but one may gather by the Iewes practice that in the thirteenth day of the moneth which day the slaughter of the people should have been they did ordinarily fast in remembrance of the danger V. 32. In the book of the statutes and observations of the Iewes besides Moses Lawes CHAP. X. VER 3. SPeaking peace or speaking of peace to all c. studying and appointing such things as belonged to the prosperity and safety of them THE BOOK OF IOB The ARGUMENT THis Book containeth a true History and not as some have believed a fiction or morall parable as appeares by the Scripture it selfe Ezech. 14. 14. and Iam. 5. 11. The time when this hapned seemes to be when the people journeyed in the wildernesse after their deliverance out of Aegypt whereof there are manifest tracks in this book as of a thing newly done and yet fresh in mens memories The most common opinion is that Moses hath been the authour of it having written the narration in prose and the discourses which were held upon this subject in heroick verse fitting with the dignitie and gravity of the matter There bee therefore two parts in this book one is the history of what hapned to Iob an Edomite by Nation but faithfull in his religion and holy in his conversation who from the very heigth of an exceeding great happinesse which he enjoyed with a very pure conscience was by the Devills inducement and Gods permission upon a sudden plunged into an abisse of miseries corporall and spirituall internall and externall for the space of divers Months with a long and exceeding stronge tryall of his faith and pietie which had been calumniated by the Devill and termed mercenary Hypocrisie in which tryall and combate he at last remained victorious through his faith and perseverance though much shaken and tottered in the fâ—esh through its thoughts and motions And after he had been approved of by God hee was miraculously raised and super abundantly rewarded The second part containeth the opinions motions disputes and discourses of Iob and foure friends of his upon this subject The summe whereof is that Iob fully cetified by the holy Ghost of Gods grace in the promised Mediator apprehended by a lively faith a treasure preserved in a good conscience cannot reconcile this harsh outward usage with that inward seale And therefore hee most bitterly tormâ—nts and grieves himselfe and complaines of God to God himselfe urging him either to admit him to come before him to justifie himselfe or to know the causes of this so unaccustomed and strange manner of government Wherein though he shew the invincible force of his faith and uprightnesse of his conscience yet can he not be excused from excesse in his termes and words Contrariwise three of his friends grave and wise persons which came to comfort him seeing his tragicall and terrible calamities and hearing his immoderate discourses accuse him to have been a prophane and wicked man or a dissembling hypocrite seeing that Gods providence and justice which rewards every one according to his works did punish him with evident tokens of revenge beyond the temperatenesse and measure of the corrections and proofes of the faithfull And therefore they exhort him to convert himselfe to God and give glory to him in all humility and so to expect his deliverance from him But Iob reâ—ells these temerary accusations and absolutely denies their maxime namely that God doth alwayes make the rewards and punishments equall to mens deeds which is contradicted by the common expeience of all Ages He also refuseth to acknowledge himselfe to have been a wicked man contrary to his own conscience for that would have been a denying of the seale and witnesse of Gods Spirit in his heart depriving himselfe of the onely stay and comfort he had in all his evils and casting himselfe headlong into dispaire And therefore he granteth unto his friends that as he is a creature he will not nor cannot contend with his Creator if he please to treat with him in his Majesty and according to that soveraign right and power which hee hath over his creatures and also as a sinner by his own nature he yeeldeth unto the rigor of Gods Law if he will proceed against him as a Iudge but if he please to seat himselfe upon the throne of grace and from thence heare him as a sonne and a believer he is ready to lay himselfe open unto him and maintaine his innocencie and beare away the victory on his side And having thus stopped the mouth of his three frends Elihu the fourth stepts in reproving the three other for not having rightly debated this controversie and for being by that meanes forced to abandon Gods cause which they had undertakâ—n to defend And takes another way namely to leave to God and Iobs conscience to judge of that part of his life which was past and doth rebuke him for his present excesses and unreverences against Gods Majesty shewing him that it was no way incompatible but rather a very ordinary thing to be faithfull and yet grievously punished by God for triall and exercise or for correction and extirpation of some internall vice and defect not known or unequally weighed in mans own conscience Therefore he exhorteth Iob to silence humility and profound adoration of Gods judgements Finally Iob opposeth his faith and certaine assurance of Gods grace to his so severe visitations His three friends doe oppose the profession which hee made of piety faith and innocencie by reason of these his afflictions Elihu contrariwise maintaines that the one may subsist with the other and that in such perplexities the onely remedy is quietly to put ones selfe into the hands of God without any murmuring and contradiction approving of all that he dotâ— as most just Which also is the true and certaine decision of the question To which Iob submitting himselfe with silence the Lord appeares and doth stronglier confirme it by his sentence calling Iob and his three friends to a godly correcting of their opinions and to a friendly concord of wills CHAP. I. VER 1. OF Vz a part of the countrey of Edom Lam. 4. 21. which took its name from and was inhabited by the children of Vz of Esaus race Gen. 36. 28. see Ier. 25. 20. V. 3. His substance the Italian his cattell or his wealth and that as hee had houshold his number of servants as Gen. 26. 14. or husbandry of the East in respect of the land of Canaan as Judg. 6. 3. 1 Kings 4. 30. V. 4 Went at certaine times of the yeere they met at feasts of charity and brotherly conversation V. 5. Sanctified them prepared them by ceremoniall exercises and purifications as fasts abstinences and washings as Exod. 19. 10. and especially by internall and spirituall ones of prayers mortifications and meditations Gen. 35. 2. that they might without pollution or uncleannesse bee partakers of their fathers offerings burnt offerings see Lev. 1. 3. cursed God the Italian spoken evill of
free from the bond of marriage V. 28. Shall have trouble they shall be subject to more troubles and difficulties especially in these approaching calamities In the flesh in the state of this life I spare you in this advice which I give you to abstaine from matrimony I doe procure your owne ease V. 29. But this I say I doe leave every man the freedome of making use of this advice as hee shall thinke â—itting and expedient for himselfe but here is an advice necessary for all men Namely that considering how neere the accomplishment of Christs Kingdome is and the end of the world beleevers should not let their hearts take roote in earthly things but should alwayes have them raised and extended to heavenly and everlasting things Verse 31. Abusing it either by the intemperate use thereof or by fixing their love and affection upon it For the he sheweth how unworthy and unâ—eemely a thing it is to set ones heart upon these things Seeing they are but a false and transitory Image yea but a very shadow of good Verse 32. Carâ—â—ulâ—esse of worldly businesses as much as you can Careth for may freely and without any disturbance attend upon CHRISTS service Verse 33. Careth for oftentimes and in many parts of his life hee is troubled with cares to satisfie the dutie and affection which hee beareth to his Wife and Children whereby hee cannot so freely addict himselfe to spirituall things especially if the woman doth not equally give her mind to such things as tend to the same end of pietie and service of God Verse 34. There is a difference some Texts doe joyne these words with the precedent verse in this sence and is divided that is to say such a man is distracted by diverse cares Luke 10. 40. A Wife The Italian The woman Namely she that is married Others begin the verse here the woman namely the Widdow and the Virgin that is unmarried carrieth for c. Careth for may wholly give her selfe to workes of pietie without any disturbâ—nce or let How shee may that is to say her studie to gaine or to preserve her husbands love either by the comelinesse and grace of her body or by her diligence and faithfull service often drives her either to worldly vanities or to cares and employments which divert her Verse 35. Profit See verse 26. 28 32. A snare too strict a Law in a thing which is indifferent yea oftentimes necessary Which being not observed may fill your mindes with sâ—ruples and perplexities out of which you may not bee able to free your selves See Matth. 19 11. Ver. 36. If she passe without being married And need so requâ—e thorow the will or necessitie of the daughter Ver 37. Hâ—e that standeth that perseveres in his first proposition of keeping his daughters unmarried No necessitie namely on the daughters side that is to say if shee bee willing and can consent to her Fathers intention But hath power can lawfully and without forcing his daughter execute his designe Ver. 38. Doth well according to the common order set dâ—â—â—e by God and to provide for the good of his daughter Better in respect of the greater libertie for spirituall things and the greater ease to beare the Crosse and other tryalls verse 26. 38. 32. Ver. 39. In the Lord containing her selfe within the communion of CHRIST and his Church without Apostating for her marriage 1 Timothy 5. 12 15. Or marying a Husband that is a Christian 2 Cor. 6. 14. or holily and in the feare of God as a believing woman ought to doe Ver. 40. Also that no lesse then the other Apostles though some doe vilifie my ministery below theirs 2 Cor. 11. 5. and 12 11. The Spirit See ver 25. CHAP. VIII VER 1. TOuching things they were meaâ—es of heathen sacrifices whereof some part having beene consecrated and offered to Idols the rest was sold in open markets 1 Cor. 10. 25 or made use of at private feasts without any professed relation to the Idol 1 Cor. 10. 27. or in pub 〈…〉 feasts in honour of the Idols and in their Temples or Chappels 1 Cor. 8. 10. and 10. 20 21. and the Apostle being asked whither it were lawfull to eate of such meaâ—â—s treates of it in this Chapter only iâ— this respect Namely that although it beâ—â— thing indifferent yet one ought not to doe it to the scandall of ones neighbour who is weake in faith 〈◊〉 feare of inducing him to doe any thing which may bee against his Conscience but Chap. 10. 19. hee speakes of it in a more weighty consideration in respect of communicating with the Idoll Wee kâ—â—w I know what they that take leave to eate of them alleadge that they are sufficiently instructed about Christian liberty in externall things and that 〈◊〉 cannot pollute the soule and that the Idoll besides the stuffe that it is made of is but the Idolaters v 〈…〉 imagination without being or power and cannot deâ—ile the meates and therefore they being 〈◊〉 thorowly enformed and perswaded they 〈◊〉 they cannot sinne in it See Rom. 14 14. P 〈…〉 â—eth up This perswasion of Christian libeâ—â—ie as well as any other knowledge which is not temperâ—â— nor regulated with charitie gives men for the most part occasion to bee proud and despise their 〈◊〉 brethren pleasing themselves without any re 〈…〉 to others Romans 15. verse 1. 2. Edifieth procures the brethrens salvation addes to their instruction and confirmation and keepes men from laying any stumbling blocke in their way as they 〈◊〉 who licentiously made use of such meates 〈◊〉 9. 10. V. 2. Thinke nâ—mely by a vaine presumptionâ— himselfe As hee ought that is to say humbly for himselfe and profitable for others V. 3. Love he reserâ—eâ—h all that hee knnoweth or beleeveth to the true practice of the love of God of his glory and service and for Gods cause to the salvation of his neighbour Is knowne that is to say accepted and approved of The Apostle seemes to use this word to shew that as the knowledge with which God knoweth those who are his is not a bare and barren knowledge but accompanied with lâ—ve so likewise ought their knowledge to be where with they that are his doe know him See 1 Cor. 13. 12. Gal. 4. 9. Ver. 4. Is nothing that is to say hath no Godâ—ead nor divine power in it selfe whereby it appeares that these meates can not bee defiled by being conseâ—rated to the Idoll Ver. 5. Called Gods namely by meere abuse as Idolls are Or by some participation of similitude in power and dignitie as the Angels in heaven and Kings and Princes on earth are There bee Gods that is to say as that name is common to God and to diverse creatures though not in an equall sence but â—â—ly by some resemblance or proportion V 6. Unto us beleevers and Christians But 〈◊〉 See upon Iohn 17. 3 not that the son is not also true God Phil. 2. 6. as likewise the dominion is not
because that the Law of Moses gives a man no strength nor helpe towards the accomplishing of it and yet doth inexorably require perfect obedience the Law of Christ contrariwise worketh in man the power of doing that which it commands and besides commandeth with mildnesse tempered according to mens weaknesses and ignorances In regard of the end because Moses his Law is to gain a right to life or to be condemned by it the Law of Christ to frame and direct man to the exercise and actions of life which is already given him by grace V. 20. I am I participate of his death as well in the expiation of my sinnes as in the gift of his Spirit which mortifieth in me the strength of sin and ingenders a new life in me of which Christ is the Root and Spring and that by vertue of the communion which I have with him as member of his bodie the band and tie whereof in this life is faith Ephes. 3. 17. V. 21. I do not that is to say I teach this that the Doctrine of Gods grace in Christ which is the onely cause of salvation may remain safe and untouched Rom. 4. 14 16. Righteousnesse namely the meanes whereby man is justified before God By the Law either wholly according the Pharisees opinion or in part according the error of those false Doctours now these two meanes of Faith and of Workes cannot either by Gods order or by the nature it selfe of the things be mixed together in causes of justification Rom. 4. 4. and 5. 6. 11. Wherefore if the least cause of righteousnesse and life be attributed to Workes it must wholly be attributed unto them and so Christ profiteth nothing Gal. 5. 2 3 4. And so likewise whosoever hath a recourse to Christ must absolutely renounce all considence in his own proper Workes Phil. 3. 8 9. CHAP. III. VER 1. SEt forth lively represented unto you with his death and passion and with the vertue and use thereof V. 2. Receivâ—d you you have not received the spirit of regeneration from God nor the miraculous gifts thereof by meanes of the Jewish doctrine of Workes nor by your endeavouring to do them nor your adhering to them but by meanes of the Gospell embraced by faith then seeing that God hath ratified this Doctrine onely by this divine seal you ought not any way to doubt of it and you do very ill to varie therein V. 3. Begun the course and state of your vocation in Christianitie In the Spirit namely by faith regeneration and other effects of the Holie Ghost in which consists the substance and truth of the Gospell Iohn 4. 23. 2 Cor. 3. 6. 8. Made perfect you let the false Apostles perswade you that you may receive some addition of perfection by the observation of legall ceremonies as by a thing necessarie to mans righteousnesse and holinesse By the flesh by externall and corporall things such as those ceremonies were especially after their figurative and sacramentall use was nullified by Christ to establish new Sacraments See Phil. 3. 4. Heb. 7. 16. and 9. 10. V. 4. In vain namely for a Doctrine which now you renounce for the Jewes sakes who were the first authours of the Christians persecutions or without any fruit for the reward is promised to them which persevere If it be and not rather to your greater condemnation being that the abandoning of the truth after such great progresses therein and such strong proofes cannot chuse but be imputed for a far greater fault as there being greater violence and ruine therein as in a building alreadie raised to a great height more malignitie ingratitude towards God and more scandall towards men V. 5. Miracles the Italian powerfull workes that is to say high and noted miracles which in those beginnings were frequent in the Churches See 1 Cor. 12. 10. V. 7. Know yee the Italian yet you know that is to say this Doctrine is clear and resolved upon amongst Christians that the true children of Abraham comprehended in the covenant which God made with him and his posteritie are not the carnal Jewes which are borne of him or joyned to him by circumcision and by the professing of their ceremonies but all such as according to Abrahams example do renounce all confidence in their own proper Workes and put it wholly in Gods promises and grace in Christ as Abraham was made a father example and paragon of faith to all those to whom the covenant made with him was to appertain Of faith namely of the number and on that good side of those which follow that onely meanes of salvation See Rom. 4. 16. V. 8. The Scripture namely God speaking by it Rom. 9. 17. Gal. 3. 22. did formerly reveal his intent to Abraham to call the Gentiles at his appointed time through faith in his Son Preached before the Gospell namely he did propound unto him this Euangelicall promise In thee namely in so much as they shall be thy children and joyned to thee by communion and imitation of faith V. 10. For as many seeing there never were but these two meanes of obtaining Gods blessing but Workes and Faith and that through sin man hath made himselfe utterly uncapable of the first and therefore remaines accursed there is no way for him but either to remain in perdition without redemption or to have recourse unto the other meanes which is Faith Of the Workes namely of the number of their opinion and of their side who found the confidence of the righteousnesse and life upon their own Workes Rom. 4. 4 and 10. 3. For it is he doth presuppose it as a clear thing that no man after sin can persevere that is to say can accomplish the course of obedience in all its heads V. 11. But that no man let no man deceive himselfe in believing that the aforesaid sentence is onely pronounced against wicked men who are altogether given to evill the most righteous and holie do not live before God and consequently are not justified but onely by Faith seeing that righteousnesse is the onelie and perpetuall cause of life See Rom. 1. 17. as it appeares by this passage of Hab. 2. 4. V. 12. And the Law the Italian but the Law let everie one also beware of thinking to mix both the meanes together namely of Workes and of Faith in causes of life and justification for in this regard and for this effect Workes have no communitie with Faith neither in their own nature seeing they present to God mans own righteousnesse and Faith receives Christs righteousnesse for a gift nor by Gods order which makes these two meanes incompatible one with the other Rom. 4. 4 5. and 10. 5 6. and 116. But the man that is to say the substance and sum of the Law consists in mans own proper Workes contrarie to this reception by Faith in meer gift V. 13. Christ now he comes again to shew how a blessing comes upon the spirituall children of Abraham by Faith v. 9.
therefore of small consequence either in the destroying or the preserving of it Words of humane ignorance not agreeing with Gods justice who regardeth not little or great V. 22. I cannot Gods order is that I should set thee in safety before I destroy the Citie hast thee therefore for the time of execution is come Zoar That is to say little whereas before it was called Bela. See the fourteenth Chapter of Genesis and the second verse V. 24. The Lord The Son of God who had appeard unto Abraham and Lot caused this raine to fall by some word or token which raine was caused by Gods omnipotency and showred upon the earth without any naturall cause V. 25 The plaine Of Jordan Gen. 13. 10. where there were five Cities Sodom Gomorrah Adura Seboim Zoar. V. 26. Loâ—ked Following Lot she turned her eyes towards Sodom either through curiosity or through griefe against Gods Commandement ver 17. A pillar A dead stiffe body dryed up by that sulphurous and Salpetrie stuffe which the Scripture calleth salt Genesis 14. 3. Deut. 29. 23. V. 29. Abraham For whose love chiefely God preserved Lot who though he was innocent of those abominable vices yet might very well deserve to be partaker of their corporall punishment for having stayed so long amongst them for worldly ease V. 31. Our Father It sheweth that they believed all the world was consumed and that they only surviving with their old Father it behoved them to make haste to have issue for to preserve man-kind and that this necessity did disannull the ordinary Law an inconsiderate cause of a wicked effect V. 37. Moab That is to say of the father that is begotten upon me by my Father V. 38. Beâ—ammi That is to say Sonne of my people begotten in the holy linage and not of the accursed of Sodom where I should have beene married CHAP. XX. VERS 1. FRom thence That is from the plaine of Mamre Gen. 18. 1. The South See Gen. 13 1. Kadesh See Gen. 16. 14. V. 3. A dead man This was told Abimelech after the plagues which God had sent him to hinder him from abusing of Sarah v. 6 because he might be the cause of them and be delivered from them by restoring of her to her husband V. 4. Nation because that the Kings Court and the people had also been strucken with those plagues verse 7. 9 17. Righteous That is guiltlesse of this fact V. 5. In the Integrity In ending to make her my lawfull wife without ravishment or Adultery V. 12. Daughter of Many are of opinion that shee was Tares Grand-child and the Hebrewes will have her to be â—sâ—a the daughter of Haran Genesis 11. â—9 V. 15. Before thee At thy command and choyce See Gen. 13. 9. V. 16. Thy brother It should seeme that this sum was given for a kinde of recompence Pieces The Italian hath it S 〈…〉 kels a kinde of silver coyn weighing halfe an ounce or foure drams A covering that is to say he that alone hath interest in thee and power over thee wherefore as a signe of subjection thou shalt goe with thy face covered Gen. 24. 65. 1 Cor. 11. 10. That every one that seeth thee may know that thou art marryed and therefore abstaine from thee For it is likely that Sarah had taken off her vayle whereby the King was fallen into some errour Thus shee Though she was honoured and rewarded by the King yet was she faine to suffer the shame of this rebuke V. 17. Bare Children So the Hebrew hath it the Italian hath it They were able to beare This signifieth that Abimelechs plagues and sores were in the genitall parts of men and women which hindred their cohabitation which is modestly expressed by this circumlocution CHAP. XXI VERS 1. VIsited That is to say shewed himselfe to bee present with her in grace and vertue giving miraculously new power to conceive V. 6. Made me to laugh She hath reference to her laughing Gen. 18. 12. as if she should say now have I truely occasion to laugh for joy as I did before through wonder V. 7. For I have Words of admiration as if she said that I should c. V. 9. Mocking Saint Paul Gal. 4. 29 calleth this scoffe a persecution which sheweth that there was malice hatred and stoutnesse in it V. 10 She said Though it is manifest that there was some carnall and vicious passion in Sarah yet all this was done by the secret promise of God to separate Ishmael from the blessed progeny in which he had no share See Gen. 25. 6. and 36. 6 8. V. 12. Shall thy The progeny which shall beare thy name and shall participate in the spirituall right of the holy race whereof I have made thee head shall bee borne unto thee by Isaac and not by Ishmael V. 14. Beersheba The place is so called here by way of anticipation v. 31. V. 17. Where he is To shew that God was even present in the desert in grace and power V. 18. Hold him The Italian hath Strengthen thy selfe to have a care of him The Hebrew hath it strengthen thy hand â—ver him V. 19. Opened Whether sorrow did trouble her judgement or whether God did by miracle hinder her sight or whether it was dazled through the long distance all obstacles were taken away in a moment and the remedy to her want was shewed her V. 20. Was with Went along with him with his blessing in temporall things Gen. 17. 20. Archer both in warre and hunting V. 23. That thou In this Oath as in all other oathes there is a promise in these words thou shalt doe and an execration If thou as the Italian hath it in stead of That thou which must be thus applyed that God may judge thee and curse thee c. if thou lyest V. 25. Reproved The Italian hath complained to Taken away debarring Abraham and his servants who had digged it from the use of it verse 30. See Gen. 26. 15 18 20 21 22. V. 30. That they That thou art King accepting this present from me for an acknowledgement that I have digged this well in thy land I may bee out of strife with thy subjects and thou giving credit to my saying namely that I have digged it maist command thy servants to be silent V. 31. Beersheba That is to say a well of swearing V. 33. A grove It seemeth he used it for a retyring place to doe his exercises of piety to pray and sacrifice which example having brought in a superstitious opinion amongst many as if the Deity were present in such shady places God did forbid the use of these groves neere to holy places Deut. 16. 21. and often condemneth the service that is done there in imitation of the Pagans CHAP. XXII VERS 2. MOriah This name signifieth provision of God and is here used by anticipation because it was so called afterwards verse 14. upon the said occasion and is one of those bills which afterwards was inclosed within
default V. 13 Let him bring it Some peece as he can get again to witnesse the mischance and his care Amos 3â—12 V. 15 Be with it And have seen that it happened not through his neighbours default and that he could not help it seeing the master himself could not help it It câ—me It hath been a kinde of merchandizing and no curtesie or favour done in lending of it wherefore he that had it is not bound to pay for it unlesse there were some default in him Others have it let it go for his hire V. 16 Entice With dallyings and enticements not by force as Deut. 22. 29. where both the case and the Law for it are different Endow her See Exo. 21. 9 V. 17 According to According as the custome is or the Law more or lesse according to the proportion of the maidens qualities or wealth as may be gathered by the 1 Sam. 18. 25. V. 18 The witch Any one that hath made a Covenant or hath communication with the Divell or any way practiseth divelish arts to any end whatsoever He specifieth the female sex because that in it this kinde of evill is most frequent and notwithstanding the frailty of it it must not escape unpunished V. 20 Utterly destroyed The Italian addeth As Anathema That is to say accursed and execrable see Deut. 18. 21. 1 Cor. 16. 22. V. 23 If thou afflict them The Italian hath it Beware of afflicting him The Hebrew hath it if thou afflict him an abridged manner of forbidding with an implied threate V. 25 Any of my people by this word are oftentimes meant especially the poore Psa. 14. 4. Mic. 2. 9. V. 26 Thy neighbours Who is poore or needy V. 27 Wherein shall he Or whereupon he lieth V. 28 The ruler The Italian hath it He that is governour that is to say he that is the chief of the politick or ecclesiasticall order V. 29 Of thy ripe fruits The Italian hath it Of thy vintage The Hebrew of thy fulnesse It appeareth by Numb 18. 27. Deut. 22. 9. that this word here meaneth the vintage which runneth out in abundance out of the wine presses or fats As that which is afterwards spoken of oiles is pointed out by the word of dropping because they are pressed out drop after drop Now this is specified because that the offerings of the first fruits of corne were at Pentecost Exod. 23. 16. and 34. 2â— Numb 28. 26. but not them of liquors and therefore God commandeth that it should not be maliciously or negligently delayed V. 31 Holy men Spiritually abstaining and purifying your selves from sinne and ceremonially by abstaining from all such things whereof I have declared the use to be uncleane CHAP. XXIII VERS 1. SHalt not raise By being the author or divulger thereof Others have it shalt not receive that is to say thou shalt not give eare unto it nor lightly believe it V. 2 A Multitude The Italian hath it After great ones That is to say for to make thy selfe partiall with them others have it after a multitude V. 3 Countenance Regarding his poverty and not the justice of the cause V 5 Wouldest forbeare Or wouldest thou forbeare from freeing of him V. 6 Of thy poore Of the poore man that is thy brother and of the same nation Or that is under thy power and censure in whose defence the judges ought to stand V. 7 From a false matter The Italian hath it From false speaking In the accusation by not receiving it and in the sentence by not giving it will not justifie In my soveraigne judgement I will correct all false humane judgements and will do justice as well against the Judges as against the parties Neither is this contrary to the free justification of a sinner through Gods absolute grace by the meanes of Faith Rom. 4. 5. because that in the precedent act God is brought in as a Judge doing according to the rigor of the Law and in this last he proceedeth as Soveraigne and absolute Lord pardoning whom hee pleaseth V. 8 No gift Namely gifts to corrupt judgement Perverteth Maketh them neither speak nor judge aright or frustrates all the reasons of a good cause V. 11 Let it rest Doing nothing with it neither plowing sowing nor reaping The poore Let the fruit of the trees and whatsoever else the earth brings forth of it selfe be common to all men Levit. 25. 6 7. and so let the poore bee relieved V. 12 And the sonne of The slave borne in thy house and the purchased stranger and the hired servant V. 15 Of unleavened bread That is the Passeover Before me In my Temple where I shew my selfe in the signes of my grace and power Empty Without an offering V. 6 Of harvest Namely at Pentecost when they offered two leaves for the first fruits of harvest Lev. 23. 17. Of in gathering The Feast of the Tabernacles after all 〈◊〉 were brought in both of fields vines and trees Deut. 16. 13. Of the yeare Namely of the politick yeare which begins in September for there was an holy yeare which began in March se Exo. 12. 2. V. 17 Three times That is to say at these three feasts V. 18 Of my sacrifice This is indeed a Law common to all sacrifices Levit. 2. 11. but here is particularly meant the Paschall Lambe which is also called a sacrifice Exod. 12. 27. with leavened bread As Exod. 12. 8. The fat No part of the Lambe was to be offered in burnt offering 2 Chron. 35. 12. 14. and therefore in that expresly consisted the figure of the singular sacrifice of Christ offered but once Heb. 9. 26. and 10 12. V. 19 In his mothers milk Whilest it was as yet all milke being newly borne because the Lambe that was offered for a â—â—stling was to be seven dayes old Exod. 22. 30. Lev. 22. 27. being also to be eaten Deut. 14. 21. V. 20 I send The Holy Trinity speaking in the Sonnes person sendeth the Sonne of God Isa. 48. 16. to accomplish that worke in his own person as it appeareth by Exod. 32. 2 3. Acts 7. 38 39. 1 Corinth 10. 9. Heb. 12. 26. see upon Gen. 10. 7. Exo. 13. 21. and 14. 19. Into the place Into the land of Canaan V. 21 Provoke him not Be not rebellious unto him My name He is of the one essence and glory with me the Father see John 10. 38. and 14. 11. and 17. â—1 V. 22 An adversary I will afflict them as shall afflict thee V. 24 Overthrow them Those wicked people together with their Idols V. 26 The number The naturall course of thy life V. 28 Hornets Some understand this according to the letter Jos. 24. 12. Others figuratively from a suddaine gene all and unavoydable invasion of the people comming upon their enemies with Gods assistance as Psal. 118. 12. V. 31. Of the â—hiâ—stines That is to say the Mediterrar an upon whose coâ—st the Philistines Countrie was Unto the River Euphrates This was fulfilled under David and
Italian hath it Python See Lev. 19. 31. Necromancer That calleth up the dead and enquireth of them 1 Sam 28. 8. Isa. 8. 19. V. 13 Perfect Pure and sincere in his service clean from all mixture of idolatry or superstition V. 14 Hath not suffered thee so to doe The Italian hath it Hath not given thee such things hath not ordained suffered or approved any such meanes to enquire of secret or future things but in stead of such meanes hath given thee his Prophets V. 15 A Prophet The great revealer of all the mysteries which needed to bee knowne Who is the Sonne of God himselfe Psal. 27. Dan 8. 13. Joh. 〈◊〉 18 By whose spirit all the Prophets have spoken Eccl. 12. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 11. and 3. 19. who at the last hath manifested himselfe in the flesh and in that hath fully accomplished that sacred function Like unto me That is to say true man and also having the office of Mediator of which I am but the figure Gal. 3 19. V. 16 Of the assembly Namely the generall asembly of the people Exodus 19. 17 Deuteron 19. 10. V. 22. Speaketh By way of meere and absolute prediction as 1 Kings 22 28. Jeremiah 9. for even the true Prophets did oftentimes foretell things which did not come to passe but that was only by way of threatning or of promise or according to the order of naturall causes and upon a condition sometimes revealed and sometimes not revealed unto the Prophet yet it might and ought to bee taken out of the generall maxims of Gods word as Isai. 38. 1. Ion. 3. 4. Be afraid hove no respect unto his person nor fear not to offend God by proceeding against him to a just corporall punishment CHAP. XIX VERS 2. SEparate Dedicate them to that use and assigne them thereunto by publike declaration Three Beyond Jordan as Moses had already assigned three more on this side Jordan Deut. 4. 41. V. 3 Prepare thee On every side of the countrey establish the Cities in such places that one may come to them from all parts by short and direct wayes or make new ways on purpose to cause the guiltles mans escape thither so much the easier v. 6. V. 6 While his In his first and suddaine heat of bloud by reason of his kinsmans death before hee have truly examined and found out that it was done by chance V. 8 Enlarge This happened in Davids time who enlarged the bounds of Israel to Euphrates according as God had promised Gen. 15. 18. 2 Sam. 8. 3 2 Chron. 8. 2. 6. yet we doe noe read any where that he did adde these three Cities unto the other Cities of refuge it may be he did not drive the Pagans out which were beyond Lebanon but onely subdued them and made them tributary V. 10 Innocent Namely the unwillingâ—and casuall man-slayer V. 12 The Elders that is to say the Magistrates deliver him Let them suffer him to bee questioned criminally by the dead mans next kinsman in a judiciall way even to the sentence of death and execution thereof see Num. 35. 24. V. 13 The guilt Which comes to be common to all the people if there be any publike connivence or neglect of punishing the sin V. 15 Shallnot rise up Others shall not availe It established The Italian be verified The Hebrew word signifieth firm or stable V. 26 Against any man In case of a secret seducement from Gods true servicce he that had been solicited though he were alone ought to detect the seducer Deut. 13. 6 8. and the Judges ought to proceed therein as upon an advice and denunciatiation not as upon a formall accusation which had required two witnesses And if the calumnie was made to appeare unto them they were to observe this Law if it were a truth that of Deuteronomy 13. 9. CHAP. XX. VERS 2. THe Priest For ordinarily some of the chief Priests went along with the army with the holy trumpets Num. 10. 9. and 31. 6. V. 5. Officers Those were the magistrates of particular communalties Deut. 1. 13. which also followed the armies Num. 31. 14. What man A precept of equity to preserve him from danger who hath yet received no profit of some laudable enterprise or fact which he hath already undertaken or done Dedicated solemnly blessed the first enjoying of it by prayers holy hymnes and rejoycing according to the use of those times see Neh. 12. 27. Psal. 30. 1. V. 6. Eaten of it The Italian Begun to enjoy it according to the common use of it for by the Law Lev. 19. 23. the fruit of the first three yeares ought to lie abandoned of the fourth to be consecrated to God and the fifth the owner began to enjoy it V. 7. Betrothed That is to say made a promise according to the ancient and very laudable custome which was to have some time interposed between the promise or the betroathing and the wedding see Gen. 19. 14. Deut. 22. 23. Mat. 1. 18. V. 9. Captaines These were Captaines for the wars which were appointed by publick authority with solemnity and binding of the souldiers to obedience V. 10. Commest nigh In a just and necessary war V. 13. Every male See Num. 31. 7. V. 19. Thou shalt not destroy This must be understood of a generall destruction of all the trees of the countrey through the fury and rage of war not of some particular cutting down for use or necessity in the siege For the Tree thou needest not to feare that the trees will stir to get into the besieged towne the chief care of the besiegers being to cut off all way of relief from the besieged V. 20. Build bu 〈…〉 ks c. The Italian hath it Build what shall be necessary for the siedge c. Hebrew the siedge namely engines towers stakes or other necessary fences subdued The Italian Fall that is to say untill it be forced or taken CHAP. XXI VERS 2. THy Elders It seemes we ought to understand his word for some of the great councell Num. 11 16. or some of their deputies V. 3. The Elders These were the Magistrates of each particular communalty Of that City For it being the next city the suspicion of the misdeed was likeliest to fall upon it V. 4. A rough valley The Italian A desert valley Hebrew harsh rough and hard that is to say which hath not been manured Strike off for a signe that hâ—likewise ought to be slaine who in some solitary place had committed the murther if he came to be discovered V. 5. By their word As Expounders of Gods Law in any thing that might be thereby decided not that they had any absolute or arbitrary power of themselvs Stroke See upon Deu. 17. 8 V. 6. Shall wash To protost of their innocencies see Mat. 27. 24. V. 8. O Lord It is likely that this prayer was spoken by the Priests And lay not The Italian And suffer not c. Preserve thy people from any such misdeed impute not that unto
repressed and quelled the devils action Or that some motion of Gods Spirit was awakened in Saul for a time by the prophetick musick as 1 Sam. 19. 23. by vertue of some order or promise from God as 2 Kings 3. 15. Or that God of his free will did co-operate with Davids sound to beget him a degree in his vocation V. 18. And the Lord Gods Spirit guideth him and leadeth him to all manner of vertue and his grace blesseth him and causeth him to prosper in all his enterprizes V. 21. And stood was imployed in his ordinary and houshold service V. 23. Departed not out of the possession and power which he had over him but from the present accesse and disturbance CHAP. XVII VERS 2. OF Elah the Oake or grove of Oaks V. 4. Went out the Italian hath it in the midâ—est or to fight a duâ—ll man to man V. 5. Of brasse according to the ancients custome who knew how to give brâ—sse a very strong temper shekels the shekell being of half an ounce weight the whole weight came to one hundred thirty nine pounds at eighteen ounces in the pound V. 6 A target It was some armour or defence for his shoulders Some understand the Hebrew word for a kinde of pâ—ke carried crosse wayes upon their shoulders V. 8. Come downe let him come and fight with me in the field V. 12. Ephrathite of Ephratha which was the ancient name of Bethlehem Genesis 35. 19. Eight 〈◊〉 Chron. 2. 1â— there are onely seven but Peradventure one dyed about this time and left no issue For an old man or was attained to the age of the ancientest men V. 15. Went and returned Saul being contented to have him onely bound to his service for those times that he was disturbed making no great account of him otherwise whereby at that time he did not remember him v. 55. 58. V. 17. Parcâ—ed corne A food which was much in use in those dayes V. 18 Their pledge Something of theirs that I know whereby I may know they are well and that thou hast done as I commanded thee V. 20. To the trench Or to the carriage V. 22. His carriage Bags and such like things wherein he brought their supplies V. 25. Free From taxes imposts services for war and other publike duties V. 29 Is there not a cause The Italian hath it Are not these words Is there any cause to be angry for a word which I have spoken which offendeth no body V. 35. By his beard By his nether jaw V. 45 In the name Calling upon him to be my defence putting confidence in his power obeying his motion and inspiration and for his cause and service V. 47 Saveth not Is not tied to such meanes for to work his salvation but delights more in shewing his omnipotency when he useth no means than when he useth some Is the Lords hee ruleth the battell giving the victory to whom hee pleaseth V. 54 Brought it Not now but afterwards when he took Sion from the Jebusiâ—es 2 Sam. 5. 7. In his Tent The Italian hath it In his tabernacle It is thought that this must be understood of the tent which David pitched about the Arke 2 Samuel 6. 17. V. 55 Whose sonne This forgetfulnesse of Saul in not knowing David may be imputed either to his frequent troubles of the mind or to the reason touched upon v. 15. CHAP. XVIII VERS 1. THe soule There was a very strict bond of amity towards David bred in him See Genesis 44. 30. V. 2. Goe no more As he did the first time that he came See 1 Sam. 17. 15. V. 5. went out About divers warlike exployts V. 6. As they Saul and his Armie after the afore-said victory The women According to the custome Exod. 15. 20. Judg. 11. 34. Psal. 68. 11. Instruments of musick The Italian hath it Songs of Triumph Or with Violins V. 10 He prophecyed The Italian Did the acts of a mad-man The Hebrew acts of a Prophet for the Prophets in their raptures or trances had some uncomposed kind of motion and action and were beside themselves See 2 Kings 9. 11. Jerem. 29. 26. V. 13. Went out Led them out to warre and brought them home againe 2 Samuel chapt 5. verse 2. V 21 A snare An occasion to make him perish See verse 15. Sayd to David Yet David did not make any shew of consenting to it as it appeareth by the following circumstances One of the twain The Italian For both The one having been promised unto thee and now the other being given thee to wife V. 26. The dayes Some time appoynted by Saul for the performance of the Covenants or the time that was between the contract and the wedding see Gen. 19. 14. Deut. 20. 7. and 22. 23. Matth. 1. 18. V. 30. Went forth Into the field to wage warre out of their sorts and garrisons into which they had retreated after their overthrow Chap. 17. CHAP. XIX VERS 2. IN a secret It seemeth that he specified some certaine place in the field neare which Saul was wont to goe and take the ayre that David himself might heare Jonathans speech and Sauls answer and provide for himselfe accordingly V. 3. What I see If it be softly or secretly spoken that thou canst not heare it thy selfe V. 5. In his hand The Italian in danger The Hebr. In the palme of his hand as Judges ch 12. verse 3. V. 13 Took an image That if Sauls messengers came in looking upon the image they might thinke that David was in the bed and so stay and not goe after him thereby giving him time to get into some place of safety V. 14. Sent In the morning after they had watched for him all night V. 18. In Naioth It was the place where the Schoole or Colledge of Prophets was neare unto Ramah where Samuels residence was V. 20. Prophecying Being in a divine trance see Numb 11. 25. Appoynted over being the father and instructer of them moderating their actions 1 Sam. 10. 12. Prophecied were taken with the same inspiration and divine rapture which made chem forget each thought remembrance or will of executing their commission 1 Sam 10 6. 10. V. 24 Clothes His long outward garment wearing none but his inward ones Isa. 20. 2. Mâ—c 1. 8. Now Saul did all these strange acts being in a rapture of mind CHAP. XX. VERS 1. FLed That day and night that Saul was in an extasie 1 Sam. 19 24. V. 5 The new The first day of the moneth when there were offerings of thanksgiving and holy feasts which it should seeme lasted at the court three dayes To sit As his Officer and sonne in law it being the custome of Princes to honour their servants in that kind upon festivall dayes Hest 1. 3. Dan. 5. 1. V. 9. Farre be it From thee to say or think any such thing of me V. 14 While yet I live When thou commest to be King it being already divulged that it should come to passe 1 Sam.
no remorse to thy conscience Remember Thou wilt be glad that I have kept thee from this outrage V. 36. Like the feast According to the custome upon such occasions Genesis 38. 12. 2 Samuel 13. 23. V. 37. Dyed with extreame feare to which was also joyned some divine or supernaturall kinde of weakning V. 44. But Saul Or now Saul had given c. Phalti called also Phaltiel 2 Sam. 3. 15. CHAP. XXVI VERS 1. CAme the second time after the first 〈◊〉 Samuel 23. 19. V. 2. Ziph see Josh. 15. 55. V. 5. Arose In the night time Trench see upon i Sam 17. 20. V. 6. The Hittite either because he was a Proselyte of the Hittites nation as 2 Sam. 11. 3. 15. 18. 19. or he had gotten this sirname for some other unknowne cause Zerviah a womans name which was Davids sister 1 Chron. 2. 16. V. 9. Be guiltlesse see upon 1 Sam. 24. 7. V. 10. Shall smite him shall cause him to dye by some supernaturall plague or accident sent by his owne hand V. 19. Let him accept Heb. Let him smell thine offering See Gen. 8 21. Driven mee out they have sought by the meanes of this persecution to put me out of the communion of the Church and they doe their good wils to have me run my selfe into a totall apostacie V. 20. Before the face Let the Lord be judge and revenger of my death if so be he doth give way to â—â—ve me bereaved of life CHAP. XXVII VERS 1. SAid Through weaknesse of faith and through carnall wisdome V. 2. Achish Of whom it is likely he took good assurance not to fall into the same danger as he was when he first retired thither 1 Sam. 21. 12. V. 5. Let them give to avoide the dangers of body and soule which he might runne into by living at Court Why should My present estate doth not deserve it and besides my dwelling at Court might fill thee with distrusts and suspicions and me with hatreds and jealousies V. 6. Ziklag This City was of Judahs portion Josh. 15. 31. Then it was given to Simeon Josh. 19. 5. And when the Philistines had dominion over Israel they took it and David having here gotten it of them never restored it more for after he came to be King he recovered all that the Philistines had gotten from the Israelites V. 8. Geshurites These three nations were the Prophets enemies the two first towards the North and the Amalekites towards the South Gâ—zerites It is thought they were the same that in other places are called Ghergeshites Amalekites Of whom it seemeth that Saul destroyed only the chiefe City and the places about it 1 Sam. 15. 7. V. 9. Smote Warred against it with fire and sword V. 10. Ierahmeelites Which were of the Tribe of Judah 1 Chron. 2. 7. Of the Kenites see Num. 24. 21. Iudg. 1. 16. V. 11. Saved Which he could doe thus secretly by reason that those places which he invaded were farre off solitary and scattered in the wildernesse And so will be the Italian So was Or and such hath been c. As though they were words spoken by people that could have complained CHAP. XXVIII VERS 3. IN his owne It seemeth he meaneth Naioth which was part of the City of Ramah where Samuel resided and kept his schoole of Prophets 1 Samuel 19. 18. V. 4. In Shâ—u em A City of the Tribe of Issachar Iosh 19. 18. V. 6. Inquired The Ephod being brought to David 1 Sam. 23. 6. 9. Saul could not enquire of the Lord by Urim and Thummim Num. 27. 21. Well might he have some Prophet by him as Ier. 37. 17. Answered him not Which was a token of Gods extreame wrath 1 Sam. 14. 37. Lam. 2. 9. V. 7. That hath That is to say a Witch though she did not proceed properly by the spirit called Pithon who spake from within the belly of them which were possessed by him in the meane time tying their tongues which is called Engastrimancy But she wrought by Necromancy that is to say by apparitions and dead mens ghosts as Isay 8. 19. V. 8. Bring me him up call forth and cause the spirit of a dead man whom I shall name to appeare unto me Words proceeding from a grosse ignorance which accompanied Sauls impiety V. 9. Layest thou Why goest thou about to induce me to doe any thing which may make me deserve death V. 12. Samuel A divellish apparition in the likenesse and forme of Samuel by which the witch knew him to be Saul V. 13. What sawest thou Because the apparition did not at first appeare to Saul but to the woman only Gods the Italian An Angell The shape of a divine and heavenly man in all points So the Devill transformes himselfe into an Angell of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. Others a God in the same sence V. 14. Covered Which might be some speciall manner of garment that Samuel used or all the Prophets in generall see a Kings 1. 8. Zech. 13. 4. Perceived that it was After that the Devill had thus appeared to the woman the same apparition came neer to Saul who knew Samuel better and then it spake to him hand to hand no body hearing their talke Now Saul through Gods judgement was by this illusion induced to worship the Devill which is the aime of the evill spirit to all those which seeke after him V. 15. Why A continuation of the Devils lye to insnare Saul so much the more V. 19. With mee That is to say dead as the true Samuel was who was here represented by the Devill who by these words imprinteth this error in Saul that the soules of all men as well good as bad go to the same place for to blot out of him all knowledge and apprehension of eternall life CHAP. XXIX VERS 1. THeir armies the Italian hath it Their principalities The armies of the five Principalities of the Philistims distinguished in their severall bands Others have it the Princes with their severall hundreds and thousands V. 4. Be an adversary the Italian â—oerevolt as those other Hebrewes had done 1 Sam. 14. 21. V. 6. As the Lord liveth It is marvellous that a heathen should sweare by the true God but he did it either to flatter with David or according to the Pagans opinion and false ceremonies who beleeve that each nation hath its severall God living and reigning over his people as others doe over theirs V. 8. But what Feigned words CHAP. XXX VERS 1. SMitten Forced it and sacked it V. 7. Bring me hither Come hither into my presence to enquire of the Lord having the breast-plate which is upon the Ephod about thee as 1 Sam. 23. 9. V. 14. Cherethites It was a nation neere to the Philistines or else part of them See Ezek. 25. 16. Zeph. 2. 5. Of Caleb of the countrey belonging to Calebs posterity Josh. 14. 13. 15. 13. V. 16. Spread abroad the Italian addeth Without any watch Heb. at randome V. 17. Vpon Camels
despised a proâ—erbiall kinde of speech as much as to say a thing of nought and of no value like a piece of a bâ—rnt stâ—â—k or like a smoaking snuffe see Isa. 7. 4. and 42. 3. of him of you my friendâ— that have not the feeling and experience of my evills and therefore cannot rightly judge of them nor have any fellow feeling of them V. 6. Prosper very often and almost ordinarily Iâ—b opposeth tâ—is to his friends maxime who said that adversity alwayes followed the wicked V. 7. The beasts the thing is so plaine that in a manner the vâ—ry beasts doe know it and publish it V. 11. Try think you that I will without any examination or distinction allow of your discourse I who by reason of mine â—ge have obtained wisedome and experience see Iob 15. 10. and 32. 6. V. 13. With him I doe with you acknowledge Gods wisdome â—ustice and soveraign power but that is nothing touching this present case wherein the question is how his fatherly favour which I am certainly perswaded of can agree with this sâ—me extreame rigour which hee now useth towards mee V. 15. With-holdeth if hee doth not let it raine the waters of the earth doe drie up V. 16. And wisedome namely the rule and order of the right guiding of the world are his as hee is Soveraign Lord over all even of the Devills and of all their instruments of deceit so doth he goveâ—n their actions as also the actions of seduâ—ed men though they be wicked so that nothing happeneth withoâ—t his permission and without being restrained within certaine boundâ— and reduced unto the very point of his most just will see 1 Kings 22. 22. Prov. 16. 4. Ezech. 14 9 2 Thes. 2. 11. V. 17. Hee leadeth in triumph like prisoners taken in the warres after he hath overcome them in their combats against his Kingdom Councellers the wise Princes and Conductors of the world 1 Cor. 2. 6 8. spoiled of all honour power and dignity V. 18. Looseth that is to say he degradeth them taking away all command and authority from them which is the bond which bindeth the people to obedience and subjection Iob 30. 11. Isa. 45. 1. 5. girdeth hee causeth them to bring themselves into bondage see Psal. 66. 11. Ier. 27. 2. 2 Kings 25. 7. V. 20. The trusty the Italian the eloquent or confident speakers V. 21. Weakneth the strength the Italian â—â—ackneth the girdle hee makes them faint-hearted and weak a phrase taken from girdles which bind a mans garments and buckle his armour close to him which makes him more steddy and nimble see Dan. 5. 6. V. 22. Shaddow namely most hidden things which seemed to bee buried in perpetuall ignorance V. 24. To wander amazed irresolute without direction or councell in their businessâ—s CHAP. XIII VER 3. SVrely I would that Majesty which is sâ— terrible to his enemies shall not hinder me but I will dare and desire to maintaine the right of my faith and good consciencâ— before him He answereth Zophers saying Iob 11. 5. V. 4. Forgers the Italian botchers you gather up without any order and to no purpose whatsoever commeth in your way to strengthen and maintaine your false accusation against me V. 7. Speak wickedly condemn me through a manifest prevarication without knowledge or against your own conscience onely to insinuate your selves into Gods favour as defendoâ—â— of his honour or advocates in his cause V. 9. Search you out namely to know whether you did it in true zeale or only in flattery and dissimulation dâ—e yee so mock him the Italian would or could yee so mock him by or with a feigned affectation of words void of truth V. 11. His excellincie namely the Maiesty of that great God the authour and terrible defender of truth V. 12. Are like unto they seeme indeed to bee of some value or greatnesse but they have neither soundnesse of truth in them nor worth of wisdome V. 13. Let come one me let what please God befall me I must seek some ease in my complaints and in my instances towards God V. 14. Wherefore what may be the reason of these extreme torments which bring mee into such distresse that me thinks I should teare my selfe with my teeth Iobâ—8 â—8 4. Put my life the Italian hold my soule that is to say why am I perpetually in present danger of death see 1 Sam. 28. 21. Psal. 119. 109. V. 16. For an this mine assured confidence ought to bee a certaine argument for you that I am no such hypocrite as you accuse me to be for such a one dares not appeare nor cannot subfist before God V. 18. Justified namely approved of by God as a true believer observing the Lawes of the duty of a true child see Job 9. 20. V. 19. If I hold my tongue the Italian I will hold my tougue and give up the meaning is I have but a short time to live therefore I beseech thee give me leave besore I die that I may pleade my cause unto thee see Iob. 16. 21. 22. V. 22. Call take which part you please in this cause be either plantiffe or defendant I am ready every way V. 26. To possesse to beare the punishment of my faults committed in mine age of ignorance and imprudencie For since I came to knowledge I have forborne to doe any such thing Iob 20. 11. Psal. 25. 7. V. 27. In the stocks see Job 7. 12. and 42. 10. settest a print thou followest me close and upon the track like a hunter Iob 10. 16. CHAP. XIIII VER 1. BOrne of a woman whose issue is defiled and subject to Gods curse by his sentence given against her Gen. 3. 6. Iob 1â— 14. V. 3. Open thou enquirest diligently into his whole course of life for to punish him therein although he be otherwise sufficiently wretched see Iob 7. 17. V. 4. Bring canst thou in thy rigorous judgement finde me to be pure and perfectly just being even from my birth stained with originall sinne which can never be blotted out in this life V. 5. Seeing his let that great misery which he is fallen in through sinne suffice thee namely that he cannot escape deatly at that prefixed time which thou hast appointed and doe not aggravate it by extraordinary torments which may drive him to impatience or despight see Psal. 78. 40. and 89. 48. and 103. 14. with thee that is to say determined within thy councell V. 10. Where is he namely his body and his corporall life for Iob did firmly believe the immortality of the soule and the resurrection of the â—â—esh verse 12. Ioh 29. 26. V. 11. Faile from doe resolve and evaporate V. 12. Till the so long as the world shall last in this present estate untill the change and restauration which thou shalt make of it in the last day Psal. 102. 26. Isa 51. 6. and 65. 11. and 66. 22. Acts 3. 21. Rom. 8. 20. 2 Pet. 3. 7. 10. 11. not awake namely at the
I speak this because you should not deceive your selves thinking you had sufficiently convinced him and that he doth only maintaine his sayings through obstinacie for which he must bee remitted to Gods judgement V. 14. Now hee I will not herein carry any personall passion as you seeme to have done being stung by his words which have not touched mee V. 15. Amazed at â—ohs firmnesse and constancie in maintaining his innocencie V. 18. Full or bigge I boile with Gods zeale and am even ready to burst I am so full of reasons and meanes to abate Iobs excesses see Ier. 20. 9. V. 19. My belly my minde in which I have conceived this discourse V. 21. Accept whereof Iob had accused his friends Job 13. 7. and 17. 5. V. 22. Take me away hee would violently take away my life and destroy me Psal. 28. 3. CHAP. XXXIII VER 4. THe spirit I am a man as thou art and therefore will deale with thee upon even termes by reason of common right fitted unto mans capacity to which thou mayest freely reply without feare of being overcome by my majesty as thou hast said of God Iob 9. 32. and 16. 21. V. 7. My terror these were the two conditions that Iob would have made with God to treat with him Iob 9. 34. and 13. 20. V. 10. Occasions namely causes and matters of â—â—ite Iob. indeed had not used the selfe same termes but such as meant as much Iob 13. 26. and 23. 13. 14. V. 12. In this thy immoderate justifying of thy selfe thy complaining of God and thy desire to argue with him are the heads whereof I doe accuse thee and for which I reprove thee I let thy fore-passed life goe concerning which I doe no way tax thee God and therefore it was fitting for thee to shew greater humility and respect to his infinite Majesty and not treat with him upon equall termes V. 13. For he giveth not for this had been Iobs frequent complaint that hee could not know the reason of this his so hard usage Iob 10. 2. and 13. 23. and 19. 7. and 23. 45. V 14. For God speaketh the Italian addeth it is true that God that which thou desirestâ— indeed happeneth sometimes namely that God by revelations or expresse apparitions doth warn men of their sinnes for which he punisheth or threatneth to punish them but that is not so continually see Gen. 20. 7. and 31. 24. Dan 4. 5. V. 16. Openeneth he revealeth his councels unto them see Iob 36. 10. 15. sealeth hee proposeth it unto them as firme and concluded if so be they doe not repent and imprinteth in their minde the certainty of the happening of it and the true cause of it V. 19. He is chastened the Italian addeth but sometimes also man is sometimes God punisheth men and not reveale his thoughts so expressely unto them but remitteth them to the ordinary ministery of his word by men to produce the same effect for their amendment Now Elihu would inferre that if God hath not granted Iob the first meanes of particular revelation yet he hath not denied him the second in this visitation having raised him who was his servant to speak unto him in his name bones his members most strong and solid partâ— V. 23. A Messenger a Prophet or Officer of his Church bringing the ambassage of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 20. Hebrew an Angell as Mal. 2. 7. and 3. 1. Rev. 1. 20. an interpreter or a mediator that will intercede to make peace one among this seemeth to be added to shew the scarcity of good Ministers and faithfull and wife Distributers of Gods graces or that the vertue of the holy ministerie doth noâ— depend upon the personall qualities and excellencies of the man but that God operates by whom hee pleaseth when the person is but warranted with with a lawfull calling And so Elihu in modestie would make himselfe one of the ordinariest sortâ— of Gods servants as much as concerned his person still reserving its weight and vertue to his words which came from God see Iob 32. 6. 10. to shew to tell him the only meanes to obtaine grace and pardon at Gods hands which is true conversion in faith and repentance V. 24. And saith namely to some Angell a minister in this healing Psal. 107. 20. or to that Prophet which shall bring him word of this restoring accompanying the Prophets word with his owne power to produce the effect of it So the works of Gods grace are attributed to the instruments of the word by the certaine co-operation of God when his ordinances are observed Obad. 21. Rom. 11. 14. 1 Cor. 9. 22. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Iam. 5. 20. I have found by my soveraign will and by mine infinite wisedome I have set down the meanes of redeeming mankinde from their condomnation namely the death and passion of my son which I now accept of for this penitent man Math. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 2. 6. V. 25. His flesh God shall restore him to full health and new vigor of body 〈◊〉 figure of the restauration of the soule Psal. 103. 5. V. 26. Shall see hee will cause the beames of his garce to shine upon the looking glasse of his conscience within the which he shall see God appeased and propitious unto him 2 Cor. 3. 18. and 4. 6. render hee will set him into his precedent state of garce and will restore unto him the feeling of the remission of his sins wherein consists the sinners true righteousnesse before God Rom. 4. 5. 6. Or after that a sinner is converted unto God in justice and righteousnesse God shall make him feele the effects of his grace in all manner of blessings in stead of the calamities which he had drawn upon himselfe with his sins V. 27. He looketh upon men c. the Italian hath it and he afterwards shall turne himselfe towards men and say c. that converted sinner shall preach Gods grace towards men and shall propose himselfe for an example V. 32. I desire I would heare such reasons come from thee as that I might yeeld the right to bee on thy side I being no way subject to passion in this businesse but being thy true friend CHAP. XXXIV VER 4. IVdgement let us avoid stomackfulnesse â—nd all things else that may doe us hurt and let us have no other end nor rule but onely reason V. 5. For Iob Elihu his intent is to shew that though Iob was the child of God and had ever conversed in holinesse and righteousnesse yet there were in him as well as in all oâ—her believers whilest they lived in this world many remainders of sin for which he ought to humble himselfe and beare with patience Gods visitations V. 6. Should I lie should I confesse even against my conscience that I have been a wicked man or an hypocrite Iob 27. 5. 6. V. 7. Who drinketh up that doth so freely speak unfitting things that hee seemeth to intend to scoffe both God and man Job 10.
after the new benefit of the redemption in Christ which reneweth all things see Psal. 40. 3. and 96. 1. Rev. 5. 9. and 14. 3. V. 4. In truth with loyalty without any guile with perseverance without any inconstancy which are the two maine vices and corruptions which defile and corrupt all goodnesse which proceeds from man V. 6. By the word namely by the manifestation of his word and 〈…〉 tious decree or by his subsisting word which is the son as by a conjunct cause equall and cooperant Pro. 8. 27. Iohn 1. 3. 10. Colos. 1. 16. Heb. 1. 2. by the breath namely by his word and command Or by the subsisting spirit which is the third person in Trinity inseperable from the other two as well in essence as in operation see Gen. 1. 2. 26. Ioh 33. 4. PSAL. XXXIV THE title Changed his behaviour the Italian counterfeited that is to say feigned himselfe mad or changed his carriage and behaviour Abimelech in Samuel it is Achish but it should seeme that Achish was the name of the person and Abimelech the name of the Royall dignity common to all the Kings of the Philistines as Pharaoh in Egypt and Caesar in Rome c. V. 2. The humble or the meek the ordinary title of all beleevers V. 5. Looked through faith hope and prayer lightened comforted cheered and directed in their necessities and calamities V. 6. This poore man David speaks this of himselfe or brings in the elect speaking of him V. 8. Taste cleere your judgements that you may rightly know Gods goodnesse examine the trials and proofes which hee gives you of it and take pleasure and delight in it V. 12. That hee may see that is to say that hee may enjoy those good things as if they were in his present possession V. 18. Broken heart bruised and beaten downe with afflictions and troubles Or contrite and mortified by humility and patience Psa. 51. 17. Isa. 57. 15. and 61. 1. PSAL. XXXV VER 6. LEt their way let them have no light for their actions and enterprises nor bee guided by any good counsels nor have any firme subsistence V. 7. They hid for mee a phrase taken from hunters V. 10. All my bones that is to say I my selfe with all my strength and power Or I who am at this present quite consumed and extenuated as if I had nothing left mee but skin and bones V. 11. They laid the Italian they asked mee they laid faults unto mee and accused mee for faults whereof I am not only innocent but also ignorant V. 12. Spoiling the Italian discomfort the Hebrew word signifieth a privation from all help comfort joy and assistance V. 13. Sick that is to say afflicted with any kinde of calamity my clothing I pittied their afflictions and did humble my selfe in prayer before God to mediate fop them returned a phrase taken from the manner of praying which they anciently used namely bâ—wing their head downe to their breast And so is represented the continuance and assiduity of prayer proceeding from the heart and by this gesture returning as one should say back to its spring againe so to make a continuall revolution V. 14. I behaved my selfe the Italian I went about a description of an extream care and unquiet passion of the minde V. 15. But in mine adversity the Italian in my balting that is to say when I have been thrust out of my precedent happinesse and have been shaken by adversity teare mee with scoffes and calumnies V. 17. Destruction their ambushes and snares whereby they seek to make mee fall into perdition my darling the Italian my only one see Psa. 22. 20. V. 19. Winke a gesture of a malitious scoffer Prov 6. 13. and 10. 10. V. 22. Keep not silence doe not forbeare operating by thine almighty word V. 24. To thy righteousnesse righteous I am and innocent in this cause yet not any way meriting towards God nor perfect of my selfe see Psa. 31. 2. V. 25. Ah a terme of mi 〈…〉 as of a man that would incite himselfe to the full fruition of the pleasure which is shewed him V. 27. Which hath pleasure in the the Italian who will have the who causeth it and makes him enjoy it and granteth it him for the love hee beareth him PSAL. XXXVI VER 1. THe transgression through the experience I have of his wicked life I doe discourse and conclude within my selfe that he hath forsaken all manner of piety and feare of God V. 2. Flattereth himselfe hee doth incite and entice himselfe to sin by discoursing falsely of Gods patience of his owne wealth and prosperity of the delight and profit that hee reaps thereby anâ— otherslike baites of iniquiey Or hee covereth and cloaketh his sin see Iob 20. 12. V. 4. Vpon his hee bestowe this time of rest when hee is retired from other emploiments to plot those wickednesses which in the day time hee puts inexecution V. 5. Thy mercy it should seeme that these two vertues mercie and truth are for the faithfull and the other two of righteournesse and judgements for the wicked reacheth that is to say it is infinite and incomprehensible V. 6. Great mountaines that is to say it is eminent and governes all things Or it is firme and immovable Heb. the mountaines of God according as the Hebrews doe adde the name of God to many things to extoll the greatnesse of them see Psal. 80. 11. Ion 3. 3. a great deep the Italian abisse as well for his incomprehensible providence as also because that through his judgements the pomp and greatnesse of the world is abâ—ssed and sunk beyond recoverie V. 8. Satisfied this ought to be chiefely referred to Gods children who in this life have the grace of God in abundance in his Church and afterwards doe passe to the perfect possession of hiâ— glory and happinesse Psaâ— 16. 11. V. 9. In thy light the Italian by thy light that is to say in this world wee are vivified and enlightned in a lively faith and saving knowledge by thy spirit of grace and in the celestiall life the light of thy glory shall fill us and transforme us and make us capable of contemplating thee face to face and to enjoy thy presence for ever see Isa. 60. 19. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Rev. 21. 23. V. 10. And thy righteousnesse in defending and protecting their right against their enemies V. 11. Remove mee let it not make mee goe wandring out of thy house where liech the good of all faâ—thfull soules It seemes hee meanes his flights from Sauls persecutions 1 Sam. 26. 29. Psal. 11. 1. and 42. 6. PSAL. XXXVII VER 3. SHalt be fed like a sheep under the conduct and keeping of a good sheepheard V. 5. Commit by prayer recommend thy way unto the Lord and by faith assure thy selfe that hee undertaketh the care and conduct of it thy way thy businesses actions and all the passages of thy life V. 6. Shall bring forth shall make the truth of it
to all thy regenerate elect doth thy law speake with fruit and efficacie producing in them the true effect of obedience and not to unbeleevers to whom it is unprofitable and doth oftentimes increase their rebellion V. 8. Within my heart the Italian in the middest of my bowels it is rooted in my heart not only by knowledge but also by a lively loâ—e my heart is imprinted with it and it is written upon it see Ier. 31. 33. 2 Cor. 3. 3. V. 9. I have this is the second kinde of spirituall sacrifices namely of thanksgiving Hos. 14. 2. Heb. 13. â—5 righteousnesse he meaneth theâ— vangelicall righteousnesse which is no hing but Gods grâ—ce and all the effects thereof accordâ—ng to his justice and loyalty in all his promises and convenant see Psa. 22. 3. Rom. 3. 21. 22. V. 11. VVith-held not doe not hinder them from comming â—â—owring down upon mee preserve mâ—e doe thou employ them in protecting of mee V. 12. Mine iniquities the punishments of them have suddenly overtaken me see Num. 32. 23. Iob. 8. 4. faileth mee through horror and feare of thy judgement V. 15. Aha scorning and insulting over my miseries V. 16. Such as love that doe fervently desire it and use the right meanes to obtaine it PSAL. XLI VER 1. COnsidâ—reth the the Italian carrieth himselfe wisely towards the as well in judging soberly and charitably of the hidden causes of their affliction as in words and acts of humanity and mercy the Lord this is a promise of requiting the mercifull Mat. 5. 7. Or a reproof of mens false judgements and a comfort to the faithfull contrary unto their said judgements to whom David promiseth in Gods name that they shall bee aâ—ed and have a happy issue V. 3. Make the Italian turne a figurative terme taken from the making of a bed for a poor sick man that is to say thou wilt stirre up his bed Others thou wilt change his bed namely from a bed of sicknesse to a bed of rest V. 6. Speaketh vaâ—ity the Italian speaketh lyingly that is to say maketh a false shew of friend-ship and good will gathereth out of all that he seeth or perceiveth in mee hee gathereth matter of evill and sinister thoughts V. 9. Mine own familiar hee speakes of some perfidious traitour who was the figure of Iudas lift up a figutative terme taken from the kicking of beasts V. 10. Requite them as I am a King and lawfull magistrate I will by way of justice requite their wicked treacheries and not out of any private passion which is alwayes condemned V. 11. Because mine because thou hast already abated his pride and confounded his hopes by beginning to restore mee V. 12. In mine my sicknesse and calamities have not endammaged nor diminished mine estate before thy being alwayes under thy safeguard and care as thy servant V. 13. from everlasting the Italian from one age that is to say in all ages to the end or from this present age to that which is to come that is to say from this time evermore PSAL. XLII THE title Maschil see Psa. 32. of Korah Heman one of the three heads of the holy musicians was one of Korah the Levites posterity 1 Chron. 6. 33. and 25. 5. 6. And these three Psalmes beare his name not that hee made them but because they were particularly sent to him for to keep them and play and sing them when his turne came to waite upon Gods service V. 1. The hart at all times by reason of his hot and dry nature which makes him extreame thirstie at a certaine season of the yeare but especially when hee is hunted my soule I servently desire to bee in thy tabernacle before thine Arke where thou art present in the tokens and effects of thy grace and vertue whereas I am now farre from them by reason of mine enemies persecutions and especially Sauls see Sam. 26. 19. V. 3. Where is seeing hee appeares no where to thy reliefe it is a signe that either hee hath no power or that hee hath cast thee off and is no longer thy God and that therefore if thou hopest in him thy hopes are all vaine V. 4. I power out that is to say my spirits are scattered and emptie themselves in teares and sorrow see Iob 30. 16. for I had gone with when I went to the house of God with a great company of people rejoycing according to the manner of solemne feasts see Isa. 30. 29. V. 5. For I shall yet I doe assure my selfe by faith that hee will give mee new cause to praise him when hee shall in grace turne towards mee whereon dependeth the salvation of all his elect Others expound it I will yet praise him and his salvation c. Or for his salvation V. 6. Remember thee I take comfort representing unto my selfe by faith in spirit thy presence and grace in thy Temple from which I am now absent from the land from the countrey which is neere the heads of Iordan meaning that great row of hills which is generally called Hermon Num. 34. 7. where David lay hadden during Sauls persecutions Missar the name of a hill not mentioned elsewhere V. 7. Deep calleth unto a figurative description of his calamities the meaning is that as after the thunder in the clouds there fall great showers of raine so thy wrath is followed by a whole deluge of afflictions which shower downe one after another without cease or end V. 8. VVill command the Italian will send that is to say I hope that after this fullnesse of calamities hee wiâ—l send forth a commission and con mand of grace sor to set mee free Psal 44. 4. and 68. 28. whereby the day shall be filled with his loving kindnesses and the night shall be employed in meditating upon them acknowledging them and setting them forth of my life the only author defender and preserver of it V. 9. I will say now in the state of affliction wherein I sinde my selfe at this present I will persevere in prayers expecting hereafter the effect of my Faith V. 11. The health the Italian the compleate safety the only author and perfect cause of my deliverance through which I hope yet one day I 〈◊〉 all be able to lift up my head freely and shew my countenance cleared through gladnesse and honour PSAL. XLIII VER 3. SEnd out according to the truth of ahy promises let mee againe behold the brightenesse of thy countenance namely of thy grate and favour which may disperse all the clouds of my calamities and may bring mee againe into thy Church out of which I am now driven by the violence of mine enemies PSAL. XLIV VER 〈◊〉 ANd cast them out the Italian and caused our fathers to grow that is to say thou causedst them to prosper and grow like vines or other plants which doe grow and spread abroad V. 3. Their own sword which though they did employ with much valour by Gods command yet it could not have wrought
those effects which did surpasse all humane power and were true miracles wrought by God the light namely thy grace and favour V. 4. Command that is to say worke it by thine almighty word which gives a being and is a law for all things see Psa. 42. 8. and 68. 28. V. 5. Through thy calling upon thee through thy strength and power under thy conduct fighting thy cause by thy command V. 9. Goest not forth thou doest no more assist us in our sights a terme taken from that the arke was wont to be carried in the campe in the time of great and imminent dangers of warre Num. 14. 42. and 31. 6. V. 12. Thou sellest that is to say thou hast suffered their enemies to subdue them easily without any losse or dammage or hast given them over to their wills as a thing of no value dost not increase thou thy selfe seemest to have lost by this oppression of thy people which was as it were thine own inheritance and thine enemies have not so much as yeelded thee any acknowledgement or done thee any hommage therefore as it were to recompence thy losse Others thou hast not raised their price that is to say thou hast let their enemies have them at what price and upon what condition they would themselves and hast not caused them to pay a deare rate for their conquest V. 14. A◠shaking a signe of scorne and derision as 2 Kings 19. 21. Iob. 16. 4. Psal. 22. 7. V. 15. My confusion I have causes of confusion continually before mine eyes the marks whereof I carry upon my face and forehead which are covered with shame V. 16. Avenger that is to say an enemie grievously incensed Psa. 8. 3. V. 19. Of dragons that is to say horrid places such as are the receptacles or dens of those beasts see Isa. 34. 13. and 35. 7. by which is meant an extream desolation the shaddow that is to say deadly calamities Psa. 23. 4. V. 20. Stretched out prayed after the ancient manner of praying with armes laid abroad and hands turned up Iob 11. 13. PSAL. XLV THE title Shoshannim an unknown name of a time or os a musicall instrument of loves spirituall loves of Christ and his Church as in the book of Canticles the contemplation and penning of which was peradventure occasioned by Solomons nuptialls and from thence are taken many termes to signifie things which are meerly divine and celestiall V. 1. Enditing the Italian bubbleth out a figurative terme which is very frequent in scripture to expresse not only the fervency of a righteous mans zeale but also the vehemencie of divine inspiration see Iob 32. 18. a good that is to say a discourse of dainty matters touching the the Italian I rehearse my works to the King that is to say I consecrate these my works to the honour of the everlasting King of the Church V. 2. Fairer excellent and perfect in all manner of vertue and such dost thou appeare to be to thy Church see Isa. 33. 17. grace that is to say besides thine own proper perfections thou hast that soveraign gift of communicating thy selfe by thy most sweet and gratious word see Isa. 50. 4. therefore these are the two causes and grounds of the establishment of thine everlasting Kingdome by God thy Father V. 3. Thy sword which is the most efficacious and piercing word of thy Gospell Isa. 49. 2. Heb. 4. 12. Rev. 1. 16. and 19. 15. V. 4 Ride or bee thou carried as it were upon a triumphant chariot which is meant by the Gospell by the preaching of which Christ was to be carried victorious and triumphant all the world over prosperously being thus sum 〈…〉 ously armed and surnished set a happie period to all thy businesses Isa. 53. 10. thy right bond that is to say if thou dost employ thy soveraign power thou shalt finde the experience of those admirable effects which the spirit doth foretell by mee V. 5. Thine arrowes see concerning these armes of Christ and of their effect Isa. 49. 2. 2 Cor. 10. 4. V. 6. O God hee directeth his speech to Christ Heb. 1. 8. true eternall God who besides and with the Kingdome of essence and eternall glory is also mediator as lievtenant generall to his sather which place hee undergoeth in the union of the two natures yet by the power of his deitie V. 7. Therefore that is to say because that thou alone through the most perfect justice art fitting and worthy to bee King of the Church God hath consecrated thee for this place in thine whole person and hath endowed thy humane nature beyond measure with the gifts of the spirit which gifts were anciently figured and shewed as it were in a shaddow by the annointing of Kings John 3. 34. 1 Iohn 2. 20. 27. of gladnesse for your sweet smelling oiles were also used for to beautifie the face upon occasions of feasting and mirth Psa. 23. 5 and 104. 15. and likewise this oile of consecration and infusion of the gifts of the holy Ghost is also an oile of joy and glory in Christ thy fellowes all the true elect sanctified by the same spirit and endowed with the same graces to be Kings and Priests Rev. 1. 6. and 5. 10. of which neverthelesse they receive but a certaine portion and measure 1 Cor. 12. 7. 11. Ephes. 4. 7. whereas Christ hath the whole fullnesse of it Iohn 3. 34. V. 8. All thy garments thou art clothed with the gifts of the holy Ghost which spread forth a most sweet odour of grace even from heaven thy dwelling place Cant. 1. 3. out of the from heaven which is Christs royall habitation alluding to Kings pallaces whose walls were covered over with marble 1 Kings 22. 39. Amos 3. 15. made thee glad namely that everlasting joy which thou hast in heaven V. 9. Daughters as much as to say Kingdomes and provinces shall be joyned to the Church of Israel which is here specially meant by the spouse by reason of that nations prerogative though they altogether doe make but one universall Church Cant. 6. 8. honourable women the Italian amongst thine honours that is to say thy nuptiall traine and pompe Others have it thine honorable that is to say thy maids of honour upon thy the chiefe place of honour next to the soveraign and was given to the queenes 1 Kings 2. 19. of Ophir see Iob 22. 24. V. 10. Hearken the prophets words to the Church forget renounce the world which is as it were thy fathers house whence thou wert taken to cleave altogether to thy husband according to the Lawes of matrimonie Gen. 2. 24. V. 12. The daughter that is to say the people of that city hee meaneth that the mightiest and famousest nations of the Gentiles should bee joyned to the Church to doe in it and with it hommage to Christ Psa. 72. 10. Isa. 23. 18. V. 13. The Kings daughter namely the Church which is Gods daughter and Christs bride Cant. 7. 1. within the Church though
relation to the confusion of languages at the tower of Babel Gen. 11. 7. see Iudg. 9. 23. Hos. 10. 2. In the City it is very like that hee describes the estate of the City of Ierusalem from the beginning to the ending of Absoloms conspiracy to which time this Psalme hath a relation 2 Sam 15. every thing being then in confusion and out of order without any justice or policie as it doth happen oft-times in popular commotions V. 13. It was thou a man the Italian it was thou whom I thought to be a man in as good estimation as my selfe My guide mine ordinary councell whose advice I followed as a sure guide in all mine affaires and actions he seemes to point at and have a reference to Achitophels sure advices 2 Sam. 15. 12. 16. 23. V. 15. Ceaze upon as a creditor going to recover his debt forcibly Let them goe down punish them as Korah Dathan and Abiram were punished who were old conspirators as these are now Numb 16. 32. V. 17. Evening he points out the three ordinary times of daily prayer observed by Gods people in private houses Dan. 6. 10. Acts 3. 1. and 10. 3. 9. 10. And cry aloud the Italian make a noise namely praying with great commotion of the heart fervour and elevation of voice V. 18. There were many with me the Italian they are against me in great number Others with mee meaning the Angels Guardians of the faithfull 2 Kings 6. 16. V. 19. Have no changes by repentance and conversion V. 22. Thy burthen thy cares trave's and businesses which trouble thee V. 23. The pit namely present and everlasting death PSAL. LVI THE title Ionath these three Hebrew words doe signifie the dumb dove which is in distant and remote places Others imagine it was the beginning of a Song to whose aire this Psalme was to be sung Others believe that David calleth himselfe so being like a poore dove driven out of its own countrey which durst not speak and was faine to counterfeit for feare of the Philistins 1 Sam. 21. 13. Michtham see Psal. 16. in the title V. 1. Swallow me up the Italian men with open throats follow mee they hunt after mee and doe what they can to destroy mee a terme taken from ravenous beasts V. 2. O thou most high the Italian from on high that is to say they take advantage of their degree and might for to over-top me A terme taken from the advantage which high places have to command the lower ones Others translate it O thvu most high V. 4. In God I am confident that with Gods help I shall have occasion to magnifie the truth of his holy promises in which I have beleeved What flesh can die that is to say mortall man for man is often so called from that his fraile and fading part in contempt of his pride and for to abate it and beat it down V. 5. They wrest they give me perpetuall cause of griefe and complaint V. 7. Shall they escape by iniquity the Italian it were in vaine for to deliver them that is to say destroy them O Lord for they are hardened and incurable thy patience will never draw them to repentance see Isa. 26. â—0 Others rranslate it their safety is in iniquity that is to say they put all their confidence in their deceits as though they could free them from all dangers V. 8. Put thou doe not suffer mee to spend so many teares in vaine keep them in minde that thou mayest bee moved through the abundance of them to restore me V. 12. Thy vowes are upon me that is to say I have vowed my selfe unto thee and laying hold on thy deliverance with a lively faith I doe finde my selfe obliged to performe my promise see Prov. 7. 14. PSAL. LVII THE title Altaschith these words signifie doe not destroy And the meaning thereof in these titles of Psalmes is unknown Some beleeve that it was the beginning of some ordinary Song to whose tune these Psalmes were sung Others think that it was a title of prayers made in great danger of death V. 3. He shall send he shall work my deliverance in a manner which shall be altogether miraculous and heavenly making the effects of his mercy and the truth of his promises to appeare V. 4. Are set on fire the Italian incâ—ndiaries slaunderers court flatterers which doe incense Saul ag inst me see 1 Sam. 24 10. V. 5. Be thou exâ—bed that is to say make known thy soverague and glorious power in my deliverance V. 6. Is bowed down the Italian they drew down or my soule began to declâ—ne V. 7. Is fixed or re-confirmed and re assured therefore I will sing V. 8. My glory that is to say my tongue of my soule as Gen 49. 6. Psal. 16. 9. PSAL. LVIII VER 1. DOe yee indeed according to some the Hebrew word signifieth congregation in this sence O congregation doe y u speak uprightly and yee sonnes of men doe yee judge c. sunnes of he directs his words to Sau's Counceilors and Courtiers V. 2. You weigh that is to say you frame and devise Or you maturely deliberate meanes and wayes to execute it Or you make shew of using some kind of justice in oppressing me Psal 94 21. Isa. 10. 1. Or you levell and make plaine all things that lie in your way and remove all hinderances V. 3. Estranged from God and from his obedience and love as if they were not Gods people see Isa. 48. 8. Ephes 2. 12. From the even from their first beeing by reason of their corrupt nature Ephes. 2. 3. V. 4. The dease Adder the Italian Aspe they say the Aspe when he seeth the Charmer layeth one of his eares close upon the ground and covereth the other with his taile because he will not here the Charmes so David would say that his enemies were hardened in evill and could not admit of any word of sweet correction to dead their malice not any way approving of any magick spels which were condemned Deut. 18. 10. 11. V. 7 Let them be the Italian addeth in an instant Or let them be as if they were cut in sunder Or let them shoot their arrowes but let them be as if they were cut off V. 9. Before that is to say O you wicked men which even from your birth are as hurtfull as thornes the Lord destroy you betimes before your malice encrease and gather strength like a young thorne which in time groweth to bee a great and strong bush V. 10. Wash a phrase taken from victorious Warriers as Psal 68. 24. as much as to say he shall peaceably enjoy his victory over his enemies V. 11. Reward for the Italian fruit of that is to say a reward from God PSAL. LIX VER 3. NO for my trangression namely against them whereby they should have cause to persecute me V. 6. They return the Italian they goe and come a description of the care and diligence Sauls Officers used
to surprise David V. 7. With their mouth the Italian belch out words insulting as though they had already taken me or outragious and flanderous words or furious and threatning words V. 9. Because of his strength the Italian I will beware of their strength Others As for their strength I will look upon thee that is to say I will hope in thy help to free me from it V. 11. Scatter them it should seeme he hath a relation to Caines punishment whom God would not have kild but would have him to bee a wanderer all the dayes of his life for a spectacle and an example of Gods judgements Gen. 4. 12. Otherstranslate it Shake them namely their degree of honour and dignitie V. 12. For the sinne others the words of their lips are the sinne of their mouth meaning that all they doe say or utter is bad and wicked Be taken let them bee suddenly punished and overthrown for their impudent presumption in cursing and slandering me V 15. Let them wander now they wander up and down to catch me but the time shall come that they shall wander through hunger and want to seek food and reliefe V. 16. In the morning it should seeme this hath a relation to the watching of Sauls servants for him who thought to catch him and kill him in the morning 1 Sam. 19. 11. meaning at that time when these people imagine to have me in their hands I shall bee in safety and shall have cause to praise and blesse thee for my deliverance PSAL. LX. THE title Shushan Edith the words signifie the Lillie of ornament and it is not certainly known whether it were the name of some musicall instrument or the beginning of some ordinary song Psal 80. in the Title To teach that is to say given to the Colledge of sacred Musitians for a forme of a song of victory to have their Schollars learne it and peradventure all the people to honour Davids triumphant returne in stead of ordinary songs which were used upon such occasions see 1 Sam. 18. 6. Psal. 68. 12. 26. twelve thousand in Samuel and the Chronicles there is mention made of eighteen thousand peradventure these twelve thousand were kild in a pitcht battell and the other six thousand in some other skirmishes V. 1. Cast us off this must bee understood of the grieveous calamities which the people suffered under the Iudges and under Sauls raign V. 2. To tremble thou hast shaken the land of Israel and caused them to suffer many adversities V. 3. Made us to drink thou hast amazed and astonished us with afflictions like unto a man that had drank some drink to astonish and make him beside himselfe according to the threatning in Deut. 28. 28. 34. V. 4. Displayed in signe of victory Because of not for any desert of ours but only to ratifie the truth of thy promises of grace V. 6. Hath spoken that is to say he hath sworn by himselfe who is the most holy one Others hee hath spoken in his sanctury that is to say in heaven or in the Temple where he uttered his Oracles I will rejoyce that is to say I shall enjoy my victory peaccably possessing the Kingdome of Israel even over those parts which did longest and most obstinately follow Sauls side as those places had done which are here named V. 7. The strength namely that Tribe in which by reason of the great number and valour of them consisteth the chiefe strength of my Kingdome see Deut 3â— 17. Psal. 78. 9. My Law-giver that is to say Jerusalem the chiefe citie of Judah and of all Israel the great councell of the seventy Iudges Num. 11. 16. and my soveragne court of Iustice Psal. â—22 5. V. 8. My wash pot that is a people brought into a most abject slavery as your scullions and dish-washers in Kitchins Psal. 68. 13. or a countrey grown in famous and of a â—oâ—did condition as your water-carriers are unlesse hee meanes the great slaughters which David made in those places having flaine two parts of the Moabites whereupon the countrey became as a great panne or boule full of blood 2 Sam. 8. 2 will I cast out in contemâ—â— and to despise them Triumph thou that is to lay acknowledge me to be thy King with joyfull acclamations as who should say with a long live the King honour thou my triumph now that thou art subdued 2 Sam. 8. 1. 12. V. 9. Who will bring me who will put the enemies strong holds into my possession after that I have overcome them in battell May bee he meanes Rabbaâ— particularly the chiefe city of the Ammonites which David besiedged after all these victories 2 Sâ—m 11. 1. V. 11. From trouble or to bee freed from our enemies V. 12. Through God with his help and assistance and through his power Psal. 56. 4. 10. PSAL. LXI THE title Neginah see Psalme 4. in the Title V. 2. From the end it seemes that David made this Psalme at that time as he fled from before Absolom to the confines of the Land of Israel 2 Sam. 17. 22. Others say it was when hee fled from Saul as Psal. 42. 6. 〈…〉 ead me it doth represent a man climing to get up into a place of safety but wanting strength to get to it the meaning is doe thou save me for of my selfe I caâ—nâ—t doe it by any meanes V. 3. For thou hast been this verse may be joyned to the former in this manner I pray thee relieve mee as thou usest to doe or with the following verse 3 upon the assurance of thine ordinary deliverances I hope to be brought back againe to thy Temple there to remaine for ever V. 4. In the Covert a phrase taken from birds as Psal. 91. 4. V. 5. The heritage namely these present and eternall goods which properly belong to thy children wherein the world hath no part at all V. 6. Prolong the Italian adde or thou wilt adde that is to say cause thou me to live and reign under the protection of thy grace and constant love all that time as thou hast apointed mee without any interruption and let the Kingdome of thy Church become everlasting under the Messias who is to descend from me PSAL. LXII THE title to Jeduthâ—n the Italian over the children of Iâ—duthun that is to say over that company or squadron of sacred Musiâ—ions which was of the progenie of Ieduthun 1 Chron. 25. 1. 3. V. 1. My soul or let it bee how it will my soule hopeth in c. V. 3. How long David speaks to his enemies and persecutors Will yee imagine mischiefe the Italian how long will yee set upon a man or will yee contrive and imagine mischiefe a tottering that is ready to fall being shaken or through age Fence that is dry and hath no morter to strengthen it such as your walls that are made about lands or fields V. 4. To cast him the Italian to cast this man namely me against whom they lay all these plots
number of people marching in order 2 Sam. 6. 15. Which was a figure of the Angels environing Gods Majesty in heaven or following Christ when hee ascended thither 1 Tim. 3. 16. Heb. 12. 22. Sinai the same glory as appeared in mount Sinai when God delivered his law Exod. 19. 16. is now transported to Sion where God is present in grace and power V. 18. Thou hast a description of this transportation of the Arke compared to a Kings triumphant entry who having overcome his enemies and brought a great many of them away prisoners having made the rest tributary goeth home to his pallace to live in glory and rest governing his Kingdome in peace A figure of Christs ascending into heaven which is the seate of his glory and throne of his Empire after hee had overcome all his spirituall enemies Ephes. 4. 8. Colos. 2. 15. thou hast received the Apostle Ephes. 4. 8. applying this to Christ in stead of thou hast received saith thou gavest for the Kingdome of Christ differeth from earthly Kingdomes in this that the fruites of his victories are not for the King but for his subjects V. 20. The issues namely the soveraigne power of causing to die or the preserving from death or the restoring to life V. 21. The head namely the divell who is the Prince of the world Deut. 32. 42. Psal. 110. 6. â—ab 3. 13. hairy evill spirits are figuratively in scripture called hairy or shaggie see upon Levit. 17. 7. Isa. 13. 21. V. 22. I will bring the Italian I will bring thee againe that is to say I will continue and renew my old deliverances in defending thee from thine enemies as I once delivered thine ancestors from Og the King of Bashan Num. 21. 33. and from the Egyptians in the red sea Exod. 14. 22. V. 24. Thy goings namely the holy manner of conducting the Arke with even and proportionable restings and settings downe see 2 Sam. 6. 13. V. 27. There is the Italian there was the tribe of Benjamin was present at this solemne meeting though before it had more obstinately than any of the other tribes withstood David and held on Saals side And also the tribes of Zebulon and Nepthali which lived in the borders of the Kingdome mentioned here to shew that the civill warre being extinguished and all the countrey reduced to obedience the whole nation was also united in religion and in the service of God which was appointed by David to bee performed in Ierusalem little namely that tribe which came from Iacobs youngest sonne hath alwayes been small both in strength and number 1 Sam. 9. 21. and was also much decayed and diminished by the accident set down Iudg. 20. with their ruler the Italian which hath ruled namely in the person of Saul who was a Benjamite V. 28. Thy God the prophets words to the people hath commanded that is to say hath made thee able to subsist and resist thine enemies by his will only and by the efficacy of his word see Psal. 42. 8. and 44. 4. and 71. 3. V. 29. Because of thy Temple the Italian strengthen him from thy Temple from which as from the place of thy presence all power and grace deriveth unto thy people bring presents may be made subject and tributary unto thee This was partly and figuratively verified in David but in Christ spiritually and perfectly all power being given him both in heaven and in earth V. 30. Disperse or drive away the company of speare-men the Italian the beasts of the reeds the people which are proud and bold by reason of their wealth and plenty like unto cattell as feed in a fat soyle such as that is where reeds grow see Isa. 35. 7. bulls see Psa. 22. 12. Isa 3â— 7. till every c with peeces of silver the Italian which lie upon plates of silver are so extream rich and so magnificent in their pleasures that they make them â—ee â—ings and beds of silver a thing which was much used in former times see Ester 1. 6. Iob 22. 24. V. 31. Princes shall come the Italian let great Pirnces come to doe hommage and yeeld obedience to God under the Messias A prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles see Isa. 18. 7. and 19. 24. stretch out her hands the Italian with full hands namely with presents or tributes Others translate it let them readily stretch forth their hands that is to say let them confesse themselves to bee subject let them crave favour of him acknowledge and worship him V. 33 The heavens that is to say the highest heaven Deut. 10. 14. of old the Italian which were ever that is to say which doe still remaine in the same state as they were first created without any change or corruption V. 34. Strength the Italian glory Hebrew strength for the holy language often sets down these words one for the other his excellency hee hath as it were two thrones of his glory one here on earth by meanes of his people and the other in heaven PSAL. LXIX THE title Shoshannim see Psal. 45. in the title V. 1. The waters that is to say my life is brought into extream danger Laâ—â— 3. 54. Many parts of this Psalme may bee referred to David as hee is a figure of Christ others belong only and directly to Christ at whom the holy Ghost chiefely aimed V. 4. Then I restored that is to say I am guiltlesse yet am vsed as though I were guilty this is meant by Christ meaning that hee who was just suffered for men that were unjust Isa. 53. 4. 5. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 18. V. 5. My foolishnesse that is to say whether I bee guilty of those faults which are laid to mee or no. V. 6. For my sake that is to say seeing mee namely David abandoned by thee who was an example and mirror of faith unto them a gage or pledge of hope and an instrument of preservation In Christ this hath a more sublimed and lofty sense save mee that I may be author of salvation to thine elect and doe not suffer the faith and hope which they have had in thy promises ever to be frustrate see Psa. 22. 4. Luke 24. 21. V. 7. For thy sake for serving thee and maintaining thy glory and not through any misdeed of mine wherefore if thou shouldest forsake mee the faithfull would be discouraged from serving of thee seeing that it would bee in vaine and rather prejudiciall than helpfull to them V. 8. A stranger that is to say I have not been acknowledged but have been shunned by my neerest kinsmen So Christ was rejected by the Iewes Iohn 1. 11. and his own kinred beleeved not in him Iohn 7. 5. V. 9. The zeale the cause of this generall alienation from mâ—e hath been because that I have with an ardent and upright affection maintained thy service and glory against the malice of men and have purchased their evill wills by not seeking to please them V. 10. That was to my mine enemies reproved
from Euphrates unto the little Rivet called Sihor which were the two uttermost bounds of the Land of Israel in length Ye shall be none shall escape V. 13. In that day after the execution of these my judgements I will bring my people together againe which were scattered up and downe in captivity Which must chiefly be understood of the spirituall bringing together of the Saints by the Gospell CHAP. XXVIII Vers. 1. TO the Crowne namely to the Kingdome of the ten Tribes the chiefe Tribe whereof was Ephraim for his number and power more glorious then Judah and much given to all manner of dissolutenesse Hos. 5. 5. 7. 5 10. 13. 1. Amos 6. 6. On the head for the Country of the ten Tribes was more high and hilly then Judahs Country which was lower towards the Wildernesse Others in the best and the flower of the Countrey V. 2. Hath that is to say he hath the King of Assyria ready at his command for to execute his judgements upon the ten Tribes V. 5. In that day after the ten Tribes have been destroyed He shall cause Judah to be glorified by his grace and miraculous protection against his enemies and by an excellent re-establishment of the state and Church under Hezekiah Isa 32. 1. V. 6. And for a Spirit that is to say I will inspire righteousnesse and justice in the King and Princes of Judah and valour in his men of warre for to beat backe their enemies A description of a happy state governed justly at home and able abroad to resist any endeavour of their enemies V. 7. They also namely they of Judah also have imitated and shall imitate the foresaid sins of Ephraim notwithstanding the good order which Hezekiah re-established Have erred through Wine the Italian have fallen in love with Wine the Hebrew word signifieth a violent passion which troubles the understanding and causeth it to goe astray out of the right way of reason see Pro. 20. 1. Hos. 4. 11. In vision in faithfully relating what they have received from God in propheticke revelation This hath a relation to Prophets In judgement this is spoken of the Priests who were interpreters of the Law and decided causes in judgement see Deut. 17. 9. 2 Chro. 19. 8. Mal. 2 7. V. 9. Whom shall these desolations doe dim and dull their understandings that they are not able to receive instruction nor correction by the word of God Isa. 29. 10. V. 10. For precept must be they are become so â—upid that one must propose Gods Word unto them as in the first rudiments to children in a rough manner whereas they should have been solid and perfect in it Heb. 5. 12. 6. 1. V. 11. For with this people understand not the word of their God though plaine and intelligible no more then if he did speake in an obscure and confused way and in an unknowne Language V. 12. This is in the observation of my Law consists your peace and security Cause the weary doe so that your poore Country which hath been so much afflicted may now be a little eased of the scourges which she is threatned with V 13. The word I will punish their wilfull rebellion with a greater blindnesse and astonishment so that being no way guided by my word nor spirit they may fall into finall ruine V. 15. We have we are or at least hold our selves to be safe from any dangers Scourge whereof is spoken vers 2. We have made that is to say we have provided for our safeties with fraudes and deceipts V. 16. Therefore because that your sinnes being grown to their height my justice requireth to have you punisht therefore I will first provide for the comfort of mine elect to confirme their soules by faith in the promised Redeemer which is the onely foundation and prop of the staggering Church and afterwards I will come to the rigorous execution of my judgement Isay the Italian That have laid I have not onely appointed that my sonne should be the foundation of the Church but have also planted faith in him in the hearts of mine elect that leaning upon him they may stand to any manner of proofe or triall Shall not make haste the Italian shall not goe astray Heb. shall not make haste because that folks which are out of their way do run up and downe at randome to finde it againe without any judgement V. 17. Judgement also but as for you wicked ones I will deale with you in my justice And will make your punishments equall with your faults The haile whereof see vers 2. The refuge whereof see vers 15. V. 19. By morning beginning still againe without any rest Shall be the cry of the enemies comming shall yeeld no remedy for it it shall serve but onely to put you in greater terror and confusion V. 20. The bed figurative and proverbial terms the meaning is that all meanes and devices they can use will no way defend them V. 21. His strange namely wonderfull and terrible or which seemes not to agree with the mildenesse of a father toward his children but rather with the fury of an enemy against a stranger see Lam. 3. 33. V. 22. Lest your bands lest Gods judgements which already keepe you bound like prisoners doe grow stronger upon you V. 24. The plowman even as the plowman doth not alwaies plow but after he hath prepared and made ready the Land he soweth it so God after he hath a long time spoken and threatned comes to execution with a distinction of persons and punishments befitting his Justice and providence V. 25. Principall Wheat the Italian Wheat by a certaine measure according to the bignesse of the field which he meanes to sow The appointed Barley the Italian Barley at certaine marks he meanes certaine markes which husbandmen did use to set up in the fields for to sort out their seeds according to the diversity of the soiles and for to avoyd confusion and keep an equality in their sowing V. 27. Are not threshed as after harvest all kind of seed is not threshed out after the same manner but Corne is threshed out with Cartwheeles or beasts hoofes according to the custome of those Countries other smaller seeds are threshed out with â—â—ails or rods So Gods visitations are dispensed according to the diuers qualities of the persons V. 29. This also this diversity in the dispersing of Gods judgements proceeds from Gods wise providence who as he is the authour of reason in men and in the guiding of their actions so doth he also observe supreame wisdome in his owne CHAP. XXIX Vers. 1. TO Ariel by Ezek. 43. 15 16. appeares that this was a name of the Altar of burnt offerings or of the upper part of it it signifie the Lyon of God either because there might be some Lyons shapes upon the Altar or because God shewed himselfe terrible in his Temple and roared by his word against his enemies Joel 3. 16. Amos 1. 2. Or because that
And shew us seeing that the certaine foretelling of things to come which have no assured naturall cause nor signe belongeth onely to God Let the Idols prove their deity by revealing Gods secret Councels to the world concerning Christs comming and the salvation of the world through him God alone had made them manifest by his word The former that is to say doe but tell us the beginnings and we will looke out the sequels by discourse and reason unlesse your Idols will relate all from the beginning to the ending Ironicall kinds of speeches V. 23. That we may be dismayed the Italian We will looke upon it with delight Or we will talke of it V. 24. Ye are you have neither Godhead nor power all your being is nothing but the idolaters imagination That chooseth you namely for their God to whom they cleave V. 25. I have raised words of God the Father declaring that he alone hath advised and taken counsell from everlasting to send his Sonne into the world and hath revealed him in his due time Wherefore he alone ought to be acknowledged and worshipped for the true God One the Italian him namely Christ Jesus the Redeemer From the North that is to say from one end of the world that so passing through all parts of it by the preaching of his Gospell he may subdue them and bring all Kingdoms and powers under the obedience of his faith V. 26. Righteous that is to say the true God lawfully taking upon him this title V. 27. The first as I have foretold these things by my Prophets so will I at mine appointed time send John the Baptist to preach the accomplishment of them first to the Jewes V. 28. For I Gods Word is a Judge before whom the party summoned hath not appeared or when it did appeare had nothing to answer Amongst them namely amongst the Idols of which he had spoken before No Counsellor that could plead for them in this cause see Isa. 45. 21. V. 29. Behold Gods definitive sentence against Idols and Idolaters CHAP. XLII Vers. 1. BEhold God the Fathers words concerning the sending of his Sonne into the world My servant namely my Sonne who in his humane shape tooke the form of a servant upon him Phil. 2. 7. insomuch as he subjected himselfe to the Law of God which was the coâ—â—nant of servants for to be judged and recompensed of God according to his workes to the extremity of all rigor and in this manner hath accomplished the work of God to his glory and the salvation of man without any respect to himselfe I uphold whom I will strengthen by my Spirit in the accomplishment of his office in regard of his humane nature Psal. â—10 4. Shall bring forth he shall exercise his jurisdiction as King not onely amongst the Jewes but also amongst all other Nations of the Earth V. 2. He shall not cry his Empire shall not be with violence of command nor in â—oughnesse of threatnings as worldly Empires are but in the mildnesse and stength of the Spirit V. 3. Not breake he shall lovingly beare with the infirmitie and ignorance of his poore children and shal not rigorously punish them neither shall he winke at their faults but shal correct them for their amendment And shal not endure hypocrites nor prophane men but shal punish them severely V. 4. He shall not the meaning seems to be this He shal use his elect in such sort that they shall never want light nor strength even as he who is their head could never be quite extinguished nor beaten down in his humilâ—ation Yea was by means of it raised to glory and to the possession of his Kingdom over all the world V. 6. In rightâ—â—uâ—nesse that is to say by a just establishment contrary to worldly Kingdoms which are all grounded upon violence Or by an order established by my will which is the rule of all manner of righteousnesse Give thee that is to say I will make thee an acceptable and effectuall mediator between me and my Church upon which I have founded my â—ovenant Isa. 49. 8. For a light to invite and bring the Gentiles into the same covenant of grace V. 7. To open to illuminate their understanding by the power of my Spirit The prisoners namely those men which were slaves to sin death the divel and damnation V. 8. â—â—â—ill I not give for to establish my Sonnes Kingdome I will beate downe all manner of idolatrie V. 9. The former things he seemes to meane the whole order of nature which was established in the creation and hath been so preserved without varying Psalm 119. 89 90. to which he opposeth that of grace in Christ Jesus Or the particular prophecies which were from time to time prophecied to the Church and accomplished in their due seasons V. 10. Sing let all the world rejoyce and give God thankes for these things for the benefits thereof shall be scattered abroad indifferently every where V. 11. That Kedar namely the people of Arabia that dwell in Tents and Cabins V. 13. The Lord an allâ—goricall description of Christs spirituall victories by the powerful voice of his Gospel V. 14. I have I have endured and dissembled the injuries which Satans kingdome hath for a long while done to me Acts 17. 30. Rom. 3. 26. but now I will destroy it by the power of my Gospel which is the cry of a travelling woman that is to say accomplishment of all Gods promises V. 15. I will make waste that is to say I will destroy all high powers that shall rebell against my kingdome and send the fire of my curse upon them Luke 12. 49. V. 16. I will bring I will safely and rightly conduct mine elect enlightning them by my grace who otherwise by nature are blinde I will I say conduct them in the way of their spirituall vocation by means unknown and incomprehensible to the fleâ—â— V. 18. Ye deaf the Lord directeth his speech to his people whom he reproveth for their hardnesse and rebellion and chiefly for their idolatâ—y V. 19. Who is blinde namely through a voluntary ignorance see Isa. 32. 3. Ezech. 12. 2. My servant namely my people My messenger namely the Priests and other Governours of my people which should have taught my people my will and have brought them tidings of my grace towards them Mâ—l 2. 7. 2 Cor. 5. 20. That is perfect namely in all Gods gifts and graces Ezek. 16. 14. V. 20. Opening he makes shew of lending the eare of the body but my word entreth not into his heart V. 21. For his namely to shew the loyalty of his promises and his equity and beneficence towards those that doe fear and serve him He will magniâ—ie that is to say by his innumerable benefits towards his elect he did gain much honour to his Law and Covenant because the observers and keepers thereof were so highly recompensed V. 23. Who an outâ—ry or exclamation to call the people to repentance CHAP. XLIII
world over by which the consciences being moved shall come to him Hag. 2. 6 7. Heb. 12. 26. The children The true elect children of grace shall joyne themselves in spirit to the communion of the Church from all the ends of the world where they have beene scattered V. 12. Compasseth me In all their actions they are disloyall unto me Judah In the tribe of Judah which hath not forsaken Gods pure service there doth yet remaine the lawfull government of Davids posterity Is faithfull He persevereth in my covenant holding himselfe to the faith and Religion of his holy ancient forefathers or to that which is taught them by Gods holy servants the Prophets and Priests CHAP. XII Vers. 1. FEedeth He builds upon vaine means and feeds himselfe with frivolous and ruinous hopes the Easterne wind being very tempestuous in those countreys continuing in his sinnes and thinking to escape Godâ— judgements by strange and unlawfull covenants Oyle the Italian sweet smelling oyles Whereof there was great plenty in Judea 2 Kings 20. 13. V. 2. The Lord That which I have spoken in praise of Judah is not to free him from all defects for he hath also his grievous faults but because Gods true service is yet remaining there God wil yet reprove and redargue him with words but as for the ten tribes he will judge them with deeds seeing they are almost become incapable of all correction V. 3. In the wombe These histories seeme to be alledged here to reprove Israel for their ingratitude after so many great benefits of God towards their forefathers which he reduces to two heads figured here in these two histories One is Jacobs election before Esau his brother the Other his deliverance from all those evills wherewith God had tried and exercised him By his strength Which was given him by Gods grace A figure of the spirituall strength of the faith and spirit With God With the Son of God who appeared to Jacob in humane shape who also by reason of his office of Mediator is afterwards called Angel V. 4. He wept This weeping may be referred to that which is said Gen. 35. 8. And it seemes it was a weeping upon some solemne time of supplication With us namely With Jacob our father confirming Gods promises to him and all his Posterity Gen. 35. 11. V. 5. The Lord is He hath take this name of Eternall with his people Exod. 3. 14 15. for a pledge of the truth of his promises and therefore he will without faile performe them if we doe turne to him V. 7. He is namely Ephraim is degenerate and hath taken upon him the customes and manners of a Canaanite being wholly addicted to dishonest gaine to deceits and avarice see Ezek. 16. 3. Is a Merchant the Italian A Canaanite A Nation whose ordinary exercise was merchandizing with all the vices which were annexed unto it and therefore that Name is taken for a Merchant and very often also for a deceiver V. 8. My labours I have not stained my trading with any great misdeed onely I have used certaine subtilties and crafts therein as were not subject to the Law words of a prophane and cauâ—erized conscience V. 9. I that am Although thou beest so corrupt yet will I observe mine ancient covenant which I made even in the land of Egypt towards my true Israel in spirit An Evangelicall promise Will yet make thee I will deliver my Church from the spirituall Egypt and will make her passe through the wildernesse of the world in particular Churches aspiring towards the heavenly Canaan even as my people dwelt in Tents in the Wildernesse the remembrance whereof is celebrated in the feast of the Tabernacles Lev. 23. 43. See Zech. 14. 16. V. 10. Spoken the Italian I will speake I will largely manifest my selfe by my Word â—ee Joel 2. 28. Similitudes grave sentences and doctâ—ines illustrated with similitudes according to the Holy Ghosts stile V. 11. Vanity They are altogether drowned in Idolatry They sacrifice To Idols or peradventure also to the true God but beyond his command wherefore it is all Idolatry As heaps that is to say They are innumerable and at the end of every field see Hos. 8. 11. and 10. 1. V. 12. Fled The meaning seemes to be Remember the first voyage which was Jacobs in extreme misery and servitude and the second which was your comming out of Egypt in a glorious deliverance by the hands of Moses that you may be afraid left I cause you to make a third into wretched captivity V. 13. Preserved Even like unto a flocke of sheep Psal. 77. 20. Isa. 63. 11. V. 14. His blood He will not pardon him his sinne nor cleanse him from it but will keepe it still in remembrance to punish him for it at his appointed time See Ezek. 24. 7 8. CHAP. XIII Verse 〈◊〉 WHen time was that the tribe of Ephraim having the rule of the ten Tribes was terrible through its power but now that it hath strayed and is runne into Idolatry its strength and glory is come to nothing like unto a dead carkase V. 2. They say the Kings of the Tribe of Ephraim do command the people to follow the idolatry which they have established 1 Kings 12. 28. Kisse the whosoever will do Gods service let him come and worship the Calves which Jeroboam hath set up Kissing being an act and token of worship and religious honour See 1 Kings 19. 18. Psal. 2. 12. V. 3. They shall be they shall not be stedfast but shall quickly be dispersed and brought to nothing V. 5. Know thee that is to say I took care of thee and provided all things necessary for thee V. 6. According to their through too much fatnesse and plenty they are become fierce and untamed Deut. 8. 12. 32 15. V. 7. A Leopard which useth to lie in wait to set upon a man See Jer. 5. 6. V. 8. As a Beare See 2. Sam. 17. 8. Prov. 17. 12. that is to say I am become their implacable enemy The cause that is to say I wound them mortally And thâ—re namely upon the high way whereby are meant the instants and times appointed for Gods judgements See the like use of this word Psal. 53 5. Eccles. 3. 17. V. 9. Thou hast Many have wrought together to overthrow thee but I alone can save thee and not thy Kings in whom thou hast trusted V. 10. Of whom thou Some referre this to the first asking of a King 1 Sam. 8. 5. Others to the â—umultuaâ—y election of Jeroboam 1 Kings 12 16. 20. V. 11. I gave thee I have suffered thee to thy hurt and dammage to have a King according to thine owne will though I did not approve of it Hos. 8. 4. and I have aggravated my judgments the more upon thee by reason of the frequent violent deaths of thy Kings which doe bring the Kingdome into extreame ruine V. 12. Is bound up nothing shall escape me I will make them beare the punishment for
Conductor 〈◊〉 of thee he comforteth the Church which was deprived of her earthly King by the promise of Christs comming the heavenly and everlasting King Come forth he was from everlasting come forth of the Father by generation and by an eternall decree was by him appointed to be a mediator V. 3. Therefore namely to fulfill these prophesies Will he God shall suffer his people to be subject to forreine Princes and Lords their enemies untill Christ be borne of a Virgin according to the promises Gen. 3. 15. Isay 7. 14. The remnant namely the Gentiles converted by faith to Christ and thereby made brothers to the true Israel in Spirit shall be united with them in one body of a Church under Christ their head V. 4. And be namely Christ shall doe the office of a good shepheard standing still on foot and watching for the safegard of his employing for their safety the divine power of his Father whereby the Church shall rest secure having the King of the Universe for her Protector Now namely at the prefixed and appointed time or within a short space V. 5. And this man namely Christ shall be the foundation the author and maintainer of the true spirituall rest of the Church and if it bee assaulted by the enemies it shall from him have sufficient meanes for to withstand them As if they had raised seven Armies under the command of seven Captaines against the Assyrians who were the Jewes ancient enemies Seven shepheards having likened the Church to a flock of sheepe he calleth the defendors of it and all the ministers of her preservation shepheards as servants to the great shepheard who in respect of Christ are also sheep and members of the Church V. 6. Shall waste they shall utterly ruine Sathan and the worlds kingdome with the sword of Gods word and by temporall slaughters like unto those slaughters which the enemies had made of them Rev. 18. 6. or using against them their owne weapons which they had taken away from them Psal. 37. 15. Of Nimrod See Genesis 10. 10 11. V. 7. As a dew by reason of its multitude growne up as it were in an instant and miraculously fallen from heaven they shall be like dew or raine Psal. 110. 3. That tarrieth not which doth not grow in Gardens nor tilled lands watered by mens hands but in Deserts Mountaines and wilde places that have no other water but what fals upon them from heaven Iob 38. 26 27. Psal. 104. 13. V. 8. As a Lion the faithfull shall be endowed with an invincible force of the Spirit of God to overcome and overthrow the devill the world and all their enemies 2 Cor. 10. 4. 5 6 〈◊〉 Ioh. 5. 4 5. V. 10. Cut off I will take away all worldly strength from my Church And cause her to renounce all damnable and unlawfull meanes to maintaine her selfe as sorceries and recourse to Idols and idolatrous people which meanes the people had formerly made use of to the end she may put all her trust and confidence in Me and that she may obtaine the victory over all her enemies only by the power of my Spirit See Hosea 1. 7. Zech. 4. 6. V. 11. The Cities namely the walled and strong Cities to bring them to live in Villages and open places See Ezek. 38. 11. V. 14. Groves dedicated to Idolatry Deut. 16. 21. V. 15. Have not heard have not beleeved and obeyed the Gospell 2 Cor. 10. 6. CHAP. VI. Verse 1. ARise O Micahl debate thou Gods cause against this rebellious and ingratefull people as it were in judgement calling all the creatures to be judges seeing their consciences are more insensible then these creatures See Deut. 32. 1. Isay 1. 2. Micha 1. 2. V. 4. For I thou canst not alledge that there is any fault in me who have accumulated blessings upon thee Miriam who had also the gift of prophesie V. 5 Consulted namely to make Balaam curse thee who instead of that fruitlesse endeavour perswaded Balack to induce thee to idolatry and fornication Rev. 12. 14. From Shittim after thou wentest astray after Baal-Peor Num. 25. 1. Yet I did endure thee and brought thee into the land of Canaan where I renewed my Covenant with thee in Gilgal by the Circumcision See Josh. 3. 1. 5. 2. The righteousnesse his sovereigne loyalty in keeping his covenant and promises Or his infinite mercies V. 6. Wherewith the Prophet brings in the people desiring to know the true meanes to appeale God and be reconciled unto him V. 9. The Lords voice the Lord seeing what his people had deserved by their sinnes doth admonish them by his Prophets that they should take heed of his judgements which did hang over them and by his predictions doth warne them and instruct them not to hold them to be casuall chances but things proceeding from his Providence and justice that they might prevent them by Repentance Thy name thou thy Self as thou hast manifested thy selfe to thy Church by thy proper Name doest judge rightly of the sinnes of thy people and of the punishments which they deserved therefore V. 10. Theasurers of gotten possessed and used unjustly and wickedly Scant measure the Italian Scant Eph 〈…〉 to sell by Amos 8. 5. V. 12. Thereof namely of Jerusalem V. 13. Will 〈◊〉 Gods words V. 14. Thy casting downe that is to say those shall perish like a building that sinketh and ruineth by its owne weight having an evill foundation or being built with evill stuffe Shalt take hold of some part of thy goods to save them out of the ruine V. 16. For the namely those sinnes which have been spoken of before Statutes namely the Idolatry brought in by those wicked Kings 1 Kings 16. 25. 32. A hissing a matter of scorne and derision The reproach the ignominious punishment for having prophaned the name and title of being my people and my Church by your sins Ezek. 36. 20 23. Rom. 2. 24. CHAP. VII Verse 1. VVOe is me the Prophets lamentation because godly men were decayed in the countrey as if a thirsty and wearied traveller could not finde any fruit or Grapes in the Fields or Vine-yards See Psal. 12. 1. The first ripe rare fruits and therefore most to be desired Isay 28. 4. Hos. 9. 10. The meaning is that he fought for a good man amongst the people as for a very rare thing V. 3. Asketh for presents Wrap it up they make a league together they joyne and strenthen their evill councels and frauds even as by the twisting together of diverse threeds and strings they do make a strong rope V. 4. As a brier hurtfull and catching as Psal. 58 9. Ezek. 2 6. The day the time of thy punishment foretold by the Prophets who are called the watchmen Ezek. 3. 17. 33 7. Hos. 9 8. Perplexity and extreme anguish instead of the windings and practices of your deceipts See Nah. 1. 10. V. 5. Trust ye not there is no more faith nor loyalty no not even amongst
any humane meanes advance his Kingdome Or he shall grow up from under himselfe that is to say by secret wayes without any humane shew as Isa. 11. 1. The Temple namely the universall Church gathered together united and built up by him alone Heb. 3. 3. V. 13. Shall build in the quality of a King even as those temporall Commanders Moses Salomon and Zerubbabel were chosen by God to over-see the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple The glory namely the royall glory Upon his namely in the heavenly glory where he shall eternally execute the other part of his Priesthood in making intercession for his Church Heb. 24. 9. The Councell these two offices and properties shall for ever be united together in Christ and shall perfectly agree one with the other though they seeme to be very different the one having the administration of justice to command and punish the other of mercy to expiate and pardon but Christ shall expiate and pardon that he may be obeyed when he commands Psal. 130. 4. having brought men into Gods favour to make them receive the Spirit which inclineth them to a voluntary obedience V. 14. And the after thou hast thus prophesied of Christ setting these two materiall Crownes upon the head of Joshua lay them up againe in the Temple in their names as an offering offered by them peradventure with some inscription or remembrance of their names to be a sacred memoriall of these my promises Holem Hen It is likely these are the same as were before Helda and Joshua v. 10. V. 15. And they namely the Gentiles who are now far from the knowledge and Covenant of God Isa. 57. 19. Ephes. 2. 17. And build they shall co-operate to the establishment of the Church and advancement of Christs Kingdome See Isa. 60. 10. This shall you shall in effect finde to your owne deliverance the truth and power of Gods promises which I his sonne doe propound unto you by my Prophets CHAP. VII Ver. 1. OF the ninth which is the November Moone V. 2. They namely the Priests and Levites who yet remained in Babylon Before the namely in the Temple which was re-edefied in Jerusalem V. 3. Should I are we in conscience bound to keep the solemne Fast appointed to be in the fifth Moneth by reason of the destruction of the Temple which happened at that time 2 King 25. 8 9. Jer. 52. 12 13 now that it is re-edefied and Gods service restored seeing the keeping of it is not commanded by the Law of God See Mal. 3. 14. Separating from feasts company of women and all other carnall delights See Exod. 19. 14. 1 Sam. 21. 5. V. 5. Seventh this other Fast was appointed for the death of Gedaliah which happened in this Moneth 2 King 25. 8 9. Jer. 41. 1. whereupon followed the totall dispersion of the remainder of the people Seventy during the captivity Zech. 1. 12. Unto me to humble your selves and turne with your hearts to me was it not only through a carnall feeling of your evils Isa. 58. 3. Hos. 7. 14. V. 6. And when yea in your mirth and rejoycing you have not regarded me to yeeld me honour and thanks for my benefits Hos. 8. 13. and 9. 4 Now the answer to the aforesaid question is referred to this point your Fast might be sanctified by piety and devotion but you had better to omit it then prophane it as you doe and in stead of your Ceremonies endeavour your selves to serve God internally by meanes of which I will change these your dolefull dayes into dayes of feasting and giving thanks for new benefits Zech. 8. 19. V. 7. Should ye not hath not God sufficiently declared his will concerning these externall actions and especially concerning a Fast prophaned through wickednesse Isa. 58. 3 4. Was inhabited or a foot or in its former state The South those parts of Judea which had most felt the desolations of war See Jer. 17. 26. and 32. 44. V. 11. The shoulder A terme taken from yoaked Oxen which are unwilling to draw Nch. 9. 29. Hos. 4. 16. Zeph. 3. 9. V. 14. After them after they have been carried away out of it For they laid they have been the cause that their fine and pleasant Country hath been laid waste CHAP. VIII Ver. 1. THe word it appeares by ver 19. that this is a continuation of Gods answer to the question concerning the said Fasts V. 3. Iam or I have turned to Sion Of truth or of loyalty V. 4. There shall yet I will blesse the Inhabitants of Jerusalem with peace health and long life A figure of the spirituall blessings of the Church as Isa. 65. 20 22. V. 6. If it be even after the accomplishment these things shall seeme incredible and impossible but nothing is impossible to an omnipotency Luke 18. 27. V. 8. In truth faithfully performing my promise which I have made to them in my Covenant and enlarging my bounty towards them which is often signified by the word Righteousnesse See Hos. 2 20. V. 9. Of the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah V. 10. There was mens and beasts labour was in vaine by reason of the curse which I laid upon your carelesnesse in restoring my service Hag. 1. 6 10. I set I suffered the Land to be full of robberies and enemies incursions V. 11. But now seeing you have cheerfully gone on to the re-edifying of my Temple V. 12. The Seed I will set downe the true causes and meanes of a true and perfect peace and prosperity and will cause it to increase and multiply See Psal. 72. 3. V. 13. A curse as it were a formulary of execration Psal. 102. 8. V. 14. Repented not I have executed what I had determined and have not revoked it before I had brought it perfectly to passe V. 19. The Fast this is the principall answer to the question which was propounded in the former Chapter containing a promise of changing the estate of the Church Of the fourth appointed for a remembrance of the taking of Jerusalem by the Caldeans which was in this Moneth Jer. 52. 6 7. Of the fifth for the burning of the Temple Jer. 52. 12 13. Zech. 7. 1 5. Of the seventh for the death of Gedaliah Jer. 41. 1. Zech. 7. 5. Of the tenth for the siege laid before Jerusalem Jer. 52. 4. Love if you desire to have these good things come to passe V. 20 It shall yet A Prophecye of the calling of the Gentiles V. 23. Ten men A figurative description of the great number of Gentiles which should come into the Church which in former times was restrained within the Nation of the Jewes CHAP. IX Ver. 1. THe burden A prophecye of threatenings and curses See Isa. 13. 1. Jer. 23. 3â— Of Hadrach it was an Idoll of the Syrians which represented the Sunne The name signifieth the only King to which they added a goddesse called by Authors Atergati which signifieth only Queene and that represented the earth both of them were figured
draw his humane nature to sinne either of impatience and diffidencie in his voluntary obedience or of pride and presumption without vocation oâ— necessitie or of rebellion against God V. 4. By every not only by things appointed in nature to nourish man but by all such things as he through his free-will doth attribute such power unto And likewise by his only power and will without any meanes at all V. 5. Taketh him up by some swift motion but without any hurt and that by the permission of God and of Christ himselfe the holy a title very frequently given to the Citie of Ierusalem by reason of Gods being present in his Temple and because it was a Citie consâ—crated to his service see Nâ—h 11. 18. Isaiah 48. 2. Matth. 27. 53. a Pinnacle the Italian the edge of the roâ—se the roofe of the Temple being flatt according to the fashion of those times and places there was round about it a certaine edge or hemme or corner jetting out as well for Ornament as to convey away the raine Water and there it should seeme the Devill did set the Lord. V. 8. Sheweth him by some vision or illusion as it appeares by Luke 4. 5. V. 10 Get thee or according to some texts goe behinde me V. 12. He departed by a divine conduct and inspiration he went to make his ordinary abode and to exercise his charge of teaching publikely in those borders amongst poore and abject people to condemne Iudaea and Ierusalem whether hee went but only at festivall times V. 13. The Sea Coast namely by the lake of Geneâ—areth or of Tibeâ—ias V. 14. That it that Country which had formerly beene desolated by the Assyrians Isa. 8. 7. and grew afterwards degenerate in matters of Religion and was mixed with heathen customes and Nations was through Gods Soveraigne mercy chosen by Christ for the place of his ordinary abode according to the same Prophets prophesie Isa. 9. 1. to bring into it the light of life of grace and of truth and to give a beginning to the vocation of the Gentiles V. 18. Two brethren who had beene John the Baptist his Disciples to whom Iesus had revealed himselfe even in his time and therefore this History of Saint Matthewes ought to have a relation to their calling to the Apostle-ship and that of John 1. 40 41. To their calling to knowledge and doctrine V. 19. Fishers of instruments of converting and drawing men to God out of the Sea of the world and sinne and out of the abysse of death and perdition V. 23. Synagogues a Greeke Name which signified the particular assemblie of the Iewes for the exercises of Pietie and the places where they were kept severall from the Temple of Jerusalem where the generall assemblie was kept preaching bringing them the hâ—ppie tydings of the comming and manifestation of the Messias his spirituall Kingdome in light justice and life promised to the Fathers and so long looked for Ver. 24. Syria which bordered upon those places V. 25. Decapolis it was a little province so called because it contained tenne Cities and was upon the confines of Palestine drawing towards Syria Make 7. 31. CHAP. V. VER 3. THe poore an Hebrew phrase Prov. 16. 19 and 29 23. Isaiah 57. 15. to signifie the humble and meeke hearted before God who have confidence in themselves when they feele their miseries or Gods visitations opposiâ—e to proâ—d presumptuous and cruell men Kingdome they only are well prepared and qualified to receave the Gospell and to be members of the Church which is Christs Kingdome in grace and in spirit and that way to enter into the Kingdome of glory in Heaven see Matth. 18. 3. and 19 14. V. 4. That mourne by a lively displeasure for their sinnes and by a voluâ—tary mortification Or by an humble patience in visitations and tryalls which God sendeth Psalme 34. 18. V. 5. For they They shall be re-established into the right which Adam had namelie of being lawfull possessors of all Gods creatures as they are Gods children the use of which shall be granted them by their heavenly Father and shall afterwards bee raised up into the everlasting Kingdome above all other creatures Whereas violent men though they have and possesse much yet they are but usurpers who shall be dispossessed of all by death See Rom. 4. 13. V. 6. Which doe hunger which fervently desire of God to obtaine the gift of the true Evangelicall righteousnesse which is in Christ and in the operation of his spirit which is the food necessary for eternall life Rom. 3. 22 26. V. 8. The pure The holy righteous and sincere not spotted with the love of sinne of some predominant vice of malice and of hypocrisie Shall see shall be admitted to the fruition of Gods glory which will appeare at full in the Kingdome of heaven opposite to the small and obscure participation which beleevers have in his grace in this world by faith 1 Cor. 13. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 7. 1 Iohn 3. 2. V. 10. For righteousnesse sake For the love and defence of right and chiefely for Gods cause his truth glory and pure service The Kingdome for a reward of their labours and a Crowne of their fights according to Gods free promise V. 13. Yee are Words directed to the Apostles and ministers of Christ. The meaning is I have conferred my gifts upon you and have placed you in the office of Pastors of my Church that by your doctrine example the world might be cleansed preserved from corruption and seasoned with righteousnesse and holinesse if that thorow your owne corruption you lose this power over others whence shall the amendment of your selves be expected In such a case all dignities and titles are of no value V. 14. The light As by the preaching of the word you are like unto lights in the worlds darkenesse So by your life you should bee like Candle-stickes to set that light up on high and shew it to all men A Citie the eminencie of your office shall cause all the good and evill that is in you to be manifest to all men either for example and edification in good things or for scandall and subversion in badd V. 16. Glorifie By converting and submitting themselves to Gods truth whose efficacy shall be penetrated into their hearts by your holy examples See 1 Cor. 14 25. V. 17. To destroy to derogate from their authoritie to cause them to be thought false or unprofitable to propound a doctrine contrary to them To fulfill observing the Law in all points my selfe and bringing to passe all that was foretold by the Prophets and pulling in force the right and promise of the Law to give life to them that fulfill it which is effected in me alone for all my Church And finally causing by my spirit of regeneration which I have gotten and doe communicate to all beleevers the Law to be by them voluntarily receayed in its spirituall sence though not in an absolute perfection
in this life Rom. 8. 3. V. 18. Till heaven a proverbiall kinde of speech as much as to say never whilest the world lasts as Iob 14. 12. Psal. 72. 5. till all till Gods will revealed in his word be perfectly fulfilled Isay 40. 8. Romans 3. 31. V. 19. Whosoever therefore hereproveth the Pharisees false doctrine who made a difference of Gods Commandements as if some were great and some small the transgressing of which should be of small moment Mat. 22. 36 and he sheweth that they have all the same character of divine authority and that they all binde equally though the degrees of the matter be diverse shall be called though he retaine the good foundation yet he shall lose much of Gods approbation and of the good esteeme of true beleevers who shall judge spiritually by my Gospell in the renewed state of my Church see 1 Cor. 3. 15 He opposeth this to the Scribes and Pharisees dignities which were grounded upon those arbitrary definitions of cases of conscience V. 20. The righteousnesse which was all set upon vaine ceremonies in arbitrary disciplines and in false shewes and in dead works without Gods spirit enter you shall not be true members of my spirituall Kingdome which I have established in my Church nor attaine to the Kingdome of glory V. 21. That it was said in the Text of the Law by Moses and then afterwards in the glosse which hath beene added thereunto by the Doctors which came after according to their owne carnall meaning whosoever in this glosse the Pharisees erred in two points first in that they only comprehended the full exterior act in the Commandement and not the inward motions nor the lesser acts of the same kind Secondly because they restrained mens consciences only in reverence of humane lawes and feare of the punishment inflicted thereby and did not direct them to God and his justice and so they did set all the observation of the Law in an outside of externall and hypocriticall discipline without any true pietie or uprightnesse of heart the judgement namely the sentence and punishment of three and twentie Iudges who had the cognizance of all criminall caules amongst the â—ewes V. 22. But I Christ doth not bring up a new meaning of the Law but only re-establisheth the internall and spirituall meaning which is eternall and was forgotten and unknowne See Rom. 7. 7. Whosoever to shew that the very first motions of sinne are deadly in rigour of Law though there be some diversity in the degrees of punishment hee makes use of the diverse degrees of capitall judgments which were in use amongst the Iewes and by judgment he meanes that of the three and twentie Iudges which had the cognizance of ordinary crimes by the consistory that of the seventie one Iudges who had the cognizance of crimes of a higher degree which concerned the publike as of a false Prophet a High-Priest an apostasie or the like and by hell fire or Gehenna he meanes that great Anathema by which the Malefactor besides his corporall death was accursed and appointed for the torments of hell without a cause that may be approved in Gods judgement Racha a Syriac word which signifieth voyd of understanding witlesse hell fire the Italian the Gehâ—nna of fire an Hebrew word which signifieth the valley of Hinnom which was a place by Ierusalem where Idolaters did burne their children to Molech whereupon by reason of the cruelty of this Idolatry the same name was attributed to hell See 2 Kings 2. 3. 10. Isay 30. 33. V. 23. Ought any cause of offence for any injury he hath receaved V. 24. And go to shew that mens wrath and hatred are so displeasing to God that he disalloweth of any service done him by any that are so disposed See Job 42. 8. V. 25. Agree as one that hath offended another doth very well to make a friendly composition for the injury giving some reasonable satisfaction before the judge gives his sentence seeing that afterwards he should be forced to pay what he is amerced without any remission so you men make your peace whilest you are in the world before God doth give his irrevocable sentence against the obdurate offender V. 26. Till thou hast that is to say never for man hath not wherewith to give satisfaction to Gods justice Mat. 18 25. V. 29 Offend thee do intice thee by thy lookes to offend God pluck it out this must be understood by way of comparison thus thou hadst better pluck it out then to be thereby induced to offend God and be in danger of losing thy soule and theréfore seeing there is nothing more deere to thee then thine eyes mortifie thine old man and renounce thy concupiscences that thou mayest save both body and soule See Mat. 19. 12. Rom. 8. 13. 1 Cor. 9. 27. Col. 3. 5. V. 30. Thy right hand the hand properly doth not induce to sinne but doth commit it and therefore by this so necessary and deere a part are meant and understood all manner of vehement affections and passionate motions and each deere and inticing respect all which things ought to be cut off rather then to sin V. 31. Let him give her this law doth not permit nor approve of divorces made without a cause but they being already in use amongst the people God tollerating them or taking no notice of them he hath in some manner set downe a rule therein to provide for the credit of the women which were put away by this writing which did cleere them from adultery and did set them at liberty that the husband breaking the bonds of marriage on his side the poore woman might also on her side be free to marry againe seeing that the returning to her first husband was utterly denied and forbidden her Ier. 3. 1. which was a curbe to that temerity V. 32. To commit before God and in respect of their conscience though not before men and in the civill and externall judgement V. 33. Forsweare the Pharisees had falsified the meaning of this law two wayes First in restraining it to false oathes sworne to harme other men without comprehending vaine and frivolous oathes then by reputing such for indifferent and as nothing which were not conceaved in Gods owne name but were sworne by creatures see Matth. 23. 16. 18. unto the Lord either directly in performing such things as thou hast vowed unto him or indirectly in all such things as thou hast promised thy neighbour in his name V. 34. Not at all seeing that an oath is an instrument of truth and of proofe and oftentimes very necessarie we must restraine this Commandement of Christs to voluntarie oathes not required by them who have authority vaine frivolous vitious and ill conceived c. Seeing those things which are set downe here have a relation to such oathes By heaven by way of assertion as in saying so sure as there is a heaven or as sure as there is light in heaven Or by way of execration
corporall favours did rather hinder then further Christ in hâ—s chiefe end which was the eternall salvation of men To the Priest to be searched according to the Law and being judged cleane to have permission to come againe into the company of men and of the Church For a Testimony that thou mayest witnesse that I am true God and that during the time of my humiliation I doe keep and cause Moses Law to bee kept which were the two chiefe heads whereupon the Iewes used to contest with Christ. V. 5. A Centurion A Roman and a Heathen but instructed and inwardly enlightned V. 9. A man And thou God I am a subject and thou a supreame Lord how much more than shall thy command be fulfilled V. 10. He marvailed He used some externall gesture of wondering to cause the Centurions faith to be so much the more commended and esteemed not that he was ignorant of the causes of it nor that it was a faith beyond Christs Capacitie which are the two ordinary causes of true admiration V. 11. Many Namely of the Gentiles such as the Centurion was Siâ— downe shall enjoy the fruits of eternall life with the holy Patriarches being by faith and in spirit become their children heires of the promises made to them and their posteritie V. 12. The Children Namely the Iewes who by the prerogative of Gods Covenant seemed to be the true heires of this Kingdome Darkenesse in the extreame misery confusion horror and torment of those who are eternally banished out of the Kingdome of heaven Gnashing the noise the rage and the blasphemies which are alwayes coupled to the everlasting torments of the damned Romaâ—â— 16. 9. 11 21. V. 14. His Wives mother For Peter had a wife 1 Cor. 9. 5. V. 16. With his word using no othre maneâ— but only his meere command V. 17. It might be fulfilled That he might verifie that which Isaiah speaketh in that place Namely that he is the only Saviour of soules and bodies according to the charge which he hath taken upon him and by the merit of his voluntary sufferances by which having appeased Gods wrath he hath cut oâ— the cause of all our evills and hath obtained his favour for us which is the fountaine of all good and happinesse V. 18. The other side Namely of the lake of Genesareth V. 20. The Foxes This is spoken either for a tryall of the truth of the Scribes protestation or for a preparative for him to keepe it being in time instructed in the condition which is in separably annexed to the Gospell namely the crosse without any constant proprietie of goods and without any peace or rest in the world Nests or places to go and shelter themselves in The Son Christ calls himselfe so oftentimes in the Gospell to signifie the truth of his humane nature and the excellencie of his person above all other men As who should say That man which hath in all ages bin foretold expected desired and seene by the Prophets in their visions as particularly Dan. 7. 13. for a prelude of his manifestation in the flesh V. 21. Bury that is to say assist him in his extreame old age untill the end of his life V. 22. Let the dead being called to the ministery of my word leave off these duties belonging to a mortall life to those that live and have their callings and places therein that thou mayest readily and without disturbance follow the duties of the spirituall life which are now at this present incompatible with the duties of a temporall life V. 26. Rebuked A kinde of speech very frequent in Scripture to signifie Gods power to appeale the commotion of any of the creatures especially if they rise against his elect whom they ought to serve V. 28. Gergasenes it is thought to be the ancient nation of the Gergashites Gen. 10 16 which afterwards were called Gerashites where the Citie of Gadara was whereupon Saint Marke and St. Luke call this Country of the Gadarenes V. 29. To torment us driving us out of that little light and libertie which is left us to wander up and down the world working our wills and shut us up in the darknesse and paines of hell as it shall be after the last judgment Before the time namely of the last judgment which they might know was not yet come V. 32. Into the Sea Namely into the lake of Genezâ—reth V. 34. They besought him not for any hatred they bare to him but for feare of that divine power which they only considered in him Luke 8. 37. An ordinary motion of a mans conscience not yet confident in Gods grace when he feeles his Majestie nigh him See Deut. 5. 25. 1 King 17. 18. Luk. 5. 8. CHAP. IX VER 1. INto his owne namely Capernaum where he made his ordinary abode Mar. 2. 1. V. 2. Thy sins which are the cause of thy disease sinne being the cause of all those evills that befall man V. 3. Blasphemeth attributing unto himselfe the power of pardoning sins which belongeth to God alone V. 5. Whether is according to your carnall judgment it is a higher and more difficult thing to heale this diseased man by my word then to forgive him his sinnes now I will doe that which you judge to be the most difficult and is sensible to shew that I can doe that which you esteeme to bee lesse and is spirituall and hidden both depending upon the same divine and supreame power V. 8. Unto men such as they thought Christ to be being not yet instructed concerning his eternall God-head V. 9. Matthew and Levi also Luke 5. 27. V. 10. In the house Namely of Matthew as St. Luke saith V. 13. And learne you hypocrites do set all your pietie and righteousnesse in ceremonies and an externall discipline and hold them to be prophane and unworthy of your conversation which doe not follow you whereas by this saying of the Prophet you might have learned that the most acceptable service to God is that mercy which I use towards poore sinners procuring their salvation and amendment by my familiarity with them seeing that grace by the Gospell which I am Mediator for and distributer of is but onely for all Repentant sinners V. 15. Of the Bride Chamber namely the bride-groomes most intimate friends and companions Iohn 3 26. The meaning is I will not disturbe the joy my Disciples conceave by reason of my presence after my departure out of the world they will have afflictions and sorrowes and time enough to feele them V. 16. No man besides this cause I have also a regâ—rd not to oppresse the weakenesse of those which are mine with too rigorous a discipline in these beginnings New cloth the Italian rough cloth as â—t commeth out of the weavers hand neither dressed nor fulled and therefore very unfit for any use especially to mend or patch clothes V. 18. Ruler they were certaine superior Ecclesiasticall persons which did preside in the Iewes particular Assemblies and there did
as he hath appointed me to be a Soviour so he hath appointed faith to be a means to receive me to salvation and life Which seeth that is to say is enlightned by his knowledge Ver. 44. No man none ought to marvaile that you cannot comprehend these things nor joyne your selves to me by faith for to enjoy them for it is a supernaturall motion of Gods Spirit which you have not Draw him move him by his Almighty power to unite himselfe to mee by faith against the inclination of his owne corrupt nature See Cant. 1. 4. Iohn 12. 32. And I that is to say all those that come to me the good they finde thereby is the spirituall life the accomplishment of which shall bee life overlasting by meanes of the blessed Resurrection V. 45. In the Prophets in that volume wherein all their prophecies are contained All not all and every particular person as it appeares by verse 44. and 65. but all the elect and children of God That hath heard in his Church by his word And hath learned that is to say hath receaved a lively impression of this truth by vertue of the Holy Ghost which engendereth faith Iohn 14. 26. and 16. 13. 1 Thes. 4. 9. 1 Iohn 2. 20 27. V. 46. Not that that is to say when I speake of hearing the father it is not by reason that any one can have accesse to him or communication of seeing or hearing him immediately without me The Fathers word is that which I propound in his name and from him Ioh. 149. He which is Namely I my selfe who proceeded from him from everlasting as his proper Son and also have by him been appointed to be the Saviour of the world V. 49. Are dead where by it appeares that that foode though it came out of the ayre and was puter then any other food yet it was corruptible in it selfe and could not keepe the body from death whereas the foode which I present unto you saves the soule from spirituall death and body and soule both from everlasting death V. 50. This is Namely this which I propound to you in myselfe V. 51. The living that hath life in it selfe and giveth life to them which are partakers of it Is my flesh that is to say I am the sacred ooâ—e of the soule for as much as in my humanity I will offer my selfe to death as an expiatory sacrifice for the sins of the world and that it is eaten by the soule that is to say applyed to life by the actuall commemoration lively faith and inward apprehension to be rejoyeed comforted strengthened and sustained in the fruition and feeling of Gods grace which is the spirituall life And it seemes that Christ hath made use of these termes by reason that in every Religion the eating of the flesh of the sacrifices was a signe of the Communion to that Religion 1 Corint 10. 18. Hebr. 13. 10. to shew that every Christian ought to have communion with Christ to unite him and appropriate him to himselfe by a lively faith which worketh with Christ as eating doth upon flesh and without that Christ doth man no good no more than meate which is not eaten nor concocted V. 52. Strove either being not all of one opinion as Iohn 7. 43. and 9. 16. or that in a tumultuous manner they contradicted the Lord. Ver. 53. And drinke this is added to teach us that wee ought to participate with Christ wholly with all his merit satisfaction and expiation made by the shedding of his bloud as also for that purpose hee hath appointed the two signes in the Lords Supper V. 55. Indeed according as spirituall things have their truth and reality as much or more in their own kind then corporall ones have in theits See Ioh. 1. 9 and 15. 1. Heb. 8. 2. V. 56. Dwelleth that is to say is inseparably united with me and I with him even as food is with him that eates it V. 57. I live Namely as Son by vertue of the eternall generation and as Mediatour by the communication and influence of the life vertue and Spirit of God See Rom. 6. 4. 2 Cor. 13. 4. Shall live See Iohn 5. 26. V. 58. Not as the vertue of this my bread is not like that of Manna which could not save mens bodies from death V rse 60. Heare it that is to say beare it with patience and beleeve it and receave it with docilitie V. 62. Shall sec from whence you shall have greater cause to wonder to thinke that you should bee fed by his flesh which is taken up into heaven therefore because your senses may not transport you to incredulity leave off all these carnall thoughts and judge and understand these things spiritually 1 Cor 2. 14. and all occasion of stumbling shall bee taken away Aseend up into Heaven where the Son of God was before his incarnation in the residence of his glory and from whence he descended not by change of place but by manifestation and by voluntary abasement of condition taking upon him human flesh and in it he forme of a servant V. 63. The spirit doe not goodely stop at my materiall flesh nor at the corporall manner of eatâ—ing which are things unprofitable for the soule but apprehend in my flesh that which is spirituall and quickning therein namely that it is the flesh of the Sonne of the living God and that in it he suffered death expiated sinne and fulfilled all righteousnesse and besides that the onely meanes to be partaker of it to everlasting life is by the holy Ghost who engenders true faith in mens hearts Are Spirit ought to be taken and understood spiritually 1 Cor. 2. 14. and in this manner do bring salvation and life to beleevers such as al men are not those that are so indeed must acknowledge it to be Gods meer benefit V. 66. Went back scandalized by reason of this doctrine which was so strange incomprehensible V. 68. Of eternall life which doe not onely propound and teach the way to obtaine it but do likewise containe in them a secret seed of life which is quickned and excited by the power of the Spirit V. 96. A devill that is to say is divelish in wickednesse is wholly possessed and driven on by the evill spirit CHAP. VII VER 1. TO kill him his houre being not yet come V. 3. Depart it is likely that they were afraid of King Herod either for their own particulars or in the behalfe of Christ Luke 13. 31. Thy Disciples which are in Iudea and receive thy doctrine which here is rejected V. 4. To be knowne namely to beare a title and quality of a publick person as Doctor Pastor Ambassador c. If thou doe seeing thou makest profession of teaching and doest so many excellent miracles seek a place more apt to cause all these things to bring forth fruit in places of more note as Iudea is V. 5. For neither these things were spoken by them
nameth because tâ—at Christs life was knowne by all men but not his Resurrection V. 24. Which knowest that knowest what every man is inwâ—rdly either by his owne nature or by the working of the Spirit in gifâ—â— and qualities proper for any vocation Chosen not onely destinated by thy will in thy Councell but also marked and endowed with proportionable and necessary gifts whatsoever which are the foundation of a lawfull calling V. 25. To his owne place Namely of eternall damnation V. 26. They gave forth inspired thereunto by God Himselfe that the vocation might come from him that governeth the lots Prov. 16. 33. for the immediate vocation from God was one of the qualities required in the Apostleship Gal. 1. 1. Was numbred Not to be made an Apostle but onely to be acknowledged for such a one CHAP. II. V. 1. PEntecost a greek name which signifieth the fiftieth day Namely after the Passe 〈…〉 For as fiftie dayes after the first Passeover celebrated in Aegypt God gave his Law for a certaine form of his service and to governe the people whom he had gotten Exodus 12. 6. and 19. 1 11. So fifty dayes after the slaying of Christ the true Lambe of God the Holy Ghost was sent to bring in the spirituall service and to governe the Church after bee had redeemed it by the spirit of grace and liberty disannulling the predanticalnesse of the Law with its figures and in its bondage Gal. 4. 6. Were all it seemes this should be restrained to the Apostles â—â—ly called to the service of the Gospell and the use of tongues therein Verse 2. There came to move them to coâ—â—der of the comming of the HOLY GHOST as a divine and miraculous worke and dispose thâ—â— to receave it in humilitie and reverence and to shâ—â— them the force of it in their owne ministerie Iohn 3. 8. with some conformitie to that which happened in mount Sina when the Law was given Exod. 19. 16. V. 3. Cloven tongues a figure of the office and Talent of preaching the Gospell in diverse 〈…〉 ges miraculously infused into the Apostles and 〈◊〉 in one language as anciently under the Law Aâ—â— that for a remedy to the curse of the division of lâ—â—guages Genesis 11. 7. by which a great part of the world was separated from the communion of God and of the Church and all in the purenesse and power of the Holy Ghost represented by the 〈◊〉 See Isa. 6. 6 7. Ier. 5 14. V. 4. With the Holy Ghost Namely with the gifts and graces of it Gave them not only 〈…〉 ing in them the sounds of strange words but giving them also the understanding of the meaning 1 Cor. 14. 4. and it should seeme that it was not an habituall and perpetuall qualitie imprinted in them as in thâ—se languages that are learned by studie and practice but an actuall gift which shewed it selfe when the motion of the H. Ghost came upon them seconding their sanctified desire Verse 5. Were dwelling there were come thither and staid there for the feast Or were come thither to dwell thorow devotion Acts 6. ver 9. and 9. 29. Every Nation Namely out of every Countrie the IEWES being dispersed into diverse provinces though they were all of the very same Nation V. 6. Noised abroad the Italian That sound Namely the sound mentioned verse 2. which questionlesse was heard about the Citie Other the report thereof being noised abroad Were confounded that is to say they wondred and were sore amazed Verse 7. Galileans Of birth and ordinarie remaining there and therefore hold to be simple and grosse people Ioh. 1. 46. Verse 9. Elamites people of Persia. V. 10. Strangers dwelling in Rome though Iewes by Nation Jewes it should seeme they did thus divide all the soresaid Nations into these two generall kindes namely into native Iewes and proselyte Iewes which were Iewes by profession Mat. 23. 15. V. 11. The wonderfull workes the high mysteries of Gods doctrine See Hos. 8. 12. Verse 14. Hearken to The Italian Receave that is to say give mee audience and conceave well what I speake V. 15. The third houre Namely before noone an houre not very convenient for drunkennesse See Eccl. 10. 16. Isa. 5. 11. V. 24. Having loosed that is to say having delivered him from the dolorous estate of death in which hee was held as in bonds For calamities are called bonds or prisons Iob 13. 27. and 42. 10. Psal. 69. 33. and therefore in the Hebrew there is great affinitie betweene the word paines and bonds Because it was not Seeing his perfect righteousnesse accomplished in his voluntary death and his God head Whereof the first is the meriting cause and the second the efficient cause of his life and Resurrection V. 27. My soule namely my person considered in its mortall part which is the body In Hell the Italian In subterraneall places by this word is often meant the grave and the state of the dead To see to suffer that totall destruction of a putrified body reduced to dust by death Verse 28. With thy that is to say fully discovering unto mee and communicating unto mee the fruition of the glory of thy Kingdome Which is called seeing the face of God Psal. 17. 15. 1 Cor. 13. 12. V. 29. Patriarch that is to say a head of a Nation So were the chiefe amongst the ancient Fathers called Acts 7. 8 9. Heb. 7. 4. Dead therefore those so pregnant termes of the 16. Psalm can not belong to him in their proper and naturall sence Ver. 30. According to the in his humane nature whereby wee ought to inferre that in Christ there is another nature which is his divine nature V. 33. By the right hand that is to say by his infinite power this may bee referred either to the full possession of the gifts of the Holy Ghost in his humane nature glorified Iohn 3. 34. Or to the power which hee hath obtained in his whole person after he went up into heaven to be the giver out or distributer of Gods Spirit This which those gifts and that vertue of the H. Ghost by which we speake and operate Ver. 34. Is not bodily nor to bee established head of the Church raigning from Heaven over it V. 37. They were pricked convinced with griefe and with remorse of Conscience V. 38. In the Name not only for a signe of the profession of Christians but also to participate of his spirituall vertue in the washing away of your sins with which he accompanieth and ratifieth the externall Ceremonie of those who are his The gift that is to say those first motions of the spirit of regeneration shall bee followed by a great increase of light and vertue and also by miraculous gifts which God communicated in those primitive dayes to those which receaved Baptisme Acts 4. 3â— and 8. 15. and 10. 44. and 19. 6. Ephes. 1. 13. V. 39. The promise Seeing that as you are Abrahams children you are within Gods covenant You ought to
ed appointed and consecrated King of thy Church and likewise fulfilled with the gifts of thy spirit V. 28. For to doe though they had no knowledge of Gods will nor no right intention to conforme themselves unto it Thy hand namely thy Soveraign and efficacious providence by which thou governest and directest all things and all chances that happen V. 3â— They Were by an actuall new and evident mâ—tion V. 33. Great power Efficacie of demonstration and perswasion Oâ— with great courage and freedom Of the Resurrection under which is comprehended aâ—â— the doctrine of the Gospell As Acts 1. 22. Great gracâ— namely the blessing of God and good will of the people CHAP. V. VER 3. PEter to whom the fraude was divinely revealed To lie or to deceave the Spirit because that the consecration might bee by a motion of the spirit and he had not truely obeyed it Or it was dissimulate as proceeding from pure Charity a worke of the Holy Ghost being nothing but hypocrisie and the declaration thereof was made before the Apostles Ministers of the Holy Ghost and enlightned by him to take notice of the fraude and to be judges of the misdeed V. 4. Whiles it remained this possession before it was sold was th 〈…〉 e and after it was sold the price thereof was likewise thine if thou hadst not consecrated it But after the consecration thou hadst no more any right at all to it it was Gods and therefore thou hast committed sacriledge Ver. 6. The young men which were in the companie V. 9. To tempt to make a prophane tryall whither he knew your fraud or no and knowing of it whither he would punish it Are at the doore returning from burying thy husband Ver. 12. They were all had their appointed place there to preach to the people V. 13. Of the rest this as it seemes ought to bee understood of other Doctors who were also very frequently in the Church V. 15. The shadow not that there was any vertue inherent to the Apostles bodies nor much lesse to their shadow or garments but to shew a most fervent saith though very simple and ignorant to which God according as he pleased granted his grace and power though there ought no consequence to be drawne thence See Matth. 9. 21. and 15. 36. Acts 19. 17. V. 17. Of the Sadduees See upon Acts 4. 1. V. 20. Of this life namely of this saving doctrine which bringeth life to them that beleeve V. 28. To bring to cause the people to rise and revenge his death upon us Ver. 32. The Holy Ghost by his gifts and miraculous effects which accompanie our Doctrine V. 36. Theudas a famous impostor who lived it should seeme in the dayes of Herod the great and is not mentioned in the Histories but there is another spoken off of the same name who lived some time after that V. 37. Judas called by Historians Ganlanite that is to say borne at Golan in Bashan but here is called Galilean because hee raised his tumult in Galilee by reason of the second taxation made by Cyrenius after the first made by Augustus himselfâ— Luke 2. 2. V. 38. For if this not that wee ought to judge of a doctrine or Religion by the lastingnesse of it or any other favourably events which God sometimes grants to the worst of them according to his secret judgements But he seemes only to disswade them from the violent and unlawfull ones and remit all things to Gods providence who by many other examples having shewed his judgements upon the false Prophets that were amongst his people it was to bee hoped that in this case also he might doe the like if so be it were disallowed by him V. 40. Beaten them which was a kinde of punishment which the Romans suffered the Iewes to inflict in their Synagogues but not openly See Matthew 10. 17. and 33 34. Acts 22. 5. 2 Cor. 11 24. CHAP. VI. VER 1. THe Grecians it is likely that they were Iewes dwelling amongst the Grecians out of their Country who had taken a habit of the customes language and doctrine of the Grecians in many things differing from those Ierusalem Acts 9. 29. and 11. 20. Their widdowes Namely the Grecians widdowes held by the true Iewes unequall to theirs in honour by reason of the foresaid mixture and by reason of the dignity of the principall Citie of the Nation Neglected either because the were assisted equally with the rest and with equall honour in the distribution of the poores goods Acts 2. 45. and 4. 35. or that they were not admitted into any honourable office of the said distribution according to the custome of employing therein honourable widdowes which was afterwards confirmed and regulated 1 Tim. 5. 9 V. 2. It is not reason the Apostles in the beginning by reason of the small number of beleevers had the charge of the poore Acts 4. 35. But the Church being increased they could not doe that and preach to Whereupon by divine inspiration they made Deacons upon whom they disburthened themselves of this ministration who also had power to provide for these contentions and disorders Tables Namely at those common meales Acts 2. 42 46. under which is comprehended all the foresaid ministration V. 5. A proselyte Namely a Pagan converted to Iudaisme Mat 23. 15. V. 6. They layd a most ancient Ceremonie in consecration in signe that such persons were appropriated to God Exod. 29. 10. and likewise of blessing as if the grace and power of God did settle upon them Gen. 48. 14. Mat. 19. 13. Verse 7. Increased Namely did spread it selfe abroad amongst the people were obedient did voluntarily submit themselves to beleeve the Gospell Verse 8. And power of divine power and effiâ—â—cie in all his words and deeds Or of the power of the Holy Ghost to worke miracles U. 9. Of the Synagogues there being in Ierusalem diverse places of Ecclesiasticall meetings for the reading and expounding of Gods word and for ordinary prayers the Temple not being sufficient for these purposes for all men and at all times but it was for the Priests and for the most Religious actions sacrifices workship c. of the people Of the Libertines it is likely they were Iewes borne of â—â—aves made free by the Romans and that they had some assembly a part being detested by the Iewes as well by reason of their staine of their servile condition as because the tooke part with the Romans and their domination which was abhorred by the Iewes V. 14. Shall destroy Steven might well have denounced this desolation of Ierusalem and the disannulling of Ceremonies by Daniellâ— prophesies 9. 26 27. Or by Christs Matthew 24. 2. but yet these witnesses were false because they witnessed thorow hatred and malice and besides they concealed part of what was spoken As that Ierusalem should be destroyed but in case they were not converted That the ceremonies should be disannulled but to give place to a more excellent kinde of service in spirit
Sam. 4. 21. Psal. 26. 8. and 78. 60. and 106. 20. the covenants namely the severall tokens and seales of the covenant of grace Or the Law of God and the tables thereof Deut. 9. 11. The promises of the Messias and of the spirituall and everlasting goods V. 5. The fathers namely those reverend patriarches Abraham Isaack and Iacob and others who have had so many singular priviledges and are perpetuall patternes and lights of the church over all or over all things V. 6. Not as though here ought to bee supplied Though I see the body of my nation fallen from their right of beeing Gods people which causeth this extreame grief in me yet will I not inferre thereupon that God hath failed in his promises of grace which he had made vnto them because I Know that they were directed and are appropriated to the spirituall Israel onely by faith and not to the bodyly Israel by corporall generation of Israel namely issued corporally from Iacob or of the people of Israel V. 7. But in as the promises which Godmade to Abraham to continue his covenant and the blessed seed in his posteritie did not belong to all his posteritie in differentlie but unto Isaack alone excluding Ismael and others to the promises of Gods grace in the Messias are not for all those which descended from Israel but for these who are answering to Isaack in that manner as is hereafter set downe V. 8. Of the promise namely that are made 〈◊〉 and are brought forth by a speciall grace of God which unfoldeth it self first in a singular and voluntarie promise and then in a powerfull and true effect As Isaack was born by miracle whereas Ismael was borne by the accustomed course of nature V. 9. For this namely this appeares in Isaacks generation which ought to be the blessed branch for whose generation God made this promise which he performed by his almighty power Rom. 4. 21. having made none for Ismael V. 10 And not only because that it might seeme in the example of Isaack and Ismael that the preferring of the one was because he was borne of the lawfull vife and the other of aco 〈…〉 the Apostle confirmes that which he had spoken by the example of of two twinnes borne of the same father and mother and yet distinguished by Gods soveraigns will in the acceptation of them in his covenant and in the continuance of the body of the holy stock V. 11. Neither having done God considering them in their natural state wherein they were both the sonnes of Adam equally sinners and corrupt having done no actuall good nor evil one more then the other which should merit this distiuction that the purpose God pronounced this his decree concerning the preferring of the younger before the elder whilest they were yet both in the wombe that it might appeare it was grounded vpon his absolute pleasure and will and not upon any merit or desert of theirs according to the election namely by which he had determined to chuse the one and leave the other not of workes namely not by vertue of any observation of condition depending upon mans will which might have made the decree wavering and uncertain being that man is variable in all things which he doth but of him namely Gods power who in time executs by his calling that which from everlasting he had determined by his election that calleth he that by his almight power causeth what he pleaseth to be born and have being which of it self is nothing nor cannot make it self See Rom 4. 17. V. 12. Shall serve namely shall lose his right of first borne in signe that the part and right of being the blessed stocke shall be taken away from him and his posterity and shall be in the world as a servant in the fathers house in comparison of Iacob who shall be as the true sonne and heire V. 13. As it is that word of serving must hee expounded by this other passe for a privation from Gods fatherly love V. 14. Is there namely in not shewing equall favour 〈◊〉 persons which are equally sinnefull and wretched V. 15. For he saith by this passage it appeares that the difference which God makes betweene men being a worke of meere grace and mercy is without any obligation that in it he hath no regard of mans merit Of whom I will of whomsoever I will have it according to my will and pleasure V. 16. It is not seeing that the election is of pure mercy iâ— cannot bee attributed to any will or endeavour of man V. 17. For the same appeares by the rejection of some persons as of Pharaoh a professed enemy of God whom God had determined to leave in his natural malignity â—â—â—hout correcting it by his grace that passing to the supreme degree he might combat him by his power to the greater manifestation of his glory The scripture namely God in the scripture Raised thee willingly suffered thee to bee borne in the world exalted to the kingdome and effect thy wickednesse against me V. 18. Hardneth not mollifying his rebellious heart inclining it to obedience whereby all those objects which God outwardly makes use of though excellent good and most holy are by man converted to â—â—â—gmentation of hardnesse and rebellion V. 19. Why an objection either of a carnall mans ignorance who doth not apprehend the Apostles true meaning in this aforesaid will of God and 〈◊〉 of man or of a reprobates rage who im 〈…〉 his perdition to God because hee hath not pardoned him his sinne which is the onely true cause thereof Finde fault with those that are hardened by his will for to punish them V. 20. Nay but to answere such false opinions and wicked objections of the reprobate it is sufficient to say that the worke of grace is of meere free will t'wherefore if he doth deprive some of it hee both them no wrong seeing hee is not bound to it and that he proceeds against them in justice for their so of which this privation is no cause Made me noâ— that God doth indeed make a man a sinner or that hee is author of sin but by this word of making is here meant the appointing of mans last end according to the state which hee is in either of grace to life or of sin in which God hath left him to death See Prov. 16. 4. V. 21. The clay which here represents humane naâ—e in its universall corruption there being no other difference in it but onely what God makes by his free â—ill and destination Vnto honour for honourable â—ses as vessells to ear and drinke in vessels for ornament c. which is correspondent to the end of eternal glorie To dishonour namely for filthie and base 〈◊〉 which is correspondent to the reprobates everlasting ignominie Isa. 66. 24. Dan. 12. 2. V. 22. What if God is there any cause of contending 〈◊〉 God seeing that in the most free exercise of his Soveraigne right in saving the
same truth of v. 6. V. 9. If we if in humane affaires we doe believe the uniforme and well agreeing testimony of divers witnesses much more ought we to beleeve Gods witnesse in which the three persons doe concurre For this is I speake thus because the whole Trinity hath testified and doth testifie this truth with is spoken of v. 6. V. 10. In himselfe that is to say sounding and imprinted in his heart by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in him and certifies and puts him out of doubt concerning this truth A lyer because he doth implicitely reprove him of falshood judging him not fit to be believed though he be convinced in his owne conscience that these proofes and arguments cannot proceed from any but God V. 11. This life namely the causes foundation and originall of it V. 12. Hath the Sonne that is to say doth apprehend and possesse him firmely by faith V. 13. That ye have you have a right to it a beginning and first fruit an earnest and assurance of the accomplishment of it That ye may believe that ye may persevere increase and grow strong in faith V. 14. And this is namely if we doe truely believe V. 15. If we know that is to say Gods hearing ones prayer is not in vaine but alwaies accompanied with its effect V. 16. Which is not that is to say which shall not by certaine proofes appeare to be a sinne against the Holy Ghost by which man fals into everlasting death without pardon or remission And he shall give that is to say God shall pardon him and so free him from everlasting death V. 18. That wicked one that is to say he is in a manner defended against all his assaults so that he cannot give him any deadly wounds V. 19. Whole world namely the multitude of those that are out of Christs body and Kingdome Lieth as it were in a deepe puddle Or in a dead sleepe Or under the power and command of the wicked one V. 20. That is true the Italian that is the true namely the true eternall God John 17. 3. We are that is to say all true beleevers are engrafted into Christ by faith and are borne up and live in the union of his body Eternall life that is to say the onely author and fountaine of it and also the onely meanes to obtaine it ⧠THE SECOND EPISTLE OF St. IOHN the Apostle ARGUMENT SAint John writes this Epistle to a Christian woman of great account and very vertuous in which after he hath saluted her and commended her and her childrens piety he exhorteth her to persevere in love and in the sincere truth of the Gospell bewaring of Seducers and hereticks and avoyding all manner of communication with them Vers. 1. THe Elder a common name to all degrees of Pastours in the Church The Elect namely a true and beleeving Christian Or singular for vertue and piety V. 2. For the that is to say the foundation of which love of mine is the common faith lively planted and rooted in us by Gods Spirit V. 3. In truth that is to say producing in it two proper and inseparable effects of faith and love see 1 Tim. 1. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 13. V. 4. Walking namely who doe constantly follow the pure doctrine of faith and doe lead a life befitting the profession of truth in all uprightnesse and sincerity V. 5. And now I the aime and end of this mine Epistle is that you continually joyne true and spirituall love unto faith V. 6. In it namely in truth v. 4. V. 8. That we looke not that our former workes and whatsoever we have done and suffered for the Gospel be not debarred of its reward which is onely promised to them which persevere unto the end V. 9. Transgresseth the Italian revolteth the Greeke word is transgresseth but this general terme ought in this place to be restrained to apostasie from the Christian faith Hath not hath no part in his grace and spirit is not guided by him God is not his God V. 10. Receive him not abhorre and refuse to have any conversation with him for feare of being infected by him And to shew your zeale for the faith of Christ and to reprove the wicked one hold him for an excommunicate and interdicted person V. 11. Is partaker because he doth not condemne and reprove him openly he doth in part and by a collaterall way consent unto him and therein doth confirme the sinner Eph. 5. 11. V. 13. Amen this word closeth and sealeth up not onely the salutation but also all the exhortations of this Epistle ⧠THE THIRD EPISTLE of St. JOHN the Apostle ARGUMENT THe Apostle writes to a certaine man called Gaius whom he salutes and commends his faith and charity exhorts him to persevere and recommends certaine beleevers unto him And contrariwise blames the ambition perversenesse slaunders and inhumanity of Diotrephes and commends Demetrius VER 2. PRospereth that is to say is in a prosperous spiritual state in faith piety and other gifts of the spirit V. 3. That is in thee namely of thine affection zeale faith and loyalty in the profession of heavenly truth V. 4. My children namely my spiritual children begotten by my Gospel converted to the Christian faith by my ministery 1 Cor. 4. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 2. Philem. 10. V. 6. Whom if he meanes some beleevers of other Chuches who going to St. John had been charitably entertained by Gaius and now upon their returne he doth againe recommend them unto him Bring forward under the name of this duty is contained all other kind of reliefe and assistance in their journey After a godly sort the Italian according to God that is to say according to Gods command or according as it ought to be done amongst beleevers and children of God V. 7. For his Names sake to professe his Gospel freely and for his service Taking nothing forsaking all their goods and meanes V. 8. To the truth for the upholding and advancing of the Gospel yeelding all favour and assistance to such as are converted V. 9. Unto the Church namely to that Church whereof Gaius was a member or one of the Pastors And it is likely that Saint John had written to recommend the same brethren or some other such as these were and that his recommendation tooke no effect because of Diotrophes his malice who was one of the Pastors of it V. 10. Casteth them out he excommunicates and banisheth them out of the company of beleevers and out of their assemblies V. 12. That our that the commendations which we give are not in the vaine way of flattering but in truth of approbation V. 14. By name the Italian one by one that is to say not all in generall but every one by name THE GENERALL EPISTLE OF St. JUDE the Apostle ARGUMENT THis Epistle is a summary of the second of Saint Peter as there are many holy bookes which seeme to be taken out of divers other Writers The end of it