shal burne the fatte vpon the altar but the breast shal be Aarons and his sonnes †The right shoulder also of the pacifique hostes shal fal for first fruites of the priest †He of the sonnes of Aaron that offereth the bloud and the fatte him selfe shal haue the right shoulder also for his portion †For the brest of eleuation and the shoulder of seperation I haue taken of the children of Israel from their pacifique hostes and haue geuen them to Aaron the priest and to his sonnes by a lawe for euer of al the people of Israel †This is the anoynting of Aaron and his sonnes in the ceremonies of our Lord in the day when Moyses offered them that they might doe the function of priesthood †and the thinges that our Lord commanded to be geuen them of the children of Israel by a perpetual religion in their generations †This is the lawe of holocauste and of the sacrifice for sinne and for an offence and for consecration and the victimes of pacifiques †Which our Lord apointed to Moyses in mount Synai when he commanded the children of Israel that they should offer their oblations to our Lord in the desert of Synai CHAP. VIII Moyses consecrateth Aaron high Priest 13. and his sonnes Priests 33. continuing in the tabernacle seuen dayes and nights AND Our Lord spake to Moyses saying †Take Aaron with his sonnes their vestimentes and the oyle of vnction a calfe for sinne two Rammes a basket with azymes †and thou shalt gather al the assemblie to the dore of the tabernacle †And Moyses did as our Lord had commaunded And al the multitude being gathered before the dore of the tabernacle †he said This is the word that our Lord hath commanded to be done †And immediatly he “ offered Aaron his sonnes and when he had washed them †“ he reuested the high priest with the sttait linnen garment girding him with a bawdrike and reuesting him with the tunike of hyacinth and ouer it he put the Ephod †which he straitening with the girdle fitted it to the Rationale wherin was Doctrine and Veritie †with the mitre also he couered his head and vpon it against the forehead he put the plate of gold consecrated in sanctification as our Lord had commanded him †He “ tooke also the oyle of vnction wherwith he anoynted the tabernacle with al the furniture therof †And sanctifying them and hauing sprinckled the altar seuen times he anoynted it and al the vessel therof and the lauer with the foote therof he sanctified with the oyle †The which pouring vpon Aarons head he anoynted and consecrated him †his sonnes also after he had offered them he reuested with linnen tunikes and girded them with bawdrikes and put mitres on them as our Lord had commanded †He “ offered also the calfe for sinne and when Aaron and his sonnes had put their handes vpon the head therof †he did immolate it drawing the bloud and dipping his finger touched the hornes of the altar round about Which being expiated and sanctified he poured the rest of the bloud at the botome therof †But the fatte that was vpon the entralles and the caule of the liuer and the two little kidneys with their little tallow he burnt vpon the altar †the calfe with the skinne and the flesh and the dung he burnt without the campe as our Lord had commanded †He offered also a ramme for an holocaust vpon the head wherof when Aaron and his sonnes had put their handes †he did immolate it and poured the bloud therof in the circuite of the altar †And cutting the ramme it selfe into peeces the head therof and the ioyntes and the fatte he burnt with fire †hauing first washed the entralles and the feete and the whole ramme together he burnt vpon the altar because it was an holocaust of most swete odour to our Lord as he had commanded him †He offered also the second ramme for the consecration of priests and Aaron and his sonnes did putte their handes vpon the head therof †which when Moyses had immolated taking of the bloud therof he touched the tippe of Aarons right eare and the thumbe of his right hand in like maner also of his foote †He offered also the sonnes of Aaron and when of the bloud of the ramme being immolated he had touched the tippe of the right eare of euerie one and the thumbes of the right hand and foote the rest he poured on the altar round about †but the fatte and the rump and al the fatte that couereth the entralles and the caule of the liuer and the two kidneies with their fatte with the right shoulder he seperated †And taking out of the basket of azymes which was before our Lord a loafe without leauen and a manchet tempered with oile and a wafer he put them vpon the fatte and the right shoulder †deliuering al to Aaron and to his sonnes Who hauing lifted them vp before our Lord †he tooke them againe of their handes and burnt them vpon the altar of holocaust because it was the oblation of consecration for a swete odoure of the sacrifice to our Lord. †And he tooke of the ramme of consecration the brest for his portion eleuating it before our Lord as our Lord had commanded him †And taking the oyntment and the bloud that was vpon the altar he sprinckled it vpon Aaron and his vestiments vpon his sonnes and their vestiments †And when he had sanctified them in their vestiments he commanded them saying Boile the flesh before the dore of the tabernacle and there eate it Eate ye also the loaues of consecration that are laid in the basket as our Lord commanded me saying Aaron and his sonnes shal eate them †and whatsoeuer shal be left of the flesh and the loaues fire shal consume †Out of the dore also of the tabernacle you shal not goe forth seuen daies vntil the day wherein the time of your consecration shal be expired for in seuen dayes the consecration is finished †as at this present it hath bene done that the rite of the sacrifice might be accomplished †Day night shal you tarie in the tabernacle obseruing the watches of our Lord lest you die for so it hath bene commanded me †And Aaron and his sonnes dld al thinges which our Lord spake by the hand of Moyses ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VIII 6. Offered Aaron By this maner of taking offering and consecrating Aaron Hiegh Priest S. Paul sheweth that none may chalenge to them selues nor presume to exercise priestlie offices or anie authoritie in spiritual causes but such as be orderly called therto Yea that Christ him self would not haue exercised this function but that he was also called of God vnto it saying Euerie Hiegh Priest taken from among men is appointed for men in those thinges that pertaine to God Neither doth anie man
Leuiticum Mystically it signified that the fire of charitie being first kindled in mans hart by Gods grace must be continually nourished and kept burning from which al other good workes are deriued By slesh of penance is vnder stood fasting watchig hair-cloth teares prayers aâ—mes which whosoeuer duly toucheth shal be sanctified He sychâ—us Hierosol li. 2. in Leuit. c. 6. :: This text sheweth there is difference in the nature of a fault committed commonly called sinne of dutie omitted here called offence in latin peccatuÌ„ and delictum Yet both are alike offencife to God in matter of equal importance As appeareth for that the same sacrifice was offered for both S. Aâ—â— q. 20. in Leuit. :: Geuen or presented to our Lord not offered vpon the Altar for no leauen could be offered in sacrifice cap. 2. v. 15 The second part Of consecrating Priests and their vestmeÌ„ts with punishment of some that transgressed :: VVashing signified puritie required in Priests :: Precious vestiments their dignitie and holie oile their authoritie :: VVhen the high Priest at anie time put the Ephod to the Rationale God gaue answers to his demandes in matters of doctrine and veritie which king Dauid willed Abiathar to doe 1. Reg. 23. v. 9. Neuer could anie woman weue doctrin veritie but diuine vvisdom did make such garmeÌ„ts S. Cyril lib. 6. in Leuit. :: As wel by the function of coÌ„secrating Priests as of offering Sacrifice it appeareth that Moyses was a Priest Yea the chiefe and hieghest Priest saith S. Augustin for his more excellent ministerie and extraordinarie calling Aaron was hiegh priest for his Pontifical inuesture and ordinarie vocation which should continew in his successors q. 23. in Leuit. Particular calling and consecration necessarie to priestlie offices authoritie in spiritual causes Heb. 5. Psal 109. Ordering of Priestes was a Sacrament in the law of Moyses SeueÌ„ precious vestments for the high Priest signifiing 1. Puritie 2 Discretion 3. Good works of edification S. Hierom Epist ad Fabiol 4. Toleration of others infirmities 5. Knowledge and sinceritie 6. IntentioÌ„ directed to God 7. Contemplation of God his workes Other Priestes had also three ornamentes Aaron annointed high Priest His sonnes also consecrated Al three kindes of sacrifice offered at the consecration of Priests Num. â— Priestood and Law changed together The SacrameÌ„t of holie Orders prefigured and the new Law Heb. 7. :: The people before worshipped a calfe for God Exod 32. Now therfore they offer a calfe in sacrifice to God for their sinne and to kepe them from idolatrie S. Hieron in Hierem 7. :: God appeared in his worke by sending fire to burne the sacrifice without mans industrie v. 24. :: This did signifie that Christ in whoÌ„ al nations are blessed should be stretched on the Crosse where he redemed vs in memorie wher of we now make the signe of the Crosse :: The Priests were commaÌ„ded to nourish and kepe this fire petpetually that it should not be extinguished cha 6. v. 12. :: Such as receiued more at Gods hand are more seuerly punished if they transgresse S. Aug. q. 21. in Leuit. By this also al are warned to be content with the doctrine of the Holie Ghost to abhorre heresies the fautors wherof adde falsehood to Gods word preferre their owne wicked inuentions be fore the true sense of holie Scripture Theod. q 9. in Leuit. :: Abstinence from wine coÌ„manded to Priests when they serued in the tabernacle not at other times for they serued at certaine times by turnes Theod. q. 10 in Leuit. As for drunkennes it is forbid to al men and at al times :: Natural griâ—e of mind made Aaron both vnwilling to eate lesse apt to coâ—plete al the ceremonies so without sinne he omitted that pertained to his commoditie offering it to God The third part Of things cleane and vncleane with the maner of purifying other precepts moral iudicial :: Hitherto God reueled his Law to Moyses onlie and by him to the people Now also to Aaron after he was coÌ„secrated high Priest yet not alwayes for Moyses was stil superior chap. 12. 14. 16. 17. c. :: If in dede this vncleaÌ„nes were a sinne it should be clensed by contritioÌ„ and neither necessarily remaine til night nor theÌ„ be taken away without other meanes Gen. 7. 〈◊〉 8. Some things connted vncleane in the law of nature of Moyses Three causes of this obseruance 1. For instruction 2. For exercise of obedience 1. Tim. 4. Rom. 5. 2. Mach. 6. 7. 3. For signification The things holden for cleane signified vertues The vncleane signified vices Christians are not bound to the obseruances of the old law but to that which they signified The second third Lessons on Candlemas day :: The most pure virgin mother was not subiect to this law For she conceiued not by the seede of man yet obserued the custome of other wemen Luc. 2. as Christ also would be baptized by S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. to geue example of humilitie S. Cyril li. 8. in Leuit S Bernard Ser. 3. de Purific :: It pertained to the Priests to discerne of leprosie in figure of Priestes authoritie to bind and loose sinnes in the new Testament S. Chrysost li. 3. de Sacerdotio :: Leprosie making spottes in the skinne of an other colour signifieth heresie that mixeth falshood with truth â— Aug. li. 2. quest Euangel c. 4â— :: Sometimes that semeth leprosie or herelie which is not wherof the priest is to iudge Deut. 17. :: This gift sacrifice were commanded saith S. Augustin because the Sacrifice of Christs bodie was not yet ordained which now serueth for al other sacrifices lâ— 1. ca. 19. et 20. cont aduersar â—eg et prophet * of vvel or riuer not of a cesterne poole or marrâ—â—â— :: If natural infirmities brought vncleaÌ„nes much more lasciuiousnes of the mind Theod. q. 15. 20. in Leuit. :: To make offer and sacrifice an hosteâ—is al one :: S. Hierom. â—s cap. 5 ad 〈…〉 at vnderstandeth this place of the abominable sines that may not be named :: Only once in the yeare the high priest and no other entred into Sancl◠〈…〉 v. 34. signifying that heauen was not open to anie Sainct before Christs passion Heb. 9. v. 8. :: Praying that al their sinnes may be remitted :: Sinnes do so defile the soule that the very holiest of al places is accounnted as contaminate therby Theodo â— 22. in Leuit. 〈◊〉 sine :: God so remitteth sinnes to those that are truly peninitent as that which is caried into a wildernes and neuer returneth :: Besides particular sacrifices for euerie oues sinnes once in the yeare was instituted a general expiatioÌ„ of al. :: If anie killed for sacrifice he must offer it at the dore of the tabernacle that a priest might offer it on the Altar for no other man nor place was allowed without special dispensation of God And so Samuel offered sacrifice in an
punishing oftenders in that behalfe 3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 18. 23. they did the same without preiudice of the High Priestes supremâ—cie in spirituall causes and their godlie actes make nothing for the English Paradox of Laiheadshippe For superior authoritie and ordinarie povvre is not proued by factes good or euil but rather by Gods ordinance and institution For as the factes of vsurpers make no lawfull prescription so neither the factes of good men do change Gods general ordinance and law But are done either by waie of execution or sometimes by dispensation Often also by commission and special inspiration of God As king Dauid by dispensation did eate the holie bread which was ordained for Priests onlie 1. Reg 21. He disposed of Priestes and Leuites offices about the Arke of God Par. 15. 19. by way of execution according to the law And of the like offices in the Temple when it should be built 1. Par. 23. 24. 25. 26. by diuine inspiration And Salomon by commission from God deposed Abiathar the High Priest from his office and put Sadoc in his place 3. Reg. 2. VVherefore albeit good kinges did excellentlie well in calling together the Priestes and disposing them in their offices for execution of Gods seruice yea in commanding what they should do 4. Reg. 18. 19. 22. and in punishing Priestes 4. Reg. 23. yet they did such thinges as Gods Commissioners not as ordinarie Superiors in spiritual causes and still the ordinarie subordination made by the law Deut. 17. Num. 27. stood firme and inuiolable the High Priest supreme Iudge of all doubtes in faith causes and quarels in religion when other subordinate inferior Iudges varied in their iudgmentes Of which offices Malachias the Propher cap. 2. admonished Priestes in his time that whereas they were negligent not performing their dutie their sinne was the greater for that their authoritie stil remained and the perpetual Rule of the lavv that the lippes of the Priest shal kepe knowlege and they other men generally shal require the law of his mouth because he is the Angel of the Lord of hostes And al Princes others were to receiue the law at the priestes haÌ„d of the Leuitical Tribe This vvas the vvarrant of stabilitie in truth of the Synagogue in the old Testament Much more the Church and Spouse of Christ vvhose excellencie and singular priuileges Salomon describeth in his canticle of canticles hath such vvarrant Of this spouse al the Prophets write that more plaâ—nlie then of Christ himselfe forseing more aduersaries bending their forces against her as S. Augustine obserueth then against Christ her head And the same holie father in manie places teacheth that she neither perisheth nor loseth her beutie for the mixture of euil members in respect of whom she is blacke but fayre in respect of the good Cantiâ— 1. Notwithstanding therfore sinners remaining within the Church schismatikes and heretickes breaking from the Church stil she remaineth the pillar and firmament of truth the virgin daughter of Sion THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKES OF ESDRAS ESDRAS a holie Priest and Scribe of the stocke of Aaron by the line of Eleazar vvriteth the historie of Gods people in and presently after their captiuitie in Babilon vvhich Nehemias an other godlie Priest prosecuteth vvhose booke is also called the second of Esdras because in the Hebrevv and Greke they are but one booke relating the acts of them both The other two books called the third and fourth of Esdras touching the same matter are not in the Hebrew nor receiued into the Canon of holie Scripture though the Greke Church hold the third booke as Canonicall and plaâ—eth it first because it conteyneth thinges donne before the other In the two here folowing vvhich are vndoubtedly holie Scripture S. Ierom sayth that Esdras and Nehemias to witte the Helper and Comforter from God restored the Temple and built the walles of the citie adding that al the troope of the people returning into their countrie also the description of Priestes Leuites Israelites Proselites and the workes of walles and to wres diuided by seueral families aliud in cortice praeferunt aliud in medulla retinent shew one thing in the barke kepe an other thing in the marrow signifying that this historie hath both a literal and a mystical sense According to the letter this first booke shevveth the reduction of Gods people from Babylon In the first six chapters In the other soure their instruction by Esdras after their returne THE FIRST BOOKE OF ESDRAS CHAP. I. Cyrus king of Persia moued by divine inspiration releaseth Gods people from captiuitie with license to returne and build the Temple in Ierusalem 7. restoring the holie vessel which Nabuchodonesor had taken from thence IN THE first yeare of Cyrus king of the Persians that the word of our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie might be accomplishd our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus king of Persians and he made proclamation in al his kingdom yea by wryting saying †Thus sayth Cyrus king of the Persians Al the kingdomes of the earth hath the Lord the God of heauen geuen me he hath commanded me that I should build him a house in Ierusalem which is in Iewrie †Who is there among you of al his people His God be with him Let him goe vp into Ierusalem which is in Iewrie and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel he is the God that is in Ierusalem †And let al the rest in al places whersoeuer they dwel let euery man of his place helpe him with siluer and gold and substance and cattel besides that which they offer voluntarily to the temple of God which is in Ierusalem †And there rose vp the princes of the fathers of Iuda and Beniamin the Priestes and Leuites and euerie one whose spirit God raysed vp to goe vp to build the temple of our Lord which was in Ierusalem †And al that were round about did helpe their handes in vessels of siluer and of gold in substance and beastes in furniture besides those thinges which they had offered voluntarily †King Cyrus also brought forth the vessels of the temple of our Lord which Nabuchodonosor had taken of Ierusalem and had put them in the temple of his God †But Cyrus the king of Persians brought them forth by the hand of Mithridates the sonne of Gazabar numbred them to Sassabasar the prince of Iuda †And this is the number of them Phials of gold thirtie phials of siluer a thousand kniues twentie nine goblettes of gold thirtie †goblettes of siluer of the second order foure hundred tenne other vessels a thousand †Al the vessels of gold and siluer fiue thousand foure hundred Sassabasar tooke al with them that went vp from the transmigration of Babylon into Ierusalem CHAP. II. The names and number of special men which returned vnder the conduct of Zorobabel into lerusalem 66.
promised land S. Hierom. de Mans 42. to 3. :: They were retained in the ayre til the earth broken vnder them was closed againe :: Amram maried his aunt which sheweth that the second degree in consanguinitie is not forbid by the law of nature though it was after prohibited by a positiue law Leuit 18. :: For the general murmuring wherof al the people were guiltie cha 14. â— 29. :: Temporal Princes are also pastors or shepheards of the people but this made not Iosue supreme in spiritual causes For it is clere in the next lines that he had but part of Moyses his glorie or office and that was to be temporal prince Eleazar being chief in causes spiritual before vvhom and the multitude he was ordained Duke but Eleazar consulted God for him and directed his principal actions called here his going out and going in :: Varietie of Sacrifices for diuers times :: Euerie day twise 1. 2. :: On the Sabbath day 3. :: The Neomenia or new moone :: Pasch or Phase 4. 5. :: Pentecost 6. :: Feast of Trumpets 7. :: Feast of Expiation :: For remissioÌ„ of sinnes the penitents did cooperate by penal workes of fasting and abstinence from euen vntil euen Leuit. 23. 〈◊〉 â—2 S. Aug. q. 57. in Num. Theod. q. 32. in Leuit. :: Feast of Tabernacles 8. 9. :: Feast of Assemblie and Collection :: He that voweth abstinence from a thing lawful maketh it vnlawful to him selfe by his vow S. Aug. q. 56. in Num. :: In this case God wil not impute it to her for a siÌ„ne S. Aug. q. 58. :: By afflicting of the souleâ— here vnderstood restraining sensual delectation S. Aug. q. 57. in Num. :: The husbaÌ„d reuoking his consent once geuen by word or by silence to his wiues vow sinned but the wife was bound to obey him and so was excused Vowes of things not commanded S. Aug q. 57. in Num. :: VVith whoÌ„ he sinned with them he was also iustly punished :: These wemen bringing imagies of Beelphogot caused the Israelites to offer sacrifice to him before they should committe fornication with them :: In more detestation of the parents sinne God coÌ„manded to kil these children so they were preuented from committing the like crimes But ordinarily wemen children ought not to be slaine after the victorie Deut. 20. v. 14. :: A right figure of those that would possesse heauen without labour or danger But none shal be crovvned vnles he striue lavvfully 2. Tim. 2. :: These remonings and camping places signifie by what degrees christians leauing sinnes and folowing Christ our guide may come to perfect pietie S. Hierom. de mans 42. ad Fahiol :: Danger to those that destroy not infidelitie and al enormious sinnes which dwelt in their soules before their conuersion Two handes which worke saluation :: Otherwise called the dead sea where Sodom and Gomort had stood :: A mountaine so called of the multitude of scorpions which were in it :: Mediterraneal sea called great in respect of the lakes in the holie Land :: Mount of Libanus :: Yet not before sentencâ— of death â— 12. 24. S. Aug. q. 65. in Num. :: Mystically this signified that the way to true life was not open before Christs death Theodor. q. 51. in Num. S. Grig ho. 6. in Ezechielem :: Al were not bound by this law to marie but al that would marrie must contract within their owne tribe Restrant in Mariages also for a temporal cause â—â—◠◠◠〈◊〉 Tradition Christ a King and a Priest This booke is a repetition explication and suplement of the Law S. Aug. q. 49. in Deuteroâ— It presigured the Gospel et princ Leutero Mans vlt. Conteineth fiue partes Chap. 1. 4. 12. 27. 31. 34. The first part A repetition of Gods benefites the peoples ingratitude and punishment :: God so helpeth his seruantes that they also must cooperate S. Aug. q. 1. in Deut. :: Difference of sinnes :: God is also angrie with his good seruantes and punisheth theÌ„ temporally for smal sinnes S. Aug. q. 1. in Iosue :: These were men of very great stature but not equal to the giantes before the sâ—ould :: By this we are instructed to fight agaâ—st inâ—ideles but not without special cause against christians signified by the childreÌ„ of Lot and Esau :: The I dumeans once denied them passage Num. 20. v. 20. but afterwards granted therto :: God permitted him for his former sinnes to indurate him selfe See Exod. 7. v. 3. :: Longer sorte of cubites are a foote and 9 inches so this bed was 15. foote and nine inches long and 7. foote brode Vitruuius Agricola :: Esdras adding these wordes and often times the like did not against the law because such additions are agreable and not contrarie to that which was written before :: See Num. 〈◊〉 â— 12. The second part A repetition explication of the law :: To kepe Gods coÌ„mandments is counted by al nations the most excellent wisdome :: Here and in other places it is manifest that the commandments called the Decalogue are iust tenne :: Venial and least sinnes passe not with out temporal punishment :: This was also a Mysterie that the old law signified by Moyses could not bring to heauen the true land of promise but the law of Christ signified by Iosue Theodoret q. 43. in Deut. :: Conuersion of the Iewes in the end of the world As other Scriptures are included in the law so also TraditioÌ„s are conteined in the Scriptures Brentius KeÌ„nisius Caluin The Church commended by Scriptures approueth Traditions :: It is not ynough to beleue only or to know the commandments but necessarie also to fulfil them in â—vorâ—e :: The title of mediator lawfully ascribed to Gods lieuâ—enant in â—â—rth :: Coueting as other mans wife and coueting his goodes differ as much as the exterior actes of adultry and of theft And so these two commandments are as distinct as the former two Images of Idols forbid but not of other things :: Some adoration agreeth to creatures but seruice of Latria to God onlie S. Aug. q 61. in Gen. Not withstanding this commination God ofrentimes differreth punishment expecting the sinners repentance :: Gods promises coÌ„ditional if his people serue him :: God is able to make foode of what he plesse or to sustaine men without â—â—cate :: A serpent lesse then a scorpion making those whom he byteth to die of thirst Solâ—â—us in polyhist cap. de Africa :: Holie Scripture vseth the figure Hyperbola folowing the vulgar maner of speakiÌ„g as wel to helpe the vnderstanding as to moue affectioÌ„ in great and extraordinarie things :: The similitude of a calfe and called it their god Exed 32. :: This Mosera where Aaron died is more commonly called Hor. Num. 20. 33. :: VVhen iust cause requireth an oath it must be made in the name of God not of false goddes :: Raine after seeding and before haruest signifieth Gods grace first stirring
eaten therof Moreouer the Hebrew word Hotsi brought forth is a word pertayning to Sacrifice as in the 6. chap of Iudges v. 18. and 19 and importeth that the bread and wine were first offered in Sacrifice and then doubtles they did participat though they wanted not other fufficient corporal foode Againe the wordes folowing For he vvas the Priest of God most hiegh can haue no other sense but that he did the function of a Priest in the bread wine which he brought otherwise if the only cause of bringing that prouision had benne to releue the campe with victuals the reason would rather haue benne yelded because he was a bountiful King a liberal Prince a special freind to Abraham as in deede he was but none of these reasons or the like fitted this purpose so wel nor touched the cause of bringing forth bread and wine as to signifie that he was a Priest whose office is to offer Sacrifice Here againe some Protestants take exception against the Latin text that the causual coniunction Enim for is not agreable to the Hebrew but should be the copulatiue Et and which is a meere wrangling For the lerned know wel ynough that the Hebtew particle is better expressed in such places by Enim or quia for or because then by And so the English Bible printed in the yeare of our Lord. 1552. readeth Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine for he vvas the Priest of the most hieghest God The latter Editions also in like places haue not the copulatiue And but some other word as the sense requireth Gen. 20. v. 3. Thou art but a dead man for the vvomans sake vvhich thou hast taken for she is a mans vvife where the Hebrew phrase is And she is maried to a husband Gen. 30. v. 27. they read thus For I haue proued that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake where precisly construing the Hebrew they should say I diuined or coniectured and the Lord blessed me for thy sake Likewise Esaie 64. v. 5. they read But Loe thou hast bene angrie for vve offended the Hebrew is thus Loe thou art angrie and vve haue sinned In the same place they translate Yet shal vve be saued vvhich the Hebrew expresseth by the copulatiue And we shal be saued So when they thinke it conuenient they translate the Hebrew particle For that yet which strictly signifieth And. Now let vs also see the original in this place In the Hebrew it is thus VMALCHI TSEDEC MELEC CHALEM HOTSI LECHEM VAIAIIN VEHV COHEN LEEL ELION VAIE VARECHEHV c. In English word for word thus And Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine And he the priest to God most hiegh And he blessed him c. where albeit the causual word For is not expressed yet these wordes And he the priest further declaring that besides the office and dignitie of a King which was said before Melchisedec was also a Priest must nedes signifie that he did something about the bread and wine belonging to a Priests office And what that something was perhaps the Vniuersitie of Cambridge wil testifie whose late professor of Diuinitie teacheth plainly that Melchisedech offered Sacrifice and was therin a figure of Christ Pag. 6. Reprehen Sacerdotes saith he ij vere proprie sunt qui sacrificia faciunt qualis fuit Aaron Aaronis silij Melchisedechus quem illi adumbrabant Christus Priestes truly and properly are they that offer sacrifices such as vvas Aaron and the sonnes of Aaron and Melchisedech and Christ vvhom they prefigured If then both Aaron Melchisedech were truly and properly Priests because they offered sacrifices according to this Professors definition and both were figures of Christ it must needes be granted that as Christ fulfilled the figure of Aarons bloudie sacrifices in offering him selfe vpon the Crosse so he also fulfilled the figure as wel of vnbloudie sacrifices of Aaron as especially of Melchisedechs Sacrifice in some other besides that on the Crosse seeing the prophet Dauid and S. Paul say Christ is a Priest not according to Aarons order for that was to haue an end but For euer according to the order of Melchisedech And what other Sacrifice did our Sauiour offer to remaine perpetual but of his owne bodie bloud in vnbloudie maner vnder the formes of bread and wine with commandment to his Apostles and Priests to do the same til the end of the world Let the indifferent reader weigh it wel And whosoeuer is not very proud wil for his better instruction or confirmation esteme the vniforme iudgement of manie ancient godlie and lerned Fathers writing vpon this place VVe wil only recite their wordes without other deduction for breuitie sake S. Clemens Alexandrinus li 4. Strom. versus finem writeth thus Melchisedech king of Salem Priest of God most hiegh gaue wine bread santified nutriment in type of the Eucharist S. Cyprian Epist 63. ad Caecilium Christ is Priest for euer according to the order of Melchisedech which order is this coming from that Sacrifice and thence descending that Melchisedech was Priest of God most hiegh that he offered bread wine that he blessed Abraham For who is more a Priest of God most hiegh then our Lord Iesus Christ who offered Sacrifice to God the Father and offered the same which Melchisedech had offered bread and wine to wit his owne bodie and bloud And a litle after That therfore in Genesis the blessing might be rightly celebrated about Abraham by Melchisedec the Priest the image of Christs Sacrifice coâ—sisting in bread and wine went before which thing our Lord perfecting and performing offered bread and chalice mixt with wine and he that is the plenitude fulfilled the veritie of the prefiguted image Eusebius Cesariensis li 5. Demonst Euang. c. 3. Euen as he who was Priest of Nations was neuer sene to offer corporal sacrifices but only bread wine when he blessed Abraham so first our Lord Sauiour him selfe then priests that come from him exercising the spiritual office of Priesthood in al nations after the Ecclesiastical ordinances do represent the mysteries of his bodie and healthful bloud in bread wine which mysteries Melchisedech knew so long before by diuine spirite and vsed as representations of things to come S. Ambrose li. 5 de Sacramen c. 1. VVe know the figure of the Sacraments went before in Abrahams times when Melchisedech offered Sacrifice Idem in cap. 5 Heb. It is clere that oblations of cattle are vanished which were in Aarons order but Melchisedechs institution remayneth which is celebrated al the world ouer in administration of the Sacraments S Hierom. Epist ad Marcellamo vt migret Bethleem Haue recourse to Genesis and you shal find Melchisedech king of Salem prince of this citie who euen then in figure of Christ offered bread and wine and dedicated the Christian mysterie in our Sauiours bodie and bloud Idem Epist
true faith and religion Especially Christian Princes of whom Esai propheciced chap. 49. that Kinges should be softer fathers and Queenes the nources of the Church Conformably wherto S Augustin teacheth li. 3 c. 51. cont Crescon that Kinges in that they are Kinges serue God by commanding good thinges and forbidding euel not only perteining to humaine societie but also belonging to Gods religion To this effect Constantin the great did manie religious actes yea euen those thinges which our aduersaries wrest to their owne sense shew euidently his due submission to his spiritual pastors As when vrged by the Donatistes peruerse importunitie and being desirous as S. Augustin testifieth Epist 166. to bridle so great impudencie he heard and iudged Bishop Cecilians cause after other Bishops sentence for him against the heretikes where he both gaue iudgement agreable to the Bishops and yet pleading parden excused himself for this fact VVhich had not neded if he had bene the ordinarie or competent iudge Optatus also writeth li. 1. cont Parmen that the same Emperour Constantin exclamed against the appellantes in these wordes O raâ—ida furoris audacia sicut in causis Gentilium sâ—â—ri solet appellationem interposuerunt O outragious boldnes of furie like as in causes of Gentiles is wont they haue interposed an appeal The like good offices did Iustinian and Charles the great and manie other Christian Emperours and Kinges for which they are much renowmed in the whole Church and some haue benne honoured for their religious zele with glorious titles geuen to them and their successors To the Kinges of Spaine from the time of Alâ—onsus King of Castil aboue eight hundred yeares agone for expelling the Arians was geuen the title of Cathoque as Michael Ritins a Neapolitâ—n writeth To the French Kinges the title of most Christian from the time of Philip the Emperour about 400. yeares since for expelling the Albigenses as recordeth Nicholaus Gillius To our King Henrie the eight of England for his booke of the Sacramentes against Luther Pope Leo the tenth gaue the title Defender of the saith CHAP. IIII. In memorie of their miraculous passage twelue chief men of the twelue tribes â—uke so manie great stones from the middes of Iordan 9. and put other twelue where the priestes stood with the arke 18. The waters returne to their former course And the twelue stones are erected for a monument VVHo being passed ouer our Lord said to Iosue †Choose twelue men one in euerie tribe †and command them that they take vp out of the middes of the chanel of IordaÌ„ where the feete of the priestes stoode twelue most hard stones which you shal put in the place of the campe where you shal pitch tentes this night †And Iosue called twelue men whom he had chosen out of the children of Israel one of euerie tribe †and he said to them Goe before the arke of our Lord your God to the middes of Iordan and carrie from thence euerie man a stone on your shoulders according to the number of the children of Israel †that it may be a signe among you and when your children shal aske you to morrow saying What meane these stones †You shal answer them The waters of Iordan decayed before the arke of the couenant of our Lord when it passed ouer the same therfore were these stones sette for a monument of the children of Israel for euer †The children of Israel therfore did as Iosue commanded them carying out of the chanel of Iordan twelue stones as our Lord had commanded him according to the number of the children of Israel vnto the place wherein they camped and there they sette them †Other twelue stones also Iosue put in the middes of the chanel of Iordan where the priestes stoode that caried the arke of the couenant and they be there vntil this present day †But the priestes that caried the arke stoode in the middes of Iordan til al thinges were accomplished which our Lord had commanded Iosue to speake to the people and Moyses had said to him And the people made hast and passed ouer †And when they had al passed ouer the arke also of our Lord passed ouer the priestes also went before the people †The children of Ruben also and Gad and the half tribe of Manasses went armed before the children of Israel as Moyses had commanded them †and fourtie thousand fighting men by troupes and bandes marched through the plaine and champion countrie of the citie of Iericho †In that day our Lord magnified Iosue before al Israel that they should feare him as they had feared Moyses whiles he yet liued †And he said to him †Command the priestes that carie the arke of the couenant that they comme vp out of Iordan †Who commanded them saying Come ye vp out of Iordan †And when they that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord were come vp and began to treade on the drie ground the waters returned into their chanel and ranne as they were wont before †And the people came vp out of Iordan the tenth day of the first moneth and camped in Galgal against the East side of the citie of Iericho †the twelue stones also which they had taken out of the chanel of Iordan Iosue sette in Galgal †and said to the children of Israel When your children shal aske their fathers to morrow and shal say to them What meane these stones †You shal teach them and say By the drie chanel did Israel passe ouer this Iordan †your Lord God drying the waters therof in your sight vntil you passed ouer †as he had done before in the readsea which he dried til we passed throuh †that al the people of the earth may learne the most strong hand of our Lord that you also may feare our Lord your God CHAP. V. The kinges of Chanaan are sore frighted with the newes of Israels passage ouer Iordan 2. Circumcision is againe commanded and obserued which had bene ommitted in the desert fourtie yeares 10 They make their Pasch 12. Manna ceaseth 13. And an Angel appeareth to Iosue THERFORE after that al the kinges of the Ammorrheites which dwelt beyond Iordan at the west side and al the kinges of Chanaan which possessed the places nigh to the great sea had heard that our Lord had dried the streames of Iordan before the children of Israel til they passed ouer their hart failed and there remained no spirit in them fearing the entring of the children of Israel †At that time our Lord said to Iosue Make thee kniues of stone and circumcise the second time the children of Israel †He did that which our Lord had commanded and he circumcised the children of Israel in the hil of the prepuces †And this is the cause of the second circumcision Al the people that came out of Aegypt of the malekinde al the fighting men died in the desert by
15. Oza 2â— Reg. 6. sodenly slaine for touching the Arke of God the Lavv forbidding vnder paine of death Num. 1. v. 51. 18. v. 7. that none should approch to holie office being not therto orderly called Of workes also of Supererogation called counsailes not preceptes vve haue examples in vovves voluntarily made of thinges not commanded the law prescribing vvhat vovves might be made by vvhom Nu. 30. And Num. 6. a particular rule was proposed to such as of their ovvne accord vvould embrace it a distinct name geuen them to be called Nazarites that is Seperate or Sanctified In which state they vvere to remaine either for a time limited by themselues or their parents or perpetually if they so promised Iudic. 13. 1. Reg. 1. For sâ— farre as their promise extended they were strictly obliged to performe Deut. 23. When thou hast vowed a vow to our Lord thy God thou shalt not slacke to pay it because our Lord thy God wil require it and if thou delay it shal be reputed to thee for sinne If thou wilt not promise thou shalt be without this sinne Pay thy vowes vnto the Highest Psal 75. Vow ye and render your vowes to our Lord your God Psal 49. The Rechabites aftervvardes had a like rule to the Nazariteâ— the same perpetual Hierem. 3â— neuer to drinke wine nor to build nor dwel in houses but in tabernacles nor sow corne nor plant vineyardes VVhich rule though instituted by a man yet the obseruation therof vvas much commended rewarded by God v. 19. Such distinct state of religious persons with other states of the church of Christ were also prefigured Leuit. 11. by the cleane fishes of three distinct vvaters as some holie Fathers do mystically expound that place To vvitte the cleane fishes of the sea are the multitude of lay persons which are dravven out of the sea of this vvorld and happely found good fishes in our Lords nette Math. 13. The cleane fishes of the riuers are the good and fruitful Clergie men that vvatter the vvhole earth by teaching Christian doctrin and ministring holie Sacramentes vvith other Rites and Gouerning the whole Church And the cleane fishes of standing pooles are the Monastical persons liuing perpetually in Cloysters vvhere good soules are alwayes readie for our Lordes table as S. Bernard teacheth Much more the more ancient fathers S. Beda S. Gregorie S. Augustin and others explicate innumerable places of holie Scripture mystically relying therin vpon example of the new Testament so expounding the old Namely S. Paul teaching as before is noted that the whole law was a pedagogue guiding men to Christ and affirming that al thinges happened to the people of the old Testament in figure of the new Leauing therfore to prosecute the same further which would require a verie great worke it may here suffice to geue according to the literal sense a briefe view of certaine other pointes of Religion practised in this fourth age VVhere it is clere that as Iacob the Patriarch had fortold Gen. 48. that Abrahams Isaacs and his owne name should be inuocated so Moyses prayed God for his promise made to them and for their sake to pardon the people saying Exod. 32. Remember ô Lord Abraham Isaac Israel And our Lord was pacified from doing the euil which he had spoken against his people His diuine prouidence so disposing that he could be hindered by such prayers from that which hâ—threatned And whereas Moyses did not directly inuocate the holie Patriarches as Christians now cal vpon glorified Sainctes to pray for them the cause of difference is for that now Sainctes seing God know in him whatsoeuer perteyneth to their glorie which state none bâ—fore Christ attainâ—d vnto Num 35. v. 25. Deut. 4. v. 12. Againe Protestantes obiect that for so much as God knoweth al our necessities desires dispositions and whatsoeuer is in man it is needles say they superfluous in vaine that Sainctes should commend our causes To this we answer that not only glorious Sainctes but also mortal men by Gods ordinaÌ„ce by which nothing is done vainely do such offices as mediators betwen God and other men for so Moyses told the wordes of the people to our Lord Exod. 19. notwithstanding Gods omniscience or knowledge of al thinges Also God expresly commanded Iobs freinds to goe to Iob promising to heare his prayer for thâ—m As for Sainctes hearing or knowing our prayers made to them though onlie God of himselfe and by his owne power seeth mens secrete cogitations and therfore is properly called the searcher of hartes 1. Reg. 16. yet God communicateth this powâ—r to prophetes to see the secrete thoughtes of others so Samuel knew the cogitations of Saul 1. Reg. 9. v. 20. And Abias saw by reuelation the coming of Ierobomas wife to him in Silo 3. Reg. 14. Much more God reuealeth our present state and acts to glorified soules vvho are as Angels in heauen Math. 22. and being secure of their owne glorie are careful sayeth S. Cyprian of our Saluation Neither is it derogation to God that Saints are honoured and titles ascribed to them of intercessors mediators and the like for such titles are geuen to them not as to God but by vvay of participation only So Iudges are called goddes and sauiours Exod. 21. Iudic 3. and Priestes called goddes Exod. 21. Praise geuen to God and Gedeon Iudic. 7. Protection and adoration of Angels is very frequent Exod. 23. 31. Num. 22. Iosue 5. Iudic. 2. 6. 13. The names of the twelue sonnes of Israel were grauen in the two chiefe ornaments of the high priest in the Ephod and Rationale Exod. 28. Manna was not only reserued as a memorie of Gods singular benefite but also honorably reposed as a Relique in a golden vessel and kept in the Arke of God Exod. 16. Heb. 9. Iosephs bones reserued and remoued Iosue 24. Images of holie Cherubims were made and sette vp together with the Arke and Propitiatorie in the chiefe place of the Tabernacle called Sancta Sanctorum Exod. 25. An image also of a serpent was made in brasse for the health of those that were striken by serpentes Num. 21. Images also of lions and oxen were made and sette vnder the foote of the lauer called a sea in the Temple 3. Reg. 7. The honour done to anie holie thing namely to the Arke 2. Reg. 6. redounded to Gods more honour and al this so farre from idolatrie that quite contrarie in presence of the Arke the idol Dagon fel to the ground and broke in peeces 1. Reg. 5. Exequies for the dead with weeping and fasting were then practised in the Church as appeareth by the peoples mourning for Aaron thirtie dayes Num. 20. Also for Moyses Deut. 34. By the Gabaonites fasting seuen dayes for Saul and his sonnes lately slaine 1. Reg. 31. Likewise king Dauid with al his court mourning weping
therfore tooke away al abominations of al the countries of the children of Israel and made al that were left in Israel to serue our Lord their God Al his daies they reuolted not from our Lord the God of their fathers CHAP. XXXV Iosias celebrateth a most Solemne Pasch 20. Is slaine by the king of Aegypt al Iudalamenting him 25. most specially Ieremias AND Iosias made in Ierusalem a Phase to our Lord which was immolated the fourtenth day of the first moneth †And he appoynted the Priestes in their offices and exhorted them that they would minister in the house of our Lord. †To the Leuites also at whose instruction al Israel was sanctified to our Lord he spake Put the Arke in the Sanctuarie of the temple which Salomon built the sonne of Dauid the king of Israel for you shal carie it no more but now minister to our Lord your God and to his people Israel †And prepare your selues by your houses and kinredes in the diuisions of euerie one as Dauid the king of Israel commanded and Salomon his sonne described †And minister ye in the Sanctuarie by families and Leuitical companies †and being sanctified immolate the Phase prepare also your brethren that they may doe according to the wordes which our Lord spake in the hand of Moyses †Moreouer Iosias gaue to al the people that was found there in the solemnitie of the Phase lambes and kiddes of the flockes and of the rest of the cattel thirtie thousand of oxen also three thousand al these thinges of the kinges substance †His dukes also voluntarily offered that which they vowed as wel to the people as to the Priestes and the Leuites Moreouer Helcias and Zacharias and Iahiel princes of the house of our Lord gaue to the Priestes to make the Phase cattel one with an other two thousand six hundred and oxen three hundred †And Chonenias and Semeias also Nathanael his brethren moreouer Hasabias and Iehiel and Iozabad princes of the Leuites gaue to the rest of the Leuites to celebrate the Phase fiue thousand sheepe and oxen fiue hundred †And the ministerie was prepared and the Priestes stood in their office the Leuites also in companies according to the kinges commandement †And the Phase was immolated and Priestes sprinkled the blood with their hand and the Leuites drew of the skinnes of the holocaustes †and they seperated them to geue them by the houses and families of euerie one and to be offered to our Lord as it is writen in the Booke of Moyses of oxen also they did in like maner †And they rosted the Phase vpon fyre according to that which is writen in the law but the pacifique hostes they bâ—vled in caudrons and kettles and pottes and in hast they distributed it to al the people †And for themselues and for the Priestes they prepared afterward for in oblation of holocaustes and of fatte the Priestes were occupied vntil night wherfore the Leuites prepared for themselues and for the Priestes the children of Aaron last †Moreouer the singing men the children of Asaph stood in their order according to the precept of Dauid and Asaph and Heman and Idithun the prophetes of the king and the porters watched at euerie gate so that they departed not a moment from the ministerie for the which cause also their brethren the Leuites prepared meates for them †Therfore al the seruice of our Lord was ritely accomplished that day so that they made the Phase and offered holocaustes vpon the altar of our Lord according to the precept of king Iosias †And the children of Israel that were found there made the Phase at that time and the solemnitie of Azymes seuen daies †There was not a Phase like to this in Israel from the daies of Samuel the prophete neither did anie of al the kinges of Israel make a Phase as Iosias to the Priestes and the Leuites and to al Iuda and Israel that was found and to the inhabitantes of Ierusalem †In the eightenth yeare of the kingdom of Iosias was this Phase celebrated †After that Iosias had repayred the temple came vp Nechao the king of Aegypt to fight in Charcamis beside Euphrates and Iosias went forth to meete him †But he sending messengers vnto him sayd What haue I to doe with thee king of Iuda I come not agaynst thee this day but I fight agaynst an other house to the which God hath commanded me to goe in hast leaue to doe agaynst God who is with me lest he kil thee †Iosias would not returne but prepared battel agaynst him neither did he agree to the wordes of Nechao from the mouth of God but went forward to fight in the fielde of Mageddo †And there being wounded of the Archers he sayd to his seruantes Carie me out of the battel because I am sore wounded †Who remoued him from one chariote into an other chariote that folowed him after the maner of kinges and they caried him away into Ierusalem he died and was buried in the monument of his fathers and al Iuda and Ierusalem mourned for him †Ieremie most of al whose lamentations al the singing men and singing wemen repeate vntil this present day vpon Iosias and it is growen as it were a law in Israel Behold it is sayd to be writen in the lamentations †But the rest of the wordes des of Iosias of his mercies which are commanded by the law of our Lord †his workes also the first and the last are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel CHAP. XXXVI Ioachaz reigneth three monethes 4. His brother Eliakim named loakim eleuen yeares 9. his sonne Ioachin three monethes 11. his vncle Sedecias eleuen yeares 14. Most Priestes and people contemning the admonitions of Prophetes 17. manie are slaine by the Chaldees the Temple and Ierusalem spo led and burnt 20. The sayd kinges successiuely and people are caryed captiue into Babylon 22. After seuentie yeares Cyrus king of Persia releaseth the captiuitie and geueth leaue to reedifie the Temple THE people therfore of the land tooke Ioachaz the sonne of Iosias and made him king for his father in Ierusalem †Taree and twentie yeares old was Ioachaz when he began to reigne and he reigned three monethes in Ierusalem †And the king of Aegypt when he came into Ierusalem deposed him and condemned the land in an hundred talentes of siluer and a talent of gold †And he made Eliakim his brother king for him ouer Iuda and Ierusalem and he turned his name Ioakim but he tooke Ioachaz himself with him and caried him away into Aegypt †Fiue and twentie yeares old was Ioakim when he began to reigne and he reigned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem and he did euil before our Lord his God †Agaynst him came vp Nabuchodonosor the king of the Chaldees and brought him bound in chaynes into Babylon †Whither he transported also the vessels of
after this it happened that Manasses an Apostata highpriest by intercession of Sanaballar whose daughter he had vnlawfully maried obtayned licence to build a temple in Garizim which the Samaritanes afterwards pretended to be more ancient then the temple of Ierusalem against which our Sauiour gaue sentence loan 4. v. 22. It was also decided by king Ptolomeus in Alexandria as Iosephus witnesseth li. 13 c. 6. by way of arbitrament finding that the temple of Ierusalem and the Highpriestes therof had a perpetual succession from Salomons time and that their pretence of Iacobs adoring in Garizim was not to the purpose seing there was no succession that temple being lately built Neuertheles the same Ptolomeus to gratifie Onias an other Apostata sonne of good Onias Highpriest and Martyr 2. Macab 4. v. 34. gaue leaue to build an other temple in Aegypt which stood likewise in schisme against the true temple of Ierusalem wresting to their purpose the prophecie of Isaie ch 19. v. 19. In that day there shal be an altar of our Lord in the middes of Aegypt Which S. Ierom sheweth to be vnderstood of the Church of Christ. Before this last schismatical temple and after the former were the Seuentie two Interpreters or Translators of the Hebrew Bible into Greke of whom S. Ierom and al ancient Fathers speake much esteme of very great Canonical auctoritie In the time of the Grecians Monarchie prophane lerning florished more then before and Philosophers abunded but differed excedingly amongst themselues and al erred in the principles both of Natural Moral knowledge For wheras in dede God omnipotent was the only maker of the whole world and al thinges therein al these Philosophers supposed and taught that some material thing was coeternal with God and so they put the same thing to haue bene the beginning of al other thinges Which some say was the water some the Ayre some the Earth some the Fyre some al these foure Elements some the Atomos or indiuisible smal bodies some one thing some an other Wherof S. Epiphanius writeth in compendio contra hâ—reses And the like absurde conceiptes they had of the chiefe Good or Summum bonum Which the Pithagorians thought to be nothing els but a certayne immortalitie of the soule and so as it may stil be in a bodie And therfore seing both men and beastes do dye they held opinion that when a soule parteth out of one bodie it goeth into an other Yea and maketh transmigration from one species or kind to an other As from a mans bodie into the bodie of a horse or an oxe and contrariwise from a brute beast into a man againe and from one beast into an other The Stoikes put the chiefe good in vertues but could reach no further then to a certayne contentment of ioy in their minde not knowing the reward of vertues to consist in seeing God Platonikes or Achademikes conceiued more of God and pure spirites but thought both corporal and spiritual creatures were coeternal with God The Peripatetikes placed the chiefe good or felicitie in the aggregation of best spiritual corporal and worldlie thinges together The Epicures esteemed carnal and bodilie pleasures aboue al. And al these and their folowers iudged so diuersly of the right true felicitie contradicting and condemning ech others opinions that they were multiplied into innumerable Sectes As S. Augustin declareth out of Marcus Varro and opposeth against them al the one assured fayth and iudgement of Gods Church in his 19. booke de ciuit Dei c. 4. And concludeth with the Royal Prophet and S. Paul that their cogitations are vaine which wil haue happines to be in anie other thing but in seing God or to be obtained by anie other meanes without Gods grace And not only before since but also in the same times the auctors of The Bookes of wisdom Ecclesiasticus taught right doctrine against those erronious Philosophers For profession also of true fayth and religion the Machabees both suffered and labored most notably When king Antiochus Epiphanes 1. Mach. 1. v. 43. wrote to al his kingdom that al the people should be one and euerie one should leaue his owne law And whosoeuer should not doe according to the word of Antiochus they should dye Against which most wicked decree and cruel execution therof Gods grace so abunded that v. 65. manie of the people of Israel determined with themselues that they would not eate the vncleane thinges and they chose rather to dye then to be defiled with vncleane meates and that they would not breake the holy law of God so were murthered As is more particularly recorded 2. Mach. 5. v. 14. how there were in the space of three dayes fourescore thousand slayne fourtie thousand in prisoned no lesse sold After this with more pretence of iustice but with more malice endeuoring to terrifie others to draw them to yelde or make shew of conformitie to wicked lawes ch 6. v. 10. Two wemen were accused to haue circumcised their sonnes whom when they had led about through the citie with the infants hanging at their breastes they threw downe headlong by the walles And v. 11. other people were burnt with fire for secretly keping the day of the Sabbath Thirdly v. 18. Eleazarus being vrged to eate swines flesh and intreated by his familiar freindes to make shew of conformitie would neither eate nor feyne to â—aâ—e it but dyed most constantly leauing an example of vertue fortitude Fourthly seuen bretheren and their mother 2 Mach. 7. yelded also their liues in most glorious Martyrdom because they would not yelde conformitie to wicked lawes After which heroical constancie in suffering it was also Gods prouidence that others should shew their fortitude in deliuering his Church from these calamities and dangers For Matthathias of the tribe of Leui and stocke of Aaron Priest and after the apostasie of Iason li. 2. c. 4. v. 10. High-priest lamenting the pitiful state of Gods people with resolute mind and inuinoible corege resisting wicked Antiochus 1. Mach. 2. of iust zele with his owne handes slew one who for feare of death was readie to offer sacrifice to idols withal killed the kings commissioner who came to compel men to committe idolatrie and then gathered troupes to defend so hohie a cause Against whom the enimies fighting on the sabbath dayes killed manie which of scruple would not resist But vpon further consideration the rest resolued to defend themselues also on the sabbath day if they were assaulted Next to him succeded his sonne Iudas Machabeus in both the offices of Highpriest General captaine who as good order required first pursued the wicked towitte amongst his owne subiectes inquiring them out and such as trubled his people them he burned with fire 1. Mach. 3. v. 5. and his enimies were repelled for feare of him al the workers of
high priest but an vsurper nor that he liued after Iudas vvho vvas slaine a yeare before this time v. 3 18. VVherby and by manie other such errors vve see that Iosephus is rather to be corrected by this booke then to disalovv this booke because it differeth from Iosephus or other like auctors :: Euil counsel hovv soeuer it happeneth to them that folovv it is euer hurtful to them that geue it :: He falsely auovvched that he vvas the sonne of Antiochus Epiphanes for he was in dede of very meane birth Iustinus li. 35. :: It vvas not in the kinges povvre to make Ionathaâ— high priest but he being so before the â—ing from this time did so account him :: This king Demetrius to gette his desired purpose sticked not to vvrite a plainelye for he had heard that the Ievves had refused him and made league vvith his enimie Alexander v 22 23. :: Notwithstanding the great offers of euil disposed men Ionathas and al prudent men considering their former vvicked dedes do not geue credite to glorious vvordes ch 7. v. 11. :: This Ptolomeus Philometor decided a controuersie that the Iewes had the true temple in Ierusalem and that the Samaritanes temple in Garizim vvas schismatical vvhich he iudged because albeit both pleaded antiquitie yet only the Iewes proued by continual succession of high priestes from Aaron and shewed that the other departed from them first in the time of Ieroboam and aftervvardes built that temple in Garizim vvhen some were returned from captiuitie vvherof Iosephus vvriteth li. 13. c. 6. Antiquit Our Sauiour also iudged that the cause of the Ievves vvas better Ioan. 4. v. 22. :: VVhen caluminators see that the innocent is iustified and honored they faile in their hart to procede against him :: Ionathas set his armie in that maner as on euerie side his men stood in front readie to resist the force of the enemie coming towards them al their backes so turned vvithin their ovvne squadron that the enemie could no vvay enter without present resistance and so those of the embushment could only cast dartes but could not breake the aray of Ionathas campe not make anie entrance with out their owne present death :: By this hyperbolical description very frequent in holie scripture is signified that Ptolomeus armie vvas exceding great yea greater then can be easily conceiued therfore is described by excessiue termes :: VVhen pastors endeuour to extirpate siâ—ne out of the mindes of the people those that hate godlines suggest to temporal princes that such spiritual preaching is dangerous to their state :: But zelous men cease not from so necessarie a worke because Gods vvord is not â—yed 2. Tim. 2. :: And vvise kinges vvil most esteme of such men knovving that their fidelitie tovvards God is an assurance that they vvil also be faithful to princes :: The king had before adioyned principal places to Iudea vvhich were called â—opaâ—chiâ— that is places of principalitie or principal gouernments novv he granted also immunities to them as to al Iudea and Samaria :: Three thousand faithful encoâ—â—â—â—ing vvith an hundred twentie thousand infidels killed of them in one day an hundred thousand :: As to vveare purple and to bare a crowne so to drinke in gold cuppes and to vveare a gold cheyne vvas proper to kinges and to vvhom they gaue license :: It is an ancient ceremonie in al uations often mentioned in these bookes to confirme peace by geuing ech other the right hand :: Only tvvo captaines remained and vvith them some souldiars as Iosephus vvriteth about 50 for it is not to be thought that Ionathas vvould haue returned to battel v 72. being but three men in al to beginne a new assault :: Sparta the chief citie of Lacedemonia called also Lacedemon and Theramne :: Spartians otherwise called Lacedemonians by Iosephus and other vvriters descended from Abraham v. 21. and vvere in great league vvith the Ievves :: The Spartianes had written this epistle before Onias vvritte to theÌ„ though it be here placed after :: There remained vvith the Spartiates old vvrites of genealogies as Iosephus supposeth li. 12. c. 5. li. 13. c. 9. :: Morally in Tryphon is noted the practise of the diuel vvho intending to ouerthrovv a king or a kingdom first seeketh to deceiue the pastores and to destroy them especially by error or other sinne For as S. Gregorie teacheth ho. 38. if the pastors life be corrupted his doctrine vvil be contemned :: Simon the fourth general captaine of the Machabees high-priest excelled his bretheren in vvisdome by the restimonie of his father c. 2. v 65. :: He vndertooke by al his endeuour to defend and deliuer his nation from danger and to restore their former libertie :: Simon being vvise choise the lesse euil and lesse danger For if he had not sent that vvas demanded it was very like and almost cettaine that Ionathas should be slaine and it vvould haue bene imputed to Simon that he had not taken iust care of his brothers life vvherby the people vvould haue bene alienated from him and perhaps haue reuolted from him and also from religion S. Tho. in hunc locum :: This vvas not vaine glory but true glorie to kepe memorie of so great vertue therby to stur vp others to imitation He that loueth honour saith S. Augustin li. cont Secundin c. 17. imitateth God But humble soules desire houour in God proud men vvil be honoured more then God or vvithout God O hovv manie Epitaphes are of vvicked men nothing els but perpetual monuments of their ambition vanitie iniustice crucltie other vices but those that are of true vertues are to Gods more honour the auctor of al vertues * a precious chaine :: By hovv much more that mercie is admixed vvith iustice so that iustice be not destroyed and that religion be aduanced the better it pleaseth God and edifieth the vvel disposed :: This Iohn Hyreanus defended the countrie against inuaders ch 16. :: Simon had novv gouerned the people two yeares beginning with great difficulties but hence forth enioyed peace til Antiochus Sedetes brake the league inuaded Iurie ch 15. v. 27. 39. :: He reduced manie Ievves from captiuitie :: Sparta being the chief citie of Lacedemonia had manie cities subiect depending as vpon their Metropolitane :: Vvhen peace was estabished in al Iurie and friendshippe confirmed vvith the Romanes Lacedemonians the vvhole nation of the Ievves in gratitude tovvards Simon vvho onlie novv remained of Mathathias sonnes confirmed him in the office of high-priest perpetually or for euer v. 41 that is during his life to his progenie v. 49 :: The hieghpriesthood continevved in this familie of the Machabees vntil Herod tooke it from them selling it for money and then shortly came Christ the faith ful Prophet :: This Antiochus Sedetes sonne of Demetrius Soter vvas brother to Demetrius the second who was now captiue in Per â—â—a ch 14.