CLAVIS BIBLIORVM THE KEY Of the BIBLE Vnlocking The Richest Treasury of the Holy Scriptures WHEREBY The 1 Order 2 Names 3. Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope and 7 Principall Parts Containing the Subject-Matter of every Book of Old and New Testament are familiarly and briefly opened For the help of the weakest capacity in the understanding of the whole BIBLE By FRANCIS ROBERTS A. M. Pastor of the Church at Augustines LONDON Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ in dwell in you richly in all wisdome London Printed by T. R. and E. M. for George Calvert and are to sold at his shop at the signe of the Half-Moon in Watling-street neer to Pauls stump 1648. AN EPISTLE To the READER THere is no one duty more commanded or commended in the Word of God or more practised by the Saints of God then the diligent and conscientious reading of the holy Scriptures Our Saviour Christ commands us not only to read them but to search into them The Apostle Paul commands us not only to have them with us but in us and not only to have them in us but to have them dwelling and abiding in us richly in all wisedome David professeth of himselfe that the Law was in the midst of his bowels And that he had hid the word in his heart that he might not sinne against God Austin saith of himselfe that the holy Scriptures were his holy delight And Hierome tels us of one Nepotianus who by long and assiduous meditation of the holy Scriptures had made his breast the Library of Iesus Christ. And for my part I have alwayes observed that the more holy and humble any man is the more he delighteth in the holy Scriptures and the more profane and proud any man is the more he slighteth and undervalueth them Cursed is that speech of Politian that proud Critick that he never spent his time worse then in reading the Scriptures And famous is the Answer of Basil to that cursed Apostate Julian who said of the Sciptures That he had read them understood them and condemned them But Basil answered him excellently That he had read them but not understood them for if he had understood them he would not have condemned them No man that hath the Holy Spirit but will love those books which were written by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit As David said of Goliah's sword There is none to that give it me So may I say of the Holy Scriptures There are no bookes like these Books which are able to make thee wise unto salvation and to make the man of God absolute and perfect unto every good worke And therefore let me perswade all men to read these books not only to read them but to meditate in them day and night And to hide them in their hearts as a divine cordiall to comfort them in these sad dayes as a divine lampe to guide them in this houre of darknesse and as part of the whole Armour of God to inable them to resist temptation in this houre of temptation that is now coming upon the whole earth And when they read them 1 To read them with an humble heart for God hath promised to give grace to the humble and to teach the humble his way 2 To read thē with prayer that God would open their eyes that they may understand the wonders of his law 3 To read them with a godly trembling for feare least with the spider these should suck poison out of their sweet flowers and wrest the Scriptures to their owne destruction as they that are unstable and unlearned 4 To read them with a purpose to practice what they read He that practiseth what he understandeth God will help him to understand what he understands not 5 To read them in an orderly and methodicall way And for their better help herein to take this ensuing Treatise in their hands It is short and pithy It sets the whole Bible before them in an orderly plaine and perspicuous manner and helps them to understand every book The Author of it is a godly learned Minister well knowne and very well esteemed on in this famous city The Book it selfe is called the Key of the Bible because it unlocks the richest Treasury of the Holy Scriptures Take this Key with you whensoever you goe into this Treasury And pray unto him that hath the Key of David that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth that he will open this Treasury unto you The Rabbins say that there are foure Keyes that are in Gods keeping The Key of the clouds The Key of the wombe The Key of the grave The Key of food I may adde that there is a fifth Key also in Gods bestowing which is the Key of the Scriptures The God that made these books can only un-riddle these Books And therefore when you use this Key pray for that other Key and pray unto Christ to deale with you as he did with his Apostles To open your understanding that you may understand the Scriptures So prayes Your Servant in Christ Iesus EDMUND CALAMY Imprimatur EDMUND CALAMY AN INTRODUCTORY Advertisement TO THE READER Containing some Generall Directions for the Right Understanding of the Holy Scriptures And how this present Treatise is to be improved most advantagiously to that end THe Holy Scriptures are the lively Oracles of the living God unfolding the secrets of his will to man The Epistle of Iesus Christ Revealing from heaven the saving mysteries of his sweetest love unto his Church and the Blessed Charter of the Saints which no Tract of time shall reverse whereby they hold of God all their present enjoyments in the life that now is and all their future hopes of that life which is to come Chrysostom prefers Scripture before Angels saith Get you Bibles the medicines of the soule Iob esteemed them more then his necessary food Paul delighted therein touching the inward man David preferred them before the honey and honey-combe before great spoyl thousands of gold and silver all riches and therefore accounted them his heritage his Counsellors his comfort c. Yea professeth his heart did break for longing to Gods judgements at all times And every godly and truly blessed man should make the Scriptures his delight and meditate therein night and day Notwithstanding how many gracious soules are there whose delight it is to repair often to this Sanctuary of the Scriptures as Augustine stiles them but cannot tell what they see there of the Lord and of his glory who frequently read in this blessed Book but like the Ethiopian Eunuch understand not or not to purpose what they reade And this comes to passe 1 Partly through the sublimity of those supernatural and heavenly mysteries therein revealed whereby
his way Thus Christ saith I thanke thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent but hast revealed them unto Babes whence Becanus notes that such as are proud and attribute to their own wisedome attaine not to the true sense of Scripture Be therefore clothed with humility in use of Scripture that true Scripture-knowledge may increase IV. Rule Familiarize the Scripture to thy selfe by constant and methodicall exercise therein Method and order as it is the mother of memory so it is a singular friend to a clear understanding The generality of the Scripture have such a contexture and coherence one part with another that small insight into it will be gained by reading it confusedly disorderly therefore read the whole in Order Divers have published Directions how to read over the whole Scripture methodicaâ—ly once a yeare c. consult them But be constant in perusall and studying of the Scriptures hereby Scripture phrase and sense will become familiar and facile How hard at first to write to play on an instrument c. but by multiplying Acts men get habits and write play c. with facility and dexterity Use not Scripture only by fits and starts in some good pangs or moods c. but habitually converse with Scripture trade in them meditate therein night and day Let the word of Christ not only lodge or sojourne in you but even dwell in you Hence those commands of God to his people of old This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night These words shall be in thine heart and thou shalt whet them diligently upon thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up And thou shalt bind them for a signe upon thine hand c. V. Rule Vnderstand Scripture according to the Theologicall Analogy or Certaine rule of faith and love Anomaly i. e. Irregularity is some deviation from the rule or exception against the rule To this here Analogy is opposed By this Analogy understand A certaine Epitome of Scriptures or briefe Abridgement of Christian Religion collected out of the plaine places of Scripture according to which other darke and figurative expressions in Scripture are to be explained This Analogy of faith and love Paul charges Timothy to hold fast saying Hold fast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. That Delineation Draught Platforme Patterne or forme of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Where seems to be intimated a Systeme or forme of doctrine communicated from Paul to Timothy according to which Timothy was to steer as by a Compasse This forme of doctrine is described here 1 By the generall nature of it A forme of sound words A draught or model of wholesome doctrine 2. By the principall parts of it into which it is branched viz. 1 Faith 2 Love Faith compriseth credenda All things to be believed as in the Creed taken out of Scripture Love containes facienda All things to be done as in the Decalogue Lords prayer and Sacramental Institutions which are Scripture into these two the whole Body of divinity is usually distributed 3. By the primary foundation upon which this forme of sound words is built viz. Christ Iesus compare herewith 1 Cor. 3.11 Eph. 2.20 So that if in any place of Scripture the word or letter of the text be repugnant to the Analogy of faith and love it is not to be understood properly and literally but improperly and figuratively As for instance This is my body This is my blood c. This cannot be understood properly that the bread and wine are Christs body and bloud for that is contrary to the Analogy or rule of faith w ch tels us that Christs human nature is ascended into heaven whom the heavens must containe till the restitution of all thingâ— therefore it is to be understood figuratively and in a â—acramentall sense The signe being put for the thing signified by a Metâ—â—ymie So we are commanded To eate Christs flesh To pluck out our right eye cut off our right hand if they offend us We cannot read any of these literaelly and properly for that were against the Analogy or rule of love Thou shalt not kill therefore we must seek for a spirituall and improper sense viz. Eating Christs flesh not carnally with our teeth but spiritually by faith i. e. beleeving in Christ crucified c. As also denying all corruptions corrupt affections inclinations or occasions though as deaâ— and usefull as right hand or right eye unto us Thus this rule faithfully followed will cleare many hard and intricate passages in Scripture It is therefore of singular consequence to every one that desires solidly to understand the Scriptures to be well grounded in the fundamentals Principles of Christian Religion without which like a ship without ballast a man shall be carried away with every winde of vaine doctrine perverting or mistaking the Scriptures VI. Rule Be well acquainted with the 1 Order 2 Titles 3 Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope and 7 Principall parts of the books both of the Old and N. Testament These will much promote the solid judicious understanding of the whole Bible in a short space For 1 Hereby you shall have the very Idea or character of every book lively describing the nature and Contents of it before your eyes as in a Map before you begin to peruse them 2 Hereby you shall have a Clew to conduct you a Compasse to saile and steere by in the perusall of any book 3 Hereby also you shall have a summary Recapitulation or Recollection of the chief Aime and subject matters of every book much tending both to help judgement and strengthen memory after the Perusall of any book of old or New Testament And therefore this course must needs be as an usefull Key to unlock the rich Cabinet of the Holy Scriptures and to discover the precious Treasures thereof unto you Now this is the Intent and Scope of this Manuall this small Treatise viz. so familiarly to open and unfold The 1 Order 2 Titles 3 Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope and 7 Principall Parts of the Books of Old and New Testament That the whole Tenour of the Bible might be spread open in a Generall view to the meanest capacity For 1. The Order of the Books especially of the Historicall Books observed all along and compendiously represented in the two Tables before the Old and New Testament more evidently help to discover the Order of Histories and matters handled therein and the Order of Gods governing his Church in severall conditions 2. The Titles 1 Some of them summarily signify to us the chief matter of the Book as Genesis The Generations of
c. Genesis GENESIS i. e. Generation so called by the Greek because it sets forth the Generations of the heavens of the earth in their first creation Gen. 2.4 The Hebrews name their Books of the Old Testament either 1 From the Prophets the Penmen of them Or 2 From the Principall subject or Argument handled in them Or 3 From the first Hebrew word wherewith they begin as the 5. Books of Moses the Lament of Ieremiah Hence Genesis is called in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bereschith i. e. In the beginning Penman It is not probable this Book was written by Moses whilst a Private man and a shepheard in Madian in the desert but rather after he was a Publick person and furnished with a Prophetick spirit otherwise the credit and authority of this History would be too much enfeebled Nor is it absurd which some Hebrew writers think who referre this writing to that of Exod 24.12 Come up to me into the mount and be thou there and I will give thee the Tables of stone and the Law and the Precepts which I have written to teach them Understanding by the Tables the Decalogue by the Precepts all the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall Ordinances and by the Law all other writings of Moses whether Historicall or Dogmaticall D. Paraeus in Prolegom in Genes p. 14.15 in fol. This Book as it is absolutely the ancientest writing extant in the world so it is most compendious being an History of 2369 years as Ainsw thinks or rather of 2368 as Iunius and Paraeus comput Iun. Annot. in Gen. 1. Parae Prologom in Genes This may appeare in three eminent Intervals or Periods of time recorded in Genesis viz. I. From the Creation to the beginning of the flood in Noahs 600 th yeare through 10 Generations 1656 yeares Gen. 5. and 6.11 viz. From Adams Creation to Seth's Nativity 130 years From Seth to Enos 105. From Enos to Cainan 90. From Cainan to Mahaleeâ— 70. From Mahaleel to Iared 65. From Iared to Enoch 162. From Enoch to Mathusalah 65. From Mathusalah to Lamech 187. From Lamech to Noah's birth 182. From Noah's birth to the beginning of the flood 600 in all 1656. II. The second Period of time is From the beginning of the flood through other 10 Generations to Abrahams birth 352 years Gen. 11. viz. From the Flood to Arphaxad 2 years From Arphaxad to Selah 35 years From Selah to Heber 30 years From Eber to Peleg 34 years From Peleg to Reu 30 years From Reu to Serug 32 years From Serug to Nachor 30 years From Nachor to Terah 29 years From Terah to Abraham 130 years In all 352 years So that Abraham was borne in the 2008 yeare from the Creation III. The third Period is From Abrahams birth to Josephs death through foure Generations 360 years viz. From Birth of Abraham to the birth of Isaac 100 years Gen. 17.17 and 21.5 From Isaacs birth to Iacobs birth 60 years Gen. 25.26 From Iacobs birth to his going down into Egypt 130 years Gen. 47.9 From Iacobs descent into Egypt to his death 17 years Gen. 47.28 From death of Iacob to the death of Ioseph 53 years which may be thus gathered Ioseph died when he was 110 years old Gen. 50.26 He stood before Pharaoh when he was 30 years old Gen. 41.46 After the seven years of plenty in the third yeare of famine Iacob came into Egypt in the one hundred and thirtieth yeare of Iacob and fourtieth yeare of Ioseph Gen. 45.6 Ioseph lived with his father in Egypt seventeen years Therefore when his father dyed Ioseph was 57 years old Consequently he lived after his fathers death 53 years Gen. 50.26 So that the totall of this third Intervall amounts to 360 years And therefore 1656 and 352 and 360 being added together This History of Genesis is evidently an History of 2368 yeares continuance The scope of Genesis is to set forth The Generation of the world The corruption thereof by sin The Restauration thereof by Christ the seed of the woman together with the Government of the old world before the flood and the follâ—â—ing world after the flood especially of the Church of God in particular families in both Principall parts of this Book In Genesis are described I. The Originall 1 Of the world chap. 1. 2. Of Mankinde and so of the Church ch 2.3 Of sinne and punishment thereof ch 3. II. The Government 1. Of the Old World before the Flood where are 1. The Propogation of sin and punishment from Adam to posterity c. 4. 2. Preservation of the Church in the sinfull world c. 5. 3. Iudgements of God upon the world Foretold c. 6. Inflicted c. 7. 2. Of the World following after the Flood according to the times of divers renowned Patriarchs Noah Abraham Isaac Iacob 1. Noah whose 1 Deliverance from the Flood c. 8. 2. Benediction c. 9. 3. Family 1 as united c. 10. 2 as dispersed c. 11. are recorded 2. Abraham touching whom are laid down 1 His Calling from his Country and kindred c. 12.1 to ver 10. 2. His going down Into Egypt ver 10. to the end Into Canaan c. 13. 3. His rescuing of Lot c. 14. 4. His dealing with God who 1 Promises him issue c. 15. 2 Performes to him by Hagar c. 16. 3 Makes a Covenant with Abraham whereof note The forme c. 17. The fruit or effect of it 1 On Gods part viz. Communication of his Counsels to him ch 18. and of his Benefits ch 19 20 21. 2 On Abrahams part divers sweet fruits viz. 1 The obedience of his faith c. 22. 2 His Humanity c. 23. 3 His Piety in the matching of his sonne c. 24. 3. Isaac whose 1 Posterity c. 25. 2. Peregrination into the land of Egypt c. 26. 3. Benediction of his two sons c. 27. are mentioned 4. Iacob whose three Peregrinations are declared viz. I. Into Mesopotamia wherin note 1. His journey c. 28. 2. His Arrivall and marriage c. 29. 3. His increase in goods and children c. 30. II. Into Canaan where observe His passage hither c. 31. 4 His abode there where the things that befell him are recited viz. 1. His meeting of his brother Esau with 1 preparation for it c. 32. 2 manner of it c. 33. His daughter Dinah's defilement c. 34. 2. Rachels death c. 35. 3. Isaacs death and buriall by Iacob and Esau where is mentioned Esaus race c 35.36 Selling of Ioseph c. 37. Incest of Iudah c. 38. III. Into Egypt of which Peregrination of Iacob are mentioned The Antecedents The Manner and Consequents Antecedents viz. 1. Iosephs being made knowne to the Egyptians and to his owne kindred To the Egyptians in Prison c. 39.48 out of Prison to the King and his people c. 41. To his owne Not at their first coming into Egypt to buy corne c. 42. But at their second coming c. 43.44.45 where all the circumstances thereof are noted 2. Iosephs sending for his father c. 45. Manner 1. Of Iacobs going thither c. 46.
to obed c. 4. II Narrative containing the main bulk and substance of the book c. 5. to 32. viz. The Law and Confirmation thereof I. The Law shewing the way of well living 1. Universall c. 5. 2. Particular where Of the Decalogues Principle and things Principled 1. The Principle of the Decalogue is Gods love whereof you have 1. The Proposition Wherein note 1. The manner and object of it c. 6. 2. The opposites Idolatry c. 7. Ingratitude c. 8. Pride c 9. 2. The Conclusion c. 10. 2. The things Principled touching 1. The place of divine worship c. 11 12. 2. The manner c. 13.14 3. The time c. 15.16 4. The persons which are to performe worship to him Who are informed according to the three parts of the soule and this either joyntly or severally Jointly 1. According to the Rationall part Where Of persons Ecclesiasticall and Politicall together c. 17. Of persons Ecclesiasticall apart c. 18. Of persons Politicall apart c. 19. 2. According to the Irascible part in case of war c. 20. 3. According to the Concupiscible part c. 21 22. Severally where are both Lawes c. 23 24 25. And the close of them c. 26. II. The confirmation of the Law by certain Arguments viz. 1. Signes c. 27. 2. Promises and threats c. 28. 3. By solemn renewing of the Covenant partly 1 By word Comminatory c. 29. Promissory c. 30. 2 By writing and instruments c. 31. III. Conclusion of the whole book c. 32 33 34. Which is either I. Propheticall and Hortatory wherein is a double Prophecy 1. Common touching the Church of the Jewes till the time of the Messiah c. 32. 2. Speciall containing the blessing of the 12 Tribes c. 33. 2. Historicall concerning the death of Moses c. 34. IJ. THE PROPHETS THe PROPHETS wrote all the Bookes of the Old Testament besides the Pentateuch of Moses These Prophets inspired infallibly by the Holy-Spirit of Prophecy wrote Books of three severall sorts viz. 1 Historicall 2 Dogmaticall or Doctrinall and 3 Propheticall The Hebrews thus distinguish the Books of the Old Testament 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thorah i. e. The Law viz. the five books of Moses 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nebiâ—m i. e. The Prophets The Prophets they distinguish into two sorts viz. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nebiim Rishonim i. e. The former Prophets perhaps so called because they treat of the first Prophets These are foure viz. Ioshua Iudges Samuel and Kings And 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nebiim Acharonim i. e. the later Prophets which they reckon up in foure Books also viz. Isaiah Ieremiah Ezekiel and the twelve minor Prophets which were anciently joyned all in one volume lest they through their smalnesse should be lost That phrase seemes to favour this It is written in the Book of the Prophets Act. 7.42 the Prophet Amos being cited which is one of the Minor or lesser Prophets 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The writings by way of emphasis See the Reason hereof in Rivet Isag. ad sucr scrip c. 29. Sect. 16. The Greek cals these Books 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hagiographa i. e. The holy writings upon some such ground Of this sort are eleven in this order in Hebrew Ruth Psalmes Iob Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Lamentations Daniel Esther Ezra Chronicles under Ezra comprehending Nehemiah which sometimes is called the second of Ezra and the two Books of the Chronicles being reckoned as but one Book But the former Distribution of the PROPHETS bookes into 1 Historicall 2 Doctrinall and 3 Propheticall being both more consonant to the matter of these books and to the method of our Bibles shall here be followed I. HISTORICAL BOOKS THE HISTORICAL BOOKS of the Prophets Relate the History of the Jewes and of the Church of God among them from the death of Moses which was when he was one hundred and twenty years old Deut. 34.7 Ioseph Ant. l. 4. c. 3. In 2493 year of the world Helvic untill the Period of the Persian Monarchy possessed by Alexander the Macedonian called Alexander the great who conquered the Persians and got Dominion of Asia about Ann. 3614 after the worlds Creation Helvic in Chronolog So that these Books contain an History of about 1121 years continuance Of this History of the Jews and of the Church of God there are two Principall Parts or Periods viz. 1. Of the Israelites Entrance into the promised land 2. Of their Government and Condition after that entrance Joshuah 1. ISraels entrance into the promised land is described in the Book of JOSHUAH So called from the chiefe subject handled therein viz. The Acts of Ioshuah the successour of Moses the Governour and chiefe Captaine of Israel under whose conduct they conquered the Land Divided it by Line and Lot among the Tribes and possessed it according to all Gods faithfull promises in that behalfe unto their Fathers Josh. 21.43 44 45. 23.14 15. Penman of this Booke some conceive to be Ioshuah because it beares his name But that Reason is not cogent 1 partly because the Bookes of Iudges Ruth and Kings bear their name yet not Penned by them 2 partly because the denomination of this Book is rather from the Subject matter then the Author Other thinke Eleazer the High-Priest whose death is recorded Iosh. 24.33 Gathered together the chief materials of which this Booke is compiled It being the Priests duty to leave upon Record all memorable Ecclesiastical affairs for the benefit of after ages and propagation of Religion This more probable but not certain Alsted Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 119. Iohan. Calvin Argument in Lib. Iosuae This book containes an History of almost eighteene yeeres viz. From the death of Moses to the death of Joshuah Iun. Arg. in lib. Iehosh Gerh. loc prim de Scriptura in exegesi Sect. 125. Scope Of this booke to demonstrate Gods exact faithfulnesse in performing all his Promises made to the Fathers that all his people may be encouraged to trust to him the better for ever Iosh. 21.45 23.14 15. Principall parts In this Book is an History of Ioshuah's Life and Death I. Of Ioshua's Life Wherein consider 1. His vocation God cals him to be Governour of Israel in Moses stead c. 1. 2. His Administration both in time of warre and Peace 1. In time of warre Whereof is laid down 1. A Narration 1. Of sending the Spies to search the Land c. 2. 2. Of the passing thorow Jordan where The Antecedent passages and manner of it c. 3. The Consequents upon it c. 4.5 3. Of the Seiges and Victories His first Victory over Jericho c. 6. The impediment of his proceedings the Accursed thing c. 7. His manifold and happy successe after removal of the Accursed thing he conquered all the Country c. 8 9 10 11. 2. A Repetition of his warlike exploits c. c. 12. 2. In time of Peace Wherein are 1. The distribution of the land of Canaan under which are described 1 The borders of the Land c.
This I. of Chron. Principally insists upon the History of David Relating his Genealogy from the first Adam and so forwards towards the second Adam wherein the 12. tribes and their families c. are recorded c. 1. to 10. And his famous Acts c. 10. to the end of the Book so that this Book is a Compendious Chronology of all the former Books to the Books of Kings of things from the worlds Creation till about the yeare 2985. viz. of Genesis 2368 y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible Exodus 142. y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible The other Books of Moses 39 y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible Joshuah 17. almost 18 y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible Judges 299 y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible I. Of Samuel 80 y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible II. Of Samuel 40 y. All which have been aboue particularly explained and demonstrated So the I. of Chronicles is the longest History of any one Book in the whole Bible Hierom calls the Chronicles Instrumenti veteris Epitomen c. The Epitome of the Old Testament and that it is of such Consequence that whosoever would arrogate to himselfe the knowledge of the Scriptures without it doth but mock and abuse himselfe Hieronym in Ep. ad Paulin. And again stiles it Totius divinae Historiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Chronicle of the whole Divine History Hier. in Prolog Galeat Penman of this and the second Book is uncertaine R. Salomo R. D. Kimchi think it was Ezra Saith Alsted in Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 120. Iunius also is of the same judgement Iun. Annot. in 1 King 11.41 and in his argument before 1 Chron. The Argument that generally inclines them all to this opinion is That the same words which are used in the close of the Chronicles 2 Chron. 36.23 are also used in the beginning of Ezra Ezr. 1.1 2 3. Scope The primary Scope of this Book seemes to be this Clearly to describe the Line and Genealogy of CHRIST the Messiah promised to David Abraham and Adam That when in fulnesse of time Christ should be revealed and performed the Church might infallibly know that he was the Promised SEED OF THE WOMAN Principall Parts This first Book of Chron. describes the Israelitish kingdome in its 1 Foundation and 2 Administration I. Foundation Where of 1. The General Genealogy of all Nations from Adam to Iacob c. 1. Here is a Chronicle of 1 The Pentateuch 2 Ioshuah 3. Iudges 2. Particular Geneal of the Nation of Israel by the twelve Tribes c. 2. to 9. Here is a Chronicle of 1 The Pentateuch 2 Ioshuah 3. Iudges II. Administratâ—on under 1 Saul whose 1 Genealogy is in c. 9. 2 Death c. 10. 2 David whose 1. Kingly condition c. 11 12 14. 2 Acts 1 Sacred restoring Gods â—orship in respect of the 1 Place c. 13 15 17 22. 2 Persons ministring in the 1 Tabernacle c. 16 2 Temple c. 23. 24 25 26 Here is a Chronicle of the two Books of Samuel 2 Polemical or Martial c. 18 19 20. 3. Political c. 21.27 3. Death c. 28 29. where is declared how David before his Death in a Solemne Assembly at Ierusalem took his leave of his Kindred Set Solomon or his Throne after he had given him Directions about the Temple and himself with his Princes had offered willingly towards the building of it II Chron 2. ACcording to the UNITED and DIVIDED state of the kingdom in the II of CHRONICLES So called for the reasons formerly alledged This booke relates the history of the Israelitish State from the beginning of king Solomons Reigne till their returne from the Babylonish Captivity which fell out about the first yeare of Cyrus king of Persians Setting down both the union and flourishing condition of the kingdome under Solomon but the division and decay of the kingdome thence ensuing till it came to utter ruine So this book contains an History of about 472 yeeres From Solomon to carrying away of Iechonias 401. As Jun. and Tremell compute In the Captivity 70 As Jun. and Tremell compute Under Cyrus the Persian 1. As Jun. and Tremell compute So that this book is an Epitome or Chronicle of the two Books of Kings with Additions If we consider the books of Samuel Kings and Chronicles all together they containe an Historicall Narration How the kingdome of Israel 1 Began under Samuel 2 Increased under David 3 Flourished under Solomon and 4 Failed under Zedekiah thus it endured almost 565 yeers Penman see in 1. of Chron. Scope For substance the same with that of the two books of Kings Principall parts This book containes an Historicall Narration of the kingdome of Israel's I. Flourishing or increase under King Solomon Touching Solomon are recorded his 1. Vertues c. 1. 2. Buildings 1. Sacred viz. The Temple where 1. His preparation for it c 2. 2. His extruction or building of it viz. Of the Temple contayning c. 3. And of the Holy utensils contayned in it c. 4. 3. His Dedication of the Temple partly by Dedicated things especially the Arke brought into the Temple c. 5. Partly by praise and prayer c. 6. Partly by Sacrifice c. 7. 2. Civil viz. Severall Cities which he builded c. 8. 3. Condition and Death c. 9. II. Fading or decrease under the following Kings of Iudah and Israel the kingdome being divided till the returne from Captivity in the Reigne of Cyrus Where note five concussions of shakings of the Kingdome under these ensuing Kings viz. Rehoboam c. 10 11 12 Abia c. 13 Asa c. 14 15 16 Jehoshaphat c. 17 18 19 20 Jehoram c. 21 Ahaziah c. 22 Joash c. 23 24 Amaziah c. 25 Uzziah c. 26 Jotham c. 27 Ahaz c. 28 Hezekiah c. 29 30 31 32 Manasâ—eh c. 33 Amon c. 33 Josiâ—h c. 34 35 Joahaz c. 36. Jehoakim c. 36. Jechoniah c. 36. Zedekiah c. 36. II. After the people of Israels CAPTIVITY in which regard we have their REDUCTION or bringing back from the Captivity of Babylon Hystorically declared And that two wayes 1. According to the truth and manner of it 2. According to the fruit and event of it Ezra 1 THe truth and manner of Gods peoples RETURNE FROM BABYLON is contained in the book of EZRA So called from Ezra the Penman of it whose Acts also
are the chief subject-matter of it Some count and call Ezra a Prophet Lactant. lib. 4. Iust. c. 11. but Augustine doubts whether he may be called a Prophet Aug. l. 18 de Civit Dei c. 36. Hierome saith he was Iosedech whose son was Iesus the High-Priest See Ludovic Viv. in Lib. 18 de Civit. dei c. 36. But how can he be denyed to be a Prophet when Christ himselfe stiles all the books of the Old Testament Moses and the Prophets Luk. 16.29.31 This is certaine Ezra was a Priest Ezr. 7 11 12. He was of the house and linage of Aaron see his pedigree Ezr. 7.1.2 3 4 5. A most expert and ready Scribe in the Law of Moses Ezr. 7.6 10 11. He was sent with Commission by Artaxerxes from Babylon to Ierusalem c. ver 11. c. Zerubbabel restored the Temple Ezra the worship of God Nehemiah the City Ierusalem This book and that of Nehemiah following are by the Hebrewes reputed as but one volume and that is called by them the I. of Ezra this the II. of Ezra Hieronym in Epist. ad Paulin. and Lactant. Instit. l. 4. c. 11. The Greek and Latin divide them as our English into two books the former being ascribed to Ezra the latter to Nehemiah The Book of Ezra in Order well followes the Chronicles for the very words which conclude the Chronicles 2 Chron. 36. last do begin this Book of Ezra Ezra 1.1 2 3. not only intimating that Ezra was probably Penman of them both but also that in this Book the History is continued In Ezra is declared the Iewes returne from Babylon And it is an History for about 146. years viz. From the Edict of Cyrus to the nineteenth year of Artaxerxes Mnemon As Iunius computes of Cyrus and Cambyses 9 Magi 1 Darius Histaspis 36 Xerxes 22 Artaxerxes Longimanus 40 Darius Nothus 19 Artaxerxes Mnemon 19 Scope To evidence how punctually faithfull and alsufficiently able God is in performing of his Promises to his Church and people in their season touching their deliverance and Restauration against all impediments improbabilities and seeming impossibilities For he made Cyrus an heathen King his shepheard and nursing father to his Church to bring them out of Babylon wherein they were as helplesse and hopelesse as dead bodies or dry bones in a grave Ezek. 37. 2 3 11 12 13. To build the Temple and Ierusalem Isa. 44. 28. and 45. 1. c. compared with Ezra 1.1 2. c. Principall parts In this Book are laid downe touching the Jewes returne 1. The causes of their return from Babylon viz. 1. Instrumentall Cyrus his Grant c. 1. 2. Materiall Persons returning c. 2. 3. Finall the Restauration of the Temple and worship of God c. 3. 2. The Impediments of their Returne 1. Recited viz. The Samaritanes c. 4. and the Ruler of Canaan c. 5. 2. Removed by the Renewing of Cyrus his Edict c. 6. 3. The successe of their Returne where are described 1 Ezra's Commission c. 7. 2. His execution of his Commission c. 8. 3. The Reformation of mixed marriages which are Described c. 9. Abolished c. 10. Nehemia II. THe Fruit and Event of the Jews RETURNE FROM BABYLON is laid down in the Book of NEHEMIAH So called 1 partly because Nehemiah was Pen-man of it Neh. 1.1 2 Partly because the Acts of Nehemiah are the Principall subject-matter of the Book Nehemiah being the great Repairer Restorer of the holy City Ierusalem It is by some called the II. of Ezra because the History begun by Ezra touching the Iewes returne from Babylon is here continued Nehemiah is supposed to aeb the same who is called the Tirshatha Ezr. 2.63 So Munsterus Neh. 8.9 which signifies a Cup-bearer Gerh. exeg in loc 1. de Scrip. § 132. but in the Chaldee tongue is a Title of Dignity and Honour R. Aben Ezra saith Gerh. Translated Legatus Regis i. e. The Kings legate Ambassadour or Commissary by Iun. Trem. who yet interpret this rather of Shazbazzar whom many think to be Zerubbabel In the margin of our English Bibles it is rendred Governour He was the son of Hachaliah Neh. 1.1 and Cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes in the twentieth yeare of his Reigne Neh. â— 11 and 2.1 The kings Palace was at Shushan Neh. 1.1 that being the Metropolis of Persia which Darius Hystaspis built Plin. N. H. l. 6 c. 27. In this Book are declared the happy fruits of the Jews returne both in reference to the Politique and Ecclesiastick state It contains an History of about 55 years as Gerh. Loc. Com. Supradict Iunius in Annot. shew viz. From the twentieth yeare of Artaerxes Mnemon Neh. 2.1 24 Thence of Darius Ochus 23 Thence of Asrenes 3 Thence of Darius the last 5 Scope To let us know how deep and desperate the distresses of the Church may grow before God will restore her How difficult slow and perplexed a work the work of Reformation is both by reason of adversaries to be opposed and Publick corruptions to be removed How easily and wonderfully God can bring Reformation to perfection against all impediments whatsoever when he is resolved to carry it on What excellent and usefull instruments pious and faithfull Magistrates are for the accomplishing both of Civil and Ecclesiasticall Reformation Nehemiah being a lively Patterne of a true Reformer indeed Principall parts This Book sets forth the Restauration of Hierusalem and this By. I. Reparation of the wals gates and buildings where consider 1. The cause of it 1. Principall God c. 1. 2. Instrumentall Nehemiah c. 2. 2. The work it selfe 1. Begun c. 3. 2. Hindred by impediments Externall c. 4. Internall c. 5. Mixt c. 6. 3. Perfected c. 6. II. Reformation both of the state Politick and Ecclesiastick c. 7. to 13. Hereunto appertain 1. The Custody of the City The Number of the Captives that returned viz. 49942. Neh. 7.66.67 and the Oblation c. 7. 2. A Description of two Festivals c. 8. 3. The peoples publick repentance in a Solemne Fast testified by a Solemne Covenant made and subscribed for Reformation c. 9 10. 4. The inhabitants of Ierusalem viz. Rulers Voluntiers and men chosen by lot c. 11. 5. The number and offices of the Priests with the Dedication of the wals of Ierusalem c. 12. III. Correction of such corruptions and miscarriages as had risen in Iudea in Nehemiah's absence c. 13. Esther III. VNder the IEWES CAPTIVITY in Babylon and other places out of Iudea The condition of the Church is described in the Book of ESTHER stiled by the Hebrewes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 megillath Esther i. e. The volume of Esther so denominated from Esther the Queen a Iewesh whose faithfull service done for the oppressed Church and people of God in extremity of straits is the primary subject of this Book Some writers exclude this Book out of the Canon of Scripture as Melito in Eusebius lib. 4. c. 25. Athanâ—sius in Synopsi and Nazianzen in Carm. de Script But the Hebrews and primitive Christians
judgements even to the Jewes themselves for their ingratefull and abominable rejection of Christ and his Gospel c. 11. V. His Evangelicall Sermon peculiarly belonging to the Church which Christ had gathered by his Gospel c. 12.13 and 14. wherein are laid down many sweet priviledges of the Church 1. The Churches victory over all her enemies to whom shee shall be A cup of trembling A Burdensome stone A torch of fire in a sheaf c. 12 1. to 7. 2. The Churches safety and protection only from the Lord. c. 12 7 8. 3. The Benefits enwrapped in this salvation for the Church viz. 1 Heart-wounding repentance for their sinnes that pierced Christ c. 12 9. to the end 2 Remission of all sins to the penitent by faith in the blood of Christ c. 13 1. 3 Purifying of the Evangelicall doctrine from all pollution and desilement v. 2. to 7. 4. A select separation of the remnant appertaining to the Election from the drossy multitude c. 13.7 to c. 14 1â— 4. The removall of all the Churches ruined enemies from offending the Church any more or suâ—duing them to the Church and consecrating all their wealth to holy uses c. 14 12 to thâ— end of the Book Malachi MALACHI he prophecyed after the Babylonish captivity the Temple being now repaired and the publike worship restored against the many notorious corruptions remaining among them even after such wonderfull mercyes He is the last Prophet of the Old Testament deciphering out in the close of his Book Iohn the Baptist the first Prophet of the New Testament Mal. 4.5 6. with Luk. 16.16 Scope To call the Iâ—wes after this Reparation of Gods Temple and worship to Repentance from their many and foule corruptions especially the comming of Christ the Messiah the great Reformer and Refiner of his Church being so neare at hand Generall parts Besides the Title herein are wrapped up in one continued Sermon these principall matters I. A Preface aggravating the ingratefull wickednesse of the Jewes drawne from Gods singular love in Election of them in Iacob when he rejected the Edomites in Esau. c. 1.2 to 6. II. A sharp contestation against the People especially the Priest the keepers of the law for their corruptions viz. 1. Against their contempt and pollution of the worship of God which Priests should have vindicated by office c 1.6 to c. 2.10 2. Against their corrupt Marriages both Marriages with infidels and Polygamies c. 2 10. to 17. 3. Against the wickednesse and perversenesse of many that made a mock of Gods justice and judgements c. 2.17 to c. 3.7 4. Against their Sacriledge in robbing God of Tiths and Offerings c. c 3.7 to 13. 5. Against their Atheisticall contempt of Gods feare worship and true repentance c. 3.15 to 4.5 III. An earnest invitation of all to repentance that so they might be prepared duely to entertaine the Messiah who with his forerunner Iohn the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elias was now immediately to appeare in humane flesh c. 4 5 6. Thus farre of the Old Testament wherein the New Testament is veiled Come we next to consider of the New Testament wherein the Old Testament is Revealed THE NEW-TESTAMENT THE NEW TESTAMENT Revealing fully and cleerly the NEW COVENANT in Christ and the Spirituall administrations thereof is contained in the Books written since Christs manifestation in the flesh In Reading of the old-Old-Testament the veile is untaken away But in the NEW TESTAMENT the veile is done away in Christ. And we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.14.18 in the Books of the Old Testament God describes to us The Old Covenant of Grace in Christ veiled under Promises Prophecies and Types In the Books of the New Testament The Lord delineates to us The New Covenant of Grace in Christ unveyled actually exhibited and performed Christ being the body and substance of all those ancient Types and Shadowes Iohn 1.17 Hebr. 10.1 Coloss. 2.17 The Center and meeting-place of all the Prophecyes and Promises Luke 1.70 and 24.27 Acts 10.43 2 Cor. 1.20 The Bookes of the New Testament are either 1 Historicall 2 Epistolicall or 3 Propheticall as further appears in the annexed Table ☞ I. HISTORICAL BOOKS THE HISTORICAL BOOKS of the New Testament are such aâ— containe principally matters of Fact though matters of Faith and Doctrine are also interwoven The Histories of the New Testament are I. Of Christ the head of the Church II. Of the Church of Christ his body The HISTORY OF JESUS CHRIST himselfe is contained in the Foure Evangelists wherein Christs Genealogy Nativity Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection and Ascension are described Matthew Mark Luke and Iohn are usually called by way of emphasis The foure Evangelists because they alone wrote the Evangelicall History of Iesus Christ. Matthew and Iohn were Apostles Matth. 10.23 Mark 3.18 19. Mark and Luke were though not Apostles yet holy Apostolicall men the Apostles disciples Companions and assistants in the work of the Ministry The generall and common Scope of these foure Histories and of the writing of them is that which Iohn expresseth in particular viz. That we might believe that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that beleeving we might have life through his name John 20.31 Particular ends and occasions may be noted in the particular considerations of them This one History of Iesus Christ is written by foure severall Penmen The Reasons thereof are worthy to be inquired into Ancient writers who much please themselves with the mysteriousnesse of Numbers have excogitated divers Some fetch a Reason from the foure Rivers of Paradise Origen Some from the foure rings of the Ark wherein the the Tables of the law were contained Hieronym Some from the foure chief Cardinall winds Iraen Advers Haeres l. 3. c. 11. Some thinke that the Gospel being to be dispersed to the whole world the world being divided into foure chiefe parts therefore there were foure-Evangelists and hence this History of Christ written by foure Evangelists is called Sancta Quadriga Domini i. e. The Lords chariot drawn of foure wherein Christ rides as in triumph throughout the world to spread abroad the sweet odour of his knowledge c. D. Aurel. Augustin de consensu Evangelistarum lib. 1. c. 5 6 7. Tom. 4. August Expos. in Evang. Ioan. Tract 36. Iraen quo supra Most accommodate that of the four living creatures Ezek 1.5 and Rev. 4.6 to the number of the Evangelists but severally Ambrose gives the Man to Matthew who begins with Christs pedigree The Lyon to Mark who begins his History of the Lyon-like ministry of Iohn Baptist that Evangelicall Elias Christs immediate forerunner The Calfe to Luke who begins his Gospel with the Nativity of Christ and that in a stable there being no room for him in the Inne and the Eagle to Iohn who in the beginning of his Gospel soares aloft to that
that sweet compound of love It was Moses his honour who was Gods peculiar favourite to be Penman of the first Book of the Old Testament And it was Iohn's honour who was Christs peculiar favourite to be Penman of the last Book of the New Testament oh what divine love and favour is made known unto the Church in all the volumes between the Armes of these two favourites 6. Finally God counts them blessed soules that read heare and keepe the words of this Prophecy Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophecy and keep these things that are written therein Rev. 1.3 A blessed Book that renders them blessed who are practically versed in it The time when this Revelation was written was when Iohn was banished into the I le that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony of Iesus Christ Rev. 1.9.10 Iohn was banished into Patmos by that cruell persecutor Domitian in the fourteenth yeare of his Reigne saith Hieron Catal illustr vir in vit Ioan. Domitian reigned in all but fifteen years as Helvic observes and his fourteenth yeare was in the ninety fourth yeare after Christ Helvic in Chronol in the ninety sixth after Christ saith Pareus Prolegom in Apocal. c. 5. This Book is conceived to be written after all the Books of the New Testament Occasion of this Revelation seemes to be this Iohn being banished into the I le Patmos Rev. 1.9 10. doubtless gave himselfe to prayer and sacred meditations about the affairs of Christ and his Church whereupon Iesus Christ appeared to his beloved disciple in a spirituall ravishment showing him what was his pleasure both touching the present Churches of Asia and touching his whole Church to the end of the world thus comforting him and commanding Iohn to write his visions for the comforting of them Scope of this book is Generally To make knowne by Iohn unto the Churches both the things that then were and that should be thereafter Rev. 1.19 Particularly 1 To informe the Church of the many sharp conflicts she should have with Satan and his instruments especially Hereticks persecuting Tyrants and Anti-Christ himselfe that so she might not dream only of Halcyon dayes but might prepare more and more for the worst of stormes 2 To discover and point out in lively Colours that grand Anti-christ that the Church might run and read and most infallibly know who he is 3 As also to support and comfort the Church and all the faithfull over all their tribulations with the hopes of the utter overthrow of Anti-christ and all their enemies of their owne joyfull triumphs over them and of the happy condition which the Church shall afterwards enjoy partly in this world but chiefly in the world to come Though this book be most obscure and intricate yet these things may somewhat facilitate the understanding of iâ— If we shall 1. Keep the maine scope of the Book still in our eye 2. Compare the passages and phrases of the Revelation with those of other Prophecies as Rev. 11.4 with Zech. 4.3 11 14. Rev. 10.9 10. with Ezek. 2.8 and 3.3 Rev. 4.6 7 8. with Ezek. 1.5 6 7 8. Rev. 20.8 with Ezek. 18.2 and 39.1 Rev. 21.15 with Ezek. 40.3 c. 3. Parallel with this Prophecy the subsequent Histories after Iohn's time the Histories of the Roman Empire and Church which testify clearly what cruelty and persecutions the Romane Emperours successively raised up against Christians with what subtilty and fraud the B. of Rome did by degrees through the folly cowardise negligence c. of the Emperours step up into their throne and subjugate not onely Rome the Seate of the Empire but also the whole Empire it selfe to his dominion and pleasure whence we may derive not a little light to see what is meant by the opening of the Seals The Stars falling from heaven to earth The beast speaking great and blasphemous things The beast and false Prophet The image of the beast And the whore riding upon the beast with seven heads and ten hornes and ruling in the city on the seven hils c. 4. Consider prudently the experience of later and present times how accurately doth the description of the Beast and scarlet whore agree to the Papacy of the Locusts to the Romane Clergy and of the Frogs comming out of the mouth of the Dragon the beast and the false Prophet to the Iesuites and Romane Emissaries compassing sea and land and creeping into Kings palaces to gather them together to the warre of the great day of God almighty 5. Finally if we shall diligently read meditate and pray that the holy spirit who revealed these things to Iohn would reveale their sense and meaning to us These things may help us to untie many knots and render many difficulties easie Principall parts In the Book of Revelation are chiefly considerable 1 The Preface 2 The Substance of the Book and 3 The Conclusion The Preface which is â— Generall in reference to the whole Prophecy noting the Matter Author Penman and Profit of this Book c. 1. ver 1 2 3. 2. Speciall or particular in reference to the seven Churches of Asia Minor and in them to the whole Catholick Church figured by them wherein are 1. A Nomination of persons writing and written to 2. The Salutation 3. And a glorious Description of Jesus Christ ver 4. to 9. The Substance or Body of this Propheticall Book c. 1. v. 9. to c. 22. v. 6. Wherein is contained a Narration of the State of the Church I. Militant on earth c. 1. v. 9. to c. 20. v. 11. II. Triumphant in heaven c. 20. v. 11. to c. 22. v. 6. The Condition of the Church Militant is declared 1. For present what it was when Iohn wrote the Revelation c. 1. v. 9. to c. 4. v. 1. 2. For future what it should be till the judgement day c. 4. v. 1. to c. 20. v. 11. I. Uision I. Touching the State of the Church then present viz. The Asian Churches principally are laid downe two things viz. 1. A Preparation to the discovery of it by A Vision of seven Golden Candlesticks and seven Starres This is Iohn's first vision And here we have a description both of Iohn who had the vision as also of the vision it selfe both in respect of the 1 Forme of it The 2 Effect it had upon Iohn and the 3 Consequents ensuing thereupon viz. The Comforting of John Command to write the vision and the Interpretation of the vision c. 1. v. 9. to the end of the chapter 2. A Narration or Description of the Condition of Christs Church then present and this in Seven distinct Epistles directed to the seven Angels of those seven Asian Churches viz. 1. Of Ephesus c. 2. v. 1. to 8. 2. Of Smyrna c. 2. v. 8. to 12. 3. Of Pergamus c. 2. v. 12. to 18. 4. Of Thyatira c. 2. v. 18. to the end of the chapter 5. Of Sardis c. 3 1. to 7. 6.
some things are hard to be understood 2 Partly through the obscure and mysterious manner of Scriptures revealing many things whereby the Lord would exeâ—cise the sharpest and deepest apprehensions of men 3 Partly through defect of some familiar Manu-duction into the whole Bible and the severall Books of Old and New Testament therein contained which might like a Clew of thread conduct into these sacred Treasuryes and like a Key unlock this Cabinet of Christs richest Jewels Whereupon after much deliberation how this might be best effected apprehending that some briefe and solid Discovery of the 1 Order 2 Names 3 Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope 7 Principall parts of the Books in the Bible would much conduce o ripen Christians in Bible-knowledge spreading before their eyes in A Generall view the current of the whole Scriptures I entred upon this Task and finished it by divine assistance in such sort as is represented in the ensueing Treatise It was immediately intended for the help and benefit of some speciall godly friends whom I shall ever highly respect and honour but through importunity is now made publike for the good I hope of many The Lord make it as usefull as it was intended and is desired By way of Preface be pleased to pause a little with me upon the serious consideration of 1. The worth of Scripture-knowledge 2. The way how to attaine to it That will quicken Christians to Scripture-study This will help them to Scripture-understanding Scripture-knowledge is of great worth and consequence to every Christian. Or The Holy Scriptures are most worthy of all Christians constant study and utmost endeavours to understand them For 1. The Author inventing and inditing the Holy Scriptures is God blessed for ever Father Sonne and Holy Ghost all Scripture is divinely inspired Hence called the Oracles of God The word of Christ. And the Saying of the Holy Ghost For the Prophecy came not at any time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost We are apt to value desire to study and understand the books of godly learned judicious mens making How much more should we to the utmost indeavour to understand the Scriptures which are the only Books of Gods making Mens writings are too much mingled with vanity ignorance folly mistakes imperfections infirmities and corruptions savouring much of a carnall spirit when most spiritual But Gods word is satisfactorily full without all vanity most wise faithfull and true without all falshood or folly Compleatly perfect beyond all imperfection most pure and exceedingly refined without all corruption and without all carnall mixtures wholly spirituall sweetly resembling that most spirituall spirit that did indite them 2. The Amanuenses or Penmen of the Holy Ghost for the Scriptures were not contemptible or ordinary but incomparable and extraordinary persons As Moses the meekest man on earth the peculiar favourite of God with whom God talked face to face the None-such of all the Prophets in Israel Samuel that mighty man in prayer David the King that man after Gods own heart King Solomon that wisest of all the Kings whom God honoured with the building of the Temple Daniel in whom was found an excellent spirit and great dexterity in expounding secrets and mysteries Iohn the disciple whom Iesus loved above all the rest who leaned on Iesus breast Paul who was caught up into the third heavens whose writings saith Chrysostome like a wall of adamant compasse about or surround all the Churches In a word all of them holy men of God moved by the Holy Ghost These being the Penmen how incomparable and extraordinary must their writings needs be who would not study them and earnestly pry into them 3. The matter of the Scripture is most inviâ—ing able to allure the hearts of men and Angels to the study of them yea to transport and ravish their spirits in the understanding of them Herein are revealed most profound and inexplicable mysteries The nature of the blessed God Simple without composition Al-sufficient without any externall addition immutable without all shadow of alteration Eternall Immense Incomprehensible Omnipresent and wholly Infinite without all limitation c. The Vnity of essence The Trinity of Persons The father not being the Son nor either of them the Holy Ghost yet all of them the Holy God The Secrets of Gods eternall counsels especially touching the electing of his owne in Christ predestinating them to the adoption of children when all others are passed by The curious Order of the Creation to bring his purposes to passe The Permission of mans fall from the Pinacle of his naturall integrity that thereby he might take occasion to glorify the height of justice and mercy in raising him up by Christ to a farre higher pitch of supernaturall felicity The Person and office of Iesus Christ the Mediatour and both altogether wonderfull God and man united in one person to unite God and man in one Covenant The Son of God became the Son of man to make the sons of men sons of God A King to subdue all our enemies to us and us to himselfe A Prophet to unveyle the bosome secrets of his father unto us A Priest offering up himselfe upon himselfe by himselfe offering up himselfe the sacrifice as man upon himselfe the Altaâ— as God by himselfe the Priest as God-man Christ was humbled and thereby we exalted Christ wounded we healed Christ accused we cleared Christ condemned we justified and acquitted Christ accursed we blessed Christ slaine and we live and Christ conquered that so we might be more then Conquerours through Christ that loves us What shall I say In Scripture is revealed how enemies are reconciled Sinners justified Aliens adopted Beggars made Heirs and co-heirs with Christ and how dust and ashes shall be glorified for evermore Here are unfolded the Covenant of grace wholly made up of heavenly cordials The Promises of the life that now is and that which is to â—ome exceeding great and previous The comforts of God able to counterpoise the deepest disconsolations and Commands surpassing all the lawes in the world in holinesse Iustice and goodnesse Here are discovered The miseries of all that aâ—e in the first Adam the felicities of all that are in the second Adam and the way how poore soules are translated from those miseries to these felicities Here you shall find God descending to man In preparing all Spirituall priviledges for sinners in Jesus Christ our Saviour In tendering richest Grace by Covenant-Promises and Ordinances and In applying these preparations and tenders actually to the Soule by the Spirit 2 Man ascending unto God by the Spiritualizing of his Nature Acting of his Faith Aspiring of his desires Fervency of his prayers and Holy tendency of his Conversation Yea both God and man
only or 3 both words and matter be cited This would give wonderfull light to many hundreds of passages in the Bible And for this end I have with much care and diligence compiled a Parallel of the Places of the Old Testament any way alledged in the New and had once resolved to have inserted it in this place But to avoid prolixity I must now forbeare it least the Porch prove too big for the building IX Rule The last Direction I shall commend to the Reader for the improvement of heavenly dexterity in and understanding of the holy Scriptures is Endeavour sincerely to practise Scripture and you shall solidly understand Scripture Bernard said truely He rightly reads the Scriptures that turneâ—s Words into workes Knowing into Doing The mightiest man in practise will in the end prove the mightiest man in Scripture Theory is the guide of Practice Practise the Life of Theory Where Scripture-contemplation and experience meet both together in the same person true Scripture understanding must needs be heightned and doubled To this effect is Christs promise My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God To like purpose subscribes the experience of David Thou through thy Commandements hast made me wiser then mine enemies for they are ever with me I have more understanding then all my Teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation I understand more then the Antients because I keep thy Precepts These things Christian Reader I thought fit to commend to thee by way of Preface But shall detaine thee no longer from the Perusall of the Book it selfe The Lord that teacheth his people to profit advance thy spiritual profiting abundantly by both So prayeth He who earnestly desires to be serviceable to Iesus Christ and usefull to his Church and people Fran. Roberts Augustine's London Aug. 26 1647 Aug. 21 1648 CLAVIS BIBLIORVM THE KEY OF THE BIBLE Unlocking The richest Treasury of the Holy Scriptures THE HOLY SCRIPTURES Rom. 1.2 were written by Moses the Prophets the Apostles and other holy men of God Luk. 16.29.31 Eph. 2.20 and 3.5 and 2 Pet. 1.21 The Covenant of God with man in Christ the Mediatour that substantiall or begotten WORD Iohn 1.1 is the Principall Subject Revealed and explained in the whole Scripturall or written WORD Gods COVENANT with man in Christ is represented to us in Holy Scripture principally two wayes viz. 1. As Promised fore-prophecied and typified In Christ to be manifested afterwards in the flesh Hence called the Covenants of Promise Eph. 2.10 Covenants not Covenant because of the severall Publications of the Covenant with more and more Augmentations in severall Points or Periods of time Thus the Covenant is made known in all the Bookes of Scripture written before Christs comming which are therefore called the OLD-COVENANT Heb. 8.13 or the old-OLD-TESTAMENT 2 Cor. 3.14 2. As performed fulfilled and actually accomplished in Christ already come and manifested in our flesh in fulnesse of time Gal. 4.4 5. Heb. 9. Heb. 10. Thus the Covenant is most clearly and fully unveyled to us in all the Books of Scripture written since Christs coming which are therefore stiled the NEW COVENANT or the NEW TESTAMENT Heb. 8.8 Matth. 26.28 Heb. 9.15 Thus the whole BIBLE is distributed into the 1 Old and 2 New Testament THE OLD TESTAMENT THE OLD TESTAMENT revealing the Covenants of promise in respect of the Penmen whom the Holy Ghost imployed to write the Books thereof is disparted by the Holy Ghost himselfe into two generall heads viz. 1 Moses and 2 the Prophets Luk. 16.29.31 and 24.27 Iohn 1.45 or The Law of Moses and the Prophets Act. 28.23 J. MOSES MOSES the man of God Psal. 90.1 The first Penman of Scripture was an Ebrew borne in Egypt after the worlds creation about 2432 years before Christ about 1496. years The seventh from Abraham the father of the faithfull 1 Chron. 6.1 2 3. and 2.1 and 1.34 As Enoch was the seventh from Adam the father of the world Iude 14. When Moses was borne he was very fair Act. 7.20 21 22. He was marvellously saved from death being drawne out of the water whence his name MOSES i. e. Drawn-forth was given to him Exod. 2 10 He was nourished by King Pharaoâ—s daughter for her own sonne Ex. 2.9 10. Act. 7.21 Learned in all the wisedome of the Egyptians and mighty in words and in deeds Act. 7.22 He lived in Pharaohs Court 40. years and then left the Court choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God c Act. 7.23 Heb. 11.24 25 26. He was a stranger a shepheard in the land of Madian 40. years Act. 7.29.30 Exod. 3. thence God called him to feed Iacob his people and Israel his inheritance He fed Israel most faithfully 40. years Numb 12.7 Heb. 3.2.5 being in the Church in the wildernesse Act. 7.38 with the Angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our fathers where he received the lively Oracles to give unto us and commanded us a law which is the inheritance of the Church of Iacob Deut. 33.4 Of all the Prophets that arose in Israel there was none like Moses whom God knew face to face Deut. 34.10 He dyed 120. years old his eye not being dimme nor his naturall strength abated and was buried of God no man knowing of his sepulcher to this day Deut. 34.5.6.7 MOSES wrote the Law of God in the five first Bookes called in Greek the Pentateuch i. e. The five-fold-volume At first it seemes to be written in one volume or Roll there being such a continued connection of Book with Book Exod. 1.1 Levit. 1.1 Num. 1.1 Deut. 1.1 But was afterwards according to the several subject matters therin contained divided into five severall Books Containing 1 An History of things past 2 A Covenant between God and his Church then present 3 And a Prophecy of further grace to come now exhibited by Iesus Christ Deut. 18.15 c. Iohn 5.46 and 1.17 In Propounding of which things as Ainsworth observes Moses hath a veile upon his glorious face for in the Histories are implied Allegories Gal. 2.24 And in the Lawes are types and shadows of good things to come the body whereof is of Christ Heb. 9.9 and 10.1 Col. 2.17 In Genesis which History endeth with Israels going downe into Egypt we have the image of a naturall man fallen from God into the bondage of sin In Exodus is the type of our Regeneration and State renewed by Iesus Christ. In Leviticus the shadow of our mortification whilst we are made sacrifices unto God In Numbers our spirituall warfare whereunto we are mustered and armed to â—ight the good fight of faith In Deuteronomie the Doctrine of our sanctification and Preparation to enter into our heavenly Canaan after Moses death by the conduct of Iesus the son of God So H. Ainsworth in his Preface before his Annotat. on Gen.
Iobs threefold condition is described viz. His Prosperity His Adversity and his recovery out of all his distresses I. Iobs Prosperity is described c. 1.1 to ver 6. II. Iobs Adversity is deciphered to us 1. By the Occasion variety and extremity of it c. 1. ver 6. to chap. 3.1 2. By the distemper of his spirit under the extremity of his dolours c. 3. 3. By the Dialogue had under his Affliction wherein this Q. is for substance fully discussed Whether strange heavy and long afflictions be infallible signes either of Gods hatred or of afflicted persons Hypocrisy Likewise Jobs Faith patience courage perseverance and commendable deportment is interwoven in the Dialogue though now and then he discovered some infirmities Here consider the dispute betwixt Iob and his three friends and the Moderatours of the Dispute 1. The Dispute hath in it 8 severall Acts. 1. Eliphaz his first reproofe c. 4.5 And Iobs Answer c. 6 7. 2. Bildads first reproofe of Iob c. 8. And Iobs answer c. 9 10. 3. Zophar's first rebuke c. 11. With Iobs answer c. 12 13 14. 4. Eliphaz his second reproofe c. 15. And Iobs defence c. 16 17. 5. Bildad's second rebuke c. â—8 Iobs answer c. 19. 6. Zophar's second reproofe c. 20. Iobs answer c. 21. 7. Elephaz his third reproofe c. 22. Iobs answer c. 23 24. 8. Bildad's third reproofe c. 25. Iobs answer by shewing Gods Majesty c. 26 27 28. and by paralleling his present calamity with his former felicity c. 29 30 31. 2. The Moderatours in this dispute are 1. Elihu who first reproves Iobs friends c. 32. Iob himselfe c. 33. 2. Renders the Reasons of his reproofe drawn from the Majesty of God c. 34. 3. Exhorts Iob to Repentance c. 35. 4. Returnes to the description of Gods Majesty c. 36 37. 2. God himselfe who reprehends and convinceth Job of ignorance and infirmity by Arguments drawn from the Creation and Gubernation 1. Of the Meteors c. 38. 2. Of other creatures especially of the more considerable creatures viz. The Lyon c. 39. Elephant c. 40. Whale c. 41. III. Iobs recovery out of his adversity described 1. By his preparative to it viz. Iobs penitentiall confession of his sin c. This was the sweet fruit of the Dialogue with Iob. 2. By the manner of his Restitution c. c. 42. 2. Doctrines of more generall reference unto all sorts of persons are contained partly in Davids partly in Solomons Books whereof some were written originally in prose others in Metre Trelcat in Oecon. Bibl. Psalmes 1. IN Davids Book viz. That which was if not wholly as some thinke August de Civitat Dei l. 17. c. 14. Yet principally Penned by David i. e. THE BOOK OF PSALMES It is called in Hebrew by the latter Hebrewes who gave names or Titles to Books 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sepher Tehillim i. e. The Book of Hymnes or Prayses because the Divine Praises of God are the chiefe subject-matter of the Psalmes In the Old Testament THE PSALMS OF ISRAEL 2 Sam. 23.1 Because penned for the use of the Israel of God In the New Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The PSALMES Luk 24.44 And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The BIBLE or BOOK OF PSALMES Luk. 20.42 Act. 1.20 Because the Psalmes are digested into one volume The Greeke cals it also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Psalter from the Psaltery a musicall instrument used in singing of the psalmes Anciently it was called Soliloquium i. e. The Soliloquy because it containes the Saints sweetest and secret talkings with God in prayers and prayses and Gods with them in precious returnes Parva Biblia Summarium V. Test. i. e. The little Bible and the Summary of the Old Testament Luth Totius Scripturae Epitome i. e. The Epitome of the whole Scriptures Athanas. in Epist. ad Marcel It is a compendium of all divinity a common shop of Medicines for the soule an universall store-house of good Doctrines profitable to every one in all conditions Basil in Psal. 1. By August lib. PsalmoruÌ„ Prol. it s call'd Tutela pueris juvenibus ornamentum solatium senibus mulieribus aptissimus decor i. e. A safeguard for children an Ornament to youth a solace to aged men and the fittest comelinesse for women The psalmes are a Iewel made up of the Gold of Doctrine of the pearles of comfort of the Gemmes of prayer This book is a Theater of Gods works A sweet field and Rosary of promises A Paradise of sweet fruits and heavenly delights An ample Sea wherein tempest-tossed soules find richest pearles of consolation An heavenly schoole wherein God himself is chiefe instructer The abridgment flower and quintessence of Scriptures A glasse of divine grace representing to us the sweetest smiling fatherly countenance of God in Christ. And a most accurate Anatomie of a Christian soule delineating all its affections motions temptations plunges with their proper remedies Incipientibus primum efficitur elementum proficientibus incremenâ—um perfectis stabile firmamentum totius Ecclesiae vox una i. e. It is rudiment for the young increase for the proficient firm establishment for the perfect it s as but one voice of the whole Church August ibid. In a word Quid est quod non discatur in Psalmis Non omnis magnitudo virtutis non norma justitiae non pudicitiae decor non prudentiae consummatio non patientiae regula non omne quicquid potest dici bonum procedit ex ipsis Dei scientia perfecta praenunciatio Christi in carne venturi communis resurrectionis spes suppliciorum metus gloriae pollicitatio mysteriorum revelatio Omnia prorsus in his velut magno quodam communi thesauro recondita atque conferta sunt bona i. e. What is it that may not be learned in the Psalmes Doth not the greatnesse of all vertue the Rule of Righteousnesse the gracefulnesse of charity the Consummation of prudence the law of patience and every thing that may be called good flow from them The knowledge of God the perfect Prediction of Christ to come in the flesh the common hope of the Resurrection the feare of punishments the Promise of glory the revelation of mysteries yea all good things are hid and heaped together in these Psalmes as in some great and common Treasury Aug. in lib. Psalmorunt Prolog For if we look at the matter of the Psalmes how rich is it Consider In the Book of Psalms 1. God dealeth with us by 1. Information thence arise Psalmi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Didacticall or Teaching Psalms 2. Exhortation thence the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the Hortatory Psalmes or Admonitory Ps. 3. Consolation thence the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Consolatory Psalms 4. NarratioÌ„ of things already past thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the Historicall Psalmes 5. Prediction or foretelling of things to come thence Psalmi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the Propheticall Psalmes 2. We deal with God
by 1. Prayer whence Psalmi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e Petitory or Praying Psalms 2. Prayse thanksgiving thence Psalmi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the Gratulatory or Thanksgiving Psalms Penmen of the Book of Psalmes are supposed by some to be many and the Titles of divers Psalmes do import as much unto us Ten Pen-men are enumerated viz. David Solomon Moses Asaph Ethan Heman Ieduthun and the three sons of Korah but Augustine thinks David was Penman of them all de Civitat dei l. 17. c. 14. However David penned greatest part of them as the Titles and Testimonies in the New Testament do intimate Some thinke that Ezra after the Babylonish Captivity collected these Psalmes before dispersed into one volume Some think this was done by King Hezekiah's friends or servants before the Babylonish Captivity Athanasius in Synopsi Sum and Scope of the Psalms seems to be To set out the sweet entercourse and Communion betwixt God his Church and people in all outward Conditions and inward soul cases how therin they are weak or strong believe hope joy lament confesse pray vow praise the Lord c. as occasion requires and how God tries delivers comforts supports encourages instructs enables them and faithfully deales with them in all variety of their cases and conditions But every particular Psalme hath his particular Scope handling distinct matters upon distinct occasions Some being penned before some under some after the Babylonish Captivity as is evident Principal parts This Book is by the Hebrews divided into five Books viz. 1. From Psal. 1. to the end of Psal. 41. concluded with Amen and Amen 2. From Psal. 42. to the end of Psal. 72. shut up with Amen and Amen Ended are the Prayers of David son of Iesse 3. From Psal. 73. to the end of Psal. 89. closed with Amen and Amen 4. From Psal. 90. to the end of Psal. 106. ended with Amen Halelu-jah 5. From beginning of Psal. 107. to the end of Psal. 150. concluding with Halelu-jah This Division seems to arise from the peculiar close of these five Psalmes Or thus The Psalmes are either 1 Directed from man to God as the 1 Praying and 2 Thankesgiving Psalms 2 Or from God to man As the Psalmes which are 1 Hortatory 2 Consolatory 3 Didacticall 4 Propheticall The Particular unfolding of the Penman Kind Occasion Matter Scope and Principall Parts of every Psalme severally will make a large Appendix to this Tract and is reserved till some other opportunity 2. In Solomons Books the wisest of Kings 1 King 3.12 4.29 His Bookes are three which according to the severall Doctrines and matters comprised in them we may distinguish into 1 Proverbiall 2 Penitentiall and 3 Nuptiall It is hard to say at what time these severall Books were penned by Solomon yet perhaps the Nuptiall Book was penned in his younger years when his affections were more warme active lively in spirituals The Proverbiall Book in his manly ripe age when his prudence and parts were at highest most grave solid setled And the Penitentiall Book in his old age after all the vaine courses which he had lost himselfe in as the current of the Book seems clearly to evidence Proverbs 1. HIs Proverbiall Book called the PROVERBS OF SOLOMON because though it containe other's Proverbs yet most are Solomon's Prov. 1.1 In Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Misâ—le Shelomoh i. e. either Similitudes or excelling sentences that overcome and beare rule over the rest from mashal which notes dominion This book was penned not by one but by divers and that not at one but at severall times Solomon penned the nine first chapters in that Order as they are as also c. 10. to c. 25. Cartwright in loc Solomon was Author of the Proverbs also from c. 25. to c. 30. But the men of Hezekiah King of Iudah copied them out Prov. 25.1 probably they collected them out of other writings of Solomon and ranked them in this Order wherein we now have them Alsted Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 120. Cartw. in Prov. 25.1 and Iun. ibid. who thinkes they extracted these Proverbs out of the Records of the Acts of Solomon and digested them into a body most of these Proverbs appertaining to Ethicall and Civil administration The thirtieth chapter was penned by Agur sonne of Iakeh c. 30.1 of him we read elsewhere no further mention in Scripture He was a Prophet Prov. 30.1 His Proverbiall Prophecy is annexed to Solomons Proverbs perhaps because of mutuall resemblance between them The 31 th chapter containes the Proverbiall instructions with which Bathsheba trained up Solomon here called Lemuel in his tender years which instructions King Solomon committed to writing afterwards Iun. in loc Cartw. in loc The Scope To instruct men in true wisedome and understanding the very head and height whereof is the sincere feare of the Lord Prov. 1.2 to 8. To this end the Book is filled with choice succinct sententious Aphorismes Adages or Proverbs compendiously holding forth duties of Piety to God Equity to man Sobriety towards ones selfe Generall Distribution of the Book take thus I. Here 's Solomons Preface to his Proverbs w ch hath a methodicall texture and coherence in it self c. 1. to 10. II. Here is the whole Body or Book of the Proverbs themselves which are either 1. Solomons owne Proverbs which or most part are pithy distinct Aphotismes without method dependance coherence c. and these 1. Written by Solomon himselfe c. 10.1 to c. 25.1 2. Written by him and collected by the men of King Hezekiah as c. 25.1 to â— 30.1 2. Or others Proverbs by way of Appendix annexed to Solomons viz 1 Of Agur. c. 30. 2. Of Bathsheba but written by Solomon c. 31. Ecclesi 2. HIs Penitential Book Solomons Retractations or Recantations called in Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The WORDS OF THE PREACHER Eccles. 1.1 and to the same sense in Greek Latin and English ECCLESIASTES or The Preacher because Solomon being furnished with wisedome and manifold experience touching the vanity of all things besides true Religion preacheth the same to the Church for the instruction and warning of all Gods people This Book he wrote in extream Old age Repenting of his fall This seemes to be one of his last Acts according to that 2 Chron. 9.29 Scope of this Book is to evidence wherein a mans true happinesse consists viz. not in any sublunary naturall created excellency all such being vanity of vanities extreamest vanity and vexation of Spirit but only in true sincere feare of God and truth of Religion compare Eccles. 1.2 with Eccles. 12.13 14. Principall parts To this end touching true happinesse he insists upon it 1. Negatively showing where it is not to be found viz Generally not in any meer naturall sublunary treasure in this world Specially not in 1. Knowledge of all naturall things 2. Pleasures or sweetest earthly delights 3. Highest Honours Or 4. Compleatest riches c. 1. to c. 7. 2. Positively and Affirmatively
or they may be collected from other Scriptures or the matter of the Prophesies of which we cannot conclude altogether so cleerly These times may be referred as the Historical books to three principall Periods viz. 1. Before 2. Neere or under 3. After the Babylonish captivity And if in these three periods we parallel these Prophets with those Historical Books they will notably help to cleer and explain one another I. Before the transportation of Israel into Babylon These Prophets prophesied and wrote viz. 1. Under Vzziah King of Judah and Ieroboam the second King of Israel IONAH he prophecied before or about beginning of Ieroboams Reigne See 2 King 14 25. As Iun. noteth in Ionah 1.1 About the close of his Reigne thinkes Drusius in Quaesitis Epist. 9. 1. AMOS See Amos 1.1 2. Under Vzziah Iotham Ahaz and Hezekiah Kings of Judah and Ieroboam King of Israel HOSEA Hos. 1.1 IOEL Ioel prophesied about the same time with Hosea as is thought because the things prophecied in Ioel relate to the dayes of Vzziah and Ieroboam See Iun. Annot. in Ioel 1.1 ISAIAH Isa. 1.1 here the days of King Ieroboam are not mentioned MICHAH Only under Iotham Ahaz and Hezekiah Mich. 1.1 3. Under Iosiah IEREMIAH Till the eleventh yeere of Zedekiah Jer. 1 2 3. being compared with Ier. 51.64 Iun. Annot. ibid. LAMENTATIONS Written by Ieremiah upon occasion of King Josiah's Death 2 Chr. 35.25 ZEPHANIAH Zeph. 1.1 OBADIAH Seems to be contemporary with Ieremiah compare his prophecy with Ier. 49.7 c. And Ezek. 25. 13. c. See Iun. in Obad. 1. NAHVM About the close of Iosiah's Reigne as the matter of the Book and the harmony of the History import So Iun. in Nah. 1.1 HABBAKKVK About the end of Iosiahs Reigne or in his sons Reign Iunius in Hab. 1.1 II. Neere upon and under the Babylonish Captivity DANIEL In the third yeere of Iehoiakim's Reigne Dan. 1.1 EZEKIEL In the fifth yeere of King Iehoiakin's Captivity Ezek. 1.1 2 3. III. After their returne from Babylons Captivity HAGGAI In the second yeere of Darius and the sixth moneth Hag. 1.1 ZECHARIAH In the second yeere of Darius the eighth moneth Zech. 1.1 MALACHI Last Prophecy of the Old-Testament Reproves the corruptions after building of the Temple See Iun. in Mal. 1.1 II. According to their Order as they are placed in our Bibles And so they are resolved into two Ranks viz. 1. The Greater Prophets viz. The foure first the Lamentations being annexed as an Appendix to Ieremiah so called not because these had greater authority then the others but from the greatnesse of their Bookes The prophecy of Isaiah being neer as big or bigger then all the lesser prophets together 2. The Lesser Prophets viz. The twelve latter Hosea c. Which were digested into one volumne of old by the Jewes called the Booke of the Prophets Act. 7.42 some of them being very small lest any of them should be lost All these books are named from their Penmen except the Lamentations I. The Greater Prophets are â—he Books of Isaiah Ieremiah Ezekiel Daniel Isaiah ISAIAH This Book is set first though in time Ionah Amos Hosea and Ioel seeme to have been before him perhaps because of the excellency of the Prophecy most frequently fully and clearly prophecying of Christ as if Christ had been exhibited already had suffered already Hence the Ancients called him Evangelisticus Propheta Propheticus Evangelista The Evangelicall Prophet and Propheticall Evangelist Or the Evangelist and Apostle of the Old Testament Christ and his Apostles greatly esteemed this Book it being oftner alledged in the New Testament then any other Book of the Old Testament except the psalms Some observe Isaiah to be quoted sixty times the Psalmes sixty foure times Alsted Ethiopians had great respect to this Book as appears Act. 8.27.28 Time of this Prophecy was in foure Kings Reigns Isa. 1.1 if we reckon from the death of Vzziah Isa. 6.1 till the fifteenth yeare of King Hezekiah when the Babilonish Ambassadours came to Hezekiah and saw all his Treasures 2 King 20. 12 13 14. He must at the least prophecy fourty five years but its probable he prophecied longer Scope To hold forth the true Messiah clearly as the only sufficient Remedy against all sin and misery Generall parts This Prophecy is either 1. Comminatory as it is for the most part till c. 40. these promises are now and then inter-woven Herein 1. The Jewes are threatned c. 1. to c. 13. 2. Enemies of the Jewesh Church are threatned for the Churches benefit c 13. to c. 29. 3. The Jewes againe are threatned with the Babylonish Captivity c. 29. to 40. 2. Promissory and that 1. For the Restauration of the Old Church of the Jews from the misery of that Captivity c. 40. to c. 49. 2. For the compleating and consummation of the Churches glory in Gospel times by Christ himselfe c. 49. to the end of the Prophecy Jeremiah JEREMIAH He was of the Towne of Anathoâ—h Jer. 1.1 a very young man when he began to prophesie Ier. 1.6 Time of his prophecy was in days of Iosiah Iehoiakin and Zedekiah Jer. 1.2 3. which must needs be fourty three years at least by computation both in Iudea and Egypt Scope To divorce the Iewes in his times from their many horrid sins denouncig heavy judgemenas against them But to comfort the true servants of God in their lowest misery with promises of Christ and threatnings against all their enemies Generall parts Herein are 1. The Preface containing the vocation of Ieremiah c. 1. 2 The Prophecy it self which is directed both against the Iews the enemies of the Jewes â— Against the Jews 1. in Iudea under King Iosiah c. 2. to c. 21. Under Iehoiachim and Zedekiah c. 21. to c. 43. 2. In Egypt c. 43.44.45 2 Against the Jewes enemies viz. Egyptians c. 46. Philistines and Tyrians c. 47. Moabites c. 48. Ammonites Edomites c. c. 49. Babylonians c. 50.51 3. Conclusion Historicall annexed to the Prophecy by some other then Ieremâ—ah c. 52. Lamenta UNto the prophecy of JEREMIAH may be annexed as an Appendix the Book of LAMENTATIONS called in Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kinoth i. e. Lamentations 2 Chron. 35.25 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Echah viz. the first Hebrew word of the Book as many other Books are named by the first word of the Book This Book seems to be penned by Ieremiah the Prophet upon the death of that precious King â—osiah 2 Chron. 35.25 when the Jewes fell to their sinfull confidence in Egypt which Beginnings of sorrows and miseries gave Ieremy occasion he knowing by the spirit of Prophecy the judgments which should befall them to lament all the miseries from Iosiahs death till the destruction of the Temple and Ierusalem and captivity of the people in Babylon The foure first chapters are penned alphebetically as many Psalmes are for help of memory in such an excellent piece as this is In 1.2 4. chapters every verse begins
Syrian of Antioch the Syrian language being one of the Hebrew dialects partly because herein somtimes is the Language of a Physitian very agreeable to Lukes profession as Act. 17.16 His spirit was stirred in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. His spirit was in a Paroxysme the word is used by Physitians to signifie a sharp fit of an ague fever c. again the Contention was so sharp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. there befell a Paroxysme this word is not used in all the New Testament by any but Luke and Paul whose companion Luke was 1 Cor. 13.5 Heb. 10.24 3. By the consent of ancient and moderne writers No doubt this Book was written by Luke of Antioch the Physitian Hieron in Praefaâ— Act. Luke the follower of the Apopostle and companion of all his Travell wrote the Gospel and put forth also another excellent volume entituled the Acts of the Apostles Hieronym de vir illustr And againe the Acts of the Apostles seem to import a bare history of the infancy of the new-born Christ but if we know Luke the Physiâ—ian to be the penman of them whose praise is in the Gospel we shall consider also that all his words are a medicine for a languishing soule Hieron praefat in Act. and out of him Beda 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The book of the Acts which Luke wrote Oecumen in Scholiis None but the unlearned and unskilfull can doubt whether Luke were Penman of the Acts c. Erasmus Occasion It is thought that Luke wrote this History at Rome during Pauls imprisonment there Hieron de vir illustr And that at the request of the faithfull brethren at Rome and by the command of Paul Dorotheus and Nicephor Hist. l. 2. c. 43. Alsted Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 123. The time of writing is referred to the sixtieth year of Christ the fourth of Nero 27th after Pauls conversion But the peculiar guidance of the Holy Ghost was the principall cause of Lukes writing both this and the former Book Scope To describe unto us the Rise Growth State and practice of the Primitive Christian Church in her infancy in the purest Apostolicall times how she observed and obeyed Christs Commandements to his Apostles after his Resurrection and before his Ascension speaking to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God Acts 1.2 3. and this both in matters of faith worship Church-Communion and Church-Government that herein the Primitive Church might be an exemplary Patterne to the following Churches in all succeeding ages So that this is a most usefull Book to the Church of God Principall branches The Acts of the Apostles are laid down in this History 1. More generally The Acts of all the Apostles I. After Christs Resurrection till his Ascension c. 1 1. to 12. II. After Christs Ascension till the feast of Pentecost viz. Their devotion and their Election of Matthias to the Apostleship in room of Iudas c. 1 12. to the end III. At the feast of Pentecost how they preached and walked after they had extraordinarily received the Holy-Ghost c. 2. IIII. After the feast of Pentecost viz. 1. How the Apostles upon report of the miracle that Peter and Iohn had wrought upon the lame man and the doctrine they had boldly taught against all the oppositions and threats of the Priests and Elders powred forth their prayers against the enemies of Christ and his Gospel c. 3 4. to 32. 2. How themselves provided for the necessities of Christians that wanted c. 4 32. to c. 5. 3. How they wrought wonders to the conversion of many c. 5 12. to 17. 4. How the Apostles were imprisoned and beaten for preaching Iesus Christ and how stoutly they behaved themselves under these sufferings c. 5 17. to the end 5. How thuâ— Apostles appointed seven Deacons to take care of the poore whereof Steven being one wrought miracles disputed was accused answered his Accusation and is barbarously stoned to death c. 6. 7. 6. How the Apostles continuing at Ierusalem in the great persecution occasioning the dispersion sent Peter and Iohn to Samaria to preach to them The Holy Ghost also sending Philip to baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch and to preach c. 8. In which persecution Saul being a great actor was wonderfully converted and called to the Apostleship c. 9 1. to v. 32. 2 More specially The Acts of Peter and Paul are storied I. Peters acts viz. 1. His miracles wrought recovering Aeneas and raising Dorcas from death c. 9 32. to the end 2. His doctrine preached to Cornelius a Gentile c. 10. Defended against them of the circumcision that opposed his communion with the uncircumcised c. 11. 3. His imprisonment and miraculous release c. 12. II. Pauls Acts are recorded according to foure remarkable perâ—grinations or journeys which he took viz. 1. His first journey was with Barnabas to the Gentiles His Deeds and Acts in that journey are in c. 13.14 2. His second journey with Silas from Antioch to Ierusalem where 1. The occasion of the journey viz. the doctrine of certaine comming from Ierusalem That circumcision was necessary to salvation whereupon that famous Synod was called at Ierusalem c. 15. 2. Pauls Deeds and Acts while he was in Asia c. 16. 3. Pauls Deeds and Acts while he abode in Graecia untill he returned againe to Antioch c. 17. to c. 18. vers 22. 3. His third journey undertaken for the Ephisians sakes where note 1. Whence he went c. 18.23 c. 2. What way he travelled Going c. 19. Comming c. 20 3. Whither he came viz. to Ierusalem c. 21.22 23. Then to Cesarea where consider things done under Felix c. 24. under Festus c. 25. under â—grippa c. 26. 4 His fourth and last Journey which he took towards Rome c. 27 28. II. EPISTOLICAL BOOKS THE EPISTOLICAL BOOKS of the New Testament are All the Epistles written by the Apostles the Apostles being oft-times unable to instruct by their personall presence supplyed that by writing Epistles These Epistles are either written 1. To the Beleeving Gentiles Or 2. To the Beleeving Iews as was formerly noted To the beleeving Gentiles The Apostle Paul wrote his Epistles which are either 1. Generall written to whole Churches Or 2. Particular to some select particular persons Some do rank Pauls Epistles thus according to the persons to whom they were written viz. Pauls Epistles were written either To whole Churches either in Europe as to the Churches at Rome in Italie Corinth in Grecia Thessalonica in Grecia Philippi in Thracia Asia as to the Churches at Galatia in Asia Minor Ephesus in Asia Minor Colosse in Asia Minor Iudea and in other Nations dispersed as the Epistle to the Hebrewes To particular persons as to Timothy Titus Philemon Others endeavour and that not unprofitably to marshall Pauls Epistles in the Order of times and seasons wherein they were severally written which Order is not observed as they are placed in our Bibles And though the punctuall time when every Epistle was
Order of the Patriarchs that as Death by reason of sinne had Reigned over the six first Fathers Adam Seth Enos Cainan Mahalelel Iared but could not touch the seventh Enoch so death shall Reigne oveâ— the world 6000 yeeres which shall so long continue but in the 7000. yeeres eternall life shall begin and death shall be swallowed up in Victory 4. But others best of all understand here as the Text seems evidently to carry it Enochs verbal Prophecie which though not written yet Iude received by Tradition or rather by Revelation of the same spirit of God by which Enoch prophecyed and here recorded as part of the Divine Canon Obj. 3. Jude alleadges other Apostles sayings ver 17. Therefore seemes rather to be a Disciple of the Apostles then an Apostle himselfe especially seeing he cals not himselfe an Apostle but the servant of Jesus Christ ver 1. And therefore this Epistle not authenticall Ans. 1. Though it could be proved Iude was no Apostle yet it therefore followes not his Epistle is not Authenticall Mark and Luke not Apostles yet the three Books they wrote are of unquestionable authority The authority of Books of Scriptur are not from the Penmen writing them but from the Spirit of God inditing them 2. Daniel cites Ieremiah Dan. 9.2 Ezekiel cites Daniel Ezek. 14.19 Were they therefore not Prophets but Prophets Disciples Peter alleadgeth Pauls Epistles 2 Pet. 3.15 16. Was Peter therefore no Apostle but onely a Disciple 3. Iudes alleadging the other Apostles derogaâ—es not from the authority of his Epistle but proves that Iude wrote after both Paul and Peter in whose Epistle these predictions are extant 1 Tim. 4.1 c. 2 Tim. 3.1 2 Pet. 2.1 c. 4. Finally though Iudas here call not himselfe an Apostle that argues not therefore he was not an Apostle Iames in his Epistle Iohn in his three Epistles Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians and in both his Epistles to the Thessalonians superscribe not themselves Apostles were they therefore no Apostles But Iudas here stiles himselfe the brother of Iames and that 's full as much as if he had stiled himselfe an Apostle for the texts are expresse that Iudas the Brother of Iames was one of the twelve Apostles See Luk. 6.16 Act. 1.13 Obj. 4. But Iude the Apostle taught in Persia and therefore had he written this Epistle he would rather have written it in the Persian then Grecian tongue Ans. 1. It s not infallibly certain that Iude was in Persia when he wrote this Epistle 2. No necessity of the Apostles writing in the language of the people with whom they then lived Matthew lived among the Ethiopians Paul at Rome when he wrote some of his Epistles yet they wrote not in Ethiopick or Latin but in Greek Greek being then the most common language in the world the Holy Ghost would have Greek to be the Originall language for New Testament as the Hebrew especially for the Old And Iudes Epistle is Catholique or Generall and therefore was written in Greek the generall tongue When and Where this Epistle was written is uncertaine Some think this Apostle was in Persia or Asia Minor when he wrote it viz. A yeere before he dyed and that he there dyed anno 68. after Christ. Niceph. l. 4. c. 40.44 Probably he wrote after both Paul and Peter to whose writings he seems to have reference v. 17. the whole Epistle is as an Abstract of Peters second Epistle Occasion seems from the current of the Epistle to be those abominable heresies of the Simonians Nicolaitanes Gnosticks c. abounding in those times times who held Sin to be indifferent womeÌ„ al things to be common c. Oecumen Epiphan in Haeres Gnostic Sec. Iud. 3.4 Scope To warne all the faithfull in those times of the cursed and detestable Hereticks and Seducers that were cunningly crept in among them that they contend earnestly for the truth against all their damnable errours and Heresies and for purity and holinesse of life against all their impure lustfull licentious and ungodly pâ—actices Iude 3 4 8 10 20 21. Principall parts To this end are I. Inscription of the whole Epistle expressing 1. Penman who wrote this Epistle 2. Parties to whom it was written 3. The Salutation of them ver 1 2. II. The substance of the Epistle wherein are laid down 1. The maine Proposition or Exhortation To contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints ver 3. There being so many lascivious hereticall men crept in among them ver 4. 2. Arguments enforcing this exhortation upon them against these lascivious Heritiques demonstrating the damnablenesse and destructivenesse of their wayes 1. By examples of Gods vengeance for like impieties and impurities in former times viz. Upon Israel for unbeliefe ver 5. Upon Angels for Apostacy ver Upon Sodom and Gomorrha c. For their lusts ver 7. These examples he applyes to these Seducers 1. Describing them by their 1. Uncleannesse ver 8. 2. Despising and reproaching Magistrates ver 8 9. 3. Impudency in reviling what they know not ver 10. 4. Bruitish intemperance in carnall pleasures ver 10. 5. Cruelty to their brethren 6. Covetousnesse 7. Seditiousnesse ver 11. 8. Epicurisme in meats and drinks ver 12. 9. Hypocrisie 10. Instability 11. Deadnesse and Barrennesse to all good fruit ver 12. 12. Wrathfulnesse 13. Shamefull uncleannesse 14. Levity and inconstancy ver 13. 2. Threatning them in generall with woe ver 11 in particular with eternall destruction ver 13. 2. By Testimonies 1. Of Enoch ver 14.15 To which he adds further descriptions of their viciousnesse ver 16. 2. Of the Apostles themselves v. 17 18. where he further describes these Heretiques by their Separation from Church assemblies by their want of Gods Spirit v. 9. 3. Hortatory Directions by way of Remedy for 1. Mutuall edification 2. Prayer v. 20. 3. Love of God ver 21. 4. Different course to be taken by them in recovering severall persons from seducements v. 22 23. 5. Zeale against all impurity v. 23 III. Conclusion of the whole Epistle with adoxology to God who is able to keep them without spot and blamelesse c. v. 24 25. III. THE PROPHETICAL BOOK Viz. THE Revelat. THE PROPHETICAL BOOK of the New Testament prophetically foretelling what shall be the future condition of the Church of Christ in all ages to the end of the world is the REVELATION OF JOHN THE DIVINE This may well be called a Propheticall Book For 1 The Holy Ghost himselfe divers times stiles it A Prophecy Rev. 1.3 and 7.10 18.19 2 And the nature of the Book is chiefly Propheticall as the Series of the Book implyes and also some passages plainly testify that it treats of things which must shortly come to passe Rev. 1.1 and things which shall be hereafter Rev. 1.19 Title This book in Greek is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Apocalypse or Revelation of John the Divine whereby are indigitated to us both the
full of the wrath of God the 7. last plagues poured out upon the eartâ— by 7. Angels Here are the I. Preparatories to the pouring out of the Vials c. 15 throughout II. Pouring out of the Vials of the wrath of God upon the earth c. 16.1 c. viz. I. Vial poured out c. 16. ver 2. II. Vial poured out v. 3. III. Vial poured out v. 4. to 8. IV. Vial poured out v. 8 9. V. Vial poured out v. 10 11. VI. Vial poured out v. 12. to 17. VII Vial poured out c. 16. This pouring out of the VII Vial is laid down 1. More Summarily 2. More Plenarily I. More Summarily compendiously c. 16. ver 17. to the end of the chap. VI Uision II. More plenarily and copiously c. 17 18 19 20 to ver 11. Wherin divers mysteries are most lively explicated which formerly were heretofore more obscurely mentioned Notably pointing out the Rise Seate Reigne Vassals Successe and at last the fatall Ruine of Anti-christ and all the Churches enemies So that this part affords no small light to the Prophetick part of the Revelation Here consider 1. The judgement of the great whore 2. The event thereupon I. The judgement of the great whore c. 17 18 19. Where are 1. A notable description of the great whore that is to be judged By Visionall Representation c. 17.1 to 7. By real explanation therof v. 7. to 16. 2. The instruments that shall destroy the Whore viz. The ten hornes which are ten Kings c. c. 17. ver 16 17 18. 3. The Emphatical promulgation of the woful ruine of Babylon the Seate of the great whore This is done by three Angels 1. The first Angel declares the inevitable certainty of Babylons ruine c. 18..1 2 3. 2. The second warning all God's people to come out of her sets forth the grievousnesse of her destruction with the sad lamentations of all her friends and vassals ver 4. to 21. 3. The third Angel under the type of a great Milstone cast into the Sea as it were seales up the irrecoverablenesse of her ruine ver 21 22 23 24. 4. The gratulatory exaltations of the heavenly company 1 for the judgement of the whore 2 for the preparation of the Lamb's wife for marriage with him c. 19. ver 1. to 11. 5. The finall and totall conquest of the Lamb and his Armies over the beast and false Prophet and the Kings of the earth and their Armies c. 19. v. 11. to the end of the chap. Hitherto of the judgement of the great Whore VII Or last Uision II. The event following after the judgement of the great Whore which is chiefly three-fold 1. The safety of the Saints surviving the ruine of Babylon from the seducements of the Dragon the Devil and Satan being chained up 1000 yeares c. 20.1.2 3. 2. The reviving of the Martyrs and raigning with Christ 1000. yeares the rest of the dead not living again till the 1000. yeares were finished c 20. v. 4 5 6. 3. The Saints miraculous deliverance from and victory over Gog and Magog Satan after the 1000. yeares expired being loosed out of prison c. 20. v. 7. to 11. Hitherto as is conceived hath been Revealed the future state of the Church as Militant on earth The condition of the Church as triumphant in heaven is described both in respect of the 1. Inchoation and 2. Duration of it 1. The Inchoation or beginning of the Churches triumph shall be at the last and generall judgement which is pathetically described c. 20. v. 11. to the end of the chapt 2. The Duration or Continuance of it viz. Eternal happinesse in Heaven which is most gloriously set forth c. 21. throughout c. 22. ver 1. to 6. The Conclusion of this whole Prophecy which is either 1. Principal containing a confirmation of the whole Prophecy of this Revelation by the Testimony 1. Of the Angel by whom the Lord shewed these things to John c. 22. v. 6. 2. Of Christ himselfe who gave this Revelation ver 7. 3. Of Iohn that received this Revelation ver 8 9. 4. Of Christ againe ver 10 to 18. 5. Of Iohn denouncing heavie judgements upon all that shall adde to or take from this Prophecy ver 18 19. 6. Of Christ testifying these things Promising his speedy coming amplified by Iohn's earnest request in his own and the Churches behalfe ver 20. 2. Lesse Principall containing the Apostolicall Salutation to all the 7. Churches and faithfull Saints to whom this Revelation was written ver 21. He that testifieth these things saith I come quickly Amen Even so Come LORD JESUS Rev. 22.20 D. Bernard Medit. Devot c. 4. Praemium est videre deum vivere cum Deo vivere de Deo esse cum Deo esse in Deo quierit omnia in omnibus habere Deum qui est Summum Bonum Et ubi est summum bonum ibi est summa felicitas summa jucunditas vera libeâ—tas perfecta charitas aeterna securitas secura aeternitas ibi est vera laetitia plena scientia omnis plenitudo omnis Beatitudo Sic cum Deo homo Beatus erit in cujus conscientia peccatum inventum non fuerit Videbit Deum ad voluntatem habebit ad voluptatem fruetur ad jucunditatem In aeternitate vigebit in veritate fulgebit in bonitate gaudebit 1 Tim. 1.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Holy Scriptures are contained in the Books of the Old New Testament I. The Books of the Old Testament are I Moses He wrote the Law of God in five Books called the Pentateuch i. e. The-five fold-volumne These Books according to the Greek are called Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomie II. The Prophets their Books are either I. Historicall containing the History of 1. Israel's entrance into the promised Land viz. Ioshua 2 Israels Condition and Government after their entrance into Canaan 1 â—efore their carrying away into Babylon either under 1. Iudges And here we have â—he 1. Generall Hist. Iudges 2. Particular Hist. Ruth 2 Kings and this as thâ— Statâ— of the Kingdome was I. Vnited under Kings by 1. Election I. Samuel 2. Succession II. Samuel II. Divided and that according to the 1. Beginnings of this Division in I. Kings 2. Progresse of this Division in II. Kings III. Vnited and Divided as in I. Chronicles II. Chronicles 2. After their Captivity Here their returne from Captivity is declared According to the 1. Truth and manner of it in Ezra 2. Fruit and event of it in Nehemiah 3. Vnder their Captivity in Babylon and elsewhere in Esther II. Doctrinall or poeticall containing Doctrines 1. Of more speciall reference to A particular person viz. Iob. 2. Of more Generall reference to all sorts of persons in 1. Dauidâ— Book principally penned by him viz. Psalmes 2. Solomons Books which are either 1. Proverbiall Proverbes 2. Penitentiall Ecclesiastes 3. Nuptiall viz. Song of Songs III. Prophetical written either by the 1. Greater Prophets who wrote either 1. Before
the heaven and earth Exodus Israel's departure out of Egypt c. 2 Some of them declare the instrumentall Authors or Penmen of them as the Titles of Prophets Books Isaiah c. who being extraordinary men of God guided by the Spirit their books are of divine Authority 3 Some denote the Churches or particular persons for whose sakes immediately some parts of Scripture were penned which affords light to divers passages therein 3. The Times of the Books set forth Partly the length or space of time in which things related were done as in Historicall Books which serve to disclose the connection and continuance of the History and Chronology Partly the time or season when the bookes were written which serves to cleare the understanding of divers particular passages which otherwise would be very difficult both in the Prophets and in the Apostles See therefore those two Tables for the Timeing of the Prophets and Epistles p. 104. to 107. and p. 177. to 186. Distinguish well betwixt times and times you dissolve many knots 4. Penmen being holy men of God extraordinarily inspired intimate to us the divine Authority of their writings This incites faith love and awfull Reverence to their books 5. The Occasion upon which the books were written together with 6. The Scope drift or End of the book being well considered give great light to the whole Book the whole frame disposition and chiefe Arguments handled in the book having a singular tendency to the Scope therefore as the Archer fixeth his eye steadily on the mark when he would shoot accurately so still fix your thought upon the Occasion and Scope of every book when you would peruse them understandingly 7. The Principall parts of the Book here Analytically laid down exhibit clearly to your view both the chiefe Subject or matters insisted upon in every Book as also the methodicall and orderly coherence of all the parts of the book with one another Books lookt upon confusedly are but darkly and confusedly apprehended But considered distinctly as in these distinct Analyses or Resolutions into their Principall parts must needs be distinctly and much more clearly discerned This the chiefe Purpose and Aime of this Book By these particulars to familiarize the Scriptures unto Christians that delight to converse with God in his owne book To whom I earnestly commend this direction for the more profitable use of this Book viz. That 1 Before they read any Book of Scripture they would first read what is in this Key said of that Book 2 In reading they would still remember the Occasion and Scope of the book and now and then compare the Principall Parts here with the Text And 3 After the Perusall of the Book they would read againe what this Key speaks of it Hereby the understaning will be cleared the Memory confirmed VII Rule Heedfully and judiciously observe the accurate Concord and Harmony of the Holy Scriptures though written by severall persons at severall times in severall places yet one and the same spirit inditing all is still like himselfe consonant to himselfe in all The Discord is in our mindes rather then in Gods word Hence Augustine let us be at concord in our own heart and the Scripture will have no discord in it There are Principally five notable respects in which Scriptures sometimes seem most contrary repugnant and opposite one to another when yet they are not dissonant but consonant and sweetly concording one with another As 1 When the Word or Phrase is used in severall Places not in the same but in severall senses and Acceptations 2 When they treat not of the same but of severall subjects 3 When they speak not of the same but severall parts of a thing 4 When they speak not in severall places according to the same but severall respects 5 When they intend not the same but severall times These things well considered will lay a notable foundation for reconciling all places of Scripture that seem to be any way opposite one to another Take the illustrations of theÌ„ severally 1. Scriptures seem opposite but are not when the same word or phrase in severall places is used not in the same but in severall senses and acceptations for the same words have oft times severall significations In such case distinguish the severall Acceptations and the Scriptures agree As Paul saith Work out your own salvation with feare and trembling But Iohn saith There is no feare in love but perfect love casteth out fear c. These places are not opposite because the word Fear in Iohn signifies a base servile stavish fear in Paul a filial childlike religious fear In this sense it is said of the SamaritaÌ„s they feared the Lord again they feared not the Lord i. e. they feared the Lord servilly and hypocritically for his Lyons but they feared him not religiously â—ilially sincerely Not to feare God aright is not to feare him at all Again Christ saith If a man keep my saying he shall never see death But Paul saith It is appointed to all men once to dye yet here 's no opposition for Christ speaks of death spiritual and eternall Paul of death temporal or corporall Further Ieremiah saith Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Christ saith except yee eatâ— the flesh of the Son of man yee have no life in you by eating understand believing v. 47. yet here 's no opposition Man signifies either meer man who is vaine deceitful c. Of him Ieremiah speaks Or man subsisting in the second person of God of him Christ speaks Moses saith God rested on the seventh day from all his work But Christ saith My father worketh hitherto and I worke yet here 's no opposition For the works of God are either Works of Creation whereby new kinds of Creatures are made so Moses intended that God rested from his work or Works of Conservation and Providence sustaining and governing his works created so Christ meant the father and he wrought still Adde hereunto Christ saith If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple But Paul saith Husbands love your wives No man ever yet hated his own flesh yet no opposition for Hatred is taken either Properly and absolutely so understand Paul or comparatively a lesse love being counted hatred of that understand Christ. Moreover Paul saith Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law But Iames saith yee see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith onely yet no reall opposition For Iustification in Pauls sense signifyes an instrumentall Application of Gods righteousnesse viz. Jesus Christ to our selves and so Faith alone justifies before God but Iustification in Iame's sense signifies a Declarative Manifestation of the Truth of that Faith whereby we
2. Of Iacobs being there Where note his conference with Pharaoh c. 47. His blessing of Ioseph c. 48. His Propheticall benedictions to all his sonnes c. 49. Consequents upon Iacobs death c. 50. Exodus EXODUS i. e. Going-out or Departure so called by the Greek because it declares Israels Departure out of Egypt after they had been long-oppressed there under Tyrannicall servitude In Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 veelleh schemoth i. e. And these are the names Exod. 1.1 Scope To set forth Gods governing and ordering of his Church now reduced and united into one body out of all the severall families of Israel This is the Church in the wildernesse Act. 7.38 Exodus is an History from the death of Ioseph till the erecting of the Tabernacle for about 142. years viz. From death of Ioseph to the birth of Moses 60 years As Iunius computes Annot. in Ex. From Moses birth to the Departure out of Egypt 80 years Exod. 7.7 From the departure out of Egypt to the erecting of the Tabernacle two years Exod. 40.17 in the second yeare viz. the second yeare after their coming out of Egypt Iun. Annotat. Principal Parts of this Book Exodus contains an Historicall Narration of I. Gods Actions for Israels deliverance out of Egypt Things done of God were Before In or After Israels deliverance I. Before their deliverance are 1. His permission of the Egyptian Tyranny over them which was the occasion of the deliverance c. 1. 2. His Preparation both of Instruments and Actions for deliverance 1. Of Instruments viz. Moses who is Borne c. 2. Called c. 3. Aaron c. 4. 2. Of Actions viz. Words c. 5.6 Signes both Confirming their words c. 7. and Punishing the Egyptians for not letting Israel go with ten plagues viz. 1 Turning water into blood c. 7. 2 Frogs 3 Lice 4 And a mixed swarme of Flyes c. 8. 5 Pestilence 6 Boyles 7 Haile c. 9. 8 Locusts and 9 Darknesse c. 10. 10 Death of the first-borne Foretold c. 11. Fulfilled c. 12. II. In their deliverance where note 1. Theâ—r departure Egresse or going out Acted c. 12. Attested for the benefit of Posterity with signes and observations c. 13. 2. Their Progresse or going on Whereof 1 Their passing through the Red sea c. 14. 2 Their thanksgiving for this wonder of mercy in a gratulatory Song c. 15. III. After their deliverance when God did 1. Supply them with food and necessaries c. 16. 2. Defend them from evils c. 17. 3. Appoint Judicatories for all matters of difference that might fall out among them c. 18. II. Gods institutions in which regard consider Gods Prescriptions Israels performances I. Gods prescriptions where note 1. Preparation of the people c. 19. 2. The promulgation of his lawes 1 Moral with their Appendixes c. 20. 2 Iudicial both in humane and sacred things c. 21 22 23. 3 Ceremoniall Touching the Ceremoniall lawes here are laid down 1. The Preparation to them c. 24. 2. The parts of them viz. 1 The Tabernacle with the Appurtenances and Utensils thereof c. 25.26 27. 2 The Priests and their Ornaments or Vestments for Ministration c. 28. 3 Sacrifices c. 29. and divers sacred things c. 30. 3. The close of ceremoniall directions c. 31. II. Israels performances of Gods Prescriptions Here consider Israels obedience 1. About Morals 1 Violated by idolatry c. 32. 2. Restored and renewed againe By reconciliation with God c. 33. and Renewing of the Tables c. 34. 2. About Ceremonials viz. 1. The Parts of the Tabernacle The matter chap. 35. The fashioning of the Tabernacle c. 36. of the Ark c. 37. The making of sacred things belonging To the people c. 38. To the Priests c. 39. 2. The totall disposing ordering and erecting of the Tabernacle c. 40. Leviticus LEVITICUS So denominated by the Greek from the chiefe Subject or matter of the Book which principally describes the lawes sacrifices and services of the LEVITICAL Priesthood It is stiled among the Hebrewes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vajikra i. e. And he called This being the first Hebrew word in the Hebrew text beginning this book Scope of this Book To make known Leviticall Lawes Sacrifices and Ordinances and by those shadows to lead Israel by the hand to Jesus Christ the true Priest and sacrifice of the Church See Levit. 11.44 and 20.26 This Book relates the memorable words Acts and Leviticall Ceremoniall Laws made known from God to Israel for one Moneths space viz. from about the beginning of the second yeare after Israels departure out of Egypt the Tabernacle being already reared till the beginning of the second moneth of the same yeare As Jun. in Annot. compare Exod. 40.17 with Numb 1.1 which was in the yeare from the worlds Creation 2514. As Ainsw computes Principal Parts Leviticus describes the sacred Ceremoniall law 1. Of things 2. Of Persons 3. Of Actions I. The Ceremoniall law of things c. 1. to c. 8. either according to the substance of them as of 1. Burnt-offerings c. 1. 2. Meat-offerings c. 2. 3. Peace-offerings c. 3. 4. Sin-offerings in case of ignorance c. 4. or of infirmity c. 5. Or according to the Rite and Ceremony of them c. 6.7 II. The Ceremoniall law of persons c. 8. to 16. viz. 1. Of the Priests In their consecration to their office c. 8. In their discharge of their office either according to Gods assistance c. 9. Or mens infirmity c. 10. 2. Of all the people touching whom are lawes about their sanctification both from uncleannesse without them in matter of their food c. 11. or In them By reason of 1 Child-bearing c. 12. 2 Leprosie whereof its Rise and State c. 13. It s cure c. 14. 3 Issue of seed or bloud c. 15. III. The Ceremonial Law touching Actions Necessary or Voluntary 1. Necessary whereof are laid down The Particulars and the Confirmation of them 1 the Particulars of these Necessary Actions are 1. In purification Common to the whole Church c. 16. Proper to every godly person c. 17. 2. In Sanctimony or Holinesse Both of the people 1 To be observed not only in their own bodies c. 18. but also among one another mutually c. 19. 2 To be maintained in their judgements c. 20. As also in the holinesse of the Priests in their Persons c. 21. Things c. 22. 3. In exercise Ecclesiasticall In legall Times c. 23. In legall Rites c. 24. Politicall c. 25. 2 The Confirmation or obsignation of these particular lawes by Promises and Threats c. 26. 2. Voluntary viz. touching vows c. 27. Numbers NUMBERS Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called because a great part of the Book is spent in Numbring the Tribes and Families of Israel and of their journeys from Egypt to Canaan In Hebr. its called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bammidbar i. e. In the Desert Because this is the first word of this Book in the Hebrew text Numbers containes an History from the beginning of the second moneth of the second yeare after Israels coming â—ut of Egypt to the
13. 2 The manner of the distribution by Lot c. 14. 3 The parties among whom the Land was divided viz. The Israelites c 15. to 20. 4 The menslayers c. c. 20 5 The Levites c. 21. 2. The dismission and remanding of the Reubenites Gadites half tribe of Manasseh to their Lot on the other side Iordan c. 22 3. The exhortation and charge of Joshuah to the people before his death c. 23. II. Of Ioshuah's death and the things immediately Antecedent and Consequent thereto c. 24. II. Israels condition and Government after their entrance into the Promised Land Which is Historically described what it was 1. Before their carrying away into Babylon 2. During the Captivity 3. After the Captivity I. Before their carrying away into Babylon and that either under the Iudges or the Kings I. Vnder the Iudges And here we have two Histories viz. One Common and Generall Another Particular Judges I. THe Common or Generall History is the Book of IUDGES so called not from the Authors of it but from the subject matter of it in Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shophtim i. e. Iudges Penman of this Book the Hebrewes thinke to be Samuel Alsted Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 119. Oâ—hers thinke that every Iudge recorded the things acted in his owne dayes respectively and that Samuel or Ezra or Ieremiah or King Hezekiah whose men copied out some of Solomons Proverbs Prov. 25.1 collected and digested them into one volume Hugo Cardinalâ—s in Prolog in hunc lib. This book containes an History of Israels Politie and the state thereof from the death of Ioshuah till the Priesthood of Eli. How during that time Israel oftimes Apostatized from God for which God delivered them into their enemies hands but upon their conversion to him he saved them by Iudges raised up from among their Tribes out of their enemies hands It is an History of about 299 years which may be thus computed From Ioshuah's death to Othniel's 40 y. Iudg. 3.11 From Othniel's death to Ehud's and Shamgar's 80 y. 3.30 Thence to Deborah's death 40 y. 5 31. Thence to Gideons death-40 y. 8 28 Thence to Abimilech's death 3 y. 9 22. Thence to Tholah's death 23 y. 10 2 Thence to Iair's death 22 y. 10 3 Thence to Iephte's death 6 y. 12 7 Thence to Ibzan's death 7 y. 12 9 Thence to Elon's death 10 y. 12 11 Thence to Abdon's death 8 y. 12 14 Thence to Samson's death-20 y. 16 31 Scope of this book to shew what happy Haleyonian dayes Gods Church enjoyes under pious magistrates How severe God is against the sins especially the idolatry of his own people and yet how he remembers mercy in midst of severest judgements Principall parts This book being a Glasse discovering Israels calamity and the cause thereof their sin Describes their sin I. As General Universal and Common to all the tribes viz. by the 1. Kinds or sorts of their sinnes 1. Negligence in driving the Canaanites out of the land c. 1. 2. Perfidiousnesse in Apostatizing from God to Idols c. 2. 2. Effects or fruits of their sinnes viz. Five severall oppressions by their enemies i. e. 1. Syrians c. 3. 2. Canaanites c. 4. and 5. 3. Midianites where of Gideon's 1. Call c. 6. 2. Acts Polemical c. 7. and Political c. 8. 3 Successour Abimilech c. 9. 4. Ammonites Here 1. The cause and effect of the oppression Israels Apostacy and Repentance c. 10. 2. The Remedy viz. warre undertaken against Ammonites c. 11. Ephraimites c. 12. 5. Philistines Sampson being avenger Samsons Birth c. 13. Prosperity c. 14. adversity c. 15. and death c. 16. are at large delineated II. As speciall viz. 1. Idolatry Of one family c. 17. Of the Tribe of Dan c. 18. 2. Lust of uncleannesse Perpetrated c. 19. Punished c. 20 21. Ruth II THe particular History under the Iudges is the Book of RUTH so stiled from RUTH the Moabitesse a Gentile Moab being one of the incestuous sons of Lot Gen. 18. concerning whom this Book treats especially of her marriage with Boaz whose Pedigree by a Prophetick spirit is brought down to K. David Ruth 4.18 to the end Ruth bearing to Boaz Obed the Grandfather of David of whom according to the flesh Christ came Matth. 1.5 6. The Chald. Paraphrast thinks that Ruth was the daughter of Eglon King of Moab but that is not proved by any Scripture nor is it likely that a Kings daughter would marry a Stranger and leave her native Countrey to seek bread in another land saith Gerh. Augustine refers the time of this History to the Beginning of the Kings Aug. l. 2. de Doctrin Christian c. 8. Ioseph l. 5. Antiq. and Hugo Cardinalis referre it to the time of Eli the Priest D. Kimchi in c. 1. Ruth and other of the Rabbines as some note conceive That Boaz who married Ruth was that Judge which is called Ibzan Judg. 12.8 who immediately succeeded Iephte Iunius and Tremellius comparing this History of Ruth with Matth. 1.5 are of opinion that this History fell out in the dayes of Deborah Annot in Ruth 1.1 But it s certaine it fell out in the time of the Iudges Ruth 1.1 though the particular time perhaps cannot so punctually be demonstrated Penman of this History is not certainly knowne Hebrews thinke Samuâ—l penned it Alsted in Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 119. Many Writers annex this Book of Ruth as an Appendix to the Book of Iudges as they do the Lamentations to the Prophecy of Ieremiah Andr. Rivet Isag. ad sacr Script c. 29. p. 501. Scope of this Book To delineate part of the Genealogy of Christ Ruth 4.18 c. compared with Mat. 1.5.6 And to shew that salvation by Iesus Christ belongs to sinners of the Gentiles as well as to the Iewes Christ deriving his line not only from Iewes but also from Gentiles and sinners for the raising up of their Hope and Consolation in him Principall parts In this History are described 1. Ruths Distresse in her widowhood c. 1. 2. Ruths Deliverance from this distresse which is 1. Inohoate 1. By her gleaning in Boaz his field with his approbation c. 2. 2. By her lodging at Boaz his feet in the threshing floor at her mothers appointment he being a neer Kinsman c. 3. 2. Consummate By Boaz his marrying of her c. 4. II. Vnder the Kings And here we have three Histories compiled in six books viz. the two Books of Samuel the two Books of Kings and the two Books of Chronicles which Histories set forth the State of the Kingdome of Israel three wayes viz. 1. As the Kingdome was Vnited of which the two Books of Samuel 2. As The Kingdome was Divided of which the two Books of Kings 3. As the Kingdom was both Vnited and Divided of which the two Books of Chronicles As Trelcatius in Oeconomiâ Bibliorum well observes And as the matter of these Histories doth clearly evince I. The UNITED State of the Kingdome of Israel is described what it was both under the
of Israel viz. Ieroboam Nadab Baasha Elah Zimri Omri and Tibni Ahab Ahaziah This is an history of 118. yeeres viz. Under Solomon 40 yeeres 1 King 11.42 Under the rest of Kings of Iudah 78. yeeres for Rehoboam Reigned 17 yeeres 1 King 17.31 Abâ—jam 3 yeeres 1 King 15.2 Asa 41. yeeres 1 King 15.10 Iehoshaphat 17. yeers 1 King 22.51 In all 118 yeeres Penman of this book and also of the second booke of Kings is conceived not to be any one man but divers Though the Hebrewes would have them to be written by Ieremiah Others think that the Churches history which was written by divers was digested and collected into volumes either by Eâ—ra Gerh. loc Com. 1 de Scriptura in Exegesi § 129. Or by the chiefe Priests and Prophets as the Churches Pub. Actuariâ—s Alsted Proecog Theol. l. 2. c. 120. However it seemes evident that the beginning of 1. of Kings touching Solomons Reign was written by Nathan Abijah and Iddo 2 Chron. 9.29 See Iun. in loc And other parts by Iehu son of Canani 2 Chron. 20.3 See Iun. Annot ibid. And by the Prophet Isaiah as Iunius thinks partly in his Prophecy parâ—ly in the Book of Kings 2 Chron. 26.22 Scope To shew how the Piety of Kings preserves their kingdomes in unity and flourishing Prosperity But the sins and wickednesse of Kings especially their idolatry whereby they divide themselves from God brings Divisions into their Kingdomes and consequently ruine upon themselves their families and Dominions Principall parts might be pointed out according to the periods of every severall Kings reigne but rather thus This book containes the increase and decrease of the kingdome of Israel I. Increase of the Kingdome under Solomon whose Life and Death are recorded 1. Solomons Life Therein consider his 1. Election c. 1 2. 2. Administration or Government of the Kingdâ—m where note 1. His great Prudence c. 3 4. 2. His Magnificence in Building The Temple c. 5 6 8. His own house In Lebanon c. 7. The Kings house more publique c. 9. 3. His condition Prosperous c. 10. Adverse c. 11. 2. Solomons death c. 11. II. Decrease of the Kingdom once Divided and this under 1. The Kings of Iudah 1. Rehoboam c. 12 14. 2. Abijah c 15.3 Asa c. 15. 4. Iehoshaphat c 22. 5 Iehoram c. 22. ver 50. 2. The Kings of Israel contemporary to the Kings of Iudah viz. 1. Ieroboam c. 12 13 14. 2 Nadab c. 15. 3. Baasha c. 16.4 Elah 5. Zimri 6. Omri c. 16.7 Ahab 1 whose stock is recorded c. 16. from ver 28. 2 Whose prosperous state is declared In respect of Elijahs Presence Here are considered Elijah's Ambassadge to the King c. 17 18. Elijah's exile c. 19. In respect of Ahabs double victory c. 20. 3 Whose Acts and manners are described c. 21. 4 Whose Death is delineated c. 22. 8. Ahaziah c. 22. ver 51. c. II Kings 2. ACcording to the Progresse and Growth of the Kingdom 's division and the miserable calamities growing and increasing thereupon This is related in the 11. of KINGS called in Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11. Melacim i. c. The second of Kings By the Greek and Latin The IV. of Kings The History of the Kings being still continued in this Book This Book is an History of about 320. years under 12. Kings of Israel and 16. Kings of Iudah Vnder 12. Kings of Israel 162 years Ahazia 1 yeare 1 Kings 22.52 Ioram 11 yeare 2 Kings 3.1 8.25 Iehu 28 yeare 2 Kings 10.36 Iehoahaz 17 yeare viz. 15 alone and two with his son 2 Kings 13.1.10 Ioash 16 yeare 2 Kings 13.10 Ieroboam 41 yeare 2 Kings 14.23 Zechariah 6 moneths 2 Kings 15.8 Shallum 1 moneth 2 Kings 15.13 Menachem 10 yeare 2 Kings 15.17 Pekachijah 2 year 2 Kings 15.23 Pekah 20 year 2 Kings 15.27 Hosheah who reigned 18 y. viz. 9 y. free 2 Kings 17.1 and 9. y. a tributary to the King of Assyria by whom at last he was carried captive ver 6. Vnder 16 Kings of Iudah 320 year Iehoram 12 y. viz. 8. alone and 4. with his father Iehoshaphat 2 Kings 8.17 Ahazia 1. y. 2 King 8.26 Athalia 6 year 2 Kings 11.3 Ioash 40. y. 2 King 12.1.39 Iunius Amaziah 29 yeare 12 of which in exile 2 Kings 14.2 Azariah or Vzziah 52. yeare 2 Kings 15 5. Iotham 16. yeare 2 King 15.33 15. yeare Iun. Ahaz 16. yeare 2 Kings 16.2 14. year Iun. Hezekiah 29. year 2 King 18.2 Manasses 55. yeare 2 King 21.2 Ammon 2 yeare 2 Kings 21.19 Iosiah 31. yeare 2 King 22.1 Ioahaz 3. moneths 2 Kings 23.36 Ichoiakim 11 yeare 2 Kings 23.36 Ichoiachin three moneths 2 Kings 24.8 Zedekiah 11. year 2 Kings 24.18 Thence till Iehoiakins advancement 26. year 2 Kings 25.27 30. Penmen of this 11. of Kings See in Penmen of 1. of Kings Scope to delineate Gods verity in his Promises and Threats together with his severity in his judgements The continuall Revolution of Families and States The mischief of sin especially in Magistrates dividing them and their people from God and consequently themselves amongst themselves till both Kings people and Kingdomes be ripe and ready for desolation Principall parts may be considered either according to the Reign of the severall Kings of Israel and Iudah as afore Or as followeth This Book declareth The state of the Kingdomes of Israel and Iudah together with their defection and declining 1. Severally of the Kingdome of Israel under 1. Ahaziah c. 1.2 2. Ioram where of Elishah's miracles c. 3.4.5 Oracles or Prophecies c 6.7.8 2. Joyntly of Israel and Iudah parallel'd as it were together c. 9. to 18. 3 Severally of the Kingdome of Iudah whose 1. Weakning is recorded 1. Under a good King Hezekiah c. 18. 19.20 2. Under a bad King Manasseh c. 20.21 2. Reparation is indeavoured by Iosiah c. 22.23 3. Subversion is 1. Begun c. 23. 24. 2. Accomplished c. 25. III. The UNITED and DIVIDED State of the kingdome is laid downe in the two Books of Chronicles with some further Additions and Amplifications to the former Histories This is done two wayes I Chron. 1. ACording to the UNITED State of the kingdome in I. OF CHRONICLES so called because the Acts of former times are herein Recorded or Chronicled In Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dihre Haijamim i. e. THE WORDS OF DAYES because they are as a Sacred DIARY reporting the Acts and Occurrents in the Church of God and Civil States both Domestique and Forrein Munsterus not unfitly stiles them Libros Annalium i. e. The Books of Annals Annals barely declaring matters of fact for divers years in order as Gellius notes l. 5. N. A. c. 18. These two Books are the CHVRCHES ANNALS In Greek these two Books are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bibloi Paralipomenon i. e. The Books of things omitted or THE BOOKS OF REMAINES because some things omitted or not fully described in the Pentateuch Ioshuah Iudges Ruth Samuel and Kings are here Summarily explicated and supplyed
with other writers unanimously receive it as part of the Canon Penman is not so unanimously determined upon among Authors Some thinks it was written by the men of the great Synagogue R. Moses is said to be of this opinion Or by Ioachim the Priest sonne of Iesus the High-Priest Philo Iudeus in Chronol Or by Mordecay as is conjectured partly from chap. 9.20 23. As The Latin Fathers The ground of whose conjecture seemes to come short Or by Ezra or Nehemiah who wrote the two former Histories of the Church of like Nature Isidorus Alsted Praecog Theol l. c. c. 120. But Eusebius in his Chronicles supposeth that the Penman was after Ezra This Book containes an History of the Church under the Reigne of Ahashuerus King of Persia from the third yeare of his Reigne Esth. 1.1 2 3. till the end of his Reigne viz. about 20. years for he reigned in all about 21. or 22. years This Ahashuerus is conceived to be Xerxes sonne of Hystaspis Ezr. 4.6 Iun. Annot. The time of this History is thus computed Ahashuerus makes his feast in his third yeare Esth. 1.3 Marrieth Esther in his seventh yeare Esth. 2.16 Haman conspires against the Iewes and is hanged in his twelfth yeare Esth. 3.7 and 7.10 Thence Esther reigns till the end of his Reigne Mordecai being chief Governour 10. y. Helvic chron Sâ—ope most lively to manifest How singularly vigilant God is over his Church in extreamest straits and deepest dangers not only to preserve her from them and advantage her by them but also to returne the plots of her cruell enemies upon their own heads when they are nearest execution Principall parts This Book declares the Jewes deliverance from Hamans plot both by what meanes and in what manner it was delivered I. Meanes of deliverance Esther advanced Of whose advancement here 's 1. The occasion c. 1. 2. The manner of it c. 2. II. The manner of the deliverance where are laid downe 1. Hamans cruell Plot against the Jewes c. 3. 2. The perill ensuing upon this Plot 1. Generally to all the Jewes c. 4. 2. Particularly to Mordecai himselfe c. 5. 3. Gods countermining of Hamans undermining designe 1. By advancement of Mordecai c. 6. 2. By ruining of 1 Haman c. 7. 2 Of the rest of the Jewes enemies whose slaughter was Impetrated c. 8. Perpetrated c. 9. 3. By producing out of all an happy prosperous quiet condition to his owne people II. DOCTRINAL BOOKS The DOGMATICAL or DOCTRINALL Books Thus farre of those Books which are more properly Historicall Now of the Bookes which were written in the same times with the former which declare to us the will of God in a more Doctrinall way and therefore for distinction sake called DOCTRINALL They are also called the Poeticall Books because it is conceived that they or most of them in Hebrew were written in Metre or Poeticall Measures which now are not so easie to be found out These DOGMATICALL Books containe in them Doctrines 1. Of more speciall and particular reference to some particular individuall person 2. Or of more Generall reference and respect to all Job 1. DOctrines of more speciall reference to a particular person are laid down in the Book of IOB so called because that precious man Iob and his various condition is the chiefe subject-matter of the Booke Some think that there never was such a man in the world as this Iob of which this Book speaks but account this booke rather Parabolicall then Historicall R. Moses Ben. Maimon in more Nebuchim part 3. § 22. And Thalmud Ord. 4. Tract 3. But this dreame is sufficiently refelled by that honourable mention that is made of this renowned Iob in other Scriptures both in Old and New Testament Ezek. 14.14 20. Iam. 5.11 Who this Iob was is more doubted 1. Some thinke that Iob came of Nahor Abrahams brother and that he was the third from Nahor thus Nahor Vz rIob and that he lived about that time that Israel was in Egypt Alsted Chron. p. 100 and p. 115. and p. 502. And Hieronym in Q. Hebr. Tom. 4. fol. 96. Seemes to incline hereunto especially seeing Iob is said to dwell in the Land of Vz Iob 1.1 and Vz was one of Nahors sonnes Gent 22. â—1 But that Land seems not to have received its name of Vz coetaneous to Abraham but rather from Vz son of Aram Sem's Nephew presently after the flood Gen. 10.23 As Gerh. well notes in exegesi loc Com. de Scrip. § 136. 2. Others rather are of opinion that Iob is the same which Iobab King of the Idumeans of the race of Esau Gen. 36.34 And that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might be changed into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the name Iobab into Iob either from the custome of the Hebrew tongue which oft-times changeth one letter for another or from the Aramick Idumean or other dialect of the Country where he sojourned or from the change of his condition in the world while prosperous he might be called Iobab the letter being doubled when in distresse his name contracted into Iob. See the like in case of Abraham Gen. 17.5 Of Naomi Ruth 1.20 This latter opinion is urged by Arguments not to be neglected 1. From the circumstances of place Iobab lived in the Land of Idumea Gen. 36.33 Iob in the Land of Vz a chiefe tract in Idumea Iob 1.1 Lam. 4.21 Hence Kings of Edom are called Kings of the Land of Vz Ier. 25.20 2. From description of their possessions Iobab had Regall Majesty Gen. 36.33 Iob had a Princely state not usuall to private men Iob 1.1 2 3. And also Princely Dignity Habit and Office Iob 29.9 12 14. 3. From Similitude of names As Moses reckons up among Esau's sons one Eliphaz who brought forth one Theman builder of a Town of his own name Gen. 36.10 15. So Iobs History mentions Eliphaz the Temanite Iob 2.11 Many Authors as the LXX interpret at the end of Iob. Euseb. demonstr Evangel l. 1. c. 5. Ambros. in Com. in Rom. 9. August de Civit. dei l. 18. c. 47. Gerh. quo supr § 134. vid. Mercer in Praefat in Lib Iob Com. in Iob 1.1 Penman of this book is not certainly known Some think it was Solomon but that 's scarce probable Iob living so long before Solomon and many Penmen of Holy Scripture intervening betwixt them Some that Iob penned this book himselfe because the expressions and speeches of Iob are laid down in such emphaticall and patheticall terms Some rather thinke that Moses wrote Genesis and Iob about the same time viz. a little before Israels departure out of Aegypt in the yeare of the world 2452. Alsted Chron. p. 100. R. Solomon and other Hebrewes favour this opinion Scope To evidence as in a mirrour the wise just and fatherly Providence of God to his own faithfull and upright servants even in midst of manifold deepest strangest and longest afflictions Hebrewes say Iob's calamity lasted 12 moneths Suidas saith seaven yeeres Principal Parts In this book
wherein true felicity is to be found and this he showes 1. Particularly declaring what are the degrees and meanes of happinesse so farre as a man may attaine thereunto in this imperfect life c. 7. to c. 12.8 2. Summarily in the close of the whole Book c. 12.8 to the end This Book is an undeniable Argument of Solomons repentance after his Relapse and consequently of his salvation Song of Songs 3. HIs Nuptiall Book treating of the spiritual Contract and Marraiage betwixt Christ and his Church called the SONG OF SONGS which was Solomons c. 1.1 and CANTICLES because of all Solomons Songs which were 1005. 1 King 4.32 This was the choycest and most excellent the matter thereof being one of the sweetest spirituall mysteries viz. the Churches spirituall espousals to and Communion with Jesus Christ that great mystery Eph. 5.32 Scope of this Song is under the Metaphor or Allegory of lovers upon Contract and intending marriage to shadow out to us that sublime spirituall happy union and Communion betwixt Christ and his Church inchoate in this life more imperfectly with the Iewes more perfectly with the Gentiles Consummate in the life to come This is carried on dialogue-wise betwixt Christ and his Church His friends and her Damosels being the foure speakers especially the two first As is the Custome of a Bridegroome and a Bride Principall parts of this Song of Songs I. The Inscription denoting the 1 kind of writing 2 Excellency 3 and Penman of it c. 1.1 II. The substance of the Song Streaming out a Torrent of spirituall love betwixt Christ and the Church laid down Dialogue-wise in a familiar Colloquy betwixt 1 Christ as the Bridegroome 2 The Church as the Bride and 3 the friends of them both rejoycing in the marriage All in a continued Allegory Herein are particularly 1. The Ardent desires of the Church after Christ as impatient of his absence with Christs acceptance thereof c. 1. ver 2. to 9. 2. The Reciprocall invitatory Commendations of one another and the mutuall gratulations and contentment of Christ and the Church in one another c. 1.9 to the end of c. 2. 3. The Churches renewed desires night and day at home and abroad in the City in the fields as it were to bring Christ neerer to her self c. 3.1 to 6. yea rather to have her selfe brought immediately to the full enjoyment of Christ in heaven v. 6. to the end 4. Christ most affectionately Prayseth his Church in her Members professing himselfe ravished with her faith graces and spirituall beauty c. 4.1 to 15. which is amplified 1. By the Churches selfe-denying acknowledging all her graces to come from Christ as the fountaine v 15. 2. By her Prayer for his influence to make her as a Garden of spices more and more fruitfull and for his presence to accept her fruit v. 16. 3. By Christs satisfying her desires comming into his Garden Accepting the fruits thereof and welcoming his friends c. 5.1 5. The Churches Spirituall Desertion in Christs withdrawing himselfe from her Where are I. The occasion of it Her carnall Scurity c. 5.2.3 II. The Manner of it withdrawing yet leaving some quickning grace behinde him v. 4 5. III. The Consequents of it in respect of 1. The Church her selfe v. 4 5 6. 2. The Watchmen abusing her ver 7. 3. The Daughters of Ierusalem whom she charged to signifie her distresse to her beloved ver 8. This charge is amplified 1 Partly by the inquiry of the Daughters of Ierusalem what Christ is ver 9. 2 Partly by the Churches Patheticall description of Christs transcendent excellencies ver 10. to the end 3 Partly by the inquiry of the daughters of Jerusalem after Christ c. 6.1 4 Partly by the Churches declaring to them where Christ was viz. He was now returned and gone down into his Garden c. 6.2 5 Partly by her affectionate complacency in Christ returned ver 3. 6. Christs sweet and consolatory deportment towards his Church after her Desertion and his returne to her Wherein 1. He assures her she is as precious in his eyes and as deare to his heart as ever c. 6.4 to 11. 2. He declares his desire after the Spirituall Spring of the Churches graces after the winter of her afflictions ver 11. 3. He discovers the Rapture of his ravished affections to her most sweetly inviting her to himselfe ver 12 13. most highly commending her throughout c. 7.1 to 8. and promising his presence and what he will do for her that she may become most delightfull to him v. 8.9 7. Finally the Church reciprocates her utmost affection to Christ for his love And this I. More Generally c. 7.10 II. More Particularly Her desire 1 That Christ and she may go together to view their Husbandry whether their plants did flourish and fructifie viz. The Gospel thrive ver 11 12 13. 2 That she may enjoy Christ most intimately and familiarly c. 8. 1 2 3. 3. That the Daughters of Jerusalem may not disturbe him ver 4. 4. That it may be considered what she hath forgone and undergone for Christs love ver 5. 5. That Christ would give her a fuller 1 Confirmation of his love setting her as a seale upon his heart and a fuller 2 Manifestation or evident assurance therof Setting her as a Seale upon his Arme strengthning helping her c. and this because she beares to Christ an invincible and unquenchable love ver 6 7. 6. That the Gentiles called A little Sister may be called and incorporated into the Church with the Jewes ver 8 9 10. This is amplified by Christs common care of both as one Vineyard kept by himselfe not by others as Solomons was ver 11 12. Christ teaching his Spouse her duty To her neighbours in publishing and bearing witnesse to his Truth To himselfe in Prayer and Thanksgiving ver 13. III. The Conclusion of the Song containing the Churches most Ardent Desire after Christs second coming that the marriage betwixt Christ and her selfe may be compleatly consummated in Heaven those Mountaines of spices c. 8.14 III. THE PROPHETICALL BOOKS THus farre of Books Historicall and Doctrinal Now to the Books Propheticall For distinction sake they are called PROPHETICALL because the matter of them is principally Propheticall though many Historical and Doctrinal passages are also inserted in them all along as there are many prophecies of things to come dispersed up and down the other Books which yet are principally Historical and Doctrinal These Prophetical Books are in all 16 Lamentations being counted an Appendix to Ieremiah they may be considered 1. According to the times of their prophecy and writing 2. According to their Order as set in our Bibles They are not placed in our Bibles in that method and Order as they were at the first spoken and written by the prophets I. According to the times wherein they were first prophesied and written These times are for most part discovered in the beginning of the severall Prophesies and of such we may determine certainly
afflictions under the Caldeans viz. By living by Faith in hope of deliverance c. 2.1 to 5. 2. Threatning to be avenged upon the Caldeans for all their wickednesse and cruelty against his people ver 5. to end of the c. V. The prophets sealing up the Doctrine of the life of Faith in his excellent prayer penned in his own and the Churches name c. 3. Zephania ZEPHANIAH His stock and the time of his prophecy is described c. 1.1 He was coetaneous to Ieremiah prophecied the same things for substance but farre more briefly and succinctly He prophesied against both Iewes and forraigne Nations Chiefe Scope To Reprove the wickednesse of the Iewes especially of the Princes and many of the people for hankering after Idolatry expecting it should be set up againe Hiding their Idols even after that glorious Reformation of King Iosiah And to comfort the Elect remnant with Evangelicall promises and Reformation by Christ. Generall parts 1. A most severe denunciation of desolation and other judgements to befall all sorts both in Jerusalem and Iudea for their secret idolatries oppressions and injurious coveteousnesse c. 1. 2. An exhortation of the Jewes to Repentance and self-Reformation both the gracelesse Iewes and those that had some sparkes of Grace appearing in them Partly by the exemplary formidable judgements which God would execute upon forraigne Nations in sight of the Iewes c. 2. Partly by threatnings of judgements against Iewes themselves for their sins if they repented not c. 3.1 to 8. 3. A sweet consolation made up of Evangelicall promises touching the calling of the Gentiles Restauration of the Church pardon of sins Purity and everlasting glory by Christ c. 3.8 to the end Haggai HAGGAI Of him and the time of his prophecy See Hag. 1.1 Scope To quicken the Iewes that had returned from the Babylonâ—sh Captivity being now extreame ingratefully dull in the worke of Reformation to lay aside all sluggish delayes and excuses and to make haste with the repaire of the Temple Generall parts I. Gods sharp reprehension of the ingratefull sluggish Jewes for their great sin in not repairing the Temple c. 1.1 to 12. II. Gods singular encouragement of the Iewes to fall speedily and vigorously to this work by divers sorts of excellent promises viz. 1. Of his promoting and perfecting the worke when they should sit close to it c. 1.12 to the end 2. Of the surpassing glory that he would communicate to this latter Temple though the structure was not so stately beyond that of the former Temple c. 2.1 to 10. 3. Of Gods singular benediction upon the Corne and all the fruits of the earth for their use if they would buckle diligently to this Temple-worke ver 10. to 20. 4. Of the glorious excellency of Christs kingdome the perfection and complement of all Reformation ver 20. to the end Zechariah ZECHARIAH His descent and the time of his Prophecy See in Zech. 1.1 Scope To encourage and incite the people returned from Captivity especially the Governours Zerubbabel and Joshuah to the building of the Temple Generall parts This Prophecy seems to comprize the summe of five Sermons severally preached by the Prophet viz. I. His penitentiall sermon calling the Jews to repentance This is prefixed as A Preface before the following Sermons of mercy and judgement to prepare fâ—r the receiving of that the avoiding of this Zech. 1 1.2 to 7. II. His visionall Sermon viz. His Propheticall visions which are in all eight some very obstruse some light may be brought to them by comparing them with Daniels Prophecy These visions seem to be delivered at once are contained from c. 1 7. to c. 7 1. These visions are I. Uisions of Mercy as 1. The vision of men on horse back among the myrrtle-trees in the bottome pointing out Christs singular presence with and providence over his Church in lowest state c. 1. 7. to 18. 2. The vision of four Carpenters c. intimating how God would break and scatter the horns of his Churches enemies c. 1.18 to the end 3. The vision of the man with the measuring line in his hand to measure Ierusalem promising the Restauration and re-peopling of Ierusalem c. 2. 4. The vision of Ioshuah the High-Priest in filthy garments and Sathan at his right hand accusing him Showing that though sins of people and Priest might be objected against them and their intercessors yet they had another High Priest who would plead their cause pardon their sin build the Temple and quiet his Church viz. Christ the Branch c. 3. 5. The vision of the golden candlestick and the two olive trees standing by it declaring that Gods grace alone is sufficient for the reparation and preservation of his Church without all other created meanes against greatest mountaines of opposition c. 4. II. Uisions of judgement c. 5. and 6. The vision of the flying Book and of the Ephah evidencing that though their state should be restored and his Church established amongst them yet he would severely punish them for their sins at present and subvert them for future if their sins grow riper and riper c. 5. III Uisions of comfort viz. c. 7. The vision of foure chariots drawne with foure sorts of Horses comming out from between two Mountaines of brasse Comfortably pointing out the Provident Decrees and Counsels of God immoveable as mountaines of brasse and directing for his Providence begins and steers all actions the course and motion of the foure chariots and horses viz. either the foure Empires of the earth or as some think the Angels of heaven those ministring spirits for the fulfilling of his will for his Churches good so that whatsoever his Church had or should further suffer under them was foreseen and fore-appointed by God himselfe a great comfort to them that were come out of captivity already and to them that as yet remained in captivity c. 6.1 to 9. 8. The vision or rather the Historical Praediction of what was really to be done for his Churches comfort viz. the oblation of some Iewes which came from Babylon as Embassadors from the rest and the typical coronation of Ioshuah the High-Priest under which is declared the Kingdome and Priest-hood of Christ together with the re-establishment and enlargement of the Church under him c. 6.9 to the end III. His Casuisticall Sermon wherein the Prophet at large resolves the Iews in a Case of conscience touching Fasting proposed to him and the Priests with many other Lessons excellently inserted c. 7. and c. 8. IV. His Propheticall Sermon foretelling future events c. 9.10 and 11. wherein are principally considerable 1. Threatnings of destruction to the Churches enemies Land of Hadrach Damascus Hamath c. c 9 1. to 7. 2. Promises of deliverance and protection to his Church against al their enemies c. 9 7 8 3. Promissory predictions of Christs Incarnation Kingdom and the Benefits thereof to his people from whom all comfort and salvation principally flowes c. 9 9. to c. 11 1. 4. Denunciations of dreadfull
him Nicephorus l. 2. c. 45 The language in which Matthew wrote some thinke was Hebrew thaâ— he being an Hebrew wrote in Hebrew to the Hebrews divers Ancient writers embrace this opinion Iraen l. 3. c. 1. Athanâ—s in Synops. p. 141. Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. 3. c. 24. Nazianz. in Carm. Hieron Praefat. in 4. Evang. ad Damas. in c. 11. Hoseae August de consens Evang. l. 1. c. 2. Nicephor l. 4. c. 32. And that it was translated into Greek By Iohn the Evangelist as some By Iames as oâ—hers By Luke and Paul as others By Mark as oâ—hers are of opinion Some thinke he wrote not in pure Hebrew but in Syriack being the Dialect then most commonly used Alsted Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 123. But others Judge Matthew wrote not his Gospel originally in Hebrew but in Greek and that upon these grounds 1. The Hebrew Gospel of Munsterus his Edition is such for language as it is improbable it should be written by Matthew or any other skilfull in the Hebrew tongue 2. The same Authors who report Matthew to have writ in Hebrew acknowledge the Greek Gospel of Matthew in the Apostles times to be commended to the Church as Authentick Iren. l. 3. c. 39. Hieron in Catal illustr Euseb. l. 3. c. 34. and 39. and l. 5. c. 10. c. 3. The other Apostles originally wrote in the Greek tongue as then most common and that not only promiscuously to all both Jewes and Gentiles but peculiarly when they wrote to the Iewes As Author of the Epistle to Hebrews Peter Iames. And their Apostolicall function required them to write in the most knowne tongue as most to edifying 4. Matthew's stile plainly agrees with Mark 's differs not much from Iohn's and though therein there be some Hebraismes so there are in most books of the New Testament 5. Matthew interprets Hebrew names by Greek therefore he wrote in Greek not in Hebrew e. g. Immanuel Matth. 1.23 Golgotha Matth. 27.33 Eli Eli lamasabachtani Matth. 27.46 6. None can certainly tell who should be the Author of the Greek version if Matthew wrote in Hebrew And this opinion tends to destroy the credit and authority of Matthew's Gospel in Greek Stope To evidence to all but especially to the beleeving Hebrews with whom he had preached that this Iesus Christ was the true Messiah the true promised seed of David and Abraham Matth. 1.1 Principall parts This History describes I. Christs Birth and there His Genealogy Conception Nativity Place where and some Consequents thereupon c. 1.2 II. Christs Life wherein are deciphered 1. The things done in reference to Christs threefold office viz. I. Priestly His inauguration by Iohns publike promulgation c. 3. II. Kingly he combates with Sathan and conquers him c. 4. III. Propheticall which he executed 1. Alone by himselfe and that either As a Prophet only teaching 1 The Causes of Godlinesse c. 5. 2 The Duties of Godlinesse c. 6. 3 The impediments unto Godlinesse c. 7. As a Prophet and King joyntly doing miracles c. 8. and 9. 2. Together with or by his Apostles in their mjnistry c. 10. 2. The authority and esteem that Christ had 1. With his owne c. 11. 2. With others both 1 Ecclesiasticall Persons who conferred with him that they might ensnaâ—e him and accuse him c. 12. 2 And Politicall whether with the people who flocked no heare him preach c. 13. Or with the Magistrate Herods opinion of him c. 14. III. Christs death Set forth by the Antecedents Manner and Consequents of it I. By the Antecedents of it comprised in his journey to Ierusalem wherein noâ—e 1. Whence he went the terme from which viz. From Galilee c. 15. compared with c. 19. 1. while Christ was in Galilee 1. He answers the Pharisees and Sadduces about a signe c. 16. 2. He is transfigured to encourage both himselfe and his Apostles against his passion c. 17. 3. He preacheth humility and love to his disciples c. 18. 2. What way he went viz. through the coasts of Iudea where are recorded his words and deeds c. 19. and 20. 3. Whither he went the terme to which viz. To Ierusalem Here are declared 1. How he was entertained at Ierusalem c. 21. 2. What he did there viz. He disputed with Sadduces and Pharisees c. 22. Accused the Pharisees of Hypocrisy c. c. 23. Foretold Ierusalems destruction and the signes of his comming to Judgement c. 24. Admonisheth all to prepare for the last judgement and describeth it c. 25. II. By the manner of his death where note 1. The Preface or Harbenger of it his Agony in the Garden Iudas his Treachery c. c. 26. 2. The Progresse made to bring him to his end both in the Ecclesiasticall and Civil consistory c. 27. 3. The Consummation of his passion c. 27. III. By the Consequents of his death c. 28. Mark THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK So denominated from Mark the Penman of it MARK some derive from the Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marak i. e. He hath polished c. As Hebrewes Others rather take it to be a Latine name made a Denizon in the Greek tongue and derived from the moneth of March because Mark was borne in that moneth it being usuall so to denominate men that were born in March Probus He was also called Iohn Act. 12.12 15.37 viz. Iohn Mark. His Father seemes not to be mentioned in Scripture His mother was that Mary in whose house they were praying for Peter when Peter brought out of prison by the Angel came and knockt at the doore Act. 12.12 He was cousin to Barnabas his Sisters Son Col. 4.10 Though he was not an Apostle yet he was an Apostolicall man Some think he was one of the 70 Disciples Hieronym If so he both heard and saw Christ. However he was the follower of Paul and Barnabas Act. 12.25 And they had him to their Minister Act. 13.5 Afterwards when there arose a sharp controversie betwixt Paul and Barnabas about Mark Paul and Barnabas departed a sunder and Barnabas took Mark along with him to Cyprus Act. 15.37 38 39. And after this as some thinke Mark lived with Peter who cals him Marcus my sonne 1 Pet. 5.13 From whose mouth he wrote the Gospel as some think yet others are of opinion there were two Marks Vid Iacob Laurent in 1 Pet. 5.13 Irenaeus stiles him The Disciple and interpreter of Peter Iraen advers Heraes l. 3. c. 1. p. 229. edit Colon. 1596. Mark wrote his Gospel two yeares after Matthew as some think vid. Annotat in Irenaeum quo supr p. 229.230 And he wrote it upon occasion of the request of some Brethren at Rome as some conceive Epiphan Haeres 51. Euseb. Eccles. Hist. l. 6. c. 11. l. 1. c. 15. Niceph. lib. 2. c. 15. Hieron Catal. illust That conceit of Baronius that he wrote his Gospel in Latin is rejected as groundlesse Gerh. loc com de Sac. Script exeg c. 9. § 244. Scope To describe the true Christ
chen i. e. Grace so that IOHN imports THE LORD HATH BEEN GRACIOUS or THE GRACE OF THE LORD This Iohn was the sonne of Zebedee and brother of Iames all of them Fishermen by trade Matth. 4.21 and 10.2 Mark 1.19 Luke 5.10 Salome mentioned Mark 15 40. and 16.1 is supposed to be Iohn's mother As Iohn was with his Father and Brother in the Ship mending their nets Jesus called him and his Brother Matth. 4.21 Luke 5.10 It is thought that Iohn lived a single life yet some are of opinion that Iohn was the Bridegroome at Cana in Galilie Ioh. 2.1.9 It is certain that Iohn was one 1 of the three whom Christ took up with him to mount Tabor to behold his trans-figuration Matth. 17.1 c. Mark 9.2 Luke 9.28 c. And z one of the two whom Christ sent to prepare his last Passeover Luke 22.8 And 3 that Disciple whom Iesus peculiarly loved above all the rest Ioh. 13.23 and 19.26 and 20.2 21.7.20 4 Who leaned on Iesus breast at supper and 5 to whom Christ by a private token discovered that Iudas should betray him Ioh. 13.23 24 25 26. And 6 to whom Christ dying on the Crosse commenced his own mother Ioh. 19.25 26 27. After Christs Ascension Iohn with Peter healed miraculously the lame man as they were going into the Temple Act. 3.3 4 c. Preached boldly against all prohibitions Act. 4.13 19. Was sent to Samaria having received the word from the Apostles at Ierusalem Acts 8.14 Tertullian saith that the Apostle Iohn after he in Rome had been cast into burning Oyle and suffered nothing thereby was banished into an Iland Tertul. lib. de Praescriptione adversus Haereticos cap. XXXVI p. 211 edit Franeker 1597. Nero slung him into the burning Oyle as is thought Domitian Banished him into the Isle Patmos Rev. 1.9 10. Whence it s supposed he returned under Nerva came to Ephesus in the 97 yeere of his age where he lived and taught till he was 99. He made his Sepulcher with his own hands Left his Disciples Papias at Ierusalem Policarpus at Smyrna and Ignatius at Antioch He is supposed to write his Gospel towards the end of his life Alsted Praecog Theol. l. 2. c. 123. Iohn's Gospel hath still been had of most high account with Antiquity See Basil. in Homil sub Princ. Ioan. Chrysost in Prolog Comment super Ioan Ambros. l. 3. de sacram c. 2. Cyrill in Prolog Ioan. Hieronym Proem Comment in Matth. August de Civit. dei l. 10. c. 29. and Tract 56. in Ioan. Occasion of Iohn's writing his Gospel Ecclesiasticall Writers tels us was twofold viz. 1. To oppose and confute the blasphemous heresies of Ebion and Cerinthus who denyed the Divinity of Christ hence Iohn so clearly asserts it Iohn 1. See Iren. Advers haeres l. 3. c. 11. p. 257. edit Colon. 1596. Hieronym in Proem Comment in Matth. 2. To supply what the other three Evangelists had omitted who principally relate things done by Christ but for one yeare wherein Christ suffered after Iohn was cast into prison Euseb. Hist l. 6. c. 13. ex Clem. Alexandr Scope of Iohn's writing is expressely noted Iohn 20.31 These are written that yee might believe that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that believing yee might have life through his name The Principall parts or Generall Branches of this Hist. are I. A Description of Christs Person according to his divine and humane nature c. 1. II. A Delineation of Christs office discharged by him in his foure ominent journeys to Ierusalem viz. 1. At the feast of the Passeover John 2.12 13. Here are considerable 1. The terme whence he went from Cana of Galilee c. 2. 2. His abode there the doctrine that he preached and the Acts he did c. 2.14 c. and â— 3 and 4.1 2 3. 3. His returne from Ierusalem through Samaria and his deeds and actâ— there c. 4. 2. At the feast of Pentecost wherein 1. He cured him that had the palsie thirty eight years c. 5. 2. He fed the multitude aboue five thousand with five loaves and two fishes and preached himselfe the true Mannah c 6. 3. At the feast of Tabernacles where are 1. Christs comming to Ierusalem c. 7 1. to 15. 2. His abode there during which he taught c. 7 14. to the end He disputed c. 8. He cured the man borne blinde c. 9. He preached himselfe the true shepheard of his sheep c. 10. 3. His returne thence beyond Iordan c. 10.40 c whence he came againe into Iudea to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead c. 11. 4. At the Celebration of the true Passeover when Christ our Passeover was sacrificed for us Where Christs death is described by the Antecedents Manner and Consequents of it 1. By the Antecedents going before his death viz. 1. His actions entring into the City c. 12. Washing his disciples feet at supper c. 13. 2. His words spoken either At supper c. 13 31. to the end and c. 14. as they were going to the garden of Gethsemane 1 Warning his disciples of the worlds persecution c. 15. 2 Comforting them against the Crosse c. 16. 3 Praying for them and all his Elect c. 17. 2. By the manner of his Passion 1. In the garden c. 18 1. to 15. 2. In the High-Priests palace c. 18 15. to 28. 3. In the Hall of judgement before Pilate c. 18 28. to c. 19. v. 17. 4. In the place of execution c. 19. ver 17. to the end 3. By the Consequents of his Passion viz. Christs appearing after his Resurrection 1. To Mary Magdalene and the disciples in Iudea c. 20. 2. To the disciples fishing in Galilee c. 21. The Acts THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST his body and that in the purest Primitive Apostolicall times is contained in the Acts OF THE HOLY APOSTLES So denominated from the principall subject matter of this Book viz. The Acts of the Apostles in the infancy of the Primitive Church therein recorded Historically Penman of this History was Luke the beloved Physitian who also wrote the Gospel of whom see what is there spoken as appears 1. By the Preface or Introduction here prefixed wherein he mentions the former Treatise of the Gospel penned by him names Theophilus to whom he directed particularly this History of the Apostles as well as that History of Christ and also he connects or knits this Book to his Gospel by continuing the History where he formerly left viz. At the Resurrection and Ascension of Iesus Christ which here is somewhat more fully described and what followed thereupon Act. 1.1 2. So that his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles are but as one continued History 2. By the very stile which seems notably to indigitate Luke unto us partly it being compleat and polished Greek becomming Luke an accurate Grecian who had also most diligently perused the Septuagint version partly it being replenished with Hebraismes suitable to Luke's native Genius being by country a
a little before his Martyrdome whichfell out in the thirty seventh yeer of Christ in the fourteenth yeer of Nero in the thirty fifth yeer after his own conversion Paul wrote his II. to Timothy as all Circumstances evince and the Epistle it selfe intimates I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand 2 Tim. 4.6 This noting the severall times of the Apostles writing his Epistles is usefull To let us see why the Apostle wrote so variously about the same things as Circumcision and other Ceremonies As To the Romanes that they should receive the weake c. about Ceremonies and indifferent things Rom. 14. 1. c. But to the Galatians and Colossians utterly condemns use of Circumcision c. Gal. 5.2 c. Col. 2 the reason is the difference of times Chrisostome Ceremonies were alwayes Mortales mortall at Christs death became Mortuae dead onely Moses must be honourably buried for the weak Iewes the use of them was permitted a while but after that they became Mortiferae deadly to them that used them But here Pauls Epistles shall be considered according to the method and distribution of all the Books of the New Testament first proposed and that the rather because so we shall view them as they stand in order in our Bibles And first of Pauls Generall Epistles to whole Churches which are nine viz. Romanes THe Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the ROMANES So denominated 1. Partly from the object to whom the Epistle is written viz. The believing Romanes Rom. 1.7 When this Epistle was written there was so famous a Church at Rome that their Faith was spoken of throughout the whole World Rom. 1.8 Yea there were even in Caesars houshould that had received the faith Phil. 4.22 But by whom or when was the Church of the Romanes first planted Answ. Scripture is silent Papists say by Peter Belâ—â—m de Pont. Rom. l. 2. c. 2. But Peter never was at Rome much lesse planted the Church there D. Pareus in Rom. 16. Pub. II. Barnabas is supposed to have preached Christ at Rome and to have converted the Romanes under the Reign of Tyberius if Clement may be believed Recognition Clementis lib. 1. But now Rome is as infamous as once it was famous being the seat of Antichrist Rev. 17 9 c. the Spirituall Egypt Rev. 11.8 Sodome Rev. 11.8 And Babylon devoted to destruction Rev. 18.2 c. 2. Partly from the Penman of the Epistle viz. Paul Rom. 1.1 PAUL is a Latin name from Paulus i. e. a little one so the Romanes were wont to call them that were of a lesser stature he seemes most to be delighted with this Romane name being appointed Apostle to the Gentiles Some think he first had this name given him upon occasion of his conversion of Sergius Paulus the Deputy Act. 13.7.9.12 Hieronym de claris Script Before he was called Saul i. e. desired asked c. From the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shaal i. e. he hath asked desired c. It is not likely that he changed his name Saul into Paul but rather that he had two names as all the Iews had that were freemeÌ„ of Rome Saul then denoted his nation and Religion Paul signified his Roman freedome And Scripture favours this that he had two names saying Saul which also is Paul Act. 13.9 The History of Paul is notably described in the New Testament especially in Phil. 3. 1 Tim 1. And in Act. 13. to the end of the Book but more summarily Act. 22.3 to 22. and 26.4 to 24. He was a Iew by Nation of the Tribe of Benjamin of the Province of Cilicia borne in the City Tarsus which being a Colony and having the priviledge of the Romane freedome Paul though of Iewish Parents yet saith he was a Roman free-born Act. 22.7.28 circumcised the eighth day brought up at the feet of Gamaliel a great proficient above many in the Iewish Religion in his Zeale persecuting all that seemed to oppose it held the garments of those that stoned Stephen consenting to his death made havock of the Church c. But at last as he was in his Circuit of persecution he was miraculously converted of a Wolfe to become a Lamb and of a Persecuter to be a prime Apostle in his Apostleship he suffered and laboured more then all the rest of the Apostles was peculiarly sent to teach the Gentiles At last he was carryed bound to Rome and there he was be headed by Nero in seventeenth yeere after Christ's Ascension in the fourteenth yeer of Nero and thirty fifth yeere after his conversion and buried in the Ostiense way Hieronym He wrote fourteen Epistles of which one said As oft as I read Paul me thinks I heare not words so much as thunders Paulum quotiescâ—nque lego videor mihi non verba auâ—dire sed tonitrua Hieronym contr Iovinian de Epist. Paulin. His Epistle to the Romanes though noâ— first written yet is set first 1. By reason of the dignity of the Romanes to whom it was written Rome being the Seate of the Empire and Head of the World 2. Because of the largenesse of the Epistle this being the longest of all the Epistles As Isaiah is set first being the longest of all the Prophets 3. But especially from the dignity of the matter and dexterity in handling it The Body of Divinity is so admirably herein handled espicially the principall points of Election Reprobation Redemption Faith and Iustification by Faith c. that it is deservedly called by some Clavis Theologiae the Key of Divinity and Methodus Scripturae the Method of Scripture When it was written See in former Table Where it was written is to be considered Origen in Praefat. Comment thinks at Corinth 1. Because he commends Phaebe to the Romans Rom. 16.1 She was a servant to the Church at Cenchrea which is a Port of Corinth 2. Because he salutes them in the name of Gaius his Host c. Rom. 16.23 And Gaius a Corinthian and there Baptized by Paul 1 Cor. 1.14 3. Because he salutes them in the name of Erastus Chamberlaine of the City Rom. 16.23 Who abode at Corinth 2 Tim. 4.20 4. The postscript testifies thus much Occasion and Scope of this Epistle seemes to be this The report that Paul had received of some disagreements both in judgement and affection in them of the Church of Rome who were partly believing Jewes partly believing Gentiles The Iewes either wholly opposing the Gospel or mingling Law and Gospel together in the case of Justification and all of them excluding the Gentiles from the fellowship of Christ and despising them insisting too much upon the Prerogative of the Jew Contrariwise the Gentiles knowing that the Jewes were rejected of God and the Gentiles implanted in their stead too much insulted over them as a people cast away boasting of their own wisdome and vertues and using their Christian liberty with offence Now to reconcile these Controversies and to settle
nature of the Book and the Penman of it Nature of the Book A Revelation so called because it Reveals and makes known unto us secret hidden mysteries and future events It s true this Revelation is not without mixture of much intricatenesse and obscurity as all prophecies are enigmaticall and ambiguous to men till they be effected but when the time prophecied is come then they have a more clear and certaine exposition So Iraen Advers Haeres l. 4. c. 43. And this to exercise the Reader to search out the truth as August de Civitat dei l. 20. c. 17. hath well observed Penman or instrumentall Author of it viz. Iohn the Theologue or Divine What Iohn this was some question Eusebius mentions two Iohns whose monuments were to be seen at Ephesus viz. Iohn the Evangelist who wrote the Gospel and 1 Epistle of John and Iohn the Presbyter who wrote 2. and 3. Epistle of Iohn and the Revelation Euseb. Eccles. Hist. l. 3. c. 39. To him also seems to incline Dionys. Alexandrinus in lib. de Repromissionibus But that this is a great mistake and that IOHN the Evangelist and Apostle was Penman of this Revelation may be cleared by these considerations 1. This Title attributes it to Iohn the Divine This Epithet we read no where to be given to Iohn the Presbyter but belongs to Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of peculiar emphasis because like an Eagle he soares aloft writes more sublimely of the Divinity of Iesus Christ both in this Book in which D. Parâ—us hath observed XLVIII Arguments of Christs Divinity as also in his Gospel Iohn 1.1 c. and in his 1. Epistle And the King of Spaines Bible of Montanus Edition hath this Greek Title before the Revelation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Revelation of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Iohn the Divine which Title clears this matter and is consonant to Rev. 1.1 2. whether it were prefixed by Iohn or after by the Church nor is it any way probable that Christ sent his Angel to any other Iohn then to the Apostle with this Revelation 2. Iohn the Penman of this Book is so descrâ—bed that Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist seemes plainly to be indigitated Revel 1.1 2. His servant Iohn Who bare record of the word of God and of the Testimony of Iesus Christ. Now how notably did Iohn beare record of the word of God and testimony of Iesus Christ see Iohn 1.1.2.14 and 1 Iohn 1 1. and 5.9 compared with Revel 19.13 3. The style much resembles that of Iohns Gospel and Epistles As for instance It is peculiar to Iohn to stile Christ The word compare Iohn 1.1.14 1 Iohn 1.1 and 5.7 with Revel 1.2 In his Gospell he stiles Christ the Lamb of God Iohn 1.29.36 so in the Revelation Christ is called the Lamb at least 28. times 4 That Iohn who wrote this Revelation had it in the I le Patmos made known to him who was there for the name of God and Testimony of Iesus Christ Rev. 1.9 And Histories mention no other Iohn but only Iohn the Apostle to be in Patmos Banished thither by Domitian the Emperour for the Gospel's sake neer to period of his Reigne as Funccius computes about the ninety seventh year after Christ. See Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. 3. c. 16. and 18. 5. To these might be added the Harmonious consent of ancient Fathers who unanimously conclude that Iohn the Apostle penned this Book Dionys. Areopag who was Pauls disciple Act. 17. who wrote about the sixtieth year after Christ in those writings ascribed to him calleth the Apocalypse A secret and mysticall vision of the beloved Disciple Dionys. Eccles. Hierarch c. 3. Iustin Martyr who wrote in the one hundred and fiftieth year after Christ ascribes the Apocalypse to Iohn one of the Apostles of Christ. Iustin. in Dial. ad Tryphon To which passage Eusebius relating saith Iustin mentions the Apocalypse of Iohn plainly saying it is the Apostles Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. 4. c. 18. Irenaeus who wrote in the eightieth year after Christ saith And what things soever Iohn the disciple of the Lord saw in the Apocylapse Iraen Advers Haeres l. 4 c. 50. and l. 4. c. 37. p. 373. A. Coloniae 1596. To these might be added the suffrage of many more as of Greek Fathers Clem. Alexand. Paedag. l. 2. c. 12. Athanas. in Synops. Epiphan Haeres 51.54 76. Chrysost. Hom. 5. in Psal. 91. of Latin fathers as Tertull. contra Marcion l. 4. Cyprian de eâ—hort Martyr c. 8.10.11.12 Ambros. in Psal 50 l. 3. de spir sanct c. 21. August de Civiâ— dei l. 20. c. 7. de Haeres c. 30. de Doct. Christ. l. 2. c. 18. videantur Annot. in Irenae l. 5. c. 30. p. 490. Colon. 1596. but in so plaine a case these may suffice So that by all this it s plainly evident that the Penman of the Revelation was Iohn the Apostle that wrote the Gospel and the Epistles The unfolding of his name and who he was more particularly See in Annot. to Iohn's Gospel Authority of this Book is not Humane but Divine For 1. This book was indited by Iesus Christ himselfe the faithfull and true witnesse who sent his Angel to testifie the same to Iohn the Apostle and by him to the Churches The Revelation of Iesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to passe and he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his servant Iohn Rev. 1.1 and towards the close of the book he saith I Iesus have sent mine Angel to testify unto you these things in the Churches Rev. 22.16 Note this Revelation was given by Iohn the Apostle to the Churches by an Angel to Iohn by Iesus Christ to that Angel by God to Iesus Christ How punctually then is the Divine Authority of it asserted 2. It was penned by Iohn the Apostle of Christ who was divinly inspired acted by the Holy Ghost as hath bin formerly manifested and therefore it is of divine Authority especially considering that this blessed Apostle was commanded by Iesus Christ to write this Book Saying I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last and whâ—â— thou seest write in a Book write the things which thou hast sâ—en and the things which are and the thingâ— which shall bâ— hereafter Rev. 1.11 19. See also Rev. 2.1.8.12.18 and 3.1 7 14. and 14.13 and 19.9 and 21.5 3. The nature of the book imports the divine Authority of it For 1. It is eminently Propheticall speaking of things that shall be hereafter Rev. 1.1 19. and 22.7 10 18 19. and the prophecies of this book are touching future events in reference to the Church to the end of the world till the Church the Lambs wife shall be fully ready for compleat marriage with the Lamb Rev. 19.7 8 9. So that neither ancient writers nor any other but such as were inspired with a spirit of
prophecy from the al-knowing God could foretell these things to come Isaâ— 41.22 2. In the propheticall expressions of it it is consonant to other propheticall books and gives light to them Daniel Zechariah especially Ezekiel As in the particulars of eating up the Book Rev. 10.9 10. with Ezek. 2.8 and 3.3 of sealing Gods promise Rev. 7.2 3. with Ezek. 9. of the foure living Creatures Rev. 4.6 7. with Ezek. 1.5.6 of Gog and Magog Rev. 20.8 with Ezek 38.2 and 39.1 of the measuring of the Temple and City Rev. 21.15 with Ezek. 40.3 c. Of the two olive trees c. Rev. 11.4 with Zech. 4.3 11 14. c. 3. Many things foretold in this Book prophetically are fulfilled and come to passe actually As Interpreters have observed in many particulars Therefore this Book is of divine Authority Ierem. 28.9.4 Promise of explaining how long the Idolatrous and Tyrannicall Kingdome of Anti-Christ should last was made to Daniel the Prophet Dan. 12.4 9. which some conceive to be fulfilled in these Apocalypticall visions Rev. c. 11. and 12. and 13. and 17. c. And had not Christ under the New Testament left his Church some propheticall Record for her comfort against the horrid cruelty idolatry and darknesse of the Anti-christian Dominion showing when it should have an end and how happy at last the Church should be all her enemies being universally made the footstool of the Lambe she were in a worse condition then under the Old Testament which were absurd 4. As the Holy Ghost by Moses the first Penman of the Canon of the Old Testament warned the Jewes against adding to or diminishing from the word of God yee shall not adde unto the word which I command you neither shall you diminish from it Deut. 9.2 and 12.32 So by the Apostle Iohn the last Penman of the Canon of the New Testament Iesus Christ warneth all persons that heare the words of this Prophecy If any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this Book And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book Rev. 22.18 19. By which severe Commination the integrity and divine Authority of this Book is asserted by Christ against all whom Christ foresaw would either indeavour to infringe the Authority of it or corrupt the purity of it Hereby then the whole divine Canon is sealed up as fully now compleat and divinely Authenticall after which we are to expect no more Scripture from God 5. The generall current of best Antiquity except some few particular persons and divers of them guilty of such heresies as this Book condemnes hath embraced this Book and accounted it of divine Authority As those formerly cited to prove Iohn the Apostle to be Penman of it and many more that might be enumerated As that ancient Ancyran Councel held before the Nicene in Append. as also the third Councell of Carthage Can. 47. Cyprian frequently alledges the Revelation among the other Canonicall bookes as De exhort martyrum c. 8. c. 11. c. 12. Testimon Advers Iudaeos l. 2. c. 1. Sect. 3.6 11. c. 6. The Cavils and Objections against the divine Authority of this Book reckoned up by Erasmus or others how weak and unsatisfactory they are may appeare in severall writers who have confuted them Especially vid. Bez. Prolegom in Apocylaps Ioannis and Gerh. loc Com. De scrip sac in exeges cap. 10. Sect. 294. ad sin cap. Excellency of this Book is most considerable For 1. The conveyance of it at first to the Church is singular From God to Iesus Christ From Iesus Christ to an Angel From the Angel to Iohn whom Jesus peculiarly loved above all his Apostles and Disciples Rev. 1.1 And this to Iohn when in exile for Christ in the Isle Patmos and that not on a common day but on the Lords day the Queen of dayes and â—o Iohn in Patmos on the Lords day not in an ordinary but extraordinary composure and elevation of his soule when he was in the spirit caught up as it were and transported in an holy extasie and spirituall Rapture that he might the more attend to these mysteries revealed and have more immediate un-interrupted Communion with Jesus Christ the Revealer Rev. 1 9 10. c. what can all this import but some singularly eminent treasure for the Church in this book whereby the Church in her deepest tribulation may be with Iohn spiritually intransed and ravished with many surpassing grounds of joy and consolation 2. The stile is stately and sublime and may wonderfully take the highest notion The expressions quick piercing and patheticall and may pleasingly penetrate the dullest affection The whole contexture is so full of divine majesty that it commands an awfull Reverence in all gracious hearts that read it 3. The matter of it is most heavenly and spirituall and that in exceeding great variety notably describing the Divinity of Christ His offices and the benefits of them clearly pointing out Anti-Christs Seate Tyranny Rise Growth Power Acts and Fall and most lively delineating the Churches condition what it was in the Primitive times after Christ and what it should be afterwards till the worlds end how sad yet sâ—fe under Anti-christs dominion how sweet and happy after Anti-Christs destruction how comfortable at the day of judgement and how glorious in heaven with Iesus Christ for evermore What Saint would not thirst much to read and here more to understand but most of all to enjoy these things Some of them are laid downe most mystically in abstruse visions to exercise the judgements of the wisest some more familiarly to succour the infirmity even of the weakest In some places the Lamb may wade in others the Elephant may swim Those prevent contempt these anticipate discouragement Ioaoâ—imus Abbas prefers this Prophecy before the Prophecy of all other Prophets Beza saith That those things in other Prophets which were not fulfilled after Christs coming the holy spirit hath heaped them all together in this precious book and also added others so farre as was needfull or usefull for the Church to know them Bez. Prolegom in Apoc. Oecolampadius cals this book The best Paraphrast of all the Prophets Ioh. Oecolamp Praefat. in Daniâ—l Hierome saith Apocalypsis tot habet sacramenta quot verba Parum dixi pro merito voluminis laus omnis inferior est in verbis singulis multiplices latent intelligentiae i. e. The Revelation hath as many mysteries as words It s but a little I say all praise is too low for the merit of this volume manifold understandings lie hid in every word Hieron in Epist. ad Paulin. 4. The Book it selfe is compleat capable of no Addition or Detraction but upon severest Penalties Rev. 22.18.19 5. The Penman Eminent viz. John that beloved disciple
Of Philadelphia c. 3. v. 7. to 14. 7. Of Laodicea c. 3. v. 14. to the end of the chapter In all which Seven Epistles the same method is generally observed by the spirit of Christ viz. Every Epistle containing 1. A Description of Jesus Christ suitable to the vision of him in c. 1. formerly 2. A Narratioâ— of the Good commendable or Evill condemnable in the Angel of every Church and so in every Church 3. Promises or Threats proportionable to their vertues or vices 4. Hortatory Conclusions inciting to attention II. Touching the state of the Church for the future especially the European Churches This is insisted upon more largely and more mystically Which in sum amounts to thus much viz. To Pre-monish the Church of her great tribulations in this world 1 By persecuting Tyrants 2 Then by persecuting Hereticks 3 At length by Anti-Christs most cruell Oppressions both corporall and spirituall Against all which the holy-Ghosâ— intermingles many comforts to the Church as that 1 God will be with her in all her distresses and not forsake her 2 Her troubles shall not be endlesse nor over-long 3. Her enemies shall all of them at last be utterly destroyed 4. The Church shall at last be set in a safe and happy condition in this world but especially in the world to come Now all these things are laid down visionally in six other visions remarkably distinct from one another viz. II. Vision c. 4 5 6 7. III. Vision c. 7 8 9 10 11 IIII. Vision c. 12 13 14. V. Vision c. 15 16. VI. Vision c. 17 18 19. VII Vision c. 20 21 22. to v. 6. All which Visions seem to be comprized in two distinct Prophecies or Systemes of Visions parallel and contemporary to one another Both revealing the mysteries for substance but the later proceeding more punctually to particulars as some are of opinion Others rather think the former Prophecy comprehends the destinies of the Romane Empire under seven Seals and seven Trumpets The later Prophecy the destinies of the Church or of Christian Religion The I. Prophecy beginning with the B. Sealed with 7. Seals c. 4. v. 1. ending c. 11. II. Prophecy beginning c. 12. v. 1. yet so as to take in some passages mentioned in the fifth Trumpet as the Little book the measuring of the Temple the outer Court the two Witnesses continuing to the end of the Book Now the sober considering and wise comparing of these two distinct Prophecies with one another may as some think singularly serve to clear many difficulties throughout this Book II. Uision THE I. PROPHECY BEGINNETH The State of the Church future is revealed to JOHN in a mysterious vision of A Book sealed with seven Seals All the particular mysteries in which Book what man on earth can certainly and infallibly open unlesse he had Iohn's Apocalypticall Key Here consider the I. Preparatorys to the opening of the Seals viz. 1. The Vision of God sitting upon a glorious Throne in heaven c. 4. wherein are â— The Transition to this vision v. 1. 2. The Description of God enthroned in heaven v. 2 3. 3. Emâ—leâ—es of Majesty about the Throne viz. 1 Twenâ—y â—oure Elders 2 Lightnings Thunders Voices 3 Seven Lamps i. e. the seven Spirits of God 4 A Sea of glasse 5 Foure living Creatures 6 The Songs of Prayse presented to him that sate on the Throne by the foure Beasts and â—â—enty foure Elders vers 4. to the end of the chapter 2. The vision of a Book in the hand of him that sate on the Throne sealed with seven Seales c. 5. Here note 1. The sealed Book described v. 1. 2. The inability of all creatures to open the book v. 2 3 4. 3. The Lambs ability to open it who stood before the Throne v. 5 6 7. 4. The foure beasts and twenty foure Elders Gratulation with Adoration to the Lamb for opening it vers 8. to the end of the chapter II. The Opening of the seven Seals themselves in Order c. 6 7 8. In the opening of which Seals is revealed to Iohn what shall be the future State of the Church of God from that time to the end of the world In the Seventh of which Seales are brought in seven Trumpets in the Seventh of which Trumpets are brought in Seven vials of the wrath of God full of the Seven last plagues More particularly consider here the I. Seale opened where 1 The attention required 2 The matter revealed in it viz. A white horse c. c. 6. verse 1.2 II. Seale opened where 1 Attention called for 2 The mystery revealed A Red horse c. c. 6. v. 3.4 III. Seale opened where 1 Attention is incited 2 The Mystery revealed A Black horse his rider having Ballances in his hand A spirituall famine threatned c. 6. v. 5 6. IV. Seale opened where 1 Attention is stirred up 2 Matter Revealed A pale horse and his rider Death hell following c. c. 6. ver 7.8 V. Seale opened where note 1 What was seen soules under the Altar martyred 2. What these soules did cryed for vengeance 3. What they obtained 1 White Robes for present 2 Promise of compleat glory with their fellow martyrs c. 6. v. 9.10.11 VI. Seale opened setting forth Godâ— dreadfull judgements upon the enemies of the Church for their bloody cruelties exercised to death upon the Saints as was intimated in the fifth Seale Here are considerable 1. The Signes seen by Iohn viz. A great earthquake The Sunne became black c. c. 6 v. 12 13 14. 2. The things signified viz. Kings great men c i. e. all sorts and degrees of Persecutors in horrour and despaire at their vvits ends by reason of Gods judgements coming upon them from Christ so terribly as if the very judgement-day were come c. 6. vers 15.16.17 III. Uision VII Seale opened Here consider 1 Preparatories to it 2 Mysterious Contents of it 1. Preparatories to it are in c. 7. fore-arming the Church with previous consolations against all ensuing miseries that were to come upon it Against which evils the Holy Ghost here comforts the Church 1. By that security which the Angel of God sealing the servants of God in their foreheads shall afford them in midst of troubles c. 7 1. to 9. 2. By that triumphant victory which after their great tribulation all the faithfull shall have over all their miseries and enemies c. 7. v. 9. to the end of the chapter 2. Mysteries revealed in the opening of this seventh Seale being farre more and those more intricate to understand then in the opening of any of the other six Seals Events following the opening of the seventh Seale are either I. Preparatory as 1. Silence in heaven for halfe an houre portending great things to follow c. 8.1 2. Vision of seven Angels with seven Trumpets v. 2. 3. Vision of another Angel and his actions viz. offering up of incense and casting the fire of the Altar into the earth c. 8. v. 3. 4 5. 4. Preparation of
the Captivity of Babylon viz. Isaiah Ieremiah Lamentations 2. Neerâ— upon and under the Captivity viz. Ezekiel Daniel 2. Lesser Prophets who Prophesied and wrote either 1. Before Israel's transportation into Babylon viz Hosea Ioel Amos Obadiah Ionab Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah 2. Afteâ— Israels returne from Babylons Captivity viz. Haggai Zechariah Malachi II. The Books of the New Testament See in the Table at p. 140. ☞ The Bookes of the new-New-Testament are either I. Historicall describing unto us the History of 1. Christ the Head of the Church whose Genealogy Birth Life Doctrine Miracles Dâ—ath and Resurrection are recorded by foure Evangelists Matthew Marke Luke Iohn 2. The Church Christs body whose primitive plantatioâ— state and augmentation both among Jewes and Gentiles is delcared in the Acts of the Apostles II. Epistolicall as all the Epistles written by the Apostles either 1. To believing Gentiles as Pauls Epistles 1 Generall which Paul wrote unto whole Churches about matters of generall and publâ—ke concernment as â—he Epistles to the Romanes I. Corinthians II. Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians I. Thessalonians II. Thessalonians 2 Particular to particular persons touching 1 Publique Ecclesiasticall affaires as the Epistles to I. Timothy II. Timothy Titus 2. Private Oeconomicall affaires as his Epistle to Philemon 2. To the believing Iewes as it is probable al these Epistles were viz. 1 The Epistle probably written by Paul to the Hebrewes 2. The 7. Epistles commonly called Generall or the Catholique Epistles of Iames. Iames Peter I. Peter II. Peter Iohn General I. Iohn Particular II. Iohn III. Iohn Iude. Iude III. Propheticall foretelling what shall be the future state and condition of the Church of Christ to the end of the world written by Iohn the Apost viz. The Revelation a John â— 39 b Col. 3.16 c Psal 40.8 d â—sal 119.1 e August Sacrae scripturae tuae sunt sanctae delitiae meae f Longâ assiduâ meditatione Scripturarum pectus suum fecerat Bibliothecam Christi Hier. epistola ad Heliod in Epitaphium Nepotiani g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pezelii Mellificium historicum in vita Iuliani h 1 Pet. 1.21 i 1 Sam 21.9 k 2 Tim. 3.15 16. l Psal. 1.1 2. m Ps. 116.92 n Psal. 119.105 o Eph. 6.13 p Jam. 4.6 q Ps 25.9 r Psal. 119.18 s 2 Pet. 3.16 t Job 7.17 u Rev. 3.7 x Luk. â—â— 45 a Act. 7.38 b Chrysost in Gal. Hom. 1. c Chrysost. in Ep. ad Col. Hom. 9. d Job 23.12 e Rom. 7.22 f Psal. 19.9 119.103 g Psal. 119.162 h Ps. 119.72 i Psal. 119.14 k Psal. 119 111. l Psal. 119.24 m Psal. 119.50 n Psal. 119.20 o Psal. 1.1 2. p August de Civit. dei l. 20. c. 32. prope fin q Act. 8.30.31 r 2 Pet. 3.16 s 2 Tim. 3.16 t Rom. 3.2 u Col. 3.16 x Act. 28.25 y 2 Pet. 1.21 z Psal. 19.7 9. a Psal. 19.7 and 2 Tim 3.16 17. b Psal. 19.8 c Psal. 119.140 d Numb 12.3 e Exod. 33.11 f Deut. 34.10 g Psal 99.6 Jer. 15.1 with 1 Sam. 7.9 10. 12.16 17 18. h Act. 13.22 i 1 King 3.12 Neh. 13.26 k 2 Sam. 7.13 l Dan. 9.12 m Dan. 2.25 28 30 47. n Joh. 13.23 o Joh. 21.7 20. p 2 Cor. 12.2 3 4. q Chrysost. de sacerd l. 4. r 2 Pet. 1.21 s Gen. 17.1 t â—am 1.17 u Psal 90.2 102.26 27. x 1 King 8.27 Jer. 23.24 y Psal. 139.1 12. z Psal 147. â— a Deut. 6.4 1 Cor. 8.6 b 1 Joh. 5 7. c Rom. 8.29 30. Eph. 1.4 5 6. d Is. 9.6 e 1 Tim. 2.5 and 3.16 f Jer. 31.31 to 3â— Heb. 8.8 c. g 1 Tim. 4.8 h 2 Pet. 1.4 i 2 Cor. 1.3 4 5. Psal. 94.19 k Rom. 7.12 l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost. in Coloss. Homil 9. Omnis Scriptura Divinitùs inspirata utilis est ad Docendum Hâ—c ipsa de causa a Spiritu Sancto scripta est ut veluti ex communi quodam sanitatis fonte omnes nobis ex hac remedia propriis pâ—ssionibus asssumamus Aug. in Psalm Pro. egom m Eph. 6 17 n Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem Tertull Advers Hermogen p Auferantur de medio chartae nostrae procedat in medium codex Dei Audi Christum dicentem Audi veritatem loquentem August Enarrat in Psal. 57. * Sacra Scriptura est liber vitâ—e cujus origo eaterna cujus incorporalis essentia cujus cognitio Vita cujus scriptura indelebilis cujus inspectus desiderabilis cujus Doctrina facilis cujus scientia dulcis cujus profunditas inscrutabilis cujus verba innumerabiliâ— unum tantum verbum Omniâ— Hug. de Arc. Noâ— q 1 Tim. 1.17 r Psal. 147 5. s Rom 11.33 t Ioh. 1.5 u Humana omnia dicta argumentis testibus egent Dei autem sermo ipse sibitestis est Quia necesse est quicquid incorrupta veritas loquitur incorruptum sit testimonium veritatis Salvian de Gubern Dei l. 3. x Deus in Scripturis quasi amicus familiaris loquitur ad cor Doctorum indoctorum August Epist. 3 y 2 Pet. 3.16 z Magnisicè salubriter spiritus Sanctus ita Scripturas Sanctas modificavit ut locis apertioribus fami occurrerer obscurioâ—ibus fastidia deâ—orgerer Nihil enim fere de illis obscuritatibus eruitur quod non plaâ—â—ssimè dictum alibi reperiatur Aug. de Doct. Christ. l. 2. c. 6. In omni Copia Scripturarum Sanctarum pascimur apertis eâ—ercemur obscuris illic fameâ— pellitur hâ—c fastidium Augdo verb. Dom. Serm. 11. a Verbi Dei altitudo exercet studium non denegat intellectum Si enim omnia clausa essent nihil esset unde revelarentur obscura Rursus si omnia tecta essent non esset unde alimentum anima perciperet haberet vires quibus posset ad clausa pulsare August de verb. Apostoli Serm. 13. c. 1. ad init Tom. 10. b 2 Tim. 3.16 17. c Lapidandi sunt Haeretici Sacrarum literarum Argumentis Athan Cont. Ari. Or. 2 Haeretici sunt luciâ—ugae Scripturarum Tertull. de resur Carnis d Rom. 15.4 e Ioh. 5.39 f Col. 3.16 g 2 Tim. 3.15 h Act. 18.24 i Act. 17.11 k Psal. 1.1 2. l Heb. 5.13 m Mark 12.24 Mat. 21.29 n Chrysost Hom. de Lazar. o Chrysost. in Epist. ad Coloss. Hom 9. p Qui nescit Scripturas nescit Dei virturem ejus que sapientiam ignoratio Scripturarum ignoratio Christi est Hieron in proem Isaâ— q Joh. 13 1â— r Act. 8.28 29. c. s Tit. 1.11 t Verus cibus potus qui ex verbo dei sumitur Scientia Scripturarum est Hicron in Eccle. c. 3. u Congrua de testimoniis Scripturarum ligna quaeâ—entes aedificemus domum sapienâ—ae in nobis Hicronym in Aggeum â— 1. x Negant plerique nostros secundum Artem scripsisse Nec nos obnitimur Non enim secundum Artem scripserunt sed secundum gratiam quae super