and vncleannesse and other Leuiticall obseruations wherein Christ was shadowed This booke is deuided into many particulars because it containeth many Ceremonial or ecclesiasticall obseruations so that it may wel be called the Ecclesiastical ordinance of Moses From the beginning of the first chap. vnto the 6. some kind of Sacrifices are described as in this booke many are contained wherof some are here mentioned 1 Of the first kinde was the burnt offering as a Sacrifice wholy to bee burned because all of it was to be burnt and nothing thereof reserued as of other sortes some thinges were to be preserued for the priests chap. 1 2 A meate oblation which sacrifice is otherwise called CARBAS a gift or offerings as the oblation of sundry kindes of bread chap. 2 3 A peace offering wherein men being reconciled and obtaining peace did giue thanks vnto God wherefore it taketh his name from peace among the Hebrues that it should be a sacrifice of thanksgeuing with cleane beasts of both sextes offered by one that is receiued and reconciled chap. 3 4 A sin offering a sacrifice that should be offered for the sin of the priest people prince chap 4 5 There are other sorts to bee annexed whereof there is mention made in this book as the sacrifice for the ignorance of the priest Prince and people 6 A trespasse offering 7 A drinke offering in Hebrew called NESICH 8 A sacrifice of vowes of the Hebrues called NEDES when men of their own accord did vow some vow of sacrifice 9 The Ban offering when men cursed themselues if they should take this or that that wherein they cursed themselues was to be offered vnto the Lord. Summarily in the fiue first chap. are described sundry kindes of sacrifices and the causes for the which they were to be offered From the 6. chapter to the 9. are diuers lawes for sacrifice repeated As first of the burnt offering 2. of peace offering 3. Of sinne offering and the preseruing of them From the ninth to the 11. three thinges are set forth to vs for example sake First obedience to God chap. 9. Secondly disobedience towards God chap. 10. Thirdlie a precept of sobrietie From the 11. chap. to the 18. are described not only the vncleane beasts but also other vncleanesse and the purgings of theÌ„ as 1. Of child-bearing women cha 12. 2. Leperous men chap. 13. 3. Menstruous women chap. 15. 4. Dead carcases From the 18. chap. to the 23. not only the degrees of consanguinity is described in the 6. precept but other precepts with a larger explication of them is repeated From the 23. chap. vnto the end doe follow other diuine ordinances as of feasts and for the poore Secondly of vowes tithes then Sermons and exhortations to the obedience of Gods word with threatninges that the offendors shal be punished Hitherto was set forth the booke of Leuiticus which deliuereth the lawes and ordinaces of Moses concerning the outward worship of God which did not onely discerne the Iewes from the Gentiles but also they exercised themselues therein not that sins could be taken away before god with burnt offerings because the forgiuenesse of sinnes is by the only sonne of God But that by this outward disciplin which had a reward anexed vnto it they might serue God 4. Of the book of Numery THis book hath his name of numbring bicause the people of God are numbred after their tribes are ordred for the exercise of religion their places of abode and their offices are distributed apponited for euery seuerall tribe Here are repeated also many transgressions of the people many daungers many punishments many blessings of God bestowed vpon the people as they were betweene mount Sinay and the land of promise Al which matters haue reference vnto Christ for whom the common-weale of Israel was set vp The prophesy also of Balaam concerning the kingdome of Christ is in this book From the beginning of the book to the 5 chap. are numbred generallye first all the Tribes of the people of Isr the tents of euery tribe are placed about the tabernacle Then particularly the tribe of Leuy is numbred vnto whome by themselues their offices are appointed From the 5 ch to the 7 are diuers lawes described as 1. of casting out the hoast 2. of Ielousy 3. of Nazarits vnto which in thâ—end of the 6 chap. is anexed a forme of blessing which our ministers do vse in steade of Itâ—missa when the supper of Christ is ended whereof there be these particulars 1 The Lord blesse thee and keep thee 2 The Lord lighten thee with his countenance haue mercy on thee 3 The Lorde lift vp his countenance vpon thee and giue thee peace From the 7 to the 11 are sundry ordinances described for the noble guifts of Princes which were offered in the dedication of the Tabernacle being erected of the altar as the ordination of consecrating the Leuites in the 8 chap. the ordination of the feast of the passeouer in the 9 cha the ordination of the trumpets in the 10 chap. which part is ordained in the end of the 10 chapt praier of Moses before the lifting vp disposing of the Arke From the 11 to the 17 are described fearfull examples whereby men ought to bee brought to feare as 1. The murmuting of the people for flesh and the punishment of their murmuring 2. The sedition of Aron and Marie his sister who was punished with Leprosie against Moses 3. The vnfaithfulnesse of the spies of the land of Canaan which put the people in feare 4. The murmuring and weeping of the people and the punishment of theyr incredulity 5. The punishment of those that sin of ignorance pride c. and of one that gathered sticks vpon the sabaoth day 6. The sedition and punishment of Corah Dathan Abiron From the 17 to the 21 besides the myracles of Arons rodde bearing blossomes is described the dignity office and reward of the priests and Leuites with the making of the sprinkling water of the ashes of a Cowe wherunto is added the story of Arons death and of his sister Mary From the 22 to the 25 after the Conquest in battell against the Cananites is discribed a fearefull example of Murmuring punnished with fierie serpents where the brasen serpent represents Christ Iohn And then in the other 3 chapters is discribed the blessing of the people and balams prophesie of Christ From the 25 to the 28 besides the dreadfull punnishment of Fornication the people are againe numbred before the diuision of the lande of Canaan the law of inheriting is published From the 28 to the 31 is discribed the ordayning of Sacrifices in euery feast as Sacrifice 1 Of the daily sacrifice 2 Of the Sabaothes 3 Of the new moones 4 Of the passeouer 5 Of Whitsontide 6 Of Trumpets 7 Of Propitiation 8 Of Tabernacles 9 Of Collection ¶ To these is added a Discription of sundrie Vowes From the 31 to the eude
To whom shal wee goe thou hast the words of eternall life Concerning the holy Bible and bookes of the old and new Testament THE Byble or Bibles although generally it signifieth a book yet more particularly by the holie Bible is the bookes of the old and new Testament called holie for the holy Diuinity and doctrine of God are seuered from the wisedome of the world and brought from heauen and a Bible because many bookes are therein contained The first whereof is Genesis the last the Reuelation The first deuision of the BIBLE THe holy Bible is deuided into the olde and new Testament The olde Testament containeth those bookes which were written before Christ was borne as the bookes of Moses the Psalmes and the Prophets with som other which are in number 48. The new Testament comprehends those bookes which were set foorth after the birth of Christ As the bookes of the Gospelles and the Epistles with others which are in number 27. The 2. Diuision THe holy Bible is diuided into six parts in respect of so much as concerne the difference of the Bookes For some of the bookes of the Bible are Legall Historicall Doctrinall Propheticall Euangelicall and Epistolar 1 The siue bokes of Moses cald c. are Legall because the lawe is specially described in them 2 Historicall are those which simply containe Histories or thinges doone as are the bookes 1 of Iosua 2 of Iudges 3 of Ruth 4 of Kings 5 of Chron. 6 of Ezra 7 of Nehemiah 8 of Tobias 9 of Iudith 10 of Hester 11 of Machabees 12 of The acts of the Apostles 3 Doctrinall are those which containe some speciall doctrine for the edifying of the hearers as are the books 1 of Iob. 2 of Psalms 3 of Prouerbs 4 of Ecclesiast 5 Canticles 6 Wisedome 7 Iesus Sirach 4 Prophetical are those which were preached written by the Prophets wherof 4. are called the greater and the rest are called the lesser Prophets The greater because they write greater and longer bookes the lesser because they write lesser and smaller bookes 5 Euangelicall bookes are they which containe the Euangelicall stories of our Sauiour Christ set forth by the 4. Euangelists 6 Epistolar are the writinges and letters of the Apostles and specially of the apostle Paule The 3. deuision Some books of the Byble are Canonicall Apocrypha Canonicall bookes are those in which is preserued the authority of Ecclesiasticall oppinions Apocrypha or doubtfull bookes are those whose credit is doubted of and serue only for the instruction of the people not for confirming the opinions of the church such are the bookes 1 of Iudith 2 of Wisedome 3 of Tobia 4 of Iesus Sirach 5 of Baruch 6 of Machabees 7 of The fragments in Hest DaÌ„ All the rest are Canonicall bookes otherwise called Authenucall from whence the Canonicall and autenâ—call scripture hath his name and they are Canonicall which reade or expound the holy Scriptures Of the Bookes Legall or the 5. Bookes of Moses THe books of Moses haue their names in Greeke Pentatenchou of the numb of 5. because they are but 5. of the Hebrewes they are called 5. fiftes and they are ascribed to Moses either because Moses wrote them or because they containe the story of Moses in them and they are 5 1 Genesis 2 Exodus 3 Leuiticus 4 Numbers 5 Deuteronomy 1. Of Genesis GEnesis hath his name of begetting or of generation because it is a booke of the generation of the world both for the Creation of things and for the restoring of them after the floud It hath in it 50. Chapters and is diuided into sixe principall partes in regard of the sixe famous persons whose stories are set forth in Genesis 1. Adam is described from chap. 1 to cha 6 2. Noah from the 6 to the 12 3. Abram from the 12 to the 20 4. Isaac from the 20 to the 28 5. Iacob from the 28 to the 37 6. Ioseph from the 37 to the end of the book But Genesis in some containes 1 The Beginning of the world 2 The Deluge 3 The Burning of Sodom 4 The Destruction of Babell 5 The Deeds of the Patriarches 6 The Fall especially of mankind his restoring againe by the blessed seede of the woman that is Iesus Christ 2. Of Exodus EXodus is so called of going out because heere is described the going of the children of Israell out of Egypt as also the conuersion of many in the wildernesse wher the law was published because men knewe not what sinne was For then God gaue to his people the law of the ten commandements and after by Moses ordained Ceremoniall and Iudiciall lawes that Religion and gouernment might bee preserued among the Iewes In all which as in the building of the Tabernacle Christ was shadowed so the law is a schoolmaister vnto Christ The principal deuision of Exodus 1 From the first chap. to the 7 after thâ— description 1. of the birth 2. of the hiding 3. casting into the water 4. adoption 5 slight 6. mariage of Moses God giues 〈◊〉 commandement both of his restoring into Egypt and of his bringing the people oâ— Israell out of Egypt because they were oppressed with a harde bondage by Pharao which coÌ„mandmeÌ„t after long delay he doth execute In the midst of the 4. ch he goeth into Egypt and with his brother Aron goeth vnto K. Pharao reasoneth with him about the letting go of the people which is in the 6 ch 2 From the 7. chap to the 12 are described the ten plagues of Egypt as that 1 of Blood 2 of Frogges 3 of Lice 4 of Flies 5 of Mouen of cartel 6 Blanes 7 Haile 8 Locusts 9 Darknesse 10 death of the 1. born 3 From the 12 cha to the 16 is described the deliuerance of the people of Israell out of Egypt not without puisuing yet by the mightye power of God 4 From the 16 ch to the 20 is described the going forward of gods people thorow the desaâ—t their murmuring and Gods deliuerance with Mâ—nnâ— and Quaâ—les In the 20 chap. the â— commandementes are giuen to Moses 6 From the 21 to 25 Iudicial lawes are ordained 7 From the 25 to 32 are ordained lawes ecclesiastical or ceremoniall concerning the building of the Tabernacle 8 From the 32 chap. to 36 are the tables giuen of the ten commandements 9 From the 36 to the 40 chap is described the building of the Tabernacle 10 In the last chap. hamely in the 40 the erecting of the Tabernacle is described Thus much of the booke of Exodus 3. Of Leuiticus LEuiticus the third book of Moses is named of the tribe of I euy for the Priesthood of Aron which in this book is ordained with the lawes therof is appointed for the purging and eâ—pâ—ation of sin that it might signifie the true priest Christ Iesus the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world For for this cause were the Leuiticall Sacrifices the Leuitical hallowings
end the Citties of refuge are appointed and the fieldes of the Leuites neere to the cittie then Rub. Gad and the tribe of Maâ—asses are sent away to their owne possessions according to the couenant Num. 32 Afterwardes the care of Iâ—suâ— touching his posteritie is shewed by a notable exhortation and forbiding them to haue societie with the Gentiles and he shewes a lardge rehearsall of Gods benefites and making a couenant betwene them and God he calleth backe the people vnto God Lastly is declared the death of Iosua and Eleazar the sonne of Aron and the burying of Iosephes bones ⧠The booke of Iudges THe booke of the Iudges is named of those Iuges which after the death of Iosua Gouerned Israell For it contayneth a discription of Israells proceeding after Iosuahes death vnder the Iudges who maruailouslie defended the people from their enemies wherein is to bee obserued that God preserued the comon weale of Israell for the same cause for which he did establish it Namely for his sonnes sake that should be borne of the Ieweish people also this is to be noted that the people of the old Testament were vnder fower kindes of Gouernement according to the diuersitie of the times 1 Vnder a Fatherlye Aucthoritie in the time of the Patriarches Moses and Aaron 2 Vnder the aucthoritie of Iudges during the time of these Iudges 3 Vnder the gouernement of Kinges in the time of the Kinges 4 Vnder the gouerment of the Priestes in the time of the Priestes vntill Christe Who one for all is 1 Eternall Father 2 Iudge of the quicke and dead 3 King of Kinges 4 Euerlasting hie priest There were in number as Iudges 16. 1 Iudas 2 Simeon 3 Othoniell 4 Aroth 5 Samgar 6 Deborah the Prophetise 7 Baruck 8 Gedeon alias Ierobabell 9 Abimelech 10 Thola 11 Iair 12 Iepthe 13 Abesau 14 Achialâ—n 15 Abdon 16 Samson Now the booke of Iudges is deuied according to the order of the persons as they ruled in Israell From the begining of the booke to the 6 chap. 7. histories are discribed of the Iudges Iudas Simion c. Amongst whom Deborah the prophetis singeth a notable song in the 5. chap. From the 6. to the 13 besides the storie of Giddeon and his sonne three other Iudges are discribed Thola Iair and Iepthe of the Sacrifising of his daughter chap 11 from the 13 to the 17 is described an exelent storie of Samson and heere is Samson peculiarly comended in it hee was a figure of Christe From the 17. to the end of the booke beside the Idoll of Mica and the children of Dan is set forth a fearefull and a lamentable story of a Leuites wise for whom being rauished fallen downe dead and cut into 12. peeces the whole trâ—be of Beniamin was al most extinguished that by this one example we may learne that God doth seuerely fearfully punish adulteries Thus farre goeth the Booke of Iudges wherein are set before vs many examples to stirre vs vppe to repentance in which we also see that God hath alwaies sharpely punished Idolatry and other feareful sinnes but hath beene mercifull to the repentant that this booke may well be called the booâ— of the VVrath and Mercy of God The booke of Ruth THe booke of Ruth is so named of Ruth a woman that was a gentile to wit a Moabite of the people of Moab who was the sonne of Lotte Gen. 16 This booke containeth only 4 chap besides that it is an example of domesticall care wherein it also declares that God euen then had care of the Gentiles and that the Gospell was reuealed to the Gentiles after these things Ruth and other of the Gentiles are ioyned to the seed of Abraham This booke containeth part of the genealogy of Dauid which by the Euangelist is translated into the genealogie of Christ so that you may say that this booke also hath reference to Christ and thou mayst know that it was decreed long before that Christ should be borne of sinners harlots for the abolishing of sinnes And furthermore thou shouldst not doubt saluation also to bee ordained for the Gentiles It is deuided into 2 partes JN the two former chap Ruth is set down for an example how all Daughters in law ought to behaue themselues Humblie and dutifully towardes their Mothers in-lawe 2 In the other chapt is an example of Chastitie in Booz The bookes of Kinges THe 4 Historicall bookes which are intituled the bookes of the Kinges after the vsuall edition are in Hebrue onely two whereof the first is named SAMVELL and is deuided of the Latines into 2 bookes the which are called the bookes of Samuell The later of them is called the booke of Kinges which in like maner is deuided into 2 bookes which are called the bookes of the Kinges This Samuell was a most faithfull constant Prophet of God vnder King SAVL of whoÌ„ the 2 first bookes do take their names and in the one of them the storie of Saul in the other the storie of Dauid is larglie discribed The two latter bookes are commonlie called the bookes of the Kings because they conteyne the Historie of all the other kings both in Israell and in Iudah In the first booke of Samuell is discribed the beginning of the third kinde of gouernment namely the Kinges vnder wicked K. Saul vnder whom the kingdome and monarchie was ordeyned in Israell In the second booke of Samuell the kingdome is translated from Saules house vnto Dauids the most godly king and Prophet which is worthiely called the crowne of prophets In the 1. booke of the kinges it is according to the vulgar edition and in the thirde of the Kinges is discribed first the storie of SallomoÌ„ the king in whose time the TeÌ„ple was built vnto the Lorde in Ierusalem 2. the deuiding of the kingdome into two partes namely Iudah and Israell in the histories some of the Kinges of both partes are largely discribed In the 2. booke of Malchim that is to say in the 4. booke of the kinges according to the vulgar all the kinges in Israell and in Iudah are discribed also the wasting carying away the people of Israell captiues into Assiria Iudah into Babilon In the mean while the bookes are garnished with the promise concerning Christ which were made vnto Dauid 2. Kinges 3 ¶ A Catalogue of the Kinges of the People of Iudah Saul Dauid 1. Kinges 9 2. Kinges 3 Sala These 3. reigned ouer all the People of Israell Iudah before the discription of the Tâ—â—bes Afterwardes ten tribes sell away from the ten and they became two kingdomes as the Kingdome of Iud with the two tribes Iudah and Benieamin the kingdome of Israell with other ten Tribes The Kinges of Iudah 1 Roboam 3  12. 14 2 Abias wicked 3   15. 3 Asa 2 〈◊〉  15. 4 Iehosop Godly 2   16. 5 ZaÌ„bnas 3   12. 6 Ioram wicked 4   11. 7 Ochozlâ—s    Â
are established certaine matters concerning Pollicie 1 The parting of the spoile after the victory in the warre against the Amalakites 2 A particular diuiding of the lande of Canaan 3 A rehearsall of the places of abâ—ade where the Israelites sometimes staied for the space of 40. yeares 4 A discription of the bounds of the land of Canaan and the chusing of them that should be deuiders with the part of the Leuites the Cities of refuge and possessions which might not bee translated to another Tribe All these are full of Examples of Faith and vnbeleefe of transgressions punishments and of the maruellous administrations of God hauing reference to Christ that was to come in the flesh 5. Of Deuteronomy SO called of DEVTEROS NOMOSâ— that is of the second rehearsall and publishing of the lawe for whatsoeuer is propounded in Exodus and Leuiticus concerning moral Ceremoniall Iudicial lawes the same Moses doth almost repeate in thiâ— booke For it was very requisite that thâ— people beeing punished for their disobedâ—ence should againe bee brought to the obseruing of the lawe Moses therefore repeated the Law again with all things that happened vnto them Besides what pertayned to the priesthood from the 9 chap hee declareth all those matters which pertained either to spiritual or corporall gouernment all which he applyeth to this end that they might draw vs vnto Christ of whome hee prophesyeth plainly in the 18. chap I will raise vppe a prophet for them from among their brethren c. For the law is a schoolmaister vnto Christ and the end of the law is Christ The Book is very fitly deuided into 4. principall parts 1 From the beginning to the 5. chap are rehearsed some of Gods works benefits past vnto theÌ„ wherby the people are sharply admonished both of their own vnthankefulnesse and disobedience and also put in mind of Gods goodnesse thereby to obey him 2 From the fift to the 20 he repeateth those things which eyther might further or hinder faith which do chieflye concerne spiritual gouernment and the true worship of God in the first Table for first vnto the 13 chap hee repeateth the ten Commaundements with weighty admonitions exhortations to the feare of God and keeping the x. commandements of God with exhortations from the Idolatry of the gentils especially after the inioying of the lande of Canaan with a recitall of some stories TheÌ„ he faithfully repeateth the ecclesiastical ordinances concerning ministers and the ministery of the word Tithes the yeare of Iubile the principal feasts choise of magistra right of the priesthood and the Cities of refuge 3 From the 13 chap to the 20 all those things which belong to the worship of the first Table 4 From the 20 to the 31 hee repeateâ— those things that might either work or hinder charity In the second Table that which conceâ—â— outward gouernment as political ordinances 1 of Warlike affaires 2 of The works of charity 3 of Those things that were fit for at office of theÌ„ that were to take iâ— 4 of The bill of diuorce 5 of thanfulnes towards Gods word Hereunto are added punishmentes for the breach of Gods commandement and rewards for keeping them and that which is most comfortable he sheweth in the 30 ch that thorowe repentance there is a waye for sinners to the mercy of God 5 From the 31 cha to the end of the book are set forth those thinges which happened about the death of Moses For first he comforteth the people least they should greeue and be discouraged because of his death theÌ„ with a notable song hee giues thankes vnto God and foretelleth what shal come to pas in the land of promise Afterward he blesseth the people and after the example of the Patriarch Iacob Gen 49 he blesseth euery seuerall tribe taking his leaue of them and prophesieth what shal befall vnto then Lastly he goeth vp to the mountain and receiuing comfort from God departeth this life and as it is thought he was both with body and soule carried vp into heauen as he appeared with Eliah in mount Thabor Thus farre of the Pentatenk of Moses which is so called of the number fiue and of the laste ve be Tencho which signe is to giue instruction as if it were an instrument which is of fiue stringes hauing respect to the only Lord Iesus Christ as he himselfe else-where but especially in the last of Luke doeth testifye saying Those thinges which are written of the sonne of man in Moses c. also there are diuers places in the new Testament alledged out of Moses Of the Booke of Iosua NOw some of the bookes Historical do follow in order vntill the 5. booke of Iob. Amongst which the chiefest are first As that of Iosua the Iudges and Kinges Wherein we may plentifully learne 1. The feare of God and Fai h. 2 weaknesse the crosse 3 repentance and amenedment 4 patience and comfort 1 The booke of Iosua taketh the name of Iosua himselfe the sonne of Nvun whoe was otherwiseÌ„ called Iesus Naue Hee succeeded Moses in the office of Magistracie and as Moses guided and gouerned the people 40. yeares beeing deliuered out of Egypt in the wildernesse by the mighty haÌ„d of God so Iosua by the same power of god brought the people into the land of Canaan or the lande of Promise taking the Caties and killing or putting to flight the inhabitants and deuided the land among theÌ„ in which these three things are to be seuerally obserued 1 That God kept his promise made to fiue Patriarches concerning the lande of Promise 2 That the Common-weale of Israell is preserued for the foretelling of the blessed seed of the woman our lord Iesus Christ 3 That God fighteth for his people againste the wicked whose sinnes hee punisheth by wasting and killing them for an example to all the vngodly that they might repent This booke is deuided as the principal book of Deut. into 4. parts First from the beginning to the sixt cha besides the calling of Iosua and the confirming of him and his gouerning of the common weale of Israel and the sending out of the spyes their daunger and returne theyâ— myraculous passage ouer the riuer lordan is described with the remembrance thereof and with a new command of Circumcision which for 40. yeares space had beene omitted and the celebration of the Passeouâ—â— 2 From the 6 Chap to the 13 besides the league made with the Gibbonites the sinne of sacriledge the sacking of the Cities of Iericâ— Hai c. And the killing of many Kings are heere discribed which in the 12 chapter are numbred that we may see how God fighteth mightilie for his people and that he rooteth out the vngodly 3 From the 13 chap. to the 20 is discribed the diuision of the lande of Canaan and the distributing thereof by lots according to the Tribes of Israell whereby is shewed that the promise of God is true 4 From the 20 chap to the
Afterwardes thorough the kinges fauour he was promoted chieflie after he had interpreted the Dreame of the king Nabucadnezer Lastly hee continued there lxx yeeres liued vntill the reigne of Cirus king of Persia as appeares in the end of the 1. chapt and as it is manifested in the ninth chapter He was indued with such an excellent spirit that hee did not onely see the kingdome of Christ to come and to remaine for euer the destruction of other kingdomes but also he reckoned the yeares by weekes in which Christ should come He wholy applies himself in this that he might manifest the glorious and the eternall kingdome of Christ and hee foretelleth that besides him all the kingdome of the world are vaine and transitory Furthermore here is to be obserued that Daniel vseth the Chaldean toung vnto the beginning of the eight chapter Besides that the song of the three children The history of Susanna and of Bell as also the fable of the Dragon are not accounted or reckoned neither in the Caldean nor in the Hebtue toung neither yet haue testimony in holy scriptures that Daniell is the author of these bookes Therefore they are separated by the best translators of the Byble from the writing of Daniel and are altogither put by themselues hauing their owne proper vse to edification But in the booke of Daniel there are 1 Examples 1 2 4 5 6. chap. 2 Histories 2 3. 3 Reuelations 2 4. 4 Visions 7 8 10. 5 Miracles 3 6. 6 Sermons 4 5. 7 Prayers 9 8 Giuing of thanks 2. 9 Prophesies 9 11 12. The twelue chap. of Daniel are deuided one from another after this maner In the first chapter besides the history of Daniel and his fellowes being brought vp in the palace of the king of Babylon is set forth an admyrable example of godlinesse in Daniel howe hee learned amongst the Gentiles In the second chap. is tolde or rehearsed vnto the king the dreame and the interpretation thereof by Daniell concerning the 4. monarchies Where he sets foorth first the king of Babylon Secondly the king of Persia Thirdly the king of the Grecians Fourthly the king of the Romanes vnder whom the Iewes were to bee afflicted In the 3 chapter is described the kinges wicked Idolatry after his fall and the miraculous deliuerance of the three children from the fire In the four the chap is discribed besides the dreame concerning the tree by the which is set foorth the king of Babilon the punishment of the proude king the receiuing of him into fauour and the forgiuenes of his sinnes after his repentance In the fifth chap is described principally the tyranie of King Baltashar the sonne of king Nabucadnezer in the abusing of the holy vessells also afterwardes the punishment of his tyrannie by the losse of his kingdome and life In the sixth chap is described the deliuerance of Daniell and the punishmente of wicked men vnder Darius the king of the Babilonians In the 7. chaap Daniell seeeth a dreame of 4. beastes to whom the 4. Monarchies are compared In 8. chap he seeeth an other dreame concerning the afflictions vnder wicked Antiochus successor to the mightie prince Alexander the great In the ninth chap afterwardes he prayeth the almightie God for the releasement of the Iewes from the Babilonian captiuitie and being hearde is made certaine of the comming of the true Messiah by the declaration or manifestation of the Angell Gabriell accompted particulerly in seauentie weekes In the tenth chapt he writeth most singularly of Angells who cease not continually to fight against euill Angells for the defence of good and Godly menne and of Kingdomes In the 11. chap he prophecieth in order concerning the alteration of kingdomes doth also foretell vnder what monarchies the Iewes shoulde be afflicted before that the Messias came First of all that Darius king of the Medes is slaine by Alexander and after the death of Alexander the kingdome of the Grecians is diuided into fower kingdomes First into Asia Secondly into Syria Thirdlie into Egipt and fowerthlie into Greece last of all how Antiochus afflicted the people of Israell vntill hee was resisted and driuen away by Iudas Machabeus In the 12. chap. he prophecieth according to the cōmon translation of Antichrist vnder the name of Antiochus as Paul in the 2. of the Thessalonians 2. doth interprete this place Furthermore by the kingdome of Antioch he vnderstandeth not only the Papall sea of Rome but also the kingdome of the Turkes or Mahomet by whome the church of Christ towards the ende of the world should be vexed The song of the three children according to the common edition hath place in the third chapt of Daniel where all kind of Creatures are incited to laude and praise God The story of Susanna is comfortable because lying and slanderous menne at the length are disclosed and do suffer shame and such as are cleare and pure are deliuered The story of the I doll Bell doth at this day very plainly set forth the fraud and dedcipt of the Pope by the which they haue hitherto seduced poore miserable menne and yet doe still seduce and deceiue in many places Hitherto hath beene spoken of concerning the foure great Prophets Nowe followeth the twelue lesser Prophetes In which bookes they couet the increase and amplification of Christs kingdome which is their principall argument although by diuers and sundry reasons 1. Oseas prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 2. Ioell prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 3. Amos. prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 4. Micheas prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 5. Sophonias prophesied against Ierusalem 6. Ionas prophelied against Niniuy 7. Nahum against Babylon 8. Abacuc against Babylon 9. Abdias against Edom. 10. Haggei did vrge the people to reedifie the citty 11. Zacha did vrge the people to reedifie the citty 12. Malach did vrge the people to reedifie the citty 14 Or otherwise thus In the yeare before the birth of Christ 1 Ionas vnder Achab. 2 Abdi vnder Iereboā kings of Israell They liued prophesied in the year 496. 3 Esaias vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 4 Osea vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 5 Ioel. vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 6 Amos vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 7 Micheas A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpō the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 8 Nahum A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpō the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 9 Abacuc A little after vnder Manasses the king of
Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 10 Ieremy A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 11 Sophony A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 12 Ezechi A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Daniell A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Hagg. Zacha. Mallach After the returne of the people of Babilon 559. Concerning the Booke of Hosea the Prophet OSeas by the Etimologie of his name signifieth Health and therefore he maried his lawfull wife according to Gods comaundement but with such a reproche as that she is called his harlot so comes it to passe that the worlde doth rage against the Ministers of Gods worde Therefore God forbidde that wee shoulde thinke the Prophet to liue in Fornication In the beginning of his Sermons he betrotheth Israel to the Lorde our God in iustice in iudgment in mercy and pittie and reconciles them to Dauid their king and so he calles Christ as being borne of the loynes of Dauid In the end he threatneth the destruction of Death with great feruencie I will saith he be thy Death Oh Death I will be thy Death for euer In the meane time he doth preach most feruently constaÌ„tly against Israell against the Idollatrie of the Princes and Priestes of the people Afterwardes he prophecieth very power-fully concerning the kingdome of Christ These two thinges were the offices duties of all the prophets the one out of the Law the other out of the promises for the which they were brought to their death as heretikes and seditious persons From the beginning to the 14. chap there are prophesies and sermons of reproofe against the kingdome of Israell because for Idolatrie which he calleth spirituall Fornication not onely the people but also Princes and priestes are to be punished of God with corporall eternall captiuitie vnlesse they repent he mittigateth these Comminations with the promises of God that they shoulde not dispâ—ire but conuert vnto god Also in the 2.3.11.12.14 there are prophecies and comfortable sermons concerning the kingdome of Christ the preching of the Gospell and the victories of Christe ouer Death and Hell together with the Eternall captiuitie of the people of Israell their restoring by faith in the mercies of god through Christ The booke of Ioel the Proph. JOEL by the Etimologie of his name signifieth begining or desiring Who hee was of what Tribe in what time or vnder what king he liued it is vncertaine chieflie because he himselfe maketh no mencion of this vnlesse it be for that he is thought to liue with Osea and Amos whilest he preacheth against the kingdome of Israel Hee labours only to shew how punishments plagues hang ouer the earth for innumâ—rable sins greuous wickednes WheÌ„ce S. Peter on the feast of Penticost tooke occasion to preach act 2. And Saint Paul allegeth the saying of Ioel in the 2. chap. euerie one that calleth on the name of the lord shall be saued Rom 10. In the 1. chapt he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israel to weet it woulde come to passe that Israel should be carried away into Syrâ—a He vnderstaÌ„deth the Assâ—â—ians by these 4. kinde of wormes deuouring smite and Corne to weet the Palmer worme The Grasse-hopper The Canker worme and the Caterpiller shewing the vnpeâ—pling and deuastacion by litle litle of the kingdome of Israel In the 2. 3. after he had sore-shewed vnto the king of Assirta his destruction he propheâ—â—eth euen vnto the end of the kingdome of Christ of the holy Ghost and of the celestiall Ierusalem In that he speaketh of the Valley of Iehosophat in the last cha He seemeth not only that it ought to be vnderstoode of the eternall Iudgment but also of the church of Christ as the valley of Achor in Osea in the which the Gentiles were adiudged to bee sinners and are called to repentance by the word of God the holy Ghost reproues the world of sinne The booke of Amos. AMos by the etymology of his name signifieth a burthen or yoke and he answereth more then all the prophets thorow his vehemency to the singularity of his name He reproues the Israelits throughout all his booke and doth inuey against them although a stranger amongst them as one born in the tribe of Iudah nor so much as the sonne of a prophet but a shepheard an ordinary man as he himselfe witnesseth in the 2. chap. But hee liued in the time of Osea and Esay as GOD is of power to call suche by a suddaine or certaine diuine miracle against all wicked powers which they call ordinarie where necessitie requireth Euen so the holy Ghost made A postles of rude and vnlearned Fishers It is thought that Amos was slaine by a wicked priest called Amasia with a Fullers clubbe ¶ The chapters of this booke are ix which are thus to be distinguished From the beginning vnto the 4. chapt he prophecieth agâ—inst the neighbours of the Iewes and of the Israelites who were the kinges of Syria the kinges of Palestina of Tire of Edome of Amon Meab c. saith that it will come to passe that they also should be punished of God againe Afterwardes he prophecieth against the kinges of Israell and Iuda with an admonition that they shoulde not contempne the prophets of God From the 4. chap. to the 7. he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israell threatneth horrible thinge to come vnto them from God 1. Famine 2. Dearth 3. Pestilence 4. Botch 5. the sword and lastly vtter distructioÌ„ by the Assirians in the meane time whilest he reproues their sinnes he exhorteth them to repentance by the deuastation of the Assirians From the 7 chap. to the ende besides 3. visions which he sawe against the King of Israell to weet 1. the Locustes the fire and the Line or rule vpon the Wall hee contendes with the wicked prest Amasiah to whom he promiseth horrible mischiefe Afterwardes he preacheth against the couetousnes of the rich and the oppression of the poore In the ende hee addeth a most excellent place concerning the kingdome of the Mesiah which is cited of Iames the Apostle Act. 15. As also a place is cited of Stephen in the 5. chap Act. 7. But that which he speakes in the 1. chap. of 3. and 4. sinnes he vnderstandeth the greatnes and the multitude of sin the impatiencie and defence thereof 3. and 4. makes 7. which is a Finall or indefinit number in holy Scripture
Elephants sent out of the land chap. 6. 8 Alciâ—us the Iew going to Demetrius chap. 7. 9 Nicanor is slaine chap. 7. At length Iudah himselfe after the confederacie made with the Romans chap. 8. was slaine in the battell which was stirred vp amongst the Iewes at the commundement of Demetrius after the death of Nicanor by Bacides and Alcinus the princes of Demetrius the king chap 9. O most godly captaine and heroicall constancy in the iudaicall Religion O most valiauâ—e sighter and defender of this Nation who at length being throwen downe in the truâ— confession most valiantly died for the maintaining of gods glorie From the ninth chapter vnto the thirteenth chapter is described the historie of Ionathâ—s the brother of Iudas Machabeâ—s who dealt with both the Demetrius and Bacides and Aleinus of whome he obtained victorie by the helpe of his brother Symon Afterward hee had his affaires with the young princes of Demetrius the younger vntil Triphon slewe him by subtilty azealovs warriour for Religion and the true worship of god From the 13. chap vnto the 16 is described the history of Simon the brother of Iudas Machabeus and of Ionathas In the last chap vnto the end of the book the succession of Iohn his sonne is described after the death of Simon The second booke of Machabees THe second booke of Machaâ— for the most part is a description of those things which are written in the firste booke chiefly so much as appertains to Iudas Machabeus There are 15. chapters which are thus to be diuided In the fâ—â—st 7. chap is described the affliction of the people of Israell aswell by certaine deceits and trecheries of one Simon as also by the cruell tyranny of Antiochvs Wherein is not onely declared the constancy of Iudas Mâ—chabeus who liued abroad in the desaâ—t but also of the 7. brethren who was crowned in martyrdome together with their mother In the 8. chap. and the rest of the chapt are repeated the valiant acts of Iudas Machabeus vnto the end of the booke So much concerning the bookes of the Machabees and also of all the Bookes of the old Testament to wit The Legall Historicall Doctrinall and Propheticall which are all in number 48. Concerning Ioh. 5. in the which Christ saith Search the Scriptures The end of the Bookes of the olde Testament The Bookes of the Nevv TESTAMENT THE New Testament containes bookes which were written after Christ was made manifest in the fleshe Partly Euangelicall partly Historical In number 27. accounting the least which onely containes one chapt as the epistle of Paule to Philenion the epist of Iude and the two later Epistles of Iohn The bookes of the Euangelists THere are foure Bookes Euangelicall written by 4. Euangelistes to wit Matthew Marke Luke and Iohn they are called Gospels because they seuerally doe comprehende the Gospell of Iesus Christ That is to say Ioyful newes concerning the free remission of sinnes to be obtained by the meanes mediation of Christ The booke of Matthew MAtthew as he is saide to haue been the first of the Euangelists that wrote the Gospell to wit immediatly after the Ascension of Christ euen so he hath obtained the first place amongest them These are the parts principallye of this Gospell From the first chap vnto the 5 are shewed by way of entrance not onelye those thinges which do appertaine to the genealogy and natiuity of Christ As first the numbring of persons in the generations from Abraham vnto Christ 2 the reuealations made to Ioseph 3 The comming of the wisemen 4 The tyranny of Herod But also the life and doctrine of Iohn Baâ—tist and also the baptisiue and tentation of Christ before he began to preach and before he chose his Apostles From the 5. vnto the 8. is described the sermon of Christ which hee made on the mountaine amongst his Disciples and it was a very sermon of the Law by the which as by a foundation being laid he prepareâ— them in order to the ministery of the gospell First of the blessing and the rewards of good works 2 Of the offices of the apostles 3 Of the true interpretation of the law 4 Of almes 5 Of praier 6 Of fasting 7 Of true riches 8 Of confidence in God 9 The sincerity of true iudgement 10 Of continual praier 11 Of natural iustice 12 The auoiding of false doctrine 13 The study of liuing according to the word of god In suâ—â—me this sermon and generall hatration of the lawe sheweth that the law was a schoolemaister vnto Christ From the 8. vnto the 10. hee confirmeâ— his doctrine with excellent myracles benefites with the which both by sea â—â—land he succoureth miserable and afflicted men and shâ—wes himselfe to be our famous From the 10. vnto the 13. he informeth constrâ—â—â—eth and comforteth his Apostles in the mynistery of the word And also afterwardes hee confirmes the Dâ—sciples of Iohn He commendeth Iohn â—e condemneth the increduliâ—â— of many giues thaÌ„ks vnto God the father for his little stocke Last of all besides his disputation with the Phaâ—lsies concerning the Sabaoth concerning Signeâ— c. Againe he shewes by manifest miracles his louing kindnes and also in that he quencheth not the smoâ—king flaxe From the thirteenth vnto the ninteenth first Mathew shewes certaine parabolicall sermons concerning the force and effect of the woorde of God and afterwardes the vndeserued death of Iohn Baptist Christs departure into the desarte and his contention with the pharisees the healing of many sicke people the confession of Peter and the rest of the Apostles the transfiguration of Christ the obedience of Christ towards magistrates the comfort of the litle flocke Last of all he treateth concerning offences and the forgiuing of our brethren illustrated by a parable of the vniust steward in which part of thinges done in Gallelie hee sheweth the great care of Christ for the saluation of mankinde and also his great diligence in his office of teaching shewing of miracles From the ninteenth vnto the 26. cha he describeth chiefely the iourney of Christ from Galilie into Iudah and by the way of disputations sometimes with the pharisees and scribes sometimes with his owne disciples foreshewing also his passion healing of two blinde men Afterwardes his entrauÌ„nce into Ierusalem and his most sharpe and last disputation with the Iewes concerning the dueties or office of preaching throughout three whole chapters 21.22.23 of which disputation and reprehension these are the chiefe partes to weet 1 Of the Baptisme of Iohn 2 the two sonnes 3 of the vineyarde 4 of the corner stone 5 the mariage of the kinges sonne 6 the tribute to be giuen to Cesar 7 the wise of the seuen brethren and of the resurrection of the dead 8 the great commaundement in the law 9 of Christ the son of Dauid 10 of the curses vpon the pharises and Ierusalem Last of all he describeth the communication of Christ with the Disciples in the mount of Oliues the destruction