him a free Collection verse 16 and what he can get and gather by it not lawfull to impose Artaxerxes gives Ezra the Priest a grant and power for an immunity of the Clergy verse 24 and for setting and appointing Civil Magistrates and Judges See the Observations on 1 Chron. XXVI 29. Males In all chapter VIII verse 14 1496. Ahava A river verse 15 ver 21 31. a few dayes journey distant from Babylon in the way to Jerusalem ver 15 17 21. 31. Levi Levites here distinguished from the Priests verse 17 chap. VII 7. Casiphia Not very farre from Ahava verse 17 but farre enough from the Caspian Sea Nethinims See the Observations on Josh. verse 20 IX 23. a Fast A good patterne here verse 21 See the Annotations on Joel I. 14. and on Jonah III. 5. Talents See the Observations on Exod. XXXVIII 24. verse 26 fine Copper precious as Gold Rare this verse 27 and so but two of them in the chambers Divers of the Chambers on the sides or walls of the Temple verse 29 were for Treasuries to keep the holy treasures appertaining to the Temple and service of God their daughters Of marriages with Heathens chapter IX verse 2 see the Observations on Num. XXXVI 6. yea more it may seeme they put away their own wives to take these Mal. II. 11. 13. weeping Weeping in Prayer chapter X verse 1 twise here So 2 Kings XX. 3. and XXII 19. Num. XXV 6. Judg. XX. 23 26. and XXI 2. 1 Sam. I. 10. and VII 6. 2 Kings XX. 3. Heb. V. 7. Psal. VI. 8. and XXXIX 12. a Covenant Covenants much used between God and his People verse 3 Gen. VI. 18. and XV. 18. and XVII 2. Deut. V. 2. Josh. XXIV 24. 2 Kings XI 17. and XXIII 3. 2 Chron. XV. 12. and XXIX 10. Neh. IX 38. Esay LIX 21. and such as were borne of them If the mothers continued Heathens and did not turne Proselytes their children were not to be reputed as free-borne sons in the number of Gods people yet the fathers were to have a fatherly care of them for maintenance and education forfeited According to that power given to Ezra chap. VII 26. verse 8 separated By excommunication as John IX 22 34. or by banishment chap. VII 26. ninth moneth twentieth day Therefore the Proclamation verse 9 ver 7 8 was on the ninth moneth seventeenth day about the beginning of our December of one day or two But of three moneths verse 13 ver 16 17. Our Rulers of all the Congregation Such as Deut. XVII 9. verse 14 In semblance whereof in after ages they builded their Sanedrin and great Councel examine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word beside all ordinary forme of Grammer verse 16 And the like is again Psal. X. 15. sonnes of Jeshua of the High Priests race which haply made the High Priest absent himself in this action verse 18 ver 15. All these Seventeen Priests verse 44 Of the Levites Singers and Porters ten of all other Tribes eighty six In all one hundred and thirteen as the great Annotations count them Nehemiah THE Book of Nehemiah is the last Book and History of the Old Testament mentioning matters after Malachi It containes an History of one hundred and twenty years or thereabout reckoning from the twentieth of Artaxerxes Longimanus when Nehemiah began chap. II. 1. to the days of Jaddua two years before the period of the Persian Empire chap. XII 11 22. Some make it about fifty five reckoning so from the twentieth of Artaxerxes Mnemon to the period of the Persian Empire The two maine and differing reckonings then of the years of the two Books of Ezra and Nehemie joyntly considered stand thus Reckoning as some do to Ezra one hundred fourty six and to Nehemie fifty five the summe of both comes to two hundred and one But rather reckoning to Ezra seventy two and to Nehemie one hundred and twenty the summe of both doth arise to one hundred ninety two Thus the difference between these two reckonings of both Books joyntly amounteth to nine years If this Nehemiah be the same that came up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua mentioned Ezra II. 2. Neh. VII 7. and writ this Book then Nehemiah must needs be a very old man And that passage ch XII 10 11. mentioning Jaddua the High Priest must needs be inserted by some other Prophet since his dayes And much more since the dayes of Ezra For Jaddua lived till the dayes of Alexander the Great and met him coming into Jerusalem which is the very last Historical Passage and Record of the Old Testament For Psalm XLIV And LXXIV conceived by some to be penned in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes carrie no sure ground for such an after-date And surely so many years as include the whole continuance of the Persian Empire and more do far passe the date of one mans life in that age of the world Yet that Nehemiah might well reach to the 32. year of Artaxerxes Longimanus which is the last passage of this Book setting that of Jaddua aside However many make this Nehemiah this famous Governour to be another Nehemiah of younger and later years then he Ezra II. 2. This Nehemiah came to his Government when Eliashib the Grand-childe of Jeshua or Joshua or Jehoshua was High Priest chap. III. 1. and XII 10. The whole time of his Government is set down chap. II. 1. and chap. V. 14. and chap. XIII 6. The first time was twelve years And the twelve first Chapters of his Book mention the things that were done by him in the first year only of those twelve The second time of his Government is contained in the last chapter And the beginning and durance of it is uncertaine yet long it was as may be gathered out of chap. XIII 28. See the Observations on that Text. And it was The first particle may seeme to joyne this Book to that of Ezra chapter I verse 1 And some Translatours give this Book the title of the second Book of Esdras as supposing Ezra to be the sacred Penman of both though Nehemiah be brought in usualy speaking in his own person Chisleu About our November Shushan Shushan signifying a Lillie in the Greek a Fountaine or Well in that Countrey language The chief Citie in Persia the winter Mansion of the Persian Monarchs See Ezra VI. 2. Esther I. 2. Dan. VIII 2. the wall Ever since the ruine made by Nebuchadnezzar verse 3 Nisan which is the Hebrew Abib chapter II verse 1 about our March the vernal equinoctial Artaxerxes Longimanus thirteene years after Ezra chap. VII 7. I took up His waiting-course being then come four moneths after Hanani his coming chap. I. 1 2. prayed Nehemiah his Prayer verse 4 by ejaculation like that of Moses Exod. XIV 15. And specialy his zeale in the building chap. IV. 16 17 23. and V. 11. And his speed chap. VI. 15. And his courage against all oppositions chap. IV. and chap. VI. And his care for the needy
CHOISE OBSERVATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS UPON THE Old Testament Genesis GENESIS Containns an History of 2369 years from the Creation of the World and Adam to the death of Joseph The Day of 24 hours book I called Day verse 5 Numb 8. 17. begins here at Evening Chap. I. v. 5 8 13 19 23 31. And so Exod. XII 18. and Levit. XXIII 32. And hence in Daniels time it is called the Evening-Morning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dan. VIII 14 26. 2 Cor. XI 25. Yet the Account sometimes seemes to begin in the Morning as vulgarly with us and many other Nations And may seeme so also in some kinde of reckoning with the Jewes out of Num. XXVIII 3 4. And so in the dayes of our Saviour out of Matth. XXVI 17 20. and XXVIII 1. Mar. XVI 1 2. Luke XXIV 1. John XX. 1 19. Unlesse we take the day there for the time of Light contradistinguished to Darknesse as it is 2 Sam. I. 12. Divers other Nations did begin their day diversly Some with Sunne-rising some at the setting some at mid-night as Astronomers with us usually do And whereas our Saviour seemes to some to keep his last Passeover a day before the Jewes out of John XVIII 28. and XIX 14. Unlesse by Passeover there we understand the Feast of Unleavened Bread which immediately succeeded the Passeover or Paschal Lamb Levit. XXIII 5 6 7 8. and not the Passeover it self or both as Luke XXII 1. yet supposing he did so both upon the former diversities of accompts may be said to keep it on the XIV day at Even Our Saviour rightly reckoning the Beginning of the day from the Evening And the Jewes then reckoning it amisse as vulgarly and the Romanes then did from the morning following But all this is only tendered to consideration And yet this rather then that Jesus should not be said to eate the Passeover at that time But onely a like thing which they please to conceive and call without all ground save their own imagination a commemorative Passeover commemorative of that which was to be kept the next day Eden A Region in Mesopotamia or Chaldea chapter II verse 8. 3. Acts VII 2 compared with Gen. XI 31. It signifies Delicacy or Delight Psal. XXXVI 8. Esay XLVII 8. In the Eastern part whereof and not onely Eastward from Jurie was this Garden planted See Esay XXXVII 12. Ezek. XXVII 23. Ethiopia Heb. Cush Called so from the sonne of Cham verse 13 or Ham ch X. 6. 1 Chron. I. 8 10. The Ethiopians or Cushites seeme first to inhabite some parts of Arabia on the North-side of the Red Sea And after to settle themselves on the South-side of it and South of Egypt whence we read in Authors of the Asian and African Ethiopians And in Scripture we reade of Zerah their King who came out against Asa with the hughest hoast that Gods Word doth mention 2 Chron. XIV 9. And of Tirhakah that came forth against Sennacherib Esay XXXVII 9. Of Candace the Queen Acts VIII 27. Of those two great and good Eunuchs Proselytes the one Jeremies deliverer Jer. XXXVIII and the other baptized by Philip Acts VIII 27 39. And of Zipporah the wife of Moses Num. XII The Ethiopians were kinsmen and allies to the Egyptians coming both of Cham near neighbours and confederates Esay XVIII 1. and XX. 4. Jer. XIII 23. and XLVI 9. Ezek. XXX 9. See more in the Annotations on Jer. XIII 23. A Tree is mentioned and the Fruit of it verse 16 And so v. 17. and ch III. 1 2 3 6. But the Apple-tree or what kinde of Tree is not specified Cherubims And so chapter III verse 24 Num. VII 89. 1 Sam IV. 4. 1 King VII 29. Esay XXXVII 16. Ezek. X. throughout that Vision and ch XLI 18. Heb. IX 5. and in sundry other places And in like sort we have the word Seraphims Esay VI. 2 6. And this for expression-sake of our English plural by the letter s whereas the words might have been rendered Cherubs and Seraphs or Cherubim and Seraphim that being the termination plural in the Original Hebrew as also in the Chaldee and Syriak And so is rightly left out in the word Baalim in all places Of Cherubin see my Annotations on Ezek IX 3. and X. 1 3 10 and v. 14 22. and XI 22. Offering Offering is here mentioned chapter IV verse 3 And so v. 4. Called Sacrifice Heb. XI 4. And as this so other nominated Mosaical and Levitical Rites and Ceremonies were in use before the times of Levi and Moses As 2. Beasts and Fowles clean and unclean at the time of the Flood ch VII 3. Priests Altars Burnt-Offerings Drink-Offerings VIII 20. and XIV 18. and XXII 13. and XXXV 14. 4. Eating of Blood forbidden ch IV. 4. 5. Oile in use for Consecration XXVIII 18. and XXXV 14. 6. Marrying the brothers widow to raise up seed to the brother deceased ch XXXVIII 8 9 26. Called his name Names afterwards usually imposed at the time of Circumâ—sion verse 25 as appears partly in Abraham plainly in John the Baptist and others By the Jewes some of Gods Titles were many times inserted into the Composure of the names of their children as plentifully appears And the maner of many Heathens was to impose or insert the names of their Idols and Pagan Deities upon or into the names of their children and of their Kings and Favourites Rom. XVI 1 14 15. 1 Cor. I. 12. 1 Thess. I. 1. And hence we have among the Babylonians from their Idols Bel Nebo and Merodach these Names of Belteshazzar Dan. I. 7. and IV. 8. and Belshazzar Dan. V. 1. And Merodach-Baladan Esay XXXIX 1. and Evil-Merodach 2 Kings XXV 27. And Nebonatsar Naâ—opolatsar and Nebuchadnetsar And in the same names are many times a change of letters like letters put some times one for another as Merodach is called Berodach 2 King XX. 12. As Dibon the name of a Citie Numb XI 30. is called Dimon Esay XV. 9. And Nebuchadnezzar is written also in Scripture Nebuchadnetsar Ier. XXII 25. and Nebuchadrezzar and Nebuchadretzer Ier. XXI 2. and XXIV 1. Sometimes letters or syllables are transposed and left out and added And so there is much variation in one and the same name Esaias is called also Ieshajah and Ieshajahu Hezekiah is called and written Ezekias Chiskijah 2 King XVIII 1. Chiskijahu XXXVI 1. Jechiskijab Micah I. 1. Iechiskijahu Esay I. 1. Iehojacin is called also Iechoniah Iechonias Coniah Conijahu I omit others not much unlike Yea sometimes in Scripture divers men have divers dissonant names some 2 some 3 as 1 King XV. 2 10. compared with 2 Chron. XI 20. and Ch. XIII 2. And as further may be seene at large in the Great Annotations upon 1 Chron. III. 1 15 16. and VI. 1 20 24. and VIII 5 33. and Ch. XI and Ch. XVIII 10 16. and Ch. XX. 7. And divers places have two several names as in 2 Sam. VIII 8. compared with 1 Chron. XX. 4. And many
first moneth of the second year of their coming out of Egypt whiles yet they stayed at Mount Sinai Compare together Exod. XL. 2 17. Levit. I. 1. and Chap. XXVII 34. and Num. I. 1. And this was in the 2509 year of the world thus 1656. to the Flood Thence to Abrams birth in the 130 year of Terah 352. Thence to Isaac's birth 100. Thence to Jacob's birth 60. Thence to Jacob's going down into Egypt 130. Thence to the coming out of Egypt 210 and one year after their coming forth in all 2509. And not in the year of the world 2455. or 2514. This Book contains principally the Function and Offices of the Levites And Ceremonials concerning Sacrifices and Feasts Rites and Purifications Delivered by God to Moses out of the Tabernacle of the Congregation when it was newly reared Levit. I. 1. And accordingly is that Levit. XXV 1. to be expounded The moneth of this Book may seeme to be thus spent taken up and subdivided viz 1. Day The Tabernacle Altar and all other things belonging to the Sanctuary reared placed anointed Exod. XL. Levit. VIII The Consecration of Aaron and his sonnes Commanded Exod. XXIX Begun Exod. XL. fully finished Levit. VIII in the space of seven dayes And seven dayes to make an Atonement for the Altar and sanctifie it Exod. XXIX 37. 8. Day The Princes Offerings of six Waggons and twelve Oxen for carriage and service of the Tabernacle Their Offerings at the Dedication of the Altar each Prince on his day which so continued twelve dayes Num. VII And likely during that time of twelve dayes Moses received from the Lord out of the Tabernacle of the Congregation those Lawes for Sacrifices and Offerings Levit. Ch. I VII 8. Day The Consecration of Aaron and his sonnes being ended Aaron doth first Sacrifice Levit. IX In the sacrifices and offerings Levitically are considerable Principally and more Generally The Persons Offerer or Bringer Lev. 1. 4. and 3. 2. and 7. 30. Sacrificer Priests Lev. 1. 6. 2 Chron. 29. 24. Now wine or strong drink When c. Lev. 10. 9. Levites in some part and in some cases 2 Chron. 29. 34. and ch 35. 11 14. Place Lev. 17. 3. 9. Deut. 12. 5 14. and ch 16 5 6. Fire Came down from Heaven Lev 19. 24. See further 1 Kings 18. 38. 1 Chron. 21. 26. 2 Chron. 7. 1. Must never be suffered to go out Lev. 6. 12 13. notwithstanding their journeys in the wildernesse Numb 4 13. Fat in Sacrifices alwayes to be burnt and what fat Lev. 3. 16 17. Other cases when Not to be eaten Leviticus 7. 23 25. To be eaten Leviticus 7. 23 25. Nehemiah 8. 10. To be used otherwise Liviticus 7. 24. Oile Lâ—viticus 2. and 14. Exod. 29. Ezra 7. 22. Salt Levit. 2. 13. Ezek. 43. 24. Mar. 9. 49. Ezra 6. 9. and 7. 22. Blood Never to be eaten Gen. 9. 4. Lev. 7. 26 27. and 17. 10 14. 1 Sam. 14. 13. Deut. 12. 16 23 24 25. In sacrifices Sprinkled sometimes Before the vail of the Sanctuary and upon the hornes of the Altar of incense Lev. 4. 6 7 17 18. Upon the hornes of the Altar of burnt-offerings Lev. 4. 25 30. 34. Round about upon the Altar of Burnt-offering Lev. 1. 5 11. and 3 2 8 13. and 7 2. Wrung out at the side of the Altar Lev. 1 15. and 5. 9. Poured out at the side of the Altar or at the bottome of the Altar Leviticus 4 7 18. 25 30 34 and 8 15. Particularly The Kindes and sorts of them Burnt-offering or Holocaust Lev. 1. Matter of Cattel Herd Oxen or Bullocks Males Flock Sheep Males Goates Males Fowle Tuttle-Doves Young Pigeons Manner and Law of it Lev. 1 and ch 6. 9 13. and ch 7. 8. Numb 10. 10. and ch 15. 5 8 11 12. Meat-offering Lev. 2. Matter of Fine flower No Honey Leaven v. 11. Oile No Honey Leaven v. 11. Incense No Honey Leaven v. 11. Salt No Honey Leaven v. 11. Or of first-fruits in the eare No Honey Leaven v. 11. No Honey Manner and Law of it Lev. 2. and ch 6. 14 18. and 7. 9 10 and 10. 12 13. Numb 15. 1 16. and 18. 9 10. Drink-offering Matter wine Manner Measure and Law of it Lev 23. 13 18 37. Numb 6. 15 17 and ch 15. 5 7 10 24. and ch 28. 7 31. and ch 29. 6 11 39. 1 Chron. 9. 29. and 29. 21. 2 Chron. 29. 35. Ezra 7. 17. Ezek 45. 17. Jer. 44. 17. 2 Kings 16. 13 15. Deut. 32 38. Ezra 7. 12. Meat and drink-offerings ever joyned together Numb 16. 35 12. And joyned almost to all other sacrifices Numb 6. 15 17. 1 Chron. 21. 23. and 29. 21. 1 Kings 8. 64. Ezra 7. 17. 2 Chron. 29. 35 Peace-offerings Or Gratulatory of Thanksgiving Lev. 3. Matter of Herd Oxe or Bullock male or female Flock Lambe male or female Goate male or female Manner and Law of it Lev. 3. and ch 7. 11 34. and 10. 14 15. and ch 22. 23 29 30. Numb 10. 10. touching the wave-breast and heave-shoulder See Lev. 7. 30 34. Sin-offering of ignorance Lev. 4. Of the High-Priest the matter and manner of it Lev. 4. 1 12. and 6. 30. and 10. 16 17 18. Whole Congregation the matter and manner of it Lev. 4. 13 21. and 6. 30. Numb 15. 22 26. Ruler the matter a male and manner of it Lev. 4. 22 26. and ch 6. 25 29. Vulgar the matter a female and manner of it Lev. 4. 27 35. and 6 25 29. Num. 15. 27 28. and 18 9 10 Trespasse-offering for sins of Ignorance Lev. 5. in Divers things ch 51 13. And therein after confession both the matter female and manner of it Holy things Lev. 5. 15 -19 by Diminution or Sacriledge matter and manner of it adding the fifth part with thy estimation Otherwise matter and manner of it with thy estimation Knowledg by Weaknesse in divers cases with the matter a Ram and manner of it Lev. 6. 1. 8. Numb 5. 6 7 8. adding a fifth part with thy estimation Presumption there is no sacrifice for it but death Num. 15. 30 36. As the sin-offering is so is the trespasse-offering there is one law for them Lev. 7. 1 7. And in some things they are hardly distinguishable And the trespasse-offering seems to be for the greater offences Times wherin several sorts of them were to beused And so some were Voluntary free-will-offerings At pleasure as many times the whole burnt-offerings and peace-offerings See those at the Deduction of the Ark 1 Kings 8. 5. 2 Sam. 6. 13 17. Dedication of the Temple 1 Kings 8. 63. Walls of Jerusalem Nehem. 12. 43. Upon voluntary Promise by Vow Lev. 22. 23. and Deut. 12. 17 26. and 23. 21. See here the Law of the Nazarites Numb 6. Injoyned upon Fixt Times Daily morning and evening Exod. 29 38. Numb 28. 3 8 Weekly on the Sabbath-day Numb 28. 9 10. Monethly on the first day Numb 28. 11 15. and 10. 10.
the year of Jubile began with Blowing of Trumpets on the tenth day of that moneth which also was the day of Expiation Levit. XXV 9. And the Feast of Tabernacles for seven dayes followed after in the same moneth Twelve Cakes The twelve Cakes of Shew bread chapter XXIV verse 5 each of an equall and of a good bignesse set in two rows six on a row seeme to be two rows in Longitude upon the Table one by another And so the Frankincense upon each Cake rather then in Altitude one upon another And so but one Frankincense upon either row See v. 6 7. The Table being two Cubits long and one Cubit broad Exod. XXV 23. And the Frankincense being to be burned every Sabbath Levit XXIV 7 9. yet some make them to be two rows six upon one another in either row on heaps in height In the Temple there were ten Tables of Shew-bread five on the right hand and five on the left 1 Chron. 28. 16. 2 Chron. IV. 8. A Jubile The Jubile-year had all the priviledges of the Sabbath-year chapter XXV verse 11 and more besides Levit. XXV Fruit for three years Viz verse 21 the year before the Sabbath-year and the Sabbath-year and the year after it till the plowing and sowing at the end of the Sabbath-year came to an harvest in the end of the third year Esay XXXVII 10. Numbers THis Book begins with the year of the World Not the 2455 or 2544 But the 2514 or rather 2510 and a little over Thus 2369 to the end of Genesis and death of Joseph Thence 60 to the birth of Moses Thence 80 to the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt And thence 1 year and one moneth to the beginning of this Book which is the second year second moneth first day of their coming out It containes an History not of 39 years but expressely of 38. years and 9 moneths Num. I. 1. and Ch. XXXIII 48 49. compared with Deut. I. 3 4 5. That in Num. IX 1 c. is but a Rehearsal of what was both given in charge and was done before And some other like Repetitions there are 603550. chapter I verse 46 From twenty years old and upwards besides the Levites A wonderful multiplication from seventy persons in 211. yeares yet fairly possible Whereas if they had been in Egypt it self 400 years then their spawning or multiplying there had been very small considering that from three persons that came out of the Arke with Noah within the space of 400 years to the time of Abraham issued such infinite numbers and troops of people in severall Kingdomes and Countreys in the world as out of the Sacred Text and Storie doth plainly appear The Order of the Camp chapter II III and march of the Israelites in the Wildernesse Ch. II. and III. is thus viz The Tabernacle in the middest and Center of all the Hoast Round about the Tabernacle the Levites camped and marched viz On the West the Gershonites Num. III. 23. South the Kohathites Num. III. 29. North the Merarites Num. III. 35. East Moses Aaron his sons Num. III. 38 Males from a moneth old and upwards 7500. 8600. 6200. 22300. Round about the Levites at a good distance Josh. III. 4. Camped and Marched on the East-side Judah and in his Camp Issachar and Zebulun likely on either side or each hand of Judah he being in the midst And so in the other Camps following South-side Reuben and in his Camp Simeon and Gad. West-side Ephraim and in his Camp Manasse and Benjamin North-side Dan and in his Camp Asher and Naphtali Num. II. and X. Chap. In all 603550. And this is the same number of Males from twenty years old and upwards when they gave a Bekah or ten Gerahs each man that is half a Shekel after the Shekel of the Sanctuary to the building of the Tabernacle Exod. XXXVIII 26. As was commanded Exod. XXX 11 16. In the last numbering in the wildernesse in the fourtieth year after the death of Aaron and the death of that Generation for their rebellion and murmuring Num. XIV 29 35. The males from 20 years old and upwards all that were able to go to warre were 601730. The Levites still numbered not with them but by themselves Num. XXVI 51. 22000. chapter III verse 39 300 Male-Levites are omitted in this summe as appears out of ver 22 28 34. which make up 22300. being all the males from a moneth old and upwards And the First-born males of all the children of Israel in the twelve Tribes from a moneth old and upwards being 22273. Ch. III. 43. which argues at least twenty seven males in each family And the surplusage of 273. verse 46. being redeemed at five Shekels apiece amounting to 1375. Shekels verse 50 All this argues the foresaid 300. male-Levites to be wittingly left out in the casting up of the summe most likely omitted so Because they were such First-born of the Levites as were born from the time of the coming out of Egypt to the time of this reckoning and in that regard were sanctified to God as his own by his Law and challenge Exod. XIII 2. and so could not come into the number of the other Levites which were to be changed for the First-borne of the other Tribes and in their stead to be substituted and appropriated to God and his service This number of the Levites was very farre lesse then were of each other Tribe Ch. III. with Ch. I. The number of the least Tribe from twenty years old and upward males able to go forth to warre being 3200. Of the greatest 74600. And the number of the male-Levites from a moneth old and upwards being onely 22300. The charge of Aaron chapter III IV and his sons joyntly and of Eleazar and Ithamar distinctly and of the Kohathites Gershonites and Merarites severally is prescribed in the taking down and carrying and setting up of the Tabernacle See Ch. X. 17 21. From thirty The Levites at the age of thirty years chapter IV verse 3 entered into the full possession of their Offices to waite upon the service of the Tabernacle Num. IV. 3. At the age of twenty five they entered or might enter upon them as Novices and subservients in some secondary or inferiour administrations as Probationers and Proficients Num. VIII 24. And when the Temple should be builded they were ordered to begin and enter at twenty years of age 1 Chron. XXIII ver 24 27. Ezra III. 8. And that by Davids appointment together with the Prophets Gad and Nathan 2 Chron. VIII 14. and Ch. XXIX 25. They continued in their Offices till fifty Num. IV. 3 47. At fifty they ceased waiting upon the service of the Tabernacle but were Overseers there Ch. VIII 25 26. And in their several Cities as being well experienced in the Judicial Laws they judged of matters brought before them The Levites Offices distinct from the Priests are set down in many particulars 1 Chron. XXIII 28 32. David
Advertise thee Balaam called a South-sayer chapter XXIV verse 14 Josh. XIII 22. and a Prophet 2 Pet. II. 16. gives this advertisement to Balak which seems to have a relation to that which follows in the residue of that Chapter Yet besides he gives counsel to Balak or at least after to the Midianites to draw the Israelites into sinne Num. XXXI 16. which coming so to passe He himself in his return is slaine by the sword amongst the Midianites Num. XXXI 8. in that Expedition wherein Joshuah though not named may seeme to be the General and Phineas chief of the Priests sounding Trumpets in that warre wherein 12000. Israelites not having one man slaine did yet slay five Kings of Midian or Dukes of Sihon dwelling in the Countrey as it is Josh. XIII 21. and all the males of that populous Nation save such as escaped by flight whose posterities in the dayes of Gideon came to prevaile against Israel Judg. VI. 1 2. And they took a mighty prey and booty whereout after Purifications of themselves and the Prey there was paid a tribute and portion to the Priests and a portion to the Levites and a voluntary Oblation after made by the Captaines to the Lord Num. XXXI Of the 24000. chapter XXV verse 9 that died in the Plague and stroak of Gods vengeance the 23000. mentioned 1 Cor. X. 8. likely were the vulgar sort that died in the slaughter Num. XXV 5. and the other thousand were the heads of the people hung up ver 4. without supposing any Pestilence at that time Or if by Plague Num. XXV 9. Psal CVI. 30. we understand the Pestilence then most probably the 23000. died of it and the other thousand by Hanging and Slaughter 22200. chapter XXVI verse 14 In this last numbering of the people in the Plains of Moab in the fourtieth year of their wandering in the Wildernesse Simeon was farre the least in number and Judah the most And the whole number of fighting men of the twelve Tribes after that generation died in the Wildernesse upon that judgement Numb XIV 29 35. and upon sundry other judgements besides was now 1820. lesse in number then in the former numbering at Mount Sinai thirty nine years before 23000. And so but 700 more then they were in the former numbering at Sinai Ch. III. verse 62 Being likely not altogether free from that sinne and punishment Num. XIII and XIV Sin This Wildernesse differs from Zin chapter XXXIII verse 11 ver 36. This being the eighth Station of the Israelites that of Zin the thirty third which is Kadesh where Miriam died as was said Num. XXXIII 11 36. Rephidim See the Observations on Ch. verse 14 XXVIII 8. Abarim Pluraly verse 47 Mountains being a continuation of Mountains or Hills Num. XXXIII 47. in the Confines of the Amorites and Moabites whereof the tops had several names as Nebo Pisgah Pehor But Mount Sinai was none of them being farre enough of Salt Sea Is not that Lake of Genesareth chapter XXXIV verse 3 But only that Dead Sea and Salt Sea where formerly Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim had stood Deut. XXIX 23. Hos. XI 8. Riblah Riblah in the Land of Hamath part of the East border of Canaan near the North quarter Here Pharaoh-Nechoh put Jehoahaz in bonds 2 Kings XXIII 33. And Nebuchadnezzar put King Zedekiah in bonds and put out his eyes 2 King XXV 6 7. And slew the High Priest and second Priest and the sonnes of Zedekiah and other prime men ver 18 21. Jer. LII 10 27. This Riblah seems to be that which was afterwards called Antiochia in Syria Of this see my Annotations on Ezek. XI 10 11. Chinnereth Num. XXXIV 11. Deut. III. 17. Josh. XI 2. and XII 27. and XIX 35. is called in the New Testament Genezareth Luke V. 1. which Lake is also called the Sea of Galilee Matth. IV. 18. Mark I. 16. And the Sea of Tiberias Josh. XXI 1. And absolutely the Sea Matth. XVII 27. Suburbs The Suburbs of the Cities of the Priests chapter XXXV verse 4 and Levites were 1000. Cubits from the Cities on every side And so 2000. in the limits and utmost Bounds and Borders of each Quarter East West North and South Fourty eight Cities See Josh. verse 7 XX. and XXI and 1 Chron. 6. compared together and the Great Annotations upon the said sixth Chapter Shall not be guilty The innocent man verse 27 that by meere accident against his will slew a man might yet as it seemes be lawfully slaine by the revenger of blood if he took him without the Citie of refuge Which the more shews the wrath of God against murder Onely to the family Israelites might marry wives of other Tribes chapter XXXVI verse 6 so that they were not inheritrixes of Land Num. XXXVI Yea of other Nations if they were Proselytes and not of those Nations which God expressely devoted to destruction Deut. VII 3. and XXI 10 13. Of their marriages with Heathens and mixing the holy seed See Ezra IX and X. Ch. Neh. IX 2. and X. 30. and XIII 3. 23 30. Deuteronomie DEUTERONOMIE was written in the yeare of the world not 2493. But in the year 2553. or rather 2548. thirty eight years and odde moneths from the time of the beginning of the Book of Numbers And about 1450 years before Christ's time It containes to the fifteenth Verse of the last Chapter an History of one moneth and seven dayes viz From moneth eleven day one to moneth twelve day seven at which time Moses died as hath been formerly gathered upon Aarons death See and compare together Deut. I. 3. and XXXIV 8. and Josh. IV. 19. In which short time the Book was written by Moses And besides sundry Repetitions and Explications other new Lawes given A second Edition as it were of the Covenant made with the new Generation with some other Consequences and last Acts of Moses The last Chapter of Deuteronomie was written after Moses his death As likewise the Conclusion of the Book of Jeremie was written after his Death Jer. LI. 64. and LII 31 34. And that XXXIV Chapter contains one moneth more of the Israelites mourning for the death of Moses This Book of Deuteronomie and that of the Psalmes are of chief note in the Old Testament for the Life of Religion the spiritual power of Worship and Obedience in the inner man Yet this Book of Deuteronomie seemes not to be that which was to be written very plainly upon great stones plaistered in Mount Ebal For that was the Decalogue only or those Blessings and Curses only Deut. XXVII 2 26. Josh. VIII 30 35. Nor seemes it to be this book of Deuteronomie only that was to be Copied out by the King and He to read therein all the dayes of his life Deut. XVII v. 18 19 20. Not yet seemes it to be this book only that was to be solemnly read by the Priests every seventh or Sabbatical year in the Feast of Tabernacles in the audience of
Vanitie of vanities He resumes and concludes his main Text verse 8 ater his large demonstration of it by so many convincing arguments the Preacher was wise And moreover verse 9 because he knew how hard it is to work man to a firme belief of this maxime That all these earthly things are but vanity he heaps up in these few words of his conclusion many cogent arguments yet more to re-inforce the same from his own wisdome from his care to teach the knowledge of this principal lesson his heed his search his ordering of it and other Proverbs from the delight and acceptablenesse of it from the uprightnesse and truth of it All which as they may relate to his teaching and writing in general so more specialy to the subject matter of this Book The words of the wise In this verse Solomon riseth higher verse 11 and comes up to the praise of the words of the wise in general which is most appliable to the Word of God in the Scripture the praise is from their power and efficacie they are as Goads as Nailes And from their Authority fastened â—d managed by the Masters of Assemblies the Preachers and Ministers And the Word and they both given from one Shepheard the great Shepheard of the Sheep the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet some would make this understanding of this verse That the Authors of these Collections compiled them together into one body under the name of Solomon guided thereunto and so given by and from Zerubbabel by these and by no other verse 12 no humane and vaine words or writings Psal. XIX 11. These are sufficient Some conceit that Zerubbabel speaks thus to Abihud Many books This most true in this age if not more then any other But these many in comparison of the Scriputure may well be called wast-papers And much study in them is a wearinesse of the flesh The Conclusion of the whole matter let us hear The first word of this verse verse 13 rendered Conclusion is written in the Original with an extraordinary big letter to put an extraordinary mark of Attention upon it The meaning of the words of this and the last verse need no Explanation THE Song of Solomon A Song it is as the title bears Not an Historie or a Prophecie which conceit while some have fancied to themselves to maintain the same they have been driven in their Expositions forcibly as it were to ravish the Text and to fall into sundry I might say ridiculous singularities and absurdities It is the Song of Songs the chiefest of his 1005. Songs 1 Kings IV. 32. the most excellent of all others and that for Expressions Mysteries Purity and Holinesse but most for the Subject and Matter of it which is sublime divine and Evangelical It is all a continued Allegorie full of Obscurities as is confessed by all somewhat the harder to understand by reason of so many diversities of understandings somewhat the more difficult because we meet here with diverse Hebrew words which are not found in the Scripure besides It is all mystical as many words almost so many Mysteries As is likewise said of the Apocalypse And the Jewes hereupon are said to forbid the reading of this Book among them till they came to thirty years of age Yet it appears to be an Epithalamium a marriage-Song a Song of Loves Penned by Solomon it seemes in his younger years and best times not long after his marriage with Pharaohs daughter whereunto he may haply allude in this Song and long before his foul falls in his old age But yet a greater then Solomon is here Here is Christ the true Solomon the Bridegroome and his Church the Spouse Here between them is set down all Rhetorick of Love pathetical Compellations affectionate Elogies Passionate Expressions all here pure and spiritual in this Celestial Poem Here is nothing of Temporal Carnal or worldly mixture in it The flowers and ornaments of Language in the Praises of Both are not applicable to bodily or natural beauties but to spiritual and supernatural Here is hidden Manna sancta sanctis Pearls are not for swine Here Solomon rips up and rifles as it were all the rarities of Nature to describe his sacred and supernatural mysteries Yea such is the matchlesse riches and sweetnesse of this Poem and the subject of it that though the storehouse of the whole world from both her spheres contribute to it yet all is not sufficient The richest earthly things are but grosse and sensible illustrations of spiritual Majesty and glory They can serve but as mystical representations as Emblemes as Hieroglyphiks as Manuductions and Perspectives to Grace and Glory Here between Christ and his Church are interchangings of mutual Praises Gloriations and Congratulations of Zealous spiritual longings and breathings of Loves and Vowes and Joyes of acclamations attestations and administrations His divine and glorious excellencies in himself and rich bounties and blessings to her and her precious heavenly graces and endowments ornaments and priviledges by him in an high character in lofty and stately sayings and similies are portraied and laid out to the life by her and by him And yet withal her failings and recoveries and his withdrawings thereupon and returnings are not omitted And lastly she being never satisfied with his Love out of the unquenchable flame of her affection she doth beg still a more intimate Union and communion with him and a perpetual fruition of him for her self and for all her members that yet knew him not And that he would hasten his last coming for the full finishing of all and her enjoyment of him in Vision Beatifical in the Life of Glory In all these Interlocutions betwixt them she speaking nine times He seven times And both joyntly together the same things as in a Chorus two times In a word There are such divine raptures as are able to fire the holy affections of the sons of men Let him kisse me chapter I verse 2 c. The speech of the Church the Spouse to Christ the Bridegroom to the 8. ver set forth in her wishes of his love in expressions of the worth of it of his sweet smelling graces and the powerful vertue of them in her and in others in his rich and gracious provisions for her in her Vindication of her own deformities and defects against the envious and uncharitable censures of others concerning her and in petitioning him for further counsel and direction If thou know not c. Christ his Reply verse 8 in the four next verses granting her last request with gracious and great commendations of her and rich promises made unto her While the King c. The Church in this verse 12 and the next verse returnes the fruits of Christs love and bounty magnifying by similies his gracious goodnesse to her and declaring what her cate shall be to keep and indeere him to her Behold thou art fair Christ here in this verse 15 and the next verse congratulates his Church Praysing again and so
reunited in his Resurrection This verse then and two before and one following are most properly meant of Christ and of his Resurrection Acts II. 25 28 31. and XIII 35 36 37. Thou wilt shew me Experimentaly me Christ speaâ—s of himself the path of life Of glory after his Resurrection verse 11 All this true of Christ the head and in and by him true also of David of all his members Christs Resurrection and Glorification is the beginning of ours he the Author and meanes of it to us in our first Resurrection here by Regeneration to the life of Grace whereby Christ lives in us Gal. II. 20. He in us and we in him by Faith Ephes. III. 17. Rom. I. 17 And in our second Resurrection to the life of Glory as followes in this verse In thy presence Before thy face in the light of thy countenance See Gen. XXXII and Exod. XXXIII 14 15. Num. VI. 23. Psal. IV. 6. and XXXI 16. and LXXX 3. Deut. XXXIV 10. Esay VI. fulnesse Yet all the former but in part whiles we are in the way in fulnesse when we come to our countrey or heavenly Canaan Job XIX 26 27. 1 John III. 2. 1 Cor. XIII 12. Matth. V. 8. And yet this beatifical Vision of God in glory shall be to our fulnesse not to his The fulnesse of his infinite Essence by any created power of Saint or Angel by the eye of flesh though glorified or by the intellectual eye of a soul or spirit glorified cannot be seene 1 Tim. VI. 16. But to our fulnesse as farre as creatures are capable of our vessel thrown into this infinite Sea shall be brim full though it containe not all this Ocean Psal. XVII 15. And how great then shall this fulnesse then be when of things in this kinde revealed of God to his Apostles in this life by his Spirit the Apostle so speaketh as we read 1 Cor. XI 9. out of Esay LXIV 4 This is a fulnesse beyond all that of Faith and Hope a fulnesse that fills up all desires a fulnesse of fruition of satisfaction without satiety Apoc. III. Consider that saying of the Queen of Sheba 1 King X. 8. and of the Disciples at Christs Transfiguration Mat. XVII 4. At thy right hand And by thy right hand Psal. XX. 7. LXIII 9. CXVIII 16. for evermore Without which eternity there were no true felicity right My plea for my righteous cause chapter XVII verse 1 my righteous cause and complaint ver 2. I am purposed Psal. XXXIX 1. verse 3 of thy lips Guiding and directing me verse 4 when I awake Our of the sleep of death verse 15 Esay XXVI 19. with thy likenesse 1 Cor. XV. 49. 1 John III. 2. Apoc. XXII 4. Horne Signifieth power chapter XVIII verse 2 and glory Psal. XCII 10. Amos VI. 13. And Christ called the Horne of Salvation Luke I. 69. earth shook Here verse 7 and hereafter are sublime expressions not of what historicaly hapned but of the marvelous maner of Gods mighty presence assistance and concurrence in Davids victories in some sort Poeticaly set forth thundered Thunder is called Gods voice verse 13 Apoc. X. 3 4. and XIX 6. Of thunder See Psal. XXIX 3 10. and LXXVII 18. and CIV 7. Exod. XIX 16. XX. 18. Jer. X. 13. Job XXVI 14 XXXVIII 25. Esay XXIX 6. Apoc. IV. 5. and 8. 5. Some proud blasphemers have laboured to imitate the thunder and some impious Tyrants have exceedingly feared it according to my righteousnesse The justnesse of my Cause against Saul verse 24 and others and my sincere desire and endeavour to serve and obey God though not for any merit of my works thy self froward Meet with them in their own way verse 26 As Levit. XXVI 23 24. Bow of steele verse 34 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee This verse is applied verse 49 Rom. XV. 9. to the Calling of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ and praise unto God therefore And so formerly ver 43 44. and again verse 50. are more truly verified in Christ then in David to his Anointed verse 50 to David and to his seed for evermore To his Messiah his Christ as Psal. II. 2. to David literaly to Christ mysticaly called by the name of David Jer. XXX 9. Ezek. XXXIV 23 24. and chap. XXXVII 24. Hos. 5. to his seed both himself properly called the seed of David Rom. I. 3. Acts XIII 23. as the seed of Abraham Gal. III. 16. and to his seed Esay LIII 10. Heb. II. 13. And thus properly it is for evermore Day unto day Or day after day chapter XIX verse 2 the vicissitude or continual succession of day and night speaketh much divine knowledge The assiduity and constancy without any intermission by the Heavens preaching is hereby expressed There is no speech Among all variety of Languages verse 3 yet this language and idiome of the heavens is one and the same understood of all and heard of all ver 4. Their line Rom. X. 18. verse 4 the Apostle hath it their sound or voice And such a like difference is found in Micah V. 2. with Matth. chap. II. 6. And again in Rom. IX 33. with Isa. chap. XXVIII 16. The Apostle fits this Testimonie to his own purpose not derogating thereby from the truth of the literal sense As that Exod. XVI 18. is applied 2 Cor. VIII 15. Or rather the Apostle retaines the literal sense for the preaching of the Gospel to all the world Rom. XV. 19. Col. I. 6 23. And out of this testimonie of the Psalme in its literal sense proves that the Gentiles had heard and learned somewhat of God and pietie before out of the book of the Creation Rom. I. 19. Acts XIV 17. Which was a forerunner to this more ample Doctrine and School of the Gospel which now God was pleased to vouchsafe unto them In summe the Apostle herein followes the LXX And applies this to the preaching of the Gospel to the Heathens as God had formerly taught them in another a weaker maner and degree by his works of Creation They had as a voice to speak so a line to write rule direct and instruct as Esay XXVIII 10. sunne The carbuncle of heaven the eye and heart of the world for its light and heat to runne a race His race is without intermission or wearinesse and the swiftnesse of his running verse 5 being so great a body in its owne orbe is even to amazement and astonishment almost beyond imagination That the Sunne should stand and the Earth so move as some braines fancie is no lesse then a prodigious Paradox The Law From the Book of Gods works verse 7 he comes now to the Book of his Word in five verses And in this Schoole each verse in a maner doth expresse the name the nature the effects the preciousnesse of this Word much against all those imbasements and impeachments which the Papists would put upon it gold Gold of Havilah verse 10 good Gen. II. 11 12.
Angels Yet it faileth sometimes which is the case of most of these moral observations is servant As it were a servant verse 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Heathen Author rod of his anger Wherewith he whipt others verse 8 his underlings scorner Psal. verse 10 CI. 5. That takes and turnes every thing to the worst loveth Affects verse 11 though he can never effect it strange women Chap. verse 14 II 16. and V. 3 and VII 5 27. and chap. XXIII 27 28. Eccles. VII 26. of a childe Chap. verse 15 XIII 24. and XIX 18. and XXIII 13. and VI. 23. and XXIX 15 17. giveth to the rich With a minde to get more then he gave verse 16 and by his countenance to colour and cover his oppressive practises and scape with them by such briberie he shall not thrive Bow down Here seemes to begin some alteration of stile and method verse 17 He seemes to assume a new kinde of bespeaking his sonne differing from that in the twelve preceding Chapters and much like that in the nine first Wherein the several documents and instructions are prosecuted in more verses then one a pleasant thing Psal. XIX 11. verse 18 and CXIX 103. more pleasant then all the tastlesse fooleries of this present world fitted Whereby to get a singular dexterity and volubility in holy language Matth. XII 24. thy trust Ephes. I. 13. verse 19 even to thee We must read the Scripture as men do statute-Statute-books holding themselves as much concerned therein as any others binding themselves in every precept threatning themselves in every threat blessing themselves in every promise For these are verba vivenda non legenda excellent things Princely things verse 20 rare and royal sentences chap. VIII 6. the certaintie Col. II. 2. verse 21 2 Cor. IV. 13. Rob not By might verse 22 as the greater fish devour the lesser nor yet by false judgments Zech. VII 10. plead Without fee verse 23 for they come forma pauperis chap. XXIII 11. Job XXI 21. spoile Pay them in their kinde chiefly when the cold grave shall hold their bodies and hot hell hold their souls angrie man Anger is a short madnesse verse 24 He rageth and casteth fire-brands Fit to live alone as dragons and wilde beasts to be looked on only as through a grate chap. XV. 18. and XXVI 21. and XXIX 22. lest Sinne is as a leprosie and infectious plague land-mark Deut. XXVII 17. verse 28 and chap. XIX 14. and XXIII 10. diligent Chap. XXVII 23. verse 29 Ezra VI. 13. and VII 26. Gen. XLI 39 40 46. and chap. XLVII 6. 1 Kings XI 28. to eate feed not without fear chapter XXIII verse 1 Jude verse 12. a knife Bridle thy appetite verse 2 Or otherwise thou dost put a knife to thy throat and diggest thy grave with thy teeth for meat and the board kils more then the musket and the sword Luke XXI 34. deceitful An hook under that bait verse 3 to be rich 1 Tim. VI. 9 10. verse 4 James III. 15. 1 John II. 15 16 17. wilt thou Cast a leering eye after such vanities verse 5 and flie a fooles pitch is not Hath no solid subsistence though we call riches substance 1 Cor. VII 31. Earth is hanged upon nothing as Job speaketh And so all earthly things Amos VI. 13. Esay XXVIII 15. eate thou not A miserly fordid muckworme verse 6 thinketh Grudgeth at his guests as one willing to starve even his own genius sweet words Which he hath spoak to thee verse 8 or rather thy chearful words at his table speak not Chap. IX 7 8. verse 9 Matth. VII 6. land mark Chap. XXII 28. verse 10 Deut. XIX 14. and XXVII 17. Ovidius ad Deum Terminum Omnis erit sine te litigiosus ager Plead Chap. XXII 23. verse 11 Job XXXI 23. and XXVI 14. Psal. XC 11. Eccles. VI. 10. God is the great Master of the wards apply Busie them about the best things verse 12 withhold not correction Chap. XIII 24. verse 13 and Chap. XIX 18. and chap. XXII 25. and shalt deliver This a means for it verse 14 And if it succeed not yet thou hast done thy duty and so shalt deliver thine own soul and have thy reward As the Phisitian hath his fee whether the Patient live or die shall rejoyce Chap. X. 1. verse 15 and chap. XV. 20. 3 John 4. 1 Thes. III. 9. envie sinners Chap. XXIV 1 19. verse 17 and chap. III. 31. Psal. XXXVII 1. and LXXIII 3. feare This cures one of the fret all the day long Waking walking and lying down in his fear in continual communion with him and conformity to him ch XXVIII 14. 1 Pet. I. 17. Phil. II. 12. 2 Cor. VII 11. an end Chap. X. 28. verse 18 An end of the sinners prosperitie Job VIII 13 14. and chap. XI 20. and XVIII 14. Psal. CXII 10. And an end and reward to those that fear God Psal. XXXVII 37 38. and LVIII 11. Wine-bibbers Verse 29 35. verse 20 Rom. XIII 13. Ephes. V. 18. Mat. XXIV 49. Buy the truth Tit. I. 9. verse 23 Phil. I. 27. Iude 3. Either live with it or die for it The father Chap. X. 1. verse 24 and chap. XV. 20. thy heart This the seat of our affections verse 26 and fountain of our actions Mark VII 21. Matth. XII 34 35. And therefore that care and caveat is given of it Prov IV. 23. And God so craveth and wisheth it Deut. V. 29. and complains of the want of it Matth. XV. 8. yea and deals as Ioseph with his brethren concerning Benjamin Gen. XLIII 3. no seeing his face without it thine eyes Look well to this patterne and copie get a ful prospect and fix and feed thine eyes hereupon a whore Chap. XXII 14. verse 27 See chap. V. 15. who hath woe Chap. XX. 1. verse 29 mixt wine Chap. IX 2. Psal. LXXV 8. verse 30 moveth Sparkleth verse 31 as the most generous wine useth to do strange women Drunckennesse ushers in whordome verse 33 Wine the milk of Venus and strange things and sights disturbing the braine Et geminum Solem duplices consurgere Thebas midst of the Sea Thy braines shall turne round verse 34 thy self reel as a ship tossed at Sea Psal. CVII 27. Or thy braines swim as if at Sea and so drunckenly dream as if thou wert at Sea Or be so stupid and senselesse in this druncken lethargie as to be fearlesse and carelesse in the greatest danger whatsoever and not refuse or forbear to sleep on the top of maâ—â— not sick A druncken man verse 35 we say takes no hurt feels no blows no smart is turned into a beast yea a block I will seek it yet again Though they be sick with it yet after their recoverie and that fit past they will to it again For drunckennesse inflaming increaseth thirst Deut. XXIX 19. and thirst drunckennesse and so the drunckard irrecoverable to be with them In their state chapter XXIV verse 1 and at their stay
had owned him 2 Sam. VII 14. and chosen him for King before any of his elder brethren His mother thus stiles him as mothers many times do frame affectionate titles with some smal variations to insinuate with their children she breaks off the first letter of his name and adds in the end the name of God his mother taught him Lemuels lesson taught him by Bathsheba and if taught him haply being King then upon his beginning to warp and wander He was taught likewise by his father ch IV. 3 4. Ps. CXXVII and LXXII Both which heighten his after-fall as well as that 1 Kings XI 9. These words and Prophetical documents may seeme to be penned down by Lemuel himself afterwards What my sonne Passionate verse 2 and affectionate words a sweet schooling out of a fear and jealousie conceived and a care had to prevent his miscarrying thy strength to women Chap. verse 3 V. 9. Deut. XVII 17. to drink wine Chap. XXIII 29 30. verse 4 Ephes. V. 18. Hos. VII 5. Esay V. 11. Hab. II. 15 16. Eccles. X. 16 17. Lest One verse 5 amongst many of the mischiefs of drunkennesse in Kings and Princes chap. XXIII 29 35. and wine to those Jer. XVI 7. verse 6 Good things well used Hence as some conceive arose the custome of giving wine to such as were condemned to die as Mark XV. 23. Whereunto some apply that of Amos II. 8. and forget Judg. verse 7 IX 13. Psal. CIV 15. for the dumb Chap. XXIV 11 12. verse 8 such as may not or cannot speak for themselves Iob XXIX 15 16. Ier. XXXVIII 8 9. and plead Levit. XIX 15. Deut. I. 17. Psal. LXXII 4. verse 9 a vertuous woman Chap. XII 4. 1 Cor. XI 7. verse 10 Her praise is set forth all along to the end of this Chapter And that methodicaly beginning every verse with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet as it stands in order Such a woman as this is the female glorie the wonder of woman-kinde amiable and admirable as the paragon of the world A faire patterne for Solomons choise in a wife But a lesson ill learned by him a worse practised In this large Description the whole Text needs not any Glosse Ecclesiastes THis is the Book of Solomons Repentance written in his old age as may seeme to be gathered both out of the Title of the Book and the Closure of it in the six last verses and also out of the whole Body of it Being written upon a serious view of the Passages and practises of his life past and the great and manifold Experiences he had made and found therein His maine businesse is a curious search after true Felicitie and real Contentation And upon his search and experience he doth finde and pronounce That in order thereunto all things under the Sunne were but vanitie of vanities and vexation of spirit and for such experimented by him though the same improved by humane wisdome in him to the utmost Chap. II. 3 9. This he shews in a large maner in sundry sorts in many particular vanities under the Sunne principaly in humane wisdome and knowledge humane labours industries and endeavours in Delights and Pleasures of all kinds in Honours Greatnesse and Power in Riches and Possessions and in the utter insufficiencie that is in all these to extract from them or the quintessence of them any true happinesse or from any other sublunarie thing or creature whatsoever He seemes to speak sometimes in the person and according to the carnal reasonings of the Atheist and Epicure as reciting their opinions with their arguments yet he avers the truth of God against them and the just and wise course though to us secret hid and unsearchable of his Providence Administration and government of all the events issues accidents and affairs of this life in relation both to the just and to sinners even in things befalling in common to both of them He giveth sundry sound remedies to abate and heale the said Vanities He speaks much for Wisdome and against Folly And prescribes many good Rules for better things for procuring tranquillity unto the mind and peace and comfort to the life of a man eftsoones minding and mentioning among other things a chearful fruition and enjoyment of the outward Blessings and Comforts of this Life with gladnesse contentation and thankfulnesse as from the hand of God And lastly in the twelfth Chapter he concludes That in Old age elegantly described by him and at Death It will appear That to Fear God and Keep his Commandments is the whole of man both the whole Dutie and Felicitie of Man the one and only thing wherein it consisteth The words Solomons Ethicks verse 1 his Sapiential Tractate of the Sovereign good chapter I his Retractations and Penitential Sermon his Experiments of the Preacher Or of a preaching soul. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being Foeminine hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the soul understood The penitent convert gathering himself to the Church He again gives himself this title chap. I. 2 12. and VII 27. and XII 8 9 10. Yet in those places it is construed with a Masculine And so the foeminine is sometimes used for the Common gender which is wanting with the Hebrews The Greeks and Latins render it in the Masculine Ecclesiastes David published his Repentance in Psal. LI. Vanitie of vanities Psal. CXLIV 4. and XXXIX 5. verse 2 All Adam is all Abel even at his best estate altogether vanitie And all worldly things are so an heap a nest of vanities vanitie in the abstract This the last issue and result the upshot of all his curious critical enquirie search and experiments what profit A chief point in the wise mans Compasse verse 3 is cui bono Who will shew us any good Thus worldly men look after this Psal. IV. 6. Yea wicked men in their overtures of Religion Mal. III. 14. No profit towards the attainment of true happinesse Labour which c. A labour in order to things above the Sunne will profit Phil. III. 20. Colos. III. 1 2. John VI. 27. No toilsome labour in earthly things will do so Nothing remaineth or abideth with him nothing more is added to him by it it addes nothing of real worth unto him at all That we shall finde to be truth which is in Habak II. 13 6. One generation Ecclesiasticus XIV 18. verse 4 Meere man is but the dream of a dream a curious picture of nothing Mortalitie is the stage of mutabilitie The inward principles of change and alteration are alwayes working The children thrust out the fathers but the earth Whereon as on a stage the several Generations act their parts and go off others come on abideth for ever Till its time of change in the end of all 2 Pet. III. 10. See my Observations on Deut. XV. 17. The duration of the earth opposed to every mans duration not the motion or standing of it is here intended The Sunne Psal. XIX 3. verse 5 There is