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
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.
He at thy right hand ready to assist thee O Christ as Psal. XVI 8. and CIX 31. Shall strike through Kings Psal. II. 2 4 5. even the highest Powers and Potentates that oppose Christ and his Kingdome 2 Cor. X. 5. In the day of his wrath the time appointed in Gods wisdome the time of his just will so to punish them with plagues temporal eternal in this life in that to come 1 Thes. I. 9 10. Not that Christ the Lord shall be exempted from this powerful conquest and overthrow of his enemies the Sonne being in all things coequal consubstantial with the Father And so the Act coming from the Father by the Sonne But in this speech relation is had to Christ as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and Man as the King Mediatour and receiving his Office from the Father He shall judge The Lord at thy right hand shall execute judgements and punishments verse 6 among the heathen Psal. II. 1. Acts IV. 27. all his enemies whatsoever he shall fill the places with the dead bodies All places with the carkases of the slaine See Jer. XVI 4. A figurative and poetical expression of an huge slaughter such as was that of the Jewes at the final destruction of Jerusalem after the death of our Saviour he shall wound the head in many countries Wound or strike through Head for heads collectively Psal. LXVIII 21. in many or great countries See that Apoc. XX. 9 10. He Christ the Lord. verse 7 Thus the Prophet passeth from the Father to the Sonne The Father acteth by the Sonne the Sonne from the Father shall drink of the brook in the way In pursuing the victory over his enemies he shall do as Gideons souldiers did Judg. VII 7. admit of no delaies which occasioned that interdict adjuration and curse of Saul 1 Sam. XIV 24. Or rather these words seeme to have relation to Christs state of Humiliation and the rather because of that opposition thereunto in the words following And so here we have Christs exinanition and exaltation his passion and resurrection whereby he was brought to sit at the right hand of the Father verse 1. drink In passing through this valley of tears in this world he shall drink deeply of the cup of sorrowes the waters floods and torrents of afflictions and miseries should overtake and encompasse him if not overwhelme and drowne him Psal. LXXXVIII 7. 17. See Jer. XXV 15 16. and chap. XLIX 12. Matth. XX. 22. John XVIII 11. Matth. XXVI 39. in the way Of this life the way of doing his fathers will for the work of mans redemption Phil. II. 7 8. He hid for the time the luster and beams of his Divine Majesty that it might not hinder the sufferings and death of his Humanity 1 Cor. II. 8. Matth. XVII 9. therefore Thus Christ came from his humiliation to his exaltation from his Priesthood to his Kingdome Therefore here notes not a Merit preceding in Christ meriting for himself this exaltation or his glorie either in body or soul his life eternal All necessarily followed upon that hypostatical Union which he could not merit to himself All Christ did was to merit for us The particle here notes the consequence or sequel and order the means and manner how he came to this exaltation shal he lift up the head Be exalted sit at Gods right hand See for the phrase Psal. III. 3. and XXVII 6. Jer. LII 31. Lam. II. 10. sublimi feriet sydera vertice Praise This is one of the Alphabetical Psalmes chapter CXI verse 1 And so is the next Psalme Thereby to help memory and to mark out the excellency of these Psalmes See the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Psalmes wonderful works In Egypt verse 4. 5. meat Manna and Quails Covenant Though they by their sinnes often and grievously provoked him heathen Canaanites verse 6 Praise chapter CXII verse 1 See the former Psalme wealth See the Observations on Psal. XXXVII 1. verse 3 light in darknesse Esay LVIII 10. Job XI 17. Psal. XXXVII 6. verse 4 of evil tydings Prov. I. 33. Otherwise is it with the wicked verse 7 Jer. XLIX 23. gnash with his teeth See that Luke XIII verse 10 28. who humbleth himself to behold Psal. chapter CXIII verse 6 CXXXVIII 6. and CXXXIX 1 c. Job XXXIV 21 22. Prov. V. 21. Jer. XVI 17. contrary to that Psal. LXXIII 11. and LXIV 6. and XCIV 7 10. Job XXII 12 13. He raiseth 1 Sam. II. 8. verse 7 mountains skipped Sinai chapter CXIV verse 4 Horeb quaked and shaked Exod. XIX 18. Hab. III. 6 10. Psal LXVIII 8. Their idols are Not like unto our God chapter CXV verse 4 verse 3. are like unto them As much without sense and reason verse 8 as blocks and stones their help Theirs that trust in him or one person verse 9 put for another which is not unusual hath he given To their use verse 16 in this world Or the earth also is the Lords which he hath given to the children of men The dead praise not Psal. verse 17 VI. 5. and XXX 9. and LXXXVIII 10 11 12. Esay XXXVIII 18. I love This may seeme to be Davids Psalme chapter CXVI verse 1 upon his new coming to the Kingdome Therefore The experience of Gods hearing our prayers verse 2 doth hearten us to pray the more Pains of hell The sorrowes and straits of death verse 3 and the grave Psal. XVIII 5 6. Gratious The issue and effect of Prayer verse 5 thy rest Thy quiet comfortable estate in God without trouble of conscience verse 7 and that because of Gods goodnesse and good dealing towards thee I beleeved 2 Cor. verse 10 IV. 13. upon consideration of the Premises his Faith thus triumphed notwithstanding his afflictions I was greatly afflicted The Hebrew word here hath an Active forme but in a Passive signification As sometimes an Hebrew word in a Passive forme is of an Active signification See Esay XXI 10. and chap. XXV 9. and LIII 7. and Ezek XIV 4 7. haste verse 11 All men are liers Even the Prophets as Samuel that promised to me the Kingdome Yea all men in comparison of God unable to help in time of need Rom. III. 4. cup of salvations Used in the Israelites Peace-offerings of Thanksgivings verse 13 and in the Meat-offerings joyned to them and to their whole-burnt offerings and used in their holy Feasts 1 Chron. XVI 1 2 3 whence that seemes to be Luke XXII 17. vowes Made in mine adversity verse 14 Of vowes see the Annotations on Jonah I. 16. Pretious Psal. LXXII verse 15 14. which God shewes in preserving my life from death in the midst of all mine enemies Praise The Apostle alledgeth this to prove Gods mercy to the Gentiles chapter CXVII verse 1 that they should therefore glorifie him O give thanks This may seeme to be Davids Psalme chapter CXVIII verse 1 and likely inspired and composed upon his returne from his last victory over the Ammonites 2 Sam.
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
and 29 9. Exod. 2. 16. V. 17. Ran to meet her v. 13. but had removed a little aloof off to give way â—o Rebekah and to mark her V. 22. Took a golden ear-ring To give her as taking or receiving Psal. 68. 19. is expounded giving Eph. 4. 8. He puts the ear-ring upon her face v. 47. after he had asked whose daughter she was Shekel See Annotat. on ch 20. 16. and on ch 23. 15. Half a shekel is called Bekah Ex. 38. 26. V. 26. Worshipped v. 52. ch 22. 5. Exod. 4. 31. This is more then kneeling or bowing of the head This is a prostrating of the whole body a falling down upon the face to the ground Psal. 95. 6. Luke 5. 12. compared with Mat. 8. 2. V. 27. Brethren Kinsfolk v. 48. ch 13. 8. V. 28. Mothers house It seems the custome of those times and places was for the women to dwell in tents and houses apar by themselves v. 67. ch 31. 33. V. 32. And he ungirded i. e. Laban and water to wash Ch. 18. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 10. In those hot countreys men used to go barefoot or with sandals open above V. 33. I will not eate Eph. 6. 5 6 7 8. V. 47. Upon her face Some were worne in the eare some on the forehead which hanged down to the nose Ezech. 16. 12. Esay 3. 21. V. 48. Daughter Grandchilde V. 49. Kindly and truly Mercy and truth joyned ch 47. 29. Josh. 2. 14. Prov. 3. 3. Psal. 85. 10. V. 50. Then Laban and Bethuel The sonne set before the father as having the chief managing of all by reason of his fathers age v. 55. bad or good Nothing at all against it chap. 31. 24 29. V. 51. At the Lord hath spoken As we plainly see by the whole carriage of this businesse v. 15. 2 Sam. 16. 10. V. 57. At her mouth About this motion for her sudden departure V. 59. Her nurse Deborah ch 35. 8. Great is the tendernesse of the affections of nursing fathers and nursing mothers Numb 11. 12 13. 1 Thes. 2. 7. Esay 49 22. 2 Sam. 4. 4. V. 61. And followed the man Psal. 45. 10. V. 62. Lahai-roi Ch 16. 14. 12. 9. 25. 11. in the wildernesse of Beersheba ch 21. 14 33 34. â—e dwelt Not apart from his father but with him That Well was not far from Beersheba where Abraham dwelt ch 21. 14 33 34. V. 63. To meditate Or pray or both so the word signifieth Psal. 77 3 6. 12. 119. 15. V. 65. A Veile A signe of modesty and subjection 1 Cor. 11. 5 6 10. The custome was to bring the spouse veiled to her husband The face was covered sometimes for grief and mourning as in Davids mourning for Absalom Sometimes by others in token of wrath and judgement as when Hamans face was covered Sometimes in way of feare and reverence as Elias covered his face 1 Kings 19. 13. V. 67. Sarahs Tent Women it seems had their tents apart ch 31. 33. And Sarahs Tent and furniture it seems was reserved for Isaacs wife and took Rebekah By solemnity of marriage in the fourtieth yeare of his life ch 25. 20. loved her Eph. 5. 25 28. after his mothers death Three yeares before ch 17. 17. 23. 1. Dear and durable was his affection toward his mother CHAP. XXV Ver. 1. THen again Whether in Sarahs life-time cannot certainly be determined The sacred story mentions nothing of Keturab or her children till now after Sarahs death And the words here seem to give it to be after her death And Sarah in her life-time not enduring Hagar and Ishmael would hardly have endured another And Isaac when offered is called his only son And yet on the other side Keturab is called a Concubine implicitely v. 6. and expresly 1 Chron. 1. 32 And though a Coucubine be called a wife yet I finde not that a legitimate wife as she should be after Sarahs death or a second wife is called a Concubine And the words of Abrahams servant seeking a wife for Isaac ch 24. 36. compared with v. 5 6. of this chapter seem to reflect on Keturahs sonnes in Sarahs life-time And which is most of all if Abraham did not take her to wife till after Sarahs death then he must be one hundred thirty eight and likely one hundred and fourty yeares old when he married her and after that begat six sonnes of her whereas the Apostle saith that fourty yeares before that time his body was dead for begetting of children Rom. 4. 19. Gen. 17. 17. 18. 12. If then it were after Sarahs death it must be said that God did renew unto him that masculine strength and vigour of body after fourty yeares by an extraordinary blessing in a marvellous if not miraculous manner and that to make good his Promise of multiplying Abrahams seed ch 17. 5. in others also though principally in Isaac V. 2. Medan Ch. 37. 36. Midian Numb 25. 6 17. Shuah Job 2. 11. V. 3. Sheba Job 1. 15. V. 4. Midian Numb 31. 18. Judg 7. 25. 8. 5. children of Keturah And Grandchildren V. 5. To Isaac As being his only heire and childe of Promise ch 21. 12. a figure of Christ and Christians ch 24. 36. V. 6. Concubines Hagar and Keturah and sent them away from Isaac Because he was to be the heire of Canaaâ— Eastward Arabia Syria Job 1. 3. Job likely came of Keturah Judg. 6. 3. 7. 12. V 7. One hundred seventy five yeares Ch. 15. 15. Heber of whom he was called an Hebrew ch 14. 13. out-living him And Jacob and Esau were then fifteen yeares old v. 26. ch 21. 5. V. 8. Gathered unto his people V. 17. which implies the immortality of the soule and so the phrase of gathering to their fathers Judg. 2. 10. Heb. 12. 23. V. 9. Isaac and Ishmael Ishmael though never received again into Abrahams family yet dwelt not so far off but might heare of his fathers death and come to his burial V. 11. Blessed Isaac Entailed the blessing and Promises made to Abraham on him ch 17. 19. Lahai-roi See ch 24. 62. V. 12. Generations of Ishmael ch 16. 10 12. 17. 20. much exceeded Isaacs 1 Cor. 15. 46. Nebaioth He and his brethren seated in Arabia Esay 21. 13. 60 7. Ezech 27. 21. Jer. 49. 28. V. 15. Tema Job 2. 11. V. 16. Twelve Princes Ch. 17. 20. Like the twelve sonnes of Jacob. V. 18. Havilah Ch. 2. 8. an ample region in Arabia not that Havilah in India Shur Ch. 16. 7 Ex. 15. 22. died in the presence His brethren surviving him ch 16. 12. V. 20. The Syrian So Luke 4. 27. Aramite is translated Syrian by our Saviour Padan-Aram Called Aram-Naharaim ch 24. 10. sometime Padam only ch 48. 7. This is Mesopotamia of Syria distinguished from Aram-Zobah Ps. 60 tit V. 21. Intrcated Often no doubr barren Twenty yeares v. 20 26. many good women in Scripture barren a long time V. 22. Strugled A misery to her and a mystery in her v. 23. if
a miracle and to declare to all That they were gifted and assumed to that their present Office and imployment Naked i. chapter XIX verse 24 e. Stript of his upper garment or military habit So Peter John XXI 7. and Micah chap. I. 8. Esay chap. XX. 2 4. And those Acts XIX 16. Slew chapter XXII verse 18 Sauls most horrid and bloody Act. Ephod The Ephod here is that of the High Priests chapter XXIII verse 9 wherin were the Urim and Thummim Exod. XXVIII 30. which Urim and Thummim were not the twelve precious stones of the Breast-plate mentioned v. 17-21 Or the words of Vrim and Thummim engraven in the middest of those twelve precious stones on the Breast-plate Or things committed into the hands of the workmen to make them But rather given by God to Moses to put them not on but into the Breast-plate which haply to this end and purpose was doubled ver 16. so to have them hid there And accordingly Levit. VIII 8. Moses is said to put in the Breast-plate the Urim and the Thummim Yet what things or what kinde of things they were appears not Only we know the names signifie Lights and Perfections haply intimating Knowledge of Doctrine and Integrity of Life and Conversation And that by these the High Priests extraordinarily did ask Counsels of the Lord and did receive Answers as Oracles from him So we see the Precept for it Num. XXVII 21. Joshuah shall stand before Eleazar the Priest who shall ask Counsel for him after the judgement of Urim before the Lord at his word shall they go out and at his word they shall come in both he i. e. Joshuah and all the children of Israel with him And the Practice of it we finde expected earnestly by Saul 1 Sam. XXVIII 6. though the same it may seeme lighty sleighted by him 1 Sam. XIV 18 19. And here acted by Abiathar the High Priest for David David hereunto adjoyning his Request unto the Lord for the Answer ver 10 11 12. And again 1 Sam. XXX 7. And not unlike but Davids enquiring of the Lord 2 Sam. II. 1. and chap. V. 19 23. and XXI 1. And possibly that Judg. XX. 18 23 27 28. was by the same meanes upon the same ground And if it were burnt or lost at the ruine of the Temple and all by Nebuchadnezzar yet the Tirshatha entertains an expectation of the restoring of it Ezra II. 63. Neh. VII 65. a Messinger Gods providence for the preservation of his verse 27 unto Achish This second time chapter XXVII verse 2 upon better security beforehand given then formerly was had in Shunem In Shunem and Aphek chapter XXVIII verse 4 1 Sam. XXIX 1. the Philistines pitched And the Israelites in Gilboa by a Fountain which is in Jezreel All in the Tribe of Issachar Josh XIX 18. This is Davids Spoile i. chapter XXX verse 20 e. all that the Amalakites had taken from others save from them of Ziglag This by his right and free consent and gift of his souldiers he made use of to gratifie his friends and engage them to him ver 26 31. they shall part alike They both alike shall have their shares verse 24 according to Gods appointment Num. XXXI 27 30. Josh. XXII 8. Though not both equal shares fell upon it Saul his own bloody butcher and self-murderer chapter XXXI verse 4 The Amalakite belies himself in most of his relation to David 2 Sam. I. 5 10. in hope of grace and reward from David but in issue to the losing of his life God in his secret justice justly takes it upon himself that he slew him 1 Chron. X. 14. his head This they fastened in the Temple of Dagon verse 9 1 Chron. X. 10. His body to the wall of Bethshan or Bethshean And his Armour in the house of Ashteroth a name of their female goddesses II. Samuel THis Book contains an History of fourty years from the death of King Saul to the death of King David or the time immediately preceding it 2 Sam. V. 4 5. The time and story of Davids reign Crown that was upon his head Likely not so worne by him in the day of battel chapter I verse 10 1 King XXII 30. But carried with him or before him by his armour-bearer verse 18 or some others as an Ensigne of his Kingly honour bowe That they might be skilful in the right use of their armes and weapons against their enemies in this time of need Of the Bowe in warre see ver 22. And the Annotations on Hos. I. 5. and on Zech. X. 4. How are the mighty fallen Repeated verse 19 ver 25. and 27. as the foot of this sad song and Elegie Tell it not in Gath This impossible not to be told there But this shews Davids desire verse 20 if it had been possible A Pathetical expression not much unlike is that ver 21. Unto Hebron Of this place chapter II verse 1 thus once for all Hebron was a City in the Tribe and Mountain of Judah Josh. XV. 54. Called also Mamre and Kiriath-arba the City of Arba the father of Anak where Anak lived his sonnes and the Anakims a race of Giants Here formerly dwelt the children of Heth and Hittites And Abraham Isaac and Jacob sojourned here And they and Sarah and Rebekah and Leah were buried here in the Cave of Machpelah before Mamre the same is Hebron Gen. XIII 18. and XXIII 19. and XLIX 31. Hence Joseph was sent to see the welfare of his brethren Hither the Spies came that were sent from Kadesh-barnea in the Wildernesse of Paran to search the Land Hoham the King of Hebron was one of the five Kings mured up by Joshuah in a Cave and after slaine and hanged up And soone after the City taken and another King thereof seems then to be slaine by him And he and Caleb slew the Anakims that dwelled here This City and Suburbs were given to the Priests and to be a Citie of Refuge The Fields and the Villages of it to Caleb the sonne of Jephunne the Kenezite that good Spie Josh. XX. 7. and XXI II. To the top of an hill before Hebron Sampson carried the Gate of Gaza To them in Hebron David sent a Present of the Spoile taken from the Amalakite 1 Sam. XXX 31. Hither God directed him to go in this Text. And here he was anointed King and reigned seven years and six moneths And here he had six sonnes born to him of six several women his wives Here Abner was slain by Joab and mournfully buried by David Hither King Ishbosheths head was brought by his murderers buried in Abners Sepulchre and they hanged up here Hither came all the Tribes of Israel to make David King over all Israel and anointed him here And Absalom being borne here pretended a vow to be performed here and rebelling against his father made himself King here This Citie of Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt Num. XIII 23. And in Rehoboams reigne was
XVIII 9 10. or Enemessar Tobit l. 2 15. Sennacharib who came against Hezekiah 2 King XVIII 13. Esarhaddon or Asnapper Esay XXXVII 38. 2 King XIX 37. Ezra IV. 2 10. called also Sarchedonus Tobit I. 22. And another King of Assyria against whom Pharaoh-Necho King of Egypt fights at Carchemish by Euphrates in the last year of King Josiah 2 King XXIII 29. 2 Chron. XXXV But many leave out Iareb as no proper name of a King and make Sargon to be the same with Senna harib And some place Iareb before Pul and Sargon after Shalmanesar And no doubt there were many Kings of Assyria it being the first Monarchy before Pul though their names be not in Scripture Though the Assyrians take the name from Ashur the sonne of Shem Gen. X. 22. 1 Chron. I. 17. yet the Kingdome seemes to be raised among them by the posterity of Cush the sonne of Cham Gen. X. 6 11. a Singer Heman chapter VI verse 33 of Kohath stood in the middest Asaph of Gershom on the right hand Ethan of Merari on the left ver 38 39 44 47. See more of the Singers 1 Chron. XV. ver 16 22. All their Cities The Kohathites had twenty three Cities verse 60 63. The Gershonites thirteen The Merarites twelve In all fourty eight Cities reckoned Issachar a numerous Tribe chapter VII Ephraim The line from Ephraim to Ioshuah verse 5 is Num. verse 20 I. 10. and chap. XXVI 35 1 Chron. VII 20 26 27. Shephuphan verse 5 and Huram chapter VIII verse 33 Either of these had three names Ner Ner had Kish the father of Saul and another sonne Ner the father of Abner 1 Sam. XIV 50 51. genealogies This Chapter chapter IX verse 1 and chap. III. 19 24. are some parcels of the last passages for History of the Old Testament See more on Neh. XII 10 11. David and Samuel David and Samuel the Seer though he died in the time of Sauls reigne ordained and ordered the Priests verse 22 and Levites Singers and Porters in their set Offices and Courses See ver 10 14 22 and Chapters XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him 1 Chron. XXIV 19. by the Spirit and by God and Nathan 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. XXIX 25. and VIII 14. and XXXV 4 15. And Solomon did according to him 2 Chron. XXXV 4. Neh. XII 45. day and night verse 33 verse 9 The Singers imployed in that work day and night tydings unto their Idols Idolaters ascribe their Victories chapter X and prosperous successes to their Idols so Iudg. XVI 23 24. 1 King XX. 23. 2 Chron. XXVIII 23. Hab. I. 11. They bring their Idols to their Camps 1 Chron. XIV 12. As the Israelits the Ark 1 Sam. IV. 3. castle of Zion David took the Castle chapter XI verse 5 or strong hold of Zion dwelt in it built round about it called it the Citie of David And Ioab repaired the rest of the Citie 2 Sam. V. 9. came to David There came to David to Ziklag a great hoast chapter XII verse 1 like the hoast of God And to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 340822. And among them very many Priests and Levites ver 26 27 28. besides others intimated ver 32. Jehoiada verse 27 the Leader of the 3700. Aaronites that came to David to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 1 Chron. XII 27. Jehoiada a chief Priest 2 Chron. XXIV 6. married Iehoshabeath or Iehosheba the daughter of King Iehoram and sister of King Ahaziah 2 King XI 2 3. 2 Chron. XXII 11. He caused usurping and murthering Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Iezebel and wife of King Iehoram and mother of King Ahaziah 2 Chron. XXI 6. and XXII 1 2. to be murtheredher self 2 King XI 16. And caused Ioash grand-childe of Athaliah and his wives nephew and sonne and heir of Ahaziah to be crowned King when he was seven years old 2 King XI 11 12 21. 2 Chron XXIII 11. Of whom see more on 2 King XI 4. Iehoiada the sonne of Benaiah Davids Counseller next to Ahitophel 1 Chron. XXVII 34. bring again the Ark David so soone as ever he was setled upon his throne over all Israel chapter XIII verse 3 taketh the strong Fort of Zion from the Jebusites brings the Ark of God with all solemnity yet not after the due maner from Kiriath-jearim and the house of Abinadab And upon the death of Uzza by the way at the threshing floore of Nachon or Chidon he carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom where it remained three moneths 1 Chron. XIII Hiram sends to David messingers workmen and materials to build him an house in Zion And David takes more wives at Jerusalem and obtaines two victories against the Philistines chap. XIV And with great solemnity in the due maner he brings the Ark from Obed-Edoms house and sets it in the middest of the Tabernacle or Tent which he had prepared for it in the Citie of David in Zion chap. XV. where he offers Sacrifices Orders a Quire gives them a Psalme of Thanksgiving and appoints Ministers Porters Priests and Musicians to attend on the Ark continualy ch XVI In 2 Sam. V. David takes the strong Fort of Zion builds dwels in it hath messingers sent to him from Hiram King of Tyre with materials workmen for his building growes great takes moe wives and concubines at Jerusalem gets two victories over the Philistines in two set battels chap. V. And he brings up the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim and carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom and after three moneths he brings it thence into the Citie of David with great solemnity and joy 2 Sam. VI Now whether the things contained in 1 Chr. XIV and 2 Sam. V. after the taking of Zion did intervene in that three moneths space while the Ark was in the house of Obed-Edom or were acted before the Ark was removed from Kiriath-Jearim is a matter of conjectural probabilities on either side yet I rather incline to the later opinion from Shihor of Egypt This Shihor chapter XIII verse 5 or Shichor or Sihor hath a notion of blacknesse in it And is not that rill or drill of water called by forraine writers Rhinocolura but is much rather the same with Nilus otherwise not once named in Scripture anciently by the Ethiopians called Siris by the Greeks Melas by the Latines Melo from the blacknesse of the water or rather of the mud and slime that it brings downe with it or the black colour of the grounds and soils it passeth through It is called by way of excellencie the River Esay XXIII 3. Ezek. XXIX 3 9. and the river or flood of Egypt Amos VIII 8. and chap. IX 5. This River rising in the South from unknown heads runs in one intire streame Northward to the Head Delta in Egypt where it divideth it self into two maine Channels and afterwards brancheth into seven several streames Esay XI 15. Emptying themselves
Ophir 1 Kings IX 28. Uphaz Jer. X. 9. This is the chiefest gold Dan X. 5. Job XXVIII 15. Psal. CXIX 72. See the Observations on Esay XIII 12. great reward Which reward yet is of grace verse 11 not of merit Rom. VIII 3. through Gods free grace and bounty not the merit of our works The Apostle doth thus distinguish of merit Rom. IV. 4 5. and XI 6. There is no merit properly if the work be not properly out own and not otherwise due debt and justly equal to the reward They are justly due out of his true and free promise who can Where then is that possibility verse 12 and facility of fulfilling the Law even unto works of Supererogation whereof Papists do so much brag dominion over me There are sinnes reigning and not reigning but rebelling verse 13 Rom. VI. 12 22. and VII 15 20. The Lord hear thee This Psalme chapter XXI verse 1 and the next are composed by David for a publike forme of a Prayer in the one of a Thanksgiving in the other to be used by the people for himself the King They seeme to stretch this Psalme too farre and that without ground who make it to be a Prophesie of Christs Sufferings and his deliverances out of them for which the Church with him triumpheth As also the next Psalme to gratulate the victory and Salvation of Christ. Save Lord verse 9 let the King hear us Most here understand God or the Messias Some David The LXX not observing or keeping the Hebrew distinction Athnach render it thus Lord save the King and hear us when we call upon thee for ever and ever Psal. chapter XXI verse 4 LXXXIX 29 36 37. and LXI 6 7. David lived but seventy years yet in his royal posterity for many ages and in Christ the Sonne of David Matth. XXII 42. for ever and ever eternaly Rom. VI. 9. Apoc. I. 18. Heb. VII 25. See the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. Thine hand King Davids hand chapter XXII verse 8 In some Psalmes there are passages that properly and literaly belong to David and to Christ only as David was a Type of him But in this Psalme are some Passages as ver 16 17 18. besides many other which are applied to Christ in the New Testament as ver 1 7 8 22 27. which literaly and properly belong to Christ and are appliable to him only or to him more then to David Then here is no place left for that question of the Eunuch Acts VIII 34. The allegations out of this Psalme Matth. XXVII 46 35 43. Heb. II. 12. and the body of the Psalme it self do shew that little of it can be applied to David as a Type most of it is proper and peculiar to Christ alone as I formerly said 1 Pet. I. 11 12. my God Jesus on the Crosse little before his death verse 1 about the ninth hour cryed out these words with a loud voice Matth. XXVII 46. Heb. V. 7. upon the weight of Gods wrath under the burden of our sinnes The Deity by a special providence and dispensation withdrawing and suspending its influence from the Humanity for this time God withdrawing all sense of his favour from him Not that the hypostatical union of both natures was then or ever severed or dissolved But yet he suffered chiefly in his soul all the paines pangs and agonies of a justly angry and punishing God even more then can either be expressed or imagined even so farre above the measure of ordinary sufferings as himself was above ordinary men without any influence or joy or comfort streaming from the Vision of God upon his mind and wil for that time So that he suffered as in body so in soul in his whole man as in his sensual part so in his intellectual also in his whole soul and body and in all the parts powers and faculties of them And the greatest sufferings as was said that could be sustained in this life Lam. I. 12. yet without any derogation to the integrity purity innocencie dignity of the person of Christ our Surety and Saviour These words then are not a complaint out of impatience ignorance disobedience or diffidence They are the words of sense not of infidelity See ver 24. Luke XXIII 46. He strongly calls him his God even in that instant of these suffering so expressing his firme faith in him But they are a Protestation of the bitternesse of his Passion so stricken smitten of God and afflicted and so farre prevailing on him in whom the spirit of fortitude had his residence forsaken me This sense of dereliction and carencie of Divine favour for the time as it was the Fathers pleasure to have it so so the Sonnes office called him unto it and he did not contract it by any fault of his but did voluntarily undertake it for our sinnes and the expiation of them as he did the death it self So that in this then there could not be any defect or defanlt of faith and hope requisite in him And likewise that Prayer and Speech Matth. XXVI 39. bewrayes the sense of the flesh but joyned with the obedience of the Spirit in him A double Will in him against Monothelites but joyned both in one holy obedience and subjection All which shew the nature of sinne the infinite wrath of God against it the infinite Love of the Father and the Sonne towards the children of men and the verity of Christs Humane Nature both in body and soul. roaring Like that of Lions Psal. XXXII 3. and XXXVIII 8. Matth. XXVI 38. Marke XIV 33. Luke XXII 44. so that he had need of an Angel for his Comforter Yet he so wrestles and prevailes that no signe of halting was left remaining after no signe or voice of despair as some are shamelesly wronged to charge upon him All the agonies of Christs soul ceased with his death but thou hearest not We read that God ever heard him verse 2 ver 24. John XI 42. Heb. V. 7. But here this Prayer was only conditional a signification of a natural desire not an absolute and plenary Prayer inhabit the praises of Israel Whose praise thou art verse 3 Deut. X. 21. And they praise thee in thy House and Sanctuary Thou art still praised by them for thy benefits to them and acknowledged their holy one Our fathers And shall I be so forsaken verse 4 not heard nor holpen nor delivered Thus he aggravates his complaint rouzeth up his faith bowes and moves God to mercie Cried Crying or clamor verse 5 and Prayer are oft conjoyned Psal III. 4. and XVIII 7. Jer. VII 16. Jonas III. 8. Micah III. 4. a worme So vile and contemptible in the eyes of men verse 6 Esay LIII 2 3. as Job XXV 6. Esay XLI 14. Not only made lower then the Angels Psal. VIII 5. Heb. II. 7. but disesteemed more then Barrabas or the two theives All they that see me This verse verse 7 and the next we see fulfilled in the History of Christs Passion
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