by his neighbours the Arabians and other Easterne nations as being upon their confines beyond Jordan according to the custome of borderers He makes an allusion between the Hebrew name for troopes of souldiers and forragers and the name of God At the last Or at the last he shall prey and forrage V. 20 Out of Asher The Italian hath it Out of Ashers countrey That is to say he shall have aboundance of all things to live on in his own countrie V. 21 A hinde A nation of a quick and ready wit yet courteous and loving without gall or offence to others like a tame hinde Prov. 5. 19. which needeth no watch nor locking V. 22 Bough A figurative description of the marveilous increase of Josephs progenie chiefly by Ephraim Gen 48. 16. 19. V. 23 The arâ—â—ers Though he hath always been as the But at which too many unjust persecutions have shot by his brothers his master his mistresse yet hath he through Gods grace withstood all these assaults without diminishing either in state or faith and he hath alwayes raised him up greater and happier to be the relief of his Church in the extremitie of famine V. 24 Of the mightie God the Italian hath it Of the mightie of Iacob that is God in whom lieth all his Churches strength see Psa. 132. 2. V. 25 Of heaven In dewes raine sunne-shine and other celestiall influences Lev. 26. 4. Deut. 28. 12. Of the deep By springs and streames which do all issue out of the great masse of waters which is under the earth Of the breasts by the copious bringing forth and bringing up of children and cattel Deut 28. 4. 11. V 26 The blessings The favours I have received of God have abounded above them of my forefathers as in respect of the great number of children which God hath given me as in regard they are all admitted to be of the blessed seed and none of them hath been cast out as in the families of Abraham and Isaac besides other wonderfull gifts wherewith God hath blessed me Vnto the A proverbiall manner of speech which signifieth the highest of a thing as the tops of the high hills are above the plaines Now he saith the everlasting hills as Deut. 33. 15 Hab. 3. 6. because that for the most part they were from the beginning created in the same forme and manner as they have continued in ever since They shall As I have received thâ—se favours through Gods blessing so I do wish them in thee through my blessing which I assure my self God will ratifie Of him Of thee Joseph whom God hath made remarkable in spirituall and temporall gifts and raised to so excellent a dignitie V. 27 A Wolfe A description of the warlike customes of this tribe V. 28 All these This is the state of the partition of the twelve tribes of which Jacob had spoken in this his propheticall will According That is to say according to those gifts as God would bestow upon them which will was revealed to Jacob. V. 33 Gathered up An act of a sweet and quiet breathing his last as of a man that falleth a sleep CHAP. L. VERS 2. IMbalme This custome of the Aegyptians was grounded upon vanitie and the fond desire of shunning or prolonging the condemnation of sin which is returne to dust Gen. 3. 19. But since God having spoken nothing thereof in his Law it hath been held as a thing indifferent V. 4 Spake Because that those which mourned did not go abroad Gen. 2. 32. and it was not lawfull to appeare before the King in mourning habit Hest. 4. 2. as well by reason of the sadnesse of the spectacle as also because the meeting of such a one was held for an evill signe V. 5 Digged In that great cave or hole in the rock Jacob had caused a monument to be cut according to the fashion see 2 Chron. 16. 14. Isa. 22. 16. Matth. 27. 60 V. 7 The Elders of his Councellors Senators and Officers V. 11 Abel-Mizraâ—m That is the Aegyptians sorrow or the plaine of the Aegyptians sorrow for Abel signifieth both sorrow and plaine V. 17 Forgive the Words of messengers and intercessors V. 18 Behold we be We yeeld our selves unto thee and we acknowledge that thou hast reason to requite us for the slavery we sold thee into V. 19 Am I in To work my own revenge which belongeth to God alone Deuteron 32. 35. and to oppose my selfe to his Councell and decree through which I was to be afflicted and tried Psal. 105. 19. and to turne that to be an evill to you which he had ordained for your good Gen. 45. 5 V. 23 Upon Iosephs knees He held them as his own and brought them up tenderlie even from their infancy V. 24 His brethren Under which name were comprehended his nephews also Visite you Shall make you feele the effects of the care he taketh of you by delivering you out of captivitie See Gen. 21. 1 V. 25 My bones That is my dead body see the reason of this desire Gen. 47. 29 THE SECOND BOOK OF MOSES called Exodus THE ARGVMENT THis book hath been by the Graecian Interpreters called Exodus that is to say the comming forth because the chief subject thereof is the history of the miraculous comming forth of Gods children out of Aegypt where they had been detained after the death of Ioseph in long and cruell slavery and oppression untill the time appointed by Gods promises for their deliverance to bring them into the Land of Canaan promised to their forefathers And just then the Lord by the hands of Moses and Aaron set the people in full libertie after he had with many and terrible plagues broken and tamed Pharaohs pride causing them to passe drie foot through the red Sea where he drowned Pharaoh and all his host that pursued them That the people after that time might not have nor acknowledge any other God and Lord but the everlasting Sonne of God who had manifested himself unto them by a new glorious and most singular name which he revealed unto Moses and had instituted the new Sacrament of the Passeover for a remembrance of this miraculous deliverance After which he himself conducted them through the desert even to mount Synai where he more particularly and solemnly renewed hâ—s Covenant with them giving them his Law together with many ordinances ceremonies and Statutes as well Ecclesiasticall as Politick to consecrate and appropriate them altogether to himself and to sever them from all intermixture with prophane Nations and chiefly to keep them alwayes ready through faith and desire for the comming of the Messias in the â—lesh in whom was to be the accomplishment and substance of all these shadowes and figures of the Law Appointing also the Priesthood and ordinary service of God amongst his people and a holy Tabernacle in manner of a moveable Temple with all its ornaments and parts amongst which the Arke of the Covenant held the first place over which the Sonâ—e
the Altar 1 Chron. 16. 39. and 21 29. Caught hold see upon 1 Kings 1. 50. V. 31. Blood the guilt of his murthers with which I should be burthened if I did not punish him for it V. 34. In the wildernesse a place for pasturage and feeding of cattell and was part of that countrey which belonged to the tribe of Iudah V. 35. Put in the roome putting in execution by his soveraigne power Gods order concerning the succession of the first borne to the Priest-hood Zadok being descended from Eleazar Aarons first borne 1 Chron. 6. 50. and 24. 3. and his expresse declaration made afterwards 1 Sam. 2. 31. V. 37. Thy blood thou shalt beare the punishment of thy capitall offence and shalt be the causer of thine own death V. 43. Of the Lord made in his name he being the maintainer of it the said oath having all its efficacy and vertue from him and by his ordinance V. 45. Before the Lord being wholly consecrated to his service Or through Gods perpetuall care and providence V. 46. Was established after all the heads of factions and dissentions were cut off CHAP. III. VERS I. AND took seeing Solomon was not blamed for entring into this kindred and that hee yet remained in the perfect state of wisdome and piety we ought to beleeve that it was done upon condition that the woman should turne to the true service and worship of God which seemes to be confirmed in the verse following contrary to that which he did afterwards 1 Kings 11. 4 5 7. V. 2. Only this verse ought to bee joyned to the next in this sence In all but this namely of having a constant and setled place for sacrifices according to Gods commandement Deut. 12. 5. Solomon in his beginning was a most religious observer of Gods true service in high places upon certain little hills and rising places through a perverse imitation of the ancient Patriarkes And although Moses his Altar were in those dayes in Gibeon the people assumed liberty to sacrifice elsewhere straining that to an extraordinary abuse which had been tolerated onely in some extraordinary cases and to some certain persons See Exod. 20. 24. Deut. 27. 6. The name of namely unto God who did manifest himselfe in the sacred signes of his presence Deut. 12. 5. V. 4. The King in the middest of this variety of Altars which was tolerated for a time Solomon notwithstanding bare a singular devotion to Moses his Altar V. 7. To goe out I know neither how to govern my selfe nor my people having not yet sufficient wisdome or experience through want of yeares V. 9. To judge that is to say to govern by doing them justice V. 12. Any King or Prince equall unto thee in the art or quality of well governing V. 15. And behold by the lively feeling of Gods spirit and through the light and impression which remained in him he knew it was a divine dreame as Gen. 41. 7. V. 16. Harlots common harlots being forbidden Deut. 23. 17. we ought to beleeve either that the law was not strictly observed or that they were some particular mens bond-women that were not married or that they were sojourners according to the other signification of the Hebrew word as Ioshua 2. 1. V. 26. Yerned or waxed warme V. 28. Of God or divine infused into him through Gods spirit CHAP. IV. VERS II. VVHich he had the Italian of his Court or which belonged unto him V. 3. Recorder see upon 2. Sam. 8. 6. V. 4. Abiathar if it be the same as is spoken of 1 Kings 2. 26. it must be understood that though he was degraded by Solomon yet he kept the name and next degree under Zadok V. 5. The officers of which verse 7. Principall that is to say his favorite or private friend and the second person in government V. 9. Makaz this name of city or countrey is not mentioned in any other place but by the rest which are here added they belonging to the tribe of Dan it is very likely that this was also of the same tribe V. 10. In Aruboth this place is not mentioned any where else but by the aforesaid reason it should be in the countrey belonging to the tribe of Iudah V. 11. Dor see Iosh. 17. 11. V. 12. Taanach see Iosh. 17. 11. Zartanah this is not the same as Ioshua 3. 16. and 1 Kings 7. 46. Abel-Mehola see Iudges 7. 22. Iokneam it seemeth to bee the same Iokneam as is mentioned Ioshua 19. 11. and 〈◊〉 34. which was in the confines of Zabulon V. 14. Mahanaim Ioshua 13. 16. V. 21. The River namely Euphrates according to Gods promise Gen. 15. 18. V. 22. Measures the Italian hath the Hebrew word Cors which was the name of a large measure which contained ten Epâ—as V. 23. Fâ—llow Deer the signification of the Hebrew word is very uncertaine but most interpreters hold that it was a kind of wild goat V. 24. Tiphsah this was some city of Syria neare 〈◊〉 Euphrates V. 26. Forty thousand 2 Chron. 9. 25. there is mention made but onely of foure thousand stalles therefore we must imagine that in each stall there were ten severall distinct places to place a horse in each one V. 30. The East namely Arabians or Caldeans who as well as the Egyptians Acts 7. 12. were very skilfull in liberall arts and naturall sciences V. 31. Ethan there were Israelites of the tribe of Iudah descended from Zerah and therefore Ethan was called the Ezrahite see 1 Chron. 2. 6. Psal. 88. 1. and 89. 1. V. 32. Proverbs part whereof are set downe in the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes V. 33. The hysop it is so called ordinarily by reason of the similitude of the Hebrew name yet others â—old iâ— to be rather wall-Rue CHAP. V. VERS III. VNto the name which should beare the name of the Lord and should be peculiarly consecreated to his service and presence 1 Kings 3. 2. V. 9. Food for Tire and Sidon wanted food and made provision thereof in the land of the Israelites Ezr. 3. 7. Ezech. 27. 17. Acts 12. 20. For my houshold or for my Court this was the price of the timber besides other quantities of co 〈…〉 e which Solomon gave the workmen for their labours 2 Chron. 2. 9. V. 11. Measures see 1 Kings 4. 22. pure oile the Italian virgin oile see upon Exodus 27. 20. yeare by year which by all likely-hood lasted no longer then while the Temple was building and those workmen and materials were employed V. 14. Over the levie to make the levie and to see them follow their work V. 15. That bare these were strangers as also the three thousand of the verse following 2 Chron. 2. 2. V. 16. Three hundred in the selfe-same place of the Chronicles there are six hundred but certainly three hundred were over and above to make the number compleat at any time upon any chance V. 17. Costly the Italian fine namely by reason of the hardnesse and
The Italian hath it Of Cedar So the Jews commonly expound the word which in their language signifieth a faire and goodly tree Thicketrees The Italian hath it Mirtle tree The Hebrew word signifieth a thicke tree but your ancient Jews have especially understood it of the mirtle tree CHAP. XXIV VERS 3. OF the testimony Drawn before the Arke where the tables of the Law were which were called the testimony Exo. 25. 16. V. 4 The pure Made of pure gold and kept exceeding pure V. 6 The pure table Covered over with pure gold Exo. 25. 24. V. 7 Purefrankircense See upon Exod. 30. 34. A memoriall For that part of the offering which belonged to God for the remainder was the Priests see upon Lev. 2. 2. V. 8 Everlasting covenant That is to say by my command and your own voluntary agreement to obey it V. 9 Andit shall be After he hath put new ones there upon the Sabbath day Most holy See upon Lev. 2. 3 V. 11 The name That singular essentiall and glorious name of everlasting Lord by which name he had revealed himself to his people by Moses Exo. 3. 14. V. 14 Lay their hands For a confirmation of their witnesse Stone him The ordinary punishment for blasphemers Deut. 7. 5. 1 King 21. 13. V. 22 For I am I command you by vertue of the absolute power which I have over you and I will have you herein to be imitators of my indifferent Justice free from all acceptation of persons CHAP. XXV VERS 2. VVHen ye come The beginning of these Sabbaticall yeares was taken from the six and fourtieth yeare after the peoples comming out of Egypt the sixth yeare after their comming into the Land of Canaan when the Land was divided as it appeareth by Jos. 14. 7. 10. Shall the Land The Italian hath it The Land shall have its rest It shall not be plowed nor fruit A Sabbath Not for any naturall or oeconomicall respect to let the tired Land get strength but with a holy rest dedicated to my service for a more expresse document besides the Sabbath of the dayes of eternall rest particular to every faithfull at his death and afterwards generall at the blessed resurrection when there shall be a generall enfâ—anchizement of all Gods children and their new entrance into their heavenly inheritance V. 4 For the Lord Sacred and religious to him V. 5 Undressed In the Hebrew Nazaritish to the resemblance of the Nazarites who did not cut their haire Num. 6. 5. V. 8 Shall be meat Indifferently for any one as shall come to it upon the place without laying it up or making any bundle of it by way of harvest or vintage V. 9 The seventh Which was the first of the civill yeare Exod. 12. 2. Lev. 23. 24. according to whose moneths they counted the times of politick affaires to the order of which the Jubile was for the most part referred though with some instruction for divine and eternall things The Trumpet Which was the ordinary signe of festivall dayes Numb 10. 10. and 29. 1. V. 10 Hallow Distinguish it from all other common yeares to execute in it those commandements which I enjoyne you and shall be a sacred signe unto you of the acceptable yeare of the Lord under the Messias Isa. 61. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 2. The fiftieth Seeing the Jubile was only the revolution of seven weekes of yeares and that in the verse 20 concerning the Jubile there is nothing spoken but onely of the seventh yeare and that besides it would have been a hard matter to let Lands lie still for two yeares together and that the Jewes never reckoned the Jubile but by the seventh Sabbaticall yeare we must understand the number of fifty in that vulgar manner comprehending the yeare of the precedent Jubile Since that indeed from one Jubile to another there was but nine and fourty yeares Liberty Libertie from all slaverie for the Israelites see Exod. 21. 6. Iubile This word is by many interpreted to signifie a rammes horne to sound with But it seemeth that it signifieth rather a consort of many such hornes trumpets and such like loud-sounding instruments And it may be that this name was derived from the first Inventer of Musicall instruments called Jabal Gen. 4. 21. see Exod. 19. 13. Jos. 6. 4. Possession Which hath been sold and alienated Family From which he is gone away having sold himselfe for a slave or being sold by his father v. 39. V. 12 Out of the field And not out of a garner cellar or other store-houses v. 6. V. 14 Oppresse Let him not take an occasion by reason of his poverty to dispossesse him of his inheritance V. 15 Jubile Namely the last part Of the fruits The Italian hath it Oâ— the rent That is to say of the fruits more or lesse which thou mayest gather out of his Land for the yeares to come out of the next Jubile V. 21 For three yeares That is to say for the end of the sixth all the whole seventh and the eighth untill harvest time see 2 King 19. 29. Isa. 37. 30. V. 22 Of old fruit Of the sixth yeare The Italian addeth Of that harvest V. 23 For ever The Italian hath it Absolutely That is to say quite cut off without leaving any hope to the seller ever to redeem it Is mine I reserve unto my self the right of property in it and grant you nothing but the bare use of it therefore I will not have you alienate it at your pleasure neither will I suffer you to bargaine for any things but onely for the fruits but as for the Land it selfe it must alwayes remaine as by perpetuall lease unto those persons and families to whom I have given it V. 25 Possession In the fields for there was another Law for houses in Cities v. 29. Any of The Italian hath it The next of See Ruth 3. 2. 9. 12. Jer. 32. 7. V. 27 The over-plus Of the price of the yeares which are yet to come before the Jubile according to the number of which yeares he had made his sale V 32 Of the Cities Of which see Num. 35. 2. Jos. 21. 4. V 33 And if a man purchase The Italian hath And he amongst the Levites that shall redeem That is to say the next of kinne thaâ— hath between Jubile and Jubile redeemed that house by reason of the kinred For the houses Seeing the Levites have no other proper inheritance but only their Cities and some places about them Num. 35. 2. without any Lands or other possessions because they lived by tithes Num. 18. 24. their houses may not be alienated no more than the Lands of other Israelites V. 34 But the field They were certaine places of a thousand cubites in the suburbs or places adjoyning to the Levites Cities for them to keep and feed their cattel in Num. 35. 4. which being all undivided and lying in common no particular person had any power to make any bargaine for it as he might
we feare these things that are strangers and enemies unto them CHAP. XIV VERS 4. AND let us return which God had expressely forbidden them Deu. 17. 16. Because that Egypt being the figure of spirituall bondage God would have the people to have it for a perpetuall document to abhor to return under the old bondage of sun out of which God of his grace had freed them and also that such a glorious effect of his power might never be annihilated V. 5. Fell on their To prepare the people with their humility to give over this enterprise or to pray to God to turne them from it by his spirit and power Num. 16. 4 and 20. 6. V. 6. Rent In token of extream grief and anger V. 8. If the Lord It wee do not provoke him to wrath by our sins V. 9. They are bread God hath given them into our hands to destroy them and to get all their goods Their defence the Italian hath it their shadow their protection and safety which had hitherto been nothing but Gods patience their measure being not yet ful heaped Gen. 15. 16. to make an opposition between those accursed people abandoned of God and the children of Israel which lived secure under the shadow of the cloud See Ex. 32. 25. Is 22. 8. Mic. 1. â—1 V. 10. The glory Some extraordinary light brightnes signe of Gods glorious presence in the cloud come down lower and spread above the Tabernacle see Ex. 26 16 17. and 40. 34. Lev. 9. 23. Num. 16. 19. 42. and 20. 6. V. 13 For thou I fear lost the Egyptians upon whom thou hast hitherto glorified thy self in the deliverance of thy people now take an occasion to blaspheme thee by reason of their destruction V. 14 Art seen In the signes of thy presence though not in any visible likenes Deut. 4. 15. which was reserved for Moses alone Num. 12. 8. V. 15 As one man At once at one stroak V. 17. I beseech thee let the Accomplish thy work to shew that nothing can be done contrary to thy will V. 18 Cleering The pardon to which I am inclined is not an indisterency or connivence at sin which I always late and punish in all those that continue in it through impenitency and cause the very repentants after I have remitted them their punishments as I am judge to feele my fatherly corrections and punishments See Ex. 23. 7. V. 20 I have pardoned I doe remit unto them the punishment of present and universall death dâ—nbunced by my threatnings v. 12. V. 21 All the earth As I am jealous to maintaine the glory of my justice and providence over all the World much more will I be jealous in doing it in the middest of my people Others all the earth shall be or ought for to be filled that is to say as I will by my works and finally by my word be known and worshipped all the world over for what I am so I will by effects make it knowne to them to whom I have already revealed my self V. 22 Tempted me See upon Ex. 17. 2. ten times that is to say very often as Gen 31. 7 yet some will take this in its proper signification V. 24. Caleb which whom â—s Joshua also to be understood as v. 30. and 38. Spirit hath been moved and inspired by a better spirit namely by Gods spirit Followed 〈◊〉 hath believed in mâ— with an entire heart without varying or wavering Whereinto see upon Num. 13. 33. V. 25 The Amalekites since I have consented unto thee not to destroy this people upon a suddain take heed lest they run from themselves into ruine voluntarily going on against mighty enemies without mine ayd Canaanites these are the Canaanites of the mountaines or the Amorites being different from the Canaanites which were by the sea coasts Num. 13. 31. and 21. 1. In the valley Beyond the hill where you now are Of the red sea Toward Egypt whereunto you had conspired to return V. 28 As you have spoken Namely desiring to die in the desert v. 2. V. 30 Doubtlesse ye shall not The Italian hath it if you doe come into A shortned kind of an oath To make you dwell Namely your Nation in generall V. 33 Wander The Italian hath it shall seed leading heards-mens lives without any firme habitation as the Arabians in the wildernesse Others wandring like sheep in the pastures Fourty untill the fourtieth yeare after the comming out of Egipt because that after this threatning untill they came into the land of Canaan there were but eight and thirty yeares Deut. 2. 14. Whoredome That is to say idolatries which are the spirituall fornications of the soule by a breach of faith to God wherein the people are taxed to have failed often in the wildernesse Num. 15 39 Deut. 32. 17. Amos 5. 25. Act 7. 43. V. 34 Each daie for a yeare The Italian Each year for a day See Ezech. 4. 6. My breach The Italian I will break A kind of humane speech that is to say I shew you that my promises made in generall to my people doe not belong to unbelievers and rebells but onely to them which observe the conditions of my covenant and towards them onely shal my promises never change nor alter V. 37 By the plague Of some strange suddaine and violent death sent supernaturally by the Lord some take it to be the plague it selfe V. 41 Transgresse For God had comanded them to turne their faces towards the red sea v. 25. V. 44 The Arke By which was to be guided every removall in this voyage See Num. 10. 33. V. 45 Hormah A place called by anticipations see Num. 21. 3. CHAP. XV. VERS 4. A Tenth deale called an Omer Exod. 16. 39. V. 15 Before the Lord in holy things belonging to my service there ought to bee no difference between the native Israelite and the Proselite or believing stranger and I will accept of and be propitious to the one as well as to the other V. 19. When yee Every year when harvest is ended you shall eat new corne V. 24 Of the congregation Lev. 4. 13. There is some diversity whereby it seemeth that either God hath here expounded and aggravated his Law to make the people more circumspect or that it is not spoken in both places of the same faults committed by ignorance But that in Levit. is spoken of common errors and faults and here of those onely which are committed in those actions which belong to Gods service V. 30. Ought that is unlawfull or wicked Presumptuously premeditately on porpose through boldnesse and arrogancy See Lev. 26. 21. Job 15. 26. Psa. 19. 13. or publikely and boldly as Exod. 14. 8. Cut off punished with death V. 31. Shall be Let the misdeed returne and the punishment remaine upon the sinner himselfe and let it not through connivence to him be imputed to all the people V. 33 The Congregation In this and the like places it should seem by the Congregation is
God and not be prophaned by any common use or left at randome see Lev. 27. 28. V. 38. Of these sinners Who through their sin have been the causers of their own deaths Of the Altar of burnt offerings which was of wood Exodus cha 27. 1 V. 45. They fell To beseech the Lord and make intercession for the people as Num. 20. 6. V. 46. Take A signe of intercession by a prayer of charity and publick office see Rev. 8. 3. is a figure of the only intercession of Christ by merits The plague that is to say the mortality which happened suddainly and by miracle CHAP. XVII VERS 2. To the house That is to say the Tribe V. 3. Aarons As head of the hense of Levi. V. 4. Before the In the holy place of the Tabernacle right over against the place where the Arke of the Testimony was within the Sanctuary the great curtain being between Where I See upon Exod. 25 22. Num. 7. 89. V. 7. Before the In the holy place over against the Arke V. 10. Befo e the By Hebrews the 9. 4. it appeareth that this rod was layd and keep within the great curtaine V. 12. Behold Words of terror by reason of the slaughters which had lately happened V. 13. Commeth any thing neere Rashly and without being called The people would infer thus We are and may every day be guilty of this fault shall we then continually remain in the terror of these horrible judgements CHAP. XVIII VERS 1. SHall beare Now having confirmed you in the Priesthood I will cause you only to give me an account of all errors that shall be committed therin V. 2. Joyned An allusion to the name of Levi which signifieth joyned Gen. 29. 34. And minister See Num. 3. 6 7. Minister The Italian hath it Stand as well to stay there continually Num. 3. 38. as to attend upon the Sacrifices and offerings which were offered upon the Altar before the Tabernacle V. 3. Nor you also Because that cannot come to passe but only through your negligence V. 4. A stranger That is not a Levite V. 5. Of the Sanctuary Of the holy place to light the Lamps to renew the shew bread and to make the daily perfumes Exod. 27. 21. and 30 7. Lev. â—4 3. Num. 8. 2. of the most holy place to go in once a yeare with the bloud Exod. 30. 10. Lev. 16. 2 17. That there be no As it was when Korah and his sect intruded into the Priests office V. 6. For the Lord The Italian From the Lord Or for the Lord to help you in his service V. 7. And within In the most holy place See Exo. 26. 31 33. if so be by the curtaine the carpet be not meant which was at the coming in to the holy place Exod 26. 36. I have given you for a property incommunicable to others V. 8. I also have given thee By my precedent Laws Lev. 6. 16 18 26. and 7. 6 32. Num. 5. 9. By reason of the by reason of the Priesthood sealed by the holy unction as Lev. 7. 35. V. 9. Most holy See upon Lev. 2. 3. Reserved after the part which ought to be offered to God hath beene burnt upon the Altar as Lev. 2. 2 3. and 7. 5 6 7. Trespasse offering For holy things taken through ignorance Lev. 5. 15. V. 10. In the most holy place At the entrance of the Tabernacle called here the most holy place to distinguish it from the peoples court and every other place about the Campe which was not uncleane Lev. 6. 16 26. and 14. 13. V. 11. The heave offering See Exodus chapter 29. verse 27. Leviticus chapter 7. verse 32. Of their gift Of their voluntary offerings of thankes-giving c. Leviticus chapter 7. verse 14. and 10. 14. With all the Because that all which was offered to God was thus waved See Exodus chapter 29. verse 24. V. 12. The best The Italian The floure Their first fruits which they must also offer unto me of all the best fruits of the earth V. 15. Of men Which were offered unto God when they were specially consecrated to his service Num. 8. 11 21. V. 16. A moneth The first borne before they were redeemed ought to bee presented to God in his Temple Exodus chapter 13. verse 12. Luke chapter 2. verse 22. And that could not be done before the mother was purified which required forty dayes time Leviticus Chapter 12. verse 4. According to thine See Leviticus Chapter 27. verse 〈◊〉 V. 17. Upon the Altar Upon the hornes therof by sprinkling and the residue at the foot thereof by powring Leviticus Chapter 4. 7. cha 25. v. 30. and 5. 9. V. 18 Wave breast Of all sacrifices that were not wholly burnt upon the Altar V. 19 Heave offerings Any part or member of the beast voluntarily offered which the offerer shall be willing to offer unto God by heaving A Covenant An order for the recompence of your service which I cause the people to give you Of salt Authenticall inviolable as anciently the most solemne ceremony that was used in Covenants was to take and eat of the same salt and it was esteemed more sacred and firme then to eat at the same table and drink of the same cup see 2 Chro. 13. 5. Before the of which I have been the only appointer and will be the maintainer of it V. 20 I am My rights which I appoint thee to receive of the people in offerings tithes first fruits c. are thy revenues and maintenance see upon Jos. 13. 14. Inheritance As for Aaron and all his descent which were high Priests this is absolutely understood of them for they had no other inheritance But as for other Priests the meaning is that they were not to possesse any Lands for tillage or fields or vine-yards but they might have Cities and pastures for beasts Jos. 21. 4. Jer. 32. 7 8. V. 22 Come nigh To do any part of Gods service V. 23 Shall beare I will have them recompensed for their service and I will have them also beare the punishment for any faults that shall be committed therein V. 24 Which they offer This offering was a kinde of first fruits which belonged unto the Priest Deuteron 18. 4. and it was different from the first fruits touched verse 13. because that in these there was wine oile and corne made ready in the other there were nothing but grapes eares and olives And by this addition out of which the offering was taken these titles are distinguished from those which are mentioned Deuteronom 14. 22. 28. and 26. 12. of which nothing was taken out for the Lord. V. 26 For the Lord To be given unto his Priest V. 27 Shall be reckoned unto you The Lord hath accepted of it in your behalfe no lesse than if it had preceeded out of your owne labour and work Fulnesse of the wine presse The Italian the Muste of the wine Heb. fulnesse see Exo 22. 29. V. 28 To Aaron To
received the gift of regeneration Which is the plainer because that the most part of these statutes were confessions remedies and expiations of sin CHAP VII VERS 7. MOre in number As in worldly Kingdomes dominion over a great and powerfull nation is more esteemed than the dominion over a little and feeble one seeing greater glory profit and service is to be expected from it And according to this quality may be valued and rated all other qualities which amongst men may incite others to love or desire any thing V. 10 To their face As an enemy withstanding him face to face or openly as they do who by reason of their great powers do work their revenges openly not privately and by wiles Or thus shaming them by the reproach of their impiety V. 16 A snare A meanes and occasion of ruine and perdition V. 22 By little and little He will not employ his omnipotency therein to work against them in an instant without meanes but he will do according to the quality of humane meanes which he will make use of herein which is to worke by succession of time and by the order and pursuite of the issues V. 25. Snared therein Subtilly and unawares brought into some idolatry and so brought within the compasse of punishment V. 26 Lest thou be Lest thou be irremissibly condemned to utter destruction as the idols and all their substance are to be rooted out CHAP. VIII VERS 2. TO know A humane kinde of speaking for God hath no need of triall to know by signes or effects that which he seeth in the springs affections and motions of the heart But it is to shew that God discovering the secrets of the heart openeth the way for the works of his providence either in justice or in mercy V. 3 By every word Namely by any thing to which God shall bee pleased to grant the power of nourishing Or by the onely issuing forth of his power called in the Scripture word without using of any externall meanes in which sense this passage is alleaged Mat. 4. 4. V. 4 Waxed not old This happened by miracle as also the preservation of their bodies in full health and vigour Deuteronomy 34. 7. Josh. 14. 11. Psal. 105. 37. V. 7 Depths Great and deep springs V. 8 Oyle olive Olives wherewith oyle is made differing from your wilde olive trees which are barren V. 9 Whose stones Which aboundeth in metall mines V. 16 Humble thee This ought not to be referred to the next words of water and Manna but to the words which went before of the voyage in the wildernesse V. 18 To get wealth The Italian To carry thy selfe valiantly Or for to get wealth CHAP. IX VERS 3. VVHich goeth over In the tokens of his presence in the Arke of the Covenant and all the appurtenances thereof like a Generall see upon Num. 1. 53. Jos. 3. 6. V. 10 Of the Assembly The generall Assembly of the people to receive the Law Exod. 19. 17. V. 18 As at the first Namely the first time that I was upon the mount Exodus 32. 11. So it is likely that he was three times upon the mount within the time of fourty dayes The first when he received the Law Exodus â—4 18. The second when he made intercession for the people Exodus 32. 30 31. And the third when he received the new Tables Exodus 34. 28. V. 21 Your sin The matter the object and the instrument of your idolatry which is the greatest of all sins see Hos. 10. 10. CHAP. X. VERS 1. AN Arke Some take it to be some little chest or coffer to lay these tables in for a time untill the Arke of the Covenant was made where they were to be kept alwayes Exod. 25. 16. 21. and 31. 7. Others take it to be the very Arke of the Covenant as if Moses did set down the thing thus generally without observing the order of times and with this seemeth to agree that which is spoken v. 5. V. 6 Mosera This is not Moserot Num. 33. 30. and it is not mentioned in any other place and by the circumstance of Aarons death it is likely that it was some place neere to the mount Hor and that Moses having generally touched the distance from Beeroth to Mosera he doth now divide it into some severall stages v. 7. V. 7 From thence Not from Mosera but from Beeroth Gudgodab Otherwise called Horhagidgad Num. 33. 32. V. 8 At that time After he was appeased with the people concerning the golden calfe V. 14 Behold the heaven The Italian hath it The heavens Aswell this first and neerest heaven which is the aire that encompasseth the earth as the aethereall heaven which encompasseth the aire 1 Kings 8. 27. V. 16 Circumcise Let the spirituall meaning of the bodily signe of Circumcision be set a work cutting off your vitious naturall affections putting off and mortifying the old man and endlessely applying your selves to your sanctification Deut. 30. 6. Jer. 4. 4. Rom. 2. 29. Col. 2. 11. see Lev. 26. 41. Jer. 9. 25. V. 17 Is God The highest true God and Lord of whose God head and dominion those which are called Gods have some likenesse a false one if it be through abuse and a true one if it be by a lawfull and approved representation Joh. 10. 35. 1 Cor. 8. 5. V. 21 He is thy praise He that alwayes gives sufficient cause and matter to praise him for Or he who maketh thee alwayes glorious and worthy to be esteemed Psa. 22. 4. and 109. 1. Jer. 17. 14. CHAP XI VERS 2. FOr I speak It belongeth to you who have been eye witnesses of Gods great benefits to make an acknowledgement of them and not put off the care of it to your posterity who having but onely heard of them cannot be so lively touched therewith as you are by the sight of them Which have not Being unborne or very young when the deliverance out of Egypt was for Moses here speaks to them who in the time of the said deliverance were under twenty yeares of age see Num. 14. 29. The chastisement His punishments upon the Egyptians or his severe corrections upon his people aswell during their captivity in Egypt as indiverse corrections in the desert V. 4 Overflow Having unbound the miraculous heape which he had made to give his people way to passe Exo. 14. 42. 27. Unto this day The memory effects whereof do last unto this day by the weakning of the power of Egypt V. 6 Their housholds The Italian Their houses that is to say their families V. 10 For the Land The meaning or sense is not to preferre the Land of Canaan for fruitfulnesse to the Land of Egypt which was very equall to it Gen. 13. 10. But to shew that the fruitfulnesse of the Land of Canaan did not depend upon humane art as that of Egypt did for the most part but only upon Gods blessing through raines dewes and other blessings from heaven to induce the people
at a mans hands do this as God shall helpe thee Or else it is a kind of threatning Hearken unto me and then may God prosper you as you deserve V. 8. The trees See a parable or a fable like unto this 2 Kings 14. 9. You Sichemites Gideon having refused the command which you had proffered to him Judges 8. 22. have chosen a most wicked man to be Lord over you if you have dealt justly in this election then may you enjoy the fruits of a just government but if you have dealt perfidiously and ungratefully with Gideon then may it please God to revenge it by causing you to destroy one another 〈◊〉 57. V. 9. God and man Being that oyle was used in offerings and in the consecration of persons and instruments for Gods Service and amongst men it is also employed to honourable uses Others translate it by which by my meanes God and man is honoured namely in consecrating Kings and Priests and to beautifie the face upon occasion of feasts and banquets V. 13. Which cheareth God Because that wind was used in offerings powring out the wine in Sacrifices of a pleasing odour to the Lord. V. 15. If in truth That is to say if your chusing of Abimelech to be your King be not joyned with a cruell treachery against my father and his issue may you with security enjoy his government verse 19. The cedars Namely the most noble and powerfull that are amongst you for your tyrants chiefly aime at the overthrow of such V. 18. Maid servant Of the Israelitish kind which might be taken for concubines Exodus chapter 21. verses 8 10. V. 22. Over Israel Not that he had the same command over all the people as he had 〈◊〉 Sichem but by reason of some preheminence which he might have as being acknowledged for Gideons heire and successor V. 23. Sent Loosed the reines to the devils malice that he might raise discords for a punishment of their precedent hurtfull agreement See 1 Kings 22 2. Psalme 55. verse 9. Hosea Chapter 10. verse 2. V. 25. Set Lyers in wait To catch him if he wâ—nt by evill accompanied or to spie him if he passed along with any great troope and to giye notice of it troubling passengers in the meane time according to the licentiousnesse of anarchy V. 26. Put their confidence That is to say chose them for their heads reposing great trust and confidence in their valour and conduct V. 27. Made merry The Italian And sang According to the custome of the vintage Isay 16. 9. 10. Jeremiah 25. 30. The Italian addeth Songs The Hebrew praises for the originall of these Songs was to praise God See Leviticus Chapter 19 24. V. 28. Who is That is to say Is there any reason that a city of such antiquity and power as Sichem is should be subject to strangers such as Jerubbaal the father of Abimelech was Zebul This was some governour of the city under Abimelech who though he were borne in that place was neverthelesse subject to envy and hatred because he was his officer Serve the If you will have a master take me rather or some of my family who are descended from that ancient Hamor Genesis 34. 2. as the residue of the Canaanites were mingled amongst the people of Israel V. 29. And be said He challenged him openly though in his absence and did send the challenge to him by some one or other V. 31. For â—fie That is to say they use all their shifts and endeavours to cause the city to rebell against thee and to become Lords of it themselves V. 37. By the middle The Italian From the navell that is to say from above or from the middle or from the open country for the other squdron came by hidden and close wayes Meonenim the Italian Of Southsayers the occasion of this name is unknowne it might be some grove dedicated to some southsaying idoll V. 41. Arumah Concealing his ill will against the city as though he had meant it to Gaal to sin prize the inhabitants unprovided V. 42. Went out Expecting no more enmity from Abimelech V. 45. And sowed it As in abomination condemning it to perpetuall barrennesse as the barrennesse of salt ponds V. 46. Of the Tower It was some forteresse or rock about the Temple of Baal-berith The God Berith The Italian Baal-berith Or of the God of Berith CHAP. X. VERS 4. THat rode Ordinarily for a token of dignity according to the use of those times See Iudges 5. 10. and 12. â—4 Havoth-Jur The Italian The Villages of Jair Like to the other villages of Jair Num. 32 41. the name of Jair being here renewed in one of his posterity V. 6. Baalim See Iudges Chapter 2. verses 11 13. V. 7. Sold them He forsooke and abandoned them like slaves See Iudges Chapter 2. verse 14. V. 8. Eighteen The Italian hath it The eightenth namely after Iairs death v. 5. V. 11. And the Lord The Son of God appearing in 〈◊〉 visible forme or speaking of his oracles out of the Sanctuary which were related to the people by the Priest V 12. Maonites It is uncertaine what people these were 1 Sam. 23. 24. there is mention made of the wildernesse of Maon in the Tribe of Iudah neere to Idumea whereof these Maonites might be a part CHAP. XI VERS 1. OF an baâ—lot Kept by Gilaad as his concubine Gilead one of Gileads posterity the son of Machir whose name was Gilead V. 2. Wife His lawfull wife V. 3. Tob It was a Countrey in the confines of Arabia and it is imagined to be the Tubienites land which histories make mention of Went out Followed him in the excursions which he made upon the enemies of Gods people in those frontiers whereby the Gileadites knowing his valour were perswaded to chuse him for their Captaine V. 7. Expell me Hence it may be gathered that he was banished by publick authority V. 8. Therefore If thou hast received any wrong by us we come now for to make thee amends and to re-establish thee by publick decree V. 9. Shall I be Will you acknowledge me for your governour perpetually Meaning thereby to prevent his brethrens injuries which they might have done him being a private man V. 10. The Lord We promise and sweare it unto thee in his name calling him to be a witnesse and a judge thereof V. 11. Ultered Made a Covenant upon the same promises in the publick Congregation of the people encamped in Mizpeh Judges chapter 10. verse 17. both parties appearing before God who was the maintainer of the oath V. 13. Tooke away Israel took nothing from the Ammonites Deuteronomy Chapter 2. verse 19 â—ut upon Sihon who peradventure before had taken some part of the children of Ammons lands Joshua Chapter 13. verse 25. Now though that countrey was for the most part Moabs Numbers Chapter 21 verse 24 26. The King of Ammon sâ—th it was his for it is likely that he commanded Moab seeing 〈…〉 t Chemosh
That is to say upon Coursers or Dromedaries V. 20. Heards Which the Amalekites had gotten in other places besides Ziklag and Jewâ—y Those other cattell which were Davids and his followers V. 24. So shall his Italian Ought his to be not only in naturall equity they being commanded to stay behinde and executing a charge so needfull for the whole army it being reasonable that he who hath preserved the common goods should be paid out of the common stock But also by Gods expresse law Num. 31. 27. Josh. â—2 8. V. 27. Bethel This word signifieth house of God whereby some have imagined that it ought to be understood of Kiriath â—eaâ—â—m where the Arke was 〈◊〉 Sam. 7. 1. CHAP. XXXI VERS 2. ABinodab It may bee hee that is called Ishui 1 Sam. 14. 49. V. 6. All his men His familiar and houshold servants V. 11. Iabesh Questionlesse in remembrance and gratitude for their deliverance by Saul 1 Samuel 11. 11. V. 12. Burnt them Which was not ordinarily used but onely in case of necessity as here that they might be no more found nor exposed to ignominy see Amos 6. 10. V. 13. They tooke their bones Halâ—o calcinated for to give them buriall THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMVEL THE ARGVMENT THis Booke containeth the continuation of the Historie of GODS people under David's raigne who after the death of Saul was raised thereunto by degrees being first acknowledged and accepted of by his owne Tribe of Judah and some yeares after by all the rest through his victories over the rest of those which were of Saul's side and at the last by the death of Ishbosheth Saul's son who was installed in the Kingdome And in his executing of this office the historie describes unto us the excellent and heroicall vertues wherewith the Spirit of GOD had endowed David as well for wisdome justice equity and humanity politick governement and establishment of a perfect order in his house and the state of the whole Kingdome as also for valour knowledge and understanding in military affaires through which he obtained continually notable victories as well in forraigne wars as in civill commotions factions and rebellions whereby his State was firme and the people setled in assured rest and the enemies over-throwne destroyed and subdued round about them the bounds of the Kingdome enlarged even to the limits anciently appointed and promised by the LORD Then is set downe his eminent piety and his singular Zeale by which he was moved in GODS Service purged by him from all corruption regulated by an admirable order and held in greater majestie and veneration than it was at first having for that purpose brought the Arke of the Covenant neere himselfe to Sion having by Divine revelation conceived the designe of the fabrick of the Temple and prepared and consecrated infinite treasures for that worke and purchased the ground upon which it should stand The history setteth also down the incomparable blessing wherewith Davids life and raigne was crowned and rewarded whilest hee governed himselfe in this laudable manner by glorious victories and conquests in peace security and wealth Obedience love and perfect respect of his people in numerous issue prosperity and tranquillity at home and benevolence and respect of strange Nations and Princes And it sets down also how David being run out into irregulate desires violence perfidiousnesse ambition and pride vices ordinarily accompanying an absolute power did also feele GOD'S heaviest punishments in tragicall enormities and confusions in his own familie in publick revolts and practises against his person indivisions factions civill wars plagues and other scourges in his Kingdome But as the holy Ghost by which he was stamped and sealed did never utterly forsake him to an unbridled and unlimited forsaking and refusall but by the ministery of his Word did continually recall him to most humble and sincere confessions lively acknowledgements and a deep repentance and loyall conversion followed by an exemplarie patience and humilitie in bearing of GOD'S punishments So did GOD also temper his severity received him againe into grace and peace and for the love of him had mercy upon his people converting all these sinister chances into a greater rest glory and happinesse And all this through GOD'S power and free will who having chosen David for a sacred type of CHRIST and his Father according to the flesh would also give a signe and pawne of the Eternity and blessing of CHRIST'S Kingdome in the firme lastingnesse and prosperity of David and his posterities As likewise the promise of CHRIST'S Kingdome was the solid basis of the lastingnesse of Davids whose ruines were at the appointed time to bee gathered together and the vices and disorders thereof corrected and rectified by CHRIST'S spirituall and everlasting Kingdome which being by David apprehended in Spirit did many times incite him to give unto the LORD most holy and devout thankes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. VERS 2. AND Earth See Joshua Chapter 7. v. 6. Job 2. 12. V. 7. When he looked The greatest part of this narration is faigned only to gaine favour at Davids hands for assuring him of his adversaries death and his relation of having cooperated therein because that the description set down 1 Samuel 31. is farre different from this V. 9. Stand I pray thee To cause the point of the speare to come through Anguish the Italian hath it This armour of maise retaineth c. Armour The Hebrew word signifieth as well an embroydered coat Retaineth Hath hindered the speare from comming through me V. 13. A stranger Dwelling among the children of Israel being become a proselite or otherwayes V. 16. Be upon That is to say beare thou the just punishment of thy capitall offence see Leviticus â—0 9. V. 18. Teach To bring them to the exercise of weapons and especially of the bow because therewith the Philistims had prevailed most against Saul 1 Sam. 31. 3. V. 19. The beauty The Italian O beautifull Or pleasant a title oftentimes given to the land of Canaan Psalme 48. verse 2. and 50. 2. Jeremiah chap. 3. verse 19. Lamentations chapter 2. verse 15. Ezechiel chapter 20. v. 6. Daniel chapter 8. verse 9. and 11. 16. V. 20. Tell it not Would God this evill newes might be hidden from the unbeleevers who will therupon take occasion to blaspheme God and contemn his Church as Judges 16. 23. Mic. 1. 10. The daughters as the custome was in victories 1 Samuel chap. 18. v. 6. V. 21. Let there be no All this cursing of these places is but only a patheticall exaggeration of his griefe as Job chapter 3. verse 3. Of Offerings Of thankesgiving to the Lord. The meaning is may that place which hath given so much occasion of sorrow never yeeld any subject or meanes of mirth Cast away In the flight the most valiant have cast away their weapons or after their death they have layen scattered here and there Aâ—â—inted Consecrated by the Lord for a lawfull King Meaning hee is dead as Tyrants and Usurpers
decorum whilest hee danced which Michal hatefully exaggerates through pride V. 21. It was It is an honourable action to leape with a holy joy before the Lord though in outward appearance it do not somuch savour of gravitie And GOD notwithstanding this my humility will make mee seeme never the lesse worthy nor majestick before men V. 23. Had no child This seemes to bee noted for a punishment of her pride CHAP. VII VERS 3. SAid Not by divine revellation but of himself being a holy and pious man considering the designe of it selfe was praise worthy and that God guided David by his holy spirit in all his enterprises V. 5. Shalt thou build me Words of admiration not of reprehension The meaning is Hast thou had such a light thought as for to build a firme and and setled habitation to the signes of my presence which have hitherto been unsetled and wandring I have not as yet done this honour to any of the other tribes out of which I have chosen Judges and a King I doe like of thine intent 1 Kings Chapter 8 verse 18. But be thou content with those honours which thou hast received at my hands the putting of this thy designe in execution is reserved for thy sonne V. 7. Spake I a word God had often sayd in his Law that hee would chuse himselfe a place but he had not expressed where nor what kind of place it should be And therefore he lovingly admonisheth David to wait for this expression V. 11 And as This is added to extoll Davids raigne who had for ever suppressed the adverse nations and setled Israel in a firme repose and forme of government whereas the Judges had but onely delivered them from the tyranny of some one nation and that but onely for a certaine time Make thee A Scripture phrase which signifieth giving continuance of posterity and a durable being See Exodus chapter 1. verse 21. 1 Kings Chapter 2. verse 24. V. 13 For my name To mee my selfe who have made my selfe knowne to my Church as it were by a proper name that my name might bee called upon therein and that the holy meanes of my revealing may therein bee used and distributed For ever That is to say continually till the Messias Genesis Chapter 49. verse 10. Who was to come from David according to the flesh and change the temporall and figurative Kingdome into a spirituall and everlasting one V. 14 His father By adoption and grace to Solomon and by eternall generation to Christ Hebrewes chapter 1. vers 5. If he This is referred onely to Solomon and his posterity and not at all to Christ. With the rod with rods accorded to humane weaknesse through a benigne and louing correction and not extreame according to the rigour of divine Justice to utter destruction see Job chap. 23. ver 6. Psalm 39. 11. Isaiah 27. 7. 8. and 47. 3. Jeremiah 30. 11. V. 16. Before thee Thou and every one of thy successors seeing it and enjoying it Or even as it hath been during thy life V. 19 And is this The continuation of thy blessings upon my posterity is not as the succession into goods and honours which by the Law of Nature and Nations doth passe from the fathers to their children and so to their posterity but this is thy singular and meere good will and deed V. 20 What can I cannot sufficiently with words acknowledge thy favours they surpasse my capacity but thou knowest the motions of my heart which the tongue cannot parallel See Gen. 31. 10. V. 21 For thy words sake This admirable revelation of thy grace towards me and my posterity is grounded upon nothing but onely upon the designe which thou hast set downe out of thy owne meere free will V. 22 Thou art great The Italian Thou art exalted That is to say thou oughtest to be praised and exalted and indeed so thou art by mee and by all the faithfull According As thy miracles and divine works doe testifie â—the remembrance of which is come even to us and our times V. 23 Went to Did in a manner come downe from heaven to display and lay upon his glorious power upon earth Exod. 3. 7. 8. And their Gods To whom the idolaters attributed the glory of having overcome the true God and having subdued the people Exod 12. 12. V. 24 Confirmed Thou hast gotten a perpetuall right unto them and by thy benefits hast gained them unto thee and thine obedience and â—â—ast confirmed their being that they may alwayes subsist to serve thee Israel That people which is according to the flesh untill the comming of the Messias but that which is according to the spirit for ever V. 27 Found in his heart The Italian found his heart That is to say hee hath gathered together all his thoughts and affections and recalled them from the errors of the world to unite and imploy them all in the making of this prayer unto thee V. 29 Before thee Under thy protection CHAP. VIII VERS 1. MEtheg Amâ—ah This name is not any where else in Hebrew it signifieth the bridle of the angle or corner It may be it was some strong hold in some straight passage by which one might take the City of Gath 1 Chron. 18. 1. is set downe that hee took Gath and all the precincts of it V. 2 Calling them This it seems must be understood of the Prisoners which hee divided into three parts whereof two he put to death and saved the third V. 3 Zobah A countrey of Syria As he went Namely David himselfe to enlarge his bounds to the river Euphrates acccording to the bounds set downe by the Lord. Genesis Chapter 15. verse 18. V. 4 A thousand 1 Chron. 18 4. There is the number of seven thousand but here it seemeth are reckoned none but the chiefe Houghed To make them unserviceable being unwilling to make any store of these instruments of pride and carnall confidence See Joshua Chapter 11. verse 6. V. 7 The shields see 1 Kings chapter 10. verse 16. V. 9 Hamath A city of Syria which is thought to be Antioch it selfe V. 10 To blesse him To congratulate with him V. 11 Dedicate Namely for the preparation of the building of the Temple and other uses for Gods service See Chronic. chapter 29 verse 2. V. 13 The valley Which was in Idumea 2 Kings chapter 14. verse 7. Psalme 16. ver 2. Eighteen thousand Which were Idumeans 1 Chron. 18. 12. V. 14 Became Which lasted untill the dayes of Joram King of Judah 2 Kings chapt 8. 22. according to Isaaks prophesie Gen. 27. 40. V. 16 Recorder The Italian Chancellor or speaker as 2 Kings 18. 18. V. 17 The Priests Namely secondary Priests as great substitutes under Abiathar high Priest See upon Numb 3. 32. Whereupon when Abiathar wâ—s thrust out by Solomon Zadock was put in his place 1. Kings chapter 2. verse 27. and 35. V. 18 Cherethites The common opinion is that these were the Kings guard The cause
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
continually nor ordinarily V. 21. For what if you tell mee that at the last God sheweth his vengeance upon the children of the wicked I answer you that the wicked man can not have any notice of that after his death see Iob 14. 21. and 24. â—0 V. 22. Teach these wayes of God are incomprehensible the action it selfe is manifest but the hidden reason of it is not subject to mens censures nor corrections hee judgeth hee is the soveraign Lord and judge of the world above all worldly power and greatnesse wherefore he ought to be acknowledged to be the absolute rule of all wisdome and righteousnesse Gen. 18. 25. Iob 8. 3. and 34. 12. 17. 19. Rom. 3. 5. V. 23. One namely the wicked V. 24. His breasts the Italian his milke pailes figurative termes meaning that hee enjoyeth all good things at his will and pleasure V. 25. And another namely a good man as I my selfe am V. 26. They shall after so many differences between them in this life they come both to be alike in their death namely for bodily death and outward appearance see Iob 14. 19. Eccles. 9. 3. V. 27. I know I doe foresee what you meane to say to mee namely that at the last the wicked are destroyed after some transitory prosperity and I tell you contrariwise that prosperity doth not forsake them till death V. 29. Have ye not asked men of experience such as have gone many voyages will shew you that for the most part the wicked doe prosper in the world V. 30. Of wrath namely Gods wrath by generall and expresse judgements V. 31. There seemes to bee no witnesse nor iudge against him contrary to Zophars saying Iob 20. 28. V. 32. Remaine in the tombe the Italian watch nothing but the heape hee hath lost all knowledge and feeling of worldly things as Iob 14. 22. V. 33. The clodds hee lieth sweetly in the ground or in monuments made of clodds after the ancient fashion and troubles himselfe no more with worldly affaires Iob 24. 20. after him he is followed by many in his death as many have gone before him V. 34. In vaine proceeding with mee thus thou art grievously afflicted therefore thou art wicked convert therefore and thou shalt be restored Wherein are two falshoods the one that all those who are afflicted are wicked and the other that God doth alwayes corporally relieve the penitent see Iob 16. 2. there remaineth you are alwayes possessed with a bad opinion of mee only thinking to make yourselves thereby acceptable to God Iob 13. 7. CHAP. XXII VER 2. CAn a man as when God rewardeth mens good works it is not in regard of any profit hee reaps thereby so must his punishments be attributed to no other reason but only to his iustice contrary to that as Iob seemed to doe hee that is wise namely the spirituall wise man who by the light of Gods spirit apprehends the end of eternall life and follows the true and sure meanes to obtaine it V. 4. For feare of thee because that Iob had termed his afflictions to be a strong and secure watch Iob 7. 〈◊〉 V. 6. For thou that is to say wee must suppose by thy punishments that thou art guilty of some or all these sinnes not that Eliphaz had any proofe that Iob had done any such thing for nought through meere hardnesse and inhumanity for covetousnesse to get his goods though thou wert otherwise sufficiently secured for what thou diddest lend Or taking of his goods to pawn and lending him nothing or much lesse than his goods which he pawned to thee were worth the naked that is to say the ill clothed or those who are now brought to poverty by meanes of thy extortion V. 8. The earth through thine acceptation of persons when thou wert a publick officer none but great and mighty men could quietly enioy any thing or thou diddest assist them in their uniust purchases V. 9. The armes thou and the ministers of thy tyrannie have oppressed them and taken from them all meanes whereby they might subfist V. 10. Are round about God hath stayed the course of thy violence by these afflictions as a ravenous beast is catched in toiles see Iob 18. 8. 11. V. 11. Darknesse namely a trouble and confusion of understanding want of counsell and advice V. 12. Is not God although God be infinite in his essence and that from his throne of glory hee seeth and iudgeth all things yet hast thou prophanely smothered up in thine heart all apprehension of his providence and iudgement V. 14. Walketh hee enioyeth his blessednesse in idlenesse and takes no care of worldly things V. 16. Out of time before the end of their naturall course and before they were come to maturity of amendment or repentance see Iob â—5 32. Psa. 55. 23. and 102. 24. Eccl. 7. 17. foundation being in outward appearance happy well founded and established V. 17. VVhat can the Italian what had in what particular could they complaine of God that they shewed themselves so alien from him Isa. 5. 4. Ier. 2. 31. Mic. 6. 3. V. 18. Is farre Eliphaz repeateth the same words as Iob spake Iob 21. 16. as if hee meant to say that which thou speakest with thy mouth I speak it from mine heart and in verity V. 20. VVhereas our as God hath spared us and others that were like us namely that feared him even so hath hee destroyed the wicked V. 21. Acquaint now get into his favour again and by prayers humility and turning to him get thy selfe free accesle unto him see Isa. 27. 5. V. 24. Lay up gold a hyperbolicall phrase as much as to say thou shalt make pavements of gold see 2 Chron. 1. 15. Psal. 68. 30. Ophir the name of a countrey Gen. 10. 29. 1 Chron. 1. 23. where there was excellent good gold grew and therefore this name is taken absolutely for the finest gold V. 25. Shall be thy desence the Italian thy gold his grace and blessing shall bee to thee in stead of a deare treasure Or it will abundantly enâ—itch thee V. 28. The light that is to say God will inspire thee with good counsell and direction in all thine affaires or will shine over them with his blessing V. 29. VVhen thou art when thou thinkest thine affairs goe to decay then shalt thou re-assure thy selfe by thine inward confidence in God which will not deceive thee the humble namely thy selfe who shalt have humbled thy selfe before God who will not regard thy past sins but the sincerity of thy repentance and thy prayer free from hypocrisie Iob 11. 15. Isa. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 2 8. CHAP. XXIII VER 2. EVen to day after so many protestations and justifications of mine doe you still continue in your sinister misconstructions of my laments though they doe no way equall my torments as to terme them mournings and â—ebellions against God see Iob 6. 2. my stroke the Hebrew my hand Others translate it though my hand be aggravated
12 The house Which being full of extortions bringeth the wicked to ruine so far it is from being any stay unto them V. 14 In secret Whereby he sheweth that he means corrupting presents given to Judges to coole their zeale in doing of justice against maâ—â—factors Bosome See Prov. 17. 23. V. 16 Of the lead The Italian Of giants that is to say of the damned See Job 26. 5. Pro. 2. 18. 9. 18 V. 17 Oyle That is to say esseminate pleasures and delights amongst which in ancient times were your odoriferous oyles especially being used at banquers and feasts V. 18 A ransome A figurative terme as much as to say God shall be pleased and appeased with the righteous and shall turne his wrath towards the wicked who as one should say shall come into their places Prov. 11. 8. Isa. 43. 3. V. 20. Oyle The Italian Precious oyles which kinds of oyles and spices were in those dayes laid up amongst your rarest and most precious things See 2 Kings 20. 13. V. 21. Righteousnesse namely a just reward of his good life V. 22. A wise man Understanding and wisdome do often overcome strength as may be seene in Cities taken by stratagem See Eccl. 9. 14. V. 24. Proud All those that are proud are also scorners of God and men V. 25. The desire Which is not accompanied with any study of endeavour for to obtaine it and therefore serveth for nothing but to vex the foolish man V. 26. He coveteth the Italian The man given to covetousnesse coveteth c. even as the covetous man is insatiable in gathering to himselfe even so is the good man never weary of giving V. 27. With a wicked the Italian With wickednesse As if they had stolne it or forcibly taken it away giving the Lord part of their theft Isay 61. 8. Or offering it to God for to gaine his favour in some evill designe V. 28. That heareth He that had rather heare then speake rashly or falsely shall alwayes in time and place have occasion enough to speake and shall be hearkned unto being of entire life and reputation Or he that heares and faithfully reports or witnesses what he hath seene and heard V. 29. Wicked man As the wicked grow worse and worse untill they come to the point of unbridled boldnesse shaking off and casting aside all manner of shame even so good men continue and grow better and better in their good and upright conversation Directeth Or strengheneth and confirmeth CHAP. XXII VERS 1. LOving favour That is to say the favour and good will of men V. 2. Meet together Live together and in many things have need of one another and as they are borne all alike so death makes them all equall and at the last they are equally judged by the Lord Job 31. 15. Ephes. 6 9. Whereby the consequence is cleere that we ought to be charitable and upright because that before God there will be no difference V. 3. The evill Namely the danger and inconvenience Passeon Doe runne on headlong without any stay or circumspection V. 5 Thornes All manner of unhappinesse danger and trouble encumbreth their wicked life Doth keep namely from sinne he that keeps himselfe pure and cleane 1 John 5. 18. Shall be farre shall be exempt from these evil or shall keepe himselfe farre from such people V. 8. The rod That is to say the tyrannicall power and authority wherewith he unjustly oppresseth others Psal. 125. 3. V. 9. He that hath He that seeing other mens miseries and wants is moved to compassion V. 10. The scorner He that respecteth or reverenceth no man that is licentious in scoffing and mocking every one V. 11. He that loveth The good man proceeds in words and deeds with such grace discretion and honestie that he is able to gaine the favour of the greatest ones V. 12. Knowledge The Italian A man endowed with knowledge Namely with true and spirituall wisdome joyned with faith love and obedience V. 13. A Lion He saigneth unto himselfe imaginary dangers because hee would have some pretence that he might not goe abroad into the fields to work V. 14. The mouth That is to say their dalliances and allurements serve for to catch men even as your pits made by hunters for to catch wilde beasts V. 18. Within thee The Italian Iâ— thy belly In thy soule like wholesome and well digested meate They shall The Italian And if they be all If thou hast well conceived and learned them so that thou canst in fitting times and places make convenient use of them if thou doest alwayes adorne thy speech with them like unto a string of rich and precious pearles V. 21. The certaintie Namely these divine eternall and undoubted truths Thou mightest That thou mayest in any vocation wherein thou shalt bee employed by God or men speake worke and converse in all manner of uprightnesse V. 22. Because he is taking occasion from his povertie which is without power or defence Or take heed thou doe him no wrong for thou shouldest thereby not wrong justice onely but mercy also which is so much recommended and encharged to us by God Or for feare of the Lord who is the deâ—ender of the poore In the gate In judgment whose seate was neere to the Citie gates the meaning is do him no wrong neither in publick nor in private See Job 5. 4. 31. 21. V. 25. Get a snare be not unawares drawne to imitate him or doe not runne into some mortall danger as one often doth in such mens companies V. 26. That strike For to enter rashly into suretyship V. 29. Diligent that hath a quick and ready wit to resolve upon businesse and is watchfull in taking hold of opportunities diligent and active in his actions Shall stand shall be advanced and imployed in great mens services and shall not be imployed in the imployments of the meanest sort of people CHAP. XXIII VERS 1. COnsider Be restrained and moderate in thine eating and discreet in not laying thy hands upon any thing but what shall be set before thee as thy proper portion according to the ancient manner of feasts and especially beware thou touch not that which is for the Lord. V. 2 Pat a kinfe Thou wilt draw some misfortune upon thy selfe by the meanes of the Princes displeasure V. 3. Of his dainties His rich garnished courtly Tables Deceitfull Because that it is a bait to bring one into much slavery and divers miseries and courtly ruines and it is no firme thing nor alwayes loyall witnesse of good will V. 4 Labour not Unreasonably with anxiety and biting care Wisedome Namely carnall wisedome by which thou art driven to gaine great wealth as a meanes of worldly happinesse Or which thou employest to get riches and in which thou puttest thy confidence to grow rich Or wherein thou gloriest after thou art grown wealthy V. 5 Set thine eyes Hebr. wilt thou cause thine eyes to flye towards riches V. 6 That hath an evill That is
strengthen one another with these great experiences V. 4 Your God namely Christ Jesus true eternall God who at all times and from time to time had revealed himselfe to his people Israel and by them was acknowledged to be their God V. 5. The eyes God shall make his Church capeable of acknowledging and feeling his graces with joy and thanksgiving V. 6. Shall waters Gods grace shall be abundantly communicated to his Church whereof the water which miraculously gushed out of therocke that Moses smote in the desert was a figure V. 7. In the habitation in that place which before was desert and horrid see Isa. 34. 13. V. 8. Shall be there that is to say in the Church all the faithfull shall be directly and securely guided into the Kingdom of Heaven by the way of sanctification For those namely for the faithfull that are regenerate vers 5. 6. The way fairing men that is to say all men whereof some are ignorant as wayfaining men in a strange Countrey to whom the way is unknowne other some are mad that is to say through the vainenesse of their understanding and blindnesse of their carnall affections they forsake the right way V. 9. No â—â—yon shall his high way shall be safe from all danger of the divell who is the roaring Lyon in the world c. termes taken from the peoples ancient voyage in the wildernesse V. 10. Shall returne that is to say shall be converted to God from whom all men have gone astray through sinne and shall joyne themselves to the Church CHAP. XXXVI Vers. 1. IT came to passe see this History contained in these two following Chapters a King 18. 19. CHAP. XXXVIII Vers. 10. OF the residue of the time that I might yet live according to the course of nature V. 11. I shall not according to the understanding of the flesh which being deprived of the corporall light of the world seeth nothing in death but darknesse see Iob 10. 21. 22. In the Land that is to say in the world see Psa. 27. 13. 116. 9. V. 1â— Mine age the ordinary time of my course of life hath been shottned by this violent sicknesse Like a Weaver who having made an end of his cloth cuts it off from the loome Will cut me off God taketh away my life in the middle of my course in the flower of mine age as a Weaver would doe that should cut off his Cloth before it were made an end of whilest it was yet in the webbe V. 14. Did I chaâ—ter I did poure out my complaints and prayers before God with a low hoarse and interrupted voyce through the grievousnesse of mine evill and through feare of present death I am oppressed I am like a poore debter called upon to pay my debt speedily death being natures debt Lord doe thou deliver me out of this danger as a sureâ—y V. 15. What shall I say how should I give thee sufficient thanks I am wholly ravished with this thine incomprehensible goodnes I shall goe I shall in peace of Spirit finish the course of this life digesting the bitternesse of it and the dolefull remembrance of death with this triall and pledge of my Gods gracious favour V. 16. Men live the meaning seems to be this True it is that many other men live beyond the time for which thou hast prolonged my life but I have this advantage that my life being a miraculous worke of thine I shall continue healthfull and vigorous to the end The Italian translation is in this sence V. 17. For peace the Italian In time of peace namely when I was in full prosperity and all things went well with me To my soule that is to say my person in regard of the body Thou hast cast that is to say thou hast forgiven all my sinnes and hast not set them before the eye of thy severe justice for to be induced to punish them CHAP. XXXIX Vers. 1. MErodach who is the same as is called Berodach in the History of the Kings CHAP. XL. Vers. 1. SAith the Italian shall say namely to the Preachers of his Gospell in the Messias his time V. 2. Speakeye c. the Italian Speake to the heart of an Hebrew phrase which signifieth as much as comfort and ease the mind of c. Gen 34. 3. Her warfare the Italian her appointed time namely the â—lme set down by the Lord for the Churches punishments and for the straight discipline to which she hath been tied under the Law before she came to the fruition of Christe spirituall Kingdome Is pardoned that is to say it hath been sufficiently chastised according to the just measure of Gods fatherly severity for her correction for he speakes not hâ—re of the true and perfect satisfaction for sins which is onely the blood of Christ. Double that is to say in a large measure and abundantly V. 3. Of him namely John Baptist whose ministery in preparing the hearts of men to entertaine Christ Comming into the world is here described by figures and termes taken from a custome observed at the comming in of Princes and Kings see Psal. 68. 4. In the Wildernesse hereby is meant the world voyd of Gods grace barren in all vertue having no pleasing abode nor sure direction of any good way in it being full of horror and accursed V. 4. Every valley he seems to referre and bring the foresaid preparation to these three heads namely to have all depth of despaire and basenesse of worldly thoughts raised up all fleshly pride humbled and all obliquity of fraud and hypocrisie amended V. 5. The glory that is to say Jesus Christ the King of glory shall appeare in the flesh to make knowne and effectually to shew Gods Soveraigne power and glory in the Gospel see Iohn 1. 14. V. 6. The voyce the Italian There is a voyce namely Christ shall command and inspire his servants to set before mens eyes their naturall corruption their death in sinne and their inability to doe any good here described and set down under the similitude of withered and scorched Hay All flesh namely every man in his own naturall being excluded from the grace and regeneration of the Holy Ghost All the goodlinesse Heb. all his goodnesse Or according to others his grace that is to say all that seems in him worth any estimation or â—raise V. 7. Because the the Italian When the namely when God entreth into judgement with man all this seeming beauty is presently brought to nothing like unto grasse that is withered by a scorching winde Psal 39. 11. 103. 15. The people even Gods people of their owne nature have no advantage more then â—ther men but all proceeds from Gods grace Râ—m 3 9. V 8. But the word the Gospel only received with a lively faâ—th regenerates the beleever in a spirituall incorruptible and immortall life V. 9. O Zion namely O thou Jewish Nation to whom the preaching of the Gospell shall be commitâ—ed by Christ to carry it to
spirituall enemies V. 26. And I will I will blesse them and their habitation and their pasture abundantly V. 27. When I have broken when I have freed and redeemed them by the bloud of my sonne from the spirituall captivity of the devill and sinne V. 29. A plant Jesus Christ glorious in his divine Majesty and force who shall make his Church famous through his gifts and graces being her true tree of life See Isa. 11. 1. Jer. 23. 5. V. 31. Are men all the aforesaid things are to be understood spiritually with a relation to the soule of the elect and the salvation of it so that the correspondency which is betweene the sheep a bruit beast and the shepheard which is man is found in spirit between man and his God CHAP. XXXV Ver. 〈◊〉 MOunt towards the land of Idumaea or Edom. V. 5. Hatred against Israel See Ezek. 25. 15. Amos 1. 11. Of the children the Italian overthrowne the children that is to say hast assisted the Caldaeans in making a horrible slaughter of my people Psal. 137. 7. Ezek. 25. 12. that their the Italian at the fulnesse of their iniquity at which time the measure of my peoples sinnes being full I also caused my judgements to fall violently upon them Ezek. 21. 30. 31. V. 6. And bloud namely the sword and violent death V. 10. Two Nations thou hast perswaded thy selfe that thou shouldest possesse the land of Judah and of the ten Tribes Whereas the Lord the Italian though the sword though the Lord have taken it for his owne proper habitation placing his people there and his Temple with the signes of his presence V. 11. Make my selfe I will make my selfe knowne to my Church by new trials of my justice and power against her enemies and of my love and mercy towards her V. 14. So shall the Italian when the whole earth rejoyceth namely when I shall give all the world cause to rejoyce at my peoples deliverance and their re-establishment in their countrey then will I increase thy desolation This was partly verefied in the Idumaeans but hath been accomplished in the enemies of the Church whose curse and condemnation increased when salvation appeared to the elect and beleevers through Christ. CHAP. XXXVI Ver. 2. HAd said hath triumphed and scoffed at your desolation The high places the Italian the everlasting hils an epithet ordinarily given to high hils Gen. 49. 26. Deut 33. 15. Hab. 3. 6. by reason of their immovable firmenesse but by this figure is chiefly meant the Church founded upon Gods promises V. 3. And ye are taken up ye have been derided by prophane Nations V. 7. I have lifted that is to say I have heaven V. 8. Shoot forth you shall be endowed with new fruitfullnesse which my people shall enjoy being shortly to come out of captivity A figurative description of the happinesse which shall be in the world under the Messias in the behalfe of the Church V. 12. Thou shalt no more he attributes the desolation which happened to his people by hunger pestilence and warre to the countrey by a similtude of evill women that doe kill their burthen in their wombe V. 13. Devourest up as who should say an accursed countrey condemned to all manner of misery the inhabitants of which cannot live the Canaanites having first been rooted out of it and since that the Israelites V. 14. Thou shalâ— thou shalt no more be subject to those frequent calamities which have made thee infamous V. 17. As the uncleannesse which is extreamely abominable V. 20. They prophanâ—d Through their misery and slavery occasioned by their owne sins they have given their enemies occasion of blaspheming me as if I their God could not have saved them or as if I were not faithfull in my promises V. 21. I had pity For to free my Name from these imputations I have resolved to forgive my people and to re-establish them V. 23. Sanctifie I will cause my divine perfections to be knowne by the effects contrary to those slanders that my holy name may be respected and honoured by all men as it ought to be V. 24. I will take you By the returne from Babylon is figured and comprehended the salvation oâ— the Church by the Messias together with the abundance of all spirituall graces V. 25. I will sprinkle I will largely communicate my grace â—nto you and grant you pardon for all your sinnes parchased with the price of my Sonnes blood which was shed for the sinnes of the world Ephes. 5. 26. Heb 9. 14. 1 John 1. 7. V. 26. The stony heart namely The hard heart which hath beene inflexible to my spirit insensible of my Word and Judgements and impeneâ—â—ble to my grace Of flesh pliable and capable of being vivified and governed by my spirit as amongst naturall bodies there is none fitting nor apt to receive and containe the vitall spirit but â—nely the fleshly body V. 29. Save you By my free Justification I will free you from that punishment which your filthinesse deserves and by the sanctification of my spirit I will free you from the corruption and slavery of sinne I will call By mine Almighty Word I will cause all manner of good things to be brought forth unto you V. 32. For your sakes Not for any desert or worth that is in you V. 37. Be enquired that is to say The abundance of goods shall be such that they shall desire nothing but for to have a number of men sufficient to enjoy those goods V. 38. As the holy flocke Which was brought into Jerusalem at the three solemne feasts for sacrifices in innumerable quantity CHAP. XXXVII Vers. 1. IN the spirit namely In extasie and rapture of minde Bones Dead mens bones V. 3. Can these bones By any way or naturall power that thou knowest V. 4. Prophecie Be thou the instrument of mine Almightie Word by which in vision these bones shall seeme to thee to have life put into them for a signe that by my power my people shall be re-established in their former estate V. 7. Aâ—â—oyse A signe of Gods glorious presence shewing his power in a miraculous and supernaturall worke To his bone Joyning themselves againe to thir naturall joynts V. 9. To the wind the Italian To the spirit According to some to the soule of man and according to some to the holy Ghost it selfe whose personall property is to vivifie and cause all things to live Psal. 104. 30. From the foure For to signifie the restauration of the people from all those places where they had been scattered Breathe upon Send the soule and spirit of life into every one of these dead bodies by the operation of thy divine power Hee seemes to intend to represent the manner of the creating and infusing the soule into Adam described Gen. 2. 7. V. 11. Our bones Wee are destroyed beyond hope of restauration Wee are in Babylon like dried bones in sepulchres Psal. â—41 7. V. 16. One sticke Some little piece of boord or
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
singing the third verse of the twelfth Chapter of Isaiah and from thence it should seeme that the Lord took this occasion of speaking of these spirituall waters V. 38. Haith said these words formally are not set downe in Scripture but seeme to be gathered from divers places as Isay 35. 15. and 44. 3. in which under the figure of waters are promised the abundance of the gifts of the holy Ghost which should be powred upon the Church by the Messias whereby there should be as it were a living spring of all manner of good works framed in each beleever V. 39. The holy Ghost namely this rich abundance of the graces of the spirit as well those which were common to every beleever under the Gospell in regeneration illumination c. as the particular ones to certaine persons in the Church in power of doing miracles in prophecying in speaking of strange languages c. See Acts 19. 2. Because that See upon Iohn 16. 7. V. 40. Many namely by a certaine confused and obscure inspiration from God to judge of Christ as of a divine person V. 42. David was where the residence of his fathers houshold was V. 52. Of Galilee of whence they judged Christ and his Disciples to be by reason of their ordinary abode in that place CHAP. VIII VER 6. TEmpting him to overtake him howsoever he had answered For if according to his wonted clemency in pardoning penitent beleevers their sins he had spared the woman they would have accused him for sparing malefactors and doing things contrary to the law And if he had condemned her they would have taxed him with contradicting his own doctrine and his ordinary practise Or that he usurped the publike authority Wrote he seemes to do it as it were in signe of contemning those things which they alledged unlesse there be some more secret sense in it As for to shew that sinne which is written before God Isay 65. 6. and graven as it were with a steele Ier. 17. 1. is pardoned and blotted out by Christ by means of faith and repentance even as easily as a writing slightly made in the dust V. 7. He that is Christ here makes no law for the Judges and witnesses that they should not prosecute malefactors unlesse they be altogether guiltlesse But leaving the law of God in iâ—s force the execution of which did not belong to him hee contents himselfe with doing his office in convincing these hipocrits severe censurers of others and in the meane time they themselves spotted with many sins and wicked tempters of Christ and in correcting this woman Cast a stone according to the law Deut. 17. 7. V. 11. Neither do I namely for the externall and corporall judgement which did not belong unto him Insisting only upon the inward condemnation of the conscience to bring her to repentance wherein he fulfilled the worke of the law and of the Gospell together V. 13 Is not cannot be held valuable and certaine V. 14. â—oâ— I know and a witnesse must speake of certaine knowledge But ye your resusing to receive my witnesse proceeds from that you malitiously suppresse the notice which I have given you of my divine calling and of the full accomplishment thereof by my future glorification And thus ought to be reconciled Iohns saying 7. 28 with this V. 15. Yee judge yee taske me with false or not sufficient witnesse and I have more and better reason to reprove you for your false and perverse judgements of things belonging to God without any light or guide of his spirit but only out of your own fleshly understanding but I doe forbeare as he saith afterwards I judge in mine office of Mediatour I doe not proceed against you nor against any one else as arigorous and criminall judge as mine authority would well extend unto it mine end is to save by instruction exhortation conversion and not to lose by judgement and condemnation See Iohn 3. 17. V. 16. Alone that is to say separate from God my Father Which ought to be understood as well in regard of the unitie of the essence as of the perfect union of the will of the Father in his glory and of the Son in his quality of Mediator V. 17. Is true that is to say sufficient to be believed in judgement V. 18. Beareth witnesse namely by his Prophets but especially by his divine power wherewith hee hath endowed my person and accompanieth my ministery as well in words as in deeds V. 19. Yee neither know yee neither have nor will receave any light nor knowledge of my person office and doctrine by which only you might gaine the saving knowledge of God and therefore it is in vaine to speake to you of my Father Verse 20. In the Treasury See upon Marke 12. 41. V. 22. Will be kill that is to say will hee goe out of the world as Iohn 7. 35. they had said wil he goe into a farre Country V. 23. Yee are from being worldly by birth by nature and affection you are uncapable of raising your selves up to heaven from whence I am and whither I go directing all my beleevers thither V. 25. That I said that is to say even from the beginning of my vocation I told you that which I tell you still that I am the Sonne of God the Messias the Saviour V. 26 I have I could by many reasons convince your malice and prove the truth of my word but because you are unworthy of it by reason of your hardnesse I will content my selfe with the witnesse my Father beareth of mee and mine owne proper knowledge Ver. 28. When yee that is to say after yee have crucified mee I shall make you finde by the effect what my person and power is Rom. 1 4. V. 29. And hee hitherto my Father heareth witnesse sufficiently of the office which hee committed to mee and of my faithfullâ— executing of it V. 30. Believed with a transitory faith and for a time without any lively roote as appeares by the Lords ensuing discourses See Matthew 13. 20 21. V. 32. Yee shall know yee shall be enlighthed by the Holy Ghost in the lively knowledge of the truth of the Gospell by which you shall bee freed from the bondage of sin the devill and death See Rom. 8. 2. V. 33. Were never wee are of the blessed progeny to whom liberty and domination is promised Gen. 25. 23. and therefore nobody hath any right to bee Lord over us but only God The subjection wee now are in and have bin in at other times hath alwayes been by oppression and violence and not by any just title V. 34. Is the servant you thinke upon nothing but onely upon the right of temporall liberty but I speake to you of the spirituall liberty whereof man depriveth himselfe giving himselfe over to sinne which makes him his slave and takes away from him the title of Sonne of God and excludes him oâ—â— of Gods house and inheritance aâ— it is seene in you
See Rom. 15. 26. 1. Cor. 16 1. 2. Cor. 8. 4. and 9. 1. Gal. 2. 10. Verse 30. To the Elders a generall name for all the guides and ministers of the Church from which greeke name hath been taken and framed the name of priest CHAP. XII VER 1. HErod surnamed Agrippa who was grandchilde to Herod the great and had received the title of King from the Emperours Cains and Claudius together with the governement of the temple in which hee did according to his pleasure whereupon he also undertooke these executions as by a generall commission though capitall judgments were taken away from the Iewes Ver. 2. Hee killed secretly in prison for after this triall hee purposed to make a publike spectacle of Peter Ver. 3. Then were this seemes to be added to signifie the cause why the punishment was delayed namely in reverence of the Passeover which lasted eight dayes Ver 12. Marke it is uncertaine whither it bee the same as writ the Gospell and that seemes to bee named Col. 4. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 13. Ver. 15. It is bis amongst the Iewes as it appeared by their histories there were very frequent apparitions of dead persons and these phantasmaes which lesse were diabolicall were thought to be the spirits of the persons whom they represented and they thought there were some good and some bad according to the diversity of the persons and their fore-passed life Now it should seeme that these people amazed as it were at an unlooked for chance followed the popular opinion and would thereby inser that Peters death was inviolable seeing his spirit did already begin to appeare V. 17. James antiquity affirmed that this is hee who was called the brother of the Lord Matthew 13 55. who was also made the first Bishop of Jerusalem Act. 15. 13. and 21. 18. Gal. 1. 19. and 2. 9. 12 and was surnamed Juslus and Oblia and was held in great esteeme even amongst the Iewes Others take it to be Iames of Alpheus the Apostle Matthew 10. 3. Verse 23. He gave not not rejecting nor suspecting but rather swallowing up and accepting of those impious flatteries Verse 25. Their ministery Namely their carrying and delivering the reliefe which was sent by the Church of Antioch CHAP. XIII VER 1. PRophets it should seeme that here a remnant such as had the gift of expounding publickly the resolutions of the Christians faith by the infallible conduct of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 14 23. 32. and it was an extraordinary degree and singular for these times of Ecclesiasticall office yet inferiour to that of Apostles 1. Cor. 12. 28. Ephes. 4. 11. And in many it was accompanied with divine predictions Tetrarch See upon Matth 14. 1. Verse 2. Ministred in publick prayers expounding of the word administration of the sacraments and other parts of the evangelicall ministry Said by some prophetick Revelation directed to some or more of them with the consent and approbation of all the rest Separate me to be held in equall degree with the Apostles and to be as they sent indifferently every where with eqvall authoritie as haveing the same infallible grace of the holy Ghost Gal. 2. 9. V. 3. Laid their for a signe of consecration to the office of Apostle and in signe of blessing Acts 14. 16. V. 4. Seleucia a sea towne of Siria called by authors Pieria V 5. Salamis a City of Cyprus which is thought to be that which in these dayes is called Famagusta Minister not so much to their persons as to the worke of the ministrie See Acts 15. 37. V. 7 Deputie the Italian Proconsul or propretor for Cypres was not consular but a praetorian province governed by them which came out of the yearly office of Praetors and were called propraetors Verse 8. For so is Elymas an Arabian name which signifies a magician or a master of hidden arts and sciences Verse 9. Who also it is uncertaine whether he alwayes had these two names whereof Paul is the Roman name and Saul the Hebrew name or whither hee tooke the Roman name after hee was appointed Apostle to the Gentiles V. 10. To pervert to give bad constructions and lay false imputations upon the Gospell which is the way of salvation and to hinder the worke of Gods grace Verse 12. The doctrine which he saw accompanied with so much power of God in perswading arguing and doing of miracles and with so much majestie and holinesse Ver. 15. The reading which was every Sabbath-day in certaine parcels or portions See Acts 13. 25 and 15. 21 If ye have See upon Luke 4. 16. Verse 17. The God the end is to shew that God after he had governed his people by divers persons and by severall kindes of governement had at the last established the everlasting Kingdome of the Messias sonne of David according to the flesh to whom all Gods promises had a relation and to whom all other governements had bin referred Exalted first by Iosephs greatnesse and next by the marvellous increase of the people and lastlie by their glorious deliverance Verse 21. Fourty in which ought to bee comprehended the time of Samuels governement Verse 25. I am not hee namely the Messias or the great Prophet foretold by Moses See Iohn 1. 21. 25. Verse 26. To you namely to the Iewes dispersed into far countries seeing those of Jerusalem had rejected it and persecuted the Lord. Verse 33. As it is not that the Son of God was engendred at his resurrection or after it but because by it all humane weaknesse which hee had put on being put off hee was gloriously and undoubtedly declared to be the Son of God Rom. 1. 4. Verse 34. And as concerning by his resurrection he hath fulfilled this following promise others to shew that he hath raised him he said c. The meaning of this prophecy sheweth that Christ was to rise againe To corruption Namely to a mortal life and to death The sure Namely the effect of the invariable promises of grace which I made to David concerning the everlasting Kingdome of his progenie Psal 8 9. 4. 19 Ver. 36. For David we must suppose that this passage must necessarily have a relation to Christ for it cannot properly belong to David He had served done that which God hath appointed him to do in his royall and prophettick calling Fell a sleep died See Acts 7. 60. Verse 39. From all things namely from all sinnes pollutions bonds justified absolved in Gods judgment Christ having satisfied for all by his death Eâ—a 53. 6. 11. By the law because that the ceremoniall Law being but figurative had no power of it selfe over the soule Heb. 9. 9. and 10. 1. 11 and out of its relation to Christ had nothing but signals and seales of sinne and condemnation Col. 2. 14. the moral law also being without force in sinfull man â—om 8. 3. could not justifie him but only discouer and condemne his sinne Rom. 3. 20. and 4. 15. Gal 3. 21.
for this universall terme whosoever which he hath added in the precedent verse to the passage of Isaiah where it is not expressed Lord namely Iesus Christ by his death and Resurrection hath gotten him a title to bee Lord over all men and to bee the head of all his Elect a middest all nations to distribute the graces of his spirit unto them Yet is it not with him as it is with men for hee is no whit empoverished by the multitude of them who have part în his goods neither is there before God any other difference amongst men but onely of those that acknowledge him and call upon him and of those that doe not as it is proved by the ensuing passage V. 14. How then he proves the said indifferencie of nations because that the meanes to attaine to salvation by the true invocation of God hath beene made common to them all and consequenty faith and so from time to time the hearing of Gods Word and preaching and according as the one is occasioned by the other and at last every thing resolves it self into the Soveraigne cause of Gods good will and pleasure Who hath also accompanied these subalternall meanes with his power to produce their lively effect of faith and confession Without a because the Gospell is but a publication of Gods secret will which cannot be knowne unlesse he reveale it himselfe V. 15. And how this preaching being an embassage of grace and peace presupposeth a sending from God well verified and authorized by himselfe As it is these passages of the Prophets may be referred to this sending or mission of the Apostles to preach grace which no man knew of nor had any power to being tydings of it without the expresse declaration and commision of the offended Soveraigne V. 16 Not all as there is indisterency of nations so there is a great deals of difference of persons some believing and some not as Isaiah foretelleth and so making the preaâ—â—ng unprofitable See Heb. 4. 2. V. 17. By hearing that is to say it is not grounded nor doth not resolve it selfe into naturall 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ks nor into discourse of reason noâ— into humane 〈…〉 hority nor into apprehension of the understanding but onely into the declaration which is made thereof to man which also hath neither truth nor power but onely by its faithfull relation and câ—n â—â—mity to Gods originall word V. 18. But I say as for the Iewes that have not beleeved what can bee said of them It is because they have heard nothing of the Gospell No for like the Sunne Psal. 19 4 it hath runne over all the world Col. 〈◊〉 6 23. shall wee then say that the de 〈…〉 was in them who have rejected the light of the â—â—ving knowledge of the Gospell which the Gentiles have accepted he answereth v. 1â— that it cannot be gainesaid seeing that Moses did formerly protest the same V. 20. Very bold and wiâ—h a holy freedome without bearing so much respect to this nation or to the vices of it That sought mee not to shew that all the Gentiles advantage was out of especiall grace and an effect of their free election But that God did exercise the rigor of his justice towards the Iewes upon their hardened rebellion CHAP. XI VER 1. HAth God ought one therefore to say or thinke that God hath taken away his grace or cut off all his people Israel from his covenant and for ever God forbid that can not bee said neither of all the people whereof I am one and others with me chosen by God in whom his covenant is ratified nor of the body of the people for ever for the time will come that they shall bee re-established ver 11. V. 2. Fore knew that is to say chosen and ordained from everlasting to salvation Rom 8. 29. V. 6. And if this seemes to be inserted against those Iewes who being become Christians did notwithstanding repose some part of their righteousnesse and confidence in the workes of the Law which Saint Paul sheweth could by no meanes be done for these two wayes of righteousnesse and salvation are incompatible the one with the other Rom. 4 4 5 Gal. 5. 2. 4. Ver. 7. What then my discourse commeth to this that the body of the Iewish Nation seeking their righteousnesse by the Law have not obtained of God to bâ—e reputed just and to have right to everlasting life Rom. 9. 31. and 10 3. The election namely that small number from amongst them which is chosen by God by vertue of this election hath bin endowed with the spirit of faith in the Gospel which propoundeth Christs only righteousness The rest the common people have taken occaâ—â—on to harden them selves in their tebellion being scandalized at the Gospel which is contrary to then fleshly understanding See Rom. 9 18. V 8. Of slumber the Greeke word signifieth the deadly slumber of those who have beene stung with some venemous beast V. 9. Let their table may all blessings and chiefly the proffer of the Gospel which they have hitherto abused prove an occasion of ruine and perdition to them for a iust punishment of their ingratitude V. 10. Bow doune make them unable to lift up the eyes of the spirit to thee and to thy Gospel or to rectifie themselves by conversion of heart or to doe any thing that is right or good and contrariwise burthen them with thy curse like to a heavie but then or with fetters of bondage with which the Hebrew terme of the Psalme which saieth make their loynes continually to shake a greeth very well V. 11. Isay shall it then be said that the body of this nation hath taken such a fals subiect of scandall against the Gospel that it is therby fallen irreparabâ—ly into a finall apostasie God so bid God hath revealed iâ— otherwise to me namly that he will yet on day call the Iewes againe and restore them to his covenant which in this meane tyme as upon an occasion Acts. 13. 42. he will communicate to the Gentiles that in his appointed time he may make use of this favour bestowed upon the Gentiles as aprick of holy realousy to the Iewes to prick them on to take part in this everlasting benefit V. 12. Now if the fall if God hath made use of the Iewes reiection for an occasion of powering out the riches of his grace thorow out the world and if the number of beleeving Iewes being much deminished a great multitude of Gentils hath bin converted how much more abundant shall Gods grace be and the number of beleevers increased even amongst the Gentiles themselves when the body of the Iewes here called fulnesse being re-established in Christ shall fill the world with wonder shall raise up all mens hearts to God shall induce unbeleevers to believe shall confirme beleevers and shall sett the Gosple in its full lustre and Christ into the fruition of his universall Empire of the world He addes this to induce the Gentiles to desire and
not that singular gift from God to preserve themselves in holinesse and purenesse of body and spirit without the remedy of marriage Then to burne with a carâ—all desire which God doth not give every one the gift to quench without marriage whereby man is troubled in minde and hindered in his spirituall actions which require a tranquillity of all passions V. 10. Not I not by a new doctrine or law 〈◊〉 yet by meere councell and advice of wisdome as ver 25 40. but by Christs expresse command Mat. 5. 32. and 19. 6. 9. Depart namely by divorse unlesse it be for the only lawfull cause which is adultry which was very frequent amongst the Grekeâ— and the Romans and from them this abuse did also partly creep in amongst the Iewes though the law of Moses gave the wife no power at al to be divorced from her husband See Marke 10. 12. 〈◊〉 Tiâ— 5. 9. V. 11. Let her remaine this is not to say that this separation without marrying again is lawfull v. 3. 4 5. but if the woman can not be induced or forced to live with her husband or that there be some invincible leâ—â— The Law of God doth absolutely forbid her to marry another V. 12. To the rest spoken of in the letter which you sent to me namely beleevers married with unbeleevers Speake I guided in this mine opinion by the Holy Ghost ver 15. 40. though without Gods expresse command in his word Ver. 13. The woman namely the believing and Christian woman Ver. 14. Is sanctified though the unbelieving partie be uncleane before God yet the use of maâ—â—monie with her is holy unto the believing party thorow the mediation of faith and invocation Tiâ— 1 15 and Gods approâ—ation and blessing no otherwise then if both parties weare holy So he answeareth them who thought themselves to be defiled by these maâ—iâ—ges with infidels contracted before their conversion and by reason of this scruple sought for 〈◊〉 separation Yâ—u Children borne of such unequall marriages Unclâ—ane that is to say they would not from their birth bee comprehended within Gods coâ—â—â—ant made with the fathers and with the sons Geâ— 17. 7. nor endowed with the spirit of sanctification And would by the Church he held as profane â—cap ab le of baptisme untill such timeas being come to age they were admitted thereunto by their owne faith Holy namely members of the Church and partakers of the grace of regeneration which Saint Paul speakes by Apostolicall declaration according to which such little children were admitted to baptisme V. 15. Depart be divorced for hatred to the religion oâ— that shee marrieth another Or that all possible and reasonable remedies having beene used and a convenient time allotted for that purpose the unbelieving party cannot be induced to a due conjunction A brother namely the beleeving party is loosâ—ed from the bond being thus forsaken by the unbelieving party But God but the believers they are 〈◊〉 by Gods command to endeavour to maintain by 〈◊〉 and concord the matrimony which they 〈◊〉 contracted Ver. 16. Thou shalt save whither thou staying with him mayest be the instrument of his conversion 〈◊〉 salvation by word holy conversation example prayers c. V. 17. Buâ— as howsoever it be if the Inâ—idell be 〈◊〉 coâ—verted yet let the believer remaine in the state 〈◊〉 condition which his person is in be it marriage 〈◊〉 otherwise and in that ordinary course of life which God had appointed him before he called him to be a Christian because these things may very well 〈◊〉 together V. 18. Let him not become as some used to doe by Câ—irurgerie to cancell in their bodies all signes of Iâ—daisme which they had renounced 1 Mac. 1. 16. V. 19. Is nothing Namely now under the Gospell it is of no force nor anyway considerable for Gods service or for mans salvation But the keeping the true Christian and spirituall vertues are not only sufficient but do likewise disannull and exclude under the Gospell all ceremonies of the Law Iohn 4. 23. Rom. 14. 17. V. 20 Abide hee may abide therein with a safe Conscience and ought not rashly to change it neither through superstition nor by doing another any wrong but if hee can doe it for any just causes or through any lawfull meanes it is then lawfull for him to dâ—â— it V. 21. Care not for it be not grieved at it nor doe not take it to heart as if it were a condition unworthy of a Christian or pernicious and unlawfull for him If thou mayest by lawfull and honest wayes V. 22 For he hee confirmeth the exhortation made to servants to beare their condition mildely thorow the comfort of their spirituall freeing from siâ—ne the Devill and death by â—esus Christ. In the Lord to the communion of his spirituall body and Church and to the participation of his grace Is Christs servant he is not master of himselfe not of his actions hee is subject to Christ his Lord. So in Christ all servants and distressed persons have matter of comfort and those who are free and live at ease have cause to humble and subject themselves V. 23. Be not yee if yee bee free doe notwilfully make your selves servants but keepe your selves wholly both body and soule for Christs service to which bodily service is a great disturbance in outward actions Or in your servitude remember alwayes that before anyother you are Christs servants therefore doe not doe any mens service which may bee contrary to Christs service Or as concerning your soule and conscience let not living man have any command over you depend upon Christ onely and upon his word See 2 Cor. 11. 20. Galath 2. 4. Col. 2. 18. V. 24. With God in the order and degree of service which he hath appointed for every one Ver. 25. Vergins namely daughters of families concerning whom the Corinthians had also written to the Apostle to know whither their Parents were oblieged to get matches for them or no. I have no God hath not declared any thing expressely concerning it in his word I give my as of a thing which of it selfe is free and indifferent I doe advise by wisdome enspired by the Holy Ghost what is most expedient according to the circumstances See 2 Cor. 8. 〈◊〉 10. That hath obtained being by especiall grace endowed with the infallible guide of the Holy Ghost not onely in truth but also in good and loyall councell See Isaiah 11. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 40. 1 Thes. 4. 8. V. 26. That this this seemes to shew his opinion concerning the Corinthians question namely whither it was good to keepe ones daughter at home without marrying This is good See ver 1. For the namely for the distresses and persecutions which the Church is falling into which are more difficult to be borne then when one is married then when one is not See Ier. 16. 1. and 29 6. I say that because the reason is generall for all manner of persons To be namely
he is the head of his Church and also in regard of the state of celestiall life and glory to which he was ordained by God his father and of which he hath taken possession from thence to power doune his spirit upon all those who are his V. 49. We have borne beeing engendered by him we have bin like him in nature and qualities shall also bâ—eing regenerated by him wee shall be also made like him in glory V. 50. Now this as the vicious nature of of man signified by these termes of flesh and bloud ought to be changed by the gift of the holy Ghost to have entrance into Gods kingdome so the body ought to be spoiled of its corruptible mortall and animall qualities before it can enjoy the everlasting and glorious life 2. Cor. 5. 1. 4. V. 51. We shall not all those beleevers which shall bee found aliue at CHRISTS last comming shall not die a naturall death which is with sicknesse sorrow and perishing of the body but in stead thereof there shall be in them a sodaine change of qualities V. 52. we shall be namely those beleevers who shall be then living And the Apostle speakes thus to teach every one to be prepared expecting that day every moment 1 Thess. 4. 15. 17. V. 54. Swallowed up destroyed and brought to nothing Rev. 20. 14. in victory that is to say eternally according to the meaning of this phrase amongst the Hebrews from whom it is taken V. 56. The sâ—ing namely that thing which armeth and gives death and hell strength and victory over us The strength namely that by vertue of which sinne produceth utter condemnation and death upon man namely in so much as he transgresseth the law Rom. 4. 15. which besides beeing unable to correct mans wickednesse doth kindle and exasperate it Rom. 5. 20. and 7. 5. 8. 9. 13 V. 57. Through Our lord iâ— as much as through his satisfaction condemnation is disannulled and through his spirit of regeneration the kingdome of sinne is ouerthrowne Rom. 8. 1. 2. 3 and by his coâ—porall death he freeth vs from the reliques of sinne and by his resurrection he freeth vs from all manner of Subiection to death V. 58. In the worke in all actions belonging to your heauenly vocation and to the servâ—ce of God Not in vaine namelie without fruit or reward seeing there is a resurrection eternall happinesse In the Lord that is â—o say iâ—respeect of God and of Christ and accordinge to the manner and order as he vseth in rewarding those who are his with spirituall and everlasting goods which is spoken in opposition of the world in which beleevers ought not to looke for there reward CHAP. XVI VER 1. COllection namelie contribution of almes For the Saints namelie for the Churches of Ierusalem and Iudea V. 2. The first day which was the Sunday which after the Lords resurection and his appearings upon that day Iohn 20. 19. 26. was dedicated to sacred actions and assemblies in stead of the ancient Sabbath Acts 20. 7. Reu. 1. 10. Haâ—â— prospâ—ed as he shall iudge fitting to be done according to reason Or according to the prospering of 〈◊〉 estate V. 6. That ye may desiring to have some of you to beare me companie in my voyages becausâ— of the great confidance I have in you I will stay till the season and time of yeare be sitting because I will not vrge you to any discommoditie V. 9. Doore namelie an occasion of preaching and advancing the worke of the Gospell namelie in Ephesus Acts 19. 1. 9. 23. V. 10. Come to you because that he had given him aduice to goe theither 1. Cor. 4. 17. V. 11. Dispisâ— him for his youth 1 Tim. 4. 12. Jâ—peace louinglie or saâ—elie With the brethren be seemes to meane other brethren who accompanied Timothie V. 15. Adâ—cted themselues nameliâ— to the ministrie of the Gospell as it seemes to be set foorth in the verse following Oâ— in the office of Deacon V. 16. Submâ—tt as to lawfull guides of the Church And labouâ—eth in the holie ministrie which is common to vs all V. 17. That which was namelie the comfort of the spirit or pereadventure bodilie assistance which by reason of your remoâ—enesse I can not re 〈…〉 from you Philip. 2. 〈◊〉 Philp. 13. V. 18. My spirit namely my soule which 〈…〉 holly yours by a sincere and perfect love V. 19. In the Lord that is to say with a spirituall affection in the communion of Christ. V. 21. With mine owne The Apostle employing some scribes for to write his epistles Rom. â—6 22. was wont in the end of them to write something with his owne hand which was well knowen to the Châ—rches to prevent supposed epistles and keep the Church from being deceived Such are this ver and the two following in the first of which he excludes the false brethren who are Christâ— and his churches enemies not only from these his testimonies of charity but even from the communion of Saints V. 22. Anathema a greeke word used in solemne excommunications which signifieth curse and execration See 1. Cor. 12. 3. Maranatha A Syriack word which signifie the Lord commeth vsed amongst Christians in the highest and greatest excommunications in imitation of other equivalent termes which was alwayes used amongst the Iewes to signifie a citing of the excommunicate person before the terrible judgment Seat of God at the last comming of the sonne of God See Iude 15. V. 24. My love I present my good will unto you and all mine intimate affections in the spirituall communion of Christ. The Second Epistle Of Saint Paule the Apostle to the Corinthians Argument THe former epistle having brought forth great fruit of correction in the Church of Corinth yet there remaining many disorderly persons amongst them who on set purpose and to the utmost of their powers did vilifie Saint Pauls â—uthority to with draw the Corinthians love respect and â—bedience from him he writs unto them this second epistle to exhort them to accomplish the reformation which they had so happily begun And at the very first beginning he writes unto them of his troubles combates and dangers and likâ—wise of his deliverances and comforts and desireth to be assisted by their prayers and to bee by 〈◊〉 seconded in his thansgivings Excusing himself for that he had not yet in person visited them according as he had given them hope that he would which was not by reason of any incon 〈…〉 cie in him but onely because he would give them time to sett their Church in such state that he might not at his comming he forced to use and Apoctolicall rigor to the common grief of them and him Commending them in the meane time for their obediâ—cce in the incâ—stuous mans case who bâ—eing becom 〈…〉 penitent upon the first admontion he exhorteth them to receive him again into the peace and communion of the Church giving his Apostolicall vote to the said absolution And he relates unto them how that
covenant and true service Deut. 17. 〈◊〉 6. V. 29. Tâ—â—dden under foot that is to say scornfully contemned and through pride defamed him And hath counted shall have made no more account of Christs blood upon which our reconciliation with God is founded then if it were the blood of some ordinary person yea of some wicked and guiltie one He was by an outward calling into the body of the Church by Baptisme 1 Cor. 7. 14. and likewise by some beginnings and motions of inward regeneration which by his own malignity is not come to its perfection Done despite by secret or open blasphemies with thoughts deeds and words against Gods truth which hath been revealed unto him and the certainty whereof hath been sealed in his heart by the holy Ghost Of grace conferred upon beleevers through Gods fatherly grace and whose proper effect is to breed and confirm the lively feeling of Gods grace in the hearts of his children see Zech. 12. 10. V. 32. â—all to remembrance now he doth encourage them to constancy and patience in afflictions which were the cause of many mens apostacie the meaning is Persevere as you have begun And if in the beginning of your conversion you have shewed so much vertue a great shame it would be to fail now after you have gotten so much knowledge and experience and do not now by back sliding lose the fruit of your former labours which is promised to none but such as persevere to the end Gal. 3. 4. 〈◊〉 John 8. Illuminated that is to say Baptized so Baptisme was anciently called Illumination because that with it was conferred the gift of the holy Ghost which in an instant did illuminate the understanding of those who were baptized being of a competent age faith and knowledge Acts 2. 38. and 8. 12 17. V. 33. Whilest ye became joyning your selves by open profession and by all duties of communion with those that were afflicted in their own persons So used namely that were disquieted and troubled in the same kinde V. 35. Your confidence the Italian Your freedom that is to say Your free and couragious profession of the Gospel which is as it were the buckler of the soule Ephes. 6. 16. and it should seem the Apostle hath a relation to the ignominious degradation of the Souldier amongst the Romans that threw away his shield V. 36. The promise namely the everlasting life and glory which hath been promised us V. 37. He that namely Christ. Will not â—â—rry beyond the time which God hath prefixed and beyond the time as shall be necessary for the Church V. 38. The just see upon Heb. 24. Draw back if he departs from his beleef in 〈◊〉 if he becomes carelesse or disloyall in following my vocation The Apostle followeth the Greek translation somewhat different from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 V. 39. To the saving the Italian to make 〈◊〉 of to save our soule with losse of all the rest see Matth. 16. 26. CHAP. XI Vers. 1. IS the he makes things which are hoped for and consequently are absent and 〈◊〉 off Rom. 8. 24. to be by apprehension of faith as already existent and reall The evidence an infallible argument and means of certainty and invariable perswasion V. 2. For by it he gives a reason of the first property of faith to seale Gods promises in mans heart by the example of the Fathers before Christs comming who by faith did apprehend Christ and his ben 〈…〉 as already present and in regard of that are commended in Scripture as beleevers and children of God and righteous and thereby are acknowledged to be worthy to receive the promises wherefore if faith have had this vertue before Christ it doth much more retaine it after his comming in the flesh as well in regard of the things which he hath already done as of those things which he shall hereafter perform for their salvation V. 3. Through faith he touches the other propertie of faith in the firme perswasion of the truth of things whereof neither sense nor discourse of reason can give any sound impression such as the creation of the world is The worlds the Italian the ages that is to say the world see upon Heb. 1. 2. By the word of nothing by the onely omnipotency and will of God Of things of any pre-existent matter or beginning but of nothing which is beyond all naturall understanding V. 4. By faith Abels faith made his sacrifice acceptable to God as want thereof made Cains to be rejected now this sacrifice of Abels had two ends the one to be a Sacrament of expiation promised to Adam in Christ the other to be an act of worship and of acknowledgement towards God Abel by his lively faith in Gods promises made the Sacrament effectuall which otherwise would have been but a dead Ceremonie and by meanes of the same faith being in Gods favour and justified and regenerate his service was also acceptable as the fruit of a good tree He obtained witnesse in so much as it is said in that place that God regarded Abel that is to say accepted and approved of him as holy and righteous not for his own worth and merit as appeared by his Sacrament of propitiation but by vertue of the onely righteousnesse of all ages residing in Christ and apprehended by faith Te 〈…〉 ing being it is also said that God respected his offering By it that is to say Having through faith been the childe of God in his life time God shewed after his death that his favour towards him did yet last being it is said Gen. 4. 10. that Abels blood cried unto the Lord as calling him to be judge which ought not onely be understood for revenge against Cain but also in retribution of life to Abel being that Gods justice sheweth it self to be Almighty and most perfect not onely in punishing the offender as mens justice doth but also in restoring the innocent to life and giving him a reward So in Abel is declared the effect of faith in assuring the beleever of Gods present grace and of his life and glory to come V. 5. By faith Enoch having firmly by faith apprehended Gods promises in the Messias was also set down for an example of the end of faith which is to be translated out of this naturall and corruptible life into the heavenly and immortall life 1 Cor. 15. 51. That he should not that he should not die a naturall death by the dissolution of his body but by a neer and sudden change of qualities 1 Thess. 4. 17. This singularity in Enoch was a signe of the true use of the death of Gods children which is but onely to put off the old earthly qualities and in this manner to dispose them to put on the new heavenly ones 2 Cor. 5. 2. 4 For before he gives a reason why he hath attributed this transportation to faith namely because God having by means of faith adopted him in grace to be his Sonne did likewise give him