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
feast of the Passeover Exod. 12. 15 19. or forbear to keep that feast Numb 9. 13. or that eate fat Lev. 7. 25. or blood Lev 7. 27. 17. 10 14. or that eate of the flesh of the peace-offering on the third day Lev. 19. 8. or that eat of the flesh of sacrifice having their uncleannesse on them or being uncleane do not purifie themselves Numb 19. 13 20. or having touched any unclean thing Lev 7. 20 21. 22. 3. or that bring not their sacrifice to the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation to be killed there and not elsewhere Lev 17. 4 9. or that shall not afflict his soule on the fast-day the tenth day of the seventh moneth Lev. 23. 29. or doth any work in that same day or that defileth the Sabbath to do any work therein Exod. 31. 14. or that lieth with a woman in her sicknesse Lev. 20. 18. or with a sister Lev. 20. 17. or an idolater Ezech. 4. 8. or that gives of his seed to Molech Lev. 20. 2 3 4 or that turneth after wizards and such as have familiar spirits â—ev 20. 6. or that doth ought presumptuously Numb 15. 30 31. All these are expressely threatened with and sentenced to this punishment And the meaning of the phrase is most usually taken to signifie a cutting off by death and it is so expressed Exod. 31. 14. Lev 17. 4 20. 2 3 4. 5. And must needs be so understood when it is used against grievous sins and crimes as against idolatry witchcraft incest and sins done presumptuously despising the Word of the Lord and reproaching him This penalty is to be inflicted by the Magistrates power no doubt And in case of his faile God himself threatens and undertakes to do it Lev. 17. 10 20. 2 3 4. 5 6. 23. 30. And for the lesser offences mentioned they being wittingly and wilfully done in Gods Worship and service and against his plaine and peremptory command I see not how they come short of sins of presumption Numb 15. 30. which are doomed to death in the judgement of the learned upon that place I conceive therefore that they fall short that by this penalty here will understand no more but that such an offender is to be cast off and held for no Jew but as an Heathen man And they also that would apply this phrase here and in other places of the Old Testament for the maintenance of Ecclesiastical Excommunication among the Jewes The doubtfulnesse of the meaning of the phrase hath made me the more inquisitive into it I confesse if not too tedious in it However I leave all to better judgements And for my part like not in things dubious to be too definitive V. 15. Sarah Yet in the New Testament it is written Sara without the h the Greek tongue having no h at the end of words V. 16. Nations 1 Pet. 3. 6. Jerusalem which is above her answerable type is the mother of us all Gal. 4. 26. V. 17. Laughed For joy and wonder Rom. 4. 17 18 19 20 21. as over-joyed and amazed at the promise which he believed Heb. 11. 12. rejoycing even at the promised seed Joh. 8. 56. an hundred yeares old Rom. 4. 19 20. he did hope against hope If Abraham married Keturah thirty seven years after this time and had six children by her then surely God shewed his power in renewing Abrahams vigour and strength of body as the Eagles Psal. 103. 5. or it may rather seem that Abraham took Keturah in Sarabs life-time within those thirty seven yeares between the birth of Isaac and her death seeing Keturah is called his Concubine 1 Chron. 1. 32. V. 18. Oh that Ishmael Ch. 16. 10. V. 19. Isaac Laughter Chap. 21. 6. V. 21. My Covenant Thirteen times named in this chapter Luke 1. 72 73 74. with Isaac Ch. 21. 12. Rom. 9. 7 8. Gal. 3. 29. at this set time Ch 18. 10. This was just a yeare before Isaacs birth V. 22. Went up Ascending vanished out of his sight so from Jacob ch 35. 13. so from Manoah and his wife Judg. 13. 20. V. 23. In the self-same day Of the command not eight dayes after V. 24. When he was circumcised By whom Abraham was circumcised is not set down But he is said to circumcise the rest v. 23. some say that now the Jewes use Chirurgions in this service CHAP. XVIII Verse 1. PLaines O. Oak-grove of Mamre Ch. 13. 18. 14. 13. 23. 19. V. 2. Three men So in his thought and in appearance But thus he entertained Angels at unawares Heb. 13. 2. But one of them is called Jehova 13 14 17 20 22. And after Abraham so acknowledgeth him v. 25 27. The other two were created Angels Ch 19. 1. V. 3. Lord Speakes to one of them in shew the chief V. 6. Three measures Jewes write that their measure which they call Seah the Greeks Saton containes as much as one hundred fourty foure Hens egges about two gallons and 1 2 of our measure three of these measures make an Ephah containing about seven gallons and 1 2 V. 8. And they did eate Ch. 19. 3. They had true bodies for the time and did truly eate Though a Spirit hath not flesh and bones Luke 24. 39. yet Spirits may and by Gods dispensation sometimes do assume humane bodies V. 9. Where is Sarah thy wife Thus they begin to manifest themselves to be more then men V. 10. He said Jehova v. 13. returne Not by apparition again but by performance of promise ch 21. 1. according to the time of life From this time according as the time of life is between conception and birth so many moneths as a woman goes with childe Rom. 9. 9. This Promise argued more then men V. 11. After the manner of women Rom 4. 19. Heb. 11. 11. V. 12. Laughed Not as Abraham ch 17. 17. but through weaknesse of saith and therefore it is reproved v. 13. yet commended Heb. 11. 11. after sure she did better recollect her self Luk. 1 45. after she laughed for joy ch 21. 6. within her self Not outwardly and openly which haply made her the more readily deny it V. 13. And the Lord said Jehova said Christ so v. 17. He knew her thoughts themselves fâ—ying shall I c She used if not the very same words yet to the same sense V. 15. Denied for she was afraid Weaknesses and failings in Saints V. 16. Toward Sodom As going thither the two Angels did so ch 19. 1. V. 17. Shall I hide Amos 3. 7. Joh. 15. 15. Abraham a Prophet ch 20 7. and a friend 2 Chron. 20. 7. V. 19. He will command Duty of Parents and Masters of families and example to them Gen. 28. 1. Deut 6. 7. 11. 10. 32. 46. Job 1. 5. Prov. 6. 20. V. 20. Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim Deut. 29. 23. Hos. 11. 8. V. 21. I will go down and see God speaks after the manner of men as ch 11. 5 7. V. 22. And the men Two of the three
Deut. 33. and Apoc. 7. 5. and Numb 1. 5. 2. 5. â— and blessed them To Reuben Simeon and Levi it might seeme rather a curse then a blessing yet the denomination may be from the greater and better part And their fathers reprehension might prove a blessing to their further repentance He concludes them within the number of the tribes and so comprehendeth them within the Covenant gives them a right to Canaan the type and so by faith to the heavenly Canaan And likely he dismissed them all with a general benediction praying for them all And as those three became tribes and had their shares and portions in Canaan so they had their names in Aarons breast-plate on twelve stones Exod. 28. 21. and on two Onix-stones upon the shoulders of the Ephod Exod. 28. 10 11 11. Levi likely because they were the Priests and holy Ministers themselves being left out in the precious stones And as many of their tribes are sealed Apoc. 7. 5 7. as of the rest every one according The blessings applied to every tribe according to the several references to his twelve sonnes such blessings as were meet for every of them as Gods Spirit did allot V. 29. Gathered into my people His soule to the Saints Heb. 12. 23. His body to the grave See Annot. on ch 25. 8. and on ch 47. 9. to my holy fathers by death v. 33. bury me with my fathers See Annotat on chap. 47. 30. â— in the cave This a ground of Josephs request to Pharaoh ch 50. 5. And lest in seventeen yeares absence question might be made of his right to the place evidences by writings being not then in use of Ephrou Bought of him v. 30. ch 23. 9 10 c. and ch 47. 30. V. 31. I buried Leah Ch. 47 30. 48. 7. Of the death and burial of Rebekah and Leah we have nothing elsewhere set down in Scripture V. 33. He gathered up his feet Which haply hung down before as he sate on the beds side And so composed himself to a quiet rest and sleep of death enjoying the use of memory and speech unto the last Psal. 37. 37. The gesture ch 47. 31. was for reverence and thankfulnesse to God and haply to Joseph 100. CHAP. L. Verse 1. ANd Joseph fell upon his face Exceeded his brethren as in Piety toward God so in filial affection and duty to his father Religion rejects not but regulates natural affections wept upon him Not womanish weaknesse to weep Men of excellent spirit and valour have been noted for it David Ezekiah Ne hemiah Joseph seven times Christ himself thrice John 11. 3. Luke 19. 41. Heb. 57. Paul Acts 20. 19 31. 2 Cor. 2. 4. Lawful in Funerals if mixt with faith and exceed not a just measure The want is a fault Esay 57. 1. Acts 8. 2. Jer. 22. 18. and kissed him To touch the dead was after forbidden Numb 19. 11 12. yet in Josephs time not forbidden Filial affection in a good sonne dieth not with a good father but surviveth V. 2. His servants the Physicians The Antiquity of Physick Physicians and embalming the dead Luke a Physician Col. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 4. 10 11. embalmed Embalmed bodies are transported from Egypt into other parts of the world at this day to be used for medicine Hence the Jewes had the custome of embalming so they embalmed King Asa 2 Chron. 16. 14. 21. 16. and our Saviour John 12. 7 19 39 40. Mar. 14. 8. Though his body needed it not being secured from corruption Psal 16. 10. Act. 2 31. 13. 35. yet they that embalmed him knew not so much Jacobs body was to be kept long and carried far V. 3. Seventy dayes To honour him as 2 Chron. 32. 33. The Hebrewes time of mourning was thirty dayes Numb 20. 29. Deut. 21. 13. 34. 8. And the Egyptians time for embalming was fourty dayes These two might make up the seventy dayes much time taken in the very ceremonies of mourning V. 4. Joseph spake unto the house Useth the mediation of Egyptian Courtiers to testifie his modesty in a businesse concerning himself to prevent all suspicion of his not returning and to decline their envie and endear himself to them the more And perhaps also Mourners were not to come into the presence of Princes Esther 4. 2. V. 5. Made me swear Lest he should seem to disdain to have his father buried in Egypt he alledgeth this tie upon him by the dead which I have digged for me So spacious was the place that they might dig themselves several Repositories or Cells for their dead bodies in it where his Progenitors and wife were buried The manner of men to build sepulchres while they were alive So Absalom so Asa 2 Chron. 16. 14. so Joseph of Arimathea Mat. 27. 60. so Shebna Esay 22. 16. bury me Some bodies are embalmed and not buried most buried without embalming some embalmed with Aromatick spices put into their bodies some only had spices upon them and about them some had sweet odours burnt at their burials 2 Chron. 16. 14. 21. 19. Jer. 34. 5. some had their dead bodies themselves burnt 1 Sam. 31. 12. sundry other manners amongst Heathen Want of burial is a calamity bewailed Psal. 79. 3. and a judgement threatened Jer. 7. 33. 22. 19. V. 6. As he made thee swear Very infidels would have oathes performed V. 7. All the servants A very great multitude of them So Mat. 3. 5. All Judea and so again many is put for all Rom. 5. 19. Such was Josephs prudence and sweetnesse of disposition that he kept the height of honour still without envie which Court-favourites seldome do and all the Elders Senatours Governours Officers Counsellours Ezech. 7. 26. Psal. 105. 22. V. 10. Valley of Atad Signifies a bramble or thistle Likely not far from Hebrou or Machpelah beyond Jordan As Moses stood when he wrote this Deut. 1. 1. 3. 25. being now in the plaines of Moab Else in a direct journey from Egypt to Hebron Mamre or Machpelah their way was not to passe over Jordan seven dayes So long in Moses Law they were unclean the touched the dead Numb 19. 11. See Annot. on v. 3. V. 13. And buried him in the cave which Acts 7. 15 16. saith Stephen to Jacob went down into Egypt and died he and our fathers and were carried over into Sichem and laid in the Sepulchre that Abraham bought for a summe of money of the sons of Emor the father of Sichem The case is clear that the two places which Abraham bought ch 23. and which Jacob bought ch 33. are not one and the same but divers as appears by the place or situation by the name use price and persons buyers and sellers And yet these two purchases seem to be confounded in the speech of Stephen Again Stephen might have a failer in memory in his long and sudden speech as not being then infallibly guided as an Inditer of Scripture though full of the Holy Ghost Acts 6. 5. 7. 55.
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
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
properties and qualifications stand in awe and sinne not Ephes. IV. 26. verse 4 Be anrgy and sinne not And that sense the word here used will bear David speaking thus to his friends Let not your indignation and just resentment of these scandals and confusions in my sufferings proceed to a sinful murmuring against God but consider of it wisely in your most retired thoughts and be silent contented and quiet into thy house chapter V verse 7 So farre as it was lawful for David toward thy holy Temple And so David Psal. XXVII 4. and XXIX 9. and LXV 4. and LXVIII 29. and CXXXVIII 2. And yet in Davids dayes the Temple was not built He minded that which after his dayes he knew presently should be And meane time he stiles the Arke or Tabernacle by the name of the Temple See the Observations on Exod. XXXIII 7. rebuke me not Psal. chapter VI verse 1 XXXVIII 1. heale me David was in some soar sicknesse at this time verse 2 bed to swim See the Observations on Josh. XI 4. verse 6 If I have done this Whereof Cush Sauls Courtier or Favourite chapter VII verse 3 one of his Tribe doth falsely accuse me return thou on high To ascend verse 7 and set thy self on thy high tribunal and judgement-seat 1 Kings X. 19. And this to judge for me and against Cush as it followeth in the rest of the Psalme Out of the mouth This is alluded to Mat. chapter VIII verse 2 XXI 16. What is man This verse 4 and ver 5 6. are applied to Christ by the Apostle Heb. II. 6 9. 1 Cor. XV. 27. Ephes. I. 22. so taking in both Christ the head and mankinde specialy the faithful as members shewing thereby that mysticaly and propheticaly in these words is intimated the humiliation and exaltation of the man Christ Jesus O thou enemie A kinde of scoff and derision chapter IX verse 6 whereby David upbraids him for his bloody designes and threats Know thy name will Know experimentaly verse 10 practicaly verse 20. in all their hearts and souls in themselves as the phrases of Scripture are Josh. XXIII 14. 1 Sam. VI. 9. Heb. X. 34. Of this knowledge is that Iohn XVII 3. and 1 Iohn II. 3 4 5. and chap. III. 19 24. and chap. IV. 6 7 8 13. and chap. V. 2. 18 19. 20. Noëtical speculative knowledge swimming only in the braine and not sinking into the heart is none of this knowledge till thou finde none Rid the world of them chapter X verse 15 and their sinnes at once flee a bird 1 Sam. chapter XI verse 1 XXVI 19. If the foundations In Church and Kingdome verse 3 what can He help but suffer in such a general ruine The fool Psal. chapter XIV verse 1 X. 4. and LIII 1. The three first verses of this Psalme are by Saint Paul applied to all mankinde in general in the state of the Fall and natural corruption Rom. III. 10 11 12. usury Of this see Exod. chapter XV verse 5 XXII 25. Levit. XXV 36 37. Deut. XXIII 19 20. Neh. V. 17. Levit. XXVIII 8. And the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII 8. and XXII 12 13. Mat. XXV 27. that hasten Or give gifts to another god chapter XVI verse 4 See Ezek. XVI 33 34. The true God needs them not ver 2. But false gods do which gifts do redound in the end to the dammage and sorrowes of the givers their drink-offerings of blood Their Offerings and Sacrifices of mans blood The drink-offerings to the true God were of wine according to his Law Num. XV. 5. But Idolaters in stead thereof did many times offer mans blood Pauls readinesse to be offered Phil. II. 17. 2 Tim. IV. 6. imports no more then his willingnesse to die and spend his blood for Christs cause and the good of his Church and people their names See the Observations on Josh. XXIII 7. I have set the Lord Acts II. 25 31. verse 8 and XIII 35 37. David speaks here of himself in this regard as having Christ in his loins in a Prophetical spirit relating to Christ. right hand Psal. CIX 31. CX 5. CXXI 5. not be moved Psal. CXVIII 6. CXXXV 1. Rom. VIII 31 c. my glory My tongue verse 9 Acts II. 26. Psal. XXX 12. and LVII 8. and CVIII 2. Gen. XLIX 6. my flesh also As Rom. VIII 19. 21. my soul in hell A Prophesie of Christs Resurrection verse 10 David speaks here in the Person of Christ. Soul Sometimes is taken properly sometimes improperly for the whole person of man Gen. XIV 12. Acts XXVII 37. sometimes for the life of the person sometimes for the body Gen. XVII 21. sometimes for the dead carkasse Levit. XIX 28. and XXI 1 2. Num. VI. 6. and V. 2 9 10. Hag. II. 14. And so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken also Here my soul i. e. my self hell the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for the grave Psal. CXLI 7. and LXXXVI 13. and XXX 13. and LV. 15. Gen. XXXVII 35. and XLII 3. 1 Kings II. 6 9. Num. XVI 30. Jonah II. 1 2. Not for a place of souls under the earth See Doctor Rainolds Praelect 81. 82. upon the Apocryphal books and Robert Parker upon Christs Descent into hell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for death or the state of the dead for the place invisible for the grave in relation to the body Acts II. 27. And in relation to the soul for heaven to the godly soul as in our Creed and for Hell to the soul ungodly and so most usualy Christs soul did not descend to the lower parts or that imaginary place of Limbus Patrum This place here meant is a place of punishment and therefore it is mentioned as a mercy that Christ was thence delivered Christs soul was not therefore there in triumph The scope of the Apostles in citing this place is not to deale about the deliverance of Christs soul out of Hell but punctualy of Christs Resurrection They inferre nothing else out of this Text. But Resurrection is properly of the Body not of the Soul Gehenna is sometimes taken for the Grave and most-times further for Hell it self The true meaning and sense of the Article of Christs Descent into Hell as the Latines very improperly translate the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seemes to be thus rendered rather he went into the place of invisible souls and to be understood of Christs Soul for his body remained in the Grave And his soul in that interim to passe to the place of souls to Heaven or Paradise as the souls of the godly did and his principaly As the souls of the wicked went to Hell For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a general name doth certainly and evidently signifie both places And thus the Articles go on methodicaly without any tautologie That after Christs death his body was buried in the Grave his Soul went to the place of blessed souls and the third day both soul and body were
have lien among the pots A promise and consolation for the future verse 13 ministring more arguments of praising God Though in the times of Heli and Saul ye have lien in black darknesse of afflictions as a Skullion lies in a Campe or Leaguer among pots as the wings of a Dove Shining and bright When the Almighty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 14 the alsufficient scattered Dispersed discomfited vanquished the Kings by his powerful presence that they did flee apace verse 12. Or when he shall so do so continuing and amplifying the former Promise Kings His and their enemies in Canaan in it In thy inheritance wherein thy Congregation did dwell it was white An embleme of prosperity and joy shall be black no more as verse 13. but joyous and prosperous or white with the dead bones of the scattered slaughtered enemies Salmon Judg. IX 48. A Mountain nigh Shechem and Samaria in the tribe of Ephraim not farre from Iordan likely snow was much upon it as the hill of Bashan Of Bashan verse 15 see the Annotations on Micah VII 14. The hill of Sion doth equal yea excell it by reason of all its spiritual prerogatives and priviledges as verse 16. Or thus the Hill of Bashan is an hill of God i. e. a most excellent hill for so the Hebrews expresse the most excellent things See the Observations on Ionah III. 3. and on 1 Sam. XIV 15. It is an high hill All this is true yet falls short of the hill of Sion as it is in the next verse Why leap ye Insult proudly verse 16 vaunt it above the hill of Sion dwell Psal. LXXXVII 1 2. and CXXXII 13 14. This doth infinitely advance this humble hill of Sion above you for ever And not flit with his Ark and Tabernacle from place to place as formerly The Chariots Gods glory in Sion by the multitudes of his ministring Angels verse 17 Heb. XII 22. as it was in Sinai when he gave the fiery Law Deut. XXXIII 2. Gal. III. 19. Acts VII 53. Or rather these words may have a direct relation to the glorious maner of Christs Ascention with the attendance of infinite Angels Angels appeared and ministred at his Incarnation Luke II. 9 13. Heb. I. 6. And why not so or more at his Ascention into the highest heavens See Acts I. 10. well might the Angels then sing that song Apoc. V. 11 12. We read of a Charet of fire and horses of fire at the rapture of Elias And of a mountain full of horses and Charets of fire round about Eliseus in his defense And why not these Angels here to attend our Saviours triumphant Ascention set down in the next verse Thou hast ascended Literaly and typicaly true verse 18 after a sort in Gods dealing with David But without any type it is Mysticaly most trâ—e and most verified in Christ and his Ascention into Heaven And so David here turns his speech to Christ himself Whereunto the Apostle doth apply it Ephes. IV. 8. Ascended in his humane nature properly In Eph. IV. 8 9 10. He is said to descend which being understood of his Divine nature is spoken improperly But Christ being God and Man in one person That one Person without dissolving it by reason of the Union of both natures in it admits properly and truly of such speeches as containe the Proprieties of either Nature the natures themselvs their properties neverthelesse remaining ever realy distinguished The person then of Christ without the conversion of the one Nature into the other in proper speech did ascend in his Humanity by the power of his Deity localy from mount Olivet into that third heaven of Paul which our Saviour cals his Fathers house Iohn XIV 2. above these visible heavens Eph. IV. 10. Our Saviours humane Nature then is contained in Heaven Acts III. 21. is not in the Popish hoasts and much lesse every where according to the Ubiquitarian fancie Though a time was when Christ in his body was in the grave in his soul in Paradise in his Divine nature or Deity every where yet without dissolving the Unity of his Person captivity captive Lead and taken them captives or a multitude of captives subdued thine enemies unto thee made them thy captives Judg. V. 12. Not leading the Fathers out of Limbus Patrum but captiving the World and the Flesh Sinne and Satan Death and Damnation which otherwise held Gods people in captivity and slavery Col. I. 15. received gifts for men Taken gifts for them i. e. receiving gave as the phrase is Exod. XXV 2. And in divers other places taking is used for giving 1 King III. 24 and XVII 10. Judg. XIV 2. And giving is sometimes used for taking as Gen. XLII 30. What the chief of the Gifts were are specified Ephes. IV. 11 12. rebellious also Even the most averse and rebellious of them that God might dwell in them as Soul made a Paul Tit. III. 3 4 5. dwell in them Jah in them not they dwell in the Church Blessed David blesseth God verse 19 as it may seeme for the fruits and benefits of Christs Ascention which do follow loadeth us With those gifts and blessings which Christ received for us verse 18. and unto God the Lord Here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath the points of Elohim verse 20 not of Adonai And so still when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Adonai are joyned together lest otherwise Adonai should be twise read But where Adonai is not conjoyned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath the pricks of Adonai more often then of Elohim Or Jehovi here may be used as a more pathetical kinde of expression as in Gen. XV. 2 8. Deut. III. 24. issues from death As 1 Cor. X. 13. But God This seemes to be the fruit and powerful effect of Christs Ascention verse 21 upon his enemies The Lord said Num. verse 22 XXI 34. and Exod. XIV 13 14. i. e. as I did from Og King of Bashan and from Pharaoh at the red sea Thus he recals to their memories these two great victories and to strengthen their faith for like victories over their enemies in Davids dayes or in times of future extremities thy foot may be dipped So great should the slaughter of them be verse 23 When God takes publike vengeance and executes his judgements upon his enemies the godly who execute the same may therein rejoyce and say as Jehu did 2 Kings IX 10 36. thy goings In the procedure of the verse verse 24 the Prophet goeth from the second person to the third person So Gen. XLIX 9. And it is very frequent with the Hebrews to passe from one person to another Thy goings then and thy doings thy wayes and administrations i. e. when God marched out of Egypt through the Wildernesse before his people or when David brought the Ark into Jerusalem The singers All sorts verse 25 in their rancks praised God damzels As Exod. XV. 20 21. Iudg. V. 1. and Chap. XI 34. 1 Sam. XVIII 9 7. Blesse ye
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