To whom shal wee goe thou hast the words of eternall life Concerning the holy Bible and bookes of the old and new Testament THE Byble or Bibles although generally it signifieth a book yet more particularly by the holie Bible is the bookes of the old and new Testament called holie for the holy Diuinity and doctrine of God are seuered from the wisedome of the world and brought from heauen and a Bible because many bookes are therein contained The first whereof is Genesis the last the Reuelation The first deuision of the BIBLE THe holy Bible is deuided into the olde and new Testament The olde Testament containeth those bookes which were written before Christ was borne as the bookes of Moses the Psalmes and the Prophets with som other which are in number 48. The new Testament comprehends those bookes which were set foorth after the birth of Christ As the bookes of the Gospelles and the Epistles with others which are in number 27. The 2. Diuision THe holy Bible is diuided into six parts in respect of so much as concerne the difference of the Bookes For some of the bookes of the Bible are Legall Historicall Doctrinall Propheticall Euangelicall and Epistolar 1 The siue bokes of Moses cald c. are Legall because the lawe is specially described in them 2 Historicall are those which simply containe Histories or thinges doone as are the bookes 1 of Iosua 2 of Iudges 3 of Ruth 4 of Kings 5 of Chron. 6 of Ezra 7 of Nehemiah 8 of Tobias 9 of Iudith 10 of Hester 11 of Machabees 12 of The acts of the Apostles 3 Doctrinall are those which containe some speciall doctrine for the edifying of the hearers as are the books 1 of Iob. 2 of Psalms 3 of Prouerbs 4 of Ecclesiast 5 Canticles 6 Wisedome 7 Iesus Sirach 4 Prophetical are those which were preached written by the Prophets wherof 4. are called the greater and the rest are called the lesser Prophets The greater because they write greater and longer bookes the lesser because they write lesser and smaller bookes 5 Euangelicall bookes are they which containe the Euangelicall stories of our Sauiour Christ set forth by the 4. Euangelists 6 Epistolar are the writinges and letters of the Apostles and specially of the apostle Paule The 3. deuision Some books of the Byble are Canonicall Apocrypha Canonicall bookes are those in which is preserued the authority of Ecclesiasticall oppinions Apocrypha or doubtfull bookes are those whose credit is doubted of and serue only for the instruction of the people not for confirming the opinions of the church such are the bookes 1 of Iudith 2 of Wisedome 3 of Tobia 4 of Iesus Sirach 5 of Baruch 6 of Machabees 7 of The fragments in Hest DaÌ„ All the rest are Canonicall bookes otherwise called Authenucall from whence the Canonicall and autenâ—call scripture hath his name and they are Canonicall which reade or expound the holy Scriptures Of the Bookes Legall or the 5. Bookes of Moses THe books of Moses haue their names in Greeke Pentatenchou of the numb of 5. because they are but 5. of the Hebrewes they are called 5. fiftes and they are ascribed to Moses either because Moses wrote them or because they containe the story of Moses in them and they are 5 1 Genesis 2 Exodus 3 Leuiticus 4 Numbers 5 Deuteronomy 1. Of Genesis GEnesis hath his name of begetting or of generation because it is a booke of the generation of the world both for the Creation of things and for the restoring of them after the floud It hath in it 50. Chapters and is diuided into sixe principall partes in regard of the sixe famous persons whose stories are set forth in Genesis 1. Adam is described from chap. 1 to cha 6 2. Noah from the 6 to the 12 3. Abram from the 12 to the 20 4. Isaac from the 20 to the 28 5. Iacob from the 28 to the 37 6. Ioseph from the 37 to the end of the book But Genesis in some containes 1 The Beginning of the world 2 The Deluge 3 The Burning of Sodom 4 The Destruction of Babell 5 The Deeds of the Patriarches 6 The Fall especially of mankind his restoring againe by the blessed seede of the woman that is Iesus Christ 2. Of Exodus EXodus is so called of going out because heere is described the going of the children of Israell out of Egypt as also the conuersion of many in the wildernesse wher the law was published because men knewe not what sinne was For then God gaue to his people the law of the ten commandements and after by Moses ordained Ceremoniall and Iudiciall lawes that Religion and gouernment might bee preserued among the Iewes In all which as in the building of the Tabernacle Christ was shadowed so the law is a schoolmaister vnto Christ The principal deuision of Exodus 1 From the first chap. to the 7 after thâ— description 1. of the birth 2. of the hiding 3. casting into the water 4. adoption 5 slight 6. mariage of Moses God giues 〈◊〉 commandement both of his restoring into Egypt and of his bringing the people oâ— Israell out of Egypt because they were oppressed with a harde bondage by Pharao which coÌ„mandmeÌ„t after long delay he doth execute In the midst of the 4. ch he goeth into Egypt and with his brother Aron goeth vnto K. Pharao reasoneth with him about the letting go of the people which is in the 6 ch 2 From the 7. chap to the 12 are described the ten plagues of Egypt as that 1 of Blood 2 of Frogges 3 of Lice 4 of Flies 5 of Mouen of cartel 6 Blanes 7 Haile 8 Locusts 9 Darknesse 10 death of the 1. born 3 From the 12 cha to the 16 is described the deliuerance of the people of Israell out of Egypt not without puisuing yet by the mightye power of God 4 From the 16 ch to the 20 is described the going forward of gods people thorow the desaâ—t their murmuring and Gods deliuerance with Mâ—nnâ— and Quaâ—les In the 20 chap. the â— commandementes are giuen to Moses 6 From the 21 to 25 Iudicial lawes are ordained 7 From the 25 to 32 are ordained lawes ecclesiastical or ceremoniall concerning the building of the Tabernacle 8 From the 32 chap. to 36 are the tables giuen of the ten commandements 9 From the 36 to the 40 chap is described the building of the Tabernacle 10 In the last chap. hamely in the 40 the erecting of the Tabernacle is described Thus much of the booke of Exodus 3. Of Leuiticus LEuiticus the third book of Moses is named of the tribe of I euy for the Priesthood of Aron which in this book is ordained with the lawes therof is appointed for the purging and eâ—pâ—ation of sin that it might signifie the true priest Christ Iesus the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world For for this cause were the Leuiticall Sacrifices the Leuitical hallowings
are established certaine matters concerning Pollicie 1 The parting of the spoile after the victory in the warre against the Amalakites 2 A particular diuiding of the lande of Canaan 3 A rehearsall of the places of abâ—ade where the Israelites sometimes staied for the space of 40. yeares 4 A discription of the bounds of the land of Canaan and the chusing of them that should be deuiders with the part of the Leuites the Cities of refuge and possessions which might not bee translated to another Tribe All these are full of Examples of Faith and vnbeleefe of transgressions punishments and of the maruellous administrations of God hauing reference to Christ that was to come in the flesh 5. Of Deuteronomy SO called of DEVTEROS NOMOSâ— that is of the second rehearsall and publishing of the lawe for whatsoeuer is propounded in Exodus and Leuiticus concerning moral Ceremoniall Iudicial lawes the same Moses doth almost repeate in thiâ— booke For it was very requisite that thâ— people beeing punished for their disobedâ—ence should againe bee brought to the obseruing of the lawe Moses therefore repeated the Law again with all things that happened vnto them Besides what pertayned to the priesthood from the 9 chap hee declareth all those matters which pertained either to spiritual or corporall gouernment all which he applyeth to this end that they might draw vs vnto Christ of whome hee prophesyeth plainly in the 18. chap I will raise vppe a prophet for them from among their brethren c. For the law is a schoolmaister vnto Christ and the end of the law is Christ The Book is very fitly deuided into 4. principall parts 1 From the beginning to the 5. chap are rehearsed some of Gods works benefits past vnto theÌ„ wherby the people are sharply admonished both of their own vnthankefulnesse and disobedience and also put in mind of Gods goodnesse thereby to obey him 2 From the fift to the 20 he repeateth those things which eyther might further or hinder faith which do chieflye concerne spiritual gouernment and the true worship of God in the first Table for first vnto the 13 chap hee repeateth the ten Commaundements with weighty admonitions exhortations to the feare of God and keeping the x. commandements of God with exhortations from the Idolatry of the gentils especially after the inioying of the lande of Canaan with a recitall of some stories TheÌ„ he faithfully repeateth the ecclesiastical ordinances concerning ministers and the ministery of the word Tithes the yeare of Iubile the principal feasts choise of magistra right of the priesthood and the Cities of refuge 3 From the 13 chap to the 20 all those things which belong to the worship of the first Table 4 From the 20 to the 31 hee repeateâ— those things that might either work or hinder charity In the second Table that which conceâ—â— outward gouernment as political ordinances 1 of Warlike affaires 2 of The works of charity 3 of Those things that were fit for at office of theÌ„ that were to take iâ— 4 of The bill of diuorce 5 of thanfulnes towards Gods word Hereunto are added punishmentes for the breach of Gods commandement and rewards for keeping them and that which is most comfortable he sheweth in the 30 ch that thorowe repentance there is a waye for sinners to the mercy of God 5 From the 31 cha to the end of the book are set forth those thinges which happened about the death of Moses For first he comforteth the people least they should greeue and be discouraged because of his death theÌ„ with a notable song hee giues thankes vnto God and foretelleth what shal come to pas in the land of promise Afterward he blesseth the people and after the example of the Patriarch Iacob Gen 49 he blesseth euery seuerall tribe taking his leaue of them and prophesieth what shal befall vnto then Lastly he goeth vp to the mountain and receiuing comfort from God departeth this life and as it is thought he was both with body and soule carried vp into heauen as he appeared with Eliah in mount Thabor Thus farre of the Pentatenk of Moses which is so called of the number fiue and of the laste ve be Tencho which signe is to giue instruction as if it were an instrument which is of fiue stringes hauing respect to the only Lord Iesus Christ as he himselfe else-where but especially in the last of Luke doeth testifye saying Those thinges which are written of the sonne of man in Moses c. also there are diuers places in the new Testament alledged out of Moses Of the Booke of Iosua NOw some of the bookes Historical do follow in order vntill the 5. booke of Iob. Amongst which the chiefest are first As that of Iosua the Iudges and Kinges Wherein we may plentifully learne 1. The feare of God and Fai h. 2 weaknesse the crosse 3 repentance and amenedment 4 patience and comfort 1 The booke of Iosua taketh the name of Iosua himselfe the sonne of Nvun whoe was otherwiseÌ„ called Iesus Naue Hee succeeded Moses in the office of Magistracie and as Moses guided and gouerned the people 40. yeares beeing deliuered out of Egypt in the wildernesse by the mighty haÌ„d of God so Iosua by the same power of god brought the people into the land of Canaan or the lande of Promise taking the Caties and killing or putting to flight the inhabitants and deuided the land among theÌ„ in which these three things are to be seuerally obserued 1 That God kept his promise made to fiue Patriarches concerning the lande of Promise 2 That the Common-weale of Israell is preserued for the foretelling of the blessed seed of the woman our lord Iesus Christ 3 That God fighteth for his people againste the wicked whose sinnes hee punisheth by wasting and killing them for an example to all the vngodly that they might repent This booke is deuided as the principal book of Deut. into 4. parts First from the beginning to the sixt cha besides the calling of Iosua and the confirming of him and his gouerning of the common weale of Israel and the sending out of the spyes their daunger and returne theyâ— myraculous passage ouer the riuer lordan is described with the remembrance thereof and with a new command of Circumcision which for 40. yeares space had beene omitted and the celebration of the Passeouâ—â— 2 From the 6 Chap to the 13 besides the league made with the Gibbonites the sinne of sacriledge the sacking of the Cities of Iericâ— Hai c. And the killing of many Kings are heere discribed which in the 12 chapter are numbred that we may see how God fighteth mightilie for his people and that he rooteth out the vngodly 3 From the 13 chap. to the 20 is discribed the diuision of the lande of Canaan and the distributing thereof by lots according to the Tribes of Israell whereby is shewed that the promise of God is true 4 From the 20 chap to the
end the Citties of refuge are appointed and the fieldes of the Leuites neere to the cittie then Rub. Gad and the tribe of Maâ—asses are sent away to their owne possessions according to the couenant Num. 32 Afterwardes the care of Iâ—suâ— touching his posteritie is shewed by a notable exhortation and forbiding them to haue societie with the Gentiles and he shewes a lardge rehearsall of Gods benefites and making a couenant betwene them and God he calleth backe the people vnto God Lastly is declared the death of Iosua and Eleazar the sonne of Aron and the burying of Iosephes bones ⧠The booke of Iudges THe booke of the Iudges is named of those Iuges which after the death of Iosua Gouerned Israell For it contayneth a discription of Israells proceeding after Iosuahes death vnder the Iudges who maruailouslie defended the people from their enemies wherein is to bee obserued that God preserued the comon weale of Israell for the same cause for which he did establish it Namely for his sonnes sake that should be borne of the Ieweish people also this is to be noted that the people of the old Testament were vnder fower kindes of Gouernement according to the diuersitie of the times 1 Vnder a Fatherlye Aucthoritie in the time of the Patriarches Moses and Aaron 2 Vnder the aucthoritie of Iudges during the time of these Iudges 3 Vnder the gouernement of Kinges in the time of the Kinges 4 Vnder the gouerment of the Priestes in the time of the Priestes vntill Christe Who one for all is 1 Eternall Father 2 Iudge of the quicke and dead 3 King of Kinges 4 Euerlasting hie priest There were in number as Iudges 16. 1 Iudas 2 Simeon 3 Othoniell 4 Aroth 5 Samgar 6 Deborah the Prophetise 7 Baruck 8 Gedeon alias Ierobabell 9 Abimelech 10 Thola 11 Iair 12 Iepthe 13 Abesau 14 Achialâ—n 15 Abdon 16 Samson Now the booke of Iudges is deuied according to the order of the persons as they ruled in Israell From the begining of the booke to the 6 chap. 7. histories are discribed of the Iudges Iudas Simion c. Amongst whom Deborah the prophetis singeth a notable song in the 5. chap. From the 6. to the 13 besides the storie of Giddeon and his sonne three other Iudges are discribed Thola Iair and Iepthe of the Sacrifising of his daughter chap 11 from the 13 to the 17 is described an exelent storie of Samson and heere is Samson peculiarly comended in it hee was a figure of Christe From the 17. to the end of the booke beside the Idoll of Mica and the children of Dan is set forth a fearefull and a lamentable story of a Leuites wise for whom being rauished fallen downe dead and cut into 12. peeces the whole trâ—be of Beniamin was al most extinguished that by this one example we may learne that God doth seuerely fearfully punish adulteries Thus farre goeth the Booke of Iudges wherein are set before vs many examples to stirre vs vppe to repentance in which we also see that God hath alwaies sharpely punished Idolatry and other feareful sinnes but hath beene mercifull to the repentant that this booke may well be called the booâ— of the VVrath and Mercy of God The booke of Ruth THe booke of Ruth is so named of Ruth a woman that was a gentile to wit a Moabite of the people of Moab who was the sonne of Lotte Gen. 16 This booke containeth only 4 chap besides that it is an example of domesticall care wherein it also declares that God euen then had care of the Gentiles and that the Gospell was reuealed to the Gentiles after these things Ruth and other of the Gentiles are ioyned to the seed of Abraham This booke containeth part of the genealogy of Dauid which by the Euangelist is translated into the genealogie of Christ so that you may say that this booke also hath reference to Christ and thou mayst know that it was decreed long before that Christ should be borne of sinners harlots for the abolishing of sinnes And furthermore thou shouldst not doubt saluation also to bee ordained for the Gentiles It is deuided into 2 partes JN the two former chap Ruth is set down for an example how all Daughters in law ought to behaue themselues Humblie and dutifully towardes their Mothers in-in-lawe 2 In the other chapt is an example of Chastitie in Booz The bookes of Kinges THe 4 Historicall bookes which are intituled the bookes of the Kinges after the vsuall edition are in Hebrue onely two whereof the first is named SAMVELL and is deuided of the Latines into 2 bookes the which are called the bookes of Samuell The later of them is called the booke of Kinges which in like maner is deuided into 2 bookes which are called the bookes of the Kinges This Samuell was a most faithfull constant Prophet of God vnder King SAVL of whoÌ„ the 2 first bookes do take their names and in the one of them the storie of Saul in the other the storie of Dauid is larglie discribed The two latter bookes are commonlie called the bookes of the Kings because they conteyne the Historie of all the other kings both in Israell and in Iudah In the first booke of Samuell is discribed the beginning of the third kinde of gouernment namely the Kinges vnder wicked K. Saul vnder whom the kingdome and monarchie was ordeyned in Israell In the second booke of Samuell the kingdome is translated from Saules house vnto Dauids the most godly king and Prophet which is worthiely called the crowne of prophets In the 1. booke of the kinges it is according to the vulgar edition and in the thirde of the Kinges is discribed first the storie of SallomoÌ„ the king in whose time the TeÌ„ple was built vnto the Lorde in Ierusalem 2. the deuiding of the kingdome into two partes namely Iudah and Israell in the histories some of the Kinges of both partes are largely discribed In the 2. booke of Malchim that is to say in the 4. booke of the kinges according to the vulgar all the kinges in Israell and in Iudah are discribed also the wasting carying away the people of Israell captiues into Assiria Iudah into Babilon In the mean while the bookes are garnished with the promise concerning Christ which were made vnto Dauid 2. Kinges 3 ¶ A Catalogue of the Kinges of the People of Iudah Saul Dauid 1. Kinges 9 2. Kinges 3 Sala These 3. reigned ouer all the People of Israell Iudah before the discription of the Tâ—â—bes Afterwardes ten tribes sell away from the ten and they became two kingdomes as the Kingdome of Iud with the two tribes Iudah and Benieamin the kingdome of Israell with other ten Tribes The Kinges of Iudah 1 Roboam 3  12. 14 2 Abias wicked 3   15. 3 Asa 2 〈◊〉  15. 4 Iehosop Godly 2   16. 5 ZaÌ„bnas 3   12. 6 Ioram wicked 4   11. 7 Ochozlâ—s    Â
of Israell and Iudah sometimes good and sometimes bad somtimes most Godlye as Iosias Ezekias sometimes most wicked as Ioas and Manasses with other to the ende of the booke vnder which kinges all the prophets both Elias and they which were before the captiuitie of Babilon did prophesie many of them were crownd with martiredome as Esay Ieremie Amos Zachary Zacharie and the rest Of the bookes called Paralipomenon PAralipomenon taketh his name of leauing because it handleth that which in the bookes of the Kinges is left out or omitted and is deriued of Para that is like and Leipomai to leaue or omit they may be also called bookes of chronicles because they conteyne histones of things done from yeere to yeere whereupon the Title in hebrue is dibre haiamaim that is wordes of daies for in these two bookes are described particularly the actes deedes of the kinges of Israel but it is vncertaine whether these 2. bookes be that one whereof mention is made in the bookes of the Kinges when it is said are not those thinges written in the booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kings of Iudah These two bookes are thus deuided The former which hath 30. chap. conteyneth the histories of Saul and Dauid besids the numbring of the tribes The latter which hath 36. chap. conteyneth the histories of Saul Salomon and all other kinges of Israel and Iudah The summe of the first booke is this 1 From the beginning to the 12. chap. besides the storie in the 10. of the priestes and Leuites in the 11. of Sauls death are set foorth the rehearsals of the fathers and Patriaches from the beginning of the world especially of the 12. tribes of Israel 2 From the 12. chap to the 24. the historie of Dauid is amplified which is in the Second booke of Samuel 3 FroÌ„ the 24. ch to the ende is set downe a catalogue of the princes of Dauid also how forgetfullnes death the ende of all ceased vpon Dauid The some of the 2. booke called Paralipomenon 1 From the beginning to the 10. ch those thinges of king Salom. are inlarged which are conteyned in the greater part of the third booke of kinges 2 From the 10. chap to the end are discribed the actes and deedes of the other kinges which are written in the 3. and in all the 4. bookes of the kinges The booke of Esdras The two bookes to weet the 1. and the 2. of Esdras which is also called the booke of Nehemias are by the hebrues ioyned together in one but the thirde and fourthe booke of Esdras are not commonly vsed amongest the Hebrues albeit the third be for the most part taken out of the book of the Chronicles The books of Esdras Nehemiah doe by good order of the historye followe the bookes of the kings and Chronicles For as the booke of the kings and Chronicles doe containe the histories of the state of the Israelites before the captiuity in Babylon So these two bookes of Esdras and Nehemias do shew what thinges were done amongest the people of the Iewes after the captiuitie in Babylon For Esdras and Nehemias which are said to haue been scribes to Ieremie do bring back the people from that captiuity in Babylon and restore the Citie of Ierusalem and the Temple I meane both the Common weale and the church whose hearers and incouragers were the prophets Agge Zachary And this reedifying was made because of Christ who shortly after was to come to be borne in Bethlem to preach in this second temple of Ierusalem in the end to suffer without Ierusalem The sum of the Booke of Esdras It hath ten chap which are thus diuided From the beginning to the 4. ch is described the releasing of the Iewes granted by Cirus K. of the Persians Then the people are numbred gathered togither in Ierusalem by Zâ—robabell theyr captaine beginning again their oblations and festiuals And here may be obserued the maruellous iudgment of God his goodnes towards the Gentiles by the captiuity of the Iewes For as Nabuchadnezar Euilmeredech before the deliuerance were conuerted by the meane of Daniell and Darius king of the Medes and Cirus king of the Persians after the deliuerance so the captiuity of the Iewes was profitable vnto the Gentiles From the 4. chap to the 9 is described the building againe of the Temple by the persuasion of Agge and Zachary the proâ—hets after the hinderance therof 42. yeares â—nder Darius the younger so that you may â—â—e the enuy pollicy of Sathan in hindring â—he true worship of God as much as may be Then the temple is furnished againe by Esâ—ras Darius supplying religiouslye that â—hich was wanting restoring thos things â—hich had been taken away From the 9 to the end is described the â—eale of Esdras in separating and remouing 〈◊〉 strange women where especially are to be obserued the common places of prayeâ— and of true repentance And in this whole book must be obserued how God one while punisheth his elect offending as here by the captiuity of Babylon another while receiueth them againe to fauour as heere by Esdras and Nehemias The summe of the booke of Nehemias which also is called the second Booke of Esdras 1 First from the beginning of the book to the 8 chap after the faithful prayer of Nehemias the Iewe with the confessing of his sinnes he obtaineth of his heathen Lords Artaxerxes the king whose Butler he was in Persia leaue to returne to his brethren in Iudea so as we may see that deed do follow faithfull prayer comming to Ierusalem hee begins to reedify the City not without troble persecution and many hinderances so that the people were both molested in such sort by their enemies that they were driueÌ„ to holde their sworde in one hande and to builde with the other and also they were afflicted with so great famine and sâ—arsitie that Nehemias in the 5 chapt commanded by an edict that all they which had taken â—surie shoulde restore it wholye vnto the poore Lastlye though hee were not free from the deceipts of wicked men yet hee went forward with the worke vntil he had appointed a continual watch and the gates to be shut in the night season 2 From the 2 chap to the 11 religion is restored the Lawe is repeated the people are instructed and the couenant is renewed for without Religion and the word of God al is filled with errors 3. From the 11 chap to the end of the booke first the habitations of the people are set out by themselues then the Leuites are numbred lastly strange women are separated order is taken for the Leuies and the keeping of the Sabaoth is renued The thirde booke of Esdras as it is called containeth onely an amplification of those thinges which are comprehended in the book of Nehemias except those which are repeated in the first chapter out of the bookes of the Chronicles The 4. booke of â—sdras
4. Men thinke that Amos the Father of Esay was the brother of king Amazia of whose line Christ is Moreouer hee writes not onely more sermons then other proph concerning Christ and his kingdome but also more cleare more excellent then the Euangelistes therefore he is rather to bee called an Euangelist then a prophet Esay learned in the time of the transmigration of the ten tribes vnder Vriah Ezechia kings of Iudah he liued about the age of the world 3200. with Osea Ioel Amos Micha he prophesied aboue 100. yeares The book of Esay the prophet contains 1 prophesy Legal Euangelical 2 Historical as that of Ezechias the K. 3. exhortations vnto the Iewes pentiles 4. Consolations 5 praiers 6 giuing of thanks In the book of Esay there are 66. chap. which are thus deuided 1 From the beginning vnto the 13. cha he deals with the Iewes somtimes he sharply reproues them sometimes he prophesieth with them sometimes against them he threatneth the obstinate with horrible euils He putteth down most excellent promises concerning Christ to them that repent to comfort them which part he shuâ—â—eh vppe with giuing of thanks From the 13 ch to the 24 he passeth ouer vnto the Gentils preacheth prophesieth against them wherby mine he taxeth fusle the Babylonians 2. the Philistians 3. the Moabits 4. the Damascens 5. The Ismaclites 6. the Egyptians 7. the TitiaÌ„s 8. the Sidonians as the euill neighbours of the Iewes and alwaies offensiue to the people of God in which he prophesieth deuastation and other horrible euils to fall on them neither doth he in the meane while neglect the promises made to the gentiles that they should be conuerted to the saith 3 From the 24 chap vnto the 36 chap he returnes to the Iewes to whom againe hee prophesyeth hard thinges because of their incredulity He threatneth the captiuity of that proud Sinagogue the wicked Iews other hard fortunes and that they were altogither forsaken of God But the godlie and good men he comforteth in that God would keepe preserue his remnant and little flocke In the meane time hee omitteth not thankesgiuing for the Gospel that should be reuealed in the new testament 4 From the 36 cha vnto the 40 cha he reciteth the histories of Ezechias the K. of Iudah who as a godly feruent beseecher of God was heard both againste Senacherib that wicked king of Assyria for himselfe being greeuouslye sicke with a pestiserous disease From the 40 chap vnto the end he again deals with the Iewes sometimes most sharply rebuking them for their incredulity and Idolatrie sometimes comforting them as being to be brought captiue into Babilon In the meane while he puttes downe manie excellent prophesies and promises concerâ—ing the kingdome of Christ and the calling of the Gentiles ioining the Gospell to the Law to reprehension consolation by the Gospel that he might be said more truly to be an Euangelist then a prophet So much concerning the book of Esay The Booke of Ieremy IEremy the sonne of Helchia the priest began to prophesie the 13 yeare of the raign of king Iosiah when the king the priests and the people liâ—ed most wickedly vntil the booke of the â—ruine law was founde in the house of the Lorde by Helchia the father of Ieremye Then the king being moued with pitty and â—ompassion did restore the worship of god â—nd did root out Idolatry as the last book of the Kings doth witnesse in the 22 chapâ—â—r Ieremy prophesied from the 13 yeare 〈◊〉 Iosias vnto the time of the Babylonian câ—tiuity almost 41. yeares He also prophesieâ— concerning the captiuity of Babylon tiâ—â— ouerthrow of the city of Ierusalem he foâ—â— told the time of the captiuity almost 70. yeares where we are to obserue by hoâ— much the neerer punishments doo hast 〈◊〉 draw on by so much the more the wickâ—â— are worser more obstinate which appâ—reth by Ieremy by our time to be true Although the order of chapters cannâ—â— be obserued in the bookes of the prophers because they seeme rather to be sayings gathered out of the Prophets mouthes as thâ—â— vttered them then to haue byn written by them It is somewhat to go thus farre if wâ—â— can go no further as to obserue that notâ—â— Ieremy doth handle chiefly 3. things in order but with often repetitions mingled â—mongst themselues First he preacheth and chideth vehemently the wicked Iewes afterwardes bâ— foretels their punishments to wit the saâ— king and wasting of the City of Ierusalâ—â— Lastly he prophesyeth as other Prophets concerning Christ and his kingdome and of the new Testament 1 From the beginning vnto the 20 cha â—esides the history in which he is called of God by a vision by a signe to wit a flaâ—ing rod a seething pot In which God â—ewes his sudden and vehement wrath aâ—ainst this peruerse rebellious people by â—â—e king of Babylon the rod reuenger of â—od Besides I say this history Ieremy â—eproues the impiety of the Iewes theyr â—dolatry offences wickednesse cruelty aâ—ainst yâ— prophets so as al these sermoÌ„s for yeâ—ost part are for penitency or graue exhorâ—tions to repentance Besides the propheâ—es concerning the captiuity of Baby and â—esides consolations with which God doth â—omfort the prophet against tentations and â—he prophet the people to be deliuered froÌ„â—he captiuity From the 20. to the 40. ch besides the hiâ—â—ory of the crosse calamity of the prophet 〈◊〉 besides those most excellent promises of â—â—turn from captiuity concerning christ â—â—ee threateneth the people of Iuda speciâ—â—ly the prin with al euil which is agrauated â—y this â—hat God signifies that he wil stand â—ith the Chald. against his own people and â—ith the Chal. afflict his people which is of 〈◊〉 other things most horrible to wit God is not to be with his people but againste 〈◊〉 people After that he threatneth false pâ—â—phets and preachers who preached to 〈◊〉 Princes and people thinges pleasing theâ—â— and not according to the word of the Lord. Lastly he recites the history of Zededâ— the king that as contemning Gods wordâ— he fled to mans ayd and helpe euen so â—â—â—sery and calamity hapned vnto him whiâ—â— is the reward of Tyrants From the 40 chap. vnto the ende of thâ— booke besides diuers examples that is 〈◊〉 wit God deliuereth and keepeth the Prophet that God is true in his word that hâ— punisheth the contemners of his worde afterwards besides admonitions to the Iewâ— in Egypt and consolation with which Ieremy comforted Baruch his scribe he prophetsieth against the Gentiles his neighbors the Egyptians Philistians Moabites and other kingdomes then hee prophesieth the destruction of the kingdome of Babylon by the Meades and Persians Last of all hee concludes the booke with the historye of the deuastation or destruction of Ierusalem and with the leading away of the people in to Babylon that euery man may see the order of the Almighty in which he is
and vncleannesse and other Leuiticall obseruations wherein Christ was shadowed This booke is deuided into many particulars because it containeth many Ceremonial or ecclesiasticall obseruations so that it may wel be called the Ecclesiastical ordinance of Moses From the beginning of the first chap. vnto the 6. some kind of Sacrifices are described as in this booke many are contained wherof some are here mentioned 1 Of the first kinde was the burnt offering as a Sacrifice wholy to bee burned because all of it was to be burnt and nothing thereof reserued as of other sortes some thinges were to be preserued for the priests chap. 1 2 A meate oblation which sacrifice is otherwise called CARBAS a gift or offerings as the oblation of sundry kindes of bread chap. 2 3 A peace offering wherein men being reconciled and obtaining peace did giue thanks vnto God wherefore it taketh his name from peace among the Hebrues that it should be a sacrifice of thanksgeuing with cleane beasts of both sextes offered by one that is receiued and reconciled chap. 3 4 A sin offering a sacrifice that should be offered for the sin of the priest people prince chap 4 5 There are other sorts to bee annexed whereof there is mention made in this book as the sacrifice for the ignorance of the priest Prince and people 6 A trespasse offering 7 A drinke offering in Hebrew called NESICH 8 A sacrifice of vowes of the Hebrues called NEDES when men of their own accord did vow some vow of sacrifice 9 The Ban offering when men cursed themselues if they should take this or that that wherein they cursed themselues was to be offered vnto the Lord. Summarily in the fiue first chap. are described sundry kindes of sacrifices and the causes for the which they were to be offered From the 6. chapter to the 9. are diuers lawes for sacrifice repeated As first of the burnt offering 2. of peace offering 3. Of sinne offering and the preseruing of them From the ninth to the 11. three thinges are set forth to vs for example sake First obedience to God chap. 9. Secondly disobedience towards God chap. 10. Thirdlie a precept of sobrietie From the 11. chap. to the 18. are described not only the vncleane beasts but also other vncleanesse and the purgings of theÌ„ as 1. Of child-bearing women cha 12. 2. Leperous men chap. 13. 3. Menstruous women chap. 15. 4. Dead carcases From the 18. chap. to the 23. not only the degrees of consanguinity is described in the 6. precept but other precepts with a larger explication of them is repeated From the 23. chap. vnto the end doe follow other diuine ordinances as of feasts and for the poore Secondly of vowes tithes then Sermons and exhortations to the obedience of Gods word with threatninges that the offendors shal be punished Hitherto was set forth the booke of Leuiticus which deliuereth the lawes and ordinaces of Moses concerning the outward worship of God which did not onely discerne the Iewes from the Gentiles but also they exercised themselues therein not that sins could be taken away before god with burnt offerings because the forgiuenesse of sinnes is by the only sonne of God But that by this outward disciplin which had a reward anexed vnto it they might serue God 4. Of the book of Numery THis book hath his name of numbring bicause the people of God are numbred after their tribes are ordred for the exercise of religion their places of abode and their offices are distributed apponited for euery seuerall tribe Here are repeated also many transgressions of the people many daungers many punishments many blessings of God bestowed vpon the people as they were betweene mount Sinay and the land of promise Al which matters haue reference vnto Christ for whom the common-weale of Israel was set vp The prophesy also of Balaam concerning the kingdome of Christ is in this book From the beginning of the book to the 5 chap. are numbred generallye first all the Tribes of the people of Isr the tents of euery tribe are placed about the tabernacle Then particularly the tribe of Leuy is numbred vnto whome by themselues their offices are appointed From the 5 ch to the 7 are diuers lawes described as 1. of casting out the hoast 2. of Ielousy 3. of Nazarits vnto which in thâ—end of the 6 chap. is anexed a forme of blessing which our ministers do vse in steade of Itâ—missa when the supper of Christ is ended whereof there be these particulars 1 The Lord blesse thee and keep thee 2 The Lord lighten thee with his countenance haue mercy on thee 3 The Lorde lift vp his countenance vpon thee and giue thee peace From the 7 to the 11 are sundry ordinances described for the noble guifts of Princes which were offered in the dedication of the Tabernacle being erected of the altar as the ordination of consecrating the Leuites in the 8 chap. the ordination of the feast of the passeouer in the 9 cha the ordination of the trumpets in the 10 chap. which part is ordained in the end of the 10 chapt praier of Moses before the lifting vp disposing of the Arke From the 11 to the 17 are described fearfull examples whereby men ought to bee brought to feare as 1. The murmuting of the people for flesh and the punishment of their murmuring 2. The sedition of Aron and Marie his sister who was punished with Leprosie against Moses 3. The vnfaithfulnesse of the spies of the land of Canaan which put the people in feare 4. The murmuring and weeping of the people and the punishment of theyr incredulity 5. The punishment of those that sin of ignorance pride c. and of one that gathered sticks vpon the sabaoth day 6. The sedition and punishment of Corah Dathan Abiron From the 17 to the 21 besides the myracles of Arons rodde bearing blossomes is described the dignity office and reward of the priests and Leuites with the making of the sprinkling water of the ashes of a Cowe wherunto is added the story of Arons death and of his sister Mary From the 22 to the 25 after the Conquest in battell against the Cananites is discribed a fearefull example of Murmuring punnished with fierie serpents where the brasen serpent represents Christ Iohn And then in the other 3 chapters is discribed the blessing of the people and balams prophesie of Christ From the 25 to the 28 besides the dreadfull punnishment of Fornication the people are againe numbred before the diuision of the lande of Canaan the law of inheriting is published From the 28 to the 31 is discribed the ordayning of Sacrifices in euery feast as Sacrifice 1 Of the daily sacrifice 2 Of the Sabaothes 3 Of the new moones 4 Of the passeouer 5 Of Whitsontide 6 Of Trumpets 7 Of Propitiation 8 Of Tabernacles 9 Of Collection ¶ To these is added a Discription of sundrie Vowes From the 31 to the eude
c. And hee teacheth that they are truely blessed of God which are ioyned with God and are vnited vnto him through religion and godlynes and also the lawfull vse of other things In the end hee reckens vp the inconuenience of olde age and the decay of all his strength that draweth nigh to death Therfore let euerie man liue in the feare of God let him faithfully performe his office and let him vse the thinges created of God to the glorie of God The booke of the Canticles THe 3. booke of Sal. whose Title is The Song of songs Salomon hath set foorth many songes to wit 105.3 King 4 but because that this song is more excellent thē the rest and more glorious it is called the song of songs and it contayneth secreete misteries vnder the Metaphors of the bridegrome and the Bride of Christ and of his Church or of all the godly For though the verse be thank of giuing in which thāks are giuen to God because he hath adorned the common weale of Israell with great benefits to wit with a king and priest Yet he shadoweth the kingdome of Christ for whom all men doth giue thanks vnto God that here haue fought a good fight to whom is appointed a crowne of righteousnesse in heauen whiles they are ingrasted with their spouse eternally Because it cannot be deuided into parts since that thorow 8. chap there is a certain perpetual speech between the bridegrome and the bride To conclude this book containeth most excellent and particular matter 1 Concerning the kingdome of God 2 Concerning the Ministery of his word 3 Concerning the variety of the gifts of the holy ghost 4 Concerning the perpetual felicity thorow Christ 5 Concerning the defence or protection of the highest 6 Concerning the Tranquility of the elect 7 Concerning the peace or quietnes of conscience The booke of Wisdome ALthough this booke by the title seemeth to bee Salomons yet it is ascribed to Philo a man most wise learned of the Iewes who was the embassador of the Iewes to the Emperor Caligula againste which tyrannous prince the like vngodly men Philo Iudeus seemeth to haue written this booke that it may wel bee called the Philosophy or the wisdome of Philo. The booke being very conuenient for our time He commendeth the word of God against sauagenesse and tyranny of the wicked who wil not fauour the word of God among their subiects euen as Caligula did interdict his religion among the Iewes But thou shalt obserue that the word of God in this booke is called Wisedome and this booke to be the interpretation of the first commandement whence all wisdome doth flow Furthermore the chapters of this booke are 22. which are thus deuided 1 From the beginning vnto the 6 cha he maketh a comparison betwixt the righteousnes of the godly the cogitations of the wicked 2 Betwixt the goodnesse of the godly and the councell of the wicked 3. Betwixt the simplicity of the godly and the tyranny of the wicked 4. Betwixt the Martyrdome of the faithfull and the vnhappinesse of Insidels 5 Betwixt the constancie reward and felicity of the godly the condemnation of the wicked 2 From the 6 chap vnto the 10 hee layeth downe graue exhortations in which he exhorteth wicked men to embrace wisedom that is to saye with penitency and repentance where he sheweth that wisedome is to be gotten by faithful prayers 3 From the 10 vnto the 16 he commēdeth wisedome by the example of the Patriarches and by the sundry benefites and myracles of God towardes his people and against Idolatry and impiety whose cursse he sets downe with a derision and detesting of them by praising Gods mercy From the 16 chap vnto the ende of the booke againe he compares the righteousnesse and the rewards of the godly with the vnrighteousnesse and punishmentes of the wicked by bringing an example concerning the destruction of the Egyptians So much concerning this booke out of the which many Ecclesiasticall songes are taken out The booke of Iesus the Sonne of Syrach THis book thus far is called Ecclesi that is to say as some men doe interpret an Ecclesiastical discipline much vsed yet not accounted amongst the canonical books It is called by proper name Iesus Syrach frō the author as the preface doth shew he liued almost after all the Prophets in the last part before the comming of Christ in the flesh A godly man and learned but of the schole of the Egyptians comming forth in to light did publishe this booke gathered out of the writing of many learned men The booke is admirable and very necessary and profitable for the vse of the common people where a Citizen or a housholder may learne godlinesse honesty prudence after what sort he must behaue him selfe 1. towardes God 2 towardes Gods word 3 towardes his ministers 4 towardes his parents 5 towardes his wise and Children 6 towardes his owne body 7 towards his seruances 8 towards his possessions 9 towardes his neighbours 10 towardes his friendes and enemies 11 towardes magistrates and lastly towardes al menne◠〈◊〉 This booke may worthily be called a booke of domesticall discipline But seeing that it cannot bee profitablie denided by Chapters because it is not a booke written in parts orderly but gathered out of the bookes of many doctors and heaped vp consusedly euen as Bees do gather their hony out of diuers flowers it is sufficient to shew what it doth containe generally 1 First it containeth prouerbiall sentences and darke similitudes so as in this respect Iesus Syrach seemeth to be a follower or an Imitator of Salomon 2 Furthermore he poureth our and singeth certain excellent prayers and hymnes vnto God 3 It containeth certain peculiar ancient deuine histories of acceptable mē to god 4 Lastly he sheweth with what benefites it pleaseth God most plentifully to blesse his people and what euils he hath heaped vpon the wicked 5 In sum the booke is full of diuine wisedome The books of the Prophets THe prophetical books doe follow there are 16. Prophets of the which there are 4 great and 12 lesser of whome wee haue spoken before The sum of the doctrine of the prophets is this 1. They teach the kingdom of Christ to come 2. They expound the first commandment by many examples and histories 3. They comfort the afflicted consciences threaten the secure and carelesse ones 4. they condemne the Idolatry of the Iews which they call fornication It is Idolatry or spirituall fornication when men do worship the true God not according to the word and commandment of God but according to their owne good opinion as men say looke Iudges 7 17. 3 king 12 Ose 2. for that opinion is inhibited Deut 12. The booke of Esay ESay is the chiefe amongst the proph whose writings are extant next after Dauids For hee is ioyned to Christ not only in faith but also in neernesse of bloud He cals Christ the bud of the lord chap
won◠to punish thē who in contempt of his word do not amend their liues neither yet repēt So much briefly concerning the book of Jeremy The Lamentations of Ieremy the Prophet IN the booke which men intitle Threnos that is to say the Lamentations of Ieremy The Prophet bewaileth the destruction of Ierusalem and the kingdome of Iudah and the miserable captiuity of the people whome he coulde not conuert by threatnings nor by promises by reason of the vnbeleefe or incredulity of the people and contempt of Gods worde then he comforteth himselfe and the people with the promises of God and by his praiers he recommends his cause to God These Lamentations are written after this order in Hebrue so as the first verse begins of Aleph the second of Beth the thirde of Gimel c. following obseruing the order of the alpha for the help of memory the same is obserued by some euen to this day Furthermore as there are 4. chap besides the prayer of Ieremy in the 5. chap. euen so there are 4. verses according to the repetition of the Alphabet in euery chapter In the 1 Chapter the vnfortumate estate of the people and kingdom of Iudah 2 Chapter the negligence of the prophets 3 Chapter the mercy of almighty God 4 Chapter the destruction of the Temple with famin and other punishments of the Iewes deserued by sins Euery of these is set forth by waie of complaining and Lamentation The booke of Baruch THe booke of Baruch hath his name of the Author whosoeuer he be For it is not likely that hee was Baruch Ieremies scribe of whom is mention Iere 45. but a certain other man of that name although not indued with so large a spirit Therfore it is manifest this book is of no great momēt no more than the third fourth of Esdras This booke of Baruch doth contain besides the epistle cast off 5 cha of which this in the summe As he wrote this book in the captiuity of Babylon so he attributeth righteousnesse to God who worthily punished the Iewes Secondly he confesseth his sins and he accuseth his nation for their stifnecked disobedience and vi faithfulnes Furthermore he desires pardon that God would be merciful vnto his people returne them into their own countrey Lastly that he might stir them vp to faith in their harts he promiseth the restoring of Ierusalem The Epistle going vnder Ieremies name is added to the book of Baruch and is an admonition against Idolatry that the captiues in Babilon should not serue the goddes of the Babylonians and so to turne from the true God Therefore he vehemētly inueyeth against Idolatry perswading them to worship the true God and to serue him only Esay seemeth to haue his name of diuine vision and Ieremy of mighty supernal power The booke of Ezechiel the Prophet EZechiell who hath his name of fortitude prophesied in Chaldea beginning his prophesie about the riuer Chebar Hee was brought vnder Ieconia the king of Iudah whoe is called Ioachim the younger with DANIEL and the rest of the Iewes into captiuity or bondage six yoares before Ierusalem and the Temple was vtterly destroyed He was seruante to a prieste as was Ieremias and at the same time with Ieremias and also handling or intreating of the same argument to weet y◠captiuitie of Babilon vnlesse it were that Ierem. prophesied in Ierusalem Ezechiell in Chaldea or Babilon did foretell the calamitie of the Iewes Also Ezechiell in order followeth Iereremie the prophet so as Ieremie is the first in veeres and in office Ezechiell the latter and these did confirme the prophesie of ech other for whilest they which were departed into Babilon vnder Ieconiah being ouercome with vnpatience began to be sotiethas they had obayed the voice of Ieremie by whose perswasion they themselues had yeelded to the Babiloniās being solicited to this by salfe prophets as though they had bin deceiued by Ier. God raised vp this Ezechiell the prophet in Babilon that he might confirme the doctrine of Ieremie that he might comfort the captiues A Summarie diuision of the Prophesie of Ezechiell From the first chap. besides that obscure vision of 4. chariots concerning the inlargement of the kingdome of Christ in all the 4. corners of the world which Ezechiell receiued from the Lord by and by vpon his vocation which continueth vnto the 4. chap. he abideth chiefly in this one thing vnto the 25. ch which he foretelleth much more harder then Ieremy how Ierusalem and the people should be destroyed with their kin princes In the mean time hee addeth promises concerning their returne to Iudah Furthermore the prophet shewes first their sins 2 their vnfaithfulnes 3. their wie kednes 4. their punishments 5. the captiuity of Ezechias the king the people of Iudah somtimes by visions cha 1 9 10 11 then by figures cha 45. at another time by similitudes cha 12 15. Again by darke sayings or riddles cha 17. and also by verses cha 19. also by allegories chap. 23 24. somtimes by prophesies and manifest fore shewings rebukings as chap. 6 7 14 15 16 20 21 22. From the 25 vnto the 34. chap. he prophesieth many miseries as the other Prophetes didde againste the Gentiles beeing being neighbours to the Iewes because they with fowle mouthes contemptible speaches did deride the Iewes his speach doth appeare with the successe of the wicked and the oppression of beleeuers on the contrary the health and saluation of these with the distruction of them is set together Furthermore the Gētiles against whom he prophecied are 1. the Ammonites 2. the Moabites 3. the Idumeneās 4. the Palestins chap 13 5 Tires chap. 26.27.6 Sidoniās chap. 28.7 Egiptians chap 29.30.31.32 to whom he addes in the 33. chap a graue exhortation to repentance comparing the worde of God to the sounde of a Trumpet From the 32. chap vnto the 40. besides the taxacion of euill Persons the rebukes of the Idumeans he prophcieth sweeth of the Spirit and of the kingdome of Christe and of Tyrants that should come towardes the ende of the worlde into the kingdome of Christ namely Gog-magog that is by common interpretation the Turke In the meane time he vseth excellent Similitudes as in the 17. chap of the drie bones drawing his argument from the resurrection of the dead From the 40. chap he prophecieth concerning the re-edification of Ierusalem and the diuision of the lande according to the 12. tribes for the consolation of the Iewes whereby they shoulde not doubt of their returne into the lande of promise and concerning the restoring of religion pollicie all which thinges in that spirituall vision as in the beginning concerning the vision of the 4. chariots seemeth to shaddow or set foorth the celestiall Ierusalem in Reuel ⧠The Booke of Daniel the Prophet DAniel who hath his name from Diuine iudgment first of all hee is brought into Babilon vnder Ieconiah the King being yet a verie young man
Iews by Christ and his Apostles The Prophesie of Abacucke ABacuck hath his name of embracing as a mother embraceth her infant or as others embrace one another breast to breast heart to heart in comforting of them euen so Abacucke doth embrace the people of Israel and is greately comforted then exhorting them to remaine constant in the faith and in aduersiues So that the holy Apostle S. Paul Ro. 1. alleageth this most excellent sentence out of the second Chapter The iust shall liue by this faith It seemeth that Abacucke liued with Ieremy about the captiuity of Babylon seeing that hee as a Prophet of the Iewes firste of all prophesied againste the people and afterwardes against the Babylonians It is holden for a fable to saie that this man was that Abacucke which was taken of the Angell and did deliuer meate to Daniel beeing cast into the denne of Lyons There are 4 Chap vvhich are thus to be dâ—scerned IN the first cha he doth partly prech against the Iews preferring the preching of the Lawe before the Euangelicall doctrine which doth followe in the second chapter and he sheweth the power of the Babylonians to be great Partly he laboureth by a godly expostulation with GOD that his owne people being deliuered hee would take reuenge against the king of Babylon In the 2. chap. he addes Euangelicall consolation by the diuine promises and he shewes the promise of the speedye comming of the Mesâ—iah but in the mean time to be expected and looked for by faith In the third he prophesieth the destruction of the kingdome of Babylon foreshewing the diabolicall arogancy of the K. of Babylon againste God and his vniust gathering together of riches against his neighbour which are two horrible thefts to wit the spoiling of God of his glory men of their goods In the 4. chap. seeing that the giuing of thankes and the remembrance of GODS ancient benefites was pretermitted at the length hee prayeth that the Babylonian kingdome might be vtterly destroyed thorow diuine Iustice vnlesse that in the end another ioy doeth comfort the people of Israell In the 4. chapter after giuing of thaÌ„ks together with a large reckoning vp of gods benefies he prayes at the last that the kingdom of Babylon might tast of Gods curse and then againe in the ende he comforteth the people of the Iewes most cheerefully The Prophesie of Zophoniah SOphoniah seemeth to signify the secrets of God A name very sitte for Gods prophet whoe search the secretes of God that is to say the gospell and the eternal kingdome of Christ wrapped vp in propheticall promises visions and reuelations vntill the fulnesse of the time thereof be expired and accomplished For which cause Paule likewise cals it a mystery Rom. last The title in the first chapter shewes who Sophoniah was of what parentes hee was borne and in what time he liued He was neere the age of Ieremy the prophet He prophesied almost the same thinges but more briefly and strictly to wit the deuastation of the City of Ierusalem and also of the enemy and the destruction of the whole kingdome of Iudah and the deliuerance of the Iewes by Christ Pcincipally he prophesieth the destruction of the wicked Iewes by their neighbors the gentiles 2. The rooting vp of the Gentiles by other Gentiles 3 The deliuerance of the beleeuing Iewes by the birth of Christ There are only three chapters which are thus to be discerned In the first chapter by way of checking and reprouing them he prophesieth the destruction or deuastation of the kingdome of the Iewes by the comming of the king of Babylon for the wickednesse and couetousnesse of the Iewes In the second chap. he preacheth repentance to the Iewes and afterwards he fortelleth the destruction of their neighbours the Gentiles to wit the Moabits Ammonites Philistiâ—ns Assirians and Nintunes Last of all he puts those Gentiles in hope that they should be partakers of Christes kingdome by shewing that God was to be worshipped in the Isles of the Gentiles In the third ch partly he sharply reprehendeth and reproueth the impenitent or vnreleating Iewes and partly hee comforteth the Iewes in a most excellent sermon concerning the kingdome of Christ which was to be spread ouer all the worlde Hee speakes concerning those who were heads or gouernors in religion and pollicye hee saith That for because they are princes they are to be honoured as princes notwithstanding in the meane time they are to be reproued as sinners The Prophesie of Haggei HAgge hath his name of mirth and ioye He prophesied after the captiuity of Babylon vnder Darius Histaspes and at length very seriously hee did vrge the people to reedisie the Temple and to restore againe the true worship of God There are two chapters onely in this booke In the first he reproues the ingratitude and couetousnesse of the people and hee threateneth manye euilles to fall vppon them to wit vnhappines and pouertie who cared to builde gorgiouslie their owne houses but they brought nothing to the reedysâ—ing of the Temple In the second is the same cominations for the same cause also promises that Christ himselfe will illustrate adorne his seconde Temple with his Presents Doctrine and Miracles ⧠The booke of Zacharie ZAcharias hath his name of diuine Memorie who was one of the last of all the prophets He liued in the same time with Hagge the prophet after the returne from the captiuitie of Babilon He handleth also the same argumeÌ„t with Hagge to wit ensorsing and vrging the reedisâ—ing of the Temple that for Christes sâ—ke who woulde shortly come to his holy Temple Therefore hee manifestly prophecieth of Christes Pompe that he should goe to Ierusalem vpon an Asse and the sole of an Asle which came to passe a little before his Passion on Paulme Sunday Afterwardes hee prophecieth of his selling for 30 peeces of siluer which was performed by Iudas the Traytor Also of the piercing of his sides which place S. Iohn the Euangellist doth alledge In the meane while hee hath certaine obscure Visiens in the which the Misteries of Christ are shadowed which at lengthe he interpreteth by the effusion of the Spirit of Grace chapt 12. Therein are fourteene chapters which are thus to be discerned IN the first chapter besides the begining in which hee doth most minifestlie exhort the Iewes to repentance and besides the prayer of the Angel for the Cittie of Ierusalem there are also three visions First concerning the red Horse Secondly of the foure hornes Thirdly of the foure Carpenters In the which hee prophecieth of the peace of the Iewes and exhorteth them to reedifie the Citie of Ierusalem In the second chapter is one only vision concerning a measuring Line by which he exhorteth the people againe to builde Ierusalem Afterwardes there are famous promises made concerning the kingdome of Christ the diuine presentes and protection of the godly And furthermore the vocation of the Gentiles whence the people are exhorted and admonished to
be gladde and cheerefull In the 3. chap first of all there is a vision concerning Iâ—sua the chiefe Priest for his comfort and the reedifiyng of the Citie Furthermore there are promises made coÌ„cerning Christ which he names the roote or plant in respect of the gospel and faith and a corner stone in regarde of the church In the 4. clâ—ap is discribed the vision of of the golden Candlesticke for the comfort of Zoroâ—â—bel their Captaine and an exhortacion that hee bee not scarred or withdrawne from the building of the Temple by feare of the enemie In the 5 chapt is discribed a double vision that is to say of a flying booke and afterwardes of anâ— pha or measure in the which was shewed by the Angel the comming of false prophets into Iudea In the 6. chapt is described a vision of soure Chariots by the which the kingdome and the gospel of Christ seemed to be shadowed In the 7. and 8. chapt there are sermons and admonitions against the hiporesie of of the Iewes in the choise of dayes and times of their fastes Afterwardes there are sermons of exhortations to builde againe the Temple and last of all consolations concerning the kingdome of Christ In the 9. and 10. chapt there are prophesies concerning the comming of Christ of the humanitie of his kingdome by this that he was made to sit vppon an Asse afterwardes concerning the power of Alexander the great by the which God hath opened the Gates of the world that the king of glory might enter with his holy Gospell In the 11.12 13. ch there are the same prophesies and indeede more grauely coÌ„cerning the Passion of Christ being delyuered into the handes of the Gentiles also the desolation of the Iewes for their incredulitie and of the preaching of the gospel amongest the Gentiles after the pastor was stroken that is to say after the passion of Christ In the last chapter there are yet two prophesies of the which one containes the abrogatioÌ„ of the whole sinagog and the worshipping of the Leuites the other contain the tentations and the victory of yÌ„ church The booke of Malachy MAlachyas hath obtained the name of an Angell amongst the Hebrues He is counted the last among the prophets and the next before Christ whom he soretels to be now at hande and Iohn Baptist vnder the name of Elias to be his fore-runner Whether this Malachias were Esdras as some haue thought it is vncertaine But this is most certaine that he hath many excellent sentences concerning Christ and the Gospell which he cals that pure and perfect sacrifice for the whol world There are 4. chapters therein which are thus to be discerned In the first chapter sometimes he generally reprehendeth the ingratitude of the Iewes At another time more particularly the couetousnesse of the priests The one because they bring those things which are vnpure and nothing worth for sacrifice the other for that they offer vnpure and vnfit thinges to God and by and by euen in the middest of his threatnings he preacheth concerning the kingdome of Christ and of holy offerings that is the Gospell In the 2. chapt he goeth forward to reproue and vehemently to reprehend the priestes warning them of their Office that it is so holy as an angelical name is ascribed vnto him Also he inuayeth more particulerly against them who are acused of their wiues for their euill handling or vsage bringing foorth the exaÌ„ple of Abraham that would not haue them to be hardly vsed In the third chapter hee prophecieth of the fore-runner of Christ and also of both the comminges of Christe to wit in the flesh and to Iudgment Afterwardes hee chideth the Iewes for their ingratitude towardes the Ministers of Christ In the fourth chapter he ioyneth aswell graue as short exhortation to godly men for the true worship and feare of God and also ioy and consolation fore-telling to wicked men Plagues Destructions and therefore let vs obay the diuine admonitions and the true seruing and fearing of the Lorde our God and let vs also looke for the second comming of Christ with a cheerefull minde lifâ—ing vp your handes So much concerning the prophets and of the bookes of the prophets by the which the Doctrine of the new TestameÌ„t is confirmed and the sentences of the prophets are cited sort estimonie aswell by Christ himselfe as also by his Apostles Let the therfore bee recommended vnto vs for most sweet consolations Let vs therefore accompt them worthie of all praise for these sweete consolations The bookes of Machabees THE Bookes of Machabees haue only their name or deriuation of Iudas Machabeus for his excellent actes that are d cscribed in those bookes it is the last florie of all the olde Testament concerning thinges done by the Iewes from the time of Alexander the great vnto Christ when the people of god had neither kings nor prophets amongst them but Princes priestes There were in the olde Testament foure kindes of gouerment in the elect people of God to wit first a most patriarchall power Secondly a Iudicial power Thirdly a kingly power and fourthlie a Pontificall power For all which Christ onely raigneth in the new Testament who first is the father of the world to come Secondly the Iudge of quicke and dead Thirdly the king of kinges Fourthlie the eternall Priest or Byshop Furthermore the bookes of Machabees are reckned amongst the Apochripha books and amongest the Canonicall bookes and amongest other thinges it conteyneth a most true discription of those thinges which Daniel prophesied of in the 12. ch to wit concerning the persecution of the Iewes by Antiochus The First booke is deuided into 5. partes according to the circumstances of persons and in this booke there are 5. persos most famous whose acts are discribed for the most parte after the order of an historie First Mathias 2. Iudas Mac. Thirdly and fourthly Ionathas and Simon the breethren of Iudas Machab fifthly Iohn the sonne of Simon From the first chapter vnto the third the impietie and crueltie of Antiochus is noted whom the scripture cals The root of sinne And there is described the zeale and constancy of Mathias the priest of his sons that it may bee an euerlasting example to the ministers of the word in persecution From the third chap. vnto the ninth are described the valiant actes of Iudas Mach. namely his warres his victories the purification of the Temple the confederacy with the Romanes and the manifolde conflictes with the Gentiles his neighbors and their Princes whom he discomfited either by enforcing them to flee away or by killing them whose names followeth in order 1 Apolonius slaine chap. 3 2 Seron slaine chap. 3 3 Gorgias driuen away chap. 4. 4 Lysias driuen away chap. 4. 5 Timotheus with the Amonits and Galaadites discomfited ch 5 6 The sons of Esau discomfited ch 5 7 Antiochus the younger the leagu-breaker son of Antiochus the tyrant deceased with his captaine Lysias and their
Elephants sent out of the land chap. 6. 8 Alciâ—us the Iew going to Demetrius chap. 7. 9 Nicanor is slaine chap. 7. At length Iudah himselfe after the confederacie made with the Romans chap. 8. was slaine in the battell which was stirred vp amongst the Iewes at the commundement of Demetrius after the death of Nicanor by Bacides and Alcinus the princes of Demetrius the king chap 9. O most godly captaine and heroicall constancy in the iudaicall Religion O most valiauâ—e sighter and defender of this Nation who at length being throwen downe in the truâ— confession most valiantly died for the maintaining of gods glorie From the ninth chapter vnto the thirteenth chapter is described the historie of Ionathâ—s the brother of Iudas Machabeâ—s who dealt with both the Demetrius and Bacides and Aleinus of whome he obtained victorie by the helpe of his brother Symon Afterward hee had his affaires with the young princes of Demetrius the younger vntil Triphon slewe him by subtilty azealovs warriour for Religion and the true worship of god From the 13. chap vnto the 16 is described the history of Simon the brother of Iudas Machabeus and of Ionathas In the last chap vnto the end of the book the succession of Iohn his sonne is described after the death of Simon The second booke of Machabees THe second booke of Machaâ— for the most part is a description of those things which are written in the firste booke chiefly so much as appertains to Iudas Machabeus There are 15. chapters which are thus to be diuided In the fâ—â—st 7. chap is described the affliction of the people of Israell aswell by certaine deceits and trecheries of one Simon as also by the cruell tyranny of Antiochvs Wherein is not onely declared the constancy of Iudas Mâ—chabeus who liued abroad in the desaâ—t but also of the 7. brethren who was crowned in martyrdome together with their mother In the 8. chap. and the rest of the chapt are repeated the valiant acts of Iudas Machabeus vnto the end of the booke So much concerning the bookes of the Machabees and also of all the Bookes of the old Testament to wit The Legall Historicall Doctrinall and Propheticall which are all in number 48. Concerning Ioh. 5. in the which Christ saith Search the Scriptures The end of the Bookes of the olde Testament The Bookes of the Nevv TESTAMENT THE New Testament containes bookes which were written after Christ was made manifest in the fleshe Partly Euangelicall partly Historical In number 27. accounting the least which onely containes one chapt as the epistle of Paule to Philenion the epist of Iude and the two later Epistles of Iohn The bookes of the Euangelists THere are foure Bookes Euangelicall written by 4. Euangelistes to wit Matthew Marke Luke and Iohn they are called Gospels because they seuerally doe comprehende the Gospell of Iesus Christ That is to say Ioyful newes concerning the free remission of sinnes to be obtained by the meanes mediation of Christ The booke of Matthew MAtthew as he is saide to haue been the first of the Euangelists that wrote the Gospell to wit immediatly after the Ascension of Christ euen so he hath obtained the first place amongest them These are the parts principallye of this Gospell From the first chap vnto the 5 are shewed by way of entrance not onelye those thinges which do appertaine to the genealogy and natiuity of Christ As first the numbring of persons in the generations from Abraham vnto Christ 2 the reuealations made to Ioseph 3 The comming of the wisemen 4 The tyranny of Herod But also the life and doctrine of Iohn Baâ—tist and also the baptisiue and tentation of Christ before he began to preach and before he chose his Apostles From the 5. vnto the 8. is described the sermon of Christ which hee made on the mountaine amongst his Disciples and it was a very sermon of the Law by the which as by a foundation being laid he prepareâ— them in order to the ministery of the gospell First of the blessing and the rewards of good works 2 Of the offices of the apostles 3 Of the true interpretation of the law 4 Of almes 5 Of praier 6 Of fasting 7 Of true riches 8 Of confidence in God 9 The sincerity of true iudgement 10 Of continual praier 11 Of natural iustice 12 The auoiding of false doctrine 13 The study of liuing according to the word of god In suâ—â—me this sermon and generall hatration of the lawe sheweth that the law was a schoolemaister vnto Christ From the 8. vnto the 10. hee confirmeâ— his doctrine with excellent myracles benefites with the which both by sea â—â—land he succoureth miserable and afflicted men and shâ—wes himselfe to be our famous From the 10. vnto the 13. he informeth constrâ—â—â—eth and comforteth his Apostles in the mynistery of the word And also afterwardes hee confirmes the Dâ—sciples of Iohn He commendeth Iohn â—e condemneth the increduliâ—â— of many giues thaÌ„ks vnto God the father for his little stocke Last of all besides his disputation with the Phaâ—lsies concerning the Sabaoth concerning Signeâ— c. Againe he shewes by manifest miracles his louing kindnes and also in that he quencheth not the smoâ—king flaxe From the thirteenth vnto the ninteenth first Mathew shewes certaine parabolicall sermons concerning the force and effect of the woorde of God and afterwardes the vndeserued death of Iohn Baptist Christs departure into the desarte and his contention with the pharisees the healing of many sicke people the confession of Peter and the rest of the Apostles the transfiguration of Christ the obedience of Christ towards magistrates the comfort of the litle flocke Last of all he treateth concerning offences and the forgiuing of our brethren illustrated by a parable of the vniust steward in which part of thinges done in Gallelie hee sheweth the great care of Christ for the saluation of mankinde and also his great diligence in his office of teaching shewing of miracles From the ninteenth vnto the 26. cha he describeth chiefely the iourney of Christ from Galilie into Iudah and by the way of disputations sometimes with the pharisees and scribes sometimes with his owne disciples foreshewing also his passion healing of two blinde men Afterwardes his entrauÌ„nce into Ierusalem and his most sharpe and last disputation with the Iewes concerning the dueties or office of preaching throughout three whole chapters 21.22.23 of which disputation and reprehension these are the chiefe partes to weet 1 Of the Baptisme of Iohn 2 the two sonnes 3 of the vineyarde 4 of the corner stone 5 the mariage of the kinges sonne 6 the tribute to be giuen to Cesar 7 the wise of the seuen brethren and of the resurrection of the dead 8 the great commaundement in the law 9 of Christ the son of Dauid 10 of the curses vpon the pharises and Ierusalem Last of all he describeth the communication of Christ with the Disciples in the mount of Oliues the destruction
And againe after the death of Domitian whē he returned from the I le of Pathmos to Ephesus to haue written his Gospell against the Heretikes Marcio Ebon and Cerunhus This booke vnder the name of Reuelation conteyneth prophesie concerning euent fortune matters and of the deriued church that is to say the church deriued from the Primitiue church and thence to be deriued vnto the end of the world It may very well be deuided 1 Into Seales 2 Into Trumpets 3 Into Vials The 7. seales signifies the persecution of the church which is vnder Tyrantes to wit Domitian Traianus c. which truly began in the primitiue church in the time of the Apost and continued thence the space of 300. yeares vnto the time of Constantine it is described in this book chap. 4 5 6 7. The Trumpets signifieth heresies as the Arians c. From the time of Constantine vnto Theodosius for other 300. yeares yea vnto Mahomet and the pope This is described chap. 8 vnto 18. The Vials signifie the plagues of Antichrist for these 900. yeares from the time of Bonif. y◠pope vnto this our time of the which thou mayest read from the 17. chap vnto the end of the booke It may otherwise bee deuided to wit into seauen visions that is to saye into figures most wonderfully shewing to the minde and cies of all men The first vision of the seuen churches of Asia the lesse The second vision concerning Christ his church being exalted The thirde vision concerning the dilligence of the disciples of Christ The fourth concerning the affliction of the church The fist concerning the last persecution vnder Antichrist The sixt concerning the day of Iudgement The seuenth concerning the victory of Christ and the church Briefly he describes 1 The Kingdome of Christ 2 The comfort of the godly afflicted 3 The Threats of Tyrants 4 The priesthood of Christ 5 The Prayers of the Saints 6 The Histories of the newe Testament is reueiled The chapters are thus to be discerned From the 1. chap. vnto the 4. chap. is the preface in which first of all it containeth the commendation of these reuelations from the efficient cause to weet from God Then it containeth the admonition to the seuen bishoppes of the Churches of Asia the lesse which hee calles Angels Candlesticks starres c. For the ministery of the word From the fourth chapter vnto the 8. is the first part of the booke with the 7. seales Where first he would haue to bee vnderstood by Elders the Prophets Secondly by beasts the Euangelistes 3 By birds Doctrine 4 By the Lamb Christ himselfe 5. By Angels the ministers of the word 6 By Seales Persecutions 7 by Horses Tyrants 8. by sealed the elect the Iewes 9 by the multitude the elect of the Gentiles 10 by the booke the ministery of Reuelations From the 8. chapter vnto the 15. cha is the second part of the booke of Trumpets by which he vnderstandeth Heresies 2. by stars Heretikes 3 By the angell the ministery of the word 4. by the the Gospell 5 By the measuring of the Temple Religion 6 By the holy Citty the Church 7 By the two witnesses the Prophets and Apostles 8 By the woman the Church 9. By the 12. starres the 12. Tribes 10 By the wars the preaching of the Gospel 11 by Mychaell Christ Iesus 12 By the Beastes the Romaine Monarchy 13 By the lamb Christ 14 By the voice of thundring the word of the Gospel 15 By the new Song the Gospel 16 By the women Idolatrie 17 By Virgins sincere Christians From the 16 vnto the end is the third part of this booke First by the beastes he would vnderstand the Romaine Monarchy 2 By the Harlot the Idolatry of Antichrist 3 By the golden people hipocrisie 4. By Characters a perfect sign of Antichrist 5 By vials the plagues of Antichrist 6 By the mariage of the lamb the humanity of Christ 7 By the name written the Diuinity of Christ 8 By new heauen and new earth the Image of euerlasting life To the which place hee shal bring vs whoe hath signed this his holy scriptures with his owne pretious bloud euen Iesus Christ our Lorde who with the Father and the holy Ghost bee praised for euer and euer Amen FINIS