conversation, but to order their separation, so as one may rescue other from the peril of assault, as one may respect other out of a familiar strangeness. Had Ahab and Jezebel been as wise for their souls, as they were for their seed, both had prospered. Jehu is yet but in his first act: if all the sons of Ahab bleed not, the prophecy is unanswered; there shall be no need of his sword, his pen shall work all this slaughter. He writes a challenge to Samaria, and therein to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, daring them, out of the confidence in their defenced city, in their chariots and horses, in their associates and arms, to set up the best of their master's sons on his father's throne, and to fight for his succession. All the governors of Ahab's children conspire in one common fear. No doubt there wanted not in that numerous brood of kings, some great spirits, that, if at least they attained to the notice of this design, longed for a revenge, and suggested counsels of resolution to their cowardly guardians. Shall an audacious usurper run thus away with the crown of Israel? Shall the blood of Jezebel be thus traitorously spilt, thus wilfully forgotten? O Israelites, can you be so base, as to be ruled by my father's servant? Where are the merits of Ahab and Jehoram? What is become of the loyal courage of Israel? Doubtless ye shall not want able seconds to your valour. Do ye think the royal and potent alliances of our mother Jezebel, and the remaining heirs of Judah, can draw back their hands from your aid? will they endure to swallow so cruel an indignity? Stir up your astonished fortitude, O ye nobles of Israel! redeem your bleeding honour, revenge this treacherous conspirator, and establish the right of the undoubted heirs of your sovereign. But as warm clothes to a dead man, so are the motions of valour to a fearful heart: "Behold, two kings stood not before him, how then shall we stand?" |