not that singular gift from God to preserve themselves in holinesse and purenesse of body and spirit without the remedy of marriage Then to burne with a carâ—all desire which God doth not give every one the gift to quench without marriage whereby man is troubled in minde and hindered in his spirituall actions which require a tranquillity of all passions V. 10. Not I not by a new doctrine or law 〈◊〉 yet by meere councell and advice of wisdome as ver 25 40. but by Christs expresse command Mat. 5. 32. and 19. 6. 9. Depart namely by divorse unlesse it be for the only lawfull cause which is adultry which was very frequent amongst the Grekeâ— and the Romans and from them this abuse did also partly creep in amongst the Iewes though the law of Moses gave the wife no power at al to be divorced from her husband See Marke 10. 12. 〈◊〉 Tiâ— 5. 9. V. 11. Let her remaine this is not to say that this separation without marrying again is lawfull v. 3. 4 5. but if the woman can not be induced or forced to live with her husband or that there be some invincible leâ—â— The Law of God doth absolutely forbid her to marry another V. 12. To the rest spoken of in the letter which you sent to me namely beleevers married with unbeleevers Speake I guided in this mine opinion by the Holy Ghost ver 15. 40. though without Gods expresse command in his word Ver. 13. The woman namely the believing and Christian woman Ver. 14. Is sanctified though the unbelieving partie be uncleane before God yet the use of maâ—â—monie with her is holy unto the believing party thorow the mediation of faith and invocation Tiâ— 1 15 and Gods approâ—ation and blessing no otherwise then if both parties weare holy So he answeareth them who thought themselves to be defiled by these maâ—iâ—ges with infidels contracted before their conversion and by reason of this scruple sought for 〈◊〉 separation Yâ—u Children borne of such unequall marriages Unclâ—ane that is to say they would not from their birth bee comprehended within Gods coâ—â—â—ant made with the fathers and with the sons Geâ— 17. 7. nor endowed with the spirit of sanctification And would by the Church he held as profane â—cap ab le of baptisme untill such timeas being come to age they were admitted thereunto by their owne faith Holy namely members of the Church and partakers of the grace of regeneration which Saint Paul speakes by Apostolicall declaration according to which such little children were admitted to baptisme V. 15. Depart be divorced for hatred to the religion oâ— that shee marrieth another Or that all possible and reasonable remedies having beene used and a convenient time allotted for that purpose the unbelieving party cannot be induced to a due conjunction A brother namely the beleeving party is loosâ—ed from the bond being thus forsaken by the unbelieving party But God but the believers they are 〈◊〉 by Gods command to endeavour to maintain by 〈◊〉 and concord the matrimony which they 〈◊〉 contracted Ver. 16. Thou shalt save whither thou staying with him mayest be the instrument of his conversion 〈◊〉 salvation by word holy conversation example prayers c. V. 17. Buâ— as howsoever it be if the Inâ—idell be 〈◊〉 coâ—verted yet let the believer remaine in the state 〈◊〉 condition which his person is in be it marriage 〈◊〉 otherwise and in that ordinary course of life which God had appointed him before he called him to be a Christian because these things may very well 〈◊〉 together V. 18. Let him not become as some used to doe by Câ—irurgerie to cancell in their bodies all signes of Iâ—daisme which they had renounced 1 Mac. 1. 16. V. 19. Is nothing Namely now under the Gospell it is of no force nor anyway considerable for Gods service or for mans salvation But the keeping the true Christian and spirituall vertues are not only sufficient but do likewise disannull and exclude under the Gospell all ceremonies of the Law Iohn 4. 23. Rom. 14. 17. V. 20 Abide hee may abide therein with a safe Conscience and ought not rashly to change it neither through superstition nor by doing another any wrong but if hee can doe it for any just causes or through any lawfull meanes it is then lawfull for him to dâ—â— it V. 21. Care not for it be not grieved at it nor doe not take it to heart as if it were a condition unworthy of a Christian or pernicious and unlawfull for him If thou mayest by lawfull and honest wayes V. 22 For he hee confirmeth the exhortation made to servants to beare their condition mildely thorow the comfort of their spirituall freeing from siâ—ne the Devill and death by â—esus Christ. In the Lord to the communion of his spirituall body and Church and to the participation of his grace Is Christs servant he is not master of himselfe not of his actions hee is subject to Christ his Lord. So in Christ all servants and distressed persons have matter of comfort and those who are free and live at ease have cause to humble and subject themselves V. 23. Be not yee if yee bee free doe notwilfully make your selves servants but keepe your selves wholly both body and soule for Christs service to which bodily service is a great disturbance in outward actions Or in your servitude remember alwayes that before anyother you are Christs servants therefore doe not doe any mens service which may bee contrary to Christs service Or as concerning your soule and conscience let not living man have any command over you depend upon Christ onely and upon his word See 2 Cor. 11. 20. Galath 2. 4. Col. 2. 18. V. 24. With God in the order and degree of service which he hath appointed for every one Ver. 25. Vergins namely daughters of families concerning whom the Corinthians had also written to the Apostle to know whither their Parents were oblieged to get matches for them or no. I have no God hath not declared any thing expressely concerning it in his word I give my as of a thing which of it selfe is free and indifferent I doe advise by wisdome enspired by the Holy Ghost what is most expedient according to the circumstances See 2 Cor. 8. 〈◊〉 10. That hath obtained being by especiall grace endowed with the infallible guide of the Holy Ghost not onely in truth but also in good and loyall councell See Isaiah 11. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 40. 1 Thes. 4. 8. V. 26. That this this seemes to shew his opinion concerning the Corinthians question namely whither it was good to keepe ones daughter at home without marrying This is good See ver 1. For the namely for the distresses and persecutions which the Church is falling into which are more difficult to be borne then when one is married then when one is not See Ier. 16. 1. and 29 6. I say that because the reason is generall for all manner of persons To be namely
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 23. 8. Acts 7. 39. If they did not take it from the likenesse of Cherubins which appeared in a vision in the shape of Oxen Ezek. 10. 14. Thy Gods The Godhead which thou servest and worshippest which the idolaters never did know truly in its most single unity and spirituall and infinite essence and giving a corporall shape have alwayes divided it into parts and numbers V. 5. To the Lord Hence it is manifest that Aaron though he gave consent to make this visible figure did intend neverthelesse to keep them in the knowledge service of the true God under this forme as 1 Kin. 18. 22. and 2 of Kings 10. 16. and 23. 29. V. 6. To play As always dissolutenes hath accompanied idolatry V. 7. Thy people A word of scorne or disdain V. 9. Siffe-necked Refractory unapt to be taught a terme taken from Oxen that cannot bend their necks to the yoke V. 10. Let me alone Do not mediate for them Now by this forbidding God doth so much the more incite Moses his zeale to pray for the people shewing him that only prayer coald hinder this lamen able eâ—fect V. 11. Why doth As much to say if there bee great reasons and causes for to have them destroyed yet are there some greater and more powerfull for the pardoning of them namely the respect of thy glory See Deut. 32. 27. V 12. And repent See Gen. 6. 6. V. 15. Of the testimony See Exo. 6. 34. On both It is not likely that they were written inside cutside but only the two foresides opposite against one another V. 17. Joshua Who was not returned to the Host but had stayed in somâ— part of the hill all the while Moses was there Exo. 24. 13. V 18. It is not the voyce of them The Hebrew hath it It is not the noise of a cry of strength nor the noise of a cry of wearinesse V. 19. And brake them Not through any excesse of wrath but to shew the people in whose presence hee did it Deu. 9. 17 that Gods Covenant was broken through their idolatry V. 20. Barnâ—d it That is to say melted it to utterly abolish the image or shape of the calfe and then ground the stuff and made it small and caused the people to drink it that it might passe out with their excrements others beleeve that Moses had calcinated it by some art and all this was for the greater detestation of idolatry Deu. 7. 25. V. 24. There came out A terme of a shamefull dissimulating of the fault V. 25. Were naked Out of Gods protection who was offended for that sin wherby it was easie for their enemies to assault and overthrow them See Num. 14. 9. Isa. 22. 8. Mic. 1. 11. The meaning is that Moses chose rather to act the revenge himself than to expect it from the enemies forfear of taunts and blasphemies V. 26. Stood As it were to separate himselfe from the company of the idolaters See Exo. 33. 7. In th gate At the comming in according as the campe was settled and quartered into streets piazzaes c. after the manner of an Host On the Lords side that had no part in this revolt that is zealous of Gods glory V. 29. Consecrate your selves Doe this act of justice for a proof and triall of your faithfulnesse in the service of God and to make your selves worthy to bee called his ministers V. 30. Peradveâ—ture Moses speaketh thus because that God had not revealed unto him what he intended to do concerning the pardon v. 14. I shall make or shall pacifie him concerning this your sin V. 31. Unto the Lord To the mount where he stayed other fourty dayes and fourty nights Deâ—t 9. 18. V. 32. Iâ— not The meaning is I shall find asmuch paine and torment by the viclation of thy glory and the destruction of thy Chuâ—ch as if I my selfe had no part in the election to thy grace or as if I did lose it My good and my particular joy will be drowned in this publick heavinesse words of an extraordinary zeale and charity as Rom. 9. 3. Out of thy book A figurative terme as Psal. 69. 29. Dan. 12. 1. Luke 10. 20. Phil. 4. 3. Rev. 3. 5. and 13. 8. and 20. 12. to signifie the decree of Gods Will. V. 33. Him will I blot out That is to say exterminating of obdurate and impenitent sinners out of the body of my Church which is as it were the pourtraiture and register of eternall election Ezeck 13. 19. I will shew by the effects that they were never mine nor were never chosen See Psal. 69. 29. Deut. 29. 20. Rev. 3. 5. and 22. 19. Maâ— 7. 23. and 15. 13. V. 34. Mine Angel I the Son of God will no more shew my self immediatly present by the effects of my power and grace as I have done heretofore Exod. 23. 20 21 but will give you an Angel which is a creature and a servant to be your conductor see Exod. 33 2 3 12. But Moses caused this threatning to be called back Exo. 33. 14. 17. In the day I do forbeare to panish this sin fully at this time but if they continue in doing evill and breake my patience I will reckon this sin unto them with the rest To shew that the true remission of sin is alway joyned with the renouncing of sin and that wherâ— sin raigneth sin is not forgiven V. 35. Plagued The Italian hath it Smote by the hands of the Levites this time and in the ensuing plagues he alwayes bore this horrible sinne in mind CHAP. XXXIII VERS 3. LEst I If I should see my presence injured and profaned through thy rebellion See Hab. 1. 13. V. 4. Did put on him In signe of hearty sorrow aâ—d publick repentance V. 5. That I may know The Italian hath it And I shall know according as thy repentance shall be true or false I shall dispose of thy punishment V. 6. By the mount It seemes they did for some time continue this habit of penitents some do take it as if there were the word Going off from the mount to be understood there as acknowledging they were unworthy to come neere to God as Exo. 20 18. V. 7. The Tabernac'e The Italian hath it the Tent the publick place where â—e sate in judgement and counsell and called the assembly together where God appeared in the cloud and spake with him Without the campe it appeared that this was done by Gods appointment seeing the cloud which questionlesse was gone out of the Campe came to settle in this place to signifie that the people were divorced from God and in a manner excommunicate by him and also because that sacred things should not be contaminated by the company of sinnâ—rs Of the Congregation See the reason of this name Exo. 27. 21 which afterwards was given to the place of Gods publick worship Which sought by the meanes of Moses to be told Gods will or for the determining of any controversie See Exo.
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
have it the assent by which he went up into the house of the Lord because that between the royall Palace and the Temple there was a very stately bridge built over that hollow place mentioned upon 1 King 9. 15. and in this sence must be understood that which is spoken 2 Chron. 9. 4. V. 11. Of Hiram that is to say which was built after the Tirian manner and with the Timber sent by Hiram and was manned by his Marriners 2 Chron. 8. 18. besides Solomons navie mentioned vers 22. Almug trees a kinde of precious wood like Ebony or some such like wood where of there was great store in the Indies though by 2 Chr. 2. 8. it appears that there grew of the same or the like in Libanus if so be that Algummim and Almuggim be all one name V. 13. Gave her of his own free will without any asking V. 15. Of all by way of tributes or presents for victuall or for the obtaining of traffick V. 17. Three pound the Italian hath it three Mines the Mine being threescore Shekels Ezec. 45. 12. which makes two pound and a half at twelve ounces in the pound V. 19. The top the top of it with its neech was made in a semicircular forme V. 22. A Navie his owne Ships for the Ocean Sea besides them which the King of Tire had lent him Peacocks the Italian hath it Parrats or Peacocks V. 26. Gathered contrary to the Law Deut. 17. 16. V. 27. Sycomore-trees wilde figge-trees which are very common in those Countreys called in these dayes Egyptian figgs or Pharaohs figgs V. 28. Horses Egypt abounding in horses and fine linnen Prov. 7. 16. Isa. 31. 1. 3. Ezec. 27. 7. brought out by covenant and agreement made with the King of Egypt Merchants Solomon had all the profit of it whereby hee made a great gaine CHAP. XI VERS I. LOved contrary to the Law Deut. 17. 17. V. 3. Princesses solemnly espoused who participated of their husbands state and dignity whereas the concubines were in an inferiour degree V. 5. Milcom it is the same Idol which elsewhere is called Molec and Molcam V. 6. After the see upon Num. 14. 24. The meaning is that though Solomon did not personally himselfe commit Idolatry yet hee grew slack and connived at the bringing of it in to please his women carnall love drowning his zeale to God Others translate it hee did not persevere in following after the c. V. 7. Build that is to say â—ee suffered to be built the hill the mount of Olives on the East V. 11. Said caused to bee said by some Prophet as this thou hast kept hidden within thine heart this evill seed of impiety rend I will suffer a great division to be made therein and the greatest part to withdraw it selfe from thine obedience A manner of speech taken from that the Kingdome is like unto a glorious mantle upon the Kings shoulders as 1. Sam. 15. 28. see v. 31. and 1. Kings 12 16. V. 13. Ierusalems for my Churches sake which I will preserve in the pure observance of my service performed only in Ierusalem V. 15. To bury these circumstances are not specified in the story V. 16. Every male it is very likely that this â—ught to be understood but only of one or some Cities of Idumea which being beâ—ieged refused the reasonable conditions of peace whereupon they perished with the edge of the sword according to the Law Deut. 20. 13. Or every male namely they which were taken in the heat of the fight 1. Chron. 18. 12. V. 18. Of Midian whether Midian was comprehended within Idumea which was a very generall name of those Countries or whether Hadad being gone out of Idumea did rest himselfe some time in Midian V. 21. Let mee depart it is likely that while Solomon persevered in well doing all Hadads attempts were vaine But after Solomon was corrupted hee got his Kingdome of Idumea againe which remained to his posterity which held it in see of Iudah which subjection was also shaken off 2. Kings 8. 20. according to the prophecy Gen. 27. 40. V. 24. Vnto him others have it against him namely against Hadad-Ezer V. 25. All the dayes after Solomon did begin to goe aftray V. 26 Servant it is likely that Ieroboam was one of those Cananites which remained in the land whom Solomon employed about his work 1. King 9. 20 and were called Solomons servants Ezr. 2. 55. V. 27. The cause particularly set down v. 29. repaired the Italian closed with a wall upon which was made that great place or terrace called Millo V. 28. Made him see 1. Kings 5. 16. of the house of the tribe of Manasses and of Ephraim especially of this last which by its preheminence oftentimes bare the fathers name which was common to both V. 29. Clad some refer this to the Prophet some to Ieroboam V. 32. One tribe namely that of Iudah to which alwayes remained joyned a great of the tribe of Benjamin and Simeon which were intermixed with that of Iudah V 36. A light some of his posterity in whom the light of the Kingdome may remaine alive and who may possesse the state of it see 1. Kings 15. 4. 2 Kings 8. 19. Psal. 132. 17. my name the seat of my Majesty and the signes of my presence V. 37. Reigne as a soveraign absolute and undependant King V. 38. Build thee I will give thee a firme and durable state and give thee contiuned issue to possesse it Israel the ten tribes called Israel from that time to make a difference between it and Iudah V. 39. But not for Christ descended from David according to the flesh was to restore the ruines of Davids temporall Kingdome changing it into a spirituall and everlasting Kingdome V. 40. Therefore the knowledge and notice of this prophecy being come to his eare by some meanes which is not specified V. 41. In the book which as well as divers others is lost the Scripture notwithstanding remaining still perfect as also the beliefe and instruction of the Church CHAP. XII VERS I. SHechem to hold the generall assembly of the Kingdome in that place made choice of for that purpose because it was in the middest of the countrey and in the most powerfull tribe of Ephraim within whose countrey the people were the more encouraged and emboldned to demand to be eased and redressed in some grievances to make him to receive and install him as lawfull successor An opportunity upon which the people did use to desire favours new privilidges or a confirmation of the old and a redresse of grievances and oppressions V. 4. The grievous service Solomon made the Cananites only servants 1. King 9. 20. 22. but peradventure their requests were seconded by all the children of Israel who might also bee wronged therein being that service which before was common to all the people was now reduced to be the Kings only V. 7. VVilt serve them wilt incline to please them V. 10. My
next of kinne of the same Family as Kohath was of V. 8. Elizaphan that was one of the sonnes of Vzziell the son of Kohath Exo. 6. 22. whose posterity was named after his name whereas the other Kohathiâ—â—s kept the name of Kohath their first Father V. 9. Of Hebron who was also one of Kohaths children Exod 6. 18. V. 10. Of Vzziel of his other sonnes besides Elizaphans whose children were set down before V. 11. The Priests Abiathar was high Priest and Zadock was his great Deputy 2 Sam. 8. 17. 1 Kin. 2. 27. according to the order established Num. 3. 32. Now sometimes there were two of these second Priests as 2 Chron. 35. 8. whereby one might say that this Abiathar is he who is called Abimelech 2 Sam. 8. 17. 1 Chron. 24. 3. and thereunto seemeth to be referred that which is said 1 Kings 4. 4. V. 12. Sanctifie your selves prepare your selves for this holy work with ceremoniall purifications accompanied with the inward purifications of the soul V. 13. A breaâ—h by the death of Uzzah sought him not we had not religiously examined what hee required of us by his Law in this caâ—e Or wee had not presented our selves before him to performe this service rightly according to his wiâ—l V. 16. Sounding joyning and according the vocal musick with the instrumentall From hence it appeares that this sacred musick was in use even before Davids time though there be no mention made of it in the Law but David did afterwards ilâ—ustrate and ordaine it 1 Chron. 25. V. 18. Of the second of holy Musitians under the three foresaid heads Ben hee is left out verse 20 and 21. wherefore some believe that he had two names and that hee is the same as is called Azzâ—zâ—ah verse 21. V. 20. Alamoth a terme of musick whose signification is uncertaine see upon Psal. 46. 1. V. 21. Shemineth see upon Psal. 6. 1. to excell the Italian for songs of victory upon occasion of some notable victory or deliverance to magnifie the Lord and rejoyce or to guide the song or as they say to hâ—ld the Descant V. 22. Chiefe or hee was the chiefe amongst the Levites in the carrying of the Ark or he had the superintendencie of them which carried it V. 23. Doore-keepers did the office of doore-keepers to hinder people from c 〈…〉 ing neer to it like to two others who went behinde v. 24. for the same occasion V. 26. Helped the Levites by some not specified declaration hee caused the Priests which bare the Arke to stay â—nd others succeeded in their places Now 2 Sam. 6. 13. it is said that David sacrificed an Oxe and a Sheep at every six places going here therefore are to be understood greater pauses V. 27. All the Levites see upon Psal. 32. 16. an â—phed see upon 1 Sam. 2. 18. CHAP. XVI VERS IIII. TO record unto the Church Gods benefits and wonders and to make unto him a perpetual aknowledgement of them V. 7. First the first Psalme or holy Song which hee gave them was this for afterwards hee composed and gave them many more see 2 Sam. 23. 1. V. 11. His strength that is to say his glory according to the use of the holy language as if he should say Seek his glorious presence in his Temple where he doth manifest himselfe in grace and power V. 12. The judgements his Lawes or the executions of his justice upon his enemies he pronouncing the sentence and putting it in execution by his Almighty Word V. 14. Are in all the fame of what he hath done for us is spread overall the World V. 22. Mine annointed namely persons consecrated to my service in which consecration the externall unction was alwayes employed as a sign Prophets according as the Lord revealed himselfe to the Patriarchs by dreames and visions Gen. 20. 7. V. 27. Strength or glory or the effects of his Soveraigne power for the safety of his V. 28. And Strength acknowledgement and praise for it V. 30 The world by the spirituall reign of the Messias figured by Davids shall bee restored in the Church gathered out of the whole world all the ruines and disorders which have happened in it through sinne and the state of it shall bee unmoveable and eternall V. 33. To judge to rule and governe it V. 35. In thy praise in thy marvellous works woâ—thy to be highly solemnized V. 39. The Tabernacle that of Moses which was then in Gibeon with the Altar 1 Chron. 21. 29. 2 Chron. 1. 3. V. 41. Because using these words by an intercalar verse of all the holy praises 2 Chorn. 5. 13. and 7. 3. Ezr. 3. 11. Ier. 33. 11. V. 42. Of God that is to say holy V. 43. To blesse to pray and doe his devotions to the Lord amongst his houshold in the quality of a Father of a Family as hee had done publikely in the quality of a King or to celebrate the same Festivall and joy amongst his own folks as hee had already celebrated amongst all the people CHAP. XVII VERS V. FRom Tent whether he have a regard to the new one which was set up by David besides Moses his or whether he meaneth Moses his alone which had never stood still but was alwayes removed from place to place CHAP. XVIII VERS VIII TIbbhath citiâ—s called Bâ—rah and Berothai 2 Sam. 8. 8. V. 10. Hadoram called Ioram in Samuel V. 16. Abimelech called Abimelech in Samuel Shausha called there Seraiah CHAP. XXI VER I. STood up troubled their rest and hindered the course of Gods blessings and renewed his combats with the people assaulting of David their head V. 3. Are they not this numbering of them will not binde them by stricter bonds nor make them more faithfull to thee as your mustered souldiers have in that kinde a more peculiar Oath ministred unto them of trespasse he saith this perceiving that there was sinne in this enterprise of the Kings which could not chuse according to the custome of Kings sinnes but cause some great calamitie to the people V. 5. And all they of all the other Tribes besides Iudah which was numbred by it selfe and Benjamin and Levi which were not numbred at all ver 6. V. 8. Said before the plague began V. 18. The Angel not the destroying Angell but the Sonne of God himselfe who did appear to the Prophets V. 20. The Angel this it is likely was the destroying Angel ver 16. V. 26. Answered him hee declared by this sign of fire descending from heaven that hee accepted of his sacrifice see Lev. 9. 24. Iudg. 6. 21. 1 Kings 18 38. 2 Chron. 〈◊〉 1. V. 28. He sacrificed he sacrificed there ordinarily besides that first sacrifice which hee sacrificed there being commanded by God V. 30. Could not by reason of the great haste he had to appease the Lord and to deliver Jerusalem from the scourge of mortality to enquire to crare his grace and pardon by prayere and seacrifices CHAP. XXII VER I. THis is this
cattell appointed for sacrifices were brought in great number whereupon it was so called Iohn 5. 1. or at the least the old name revived see Gen. 3. 21. Mic. 4. 8. sanctified it that is to say repaired it and set it up in its former state and splendor and did also new dedicate it to its first use by prayers and devotions which use was more holy than that of the other gates whereupon the Priests did undertake the repairing of it and by their working upon it did gaine it the more respect as being a thing belonging to the Temple the tower of Meah the Italian the tower of one hundred that is to say of one hundred cubits â—igh unto the drawing towards the North for this tower was on the North East side see Ier. 37. 38. V. 2. Next unto him going on from the side of the said Tower towards the West the men the commonalty of the inhabitants of Iericho see Ezr. 2. 34. V. 3. The fish gate which was on the North side of Ierusalem and it is likely that it was so called by reason of the fish which was brought in that way for the provision of the city from the Se◠〈…〉 sts of Tyre and Sidon see Neh. 13. 16. the sonneâ— see Ez 2. 35. and it is doubtfull whether this Hass 〈…〉 aah be the name of a city so that by children be mâ—ant the inhabitants or the name of a man and so his posterity be meant V. 4. Repaired the walls and towers because that in this portion there was never a gate next unto them namely next unto Merimoth and his people V. 5. The Tekoites the inhabitants of Tekoah a city of Iudah 2 Sam. 14. 2. 2 Chron. 11. 6. put not their necks they were not partakers of this labour for the Lords service Others referre this word Lord unto Nehemiah the governour of the naâ—â—on or to this head of the commonalty of Tekoah V. 6. The old gate which was on the North side of the city V. 7. The throne the Pallace or Court V. 8. Fortified Ierusalem the Italian Ierusalem was left they did nothing to the wall from the above said place unto the corner gate because that there the wallhad not been ruined as in other places and according to some it was that soure hundred cubits of wall which Ieboash had pulled down and was buâ—lt up againe by Vzziah and made stronger and broader 2 Chron. 25. 23. see Neh. 12. 38. V. 9. And next next after them on the West side the foresaid space of wall being between of Ierusalem the Italian hath it the halfe part of Ierusalem Ierusalem was divided into severall parts or wards whereof each one had it Captaine The old Salem which was Melchisedechs seat which is here especially meant by Ierusalem had two parts whereof the other is mentioned v. 12. V. 11. The other peice the Italian a double space namely of foure hundred cubits whereas every one was to repair but two hundred namely from one tower to another the tower which was on the West side V. 12. His daughters it should seem this man had none but dâ—ughters who also employed their meanes and servants about this work V. 13. Zanoah a city of Iudab Ios. 15. 34. 56. 1 Chron. 4. 18. V. 14. The sonne of of the famous Family of the Rechabites Ier. 35. 2. Beth haccerem another part of Ierusalem V. 15. Siloah the Italian Sela this is the channell or small stream which came from the fountain of Gibon called elsewhere Siloah the staires which were at the turning from the West southward V. 16. Bethzur this name and the following names are names of severall parts of the city given for either unknown or unceâ—â—ain causes that was made so named to make a difference between it and other pooles which were naturall which poole within a great enclosure of strong walls held in the waters which came by that water-course and it seems to be that which is called the upper poole 2 Kings 18. 17. Isa. 7. 3. unto the house this was some place which is not mentioned any where else where those Captaines had their lodgings whom the King kept ordinarily neere to him 1 Chron. 27. 1. which also it should seeme was a place where youths were taught to handle their Armes Cant. 4. 4. V. 19. Mizpah the other halfe of that part of the city which was so called v. 15. at the turning the Italian at the corner this was some great corner of the wall on the South side of the city where the Arsenall or Armory had anciently been which afterwards was removed to the house of the forrest of Lebanon Isa. 22. 8. V. 20. Zabbai the Italian Zaccai or Zabbai V. 22. The men of the plaine the Italian which dwelt in the plaine who had their countrey houses and housholds in the plaine of Iericho neere Iordan though they had houses in Ierusalem also whether it were to people the city or to supply the wants of Gods service there being at that time but a small number of Priests V. 24. The turning namely from the South side to the East which turning came with the corner inwards into the city according to the naturall scituation of the rock and the valley V. 25. High house this was the Royall Pallace built by Solomon 1 Kings 7. 1. V. 26. Water-gate see Neh. 8. 1. and 12. 37. and it seemes to bee that which is mentioned Ier. 17. 19. called the water-gate because that neere unto it all the waters which were come into the city by water-courses or pipes under ground came into one channell and did runne into a deepe valley V. 27. The Tekoites namely the Priests which dwelt in Tekoah for the common sort of the Tekoites had been spoken of before v. 5. V. 29. The keeper see upon 1 Chron. 26. 14. and 31. 14. East-gate namely of the Temple V. 30. His chamber the Italian his chambers that part of chambers in the Porticoes of the Temple which was assigned to him and his for their habitations for it is to be supposed that hee was a Levite V. 31. Gold-smiths sonne or a gold-smith but consecrated and one of the Priests to make or mend the holy vessells merchants the Italian addeth merchants of spices or perfumes for there being such frequent use for such things in the Temple for unctions and perfumes these people had gotten them habitations neere unto it Miphkad the Italian of the prison see Neh. 12. 39. and it is likely that it was no close and darke prison but large and be onging to the Church for errours committed in Gods service in the Temple Ier. â—9 â—6 Acts 4. 6. and 5. 18. the going up the Italian the high hall it was some high roome for assemblies banquets or other uses when there was much company V. 32. The sheep-gate by which gate having begun 〈◊〉 hee there also ended the circuit of the whole city CHAP. IV. VER 2. HIs brethren people of his Family feeble
tree cut down or rooted up V. 12. His troops figurative termes taken from sieges see Iob. 16. 13. V. 17. My breath shee scorneth to come nigh mee by reason of the change and stinkingnesse of my breath for the for the love and in regard of our children which were the pledges of matrimoniall love between us V. 18. Young children young in age or mean of condition Others men of evill life V. 20. The skinne namely my gummes an ordinary kind of speech as when one saith such a one hath nothing left him but his teeth V. 21. Hath touched mee see Ruth 1. 13. 1 Sam. 6. 9 Iob 1. 11. V. 22. Are not as much as to say it seemeth that you could find in your hearts to devoure mee alive Iob. 16. 10. V. 24. And lead melted into the cuts of the letters or upon lead Namely some plate of that mettle as was anciently used for inscriptions and publick monuments His meaning is I desire that posterity being well informed of my cause might judge of it V. 25. For I the Italian as for mee I know as much as to say Finally I doe appeale to the last judgement of the great Iudge of the world the promised Messias in whom I have beleeved as well for the salvation of the soule as for the resurrection of the body And hee in time shall make mine innocency to appeare see 1 Cor 4. 5. liveth as true eternall God and that in his humane nature which hee will take upon him for the redemption of his Church he will perpetually enjoy the life of glory purchased through his justice for himselfe and all his members Iohn 6. 57. and 4. 19. shall stand that is to say shall appeare in glory to judge all men who were turned to dust and raised againe by him V. 26. My skinne namely this corporall life in which nothing is now left mee but my skinne in my flesh in mine owne proper person my body by vertue of the resurrection being rejoyned to my soule I shall enjoy the presence of my God and Saviour by the divine light in my mind which shall redound unto the senses of the body which shall also have for object of its happinesse the humane and glorified body of Christ and the misticall body of his Church perfectly united unto him Psal. 17. 15. 〈◊〉 Cor. 23. 12. 1 Iohn 3. 2. V. 27. Not another mine own body shall bee againe restored unto mee and not another new body created see Isa. 26. 19. my reines an exclamation of a vehement desire as Gen. 49. 18. Psal. 119. 81. V. 28. The root I have Gods word and his holy promises deeply rooted in my heart through faith Ia. 1. 2â— by which being freed by Gods judgement I ought not nor must not bee condemned by men see Iohn 3. 18. and 5. 24. V. 29. Of the sword of Gods just punishment wrath the Italian iniquity see Iob 6. 29. a judgement namely against them that give rash judgement of their brethren Math. 7. 1. Rom. 14. 4 Ia. 4. 11. CHAP. XX. VER 2. THerefore because thou threatnest us with Gods judgements I will answer thee being very certaine that I am in the right V. 3. The spirit my soule or the spirit of God understanding with reason and understanding and not with passion and recrimination V. 5. Is short the Italian from neere that is to say it begun but a little while since and will shortly end V. 10. Shall seeke either because they doe nor revenge themselves of their fathers injuries or because they shall make use of them in tâ—eiâ— extreame need restore being forced to it or to redeem his own life out of his angry euen its hands V. 11. His bones hee shall bee rotten with the excesses and dissolutions of his youth which shall â—â—ing him to his grave V. 12. Though wickednesse the pleasure which hee hath taken in the delights of sin shall at last be changed into horrible torments and sufferings A phrase taken from some poison that hath been swallowed in some pleasing meat or drink V. 17. The rivers a figurative description of Gods blessings bestowed upon his children in this and in the other life taken from the qualities of the land of promise flowing with milke and hony see Psal. 36. 18. V. 18. Restore hee shall cast it up againe and shall restore to others that which hee had gotten from them as v. 10. according hee shall bee as poore and wretched as hee hath been rich and mighty his substance the Italian his power namely his wealth and strength restitution the Italian his change see Iob 15. 31. V. 19. And hath forsaken the poore the Italian hath it hee shall leave poore behind him namely his own children which he builded not the Italian hee shall not build his own hee shall not found nor establish his businesse nor his family in any way to make it endure long see Exod. 1. 21. 1. Sam. 2. 35. 2 Sam. 7. 27. V. 20. Shall not feele hee hath been continually enflamed with an unsatiable coveâ—ous desire V. 22. In straits hee shall be brought into extreame wants and sufferings every hand hee shall be exposed as a prey to the poore V. 24. Of steele the Italian of brasse for in those dayes they could give brasse such a kind of temper that it was more usefull for weapons than any steele V. 26. All darkenesse wheresoever hee shall thinke to finde a place of safeguard there shall hee meet with some horrible mischance not blowen that is to say calamities whose causes shall be unknown and shall proceed immediately from God see Isa. 30. 33. V. 27. The heaven all the creatures high and low conspiring his ruine shall testifie the curse of God upon him for his sinnes V. 28. 〈◊〉 away shall be carried away as by a deluge of water V. 29. By God the Italian addeth by God for his words namely for his blasphemies which is the greatest sinne of the wicked for which hee also taxeth Iob in some sort see 1 Sam 2. 3. 10. Others the inheritance which was assigned unto him by Gods sentence CHAP. XXI VER 4. My complaint seeing it is God who in an extraordinary manner doth afflict me how should 〈◊〉 observe any measure in my complaints Iob 6. 2. V. 13. In a moment without much languishing which good men doe oftentimes in their calamities Iob 9. 23 and 24. 19. Psal. 73. 4. V. 15. What is the hee seemeth to reherse the very words of Pharaoh Exod. 5. 2. V. 16. Their good being perswaded they can have all things at command and all that they want to be within the compasse of their power they care not for praying to God for to desire those things at his hands the counsell God forbid that ever I 〈…〉 ould consent to any such wickednesse Iob. 22. 18. V. 17. How often I confesse that which you say concerning Gods iudgements upon the wicked to bee sometimes true in this world yet it is not so
damnifie and deceive others V. 8. Of the villages A description of a high-way robber under which name are meant all violent and deceitfull men and their actions V. 9. Into his net into his traps and ambushes which hee hath laid for him V. 14. despight namely the malice and boldnesse of thine enemies in despighting thee to thy face or the injurie done to men with insulting over them V. 15 Seek out c. the Italian and then if thou seek out the wickednesse c. his meaning is these wicked men are incorrigible their malice will never have an end untillthey be rooted out therefore O Lord once rid the world of them V. 16. The heathen the Italian the nations that is to say the wicked and ungodly who are like heathens which have no God Or hee meaneth that God having rooted the accursed nations out of the land of Canaan had given a certaine signe and proofe that hee would suffer no wicked prophane people to be there V. 17. Of the humble or poore afflicted prepare the Italian establish namely by thy spirit with grace and strength to endure all assaults Others thou doest prepare namely them to call upon thee holily and righteously PSAL. XI VER 1. HOw say yee David speaketh to 〈◊〉 of Sauls courtiers who by violence or deceitfull speeches did seeke to send David far from the land of Iudah to free Saul from jelousie and doubts 1 Sam. 26. 19. Others take these words to bee touching some evill counsell of his friends wishing him to retire to his caves and rocks where hee was wont to lie and not come heere to Iudea which was Davids hearty desire V. 2. For loe it is true that I am in extreame dangers and that I can have no recourse to justice in this generall subversion of the state but yet upon the assurance of mine innocency I will have recourse to heaven and to Gods justice V. 3. The foundations that is to say all the state which ought to be founded upon piety and justice Psa. 75. 4. and 82. 5. Pro. 20. 28. and 29. 14. being subverted by the malice of mine enemies can the cause thereof bee imputed to mee guiltlesse man V. 4. His eye lids a manner of speech taken from those mens actions who being desimus to look upon a thing more fixedly doe winke with their eyes or close up one of them V. 5. His soule a humane kind of speech the meaning of which is he hateth them with all his heart V. 6. Shall reigne as in the destruction of Sodom Gen. 19. 24. snares the Italian embers others though not so well translate it snares the portion a similitude taken from banquets at which every one had his portion of meate and drink set out see Psa. 16. 5. and 75. 8. PSAL. XII THE title Sheminith see upon Psal. 6. in the title V. 4. Wee will wee will keep ourselves in favour with Saul and maintaine our greatnesse in his Kingdome by slandering of David and flattering of Saul For this Psalme seemeth to have a referrence ta those times which were infected with such plagues oùr lips our tongue is a meanes sufficient for to maintaine us which can neither be hindred nor taken away from us none hath any power thereon but only our selves V. 5. Puffeth at him the Italian against whom they speak boldly others from them that burst out in speeches against him namely through rage or contempt Psa. 10. 5. Others lay snares that is to say seek to entrap him with their courtly arts V. 6. The words namely the promises hee hath made mee to raise me to the Kingdome pâ—re from all falshood deceit and vanity which are the 〈…〉 rects of mens words for the Lords words are most true and most just V. 8. The wicked that is to say all manner of licentiousnesse and impunity reigneth when publick offices are enjoyed by unworthy and infamous persons such as Sauls officers were see Prov. 28. 12 18. and 29. 2. PSAL. XIII VER 2. TAke counsell that is to say advise how I shall doe to escape Or how long shall I be kept in care and troubles of the mind which daily troment mee V. 3. Lighten give mee the guide of thy spirit the joy and comfort of thy grace and re establish me by thy power least I sleep least I perish beyond all remedy like one that passeth immediately from sleep to death V. 6. Dea 〈…〉 bountifully hath given me the reward of mine innocency in this cause the wages of my paines and patience and the crown of glory for this combate PSAL. XIV VER 1. THe foole the sensuall and prophane man who is nor enlightened with the lively light of Gods-spirit who through the malice of his heart puts out as far as in him lieth the naturall lights of knowledge and of conscience concerning God his providence law and judgement that hee may run headlong to all manner of evill hath said his understanding being darkned hee doubteth whether there be a God or no and in his rebellious and perverse will he endeavoureth to confirme that beleef in himselfe though atheisme can never find a perfect continuall assent in the heart of man and so works without any feare of God as though hee were fully persuaded thereunto see Rom. 1. 21. 28. 1 Cor. 15. 34. V. 2. The children namely all men in their corrupt nature having not the gift of regeneration see Gen. 4. 26. and 6. 2. yea and a great part of Gods own people which had gone astray while King Saul reigned though there were yet a holy remnant amongst them which are afterwards namely v. 4. opposed to the wicked and therefore are excepted out of this generality by Gods grace and seek namely that made God and his service and glory the only end of all their actions and that did seek to gaine the true and lively knowledge of him and to be in his favour to come at the last to a perfect union with him Acts. 17. 27. V. 3. They are all gone aside the Italian they are all spoiled the Hebrew word is taken from wines that are grown sower see Isa 1. 22. Hos. 4. 18. as the word that followeth is taken from meat that is grown rotten or stinking V. 4. My people by this word are oftentimes meant the poore and needy whose only protectoris God Exod. 22. 25. Mic. 2. 9. V. 5. There namely before God and his judgement contrary to the judgement of the world Psa. 2. 6. see Eccl. 3. 17. V. 7. Come out of Sion that I David comming to reigne in Ierusalem may free the people from Sauls tiranny and his wicked officers But especially that the great Saviour of the world whose type I am may come to be incarnate in Ierusalem to gaine everlasting salvation for his Church PSAL. XV. VER WHo shall abide that is to say who shall bee true member of thy Church never to be cast out of it and who shall enter into thine everlasting
the onely cause and foundation of all their honour and glory V. 6. A worme a most vile and contemptible person as Isa. 41. 14. V. 9. That took mee see Psal. 71. 6. Isa. 46. 3. V. 10. I was cast thou tookest me into thy care and tuition and tookest me up as a mid-wife or nurse taketh an infant when it first comes into the world V. 12. Bulls namely strong and fierce enemies Bashan a place abundant in fat pastures and great cattell Deut. 32. 14. V. 15. Hast brought me thou haste made mee even ready to bee laid downe in the graye see Psal. 7. 5. V. 17. They look feeding their eyes and passions with my misery as with a pleasant spectacle see Luke 23. 35. V. 20. My darling the Italian my onely one an epithet of the soule as Psal. 35. 17. for man having but one life that is so much the dearer to him Vnlesse he meane the solitude hee was in being destitute of all humane reliefe Psal. 25. 16. which was also verified in Christ Iohn 16. 32. V. 22. My Brethren all the faithfull adopted by the Father through grace and regenerate by his spirit and made brothers and co-heires with Christ Iohn 20. 17. Kom 8. 29. V. 26. The meeke an ordinary title of the faithfull Shalt eat shall spiritually be fed with the Lords flesh and blood who died and did rise againe for them and in him shall have the full fruition of all good things V. 27. All the ends a prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles shall remember the 〈◊〉 and lively knowledge of the sufferances and glory of Christ shall be given to and preserved amongst all Nations by the preaching of the Gospel and especially by the Sacrament of his body therefore called a remembrance Luke 22. 19. V. 28. The Kingdome namely the spirituall Kingdom over the Church and the universall one over all the world belongeth unto Christ true eternall God V. 29. All they that be all the true elect and faithfull rich and poore of what condition soever shall participate of these spirituall goods without vainely slopping vainely at the worldly and corruptible ones That goe down that are weak and halfe dead through hunger and misery V. 30. Shall bee accounted shall bee put into the number of the children of God Psal. 87. 6. V. 31. His righteousnesse by this word is meant Gods grace under the Gospel which was acquired unto men by Christ the everlasting Gods righteousnesse according to the truth of his promises and covenant see Rom. 3. 21. 22. PSAL. XXIII VER 3. HE restoreth or bringeth it againe into the rightway when it goeth astray Ofrighteousnesse according to others straight and plaine paths V. 4 I walk and though I were in the terrors of present death thy rod namely thy providence and conduct or thy spirit which is the internall guide and comfort of the faithfull V. 5. Thou annointest that is to say besides my necessary occasions thou dost fill me with joy and glory Your odiriferous oyles being used at banquets and upon other festivall occasions and to consecrate Kings and Princes see Psal. 92. 10. and 104. 15. V. 6. In the house namely in his Church in this world and in the everlasting Kingdome of heaven afterwards PSAL. XXIV VER 2. VPon the Seas that is to say upon the the great abisse of waters which is under the earth enclosed in great hollow places whence the heads of rivers doe spring and bubble out upon the earth see Gen. 7. 11. and 49. 25. 2 Pet. 3. 5. V. 3. Into the Hill that is to say into the Lords Temple set upon the hill Moriah in Jerusalem where David carried the Arke 2 Sam. 6. 17. 2 Chron. 3. 1. And afterwards into the Kingdome of heaven figured by that hill V. 4. Lift up who giveth no heed nor puts no confidence in the vaine and foolish designes of the world nor in the fraudulent enticements of the Devill V. 5. Righteousnesse the effects of the loyaltie of Gods promises and covenant and of the righteousnesse which his sonne hath acquired to the Church Psal. 22. 31. and the free reward of that righteousnesse which the faithfull doe practice through the Spirit of regeneration V. 6. Jacob the Italian hath it◠such is Iacob that seeketh thy face O God namely the true Israel according to the Spirit Rom. 4. 16. Gal. 6 16. Others translate it that seeke thy face in Iacob Others that seek thy face O Jacob that is to say which seek out the true Church to be incorporated into it by a lively faith under the onely head of the Church which is Christ see Isa. 44. 5. Rev. 3. 2. V. 7. O yee gates a prophetick representation of Christs glorious entrance into heaven under the figure of the Arke brought into the place prepared by David as Psal. 47. 15. and 68. 25. to shew the onely cause of the Churches gathering together and of the bringing of it up into heaven namely Christs ascention see Iohn 12. 32. Acts 2. 33. Ephes. 4. 8. 10. Lift up a phrase or terme taken from triumphall arches or great porticoes set up or beautified and adorned for the comming in of great victorious and triumphant Captaines V. 8. Who is the Angels admirations at the comming in of Christs humanitie into heaven see Ephes 3. 10. PSAL. XXV WIthout cause through meere and wilfull malice no way merited nor provoked by any offence of mine V. 6. Remember that is to say use them effectually towards me according as thou wert wont to doe for they seeing that from all eternity thou hast made use of those thy loving kindnesses in decreeing my salvation to thy selfe let not them now be interrupted staied nor limited any way V. 8. Therefore because God is good therefore he will give his children his Spirit for their direction and because he is upright it must of necessity bee a good and most certaine direction V. 10. The pathes that is to say the works and councels by which hee commeth and communicateth himselfe to his and by which he also bringeth them back to himselfe guiding them by the tracks of his owne vertues V. 11. For it is great therefore the expiation of that iniquity must be a work of thine infinite mercy whereunto thou art moved most when thou seest the greatest misery and necessity and the offender grieving most for it Rom. 5. 20. V. 14. The secret namely his decree and fixed will concerning their salvation and all the meanes appointed for it see Iohn 15. 15. Acts 10. 27. V. 21. Mine integrity let mine innocencie and sincerity be a sufficient defence and safeguard against all mine enemies ambushes and violence drawing thy protection upon mee Or let these vertues alwayes keep me from doing evill and let them never depart from me PSAL. XXVI VER 2. MY reines see Psalm 7. 9. and 16. 7. V. 3. Is before thy grace goeth alwayes along with my faith and I have sincerely obeyed the truth of thy
those effects which did surpasse all humane power and were true miracles wrought by God the light namely thy grace and favour V. 4. Command that is to say worke it by thine almighty word which gives a being and is a law for all things see Psa. 42. 8. and 68. 28. V. 5. Through thy calling upon thee through thy strength and power under thy conduct fighting thy cause by thy command V. 9. Goest not forth thou doest no more assist us in our sights a terme taken from that the arke was wont to be carried in the campe in the time of great and imminent dangers of warre Num. 14. 42. and 31. 6. V. 12. Thou sellest that is to say thou hast suffered their enemies to subdue them easily without any losse or dammage or hast given them over to their wills as a thing of no value dost not increase thou thy selfe seemest to have lost by this oppression of thy people which was as it were thine own inheritance and thine enemies have not so much as yeelded thee any acknowledgement or done thee any hommage therefore as it were to recompence thy losse Others thou hast not raised their price that is to say thou hast let their enemies have them at what price and upon what condition they would themselves and hast not caused them to pay a deare rate for their conquest V. 14. A◠shaking a signe of scorne and derision as 2 Kings 19. 21. Iob. 16. 4. Psal. 22. 7. V. 15. My confusion I have causes of confusion continually before mine eyes the marks whereof I carry upon my face and forehead which are covered with shame V. 16. Avenger that is to say an enemie grievously incensed Psa. 8. 3. V. 19. Of dragons that is to say horrid places such as are the receptacles or dens of those beasts see Isa. 34. 13. and 35. 7. by which is meant an extream desolation the shaddow that is to say deadly calamities Psa. 23. 4. V. 20. Stretched out prayed after the ancient manner of praying with armes laid abroad and hands turned up Iob 11. 13. PSAL. XLV THE title Shoshannim an unknown name of a time or os a musicall instrument of loves spirituall loves of Christ and his Church as in the book of Canticles the contemplation and penning of which was peradventure occasioned by Solomons nuptialls and from thence are taken many termes to signifie things which are meerly divine and celestiall V. 1. Enditing the Italian bubbleth out a figurative terme which is very frequent in scripture to expresse not only the fervency of a righteous mans zeale but also the vehemencie of divine inspiration see Iob 32. 18. a good that is to say a discourse of dainty matters touching the the Italian I rehearse my works to the King that is to say I consecrate these my works to the honour of the everlasting King of the Church V. 2. Fairer excellent and perfect in all manner of vertue and such dost thou appeare to be to thy Church see Isa. 33. 17. grace that is to say besides thine own proper perfections thou hast that soveraign gift of communicating thy selfe by thy most sweet and gratious word see Isa. 50. 4. therefore these are the two causes and grounds of the establishment of thine everlasting Kingdome by God thy Father V. 3. Thy sword which is the most efficacious and piercing word of thy Gospell Isa. 49. 2. Heb. 4. 12. Rev. 1. 16. and 19. 15. V. 4 Ride or bee thou carried as it were upon a triumphant chariot which is meant by the Gospell by the preaching of which Christ was to be carried victorious and triumphant all the world over prosperously being thus sum 〈…〉 ously armed and surnished set a happie period to all thy businesses Isa. 53. 10. thy right bond that is to say if thou dost employ thy soveraign power thou shalt finde the experience of those admirable effects which the spirit doth foretell by mee V. 5. Thine arrowes see concerning these armes of Christ and of their effect Isa. 49. 2. 2 Cor. 10. 4. V. 6. O God hee directeth his speech to Christ Heb. 1. 8. true eternall God who besides and with the Kingdome of essence and eternall glory is also mediator as lievtenant generall to his sather which place hee undergoeth in the union of the two natures yet by the power of his deitie V. 7. Therefore that is to say because that thou alone through the most perfect justice art fitting and worthy to bee King of the Church God hath consecrated thee for this place in thine whole person and hath endowed thy humane nature beyond measure with the gifts of the spirit which gifts were anciently figured and shewed as it were in a shaddow by the annointing of Kings John 3. 34. 1 Iohn 2. 20. 27. of gladnesse for your sweet smelling oiles were also used for to beautifie the face upon occasions of feasting and mirth Psa. 23. 5 and 104. 15. and likewise this oile of consecration and infusion of the gifts of the holy Ghost is also an oile of joy and glory in Christ thy fellowes all the true elect sanctified by the same spirit and endowed with the same graces to be Kings and Priests Rev. 1. 6. and 5. 10. of which neverthelesse they receive but a certaine portion and measure 1 Cor. 12. 7. 11. Ephes. 4. 7. whereas Christ hath the whole fullnesse of it Iohn 3. 34. V. 8. All thy garments thou art clothed with the gifts of the holy Ghost which spread forth a most sweet odour of grace even from heaven thy dwelling place Cant. 1. 3. out of the from heaven which is Christs royall habitation alluding to Kings pallaces whose walls were covered over with marble 1 Kings 22. 39. Amos 3. 15. made thee glad namely that everlasting joy which thou hast in heaven V. 9. Daughters as much as to say Kingdomes and provinces shall be joyned to the Church of Israel which is here specially meant by the spouse by reason of that nations prerogative though they altogether doe make but one universall Church Cant. 6. 8. honourable women the Italian amongst thine honours that is to say thy nuptiall traine and pompe Others have it thine honorable that is to say thy maids of honour upon thy the chiefe place of honour next to the soveraign and was given to the queenes 1 Kings 2. 19. of Ophir see Iob 22. 24. V. 10. Hearken the prophets words to the Church forget renounce the world which is as it were thy fathers house whence thou wert taken to cleave altogether to thy husband according to the Lawes of matrimonie Gen. 2. 24. V. 12. The daughter that is to say the people of that city hee meaneth that the mightiest and famousest nations of the Gentiles should bee joyned to the Church to doe in it and with it hommage to Christ Psa. 72. 10. Isa. 23. 18. V. 13. The Kings daughter namely the Church which is Gods daughter and Christs bride Cant. 7. 1. within the Church though
falling into poverty the other a burning covetousnesse the one is never at rest and the other never satisfied V. 16. The grave Or hell The earth Such as your sands and deserts are V. 17. The Ravens The wickednesse of such children shall be punished with horrible kindes of death without honour of buriall their bodies flying upon the ground for foode for the fowles of the ayre and for wilde beasts V. 20. Such is Shee doth things so covertly and so close unlesse it please God that shee be taken and convinced some other way She eateth By these hidden termes is signified the act of dishonesty and the impudency in the dissembling of it or denying it V. 21. The earth These things doe cause great trouble amongst men as well in States as 〈◊〉 private families V. 22. For a servant For such kinde of people being raised to dignitie doe command imperiously and cruelly When be reigneth Whereby he becommeth insolent injurious and untamed whereas poverty is a very healthfull punishment for him V. 23. Odious By reason of her displeasing manners vitious and contentious nature See Deut. 21. 15. That is heire That hath succeeded her mistresse by marying with her master whereby she becommeth proud and intolerable V. 26. Feeble folke Without any strength or courage Yet can they finde a way to make holes in the 〈…〉 ks for their refuge as well as the â—â—erâ—â—st beasts V. 27. By hands As it hath beene observed in grâ—at swarmes of Locusts some flye in troopes turning one way and some the other way like diverse squadrons of an army V. 28. The Spider the Italian The Star-lizard Histories doe relate many things of the Star-lizard or Eâ—t his naturall understanding especially for the good of man to whom this creature seemâ—s to beare a great affection V. 31. A Grey-hound the Italian The Cock the Hebrew word is very ambiguous by some it is taken for a Steed barded for the warre By some for a Greyhound An he Goat Of according to others a Ramme V. 32. If thou hast If through rashnesse or pride thou hast committed any evill act or haste intended any evill especially if thou hast falled in thy respect towards thy Prince See Eccl. 8. 3. Lay thine Containe thy selfe bridle thy minde and bethinke thy selfe See Job 21. 5. V. 33. The 〈…〉 ing He 〈…〉 through off 〈…〉 ries and importunities 〈…〉 â—oth move another 〈…〉 to wrath Or he that lets his owne wrath burst out instead of quenching and appeasing it CHAP. XXXI VERS 1. LE 〈…〉 l It is likely this was some name given to Solomon by his mother after she understood by prophetick revelation that he was to succeed David in the Kingdome It signifieth one that is of God or that belongs to God that is to say a King appointed and consecâ—â—â—ed by him The prophecy the Italian The prophetick speech See Proverbs â—0 1â— and it is likely that Bathsheba by divine inspiration did fore arme Solomon with these holy precepts against the vicious inclination which he naturally had V. 2. What my That is to say what instructions can I give thee and what instructions are most necessary for thee Of my vowes That is to say for whose birth life salvation and blessing I have made so many vowes to God V. 3. Give not Weaken not thy body and thy minde through luxurie and unbridled lust which is the very ruine of Princes Prov. 7. 26. V. 5. The law the Italian The statutes Of God and of his law V. 6. Give strong The meaning is that if it was lawfull for any to drinke a little extraordinary yet it was not lawfull for Kings to doe it who were by right to keepe their judgement and understanding cleere and whole and had otherwise many inticements to stirre up the flesh but it was more lawfull and fitting for afflicted persons who wanted 〈…〉 and had need to drowne their sorrowâ—◠〈…〉 〈…〉 nally this is spoken comparatively and not absolutely V. 8. For the dumbe Namely for those that dare not cannot nor have not power to maintaine their right against the oppression of the mighty V. 9. Open thy That is to say s 〈…〉 ke freely and couâ—agiouâ—â—y according as thou shalt 〈…〉 de it to bee the â—ight V. 10. Who can finde That is to say Oh how happie shall that man be that shall have this good hap granted him by God V. 11 Of spoiâ—â— the Italian Of garment Heb. of spoiles that is to say of linnen and woollen raiment and other garments which women are to care for especially in former times in which women were wont to weave such clothes at home themselves V. 13. Willingly the Italian With delight Taking delight in their worke Others ac 〈…〉 ding to 〈…〉 delight of their hands that is to say 〈…〉 moâ—â— d 〈…〉 us to worke sometimes in one 〈…〉 worke and sometimes in another V. 14. She bringeth That is to say by selling of her worke to merchants which come ouâ— of faire countries she doth by such honest trading maintaine her family V. 15. A portion 〈…〉 Italian Their 〈…〉 namely their dayes worke Others their portion of food Prov. 30. 8. V. 23. Is knowne Is renowned and noted for his wives worth In the gates in publick meetings and co 〈…〉 which were held neeâ—e the gates of the City V. 24. Fine linnen the Italian 〈◊〉 Or exceeding fine linnen clothes V. 25. She shall rejoyce thâ— Italian she rejoyceth Having provided things necessary for her family according to her vocation she takes no more care for any thing that may happen leaving the rest to Gods providence 26. The law By her sweet and gracious speeches she sheweth how well she hath been bred and brought up V. 27. Of idlenesse That is to say idlely or nicely V. 28. Rise up Namely to shew their due respect unto her when she commeth V. 31. Give her let every one give her that praise honour and blessing which she deserves by reason of her vertues In the gates Namely in the peoples publick assemblies THE BOOKE OF ECCLESIASTES THE ARGVMENT THis booke was by the Greekes called Feclesiastes that is to say Preacher but by Solomon himselfe in his native tongue preacheresse Because that in this booke he bringeth in divine wisedome where with he was endowed making under his owne example towards the latter and of his life after hee had had so many tryalls and committed so many errors a solemne kinde of speech for a publicke confession and the instruction of the Church upon two very weighty necessary pointâ— The first is how a faithfull man may wisely governe himselfe in this world to live happily in it The other how he ought to direct his life towards the Soveraigne end which is eternall happinesse Upon the first he sheweth that since the world the essence the goods pleasures accidents and successions of it are nothing but vanity having no perpetuall lastingnesse no certains establishment nor no equall tenure nor succession wanting the
〈◊〉 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
shall not the Italian it is because you are not certain of it by some signe of the truth or by Gods promise V. 10. Spake again namely 〈…〉 y Isa. ah V. 11. Thy God to whom thou makest a shew of being servant unto as indeed thou oughtest truly to be seeing thou art King over his people Or in the height that is to say on earth or in heaven V. 12. I will not ask this did not proceed from any abundance or strength of saith against which two vertues may be comitted the sinne of tempting God but it did proceed from hypocrisie wherewith he covered the vain contempt of Gods promises to which he gave no faith nor did not desire to be confirmed in them V. 13. Men namely with your tyrannies and unjust dealings and especially the prophets with your persecutions My God namely by the refusall and contempt of his grace when it is profered you see Psal. 78. 40. and 95. 10. Isa 63 10. V. 14. Therefore seeing thou wilt desire none the Lord shall give thee one of his own proper motion A signe Christs birth was not the proper signe of this present deliverance for that is set down v. 16. But because that God would give a little childe for assurance of this deliverance the Prophet upon this occasion saith that another childe that is to say Christ should be the cause and signe of eternall salvation upon which are also grounded all the temporall deliverances of the Church Isa. 8. 10. and besides he sets downe an infallible argument of the preservation of the Jewish nation being that it was in a manner great with childe with Christ and with Gods promises in him Revel 12. 2. and therefore could not perish before Christ were come into the world according to the prophecie Gen. 49. 10. A virgin namely the blessed Virgin mother of the Lord Jesus according to Gods first promise Gen 3. 15. see Mich. 5. 3. Shall conceive not by the work or operation of man but after an unspeakable manner by the power of the holy Ghost Luke 1. 45. Shalt call the Italian thou shalt call the propertie of the holy language sheweth that this speech is directed to the holy Virgin as Luke 1. 31. not onely because the women did ordinarily use to name the children Gen 4. 1 25. and 16. 11. and 29. 32. and 30. 6 8. 1 Sam. 4. 21. but also to shew that she had good reason so to doe being a mother without any father Immanuel that is to say God with us not because Christ made any use of this name but because the substance of the signification of it was in him he being true God and true man he having dwelt with men in the flesh Joh. 1. 14. and remaining amongst them for ever in grace spirit power and glory and finally he being the onely tye and conjunction of God with men V. 15. Shall be eat that is to say though he must be born miraculously and not after the manner of other men yet shall he be true man as it shall appeare by the food he shall take which shall be like to that of other children and by the properties belonging to a very man growing in stature and knowledge Luke 2. 52. V. 16. For that is to say O Ahaz I have set thee downe this argument and foundation of eternall salvation because there is some similitude between that signe and the signe which God will presently give thee of the present temporall deliverance for they are either of them litle children tender and growing up in yeeres Before this is the proper signe of this present deliverance as Isa. 8. 4. The child namely Shearjashub the sonne of Isaiah whom he had brought with him to Ahaz v. 3. see Isa. 8. 18. and likely he was at that time but very young and according to this signe these Kings dyed few yeeres after 2 King 15. 30. and 16. 9 The Land namely the Land of Syria and Israel which are thine open and rofessed enemies shall lose their two Kings Shall be forsaken see such another manner of speech Isa. 17 9. V. 17. The Lord the prophecie of the evils which God would bring upon Ahaz by meanes of the Assyrians whom he called to assist him but all in vaine for they did contrariwise bring him into great distresse 2 Cor. 28. 20 22. and from thenceforth did alwaies infest the Land of Judea V. 18. Shall hisse that is to say he shall cause Armies to come in which shall be like Flies and Bees in number Deut. 1. 44. Psal. 118. 12. from Egypt and Assyria which Kingdomes warring often one against another did lay waste the Land of Judea Which lay between them and did oftentimes take part with one against the other see 2 King 18. 21. 33 29 33 34. 24. 7. Jer. 37. 5. Of the Rivers namely divere branches and channels of the River Nilus V. 19. Desolate valleys amongst the hills and valleys in the Land of Judea spoiled and made desolate by the precedent warres V. 20. Shave that is to say shall spoile and destroy see 5. 1. That is hired this hath a reference to that which Ahaz did when he hired the King of Assyria with a great sum of money to come and ayd him 2 King 16. 7 8. which Assyrians did ever after afflict Judea The River namely Euphrates Of the feet of the lower parts of the body both great and small V. 21. And it shall come to passe a figurative comfort for the remainder of the Church by a promise that Gods grace and blessing should not faile it in these publique calamities and desolations V. 23. Every place that is to say fat and fruitfull places shall be made Wildernesses and Wildernesses shall become fruitfull v. 25. that is to say God shall spare and helpe the weake and lowly and shall destroy the great and mighty ones see Jer. 39. 10. V. 24. With A 〈…〉 to h 〈…〉 wilde 〈◊〉 which shall flie thither for refuge as into a Co 〈…〉 y overgrowne with woods and bushes CHAP. VIII Vers. 1. Roll of Paper or some other thing fit to write upon to set up the ensuing words in some publique place and peradventure upon the gates of the Temple to assure the ruine of these two confederate Kings see Isa. â—0 8. With a mans pen the Italian With a mans stile that is to say with an ordinary manner of writing as Heb. 2. 2. for some times the Lord haâ— his revelations set downe in such manner of writing 〈◊〉 could be understood by none but the Prophet as Dâ—â— 5. 5. 7. Concerning a propheticall and short description of the destrustion of Syria and Israel by the Assyrians V. 2. I tooke I would have these great persons to be present when I did set up this writing in some publique place that they might informe every one that I have done it and what the meaning thereof was which questionlesse the Prophet had explained to them V. 3.
neere to Jerusalem and very much abounding in Corne. V. 6. Grapes that is to say some small remnant of people shall remaine in the Countrey V. 7. At that day when these calamities have hapned that small remnant shall be converted to me and to my true seruice which came to passe in part under Iosias 2 Chr 34. 33. and was perfectly accomplished under Jesus Christ. V. 8. That which namely the Idols the Groves which were consecrated by the Idolaters Isai. 1. 29. Or the images see Lev 26. 30. V. 9. A forsaken Bough namely after all the fruit is shaken of V. 10. Of the Rock see Deut. 3â— 4. Shalt thou plant thoushalt tâ—ke much paines and use much industry in tilling of ground but the fruit thereof shall be carried away by thine enemies Strange slips rare and excellent â—â—ips which were brought a great way either through curiosity or for the rarenesse of them V. 11. The day of griefe namely of the last desolation of the Assyrians Country V. 12. Woe to a new prophecie of the discomfiture of the Assyrians Army by the Angel 2 King 19. 35. Of many people or many sorts of divers Nations whereof the Assyrians Army was composed V. 14. Trouble a horrible tumult by reason of such a sudden slaughter CHAP. XVIII Vers. 1. SHadowing which raiseth and sendeth forth such mighty Armies that they seeme to be thicke Clouds of Locusts which shadow the Earth which is ordinary in Ethiopia Joel 2. 10. see concerning these innumerable Armies of Ethiopians 2 Chron. 14. 9. So Armies are called wings Isa. 8. 8. This prophecie seems to have relation to the conquest which Nebuchadnezzar made of Ethiopia together with Egypt Beyond or along by he Rivers V. 2. Ambassadours Ethiopia is divided into the Easterne which was a part of Arabia and the Westerne and the Red-Sea in the middle Gen. 2. 13. Numb 12. 1. and it seems that the seat of the Kingdome as in the Easterne part so that they were faine to send messengers into the Westerne parts for to have levies of men made By the Sea namely the red Sea or Arabicke gulfe Of Bulrushes according to the ancient custome of those Countries which in some places lasteth to this day to make the easier way against the streame by rockes flats and fals of Rivers Scattered the Italian hath it Of a long stature Heb. a Nation of long extent which is a thing namely their tallnesse that hath beene obseâ—ed at all times in the Ethiopians Peeled without haire or smooth having no haire upon their bodies which is also a property of those Country bodies by reason of the excessive heat A terrible people namely the most savage and rude amongst them which are those that dwell in the innermost parts of Ethiopia farre from the Sea looking more blacke and horrid and being more barbarous then the others Troden namely a vile and abject Nation kept in extreame slavery a thing proper to the Moores and Ethiopians both in their owne Country and abroad The Rivers this is also one of the properties of Ethiopia namely that the Rivers Nilus and Niger overflowing by reason of the great raines in Winter doe wash away all the fatnesse of the Land whereupon Egypt was by the ancients called the gift of Nilus V. 3. All ye that is to say I doe bring the world tidings of the Chaldeans generall over-running the Country Wherefore so soon as ye shall perceive it once to begin you must expect the continuance of it untill such time as all that be accomplished which I prophecie unto you V. 4. I will that is to say I will give the Chaldeans leave to goe on with this their great enterprise and will no way hinder them onely I will have the eye of my providence open and sixed upon my Church to comfort conduct and defend her amidst all these tempests as I did at her comming forth of Egypt and in the wildernesse by the siery and cloudy pillar Isa. 4. 5. V. 5. For that is to say the effect of my sufferance shall be this that the King of the Chaldeans shall conquer and destroy the great states of the world before they be growne old and weake with age even as if one should cut and dresse a Vine where it is budded and ready to beare fruit V. 6. Left that is to say they shall be left for a prey to their Conquerours and new Lords or to the eves and robbers on the high way as it often falleth out in new conquered Countries V. 7. In that time namely after all these ruines and calamities the Ethiopians shall be converted to God under the Gospell and shall embrace the Christian faith which indeed hath been so and is so to this day see Acts 8. 27 37. Shall the a figurative description of that peoples spirituall subjection to Christs Kingdome with termes taken from tributes and presents which are brought to earthly Kings and Princes as Psa. 68. 31. 72. 10. Isa. 16. 1. CHAP. XIX Vers. 1. RIdeth a propheticall description of Gods sudden and unlooked for judge ments executed by the Chaldeans upon Egypt as Psa. 18. 9. 104. 3. The Idols all the divels endeavours who is served in those idols and thereby seduceth men making a shew of defending those that worship him shall be quite overthrowne see Exod. 12. 12. and the beliefe which men had in them shall vanish away and the images themselves shall be beaten down and destroyed Jer. 43. 12. or carried away into captivity according to the custome of the heathen Isa. 46. 1. V. 2. Set the raising warres and civill factions amongst themselves Kingdome namely a province or rectories for Egypt was divided into rectories V. 3. The Spirit namely their strength valour and heart shall faile them at their need familiar spirits see Lev. 19. 31. V. 4. Cruell Lord namely Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon Jer. 46. 26. V. 5. The waters a figurative description of an extream desolation of Egypt which had all its pleasure profit ritches and security comming in by Sea the chiefest meanes of their great traffique and by means of the River Nilus which is the cause of the Countries great fruitfulnesse V. 6. Turne the Rivers farre away the Italian the Rivers shall goe backe namely by reason of the falling of the waters Of defence Egypt is often times thus called by reason of the Hebrew names signification The Countrey being much strengthned by meanes of the waters Others construe it as though he meant great bankes raised up upon the sides of the Rivers V. 7. By the Brookes being sowne and growing upon grounds all wet and dirty by reason of the overflowing of the River Nilus Driven away they shall be all spoiled through the rage desolation of war which shal be like the overflowing of a River V. 9. In fine Flax which was one of the singular and choicest rarities of Egypt see 1 King 10. 28. Prov. 7. 16. V. 11. Zoan a most ancient City of
thou art as it were a new man and therefore oughtest not to build thy selfe a Sepulchre in thy life time after the manner of great ones who have burying places common for all their postcrity from father to sonne And if thou imaginest to give a beginning of this pomp in thine own person know that being condemned by God to an ignominious end thy buâ—iall cannot be hononourable V. 17. Cover thee the Italian quite cover thy face as they used to doe to criminall condemned men whose faces they covered as being persons unworthy to see the sunne any more and persons fraught with ignominâ—e see Est. 7. 8 Job 9. 24. V. 18. There shalt thou namely in that base estate which thou shalt be brought into from all thy fore-passed power and glorie during which thou didst pompously ride on horsback and in thy charet V 21. With thy girdle a signe of power and of command Job 12. 18 21. Isa. 11. 5. and 45. 1. 5. V. 22. And the key which is a badge of the generall superintendency of the Palace so Eliakim was a figure of Christ Rev. 3. 7. He shall open what soever he shall do in the managing of his place shall be hrme and unvariable there shall be neither let nor opposition V. 23. Fasten him that is to say I will establish him in his state and he shall be a sure stay to all his kindred yea to all the tribe of Judah which shall be honoured and exalted through his dignity V. 24. Shall hang upon him all other inferiour Offices which are but as branches of the generall superintendencie shall depend upon him and hee shall order them in very good sort All vessels he seems to meane all persons in inferiour places and offices as the officers belonging to the cellar to shew that through his vertue and care the Kings house should be well governed even in the meanest and most abject places V. 25. The naile namely Shebnah who seemed to be so firmly established And the burden those that were in his favour and depended upon him and did wholly rest upon him CHAP. XXIII Vers. 1. HOwle for the losse of your voyages and commerce Tarshish namely of the great Sea It is namely Tyre Is laid waste that is to say it shall be destroyed first by Nebuchadnezzar Ezech. 26. and afterwards utterly by Alexander the great Now Isaiah joyneth together in one these two calamities as the beginning and the ending of one and the same desolation Of Chittim namely from the Macedonians see Gen. 10 4. Numb 24. 24. Dan. 11. 30. It is revealed that is to say It is come upon them suddenly V. 2. Be still the Italian be silent through horrour and confusion Of the Isle namely of Tyre which stands in a little Iland encompassed round about with the sea V. 3. Her revenue that is to say Tyre had all her provision of victuals out of Egypt where the river Nilus with its overflowing did cause great plenty in the Countrey V. 4. Zidon a great Citie neer to Tyre and joyned with it as it were one stâ—â—e see Ezech. 28. 21. The Sea that is to say There shall no more Colonies be sent into other Ilands and places from Tyre and Zidor Queenes of the Mediterranean Sea as there hath been heretofore by reason of the number and wealth of that people to the great increase of their power and glory The stâ—â—ngth that is to say Tyre a very strong City as well by reason of her strong walls as by reason of her being encompassed with the Sea V. 5. Sorely pained fearing to be in the same manner assaulted by the Chaldeans whereunto the taking of Tyre gave an occasion and made the way eahe see Ezek 29. 18. V. 6. Posse ye over that is to say O ye Tyrians and Zidonians goe your wayes wandring by Sea into strange Countries flying from your enemies or being carried captives into far Countries V. 8. The crowning the Italian the crowned namely the royall City which hath the title of a Kingdom Ezek. 21. 2 12. V. 10. Passe that is to say O you Tyrians that are as children of the Sea goe your wayes into captivity As a river whose water neveâ— stay which seems contrary to the Sea which doth not â—un into any other place as their former estate was namely firme and constant Strength the Italian girdle that is to say thou art no more begirt with walls and rampires Ezek. 26. 4. Or figuratively thy strength power and dominion is gone V. 11. Over the sea over the Ilands and Provinces upon the Sea coasts Against the merchant city the Italian against the Canaaneans from whenâ—e the Tyrians and Zidonians had their originall Gen. 10. 15 19. V. 12. Virgin that is to say ye people of Tyre that were never subdued and whose slate hâ—th remained still untouched under the government of your own naturall Lords Daughter some do understand thâ—s particularly of Tyre which was founded by the Zâ—donians V. 13. Behod if any one judge this fall of Tyre to be impossible and incredible let him consider what hath hapned to more ancient and mightier States as the Chaldeans who were formerly subdued and swallowed up by the Assyriars Gen. 10. 11. and shall hereafter be destroyed by the Persians for an example of that which shall be done to the Tyrians by the Macedonians see Amos 6. 2. This people namely the Tyrians had not yet any forme of State or Common wealth The Assyrian namely Ashur the sonne of Sem who certainly did not found the Babylonian nor Chaldean Empire but the Assyrian of which Ninevch was the head Gen. 10. 11. but because that in the ensuing times Babylon encreased greatly by the conquest of Assyria the founda ion of all Chaâ—dâ—a is attributed to Ashur For them namely to bring those people that were dispersed afâ—er the ruines of the flood into Cities and Communalt es see Job 3. 14 and 15. 28. The towers thereof or the Forts that is to say The Cities fiâ—ting to inhabit and to bee places of defence V. 15. In tâ—atday namely at that time as the Chaldeans thall bring these things to passe Be forgotten be desolate and forsaken by God and men Seventy namely from the time that Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar untill the ruine of the Babylonian Empire by the Persians under whom Tyre did â—ise againe into her former state untill the dayes of Alexandâ—r the great According to namely so long as the Empire of Babylon shall last Shall Tyre c. the Italian Tyre shall have in her mouth as the song of an harlot that is to say she shall fall to her old traffick whereby she shall draw strange nations unto her V. 16. Take an harp he alludes to the great delight the Tyrians tooke in the aâ—t of Musicke to which they were addicted Ezech. 26. 13. and 28. 13. V. 17. To her â—ire the Italian to her gain the Hebrew word properly signifieth the infamous gain of a whore Shall
bed in which they expect the great day of the blessed resurrection V. 3. Ye sonnes that is to say a generation given to all manner of impiety even to sorceâ—â—e and devillish arts Isa. 2. 6. And of meaning both corporall and spirituall fornication by idolatry V. 4. Against whom are not your prophane scoffes against me V. 5. Inflaming namely by spiritull lust of the soule With idols the Italian among the oaks which were dedicated to idolatry Isa. 1. 29. V. 6. Thy portion that is to say Thou hast chosen stones to make thine idols with or for to build Altars and Chappels rather then mee who am thy God see Psal. 16. 4. V. 7. Hast thouset phrases taken from the ordinary custom of common whores that is to say Thou hast made thy Chappels Churches and Altars neer to the high places according to the custome of idolaters for to joyn thy selfe to idols through idolatry V. 8. Hast thou set up thou hast contemned and refused my Law which I had commanded thee to write upon thy doors and posts for a remembrance Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. With them namely with idolatrous people tying thy selfe to their idolatry see 2 King 16. 10. Thou lovedst in every place and upon every occasion that hath presented it self hast thou used thine idolatry a terme taken from unchaste women V. 9. To the King namely of those prophane Nations with which thou didst joyn in idolatry Debase thyselfe by a servile and base submission to their wils V. 10. Saiâ—st thou not thou hast noâ— fainted for all the difficulties which thou hast found in the obtaining of these prophane leagues neither hast thou been weary untill thou hast finished it The life the means to strengthen thy self in this practice that thoo thou mightest not bee forced to leave it V. 11. And of whom thou hast pretended that the cause of thine entring into these wicked Covenants hath been forâ—ear of those mighty Kings that were thine enemies and so for fear of men thou hast not beene affraid of mee who was alone able to deliver thee Hast lied in that thou hast thus disloyally broken my Covenant Have not have I not used a great deale of patience towards thee suspending my judgements V. 12. Thy righteousnesse an ironiciall terme signifying that which is quite the contrary unlesse he means the false shews of externall piety Isa. â—8 2. V. 13. Let thy namely those prophane Nations which thou hast called in great troops to aid thee But he that namely mine Elect though they were carried into captivity with the rest they shall at the length be brought back and re-established in the place of my habitation and service A figure of the most assured bringing of beleevers into the Kingdom of Heaven out of the captivitie of the world V. 14. And shall say all things that may hinder this return shall be taken away Isal. 62. 10. Mic. 2. 13. V. 15. The high namely the great and soveraign God I dwell as in my glory I dwell in Heaven so am I present in grace with mine humble timorous and afflicted beleevers to comfort and free them from all their afflictions see Isa. 66. 2. V. 17. I hid me that is to say I have for a time kept back from them the effects of my grace Isa. 45. 15. V. 19. I create that is to say I will effect that indeed which I promise by my word see 1 Kings 8. 15. Rom 4. 21. That is far off that is to say By the Messias I will impart my peace and grace as well to the Gentiles who are strangers and farre from me as to the Jews who are my neighburs by knowledge and Covenant Psal. 148. 14. CHAP. LVIII Vers. 2. THey seek me they make a shew and profession of calling upon me and of seeking to obtaine my favour by sacrifices and ceremonies but all this is without any internall pietie They aske of me namely by my priests who did both publikely and privately explaine to such as asked them what was Gods right according to the Law in all things Deut. 17. 8. 11. Mal. 2. 7. V. 3. You finde pleasure that is to say God hath commanded that the yeerly fast of which the Prophet speaketh in this place should be performed with an inward kinde of affliction and mortification of the soule and abstinence from all carnall pleasures Levit. 16. 29. but contrariwise ye doe finde a vicious kinde of delight in it namely in exacting your debts ver 3. he seems to have relation to that the yeerely fast was appointed to be the first moneth of the politicke yeere in which moneth also for the most part was the time of freeing one from debt and bondage V. 4. For strife employing the solemne day therein which was appointed for you to employ your selves in repenting of your sins and you contrariwise doe increase them And to smite he seems to have a relation to the masters cruelty towards their servants who had sold themselves untill the yeere of remission Exod. 21. 2. Levit. 25. 39 50. From whence there did often arise contentions and strises V. 5. To spread according to the manner of penitent and afflicted persons East 4. 3. Job 2. 8. Jer. 6. 26. Diâ— 9. 3. V. 6. To â—oose that calling to God for mercy in this ceremony of fasting you doe likewise use mercie towards your neighbours concealing all unjust bonds and releasing the rigor of just debts and bondages V. 7. That thou hide not that thou doe not draw backe from helping thy brother who is a man of the same kind as thou art see Neh. 5. 5. V. 8. Then shall thy prosperity shal revive by the returne of Gods grace even as the Sunnes returne causeth the day to breake Thine health Hâ—b thy physicke that is to say thou shalâ— get new vigour Like Plants when the spring is come Thy righteousnesse namely the reward of thy good and righteous life V. 9. The yoake namely the inhumane slavery of thy brethren The putting forth a signe of an absolute and rigorous command and of threatning V. 10. If thou draw out the Italian Open thy soule as a treasure and store of hearty liberality Thy light that is to say in the middest of the greatest calamities I will cause thee to feele my grace in joy and comfort and will change thy wretched state into a most perfectly happie one V. 12. And they that that is to say thy posterity shal re-ediâ—ie my Temple and the City of Jerusalem after they have layen waste all the time of your Captivity To dwell in to cause the Country to be inhabited a new V. 13. If thou tuâ—ne away that is to say if thou truely keepe holy the Sabbath by abstaining from such workes as in their owne nature are evil and fettest all thy delight in mine honour and service Or speaking thine owne words without replying or contending in a voluntary ready and absolute obedience V. 14. Shalt thou then wil I â—ill thine
heart with joy in my grace and wil bring thee backe gloriously into thy Countrie overcomming all difficulties and lets and there thou shalt enjoy my blessings CHAP. LIX Vers. 4. NOne calleth there is none that doth lively oppose himselfe to the violences and deceipts that raigne amongst these people and doth maintaine Gods right which is violated and mans right which is oppressed They conceive they doe inwardly plot and outwardly execute all manner of mischiefe V. 5. They hatch they hatch all manner of wicked and pernicious thoughts which they endeavour to effect to bring to passe to the uttermost of their power And weave they weave fine deceipts which notwithstanding shall be to no effect nor purpose see Job 8. 14. He that eatâ—th they shal be deadly if they can bring them to perfection and catch some body in them V. 7. Are in their paths wheresoever they goâ— that is to say with whatsoever they meddle they overthrow and spoile every thing a phrase taken from torrents that overflow or from tempests V. 8. They know not as they are not inclined to peace so they neuer enjoy the sweet fruits thereof Whosoever goeth that is to say whosoever imitateth them Or whosoever frequents them findes no sweetnesse nor humanity in them but all manner of â—â—ercenesse and violence V. 9. Judgement that is to say God hath not defended our right against our enemies nor revenged us of them Justice that is to say he hath not done us any good or favour as to his people or children Vers. 14. V. 10. We grope being troubled and amazed we have not been able to take any good counsel or advice Dâ—â—â—late places in à most sad and mournfull condition see Psa. 44. 19. V. 11. We roare we make grievous complaints and lamentation with much impatience and despight V. 12. And our sinnes that is to say we are convinced in our consciences that we suffer these evils for a punishment for our sinnes Are with us our consciences lay them continually before us Or our consciences are yet burthened with them God hath not yet forgiven us nor blotted them out V. 13. Oppression against our neighbour and revolt against God V. 14. Judgement as Vers. 9. For truth that is to say all loyalty and equity is vanished from amongst the people and hath been banished out of the Land V. 16. And he saw because that through the peoples impenitencie their enemies have oppressed them and in their oppression Gods glory hath been wronged and neither they nor no man for them have made any intercession to appease the Lord with praiers and sincere confession God himselfe hath determined to shew his Grace and Power to defend his Churches cause as his owne And this must chiefly be understood of the everlasting salvation obtained by Christ. And wondred a phrase taken from men as Isa. 63 5. Mark 6. 6. V. 17. He put on the weapons which God hath used in this great worke have beene the affection he hath to doe his children good which is his righteousnesse and his revenge and jealousie against his enemies V. 18. The Islands namely strange Countries and enemies V. 19. The enemies namely the divel and all that take his part wil poure out a deluge of evils upon the Church see Psa. 124. 4. Revel 12. 15. The Spirit namely his strength and Divine power Or he meaneth that God will oppose spirituall means Forces and weapons against these assaults of the World and the Divel see 2 Cor. 10. 3 4. Ephes. 6. 13. 2 Thess. 2. 8. List up others he shall put them to flight V. 20. To them to all true beleevers which are the Israel of God according to the Spirit and faith who by their conversion shal make themselves capeable of Christs salvation and especially to the converted Jewes Rom. 11. 26. V. 21. As for me that is to say O my Church composed of true and penitent beleevers I will rejoyne my selfe in thee in Christ by the new covenant of grace and by vertue of it I will irrevocably and for ever give thee my Spirit and Word which are the Churches true goods Prov. 1. 23. Isa. 30. 20 21. Rom. 11. 29. CHAP. LX. Vers. 1. SHine the Italian be enlightned that is to say O thou Church change thy countenance and condition and in stead of thy former miseries and sorrowes shew thy selfe onflamed with joy by reason of the glorious deliverance which thy Redeemer hath purchased for thee V. 2. The darknesse termes taken from the darknesse which was in Egypt Exod 10. 21 23. To signifie that the whole World remaining buried in sinne ignorance and a curse the Church should alone enjoy the knowledge grace and blessing of God V. 3. Shall come that is to say shall be set in the way and directed to God and to eternall life by the Gospel of which the Church beareth the light Phil 2. 15. Of thy rising of the Christian Churches birth by the preaching of the Gospel V. 4. All they a figurative description of the calling of the Gentiles who shall in great multitudes come into the communion of the Church At thy side like unto sucking children The meaning is the great ones of the World shall assist and favour the conversion of the Gentiles see Isa 49. 23. V. 5. And flow the Italian and be enlightned that is to say glorified and made resplendent or enlightened with knowledge and spirituall judgement to acknowledge with admiration the effect of Gods grace and promises in this wonder Be enlarged with joy The abundance the Italian the fulnesse this is that which S. Paul calleth the fulnesse of the Gentiles Rom. 11. 25. V. 6. The multitude the people of Arabia and the bordering Countries shall come to thee in great bands to worship God and to consecrate themselves and all their goods to doe him service in his Church Gold and Incense that which was done by the wise men Matth. 2. 11. was a small essay of this prophecie V. 7. Kedar Ismaelites that lived upon Cattell Gen. 25. 13. They shall come the Italian they shall be offered figurative termes taken from the old manner of service to signifie the spirituall service under the Gospel according to the stile of the Prophets The House namely my Church where I doe manifest my selfe in my glorious effects and where I am likewise acknowledged and honoured V. 8. Who are these the Churches admiration V. 9. Surely Gods answer declaring the cause of this wonderfull concourse which will be the conversion to the faith Of Tarshish of the great Sea First the first comming shall 〈◊〉 by Sea as a more ready and easie way Figurative termes Unio the name namely in the Church where God doth manifest himselfe as it were by his owne proper Name V. 10. The Sonnes namely the Gentiles and their Princes being converted to the faith shall employ themselves for the establishment and advancement of the Church Zec. 6. 15. V. 11. Thy Gates I wil not for one time
counsels and determinations and generally all the publike government He hath a regâ—rd to that the royall Palace was neer to this gate where the common councell did use to assemble and come together V. 12. Make that is to say seeing they have shed the blood of these poor children in Topheth I will also cause their blood to be shed all over the City Or I will make this City as abominable and horrid as Topheth which by reason of these execrable idolatries represented Hell see Isa. 30. 33. CHAP. XX. Vers. 1. GOvernour the Italian oversâ—er under the high Priest there were one or two more that were Governours of the priestly order and such an one was this see Numb 3. 32. 2 Chron. 35. 8. V. 2. High gate it was a gate which was not one of the Temple gates but was in that part of the Câ—ty that belonged to the tribe of Judah drawing towards the other part which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin and was neer the Temple and was called high by reason of its situation and to make a difference between it and the other gate of Benjamin Jer. 37. 12. and 38. 7. which was in the lower part of the City and looked towards the land 〈◊〉 Bâ—njamin V. 3. Magor-Missabib that is to say Fear round about a terme used in a generall terror Jer. 6. 25. and 46. 5. The meaning is seeing thou doest endeavour by thy false prophecies vers 6. to encourage the people against Gods threatnings God shall cause thee to bee encompassed with terrour on all sides and thou shalt be a cause of terrour to all thy followers by reason of the horrible diasters that shall befall thee V. 7. O Lord the Prophets complaint to God who had by great promises induced him and by an absolute command almost forced him to accept of this charge of Prophet by which he got nothing but derision and injuries at mens hands V. 8. I spake that is to say Every time as I preach thy word to this wicked people I am furiously ass 〈…〉 lted by them as by so many theeves and murtherers V. 9. I said I had almost taken a carnall resolution to renounce altogether my vocation of Prophet but that I felt such opposition of the holy Ghost within my selfe that I could not follow mine own inclination V. 10. Râ—port he seems to set forth the Commission which was given by his enemies to their spies namely that they should particularly relate unto them whatsoever they should heare Jeremiah speak that they might thereby frame an accusation against him before the King the Priests and others Halting to see if I did speake any thing unadvisedly whereupon they might entrap meâ— Be enticed the Italian he will be deceived namely being inticed by our cunnings he may let goe some word whereby we may cause him to perish V. 14. Cursed the Prophet being overcome at last by humane weaknesse namely impatience breaks out into these irregular speeches whereof see upon Job 3. 3. V. 16. Let him hear that is to say Let him live in continuall terrors and troubles CHAP. XXI Vers. 4. TUrn back the meaning seems to be thus I will make your warlike engines which you have set upon the City walls for your defence to be to no use neither shall they avail you any thing being broken or dismounted by the enemies without Or they shall cast up such fences against them that they shall be to no effect whereupon you will be constrained to draw them into the City again V. 9. His life the Italian their soul that is to say their persons at least shall escape though they lose their goods Or they shall think themselves as happy in saving their lives as if they carried away a great deal of booty V. 12. In the morning that is to say carefully or every morning that is to say every day or at the hours of your judiciall assemblies which were in the morning Psal. 101. 8. V. 13. Inhabitant that is to say O thou Jewish Nation which dwellest in the vallies encompassed with high hils and O Jerusalem which art as it were the strength of all the plain that lieth round about thee whereupon thou art confident against my threatnings Jâ—r 17. 3. I my selfe against whom no strength nor defence will prevail will come against thee to execute my judgements V. 14. The fruit that is to say with a punishment beâ—itting your sinnes the sinne being as the seed and the punishment as the harvest Prov. 1. 31. In the forrest namely in the parts and Cities of this Countrey which are most inhabited rich and strong see Isa. 10. 18. and 32. 19. Jer. 22. 7. CHAP. XXII Vers. 6. THou art the Italian thou hast been as Gilead that is to say I have hitherto maintained thee in a high powerfull and happy state as these fruitfull mountains which are full of noble plants but I will lay thâ—e waste like a wood that is digged up by the roots V. 10. For the dead namely for King Josiah for whom there was great lamentation made 2 Chr. 35. 24 25. For him namely for Jehoahaz Josiahs eldest son who was carried away prisoner into Egypt and there died 2 Kings 23. 34. V. 11. Shallum it seems to be the same Jehoaâ—az which was spoken of before who might have two names and peradventure a third name namely Iohanan 1 Chron. 3. 15. for it is not credible that it should bee that Shallum spoken of in the Chronicles which was Iosiahs fourth son V. 13. Unto him he means Iehoiakim the second sonne of Iosiah whose tyrannie and pride in buildings is blamed V. 15. Reign doest thou beleeve that thou shalt enjoy the Kingdom peaceably notwithstanding thy tyrannies and wickednesse that thou buildest thy selfe such a stately Palace garnished with cedars and with most curious pictures Eat and drink did not Iosiah enjoy peace and prosperitie through his righteousnesse and pietie towards God V. 18. Lament Iehoiakim shall not be lamented by his kindreds tears for him nor by his wiâ—e nor by his subjects V. 19. As an asse that is to say his dead body and his bones shall lie above ground without buriall like the body and bones of an asse which some say befell him by the way as he was carried away to Babylon and others say it was in Babylon it selfe he dying in prison and being afterwards thrown out upon a dunghill see 2 Chron. 36. 6. Ier. 36. 30. Ezech. 19. 9. V. 20. Go up let thy reâ—uge be sometimes to the Chaldeans calling them as it were from mount Lebanon to aid thee against the Egyptians And sometimes let it bee to the Egyptians calling them from the hill of Bashan against the Chaldeans one of these hills being over against one of these Kingdomes and the other against the other Kingdome but it shall be all in vain see Ier. 2 18 36. Ezech. 16. 26 28. and 23. 12 14. Lovers namely these prophane people thine associates to whom thou bearest a
deluge of enemies is fallen upon her V. 44. Bel the chiefe idol of the Babylonians Isa. 46. 1. Jer. 50. 2. that is to say I will punish them for their idolatries In Babylon or upon Babylon Bring sorth he doth attribute Babels extortions to Bel for the Chaldeans made him the author of all their conquests and victories see Ier. 49. 1. Others think that the Prophet had a relation to the great offerings which from all parts were offered to Bel and especially of the spoils of conquered Nations V. 46. The rumour namely of Cyrus his comming who did not lay the siege to Babylon in the first yeer of his expedition but in the second V. 49. As Babylon I will in the same manner cause to perish by the sword not onely the inhabitants of the city but the subjects also of this great Empire which termed it selfe to be universall over all the world V. 50. Ye that words directed to Gods people which went into captivity after there had been great slaughter made of them by the Chaldeans exhorting them to return to Jerusalem V. 51. We are the Jews lamentation V. 52. Wherefore Gods answer to them V. 55. The great namely the great multitude of people which made such a noise Her waves see vers 42. namely the waves of those destroyers vers 53. V. 59. A quiet prince the Italian great chamberlain Heb. a prince of rest Some doe hold that he was Governour of a place or City called Menucha Others do expound these words as if amongst great ones he had been the man that did settle and procure the rest and quietnesse of the Country by opposing himselfe to the rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar V. 64. The words that is to say The Prophecies Sermons Histories which he himselfe set down in writing whereby he intimates that the Chapter following was added by some body else CHAP. LII Vers. 7. BRroken up see upon Jer. 39. 2. V. 18. Wherewith that is to say which were used about sacrifices and other parts of divine service V. 24. Of the door or of the vessels see Ier. 35. 4. V. 28. In the seventh namely when Iehoiakâ—n was carried away into captivity now 2 Kings 24. 12 it is said that this hapned the eighth yeer of King Nebuchadnezzar but we must imagine that it was in the end of the seventh yeer and the beginning of the eighth Three thousand 2 King 24. 14. there are set down ten thousand which as it seems may be thus reconciled that Ieremiahs three thousand were of Ierusalem and the other seven thousand were souldiers out of divers parts of Iudah V. 29. Eighteenth towards the end of the eighteenth yeer and in the beginning of the nineteenth vers 12. V. 3â— In the namely after Gedaliahs death and the troubles which hapned therefore of which there is no mention made elsewhere V. 31. Five and twentieth 2 King 25. 27. it is the seven and twentieth Peradventure he was set at liberty the five and twentieth and was exalted to honours two dayes after Evilmerodah Nebuchadnezzar his son V. 33. Before him in his court or in his kingly Hall The Book of the Lamentations of JEREMIAH The ARGUMENT JEremiah after he had by his holy Ministery performed all the offices of fidelity towards God and charity towards his Nation to prevent their approaching ruine did not cease even after it had hapned but still continued in his formerzeal and affection and began to burden his innocent soul with the feeling of these calamities and to make his sacred tongue and pen instruments of the publike grief Being chosen for this use by the holy Ghost to shew That in the most sacred vessels of his grace he doth imprint the most lively and sharpest feelings of the evills of his Church and of Gods judgements and likewise giveth them the cleerest sights for to discern the true causes of them and to make the right and true use of them And according to this he composed this small compilement of Lamentations to serve for a form to the Church at all times in the like cases Not to teach any to abandon themselves to an immoderate sadnesse nor much lesse to vain and affected complaints which break the naturall bond of patience and silence in bâ—leevers nor to drive thâ—m to despairing murmuring and blaspheming of God precipices into which â—xâ—â—ssiâ—e Lamentations do oftentimes plunge carnall men but to prevent that ordinary vice which exteam griefs do produce namely an insensible stupefaction and an obdurate heart and to cooperate with the humiliation of mans spirit to make him capable of the comfort of Gods Spirit promised to broken hearts and desolate souls and to dispose him to a true conversion and invocation of God to which these Lamentations do serve both for mâ—tter and incouragement So then the Prophet doth in a Poetick stile and figurative termes full of the very bowels of compassion lament in the communion and name of the Church the misery wherein it was brought thorow the desolation of the whole land and the destruction of the Kingdom Jerusalem and the Temple and the consumption of the people brought almost to nothing and the dispersion of the rest into captivity and therein he proceeds two wayes First by admiring and grieving at the greatnesse of these incredible and unheard of calamities And in the second place by a lively representation of the peoples excessive sins which had induced the Lord to this extreme act of Justice which upon this occasion he doth in all humility adore and doth submit unto it in silence and patience acknowledging neverthelesse that it was tempered with some remnant of mercy seeing that God had lâ—ft a residue of his people for a small branch or bud of restauration And therefore he declareth that he was to make this use of all these punishments namely to turn to the throne of grace by a sincere conversion and fervent invocation in faith which the Prophet himself doth do in the Churches name and interchangeably by a Prophetick Spirit doth promise her the sure effect of it in her reestablishment and in the ruine of her enemies CHAP. I. Vers. II. IN the night that is to say in the darknesse of affliction or at that time as other men take their rests she is most troubled See Iob. 7. 3. Her lovers namely amongst all those Nations which for their own advantages and for to wrong Gods service had in former times desired her league and friendship See Ier. 4. 30. and 30. 14. V. 3. Is gone into he seems to mean the dispersion and voluntary flight of the Iews by reason of the oppressions which they had suffered before the last desolation in the straits upon occasions of times and businesses and in such places as it could not escape a terme taken from hunters or from robbers upon the high way V. 7. Mock at her sabbaths namely that being utterly depopulated the countrey remained desart and abandoned Levit. 26. 34. 43. whereupon she hath been
for this grace is not universall nor common to all V. 12. Because their waters these admirable effects shall be produced because the Gospell shall be accompanied with a celestiall power of Gods Spirit Shall be meat this may signifie the double use of beleevers good works the one to the glory of God and advancement of their own salvation the other to the edification and correction of their neighbours V. 13. Ioseph whose posterity was divided into two Tribes Ephraim and Manasseh See Genesis 48. 5. 1 Chro 5. 1. V. 15. The great sea namely the Mediterranean sea in regard of the little seas or lakes of Palestine Now these bounds or borders doe signifie that Christs kingdome shall have its perfect being within it selfe and shall be severed from the world V. 17. The border of Hamath namely the uttermost part of the Northerne line which from Hamath shall turne Eastward V. 18. From the border namely Hamath where as it were in an angle shall meet the North and the East side The East sea namely the sea of Sodome Ioel 2. 20. Zach. 14. 8. V. 19. The River namely Sihor called the river of Egypt Num. 34. 5. Josh. 15. 47 1 Chron. 13. 5. V. 20. From the border from the end of the foresaid Northerne line unto that place where the land of Hamath butts upon the Mediterranean sea towards the North. V. 22. The strangers a figure of the calling and ingrasting of the Gentiles into the Church CHâ—P XLVIII Verse 1. HAzar 〈…〉 an the meaning seemes to be there shall be a line drawing from the Mediterranean sea along by the way of Hethlon to Hamath and from thence to Hazar-enan which on the one side borders upon the land of Hamath and on the other side upon the countrey of Damascus For Dan these divisions are quite differing from the ancient divisions which Ioshua made and by these seems to be shewen the equall râ—ght which Gods children shall have in his Church and in his spirituall goods V. 9. The â—blation the Italian The part This consecrated part which was five and twenty thousand cubits in length and as many in breadth was divided into three parts ten thousand of those cubits in breadth was for the Priests and there was the Temple other ten thousand cubits were for the Levites v. 13. The other five thousand were for the city of Jerusalem and there being a great deale of space yet left Eastward and Westward besides these five and twenty thousand câ—bâ—ts that was for the publique officers and for the Prince v. 18. 21. V. 12. Most holy Belonging onely to the Priests who were to enjoy it in the presence of God in the exercise of their Function in the Temple as they did the most holy parts of the offerings Lev. 2. 3. V. 14. The first fruits This part was consecrated to God as the first fruits of the earth were V. 16. The measures This representation is altogether figurative and mysticall representing the perfect constitution and ordering of the body and state of the Church as Rev. 21. 16. V. 18. That serve All those which doe the publike service in the meanest kindes of secular callings V. 28. To the river Called Sihor or the river of Egypt the Southerne confine of Palestine V. 35. The name Gods presence in his Word grace spirit and vertue shall give the Church its true being wherefore for to give the Church its true name we must say That it is the assembly in which God is present in the aforesaid manner See Isa. 26. 4. Jer. 33. 16. The Booke of the Prophet DANIEL ARGUMENT THough Daniel did never exercise the publique Calling nor Function of a Prophet in the qualitie of an Ecclesiasticall person to preach to the people and expound in sacred assemblies the revelations which were sent him by God yet his booke hath alwayes beene insâ—rted amongst the number of the other Prophetâ— as containing most speciall and admirable predictions of the state of the world and Church from his time untill Christs comming in the flesh gathered by himselfe and published in this Booke Whereiâ— we may observe two generall parts the one Historicall and the other Propheticall In the first he sets downe what notable things happened concerning his owne person and his course of life to make himselfe to be acknowledged a Prophet authorised by God relating how that in his youth he was carried away captivâ— to Babylon and was with others of the same Nation age and condition chosen to be instructed and consequently employed in honourable employments in that Empire But that God having taken them into his particular care and charge did 〈◊〉 those humane instructions by an infusion of divine giftâ— and graces First in a spirit of sanctification zeale and singular piety â—ried by cruell torments inflicted upon Daniels three companions in their youth and upon Daniel himselfe in his old age and besidâ—s in sâ—verâ—ignâ— understanding and wisdome wherein Daniel was remarkable and spoken of as iâ— were by a common Proverb whereupon they were promoted to eminent dignities to the great â—ase and sustenancâ— of the Church in her captivitie and sufferings in Babylon And at the last in the spirit of Prophâ—ciâ— in Daniel which manifested it selfe first in 〈…〉 ing Nebuchadnezzar in mind of his 〈◊〉 which he had forgotten and interpretting of them and afterwards in the miraculous prediction of the â—vills which did hang over the head of Belshazzar his grandchilde But it did fully shiâ—◠〈◊〉 in the incompâ—rable visions set downâ— iâ— the second part of this Booke concerning the foure grâ—â—â— Monarchies of the world â—ntill the â—â—mâ—ing of Christ and especially touching Selucides King of Syria and other successors of Alexander under whom the Iewish Church should suffer most grievous and mourneâ—ull accidents and especially under Antiochus Epiphanes the most cruell subtill and pestileâ—â— persecutor that ever the Church â—ad his principall â—ime and end being to root out Gods worship in it together with all impression and motion of piety in mens hearts Under the figure of whom are also foretold the persecutions of Rome whilst it was â—eathen and also of Antichrist the last deadly enemiâ— of the Christian Church as Antiochus had beene of the Iewish Church against whose outrages the Prophet comforteth and strengtheneth the Church by the promise of Gods helpe and deliverance in his appointed time lifting their hearts notwithstanding up for a soveraignâ— comfort to Gods promise of everlasting salvation by Christ who being established by the father to be the everlasting King of the world should from time to time cause 〈◊〉 to fall upon thâ—se Empires and should at the last lay the foundation of his ownâ— spirituall and everlasting Empire upon the redemption purchased by his death the prefixed time whereof is more cleerely showen to him then to any other Prophet through which all 〈◊〉 ceremonies being accomplished in their signification the use of them should also be abolished to 〈◊〉 to the service of God in
to Thee it belongs to use mercie and forgivenesse for thou alone hast power to doe it v. 18. V. 13. Understand Endevouring to to repent truly according to thy Word by meanes of which we may be made partakers of the fruit of thy holy promises V. 14. Watched upon the evill His providence hath been attentive to bring it in the prefixed time and instant see Jer. 1. 12. and 31. 28. and 44. 27. 2 Pet. 2. 3. V. 16 Thy righteousnesse namely Thy goodnesse and loyalty in thy promises and fatherly equitie towards thy poore children cruelly tormented by their enemies upon unjust causes See Psal. 31. V. 17. To shine Shew thy Grace and Favour in effects which like a 〈…〉 lfying and cheaâ—ing sunne may disperse all these mists of extreme desolations Numb 6. 25. Psal. 8. 3. 7. 19. For the Lords sake For thine owne sake or as some will have it for the promised Messias and Mediators sake V. 19. Thy Name They are and professe themselves to be thine and doe beare the bages and markes of it V. 21. Touched me In token of encouragement to heare these mysteries and of infusion of new divine vertue to understand and remember them and of comfort in these promises V. 23. The commandement the Italian The Word God hath revealed to us Angels and to me especially the secrets of his Councell concerning the restauration of Jerusalem and how long it shall last afterward untill the Messias and hath sent me to declare it unto thee See Dan. 10. 12. Beloved Singularly beloved of God and favoured with his graces Dan. 10. 11 19. V. 24. Seventie weekes Thou hast prayed to God concerning the seventy yeeres of the peoples captivity which the Lord hath appointed And I will tell thee moreover That after the accomplishment of those yeeres there be seventie times seven yeeres which are the weeke of yeeres that is to lay foure hundred and ninty yeeres appointed for the lasting of the people and of the city of Jerusalem in which time the Messias shall come shall fulfill the Prophecies shall satisfie for the sins of the world by his death and shall establish the true righteousnesse of the Gospell which shall remain for ever through Which all believers shall be absolved and justified and shall by his spirit be regenerate to a new and godly life and hee shall be consecrated and made an everlasting King at the right hand of God his Father having obtained the fulnesse of Gods-spirit as head of his Church And after all this the City and the Nation shall be destroyed by the Romans The most holy Heb The Holinesse of Holinsse that is to say He that is Holinesse it self and in Whom consists all the Churches holinesse who is in Spirit and truth that which the Arke the Propitiatory the Altar and the Sanctuary which were called most holy things and were consecrated by unction Exod. 30. 36. were but in shadow and figurative V. 25. From the going forth He sheweth when the beginning of these seventie weekes shall be namely After that by Darius his decree Ezr. 4. 24. and 6. 1. 15. The Temple was re-edified and consequently the City also after Darius had given way for that which the enemies would have hindred namely the restauration of the City Ezra 4. 12 13 24. Unto the Messiah Untill the Son of God made manifest in the flesh and consecrated everlasting King of the Church v. 2â— doe by a secred conduct make Himselfe as it were Captaine of the Romans v. 26. Matth. 22. 7. and utterly destroy Jerusalem Seven weekes Of yeeres which are nine and forty yeeres from Darius his decree untill such time as the walls of Jerusalem were finished by Nehemiah Threescore and two Which are foure hundred foure and thirty yeeres namely from the restauration of Jerusalem untill the time of the last ruine of it by the Romans Built againe that is to say Jerusalem shall subsist being continually built and beautified with new buildings within side and fortified on the outside notwithstanding the grievous oppressions which it shall suffer under the Empires of Persia Greece and Rome V. 26. And after Joyned to the seven precedent weekes which make in all threescore and nine weeks that is to say In the last of the seventie Be cut off By the Jewes and in their opinion quite destroyed without any residue or hope of restauration Isa. 53. 8. But not for the Italian And shall have nothing left Being brought to nothing by death having no life strength nor dignitie in shew left him See Psa. 22. 6. Isa. 53. 2 3. Phil. 2. 3. Others there being nothing in him namely no cause nor fault Isa. 53. 9. Or there being nothing therein for him that is to say All being done for the good and redemption of mankind The people of namely The Romans Shall be with It shall be sudden irreparable and violent like to a destruction caused by a deluge of waters Desolations are After the warre with the Romans is once begun it shall never cease untill Jerusalem be quite destroyed according to Gods decree V. 27. And he namely Christ being come and comming in the world shall in one of those weekes by the Gospel renew the Covenant with the Jewes which shall believe which he had made with their forefathers and shall ratifie it by new sacraments Of the weeke Of that weeke which remaines after the foresaid sixty nine to make up the number of seventy for indeed the revolts and troubles of the Jewes lasted three yeeres and a halfe or foure yeeres after the threescore and nine weeks Shall cause Through the desolation of the Temple by the Romans the Jewish service and sacrifices shall cease And for the the Italian The destroyer shall come upon the abominable wings that is to say The Roman army led by Titus shall come with great speed as if it were carryed flying upon Eagles wings which were the ensignes of the Roman legions called abominable because the Romans did worship them as God-heads of armies and did place them in the Temple of God for to prophane it Mat. 24. 15. Mar. 13. 14. Luke 21. 20. Uâ—tiâ— See Isa. 10. 23. The consummation the Italian The inundation Whereof see v. 26. CAAP. X. Vers. 1. THe third After hee had seized upon the Babylonian Empire and had established the second Monarchie The time appointed the Italian The army was great namely Of the Angells which appeared in this vision Others The time appointed was long that is to say Though the things fore-told are not to be fulfilled of a long time yet is the Prophecie true V. 2. Was mourning For the enemies of our Nation hindered the re-establishment of Jerusalem and of the Temple which Cyrus had given way to Ezra 4. 5. V. 3. I eate no I abstained from all meales wherein one might rejoyce either at the qualitie of the food or at the company that was at them or that I tooke any delight in I fasted with bread and
which lived in those dayes Others that it is a fained name to signifie the qualities of Gods people as well in grace for it may signifie perfection as in judgement for it may be taken for the end or finall extermination Diblaim the reason of this name which seemes also to be figurative is very obscure Some have held it to be the name of some wildernesse Ezek. 6. 14. to shew the Churches wretched beginning in its own nature As Cant. 3. 6. Ezek. 16. 7. V. 4. Izreel it seemes that by those three Children was figured the ruine of the kingdome of the ten Tribes which was effected at three severall times The first was when the progeny of Jehu was extinguished 2 Kings 15. 12. The other two was when the King of Assyria did invade them 2 Kings 15. 29. 17. 3 6. The blood namely the executions done by Jehu in Izreel 2 Kings 9. 24 31. 10. 11 17. which were commanded by God for the re-establishment of his service which Jehu not performing they are imputed unto him for so many murthers See 1 Kings 16. 7. Will cause to cease for by the rooting out of the line of the line of Jehu the kingdome of Israel receaved such a wound that it could never rise againe V. 5. Breake I will beat down the power of Israel I will take away from them all means of defending themselves and of subsisting against their enemies by the losse of some battell or by some other accident not mentioned in Scripture In the valley of which See Josh. 17. 16. Judg. 6. 33. V. 6. Lo-ruhamath that is to say one of whom no mercy is had Rom. 9. 25. But I will because I have pardoned them enough already V. 7. Of Judah in which the covenant remained and the service and Church of God By the Lord by my selfe miraculously or by vertue of the everlasting Son of God perpetuall Head and Saviour of his Church V. 9. Lo ammi that is to say one that is not my people Rom. 9. 25. Your namely your God according to the enterchangeable condition of the covenant V. 10 The number this may be understood of the increase of this people in all their dispersions untill the time of their conversion In the place the Italian Instead that is to say by the Gospell which they shall at last receive they will obtaine a more firme covenant and conjunction with God being made not onely his people and subjects but his children by adoption of grace and regeneration of Spirit and holy spirituall liberty V. 11. The children that is to say at the last all Israel shall acknowledge and accept of Christ for their head and shall be altogether re-united to his Church Rom. 11. 12 15 25. 2 Cor. 3. 16. See Isay 11. 13. Jer. 3. 18. Ezek. 37. 16 22. Come up they shall separate themselves from the world to joyne themselves to the Church and so goe on the way to the Kingdome of heaven The day That time shall be admirable by reason of the gathering together of the Israelites which before seemed rather to be an Izreel that is to say a people dispersed by God then an Israel CHAP. II. Vers. 1. SAy yee unto Thou Hosea and all other believers which are amongst these people doe not hold them to be altogether rejected to forsake them to their owne lusts but call them to repentance setting before them what is the duty of Gods people signified by Ammi that is to say My people towards whom God hath not yet shut up the entrals of his mercy which is signified by Ru-hamah V. 2. Plead with Reprove the body of your Nation openly She is not She doth not keepe her faith which she hath promised me and I have already good cause to put her away which I forbeare to do through my great patience Let her therefore put away Let her dispose her selfe to true chastity and spirituall purity using no more lascivious baits and practices to draw prophane Nations on to trade with her in Idolatry see Jer. 2. 33. and 4. 30. V. 3. Lost I strip her Lest I take away from her all my bodily and spirituall graces and bring her to extreme misery see Ezek. 16. 39. and 23. 26 29. She was borne See Ezek. 16. 4. With thirst that is to say With the scorching heat of my wrath not tempered with any grace or comfort Jer. 2. 15. Ezek. 22 24. Amos 8. 11 13. V. 4 Upon her children Namely Upon the particular members of this people Of whoredomes that is to say Bastards having no part in the regeneration of the heavenly Father to holinesse of life but being altogether corrupted like their mother see John 8 44. V. 5. My lovers Idols and Idolatrous people by whose gift and benefit and not the true Gods I have plenty of all good things v. 8. 12. See Jer. 44. 17. V. 6. I will hedge I will enclose her up with difficulties and extreme distresses that shee shall not be able to run out at her owne pleasure see Job 3. 23. and 19. 8. Lam. 3. 7 9. V. 7. She shall follow She shall seeke for favour and aid at their hands but all in vaine they shall all forsake her and shall change their ancient love into mortall hatred Jer. 2. 36. Ezek. 16. 27. To my first namely to God V. 8. Which they In making of Idols or in serving and honouring them see Ezek. 7. 20. and 16. 16. Hos. 8. 4. V. 9. In the time namely At the time which I have appointed or in Harvest-time and Vintage-time I will take away her increase of corne and wine and give it for a prey unto her enemies V. 11. Her feast dayes Which were dayes of publike rejoycing Numb 10. 10. and were observed even amongst the ten tribes in imitation of those of Judea 1 King 12. 32. V. 13. Decked her selfe A terme taken from lascivious women which decke themselves to allure men whereby are meant the Israelites prophane pomps in their Idolatries V. 14. Therefore Because she hath quite forgotten me and will never be converted of her selfe I will prevent her by my mercy recalling her mildly by my Gospel Which is referred to the last conversion of Israel And bring her I will bring her unto me bringing her home from her banishment through many miseries as I brought my people out of Egypt into the land of Canaan through the wildernesse V. 15. From thence namely From the head of the wildernesse The meaning is that as my people comming out of the wildernesse came into a most fruitfull countrey so mine elect comming out of an extreme spirituall misery shall enjoy mine abundant blessings Others translate it from that time forward The valley of Whereof mention is made Jos. 7. 26. Isa. 65. 10. It was a most fruitfull place at the entrance of the countrey so soone as they were come over Jordan and by it are meant the first favours which God bestowed on his when they enter into his
Isa. 5. 24. Mal. 4. 1. V. 11. For Nazarites being persons sanctified after an especiall manner to purity of life and consecrated to works of piety V. 12. Gave the you have transgressed the Law in this part of my service Numb 6. 3. V. 16. Naked being stripped by his enemies or having basely throwne away his Armes CHAP. III. Ver. 2. HAve I knowne chosen and accepted to be my people wherefore your ingratitude and disloyalty is so much the more to be condemned Deut. 7. 6. and 10. 15. And those sinnes of ignorance which I passe over in others are in You inexcusable and proceeding from pure malice See Ezek. 20. 32. V. 3. Can â—wo even as two Travellers whose end of their journey is not the same cannot long travell the same way so it is impossible that God should continue his grace towards you seeing his service is not the onely ayme of all your actions V. 4. A Lyon thinke ye that God will not at last bring all his threatenings to passe though he hath had patience for a long time See Amos 1. 2. V. 5. Can a Bird the evils which have already befallen you are not by chance nor casually but they are sent and directed by Gods expresse providence and judgement which never is without its effect V. 6. A Trumpet when the watches give a signall or sound an alarme the people presently are terrified And what ought you to doe at Gods threatenings pronounced by his Prophets for your conversion towards him from whom all these calamities proceed V. 7. The Lord God will I doe liken the Prophets to the Watchmen which discover afar off the comming of the enemies for so God ordinarily reveales unto his Prophets the greatest judgements which he will cause to fall upon his people to bring them to repentance V. 8. The Lyon the feare of Gods Majesty doth inforce us to relate his threatenings faithfully unto you though you hate and disdaine us for it V 9. Publish since my people hath neither heart nor eares to hearken to my Prophets let the Gentiles be called to be witnesses and to judge of the justice of my judgements Tumults or oppressions V. 12. So shall in the sacking of a City a small number and that of the poorest sort of people shall escape â—n the corner he hath a relation to the hiding corners that are sought for when a City is taken V. 13. Heare he directs his words to the Prophets and to all true Beleevers V. 14. I will also I will destroy all places and instruments of Idolatry to shew the falshood of it and to make knowne that it is the chiefe cause of the peoples ruine The â—ornis which we made upon the Idols Altars to the likenesse of them which were upon the Altar of the true God Exod. 27. 2. V. 15. The Winter-house he hath a relation to the customes of great men who are wont to have severall roomes for Winter and for Summer Judg. 3. 20. Jer. 36. 22. the meaning is 〈◊〉 all manner of â—â—atelinesse greatnesse and commodiâ—usnesse shall be taken away Of Yvory covered over with â—vory 1 King 2. 39. CHAP. IV. Ver. 1. YE Kine O you Inhabitants of Samaria rich and mighty as ordinarily the Inhabitants of the chiefe Cities of Kingdomes are See Psal. 22. 12. Isa. 28. 1. Ezek. 39. 18. Say to which doe perswade your Kings and Princes to all manner of excesse and dissolutenesse and are teachers and advisers of the disorders of the Court as Hos. 7 5. V 2. With â—ooks like fishes as Jer. 16. 16. Hab. 1. 14 15. and you shall be no more like fat Kine that abide in their pastures V. 3. Goe out being led into captivity after the taking and disâ—anteling of your Cities See Ezek. 12. 5 12. Before her any way there being neither gates nor wals whole V. 4. Gome Ironicall termes that is to say I doe abandon you to continue in your Idolatries that you may heap up the measure of your sinnes See Mat. 23. 32. Bethel Gilgal the chiefe Seates of the ten Tribes publicke Idolatry 1 King 12. 29. Hos. 4. 15. and 12. 12. Amos 5. 5. Three yeares the Italian three dayes in imitation of the three solemne feasts appointed to be every yeare by the Law Exod. 23. â—4 at which certaine kind of tythes were spent in the sacred feasts Deut. 14. 22. V. 5. Proclaime making it knowne by publicke authority that whosoever will offer any offerings besides those which God hath commanded shall come and offer them in such places and at such times V. 6. â—leannesse that is to say famine and dearth V. 10. After the manner the Italian in the way when you went into Egypt to seeke ayd from thence Hos. 7. 11 12. V. 12. Thus will I namely as thy sinnes deserve or as I have foretold thee v 2 3 Because since I denounce war against thee as against my Rebels and enemies prepare thy selfe to doe the best thou canst to beare me off and keep Me backe if thou canst or to prevent and pacifiâ— Me by true repentance See Ezek. 13. 5. and 22. 30. V. 13. Declareth that knowes and judges the most secret thoughts of man evertakes the wise in their cunning accuses the consciences and summoneth them to appeare before him Or according to others that reveales his secret judgements to men to call them to repentance Walk th that is exalted above all humane power See Mic. 1. 3. CHAP. V. Ver. 2. THe Virgiâ— So are called in Scripture those States which subsist flourish in their first liberty splendor Isâ— 23. 12. V. 4. Seeke ye me where must be understood which they have refused to doe V. 5. Bethel namely the Idols which were in these Cities Amos 4. 〈◊〉 To Beeâ—sheba by Amos 8. 14. it appeares that this City also was the seat of some solemne Idolatry though it were belonging to the tribe of Judah Josh. 15. 28. Gilgal namely the inhabitants thereof In the Hebrew there is an allusion betweene the word Gilgal and Captivity Tâ— nought Bethel signifies the house of God but by reason of the idolatry which was used therein it is called Beth-aven that is to say the house of an Idol Hos. 4. 15. and 10. 8. And because Aven signifieth an Idol or nought and vanity Therefore her last ruine is also set forth by this name V. 6. Of Ioseph namely of the tenne tribes whereof the chiefe was that of Ephraim which issued from Ioseph Bethel that none of your Idols which you serve in Bethel be able to helpe you V. 7. Who turne they corrupt justice and whereas of it selfe it is a most profitable and pleasing thing you make it most bitter to those that are oppressed and abominable to God V. 8. Turneth the thîs may properly be understood of the great and prodigious changes in the aire or figuratively of the alterations of States and changes of the world Powreth them this is more likely to meane the deluges and inundations of the
them Prov. 16. 33. V. 9. I feare my Religion is to serve and worship him only V. 10. Why hast thou alas what a great fault hast thou committed V. 11. Said unto them by Gods inward revelation more then discourse of reason V. 14 Innocent blood For our parts for he never offended us and if he hath offended thee wee are not to take notice non judge of it in that as wee now doe follow that which thou declarest unto us by thy Workes and by thy Word which hee himselfe hath pronounced Hast done Wee doe acknowledge in all this expresse signes of thy power justice and supreame providence to which because we will not displease thee wee submit our senses to performe this execution CHAP. II. Verse 2. ANd said This prayer which containes the Prophets concei 〈…〉 and motions whilest he was in the Fish was set downe in writing by him after his deliverance with the addition of thanks-giving V. 4. Yet I will Words of faith grounded upon an expresse revelation V. 5. Unto the soule Bringing me into danger of present death See Psal. 69. 1. V. 6. Barres A terme taken from prisons The meaning is I am in the sea as it were in a strong prison shut up and 〈…〉 rred from the earth on â—ll sides For ever Unlesse thou dost miraculously relieve me V. 7. Temple namely In heaven Gods dwelling in glory the representation whereof was in the Temple of Jerusalem V. 8. They that namely Idolaters and Infidels are sometimes moved when they are in want with some feeling of devotion towards God But because the lively root of Faith of the Spirit is wanting in them that motion is not constant in them But I will fulfill my duties of piety with perseverance and loyalty CHAP. III. Vers. 3. EXceeding great Heb. A great City of God for the Hebrewes doe extoll the greatnesse of things by adding the name of God to their ordinary names Three dayes In circuit V. 4. A dayes journey Not going on continually but by pawses and at times going on from place to place as his charge required V. 5. God his word preached by Jorah V. 6. For word The Fast which the people had voluntarily undertaken to keep was authorised and enjoyned by the Kings command who would also be partaker thereof V. 7. Taste any thing For a certaine limited time which likely was a whole day V. 8. And beast According to the custome of those dayes the beasts they used to ride upon and to employ for carriage were wont to be covered and trapped but in time of mourning they tooke those ornaments off and covered them with haire-cloth and ragged clothing That is in Whereof he is guilty as if his hands were soyled therewith V. 9. Will turne Towards us in grace mercy V. 10. Repented that is to say He revoked his sentence which was but conditionall in 〈…〉 mind and decree 〈…〉 gave Jonah notice thereof See Gen. 6. 〈◊〉 CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. IT displeased Not so much for feare of being thought a false Prophet as for the zeale of Gods glory which he thought was wronged by his change and for affection he bore to Gods people who had then no greater enemy to feare then the Empire of Assyria as by effect it appeared not long after V. 4. Dâ—st thou well O thou hast great cause to be angry an ironicall reproofe V. 6. Prepared Did miraculously cause this plant to spring and grow up to a great height Per adventure this happened when the booth began to dry up and shadow Jonah no more A Goard A plant which is very common in those hot countries and groweth up to a great height and spreadeth out in great breadth called commonly Palma Christi His griefe namely From the heat which increased the greif of his mind or to give him by the meanâ— of this plant some wholsome document and remedy for his passion V. 7. It smote namely Did gnaw the root of it V. 8. A vehement Hebr. A deafe wind that is to say A still hot wind which re-doubled the heat of the sunne others a wind that made one deafe it was so tempestuous V. 9. I doe well Words of a passionate spirit blinded with anger rather then by any expresse rebellion V. 10. Chast had pity that is to say Thou wouldst have spared and dearely preserved V. 11. That cannot Little children that are not yet come to age of understanding The Booke of the Prophet MICAH ARGUMENT MIcah having prophesied at the same time as Isaiah did is also very like him in the subject and in the termes and stile of Prophecies Wherein he discovers and sharply reprooves the Idolatry and other sinnes of Iudah and Israel and denounceth unto them therefore Gods extreme judgements and their approaching dispersion by the Assyrians and Caldeans Then turning himselfe to the residue of true Believers he promiseth them on the one side temporall deliverance from the captivity of Babylon and on the other side the everlasting salvation of the whole Church gathered out of all Nations through Christ whose birth in the flesh and place thereof he describes very particularly joyning thereunto excellent Prophecies concerning his Kingdome the calling of the Gentiles and eternall glory and happinesse of the Church and the destruction of all her enemies CHAP. I. Verse 1. THe Morasthite namely Of some City called Moresheth whereof the Scripture maketh no mention nor cannot be the same as v. 14. Samaria and And the chiefe Cities of the two Kingdomes namely of the ten Tribâ—s and of Judah and their Princes and Heads V. 2. Yee people A figurative manner of calling all creatures as it were to a solemne appearance at the judgement wherein God will judge his people See Deut. 32. 1. Psalm 50. 1 4. Isa 1. 2. Amos 3. 9. Be witnesse that is to say He will convince you of your sinnes O yee of Judah and Israel From hu ho'y Comming forth as one should say out of Heaven or out of the Temple of Jerusalem where he is present in his signes of grace and power V. 3. And tread Hee shall shew himselfe exalted above all worldly greatnesse or hee shall tread under foot all powers as shall offer to resist him Amos 4. 13. V. 5. What is Where is the spring of all these Idolatries and other sins of these two Kingdomes Is it not in these two chiefe cities and in the Kings and Princes and in their courts which are kept within those cities V. 7. The hires thereof that is to say All her riches and goods which shee thought to have gotten by her unlawfull treaties and leagues with prophane Nations and as it were for a reward given her for consenting to Idolatry See Hos. 2. 5 12. and 9. 1. Shall returne A proverbiall kind of speech as much as to say Those goods shall goe away as they came that which hath beene gotten in the brothell shall be lost in the brothell Or the Assyrians who shall make a prey
to their owne ruine See Deut. 7. â—5 Ezek. 14. 3 7 V. 4. The remnant that which remained since Josias Reformation 2 King 23. 3 4 5. Chemarins they were a certaine kinde of ministring Officers belonging to Idols See 2 King 23. 5. Hos. 10. 5. The Priests namely of Idols Or Leviticall Priests but corrupted by Idolatry 2 King 23. 8 9. or by a wicked life Zeph. 3 4. V. 5. That worship and by an outward profession gain-sayed by their life and conversation Isa. 48. 1. Others translate it which worshipping the Lord and swearing by him sweare also by Maâ—cham that is to say which mixe the service of the true God with the service of Idols See Hos. 4. 15. Sweare by the Italian sweare to peradventure 〈◊〉 â—â—th a relation to the renewing of the Coâ—eâ—â—â—â— by Josia 2 King 23 3. Others sweare by the Lord which comprehendeth the whole profession of true Religion Psal. 63. 11. Isa. 19. 18. and 45. 23. Malcham an Idoll of the Ammonites served in Tophet neare to Jerusalem 2 King 23. 10 Jer. 49. 3. Amos 1. 15. V. 7. Hold thy peace let every one in humility and reverence adore Gods judgements without any murmuring or contradiction A sacrifice A great slaughter as it were to prepare a banquet which he intends to make for the Caldeans who are as it were his guests or for the fowles of the aire and for ravening beasts as Isa. 34. 6. Jer. 46. 10. Ezek. 39 17. Rev. 19. 17. V. 8. As are cloathed he seemes to meane the great Courtiers who clothed themselves in a Caldean or Egyptian habit according to the party they followed or by a prophane affectation V. 9. That leap this was indeed a very frequent Superstition amongst the heathen upon many occasions as 1 Sam. 5 5. but because that agreeth not with this place it seemes to be a proverbiall kinde of speech to signifie great mens Officers who by an absolute power went into other mens houses and to whom no doores were shâ—t V. 10. The noise A great â—umult at the taking of Jerusalem by the Caldeans who came in at these two gates Jeâ— 3â— 3. See concerning this Fish-gate 2 Chron. 33 14. Neh. 3. 3. which is also called the first gate Zech. 14 10. to make a difference between it and this second gate Tâ—e hils as the hils of Gareb and Goath Jer. 31. 39. on the West side of Jerusalem where it should seeme the Chaldeans did also endevour to force the City V. 11. Of Mâ—â—tesh It is thought that hee meanes a low village within the City betweene two hills which was so called Which by the Greekes for the same cause was called Tiropeon as who should say shape of a cheese and that there were the shop-keepers for all manner of mercery wares That beare silver the Italian The money-bearers Hereby is signified the rich trading which was in that place to which money was carryed in great burthens V. 12. I will search I will cause the Chaldeans to seeke out the most hidden things that are in Jerusalem That are setled A phrase taken from such liquors as grew thicke when they are powred out of one vessell into another Jer. 48. 11. to signifie either the gathering together of riches in Jerusalem which for many yeeres before had not been taken nor pillaged Or the stupidity and carnall security of the Inhabitants to which seeme to be referred the following words of those prophane men who denied Gods providence or took no care of it See Psal. 119. 10. V. 14. The voyce of The Chaldeans shall come so suddenly that the first newes that shall be heard of it shall be the terrible cries of the tumult of the captaines and souldiers being already at the gate V. 16. The higher towers the Italian The high corners Which are the places in Cities most fortified with towers and bastions c. Others translate it towers V. 17. They shall walke They shall be amazed and unprovided of counsell and advice CHAP. II. Vers. 1. GAther your selves All your assemblies whereby you shall endevour to defend your selves shall be but like great bundles of stalkes and flaxe to be consumed altogether by the fire of Gods wrath Zeph 1. 18. V. 2. Before This verse must be joyned with the next The meaning is before Gods decree against his people be put in execution you Believers shall flie to his Grace by Prayer and conversion V. 3. All â—ee meeke A title which is ordinarily given to good men Be hid Saved and defended V. 4. Gazâ—â— The Philistims and all other enemies of the Church shall be utterly destroyed without hope of being restored But I will preserve some seed and remainder of my people to re-establish them in the oppointed time wherefore let every one of you endevour to be of that blessed number Ashdâ—d The Inhabitants thereof shall be lead into captivitie Aâ— the noone The City being forced and taken by assault V. 5. The Sea-coast Where the Philistines land was 1 Sam. 30. 14 16. Ezech. 25. 16. O Câ—naan Of which the Philistines were a part â—os 13. 3. V. 7. Shall be for This may be understood in part and corporally of the possession which the Jewes tooke of the Philistines land at their returne from Babylon But it is perfectly meant by the spirituall dominion of the Church joyned with Christ her Head over all her spirituall enemies See Isa. 11 14. V. 11. For he The chiefe end of all those terrible judgements shall be to root out those peoples Idolatries annd cause the true God alone to be worshipped which hath been accomplished under Christ Jesus The Iles The far countreys especially beyond the Sea V. 13. He will stretch Because the destruction of Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire happened as it is thought in the time of Jehoiakim after Zephaniah's Prophecies V. 14. In the upper See upon Amos 9. 1. Uncover the Her roofe and all her timber workes being burnt downe there shall remaine nothing but the walls of ruined houses V. 15. Shall hisse In horror and disdaine CAAP. III. Vers. 1. THat is â—ilâ—hy the Italian Rebellious Or infected City which is nothing but uncleanenesse namely to Jerusalem Or to her which provoketh to wrath V. 2. The voyce namely Gods voyce calling her to repentance by his servants V. 3. They gnaw not the Italian Which have not broken a bone in the morning that is to say Which are even â—aging with hunger V. 4. Are light the Italian Are bold In â—eigning Prophecies of their owne inventions uttering them and boldly maintaining them V. 5. The just Lord that is to say God who hath chosen Jerusalem for the place of his residence and manifestation in the world cannot in justice suffer these sinnes to escape unpunished Every morning that is to say every day even in the morning which seemeth to have been the ordinary time appointed for the Prophets preaching hee doth denounce unto them his judgements to come and represents unto them those which
he hath already executed upon other Nations to call his people to repentance See 2 Chron. 36. 15 and 11. 7. and 2â— 3. V. 6. â—heir towers Heb. Corners See Zeph. 1. 16 The Hebrew word may also be taken for Princes and Lords V. 7. Howsoever Though I brought them into great miseries by reason of their sins yet will I save Jerusalem from finall ruine if so be shee will be converted But they rose They have studied nothing but evill doing or as fast as I called them to repentance every morning they returned to their evill doings V. 8. Waite yee O yee remainder of true Believers comfort your selves still with the hope of my vengeance upon your enemies and of the deliverance which I shall send you in the Messias his time for then will I gather all the nations together to serve me as heretofore I have gathered them together to punish them V. 9. For them He gives a reason of the former reason for under the Messias the face of the earth shall be changed by the conversion of the Gentiles and by their sanctification of hearts and tongues See Isa. 19. 18. With one consent Heb. With one shoulder A phrase taken from oxen which are yoaked together See Zech. 7. 11. V. 10. From beyond Even by the furthermost countries which have least knowledge of Me and of my Grace will I be served and worshipped See Isa. 18. 7. Acts 8. 27. My dispersed Mine Elect dispersed through out the world V. 11. Shalt thou not O my Church I will take away that ignominy from thee wherewith I had heretofore punished thee for thy sinnes and especially for the pride which thou wert growne to by reason of the great prerogatives which I had bestowed upon thee of my presence and abode with thee V. 12. I will also leave Out of the carnall and reproved Israâ—l and out of lost man-kind will I deliver mine Elect and Believers which are poore and wretched in the worlds esteeme See Isa. 14. 32. Zech. 11. 11. and 13. 9. V. 13. The remnant The true Believers chosen out of all the world being regenerated by the Holy Ghost shall live in purity sincerity and innocence like Christs true people fed by the Word of truth and kept safe under his protection and not by any devices or cunnings V. 15. Judgements namely Punishments and visitations The King namely Jesus Christ the true everlasting God shall alwayes be with â—hee in the power and grace of his Spirit V. 16. Let not Be not discouraged strengthen thy selfe in faith and in perseverance in all the duties of thy calling not fearing any ha 〈…〉 as may happen to thee V. 17. Rejoyce His delight shall be in thee in loving thee and doing thee good Jer. 32. 41. Ezek. 20. 40. V. 18. That are namely The poore Jewes led into captivity and afflicted chiefly by the cessation of Gods service whereby whereas God at first was honoured by offerings and sacrifices he was dishonoured and blasphemed by his enemies A figure of the Elects being gathered together in the Church and of which there is no true service of God V. 20. Bring you againe Into your countrey which is the figure of the Church The Booke of the Prophet HAGGAI ARGUMENT AFter the Babilonian Captivitie God yet for a time raised other Prophets amongst his people and amongst the rest Haggai and Zechariah for to exhort them to re-edifie the Temple and re-establish Gods pure service which was interrupted through their negligence in restoring and re-edifying of the Temple and was divers wayes pollutèd by their vices and evill customes for which things the Prophet grievously reproveth them calling them to repentance through the consideration of Gods former judgements and strengthening them with the promises of his Grace when they freely and couragously performed both those duties Then he falleth to comforting of the Elect who were grieved to see this second Temple farre lesse stately then the first assuring them that for this second was reserved the incomparable glory of Christs comming in the flesh who was appointed by the Father to be the universall King of the World who should overthrow all Powers contrary to His and should perfectly glorifie his Church which was figured by that materiall building CHAP. I. Vers. 1. DArius called by Historians the bastard Eâ—dr 4. 24. The Sonne that is to say The Nephew 1 Chro. 3. 17. Governour Made Governour of the Jewes by the Kings of Persia after the returne out of captivity See Ez. 1 8. and 2. 63. V. 2. The time Feigned excuses of the Jewes who were negligent in the re-edifying of the Temple As if by those lets which had been a hinderance to them God had shewen that hee would have the worke put off till another time whereas the true reason of their intermission was the contempt of Gods service and their carnall affection to their owne eases V. 4. Seiled houses Re-edifyed with seilings and timber-worke put to the ancient walls V. 5. Your wayes Your carelesnesse whereby you have provoked my judgements V. 6. He that You have not reaped any proâ—tor benefit of all your labours See Zech. 8. 10. V. 8. Will be glorified I will shew my glorious power in blessing and defending you and will give You cause to honour and serve me and mine enemies to feare me V. 9. Yee looked You hoped for a great harv 〈…〉 by reason of the great likelihood there was of it but your hopes were in vain Yee runne Every one is most carefull of building up his own house and looking to his owne particular businesses V. 12. Obeyed thee And went freely about the re-edifying of the Temple Ez. 5. 2. CHAP. II. Verse 1. THe seventh moneth Of the second yeere of Darius his raigne Hag. 1. 1. V. 3. Who is left See Ez. 3. 12. The meaning is If any of you have lived ever since the destruction of the first Temple till now which was impossible it being one hundred and seventy yeeres since V. 5. My spirit Of grace light vertue and holinesse see Isa 63. 11. V. 6. I will shake as formerly when I gave my law I appeared in terrible majestie so in the Messias his time I will unfold the Almighty power of my Spirit by the preaching of the Gospell from whence shall follow great commotions to the ruine of the Devils kingdome and the confirming of Christs by the calling and gathering together all mine Elect. See Joel 3 16. Heb. 12. 26 27. V. 7. The desire the Italian The choice Heb. The desire namely those that are deere and pretious to me which are my true Elect. This house this re-edified Temple shall be honoured with Christs bodily presence And the spirituall Temple which is the Church shall be honoured by my presence in spirit the abundance of my graces the light of my word and power of my Spirit V. 8. The silver if I pleased it were a 〈…〉 matter for me to beautifie this Temple with pretious ornaments equall
milstone that is to say a great one such as Horses and Asses doe turne opposite to your lesser ones which were in hand-mills V. 7. Woe infinite evills shall come upon the world because of offences as well upon the offenders as those who are offended It must needs be they are inevitable by reason of the malice weakenesse inconstancy and other vices of men and by reason of Gods providence which suffereth them either for judgment or for tryall and yet mans error shall not thereby bee excusable V. 8. Cut them off See upon Mat. 5. 29. V. 10. Little ones that is to say vile and abject in the sight of the world for their condition and profession Their Angels men ought not to contemne poore beleevers seeing God hath so farre honoured them as to give them his own Angels to be guardians and ministers unto them Heb. 1. 14. who are as it were his houshold and ordinary servants which is signified by seeing the face 1 King 10. 8. V. 11. For the another reason why those poore beleevers ought to be honoured namely because God hath made them partakers of his glorious salvation Iam. 2 5. V. 12. How thinke ye he sheweth another cause of the contempt especially of the Pharisaicall contempt because that the beleevers are poore converted sinners Now saith he that ought not to make them to be lesse esteemed seeing that Christ came expressely for such and that Gods glory and the joy of Angels is the greater therefore Doth he not leave others have it doth he not leave the ninetie and nine in the mountaines c. and goeth to seek that which is gone astray V. 15. Shall trespasse by personall offence or by offence given secretly betwixt him and thee Luk. 17. 3. Now Christ having spoken against them that give offence hee now turneth to them that take offence teaching them how they should proceed therein Heare thee namely thy just complaints to confesse his fault and amend it Or to give glory to God and promise repentance and conversion Gained thou hast brought him againe to his duty and hast bent him to be a good brother to thee See Sam. 5. 20. V. 16. Take with thee that the reproofe may bee of greater weight these men seconding it and also because that if hee bee stubborne the relation which thou shalt make thereof to the Church may bee the better verified V. 17. Vnto the Church namely to the assembly of those who have the governement of the Church in their hands and are to provide for the order peace and discipline of it 1 Cor. 5. 3 4. and 2 Cor. 2. 6. according to the Iewes custom who had also their consistory for the reforming of behaviour and manners As an heathen hold him as a prophane man worthy for his rebellion and hardnesse to bee forbidden the communion of beleevers as Publicans and heathens were amongst the Iewes Mat. 5. 46. Luke 15. 2. V. 18. Ye shall namely you ministers and governours of the Church proceeding in knowledge uprightnesse and wisdome according to the duty of your office See Mat. 16. 19. V. 19. If two the meaning seemes to bee that God being called upon in conjunction of spirit without passion or partiality though there Ecclesiasticall Iudges bee but few in number and consequently of little authority and respect in the world yet he would assist them by his Spirit that they might doe such things as should be ratified in Heaven Yet this may likewise be understood generally of the concord and charity necessarily required in all those that pray unto God concerning one and the selfe same thing See Mat. 5. 23 24. 1 Pet. 3 7. Any thing according to his will as well in the thing it selfe as touching the manner of asking it 1 Iohn 3. 22. and 5. 14. V. 20. In my Name by my authority and by my commission and calling upon me in Faith Am I in grace and spirit V. 22. Seventy that is to say without any limitation V. 23. The Kingdome that is to say Gods spirituall government in his Church re-established by the Messias CHAP. XIX VER 2. HEaled them namely those that were sicke and impotent amongst them as Mat. 12. 15. V. 3. Tempting him to catch and accuse him either for being contrary to Moses and the Law of God if he had absolutly reproved divorces Or for favouring and authorizing lasciviousnesse wickednes and inconstancy amongst men if hee had approved of them For every indifferently at the Husbands pleasure V. 4. Made them the Italian Made men that is to say in the first marriage which he appointed for an example and rule to all subsequent marriages he created but one man to one woman and one woman to one man to condemne poligamy and appointed that they should be one and the selfe same flesh to reprove divorces See Mal. 2. 15. V. 5. And said that is to say he inspired Adam and in aftertimes Moses to give this instruction and Law Leave See upon Gen. 2 24. V. 8. Suffered the Law for the indissoluble bond of matrimony was the first and everlasting law and God altered nothing therein by Moses only seeing your Nations rebellion in the liberty they tooke in divorcing themselves he did set down a rule therefore for a time in regard of some civill order But I who am the supreame Law-giver will now in the dayes of grace and of the spirit bring all things unto their first forme V. 10. If the case if matrimony have so strict a bond it is better to abstaine from it then to come into such a case of necessitie to suffer so many things by a woman as may cause a man to repent that ever he was marrried to her Words of persons which were as yet too carnall and used to this liberty V. 11. Cannot receive that is to say they have not the gift of continency by Gods special grace that they can be without the use and remedy of matrimony 1 Cor. 7. 2. 7 8 17. V. 12. Have made who have a firme resolution grounded upon the feeling firm perswasion of Gods gift to abstaine from woman for to keep an undefiled holinesse and from the use of matrimony to employ himselfe freely in Gods service either in a publicke or in a private calling 1 Cor. 7. 32. That isable let every one examine himselfe what gift hee hath from God and left him do accordingly V. 13. Put his hands that he should blesse them and recommend them to God by his prayer Rebuked them as importune and respectlesse people requiring of Christ too base and mean a thing in the Apostles judgments who were in that deceaved V. 14. For of such so farre are you deceaved in thinking that children by reason of their weakenesse and contemptible qualities are unworthy to bee presented unto mee that contrary wise no bodie is capable of my Kingdome unlesse hee be first by the spirit of regeneration brought into a spirituall estate to bee like a little Childe
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
other places humane nature in its corruption and sinne Is flesh that is to say carnall and viâ—ious and therefore uncapable of the kingdome of heaven 1 Cor. 15. 50. Is Spirit that is to say spirituall in senses motions and actions altogether holy and divine V. 7. Marvell not do not let this doctrine of regeneration move you to any wonder of doubt or incredulity Iohn 5. 28. for although the nature thereof be supernaturall and incomprehensible yet the effects thereof are very apparent and sensible as the winde See Eccles. 11. 5. V. 10. Knowest not though they have been cleerly set forth by the Prophets Psal. 51. 10. Ezek. 11. 19. and 36. 26 27. V. 11. We speake namely I and my Disciples doe teach doctrines that are certaine and are not of human invention as your traditions are Because that I as I am true God know all the fathers secrets and do faithfully manifest them as being sent from him v. 32. And ye he speaks to the Iewes in generall V. 12. Earthly things which all beleevers ought to know and practise in this world Heavenly namely the highest mysteries the knowledge and fruition of which are reserved for the heavenly life V. 13. No man you ought to beleeve me in both for no man of himselfe hath knowledge thereof nor the charge of declaring them but I alone who though I have taken humane flesh upon me and have so farre abased my selfe yet my Godhead doth still reside in heaven having the same essence and glory as my father hath Matth. 11. 27. Iohn 1. 18. and 6. 46. Rev. 5. 5 7. Hath ascended to gaine the originall knowledge of these things V. 14 And as my abasement shall be followed by the exaltation of my humane nature into heaven that by the sending of my Spirit and by my word I may set up a cleere signe of the salvation which I shall have obtained to apply to all by faith Ephes. 4. 9. 10 11. V. 16. The world namely mankinde in its generality though with a distinction of his elect according to his good will and pleasure He gave appointed him out of meere grace for a redeemer sent into the world at the appointed time exposed to all necessary sufferings and at the last applied and really conferred with all his benefits to beleevers by the inward operation of the holy Ghost who creates in them the faith for to apprehend him livelily V 17. For God the proper end for which the Sonne of God was sent was to save not to condemne the world for he needed not for that effect to have taken humane flesh upon him True it is indeed that hee doth accidentally aggravate the curle of unbeleevers who reject the light of his grace to remaine in the darkenesse of ignorance and sin See Iohn 16. 9 v. 17. Sent not that is to say it was appointed by the Councell of the whole Trinity that the Sonne should in his owne person and immediately take humane flesh upon him in the world and in the same flesh fulfill the worke of redemption and so must alwayes the se words of sending the Son and the spirit bee understood for accomplishing that act in their proper person which was proper to each of them the councell and advice whereof is common to all the persons together observing the order of operating V. 19. The condenmation namely the cause and subject of it And men namely a great part of them all worldly and unregenerate men Because namely one of the chiefe causes of this incredulity is because that man delighting in sinne abhorres the light and power of the Gospell which discovers the foulenesse of sin and argues the malignity of it for to bring man to repentance V. 21. Doth truth the Italian Workes 〈…〉 uth namely loyall and sincere works in which the conscience is assured of Gods approbation whereupon the more they are exposed to light the more joy and content they doe bring to them as doe them See Psalm 37. 6. In God according to his will which is as it were the forme and modell of good workes Romans 6. 17. Or the roote and beginning of which is the communion which man hath with God by his Spirit V. 22. Into the land namely from Ierusalem Iohn 2. 23. he came into the territories of Iudea Baptized by the ministery of his Disciples Iohn 4. 2. V. 23. Anon it is thought that these two Cities were on this side Iordan and neere unto it in the halfe tribe of Manasses and it appears by Iohn 10 40. that Iohn went away from Bethabara which was beyond Iordan unto this place which was on this side V. 25. There arose from that which followeth it appeares that the question was which of the two baptismes Christs or Iohns was of greater power or whether they were both equall to purifie the soule from sin Iohns Diseiples or by some of his Disciples The Iewes which went to Christs baptisme Some texts have it with a certaine Iew. V. 26. They came namely Iohns Disciples moved by jealousie or by a desire they had to be instructed V. 27. A man the meaning is I cannot nor ought not to be more then God would make me he hath made me a servant and therefore both you and I ought to containe our selves within our degree and measure and yeeld the soveraigne honour to the Lord which is Christ. Or I having received what I have by Gods gift there is no cause of glory for me nor of ambition for you 1 Cor. 4. 7. V 29. He that hath Christ in all these things comes in in the quality of a head and principall person as the bridegroome in a wedding solemnity but I am there but an accessary and a servant admitted by favour and therein have I a perfect joy without any disturbance of jealousie V. 30. D. Decrease my person must decrease till death and this my extraordinary and preparing office must â—eâ—ld to the full manifestation of Christ and of his Gospell V. 31. That is of earth namely a mortall man such a one 〈◊〉 I am cannot adde any thing to his deeds and sayings above that which he is himselfe Therfore I cannot give any efficacy to my Baptisme and preaching for the purification and conversion of the soule Christ only can doe 〈◊〉 Is above al namely in power and operation which depends all upon him and thereâ—ore hâ—e addâ—s it to the operation of his ministeâ—s according to his pleasure V. 32. Test fieth the same must bee said of the truth as is spoken of the power he hath it wholly to himselfe as it were in his owne spring his Ministers have it but onely out of his bounty and by his communication v 32. No man there is but a very small number of men that beleeve him V. 33. He that hath that is to say all true beleevers doe ratifie and confirme as much as in them lyeth the â—â—uth of Gods word which Christ teacheth in perfect purity because he
ed appointed and consecrated King of thy Church and likewise fulfilled with the gifts of thy spirit V. 28. For to doe though they had no knowledge of Gods will nor no right intention to conforme themselves unto it Thy hand namely thy Soveraign and efficacious providence by which thou governest and directest all things and all chances that happen V. 3â— They Were by an actuall new and evident mâ—tion V. 33. Great power Efficacie of demonstration and perswasion Oâ— with great courage and freedom Of the Resurrection under which is comprehended aâ—â— the doctrine of the Gospell As Acts 1. 22. Great gracâ— namely the blessing of God and good will of the people CHAP. V. VER 3. PEter to whom the fraude was divinely revealed To lie or to deceave the Spirit because that the consecration might bee by a motion of the spirit and he had not truely obeyed it Or it was dissimulate as proceeding from pure Charity a worke of the Holy Ghost being nothing but hypocrisie and the declaration thereof was made before the Apostles Ministers of the Holy Ghost and enlightned by him to take notice of the fraude and to be judges of the misdeed V. 4. Whiles it remained this possession before it was sold was th 〈…〉 e and after it was sold the price thereof was likewise thine if thou hadst not consecrated it But after the consecration thou hadst no more any right at all to it it was Gods and therefore thou hast committed sacriledge Ver. 6. The young men which were in the companie V. 9. To tempt to make a prophane tryall whither he knew your fraud or no and knowing of it whither he would punish it Are at the doore returning from burying thy husband Ver. 12. They were all had their appointed place there to preach to the people V. 13. Of the rest this as it seemes ought to bee understood of other Doctors who were also very frequently in the Church V. 15. The shadow not that there was any vertue inherent to the Apostles bodies nor much lesse to their shadow or garments but to shew a most fervent saith though very simple and ignorant to which God according as he pleased granted his grace and power though there ought no consequence to be drawne thence See Matth. 9. 21. and 15. 36. Acts 19. 17. V. 17. Of the Sadduees See upon Acts 4. 1. V. 20. Of this life namely of this saving doctrine which bringeth life to them that beleeve V. 28. To bring to cause the people to rise and revenge his death upon us Ver. 32. The Holy Ghost by his gifts and miraculous effects which accompanie our Doctrine V. 36. Theudas a famous impostor who lived it should seeme in the dayes of Herod the great and is not mentioned in the Histories but there is another spoken off of the same name who lived some time after that V. 37. Judas called by Historians Ganlanite that is to say borne at Golan in Bashan but here is called Galilean because hee raised his tumult in Galilee by reason of the second taxation made by Cyrenius after the first made by Augustus himselfâ— Luke 2. 2. V. 38. For if this not that wee ought to judge of a doctrine or Religion by the lastingnesse of it or any other favourably events which God sometimes grants to the worst of them according to his secret judgements But he seemes only to disswade them from the violent and unlawfull ones and remit all things to Gods providence who by many other examples having shewed his judgements upon the false Prophets that were amongst his people it was to bee hoped that in this case also he might doe the like if so be it were disallowed by him V. 40. Beaten them which was a kinde of punishment which the Romans suffered the Iewes to inflict in their Synagogues but not openly See Matthew 10. 17. and 33 34. Acts 22. 5. 2 Cor. 11 24. CHAP. VI. VER 1. THe Grecians it is likely that they were Iewes dwelling amongst the Grecians out of their Country who had taken a habit of the customes language and doctrine of the Grecians in many things differing from those Ierusalem Acts 9. 29. and 11. 20. Their widdowes Namely the Grecians widdowes held by the true Iewes unequall to theirs in honour by reason of the foresaid mixture and by reason of the dignity of the principall Citie of the Nation Neglected either because the were assisted equally with the rest and with equall honour in the distribution of the poores goods Acts 2. 45. and 4. 35. or that they were not admitted into any honourable office of the said distribution according to the custome of employing therein honourable widdowes which was afterwards confirmed and regulated 1 Tim. 5. 9 V. 2. It is not reason the Apostles in the beginning by reason of the small number of beleevers had the charge of the poore Acts 4. 35. But the Church being increased they could not doe that and preach to Whereupon by divine inspiration they made Deacons upon whom they disburthened themselves of this ministration who also had power to provide for these contentions and disorders Tables Namely at those common meales Acts 2. 42 46. under which is comprehended all the foresaid ministration V. 5. A proselyte Namely a Pagan converted to Iudaisme Mat 23. 15. V. 6. They layd a most ancient Ceremonie in consecration in signe that such persons were appropriated to God Exod. 29. 10. and likewise of blessing as if the grace and power of God did settle upon them Gen. 48. 14. Mat. 19. 13. Verse 7. Increased Namely did spread it selfe abroad amongst the people were obedient did voluntarily submit themselves to beleeve the Gospell Verse 8. And power of divine power and effiâ—â—cie in all his words and deeds Or of the power of the Holy Ghost to worke miracles U. 9. Of the Synagogues there being in Ierusalem diverse places of Ecclesiasticall meetings for the reading and expounding of Gods word and for ordinary prayers the Temple not being sufficient for these purposes for all men and at all times but it was for the Priests and for the most Religious actions sacrifices workship c. of the people Of the Libertines it is likely they were Iewes borne of â—â—aves made free by the Romans and that they had some assembly a part being detested by the Iewes as well by reason of their staine of their servile condition as because the tooke part with the Romans and their domination which was abhorred by the Iewes V. 14. Shall destroy Steven might well have denounced this desolation of Ierusalem and the disannulling of Ceremonies by Daniellâ— prophesies 9. 26 27. Or by Christs Matthew 24. 2. but yet these witnesses were false because they witnessed thorow hatred and malice and besides they concealed part of what was spoken As that Ierusalem should be destroyed but in case they were not converted That the ceremonies should be disannulled but to give place to a more excellent kinde of service in spirit
this gift by their â—all doth not hinder the foresaid priviledge from subsisting For God shall also recall the Iewes in his appointed time making use of his grace best 〈…〉 wed upon the Gentiles to provoke the Iewes to conversion verse 11 14. V. 32. For God the Soveraigne cause of these things which have happened is Gods absolute will Who hath suffered the Iewes to fall into the same state of â—ebellion against him as the Gentiles were in because he might likewise shew towards them at the appointed time the some mercy that it may appeare that all Nations of themselves are in an equall condition before God and are all equally saved by the only meanes of his grace Upon all Namely to the generality of those two Nations Iewes and Gentiles V. 33. Of the riches Namely of Gods grace to sinners Rom. 9. 23 Ephes. 1. 7. and 2. 7. Of the wisedome iâ— the meanes and times appointed by him His judgements the rule and proceeding of all his actions and government Ver. 35. Or who this is added to stoppe the mouthes of all those whom the Lord forsakes from complaining V. 36. Of him he alone is the Soveraigne cause of all things he himselfe creates all and disposeth all the meanes and secondary causes 〈◊〉 and finally hee and his glory are the onely ayme of all great things CHAP. XII VER 1. I Beseech you a conclusion drawne from all the precedent doctrine of this Epistle By the mercies even so far as the infinite mercies of God binde yoâ— See 2 Cor. 10 1. That 〈◊〉 that in acknowledgement of all the favours ye have receaved from God in stead of sacrifices of thanks-giving and of praise which were formerly used and are now disannulled under the Gospell you will consecrate your whole persons quickned by the power of the Holy Ghost A living sacrifice namely in a new life in regeneration of spirit which also hath a correspondencie with ancient sacrifices in which a beast that was dead or torne by wild beasts was uncleane and unacceptable but they were to be presented living to be Lord and the bloud of them to bee spilt at the foote of the altar Reasonable that is to â—ay spirituall opposite to the sacrifices of bruit beasts under the Law See Hos. 14. 2. Mal. 1. 11. Phil. 4. 18. Heb. 13. 15 16. 〈◊〉 Pet. 2. 5. V. 2. To this Namely to the customes inclinations and actions of worldly and corrupt men Transformed that is to say regenerated and changed from your naturali wickednesse in all the parts of your soule beginning from the highest which is understanding and reason by which the spirit of God also worketh upon the inferior Gods grace following the order of nature in its operation Ye may prove that ye may by this gift of spirituall judgment discerne and approve that Gods Law is all good lovely and compleate Psalme 19. 8 11. Rom. 7. 16. 22. to submit your selves unto it with a free will Or that yee may prove that which according to this Law is good acceptable to God and rightly correspondent to his will to doe it See Phil. 〈◊〉 10. and Rom. 2. 18. Ephes. 5. 10 17. Colos. 1. 9. and 3 10. V. 3 Forl this instruction of having the knowledge of the will of God for a guide in all our actions is a very great one for it takes place in all callings especially ecclesiasticall ones to not undertake any thing therein of ones proper minde Through the grace namely the charge and authority of Apostle guided by an infallible conduct of Gods spirite Soberly that is to say modestly holily keeping within the bounds of the revelation of Gods Word the onely rule of faith and within the measure of the degree of knowledge which others have in it V. 4. For as he gives a reason of this diversity of measure because that there be diverse functions amongst beleevers and according to those functions God conferreth his gift V. 6. Prophecie this was one of the extraordinary degrees of Ecclesiasticall ministery in those dayes in which some persons by speciall inspiration of the Holy Ghost were enlightned in the knowledge of Gods mysteries to expound them in the Church to which was oftentimes joyned the revelation of secret and future things See Acts 〈◊〉 27 and 13. 27. and 13. 1. and 16. 32. and 2 1 9. According to according to the fust measure of this illumination in the doctrine of faith without adding of changing any thing therein of their owne mind Ver. 7. Ministery under this word are comprehended all ordinary ecclesiasticall functions which afterwards are divided into two generall kindes of the word and of pious works that of the word likewise into two of Doctors and Pastors that of pious works into distribution of Almes into the externall government of the Church and the relieving of the sicke and afflicted c. Let us waite on without going beyond the bounds of our vocation or of the gift of God belonging unto it He that teacheth whose office was to expound the tenents of the Christian faith in their substance truth and purity by plaine interpretation as they doe in the Schooles without an applications to demeanours or any exhortations or comforts or reproofes as they use to doe in the Church V. 8. He that exhorteth namely the Pastor of the Church who addeth the foresaid uses to the doctrine and taketh them out of it and especially that of exhortation See Acts 13. 15. 1 Tim 62. Tit. 1. 9. and 2. 15. That giveth the Italian He that distributeth namely he that hath the office of giving or distributing the publicke almes which was the Deacons charge Acts 6. 5. With simplicitie without any fraud Or with an upright affection without acceptation of persons without hatred or favour Or liberally as a pure and simple gift See 2. Cor. 8. 2. That ruleth he meanes the office of Elders who together with the gravest wisest and most qualified Pastors made up the Ecclesiasticall Senate to provide for the occurrent affaires govern demeanours pacific differences administer discipline in admonitions censures c. 〈◊〉 Tim. 5. 17. That sheweth mercy the Italian Hee that doth pious workes as the particular care of the sicke impotent Widdowes Orphans Prisoners strangers c. V. 10. Preferring the Italian Preventing namely without staying untill it be done to you and then requiting it Or goe beyond one another in honouring one another that is to say strive who shall doe most honour to each other give your selves enterchangeable examples of honour V. 11. In businesse the Italian In studie which every one is bound to doe in his own vocation to be spiritually carefull of the glory and service of God the benefit and profit of the Church and of the salvation of the faithfull Fervent zealous and burning in spirituall affection Serving that is to say having no other end in all your actions but onely his service Ver. 13. Given to that is to say with a free will
sacred ceremonie which hath its whole relation to unity and charity V. 21. In eating namely in these feasts of charity at the end of which they celebrated the Lords supper you doe not observe the true ecclesiasticall communion but every one beeing come to the place of the assembly doeth presently si t downe to eate what he hath brought in the company of those of his part leaving the other whereupon this action is not celebrated neither at the same time by al nor in holy concord nor in communion of goods which is contrary to the truevnion of Christians which is sealed by this sacrament is drunken that is to say filled with wine and meate V. 22. What have yet not here we ought to supply there is prophanesse in what you do for yow celebrate these religions feasts like untowordinary meales though you have your owne house for that end without being tyed to make use of any holy places for that purpose where all things ought to be done religiously with a respect to the soul and not to the body shall I praise you I praise you not one whit for that V. 23. For I have because that these abuses are contrary to the Lords institution who hath ordained the holy supper for a sacrament of his body and bloud and for a bond of union and not for a bodily meale nor for occasion of diuisions to which vse you put it V. 24. Which is broken all overthrowen and broken with extreame pains See Isa. 53. 4. V. 25. This cup even as Gods covenant with his elect is renewed and ratified by mydeath and passion so it is sealed to every belever by the Lords cup. V. 26. For as after Saint Pauls words ye doe shew that is to say ye shall doe a sacred act whereby ye shall publish the truth and shall acknowledge and preach the benefit of Christs death and shall protest to take part thereof by a lively faith V. 27. Wherefore whosoever namely seeing that this sacred supper is appointed for this sacred use vnworthyly without being fittingly disposed thereunto according to the diginity of this sacrament but especially having no charity nor reverence which were he two vices for which the Corinthians were taxed before the body namely of having through his unreverence prophaned the remembrance of the Lords death and undervalued the meanes by him appointed to participate of it V. 28. Examine the Italian trie let every man examine his own conscience to known wither he be well disposed to participat of this sacrament by faith repentance charity purity of heart c. For to abstaine from it in case hee bee not so untill such time as by renouncing the contrary vices and by prayers and conversion to God he have obtained grace to do it V. 29. Damnation thâ— Italian Iudgement namely the cause and sudiect of a grieveous punishment Form God which the Apostle in regard of believers distinguisheth from the everlasting condemnation of the wicked not discerning bearing no greater respect to the Sacrament of the communion of the body of Christ then to any other corporall and common kinde of food V. 30 For this cause this pâ—opliannesse hath cau'ed amongst you many visitations of popular diseales and mortalities this the Apostle speakes by divine revelation sleepe that is to say are dead according to the stile of the Scripture in hope of the blessed relurrection V. 31. would judge the Italian did examine truely to acknowledge our faults and desire pardon and grace at Gods hands thorow repentance wee should 〈◊〉 that is to say we should prevent Gods judgments V. 32. Wee are namely wee believers V. 33 To eat namely in the Church at feasts of charitie but especially at the Lords table V. 34. Hunger be constrained to take meat which seemes was their excuse who committed the foresaid error CHAP. XII VIR 1. GIfts namely those miraculous ones which were in those first times of the Christian church confetred by Gods spirit for the confirmation of the doctrine and for the founding of Churches See Acts. 2 38 Ignorant of the onely author and of the true end of them that you may not abuse them to pride and to divisions which were the Corinthians chief defects V. 2. Yea knâ—w the remembrance of what you were may make you acknowledge that all you have received is out of Gods meere grace and the worke of his spirit to humble you and cause you to give him all the glory therefore dumbe opposite to the true living God who speaketh in his word even as following blindly and like bruite beasts the false customes the inventions and commandements of men V. 3. Wherefore by your former condition you may conclude that the holy Ghost alone is he that hath freed you from the heathens blasphemies and keepes you from Apostasie and worketh in you the sincere confession of the name of Christ and finally by vertue of it alone ye are Christians and therefore the glory thereof is due to God and not to you And if he be the only author of those gifts which are common to all beleevers much more ought we to acknowledge him to be such in these other singular and miraculous ones Iesus this was a forme of detesting and abiuring of Christianity which was used amongst the Iewes accuâ—sed See Romans 9. 3. 1. Cor. 16. 22. Gal. 1. 8. V. 4. But the same therefore his gifts ought not to be drawen to divisions and partialities as the Co. rinthians did V. 5. Admâ—rations namely ecclesiasticall offices Lord namely Iesus Christ. V. 6. Operations namely supernatuall gifts and â—â—â—lties of working diverse great miracles V. 7. The manifestation namely some singular gift of the holy Ghost shewing it selfâ— in some person and by him manifesting his power to profit namly for the common good of the Church to which only end all ought to be referred V. 8. The word of namely the gift of treating of Christian doctrine with the application to all the uses of beleevers which seemes to have speciall relation to the pastors charge Rom. 12. 8. Of Knowledge namely of the pure and plaine exposition of the said doctrine without any application which is the doctors office Rom. 12. 7. Ephes 4. 11. V. 9. Faith he meaneth not the common gift of Christian faith but the singular and miraculous referred to the working of miracles Matth. 17. 19. 1. cor 13. 2. without which it had bin rashnesse to undertake it and the effect would not have followed but he that felt himself to have this gift might lawfully exercise it with certainty of successe by the same namely by his power of healing of bodily diseases See Mark 6. 13. and 16 18. Iames. 5. 14. V. 10. Working of miracles the Italian working of powerfull operations that is to say some singular gift appropriated to certaine higher and more noted miracles as of the casting out of devills raising of the dead changing or staying of the course of nature prophecie that is to say
spirit that the truth of our word might be wholly correspondent to the 〈…〉 h of what Christ hath done as he himself in effects hath bin correspondent to Gods promises V. 21 Stab 〈…〉 sh he giveth us grace and power to preach the Gospell without erring or varying and you firmely to beleeve in it 〈…〉 d us consecrated us to this high office of Apostles and endowed us with sitting gifts for it V. 22. Who hath he hath done that in us in regard of our Apostle-ship by vertue of the same spirit as maketh good in us and in all his beleevers his vocation and election by the gift of regeneration marking us for his own as it were with a seale 2 Tim. 2. 19. and as it were by an earnest or gage assuring us of the future perfect enjoyment of his goods V. 23. Upon my soule submitting my person to his judgement if I lie To spare you to give you time for voluntary repentance before my comming to the end that being present I might not be forced to use any severitie Ver. 24. Not for that that which I speake of sparing you is not because that I am Master of your Consciences to give or take away from you the grace of God at my pleasure For in this regard you depend upon Christ onely in believing in whom consists your spirituall life and subsistencie But because the chiefe end of my ministerie is to comfort you and not to grieve you without any urgent necessitie I have stayed my comming that you might prevent my just rigor and that I might freely performe towards you this pleasing office of comforting you CHAP. II. VER 1. I In heavinesse bringing you cause of griefe by my severitie and censures V. 2. For if I for causing this griefe in you I doe conceave it yet greater in my selfe by reason of your errors and there is buâ— one only way to comfort me namely your amendment V. 3. This same namely in the contents of my former Epistle I should have least my griefe for your errors might bee redoubled by your continuance and impenitencie That my joy that the conjunction of our soules is such that you rejoyce at all that which I rejoyce at and likewise are sorry for all I am sorry for V. 4. Affliction for your disorders and for being forced to deale severely with you Not that yee mine ayme hath not beene to afflict you as bearing you a 〈…〉 hatred or evill will but rather to give you a certaine proofe of my charitie by gaining your salvation through repentance V. 5 If any Nameâ—y thâ—t incestuous person particularly 1 Cor. 5. 1. Have caused gâ—iefe have bin the cause of your and my griefe together He haâ—h not I make no reckoning of the griefe which I have receaved thereby in râ—spect of that which my censureâ— have brouâ—ht upon you Whereof hee hath beene the cause But in part this is a mitigation of his speech as if he should say I will â—ot burthen him with all the cause of the displeasure which you have received I doe take part of it upon my selfe Ver. 6. To such a man it appeares that the Church of Corinth had begun to proceed against the incestuous man by grave censures and adraonitions before they went on to excommunication as the Apostle had appointed 1 Cor. 5. 5. And these tryalls having brought forth serious repentance in him it is likely that the Apostle was demanded whither that notwithstanding his said repentance he were to be cut off from the Church and he answereth no. Was inflicted of that is to say publikely in the face of the whole Church which also gave a generall assent and yeelded obedience unto it See Matth. 18. 17 1 Tim. 5. 20. V. 7. Contrariwise so far am I from being willing to have him excommunicate Swallowed up that is to say utterly sunck in dispaire V. 8. Consirme to receave him into the peace and charitie of the Church and seale him his reconciliation by the communion of the Sacrament of the holy Supper by pâ—ayers c. and by all particulas offices of charitie V 9. Did I write in my former Epistle Obedent to the Holy Ghost speaking by mee In all things namely in amending the faults in your manner of living as well as in receaving pure doctrine in seperating your selves from evill livers as in abstayning from evill doing your selves in using severitie against enormious scandalous persons as in shewing clemencie towards those who are weak and penitent V. 10. To whom as his will was that the Corinthians should with him condemne the incestuous man 1 Cor. 5. 4. so he now will have the pardon granted by common advice offering himselfe thorow an humble modestie to subscribe to what they should first judge to bee reasonable If I so gave his meaning seemes to be If in the beginning of your Church before the order of its government was well established I have at any time alone wâ—thout any others receaved some repentant sinner to mercie I have not done it thorow any ambition but in meeâ—e charitie towards you In the person the Italian hath it In the sight that is to say I call the Lord to witnesse for it V. 11. Leâ—st Satan Least we give him occasion by any immoderate rigor of ours to take away or precipitate any member of the Church to make the Gospell and the Ministers thereof odions and to corrupt the holy use of discipline whâ—ch consist in the temperature of charitie and the end whereof is nothing but the saving of sinners Ver. 12. A doore namely an occasion of advancing Gods work by his word and vertue V. 13. Titus whom Paul had sent to Corinth to informe himsolfe truely of the state of that Church and was not as yet returned againe as hee did afterwards 2 Cor. 7. 6. Of them namely of the Church of Trout V. 14. Causeth us to maketh our Ministery glorious by the power of Christ in new conquests and converting of Nations overcomming all oppositiens Now hee seemes to intimate that this voyage into Macedonia which hee undertooke beyond his intent he intending rather to have gone to Corinth if he had beene certified what state they were in had a happie issue and event V. 15. For we are wee doe propound Christs pure doctrine not infected with any false-hood vicious affection or end Unto God that is to say divinely according to God and according to the understanding which hee granteth his beleevers by his spirit Others as God seeth it and judgeth of it Or to his glory and for his service In them that are the Gospell is preached indifferently to all manner of persons whatsoever but it works in them very differently for being receaved by beleevers it bringeth forth life and salvation having all the causes thereof in it selfe and being rejected by unbeleevers and rebellious persons it is to them a cause of greater condemnation and makes their perdition inevitable according to their sentence which is irrevocable
10 11. 1 Tim. 1. 20. others understand it of the efficacy of the Apostolicall word in denouncing and sealing condemnation to the wicked and in imprinting a feeling thereof in their Consciences which was followed by notable judgments Acts 8. 20 21. and 24 25. 2 Cor. 13. 3. Ver. 4. The weapons namely the meanes which we employ in defending Gods cause and in fighting against Satan and his instruments Through God the Italian To God who is the great warrior that handleth them and the author of all strength and motion V. 5. Against the namely every thing that would hinder God from being knowne or worshipped and from raigning by his Gospell Bringing into captivitie keeping in Christs obedience by meanes of this terror all those over whom this power is exercised which are they that are within and not without the Church 1 Cor. 5. 12 13. V. 6. When your I do not as yet ordinarily make use of this power but use all meekenesse and clemency to establish the kingdome of Christ well amongst you which done all rebellious persons shall be used with all manner of rigor V. 7. Doe yee looke doe you judge of me and of the power of mine Apostleship by mine externall humble weake and vile condition Christs namely his Apostle guided by his spirit Of himselfe without any other notice given him hee may know the truth of mine Apostleship notwithstanding my poore externall condition 1 Iohn 4. 6. He speakes this to convince those false Apostles who did not acknowledge S. Paul for what he was and therfore shewed that they had not the spirit of Christ which judgeth of others by its own proper motions V. 8. For though Iam in such sort Christs Apostle that if I should extoll the power of mine office farre more than I have yet done ver 4. 5 6. I should doe it in all truth wiâ—hout any feare of being disproved for it For your destruction that is to say I will never use this power in any excessive severitie against you Seeing God gave it me chiefly for the salvation of the Church and the punishment of the wicked And so he heartneth beleevers against the terror of that Apostolicall power V. 9. Terrifie you by terribly representing this my power unto you in wrighting and not daring to use it when I am present V. 10. Say they he meanes some of his adversaries thâ—t talked in this kinde in prejudice of his Apostleship V. 12. For I may deale so with you because I am your Apostle without boasting falsly as those false Docters do We dare not an ironicall kind of speech Measuring themsâ—lves namely being full of pride and presumption of themselves without well examining and knowing themselves by comparing themselves to others Are not they discover their want of understanding V. 13. Will not boast namely of the power of mine Apostolicall office which though it were not limitted to any certaine places yet for order and peace sake every Apostle was contented to exercise it over the Churches which hee had founded himselfe According to God having assigned mee my part of labour in such and such places I may freely say that you are part of them and that therefore I have the right of an Apostle over you without â—tttributing any right unto my selfe over Churches founded by others V. 14. We stretch not I doe not usurpe not intrude upon other mens rights when I attribute unto my selfe this power over you as I should indeed doe if your Church were not of my founding Ver. 15. Not boasting not taking upon mee an universall authoritie over all Churches even over them that have beene founded by other Apostles Having hope I content my selfe with the honour of Apostleship which I have amongst those Churches it hath pleased God to found by me and especially yours which I hope will yeeld me that honour entire in good esteeme beliefe and obedience if that your faith now a little moved by false Apostles be reconfirmed V. 16. To preach that by the re-establishment of your Church I shall have meanes to passe on forward to preach the Gospell in other places and not meddle with any place where other Apostles have laboured already as God hath directed them V. 17. But he that in all this let every one beware of attributing any thing unto himselfe or to refer anything to himselfe And if God hath given any degree let us all acknowledge it to bee of his grace and let us use it to his glory and service V. 18. For not hee for all manner of glory out of GODS grace is vaine and false as not being approved by him who is the only Iudge of men And if it be grounded upon his grace it must be all yeelded unto him CHAP. XI VER 1. YOu could that you would suffer me to set forth mine owne praises without being offended therewith or contemning mee for a vaine glorious foole 2 Cor. 5. 13. seeing that I doe it out of necessitie to maintaine the authoritie of mine Apostleship 2 Corinthians 12. 6. yet howsoever you take it I will doe it chiefely for your good V. 2. For I am that which I doe is not through desire of glory for my selfe but for a jealous care of you that you may not be misled in your faith by the contempt which false Apostles lay upon my person and ministery Godly a holy jealousie according to God Or for Gods love and glory Gal. 4. 17 18. For I have he gives a reason for his jealousie and why he called it godly namely because he had bin as it were a meanes of their spirituall marriage with Christ by enterchangeable promises and bonds and therefore he endeavoured to have them on their side keepe spirituall puritie and chastitie that is to say a pure sincere faith Others translate it I have wedded you to a husband namely to Christ for to present a chaste Virgin unto him Ver. 3. Simplicitie namely the pure and sincere faith Ver. 4. For if the meaning is You know that there is but one Gospell one Christ and one spirit which you have learned beleeved and receaved by my ministery which in gifts light and power hath beene equall to that of other Apostles and therefore you have no reason to depart from me to goe after other Docters in hope of learning of them any other saving truth or more than you have learned of me He that he seemes to meane some one of the chiefe of those false Apostles as a Cor. 10. 10 Another Iesus namely if there could bee any other A condition altogether impossible and abominable even to thinke upon Gal. 1. 7 8. V. 5. Very chiefest there were some of the Apostles which were endowed with more eminent gifts then the rest though they were all equall in degree of office Vnlesse hee meanes the twelve in comparison of other inferiour Ministers who were also called Apostles Rom. 16. 7. 2 Cor. 8. 33. Gal. 1. 19. Phil. 2. 25. V. 6. Rude without any
sin Restore the Greek word is derived from setting of limbes that are out of joint he meanes by corrections reproofes and inducements to repentance endeavour to settle his conscience again into a good state as well in regard of Gods pardon as of the amendment of the sinner himselfe see Iam. 5. 19 20. V. 2. Bear ye that is to say have you a fellow-feeling of your brethrens faults wherewith their consciences are burthened and take care to ease them Fulfill put the command of charitie in practise which Christ by his word and example hath recommended above all other things V. 3. For if for to performe this you ought not to presume of your selves it being the chief cause of disdain and immoderate rigour towards others V. 4. And then that is to say if he do finde that his conscience approves of his workes as good and loyall then he shall have cause to hold himselfe in a degree of honour befitting the gift which he hath received from God without begging it by making comparison with other mens defects see Luke 18. 11. V. 5. Shall bear that is to say shall give an accompt of his actions before Gods judgement seat V. 6. In the word namely Gods Word publikely preached and taught In all good namely all that is necessary for him that receives and that he is able to spare who gives V. 7. Mocked as those do who seek pretences and excuses for their avarice and ingratitude V. 8. He that soweth he that in this life takes no other care but to please himselfe and his own carnal appetites shall at the last reap no fruit thereby but onely perdition and contrariwise he that imployes his whole life studie labour and substance in obeying the motions of the holy Ghost and seeking to obtain and advancing spirituall things in himselfe and others shall receive the reward of everlasting life being that the Spirit in man is the true seed of eternitie and the flesh of perdition V. 9. If we saint not namely if through impatience or carelesnesse we do not leave off studying and persevering in doing good see Heb. 12. 3 5. V. 10. Opportunitie namely so long as God grants us to live in this world which is the time of working and gives us opportunitie and meanes to do it see Iohn 9. 4. 11. 9. and 〈◊〉 35. Of the houshold namely to those who through communion of saith are members of the Church which is Gods houshold V. 12. As many as to know the qualitie of the false Apostles doctrine do but marke and observe their intention which is but onely to obtain the Jewes favours by shewing themselves zealous of their ceremonies and to avoid the hatred and sufferings which the profession of Christs faith brings along with it to the likenesse and communion of his own 2 Cor. 1. 5. and 4 10. See upon Gal. 5. 11. In the flesh that is to say falsely viciously and dissemblingly Constrain you that is to say they endeavour to put this necessitie of conscience upon you Gal. 2. 14. V. 13. For neither their hypocrisie appeares in this that shewing so much zeal in matters of ceremonies they are carelesse and do in their life and conversation transgresse the most essentiall commandements of the Law an ordinary sin of the Pharisees Matth. 23. 4. 23. 25. 27. They may glory they may boast of having perswaded and drawn you to Judaisme by bodily circumcision which was held amongst the Jewes to be a most glorious act Matth. 23. 15. V. 14. In the crosse namely in the death and passion of my Saviour by whose spirituall and effectuall communion I have no more affection nor desire to the world nor the lusts thereof no more than to a dead thing neither hath the world any power to worke upon me or to stir me no more than the objects of senses can do to a dead man V. 16. Upon the Israel namely upon all the true Israelites in spirit who through faith are the true blessed seed of Abraham and the people of God Rom. 4. 12. Gal. 3. 9. V. 17. Let no man besides all other reasons I do admonish all believers to regard me and not to afflict my spirit with false doctrines and contradictions 1 Cor. 11. 16. and 14. 38. after so many sufferings which I have endured for Christ whereof I bear the markes by which I have verified the loyaltie of my ministerie 2 Cor. 6. 4. THE EPISTLE OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE EPHESIANS ARGUMENT SAint Paul having founded the Church of Ephesus a famous Citie of the lesser Asia as Saint Luke relateth Acts 19. and having also forewarned the conductours of it with good and wholesome instructions and exhortations Acts 20. 18. he would also performe this most laudable dutie towards that Church namely to write this Epistle to it from Rome whither he had been carried prisoner to confirme it in the truth of the Gospell and exhort it to the true fruits of its vocation The summarie of it is that he gives God thankes for the infinite benefit of eternall salvation and redemption in Christ communicated out of his meer grace and election through faith in the Gospell to the Apostle first and his companions of the Iewish nation then afterwards to the Ephesians who were Gentiles whom to this end he had sealed with the holy Ghost and consequently he prayeth him that he would be pleased to enlighten them more and more in the acknowledgement of so great a gift by the same spirit which gift he extolles by a comparison made of their present with their former state as well the inward which was subject to sin and malediction as the outward by which they professed Paganisme out of which state God had out of his meer grace by his most powerfull vertue saved vivified and gathered them into his Church and incorporated them into the assemblie of believers by the ministerie of Paul appointed by God to preach to the Gentiles the mysterie of their vocation in grace which was before unknown to the world for which cause he suffered great persecutions by his nation and was also a prisoner but howsoever that they ought not from thence to take any occasion of offence or grief Afterwards â—e commeth to exhortations namely to have them make a right use of so great a gift and to live a life befitting the heavenly vocation recommending unto them union above all things and to refer all Gods divers and severall gifts to one end namely the common edification of the bodie of the Church and likewise all other Christian vertues to the continuall advancement of spirituall regeneration And particularly he exhorteth husbands and wives fathers and children masters and servants to performe their interchangeable duties and all in common to fight the good fight of faith and perseverance CHAP. I. VIR 1. IN Christ namely that are ingrafted into his bodie by faith and do live and subsist in their spirituall state by his onely power and by
Christ See upon Rom. 8. 9. V. 20. My earnest expectation the Italian mine intent namely my care Ashamed comming to faile in these tryals against that glorious profession of persevering which I have alwaies professed upon the assurance of Gods invincible power Shall be magnified laying open in me his divine powers and verifying his promises In my body in me whilst I live in this life and in regard of my patience in these bodily afflictions V. 21. For to me he gives a reason of this his hope because that having had no other object nor imployment for his life he should at his death receive the reward for it gayning thereby a glorious and immortall life V. 22. I wot not weighing on the one side mine owne particular profit which would be to be gathered in to mine everlasting rest and on the other side the profit of the Churches which seemes yet to require my presence V. 23. In a strait perplexed and ambiguous between these two thoughts and desires To depart namely to returne to my proper habitation 2 Cor. 5. 6. 8. 9. 2 Tim 4. 6. Or to be set at liberty and freed as from a prison or a keeper V. 25. I know it is likely that the Apostle said this at his first comming to Rome and that then iâ— was revealed to him that his life should as yet be prolonged to him as it was for two yeeres Acts 28. 30. at the end of which he was divinely warned that his death was approaching 2 Tim. 4. 〈◊〉 Others beleeve that he speaks only according to likelihood by humane discourse and not by any revelation Abide in this world With you in the communion of this life not onely temporall but spirituall also And ioy that being borne up by my presence and ministery your comfort and spirituall joy grounded upon faith in Christ may be confirmed increased V. 26. Your rejoycing the Italian Your boast that you may have the greater cause of rejoycing and glorifying your selves in Gods grace which he communicates unto you by me your Pastor and that you may for a long time boast of having had me to be your Apostle By my comming it is likely that Paul having knowne by revelation that his death was not yet at hand he did from thence by humane discourse gather this consequence that he yet hoped once againe to see the Philippians for it appeares by the following verse that he spake it doubtfully V. 27. In one namely by his power Or in a holy union whereof Gods Spirit is the author and bone Striving standing to all trials assaults and difficulties Jude 3. V. 28. Which is the opposition wherewith they oppose you and the assaults which they give you are unto them a most certaine argument of eternall damnation Of Salvation in that by the community in Christs sufferings and by his Name and Truth they have a certaine pledge of their conformity to his glory and that he is just before God in giving rest to those that are afflicted for his cause 2 Thes. 1. 7. And that for God hath established the foresaid order Or not by your own power but by meanes of Gods grace who bearing you up in your afflictions gives you thereby a certaine argument of the accomplishment of your salvation V. 30. Ye saw he seems to mean the persecution which he suffered at Philippi Act. 16. 22. CHAP. II. Vers. 1. IF there be seeing you have been witnesses of mine affliction and that the communion of Christs members requires that they should enterchangeably comfort themselves through charity and be united together by the same spirit and to have the bowels of affectionate compassion open to one another doe you shew your selves thus godly affected towards me comforting me through your holy concord V. 2. Fulfill ye following that which you have happily begun and continued untill this time V. 5. This mind or affection V. 6. Who being not onely true God coessentiall with his father but also appearing to Angels and men no otherwise but in divine glory and Majesty Thought it not that is to say he was without any usurpation truely equall to God and had his right by nature See John 5. 〈◊〉 V. 7. Made himselfe of no the Italian Made himself of nothing that is to say he brought himselfe as it were to nothing hiding his divine glory for a time and abstaining from the use and manifestation of it and contrarywise having â—aking upon him humane nature and making himselfe knowne in it Which nature in comparison of God is nothing and in that nature also subjecting himselfe to a most abject and wretched condition The forme namely an apparent quality and condition of a meere servant obedient to his father and subject to his Law John 6. â—8 to be judged and rewarded according to the merit of the worke not for favour or for dignity of the person Esa. 53. 11. Gal. 4. 4. subject to worldly power Esa. 49. 7. and wholly devoted to mens benefit and service having no regard of himselfe Matth 20. 28. Rom. 15. 3 8. In the likenesse in all things like unto man excepting sinne Heb. 2. 17. and 4. 15. V. 8. Being found that is to say having shewed himselfe in the world as farre as could be descried by the senses as plain man which is spoken in opposition to that which faith did spiritually judge and see namely that he was the everlasting Son of God 9. Wherefore as he hath made himself subject to the Law so because he had perfectly satisfied it God hath given his humane nature the reward of a glorious life promised by the Law in a most eminent degree correspondent to that of his abasement and by means of this exaltation hath installed him in the glorious possession and administration of his heavenly kingdom in which his divine Majestie which before lay hidden doth shine at full which it expressed by the words following A name that is to say a dignity glory â—nd power V. 10. That at the to bring all creatures either to a forced or to a voluntary obedience and adoration of this Soveraigne King as trembling to hear him but once named Things in heaven this distinction is either more expresly to comprehend all creatures whatsoever or by the heavenly he means the Angels Hebr. 1. 6. By those on earth men by those under the earth the devils which are abissed in hell Luke 8. 31. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. who are also constrained to tremble at the name of Jesus and reverence it see Mark 5. 6. V. 12. Work out the Italian accomplish bend all your endeavours and strength to come to the mark and to the accomplishing of your salvation see 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 1. With fear with holy reverence humility and care V. 13. For it is he gives a reason why they should so imploy themselves namely because their labour shall not be in vaine but Gods grace shall assist them and powerfully cooperate with them See Rom. 6. 13 14.
and many Gentiles in Thessalonica a City of Macedonia But by reason of the violent persecution which was there stirred up against him by the Iewes he was constrained suddenly to depart from thence Whereupon having a little while afterwards heard how that poore infant Church was grievously molested through persecutions He had sent Timothie to them from Athens to strengthen it and encourage it to persevere and having heard from him of the happy and laudable state it was in he writes this Epistle to it Wherein at the very first he gives God thankes and praiseth the Thessalonians for their readinesse and alacrity in receiving the Gospell and for their faith charity and patience in the profession of it according as he had taught and preached it to them with all loyalty study efficacy and hearty affection Then he comforteth them in their afflictions by Christs example and by his owne and that of the Churches of Iudea And tels them that being hindered from performing his hearty and fervent desire in visiting them he had sent Timothie unto them by whose relation he had been singularly comforted And againe gives God thanks praying him to encrease their gifts and to confirme them unto the end Then he exhorteth them to holinesse charity and peace and to bestow their times in laudable exercises and to forbeare lamenâ—ing and grieving excessively for the dead And to comfort themselves in the assured hope of a blessed resurrection the manner of which he sets downe teaching how that though the time of Christs comming to judgement be hidden yet it ought hourely to be expected with watchfulnesse and holy preparation and at last after divers holy exhortations he saluteth and blesseth them CHAP. I. VER 1. SIlvanus some hold it was the same as is called Silas in the Acts of the Apostles Which is which through faith in Christ is in Gods grace and covenant and is engrafted amongst his true people V. 3. Your worke namely the fruits and effects of your lively and working faith not of a dead and idle faith Gal. 5. 6. Jam. 2. 17. Labour namely the duties of true charity performed by you not sparing your selves in troublesome and dangerous times and occasions Patience namely your voluntary and constant patience in the crosse which is maintained by the certaine hopes of everlasting goods which are promised for it See 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. In the sight namely every time that we present our selves before God to pray unto him Or I speake truely as in the presence of God 2 Cor. 12. 19. Gal. 1. 20. Or this is added to shew the truth and sincerity of these vertues in the Thessalonians V. 4 Knowing finding and knowing that you are Gods true elect by this certaine proofe namely that the holy Ghost hath imprinted in your hearts the Gospell which I have preached to you â—nd hath engendered a lively faith in you V. 5. In power with a divine efficacy of the holy Ghost V. 8. Sounded out the fame thereof hath by your meanes been spread over all the neighbouring Provinces V. 9. They themselves namely the believers scattered all the world over What manner of how our persons and our ministery have been received by you and how Gods word hath taken place amongst you CHAP. II. Vers. 1. IN vaine unprofitable and fruitlesse as would have been if we had for feare of persecutions forborne to Evangelize unto you V. 2. In our God namely trusting in his assistance and vertue Contention namely oppositions persecutions and cares V. 3. Uncleannesse namely from any infamous or vitious affection as from sordid avarice infamous flattery or dishonest dealing See 2 Cor 6. 6. 7. 1. V. 4. To be put in trust as faithfull Stewards V. 5. A cloake or a pretence that is to say hidden and dissembled waies to worke our owne gaine and profit V. 6. Burthensome taking of you such things as we have need of which we have not done vers 9. 2 Cor. 12. 13. V. 13. Worketh bringing forth in you all manner of Christian vertues and especially constancy in suffering afflictions for the Gospell V. 14. In Christ that is to say Christian and by faith in Christ engrasted into the Church which is his owne body As they have namely the beleeving Jewes V. 16. Fill up the Italian addeth fill up the measure namely so full as Gods patience hath limited it should be filled See Gen. 15. 16 The wrath as Gods judgement hath been extreamely provoked by them so is it fully fallen upon them See Job 36. 17. V. 17. Taking front you as a father from his children The more this short absence hath not one whit lessened mine affection but rather enflamed and encreased it 19. For what have not I cause to love you thus dearly seeing your conversion is such an excellent fruit of my ministerie by which it hath been made glorious and hope besides my present joy to be therfore crowned with everlasting glorie at Christs comming Even ye As well as other Churches which have been founded and taught by me CHAP. III. Vers. 1. FOrbear Endure the discomfort of your absence and the desire I have to see you To be left It is likely that this hath a relation to what is spoken Acts 17. 15. and that after Timothie was come back to the Apostle in Athens he sent him backe to Thessalonica V. 2. Timotheus to supplie in part by him what we could not performe by our presence V. 3. Appointed And placed by Gods vocation to be conformable to Christ as well in afflictions as in glorie Rom. 8. 17. 28. A terme taken from souldiers that are sentinels in their watch-house and to other duties belonging to martial discipline V. 8. We live notwithstanding all our miseries and death which is present before us we are safe and sound and very chearfull if that ye stand firme and sound in your faith in Christ. V. 9. For what this so happeneth unto us because God gives us in you incomparable cause of joy and comfort for which we cannot thanke him sufficiently Before our that is to say spiritually or with a hearty joy of which he is a witnesse or acknowledging the cause thereof to proceed from him onely and giving him thankes therefore V. 10. Perfect Instruct and confirme you more fully in Christian doctrine and finish the establishment of your Church which shortnesse of time would not suffer me to do at my first comming V. 13. Establish that by meanes of the gift of charitie which is the spring of all good workes you may persevere in true holinesse approved by God without any voluntary offence or malice At the comming that you may be known to be such by Christ himselfe at the last judgement or untill his comming With all his this may have a relation either to the establishment in holinesse in the communion of all believers as Ephes. 3. 18. Col. 3 4. or to the last comming of Christ accompanied with his holy Angels Zech. 14. 5. Matth.
Gospel preached by Christ man and by the Apostles The world he â—als the state of the world â—o being by Christ restored from its ruine and spoil which through sin and death had befallen it as it had been foretold by the Prophets that it should be under the Messias the accomplishment whereof shall not be till his last comming Isai 65. 17. and 66. 22. Rom. 8. 20. Rev. 21. 1. V. 6. But one that is to say he hath subjected it to man in Christs person as it appeares by that passage of the Psalmist What is man See the Exposition of this upon Psal. 8. 4. V. 7. Thou madest him Though the humane nature which Christ hath taken upon him of it selfe be inferiour to the Angels who are spiritual creatures more sublime potent and glorious than man yet the universall Kingdom is attributed to Christ Man and not to the Angels A little this if it have a relation to Christ signifies the time of his humiliation V. 8. For in that in this universalitie of things which are subject to Christs Kingdom the Angels themselves are comprehended But now though for the present we do not yet see the accomplishment of this Kingdom the Church being as yet not wholly gathered together nor glorified nor joyned with God nor all her enemies beaten down and destroyed yet Christ reigneth powerfully and fulfilleth every thing from time to time according to his will and pleasure V. 9. We see by the high effects made manifest and considered by faith For the See upon Phil. 2. 9. That he now he proceeds to set down why Christ was made man namely that he might suffer death for sinfull men By the grace which is the first cause of salvation by Christ which he gives unto man for the price of his redemption and likewise accepts of it for satisfaction of his debt Should taste should die and should feel the extreme paines of death as it is joyned with Gods wrath and with his curse upon sin for which he had made himselfe a suretie and therefore is likened to a bitter cup Matth. 20. 22. and 26. 39. 42. For every man namely for every one of them whom his father hath bestowed upon him in which is comprehended the universaltie of his bodie and of his Kingdom John 6. 45. and 10. 15. and 12. 32. Rom. 5. 11. V. 10. It became it was a thing conformable and agreeable with his justice that Christ should make satisfaction for the sinnes of men Him for namely God the Father who is the soveraigne Authour and cause of all things and chiefly of the Elects salvation to whose glorie all things ought to be directed and referred as to their last end Rom. 11. 36. whereupon for the glorie of Christ our sureties great righteousnesse and of his infinite mercie towards men this meanes of salvation hath been most fitting and convenient To make the Italian to consecrateâ— namely to make him perfectly fitting and sufficient to be the Authour of eternal salvation to the Elect by the sacrifice of himselfe Isai 53. 10. and by it install him in his Kingdom a terme taken from the ancient consecrations of Priests Exod. 29. The Captain the Italian the Princé namely Christ Jesus who by his Priesthood hath obtained right to everlasting salvation for Gods chilrden and by his Kingdom brings them to the perfect fruition of it V. 11. For As he had in the former verse declared that it was convenient that Gods justice should receive satisfaction so now he further sheweth that it ought to be done by one who was likewise of humane nature as he was to whom the Law was given He that sanctifieth namely Christ according to the flesh in whom and by whom the guilt of sin hath been expiated and the corruption purified And they namely Gods elect Are all are all come from one father namely Adam V. 13. I will put my trust because David in all that eighteenth Psalme was the figure of Christ these words of the Psalme also ought to be applied to Christ to shew that he is not onely become Man but hath also taken the condition of Man upon him by being subject to the Law and bound to fulfill it upon confidence of the reward promised therefore Gal. 4. 4. Or to a man in a lowly estate weaknesse and miserie who did not for the present enjoy those goods which he expected and depended upon God and craved for assistance from his power and rested upon him And again in this passage Isai his children were also a figure of Christ being given by God for a token and assurance of a temporal deliverance which was the figure of the Everlasting which is promised together with it Isai 8. 10. V. 14. The children namely Isai his children Are partakers the Italian were partakers were very men subject to the same chances and dangers and were tokens pledges of a deliverance and not Angels nor glorified men He also that is to say Christ hath likewise been very man as we all are to be not onely the signe or token but also the Authour and Foundation of salvation Through death that by it having expiated the elects sinnes and appeased Gods wrath he might disannull the devils power over them which he exercises onely to death and destruction as minister of Gods wrath upon sin V. 15. Them the Italian all them this must be restrained onely to the elect as verse 9. Rom. 11. 32. Col. 1. 20. Through fear who even in this world carried the devils bonds and prison in their consciences by the terrours of everlasting death the true foreâ—unners of hell torments which was figured by the besieged Jewes terrour Isai 7. 2. to whom Isai with his children were sent to encourage them Isai 8. 12. 18. V. 16. For verily He confirmes that which he had said verse 14. of Christs communion in the selfe same humane nature for it is never said in the Scripture that he took upon him the nature of Angels in a personall union as he is foretold and represented true Man the Son of David and of Abraham V. 17. Wherefore seéing he hath made himselfe true man to save us it behoved him also to put on all our conditions not onely the natural ones but also those that are come upon us by reason of sin excepting sin it selfe That he might be that being touched with a lively feeling of the miseries of humane nature he might the rather be induced to free it from them by the sacrifice of himselfe and by his intercession wherein he should shew great mercie towards men and perfect loyaltie and obedience to God in performing the taske which was imposed upon him Pertaining to every Priest being a Mâ—diatour between God and men to offer unto God sacrifices prayers and intercessions and to do all other religious actions Heb. 5. 1. and to bring men tidings of Gods peace and grace and to blesse and instruct them in his Name See Exod. 18. 19. V. 18. For
covenant and true service Deut. 17. 〈◊〉 6. V. 29. Tâ—â—dden under foot that is to say scornfully contemned and through pride defamed him And hath counted shall have made no more account of Christs blood upon which our reconciliation with God is founded then if it were the blood of some ordinary person yea of some wicked and guiltie one He was by an outward calling into the body of the Church by Baptisme 1 Cor. 7. 14. and likewise by some beginnings and motions of inward regeneration which by his own malignity is not come to its perfection Done despite by secret or open blasphemies with thoughts deeds and words against Gods truth which hath been revealed unto him and the certainty whereof hath been sealed in his heart by the holy Ghost Of grace conferred upon beleevers through Gods fatherly grace and whose proper effect is to breed and confirm the lively feeling of Gods grace in the hearts of his children see Zech. 12. 10. V. 32. â—all to remembrance now he doth encourage them to constancy and patience in afflictions which were the cause of many mens apostacie the meaning is Persevere as you have begun And if in the beginning of your conversion you have shewed so much vertue a great shame it would be to fail now after you have gotten so much knowledge and experience and do not now by back sliding lose the fruit of your former labours which is promised to none but such as persevere to the end Gal. 3. 4. 〈◊〉 John 8. Illuminated that is to say Baptized so Baptisme was anciently called Illumination because that with it was conferred the gift of the holy Ghost which in an instant did illuminate the understanding of those who were baptized being of a competent age faith and knowledge Acts 2. 38. and 8. 12 17. V. 33. Whilest ye became joyning your selves by open profession and by all duties of communion with those that were afflicted in their own persons So used namely that were disquieted and troubled in the same kinde V. 35. Your confidence the Italian Your freedom that is to say Your free and couragious profession of the Gospel which is as it were the buckler of the soule Ephes. 6. 16. and it should seem the Apostle hath a relation to the ignominious degradation of the Souldier amongst the Romans that threw away his shield V. 36. The promise namely the everlasting life and glory which hath been promised us V. 37. He that namely Christ. Will not â—â—rry beyond the time which God hath prefixed and beyond the time as shall be necessary for the Church V. 38. The just see upon Heb. 24. Draw back if he departs from his beleef in 〈◊〉 if he becomes carelesse or disloyall in following my vocation The Apostle followeth the Greek translation somewhat different from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 V. 39. To the saving the Italian to make 〈◊〉 of to save our soule with losse of all the rest see Matth. 16. 26. CHAP. XI Vers. 1. IS the he makes things which are hoped for and consequently are absent and 〈◊〉 off Rom. 8. 24. to be by apprehension of faith as already existent and reall The evidence an infallible argument and means of certainty and invariable perswasion V. 2. For by it he gives a reason of the first property of faith to seale Gods promises in mans heart by the example of the Fathers before Christs comming who by faith did apprehend Christ and his ben 〈…〉 as already present and in regard of that are commended in Scripture as beleevers and children of God and righteous and thereby are acknowledged to be worthy to receive the promises wherefore if faith have had this vertue before Christ it doth much more retaine it after his comming in the flesh as well in regard of the things which he hath already done as of those things which he shall hereafter perform for their salvation V. 3. Through faith he touches the other propertie of faith in the firme perswasion of the truth of things whereof neither sense nor discourse of reason can give any sound impression such as the creation of the world is The worlds the Italian the ages that is to say the world see upon Heb. 1. 2. By the word of nothing by the onely omnipotency and will of God Of things of any pre-existent matter or beginning but of nothing which is beyond all naturall understanding V. 4. By faith Abels faith made his sacrifice acceptable to God as want thereof made Cains to be rejected now this sacrifice of Abels had two ends the one to be a Sacrament of expiation promised to Adam in Christ the other to be an act of worship and of acknowledgement towards God Abel by his lively faith in Gods promises made the Sacrament effectuall which otherwise would have been but a dead Ceremonie and by meanes of the same faith being in Gods favour and justified and regenerate his service was also acceptable as the fruit of a good tree He obtained witnesse in so much as it is said in that place that God regarded Abel that is to say accepted and approved of him as holy and righteous not for his own worth and merit as appeared by his Sacrament of propitiation but by vertue of the onely righteousnesse of all ages residing in Christ and apprehended by faith Te 〈…〉 ing being it is also said that God respected his offering By it that is to say Having through faith been the childe of God in his life time God shewed after his death that his favour towards him did yet last being it is said Gen. 4. 10. that Abels blood cried unto the Lord as calling him to be judge which ought not onely be understood for revenge against Cain but also in retribution of life to Abel being that Gods justice sheweth it self to be Almighty and most perfect not onely in punishing the offender as mens justice doth but also in restoring the innocent to life and giving him a reward So in Abel is declared the effect of faith in assuring the beleever of Gods present grace and of his life and glory to come V. 5. By faith Enoch having firmly by faith apprehended Gods promises in the Messias was also set down for an example of the end of faith which is to be translated out of this naturall and corruptible life into the heavenly and immortall life 1 Cor. 15. 51. That he should not that he should not die a naturall death by the dissolution of his body but by a neer and sudden change of qualities 1 Thess. 4. 17. This singularity in Enoch was a signe of the true use of the death of Gods children which is but onely to put off the old earthly qualities and in this manner to dispose them to put on the new heavenly ones 2 Cor. 5. 2. 4 For before he gives a reason why he hath attributed this transportation to faith namely because God having by means of faith adopted him in grace to be his Sonne did likewise give him