Sect. 20.
The Argvment.
Assuerus Acts upon Record:
The just mans vertue, and reward.
And
Assuerus stretcht his heavy hand,
Laying a Tribute both on Sea, and Land;
What else he did, what Trophies of his fame,
He left for time to glorifie his Name,
With what renowne and grace, he did appay,
The faithfull heart of loyall Mordecai;
Are they not kept in endlesse memory,
Recorded in the Persian History?
For Mordecai possest the second seat
In all the Kingdome, and his name is great;
Of God and man his vertues were approv'd,
Of God and man, much honour'd and belov'd;
Seeking his peoples good, and sweet prosperity,
And speaking joyfull peace to his posterity.
Meditat. 20.
Thus thrives the man, thus prosper his endevors
That builds on faith, & in that faith persevers:
It is no losse, to lose; no gaine, to get,
If he that loses all, shall win the Set:
God helpes the weakest, takes the losers chayre,
And setting on the King, doth soone repayre
His losse with vengeance; Hee's not alway best
That takes the highest place, nor he the least
That sits beneath: for outward fortunes can
Expresse (how great, but) not how good's the man;
Whom God will raise, he humbles first a while;
And where he raises, oft he meanes to spoyle.
It matters not (Lord) what my fortunes be,
May they but lead or whip me home to thee.
