the which the first 9. are attributed to Moses the seruant of God the rest are Dauids and this booke doeth last vnto the 107 Psalme Praise ye the Lord. The fift Booke containes 45. Psalmes of the which many are attributed to Dauid in the meane time some of them being vncertaine for the hearers they are marked sometimes before the Psalme sometimes after and sometimes in both places by this Hebrew word HALLELVIA so as it seemeth to be a giuing of thankes to God for such a Psalme The Author is not known And this 5. booke continueth vnto the end of the Psalter The third diuision All the Psalmes are 5 folde to wit 1 Praiers 2 Giuing of thanks 3 Consolations 4 Prophesies 5 Doctrines 1 All the Psalmes are praiers in which something is sought of God as this Beâ— merciful vnto me O God c. Again Heâ—â— vs O god c. Again Lord in thy wrath c 2 All the Psalmes are Thankesgiuings it which we do giue thanks vnto God for be benefits receiued as this O praise yee the Lord c. 3 Al the Psalms are consolations in which we comfort one another as this Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen Blessed is the man 4 Al the Psalmes are propheticall in the which the Messias is foretold with his kingdome his resurrection and ascension as O Lord our God God shall arise and the Gentiles c. 5 All the Psalmes are Doctrinall which continueth histories and instructions or reformations of manners As beholde howe good and pleasant c. He that dwelleth in the closet of the most highest and doth reâ—â—anâ—e in the shadow of the almighty Vnlesse the Lord build the house c. Againe by the riuers of Babylon Besides all these there are sundry and diuers vses of the Psalmes As for example 1 So often as thy hart is heauy 2 So often as thou art destitute of mans helpe 3 So often as thou art oppressed by thy enemy 4 So often as thou art molested by the eues 5 So often as thou art inforced to exilement or driuen into banishment 6 So often as thou art in daunger of laiyng await of others 7 So often as thou art depriued of wife chil 8 So often as thou art oppressed with pouerty 9 So often as thou art ouergrown with diseases 10 So often as thou art pressed with enuy 11 So often as thou art had in contempt 12 So often as thou art deposed or put out of of But it is to be obserued that the vulgar edition hath erred in the numbring of the Psalmes Therefore they are to be numbred according to the Hebrue truth This is to bee obserued that Dauid is painted and set forth with his harpe bicause of those Psalmes as from him playing or singing vpon the Harpe The Books of Salomon the K. Three bookes are attributed to Salomon Prouerbes Ecclesiastes Canticles Which thus among themselues are to diuid 1. Prouerbs for young men 2. Eccle. for men of stayed yeares 3. Cant. for old men The booke of the Prou. doth contaiâ— doctrine concerning obedieÌ„ce coÌ„cerninâ— good workes manners withthe which christian young man is adorned Eccles containeth doctrine concerning the crosse and consolations in temptation with the which they are aflicted and tempted that are setled full growne in religion and godlines The Cant. are certaine pleasant sweeâ— thanksgiuings with the which the godly that are ready to departe from hence in full age doe ascribe all that power vnto God by which they haue beene heere lustained The Booke of the prouerbs THe booke of the Prou besides this that it contayneth most excellent sentences in which it teacheth partlye the feare of God and faith in God partlye honest maners conuersations in this life He hath a most excellent Oration by the name of wisdome concerning the eternall word of God by the which all thinges are made gouerned that is Iesus Christ our Lord. This booke is diuided after this maner From the beginning vnto the 10 châ— there are certaine common exhortations by way of preface to those things that teache a christian man as are exhortations to wisdome discipline knowledge honestie and perfectnes in the 1. chap In the 2. chap to heare and learne the word of God with promises thereunto anexed In the 3. chap to beleeue the word of God and to vse rightlie our goods possessions to suffer aduersitie in the crosse In the 4 chap to obey parents promises being added In the 5. chap exhortations to chastitie against adulterie and fornication In the 6 chap. to must in God contrarie to the confidence in man and againe to labour in youth In the 7 chap to concord and chastitie against adulterie and that most sharpely In the 8. 9 chap. He comeÌ„ds wisdome excellently that is to say the word of God and thus far the preface From the 10 vnto the 25 he sets downe prouerbs or sentences in euery chapt there are many and diuers sorts which cannot be aptly reduced into any head From the 25 to the 30 chap doth folow prouerbs which are attributed to Salomon but were taken perchance out of a certaine booke by Sela and some other writers of king Ezechiah In the last two chap there are the Prouerbs of Salomon but vnder strange titles As Agur and Lamuell in which wordes it is thought that Salamon is called First of gathering because he gathered such Prouerbes After that from the presence of God because God was with Israell in the daies of Salomon The booke which is called Ecclesiastes THe second booke of Salomon called Ecclesiastes because Salomon was called Eccles that is to say A preacher Or else because he speakes to a multitude and not to one onely or for his wisdome with the which he was plentiously indued This booke seekes in euery kind of life institutioÌ„ of men sure felicity in this world but he findes nothing but vanity Therefore at length he comes and pronounceth that nothing is better for manne then to feare God and to keepe his commandements that whatsoeuer shal happen in this world yet man should remain in the iudgment of God But because these things cannot bee without Christ therefore this booke as the rest doth send the Reader vnto Christ There are 12. chap which are thus to be deuided From the beginning vnto the 8. cha instructing men of a ripe age he teacheth that in earthly thinges there is nothing euerlasting but momentany altogether short whatsoeuer we do see and he condemns al men that put their felicity any where else but in God For after his preface which haÌ„d leth the nature of thinges He condemnes 1 the Wisedome 2 the Ioy. 3 the Vnstablenesse 4 the violeÌ„ce reproch 5 the babling chat 6 the Couetousnesse 7 the shortnes of the daies of this life From the 8 cha vnto the end he sets forth wisedome with her effects and afterwards with the fruits to wit True repentance Amendement of life Almes-deedes
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 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
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
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
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
Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 10 Ieremy A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 11 Sophony A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 12 Ezechi A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Daniell A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Hagg. Zacha. Mallach After the returne of the people of Babilon 559. Concerning the Booke of Hosea the Prophet OSeas by the Etimologie of his name signifieth Health and therefore he maried his lawfull wife according to Gods comaundement but with such a reproche as that she is called his harlot so comes it to passe that the worlde doth rage against the Ministers of Gods worde Therefore God forbidde that wee shoulde thinke the Prophet to liue in Fornication In the beginning of his Sermons he betrotheth Israel to the Lorde our God in iustice in iudgment in mercy and pittie and reconciles them to Dauid their king and so he calles Christ as being borne of the loynes of Dauid In the end he threatneth the destruction of Death with great feruencie I will saith he be thy Death Oh Death I will be thy Death for euer In the meane time he doth preach most feruently constaÌ„tly against Israell against the Idollatrie of the Princes and Priestes of the people Afterwardes he prophecieth very power-fully concerning the kingdome of Christ These two thinges were the offices duties of all the prophets the one out of the Law the other out of the promises for the which they were brought to their death as heretikes and seditious persons From the beginning to the 14. chap there are prophesies and sermons of reproofe against the kingdome of Israell because for Idolatrie which he calleth spirituall Fornication not onely the people but also Princes and priestes are to be punished of God with corporall eternall captiuitie vnlesse they repent he mittigateth these Comminations with the promises of God that they shoulde not dispâ—ire but conuert vnto god Also in the 2.3.11.12.14 there are prophecies and comfortable sermons concerning the kingdome of Christ the preching of the Gospell and the victories of Christe ouer Death and Hell together with the Eternall captiuitie of the people of Israell their restoring by faith in the mercies of god through Christ The booke of Ioel the Proph. JOEL by the Etimologie of his name signifieth begining or desiring Who hee was of what Tribe in what time or vnder what king he liued it is vncertaine chieflie because he himselfe maketh no mencion of this vnlesse it be for that he is thought to liue with Osea and Amos whilest he preacheth against the kingdome of Israel Hee labours only to shew how punishments plagues hang ouer the earth for innumâ—rable sins greuous wickednes WheÌ„ce S. Peter on the feast of Penticost tooke occasion to preach act 2. And Saint Paul allegeth the saying of Ioel in the 2. chap. euerie one that calleth on the name of the lord shall be saued Rom 10. In the 1. chapt he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israel to weet it woulde come to passe that Israel should be carried away into Syrâ—a He vnderstaÌ„deth the Assâ—â—ians by these 4. kinde of wormes deuouring smite and Corne to weet the Palmer worme The Grasse-hopper The Canker worme and the Caterpiller shewing the vnpeâ—pling and deuastacion by litle litle of the kingdome of Israel In the 2. 3. after he had sore-shewed vnto the king of Assirta his destruction he propheâ—â—eth euen vnto the end of the kingdome of Christ of the holy Ghost and of the celestiall Ierusalem In that he speaketh of the Valley of Iehosophat in the last cha He seemeth not only that it ought to be vnderstoode of the eternall Iudgment but also of the church of Christ as the valley of Achor in Osea in the which the Gentiles were adiudged to bee sinners and are called to repentance by the word of God the holy Ghost reproues the world of sinne The booke of Amos. AMos by the etymology of his name signifieth a burthen or yoke and he answereth more then all the prophets thorow his vehemency to the singularity of his name He reproues the Israelits throughout all his booke and doth inuey against them although a stranger amongst them as one born in the tribe of Iudah nor so much as the sonne of a prophet but a shepheard an ordinary man as he himselfe witnesseth in the 2. chap. But hee liued in the time of Osea and Esay as GOD is of power to call suche by a suddaine or certaine diuine miracle against all wicked powers which they call ordinarie where necessitie requireth Euen so the holy Ghost made A postles of rude and vnlearned Fishers It is thought that Amos was slaine by a wicked priest called Amasia with a Fullers clubbe ¶ The chapters of this booke are ix which are thus to be distinguished From the beginning vnto the 4. chapt he prophecieth agâ—inst the neighbours of the Iewes and of the Israelites who were the kinges of Syria the kinges of Palestina of Tire of Edome of Amon Meab c. saith that it will come to passe that they also should be punished of God againe Afterwardes he prophecieth against the kinges of Israell and Iuda with an admonition that they shoulde not contempne the prophets of God From the 4. chap. to the 7. he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israell threatneth horrible thinge to come vnto them from God 1. Famine 2. Dearth 3. Pestilence 4. Botch 5. the sword and lastly vtter distructioÌ„ by the Assirians in the meane time whilest he reproues their sinnes he exhorteth them to repentance by the deuastation of the Assirians From the 7 chap. to the ende besides 3. visions which he sawe against the King of Israell to weet 1. the Locustes the fire and the Line or rule vpon the Wall hee contendes with the wicked prest Amasiah to whom he promiseth horrible mischiefe Afterwardes he preacheth against the couetousnes of the rich and the oppression of the poore In the ende hee addeth a most excellent place concerning the kingdome of the Mesiah which is cited of Iames the Apostle Act. 15. As also a place is cited of Stephen in the 5. chap Act. 7. But that which he speakes in the 1. chap. of 3. and 4. sinnes he vnderstandeth the greatnes and the multitude of sin the impatiencie and defence thereof 3. and 4. makes 7. which is a Finall or indefinit number in holy Scripture
The Prophesie of Abdiah ABdias signifieth the worship of God that he is the seruant or the worshiper of God He is thought to be the most auncientest of all the Prophets as Ionas in the time of Achab and Ieroboham Kinges of Israell Hee inueyeth against the Edomites who delighted in the afflictions of Israell Edom was the brother of Iacob to weet Esau and as hee hated his brother because his father Isake gaue vnto him the blessing of the first byrth euen so all his posteritie hated the posteritie of Iacob that is to say the Isralites and whensoeuer he coulde he brought trouble vpon theÌ„ adioyning himselfe with their enemies so declaring the vnfaithfullnes of his minde as the Psalmist saith 137. Lord be thou mindefull of the sonnes of Edom in the day of Ierusalem who saith Down with it downe with it euen to the grounde It containes one onely Chapter the some Edomites whereof is this Abdias 1 He Fortells the destruction of the CoÌ„forteth the Iewes Abdias 2 He Sheweth that saiuatioÌ„ is in Sion Abdias 3 He teacheth that no iniury puokes worshiped Abdias 4 He the breethren Abdias 5 He teacheth that god only is to bee The booke of Ionas the Prophet IONAS signifieth a Doue he liued a litle before Esai vnder king Ieroboham hee was a prophet in Israell as it is written in the last booke of the kinges chap 14. after this maner according to the worde of the Lorde as it was spoken by his seruant Ionah the sonne of Aniathias the prophet which was of Gad which is in Hephet But it is manifest that Gad Hephet was a Cittie in the tribe of Zabulon so that Ionas was a Iew and not the sonne of an Ethicke widdow in the dayes of Helias of whom mencion is made Luke 4. as certaine men do imagine of Ionah He is sent into Syria to preach against the Cittie of Niniue which was a famous Citie the Metropolitane of the whole kingdome of the Assirians whence it appeareth that God at that time had not only care of the Isralites but also of the Gentiles It is notablie spoken by Math. chap 12 where it is saide that Ionas was a Type of Christ Dying and Rising againe The wicked and adultorous generation seeketh a signe and a signe shall not bee giuen him but the signe of Ionas the prophet as Ionas himselfe was in the Whales bellye three Dayes and three Nightes so shall the son of Man be in the hearte of the earth three dayes and three nightes There are onely 4. Chap. IN the first is described very largely a miraculous history how Ionas was caste into the sea out of a shippe and how he was swallowed vp of a certaine great fishe and was tossed here there in the whales belly the space of three daies In the second is described the song and thankesgiuing of Ionas vnto God for his deliuerance from the whales belly where he thought euery houre that his life was at an end he praiseth the worke of the lord who onely is of power in heauen and in earth sea and all deepe places In the third we haue a famous ezample of repentaunce in the Niniuites to be followed of all sinners where these thinges are seuerely to be obserued by no means to be pÌ„termitted 1 That God is the god of the gentiles 2 That God is of power good and iust 3 what repentance is 4 That true fasting serueth to repentance In the fourth the carnall carefulnesse of Ionas is described howe hee would haue him respected with the damage and hinderance of his neighbors such is the great imperfection and fleshly feare in mankind yea euen of the saints but in God there is mercy and clemency towardes all sinners truely repenting This doth plainly appeare by Ionas and the Niniuites The Booke of Micheas the Prophet MIcheas liued in that time vnder those Kinges as Esayâ— Oseas and Amos liued as plainly appeareth by the title He Prophesied against the two Tribes and against the tenne Tribes that is to say 1 against kinges 2 against Iudges 3 against Priestes 4 against false Prophets aswell in Iudah as in Israell and hee foretelleth their destruction that reiected the worde of God and without his seare followed after vayne thinges In this chiefely he is very famous for that he doeth not onelye promise Christ to come nor doeth not onely declare the benefites of his kingdome but also hee sheweth vs the place of his natiuitye Thou Bethelem Ephrata saieth hee Art not the least amongst the princes of Iuda Out of thee shall arise vnto me a captaine that shall gouerne my people Israell c. which place Matthew cites in the second chap. And there are 7. Chapters which are thus to be deuided In the first three chapt there are Sermons and prophesies of reprose somtimes generally against the Israelites againste the impiety and Idolatry of Iudah and their wicked life and sometimes particular against the chiefe heads aswell in religion as in pollicy but yet with all in the ende of the second chap. the faithfull are comforted thorow the promise of the comming of the true pastour our Lorde Iesus Christ In the 4. and 5. are most excellent promises and consolations concerning the inlarging of the kingdome of Christ by the preaching of the Apostles throughout the whole world In the 6. 7. sometimes he reprooueth the couetousnesse and impiety of the people and sometimes he complains by reason of the great malice of the world in his time In the end he annexed the promise concerning the beginning of Christs kingdom in Ierusalem and afterwares concerning the inlargement thereof by the Apostles amongst all nations and by the way he condemnes their Synagogues The booke of Nahum the Prophet NAhum hath his name of comforting For hee comforteth the afflicted Israelites in this that he prophesieth againste the Assyrians who troubled and vexed Israell and Iudah although by the scripture it cannot be found what time and vnder what king Nahum prophesied Yet it seemeth that he liued after Ionas a little before Esar He forâ—tâ—l the subuâ—sion of Niniuy which was â—â—lleâ— vnto wickednesse after the preaching of Ionas There are three only chapters which are thus to be deuided In the first chapter he prophesieth generally concerning the perdition of the Assirians In the second he foretelleth especially of the comming of the Babylonian enemye In the third hee sheweth the cause of perdition by numbring the horrible wickednes of the Assyrians which were these Fornication theft and lying to weet Fornication in the false worshipping of God or in false doctrine That in iust vexations and publike exactions leuied onely to maintaine their pompe and pride being in contractts and barhaines The ende of this prophesie is the consolation of the Iewes to whom he shewes the preaching of peace without distrust expecting the time of the newe Testament or of the Gospell of Christ in which time euerlasting peace is preached to the
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
of IerusaleÌ„ of the end of the world with vehemeÌ„t exhortations to watch He brings in a parable 1 of an euill seruant 2 of ten virgins 3 of the talentes 4 in shewing the forme of iudgement at the last day From the 26. vnto the end of the booke he describeth the passion of Christe his death and resurrection Furthermore the history of Christ may well be deuided into six principall parts to wit 1 The supper 2 The garden 3 Cayphas 4 Pilate 5. The Crosse 6 His buriall So much concerning the Gospell of Matthew Who this Matthew was before his conuersion and how he was conuerted and called looke chap 9. The Gospell of Saint Marke MArke doth very briefly containe those thinges which Matthew more at large describeth Which booke of the Gospell may be deuided very conueniently into two principal parts The first part is from the first vnto the 10. chap. wherin are described all those things which Iesus spake and wrought in Galilie The latter part from the 10. chap vnto the end describeth all thinges which hee taught wrought and suffered in Iudea In deuiding the rest there is no hardnesse or difficulty if they be compared with the gospell of Matthew The gospel of Saint Luke LVke who was the vnseparable companion of Paule like as Marke was of Peter which some men say is not onelye more plentifull the Marke but then Mathew too aswel in the Gospel as in the actes of the Apostles Ther 's are 24. Chapters which are thus to be discerned FRom the first vnto the fourth chap. hee annexeth the conception and natiuity of Iohn Baptist and also of Christ himselfe afterwards the preaching and imprisonment of Iohn the baptisme and genealogye of Christ From the fourth vnto the tenth after the historie of the tentations of Christ he expoundeth the doctrine and miracles of that which Christe wrought in Galilee that is to saye in Nazareth in Capernaum at the poole of Genazereth and in oâ—her places of Galilee disputing with the phatisees concerninge the Sabbaoth instructing the Apostles and people healing the Centurions seruaunt and raising the Widowes sonne After that how hee commended Iohn Baptist before the people yea and the woman that sinned before Simeon the Pharisie How he did expound the parable of the Sower and also healed one that had the Deuill How hee staied the womans issue of bloud raised vp Iairius the ruler of the sinagogs daughter Last of all how that when his disciples being instructed sent and returned And after his transfiguration in the mount and left Galely From the 10. vnto the 20. is described that which Christ taught and wrought in the way towardes Ierusalem Hee taught either plainly or in Parables Plunely or simply 1 He Instructeth the 70. Disciples 2 He Obraids cities for incredulity 3 He Giues thankes to his Father 4 He Admonisheth the Lawyer 5 He coÌ„mends Ma. the sister of Martha 6 He Teacheth his disciples to pray 7 He Chideth the Pharisies 8 He Warnes his Disciples 9 He Threatneth the impenitent 10 He sharply reprous the couetousnesse of the pharisies 11 He reproues most sharply Herod 12 He Foretels of offences 13 He Foreshewes the last day 14 He Cals children vnto him 15 He Recites the commandementes of the second table 16 He Warnes the rich 17 He Foretels his owne passion 18 He Conuertes Zacheus In Parables 1 of Him that was left halfe dead 2 of Him that lent his frend yâ— loaues 3 The Strong man armed 4 The Signe of the Prophet Ionas 5 The Candle that was lighted 6 The Rich Glutton 7 The Faithful vnfaithful seruant 8 The Figge tree 9 The Grain of mustard seed 10 The Leauen 11 The Narrow gate 12 The First and last place 13 The Lords supper 14 The Building of the tower 15 The Hundred sheep 16 The Hundred grotes 17 The Prodigall sonne 18 The Wicked steward 19 The place of Diues and Lazarus 20 The Seruant plowing 21 The Of the cruel Iudge 22 The Pharisie and the publican 23 The Ten pounds or ten talents The Histories and Myracles which he wrought are these 1 He Threw out a dumbe diuel 2 He Made straight a woman bowed togither 3 He healed a man sick of the dropsy 4 He Healed x. Leapers 5 He Restored the blind to his sight 6 He sitteth vpon an asse 7 He wept ouer Ierusalem 8 He hee cast out the buyers and sellers out of the temple From the 20. vnto the 22. those thinges are described which Christ taught in the Temple of Ierusalem and disputed with the Pharisies and afterwardes reasoned with his disciples of those thinges siuing ouer against Ierusalem He brought in against the Pharisies 1 The Question concerning the baptisme of Iohn Baptist 2 The parable concerning the Vincyard 3 The Prophesie concerning the Corner stone 4 The Tribute which was to be giuen to Cesar 5 The Answere to the Saduces Argument 6 The Proposition concerning Christ the sonne of Dauid 7 The Almes deedes of the widow He reasoned with his Disciples 1 Concerning the Building of the Temple 2 Concerning the False prophets in the church 3 Concerning the Persecution of the church 4 Concerning the Last day or second comming of Christ 5 Concerning the auoidance of drunkennes riot From the 22. vnto the last chapter is described the history of the passion sufferance and death of Christ howe after his supper and talke had with the disciples he is first betraied of his owne disciple Secondly taken of the Iewes Thirdly crucified of the gentiles In the last chapter is described and set downe the histories first of Christs resurrection then his appearance and lastly his ascention Besides that moste excellent place concerning the Doctrine of repentance and remission of sinnes preached among all the gentiles The Gospell of Iohn IOhn hath his name of grace or fauor because he is greatly beloued of Christ He wrot his Gospel after the Euangelists and he was very serious diligent about the doctrine of Christ besides a fewe miracles which were not written by other of the Euangelistes and as he liued on the earth longer then all the Apostles euen so he sawe many heresies sprung vp against the deuinity of Christ whence as hauing occasion he wrote first of all as concerning the deuinity and humanity of Christ afterwardes hee goeth forwarde to speake of the conuersation of the doctrine and miracles of Christ last of all he addeth the history of the passion resurrection and appearances of Christ The Gospell of Saint Iohn is deuided principally into foure parts according to the iournies of Christ for Christ went foure times into Ierusalem in the time of Easter THe first iourny is after the doctrine of the diuinity humanity of Chr after the testimony of Iohn Baptist concerning Christ after the calling of the Apostles And farther after the miracle in the supper at Galilee all which things doe last vnto the fift chap in which Christ comming to IerusaleÌ„ first he threwe
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