beautified and whereof God complains Gen. 6.5 7. and Row 5.12 yet not altogether without a Remedy for that dreadful Defection of the First Adam was happily repaired by the blessed Refection of the Second Adam The Lord most graciously found a Ransom for faln Man Job 33.24 the promised Seed of the Woman Christ was a Cover for his sin and a Cure also So that Adam and the elect world in him was delivered from going down into the Pit he was redeemed from the Infernal-Deep In the History of this Grand Malady there be sundry Branches considerable described as 1 The Tempter and Author of the Temptation Gen. 3.1 2 The Temptation it self whereof we have a description in v. 2 3 4 5. 3 Mans free Inclination Assent and Consent to it v. 6. which brought forth his Sin and Fall 4 Then follows the sad Consequents thereof which are principally three 1. His Arraignment at Gods Bar. 2. His Doom passed upon him there 3. His Ejectment out of Paradise in the following Verses to the end Thus the acts of Gods Providence succeed the acts of his Creation 1. Of the first of these to wit the Tempter which indeed was two in one Satan in the Serpent and this Union Athanasius doubts not to compare with the Union of the two Natures in one Christ Quaest 20. Tom. 2. pag. 363. which Collation or Comparison is not altogether inconvenient except that the Vnion of the two Natures in Christ is an indissoluble Union and everlasting but this Vnion of Satan and the Serpent was but for a short time made onely for this seducing work 'T is true Moses mentions onely the Serpent both in the Action and in the Doom for the Action calling the Seducer the Serpent but makes no mention of Satan at all The 1 reason was this Moses acts the part onely of an Historian but not of an Interpreter also and therefore he reporteth things that were visible and as they appeared without any intimation of the Devil who was invisible in the Serpent Thus the story of Samuels Apparition after his death to Saul calls it plainly Samuel because it so appeared although it was undoubtedly Satan in the similitude of Samuel 1 Sam. 28.11 14. inasmuch as the dead hath no Mantles to bring along with them from the Grave or place of the Dead Thus also Moses calls the three Angels that appeared unto Abraham three Men because they seemed to be so Gen. 18.2 And that Angel who wrestled with Jacob and was indeed the Lord of Angels yet Moses calls him a Man because he so appeared Gen. 32.24 Moreover Moses mentions not the Name of the Devil because he had not at all mention'd any thing of the Creation or Corruption and Fall of Angels And 3. Such was the rudeness of the Children of Israel for whom and to whom Moses wrote that they could not well conceive of any other but of the visible Creatures 4. Lastly Moses did then use dark Expressions because the clear Light and full Understanding of things ought to be deferred and referred to the Kingdom of Christ And though Moses do not speak expresly of the Creation of Angels with other Creatures yet doth he it tacitely and implicitely Gen. 1.1 and 2. 1. For if God Created all things in Heaven and Earth then he must Create the Angels seeing they are Creatures Psal 104.4 and in Heaven Mat. 18.10 therefore are they call'd the Angels of Heaven Mat. 24.36 Gal. 1.8 And as all sublunary Creatures are the Host of God on Earth his Foot Army or Nether Forces so the Angels are the Host of God in Heaven his Horse Army or Upper Forces Gen. 2.1 and 31.1 2. Numb 22.31 Josh 5.1.3 2 King 6.17 and 19.35 1 King 22.19 Mat. 26.53 and Luke 2.13 Neither could it sute with Moses proposed holy design of Writing which was to shew the Creation of all things from God and nothing was Eternal but God to pass over in silence altogether the Creation of those most Excellent Creatures Besides Moses makes mention of the Angel with a flaming Sword at the Gate of Paradise Gen. 3.24 See more suprà 'T is likely they were Created with the Heavens in the first Day Seeing those Morning Stars and Sons of God did sing praises when God fastened the foundations of the Earth Job 38.4 6 7. And 't is as likely that the Evil Angels did fall from their Angelical perfection immediately after their Creation as Man through the Devils malice did fall from his perfect State immediately after his For 't is expresly said the Devil persisted not in the Truth but he left that proper Station assigned to him for his Ministration in the Heavens John 8.44 and Jude 6. and 2 Pet. 2.4 and he drew a great multitude of Angels with him into his Rebellion against God whereby they all as Rebels with him were expelled out of Heaven and confined to the Prison of Hell hence arose the Devils and his Angels Implacable and Everlasting malice against God and because God was out of his reach against Man Gods Master-piece By all this it plainly appears that there was then a malicious Devil against Man an envious One or Enemy His Enemy Mat. 13.25 28 39. An Enemy both to God and Man who was wakeful and watchful to sow Tares where God had sowed good Seed in the Field of Man For Satan since his Fall neither thinks nor desires nor endeavours nor speaks nor works any other thing but what is hateful to God and hurtful to Man The Devil and his Angels that fell with him do nothing but deceive Men 1 King 22.22 23. provoking them to sin 1 Sam. 18.9 10. 2 Sam. 24.1 and 1 Chron. 21.1 raging cruelly against them Job 1.11 14 to the end and Job 2.5 7. Mat. 8.28 and 9.32 And how malicious was that Devil so to tear that good Man Mark 9.20 How merciless was he so to cast him into the two merciless Elements sometimes into the fire and sometimes into the water v. 22. And every where in the New Testament yea designing to draw all Mankind into the same Everlasting perdition with himself 1 John 3.8 9. 1 Pet. 5.8 Eph. 6.12 and many other places This Devil quasi do evil began to do evil to the first Man that was upon Earth and will never end so doing until the last Man expire at the End of the World This brings me to the second Branch to wit his doing evil to our First Parents seducing them by his Lies that they might forfeit their Lives and plunge themselves headlong into Eternal Death Gen. 3.1 2 3 c. John 8.44 2 Cor. 11.3 How Satan manag'd that matter of malice against Man I have largely related in nine particulars See my Church History the first Plot from page 3. to the 9th page and therefore shall not here insist upon that Take only some Remarks for a further and fuller Illustration of the Tempters first and most fierce Temptation The first Remark is The Tempters
lost God's Ear and Answer but David found both and though God had given an Answer to David by degrees and one piece of his Divine pleasure after another at Keilah Chap. 23.10 11. yet here God gives him an Answer with more expedition and all at once because the nature of his present Circumstances would not admit of any delay Oh how good is our God in his Divine Condescensions unto his Servants necessities thus to accomodate his Answers to our Addresses either slowly or speedily according as the matter doth require The Second Antecedent of David's Expedition here is his making use of Humane Help also in a way of subserviency to the Divine Oracle for David dare not tempt the Lord by a neglect of means nor durst the expect any extraordinary Miracles where the Lord afforded him ordinary means and helps David's Humane helps were twofold First Domestick he being encouraged by God's Oracle pursues the Amalekites with 600 Men but one third part of them fainted and were not able to pass over the Brook Besor v. 9 10. This was a new Exercise of David's faith and 't is a wonder he did not doubt of the truth of God's call to this Expedition when he saw God's Providence crossing him thus in it Carnal Reason would suggest to him that his 600 Men were few enough encounter so great an Army of the Amalekites But God saith to David here as he had said to Gideon the People that are with thee are too many for God to work by Judg. 7.4 God strikes off 200 from the 600 that the glory of the Victory might be ascribed to God and not to Man David's Second Humane Help was foreign namely an Egyytian the Servant of an Amalekite whom they found in the Field v. 11 12 13 14 15 16. wherein those Marvelous Occurrences of Divine Providence did concur for the promoting of David's Design N. B. Note well As First A Guide for him in his blind March was intercepted v. 11. finding a Man lying in the Field in a Souldier's Habit ready to perish by sickness and hunger as this was a good Providence to David thus to find one that had belonged to the Enemies Army who knew how to lead him to the Amalekites that had so barbarously left him so it was no less good to himself For Secondly By this means the poor perishing Creature was recovered from being famished v. 12. David a stranger was more charitable to him and that before he knew whether the Fellow could or would do him any service than had been his own Cruel Master at that time Thirdly So soon as his Spirit was revived by David's benevolence he was Examined upon which he confesseth 1. That he was an Egyptian by Nation 2. His Employ was that of a Servant 3. His Master was an Amalekite 4. But a Churlish one for leaving me behind him when disenabled to march v. 13. this was a most brutish part seeing he might have carried him with the Prey N. B. Note well How unlike was this inhumane Master to the good Centurion who went to Christ for Cure of his sick Servant Math. 8.6 but more unlike the good Samaritan who took order both for the Carriage and for the Cure of a meer Stranger Luke 10.33 34 35. His Master acted more like a Cursed Amalekite whom God had devoted to utter destruction Exod. 17.14 Deut. 25.19 in casting off his Sick Servant for which barbarous Cruelty he paid dear and not only himself but his whole Company also for he might have taken better care of his Cure and Life seeing no Enemy did pursue their Army therefore had leisure enough to seat him upon some Beast or lodge him in a Waggon Fourthly After this account he had given of himself David contracts with him to discover where the Amalekites lay Hereupon having security given him for his own safety he makes a most ample discovery both of what mischief they had done against the Philistines and that part of Judah where David's Possessions which he had by the right of Abigail did lay as well as unto Ziklag which Achish out of his generosity had bestowed upon David and his Men. N. B. It may well be supposed that this Army of the Amalekites took the opportunity of Invading those Countries and remote places while the Philistims and the Israelites were so deeply engaged on both sides in a present War and this poor wretch thus revived and secured doth also make a discovery where this Triumphing Enemy Encamped in all Riot and Luxury fearing no danger from either Party at this juncture they being prepared on both sides for a sudden Battle This Man might be informed by his Master whither they marched to that in case of his recovery he might know to what place he should repair and be with them again All those Circumstances we have an account of in v. 14 15 16. The Second Considerable in this Expedition is the Concomitants thereof David having now got both sure Intelligence and such an Infallible Guide immediately Marcheth after the Amalekites his principal encouragement from the Oracle of God v. 6. being thus happily back'd with these two Additional Helps by way of Subordination N. B. David's Victory over this Enemy is described by many Circumstances ver 16 17. as First The Place where 't was When they were come to the very Borders of their own Country far enough as they thought out of any danger of either Israelites or Philistines with whom they believed David had joyn'd himself who were at this juncture engaged in a Battel Secondly The Time when namely at the twilight a time most convenient for David when the fewness of his Forces against so great a multitude might not be discovered c. Thirdly The Opportunity of David's successful Assault upon them while they were drinking dancing and dispersed abroad without any Scouts or Watch and while they were keeping an Holiday to their Gods who had help'd them to so vast a Spoil and Booty David sets upon them in this secure and careless posture as Abraham had done upon Kedorlaomer and his Accomplices and routed them Gen. 14.15 and as Ahab did afterward upon the Syrians 1 Kings 20.16 Fourthly The Quantity of the Victory both as to time lasting until the Evening of the next day so long was David in cutting off those Cursed Amalekites with those few hands of his Followers and also as to Number none escaped save 400 that rode upon Dromedaries though equal to the number of David's 400 Foot Souldiers yet were they dispirited and fled all the rest were half Dead Drunk so stood at mark for David's deadly blows Thus the Graecians assaulted Troy Invadunt Vrbem Somno Vinoque Sepultam They found the Citizens half death to their hands and 't was no more matter with Casar to Conquer a careless and secure Enemy but as he expresseth it in his Commentaries Veni Vidi Vici I Came I Saw and I Overcame Thus did David here without difficulty N.
we wait for him Hab. 2.3 the Lord is not slack concerning his coming 2 Pet. 3.9 we must be looking for his return Isa 8.17 so that when he returneth we may be able to cry with comfort This is our Lord we have waited for him we will rejoyce in his Salvation Isaiah 25.8 9. The fourth comfortable consideration is Though during this distance of time betwixt Sion's King's departing from her and his returning to her again be the time of Zion's trouble and travel The Church Militant here upon Earth is compared to a Travailing Woman tho' pangs take hold of her and she is in pain labouring to bring forth Mic. 4.8 9 10. yet this traveling-pain these labouring pangs do not last long she is at length delivered to her great satisfaction and comfort This same allusion our Lord himself maketh that the time of his Absenting himself from his Church would be her Traveling time she should suffer the pangs and pains of a Travailing woman and she should have sorrow because her hour is come yet so soon as she is delivered of a Man-Child she then remembers no more her fore-going anguish but all her former sorrow is swallowed up with present joy because God hath enabled her to bring forth a man-child into the world John 16.20 21 22. And thus the Woman Christ's Church is said to bring forth a Man-child which was caught up into Heaven for its security from the Dragon Rev. 12.5 Thus likewise we are told when Christ comes to be formed in the hearts of true penitents by such godly Ministers as Travel in birth for their Conversion as blessed Paul did Gal. 4.19 then there is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth Luke 15. verse 6 10 23 and 32. Now assuredly the Church of Christ shall not alway go with her great Belly nor shall she long complain as Hezekiah did in his Day that the Child of Reformation is brought to the Birth and there is no strength to bring forth Isa 37.3 The Lord will hasten her deliverance in his own due and appointed time Isa 60.20 and Dan. 8.19 He will work wonderful works which we never looked for Isa 64.3 Who hath heard or seen such a thing that before Zion travelled she brought forth before her pain came she was delivered of a Man-child a Nation is born in one day so soon as Zion travelled she brought forth her Childeren Shall I bring to the Birth and not cause to bring forth saith the Lord c. Isa 66.6 7 8 9. As 't is the voice of the. Lord that maketh the Hinds those girt Creatures to Calve Psa 29.9 and Job 39. ver 1 2 3 4. So and much more than so 't is the Voice of the Lord from his Temple that openeth the Church's Womb and causeth her to bring forth her sorrows with Joy and the same Voice from the Temple calleth upon all that love her to rejoice for joy with her and to suck the Breasts of Consolation unto satisfaction and to milk out so as to be Delighted with the Abundance of her Glory Isaiah 66 610 11 12 c. The fifth Cordial is Tho' there be four famous Joys that are temporal and Transitory here upon Earth and all Recorded in Scripture namely 1st The Joy of Harvest And 2dly The Joy of Victory both these be named in Isa 9.3 as very great earthly joys for 't is well known what strange transporting Joys are practiced by Country-men at the last Load of Corn led out of the Field into the Barn to which we add the shearing of Sheep which is called a good day c. 1 Sam. 25.8.36 And 't is well known what strange Triumphing Joys are made by the Conquering Soldiers when they run to divide the Rich Spoils of their Conquered Enemies 3dly There is the Joy of marriage mentioned in Cant. 3.11 Where the day of Solomon's Espousals is call'd the day of the gladness of his heart And 't is no less to other meaner men unto whom it cannot but be matter of Joy When man at his Marryng a Woman doth verily find again his Lost Rib that was taken out of his side Gen. 2. v. 21 22. Therefore marriage is near in sound to a merry age 4thly There is the Joy that succeeds this Joy of Marriage namely the Joy of a Man-child born into the World as is afore-mentioned this is likewise matter of great Joy because thereby Names Posterities Families and Generations are upheld in the World throughout all Counteries over the face of the Earth and without which the World would soon come to an end c. Yet this Joy of the Church bringing forth the Man-child of Reformation is a Joy that far transcends all the other four former Joys not only as it is 1. A Spiritual and Heavenly Joy wherein it exceeds all Joys that are only Carnal and Earthly which strangers do not intermeddle with Pro. 14.10 But also 2. Because It is an everlasting Joy Isa 35.10 61.7 65.17 18 19. Thus our Lord tells his Disciples their Joy at this Man-child's Birth upon his return will be joy which no man taketh away from them Joh. 16. v. 21 22 'T is call'd a day of Refreshing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Refrigerij a cooling day after hot persecutions Acts 3.19 yea And 3. It s a most extensive happiness as it is a day of Restitution of all â—hings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 21. as the ground of this Joy is greatest so 't is a joy that lasts longest Moreover 't is said to the faithful Servant Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. Matth. 25.21 and again verse 23. Intimating this Joy is too great to enter into us but we must enter into it and when it is once entered into we must enjoy that Joy fore ever The sixth comfortable Consideration is To behold Christ coming in his Kingdom with power and great glory Matth. 24.30 to save Zion from her Enemies Spiritual as well as Temporal and to make all her Foes to become her Foot-stool Psal 110.1 Matth. 22.44 Mark 12.36 Luke 20.42 Acts 2.35 1 Cor. 15.24 25 26. Heb. 1â— 13 and 10.13 This must needs be a most joyful sight thus often Recorded in Scripture and infinitely transcending those three famous sights which Father Augustin so earnestly wished to see namely Romam in store Paulum in Ore et Christum in Carne that is Old Rome in her Antient splendor blessed Paul preaching with his Charms of Eloquence and our most blessed Redeemer in his humane nature walking about and doing good as Acts 10.38 We are told how the Tulep call'd a Lilly doth out-shine Solomon in all his glory Matth. 6.28 29. How much more glorious will the sight of Christ be in his State of Exaltation who was greater than Solomon in his State of Humiliation Matth. 12.42 An exalted Christ is a rare sight so excellent as only to be seen of Angels 1 Tim. 3.16 yet it is said that some men shall not taste
once Familiarity and Fear Familiarity with him in our Conversation and fear of him in his Commands God loves to be acquainted with Men in the Walks of their Obedience yet he takes state upon him in his ordinances and will be trembled at in his Word and Judgments Thus it is said of Christ Surely they will Reverence my Son Matth. 21.37 As the Ark of Gods presence and Hearers are all here and before the Lord to hear his word Act. 10.33 which ought to be trembled at then God will respect us Isa 66.2 There be many more Parities or Congruities follow to be spoke to in their proper place the Sixth whereof leads in The Fourth Remark which is As by the Ark of God the River Jordan was divided and dried up insomuch that the People went dry and safe over to Canaan So by the Son of God a most plain easy and ready way is made through the Horrours of Death for us to come safely to our Heavenly Canaan and Kingdom Psal 23.4 Heb. 10.19 20. This drying up of Jordan by the Ark approaching it Josh 3.13 was a wonderful work of God and much admired by the Psalmist Psal 11.4 3 5. The many circumstances of this miracle make it the more marvelous as 1. the Time when namely at such a time when Jordan overflowed all its Banks Josh 3.15 at the time of Barly Harvest This might be Natural 1 Chron. 12.15 as to Nilus and other Rivers caused by the melting of Snow which lieth all Winter upon the adjacent Mountains and is melted in their Harvest time by the Heat of the Sun Therefore the drying of it up when it was under its most dreadful innundation must needs be the more Supernatural Hereupon the Psalmist asks the Question what ailed thee oh thou Jordan that thou wast driven back c Psal 114.5 as if he had said what was the matter What power overpower'd thee Can there any natural reasons be rendred for it No it was God powerful presence thou saw that did affright thee and not only stop'd thee in thy natural course but also caused thee to run a Retrograde Motion as God chused this very time of an Innundation 1. that his powerful kindness to Israel might be more singular and the Miracle the more admirable when God will perform his promises of deliverance to his People no created Being can obstruct his Proceedings for all Creatures are Gods Servants Psal 119.91 and shall contribute their help and not hindrances 2. So it most highly commends the strong Faith of those Holy Priests that did first set their Feet upon those Waters while they so fearfully overflowed and ran with such a rapid fierce and strong Currant 3. and Lastly this time likewise gives the greatest illustration of Gods good providence toward his People in bringing them into the Land of their Enemies even in Harvest time when it was the best furnished with all necessary Provision both for the present and the following Year here one Sowed and another Reaped Joh. 4.37 The Second Circumstance that exalts this Miracle is The place where it was wrought what part of Jordan must be dried up for Israel's March over into Canaan No place of Jordan must serve but that part which was Right over against Jericho Josh 3.16 This was the place which God chose because 1. God would shew himself to be their Captain who would lead them over in safety there where there was a strong City a potent King and a valiant People 2. Because this wonderful wafting Israel over safely there would strike a greater terror upon the Hearts of their Enemies 3. To Signalize this very place call'd after Bethabara Trajectum or place of passage where John the Baptist did Baptize the Lord Jesus Joh. 1.28 c. Here Baptism was first Administred not without Divine Direction being fore-shadowed by Israel's passage through Jordan as before through the Red-Sea 1 Cor. 10.2 to signify that Christ is the true Beth-Abara or place of passage into our Heavenly inheritance Eph. 2.18 To which may be added 4. because this place led Israel to the most pleasant and fruitful part of Canaan and therefore the most convenient both for Israel's refreshment after their long and tedious Marches and for their encouragement to their present expedition The 3. Circumstance that makes this Miracle famous is The manner how this differ'd from the drying up of the Red-Sea for 1. That deliver'd them from the Egyptians but this led them into Canaan 2. In that the Waters stood up on each side as a wall in this the upper Waters only stood up on an heap the nether Waters were clean cut off as with a Sword Job 6.17 saith Tremellius and ran away into the Dead Sea 3. There the Waters were divided at the stretching out of Moses's Rod but this was done by the presence of the Ark of Gods presence Lastly this huge Heap of the upper Waters of Jordan did not fall all at once as the Red Sea did to drown the Egyptians but being Restrain'd by the power of God abated by little and little and brought to their ordinary course otherwise the Heap being higher than the Banks had drown'd all the Country by a sudden and entire Fall The Fourth Circumstance of this marvelous Miracle is The means whereby Israel was transported it was not by Bridges or by Boats c. but on Foot yet dry shod notwithstanding the vast Innundation which teacheth us that such as are Israelites indeed Joh. 1.47 Need not to fear their passage through Jordan the Agonies of a corporal Death having the Ark of Gods Covenant in their Eye to take possession of the Heavenly Canaan Eph. 2.18 The Fifth Remark is These Holy Priests that bare the Ark of the Lord stood betwixt the People and danger as a wall of Defence to them whether their station appointed them were either in the middle of Jordan as some say from vers 17. then they preserved them from fear of the Flood overflowing them in the midst of the River or if the Priests marched end-Ways through the River to the brink of it on the other side as others do interpret vers 8. lest the People should otherwise get before the Ark who were bid to follow after it then the Priests exposed themselves to the Peril of the Enemy who might be ready to hinder their Landing as Rationally could not but be expected In which case the Peril of those Holy Priests must needs be the greater because of their distance 2000 Cubits from the rest of the Army However understood it teacheth us That 't is the frequent State and Portion of Gospel-Ministers to be most exposed unto Peril from Persecutors whose constant Cry is smite the Shepherds and the Sheep be soon scattered c. Zech. 13.7 Oh pray for Pastors who bear the brunt and burden of the Day The Sixth and last Remark is Those whom God gives up to Destruction he first gives them over to Infatuation which is the English of
vexed Israel and the Vexation of Israel by the Philistines must be reserved to be discoursed upon in the History of Samson to which it properly and peculiarly belongeth But as to the Year wherein the Ammonites began to vex Israel though some do say that time of their oppressing Israel Eighteen Years began at Jair's Death to let them know how great the loss of a good Magistrate was by their forfeiting of him Yet the Learned cannot concur with this Opinion because this inlargeth the time of the Judges beyond the just bounds expressed 1 Kin. 6.1 So that the greatest part of Jair's Judgeship was Contemporary with this Affliction of Israel by the Ammonites which Jair though a good Man could not possibly with all his Prudence and Prowess redress On the one hand Israel was now become so mad after their Idols Jer. 50.38 that he could not work a thorough Reformation of Religion among them and therefore God on the other hand gave a Commission to the Ammonites to correct those Tribes beyond Jordan about the fifth Year of Jair's Judgeship and when the baseness and backwardness of Israel was not reclaimed by sundry Deliverances from the Enemies Incursions under Jair's Conduct then the Ammonites passed over Jordan into Canaan ver 9. and sorely distressed Judah Benjamin and Ephraim on this side Jordan in all for Eighteen Years because the scab of Idolatry had spread it self from the fifth Year of Jair upon both sides of Jordan and continued to an Horrible Increase In the same Year that Idolatry began to break out in Israel the Ammonites began to break in upon them and God would not Inable Jair to deliver them from their Oppressors but gave them up to this sad Oppression The Third Remark is The Blessed Effect of this long Slavery Hereby Israel were recovered from Relapses and Reduced to Repentance For First They cry to the Lord ver 10. which no doubt they had often done before a Beast will cry when hurt but their former Cries were only the Fruits of Flesh for their own ease not of Faith for God's Favour Now they cry with their whole Heart and confessed their double Iniquity in particular and that with utmost Detestation both of forsaking God and of following Idols ver 10. Then the Lord was pleased to Expostulate the Case with them upbraiding them with divers Deliverances N. B. Note well Some whereof are not Recorded in the Holy History to shew Israel had many more Favours from God's Hand than are upon Record ver 11.12 13 14. wherein the Lord Christ appearing in an Humane Shape as he had done before Judg. 2.1 and 5.13 and 6.23 tells then He would shew them Mercy no more that is except they repent as Revel 2.5 and derides them for crying to their Idols which could not help them in their need as Elias derided the Priests of Baal 1 Kings 18.27 Hereupon Israel both Repents and Reforms then puts themselves into the Hands of God's Justice in hope of his Mercy and though we read not that the Lord gave them an Answer of Comfort yet 't is said He Repented upon their Repentance and gave them Courage to Encamp against the Enemy yet still want they one to head them ver 15 16 17 18. Judges CHAP. XI JUdges the Eleventh is the History of Jephtah's Expedition against the Ammonites the last Verse of the Tenth Chapter being an Introduction to it Israel there was at a loss for want of a Leader none durst upon their Proclamation undertake so dangerous and desperate an Enterprize though the Principality of Gilead was promised to the Undertaker Hereupon they resolve to send for Jephtah whom they knew to be excellent both for Valour and Conduct and to stipulate with him for his Encouragement That if he would accept of this place of a Leader and give the first Onset he should be their Judge and General ever after ver 8 9. The First Remark in this History of Jephtah is this Man was Banished by his own Brethren because he was a Bastard and quâ talis as Moses Law banished him out of the Congregation of the Lord Deut. 23.2 So his Wanton Brethren do Banish him as such out of their Father's Family little thinking that they should another Day be glad to be beholden to him He flies into the Land of Tob not far from Gilead where he musters up many ill-minded Men yet manageth them well in fighting against the Ammonites that bordered upon them wherein he had oft look'd Death in the Face and done brave Exploits in the Field which made Israel more forward to chuse him now for their Chieftain who had so prosper'd in plundering the Enemy for his own and his Followers Livelihood ver 1 2 3 4. The Second Remark is After this Adversity of Jephtah is usher'd in his Prosperity The Principality of Gilead is offer'd to him by the Elders of Gilead upon condition that he would be their Captain in their Warring against the Ammonites who were at this very time come forth to fight against Israel Jephtah at first refused their offer upbraiding them with their publick Act wherein they had corroborated the base private Act of his envious Brethren in Banishing of him and so had thereby made his Banishment Legal The Elders some of whom might possibly be some of his Brethren being Sons of Gilead a great Man in the Country of Gilead answer his Objection saying this pinchig necessity hath brought us to a right sense of our former oversights we did then indeed work our own Wills without Wit and Wisdom but now we come to make thee due Reparation Jephtah being Jealous through former Injuries makes his bargain wisely taking an Oath of them and so accepts of being their Captain only but not a word of being their King because Abimelech's Kingship had been so fatal to them ver 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. The Third Remark is Jephtah being now formally constituted by a Parliament at Mizpeh the Judge and Supream Governour of Israel doth most prudently and piously Treat with the Ammonites before he will fight them and that in obedience to Moses's Law Deut. 20.10 first offer Peace accordingly he sends Embassadours to Expostulate with the King of the Ammonites about his present Invasion saying Why art thou come to sight against me in my Land ver 12. he could not have call'd Gilead Jabaad his Land unless Israel had made him their Head and now hath he a just Title so to term it The King of Ammon answer'd his Embassadors That Israel were the Invaders and not he for he only came up to recover his own right which Israel had robb'd him of ver 13. Then Jephtah Replys again by his Embassadors declaring that the Ammonites Allegation was no better than a loud Lye both negando pernegando he denies it and better denies it ver 14 15. strenuously affirming that the Land in question was Israel's out of all Question and that by a Threefold Right 1. By the
Father 'till he had gathered all Israel together as Hushai had advised a great advantage to David for in that interim David had got together three Potent Armies wherewith he vanquished Absalom's numerous Host as is related in Chap. the 18th 2 Sam. CHAP. XVIII THIS Chapter is a Narrative of that fatal Fight wherein Absalom the Son fought with David his Father for the Kingdom of Israel In which Narrative there be three General Parts First The Antecedents Secondly The Concomitants And Thirdly The Consequents Remarks upon the First Part are First David Muster'd all his Forces which Josephus reckons but four thousand yet Comestor computes them to be seven thousand v. 1. but 't is probable they were many more from these Cogent Reasons The First is David's Army must needs be greatly augmented by the two Tribes and half beyond Jordan who living far distant from Absalom's Court at Jerusalem had not been corrupted with that Vsurper's flatteries nor alienated in their affections to David whom they knew to be a good King and made now miserable only by an unnatural Rebellious Son therefore out of Compassion as well as out of Loyalty they could not but flock to him in great numbers The Second Reason is Had they been so small a number as Josephus saith David needed not to have been so exact in setting Captains over them by hundreds and by thousands and in dividing them into three Battalia's and committing them to the Conduct of Three Generals as it is expresly recorded in v. 12. though the number be not c. The Third Reason is That expression Thou art worth ten thousand of us v. 3. doth imply that this number was but the one half of the Army beside a fourth part of it left behind to Garrison Mahanaim The Fourth Reason is 't is certain they were such a Considerable Army as therewith David durst venture to take the Field and rationally commit his Righteous Cause to the tryal of a pitch'd Battle The Fifth Reason is David's prospect of his Victory whereof he was so confident that he giveth charge to his Army not to kill Absolom but only to take him Prisoner but more of that after The Sixth Reason is Tho' Victory doth not indeed depend upon the multitude of Armies yet David knew well he ought not to tempt the Lord and to expect a Conquest by a Miracle which God had not promised but by the use of probable means This is evident by David's actings in his persecution by Saul who when he came against him but with three thousand men never could draw David out of his Den into the open Field with his six hundred Men but all along he still lurked in his lurking holes not daring to tempt God Therefore Great Grotius's Opinion is rather to be embraced saying Vaiithkod Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greek David mustered his Army Cum videret copias suas non minores Hostilibus When he saw his own Forces not much inferiour in number to his Enemies tho' he could commit his just cause to the protection and providence of God yet the care of the means he knew belonged to him as well as the care of the end belong'd to God and therefore could not want here such means as gave him a prospect of Victory by God's help over his Rebellious Son The Second Remark is David's offering himself to hazard his Royal Person with his Army in the Field-battel v. 2. No doubt but David had besought the Lord by Prayer had wept before him begging the pardon of all his heinous sins and after this was done he applied himself to humane helps of Martialling his Army into three Bodies after he had made a general muster and offer'd to go in person as their Generalissimo well knowing how much the presence of such a Martial Prince doth abundantly animate an Army in the heat of Battle N. B. Alas poor David had forgot this weighty notion in his time of Temptation if he had done so when Joab his General went against Rabbah the Metropolis of the Ammonites he had done far better which he did not so fell into such foul faults Chap. 11.1 2 c. He had learnt then by smarting experience that it was not King-like for him to indulge himself in ease idleness peace and pleasure at home while his Worthies were for his sake carrying their lives in their hands and exposing themselves to all hazards in the Field fighting with a numerous Enemy therefore saith he I will surely go my self with you v. 2. The Third Remark is The Armies refusal of his Royal offer v. 3. which they did not out of any contempt of the King to cross his Kingly Power and Pleasure but out of the highest veneration to his Royal Person which made them so careful and conscientious for his personal preservation and they grounded their laudable refusal of his offer upon solid Reasons As First Thou art say they the main Mark the Rebels aim at and should they know that thou art in the Field they would bend all their Forces against thee as 1 King 22.31 the Syrians did Their Second Reason is The slaughter of thee whom only the Rebels resolve to ruine would rejoyce them more than the slaughter of ten thousand of us thy Subjects for then have they their end to set up Absolom in thy Throne Chap. 17.2 Their Third Reason is The Dignity of thy Person exalts thee above ten thousand of us and therefore thy ruine by the Rebels would do ten thousand times more damage to the state of Israel Their Fourth Reason is But if thou be kept alive tho' the Rebels rout us yet mayst thou recruit a new and another Army and so disappoint them still from accomplishing their design Therefore they conclude from these premises it was both safest and most satisfactory for him to Succour them out of the City both with his Prayers for them as a Prophet and by sending all sorts of supplies out of his Magazine to them as a Prince if need required it N. B. Note well Absolom was drawn in by Hushai's craft and by a divine infatuation to be personally present in the Battle which the People here would not suffer David to do this was the utter ruine of himself and of his cause c. N. B. Learn we from this People to prize the Lord Christ of whom David was both Father and Figure the Chief of Ten Thousand as the Spouse did Cant. 5.10 and and to give him the plus and the prius the first and best of our loves and to love him more than these Sublunary and Lower things as Christ ask'd Peter Joh. 21.15 c. The Fourth Remark is David s Prudence to the People and his Indulgence to his Rebellious Son v. 4.5 wherein Mark First Oh how meekly doth David submit his Royal will to the good will of his People saying What seems you best I will do v. 4. N. B. Affliction and Meekness grow both out of one root in
Receive for himself a Kingdom c. But this was not all for himself telleth us his Errand was also to prepare a Kingdom for his Redeemed John 14.2 3 c. Our Lords Errand into that far Country of Heaven was Manifold as 1. To open a passage for us into Paradise out of which Adam had Excluded himself and all us in him the Gate whereof hath been ever since Guarded by Cherubims with a Flaming Sword Gen. 3.24 But now hath he opened this Gate saying to the Penitent Thief this Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Luke 23.43 Thus we read also when Christ gave up the Ghost the Vail of the Temple which separated the Holy from the most Holy Rent in Twain from Top to Bottom Mat. 27.51 Hereupon Christ by his Ascension is said to open a way into the most Holy place Hebr. 9 8. and 13.19 20. and 12 24. 2. To prepare a place even a Mansion of Glory for all his Members as before John 14.2 3. He went not into Heaven suo Nomine in his own Name only but in our Names also as our Father Isa 9.6 Our Lord and Master Mal. 1.6 yea our King ver 14. Now Children may follow their Fathers freely where he takes up his Lodging and Servants their Lord yea and Subjects their Soveraign Heb. 2.10 11 12. This Consideration of so near a Relation affords us not only a faint Hope but also the Riches of Assurance Col. 2.2 As he hath taken our Nature and Flesh along with him as a Pawn and Earnest of our Reception into his Glory John 17.4 Ephes 2.6 3. To send the Comforter to us John 16.7 while Christ was present with his Disples he was one Comforter to them John 14.1 but the Holy Spirit which he sent after his Departure from them was another Comforter to them John 14.16 whose work it is to remind us of his precious promises John 14.26 To help our Infirmities with Spiritual Breathings in Prayer and Mediation Rom. 8.26 and to apply all the Blessed Benefits of his Merits and Mediation by a strong Faith as a Soveraign Plaister to our Sin-sick Souls Hab. 2.4 4. To make an Attonement for us by his Intercession Hebr. 9.24 as the High Priest did for Israel Levit. 26.2.21 34 In him our Persons are Accepted Ephes 1.6 and by him our Prayers are first perfumed Revel 8.3 Then presented acceptable to God Isa 60.7 None of the People under the Law might offer his own Sacrifice but the Priest must both bring it and burn it before the Lord 'T is the work of our Mediatour both to Hallow our Prayers with his Incense as Luke 1.9 And to help them up and hand them into Heaven otherwise they are as Arrows shot short of the Mark c. as Lam. 3.44 5. To answer all Satans Accusations against us as he accused Job to God yet without cause Job 1.6 9. and 2 3. So he accuseth us who give him much cause to do so by our Manifold sins yet have we Christ our Advocate to Non-suit all his Accusations 1 John 2.1 Whose Blood speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Hebr. 12.24 Though this Accuser of the Brethren as he is called Revel 12.10 be a most Subtle Sophister and can from his almost 6000. years experience plead cunningly enough yea and not without cause yet our Advocate is not ashamed to own us Hebr. 2.11 But he Answereth this Envious Accuser I have Dyed for them they shall not Dye c. How ought we to Admire and Adore this our Advocate though Satan be a Non-such Plaintiff seeing common Plaintiffs have their Term and their Vacation and sometimes a long Vacation but Satan observeth no Vacation 't is alway Term-time with him both for Tempting us to sin and then impeaching us for sin just as the young Man taxed Joab 2 Sam. 18.11 12 13. This Restless Devil never Resteth Night nor Day Yet have we a None such Advocate against this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Adversary who taketh no Fees as ordinary Advocates do but pleads our Cause both freely and continually and whom the Father both hath heard doth hear and will hear always John 11.41 42. As this our Advocates Prayer for us doth give both Value and Vertue to our Prayers c. So it effectually disappoints Satan both of his Temptations to sin and of his Accusations for sin Luke 22.31 32. 6. Another Errand of this Traveller was to lead Captivity Captive Ps 68.18 Eph. 4.8 Namely Satan Sin and Death for before our Lords Ascension Satan had the power of Death through sin Hebr. 2.14 The Field was fought betwixt our Advocate and our Adversary upon the Cross upon which Christ Spoiled the Devil Col. 2.14 Takes him Prisoner and leads him away Captive as his Conqueror This is an Allusion to Conquering Kings who having Conquered their Enemies in the Field do take some of the Conquered Captive and having made them Tributary to his Reign he leads away his Captives in Triumph then goes he to his Pallace to rest himself and to Rule his Kingdom in Peace this our Lord doth when he maketh all his Foes to become his Foot-stool Ps 110.1 5 7. Hebr. 10.12 13 14. 7. He Ascended up on High to oversee all his Sheep that are scattered abroad over all parts of the World both Jews and Gentiles he is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Great Shepherd of the Sheep Hebr. 13.20 The grand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Overseer of Europe Asia Africa and America his Eyes run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose Hearts are upright towards him 2 Chron 16.9 while Christ was in his State of Humiliation he had but a few Disciples to be his followers and so he could easily oversee them while he remained upon the Earth but since that time he hath broken down the Partition-Wall and hath most Miraculously inlarged his Tents among the Gentiles Insomuch that a very great part of the Posterity of Japhet he hath perswaded to dwell in the Tents of Shem as was Prophesied and promised Gen. 9.27 Christ Riding upon the White Horse of the Gospel hath so gone forth Conquering and to Conquer Revel 6.2 As that now it may be said Who can tell his Generation Isa 53.8 He hath now divided the Spoil with the strong ver 12. That is with the strong Turk strong Pope and strong Devil as that he hath not only an Hundred forty four Thousand Sealed ones among the Jews Revel 7.4 But he hath a Numberless Number also among the Gentiles ver 9. Upon this account our Lord saith it was expedient that he should go away John 6.7 And Travel up to Heaven for his having to speak after the manner of Men a more convenient Prospect upon all his Redeemed in all places he saith I am the good Shepherd and know my Sheep c. John 10 14. Yea though they be Scattered upon a Thousand Hills yet are
other Epistles there are manifest mistakes yet the most Learned do concur that this Postscript is Historically true and that not only because the Greek Syriack Ardbick and divers other Translations do generally date it from Rome tho' Beza date it from Antioch and Erasmus from Ephesus both upon conjectures only but also because of Paul's own expression in that Epistle Let no man trouble me about the marks of Circumcision for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.17 where he calls his suffering Imprisonment for the Testimony of Christ and his Gospel the marks or brands wherewith the World stigmatized him which were not his Burdens but his Trophies boasting better of them than the false Apostles could of their Circumcision Here 's some Scripture-Light c. The second Scriptural Hint that gives light to this Assertion is that the Apostacy of the Churches which the Apostle taketh to tax sharply in this Epistle to the Galatians telling them that they were bewitched Gal. 3.1 c. must be about this time for 't is said when Paul had spent some time in Antioch he went over all the Countrey of Galatia formerly call'd Gallo-Graecia strengthening the Disciples Acts 18.23 This was about two years after he was forbidden to Preach there Acts 16.16 but now he had liberty to plant the Gospel there Now there must be a due time allowed for the Enemy to sow his Tares by those Judaizing false Teachers who had corrupted the Doctrine of Christ in their pressing the necessity of Circumcision and Preaching Justification by the Works of the Law c. This being the occasion of Paul's writing c. casteth it probably upon this time Note 2. At this time also Paul wrote from Rome his second Epistle to Timothy wherein he intimates that Epidemical Apostacy of the Churches afore-mentioned which he calls a spreading Gangreen or Canker 2 Tim. 2.17 Paul was then a Prisoner at Rome 2 Tim. 1.8 So he wisheth Timothy not to be ashamed of his Bonds but come to him with supplies from Ephesus before Winter 2 Tim. 4.9 Paul tells him how all those of Asia had deserted him 2 Tim. 1.15 and 4.16 which could not but perplex the good Apostle when all his Friends forsook him in that eminent peril but of this more afterward in his Tryal therefore he tells Timothy he had the more need of his company This was at Rome 2 Tim. 1.17 Note 3. And then he wrote that Epistle to the Ephesians for he was a Prisoner when he wrote it Ephes 3.1 and that for the Gentiles because the Jews hated him for being the Apostle of the Gentiles and for his equalling them with the Jews in all Priviledges of the Gospel therefore they ran him into a Prison at Rome and the same Tychicus who was the bearer of that Epistle to Timothy 2 Tim. 4.12 was the bearer of this Epistle to the Ephesians Eph. 6.21 to confirm them in the Mysteries of Christ Note 4. And he wrote then that Epistle to the Philippians in his own name and of Timothy's also who was now come to him in his second year of Imprisonment according to his abovesaid Appointment This Church had sent Epaphroditus to visit Paul a Prisoner with a Present Phil. 1.1 7 13 c. This Messenger falls sick in Rome his Sickness was Paul's Sadness but his Recovery was as great a Joy to him Phil. 2.25 26 27. and he returning to Philippi he brought this Epistle both to confirm and comfort them in the Faith Note 5. And then he wrote that to the Colossians who had likewise sent Epaphras with a Present to him Col. 1.7 8. whom he commends in this Epistle Col. 4.12 from himself and Timothy still with him verse 1. Col. 1. for the Rooting up those weeds such as the Mediation of Angels Jewish Superstitions c. and for confirming them c. This was sent by Tychicus and Onesimus Col. 4.7 8 9. Mark was now with Paul v. 10. Note 6. By the same Messenger was that to Philemon sent also for he was a Colossian Philem verse 2. compared with Col. 4.9 17. Paul was Aged and a Prisoner when he wrote that Epistle verse 9 10. Paul useth pregnant Oratory here to Reconcile the Master to the Servant The five first years of Nero had Moderation Paul abides long a Prisoner and visits with Letters when he could not in Person The second Remark concerning the Apostle Paul is the Tryal he underwent at Rome when he appealed to Caesar Note 7. This brings in the last Epistle which Paul wrote namely that to the Hebrews whereof that he was the Author all the most solid Writers do universally concur because it 1. Expresseth his being in Bonds Heb. 10.34 and 13.19 with Col. 4.18 2. His well-known Companion Timothy Heb. 13.23 with Col. 1.1 c. 3. The Author of it was in Italy when he wrote and sent it Heb. 13.24 4. Peter calls it Paul's Epistle 2 Pet. 3.15 16. wherein Paul confirms what Peter taught as Heb 6.2 and 10.26 27 c. And 5. It hath the Signal by which he declared all his Epistles are to be known Heb. 13.25 And 6. It bears a clear Harmony with the rest of his Epistles N.B. Yet doth he not prefix his Name seeing the prejudice which the Jews had against him might hinder its Reading or Reception nor doth he stile them that he wrote to Jews but Hebrews a more acceptable name as descending from Heber by Abraham Gen. 14.13 and a name used Acts 6.2 for Jews N.B. As to Paul's Tryal before Nero that Monster of Mankind who Ripped up his own Mother Agrippina's Belly that he might behold where he lay in her Womb after his Conception This Epistle to the Hebrews gives us at least an account of the happy Issue thereof in those words Know ye that our Brother Timothy is set at liberty with whom if he come shortly I will see you Heb. 13.23 N.B. As this passage doth plainly discover that the Postscript of this Epistle is supposititious for had this Epistle been sent by Timothy as the Postscript saith it was altogether superfluous to tell them that he was set at liberty So on theother hand these words do intimate the time of Paul's writing this Epistle most likely after his appearing by vertue of his appeal to Caesar before the Emperor Nero at Rome and a little before the first of the ten primitive bloody persecutions seeing he in that Epistle tells the Hebrews that they had not yet resisted unto blood Heb. 12.4 which soon followed tho' they had suffered much before Heb. 10.32 33 34. N.B. Beside taking the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it relateth to restrain then it imports that Timothy had been a prisoner suposed for his familiarity with Paul as Epaphras and others weâ—e upon the same account but now was set at Liberty and so was Paul also who was ready to come along with him when he should come to them which