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A15408 Hexapla in Genesin & Exodum: that is, a sixfold commentary upon the two first bookes of Moses, being Genesis and Exodus Wherein these translations are compared together: 1. The Chalde. 2. The Septuagint. 3. The vulgar Latine. 4. Pagnine. 5. Montanus. 6. Iunius. 7. Vatablus. 8. The great English Bible. 9. The Geneva edition. And 10. The Hebrew originall. Together with a sixfold vse of every chapter, shewing 1. The method or argument: 2. The divers readings: 3. The explanation of difficult questions and doubtfull places: 4. The places of doctrine: 5. Places of confutation: 6. Morall observations. In which worke, about three thousand theologicall questions are discussed: above forty authors old and new abridged: and together comprised whatsoever worthy of note, either Mercerus out of the Rabbines, Pererius out of the fathers, or Marloran out of the new writers, have in their learned commentaries collected. By Andrew Willet, minister of the gospell of Iesus Christ. Willet, Andrew, 1562-1621.; Willet, Andrew, 1562-1621. Hexapla in Genesin. aut; Willet, Andrew, 1562-1621. Hexapla in Exodum. aut 1633 (1633) STC 25685; ESTC S114193 2,366,144 1,184

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other maintenance and living he holdeth it to be a deadly sinne And therefore it was the old use in the consecration of Bishops to aske of him that was consecrated vtrum velit Episcopatum whether he would have a Bishoprike who was twice to say nay but if any such desired a Bishopricke induceret illum ad mentiendum he that asked such question should enduce him to lie Thus farre Tostatus proceedeth well 2. But whereas that place of the Apostle will be objected If any man desireth the office of a Bishop he desireth a good worke 1 Tim. 3.1 he answereth he desireth indeed bonum opus a good worke but not bene he desireth it not well whereas the Apostle in these words as Hierom expoundeth them Ad operis desiderium non ad honoris ambitum provocat doth rather provoke and stir up unto the desire of the work not ambitiously to seek the honour c. The Apostle then in these words reprehendeth not but alloweth their desire which affect the callings of the Church rather prodesse quam praesse to profit others than to rule as Augustine saith 3. Wherefore this further may be added that in seeking or desiring the places and offices of the Church there are two extremes to be shunned the one was the fault of former times when they which otherwise were well qualified and enabled for Ecclesiasticall functions did altogether decline them and utterly refused to take that calling upon them as one Ammonius when he should have been ordained a Presbyter cut off one of his eares and threatned if they would not let him alone to cut out his tongue to make himselfe altogether unfit for that calling The other fault is incident to this age ambitiously to sue and seeke for the preferments of the Church such an one was Diatrephes who loved to have preeminence Wherefore that a meane may bee kept in desiring the places in the Church three things must bee considered 1. Hee that hath any mind to an Ecclesiasticall calling must first examine himselfe whether hee bee fitted and enabled with gifts and that in an humble opinion not in a blind selfe-love but such an one as is not furnished with gifts sinneth in putting himselfe forward to that place for the which he is not meet 2. He must propound unto himselfe as the chiefe and principall end the glorie of God and the edifiing of the people and not for maintenance or living sake offer himselfe 3. Hee must take heed that he use no indirect or unlawfull meanes by flatterie or briberie to creepe in and intrude himselfe 4. These conditions being well observed and these times withall considered wherein partly because of the great number and choice to bee had of sufficient men but most of all because vertue and learning is not duely respected and rewarded preferment is not offered unasked and undesired he that desireth a place in the Church as the Apostle saith desireth a good thing and therein is not to be discommended QUEST V. When the Tabernacle began to be set up Vers. 17. THus was the Tabernacle reared up the first day of the first moneth c. 1. Cajetane hereupon noteth that the Tabernacle was set up before one yeare was expired since their comming up out of Egypt whence they departed upon the fifteenth day of the first moneth so that there wanted fifteene daies of a full yeare This collection is verie evident out of the text and therefore Lippoman following the Septuagint had no reason to reject it 2. Simlerus thinketh that the Tabernacle which could not be set up in one day was begun to be set up before and now finished on the first day of the moneth which used to be a solemne day and it is like they kept not that solemnitie untill the Tabernacle was erected But it is evident by the text that Moses began now only to set up the Tabernacle upon the first day of the first moneth because the Lord appointeth that day for Moses to set it up in vers 2. therefore he began not before And the day wherein they began to set it up might be kept as a solemne day as well as the day wherein it was finished yet it may be thought that the feast of the new moone was not yet observed the Priests being not yet consecrated to whose office it belonged to solemnize that day with sacrifices 3. R. Salomon saith there were two erections and setting up of the Tabernacle one was quotidiana every day when it was set up in the morning and taken downe againe at night the other was stabilis erectio the sure or firme erecting of it which continued till the campe removed the first erecting of it began seven daies before but the second solemne and stable erecting was upon the first day of the first moneth Contra. This is the Rabbines owne device that the Tabernacle was every day set up and taken downe againe for it is contrarie to the text which saith that the cloud of the Lord was upon the Tabernacle by day and fire by night vers 37. untill the cloud ascended and then they went forward but if the Tabernacle were taken downe in the night the fire could not rest upon it 4. Calvine taketh this erecting of the Tabernacle for the removing of it from without the campe where it was set up and bringing of it within the host for his opinion is that the Tabernacle was set up before Moses going up the second time into the mount when he removed it without the host chap. 33.7 Contra. But that Tabernacle was not this great Tabernacle but another where Moses used to consult with God as is further shewed in the handling of that place And the great Tabernacle was made after Moses second comming downe as it is set downe in storie which without great necessitie is not to be transposed and as soone as the work was finished they brought it to Moses and then the Lord spake to Moses to set it up 5. Wherefore I encline rather to thinke that Moses according to the Lords commandement began onely upon the first day of the first moneth to set up the Tabernacle and so continued untill he had finished for in one day it was not all set up as it may be gathered chap. 7.1 VVhen Moses had finished the setting up of the Tabernacle hee did not then begin and finish in one day QUEST VI. What Testimonie was put into the Arke Vers. 20. HE tooke and put the testimonie in the Arke c. There were in and beside the Arke these foure things the tables of the Law the pot of Manna Aarons rod and the booke of the Law which Moses writ but none of these are heere understood by this Testimonie but only the tables of the Law 1. The pot of Manna was a testimonie of Gods mercie that he had fed the Israelites with the bread of heaven fortie yeares in the wildernesse but that was not this Testimonie for Aaron is bid to take the pot of Manna and put it there chap. 16.33 who was not yet consecrated Priest 2. And for the same reason Aarons rod though
it were a testimony that God had chosen Aaron his seed for the priesthood yet it was not this Testimonie for at that time when Aarons rod budded he was the high Priest but at the erection of the Tabernacle Aaron was not yet consecrated 3. Neither was the booke which Moses writ this Testimonie for that is supposed to bee the booke of Deuteronomie which was not yet written and that booke was given by Moses to the Levites by them to be put in the side of the Arke Deut. 31.26 but this Testimonie was put by Moses himselfe in the Arke 4. Therefore this Testimonie was no other than the tables of the Law called the tables of the Testimonie chap. 31.18 and 34.29 which were so named because they testified Gods will unto the people and were witnesses and testimonies of the league and covenant which the Lord made with his people Tostatus quaest 6. QUEST VII Whether the tables of the law were put into any other Arke beside the Arke of the Testament Vers. 20. HE put the Testimonie in the Arke 1. R. Salom. thinketh that the tables of the Law were put into another Arke which Moses made and when the Arke with the Mercie seate was finished then he put them into that for there were seven moneths betweene Moses comming downe with the second tables untill the Tabernacle was erected when and not before Moses put them into the Arke of the most holy place it is not like that all that time the tables were kept without an Arke and Deut. 10.5 Moses saith I made an Arke of Shittim wood and hewed two tables of stone c. There was then one Arke made before Moses hewed the tables of stone 2. But this Arke heere mentioned by Moses was none other than that which was made by Bezaleel for the tables of stone for Moses saith Deut. 10.5 there they be they were at that time long after the erecting of the Tabernacle in the same Arke before mentioned but that was the Arke of the Sanctuarie And during all that time after Moses comming downe the tables of the Law were kept in some convenient place till the Arke was made so that it is not necessarie to imagine any other Arke beside that Tostatus qu. 7. QUEST VIII When the Priests were consecrated whether at the erecting of the Tabernacle or after Vers. 27. ANd burnt incense thereon Moses did supplie the office of the Priests in burning of incense setting up the lampes offering sacrifices upon the brasen altar at the erecting up of the Tabernacle because as yet Aaron and his sonnes were not consecrated 1. Some thinke that their consecration began together with the erecting of the Tabernacle and so continued seven daies and the eig●th day their consecration was finished as is set forth Levit. 8.8 and then began the Princes their offerings for twelve daies together Numb 7. and some will have these seven daies to end at the first day of the first moneth of the second yeare some to begin then as Tostat. qu. 2. But neither of these can stand for as soone as Moses had made an end of consecrating the Tabernacle the Princes the same day began to offer Numb 7.2 But they offered not before the people were numbred for they were the Princes over them that were numbred Now these Princes with their people were not numbred before the first day of the second moneth of the second yeare Numb 1.1 therefore the erecting of the Tabernacle was not finished and the Priests consecrated in the space of seven daies immediately before the first day of the first moneth or immediately after 2. R. Salom. hath a conceit that there was a double erecting of the Tabernacle one was every day for seven daies in which time the Priests also had their seven daies of consecration which ended upon the first of the first moneth and then there was another solemne erection of the Tabernacle to continue when the Princes began to offer But this Rabbinicall conceit is confuted before qu. 4. neither did the Princes offer in the first but in the second moneth as is shewed before 3. Some thinke that Aaron was first consecrated before the Tabernacle that he might consecrate it and the other things thereunto belonging But it is evident in the text that Moses is commanded to anoint the Tabernacle himselfe and all things therein Simlerus 4. Yet it is not to be supposed that the whole Tabernacle and all the implements and vessels thereof were sanctified before Aaron and his sonnes were consecrated for immediately after that Moses had made an end of sanctifying the Tabernacle and the instruments therof the very same day began the twelve Princes of the tribes to offer the summe of whose offering for sacrifice was twelve bullockes twelve rammes twelve lambes for a burnt offering twelve hee-goats for a sin offering 24. bullocks 60 rammes 60. lambes 60. hee-goats for peace offerings Numb 7.8.88 all these could not bee sacrificed by Moses alone therefore it cannot be but that Aaron and his sonnes were consecrated before the Princes brought their offerings 5. I incline therefore to Iunius opinion that after Moses had consecrated the Tabernacle with the instruments thereof then last of all hee consecrated the Altar with the instruments thereof and because the Priests office was most exercised about the altar at the same time also their consecration concurred with the sanctifying of the Altar or went immediately before And this may bee gathered that the Altar was last of all consecrated and somewhat after the rest because they are distinguished the anointing of the Tabernacle and all the instruments thereof and the anointing of the Altar with the instruments thereof Numb 7.1 6. Seeing then that the Princes began to offer immediately after the Altar was anointed which was the second day of the second moneth for upon the first day of the moneth the people were numbred Numb 1.1 and they were so numbred before the offerings began Numb 7.2 it is like as Iunius well noteth upon that place that the first moneth was spent in the erecting of the Tabernacle and the consecrating thereof QUEST IX Why the Priests were commanded to wash their hands and their feet Vers. 31. SO Moses and Aaron and his sonnes washed their feet thereat c. 1. The literall reason why they were commanded to wash their hands and their feet was this that seeing it was meet that they which should handle the holy things should approach even with pure hands in respect of outward cleannesse these parts are especially commanded to be washed because the hands with handling touching of things and the feet with walking are most apt of all the parts of the bodie to gather soile 2. There might be uncleannesse also in other parts of the bodie as by nocturnall pollutions by the flux of seed and
Calvin thinketh the word also signifieth to he Iud. 7.12 so that this is the sense that he lay that is dwelt as the Septuagint and Chalde translate before his brethren that is he bordered upon them his brethren the sonnes of Keturah not he onely in person but his posterity inhabiting this large countrey whereof the desart of Sur was the bounds on the south the land of Chavilah not that in India but another in Arabia where the Geographers place the Chaulateans on the East Assiria on the North so that this sheweth the accomplishment of that prophecie Gen. 16.12 he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren Mercer Iun. QUEST XX. Why Isaack is againe said to be the sonne of Abraham Vers. 19. THese are the generations of Isaack Abrahams sonne c. 1. Although the birth of Iacob and Esau was long before Ismaels death for at that time Ismael was but 74. yeares old 14. yeare elder than Isaack who was 60. at the birth of his children but Ismael lived in all 137. yeare yet Moses finisheth and knitteth up briefly the story of Ismael because he maketh haste to set downe the story of Isaack and Iacob the Patriarkes of the Church and people of God 2. Yet hee dwelleth not long in the history of Isaack handling the life and acts of Iacob in the most part of this booke behinde and as it may appeare for these reasons 1. Because all the children of Iacob the twelve Patriarkes were founders of the visible Church whereas Esau came of Isaack 2. For that greater variety of temptations and changes happened to Iacob than to Isaack wherein he shewed experiment of his vertue 3. More excellent visions were manifested to Iacob than to Isaack six in all Genes 28.2 Genes 31.3 cap. 32.4 and 5. chap. 35.6 Gen. 46. whereas two onely were revealed to Isaack expressed c. 26. ex Perer. 3. Isaack is here againe called the sonne of Abraham not because some sorcerers of that time held him to be Abimelechs sonne and therefore to put the matter out of doubt hee is againe repeated to be Abrahams sonne thus the Hebrews conjecture but because Genealogers must beginne from the first famous author or father Moses beginneth with Abraham to whom such large promises were made concerning his seed QUEST XXI Why Isaack staid three yeares after Sarahs death for Rebecca Vers. 20. ISaack was 40. yeare old when he tooke Rebecca to wife c. 1. The Hebrewes doe but fable that Rebecca was borne about Sarahs death and that Isaack stayed for her 3. yeares after for though the report of Rebec●a her birth about that time came to Abraham Gen. 22. yet then it was not done and if Rebecca had beene then borne Isaack must have stayed longer for her than 3. yeares Rasi thinketh Rebecca was then 10. yeare old and that Isaack stayed for her three years more but it is more like that she was then 30. yeares of age ten yeares younger than Isaack as Sarah was to Abraham Mercer 2. Rupertus allegorie also is but forced that as Sarah died 3. yeares before the marriage of Isaack and Rebecca so from the baptisme of Christ three yeares before his passion the law began to die 3. Mention is here made of Bethuel and Laban to shew the grace of God toward Rebecca that was a rose between two thornes having a superstitious both father and brother Muscul. as also Laban is brought in to make a way for the storie following whose daughters Iacob married Iun. QUEST XXII Whence Mesopotamia was called Padan Vers. 20. OF Padan Aram. This was not the name of a city but a country for the name of Laban and Bethuels city was Charran 1. It was not called Padan Aram that is the region or countrey of Aram. 2. Neither because Padan in the Syrian tongue signifieth a paire is it so called because there were two countreys of Syria or Aram Aram Soba and Aram Naharaim or Mesopotamia and the name of Padan to be given to Mesopotamia as the chiefe 3. But a part of Mesopotamia was so called because of two floods which parted and divided the river Chaborah and Euphrates a monument of this name Padan appeareth in the name Aphadans given unto two townes one situate by Euphrates the other by the river Chabora Iunius ex Ptolem. QUEST XXIII Wherefore barren women were the mothers of the Church Vers. 21. BEcause she was barren We finde in Scripture that many excellent women appointed to be the mothers of holy men were barren as Sara Rebecca Rachel Anna the mother of Samuel Elizabeth the mother of Iohn Baptist the reasons are yeelded to be these 1. That we might know genus Israeliticum non naturali successione sed gratia esse multiplicatum that the Israelites were multiplied not by naturall succession but by grace Theodoret. qu. 74. in Genes 2. Vt ex mirabili partu sterilium foemmarum praestrueretur fides partus virginis that by the miraculous bearing of barren women a way mihgt be made to beleeve the birth of a virgin Chrysost. hom 49. in Genes 3. This was also done ad consola●dos autmos sterilium conjugum to comfort the minds of barren couples Chrysost. ibid. 4 It might be that God would qualifie the excesse of Isaacks love by this meanes Calvin QUEST XXIV Why and how long Isaack prayed for his wife Vers. 21. ISaack prayed to the Lord for his wife 1. He knew that the impediment was in his wife and not in himselfe because of Gods promise made to Abraham Gen. 21.17 I will greatly multiplie thy seed and therefore he prayeth for Rebecca 2. It is not like that hee continued in this prayer twenty yeares so long as Rebecca was barren as Chrysostome thinketh hom 49. in Gen. for some experience Isaack first had of her barrennesse which could not be immediately after their marriage 3. Neither as Rasi did hee expect ten yeares as Abraham so long tooke triall of Sarah before hee tooke Hagar and hereupon the Hebrewes after ten yeares triall of barrennesse doe take liberty to repudiate their wives for the ten yeares after the which Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham are to be counted not from their marriage but from their comming into Canaan 4. The time therefore cannot be presently set how many yeares Isaack continued praying for his wife but it is like he continued and waited in prayer for so the word gnathar here used signifieth to frequent and multiply prayer 5. And where the word is nocach he prayed in respect or toward his wife we need neither to understand his wife alway to be present when he prayed or that they prayed together one in one corner the other in another as the Hebrewes but the meaning is that he prayed in the behalfe of his wife though it is not unlike but that sometime they prayed together QUEST XXVII Why Isaack did not thinke of second marriage as Abraham tooke Agar NOw Isaack seeing his wife to be barren did not take unto him
and handle them roughly to bring them to knowledge and confession of their treachery against him so Christian governors should not put the Iewes to death but use them hardly by laying taxes and impositions upon them that at the length they may be brought to repentance for their blasphemies against Christ as it is in the Psalme Slay them not lest my people forget it but scatter them abroad by thy power Psal. 59.12 Rupert lib. 9. comment in Gen. cap. 4. 2. Doct. Where the feare of God is not there can be no true vertue Vers. 18. THis doe and live for I feare God c. Ioseph biddeth them bee secure of his sincere and true dealing with him because he feared God so that true religion is the fountaine of vertue and honest dealing they therefore that feare not God may for a while make a semblance and shew of honestie but it cannot be in truth where the ground of true religion is wanting where therfore the feare of God is not we cannot expect any vertuous action as Abraham reasoned with himselfe when he sojourned in Gerar The feare of God is not in this place and they will slay me for my wives sake Gen. 20.12 3. Doct. The guilt of sinne remaineth when the act is past Vers. 21. THey said one to another we have verily sinned against our brother By this wee learne that although the act of sinne be done and past yet the guilt and conscience of sinne may continue as here the sinne which they had committed against Ioseph 23. yeares before is revived Muscul. As the Lord said to Cain If thou doest not well sinne lieth at the doore Gen. 4.7 It lieth lurking in the doore of the conscience ready upon every occasion to assault us 4. Doct. The author of affliction it commeth not by chance Vers. 28. WHat is this that God hath done unto us These men having a guilty conscience thinke that God meeteth with them in every corner yet this good perswasion they have that nothing hapned to them by chance as this the finding of their mony in their sacks mouth but they ascribe all to Gods providence they make him the authour of their crosses and affliction Calvin As David in like manner saith that the Lord bid Shemei curse him 2 Sam. 16.11 5. Places of Confutation 1. Confut. Saint Pauls prophecie of some that should give eare to the doctrine of devils fulfilled in the Synagogue of Rome Vers. 6. THey bowed their face to the ground before him Here Iosephs brethren unwittingly doe fulfill Iosephs prophecie that they should fall downe unto him and doe him reverence like as the Jewes did ignorantly accomplish many things in the passion of Christ which were foretold by the Prophets So also they which in these dayes give eare to the doctrines of devils in the Romish and Antichristian Synagogue doe fulfill the prophecie of the Apostle 1 Tim. 4.1 some of them of ignorance and simplicity but their blinde guides of malice and obstinacie against the truth Muscul. 2. Confut. Against Purgatory Vers. 8. IOseph knew his brethren but they knew not him Augustine propounding this question how it came to passe that all this time of Iosephs prosperity he sent no word to Iacob but he continued still mourning for his sonne giveth this reason Quoniam sine istis minutis peccatis Iacob esse non potuit volens Deus illa parva peccata in hoc seculo igne tribulationis consumere c. Because Iacob could not be without some small sinnes God would by this meanes purge them with the fire of tribulation in this world serm 82. de tempor If small sinnes then which they call veniall bee purged in this world then there is nothing remaining to be cleansed in purgatory fire afterward which they say serveth to the purging not of mortall but veniall sinnes and indeed Iob well sheweth that our purgatory fire is in the affliction and sorrow of this life where he saith Exibo ut aurum I shall come forth like gold Iob 23.10 And the Prophet saith That the Lords fire is in Sion and his furnace at Ierusalem Isa. 31.9 it is not then in hell or Purgatory I much muse that Pererius alleaging this sentence of Augustine could not perceive how strongly it maketh against Purgatory 3. Confut. Against the swearing by Saints Vers. 15. BY the life of Pharaoh ye shall not goe hence c. Thomas Aquinas justifieth this fact of Ioseph in swearing by the life of Pharaoh and would warrant thereby the swearing by creatures as namely by Saints for an oath saith he is made two wayes by execration when some creature is produced that God should shew his judgement upon if one sweare falsly as when one sweareth by his head or such like the other way is by contestation either directly when the name of God is mentioned or indirectly when some creature is named in whom the truth should be manifested so we sweare by the Gospell wherein Gods truth is expressed by Saints that beleeved in the truth so Ioseph sware by Pharaoh a minister of Gods truth and justice Thom. 2.2 qu. 89. ar 6. Con●ra 1. This subtill disputer doth justifie that kinde of oath which is directly forbidden by our Saviour himselfe as to sweare by the head Matth. 5.36 Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head wee may justly suspect him in the rest when at the first he dare controll the holy doctrine of the Gospell 2. Men use not to sweare by the Gospell but upon it when they lay their hands upon the book for so we reade that the Saints have used some visible ceremonie and rite in taking an oath as Abrahams servant layed his hand upon his masters thigh Gen. 24.3 Iacob did sweare unto Laban upon an heape of stones but neither did the one sweare by his masters thigh nor the other by the stones but by the name of God Gen. 24.3 Gen. 31.53 Iacob sware by the feare of his father Isaack after the same manner is a booke used as a visible object for further evidence in the ministring of an oath but Saints are neither visible nor present and therefore the case is not alike 3. It is also directly forbidden to sweare by any but by the Lord Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God and serve him and sweare by his name and though onely be not here found yet our Saviour so interpreteth Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Matth. 4.10 and so consequently by him onely shalt thou sweare 4. Concerning Iosephs act I have shewed before quest 9. that although it may be somewhat qualified and extenuated yet it cannot be justified but it savoureth somewhat of the Egyptian manners and seemeth to be against that place Zephan 1.5 where the Prophet reproveth those that sweare by the Lord and sweare by Malcham that is their King whether they made the idoll or a mortall man their King both abuses are here reproved 6. Places
particular persons God is said to have done it and not the Angels as it is said God prepared a worme to smite Ionas gourd Ion. 4.7 Therefore this observation also of Tostatus is untrue 4. But this evasion he hath that if the name of God be used and not of the Angels in such small and particular workes it is for the confirming of those that be weake but they which are weake because they cannot ascend at the first or comprehend the majesty and omnipotency of God had so much the more need by the secondary ministration of Angels to bee brought unto that high and deepe apprehension of God And indeed the ministry of Angels serveth especially for the comfort and supporting of the weake whose faith not serving them immediatly to depend upon God are the more easily brought to have confidence in him by the subordinate deputation and ministry of Angels So when Daniel was in great distresse and perplexity in the lions denne God sent his Angell to stop the mouth of the lions and to comfort Daniel Dan. 6.22 So when Ioseph was doubtfull what to doe concerning Mary an Angell of the Lord appeared unto him in a dreame to confirme him saying Feare not to take Mary for thy wife Matth. 1.20 5. That instance of Iakobs vision of the ladder directly proveth that it was God that appeared unto Iakob and not an Angell 1. Because it is said that Iehovah stood upon it and said by which name of Iehovah no Angell is called in Scripture 2. He that speaketh to Iakob nameth himselfe the Lord God of Abraham 3. He that speaketh is but one but the Angels which ascended and descended were many 4. He saith The land whereon thou sleepest will I give thee and thy seede but the earth is only the Lords 5. Iakob himselfe saith that Iehovah was in that place Gen. 28.16 6. 1. The people were but yet weake while they were in the wildernesse yet then and there that great worke of leading and keeping the people and bringing them to the land of Promise is ascribed to an Angell which was none other but Christ the Angell of Gods presence Exod. 23.20 2. Yea wee shall finde that mention is made oftner in the stories of the Patriarkes and first Fathers of Israel as in the bookes of Genesis and Exodus when they were yet as it were in their infancy of the apparition and ministry of Angels then afterward for it was fit that they should be confirmed by such visible and sensible meanes therefore this reason here alleaged by Tostatus holdeth not 3. And in that place whereof instance is given by Angel is understood some Prophet and man of God not any of the celestiall spirits because the place is named from whence he came from Gilgal and hee is said to ascend or goe up but Angels descend from heaven and it is not unusuall in Scripture to call Prophets the Lords Angels as Hagg. 1.13 and Apocal. 2. and 3. chapter thorowout QUEST XXI Whether it were Iehovah the Lord Christ or an Angell that came downe upon mount Sinai 7. BUt that it was Iehovah himselfe the Lord Christ that appeared in mount Sinai and talked with Moses and gave them the law it is thus proved 1. Because he is called Iehovah which name is never in Scripture given unto Angels 2. Hee saith vers 5. Though all the earth bee mine but the earth is the Lords Psal. 24. not the Angels 3. The Lord here maketh a covenant with his people vers 5. But God himselfe not the Angels make a covenant with men to bee his people And so the Lord saith hee was an husband unto them Iere. 31.32 but Christ and not the Angels is the husband of the Church behold the Church is not the spouse of the Angels but Christs 4. He which writ the Law in tables of stone was the same that gave the Law to Moses but those tables were written by the finger of God Exod. 3● 18 the same finger that writeth in the fleshy tables of mens hearts Ierem. 31.33 2. Cor. 3.2 5. S. Paul saith it was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediatour Gal. 3.14 The Angels attended as ministers and as the Lords instruments were used in those thunders and lightnings But the Lord himselfe the Mediatour both of the old and new Testament was there present as the Author of the Law as Moses saith The Lord came from Sinai c. he came with ten thousand of Saints and at his right hand a fiery Law for them Deut. 33.2 6. He that wrought those wonders in Egypt and carried the people as upon Eagles wings was the same that delivered the Law vers 4. But Iehovah himselfe did the first for many of the wonders in Egypt could not be done by any but the Lord as in converting and changing of one substance into another as of a rod into a Serpent of water into bloud of the dust into lice And so much Tostatus himselfe confesseth Fi●●ant talia portenta quae nullus poterat facere nisi Deus Such wondrous things were done which none could doe but God So it was Iehovah himselfe that did leade the people thorow the red Sea and destroyed the Egyptians as chap. 14.24 Iehovah looked unto the hoast of the Egyptians out of the fiery and cloudy piller who is before called the Angell of God vers 19. which was the Lord Christ called the Angell of the covenant Malach. 3.1 So chap. 15.14 Iehovah brought the waters of the Sea upon them And further that Iehovah himselfe conducted the Israelites is evident Exod. 33.15 My presence shall go with thee And yet the Lord saith Exod. 23.20 Behold I send an Angell before thee to keepe thee in the way but what Angell this was is expressed afterward my name is in him This great Angell of the covenant in whom was Gods name and his presence who else could it be but the Lord Christ the Iehovah And that God himselfe appeared unto the Patriarkes and Prophets and not the Angels onely it is evident Numb 12.8 where the Lord saith Vnto Moses I will speake mouth to mouth c. he shall see the similitude of the Lord and the Apostle witnesseth that he that is Moses endured at he which saw him which is in visible Heb. 11.27 Not that Moses did see the very glory and substance of God who is invisible and whom never man saw nor can see 1. Tim. 6.12 but he saw only his backe parts Exod. 33.14 that is some part of his glory as the Lord thought good to reveale according as Moses was able to apprehend And that in this place it was Iehovah himselfe that came downe in Mount Sinai beside these reasons before alleaged it is the generall opinion of Divines both old and new Gregor Nyssen Praecepit Deus populo per Mose● ut tam corpore quam animo mundus fierit God commanded the people by Moses that they should be cleane both in body and soule Hierom.
into our mouthes by a lawfull oath whereby we call God to be a witnesse unto our soules that we speake the truth this is a kinde of invocation of the name of God and a part of his worship Deut. 6.13 Yee shall serve him and sweare by his name Contrary hereunto are 1. The refusall of a just and lawfull oath when any refuse to testifie the truth upon their oath which may make for the glory of God and the good of our neighbour as the Apostle saith An oath for confirmation is among men an end of strife Hebr. 6.16 2. To take a false oath either in not performing that which is promised by oath or in testifying upon an oath otherwise than the truth is 3. An idolatrous and superstitious oath which is made by any other name than of God only 4. An oath to performe any unlawfull thing such as Herods oath was 5. A rash oath lightly and vainely made without any necessity as in common and usuall talke which abuse is reproved by our blessed Saviour Matth. 5.23 Vrsin 2. Doct. What an oath is COncerning an oath then briefely this it is 1. In a generall sense to take an oath or to sweare is used for the whole worship of God as Isay 45.23 Every knee shall bow unto me and every tongue shall sweare by me and the reason is because we professe him to be our God by whom we sweare 2. But more particularly and properly an oath is defined thus It is an invocation of the name of God as the onely searcher of the heart whereby he that sweareth taketh God to record that he speaketh the truth and wisheth God to punish him if he doe otherwise Vrsin So that two speciall things are intended in an oath 1. To call God as a witnesse that he speaketh the truth as the Apostle saith Galath 1.20 Now the things that I write unto you behold I witnesse before God that I lye not So Thomas Iurare per Deum nihil aliud est qu●m invocare ejus testimonium To sweare by God is nothing else but to call him to witnesse 2. Hee that taketh an oath desireth that God may punish him if hee sweare falsly as the Apostle I call God for a record against my soule or unto or upon my soule 2. Cor. 1.13 Nihil aliud est dicere per Deum ita est nisi quòd Deus puniat me si non ita est It is nothing else to say by God it is so but that God punish me if it be not so Thom. in opuscul 3. Places of Controversie 1. Cont. It is not lawfull to sweare by Saints or other creatures 1. THey take the name of God in vaine which doe sweare by any other than by the name of God and therefore the Romanists are in errour which maintaine the swearing by the name of Saints Rhemist annot Math. 23. v. 21. 1. God commandeth that we should sweare only by his name Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God and serve him and sweare by his name which text our Saviour alleaging Matth. 4. interpreteth it by the word only him only shalt thou serve So also Deut. 10.20 and Exod. 23.13 it is directly forbidden that they should take the name of any other Gods into their mouthes 2. God reproveth those which sweare by any other than by him as Zephan 1.5 I will cut off c. them that worship and sweare by the Lord and sweare by Malcham 3. Invocation belongeth only unto God but the taking of an oath is a kinde of invocation therefore it is a service due only unto God 4. In taking of an oath we call God to be a witnesse unto our soule but God only knoweth the secrets of the heart neither Angell nor Saint Ergo. 5. He that sweareth giveth unto him power to punish him if he sweare falsly but God onely is able to punish the soule Matth. 10.28 Vrsin But it will be objected thus 1. Our Saviour alloweth swearing by creatures Matth. 23.21 Whosoever sweareth by the Temple sweareth by it and by him that dwelleth therein Rhemist annot in hunc locum Answ. 1. Our Saviour here doth not justifie swearing by creatures but confuteth that nice distinction of the Pharisies that it was nothing to sweare by the Temple but by the gold of the Temple vers 16. and sheweth that they could not avoid swearing by God when they did sweare by the Temple because it was the place of his habitation and so they did in such an oath take the name of God in vaine 2. For otherwise if our Saviour should here allow swearing by creatures as by heaven saying He that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God he should be contrary to himselfe for elsewhere he saith Sweare not at all neither by heaven for it is the throne of God Matth. 5.34 2. Object Ioseph did sweare by the life of Pharaoh Gen. 42.15 Answ. 1. Some say that this was no oath but a vehement kinde of asseveration as Hannah saith to Eli As thy soule liveth 1. Sam. 1. and Abner to Saul 1. Sam. 17.56 and so they would have the meaning to bee this as truly as Pharaoh liveth or as I wish his life and health so it is true I say Vrsin Iun. But it is not all one kinde of phrase to say unto one present as thy soule liveth and of one absent to say by his life or soule 2. It sheweth therefore some infirmity rather in Ioseph though hee worshipped the true God yet he had learned to speake as other Courtiers did to sweare by Pharaohs life yet rather of custome of speech or the more cunningly to conceale himselfe from his brethren than of any purposed imitation of their superstitious oathes therefore Iosephs example here can bee no warrant See more of this Hexapl. in Genes c. 42. v. 15. 3. Object It is usuall for men in taking of an oath to lay their hand upon the Gospell therefore it is lawfull to sweare by a creature Answ. 1. Men using this externall signe doe not sweare by it no more than Abrahams servant did sweare by his masters thigh when he put his hand under it Gen. 24. 2. he sware by the name of God· So the Lord saith I lift up mine hand to heaven and say I live for ever Deut. 32.40 And the Angell lift up his hand to heaven but sware by him that liveth for ever Revel 10.6 So they lay their hand upon the booke as a visible signe or seale of the oath but they sweare not by the booke but by God the Author of the booke to this effect as the words are repeated unto them as helpe thee God and the contents of that booke So Thom. Cum jur as per Evangelium jur as per Deum qui dedit Evangelium When thou swearest by the Gospell thou swearest by God which gave the Gospell 4. Object It is not lawfull to profane or speake irreverently of the name of the Virgin Mary or of the