counsell namely thy conduct and internall direction of thy holy spirit Psal. 16. 7. V. 26. Strength the Italian rock the strength the firme subsistance and prop Deut. 32. 4. my portion as Psal. 16. 5. V. 27. A whoring so the scripture calls the alienation of mans heart from the pure and loyall love and service of God to goe after idols or after the world and the creatures and to cleave to them in love and trust in them Iam. 4. 4 1 Iohn 2. 16. PSAL. LXXIV THE title Of Asaph see Psal. 50. in the title Now Asaph living in Davids time and the subject of this Psalme being evidently of the desolation caused by the Chaldeans Asaph could not be the composer of it but some other Prophet of those times who put it to Asaphs posterity who was one of the three heades of holy singers 1 Chron. 25. 1. 2. to sing it in the Iewes synagogues in Babylon V. 1. For ever that is to say without any hope or appearance of being restored V. 2. The rod the Italian the tribe namely the tribe of Iudah which above all the rest had this promise to be preserved in the dignity and degree of being Gods people and named his inheritance Deut. 32. 9. and never to faile untill the comming of Christ Gen. 49. 10. V. 3. Lift up come to visite them to take compassion of them and to restore them perpetuall which are irreparable unlesse thou settest thine helping hand unto them V. 4. Roare the Italian have roared that is to say have made great outâ—ryes and kept a great stirre when they gave the onset or after the victory of thy congregations the Italian of thy Temple the Hebrew of thy place of meeting or congregation so is the tabâ—â—nacle called Exod. 27. 21. and afterwards Solomons Temple which is here expressely made mention of for signes namely for trophics or monuments of victories V. 5. A man was famous the Italian that shall be known that is to say they have left such tokens of their fury that the remembrance thereof will last in after ages as hee had that is to say 〈◊〉 as a wood-man with his hook or harche 〈…〉 〈…〉 s downe the shrubs and bushes without any respect or difference even so have the enemies spoiled and broken all the ornaments of thy Temple whereof see 1 Kings 6. 18. 29. 32. V. 8. All the Synagagues the Italian all the places of meeting for besides the Temple there were in every city or inhabited and frequented places oratories or synagogues where the people came together to pray or to heare the ordinary exposition of the Iaw Others will have the Temple only meant divided into a great many parts and members V. 9. Our signes namely the frequent miracles formerly wrought for our deliverances Or the signes of Gods presence such as the Arke was Vrim and Thummim c. Or the sacraments of his grace and covenant as sacrifices and other ceremonies were that knoweth that 〈…〉 th any prophetick revelation to know when the end of our troubles will bee V. 11. Pluck it cut of thy the Italian let it not remaine in thy which is the action of one that stands idle and carelesse see Prov. 19. 24. and 26. 15. V. 13. Of the dragons the Italian of the whales hee seemes to meane the heads of the Egyptian host as in the verse following Pharaoh himselfe is meant by Leviathan a common name for all your great sea creatures For Egypt is scituate between two seas and within it is almost every where watered by the river Nilus see Isa. 51. 9. Ezech. 29. 3. and 32. 2. V. 14. To the people namely to the wilde beasts which devoured the Egyptians carkasses which were cast up upon the shoar V. 16. Is thine thou art the author preserver and governour of this alternall course of nature namely of the day and the night Vnder which he seemes also to meane that alternall course of his providence by which hee sendes his Church sometimes prosperity and sometimes adversitie V. 17. The borders hereby may be understood the seas which devide and sever the earth or in regard of particular countries the naturall frontiers of seas hills and deâ—â—rts see Deut. 32. 8. Whereby hee seemes to inferre that Gods people having also had their confines which had beene broken through Gods judgements it would one day please him to re-establish and preserve them V. 19. Thy turtle dove namely thy Church represented in scripture under the names of such kinds of weak mild simple and sociable same creaâ—ures which are most exposed to wrongs and injuries see Cant. 2. 10. and 4. 1. Mat 10. 16. V. 20. The covenant formerly made with thy people see Zach. 9. 11. the dark places that is to say the countreyâ— being desert and horrid is full of robberles and receptacles for murtherers V. 21. Ashamed that is to say fallen from all hopes and denied the request of his prayers praise let them have occasion to praise it through their deliverance V. 23. Increaseth the Italian ascendeth it goeth up to heaven that is to say their insolent blasphemies are directed to thee and doe provoke thee to vengeance as Gen. 4. 10. and 18. â—0 Exod. 3. 7. Or it encreaseth that is to say it gathereth strength by reason of thy patience The meaning is if thou lettest them alone there will bee no end of their rage Others translate it in the tumult of those which set upon thee which ascendeth c. PSAL. LXXV THE 〈…〉 le song see upon Psal. 30. in 〈◊〉 title Of Asaph that is to say which is one of the number of those Psalmes wich were especially given to Asaphs posterity to sing them in the Temple And if Asaph were the composer of this Psalme hee speaketh in Davids person see Psal. 50. in the title Altashith see upon Psal. 57. in the title V. 1. Doe wee give thanks it seemes this Psal me was composed after Sauls death when David had taken possession of the Kingdome and that the Iebusites had yet Ierusalem in their hands Ios. 15. 63. 2 Sam. 5. 6. thy name thou thy selfe in the effects of the excellent titles which thou hast of everlasting almighty c. Or thy grace and power is neere that is to say present in operation and efficacy V. 2. When I that is to say when I shall have taken from the Iebusites the City of Ierusalem which God hath appointed to bee the chiefe city of the Kingdome the seat of his Temple where his people must meet for his solemne service Deut. 12. 11. 1 Kings 8. 29. Psal. 122. 4. mount Sion being called the mouut of the congregation Isa. 14. 13. as the ancient tabernacle was Exod. 27. 21. then will I employ my selfe wholly and peaceably to governe rightly and doe justice see Psa. 101. which is very hard to doe amongst the confusion of armes V. 3. The earth the Italian the countrey that is to say all the countrey was ruined through factions
Church in generall doth want these comforts and they also sometimes by their prayers doe represent unto God the faith and sufferings of it V. 9. What is these are the brides companions who ask the Church this question to trie whether shee doth continue in the true knowledge of Christ and in the choyee which shee hath made of him amongst all other religions and in her faith and love towards him Or to shew that every faithfull person learnes to know Christ of the Church Cant. 6. 1. V. 10. My beloved this is the bride who by the divine prayses of the bridegroome testifieth that shee knoweth him from others and that her love is wholly settled upon him Is white a mixture of the colours of a lively beauty Psal. 45. 2. which may be applyed thus namely that Christ came with bloud to expiate sinnes and with water to wash away the spots of it and amend the defaults of it 1 Iohn 5. 6. The chiefest the Italian carrying the standard that is to say a man of note and eminency amongst all the other heads of people Cant. 1. 7. and 2. 3. Or he is the head of the militant Church Exod. 17. 15. Cant. 2. 4. V. 11. Fine gold that is to say it glistereth in divine glory Black as smooth and shining as a Raven in the Sunne V. 12. His eyes that is to say his judgement is most pure Isa 11. 3 Or his looks are most gracious and amiable Cant. 1. 15. and 4. 1. By the rivers washing and cleansing themselves from dust and all other manner of uncleannesse Fiâ—ly set the Italian set as it were in in the foile of a ring being in his divine face they are like unto a precious jemme curiously set in a â—ing of great value V. 13. His cheeks that is to say his aspect apprehended by faith in this world and by cleer sight in life everlasting containes in it the fulnesse of life and joy Psal. 16. 11. and 17. 15. and 42. 5. Lillies namely in candidnesse of perfect purity and truth and in sweetnesse of benignity and odor of divine grace Psal. 45. 2. Esay 50. 4. V. 14. His hands a signe of his possession and distribution that is to say he hath those precious jewels namely the gifts of his holy Spirit in his own hands and doth most liberally bestow and distribute them Psal. 16. 11. His belly the seat of his bowels and signe of most tender naturall affections Isa. 16. 11. Ier. 4. 19. which in Christ are most pure and abundant in precious gifts V. 15. His legs a signe of Christs firmnesse in his Kingdom works words and government and of his strength to trample upon his enemies and of his untired power to accomplish the course of his office Lebanon a high and famous hill full of excellent plants V. 16. His mouth the Italian his palate namely his word and Spirit which is as it were the breath of Christs mouth CHAP. VI. VER 1. WHither is the brides companions that is to say all true believers and the particular Churches answering to the brides question Cant. 5. 8. by saying they have no other guide to bring them to Christ out the Church its selfe and their communion with her And that the spirit of zeale which works in the whole body is the same as works in every particular member V. 2. My beloved this is the bride who teacheth every true believer that they ought to seek Christ in heaven whither hee is gone perfectly to enjoy his everlasting goods and from thence soveraignly to governe his Church Luk. 24. 5. Col 3. 1. Gone down a terme taken from the scituation of Solomons gardens in Ierusalem which were in the low valley of Hinnom whereas his palace stood in the higher parts of the City see Neb. 3. 15. Of spices which in this book are taken for a figure of spirituall and celestiall goods it being the property of spices to preserve from putrefaction To â—eed the Italian addeth his flock see upon Cant. 2. 16. V. 4. O my love the bridegroome who is here brought in shewing himselfe to the Churches faith in heaven it selfe where she hath sought for him together with all believers And in this act of faith and zeal accepting and praysing her as a fine City a mighty Army and a compleat body politick which are the three principall qualities of the Church answerable to Christs three properties he being her Head chief Captaine and king Tizab a City belonging to the Tribe of Manasseh faire and pleasant by reason of the excellencie of her scituation for which cause it was made choyce of to be the abode of the Kings of Israel 1 Kings 14. 17. and 15. 21. and 16. 6. 18. Terrible namely to her enemies as she is delightfull to her children see concerning this mixture and conjunction of beauty and force Cant. 1. 9. 4. 4. 7. 4. V. 5. Turne away poeticall termes which signifie nothing but Christs extreame love moved or rather as one should say forced thereunto by the Churches faith V. 8. There are to shew the excellencie of the Church above all other Nations of the world over which also Christ reigneth in his power Solomon useth these kinds of speech taken from his own Court in which at that time as hee composed this Canticle hee might have this number of married wives called Queens and so many Concubines V. 9. Is but one and incomparable above any other assembly in my love and favour in the gifts of my Spirit see Psal 147. â—0 Of her Mother she is only in all the generation of men Amongst whom there is no other holy Nation joyned to God by a Covenant of peace but onely the Church The daughters this may be referred to the knowledge that other Nations had of the Church by meanes of the Gospel whereby they were drawne to joyne themselves to her V. 10. Who is she words of admiration uttered by these daughters namely the Nations of the world V. 11. I went here the bride sets down her motion through faith into the heavenly Paradise seeing shee could not finde her bride-groome upon earth Down as verse 2. Of nuts namely nutmegs by which name are understood all other sorts of aromatick plants verse 2. To see the that is to say to taste by a lively faith the first fruits of eternall life and to advance my selfe towards it by the lifting up of my heart and by a holy desire Phil. 3. 14. V. 12. Or ever I was I felt my selfe beyond mine expectation ravished up into heaven by an unspeakable violence of the spirit Ephes. 5. 20. Amminadib this should seeme to be some famous Chariot driver of Solomons who in the race of horses and Chariots could out drive all the rest see Cant. 1. 9. V. 13. Returne the brides companions which are those Nations or persons that desire to bee joyned unto her and therefore desire that shee may not bee so soone gathered up into heaven without
Deuteron chap. 25. verse 17. V. 8. Wee passed by Using no manner of hostility towards those Idumeans which had given a free passage and turning away from them which had refused it us See Numbers chapter 20. verse 21. Deuteron chapter 2. verse â—9 Through the way He poynts out the principall parts of the east of Idumea through which after Ezion-Gaber which was the south part thereof they passed coasting and crossing the Countrey without doing any dammage in it The playne Which seemeth to bee the same which is called the plaine of Paran Gen. chapter 14. verse 6. We turned Whereas our direct way was to goe crosse the Idumeans Countrie by reason of their refusall wee bent our course towards the countrey of Moab V. 9 Ar A name of the chiefe City of the Moabites Numbers chapter 21. verse 28. under which name is understood the whole Countrey Of Lot See the nineteenth chapter of Gen. and the seven and thirtieth verse V. 10 The Emims A race of Giants Genesis chap. 14. verse 5. The Hebrew word signifieth terrible And many The Italian hath it mighty or numerous V. 12 As Israel did This and some other parcells scattered here and there seeme to have beene added to Moses his words after the conquest of the land of Canaan See Deuteron chap. 34. verse 5. V. 14 From Kadesh This ought to be understood of the first time that they arrived to that place Numbers chap. 13. verse 27. Because they came thâ—â—her another time Numbers chapt 20. verse 1. V. 20. Zan-zummims Tâ—â—y seeme to bee the same as are called Zâ—zites Genesis chapt 14. verse 5. And this name may signifie wâ—â—ked V. 23 Caphtorims Were a peopâ—â— joyned both in kindred and habitation with the Philistâ—â—s Gâ—n chap. 10. verse 13 Jer. chap. 47 verse 4. Amos ch 9. verse 7. Whereby oftentimes one nation is taken for the other The ancients have by thiâ— name understood the Cappadocians as if the Philistims and the Caphtorims were come from the Cappadocians which seemeth to agree with Jerem. chapt 47. verse 4. where Caphtor is called an Iland that is to say a land on the other side of the sea V. 28 On my feet The Italian hath it With my company see Num. 20. 19. V. 29 As the See upon Num. 20 21. How this agreeth with that which is written in that place Moabites see Numbers 21. 20. where also that apparent contrariety which is between these passages and Deut. 23. 3. 4. Judg. 11. 17 18. is reconciled V. 30 Hardnâ—d See Ex 4. 21. V. 34 Destroyd By Gods command Deut. 7. 2. and 20. 16. V. 36 Aâ—oer which was the confine of the Moabites The Ciâ—y Called Ar standing upon an Island encompassed with this five Mum. 21. 15. 28. Jos. 12. 2. and 13. 9. CHAP. III. VERS 9. SYrion Called also Sion by abbreviation Deut. 4. 48. See upon Num. 34. 7. V. 11 For onely This seemes to bee added to shew tha Og being once overcome all the whole country was conquered for of many Giants beyond Jordan which had reigned in that countrey hee alone remained having invaded other countries after he had overcome the people in battaile After the Cubit That is to say an ordinary and common cubit as a mans cubit who is of ordinary growth and compleat age See Rev. 21. 17. V. 14 Geshuri This people was in Syria towards the north of Canaan 2 Sam. chap. 15. verse 8. and were not driven out by the children of Is 〈…〉 Joshuah chapter 13. verse 13. Bashan-Havoth-Iair The Italian hath it Bashan of the townships of Iair Namely thâ—t part of Bashan where the townships of 〈◊〉 stand V 15 Gilead The Italian Galaad A part of that hilly Countrey see Num 32. 39. which was also properly so called Gen. 31. â—1 48. and from that the name of Gilead was given to the country thereabout verse 12. V. 16 Half the valley The Italian hath it In the middle of the riâ—er Even unto Ar a City of Moab which had not beene conquered by Sihon wherefore it was not taken in by Israel nor granted unto them by the Lord Deu. 2. 9. and was situate in an Island in the middle of the river Arnon Deut 2. 36. Ios. 12. 2. 13 9. so that the countrey of these two Tribâ—s ended at the walls of Ar. Aâ—d the border see how this ought to be understood Num. â—4 6. V. 17 Of the plaine Namely of Jordan Gen. 13. 10. which plaine after the destruction of Sodom came to be a Sea that is to say a great salt pitchie and sâ—lphurous lake Gen. 14. 3. Num. 34. 3. Ashdoth Pisgah the name of a City Jos. 13. 20. Others construe it the coasts or hanging sides of Pisgah which was a hill from which the valley took its name see Num. 20. 21 and 23 14 V. 18 I commanded you Namely the two Tribes who had gotten their parts beyond Jordan All that are meet What number shall be thought fitting and sufficient leaving the rest to keep the Country see Jos. 1. 14. and 4. 13. V. 20 Rest A settled and peaceable abode V. 26 For your sakes For the people had vexed Moses his spirit with their murmurings and being thus perplexed he sinned Psa. 106. 32 33 V. 27 Pisgah See Num. 27. 12. V. 28 Strengthen him With exhortations councells and promises c. V. 29 Beth-Peor or the Temple of Peor or of Baal-peor idoll of the Ammonites Num. 25. 3. Name of the place or City which was the chief seat of this idolatry CHAP. IV. VERS 6. FOr this is This may be understood of the Law of God in it self which is the light and rule of all wisdom Or of the observing of the Law which is the true wisdom in practice the true disposer of the soul to attaine unto the last end of soveraigne welfare V. 7 What Nation is there so great Namely a whole and entire Nation For there were some particular and small kindreds or families amongst idolatrous people which served the true God as that of Job Melchisedeck and Jethro c. So nigh Present in the efficacy of his grace and power and in the pawnes tokens and shewes of his Majesty and ready to help and assist That we call The Italian Whensoever we call Or in any thing we desire from him Psal. 46. 2. and 148. 14 V. 1â— Miast of heaven That is to say in the midst of the aire V. 15 Unto your selves The Italian hath it Upon your soules As you love your lives and regard the salvations of your soules or persons Or for feare lest your bodies do beare the punishment for it V 16 Corrupt By inclining unto or participating of idolatry which is the spirituall whoredome contrary to the purity of conscience in Gods service Of any figure Or God absolutely none at all nor yet of any other creature to consecrate it or to fasten any opinion of Deity upon it or to attribute any religious honour unto it see Exo. 20. 4
peoples deliverance bringing them into the land of promise which was denied to Moses to shew us that Christ only pointed at by Joshua Exo. 3. 8. doth bring his Church to the fruition of the kingdom of heaven which the Law could not do V. 49. Unto mount See how this ought to be understood upon Num. 27. 12. V. 50. He gathered See Gen. 15. 15. CHAP. XXXIII VERS 1. THe man of God Namely a Prophet inspired by divine Spirit in giving this blessing V. 2. Came From the top of Sinai a hill of Idumea called Seir in the wildernesse of Paran God appeared unto his people to give them his Law Exod. 19. 18. From Seir. from off Idumea see Gen. 33. 14. 16. and 36. 8. Now under the name of Idumea often times is meant in Scripture all the Countrey from the red sea to the dead sea or lake of Sodom See 1 King 9. 26. Paran See of this name generall to that great mountainous wildernesse Numbers 13. 3. Ten thousands The Italian hath it From the ten thousands Namely from heaven which is the habitation of holy Angels which are in manner of innumerable armies of God see Psal. 68. 27. Dan. 7. 10. Rev. 5. 11. and 9. 16. Went The Italian Having on his right hand Being in a manner armed with fire Exo. 19. 18 and 24. 17. for to pronounce his Law in token of the power of it Jer. 23. 29. and of his terror and curse against sinners Heb. 12. 18. V. 3. Yea he loved The Italian Though thou lovest that is to say O Lord though thou through a common love causest all men to feele some effects of thy goodnesse yet thou bearest thy people a speciall affection whom thou hast sanctified and taken as proper to thy selfe to have them under thy care and protection At thy feet attentive and tractable like to thy disciples Luke 10. 39. Acts 22. 3. V. 4. The inheritance The singular wealth and treasure that God bestoweth upon his children and in which as in a generall inheritance are comprehended all other goods which also by vertue of the Covenant passeth from the father to the child See Psal. 119. 111. V. 5. King He hath not only been a Law-giver but also a supreme Magistrate actually administring his own Law Such Kings raigning by vertue and justice only not by force and violence were anciently called Heroick Kings When the heads So it is declared that this Monarchy of Moses was tempered with Aristocracy in which temperature consists the most absolute kind of government And the Tribes This seemes to be added to shew so much the more the harmony of this Common-wealth the whole people with a free accord consenting to Moses his Laws proposed in the generall assembly V. 6 Let Reuben live God will not suffer and I pray him it may not the tribe of Reuben be utterly extinguished for the grievous sins of its first father Gen. 49. 3 4. though by that meanes it were deprived of the gift of great increase which seemed to belong unto him by birth right and was conferred upon Joseph V. 7. Judah Because that there is no mention made of Simeon in these blessings some imagine that this tribe was comprehended under Judah in whose countrey Simeons part was also included Jos. 19. 1. Judg. 1. 3 Bang him He hath a relation to the severall captivities of this tribe out of all which it was delivered ever untill the comming of the Messias whereas the other tribes were dispersed without being restored Be sufficient let it have no need of any human helpe to maintain it but only thou O God lend it thine aide Others he shall fight with his own hands for himselfe that is to say he shall defend himselfe valiantly against all his enemies Gen. 49. 8. V. 8. Thy Thummim He directeth his speech to God The sense is O Lord confirme thy Priesthood meant by these two words Exo. 28. 30. to Aarons lineage whom thou hast consecrated to it though thou hast imposed that just punishment upon him that he should not enter into the land of Canaan for the fault which he committed at the waters of Meriba Numb 20. 13. which were also called of Massah as the rest Exod. 17 7. because that God did there try his servants Thou diddest strive rebuking him and severely punishing him V. 9. Who This hath a relation to that that the Priests being judges in many cases Deut. 17. 9. and 19 7. ought to be free from all acceptation of persons following Moses and Aarons examples who had proceeded therein with all manner of integrity Others referre this to the history of the execution done by the Levites for the pure zeale of God without any carnall respects Exod. 32. 27. and to the Law of mourning for the next of kinne Lev. 10 6 7. and 21. 10. They The Priests and Levites who till then had kept themselves pure in Gods service and obedience more than the rest of the people but by these words their duty is not so much set down as the act commanded Mal. 2. 7. See Jer. 18. 18. V. 11. His substance The Italian hath it His army for the orders services and the whole conduct of the Leviticall Ministery had some resemblance of military discipline See Numb 4. 3. The worke Namely his Ministery Smite through Destroy all Shcismaticks that shall seeke to oppose that order of Priesthood which thou hast appointed See Numbers chap. 16. v 5. V. 12. The belived It should seem he calleth Benjamin so by reason that as Jacob loved Benjamin in a singular manner he being the youngest of all his children Gen. 44. 30. So the Lord honored that tribe being the least of all the rest 1 Sam. 9. 21. Psal. 68. 27. Chusing Jerusalem which was within her territories Jos. 18. 28. for the place of his Temple and service By him Neere to his Temple which was as it were Benjamins safeguard Between his Let the chiefe City of Benjamin be Jerusalem a City of Gods singular presence in which the two holy hills of Moriah and Sion resembled two shoulders a figure of Gods power and protection who beareth of the whole body of his people V. 13. The precious things See Gen. 49. 25. For the deep that is to say of the earth moystned and fattened by the sweet exhalations up the waters under the earth V. 14. By the Sun Which warmeth the earth and quickens the seeds and ripens the fruits The Moon Which the diverse seasons and months of the yeare produce in great variety V. 15. Mountaines See Gen. 49. 26. V. 16. Of him Of God who appeared in the bush Exodus 3. 2. for a signe of his residence in grace and power in the middest of his people V. 17. His glory He hath a reference to the power valour and warlike customes of these two tribes See Psal. 78 9. The people which shall come to assault him or all those Nations whose land that was which God had assigned for his
Tribes Kindreds and Families as Josh. 7. 14. 1 Sam 10. 19. for to draw lots V. 39. Among all the peoplâ— not so much as any of thâ—m who had seen Jonathan eat V. 41. Were taken the lot fell upon them Josh. 7. 14. 1. Sam. 10 â—0 V. 43. I must die the Italian Must Jâ—lie that is to say if it be expedient I am content to die for to appease Gods wrath V. 47. Tooke that is to say he undertook the managing and administration of it as he had gotten the right and authority of it from God He vexed them the Italian He did overcome the Hebrew word is taken from controversies or suits in law and signifiâ—th condemning ones adversaries and obtaining the suit To shew that these victories were Gods judgements on his peoples side against the enemies unjust tyranny CHAP XV. VERS 2. I Râ—member or I have reviewed a phrase taken from accounts or from criminall examinations Laid wait for him the Italian Opposed him set himselfe against him or laid wait for him V. 5. Laid wait others have it fought V. 8. Agag A common name to all the Kings of the Amalekites Num. 24. 7. Esth. 3. 1. V. 9. Oxen the Italian Yoakâ—d Oxen young Oxen of a like age stature and haire so yoaked together to till the ground others double Oxen that is to say full and thick bodied Others of a middle age betweene Oxen and Calves V. 11. It repenteth me see Gen. 6. 6. V. 12. A place The Italian hath it A Trophâ—y Or A signe of victory some Pillar or Piramides for a monument of the victory Others have it a place of armes or a mustering place V. 16. Stay and I will tell thee The Italian Suffer me to tell thee or stand still stay V. 17. In thine owne sight while thou didst keepe thy selfe humble before God acknowledâ—ing what thou wert to submit thy selfe to his will 1 Sam. 9. 21. V. 23. Of witchcraft sinnes against Gods Majesty in a supreame degree Not that all sinnes be equall or alike But the meaning is that that is a sin as well which is repugnant and contrary to his will as that which is contrary to the truth and to the glory of his nature and â—â—â—ence as your magick arts and idolatry and therefore deserve the same punishment reserving neverthelesse the degrees of the severity to Gods justice V. 24. I have sinned a confession without sincerity interlaced with vaine or false excuses and without internall contrition of heart swelled up with worldly pride See a contrary example 2 Sam. 12. 13. V. 29. The strength the Italian The victory the only author of all his peoples victories who will also accomplish in despight of all oppositions and persecutions what he hath before appointed concerning David That he should repent namely in its proper signification as to be sorry for having done any evill neither of which two things can be in God though it be often unproperly said that God doth repent that is to say he altereth his manifest works according to his good will and pleasure or his favour or wrath against men when they alter and change themselves to good or evill towards him V. 30. Honour me notwithstanding my sinne and Gods sentence doe thou beare up my credit and shew me respect as before Words of a prophane worldly man V. 32. Delicately in pompous and magnificent habit and carriage Not like a delinquent that expecteth punishment V. 33. As thy sword hence it appeares that this Kings cruelty and tyrannie against Gods people or some others had in God renewed the memory of the nations ancient cruelty and treachery See Judg. 1. 6 7. and 8. 19. CHAP. XVI VERS 1. VVIth oyle see upon 1 Sam. 10. 1. V. 2 To sacrifice namely a sacrifice of thanksgiving after which there followed a holy feast For Prophets either upon occasion or without did doe these acts of particular piety for the blessing and comfort of certaine places and Cities See 1 Sam 9. 12. V. 4 Trembled at the presence of God in the person of his Prophet whose holinesse condemned common vices and whose authority caused the punishment thereof to be feared as 1 King 17. 18. Or simply in a sudden occasion whereof they knew not the cause they construed it to be some sinister or unluckie one V 5. Sanctifie prepare your selves by ceremoniall purifications and abstinences and by spirituall meditations and devotions to participate of this sacrifice See Exod. 19. 10. Jos. 3. 5. V. 6. Eliab Jesse his first borne 1 Sam. 17. 13. And said within himselfe of his own motion and not by any prophetick revelation Anointed that is to say he whom God will have consecrated to be King On whom in this action wherein God is present by his power and wherein he governeth by his Spirit I will bestow and conferre this sacred signe appointed by God who will ratifie and confirme it by his internall grace and operation V. 7. Said secretly by a divine and internall inspiration Refused him that is to say I have not chosen him The outward appearance the Italian On the eyes that is to say to such outward appearances as present themselves unto the senses Looketh on he grounds his calling upon those gifts which he himselfe hath infused into man by his Spirit which he alone discerneth and knoweth and crowneth them with new glories and honours V. 8. And he said it is likely that Iesse onely had notice of the end of this anointing and David also secretly 2 Sam. 5 2. V. 13. The Spirit that is to say he presently received divine gifts and noble qualities in a supernaturall manner and was led on and guided by Gods Spirit to undertake high and notable enterprizes Judg 13. 25. 14. 6. 1 Sam. 10. 6. 10. V. 14 The Spirit God took away those gifts from him which he had conferred upon him for the managing of his royall office 1 Sam. 10 6. And likewise that joy comfort and guide of his good Spirit of sanctification An evill spirit he was by Gods judgement yeelded into the hands of Sathan who bred horrible passions in him and perturbations of sadnesse and despaire together with rages violent furies cruelties and other excesses V. 16. Is upon thee when thou shalt have thy fits of rage or melancholy upon thee for he had some respites and spaces betweene those fits Thou shalt this is spoken through some experience in the like troubles not that musicall sounds or any other corporall meanes have any power upon the devill but because that with the supernaturall madnesse or rage there was a corporall defect in the humours distâ—mperature and exasperation of the spirits which are the organs of diabolicall operation in such cases and musick contrariwise bringing the spirits of man for a time to some sweet concordance and harmony maketh the corporall or bodily instrument lesse subject to the devils operation Unlesse this sound were accompanied with some divine word or subject whose power and respect
which thou hast set down of thine own free wil by which rule thou dost not deny the gift of thy holy spirit to them that ask it of thee Luk. 11. 13. V. 150. Draw nigh namely to doe me hurt V. 151. Thy commandments namely the promises and threatnings which thou hast set down in thy law through which I am confident thou wilt save me and destroy mine enemies V. 156. Great or many in number According to thy as verse 149. V. 160. Thy word the Italian the sum of thy all thy whole word put together is nothing but pure truth or the principall quality of thy word is to be true V. 161. Of thy word namely for feare of transgressing and to not incur the penalties denounced in it V. 164. Seven times or many and divers times judgements or lawes and ordinances V. 165. Nothing shall offend them the Italian they shall have no stumbling block or they shall have no mischance nor evill encounter V. 168. All my wayes I am before thee in all mine actions and enterprises to the end that thou may est govern them according to thy will or because I know thou seest every thing I therefore study to doe such things as thou shalt approve of V. 169. According to namely according to thy promise or give mee an understanding which may be directed and enlightned by thy truth V. 173. Chosen that is to say I have voluntarily set my self to follow them or chosen them above all other things for my soveraign good and treasure with which I am very well satisfied and contented V. 175. Let my soule live that is to say doe thou keep me alive or preserve in me the life of thy Spirit Help me that is to say employ these meanes which thou hast appointed for thine elects salvation in my behalfe V. 176. I have gone the Italian I goe that is to say in this wtetched life I am like to a distressed sheep that is strayed out of her sheepfold and is ready to perish take thou care of me thou who art my true shepheard Or I am by mine enemies driven out of thy Church bring me in again for out of it I am in continuall danger of running to perditition PSAL. CXX THe Title of degrees the Italian of Maaâ—ot that is to say of goings up or of movings This title which is set before these fifteene following Psalmes is of very doubtfull significationâ— Yet the likeliest opinion is that these Psalmes were either newly penned or chosen out from amongst the old ones to bee sung by the people in their return from Babylon in their severall dayes journeyes or stages as they travelled either one or more or all at every removing And to this subject they may all be referred either in part or in whole V. 3. What shall be given he turneth his speech to the head or chiese of his enemies as if he should say what profit shalt thou reap thereby Peradventure the people would fore-arme themselves by Davids ancient example when he was persecuted by scoffes and slanders against the like injuries which were offered unto them at their return from Babylon Ez. 4. 6. Neh. 2. 19. and 4. 2. 3. V. 4. Of Juniper which being a fat kind of Wood makes a very scorching fire and quick coales V. 5. Woe is me it seemeth that these words were first spoken by David in his flight amongst the Philistines and other strange Nations and were afterward applied to the peoples banishment Mesech Mesech is Moscovie and Kedar is Arabia not that David ever was in those countryes but hee called those Nations so amongst which he was by reason of their fierce barbarousnesse And this part of this Psalme is it which may most properly bee referred to the returne from Babylon PSAL. CXXI VER 1. LIft up I doe bend my thoughts every way yet conclude at last that in all my evills my reliefe and deliverance must come from God alone V. 3. He will not the Psalmist speaks to himselfe in spirit as Psal 91. 3. V. 5. Thy shade thy protector and defence V. 6. By day hee hath a relation to the pillar of cloud by day and of fire in the night which God employed in the bringing of the people forth of Aegypt and to defend them from the harmefull aire that it might not hurt them see Isa. 49. 10. Rev. 7. 16. And this may also be applied to the return from Babylon under Gods protection V. 8. Thy going out that is to say any thing as thou shalt undertake Or especially thy comming out of Babylon and thy comming into Iudea PSAL. CXXII THe title Of David that is to say penned at the first by David when he had taken Ierusalem and settled the Ark in it 2 Sam. 6. 17. and afterwards made use of at the peoples return from Babylon V. 2. Our feet that is to say we shall no more need to runne here and there to doe Gods service as we did at other times when the Arke removed from place to place now that it stands still in Ierusalem we shall not need to goe any where else Deut. 12. 5. 14. V. 3. That is compact he seemes to have a relation to the times which were beâ—ore David at which time the lebusites remained in the rock of Sion after the remnant of the City of Ierusalem was taken by the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15 63. Iudg. 1. 8. the City being divided by walls and also in government and religion but David having taken in Sion did perfectly re-unite it V. 4. Vnto the testimony namely to present themselves before the tabernacle where the Ark was within which were the Tables of the law called the testimonie Exod. 16. 34. 2â— 21. 22. Num. 17. 7. Or which is a testimony that is to say a commandement made to Israel with Gods expresse protestation Deut. 12. 5. 14. V. 5. Are set there also is the soveraign court of justice settled by Gods appointment In which Court David sits as Iudge and his Officers under him doe execute justice Deut. 17. 8. 2 Sam. 15. 〈◊〉 2 Chron. 19. 8. 10. Psal. 60. 1. and 108. 8. PSAL. CXXIII VER 2. VNto the hand to bee defended by them if they be wronged or to receive some benefit from them V. 4. That are at ease that is to say that are rich and powerfull in the world see Zach. 1. 15. PSAL. CXXIV THe title Of David see upon Psal. 122. in the Title V. 1. On our side or with us V. 4. The waters that is to say our enemies troops gathered together like a fulnesse of waters Over our soul they would have overwhelmed and drownd us so that we should have lost our lives see Ps. 69. 2. V. 8. In the name that is to say in the Lord himselfe who hath revealed himselfe to his Church by his own proper name or in his power and grace PSAL. CXXV V. 3. THe vod the persecution of the wicked and of Tyrants shall not alwayes last
undertake and of his blessing in the issues and successe of what they undertook V. 25. The hills an hyperbolicall description of Gods judgements the meaning is no high or eminent condition of state could keep them from being ruined V. 26. Will life up to call them to execute his judgements upon his people V. 27. The girdle they shall be all ready to march and performe warlike duties Or they shall neither be base nor faint-hearted which is signified by loose reins Dan. 5. 6. nor busie about any other work which is signified by the loose latchet of the shoe V. 30. If one looke all humaue help shall faile and all hope of comfort and aid from the Lord shall be cut off The light namely the day from the very morning Darkned every thing shall be overwhelmed with horrible darknesse of calamites which shall come from God neither shall there appeare any light of hope or comfort CHAP. VI. Vers. 1. THe Lord namely Gods everlasting Sonne a great King of the Church in his own person John 12. 41. V. 2. The Seraphims a name of blessed Angels which signifieth servent and fiery as well in regard of their office as of their substance who are here assistants as Ministers of Gods judgements His face by this covering of the face is meant adoration and deep reverence by the covering of their feet immaculate holinesse and by their flying with two wings promptitude and zeale to obey V. 4. The posts or thresholds namely the upper and lower threshold in which the two axels whereon the doors did turn were fixed With smoak or chick cloud and dark mist a thing which was ordinary when God appeared in glory to hide his majestie and to strike a terrour in mens hearts Exod. 19. 16. and 40. 34. Numb 9. 15. 1 King 8. 10. V. 5. Wo is me the ordinary feare of the faithfull when God appeared to them in glory see Gen. 16. 13. Deut. 5. 24. Jud. 6. 22. and 13. 22. feeling of their own weaknesse and knowing their owne naturall corruption Unclean thereby signifying that sinne which is most frequent amongst and most avoidable for men namely the sinne of the tongue Jam. 3. 2. or because even in his own calling he found himselfe defective many wayes And I dwell that is to say I doe too much participate of the contagion of sin living thus amongst sinners V. 6. A live coale a figure of the gift of the holy Ghost proceeding from Christ who is the true spirituall altar of expiation and intercession for the Church Which Spirit workes in the manner of fire for the purging of sin Matth. 3. 11. V. 7. Laid it upon the Italian brought it neer see Jer. 1. 9. Dan. 10. 16. Thine iniquity not that Isaiah was purged from all remainder of sinne as concerning his person but onely concerning his office of Prophet he received the gift of the infallible conduct of the holy Ghost that he might not erre through ignorance nor prevaricate through malice in the receiving and preaching of his prophecies A promise contrary to that which Isaiah had confessed namely to be of unclean lips V. 8. For us see of this unspeakable manner of consultation held by the sacred Trinitie Gen. 1. 26. and 3. 22. and 11. 7 Here am I an effect of the holy Ghost who after he hath conferred the gift which is necessary for the calling doth also powerfully give the will to cause him employ himselfe therein vigorously and cheerfully V. 9. Understand not that is to say Hereafter I will not send my word unto you for to convert and save you but to convince and condemne you for seeing I have deservedly taken away my Spirit from you which you have so long withstood that you have utterly extinguished it the sound of my word hereafter shall but astonish you and this light shall but dazell and blinde you so much the more V. 10. Make the heart preach my word powerfully to this rebellious and profane people that their wickednesse being thereby provoked they may become more stupid insensible and hardned a signe whereof is the fatnesse of the heart see Psal. 119. 70. see Deuter. 29. 4. Isa. 63. 17. John 8. 43. 2 Thess. 2. 11 12. Be healed namely that they may not be saved delivered from all evil and re-established in a happy state V. 11. How long is there no stay nor no end of this rejection of thy people that it may not come to the uttermost extremity V. 13. A tenth he seemeth to meane that little remnant which was left in the countrey in the generall captivity which was at last likewise destroyed for its rebellion CHAP. VII Vers. 2. THe house namely the King and Princes of the blood royall and chiefe Officers of the Crown and Court Syria the King of Syria hath undertaken to besiege Jerusalem being encouraged thereunto by the league which he had made with the King of the ten Tribes the chiefe of which is the Tribe of Ephraim and as sures himselfe that hee shall overcome by reason of the great assistance he hopes to have from thence V. 3. Shear-Jashub it should appear by Isa. 8. 12. and 10. 21. that this name which signifieth the remnant shall be converted or shall be re-established was given to that childe for a signe of the deliverance of the rest of the people which should bee converted to God Upper poole this was a great poole of water that came from the fountain Gihon called the upper as a King 18. 17. because it was in the high Citie of Sion neer the City of David on the south-side Nehem. 3. 15. and to distingush it from the lower poole Isai. 22. 9. which was in the lower part of the City on the east-side V. 4. The two tails a name of contempt to shew that there was more smoak that is to say pride and outward appearance in them then strength and power V. 6. Vex it the Italian divide it that is to say Let each of us seize upon that part which lieth most conveniently for us and let us see a King over the rest which may be a vassall to us both The Sonne one whose name is not mentioned elsewhere V. 8. Damascus I have bounded these Kingdoms and have set a King over every one of them and I will not suffer them to passe their bounds nor take anothers countrey Within threescore the common opinion is That one must count these yeers not from the time that Isaiah did foretell these things but from the first prophecie of the latter ruine of the ten tribes which might be Amos his Prophesie 7. 8 9 see a Kings 14. 27 about the eighteenth yeere of Jeroboam the son of Joash after whom untill the last captivity of the ten Tribes is just sixty five yeers V. 9. Of Ephraim namely of the ten Tribes whereof Ephraim was chiefe If ye will not beleeve the Italian Doe ye not beleeve it the prophet reproveth the people because of their incredulitie Ye
Gods peace whereof the Altar was a signe and instrument is all the defence of the Church For Ariel sometimes signifieth the Champions and valiant defenders of a Country 2 Sam. 23. 20. Now here he foretels the ruine of the Temple as Jer. 7. 14. Ezek. 9. 6. The City as by Ariel is meant the whole Temple and consequently that part of the City where it stood namely Mount Moriah So by this other part is meant that other hill namely the hill of Sion where the City of David stood To signifie the whole City of Jerusalem or severally the State and the Church vers 2. Adde ye that is to say feed your selves on with these vaine hopes that yeeres shal run on alwaies in the same manner An ironicall kinde of speech against prophane men as Ezek. 12. 22. Amos 6. 3. 2 Pet. 3. 4. Let them kill continue on your outward service which is but hypecrisie upon which notwithstanding you rely against all my threatnings see Jer. 7. 21. V. 2. I will distresse I wil cause my Temple to be besieged as well as the City making no difference between the one which is my holy habitation and the other which is the common dwelling place of the people V. 3. I will câ—mpe as Captaine Generall of the Chaldeans that shall besiege thee V. 4. And shall speake thy pride shall be humbled and thy bravery cast down thou shalt yeed to thine enemies and petition to them with a great deale of basenesse see Jer. 46. 22. A familiar spirit which answered with an obscure sound and low kind of murmuring out of such persons as he possessed see Isa. 8. 19. V. 5. Of thy strangers thy men of warre which thou shalt hire or shall be sent thee from abroad shall all be dispersed and shall not be able to relieve thee It shall be all this reliefe which shall come from Egypt and other places shall not be able to withstand the Chaldeans and shall yeeld thee no comfort but a very short and transitory one see Jer. 37. 5 7. V. 6. Thou shalt namely Jerusalem With thunder a figurative description to say Heaven and Earth shall concur to their ruine V. 7. As a dreame in regard of thee to whom this siege and ruine shall happen beyond all thought judgement and expectation And also in respect of the Chaldeans themselves who will never be satisfied with tormenting thee and the more prosperous successe they shall have the more eager they will be against thee V. 9. Stay your selves let every one attentively and with admiration consider these calamities of my people and the causes of them Drunken they are asleepe lulled in their vices troubled and darkned in their understanding that they cannot give heed to these threatnings and so be converted and saved Isa. 28. 7 8. V. 10. Hath powred that is to say he hath punished their voluntary blindnesse with a greater astonishment depriving them quite of the light of his Spirit against which they have rebelled giving them over to the Spirit of darknesse Your Rulers the Italian Your heads for the false Prophets did intrude into the publique government while Jerusalem was besieged Jer. 26. 8. see Isa. 3. 2. The Seâ—â—s namely Prophets 2 Sam. 9 9. V. 11. The vision you shall apprehend nothing by my word which shall be preached to you by my Prophets whereby you may be lively touched instructed and so converted which shall happen as well through your malicious ignorance as through my just judgement Is sealed see Isa 8. 16. Rev. 5. 1 5. V. 13. And their feare none of their seeming piety comes from the heart but is drawn from them by the absolute command of some good King as Hezekiah Josiah c. Or it is nothing but an observation of humane traditions V. 14. Shall be hid shall be confounded and shall not dare to make any more vaine ostentations Or it shall vanish away and come to nothing V. 15. To hide that designe their enterprises secretly within themselves and never informe themselves of the will of God nor doe not communicate their said designes to him in their prayers desiring therein his aide and blessing Or who in their sins and secret malices doe thinke they can hide themselves from Gods knowledge V. 16. Your turning doe you thinke to be masters and absolute rulers of what you intend and turne up and down in your minds as the potter is of his clay which he hath upon his wheele to doe therewith what he will Shall the worke can you thinke you can withdraw your selves from Gods knowledge and government who hath you and all your actions under the conduct of his Soveragine providence as the potter hath his clay V. 17. And Lebanon shall it appeares by Isa. 32. 15. that this is an Evangelicall promise the meaning whereof is Under the Messias his Kingdom which will shortly be made manifest all those vices which my people have at this present shall be corrected and their calamities restored For the men which are like wild Trees of the Wood such as Lebanon brings forth shall by my grace and Spirit be regenerate and become faire fruitful Trees such as grow upon Mount Carmel and shal be multiplied in number like unto a thick wood V. 18. Shall the deafe men that are naturally uncapable of the mysteries of faith shall be enlightned and instructed in the true knowledge of Gods word Of the Booke he hath a relation to what he had said v. 11. 12. V. 19. The meeke an ordinary title of beleevers V. 20. Is consumed that is to say there shall be none of them in the true mysticall Church see Isa. 28. 14. V. 21. That make namely that suborne false Prophets or induce true Prophets to falsifie Gods words Isa. 30. 10. For him namely for Gods true servants which reprove them for their sins in places of publique assemblies where the Prophets used to come â—er 17. 19. 19. 2 Amâ—s 5. 10. V. 22. Jacob namely the old Patriarch who is brought in rejoycing at the conversion of his posterity in stead of the shame which he had suffered for their former evill life Shall not now namely after I have purged and re-established my Church V. 23. The workâ— of namely those that through my gâ—acâ— and Spirit have been reâ—eâ—â—rated to newnesse of life Psal. 100. 3. Ephes. 2. 10. Shall sanâ—â—ifie namely shall honour and doe reverence to it as being most holy V. 24. That murmured namely against God and his Prophets rebelling against them and contradicting them A teâ—me taken from the peoples frequent acts in the wildernesse CHAP. XXX Vers. 1. THe rebellious children namely my people Councell flâ—shly and reproved councell namely to trust upon Egypts assistance against the Babylonians without thinking upon the onely means of deliverance by turning to God and calling upon his Name see Jer. 37. 7. Ezek. 17. 15. V. 2. And have not by the priests oracle or by some Propheâ— Num. 27. 21. Josh. 9. 14.
of them shall also take them as a reward and a gift of their Idols V. 8. I will waile The Prophets words having a feeling of the publike calamities Stript and namely In my shirt or without my outward garment which was a fashion used in times of extreme sorrow V. 9. Her wound namely Samaia's v. 6. Whereby is meant the whole Kingdome of the ten Tribes It is come The Assyrians after they have conquered and laid waste the ten Tribes shall also lay Judah waste even to Jerusalem 2 King 18. 13. Isa. 8. 8. The gate namely To Jerusalem the Kings residence and where Judah's soveraigne court of Justice was held which the Scripture calleth often times Gate V. 10. Declare yee it not The meaning is the peoples calamities shall be so horrible that it were to be wished that their deadly enemies such as those of Gath and other Philistims were mâ—ght never heare no newes of it for feare lest they should make triumphs for it and should aggravate the measure of them by their insultings 2 Sam. 1. 10. Neither weepe yee Forbeare making any shew of your miseries for feare of giving your enemies occasion of laughter Roule thy selfe namely Thou Nation of Israel in signe of extreme sorrow Jer. 6 26. These names of Aphra and Saphir c. are nor sound any where else and yet seeme to signifie some noted places therefore it is likely that they were framed by the Propher to make some allusion to the sence of his prophecy As in stead of Ephraim that is to say fruitfulnesse he saith house of Aphrah that is to say of ashes To shew that this Tribe which was so mighty should he ruined and brought to ashes In stead of Samaria that is to say a place of coales he saith Saphir that is to say faire to signifie the glory to which that City was raised and from which it should fall In stead of Sion he saith Zianan 〈◊〉 that is to say a place of comming forth of great concourse of persons going and comming Out of which place when the Assyrians should overrun the countrey one should not be able to come out In stead of Bethel that is to say the House of God he saith Beth-ezel that is to say a house of Separation because God should forsake it as an uncleane place In stead of Ramoth which signifieth altitudes or heights he saith Maroth that is to say bitternesses by reason of the great and bitter mourning and lamentation which should be made in it V. 11. Passe ye away into captivity loden with reproaches O thou Inhabitant or people of that City Standing the Italian his defence the Heb. his presenting For the Hebrewes when they would say defend one did say present himselfe for one See Exod. 32. 25. Numb 14. 9. Isa. 22. 8. V. 13. Bind the charet to run away if thou canst from before the Assyrians who come to beâ—ege thee 2 King 18. 14. To the swift beast that is to say horses or mules which could run very swiftly She is hence it appeares that Lachish was first infected with the ten Tribes Idolatry and that from thence it passed even to Jerusalem V. 14. Give Presents buy the friendship and assistance of this City of the Philistines and of other Cities of that Nation against the Assyrians yet all shall be in vaine Achzib it appeares by 〈◊〉 19 29. Judg 1. 31. that this City was one of those out of which the Canaanites could not be driven And it seemes that upon this invasion of the Assyrians the Israelites had made a league with those Nations by whom they were deluded either through weaknesse or treachery And Micah amongst those Cities hath made choice of Achzib by reason of the signification of the name which is a Lye V. 15. Will I bring I will cause the Assyrians to come who shall make themselves Lords of thee and thy goods Marâ—shaâ— A City of Judah Jos. 15. 44. And this also seemes to have been chosen out by reason of the nearenesse which is between the word heire and Mareshah Adullam A City of Judah Jos. 15. â—5 The glory namely to Jerusalem the City of Gods glorious residence in his Temple and of the Kings residence in his Royall Palace V. 16. Make thee bald that is to say O thou Jewish Nation make most bitter lamentation See Job 1. 20. Isa. 3. 24. and 15. 2. 22. 12. Jer. 7. 29. The Eagle when she changes her feathers CHAP. II. Ver. 4. SHall one that is to say whilest you shall weep your enemies and ill-willers shall 〈…〉 de your miseries How hath this calamity is past restauration the people will never be able to recover their countrey nor settle themselves againe in their former estate V. 5. Therefore by reason of the sinnes set downe v. 1 2. you shall be put out of all right and share in the Church and people of God whereof the driving out of the Holy Land shall be a signe V. 6. Prophesie ye not the Italian drop not that is to say prophesie not See concerning this manner of speaking which is very frequent amongst the Prophets Ezek. 21. 2. Amos 7. 16. Now these are words of prophane men who would hinder the free exercise of the Prophets Office as Isa. 30. 10. Jer. 11. 21. Amos 7. 13 16. Say they to them that prophesie the Italian hath it yet they shall Gods reply that is to say they shall preach in dâ—â—ight of you and if it be not for you ye Rebels which wrong them yet it shall be for the salvation of mine Elect as Isa. 8. 16. V. 7. O thou Is not this an execrable boldnesse in you to oppose your selves against my Prophets The Spirit namely the power and authority of my Spirit which from time to time hath see my Prophets on to preach my Word Is it now lessened or weakened that it should yeeld to your desires See Jer. 6. 11. and 20. 7 9. Mic. 3. 8. Are these the cause of all these evils and threatenings which are denounced against you by my Prophets is in you and not in me and therefore you wrongfully complaine of my Prophets as if they were the Authors of all the evill that befalleth you Isa. 28. 21. Lam. 3. 33. Doe not if you will be good men and beleeve you shall heare nothing from my Prophets but onely promises and assurances of Graces and Blessings If you be sinners but corrigible and capable of repentance you shall have by them healthfull meanes of conversion V. 8. Even of late whereas your forefathers shewed their valours in just warres You use nothing now but thefts and murthers V. 9. The Women namely the poore widdowes out of those houses where they had lived all their time in esse with their Husbands and children Taken away you bring them into such a state of misery and slavery that the splendor and honour of being my children and members of my people appeares in them no more V. 10. Arise you have
2. 4. A spirit this word is of a larger signification then the word Angell which followeth after For it may bee applyed to the Spirit of God speaking to Prophets by internall revelations or to some spirit or soule of some deceased person according to the errour of those times See upon Acts 12. 15. V. 10. Get downe out of the Rocke which was higher then the place where they held their consistory Acts 22. 30. V. 11. Stood by him in a vision V. 21. Doe not thou yeeld the Italian Doe not beleeve them or do not give consent unto them or doe not let them perswade thâ—e Looking for or to see what answer thou wilt give them V. 23. Speare then The Italian Sarjeants they might be some of the Governours guard or Officers belonging to the Court of Iustice for securing of the high wayes or otherwise CHAP. XXIV VER 1. DEscended to Cesaren V. 5. Nazarenes the name which the Iewes in those dayes gave the Christians as incontempt they had likewise named Iesus a Nazarite from the Citie of Nazareth And afterwards was specially attributed by the ancient Church to judaizing Christians V. 6. Have judged namely to know the qualitie of his crime which was by the Romans granted to the Iewes but not to proceed to publike sentence and much lesse to execution V 8. His accusers Namely Pauls V. 10. Of many yeares wherefore by experience thou knowest their manner of proceeding and why not easily hee deceaved nor forestalled by their false allegations V. 11. There are yet and therefore there is no likely-hood that in so short a time I could raise so many 〈◊〉 and innovations in Ierusalem as they doe impute unto me V. 15. That there shall this Article is specified not only to wound the Iewes connivend in allowing of the Sadduces and persecuting of Paul See upon Acts 23. 6. but also to shew that his ayme in all his life time was but to attaine unto the blessed Resurrection Phil. 3. 11. and therefore aimed to lead his life in all righteousnesse and innocencie V. 23. Let him have libertie to bee kept out of straight prison or hard bonds and only we are a 〈◊〉 chaine about his wrist according to the Roman castome in their free'st kind of prisons Ver. 25. Of righteousnesse peradventure hee made choice of these heads belonging to the ordinary course of life and of which Felix his understanding was capable as well to not prophane the highest mysteries as to wound Felix his Conscience by laying the judgement to come before him this was publikely stained with vices contrary to these vertues CHAP. XXV VER 11. I appeale it was not rightly an appeale seeing there was yet no judgement given but a declining from a judge who was notoriously forestalled and pre-occupated and therefore refusable Or a having recourse to the Soveraignes protection against a manifest violence V. 13. Agrippa the son of Herod Agrippa Act. 12. 3. Bernice Sister to this Agrippa with whom she lived very familiarly suspected and publikely infamous for incest V. 21. Augustus Namely the Roman Emperour which then was Nero for in memory of the two first Emperours Caesar and Augustus all that successors bore these two names CHAP. XXVI VER I. STretched forth a gesture of such as begin to speake in a publicke way See Pro 1. 24. Isa. 65. 2. V. 2. I thinke my selfe for being a Iew and having knowledge in the Law and Scriptures thou wilt not disdaine to iudge of these things and also because by the grounds I shall be able to prove these things unto thee V. 6. Of the promise concerning the Messias and his benefits and his kingdome V. 7. Over twelve namely the remnant of the tens whereof the body was carried into captivity a King 17. 6. and the three other whole ones of â—u 〈◊〉 Benjamin and Levi. See Eze. 6. 17. and 8. 35. Serving according to the discipline of the Law which was a perpetuall guide to Christ holding their mindes still bent to him V. 8. Shou'd raise he toucheth the thiefe point of the Iewes incredulity namely that Christ was risen againe Whence followed the rejection of his person and the remainder of his doctrine V. 9. Contrary to the name contrary to his doctrine profession glory and authority Verse 17. From the people Namely from the Iewes V. 18. Inheritance namely part in the heavenly inheritance with my faithfull regenerated by my spirit Ephes. 1. 11. Col. 1 12. V. 23. The first namely the head of the Church who being dead for it is also risen againe first to give it spirituall and everlasting life Light namely the Gospell which as it were a light of the new world and the new life into which are re-established all Gods children by vertue of Christs Resurrection Unto the people namely to the Iewes V. 26. Knoweth being a Iew and having alwayes dwelt in Iudea he may know that which is notorious to all men concerning Christ his life and his death and the proofe of his Resurrection and likewise how all these things had beene foretold by the Prophets V. 27. That thou beleevest that thou art perswaded of the truth of their doctrine and givest full assent unto it V. 29. Except these bonds according to the custome of the Romans to fasten a little chaine to the prisoners right wrist the Souldier who was his keeper having the other end made fast to his leâ—t arme Acts 28. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 16. CHAP. XXVII VER 1. BAnd or Roman cohort which had every one their name in the legion whereof it was the tenth part See Acts 10 1. Ver. 2. Aaramyttium which was a Citie and Haven in the Mysian Sea V. 7. Salmone which was the Easterne head of Crete called by the Authors Salmonian or Samonian Ver. 8. Faire Havens a place upon the Sea Coast of Grece which yet keepes its ancient name Lasâ—a this name is not mentioned in any Authors Ver. 9. Toe fast namely the Iewes anniversary which fell on the tenth day of the seaventh month Lev. 23. 27. V. 12. Southwest it was a gulfe which lay open to those two windes whereof the one blew in above it and the other below it V. 16. 〈◊〉 a little Island belonging to the Cretans now called Gauda or Canda To come by namely to draw it up into the Ship for feare least the waves should breake it V. 17. Ungirding with strong ropes or cables for feare least it should splitt V. 24. Hath given thee for thy sake he will save them all with thee V. 26. We must we cannot avoyd it V. 30. Cast Ancres carrying them a good way into the Sea in the boat V. 31. Except these not that Gods will or power or effect of his promises doe depend upon second causes but because he who hath determined the end hath also apprinted the meanes And will not have man rashly tempting him disjoyne that which hee hath joyned together by a bond of inseparable consequence Verse 33. Fasting without
appeared nor the glorious manifestation thereof all that is yet in safe custody with God in Christs person Strive therefore to attaine to that Soveraigne end by a continuall exercise of holinesse Phil. 3. 11. 12. 14. V. 4. Who is our namely in the communion of whose Spirit you subsist in this state of spirituall life whereof Christ is as it were the root and spring which gives and preserves it V. 5. Your members namely all the affections motions and concupiscences of corrupt nature whereof is composed all that masse of vice which is called the body of sinne Rom. 6. 6. Col. 2. 11. Or by members he meanes all the vicious actions of the body Rom. 8. 13. V. 6. The children See upon Eph. 2. 2. 5. 6. V. 7. Walked that is to say which you sometimes practised Ye lived when you see all your heart and delight in them and were wholly given to them as men in whom sin raigneth V. 10. Which is renewed the renewing of which is not fulfilled in an instant but goeth forward by degrees in holinesse according as the lively enlightening of the Holy Ghost encreaseth by meanes whereof all the remainder of the worke of regeneration is accomplished Rom. 12. 2. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Eph. 4. 23. V. 11. Where there is in which worke of sanctification all these regards conditions and qualities doe neither availe nor hurt And God in producing of it hath no respect unto them But Christ Christ alone apprehended by faith for the remission of sinnes is the onely spring and cause of all good and salvation to all believers and living and working in them by his Spirit to regeneration V. 14. Above all these the Italian instead of all these to the end that you may worke all these particular things Get you a habit of charity which is the root of all these vertues The bond namely the only meanes of a true and perfect union which ought to be between believers aboue all humane conjunctions and which containeth perfectly in it selfe all the duties whereby men are joyned with God and one with the other V. 15. Of God namely that holy tranquillity in your Spirits and that spirituall concord which God requires and creates in his beleevers Rule namely governe and temper all your affections so that they may all yeeld and have a relation thereunto In one body namely in the communion of the Church which is Christs body Thankefull for the benefits received from God and men V. 16. Let the word namely the doctrine of the Gospell have a firme seate in your hearts and in the middest of your Church and as the soule dwels in the body to preserve it alive to cause it to grow and operate by it So let this active truth be in you in abundant fruits of good workes With grace in a godly gracious manner which may allure and edifie the hearers See Luke 2. 52. Acts 2 47. Ephes. 4. 29. Colos. 4. 5. In your hearts by a lively feeling of the soule and not with the lips onely V. 17. In the name calling upon his holy Name and according to his command and to his honour and service V. 18. In the Lord namely as it is fitting for women that are in Christs communion as members of his Church Or according to his command Or in respect and by vertue of him V. 20. In all things which belong to the right of parents and whereunto children are lawfully bound Ephes. 5. 24. V. 21. Lest they be lest they put off all manner of affection and desire of being thankfull to you Despairing through your immoderate rigor of obtaining your good wils Or lest they lose all joy of heart and so run into precipitate resolutions V. 22. In all things as v. 20. According to the namely your corporall and worldly masters As Eph. 6. 5. Eye service See upon Eph. 6. 6. V. 24. Of the inheritance namely the heavenly inheritance which though beleevers doe obtaine meerely by vertue of their adoption yet it is promised unto them likewise by the name of reward and guerdon for to incite them to doe well The Lord who being the Soveraigne Lord of all giveth and appointeth to every one his vocation and thereby exerciseth his command in the world CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. EQuall that is to say all enterchangeable duties of masters to servants V. 2. Watch being alwaies attentive and ready and fittingly prepared to present them unto him V. 3. Unto us as to other Apostles and Evangelists who are not prisoners as I am A doore namely that he will give us opportunity and occasion to preach his Word being at libertie V. 5. Without namely infidels and those that are strangers to the Church to give them no cause of offence or of hating persecuting and slandering the Church but rather to gaine them to you and edifie you V. 6. With grace with holie and spirituall mildenesse and in a fitting manner With Salt namely with wisedome and discretion or with good understanding which may excite and please the taste of the hearers See Marke 9. 50. V. 7. In the Lord in his worke or in the communion of his mysticall body V. 9. Onesimus some thinke it is the same as is spoken of Philem. 10. V. 11. Of the that are Jewes converted to Christianity These onely are Or mine onely workecompanions In Gods Kingdome which have been c. That is to say those that are with me and are worthie workmen The Kingdome namely in preaching the Gospell by which God gathers together and governes his Church and distributeth his everlasting goods V. 12. Labouring servently the Italian fighting assisting you in your troubles and oppositions with his servent prayers to God Perfect being no longer children but of full age in strength and understanding to know and performe the will of God See Matth. 5. 48. 1 Cor. 14. 20. V. 13. Laodicea these two Cities were neere Colosse Col. 2. 1. 16. From Laodicea it may be understood of some Epistle that the Apostle writ to the Laodiceans which was to be communicated to the Colossians and is now lost like divers more 1 Cor. 5. 9. Phil. 3. 1. yet without any diminution of the perfection of holy Scripture which consists not in a certaine number of bookes but in the full revelation of all the doctrine which is necessary to salvation and questionlesse hath in other places the same doctrines as were contained in those Epistles which are lost V. 17. In the Lord namely in his worke and service Or looke to the degree of service which thou holdest in the communion of his body V. 18. Remember that you may assist me with your prayers to confirme you in the faith by mine example and to give me occasion of comfort by your perseverance and other vertues Grace namely the grace of God in Christ. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF St. PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS ARGUMENT SAint Paul as Saint Luke reports Acts 17. had by his preaching converted divers Iewes
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.