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
sacks mouth before V. 10. My servant The steward speaks in his Lord Josephs name V. 12. And be searched He knew well how not to meddle with that end of the sacks where he had put their money V. 13. Rent their clothes See Annot. on ch 37. 39 34 V. 14. He was yet there Expecting their return V. 15. What deed As ch 3. 13. 4 10. can certainly divine See Annot. on v 5 V. 16. What shall we say Their consciences clear and yet their conviction seems as clear They knew not what Apology to make God hath found out So ch 42. 28. If we see not evident cause of our affliction let us look to the secret counsel of God who punisheth us justly for our sins A good use of afflictions and crosses Esay 27. 9. Gen. 42 21 22. Judah thought this his best argument and way having no legal excuse or defence to make for the clearing of themselves though he was sure enough of Benjamins innocency and could not upon this occasion but remember the putting of their money in their sacks yet he durst not accuse any of Josephs family nor stand out against him but yields and submits as an hopeful way to procure favour with a man of a generous spirit iniquity Our other sins though free of this both we V. 9. and he also Not die aâ— v. 9. but be servant as v. 10. is found He forbears to say that he stole it V. 17. He shall be my servants Joseph confirmes his stewards dealing v. 10. In Moses Law for theft restitution should be made in some cases double in some fourefold if the party not able thereto then to be sold or become a slave to him from whom he had stollen Exod. 22. 31. Here Josephs power and their own yielding bindes them V. 18. Then Judah came near Judah before v. 16. And now Judah more addresseth himself to plead because he had undertaken for Benjamin ch 43. 8. 9. in my Lords eares But an Interpreter yet still for ought we reade as Pharaoh And so thine anger would be dreadful and deadly Prov. 19. 12. have ye a father See Annot. on ch 43. 7. V. 20. A little one Ex enuating his age by an officious lie to excuse his taking so long a journey See Annot. on ch 43. 8. V. 26. We cannot go down Ch. 43. 5. We will not go down V. 27. My wife bare me Rachel his wife by way of eminency first in his choice and dearest in his love Leah but by fraud V. 28. Torne in pieces Thus Joseph might perceive how they coloured to their father their dealing with him V. 30. Bound up in the Lads life 1 Sam. 18. 1. If he die or be thought so the father cannot live V. 33. In stead of the Lad A filial affection to his old father And yet love useth more to descend then ascend V. 34. How shall I go He would rather remain here a servant or prisoner CHAP. XLV Verse 1. REfrain himself before Upon this supplication of Judah though hitherto he had refrained ch 43. 31. to go out He would not have his brethrens fault divulged nor his own passion being a man of his place so openly discovered as to weepe aloud before others V. 2. Wept aloud No thought of revenge for their cruel usage of him heard it V. 16. V. 3. Could not answer him Through astonishment at the wonder and the prick of their guilty conscience V. 4. Come near They had kept no doubt at a reverend distance from him so great a Lord. ye sold Tells this not to upbraid them but to assure them it is he V. 5. not grieved Ch. 31. 35. nor angry with your selves He comforts them 2 Cor â— 7. Look up to Gods Providence who turnes your sin to good for God did send V. 8. Ps. 105. 16 17. V. 6. Neither earing nor harvest None till Joseph supplied them with corne for it the last yeare ch 47. 23. or as good as none few had corne to sowe few would attempt to sowe as being to expect little or no increase by Josephs prediction V. 8. But God Ch. 50. 20. Josph cleares not his breâ—thren but he cheeres them up in contemplation of Gods merciful Providence who turnes their sin to much good God can and doth bring good out of evil out Judas sin and others in the death of Christ the salvation of mankinde Acts 4. 27 28. a father to Pharaoh Judges 17. 10 11. Gen. 41. 40 44. As a son follows the direction of a father so did Pharaoh Josephs V. 10. Goshen A Province between Nilus and the red-sea very fruitful ch 46. 28 29. 47. 1. 6 27. Another Goshen in Canaan Josh. 11. 16. 10. 41. 15. 51. This he saith presuming of Pharaohs assent ch 47. 4 6. near unto me On the City whence he married and where he most resided was near to Goshen V. 12. My mouth And not an Interpreters as chap. 42. 23. V. 15. He kissed See Annot. on ch 20. 13. talked with him Having overcome their astonishment and feare talked of any thing he or they desired to know V. 16. And his servants The Courtiers envied not but honoured Joseph V. 19. Thou art commanded Thou needest no more authority or instructions from me V. 20. Regard not your stuffe That is not portable Here you shall be supplied V. 22. Changes of raiment Such as were used to be given for honour or reward 2 Kings 5. 22. Zech. 3. 4. Judg. 14. 12. Apoc. 6. 11. 7. 9 14. Three hundred Shekels See Annotat. on ch 20. 16. and on ch 23. 16. V. 24. Fall not out by the way About the selling of me Reubens former words ch 42. 22. occasioned haply this charge V. 26. Heart fainted Between hope and doubt between joy and feare Unbelief and doubting weakeneth the heart Rom. 4 19 20. Mat. 14. 31. Believed them not So he fell into that fainting swooning fit Luke 24. 41. They beleeved not for joy Jacob might the lesse believe them because of their former lie they had told him of Joseph V. 27. Revived Rose out of that swoone as it were His failing of spirit did not altogether take away the use of his sight and senses but that he saw the wagons V. 28. It is enough Here is proof enough And it is enough to me that he is alive and enough for me if I may be so happy as to see him once before die chap. 46. 30. CHAP. XLVI Verse 1. TO Beer sheba This was in the way from Hebron to Egypt the most Southern part of Canaan Here Abraham and Isaac had much been See Annot. on ch 21. 31. sacrifices Of thanks for the tydings of Joseph and to consult with God about his going into Egypt and thereby to worship God V. 2. In the visions of the night See Annot. on ch 15. 1. what this vision was and in what manner is not set down Jacob Jacob To rouse him up to attention and for more certainty as ch 22. 11. 1
and Reuben her eldest sonne being so old to gather Mandrakes in the field a year before Issachar her fifth childe was borne by her And this is further evidenced by the age of Iudah being but fifty upon this account it self that is 10 years elder then Joseph when yet he and his grandchildren by Tamar both Hezron and Hamul came down with Iacob into Egypt XLVI 12. whereby it also appears that Iudah marrying at 17 years of age which was the first year of Jacobs returne from Laban the Syrian into Canaan XXXVIII 1 2 3. Then both Er and Onan and Pharez must needs marry each when they were about 12 or 13 years old which was rare in that age of the world And this truth of the time of Jacobs marriage will stand well with the computation of time by the ages and acts of Judah and his posterity and with a right rendition of those texts Gen. XXIX 20 21 25 27 28 30. which should be somewhat altered in our English translations Here then those large Annotations 1651. making Jacob to marry both Leah and Rachel at the end of the first seven years service And the twelve children to be borne within the compasse of the seven later years And Judah to be but three years elder then Joseph And to marry at fourteen years of age And Er and Onan to marry at fourteen apiece And Hezron and Hamul to be borne in Egypt and to come downe with Jacob only in the loynes of their father Pharez wherein yet there remaines a contradiction in them as appears by comparing together their Annotations on Gen. XXXVIII 1. and XLVI 12 27. do in all the said particulars seeme to me to misse the right and at least to require a more serious review and consideration See the said Annotations on Gen. XXIX 27 30. and XXXVIII 1 2 6. and XLVI 12. Sacks Sacks chapter XLII verse 25 saccus and Amen are the words that hold most in most languages Benjamin Benjamin not 24 years old when he came into Egypt chapter XLVI verse 21 but hard upon 30. Yea some conceive him to be conceived in Padan-Aram out of Gen. XXXV 24 26. and so to be 33 years old at that time yet is he called a Lad Gen. XLIII 8. and XLIV 22 30 31 32 33 34. and a little one v. 20. And yet at that time said to be the father of ten sonnes Gen. XLVI 21. And two of them Naaman and Ard if not more seeme to be his grand-children Num. XXVI 40. But not borne in Egypt no more then Hezron and Hamul were borne there And so both Benjamin and his eldest sonne Belah must marry very young as the like was observed in Er Onan and Pharez before The number The number of the souls that came out of Jacobs loines and came down with him into Egypt verse 26 are truly told and reckoned to be 66. Gen. XLVI 26. And this is the exact number For Joseph and his two children came not down with Jacob into Egypt but were in Egypt before And leaving out Er and Onan that were dead before in Canaan and reckoning in Hezron and Hamul the grand-children of Judah by Tamar as the expresse letter of the Text doth in both points require the said number of 66. doth rightly arise And to imagine otherwise that Hezron and Hamul were borne in Egypt and did go down thither with Jacob onely virtually in the loines of their father Pharez it doth not onely contradict the Text as was said but also doth overthrow the whole intent and drift of the Record Catalogue and Genealogy in that chapter which is to shew the small number that went down personally with Jacob into Egypt Deut. XXVI 5. That thereby wonderful multiplication of their posterity in Egypt Exod. XII 37. and in little more then a year after Num. I. 45 46. by Gods blessing might the more gloriously appear And if some or any of those mentioned in the said Catalogue went down onely virtually in the loines of their parents in that sense as well might 46000 yea 600000. be said to have descended with Jacob into Egypt Again the number of the souls of the house of Jacob which came into Egypt are truly told to be 70. Gen. 46. 27. Exod. I. 5. Deut. X. 22. So justly reckoning Jacob himself and Joseph with his two sons who were then in Egypt already And so these 70. are made up of those summes 33. 16. 14. 7. set down in Gen. XLVI 15 18 22 25. Again the number is told to be 75. by Stephen and Luke recording Stephens speech Acts VII 14. Here denying any corruption of the Text some would lay a failer of memory upon Stephen as the like again in v. 16. as not being so priviledged in this sudden Speech as the holy Pen-men were inspired for the writing of Scripture And thereupon say That Luke dealt tfaihfully in relating what Stephen spake Others say That Stephen herein did wittingly and willingly follow the Translation of the LXX Interpreters on Gen. XLVI 27. and Exod. I. 5. As in divers citations the holy Writers of the New Testament do That Translation being then in high esteeme and almost onely in use Yet the five persons superadded by them seeme not to be those which the LXX fetch out of 1 Chron. VII 14 20. But rather all those that are named Gen XLVI namely Jacobs four wives and Er and Onan which make up 75. in all leaving out Jacob himself Exodus EXODUS Containes an History of 141 years and some few dayes over And not of about 146 years This truth appears thus From the death of Joseph to the birth of Moses were 60. years and either 56. or 65. or 72. or 80. And this assertion of 60. years is thus gathered The Israelites being in Egypt from the going down of Jacob thither till Moses brought them out thence 210 years as hath been shewed on Gen. XV. 13. And Joseph being 40 years old when his father Jacob came down as being 30 when Pharaoh advanced him Gen. XLI 46. And after that seven years of Plenty passing and the third year of Famine in being when Jacob came down And Joseph living 110 years Gen. L. 22. So leaves 70 of his life to be spent in Egypt after Jacobs coming down thither And Moses being 80 years old when he brought the Israelites out of Egypt Exod. VII 7. So leaves just 60 years between Iosephs death and Moses his birth For those three numbers of Iosephs 70. and the said interval of 60 and Moses his 80. make up the said summe of 210 years Now to those 60 years before the Birth of Moses adde those 80 years of his age Exod. VII 7. And the time spent about getting leave of Pharaoh for their departure Exod. Ch. III. to the XII which was some small part of year viz within one moneth And their coming forth on the first moneth the 15 day Num. XXXIII 3. And their coming into the Wildernesse of Sinai in the
XII 29. on my side Heb. verse 6 XIII 6. Psal. LVI 4. 11. All nations David had to deale with all the neighbouring nations round about him verse 10 Thou Speaking to the enemie verse 13 Open to me The gates of the Sanctuarie verse 19 or house of God the gates of the Court thereof which the Levitical Porters were to do for men to come and serve the Lord. of righteousnesse For the righteous and cleane only were to enter in thereat 2 Chron. XXIII 19. See Esay XXVI 2. Apoc. XXI 27. The stone David Typicaly verse 22 His Sonne the Messias Realy Mat. XXI 42. Ephes. II. 20. builders refused The Rulers refused David in the reignes of Saul and Ishbosheth The Priests and Elders refused Christ Mark XII 2 10. Luke XIX 14. 1 Pet. II. 7. the head stone Acts IV. 11. Luke XX. 17. Of this stone see more Esay XXVIII 16. Dan. II. 34 35 45. Zech. III. 9. Rom. IX 33. the day A chief and choise day of God shewing his mercie verse 24 Save nowâ—beseech thee Heb. Hoshiahâ— na verse 25 in Greek sounded Hosanna wherewith Christ is welcomed to Jerusalem and the Temple Mat. XXI 9 15. Luke XIX 37 38. we have blessed you These seeme to be the Priests words verse 26 relating to Num. VI. 23. light Prosperity verse 27 under the Kingdome of David and Christ. even unto the hornes of the Altar Likely the hornes of the Altar Exod. XXVII 2. intended for that use Or sacrifices abundantly all the Court over till you come to the hornes of the Altar Levit. IV. 7. Blessed Of this Psalme see the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Psalmes chapter CXIX verse 1 David probably is the penman of it The stile is plaine fitted for all capacities And the Alphabetical order was used for help of memory It is full of the ardent pious affections of a religious soul. Petitions for saving knowledge and gracious assistance from God and Promises of all holy sincere obedience thereupon are in every Octonarie with wondrous art and variety of sense yet running much upon the same words without any tautologie Before I was afflicted So verse 71. verse 67 Before I spake or answered is not so proper an interpretation of this place though it pleased Junius unlesse we understand it thus Before I cried out by reason of affliction my soul is continualy in my hand i. e. verse 109 my life is dayly in danger As Iudg. XII 3. 1 Sam. XIX 5. and chap. XXVIII 21. Many read this text in thy hand or hands understanding Gods hand which imports not danger but safety and security as Psal. XXXI 5. Luke XXIII 46. 1 Pet. IV. 19. And is indeed a wrong reading and breeds sundry senses not consonant or consisting with the tenour of this verse any iniquity either in me verse 133 subjective or of others against me objective And so the later way may be understood that Gal. II. 7 90 Ephes. VI. 12. Heb. XII 4. Psal. XLIX 5. and XL. 12. and LXV 3. and XXXIX 8. A song of degrees or ascensions chapter CXX heights or excellencies This and the fourteene Psalmes following have this Title prefixed The meaning whereof is variously conjectured As thus That they were to be sung with a loud voice as 1 Chron. XV. 16. Or upon the steps and degrees of the staires ascending to the Court of the people or to that of the Priests which they say were fifteene in number according to these number of these Psalms Or in the coming of the Ark into the Temple Or in their returne out of Babylon Or to be sung in their returne into their own land in the time of the Messias Others have other conjectures yet without any certaine determination neither is it much material Of these four bear Davids title and some of the rest not unlikely were penned by him I David likely verse 1 from lying lips Of such as falsely accused him to Saul verse 2 1 Sam. XXIV 9. and chap. XXVI 19. what shall be given What good or profit shalt thou get or gaine by it verse 3 sharp arrowes Such is a false tongue verse 4 or such are the plagues God will render as a reward unto it Woe is me Laments verse 5 that in his exile he was forced to dwell so long with the cruel and barbarous posterity of Mesech the sonne of Japhet Gen. X. 2. and of Kedar the sonne of Ishmael Gen. XXV 13. or rather with men of like evil cruel conditions to them hills Moriah chapter CXXI verse 1 and Zion where God dwelleth But most to God himself verse 2. The Sunne By its parching heat verse 6 as Ionah IV. 8. Nor the Moon by its cold vapors Gen. XXXI 40. nor any discommodity shall be able to annoy thee Psal. XCI 5. I David having brought the Ark of the testimony to Ierusalem chapter CXXII verse 1 and setled the Thrones of judgement there pens this Psalme of joy and gladnesse therefore Praising the Citie and praying for the prosperity of it testimonie The Ark. verse 4 See the Observations on Ex. 25. 16. thrones of judgement Both Ecclesiastical verse 5 and Civil as God had commanded Deut. XVII 8 c. the captivity of Zion Out of Babylon chapter CXXVI verse 1 which returne figured our Redemption by Christ. that dreame So incredible it was and the joy of it that we half doubted whether it were true or but a dreame As Peter did Acts XII 9 11. See Esay XXIX 7 8. And the like speech we read of in Abdolominus when he was taken from manuring the earth to possesse a Kingdome and in Isaacus Angelus when he was suddenly lifted up to the Empire and in that famous Iohn Chrysostome when he was first chosen into the Presbyterie Turn again Prayes that the deliverance begun verse 4 may be carried on and brought to perfection For it had many stops and hinderances as appears in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah They that sow in tears That went mournfuly into captivity verse 5 shall return joyfuly for Solomon Seemes to be inspired and penned for Solomon chapter CXXVII by David a litle before his death Psal. LXXII title Except the Lord This is true generaly verse 1 yet may relate to the future building of the Temple by Solomon and the safe keeping of the Citie Ierusalem or rather to the building of Solomons house and posterity so By building verse 2 keeping blessing their labours without sorrow he giveth Or surely will give or rightly doth give his beloved Whom he loves and who in assurance of his love commits himself to him and his care The Hebrew word Iedid seemes to allude to Solomons name Iedidiah 2 Sam. XII 25. his darling sleep Or quiet rest without carking care and sorrow The Hebrew word is written with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a quiet dumb letter otherwise then usual to denote the more quietnesse And this rest not your care and toil but Gods blessing will bring unto you Prov. X. 22.
doth supply and minister the former yea and hath the dominion in humane affairs above all other things money is the measure of all things buyeth all things Money is the sinewes of warre beares the masterie in matches and marriages and Law-suits effecteth all things Curse not the King Notwithstanding his errours in government verse 20 or miscarriages in living or wrongs done to thee Exod. XXII 28. 2 Pet. II. 10. no not in thy thought Or conscience or heart Thought is not free Jer. IV. 14. Esay LIX 7. Psal. LXII 4. It will likely break forth for a bird of the aire The danger if thou mutter it in hugger-mugger God can reveale it by brute creatures birds and beasts by inanimate creatures See Gen. IV. 11. Esay XXVI 21. Hab. II. 11. As Luke XIX 40. So in this case However Kings themselves have long eares Yea we say walls and hedges have ears See that Ester II. 22. And consider the discovery of our hellish Powder-plot Cast thy bread It must be thine chapter XI verse 1 well gotten Ephes. IV. 28. upon the waters Where it may seeme clearly cast away as if it were throwne into the Sea lost because the poor cannot recompence thee againe Luke XIV 12 13 14. Yet lend in that manner looking for nothing againe Luke VI. 35. God will repay it Prov. XIX 17. Esay LVIII 7. Yet some by water here do understand moist and fertil soile well watered or grounds on the sides of waters such as on the banks of Nilus which yeeld increase very abundantly And that so plentifully God will reward thy almes to the poor In the former Chapter as the Great Annotations do well observe Solomon shewed the excellent use of true wisdome as a means of tranquility of minde and Remedy against the vanity and vexation of outward things in Ordering our behaviour aright toward Superiours for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure might subject us unto In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same end of comfortable living so still pursuing his principal argument touching tranquility and comfort of life in Ordering our behaviour towards Inferiours those especially that are in want shalt finde it after Gal. VI. 9. Prov. XI 25. and XIX 17. James V. 7. 2 Cor. IX 6 10. Matth. XIX 21. Deut. XV. 9 10. to seven and also to eight Micah V. verse 2 5. To many as waters formerly in the plural number may likewise intimate The necessity of a man may require it when his person doth not deserve it And thy ability must guide thee to Give with discretion Psal. CXII 5. Luke VI. 30. Prov. XXXI 20. thou knowest not what evil Therefore sowe whilest thou hast it work while the toole is in thy hand James IV. 14. Prov. XXVII 1. By bounty evil of punishments and judgements is prevented by unmercifulnesse to the poor it is procured If the clouds They emptie themselves in showers for the good of the earth verse 3 So should rich men do Psal. CXII 9. And the showers fal upon all the ground this as well as that And so should the full and rich not too solicitously enquire who it is to whom they give He is a man and needie man and if the tree fall Fall it must and man must die And as death leaves him judgement findes him and sentence goes upon him for the right hand or the left according to his carriage towards the poor Matth. XXV 33 46. Or This seemes a vulgar Proverb touching things of small concerment care or choise And to imply that our ordinarie almes should fall upon any this or that poor and be distributed as it were with a blinde hand or hood-winkt eye without any over-curious choise He that observeth the winde We must not stand scrupling and casting perils and objections and pretences to hinder or delay our Alms-giving and come with our Talent tied up in a napkin Whereas any pertext serves the covetous miser not to give What is the way of the Spirit Of the winde verse 5 say some John III. 8. Of the Soul rather how it comes into the body and quickens it Nor how the bones Psal. CXXXIX 14 15 16. Job X. 8 13. Knowest not the works of God The works of his Providence how he may dispose of thy life and state and ability of doing good And therefore thou must take the present season and opportunity and not delay and defer it lest the Lord haply will put thee out of all capacitie and meanes to do it Neither knowest thou by what secret and wondrous wayes he may recompence thy liberality In the morning At all times verse 6 upon every occasion and opportunity chap. IX 10. John IX 4 Begin betimes and continue to the end lose not a day Whether shall prosper Though sometimes thy bounty prove misplaced and it be ten to one if any cured Leper returne to give thanks yet thy reward is sure from God Heb. VI. 10. Matth. X. 41 42. 1 Kings XVII 13 16. The light is sweet The light of life as appears in the opposition verse 7 verse 8. And specialy a lightsome joyful life is such Job II. 4. 1 Kings XX. 32. Esther VII 3. Life was given as a prey and reward to Ebedmelech and Baruc Jer. XXXIX 18. and XLV 5. Yet consider it will end in death dayes of darknesse will come Therefore unto compleat happinesse there is yet more to be done not only to gaine and secure the comforts of this life and tranquility of minde here amidst all the vanities and vexations of it In which search and point Solomon had hitherto laboured But also to get the assurance of a better life after this which is the businesse of Solomon in the remaining part of this Book But if a man live And sit in the worlds warme Sun-shine verse 8 and say he shall never be moved Job XXI 7 13. yet let him remember That the light will be turned into darknesse the dark dayes will come of old age and death chap. VI. 4. Job X. 21. Psal. VIII 12 13. and CXLIII 3. and they so many as that the lightsome days of life will seeme but a warm gleame a momentanie glance which remembrance should coole our hot desires after the vanites of this life and lay our lusts a bleeding and a dying at our feet 1 Pet. II. 12. All that cometh every man every thing that hapneth is vanity Rejoyce O young man No encouragement verse 9 but a scoff and ironie derides his folly Like that of Elias to the Baalites and many more in Scripture and walk in the wayes Go on in the choise and chase of thy hearts desires But know thou To thy cost though such would faine baffle their knowledge and blinde the eye of their understanding yet it will not be As Esay XXVI 11. 1 King XXII 25. 2 Pet. III. 5. that for all these things This mars the mirth leavens all is sowre sauce to his sweet meats God will bring thee
Whether thou wilt or no when thou shalt in vaine call to rocks to hide thee into judgement If not in this life yet at thy death thy doomesday and at the judgement of the great day Jude 6. called The terror of the Lord 2 Cor. V. 10. Acts XVII 30. See Esay XXVIII 17. Therefore remove sorrow Sinne verse 10 which is the true cause of sorrow as the end will prove Prov. XIV 13. and the true cause of Gods indignation Or particularly this sinne of thy indignation and all inordinate passions thy swelling and storming at the will and wayes of God or at any serious advice given thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember 1. Chron. XXVIII 9. Prov. XXIII 17. thy Creator Heb. chapter XII verse 1 Creators Father Sonne and Holy Ghost So God my Makers Job XXXV 10. The Makers of Israel Psal. CXLIX 1. thy Makers is thy husbands Esay LIV. 5. Gods created Gen. I. 1. youth Youth is slippery prone to lusts and sensual pleasures apt to put off the evil day farre from them to look on death and judgement as at a great distance as evil men use to do Ezek. XII 27. Amos VI. 3. 2 Pet. III. 3 4. Solomon here calls on them to remember themselves better to minde God in the Spring of their age to present the first-fruits to God as young Samuel Jeremy and Timothy did and not to leave and reserve the dregs and snuffs to God while the evil dayes Old age is very unfit to begin so great a work in Old age will bring evils enough of its own besides While the Sunne Before the sight of thine eyes grow dimme Or verse 2 before thy most delightful and pleasant things begin to grow unwelcome unpleasant to thee The darknesse of lights about them as of the Sun candles torches c. Whence we need Spectacles Returning of the clouds after the raine alludes to the winterly state of old age In summer after raine the clouds break up and fair weather comes Not so in winter So in youth Not so in old age nor the clouds return One grief comes upon the neck of another as the billows of the sea wallow and tumble upon the back one of another A proverbial speech as Psal. XLII 7. the Keepers of the house The hands and armes verse 3 Some here take in the head and ribs and outward senses and inward faculties but not so properly strong men Thighs and legs Here some take in the feet Grinders The teeth They come not with us into the world And they commonly leave old men before they go out of the world look out of the windows The eyes out of the eye-lids darkened A further degree of dimnesse then that ver 2. And the doores Old men shall shut the street-dooers shall stay within doores because the weaknesse of their appetite and digestion when the sound of the grinding with the teeth was low and doth cause them to eat little and so weakens their bodies to stir abroad Others by streets here understand those Pipes and passages which are for the meat to go down to the stomach and for the breath and aire to go down to the lungs which passages have doores and covers which open and shut And these being weakened in old age breed weaknesse of the body and difficulty of swallowing and of speaking Those which stretch the words to the Hearing or to the eye-lids or to all the senses seeme to misse most of the true meaning doores Lips When for want of teeth the meat is rolled and ravelled in the mouth and hath need of shut lips to keep it from falling out of the mouth at the voice of the bird Shall wake out of sleep at every little noise through the badnesse of sleeping and wearines to lie long in bed by reason of little ease and much paine and akings daughters of musik That we can neither sing our selves nor be delighted with the musik of others 2 Sam. XIX 34 35. afraid of that which is high To go up it verse 5 being weak and short-winded And fear stumbling at every little stone in the way Both heights and hollows in the way annoy their goings almond-tree The gray-hairs which some call the white flowers of the Church-yard grashoppers Every light thing shall be a burthen to them who are now already become a burthen to themselves and desire shall faile The lust of the flesh libido As also the lust of the eye and the pride of life In decrepit age all these desires die though they reigned and raged in him before long home The grave his own house and long home Nox est perpetua Vna dormienda Esay XIV 18. never to returne hither again Job VII 10. But long to abide there till the Resurrection-day mourners Jer. IX 17. verse 6 and XXII 18. Amos V. 16. See Job III. 8. silver cord The marrow of the back-bone be loosed or lessened and contracted whence old men grow crooked and bending in the back Some take this for the sinewes which are the ligaments of all the members and are loosened by cold humours and palsie-distempers golden bowle The heart the blood of it or the pericardion or the brain pan pia-mater and pericranion Some understand this of the cista fellis the gaul and choler which easily breaks out in old men Some of the skull parted in the sâ—tures and seams of it diseases grow round as a bowle-golden for the colour and precious use of it in preserving the brains or the pitcher be broken at the fountain By fountain we may understand those principal parts as the Heart Head Liver from whence the vital supplies of spirit heat blood sense and motion are drawn into the body By Cisterne the same aforesaid or those places of the body whereinto those vital supplies are drawn and conveyed By the pitcher and wheele the veins arteries and sinewes which as subservient instruments do conveigh those supplies into the several parts of the body Some understand by the pitcher the bladder and by the cisterne the belly that neither duly performe their office by the fountaine or spring the issuing forth of the water the retentive faculty of the muskle at the neck of the bladder being broken so that water the urine issueth from him insensibly without stay the wheele broken at the cisterne The Lungs broken off from their motion of inspiration and respiration by phlegme from the stomach stopping and stifling the Lungs The Lungs are as the wheele transmitting the aire in and out up and down and when this free course is stopped then follows ratling in the throat and death after The stomach is the cisterne from all the body And the spirit shall returne Gen. II. 7. Joh XXXIV 14 15. verse 7 And even the wisest Heathen have avouched the immortality of the soul and a life of joy or paine after this life ended according to our carriage here So Socrates Plato Cicero Plutarch Epicharmus Euripides Lucretius Heraclitus Virgil and others