the sonne of Leui was borne 2430 yeares after the creation when he was full 40 yeares old he was called of God to be the leader of his people Israel by a large measure of Gods spirit he spake of sundrie things which were done 2414 yeares before he was borne and also profoundly of manie other things that should befall the people of Israel euen vnto the birth of Christ He wrote this booke neere about 850 yeares after the floud At Iosephs death it had a kind of ceasing This booke comprehends principally foure rhings 1 Creation by the word which was made flesh 2 Destruction by the ouer-running of waters 3 Multiplication of the world by Noah 4 Election of some as of Abraham Isaake c. The Argument of Exodus the second booke of Moses IT is called of the Hebrues Shemoth which is names but of the Graecians later writers it is called Exodus which signifieth a departing and going of Israel out of Aegypt by coÌ„putation it amounteth neerly to a storie of 405 yeres from the death of Ioseph to the lifting vp of the tabernacle in Siloh this booke comprehends principally three things 1 The Deliuerance of Israel out of Aegypt 2 Their Iourney towards Canaan 3 An Order for the seruing of God The Argument of Leuiticus IT is called in Hebrue Vaicrah but the GraeciaÌ„s later writers Leuiticus because it retaineth a memory of some notable acts which were done froÌ„ the beginning of the second yere after the release from Aegypt vnto the beginning of the eleuenth moneth of the 40 yeare which is in some account thirty yeares and partlie because it debateth of ceremonies and such like which were ended in their time This booke containes foure principall thinges 1 Sundry sorts of ofsrings concerning Christ 2 Ciuill orders for the practise of religion 3 Ciuill orders concerning life and maners 4 Diuerse feasts dedicated for religion The Argument of Numbers THis booke is called of the Hebrues Vaiedâ—bber of the Latines Numeri because in the beginning of it Moses numbred the people Israel by their tribes It continueth the storie from the beginning of the second moneth of the second yeare after the deliuerance of Israel out of Aegypt vnto the beginning of the eleuenth moneth of the forteeth yeare of thirty eight yeares and odde It containeth foure things 1 The mustring of men and orders for the preseruation of the Arke 2 Constitutions and lawes for religion 3 Constitutions and lawes for life and maners 4 Particular lawes for reformation The Argument of Deutronomium THis booke is called in Hebrue Ellehaddebarim in Greeke it is called Deut. signifying a Remembrance of things past with an exhortation to the perfourmance of the law from the beginning of the twelfth moneth of the fourteeth yeare vnto the twelfth day of the same moneth after their departure from Pharaoes kingdome This booke breefly repeats the greatest matters that were spoken and laid downe in the former bookes The Argument of Ioshua HE was called Iesus the Emperour of Israel he ruled them victoriously seuenteene yeares he was borne fiftie and three yeares before their going out of Aegypt he died when he was one hundred and ten yeares old 2570 of the world He and Eleazar the high priest is thought to haue penned this booke It approueth the performance of Gods promises and that he neuer saileth by length of time nor by distance of place to remember his ellect as is shewed vs by Ioshua who did conquer the land of Canaan and deuided it among them euen as the Lord had spoken The land for the fertilitie thereof farre beyond all other lands did represent the kingdome of heauen and in regard of the power therof it might well resemble the kingdome of Antechrist Ioshua the conquerour was a figure of Iesus who subdued all things to himselfe The Argument of Iudges IT is called in Hebrue Sophetim according to the Hebrue Greeke and Latine it is called Iudicium because it conneth the gouernment and religion of Gods people from the death of Ioshua vnto Hely the priest about 299 yeres it is supposed that Samuel is the penner thereof it sheweth how God detesteth ingratitude by the great oppressions which was inflicted vpon the people for the same they were of all people in the world most victoriously possessed of all the ioyes in the world and yet they were a people worse than those whose carcases fell in the wildernesse therefore God appointed tyrants ouer them as their gouernours Here is also a perfect president of pardon vpon repentance for when they cried vnto the Lord he destroyed those tirants and gaue them godly rulers The Argument of Ruth SHe is said to liue when Deborah ruled Israel it is thought that the writer of Iudges is the author of this booke because that the Hebrues doe reckon it with the booke of Iudges hir nation and kindred whence she came doth well approue the calling of the Gentiles by Iesus Christ who was to come lineally euen from hir body This booke doth arme all Christians with patience as with the whole armour of God who in the end will get the fame and report of the world The Argument of the first and second of Samuel 1. Chron. 29.29 THe acts of Dauid are they not written in the booke of Samuel the Seer and in the booke of Nathan the prophet and in the booke of Gad the Seer by which wordes it is plaine that Samuel Nathan and Gad did write these bookes In the first of Samuel is shewed the miserie of the people vnder king Saul which was a token of Gods wrath because they were not content with their estate Saul himselfe is set foorth for an example of vnthankefulnes he was hated of God he was hated of the people he was possessed of a deuil Dauid is made heire apparant to the crowne In the second of Samuel is declared the magnanimitie of Dauid who ouercame all the enemies of Gods people wherin he was a figure of Christ The Argument of the first and second of the kings BOth these are in the Hebrue as one The Authours were these 2. Chron. 19.29 seuerallie a part or potion Nathan Ahiah the Silonite Iddo the Seer Iohn and Semeia The first Booke of Kings sheweth vs the vncertaine state of Gods people in this life as by the example of the people vnder diuerse kings vnto the death of wicked Achab who for a little ioy had great annoy God also plagued them because sinne was fauoured and vertue was discountenanced their kingdome was deuided into two parts presently vpon the death of Salamon the one became open enimie to the other for the space of 350 yeares one kingdome was called the kingdome of Iudah whose seat was at Ierusalem the other was called the kingdome of Israel whose seat was at Samaria the one gaue themselues to serue the true God the other to idols Here also is the perfect genealogie of Christ lineally descending from Dauid The second
339. 450 years accounting the years of the oppressors Their storie serues very well to shew the iudgement of God against obstinat sinners and his mercies to the penitent There are many waightie things therein and well worth the perfecting Othoniell Iudg Of the Tribe of Iudah Ehud 3 Beniamin Deborah Barack 6 Nepthali Gedeon 6 Ephraim Ahimelech 8 Ephraim Tola 10 Isachar Iair 10 Manasses Iepthe 11 Ephraim Abelane 12 Iudah Eglon. 12 Zabulon Abden 12 Manasses Sampson 13 Dan. Holy 1. Sā 1 Leui. Oppressours or enemies after the death of Ioshua when the people became secure and carelesse Philistims Iud. 3 These were stirred vp as rods as scourges for the people when they neglected the holy worship and seruice of the highest Canaanites Sidonians Heuits Chusan Eglon. Iudg. 3.  Iabin 4 Madianites 6 Amalakites 6 Philistims 10 Amonites 13 Philistimes Here you may proue ar large the assurance of Gods loue and fauour where good men doe beare rule and are obaied and on the contrarie his iustice where wicked men doe beare rule and the people rebellious in his seruice I haue distinguished the good from the bad as they succeeded so are you to learne them perfectly Read the booke The particulars of the seuenth storie Wherein consider well three kings before the kingdome of Israell was deuided Saule Dauid Salomon Saul Signifieth Desired of the people He was of the tribe of Beniamin which thing was a great prerogatine to that tribe being the least and the last Because the people dispaired in the mercies of God and distrusted his power hauing giuen them manifest assurance of the same he gaue them such a one as they deserued to weet an Hipocrite and an open enemie to all truth and sinceritie who slew all that did weare an Ephod 1. Sam. 10 13 18.19.20.17 and tooke an oth of the people to betray harmelesse and guiltlesse Dauid and the rest Dauid Beleeued God and his kingdome was reckoned when the Ark was recouered to Iudah at Easter so Christ at Easter was proclaimed king He was of the tribe of Iudah of the roote of Iesse he killed a Beare and a great outragious Philistine that defied Israell wherein he was a figure of Christ He had many enemies and infinite distresses therein he was a figure of the church 1 Sam. 16 17 Dauid was vpright exept in this 1. King 15 5. Salomon Signifieth peace so was his kingdome For his wisdome and order in religiō he might wel be a figure of Christ Kin. 11 4.5 2 Sam. 13 14 2 Chro. 3 1. 1 King 12 1 Kin. 11 1 Ezech 37 16.17.18 He fell to extreame sinnes yet he was saued He laid the foundation of the temple in Moriah His kingdome was diuided into two parts according to the words of the Lord vnto him but after 490 yeares were expired it was throwne together againe Immediatly after the death of Salomon the great and entire kingdome of Israel was deuided into two parts whereof one was called the kingdome of Iudah whose seat was at Ierusalem the other was called the kingdome of Israel whose seat was at Samaria The kings of Israel were open and professed enemies to the kings of Iudah Israel was stronger than Iudah for the one had tenne tribes the other onely two that held and tooke part When you read the booke of Samuel or the booke of the Kings marke diligentlie these six necessarie questions 1 Whether the king of Iudah or of Israel 2 Whether he were good or euill 3 What prophet one or more 4 The religion of the people 5 Their manners and conuersation 6 Their prosperitie or aduersitie The particulars of the eight storie Daniel In this booke is set forth a true proportion of Antechrists earthly glorie which for a time reached vnto heauen and mounted ouer all nations the end was as a tree cut downe by the roots with an axe And who sees not herein the prouidence of God in the fulnesse of time shining vpon his sanctuarie which so long had laine waste To make this plaine and to direct your memorie sure I canne deuise no better instruction short and plaine than that which is in my former booke of method Two things must be well marked The one what kings raigned in Babilon during the captiuitie The other what kings raigned and ruled after the captiuitie vntill Christ Three kings during the captiuitie Nabucadnezer Euilmeredech Baltasher Dan. 12 3.4 2. King 25 27. Dan. 5 8. What is to be said of them Nabucadnezer Saw a vision A great Image Dan. 2 31. whose glorie was excellent and very terrible bearing these 5 parts and proportions His Head was as fine gold Breasts and armes of siluer Bellie and thighs of Brasse Legges of yron Feet part of yron and part of clay The true exposition of this image according to the parts thereof as the holy Ghost sets it downe signifieth Nabucadnezer who for his greatnesse is compared to a tree reaching to the heauens that which he saw as a most goodly and glorious image Dan. 4.16 Daniel saw it in a vision verie fierce and terrible as a lion with Eagles wings chopt off It was lifted vp and set vpon his feet as a man and a mans heart was giuen vnto him The other two kings to weet Euilmeredech and Baltashar are referred in comparison to the first who raigned iust 45 yeares as appeareth thus He tooke Iehoiachim king of Iudah in the eight yeare of his raigne Euilmeredech his sonne who succeeded him lifted vp Iehoiachim out of prison where he had lain seuen and thirty yeares in which Iehoiachim was raised vp that makes iust fiue and forty yeres being the whole raigne of this first king Euilmeredech raigned 22 yeares Baltashar raigned 3 yeares Thus you may see plainly the seuenty yeares were fully ended in the particular raigne of these three kings Iere. 25 12. according to a prophesie Now the head of gold is gon off and quite taken away the kings of Babel are extinquished and the seuentie yeares expired In this age the church was exiled vnder rulers of cruell and beastly affections The particulars of the ninth storie WHen the seuentie years were accōplished Leui. 26 40. 1. Kin. 8 46. which were foretold Daniel praied vnto the Lord for the restoring of the desolation of Ierusalem which so long had beene exiled and in disgrace whiles he yet spake and praied the Angell of the Lord came in hast about the euening sacrifice who vttered these words Seuenty yeares are determined vpon thy people and vpon thy holy citie Dan. 9 24 to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Here is an euen reckoning and a iust account cast out of all the times from Daniels vision at the Edict 9 21. vnto the death of Christ the prince of peace Euerie weeke hath seuen daies the Angel means for euerie day in a weeke a yeare seuen daies seuen yeares Leuit. 29 8.9.10 after the reckoning of the Iubile yeare
like els where The seuenth Introduction THe sixteene Prophets and the Reuelation comprehendeth great and notable things past present and to come in reading whereof marke well these that follow called Propheticall 1 Vnder what king in Israel or in Iudah any such prophet did liue one or more good or euil 2 What were the manners of the people and their religion vnder such and such a king compare it with the doctrine of that Prophet 3 Whether such a prophesie were before the captiuitie or after 4 Whether it were before the incarnation of Christ or after Compare the books of the kings with the obseruation or the former inuētion with the books of the prophets and you shall thereby make plaine the one by the other for you shall find that the prophets did apply their doctrine according to their manners where they had to doe The first and second of Chro. will serue verie well for the interpretation of the prophets because it doth enlarge many things spoken in the books of Samuell and Kings The eight Introduction THus I haue aduisedly considered and briefly disposed few principall places how you shall after another sort make interpretation of holy scripture particularly by applying or comparing the old Testament with the new or the new with the old you must be very perfect in them and then make diligent examination which of them shall happen to be in any one place that you haue to vse for the time Consider whether the scripture that you haue in hand be set foorth by Commaundement Promise Ceremonie Type or figure Prophesie Similitude Example Phrase Contradiction Parrable Miracle Allegorie Sacrifice Sacrament Least you should misse by taking one for another I haue verie briefly composed and laid you downe their plaine definition with examples Commaundement Is an imposition a charging willing or requiring of a man frō his owne wil seeme it neuer so good to the accomplishment and doing of another mans wil. And the Lord commanded the man saying Gen. 2 16. Thou shalt eat freely but of the tree of knowledge of good and euill thou shalt not eat 17. Promise Is to assume to vndertake to couenant to indent bargaine and agree is all one thing and to one sence If thou wilt obay diligently the voice of the Lord then the Lord wil set thee on high aboue all nations and these blessings shall fall on thee Deut. 28 1.2.3.4 Blessed in the citie and blessed in the field c. Ceremonie Is an order a constitution disposition rite an element or tradition It is an outward representing vnder a materiall and earthly thing an infallible matter tending to religion and the seruice of God vrged and commaunded by the greatest of power as time place or person doth require hauing an end as Circumcision Being the outward cutting of the foreskin of the flesh representeth the mortification of carnall and earthly affections and lusts and the quickning of the spirit This had an end by Baptisme which is also a ceremonie and hath an end at the second comming of Christ Gen. 7 10.11 Tipe or figure Is that which can be referred neither to religion to manners nor to truth If it command any wicked thing or doe forbid any good thing then it is a type or a figure When it may be taken two manner of waies one way to good Gen. 9 26 14 8. Haeb. 7 1. to 15. Gen. 12 1. to 18.22 to 19. 2. Cor. 12 4. and another way to euill then is it a type or figure Sem or Melchisedech was a perfect figure or type of Christ Iesus both concerning his kingdome and priesthood Prophesie Is a diuining foretelling an interpreting an exorting or aedifying Exod. 7 1.2 1. Cor. 14.3.4 1. Thess 5 20. Eze. 13 1.39 1.2 Sonne of man prophesie against the prophets of Israel and say vnto them that prophesie out of their owne hearts thus saith the Lord. Similitude Is that which beares a resemblance proportion fashion likenesse shew distinction or more plaine manifestation of another matter A similitude is not the same in euerie particular as that which was likened vnto it but it is sufficient if it be like in one Similitudes are neuer set out to confirme or confute but to adorne or to make a matter more plain and it is euermore inferiour to the matter in hand as for example Psal 144. Man is like a thing of nought things of nought worth are still throwne out cast away not sit for any good purpose therefore to be cast out reiected and troden vnder feet so is man as a thing of nought My beloued is like a Roe or a yoong Hart. Cant. 2 9. Here you must consider the qualitie of a Roe or a yoong Hart then you shall see what the beloued of Christ is Like the lillie among the thornes Cant. 2 2. Luk. 13.19.21 Math. 20 1.2 so is my loue among the children of men Like the graine of mustard seed to leuen to vineyard so is the church Marke well the particulars or the sundrie propertie qualitie condition or effect of euerie similitude then apply it to this or that thing or to that matter and you shall be greatly delighted and enlightned Example Is a matter like in effect though not in substance It is the confirmation of another matter whē it hath the selfe same sence although not the selfe same wordes It is well said to be a fit example when a like matter being generall doth proue a particular An example is a matter done and extant in print and in writing Ensample Is that which we see with our eyes daily in the worke of God or conuersations of men which is not printed or written It is an ensample when we ourselues can witnesse the seeing of it and the performing of it An Example is that which hath an end or purpose either to exhort or to dehort from some thing and so is an Ensample The drowning of Pharao in the sea was an example of Gods iustice against obstinate sinners Exo. 14.21 persecuting the godly and resisting the will of God The falling of the tower of Siloh was an example that others should take heed Luke 13 4. The destruction of the cities of Sodome and Gomorrah Gen. 19 23. was an example that we should not delight in sinne Phrases The holy Ghost for our better capacitie and vnderstanding vseth to speake and to deliuer great and waightie matters after a phrase or common speech vsed in the world among ordinary men as thus Nathan said to Saule 1. Sam. 15. The Lord hath cast thee away meaning thereby as men doe cast away things of nought things good for nothing so God hath reiected and cast him off he hath giuen him ouer as a thing nought worth Men say of base and simple things We will cast it away Let not sinne raigne in your mortall bodies meaning by kings gouernement Rom. 6 12. that sinne should not gouerne nor haue dominiō
the third are no people the first that sit vpon the mountains of Samaria the second the Philistins that dwell in Sichimis They that sit vpon the mountaines of Samatia repose themselues vpon the authoritie of Rome the Philistins represent the Turke Sarazens and other miscreants These are the sons of men said Dauid These are the generation of vipers said Iohn Baptist These are the children of darkenesse said S. Paule and these are they say all men that labor to ouer-run our countries to ouerthrow our churches to burne our houses to bereaue vs of our liues and to depriue vs of our queene and both hir and vs of the Gospell They conspire against God like Hipocrites against our quiet queen like traitors against our common weale like spoilers My good countriemen and kinsmen if you will adhibite any credite to my councell if you haue any comfort in the mercifulnesse of God and if you haue any bowels of Christian affection to your posteritie then now at the last get you Bibles leaue off your beads place learned preachers displace Ieroboams Priests walke in the light of the gospell extinguish the light of Tapers and Torches the one brings you the high way to heauen the other the ready way to hell As Ioab tooke hold on the horns of the Alter for the safegard of his life so now take you hold on Iesus Christ for the safegard of your liues All kind of creatures are in an vnitie praising God they call you to ioyne and to vnite your selues with vs in one religion Strange sights haue bin seen in the element and in the earth calling you to repentance fire hath come downe from heauen fishes haue throwne thēselues to land and beasts haue brought foorth vntimely monsters calling you to repentance the earth hath quaked vnder our feete and our houses haue shaken ouer our heads calling you to repentance O ioyne then with vs we wil now ioyne with you let vs goe togither into the house of God hād in hand heart in heart let vs sing one song as with one voice to the praise of our one only God Thus I haue boldly briefly admonished you in the Lord and that you may the better cōtemplate to your cōfort I haue here as you see comprised and composed my two former labors into one with some substraction and with some such addition as may best further you to the speech of his diuine maiesty in your owne person when occasion shal be offered for your selues for your houshold One quarter of a years pains as I haue pointed will bring you 40 years profit in earth and at the expiration thereof aeternall pleasure in heauen And when you haue obtained my promise I desire but your praiers and your meditations to God for me for the posteritie of the religious and magnanimious gentleman Sir William Herberd knight who for his owne part hath runne his race in the faith of Iesus Christ and finished his course according to conscience towards you as may appeare whose body is a sleepe in the Lord and whose soule is in ioy with Iesus Christ There are three sorts of professors that doe suffer great indignitie at the hands and from the hearts of many picke-thanke Parasites stily Sicophants too too hard yea heathenish or rather hellish censures are giuen in and granted out against them I know their obiections vpon long experience and I know that vpon small skill and little reading their turnesicke spirite of giddinesse may easily be quailed although through ignorance and wilfull stubbernnesse they will neuer be answered Good Christian countriemen and courteous Readers I am loath to offend you with tediousnesse about these matters hauing a great shew of indeuour and purpose to draw you to other matters of greater importance I haue therfore thought good and more conuenient to speake of them in the latter end of this booke The first doth partlie concerne this worshipfull gentleman to whom I write for protection The second doth concerne partly mine owne bodily health and the third doth concerne the earthly prosperity and the heauenly faelicity of all the elect and therefore I may not passe it neither may you in any case omit the learning of it that with him and me and with the rest of Gods inheritance you may be readie to defend it And thus for this time I humbly take my leaue and with such conueniencie as I may do now betake my selfe in the feare of God to the matter From Leonard Shordich and county of Middlesex nere London Yours if you be the Lords Edw Vaughan A briefe recitall of the generall heads or places of inuention contained in this booke 1 Away to know or to fetch readilie and roundly al the books in the booke of God either backward or forward in the old and new Testament 2 The Author the originall the occasion and the chiefe matter of euerie such booke 3 The books called Apocrypha how farre they are to be receiued and their imperfectiō when where and by whom found out among themselues 4 The principall stories chaining the whole scripture dispersed here and there in the old and new where euerie such storie doth begin and where it ends with a recitall of the principall matters therin 5 Sir William Herberts account vpon the tenth story of the age and time from the birth of Christ vnto the worlds end 6 Certaine principall obseruations or speciall matter to be marked for the reading and vnderstanding of all such books as are called Laegall 7 Certaine principall obseruations or speciall matter to be marked for the reading and vnderstanding of all such books as are called Sapientall 8 Certaine principall obseruations or speciall matter to be marked for the reading and vnderstanding of all such books as are called Propheticall 9 Other fourteene places and most direct rules how to read and vnderstand euery booke chapter and verse 10 Other foure and forty sure titles or matter supporting or agreeing with all the scriptures to be digested or framed into common places 11 The right vse of positiue Laws 12 The necessitie of Phisicke 13 The excellencie of the Ministerie 1 Introduction LEarne perfectly all the names of the Canonicall bookes as they are in order from Genesis to the Reuelation You must be able readily to render an account what booke is next before or next after any such booke taken in hand Then returne back and learne how many chapters is in euerie booke 2 Introduction NOw you must go ouer these books old and new by some proportion dayly either morning or euening after this maner wherein you shall see many profitable notes and especially the argument or summe of euerie booke it will pleasure you greatly by the report and iudgement of all antient authours The Argument of Genesis THis booke is called of the Hebrues Verescith that is to say Beginning Generation or Creation giuing vs to vnderstand that it containes the creation of all things Moses the son of Amram
of Kings sheweth vs of all famous acts from Achab the king vnto the ransacking of Samaria the captiuating of the people and Hosea their last king here is also the destruction of Ierusalem and the people carried to Babilon The Argument of the 1 and 2 of the Cronicles PAralipomenon in Greeke With the Hebrues both are one it signifieth omitted or things left the Latines call it Verba Dierum The words of daies meaning a Catalogue of things done in former ages it was composed by Iddo and Semeia 1 Cron. comprehendeth briefly all that was excellently done from the creation vnto the restoring of the people from Babilon it handleth exactly the genealogie of Christ 2 Cron. Comprehends chiefly all such matters as were from the death of Salomon vnto the captiuitie of Babilon Some things in these two books are more amplified than in the books of the Kings The Argument of Ezra HE was a priest and towards the law and the author of this booke It containeth the deliuerance of Israel out of Babilon with great fauour authoritie froÌ„ the king for the reedefying of the Temple at Ierusalem it was hindered by the people of the land yet it was finished according to the time foretold by the angel to Daniel This booke doth proue that God punisheth not the godly according to iustice but according to mercie The argument of Nehemiah HE was cup-bearer to Artaxerxes in such credit that he obtained in the twentith yeare of his raigne full authority with licence letters to commaund to the finishing of the decaied places of Ierusalem This booke is coÌ„monly called the 2 of Esdras because he was thought to be the writer and both were ioyned together the same time in the holy seruice of God And in the Hebrue both books are one both comprise the storie neare of 130 years vnto the last Darius There were three special men stirred vp by the Almightie for the comfort of his people hauing long lain in exilement the first was Zorobabel their captaine the setter forward of chiualrie the secoÌ„d was Ezra their priest the setter forward of religion the third was Nehemiah the setter forward of their building This booke sets out many particulars to weet the builders the manner of it their hinderance their religion c. This booke containeth a singular fauour of God towards them that trust for redemption by Christ for that he openly writeth their names in his holy citie that left Babel vpon Gabriels prophesie to build Ierusalem the citie for Christ the great king and therefore the old Hebrues bound Ezra next Daniel because it dependeth all vpon Gabriels prophesie Dan. 9. and all the nation still thence talked of Christ to be their redeemer The Argument of Esther 2 7. SHe was named Hadassa she was maried to Darius the son of Histaspis whose surname was Assuerus vpon the diuorse of queene Vasthi this booke was written by the chonicler of Assuerus it was taken out of the records of the Medes and Persians Xerxes the great warrior was hir sonne by the king it is consonant with the scriptures of God Some hath added to the same six other chapters of Hester which are not sound nor answerable to the rest This booke approueth the assurance of Gods mercies towards his elect in time conuenient euen when all worldly helpes faileth as by the example of Mardocheus and Hester may appeare who as instruments appointed of God did deliuer the Iewes from the decree and dedly sentence of the king moreouer it sheweth that pride hath a fall by the example of Haman The Argument of Iob. THis storie sheweth the religion of Abrahams other kinred thaÌ„ Israell how before the law they held faith and coÌ„science Abrahams kinred in the family of Nahor as Elihu was in Esaus as Eliphas was in his own better line as Bildad of his son Suach was whom many latins and all Greeks commonly make to be of Abraham by Esau because the land Vz in Ier. Lament is in Edom this kinred of hic Abraham in these families held religion and had these men prophets but prophets alwais had not visions for Gods particular dealings though for naturall knowledge and rules of vertue they be sinceare This booke in this argument is most rare containing a disputation of fiue prophets God in the end comming moderator The shortnes of speech the deapth of matter the discourse of Iob for his life of Elihu for naturall philosophie of the rest for the common plaguing of the wicked the thrise holie conclusion of God makes that booke better than all ophir-gold The storie fell out about Moses birth 777 yeres after the deluge Iob I hold to be of Abraham by Kettura and the land Vz to be not that of Esaus Vz but of Nachors whether Abrahams sonnes by Kettura went to seeke dwelling with their eldest cosine of those sonnes of the east And thence so Abrahams sons by Kettura be named Moses was dead before Iob for he liued but 120 yeares and Iob 140 after his temptation Dina is said to be Iobs wife but by men that in sadnesse follow the iests of the Iews who faigne for memorie of storie fables Dina hath in scriptures no husband named nor Iob a wife with hir proper name thereupon Iewes for teaching children readinesse in storie mary Dina that might be Iobs graÌ„dmother to him who followed them in sadnesse were deceiued Herein we are assured vpoÌ„ sufficient practise and proofe of Gods eternall fauour that when al desolations and hazards whatsoeuer are nearest euen then is that man nearest vnto God and in the greatest possibilitie of honor and maiestie Many great and excellent things are herein contained therefore I recommend them vnto your christian diligence The Argument of the Psalms IT is called in Hebrue Sepher Tehilim by the which the Graecians doe expresse musicall instruments It was gathered by Esdra The authors were diuerse as the Psalmes doe witnesse and some are vncertaine yet the matter is sound and good Dauid was the chiefest 2. Sam. 23 and therefore he was called the sweet Psalmist of Israel Moses wrote the 90 and 91 as a fourme of praier Ethan and Theman wrote the 88 and 89 who were men of great wisdome 1 Kin. 4 30 the holy Priests and Leuits wrote the 137. Dauid ordeined wise and skilfull men to make Psalmes and to prophesie with all sorts of instruments as Corah and his sonnes Asaph and his sonnes Ieduthum and his sonnes Heman and his sonnes there were ordained before the Arke of cunning musitiaÌ„ 2. Chro. 15 16.25 1.2 2. Esd 12 40. 288 the instruments were these Meginath Mehiloth Alamoth Gittith Ieduthum Susaâ—eduth Sosainum Salteries Harpes Organes Trumpets Cimballes c. and the Psalmes serue for diuerse purposes as you may easely see if you marke them some for musicke as you may know by then titles some for prayers some for thanksgiuing some for consolation some for doctrine some for prophesie and some for storie
The Argument of the Prouerbs Ecclesiastes Canticles 1. King 4.32.11 SAlomon was the writer of these three bookes as appeares by their Titles and maner of writing after his conuersion In the first he teacheth all people the true wisdome in the vsing of Temporall things In the second he teacheth a contempt of all earthly glorie in regard of ioies in the Lord Iesus In the third he sets out the incomprehensible fauor of God towards all such by their marriage in Christ representing a spirituall and an inseperable coniunction vnder metaphors similitudes and comparisons The Argument of Esaie HE was Amos sonne taken of manie for an Euangelist he spake and taught vnder Vziah Ioatham Ahaz Ezechia and Manasses This booke was written by him a little before his death it contains the doctrine of reconciliation more clearely than the rest It is full of reprehensions and consolations the comming of the Messiah is prooued and the vniting of the Iewes and Gentiles The Argument of Ieremie HE was sonne to Helchia the Priest he wrot this booke and prophesied vnder Iosias Ioiachim and Zedechia at that time as Hierusalem was ransacked and the people captiuated whome Ieremie lamenteth Baruck was his secretarie This booke shewes the captiuitie of Hierusalem and hir people for hir manifold sinnes The Argument of Ezechiel HE was a priest in Babylon fiue yeres of Ichoiachims captiuity This booke doth shew the murmuring of the wicked against the Prophets because they yeelded to Nabuchadnezar Therefore in the first part of this booke he laboureth to confirme his former doctrine that they did well in yeelding for it was decreed by the mouth of God that they should be captiuated then he laboureth with doctrine to assure them of deliuerance againe from this their seruitude and captiuitie The Argument of Daniel HE was in Babilon with Ananias Misael Azarius in Iehoiachims time and he thus prophesied vnder Nabuchadnezer Euilmeredec Baltazar In this book is shewed what hapned to their king and the people during the 70 yeares captiuitie what kings raigned how the people were vsed what should be happen them after their captiuitie vntill Christ The Argument of Hosea IN the daies of Osiah Ioathan Ahas Ezechias kings of Iudah he wrote and prphesied This booke shewes the Idolatrie of the people vnder Ieroboam and their sins by many particulars This prophet was amōg them 70 yeres and they despised him and others The Argument of Ioel. HE prophesied in the daies of Osia and Ieroboam concerning Samaria and wrote the same Herin is shewed the famine and extreame misery that they of Iudah endured because of their idolatrie and obstinacie The Argument of Amos. IN the daies of Osiah and Ieroboam he wrote this he was a poore and a simple shepheard stirred vp of speciall purpose to set foorth Gods glorie by calling the people to repent The Argument of Obadiah HE spake against Edom at which time the pallace of the temple and the citie was set on fire this booke shewes how the Idumeans vexed Israel most cruelly and continually in the highest pitch of their pride God sends this Obadiah to denounce his vengeance against them and good successe vpon his owne inheritance The Argument of Ionah HE spake vnder Amaziah and Ieroboam he controled Phulbelocus of Niniuie who succeeded Sardanapalus This booke sheweth how little his preaching auailed in Israel and how much few words preuailed in Niniuie to the shame of all Israell here is the distruction first of the kingdome of Israel then of Iudah chiefly because they contemned the prophets The Argument of Nahum HE prophesied vnder Ezechia king of Iudah Hosea king of Israel and Salmanazer king of the Assyrians This booke shewes the reuolting of Niniuie from the true profession which they had taken from Ionah they became persecuters of all that professed godlinesse therefore their citie was destroied by Nabucadnezer among whom there was some godly whom God remembreth with his comforts sent by the prophets The Argument of Abacuk HE wrote this booke about the same time and he lamenteth the desolation of the godly and the prosperitie of the wicked who in the end should be captiuated by the Chaldeans The Argument of Sophoniah HE prophesied in the daies of Iosiah the sonne of Ammon king of Iudah The Moabits the Assirians and others who were enemies to Gods people shall come themselues to confusion but the godly by patience shall possesse their soules The Argument of Agge THis prophet Zacharie and Malachie were especially appointed after the captiuitie to cōfort the people to set them forward to the building of the temple at Ierusalem which was a sight of the spirituall Ierusalem This prophet shewes the cause of their captiuitie and exhorteth to repentance The Argument of Zacharie THis prophet wrote the second yeare of Darius in the eight moneth the same matter The Argument of Malachie THis prophet was the last and the next to Iohn Babtist He spake of the captiuitie of the building of Salomons temple and the storie of Esdras and Nehemias he reproues diuerse sinnes and speaks as the two former The Argument of Mathew HE wrote this Gospell in Hebrue eight yeares after the ascention of Christ All the foure Euangelists did write in efect one thing they al entitled their writing Gospell signifiing Good tidings or newes from heauen comprehending the incarnation death resurrection and ascention of Christ being the absolute summe of our redemption and adoption to eternall glorie This Title comprehends all the matter shadowed in the law and perfourmed in the gospell whatsoeuer one writes darkly the other more largely and plainly They varie not in any one thing though their writing be farre in distance for time and place which greatly argueth and augmenteth the trueth and dignitie thereof They entreat in some matters more exactly than in other Mathew laboreth to setfoorth an historicall narration of Christs body to weet of his incarnation his kinred how he was occupied in the time of his life teaching and working miracles to confirme the will of his father he spake of his death and resurrection with such circumstances as belong thereunto The Argument of Marke HE was the disciple and interpreter of Peter Vpō earnest request made to him at Roome he wrote this gospell in Greeke ten yeares after the Ascention of Christ He planted the faith at Alexandria where he died The Argument of Luke HE was a phisition at Antioch the follower of S. Paule who did write this gospell 15 yeares after Christs ascention he died at Constantinople This book most chiefly specifieth of ceremonies which were performed in Christ The Argument of Iohn HE was sonne to Zebedeus the brother of Iames whom Herod be headded at the request of some Bishops in Asia He chiefly handleth Christs diuinitie and wonderfull worke of our reconciliation He wrote this gospell 32 yeares after Christs ascention he died and was buried amongst the Ephesians The Argument of the Acts. THe same was written in Greeke
was called Simeon the son of Iohn the fisher Christ did name him Caephas which is Peter Marke 3. he was one of the Apostles and the chiefest for diuerse causes He spake of works after iustification as S. Iames doth he descendeth into the dueties of each degree and to the conuersation of the Gentils It was written vpon the occasion of Siluanus being long with S. Paule and trauelling to Babilon met with S. Peter who deliuered him this Epistle generall The Argument of the second of Peter HE exhorteth all men from day to day and from degree to degree to increase in the works of regeneration to beware of false teachers the state of the last times He thought his death to be at hand wherefore he wrote to the glorie of his maister Christ The Argument of the first of Iohn THis Iohn was one of the foure Euangelists he was the sonne of Zebedeus beloued of Christ he wrote the ReuelatioÌ„ he exhorteth to faith brotherly loue to trie and approue the spirits to auoid false teachers hypocisie and small offences and to decke themselues with godly liuing The Argument of the second of Iohn HEre he handleth mutuall loue the duetie of widowes to beware of false teachers a way to know them he did write especially to a godly widow who with hir children and hir houshold laboured after Christ The Argument of the third of Iohn HE exhorteth his familiar friends and his host Gains to diuerse points of doctrine and to good works thanking God for the great comfort receiued at his hands he commends him for a harberour of Gods people The Argument of Iude. HE was one of the Apostles he instructed the Godly to continue in well doing he shewes the iustice of God against sinners and reuolters as the Angels the Iewes The Argument of the Reuelation THis booke containeth all the doctrine of the prophets concerning Christ which was to be accomplished after his comming the comfort that comes by his death the marriage of the church with the sanctified members the prouidence of God and the force of his word The third Introduction WHat may be said of the other books called Apocrypha you may easely iudge by the consideration of the authours and especially by the matter not consonant with other scriptures The word Apocrypha according to the Aetymologie thereof signifieth a mysterie a matter hid secreat or kept close They are books to be read at home and not in the congregation The first and second of Esdras 1 Esd 7 6. 2 Esd 8 4.5.6 THis Esdras was a Scribe and an expounder of the law when the people went from Babilon vnder the gouernment of Zarobabell in the time of Cirus and Darius Histaspis sonne he was in great report and bare credite among all people Concerning the authoritie of these books the matter it selfe hath no certaine ground especially That in the first of Esd the third and fourth of the three yong mens sentences In the first of Esdras the 4 and 1. the Angell reproued Esdras for his curious searching he was purposed to sorow and fast him selfe to death 2 Esd 10 4. both which things argued an vnperfect spirite in him This and the rest proues the books not fit to be matched with the Canonicall whose spirite was neuer found guiltie of controlment Tobias Tobias liued in the daies of Salmanser and Zenacherib his sonne kings of Assiria and was taken captiue at Niniuie This booke was penned by some godly man not perfectly knowne it was found in the Hebrue Assyrian and Chaldean tongues very antient yet with many blemishes and imperfections In the twelfth and fifteenth it is said That the Angels did present the praiers of the saints which none can do but Iesus Christ himselfe for he is our Aduocate and high sacrificer In the 4 and 10 old Tobias saith that Alms deliuered a man from death which is a matter contrarie to all holy scriptures In the seuenteenth he exhorteth to giue bread for the dead which in deed is a shew of Idolatrie notwithstanding the man is to be taken for godly and religious and his booke so far to be taken for credit as it doth agree with the Canonicall Iudith THis booke seemeth toward the last part to haue been penned after hir death by whome it is vncertaine the storie is in the Hebrue and Chaldean tongues yet not so receiued as the Canonicall because of the sundrie imperfections thereof Cap. 11 6.16 8.1.11 1. She tooke Gods name in vaine she denied the power of God and the authoritie of his Saints yeelding all to Holophernes Nabucadnezer was Emperour of Persia and his seat was at Babilon but not in Niniuie as is here laid downe For these and such like this booke cannot be allowed for sound yet many good things are therein therefore iudge soberlie and charitably Hester THis booke was written by some Graecian not truely knowne it is very friuolous it is annexed vnto the true story of Hester the variety thereof shewes the contrariety Wisdome IT is called in Greeke Panareâ—on that is to say The booke of all vertues Ierome writeth that Philoiudeus enlarged it with great wisdome and learning into Greeke being left before as a remnant or peece by Solomon this Philoiudeus liued in the daies of the Apostles and he embraced christian faith We must graunt that there are many excellent things done and spoken herein the author being eloquent and learned but yet euerie learned and eloquent booke may not be admitted among the saints Read Aug. de doct Christ lib. 2. De ciuitat dei lib. 17 20. Iunius preface in Apocrypha Baruck HE was secretarie to Hieremie This booke is not in the Hebrue but in the Greeke therefore it was not reckoned among the Israelits who were of that language It is not reckoned in the chronicles of the kings of Iudah nor yet accounted among the prophets Susanna IT is not knowne who did write this booke Although hir chastitie be commended yet the matter is not approued northe author canonized Bell and the Dragon THe author is not to be found and the matter is not likely The praier of Manasses HE is the author thereof as it is generally receiued It was in Greeke which did disanull the authoritie thereof among the Hebrues The first and second of Machabees THe first was written in Hebrue in the time of Iohannes Hircanus the sonne of Simon Machabeus It was receiued as a storie but not of credit to be with the books of God The second was in Greeke very friuolous and out of order The third was entituled Simon the high priest penned by all likelihood by Philoiudeus at Alexandria in Greek Mark their authority Iudas Machabeus offered for the dead and praied for them that their sinnes might be pardoned which thing is against all scripture 12 42. c. The sin which he praied for was mortall and not veniall as they say who would haue this booke to be canonicall yet they pray
yeare 1323. The next verse hath relation to the beginning of the times of the church of Philodelphia when as the truth began to be taught blessed is he that waiteth and commeth to 1335 dayes That extreame pollution of the spirituall temple was such as it hath an alogie with the vtter destruction of the temple at Ierusalem by Vaspatian and Titus It was prefigured in the yeare and halfe and odde daies of Antiochus horrible tiranny in Ierusalem from the fourth yeare and some moneths more of his raigne whereas he caused the law of Moses to be abolished the sacrifices to cease the temple to be defiled the abhominable idol of Iupiter Olimpius to be worshipped for the space of 1290 daies till the eight yeare that Iudas Machabeus clensed the temple and decked it with crownes and shields of Gold a figure of Christ Iesus The time of extreame darkenesse and tyranny of Antechrist by Achab and Iesabell had Elias been of this age he would haue so cried out as he did then but God would haue answered I haue a few names in Sardie that haue not defiled their garments The seale opened openeth vnto vs that in this age the soules of the Martirs crieth for vengance at the hands of God who lost their liues for the truths sake and for that they would not embrace falshood But it was told them that they should rest till the number of their bretheren were fulfilled who should also be slaine by Antechrist This trumpet telleth vs He had gotten the key of the bottomelesse pit and opened the gulfe of hell and hence produced an innumerable companie of Locusts that is to say of friers monkes and such like the smoke of whose errors darkened the bright sunne of the Gospell and the aire of mens minds but these haue not power ouer Gods elect The sixt trumpet comprehendeth the times of the church of Philodelphia and the opening of the sixt seale Reu. 9 8. in these the gospell is preached the Babylonians fallen the synagogue of sathan shal be subdued the elect of God are sealed Antechrist with his kings confederates shal be astonished At the iudgement of God they shall crie Mountaines fall vpon vs. This trumpet sheweth that not onely the spirituall temple shall be re-edified by the true Zorobabel Iesus Christ and the gospel preached generally but also many particulars touching the same which to auoid tediousnesse I must leaue The seuenth trumpet is agreeable to the euent of the church of Laodicia Reu. 5 ◠whom the Lord as soone as he tasteth will spew out of his mouth It hath resemblance to the opening of the seuenth seale which doth intimate vnto vs the euerlasting sabaoth and rest for a mightie angell lifted vp his hand to heauen and sware by him that liueth for euermore which created all things that Time should be no more but in the daies of the voice of the seuenth angell when he shall begin to blow the trūpet And there were great voices in heauen saying The kingdome of this world are our Lords and his Christ and he shall raigne for euer Then the 24 elders which sate before God fell vpon their faces and worshipped God saying We giue thee thanks O Lord God almightie c. The fift Introduction YOu shall doe well to obserue this order and thereby you may be able to vnfold hard and intricate places and to expound all such parts or parcell of the scripture as doe come in question doubtfully The fiue books of Moses and the foure Euangelists doe comprehend generally and most principally the rules of iustice discerning betwixt good and euill which was in the beginning grafted in the soules of our first parents and afterwards in writing that we might the better know our creator and our selues with threats restraining vs from euill and with promises persuading vs to vertue which bookes in my method were called Laegall The twelue next books that are in the old and the acts in the new doth comprehend all those things that were either famously done or famously spoken in good or euil called historical For the reading and speedy vnderstanding thereof you must learne by heart these three particulars Principall 1 Times 2 Places 3 Persons If Time Whether Past Present To come If place Whether For warre For religion For worldly affaires If persons VVhether Politicke Religious Publique Priuate The sixt Jntroduction THese books following next in order to weet Iob Psal Pro. Ecclesiastes Cant. 14 Epistles of S. Paule and seuen other being catholicall Epistles doe comprehend the wisdome of God for the instruction of euerie member of Christ particularly as occasion by time and place is offred They are called Sapientall which are thus to be vnderstood 1 Consider the chapter or verses going before or following after any such matter taken in hand you shall finde that it helpeth much 2 By some quotation opposite in the margent 3 By some notes after this sort marked as a starre * at the beginning of some verses and sometimes at the end the one expounds the other if you compare them 4 By these notes ¶ shewing the end of one matter and the beginning of an other 5 These notes ‖ at the end in the middle or in the beginning pointeth you to the margent for some short definition of wordes desscription of places or aetymologie of names 6 To what Parable miracle or historie that doe pertaine which you haue in hand 7 The time whether houres daies weekes moneths or yeares night or day sunday or holyday Confer it with the like els where by marking what was done 8 If there be any thing spoken of God the creator as of his head his arme his hand or any part of his body c. By the head you must vnderstand his principallitie or gouernment by the arme his strength by the hand his giuing and helping and so throughout the rest of his members named in scripture The like is to be considered of all other creatures bearing life which are vsed in scriptures for the better explaining of hard places You are verie carefullie to consider the nature and propertie of euerie such thing and then make your comparison by a spirituall application 9 If there be a speech of the quantitie length breadth height depth c. or of the qualitie as hard soft bitter sweet gentle currish 10 If there be any thing spoken in one place that is not to be leueld and made plaine in another then take it not literally you must seeke for some other sence 11 If it be spoken by similitude phrase comparison figure parable c. then goe no further the interpretation thereof is easie marking well their manners properties and kinde 12 If there bemention made of these numbers 3 4 6 7 10 12 the matter adioyning will shew you whether it be good or euill then compare euerie such mumber with the like If there be any thing of faith of religion of life and conuersation then compare it with the