he was but of Iudah shall bring vs if so we will studie to enter into that rest Without studying and striving it will not be for the Gate is straight and the way narrowe that leadeth vnto Life and fewe there be that finde it Mat. 7. 14. b Ioshuah hauing seated the Tribes in their seuerall Lots as God had appointed onely Levies Tribe had no such Lot for the Lord was his special portion and the other Brethren were to paye vnto them Tenths Reuben Gad and the halfe Tribe of Manassâ—h Then returne vnto their Lot which fell out on the other side Iordan They as wee must sought no Rest to themselues till they see Rest for the Body of Israel c Ioshuah readie to set foot in the Graue calleth before him the Elders of the People rehearsing before them the wonderfull mercies of God received for the which they were all neerely tyed vnto IEHOVAH But in the end he concludeth howsoever others were resolved yet Hee togither with his Houshold would serue the Lord. Soone after he died being 110. yeares olde having ruled 17. yeares and about 50. yeares after their comming from Aegypt So endeth the book of Ioshuah the World then aged 2570. yeares Here beginneth the Booke of IVDGES Ioshuah dead the People consult with God for the succession in Government The Lord appointeth the Tribe of Iudah Of Iudah Othoniel was chosen Iudge who oversawe them for 40. yeares To him succeedeth Ehud of Ben-iamins Tribe who was not I think lame but left handed Iudg. 3. 15. compared with Verse 21. and therefore exercised that hand as most ready to drawe his dagger forth Hee slewe Eglon Israels Oppressour for 18. yeares From Othoniels death to the end of his Iudge-ship are 80. yeares Heere Shamgar slewe 600. Philistims with an Oxe-goade and so helped Israel But after Ehud his death Israel forgetteth God their deliverer for which IEHOVAH giueth them into the hand of Iabin a Cananitish King whose chiefe Captaine was Sisera a Gentile He had 900. Chariots of Iron and twentie yeares he vexed Israel But Israel crying vnto IEHOVAH hee raised vp in Israel the woman Deborah an excellent Prophetesse who stirreth vp Barak of Naphtali to take 1000. men of Naphtali and Zebulon for rescuing Israel out of the hands of Sisera Iabins Captaine The Prophetesse goeth vp with Barak and they ioyne with Siseraes hudge Armie by the waters of Megiddo Siseraes Armie is discomfited himselfe finding a paire of feete better than two paire of handes Comming wearie into Iaels Tent he sleeping she knocketh a nayle into his Temples and and so brought Barak pursuing to the spectacle So had Israel much rest for 40. years not for 40 years after this Triumph but accompting 40. years from Ehud vnto Gideon next Israelitish Iudge After Deborahs victorie the Lord because of Sinne gaue Israel into the hands of Midian for whose deliverance Gedeon of Manasseh called also Ierub-baal was stirred vp who Iudged his People 40. yeares To him succeedeth Abimilech Ierubbaals yong sonne hauing first murdered his brethren and hee raigned 3. yeares After him Tola of the Tribe of Issachar helped his people 23. yeares Next Iair of Manasseh for 22. yeares Then Iephte Spurius of Manasseh for 6. yeares After him arose Ibsan of Bethlehem-Iudah Iudged 7. yeares To him succeeded Elon of Zabulons Tribe hee had 40. sonnes and thirtie Nephewes that rode on 70. Asse-coltes He iudged 10. yeares Then next Abdon of Ephraim for 8 yeares In his nect followed Sampson of kicking Dans Tribe He for 20 yeares was a strong plaguer of the vncircumcised Philistims slaying more in his Death than in his Life A Nazarite hee was and a figure of our Nazaret Annointed who by his death on the Crosâ—e overcame Death and destroyed all power infernall to the Faithfull After Sampson arose Eli of the Tribe of Levi and of the Familie of Ithamar the 4. Sonne of Aaron for Aaron had Nadab and Abihu slaine of God in the Wildernes for offering with straunge fire as also he had Eleazar and Ithamar for sonns This Eli became as Priest so Iudge to his people for 40. yeares And heere examining the time of Iudges durance the Booke of Iudges will end within whose times falleth the Story of Ruth the Moabitish Gentile married to Boaz great Grandfather to David The Moabites came from LOT his incestuous sonne Moab 1 Othoniel raigned 4. years 2 Ehud his end of Iudgship after Othoniel 80. yeares 3 From thence to Gedeon 40. yeares 4 Gedeon 40. yeares 5 Abimelech 3. yeares 6 Tolâ— 23. yeares 7 Iair 22. yeares 8 Iephte 6. yeares 9 Ibsan 7. yeares 10 Elon 10. yeares 11 Sampson 20. y. 12 Eli 40. yeares The yeares of the 12. Israelitish Iudges in one summe are 339. yeares Obiect But holy Paul preaching at Antioch and making rehearsal of the sacred Story he there saith that the Lord gaue vnto Israel Iudges about 450. years Act. 13. 20. so that by the former number 339. Paul should over-compt one hundred and eleuen yeares Ans. Manie and not vnlearned haue either here affirmed the text corrupted or else they haue not begunne the number of Iudges from Ioshuahs last but they haue runne backe beyond Ioshuah beyond Moses beyond Iaacob even to Isaac But if they marke Paul there they shall easilie see that he bringeth in the accompt of Iudges from the time that Israel had full possession of their Lots In a word to resolue the doubt Paul hath an eye not onely to these 12. Iudges sprong out of Israel but also to the vncircumcised Rulers that oppressed them and into whose handes the Lord gaue them because of their sinnes for who knoweth not that if the Lord gaue his people into the hands of the Vncircumcsed and so it is oft said in the book of Iudges then it was God that seâ— the Rulers ouer them Let vs number the yeares of the Oppressours 1 Chusan 8. yeares 2 Eglon 18. yeares 3 Sisera 20. yeares 4 Midian 7. yeares 5 Ammon 18. yeares 6 Philistims 40. yeares These halfe 12. being Oppressors do so make 111. yeares Which one hundred eleuen put vnto three hundred thirtie nyne doeth giue vp holy Pauls number of 450. Neither are these 111. yeares falling Alone or successiuely to the Iudges but Togither or intermixtly with them And therefore that 339. yeares are in mixture or confusion 450 yeares mystically reproouing the peoples ' confused manners Let vs now number from Israels Exit from Aegypt hitherto The whole 396. Moses governed 40. yeares Ioshuah 17. yeares The Iudgships orderly time 339. yeares Nowe followe the Books of SAMVEL Eli last Iudge of that Number being now Priest in Israel vnto him and for the service of the Lord Hannah the wife of Elkanah brought her young sonne Samuel to which Samuel the mightie God appeared declaring to him the destruction of Eli and his house because hee stayed not his sonnes Hophni and Phineas from prophaning the holy things Warres being then with the Philistims Israel went out
raigne hee took it and carried Israel away to Ashur and there seated them since which time Israel hâ—th not beene heard off Obadiah well prophecied roundly taking vp Edom-Esau for laughing at his brothers Captivitie The King of Ashur having carried Isâ— rael away hee pâ—â—ceth in their Roomes in SAMARIA her Citties a Colonie of his owne vncircumcised People IEHOVAH sendeth Lyons amongst them devouring They signifie that vnto their king saying further That they not knowing how to worship the God of Israels Land that Cuntries God therefore so plagued them The King sendeth one of Israels Priests back who dwelling in Bethel did teach the People Some part of IEHOVAHS worship they received and vnto that part they ad their forraigne Idole home-bred worship Salmanesar their king dying his son Esar-Haddon brought more of his Rascals to Samaria and them partes Ezra 4. 2. Enemies vnto the good work of God they were ever For that as also for their Linsy-wolsie worship the Iewes would haue no medling with them Ioh 4. 9. The Iewes would be followed of all haters of Idolatrie But here we leaue Israel vnder the heavie Lash of IEHOVAH Captines in vnknowne partes of the Worlde a People vnknowne howsoever supposed Ezra or Esdras in that second Booke Chap. 13. Verse 39. beginneth a strange tale of them About this time Nahum prophecied Niniuies fall 30. Staffe Their Sinne vpheapt God sendeth them away To Babylon in a three Captivities For b seaventie yeares they bide in Chaldea Then c against Babel d Mede-Persy doth arise And conquering Chaldeahs drunken Roy e Cyrus sends back Iudeah home with joy a Nebuchad netzar commeth against Ierusaelem in Iehoiakim or Eliakim his 3. full yeares Dan. 1. 1. 2. Then go to Babel Iehoiakim Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah togither with others of the bloode Royall Iudabâ— King becomming an homager to Babylon is returned homeâ— This was Nebuchadneâ—zar his first year Ierem. 25. 1. and a time of Glory to Babel who now as a Queene sitteth aboue Aegypt Assur and all Cuntries about Three years Iehoiakim serveth Babels King but the next he revolted Then Nebuthadneâ—zars Hoste the second time commeth against Ierusalem Iehoiaâ—im is taken afterwards cast out vnburied as an Asse because like an Asse he had cut in peeces Iâ—REMIAHS Prophecies So he had from Aegypts King his time of making him King raigned 11. yeares 20 Iehoiachin called also Iechonias and Choniah sonne to Iehoiakim is next King being 8. years old at his Fathers Coronation so vnderstand HE 2. Chron 36. 9. compared with 2. Kings 24. 8. He raigned three Moneths and tenne daies in Ierusalem Against him commeth Nebuchadneâ—zars Hoste it being the 8. yeare of Babels Monarch and carrieth the lewde Boye and many more with him to Babilon Nowe went Mordechai and Ezechiel into Babels bondage but their spirit was not bounde This was the second carrying foorth Cáptiue vnto Chaldeahs Monarch 21 Mattaniah called also Zedechiah his Vnkle or Fathers brother properly called his Sonne because hee succeeds his Cosin as a Sonne succeedeth the Father called also his Brother according to the vulgar speach of the Iewes who call any of their blood Brethren this Tzâ—dechias succeedeth at the appointment of Nebuchadneâ—zar and raigneth 11. years Then the fourth time commeth vp Nebuchadneâ—zars Hoste against Ierusalem They sack the Citie and Temple burne and raze downe all shed much blood but Ierusalems Mourners as Ieremie Barcuk Abdemelech the merciful Morian were freed from the sword and that Ezechiel had fore-seene Chap. 9. Tzedechias flying the Chaldean Armie overtakes him They bring him to Riâ—lah in the Land of Hamath where Babels King condemned him slewe his Sonnes and put oâ— his eyes bringing him blinde to Babell and thus hee never sawe it b In these 70. yeares raigned first Nebuchadâ—etzar then Euil-merodach his Sonne who set Iehoâ—achin out of Prison in the 37. yeare of his Captiuitie exalted him aboue al the Kings that were about his Monarchicall Throne in Babel And here I shut vp the two Bookes of Kings and the two Books of Chronicles Ieremiahs hystoricall parte as also his Threnâ— Elegies or Lamentations who were dolefullie sung of him after the third deportation Vnto Euil-merodach succeeded Beshazzar his Sonne called also the Sonne of Nebuchadnetzar a tearme given commonly to successors though far remote This Beast making a great belcâ—ing Feast to his Nobles IEHOVAH sendeth a palme of a hand writing his destinie vpon the wall before his eyes The drunkard yet trembled for feare shuâ—tered in every ioynt and the rather because none of his flattering Prophets could read it Daniel being sent for for in his Grand-fathers daies greate doubtes and difficulties had beene expounded by Daniel he readeth the Canonicall writ and telleth the King that it signified howe IEHOVAH had accompted his time and weighed him in the Ballance had founde him too light and therefore an end was come to him and his Kingdome The same Night Cyrus of Persia and Darius the Mede having turned aside the streame of Babels Euphrates doe rush into the Cittie and so cause the drunken Bacchus-frocs to drink of the Lords Cup. Heere were the 70. years finished an end of the Chaldean Monarch resembled by the golden Head Dan. 2. 38. the indirect cause that Nebuchadnetzar reared vp the golden Image as a memoriall of His being the First of that Head Vnto which Image the 3. young Nobles not bowing they therefore were cast into the fiery fornace but IEHOVAH delivered and exalted them That prideâ—caused Nebuchadnetzar the Great Tree Dan. 4. to bee hackt downe and to be sent to liue as a Bedlem amongst Beastes till he had learned to Rule better over men Euil-merodach doing good vnto Iudahs People it seemeth hee went therefore to his graue in peace But Belshazzar being puft vp as was his great Father hee therefore finisheth the Golden head and Winged Lyon Dan. 7. 4. and Ezech. 17. c Babels destruction prophecied of by Isai. 21. 2. where Elam that is the Persians who sprong from Elam Shems sonne Genes 10. 21. and Media derived from Madai Iaphets sonne Genes 10. 2. these two are commaunded to besiege Babel and smite it d The Medes and Persians issued from good Iapheâ— and Shem do as two sworne brethren ioyne hand in hand for destroying Babel the Captiver of Shem and Hebers People The Mockers of Hebers Songes haue nowe their Children dashed against the stones Psal. 137. It is equall that they who now mock spirituall Song shall be leâ—t hereafter to sing a Black Sanctus e The Kings of the East having sacked the Cittie and put many of the Vncircumcised to the sword Cyrus being eger of warres abroad constituteth his Vnkle Darius King and as Monarch of Persâ—â— giving before his departure Commandement for building the Lordes house at Ierusalem This I saiah foresawe plainly vsing the Name of Cyrus Chap. 45. 1 and soreprophecied of long before Cyrus was borne The poore Iewes obtaining this sodaine delivery they stoode as it were questioning
willinglie suffer such as would In Iude his Epistle over and besides I obserue First that the wicked are but as menstruous cloths in our Feastes of Loue. 2. Lastly that the man Iesus our Saviour is God and he onely able to keepe vs from falling away as also to present vs faultlesse before the Father Nowe followeth a litle to be said of the Bookâ— of Revelation Blessed Iohn beloved of Iesus being banished into the I le Patmos and that by all probabilitie by Domitianus who succeeded Nero There on the Lords day Iohn was deeply ravished in the Spirite during which time blessed Iesus commendeth vnto him the state of his Church vntill the last First he enioyneth Iohn to write vnto the 7. Churches of Asia the lesse Secondly to set down in writing such visions and their adiuncts as might continue for the Faithfuls vse for ever And indeede this Booke so pictureth out the False Churches whether Idolatrous Christian or Mahumetane as I cannot maruell though Satan hath almost driven this Booke out of vse The olde Church Zion had her golden prophecies for future events and this was left to the Newe Testaments Church as a Loue-letter of Iesus whereby she should discerne Times Persons Thinges But marke this that the Iewe is never brought in within this book as an Adversary Their number is sealed Cap. 7. The same number of Them stands on Mount Zion with the Lamb Chap. 14. And the Gentiles are glad to repaire vnto them for being healed Chap. 21. and 22. This brieâ—â—ie for the present That which nowe followeth hath his groundes from the former Canonicall writings Alâ— falling out within the compasse of time contained in the book of Revelation or Apocalyps for the time of that Booke reacheth to the second comming of Iâ—sus 15. Staffe The Apostles haue for help a Evangelists And so the Churches by them planted be Th'Apostles dead there riseth b hellish mysts Which with the Light at no hand could agree Sun darks Starres fall The Moone doth change her hue Heaven rolles away as They before did shewe a Evangelists in English is Publishers of glad Tydings In the large sence any bringer of glad newes may be so called but in this speciall and peculiar sense these are properly Evangelistes that wer called by the Apostles to assist them in the planting of Churches Such were Marke Luke Timothie Titus b Inventions of men fetched out of their botâ—omlesse brayne first broched into their brayne by Satan of the lowest Hells these arose in the Churches and so darkned the Sun of Righteousnes Hereupon the Angels of the churches fel out of the heauenly places who before were as Starres in Christ his right hand The Churches who before tooke their word which was their Lantern light from the mouth of Iesus even as the Moone taketh her light from the Sunne they quicklie changed their hue whervpon the Heauenly Face of the Churches passed away even as the materiall heavens at last shall scroleâ—like vanish Paul charged his Churches to be watchfull of their waies and blessed Iohn he specially admonisheth the Churches of Asia-Minor But al of them neglecting their spiritual watch what are become of them what is become of the golden Romane People what is become of Coâ—â—nth of Galatin Philippi Colossus Thessalonia what are become of Iohns 7. Churches They vanished like a scrowle their visibilitie or face vnable to bee founde The 7. Churches of Asia togither with their fellowes had Mahumet quickly seated in their chair The 7. Churches Rev. 1. were seven golden Candlesticks and their Ministers 7. Starres in Iesus his right hand if these be Apostate as all knowe they be what warrant had Rome never to fall awaye These 7. were in Christs right hand and yet Apostate such a priviledged place in so open speach Rome never had or if she had bene an 8. starre in his hand vet lo the Sun lost his Light the Sonne hath turned his hand vpside dowâ—e Paul writing vnto Rome he saith To the Saintes at Rome not To the Church of Rome to other people he saith To the Church or Churches by which forme of speach it is to be thought that there was not at the writing of that Epistle any established Church at Rome Obiect Hee saith Chap. vlt. Salute the Church in their house Vers. 5. Ans. By the Church or Congregation faithfull of that house he cannot meane a Church established for then all the residue of the Saints saluted shuld seeme to be so many Churches as there were divers housholds or else that they stood apart from the Church but thereby he must necessarily meane the Faithfull Assemblie of that house Every Established Church is a companie of Faithfull convened but every company of Faithfull congregated is not an established Church They two are not Convertibles Neither is it any thing like that there should then in Rome be an established Church First considering that Great Citie Revel 17. 18. was heade for Idolatrie Secondly had bloody Nero King called by Paul the Lyons mouth 2. Tim. 4. 17. therein I doubt not alluding to the Lyons Monarch of Babel Dan. 7. 4. the mouth of the 4. mettelled Image wherof elsewhere I haue spoken Howe hatd it was long after for any to professe Christ in Rome much more to haue an established Church their owne Records declare Nay seeing All forsooke Paul what time he was first examined before the Emperour Nero 2. Timoth. 4. 16. I would demaund of such where was Peter then did he then apostate from Paul or was hee Non-resident Indeed the Romanists say he was then gone into some other Cuntrie notwithstanding his Apostolicall Sea was at Rome As such an answer is but absurde so neither if Peter had bene there and had an established Church could it well be deemed that both the common persons of that Church as also every their Ministers should forsake Paul Besides Peter should haue shewen himselfe no true Pastor by such Non-residencie as also haue beene guiltie of that Peoples fall Howe trulie then they haue taught that Peter first established the Faith of Christ in Rome as also should for 25. yeares be Romes Bishop let the wise hearted coniecture by the former Circumstances Much more let them consider what feeble footing they haue for Standing alwaies in visible obedience to the true Faith 16. Staffe a First order gone and Dores not being kept By b Baptisme heapes of prophane do rush With them at length a c Ministry in crept That with the Horne Gods ordinance did push So Anti-christ is stept vp to the Throne Who by his d Lawes would governe every one a The churches by little and little growing secure and idle in their spirituall watch they giue vp all their power vnto the Elders the Elders afterwards they leaue all to the Pastor The seâ—erall Churchâ—pastors in one Cittie they finally giue vp their keyes to so me one and hee was called Metrapolitane The Metrapolitanes finally gaue vp their power to some one