prophane vses to the seruice of the liuing God appointed at the Altar by praying by praising and by sacrificing for themselues and for the people in and about the Tabernacle whiles it was in vse and afterwards in the temple of Salomon Par. What is the seauenth and last particular to wit the Sabaoth Past The Sabaoth signifieth according to the deriuation thereof rest peace and quietnesse It was precisely kept thorow out all generations amongst the people of Israel vpon diuers and sundry expresse commandements so as neither man nor beast might be séene doing any bodily labour therein which outward rest had relation and reference to the inward affections of the Soule wrought by the spirit resting from sinne and all prophanenesse Therein also was an absolute representation of heauenly rest and peace of soule and of body in the life to come They might not gather Manna on the Sabaoth day though it came from heauen miraculously for the nourishment of their hungry bodies because they might be occupied in a more speciall businesse to wit in gathering spirituall Manna a foode for their soules The Lord of the Sabaoth vouchsafed to dignifie the Sabaoth with his owne personall presence and to make it a signe or pledge of warrantise betwixt his people and himselfe And this was published first by God himselfe secondly by Moses thirdly by Iesus Christ and fourthly by the Church This ceremoniall Sabaoth did properly point out a time publike for the ministration of the Law which immediate Sabaoths instituted by Moses are of diuers sorte A Sabaoth of yeares to wit euery seauenth yeare in which the Israelites might not till nor sow There was a Sabaoth euery fifty yeare in which was proclaimed a generall fréedome which yeare was called a yeare of Iubile The Noëmian is seauen months There is another externall and immediate Sabaoth to wit the Sunday or Lords day which God appointed to his Church There is also a spirituall Sabaoth to wit an holy rest from sin which only appertains to the elect such as of whom S. Paul speakes who liue not after the flesh but after the spirit these shal enioy the celestiall Sabaoth which is that most pure and perfect Sabaoth which was begun in the old Ceremoniall Law continued in the new Law and which shall be accomplished in the kingdome of heauen Par. What vse or profit haue we by the Iudiciall and Ceremoniall lawes Past The vse and profit is twofold one is an humbling of all sorts at the feet of God For when our sinnes are gathered together as it were on an heape and the entrance into our owne vnablenesse to make a kinde of satisfaction it must néedes strike a feare and a confusion into our hearts and thereby prostrate vs before God The other is the simple submission and yéelding vp of all the functions and offices of soule and body which is vnpossible for man to doe because the soule doth consist of a minde and of affections and the minde doth consist of vnderstanding iudgement and memory all which are decaied and to no purpose for the worke of our redemption Yea all the members of mans body and all the parts thereof which should be imployed in his holy worship doe easily and plainely bewray their stubbornenesse negligence and contempt Par. What is the sum or principall matter in the booke of Numbers besides the numbring of the people which maketh the booke called Numbers Past Moses therein setteth down diuers Lawes some for the Nazarits some against fornication People sedition Leuites ignorance Priests incredulity Sabaoth murmuring Sanctuary  The fift Particular concerning Iosua Par. Now I desire to know who wrote the booke of Iosua Past Iosua or Iesus the sonne of Nun carieth the title of this Booke because he and Eliazar did penne the same He was a most feruent follower of the faith therefore by faith most admirably he slew mighty Kings Iosua 10.26 euen one and thirty in number and deuided their dwellings and their lands by lots amongst the people of Israel 11.12 according to the word of the Lord many hundred yeares before He resembled Iesus Christ the ouer-ruling and euerlasting Conquerour He was thrée and fifty yeares old before he came from Egypt he ruled seauent éene yeares 24.29.30 he died when he was one hundred and tenne yeares old and was buried in mount Ephraim which was his owne limitation border or lot Par. What speciall matter haue I to marke therein Past The booke deuides it selfe by chapters after this manner in regard of the matter From Chapter the 1 to chapter the 6 comprehending Iosua hisstory the story of the Spies the story of Iordan Circumcision and Passeouer 6 13 the story of the Gibeonites Sacriledge the sacking of Cities and killing of Kings 13 20 Cities of refuge the Leuites portion Manasses tribe Iosua his zeale 20 24 Israel haue now rest Ruben Gad and Manasses are sent to their inheritances Iosua exhorts the people and dieth The sixt Particular concerning the booke of Iudges Past This booke according to the Gréeke and Latines is called Iudicum because indéede the matter principall is concerning the gouernment of Gods people vnder Iudges from the death of Iosua vnto Hely the high priest about 299. yeares and Samuel wrote it Par. Declare vnto me the Iudges in their order and by their names Past As I haue set them down so haue you néede to be perfect in their particular stories Othoniel of the tribe of Iudah who gaue them rest 40. yeares Ehud of the tribe of Beniamin who gaue them rest 18. yeares Deborah and Barack of the tribe of Ephraim who raigned 40. yeares Gedeon of the tribe of Ephraim who slew his brethren was slaine himselfe ruled 40. yeares Abimelech of Isachars tribe 23. yeares Tola of Manasses tribe 22. yeares Iair of Ephraim 16. yeares Iepthe and Abesan of Iudah 7. yeares Eglon of the tribe of Zabulon who ruled 10. yeares Abden of the tribe of Manasses who ruled 8. yeares Sampson of the tribe of Dan who ruled 20. yeares Hely of the tribe of Leui who ruled 40. yeares These Iudges continued in story 450. yeares reckoning withall the yeares of the oppressors Par. Who were the oppressors Past These they were by their names and by their succession Philistines Cananites Sidonians Heuites Chusan vnder whom Israell were in bondage 8. yeares Eglon King of Moab vnder whom they liued in bondage 18. yeares Iabine and Sisera King of Canaan vexed them 20. yeares Madianites vexed them 7. years Amalekites they of the East with their Captaines Oreb and Zeb Zeba and Zalmana Kings of Madian Philistines who vexed them 18. yeares Ammonites who vexed them 40. yeares Par. Who wrote the Booke of Ruth Past Samuell the Prophet is said to write this Booke because the Hebrewes doe reckon it and the Booke of Iudges as one for Ruth liued when Deborah ruled Israell Par. What was this woman of what Nation or kindred Past Shée was a Moabitish
into Egypt in the time of famine Gen. 17.17 21.5.25.20 47.9 when he was iust 130 years Iacob and his séede continued there 115. years Lay all together and it ariseth as I said before to 505. yeares The age of the fourth Obseruation Par. Now set me downe the continuance of the fourth Obseruation to wit from the going of Israel out of Egypt to the building of the Temple Past It ariseth to 480. yeares which is to be seene by the yeares wherein these religious men ruled and gouerned the people of Israel from their deliuerance out of Egypt to Saul the first king who were in number 17.  Rulers Years Chap. Vers 1 Moses 40 Deut. 1.3.29.5 2 Iosua 40 3 Othoniel Iudg. 3.2 4 Ehud and Shamgar 80 3.20 5 Deborah Barak 40 5.3 1. 6 Gedeon 40 8.28 7 Abimeleck 3 9.22 8 Tola 23 10.2 9 Iair 22 10 3. 10 Iephthe 6 10.7 11 Abesin 7 12.7 12 Elon 10 12.8 13 Abden 8 12.11 14 Samson 20 12.13 15 Eli 40 1 Sam. 4.18 16 Samuel 14 17 Saul 1 K. 12.11 Hereunto you must adde 18. yeares to Iudge Eglons oppression You must adde the Medianites oppression full seauen yeares You must adde also to the Philistins oppression 18. yeares and you must adde hereunto three yeares of King Salomon Now cast the whole and you shall finde my reckoning according as I said 480. The Age of the fift Obseruation Par. How many yeares were there betweene the building of the Temple and the captiuitie which is the fift Obseruation Past You shall finde the account to be 432. yeares which I finde by the seuerall yeares of the raigne of the Kings of Iudah in Ierusalem Kings Yeares Chapters Salomon 37 2 Cro. 9.30 Rehoboam 17 2 Cro. 12.13 Abias 3 1 King 15.2 Asa 41 2 King 9.10 Iahosaphat 25 2 Cro. 20.31 Iehoram 8 2 Cro. 21. â— Ochosias 1 2 King 8.26 Athalia 7 2 King 11.1 Ioash 40 2 King 14.2 Amaziah 29 2 King 15.2 Azariah 52 2 Kin. 15.33 Ioathan 16 2 King 16.2 Ahaz 16 2 King 18.2 Ezechias 29 2 King 21.1 Manasses 55 2 Kin. 21.19 Ammon 2 2 Kin. 22.1 Iosias 31 2 Kin. 23.31 Ioachas 3 Mont. 2 Kin. 23.36 Ioachim 3. Mont. 2 King 24.8 Zedechias 11 2 Kin. 24.18 Now make your Addition your selfe and you shall finde 432. yeares as I said The Age of the sixt Obseruation Par Declare vnto me the continuance or time of the captiuitie in Babilon which is your sixt Obseruation Past From the beginning of the captiuitie in Babilon Ier. 25.13.29.10 Deu. 9.2 2 Cro. 36.21 vnto the end thereof are 70. yeares according as it was foretold many yeares before by Ieremy the Prophet The truth hereof in experience fals out by the raigne of thrée kings or Monarches vnder whom they were captiuated for that time Nabucadnezer 45. yeares Euilmeredech 30. Baltashar 3. The odde yeares are inuolued in Zedechias raigne and Nabucadnezers before the second Captiuitie The Age of the seauenth Obseruation Par. There remaineth for you to set downe the age or continuance of the seauenth and last Obseruation to wit from the end of the captiuitie vnto Christs most sacred incarnation Past The sum thereof rightly reckoned ariseth to 590. yeares after this manner There was thrée goings forth of the people from Babilon The first was vpon the proclamation made by Cirus King of Persia who enioyed the Crowne of Babilon from which time vnto Artaxerxes Long-hand was 115. yeares euen then Daniels seauen seauenties or seauenty wéekes began which by the Romane computation is 490. yeares But by the Hebrewes computation reckoning by the moone it is but 475. years which 115. yeares 475. yeares amounteth iust to 590. yeares vnto Christs incarnation as I said before Par. I desire to know what memorable matter or stories of speciall account are in euery of those seauen Obseruations hauing Analogie reference and coherence with other places of Scripture The matter principall in the first Obseruation Pastor THe first Obseruation comprehends one most famous and renowmed story or memorable matter to wit Creation The matter principall vpon the second Obseruation Par. What stories or memorable matter doth the second Obseruation containe Past It comprehends two stories the one concerning the Floud other the building of Babell The matter principall vpon the third Obseruation Par. What doth the third Obseruation containe Past It containes eight memorable matters of story 1 the story of the ten holy Fathers 2 promise to Abraham 3 â—urning of Zodome 4 birth of Isaac 5 Iacob and his 12. sons 6 Ioseph 7 Pharaoh 8 Moses The matter principall vpon the fourth Obseruation Par. What is there comprised in the fourth Obseruation Past It containes ten most memorable stories and matters of waight 1 the story of the Passeouer 2 Israelits enlargement 3 Pharaoh 4 Israels peregrination 5 Iosuah 6 Iudges 7 Samuel 8 Saul 9 Dauid 10 Salomon The matter principall vpon the fift Obseruation Par. What doth the fift Obseruation containe Past It containes foure speciall stories 1 the story of the Kings of Iudah with their prophets 2 Kings of Israell 3 Captiuity of Iudah with their prophets 4 Captiuity of Israel The matter principall vpon the sixt Obseruation Par. What comprehends the sixt Obseruation Past It comprehends the state of the Church vnder foure sorts of tyrannicall gouernment 1 the story of Nabuchad Euilmeredech and Baltashar 2 Cyrus and Darius the Persians 3 Alexander the Grecian 4 Kings of Syria and Egypt The matter principall vpon the seauenth story The seauenth Obseruation comprehends the state of the Church from Artaxerxes Long-hand vnto the reedifying of the Temple thence vnto Christs incarnation Par. Wee will now returne to the particular consideration of euery Obseruation and of the stories recited in them The first particular of the first Obseruation concerning the Creation Parishioner TEll me I pray you before wee enter farther who wrote the Booke of Genesis Past Moses was the writer thereof and of the other foure Bookes next adioyning Par. When did he write the same Past When hée was full forty yeares old neare about the time that God made him Lord-Generall of his people Israel 2414. yeares after the Creation Par. How was it possible for him to write such a large discourse of things done so many hundred yeares before he was borne so truely so particularly and so substantially as if hee had seene all with his eyes and heard it with his eares Past Indéed as you say reasoning with flesh and bloud it was impossible but he was specially most highly in the fauour of God who by the motions stirrings and instinctions of his diuine Spirit did write the same with which Spirit all other Scriptures were written according as it is said 1 Cor. 2.14.15 2 Tim. 3.16.17 2 Pet 1.20 1 Cor. 1.25.26 No Prophesie or foretelling came of any priuate or publike mans motion it came not in olde time by the will of man but by the will of GOD. Holy men of God
course ten thousand a moneth hée had twentie thousand that bare burdens and fourescore thousand Masons in the mountaines hée had thrée thousand and thrée hundred men that ruled the workmen The holy Ghost maketh mention that it was built in the 480. 1 Kin. 6.1 yeare after the people of Israell came out of Egypt 2 Cro. 4. and in the fourth yeare of King Salomons reigne It contained thrée roomes that were specially dedicated The first roome was called Salomons porch or hall of the Iewes wherein was an Altar of brasse for burnt offering Therein was the fire of God continually maintained There the common people offered burnt offerings morning and euening of such things as were brought There Christ taught there Peter wrought miracles The second part or roome of the Temple was called Holy because none might enter into it but the Priests who were many and they were distinguished into 24. Orders In it was an Altar of Gold whereon was burnt Incense for a swéet sacrifice morning and euening There were the golden Candlestickes and the Lampes burning day and night there were two golden cups with Frankinsence and that fine and costly vaile which at the death of Christ was rent from the top to the bottome The third part or roome was called the Holy of Holiest In it was the inner house or Oracle made with Sethim wood and Cedar couered with gold within and without Into this place none entered but the high priest and that but once a yeare to offer for the sinnes of the people Whereby was figured the propitiation of Christ once for all In the middest thereof was the Arke the two tables of the Law the pot of Manna Aarons rod flourishing the Booke of Deuteronomie Gods oracles and his answeres Neare thereto was an Ile that did pertaine to the Gentiles and to all people cleane vncleane therfore it was called the court of the Gentiles There was the treasurie for the poore there the widow offered her mite There the woman was discharged by Christ which was taken in adultery Par. What difference or oddes I pray you was there betweene the Temple and the Tabernacle Past Indéede if you compare the Tabernacle the Parts Roomes Furniture and Ordinances thereof with the Temple you shall finde little oddes or difference The first part or roome of the Temple and Tabernacle had relation analogie and reference to the people of the old world before the floud and thence to the giuing of the Law The second part of the Temple and Tabernacle had reference analogie and coherence to the Church and Synagogue of the Iewes with all their lawes and Ceremonies prefiguring Christ The which people properly did appertaine vnto God And the shadowing of the Mercie-seate signified their defence The third part or roome of the Temple and Tabernacle had relation and analogie both to the Iewes and Gentiles which were to be saued and to be brought by Election and Grace vnto the marriage of the Lambe Christ Iesus which thing was signified by the throwing downe of the partition wall and by the renting of the vaile Thus the Temple and the Tabernacle being one in substance and thrée in vse may well be compared to the holy and blessed Trinitie Par. Where was the Temple built Past It is plainly recorded 2 Chro. 3.1 that this famous building was on mount Moriah where Adam was created Gen. 2. neare the Garden of Eden where Adam fell where Isaac was offered where Sem or Melchisedech dwelt and ruled with peace and iustice like the sonne of God The which place was first called Salem vpon Isaacs offering Ierisalec and now Ierusalem Par. Declare vnto mee briefly concerning the dedication of the Temple Past King Salomon and all the men of Israell assembled according to their degrées and they brought vp the Arke of the Lord from the house of Abinadab into the Citie of Dauid 1 King 8. which is Zion and they brought the Tabernacle of the congregation and all the holy vessels that were in the Tabernacle those did the Priests and Leuites bring vp Then hée and the people offered vnto the Lord innumerably And a cloud filled the Lords house for the glory of the Lord was there Toward the which King Salomon turning himselfe and lifting vp his hands and eyes vnto heauen desired the Lord to dedicate that place to the honour of his name and that it might be to be comfort of his people that called vpon him in that place And when hée had ended his prayer he stood vp and blessed the people The first Particular concerning the Kings of Israell and Iudah Parishioner I Would gladly know the stories of these Kings and their Prophets in their order Past First 1 Kin. 12. you must vnderstand that immediately after the death of King Salomon the same great and renowmed kingdome of the Hebrewes 1 King 11.11.12.13 was diuided into two parts according as the Lord had fore-spoken But after 490. yeares were expired it was ioyned together againe Ezec. 37.16.17.18.19 20. according as the holy prophet Ezechiel had fore-told Par. Declare vnto me the manner of this diuision or ruine Past Ieroboam 1 King 11.26 to 40. the sonne of Nebat an Ephradite of Zereda Salomons seruant according to the word of the Lord by the mouth of his Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite had ten Tribes of Israell that held and tooke part with him that he should be king who placed his seat and pallace in Samaria and his kingdome was thenceforth called the kingdome of Israell The other part of that famous kingdome Rehoboam the sonne of Salomon possessed which was the lesser part for onely two Tribes held with him His seat was at Ierusalem and his kingdome was called the kingdome of Iudah Thus you may sée two Kings in one kingdome which indéede is prodigious Par. Now declare vnto mee why the whole kingdome was thus deuided and so miserably distressed Past I will answer you with Gods owne words Because they haue forsaken me saith the Lord 1 King 11.33 and worshipped Astaroth the god of the Zidonians and Chemosh the god of the Moabites and Milcom the god of the Ammonites and haue not walked in my wayes to doe right in mine eyes and for the sinnes of Salomon Par. How did the one and the other of these kings behaue themselues towards God Past Ieroboam 1 King 12.26 to 31. the king of Israel thought in his heart and said If this my people goe vp and doe sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Ierusalem then shall the people turne againe vnto the Lord and so cleaue vnto Rehoboam the King of Iudah Whereupon the King tooke counsell and made two calues of gold the one hée set vp at Bethel the other at Dan. Whose priests hée made of the lower sort and basest amongst the people and he commanded all his subiects to goe thither and worship them as their gods The other part of the kingdome that
reuoked his former authority for the building of the Lords house and caused the same to stay vnto the second yeare of Darius Par. Tell mee first I pray you what comfort had they in this extreame misery to wit when the building of the Temple was hindered Past As in the time of their captiuity at Babilon they had two great preaching Prophets to wit Ezechiel and Daniel by whom they were mightily strenghtened in hope of deliuerance so now his holy Maiesty stirred vp vnto them foure other godly and diligent Prophets to chéere them by telling them most assuredly that this their worke should goe forward according to Daniels Prophesie Par. What say you of the booke next adioyning to wit Nehemiah Past In this booke is mentioned thrée speciall men Ezra 2.2 to the end of 7. raised vp by the goodnesse and mercies of almighty God for the comfort of the people Israel after their captiuity The first was Zorobabel their Captaine The second was Ezra their Priest The third Nehemiah the setter forward of their building This booke is thought to be written by Ezra as the former because the Hebrewes haue reckoned both bookes as one Neh. 2. and it compriseth a story of 130. yeares This Nehemiah being butler to Artaxerxes the King of Babilon by the prouidence of God found fauour with the King insomuch as that he obtained leaue to depart with the Kings conuoy to Ierusalem for the reedifying of all the decayed places thereof And after the Temple was built he tooke order for the restoring and continuance of religion Par. Who was Hester that beares the name of this booke Past This woman being one of the daughters of Israel was sometime called Hadasa Ahashuerus otherwise named Artaxerxes successour to Cirus tooke her for his wife as the history makes mention For after the returne of some from captiuity to the building of the Temple many of the Iewes remained still in Babilon as a people malecontent and not willing to goe any more to Ikrusalem And had not almighty God preuented it by his prouidence and mercy they had béene all slame in one day by the decrée of the King which was procured and instigated by Haman for the malice and enuy hée did beare to Mardocheus a man of that nation Par. What say you concerning the other Prophets of whom you haue neither spoken amongst the Kings of Iudah nor yet amongst the Kings of Israel to wit Obadiah Nahum Ionah Abakkuck Past Obadiah or Abdiah prophecied against Idumea Nahum and Ionas prophecied against Niniue Abakkuck prophecied against Babilon Par. Why haue you annexed the Prophets with the Kings Past There is great vse thereof For if you compare the doctrine of euery seuerall Prophet with the religion and manners of the king and the people vnder whom they prophesied the one doth plainely expound the other And this I would haue you to marke That euery Prophet in the beginning of his booke doth specially name vnder what King he prophecied to the intent you should sée and marke how he applyeth his doctrine according to the time Par. You haue in a plaine sort declared all the bookes of the old Testament sauing some few but you haue spoken nothing at all of the bookes of the New Testament What is there no vse to be made of them Past There is as great vse to be made of those bookes which are omitted as of those bookes which are already handled Therefore I will here set them downe in seauen degrées whereby you may benefit your selfe by both The first Degree Genesis Exodus Leuiticus Numbers Mathew Marke Luke Iohn The second Degree Deuteronomy Acts The third Degree Iosua Iudges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Esay Ieremy Hosea Ioell Amos. Michael Zophony Obadiah Ionah Nahum Abakkuck The fourth Degree Daniels first sixe Chapters Ezechiel The fift Degree Ezra Nehemiah Hester Haggas Zachary Malachy The sixt Degree Iob. Psalmes Prouerbes Ecclesiast Canticles Romanes 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galathians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrewes Iames. 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 Iohn 2 Iohn 3 Iohn Iude. The seauenth Degree Daniels sixe last chapters Reuelation Par. Why haue you thus disposed and sorted the bookes of the Bible declare your reasons seuerally Reason for the first Pastor GEnesis Exodus Leuiticus and Numbers doe specially containe the Lawes Sacrifices and Sacraments concerning Christ Mathew Marke Luke and Iohn doe comprehend principally an answere thereunto or as it were a plaine demonstration of the performance of all former promises concerning him So that indéede whatsoeuer was shadowed figured or foretold of Christs diuinitie of his humanitie and sufferings together with the benefits thereof to the faithfull these Euangelists doe in their bookes declare Reason for the second Moses in Deuteronomie amongst other things repeates summarily all that was famously done and spoken from the going out of Egypt vntill that time in which he wrote this Booke So Luke in the Acts of the Apostles records the whole story of the Church concerning things done from the death of Christ to the time wherein he wrote Reason for the third As in the fiue Bookes of Moses were particularly handled the Religion and manners of the people of Israell from the promise made to Abraham vntill they came to Canaan so in the first eight Bookes mentioned in the third Degrée are recited particularly their rulers and gouernors from their entrance into Canaan vntill they were carryed away captiue into Babilon Whereunto I haue annexed seauen Prophets who liued in those times and taught vnder those Kings as may appeare in the beginning of euery first Chapter of the same Prophets Which Bookes of the Prophets and of the Kings being laid and compared together the one will expound the other Par. Why doe you set forth this woman Ruth amongst the Kings and Rulers of the people Past Samuel the Prophet is said to be the writer of her story and the Hebrewes doe reckon this her Booke and the Booke of Iudges as one And againe this story in this place answereth to the time in which the principall matter recited therein was performed Par. And why doe you place these foure Prophets so odly by themselues and last of all to wit Obadiah Ionah Nahum Abakkuk Past These Prophets which are seuered from the rest had nothing to doe in the Kingdome of Israel nor in the Kingdome of Iudah For Ionah and Nahum prophesied against the Niniuites Obadiah Idumeans Abakkuk Babilonians Par. I doe not vnderstand why you sort out two of the great Prophets and place them so odly by themselues in your fourth Degree Reason for the fourth Past These two Prophets to wit Daniel and Ezekiel are fitly placed together both in respect of the former stories and of their allotted time of prophesie For as the former Prophets did preach before the time of the Captiuitie so these according to the riches of Gods grace not
one day taketh away the credit of another and one straine of Musicke extincts the pleasure of another euen so the Gospell taketh away the credit of the Law and the present sight of the glorious substance of Christ the long delayed vse of shadowes Wee are not bound to Ceremonies as the Iewes were but to Iesus Christ who is to be worshipped in spirit and truth As Mercury by his eloquence subdued men and reclaimed them from their Barbarisme and Orpheus by his Musicke subdued wilde beasts euen so Christ Iesus by his glorious Gospell hath reclaymed men from the Law and by his blessed Spirit hath reduced them from sauagenesse vnto his most blessed will and pleasure Par. What speciall obseruations must I vse in the reading and vnderstanding of the Naturall Morall and Iudiciall Lawes Past These eight obseruations will very well serue you by way of interrogations 1 the person of him that gaue it 2 persons to whom it was giuen 3 time when it was giuen 4 place where it was giuen 5 manner how 6 punishments that were inflicted 7 executioners 8 continuance Iotbatha the next station signifieth a turning away So it might be well called for there Moses was in danger of his life amongst the people by the turning away or rebellion of Corah Dathan Num. 16. and Abiram with other their associates Salmonah signifieth a shadow or a portion or a shadow of a portion Thereby was plainely shewed to the people of Israell what proportion or inheritance should be giuen them by vanquishing the heathenish Cananites who inhabited those parts of the world The people Israel were faine thorough the Kings cruelty to trauell round about the kingdome of Edom before they could come againe into their way to Canaan in which iorney they were excéeding weary and therefore they did murmur againe at Moses which made the Lord to plague them with fiery Serpents in that place But when they repented he eased them yea healed them by looking vpon a brasen Serpent Thence they went to Moab which signifieth the Father shewing thereby that Moab was begotten in Incest by Lot on his owne daughter of whom came those wicked Moabites that alwaies persecuted Israell and fell to Idolatry They committed whordome with the daughters of Madian There Balack hyred Balam Par. What Law or what religion had the people of Israell in those dayes mentioned in the booke of Leuiticus Past They had two lawes to wit Iudicall and Ceremoniall deriued of the Morall which was giuen on mount Sinay Par. What is the Iudicall Law Past The Iudicall Law is an humane iustice deriued out of the Morall or diuine Law disposed with good and vnderstanding words without contrarieties and with the ability of the subiect It inforceth a restraint of sinnes against God and the performance of those dueties towards the brethren which they would haue done to themselues It pointeth directly to euery man his owne and proportionably diuideth rewards according to iustice and equity It is the same in effect as was the law of nature Moses ordained many particulars of this quality namely for Apprehensions Testimonies Iudgements Executions against the Iewes onely then and thenceforth while the Arke was in Tents and Tabernacles and also vnto the captiuating thereof This law is abrogated from them that liue vnder the Gospel sauing from the substance and the end the forme fashion lyeth yet in the consciences of Christian Princes but so after that sort as the maker thereof may be known to loue and feare God and also to desire the saluation of his Subiects This law is not fearefull to them that doe well but to them that doe euill if he be not a mad man a childe or a naturall foole Par. What other particular ordinances was there ordained by Moses out of this Iudiciall Law Past There were very many glorious things that did properly appertaine vnto Christ celebrated vnder earthly things and vnder figures All which celebrations and ceremonies had their discharge and end vpon the Sacrificing of Christ As one day takes away the credit of another euen so the Gospell takes away the credit of this Law and the present sight of the glorious substance of Christ the long delaying vse of shadowes We are not bound to ceremonies as the Iewes were but to Iesus Christ who is to be worshipped at all times and in all places according to spirit and truth Par. What speciall inuention haue you for the reading and vnderstanding of this Iudiciall Law Past These eight obseruations will very well serue for that purpose if they be vsed by way of interrogation 1 The person of him that gaue it 2 persons to whom it was giuen 3 place where it was giuen 4 manner how it was giuen 5 punishments for euery offence 6 executioners of this Law 7 time when the Law was giuen 8 continuance of it Par. What kinde and sort of Sacrifices were there vsed by this Law to publish and to prenosticate Christ Past These seauen sorts to wit 1 A Burnt offering is so called because it was burnt 2 Meat was an oblation of diuers kindes of bread 3 Peace takes the name of peace from the Hebrews 4 Sinne had relation to the sin of the Priests and not the sinne of the people 5 Trespas was for sinnes committed of ignorance 6 Drinke when men willingly vowed 7 Vow was when men did curse themselues if they did not this or that Par. Now I pray you deliuer something vnto me concerning the ceremoniall Law that you spake of contained also in this booke of Leuiticus Past The Ceremoniall Law consisteth of diuers rites Sacrifices and Sacraments which were nothing else indéede but signes shadowes and shewes of Christ for to come in the fulnesse of time As an Anker fastned to the earth kéepeth a Ship safe in the middest of waues and billowes of raging seas vntill the storme be past and that it may arriue into a wished hauen euen so these Ceremonies staid and fastned on the promises of God concerning Christs death and the benefit thereof kept the faithfull Iewes in comfort and hope vntill they arriued into the hauen of heauenly happinesse As a good sonne in all his troubles affianceth his repose in his father as a staffe supporteth a trauailer in his dangerous wayes and as pillers support earthly buildings euen so these Iewes by faithfull obseruations and ministration of these Ceremonies were maintained supported and defended vnto euerlasting ioyes through Christ As the blood of a Lambe doth appease the rage of a cruell Lyon so these Ceremonies wherein was shedding and offering of bloud did signifie the bloud of Iesus Christ which should be shed to appease the rage and wrath of almighty God We reade that nothing can bruise the Adamant but the warme bloud of a Goat euen so in the holy Scriptures wée finde though no Ceremony could bruise Belials bands yet the blood of Iesus Christ hath bruised and burst them into péeces These Ceremonies were solemnised by the
of their enemies and they shall be robbed and spoyled Manasses was twelue yeares old when hée began to raigne and hée raigned fiue and fifty yeares in Ierusalem Par. Who was the next king Past 2 King 21.18.19.20 to the end 22.23 Ammon his sonne such a father such a sonne The Lord stirred vp his seruants against him who slew him in his own house He was twenty years old when he began to raigne and he raigned two yeares Par. Who was his successour Past Iosiah his sonne He did vprightly in the sight of the Lord as did his father Dauid he turned not to the right hand nor to the left And he tooke seuere order for the reformation of religion Wherefore the Lord reuealed vnto him the booke of the Law which was hid in the Temple And when he heard it read for griefe that Religion had so long béene extinguished and the name of God abused he rent his cloathes and wept sore Then he commanded his officers to inquire after the Lord by some Prophet And they found a Prophetesse in Ierusalem who answered them that the Lord would plague Iudah and Ierusalem for their idolatry but would spare Iosiah the King Then he with all the Elders of the people went into the Temple where he read the booke of God with a tender heart vnto them And afterwards he entred into couenant with the Lord for the people that they should serue him all the dayes of their liues and the people yéelded vnto it with one consent Then did the king purge the Temple and all his kingdome of Baall and of all that did appertaine vnto his seruice He brake downe also the Altar at Bethell and all the monuments of idolatry which Ieroboam had made He held a Passeouer the like was not holden since the daies of the Iudges nor the like in any Kings dayes Yet would not the Lords wrath be appeased towards the people because they had so long wallowed as it were in wickednesse Pharao Necho king of Egypt slew Iosiah at Megiddo He was eight yeares old when he entred into the kingdome and he raigned one and thirty yeares He was buried at Ierusalem in the sepulcher of his fathers Ieremie and Zophonie were Prophets in his time Par. Who was the sixteenth king Past Iehoahaz his sonne 2 King 23.31.32.33 He did euill in the sight of the Lord. Wherefore he sent Pharao the king of Egypt against him who imprisoned him thrée moneths which was all the time of his raigne And he did put the land to an excéeding great tribute Par. Who was the next king Past Eliakim 2 King 23.34.24.1 to 7. the second sonne of Iosiah who was made king by Pharao Necho the king of Egypt and he turned his name to Iehoiakim the rather because he was a wicked man Then came Nabuchadnezar King of Babell and tooke him but afterwards he rebelled against the King Wherefore he sent an hoste of the Chaldeans and of the Aramites Moabites and Ammonites against Ierusalem and Iudah to destroy it as the Lord had spoken by his Prophets Ichoiakim was fiue twenty yeares old when he began to raigne and he raigned 11. yeares in Ierusalem and then dyed Ieremy and Zophony were Prophets in his time Par. Who was successour to Ichoiakim Past 2 King 24.8 Ichoiakim his sonne He was eightéene yeares old when hée began to raigne and hée raigned thrée moneths wickedly The second Particular of the fift Obseruation concerning the captiuitie of Iudah and Ierusalem Then came Nabuchadnezar the King of Babell against Ierusalem and besieged it And hauing wonne the Citie with great losse of bloud he tooke the King his Mother and the Nobilitie with tenne thousand such as hée liked and carryed them to Babilon with all the treasures of the Lords house And Nabuchadnezar made Mattaniah his Vncle King in his stead whose name hée changed to Zedechiah 2 Kings 24 17.25 who then was one and twentie yeares olde and hée raigned eleauen yeares in Ierusalem wickedly insomuch that the Lord was fiercely bent against Iudah and Ierusalem to destroy them vtterly Hée therefore stirred vp Nabuchadnezar againe with all his hoast to ransacke and vtterly to destroy Ierusalem the house of Dauid and the Temple Thus you may sée Ierusalem was destroyed thrée times Ieremie and Zophonie were Prophets in his time of whom he might haue heart and knowne the will waies of the Lord. Par. Now I pray you set mee downe in like manner the particular stories of the Kings of Israel whose place and seate was at Samaria with the Prophets one or more as they liued Past 1 King 11.26 to 49. 2 King 12.12.13.14 to 21. Ieroboam was the sonne of Nebat an Ephradite of Zereda Salomons Seruant He was a strong man and valiant The Prophet Ahijah fore-tolde him by a signe that the Kingdome of Israel should be diuided into two parts and that he should be king of the one part Salomon hearing thereof sought to kill him which made him to flye into Egypt But when Salomon was dead it fell out so indéede as you may read for hée had ten Tribes that held with him where as Rehoboam the lawfull heyre and the Kings sonne had but two Tribes Which fauour at Gods hands might haue made him humble and zealous after religion but hée imagined that if the people did serue the Lord as they vsed at Ierusalem they would turne and rebell Therefore hée made them Idols at Bethel and Dan and ordained them priests of the inferiour sort of people and commanded the people to worship those Idols for their God Herein he thought to haue done wisely but the Prophet reprehended him in the open congregation and the Lord strucke that hand of his wherewith he would haue stricken the Prophet with such numnesse or drinesse as he was not able to helpe himselfe And the Altar claue a sunder at that time as the man of God desired Then the King was fayne to make intercession vnto the Prophet that God would restore him his hand And at another time the Prophet Ahijah tolde him as from the Lord that for the wickednesse hée had done to prouoke his Maiestie withall there should not be left of him nor of his generation so much as one Dogges should eate his stocke in the Citie and the Fowles of the ayre in the field Hée raigned two and twenty yeares and then dyed Ahijah was a Prophet in his dayes Par. Who was the second King of Samaria Past 1 King 14 20.15.25 to 29. Nadab his sonne He raigned two yeares and did that which was wicked as did his father Ieroboam And Baasha the sonne of Ahijah of the house of Isachar conspired against him and slew him at Gibbethon which did belong to the Philistines Ahijah and Iehu were Prophets in his time Par. Who was the third King of Samaria Past Baasha the sonne of Ahijah of Isachar 1 King 15 16. to the end 16.1 to 7. who warred against