into Egypt Matthew passeth by the father of Ieconias 267. 2 King 23. 30. Iosias was buried at Ierusalem before the Babylonish captivity Mat. 1. 11. Iosias begat Ieconias and his brethren in the captivity of Babylon Iosias in his posterity begat Iechonias and his brothers kindred who lived when that miserable carrying captive into Babylon began 268. 2 King 25. 29. Iechonias or Ioachin died in Babylon Mat. 1. 12. After the transmigration unto Babylon Iechonias begat Salathiel That was done after the beginning of the captivity but not after the confirmation of it when the time was that Evilmerodach lifted up the head of Ioachim in the 37 year of his reign over Babylon when the time of deliverance drew on The two Books of CHRONICLES THey are called Paralipomena from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is from being passed by Things that are passed by in the Books of the Kings are contained here In Hebrew they are named Dibre Hajamin that is Words of dayes of Chronicall Annals because they contain Annals and Histories The first sets down the Genealogie of Adam of the Patriarchs and Tribes of Israel with the reigns of Saul and David The latter hath the History of Solomon and of all the Kings of Iudah and Israel to the Babylonish captivity and their enlargement by Cyrus which is done in the year of the world 3435. They were both written by Esdras 269. 1 Chron. 2. 9. The sons of Ezrom Ieramuel and Ram. Matth. 1. 3. Ezrom begat Aram. Ram and Aram were but one in Hebrew Ram in Syriack Aram signifies Noble or High 270. 1 Chron. 3. 11. Ioram begat Ochozias of whom came Ioas. Matth. 1. 8. Ioram begat Ozias Ochosias Joas and Amasias are left out by the Evangelist because they reigned not well and to observe the 14 generations that is the 14 persons of Kings in the genealogie of Christ 271. 1 Chron. 3. 18. The son of Salathiel Pedajah of Pedajah Zorobabel Ezd. 3. 2. Mat. 12. 2. Salathiel begat Zorobabel Zorobabel was the nephew to Salathiel which he begat by his son Pedajah 272. 1 Chron. 10. 6. Saul died and his three sons and all his house died together 2 Sam. 2. 8. Abner made Isbosheth the son of Saul King over Israel Isbosheth after his fathers death though he had for a time the name of a King at last he was miserably slain in his bed and Mephiboseth was by favour in the Court of David without any rule so the family of Saul perished rightly with him nor ever could aspire any more to any eminent dignity 273. 1 Chron. 18. 12. Abishai smote Edom in the valley of salt 18000. 2 Sam. 8. 13. It was David Psal 60. 2. That Victory is imputed to Joab Abishai with Joab having the Army divided conquered the enemy at the first assault he overcame 6000 of the Edomites Joab killed 12000 of those that fled away but the victory is imputed to David as their King 274. 2 Chron. 2. 14. Hiram was the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan whose Father was of Tyre 1 King 7. 14. He was the son of a widow of the trihe of Nephtalim The Father of Hiram was of the tribe of Nephthalim who lived many years in Tyria and had a wife of the tribe of Dan. 275. 2 Chron. 8. 1. Solomon built those Cities which Hiram restored to him 1 King 9. 11. Solomon gave to Hiram twenty Cities in the Land of Galilee Solomon gave to Hiram those Cities for twenty years that he might have a yearly revenue from them untill the charges were paid to him then Hiram restored them to Solomon and he built them and made the children of Israel dwell in them 276. 2 Chron. 19. 2. Josaphat because he lent help to the wicked and made friendship with those that hated God deserved Gods wrath Gen. 14. 13. Abraham and Isaac were in league with heathen Kings and Gentiles Leagues in civill affaires are granted but otherwise there can be no firme league made with them So was David at peace with his Neighbours and Abraham with the Cananites 277. 2 Chron. 35. 18. There was not the like Passover in Israel from the dayes of Samuel the Prophet 2 King 23. 22. There was not the like passover from the dayes of the Judges which judged Israel nor all the dayes of the Kings of Judah Samuel was the last of the Judges the meanning therefore of the words is this there was no passover like that from the time that Kings began in Israel 278. 2 Chron. 35. 34. Josias was killed in battail by the City of Megiddo by the Archers of the Egyptians Chap. 34. 38. I will gather thee to thy Fathers and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace Josias his reign death and buriall were peaceable though he were wounded in the war fighting against Pharaoh Necho contrary to Gods word yet there is no doubt of his salvation EZDRAS two Books THey were both written by Ezdras and contain the return of the Jews from Babylon to Judea and the building of the Temple and of the City Jerusalem the correction of the people and restitution of religion With the History of 200 years 279. Ezd. 1. 5. There rose up the chief of the Fathers of Judah and Benjamin the Priests and the Levites with all them whose spirit God had raised 1 Chron. 9. 3. The Israelites the Priests Levites the Nethinims went up to Jerusalem the children of Judah Benjamin Ephraim and Manasses There came to Jerusalem in their return not onely the children of Judah but of other tribes and they restored the worship of God amongst themselves who were before time transported out of Judea with them into Babylon 280. 1 Ezd. 2. 5. The sons of Arah returned 775. Neh. 7. 10. They are recorded 652. First are set down those that gave up their names to return then those that came into Judea the rest remaining in Babylon or perishing in the journey so also is reconciled the unequall number of other families 281. 1 Ezd. 2 6. The children of Pabath-moab 800 and Joab of the children of Joshua and Moab 280 2. Neh. 7. 11. The children of Pahath-moab of the children of Joshua and Moab 2818. There was a lesse number of some of those families but at length it grew greater by the dignity of those that went forth and greatest of all when others joyned themselves to them that had not set down their namâ—s 282. 1 Ezd. 6. 3. Cyrus the King decreed that the house of God should be built at Jerusalem and let them lay the foundations the height thereof 60 cubits and the breadth thereof 60 cubits 1 King 6. 2. The house which King Solomon built for the Lord the length thereof was 60 cubits the breadth 20 cubits the height 30 cubits The structure of Solomons Temple was more 2 Chron. 3. 3. Agg. 2. 3. 1 Eld. 3. 12. beautifull then this therefore the Elders that saw this wept
known the Father in him 756. Joh. 14. 12. He that believeth on me the works that I doe shall he doe also and greater chap. 3. 2. No man can doe those Miracles that thou doest Christ means not works of divine Creation Redemption or Sanctification but of his mission such Miracles as he wrought in the world such and greater then they were wrought by the Apostles whose shadows cured sick men as they passed by after Christs Ascension and the wonderful conversion of the Gentiles followed 757. Joh. 14. 13. chap. 16. 24. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name that will I do Ask and you shall receive Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not We ought to ask in Christs Name in full confidence of his merits with true faith and without doubting spiritual or corporal blessings with exception of Gods will and our own salvation in all occasions and in all our prayers they that ask so receive and they that receive not ask amisse 758. Joh. 14. 23. If any man love me he will keep my words vers 23. The Word which ye hear is not mine The Word that Christ taught was his but not any invention of his but his Fathers Word which he was sent into the world to preach 759 Joh. 14. 23. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him Rom. 7. 20. Sin dwelleth in me vers 14. I am sold under sin The first place is concerning the inhabitation of the Sacred Trinity in the spiritual part of a regenerate man The latter is of the dwelling of sin in our carnal members 760. Joh. 15. 15. I call you not servants but friends Mat. 25. 21. Well done good servant The Disciples were Christs servants by right of creation redemption and vocation friends by right of adoption communication and patefaction Aug. tr 55. on John 761. Joh. 15. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 16. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you In the Scriptures some things are said to be full which are to be fulfilled in the former place Christ speakes concerning the knowledge of God and the perfect worship of Christians in it self in the latter concerning the understanding of this Word which the Disciples by reason of their rudenesse could not bear before they had received the holy Ghost nor did they understand it 762. Joh. 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth Gal. 2. 11. Peter erred after he had received the holy Ghost The Apostles were led into all truth in parts and degrees of it After they had received the holy Ghost they erred not in doctrine in writing or teaching but in life and conversation such was the errour of Peter which was to be reproved whilest he conversed amongst the Gentiles 763. Joh. 16. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Mat. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2. He had given them the form of Prayer before The Disciples did indeed pray before but not so plainly with a clear knowledge of Christs Office that their prayers should be heard for the Messias that was sent 764. Joh. 16. 26. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Rom. 8. 26. He makes intercession for us Christ alone doth not pray for us but we also must come to the Father and in his Name at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation 765. Joh. 17. 3. That they may know thee Father to be the only true God Act. 20. 28. The Son is God chap. 5. 4. The holy Ghost is God Onely here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but creatures and Idols which are no gods 766. Joh. 18. 20. I speak openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing Mar. 9. 28. He taught his Disciples privately in the Desert In the first place he speaks of his doctrine which he brought from Heaven that he might reveal it to all men and teach it publickly and in the temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publickly 767. Joh. 19. 9. Jesus answered not Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. Christ Jesus before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession To Pilates question first Christ did not answer because he stood before him to suffer and not to plead or excuse at length he gave testimony to the Truth in words and deeds for his passion and death were a sufficient testimony and sealing of his doctrine 768. Joh. 20. 1. Christ rose on the first day of the week Mat. 12. 40. The Son of Mâ—â— shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth untill the third day This is a Synecdochical computation of time for the least part of the day of the preparation is taken for a whole day and the beginning of the day after the Passeover or the Sabbath is taken also for a whole day Christ was three days in the grave but it was incompleatly three days so also he was two nights in the grave the night before being added to them 769. Joh. 20. 1. Mary Magdalen came early when it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher Mar. 16. 2. Very early they came to the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun When it was yet dark very early in the morning she went out of her house and the City waiting for the rest of the women with which afterwards she came to the Sepulcher at the Sun-rising 770. Joh. 20. 17. Touch me not Ver. 26. Reach hither thy finger Christ after the Resurrection would not be touched of Mary Magdalen who only sought him after a carnal way and thought of enjoying him no otherwise then she did formerly by his earthly presence amongst them But he commanded Thomas to touch him that his faith being confirmed he might be a more certain witnesse of Christs Resurrection The ACTS of the APOSTLES LVKE the Evangelist describes either in generall all the Acts of the Apostles or in speciall Peters Preachings Acts Visions Miracles Imprisonments the Conversion of Paul his Travels Disputations Miracles Bonds Imprisonments and the History of the Primitive Church after Christs Ascension from 26 years unto the 60 year from Christs Nativity 771. Acts 1. 1. Of all things that Jesus began both to do and teach Luke wrote John 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Luke in the first Book wrote of all things necessary for our salvation though not of all things but summarily concerning the conception of Jesus Christ his Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension into heaven August Christ did many things that are In John Tract 49. not written as John the Evangelist witnesseth but those things were chosen to be written which might suffice for the salvation
second who succeeded him fell by the sword 198. Josh 11. 19. There was not a City which yeelded not it self up to the children of Israel Yet in the time of the Judges and the Kings many Cities were not in their possession Joshua took all the Cities he came at by force and those that were to be taken and they were to be delivered to Israel for a possession 199. Josh 15. 8. Jerusalem was in the tribe of Judah Chap. 18. 28. Benjamin is numbred In the borders of Judah and Benjamin at first they were two small Cities at last they were joyned into one and fortified with a wall round about 200. Josh 15. 63. The children of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites unto this day 2 Sam. 24. 18. The Jebusites were in their own possessions in the time of David who bought the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite Because the Israelites spared the Jebusites and the Benjamites took them into their protection so that the remainders of them were tolerated unto Davids time that succeeded ill to the people of Israel who by their society were Exod. 1. 21. drawn to Idolatry JVDGES THis Book is so called from the Judges of the people of the Jews It contains the condition of the children of Israel after the death of Joshua under 16 Judges The Idolatry of Micha The wickednesse of the Gibeathites The slaughter of the Benjamites It was written by Samuel It contains the History of 300. years 201. Judg. 5. 31. Let all the enemies of the Lord perish Prov. 25. 21. If thy enemy hunger Mat. 5. 44. Luk. 6. 35. Rom. 12. 20. feed him with bread if he thirst give him water to drink We must do good to our enemies but not to Gods enemies and for private injuries we must not curse them but as they are Gods enemies of whom there is no hope of their conversion out of zeal of a S. Spirit we may pray also for their destruction 202. Judg. 6. 17 36. Gedeon asketh a signe from God Mat. 12. 39. An evill generation seek for a signe Gedeon was confirmed in his office by a signe given from God so Moses and Joshua Christ cals the Pharisees an evill generation justly because they out of curiosity sought for a signe Let us be content with the word of God 203. Judg. 6. 21. Gedeon sacrificed on a rock Lev. 1. 5. The sons of Aaron shall offer the sacrifices on the Altar Gedeon offered the matter of the sacrifice to the Lord and God himself was the Priest in burning the offering nor was there any Leviticall officer present and the event teacheth us that what Gedeon did was from divine instinct 204. Jugd 11. 39. Jephtha did according to his vow Vers 31. Whatsoever cometh forth of the dores of my house to meet me I will offer up for a burnt-offering to the Lord. Deut. 12. 31. The Lord hates all the abominations that the Gentiles used to their Gods and those that offered us their sons and daughters and burned them in the fire Jephtha vowed disjunctively that whatsoever should first meet him out of his house should be the Lords that it should be either sacrificed or deputed for Gods service for he knew that all living creatures could not be offered in sacrifice to the Lord therefore he consecrated his daughter for the work of the Sanctuary Ve. 38. for she being sanctified to God knew no man and she bewailed her virginity 205. Jud. 13. 7. Samson was a Nazarite from his mothers womb unto the day of his death Mat. 2. 23. It was fulfilled in Christ he shall be called a Nazarite The Nazarites in the old Testament were votaries according to Law Num. 6. who gave themselves wholly to meditate upon divine matters and others which were born so as Samson here on whose head never rasor came nor was his head ever shorne others were called so both wayes joyntly Christ was prefigured by them who was most free from all uncleannesse commonly called a Nazarite because he was brought up in the Town of Nazareth 206. Judg. 16. 31. Samson killed himself Exod. 20. 14. Thou shalt not kill Samson killed not himself with the Philistins by any rashnesse of his own but he did that by the instinct and power of God and was a figure of Christs overthrowing our enemies RUTH IT is so named from Ruth a woman Samuel describes in this Book Ruths dutifulnesse to her Mother in Law and the integrity of Boas who was Davids Grandfather 207. Ruth 3. 4. Naomi perswades Ruth to lie down at Boas feet 1 Tim. 2. 9. Women adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety That was indeed a dangerous counsell nor must it be drawn in for an example Naomi was brought on to do that by the Law of raising children to the brother that was dead Yet God hindred that no dishonesty happened thereby 208. Ruth 4. 13. Boas took Ruth and she was his wife and he went in unto her Deut. 7. 3. You shall make no marriages with them Moah who was the son of Lot of his posterity they were not forbid to marry wives but of the Hittites Gergeshites Ammorhites Cananites Perisites Hivites Jebusites c. Ruth followed the true Religion and the Nation of the Jews and not the Moabites The two Books of SAMVEL Heb. Schemuel IN the first Book is described the life and death of Samuel with the Government of Saul In the second the translation of the Kingdome to David and his administration of it Samuel writ the first book to the 25. Chapter The rest with the second Book were writ by Nathan and Gad both Prophets In these two Books is contained the History of 120. yeares 209. 1 Sam. 3. 13. Eli knew his sons did wickedly and he restrained them not Chap. 2. 24. He said to his sons Wherefore do you all these things that I hear of you from all the people do not so my sons it is no good report The correction of Eli in reproving his sons was too gentle nor is it accounted for a restraint Chrysostome saith if Eli had been unreproveable in Mat. hom 17. himself in his life he should more sharply have corrected his sons treading under foot the Law of God therefore was he justly punished 210. 1 Sam. 7. 2. From the day that the Arke of God abode in Kirjath-jearim the time was long for it was twenty years and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 1 Chron. 13. 6. David in the fifth year brought it from thence The Ark was in Kirjath-jearim unto the days of Saul who first brought it into the Army and then sent it back to its place David being made King first translated it to Obed-edoms house and after that unto the mountain of Sion 211. 1 Sam. 9. 16. Thou shalt anoint him to be Captain over my people Israel for I have looked upon my people because their cry is come unto me Hos 13. 11. I gave thee a King in mine
JOELS Prophesie the son of Pethuel HE Prophesied in the year 3239. That the Israelites should be carried captives into Assyria he exhorts them to repentance and promiseth mercy to them that are penitent 480. Joel 1. 13. Chap. 2. 12. Turn you unto me with fasting with weeping and with mourning Mat. 6. 17. When thou fastest anoint thy head and wash thy face that thou seem not to fast before men Christ discommends not private or publick fastings but he taxeth the hypocrisie of the Pharisees in their fasts for godly people must not sound a trumpet but be content to have God the witnesse of their works 481. Joel 2. 14. Who knoweth whether God will return and repent and pardon us Jam. 1. 6. He that doubts is like a wave of the sea Who knoweth belongs not to remission of sins but removing of punishment for that is to be prayed for upon condition of the will of God and our good 482. Joel 2. 28. Isai 44. 3. And it shall come to passe after this that I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh 2 Sam. 23. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy men of God spake as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Joel speaks of the state of the Church after the coming of Messias and of the comparing of the spirituall gifts of the Jewish and Christian members of the Church And he teacheth that after the Messias shall be come the spirituall gifts of God shall be greater amongst all men but not that all under the new Testament should have the gift of Prophesie The latter places are of publick and ordinary prophesie 483. Joel 2. 32. Whosoever cals upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered Heb. 6. 4. Chap. 10. 26. They that are once enlightned if they fall they cannot be restored The first place speaks of the faithfull who call on the Lords name in faith The latter concerning Apostates that sin against the holy Ghost who have neither faith nor true prayer though they pray with their lips for they do it not sincerely and therefore their prayers are an abomination to God 484. Joel 3. 20. But Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation Amos 9. 11. The Tabernacle of David is fallen down Mat. 24. 1. Act. 15. 16. The promises of the perpetuity of the Temple and Kingdome of Judah belong not to the building and wals of the City or the civill kingdome but to the perpetuity of the Kingdome of Christ and his Church against which the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail and they are conditionall upon their faith obedience and purity of Divine worship AMOS his Prophesie WHo was of the common people amongst the heardsmen of Tekoa He prophesieth of the wrath of God to the Kings and Kingdomes of Judah and Israel and he threatens Famine Sword Pestilence devastation and ruine to the neighbours who were enemies to Gods people He prophesied in the year 3153 in the dayes of Josiah King of Judah 485. Amos 1. 3. 6. 9. 11. 13. Chap. 2. 1. 4. 6. For three transgressions and for four I will not spare And at length he reckons but one It is a periphrasis of the seventh number which three and four do make which is called a perfect number in the Scriptures and a certain number is put for an uncertain as if he would have said For many iniquities I will not spare those Nations 486. Amos 5. 21. I hate I despise your feast dayes Exod. 20. 8. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day God hated the feasts and solemnities of the Israelites because they were defiled with humane traditions and a Pharisaicall opinion of merit But he doth not despise the Sabbaths appointed by himself and feasts which are kept at his command 487. Amos 5. 18. Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord that day of the Lord is darknesse Mat. 6. 10. Thy Kingdome come Chap. 24. 30. Let it come with glory The Prophet speaks of the day of Judgement of this world which hypocrites desire who look to be justified in their works and not of the last judgement which godly men ought to pray for and to cry without ceasing Come Rev. 22. Lord Jesus 488. Amos 5. 26. But ye have born the Tabernacle of your Moloch and the images of your Idols the star of your God Rempham the statutes of your Gods which you made for your selves I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus Act. 7. 43. You took up the Tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your God Rempham figures which you made to worship them and I will carry you beyond Babylon Stephen cites this Prophesie though in divers Rom. 16. 19 1 Eâ—d 8. 17. words yet in the same sense so Christ and his Apostles cite other places of the old Testament Moloch and Rempham were the Idols of the Ammonites The Israelites of Damascus by Cyromedia were carryed further into Persia and the Countrey of the Caspians beyond Babylon 489. Amos 8. 14. They shall fall and never rise up again 1 Cor. 11. 22. We shall all rise The first place speaks of a resurrection from sin to grace or from death to life which is denyed to impenitent sinners But the latter speaks of the generall resurrection of our bodies at the last day OBADIAHS Prophesie HE Prophesieth against the Idumeans He comforteth the Jewes and promiseth grace and help to the people of God He prophesied in the year 3337. 490. Obad. v. 15. As thou hast done it shall be done unto thee Revel 18. 6. Double unto her double In both places is manifested the just revenge of God he is commanded to mix double for Babylon according to her works thereby to shew that the kingdome of Antichrist shall be most miserably destroyed and trod down 491. Obad. v. 21. And Saviours shall come upon mount Sion Mat. 1. 21. Jesus shall save his people from their sins The Prophet means ministeriall Saviours that is the Apostles and other Ministers of the Jer. 3. 18. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Jam. 5. 20. Isa 53. 11. Joh. 1. 29. Ephes 1. 7. Church who do serve for the salvation of those that believe in Christ by the ministery of the word and not by the merit of their works and these turning sinners from their evill wayes do save their souls from death Christ Jesus is the only Saviour who takes away the sins of the world in whom we have redemption by his bloud and remission of our sins according to the riches of his grace nor is there salvation in any other Act. 4. 12. JONAS Prophesie THe son of Amittai of the tribe of Zebulon He was sent to Nineve the Metropolis of Assyria to preach First when he refused he was cast into the sea swallowed by a fish and the third day he was cast on the shoar then being sent again to Nineve he was angry because God spared them upon their repentance therefore he was reprehended by God He
contumacy forsake her husband nor the husband to forsake his wife but if she depart let her live unmarryed or be reconciled to her husband 694. Luk. 22. 28. Ye are they who have continued with me in my temptations Mat. 26. 56. All the Disciples forsook him and fled In the former place the Disciples constancy is commended for the time past that they forsook not Christ in his temptations when others were backward In the latter is observed their scattering abroad for that at the time of Christs passion their faith was much shaken 695. Luk. 22. 29. I appoint to you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed me Mar. 10. 40. For to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give He speaks at first not of the Kingdome of heaven whereof he hath the sole government but of the administration of the Kingdome of Grace in the promulgation of the Gospel through all the world and planting of Churches by Apostolical Authority which he going to his Father left in charge with them as he had it committed to him by his Father 696. Luk. 22. 31. Satan desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat 1 Joh. 5. 18. And he that is born of God sinneth not and that wicked one that is the Devill toucheth him not Satan lays snares for godly men alwayes seeking whom he may devour that Christ confirms by example of the Disciples John teacheth that that evill one shall not hurt us though he set upon us For God is faithful who will not 1 Cor. 10. 13. suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it 697. Luk. 23. 34. Father forgive them Joh. 17. 9. I pray not not for the world Christ both by words and his own example taught us to pray for our enemies he prayed not for the world that is for wicked men hardned in their sins of whom there was no hopes of repentance we must not imitate that because he onely knew best who they were that were such 698. Luk. 24. 10. Mary Magdalen and Joanna and Mary the Mother of James which told these things unto the Apostles Mar. 16. 10. Mary Magdalen told them that had been with him Mark excludes not the other women he names Mary Magdalen either because she spake to the Apostles in the name of all the rest or else with greater affection or because she spake first The Gospel of St. JOHN IT contains a relation of Christs Person both Mat. 10. 7. according to his divine and humane Nature also his Office and pains he endured unto the death or the Crosse his Resurrection also and his appearings It was written after the other Evangelists against the Heresies of Ebion and Cerinthus being as it were a Complement of those things were let passe by the other Evangelists 699. Joh. 1. 7. John came for a witnesse to bear witnesse of the light c. 5. 34. I saith Christ receive not testimony from man John testified of Christ that he was the light Act. 1. 8. c. 10. 39. of the world not for Christs cause but for mans cause that they might believe in him For seeing he is the chief good the testimony of men or Angels can adde nothing unto him 700. Joh. 1. 8. He that is John was not that light c. 5. 35. He was a burning light John was not the light of life which enlightens Joh. 8. 12. every man that comes into the world but Christ who is the light of the world Yet John was a burning light which not of himself but before others carryed the Torch-light of the Word and enlightned many by the Ministery that so they might see that true Light and Sun of Righteousnesse So Ministers of the Church and all the godly shine before others in holy doctrine and a pious life 701. Joh. 1. 14 18. We behold his glory as of the only begotten of the Father Gal. 3. 26. For you are all the children of God by faith which is in Christ Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God Rom. 8. 15. 2 Cor. 1. 22. c. 5. 15. namely the natural Son begotten from everlasting by the communication of the whole divine Nature from the Father the faithful are called the sons of God by Adoption their faith in Christ and the holy Ghost which is called the Spirit of Adoption because by his vertue and operation he adopts us to be the sons of God 702. Joh. 1. 27. He it is who came after me v. 27. For he was before me Christ was born after John the Baptist of the Virgin Mary in the sixth moneth according to his humane Nature but he was before him as he was God from everlasting 703. Joh. 2. 4. Woman what have I to doe with thee Mat. 15. 4. Honour thy Father and Mother The words of Christ were of Information not of Reprehension For we must obey God rather then men By the word woman he implyes that the Virgin Mary must not be the object of Invocation but God only saith Epiphan Haeres 79. 704. Joh. 3. 13. No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven c. 17. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory By ascending and descending here we must understand the usurpation of heavenly things for the natural and carnal man perceiveth not those things which are from the Spirit of God And all those whom the Father gave to Christ that is the faithful shall be blessed with him for ever both in souls and bodies and so the first place is explained by the latter Christ is Head of the faithful and we are his Members he is in the midst of us and our conversation is in heaven He descended in weaknesse that he might raise us to his glory for no man can come to the Father but by him 705. Joh. 3. 17. God sent not his Son into the world Gal. 4. 4. God sent his Son God sent not his Son to judge the world in his state of humiliation but he sent him to redeem those that were under the law now in his state of exaltation he doth and will judge the world For all judgement and power is Joh. 5. 19. Mat. 28. given to him from the Father both in Heaven and in Earth 706. Joh. 4. 1. Jesus baptized v. 2. Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples Christ did not outwardly baptize with his own hands but by his Disciples yet it is called Christs Baptism because he appointed it and consecrated it by his Word sanctified it by his own Baptism adorned it and confirmed it by annexing a promise to it and because with the outward Baptism by water he joyneth the baptism by fire that is he Mat. 3. 11. Luk. 3. 17. inwardly washeth
of Beleevers 772. Acts 1. 9. Whilst the Disciples beheld Christ was taken up and a cloud received him John 3. 13. No man hath ascended up into heaven but he that came down from heaven The body of Christ was taken up visibly on high where Christ was personally before according to his Divine nature 773. Acts 1. 15. The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty 1 Cor. 15. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once The number of an hundred and twenty must be restrained to the faithfull there at Jerusalem the rest were out of this gathering in other places Luke by calling the brethren that were present sheweth that there were no women present at the Election of Matthias 774. Acts 1. 18. Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity Matth. 27. 3. He repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests and Elders Judas purchased a field not actually but by purpose and event for he hoped with those silver pieces to buy a field he acquired the money It is Metonymia adjuncti and the price wherewith the Priests bought the field 775. Acts 2. 23. Jesus being delivered by the determinate counsell and foreknowledge of God by wicked hands you have crucified and slain John 19. 11. He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The death of Christ is ascribed to God and men in divers respects God delivered him by his determinate counsell that he might procure life for us The Jews out of their diabolicall hate that they might blot out the memory of him 776. Acts 2. 33. Christ is exalted by the right hand of God John 17. 5. Christ was glorified with the Father before the world was The state of Christs humiliation and exaltation is in respect of right and profession Christ was as Mediator at the right hand of God also before his corporall Ascension but in respect of use after his Ascension 777. Acts 2. 36. God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Luke 2. 11. He is called Lord at his Nativity by the Angell Christ by right of his personall union was made Lord at his Nativity by possession and use in his Glorification declared to be so by his sitting at the right hand of God according to the rule Then a thing is said to be done when it is manifested to be done 778. Acts 2. 38. And be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost In the first place there is the command and fruit of Baptism but not the form Some by the Name Christ understand the three Persons the Father anointing the Son anointed and the holy Ghost the unction Also in the Name of Christ is in the doctrine faith knowledge and obligation of Christ 779. Acts 3. 2. And a man lame from his mothers womb they laid daily at the gate of the Temple to ask alms chap. 4. 34. neither was there any among them that lacked They that carried the lame man to the Beautifull Gate of the Temple were not of the number of those who beleeved in Christ nor the lame man himself before he was healed 780. Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed they were all filled with the holy Ghost chap. 2. 4. In the Feast of Pentecost the holy Ghost sat upon every one of them before The first place is of the increase of gifts and their boldnesse and confidence to professe the Gospel that casting away all sorrow they were full of rejoycing and preached the Word of God freely against the threatnings and interdicts of the High priests 781. Acts 7. 38. Moses received in mount Sinai the lively Oracles 2 Cor. 3. 7. Paul cals the Law the ministration of death The words of the Law were words of life because the Law hath life in it self and leads us to Christ it is not the Ministration of death in it self but in respect of mens infirmities and our corrupt nature 782. Acts 7. 2. Men Brethren and Fathers hearken vers 52. Betrayers and murderers In the former place he doth civilly use those compellation to the Jews in the later he shews what the truth is according to the Gospel they were enemies but according to Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake Rom. 11. 28. 783. Acts 7. 51. You do alwaies resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did Rom. 9. 19. Who hath resisted his will To resist the holy Ghost is not to hear him in the Word of God so the Jews rejected grace proferred unto them and despised it revealed in the Word and so were the cause of their own damnation The Apostle speaks of Gods absolute will according to that he doth all things to which we must be subject 784. Acts 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Luk. 16. 22. Lazarus was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom All the godly and faithfull children of Abraham must commend their spirits into the hands of the Sonne of God who enlivens us there is that bosom and the soul of Abraham rests there 785. Acts 8. 1. And they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judah and Samaria except the Apostles Mark 16. 15. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel The beginning of the Apostles preaching was at Jerusalem where they suffered persecutions building a Church unto Christ before they went to other Nations 786. Acts 9. 6. Go into the City and there it shall be told thee what thou must do Gal. 1. 15. Paul was not called by man neither from men to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ Saul was taught by Ananias concerning the means of his conversion but not concerning the Articles of his faith Ananias was sent to baptize him and heal him but not to call him to be an Apostle 787. Acts 9. 7. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechlesse ch 26. 14. and when we were all fallen to the earth I heard a voice The companions of Saul were first cast down then they stood speechlesse nor could they go forward untill Saul also rose from the earth 788. Acts 9. 7. They heard a voice but they saw no man ch 26. 14. They that were with me saith Paul heard not the voice Hearing the sound of the voice they understand not the meaning of it so a voice coming to Christ from heaven the company that heard John 12. 29. it said it thundred 789. Acts 9. 8. They led Saul into Damascus Gal. 1. 17. He went into Arabia Paul after his conversion was first at Damascus then he went into Arabia and so returned again to Damascus 790. Acts 9. 15 Paul bare the Name of the Lord before the Gentiles the Kings and the children of Israel Gal. 1. 16. He was separated to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of Christ He was the ordinary Apostle
labour shall not be lost 963. Gal. 5. 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit Eph. 6. 12. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers Flesh is taken in the first place for our corrupt nature in the later for men whose nature is frail and weak nor is our chief conflict with those but with spirituall powers which use many deceits and make many incursions upon the faithfull 964. Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections Eph. 5. 29. No man ever yet hated his own flesh The first place is not concerning the nature of the flesh but the desire of the regenerate man who cares not for the affections of the flesh will not serve his belly his pleasures the world or worldly delights the later is concerning self-love naturall to us all and the Apostle speaking of the wife useth the name of flesh because they are both made one flesh 965. Gal. 6. 2. Bear ye one anothers burdens ver 5. Every man shall bear his own burden In the first place is spoken of the faults and infirmities of our brethren which are indeed a burden to us yet we must bear them by sympathy and the rule of charity will have it so that all of us help our brethren and tolerate their infirmities to lift up such as are down to hide their faults so much as may be and is fitting Thou hast this fault and not that another Theoderez man hath another fault do thou bear his fault let him bear thine and so fulfill the love of charity be not curious in other mens faults for every man shall give account of his own 966. Gal. 6. 4. Let every man prove his works 1 Cor. 3. 13. The fire shall try every mans work In the first place is intimated what is our duty to make our works approved to God in the later place the fire signifies either the holy Ghost or afflictions by which we are tried The Epistle of St PAUL to the EPHESIANS HE commemorates the benefits of God which are part and recites our Election Redemption Sanctification Vocation into the Church Justification by faith our future inheritance of eternall life and our duties in generall of us all in speciall of married people and unmarried of Parents of Children of Masters and of servants It was written from Rome in the Year of Christ 59. and sent by Tychicus 967. Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption Rom. 8. 18. We wait for future glory and the redemption of our bodies We have redemption in Christ from the guilt of sinne by our justification we expect a full redemption from inherent sinnes in our glorification for Christ shall transform our mortall bodies that he may make them like to his glorious body that as we are one with him here in soul and body by grace so we may be also in glory 968. Eph. 3. 5. The mystery of Christs incarnation was in other ages unknown to men Col. 1. 5. You have heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel It was unknown to the Fathers under the Law in respect of fulnesse and clearnesse of knowledge revealed since Christ came and it was made manifest to the whole world by the Ministry of the Apostles 969. Eph. 3. 15. All paternity is named from God the Father Joh. 8. 44. The devil is the father of lies God is the Father of heavenly and earthly paternity the devil is excluded from these for he hath no such paternity but as he is the Authour he is called the Father of a lie 970. Eph. 4. 19. The Gentiles gave themselves over to lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse Rom. 1. 28. God gave them over to a reprobate minde The Gentiles gave themselves over in regard of their sinnes God gave them over in regard of punishment 971. Eph. 5. 25. Husbands love your wives Luk. 14 26. Wives are to be beloved as they are wives but if they hinder us from following Christ they are to be hated with such a hatred as proceeds not from anger but zeal to Gods glory 972. Eph. 5. 33. Let the wife see that she reverence Deut. 6. 13. her husband Matth. 10. 28. Rather fear God Fear in respect of God must be guided the same way that love must God must be beloved above all not excluding fear which is due to others 973. Eph. 5. 1. Be ye followers of God 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of me The Apostle warns the Ephesians to be followers of God for by that they shall fructifie the more Ae exhorts the Corinthians to follow him that as he followed Christ so they would learn of him as if he would have said If you cannot follow Christ yet follow me at least that am his servant 974 Eph 5. 26. Christ hath cleansed his Church by the washing of water by the word 1 John 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins Christ purgeth away our spots with his blood as with water by the Word and Sacraments as by instruments he communicates to us the power of his death 975. Eph. 6. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood Gal. 5. 17. The spirit and the flesh are contrary In the former place mention is made of our principall and capitall enemy that is the devil in the later of the concupiscence of our corrupt flesh and the strife of it against the Spirit The Epistle of St PAUL to the PHILIPPIANS HE exhorts them to patience and not to be offended with his chains but that they should live patiently in mutuall love and take heed of false Teachers and study to lead a life unblameable Written from Rome by Epaphreditus 976. Phil. 2. 7. He was made in the likenesse of man and was found in fashion as a man 2 Cor. 5. 16. Henceforth know we Christ no more after the flesh The first place is concerning Christs true humanity who after his humiliation was exalted of God above all creatures and made to be Lord in the glory of the Father 977. Phil. 2. 9. God hath given him a Name which is above every name Matth. 1. 21. In his conception Luk. 2. 21. In his Circumcision they called his name Jesus By the Name above all names is understood Majesty and glory given from God the Father Mat. 1. 22. unto Jesus Christ our Lord. In his conception he was called Jesus because he shall save his people from their sinnes 978. Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 2 Tim. 1. 12. I am certain because the Lord is able to keep that which I committed unto him The Apostle means fear and trembling not that which is servile but filiall which is opposed to presumption and security least we should grow insolent upon the confidence of our gifts but that we should altogether depend on the mercy and goodnesse of God 979. Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I were already perfect ver 15. So many