other two gates And the name seemeth to agree therewith for Parbar may signifie fruit or rent comming from strangers V. 20. Ahijah the meaning is Ahijah was the chiefe of all these sacred treasurers amongst which Iehieli Zetham and Joel with their Families whereof they were heads had the care of the consecrated money brought in by command or by the peoples liberality the treasures see upon 2 Kings 12. 4. three sorts of these holy treasures but here is only made mention of two there being no need of the third which was the sollicited collection the other two being sufficient of themselves V. 21. Chiefe Fathers the Italian addeth there were chiefe namely at that time as David made these orders V. 23. Amramites the posterity of Amram by Moses his sonne who upon some occasion to avoid superstition or usurpation of some preheminence forbidden by the Lord did not leave his own name to his children but let them passe in the common name of Levites and Amramites see 1 Chron. 23. 14. Vzzielites the posterity of Vzziel Amrams brother Exod. 6. 18. of whom there is nothing spoken hereafter whether there bee any mutilation in this setting down which might happen through the injury of times or whether this Family bee comprehended in some of the other V. 24. The sonne descended from him by a direct line from father to sonne ruler this was a second head of the sacred treasures namely of that kinde which was extraordinarily ordained for the building of the Temple V. 25. His brethren his kindred descended from Moses his other sonne Eliezer V. 27. To maintain for the continuall maintenance of the Temple after it was built to which use it should seeme this stock of money was at first appointed leaving the first for the originall building Vnlesse by the word maintaining the building it selfe bee meant or a supply and ayd for that worke V. 29. Iezharites namely the posterity of Izhar the sonne of Kohath the sonne of Levi Exod. 6. 18. 21. outward businesse by Neh. 11. 16. it appeares that hereby must be understood the whole function of the Levites besides what they did in the Temple whether it were in the office of Iudges and inferior Magistrates Deut. 16. 18. who proceeded only by the exposition of the Law 1 Chron. 23. 4. 2 Chron. 19. 11. Or in the care of providing without all that was necessary for the building and maintenance of the Temple and service of God V. 30. In all businesse having care and power to cause the Law of God to be observed and by these the Kings decrees made thereupon were put in execution in the Countrey V. 31. In the fortieth yeare which yeare David made these partitions of places before hee appointed Solomon for his successor Iazer which city was assigned to the children of Merari Iosh. 21. 34. 39. but it is not said upon what reason or occasion the Hebroniles did seat themselves there V. 32. For every matter as v. 30. CHAP. XXVII VER I. THe children after the division of the sacred offices the military ones were divided being appointed and disposed of by David in a new manner besides the old division of the people into families thousands and hundreds c. that served these were after the manner of Legionary souldiers mustered under divers Captaines who had all one chiefe commander of the Legion to be ready upon all occasions at home and abroad serving by turnes a moneth in a year and likely the heads were continually by the Kings person though the men staied at home still ready at the Kings beck V. 3. Of Perez of Iudahs race Gen. 46. 12. V. 4. the ruler as who should say the Lievtenant Generall v. 6. 7. V. 5. A chiefe Priest the Italian principall officer because that besides this military charge he was also a court officer as great Provost or Captaine of the guard 2 Sam. 8. 18. in his course in his course wherein Amizadaâ— was Lievtenant having inferior captaines under him V. 6. The thirty of which see 2 Sam. 23. 24. above as being one of the six Colonels 2 Sam 23. 20. 22. V. 7. After him that is to say after hee was dead 2 Sam. 2. 23. V 8. Shamhuth who seemeth to be the same as Shammoth the Havorite 1 Chron. 11. 27. and Shammah 2 Sam. 23. 25. V. 11. The Zarhites the children of Zarah the sonne of Iudah Gen. 46. 12. V. 15. Heldai it seemeth to bee the same as Heleb 2 Sam. 23. 29. and Heled 1 Chron. 11. 30. V. 16. Over the tribes the Italian addeth there were rulers over c. it is uncertain whether these were commanders in warre severall from the particular precedent numbrings who should command in case of a generall levie of all the tribes over all the heads of hundreds and thousands or whether they were governours in the politick government and over the Magistrates of judicature to which seemeth to bee referred that which is spoken 2 Chron. 19. 11. V. 18. Elihu called also Eliah 1 Sam. 16. 6. V. 21. Of the tribes amongst which Asher is left out for some unknown reason V. 23. Took not for though hee had commanded it and begun yet all was left unperfect and was broken off see 2 Sam. 24. 1. 1 Chron. 21. 5. 6. because and therefore the curious requiring of the exact number of them was a tempting of God by an exact curiosity as it were to make good his promise V. 24. Because for that hee had commanded the people to be numbred below the age appointed by tâ—e Lord. V. 25. Treasures gathered up in Ierusalem in the fields they were store-houses of provisions and fruites of the earth as 1 Kings 9. 19. or of the tributes gathered of cities without Jerusalem V. 26. Of the field in the Kings own lands and so consequently V. 27. Over the over the dressing of them and the ma 〈…〉 ing belonging to them V. 29. Sharon it is not certaine whether here be meant the fruitfull valley which was in Ephraim Isa. 33. 9. and 35. 2. or the other Sharon beyond â—â—â—daâ— 1 Chron. 5. 16. V. 32. Uncle or cozen a Scribe the Italian a learned man the Hebrew a Scribe that is to say a man who understood the Scriptures Or a Doctor of the Law was with as a tutor or a governour CHAP. XXVIII VER II. OF rest where it might remaine constantly without being removed from place to place for the foot-stoole the Arke is so called Psal. 99. 5. and 132. 7. for the Lord being represented sitting above the cherubines which covered the Arke as upon a throne the body of the Arke was in stead of a foot-stoole V. 4. Chose mâ— me and my posterity untill the comming of the Messiaâ— V. 8. And seek that you study and employ your selves therein to gaine a lively knowledge of them and employ your selves in the keeping of them V. 11. Of the mercie seat the cover of the Ark is so called Exod. 25. 17 over the which
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
might be some Pagan superstition in them because he would utterly cancâ—ll all markes of the Chaldeans customes whence these came and where these eare-rings were used both by men and women Iud. 8. 24. Or because he would present his family to God in a habit of humilitie and repentance See Exod. 33 4 5. Hid them That is to say buried them privately V. 7 El-bethel The Italian hath it The God of Bethel See upon Gen. 33. 20 V. 8 Allon Bachuth The Italian hath it The â—ake of weeping It may be that this weeping hath a reference to that which is written Hos. 12. 4 V. 9 When he came While he was yet in the way before he came to his fathers house V. 10 Called his Confirmed in a vision his name which the Angell had already give him Genes 32. 28 V. 13 VVent up See upon Gen. 17. 22 V. 14 A drink offering The Italian hath it An offering to be spilt Of liquid things as of wine and oile to give God thanks according to Iacobs vow Gen. 28. 21 22 and to consecrate that stone Gen. 28. 18 V. 15 Called the name That is confirmed it solemnely in the presence of all his family and published that name which he had given it in secret Gen. 28. 19 V. 16 A little way Or a mile 2 of Kin. 5. 19 V. 18 Benoni The son of my sorrow Benjamin son of my right hand as who should say staffe of my old age see Psal. 80. 17 V. 26 Padan-Aram In the Italian it is verse 27 save only Benjamin CHAP. XXXVI VERS 2. ADah These women and their fathers were diversly named Gen. 26. 34 and 28. 9. either because they had more names or for some other unknown reason And that is very frequent in Scripture V. 6 Into the countrey That is to say further up into the countrey others have it in another countrey From the face voluntarily yeelding the place unto him Now Esau was before well seated in Seir Gen. 33. 14 16. having left his fathers house because of his wives and because he saw himself excluded from the holy race to whom the Land of Canaan was allotted by Gods order and promise Yet it is very likely that he did yet frequent the Land of Canaan and had some houshold there till that after the death of Isaac he altogether remained in Seir to avoid all occasion of strife with Jacob. V. 11 Zepho This name with diverse others that follow are diversly set down 1 Chron. 1. 36 V. 12 Timua It may be the same which is mentioned v. 22 as Aholibama 21. 2. was the same as the Horite was v. 25. and it is likely that these alliances with the Horites Esau his posteritie setled themselves in that countrie which at the last he made himself master of destroying the ancient inhabitants Deut. 2. 22 V. 15 Dukes That is heads and Princes according to whose number the countrie was divided into severall principalities and peradventure under one only supreame Lord head of all the nation Now in this partition Eliphaz as first borne had a double part his six sons being made Dukes as Esau his own children were see a like example 1 Chron. 5. 1. Those of Revel were so also it may be in part to equall Basemats progenie who had but one sonne with Aholibâ—â—us who had three V. 16. Korah This is not named amongst the children of Eliphaz v. 11. and therefore it is very likely he was his nephew V. 20. Inhabitea Who there had their habitation and command untill such time as Esau and his posteritie did drive them out of â—t Deuteron 2. 22. V. 24. The Mules By the mixture of the two kinds the asse and the horse So the Hebrews interpret it Others believe the word may be understood of certaine hot waters or minerall waters which he found out V. 31. The Kings Moses sets down the Kings which had been in Idumea before his time which he sheweth had been tyrants and usurpers or elective Princes without any right of succession seeing they were of diverse Cities and those being extinguished the state returned to its first forme of diverse Dukes v. 40. Any King before any forme of supreme governement was established amongst the people of God which began in Moses called a King Deut. 33. 5. So Esau condemned to servitude raigneth in the beginning whilest Israel who was the right master serveth in Aegypt but that was but for a little while untill the Kingdom of Israel was established and then Esau is subject unto it A pourtraiture of the world which raigneth in this age untill the Kingdome be given to the Saints Daniel 7. 22. 27. V. 37. By the river A City standing by Euphrates Gen. 10 11. V. 39. The daughter Or neece V. 40. The Dukâ—s After the Kings of Edom were failed for some reason which is not set down the Countrie was againe governed by Dukes and it should seem that the heads of Esau his nation came into their states againe And because here they are but eleven whereas before they were fourten v. 15. it is to be thought that some families were quite extinct or joyned to some other to strengthen themselves CHAP. XXXVII VERS 1. ANd Jacob This is a continuation of the narration broken off from Gen. 36. 7. V. 2. The generations Described Gen. 35. 23. now this â—eemeth to be added to take on the course of Jacobs history after the interweaving of Esaus Was feeding By reason of his youth and through the envie of his brethren he was held in the degree of a servant and in the company of the hand-maidens sons Jacobs concubines whom it is likely the other brethren disdained 〈…〉 l Of some facts or wickednesses not set dâ—wâ— in this place V. 7. Were bâ—ndâ—ng These two dreâ—mes signified the self same thing namely Josephâ— exal 〈…〉 ion above his brethren and their submission to him in their necessitie and the honour Jone to him by his father in sending his children to him before they knâ—w him V. 10. Rebuked him Being not yet perswaded that they were divine dreamâ—s or to trie whether there were no childish vanitie in this his saying or to abate his brethrens anger Thy mother Rachel Josephs mother was already dead Gen. 35. 19. but here is understood Leah his mother in Law who was Jacobs then only lawfull wife V. 25. A company A great company of merchants and travailers which were wont to travaile that way in great companies fearing the dangers of the countrie see Job 6. 19. Balm or rozen Myrrhe namely liquide myrrhe or Ladano V. 28. Midianites It is likely that this people was mixed of Ismaelites Midianites and Medanites see Gen. 16. 15. and 25. 2. V. 29. Reuben Who was not present at Josephs sale and beliâ—ved that his brothers had indeed killed him Gen. 42. 22. He rent a custome amongst the men of old times in some unexpected evill news or in some cruell case V. 34. Sack-cloth Or haire-cloth or a rough-cloth
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
religion and reformed the manners of private living and of publik government God still employing towards both kingdoms excellent Prophets using sundry punishments and visitations to bring back the people from their errors and strayings which through his mercie was never without fruit and amendment in Iudah where the holy seed and the Church of God was preserved But in the ten Tribes it served to no other end but onely to gather together some remnants of Gods elect and to reprove the peoples unbrideled malice to assure them of their approaching condemnation and to justifie Gods judgments after his long patience CHAP. I. VERS I. WAs old because hee was almost seventy years of age 2 Sam. 5. 4. V. 3. A Shunamite of Shunem a Citie of Issacar Ios. 19. 18. V. 5. I will be King because that after the death of Ammon and Absalom he was the eldest but God the Soveraign Lord of the people had long before named Salomon to bee Davids Successor 1 Chron. 22. 9. he prepared as Absalom had done 2 Sam. 15. 1. V. 6. Very goodly and therefore beloved of the people and peradventure of David himself his mother by birth-right he was next to Absalom though by another mother 2 Sam. 3. 4. and therefore David took no notice of Adonijahs desire reserving the relating of his own will which was agreeing with the will of God in the behalfe of Salomon untill the ending of his dayes because hee would avoid troubles V. 9. En-rogâ—l some place neere Ierusalem to the Eastward see Ios. 15. 7. and 18. 16. 2 Sam. 17. 17. V. 12. Save for it was cleare by Salomons being excluded from this feast that Adonijah had a great jealousie of him which jealousie was grounded upon the notice hee had of Gods Oracle concerning the succession ordained to be Salomons V. 21. With his Fathers see Gen. 15. 15. and 47. 30. offenders as having desired the Kingdom and secretly sought for thy good will against his right of first-borne V. 23. Hee was come Bathshebah being gone out at that instant as it appeareth by vers 28. V. 31. Let my Lord might it have pleased God would this change had never been but that thou mightest have lived and raigned perpetually Dan. 2. 4. V. 33. The servants the houshold servants garders and officers belonging to me your King shall even from this time belong to Salomon mine own a token of communicating or transferring of the Royall dignitie Gen. 41. 43. Est. 6. 8. to Gihon it was a hill neere Ierusalem on the West side opposite to Rogel where Adonijah had gathered his Associates together and was chosen out by David for this act of consecration to shew the contrarietie of these two Parties and to avoid any encounter which might have bred a tumult or skirmish see upon 1 Chron. 29. 22. the reiterated and solemne confirmation of this consecration which was here but summarily done V. 36. Say so too let the Lord be pleased to ratifie by his Soveraign will and decree that which thou hast now made known to us for to be thy will V. 39. A horne see upon 1 Sam. 10. 1. out of the Tabernable not Moses his Tabernaâ—le which was yet in Gibeon 1 Chron. 16. 39. and 21. 29. but that which David had set up for the Arke 2 Sam. 6. 17. V. 47. To blesse to congratulate with him for this his happy succession and to testifie their joy therfore by vowes and wishes and to give him thanks for having nominated a successor freeing them by that meanes of all care and the Kingdome of divisions and revolts bowed himself hath confirmed all this by an expresse thanksgiving to God as Gen. 47. 31. V. 50. Caught hold either going to Gibeon where Moses his Altar was at that time 1 Chron 21. 29. or to Davids Altar which he had set up in Araunahs threshing floore 2 Sam. 24. 25. Now though there were no law for the freedome of malefactors in that place yet custome had brought up this refuge to avoid any present violence and also for a signe of craving mercie in Gods name who by the sacrifices made there layed open his mercie to sinners see Exod. 21. 14. 1 Kings 2. 28. CHAP. II. VERS II. I Goe as Ios. 23. 14. a man wisely valiantly like a man of ripe and full age making good by thy vertues thy want of years thou being yet but young 1 Chron. 22. 5. V. 4 There shall not there shall never want some of thine issue which was verified in Christ Ier. 33. 17. V. 5. Put the blood putting his bloody sword up into his scabbard and wearing it so at his girdle and his shoes also all bloody in a bold and publick way as it were bragging of his murthers V. 6. In peace by a naturall and peaceable kind of death V. 7. So they came using such kindnesse towards me as I desire should be used towards them V. 9. Hold him not examine and look well into his actions for his malice will yeeld thee occasion enough to adde that old fault of his to other new ones which he will questionlesse commit so that thou maist punish him for both together V. 13. Peaceably with a friendly intent or for some good as 1 Sam. 16. 4. speaking thus because she knew Adonijah had reason to be angry with her for having procured the Kingdome for Solomon her Son V. 15. Was mine by order of birth-right being I was the elder brother V. 6. And now being frustrate of those great pretences obtaine me for my comfort this small request of Solomon and I will rest satisfied therewith V. 19. On his right as the most honourable place next to the regall throne see upon Psal. 110. 1. V. 22. Aske for him Solomon by divine inspiration perceived whereto Adonijahs request tended namely to trouble him and contend with him for the Kingdom and for to gaine the great ones good wills with whom Abisha was very gracious and besides it was the successors right for to have the deceased Kings concubines 2 Sam. 3. 7. and 12. 8. and 16. 21. For he is doe not you perceive that by this meanes he meaneth again to revive his pretences by reason of his eldership even against Gods expresse command For Abiathar the Priest for all those of his party who will strengthen him and egge him on to the destruction of me and all mine V. 24. Hath made me hath given me a firme and lasting â—â—ate which shall passe to my posterity by a lawfull succession 2 Sam. 7. 26. V. 26. Anathoth a city belonging to the Priests Iâ—sh 21. 18. Thou barest thou wer 't High Priest and didst alwayes adhere to my Father even in his greatest dangers when it was needfull to transport Gods Arke as 2 Sam. 15. 24. at which time the High Priest was of necessity to be present as a President and Superintendent Num. 4. 15 19 27. V. 28. The Tabernacle it is likely that it was Moses his Tabernacle that was in Gibeon with
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.
6. From the west namely from Greece and Macedon west from Asia where the Prophet was and where the Persians reigned The whole so those great Monarchies through ambition called themselves universall though they possessed but a small part of the world Dan. 2. 39. Yet it was that which was most esteemed and best knowne Touched not whereby is signified Alexanders extreame celerity in his conquests as if he had flien and not walked See Dan. 7. 6. A notable borne the Italian A crooked borne this is Alexanders person in his kingdome which is signified by the Goat V. 6. And he came a description of Alexanders acts against Persia by which he overthrew the Empire and made himselfe Lord of Asia V. 8. The great that is to say Alexander died suddenly in the flower of his age and the middle of all his victories Foure these are the foure Satrapies or kingdomes of the Grecians which were seazed upon by Alexanders Captaines out of the shipwrack of his Empire Babylon towards the East Asia towards the North Macedonia towards the West and Egypt towards the South which in processe of time came to two the Seluecides towards the North and the Lagides towards the South Dan. 11. 5 6. V. 9. Out of one namely out of the Seleucides who reigned in Asia and Babylon A little born namely Antiochus Epiphanes Toward the South in Egypt which Antiochus seazed upon Daniel 11. 25. 40 43. The East in Persia which was also conquered by Antiochus The pleasant land the land of Israel so called in Scripture by reason of its great prerogatives both spirituall and temporall See Jer. 1. 3. 19. Ezek. 20. 6. 15. Dan. 11. 16. 41 45. Zach 7. 14. See of these enterprizes of Antiochus upon Judea Dan. 11. 30. and the following verses V. 10. Even to the even to war against Gods Church which is as heaven where God dwelleth in grace and where the faithfull doe hold the place of Angels Isay 14 13. Dan. 8. 24. 11. 32. V. 11. Even to the Prince daring to push at God himselfe by blaspheming him and violating his service and glory See Dan. 7. 25. 11. 22 36. The daily sacrifice namely the morning and evening sacrifice Exod 29. 38. Num. 28. 3. whereby is meant all Gods service See 1 Mac. 1. 47. V. 12. And an hoste was given the faithfull shall be in great danger of apostating from the true religion and Antiochus shall give them many occasions to doe it and shall seek to induce them to it and the Lord shall put them to this triall Dan. 11. 32 35. Cast downe all use preaching and profession of Gods truth and doctrine of salvation shall be forbidden and suppressed by Antiochus Who did seek to destroy even the very books of the law 1 Mac. 1. 59. V. 13. One Saint an Angell The vision that is to say the things signified by it The transgression the idolatry of the Olimpian Jupiter which Antiochus had set up in the Temple instead of Gods pure service 2 Mac. 6. 1. which caused the extreame desolation of the Temple in some spirituall by apostacy in othersome bodily by persecutions and torments Dan. 11. 31. 12. 11. V. 14. He said unto me for that Angell had asked that question in Daniels name and for to instruct him concerning it Vnto two this time containes six yeares three moneths and eighteen dayes and that ending at the purification of the Altar 1 Mac. 4. 25. it is likely that we must take the beginning of it from that time which is set downe 1 Mac. 1. 12. 2 Mac. 4. 23. Of evening and morning the Italian addeth dayes that is to say the day and night of foure and twenty hours Gen. 2. 5. Cleansed the Italian Justified that is to say freed by Gods just judgement from Antiochus his tyranny Who had made it a receptacle of Idols to be againe according to its first institution the holy Temple of the true God Others it shall be purified from its uncleannesses V. 15. The appearance namely the Angell Gabriell in humane shape v. 16. Dan. 9. 21. V. 16. Betweene the Italian in the mids of betweene the two banks of that river or in some Island incompassed by it Gabriel the name of an Angell which signifieth strong man of God See Dan. 9. 21. Luke 1. 26. V. 17. The vision the things foretold in it shall happen about the time of the Messias his comming who shall fulfill the prophesies and the old age For to bring in a new one by renewing the state of the Church See Ezek. 38 8. Daniel 9. 24. V. 18. A deepe sleepe that is to say in my propheticall extasie I lost all manner of action and motion like a man that were overcome with sleepe V. 19. What shall be what shall befall the Jews in these last afflictions which God shall send them for a punishment for their sins after which shall be revealed the great and eternall reconciliation in Christ Dan. 9. 24 11. 36. The end there shall be a certain prefixed time for the lasting of these calamities Dan. 11. 35. V. 21. The first King namely Alexander V. 22. The nation namely of the Greek or Macedonian nation though not of Alexanders posterity V. 23. Of their Kingdome Over Gods people who after Antiochus did shake off the yoake of the Seleucides Dan. 7. 22. who notwithstanding a long time after that raigned over the remainder of their Kingdome The transgressors Which are amongst Gods people Are come to the â—ull Of open impietie and formall apostasie Dan. 11. 30. 1 Mal. 1. 12. A King namely Antiochus Epiphanes Dan. 7. 20. and 11. 21. Darke sentences See Dan. 7. 8. V. 24. Not by his owne power But by his cunning devices and the perfidiousnesse and trecheries of other men Dan. 11. 23. The mighty Great Kings and Princes and especially them of Epypt Dan. 11. 25. The holy people namely The Church of God V. 25. His policy His cunning and deceits By peace See 1 Mac. 1. 30. 31 32. The Prince namely against God himselfe who is King of kings v. 11. Broken downe shall perish stricken by God and not by men 1 Mac. 6 8. V. 26. The vision Concerning that determined number of dayes v. 14. Shut thou up As Isa. 8. 16. Dan 12. 4. Keepe it to thy selfe and reserve it in writing for posterity without much publishing of it at the present for it is not so much for the use of this age as for the use of ensuing ages CHAP. IX Vers. 3. VNto the Lord that is to say Towards heaven or towards Jerusalem a City chosen by him to be the place of his presence as Dan. 6. 10. V. 9. To the Lord Thou hast a large subject to exercise thine infinit mercy upon us which is as it were the Queen of thy perfections to which we also have recourse and not to thy Justice in this our height of iniquitie Or having sinned so excessively as we confesse we have
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
by 1 Chro. 6. much lesse that did command in war and state businesses in the countrey belonging to the ten tribes where Bethulia stood within the territory of the tribe of Zabulon And though after the conquest of Assyria by the Babylonians the name of these two Empires are often set downe one for another yet that could not be done before the said conquest and yet in this booke Nebuchadnezzar a Babylonian is alwayes called by the title of King of Assyria And besides it is a thing notoriously false that that King did command in Egypt before the conquest of Judea by meanes of which Egypt the onely opposer of the Babylonian Empire was at last set upon and conquered That is also false which is said in the eighth Chapter verse 15. 16. namely that all manner of Idolatry was then banished from amongst the people if these things happened under Manasses whose raigne is shamefully defiled with Idolatry Contrary to truth is also that which is spoken in the third Chapter namely that Jerusalem did at that time command the rest of the land of Palestine where Bethulia was and there should be so much zeale of piety and so much conjunction of Religion with Jerusalem after the captivity of the ten tribes and the mixture of those heathen nations which were setled in the countrey And the multitude of names of places is not to be omitted as Ezdraelon Kellussa Kiâ—mon Scitopolis Bethulia and the like which were never heard of before the Babylonian captivity And the name of Holophernes himselfe being a Persian name seemes to be very unfitting for a generall of a Babylonian or Assyrian army and besides that it were a most absurd thing to thinke that the Babylonians or Assyrians should not know the people of Israel as is set downe Chapter 5. 3. Seeing they had newly overrun the countrey and spoyled it divers times and had led the people into captivity which lived dispersed in their Provinces and after they had spoiled Judah and besieged Jerusalem they had also taken Manasseh who was at that time in their hands To which times it is also impossible that should have relation which is spoken Chap. 4. 2. and 5. 16. namely that the people should be returned out of any captivity and that the Temple had been ruined and afterwards re-edified and likewise it cannot be proved by any history that Nebuchadnezzar did ever intend to make himselfe the onely God upon earth and root out all other religions as is said Chapter 2. 10. Finally if Iudith lived one hundred and five yeeres Chap. 16. 21. and that after that happened which is set downe in this booke and a long time after her death people were not assaulted nor troubled by any wee must conclude that this Rest lasted above one hundred yeeres seeing that when Iudith did this she was in the flowre of her age and beautie Now this cannot agree with the sacred history which will have the most tragick desolations of Judea to be after the death of Iosias three and thirty yeeres after the death of Manasseh Wherefore it is plaine that this history cannot take place before the captivity and after it much lesse For then there was no mention of Nebuchadnezzar nor of Nineveh nor of the Assyrian Empire The Persians held all these Empires by the conquest of Babylon whose Provinces they did not take one after another as it is said in the first and second Chapter of this book neither is it to be believed that the Jewes should be unknowne to the Persians who had so solemnly given them leave to depart out of Babylon at so many severall times and they holding Palestine which was governed by their officers who would have hindred the Jewes from commanding there in any matter of State or Religion as it is set downe in this booke Whereas contrariwise the stories affirme that neither in one nor the other the ten tribes had any communion with Jerusalem wherefore we may by good reason gather that this is nothing but a feigned narration according to the custome of the Jewes and other nations for a morall representation of the Church under the name of Bethulia that is to say Virgin of the Lord and of the assaults of the world against her and of the Prince thereof signified by Nebuchadnezzar and of the victory obtained against them not by the meanes of Kings Princes and worldly powers but by the faith and prayers of pious soules or of the true spirituall Jewes and Believers signified by Iudith Which being granted it is an easie matter to resolve upon the second question namely That it is not a booke endited nor enspired by the holy Ghost which never made use of any false histories for the Churches instruction which is sufficiently done by true ones For the short parables inserted amongst other discourses and made plaine by their expopositions adjoyned to them are altogether of a different quality besides Simeons act which he did to the the Sichemites Gen. 24. 25. condemned by Iacob Gen. 49. 5. is here commended Chap 9. 3. by an unavoydable contradiction It is yet very hard to affirme at what time or to what particular end this booke was made and set forth It is likely that it was made by some Christian Jew as some other Apocripha were in the honour of his Nation and peradventure against the Romans covertly meant by Nebuchadnezzar Now as being of base authority it was also carelesly kept even from the beginning and from thence commeth the great diversity of copies whereof Saint Hierome speaks who translated it out of the Chaldean tongue with a great deale of libertie But the Greek texts which wee have followed in this translation seemes to be every way more sound and entire The Booke of Wisdome THough this Book do commonly beare in the title the name of Solomon and the author himselfe do set himselfe downe to be so yet it hath in all ages beene knowne to be the work of a Greekish Jew that is to say one of those Jewes which lived for the most part after the Greeke manner and amongst the Grecians and especially in Egypt where they had their chiefe Synagogue in the City of Alexandria And indeed the stile it selfe being altogether rhetoricall and poeticall sheweth that it was made rather amongst the Greeks then amongst the Hebrews whose inditing especially in sacred Books is altogether stamed to simplicity sobriety and severity The common opinion as well of ancient as moderne agreeth in attributing of it to Philo a Jew a person of excellent learning wisdome and eloquence who lived in the Apostles time and it is likely that to hide himselfe from the Egyptians hatred and to gaine authority and respect from his own nation he took upon him the name of Solomon in this book wherein his end seemes to be to comfort and strengthen the Iewes which lived in Egypt and were grievously oppressed and persecuted by the Egyptians in his time as the Iewish History relateth
his owne desires and affections and having no regard at all of himselfe subject 〈◊〉 wholly to Gods will and prepare and dispose himself to all manner of sufferings for my sake And so he reproveth Peter for his two vices namely his presumption and feare of afflictions V. 26. For what this is a reason added to tâ—â— exhortation of ver 24. V. 27. Shall come that is to say hee shall appeare in his essentiall glory of everlasting Sonne of God which he hath from his Father by eternall generation and in the Majesty of King of the Church and Iudge of the world bestowed upon him by his Father as he is Mediatour and in the exaltation of his humane nature into celestiall glory V. 28. Comming that is to say go-up into heaven and by his glorious going up take possession of his Kingâ—ome and from thence manifest it and exercise it here in the world by his word and spirit CHAP. XVIL VER 2. TRansfigured not in his natural shape forme and stature of his body but in regard of a miraculous splendor with which hee was covered as it were for a proofe of his glory V. 3. Moses to signifie the consent and concordancie which was betweene Christ and the Law and the Prophets Now they were knowne to the Apostles either by mentall revelation or by their discourses V. 4. It is good words of a man in rapture not knowing what he said Luke 9. 33. dazeled with the Majestie of this glory transported with the present joy contrary to the terror of the death and passion of the Lord whereof Moses and Elias were talking with him Luke 9 31. V. 5. Overshadowed them Namely those representations of Moses and Elias which it is very likely was but in vision and vanished away this cloud covering them And Iesus remained alone appearing in his true body and reall substance V. 9. Tell the vision See the cause thereof upon Matth. 16. 20. V. 10. Why then Seeing that Elias who appeared even now hath againe withdrawne himselfe how can this agree with the common opinion of the Iewish Doctors grounded upon the Prophesie of Mal. 45. though evill understood that he must come into the world before the comming of the Messias shall he come another time and in another manner Or seeing thou art already come and hast revealed thy selfe in thy glory how doe they say that Elias ought to come before thee V. 11. And restore that is to say hee shall serve to conwert Gods people from their evill wayes and corruptions both in doctrine and manner of living and shall prepare them to receave Iesus Christ and so shall establish the state of the Church See Luke 1. 16 17. Verse 15. Lunaticke that is to say by the meere operation of the Devill or by a naturall disease accompanied with or aggravated by the possession of the Devill v. 18 See Mat. 9. 32. and 12. 22. V. 17. O faithlesse it appeares by Marke 9. 14. that he doth hereby reprove the Iewes who contended with the Disciples and contradicted their doctrine aâ— if they could not have verified it by this miracle It might also bee a generall reproofe to the father of the Child and to the Iewes for their incredulity and to the Disciples also because that for want of Faith in Christs speciall promise Matth. 10. 1. they had made themselves incapable of doing this miracle V. 20. If yee have saith seeing that the command of working miracles and the promise of Gods assistance to the working of them was not generall to all beleevers but particular to the Apostles and other persons of those primitive ages of the Christian Church to whom God revealed this his will Therefore by this word Faith must noâ— bee understood the common faith of all beleevers to the generall promises of Gods grace but the particular faith in those promises 1 Cor. 12. 9. and this faith was a condition which God required in that man whom he would asist with his power in the working of that miracle Te shall say if God hath made you any such promise Or if by secret inspiration it bee revealed unto you that it is convenient and necessary for the confirmation of the Gospell V. 21. This kind It seemes that from hence and Matth â—2 45. It may bee gathered that there are some Devills more malignant cruell and obstinate them others And others beleeve that the difference consists onely in the more or lesse power that God doth grant them By prayer not by a transistory act of faith but by a long and persevering exercise of it to obtaine at Gods hands the victory over so powerfull and rebellious an enomy of faith desiring Gods power by prayer and prayer being enflamed and purged by fasting V. 24. They that these it should seeme were the Collectors of the halfe Sheckellâ— that every Iew above twenty yeares of age did pay yearely after hee was once set downe in the roll of his Nation Exod. 30. 13. who under the Roman Empire and in Capernaum a Citie of Galilce where there was a mixture of Pagans and many Iewes which were not very religious and libertines gathered this money onely of those who voluntarily paid it without any enforcement or authority For the Romans under AUGUSTUS had assigned this money for the Capitoll though the most pious kinde of Iewes paid it also voluntarily to the Temple See Mat. 22. 17. Doth not that is to say is not your master one of those good and willing Iewes that of their owne accord pay this dutie to the Temple V. 16. The Children that is to say according to this common reason I the Sonne of God and Lord of the Temple should be free But seeing I am not yet knowen to 〈◊〉 such I will pay it because that this people shall not take me to be a contemner of Gods order and service V. 27. For mee and thee peradventure because the other Disciples were absent or because these Collectors had spoken to Peter lonely CHAP. XVIII VER 1. IN the Kingdome Namely in the kingdome of the Messias which is called of heaven that is to say spirituall and divine by reason of the Lawes and state thereof and by reason of the quality required in his subjects and of the last accomplishment of it in heaven Now the Disciples thorow ignorance imagined there should bee in it degrees of worldly greatnesse and from thence proceeded their question V. 3. As little in humility simplicitie feare innocencie docility c. See Mat. 11. 25. V. 5. One such namely a true Christian that shall have laid aside all worldly pride whereby hee is become abject in the fight of the world V. 6. Offended despising or wronging him for his simplicâ—â—y and humilitie and shall thereby have disturbed him in the course of his heavenly vocation and holy disposition and caused him to take evill councell and forsake it Or to conceave any sorrow therefore and grow faint therein A milstone the Italian addeth an asse
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