XVIII 9 10. or Enemessar Tobit l. 2 15. Sennacharib who came against Hezekiah 2 King XVIII 13. Esarhaddon or Asnapper Esay XXXVII 38. 2 King XIX 37. Ezra IV. 2 10. called also Sarchedonus Tobit I. 22. And another King of Assyria against whom Pharaoh-Necho King of Egypt fights at Carchemish by Euphrates in the last year of King Josiah 2 King XXIII 29. 2 Chron. XXXV But many leave out Iareb as no proper name of a King and make Sargon to be the same with Senna harib And some place Iareb before Pul and Sargon after Shalmanesar And no doubt there were many Kings of Assyria it being the first Monarchy before Pul though their names be not in Scripture Though the Assyrians take the name from Ashur the sonne of Shem Gen. X. 22. 1 Chron. I. 17. yet the Kingdome seemes to be raised among them by the posterity of Cush the sonne of Cham Gen. X. 6 11. a Singer Heman chapter VI verse 33 of Kohath stood in the middest Asaph of Gershom on the right hand Ethan of Merari on the left ver 38 39 44 47. See more of the Singers 1 Chron. XV. ver 16 22. All their Cities The Kohathites had twenty three Cities verse 60 63. The Gershonites thirteen The Merarites twelve In all fourty eight Cities reckoned Issachar a numerous Tribe chapter VII Ephraim The line from Ephraim to Ioshuah verse 5 is Num. verse 20 I. 10. and chap. XXVI 35 1 Chron. VII 20 26 27. Shephuphan verse 5 and Huram chapter VIII verse 33 Either of these had three names Ner Ner had Kish the father of Saul and another sonne Ner the father of Abner 1 Sam. XIV 50 51. genealogies This Chapter chapter IX verse 1 and chap. III. 19 24. are some parcels of the last passages for History of the Old Testament See more on Neh. XII 10 11. David and Samuel David and Samuel the Seer though he died in the time of Sauls reigne ordained and ordered the Priests verse 22 and Levites Singers and Porters in their set Offices and Courses See ver 10 14 22 and Chapters XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him 1 Chron. XXIV 19. by the Spirit and by God and Nathan 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. XXIX 25. and VIII 14. and XXXV 4 15. And Solomon did according to him 2 Chron. XXXV 4. Neh. XII 45. day and night verse 33 verse 9 The Singers imployed in that work day and night tydings unto their Idols Idolaters ascribe their Victories chapter X and prosperous successes to their Idols so Iudg. XVI 23 24. 1 King XX. 23. 2 Chron. XXVIII 23. Hab. I. 11. They bring their Idols to their Camps 1 Chron. XIV 12. As the Israelits the Ark 1 Sam. IV. 3. castle of Zion David took the Castle chapter XI verse 5 or strong hold of Zion dwelt in it built round about it called it the Citie of David And Ioab repaired the rest of the Citie 2 Sam. V. 9. came to David There came to David to Ziklag a great hoast chapter XII verse 1 like the hoast of God And to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 340822. And among them very many Priests and Levites ver 26 27 28. besides others intimated ver 32. Jehoiada verse 27 the Leader of the 3700. Aaronites that came to David to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 1 Chron. XII 27. Jehoiada a chief Priest 2 Chron. XXIV 6. married Iehoshabeath or Iehosheba the daughter of King Iehoram and sister of King Ahaziah 2 King XI 2 3. 2 Chron. XXII 11. He caused usurping and murthering Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Iezebel and wife of King Iehoram and mother of King Ahaziah 2 Chron. XXI 6. and XXII 1 2. to be murtheredher self 2 King XI 16. And caused Ioash grand-childe of Athaliah and his wives nephew and sonne and heir of Ahaziah to be crowned King when he was seven years old 2 King XI 11 12 21. 2 Chron XXIII 11. Of whom see more on 2 King XI 4. Iehoiada the sonne of Benaiah Davids Counseller next to Ahitophel 1 Chron. XXVII 34. bring again the Ark David so soone as ever he was setled upon his throne over all Israel chapter XIII verse 3 taketh the strong Fort of Zion from the Jebusites brings the Ark of God with all solemnity yet not after the due maner from Kiriath-jearim and the house of Abinadab And upon the death of Uzza by the way at the threshing floore of Nachon or Chidon he carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom where it remained three moneths 1 Chron. XIII Hiram sends to David messingers workmen and materials to build him an house in Zion And David takes more wives at Jerusalem and obtaines two victories against the Philistines chap. XIV And with great solemnity in the due maner he brings the Ark from Obed-Edoms house and sets it in the middest of the Tabernacle or Tent which he had prepared for it in the Citie of David in Zion chap. XV. where he offers Sacrifices Orders a Quire gives them a Psalme of Thanksgiving and appoints Ministers Porters Priests and Musicians to attend on the Ark continualy ch XVI In 2 Sam. V. David takes the strong Fort of Zion builds dwels in it hath messingers sent to him from Hiram King of Tyre with materials workmen for his building growes great takes moe wives and concubines at Jerusalem gets two victories over the Philistines in two set battels chap. V. And he brings up the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim and carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom and after three moneths he brings it thence into the Citie of David with great solemnity and joy 2 Sam. VI Now whether the things contained in 1 Chr. XIV and 2 Sam. V. after the taking of Zion did intervene in that three moneths space while the Ark was in the house of Obed-Edom or were acted before the Ark was removed from Kiriath-Jearim is a matter of conjectural probabilities on either side yet I rather incline to the later opinion from Shihor of Egypt This Shihor chapter XIII verse 5 or Shichor or Sihor hath a notion of blacknesse in it And is not that rill or drill of water called by forraine writers Rhinocolura but is much rather the same with Nilus otherwise not once named in Scripture anciently by the Ethiopians called Siris by the Greeks Melas by the Latines Melo from the blacknesse of the water or rather of the mud and slime that it brings downe with it or the black colour of the grounds and soils it passeth through It is called by way of excellencie the River Esay XXIII 3. Ezek. XXIX 3 9. and the river or flood of Egypt Amos VIII 8. and chap. IX 5. This River rising in the South from unknown heads runs in one intire streame Northward to the Head Delta in Egypt where it divideth it self into two maine Channels and afterwards brancheth into seven several streames Esay XI 15. Emptying themselves
XII 29. on my side Heb. verse 6 XIII 6. Psal. LVI 4. 11. All nations David had to deale with all the neighbouring nations round about him verse 10 Thou Speaking to the enemie verse 13 Open to me The gates of the Sanctuarie verse 19 or house of God the gates of the Court thereof which the Levitical Porters were to do for men to come and serve the Lord. of righteousnesse For the righteous and cleane only were to enter in thereat 2 Chron. XXIII 19. See Esay XXVI 2. Apoc. XXI 27. The stone David Typicaly verse 22 His Sonne the Messias Realy Mat. XXI 42. Ephes. II. 20. builders refused The Rulers refused David in the reignes of Saul and Ishbosheth The Priests and Elders refused Christ Mark XII 2 10. Luke XIX 14. 1 Pet. II. 7. the head stone Acts IV. 11. Luke XX. 17. Of this stone see more Esay XXVIII 16. Dan. II. 34 35 45. Zech. III. 9. Rom. IX 33. the day A chief and choise day of God shewing his mercie verse 24 Save nowâ—beseech thee Heb. Hoshiahâ— na verse 25 in Greek sounded Hosanna wherewith Christ is welcomed to Jerusalem and the Temple Mat. XXI 9 15. Luke XIX 37 38. we have blessed you These seeme to be the Priests words verse 26 relating to Num. VI. 23. light Prosperity verse 27 under the Kingdome of David and Christ. even unto the hornes of the Altar Likely the hornes of the Altar Exod. XXVII 2. intended for that use Or sacrifices abundantly all the Court over till you come to the hornes of the Altar Levit. IV. 7. Blessed Of this Psalme see the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Psalmes chapter CXIX verse 1 David probably is the penman of it The stile is plaine fitted for all capacities And the Alphabetical order was used for help of memory It is full of the ardent pious affections of a religious soul. Petitions for saving knowledge and gracious assistance from God and Promises of all holy sincere obedience thereupon are in every Octonarie with wondrous art and variety of sense yet running much upon the same words without any tautologie Before I was afflicted So verse 71. verse 67 Before I spake or answered is not so proper an interpretation of this place though it pleased Junius unlesse we understand it thus Before I cried out by reason of affliction my soul is continualy in my hand i. e. verse 109 my life is dayly in danger As Iudg. XII 3. 1 Sam. XIX 5. and chap. XXVIII 21. Many read this text in thy hand or hands understanding Gods hand which imports not danger but safety and security as Psal. XXXI 5. Luke XXIII 46. 1 Pet. IV. 19. And is indeed a wrong reading and breeds sundry senses not consonant or consisting with the tenour of this verse any iniquity either in me verse 133 subjective or of others against me objective And so the later way may be understood that Gal. II. 7 90 Ephes. VI. 12. Heb. XII 4. Psal. XLIX 5. and XL. 12. and LXV 3. and XXXIX 8. A song of degrees or ascensions chapter CXX heights or excellencies This and the fourteene Psalmes following have this Title prefixed The meaning whereof is variously conjectured As thus That they were to be sung with a loud voice as 1 Chron. XV. 16. Or upon the steps and degrees of the staires ascending to the Court of the people or to that of the Priests which they say were fifteene in number according to these number of these Psalms Or in the coming of the Ark into the Temple Or in their returne out of Babylon Or to be sung in their returne into their own land in the time of the Messias Others have other conjectures yet without any certaine determination neither is it much material Of these four bear Davids title and some of the rest not unlikely were penned by him I David likely verse 1 from lying lips Of such as falsely accused him to Saul verse 2 1 Sam. XXIV 9. and chap. XXVI 19. what shall be given What good or profit shalt thou get or gaine by it verse 3 sharp arrowes Such is a false tongue verse 4 or such are the plagues God will render as a reward unto it Woe is me Laments verse 5 that in his exile he was forced to dwell so long with the cruel and barbarous posterity of Mesech the sonne of Japhet Gen. X. 2. and of Kedar the sonne of Ishmael Gen. XXV 13. or rather with men of like evil cruel conditions to them hills Moriah chapter CXXI verse 1 and Zion where God dwelleth But most to God himself verse 2. The Sunne By its parching heat verse 6 as Ionah IV. 8. Nor the Moon by its cold vapors Gen. XXXI 40. nor any discommodity shall be able to annoy thee Psal. XCI 5. I David having brought the Ark of the testimony to Ierusalem chapter CXXII verse 1 and setled the Thrones of judgement there pens this Psalme of joy and gladnesse therefore Praising the Citie and praying for the prosperity of it testimonie The Ark. verse 4 See the Observations on Ex. 25. 16. thrones of judgement Both Ecclesiastical verse 5 and Civil as God had commanded Deut. XVII 8 c. the captivity of Zion Out of Babylon chapter CXXVI verse 1 which returne figured our Redemption by Christ. that dreame So incredible it was and the joy of it that we half doubted whether it were true or but a dreame As Peter did Acts XII 9 11. See Esay XXIX 7 8. And the like speech we read of in Abdolominus when he was taken from manuring the earth to possesse a Kingdome and in Isaacus Angelus when he was suddenly lifted up to the Empire and in that famous Iohn Chrysostome when he was first chosen into the Presbyterie Turn again Prayes that the deliverance begun verse 4 may be carried on and brought to perfection For it had many stops and hinderances as appears in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah They that sow in tears That went mournfuly into captivity verse 5 shall return joyfuly for Solomon Seemes to be inspired and penned for Solomon chapter CXXVII by David a litle before his death Psal. LXXII title Except the Lord This is true generaly verse 1 yet may relate to the future building of the Temple by Solomon and the safe keeping of the Citie Ierusalem or rather to the building of Solomons house and posterity so By building verse 2 keeping blessing their labours without sorrow he giveth Or surely will give or rightly doth give his beloved Whom he loves and who in assurance of his love commits himself to him and his care The Hebrew word Iedid seemes to allude to Solomons name Iedidiah 2 Sam. XII 25. his darling sleep Or quiet rest without carking care and sorrow The Hebrew word is written with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a quiet dumb letter otherwise then usual to denote the more quietnesse And this rest not your care and toil but Gods blessing will bring unto you Prov. X. 22.
desire after Christ is exalted to the highest as the grave Which is never satisfied and filled Prov. XXX 16. coales of fire Luke XII 49. This was her fever and sicknesse in this Song She was carried up as it were in a Chariot of fire and consumed as it were in her love towards Christ in the zeale of it Psalme LIX 9. and CXIX 139. See 2 Cor. V. 13. Not lukewarme she Many waters verse 7 c. As no good can match it so no evil can over-match it Nay the floods of afflictions are so farre from drowning this Love that they do rather inflame and increase it as the water that is cast upon lime Rom. VIII 35. all the substance of his house To buy this love of me or to get it from me or to bribe and corrupt it Yea his house it self lands life and all utterly oontemned As Acts VIII 20. Phil. III. 8. Matth. X. 37. Luke XIV 26. IX 24. we have a little sister Thou Lord and I have such a one verse 8 meaning the Church of the Gentiles so thy holy Prophets have foretold me So as this continues to be the speech of the Church or of them both no breast Not marriagable yet immature yet As once the Church of the Jews also was Ezek. XVI 7 8. What shall we do Love is laborious Sichem will do all that can be done for his beloved Dinah So Paul for the Jewes Rom. IX 1 2 3. True Love is not in word only but in deed John XIV 15. when she shall be spoken for For her good and advancement for to have an husband Gal. IV. 4. Rom. XVI 25. If she be a wall The answer to the foresaid question verse 9 Parabolical very obscure and difficult Yet seems plaine in this that Christ and the Jewish Church are contriving here and mentioning some good which they purpose to do to their sister the Church of the Gentiles That in nothing they will be wanting unto her but in love provide and do all for her that they can in her respective conditions If she be a wall strong and well-grounded Or when she shall be so we will do thus and thus for her Or they will make her a Wall first and afterwards enlarge her pulling down that partition-wall which formerly was between Jew and Gentile and then making a new wall larger and able to comprehend both Jew and Gentile We will build We both yea the whole blessed Trinity will have an hand in building the Church of the Gentiles a palace of silver A royal precious Palace that she may beseeme to be the City of the great King Psal. XLVIII 2. and if she be a doore Or when she shall be a doore to open to the righteous Nation c. Esay XXVI 2. to open to the faithful Ministers 1 Cor. XVI 9 that come to build her for an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. II. 22. to open to the King of glory Psal. XXIV 7. And thus become as it were the gate of heaven as Gen. XXVIII 17. enclose her with boarde of Cedar Board her and beautifie her with faire sweet and strong Cedars Compasse her with my everlasting mercies and preserve her walls and her gates that the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her Esay XXVI 1. and LX. 18. Matth. XVI 18. I am a wall Saith this Church of the Gentiles verse 10 answering that in the former verse Or when I shall so be as I desire to be and my breasts like towers Not as once without breasts verse 8. but now as Ezek. XVI 7. yea beyond those of my elder sister new like towers farre greater then those See Esay XLIX 21. and LIV. 1. and LX. 4 8. and LXVI 8. then was I c. Or then shall I be c. Here is the effect and issue of her being built up through Christ. For when God shall have united these two sticks Ezek. XXXVII 19. And made way for those Kings of the earth Apoc. XVI 12. then it shall be said of both what hath God wrought as Num. XXIII 23. then she shall be neare her compleat happinesse her heavenly and everlasting peace And all this through the free favour and meere mercy of God in Christ. Solemon had a vineyard This verse 11 and the two next evrses are the last speech of Christ to and of his Spouse in this Song Wherein he magnifies the price and praise the precious fruitfulnesse and worth of his Church by the comparison of a Vineyard the best of Vineyard even Solomons in Baalhamon a very fruitful place a Lord of multitudes of wine as the word signifieth And yet is that far short of Christs Vineyard he let out c. Solomon set and let out his to keepers and farmers every one Every Tenant and Keeper for his share a thousand pieces of silver See Esay VII 23 a thousand Vines for a thousand silverlings Every keeper then likely had so much ground as would plant a thousand Vines And wonderful then was the fruitfulnesse and increase that would raise the rent to so high a rate Of silverlings and shekels See the Observations on Exod. XXXVIII 24. My vineyard The Church often called a Vineyard verse 12 Esay V. 1 7. Psal. LXXX 8. Here is the other part of the comparison the difference between Christs Vineyard and that of Solomons This superiour to that which is mine He ownes it And it is his by a manifold right of donation purchase conquest plantation preservation fructification 1 Pet. I. 18. 1 Cor. III. 7. is before me Ever in his sight dear and tender in his eyes He is alwayes with his Church Matth. XXVIII 20. He walks among her candlesticks having engraven her upon the palms of his hands and her walls being continualy before him Esay XLIX 16. and under his constant never-slumbring charge and protection ch XXVII 3. Thou O Solomon Solomon could not be ever with his Vineyard nor dresse it himself But the Keepers and Tenants must have their share of the fruits of it to themselves as good reason they should But I look to my Vineyard my self 1 Cor. III. 7 9. Nor suffer I any part of the profits to go from me Thou that dwellest verse 13 c. Thou Church here called the inhabitresse of the gardens because she is divided and branched into many particular Congregations which are no lesse delightful to him then so many Edens and Paradises the companions The Angels say some Eph. III. 10. 1 Cor. XI 10. 1 Pet. I. 10. Or rather Those Partakers of the same precious faith and grace with her self 2 Pet. I. 1. hearken to thy voice Thine obedient children will hearken to their mothers counsel Ier. XIII 15 16. set to their seals Iohn III. 33. glorifie the Word Acts XIII 48. cause me to hear it Chap. II. 14. In holy exercises preaching prayer conference c. uttered by the Spirit of grace and supplication Or as some cause them to hear me by thy preaching
verse 1 1 Chron. II. 7. which signifieth a Troubler and the Place of his execution is called the Valley of Achor v. 26. that is trouble He was Grand-childe of Zabdi otherwise called Zimri 1 Chron. II. 6. Ai Ai is called Hai verse 2 Gen. XII 8. and Aijah Neh. XI 31. in the tribe of Benjamin very near to Bethel Ezra II. 28. Neh. VII 32. and differs from that Ai situate between Heshbon and Rabbah in the tribe of God yet taken by the Ammonites whereof see Jeremie XLIX 3. Bethaven Bethaven and Bethel two distinct townes not farre asunder near the North bounds of the Tribe of Benjamin Yet Hosea calls Bethel by the name of Bethaven the house of vanity and vaine Idols in scorne and derision for Jeroboams golden Calf there set up Hos. IV. 15. and V. 8. and X. 5. See the Observations on 1 King XII 29 32. verse 14 Taketh By Divine instinct and command Lots are here used In which case their judgement is infallible Of Lots see my Annotations on Ionah I. 7. verse 24 And his sonnes Gods severe judgement upon his whole family ver 24 25. is warranted by Him who is sole Dispensor and Sovereigne Lord over his own Law Deut. XXIV 16. And at the most his Sacriledge was but the Occasion not the Cause of Gods judgement upon his family They having sinne enough in themselves otherwise for Gods justice to work upon though they had no hand in this sacrilegious act chapter VIII verse 2 Ambush God appoints both the End and the Means 1 Chron. XIV 14 15. And Gods people having the assurance of Gods Particular Promises do yet carefully use the Meanes as Josh. XI 7. and X. 9. Acts XXVII 24 31. Iudg. XX. 28 29. Stratagems in warre are lawful verse 3 Chose out Not likely that the 30000. did lie in wait behinde Ai Westward between Ai and Bethel but onely 5000. ver 12 17. Gibeon Gibeon was a great City chapter IX verse 3 a royal City of the Hivites and all the men mighty Ch. X. 2. and XI 19. allotted afterwards to Benjamin and out of that Tribe to the Priests Ch. XXI 13 17. The Tabernacle and Altar were here in Davids and Solomons time 1 Chron. XXI 20. 2 Chron. I. 3. David orders the service of it here 1 Chron. XVI 30. Solomon sacrificeth at this High Place God appears to him here And he brings the Tabernacle and Altar thence to the Treasuries of the Temple 1 King III. 4. Here Ioshua vanquished the five Kings of the Amorites Ch. X. And had the Sunne stand still upon his prayer Here David smote the Philistines 1 Chron. XIV 16. By the poole of Gibeon was that mortal fight between twelve of Abners and twelve of Ioabs men whence the place was called the field of strong men in Gibeon Here Abner in his flight slayeth Asabel the brother of Ioab And Ioab pursueth Abner by the way of the Wildernesse of Gibeon 2 Sam. II. 12 16 24. and Ch. III. 30. At the great stone in Gibeon Ioab slew Amasa his Cousen-german 2 Sam. XX. 8. And by the great waters that are in Gibeon Iohanan fighteth and puts to flight Ishmael Ier. XLI 12. The Gibeonites were Hivites Iosh. IX 7. yet called also by the more general name of Amorites 2 Sam. XXI 2. They were those which in after-times were called Nethinims c. that is Deodands given and devoted to that Drudgery ver 23 27. Of whom see 2 Sam. XXI 2. 1 Chron. IX 2. Ezra II. 43 58 62 70. and VII 7 24. and VIII 17 20. Neh. VII 46 60 73. and X. 28. and XI 3 21. Something like to these were those other of these Nations on whom Solomon did raise a tribute of Bondage 1 King IX 20 21. Of whom see more on that place The Oath and League made with the Gibeonites and their Cities ver 17. though surreptitiously and fraudulently gotten and also rashly granted yet seemes in the substance of it to be lawful otherwise an unlawful Oath should be broken whereas this was kept with all faithfulnesse Joshua fighting in their defence and that by the Lords approbation and encouragement Ch. X. 7 8. And this seemes lawful because they sued for Peace before they were besieged and willingly submitted to all Conditions without any reservation of their Lands Goods Lawes Liberties much lesse of their superstitions and idolatries which otherwise might have ensnared the Israelites but of their Lives onely and they to be employed in the Israelites service Cities and People of other Nations then these very farre off might be received upon farre easier termes and conditions But upon all these Conditions others of these Nations themselves might have been spared their lives Yet God in his providence so ordered That there was not a City that made peace with the Israelities saving these Hittites of Gibeon onely and their Cities All other they took in battel for it was of the Lord so to harden their hearts that they might be destroyed Ch. XI 19 20. And therefore the Congregation here murmured unjustly haply through ignorance against Joshua and the Princes for this League and Oath And Saul was justly punished and that grievously in his posterity and the Land also with famine many ages after this because he sought to slay and destroy them from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel contrary to this League and Oath though Soul did it in a pretended or wrong zeale to the children of Israel and Judah 2 Sam. XXI 1 6. Adoni-Zedek seemes chapter X verse 1 in after-ages to have succeeded that Melchizedeâ— Gen. XIV 18. But Adoni-bezeck Judg. I. 7. seemes not any successor to this Adonizedeek much lesse himself He himself being slaine ver 23 26. But Adoni-bezeck was Lord or King not of Jerusalem but of Bezeck in the Tribe of Judah where Saul numbred against Nahash 330000. men 1 Sam. XI 8. Jerusalem is called also Jebus Judg. XIX 10. 1 Chron. XI 4 5. of Jebusi the sonne of Canaan Gen. X. 16. And Salem Gen. XIV 18. Psal. LXXVI 2. The name seemes composed of them If not then of Jireh and Salem the place Salem Gen. XIV 18. Psal. LXXVI 2. where God appeared Gen. XXII 14. Or Jiereh Shalem signifying the Vision of Peace or Possession of Peace or Peace shall be seene or provided a place of providence Gen. XXII 14. See Hebr. VII 1 2. And it is of the Dual number being a double City belonging to two Tribes Judah and Benjamin Josh. XV. 8 63. and XVIII 28. Judg. I. 8 21. Jer. XXXIX 3. The Southern and higher part belonging to Judah wherein the strong hold of Zion was taken at last by David presently after his anointing King over all Israel and built and called his City 2 Sam. V. 6 9. 1 Chron. XI 4 8. And became the Burial-place of the Kings of Judah And Davids Sepulcher continued there till the Apostles times Acts II. 29. near 1100. years And the Ark for a time was placed
dead before Nehemiah came as Governour into Judea verse 26 yea or Ezra with his Commission Dedication of the wall The former Genealogies and Records of the Priests and Levites seeme to be insisted upon verse 27 the rather because they had so prime an hand in the Dedication of the wall And therefore they are here so carefully gathered and brought together 27 28 29. And this seemes to be also in the first year of Nehemiah's Government purified See the Annotations verse 30 I brought up The maner of the Dedication of the wall was thus The wall was thick and broad verse 31 that divers went a breast on it Nehemiah appointed two great companies consisting of Priests Levites Princes and People They entred upon the wall about the middle of the West wall near the Dung-gate And there the two companies parted And each went as in Procession in this Order The one company had Ezra the Priest and Scribe before them And other Priests after him founding their Trumpets After them the Levites playing on sacred musical instruments and singers of them that sang with a loud voice All sounding forth Gods praise and their own thankfulnesse and joy ver 31 42. After them the Princes and Rulers After them the People And last of all some great Prince likely next in degree to Nehemiah And this company thus went on the right hand South-ward by the Fountain Gate and about the Citie of David and all along the South-wall even unto the Water-gate on the East The other company went in like equipage and Nehemiah himself the last of them And they made their Procession on the left hand North-wards from beyond the Tower of the Furnaces even unto the Broad wall And all along the North-side from above the Gate of Ephraim and above the Old-gate and above the Fish-gate and the Tower of Hananeel and the Tower of Meah even unto the Sheep-gate on the East And they stood still in the Prison-gate The two companies somewhat beyond this Gate met together that they might in order descend from this East-wall to go into the House of God And likely it was from the Water-gate on the East-wall For the street it opened upon was one of the eminentest and of greatest receipt in the Citie deemed to be that of Millo which lay between the Temple on Mount Morea and the Pallace on Mount Zion by which the King and Courtiers did usualy passe to and fro Neh. III. 26. and VIII 3 16. 2 Chron. XXIX 3 4. and XXXII 6. Ezra Some other Ezra verse 33 Ezra the Scribe That famous Ezra verse 36 Gate Of the Gates and Towers in this Procession mentioned verse 39 see the Observations on chap. III. 1. great sacrifices As in like cases of joy and thankfulnesse verse 43 So 1 Chr. XXIX 21. 1 Kings VIII 62 63. for the treasures 1 Chron. verse 44 IX 26. And so in Hezekiah's time 2 Chr. XXXI 4 5 11. See again Neh. XIII 12 13. And the Levites sanctified them unto The Levites paid to the Priests the tythes of all their tythes verse 47 Num. XVIII 26 30. On that day chapter XIII verse 1 Doubtful it is to what particular time this relates Yet most likely to that Interim of time which passed in the absence of Nehemiah between the end of the first and beginning of his second Government written Deut. XXIII 3. See the Observations on that text they met not As Melchizedek did verse 2 Gen. XIV 17. separated See that Ezra chap. verse 3 IX and X. and Neh. IX 2. and ch X. 30. and chap. XIII 23 30. So difficult was this point of the Reformation and so ready they to relapse into this sinne a great chamber Pulling down the Partitions verse 5 to make two or three into one I cast forth And so ver 9. verse 8 brought I again By my command and authority not in my person had not been given This verse 10 and other matters imply the Interim of Nehemiah's absence to have been more then a year Sabbath See the Annotations on Jer. verse 15 XVII 21 22 24 27. dark The sooner because of the hills about Jerusalem verse 19 and the Sabbath was to be kept from Even to Even some of my servants That the Merchants might not thrust in amongst those that came to the Service in the Temple the Gates The Gates of the Temple verse 22 by keeping out persons legaly unclean from the house and ordinances of God swear And so they had sworn before verse 25 chap. X. 29 30. sons of Jojada His grandchilde verse 28 called Menasche and brother of Jaddua the High Priest as Josephus writeth Antiq. lib. 11. c. 7. I chased him from me This argues this Nehemiah not to be that man mentioned Ezra II. 2. that came up with Zerubbabel and yet to live to a very great age whether he were the Penman of this Book or else this clause inserted by some other Prophet See the Observations on the beginning of this Book Remember me So likewise verse 31 ver 14. and 22. and chap. V. 19. He pleads not here any merit of his own but all he pleads is for Gods mercie sake all goodnesse in him still proceeding from Gods meere grace He doth chear up himself in this in the sincerity and integrity of his heart and the effects thereof as fruits and sound proofs of the truth of Gods graces in him whereupon he further with comfort expects more meere mercie to come from the Lord. Esther THE Book of Esther contains an History of nine years expressed in the reigne of Ahasuerus viz. the third of Ahasuerus chap. I. 3. the seventh chap. II. 16. and the twelfth chap. III. 7. In which twelfth year are mentioned the first moneth chap. III. 7 12. the third moneth chap. VIII ver 9. and the twelfth moneth chap. III. 7. 13. and chap. VIII 12. and chap. IX 1 13 14 15 17 21. And some more years in his reigne afterwards are noted indefinitely chap. X. In this Book only of all the Scripture there is no mention made of God nor his Name once used The Book of Canticles speaking much of Christ the Bridegroom Ahasuerus Heb. chapter I verse 1 Ahasuerosh It is doubted which of the Persian Monarchs this was The LXX still name him in their Translation Artaxerxes Others take him to be Xerxes Others fix their several fancies upon sundry others of the Persian Monarchs But the greatest probability is for Darius Hystaspis who first extended the bounds of that Empire so farre and wide and over so many Provinces and married Atossa the daughter of Cyrus called Vasthi ver 9 who was the third King of Persia omitting Darius the Mede before Cyrus and the Magus Smerdis not worthy the reckoning and was next before Xerxes that fourth and rich King Dan. XI 2. See the Observations on Esther II. 5. This Ahasuerus in his third year makes that Imperial Feast of one hundred eighty seven dayes And therein that good Law for drinking
1 King X. 11. He arken Matth. XVII 5. Rom. X. 17. verse 10 O daughter John I. 13. Apoc. XXI 9 10. forget also Luke IX 23. and XIV 26. Matth. X. 37. As Abraham did Gen. XII 1. and Ruth chap. I. 16 17. So shall Upon these termes verse 11 more and more greatly desire This true in Solomon But Christ loves his Spouse first 1 John IV. 10. Loves her in her blood Ezek. XVI 6. thy Lord 1 Pet. III. 6. Judg. XIX 26. And that no common or vulgar person In the highest degree is Christ so to his Spouse the Church even her Lord and God Worship thou him Pharaohs daughter was with civil worship to do it to Solomon with civil reverent incurvation and adoration The Church to Christ with religious worship of Tyre Of this Citie verse 12 see the Annotations on Amos I. 9. This rich Merchant-Citie the prime Mart for traffick should bring to Solomons Spouse gifts and nuptial presents And much more Tyre and all Heathen Nations should bring themselves and their Gifts with all offices of submission and subjection to the Spouse of Christ Esay XLIX 23. and LXVI 12. Psal. LXXXVII 4. the rich Esay LX. 3 10 11 16. glorious within 1 Pet. II. 4 5. verse 13 Not Helen without and Hecuba within This true in Solomons Spouse partly But in Christs Spouse true altogether by her bridegroomes donation and operation Ephes. V. 27. brought With pompe verse 14 joy and jubilation of needle-work As formerly costly for matter so here curious for Art and work As the like Exod. XXVIII 6 8 15 39. with gladnesse As is fit in marriage solemnities verse 15 they be brought The Spouse first the Virgins and brides maids following and waiting on her Cant. IV. 8. Apoc. XIX 7 8 9. 2 Cor. XI 2. palace As the wise Virgins Matt. XXV 10. thy children We read not that Pharaoh's daughter had any child by Solomon verse 16 But this is abundantly verified in the Church the Spouse of Christ Esay XLIX 18 21. and LIV. 1 2 3. Heb. II. 13. I will Saith the Psalmist by himself verse 17 and by informing others so to do thy Name The name of the Bridegroome therefore By my example as well as for all the reasons foregoing in this Psalme praise thee Christ the Bridegroome for ever and ever whereas Solomon by his foul fall worthily merited and inherited shame and dispraise present help Deliverer chapter XLVI verse 1 or Assistant will not we fear Though a natural fear as Prov. XIV 16. and XXII 3. verse 2 Matth. VIII 26. yet not a godlesse and faithlesse fear Here faith triumphs over such a fear though the earth Hyperbolical expressions usualy intimating the fearful alterations of States and Polities or the most dreadful dangers a river Alluding to that of Kidron Gihon verse 4 and Shiloah intending chiefly that Ezek. XLVII 1. Joel III. 18. Apoc. XXII 1. Or the meaning of this seemes best expounded in the next verse and in the two verses following He maketh Esay XLV 7. Amos III. 6. Psal. LXXVI 3. verse 9 Exalted Esay XXXIII 9 10. and XXX 15. verse 10 O clap A signe of joyful acclamation used at the coronation of Kings 2 Kings XI chapter XLVII verse 1 12. and upon other joyous occasions Ezek. XXV 6. See Psal. XCVIII 8. Esay LV. 12. Psal. LXVI 1. The Psalmist exhorteth all people to sing Praises unto God ver 1. 7. A thing usual in the Psalmes For the Lord Reasons from Gods nature and properties verse 2 appliable also to Christ terrible to the wicked his enemies and a great King above all earthly Kings Mal. I. 14. Matt. XXVIII 18. He shall subdue The Jewes enemies verse 3 And he had done so the Canaanites and others And he will do so the Churches enemies Christ will call the Nations and bring them into subjection under him and his Church Ezek. XX. 37. He shall choose He did choose Canaan for his people Israel Psal. LXXVIII 55. verse 4 And will choose and prepare that heavenly Canaan that inheritance incorruptible 1 Pet. I. 4. for all that beleeve and hope in him for us The Jewes seeming here to include the Gentiles as called by Christ into the same communion of the Covenant for grace and glory John X. 16. Eph. II. 14. the excellencie of Jacob High and glorious excellencie whereby Jacobs posterity excelled Ezek. XXIV 21. Amos VI. 8. and VIII 7. Nahum II. 2. viz. the Temple Priesthood c. all those most excellent and precious promises and blessings made in Christ unto Iacob and his posterity God is gone up When the Ark was carried from Kiriathjearim to the house of Obed Edom verse 5 thence to the Citie of David thence by Solomon into the Oracle 1 Chron. XIII 8. and XV. 28. and 2 Chron. V. 13. Spiritualy and mysticaly when Christ ascended with triumph into heaven See Eph. IV. 8. Col. II. 15. the King of all the earth The universal Kingdome of God and of Christ. verse 7 So again verse 8. Differing from earthly Kings with understanding 1 Cor. XIV 15. The word Maschil is here used for Psalme which is the Title of sundry Psalmes signifying an instructing Psalme Thereby to instruct your selves and others of the Kingdome of God and Christ and of your duty of throne of his holinesse Psal. IX 4. Apoc. IV. 2. The Princes The voluntary verse 8 bounteous Princes and people subject themselves to this King of the God of Abraham His spiritual seed Luke III. 8. verse 9 John VIII 33. c. Rom. IV. 16 17. Sheilds He is the great Shield Gen. XV. 1. Psal. V. 12. and XVIII 35. the great conqueror and protector of all And Magistrates Sheilds under him Hos. IV. 18. Psal. LXXXIX 18. greatly exalted Psal. XCVII 9. A Song and Psalme chapter XLVIII Wherein both voice and instrument were used the voice began and the instrument after And where the Inscription is a Psalme and Song there likely the instrument began and the voice followed Of the former sort are as this Psalme to Psal. LXVI LXXXIII CVIII Of the later are Psal. LXVII LXVIII LXXV LXXXVII and XCII whole earth Or Land of Judea verse 2 As Exod. X. 15. and most likely Matth. XXVII 45. the sides of the North The Temple on Mount Moriah and the City of Jerusalem joyned North to Mount Sion Moriah is the North part of Sion So Esay XIV 13. the Kings were assembled The Philistian Princes 2 Sam. V. or those verse 4 in the dayes of Jehoshaphat 2 Chron. XX. or of Ezekiah 2 Kings XVIII Upon some of which occasions this Psalme seemes to be composed and inspired Psal. XLVI 6. marvailed and were troubled At Sions beauty verse 5 and at her strength and their own overthrow Thou breakest As in a Shipwrack verse 6 so thou didst break them As 2 Sam. V. 20. Tarshish See the Observations on 1 Kings X. 22. East wind See Ezek. XVII 10. and XIX 12. Hos. XII 1. and Ch. XIII 15. Jonah
to all duties of active and passive obedience takes off the wheeles of the soul makes it as a limb out of joynt that can do nothing without paine and deformity Dead flies As one sinner chapter X verse 1 in the precedent words so here one sin destroyes much good Alike folly doth fly-blow a wise mans reputation Neh. VI. 11. heart is at his right hand As his eyes are in his head verse 2 chap. II. 14. He ordereth his affairs with discretion he acts dexterously and discreetly with mature advise and judgement he worketh by the guidance of his heart Luke XIV 28 31. But a fools heart He is left-handed in his works and wayes doth them rashly awkwardly bunglingly preposterously As 1 Kings XII 8. Esay XIX 10 14. walketh by the way He doth palpably discover to others verse 3 and proclaime That he is a fool Prov. VI. 13 and chap. XII 23. and XIII 16. and XVIII 2. See Prov. XVII 28. Leave not thy place Thy office verse 4 duty and obedience to him A souldier must stand to his station ch VIII 3. proudly fling not away in displeasure much lesse stand not to affront him turne not rise not up against him as 1 Kings XII 16. seek to pacifie him Prov. XV. 1. and if need be go a little aside out of his sight till his rage and thy danger be over-past See Judges VIII 1 2 3. Gen. XXXII 13. and XXXIII 3. 1 Sam. XXIV 16. and chap. XXV 32. Prov. XXV 15 as an error Haply by the erring information of others verse 5 seeing Rulers must needs see much with other mens eyes and hear much by other mens ears And yet this error may prove a great mischief to Church and State and the rich In worth verse 6 and wisdome Dignity ought to wait upon Desert though it alwayes doth not For Rulers sometimes grow into suspition of such as eminently excel in extraordinary worth Servants upon horses Men of a low verse 7 base servile condition And how insupportable this is see Prov. XXX 22. and how unseemly see Prov. XIX 10. It is a curse of God Deut. XXVIII 43. 44. Gen. IX 25 26. Lamented Lam. V. 8. Yet the Levellers would be at this to lay all alike As in Germany in Anno 1525. But the issue of that attempt was to themselves deservedly miserable He that diggeth a pit This verse 8 and the three following Proverbial similitudes tend all to this end That evil usualy returneth on the heads of those that were the authors of it Malum consilium consultori pessimum Prov. XXVI 27. and XXVIII 10. Psal. VII 16. and IX 15. In application against such as overturne the foundations of Lawes and Customes and alter the long established and wholsome constitutions of Kingdomes Nations and people and confound Rule and Subjection and dissolve the ligaments of Government Prov. XXVI 27. Who so removeth stones verse 9 c. Besides the general sense of the words application of them may be made against those who remove land-marks or rashly alter things seriously setled and duly defined and so do sowe seditions and raise factions If the iron be blunt Wisdome directeth to whet the edge verse 10 to save the putting to of more strength And so wisdome is better then strength chap. IX 16. It guideth a mans actions without so much toile and labour and a better end without it and Art and cunning by it strength and toile and eloquence or ought else is to small purpose The Serpent will bite If not charmed before verse 11 And after the biting the Master of the tongue or eloquent man cannot help or better the matter The meaning may be to compare the spirit of disloyalty against Rulers and rebellious speeches against them to the biting of a Serpent And the wise and humble speeches and demeanor of subjects to their offended Governours to an inchantment to keep them from biting Or to shew that a vaine babler whose lawlesse tongue is ever finding fault with Government is no better then an uncharmed Serpent It may be applied against any Sycophants and Slanderers whatsoever Or to those who bite and babble at the Traditions of the wise The words Ephes. verse 12 IV. 29. Col. IV. 6. Prov. X. 32. and XII 13. and XV. 1 2. 4 26. and XVI 23 24. Such were Abigaels to David swallow up himself Prov. XIX 28. and XII 13. Rom. III. 13. James III. 2 12. Psal. LII 3. Many men by their tongue have cut their own throats is full of words Multiplyeth boasting discourses verse 14 vainly tells his own undertakings brags what he will do and what he shall have cannot tell what shall be No man much lesse a fool can tell this to himself wearieth every one By his wordinesse and much idle vaine babling without any solid and sound matter verse 15 as empty casks sound loudest chap. V. 3 7. Prov. X. 19. and XVII 17 27. how to go to the citie He tires himself in trifles being not able to manage the least matters and easie for children having not wit enough to keep the high road to know the beaten path to the Citie And yet he will foolishly labour and weary himself about hard and difficult matters Wo to thee O land Esay III. verse 16 4. A child in years For Tutors and Protectors have mostwhat self-ends and deal not fairly and faithfully or jarre among themselves Thus it was in Rome after the death of Ancus Martius and in the Romane Empire in the times of Arcadius and Honorius Yet the Land was blessed and happy under young Solomon Josiah Uzziah our Edward the VI. and others for the parts and graces wherewith God endowed them Or else a child in understanding and parts rude and raw without experience discretion and abilities for so weighty an imployment of a childish disposition for wit courage carriage this though not a childe in years And such was Rehoboam 1 Kings XIV 21. with 2 Chron. XIII 7. In a word a worthlesse and wicked King is a Woe to the whole Land and a great argument of Gods anger against it 1 Sam. VIII 6 18. Job XXXIV 30. Prov. XXVIII 2. Esay XIX 4. eate in the morning Are riotous and luxurious unseasonably feasting Sonne of Nobles Nobly borne verse 17 The ancient splendor of a royal stock and descent addes much honour to a King Est in juvencis est in equis patrum virtus And much more when he is nobly bred up nobly seasoned with principles of true nobility wisdom holinesse honour and government without which nobility in blood and birth are but shapes and shadows of true noblenesse Though never so much noble blood run in the veins yet worthlesnesse and wickednesse remaining in the heart rendereth it ignoble sloathfulnesse See the Observations on Prov. verse 18 VI. 6. Here it seems applyable to a sluggish childish carelesse government of a Kingdome or Common-wealth A feast Feasting and wine have their mirthful use verse 19 But money answereth all things
VII 8. 2 Sam. XV. 30. Job IX 24. Ezek. XII 6 12. Eliakim Invested verse 20 after the devesting of Shebna they shall hang upon him As things are wont to be hanged on a pin verse 24 his fathers house the off-spring and the issue All his kindred and allies as well small as great shall partake of his honour one way or other Or there should be nothing in the Kings house but should be under his power and have dependance on him fastened in a sure place As Shebna accounted himself to be verse 25 â—e cut downe Meaning Shebna Tyre Of Tyre See the Observations on Josh. XIX 29. And the Annotations on Amos I. 9. See the like Prophecies against this Towne and State Ier. XXV 22. and XLVII 4. Ezek. XXVI XXVII XXVIII chapters Amos II. 9. Zech. IX 2 4. Tarshish Of this see the Observations on 1 Kings X. chapter XXIII verse 1 22. from the Land of Chittim it is revealed to them It is revealed and the report is come unto them that formerly traded with Tyre how it fared with her that she is sacked so that now all harbour in Tyre or entrance into it is denied unto them Who these of the land of Chittim should be there are variable conjectures but little certainty inhabitants of the Isle Ye verse 2 Tyrians the seed of Sihor Tyre described here verse 3 by her traffick with Egypt as formerly with Sidon See Ezek. XXVII 7. By the great waters of the midland Sea the graine of Egypt and all the trade and commodities of it of Sihor that is Nilus were brought to Tyre Of this Sihor or Shichor and that it is Nilus see the large Annotations upon this Text. the Sea hath spoken Tyre verse 4 The Lord of Hoasts hath purposed it By his Agents to do it verse 9 By Nebuchadnezzar who spent thirteen years in the siege of it as Josephus against Appion lib. 1. doth testifie And by Alexander the Great long after in his rage as Curtius in his fourth Book IV. Chapter doth witnesse He The Lord. verse 11 Behold the Land of the Chaldeans This is verse 13 or shall be brought to ruine And therefore it is not impossible but Tyre may be so in that day Wherein Tyres calamities here foretold shall be accomplished by Nebuchadnezzar Ezek. verse 15 XXVI 7. seventy years During the same time of the Jewes captivity in Babylon dayes of one King One Kingdome as Dan. VII 17. and VIII 21. to wit in the dayes and reignes of Nebuchadnezzar and his sonne and his sonnes sonne Jer. XVII 7. sing as an harlot To renew her lovers her traders and traffickers turne to her hire Of trading and traffick with all the Kingdomes The amplitude of her commerce and trade ver 8. Holinesse to the Lord The conversion of the Tyrians to God verse 18 in the Kingdome of the Messias it shall not be treasured nor laid up Not reserved for any common or prophane use publike or private for themselves or their posterity that dwell before the Lord The Lords Ministers for their plentiful maintenance in food and clothing the earth empty Another Sermon or Prophecie chapter XXIV verse 1 continuing to the end of Chapter XXVII This is more General then those going before And comprehends Judea and the neighbouring Nations on every side And the judgements herein denounced to be executed partly by the Assyrians and partly by the Chaldeans and afterwards also by others upon them See the like Jer. XXV 15 38. and XXVII 2 8. as with the people c. All estates verse 2 and conditions should fare alike is defiled The reason of the former denunciations verse 5 The new wine He proceedeth in particular verse 7 to instance in some specialties of judgements The Citie Taken collectively as verse 10 chap. XXV 2. and XXVII 10. every house is shut up So as there is no going out or in as the shaking of an Olive-tree Few shall be left verse 13 yet this remnant shall be to praise the Lord ver 14. from the Sea The transmarine lands verse 14 and Sea-coasts in general God in the fires In the fires of tribulations verse 15 glorifie God by patient sufferings and depending upon him for deliverances uttermost The generality of the joy of this Remnant left verse 16 my leannesse my leannesse The Prophet breaks off here his relation of the gladsome joy and praises of the foresaid Remnant And falls into a passionate bemoaning of himself and regret for the miseries that were the mean while for their sins to befal the others the windows from on high are opened Gods vengeance surprizing them verse 18 both from above and from beneath as well over their heads as under their feet and as no shelter for them against the one so no steady standing for them against the other To amplifie which hyperbolies are here used the hoast of the high ones Such as the Assyrian verse 21 and Chaldean Monarchs were and after many dayes shall they be visited In favour and mercy verse 22 Verified of sundry States and Nations in the Gospel-times under the Messias Then the Moone c. Esay closeth this first part verse 23 after his wonted manner with a passage concerning the spiritual yet illustrious glory and majesty of Gods reigning in his Church in the times of the Gospel the brightnesse and splendor whereof should be such as no light of Sunne or Moone no glory or magnificence of any worldly estate should be comparable thereunto O Lord chapter XXV verse 1 c. Esay falleth into a solemne celebration and praising of God for his foresaid wonderful works as well of judgement as of mercy the Citie Collectively verse 3 of the terrible Nations That were a terrour to others shall then stand in awe of thee when the blast Even in times of most need verse 4 and greatest dangers And in this mountain Mount Zion verse 6 a Type of the Church unto all people As well Gentiles as Jewes wines on the lees Pure and strong wines The face of the covering That ignorance and obstinacy verse 7 wherewith the minds and hearts of the Gentiles were formerly possessed veil 2 Cor. III. 14 16. death The second benefit accrewing to the convert Nations verse 8 a freeing them from the power of death of death spiritual in victorie Or unto victory i. e. until an utter conquest be made of him So the LXX which the Apostle retaineth 1 Cor. XV. 54 because the sense is good and sound though it do not exactly render the letter for the Hebrew is for ever wipe away A third benefit accrewing to the godly converted ones fulfilled partly in this life and perfectly in the next Shall be said Their thankful and joyful acknowledgement for those his mercies and favours verse 9 For A reason of their rejoycing and triumphing verse 10 in this mountain Verse 6 7. Moab Put for the enemies of Gods people in general And he The Lord. verse 11 Swimmeth Stretcheth out his armes with
Idols or to any other which he foreknew that this stiff obdurate people would be too prone to do ver 5. new things Yet further to convince thee of thy wilful obstinacie I acquaint thee again verse 6 with other of my secret counsels which shall also in their due time be fulfilled very treacherously In ascribing them verse 8 and the foreknowledge of them to thine Idols or Southsayers For my Names sake No merit of thine My mercy and might verse 9 my grace and glory but not with silver Not so fully as silver verse 10 till all the drosse be exactly wrought out But chastised them with moderation regarding their infirmities my glorie unto another He is charie and jealous of a corrival verse 11. 14. 17. loved him Cyrus hath sent me Me the Prophet Esay This added to give the greater assurance of the truth and certainty of it Go ye forth from Babylon Ezra I. 1. verse 20 Esay having prophesied much of the Returne of the Jewes from the Babylonish captivity chapter XLIX from the fourtieth Chapter hitherto doth now mainly insist upon the instauration of the Church by Christ And plaies the Evangelist as it were to the end of this Book and Prophecie Listen O Isles Christ calls for audience verse 1 declaring his Calling to his Office by the Lord to be the Saviour both of Jew and Gentile from the womb Yet designed thereto from eternity 1 Pet. I. 20. my mouth like a sharp sword God furnisheth him with abilities to this great office and work of mans Redemption verse 2 Thou art my servant verse 3 O Israel c. Or rather thus Israel it is in whom I will be glorified by thee the true Israel of God And indeed to the Jewes in general he was first sent as the minister of Circumcision whom man despiseth Christ in the dayes of his flesh and humiliation verse 7 Kings shall Chap. XLV 23. and LII 15. Psal. LXXII 10 11. Ephes. I. 21 Phil. II. 10. In an acceptable time God the Father speaking unto Christ. verse 8 to establish the earth Of Judea to restore and settle the State of it againe after their returne from the Captivity A Type of the other prisoners Go forth From Babels bonds verse 9 corporaly from Satans bonds spiritualy They shall feed in the wayes In their returne from Babylon to Judea God will provide them of all necessaries in the way and make it even and easie to them Sinim Or verse 12 Sini the Sinites that lived in the desert of Sin or about mount Sinai Or from Sin a chief Citie in Egypt Ezek. XXX 15 16. And all this a Type of those that out of all quarters of the world should be converted unto Christ and come in to him But Zion said Her objection verse 14. 15. 18. Can a woman Gods answer full of a tender affection to her gather themselves together A Type of those numberlesse numbers that should be brought home to the Church of God under Christ by the Ministery of the Gospel to the Gentiles Their Conversion should make up this numberlesse number verse 22 And Kings shall be thy nursing fathers As Persian Emperours first verse 23 and much more Christian Emperours afterwards and lick up An expression of the lowest submission that may be even the captives of the mighty Notwithstanding their pretended might and right verse 25 God would yet deliver his people from them And I will feed them And thus destroy their enemies verse 26 This chapter L and the next Chapter seeme to make one Sermon Where is the Bill A conviction of the Jewish people verse 1 as authors of their own forlorn condition together with a justification of God and his Ministers against them verse 1 9. divorcement Either none at all or not for sleight causes as they used to give Bills of divorcement but for great disloyalty yet God ever had his reserved remnant in all times among them Rom. XI 1 5. none to answer Their wilful obstinacie verse 2 and rebellious refractory courses This retarded their delivery and kept them in this deplorable plight this desolate and disconsolate condition is my hand shortned No want of power in God to deliver them tongue of the learned The Prophet Esay maintains his own Ministery verse 4 and his faithful discharge of it So to justifie God that there was nothing wanting on his part to reclaime and reduce them It is true that divers understand all this as spoken in the person of Christ. And indeed there are divers passages that very fitly agree to him and whereof concerning Esay there is no mention in the holy Story And it is true that the same may be said of sundry particulars in Psal. XXII and XL. and LXIX applied expressely unto our Saviour Christ in the New Testament Matth. XXVII 34 35 43 46. Heb. X. 5 10. And yet none make doubt but that those Psalmes as they were by David composed so in his own person they concerned him and that in all likelihood in some particulars which yet are not found expressely recorded in the story of him The like may be here my back to the smiters Matth. XXVI 27. verse 6 and XXVII 26. John XVIII 22. He is neere that justifieth me Saint Paul alludes to this verse 8 Rom. VIII 33 34. The Apostles maner is to enlarge the promises of God made to some particular persons as to Jacob Joshuah David and others Gen. XXVIII 15. Josh. I. 5. Psal. XXIII 1. extending them to all the faithful in general as having a joynt interest therein with them Heb. XIII 5 6. And the Apostles argument borrowed hence stands firme and good in general Who is among you An exhortation to the godly party among them verse 10 to rest and rely upon God in these calamitous times with a sad commination to those that trusted to ought else notwithstanding all their shifts and fetches for which Esay derides them Hearken Esay returnes to Comfort the godly party again chapter LI verse 1 endeavouring to keep them from being dismaid either by the consideration of their own fewnesse and feeblenesse or by the apprehension of the supposed might malice and multitude of the adverse party alone and blessed him and increased him And so I will deale with you shall comfort Zion God can do verse 3 and will do as much for his Church as he sometime did for Abraham a Law As a Law verse 4 at mount Sinai so a second Law even the Gospel my salvation is gone forth Aiming at Cyrus his Proclamation verse 5 Ezra I. 1 2. the Isles shall wait upon me The Gentiles at the law of the Gospel Awake verse 9 awake Spoken either in the person of Gods people or by the Prophet himself moving in their behalf Rahab Egypt Dragon Pharaoh returne From the Babylonish captivity verse 11 Gods answer to the former supplication and where is the fury The Babylonians are perished verse 13 and their fury is gone thy mouth The mouth of Esay