by 1 Chro. 6. much lesse that did command in war and state businesses in the countrey belonging to the ten tribes where Bethulia stood within the territory of the tribe of Zabulon And though after the conquest of Assyria by the Babylonians the name of these two Empires are often set downe one for another yet that could not be done before the said conquest and yet in this booke Nebuchadnezzar a Babylonian is alwayes called by the title of King of Assyria And besides it is a thing notoriously false that that King did command in Egypt before the conquest of Judea by meanes of which Egypt the onely opposer of the Babylonian Empire was at last set upon and conquered That is also false which is said in the eighth Chapter verse 15. 16. namely that all manner of Idolatry was then banished from amongst the people if these things happened under Manasses whose raigne is shamefully defiled with Idolatry Contrary to truth is also that which is spoken in the third Chapter namely that Jerusalem did at that time command the rest of the land of Palestine where Bethulia was and there should be so much zeale of piety and so much conjunction of Religion with Jerusalem after the captivity of the ten tribes and the mixture of those heathen nations which were setled in the countrey And the multitude of names of places is not to be omitted as Ezdraelon Kellussa Kiâ—mon Scitopolis Bethulia and the like which were never heard of before the Babylonian captivity And the name of Holophernes himselfe being a Persian name seemes to be very unfitting for a generall of a Babylonian or Assyrian army and besides that it were a most absurd thing to thinke that the Babylonians or Assyrians should not know the people of Israel as is set downe Chapter 5. 3. Seeing they had newly overrun the countrey and spoyled it divers times and had led the people into captivity which lived dispersed in their Provinces and after they had spoiled Judah and besieged Jerusalem they had also taken Manasseh who was at that time in their hands To which times it is also impossible that should have relation which is spoken Chap. 4. 2. and 5. 16. namely that the people should be returned out of any captivity and that the Temple had been ruined and afterwards re-edified and likewise it cannot be proved by any history that Nebuchadnezzar did ever intend to make himselfe the onely God upon earth and root out all other religions as is said Chapter 2. 10. Finally if Iudith lived one hundred and five yeeres Chap. 16. 21. and that after that happened which is set downe in this booke and a long time after her death people were not assaulted nor troubled by any wee must conclude that this Rest lasted above one hundred yeeres seeing that when Iudith did this she was in the flowre of her age and beautie Now this cannot agree with the sacred history which will have the most tragick desolations of Judea to be after the death of Iosias three and thirty yeeres after the death of Manasseh Wherefore it is plaine that this history cannot take place before the captivity and after it much lesse For then there was no mention of Nebuchadnezzar nor of Nineveh nor of the Assyrian Empire The Persians held all these Empires by the conquest of Babylon whose Provinces they did not take one after another as it is said in the first and second Chapter of this book neither is it to be believed that the Jewes should be unknowne to the Persians who had so solemnly given them leave to depart out of Babylon at so many severall times and they holding Palestine which was governed by their officers who would have hindred the Jewes from commanding there in any matter of State or Religion as it is set downe in this booke Whereas contrariwise the stories affirme that neither in one nor the other the ten tribes had any communion with Jerusalem wherefore we may by good reason gather that this is nothing but a feigned narration according to the custome of the Jewes and other nations for a morall representation of the Church under the name of Bethulia that is to say Virgin of the Lord and of the assaults of the world against her and of the Prince thereof signified by Nebuchadnezzar and of the victory obtained against them not by the meanes of Kings Princes and worldly powers but by the faith and prayers of pious soules or of the true spirituall Jewes and Believers signified by Iudith Which being granted it is an easie matter to resolve upon the second question namely That it is not a booke endited nor enspired by the holy Ghost which never made use of any false histories for the Churches instruction which is sufficiently done by true ones For the short parables inserted amongst other discourses and made plaine by their expopositions adjoyned to them are altogether of a different quality besides Simeons act which he did to the the Sichemites Gen. 24. 25. condemned by Iacob Gen. 49. 5. is here commended Chap 9. 3. by an unavoydable contradiction It is yet very hard to affirme at what time or to what particular end this booke was made and set forth It is likely that it was made by some Christian Jew as some other Apocripha were in the honour of his Nation and peradventure against the Romans covertly meant by Nebuchadnezzar Now as being of base authority it was also carelesly kept even from the beginning and from thence commeth the great diversity of copies whereof Saint Hierome speaks who translated it out of the Chaldean tongue with a great deale of libertie But the Greek texts which wee have followed in this translation seemes to be every way more sound and entire The Booke of Wisdome THough this Book do commonly beare in the title the name of Solomon and the author himselfe do set himselfe downe to be so yet it hath in all ages beene knowne to be the work of a Greekish Jew that is to say one of those Jewes which lived for the most part after the Greeke manner and amongst the Grecians and especially in Egypt where they had their chiefe Synagogue in the City of Alexandria And indeed the stile it selfe being altogether rhetoricall and poeticall sheweth that it was made rather amongst the Greeks then amongst the Hebrews whose inditing especially in sacred Books is altogether stamed to simplicity sobriety and severity The common opinion as well of ancient as moderne agreeth in attributing of it to Philo a Jew a person of excellent learning wisdome and eloquence who lived in the Apostles time and it is likely that to hide himselfe from the Egyptians hatred and to gaine authority and respect from his own nation he took upon him the name of Solomon in this book wherein his end seemes to be to comfort and strengthen the Iewes which lived in Egypt and were grievously oppressed and persecuted by the Egyptians in his time as the Iewish History relateth
that is due to Gods Majesty and how all rash curiosity ought to be avoyded See Exo. 19. 12. 21. Put off A figure of the cleansing from the filth of sinne required of everyone that drawes neare to God Heb. 10. 22. sinne wherewith the faithfull man is yet spotted through the contagion of the world being compared to the dirt upon ones feet or shoes Joh. 13. 10. Wherefore the Jewes though without any expresse commandement did not come into the Temple but bare-foot and washed Holy ground Through my presence and so long as I shall appeare in it not for any inherent or perpetuall quality V. 6. Hee was afraid See upon the sixetenth Chapter of Genesis and the thirteenth verse and the sixth Chapter of Isaiah and the second Verse V. 7. I know The Italian hath it have taken notice as Exo. 2 25. V. 8. I am come downe See Gen. 11. 7. 18. 21. Unto the place and into their habitation V. 11. Who am I What meanes have I to doe this being in that misery and exiled as I now find my selfe Moses knew when hee was in Egypt that hee was ordained thereunto See Exodus chapter the second verse the twelfth But it seemeth that hee then beleeved hee should free the people through the favour and power which he had in Egypt and having lâ—st that he might now think that he was loosed from his bond Seeing hee wanted meanes to accomplish it V. 12. Shall be a token unto thee As in this place I tell thee thy calling so hereafter in the same place I will give thee an expresse remembrance and assurance of it for thou shalt here receive my Law concerning my service and here thou shalt aâ—so begin to exercise thy calling So in Scripture oftentimes signes are taken from future things when God will assure the continuance of the thing promised which is not yet to come in long time See the first booke of Samuel the second Chapter and the foure and thirtieth Verse And the second book of Kings the nineteenth Chapter and the nine and twentieth Verse And the seventh Chapter of Isaiah and the fourteenth Verse And the second Chapter of John the eighteenth and nineteenth verses V. 13. What is Not that the people was altogether ignorant of the true God or of the sacred names under which hee had revealed himselfe to the ancient Fathers but because Gods common names had beene transferred to the Creatures and given to Idolls and also because the Nations weâ—e divided into severall Religions and superstitious and had particular names for their owne proper Deities Moses therefore desireth God to reveale some particular and incommunicable name unto him by which the people may distinguish him from the false Gods of Egypt and they themselves may be distinguished in their religion from all prophane nations V. 14. I am I am the onely true God truely subsisting and not onely through the opinion of men as Idolls are that have an everlasting being unchangeable subsisting of it selfe not depending from others infinite most simple the author of all things Not borrowed changeable finite dependent and compounded as all other creatures are Of this mine essence will I give thee the highest expressest and most generall name he that is which hath remained in uâ—e amongst the Hebrewes and was then first revealed by God Exodus chapt 6. vers 3. V. 15. The Lord God In the Hebrew the Text there 's the same aforesayd name framed in the third person He that is in stead of the first I am what I am which following the reverent custom of the ancient Jewes and the Apostles themselves wee interpret with the word Lord. Memoriall whereas Idolaters doe faine divers representations and remembrances this my glorious and speciall name shal serve to put you in mind at all times who is your God See Isa. 57. 8. Hos. 12. 9. V. 16. The Elders The heads of the people who either by reason of their age or being the first borne or through election had the government of it and it is likely they were seventy in number according to the seventy soules which came into Egypt See Exod. 24. 9. Numbers 11. 16. Visited See Gen. 50. 24. V. 18. Hath met us Hath appeared unto us unrequested Thus will God have his grace acknowledged which pveventeth all humane motion and endeavour and also that through his authority they might be blamelesse before Pharaoh Let us goe God would indeed quite deliver his people and doth not command this dissimulation but will have Pharaoh's malice tyranny discovered throgh this so just request thereby to draw Gods judgements upon him because that when the inferiour power differeth from the supreame man is freed from the inferiour and is bound to follow the supream one V. 19. By a mighty See Ex. 6. 1. and 13. 3. and Ps. 136. 12. V. 21 Favour That they shall freely lend them whatsoever they shall desire See Gen. 39. 21. Palme 106. 46. Prov. 16. 7. Dan. 1. 9. V. 22. Shall borrow According to the Egyptians intent Ex. 12. 36. Though Gods command be absolute to borrow without saying to what purpose Now howsoever it be the Egyptians presently after this moved warre against the Israelites and did unjustly assault them So that by right their spoyles belonged to the victors who were assaulted which was brought to passe by Gods secret providence to recompence his people for the slavery which they had endured in Egypt See Gen. 31. 9. CHAP. IV. VERS 3. IT became So God would confirme to Moses and others the truth of his word which was to be apprehended through faith in spirit by the omnipotency of his working which might be perceived by sence both powers being inseparable in God Now the end of this particular transmutation of the rod into a serpent seemeth to be to shew that Moses should be healthfull to the Israelites to guide and governe them which was signified by the rod And that he should bee deadly to the Egyptians which was agreeable to the serpent V. 6 Put now It seemeth that this second signe hath the same sence as the other his hand being sound and powerfull for the children of Israel but a sore one against the Aegyptians V. 8 Thy voice To the voice of thy first signe the Hebrew hath it V. 10 Nor since It seemeth he hath a regard to that first calling Exo. 2. 11 12. Acts 7. 25. since which time were fourty yeares being expired and his impediment of speech not being amended by any miraculous help from God he thought and argued from thence that God would have eased him of that commission which was incompatible with that defect Slow of speech Faltering stuttering stammering in speech V. 13 Send I pray Through this mine inabilitie I am perswaded to believe that thou hast not indeed chosen me for this great work but that thou usest these speech 〈…〉 to me to prove me or for some other hidden 〈◊〉 give him then the charge thereof whom thou
Solomon 2 Samuel 8. 3. 1 Kings 4. 21. V. 32. Nor with their Thou shalt make no covenant with them neither in matters of policy nor of religion V. 33. It wil surely be That conversation and familiarny would almost be an inevitable inticement to idoltry and consequently an occasion of perdition and ruine CHAP. XXIV VERS 1. COme up After thou hast propounded these Lawes unto my people and that they have conseâ—â—ed to my covenant doe thou come againe with Aaron and the rest Aaron Who with his two eldest sonnes in this treaty of covenant with God represented the whole Ecclesiasticall order and the seventy Elders the politick See Nehem. 9. 38. and 10. 〈◊〉 A farre off At the foot or about the mid-way of the hill V. 2. Neare the Lord To the top of the hill where the firme signes of my presence shall be verse 14. and 17. Neither shall They shall not passe the bound set Exod. 19. 12. V. 3. Came out of darknesse and from the hill where God shewed himselfe Exod. 20. 21. V. 4. An Altar For a monument and holy signe on Gods side as the twelve pillars were on the peoples behalfe in this treaty of covenant See Gen. 31. 45. Jos. 48. 9. 20. V 5. He sent Out of the host to the foot of the Hill Youâ—g men The Italian hath it Ministâ—ing men which ministred in holy businesses they were then the first bâ—rn of families Exod. 19. 2â— Which offered Upon the Altar which hee had erected Of Oxen and Goats Hebrewes 9. 19. Peace Offerings See Lev. 3. 1. V. 〈◊〉 And put it Mingling'it with water Heb. 9. 19. That he might sprinkle it upon the Altar and the people because that bloud alone will quickly congeale And also by reason of Christs mystery who came with the bloud of purgation and the water of regeneration 1 Joh. 5. 6. Wherein consisteth the substance of the new covenant figured ly this old one On the Altar As Exod 29. 36. The reason of this action is touched Heb. 19. 23. Namely that as here the Altar represented God himselfe the head of this Covenant and this Altar was besprinkled with the bloud of his owne sacrifice for to sanctifie it and make it fit to sanctifie the people and their worship so Christ head of the everlasting covenant hath beene besprinkled and consecrated with his owné proper bloud to be the cause of everlasting salvation to them that believe in him Isaiah 63. 3. Heb. 5. 9. V. 7. The Book Written by Moses himselfe verse the fourth This book was also besprinkled with the bloud Heb. 9. 19. To signifie that Gods covenant was grounded upon Christs satisfaction given to the Law whereof this booke represented the bond Col. 2. 14. V. 8. The bloud Which was in the basons verse 6. and sprinkled it to see the participation of the Church in Christs bloud for the redemption and justification of life by whose meanes she hath accesse to God and part in his Covenant and enterchangeably by accepting of his grace the Church bindeth it selfe to obedience and newnesse of life Heb. 12. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Of the covenant That is to say a scale and confirmation of the Covenant according to the ancient manner of making of Covenants Genesis 15 9. Figure of the bloud of Christ upon whom is grounded the new and everlasting covenant Matth 26 28. Luke 22 20. Concerning That is to say upon these conditions or of which covenant these commandements are the subject and substance V. 9 Went up Untill they câ—me to the place appoynted above verse the second V. 10. They saw In some visible shape clothed with everlasting glory by which visible shape the son of God who made this covenant in his owne person gave an essay of his future mâ—arnation and to the elect a signe of their future glory and sight of God in heaven Acts. 7. 38. and Isaiah 6 1. John 12 41. V. 11. He laid not his â—and God shewed that by vertue of this covenant he was propitious to his people seeing he had not by this appearing in glorie confirmed these men seeing sinners are not able to subsist before this devouring fire but did rather comfort and rejoyce them See Gen 16 13. and 32 30. Deut. 4 23. Judg 13 23. And did eat were at a sacred banquet made of the flesh of sacrifices of thanks-giving verse 5 in token of mirth and of full 〈◊〉 of â—race and of their continuall participation of the body and bloud of Christ to the nourishing of everlasting life and perfect enjoying of the joyes of heaven V. 12 A Low That is to say the ten commandements which onely were giaven upon the two tables Exodus Chapter 34. verse 28 Moses having written the rest of the Commandements in a booke verse 4. V. 13 Jeshua who notwithstanding did not got up to the top of the hill but stayd in some place between the camp and the hill v 2 Exo. 32. 17. V. 14. Here In the host amongst the people Aaron and Hur The one the Ecclesiasticall and the other the politick head V. 15. A cloud See Exod. 19. 9. 16. and 20 21. Psa. 18. 12. 13. Matth. 17. 5. V. 16. The glory The signes of his glorious presence as the great fire was verse 17. Deut. 4. 36. Covered it Namely Gods glory which appeared in that fire which having lyon hidden by the cloud six dayes at the last burst forth in the sight of all the people verse 17. the cloud going downe to the bottome of the hill CHAP. XXV VERS 4. AND blue Wooll dyed in these colours Fine linnen Hebrew Bysse that is a kind of white and shining linnen whereof great mens garments and the Priests garments were made See Gen. 41. 4â— Rev. 19. 8. 14. V. 5. Shittim wood A kind of wood which would not corrupt Isa. 41. 19. which hath leaves like the white Thistle but groweth as high and as thicke as a Cedar V. 6. Sweet Incense The Italian hath it for the perfume of spices This is added for to distinguish this perfume from the fat sacrifices V. 8 Amongst them Not by inclusion of the essence Acts 7. 48. and 17. 24. But by an expresse and firme revelation of glory and by the working of grace and power through sacraments and pledges of visible signes V. 11. With pure gold That is to say with little plates of gold A Crowne It seemeth to be some Cornice which should goe round the body of the Arke above V. 16. The Testimony The two Tables of the law see the occasion of this name Ex. 16. 34. V. 17. A mercy seat The Italian hath it a cover The Hebrew word signifieth also a propitiatory or mercy seat and so the Apostle calls it Heb. 9. 5. That is to say a means of purging and expiating of sinne Because that this cover signified Christ who with his justice covereth all our sinnes and containeth within himselfe all the Churches justice as the Tables of the Law were
people And they these great acts shall bee archieved by these two numerous and warlike tribes come out of Joseph whereof that of Manasses who was the elder shall yeeld in power and number to Ephraims who was the second brother according to Jacobs Prophecie Genesis chap. 48. v. 19. V. 18. In thy Of the commodity thou shalt have thy land bordering upon the sea to make many voyages which will be very profitable to thee In thy in thy peaceable and home led life free from enterprises and altogether employed in governing of thine owne private affaires See Genesis chap. 25. verse 27. V. 19. They Namely the Zabulonites by their frequent voyages into farie Countreies shall invite many Nations to come and worship the true God in his Temple in mount Sion There these nations by the Zabulonites enducements shall serve the true God in that only manner which he hath approved of and appointed Or the Zabulonites themselves being delivered from the dangers of the seas and enriched shall come to yeeld sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord Psal. 107. 32. Jon 2. 9. The abundance The great riches which navigation brings in In the sand the sea-shore which though of it selfe it be very barren brings in great revenues by reason of the sea trading V. 20. He that Namely the Lord who hath bestowed upon the tribe of Gad a large and spacious Countrey and although it lye upon the frontiers and therefore be often invaded yet it shall have strength and heart to defend it selfe V. 21. He provided God hath assigned unto Gad the first land which was conquered from the Amorites on this side Jordan See concerning these first fruits of the countrey Numbers 24 20. Because there because this part of the Country was that alone which God let Moses see and which he would have him divide amongst certain tribes And he came This is spoken by propheticall anticipation concerning the Gadites company and faithfull assistance which they lent their brethren in the subduing of the land of Canaan and executing the Lords vengeance upon the accursed people See Jos. 4. 12. V. 22. A lions whelp The Italian Like a lions c. It shall be a warlike nation which out of his mountainous frontier shall often invade its enemies V. 23. With favour With Gods grace and favour which will make him acceptable amongst his brethren Gen. 49. 21. Possesse thou the Italian Thou shalt possesse See Jos. 19. 32. V. 24. Dip He shall enjoy an exceeding fat countrey Gen. 49. 20. V 25. Thy shoes It seemeth to be a proverbiall kind of speech taken from shoes which are made of a solid and hard matter to signifie a continuance of strength without wearing out as Deuteronomy 29. 5. V. 27. Underneath As in heaven is the pacificall feat of Gods glorious resting place so here on earth is the theater of the works of his providence and omnipotency through which he rules the world V. 28. Alone From other people as a Nation consecrated to God and by him protected against all assaults V. 29. Bee found Ciars The Italian Shall dissemble Hebrew Shall lye unto thee that is to say shall be constrained to yeeld obedience unto thee though it be but a feigned and forced one See Psalme 18. 44. and 66. 3. and 81. 15. Shalt tread Shalt beat downe their loftinesse shalt assault and conquer their country and all their forts CHAP. XXXIV VERS 1. VNto the mountaine See Numbers 27 12. Unto Dan This chapter hath beene added to Moses his books by some Prophet after the division of the land of Canaan and therefore these countries are by anticipation called by the names of the tribes to whose lot they fell Now Dan had the uttermost Northern frontier Judg. 18. 7. V. 3. Of Palme trees Jericho is so called Judges 1. 16. 2 Chronicles 28. 15. Because that the territories thereof did abound in such kind of trees and this very name is also given to it by profane authors Zoar A city situate on the furthest part of the sea of Sodom Gen. 19. 22. V. 6. Buried him He caused his body to be laid in the earth by the ministery of Angels or by some other meanes No man It is likely that it was done to take quite away all occasion of superstition and Idolatry See Jude 9. V. 7. His eye By divine miracle Deuteronomy 8. 4. Joshua 14. 11. It may also be that the use of Manna did somewhat helpe towards it it being an exquisitely pure kind of food of an aereall and not very corruptible substance Naturall force Hebrew greennesse that is to say a fresh and thriving constitution of body as Psa. 32. 4. V. 8. So the dayes In this moderate length of time was this mourning ended which amongst other nations was much prolonged for such kind of persons see Gen. 50. 3. V. 9. Of the Spirit Of a supernaturall gift and infused with wisdome under which are comprehended all the vertues belonging to a heroicall and excelling soule See 1 Kings 3. 9 12. Had laid For a signe and sacred meanes of that divine infusion of the holy Ghost into him the Lord going along with the ceremony with his internall operation according to the true property of all Sacraments V. 10. Whom With whom God hath parleyed and to whom he hath communicated himselfe by a cleare and ocular representation without any abstraction or oppression of the senses without any doubtfull speeches visions dreams or other hidden meanes See Numbers Chapter 12. verses 6. 8. V. 12. Hand Operations of Divine and Omnipotent power which did accompany Moses his Ministery See Deuteronomy Chapter 4. verse 34. and 7. 19. THE BOOK OF JOSHVA THE ARGVMENT IOshua who very likely did by divine inspiration write and compose this History and joyned it by way of appendix to the Originall volume of Moses his bookes kept by the Priests in the Tabernacle Sets down in it how that he being whilest Moses yet lived appointed and consecrated his successor after his death entered upon the conduct of Gods people being instructed and strengthened by Gods own Word and authorized by his miraculous and glorious power which accompanied him and accepted and acknowledged by the generall consent of the people And afterwards how he passed over Iordan and after he was come into the land of promise he again sanctified and purged the people putting Circumcision in practice again which had beene intermitted in their pilgrimage in the wildernesse After which the people beginning to enjoy the fruits of the land Manna ceased And the Son of God appearing corporally to Ioshua assured him of his conduct and power through which he in six years conquered with armed hand the Land of Canaan destroyed the accursed Nations and Kings according to Gods Commandement and afterwards divided the Land amongst the nine Tribes and a halfe which had not received their inheritance beyond Iordan appointed the Priests and Levites Cities for their habitations settled Gods Tabernacle in Shiloh observed punctually all
her not Forbidding her or giving her harsh words or scoffing of her V. 20. The dead My husband and my children who are dead One of the Hebrew one of our Redeemers that is to say he is so neere a kinne to us that it is his right to redeem my husband and my childrens lands which are are alienated by the Law Leviticus chapter 25. verse 25. And also may and ought to marry the widow of him that is dead without children Deuteronomy Chapter 25. verse 5. CHAP. III. VERS 3. VVAsh thy selfe Though Naomi's end was good in all this for to seeke her daughter in laws good and to put Boaz in minde of his duty according to the Law of God yet it seemeth to be a womanish provision somewhat lesse than honest to bring it to passe which was notwithstanding tolerated directed and blessed by God as Genesis chap. 27. ver 7. V. 9. Spread therefore thy skirt Take me for thy wise according to the right you have thereunto and according as you ought to do A manner of speaking ta 〈…〉 n from the ceremony of spreading the skirt of ones garment in that kind over the woman for a 〈…〉 gne of marriage Ezechiel 16. 8. See upon Deuter. 22. 30. V. 10. Kindnesse Towards mee having preferred me t 〈…〉 ugh I a 〈…〉 ld before younger men who by 〈◊〉 been more fitting for you And also tow 〈…〉 s the memory of thy husband procuring the preservation of his name and race Or piety towards God in submitting thine affections to the observance of his command V. 11. I will do I have a desire to do it and will do it indeed if the other neerest kinsman will not make use of his right The City The Italian hath it The gate that is to say the city and all the inhabitants thereof V. 14. He said Within himselfe and therefore he bade Ruth rise before it was day V. 16. Who art thou Shee asked the question because Ruth came home while it was yet darke V. 18. Sit still Go not forth at doores that thou mayest be ready whensoever thou shalt bee called to the accomplishment of this marriage CHAP. IV. VERS 1. TO the gate Of the city which anciently was the place of publicke Assemblies and Counsels V. 2. Of the Elders Namely of the Magistrates and Councellors V. 3. Selleth Through poverty and for want of meanes Lev. 25. 25. V. 4. Before Judicially and according to due course of Law solemnly V. 5. Thou must buy it The right that thou hast to redeem it is not only by reason of thine affinity with Naomi but with Ruth also which bindeth thee to marry her that the childe which shall be born therof may beare the deceased husbands name and enter upon his inheritance V. 6. Lest I mar Begetting children on another mans bed whereby mine inheritance would diminish and be divided For it is likely that he was a widdower and had children by another wife V. 7. Changing Or yeelding up of rights to one another A man Namely he that yeelded the right and gave it to him that he yeelded it unto in token of the dispossessing himselfe In this ceremony there was some resemblance of that which had been appointed by Moses Deuteronomy 25. 9. but only there was some alteration crept in And this was By this formality the yeelding or cession was ratified V. 10. From the gate From his city from amongst the citizens of his city V. 11. Did build Did increase his houshold and laid the foundation of that nation which is come out of it Do thou worthily the Italian hath it Make thy selfe mighty by meanes of a numerous posterity Ephratah See Genesis Chapter 35. verse 19. V. 16. Laid it Shee tooke an especiall care of it and brought him up very tenderly V. 21. Salmon Which is the same as Salma THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMVEL THE ARGVMENT THe Holy Ghost in these two Books called Samuels continueth the History of Gods people specially to declare how and wherefore the governement of Judges was changed into that of ordinary and successive Kings in David and his posterity who were more expressely to beare the image of Christs spirituall and eternall Kingdome The summary thereof is that Eli both Judge and high Priest after he had long time ruled the people towards his latter end did yeeld up himselfe to a blamefull indulgency towards his children who abusing their fathers authority were loosely run into diverse excesses prophannesses and violences with great scandall and offence to the people and with great detriment to divine worship For the punishing of which misdeeds God suffered the Philistims power which before was much abated that it should be raised again to the peoples disadvantage they being overcome in battel and subdued the children of Eli slaine and the Arke of God taken and Eli himselfe dying presently after Yet God defended his glory and did severely punish the Philistims contempt of him and raised up a new Deliverer to his people which was Samuel who being miraculously borne and consecrated to God for a perpetuall Nazarite was from a childe by frequent apparitions from God prepared for the office of publick Prophet which was also openly conferred upon him together with that of Judge with all the qualities and gifts thereunto required By vertue of which he also reformed the peoples estate and purged Gods Service from all Idolatries and corruptions did abate the Philistims tyranny and settled the people in peace and liberty But in his old age having appointed his sons to be his successors and they degenerating from their fathers righteousnesse the people did thereupon take an occasion to aske for a King preventing through their rash and importunate demand the time prescribed by God for the establishing of a sacred Kingdome which hee had promised them before And by GOD'S will Saul was chosen who at first did many valiant acts and obtained many rare Victories But a while after in a proofe of strict obedience hee discovered his rebellion Whereupon the LORD declared that hee rejected him and appointed Samuel to unnoint David calling him from a private shepheards life Which was ratified by the LORD who tooke away from Saul his gifts and the conduct of his Spirit and transferred them upon David Who upon this occasion was called to Saul's Court to ease him by meanes of his Musick from his extreame passions ragings and troubles of the minde There did the power of GOD shine in him in all manner of excellent gifts and notable feates of Armes which did purchase him as much hatred and evill will at Saul's hands as it did love and favour with the people And Saul's passion breaking out at the last into a bloudy persecution by open force and by deceipts whereby David was for a long time molested and vexed persisting neverthelesse still in his innocency and loyalty even towards Saul himselfe And at the last GOD suffered Saul's cruelty and wickednesse to come to its height and to bring him
â—ay come that thou wilt not bee able to be bountifull doe it therefore whilest God affordeth thee the meanes to doe it Gal. 6. 10. Or seeing thou art not sure not to fall into povertie be charitable that in adverse times thou mayest have charitie used towards thee either by God or men Luke Chapter 16. ver 9. V. 3. If the clouds The Italian When the Even â—s the clouds after they are growne thicke doe dissolve and powre downe their water upon the earth so the covetous man is at last constrained by death to leave all for death makes man like a tree digged up by the roots which beares no fruit and remaineth so for ever V. 4. Hee that Even as the Husbandman that will stand too strictly to watch the just time and perfect opportunitie may lose the season wherin he ought to doe his businesse So hee that hath too many carnall respects loseth his time of well doing which he cannot recover when he will V. 5. The workes That is to say the Councells and secret dispositions of his providence which determineth of the casualties of this life and of the houre of death wherefore doe thou good at all times that thou mayest not be surprised V. 6. In the morning Namely at all times and upon all occasions Sow That is to say doe deeds of charitie which are the seeds of the harvest of eternall life a Corinthians 9. 10. Galathians 6. 7. Shall prosper The Italian Shall happen best This is spoken either in regard of men whereof some are more thankefull than others or in respect of God who amongst diverse objects of Charitie doth oftentimes present some to men that are very precious in his sight for love of which he doth proportionably increase the reward See Matthew 10. ver 41 42. Heb. 13. 2. V. 7. The light Even as the sweetnesse of this life is in worldly men quite overthrowne by their thinking upon death from which there is no returne So in the faithfull it must bee qualified by the same meanes that they may judge of the said sweetnesse rightly and not set their affections too much upon it but in time dispose themselves to a happy end The twelfth Chapter in the Italian begins at this ninth Verse V. 9. Rejoyce It is lawfull and seemely for thee to enjoy the flower of thine age and therein follow thy naturall delighâ—s so thou alwayes keepe the feare of God in thine heart and remember his everlasting judgment not to licence thy selfe to do evill nor to use any excesse in that which of it selfe is good and lawfull Eccl. 3. 12. V. 10. Are vanitie That is to say short and transitory and doth not come againe therefore man may lawfully enjoy it whilest God doth permit it CHAP. XII VERSE 1. THe evill dayes Namely old age which being grievous and burthensome enough of it selfe by reason of the diseases it brings along with it there is no reason it should be overburthened or oppressed with bitter Repentance for youth mispent Or his meaning is that the securest way is not to put off amendment of life untill extreame old age at which time it is very hard to doe it and is seldome done then in truth and sincerity V. 2. The Sunne A figurative description of the defects of old age and by this first he meaneth the weakening of the superior faculties as the judgment the understanding the memory and the imagination And have the same correspondencie with the body of man as these celestiall bodies have with the earth The Clouds The defluxions which fall upon the breast and stomacke they likewise returning to the braine matter enough to breed more V. 3. The keepers Namely the hands and the armes Strong men Namely the reines The grinders The teeth Cease The Italian Shall faile Namely in number or strength Those that Namely the eyes V. 4. The doores Italian The two doores Namely the eye liddes shriveled and hanging downe in old men Is low Namely when the hearing grows weak which hearing is caused by two bones within side of the eare whereof the one stands still and the other moves like to two stones of a Mill. At the voice Italian At the sound Hee seemes to meane the dry cough with which old men are troubled doth break their sleepe The daughters of Musicke All the Organs of the voice will grow weake and dull V. 5. They shall bee The Italian Man shall bee That is to say the poore trembling old man shall be afraid to goe up into any high place for feare of falling downe The Almond Tree His head shall grow white The Grashopper His legges which were active and handsome Desire To eate and to enjoy their corporall pleasures See 2 Samuel Chapter 19. ver 35. Because At that age man runnes towards death and the grave The mourners Namely the deceased mans friends and kinred or the hired mourners according to the custome of those times Job Chapter 3. verse 8. Jeremiah Chapter 9. verse 17 shall goe about the hearse V. 6. The silver The golden These termes are to signifie the excellency of the Organs of mans body Cord A similitude taken from Wells to signifie the generall oeconomie and Fabrick of mans body by which if it be kept entire and in its just temper the body draweth life from the soule which is as it were the hidden spring of it and if that be loosed the body dies V. 7. The dust Namely the body which was at first framed out of the earth Shall returne For to appeare before him either to be gathered up into the mansion of the blessed or to be abissed into eternall damnation V. 10. Acceptable Or pleasing and delightfull to the soule V. 11. The words The word of God revealed by his holy Prophets is unto the Church not onely in stead of pasture but also in stead of an inclosure that it may not goe astray after false doctrines and vaine thoughts and inventions even as a sheepfold is for sheepe From one Which is the everlasting Sonne of God the Churches chiefe and supreame Shepheard Iohn Chapter 10. ver 1. 1 Peter chapter 5. verse 4. by whose spirit all the Prophets have spoken 1 Peter Chapter 1. verse 11. and 2 Peter 1. ver 21. V. 12. By these Namely by the words of wise men inspired by the Holy Ghost Bookes Of humane sciences the infatiable curiositie of which yeelds nothing even to the best wits but a labour altogether unprofitable for the obtaining of eternall happinesse V. 13. The conclusion The whole subject of this book is summarily comprehended in this point that man shall lead his life in the feare and obedience of God So that after this hee may enjoy everlasting happinesse subsisting before God through faith and innocency V. 14. Shall bring Hee shall cause every worke to come in at that judgment when he shall judge all secret things good or bad The Booke of the CANTICLE OF CANTICLES OR SONG of SONGS THE ARGVMENT AMongst
redemption through Iesus Christ. And though both these parts be so mixed together in every Chapter of this booke almost yet one may observe that the preaching of the Gospell hath alwaies been urged and amplified according as the peoples malice did enforce the Prophet to denounce most horrible calamities and desolations to them As indeed Isaiah was imployed in foretelling the crâ—ellest evils that happened to the old Church by the Chaldeans and also contrariwise the greatest universall blessings by the Messias of whom he speakes so plainly and so magnificently in many places in regard of his Deity of his being to be borne in the flesh of his Doctrine Actions Sufferings Glory and Benefits especially of the gifts of the Holy Ghost powred down upon the Church that with very good reason a good ancient Father called him the fifth Evangelist Declaring of these things not onely to the Iewes but indifferently to all those Nations which in their due time were to be grafted in the body of the Church as he had denounced unto many of them Gods most severe judgements tempered with the promise of grace in Christ towards all save onely the Babylonians who by reason of their pride and mercilesse persecuting of the Church did beare the Image of the Kingdome of the World and of Antichrist and his faction condemned together with the divell who is head thereof to everlasting perdition the horrors of which are also very lively described in many places of this booke CHAP. I. Vers. 1. THe vision that is to say the epitome and summe of Isaiah his prophecies which God had sent unto him in a vision or rapture of the Spirit see Num. 12. 6. V. 4. Children that are corrupters the Italian lost children who are desperate and incorrigible in their wickednesse Or destroyers who were like unto these evill children that dissipate their parents goods and destroy their house V. 5. Be stricken with blowes of correction whereof you make your selves uneapable Jer. 2. 30. 5. 3. The whole head the Italian every Head that is to say the evils wherewith I have punished you are universall and extreame yet they have produced no amendment by reason of your obstinate rebellion V. 8. The daughter namely the communalty and people of Jerusalem He seems to meane especially the desolation of the Land by Sâ—â—â—acherib which Jerusalem was free from though in a most miserable estate all the Country besides being laid waste Cottage see Job 27. 28. V. 10. Of Sodom that is to say extreamely corrupted even as those wicked Cities were see Deut. 32. 32 Eze. 16. 46. V. 11. Sacrifices offered without any faith repentance or devotion without which things all outward service is meere hypocrisie and illusion V. 12. To tread a phrase picked out a purpose to shew that these false appearances were rather acts of prophane contempt then of Religion V. â—3 New moones feast daies and daies of devotion appointed by the Law The calling of for all solemne feasts were publiquely proclaimed that every one might devoutly prepare himselfe thereunto see Lev. 23. 2 4. Num. 10. 10. It is iniquity the Italian I cannot beare iniquity and solemne feasts together that is to say inward wickednesse cloacked with externall devotion see Isa. 61. 8. Others I cannot endure the trouble of new Moones c. nor of solemne feasts V. 15. When ye spread forth according to the ancient manner of praying with their Armes spread abroad and their hands opened and held up towards Heaven V. 18 Let us reason if you can reply anything against mine accusations or if you can alleadge any thing for your own discharge or can any way complain of me alleadge it now I call your own conscience to be judge and witnesse therein see Jer. 2. 5 31. Mic. 6. 2. Though your sinnes if convinced in your owne consciences you give glory to God by a pure confession and flie to his mercy by faith and a lively conversion he shall quickly cause you to feele the effect of the forgivenesse of your sins let them be never so grievous As wooll which naturally is exceeding White in those Countries Psal. 147. 16. V. 21. An harlot apostatizing from her Gods Covenant through idolatry and corrupted behaviour see Num. 15. 30. Psal. 73. 27. Now murtherers the Italian Now they are all murtherers namely all the inhabitants where of he is full V. 22. The silver namely thy life and conversation which before were pure and sincere are now altogether corrupted and degenerate A proverbiall kind of speech as Psal. 14. 1. Jer. 28. 30. Ezek 22. 18 0 Hos. 4. 18. V. 25. Turne my hand after I have laid my just punishments upon you I will remember the residue of my Church which I will undertake to purisie by the power of my word and spirit especially under the Gospell Tinne which as it is a deadly enemy to Gold and Silver making them hard and brittle So it is also a tyrant over them and will hardly be separated from them Hereby are figured your most noted rooted and inveterated sinnes V 27. With judgement namely by a singular effect of his just vengeance upon his enemies who have abused the power which he gave them to punish his Church and also of his equity in tempering his punishments in a certaine measure that they may correct but not ruine and also of his loyalty in his promises which are two of Gods vertues oftentimes expressed by the word righteousnesse used afterwards in this verse Her converts the Italian They that returne of her namely after they have been first scattered and driven out Or those which shall be converted in her V. 29. The Oakes which were consecrated by the heathens and according to their example by the Jewes a cause of their frequent idolatry Isai. 57. 5. see the likeliest originall of this abuse Gen. 21. 33. Jos. 24. 26. The gardens he seems to mean the little groves which the Idolaters did use to plant about the Chappels or Temples of their idols Isai 65. 3. 66. 17. see Exod. 34. 13. Deut. 16. 21. Judg. 3. 7. 1 King 16. 33. Ye have chosen you have applied and dedicated them to these prophane uses of your owne Proper motion and authority without Gods consent or approbation V. 3â— The strong the strongest and mightiest that are amongst you shall be consumed in an instant by reason of their wicked workes which shall perish also like the workers thereof even as Tow to the fire CHAP. II. Vers. 2. IN the last by this phrase the Prophets doe often meane the whole time between Christs comming in the flesh and his other comming in glory That the mountaine that is to say the Church figured by Gods Temple which stood upon mount Moriah shall be exalted in spirituall glory above all worldly states and Kingdomes meant by mountaines and little hils see Psal. 68. 15 16. All Nations all differences and prerogatives of Nations being abolished and brought to nought by the Gospell V. 3.
for this grace is not universall nor common to all V. 12. Because their waters these admirable effects shall be produced because the Gospell shall be accompanied with a celestiall power of Gods Spirit Shall be meat this may signifie the double use of beleevers good works the one to the glory of God and advancement of their own salvation the other to the edification and correction of their neighbours V. 13. Ioseph whose posterity was divided into two Tribes Ephraim and Manasseh See Genesis 48. 5. 1 Chro 5. 1. V. 15. The great sea namely the Mediterranean sea in regard of the little seas or lakes of Palestine Now these bounds or borders doe signifie that Christs kingdome shall have its perfect being within it selfe and shall be severed from the world V. 17. The border of Hamath namely the uttermost part of the Northerne line which from Hamath shall turne Eastward V. 18. From the border namely Hamath where as it were in an angle shall meet the North and the East side The East sea namely the sea of Sodome Ioel 2. 20. Zach. 14. 8. V. 19. The River namely Sihor called the river of Egypt Num. 34. 5. Josh. 15. 47 1 Chron. 13. 5. V. 20. From the border from the end of the foresaid Northerne line unto that place where the land of Hamath butts upon the Mediterranean sea towards the North. V. 22. The strangers a figure of the calling and ingrasting of the Gentiles into the Church CHâ—P XLVIII Verse 1. HAzar 〈…〉 an the meaning seemes to be there shall be a line drawing from the Mediterranean sea along by the way of Hethlon to Hamath and from thence to Hazar-enan which on the one side borders upon the land of Hamath and on the other side upon the countrey of Damascus For Dan these divisions are quite differing from the ancient divisions which Ioshua made and by these seems to be shewen the equall râ—ght which Gods children shall have in his Church and in his spirituall goods V. 9. The â—blation the Italian The part This consecrated part which was five and twenty thousand cubits in length and as many in breadth was divided into three parts ten thousand of those cubits in breadth was for the Priests and there was the Temple other ten thousand cubits were for the Levites v. 13. The other five thousand were for the city of Jerusalem and there being a great deale of space yet left Eastward and Westward besides these five and twenty thousand câ—bâ—ts that was for the publique officers and for the Prince v. 18. 21. V. 12. Most holy Belonging onely to the Priests who were to enjoy it in the presence of God in the exercise of their Function in the Temple as they did the most holy parts of the offerings Lev. 2. 3. V. 14. The first fruits This part was consecrated to God as the first fruits of the earth were V. 16. The measures This representation is altogether figurative and mysticall representing the perfect constitution and ordering of the body and state of the Church as Rev. 21. 16. V. 18. That serve All those which doe the publike service in the meanest kindes of secular callings V. 28. To the river Called Sihor or the river of Egypt the Southerne confine of Palestine V. 35. The name Gods presence in his Word grace spirit and vertue shall give the Church its true being wherefore for to give the Church its true name we must say That it is the assembly in which God is present in the aforesaid manner See Isa. 26. 4. Jer. 33. 16. The Booke of the Prophet DANIEL ARGUMENT THough Daniel did never exercise the publique Calling nor Function of a Prophet in the qualitie of an Ecclesiasticall person to preach to the people and expound in sacred assemblies the revelations which were sent him by God yet his booke hath alwayes beene insâ—rted amongst the number of the other Prophetâ— as containing most speciall and admirable predictions of the state of the world and Church from his time untill Christs comming in the flesh gathered by himselfe and published in this Booke Whereiâ— we may observe two generall parts the one Historicall and the other Propheticall In the first he sets downe what notable things happened concerning his owne person and his course of life to make himselfe to be acknowledged a Prophet authorised by God relating how that in his youth he was carried away captivâ— to Babylon and was with others of the same Nation age and condition chosen to be instructed and consequently employed in honourable employments in that Empire But that God having taken them into his particular care and charge did 〈◊〉 those humane instructions by an infusion of divine giftâ— and graces First in a spirit of sanctification zeale and singular piety â—ried by cruell torments inflicted upon Daniels three companions in their youth and upon Daniel himselfe in his old age and besidâ—s in sâ—verâ—ignâ— understanding and wisdome wherein Daniel was remarkable and spoken of as iâ— were by a common Proverb whereupon they were promoted to eminent dignities to the great â—ase and sustenancâ— of the Church in her captivitie and sufferings in Babylon And at the last in the spirit of Prophâ—ciâ— in Daniel which manifested it selfe first in 〈…〉 ing Nebuchadnezzar in mind of his 〈◊〉 which he had forgotten and interpretting of them and afterwards in the miraculous prediction of the â—vills which did hang over the head of Belshazzar his grandchilde But it did fully shiâ—◠〈◊〉 in the incompâ—rable visions set downâ— iâ— the second part of this Booke concerning the foure grâ—â—â— Monarchies of the world â—ntill the â—â—mâ—ing of Christ and especially touching Selucides King of Syria and other successors of Alexander under whom the Iewish Church should suffer most grievous and mourneâ—ull accidents and especially under Antiochus Epiphanes the most cruell subtill and pestileâ—â— persecutor that ever the Church â—ad his principall â—ime and end being to root out Gods worship in it together with all impression and motion of piety in mens hearts Under the figure of whom are also foretold the persecutions of Rome whilst it was â—eathen and also of Antichrist the last deadly enemiâ— of the Christian Church as Antiochus had beene of the Iewish Church against whose outrages the Prophet comforteth and strengtheneth the Church by the promise of Gods helpe and deliverance in his appointed time lifting their hearts notwithstanding up for a soveraignâ— comfort to Gods promise of everlasting salvation by Christ who being established by the father to be the everlasting King of the world should from time to time cause 〈◊〉 to fall upon thâ—se Empires and should at the last lay the foundation of his ownâ— spirituall and everlasting Empire upon the redemption purchased by his death the prefixed time whereof is more cleerely showen to him then to any other Prophet through which all 〈◊〉 ceremonies being accomplished in their signification the use of them should also be abolished to 〈◊〉 to the service of God in
accomplishment of Christs kingdome and the eternall salvation of the Church at the last Resurrection joyned with the finall destruction of her enemies That sleepâ— a Scripture terme to shew the immortality of the soule after the death of the body with the certainty of the resurrection To shamâ— See Isay 66. 24. Rom. 9. 21. V. 3. Tâ—y that be wise namely the true beleevers who in this life are inlightned by the holy Ghost in faith shall injoy the light of glory in the kingdome of heaven He alludes to the understanding men of which he had spoken in the times of Antiochus Dan. 11. 33 35. That turne many namely the faithfull ministers of the Gospell See 1 Tim. 4. 16. Iam. 5. 19 20. As the stars See 1 Cor 15. 41. V. 4. Shut up the use and cleere understanding of these prophecies is not for this present time v. 9. but for the times of the fulfilling of it which is appointed by God Shall 〈…〉 unne to and fro to seek out these prophecies to be instructed comforted and strengthened Knowledge that is to say God by his Spirit and by the events shall give full knowledge of these things which are as yet but obscurely foretold See Isay 29. 18. Jer. 23 20. V. 5. Two namely Angels besides that which had hitherto spoken to the Prophet Of the river whereof see Dan. 10. 4. V. 6. Vnto the man of which see Dan. 10. 5. Vpon the See Dan. 8. 16. Wonders of these admirable predictions and strange accedents which shall befall the Church V. 7. That it shall be that this desolation of the Church by Antiochus should be accomplished in three yeares and a balfe Dan. 7. 25. When he shall when Antiochus had brought the people into extremity God should miraculously releeve them V. 8. I understood not namely the secret of those times distinguished in that manner V. 9. Goe thy way content thy selfe and forbeare inquiring any further concerning these things the knowledge whereof is reserved for its proper time and belong neither to thee nor to the age thou livest in V. 10. Purified by the aforesaid persecutions The wicked See Dan. 11. 32. 1 Mac. 1. 12. 45. 55. None of the the prophane and apostataes shall give no heed to these prophesies nor shall reape any benefit document or comfort thereby But the wise of which see Dan. 11. 33 35. V. 11. There shall be before Gods service be reestablished in his Temple and it be purged from idolatry 1 Mac. 4. 37. A thousand which are the three yeares and a halfe mentioned v. 7. with thirteen dayes over comprehended in the fore-said round number or added to shew some particular time of some accident not mentioned in Scripture V. 12. To the thousand in this Number there are five and forty dayes more then in the former Number And it is likely that they were from the re-establishment of Gods service untill Antiochus his plague 1 Mac. 6. 8 9. of which he dyed after he had languished many dayes 1 Mac. 6. 16. whereby the people were freed from his tyranny V. 13. Goe thou dispose thy selfe to end thy dayes quietly during which thou shalt be exempt from these calamities v. 9. and shalt keepe those great honours which thou enjoyest Daniel 6. 28. The Booke of the Prophet HOSEA ARGUMENT AFter the ten Tribes of Isaell were separated from the kingdome of Iudah and from the communion of the Church and from the pure service of God the Lord did for all that preserve some forme of Church amongst them by the preaching of his word ministred by his Prophets to keep his Elect in the prosession of Gods covenant and the enjoyment of his grace and to preserve Them from those evils which then reigned and to gather together and save the reliques of them And also to reprove and condemne the wicked call them to repentance and affright them with the denunciation of Gods judgements and finally to supply the defect of the ordinary ministery of Priests and Levites which was quite annihilated amongst them and to preserve Gods right amidst a Nation which through his patience did yet beare his name and badge Amongst these Prophets was Hosea raised up in the last declining of the kingdome The summary of whose prophesies is contained in this booke and is referred to two chiefe heads namely to the Law and the Gospell In the first he discovers reproves and sharpely condemnes the generall corruption which reigned in the ten Tribes Especially in regard of the idolatry of the Calves and Baali the well-spring of all other vices which are either in a publick government or in a private life without sparing sometimes Iudah it selfe though in a more moderate degree of reproofe by reason of his persevering in Gods covenant and service Then he denounces unto them Their approaching reprobation and finall destruction notwithstanding all their confidence in worldly assistance and meanes whereof he confuteth the vanity In the second he promises Gods grace to the remainder of true and repentant Beleevers and to the body of the people their latter conversion and re-establishment under the Gospell and to all the true spirituall Israel taken indifferently out of all nations their gathering together peace safety regeneration and eternall conjunction with God by Iesus Christ his Churches King and Bride-groome Now these two heads are diversly handled In the three first Chapters briefly and abscurely under two figures or visions In the rest of the booke in cleerer and plainer terms and larger discourses CHAP. I. Verse 1. IEroboam as Amos 1. 1. there were indeed other Kings of the ten Tribes untill the time of Ezekiah But it may be that Hosea prophesied under Jeroboam amongst the ten Tribes and that after his reigne he came into Judah Or that the other Kings are left out because that under them the state was turned upside downe by revolts and continuall troubles V. 2. By Hosea or in Hosea to signifie the inward propheticall revelation Num. 12. 6. 2 Sam. 23. 2. Goe take unto thee it is likely that all this was commanded and seemed to the Prophet to be performed in vision that it being related to the people they might perceave in the looking-glasse of this Allegory their duty towards God and their rebellion and disloyalty and the punishment which God would inflict upon them for it See Hosea 3. 1. A wife of whoredomes not that she was a whore already but that being first a married wife she afterwards went a stray The application of the figure to the subject requireth that it should be so understood whereby it appears that all this was done in vision Children of whoredomes which are really borne of an unlawfull copulation though they beare thy name For the land I will have thee in this manner represent unto the people their idolatries and spirituall strayings and reprove them for it See Psal. 73. 27. Ezek. 23. 35. V. 3. Gomer some hold it to be the name of some famous strumpet
them In conclusion they may be read and good instructions may be gathered out of them observing notwithstanding those necessary pre-cautions set downe in the particular advertisements upon every Booke and applying alwayes the rule of Gods authenticall Word thereunto and the light of His Spirit to discerne truth from falshood and good from evill and to retaine the one and reject the other According to the liberty which Beleevers have in all works and writings which are meerly hâ—mane The first Booke of the Apocripha called Esdra being called the third of Esdra THis Book is but onely a summary repetition of some holy and canonicall writings namely of the two last Chapters of the second Book of Chronicles and of the Book of the true Ezra and of Nehemia Which besides its being neither necessary nor profitable doth also containe diverse things and circumstances directly contrary to those foresaid bookes that are of authenticall truth As amongst the rest the narration inserted in the third and fourth Chapter of the three young men that were of Darius his guard contending for the reward of the best sentence propounded by every one of them though it be also related by Iosephus an ancient Hebrew Historian which besides that it hath no signe of divine majesty and holinesse is also plainly convicted of falsehood for this Booke taketh from thence the cause of the second returne of the Jewes from the Babylonian captivity and of the re-undertaking of the building of the Temple under Darius by Zorobabel pretended to be one of the said young men Whereas the true Ezra sets downe that Zorobabel was conductor of the first company of Jewes which returned under Cyrus many yeares before Darius And therefore by very good reason this book hath been by unanimous consent rejected amongst the baâ—est and falsest sort of Apocrypha The second Book of the Apocrypha called the fourth Book of Esdra THis Book which is extant bùt onely in Latine was written by one who was by nation a Jew and by profession a Christian a little while after the death of Domitian the Emperour Of whom as also of his predecessors hee speakes so plainely that there is no doubt to be made of it The end as it seemeth of it was to comfort his nation in the last desolation which was newly befallen them by the Romans whose power fearing to provoke as much as he feared to kindle the Jewes hatred against Christianity he keepes himselfe hidden under the name of the old Ezra And under diverse termes and narrations taken from what had befallen the Jewes in the taking of their City by the Babylonians and during their ancient captivity He endeavours to strengthen his nation in the expectation of deliverance and redemption thorow Christ so they turned to him and to the faith of his Gospell As for the rest either to insinuate with the Jewes by framing himselfe to their opinions or because he was indeed infected with their fables he mixes many of them amongst his rare grave and Evangelicall sentences doctrines and predictions whereof many are taken out of our Lord Jesus own speeches and out of his Apostles prophecies inserted by the Author in this Book wherein he hath affected some resemblance and imitation of the Revelation of Saint Iohn But the great number of fables vanities and Jewish bables of which it is full hath caused it all times to be held for Apocrypha of lowest esteeme and of no authority The Book of Tobia THis Book was never acknowledged for Prophetick and divine and peradventure was never seene by the ancient Jewish Church which had receaved from the last Prophets the whole body of the sacred Bookes of the Old Testament shut and sealed up The Christian Church also in the first ages though with too much facility it had admitted it to be read both privately and publickly for the use of some instruction of manners and teaching of vertue yet it alwayes held it as meere Apocrypha and of no authority to rule and binde the Churches Faith Wherein questionlesse the Holy Ghost did guide it to take notice of the quality of the writer who had no prophetick light nor infallible guide of Gods Spirit and besides to examine the substance of the matter of the Book every where full of strange narrations that have neither ground nor conformity with authenticall Scripture As those of the love of a Devill to a chaste and holy maiden of the death of her Spouses of the manner of her driving him away of the binding of him to a certaine place of the long conversing of a holy Angell with men things which do all savour of a Jewish fable composed for delight to give some instruction of vertue and morality according to the manner of that nation Which seemes to be confirmed by reason that neither in Josephus nor any other jewish Author there is any track of this History Besides though Saint Hierome affirmes he hath translated it out of a Chaldaick text into Latine yet reason plainly sheweth us that the Greek Text from which we have taken this translation is the true originall In which language notwithstanding there was not any sacred book of the Old Testament written the use of that language being brought up amongst the Jewes a long time after that the gift of prophecy was ceased The Booke of Iudith THere are two principall questions concerning this booke The first whether it doe containe a true history or rather an allegoricall and morall fiction The other whether the narration being not grounded upon historicall truths it may be held for Divine and Canonicall As for the first there are many pregnant reasons which seeme to prove that this cannot be a true history For first it seemes very strange and without example that so memorable an accident followed by such a miraculous deliverance of the Church and so long a rest after it should not so much as be any way mentioned in holy Scripture which hath so diligently gathered and set downe actions and occurrences without any comparison of lesser moment then this And that Josephus a Jewish historian and a most curious searcher out of Jewish antiquities nor any other Jew after him should leave the least incling of it in writing But the reason of the times the true eye of history and touch stone of truth comeâ— yeâ— neerer For these things happened either be fore the captivity of Babylon or after if before aâ— the most common opinion is it was in the time of King Manasses carried prisoner to Babylon 2 Cro. 33. 11. Now herein are found indissoluble difficulties for then there was no Nebuchadnezzar King of Assyria Nineveh had not yet been taken by the Babylonians and the Empire of Assyria subsisted and flourished still And therefore no Nebuchadnezzar which is the name of a Babylonian and not of an Asiyrian King could have his Imperiall seat in Nineveh Likewise there was not at that time any high Priest in Jerusalem called Ioachim as appeareth
is to say help one another to preserve your selves from these dangers by a true christian and divine charity V. 22. Of some that is to say Of those that are simple weak and seduced V. 23. Others namely those that are hardned and perverse or the seducers themselves Save be as much as in you lieth instruments of their salvation by a profitable severity Rom. 11 14. 1 Tim. 4. 16. With fear namely of Gods judgements lively represented and darted into the conscience by the severe exercise of ecclesiasticall discipline Pulling them out doing what you can to draw them from perdition without any vain respects or considerations as they draw things out of the fire in any fashion or by what way they can Hating shewing that you extreamly detest the participation of such mens uncleannesse A phrase taken from legall impurities of garments by touching of which men were defiled ⧠THE APOCALYPSE OR REVELATION of St IOHN the Divine ARGUMENT THis Book hath the title of Apocalypse a Greek word which signifieth Revelation because the whole subject of it is of Propheticall Revelations by which to Saint John and by him to all the Church have been revealed the chief events of it after Christs first comming in the flesh to his last comming to judgement wherein this book is very like Daniels Prophecies from which also as well as from many other Prophets many termes and figures have been taken The writer hereof was Saint John the Apostle and Euangelist though he is here set down under the name of Divine which name was anciently attributed unto him for eminency because he had more loftily and expresly then any other Apostle taught and established the truth concerning the person and eternall Godhead of Christ against certain hereticks which were sprung up even in those dayes Now the three first Chapters are spent in describing a vision in which Christ appearing unto him gives him commission to write to the seven principall Churches of the lesser Asia amongst which Saint John had especially spent his Apostleship to instruct confirm praise and exhort and likewise to reprove threaten and correct every one of them as need did require From thence he goeth on to represent other visions concerning the universall state of the Church untill the end of the world wherein it seems one may observe this distinction that from the beginning of the fourth Chapter unto the end of the eleventh the said state is described as it were in the ideas of Gods heavenly decrees and in visions altogether Enigmaticall From the twelfth to the end of the Booke the executions and principall singularities thereof are more distinctly marked out by visions and descriptions which are more plain and neerer matched and fitted to the events In the first one may finde the description of Christs Kingdom in Heaven and the glorious administration of it Gods decrees concerning what should befall the Church in this world whereof Christ onely is the revealer and interpreter and the accomplishment whereof hath its limited times and the end whereof is the destruction of Christs and his Churches enemies and the present protection and everlasting salvation of the Church In the second is first represented the desolution of the Iewish nation by the Romans after it had brought forth Christ iâ— the flesh and withall the miraculous preservation of it for to have it converted in its due time Then the Roman Empire is summarily touched its tyranny and persecution against the Church and afterward its declination and ruine But the state of the Kingdome of Antichrist is yet more largely described his beginning his usurpation under a false vizard of Religion his blasphemies false doctrines deceitfull miracles persecutions violences frauds pride and enormities the blinde consent of Nations and Princes to subject themselves unto him and tocontribute to his exaltation the beginning of his fall by the pure preaching of the Gospell miraculously re-established in the world the everlasting happinesse of beleevers that shall fight with him and overcome him by their faith and patiexce and contrariwise the everlasting torments of his followers amongst whom at the last the Lord should raise most grievous alterations to make them become enemies unto him whereby it should happen that he and the triumphant City of his Kingdom and State should go to ruine and be destroyed by a sudden finall and horrible judgement of God easing the world of so great a plague glorifying his righteousnesse and giving those who are his cause of triumphant joy and enfolding his enemies in everlasting despair and ignominie After this is described a state of the Church upon earth very peaceable holy and happy Christ reigning in it and the Devill being repressed in his endeavours untill a certain time when as by a new kinde of enemies he should renew his assaults but should soon bee overcome and immediately after the end of the world and the last judgement should follow by which the Devill and all the â—hurches enemies being abyssed into hell the Church should be gathered up into heavenly glory to live and reign everlastingly with Christ and to enioy his presence and his goods in all fulnesse Now as amongst these Prophecies there are some so cleer by the event that one cannot be doubtfull nor ignorant of them but onely through a wilfull blindenesse so there are other some that are yet under Gods secret seal the explication whereof is as uncertain as the undertaking to give it is rash and therefore adoring that which as yet lieth hidden and meditating upon that which is manifest the Church hath large matter of instruction and comfort in this book looking for the full accomplishment which shall bring to light all the obscurities CHAP. I. Vers. 1. WHich God namely the Father See how this ought to be understood Iohn 3. 32. and 8. 26. and 12. 49. V. 2. Bare record by his preaching as he was an Apostle see Luke 24. 48. Acts 1. 8. and 26. 16. Of the testimonie namely of what Christ himself hath declared in the behalf of his Father see 1 Cor. 1. 6. V. 3. And keep namely in their minde and memory to compare the events therewith and by this means be confirmed in the faith and defended against all scandals and temptations The time namely of the accomplishment of these things V. 4. Asia namely the lesser called in these dayes Natolia From him namely from God the Father whose eternity is described by these three times according to the capacity of humane apprehension From the seven namely from the holy Ghost whose power is most perfect the number of seven in the Scripture intimating perfection and whose operations are very divers Isai. 11. 2. and Zech. 3. 9. and 4. 10. Rom. 4. 5. and 5. 6. V. 6. Dominion or power 1 Tim. 6. 16. V. 7. Even so Amen that is to say It shall certainly be so or so be it V. 8. Alpha names of the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet for to signifie the