spirite the perfections which he wisheth in Christ in maner of congratulating describeth his fortitude fighting against the diuel for the Church n purposing o prosecuting p and perfecting the conquest and so establishing thy spiritual kingdome q Not vvith warlike armour of this world but by assaulting the aduersarie with truth r defending thyseâ—fe and thy souldiers with the shield of mildnes Å¿ and striking the enemie with the sword of iustice VVhich right force of spiritual fight hath meruelous good successe t Preaching of Christs Gospel his grace mouing the hartes of the hearers is liuelie and forcible more pearcing then anie two edged sword v The example of people conuerted shal moue the hartes of the aduersaries to come also vnto the truth w Christs kingdom shal haue no end Luc 1. v. 33. x Thou defendest and rewardest the good finally forsakest and punishest the wicked y more peculiarly the God of Christ by hypostatical vnion z Diuers kinges as Dauid him selfe Iosaphat Ezechias and Iosias were as godlie as Salomon and perseuered good to the end which is doubted Salomon did not but Christ incomparably was annointed indued with al graces aboue al kinges a Mortification which conserueth from putrifying b humilitie aswaging pride c being smal in the first spring grovveth great d humanitie assumpted and sanctified persons in vvhom Christ dwelleth as in cleane shining odoriferous houses e sincere faithful soules more deare to their spouse Christ then daughters of temporal kinges f The Catholique Church in faith purified as gold g vvith varietie of states as Clergie Laity and diuers sortes of religious Orders and other professions al vnited in the same faith hope and charitie h carifully al that Christ thy spouse speaketh to thee by his Spirite i diligently put the same in practise k vvith al obedience and readines and returne not to former infidelitie noâ— to corrupt life l Christ loueth the Church adoined with his giftes m and mutually his true children loue and serue him n Manie of al nations submitle themselues and al that they haue to Christ o Internal vertues are most especial ornaments p exterior are required to edifie others in diuers sortes of vertues q By this meanes manie more are conuerted to christianitie r and one countrie inuiteth and draweth another Å¿ As Apostles came in place of Patriarches and Prophetes so stil Bishops and Priestes succede in the Church pastors and gouernours therof t These pastores shal stil teach the true Christian doctrin v and stil there shal be Christian people that wil folow and professe the same Caluin expoundeth this Psalme contratie to S. â—aul No saluation out of the Church Perpetual succession of Byshops in place of the Apostles The Church prospereth also in persecution The 6. key a Belonging to the Church of Christ b As wel the cause vvhy God suffereth his Church to be persecuted at his assured protection in difficulties are hidden secretes to the world c Al refuge is not secure for one man is not able alwayes to defend an other but God is a sure and strong refuge d euer able and in conuenient time vvilling to helpe e This whole vvorld is ful of tribulations but the Church suffered the greatest in the first persecutions shal suffer as great in the time of Antichrist English Catholiques suffer most of al nations in this age and can not be suppressed but stil increase in number and fortitude f Therfore al Catholiques may assuredly know that the whole Church can not faile g though very manie as now in England h and very eminent persons as some noblemen and some Priestes haue reuolted yet al vvil not i Such bad examples make the good to recollect themselues more diligently and to reiâ—ycâ— in Gods grace by which they stand fast k before the heate of persecution shal inuade al for the elect the dayes of tribulation are shortned l Sometimes one nation or kingdome rebelleth against the Church but can not destroy it m by the spirite of Christ Antichrist and al his members shal be destroyed n The Church sometimes hath great peace and tranquilitie o God himselfe restrayneth the wicked suddainly abating their furie or cutting of their forces Vocation of Gentiles The 6. key a For Christians that leaue the sinnes of their fathers and reioyce in Christ crucified See Annotation Psal 41. b True ioy of the hart sheweth it selâ—e both in voice of exultation and also in gesture of body by clapping of handes dancing as king Dauid did before the Arke 2 Reg â— likevvise vvith instruments c To al the wicked d not only of one or few kingdoms but of al the earth e VVhen kinges and countries become Christians they are made subiectes to the Church that vvas before not heades and rulers therfore f Christ God man after his Passion rose from death and ascended g not leauing his Church desolate but making her ioyful by an other comforter the Holie Ghost h The same Christ is our God by his Diuinitie i and our king by his Humanitie k Doe your endeuour to vnderstand vvhat you sing read or heare in Gods word At least to know the principal Mysteries and pointes of Christian doctrin euerie one according to their capacitie and state or profession l The faithful of the old and nevv Testament are vnited in the seruice of one and the same eternal God m In respect of the Blessed Trinitie holie Scripture here and in manie places vseth names of the plural number as Eloim Goddes not diuiding Gods substance vvhich is one but insinuating distinction of Diuine Persons The Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghost VVhich Mysterie is more expresly mentioned in Baptisme and professed by Christian gentils then it was by the people of the Ievves The Church founded and protected by God The 6. key a Voices beginning the musike instruments prosecuted b especially for the second day of the weke the day after the sabbath which is our Sunday called Dominica our Lords day c Ierusalem and mount Sion were most obliged to praise God for greatest benefites receiued so the Catholique Church therby prefigured and hauing receiued farre greatter is most of al bonden to be gratful d This can not be affirmed of Sion or Ierusalem but is only verified of the Catholique Christian Church e whose coastes do extend to the North and to al quarters of the round earth f The same one God one Christ one Faith and one Religion in al particular Churches of the vvhole militant Church g And this Vniuersalitie and Vnitie shal be after that Christ taking mans nature shal be ascended and shal send the Holie Ghost to found beginne this Church h For the assured certaintie of that is foreshewed the Prophet speaketh in the preteâ—â—ence as if it vvere already done in his time which he then savv in spirite i Nothing more moueth he hart affecteth al the bodie and soule
place and let the drie land appeare And it was so done †And God called the drie land Earth and the gathering of waters together he called Seas And God sawe that it was good †And said Let the earth shootforth grene herbes and such as may seede fruite trees yelding fruit after his kinde such as may haue seede in it selfe vpon the earth And it was so done †And the earth brought forth grene herbe such as seedeth according to his kinde tree that beareth fruite hauing seede eche one according to his kinde And God saw that it was good †And there was euening morning that made the third day †Againe God said Be there lightes made in the firmament of heauen to diuide the day the night and let them be for signes seasons and dayes and yeares †to shine in the firmament of heauen to giue light vpon the earth And it was so done †And God made two great lights a greater light to gouerne the day and a lesser light to gouerne the night and starres †And he set them in the firmament of heauen to shine vpon the earth †and to gouerne the day the night and to diuide the light the darkenes And God sawe that it was good †And there was euening and morning that made the fourth day †God also said Let the waters bring forth creeping creature hauing life and flying foule ouer the earth vnder the firmament of heauen †And God created huge Whales and al liuing mouing creature that the waters brought forth according to eche sorte al foule according to their kinde And God sawe that it was good †And he “ blessed them saying Increase and multiplie and replenish the waters of the sea and let the birds be multiplied vpon the earth †And there was euening morning that made the fifth day †God said moreouer Let the earth bring forth liuing creature in his kind cattle such as creepe beastes of the earth according to their kindes and it was so done †And God made the beastes of the earth according to their kindes and cattle al that crepeth on the earth in his kind And God saw that it was good †and he said “ Let vs make Man to our image likenes and let him haue dominion ouer the fishes of the sea and the foules of the ayre and the beastes and the whole earth and al creeping creature that moueth vpon the earth †And God created man to his owne image to the image of God he created him male female he created them †And God blessed them and saith “ Increase and multiplie replenish the earth and subdew it and rule ouer the fishes of the sea and foules of the ayre al liuing creatures that moue vpon the earth †And God said Behold I haue giuen you al maner of hearbe that seedeth vpon the earth and al trees that haue in them selues seede of their owne kinde to be your meate †and to al beastes of the earth and to euerie foule of the ayre to al that moue vpon the earth and wherein there is life that they may haue to feede vpon And it was so done †And God sawe al things that he had made and they were very good And there was euening morning that made the sixt day ANNOTATIONS CHAP. 1. 1. In the beginning Holie Moyses telleth what was done in the beginning of the world and so forward euen til his owne time writing aboue two thousand and foure hundreth yeares after the beginning Al which being incomprehensible by humaine witte or discourse he knew partly by Reuelations from God for he had the gyft of Prophecie in most excellent sorte partly by Traditions from his elders who lerned of their fathers For vntil that time the Church had only Traditions of such things as were reueled to special men wherby we see the great authoritie of Traditions before there were Scriptures And since Scriptures were written they are also necessarie for three special reasons First for that we are only assured by Tradition of the Church that those bookes are in dede holie Scriptures which are so accounted and not by the Scripture it selfe for that were to proue the same by the same vntil we be assured of some part that proueth some other partes And this made S. Augustin to say plainly that he could not beleue the Gospel except the Church told him vvhich is the Gospel Secondly holie Scriptures being once knowen to be the word of God and so of most eminent authoritie of al writings in the world as S. Augustin S. Ierome al other Fathers agree yet for the true vnderstanding of the same both the Scripture it selfe and the ancient Fathers remitte vs to the Church namely to those in the Church that are appointed by Gods ordinance in the high place that he hath chosen VVhich were the High Priests in the old Testament as appeareth Deut. 17. Mat. 23. Ioan. 11. And in the new Testament S. Peter and his Successors for whom Christ prayed that his faith should not faile and therfore commanded him to confirme his bretheren Luc. 22. Thirdly for things not expressed in particular in holie Scripture the Scripture and Fathers do likewise remitte vs to Traditions and to the iudgement and testimonie of the Church Christ saying to his Apostles he that heareth you heareth me The Apostles doubted not to say It semed good to the Holie Ghost and to vs. And S. Paul willed the Thessalonians to hold the traditions vvhich they had lerned whether it were by word or by his Epistle 1. In the beginning God made heauen and earth Al writers ancient and later find such difficulties in these first chapters that some otherwise very lerned haue thought it not possible to vnderstand the same according to the proper and vsual signification of the wordes as the letter may seme to sound but expound al allegorically as that by the waters aboue the firmament should be vnderstood the blessed Angels by the waters vnder the firmament wicked spitites and the like So did Origen and diuers that folow him therein Yea S. Augustin in his bookes vpon Genesis against the Manichees written shortly after his conuersion when he could not find as he desired a good and probable sense agreable to the wordes in their proper signification expounded them mystically but afterwards in his other bookes de Genesi ad literam he gratfully acknowledgeth that God had geuen him further sight therin and that now he supposed he could interprete al according to the proper signification of the wordes yet so that he durst not nor would not addict him selfe to one sense but that he was readie to imbrace an other lest by sticking to his owne iudgement he might faile So likewise S. Basil S. Chrisostom S. Ambrose S. Ierome S. Bede and other greatest
same S. Bernard sheweth this blessed Virgin in singular sorte bruised the serpents head in that she quite vanquished al maner suggestions of the wicked serpeÌ„t neuer yelding to not taking delight in anie euil moued by him 19. Dust thou art By these wordes Adam was admonished to humble him selfe considering the matter wherof his bodie was made and into which he should be resolued againe wherupon it came to be a ceremonie amongst penitents to cast ashes on their heads As appeareth in holie Scriptures for which cause the Church now also vseth this ceremonie the first day of Lent putting ashes on her childrens heades willing them to remember that dust they are and to dust they shal returne to moue vs by this meditation to more serious penance 22. â—â—st perhaps Notwithstanding Gods eternal decree in disposing al thinges and his omnipotencie which nothing can resist yet he produceth good and either auoideth or disposeth of euil which he suffereth by ordinarie meanes as appeareth Act. 27 v. 31. and that because man hath free wil with which God concurreth destroyeth not nor forceth as S. Augustin teacheth 24. Placed Cherubins Man being cast out of paradise the same is defended with duble gard with Angels that are watchful wise and potent and with fire and sword most terrible armoure to man wherby againe we see that God vseth ordinarie meanes in his prouidence as the ministrie of Angels humane terror and would neither destroy the tree nor depriue it of the vertue to prolong life nor bereue man of freewil by which he might desire to returne but conseruing nature in al creatures preuenteth inconueniences otherwise These Angels also hinder the diuel that he can not enter paradise lest he should take of the fruite of the tree and geue it to men to prolong their liues and therby draw them to his seruice CHAP. IIII. VVicked Cain killeth holie Abel 9. vvhose bloud cryeth for reuenge 11. Cain a cursed vacabond 17. hath much issue 25 Adam also hath Seth and Seth Enos AND Adam knewe Eue his wife who conceiued and brought forth Cain saying I haue gotten a man through God †And againe she brought forth his brother Abel And Abel was a shepehard Cain a husbandman †And it befel after manie dayes that Cain “ offred of the fruites of the earth giftes to our Lord. †Abel also offred of the first begotten of his flocke and of their fat and our Lord “ had respect to Abel to his giftes †But to Cain and to his giftes he had not respect Cain was exceeding angrie and his countenance abated †And our Lord said to him Why art thou angrie and why is thy countinance fallen †If thou doe wel “ shalt thou not receiue againe but if thou doest il shal not thy sinne forth with be present at the dore but the lust therof shal be “ vnder thee and thou shalt haue dominion ouer it †And Caine said to Abel his brother Let vs goe forth abroad And when they were in the filde Caine rose vp against his brother Abel and slewe him †And our Lord said to Cain Where is Abel thy brother Who answered I know not am I my brothers keper †And he said to him What hast thou done the voice of thy brothers bloud crieth to me out of the earth †Now therfore cursed shalt thou be vpon the earth which hath opened her mouth receiued the bloud of thy brother at thy hand †When thou shalt til it it shal not yeld to thee her fruite a roag and vagabound shalt thou be vpon the earth †And Cain said to our Lord Myne iniquitie is greater then that I may deserue pardon †Loe thou doest cast me out this day from the face of the earth and from thy face shal I be hid and I shal be a vagabound fugitiue on the earth euerie one therfore that findeth me shal kil me †And our Lord said to him No it shal not so be but whosoeuer shal kil Cain shal be punished seauen fould And our Lord put a marke on Cain that whosoeuer found him should not kil him †And “ Cain went forth from the face of our Lord and dwelt as a fugitiue on the earth at the east side of Eden †And Cain knewe his wife who conceiued and brought forth Enoch And he built a citie called the name therof by the name of his sonne Enoch †Moreouer Enoch be gat Irad and Irad begat Mauiael and Mauiael begat Mathusael and Mathusael begat Lamech †Who tooke two wiues the name of the one was Ada and the name of the other Sella †And Ada brought forth Iabel who was the father of them that dwel in tents and of heardsmen †And his brothers name was Iubal he was the father of them that sing on harpe organes †Sella also brought forth Tubalcain who was a hammerer worker in al worke of brasse iron And the sister of Tubalcain was Noema †And Lamech said to his wiues Ada and Sella Heare my voice ye wiues of Lamech harken to my talke for I haue slaine a maÌ„ to the wounding of my selfe and a stripeling to mine owne drie blowe brewsing †Seuenfould vengeance shal be taken of Cain but of Lamech seuentie times seuen fould †Adam also knewe his wife again and she brought forth a sonne and called his name Seth saying God hath giuen me other seede for Abel whom Cain slewe †But to Seth also was borne a sonne whom he called Enos this man began to inuocate the name of our Lord. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IIII 3. Offered giftes Either God him selfe taught Adam and he his children or els they knew by instinct of nature that Sacrifice must be offered to God to acknowledge therby his supreme dominion ouer man and mans due subiection to his diuine Maiestie And that not only in internal affection which as S. Augustin and al Catholique Doctors teach is principally required but also in external things because we consist of bodie and not only of soule and haue by Gods goodnes the vse of corporal things As here we see example in the law of nature and the same was ordained by written precept in the law of Moyses the Prophetes also foretold that external Sacrifice should be offered in the law of grace and new Testament to wit the same which Christ instituted and left in his Church to continew to the end of the world Moreouer this homage of offering Sacrifice is so peculiar to God only that albeit manie other exterior rites and seruices are vsed both to God men as to be bare head to be we to kneele the liâ—e before them either of great humâ—litiâ— saith S. Augustin or of pestiferous â—latterie to such as are homines colendi venerandi si autem eis multum additur adorandi men to be vvorshipped reuerenced and
which is forbid by the law of nature and the reuenge therof here and in other places seuerly threatned yet it was specially geuen both immediatly after the floud and in the law of Moyses with manie the like to exercise men in obedience And the same was renewed for a time by the Apostles to appease a controuersie in the primitiue Church For that the Iewes conuerted to Christ hauing benne long accustomed to this obseruation could not indure to see it broken by themselues or other Christians and being no great burden for the Gentiles it was decreed that al should kepe it And so peace was made Neuertheles it was abolished when the cause ceassed As S. Augustin declareth against Faustus the Manichee Sach is the authoritie of the Church to decree and againe to disanul an obseruation of a thing of it selfe indifferent 21. Druâ—e Noe sinned not by the common iudgement of ancient Fathers in that he was ouercome with wine because he knew not the force therof hauing drunck only water al his life before But this external rebuke and worldlie disgrace happened to Noe in figure of Christ naked on the Crosse As S. Cyprian Epist 63. ad Coecilium S. Augustin li. 16. de ciuit c. 2. li. 12. contra Faustum Manicheum c. 23. 24 Eucherius Repertus and others vpon this place do teach And likwise that Sem and Iapheth were a figure of the Church consisting of Iewes and Gentiles and Cham of Heretikes and other Infidels that deride the infirmities which our Sauiour sustayned Goe to now yee Manichees saith S. Augustin obiect calumnies to the ancient holie Scriptures doe so yee children of Cham to whom naked flesh semeth vile by which your selues were begotten For neither could yee by anie meanes haue benne called Christians except Christs as he was fortold by the Prophetes had come into the world had drunck that cuppe of his vinyard which could not passe from him had slept in his passion as in drunkennes of folie which is wiser then men and so the infirmitie of mortal flesh which is stronger then men had become naked by the secret counsel of God which infirmitie vnles the WORD OF GOD had taken vpon him the very name Christian wherof yee also glorie had not benne at al in the earth 25. Cursed be Chanaan VVhy Chanaan the sonne is cursed and not his father Cham diuers yeld diuers reasons S. Theodoretus reporteth out of the Hebrew Doctors that Chanaan a boy first saw his grandfathers nakednes and told the same to his father and so they both derided that they should haue couered Chams other sonnes not offending and therfore not his whole progenie but only Chanaan his posteritie were here cursed by Noe. S. Chrisostome supposeth that for so much as God had blessed Noe his three sonnes coming forth of the Arke he could not presume to curse anie of those whom God had blessed therfore cursed Chanaan who in wickednes was like to his father S. Gregorie bringeth this for example of wicked men escaping punishment in this life and are punished in the next and in their posteritie folowing their vices VVhat meaneth it saith he that C ham sinning Chanaan his sonne had sentence of reuenge but that the sinnes of the reprobate prosper here in this life vnreuenged and are punished aftervvards And clere it is that Chanaans most wicked posteritie were subdued in the end and most of them destroied by the children of Israel who were of Sem vnder the conduct of Iosue according to Noes prophetical blessing of Sem and cursing of Chanaan 27. God enlarge This blessing of Iapheth was literaly fulfilled when according to his name which signifieth Latitude or enlargement his plentiful issue possessed most ample countries both in the Continent and Ilandes But mystically it had effect As S. Hierom. S. Augustin Rupertus and others expeund it when the Apostles being Iewes of the race of Sem first builded the Christian Church wherin the most part of that nation refused to dwel contemning Christs Gospel grace and the fulnes of Gentiles entred in and were made inheriters Finally Chanaan is seruant to both Sem and Iapheth in that Heretikes being vnder the Iurisdiction of the Church geathered of Iewes and Gentiles serue to stur vp Catholiques diligence to more exact knowledge of al truth and their patience to more merite and glorie CHAP. X. The genealogie of Noes children by whom the World was increased againe after the floud THESE are the generations of the sonnes of Noe Sem Cham and Iapheth and children were borne to them after the floud †The children of Iapheth Gomer and Magog and Madai and Iauan and Thubal and Mosoch and Thiras †Moreouer the children of Gomer Ascenez and Riphath and Thogorma †And the sonnes of Iauan Elisa and Tharsis the Cetims and the Dodanims †Of these were diuided the Iles of Nations in their countries ech one according to his tongue and their families in their nations †And the sonnes of Cham Chus and Mesraim and Phut and Chanaan †And the sonnes of Chus Saba and Heuila Sabatha and Regma Sabathaca The sonnes of Regma Saba and Dadan †Moreouer Chus begat “ Nemrod he began to be mightie in the earth †and he was a valiaunt hunter before our Lord. Therof rose a prouerbe As it were Nemrod the valiaunt hunter before our Lord. †And the beginning of his kingdome was Babylon and Arach and Achad and Chalanne in the land of Sennaar †Out of that land came forth “ Assur and builded Niniue and the streets of the citie and Chale †Resen also betwen Niniue and Chale this is the great citie †But Mesraim also begat the Ludims the Anamims the Laabims the Nephthuims †and the Phetrusims and the Casluims of whom came forth the Philistims the Caphtorims †And Canaan begat Sidon his first begotten Hethaeus †and Iebusaeus and Amorrhaeus and Gergesaeus †Heuaeus and Aracaeus Sinaeus ' †and Aradius Samaraeus and Hamathaeus and afterwardes were spred the people of the Chananits †And the limitts of Chanaan were from Sidon as we come to Gerara euen to Gaza vntil thou enter to Sodoma Gomorrha and Adama Seboim euen to Lesa †These are the children of Cham in their kinreds and tongues and generations lands and nations †Of Sem also father of al the children of Herber the elder brother of Iapheth were borne †The children of Sem Aelam and Assur and Arphaxad and Lud and Aram. †The children of Aram Vs and Hul and Gether and Mes. †And Arphaxad also begat Sale of whom was borne Heber †And to Heber were borne two sonnes the name of the one was Phaleg because that in his dayes was the earth diuided and his brothers name was Iectan †The which Iectan begat â—lmodad and Saleph and Asarmoth
him as alwaies vndefiled and a true seruant of God though his father Thare and his brother Nachor sometimes serued strange goddes Iosue 24. but were reclamed and the whole familie as S. Augustin proueth lib. 16. c. 13. de ciuit was persecuted by the Chaldees VVherupon Thare leauing Chaldea brought Abraham Lot and Sarai so farre as Haran in Mesopotamia Gen. 11. whither also Nachor repaired afterwards and there made his habitation as appeareth Gen. 24. But Abraham vvas sooner and more specially persecuted in Chaldea as Iosephus testifieth li. 1. Antiq. for his clere and publique profession of one God Creator of al things and that by his only goodnes and not by mens ovvne povver happines is attained Further Suidas vocab Abraham vvriteth that at the age of 14. yeares he admonished his father not for lucre sake to seduce men by vvorshipping images of false goddes auouching that there is no other but the celestical God maker of the whole world In vvhich sincere profession hovv he alvvaies perseuered is often testified and needles here to be repeted Also Sem Sale and Heber his proper ancesters the ninth seuenth and sixth in right line before him were al holie men and liued al Abrahams time much of Isaachs and part of Iacobs dayes Likevvise Melchisedech King and Priest a distinct person of an other lineage as vve suppose from Sem liued in the beginning of this age Al which being renowmed men had great troupes or rather countries which with them serued the only true God VVherof we haue example in that Abraham being but a stranger in Chanaan vpon a suddaine exploite Gen. 14. made readie of the seruants borne in his house three hundreth and eighteene wel appointed men of armes al of the same religion for shortly after they were al circumcised Gen. 17. yet was king Melchisedech of more power and authority then he And the other here mentioned except his elder brother Nachor and his nephevv Lot vvere his ovvne direct progenitors and by likelihood more potent Againe from Abraham the succession held on right to Aaron and Moyses and the vvhole people of Israel vvhich vvith them passed out of Aegypt through the redde sea But in the meane time diuers also of Abrahams kindred and seede brake of from this communitie and fel to idolatrie For albeit Lot his brothers sonne perseuered in the true seruice of God yet Lots sonnes Moab and Ammon at least the Moabites and Ammonites two nations that came of them Gen. 19. were infidels and idolaters Likewise though Nachor and Bathuel Nachors sonne continued henceforth in true faith and religion yet Laban the same Bathuels sonne had false goddes vvhich Rachel tooke away Gen 31 But true religion being not wholly extinguished in these families both Isaachs wife Rebecca and Iacobs wiues Lia and Rachel with their handmaides Bala and Zelpha either beleued rightly or were more easily brought to true beleefe and seruice of God Ismael Abrahams first sonne was in his youth euel disposed Gen. 21. and for endeuoring to corrupt Isaac vvhich S. Paul calleth persecution was together with his mother Agar cast out of Abrahams house yet prospered in the desert had twelue sonnes dukes sometimes visited his father and together with Isaac buried him Gen. 25. And at the age of 137. yeares died and was put to his people that is to others like himself good or euil Abraham also separated his other sonnes begotten of Cetura v. 6. from Isaac to whom only and not to any other the promised land of Chanaan and other more special blessings pertained Of these last sonnes came the people of Madianites who kept some resemblance with the people of God in religion and therin prefigured heretikes that descend from Catholique race but falling to schisme heresie doe not participate eternal enheritance with the spiritual children of God as S. Augustin teaceth q. 70. in Gen. In like sorte of the two sonnes of Isaac onlie Iacob had the spiritual blessing and enheritance therto belonging Gen. 27. Esau though prophane in maners selling his birthright Gen. 25. v. 32 which waâ— aspâ—ritual turisdiction wherin he was a figure of the reprobate yet it semeth he kept the true faith Gen. 35. v. vlt. But whether he did or no sure it is Iob who is probably thought to be of his race Gen. 36. was a most holie man and a rare example of vertue But the posterities of them both and al the progentes of Ismael and of Abrahams other sonnes by Cetura sooner or later â—â—l to infidelitie and idolatrie In other nations of the world stil new goddes and goddeses were multiplied vpon euerie occasion As S. Augustin li. 18. de ciuit recounteth diuers Al which notwithstanding the true Church and citie of God continued most visible and notorious yea with meruelous increase especially after they were more hated and afflicted in Aegypt Exo. 1. VVhither they were brought by the strange and special prouidence of God more strangely preserued and most miraculously deliuered from thence Much more the Church of Christ wherof this was a shadow and figure hath benne and shal be euer most visible from the first foundation therof to the worlds end For besides the promises and predictions in the new Testament al the Scriptures also of the old which fortel Christ do withal forshew his Church Totum quod annunciatur de Christo saieth S. Augustin de vnitate Eccles c. 2. caput corpus est Al that is spoken of Christ is of the head and the bodie The head is the onlie begotten Iesus Christ the Sonne of the liuing God he the Sauiour of the bodie His bodie the Church Againe c. 4. Totus Christus caput corpus est VVhole Christ is the head and the bodie The head the onlie begotten Sonne of God and the bodie his Church the bridgrome and bride tvvo in one flesh Yea for no other cause saieth he li. de catech rud c. 3. were al those things written before the coming of our Lord which we read in holie Scriptures but that his coming might be commended and the future Church prefigured that is the people of God through out al nations which is his bodie The same doth S. Paul teach vs not only saying Gal. 3. The law was our pedagogue or conductor to Christ but also 1. Cor. 12. that as the natural bodie is one and hath manie members and al the members of the bodie wheras they be manie yet are one bodie so also Christ And Coloss 1. that Christs bodie is the Church As therfore the great blessing of redemption and saluation was promised in Christ Gen. 12. c. so it was withal expressed that al nations and kindreds of the earth should be partakers therof yea so innumerable as the dust of the earth the starres of heauen and sandes of the sea VVhich S. Paule saieth Rom. 9. is not ment of Abrahams natural children but
which the Lord thy God wil geue thee †Thou shalt not murder †Thou shalt not committe aduoâ—â—rie †Thou shalt not steale †Thou shalt not speake against thy neighbour â—â—lfe testimonie †Thou shalt not couet thy neigbours house neither shalt thou desire his wife nor seruant nor handmaide nor oxe nor asse nor any hing that is his †And al the people saw the voices and the â—â—ames and the sound of the trumper and the mount smoking and being â—â—ighted and stroken with feare they stoode a farre of †saying to Moyses Speake thou to vs and we wil heare let not our Lord speake to vs lest perhappes we die †And Moyses said to the people Feare not for God came to proue you and that his tâ—rrour might be in you and you should not sinne †And the people stoode a faâ—re of But Moyses went â—nto the darke cloud wherein God was †Our Lord said moreouer to Moyses This shalt thou say to the children of Israel You haue seene that from heauen I haue spoken to you †You shal not make goddes of siluer nor goddes of gold shal you make to you †An Altar of earth you shal make to me and you shal offer vpon it vour holocastes and pacifiques your sheepe and oxen in euerie place where the memorie of my name shal be I wil come to thee and wil blesse thee †And if thou make an Altar of stone vnto me thou shalt not build it of hewed stones for if thou lift vp thy knife ouer it it shal be polluted †Thou shalt not goe vp by grieses vnto myne Altar lest thy turpitude be discouered ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XX. 3. Strange goddes Protestants pretend here to proue that al Catholiques are Idolaters for honoring Sainctes and their Reliques and Images And they haue so defamed Catholique Religion in this behalfe that the vulgar sorte of deceiued people otherwise knowing Catholiques to be ordinarily of moderate conuersation in life of iust dealing towardes their neighboures addicted to prayer fasting almes and manie good woorkes more wanting among them selues yet supposing them notwitstanding these laudable qualities to be Idolaters are therby auerted from Catholique Religion And surely it were a iust cause if it were true As wel therfore to purge our selues of so haynous an imputed crime as to remoue this dangerous block of erronious conceipt we shal here note some of the Protestants egregious lies against the whole Church militant and blasphemous reproches against the the glorious Sainctes then briefly declare the true and sincere doctrine and practise of the Catholike Church in this point Luther in his posul vpon the Gospel of our Lordes Incarnation sayth Papistâ— Virginem Mariam Deum constituunt Omnipotentiam â—i in caelo in terra tribuunt The Papists saith he make the Virgin Marie God they attribute to her omnipotencie in heauen and in earth In Papistrie al expected more fauour and grace from her then from Christ himself His scholar Melancton in locis commâ—â—â— postilling the first Precept saith Papistes inuocate Sainctes and worship Images in heathnish maner Caluin li. de necess refor Eccles saith those of the Emperours religion meaning al Catholiques so diuide Gods offices among Sainctes that they ioyne them to the Soueraigne God as collegues in which multitude God lieth hidden Against the most glorious virgin mother the same Luther ser de natali virg Mar. feared not to say that he estemed no more of the prayer of S Marie then of anie one of the people And his reason is worse then his wicked assertion for that saith he al that beleue in Christ are as iust and as holie as the virgin Marâ—e or anie other Sainct how great soeuer The Magdeburgian Centuriators li. 1. Cent. 1. affirme that the virgin Marie sinned greuously yea compare her imagined faultes with the sinne of Eue in paradise li. 2. They charge S. Peter and S Paul also after their conuersions with diuers great crimes Caluin li. 3. Inst c 2. parag 31. condemneth Sara and Rebecca of great sinnes c. 4. reprehendeth Iudas Machabeus for superstitious and preposterous zeale in causing Sacrifice to be offered for the dead In his commentarie in 32. Exodi he accuseth most holie and meke Moyses of arrogancie and pride And li. 3 Instit c. 20. pa. 27. he scuruely scoffeth at al Sainctes in general saying If they heare mortal mens prayers they must haue eares so long as from heauen to earth And calleth them not only homines mortuos dead men which S. Hierom reproued in Vigilantius but also vmbras laruas colluuiem shadovves night goblins stincking silth yet more li. de vera refor Eccles rat he calleth them Monstra carnifices bestias monsters hangmen beastes These and like blasphemies modest men can not but abhore and detest Their lies also are conuinced by S. Hierom handling this matter of purpose against Vigilantius by S. Augustin touching it by occasion li. 20. c. 21. against Faustus the Manachey Thomas VValdensis To. 3. tit 13 de Sacramentalibus against wiclif by al Catechismes and Christian Instructions teaching nothing like but quite contrarie to these mens reportes In summe they al teach that Sainctes are to be honored with religious honour which is greater then ciuil but infinitly inferiour to diuine as the excellencie of God surmounteth al excellencie created For better declaration wherof it is to be considered that seing by the law of God and nature honour is due to excellencie there must be so manie distinct kindes of honour as there be general kindes of excellencie which are three The first of God infinite and incomparably aboue al the second is supernatural but created as of grace and glorie the third is humane or natural consisting in natural giftes or worldlie powre and dignitie al three as distinct as God heauen and earth To these three general kindes of excellencie perteine therfore other three as distinct kindes of honour to wit Diuine due to God only called by vse and appropriation of a greeke world Latria the second Dulia belonging to Sainctes and other holie things eleuated by God aboue the course of nature in diuers degrees but within the ranck of creatures the third is ciuil honour due to humane and worldlie excellencie according to diuers states and qualities of men The first of these which is diuine may in no case be geuen to anie creature how excellent soeuer The third which is ciuil as both Catholiques and Protestants hold for certaine is not competent nor agreable to Sainctes but to mortal worldlie men in respect of temporal excellencie Al the controuersie therfore is about the second VVhich Caluin li. 1. Instit c 11. 12. and al protestant writers denie reiect and so would haue no honour at al geuen to Sainctes Obiecting as old heretikes did that Catholiques do al the same external actes as standing bare head bowing kneeling praying and the like to Sainctes as to God himself VVe
answer that the distinctioÌ„ of honour coÌ„sisteth not alwayes in the external action but in the intention of the mind For when we do such external actes of honour to God we intend therby to honour the Creator and Lord of al and so it is diuine honour but doing the same external actes to a Saint we conceiue of him as a glorious seruant of God and so we honour him as a sanctified and glorified creature Gods subiect and seruant VVithout this diuersitie of intentions in your mind you can not shew difference betwen the honour you do to God and that you do to the King by bowing kneeling and the like For it is the same external action yet no Christian doubteth but he honoreth God with diuine honour the King with ciuil Againe we answer that we do not al the external actions of honour to Sainctes which we doe to God For Sacrifice is donne only to God and to no Sainct and because Altares perteine to Sacrifice they are erected to God only though oftentimes in memorie of Saincts Both which answers S. Augustin gaue long since to Faustus the Manachie arguing that Catholiques by doing the same external actes worshipped Martyrs with diuine honour and so turned them into Idols as that heretike inferred VVherupon S. Augustin declareth that Christian people celebrate together the memories of Martyrs with Religious solemnitie to styr vp imitation to be partakers of their merites and to be holpen by their prayers Yet so that we erect not Altares because they are for Sacrifice to anie Martyr though in memorie of Martyrs but to God of Martyrs For who euer standing at the Altar in places of Sainctes bodies saide VVe offer to thee Peter or Paul or Cyprian but that which is offered is offered to God who crowned the Martyrs at their memories whom he crowned that by commonition of the very places greater affection may arise to inkindle charitie both towards them whom we may imitate and towards him by whose helpe we may VVe honour Martyrs with that worship of loue and societie wherwith holie men are worshipped in this life VVhose hart we perceiue is prepared to like sufferance for the Euangelical veritie but Martyrs more deuoutly by how much more securly after al vncertainties are ouercome and with how much more confident praise we preach them now victours in a more happie life then others yet fighting in this But with that worshippe which in greke is called Latria a eruâ—e property due to God which in Latin can not be expressed by one word we neither worship nor teach to be worshipped but one God And for so much as offering of Sacrifice perteineth to this worshippe wherof they are called Idolaters that offer sacrifice to anie Idols we by no meanes offer anie such thing nor teâ—ch to be offered either to anie Martyr or blessed soule or holie Angel Thus farre S. Augustin The same teacheth Theodoret li. 8. ad Grecos Our Lord hath depriued false goddes of the honour they had in Temples and in place of them caused his Martyrs to be honored yet not in the same maner for we neither bring hostes nor libaments to Martyrs but honour them as holie men and most deare freinds of God It would be to long to cite manie ancient Fathers testifying and teaching that Saincts are to be honored More compendiously we wil take our aduersaries confession the Magdeburgian Centuriators VVho Prof Cent. 6. holding that the Church was only pure from idolatrie the first hundred yeares of Christ and that it begane to faile in the second and third age more in the fourth and fifth and was vtterly perished in the sixth impute the cause of her ruine that the very chiefe men taught and practised the honour of Saincts First of al say they these horrible and pernicious darknes as certaine black cloudes couering the whole firmament rose vp in the verâ—e assemblie of teachers For that partly the very Doctors of the Church partly other supersticious men augmented ceremonies and humane worshippes in the Temples For sacred houses began to be built in al places with great coste altogether in heathnish maner not principally to the end Gods word might there be taught but that some honour might be exhibited to the Reliques of Saincts and that foolish people might there worship dead men And how pleasant eloquent is that Gregorie called the great how feruent when as from his three footed stoole he preached the maner of consecrating these houses And a litle after By this occasion dead creatures and bloudles half wormeaten bones began to be honored inuocated and worshipped with diuine honour Al which The Doctors oâ— the Church not only wincked at but also set forvvard Thus the reader seeth notwithstanding standing their lies scoffes and blasphemies Protestants do confesse that the Church and her chiefe pillers straight after the first hundred yeares of Christ fiue hundred next folowing honored Saincts and their Reliques Neither wante there autentical examples of holie Scriptures wherby the same is proued As. Gen. 32 48. Exodi 3. 32. Num. 22. Iosue 5. 3. Reg. 18. 4. Reg. 2. Psalm 98. and els vvhere 4. A grauen thing Here the same falsiâ—iers of Christian doctrin do not only peruert the sense of holie Scripture wresting that against Images which is spoken against Idols but also shamfully corrupt the text by translating grauen image neither folowing the Hebrew Greke nor Latin For the Hebrew word pesâ—l is the verie same that sculpâ—iâ—e in Latin that is a grauen or carued thing The Greke hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an idol So al Protestants English Bibles are false In the meane time til they correct their bookes they may please to remember that God shortly after this Exod. 25. commanded to make Images of Angels to wit Cherubins Likewise a brasen serpent Num. 21. Also oxen and Lions 3. Reg. 6. 7. Neither are Puritanes so precise but that they engraue carue print paint cast sow embrother and otherwise make and kepe Images puâ—tractes and pictures of men and other things As for worshipping of sacred Images the second concel of Nice Act. 4. The concel of Trent sess 25. S. Gregorie the great li. 7. â—p 5. 53. S. Damascen in diuers whole bookes and manie others and al Catholique Catechismes and Christian Instructions teach that the honour is not done to the Image for it self but at the presence of the Image to Christ or Sainct whose Image it is An other controuersie Caluin here maketh that from these wordes Thou shalt not make beginneth the second precept so counting foure precepts in the first table and six in the second But being no matter of faith how they are diuided so al the wordes and the number of tenne commandemens be acknowledged for holie Scripture calleth them tenne Exo 34. v. 28. Deut. 4. v. 13. 10. v. 4 we wil not contend but only as more reasonable we folow the
we entring the Land there be this purple corde a signe and thou tie it in the window by the which thou hast let vs downe and gather thy father and mother and brethren and al thy kindred into thy house †He that shal goe forth of the doore of thy house his bloud shal be vpon his head and we shal be quitte But the bloud of al that shal be with thee in the house shal redound vpon our head if any man touch them †But if thou wilt betray vs and vtter this talke abroade we shal be quitte from this oath wherwith thou hast adiured vs. †And she answered As you haue spoken so be it done and dismissing them to goe she hong the purple corde in the window †But they walking came to the mountaines and â—aried there three dayes til they returned that pursewed them for seeking euerie way they found them not †Who being entred into the citie the discouerers returned and came downe from the mountaine and passing ouer Iordan they came to Iosue the sonne of Nun and told him al thinges that had chanced to them †and said Our Lord hath deliuered al this land into our handes and al the inhabitantes therof are ouerthrowen with feare CHAP. III. After three dayes abode by the bankes of Iordan 3. the Priestes with the Arke of God entering first into the riuer 15. the vpper part miraculously standeth and swelleth the lower running away they goe into the midde chanel and there stay whiles al the people passe ouer drie foote IOSVE therfore rysing vp in the night remoued the campe and departing from Setim they came to Iordan he and al the children of Israel and abode there for three dayes †Which being passed the herauldes went through the middes of the campe †and beganne to proclaime When you shal see the arke of couenant of our Lord your God and the priestes of the Leuitical stocke carying it ryse you also and folow them going before †and let there be betwen you and the arke the space of two thousand cubites that you may see it a farre of and know which way you may goe because you haue not walked by it before and beware you approch not to the arke †And Iosue said to the people Be sanctified for to morrow our Lord wil doe among you merueilous thinges †And he said to the priestes Take vp the arke of the couenant goe before the people Who fulfilling his commandementes tooke it and walked before them †And our Lord said to Iosue This day wil I beginne to exalt thee before al Israel that they may know as I was with Moyses so am I with thee also †And doe thou “ command the priestes that carie the arke of the testament and say to them When you shal be entred into part of the water of Iordan stand in it †And Iosue said to the children of Israel Come hither and heare the word of our Lord your God †And againe he said In this you shal know that our Lord the liuing God is in the middes of you and shal destroy in your sight the Chananeite and Hetheite the Heueite and Pherezeite the Gergeseite also and the Iebuseire and the Amorrheite †Behold the arke of the couenant of the Lord of al the earth shal goe before you into Iordan †Prepare twelue men of the tribes of Israel one of euerie tribe †And when the priestes that carie the arke of the Lord of the whole earth shal sette the steppes of their feete in the waters of Iordan the waters that are beneath shal runne downe and decay and those that come from aboue shal stand together in one heape †Therfore the people went out of their tabernacles to passe ouer Iordan and the priestes that caried the arke of the couenant went on before them †And they being entered into Iordan and their feete dipped in part of the water and Iordan in the haruest time had filled the bankes of his chanel †the waters that came downeward stoode in one place and like a mountaine swelling vp appeared farre from the citie that is called Adom to the place of Sarthan but those that were beneth ranne downe into the Sea of the wildernes which now is called the dead sea vntil they wholy decayed †And the people went against Iericho and the priestes that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord stoode girded vpon the drie ground in the middes of Iordan and al the people passed ouer through the drie chanel ANNOTATIONS CHAP. III. 8. Command the priestes Because Iosue commanded the priestes to take the arke and stand with it in Iordan for that also chap. 5 he ministred or appointed others to minister the Sacrament of CircuÌ„cision Likewise chap. 8. blessed the people and chap. 24. renewed Gods couenant with them English Protestantes inferre that he was chief superior in spiritual causes and therfore lay princes are supreme heades gouerners of the Church immediatly vnder God But none of these actions nor al put together do proue their purpose For notwithstanding he very lawfully did these and other like thinges yet he had a spiritual superior in earth which was Eleazar the high priest For Moyses being extraordinarie superior of al both in spiritual and temporal causes the ordinarie priesthood and spiritual supremacie was established in Aaron and his sonnes as appeareth Leuit. 8. Num. 20. and other places and the temporal gouernment after Moyses was geuen to Iosue succeding to him Num. 27. not in al but in part of his glorie or authoritie his whole honour or power being destributed betwen the high Priest and the temporal Prince as learned Theodoret q. 48 in Num. noteth vpon the sacred text expresly distinguishing their offices v. 21. that Eleazar the priest should consult our Lord for him and so receiue answer in doctrin and veritie Exod. 28. Leuit. 8. and that Ioâ—ue should goe out and goe in and al the children of Israel vvith him that is lead and gouerne the people at Eleazars vvord VVhere it is manifest that Iosue was not set ouer Eleazar but Eleazar ouer him That therfore which Iosue did in spiritual affaires was in subordination to the high priest by whose direction approbation or ratihabition he commanded some of the priestes to carie the arke and with it to goe into Iordan and coming into the mâ—dde chanel to stand there whiles al the armie and people passed ouer also gaue order that al should be circumcised blessed the people read the law and after godlie exhortations renewed the couenant betwen God and them al in way of execution of Gods wil coÌ„mandementes not by anie pretended iurisdiction in spiritual thinges In like sorte manie other good temporal Princes as wel in the old as the new Testament haue disposed and executed diuers thinges perteining to Gods seruice their office requiring that they should set forward maintaine and defend
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
they had taken the king they brought him to the king of Babylon into Reblatha which is in the land of Emath and to him iudgements †And the king of Babylon killed the sonnes of Sedecias before his eies yea and al the princes of Iuda he slew in Reblatha †And he plucked out the eies of Sedecias and bound him with fetters and the king of Babylon brought him into Babylon and he put him in the prison house euen to the day of his death †And in the fifth moneth the tenth of the moneth the same is the ninetenth yeare of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon came Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare who stood before the king of Babylon in Ierusalem †And he burnt the house of our Lord and the kings house and al the houses of Ierusalem and euerie great house he burnt with fire †And al the host of the Chaldees that was with the prince of the warfare destroyed al the wall of Ierusalem round about †But of the poore of the people and of the rest of the vulgar sorte which remayned in the citie and of the fugitiues that were fled to the king of Babylon and the rest of the multitude Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare transported †But of the poore of the land Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare left some to be dressers of vineyards and husbandmen †The brasen pillers also that were in the house of our Lord and the feete and the sea of brasse that was in the house of our Lord the Chaldees brake and they tooke al the brasse of them into Babylon †And the kettles and the fleshhookes and the psalteries and the phials and the litle mortars and al the brasen vessels that had bene in the ministrie they tooke †and the water pottes and the censars and the pitchers and the basins and the candlestickes and the mortars the gobblets as manie as of gold of gold and as manie as of siluer of siluer did the prince of the warfare take †and two pillars and one sea twelue oxen of brasse that were vnder the feete which king Salomon had made in the house of our Lord there was no weight of the brasse of al these vessels †And concerning the pillars there were eightene cubits of height in one pillar and a corde of twelue cubits did compasse it about moreouer the thicknes thereof of foure fingers and within it was holow †And the litle heads of brasse vpon both the height of one litle head of fiue cubits and the litle nettes and the pomegranates vpon the crowne round about al of brasse Likewise of the second piller and the pomegranates †And there were nintie six pomegranates hanging downe and al the pomegranates an hundred were compassed with litle nettes †And the master of the warefare tooke Saraias the chiefe priest and Sophonias the second priest and the three kepers of the entrie †And of the citie he tooke one eunuch that was chiefe ouer the men of warre and seuen men of them that saw the kings face that were found in the citie and a scribe the captayne of the souldiars who tryed the yong souldiars and three score of the people of the land that were found in the middes of the citie †And Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare tooke them and he brought them to the king of Babylon into Reblatha †And the king of Babylon stroke them and he killed them in Reblatha in the land of Emath and Iuda was transported from his land †This is the people which Nabuchodonosor transported In the seuenth yeare Iewes three thousand and twentie three †In the eightenth yeare of Nabuchodonosor from Ierusalem soules eight hundred thirtie two †In the three and twentith yeare of Nabuchodonosor Nabuzardan the prince of the warefare transported of the Iewes seuen hundred fourtie fiue soules al the soules therfore were foure thousand six hundred †And it came to passe in the seuen and thirtith yeare of the transmigration of Ioachin the king of Iuda the twelfth moneth the fiue and twentith of the moneth Euilmerodach the king of Babylon lifted vp in the very yeare of his reigne the head of Ioachin the king of Iuda and he brought him out of the prison house †And he spake with him good thinges and he sette his throne aboue the thrones of the kinges that were after himself in Babylon †And he changed his prison garments and he did eate bread before him alwaies al the daies of his life †And his allowance of meate a continual prouision of meate was geuen him by the king of Babylon euerie day a certaine euen vnto the day of his death al the daies of his life THE ARGVMENT OF IEREMIES LAMENTATIONS THESE Lamentations in Greeke called Threni and by the Hebrew Rabhins intituled Cinoth were written by Ieremie before the greatest part of his oâ—her prophecies as semeth most probable to S. Ierom and were first songue at the death of Iosias king of Iuda Againe when king Sedecias with manie others were taken captiues manie also slaine and the Temple and citie of Ierusalem destroyed But most especially he prophecieth the Iewes miserable estate and iust cause of Lamentation after Christs coming and their reiecting him And therfore his Church singeth the same in the Aniuersarie or Commemoration of his Passion and Death and most piously inuiteth al sinners both Iewes and Gentiles to returne vnto Christ our Redemer saying Ierusalem IERVSALEM conuertere ad Dominum Deum tuum In this litle booke the diligent reader wil easely obserue manie doleful patheticalspeaches powred out from a pensiue hart as in great calamities it commonly happeneth with litle connexion of sentences but otherwise foure whole chapters are very artificially compiled in verse not by number of times with measure of long and short syllables as the Grekes and Latines vse but after the Hebrew maner obseruing number of syllables and beginning euerie verse with a distinct letter from the first to the last in order with some smal varietie of the Hebrew Alphabet Doubtles with great mysteries as S. Ierom iudgeth and therfore explicateth the significations and certains connexions of the two and twentie Hebrew letters as we haue noted vpon the 118. Psalme but aboue the capacitie of our vnderstanding In the last chapter the Prophet omitting the obseruation of Initial letters in twentie two verses prayeth lamentably as the whole people shal pray in captiuitie THE THRENES that is to say THE LAMENTATIONS OF IEREMIE THE PROPHET And it came to passe after that Israel was brought into captiuitie and Ierusalem was desolate Ieremie the prophete sate weeping and he mourned with this lamentation vpon Ierusalem and with a pensiue mind sighing and wayling he sayd CHAP. I. HOW doeth the citie ful of people sitte solitarie how is the ladie of the Gentiles become as a widow the princesse of prouinces is made tributarie Weeping she
deeds a. 429. 969. 100. ofâ—â—n commended in the sapiential bookes b 288. 296. 297. 300. 302. also 784. Alphabet â—n Hebrewe is mystical and very hard b. 215. 650. Altares erected for sacrifice a. 47. 51. 94. 101. 227. 685. 720. 947. b. 905. Amâ—n required diuine honour a. 1040. he fauoured traytors a. 1053. persecuted the Iewes a. 1041. and him selfe was hanged a. 1046. Ambition breedeth sedition a 663. it deceiueth and ouerthroweth a. 670. 1045. Ambition abundance and idlenes are the cause of much corruption b. 701. Amos a heardesman prophecied before the captiuitie of the tenne tribes b. 829. Amram nephew of Leui and father of Moyses and Aaron lawfully maried his aunt a. 168. 299. 3â—8 Angels offer mens prayers to God a. 214 1006. resist the diuel a. 13. and wicked men a. 369. b. 9â—3 especially Antichrist b 802. their ministerie in the Church a 47. 161. 242. 249. 545. 546. 935. 1061. 1072. b 781. they protect men and places a. 147. 193 478. 519. 527. 924. 995. 996. 1007. 1029. b. 323. 670 798. 973. 992. they are exceding many b. 792. 992. they learne secretes one of an other b. 794. Antichrist probably supposed to come of the tribe of Dan a. 150. the Iewes wil receiue him b. 801. He is prefigured a. 534. 538. 1014. b. 794. 801. 895. 970. He shal be strong and cruel for a short time b 792. to witte three yeares and a halfe b. 803. He shal then be ouerthrowne b 747. Antiochus his cruel edict b. 894. 1001. his repentance in sicknes was not sincere not fruictful b. 911 969. He died miserably b. 911. 968. 1002. he was a figure of Antichrist b 970. Antiquitie a note of true doctrine b. 331. Aod by especial inspiration killing Eglon is not to be imitated a. 522. Apostasie from faith first happened in Cain a. 16. after in Nemrod a. 45. 48. in Ieroboam a 734. and others Arke of Noe how great a 25. it was a figure of the Church a 28. Arke of the Testament much reuerenced a. 336. 360. 579. 583. 584. 647. 843. 876. 882 b. 147. 949. 996. It ouerthrewe Dagon a. 581. Arphaxad king of the Medes vainly boasted a 1012. Ashes a holy ceremonie a 12. 32. 1019. 1023. 1042. 1108. b 533. 559. 795. 844. 902. 904. Assidians professed a religious rule of life b 898. 915. 972. 977. 982. Threescore of them martyres b. 915. Auarice a detestable sinne especially in Clergie men a 576. 585. b 530. 558. 562. Aureola an especial accidental glorie of Martyres holy Doctors Virgins b 802. B Baal the false god of the Moabites Madianites Sidonians and other nations a 370. worshipped some times by Iewes was once ouerthrowne by Gedeon a 528. againe his prophetes destroyed by Elias a 747. Iehu also killed many worshippers of Baal a 783. and king Ioas destroyed his temple a 906. Babylon built a 45. was long potent and glorious but at last destroyed b 469. 518. 639. 642. c. 713. 8â—3 Balaam the sorcerer first refused afterwardes attempted to curse Gods people a 389. His asse spake a 370. He prophecied true and good thinges of Israel a 371. c. he was slaine together with the Madianites a 386. Baptisme prefigured a 4. 32. 199. b. 197. 740. 994. It taketh away al sinnes a. 193. b. 197. S. Iohn Baptist precursor of Christ b. 887. Baruchs prophecie is Canonical Scripture b. 661. Beda most modest in expounding holie Scripture a 46. Behemoth an elephant or an other greater beast is subiect to Gods ordinance a 1106. Belus Iuppiter imagined by idolaters to be the greatest god a. 42. b. 1076. Beza corrupteth the Gospel a 46. sayth God created man to falle a 171. b 394. Blessing of creatures operatiue a. 5. 47. 90. 93. It belongeth to the greater to blesse the lesse a. 59. 48â— 524. 721. Blessing by a sette forme of wordes a. 35. Blinde leaders excuse not their folowers a 572. Brasen serpent erected a. 336. was afterwardes broken in peeces a. 799. how it healed those that were hurt b 366. Brothers are foure maner of wayes a. 53. 570. Burden of Babylon the like sigsignifieth doleful coÌ„minatorie prophecie of ruine b 469 c. 854. C Caath the sonne of Leui. father of Amram and grandfather of Aaron and Moyses a 167. Caluin contemneth al the fathers a 59. maketh God the auctor of sinne a. 171. carpeth at Moyses a 245. chargeth the booke of Wisdome with error b. 364. Canon of the Church of Christ is an infallible rule declaring which are diuine Scriptures a 989. and of more auctoritie then the Iewes Canon ibidem Canticle of Canticles is a sacred Colloquium or Enterlude b 334. it perteyneth to three spouses b. 335. Captiuitie of the tenne tribes in Assyria a. 798. Captiuitie of the two tribes in Babylon had three beginninges a. 813. 932. b. 649 Ierem. 52. v. 28. 29. 30. and b. 77â— Dan. 1. and the same captiuitie was released by degrees at diuers times a. 944. c. 1. Esd 1. 2. 6. 2. Esd â— Catholique name designeth true Christians and the true Church a. 22. Catholiques are spiritual souldiars a. 10â—0 Al Catholiques participate of the prayers and other good workes of al the iust b 223. Ceremonies in the law of nature a. 32. 211. obserued by Salomon not expressed in the writteÌ„ law a 877. Prescribed to Ezechiel to lye on one side a certaine time b 685. ceremonial lawes at large from the middes of Exodus and the greatest part of Leuiticus continually vsed in diuine seruice b 959. ordayned for three especial causes a. 264. 283. Children of the Church are the spiritual seede of Abraham a. 53. Choise to be made of desires wordes and deedes b 425. Christ our Redemer promised a. 10. 12 359. 364. 768. 963. b 244. He was prefigured by Abel a. 13. by Noe a. 28. by Abraham a. 51. by Melchisedech a. 55. and others innumerable and forshewed by al the Prophetes 449. His Incarnation other mysteries folowing especially in these places a. 31. 47. 197. 373. 703. 934. b. 16. 16. 45. 113. 158. 202. 203. 313. 325. 462. 463. 464. 494. 495. 506. 536. 542. 601. 603. 609. 667. 702. 790. 841. 850. 860. 871. 872. 874. 941. 990. 991. His genealogie from Phares the sonne of Iudas to Dauid a 571. from Dauid to the captiuitie a. 939. from the captiuitie to Ioseph and consequently to his B. mother of the same familie b. 1004. Christ being in Aegypt the idoles lost their power b 476. His Passion and Resurrection more particularly a. 13. 88. 362. 366. 553. 1060. b. 26. 46. 49 at large 70. 256. 540. 568. 580. 636. 877. His Resurrection the third day b. 816. He was sould for thirtie pence a. 117. b. 880. Christ a Priest and a King a. 56. 397. b. 36. 204. He came in humilitie b. 511. He wil come in Maiestie b. 888. Christians called fishes a. 4. and are of three states a 709. Church of Christ prefigured by the Arke of Noe
a 970. Otherwise they are iniurious to Gods word b 394. They must crie and not cease b 533. 539. 678. 734. 845. 871. 935. When they haue leasure froÌ„ preaching they must imploy their labours in writing b 428. Patience much commended in the Prouerbes in manie places It kepeth from desperation b 376. and bringeth content b 849. Patriarches in the Law of nature were al Priestes and gouerned the Church a 212. They continued by perpetual succession to the Law of Moyses a 35. 50. 206. Peace is forbidden with Infideles a 2â—6 Peace is a reward of keping Gods law a 315. 856. 1017. b 233. 273. c. Peace and warre both necessarie vpon iust occasions b 321. Peacemakers rewarded b 286. Penaltie of original sinne remaineth in al mankind a 33. Penance necessarie a 32. 47. b 619. 826. 994. with contrition confession and satisfaction a 32. 685. 934. 977. Penitentes must haue humilitie and confidence a 594. 1020. 1042. 1043. People must lerne of their pastors a 215. Peregrination or pilgremage to holy places a 84. 899. Perfection in this life is to tend to perfection a 63. Persecuters loue treason not traytors a 548. b 893. Persecuters doe pretend false causes against the innocent b 618 789. 914. 930. 954. Persecution of foure sortes b 170. Persecution must be borne with patience a 74. 155. 156. 158. 750. 964. It can not hinder the Church b 17. 883. Pharao by abusing Gods benefites hardned his owne hart a 173. 178. 179. 181. 191. 582. Philo a Iew writ the Booke of wisdome before Christ b 343. Phinees killing a malefactor is not to be imitated by priuate men a 374. His zele commended b 196. 439. Pietie is preferred before lerning b 382. Pilgremage a 84. 899. Places sanctified a 140. 160. 232 259. 423. 478. 700. 785. 879. 9â—5 b 2â—3 â—46 760. Also respected by painimes b 956. Politique worldlinges persecute innocents against their conscience b 983. Prayer a 17. 31. 34â— b 715. 965. Sette forme of prayer praises a 880. 921. 935. b 965. 1002. Prayer with fasting almes a 1006. b 825. Prayer sacrifice for the dead 978. 996. It is hitherto obserued by the Iewes b 979. Prayse of Sainctes and good men redoundeth to Gods praise b 937. Preaching a necessarie office of Pastors b 533. 539. 678. 734. 845. 850. 853. 871. 886. 935. Predestination supposeth the meanes of iustification and saluation a 84. 201. Prerogatiues of man in his creation a. 5. Presumption of proper strength depriueth men of Gods assistance b 909. 995. Pryde is the roote of al sinnes b 387. Priesthood a 32. 47. 274. b 994. Priesthood and Law stand and are changed together a 32. 326. Priests proper office is to offer sacrifice a 57. 276. 295. Priestes consult God for others a 486. They are called goddes a 171. High Priest called Prince a 304. and Princes called Priestes a 651. 677. 859. Pagan Priestes much esteemed in their owne nations a 143. No priest at al amongst Protestantes a â—6 Princes of euerie familie in the law of nature were Priestes a 212. Procession made by Priestes people a 479. Prodigalitie dissipateth that which the wise gathereth b 300. Prodigees are signes of Gods wrath b 958. Promises of God are conditional a 415. 496. 905. Prophecie is a principal diuine benifite geuen to few for the good of manie b 449. Prophecies are called visions b 450. and are certaine b 718. 736. Light of Prophecie is more clere then the light of faith b 450. Euerie Prophet perfectly vnderstandeth that he is illuminated b 797. None can prophecy but by Gods illumination b 510. Prophecie vttered conditionally is true though the euent folow not b 620. Prophets visions are limited a 789. Al prophetes most principally speake of Christ b 449. manie Prophetes are hard to be vnderstood b 450. 675. 749. 797. 803. 8â—3 844. Why they are obscure b 451. Manie Prophecies are vttered in factes a 731. b 570. 580. 595. 628. 69â— 815. Foure greater Prophetes and twelue lesse b 809. Propitiatorie of God a 229. 293. 342. Protestantes doctrine concerning hardning of hart a 171. Prouerbes are common briefe pithie sentences b 268. The booke of Prouerbes perteyneth particularly to beginners Ecclesiastes to such as procede and the Canticles to the perfect in pietie b 333. Prouidence of God in mens actions a 136. 166. 176. b 262. c. Prudence requisite in al actions a 137. 1043. b 427. Prudence in disposing souldiars to fight fortifieth the armie b 928. Prudence chooseth the lesse danger or euil in distresse 937. Psalmes and Canticles are more special praises of God b 11. Psalmes 150. al made by Dauid b 3. 4. 19. 174. 176. The whole booke called the Psalter b 13. It is a Summe of al other Scriptures b 5. the Key of al other Scriptures b 6. It selfe hath tenne keyes or principal Articles of Diuine doctrine b 7. 8. It is composed in verse b 9. more ancient then any prophane Poetrie now extant b 10. It was written for manie causes especially for Diuine seruice in the old and new Testament b 11. 12. 109. Manie Psalmes perteine to the new Testament b 21. Seuen last Psalmes instruct more particularly how to praise God b 260. Number of Psalmes mystical b 266. Titles of the Psalmes were added by Esdras and the Septuagint b 19. Bishops are bound to be skilful in Dauids Psalter Other Priestes to haue competent knowlege therin b 13. 93. Punishment for sinne a 15. 23. 33. 69. 656. 685. 1088. 1091. b 101. 376. 383. 705. Purgatorie a 33. 711. b 24. 77. 384. See Prayer for the dead Puâ—illanimitie in a superior is iniustice b 391. In al others a sinne contraâ—ie to iust zele b 417. Pythagoras taught transmigration of soules b 1000. Q Quales were sent miraculously amongst the Israelites a. 207. 347. b 193. Queene of Saba visited Salomon and admired his wisdome a 727. R Rachel a figure of the Catholique Church a 103. She was buried in Bethlehem a 111. Her weeping was prophetical b 603. Rahab deliuered two Israelites from danger a 472. Rainbow was before Noes floud but was afterwards set for a signe of Gods mercie a 38. Razias killing himself is not to be imitated b 984. Rechabites a religious order b 613. 995. Recidiuation aggrauateth sinnes b 611. Redemption by Christ a 12. c. b. 16. c. See Christ Relaxation of the captiuitie foreshewed b. 747. performed b 933. 944. c. Religious orders a 335. 545. b 613. 995. Reliques a 153. 191. 290. b 949. 996. Remission of sinnes a. 294. 577. 926. c. Remission of iniuries with discretion a 1048. Repentance necessarie a. 32. 47. 1074. b. 65. 465. See Penance Restitution a 223. 270. Resurrection a 34. 48. 203. 712. 936. 1083. b 49. 485. 546. 743. 996. Rewardes of good woorkes a 76. 1102. b 199. 393. 395. 448. 543. 579. Rewardes temporal in the old Testament a 157. 190. 451. 682. Rocke of the Church is Christ who also
the ministerie of Priests The ancient fathers proue that Melchisedech offered Sacrifice in bread wine in figure of Christ and of other Priests of the new Testament Caluin coÌ„temneth al the ancient fathers in ca. 9. Heb. Bible 1579. Heretical translation Heb. 7 Iosue 8. 22. 3 Reg. 8. The greatter blesseth the lesse Paying of tithes in the law of nature Ro. 4. Gal. 3. Iac. 2. :: These three kindes of beastes and two of birdes signifie that the Israelites should be three generations in a strange land the fourth in the desert the fifth in possession of Chanaan Theod. q. 65. in Gen. Act. 17. :: Abraham and his seed werein strange land 400 and odde yeares but in seruitude and affliction about 140. Exo. 12. :: God deferreth to punish either that the wicked may amend or the good be exercised by them S Aug. Psal 54. or because the iniquity is not come to that great measure which his wisdome forâ—eeth and wil punish in the end to his owne more glorie and more good of others S. Greg. ho. 11. in 3. Ezech. To beleue Gods word without staggering is an act of iustice Not workes before faith but ioyned with faith are meritorious Onlie faith doth not iustifie :: Some obey whilest they are rude or in low state but hauiÌ„g got a litle knowlege or aduancement disdaine their aduancers S. Gregorie li. 21. in 1. Reg. 3. Manichees condemned pluralitie of wiues in the Patriarches Luther alloweth it in Christians Other Protestants in some case S. Aug. li. 22. c. 47. cont Faust Luther propsit 62. 65. et 66. S. Aug. de bono coniugali ca. 17. Two sortes of preceptsin the law of nature Pluralitie of wiues sometimes allowed Deut. 21. By the law of Christ in no case lawful Math. 19. Gen. 2. :: He is perfect in this life that sincerly diligently tendeth towards perfection of the next life And this God here commanded to Abraham Christ to al Christians Math. 5. S. Aug. li. de perfect cont Caelest See Gen. 6. v. 9 :: Circumcision and name receiued the eight day signified the association of Saints in heauen after the seuen dayes trauel of this world Ser. de circum apud S. Cyprian :: Abraham laughed not doubting but reioycing S. Ambro. li. de Abraham c. 4. S. Aug. li. 16 c. 26. de ciuit :: Temporal blessings were common to Ismael but spiritual pertained properly to Isaac and Israel their successessors :: Conformitie in Religion conserueth peace in euery familie Tho. Anglus in hunc locum Changing of names is mystical S. Aug. li. 16 c. 28 39. ciuit S. Hierom Tradit Hebraicis Gal. 4. Isa 54. Abraham natural father of foure nations spiritual father of al that do beleue in Christ Rom. 4 11. The Church of Christ euer consisteth of many nations Circumcision a figure of Baptisme Baptisme excelleth Circumcision Two difficulties To whom the punishment pertained wheÌ„ circumcision was omitted what punishment was threatned Circumcision instituted to distinguish the people of God and for remedie of original sinne in some persons but not in al. :: Abraham saw three and adored one professing three diuine persons and one God S. Aug. li. 16. c. 29. ciuit Heb. 13. Rom. 9. :: Abraham laughing with admiration for ioy was not reprehended but Sara laughing of diffidence was reprehended by him that seeth the hart S. Aug. q. 36. in Gen. li. 16. c. 31 ciuit :: what a wall are iust men to their countrie their faith saueth vs their iustice defendeth vs from destruction S. Amb. li. 1. de Abraham c. 6. :: Abraham Lot by hospitalitie metâ—ted to receiue Angels in steed of meÌ„ Heb. 1â— :: This sinne crieth to heauen for reuenge a litle one :: Lots wife turned into salt admonisheth the seruants of God to procede in vertue not to looke back to vice Luc. 17. S. Aug. li. 16. c. 30. ciuit :: Lot neither perfect nor very wicked was deliuered for Abrahams â—â—â—e S. Aug. â— 45 in Gen. :: Moabites Ammonites were two distinct nations perhaps of the 72. See p. 43. :: See pag. 52. :: Not his fathers owne daughter but of his progenie S. Aug. li. 22. cont Faust c. 35. li. 16. c. 19. 30. de ciuit :: Kinges of the earth esteming the Church only for a laudable people of God seeke to subiect her to them selues but knowing her to be the inuiolable spouse of Christ subiect them selues to her and offer to her most honorable giftes S. Aug. il 22. cont Faust c. 38. The sixt part of this booke Of the progenie other blessings of Abraham Isaac and Iacob :: Abraham Sara laughed he admiring she doubting at the ioyful promise of a sonne therfore he is called Isaac which signifieth laughter S. Aug li. 16. c. 31. ciuit :: See chap. 17. v. 21. Rom. 9. Heb. 11. * vvel of oath Separation to be made in families when iust cause requireth Mystical sense li. 15. c. 2. ciuit The true Church doth not persecute but iustly punisheth offenders Heretikes and other infidels do persecute when either by word or sword they impugne the truth Epist 48. 50. Tract 11. in Ioan. Tract 〈◊〉 in 4. Gal. The third prophecie in the office before Masse on Easter eue And the first on whitsuneue Iudith 8. Heb. 112. :: This historie is clere and a most notorious example of perfect obedience :: It is a gratful and religious thing by naming of places to coÌ„serue the memorie of Gods benefites that posteritie may know them S. Chrisost ho. 48. in Gen. :: Nachors progenie is here mentioned to shew whence Rebecca came whom Isaac maried God tempteth not to euil but by experience maketh knowen what vertue is in men Isaac figured Chists diuinitie the RaÌ„me his humanitie Iac. 1. 13. Heb. 11 19. S. Aug. li. 16. c. 32. ciuit Theod. q. 72. in Gen. :: A cleare example of religious office in burying the dead See 2. Reg. 1. and 2. Paral. 35. :: Adoration vsed for reuerence done to men See also c. 27. v. 29. c 33. v 37 and S. Aug. q. 6â— in Gen. :: In choosing a wife a vertuous stock and familie especially true faith and religion are before al other things to be considered preferred S. Amb. li. 1. c. 9. de Abrah S. Chrisost ho. 48. in Gen. :: Her father hauing perhaps manie wiues and euerie one a seueral house she went to her mother house :: As children ought not to mary without their parents good liking so the parties owne consent is most necessarie S. Amb. Epist 43. :: Suach signifieth to speake consideratly with hart or mouth Here S. Ambrose li. 1. c. 1. de Isaac and S. Aug. q. 69. in Gen vnderstand it of mental prayeâ— Ominous speaches sometimes supersticious Some times lawful Holie scripture and the Church are iudges of doubtful obseruations Ioan. 14. Eliezers prayer for a particular signe was lawful deuout and discrete Iudic. 7. 1. Reg. 14 Act. 1.
Gen. 24. :: Iosue being a prophet saw some of their hartes inclined to idoles though exteriorly they then had none among them S. Aug. q. 29. in Iosue :: This renouation of the same couenaÌ„t presigured the law of the new Testament S. Aug. q. 30. in Iosue :: To the more confusion of reasonable creatures wilfully offending vnsensible things are made witnesses because they euer obey Gods wil which is the best maner of hearing Theod. q. 19. in Iosue :: If Iosue writ the rest of this booke then Samuel added these last verses Hist Sâ—hol :: Iosephs Mausoleum oâ— famous sepulchre remained in Sichem in S. Hieroms time as he wit nesseth Tradit Hebra in Gen. prope sinem Gen. 5â— â—xo 13. Thare sometime serued false goddes but Abraham neuer Before Christ none entered into heauen A rule for reading historical bookes The Iudges of Israel figures of Christs Apostles They were al finally holie men Eâ—â—li 4â— The Contents of this booke Diuided into three partes The first part A geneâ—al recapitulation of the peoples state :: The maner of consulting our Lord was by the High priest praying in the tabernacle Exo. 29. v. 42. :: The first general captaine after Iosue and diuers of the Iudges were of the tribe of Iuda but not al as appeareth in this booke :: Strong weapons crooked like sickles made fast to the chariottes which cut in peeces men horses and other chariottes that came in their way :: An Angel taking the forme of a man as before to Iosue ch 5. so now appearing to the people spake to them in the name of God whose messenger he was :: By special dispensation sacrifice was sometimes lawfully offered in other places though the Tabernacle and afterward the Temple was the onlie place commanded Deut. 12. Iosue 22. S. Aug. q. 36. in Iudic. :: These Iudges were extraordinarily raised vp to deliuer the people repenting when they were fallen into afflictioÌ„s for their sinnes The second part Of the common peoples often falling to idolatrie their repentance and deliuetie :: In manie places we see the worde sauiour and like titles geuen to men as the seruantes and officers of God who is the proper and principal Sauiour of al. S. Aug. q. 18. in Iudic. :: In these 40. yeares are included the eight yeares of their seruitude v. 8. so in the rest of this historie otherwise the number of yeres agreeth not with the count 3. Reg. 6. v. 1. :: Aod hauing special inspiration from God to do this fact as S. Augustin noteth vpon these wordes q 20. in Iudic. is not to be imitated by priuat men See Num. 25. v. 11. :: Being a prophetesse she resolued hard and obscure thinges but exercised no iurisdiction in anie causes for that belonged to the councel of Priestes and of seuentie ancientes where the high priest was the chief Iudge Num. 11. Deut. 17. Spiritually Debbora signified the Church Barac christian Princes who are directed in their warres and other actions by spiritual superiors as Origen and other ancient writers expouud this historie :: VVho is this woman ful of confidence piercing the temples of the enimies head with a naile but the faith of the Church destroying the diuels kingdomes with the crosse of christ S. Aug. li. 12. â— 32. cont Iaust Manich. Iabel also prefigured our B. Ladie who crushed the serpentes head :: The greater blesse the lesse by imparting spiritual benefites so God and superiors blesse their subiectes Men blesse God the lesse their betters by geuing thankes and prayses :: She inculcateth that she must so much more praise God for this victorie because he forshewed it by her by her directed the general captaine Barac lest it might be ascribed either to wisdome or valure of anie man :: Those that subdew their bodies to the spirite ride vpon fayre asses Origen hom 6. in c. 5. Iudic. :: Iahel the figure was blessed amongst wemen much more the most holie virgin mother of God is blessed aboue alwemen :: S. Augustin q 31. in Iudic. supposeth that this messenger sent from God called a man a prophete for the forme wherin he appeared was the same Angel which sate vnder the oke and sent Gedeon to deliuer Israel v. 11. 12. c. :: He meant not to offer sacrifice to the Angel but that either the Angel or himselfe in presence of the Angel should offer it to God and so in dede the Angel partly directed him what to do partly executed the office himselfe by touching the oblation with his rodde and miraculously bringing fire to consume the sacrifice :: An altar for a monument not for sacrifice :: The strength of Baal or stronger then Baal :: Dew first in the fleece and after on the ground signified grace and true religion first in one people after in al nations Sainct Amb. Ser. 13. de Natal Dom. Venr Beda qq in Iudic. c. 4. Also Christs Incarnation without detriment of his mothers virginitie of whose grace al are replenished S. Bernard ho. 2. in Missus est :: Obseruation of dreames is generally forbid Leuit. 19. v. 26. Deut. 18 v. 10. yet here and in other places it is euident God would haue some obserued See Annot. Gen. 40. :: These thinges were ridiculous saieth venerab Beda c. 5. qq in Iudic. if they had not bene terrible to the enemies :: It is no derogation to God that honour is also geuen to his seruantes :: Trumpetes signified preachers of Christ pitchers the bodies of Martyres lampes their vertues and miracles Vener Beda qq in Iudic. c. 5. :: A soft answer breaketh anger hard speach stirreth vp furie Prou. 15. :: Zebee and Salmana were not of anie of the seuen nations whom God commanded to destroy and therfore Gedeon might haue spared their liues if he would :: Kinges may do ante thing not contrarie to the law but Iudges Dukes may onlie do according to the law See 1. Reg. 8. :: His handmaide oâ— seruant not a harlotte to wit such a one as had not the priuiledge of a wife as Gen. 25. v. 6. :: This sonne of Gedeon by his seruant prefigured Antichrist who wil persecute the Church and reigne for a while but in the end shal be destroyed S. Beda c. 6. qq in Iudic. :: True pastores in the time of Antichrist wil still auouch the truth and the right of the Church :: Oyle spiritually signifieth the grace of the Holie Ghost making peace of conscience in mens soules towardes God :: The swetnes of Gods law producing good workes :: Contemtible in outward shew but bringing forth liquour of meruelous force which sorte of workes God is most delighted withal and men most admire Psal 85 :: The rhamnus signifieth base and ambicious men * brierre bramble â—rthistle :: God doth suggest only good cogitations as remoâ—â—e of conscience in the secheâ—â—tes for their ingratitude towardes Gedeon and for so wicked and cruel a murder of his sonnes
to fight for them See Iosue 23. Psal 135. :: He destroyed the places where sacrifice was offered to idoles ch 17. v. 6. but tolerated other places where the people offered to God our Lord without the temple not being able to reduce al to perfection 4. Reg. 8. :: Elias was assumpted from ordinarie conuersation with mortal men the eighttenth yeare of king Iosaphat 4. Reg. 2. 3. who reigned twentie fiue yeares 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. So he shewed this special care of Ioram and his kingdom after his assumption seuen yeares 4. Reg. 8. v. 25. ch 9. :: To wit when he beganne to reigne alone for he reigned together with his father at the age of 22. 4. Reg. 8. v. 26. And after his fathers death but one yeare :: See 4. Reg. 8. v. 18. :: Human hope failed but Gods prouidence vsed meanes to conserue some of Dauids issue to sitte in his throne yea to continue the succession 〈◊〉 Christ Mat. 1. 4. Reg. 11. :: Gods promise being absolute and certayne yet humane meanes were neuertheles required * the vveâ—eliâ— vvatch :: In case of right and necessitie we see here what the high Priest could do and did by his authoritie who otherwise intermedled not in the kings affayres ch 19 v 11. :: They are wilfully blind that wil not see difference betwen images of Baal of Christ or of Sainctes * simulâ—â—ra :: By the law euerie one payed yearly halfe a sicle towards the repayring of the tabernacle and so afterwardes of the temple Ex. 30. Ma◠〈◊〉 :: He that killed his spiritual father was slaine by his owne seruantes 4. Reg. 14. Dâ—â—t 24 4. Reg. 8. :: Obduration of hart for former sinne :: So long as this king obserued the ordinance of God to be directed by the high priest Nâ— 27. v 2â— he prospered in his affayres :: For vsurping spiritual authority which pertayned not to him the high priest with his assistantes opposed themselues against the king and God confirmed their sentence by striking the same king with leprosie And so he was not only cast out of the temple but also out of his kingdom and common conuersation with other men forced to dwel in a separet house without the citie according to the law Leuit. 13. v. 46. :: Neither could he be buried in the propet sepulchres of the kinges 4. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 16. VVicked policie auaileth nothing but hurteth much 4. Reg. 18. :: Being peniteÌ„t in haâ—t for their sinnes Gods dispensation might be sappâ—sed foâ— legal purification iâ— case of â—â—ce â—ine which otherwise was stâ—â—â—ly commaâ—â—â—â— Lâ—â—â—t 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 27. c. :: Voluntarie workes of superetogation more then was commanded :: Besides consession of sinnes there is also coÌ„fession of Gods excellencie goodnes 4. Râ—g 18. Isaie 36. :: â—ore danger of pâ—â—â—e in prosperitie then in aduersitie 4. Reg. 21. :: A pregnant example of the effect of harty repentance :: This prayer is not extant in the Hebrew but in Greke Latin as yet neither receiued for canonical by the Church noâ— refused 4. Reg. 22. â— Reg. 12. :: Geuen by the hand of Moyses :: It is a benefite to be taken out of this world before generaâ— miseâ—â—e come vpon the people :: This Phase o 〈…〉 h made by Ioâ—â—as is fanious partly for that this feast had bene omitted some yeares but specially for the great and extraordinarie solemnitie made at this umâ— 4. Reg. 16. :: Iosias thought that the king of Aegypt intended to inuade his kingdome And it was Gods wil he should be slaine and not see the euiles that should happen to the people :: Solemne exequies with lamentations and musike :: Hitherto from K. Danids death the sonne had euer succeded to his father â—â—re 25. :: It is like that Esdras added this coÌ„clusion when he restored the holie Scriptures that were lost for he beginneth his owne booke with the same wordes The end of the fifth age The Church stil visible and the same faith as before One God Three Persons Christ Sacrifices Sacramentes to be changed by Christ Fruict of penance Abstinence Fastes Lent Feastes Place of the Temple designed long before Synagogues Sanctuarie Sette forme of prayers Ministerie of Angeles Honour and Intercession of Sainctes Reliques Images Good workes meâ—itorions Euangelical counselles pre figured Chastitie of clergie men religious orders Mat. 19 1 Cor. 7. Act. 5. 1. Tim. 5. Solemne Exequies for the dead Gen. 5. Resurrection Iudgement Eternal glorie or paine Church without interruption Ieraboams wicked policie Prophets inspired by God to resist Schisme and Heresie 4. Reg. 23. The often change of Kinges and euil successe in the kingdoÌ„ of Israel The first familie reigned but 24. yeares The second newe familie 26. The third but 7. daies The fourth 48. yeares The fifth 103. The sixth one moneth The seuenth 12. yeares The eight 20. yeares The ninthnine yeares Then ouerthrowen and the kingdom neuer restored The kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake conserued in his sede Succession of Priestes continued Extraordinary mission of Prophetes Great effectes of their preaching and miracles Elias his miracles Eliseus his miracles Religion not wholly destroyed in the kingdom of Israel Heresies in the kingdom of Israel Ieroboamites Manie constant in true religion Iezabelites Samaritaniteâ— diuided into manie Sectes Tobias neues yelded to Schisme The Kingdom of Iuda more free from herefie King Achaz Vrias high priest King Ioram and others committing idolatrie in fact manie others stil professed true Religion Authoritie depending vpon diuine ordinance is not changed by factes or practise Good kinges defended and promoted religion not as chiefe in spiritual causes but by way of execution dispensation oâ— coÌ„mission Mat. 1â— Priestes by their negligeÌ„ce do sinne but lose not their authoritie Deut. 17. v. 〈◊〉 The Church of the old Testament conserued in truth Much more the Church of Christ â—â— Psal 30. conc â— li. 3. â— 32. de doctrin christ â— Tim. 3 4. Reg. 19. â— Esâ—r 7 The two bookes of Esdras and Nehemias are but one in the Hebrew The third and fourth are not canonical Epist ad Paulin. This historie hath also a spiritual sense First booke diuided into two partes The first part The returne of gods people from Babylon Isaiae 44. 45 Ierem. 25. 29. :: Liberally gaue such thinges into their handes :: This enumeration of the Israelites which aseended into Ierusalem signifieth the Elect which ascend from the militant Chuch to the triumphant :: Such as say they are priestes and can not shew their vocatioÌ„ must not exercise that functon ... Al aboue numbred of the tribes of Iuda Beniamin Leui do not amouÌ„t to 30. thousand three hundred So in this general number are contained aboue twelue thousand of other tribes not recited among the rest as Rabbi Salomoa explicateth the difficultie :: Notwithstanding the terrour of infideles Gods seruantes too 〈◊〉 corage to offer sacrifice :: By the ordinance of Dauid
straict hand of discipline ouer sinners for their conuersion Å¿ Sinners deserue much punishment t but repenting and trusting in God shal finde his mercie v The end of true penance is ioyto which therfore the prophet inuiteth al penitents Vexation geueth vnderstanding Sinne must be punished Good workes are of graâ—e in epist ad Ro. c. 4. Protestantes expound this place contrary to many other clere places contrarie to the exposition of ancient fathers God couering or not imputing sinne doth quite take them away The contrarie doctrin is iniurious to God to Christ to holie Scriptures to glorified S inctes Sincere repentance is a necessarie dispotion to remission of 〈…〉 e. After remissioÌ„ it is satisfactorie and meritorious The perfectioÌ„ of Gods workes described The 2. key a not in your selues b praise is not comelie in the mouth of a sinner Eccli 15. c in mortification offering your bodies a liuing hoste Rom. 12. d of this instrument this booke is called the Psalter and it signifieth the obseruation of the tenne commandments without which no praise pleaseth God e praising God for the grace of Christ in the new testament f Gods rules and precepts are most iust and right g he performeth whatsoeuer he promiseth h God euer ioyneth these vertues together i Gods word iâ— omnipotent k vnknowen â—â— riches hid in secrete places As in Babylon he confounded their tongues m his absolute wil is alwayes fulfilled n the people of Israel in the old testament and Christians of al nations in the new o Gods per petual prouidence p Gods wisdom infinite q No powre in earth is of anie force without God r of his master Å¿ or of him selfe t O God which hast al perfection shew thy mercie in protecting and sauing al that trust in thee Gods prouidence The 3. key a His proper name was Achis 1. Reg. 21. but al kinges of Palestina were called Abimelech as pharao in Aegypt Nâ—huchodonosor in Babylon This Psalme is also composed in order of tho Alphabet b I prayse God c both in prosperitie and aduersitie d when I serue our Lord my soule shal be praised in his seruice e Euerie man be he how poore soeuer when he prayeth shal be heard f the proper guardian Angel of euerie one g with filial feare h the rich of this world setting their mind vpon their wealth are poore in spiritual giftes i Euerie one desireth to be happie but he in dede shal be happie that fleeth from euil and doth good k God seing almens actioÌ„s intentions wil render as they deserue l Though the iust some for a time to be forsaken yet God that geueth them internal streingth wil at last reward and crow 〈…〉 them his owne giftes m for their sinne they are suffered to fal into more sinne n contrariwise those that accept of his grace shal finally not offend A secret great misterie in the title of this Psalme Iuc 2. Some become vvorse some better by Christ Sacrifice and Priesthood changed God most high is become lovve He is our sacramental meate Christ leaft the Ievves receiued the Gentiles The real presence of Christ in the Sacrament Catech. Râ— p. 2. â— â— q. â—4 Not only faith but good vvorkes with faith iustifie Christs persecution The 5. key a Dauid signifieth beloued desiderable or strong of hand that is Christ aboue al beloued of God desired of man the strong conquerour of death and hel S. Aug. in hunc locum b By way of imprecation heprophecieth that God wil ouerthrow the persecutors of Christ and of Christians c Offensiue d denfensiue e preoccupate and preuent the malice of the persecutor f Such a punishment and confusion shal fal in the end vpon al the malicious after that the iust shal haue ouercome tribulations g In the time of truble in hope h after deliuerie in eternal saluation i such false witnesses did rise against Christ Mat. 26. k thinges that were not for God himselfe that knoweth althinges knoweth not that which neither was is nor can be l they made priuation of my life verified in Christ not in Dauid for he was killed by his enemies m Al our Sauiours life was penance for others needing none for himselfe n Christ the good Samaritane that releeued the wounded man Luc. 10. o al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion p al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion q al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion r Our Lord knoweth not anie iust cause why the Iewes so persecuted him for they had no iust cause but meere malice Å¿ as Psal 21. and Mat. 27. God why hast thou forsaken me not deliuered me from temporal death nor yelded me such consolation as thou gauest other Sainctes in their agonies t a prophecie of Christs resurrection v Prophecie of the Catholique Church as Psal 21. w This place is applied by our Sauiour to himselfe Ioan. 15. x The Pharises and Herodians said Master we know that thou art a true speaker c. meaning to intrappe him with treason Mat. 22. y The same Pharises and Priestes iudged him woorthy of death and procured the people to â—rie Crucifie him crucifie him z Againe his Resurrection is prophecied a At the day of iudgement the wicked shal receiue sentence of damnation b the blessed of eternal glorie Gods prouidence The 3. key a More specially describing the state of men in the new testament then in the old b instruction for Dauid not as a king or a prophet but as the poore seruant of God c wittingly and resolutely preferring wicked life before vertuous d God so â—ateth sinne committed of meere malice that he commonly reiecteth such sinners and more often offereth new grace to those that sinne of frailitie or ignorance e Some ignorance is inuincible wheÌ„ one hath a good wil to lerne doing his endeuour to knovv the truth in doctrin his dutie in manners but can not get knowlege therof and then he is excused before God though he erre in opinion or in fact others are negligent to lerne and their error is grosse ignorance and is a sinne greater or lesse according to the importance of the thing which they ouhgt to knovv Others are more vvilful desiring to be ignorant that they may sinne vvith the lesse remorse or repining of their ovvne conscience and this is affected ignorance and most hainous and odious sinne For which God often leauing them destitute of ordinarie grace which he geueth to others they fal into reprobate sense and into more horrible sinner f God doth not vtterly shut vp his mercie from the most wilful wicked sinners but geueth them sometimes good motions and sufficient helpe that they may repent be iâ— stified saued if they do not wittingly harden their owne hartes and stil wilfully repel Gods grace g For so God pomiseth vvho
Iewes See page 12. n Gods benefites bestowed vpon Dauid and vpon faithful Christians prefigured by him are for euer to be praised by al peoples and nations Gods prouidence in suffering euil the 3. key a This Psalme was made vpon the same occasion and to the same purpose as the former b to exhorte the iust and innocent to patience c by Dauids memorable example d Few are so wicked but they speake and pretend iust thinges e but neither thincke wel f nor do wel but both contrarie which feaned sanctitie is duble iniquitie g These wicked sinners that flatter and incite king Saul seme to haue spent al their life from their infancie in malice h Their furie is vnquiet til they may wound the innocent with their poisonful sting i neither wil they harken to good admonitions but stoppe their eares like an aspe that layeth one eare close to the ground and stoppeth the other with his taile k But God wil breake their cruel force l though it semeth most strong and in superable m Gods iust determination of punishing the wicked stil remaineth bent and readie though execution be some while differred n That force and powre which is now inuincible hard and strong like a lions strongest teeth shal then be as impotent and soft as waxe o Gods wrath like fire the most forcible element shal fil vpon them and they shal be cast into vtter darkenes depriued of the sunne and al comfortable light p Before their malice can bring to effect the great mischieffes which they plotte and purpose God suddainly cutteth them of before they fully vnderstand of either sicknes or death casteth them as it were aliue into hel q The iust reioyce in the punishment of the wicked for three causes first in zele of iustice conforming his wil and mind to Gods iudgement secondly for that himselfe through Gods mercie hath escaped that terrible damnation thirdly for that he is now deliuered from molestation and continual tribulation r The iust seing or by faith knowing what punishment remaineth for the wicked is therby assured that the good shal reape fruict for his wel doing and that in the meane time God ruleth and iudgeth on the earth though as yet it appeareth not so euidently An other prayer of Dauid in danger the 8. key a King Saul hauing thrise attempted in vaine to kil Dauid 1. Reg. 18 v 11. c. 19. v. 9. sene some of his guard to feâ—ch him from his owne house that he might be slaine but God moued the mind of Michol to admonish him of the danger and to helpe him away in saftie though Saul thought she would haue bene a scandal vnto him or cause of ruine by the handes of the Philistians 1. Reg. 18. v. 21. Vpon which occasion Dauid made this Psalme As he also made others for perpetual memorie of Gods like benefites in deliuering him in iminent dangers VVhen Saul sent three troupes of serieants to kil him and solowed them himselfe 1. Reg. 19. v. 20 likevvise vvhen he vvas knovven and bevvrayed before Achis king of Geth 1. Reg. 21. also in Ceila in the deserts of Ziph and of Maon c. 23 in Engaddi c. 24. in Hachila c. 26. and againe amongst the Philistians c. 27. and 30. b They haue so straictly beseged me that it is now in their haudes to take away my life c Of my part I haue committed no sault against myn enimies for which they can haue aâ—ie iust cause to persecute me d The prophet soreseing in spirite that the Catholique Church shal be vniustly persecuted prayeth and teacheth others to pray that God wil mercifully visite his faithful people of al nations e and not spare obstinate persecuters f Persecuters laboring how much or how long soeuer shal at night that is in the end of al their wicked endeuoures be vnsatisfied in their desires g as hungrie dogges that runne hunting al the day night also stil seeking not finding wherwith to fil their rauenous mouthes and deuouring bellies h They threaten and determine to vse al crueltie i as if there were no God that heareth and wil punish it k Through Gods grace the Church is stil strong and the vertuous do perseuere l God suffereth afflictions to fal vpon his seruants to kepe them exercised lest in prosperitie they forgete their duties to him m Depriue them of powre that they may not do so much euil as they desire n After that their iniquitie is complete o they shal be accused and punished for their blasphemies and lies p As. v. 7. q They shal in vaine seeke oyle for their lampes with the foolish virgins repent with Iudas and finding no helpe r shal continually blaspheme in hel Å¿ In the resurrection King Dauids thankes for victories the 8. key a The change of state from aduersitie to prosperitie in the people of Israel was a figure of the like change in the Church of Christ b worthie to be remembred c for the instruction d of Gods beloued e as the same are more largely recorded in the bookes of kinges f God suffereth his people to be afflicted as wel for their sinnes as for exercise in vertue g after sheweth his mercie in pardoning and fauour in aduancing them h by punishiÌ„g sinners i VVarning them to ameÌ„d k and then restoreth them to former good state l God also as he hath promised by his holie oracle m hath aduanced king Dauid in his temporal kingdom and doth much more aduance him and other elect in euerlasting life n As a vessel for meaner vses o Bring it vnder my dominion p As God doth sometimes punish q so he also rewardeth r strongly with fortitude A confident prayer for Christs Incarnation the 5. k. â—y a In songues of praise and thankes to God b From al coastes of the earth faithful people pray to God c the Church builded vpon an assured fundation is exalted to great powre and dignitie d God conducteth defendeth and deliuereth those that confidently trust in him e in the Church a place of assured protection f Christâ— kingdome the Church perpetual to the end of this world and eternal after the general Resurrection g Who is able to vnderstand or explicate how great Christs mercie is in redeming vs h and his truth in performing his promised rewardes i For so imestimable benefites I wil alwayes praise thee with Psalmes Canticles or other thankes in this life k and eternally in the life to come Exhortation to good life in respect of reward or punishment the 7. key a Directed to Idithun one of the masters of musike to sing it or to make tune for it b The wicked threating to ruinate others Dauid or anie iust man feareth them not because his soule is subiect to God c Therfore I firmely purpose neuer to be moued from God d In vaine do you myn aduersaries stil assault me e though ye be al confederate to kil me f
is the Sonne of God also the name of IESVS is magnified aboue al names or temporal thinges g Sovvner or later Kinges and Princes of al kingdomes and nations haue bene or shal be conuerted to Christ h God knovveth proud men not as his freindes or seruants but farre of as strangers and enimies Gods special prouidence of his seruantes the 3 key a By this part of the title to the end is signified as is noted Psal 4. that the matter contâ—ined in the Psalme perteyneth to the nevv Testament b God vvho knovveth al thinges most absolutly and perfectly vvithout discourse or searching yet as it vvere maketh experimental trial of his seruants to make them in some sorte to know him and to knovv themselues And so here holie Dauid or other faithful man acknovvlegeth Gods Omniscience that is perfect knovvlege of al thinges vvithout exception past present to come al vvorkes vvordes thoughtes and vvhat soeuer can be though it neuer vvas nor shal be in general and in particular c The vttermost measure and reach of myne intention d The word holden in by the tongue and not vttered by mouth is not hidden from God e By experieÌ„ce we see that Gods knovvlege excedeth our reach f As Gods knovvlege comprehendeth al thinges so his presence extendeth it selfe to al places neither is conteined in place but excedeth al place in his diuine immensirie g The Prophe also in the person of anie curious imaginatiue man examineth and findeth that no darknes nor couer can hide anie ching from God h Nothing semeth more hidde then a mâ—ns entrals i oâ— a child in the mothers vvombe k Or bones in the flesh l Or mans bodilie imperfection before his birth * Golâ—â— Embryoâ—em * Of knovvlege m dayly formed by God not by man Iob. 10. v. 8. 2. Mae 7. v. 22 23. n Aboue al considerations it most excedeth that God so high and infinite honoreth his humble poore seruants so excedingly that it semeth to themselues farre more then can be due For he revvardeth euen ouer aboue merites which merites also are founded in Gods mercie geuen vvithout merite :: Nevv translaters peruert this place translating thoughts for frendes contrarie to the Hebrevv Greke and Latin and al ancient Fathers only pretending that the same vvord in the Chaldee tongue also signifieth thoughts o The number also of Saintes vvhom God hath chosen called iustified and vvil glorifie excede mans conceipt Apoc. 7. p Incensed vvith this excellent glorie and desiring to be of this innumerable multitude by thy grace I haue risen from sinne and in confidence of thy perpetual helpe I stand and hope to perseuere in thy seruice q And if it be so yea seing it is so that as thou ô God doest exalt thy Saincts to exceding and vnspeakable honour so thou hast also decreed to punish obstinate sinners vvith eternal death and damnation r I renounce al vvicked association gette ye avvay from me al cruel bloudie men that vvould dravv me into euerlasting torments Å¿ Avvay from me you that thinke t the glorious mansions in heauen prepared and promised to the iust are vaine hopes and in vaine expected v This hate of such sinners the iust shal confidently plead and happie are they that shal be able truly to alleage for themselues in the day of iudgement that they hated al vvhom God hateth vv yea hated them vvith feruent zele that are Gods enimies x Stil the Prophet inculcateth this necessarie perfect hatred y and emnitie tovvards Gods enimies z For that none in this life without special and extraordinarie reuelation knoweth certainly their owne state whether they be worthie of Gods loue or hatred Eccle 9. the iust submitte themselues to Gods examination of their hart and actions a humbly praing God that if they be in the way of iniquitie b he wil voutsafe to reduce and guid them into the right way of euerlasting life Eternal paine of the wicked and ioy of the blessed the 10. key a Vnquiet euil disposed men stil deuise wicked plottes b and neuer cease to make discord and debates * Scandalum c In time of tentation prayer is most necessarie d Man is not able to resist tentations e vnlesse God by his grace as by a helmet defend him from yelding consent f Suffer me not to fal from that which I now desire which is to be constant in vertue not to consent to sinners perswasions g VVho then would triumph ouer me h The summe of their mischeuous deuises i consisting in their suttle persuasions with swete wordes k shal ouerwhelme and bring themselues to perdâ—tion l Hel fire shal be their lote m â—nto which they shal fal n â—uer be in intolerable torments o I haue lerned by good instructions and by experience that in the end thou ô God wâ—lt comfort the iust who are now afflicted and punish the vniust that liue in temporal delightes as it happened to Lazarus and the glatâ—on p Eternal glorie consisteth in seeing God The Church prayeth and preuaileth the 6. key :: In these wordes the Church prayeth offering incense in her solemne Offices a As the fume of incense is swete and ascendeth vpwards so the Church prayeth that her petitions may be gratful and ascend to God b In the old testament morning acrifice was rather more solemne and more frequeut but the Prophet semeth to allude vnto Christs Sacrifice which he was to offer towards euening on the Crosse and the same also in vnbloudie maner the euening befofe his Passion in the Eucharist c A iust care and consideration what to speake before the mouth be opened d lippes must not be alwayes stopt for it is a sinne sometimes not to speake but as a dore that is to be opened and shut at due seasons for example opened to confesse our sinnes and Gods truth e shutte from wordes of malice and from excusing sinnes committed f Admonition of the iust is a profitable reprehension g but the fawning of flatteters is pernicious h The Church ceaseth not to pray for sinners i though as yet they take pleasure in their sinnes k but the very chiefest of them which seme most potent if they remaine obstinate to their death shal then perish as men throwne against rockes l They shal then heare and vnderstand that the prayers of the Church m are effectual obtaining grace of constancie to her children not to feare anie persecution nor anie kind of death obtayning also iustificatioÌ„ of their cause vvhen the persecuters shal see that the wordes and doctrin of the Church are true and preuaile in true iudgement as true modest peaceable not sedicious turbulent nor against the commonwealth n As much earth sticking together is made fructful by breaking it into smal mould so the children of the Church by persecution bring forth more fruict then before S. Aug. o Some persecuters are so cruel as to rage against the bones and
other reliques of Martyrs p casting them into the vilest planes they can willing if they could to throw them into hel q but the Church and al her members repose confidence in God * life r Therfore she prayeth that her children be not entrapped by guilful deceiptes Å¿ nor ouerthrowne by anie stumbling blocke cast in their way t In the end al persecuters and other wicked shal be caught in their ovvne nette of perdition v the Church is singularly protected euen to the end Dauids prayer in extreme distresse the 8. key a This Psalme in fotme of a prayer shevveth vvhat cogitations Dauid had in extreme danger b Not with exterior voice for so he should haue detected himselfe but with feruoure of spirite c VVhen by reason of extremitie I vvas not able to thinke hovv to helpe my selfe d thou ô God knovving my actions and demaneur didst deliuer me e I looked for helpe f and diligently looked about me g but none vvould seme to knovv me vvhen I required their helpe h Endeuoring to saue my self by flight I found no secure place for being in a caue or hole of a montaine the vvhole armie beseeged me al seeke to take avvay my life none to saue it i Thus leift desolate of al mans helpe and destitute of al vvorldlie shift I cried to thee ô Lord k my only hopeful refuge l neither do I desire to liue for anie vvorldlie respect but hauing chosen thee ô God for my portion and inheritance m I desire to be out of this desert place and to be in the land vvhere is right vse of religious diuine seruice n afflicted o Dauids desire of libertie was especially to this end that he might haue conuenient place and other meanes to serue and praise God p the good and vvel disposed people of Israel can not now serue thee as they desire but expect me q whom thou ô Lord vvilt aduance to the kingdom that then vve may serue thee more freely and more commodiously The prophetical sense of this Psalme The seuenth penitential Psalme the 7. key 2. Reg â—7 a God hauing so promised is bond by his truth b and his iustice to heare penitents praying for remission of sinnes c Deale not vvith me in rigour of iustice d for no mortal man is able of himselfe to be iustified abstracting from Gods mercie e sought my life f and brought it into great danger Spiritually the diuel as a roâ—ing lion stil seeking vvhom he may deuour hath tempted me vehemently g I am pressed with great calamities temporal or spiritual h In this case I consider how God hath hertofore shewed his goodnes towards me and others i Stretching forth handes a ceremonie in prayer wherby the supplicant is made more attentiue and also indureth some paine for part of satisfaction k mans mind vvithout Gods illumination is drie and barren l In great tentations Gods grace and helpe is more presently nedeful to preuent our weaknes lest vve yeld consent m If God leaue man vvithout special and continual grace he vvil fal n into sunne as into a deepe lake from vvhence vvithout helpe he can not rise vp againe o In the first assault of tentation p Seing by thy grace I haue begunne to pray vnto thee q The penitent thus humbling himselfe and praying may assuredly trust that God doth remitte his sinnes by the holie Sacraments and iustifieth him protecteth him and wil bring him out of al dangers of spiritual or temporal enemies King Dauid praiseth God for his victories the 8 key a Because this vvas Dauids first and a very notable victorie the Septuagint Interpreters make mention of Goliath in this title b God made Dauid a warier and victorer against Goliath without anie former training in armes c Made him afterwards king of a great people d Al mankind was vnvvorthie before Christ e that God should be reueled vnto them f especially that he should haue care of the progenie of men after their sinne g In dede man in himself in his ovvne nature and frailtie is but a vaine and transitorie creature passing from life to death as a shadovv that can not consist of it selfe neither can man vvithout God h By a poetical description he prayeth for Gods helpe as if God should make the heauens to bovv and so descend or make the montaines smoke as vvhen Moyses receiued the lavv or declare himself by Meteors as folovveth i Tribulations or tentations k Children of the Church l but of euil life m They speake in vanitie that promise to kepe Gods law and performe it not n In that principal instrument apt for a new songue and for extra ordinarie benefites o Both Ievves Christians that liue not vvel are as strangers that frame to themselues such a false felicite as is here described making riches or vvorldlie pleasures their God * transmigration p True happines consisteth not in vvorldlie thinges q But in preferring God before al. Gods Maiestie excelleth al thinges the 1. key a By this title Esdras signifieth that the Holie Ghost vvho indited al the Psalmes to Gods praise more specially in these seuen last suggested to Dauid and by him to al Gods seruants that al their other seruice must tend and be directed to the praise of God and that therin vve must continevv and finally rest as in the sabbath of the seuenth day signified as S. Beda supposeth by these seuen last Psalmes of praise eternally praising our Lord God For vvhich principal end both Angels and Men yea and al other creatures vvere made b King is the proper epitheton of Christ the Sonne of God to whom in his humanitie God the Father promised the Church of al nations for his kingdom Psal 2. in vvhom also the vvhole Blessed Trinitie is praised c Al the time of this vvorld they praise God d after in eternitie e Of vvonderful and miraculous thinges vvhich strike terrour into mens mindes f The effectes of Gods mercie in redeming and recallidg sinners are eminent aboue al other workes g Therfore the sanctified haue special cause to praise God h Christs kingdom the militant Church is magnifical but much more the triumphant vvhich is eternal i God is readie of his part to lift vp al. k He geueth necessarie thinges to al liuing creatures euen to brute beastes The seuen last Psalmes perteyne more specially to prayses This Psalme and other six are composed in order of the Alphabet It is probable that the Hebrevv text novv vvanteth a verse in this Psalme And therfore is not more certaâ—ne then the Greke or Latin Al are exhorred to praise God and trust in his assured prouidence they key a The Septuagint added â—he names of these tuo Prophetes for the like reason as they added Ieromie Psal 136. because Aggaeus and Zacharias prophecying in the reduction of the people from captiuitie exhorted them as here the Psalmist doth to trust in Gods prouidence and preferre