Advertise thee Balaam called a South-sayer chapter XXIV verse 14 Josh. XIII 22. and a Prophet 2 Pet. II. 16. gives this advertisement to Balak which seems to have a relation to that which follows in the residue of that Chapter Yet besides he gives counsel to Balak or at least after to the Midianites to draw the Israelites into sinne Num. XXXI 16. which coming so to passe He himself in his return is slaine by the sword amongst the Midianites Num. XXXI 8. in that Expedition wherein Joshuah though not named may seeme to be the General and Phineas chief of the Priests sounding Trumpets in that warre wherein 12000. Israelites not having one man slaine did yet slay five Kings of Midian or Dukes of Sihon dwelling in the Countrey as it is Josh. XIII 21. and all the males of that populous Nation save such as escaped by flight whose posterities in the dayes of Gideon came to prevaile against Israel Judg. VI. 1 2. And they took a mighty prey and booty whereout after Purifications of themselves and the Prey there was paid a tribute and portion to the Priests and a portion to the Levites and a voluntary Oblation after made by the Captaines to the Lord Num. XXXI Of the 24000. chapter XXV verse 9 that died in the Plague and stroak of Gods vengeance the 23000. mentioned 1 Cor. X. 8. likely were the vulgar sort that died in the slaughter Num. XXV 5. and the other thousand were the heads of the people hung up ver 4. without supposing any Pestilence at that time Or if by Plague Num. XXV 9. Psal CVI. 30. we understand the Pestilence then most probably the 23000. died of it and the other thousand by Hanging and Slaughter 22200. chapter XXVI verse 14 In this last numbering of the people in the Plains of Moab in the fourtieth year of their wandering in the Wildernesse Simeon was farre the least in number and Judah the most And the whole number of fighting men of the twelve Tribes after that generation died in the Wildernesse upon that judgement Numb XIV 29 35. and upon sundry other judgements besides was now 1820. lesse in number then in the former numbering at Mount Sinai thirty nine years before 23000. And so but 700 more then they were in the former numbering at Sinai Ch. III. verse 62 Being likely not altogether free from that sinne and punishment Num. XIII and XIV Sin This Wildernesse differs from Zin chapter XXXIII verse 11 ver 36. This being the eighth Station of the Israelites that of Zin the thirty third which is Kadesh where Miriam died as was said Num. XXXIII 11 36. Rephidim See the Observations on Ch. verse 14 XXVIII 8. Abarim Pluraly verse 47 Mountains being a continuation of Mountains or Hills Num. XXXIII 47. in the Confines of the Amorites and Moabites whereof the tops had several names as Nebo Pisgah Pehor But Mount Sinai was none of them being farre enough of Salt Sea Is not that Lake of Genesareth chapter XXXIV verse 3 But only that Dead Sea and Salt Sea where formerly Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim had stood Deut. XXIX 23. Hos. XI 8. Riblah Riblah in the Land of Hamath part of the East border of Canaan near the North quarter Here Pharaoh-Nechoh put Jehoahaz in bonds 2 Kings XXIII 33. And Nebuchadnezzar put King Zedekiah in bonds and put out his eyes 2 King XXV 6 7. And slew the High Priest and second Priest and the sonnes of Zedekiah and other prime men ver 18 21. Jer. LII 10 27. This Riblah seems to be that which was afterwards called Antiochia in Syria Of this see my Annotations on Ezek. XI 10 11. Chinnereth Num. XXXIV 11. Deut. III. 17. Josh. XI 2. and XII 27. and XIX 35. is called in the New Testament Genezareth Luke V. 1. which Lake is also called the Sea of Galilee Matth. IV. 18. Mark I. 16. And the Sea of Tiberias Josh. XXI 1. And absolutely the Sea Matth. XVII 27. Suburbs The Suburbs of the Cities of the Priests chapter XXXV verse 4 and Levites were 1000. Cubits from the Cities on every side And so 2000. in the limits and utmost Bounds and Borders of each Quarter East West North and South Fourty eight Cities See Josh. verse 7 XX. and XXI and 1 Chron. 6. compared together and the Great Annotations upon the said sixth Chapter Shall not be guilty The innocent man verse 27 that by meere accident against his will slew a man might yet as it seemes be lawfully slaine by the revenger of blood if he took him without the Citie of refuge Which the more shews the wrath of God against murder Onely to the family Israelites might marry wives of other Tribes chapter XXXVI verse 6 so that they were not inheritrixes of Land Num. XXXVI Yea of other Nations if they were Proselytes and not of those Nations which God expressely devoted to destruction Deut. VII 3. and XXI 10 13. Of their marriages with Heathens and mixing the holy seed See Ezra IX and X. Ch. Neh. IX 2. and X. 30. and XIII 3. 23 30. Deuteronomie DEUTERONOMIE was written in the yeare of the world not 2493. But in the year 2553. or rather 2548. thirty eight years and odde moneths from the time of the beginning of the Book of Numbers And about 1450 years before Christ's time It containes to the fifteenth Verse of the last Chapter an History of one moneth and seven dayes viz From moneth eleven day one to moneth twelve day seven at which time Moses died as hath been formerly gathered upon Aarons death See and compare together Deut. I. 3. and XXXIV 8. and Josh. IV. 19. In which short time the Book was written by Moses And besides sundry Repetitions and Explications other new Lawes given A second Edition as it were of the Covenant made with the new Generation with some other Consequences and last Acts of Moses The last Chapter of Deuteronomie was written after Moses his death As likewise the Conclusion of the Book of Jeremie was written after his Death Jer. LI. 64. and LII 31 34. And that XXXIV Chapter contains one moneth more of the Israelites mourning for the death of Moses This Book of Deuteronomie and that of the Psalmes are of chief note in the Old Testament for the Life of Religion the spiritual power of Worship and Obedience in the inner man Yet this Book of Deuteronomie seemes not to be that which was to be written very plainly upon great stones plaistered in Mount Ebal For that was the Decalogue only or those Blessings and Curses only Deut. XXVII 2 26. Josh. VIII 30 35. Nor seemes it to be this book of Deuteronomie only that was to be Copied out by the King and He to read therein all the dayes of his life Deut. XVII v. 18 19 20. Not yet seemes it to be this book only that was to be solemnly read by the Priests every seventh or Sabbatical year in the Feast of Tabernacles in the audience of
Abel and the rooâ— of that holy progeny wherein the Church was afterward established V. 26. Enos Sorrowful Psal. 9. 20. that the Nations may know themselves to be but Enos i. e. woful men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then began men to call the Worship of God grew more publick and solemne and in a sort restored and revived again in the persons and families of Seth and Enos having bin almost buried in the paucity and privacy of the godly before this time a separation now being made by them from the profane society of the wicked such as were generaly the posterity of Cain CHAP. V. Ver. 3. IN his own likenesse after his image such as he was now sinful not as he was created Holy Yet still God was the Father of spirits the God and Creator of the spirits of all flesh Heb. 12. 9. Numb 16. 22. V. 4. And he begat sonnes and daughters after Seth yet not excluding some to be begotten before Seth as Cain and others And the same is likely to be understood of the rest of the ten Patriarches in this chapter before the flood That they begat sons and daughters as well before as after the birth of those Patriarchs by whom the line of the Genealogy and Chronology is drawn For it is scarce probable that in this first Age of the world before the flood wherein mankinde had most need of multiiplication the Patriarchs should be so old as the half of them above 100. yea Jared 162 Lamecb 182. Methusalah 187. Noah 500. before they had any children though indeed Noah for his part had no more then three when the flood came 1 Pet. 3. 20. But so old they were before that sonne was borne who was the Progenitor of our Saviour and in whose race the main progresse and succession of the true Church did consist V. 5. All the dayes Adam was living in Lamechs dayes V. 21. Enoch walked with God the seventh of Adam followed not the wickednesse of his age But pleased God prophesied saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Sants to execute judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude ver 14 15. And Henoch was not died not as others but was translated by faith God took him body and soule as after he did Elias that he should not see death and he was not found Heb. 11. 5. after he had lived on earth so many yeares as there are dayes in our yeare Thus was he a pledge and pawne of the Resurrection and life eternal and celestial and prophesied of the last and general judgement Adam and Methusalah and five Patriarchs between them were living witnesses of his Translation V. 27. All the dayes of Methusalah the longest liver and died the last of the nine Patriarchs in the beginning of the yeare of the flood V. 29. Noah Thus Lamech his father prophesied of him at his birth presaging comfort and rest by him in the midst of all miseries in those evil and uncomfortable times V. 32. And Noah begat i. e. began to beget So chap. 11. 26. and chap. 7 10. Japheth the eldest Sem the second Chaâ—â— youngest Of the LXX-Chronology in this Chapter They extend the age of Methusalah beyond the flood contrary to Scripture and adde almost 1600. yeares to the true Chronology in this and the eleventh chapters Haply out of some considerations touching the Heathens for whom that Greek Translation was made But the LXX now is no where extant but patched infinitely CHAP. VI. Ver. 1. WHen men began to multiply very greatly and specially Cains wicked progeny and wickednesse with them and daughters the occasion both of the corruption and calamity set forth in the ensuing story V. 2. That the sonnes of God Professors of the true Worship of God Deut. 14. 1. 2 Cor. 6. 18. 1 John 3. 1. Which here grew remisse in Religion Daughters of men of the profane race of Cain that had little of God or his image in them in their mindes or manners but were meer men 1 Cor. 3. 3. natural men unregenerate and out of the Church and such these their daughters were Faire without respect to spiritual beauty not minding at all what they were for Religion and manners Thus beauty intangleth the fond and fleshly affection Wives Loved liked and chosen only for Beauties sake Gods Law after forbade such marriages with those out of the Church Deut. 7. 3 4. Exod. 34. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 14. V. 3. My spirit In the Patriarchs and specially in Noah a Preacher of righteousnesse 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. 2 Pet. 2. 5. And by good motions and checks of conscience in the men of these times As Nehem. 9. 30. For that he also is flesh even my people also all mankinde v. 12. are fleshly not having the Spirit Jude v. 19 Rom. 8 8 9 Gal. 5. 16 17. 120 years granted for trial of their repentance the long suffering of God waiting whether in this space of time while the Ark was a preparing they would repent 1 Pet. 3. 20. by mortification of the flesh and vivificatiâ— of the Spirit or as St. Peter expresseth it be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the Spirit ch 4. 6. agreeing with that of Paul 1 Cor. 5. 5. This was twenty yeares before the birth of Japheth V. 4. Giants Men of huge stature and strength beyond others in those dayes such as Og was of the race of giants and the Anakimâ— in Moses time Numb 13. 33. Amorites Amos 2 9 Deut. 3. 11. Goliath Isbbi-benob Saph Lahmi in Davids time 2 Sam. 21. 16 18. 1 Chron. 20. 5 6 8 Men who in the pride and confidence of their bodies greatnesse were apostates from God oppressors of men fierce and cruel And also after that After those unlawful mixtures and marriages v. 2. many of their seed became such Giants and after that destruction threatened v. 3. V. 5. Every imaginariâ—n This heightens the sinfulness of this age Mic. 7. 3. But Gen. 8. 21. More strongly proves the universal corruption of mans nature by the fall V. 15. 300 cubits The length is ten times the height and six times the breadth resembling for the fashion of it a mans coffin V. 16. In a cubit shalt finish it The Ark not the window Doore Wide to receive an Elephant closed up and pitched belike when all were in and that by God himself ch 7. 16. With lower second and third stories These stories considered with the quantity and kinde of the cubits a common cubit then being longer then our cubits now and the sacred cubit being double to the common cubit as appears by comparing 1 Kings 7. 15. with 2 Chron. 3. 15. not to speak of a Geometrical cubit six times as some alledge as great as a common cubit we may easily conceive the capacity
Ps. 81. 3 Esay 1. 13. Yearly at Feasts 3. Solemn of Passeover and Unleavened bread Lev. 23. Weeks Deut. 16. Tabernacles Deut. 16. Others for one day viz. of First-fruits Lev. 23 9. 15. Blowing of trumpets Lev. 23. 24 25. Fast of expiation Lev. 16. and ch 23 27. 32. Incident occassions more Extraordinary as at the Consecration of Aaron and his sonnes Lev. 8. Exod. 29. and ch 40. See Aarons first-offerings Lev. 9. Levities Numb 8. Dedication of the Altar Numbers 7. 10 88. Ordiâ—â— Purification and cleansing of Women after childe-birth Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters Leper Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters Men in their issues Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters Women in theire 〈…〉 Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters 9. Day Nadab and Abihu offer Incense with strange fire and are slaine Levit. X. 11 12 13. Dayes Seeme those Lawes given from the Lord to Moses and Aaron touching Beasts Fishes Fowles clean and unclean Ch. XI Moses for Purification of Women in child-birth Ch. XII Moses and Aaron for Leprosies their cleansings Ch. XIII XIV For issues of men and women their cleansings Ch. XV. 14. Day Celebration of the Passeover Num. IX whether the Feast of unleavened Bread for seven dayes was added hereunto is not expressed After the death of Nadab and Abihu Moses receives Lawes from the Lord touching the High Priests coming into the most Holy Place once a year to make an Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh moneth And the maner of it Ch. XVI Place of Sacrificing And touching Blood Ch. XVII Unlawful mixtures and Lusts and other sins And the Punishments of them Ch. XVIII XIX XX. Priests their Holinesse Honour and cleansing Ch. XXI XXII Feasts Ch. XXIII Oile and Lamps And Shew-bread Ch. XXIV 1 9. Shelomiths sonne blasphemeth Ch. XXIV 10 14. Thereafter Moses receiveth Lawes from the Lord touching Blasphemy and Murder Chap. XXIV 15 23. Sabbath-year and Jubile Ch. 25. Idolatry and Religiousnesse with Blessings and Curses Ch. XXVI Vowes and Tythes Chap. XXVII For the better understanding and remembring of this Book And specially of the Offerings and Sacrifices therein contained The Table ensuing and the Directions thereof may give some part of help and furtherance though the same be not in all points perfect and compleat Sacrifices then are of a Divine Institution And were indeed practised by Adam and his children and in all ages But by Moses enlarged with many Observations Circumstances and Prefigurations contained in them Yet not principally commanded nor so much as Morall duties of Piety and Honesty 1 Sam. 15. 22. Psal. L. 5 16. Marke XII 33. Hos. VI. 6. Matth. XII 7. as Joel II. 13. Esay I. 11. and Jer. VI. 20. Amos V. 21. Jer. VII 21 22 23. Of the Cattell The kindes of Beasts and Birds verse 2 for Sacrifices were Oxen Bullocks Sheep Lambs Rams Goats Turtle-Doves young Pigeons The Sparrow or living Bird mentioned Levit. XIV 4. in the cleansing of the Leper was not properly a Sacrifice These Creatures for Sacrifice were of common use for mans sustenance maintenance And so were lawfull to be eaten in civill and common use Deut. XIV 4 26. and Ch. XII 15 21. And they were easie to be had As also Bread Flower Cakes Wafers Wine Salt Oile Frankincense used most in the Meate and Drink-offerings And such likewise are Water Bread and Wine in our Sacraments See Levit. I II III IV. Ch. and Ch. VII v. 11 12 13. A Burnt-Sacrifice In all Burnt-Offerings verse 3 and in such Sin-Offerings whereof any of the Blood was to be brought into the Tabernacle of the Congregation to reconcile withall in the holy place and also in Meat-Offerings of and for a Priest all was to be burnt to the Lord There was nothing left to be eaten by any Levit. I. and Ch. VI. 22 23 30. In all other Sin-Offerings and Trespasse-Offerings besides the fat and kidneys burnt to the Lord All the Flesh was the Priests and to be eaten by him and his And so in all other Meat-Offerings Levit. VI. 16 17 18 26 29. and Ch. VII 6 7 9 10 14. In the Peace-Offerings the Wave-breast and heave or right shoulder were the Priests to be eaten by him and his And the rest of the Flesh belonged to the bringer of the Peace-Offering to be eaten by him and his Levit. VII 31 32 33 34. and v. 15 21. The Levites had no part in any Offerings Burnt-Offerings used for Sinne-Offerings in Jobs time Job XLII 8. At the doore Killed there Because thither it was lawful for the Offerer or Bringer of it to come that he might put his hand upon the head of the Sacrifice Lev. I. 3 4. and III. 2 8 13. and IV. 15 24 29 33. Leaven Leaven generally forbid in Meat-Offerings chapter II verse 11 except in those two mentioned Lev. VII 13. and Ch. XXIII 17. Confesse chapter V verse 5 This Confession of sinne differeth altogether from the Popish Sacramentall Confession That soul shall be cut off from his people This Punishment as it is awarded here against the eating of the flesh of the Peace-Offering chapter VII verse 20 for him who hath any Legal pollution upon him so it is against such who are not circumcised Gen. XVII 14. who eate leavened bread during the Feast of the Passeover Exod. XII 15 19. who do any work on the Sabbath-day Exod. XXXI 14. who eate of the fat of Beasts of which men offer Sacrifices Levit. VII 25. who eate Blood v. 27. and Ch. XVII 10 14. who bring not the Sacrifice to the doore of the Tabernacle to be killed there not elsewhere Levit. XVII 4 9. who eate of the Sacrifice of Peace-Offering on the third day Levit. XIX 8. who give of their Seed to Moloch Levit. XX. 2 3. or kill not such a sinner v. 4 5. who go a whoring after Wizzards and such as have familiar spirits v. 6. who commit incest v. 17. or lie with a woman in her sicknesse v. 18. who goeth unto the holy things which the children of Israel hallow unto the Lord having his uncleannesse upon him Levit. XXII 3. who doth any work or is not afflicted on the Fast-day of Atonement Levit. XXIII 29 30. who keep not the Passeover Num. IX 13. who sinne presumptuously Num. XV. 30 31. who being unclean do not purifie themselves Num. XIX 13 20. who being idolaters come to a Prophet to enquire concerning the Lord Ezek. XIV 8. This kinde of punishment hath variation of phrases in the expressions in Scripture thus shall be cut off utterly cut off cut off from Israel from the Congregation of Israel from among the Congregation in the sight of their people from the midst of my people cut off from the earth cut off from my presence which likely do import various kindes and degrees of punishments according to the nature of the sinnes spoken to in them How farre this phrase advanceth the Jewish Excommunication I leave to further consideration The
points and circumstances easily to be gathered and understood Deut. XI 26 30. and XXVII 12 26 This was done in the first year of their coming over Jordan Josh. VIII 32 35. when and where were read likewise all the words of the Law of Moses before all the Congregation of Israel With ships Ships besides the Ark of Noah chapter XXVIII verse 68 are first mentione in Jacobs blessing of Zebulun Gen. XLIX 13. and in Moses his threatning the Israelites in this place Not given Gods hand in giving and working of Grace chapter XXIX verse 4 See Ch. XXX 6. Jer. XXIV 7. and XXXI 33. and XXXII 39. Ezek. XI 19 20. and Ch. XXXVI 26 27. Heb. VIII 10 11. John VI. 44 45 65 Phil. I. 29. and II. 13. Ephes. II. 8. 2. Tim. II. 25. And he gives grace to the remnant which is according to the election of Grace Matth. XI 25. and XIII 11. Mark IV. 11 12 John XII 39. Rom. XI 7. Ephes. I. 5. 2 Chron. XXX 12. Mount This Mount Hor chapter XXXII verse 50 where Aaron died Num. XX. 25 26. was South of Judea And Mount Hor on the North-bounds of Judea Num. XXXIV 7. are far differing and distant mountains King in Jeshurum Moses King in Ieshurum chapter XXXIII verse 5 25. in Blessing the twelve Tribes doth omit Simeon if we accompt him not included in Iudah as his Lot in the division of Canaan fell within the Lot and Tribe of Iudah and their expeditions against their enemies in conquering their own shares were joynt and undertaken together Iosh. XVIII and XIX Iudg. I 3. Dwell between his shoulders That is verse 12 In Ierusalem For though the Southerne and Superior part of Ierusalem where Mount Sion was and which was called the City of David did belong to the Tribe of Iudah yet the Northerne and inferior part of it where Mount Moriah was whereon the Temple was built belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin The huge deep valley of Mello between the two Mountains being filled up and levelled by Solomon so that thence afterward Sion and Moriah might be called two tops of one Mountain Sion the higher top and Moriah the lower Died The time of Moses his death was in the fourtieth year chapter XXXIV verse 5 twelfth moneth seventh day of their coming out of Egypt and one hundred and twentieth year of his age See upon Aarons death Num. XXXIII 38. No man knoweth The reason of concealing the place of the Burial of Moses verse 6 And Michael the Archangel his contending with the Devil and disputing about the body of Moses Iude ver 9. was not revealed in the Scripture of the Old Testament And this dispute might be lest the Israelites knowing it might carry it with them as Iosephs bones into Canaan into which God had said That he should not enter or rather That the people might not idolize it Joshua THE Book of Joshua was not probably written by him though of and concerning him For besides some things contained in it which are deemed by some to be done after his death As that concerning Caleb and his daughter Achsah Ch. XV. 16 19. And most surely the Conquering of Leshem or Laish by the Danites Ch. XIX 47. Iudg. XVIII 7. 29. And those things recorded Ch. XXIV 29 33. Some other things seeme to plead That it was written by some Prophet Long after his death Whence that phrase remaines unto this day is so frequently used Ch. IV. 9. and Ch. VI. 25. and VII 26. and VIII 29 and IX 27. and X. 27. and XIII 13. and XIV 14. and XV. 63. And the Book of Iasher is named Ch. X. 13. which seemes written at soonest in Davids time as recording an Act of his 2 Sam. I. 18. unlesse we say This Book of Iasher in Ioshua's time to be continued on and enlarged in after-times by adding and inserting memorable acts in after-ages And so in Davids time And further the Mountains of Iudah and the Mountains of Israel are mentioned Iosh. XI 21. Which many possibly seeme to intimate the Book to be written after the division of the Nation into the two Kingdomes of Iudah and Israel Ioshua was the Tribe of Ephraim Num. XIII 8. 1 Chron. VII 27. And he lived one hundred ten years Ch. XXIV 29. and was six full years in conquering the Land and in the seventh fell to the Dividing of it by Lot as is gathered out of the age of Caleb Iosh. XIV 7 10. And divers years Ioshua lived and governed after that time but how many it doth not appear out of this Book yet is gathered out of other places to be ten years more and so this Book to containe an History of seventeen years from the Beginning of his Government to his Death The truth of this account stands upon this computation from the coming out of Egypt to the fourth of Solomon are four hundred and eighty years 1 King VI. 1. which are made up thus fourty years in the Wildernesse seventeen of Ioshua two hundred ninety nine of the Iudges counting in the twenty of Sampson as coincident and concurring with the first twenty years of Eli twenty years more of Eli twenty of Samuel fourty of Saul fourty of David four of Solomon In all 480. Within three dayes This Edict and Proclamation of three dayes chapter I verse 2 for preparation to passe over Iordan set down here doth begin and commence after the History of the two Spies and their returne to Ioshua which History yet is recorded after in the Chapter following And thereupon the mention of the said three dayes is taken up again the second time Ch. III. 2. when new directions are given for their Passage and the manner of it Rahab Rahab chapter II verse 1 an Harlot because at least she had been so though now a beleeving Convert ver 9 10 11. Heb. XI 31. Iames II. 25. She had her house on the wall of Iericho ver 15. which fell not when the rest of wall fell Ch. VI. 20 22. In framing her excuses for the Spies sake she bewrayes her infirmity in making equivocations or untruths rather ver 4 5. In transacting with the Spies some speeches seeme to passe between them after they were let down the wall ver 18. In pleading for her family she makes no mention of an Husband ver 13. and Ch. VI. 23. She was after married to Salmon eldest sonne of Nahshon which Nahshon was great-grand-childe to Hezron or Esrom that went down with Iacob into Egppt Gen. XLVI 12. And was Prince of Iudah at the numbring of the people Num. I. 7. at the marshalling of the Camps Num. II. 3. at the Dedication of the Altar Num. VII 12. and at the setting forward in their journeys Num. X. 14. But died in the Wildernesse Num. XIV 29. This marriage of Rahab to Salmon now Prince of Iudah is not recorded in the Old Testament But mentioned Matth. I. 5. in the Genealogy of our Saviour wherein as Rachab so Thamar Ruth
doth supply and minister the former yea and hath the dominion in humane affairs above all other things money is the measure of all things buyeth all things Money is the sinewes of warre beares the masterie in matches and marriages and Law-suits effecteth all things Curse not the King Notwithstanding his errours in government verse 20 or miscarriages in living or wrongs done to thee Exod. XXII 28. 2 Pet. II. 10. no not in thy thought Or conscience or heart Thought is not free Jer. IV. 14. Esay LIX 7. Psal. LXII 4. It will likely break forth for a bird of the aire The danger if thou mutter it in hugger-mugger God can reveale it by brute creatures birds and beasts by inanimate creatures See Gen. IV. 11. Esay XXVI 21. Hab. II. 11. As Luke XIX 40. So in this case However Kings themselves have long eares Yea we say walls and hedges have ears See that Ester II. 22. And consider the discovery of our hellish Powder-plot Cast thy bread It must be thine chapter XI verse 1 well gotten Ephes. IV. 28. upon the waters Where it may seeme clearly cast away as if it were throwne into the Sea lost because the poor cannot recompence thee againe Luke XIV 12 13 14. Yet lend in that manner looking for nothing againe Luke VI. 35. God will repay it Prov. XIX 17. Esay LVIII 7. Yet some by water here do understand moist and fertil soile well watered or grounds on the sides of waters such as on the banks of Nilus which yeeld increase very abundantly And that so plentifully God will reward thy almes to the poor In the former Chapter as the Great Annotations do well observe Solomon shewed the excellent use of true wisdome as a means of tranquility of minde and Remedy against the vanity and vexation of outward things in Ordering our behaviour aright toward Superiours for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure might subject us unto In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same end of comfortable living so still pursuing his principal argument touching tranquility and comfort of life in Ordering our behaviour towards Inferiours those especially that are in want shalt finde it after Gal. VI. 9. Prov. XI 25. and XIX 17. James V. 7. 2 Cor. IX 6 10. Matth. XIX 21. Deut. XV. 9 10. to seven and also to eight Micah V. verse 2 5. To many as waters formerly in the plural number may likewise intimate The necessity of a man may require it when his person doth not deserve it And thy ability must guide thee to Give with discretion Psal. CXII 5. Luke VI. 30. Prov. XXXI 20. thou knowest not what evil Therefore sowe whilest thou hast it work while the toole is in thy hand James IV. 14. Prov. XXVII 1. By bounty evil of punishments and judgements is prevented by unmercifulnesse to the poor it is procured If the clouds They emptie themselves in showers for the good of the earth verse 3 So should rich men do Psal. CXII 9. And the showers fal upon all the ground this as well as that And so should the full and rich not too solicitously enquire who it is to whom they give He is a man and needie man and if the tree fall Fall it must and man must die And as death leaves him judgement findes him and sentence goes upon him for the right hand or the left according to his carriage towards the poor Matth. XXV 33 46. Or This seemes a vulgar Proverb touching things of small concerment care or choise And to imply that our ordinarie almes should fall upon any this or that poor and be distributed as it were with a blinde hand or hood-winkt eye without any over-curious choise He that observeth the winde We must not stand scrupling and casting perils and objections and pretences to hinder or delay our Alms-giving and come with our Talent tied up in a napkin Whereas any pertext serves the covetous miser not to give What is the way of the Spirit Of the winde verse 5 say some John III. 8. Of the Soul rather how it comes into the body and quickens it Nor how the bones Psal. CXXXIX 14 15 16. Job X. 8 13. Knowest not the works of God The works of his Providence how he may dispose of thy life and state and ability of doing good And therefore thou must take the present season and opportunity and not delay and defer it lest the Lord haply will put thee out of all capacitie and meanes to do it Neither knowest thou by what secret and wondrous wayes he may recompence thy liberality In the morning At all times verse 6 upon every occasion and opportunity chap. IX 10. John IX 4 Begin betimes and continue to the end lose not a day Whether shall prosper Though sometimes thy bounty prove misplaced and it be ten to one if any cured Leper returne to give thanks yet thy reward is sure from God Heb. VI. 10. Matth. X. 41 42. 1 Kings XVII 13 16. The light is sweet The light of life as appears in the opposition verse 7 verse 8. And specialy a lightsome joyful life is such Job II. 4. 1 Kings XX. 32. Esther VII 3. Life was given as a prey and reward to Ebedmelech and Baruc Jer. XXXIX 18. and XLV 5. Yet consider it will end in death dayes of darknesse will come Therefore unto compleat happinesse there is yet more to be done not only to gaine and secure the comforts of this life and tranquility of minde here amidst all the vanities and vexations of it In which search and point Solomon had hitherto laboured But also to get the assurance of a better life after this which is the businesse of Solomon in the remaining part of this Book But if a man live And sit in the worlds warme Sun-shine verse 8 and say he shall never be moved Job XXI 7 13. yet let him remember That the light will be turned into darknesse the dark dayes will come of old age and death chap. VI. 4. Job X. 21. Psal. VIII 12 13. and CXLIII 3. and they so many as that the lightsome days of life will seeme but a warm gleame a momentanie glance which remembrance should coole our hot desires after the vanites of this life and lay our lusts a bleeding and a dying at our feet 1 Pet. II. 12. All that cometh every man every thing that hapneth is vanity Rejoyce O young man No encouragement verse 9 but a scoff and ironie derides his folly Like that of Elias to the Baalites and many more in Scripture and walk in the wayes Go on in the choise and chase of thy hearts desires But know thou To thy cost though such would faine baffle their knowledge and blinde the eye of their understanding yet it will not be As Esay XXVI 11. 1 King XXII 25. 2 Pet. III. 5. that for all these things This mars the mirth leavens all is sowre sauce to his sweet meats God will bring thee
making this voice and noise by his Almighty power in the coole of the day Coole winde at evening tyde which brought the voice and noise to their hearing hid themselves With as much folly as faultinesse through the horror and amazednesse wherewith they were stricken at Gods approach V. 10. I heard He toucheth not but dissembleth the true and maine cause V. 11. hast thou eatâ—n c q. â— I appeale to thy conscience whether this be not the true cause of thy fear and present shame at thy nakednesse now V. 13. What is this c How heynous an offence as chap 44. 15. V. 14. unto the Serpent Curseth him as the Devils instrument Such is Gods hatred of sinne punishing the bare instruments of it as in Exod 32. 20. Levit 20. 15 16. as a father breaks the sword wherewith his childe was shine Yet this curse upon the Serpent is so expressed as fitly in a Mystical sense relates to and includes the curse inflicted on the Devil the chief agent and author upon thy belly This going on his belly and feeding on dust was not the natural gate and food of the Serpent before For he is numbered among the beasts chap. 3. 1. distinguished from creeping things chap. 1. 25. And the greene herbs was given him for meate chap. 1. 30. But now he is adjudged to go on his belly and breast and that with more paine and difficulty then other creeping things As to Adams labours and Eves conception and sujection to her husband paine and â—orrow were added for their sinne And for meat he must lick the dust Miâ—â—h 7. 17. Esay 65. 22. Whence they are called Serpents of the dust Deut. 32. 24. The Sovereignty of Gods power and authority over all his creatures doth clear the justnesse of his proceeding and doome here against all Serpents V. 15. enmity A natural antipathy betweene Mankinde and Serpents A greater enmity betweene Mankinde and the Devil His enmity to Mankinde is too apparent And mans to him so farre as he is rightly knowne and discerned to be the Devil though by his cunning conveyances as here with Eve he reignes since the fall as a God over a great part of Mankinde 1 Cor. 4. 4. It Or He the World for Seed and the Verb for shall break being both in the Hebrew of the masculine gender pointing to Christ the Seed of a woman Gal. 4 4. Luke 1. 42. 2. 7. the promised Seed Gal. 3. 16. who destroyed the Devil Heb. 2. 14. John 12. 31 and his works 1 John 3. 8. triumphing over him on his Crosse Col. 2. 15. And in Christ our Head we resist and overcome the Devil 1 Pet. 5. 9. 1 John 2. 13 14. The God of Peace bruising Satan under our feet Rom. 16. 20. V. 16. thy desire Shall be subject to thine husband as Gen. 4. 7. As Abels to Cain as the first-borne and he shall rule over thee By Creation she was to live in subordination to man 1 Tim. 2. 13. 1 Cor. 11. 9. But now a further rule in the man and desire of subjection in the woman is required here as a punishment or chastisement on her then he had over her by Creation and with more grief unto woman-kinde 1 Tim. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 3. 1 5 6. 1 Cor. 14. 34. Tit. 2. 5. V. 17. Cursed is the ground The earth which he gave to the children of men Psal. 115. 16. and to their use is now by Curse made more unprofitable to them and their use verse 18 19. chap. 5. 29. Yea the Creature was made subject to vanity by mans sin subject to a vanishing flitting and perishing estate subject to the corruption and abuse of man subject to serve for the object and instrument of sin Esay 24. 5. And therefore the heavens and the earth which are now are reserved unto fire against the day of judgement 2 Pet 3. 7 10. And the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in paine together untill now The earnest expectation of the creature waiting for the manifestation of the sonnes of God that it may be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God that all the steps and traces of that malediction put upon it for mans sin may be utterly rased out of the world and new heavens and a new earth created as the Scripture phraseth it every creature according to every ones degree and nature partaking of that glorious liberty of the children of God being fully delivered from all vanity slavery abuse and evill Rom. 8. 19 20 21 22. V. 18. the herb of the field Not the herbs and fruits of Paradise v. 23 24. V. 20. Eve Here first so called God calls her Adam chap. 5. 2. because she was To be thus Propheticaly he foretels it else it is Moses that gives the reason of the name V. 21. coats of skins In likelihood of the skins of beasts which God taught him to kill for sacrifice being that Abel did so soone sacrifice chap. 4. 4. V. 22. And now lest c. Spoken by an ironie For it was not the eating of the fruit that could recover him or preserve him from the sentence of death whereunto God for his sin had now doomed him Both the Trees were Sacraments of the first Covenant of works to confirme the Promise and threatening there unto appertaining which Sacramental tree of Life he had now nothing to do withal no right to it having broken the Covenant and incurred the Curse no more then he ought to have medled with the other Tree in the state of innocencie V. 24. drove out The day not so certainly knowne But in all probability the same day of his creation For Satan would omit no time The woman if she had beene better practised and not taken at the first would not so soone have â—râ—ed or if she had knowne the Fall of the Angels she would have suspected the more Her speech v. 2. We may eate seemes to shew that no fruit had been eaten before And doubtlesse she fell a Virgin And accordingly Jewes Caldeans Aâ—abians Greeks Latines Barbarians hold that they fell the day they were created at the East Where the entrance was into Paradise Cheruâ—ims Angels Moses in the use of this word applying himself to the capacity of the people to whom the Cherubims in the Tabernacle were well known representing the Angels In Ezekiels Vision we read of Cherubims as living creatures with wings chap. 1. 5. and 10. 1 15. In Daniel the Angel Gabriel flying and a flaming sword Haply to each if there were more Angels then one Cherubims being of the plural number We read of an Angel with a drawn sword in Davids time 1 Chron. 21. 16. which turned every way All for the more terror thatâ— man should not dare to attempt re-entrance CHAP. IV. Verse 2. ABel So the New Testament writes him Matth. 23. 35. Luke 11. 5â— Heb 11. 4. and 12. 24. The Hebrew still is Hebel Saith David Psal.
be sprinkled seven times before the Lord before the vaile of the Sanctuary And then some of it to be put upon the hornes of the Altar of sweet incense before the Lord and the rest of the blood to be poured out at the bottome of the Altar of the burnt-offering as in the sin-offering of the Holy Priest Levit 4. v. 5 6 7. And of the whole Congregation ch 4. v. 16 17 18. Sometimes it was to be put upon the tip of the right eare and upon the thumb of the right hand and upon the great toe of the right foot and some of the blood upon the Altar was to be sprinkled upon the garments as Moses did at the consecration of Aaron and his sonnes Levit. 8. 23 24 30. all which was typical and ceremonial In summe it was given upon the Altar to make an atonement for soules for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soule Lev. 17. 11. and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission Heb. 9. 22. But with them blood was never at any time or upon any occasion to be eaten Lev. 7. 26 27. 1 Sam. 14. 32 33 34. And the Apostles make a decree for the forbearance of eating things strangled and blood Acts 15. 20. yet now the ceremonial Law being expired and the restraint in this text not so clear and full or not reaching to all people in all ages out of the case of scandal which occasioned the Apostles necessary 1 Cor. 8. 13. though temporary decree I see no necessity enforcing the contrary but that Christians may use their Christian liberty knowing that to the pure all things are pure that meat commends us not to God that whatsoever is sold in the shambles that we may eat asking no question for conscience sake V. 5. And surely your blood of your lives Your life-blood The reason of the former prohibition Of every beast Exod. 21. 28. mans brother All men are brethren Act. 17. 26. V. 6. Whoso sheddeth Wittingly and wilfully Numb 35. 31. else Cities of Refuge weee appointed as may be seen Numb 35. 11 15 22 23. Deut. 29. 3 6. by man Magistrate Revenger of blood Numb 35. 19 21 27. for in the image This reason sheweth death to be due for murther before the flood and from the beginning though God extraordinarily suffered Cain to live a life likely worse then death as a spectacle of his wrath all his age To deny the legal and military use of the sword to Christians is an Anabaptistical faucie V. 10. And with every living creature For mans sake for whom they were made and in the flood for his sin destroyed V. 11. All flesh No universal deluge though particular countreys may be drowned by the waters of a flood Yet in the end by fire 2 Pet. 3. 7 10. the earth As ch 6. 11. V. 13. My bowe Wittily say some bended upwards and withoâ—t any arrow in it This was in the clouds before naturally But now significatively instituted to this use to be a token of this Covenant for the assurance of the truth and performance of it and Gods oath annexed to it Esay 54. 9. V. 14. When I bring a cloud At sometimes V. 18. And Ham is the father of Canaan So againe v. 22. To imply the reason why Canaan is cursed v. 25 26 27. And that the Israelites who in Moses time and after were commanded to root them out might know that they were of an accursed race and off-spring V. 20. Began In the new world a new beginner yet some yeares after the flood V. 21. Uncovered Likely wearing long and loose garments without breeches As likely David did when Michal mocked him 2 Sam. 6. 20. To prevent which linnen breeches were commanded to Priests Exod. 28. 42. Ezech. 44. 19. and Gods Altar was to be builded without steps Exod. 20. 26. V. 22. And told He should have concealed it from his brethren and covered it himself V. 24. And knew Upon enquiry or otherways by relation or revelation V. 25. Said Prophetically both in his cursing and blessing by warrant of Gods Spirit V. 25. Cursed be Canaan Not naming Cham. But shewing thereby the curse to be entailed on him and on Canaan his fourth sonne ch 10. 6. then borne and haply a Partner in his fathers sinne and on his posterity after him Prov. 30. 17. a servant of servants Thus fore-doom'd to a most servile slavish estate and condition This most seen long after in the Gibeouites Josh. 9. 21. and in the Canaanites As the blessing on Japhet was long after fulfilled when the Gentiles became Christians V. 26. Blessed be the Lord God of Shem Shem blessed because God is called his God Psal. 144. 15. He named before Japheth his elder brother in covering his fathers nakednesse v. 23. and Canaan shall be his servant So to Chadorâ—aomeâ—â— of Shems progeny being King of Elam ch 14. 1 4 c. and ch 10. 22. so in the times of Joshuah Judges and Kings of Judah and Israel V. 27. In the tents of Shem In the Church become Converts and Christians Eph. 2. 13 14 19. 3. 6. even when Shems posterity the natural branches was much out off Rom. 11. 11. and Canaan shall be his servant Alexander the Great and the Romanes subdued them V. 29. And he died living almost to the birth of Abram CHAP. X. Verse 1. JAphet He is renowned in the ancient Greek Writers called Iupetos V. 2. Madai Of him the Medes Javan Of him the countrey Ionia the Grecians V. 5. Isles Properly or improperly such countreys whereto the Jewes from their land could not passe but by shipping the Province of Europe here meant every one after his tongue As it fell out after that division of tongues ch 11. 9. V. 6 Cush Cushians or the Ethiopians near the Arabian sea Mizraim Egyptians Mizraim in the Old Testament is alwayes called Egypt in the New Testament V. 7. Seba Whence came the West-African-Ethiopians and likely the Queen of Shebah 1 King 10. 1. called the Queen of the South coming from the uttermost parts of the earth Matth. 12. 42. And the Eâ—nuch of Candacâ— Acts 8. 27. Havilah In Arabiah V. 8. And Cush begat Nimrod Reserved here to the last place because Moses meant to speak most of him a mighty one Usurped by violence a more imperious Power and Government then formerly was used and enlarged his dominions V. 9. A mighty Hunter Hunter of men Tyrants and Oppressors are called Hunters Jer. 16. 16. before the Lord Openly without feare of God V. 10. Babel ch 11. 9. Semiramis then the wife of Ninus sonne to this Nimrod or Belus as profane Authors have it founded not this City but repaired it After Nimrods time it seems the seat of that Monarchy being the first was translared to Nineveb in Assyria Micah 5. 6. And after many ages Babylon rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 4. 30. Shinar Comprehending Mesopotamia situate
that God is ignorant of what is in man but to make it the better known to himself and others So Exod. 15. 25. 16. 4. Deut. 8. 2 16. 13. 3. Indeed God and Satan may both have an hand in one and the same tentation as in Davids numbring the people 2 Sam. 24. 1â— 1 Chron. 21. 1. But to far different ends both Satan and wicked men tempted our Saviour often in the Gospels with an evil minde to an evil end And the sinful Israelites are said often to tempt God by making doubt and trial of his presence Providence Wisdome Power and so by unbelief and murmurings tempting and provoking him to wrath And so Ananias and Sapphira tempted the Spirit of the Lord. And Paul gives the caveat that we tempt not Christ 1 Cor. 10. 9. And again tentations are taken for troubles afflictions persecutions which try the truth and strength of Gods graces in his children And so if God lead into temptation Matth. 26 13. he will with it give you the issue and outgate 1 Cor. 10. 13. Here God doth so wiâ—h Abraham in a marvellous trial of his faith and obedience V. 2. And he said In such a manner as he could not doubt but it was God and no Satanical illusion thy only sonne Isaac Only in thy family Ishmael was gone and we never read he returned but to the burial of his father ch 25. 9. And it seems at this time Abraham had not taken Keturah or had no children by her Thy only Isaac that childe of Promise Heb. 11. 18. Thy only begotton son Heb. 11. 17. namely of Sarah thy lawful wise the freeâ—woman wâ—om thou lovest Above all and that for many good reasons land of Moriah Here afterwards Solomon built the Temple 2 Chron. 3. 1. Moriah had this name afterwards upon the occasion in the fourteenth verse a burnt-offering Not that God intended he should do it But this was for trial of his rare faith and obedience and that in a most extraordinary way and manner For indeed here all that was in Abraham as a Man Father Husband Believer Professor of Religion were put to trial Heb. 11. 19. one of the mountaines It was a mountainous countrey Psal. 125 2. The mountaine or hill Sion was close by it V. 3. Rose up early It seemes the command was given in the night Here in this strange trial is his strange and ready quick obedience and went From Beer-sheba in the land of the Philistines ch 21. 31. 33 34. and v. 19. of this chapter God had told him More particularly then at first v. 2. 4 9. V. 4. The third day Either he went leisurely or some occasions might let and hinder him in his travel V. 5. Abide you here Lest they should hinder him lad The same word used of Joshuah when he was thirty yeares old ch 41. 12. and of Joseph when he was fifty three yeares old as appears in that he lived fourty yeares in the wildernesse and seventeen yeares after Moses death and his whole life was one hundred and ten Josh. 24. 29. and so of Benjamin Gen. 43. 8. when at that time he had nine or ten sons ch 46. 21. And so of Absalom at the time of his death 2 Sam. 18. 29. and come again to you He speaks this as a man astonished and amazed or in humane frailty or as Prophet as Caiaphas did John 11. 49. 50 51. not knowing or meaning what his words would bear Heb. 11. 19. and so v. 8. V. 6. And laid it upon Isaac Isaac a type of Christ in many things Christ the only Sonne of his Father Well-beloved Son in whom he is well-pleased the promised seed bore his Crosse was bound sacrificed meekly submitted being obedient unto death rose again as Isaac from the Altar V. 9. And bound Isaac Telling him no doubt at this time Gods whole command and he having only his fathers word for it yet readily submits and obeyes V. 10. To slay his sonne Heb. 11. 17 18. James 2. 21 22 23. V. 11. And the Angel Christ the Angel of the Covenant who speaks of himself as God v. 12. sweareth by himself and promiseth as God and is called Jehovah v. 16 17 18. Out of Heaven So to Hagar ch 21. 17. V. 12. Lay not thine hand Heb. 11. 19. God accepts the Will for the deed 2 Cor. 8. 12. Against idolaters sacrificing their children both Jewes and Gentiles haply upon this pretended example V. 13. Behinde him Likely that way the Angels voice sounded aram This is for the Lamb mentioned v. 7 8. This he toâ—k as sent from God 1 Pet. 1. 19. V. 14. Jehovah Jirch The Lord will see or will be seen answerable to that v. 8. Mori-Jah is of the same signification so Jehovah-Nissi Exod. 17. 15. Jehovah Shammah Ezech. 48. 35. in the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen The meaning of the proverb is that in due time and place God will help and provide for his children and they shall see it V. 16. By my self have I sworne Heb. 6. 13 14 17 18. Sometimes God doth swear by his Soul Jer. 51. 14. by his Holinesse Amos 4. 2. by his Name Jer. 44. 26. And all this is to swear by himself saith the Lord Thus saith Christ of himself In like manner Ps. 2. 7. for because Not for the merit of this prompt obedience The Promise was freely made afore ch 12. 2. 13. 16. 15. 5. 17. 2 4 5 6 16. But as an occasion of repeating and confirming the Promise finding him rightly qualified and to encourage him and others to the execution of faith and obedience V. 17. In blessing Surely under the name blessing is meant the Promise of eternal salvatation thy seed Isaacs posterity ch 21. 12. possesse the gate Ch. 24. 60. where all publick places were for consultation for judgement Job 31. 21. Deut. 22. 15. 21. 19. Amos 5 12 15. and which were the strongest fortifications The meaning is thy seed shall subject them and bring their strength and government under command their holds and cities Mat 16. 18. V. 18. In thy seed Christ. So the Apostle applies it Gal. 3. 16 18. Jer. 4. 2. Ps. 72 17. Beer-sheba Ch. 21. 31 33 34. V. 20 Milcah Ch. 1. 29. Abraham sends thither for a wife for Isaac ch 24. 15 47. V. 21. Uz In this land Job dwelled Job 1. 1. There is another Uz ch 10. 23. and another ch 36. 28. Buz Job 32. 2. dwelt by his elder brother Uz in Arabia Jer. 25. 20 23 24. Kemuel the father of Aram Aram throughout the Bible is turned in Greek Syria and Syrians as Mizraim is Egypt and Cush Ethiopia V. 22. Bethuel Ch. 24. 15. V. 23. Rebekah Isaacs wife ch 24. 15 67 For this cause chiefly is this Genealogy here set down V. 24. And his Concubine An half wife sometimes called by the name of a wife yet not solemnly betrothed nor taken with dowry nor Partner in the Government of the family but subject to
the year of Jubile began with Blowing of Trumpets on the tenth day of that moneth which also was the day of Expiation Levit. XXV 9. And the Feast of Tabernacles for seven dayes followed after in the same moneth Twelve Cakes The twelve Cakes of Shew bread chapter XXIV verse 5 each of an equall and of a good bignesse set in two rows six on a row seeme to be two rows in Longitude upon the Table one by another And so the Frankincense upon each Cake rather then in Altitude one upon another And so but one Frankincense upon either row See v. 6 7. The Table being two Cubits long and one Cubit broad Exod. XXV 23. And the Frankincense being to be burned every Sabbath Levit XXIV 7 9. yet some make them to be two rows six upon one another in either row on heaps in height In the Temple there were ten Tables of Shew-bread five on the right hand and five on the left 1 Chron. 28. 16. 2 Chron. IV. 8. A Jubile The Jubile-year had all the priviledges of the Sabbath-year chapter XXV verse 11 and more besides Levit. XXV Fruit for three years Viz verse 21 the year before the Sabbath-year and the Sabbath-year and the year after it till the plowing and sowing at the end of the Sabbath-year came to an harvest in the end of the third year Esay XXXVII 10. Numbers THis Book begins with the year of the World Not the 2455 or 2544 But the 2514 or rather 2510 and a little over Thus 2369 to the end of Genesis and death of Joseph Thence 60 to the birth of Moses Thence 80 to the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt And thence 1 year and one moneth to the beginning of this Book which is the second year second moneth first day of their coming out It containes an History not of 39 years but expressely of 38. years and 9 moneths Num. I. 1. and Ch. XXXIII 48 49. compared with Deut. I. 3 4 5. That in Num. IX 1 c. is but a Rehearsal of what was both given in charge and was done before And some other like Repetitions there are 603550. chapter I verse 46 From twenty years old and upwards besides the Levites A wonderful multiplication from seventy persons in 211. yeares yet fairly possible Whereas if they had been in Egypt it self 400 years then their spawning or multiplying there had been very small considering that from three persons that came out of the Arke with Noah within the space of 400 years to the time of Abraham issued such infinite numbers and troops of people in severall Kingdomes and Countreys in the world as out of the Sacred Text and Storie doth plainly appear The Order of the Camp chapter II III and march of the Israelites in the Wildernesse Ch. II. and III. is thus viz The Tabernacle in the middest and Center of all the Hoast Round about the Tabernacle the Levites camped and marched viz On the West the Gershonites Num. III. 23. South the Kohathites Num. III. 29. North the Merarites Num. III. 35. East Moses Aaron his sons Num. III. 38 Males from a moneth old and upwards 7500. 8600. 6200. 22300. Round about the Levites at a good distance Josh. III. 4. Camped and Marched on the East-side Judah and in his Camp Issachar and Zebulun likely on either side or each hand of Judah he being in the midst And so in the other Camps following South-side Reuben and in his Camp Simeon and Gad. West-side Ephraim and in his Camp Manasse and Benjamin North-side Dan and in his Camp Asher and Naphtali Num. II. and X. Chap. In all 603550. And this is the same number of Males from twenty years old and upwards when they gave a Bekah or ten Gerahs each man that is half a Shekel after the Shekel of the Sanctuary to the building of the Tabernacle Exod. XXXVIII 26. As was commanded Exod. XXX 11 16. In the last numbering in the wildernesse in the fourtieth year after the death of Aaron and the death of that Generation for their rebellion and murmuring Num. XIV 29 35. The males from 20 years old and upwards all that were able to go to warre were 601730. The Levites still numbered not with them but by themselves Num. XXVI 51. 22000. chapter III verse 39 300 Male-Levites are omitted in this summe as appears out of ver 22 28 34. which make up 22300. being all the males from a moneth old and upwards And the First-born males of all the children of Israel in the twelve Tribes from a moneth old and upwards being 22273. Ch. III. 43. which argues at least twenty seven males in each family And the surplusage of 273. verse 46. being redeemed at five Shekels apiece amounting to 1375. Shekels verse 50 All this argues the foresaid 300. male-Levites to be wittingly left out in the casting up of the summe most likely omitted so Because they were such First-born of the Levites as were born from the time of the coming out of Egypt to the time of this reckoning and in that regard were sanctified to God as his own by his Law and challenge Exod. XIII 2. and so could not come into the number of the other Levites which were to be changed for the First-borne of the other Tribes and in their stead to be substituted and appropriated to God and his service This number of the Levites was very farre lesse then were of each other Tribe Ch. III. with Ch. I. The number of the least Tribe from twenty years old and upward males able to go forth to warre being 3200. Of the greatest 74600. And the number of the male-Levites from a moneth old and upwards being onely 22300. The charge of Aaron chapter III IV and his sons joyntly and of Eleazar and Ithamar distinctly and of the Kohathites Gershonites and Merarites severally is prescribed in the taking down and carrying and setting up of the Tabernacle See Ch. X. 17 21. From thirty The Levites at the age of thirty years chapter IV verse 3 entered into the full possession of their Offices to waite upon the service of the Tabernacle Num. IV. 3. At the age of twenty five they entered or might enter upon them as Novices and subservients in some secondary or inferiour administrations as Probationers and Proficients Num. VIII 24. And when the Temple should be builded they were ordered to begin and enter at twenty years of age 1 Chron. XXIII ver 24 27. Ezra III. 8. And that by Davids appointment together with the Prophets Gad and Nathan 2 Chron. VIII 14. and Ch. XXIX 25. They continued in their Offices till fifty Num. IV. 3 47. At fifty they ceased waiting upon the service of the Tabernacle but were Overseers there Ch. VIII 25 26. And in their several Cities as being well experienced in the Judicial Laws they judged of matters brought before them The Levites Offices distinct from the Priests are set down in many particulars 1 Chron. XXIII 28 32. David
11 12 17 18 26. and Ch. XIV 22 26. And this second Tythe seems every third year to be distributed to the poor Or rather a third Tythe every third year not carried to Jerusalem and eaten there But gathered for these charitable uses onely and to be eaten any where throughout the Land Deut. XIV 28 29. and XXVI 12 13. And this third year is therefore called the year of Tything Deut. XXVI 12. Amos IV. 4. Of Tythes see more 2 Chron. XXXI 4 19. Nehem. X. 32 39. and XII 44 47. and XIII 5 12 13. Mal. III. 8 10. Luke XI 42. and XVIII 12. Heb. VII 2 9. The great maintenance of the Levites appears in that the whole Tribe of Levi being three or four times lesse in number then any other Tribe yet had they distinguished from all the Priests the Tythes of all the Tribes and so more then any one other Tribe Besides their thirty five Cities and Suburbs whereof five were Cities of Refuge Josh. XXI one belonging to the Kohathites Levites two to the Gershonites and two to the Merarites In all twice at least more Cities then some other Tribes had that were twice their number See also that Num. XXXI 30 47. The greater maintenance of the Priests appears in that being but three persons at first at least of ripe and mature age yet they had the Tythes yearly of all the Levites Tythes which were at first 8580 of thirty years old and upwards and so about the hundred part of all the fruits and increase of all Israel And as the numbers of the Priests multiplied afterwards so did in all probability the number of the other Tribes They had also all the First-fruits of all things from all persons throughout the twelve Tribes even of their doughs and bakings Deut. XVIII 4. Num. XV. 20 21. which as some think exceeded their Tythes aforesaid They had also all the First-borne of Oxen Sheep and Goats which were given to them in kinde And the Redemption money of the First-borne of Men and of unclean Beasts and cattell Num. III. 46 52. Exod. XXXIV 19. 20 and Ch. XXII 29 30. Deut. XV. 19. They had also all Oblations both Voluntary and by Vow And the Redemption of Things and of Persons Devoted to God And all Sacrifices for Sinnes and for Trespasses and the Meat and Drink Offerings and Heave-offerings And the Breast and Shoulder in Peace-offerings Deut. XVIII 3. And the Skins of the whole Burnt-offerings And all their Tythes First-fruits and Oblations were to be of the best and choisest sorts Num. XVIII 12 29. Besides these they had thirteen Cities and Suburbs and Priviledges belonging to them whereof one was a City of Refuge Josh XXI 13. See Num. XVIII 8 19. And that also Num. XXXI 28 29 37 38 39 40 50. Levit. X. 12 13 14 15. and Ch. XXVII 21 28. See the Annotations on Num. XVIII 29. Rock At Rephidim by Mount Sinai chapter XX verse 8. 13. Exod. XVII 1 7. being the eleventh Station of the Israelites Num. XXXIII 14. Moses with his miraculous Rod struck the Rock in Horeb in a due obedience to Gods commandment and waters came forth And he named the place Massah and Meribah Exod. XVII 5 6 7. But at Kadesh in the Wildernesse of Zin where Miriam died being the thirty third Station Num. XXXIII 36. Moses with Aarons miraculous Rod for he took it from before the Lord as he commanded him having his spirit provoked by the rebellious people smiles the Rock twice without any such command or commission to smite at all And he and Aaron likewise speak unadvisedly with their lips uttering words of passion and incredulity and so rebelling against Gods commandment And thereupon they not sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel He was sanctified in them by his excluding them from entrance into the Land of Canaan And this also is called the water of Meribah or Strife as here so Ch. XXVII 14. Psal. CVI. 32 33. Aaron Aaron chapter XX verse 28 whose name may seem to signifie an Ark or Chest dies seven moneths and seven dayes before Moses at Mount Hor the Place called Mosera Deut. X 6. in the thirty fourth Station For Aaron dying in the fourtieth year fifth moneth first day Num. XXXIII 38. And that compared with the moneths mourning for Moses Deut. XXXIV 8. and three dayes preparation to passe over Jordan Josh. I. 1. and Ch. III. 2. And their coming out of Jordan on the first moneth tenth day Josh. IV. 19. Do shew that Moses died in the twelfth moneth seventh day And so seven moneths and seven dayes after Aaron In which short interval of time many and mighty things were done and atchieved as among other things Sihon and Og and their Kingdomes conquered the Midianites almost destroyed among whom Balaam was slaine Josh. XIII 22. and the book of Deuteronomie written Num. XXI and XXXI Deut. I. 1 3. Fiery Serpents onely in the later part of the fourtieth year chapter XXI verse 6 after Aarons death Heshbon Heshbon a chief City in Moab verse 26 afterwards of Sihon King of the Amorites Deut. I. 4. afterwards of Gad and out of that Tribe given to the Merarites Josh. XIII 26. and XXI 38 39 40. 1 Chron. VI. 80 81. Afterwards recovered by the Moabites and wasted by Shalmanesar Esay XV. 4. and XVI 8 9. and after by the Babylonians Jer. XLVIII 45. There may seeme to be another Heshbon of the Ammonites Jer. XLIX 2 3. And one in the Tribe of Reuben Num. XXXII 37. Josh. XIII 15 17. Heshbon signifies Devises And an allusion is made to the name Jer. XLVIII 2. in the judgement there denounced against it like to this is English There is mischief devised against the Devises the name of a town with us Balak Balak needed not to have hired Balaam chapter XXII verse 2 and feared Israel Num. XXII and XXIII and XXIV if he had known the prohibition of God to Israel Deut. II. 9. which they obeyed Judg. II. 15 17 18 25. 2 Chron. XX. 10. Yet that part which was great of the Lands of Moab which Sihon had lately conquered from Vehab King of Moab as Tremelius translates Num. XXI 26. the Israelites conquering Sihon in that right possessed it Num. XXXIII 49. Deut. I. 5. and XXXIV 1 5 6 8. and it was given to the Reubenites and Gadites Josh. XIII Unicorne So Deut. chapter XXIII verse 22 XXXIII 17. Job XXXIX 9 10. Psal. XXII 21. and XXIX 6. and XCII 10. Esay XXXIV 7. Yet the translation of the word is doubted of or at least the nature of the beast such as the Pensil of our Painters doth portray out unto us because no such beast was known or seen by any man And the Unicornes horne so deemed is of some strange Fish not of any known Beast Some learned render the word Bufale or Buff or else the wild Oxe called by the Latines Urus eminent for bignesse strength hornes and untamable fiercenesse
of those two families severally But Abiathar the father of Abimelech was then the supreme and only High Priest The Cherethites verse 18 and the Pelethites Of these see the great Annotations on this Text Mourning was past David marries her when she was with childe chapter XI verse 27 in some hope thereby also to cover his sinne Solomon The elder brother of Nathan chapter XII verse 24 by Bathsheba or Bathshua the daughter of Eliam or Ammiel though Nathan be rancked before â—olomon 2 Sam. V. 14. 1 Chron. III. 5. and XIV 4. Crowne The weight and worth of the King of Ammons Crowne verse 30 a Crowne of State too weighty to wear Shobi the brother of Hanun and sonne of Nahash seemes by David to be made King in Hanuns place which makes him to shew such kindnesse to David in his flight from Absalom ch XVII 27. 28. After fourty years Absalom chapter XV verse 7 whose hair weighed not was worth above three pounds at sixteen ounces to the pound when yearly poll'd 2 Sam. XIV 25 26. Begins his Rebellion against David after fourty years 2 Sam. XV. 7. not after fourty since David was anointed in Hebron but since he was anointed by Samuel 1 Sam. XVI 13. And he ends his Rebellion with hanging by his hair as his halter or by his head rather where he is slaine first by Joab after by Joabs armour-bearers 2 Sam. XVIII 14 15 That the fourty years aforesaid did take their Beginning and commencement as aforesaid and so fell in with the twenty second or twenty third year of Davids age with the seventh or eighth year before he actualy began his reigne at Hebron and ended at the thirty second or thirty third year of his real reigne and about seven years before his death appears in this That at this time of Absaloms rebellion David was a strong man 2 Sam. XV. 36. and ch XVII 8 10. and XVIII 2. And afterwards also ch XXI 15. whereas in the fourtieth and last year of his reigne and life he was bed-rid 1 King I. 1 2. And after the businesse of this Rebellion was carried on and ended we read of three yeares of famine 2 Sam. ch XXI I. And of the hanging up of ten of Sauls sons and grand-sons ver 8 9 10. and of the gathering of the bones of them that were hanged and the burying of them afterwards in another place ver 13 14. As also of warres yet againe raised by the Philistines and battels fought with them at four several times In the first of which David himself was in person and in present danger ver 15 22. And besides neere ten moneths were taken up in numbering the people Ch. XXIV 8. And upon the occasion of the Pestilence following thereupon The Threshing-Floore of Araunah being found to be the place where the Temple was to be builded 1 Chron. XXII 1. with 2 Chron. III. 1. David doth instruct Salomon about his dutie in the building of it and doth encourage him to do it and chargeth the Princes to assist him therein 1 Chron. XXII And causing him to be suddenly anointed King to suppresse the seditious and ambitious attempt of Adoniah And having afore ordered the Courses and Offices of the Levites Priests Singers Porters for the Service of the Temple 1 Chron. XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI Ch. He gives Solomon Patterns and Materials for the Building tells him of the Courses of the Priests and Levites which he had Ordered Ch. XXVIII And himself offers of his own goods magnificently and procures the Princes and People to Offer willingly towards the said Building And concludes with Thanksgiving and Prayer to God And the People blesse God and offer Sacrifices and make Solomon King the second time Ch. XXIX And lastly on his death-bed David gives Solomon charge to serve God as also concerning Joab and Barzillai and Shimei and dieth 1 King II. All which may well take up the seven last years of Davids reigne and life In the wood of Ephraim Not that Ephraim had any wood or land on the East-side of Jordan chapter XVIII verse 6 But the name might seeme to rise from the great defeat given there to Ephraim by Jephthah Judg. XII 5 6. Amasa Davids gentlenesse and courtesie to spare and honour Amasa chapter XIX verse 13 notwithstanding his chief hand in rebellion against him 2 Sam. XVII 25. slew Goliath His brother Lahmi chapter XXI verse 19 as it is explained 1 Chron. XX. 5. And so Michal for Michals sister ver 8. of this Chapter The words brother and sister being left out by an Eclipsis not unusual specially in the short idiome of the Hebrewes and in cases so well known This Psalme of Praise and Thanksgiving is the same with Psalme XVIII chapter XXII The difference is very little Here are Davids Worthies towards the end of his reigne chapter XXIII These in all thirty seven 2 Sam. XXIII 39. whereof Joab one the General and Captaine of the hoast 1 Chron. XI 6. Six chief Worthies or Colonels And of them the first three above the other three And the first three Adino or Jacobeam Eleazar and Shammah exceeding the other three Abishai the chief of the second three and Benaiah the son of Jehoiadah and Asahel who was one not of the thirty but above the thirty for there are thirty named after him The three first or three chief over the thirty ver 13. are described as otherwise so by their valiant Acts both distinctly and joyntly 2 Sam. XXIII 8 17. And so the two first of the next three And these six likely were each of them over five of the thirty following and their Regiments The Catalogue of Davids Worchies 1 Chron. XI was taken when David began his reign at Hierusalem or before The number there is fourty seven besides the first three and the second three And well might the number be more at that beginning of his reigne then at the end of it some of them dying in the meane time And of others some might have two different names The chief of all the Worthies slayes three hundred himself aud likely in the pursuit at the same time 500. more by himself or with his company in all eight hundred Of him see more 1 Chron. XXVII 2 3. The second defies the Philistines when the men of Israel were fled away and in a parcel of ground full of Barley slew the Philistines till his hand clave unto the sword and wrought a great victory and deliverance Of his father see 1 Chron. XXVII 4 The third did the like in a piece of ground full of Lentiles Of the other three 1. Abishai the brother of Joab 2. Asahel another brother and Captain for the fourth moneth 1 Chron. XXVII 7. slaine by Abner whiles David reigned in Hebron 3. Benaejah the Captaine of Davids guard the Cherethites and Pelethites 2 Sam. VIII 18. And Captaine for the third moneth 1 Chron. XXVII 5 6. And afterwards by Solomon made General of the Hoast in
Hoshea truly began in the fourth of Ahaz which was the twentieth from the time that Jotham began to reigne not that Jotham reigned twenty years till Hoshea began And Hoshea had reigned nine years in the twelfth of Ahaz And these first nine years the Sacred story passeth over in silence He having done nothing remarkable or memorable in them His later nine years are storied on t thus That the first of them begins in the twelfth of Ahaz 2 King XVII 1. That in the third of them which was the last of Ahaz Hezekiah began to reigne 2 King XVIII 1. That in the seventh of them and fourth of Hezekiah Shalmanezar came and besieged Samaria 2 King XVIII 9. That in the ninth and last of them and sixth of Hezekiah Shalmanesar took Samaria and carried all captives into Assyria and finaly extinguished that Kingdome of Israel 2 King XVIII 10 11. The Names then and the Numbers of the years of the Reignes of the Kings of Judah and of Israel in this II. Book of Kings are as followeth viz. of Judah years Iehoram as viceroy 4 In all 12. Imperfect Joynt King with his father Iehoshaphat 2 Sole King after his fathers death 6 Ahaziah 1 imperfect Athaliah 6 Ioash 40 Amatziah 17 Vzziah 52 Iotham 15 Ahaz 14 Hezekiah 29 Manasseh 55 Amon 2 Iosiah 31 Iehoachaz  Iehojakim 11 Iehoachin  Zedekiah 11 Thence to Iehoiachins advancement 26 Kings of Israel years Ahaziah 1 Iehoram 11 Iehu 28 Iehoahaz 15 Ioash or Iehoash 16 Ieroboam 41 Zechariah  Shallum  Menachem 10 Pekahiah 2 Pekah 20 Hoshea 18 See my Annotations on Hos. I. 1. If thou see me chapter II verse 10 This signe was of Gods appointment And the thing done on the East-side of Iordan a Minstrel To quiet chapter III verse 15 quicken and compose his spirit his eldest sonne The King of Edoms eldest son verse 27 taken by the King of Moab in this eruption See Amos II. 1. and the Annotations there Shunem A Citie in the Tribe of Issachar chapter IV verse 8 Iosh. XIX 18. And hath in the same Tribe standing from it Iezreel towards the South Mount Gilboa towards the South-East The river Kishon on the East and Mount Tabor towards the North-North-East in the Confines of the Tribe of Zebulon In Shunem the Philistines pitched against Saul in Gilboa 1 Sam. XXVIII 4. Here was borne Abishag that fair Virgin that lay in Davids bosome to cherish him as a wife-nurse in his decreped age And was afterwards sought for in marriage by Adonijah but to the losse of his life in the State-wisdome of Solomon 1 King I. and II. chapters And here dwelt this great and good woman that made these accommodations for the Prophet Elishah and upon his Prophetical promise obtained a sonne and had him miraculously raised from death of life againe by Elishah coming from Mount Carmel hither as is in this IV. Chapter And further upon this accompt after her seven years absence on the Prophets direction by reason of the Famine to ensue during that time she returning out of the Land of the Philistines had her house lands and profits of her estate restored to her by Iehoram King of Israel 2 King VIII Gilgal Of this see the Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. verse 38 twenty loaves of barley This was more then the bread of his first fruits came to verse 42 King of Syria This was Benhadad the son of Benhadad chapter V both Kings of Syria verse 5 1 Kings XV. 18 19 20. and XX. 1. 34. 2 King VI. 24. and VIII 7. 2. Chron. XVI 2. The father was the sonne of Tabrimon the sonne of Hezion King of Syria 1 King XV. 18. This the sonne slew Ahab at Ramoth-Gilead 1 King XXII 35 37. Who contrary to Gods command had saved him 1 King XX. 42. And besieging Samaria he brought it to that extreme famine 2 King VI. 24 25. And after at Ramoth-Gilead he wounded Jehoram the son of Ahab 2 King VIII 28 29. Whence returning to Jezreel to be healed of his wounds he was slaine by Jehu 2 King IX 24. And this son died 2 King VIII 15. A third Benhadad King of Syria was the son of Hazael 2 King XIII 3 24. Benhadad signifies the son of Hadad And Hadad was a name very common among the Kings of Edom or Idumea Gen. XXXVI 35. 1 Chron. I. 50. 1 King XI 14 but afterwards grew more common with the Kings of Syria insomuch as Benhadad may seeme a name common to the Kings of Syria See Jer. XLIX 27. Amos I. 4. And take here a Catalogue of the Kings of Syria as we finde them in Scripture thus Omitting Chushan-Rishathaim who was King of Aram-Naharaim or Syria between the two rivers that is Tigris and Euphrates or of Mesopotamia Judg. III. 10. We finde these Kings of Syria properly so called whereof Damascus was the chief Citie viz. Hadadezer or Hadarezer in Davids time 2 Sam. VIII 5 6 13. and X. 6 8 16. Rezon in the dayes of Solomon 1 King XI 23 24 25. Benhadad the son of Tabrimon the son of Hezion in the dayes of Asa 1 King XV. 18 19 20. Benhadad the son of Benhadad in the dayes of Ahab and of Elias and Eliseus And Nahaman was the Captain of his hoast 1 King XX. 1 20 26 32 34. and XXII 3. and 2 King V. 1 2 6 7. and chap. VI. 8 12 23 24. and chap VII 4. 16. Hazael in the dayes of Joram Jehu Iehoahaz 1 King XIX 15. 2 King VIII 7 8 13. and X. 32. and XII 17. and XIII 3 22. Benhadad the son of Hazael in the dayes of Iehoash ◠King XIII 24 25. Rezin in the dayes of Pekah and of Ahaz 2 King XVI 5. Esay VII 1. 16. and VIII 4. Talents See my Observations on Exod. XXXVIII 24. Go in peace A fare-well phrase verse 19 a friendly dismission with little or no relation to what Nahaman had said as little minding it and of smal concernment to the greater engagements that then lay upon him which kinde of Answers are not unusual The Leprosie Yet King Jehoram holds conference with Gehazi afterwards verse 27 2 King VIII 4. as upon sundry grounds and occasions incident in a right manner well he might are come down chapter VI verse 9 Here the holy Pen-man useth a word of the Syrian language Dothan In the Tribe of Ephraim verse 13 about mid-way between Samaria and Shechem Here Joseph findes his brethren feeding their flocks Gen. XXXVII 13 17. This is not the way No verse 19 nor the place or Citie whereby and wherein to effect your purpose came no more Not these Bands verse 23 nor in this maner making inrodes or laying ambushes nor any at all of a long time after till Benhadad came with all his hoast ver 24. a Cab Is a Hebrew measure verse 25 Of this see my Observations on Gen. XVIII 6. of Doves dung Or of the corne found in the crop she flying into the Citie out of
the former Decree could not be reverst nor this new one being sealed with the Kings Seal See Ch. I. 19. third moneth Two moneths and ten dayes after Hamans Decree verse 9 chap. III. 12. The Lots were cast in the first moneth and twelfth year of Ahasuerus chap. III. 7. And the Decree issued out the thirteenth day of that moneth ver 12. And did stretch even to the Jews in Jury ver 6 8 13. And the execution of it was to be on the thirteenth day of Adar the twelfth moneth following But the Edict on their behalf issued forth on the twenty third day of the third moneth Sivan i. e. two moneths and ten dayes after Hamans bloody Edict Sivan Whereunto our May most answereth and unto the Jewes Whom it so much concerned crown of gold See chap. verse 15 VI. 8. became Jewes Proselytes verse 17 turned to their Religion as sought their hurt As assaulted them chapter IX verse 2 so as they were on the defensive part and stood for their lives chap. VIII 11. and chap. IX 16. smote all their enemies Wonder that they durst rise against the Jewes verse 5 considering the minde and power of the King and Queen and Mordecai for them see ver 3. in Shushan These likely of Hamans faction verse 6 eager set to revenge his death and downfal to do tomorrow It may be necessity to preserve the lives of the Jewes in Shushan verse 13 against such as might seek an opportunity hereafter to revenge the blood of Haman his sonnes and others that were slaine might move her to this Petition so to rid their hands of all their enemies 75000 It argues a great height of malice against the Jewes verse 16 That Hamans ten sonnes and others in Shushan even on a second day and so many in all the Kings Provinces durst so assault the Jewes that in their own defence they killed in all seventy five thousand eight hundred likely most Amalekites considering the Kings Edict for the Jewes and the power of the Queene and Mordecai with the King as hath been said yet the Jewes laid not their hands on the prey and spoile though granted to them by the King chap. VIII 11. chap. IX 10 15 16. to shew they did it not for covetousnesse but to preserve their own lives Mordecai wrote Some extend this to the whole Book verse 20 but more likely it relates to the point of Deliverance and ordaining the Feasts ver XXIII 29. And herein the power of the Church is seene in Ordaining set annual Feasts ver 27. 29 31. And so for Fasts Zech. VII Purim i. e. Lots verse 26 Of Lots see the Annotations on Jonah I. 7. the matters of the fastings verse 31 and their cry The occasions that were given of their fastings and cries by which they obtained such a blessing Some take this as a part of the Ordinance and Decree to fast on the thirteenth day And alledge for it the practise of the Jewes to this day in the Book Some publick record verse 32 a tribute We read of a release chapter X verse 1 chap. II. 18. whether the Jewes by Mordecai's means were released of this Tribute the Scripture expresseth not Job THE Book of Job is a true History accompanied fully with all the circumstances of a true History from first to last and attested Ezek. XIV 14. and Jam. V. 11. This Book is written in the judgement of some in Prose to chap. III. v. 3. In Verse thence to chap. XLII ver 6. And then again concludes in Prose thence to the end Job lived most likely when the Israelites were in Egypt His age being one hundred and fourty years after his Affliction was ended and he having seven sonnes and three daughters and being the greatest of all the men of the East before his Affliction began Job XLII 16. and I. ver 2 3. Jobs patience is wonderful and so highly commended by the holy Ghost Jam. V. 11. His Impatience too much accused as by his friends then so by some others now not weighing the burden of his Afflictions outward and inward from heaven earth and hell and withal his fair clearing of God and his justice and his full acknowledgement of his owne sinfulnesse though not of that Hypocrisie wherewith his friends did falsely charge him chap. VII 20 21. and IX 2 3. 14 15 20 21. and XIII 26. and XIV 17. and XXVII 5 6. and XXXI 6. 33 35 36 37. and XXIII 10. and XIII 15. and IX 12. Jobs three friends most likely were of the posterity of Abraham viz. Eliphaz and Zophar of the posterity of Esau Gen. XXXVI 11 40. Bildad of Abrahams race by Ketura Gen. XXV 2. 1 Chron. I. 32. And Elihu the fourth of the race of Nahor Abrahams brother Gen. XXII 21. Eliphaz Bildad and Zophar speak in order one after another Eliphaz and Bildad thrice Zophar twice To every one of which Jobs Answers are annexed and interposed Elihu speaks after they ceased without any answer made by Job to him Jehovah speaks last of all And Orders all Uz Uz in Idumea chapter I verse 1 or Arabia bordering upon it So called from Uz the sonne of Dishan of the linage of Seir Gen. XXXVI 28. Of this we read Lam. IV. 21. Jer. XXV 20. Or in that part of Arabia the Desert near to Chaldea where Job had such bad neighbours the Chaldeans on the one side and the Sabeans on the other chap. I. 15. 17. We read of Kings of the Land of Uz Jer. XXV 20. And of Uz the grandchilde of Shem Gen. X. 22 23. And of Vz the sonne of Nahor Abrahams brother Gen. XXII 21. three thousand Camels When God blessed his latter end verse 3 he had six thousand Camels chap. XLII 12. a wondrous number for one man They were numerous and of much use in the Eastern Countries Fifty thousand taken from the Hagarites 1 Chron. V. 20 21. The Midianites used very great multitudes of them in warre and put ornaments and chains of gold about their necks Judg. VII 12. and chap. VIII 21 26. Some of them were swift all for burden with bunches on their backs fit for that purpose but not fit to go through the eye of a needle David himself had a special officer only over his Camels 1 Chron. XXVII 30. East Whither Abraham sent his sonnes Gen. XXV 6. and sanctified them Sent to them verse 5 requiring them to fit and prepare themselves by all means in an holy maner to come and joyne with him in offering a sacrifice for them and their sinnes See Num. X 1. 18. Exod. XIX 10. Josh. III. 5. and chap. VII 13. 2 Chron. XXIX 5. continualy On those dayes when their feasting was gone about the sonnes of God The good Angels verse 6 Job XXXVIII 7. to present themselves See 1 Kings XXII 19. This is spoken after the maner of men as Rom. III. 5. among them Not that Satan comes into Heaven The similitude is taken from earthly Kings escaped
I not lift up my head I am full of confusion Thou huntest me as a fierce Lion Oh that I had not been borne Cease then that I may take comfort a little before I die chap 10. He reproves his friends for their pleadings against him He knowes what they know and say viz. That God doth all things in the governing of the affairs and states of men even of the great ones chap. XII Again reproves his friends as before and checks them for pleading for God in a wrong maner bids them hold their peace that he may speak professeth his trust in God his uprightnesse void of Hypocrisie and that he shall be justified he desires of God to know his iniquity for which he writeth such bitter things against him Chap. XIII He entreateth God for favour by the shortnesse of life and certainty of death though life once lost be irrecoverable yet he waighteth for his change he complains that God watcheth over his sinne and concludes that God prevaileth over man chap. XIV Doth the wilde Asse So neither do I complaine verse 5 if I had not so great a cause as ver 3 4. Can that Can it with any pleasure verse 6 much lesse if it be bitter as mine afflictions are and your unsavoury words So the application seemes to be made in the next verse Cut me off His wealth and health were taken away before verse 9 now he desires that his life may be so not concealed But professed before others verse 10 his word and worship Is not Any help in me verse 13 and defence for me against these evills and your words Pitie should Here he strikes at Eliphaz verse 14 and continues on so to do to the end of this Chapter Tema That part of Arabia where the posterity of Tema verse 19 one of Ishmaels race Gen. XXV 15. did inhabit See Jer. XXV 23. Sheba In Arabia Foelix South from Iudea whose Queen came to Solomon And whereof we read Psal. LXXII 10. Esay XLIII 3. and LX. 6. Ier. VI. 20. Ezek. VII 22 23. and XXXVIII 13. These seeme to be the posterity of Cush by his fourth sonne Raamah Gen. X. 7. The Ethiopians were no remote neighbours from them ye are nothing Hebr. not verse 21 or as the Masorets in the margin to it i. e. ye are like to that brook ver 15. See the like various reading Ch. XIII 15. Psal. C. 3. Esay LXIII 9. Exod. XXI 8. to reprove words As if my speeches were words without matter verse 26 words of a desperate brainlesse man my righteousnesse is in it Ye shall finde me no hypocrite if ye consider better shall come up no more Into this world chapter VII verse 9 till the Resurrection chap. XIV 12. and chap. XIX 26 27. I will complaine Men in anguish think it some ease to complaine verse 11 Grief kept in like fire burns the more Am I a Sea Too bold a speech from a creature to God verse 12 in this and that which follows not depart from me To give me the least intermission of pain verse 19 I have sinned Though not by hypocrisie verse 20 nor more then all others Here he confesseth sinne And petitions for pardon ver 21. How long He seemes to cut off Iob in his speaking chapter VIII verse 2 as not able to endure him longer to speak so much against God so to charge him and complaine of him If thy children Sonnes verse 4 and daughters chap. I. 18 19. If thou wert Wouldest be verse 6 as ver 5 7. Though thy beginning was small After thy repentance verse 7 As indeed it was chap. XLII 11. yesterday See the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. verse 9 Can the rush No more could Iobs and his childrens prosperity continue verse 11 because of their hypocrisie without sound piety which is the true nourisher of Gods blessings To which purpose he useth also the Similitude of a Spider and of a tree to set out the fleeting prosperity of ungodly men such as he intimates Iob and his children to be Arcturus Iobs skill in Astronomy chapter IX verse 9 And again chap. XXVI 7. 13. and in XXVII 18. in some Translations See the Annotations on Esay XIII 10. And we see Astronomy in Gods speech to Iob chap. XXXVIII 31 32 33. without cause High speeches against God verse 17 and impatient passages As likewise ver 22. should not An angry beginning likewise chapter XI verse 2 savouring of indignation I am clean in thine eyes Indeed no hypocrite verse 4 otherwise this is a false charge secrets of wisdome The hidden wayes of his providence verse 6 wherein he walks in his dealings with mortal men wilde Asses colt So foolish verse 12 so unable to comprehend the wayes of God in his workings towards the sons of men the wicked Concludes with the misery of the wicked verse 20 surmising or implying Iob to be such an one ye are the people Ye all three chapter XII verse 2 This is an ironical scoffe with indignation See the Observations on Iosh. XI 4. and on Amos IV. 4 5. who calleth upon God Either the mocked or mocker verse 4 calleth upon God answereth him The mocker whereas Iob himself the mocked is not answered of robbers prosper This Iob proves at large verse 6 earth This English word may seeme to come from the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 8 Doth not the eare So easie is this point of trial verse 11 with the ancient This may relate to that verse 12 chap. VIII 8 9 10. And indeed it should be so chap. XXXII 7. but is not alwayes so ver 20. and XXXII 9. are his And subject to his authority and power verse 16 girdle Bringeth them to a lower condition verse 18 what ye know This relateth to chap. chapter XIII verse 2 XII 3. to reason with God Rather then with his friends verse 3 he is weary of that And he joynes herein with Zophar in his wish chap. XI 5. because he could clear his own innocencie before him who sees his heart and that he is no hypocrite ver 16. as his friends take him to be by Gods harsh dealing with him of lies Against God verse 4 and me Hear now Bids them save their labour in speaking verse 6 unlesse it were to better purpose ver 5. And now hearken to him and his reasonings for God against them and in defence of himself mock him Or seek to delude and beguile him verse 9 pleading his cause by bad arguments accept persons Though it be Gods own person verse 10 what will What ever become of me verse 13 Like that 2 Sam. XVIII 23. my flesh in my teeth Grief and plagues enough to make me teare my flesh verse 14 put my life Every moment be in danger to die yet will I trust Here the Cetib verse 15 or written in the text is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not And so the Reading and rendering may rather be this should I not trust in him And
and gaines he catcheth but a Butter-flie with much vexation and all his toile And I turned To his first enquirie verse 12 to see if his second thoughts therein might prove the wiser what can True without boasting None can go beyond him trie who will wisdome excelleth follie Foolish verse 13 sensual pleasures which perish in the using and leave a sting behinde them Though the most excellent humane wisdome is vaine also as to this maine end and in order to it to attaine true happinesse The wise mans eyes He shewes the great difference of worth between these two contraries verse 14 And the antithesis and opposition of them serves to illustrate the nature of them both The wise man sees fore-sees fore-casts ponders things past present and to come he casts and considers is vigilant and circumspect The foole hath neither sight nor light his eyes are any where rather then in his head he is inconsiderate rash carried headlong in blindnesse and I my self perceived Though the one so farre excelling the other yet both alike in this no difference herein but one event happeneth to them all as two wayes meet at the same Inne and Ships from several Coasts meet at the same Haven and Counters after casting summes are put into the same bag And why was I then more wise To what purpose verse 15 as to the maine point no remembrance Chap. verse 16 VIII 10. Prov. X. 7. Psal. CXII 6. and XLIX 11 12. Jer. XVII 13. and how dieth As oblivion so death equal and common to both Psal. XLIX 10. Ezek. XXI 4. Only piety maketh the difference John XI 25 26. Therefore I hated life He saw little valuable or desirable in it verse 17 He was wearie of living to so little purpose and withal that sufficient to the day was the evil thereof all my labour As being so vaine and vexatious verse 18 No felicitie and true happinesse in this life being to be gained by any creature-comfort leave it Psal. XLIX 10. and XXXIX 6. And so Luke XII 17. ere he was a day elder a wise man verse 19 or a foole How Rehoboam proved is well known chap. VI. 2. therefore I went about Fetcht a compasse verse 20 by a reflex act of my minde as Ephraim Jer. XXXI 18 19. and the Prodigal Luke XV. 17. as those 1 Kings VIII 47. And being wearied in this round I was brought to a despondencie of spirit and a despair of attaining to my purpose and search as being fruitlesse and unseazable these emptie things only abusing and deluding me For there is a man This particular did so pinch Solomon verse 21 that he thinks he can never say enough of it he cannot give it over And it is a judgement threatened that it shall so fall out Prov. XIII 22. Yea leave it to a stranger and enemie as Nabals was to David Hamans to Mordecai the Canaanites to the Israelites what hath a man verse 22 c A meere nothing a coffin perhaps to his grave Then all the world is gone with him Psal. XLIX 17. Eccles. I. 3. and III. 9 and V. 15 are sorrowes In the abstract verse 23 And those pluraly Job V. 7. not rest in the night Though he lie upon a bed of downe yet these gnats will not suffer him sleep his heart doth not rest in that time of rest Job IV. 13. as the clock cannot stand still while the plummets hang at it Grace only cures these cares and procures this quiet rest Phil. IV. 6 7. Ps CXXVII 2. nothing better Chap. verse 24 III. 12 13 22. and VIII 15. as to the happinesse of this life attainable by all study and industrie in worldly things and affairs and so to free our selves from this vanitie and vexation of them and specialy from that disease verse 21. the hand of God It is not alwayes in our power Verse 26. Chap. III. 13. and V. 19. Acts XIV 17. God is then to be sought to in whom only felicity is to be found Psal. CXLV 15 16. Eccles. IX 7 8 9. For who can eate verse 25 Who else can prove it by his own experience better then I verse 12. For God giveth To get these worldly things rightly verse 26 and to use them rightly and comfortably giveth this peculiar blessing to this person the proper subject of it Chap. III. 12 13. but to the sinner To scrape and rape chap. IV. 8. Hab. II. 6. Psal. XXXIX 6. Luke XII 18. give to him that is good Job XXVII 17. Prov. XIII 22. and XXVIII 8. To every thing there is a season Or rather a time prefixed chapter III verse 1 set and predetermined The series and contexture whereof and of all future events we cannot order or alter we cannot antedate or anticipate nor post-off or post-date by all our anxious care and toyles we cannot break through the bounds of Gods providence and predeterminate purpose in the guidance of them So again chap. VIII 6. And therefore we should quiet and content our selves in the good and comfortable use of them as chap. II. 24. And not seek to extract out of such vaine and variable things that good and felicity which is not in them Yet again This may minde us not to neglect the seasons times and opportunities of Grace which are in Gods hand when he doth please to offer and afford them Luke XIX 42. Heb. II. 3. A time Chap. verse 2 III. 17. This here is oft repeated that it may be once remembred There are various vicissitudes and changes in all things under the Sunne We should seek perfect felicitie in him only in whom there is no shadow of change and in his kingdome of glory which shall continue when time it self shall be no more What profit Concludes that verse 9 Chap. I. 3. Matth. VI. 27. no more then that James II. 14 16. Consider that Matth. XVI 26. which God hath given God gives it verse 10 for our exercise in it and by it And he not we or fate or fortune orders it and the event of it He usualy gives the blessing in our use of the meanes beautiful Though we at all times see it not in every thing verse 11 though we are not able to put together all the pieces of Gods providence nor to foresee that frame and forme feature that he will bring them to at the last Esay X. 12. we being not able to finde out the beginning or end of the causes or uses of Gods works Yet these seeming confusions God will reduce into an excellent beautiful order and in a beautiful season too Frost and Snow are as seasonable in the Winter as heat and flowers and fruits are in the Summer The world is so much in our hearts that we minde and mark not Gods dealings sufficiently and we are of so short continuance that though we minde it yet we live not to observe a full point in the works of God Their beginning may be in one age and their end in
another Rom. XI 34. No good in them verse 12 but c. To enjoy things present and to do good here and so have good hereafter Psal. CXXVIII 2. 1 Tim. VI. 18 19. it shall be for ever His doing and counsel shall stand verse 14 Esay XLVI 10 11. Jer. 44. 28. And is perfect and holy unalterable by man Job XXXVIII 31 c. We should therefore with willingnesse and contentment submit to him and his doings acquiesce in him and dread and adore him though our blear eyes cannot see the bright Sun-shine of his actions His decrees must not drive us to despair or to a neglect of using the means but from deifying our selves and our own wisdome in the use of meanes still depending upon his blessing And moreover Having formerly shewed the vanitie and vexation of Knowledge verse 16 and of Pleasures and of humane Labours in many regards together with the Remedies of them He now proceeds to shew more vanities and vexations and yet to vindicate Gods Providence in them the place of judgement That should be a Sanctuarie and Citie of Refuge for wronged Innocencie That wickednesse and oppression should be and reigne there was a great vexation and a great tentation too against Gods righteous Providence I said That God shall judge and right all verse 17 at least and last in that great Assizes to be held by his Sonne at the last day Acts XVII 31. Some he judgeth here lest his Providence but not all lest his patience and promise of judgement might be called into question Therefore this vanitie and vexation ought not to dismay the innocent or hearten the oppressors seeing God will amend all that God might manifest them Men in place and power verse 18 though they carry themselves as beasts to their brethren yet will hardly know themselves their own fraile and base condition and that as to outward respects they are but as the beasts that perish Psal. XLIX 20. God must manifest it to them And this should humble them and staine their pride This shewes and should cure this vanitie Prov. XXX 2. For that which befalleth Psal. verse 19 XLIX 10. chap. II. 15 16. hunger thirst diseases c. all turne to dust againe Expire alike verse 20 and the body turnes to dust alike Gen. III. 19. Job XXXIV 15. This still in relation to the body only Who knoweth the spirit of man No man can by sense discerne the ascent of the one verse 21 or the descent of the other But he can who hath the minde of Christ who hath seen the insides of Nature and Grace Who is spiritual 1 Cor. II. 14 15 16. See chap. XII 7. of this book And Solomons scope throughout this Book is to shew the vanitie of earthly things and of humane actions in order unto things under the Sunne as to satisfie the heart of man in the acquiring of true felicitie Of his immortal or heavenly condition he speaks not purposely But as he makes Pietie the Only Remedy against all these earthly vanities and vexations and so concludes his Book in the two last verses We need not here then to make these passages to be speeches taken up in the Person of the â—picure or Atheist Wherefore I perceive He resumes his Assertion verse 22 verse 13. and ch II. XXIV and V. 18. after him What shall become of his goods how used and disposed and by whom all the oppressions More vanities and vexations in the Civil State no Comforter Doubled here This addes to their miserie This was Jobs case chap. VI. 14 15. and chap. XVI 2. and chap. XIX 21. he crieth and calleth for this pitie and commiseration It was Davids case Psal. LXIX 20. And Jerusalems Lam. I. 2 9 16. God cals for it towards Jerusalem Esay XL. 1 2. And himself doth it Esay LI. 3 12. See Nahum III. 7. praised the dead He preferreth the ease and quietnesse of death before the miseries of such a dying life See Job chap. III. throughout Jonah IV. 3. 1 Kings XIX 4. He speaks here according to the judgment of men under oppression without relation to the wickednesse of men whose state after death is in those terrours and torments that shall either mend or end and they be never able to abide or avoid Matth. XXVI 24. not yet been Job III. verse 3 10. and chap. X. 18 19. envied For his eminent worth and works verse 4 his ingenious Acts and Parts As the Courtiers of Persia did Daniel See Prov. XXVII 4. foldeth his hands The foolish sluggard so described verse 5 Prov. VI. 6. See the Explanations there And chap. XXVI 15. and chap. XIX 24. eateth his own flesh Prov. X. 4. maketh many an hungry meale Better is an handful The sluggards plea. verse 6 Sinners will have their shifts saw vanitie Another vanitie contrary to the former Fools whiles they shun the sands do rush upon the rocks yet no end of all his labour This matchlesse miser verse 8 and fellow that hardly hath a fellow is never satisfied as Prov. XXX 15. toiles without end Esay V. 8. Hab. II. 5. and to no end trusts he can draw up Jordan into his mouth Job XL. 23. and yet knows he hath none to whom he may leave his goods so toiled for This is worse then that of Psal. XXXIX 6. neither is his eye satisfied with riches Indeed the eye only hath the use of riches with such covetous men Two are better then one In a natural verse 9 and in a Moral sense Jer. XLI 13 14. 2 Sam. X. 11. And spiritualy next to Communion with God is the Communion of Saints Psal. XVI 2. Heb. X. 24. he cometh to reigne The poor and wise child verse 14 I considered Another vanitie and vexation if this be not an exemplification of the old foolish King dethroned and the poor wise child standing up in his stead all the living All the present generation of men living under a present Prince or Government the multitude many-headed given to change falling off from the falling Sun and adoring the rising Sunne with the second child The Successor sonne or who ever he be joyning to him and following him as thinking they must live by the living and not by the dead and so expecting protection and preservation by and under him Such is the vanitie and vexation of Princes that if they live long they outlive their own glorie and are looked upon by their own subjects as faling sinking bending to the grave And such is the vanitie and levitie of people that they are weary of present government and even sick for a change prove the change what it will 1 Sam. VIII 5 18 19 20. and XII 12. 2 Sam. XV. 12 13. and chap. XX. 2. 1 Kings II. 15. Prov. XXIV 21. no end of all the people Infinitely discontented verse 16 and restlesse in their desires of change never contented with their present state The people put no end or stop to this vanitie to this their epidemical
the foole Speaking with relation to wealth verse 8 and the event of outward things These things promiscuously happen to all without peculiar prerogative to any and beyond their own natural use they are not able to supply a wise man more then a fool and the fool may have as much and as much also of them as the wise Better is the sight of the eyes To enjoy quietly and contentedly what a man hath in present possession verse 9 then to wander and rove up and down in desire and pursuit of what we have not and cannot hardly attaine but endlesly weary our selves in hawking and hunting after them which never will nor can satisfie That which hath beene verse 10 the name And nature of it is known already That which is hoped for hereafter is yet unknown That it is man Man still earthly Adam sorry man be his wealth or greatnesse what it will And God will make him know himself so to be Psal. IX 20. Ezek. XXVIII 6 9. Esay II. 22. and XXXI 3. Contend with To enter plea against God or require a reason of his judgements or strive against this streame thinking to alter or break through the order bounds of his Providence or decrees Esay XLV 9. Job IX 2 3 12. and IV. 17. and chap. XXXIV 23. Jer. L. 44. Rom. IX 20. Seeing there be many things A solemne conclusion of all the former discoveries of vanities in the Creatures verse 11 averring that first set down chap. I. 3. which is the maine matter of this Book What is man the better In regard of sound and solid happinesse for any or for all the former vanities For who knoweth The animal creatures by instinct of nature know what is good for them verse 12 to maintaine their being and well-being to remedy their maladies But man knoweth not what is good for him What is best for him in this life as to the things of this life Whether to be rich or poor c. Achitophel might have lived longer with lesse wisdome Nabal with lesse riches Herod with lesse pride and praise c. God is pleased to shew man the only good Mic. VI. 8. and Solomon chap. XII ver 13 14. vaine life This life it self a vaine shadow Psal. CXLIV 4. and XXXIX 6. Job XIV 2. and chap. VIII 1 Chron. XXIX 15. What shall be after him He cannot promise to himself when he is gone any satisfactorie content in name family and posterity no more then he could in his life-time to himself chap. II. 18 19. Nescis quid serus vesper vehat A good name chapter VII verse 1 Solomon in this Chapter proceeds to many other particular meanes and remedies for healing the vanities and vexations of this life and procuring tranquility and peace of minde in the midst of them Yet here and there he doth intermix some more vanities and vexations The first meanes and remedy here is a Good Name or Fame The first letter of the Hebrew word for Good is here greater then ordinary to intimate belike the great and extraordinary goodnesse of a good name Which is better to a man to his conscience and soul then a precious ointment is to his body It refresheth and cheereth and comforteth the soul and conscience in the very midst of all wrongs and sufferings and specially at the hour of death and remaines fresh after the body rots in the grave They leave their names for a blessing and are had in everlasting remembrance whereas the memory of the wicked shall rot Job XVIII 17. Prov. X. 17. and they leave their names as a curse and a stinking snuff behinde them Esay LXV 15. yea in this life this fattens the bones Prov. XV. 30. And procures reverence and esteeme in the consciences of others And is rather to be chosen then all riches Prov. XXII 1. Herein the Hebrew is a Paranomasia of the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the same is in Cant. I. 3. and the day of death To such a man of a good name or to any man relation being had to the many vanities and vexations of this life Job XIV 1. Life begins with crying 2 Nondum loquitur infans tamen sic prophetat And Lawyers define life by crying without which they are counted still-borne 3 Now that day that delivers a man from them is better then that which lets in and puts a man in possession of them Which makes Solomon here prefer his coffin before his cradle to the house of mourning So wise men do And fools they are that do the contrary verse 4. This is better for the living as the former for the dead for this is the end of all men Here is the reason men will so fall into deep and due consideration of their own dying life as Job XXX 33. Psal. XXXIX 4 5. and XC 12. that life is but to lie a dying and so be weined from the vaine jollities of this life and wrought to humiliation mortification and preparation for a better life From which Feasting calls us off See Josh. XXIII 14. Heb. IX 2. And againe Amos VI. 3 6. Deut. VIII 12 14. Esay XXII 12 13 14. and chap. V. 12. Sorrow is better James IV. verse 3 9 Luke VI. 21. 25. Matth. V. 4. yet this is a Paradox to the world which is alwayes set upon the merry pin to be as merry Greeks to eat and drink and laugh and play and labours to banish all sorrow away as the bane of their life sadnesse of the countenance In our selves by grave thoughts and sad and serious meditations and considerations or of a sower and severe yet sure friend the heart is made better The better part is bettered the inward man is amended by abandoning those loose noisome and destructive vanities and jollities of laughter and of penitential humiliation compunction contrition of mortality death judgment These sorrowful tears have much joy in them they wash away the filth of sin as sweet April showers they bring on amaine the May-flowers of Grace and Glorie And therefore where ever the body is upon several occasions yet the heart of the wise is here he numbereth the dayes of his life and the dayes of darknesse Psal. XC 12. Eccles. XI 8. And where ever the body is yet the heart of fooles is on effuse mirth runs a madding the way to rejoyce in a thing of nought Amos VI. 13. is on foolish follies in the filth and froth whereof is bred and fed that woful worme that never dies Job XXI 12 13. Yet their laughter is indeed but the hypocrisie of mirth as the crackling of thornes under a pot a sudden blaze soone gone as sudden lightning which yet is followed with the rending and roaring of thunder-claps Luke VI. 25. Psalme CXVIII 12. The rebuke of the wise Prov. XIII 18. verse 5 and chap. XV. 31 32. ch XXVII 6. Psal CXLI 5. An enemie in this case many times proves a good and
XXVIII 1. Dan. III. 16 17 18. Psal. III. 6. and XXVII 3. and XLVI 3. Job XI 15. Luke XXI 28. Prov. IV. 18. Some thus And wisdome will change the boldnesse of his face to more modesty The Kings commandment Obedience in the Lord verse 2 and for the Lord Acts V. 29. the oath of God Whereby thou hast sworne allegeance to thy Prince 1 Pet. II. 13. See Ezek. XVII 15 21. So as this is both a limitation and an enforcement of this duty Papists can slight this oath And some other too to go out of his sight Turne not thy back to him discontentedly verse 3 fling not away in a chafe But forbear and submit Prov. XXV 15. and chap. XXX 32. If thou hast offended him provoke him not more by persisting in it What dost thou Prov. verse 4 XXX 31. Job XXXIV 18. Yet he may be admonished and altered as 1 Sam. XIV 45. as Elias Micaiah Nathan and other Prophets did he is not absolute as God is Job IX 12. And as the Pope would be as the Canonists make him Whatsoever pleaseth him Such was their power specialy in the Eastern Empires the Commandment Of God verse 5 and the King shall feele Know experimentaly no evil No danger of punishment ver 3. But being morigerous and obedient shall finde good and encouragement rather Rom. XIII 3 4. Ephes. VI. 8. 1 Tim. II. 2. a wise mans heart Yeelds not blinde obedience But discernes when and how both the season and the meanes and manner of obeying so to apply himself to the King as to prevent his displeasure to gaine his favour and yet to preserve his conscience and allegeance to the King of Kings See 1 Chron. XII 32. time A well chosen season verse 6 which is the greatest advantage to any enterprize and action Prov. XV. 23. Amos V. 13. Acts XXII 25 29. and chap. XXIII 6 7. miserie of man Is great for not knowing and observing that point of time that proper season to every action as the next verse expresseth For he knoweth not Jer. verse 7 VIII 7. Luke XIX 42 44. Man cannot foresee to prevent the miserie He is in the dark in regard of future events He cannot so much as fore-appoint his own actions for the future much lesse foresee the consequences issues which would follow thereupon Prov. XXVII 1. James IV. 14. Therefore his misery is great upon him not knowing that point of time and exact season only fit for transacting and dispatching his great affairs which way is but one And he so having a thousand wayes to misse the mark and but one to hit it Difficult then is this though not alwayes altogether impossible Prov. XXII 3. and XXVII 12. Power over the spirit To retaine breath and life verse 8 to keep it from going away to prolong it or to adjourne and proroge death Psalme XLIX 7 10. Heb. IX 27. no man no King can do it The syth of death mowes down as well the Lilies of the Crowne as the grasse of the field no discharge in that warre No weapon againstit no dismission from it no vacation or exauctoration Some apply this verse to the power of a King over the life of a man and that there is no power in a man to withstand it and escape it Prov. XVI 14. neither shall wickednesse Sinfull shifts avoid it though they turne every way move every stone make a Covenant with death and hell Esay XXVIII 15 18. Ruleth over another to his own hurt Through his tyrannical rule verse 9 and evil government he comes to hurt punishment and destruction Esay X. 12. and chap. XIV 4. 23. 1 Kings XV. 30. Thus he proceeds to another vanity verse 10. The wicked buried Such wicked Rulers buried magnificently verse 10 who had come and gone In the administration of Government as the phrase elsewhere is to go in and out Numb XXVII 17. from the place of the holy Seat of judicature Where the Holy one sits among the Judges and Rulers as Lord Paramount were forgotten Their names perished even in the places where they had so domineered and been flattered and been buried Psalme XXXVII 9 10 35 36. Prov. X. 7. Because sentence Psal. verse 11 XXXVII and Psal. LXXIII God is patient willing men should repent 2 Pet. II. 9. Rom. II. 4. Esay XLVIII 2. But men abuse this patience of God unto presumption Fsay V. 19. Ier. XVII 15. 2. Pet. III. 4. Matth. XXIV 48 49. Ezek. XII 22. therefore the heart Therefore wicked Rulers go on more boldly and other wicked men abuse this patience of God unto presumption But yet Gods forbearance is no acquittance If he be slow yet he is sure the deeper he draweth his arrow the soarer it woundeth his delay abused doubles the blow when it cometh Though a sinner Yea though he commit the same sinne an hundred times over verse 12 and his dayes be prolonged In prosperity and his punishment be delayed yet surely I know Here he answereth that Tentation whereby the godly are offended and the wicked hardened well with them Psal. LXXIII 1. Esay III. 10. He inverts the order to begin with the remuneration of good men to strengthen their faith and comfort them against this tentation that they may neither fret nor murmur but go on to hold fast their integrity not be well with the wicked But very ill verse 13 Esay III. 11. Num XXXII 23. Psal. XI 6. Nay even his prosperity shall slay him and this Sun-shine ripen them to ruine Neither shall he prolong his dayes Unlesse it be for a curse And all that while living he is truly dead dead in sinne dead in Law Mat. VIII 22. 1 Tim. V. 6. Col. II. 13. Luke XV. 24. Rom. VII 9. Ephes. II. 5 7. That there be just men This vanitie and vexation he doth more then once insist upon verse 14 It hath gravelled great Divines and Heathen wise moral men But all this is done and falls out here upon the earth as it is in the words of the Text. The wicked live in pleasure and receive their good things here James V. 5. Luke XVI 25. And the godly receive their rods Physick and Surgery here Yet this Solomon speaketh not to censure the Providence of God in this distribution of things but according to judgment of flesh and blood and thereby to shew the vanity of these earthly things using an argument against them like to that argument used against Idolatry Deut. IV. 19. Then I commended mirth Some make this a sensual and carnal deduction from the former passage and observation verse 15 But it seemes rather to accord with that sense formerly expressed chap. II. 24. and III. 12 13 22. and V. 18. That is all that can be reaped from all our labours in earthly things And that will make our comforts to be much more comfortable and our troubles to be farre lesse troublesome Whereas the contrary puts us under the reigne of continual unthankfulnesse and indisposeth us
Whether thou wilt or no when thou shalt in vaine call to rocks to hide thee into judgement If not in this life yet at thy death thy doomesday and at the judgement of the great day Jude 6. called The terror of the Lord 2 Cor. V. 10. Acts XVII 30. See Esay XXVIII 17. Therefore remove sorrow Sinne verse 10 which is the true cause of sorrow as the end will prove Prov. XIV 13. and the true cause of Gods indignation Or particularly this sinne of thy indignation and all inordinate passions thy swelling and storming at the will and wayes of God or at any serious advice given thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember 1. Chron. XXVIII 9. Prov. XXIII 17. thy Creator Heb. chapter XII verse 1 Creators Father Sonne and Holy Ghost So God my Makers Job XXXV 10. The Makers of Israel Psal. CXLIX 1. thy Makers is thy husbands Esay LIV. 5. Gods created Gen. I. 1. youth Youth is slippery prone to lusts and sensual pleasures apt to put off the evil day farre from them to look on death and judgement as at a great distance as evil men use to do Ezek. XII 27. Amos VI. 3. 2 Pet. III. 3 4. Solomon here calls on them to remember themselves better to minde God in the Spring of their age to present the first-fruits to God as young Samuel Jeremy and Timothy did and not to leave and reserve the dregs and snuffs to God while the evil dayes Old age is very unfit to begin so great a work in Old age will bring evils enough of its own besides While the Sunne Before the sight of thine eyes grow dimme Or verse 2 before thy most delightful and pleasant things begin to grow unwelcome unpleasant to thee The darknesse of lights about them as of the Sun candles torches c. Whence we need Spectacles Returning of the clouds after the raine alludes to the winterly state of old age In summer after raine the clouds break up and fair weather comes Not so in winter So in youth Not so in old age nor the clouds return One grief comes upon the neck of another as the billows of the sea wallow and tumble upon the back one of another A proverbial speech as Psal. XLII 7. the Keepers of the house The hands and armes verse 3 Some here take in the head and ribs and outward senses and inward faculties but not so properly strong men Thighs and legs Here some take in the feet Grinders The teeth They come not with us into the world And they commonly leave old men before they go out of the world look out of the windows The eyes out of the eye-lids darkened A further degree of dimnesse then that ver 2. And the doores Old men shall shut the street-dooers shall stay within doores because the weaknesse of their appetite and digestion when the sound of the grinding with the teeth was low and doth cause them to eat little and so weakens their bodies to stir abroad Others by streets here understand those Pipes and passages which are for the meat to go down to the stomach and for the breath and aire to go down to the lungs which passages have doores and covers which open and shut And these being weakened in old age breed weaknesse of the body and difficulty of swallowing and of speaking Those which stretch the words to the Hearing or to the eye-lids or to all the senses seeme to misse most of the true meaning doores Lips When for want of teeth the meat is rolled and ravelled in the mouth and hath need of shut lips to keep it from falling out of the mouth at the voice of the bird Shall wake out of sleep at every little noise through the badnesse of sleeping and wearines to lie long in bed by reason of little ease and much paine and akings daughters of musik That we can neither sing our selves nor be delighted with the musik of others 2 Sam. XIX 34 35. afraid of that which is high To go up it verse 5 being weak and short-winded And fear stumbling at every little stone in the way Both heights and hollows in the way annoy their goings almond-tree The gray-hairs which some call the white flowers of the Church-yard grashoppers Every light thing shall be a burthen to them who are now already become a burthen to themselves and desire shall faile The lust of the flesh libido As also the lust of the eye and the pride of life In decrepit age all these desires die though they reigned and raged in him before long home The grave his own house and long home Nox est perpetua Vna dormienda Esay XIV 18. never to returne hither again Job VII 10. But long to abide there till the Resurrection-day mourners Jer. IX 17. verse 6 and XXII 18. Amos V. 16. See Job III. 8. silver cord The marrow of the back-bone be loosed or lessened and contracted whence old men grow crooked and bending in the back Some take this for the sinewes which are the ligaments of all the members and are loosened by cold humours and palsie-distempers golden bowle The heart the blood of it or the pericardion or the brain pan pia-mater and pericranion Some understand this of the cista fellis the gaul and choler which easily breaks out in old men Some of the skull parted in the sâ—tures and seams of it diseases grow round as a bowle-golden for the colour and precious use of it in preserving the brains or the pitcher be broken at the fountain By fountain we may understand those principal parts as the Heart Head Liver from whence the vital supplies of spirit heat blood sense and motion are drawn into the body By Cisterne the same aforesaid or those places of the body whereinto those vital supplies are drawn and conveyed By the pitcher and wheele the veins arteries and sinewes which as subservient instruments do conveigh those supplies into the several parts of the body Some understand by the pitcher the bladder and by the cisterne the belly that neither duly performe their office by the fountaine or spring the issuing forth of the water the retentive faculty of the muskle at the neck of the bladder being broken so that water the urine issueth from him insensibly without stay the wheele broken at the cisterne The Lungs broken off from their motion of inspiration and respiration by phlegme from the stomach stopping and stifling the Lungs The Lungs are as the wheele transmitting the aire in and out up and down and when this free course is stopped then follows ratling in the throat and death after The stomach is the cisterne from all the body And the spirit shall returne Gen. II. 7. Joh XXXIV 14 15. verse 7 And even the wisest Heathen have avouched the immortality of the soul and a life of joy or paine after this life ended according to our carriage here So Socrates Plato Cicero Plutarch Epicharmus Euripides Lucretius Heraclitus Virgil and others
verse 8 and with the boughs and branches thereof purging and pruning them and making them fruitful and the smell of thy nose Or nostrils the breath that thence proceedeth shall be sweet odoriferous and grateful to those at least that have their inward senses habitualy and spiritualy exercised causing the lips Hyperbolicaly verse 9 but excellently expressing the vertue and efficacie the power and vigour of the Word and Gospel preached under the similitude of the best wine and the operation of it They that have tasted of the power of the good Word of God and of the world to come cannot forbear to declare and speak of it to â—ll the world Acts IV. 20. and II. 4 11 14. I am my Beloveds The Churches renewed speech and profession verse 10 upon Christs so great commendations of her and affections towards her notwithstanding her former faylings and imperfections She growes up to this confident assurance Come She is emboldened hereupon to these Petitions following verse 11 that he will accompany her to visit the particular Churches that his spirit and care may joyne together to prosper hers for the good of all the Churches She will not now go any way ot do any thing without him and his companie She had lately felt the sorrow and smart of his absence from her of her being without him and his presence She is minded now as Barâ—k was Judg. IV. 8. my loves The fruition of my graces verse 21 the fruits of my faith hope love good works thanksgivings c. She will detaine nothing that is hers from the love and service of Christ but resigne all unto him who is worthy alone to enjoy all The mandrakes See the Annotations on Gen. verse 13 XXX 14. at our gates c. This may seeme to allude to the order of strawing the wedding-house doores with sweet smelling flowers or of laying up of fruits in gate-houses and garners for thee All for Christ. He gives all to them all his offices and efficacies all his merits and graces what he did and suffered was for them and they returne all to him all that they are and have all that they do and suffer all their good works and services as fruits of his owne Graces in them they ascribe and devote unto him Psal. CXV 1. that he may be Ali in All. In this last Chapter the Church proceeds to her dearest wishes for and after Christ How she faine would have him and use him in the three first verses And in the next verse she againe chargeth others not to disturbe or displease him as my brother That she might have more close conjunction and consociation with him chapter VIII verse 1 more intire familiarity and sweetnesse more intimate union and communion with him kisse thee Chap. I. 2. Psal. II. 12. and publikely professe thee notwithstanding any danger yet they should not despise me 2 Sam. VI. 22. not dishearten me from duty and affection but she would bravely sleight all scorning Michols all contumelies and contempts for her conscience sake and Christs sake 〈◊〉 mothers house The universal Church she calls her her mother verse 2 in her universal latitude of al her members yea somtimes comprehending in that notion Christ the head also as v. 5. And so again in the New Testament the whole Church in all her members with her head Christ is called Christ i. e. mystical Christ 1 Cor. XII 12. Thither from without would she bring him with solemnity and joy and there humbly welcome and entertaine his presence with all honour and obedience instruct me The Church would do it instrumentaly and subordinately from God primarily and originaly John VI. 45. Esay LIV. 13. Jer. XXXI 34. of spiced wine Prov. IX 2. This should be her hospitality and kindnesse to Christ nothing too dear for him as he doth the like for her Esay LV. 1 2 3. who is this verse 5 c. Chap. III. 6. Some would have this to be the speech of the Church some of Christ some of the Angels that cometh up Sure whosoever speaks it this is meant of the Church it is she comes up There are continual ascensions in the hearts of Gods people whiles here they are ever aspiring to heaven-ward from the wildernesse Of this world and the tribulations of it of sin and the temptations and miseries of it Leaning For otherwise without him she could not ascend No more then the Vine without its supporter or the Ivy without its Oak And leanes truly not as those Micah III. 11. And leanes wholy and solely upon him utterly unbottomed of her self and of every creature All other are but as Job VI. 17. and VIII 15. and Esay XXXVI 6. I raised thee up c. Some understand these words as spoken by the Church and in answer to Christs question That namely I is she her self and no other even she that raised him up and awoke him from under the apple-tree by her prayers as Psal. XLIV 23. Matth. VIII 25. Esay LXII 7. And there by acts of faith and beleeving on the promise did after a sort conceive bear and bring him forth And that it is she also that in the extreme height and heat of her love and zeal so prayes to him and so professes as is in the two verses following Others under stand all these words as spoken by Christ to the Church whose grace alone did and doth raise up his Church depressed and fallen under the tree of offence after the eating of the forbidden fruit lying in her blood as it is Ezek. XVI 5 6. then and there he said unto her and be the mother of the living as Gen. III. 20. And so they make the rest of the words to be his command to his Church naturaly following as her duty from the consideration of his foresaid benefits to her vouchsafed But yet however the words in the fifth verse be taken I do rather incline to understand the words in the six and seven verses to be the Churches by reason of their masculine idiome She so begging Christs dearest love to her and so professing her own love to him as riding in a Chariot o triumph victorious over all oppositions unconquerable unquenchable And such indeed is the Divine mutual love between Christ and his Church thus exalted to the highest Set me as a seale Have me in precious esteeme verse 6 bear me on thy breast and shoulders as Aaron did the Tribes Exod. XXVIII 11 12 20 21 29 30. Thus she begs to be highly remembered preserved honoured by Christ in his heart dearly cherished and valued by his arme mightily defended strong as death Death conquers all is the King of terrors Job XVIII 14. yet Love as strong as death Jonathan would have died for the love of David and David for Absalom See Rom. XVI 4. Apoc. XII 11. She would not refuse to die for him but shall die if he grant not her desire Wherein the irresistible and undaunted vigour and courage of holy love and
verse 16 Yet so as more eminently intending Christ. that I may plant the heavens To make a new world a new heavens and a new earth chap. LXV 17. and LXVI 22. 2 Cor. V. 17 18. 2 Pet. III. 13. Awake verse 17 awake He largely declares the deep misery of Gods people their delivery and the utter overthrow of their enemies in the residue of the Chapter To the thirteenth verse chapter LII seemes to be an Appendix to the foregoing Prophecie running all along in the same tenor with the latter part of it How beautiful These bringers of good tydings of the delivery from Babels captivity verse 7 And much more from Satans slavery by preaching the Gospel of Christ that publish salvation corporal by Cyrus spiritual by Christ. Behold verse 13 my Servant Here seemes to begin a new Sermon and continued in the end of the next Chapter joyntly making up an entire Prophecie of Christ his person parentage condition manner of life sufferings humiliation exaltation benefit redounding thence to his and to himself shut their mouthes at him In admiration verse 15 and reverence our report Chap. chapter LIII verse 1 LII 7. Unto the times of his being in the flesh we finde these words applied in John XII 37 38. Rom. X. 16. Stripes Mat. XXVI verse 5. 7. 67. and XXVII 16. Opened not his mouth Mat. XXVI 39 42. 1 Pet. II. 23. Acts VIII 32. He was taken from prison verse 8 and from judgement From all those harsh and cruel courses as under pretence of judgement were exercised upon our Saviour whereby his life was taken from him And he made his grave verse 9 c. His burial was at the disposal of wicked ones and of rich ones or Rulers at his death They not only took his life from him but disposed of his burial at their pleasure he shall Christ shall die no more verse 10. 11. but live and reigne for ever by his Knowledge Objectively The words of God the Father justifie many The maine fruit and effect of Christs Passion many So verse 12. Matth. XX. 28. and XXVI 28. Rom. V. 15 19. Therefore I will divide him God the Father will verse 12 a portion with the great and he shall God would bestow many upon him or give many unto him to be his subjects whether with an allusion to a portion of inheritance or distribution of spoils it is indifferent This intimates the numerous or rather innumerable multitude of those that should be converted unto Christ. was numbred with the transgressors Mat. XXVII 38. Marke XV. 27 28. Barrabbas let loose rather then he should be let live made intercession Luke XXIII 34. Yet may relate further to Christs intercession which still continueth Rom. VIII 34. Heb. VII 25. and IX 24. 1 John II. 1 2. Another Sermon or Prophecie chapter LIV this seemes to be distinct from the former though much of the same subject and argument and depends well upon the latter end of it For this insists upon swarmes of people that should come in to Christ and become members of his Church O barren The Church under the New Testament verse 1 that little sister Cant. VIII 8. of the desolate She that had been desolate the Church of the Gentiles then that of the Synagogue of the Jews Enlarge Thou Christian Church verse 2 when thou wast refused As in the time of the Babylonish captivity verse 6 I have sworne No expresse mention of that oath verse 9 As neither of that to Isaac Psal. CV 9. yet meanes as much as if he had taken a solemne oath as he used in such solemne Covenants nor rebuke thee To forsake thee utterly For the mountains shall depart Sooner may verse 10 tossed with tempest In the Babylonish captivity verse 11 seemingly then forsaken of man and of God thy stones with fair colours The spiritual excellencies of the Church under the Messias are here described in way of hyperbolies See the like Apoc. XXI 11 21. The stones here seeme to be those of the Pavement borders Or walls verse 12 taught of the Lord Jer. verse 13 XXXI 34. John VI. 45. 1 Cor. II. 10. 2 Cor. XIII 3. Ephes. IV. 20 21. 1 John II. 20 27. gather together To attempt against thee verse 15. 17. No weapon that is formed against thee By the Smith ver 16. tongue that shall rise To accuse or charge thee wrongfully their righteousnesse The reward of their righteousnesse Ho chapter LV verse 1 A free invitation of all that are thirsty and hungry both Jew and Gentile to come and partake of the true spiritual food and graces of Christ in the Gospel Mat. XI 28. John VI. 35 37. buy This impeacheth not the freenesse of the Gift A Princes almes may be said to be freely given albeit it be required that those that desire to share in them do repaire to his Almoner And a Scholar may be said to have his learning freely given him when no stipend is required for the teaching yet must he ply the School hard the sure mercies of David Acts XIII verse 3 34. In this Citation the Apostle addes this I will give you for the fuller explication and fitter application of it to his purpose The like is Luke IV. 18. See Psal. LXXXIX and 2 Chron. VI. 42. touching these mercies of David But the full meaning is The mercies of the Messias the David not past but to come the mercies before promised and to be exhibited in and by him in whom the Covenant is made with Gods people and in whom all Gods Promises are Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. which Promises had never been made good had not Christ been raised up from the dead And therefore the Apostle Acts XIII 34. to good purpose alledgeth this Text. I have given him The words of God the Father concerning the Messias verse 4. 5. And Nations that knew not thee The Gentiles he hath glorified thee When after thy state of humiliation he shall have glorified thee in heaven Seek ye the Lord An exhortation both to Jew and Gentile verse 6 to make request to Christ for grace and favour to repent and amend and turn to him his thoughts They not free verse 7. 8. For my thoughts are not But prone to pardon and constant and immutable therein as that shews which follows For as the heavens My disposition and dealings verse 9 both for mercie and goodnesse and for firmnesse and faithfulnesse is as farre above yours as c. So shall the Word My Promise to my people concerning reconcilement with them verse 11 upon their returne to me and my deliverance of them out of captivity be as firme and sure and take effect In stead Relating to the Jewes returne out of the Babylonish captivity verse 13 chap. IV. 2. and XXXV 1 2. The face and state of their Land and State should be strangely altered to the better And generaly the flourishing estate of the Church of God hereby is intimated as abounding in spiritual graces