See Judges 18. 12. CHAP. XIV VERS 4. THat he Namely Samson who enlightened with the knowledge of what he was called unto stood waiting to have the Philistims give him cause to contend with them to revenge himselfe or their tyranny over the people V. 6. Came mighâ—ly upon him In a moment he filled him with a supernaturall strength both of body and minde to confirme him by this act in his vocation as 1 Samuel chapter 17. verse 34. A figure of Christs first victory over the Devill by his death John chapter 12. verse 31. Hebrewes chapter 2. verse 14. He told not by the 8. verse it appeares that Samson did this act out of the way being gone aside from his father for some unknown cause V. 8. To take her To marry her solemnely a figure of the Gentiles calling Hosea chapter 2. verse 19. V. 11. They brought Under pretence of keeping him company and honouring him but it was indeed to sift him and look to him perceiving some terrible motions in him V. 12. Put forth According to the fine ancient custome especially at feasts to exercise their wits See 1 Kings Chapter 10. verse 1. A riddle A speech or obscure and intricate question hard to find out or resolve A figure of the Gospell which is a doctrine hidden from the knowledge of the flesh preached to the world in the time of the Gentiles calling 1 Corinthians chapter 2. v. 7. The seven dayes an usuall time for nuptiall feasts See Genesis chapter 29. verse 27. Sheets Which they carried about them as they do yet in these dayes in the East countrey to rubbe and dry themselves or to cast over their heads or other parts of their body or for other necessary uses See Genesis Chaptes 38. verse 18. V. 14 Out of the An expresse figure of the mystery of the sweet and saving food of the soule brought forth by Christs death by which he destroyed death and the devill See John chapter 6. v. 5. and Hebrew 2. 14. V. 15. Declare unto us By declaring it unto thee that so we may know it from thee A figure of the worlds vaine endeavours to comprehend the Gospell of themselves which cannot be understood but only by the revelation of Christs Spirit 1 Corinthians 2. 10. by the ministery of the Church which in the children of this aâ—e causeth a scossing of Christ and the persecution of his Church V. 17. The seventh day Beleeving it to be already beyond the prefixed time V. 18. If ye had not These words seeme to intimate some signe of suspicion of some secret and unchaste dealing with his wife which kindled a jealousie in him wherein the Spirit of God having a hand he was provoked had power to execute his vengeance upon the accursed and tyrannicall nation V. 20. To his companion To that Philistim whom Samson had chosen for his second-selfe in the nuptiall feasts according to the custome John chapter 3. v. 29. CHAP. XV. VERS 1. INto the chamber according to the ancient laudable custome by which women had their chambers severall from the rest of the houshold See Gen. 23. 2 and 2467. and 3133. V. 4. Foxes Whereof there was great plenty in that Countrey Cant. 2. 15. Now this act of Samsons containeth in it a figure of division of the wary councels of worldly men by which Christ setteth the world on fire Psal. 55. 9. Luke 12. 49. V. 6 Burnt A figure of the persecution of the Church whereby Gods judgements are redoubled upon the Church V. 7 Yet will I be the Italian hath it If I be not a manner of a reserved oath And after that I will not give over untill I have fully accomplished my revenge V. 8 Smote them He made a great slaughter of them without any weapons hurling them against the ground with spurnes and thrusts with his knees Etam See 2 Chron. 11. 6. V 9. Lehi A place so called by anticipation verse 17. V. 14. Loosed Not onely in the knots but even the very webs of them V. 16 With the In the Hebrew there is a kind of similitude between the word Asse and Heap as if he did say with the jaw-bone of an Asse I have made such a slaughter V. 17 Ramath-â—ehi That is to say the Hill of a jaw-bone or the slinging of a jaw-bone V. 18 A thirst A figure of Christs spirituall heat and thirst in the extremity of his combats and upon the very poynt of his victory upon the crosse John chap. 19. 28. Thou hast given Thou hast given him the meanes and power to obtain it V. 19 In the Jaw The Italian hath it A hollow stone according to others one of the teeth which was in the jaw-bone Enhakkore That is the well of him that called or cryed V. 20. Of the Philistims Namely when they ruled Israel for Samson did never quite free the people from the Philistims yoak that being reserved for David to doe who was the figure of Christ who shal accomplish the delivery of his Church at the last glorious appearing of his kingdome CHAP. XVI VERS 3. AND took A figure of Christ his glorious resurrection who could not be detained by death Psal. 68. 20. Acts 2. 24 V. 9 His strength From whence it came namely from the spirit of God and by what means his strength was preserved namely by meanes of his strictly keeping his Nazarite-ship through Gods siâ—gular grace which did tye Samson to that obedience whereby it is likely that he had some expresse manifestation from God though this gift was not common to all Nazarites V. 13 Weavest And windest it as the yarne for a web of cloth The seven Any haire divided into seven locks as the gift of the Holy Ghost are often represented by the number of seven in signe of perfection Exodus 25. 37. Zach. 3. 9. and 4. 2. Revelations chapt 1. verse 4. and chapt 5. verse 6. V. 14 Fastened To the loome having wound his haire about the yarne-beame V. 17 If I be shaven This did not depend upon the ordinary forme of the Nazarite who might be without the miraculous gift of corporall strength but it was a singular favour in Samson by Gods free will annexed to the necessity of his obedience in letting his haire grow For a figure of Christ true Nazarite in holinesse and also infinite strength and power and for a document that the spirit of sanctification ought to be and is in the faithfull a spirit of spirituall strength 2 Timothy Chapter 1. verse 7. V. 20 Was departed hath taken away his gift from him V. 21 He did grind In hand-mills as slaves did Exodus chapt 11. verse 5. Isa. chapt 47. v. 2. Mat 24. 41. V. 22 The haire And withall the gift of his former strength was restored unto him by the same free will of God even according as the sacred signe of his long haire waxed V. 23 Dagon An Idoll of the Philistims in generall though it seemeth his Temple was in
Spirit and set them downe in writing after his Psalmes and other workes The sweet Psalmist the Italian is The Composer of the sweete songs of Israel Not only of the holy subject but also of the tune and inventer of the very instruments they were sung to Amos chap. 6. v. 5. V. 3. That ruleth This is Gods command to all Kings but especially to the Kings of his people which it should seeme David doth here propound to Solomon his sonne and successor to make him capable of the promises set downe hereafter V. 4. The light which waxeth greater continually and higher V. 5. Be not so The person and eternall kingdome of Christ who is the head of Gods promises to my posterity is not altogether like the Sunne or the grasse because it shall not be without interruption change or revolution whereas the Sun sometimes is darkned and every day goeth down and riseth againe the grasse after it is growne withereth and dryeth up then groweth out againe See James 1. 17. Make it not He will never suffer it to faile and to spring up againe All which must be especially referred to Christ and his spirituall kingdome and not to the temporall successors in Davids kingdome in which there often happened wants of issue and ruines of State V. 6. Cannot be taken so he sheweth that God doth not punish the wicked with his owne fatherly hand with regard mercy and distinction but gives them over to the instruments of his wrath and intangleth them in a common perdition V. 8. Of the mighty men Of the most famous Captaines of his army the severall parts of whose service are set downe 1 Chronicles chapter 27. verse 2. That sate in the seat 1 Chronicles chapter 11. verse 11. Hee is called Jashobeam the sonne of Hachmoni but it should seeme that by reason of his great wisdome and worth he was by a certaine allusion to his name called he that sitteth in the seat or is president namely in the councell of warre amongst the Captaines Chiese The order and degrees of command in Davids army were these Joab was the Generall then there were six Colonels which were divided into two bands three of the one side and three of the other and of these six it should seeme this Jashobeam or Adino was the chiefe and these six had the command over the thirty Captaines which are here under mentioned which Asahel immediately commanded verse 24. as Colonell generall of the foot He slew the Italian Discomsited By slaying three hundred of them 1 Chronicles chap. 11. verse 11. V. 9. The men of Israel Davids army went away or fled and forsook their Captaines in this occasion But after Eleazar had set upon and discomfited the enemies the people united themselves together againe and came to the battell but onely to spoile and prey v. 10. V 10 Cleave unto By the contraction of his Sinewes through the great paines he had taken V. 12 Defended it Would not suffer the Philistims to mow it for the incursions and skirmisnes did happen for the most part in and by reason of harvest Judg. 6. 4. 1 Sam. 23. 1. V. 14 A bold Which was the same cave which was mentioned before fortisied either by nature or by Art The garrison For in these inrodes and incursions into the countrey of the Israelites they took possession of some strong places and set watches there to keep them for places to refresh themselves in to retreat into or to molest the children of Israel out of them 1 Samuel 10. 5. and 13. 3. V. 15 Oh that one Whether he was indeed extream thirsty or that he intended thereby onely to encourage his men to set upon the place but these three men understood the words as they sounded which David did not approve of and therefore refused to drinke of the water to shew how sorrie hee was that hee had given occasion of such a rash enterprise and he powred it out as an offering of thanksgiving to God for delivering them out of that danger V. 18. Among three This was the second â—and or squadron of Colonells consisting of these three namely Abishai Benajah and Asahel V. 19 He attaired not In esteeme Degree and Honour The first three Of the first squadron V. 20 Kabzeel A City of Judah Joshuah Chapter 15. verse 21. Two Lion-leke men The Italian Two Ariels of Moab They were some Giants or men of great valour of one name and kindred and peradventure brothers This name signifieth Gods Lions and it might be given them to set forth their valour and bravery In time At which time your wild beasts are most fierce for want of food V. 21 A goodly man Either in greatnesse or strength of body or valour or power and authority With a staffe as David did 1 Samuel 17. 40 43. V. 23 His Guard 2 Samuel Chapter 8. vers 18. and Chapter 20. verse 23. which guard he had continually by him to doe his commands especially in matters of execution of Justice V. 24 Asahel Hee was of the second squadron of Colonels but he commanded these thirty ensuing Captaines as their particular Commander V. 39 Thirty and seven reckoning Joab and and the six afore-named Colonels CHAP. XXIV VERSE 1. AGaine Besides the scourge of Famine 2 Sam. chapter 21. 1. Moved By his supreme and most just will he suffered the devill to tempt him with this ambition and curiosity whereby he made a rash triall of Gods promise which was to multiply his people infinitely 1 Chronicles chapter 27. verse 23 24. And abandoned David so 〈◊〉 as to give consent to it See 1 Chronicles chap. 21. verse 1. Goe number Wherein may be noted these three faults First in the cause and motion which was ambition or curiosity Secondly in the undertaking to doe such a thing without Gods expresse command which in such a case ought alwayes to be expected Exodus chap. 38. verse 25. Numbers chapter 1. verse 3. This third seemeth to bee poynted at 1 Chronicles chapter 27. verse 23 24. And it may be from thence ariseth the diversity of numbers between this history and the history of 1 Chronicles Chapter 21. 5. Where all those that are able to carry armes even under the age of twenty are mustered and here verse the ninth Onely they that were twenty yeares of age and upwards V. 2 Was with him For alwayes one part of the men of war were with David 1 Chronic. 27. 1. V. 4 From the prsence Being there by turnes to doe their service V. 5 In the midst See Deuteronomy chapt 2. verse 36. And it is called Ar Numbers chapt 21. verse 15. The River called Arnon others of the valley V. 6 The land Taâ—â—im The Italian hath it The lower countrey which might be some part of the countrey Eastward opposite to the other which was mountainous Hodshi This name is not else where and it signifieth new and therefore might be some countrey newly conquered See 1 Châ—on chapter 5. verse 10. Dan-Jaan
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
of God appeared present in grace and power as true God King and Soveraigne Oracle of his people Who on their parts performing very ill the conditions of this Covenant did through their frequent murmurings rebellions and idolatries severely punished yet still pardoned by God cause this truth to burst forth that it was a Covenant of meere grace grounded upon Gods meere good will and mercy in Christ Iesus their head and Mediator by whose only propitiation and intercession represented and sealed by the Leviticall Priesthood they were alwayes preserved by God notwithstanding their disloyalties and transgressions Now this history as it is expoundâ—d in divers places of the new Testament containeth an excellent representation and figure of the spirituall deliverance of the Church from the Divels tyrannie and from the slavery of the world to passe through the Sea of the grace of Christs bloud applyed in holy Baptisme into the long and troublesome course of her vocation in this life still making towards the heavenly Canaan and erusalem In which course she hath for her guide the light and comfort of Gods Spirit and for her sustenance the Manna of his grace and word and for the consolation and comfort of her conscience a Communion to the good deeds of her high Priest and for a rule of living her soveraigne Kings Laws and commandements against which sinning but too often she is chastised with a fatherly seveâ—ity but still held up and restored by vertue of the eternall satisfaction and everlasting intercession of her Saviour and Redeemer who never doth forsake her with his presence and continually directeth her towards the end of her everlasting vocation in Heaven ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. VERS 4. DAn These are set down in the last place not according to the order of their birth because they were the sonnes of the hand-maidens V. 7 Multiplied The Hebrew increased like fishes see Gen. 1. 20. and 48. 16. V. 11 To afflâ—ct them To tire and weaken them through labours and toiles to make them lesse able to get children and hinder them from plotting any innovations Treasure Cities For munition of warre armour and victuall as 2. Chron. 17. 12. and 32. 28. V. 14 In morter And about lime V. 15 Midwifes It is very likely that there were more of them but these were the chief or these were in that place where the Kinâ— had his abode V. 19 The Hebrew women This might be true for the greatest part of the Isra 〈…〉 ish women who for feare made no use of midwives And therefore they say this rather to escape by not speaking the whole truth which was not necessary but dangerous to do then for to lie and also this art of hindering a man from doing evill by some â—â—ction is not any where condemned in Scâ—ipâ—ure See Jos. 2. 5. 1 Sam 21. 2. 2 Sam. 17. 20. 2 Kings 6. 19. Jer. 38. 25 26 27. As the Egyptian women So tender and delicate Lively Others translate it they themselves are midwives V. 21 Made them He blessed and prospered their families and affaires see 1 Sam. 2. 35. 〈◊〉 Sam. 7. 11. 27. 29. 1 Kings 2. 24. and 11. 38. CHAP. II. VERS 1. AMan Amram the sonne of Cohath the sonne of Levi Exod. 6. 18. 20. A daughter Jochebed the daughter of Levi Num. 26. 59. If the word daughter be here taken in its proper signification Amram married his aunt which afterwards was forbidden Lev. 18. 12. Others hold that by the word daughter is meant grandchild and that Exod. 6. and 20. the word aunt signifieth cosen V. 2 Conceived After Aaron and Miriam who were elder than Moses see Exo. 7. 7 A goodly Of an extraordinary and divine beautie Act. 7. 20. V. 3 She could nâ—t Without being discovered and incurring the penalty of the Kings proclamation This necessitie being through meere humane feare could not excuse from sin in an act meerely contrary to Gods Law V. 4 His sister Namely Miriam Num. 26. 59. V. 10 Moses Taken out and saved from the water this is an Hebrew name and is equivalent with another Aegyptian name if these two languages had not yet some kinde of affinity betwixt them V. 11 Was growen Namely to the age of fourty yeares Acts 7. 23. Went out By divine inspiration to joyne in communitie of life and affliction with his brethren Hebr. 11. 24. V. 12 He slew the Italian hath it He smote he killed according to his calling of deliverer of the peâ—ple which he even at that time knew by divine revelation and had accepted in his conscience Act. 7. 25 yet the time of his using and executing that calling was not yet come V. 16 Priest Or governour or both see upon Gen. 41. 45. He is called Jethrâ— Exod. 3. 18. 10. 2. Exod. 4. 18. and Hobab Num. 10. 29. Judg. 4. 11. and knew and served the true God V. 17 Drove them away for to water their flocks fiâ—st V. 18. Revel This was Jethâ—o his father Num. 10. 29 grandfather to these maidens V. 22. Gershom banished driven from his own home V. 23. Processe of time The Italian hath it In the meane time which was long namely forty yeares as it may be proved by comparing Exod. 7. 7. with Acts 7 30. Dyed Which heartned Moses to returne into Egypt Exod. 4. 19. Came up unto See concerning this manner of speaking Genesis 18. 20. Exod. 22. 23. 27 Deut. 24. 15. V. 25. Had respect He entred into an actuall judgment of this cause CHAP. III. VERS 1. THE back side Seeking for fresh pâ—stures further into the Desert Of God This mountain got this name as well by reason of this vision as chiefely because God did chuse it and consecrate it to bee as it were his tribunall of glory out of which he pronounced his Law Exo 〈…〉 11. Horeb It should seeme this was the gen 〈◊〉 name of all that row of mountaines and that Sinai was the particular name of that mountaine from which the Law was given V. 2. The Angel Which was the sonne of God himselfe which appeareth by that he is called the everlasting Lord. verse 4. 6 7. 14 Deut. 33. 16. Mark 12. 26. And Angel by reason of Mediator See Gen. 16. 7. In a â—laâ—e The flame signifieth the presence of God in power and spirit the bush represents the Church as well for her meane and weak condition in the world As also because in her sinfull nature she cannot subsist before the devouring fire of Gods Majesty no more than thornes can endure the materiall fire Isa. 9. 18. and 27. 4. 5. and 33. 14. But God tempereth his prâ—sence in such sort that it doth not make it feele the hurtfull effâ—cts of the fire but the comfortable enlightning of it warming and purifying it See Isa. 4. 4. 10. 17. And it is also signified that the afflictions of the world cannot disannull the Church Psalme 129. 2. Isa. 43. 2. V. 5. Draw not nigh No nearer than thou art to shew the reverence
Towards thy holy habitation That is to say the land of Canaan where thou hast determined to set thy holy temple and the habitation of the signes of thy presence in grace and power V. 14. Shall â—eare The Italian Have heard it He speaketh of times to come in words signifying times past according to the manner of Prophets V. 16. As still The Hebrew hath it quiet and mute See Gen. 35. 5. Psa. 76. 6. V. 17. The mountaine that is to say the hilly countrey of Canaan which thou hast chosen for the place of thy service and for the habitation of thy people Deut. 32. 8. 9. especially mount Moriah destinated for the building of the Temple Psa. 75. V. 20. The Prophetesse See Num. 12. 2. A timbrell according to the manner of publick rejoycings Judg. 11. 34. 1 Sam. 18 6. Psa. 68. 26. Dancâ—s That is to say mounting motions of the body in token of rejoycing exultation and rapture of the mind without any lasciviousnes or lightnes See 2 Sam. 6. 14. 21. others translate it Flutes V. 21. Answered In manner of an antheme as 1 Chron. 16. 41. 2 Cron. 5. 18. Esdras 3. 11. Jer. 33. 11. V. 23. Marah That is to say bitternesse or a bitter thing V. 25. Atree Either that this naturall property was in the wood increased peradventure and strengthen'd by miracle or that all the vertue proceeded immediatly from God and that the wood was but only a token appointed by Gods will as 2 Kings 2. 20. and 4. 41. to which it pleased him to joyne his power to exercise the peoples and Moses faith and obedience Made he began to give them straiter lawes of obedience having by the meeting with these waters had a triall of their perversenesse and by the miraculous changing of them given them sufficient cause to depend wholly upon his providence Exod. 16. 4. Deut. 8. 16. V. 26 Diseases And other plagues Healeth Or preserveth 2 Cron. 30. 20. CHAP. XVI VERS 3. BY the hand by these miraculous plagues wherewith the Lord smote the Egyptians V. 4. From Heaven a food created by God in the aire wherefore it is called the corne of Heaven and Angels Psa. 78. 24 25. and 105. 40. V. 5. Prepare Because that Manna might be prepared diverse waies V. 23. Num. 11. 8. which was forbidden on the Sabbath day Ex. 35. 3. Bring in for the Sabbath dayes meales V. 6. That the Lord and not we of our own proper motion V. 7. The glory A miraculous effect of his soveraign power namely Manna V. 9. Before towards the pillar of cloud which was a token of Gods presence V. 10. The glory Some extraordinary and divine brightnesse Lev. 9. 6. 23. Num. 14. 10. V. 12. At even The Italian hath it Betweene the two evens see upon Exo. 12. 6. V. 13. The dew The Italian hath A floure of dew this was a superficies of a liquid and aereall substance which through the coolenes of the morning was congealed into little coâ—nes which were Manna V. 14. Gone up The Italian Vanished that liquid body beeing turned into cornes V. 15. Manna It should seeme that at that time Manna was the name of the airy honey or honied dew which to this day is to be found in diverse places like to that of the wildernes which was always so called by the Easterlings But Moses presently sheweth the difference namely that this was produced and sent by miracle for the time of their pilgrimage in the desert whereas the other is naturall and falleth only in certain places and at certain seasons V. 16. â—o his eating That is to say his own and his families An Omer A kind of measure containing the tenth part of an Epha v. 36. V. 20. Left of it either through distrust or curiosity V. 22. Same this sheweth that the people made this provision of their own accord to the end that they might observe the Sabbath and that Moses had not as yet declared unto them Gods command concerning that in the v. 5. wherefore the rulers feared the people had transgressed the commandment which was to gather no more but an Oâ—â—er a day V. 23. Bake For Manna was to be dressed these two ways Num. 11. 8. V. 25. Unto the Lord Dedicated to his service laying aside al other businesses V. 29. Let not man go out To gather Manna or to do any servile work because he was to be at the holy assemblies Lev. 23. 3 4. and it was lawfull to go a Sabbath dayes journey Act. 12. to walk upon lawfull occasions V. 33. Said unto After the Tabernacle was set up a Pot which was of gold Heb. 9. 4. Before the before the Aâ—ke which afterwards was the expressest and holiest signe of Gods presence V. 35. The testimony That is the Arke called of the testimony because that within it were the Tables of the Law Exo. 25. 25. Deut. 10. 5. wherein the Lord hath testified that is to say declared his will concerning mans duty and the Tables thereof are the sacred monument of his covenant Deut. 31. 26. CHAP. XVII VERS 1. Commandment Declared unto them by the standing still or moving of the pillar Exod. 13. 21. Now between Sin and Rephidim there were two resting places in Dophea and Alus Num. 33. 12 13. V. 2. Dâ— ye tempt Make a rash triall of his power and truth through incredulitie and of his patience through malice and boldnesse The Lord the son of God who was personally present in the middest of the people and did conduct them See Exo. 13. 21. 23. 21. and so the Apostle expound it 1 Cor. 10. 9. V. 5. Elders See Exo 3. 16. Now they were to bee eye witnesses of the miracle which was denied the people either by reason of their incredulity or to cause them to beare more reverence to the wonderful works of God see Exo. 24. 1. 9. V. 6. I will stand I will cause the pillar to stand there in token that in that very place I will shew forth the power of my presence V. 7. Massa and Meriba Temptation and strife see another Meriba Num. 20. 13. V. 9. I will Thou Joshua shalt do what belongeth to a Captain and I will look to my office of Prophet to mediate with God for his assistance and to use the rod the instrument of his miracles to dispense that grace and supernaturall power unto thee which I shall have obtained by my prayers V. 10. Hâ—r which sheweth that he was the head of the tribe of Judah which had the precedency of the other see Exo. â—4 14. 1 Chron 2. 19. So Hur was under Moses the chief politick magistrate as Aaron was chief of the Ecclesiasticall order and by these three was represented the whole body of the people when they joyned in prayer for the publick welfare V. 11 Held up with the rod in it For a token as well of the perseverance and fervour in prayer as of Gods action which followed in saving the people As
Solomon 2 Samuel 8. 3. 1 Kings 4. 21. V. 32. Nor with their Thou shalt make no covenant with them neither in matters of policy nor of religion V. 33. It wil surely be That conversation and familiarny would almost be an inevitable inticement to idoltry and consequently an occasion of perdition and ruine CHAP. XXIV VERS 1. COme up After thou hast propounded these Lawes unto my people and that they have conseâ—â—ed to my covenant doe thou come againe with Aaron and the rest Aaron Who with his two eldest sonnes in this treaty of covenant with God represented the whole Ecclesiasticall order and the seventy Elders the politick See Nehem. 9. 38. and 10. 〈◊〉 A farre off At the foot or about the mid-way of the hill V. 2. Neare the Lord To the top of the hill where the firme signes of my presence shall be verse 14. and 17. Neither shall They shall not passe the bound set Exod. 19. 12. V. 3. Came out of darknesse and from the hill where God shewed himselfe Exod. 20. 21. V. 4. An Altar For a monument and holy signe on Gods side as the twelve pillars were on the peoples behalfe in this treaty of covenant See Gen. 31. 45. Jos. 48. 9. 20. V 5. He sent Out of the host to the foot of the Hill Youâ—g men The Italian hath it Ministâ—ing men which ministred in holy businesses they were then the first bâ—rn of families Exod. 19. 2â— Which offered Upon the Altar which hee had erected Of Oxen and Goats Hebrewes 9. 19. Peace Offerings See Lev. 3. 1. V. 〈◊〉 And put it Mingling'it with water Heb. 9. 19. That he might sprinkle it upon the Altar and the people because that bloud alone will quickly congeale And also by reason of Christs mystery who came with the bloud of purgation and the water of regeneration 1 Joh. 5. 6. Wherein consisteth the substance of the new covenant figured ly this old one On the Altar As Exod 29. 36. The reason of this action is touched Heb. 19. 23. Namely that as here the Altar represented God himselfe the head of this Covenant and this Altar was besprinkled with the bloud of his owne sacrifice for to sanctifie it and make it fit to sanctifie the people and their worship so Christ head of the everlasting covenant hath beene besprinkled and consecrated with his owné proper bloud to be the cause of everlasting salvation to them that believe in him Isaiah 63. 3. Heb. 5. 9. V. 7. The Book Written by Moses himselfe verse the fourth This book was also besprinkled with the bloud Heb. 9. 19. To signifie that Gods covenant was grounded upon Christs satisfaction given to the Law whereof this booke represented the bond Col. 2. 14. V. 8. The bloud Which was in the basons verse 6. and sprinkled it to see the participation of the Church in Christs bloud for the redemption and justification of life by whose meanes she hath accesse to God and part in his Covenant and enterchangeably by accepting of his grace the Church bindeth it selfe to obedience and newnesse of life Heb. 12. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Of the covenant That is to say a scale and confirmation of the Covenant according to the ancient manner of making of Covenants Genesis 15 9. Figure of the bloud of Christ upon whom is grounded the new and everlasting covenant Matth 26 28. Luke 22 20. Concerning That is to say upon these conditions or of which covenant these commandements are the subject and substance V. 9 Went up Untill they câ—me to the place appoynted above verse the second V. 10. They saw In some visible shape clothed with everlasting glory by which visible shape the son of God who made this covenant in his owne person gave an essay of his future mâ—arnation and to the elect a signe of their future glory and sight of God in heaven Acts. 7. 38. and Isaiah 6 1. John 12 41. V. 11. He laid not his â—and God shewed that by vertue of this covenant he was propitious to his people seeing he had not by this appearing in glorie confirmed these men seeing sinners are not able to subsist before this devouring fire but did rather comfort and rejoyce them See Gen 16 13. and 32 30. Deut. 4 23. Judg 13 23. And did eat were at a sacred banquet made of the flesh of sacrifices of thanks-giving verse 5 in token of mirth and of full 〈◊〉 of â—race and of their continuall participation of the body and bloud of Christ to the nourishing of everlasting life and perfect enjoying of the joyes of heaven V. 12 A Low That is to say the ten commandements which onely were giaven upon the two tables Exodus Chapter 34. verse 28 Moses having written the rest of the Commandements in a booke verse 4. V. 13 Jeshua who notwithstanding did not got up to the top of the hill but stayd in some place between the camp and the hill v 2 Exo. 32. 17. V. 14. Here In the host amongst the people Aaron and Hur The one the Ecclesiasticall and the other the politick head V. 15. A cloud See Exod. 19. 9. 16. and 20 21. Psa. 18. 12. 13. Matth. 17. 5. V. 16. The glory The signes of his glorious presence as the great fire was verse 17. Deut. 4. 36. Covered it Namely Gods glory which appeared in that fire which having lyon hidden by the cloud six dayes at the last burst forth in the sight of all the people verse 17. the cloud going downe to the bottome of the hill CHAP. XXV VERS 4. AND blue Wooll dyed in these colours Fine linnen Hebrew Bysse that is a kind of white and shining linnen whereof great mens garments and the Priests garments were made See Gen. 41. 4â— Rev. 19. 8. 14. V. 5. Shittim wood A kind of wood which would not corrupt Isa. 41. 19. which hath leaves like the white Thistle but groweth as high and as thicke as a Cedar V. 6. Sweet Incense The Italian hath it for the perfume of spices This is added for to distinguish this perfume from the fat sacrifices V. 8 Amongst them Not by inclusion of the essence Acts 7. 48. and 17. 24. But by an expresse and firme revelation of glory and by the working of grace and power through sacraments and pledges of visible signes V. 11. With pure gold That is to say with little plates of gold A Crowne It seemeth to be some Cornice which should goe round the body of the Arke above V. 16. The Testimony The two Tables of the law see the occasion of this name Ex. 16. 34. V. 17. A mercy seat The Italian hath it a cover The Hebrew word signifieth also a propitiatory or mercy seat and so the Apostle calls it Heb. 9. 5. That is to say a means of purging and expiating of sinne Because that this cover signified Christ who with his justice covereth all our sinnes and containeth within himselfe all the Churches justice as the Tables of the Law were
Every male first borne Amongst thy cattel The Italian addeth to it There shall be an offering made Because that part of the firstlings of cleane beasts namely the sat was to be burned upon the Altar Num. 18. 17. which in the sacrifices is called the memoriall Lev. 2. 2 9. and 6. 15. Because that it did in a manner represent unto the Lord by its smel the service of the offerings and sanctifying of the thing offered Others take the meaning of the word to be thus All that is amongst the cattel of male-kind first born V. 22. Of weekes Of Pentecost at the end of seven weeks after Easter V. 24. For I will Be not afraid to leave your cities and your houses without watch or defence to come to my Temple to serve me for I wil defend you from all assaults V. 2y Write thou In a booke a part which shall containe these particular orders for my service for upon the tables there was nothing but the ten Commandements written by God himselfe See v. 28. Deut. 10. 2 4. After theâ—enour Upon these covenants and conditions V. 29. Shone The Lord having granted Moses that he should see some resemblance or beame of his celestiall glory imprinted also in him some part of the effects thereof which is to transforme the beholder into the like image of glory 2 Corinth 18. 2. John 3. 3. To give his servant the greater authority 2 Cor. 3. 7 11. V. 30. They were afraid And so it is likewise that Moses came to know this his divine brightnesse V. 31. Unto him The Italian addeth To the assembly To the great assembly of the people which Moses as yet held without the Campe but after this full reconciliation with God the holy Tabernacle was erected and Gods presence did again shew it selfe in the middest of the Campe Exodus 40. 34. Numb 9. 15. V. 33. He put To shew that it was sufficient that this splendor added some authority to his ministery not willing for all that the people should thereby be enduced to any excessive or idolatrous veneration see 2. Cor. 3. 13 the allegory which S. Paul draweth from hence V 35. Saw the face whilest he talked with them Untill he went after he had spoken with the people in his ordinary communication he used this vaile CHAP. XXXV VERS 2. SIx dayes This repetition of the Commandement concerning the Sabbâ—h comprehendeth sumarily the command of Gods Service for which he would have places and instruments made and it seems to be done also for the cause spoken of upon Exodus 31. 13. V. 13. Shew bread The work-men truely did not make this bread nor the oyle of the 14. verse but the meaning is that when they had made the table it should be suddainly furnished with bread V. 22. An offering of Gold Pure not wrought nor put into any kind of work CHAP. XXXVIII VERS 8. OF the looking glosses Of those excellent ones wch anciently were made of the finestbrasse mingled withpewter See Job 37. 18. So these women converted those instruments of their vanity into a naturall cleanenesse and a meanes of a religious purification in which there was a sacrament of the spirituall See Luke 7. 38. Of the women The Scripture makes no mention neither of the beginning nor manner nor order of this custome only it may be gathered by 1 Sam. 2. 22. and Luke 2. 17. that these were certaine devout women who renouncing worldly affaires and secular employments applied themselves to prayers fasting alines and such like religious exercises and had some small employments about the Tabernacle wherein it is also likely that there were distinctions of offices and turnes of serving and therefore the Hebrew word is taken from warre services â—s elsewhere it is also used to set down the sacred order of Divine service V. 17. The overlaying This is added for an exposition of that which he had said before that those capitels were of silver that is to say seemed so without being all covered over with little silver plates but the fillets lists and rounds were of pure silver layd upon the body of the Columnes V. 18. In the breadth The meaning is that the height of this hanging was taken in the breadth V. 21. Of the testimony made chiefly for this end to place the Arke of the Testimony within it Exodus 25. 16. V. 25. A hundred talents Hence it is cleare that a talent was three thousand shekels and the shekell being halfe an ounce weight the talent came to be one hundred five and twenty pounds of twelve ounces to the pound V. 26. Abekah The Italian hath it A didramma A piece of money of two drammes and foure drammes were a whole shekell See Matthew 17. 24. CHAP. XXXIX VERS 33. THe tent The fabrick of wood and the coverings of it V. 37. The pure See upon Exodus 3â— 8. In order in the same number order and disposition without being misplaced lessened or taken away out of their places a figure of the spirituall gifts of sanctification disposed in a certain order amongst themselves and ought to bee kept in their native forme CHAP. XL. VERS 2. OF the first That is of the second yeare after the comming out of Egypt verse 17. Num. 11. For the Jewes made that the set time to count their years from see 1 Kings 6. 1. V. 4. The things The shâ—w bread and all manner of vessels belonging to it Exo. 25. 29 30. V. 15. Shall surely be By this sacred signe the inferior Priests shall be consecrated once for all and installed in their office and the right of it and the calling shall passe to their issues unto the end of this ceremoniall worship the anointing being no more required to be reiterated in their posterity for the high Priests only were anointed in following times Lev. 4. 35 11. and 16. 32. and 21. 10. V. 29. The burnt offering It seemeth he meanes the burnt offering and the offering of consecration Exo. 19. 18 22. V. 31. Moses Who all that yeare executed the office of high Priest V. 34. The glory The signes of his glorious presence So the Lord seemeth to be altogether reconciled to the people after their idolatry and contented to dwell in the middest of them and to conduct them bringing of these signes again into the Campe which had been out of it ever since the calfe See upon Exod. 33. 9. and 34. 1â— V. 35. Was not able Either because the cloud tooke away the use of his sight or 〈…〉 ough feare or wearines or any other way by which God hindered him at that time from comming in to confirm so much the more the power and majesty of his presence See 1 Kings 8. 11. Afterwards it seemeth he did come into the Tabernacle Numbers 7. 8 9. and 11. 24. but not into the most holy place where the Arke was and over the Arke the cloud Levit. 16. 2. â—hereoâ— The same cloud that appeared without the Tabernacle just over the
of some benefits received at Gods hands there were three kindes â—â—st voluntary for Gods benefits in generall Second of thanksgiving for some noted favour The third upon a vow when the benefit was obtained upon some singular vow made V. 13 Leavened bread Leaven was not permitted but only in these kindes of offerings of thanksgiving because that in it the offerer was not questioned about the purity and sincerity required in him Lev. 2. 11. but was only to acknowledge Gods benefits amongst which that of the proper feeding of mans body with leavened bread was to be numbred see Lev. 2. 12. and 23. 17 V. 14 For a heave offering Which was done by only presenting it to God without consuming it upon the altar see Exo. 29. 24. 28. V. 17 Shall be burnt To avoid superstition in keeping of these hallowed meats and to not prophane them with sordid sparingnesse whereas God would have them eaten in mirth and holy freedom in token of a heart spread out before him V. 18 Shall beare Shall be guilty before God and subject to judgement if he doth not purge his fault by sacrifice see Lev 5. 5 V. 19 That touchâ—th Namely after it hath been offered because by that touch it was defiled Hag. 2. 13. All that be clean That is to say let the Priests which are not unclean eat their parts set down v. 31 32. and the offerers likewise which are not unclean the rest see Exod. 24. 11. Sam. 9. 12. and 20. 26. Proverb 7. 14 V. 20 Having his Before he be cleansed of it according to the Law Lev. 11. 24. c. V. 21 Abhominable The Italian hath it Creeping creature The Hebrew word may be taken generally for any abhominable thing V. 24 The fat That kinde of fat which is specified above Levit. 3. 16. Of the beast Of those kindes of beasts as are fitting for sacrifices V. 26 In any of your dwellings See upon Levitiâ—ous 3. 17 V. 31 And his Sons It appeareth by Exod. 29. 26. was to be the high Priests and his families wherefore it is cleare that by the word Sons are to be understood every high Priests Sons but the right shoulder was for the ministring Priest V. 34 The wave breast These two portions may be referred to the two parts which do work in every faithfull sacred minister namely to labour which is signified by the shoulder and to the care and affection figured by the breast And therefore the high Priest did to that end weare the names of the tribes upon his shoulders and upon his breast V. 35 Of the anointing Of the Priest-hood whereof the anointing was a Sacrament see Exod. 40. 15 CHAP. VIII VERS 3. THe congregation All the heads and chief of the people representing the whole common-wealth of Israel Lev. 9. 1. V. 19 And he killed it The Italian hath it And Moses killed it Or it was killed and Moses sprinkled the bloud V. 31 The flesh The Italian hath it This flesh Namely the rest of the flesh of the ramme of the consecration Eat it both the rest of the flesh and of the bread was left in the baskets Exo. 29. 32. V. 34. As he hath I have faithfully executed my office in your consecration now do you fulfill yours by standing in the holy place in continuall exercises of piety which sheweth that the spirituall sanctification of the faithfull is accomplished with time and perseverance CHAP. IX VERS 1. THè Elders see upon Exo. 3. 16. V. 2. Take thee This sacrifice of a young calfe which was ordinary in sins commi ted through ignorance by the high Priest Lev. 4. 3. is here offered at his entring into his office for the purifyng of all his former faults and also to teach him that his Priest-hood served aswell for himself as for the people Heb. 5. 3. and 97. V. 3. A Kid of the Goats For the people v. 7 15. this sacrifice of a Kid was ordained Lev. 4. 23. for the sin of a Prince or a Magistrate and that of a young bullock for that of the whole assembly but there is some speciall respect in these sacrifices of dedication as for examples to shew the equality that is betweene the shepheard and the flock in the state of conscience and forgivenesse of sins before God V. 5. Before the In the court of the Tabernacle V. 7. Make thee By purifying thy selfe first make thy selfe capable of offering acceptable sacrifices for all the people so that thy atonement may redound to the generall good V. 9. Of the Altar It appeares by Lev. 4. 7. that we must here understand the altar of incense which also is intimated by Moses and Aarons entring into the Tabernacle v. 23. At the bottome of the Altar of burnt offerings Lev. 47. V. 16. The burnt offering The calfe or the lamb added to the sin offering of the people V. 17. Tock a â—andsull Of the flower oyle and incense of he offering according to the Law Levit. 2. 2. Beside the beside the continuall morning sacrifice which was to be before all other sacrifices and had his offering joyned as well as the rest Exodus 29 28. V. 21. Waved See upon Exo. 29. 24 Breasts which was the portion of the Priest which was in office at that time in all sacrifices of thankesgiving Leviticus 7. 34. V. 22 Came down From the little ascent whereon the altar stood V. 23 Went into To carry in the bloud of the sacrifices for sin offerings Lev. 4. 7 16. Blessed that is to say brought word from within the sanctuary that God accepted of those sacrifices for this is a different blessing from that of the precedent verse which was at the end of the action The glory Some extraordinary flash of divine brightnesse had shewed it selfe in the pillar of cloud as Exodus 16. 10. Numbers 14. 10. V. 24 A fire Caused by God miraculously and sent from heaven or from the Tabernacle in token of approbation See Judg. 6. 2â— 1 King 18. 38. 1 Chr. 21. 26. 2 Chro. 7. 1. which was the cause of the great rejoycing of the people and this sacred â—â—re was afterwards preserved and kept upon the Altar Leviticus 6. 13. CHAP. X. VERS 1. STrange fire Not taken from the Altar where the only fire was which God would have used in all his service And though the command was not given before yet it was a sin in undertaking the contrary before Gods mind was known Now this sacred fire signifieth the power of the holy Ghost by which one may offer sacrifices acceptable to God Rom. 8. 26. Eph. 6. 18. V. 2 From the Lord From before the Arke where God was present in the signes of his Majesty and efficacy of his working Some have it from the Altar Devoured them Stisled burned and slew them though it consumed neither their bodies nor their cloths v. 45. V. 3 I will be This is not found set downe any where else but it seemeth that Moses writ nothing but only
of one tribe may not pâ—sse over to the other and likewise that no persons may leave their own tribe to joyn unto another by reason of thesâ— inheritaÌ„ces see Ch. 23. 22. V. 8. Every man Generally in every tribe THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES called Deuteronomy THE ARGVMENT THis Book was by the Greeks called Deuteronomy that is Repetition of the Law Because that in it Moses sets downe how after he had conducted the people of Israel unto the confines of Canaan through a long Pilgrimage in the wildernesse for the space of fourty yeares knowing by divine Revelation that the time of his end drew neare he imployed the two last moneths of his life in rehearsing unto the people in publike sermons what things had happened unto them in the Wildernesse that they might remember them for their owne instruction and amendment for to provide for like casual ies in time to come Putting them in mind of Gods singular and inestimable benefits and on the other side of their rebellion hardnesse diffidency murmurings and perpetuall ingratitude whereby God was moved to execute upon them most severe judgements and vengeances even so farre as to cause that great number of their fore-fathers set down at their first comming out of Egypt to dye all in the wildernesse And therefore with a pastorall providence and care and even out of the entrailes of fatherly tendernesse he againe sets Gods Lawes before them with most part of the Ordinances and dependences of it confirming expounding and laying it open in many heads and pressing the observation of it by many weighty and lively denuntiations and exhortations as by a last discharge of his conscience and a solemne act of protestation to all the people who being now ready to enter into the Land of Canaan might cause Gods grace and blessing to be firme and lasting unto them by keeping of his Covenant Whereas doing the contrary they would put away their God from them and call all his curses upon them which Moses through a Prophetick spirit fore-telleth them appoynting expresse formularies or presidents of both of them namely curses and blessings to be publikely pronounced in the land of Canaan in the presence and with the consent of all the people Then afterwards hee solemnly reneweth the Covenant with the Lord and taketh a promise for the performance of it with threatning to the transgressors tempered notwithstanding with promises of grace and pardon to all those that through Gods visitations and corrections should be called to repentance Besides hee appoynteth all these books which were written by him to be kept by the Levites and every seven yeares to be read openly in the generall assembly of all the people And by Gods command he composeth a Canticle the subject of which are all the aforesayd things to bee for common use for a perpetuall testimony and instruction At the last after hee had prophesied what things should happen to the people he dyeth leaving Ioshuah to be his successor having already consecrated him and given him all necessary instructions and commands ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. VERS 1. IN the plaine Of Moab which was at the head of the great wildernesse The red sea The Italian hath it Zuph This indeed is the Hebrew name for the red or Arabian sea but because the great distance of the place cannot suffer this place to be so understood wee must believe that here it is the name of some place not mentioned elsewhere save onely Numbers 21. 14 As likewise the foure last names are not found any where else for this Haseroth doubtlesse is not the same place which is mentioned in the eleventh chapter of Numbers and thirty fifth verse See Numb 33. 18. V. 2 There are This seemeth to be here inserted to shew that the cause of the peoples long abode in the wildernesse was not by reason of the tediousnesse or length of the journey but onely through Gods judgement who had caused them to remaine there Num. 14. 34. V. 3 In the fortieth After the comming out of Egypt which was the beginning of the calculation of the number of yeares amongst the Jewes Exodus 40. 2. V. 6 Long enough Because they had been there about a yeare Exodus Chap. 19. verse 1. Numb 10. 11. V. 7 To the mount Here are set downe the foure bounds of the Land of Canaan the mount of the Amorites on the East-side the sea-coast on the West Lebanon on the North and the south Countrey of Palestine on the South side And within those bounds lay that countrey divided into field-countrey namely vales for corne hills and plaines that 〈◊〉 say low grounds for Meadowes and Pa 〈…〉 〈◊〉 This River was not a bound for 〈◊〉 owne Countrey in which they dwelt for 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ds were farre shorter on that North-side Numbers Chapter 34. vese 7. But it was a bound of the Land which God gave them right to subdue and make tributary which was performed in the dayes of David and Solomon Genesis chapter 15. verse 18. Exodus chapter 23. verse 31. 2 Samuel chap. 8. verse 3. 1 Kings chap. 4. verse 21. V. 13 Knowne or wel experienced or famous and renowned V. 15 The chiefe In gifts qualities reputation authority and some preheminence of rank V. 17 The judgement God is the supreame Judge and yee are but his Ministers who cannot at your pleasures pronounce what sentence you please but must follow that rule in judging that hee hath prescribed you either by his Law or by some internal inspiration and inward feeling of your owne conscience V. 31 Bare thee As taking upon himselfe the whole charge of you and of your wants bearing you up through his power and helping you through his goodnesse V. 36 Caleb Under whom Joshuah is also comprehended verse the eight and thirtieth Num 14. 30. V. 44 As Bees doe Comming out of their Hives in great swarmes encompassing the offender Psal. 118. 1â— V. 46 Yee abode After the returne of the spies Many Fourty dayes and more Abode there Untill the returne of the spies Others for many dayes according to the dayes that ye did abide there CHAP. II. VERS 1. MOunt seir Under the name of this Mountaine which is a principall part of Idumea are comprehended all the other mountaines of the said Countrie about which the people went wandring after God had condemned them to goe back againe into the wildernesse For Ezion Gabe which is upon the red sea verse the eighth was also of the countrey of Edom. 1 Kings chap. 9. verse 26. 2 Chron. chap. 8. verse 17. Many dayes For the space of eight and thirty yeares verse 7. and 14. V. 3 Northward Turne you towards the Moabites Countrey North-ward from the red Sea to which the people was come backe againe V. 5 Meddle not with them Namely the Idumeans named especially For otherwise the Amalekites though they were of the Idumean race Gen. chap. 36. verse 16. were to bee invaded and destroyed Exodus Chap. 17. verse 14.
received the gift of regeneration Which is the plainer because that the most part of these statutes were confessions remedies and expiations of sin CHAP VII VERS 7. MOre in number As in worldly Kingdomes dominion over a great and powerfull nation is more esteemed than the dominion over a little and feeble one seeing greater glory profit and service is to be expected from it And according to this quality may be valued and rated all other qualities which amongst men may incite others to love or desire any thing V. 10 To their face As an enemy withstanding him face to face or openly as they do who by reason of their great powers do work their revenges openly not privately and by wiles Or thus shaming them by the reproach of their impiety V. 16 A snare A meanes and occasion of ruine and perdition V. 22 By little and little He will not employ his omnipotency therein to work against them in an instant without meanes but he will do according to the quality of humane meanes which he will make use of herein which is to worke by succession of time and by the order and pursuite of the issues V. 25. Snared therein Subtilly and unawares brought into some idolatry and so brought within the compasse of punishment V. 26 Lest thou be Lest thou be irremissibly condemned to utter destruction as the idols and all their substance are to be rooted out CHAP. VIII VERS 2. TO know A humane kinde of speaking for God hath no need of triall to know by signes or effects that which he seeth in the springs affections and motions of the heart But it is to shew that God discovering the secrets of the heart openeth the way for the works of his providence either in justice or in mercy V. 3 By every word Namely by any thing to which God shall bee pleased to grant the power of nourishing Or by the onely issuing forth of his power called in the Scripture word without using of any externall meanes in which sense this passage is alleaged Mat. 4. 4. V. 4 Waxed not old This happened by miracle as also the preservation of their bodies in full health and vigour Deuteronomy 34. 7. Josh. 14. 11. Psal. 105. 37. V. 7 Depths Great and deep springs V. 8 Oyle olive Olives wherewith oyle is made differing from your wilde olive trees which are barren V. 9 Whose stones Which aboundeth in metall mines V. 16 Humble thee This ought not to be referred to the next words of water and Manna but to the words which went before of the voyage in the wildernesse V. 18 To get wealth The Italian To carry thy selfe valiantly Or for to get wealth CHAP. IX VERS 3. VVHich goeth over In the tokens of his presence in the Arke of the Covenant and all the appurtenances thereof like a Generall see upon Num. 1. 53. Jos. 3. 6. V. 10 Of the Assembly The generall Assembly of the people to receive the Law Exod. 19. 17. V. 18 As at the first Namely the first time that I was upon the mount Exodus 32. 11. So it is likely that he was three times upon the mount within the time of fourty dayes The first when he received the Law Exodus â—4 18. The second when he made intercession for the people Exodus 32. 30 31. And the third when he received the new Tables Exodus 34. 28. V. 21 Your sin The matter the object and the instrument of your idolatry which is the greatest of all sins see Hos. 10. 10. CHAP. X. VERS 1. AN Arke Some take it to be some little chest or coffer to lay these tables in for a time untill the Arke of the Covenant was made where they were to be kept alwayes Exod. 25. 16. 21. and 31. 7. Others take it to be the very Arke of the Covenant as if Moses did set down the thing thus generally without observing the order of times and with this seemeth to agree that which is spoken v. 5. V. 6 Mosera This is not Moserot Num. 33. 30. and it is not mentioned in any other place and by the circumstance of Aarons death it is likely that it was some place neere to the mount Hor and that Moses having generally touched the distance from Beeroth to Mosera he doth now divide it into some severall stages v. 7. V. 7 From thence Not from Mosera but from Beeroth Gudgodab Otherwise called Horhagidgad Num. 33. 32. V. 8 At that time After he was appeased with the people concerning the golden calfe V. 14 Behold the heaven The Italian hath it The heavens Aswell this first and neerest heaven which is the aire that encompasseth the earth as the aethereall heaven which encompasseth the aire 1 Kings 8. 27. V. 16 Circumcise Let the spirituall meaning of the bodily signe of Circumcision be set a work cutting off your vitious naturall affections putting off and mortifying the old man and endlessely applying your selves to your sanctification Deut. 30. 6. Jer. 4. 4. Rom. 2. 29. Col. 2. 11. see Lev. 26. 41. Jer. 9. 25. V. 17 Is God The highest true God and Lord of whose God head and dominion those which are called Gods have some likenesse a false one if it be through abuse and a true one if it be by a lawfull and approved representation Joh. 10. 35. 1 Cor. 8. 5. V. 21 He is thy praise He that alwayes gives sufficient cause and matter to praise him for Or he who maketh thee alwayes glorious and worthy to be esteemed Psa. 22. 4. and 109. 1. Jer. 17. 14. CHAP XI VERS 2. FOr I speak It belongeth to you who have been eye witnesses of Gods great benefits to make an acknowledgement of them and not put off the care of it to your posterity who having but onely heard of them cannot be so lively touched therewith as you are by the sight of them Which have not Being unborne or very young when the deliverance out of Egypt was for Moses here speaks to them who in the time of the said deliverance were under twenty yeares of age see Num. 14. 29. The chastisement His punishments upon the Egyptians or his severe corrections upon his people aswell during their captivity in Egypt as indiverse corrections in the desert V. 4 Overflow Having unbound the miraculous heape which he had made to give his people way to passe Exo. 14. 42. 27. Unto this day The memory effects whereof do last unto this day by the weakning of the power of Egypt V. 6 Their housholds The Italian Their houses that is to say their families V. 10 For the Land The meaning or sense is not to preferre the Land of Canaan for fruitfulnesse to the Land of Egypt which was very equall to it Gen. 13. 10. But to shew that the fruitfulnesse of the Land of Canaan did not depend upon humane art as that of Egypt did for the most part but only upon Gods blessing through raines dewes and other blessings from heaven to induce the people
That which is left Of the sacrifice of thankes-giving Since I have said since I appointed this feast V. 25. The top of the house Of his own house which was made flat in manner of a terrace according to the fashion and it was a commodious place to treat of s 〈…〉 affaires out of other mens fight and hearing V. 26. To the top The Italian hath it That was on the top the meaning is that Saul being told by Samuel that he would speake with him privately was gone up to the top of the house but that Samuel called him down and did and said unto him what he intended to do and say as they were waâ—â—ing without the City CHAP. X. VERS 1. OF oyle An ordinary ceremony in the consecrations of the old Testament grounded upon the communication of the gifts of the holy Ghost figured by the oyle Now it is not said that it was any other but ordinary oile as 2 King 9. 1. for the Priests holy oile was not to be used about any other persons Exod. 30. 32. Yet it is likely that the horne of oyle wherewith David was anointed 1 Sam. 16. 1. was afterwards kept in the Tabernacle and other Kings when occasion served were afterwards anointed therewith 1 King 1. 39. Kissed him in signe of congratulation or of homage Gen. 41. 40. Inheritance Namely his own people Deut. 32. 9. V. 2. When Tokens to assure Saul of the truth of his calling For my son to finde him V. 3. To Bethel The Italian to the house of God it is a question whether Siloh be meant here for it hath not yet been said that the Tabernacle or the Altar were removed as afterwards 1 Chron. 16. 39. and 21. 29. 2 Chro. 1 3. or whither he meant Kiriath-Jearim where the Arke was 1 Sam. 7. 1. V. 5. The bill Upon the which Kiriath-Jearim stood where the Arke was at that time or some other place where there was a colledge of Prophets The garrison See upon 1 Sam. 7. 13. Of Prophets they were certain chosen persons consecrated to God and prepared by continuall meditations studie and exercises of piety to receiue of God propheticall inspirations and revelations under the conduct of Sam. 1 Sam. 19. 20. such were afterwards called the children of the Prophets Psaltery according to the custome of moving the soule of man by meanes of musick to raise it selfe to heavenly and spirituall things 2 Kin. 3 15. Prophecy they shall be in a propheticall action and motion moved thereunto by a divine and supernaturall spirit in all their actions and gestures see Numbers 11. 25. V. 6. Turned Thou shalt upon a suddaine miraculously be filled with new and divine gifts qualities and motions V. 7. That thou do Undertake thou thy lawfull calling for the Lord will accompany thee wâ—th his power V. 8. Shalt thou tarry After thou shalt be come to Gilgal 1 Samuel 13. 8. An expresse command to try Sauls obedience which he breaking discovered his rebellious heart 1 Samuel Chapter 13. verse 13. V. 12. But who is The inferiour Prophets were called children and the head such as Samuel was at that time was called father Now Samuel being absent at this time it seemeth they would say see yâ—â— not that Saul holds the first degree amongst them and leadeth them as their head and he hath a soveraign Majesty with more abundance and strength of gifts which did increase the miracle A proverbe to expresse a strange and miraculous thing V. 13. To the high place Where the Tabernacle and Altar were then namely either in Siloh or in Gibâ—on 1 Kin. 3. 4. though the history make no mention of the time that it was brought to this last place see 1 Sam. 9. 12. V. 17. Unto the Lord Who is present and governeth the assemblies of his Church where his name is called upon see Judges 11. 11. and 20. 1. Unlesse peradventure the Arke were carried thither as 1 Samuel 14. 18. To Mizpeh See 1 Samuel chapter 7. verse 5. V. 19. Ye have See 1 Samuel chapter 8. verses 7 19. Present your selves To draw lots as Joshua 7. 14. Thousands According to the divisions of the tribeâ— into thousands of families made by Moses Exodus 18. 25. V. 22. Enquired By Urim and Thummim Num. 27. 21. V. 25. The manner As who should say the fundamentall laws of the Kingdome inspired by God to temper monarchy with a liberty befitting Gods people and with equity towards a nation which of its own free will did chuse a King and with a benignity of government of brethren of the same race Deuteronomy 17. 20. by this meanes to withstand the abuse of an absolute power which the peoples blind desire might have caused the new King to runne into 1 Samuel chapter 8. v. 11. Before the Lord in the Tabernacle before the Arke V. 27. Brought him no present In signe of homage to a new King 1 Kings chapter 10. verse 25. 2 Chron. 17. 5. CHAP. XI VERS 1. THe Ammonite That is to say King of Ammon 1 Samuel 12. 12. Came up by the 1 of Samuel Chapter 12. verse 12. it appeares that this preparation of warre made so long before hand by Nahas was a cause that the people demanded a King V. 3. We will come out Wee will yeeld unto these covenants see concerning the Ammonites pretences upon Gilead Judg. 11. 13. V. 4. Gibeah it is the same City which in other places is called Gibeah of Benjamin which after Saul was King who was borne therein bore his name in honour him V. 5. After the herd for he had yet no Court non state appointed in him V. 6. The Spirit in an instant the Spirit of God inspired into his heart a supernaturall strength of minde and a majesty of command and put him on by a mighty and heroick motion to undertake this deliverance see Iudg. 3. 10. 6. 34. 11. 19 13. 25. 14. 6. V. 7. Samuel who accompanied Saul in this enterprize as a Judge and a Prophet As Jâ—dg 4 9. V. 10. Tomorrow to blinde and â—ull 〈◊〉 the Ammonites and keepe secret the newes of their reliefe which in such a case is but a lawfull dissimulation in warre V. 11. The morning watch when they use to relieve the watch upon the break of day V. 14. Renew let us by a generall consent of all renew Sauls election now 〈◊〉 is authorized by this victory for to cut off all pretence of rebellion V. 15. Before the Lord see 1 Sam. 10. 17. CHAP. XII VERS 2. VVAlketh he guideth and governeth you And J seeing that I through mine age can no more undertake the publick government and that my sonnes are reduced to a private life I require of you a publick approbation of mine innocency that my memory may not remaine blemished nor spotted by your taking a distaste at me and desiring a King V. 3. To blinde to cloake his misdeed and let him escape unpunished V. 7. Now therefore I as
decorum whilest hee danced which Michal hatefully exaggerates through pride V. 21. It was It is an honourable action to leape with a holy joy before the Lord though in outward appearance it do not somuch savour of gravitie And GOD notwithstanding this my humility will make mee seeme never the lesse worthy nor majestick before men V. 23. Had no child This seemes to bee noted for a punishment of her pride CHAP. VII VERS 3. SAid Not by divine revellation but of himself being a holy and pious man considering the designe of it selfe was praise worthy and that God guided David by his holy spirit in all his enterprises V. 5. Shalt thou build me Words of admiration not of reprehension The meaning is Hast thou had such a light thought as for to build a firme and and setled habitation to the signes of my presence which have hitherto been unsetled and wandring I have not as yet done this honour to any of the other tribes out of which I have chosen Judges and a King I doe like of thine intent 1 Kings Chapter 8 verse 18. But be thou content with those honours which thou hast received at my hands the putting of this thy designe in execution is reserved for thy sonne V. 7. Spake I a word God had often sayd in his Law that hee would chuse himselfe a place but he had not expressed where nor what kind of place it should be And therefore he lovingly admonisheth David to wait for this expression V. 11 And as This is added to extoll Davids raigne who had for ever suppressed the adverse nations and setled Israel in a firme repose and forme of government whereas the Judges had but onely delivered them from the tyranny of some one nation and that but onely for a certaine time Make thee A Scripture phrase which signifieth giving continuance of posterity and a durable being See Exodus chapter 1. verse 21. 1 Kings Chapter 2. verse 24. V. 13 For my name To mee my selfe who have made my selfe knowne to my Church as it were by a proper name that my name might bee called upon therein and that the holy meanes of my revealing may therein bee used and distributed For ever That is to say continually till the Messias Genesis Chapter 49. verse 10. Who was to come from David according to the flesh and change the temporall and figurative Kingdome into a spirituall and everlasting one V. 14 His father By adoption and grace to Solomon and by eternall generation to Christ Hebrewes chapter 1. vers 5. If he This is referred onely to Solomon and his posterity and not at all to Christ. With the rod with rods accorded to humane weaknesse through a benigne and louing correction and not extreame according to the rigour of divine Justice to utter destruction see Job chap. 23. ver 6. Psalm 39. 11. Isaiah 27. 7. 8. and 47. 3. Jeremiah 30. 11. V. 16. Before thee Thou and every one of thy successors seeing it and enjoying it Or even as it hath been during thy life V. 19 And is this The continuation of thy blessings upon my posterity is not as the succession into goods and honours which by the Law of Nature and Nations doth passe from the fathers to their children and so to their posterity but this is thy singular and meere good will and deed V. 20 What can I cannot sufficiently with words acknowledge thy favours they surpasse my capacity but thou knowest the motions of my heart which the tongue cannot parallel See Gen. 31. 10. V. 21 For thy words sake This admirable revelation of thy grace towards me and my posterity is grounded upon nothing but onely upon the designe which thou hast set downe out of thy owne meere free will V. 22 Thou art great The Italian Thou art exalted That is to say thou oughtest to be praised and exalted and indeed so thou art by mee and by all the faithfull According As thy miracles and divine works doe testifie â—the remembrance of which is come even to us and our times V. 23 Went to Did in a manner come downe from heaven to display and lay upon his glorious power upon earth Exod. 3. 7. 8. And their Gods To whom the idolaters attributed the glory of having overcome the true God and having subdued the people Exod 12. 12. V. 24 Confirmed Thou hast gotten a perpetuall right unto them and by thy benefits hast gained them unto thee and thine obedience and â—â—ast confirmed their being that they may alwayes subsist to serve thee Israel That people which is according to the flesh untill the comming of the Messias but that which is according to the spirit for ever V. 27 Found in his heart The Italian found his heart That is to say hee hath gathered together all his thoughts and affections and recalled them from the errors of the world to unite and imploy them all in the making of this prayer unto thee V. 29 Before thee Under thy protection CHAP. VIII VERS 1. MEtheg Amâ—ah This name is not any where else in Hebrew it signifieth the bridle of the angle or corner It may be it was some strong hold in some straight passage by which one might take the City of Gath 1 Chron. 18. 1. is set downe that hee took Gath and all the precincts of it V. 2 Calling them This it seems must be understood of the Prisoners which hee divided into three parts whereof two he put to death and saved the third V. 3 Zobah A countrey of Syria As he went Namely David himselfe to enlarge his bounds to the river Euphrates acccording to the bounds set downe by the Lord. Genesis Chapter 15. verse 18. V. 4 A thousand 1 Chron. 18 4. There is the number of seven thousand but here it seemeth are reckoned none but the chiefe Houghed To make them unserviceable being unwilling to make any store of these instruments of pride and carnall confidence See Joshua Chapter 11. verse 6. V. 7 The shields see 1 Kings chapter 10. verse 16. V. 9 Hamath A city of Syria which is thought to be Antioch it selfe V. 10 To blesse him To congratulate with him V. 11 Dedicate Namely for the preparation of the building of the Temple and other uses for Gods service See Chronic. chapter 29 verse 2. V. 13 The valley Which was in Idumea 2 Kings chapter 14. verse 7. Psalme 16. ver 2. Eighteen thousand Which were Idumeans 1 Chron. 18. 12. V. 14 Became Which lasted untill the dayes of Joram King of Judah 2 Kings chapt 8. 22. according to Isaaks prophesie Gen. 27. 40. V. 16 Recorder The Italian Chancellor or speaker as 2 Kings 18. 18. V. 17 The Priests Namely secondary Priests as great substitutes under Abiathar high Priest See upon Numb 3. 32. Whereupon when Abiathar wâ—s thrust out by Solomon Zadock was put in his place 1. Kings chapter 2. verse 27. and 35. V. 18 Cherethites The common opinion is that these were the Kings guard The cause
to quench with good words the fire that was already kindled but spake more taunting words then the others See of the like jealousies Judg. 8 1. and 12 1. CHAP. XX. Ver. 1. VVEE have no By the speeches of the men of Judah David belongeth not to us let him then looke to his owne businesse and we will looke to ours wee will have nothing to doe with him See 1 Kings 1â— 16. V. 4. Amasa To whom hee had made promise of the Generalls place 2 Samuell Chapter 19. ver 13. V. 6. Thy Lords Namely Joabs who hath hitherto beene thy Generall V. 7. Cherethites See upon 2 Sam. Chapter 8. ver 18. V. 8. Was girded In stead of carrying his sword hanging at his girdle and his garment over it according to the usuall fashion hee had girded on his garment and had put on his girdle over that about his waste that the sword hanging in that kinde might at a certaine motion or posture of his body fall out of the scabbard that thereby he might take an occasion to take it up in his hand without giving Amasa any cause of suspition V. 9. My brother For he was his cousin 1 Chro. chap. 2. v. 16 17. V. 10. Fiâ—th rib See upon 2 Samuel chap. 2. vers 23. V. 12. Wallowed He did beat and stirre himselfe in the last pangs of death V. 14. Abel it is likely to bee the same City which is called Abel Maim 2 Chronicles chap. 16. verse 4. in the Tribe of Nephtali or that these two Cities Abel and Bermaâ—ca were both comprehended under one name 1 Kings 15 20. 2 Kings 15. 29. All the Acording to some they were the inhabitants of Beeroth of Benjamin Joshua chapt 18. verse 25. which might be the City of this Sheba Others think it was the countrey neer to Abel V. 15. A bank According to the old manner of besieging of Cities casting up of high banks on the out side of the wals and standing upon them to fight with those that defended the wals The trench Which is now a dayes called a trench with a breast-worke Battered That is to say digged the wall V. 18 They were wont The law of warre according to Gods command Deuteronomie chapter 20. verse 10. Was to have besieged places summoned before they were spoyled by assaults or besieging And if thou hadst done so the businesse had beene ended and thou satisfied V. 19. A mother A chiefe Citie of a Province The inheritance A Citie or commonalty of Gods people which are his owne as his inheritance V. 21. Mount Ephraim Though Sheba was 2 Benjamite yet peradventure he dwelt in the countrey of Ephraim Or his Citie was in the confines of these two Tribes V. 22. Retired from The armie was disbanded there V. 23. Was over He retained his old place after Amasa his death 2 Sam. 8. 16. which David had conferred upon Amasa V. 25. Sheva it seems to be the same as Seraiah 2 Iam. 8. 17. V. 26. The Iairite Of the countrey of Jair in Gilead Numbers chapter 32. verse 41. Judges chapter 10. verse 4. Chiese ruler of Jerusalem See upon Ezek. 11. 1. Or the chiefe president of the councell See 2 Samuel chapter 8. verse 18. 1 Kings chap. 4. verse 2. CHAP. XXI VERS 1. IN the dayes of David This storie and likewise that of the 2 Samuel chap 24. seeme to have happened before the things which are set downe before this Inquired Desired his answer by Urim Numbers chapter 27. verse 21. It is It is very likely that he did not onely set downe the cause but the manner of making atonement for it also V. 2. His zeale the Italian His jealousie scorning that those strangers should be incorporated into Gods people and should enjoy the same freedomes and priviledges And especially because they were his countrey men for Saul was a Gibeonite though of the Israelitish nation 1 Chronicles chapter 8 v. 29 30. Sought to sâ—ay Taxing them with supposed faults aggravating their true faults extending the particular ones unto the generall depriving them of all commoditie and favour and raising great dissensions amongst them V. 3. May blesse Pardon them the offence that hath beene done to you and pray to God to forgive them the punishment due therefore The inheritance namely his people V. 4. We will have We doe not desire any pecuniary satisfaction for their lives that Saul hath caused to be slaine amongst us and much lesse the blood of them which were not guilty V. 6. We will hang This kinde of execution was used in cases of making atonement for some publick misdeed Vnto the Lord To satisfie his justice and to appease him Numbers chapter 25. verse 4. Gibeah See 1 Samuel chapter 10. verse 26. 11. 4. Ver. 8. Rizpah Sauls Concubine 2 Samuel Chapter 3. verse 7. who was yet living verse 11. Michal Since Michal had no Children 2 Samuell 6. 23. and that not shee but Merab â—â—r sister was married to Adriell 1 Samuell Chapter 18. verse 19. the word bringing up must bee taken for adopting and keeping See Genesis 16. 2. and 30. 3. and 50. 23. Ver. 10. Upon the rocke The Itaâ—â—an addeth Staying there Namely at the place where they were hanged Now here was some singular exception to the generall Law which was to take downe and bury those that were hanged up the same day Deuteronomie Chapter 21. verse 23. Dropped It is likely that this death came by occasion of some extreame droughts in the time of the Corne ripning And therfore Rizpah would observe whither Gods wrath was appeased by this execution and whether hee would be pleased to send the accustomed dewes and raine V. 16. The Gyant The Italian Rapha That famous Philistin Gyant from whence the others are called Repheites V. 17. The light Thy person in whom consists the conduct counsell joy and life of the people a Scripture phrase See 1 Kings 15. 4. Psalm 132. 17. V. 19. Iaore By the 1 Chron. 20. 5. it appeares that his name was Jair but by reason of this Gyants great speare was added the word Oregim that is to say of a Weavers beame Goliah I 1 Chronicles Chapter 20. ver 5. He is called Lahmi brother to Goliah whom David slew but it may be that after his brothers death he tooke and bore his name V. 21. Defied Despised and scornefully challenged them As 1 Samuel Chapter 17. verse 10. 25 26. Shimeah Called Shammâ—h also 1 Sam. 16. 9. Ver. 22. Of David To whom as King and Generall in the warres were attributed all the actions of his servants and Souldiers CHAP. XXII VERS 1 OOf this Song Which is the same as the 18. Psalme V. 8. The foundations As who should say the pillars and poles See Job Chapter 26 verse 11. or plainely the high mountaines which seeme to beare up the vault of Heaven as it is set downe Psalme 18. 7. CHAP. XXIII VERS 1. THe last The last which he pronounced by the inspiration of Gods
little finger I have as much and more absolute power over your persons and goods than ever my father had and can force you according to my will And since I see the rashnesse of your demands I will use you with extreame rigor V. 20. But the tribe see upon 1. Kings 11. 32. V. 25. Shechem restored it from the desolation which had happened to it Iudg. 9. 45. Penuel which had also been destroyed Iudg. 8. 17. V. 28. Two calves questionlesse in imitation of that which was made in the wildernesse and to the same end to worship the true God in those visible signes appointed according to their own willâ— see Exod. 32. 4. V. 29. Bethel these two places were in the two uttermost bounds of the ten tribes countrey according to the length of it V. 32 Vnto the feast namely the feast of the â—bernacles V. 33. Hee bad devised for God had appointed the seventh moneth Levit. 23 34. Numb 29. 12. the children like unto that feast which God had appointed them CHAP. XIII VERS I. BY the word the Italian with the word having a propheticall revelation to propound openly others have it by the word that is to say by Gods command V. 2. In the word that what I have prophecied is the true word of God Or whereof the Lord hath spoken that is to say which hee hath commanded mee to propound unto you V. 4. From the that is to say using some charme or doing some other act upon the altar hee withdrew his hand to make some signe that the prophet should bee laid hold on V. 11. An old prophet who had oftentimes propheticall visions and revelations but in this act hee was a liar v. 8. though with some good and kind intent to give the other prophet some refreshing V. 12. had seen that is to say did knew and had taken notice of it V. 17. By the word namely by divine revelation V. 20. Came unto by some internall inspiration or prophetick extacy whereby hee was forced to condemne himselfe for deceipt as well as the other prophet for disobedience V. 28. Had not for a more expresse proofe that all was done by Gods singular providence for the execution of his judgement V. 32. The houses or the temples Samaria so called here by anticipation 1. Kings 16. 24. V. 33. Whosoever would or hee consâ—â—rated whom hee pleased V. 34. This thing the Italian in this in this manner hee brought in an example of impiety which being followed by his successors was the cause of their totall ruine CHAP. XIV VERS III. TAke with thee see upon 1. Sam. 7. 9. V. 5. The Lord said by propheticall revelation V. 14. But what this prophecy is not of things that shall happen after a long time but shall bee fulfilled within a very short time V. 14. The river namely Euphrates groves a kind of idolatry Exo. 34. 13. Deut. 16. 21. under which are comprehended all other idolatries V. 17. Tirza a City of the royall residence of the King of the ten tribes before Samaria was built and dedicated to that use 1. Kings 16. 24. Cant. 6. 4. V. 19. Of the Chronicles it seemeth that they were Annals or publick Records out of which were composed the books of Chronicles inserted among the holy books V. 21. To put see upon 1. Kings 11. 36. V. 24. Sodomites males who did abandon their bodies to suffer abominable lust see 1. Kings 15. 12. and 22. 46. 2. Kings 23. 7. wickednesse which often was joyned with idolatries and pagan superstitions V. 28. The guard chamber see 2. Kings 11. 6. 19. V. 31. Abijam who is the same as Abijah 2. Chron. 12. 16. CHAP. XV VERS II. MAachah it is the same as Micajah the daughter of Vriel 2. Chron. 13. 2. V. 4. Give him suffered not his name to be quite extinguished nor his Kingdome to faile V. 10. His mothers that is to say his grandmothers v. 2. V. 14. High places the people could not bee brought to offer sacrifices in that place which was only consecrated to Gods service though they performed the same in all purenesse as well for the object which was the true God as for the meanes according to his ordinances Now this was either through the peoples obstinacy or through the Kings negligence who did not make use of his Soveraign power to force them to it or through some difficulty ni the performance V. 17. Built that is to say fortified it might not suffer to hinder his subjects from having any correspondency with those of Iudah especially in matters of religion see 1. Kings 12 27. V. 20. Smote that is to say took these cities by force and used all manner of hostility in them All Cinneroth which is all the countrey adjoyning to the sen of Chinneroth Ios. 12. 3. V. 23. Diseased this is noted not only to shew that his happinesse was interrupted and disturbed but also to shew that upon this occasion hee did in his disease vary from his wâ—nted piety 2. Chron 16. 12. V. 27. To the Philistines being by them taken from the tribe of Dan to which tribe it did belong Ios. 19. 44. CHAP. XVI VERS VII ANd because the very death of Nadab was imputed as a sinne to Baasa for following of his sinnes that which hee had done could not bee â—ermed an act of justice or zeale but plaine murther for covetousnesse of reigning see Hos. 1. 〈◊〉 V. 13. Their vanities the Italian hath it idols the Hebr. vanities a common epithet for false gods which have nither reality of essence nor power and whose deity consisteth in nothing but in the idolaters vaine opinion Deut. 32. 21. 1. Sam. 12. 21. 1. Cor. 8. 4. V. 23. Thirty and one since it is said V. 15. that Zimri began to reigne in the seven and twentieth yeare of Asa and that hee reigned but seven dayes wee must conclude that Omri who immediately succeeded him reigned from the same seven and twentieth yeare but the Kingdome having been divided into two parts Omri began to reigne peaceably alone in the one and thirtieth yeare after hee had overthrown Tibui his competitor twelve in all with the foure yeares which hee reigned before the death of Tibui V. 24. Talents the talent weighed one hundred and five and twenty pounds at twelve ounces in the pound see upon Exod. 38. 25. V. 31. Baal a common name to all the Sidonian idols Now this idolatry was farre worser than that of the calves because that in this they professed the worshiping of the true God though it was in a vitious manner but in the other they meerely worshipped the creature or idoll CHAP. XVII VERS I. Tishbite hee was so called from the place of his birth which is not mentioned in Scripture inhabitants the Italian hath it of the new inhabitants described 1. Cron. 5. 22. Others translate it strangers which dwelt in Gilead by which they meane certaine Israelites which went to Gilead to dwell for some unknown cause
waters namely of the red sea V. 17. The cloudes these particulars are not specified by Moses but they may be supposed by what is written Exod. 1â— 24. V. 19. Thy way thou wentest in the cloudy and fiery pillar through the sea before all thy people thy foot steps after thy people were gone through the waters returned into their naturall course Exod. 14. 26. 27. whence it appeares that this miracle was no naturall effect nor casuall accident and that it is appointed so to be by thee only for the deliverance of thy people PSAL. LXXVIII THE title Maschil see Psal. 32. in the title V. 1. My Law the Italian doctrine the Hebrew Law V. 4. Shewing to thee or they namely the generation to come shall tell the praises c. V. 5. A testimony namely the Law and the tables thereof see Exod. 16. 34. and 25. 21. V. 9. The children hee hath a reference to the children of Israels discomfiture by the Philistines 1 Sam. 4. 10. and specifieth the Tribe of Epharim as well for the might and valour of it which gave it a superioritie above the rest as also because that the Ark of the Lord was then residing in Siloh a city of Ephraim from whence it was transported to Judah and for this cause and by reason of Davids being chosen King Iudah became the head of the other Tribes and so the people was established in peace and blessing which is the chiefe subject of this Psalme see vers 60. 6â— 68. V. 12. Zoan a very ancient city of Egypt Num. 13. 22. Isa. 19. 13. Ezech. 30. 14. Named by other authors Thanez V. 16. Streames for out of that water issued a streame which went along with the people even in-into the land of Canaan Deut. 9. 21. Psal. 105. 41. 1 Cor. 10. 4. V. 23. Opened a figurative terme to expresse an extreame plenty sent from above as Gen. 7. 11. 2 Kings 7. 2. V. 24. The 〈◊〉 namely a kinde of food which was in stead of bread V. 25. Angels food Hebrew the food of the mighty which was an epithet given to the Angels Psal. 89. 6. and 103. 20. that is to say a food that seemed rather Angelicall and celestiall then earthly as well by reason of it origine parity and perfection as for the efficacie of it to preserve the body in perfect health and strength by Gods speciall appointment in those who did not by their distrust or rebellion make it of no efficacie He sent them in his wrath he would satisfie their unbounded desires though hee had before provided for their necessities Meat namely quailes whereof hee speaks afterward V. 27. Rained made it to fall out of the ayre as thick as any raine V. 28. Of their Camp or in his Camp God being in his Tabernacle in the middest of his people as a generall of an Army V. 30. They were not their lust was not yet satisfied though they had eaten flesh a whole month Num. 11. 20. 33. V. 31. The fattest that is to say the lustiest and mightiest the choyce of the people as Iudg. 3. 29. Or the chiefe and most renowned as Psal. 22. 29. V. 33. In vanity that is to say in long fruitlesse labours wandering in the wildernesse being not able to come into the land of Canaan which was the end of their journy Num. 14. 25. Others reducing them to nothing Others in a moment In trouble the Italian 〈◊〉 terrors namely in perpetuall fears of Gods judgements and of death which they were undoubtedly to suffer in the wildernesse according as God had threatned them Num. 14. 23. 29. Others suddenly V. 34. They sought him they were converted unto him and sought him V. 36. Flatter him that is to say they sought to re-obtaine his favour by fained prayers confessions and prorestations V. 38. F 〈…〉 ve the Italian cleansed that is to say pardoned them as if they had been sufficiently cleansed saving the common people from corporall punishments and as for his Elect applying the promised redeemers bloud unto them to cleanse them from all iniquity and free them from everlasting punishment Stirre up did not punish with extreame rigor see Zaâ—â— 1. 15. V. 39. But flesh that is to say sinners of a corrupt nature Gen. 6. 3. Iohn 3. 6. mortall and corruptible wherefore their misery moved the Lord to compassion see Iob. 7. 16. and 10. 20. and 14. 6. Psal. 103 13. V. 40. Grieve him a 〈◊〉 taken from man and his passions to expresse a grievious offence whereby God is alienated from man as Psal. 95. 10. Isa. 7. 13. Ephes. 4 30. V. 41. Limited they would subject God unto their own wills prescribing his works within certaine bounds of times meanes and other circumstances see Psal. 106. 13. Ier. 49. 19. or restraining through incredulity his power within the bounds of their naturall sense by believing him no farther then they were able to apprehend or through their incredulity they hindered God from working any greater miracles for their deliverence as Mark 6. 5. V. 42. They remembred not the Psalmist seemes here to goe on againe with the matter left off verse 12. V. 47. Sycomore a kinde of tree which by reason of the frequentnesse of it in Egypt is called an Egyptian figge-tree With frost or with haile stones V. 48. Gave up left them to bee kild and destroyed V. 49. Evill Angels namely devils who being Princes of the ayre caused these tempests V. 50. Made away caused these calamities which were sent by him in his wrath to showre down upon them without any stay or hinderance V. 51. The chiefe of the Italian the firstings namely their first-borne according to the phrase of Scripture see Gen. 49. 3. Of Ham that is to say of Egypt for Mizraim father of the Egyptians that gave Egypt its name was the son of Ham Gen. 10. 6. V. 53. They feared not that is to say without any reasonable cause of feare being continually safe under Gods protect on though they did alwayes through diffidence give themselves causes of feares and vaine terrors V. 54. Mountaine namely Sion upon which Ierusalem stood the chiese seat of Church and Kingdome or the whole hill countrey of Israel V. 56. They tempted this is the continuation of verse 42. His testimonies namely his Lawes Exod 16. 34. V. 57. Turned aside that is to say that whereas God led them by the hand to direct their actions and motions to his obedience they were turned aside even as a bow turning in the Archers hand when he is shooting which causeth him to misse his aime Hos. 7. 16. V. 58. High places namely Altars Chappels and such like places to celebrate divine service in out of the only place which was by him consecrated and was onely acceptable unto him or peradventure also dedicated to Idols and were so called because that they chose out the choicest hills for those purposes V. 60. He forsook namely when the Arke which was in Siloh was taken by
〈◊〉 I have reaped noâ— gathered no other fruit of these painfull pleasures but onely a little transitory enjoyment of them V. 11 Then I looked The Italian But having considered Being weary of this voluptuous life I hive fallen againe to the severe and wise execution of mine office Profit Namely there was no found nor permanent good after the transitory pleasure V. 12 Wisedome See Eccl. 1. 17 What can The Italian What are other men That is to say it hath been possible and not altogether unfitting for mee that have beene so wise and mighty a King to alter my manner of living in thiâ— kinde to the end I might finde out one in which as most perfect happy and secure I might settle my selfe and teach it to others wherein I am not to be imitated by private persons whose condition bindeth them to goe on in that course of life which they have once begun and have not the power to make new triall often and therefore I am to be believed in mine experiences which others may not try so well as I. V. 13 I saw Indeed I have found that for the conduct and guiding of worldly affaires that politick wisdome is very good but seeing the wise man cannot avoyd death I see this wisedome participates of the corruptibility of all other worldly things and therefore the soveraigne good cannot consist therein V. 15 And why The Italian And what will it availe me seeing the aime of all man his actions is to purchase happinesse to which nothing seemeth to be more adverse than death what good will it do me to have been wiser than other men in worldly wisedome seeing I could not thereby free my selfe from dâ—ath This also Namely all that secular wisdomâ— V. 16 For there is If any one should say that a wise man at the last gets renown which makes him live after his death I answer that this smoak of glory is most vaine and in a smal time vanisheth awâ—y and how An exclamation of wonder and disdain of 〈…〉 nall sence which is wholly fixed upon the bare consideration of the course of the world and nature V. 17 I hated My life hath beene displeasing to me which otherwayes is so pleasing and sweet seeing all the actions of it are toylsome and do bring forth no permanent happinesse V. 18. Yea I hated All those goodly and excellent things which I have done or made have been displeasing unto me whether they were materiall things or things belonging to wit reason or understanding I should leave it he meaneth that the comfort w 〈…〉 men have by having children in which they seem to live againe after their deathes and to whom he leaves the enjoyment and fruition of all his labours is but a very weak one by reason that one is so uncertain whether they will prove vertuous or no which if they do not they will lose and dissipate all what their father hath gotten Peradventure Solomon did already fore-see the vicious inclination of his son Rehoboam V. 20. To despaire And consequently to forgoe all such things as I perceived did not bring forth such fruit as I desired V. 21. For there is Those who do as I have done namely that set their hearts upon worldly businesse though it bee in a vertuous way to have all things in good order yet they never rest from their labours and enjoy not that sweet fruition which they leave to their idle successors Now if he that labours hath no intent to enjoy the fruits of his labours it is vanitie and if he do desire it and cannot attaine to it it is a griefe and trouble to him V. 22. Man The Italian Such a man He means those of what vocation soever that are continually busie and in action V. 24. There is nothing better The Italian Is it not good for If they say that man may if he will take his rest and enjoy the fruits of his labours I answer that the power of so doing doth not lie in himselfe but that God alone can grant him the grace so to doe V. 25. For who â—f so 〈◊〉 that had depended upon â—â—ns will I had the meanes to doe it 〈◊〉 thâ—n â—ny other and seeing I could not doe it it is manifest that if it proceedâ— from God onely and not from man V. 26. For God God alone through his grace so worketh in the heart of his elect that they can enjoy the fruits of their labours during this life in joy and tranquillitie and deprives evill livers of this gift giving them over to unsatiable desires Salomon seems to impute the cause of his wanting contenâ—ment of minde amidst so great wealth and plenty of goods â—nto the faults and errors he had committed CHAP. III. VERSE 1. TO every thing Having spoken of the honest and lawfull pleasures which a good man may and ought to take in this life he now declareth how that this is not alwayes so nor in the same measure seeing there are so many variable changes in the world to which one must conforme his affections of joy or griefe Purpose Heb. Will that is to say each voluntary motion of the soule V. 5. To cast away In publicke rejoycings as upon occasions of victories they did make great heapes of stones in the fields for trophies Which in time â—f sadnesse or adversitie they cast away againe some such like thing Jos. 8. 29. 2 Sam. 10. 17. V. 7. To rent This is also referred to a ceremony used in great and suddain griefes in which they used to rent their garments Keepe silence Which was also an effect and signe of some great sorrow Lam. 2. 10. Amos 5. 13. V. 9. What profit He doth here againe continue the speech which he had broken off concerning the lawfull pleasures which a man may take in this world according to his vocation still framing his affections to these variable chances as may happen and he saith that anxietie and continuall care is no way available but contrariwise is very hurtfull seeing it keepeth man from enjoying the fruits of his labours V. 10. I have I have found that this defect which men have namely to vexe and torment themselves so much proceeds from Gods secret judgement which will have a man to be punished by the selfe same thing as he hath so much set his heart upon forsaking God namely by the goods of this world which keep him in a continuall perplexity V. 11. He hath Contrarily his perpetuall hearts care God hath appointed and is contented that man should conforme his affections of joy and sorrow to the motions of his providence and that he should rejoyce in time of prosperity and be sad in time of adversitie so he doth it alwayes moderatly Eccles. 7. 13 14. Iam. 5. 13. He hath set He hath endowed them with so much naturall light as that they can apprehend the various chances of this life to judge of them and governe themselves according to them So that Though there be
right and the Consciences duty on the one side and thy wise and innocent civill accommodation with men on the other side He that feareth True piety doth indeed save a man from the said inconveniences but it is by means of this holy wisdome to intimate unto us that these two vertues ought to be joyned together V. 19. Strengtheneth Against all assaults and dangers Mightie men The Italian Governour that is to say politicke Magistrates or Commanders of warre V. 21. Also Seeing that all men are subject to errors there is great reason they should also be apt to forgive one anothers faults especially those which are most common and into which a man may fall suddainely and unawares such as are the errors of the tongue Jam. 3. 2. V. 23. Have I pro 〈…〉 ed I have meditated upon and put in practice all these precepts by meanes of that wisdome which God hath conferred upon mee a 〈◊〉 still with such imperfâ—ction as is inseparably joyned to humane nature V. 25. The wickednesse Namely that which is absolutely vicious in the common course of life to beware of it and therein to use the severe remedies of mine office tolerating in the meane time many things that proceed from ignorance and weakenesse V. 26. The woman The strumpâ—t that knowes all the wayes how to entice ensâ—are and catch men V. 27. This have I Namely those things which I have spoken of and which are but a parcell of that perfection which I sought after to the height of which I could never attaine v. 23. V. 28. Have I found I have found but few men capable of these first instructions of wisdome but almost not any woman V. 29 This onely The onely point that I have well apprehended is that God had at the beginning endowed man with divine wisdome for to direct him to the end of his happinesse but hee hath lost this gift through sinne and rebellion and in stead of that he hath gotten false carnall wisdome which is the cause of all his evills and strayings Iavention The Italian Discourses Namely vaine and false imaginations thoughts and councells See Psalme 119 113. Rom. 1. 21. CHAP. VIII VERS 1. VVHo is Though mans wisdom be so imperfect yet it is of great esteeme Who knoweth Besides he that is wise To shine It causeth a tranquillitie of spirit in him which appeares by his cleere and jocond aspect contrary to the fierce and sad lookes of those men who are possessed with turbulent passions V. 2. The oath Namely the oath of alleagiance which the subjects sweare to their Prince not onely for feare of men but chiefly for feare of wronging thy Conscience towards God Rom. 13. 5. V. 3. Bee not hastie Bee not rash nor hastie to be angry with thy Prince upon a pretence of any injury done to thee by him forsaking his service if thou be one of his houshold servants or flying from his obedience if thou be one of his subjects In an evill thing That is to say having committed any misdeed having beene faultie in any businesse Others do not persist in any evill action that is to say if thou beest in disgrace with thy Prince seeke to appease him as soone as thou canst Prov. 25. 15. that thou mayest not feele the thunder of his absolute power V. 5. The commandement Namely of God Shall feele Shall keep himselfe from committing any fault as may provoke the Princes just wrath and indignation against him The meaning is that pietie towards God shall by him bee rewarded with such wisdome as may be applyed to any occasion V. 8. No man It is true that by wisdome many evills may be avoided but the punishment of impiety cannot bee avoided no more than the course of the wind can be stayed death shunned or fighting avoyded by a Souldier that is enrolled in some day of battell This he saith to confirme that which he had said before ver 5. that innocency was the spring of mens safeties V. 9. Have I seene I have considered of all these good meanes which man may use to live peaceably under a reasonable and a just Prince and I have also perceived that there are some tyrants that bring nothing but ruine upon their subjects and under which none attaine to any promotion but onely wicked men V. 10. Buried That is to say which lay hidden for feare of the Lawes or were kept under and obscure being not admitted to any dignity or Office From the place Namely from Gods Temple as it happened to David in Sauls â—ime 1 Sam. 26. 19. Vamâ—â—e That is to say one of the disorders of the world by which may be perceived how much names and outward shewes may vary from the truth even in the highest and most excellent things such as publicke governments are V. 14. Which is done By men especially by evill Princes who doe often time reward vice and persecute vertue Others take this to be spoken of Gods providence which prospereth the wicked and afflicteth good men which is a vanitie not in respect of the providence it selfe which is alwayes most just and most wise but in respect of those worldly goods and evills which it disperseth so contrary to that which seemes convenient whence it appeares that they are not reall goods nor evills V. 15. Then I Seeing so many unavoidable evils I resolved to set my minde at rest and take honest pleasures referring all to Gods providence Vnder the Sunne in respect of this corporall life and the goods of this world Shall abide with him The Italian hath it Which is lent him Whereof he hath but a little fruition as it were through favour and for a time and no true and constant propriety V. 16. Seeth sleepe Never rests from this deepe meditation V. 17. All the worke All the ground of his government and providence his counsells ends reasons and meanes CHAP. IX VERS 2. FOr all this Hee gives a reason of what hee had said concerning Gods unsearchable providence because that he himselfe though endowed with so much wisedome could not conceive his intentions towards the good and the wicked in the chances of this life No man knoweth Namely by his owne baâ—e understanding by the naturall light and by the bare consideration of the chances of this world without the guide of Gods Word and spirit All that is It seemes that goods and evills doe meet confusedly and by chance before the one and the other in the course of this world V. 2. That sweareth Falsly or in vaine That feareth Because of the respect hee beareth to Gods holy name he forbeareth to heare unlesse it be in cases of necessitie V. 3. While they live By reason of this indifferencie of events worldly men doe daily in their wickednesse whereby they die in the state of damnation V. 4. For to him that is joyned The Italian For he that is châ—sen I speak so of men in generall for the number of Gods elect which are redeemed from sin
and death through his grace is but very small There is Whilest life doth last the gate of hope and repentance is open but men doe not make use of this opportunity to their owne salvation A living dogge That is to say a great sinner is happier whilest God grants him life and gives him time to bee converted then hee that is not so great a sinner compared to a Lion which is a more Noble and not so uncleane a beast as a dogge that dieth in his sin V. 5. Know And through the feare of death may bee induced to repent Know not Not that their soules doe lose all knowledge and remembrance which would bee no otherwise then if they did perish quite but because it availeth them nothing to salvation A reward Set downe for vertue as there is in this world which is the place appointed for us to labour and runne our race in The memory of them God hath for ever cast them off â—sa 88. 5. V. 6. Is now They and their worldly desires are enfolded in eternall perdition and have no more fruition of the world especially in respect of repentance V. 7. Goe thy way Hee now turnes his speech to the faithfull exhorting them to sweeten the bitternesse of this life and the remembrance of death by a sweet fruition of the goods of this world in holinesse temperance chastitie and purenesse of life For God now The Italian If God If God gives thee cause so to doe by blessing thee in the exercising of thy vocation V. 8. White According to the custome of the ancients at their rejoycings and banquets V. 9. Of thy vanity Namely of this thy poore transitory life V. 10. Whatsoever Namely that is lawfull according to God and that hee gives thee meanes to doe V. 11. And saw I have observed that though a man bee endowed with good gifts and qualities yet it is not in his power to produce alwayes the like effects which depend upon the free concurrency of Gods action And therefore the wise man must not hope to be alwayes happie in the world but must prepare himselfe for sinister chances See Eccles. 3. 1. and 7. 14. Verse 12. His time Namely the time of calamitie which God hath prepared for him V. 13. Have I seene also As wisedome doth not alwayes produce its proper effects so doth it at some times worke beyond all humane apprehension through the assistance and co-operation of Gods power V. 14. There was It is not certainely knowne whether this bee a parable or a true history as Pro. 7. 6. See somewhat like unto this 2 Samuel chap. 20. ver 16. V. 15. Yet no man Though before by reason of his povertie no man made any account of him and that he lay obscure and his name was not taken notice of Others and none remembred him Namely after they had received that benefit from him V. 17. In quiet That is to say with reverence and attention without any contradiction See Job 29. ver 21 23. CHAP X. VERS 2. IS at his That is to say hath a settled understanding whereby hee doth all things rightly whereas the fooles understanding wandring astray doth every thing in a contrary way V. 3. Yea also Hee cannot when hee is abroad in publicke dissemble his follie but discovers it in his gestures and in his gate and in all his other unproper speeches and actions V. 4. Leave not Doe not thou give over thy service through despight or impatience nor doeâ— not forsake the place thou art in For yeelding The Italian For mildnesse That is to say humilitie and patience V. 5. As an error Namely like to the frequent errors of Princes of the world who doe advance the most unworthy and incapable because they will seeme to doe every thing out of an absolute will and power as if they were not bound nor tied to any thing V. 6. Folly Namely base persons which have no understanding nor vertue See Prov. 26. 10. The rich Men of qualitie and note and more capable of managing publicke affaires V. 8. Hee that diggeth He seemeth to meane that Princes who are causes of these disorders doe also endure the punishent of them V. 10 If the Iron It in Warres all manner of weapons though blunt and out of order as the Israelites weapons were when their enemies had dominion over them Judges Chapter 3. verse 31. and 5 8. 1 Samuel Chapter 13. verse 22. may bee made use of by good and valiant Souldiers Much more may wee hope to make good use of wisdome which is better than any weapon Eccles. 9. verse 18. V. 11. Surely the That is to say the slanderer is like the Serpent and his biting Psalme 58. 4 5. and and 140. 3. V. 12. Are gracious They gaine the favour and good will of all men V. 13. The beginning The more he speakes the more he discovers his follie especially when being reproved or contradicted he bursts out into some furious passion V. 14. Is full of words The Italian Multiplyeth words That is to say doth bragge of many things discourseth much and undertaketh many things feeding himselfe with great hopes Jam. 4. 13 14 16. V. 15. Wearieth By reason of their unreasonable and yet unprofitable striving being not able for want of understanding and industry to attaine to their ends even as a travailer wandring out of the high way can never attaine to his journeys end V. 16. A child In age understanding and experience Eate That is to say make feasts and drinke excessively In the morning Which is the time to sit in councell and dispatch businesses That is to say â—o preferre pleasure before such things as belong to their office V. 17. The Sonne of Bearing a high and heroick mind free from base and sordid inclinations and passions such as ordinary and vulgar people are subject to V. 18. The building Namely the houses and families fall to decay and ruine V. 19. A feast Seeing every one delights in honest recreations wee must labour to get meanes to sweeten thereby the bitternesses of this life Or it is a pleasant thing according to the world to live in pastimes and pleasures but that cannot be done without great wasting and expence of ones estate which it were more expedient to save for necessary uses V. 20. The rich Of him that is great in wealth and authority A bird The businesse might bee revealed by some unknowne meanes for great ones have their spies in all places CHAP. XI VERS 1. CAst thy Doe good to those from whom thou hast least hope to receive any recompence for the Lord himselfe will recompence thee for it when thou least thinkest on it or peradventure in life everlasting A phrase taken from those husbandmen that sow their seed upon moorish and overflowing grounds which are unlikely and unfitting to bring forth any increase Isay 32. 20. V. 2. To even That is to say as many as thou canst without any limitation For thou The time
of any Common-wealth or Church whereof he would notwithstanding preserve the seed in Babylon amongst those poor captives to make it revive and flourish again at the appointed time And the Prophet doth set down and exaggerate at large in divers Chapters the causes of this decree namely the violation of all his commandments both of the first and second Table of Gods Law in a suparlative degree And he also taxeth those which were already in captivity in Babylon with the same sins with most severe threatnings Then he turneth himself to many strange nations which were the Jews neighbours and had been either a cause of misleading them or had through malice been assisting to their desolation and overthrow or had rejoyced at it especially to Tyre Egypt and Edom whom he telleth that they should be enfolded in the same Caldean deluge who raised an Empire out of the ruine of many States and Kingdoms And so goeth on to the foretelling of the ruine of Gog and Magog the last and cruellest persecutors and enemies of the Church to which he turneth himself again towards the end of his Book with comfort and consolation by the promises of eternall redemption through the Messias and the establishment of his Kingdom in this world which is magnificently described by the vision of the admirable restauration of Solomons ancient Temple described very particularly in its first form and state to which the Church renewed by Christ should be every way correspondent in spirituall excellency and glory into which he should come again to make his eternall residence there setting it again in a perfect order of spirituall pietie pure service of God holinesse and righteousnesse after which should follow a compleat and eclestiall happinesse CHAP. I. Vers. 1. THe thirtieth that is to say From the beginning of Nabopolassar his reign who was father to Nebuchadnezzar the great according to the Babylonian accompt where Ezekiel was which accompt was also observed for a long time after Captives namely under King Ichoiakim 2 Kings 24. 12. Chebar a river of Mesopotamia neer to which it should seem were appointed the habitations for the Iews which were led into captivitie Psal. 137. 1. The heavens a kinde of speech very much used in the description of visions Mat 3. 16. Acts 7. 56 and 10. 11. Rev. 19. 11. to shew a suddain breaking forth of light from above created by God miraculously as if it came out of Heaven it self in and through the midst of which were shewn the representations of divine things V. 3. The hand that is to say God did work in him after a miraculous manner did ravish him in Spirit did enlighten and strengthen his minde and the other faculties of his soul and did reveal to him in vision such divine secrets as did far surpasse any humane capacity 1 King 18. 46. 2 King 3. 15. V. 4. A whiâ—â—winde a figure of the coming of the Son of God eternall King of the Church in judgement against the Iews using the Caldeans which lay northerly from Iudea for his instruments Amber the Italian sine brasse the Hebrew word is of a very uncertaine signification according to some it is a kinde of mettall composed of gold and silver according to others a kinde of very fine brasse as Rev. 1. 15. V. 5. Out of the mids the meaning of this vision seems to be That the Son of God who had estastlished the Ark of the covenant with all the things belonging to it for a signe of his residence amongst his people and for a figure of heaven where he dwelleth and reigneth in glory amongst his angels doth here reveal his heavenly Majestie in forms and shapes answerable to the earthly figures of the Temple appearing in judgement against his people purposing to depart from them and destroy them as it is declared Ezek. 10. 17 19. and 11. 22. untill the time appointed for the restauration of the Church at which time he would return in the same form Ezek. 43. 3. See the like visions Dan 7. 9. Rev. 4. 6 7. Thereof namely of the fire Creatures living and moving bodies which represented the Angels about Christ his throne as likewise upon the Ark and upon the walls on the outside and inside of the Sanctuary there were pictures of Cherubims as these beasts are also called Ezek. 10. 15. V. 6. Four See vers 10. and Ezek. 10. 14. V. 7. Their scot according to the Hebrew phrase by the foot is meant the leg and thigh here described to bestâ—ait without any bending in the ham or hougâ— like unto the fore legs of beasts Sâ—lâ— to signifie as it should seem the indefatigable motion of Angels in the service of God and of his Church V. 8. The hands to shew the vertue and diversity of their operation The four siâ—â—s namely on the four sides of the wagon on each side of which there was a Cherubim V. 9. Their wings namely with which they did flee vers 11. did spread themselves and move alike to signifie the equall uniformity of the Angels motions in Gods service Returned not namely at their own will and pleasure but according to the directions of him thâ—t sat upon the throne vers 14. A figure of the constancy perseverance simplicity and uprightnesse of the Angels in all their service V. 10. Faces which by some have been taken for resemblances of a man in the generall shape of the body of an ox in the hâ—o's of a lion in the hair and of an eagle in the wings But most commonly they are taken for resemblances of the head those of the man and of the lion being opposite seem to represent the angâ—ls done sometimes in milde nesse and sometimes in rigour those of the eagle and the ox the various object of their working sometimes in earthly and sometimes in heavenly things V. 11. Vpwards namely above the shoulders where the four faces did begin to divide themselves and where the four wings of the Cherubims were also divided whereof two they used to she with and with the other two they covered the lower parts of their bodies The first two signifie the swiftnessâ— equeualitie and subliâ—enesse of their service the seconâ— their unspotted purity as Isa. 6. 2. V. 12. The Spirit namely the will and pleasure of him that â—ate upon the Throne who did drive â—nd put forwards the beasts and the wheels to the same kinde of motion vers 20. V. 14 Returned not in a tumultuary way by chance and according to their own minds but according as their heâ—d did guide them V 15. One wheel the Ark which was the figure of Gods throne of glory is called a chaâ—iot 1 Chr 28. â—8 to shew that God is not shut up in heaven nor is not idle but moves and works continually by hiâ— Spirit and power So also he set wheels to the celestiall throne Dan. 7. 9. The meaning in this place is that the Prophet did see a wheel by every one of the beasts so
Mighty workes namely his miracles Mat. 7. 22. V. 57. Ossended See upon Mat. 11. 6. Save in a common proverbe grounded upon the ordinary fault in men which is to make small account of such things as are born by them and to give but little respect to their owne countrey-men even in divinest things because that intimate familiarity and acquaintance breedeth contempt V. 58. Their unbeleefe thorow which they made themselves unworthy of Gods favour and also did nullifie the chiefe use of miracles which is the confirmation of the faith to heavenly doctrine See Mark 6. 5. CHAP. XIV VER 1. HErod sirnamed Antipas who was the sonne of the great Herod Luke 3. 1. Tetrarch lord or chiefe of the fourth part of a countrey This sheweth that under Alexanders successors began this division of Iudea into foure parts of which the ancient Iudea made the one and the other three had been annexed to it 1 Mac. 10. 38. and 11. 28. 34. 57. See Luke 3. 1. Now after the death of Herod the great Antony and after him the Emperour Augustus divided also this kingdome into foure parts amongst his children taking the ancient Iudea away from them and the title of Kings though by abuse they yet retained it amongst themselves Verse 9. and to this Herods lot fell Perea and Galile whither the ancient partitions were yet observed or whether there were some alteration V. 2. Mighty workes the Italian the powers worke in him the Iewes call the Angels so The meaning is he is a man wholly divine and celestiall and hath Angels to assist him working in him and by him V. 3. Had laid hold whether it were that Iohn was Herods subject as Luke 23. 7. Acts 12. 1. or that Herod had taken him in his countrey His brother by the father but not by the mothers â—ide V. 5. When he would Marke 6. 18. this is attributed to Herodias not to Herod who contrariwise did keepe Iohn from being put to death for a certaine time But that which is here spoken is to be referred to some sudden anger which was tempered by some better thoughts signified by S. Mark V. 6. The daughter by her first husband called called Salome Before them publickly and in the presence of them all V. 15. The time to be abroad in the fields V. 19. He blessed that is to say he prayed an ordinary action of piety at meales by which giving God thanks for his good guifts he was also requested to give them the vertue of nourishing the body and to sanctifie the use of them to the soule See Deut. 8. 10. 1 Sam. 9 13. V. 22. Constrained for they parted from him very unwillingly especially to go upon the water so late without him in whom was all their confidence V. 24. Of the sea of Genazereth V. 25. Watch the night being divided into foure equall parts wherein they kept a watch upon the City walls See Mark 13. 15. V. 31. Doubt See Iames 1. 6. V. 36. That they might through great faith and humility or by some superstitious weaknesse grounded upon the miracle set downe Mat. 9. 20. and tolerated by the Lord. CHAP. XV. VER 1. OF Ierusalem or that were come froâ— Ierusalem V. 2. The tradition this word with the addition your or of men or of the elders or the like signifieth a doctrine order or observance abouâ— Gods service instituted by men and kept from lather to sonne not out of Gods expresse word whereof some were laudable concerning the order and decency of the Iewish Church othersome were superstitious and othersome wicked and damnable Of the Elders as who should say of the Prelates of the Iewish Church Or whether hee meanes the Elders who made those lawes Marâ—e 7. 3. Or the moderne ones which caused them to be observed They wash not according to the Iewes scrupulous fashions Whereof see Marke 7. 3. V. 3. Why doe you the Lord is content to redargue the Pharisees hypocrisie by a just recrimination without giving them any answer to their question which he doth neverthelesse to his Apostles verse 17. V. 5. But ye say namely by a false interpretation in a matter of vowes It is a see of these oaths Mat. 23. 18. By whatsoever it appears by the Iewes writings that this must be understood of these words pronounced in manner of an oath by an irreverent sonne and angry with his father or mother the meaning whereof is I sweare that I will never doe thee no good nor yeeld thee any reliefe seeing it is not lawfull for me to dispose of consecrated things which are offered to God to which use I doe by in expresse vow from henceforth employ all those things which you might expect from me And this rash and wicked oath and vow was allowed of by those Doctors by reason of the respect they did beare to offerings more then to the law of honouring father and mother which comprehends all the duties of children and against the forbidding of doing them any wrong whereof this execration was a kinde and ought to have been disannulled and punished rather then to have been approved of and held to be firme and irrecoverable V. 6. And honour not as Saint Marke expounds it Chapter 7. 12. By honouring is meant to serve and releeve with all manner of respect Of none effect ye are the cause that the Commandement is broken by your Doctrine which teacheth men to have more respect to their vicious oathes then to Gods expresse law and all by reason of the superstitious esteeme in which you hold ceremonies above true and reall piety and the duties thereof V. 11. Not that your corporall uncleannesse for which your Pharisees have appointed so many washings before meales for feare least the food should be made uncleane and defile the man which maketh use of it cannot staine the soule 1 Corinth 6. 13. Colos. 2. 22. Titus 1. 15. but so may your vices and sinnes which proceede from the heart by words and deeds now hee especially mentioneth the words to make good the opposition betweene that which commeth in and that which goeth out of the mouth V. 12. We are offended that is to say we are distasted and alienated from thee V. 13. Every plant every man that is none of my fathers elect and hath not received from him the lively root of a true and lively faith doth wither away soone or late and is cut off from having any communion at all with me Mat. 13. 21. 1 Iohn 2. 19. Iude 12 V. 15. This parable hee speakes thus by a mistake and Christ reproves him for it And not perswading himselfe that Christ should speake properly as disannulling the difference of cleane and uncleane meats which was so strictly commanded by Moses Law And holding peradventure some harsh opinion touching that which Christ had said of proceeding out of the mouth V. 22. Of Canaan S. Marke calleth her a Grecian of Syrophenicia because that Syrophenicia which was in the consines betweene
V. 44. Shall foll as I shall be the sound foundation of my Church so will I likewise be an occasion of ruine to all mine adversaries 1 Pet. 2. 7. whom I will destroy if they assault mee or undertake to withstand me Now if the ver 43. did immediately follow the verse 41. and the 42. after the 43. it seemes that the sequell of the discourse would stand in better order CHAP. XXII VER 2. THe Kingdome the sence is God the Father when he would establish his sonnes Kingdome in the world and make him head of his Church joyned unto him by everlasting covenant would first call the Iewes to the participation of the everlasting goods in Christ as those for whom they seemed to bee prepared by reason of their ancient prerogative but because they shall refuse them hee shall punish them with finall destruction and shall receave the Gentiles in their place V. 7. His Armies namely the Romans executioners of Gods vengeance See Dan. 9. 26. V. 10. Both bad indifferently worthy and unworthie as well by reason of their condition base or honourable as in regard of their goodnes or badnes To shew that in the assembly of those that are called which is the externall Church many hypocrites and wicked men are gathered together with the good and true beleevers See Mat. 13. 38 47. V. 11. Had not one the Italian was not clothed a frequent figure for the gift of regeneration by Christ his spirit without which no man can bee Christs Rom. 8. 9. 2 Cor. 5. 3. Rev. 10. 8. V. 14 For many because that many who are called doe not answer to Gods calling and that amongst those also which doe answer some are rejected appeareth that the eternall election is not of all but of a few V. 16. Herodians Ancient writers have written that these were a certaine Sect which referred the Prophecies of the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Israel that were spoken of the Messias to Herod the great and as his followers and partakers approved of and seconded his tyrannie and wickednesse by which hee mixed pagan superstitions and Idolatries with Iudaisme and favoured the domination of the Romans to the oppression of the people and were the Sadduces companions in prophanenesse as it appeares by the conferring of Matth. 16. 6. with Marke 8. 15. And this Sect lasted even after Herods death following and teaching his maximes celebrating his birth day and doing many things in honour of his memory The way namely his Law and doctrine according to which every one ought to proceed and bee guided The person the Italian The qualitie of the persons whither they be meane or great ones and Princes because that their insidious question had a relation to the commanding Romans V. 17. Is it lawfull they have a relation to the halfe Sheckell which was imposed upon every Iew yearely Exodus 30. 13. which the Romans had transferred upon their Capitoll The payment wherof was very grievous to this Nation as well because it was a signe of slavery ill beseeming the people of God Iohn 8. 33. as also because they held this imposition to bee a prophane sacriledge The deceipt which lay hidden under this question was this that if Christ had answered that it was not lawfull to pay it they would have accused him and delivered him into the hands of the Roman Governour for a seditious man Luke 20. 20. And on the other side if hee had said that it was lawfull they would have disgraced him among the people as one that consented to the Romans tyrannie and impiety Ver. 19. Shew mee The meaning is Seeing that GOD hath subjected you to the Romans as it appeareth by the stamp of your currant coyne which is a signe of supreame power beare it patiently that doth not any way hinder the service which you owe to God as you are his people See 1 Corinthians 7. 21. and it is an easie matter to satisfie both God and Caesar in this payment which consists in a little summe of money Now it is thought that Christ had a Relation to that the Romans receaved their Tributes in Roman Coyne such as this pennie was and not in Iewish Coyne as the Sheckell was Verse 21. The things that are this may have a relation as well to the halfe Sheckell which they might pay to GOD though they paid as â—â—ch to the Romans as also to the true service of the heart and true Religion which God requireth Iohn 4. 24. Verse 29. Yee doe erre as well in denying of the Resurrection as also in that you so absurdly discourse of the state of those that rise as if that by their resurrection they should returne to a civill and animall life The Scriptures whose cleere passages concerning resurrection the Sadducees wrested to deliverances from extreame miseries and calamities See 1 Corin. 15. 34. The power which is the Soveraigne cause working in the Resurrection Phil. 3. 21. Verse 30. As the Angels not as concerning their incorporeall substance but concerning the qualities of their bodies and the condition of their celestiall life being therein exempted from all â—â—â—perfections of the animall life Sec. 1 Corin. 15. 42. 43. V. 32. God it not this reason hath two grounds the first the Sadduces held that the Soule after death was also turned into some corporeal beginnings and lost all manner of subsistency Act. 23. 8. the other that God had made his covenants not only with the soules of the Patriarchs but with their whole persons and that their very bodies did beare the sacred signes thereof participating also in the benefit of regeneration whence followed that they should also bee glorified by meanes of the resurrection Seeing that when God doth call himselfe the God of any one that importeth by the true meaning of the covenant the eternall communication of his grace life and glory Verse 35. A Lawyer the Italian Doctor of the Law Marke 12. 28. he is called a Scribe which was the common name for all the expounders of the Law but by Luke 11. 45. it appeares that there is some difference betweene the name of Scribe strictly taken and Doctor The Scribe taught all the people in the Synagogues as a publicke Preacher and a Doctor in the Schooles as a Reader Tempting him to see if hee would agree with the Pharisees doctrine who determined in this kinde concerning the degrees of Commandements and of sinnes to assigne proportionable degrees of satisfaction Or to take an occasion of extolling themselves as fulfilling that which was most eminent and singular in the Law Verse 39. Is like that is to say equall in authoritie and of as great necessitie to be obeyed of an inseparable connexion with the other of the same morall not ceremoniall kinde See Iames 2. 10. As thy selle doing him all manner of good as thou wouldest have done to thy selfe Matth 7. 12. Luke 6. 31. Ver. 42. Whose sonne from whom ought he to descend according to the Scriptures V.
is to say he hath in effect showne the care he hath of them V. 69. Raised up he hath given the Church cause to triumph by reason of the spirituall victory which the Messias hath had over all his enemies See concerning this manner of speech 1 Sam. 2. 1. Psa. 75. 4. and 89. 17. V. 76. Shall be called thou shalt not onely be so indeed but shalt be acknowledged to be such by publike testimony V. 78. Day spring namely Iesus Christ the true Sonne of righteousnesse Mal. 4. 2. V. 79. Of peace of perfect happinesse V. 80. In Spirit namely in the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost which proportionably to his age manifested themselves to be in him wrought daily more powerfully and maturely in him Of his shewing that he began to exercise his office by Gods expresse command CHAP. II. VER 1. AL the world a popular kind of speech that is to say the whole Roman Empire which as falsely as ambitiously was termed universall according to the stile of those great Empires Isay 13. 5. and 14. 26. Ier. 34. 1. Dan. 2. 39. Taxed that the number of persons and their wealth should be set downe as the custome of the Roman Empire was to doe oftentimes V. 2. Was first for under the same Cyrenius there was another tax mentioned Acts 5. 37. Governour in this first taxation he was not the ordinary Governour but was extraordinarily deputed with a most ample power in that Province to make this taxation V. 3. Into his owne this ought to be especially understood of the Iewes who by their ancient divisions had their Tribes Nations and Families with their inheritances in certaine severall Cities in which they held their freedome of being Citizen though they dwelt elsewhere V. 4. Nazareth where their habitation was though they came from Bethlehem where they were Citizens Of David namely the City where he was borne and where the ancient seat of his family was 1 Sam 16. 1. Iohn 7. 42. V. 7. In a manger of the stable of that Inne where they were lodged In which Inne all other places were taken up by reason of the great concourse of people either by such as were first come or such as were of more note and esteeme V. 9. The glory namely an admirable and heavenly light which was wont to accompany the apparitions of Angels V. 13. Heavenly host an ordinary name of holy Angels V. 14. Towards or amongst men V. 19. Pondered them examining gathering together and comparing them one with the other to strengthen her selfe more and more in knowledge and faith See Acts 17. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 13. V. 21. For the circumcising Christ would be circumcised for the same reasons for which hee would also be baptized and participate of the other Sacraments See upon Mat. 3. 13. V. 22. Of her purification namely of Marie Now some texts have it of their purification namely of Iesus and his Mother for the infants were reputed to participate of their mothers legall uncleannesse V. 24. A paire which was the offering for the poorer sort of people Lev. 12. 8. V. 25. Devout or religious and fearing God Waiting for at that time the mindes of true beleevers were attentive to look for the comming of the Messias See Marke 15. 43. Luke 2. 38. The Holy Ghost that is to say he was endowed with the spirit of prophesie V. 26. Christ the Greeke name answerable to the Hebrew name Messias that is to say annointed and consecrated for eternall King and Priest Psal. 26. Isa. 61. 1. Dan. 9. 24. Ver. 27. The parents the Italian The Father and mother namely Ioseph according to the common opinion See Heb. 7. 3. After the custome which was to present him to the Lord and ransome him Exod. 34. 20. V. 29◠Lord now even at this time that thou hast accomplished thy promise unto mee and that I have with mine eyes seene the Saviour of the world I die happie and contented See Genesis 46. 30. V. 31. Prepared that is to say ordained and appointed from everlasting to make it knowne in the appointed time to all Nations without any difference to make them partakers of it Ver. 32. To lighten or which must bee revealed to all Nations Ver. 33. Marveiled not but that they perfectly knew it by the Angels Revelation but because they saw this light was also communicated to others and and did spread it selfe abroad Verse 34. This child is set or sent that is to say God hath established him to be the fundamentall stone of salvation to all those that shall receive him by a lively faith who shall by him bee relieved from the fall of sinne and condemnation And contrariwise to bee a cause of a greater and more irreparable ruine to those who thorow their owne perversenesse shall reject him For a signe as a miraculous person approved by all the infallible signes of truth and vertue to bee as it were a pledge and signall set up of salvation Isaiah 11. verse 10. whom the world notwithstanding shall oppose thorow incredulity and hardnesse of heart V. 35. A Sword such shall the opposition bee that thou thy selfe who art his mother must prepare thy selfe to bee pierced with extreame griefes and anguishes That the thoughts that is to say God shall suffer and bring all this to passe to the end that by the preaching of the Gospell may bee discovered the impietie and rebellion of Gods open enemies Which is never so fierce as against the Gospell And the hypocrisie of the false Children of Gods house who under the profession of his name and service doe reject the onely meanes of knowing him to salvation and of serving him in truth And finally to shew the internall difference of soules whereof some thorow grace beleeve in CHRIST the others reject him thorow their owne malice See 2 Corinthians 2. 15 16. Ver. 36. Had lived this seemeth to bee added for to commend this womans Chastitie and devotion Who being left a widdow in the flower of her age had continued so to dedicate her selfe wholly to workes of piety in the Temple according to the manner of many holy women in those dayes Exod. 38. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 22. Verse 39. They had Namely IOSEPH and Mary Verse 40. Waxed strong whereby is showne That the fulnesse of the gifts of the Spirit shewed it selfe in him and brought forth extraordinary good effects according to the progresse of his age and the increase of his bodily strength hee being every way made like unto man except sinne The grace that is to say it plainely appeared that GOD did love him in a speciall manner directing keeping and blessing him in all things V. 41. We 〈…〉 carrying Iesus along with them according to the Law At the feast the Law appointed all Males to come to the Temple at the three solemne feasts Exod. 23. 17. Deut. 16. 16. and because here was nothing commanded concerning women Some have thought that it is here specially
2. 4. A spirit this word is of a larger signification then the word Angell which followeth after For it may bee applyed to the Spirit of God speaking to Prophets by internall revelations or to some spirit or soule of some deceased person according to the errour of those times See upon Acts 12. 15. V. 10. Get downe out of the Rocke which was higher then the place where they held their consistory Acts 22. 30. V. 11. Stood by him in a vision V. 21. Doe not thou yeeld the Italian Doe not beleeve them or do not give consent unto them or doe not let them perswade thâ—e Looking for or to see what answer thou wilt give them V. 23. Speare then The Italian Sarjeants they might be some of the Governours guard or Officers belonging to the Court of Iustice for securing of the high wayes or otherwise CHAP. XXIV VER 1. DEscended to Cesaren V. 5. Nazarenes the name which the Iewes in those dayes gave the Christians as incontempt they had likewise named Iesus a Nazarite from the Citie of Nazareth And afterwards was specially attributed by the ancient Church to judaizing Christians V. 6. Have judged namely to know the qualitie of his crime which was by the Romans granted to the Iewes but not to proceed to publike sentence and much lesse to execution V 8. His accusers Namely Pauls V. 10. Of many yeares wherefore by experience thou knowest their manner of proceeding and why not easily hee deceaved nor forestalled by their false allegations V. 11. There are yet and therefore there is no likely-hood that in so short a time I could raise so many 〈◊〉 and innovations in Ierusalem as they doe impute unto me V. 15. That there shall this Article is specified not only to wound the Iewes connivend in allowing of the Sadduces and persecuting of Paul See upon Acts 23. 6. but also to shew that his ayme in all his life time was but to attaine unto the blessed Resurrection Phil. 3. 11. and therefore aimed to lead his life in all righteousnesse and innocencie V. 23. Let him have libertie to bee kept out of straight prison or hard bonds and only we are a 〈◊〉 chaine about his wrist according to the Roman castome in their free'st kind of prisons Ver. 25. Of righteousnesse peradventure hee made choice of these heads belonging to the ordinary course of life and of which Felix his understanding was capable as well to not prophane the highest mysteries as to wound Felix his Conscience by laying the judgement to come before him this was publikely stained with vices contrary to these vertues CHAP. XXV VER 11. I appeale it was not rightly an appeale seeing there was yet no judgement given but a declining from a judge who was notoriously forestalled and pre-occupated and therefore refusable Or a having recourse to the Soveraignes protection against a manifest violence V. 13. Agrippa the son of Herod Agrippa Act. 12. 3. Bernice Sister to this Agrippa with whom she lived very familiarly suspected and publikely infamous for incest V. 21. Augustus Namely the Roman Emperour which then was Nero for in memory of the two first Emperours Caesar and Augustus all that successors bore these two names CHAP. XXVI VER I. STretched forth a gesture of such as begin to speake in a publicke way See Pro 1. 24. Isa. 65. 2. V. 2. I thinke my selfe for being a Iew and having knowledge in the Law and Scriptures thou wilt not disdaine to iudge of these things and also because by the grounds I shall be able to prove these things unto thee V. 6. Of the promise concerning the Messias and his benefits and his kingdome V. 7. Over twelve namely the remnant of the tens whereof the body was carried into captivity a King 17. 6. and the three other whole ones of â—u 〈◊〉 Benjamin and Levi. See Eze. 6. 17. and 8. 35. Serving according to the discipline of the Law which was a perpetuall guide to Christ holding their mindes still bent to him V. 8. Shou'd raise he toucheth the thiefe point of the Iewes incredulity namely that Christ was risen againe Whence followed the rejection of his person and the remainder of his doctrine V. 9. Contrary to the name contrary to his doctrine profession glory and authority Verse 17. From the people Namely from the Iewes V. 18. Inheritance namely part in the heavenly inheritance with my faithfull regenerated by my spirit Ephes. 1. 11. Col. 1 12. V. 23. The first namely the head of the Church who being dead for it is also risen againe first to give it spirituall and everlasting life Light namely the Gospell which as it were a light of the new world and the new life into which are re-established all Gods children by vertue of Christs Resurrection Unto the people namely to the Iewes V. 26. Knoweth being a Iew and having alwayes dwelt in Iudea he may know that which is notorious to all men concerning Christ his life and his death and the proofe of his Resurrection and likewise how all these things had beene foretold by the Prophets V. 27. That thou beleevest that thou art perswaded of the truth of their doctrine and givest full assent unto it V. 29. Except these bonds according to the custome of the Romans to fasten a little chaine to the prisoners right wrist the Souldier who was his keeper having the other end made fast to his leâ—t arme Acts 28. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 16. CHAP. XXVII VER 1. BAnd or Roman cohort which had every one their name in the legion whereof it was the tenth part See Acts 10 1. Ver. 2. Aaramyttium which was a Citie and Haven in the Mysian Sea V. 7. Salmone which was the Easterne head of Crete called by the Authors Salmonian or Samonian Ver. 8. Faire Havens a place upon the Sea Coast of Grece which yet keepes its ancient name Lasâ—a this name is not mentioned in any Authors Ver. 9. Toe fast namely the Iewes anniversary which fell on the tenth day of the seaventh month Lev. 23. 27. V. 12. Southwest it was a gulfe which lay open to those two windes whereof the one blew in above it and the other below it V. 16. 〈◊〉 a little Island belonging to the Cretans now called Gauda or Canda To come by namely to draw it up into the Ship for feare least the waves should breake it V. 17. Ungirding with strong ropes or cables for feare least it should splitt V. 24. Hath given thee for thy sake he will save them all with thee V. 26. We must we cannot avoyd it V. 30. Cast Ancres carrying them a good way into the Sea in the boat V. 31. Except these not that Gods will or power or effect of his promises doe depend upon second causes but because he who hath determined the end hath also apprinted the meanes And will not have man rashly tempting him disjoyne that which hee hath joyned together by a bond of inseparable consequence Verse 33. Fasting without
Apostle particularly speakes The truth Namely the knowledge and light of some morall good imprinted in their soule See Rom. 1 18 25. Ver. 9. Of the Jew without any distinction of nations or persons but yet in such sort that Gods Iudgement shall begin with his owne houshold and that those who have had most knowledge shall bee most grievously punished Now the Apostle makes here a sweet digression to the Iewes to include them also in the universall condemnation of the world and into the necessitie of having recourse to Christs righteousnesse and to Gods grace in the Gospell The Gentiles the Italian The Gentiles namely the heathen Rom. 1. 14 16. V 11. Of persons namely to the outward qualties of Nation condition or otherwise which make nothing to the cause V 12 Without Law namely which was written by Moses Without namely without being judged by Moses his Law but onely by the inward Law which is imprinted in their hearts Verse 13. For not as much as to say I speake thus because that the Law cannot bring any salvation to man by the knowledge or profession therof as the Iewes beleeve but by the perfect observing of it which being performed by them more than by other Nations they are also comprehended 〈◊〉 the generall curse and bound to seeke after Christs Righteousnesse Justified that is to say declared iust and worthy of the reward according to the covenant of the Law V. 14. For when the knowledge of Moses his law gives the Iew no great advantage above the Gentiles for the Gentile hath also his naturall law though lesse perfect imprinted in his soule by which he is instructed and bound to doe well and debarred from doing evill which are the two properties of all lawes V. 15. The worke namely the two aforesaid propreties bearing witnesse for the conscience is but an answering of a many spirit unto the law either to bind or unbind him to accuse him or excuse him to condemne or absolue him wherefore seeing the pagans have a conscience they have also a law V. 16. In the day it seemes this ought to be added to the 12th verse the secrets he saith this because v. 12. he had spoken of the false Iewes who hid their wickednesse under the cloake of prosessing the Law by Jesus to whom God hath given all iudgment Iohn 5. 22. Acts. 17. 31. according to as it is revealed in the Gospell whereof I am a minister V. 17. Behold hee now falls fully a convincing the Iewes reflest thou art confident and groundest the estat of thy conscience before God upon that thou last his law and makest profession of serving him according to it See Isa. 48. 2. Mic. 3. 11 makest thy least thou boastest thou art his people and that thou at comprehended in his covenant V. 18. And approvest the things that are more ex 〈◊〉 the Italian and discernest contrarie things that is to say canst iudge of what is allowed and of what is forbiden Other discornes what is best namely that which in the deliberation of thine understanding thou oughtest to follow as the true good in stead of the false good which carnall reason or sence presents unto thee V. 20. The former of namely the perfect modell not onely of what is concerning Gods true service in itself but also concerning what thou thinkest and judgest thereof within thy self V. 21. Thou therefore the Apostle speakes thus verily supposing that there was no Iew but was stained with some of these vices or with all of them V. 24. For the name that is to say these reproofes therewith the prophets reprove the Iewes shew this which I lay to their charge to be true enough V. 25. For circumcision that is to say O thou Iew I ranke therein the number of all other men in sinne and condemnation not withstanding all the signes thou bearest of Gods covenant for seeing thou apprehendest no other covenant but that of workes I tell thee these signs would be avail able unto thee if thou diddest perfectly observe the covenant which thou 〈◊〉 doing thou art in the sight of God like and vncircumcised and a heathen V. 26. Therefore if the to shew him unprofitable and vaine without the effects of obedience these signes are Let us put the case saith the Apostle that there were on the one side an uncircumcised heathen who should observe the law in it◠substance and on the other side a lew that shoul break it beeing circumcised who can make any question but that before God the heathen should be accepted and the Iew reproved And this is spoken by way of supposition and not for a truth nor absolutly as if anyheathen could perform that which is here spoken V. 27. And shall not that is to say such an uncircumcised heathen working according to his naturall motions observing the law in this kind would shew how much more thou Iew art to be condemned who hast received greater gifts and helps at Gods hands for to serve him See Matth. 12. 4. the letter namelie Moses his written law which represents Gods will more cleerlie and faithfullie then that light much obscured and darkned by finne which is in man V. 28. For he that which I say is grounded upon this that before God outward signes and names are of no value but the inward reality of the heart only Rom. 9. 6. Gal. 6. 16. V. 29. Inwardly namely in the inward part of his soule which is knowne to God alone of the heart namely the sprituall purification of the soul wherein consisted the true substance of the circumcision of the bodie in the letter namely in the externall signe or cerimonie like unto a writing or a picture without any vertue life or motion See Rom 7. 6. 2. Cor. 3. 6. 7. CHAP. III. VER 1. VVHat advantage seeing that he is liable to malediction as much as the Gentile or rather more what profit if so be it be of no efficacie if it want the perfect observance of the covenant of the law whereof it is the sacred signe V. 2. Chiefly because the Iewes anciently received Gods promises in Christ whereof circumcision was the seale according to Gods true order Rom. 4 11. though the degenerate Iewes did understandit otherwise See upon Rom. 2. 25. whereby that which they had not of themselves was offered unto them through grace to be receaued by saith from the promised Messias were committed like unto a deposited thing and a precious pawne which they haue kept for the whole church untill the accomplishment thereof V. 3 for what if if it be said that this advantage hath been lost by the inereualitey of a gret part of the nation I answere that Gods loyaltie in his promisers and covenant hath alwayes bin verified in his elect in respect of whom it was made Notwithstanding their defects which God through his grace hath alwayes overcome and therefore his glorie hath been so much the more exalted V. 4. Let God be let him be
righteousnesse and life is thorough grace it must bee so absolutely and purely without any intermeddling of mens righteousnesse or the Law for these two meanes cannot agree with one another Romanes 11. 6. Galatians 3. v 12. 18. The promise which in these passages is alwaies taken by the Apostle for the free and Evangelical promise and not the legall V. 15. Because that is to say it is cleere that these two meanes of obtaining life and righteousnesse cannot consist together for the law is altogether rigorous requiring perfect obedience or denouncing death and condemnation to the transgressors whereas contrariwise the promise is but a messenger of grace and reconciliation For where this is proved because that man doth not truly know his sinne nor doth not feele the mortall sting of it but only by meanes of the Law working effectually upon his conscience Verse 16. Therefore because that first means of obtaining righteousnesse by the law which God hath granted unto men hath thorough sinne beene made not onely unprofitable but even quite contrary and deadly wee must of necessity have recourse unto the other which is faith which onely amoÌ„gst other vertues can in this case agree with Gods meere grace seeing that the operation of faith is not to acquire or merit but only to receive what is given to us Iohn 1. 12. Bee sure as grounded upon God and his immutable pleasure and Christs perfect and everlasting righteousnesse and not upon mens variable will and inconstant obedience See Ezek. 16. 61. Rom. 9 11. 11. 19. To all namely to the spirituall seed according to the faith of which God intended to speake in that excellent promise I will bee thy GOD and of thy seed after thee Genesis 17. 7. Not to that onely not onely to the nationall believing Iewes who have been kept under the Pedagogie of the Law and under a directour to Christ without trusting therein for their righteousnesse and salvation Verse 17. Before him with a spirituall and divine paternity which consisteth in example of faith according to which God can make whom he will Abrahams childe Matth. 3. 9. as he of nothing created all things and raiseth the dead and according to his paternity hee judgeth who are Abrahams true children which he approveth of whereas in mens iudgements the Iewes onely ought to bee so According to others the meaning is that as God is not onely father in grace of those which are alreadie but of all such likewise as he shall hereafter create by his omnipoâ—ent word Abraham likewise by some correspondency hath beene reputed father of the Gentileâ— who had neither spirituall life nor quality such as was required for to be his children Ephes. 2 12. And calleth that is to say by his word hee makes them to be and as if one should say to appeare for that end for which he hath appointed them as he did in the creation of all things and in the miraculous resuâ—rections wrought by Christ Let there be light â—azarus come forth c. Vease 18. Who namely Abraham Now hee sheweth by example of Abrahams beliefe touching the particuler promise concerning Isaack what the true faith of al his children should be concerning the general promises of grace Against hope against all causes arguments and appearances of naturall hope In hope that is to say concerning a firme spirituall and supernaturall hope by reason of Gods promises Verse 19. Hee câ—â—si leâ—ed not he stood nor stopped not upon the order of nature â—ccording to which all hope of issue was taken away from him So true â—â—â—th overcomes all apprehension of a mans owne impotency thorough the lively perswasion of Gods promises Verse 20. Giving by acknowledging his Soveraigne truth and infinite power above all inferiour order or contrary difficulty glory being set upon the highest point of emmency above all other things Verse 22. It was God by reason of his faith held him to bee as sufficiently disposed to obtaine the â—ccomplishment of the promises as if he had had all the righteousnesse required by the law to receive Gâ—ds Benefiâ—s Verse 23. For his as if it had been some peculiar act or priviâ—edge of Abrahams whereas it was a dâ—cumenâ— and an example of iustifying faith common to all his spirituall children Verse 24. On him namely in God who in Christs mâ—st glorious resurrection gave an eâ—â—ay of his power to raise spiritually all beleivers and hath in the same resuâ—rection placed all the causes of their resurrections Rom 6. 4. Verse 5 Delivered namely to death by the will of God For our to make an expâ—atioâ— for them by his death For our justification namely to shew unto us how wee were absolved as it were by manner of solemne iudgement CHRIST our surety being returned to life after hee had made an â—nd of satisfying for us for a certaine argument that God was fully reconciled to us and that life was gained for us which could not have beene is hee had remained dead for the continuation of the payment would alwaies have shewed the imperfection of it See 1 Cor 15. 17. CHAP. V. VER 1. WEe have that is to say God is made propitious unto us in Christ who by the faith which hee creates in us causeth us to enjoy this reconciliation by vertue whereof our conscience is so firmely grounded that wee doe it as it were by anticipation in this world by a lively hope that eternall glory which is prepared for the children of God without being moved by any temptations or â—eâ—â—en downe by any terrour or confusion Verse 3 Not onely wee doe not reioyce unspeakablâ— and gloriously 1. Pet. 1. 8. onely by reason of the hope of future glorie but also by reason of our present afflictions which are an assured proofe unto us thereof 2. Co. 4. 17. Phil 〈◊〉 28. That tribuâ—ation that the holy Ghost â—oth thorough tribulation frame us to patience in which God doth from time to time give us assured proofes of his grace and protecâ—â—on whereby we conceive a sound hope in him grounded upon the love which hee â—eâ—reth unto us which he hath given us large cause of feeling and hath lively sealed it in our hearts by his spirit of adoption V. 5. Maketh not ashamed that is to say doth not deceave one nor prove vaine nor proveth not to be as an illusion V. 6. For when the greatnesse of this love of God is shewed therein that he did shew it when we were deprived of all power of rising againe of our selves being wholy dead in sinne In due time in the point of the worlds extreamestâ—eed when the misery and cuâ—â—e thereof was come to the up shot when all people even Gods owne people were altogether corrupted And even just at the time which God had appointed V. 7. For scarcely a redoubling of the same reason because that God loved 〈◊〉 thâ—n whâ—n weâ— wâ—re altogether not onely unable to get salvation but also utterlâ— unâ—o thy of it V 8 Commâ—ndeâ—h
which is to have the heart governed and directed by the understanding See Rom. 12. 2. Ephes. 4. 23. Bringing me causeth me to bee inevitably driven into sinne whose rootes and seeds are in my nature and in all parts and faculties of it V. 24. O wretched man an exclamation out of the feeling of this miserie namely of being yet under the bondage of sinne and of a desire to be freed from it Who shall O that I were but out of this animall and terrestriall life during which sinne doth yet dwell in me and throw it I am yet under the necessitie of dying and that I were transported into the liberty of the glory of Gods children in the life of happinesse Rom. 8. 12 Phil. 1. 23. V. 25. I Thank God this is a certaine correction of the former fervent desire the time whereof was not yet come The meaning is though I doe desire to depart this life yet I submit my selfe to Gods will and with humble thanksgiving I content my selfe with his grace in Christ who doth not impute this corruption and imperfection unto mee to condemnation and shall fulfill my salvation in his appointed time See 2. Cor. 29. CHAP. VIII VER 1. THere is therefore a conclusion drawne from all hath beene spoken hitherto namely that man is justified by grace and that those who are so justified are freed from the domination of the law and are incorporated into Christ in whom they subsist and live by the communication of his spirit and therefore cannot be judged in themselves Rom. 7. 4. Gal. 2. 20. Which are namely that do shew the truth of this union with Christ by a holy 〈…〉 ion according to the inspirations of 〈◊〉 holy Ghost and not according to the motions of 〈◊〉 See Gal 5. 16 25. V. 2. For he gives a reason why the true members of Christ doe walk according to the spirit namely 〈◊〉 that being under 〈◊〉 most holy government they are freed from the deadly tyranny of sinne The law See Rom. 7. 22. 1. Cor. 9. 21. Gal. 2. 19. In. 1. 25. Of liâ—t that is to say living and quickening being 〈…〉 cause and author of spirituall life in believers See 1 Cor. 15. 4â— 2. Cor. 3. 6. Hath 〈◊〉 me 〈◊〉 S. Paul propounds himself for an example of every regenerate man as Rom. 7. 15. 16. V. 〈◊〉 For what hee proves this foresaid making free because that God being reconciled by Christs death hee hath taken away from sinne that power which he had granted it over man for a punishment of his first transgression In that it was because that seeing it could not be kept by a corrupted man it had no power to reconcile him to God whereupon it followed that the aforesaid punishment of the kingdom of sinne remained in its vigour Sending that is to say having appointed that his Son should take upon 〈◊〉 â—â—mane nature altogether like unto that of sin 〈…〉 then sin onely accepted Heb. 2. 17 and 4. 15. For 〈◊〉 to bee a propitiatorie sacrifice for it 2. Cor. 5. 〈◊〉 Condemned he hath as it were by his soveraigne 〈…〉 e taken away all command over believers from 〈◊〉 hath crucified and mortified it in them whilest they live in this animall and corporall life Ver. 4. The righteousnesse all which the said law commands being just and right Might bee fulfilled that it to say that it may not be commanded in vain not without effect as it is in respect of all unbelievers but may be observed though unperfectly in this world See the like meaning of this word Rom. 2. 27 Gal. 6. 2. V. 5. For they he gives a reason why the law is â—ept only by those who are regenerate namely because the holy Ghost who possesseth them hath made them spirituall euen as the law is whereas a carnall man can not agree with it Rom. 7. 14. That are namely that are of the carnall traine that is to say unregenerate Or that have no other being but their 〈…〉 all corrupt being Doe minde the greeke word may be referred to all the faculties and functions of the soule as wel of the understanding as of the heart and of the affections V. 6. For to bee it appeares by the effect which all thoughts bring forth and the motions of the one and the other what the causes of them are for seeing that from the unregenerate mens there proceeds nothing but death without any helpe or direction to everlasting life that is a signe there is nothing but sinne and corruption called flesh in the former verse And conâ—â—â—â— wise seeing that regenerate mens thoughts doe direct to life it is a signe that there is the blossome of the spirit who is the only author thereof Peace namely all manner of blessing and happinesse the first fruits whereof in this world consist in the sacred rest of conscience V. 7. Because hee gives a reason why the flesh is the cause of death namely because it fighteth against God who is the onely author of life and is incapable not onely thorough weaknesse but also thorough naturall repugnancie to submit it selfe to his will V. 9. Dwelling in you the presence of God and of his spirit is where he operates his dwelling where he operates continually and inseparably or by a certaine appropriation of the organ as the soule dwelleth in the body Of Christ namely that spirit which Christ as he is head communicates to all his members V. 10. Be in you by the presence life and power of his spirit The bodies it is true that you believers are as yet subiect to corporall death by reason of the reliques of sinne that are in all regenerate men and shall not bee quite brought to nought but onely by death But yet in the gift and presence of the sâ—irit you have a beginning of spirituall life which consists in the coniunction with God into which Christ hath reestablished you by his most perfect righteousnesse and withall an assurance of everlasting life and happy resurrection V. 11. Of him namely of God The meaning is if you be partakers of Gods spirit the fulnesse of which is in Christ as this spirit produced in Christ who is your head the effect of resurrection by his omnipotent power and his personall property to bee the neerest cause of life in all things and in vertue of his holinesse wherewith hee had replenished his humane nature and so taken from it all proper cause of death which is sinne Psal. 16. 10. Acts 2. 24. So hee shall likewise produce the same effect in you by his power and by the meanes of your sanctification which is the resurrection of the soule which shall be followed by that of the body that hath participated of the same holinesse hath borne the sacred signes and produced the effects thereof in this life V. 12. Debters that is to say bound by the condition of our spirituall state by contract of covenant and by benefits received V. 13. After the flesh following
distinguish spirituall actions and motions from those which are meerely naturall and humane Of my wayâ—s namely my proceedings all my life time and my Châ—istian actions or my way of preaching of Christ. V. 18. Puffed up they are become insolent and wilfull as if I should never come to enlighten them with my presence nor represse them by mine Apostolicall authoritie V. 19. The speech namely their vaine ostentation of knowledge and eloquence The power namely the sincere zeale of God the strength of faith and the spirituall efficacie of their ministery a manifest signe of Gods appâ—obation and blessing Ver. 20. The kâ—ngdome that is to saâ— Christ doth not governe the hearts of his by rethoricall art nor by talke after the manner of worldly stares but by the strength of his spirit which gives life unto the Pastors word and joynes it selfe to a lawfull preachâ—â—g V. 21. With a rod namely with severity to chastise you and to correct your disorders In Love so that you amend of your selves CHAP. V. VER 1. AMongst the Gentiles namely hath not beene used nor tolerated but hath bin detested by a naturall consent of all men Fathers wise namely his owne mother in Law V. 2. Mourned you have not shewed any sorrow for such a cruell misdeed nor not have so much as proceeded to excommunication against the misdoer in which action as being very mournefull they did anciently use to fast lament and make a publicke humiliation in the CHURCH See 2 Corinthians 12. 21. Ver. 3. For Iverily you ought to have excommunicated him for I judge hee hath deserved it and you having failed therein I doe pronounce the sentence by Apostolicall authority In spirit in soule in thought and in feeling which I declare unto you by these my words which ought to bee of the same weight and strength with you as if I were present by vertue of my owne Apostolicall power Ver. 4. In the Name as his Minister and by the authority received from him and according to his order and calling upon his holy name When yee are he speakes to the Pastors and conductors of the Church The meaning is being gathered together in ecclesiasticall judgement having this my declaration in stead of my vote as if I were present So without doing any prejudice to the ordinary ministery of the Church of Corinth hee useth his Apostolicall power modestly only to excite the other and strengthen it V. 5. To deliver this forme anciently used in the greatest kinde of excommunication seemes to have beene taken from the example of Saul 1 Sam. 16. 14. for excommunication is a kinde of rejection from God and in those first days of the Christian Church it was followed with horrors anguishes of spirit and torments of body yet with this temperament that it was not to totall perdition nor irrevocable but onely for correction untill true repentance The destruction to macerate and pull downe the body extreamely even to death if God would have it so as oftentimes by meanes of the foresaid things death did follow and at his last passage the sinner shewing a lively repentance was loosed from those bonds of excommunication and was reaâ—mitted into the peace of the Church and into the grace of God and so Died with comfort That the spirit Namely the end of this severitie is not eternall damnation but the salvation of the soule so that there bee repentance In the day not that salvation is reserved to the last day and that the penitent soule doth not enjoy it before but because in that day salvation shall be fully revealed and accomplished 1 Pet. 1. 5. Verse 6. Your glorying Yee have no cause to glory so much as yee doe of the flourishing eâ—â—ate of your Church because that such a misdeed doth staine it and drawes Gods judgements upon it and such a sinner may infect the whole body by his contagion Verse 7. Purge out take away from amongst you by excommunication this incestuous man and all such scandalous kinde of people who might by their infection plunge you againe into the corruption whereof you had beene cleansed by the Gospell Yee may bee Namely that your Church may bee a pure and cleane body as you have beene renewed by the gifts of regeneration which is incompatible with any such like mixture of raigning sinne figures taken from the feast of the Iewish Passeover which was wont to bee celebrated with unleavened bread Exodus 12. 15. Unleavened See Iohn 13. 10. Our Passeover the spirituall state of Christians is the true accomplishment of the Iewish Passeover whereupon as in that tâ—â—y used no leaven at all So to participate of Christ who is the true Lambe of God Iohn 1. 29. wee ought to renounce all manner of sinne that the correspondencie may be entire V. 8. Let us keep let us lead our life which ought to be a perpetuall celebration and remembrance of our redemption by Christ as the Passeover which lasted eight dayes was a remembrance of the deliverance out of Aegypt V. 9. In an Epistle hee seemes to speake of some Epistle written before this which is lost as some other 1 Philip. 3. 1. Colos. 4. 16. yet without any dammage to the perfect fulnesse of holy Scripture Not to company by a voluntary intimate and familiar conversation Ver. 10. Yet not yet I doe not meane that you should wholly sever your selves from all men of evill life indifferently for that is impossible l 〈…〉 ving in the world amongst heathens and prophane perrons But from those who being members of the Church doe be 〈…〉 e their profession and are spots ulcers and leprosie in â—â—e body whereby they must by this punishment either bee reduced to repentance or hee quite cut off for the ease and cure of the whole body Ver. 11. No not to eate namely in the common course of life shunne all manneâ— of voluntary sweet and friendly conversation with him according to the rigour of the ancient Discipline and most of all in religious acts put him from the LORDS Table which might bee prophaned by him 2 Peter 〈◊〉 13. Iude 12. Yet still let the necessary duties of humane societie or the naturall or civill duties remaine not forbidding the healthfull communication of exhortations and reproofes c. Ver. 12. For what hee gives a reason of the precedent limitation to the members of the Church onely over which God gives his Ministers power and not over strangers See 1 Peter 4. 15. Dâ—e 〈◊〉 yee judge is it not a thing notorious and common amongst men that a judge can exercise his jurisdiction but onely over those that are within his precinct that are subject to his tribunall V. 13. Put away purge your Church from this incestuous and all suâ—h vicious and scandalous men and leave the care of punishing those who are strangers to the faith to God CHAP. VI. VER 1. DAre any hath hee the heart and face to doe it A matter Namely a suite in any civill matter Goe
taken away from the father because the name thereof is appropriated to the Son but to shew that the Father is represented unto us in Scripture in the pure and naturall glory of his deitie Whereas the Sonne sheweth himselfe in his office of Mediator according to which he hath receaved from the Father all power in Heaven and on earth Matth. 28. 18. Are all things as of their first spring and cause In him to whose glory and service all our being doth naturall and supernaturall ought to have a relation as to its owne last end and ayme Rom. 11. 36. By whom Namely as by a coequall joynt and co-operant cause of the same God-head and power And we hee saith this to shew that in the worke of redemption the sonne is in the same order of action in respect of the father as he is in the creation Verse 7. In every man namely in all the â—â—mbers of the church Vnto this hour even after there have bin so manie declarations made by the Gospell concerning Christian liberty in case of â—â—â—ates that there is no more distinction of pure and impure according to MOSES His Law and that they are sanctified to beleevers in their lawfull use and cannot of themselves defile the Soule Matthew 15. 17 20 Eate it they are often iâ—duced by the example of others for to eate of it and when they doe it they doe it with scruple of conscience or with a beliefe that the consecraâ—ing of it to the Idoll and hath imprinted some impuritie in the meate As a thing whose use was strictly forbidden by the law See Exodus 34. verâ—e 15. Numbers 25. verse 2. Psalm 106. verse 28. Ezekiel 18. 6. and 22 9. Weakâ— that is to say wavering and unresolved Romans 14. 1. 2. 21. and 15. 1. is defâ—â—â—d as beleeving to use a defiled meat now the thing it self in it self is not the rule of what is lawfull or unlawfull in these externall things but the mind and conceipt of the conscience Rom. 14. 5. 14. 23. Verse 8. If we eat if we indifferently make use of meats are we the better it bringeth no advantage to the soule for the salvation of it Verse 9. This liberty namely this Christian liberty in matter of meates become that it do not drive these irresolute soules by your example to attemp any thing against their owne conscience V. 10. Which hast who art fully informed and perswaded concerning Christian liberty temple or in some chappell be longing to idolls The Apostles meaning is not that there is no other offence in eating such meates in such places but the oâ—â—ending of weak consciences But that if there were no other offence but that one ought for to avoid it for that only and forbeare to doe it because that 1 Cor. 10. 20 hee sheweth that by so doing they did participate of idolatry be emboldened induced perswaded and strengthened by thine example against their owne minde and conceipt V. 11. Peâ—ish shall be in danger of wounding his conscience mortally and whereas before through tendernesse of conscience he abhorred any thing as drew neer to idolatry he may peradventure use himselfe to it to the shipwrack of his salvation V. 12 Against Christ who as head is offâ—nded at the hurting of his members as saviour at the interrupting of his work as king at the breach of his chiefe command which is charity as example of all vertue at the transgressing of his example CHAP. IX VER 1. Am I not may not I doe those things which by right Apostles may do as well as any other Apostle v. 5. 6. and yet have forborn in things which belong to mine owne particular to avoid scandal and matter of caâ—umnie See 2. Cor 12 11. Free by that Christian liberty by which belevers are freed from the ceremonies of Moses his law have I not seen namly in the visions Acts. 22 18. Oâ— in extasie 2. Cor 12. 2. 4. Now he addeth this because his adversaries did vilifie his ministery by reason he had not bin conversant with Christ upon the earth as if he wanted some thing either in the dignitie of his person or in his Apostoâ—icall authoritie or in the knowledg of those things which were taught by the Lord. My worke a Church founded by me by the meanes of Christspower and grace working in mee and by mee Or instructed by mee in the Christian faith and united in the communion of him 1 Cor. 4. 15. V. 2. If I bee not if others make a question of mine Apostleship as having not felt the effects therof nor seene the tryalls but you ought to be assured thereof seeing that you have felt the effects and seen the tryall thereof most amply and powerfully towards you whereupon your Church is a noble confirmation of my ministery In the Lord namely thorow his power See 2 Cor. 12. 12. V. 3. Mine answer I doe ordinarily produce your Church for a proose of my vocation and my faithfull exercising my selfe in it to any one that doubts of it or cavilleth with mee about it See 2 Cor. 3. 2. Verse 4. To eate namely to have my diet at the Churches charges Others hold this to bee spoken of the indifferent use of meates without any Iewish distinctions from which things hee had also voluntarily abstained when hee judged it to bee expedient V. 5. To lead about to live in matrimony and have a woman with mee whither soever I goe A Sister a beleeving Christian honestly joyned to me in holy matrimony Cephas that is to say Peter who was married Matth. 8. 14. V. 6. Forbeare working with our hands to galne our living Acts 18. 3. V. 8. As a man onely by some humane equitie reason or custome V. 9. Doth God the end of Gods Law is not to shew how cattell should bee fed but to command equitie to be used in the just rewarding of those who labour for us V. 10 Should plow it is sitting that when hee laboureth he should be encouraged by hope of maintaining his life thereby otherwise hee would never undergoe it V. 12. Hinder as it might happen if some to not contribute towards the charge should refuse to receave the Gospell Or if the adversaries should thereupon take occasion to calumniate us as if wee should seeke our owne profit onely and not the salvation of soules or as if we made traffick of holy things V. 13. Minister in Gods Temple amongst the Iewes Live of the namely of the offerings which are made there Are partakers by the Law they have certain portions of the same sacrifices of which the other parts are offered to God and burnt upon the Altar V. 14. Should live should bee maintained for a just reward of their labour that they may not need to looke after any thing else V. 15. Then that any man then that I by changing mine intent of preaching unto you freely and without reward the false Apostles should take away this honour from mee of not having sought that
advanceth it self in this world God hath on earth an inferiour walking and moveable habitation which is the Church in travellers estate in this worlds pilgrimage Such as the Tabernacle in the wildernesse was being compared to the glorious Temple built by Solomon in which there was a sound and immoveable firmnesse and an infinite increase of Gods signes and gifts ten candlesticks for one and ten tables for one though there were but one ark of the covenant in both and so both in heaven and earth the Church hath but only one God and Redeemes You namely you Ephesians and all the particular Churches in the world Through the Spirit that is to say Spiritually or by the power of the holy Ghost CHAP. III. Vers. 1. I Paul this discourse is interrupted untill vers 14. and from that ought to be supplied in this manner I Paul bend my knees before God The prisoner the Apostle writ this letler from Rome whither he had been carried prisoner Acts 27. 1. and 28. 10. Ephes. 6. 20. Of Iesus Christ for him and for his service in the ministery of the Gospel amongst the Gentiles for which I am persecuted by the Jews and have by them been delivered to the Romanes V. 2. If ye have this is a kinde of affirmation rather then a doubt as Ephes. 4. 21. the meaning is seeing it is cleer that you have heard of it V. 3. The mysterie namely the sacred doctrine of the Gospell incomprehensible to humane understanding if it be not revealed to God see Mat. 13. 1â— Ephes. 1. 9 Coloss. 2. 2. and 4. 3. 1 Tim. 3. 9. 16. others refer this mystery simply to the vocation of the Gentiles V. 4. Whereby as well in the substance of the things that are written as in the manner and stile which is altogether divine and spirituall V. 5. Was not namely by a reall and present effect nor by any singular declaration of the times and means for otherwise the Prophets knew it in generall and had declared it Or he would say That God before the Gospell never had used that indifferency of Nations in the communication of his grace Prophets namely of the new Testament Acts 11. 27. and 15. 32. Rom. 12. 6. 1 Cor. 12. 10. By the Spirit namely by instructions and revelations of the holy Ghost V. 6. Fellow heirs in common with the beleevers of the Jewish nation and with Christ himselfe Rom. 8. 17. Gal. 3. 29. His promise namely of the goods promised to Abraham and all his spirituall off-spring in vertue and for the love of Christ who is the true foundation of it V. 7. Effectuall working that is to say Unfolding in me his divine power and accompanying my ministery therewith as well in necessary gifts as in a miraculous blessing and perpetuall assistance V. 9. The fellowship the Italian the dispensation how God will in these dayes reveal this secret councell of his communicate the grace of it and cause the effects of it to be felt Who created he means the new and spirituall creation of the Church see Isa. 65. 17. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Ephes. 2. 15. All things namely the whole state body and parts of the Church V. 10. Principalities namely the good angels see Rom. 8. 38. Ephes. 1. 21. Col. 1. 16. and 2. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 22. Might be known that in the glorious renewing of the state of the world by Christ not onely men but even the Angels themselves who desire to look into the very bottom of this mystery 1 Pet. 1. 12. may have a new document of Gods wisdom in an effect divers from what he had shewn at other times the wayes and effects thereof varying but alwayes for the better according to his will and pleasure V. 11. In Christ establishing in him all the causes and means of the accomplishment of it V. 12. In whom namely by vertue of the union which we have with him in the Spirit through faith Boldnesse the Italian the liberty namely that free accesse which is contrary to the terrours of conscience to Gods rejection V. 13. Wherefore seeing God through my ministery hath made you Gentiles partakers of his grace in Christ though I be therefore persecuted by the Jews yet have you no cause to be discomforted thereby but rather take it for a holy glory that God will have me suffer for your salvation and that in my sufferings the faithfulnesse of mine Apostleship is approved and confirmed V. 14. For this cause here the Apostle goeth on again with the discourse which hath been broken off from the first verse I bow namely in humble prayer V. 15. Of whom who being Christs father by nature and by adoption father of the whole Church which is as his family and troop of his children as well of those which are already glorified in heaven as of those who are yet living in the world by faith see Ephes. 1. 10. V. 16. The riches namely the glorious treasures of his spirituall gifts which he powreth down upon those that are his Or the abundance of his glorious grace and mercy as Rom. 9. 23. Ephes. 1. 7. Phil. 4. 19. Col. 1. 27. In the inner man namely in the gift of regeneration and in the state of spirituall life which is eternall and not exposed to the senses but known by God and felt by the beleever in his soul see Rev. 2. 17. V. 17. May dwell may perpetually be present in vertue grace and Spirit by means of a continuall act of lively faith in him That ye being namely that ye having stamped and planted in your heart a firme intimate and invariable châ—â—ity towards God and men which is the proper and inseparable effect of a lively faith V. 18. Comprehend namely to attain to everlasting life and to the perfection of the knowledge and fruition of that infinite mystery of which he had spoken vers 8. which were riches that were inscrutable in this life Or to the accomplishment of the spirituall building of the Church according to all the dimensions of it whereupon he had said they were founded Ephes. 2. 20. and 3. 18. see Revel 21. 16. What is the a figurative description of the infinitenesse every way by a similitude taken from the dimensions of the Temple applied to the heavenly Jerusalem founded in this world and finished in Heaven as Revel 21. 16. V. 19. Knowledge namely humane knowledge in this life That ye might that ye may come to the height of knowledge happinesse and glory when you shall be filled with Gods presence and satisfied with the sight of his face Psal. 16. 11. and 17. 15. and that he shall be all in all 1 Cor. 15. 28. V. 21. By Christ namely the subject of whose glory is Christ and his benefits Or as the Father manifesteth and communicateth himself in him alone so let him be acknowledged and worshipped in him by all beleevers Iohn 14. 13. 〈◊〉 Cor. 4. 6. Philip. 2. 11. which is opposite to all vain glorifying
habituated in all active and passive vertues V. 3. In hebavionâ— under this word is comprehended the habit behaviour gestures and all outward actions V. 5. Be not namely by unbeleevers who doe impute the vices of the persons to their doctrine and religion See Rom. 2. 24. 1 Tim. 6. 1. V. 8. Sound not infected with any falshood corruption or perverse affection altogether framed to edifying according to the truth 1 Tim. 6. 3. He that is of the Italian the adversary that is to say every enemy of the Gospel or the divel who is the chiefe of them all V. 9. In all things which belong to the lawful duty of servants See Ephes. 5. 24. Col. 3. 20. V. 10. The doctrine which they professe which profession is honoured by the good effects which it produceth in them V. 11. That bringeth which is to eternall salvation and redemption Others the saving grace of all men hath appeared To all men without distinction of Nations as formerly and of conditions for as wel may the bondman be happy as the Lord and the Lord be religious and pious as wel as the bondman V. 13. Blessed that eternal happinesse which hath so fervently been desired and hoped for of all the Church V. 14. Peculiar that should be as it were his treasure and jewel V. 15. With all authority in Gods name according to his Word and Will CHAP. III. Vers. 3. FOr we he gives a reason why beleevers should be mild and loving namely because the Lord hath shewed abundance of mercy to wards them being most corrupt and most wretched Or generally because that is to the end of their redemption V. 5. By the washing using the meanes of baptisme made effectual by the inward operation of the holy Ghost which applieth the blood of Christ for expiation of sinne to the beleevers soule whereby he is made a new creature in righteousnesse and holinesse V. 6. Through Jesus who hath acquired all those gifts for his Church and hath all the fulnesse of them in himselfe and likewise is the onely dispenser of them as head of the Church V. 7. Being justified that is to say absolved from the guilt and punishment of sinne and reputed righteous through Christs righteousnesse imputed unto us by grace According to or through the hope which makes this fruition of happinesse as present to us Rom. 8. 24. V. 8. Be carefull to maintaine the Greek terme signifieth to employ ones selfe carefully in a thing as if it were his particular worke and charge V. 9. Avoid or suppresse as 2 Tim. 2. 16. About the Law especially the ceremoniall Law V. 10. An hereticke an obstinate maintainer and sower of erroneous doctrines contrary to the ground of saith Admonition this word comprehends instruction the resolving of doubts the necessary confuting of errours charitable exhortation both publique and private Reject take not the paines to dispute with him any more hearken no more to his replies and objections and by vertue of thy publique charge excommunicate him and likewise in ordinary conversation hold him as one that is prophane and cut off from the body of the Church Rom. 16. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 11. Gal. 1. 8 9. 5. 12. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 2 John 10. V. 11. Subverted desperate and utterly perverted in understanding and wil as concerning matters of faith as a building which is ruined from the very foundation Condemned convinced by his own conscience V. 12. Nicopolis there were many Cities of this name in divers Provinces here it is likely is meant that of Epirus or Albany V. 13. Bring provide that they may have company and be fitted with all things necessary when they come away from thee The Lawyer namely of the Jewish law but converted to be a Christian See upon Matth. 22. 25. V. 14. Ours also namely the Christians who ought therein to imitate the Jewes most carefull observers of these duties towards people of note Unfruitfull he cals the workes of charity so they being sweet and profitable effects of faith and of the faithfuls regeneration Phil. 1. 11. 4. 17. V. 15. In the faith namely in the communion of faith in Christ as members of the same body Or loyalty Of Macedonia or of Albania or Epirus which depended also upon Macedonia and was comprehended under it THE EPISTLE OF St. PAUL THE Apostle to PHILEMON ARGUMENT ONesimus servant to Philemon who was as it is likely one of the Pastors of the Church of Colosse was runne away from his Master for some deceit or theft and afterwards upon some unknown occasion came to Saint Paul to Rome by whom he was instructed and converted to the Christian faith and had served him some time And the Apostle sends him backe with this Epistle to his master whom in a most hearty manner he reconciles to Onesimus and intreats him that he may with his leave and good will retaine him to be his houshold servant Vers. 2. IN thy house namely in Philemons house V. 5. Hearing this is the cause of the thankes which he had given him in the former verses as in the sixt verse is contained the end of the request Toward all this hath a relation to his charity V. 6. Communication namely the faith which thou hast common with other members of Christ may be lively and bring forth more and more its true effects whereby thou Philemon and all the rest of you to whom I write may duely acknowledge â—â—d give Christ the honour for all the good things which you professe through his benefit V. 7. The bowels thou hast relieved and assisted the faithfull with such a hearty love that besides the corporall assistance their hearts and spirits have been comforted and rejoyced V. 8. In Christ namely by my apostolicall authority which I have from Christ in his Church V. 9. Such a one namely an Apostle and Superiour to all the Ministers of the Church of inferiour degree The aged in the quality of a meer pastor of the Church in which I acknowledge thee to be my fellow vers 1. and as thou are such I treat with thee by way of intreaty A prisoner which should the rather incline thee to grant my request V. 10. My sonne of whose conversion and regeneration I have been the instrument having first instructed him in Christian doctrine 1 Cor. 4. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 2. V. 11. Unprofitable an epithite of an evil servant Matth. 25. 30. Luke 17. 10. that is to say negligent good for nothing disloyall an evil liver Profitable because that he may by thy consent doe me that service which thou shouldest and wouldest personally do if thou wert present v. 13. V. 12. Mine owne bowels namely my most deare and most tender child V. 13. In thy stead See 1 Cor. 16. 17. Phil. 2. 30. Of the Gospel In which bonds I am bound for preaching of it V. 14. Thy benefit namely of granting me thy servant Of necessity as it would have seemed to have been if I had kept
forsaking the examples of the holy fathers that contrariwise by that onely they had a true and spirituall communion with them who by faith were alwayes looking after the Messias and after the full performance of Gods promises in him and by vertue of the same faith they had been capable of all the singular benefits of God had exercised all manner of vertues and had endured and overcome all combates wherefore this so excellent meanes of eternall salvation and of all temporall deliverances was not to be rejected as new but was to be esteemed and made use of as the onely and constant meanes to reoeive Gods grace and to yeeld him acceptable service and obedience Finally after new exhortations to perseverance in faith to suffering of afflictions to constancie holinesse gratitude and respect to God to charitie chastitie and to the true spirituall service be recommends them to Gods grace and himselfe to their prayers CHAP. I. Vers. 1. SUndry times The Greek word signifieth by sundry degrees and parts now more now lesse now one thing and now another By the Prophets the Italian In the Prophets A manner of speaking very frequent in the old Testament to shew the internal revelation of Gods mysteries in the soules of Prophets for them afterwards to reveal them to the Church V. 2. In these last In the accomplishment of times and in the dayes of the Church while it is in the world which shall now suffer no more alteration nor innouation in its general forme but after it shall come eternitie Spoken Hath fully declared his councel concerning the salvation of man-kinde John 15. 15. and sealed and fulfilled the prophecies Dan. 9. 24. and established a perpetuall and invariable forme of governing and instructing his Church by the Gospel By his Son the Italian In his Son in whom the Deitie inhabits corporally and in whom are hidden all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom Col. 2. 3. 9. Whom namely in the qualitie of Mediatour having taken humane flesh in which God hath exalted him after his humiliation Heir that is to say Lord and possessour of the whole world by his eternal Fathers gift Matth. 28. 18. John 3. 35. and 5. 22. Phil 2. 9 10. He made As by his eternal wisdom and by way of a joyntcooperating and equal cause Prov. 8. 27. John 5. 17. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Now this and the beginning of the next verse hath a relation to Christs divine nature out of the qualitie of Mediatour to which belongs that which is spoken in the end of the next verse The worlds and all temporal things subject to the course divisions and successions of time Heb. 11. 3. or all the parts of the world according to the manner of the Hebrewes V. 3. The brightnesse A figurative terme taken from the luminous bodies which cast forth their beames to shew that the Son proceeds from the Fathers Essence and is inseparable from him and doth manifest him the Father remaining in his inaccessible glorie hidden from men Matth. 11. 27. John 1. 18. and 4. 29. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Expresse Image the Italian the character and Image that is not vain nor composed of a shadow but a living expresse subsisting and most perfect one such a Son is imprinted as one should say in him by the Fathers person who is the Fountain of all Deitie Upholding upholding them in their being moving them in their actions and governing them in all their motions by his almightie command and according to his will Of the Majestie namely of God the Hebrewes using the word Majestie for God himselfe V. 4. Being made by God the Father in his exaltation in qualitie of Mediatour to which belongs that which is spoken in the end of the following verse As he hath for the Father hath conferred the command of the whole world upon him as to his universal Viâ—â—gerent Phil. 2 9 10. and in this power his Godhead is fully manifested for he could neither bear it nor exercise it if he were not God Alinightie and therefore in regard as well of his eternal generation Psal. 2. 7. as in regard of his royal Office figured by that of Solomon 2 Sam 7. 14. the tide of Son of God is attributed to him as it said in the following verse V. 〈◊〉 Said he namely God in the Scripture V. 6. When he namely when God by the Psalmist describes the comming of his everlasting Son into the world who is his first-borne that is to say the Head of the house his Fathers Vicegerent and Master over all the other adoptive brethren to take possession of his Kingdom See Heb. 10. 5. V 7. His Angels See upon Psal. 104. 4. the reason of this allegation V. 10. Hast laid the foundation the meaning of this passage as it is here alleaged is nothing but that Christs Kingdom which is there manifestly spoken of Psal. 102. 28. is eternal and not mutable as the state of the world V. 12. Fold them up The Greekes have in this manner translated the Hebrew word Thou shalt change them for the terme of Folding up is taken from those garments that are folded and laid up when they are changed See Isai 34. 4. CHAP. II. VER 1. THerefore naâ—â—â—ly because of Christs Majestie and â—ivine Authoritie who is the everlasting King of the Church More earnest heed by obedience and perseverance To the things namely to the Gospel which is as it were the Law of this foresaid great King Let them slip that is to say that we may not go away from the communion of Christ and his Church nor forsake his faith and service like disbanded souldiers who forsake their colours and captain Jude 11. V. 2. If the Word namely Moses his Law published by the Ministerie of Angels Acts 7 53. Gal. 3. 19. ministring to the great Angel which was the Son of God himselfe Acts 7. 38. or all the revelations which were made to the Prophets by the meanes of Angels Sted fast was of such authoritie and consequence that those who violated it could not scape unpunished V. 3. So great namely everlasting redemption revealed and communicated by the Gospel and implicitly by the Apostle opposed to the temporal deliverance out of Egypt for the contemning of which the Israelites were punished in the wildernesse Confirmed by all manner of proofes of doctrine of life and of miracles V. 4. Miracles the Italian powerfull operations whereby are meant the highest and sublimest kindes of miracles See 1 Cor. 12. 10. According to See 1 Cor. 12. 11. V. 5. For unto He proves that though our Lord Jesus hath taken upon him humane flesh yet there is no lesse obedience or reverence due to him seeing that in this assumption and union of the two natures the Father hath made him Head of the renewed state of the world and he seemes to exalt Christ so much above the Angels because the carnal Jewes did so much magnifie their Law which had been proclaimed by Angels in contempt of the
of the full comming of his Kingdome in the totall ruine of the wicked and in the last and finall judgment V. 11. Were given that is to say they were admonished to content themselves with the first and most excellent part of Gods justice which is to reward those with glory which have suffered for him which is signified by these robes Rev. 3. 4 5. expecting till in his appointed time he doth accomplish the other which is to cause vengeance to come upon the persecuters see Heb. 12. 13. Should be fulfilled namely untill all the elect of all mankind were gathered together which must be before the last judgement see 2 Pet. 3. 9. V. 12. There was a description of the last judgement V. 15. And the Kings namely the enemies of Christ and prosecuters of his Church CHAP. VII Vers. 1. STanding ready to execute Gods great judgements upon the earth which notwithstanding are not specified in this Chapter Holding peradventure to intimate the peace and ease in which God suffereth worldly men to live and be overtaken even upon the point of his great judgements 1 Thess. 5. 3. V. 4 Of all the Tribes excepting Dan left out in this place for some unknowne cause as also in other places of Scripture Now by these who are marked among the Tribes of Israel are meant the elect in all the externall Church marked with Gods and Christs Character Rev. 14. 1. V. 8. Of Joseph that is to say of Ephraim the the Sonne of Joseph who having gotten the right of first borne above Manasseth Genes 48 13 19. the name of Joseph is often attributed unto him for precedency V. 9. Palmes in signe of victory on the divell and his whole Kingdome see Rev. 13. 5. V. 10. To our God the Italian belongeth to our God that is to say as it is his proper worke to save men so all the honour therefore is due to him V. 12. Amen namely to that which the multitude had said V. 14. Which came out namely that are taken up into Heaven after they had suffered great afflictions and persecutions in the world Have washed that is to say preserved themselves in innocencie of life and in the purity of the profession of the Christian faith by which having put on Christ with all his righteousnesse and merits have likewise been adorned by him with the graces of his Spirit in this World and of his glory in the everlasting life 2 Cor. 5. 4. V. 15. In his Temple namely in Heaven shadowed by the ancient materiall Temple Heb. 9. 23 24. Shall dwell among them the Italian Shall stretch forth his Tabernacle amongst them or shall overshaddow them that is to say shall cover and defend them everlastingly from all evill A manner of Speech taken from the Pillar of Cloud in the Wildernesse CHAP. VIII Vers. 1. THe seven it is likely that here are meant the chiefe and neerest Ministers of God as questionlesse there are distinctions in the degrees of Angels see Rev. 1. 4. 4. 5. V. 3. Angel the description of a kind of Heavenly service correspondent to that which was in the Temple namely that the people being without at prayer the Priest offered Incense within upon the Altar Luke 1. 10. to signifie that beleevers prayers have alwaies need to be helped and sanctified by Christs Intercession see Heb. 9. 24. and here the Angel holds the place of inferiour Priest under Christ who is the high Priest Now the end of all this is to shew that beleevers doe avoid all the horrible evils of this World by faith and prayer Luk. 21 36. Should offer it that is to say should present it in the behalfe of the Saints or beleevers prayers and make them to penetrate sweetly before God V. 11. Wormwool that is to say most bitter and deadly according to the meaning of the Hebrew tongue V. 13. An Angell some copies have it an Eagle CHAP. IX Vers. 1. TO him according to some we must understand it to be the Angel himself that had sounded Others referre it to the starre which was fallen which may signifie an evill Spirit Rev. 12. 29. Of the bottomlesse pit namely of Hell All this is very obscure and hidden under the Key of Gods secrets V. 11. Abaddon both names signifie destroyer which is the divels title see Exod. 12. 23. V. 13. Foure hornes as he had in vision seen the Altar of perfumes Rev. 6. 9. 8. 3. he saw also the foure hornes or pinnes at the foure corners of it to the likenesse of Moses and Salomons called the Golden Altar because it was covered with golden plates and was set before God that is to say before the Sanctuary the great Curtaine being between see Exod. 30. 13. 1 King 6. 20. 7. 48. CHAP. X. Vers. 1. ANgell this was the Sonne of God himselfe as it appeares by Rev. 1. 15 16. 4. 3. Of fire that it to say of that exceeding fine Brasse Revel 1. 15. bright and sparkling V. 2. A little Booke it seemes we must conceive and understand it to be the same booke which the Sonne of God had unsealed and opened Rev 5. 1. 7. V 3. Seven thunders whereof hath not beene spoken untill now peradventure he meanes the seven Angels who strongly sounded with their Trumpets Revel 8. 2. And in all this there are many things known to God onely V. 4. And write them not other Copies have it and thou shalt write them afterwards V. 6. That there should be namely that the end of the world should come in its prefixed time and that the succession vicissitudes and measure of times and all temporall things should cease and that all prophesies should be fulfilled V. 7. The mystery namely these singular revelations of Christs comming to judgement of the resurrection of the end of the world and of Christs everlasting Kingdome with his Father Mat. 24 30. 1 Cor. 15. 24 51. 1 Thess 4. 15. 2 Pet. 3. 10. V. 11. Before many the Italian against many others concerning many CHAP. XI Vers. 1. WAs given me this Chapter also contains many very obscure things not yet revealed V. 3. Will give commission and authority V. 7. Their testimony namely the time of their preaching and defending of the heavenly truth V. 8. Spiritually resembling in spirituall things the carnall and worldly qualities of Sodom and Egypt which were the figure of it Sodom in its abominable impurities and abominations of Idolatry Egypt in her tyranny and violence against the Church Crucified this also sheweth that it must be understood in a spirituall sence that is to say he is there wronged persecuted and slaine in his Members Word Spirit and Worship see Heb. 6. 6. V. 11. Entred that is to say that which is to come was shewed me in vision as if it were present V. 15. The Kingdomes that is to say now God raigneth with his Sonne and that absolutely having destroyed all his enemies 1. Cor. 15. 24. V. 18. Of the dead namely that
these besides Wife That is to say Concubine verse 6. 1 Chron. 1. 32. Such women were marryed by the custome of inhabiting together but were not partakers of their husbands dignity and estate as the true wives called Ladies An abuse of Gods first Ordinance tolerated in those dayes Gen. 30. 4 9. V. 2. Zi 〈…〉 ram These were the heads of many people of Arabia and neighbouring Nations V. 3. Ashurim See concerning these names that have a plurall termination Gen. 10. 4. V. 5. Gave Made him his full and generall heire V. 6. The East Country Called afterwards Arabia which people were called the children of the East or Easterne in regard of Palestina See Judg. 6. 3. and 7. 12. Job 1. 3. V. 8. Gathered See upon Gen. 15. 15. V. 13. According As they have beene set down in their Registers and Genealogies and their names as being heads of Nations have remained to their posterity Nebaioth The Nabateans and the Chadarens named in histories amongst the people of Arabia descended from these V. 16. By their That is to say the names of these heads were given to the places where their pâ—stâ—rity dwelt which through the craggednesse of the Countrey were either strong castles or unwalled townes V. 18. And he dyed c. The Italian hath And his Countrey fell to him before all his brethren As well that which he first inhabited as that which hee afterwards usurped V. 20. Padan Aram was a part of Mesopotamia where Charran was V. 22. Struggled By an extraordinary and prodigious kind of moving which was by Rebecca her selfe found to be such If it be so fore-seeing by this prodigiâ— that her burthen was of two brethâ—eâ— which should hate and hurt one another To enquire By some Prophet or by some divine revelation in a dreame or by some Angels message obtained by prayers and devotion V. 23. Two nations The heads of two nations the one blessed and the other rejected Shall be stronger bodily the people issuing from Jacob the younger shall bring into subjection the other which issued from the Elder 2 Sam. 8 14. 1 King 22. 48. and spiritually the Church little and weake in the world shall overcome by the word and by the spirit and by the power of God the world and its kingdome represented by the wicked Idumeans perpetuall and capitall enemies to Gods people Shall serve Being by me bereâ—â— of his right of first borne which was to command his brethren and all the house under his Father Gen. 4. 7. and 49. 3. See concerning this accursed slavery Mal. 1. 3. V. 25. Râ—a That is with a red hayre all over his body Esau That is to say a man of his hands valiant and of deeds as ordinarily your red and hairy men are Or a man already wholly formed because that when a body is hairy he is a man already and not like a new borne babe V. 26. Tooke hold A miraculous signe to signifie that Jacob should in a manner strike up Esau's heels by getting away his birth-right and that the Church by the only power of the spirit should overthrow her enemies though mightier than she Iacob That is to say supplanter or a wrestler that striketh up ones heeles V. 27. Hunter The qualities of the Children of the world to be violent and fierce and of the children of God to be simple and milde are here pointed out by the two different natures of these two brothers See Gen. 10. 9. Of the field A man having a sociable civill and homely life loving to live in the fields Dwelling homely stayed and peacefull V. 29. Sod All this was brought to passe by a secret providence of God which doth not for all that cleare Jacob from all manner of deceit and evill cunning yet makes Esau his prophanenesse evident in despising that which was taken from him by Gods decree v. 23. V. 30. Edom That is to say red Gods people used this name more than the other Esau in remembrance of this voluntary sale which justified their contention against the Idumeans their perpetuall emulators and adversaries Amos 1. 11. deriving this name more from the red pottage than from his haire ver 25. V. 31. Thy Which in those dayes carryed the Patriarchship with it and the first degree in the blessed race and the dignity of the sacred function See Gen. 4. 7. Exod. 19. 22. Num. 8. 16. to this is answerable the spirituall birth-right of the Church Exod. 4. 22. Jer. 31. 9. Ja. 1. 18. V. 32. I am at That is to say I am mortall and any manner of living doth daily expose me to a thousand dangers why should I then debarre my selfe of a present pleasure for this imaginary dignity Here is his prophanenesse found noted in him Heb. 12. 16. whereby hee despised the signes and earnests of the spirituall graces 〈◊〉 V. 34. He did eat This plaine relation shewe◠〈◊〉 Esau his security and astonishment in his sin CHAP. XXVI VERS 1. VNto thee To thy person will I now presently give the use and peaceable and sure enjoying of it and to thy posterity the possession and proprietie V. 5. Because that God doth fulfill his promises for the same reason by which he was moved to make them which is nothing else but his meere grace and not mans works Rom. 4. 4. But because between the promise and the accomplishment hee hath ordained the way of faith and obedience on mans side Gen. 17. 9. The Scripture doth often attribute the effect not to the Soveraigne and only cause but to means well observed See Genesis 22. 16. to incite man to his duty V. 8. Sporting Using some pleasant familiarity of a husband V. 14. Of servants Or a great deale of land to manure V. 16. For thou Because thy great number of people is a hinderance to us and thy power and wealth breeds a jealousie wherefore for our security and to the end we may continue friends it were good thou shouldest goâ— further from us V. 20. Ezek That is to say strife V. 21. Sitna Enmity hatred opposition V. 22. Rehâ—both Making of roome He shall be The Italian hath it We being or we may be fruitfull in the land or as we shall increase V. 24. Sake Alwayes regarding what I promised to Abraham and his progeny the conditions of which promise hee hath faithfully kept So that the blessing of his off-spring proceedeth alwayes from this hâ—ad or fountaine V. 29. That thou wilt The Italian hath it if ever thou shalt A manner of swearing amongst the Jewes the execration being alwayes understood to bee meant to which hee was to bee subject that did forsweare himselfe Thou art The Italian hath it Thou who aâ—t Hee like a prophane man attributeth unto himselfe to bee partly the cause of Gods blessing as if it had laine in his power to hinder it V. 33. Called it That is to say confirmed the name which Abraham had given it before See the one and twentieth Chapter of Genesis
and the one and thirtieth verse For this was one of those wells which the Philistims had stopped up before City Which was thereby or which afterwards was builded there V. 34. Judith It may seeme by Gen. 36. 2. that these women and their fathers had severall names which thing was very frequent Or that Esau had divers wives V. 35. Griefe The Italian hath it bitternesse and so hath the Hebrew which was for their Idolatries impieties and prophane customes CHAP. XXVII VERS 4. MEat In all this we ought to look not so much to mens actions who cannot excuse themselves from being defective and crosse as to the execution of Gods Oracle Genesis 25. 23. which was by these meanes directed through his sacred providence See Genesis 25. 29. My soule That is to say that I may with a good will and with all mine heart declare thee to be mine heire and successor in the right of the spirituall blessing and Gods Covenant and also to be the head of the blessed race Now it seemeth that either Isaac had not rightly understood the said Oracle or that it was grievous to him to obey it V. 7. Before the By his authority and approbation presenting my selfe before him as in a religious act to desire the confirmation of his grace V. 8. Obey Rebecca did understand the Oracle Gen. 25. 23. and did desire to bring it to passe there was no defect in her but only in the meanes which she used which God suffered and made to serve for his worke V. 13. Thy curse This great confidence in Rebecca sheweth either a strong inspiration and conduct of God or a certaine knowledge of and faith in the aforesaid Oracle V. 16. The hands c. which are the naked and uncovered parts of the body by which also Isaac embracing of and touching his son might have knowne him V. 23. Blessed him That is to say wished him all manner of good because that here theâ—e is not yet the formall and patriarchall blessing which is contained ver 28 29. V. 27. Smelt It is very likely that these cloâ—thes were perfumed with some sweet sent which being smelt by Isaac excited in him this joy of spirit The meaning and sense is As a faire and fruitfull parcell of land recreates the sences especially the smelling through its flowers and fruits so I do finde my selfe exceedingly delighted in the presence of that of my Children upon which Gods blessing must rest who shall also bring forth the true fruits thereof in piety and holinesse V. 28. God This vertue conâ—aâ—neth the promises which belong to this life made unto his piety the next hath râ—spect to the spirituall ones V 29. Serve thee That is to say let the whole Church comprehended in thee and thy posterity and represented now in thee obtaine the right of inheheriting the world and of the spirituall liberty and dominion over the creatures and other men who are but servants in the house See Genesis 9. 25. and 25. 23. Isaiah 49. 23 Gal. 4. 25 26. Rev. 3. 9. Thy brethren Figuratively are understood all the men of the world that are of the same nature as the faithfull Cursed by God who taketh upon him all that is done either for or against his Church V. 33. Trembled By reason of his astonishment seeing he had done otherwise than he intended and there was also a kinde of divine motion whereby God revealed unto Isaac or put him in mind of his decree concerning his Children inclining him through a religious feare to consent unto it And hee shall This blessing shall stand firme and irrevocable V. 34. A great With griefe that he had irrecoverably lost that good yet without conversion or repentance V. 35. Thy blessing That which seemed by right to belong to thee as first borne V. 37 What shall I doe This prerogative of being the stocke of the blessed race must not be divided it must remaine whole and entire and cannot bee communicated to unbeleevers and children of the world which are represented by Esau. V. 38. Hast thou These words shew that Esau had no understanding nor did not apprehend this true blessing which is single and onely one And if hee had in earnest desired to have him partaker of it hee must have sought for it by holding with Jacob and with the true Church as a member not as head V. 39 The fatnesse The Italian hath it In the sat places of the earth So all the blessings of worldly men consist in temporall goods not in the grace and covenant of God V. 40. Shalt thou live Though thy pâ—sterity shall bee subjâ—cted to the Israelites yet shall they defend themselves from them with armes in their hands Ezec. 25. 12. Amos 1. 11 A pourtraiture of the world in maintaining it selfe in power and might against the Church which in right and in spirit ought to bee mistresse of it When thou shalt have the dominion The Italian hath it When thou shalt have groaned That is to say when thy progeny hath been oppressed and subdued others have iâ— When thou shalt have overcome See 2 Kings 8. 20. A signe that the Church oftâ—n loseth her right she h 〈…〉 h over the world in temporall things but never in spirituall and everlasting things V. 43. Haran The Italian hath it Charan See Gen. 11. 31. and upon Gen. 24. 4 10. V. 45. Of you both Of thee if Esau should â—â—ay thee and of him also who by killing of thee would bee guilty of Capitall punishment Gâ—nesis 9. 6. and would stand accursed and finally punished by God Himselfe as Cain was V. 46. Of my life Rebecca would have Jacob by the occasion of seeking a wife out of the holy race to obtaine leave of his father with his good liking and blessing CHAP. XXVIII VERSE 9. VNto Ishmael That is to say to the Ishmaelites for Ishmael was dead Gen. 25. 17. Maâ—aleth Called also by the name of Bashemath Genesis 36. 3. V. 12. A Ladder This vision signifieth the Communication which the Elect have with God through the mediation of Jesus Christ and the Covenant of grace founded upon him through which God takes notice and care of their wants and prayers which are brought unto him by his Angels and doth miraculously afford them ayd See Joh. 1. 51. V. 15. Untill I The Scripture doth often use this manner of speech not to exclude the time which followeth after the prefixed time but onely to assure the thing against that time when it seemeth to bee most doubtfull and dangerous See Psalme 110. 1. Matth. 28. 20. V. 16. The Lord As if he said God appeareth in this Country of Infidels as well as in my Fathers house where I thought this gift had beene peculiar and restrain'd to that place V. 17. Dreadfull Through the glorious apparition of God which alwayes brings terrour to the frailtie and Conscience of the sinfull man This is The Italian hath it This place is This place seemeth to bee a