Rebecca his mother †And Esau seing that his father had blessed Iacob and had sent him into Mesopotamia of Syria to marry a wife thence and that after the blessing he had commanded him saying Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Chanaan †and that Iacob obeying his parents was gone into Syria †hauing tryal also that his father did not willingly see the daughters of Canaan †he went to Ismael and tooke to wife besides them which he had before Maheleth the daughter of Ismael Abrahams sonne sister to Nabaioth †Therfore Iacob being departed from Bersabee went on to Haran †And when he was come to a certaine place and would rest in it after sunne set he “ tooke one of the stones that lay there and putting it vnder his head slept in the same place †And he saw in his sleepe “ a ladder standing vpon the earth and the top therof tooching heauen the angels also of God ascending and descending by it †and our Lord leyning vpon the ladder saying to him I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac the Land wherin thou sleepest I wil geue to thee and to thy seed †And thy seed shal be as the dust of the earth thou shalt be dilated to the West and to the East to the North and to the South and IN THEE and thy seed al the tribes of the earth SHAL BE BLESSED †And I wil be thy keeper whither so euer thou goest and wil bring thee backe into this land neither wil I leaue thee til I shal haue accomplished al things which I haue said †And when Iacob was awaked out of sleepe he said In dede our Lord is in this place and I wist not †And trembling he said How terrible is this place this is none other but the house of God and the gate of heauen †And Iacob arising in the morning tooke the stone which he had laid vnder his head and “ erected it for a title powring oyle vpon the toppe †And he called the name of the citie Bethel which before was called Luza †And he “ vowed a vowe saying If God shal be with me and shal keepe me in the way by the which I walke and shal geue me bread to eate and rayment to put on †and I shal be returned prosperously to my fathers house the Lord shal be my God †and this stone which I haue erected for a title shal be called the House of God and of al things that thou shalt geue to me I wil offer tithes to thee ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXVIII 11. Tooke of the stones Iacob traueling into a strange countrie went in such poore state the better to hide his departure from Esau who otherwise might haue killed him by the way It was also thus disposed by God that Iacobs faith and confidence might to his greatter merite be exercised and that Gods prouidence might more manifestly appeare as it did in his returne after twentie yeares when with most gratful mind he recounted Gods benefites saying Gen. 32 VVith my staffe I passed ouer this Iordan and now with two troupes I do returne 12. A ladder He that was in temporal distresse was maruelously comforted spiritually by seing a ladder that reached from the earth to heauen Angels passing vp and downe the same and the Sonne of God leaning vpon it as he that reigneth both in heauen and earth who in particular promised him and his sede that whole land that he and his sede should be blessed yea that in His Sede al nations should be blessed and that he would kepe and protect him where soeuer he went How al this was performed is briefly rehersed in the booke of wisdom chap. 10. 18. Erected it povvring oyle To erect a stone and powre oyle vpon it was nowise supersticious in Iacob Neither did he lerne it of Idolaters for he abhorred and detested al idolatrical obseruances But as S. Iustinus Martyr S. Clement of Alexandria Origen Eusebius and others testifie idololatrical superstition did rather imitate true religious ceremonies For the diuel alwayes affecting that honour which he seeth done to God perswaded those whom he seduced and blinded with errors to serue him in such maner of external rires as God was serued that therby he might either haue like worship with God as it happened among Painim Idolaters or els depriue God of this kind of honour as now we see Protestants reiect and pul downe consecrated Altares pretending them to be supersticious VVherin they shew most grosse ignorance if in dede they so iudge of ignorance and not of mere malice For who is so simple but he may see that the chiefe difference betwen Religion and Superstition in external things consisteth in the persons to whom they are done in the intētion of the doers by the same difference of persons ciuil honour is also distinguished from both religious and supersticious As he that kneeleth to God religiously honoreth God Kneeling to the sunne moone or other false Gods supersticiously honoreth the diuel kneeling to the King ciuilly honoreth the King Iacob without doubt did al to Gods onlie honour And that which he did in this place is now vsed in the Catholique Church For so Rabanus a diligent obseruer and writer of Ecclesiastical Rites Ceremonies and Customes touching the vse of holie oyle witnesseth li. 1. c. 45. Institut cleric that the Altar being first sprinkled with water is annointed with Chrisme to the example of the Patriarch Iacob who after that dreadful vision erected a stone for a title or monument powring oyle theron and calling that place The house of God S Cyprian also writing of Chrisme mentioneth the two sortes of holie oyle vsed in the Church one of simple oyle consecrated by a Bishop which is vsed for Catechumes before Baptisme persons possessed and the sick the other is made of oyle and balme also consecrated by a Bishop and this is vsed in Baptisme Confirmation and in consecrating Altares Kings and Priests 20. Vovved It can not be vnderstood that Iacob here vowed or promised only to serue God as the Soueraigne Lord of al creatures for to that he was bond whether he should prosper temporally or no but that he vowed particular godlie workes to which he was not otherwise obliged As here he expresseth two things Presupposing before al that the Lord Omnipotent shal be his God he addeth first And this stone vvhich I haue erected for a title shal be called the house of God wherby he promised the building of a Church performed at his returne chap. 35. Secondly he added And of al things vvhich thou shalt geue me I vvil offer tubes to thee And this Likwise was of free deuotion For tithes also in the law of nature were dew to Priests and by inferior Priests to the chiefe Priest as Abraham gaue tithes to Melchisedech And so al his tithes were dew
death of his Saincts Hence also is proued that seeing in this life the good are afflicted and the bad oftentimes prosper temporally there must nedes be an other Court of exact Iustice and an other Reaconing day wherin euerie one shal receiue according as they haue donne good or euil which was sufficiently intimated by Gods discussing and manifesting Abels and Cains deserts which were hidden before and in part rewarding them accordingly yet reseruing the ful reward of the one and punishment of the other to the next world Of the Iudge and his sentence Enoch alleadged by S. Iude the Apostle proficied clerly saying Behold our Lord cometh in his holie thousands to doe iudgement aganst al and to reproue al the impions of al the workes of their impietie wherby they haue donne impiously and of al the hard things which impious sinners haue spoken against him Thus holie Enoch preached touching the wicked which thought there was no Iudgement to come nor Iudge to be feared At this Iudgement al shal appeare in bodie and soule returning to life For that Al men shal rise from death is proued by the immortalitie of mans soule which God did not make nor produce of corruptible matter but immediatly Breathed into his face the breath of life and man became a liuing soule so the soule being immortal and hauing a natural inclination to the bodie mans natural perfection requireth the coniunction of bodie and soule for neither soule nor bodie separated is a man but both ioyned in one subsistence are a man in so much that mankind should perish except the bodies shal rise againe and liue with the soules And then shal the bodies be qualified according to the state of the soules happie or miserable for euer Of Eternal life the translation of Enoch is a figure For seeing God preserueth his corruptible bodie so long from death and infirmitie it is a token and manifest signe that by the same powre of God the bodies of men shal at last day after that al men are once dead rise againe and remaine with the soules for euer The good in Eternal ioy the wicked in Eternal paine Both signified by the custodie of the gate of Paradise by Angels who for euer kepe out these that are stil defiled with sinne and so they depart into fire euerlasting and admit the innocent and iust into the kingdome of heauen which is euerlasting ioy and perfect felicitie Thus we see the face and briefe summe of Religion in the beginning of the world til the floud and the state of the Church which was alwayes Visible consisting of men good and bad with a continual Succession of Rulers as wel spiritual as temporal For the first borne were both Priestes and Princes in euerie familie And amongst the same one euer chief of al. From which ranke Cain was excluded or rather excluded him selfe by Going forth from the face of our Lord. Wherupon holie Moyses râ—â—teth this Monarchical succession of one chiefe and Supreme Head from Adam by the line of Seth Enos Cainan Malaleel Iared Enoch Mathusala Lamech and Noe. Neuertheles he setteth downe also the progenie of Cain the first beginner of a worldlie schismatical and heretical conuenticle opposite to the Citie of God He denied Gods prouidence as Thargum Hierosolomitanum testifieth protesting to Abel That there was no Iustice nor Iudge nor other world then this no reward for vertue nor punishment for sinne and so desperatly he killed Abel of these negatiue principles proceeded other like detestable opinions and most wicked life sauage and barbarous crueltie and al kind of impietie And in processe of time albeit manie remained in true faith and vnitie of the Church yet by conuersation with such miscreantes especially by occasion of Mariages betwen the faithful and infidels almost the whole world was corrupted in maners But Noe was iust and perfect In punishment therefore of so great and enormious sinnes God sent the general floud wherby al Cains progenie and al other infidels were wholly destroyed and extinguished and the true Church notably purged onlie iust Noe and his familie reserued By whom the same true Church was continued and the world againe replenished with men CHAP. VIII The waters diminishing by litle and litle 6. Noe sendeth forth a crow 8. after him a doue thrise 18. lastly goeth forth with al that were with him in the arke 20. erecteth an Altar and offereth Sacrifice AND God remembred Noe and al the beasts and al the cattle which were with him in the arke and brought a winde vpon the earth and the waters decreased †And the sountaines of the depth and the floud gates of heauen were shut vp and the rayne from heauen was stayd †And the waters returned from the earth going comming and they begane to decrease after a hundred fiftie dayes †And the arke rested the seauenth moneth the seauen twentith day of the moneth vpon the mountaines of Armenia †But the waters for al that were going and decreasing vntil the tenth moneth for in the tenth moneth the first day of the moneth the topps of the mountaines appeared †And after that fourtie dayes were passed Noe opening the windowe of the arke which he had made let forth a crowe †which went forth and did not returne til the waters were dried vpon the earth †He sent forth also a doue after him to see if the waters were ceased yet vpon the face of the earth †Which finding not where her foote might rest returned to him into the arke for the waters were vpon the whole earth and he stretched forth his hand and caught her and brought her into the arke †And hauing expected yet seauen moe dayes againe he let forth a doue out of the arke †But she came to him at euentide carrying a bough of an oliue tree that had greene leaues in her mouth Noe therfore vnderstood that the waters were ceased vpon the earth †And he expected yet neuertheles other seauen dayes and he sent forth a doue which returned not any more vnto him †Therfore in the sixt hundred and one yeare the first moneth the first day of the moneth the waters were cleane diminished vpon the earth and Noe opening the roofe of the arke looked and sawe that the face of the earth was dried †In the second moneth the seuen twentyth day of the moneth the earth was dried †And God spake to Noe saying †Goe forth of the arke thou thy wife thy sonnes and the wiues of thy sonnes with thee †Al cattle that are with thee of al flesh as wel in soules as in beastes al creepers that creepe vpon the earth bring out with thee goe yee vpon the earth increase and multiplie vpon it †Noe therfore went forth and his sonnes his wife and the wiues of his sonnes with him
restored vntouched 14. with great giftes 17. and Abraham praying Abimelechs house is cured ABRAHAM remoued from thence into the south countrie and dwelt betwene Cades and Sur and he liued as a pilgrime in Gerara †And he said of Sara his wife She is my sister Abimelech therfore the king of Gerara sent and tooke her †And God came to Abimelech in a dreame by night and said to him Loe thou shalt dye for the woman that thou hast taken for she hath a husband †But Abimelech had not touched her and he said Lord wilt thou kil a nation that is ignorant and iust †Did not he say to me She is my sister and she say He is my brother in simplicitie of my hart and cleanenes of my hands haue I done this †And God said to him And I do know that thou didest it with a sincere hart and therfore I kept thee that thou shouldest not sinne against me and I permitted not that thou shouldest touch her †Now therfore restore the wife to her husband because he is a prophet and he shal pray for thee and thou shalt liue but if thou wilt not restore her know thou that dying thou shalt dye thou and al things that are thine †And Abimelech forth with rising vp in the night called al his seruantes and he spake al these words to their eares and al the men were sore afraid †And Abimelech called also for Abraham and said to him What hast thou done to vs what haue we offended against thee that thou hast brought vpon me and vpon my kingdom a great sinne that which thou oughtest not to doe thou hast done to vs. †And again expostulating he said What sawest thou that thou didest this †Abraham answered I thought with my selfe saying Perhaps there is not the feare of God in this place and they wil kil me for my wife †howbeit otherwise also in verie deed she is my sister the daughter of my father and not the daughter of my mother and I tooke her to wife †And after that God brought me out of my fathers house I said to her This mercie thou shalt doe with me In euerie place which we shal come vnto thou shalt say that I am thy brother †Therfore Abimelech tooke shepe oxen and seruants and handmayds and gaue to Abraham and restored to him Sara his wife †and said The land is before you dwel whersoeuer it shal please thee †And to Sara he said Behold I haue geuen thy brother a thousand peeces of siluer this shal serue thee for a veile of thine eyes to al that are with thee and whither soeuer thou shalt goe remenber also thou wast taken †And Abraham praying God healed Abimelech and his wife and his handmaids and they bare children for our Lord had closed vp euerie matrice of the house of Abimelech for Sara Abrahams wife CHAP. XXI Isaac is borne 4. circumcised 8. and weaned 9. Agar and Ismael are put forth of Abrahams house 15. but after desolation are nourished and prosper in the desert 22. King Abimelech and Abraham make a league confirming it with oath AND our Lord visited Sara as he had promised and fulfilled the things which he spake †And she conceaued and bare a sonne in her old age at the time that God had foretold her †And Abraham called the name of his sonne which Sara bare him Isaac †and he circumcised him the eight day as God had commanded him †when he was an hundred yeares old for at this age of his father was Isaac borne †And Sara said Laughter God hath made to me whosoeuer shal heare of it wil laugh with me †And again she said Who that shal heare of it would beleue Abraham that Sara gaue sucke to a sonne which she bare him now being an old man †The child therfore grewe and was weined and Abraham made a great feast in the day of his weining †And when Sara had senne the sonne of Agar the Aegyptian playing with Isaac her sonne she said to Abraham †Cast out this handmaid and her sonne for the sonne of the handmaid shal not be heire with my sonne Isaac †Abraham tooke this greuously for his sonne †To whom God said Let it not sâ—me greuous to thee for the boy and for thy handmaid al things that Sara shal say to thee heare her voice because in Isaac shal seed de called to thee †But the sonne also of the handmaid I wil make into a great nation because he is thy seede †Abraham therfore rose vp in the morning and taking bread and a bottle of water put it vpon her shoulder and deliuered the boy and dismist her Who went away and wandred in the wildernesse of Bersabee †And when the water in the bottle was spent she cast the boy vnder one of the trees that were there †And she went her way and sate ouer against a great way of as farre as a bowe can cast for she said I wil no see the child dying and sitting ouer against she lifted vp her voice and wept †And God heard the voice of the boy and an angel of God called Agar from heauen saying What doest thou Agar feare not for God hath heard the voice of the boy from the place wherin he is †Arise take vp the boy and hold his hand for into a great nation wil I make him †And God opened her eyes who seing a wel of water went and filled the bottle and gaue the boy to drinke †And God was with him who grew and abode in the wildernes and became a young man archer †And he dwelt in the wildernes of Pharan and his mother tooke a wife for him out of the land of Aegypt †The same time said Abimelech and Phicol the general of his armie to Abraham God is with thee in al things which thou doest †Sweare therfore by God not to hurt me and my posteritie and my stocke but according to the mercie that I haue done thee thou shalt doe to me and to the land wherin thou hast liued a stranger †And Abraham said I wil sweare †And he rebuked Abimelech for the wel of water which his seruants had taken away by force †And Abimelech answered I knew not who did this thing yea and thy selfe didest not tel me and I heard not of it but to day †Abraham therfore tooke sheepe and oxen and gaue to Abimelech and both of them made a league †And Abraham set seuen ewe lambes of the flocke apart †To whom Abimelech said What meane these seuen ewe lambes which thou hast made to stand apart †But he said Seuen ewe lambes shalt thou take at my hand that they may be a testimonie for me that I digged this wel †Therfor was that place called Bersabee because there both did sweare †And they made a league for the wel
of oath †And Abimelech arose and Phicol the general of his armie and they returned to the land of the Palestines But Abraham planted a groue in Bersabee and called therupon the name of our Lord God eternal †And he was a seiorner in the land of the Palestines manie dayes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXI 12. Let it not It semed so hard inhumaine and vniust to cast Agar and Ismael out of the house that Abraham would not haue done it onles God had commanded him in this to heare the voice of Sara But when he knew Gods wil therin not respecting flesh and bloud nor disputing further of the lawfulnes of the fact sent them both away commending them to Gods protection and so by this separation the familie was made quiet It represented also a notable Mysterie of the Synagog of the Iewes Church of Christ As S. Augustin doth excellently expound the same according to S. Paul Gal. 4. That Ismaels playing with Isaac was persecution because it tended to peruert him shewing it to be a greater iniurie to delude and deceiue anie in drawing them to new and particular companies then corporally to persecute them and that the Church and Catholique Princes punish heretikes for their good to make them returne to the truth or finally to cease from seducing others Ecce libera afflixit ancillam non illam vocat persecutionem Apostolus ludit seruus cum domino persecutionem vocat Afflictio ista non vocatur persecutio lusi◠illa vocatur persecutio Behold the freewoman afflicted the handmaide and the Apostle calleth it not persecution the seruant playeth with the maister and he calleth it persecution This affliction is not called persecution and that play is called persecution Againe he sayeth of Sara Illusionem vidit in illo lusu animaduertit serui superbiam displicuit illi eiecit soras She saw foule play in that play she noted the seruants pride it displeased her she cast him forth of the dores S. Hierom also teacheth that the spiritual neuer persecuteth the carnal but spareth him as his rustical brother knowing that he may in time be profitable CHAP. XXII The faith and obedience of Abraham is proued in his redines to sacrifice his sonne Isaac 11. He is stayed from the act by an Angel 16. Former promises are renewed to him 20. And his brother Nachor hath also much issue VVHICH things being done God “ tempted Abraham and said to him Abraham Abraham But he answered Here I am †He said to him Take thy only begotten sonne whom thou louest Isaac and goe into the Land of vision and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust vpon one of the mountaines which I wil shew thee †Therfore Abraham rising vp in the night sadled his asse taking with him two young men and Isaac his sonne and when he had cut wood for the holocaust he went his way to the place which God had commanded him †And the third day lifting vp his eyes he sawe the place afarre of †and he said to his young men Tarie you here with the asse I and the boy going with spede as farre as yonder after we haue adored wil returne to you †He tooke also the wood of the holocaust and laid it vpon Isaac his sonne and him selfe caried in his hands fire and a sword And as they went on together †Isaac said to his father My father And he answered What wilt thou sonne Behold saith he fire and wood where is the victime of the holocaust †And Abraham said God wil prouide vnto him selfe the victime of the holocaust my sonne They went on therfore together †and they came to the place which God had shewed him wherin he builed an altar and laid the wood in order vpon it and when he had bound Isaac his sonne he laid him on the altar vpon the pile of wood †And he stretched forth his hand and caught the sword for to sacrifice his sonne †And behold an angel of our Lord from heauen cried saying Abraham Abraham Who answered Here I am †And he said to him Stretch not forth thy hand vpon the boy neither doe thou any thing to him now haue I knowen that thou fearest God and hast not spared thine onlie begotten sonne for my sake †Abraham lifted vp his eyes and saw behind his backe a ramme amongst the briers sticking fast by the hornes which he tooke and offered an holocaust in stede of his sonne †And he called the name of that place Our Lord seeth Wherupon euen to this day it is said In the mountaine our Lord wil see †And the angel of our Lord called Abraham the second time from heauen saying †By my owne selfe haue I sworne saith the Lord because thou hast done this thing and hast not spared thine onlie begotten sonne for my sake †I wil blesse thee and I wil multiplie thy sede as the starres of heauen and as the sand that is by the sea shore thy sede shal possesse the gates of his enemies †and in thy sede SHAL BE BLESSED al the nations of the earth because thou hast obeyed my voice †Abraham returned to his young men and they went to Bersabee together and he dwelt there †These things so being done it was told Abraham that Melca also had borne children to Nachor his brother †Hus the first be gotten Buz his brother and Camuel the father of the Sirians †and Cased and Azau. Pheldas also Iedlaph †and Bathuel of whom was borne Rebecca these eight did Melcha beare to Nachor Abrahams brother †And his concubine named Roma bare Tabee and Gaham and Tahas and Maacha ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXII 1. Tempted God tempteth none to euil as S. Iames teacheth but by trial and experiment maketh men knowen to the world as here Abrahams faith and singular obedience were manifested when he doubted not To offer his only begotten in Sacrifice accounting that God is able to raise vp euen from the dead VVherupon he receiued his sonne againe in parable that is in figure and mysterie of Christ dead and aliue againe Isaac also in this action signified the diuinitie of Christ which suffered not and the ramme among the briers figured his humanitie that should be offered in Sacrifice to God CHAP. XXIII Sara dying Abraham solemnizeth her funeral 4. byeth a field with a duble caue of Ephron 15. for four hundreth sicles 19. and there burieth her AND Sara liued an hundred twentie seuen yeares †And she died in the citie of Arbee which is Hebron in the land of Chanaan And Abraham came to mourne and weepe for her †And after that he was risen vp from the funeral obsequies he spake to the children of Heth saying †I am a stranger and pilgrime among you geue me the right of a sepulchre with you that I may burie my dead †The
15. Oza 2â— Reg. 6. sodenly slaine for touching the Arke of God the Lavv forbidding vnder paine of death Num. 1. v. 51. 18. v. 7. that none should approch to holie office being not therto orderly called Of workes also of Supererogation called counsailes not preceptes vve haue examples in vovves voluntarily made of thinges not commanded the law prescribing vvhat vovves might be made by vvhom Nu. 30. And Num. 6. a particular rule was proposed to such as of their ovvne accord vvould embrace it a distinct name geuen them to be called Nazarites that is Seperate or Sanctified In which state they vvere to remaine either for a time limited by themselues or their parents or perpetually if they so promised Iudic. 13. 1. Reg. 1. For sâ— farre as their promise extended they were strictly obliged to performe Deut. 23. When thou hast vowed a vow to our Lord thy God thou shalt not slacke to pay it because our Lord thy God wil require it and if thou delay it shal be reputed to thee for sinne If thou wilt not promise thou shalt be without this sinne Pay thy vowes vnto the Highest Psal 75. Vow ye and render your vowes to our Lord your God Psal 49. The Rechabites aftervvardes had a like rule to the Nazariteâ— the same perpetual Hierem. 3â— neuer to drinke wine nor to build nor dwel in houses but in tabernacles nor sow corne nor plant vineyardes VVhich rule though instituted by a man yet the obseruation therof vvas much commended rewarded by God v. 19. Such distinct state of religious persons with other states of the church of Christ were also prefigured Leuit. 11. by the cleane fishes of three distinct vvaters as some holie Fathers do mystically expound that place To vvitte the cleane fishes of the sea are the multitude of lay persons which are dravven out of the sea of this vvorld and happely found good fishes in our Lords nette Math. 13. The cleane fishes of the riuers are the good and fruitful Clergie men that vvatter the vvhole earth by teaching Christian doctrin and ministring holie Sacramentes vvith other Rites and Gouerning the whole Church And the cleane fishes of standing pooles are the Monastical persons liuing perpetually in Cloysters vvhere good soules are alwayes readie for our Lordes table as S. Bernard teacheth Much more the more ancient fathers S. Beda S. Gregorie S. Augustin and others explicate innumerable places of holie Scripture mystically relying therin vpon example of the new Testament so expounding the old Namely S. Paul teaching as before is noted that the whole law was a pedagogue guiding men to Christ and affirming that al thinges happened to the people of the old Testament in figure of the new Leauing therfore to prosecute the same further which would require a verie great worke it may here suffice to geue according to the literal sense a briefe view of certaine other pointes of Religion practised in this fourth age VVhere it is clere that as Iacob the Patriarch had fortold Gen. 48. that Abrahams Isaacs and his owne name should be inuocated so Moyses prayed God for his promise made to them and for their sake to pardon the people saying Exod. 32. Remember ô Lord Abraham Isaac Israel And our Lord was pacified from doing the euil which he had spoken against his people His diuine prouidence so disposing that he could be hindered by such prayers from that which hâ—threatned And whereas Moyses did not directly inuocate the holie Patriarches as Christians now cal vpon glorified Sainctes to pray for them the cause of difference is for that now Sainctes seing God know in him whatsoeuer perteyneth to their glorie which state none bâ—fore Christ attainâ—d vnto Num 35. v. 25. Deut. 4. v. 12. Againe Protestantes obiect that for so much as God knoweth al our necessities desires dispositions and whatsoeuer is in man it is needles say they superfluous in vaine that Sainctes should commend our causes To this we answer that not only glorious Sainctes but also mortal men by Gods ordinaÌ„ce by which nothing is done vainely do such offices as mediators betwen God and other men for so Moyses told the wordes of the people to our Lord Exod. 19. notwithstanding Gods omniscience or knowledge of al thinges Also God expresly commanded Iobs freinds to goe to Iob promising to heare his prayer for thâ—m As for Sainctes hearing or knowing our prayers made to them though onlie God of himselfe and by his owne power seeth mens secrete cogitations and therfore is properly called the searcher of hartes 1. Reg. 16. yet God communicateth this powâ—r to prophetes to see the secrete thoughtes of others so Samuel knew the cogitations of Saul 1. Reg. 9. v. 20. And Abias saw by reuelation the coming of Ierobomas wife to him in Silo 3. Reg. 14. Much more God reuealeth our present state and acts to glorified soules vvho are as Angels in heauen Math. 22. and being secure of their owne glorie are careful sayeth S. Cyprian of our Saluation Neither is it derogation to God that Saints are honoured and titles ascribed to them of intercessors mediators and the like for such titles are geuen to them not as to God but by vvay of participation only So Iudges are called goddes and sauiours Exod. 21. Iudic 3. and Priestes called goddes Exod. 21. Praise geuen to God and Gedeon Iudic. 7. Protection and adoration of Angels is very frequent Exod. 23. 31. Num. 22. Iosue 5. Iudic. 2. 6. 13. The names of the twelue sonnes of Israel were grauen in the two chiefe ornaments of the high priest in the Ephod and Rationale Exod. 28. Manna was not only reserued as a memorie of Gods singular benefite but also honorably reposed as a Relique in a golden vessel and kept in the Arke of God Exod. 16. Heb. 9. Iosephs bones reserued and remoued Iosue 24. Images of holie Cherubims were made and sette vp together with the Arke and Propitiatorie in the chiefe place of the Tabernacle called Sancta Sanctorum Exod. 25. An image also of a serpent was made in brasse for the health of those that were striken by serpentes Num. 21. Images also of lions and oxen were made and sette vnder the foote of the lauer called a sea in the Temple 3. Reg. 7. The honour done to anie holie thing namely to the Arke 2. Reg. 6. redounded to Gods more honour and al this so farre from idolatrie that quite contrarie in presence of the Arke the idol Dagon fel to the ground and broke in peeces 1. Reg. 5. Exequies for the dead with weeping and fasting were then practised in the Church as appeareth by the peoples mourning for Aaron thirtie dayes Num. 20. Also for Moyses Deut. 34. By the Gabaonites fasting seuen dayes for Saul and his sonnes lately slaine 1. Reg. 31. Likewise king Dauid with al his court mourning weping
Our Lord increase his people an hundred fold more then they are are they not my lord king al thy seruantes why doth my lord seeke this which may be reputed for a sinne to Israel †But the kinges word preuailed more and Ioab went forth and went about al Israel and returned to Ierusalem †And he gaue Dauid the number of them whom he had surueyed and al the number of Israel was found a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword and of Iuda foure hundred seuentie thousand men of warre †For Leui and Beniamin he numbred not because Ioab vnwillingly executed the kings commandement †And that which was commanded displeased God and he stroke Israel †And Dauid sayd to God I haue sinned excedingly in that I would doe this I besech thee take away the iniquitie of thy seruant because I haue done foolishly †And our Lord spake to Gad the Seer of Dauid saying †Goe and speake to Dauid and tel him Thus sayth our Lord I geue thee the choyse of three thinges choose one which thou wilt and I wil doe it to thee †And when Gad was come to Dauid he sayd to him Thus sayth our Lord Choose which thou wilt †either three yeares famine or three monethes to flee from thine enemies and not to be able to escape their sword or three dayes the sword of our Lord and pestilence to be in the land and the Angel of our Lord to kil in al the costes of Israel now therfore see what I shal answer him that sent me †And Dauid sayd to Gad I am on euerie side in great distresse but it is better that I fal into the handes of our Lord because his mercies be manie then into the handes of men †Our Lord therfore sent the pestilence in Israel and there fel of Israel seuentie thousand men †He sent also an Angel into Ierusalem to strike it and when it was striken our Lord saw and had compassion vpon the greatenesse of the euil and commanded the Angel that smote It is sufficient now let thy hand cease Moreouer the Angel of our Lord stoode beside the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite †And Dauid lifting vp his eies saw the Angel of our Lord standing betwen heauen and earth and a sword drawen in his hand turned agaynst Ierusalem they fel as wel he as the ancientes clothed in heare clothes flatte on the earth †And Dauid sayd to God Am not I he that commanded the people to be mumbred It is I that haue sinned it is I that haue done the euil this flocke what hath it deserued Lord my God let thy hand be turned I besech thee vpon me and vpon my fathers house and let not thy people be striken †And the Angel of our Lord commanded Gad to tel Dauid that he should goe vp and build an altar to our Lord God in the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite †Dauid therfore went vp according to the word of Gad which he had spoken to him in the name of our Lord. †Moreouer Ornan when he had looked vp and sene the Angel and his foure sonnes with him they hid themselues for at that time he threshed wheat in the floore †Therfore when Dauid came to Ornan Ornan beheld him went forth to mete him out of the floore and adored him flatte on the ground †And Dauid sayd to him Geue me the place of thy floore that I may build therein an altar to our Lord so that thou take as much siluer as it is worth and the plague may cease from the people †And Ornan sayd to Dauid Take it and let my lord the king doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him yea the oxen also I geue for holocaust and the dreyes for wood and wheat for sacrifice I wil giue al thinges willingly †And king Dauid sayd to him It shal not be so but I wil geue thee siluer as much as it is worth for I may not take it from thee and so offer to our Lord holocaustes geuen gratis †Dauid therfore gaue Ornan for the place six hundred sicles of gold of most iust weight †And he built there an altar to our Lord and he offered holocaustes and pacifiques and he inuocated our Lord he heard him in fyre from heauen vpon the altar of holocauste †And our Lord commanded the Angel and he turned his sword into the scabbard †Dauid therfore forthwith seing that our Lord had heard him in the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite immolated victimes there †But the tabernacle of our Lord. which Moyses made in the desert and the altar of holocaustes was at that time in the excelse of Gabaon †And Dauid could not goe to the altar to pray God there for he had bene frighted with exceding feare seing the sword of the Angel of our Lord. CHAP. XXII VVorkemen and al necessaries being prepared 6. Dauid commandeth Salomon to build the Temple for so God hath appoynted 13. exhorteth him to serue God 17. and other principal men to assist him AND Dauid sayd This is the house of God and this is an altar for holocauste to Israel †And he commanded that the proselytes of the land of Israel should be gathered to gether and he appoynted of them masons to hewe stones and polish them that the house of God might be built †Dauid prepared also verie much yron for the nayles of the gates and for the ioyninges and ioynctures and of brasse an inmumerable weight †The cedar trees also could not be estemed which the Sidonians and Tyrians brought downe to Dauid †And Dauid sayd Salomon my sonne is yet a litle child and delicate and the house which I would haue to be builded to our Lord must be such as may be renowned in al countries I therfore wil prepare him necessaries And for this cause before his death he prepared al the expenses †And he called Salomon his sonne and commanded him that he should build a house to our Lord the God of Israel †And Dauid sayd to Salomon My sonne it was my wil to haue built a house to the name of our Lord my God †But the word of our Lord was made to me saying Thou hast shed much bloud and fought verie manie battels thou canst not build a house to my name so much bloud being shed before me †the sonne which shal be borne to thee shal be a most quiet man for I wil make him rest from al his enemies round about and for this cause he shal be called Peaceable and I wil geue peace and quietnesse in Israel al his dayes †He shal build a house to my name he shal be to me for a sonne and I wil be to him for a father and I wil establih the throne of his kingdom ouer Israel for euer †Now therfore my sonne Our Lord be with thee and doe thou prosper and build the house to our Lord thy
and patterne of a sincere and hartie penitent bewayling confessing and punishing his owne sinnes The ninth is the end and renouation of this world with the general Resurrection and Iudgement The tenth is eternal felicitie and punishment according as euerie one deserueth in this life These are the tenne keyes of this holie Booke and tenne stringes of this Diuine Psalter Moreouer to finde which of these is the proper key and principal string of euerie Psalme lerned Diuines vse foure especial wayes First by the title added by Esdras or the Seuentie two Interpreters for an introduction to the sense of the same Psalme So it appeareth that the third Psalme treateth literally of Dauids danger and deliuerie from his sonne Absalon which is the eight key though mystically it signifieth Christs Persecution Passion Resurrection which is the fifth key Secondly if there be no title or if it declare not sufficiently the key or principal matter conteyned it may some times be found by allegation and application of some special part thereof in the new Testament So it is euident Act. 4. v. 25. c. 13. v. 33. Heb. 1. v. 5. Heb. 5. v. 5. that the second Psalme perteyneth to Christ impugned and persecuted by diuers aduersaries VVhich is the fiftkey Thirdly when greater thinges are affirmed of anie person or people as of Dauid Salomon Iewish nation or the like then can be verified of them it must necessarily be vnderstood of Christ or his Church in the new Testament or in Heauen So the conclusion of the 14. Psalme He that doth these thinges shal not be moued for euer can not be verified of the tabernacle nor temple of the Iewes but of eternal Beatitude in heauen VVhich is the tenth key Though the greater part of the Psalme sheweth that iust and true dealing towards our neighboures is necessarie for attayning of eternal Glorie Fourtly when both the title and Psalme or part thereof seme hard and obscure some part being more cleare the true sense of al may be gethered by that which is more euident According to S. Augustins rule li. 2. c. 9. li. 3. c. 26. Doct. Christ So the title and former part of the fifth Psalme being more obscure are explaned by the last verses shewing plainly that God wil iustly iudge al men both iust and wicked in the end of this world VVhich is the ninth key By these and like meanes the principal key being found it wil more easily appeare what other keyes belong to the same and what other stringes are also touched At least the studious may by these helpes make some entrance and for more exact knowlege search the iudgement of ancient Fathers and other learned Doctours But besides this singular great commoditie of compendious handling much Diuine matter in smal rowme this booke hath an other special excellencie in the kind of stile and maner of vttering which is Meeter and Verse in the original Hebrew tongue And though in Greke Latin and other languages the same could not in like forme be exactly translated yet the number and distinction of verses is so obserued that it is apt for musike as wel voices as instruments and to al other vses of Gods seruants Neither is musical maner of vttering Gods word and praises lesse to be esteemed because profane Poetes haue in this kind of stile vttered light vaine and false thinges For the abuse of good thinges doth not derogate from the goodnes therof but rather commendeth the same which others desire to imitate And clere it is that this holie Psalmodie was before anie profane poetrie now extant For Homer the most ancient of that sorte writte his poeme at least two hundred and fourtie yeares after the destruction of Troy as Apolidorus witnesseth others namely Solinus Herodotus and Cornelius Nepos say longer VVheras kind Dauid our Diuine Psalmist reigned within one hundred years after the Troianes warres There were in dede Amphion Orpheus and Muscus before Dauid but their verses either were not written or shortly perished only a confuse memorie remaining of them recited altered and corrupted by word of mouth but before them were the sacred Historie of Iob almost al in verse and the two Canticles of Moyses Exodi 15. and Deut. 32. It is moreouer recorded that Iâ—bal long before Noes floud was the father of them that sang on harpe and organ Musike therfore is maruelous ancient But sacred Poetrie is in manie other respectes most excellent and most profitable This holie Psalmodie saith S. Augustin is a medecine to old spiritual sores it bringeth present remedie to nev vvvoundes it maketh the good to perseuere in vvel doing it cureth at once al predominating passions vvhich vexe mens soules A little after Psalmodie driueth avvay euil spirites iuuiteth good Angels to helpe vs it is a shield in night terrors a refreshing of day trauels a guard to children an ornament to yongmen a comforte to oldmen a most seemlie grace to vvemen Vnto beginners it is an introduction an augmentation to them that goe forvvard in vertue a stable firmament to the perfect It conioyneth the vvhole Church militant in one voice and is the spiritual eternal svvete perfume of the celestial Armies al Sainctes and Angels in heauen To al this we may adde other causes which moued the Royal Prophete to write this diuine poetrie First he had from his youth by Gods special prouidence a natural inclination to Musike wherin he shortly so excelled that before al the Musitians in Israel he was selected to recreate king Saul whom an euil spirite vexed And his skil together with his deuotion had such effect that vvhen he playde on the harpe Saul vvas refreshed and vvaxed better For the euil spirite departed from him saith the holie text VVherfore he made these Psalmes that him selfe and others might by singing them imploy this gift of God to his more honour Secondly verse being more easie to lerne more firmly kept in mind and more pleasant in practise for as wine so musike doth recreate the hart of man the Holie Ghost condescending to mans natural disposition inspired Dauid to write these Psalmes in meeter mixing the povvre of diuine doctrin vvith delectable melodie of song that vvhiles the eare is allured vvith svvete harmonie of musike the hart is indued vvith heauenlie knovvlege pleasant to the mind and profitable to the soule Thirdly Dauid singularly illuminated with knowlege of great and most diuine Mysteries indued also with most gracious disposition of mind the man chosen according to Gods ovvne hart 1. Reg. 13. would vtter the same Mysteries with godlie instructions and praises of God in the most exquisite kind of stile that is in verse For otherwise he was also very eloquent in prose as wel appeareth by sundrie his excellent and effectual discourses in the books of Kinges and Paralipomenon For which cause Moyses also described the
art with me Thy rod and thy staffe they haue comforted me †Thou hast prepared in my sight a table against them that truble me Thou hast fatted my head with oyle and my chalice inebriating how goodlie is it †And thy mercie shal folow me al the dayes of my life And that I may dwel in the house of our Lord in longitude of dayes PSALME XXIII Christ is Lord of the whole earth being Creatour and Redemer of man 3. Good life with faith in him is the way to heauen 7. whither Christ ascending with triumph Angels admire him †The first of the Sabbath the Psalme of Dauid THE earth is our Lordes and the fulnesse therof the round world and al that dwel therein Because he hath founded it vpon the seas and vpon the riuers hath prepared it †Who shal ascend into the mount of our Lord or who shal stand in his holie place †The innocent of handes and of cleane hart that hath not taken his soule in vayne nor sworne to his neighbour in guile †He shal receiue blessing of our Lord and mercie of God his Sauiour †This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke the face of the God of Iacob †Lift vp your gates ye princes and be ye lifted vp ô eternal gates and the king of glorie shal enter in †Who is this king of glorie Our Lord strong mightie our Lord mightie in battel †Lift vp your gates ye princes and be ye lifted vp ô eternal gates and the king of glorie shal enter in Who is this king of glorie The Lord of powers he is the king of glorie PSALME XXIIII A general prayer of the faithful against al enemies 4. with desire to be directed in the way of godlines 7. and to be pardoned for sinnes past 9. acknowledging Gods meeknes 17. our weaknes necessitie of helpe and hope in God 22. concludeth with prayer for the whole Church †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid TO THEE ô Lord I haue lifted vp my soule †my God in thee is my confidence let me not be ashamed †Neither let mine enemies scorne me for al that expect thee shal not be confounded †Let al be confounded that do vniust thinges in vayne Lord shew me thy wayes and teach me thy pathes †Direct me in thy truth and teach me because thou art God my Sauiour and thee haue I expected al the day †Remember ô Lord thy commiserations and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world †The sinnes of my youth and my ignorances doe not remember According to thy mercie remember thou me for thy goodnesse ô Lord. †Our Lord is sweete and righteous for this cause he wil geue a law to them that sinne in the way †He wil direct the milde in iudgement he wil teach the meeke his wayes †Al the wayes of our Lord be mercie and truth to them that seeke after his testament and his testimonies †For thy name ô Lord thou wilt be propitious to my sinne for it is much †Who is the man that feareth our Lord he appoynteth him a law in the way that he hath chosen †His soule shal abide in good things and his seede shal inherite the land †Our Lord is a firmament to them that feare him c. his testament that it may be made manifest to them †Myne eies are alwayes to our Lord because he wil plucke my fecte out of the snare †Haue respect to me and haue mercie on me because I am alone and poore †The tribulations of my hart are multiplied deliuer me from my necessities †See my humiliation and my labour and forgeue al my sinnes †Behold mine enemies because they are multiplied and with vniust hatred hated me †Keepe my soule and deliuer me I shal not be ashamed because I hoped in thee †The innocent and righteous haue cleaued to me because I expected thee †Deliuer Israel ô God out of al his tribulations PSALME XXV Dauid in banishment among the Philistimes trusteth in the iustice of his cause 9. and prayeth God earnestly to deliuer him that he may with more freedom and commodity serue him as he desireth †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid IVDGE me ô Lord because I haue walked in my innocencie and hoping in our Lord I shal not be weakened †Proue me Lord and tempt me burne my reynes and my hart †Because thy mercie is before mine eies and I am wel pleased in thy truth †I haue not sitten with the councel of vanitie and with them that doe vniust thinges I wil not enter in †I “ haue hated the Church of the malignant and with the impious I wil not sitte †I wil wash my handes among innocentes and wil compasse thy altar ô Lord †That I may heare the voice of praise and shew forth al thy meruelous workes †Lord I haue loued the beautie of thy house and the place of the habitation of thy glorie †Destroy not ô God my soule with the impious and my life with bloudie men †In whose handes are iniquities their righthand is replenished with giftes †But I haue walked in mine innocencie redeme me and haue mercie on me †My foote hath stood in the direct way in the Churches I wil blesse thee ô Lord. ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXV 5. I haue hated the Church of the malignant Holie Dauid forced by reason of persecution to dwel amongst Infidels the Philistians after he had twise spared king Saules life 1 Reg 24. v. 5. et c. 26. v. 9. lamented v. 19. how great affliction it was to him to be cast out that he could not a vvel in the inheritance of our Lord where God was rightly serued and that his enemies had done so much as in them lay to make him fal into idolatrie by their fact as it were saying â—oâ— serue strange goddes Neuertheles his zele was such that as he here professeth he hated the Church of the malignant that is the congregations of al miscreants his immaculate religious puritie was so perfect that he would not so much as in exâ—eâ—â—â—l shew conforme his actions to theirs in matters of religion nor yeld his 〈◊〉 presence in their conuenticles but said VVith the impious I vvil not siâ—â—â— instructing vs Christians for the word to the end in the title sheweth that this 〈◊〉 perteyneth also to vs that we must both hate the Church or con-â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 of the malignant to witte of Painims Iewes Turkes and Hererikes and â—â—t â—i tâ—
that he might saue al the meeke of the earth †Because the cogitation of man shal confesse to thee and the remanes of the cogitation shal keepe festiual day to thee †Vowe ye and render to our Lord your God al ye that round about him bring giftes To the terrible †and him that taketh away the spirite of princes terrible to the kinges of the earth PSALME LXXVI Anie faithful deuout person meditating Gods benefites 7. examineth his cōscience that nothing be in his soule that may offend God Who is alwayes readie to forgeue 11. and therfore he stil reneweth his purpose to serue God sincerly 15. particularly remembring the deliuerie of Israel from Aegypt Vnto the end for Idithun a psalme to Asaph †VVith my voice I haue cried to our Lord with my voice to God and he attended to me †In the day of my tribulation I sought God with my handes in the night before him and I was not deceiued My soule refused to be comforted †I was mindeful of God and was delighted and was exercised and my spirite fainted Myne eies preuented the watches I was trubled spake not †I thought vpon old daies and the eternal yeares I had in minde †And I meditated in the night with my hart and I was exercised and I swept my spirite Why wil God reiect for euer or wil he not adde to be better pleased as yet †Or wil he cutte of his mercie for euer from generation vnto generation †Or wil God forget to haue mercie or wil he in his wrath keepe in his mercies And I sayde Now haue I begune this is the change of the right hand of the Highest †I haue bene mindful of the workes of our Lord because I wil be mindful from the beginning of thy meruelous workes †And I wil meditate in al thy workes and in thy inuentions I wil be exercised †O God in the holie is thy way what God is great as our God †thou art the God that doest meruelous thinges Thou hast made thy powre knowne among peoples †thou hast with thine arme redemed thy people the children of Iacob and Ioseph †The waters saw thee ô God the waters saw thee and they were afrayd and the depthes were trubled †A multitude of the sounding of waters the cloudes gaue a voice For in deede arrowes doe passe †the voice of thy thunder in a wheele Thy lightenings shined to the rounde world the earth was moued and trubled †Thy way in the sea and thy pathes in many waters and thy steppes shal not be knowne †Thou hast conducted thy people as sheepe in the hand of moyses and Aaron PSALME LXXVII The royal prophet exhorting the people to attend 5. reciteth manie great benefites of God towards their forefathers whose ingratitude often rebellion and chatisement he stil noteth 9. as in their entrance into the land of Chanaan 12. also before the same in Aegypt and in the desort 42. How God plagued the Aegyptians 52. protected and conducted his people into the promised land 56. where likewise they often offended were punished 65. yet were stil conserued 69. and the tribe of Inde exalted in king Dauid Vnderstanding to Asaph MY people attend ye to my law incline your eare vnto the wordes of my mouth †I wil open my mouth in parables I wil speake propositions from the beginning †How great thinges haue we heard and haue knowne them and our fathers haue told vs. †They were not hid from their children in an other generation Telling the prayses of our Lord and his powers and his meruelous workes which he hath done †And he raised vp a testimonie in Iacob and made a law in Israel How great thinges he commanded our fathers to make the same knowne to their children †that an other generation may know The children that shal be borne and shal rise vp and shal tel their children †That they may put their hope in God and may not forget the workes of God and may seeke after his commandmentes †That they become not as their fathers a peruerse generation and exasperating A generation that hath not directed their hart their spirit hath not bene faithful towards God †The children of Ephrem bending and shooting with bow were turned in the day of battel †They kept not the testament of God and in his law they would not walke †And they forgate his benefites and his meruelous workes which he shewed them †Before their fathers he did meruelous thinges in the land of Aegypt in the filde of Tanis †He diuided the sea brought them through and he made the waters to stand as in a bottle †And he conducted them in a cloude by day and al the night by light of fire †He stroke the rocke in the desert and gaue them water to drinke as in a great depth †And he broughtforth water out of the rocke and made waters runne downe as riuers †And they added as yet to sinne vnto him they prouoked the Highest to wrath in the place without water †And they tempted God in their hartes so that they asked meats for their liues †And they spake euil of God they saide Can God prepare a table in the desert †Because he stroke the rocke and waters ranne torrentes flowed Can he also giue bread or prepare a table for his people †Therfore our Lord heard and made delay and fire was kindled in Iacob and wrath ascended vpon Israel †Because they beleued not in God nor hoped in his saluation †And he commanded the cloudes from aboue and opened the gates of heauen †And he rayned them Manna to eate and bread of heauen he gaue to them †Bread of Angels did man eate he sent them victuals in abundance †He transported the Southwinde from heauen and in his powre he brought in the Southwestwinde †And he rayned vpon them flesh as dust and as the sand of the sea fethered fowles †And they fel in the middes of their campe about their tabernacles †And they did eate and were filled excedingly and their desire he brought to them †They were not defrauded of their desire As yet their meats were in their mouth †And the wrath of God ascended vpon them And he killed their fat ones and the chosen of Israel he hindered †In al these things they sinned as yet and they beleued not in his meruelous workes †And their daies failed in vanitie and their years in hast †When he slew them they sought him and they returned and early they came to him †And they
rather by them that may be supplied vvhich the Hebrevv vvanteth PSALME CXLV The Psalmist exciteth himself and al others to praise God for his singular regard and prouidence of al that trust in him 3. shewing that neither princes nor other men are able to helpe 5. but God can and doth continually releue al sortes of necessities Alleluia of Aggaeus and Zacharie MY soule prayse thou our Lord I wil praise our Lord in my â—te I wil sing to my God as long as I shal be Put not confidence in princes †in the sonnes of men in whom there is no saluation †His spirit shal goeforth and he shal returne into his earth in that day al their cogitations shal perish †Blessed is he whose helper is the God of Iacob his hope in our Lord his God †who made heauen and earth the sea and al thinges that are in them †Which keepeth truth for euer doth iudgement for them that suffer wrong geueth foode to the hungrie Our Lord looseth the fettered †our Lord illuminateth the blind Our Lord lifteth vp the bruised our Lord loueth the iust †Our Lord keepeth strangers the pupil and widow he wil receiue and the wayes of sinners he wil destroy †Our Lord wil reigne for euer thy God ô Sion in generation and generation PSALME CXLVI God is also to be praised by his peculiar people for particular benefites 4. for his omnipotent powre wisdom goodnes in creating and gouerning this whole world 11. and most special benignitie towards those that trust in him Alleluia PRAYSE ye our Lord because Psalme is good to our God let there be pleasant and comelie praise †Our Lord building vp Ierusalem wil gather together the dispersions of Israel †Who healeth the contrite of hart and bindeth vp their sores †Who numbereth the multitude of starres and geueth names to them al. †Great is our Lord and great is his strength and of his wisdom there is no number †Our Lord receiuing the meeke humbling sinners euen to the ground †Sing ye to our Lord in confession sing ye to our God on harpe †Who couereth the heauen with cloudes and prepareth rayne for the earth Who bringeth forth grasse in the mountaines and herbe for the seruice of men †Who geueth to beastes their foode and to the young rauens that cal vpon him †He shal not haue pleasure in the strength of an horse nor in the legges of a man shal he be wel pleased †Our Lord is wel pleased toward them that feare him and in them that hope vpon his mercie PSALME CXLVII Againe God is to be praised for his goodnes towards his peculiar people 4. yea towards al the world 7. but most abundantly towards his Church Alleluia O Ierusalem praise our Lord praise thy God ô Sion †Because he hath strengthened the lockes of thy gates he hath blessed thy children in thee †Who hath set thy borders peace and filleth thee with the fatte of corne †Who sendeth forth his speach to the earth his word runneth swiftly †Who geueth snow as wool scatereth mist as ashes †He casteth his crystal as morseles before the face of his cold l who shal endure †He shal sendforth his word and shal melt them his spirit shal blowe and waters shal flowe †Who declareth his word to Iacob his iustices and iudgements to Israel †He hath not done in like maner to anie nation and his iudgements he hath not made manifest to them Allelu-ia PSALME CXLVIIII Al creatures spiritual and corporal are inuited to praise God their Creator and Conseruer 13. as incomparably excellent Alleluia PRAYSE ye our Lord from the heauens praise ye him in the high places †Prayse ye him al his Angels prayse ye him al his hostes †Prayse ye him sunne and moone prayse him al ye starres and light †Prayse him ye heauens of heauens and the waters that are aboue the heauens †let them praise the name of our Lord. Because he sayd and they were made he commanded and they were created †He established them for euer and for euer and euer he put a precept and it shal not passe †Prayse our Lord from the earth ye dragons and al depthes †Fyre haile snow yse spirit of stormes which doe his worde †Mountaines and al litle hilles trees that beare fruite and al ceders †Beastes and al cattel serpentes and fethered fowles †Kinges of the earth and al peoples princes and al iudges of the earth †Yongmen and virgins old with yong let them prayse the name of our Lord †because the name of him alone is exalted †The confession of him aboue heauen and earth and he hath exalted the horne of his people An hymne to al his sainctes to the children of Israel a people approching vnto him Alleluia PSALME CXLIX The Church is most singularly bond to praise God 4. for the grace sanctitie victorie glorie 7. and iudicial powre which he geueth to his Sainctes Alleluia SING ye to our Lord a new song let his prayse be in the Church of sainctes †Let Israel be ioyful in him that made him and let the children of Sion reioyce in their king †Let them praise his name in quite on tymbrel and psalter let them sing to him †Because our Lord is wel pleased in his people and he wil exalt the meeke vnto saluation †The sainctes shal reioyce in glorie they shal be ioyful in their beddes †The exaltations of God in their throte and two edged swordes in their handes †To doe reuenge in the nations chastisements among the peoples †To binde their kinges in fetters and their nobles in yron manicles †That they may doe in them the iudgement that is written this glorie is to al his sainctes Alleluia PSALME CL. God absolutly most excellent is to be praised 3. with al sortes of instruments and by al other meanes Alleluia PRAYSE ye our Lord in his holies prayse ye him in the firmament of his strength †Prayse ye him in his powers prayse ye him according to the multitude of his greatnes †Prayse ye him in the sound of trumpet prayse ye him on psalter and harpe †Prayse ye him on timbrel and quire prayse ye him on stringes and organ †Prayse ye him on wel sounding cymbals prayse ye him on cymbales of iubilation †let euerie spirit prayse our Lord. Alleluia ANNOTATIONS PSALME CL. S. Augustin in the conclusion of his Enarrations or Sermons vpon the Psalmes explicateth a mysterie in the number of an hundred and fieftie signifying the concord of the two Testaments For in the old testament they kept
and his hope vaine earth and his life viler then clay †because he was ignorant who made him and who inspired into him the soule which worketh and who breathed into him the vital spirite †Yea and they estemed our life to be a pastime and the conuersation of life made for a gayne that we must get euerie way euen of euil †For he knoweth that he offendeth aboue al men which of the matter of earth fashioneth frayle vessels and sculptils †For al the vnwise and vnhappie aboue measure of the soule proude are the enemies of thy people and rule ouer them †because they haue estemed al the idols of the nations for goddes which neither haue vse of eies to see nor nosthrels to take breath nor eares to heare nor fingers of the hands to handle yea and their feete are slow to walke †For a man made them and he that borowed breath the same fashioned them For no man can make God like to himself †For wheras himself is mortal he maketh a dead thing with his wicked handes For he is better then they whom he worshippeth because he in deede liued though he were mortal but they neuer †But they worship also most miserable beasts for the senslesse thinges compared to these are worse then they †Yea neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts But they haue fled from the prayse of God and from his blessing CHAP. XVI God plaguing the Aegyptians for idolatrie and crueltie deliuered the Israelites 5. Chasticed them also but againe shewed them mercie 20. and fedde them with Manna FOR these thinges and by the like to these they haue worthely suffered torments and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts †For the which torments thou didst wel dispose of thy people to whom thou gauest the desire of their delectation a new taste preparing them the quaile for meate †that they in deede coueting meate because of those thinges which were shewed and sent them might be turned away euen from necessarie concupiscence But they in short time being made needie tasted a new meate †For it behoued that without excuse destruction should come vpon them exercising tyrannie but to these onlie to shew how their enemies were destroyed †For when the cruel wrath of beastes came vpon them they were destroyed with the bytings of peruerse serpents †Howbeit thy wrath endured not for euer but for chastisement they were trubled a short time hauing a signe of saluation for the remembrance of the commandment of thy law †For he that turned to it was not healed by that which he saw but by thee the sauiour of al †and in this thou didst shew to our enemies that thou art he which deliuerest from al euil †For the bitings of locusts and flies killed them and there was found no remedie for their life because they were worthie to be destroyed by such thinges †But neither the teeth of venemous dragons ouercame thy children for thy mercie coming healed them †For in memorie of thy wordes they were examined were quickly saued lest falling into deepe obliuion they might noâ— vse thy helpe †For neither herbe not plaâ—ster healed them but thy word ô Lord which healeth al thinges †For iâ— is thou ô Lord that hast powre of life and death and bringest downe to the gates of death and fetchest agayne †but man certes killeth by malice and when the spirit is gone forth it shal not returne neither shal he cal backe the soule that is receiued †but it is vnpossible to escape thy hand †For the impious denying to knowe thee haue bene scourged by the strength of thine arme suffering persecution by strange waters and haile and rayne and consumed by fyre †For that which was meruelous in water which extinquisheth al thinges fyre more preuayled for the world is reuenger of the iust †For a certayne time the fyre was mitigated that the beasts which were sent to the impious might not be burnt but that they seing might know that by Gods iudgement they suffer punishment †And at a certaine time the fyre aboue his powre burnt in water on euerie side that it might destroy the nation of a wicked land †For the which thinges thou didst nourish thy people with the meate of Angels and bread prepared thou gauest them from heauen without labour hauing in it al delectation and the sweetnes of al taste †For thy substance did shew thy sweetnes which thou hast toward thy children and seruing euerie mans wil it was turned to that that euerie man would †Yea snow and yee susteyned the force of fyre and melted not that they might know that fyre burning in hayle and lightening in rayne destroyed the fruites of the enemies †And this againe that the iust might be nourished it forgat also his owne strength †For the creature seruing thee the Creatour is fierce into torment against the vniust and is made more gentle to doe good for them that trust in thee †For this cause euen then being transformed into al thinges they serued thy grace the nource of al at their wil that desired thee †that thy children might know whom thou louedst ô Lord that not the fruites of natiuitie doe feede men but thy word preserueth them that beleue in thee †For that which could not be destroyed by fyre forthwith being heated with a litle beame of the sunne did melt †that it might be knowen to al men that we ought to preuent the sunne to blesse thee and at the rysing of light to adore thee †For the fayth of the vngratful shal melt as winter yee shal perish as vnprofitable water CHAP. XVII Horrible darkenes falling in Aegypt 19. the rest of the world had ordinarie light FOR thy iudgements ô Lord are great thy wordes inexphcable for this cause the soules lacking discipline haue erred †For whiles the wicked are perswaded that they can rule ouer the holie nation fettered with the bands of darknes and long night shut vp vnder roofes they haue lyen fugitiues from the euerlasting prouidence †And whiles they thincke that they lie hid in obscure sinnes they were dispersed by the darke couert of obliuion being horribly afrayd and disturbed with exceding admiration †For neither did the denne that conteyned them keepe them without feare because the sound coming downe trubled them and sorowful visions appearing to them put them in feare †And no force certes of the fyre could geue them light neither could the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible night †But there appeared to them soden fyre ful of feare and being stroken with the feare of that face which was not sene they estemed the thinges that were sene to be worse †and there were added derisions of the magical art and contumelious rebuke of the glorie of
and consist of al Nations the Prophet here forsheweth that Christian Eunuches liuing virgins or continent should not be ignoble or inglorious but more glorious and haue a better name then Gods other seruants sonnes and daughters an euerlasting name vvhich shal not perish because keping Gods precepts such as vvas the Sabbath they also of their free election choose this state of life to kepe perpetual chastitie more then is commanded Against vvhich plaine sense of the text Protestants oppose their ovvne glosses Peter Martyr li de calibatu votis Monasticis saith God preferreth not Eunuches before others that kepe the lavv but only before them that transgresse the lavv VVhich commentarie is faultie in tvvo respectes For God here calleth them not transgressors but his sonnes and daughters before vvhom he preferreth holie Eunuches neither speaketh of such as shal be excluded from good place or good name but of such as shal enioy both and sayth these Eunuches shal haue a better place better name that is more renovvme and greater revvard Other Protestants expound this better name to signifie that such Eunuches shal be called after or according to Gods people and be of the same religion vvhich importeth no excellencie at al in place or name as the text expresseth nay scarse equalitie with other seruantes of God Lastly they adde lest perhaps this former sense satisfie not the reader yea vnder Christ say they the dignitie of the faithful shal be greater then the Ievves vvere at that time As though the comparison made in this place vvere to signifie the general difference betvven Gods seruants before and since Christ and not particularly betvven Eunuches and such as haue children Hovv much more meete therfore is it to see and embrace the explications of the ancient holie Fathers VVho vniformely vnderstand expound this prophecie of such as vovv perpetual chastitie in the Church of Christ preferring that state before Mariage S. Basil li. de virginitate amongst other reasons and testimonies bringeth this place in proofe of the excellencie of virginitie that the revvard therof shal be that for a humane name God wil geue to virgins the name of immortal Angels vvhich shal not faile that they shal possesse a special place in heauen not only the glorie of Angels but an excellent dignitie amongst Angels S. Cyril of Alexandria in his commentaries vpon Isaie shevveth by this doctrine that the revvardes of continencie are eximia excellent and exceeding great so that such as be continent in bodie do also kepe al Gods commandments S. Ierom in his commentaries proueth that virginitie or perpetual chastitie is a singular good vvorke of supererogation not of precept but of Euangelical counsel by the vvord elegerit shal choose the thinges vvhich God vvould rather then vvhich he condescending to mans vveakenes allovveth Such an Eunuch saith he elegit quae Dominus voluit vt plus offerat quam praeceptum est hath chosen the thinges vvhich our Lord vvould to offer more then is commanded And such an Eunuch keping also Gods commandments shal haue locum optimum a chief good place in Gods house vvhere be manie mansions he shal be made a tovvre of our Lord be placed in Sacerdotali gradu Priestlie degree in stead of carnal chrildren shal haue manie spiritual children Thus S. Ierom. The like vve might cite of S. Ambrose in exhort ad Virg. S. Augustini lâ—de sancta virginitate c. 24. 25. S. Gregorie 3. p. Pastorali c. 29. c. others so expounding this prophecie CHAP. LVII The prophet lamenteth that men regard not when the iust dye 3. reprehendeth those that scorne the godlie 5. and committe horrible idolatrie 11. for getting God 14. who vseth al benignitie to recal them 20. but they contemne him THE iust perisheth and there is none that considereth in his hart men of mercie are gathered away because there is none that vnderstandeth for at the face of malice is the iust gathered away †Let peace come let him rest in his bed that hath walked in his direction †But come you hither ye children of the witch the seede of the aduouterer and of the harlot †Vpon whom haue you iested vpon whom haue you opened your mouth awide and thrust out the tongue Are not you wicked children a lying seede †Which take comforte in the goddes vnder euerie thicke greenetree immolating your litle ones in the torrents vnder the high rockes †In the partes of the torrent is thy part this is thy lot and thou hast powred out libament to them thou hast offered sacrifice shal I not take indignation of these thinges †Vpon an high and loftie mountaine thou hast layd thy bed and hast gone vp thither to immolate hostes †And behind the doore and behind the post thou hast ser thy memorial because thou hast discouered thyself neere me and hast receiued an aduouterer thou hast enlarged thy bed and made a couenant with them thou hast loued their couche with open hand †And thou hast adorned thyself with royal oyntment and hast multiplied the gay payntings Thou didst send thy legates far of wast humbled euen to hel †In the multitude of thy way thou hast laboured thou saydst not I wil rest thou hast found life of thine owne hand therfore thou hast not asked †For whom with careful reuerence hast thou feared wheras thou hast lied hast not bene mindful of me nor thought on me in thy hart because I am holding my peace and as it were not seing and thou hast forgotten me †I wil declare thy iustice and thy workes shal not profite thee †When thou shalt crie let thy gathered together deliuer thee and the winde shal take them al away a soft blast shal beare them away But he that hath confidence in me shal inherite the land and shal possesse my holie mount †And I wil say Make a way geue passage turne out of the path take away stumbling blockes out of the way of my people †Because thus saith the High eminent that inhabiteth eternitie and his name is holie dwelling in the high and holie place and with a contrite humble spirit that he may reuiue the spirit of the humble and reuine the hart of the contrite †For I wil not contend for euer neither wil I be wrath vnto the end because the spitit shal proceede from my face and breathinges I wil make †For the iniquitie of his auarice I was angrie and haue striken him I haue hid my face from thee and haue taken indignation and he hath gone wandering in the way of his owne hart †I saw his wayes and haue healed him and reduced him and haue restored consolations vnto him and to them that mourne for him †I haue created the fruite of the lippes peace peace to him that is far of and that is nere said our Lord and I haue healed him
deliuer vs. †But if he wil not be it knowen to thee ô king that we worshipe not thy goddes the golden statua which thou hast erected we adore not †Then was Nabuchodonosor replenished with furie and the looke of his face was altered vpon Sidrach Misach and Abdenago and he commanded that the fornace should be heated seuen times more then it had bene accustomed to be heated †And commanded the strongest men of his host to binde the feete of Sidrach Misach and Abdenago and to cast them into the fornace of burning fyre †And forth with those men being bound with their breeches and head attire and shoes and garments were cast into the fornace of burning fyre †For the commandent of the king did vrge and the fornace was heated excedingly Moreouer the flame of the fyre slew those men that had cast in Sidrach Misach and Abdenago †But these three men that is Sidrach Misach and Abdenago fel in the middes of the fornace of burning fire bound together That vvhich folovveth I found not in the Hebrevve volumes †And they walked in the middes of the flame praysing God and blessing our Lord. †And Azarias standing prayed thus and opening his mouth in the middes of the fire he sayd †Blessed art thou ô Lord the God of our fathers and laudable and glorious is thy name for euer †because thou art iust in al thinges which thou hast done to vs and al thy workes are true and thy wayes right and al thy iudgements true †For thou hast done true iudgements according to al thinges that thou hast brought in vpon vs and vpon the holie citie of our fathers Ierusalem because in truth in iudgement thou hast brought in al these thinges for our sinnes †For we haue sinned and done vniustly reuolting from thee and we haue offended in al thinges †and thy precepts we haue not heard nor obserued nor done as thou hadst commanded vs that it might be wel with vs. †Al thinges therfore that thou hast brought in vpon vs and al thinges that thou hast done to vs thou hast done with true iudgement †and thou hast deliuered vs into the handes of our enemies vniust and most wicked and preuaricatours to an vniust king and most wicked aboue al the earth †And now we can not open the mouth we are become a confusion and reproch to thy seruants to them that worshipe thee †Deliuer vs not for euer we besech thee for thy name sake and dissipate not thy testament †neither take thou away thy mercie from vs for Abraham thy beloued and Isaac thy seruant and Israel thy holie one †to whom thou hast spoken promising that thou wouldest multiplie their seede as the starres of heauen and as the sand that is in the sea shore †Because ô Lord we are diminished more then al nations and are abased in al the earth this day for our sinnes †And there is not at this time prince duke and prophet nor holocaust nor sacrifice nor oblation nor incense nor place of first fruits before thee †that we may finde thy mercie but in contrite minde spirit of humilitie let vs be receiued †As in holocaust of rammes and bulles and as in thousands of fat lambes so let our sacrifice be made in thy sight this day that it may please thee because there is no confusion to them that trust in thee †And now we folow thee in al our hart and feare thee and seeke thy face †Confound vs not but doe with vs according to thy meekenes and according to the multitude of thy mercie †And deliuer vs in thy meruels and geue glorie to thy name ô Lord †and let al be confounded that shew euils to thy seruants let them be confunded in al thy might and let their strength be broken †and let them know that thou art the Lord the onlie God and glorious ouer the round world †And the kings seruants that had cast them in ceased not to heate the fornace with Naphtha tow and pitch and drie stickes †and the flame mounted out aboue the fornace nine and fourtie cubits †and it brake forth and burnt them whom it found by the fornace of the Chaldees †But the Angel of our Lord descended with Azarias and his felowes into the fornace and he shooke the flame of the fire out of the fornace †and made the middes of the fornace as a winde of dew blowing and the fire touched them not at al nor payned them nor did them anie greuance †Then these three as out of one mouth praysed and glorified and blessed God in the fornace saying †Blessed art thou ô Lord the God of our fathers and laudable and glorious and superexalted for euer and blessed is the holie name of thy glorie and laudable and superexalted in al ages †Blessed art thou in the holie temple of thy glorie passing laudable and passing glorious for euer †Blessed art thou in the throne of thy kingdom and passing laudable and superexalted for euer †Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths and sittest vpon the Cherubs and laudable and superexalted for euer †Blessed art thou in the firmament of heauen and laudable and glorious for euer †Al workes of our Lord blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Blesse our Lord ye Angels of our Lord prayse superexalt him for euer †Ye heauens blesse our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Al waters that are aboue the heauens blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Blesse our Lord al ye powers of our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Sunne and moone blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Starres of heauens blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Euerie shower dew blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Al spirits of God blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Fire and heate blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Colde and heate blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Dewes and hore frost blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Frost and cold blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Yse and snowes blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Nightes and dayes blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer Light and darknes blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Lightenings and cloudes blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Let the earth blesse our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Mountaines and litle hilles blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Al things that spring in the earth blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer â€
I WIL BRING MY SERVANT THE ORIENT †Because loe the stone that I layd before Iesus vpon one stone there be seuen eyes behold I wil graue the grauing therof sayth the Lord of hosts I wil take away the iniquitie of that land in one day †In that day sayth the Lord of hosts euerie man shal cal his frende vnder the vine and vnder the figtree CHAP. IIII. In a vision of a candlestike and candles 3. and of two oliue trees is prophecied the vocation of the Gentils 11. and lastly of the Iewes AND the Angel returned that spake in me and he raysed me vp as a man that is raysed out of his sleepe †And he sayd to me What seest thou And I sayd I saw and loe a candlesticke al of gold and the lampe therof vpon the head of it and the seuen lights therof vpon it and seuen funnels for the lights that were vpon the head therof †And tow oliue trees vpon it one on the right hand of the lampe and one on the left hand therof †And I answered and I sayd to the Angel that spake in me saying What are these thinges my Lord †And the Angel that spake in me answered and sayd to me Why knowest thou not what these thinges are And I sayd No my Lord. †And he answered and sayd to me saying This is the word of our Lord to Zorobabel saying Not in an host nor in strength but in my spirit sayth the Lord of hosts †Who art thou ô great mountayne before Zorobabel into a plaine and he wil bring forth the principal stone and wil make grace equal to the grace therof †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †The handes of Zorobabel haue founded this house and his handes shal perfite it and you shal know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me to you †For who hath despised litle dayes and they shal reioyce and shal see the stone of tinne in the hand of Zorobabel These are the seuen eyes of our Lord that runne through out the whole earth †And I answered and sayd to him What are these two oliuetrees on the right hand of the candlestike and on the left hand therof †And I answered the second time and sayd to him What are the two branches of oliuetrees that are beside the two beaks of gold in which are the funnels of gold †And he sayd to me saying Why knowest thou not what these are And I sayd No my Lord. †And he sayd These are two sonnes of oyle which assist the dominatour of the whole earth CHAP. V. In a vision of a flying booke theeues and sweares are threatned 5. in an other vision is foreshewed that the Iewes shal be blind and obdurate AND I turned and lifted vp myne eyes and I saw and behold a volume flying †And he sayd to me What seest thou And I sayd I see a volume flying the length therof of twentie cubits and the breadth therof of ten cubits †And he sayd to me This is the malediction that goeth forth vpon the face of the earth because euerie theefe as is there written shal be iudged and euerie swearer by it in like maner shal be iudged †I wil bring it forth sayth the Lord of hosts and it shal come to the house of the theefe and to the house of him that sweareth by my name falsly it shal abide in the middes of his house and shal consume it and the timber therof and the stones therof †And the Angel went out that spake in me and he sayd to me Lift vp thine eyes and see what is this that goeth forth †And I sayd What is it And he sayd This is an amphore going forth And he sayd This is their eye in al the earth †And behold a talent of lead was caried and loe one woman sitting in the middes of the amphore †And he sayd This is impietie And he threw her in the middes of the amphore and cast a lumpe of lead vpon the mouth therof †And I lifted vp mine eyes and saw and behold two wemen coming forth and spirit in the winges of them and they had winges as the winges of a kite and they lifted vp the amphore betwen the earth and the heauen †And I sayd to the Angel that spake in me Whither do these carie the amphore †And he sayd to me That a house may be built for it in the land of Sennaar and it may be established and set there vpon the foundation therof CHAP. VI. In a vision of chariots is foreshewed the succession of foure monarchies 11. In crownes set on the high priests head the Kingdom and Priesthood of Christ 15. and the rewards of them that receiue him AND I turned and lifted vp mine eyes and saw and behold foure chariots coming forth from the middes of two mountaines the mountaines mountaines of brasse †In the first chariot red horses in the second chariot blacke horses †and in the third chariot white horses and in the fourth chariot speckled horses strong †And I answered and sayd to the Angel that spake in me What are these thinges my Lord †And the Angel answered and sayd to me These are the foure windes of heauen which goeforth to stand before the Dominatour of al the earth †That in which were the blacke horses went forth into the land of the North and the white went forth after them and the speckled went forth to the land of the South †But they that were strongest went out and sought to goe and to runne about through out al the earth And he sayd Goe walke through out the earth and they walked through out the earth †And he called me and spake to me saying Behold they that goe forth into the land of the North haue made my spirit to rest in the land of the North. †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Take of the transmigration of Holdai and of Tobias and of Idaias and thou shalt come in that day and shalt enter into the house of Iosias the sonne of Sophonias who came out of Babylon †And thou shalt take gold and siluer shalt make crownes and thou shalt set on the head of Iesus the sonne of Iosedec the grand priest †and thou shalt speake to him saying Thus sayth the Lord of hosts saying BEHOLD A MAN ORIENT IS HIS NAME and vnder him shal spring vp and shal build a temple to our Lord. †And he shal build a temple to our Lord and shal beare glorie and shal sit and rule vpon his throne and he shal be a priest vpon his throne and the counsel of peace shal be betwen them two †And the crownes shal be to Helem and Tobias and Idaias and Hem the sonne of Sophonias a memorial in the
they resolued to fight and to encounter manfully that manhood might decide the matter because the holie citie and the temple were in danger †For there was lesse care for their wiues and children and also for their bretheren and kinsemen but the greatest and principal feare was for the holines of the temple †And they also that were in the citie tooke no litle care for them that were to ioyne battel †And when they did al hope that iudgement would be geuen and the enimies were present and the armie was set in aray the beastes horsemen disposed in conuenient place †Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude and the varietie of the prouision of armour and the fiercenes of the beastes stretching forth his handes vnto heauen he inuocated our Lord that worketh wonders who not according to the might of armes but according as it pleaseth him geueth victorie to the worthie †And he sayd inuocating in this maner Thou Lord which didst send thyne Angel in the time of Ezechias king of Iuda and didst kil an hundred eightie fiue thousand of the campe of Sennacharib †now ô Dominatour of the heauens send thy good Angel before vs in feare and trembling of the greatnes of thyne arme †that they may be afrayde which with blasphemie come against thyne holie people And he in dede ended his prayer thus †But Nicanor and they that were with him with trumpets songues came nere †But Iudas and they that were with him inuocating God by prayers ioyned battel †with the hand in dede fighting but in their hartes praying to our Lord they ouerthrew no lesse then fiue and thirtie thousand being greatly delighted with the presence of God †And when they had ceased and returned with ioy they vnderstood that Nicanor was slaine for al his armour †A shout therfore being made and a great crie they blessed the Almightie Lord in their countrie language †And Iudas who by al meanes was in bodie and mind readie to dye for his citizens commanded that Nicanors head and hand with the shoulder being cut of should be caried to Ierusalem †Whither when he was come hauing called his countrimen and the Priestes to the altar he sent also for them that were in the castel †And shewing them the head of Nicanor the wicked hand which he stretching forth against holie house of almightie God had mightely bragged †The tongue also of impious Nicanor being cut out he commanded to be geuen pecemeale to the birdes and the hand of the furious man to be hanged vp against the temple †Al therfore blessed the Lord of heauen saying Blessed be he that hath kept his place vndefiled †And he hung vp Nicanors head in the toppe of the castel that it might be an euident manifest signe of the helpe of God †Therfore al by common counsel decreed by no meanes to let passe this day without solemnitie †but to kepe the solemnitie the thirtenth day of the moneth Adar which is called in the Syrian language the day before Mardocheus day * These thinges therefore being done concerning Nicanor from that time the citie being possessed of the Hebrewes I also in these wil make an end of speaking †And if wel and as is competent for a storie that myself also would but “ if not so worthely it resteth to be pardoned me †For as to drinke alwayes wine or alwayes water is hurtful but to vse now one now an other is delectable so to the readers if the speach be alwayes exact it wil not be gratful Here therefore it shal be ended ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XV. 12. Onias prayed for al the people And. v. 14. Ieremie prayeth for the people As against prayer of the faithful for the dead Ch 12. so against prayer of Saincts for the militant Church Protestants haue no better euasion vvhen they are pressed with these examples then by denying the auctoritie of the Bookes For seing the Prophet Ieremie and the Highpriest Onias being in Limbo patrum no holie soules ascending into heauen before Christ did pray for the vvhole people of the Ievves it is also certaine that they and other Sainctes in glorie do of their excellent charitie pray for those that are in this mortallife Yet neither do vve Catholiques vrge this place as though vve had no other to alleage for vve shevv the same doctrine by other holie Scriptures Gen. 48. Exo 32. Iere. 15. Luc. 16. 2 Petri 1. Apoc. 5. 6 8. and others neither must vve omite these bookes because our aduersaries denie them seing the lerned Doctores and holie Fathers confirme the same doctrine by those Scriptures Among others ancient Origen tomo 18 in Ioan. sayth it appeareth that Sainctes departed from this life haue care of the people as it is written sayth he in the Actes of the Machabees manie yeares after the death of Ieremie this is Ieremie the prophet of God vvo prayeth much for the people Likervvise S. Bernard Ser. 3. vigil Natiuit Domini Ser. 11. againe Ser. 76. in Cantica admonisheth that a good religious man is like to this Onias who prayeth to God for al the people 39. If not se vvorthely He demandeth not pardon as though he suspected any error in his doctrine or in the history but of his vnpolished stile in writing As S Paul sayth that himself vvas rude in speach yet not in knovvlege 2. Cor. 11. v. 6. But we who by Gods great goodnes haue passed now to the end of this English old Testament iustly fearing that we haue not worthely discharged so great a worke and in no wise presuming that we haue auoided al errors as wel of doctrine as historie much more we acknowlege that our stile is rude and vnpolished And therfore we necessarily and vvith al humilitie craue pardon of God and al his glorious Sainctes Likevvise of the Chruch militant and particularly of you right vvelbeloued English readers to vvhom as at the beginning vve directed and dedicated these our endeuoures so to you vve offer the rest of our laboures euen to the end of our liues in our B. Sauiour IESVS Christ to vvhom be al praise and glorie Amen THE CONTINVANCE OF THE CHVRCH AND RELIGION IN THE SIXTH AGE from the captiuitie in Babylon to the coming of our Sauiour nere the space of 640. yeares SVCH is the prouidence of Almightie God that not obscurely or at sometimes only but manifestly and without intermission his Diuine Maiestie is acknowleged his name glorified his Religion professed and his preceptes obserued by a visible knowne Church from the beginning of the world to the end therof as we haue already shewed in the other fiue ages and shal no lesse clerly declare the same in this sixth For albeit the peculiar people of God were for their sinnes caried forth of their countrie and held captiues in Babylon seuentie yeares and after their reduction
wombe Ch. 33. v. 14. Behold the dayes wil come sayth our Lord and I wil rayse vp the good word v. 15. I wil make the spring of iustice to bud forth vnto Dauid he shal do iudgement and iustice in the earth Ieremies Lamentations are in greatest part of Christ and his Church And some part can hardly be applied to anie other ch 3. v. 30. He shal geue the cheke to him that striketh him he shal be filled with reproches ch 4. v. 20. Christ our Lord is taken in our sinnes Baruch 2. v. 35. God promising to reduce the people from Babylon addeth And I wil establish vnto them an other testament euerlasting by Christ whose kingdom is for euer that I be their God and they shal be my people Ch. 3. v. 36. This is our God and there shal none other be esteemed against him v. 38. After these thinges he was sene vpon the earth and was conueâ—sant with men Ezechiel peculiarly called by an Angel the sonne of man was therin a special figure of our Sauiour who so calleth him self And the same prophet hath in plaine termes foreshewed the office of Christ the true Pastor of al pastors eh 34. v. 25. I wil sayth God by this prophet rayse vp ouer them one Pastor who shal feede them my seruant Dauid that is Christ prefigured by Dauid His admirable visions in the three first chapters and nine last perteyne properly and principally to the new Testament of Christ and his Church shewing the abundance of grace and glorie geuen by him to the elect Daniel 7. v. 13. With the cloudes of heauen there came in as it were the Sonne of man and he came euen to the ancient of dayes and in his sight they offered him He came euen to the ancient of dayes because in his Diuinitie he is equal to the Father and in his humanitie he is offered to God in Sacrifice v. 14 His powre is eternal and his kingdom shal not be corrupted ch 9. v. 24. Seuentie wekes of yeares are abridged that sinnes may be forgeuen grace be infused prophecies be fulfilled and the Holie one of holies be annointed Al which belong only to Christ. v. 26. After sixtie two wekes Christ shal be slaine Aggeus 2. v. 8. The desired of al nations shal come Zach. 3. v. 8. I wil bring my seruant the Orient ch 13. v. 7. Strike the Pastour and the shepe shal be dispersed fulfilled in Christs Passion Mat. 26. v. 21. Malaâ—h 3. v. 2. Forthwith shal come to his temple the Dominator whom you seke the Angel of the testament whom ye desire The booke of wisdom ch 2. v. 12. describeth the malice of the wicked against Christ Let vs say they circumuent the iust because he is vnprofitable to vs and he is contrarie to our workes and reprochfully obiecteth to vs the sinnes of the law v. 13. He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God and nameth him self the Sonne of God Ecclesiasticus 24. v. 34. God appointed to Dauid his seruant to raise vp a king of him most strong and sitting in the throne of honour for euer Which eternal king proceeding from Dauid can be none but Christ our Sauiour And al the praises of Paâ—riarches and Prophetes in the last eight chapters consist in their fayth and expectation of Christ Likewise the Priestes and people 1. Mach. 14. v. 28. 35. and 49. shewed their fayth of Christ to come when they established Simon and his progenie in the gouernment and highpriesthood for euer til there rise the faithful Prophet to witte the Prophet of whom al the prophetes did speake Luc. 24 v. 27. Amongst the rest Ieremie ch 31. v. 23. and Ezechiel ch 44. v. 2. make also especial mention of some singular priuileges of the most excellent virgin Mother of God Of whom also Iudith and Esther were apparent figures who receiued special graces for the benefite of their nation and so did this singular Virgin receiue of God most eminent giftes aboue al other mere creatures for the benefite of the whole Church Of Angels the celestial spirites is frequent mention in the holie Scriptures of this age Their multitude is innumerable and therfore are insinuated to men by general termes Daniel 7. v. 10. Thousandes of thousandes ministered to him and tenne thousand hundred thousandes assisted him And their powre is most great and to men most profitable An Angel defended the three children in the fornace walking with them in the fire Daniel 3. v. 49 95. Another defended Daniel from the lions ch 6. v. 22. The same or an other caried Habacuc from Iurie into Babylon Dan. 14. v. 35. and restored him in his place againe v. 38. The Archangel Gabriel instructed Daniel ch 8. v. 16. 17. ch 9. v. 21. And ch 10. v. 13. 20. Other Angels the Patrones or Guardians of the Persians and Grecians prayed for those countries and S. Michael v. 21. for the Iewes An Angle spake in Zacharie ch 1. v. 9. An other Angel went to mete him ch 2. v. 3. And in respect of Angelical offices both S. Iohn Baptist and our Sauiour himself are figuratiuely called Angeles Malach. 3. v. 1 No meruel therfore that Iudas Machabeus and his armie 2. Machab. 11. v 6. prayed for the assistance of a good Angel which was granted them v. 8. And so they went promptly hauing an helper from heauen v. 10. Their like prayer had the same effect in an other battel 2. Machab. 15 v. 27. Contrarie to these glorious Angeles are other spirites at first created in grace which falling into pride and most obstinate malice are perpetual enimies to God their Creator and to al mankind continually calumniating the workes of God and of al his seruantes wherof they are called Diuels or calumniators They neuer cease tempting al they can to euil so to bring men to eternal death For by the enuie of the diuel Sap. 2. v. 7. death both of soule bodie came into this world The iust stipend of sinne Al sinnes offend God and please the diuels But more particularly they desire to be honored as God with Sacrifice Which therfore they require to themselues and their idols And for this sinne of Idolatrie aboue al others God is most prouoked to wrath for the same most especially punished his people as the Prophet Baruch chap. 4. v. 6. signifieth to the people saying You are sold to the Gentils c. You are deliuered to their aduersaries and geuing the reason why he addeth v. 7. For you haue exasperated him that made you the eternal God immolating to diuels And not to God The same al the Prophetes teach and withal that Sacrifice is the souereigne seruice due to God only and not to any creature how excellent soeuer But of Sacrifice there is so much written that it were ouer long and nedeles to recite the places It importeth more
S. Chris ho. 21. in Gen. et in 2. Thes 2 Theodor. q. 45. in Gen. Aretas in 11. Apoc. S. Greg. lib. 14. Moral c. vâ—â— ho. 12 in Ezech. Eccl. 44. Mala. 4. Eccl. 48. 1 2 3 See D. Sand. lib. 8. c. 35. de Monar Eccl. And F. Pererius in c. 12. Danielis The professors of true religion were called the soÌ„nes of God the folowers of errors the soÌ„nes of men :: God who is immutable subiect to no passion yet by the enormitie of sinnes semeth prouoked to wrath and to repent that he had made man S. Amb. li. de Noe arca c. 4. Eccl. 44 17. :: In al generations God reserued some iust Much more in the law of Grace :: A right example of a iust maa Heb. 11. SoÌ„nes of God and sonnes of men was then such a distinction as now Catholiques and Heretiks lib. 15. c. 23. ciuit De vera relig c. 7. con epist sund c. 4 Trac 32. in Ioan. Philo. Iosephus Lactant. Rupert Tostatus This warning and expectation of repentance sheweth freewil in maÌ„ ho. 22. in Gen. Tradit Heb. lib. 15. c. 24. ciuit Scriptures not easie Erronious opinions concerning these giants The principal doctors proue that they were men and begotten of men First reason 2 3 4 5 Giants most monstruous in bodie and in minde Luthers argument that al mens workes are sinnes Heretiks like to Sisyphus The sinnes before the floud very greuous in foure respects 1 2 3 4 2. Pet. 2. Luthers argugument answered Ezech. â— Luc. 1 2. Apoc. 22. Noe iust and perfect VVho is perfect in this life Diuinâ— calcuio Appelles an old Heretike that denied Christ to haue true flesh A general answer to al calumniators of wise and learned men Origens opinion of long cubites not probable â—o 2. in 6. Gen. Moyses in other places can not be vnderstood to speake of o long cubites Exod. 27. l. 15. ciuit c. 27. Deu. â— :: Noe was iust not only by the estimation of men but in deede and before God :: Obseruation of cleane and vncleanne beastes by tradition before the law of Moyses Mat. 24. Luc 17. :: The Hebrew word Thehom signifieth a gulfe of water from whence new fountaynes sprang more abundantly theÌ„ euer since or before :: Arubbah signifieth great pipes or windowes by which water fell downe in great abuÌ„dance from the ayre here called heauen S. Hier. quest Heb. S. Epiph ad Io. Hierosolom S. Chr. 〈◊〉 25. in Gen. Sap. 10. 4. â—cl 39. 1. Pet. 3. God vseth both natural and supernatural meanes as secundarie causes in producing conseruing gouerning punishing in rewarding his creatures li. de Noe area c. 15. Al or most thinges in the old Testament be in figure of the new no figure more exact then the floud of Noe. 1. Cor. 10 Ep. 95. l. 5. de Baptis c. 28. de vnitate Eccles ca. 5. In Psal 103. 131 Ser. 69. de teÌ„pore 1. Pet. 3. Mat. 24. Luc. 17. How the Doctors applie the figure to the things figured Noe signified Christ The arke the Church Entrance into the Church by Baptisme Vertue of Sacraments cometh from Christs Passion Doctors and Pastores in the Church li. 12. de Baptis c. 14 Varietie of states and orders in the Church Good and euil in the Church Perpetuitie oâ— the Church Vnitie of the Church One chiefe gouernour in the Church Epist. 57. ad Damasum No saluation out of the Church Man made to Gods image and in happie state Man obeyed God and al earthlie creatures obeyed man Man placed in Paradise Eccle. 7 30 sap 2. 24. Man sel by yelding to tentations Original sinne Adam and Eue were penitent Sap 10. Faith in one God The blessed Trinitie Though the B. Trinitie worke ioyntly in al creatures yet diuers workes are atributed to distinct Persons Gen. â— By faith the state of man past present was knowne Beleefe in Christ to come Remedie for men but none for Angels that fel. Heb. 2 16. Apoc. 13. 8. Heb. 11. None admitted into heauen before Christ External Sacrifice Publique prayer with other Rites Ceremonial obseruations Feastes Abstinence Cleane vncleane Places dedicated to prayer Gen. 2. 3. Gen. 29. Gen. 9 Gen. 7 2. Gen. 4. 26. Figures of Christs Sacraments Baptisme Mariage Gen. 1. 1. Pet â— Mat 19. GeÌ„ 2 24 Penance Contrition Gen. 3. Confession Satisfaction From hence is taken the ceremonie of ashes on Ashwene day Priesthood Priesthood Law stand change together Nâ—m â— 10 12. 45. Latherli de abroganda Missa Good worke necessarie Gen. 4. Freewil â—â— de serâ—â— arbit li 2. Instit ca 2. par 8. Gen. 3. Temporal paine due for sinne remitted Purgatorie Mat. 5. Prayer for the dead And to Saincts Officiâ— pro defunctis Sepulchers of Patriarches religiously conserued Iosue 14. Gen. 23. li. 2 Antiquit Epist ad Pamach Enoch translated aliue Gen â— Heb. 11. Communion of Saincts Ministerie of Angels Gen. 3. 24. li. 11 dâ— Gen ad lit c. 40. Honour of Saincts Gen. 6. Psal 11â— General Iudgement Iudge of the world Epist Iudae v. 14. Resurrection Gen. 2. 7. Gen. 5. Euerlasting life The blessed in eternal ioy The wicked in eadles paine Gen. 3. 24. Church euer visible Succession of Patriarches One supreme head of the Church Gen. 4 16. Gen 5. Gen. 4 17. S. Aug. li. de Pastore c. 8. 20. Cains negatiue doctrin True faith stil remained in manie Some also iust and perfect Gen. 6. Interruption of heretical Sinagogues CoÌ„tinuance of the Church The second age of the world The third part of this booke Of the newincrease multiplication of the world :: The crowe returned not into the arke but as appeareth by the He brew text going and returning rested vpon the arke :: They entred into the arke the 17. day the secoÌ„d moneth of the other yeare so they remained there 12. monethes and tenne dayes :: In the whole yeare of the floud was no sowing nor reaping nor pleasant varietie of times but al desolate miserable hence forth God promiseth more seasonable times S. Amb. ii de Noe Arca. c. 23. Noes sacrifice manie wayes coÌ„mendable Li. de Noe Arca c 22. 1. Voluntarie 2. Speedie 3. Solemne Heb. 13 10. 4. Pure 5. Bountiful 6. Holocaust Leuit. 1. Psal 50. Isaie 1. Amos. 5. â—â—al 1. Iust Mar. li 3. q. 4. S. Hiero. â— Heb. Sacrifice is pleasant to God not for the external things but for the sincere mind :: Of this commandment or rather blessing see the Annotations chap. â— v. â—8 Leuit 17. :: The rainbow was before but was not a signe as God saith henceforth it should be for men to remember his promise Seuerianus in Gen. S. Tho. Quodâ—â—b 3. a. 30. :: By this it is clere that Noe had no more children after the floud S. Chrisost bâ— 29. in Gen. Apoc. 13. 8. Heb. 11. Ad. q. 119. Ho. 27. in Gen. Voluntarie abstinence without coÌ„mandment Abstinence from bloud some times
the ministerie of Priests The ancient fathers proue that Melchisedech offered Sacrifice in bread wine in figure of Christ and of other Priests of the new Testament Caluin coÌ„temneth al the ancient fathers in ca. 9. Heb. Bible 1579. Heretical translation Heb. 7 Iosue 8. 22. 3 Reg. 8. The greatter blesseth the lesse Paying of tithes in the law of nature Ro. 4. Gal. 3. Iac. 2. :: These three kindes of beastes and two of birdes signifie that the Israelites should be three generations in a strange land the fourth in the desert the fifth in possession of Chanaan Theod. q. 65. in Gen. Act. 17. :: Abraham and his seed werein strange land 400 and odde yeares but in seruitude and affliction about 140. Exo. 12. :: God deferreth to punish either that the wicked may amend or the good be exercised by them S Aug. Psal 54. or because the iniquity is not come to that great measure which his wisdome forâ—eeth and wil punish in the end to his owne more glorie and more good of others S. Greg. ho. 11. in 3. Ezech. To beleue Gods word without staggering is an act of iustice Not workes before faith but ioyned with faith are meritorious Onlie faith doth not iustifie :: Some obey whilest they are rude or in low state but hauiÌ„g got a litle knowlege or aduancement disdaine their aduancers S. Gregorie li. 21. in 1. Reg. 3. Manichees condemned pluralitie of wiues in the Patriarches Luther alloweth it in Christians Other Protestants in some case S. Aug. li. 22. c. 47. cont Faust Luther propsit 62. 65. et 66. S. Aug. de bono coniugali ca. 17. Two sortes of preceptsin the law of nature Pluralitie of wiues sometimes allowed Deut. 21. By the law of Christ in no case lawful Math. 19. Gen. 2. :: He is perfect in this life that sincerly diligently tendeth towards perfection of the next life And this God here commanded to Abraham Christ to al Christians Math. 5. S. Aug. li. de perfect cont Caelest See Gen. 6. v. 9 :: Circumcision and name receiued the eight day signified the association of Saints in heauen after the seuen dayes trauel of this world Ser. de circum apud S. Cyprian :: Abraham laughed not doubting but reioycing S. Ambro. li. de Abraham c. 4. S. Aug. li. 16 c. 26. de ciuit :: Temporal blessings were common to Ismael but spiritual pertained properly to Isaac and Israel their successessors :: Conformitie in Religion conserueth peace in euery familie Tho. Anglus in hunc locum Changing of names is mystical S. Aug. li. 16 c. 28 39. ciuit S. Hierom Tradit Hebraicis Gal. 4. Isa 54. Abraham natural father of foure nations spiritual father of al that do beleue in Christ Rom. 4 11. The Church of Christ euer consisteth of many nations Circumcision a figure of Baptisme Baptisme excelleth Circumcision Two difficulties To whom the punishment pertained wheÌ„ circumcision was omitted what punishment was threatned Circumcision instituted to distinguish the people of God and for remedie of original sinne in some persons but not in al. :: Abraham saw three and adored one professing three diuine persons and one God S. Aug. li. 16. c. 29. ciuit Heb. 13. Rom. 9. :: Abraham laughing with admiration for ioy was not reprehended but Sara laughing of diffidence was reprehended by him that seeth the hart S. Aug. q. 36. in Gen. li. 16. c. 31 ciuit :: what a wall are iust men to their countrie their faith saueth vs their iustice defendeth vs from destruction S. Amb. li. 1. de Abraham c. 6. :: Abraham Lot by hospitalitie metâ—ted to receiue Angels in steed of meÌ„ Heb. 1â— :: This sinne crieth to heauen for reuenge a litle one :: Lots wife turned into salt admonisheth the seruants of God to procede in vertue not to looke back to vice Luc. 17. S. Aug. li. 16. c. 30. ciuit :: Lot neither perfect nor very wicked was deliuered for Abrahams â—â—â—e S. Aug. â— 45 in Gen. :: Moabites Ammonites were two distinct nations perhaps of the 72. See p. 43. :: See pag. 52. :: Not his fathers owne daughter but of his progenie S. Aug. li. 22. cont Faust c. 35. li. 16. c. 19. 30. de ciuit :: Kinges of the earth esteming the Church only for a laudable people of God seeke to subiect her to them selues but knowing her to be the inuiolable spouse of Christ subiect them selues to her and offer to her most honorable giftes S. Aug. il 22. cont Faust c. 38. The sixt part of this booke Of the progenie other blessings of Abraham Isaac and Iacob :: Abraham Sara laughed he admiring she doubting at the ioyful promise of a sonne therfore he is called Isaac which signifieth laughter S. Aug li. 16. c. 31. ciuit :: See chap. 17. v. 21. Rom. 9. Heb. 11. * vvel of oath Separation to be made in families when iust cause requireth Mystical sense li. 15. c. 2. ciuit The true Church doth not persecute but iustly punisheth offenders Heretikes and other infidels do persecute when either by word or sword they impugne the truth Epist 48. 50. Tract 11. in Ioan. Tract 〈◊〉 in 4. Gal. The third prophecie in the office before Masse on Easter eue And the first on whitsuneue Iudith 8. Heb. 112. :: This historie is clere and a most notorious example of perfect obedience :: It is a gratful and religious thing by naming of places to coÌ„serue the memorie of Gods benefites that posteritie may know them S. Chrisost ho. 48. in Gen. :: Nachors progenie is here mentioned to shew whence Rebecca came whom Isaac maried God tempteth not to euil but by experience maketh knowen what vertue is in men Isaac figured Chists diuinitie the RaÌ„me his humanitie Iac. 1. 13. Heb. 11 19. S. Aug. li. 16. c. 32. ciuit Theod. q. 72. in Gen. :: A cleare example of religious office in burying the dead See 2. Reg. 1. and 2. Paral. 35. :: Adoration vsed for reuerence done to men See also c. 27. v. 29. c 33. v 37 and S. Aug. q. 6â— in Gen. :: In choosing a wife a vertuous stock and familie especially true faith and religion are before al other things to be considered preferred S. Amb. li. 1. c. 9. de Abrah S. Chrisost ho. 48. in Gen. :: Her father hauing perhaps manie wiues and euerie one a seueral house she went to her mother house :: As children ought not to mary without their parents good liking so the parties owne consent is most necessarie S. Amb. Epist 43. :: Suach signifieth to speake consideratly with hart or mouth Here S. Ambrose li. 1. c. 1. de Isaac and S. Aug. q. 69. in Gen vnderstand it of mental prayeâ— Ominous speaches sometimes supersticious Some times lawful Holie scripture and the Church are iudges of doubtful obseruations Ioan. 14. Eliezers prayer for a particular signe was lawful deuout and discrete Iudic. 7. 1. Reg. 14 Act. 1.
Ser 1. de S. Andrea S. Beda 〈◊〉 4. S. Aug. cont Faust S. Greg. in li. 1. Reg. et in Iob. Inuocation of Patriarches S. Hiere Ep. 12. ad Gauden Obiections answered by holie Scriptuâ—es Iob. 4â— How Sainctes knâ—w mens prayers Titles geuen to men in office and to Sainctes lib. de mortalitate Angels adâ—â—ed Reliqués Images Exequies fâ—â— the dead Purgatorie To. 2. in sept Psal paeuitent Limbus pattâ— No entrance into heauen before Christ Resurrection Iudgement Eternal paine of the damned and glorie of the blessed 1. Co◠◠〈◊〉 dowries of glorified bodies presigured 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 Cathâ— câ—â—s Rom p. 1. c 12. q 9. The Church more knowen to other nations then before The Ecclesiastical and temporal states more distinguished Succession of High Priestes Distinction of offices in Priestes Leuites Succession of temporal princes interrupted Dukes Iudges Kinges M 〈…〉 Church Murmure Idolatrie 〈…〉 e. 〈…〉 〈…〉 * Iudic. 3. Ordinarie meanes of conseruing the Church No participation with infiâ—els No 〈…〉 But one Tabernacle One Altar 〈◊〉 〈…〉 8. Chris orat 1. aduers Iudeos One supreme Iudge of controuersies Al bound to obey him His sentence infallible The Church of Christ preserued from â—â—â—ing in Religion Math. 16. 28. Luc. 22. Ioan 14. 16. Eph. 4. â— Tâ—m 3. Not anie temporal but Christs kingdom is in al nations and perpetual S. Aug. li. 17. â—â— de â—â—uit S. â—â—pipâ—â— here 's 2â— The Church of Christ vniuersal Act. 4. in hunc Psalm The Iewes wil not see Christ 2. Cor. 3. And Heretikes wil not see the Church which yet is alwayes visible S. Aug. in Psal 30. câ—nâ— 2. Collat. Carthag at cont Donatist Ibidem The beginning of the fifth age * Firmnes * in strength :: A vessel so 〈…〉 for the 〈…〉 being 〈…〉 :: â—atus contayned 〈…〉 :: Had designed and dedicated to holie vses :: There was no more with in the arke Deut. 10. but on the outside was the rodde of Aaron Nu. 17. Heb. 9. the golden potte with Manna Exod 16 Heb 9. and the booke of the law repeted by Moyses Deut. 31. :: Prices blesse their people parentes their children :: Salomon knew wel Gods conditional promise but perseuered not in keping his coÌ„mandments and therfore a great part of the kingdom was takeÌ„ from his children yet the right of the kingdom of Iuda remayned to his seede euen to Christ our Sauiour :: Reward of good workes :: External workes of penance except they proceede from the hart suffice not for remission of sinne :: External worship is not acceptable to God except it procede from internal sinceritie and dâ—â—odon VVherfore S. Augustin sayth God is worshipped in faith hope and charitie Enchirid c. â— :: Salomon did not â—el these cities for he could not alienate them but let the king of Tyre haue the vse and reuenewes in payment for timber for the gold which he sent * dirtie or disples sing :: a monument :: Part of Arabia is called Saba nere to Iurie but this Saba is beyond Arabia as S. Hierom testifieth in Esaiae 60 li. 17 it semeth to be in Aethiopia for our Sauiour saith Mat. 12. The quene of the South came froÌ„ the endes of the earth to heare the vvisdom of Salomon :: As this quene had no spirite when she saw Salomons wisdom so the Church gathered of gentiles knowing Christs grace finding the masters of Euangelical doctrin casting away the spirite of pride and laying of al hautinesse of mind lerned to distrust in her self and to trust in the great mercie of her king S. Greg in Psal 7. paâ—â—ten to 2. * A wonderful thing that a Quene vpon fame of a mans wisdom traueled so farre to heare him speake and to see his gouernment but it was Gods inspiration to signifie by this figure that the Church of Christ should be gathered of the Gentiles in al nations Kiges Quenes noâ— potent Princes also submitting themselues to Christ Isaae c. 49. :: Though pluralitie of wiues was then alowed yet it was forbid to multiplie manie Deut. :: The tribe of Iuda :: By Ierusalem is vnderstood the tribe of Beniamin wherin it stood so there remained two tribes to Salomons heyres 2. Reg. â— â—â— Reg. 10. :: From the time that Salomon fel to idolatrie he was more impugned by three perpetual aduersaries Adad Razon and Hieroboam mystically signifying the flesh the world and the diuel :: This fact coÌ„firmed his wordes that he spoke seriously fained not :: VVhether he repented and was saued or no is vncertaine The third part The diuision of the Kingdom Seueral reigues of certaine kinges and preaching of special prophetes :: This pharaise noteth the sequel not the final cause As chap. 14. â— â— :: A diuelish policie to make a religion conformable to the temperal state :: For such a religion such priestes were fittest :: Places on hilles where they sacrificed calues and other thinges to the images of calues :: This foreshewing long before the name of a childe that should be borne importeth that he should do great thinges See 4. Reg. 2â— :: This man of Bethel was indeede a prophet of God but in this lied wickedly and so deceiuing the other prophet made him to breake Gods commandment for which he was slaine VVhervpon Hieroboam swhom the wiked prophet sought to please was lesse afeard to procede in idolatrie :: Not only the deceiuer but also he that is deceiued is guiltie and punishable for breakiÌ„g Gods coÌ„mandment :: By this it appeareth to be Gods worke and punishment :: Ieroboam did not wittingly and of purpose set vp false goddes to the end he might prouoke God to anger for his intention only was to kepe the people froÌ„ going to Ierusalem left by that occasion they should returne to Roboam their Lord king of Iuda ch 12. v. 27. But by settiÌ„g vp idols he did prouoke God consequently to anger So here and in other places this phrase that he might prouoke that it might be fulfilled and the like signifieth not the final cause but the sequele of other factes without direct intention :: Dauids postetitie conserued for his sake :: Those altares which Salomon had made for his wiues that were idolaters Asa destroved not but al which RoboaÌ„ and Abias had made or suffered to be made for their owne people he pulled downe Iosias afterward destroyed also those which Salomon had made 2. â—â—â—â—l 34. :: The aâ—â—â—ouâ— of schisme punished in his posteritie :: Al those that were in the campe chose their general to be their king and preuailed therin though an other half of Israel chose and folowed an other for a time :: Thebni being then dead he reigned peaceably for he began his reigne the 27. yeare of Asa â— 15. 16. and reigned in al 12. yeares :: VVhen Hiel began to build Iericho his eldest sonne died so the rest successiuely that the last died when he finished the building because God by the mouth of
WITH THE PRAYER OF MANASSES folow after the MACHABEES Heretikes denie some scriptures because they coÌ„uince their errors Lib. de Praedest Sanct. c. 14. The Churches canon of more authority theÌ„ the Iewes A canon is an infallible rule of direction The Gospel is knowne by the Church Bookes doubted of beiore the Churches definition are not doubtful after Praefat. in Iudith De viris illustrib verbo â—acobus Other testimonies that this Booke is canonical chap. 1â— Toma 4. 〈◊〉 in â— Reg. 10. It was written in Chaldee The coÌ„tentes Diuided into three partes This booke is read at Mattins the third weke of September The first part Tobias his holie maner of life :: Not absolutly al but very manie for some of the same tribe and kinred did also feare God c. â— v. 2. :: Al the people of the tenne tribes did not serue Ieroboams golden calues but some feared God consequently refrayned from euil Prou. 3. at least from idolatrie Amos. 8. v. 10. :: True zele is not hindred from workes of mercie by feare of death because perfect charitie casteth out feare I Ioan 4. :: Both elder and yonger sorte of his kinred derided him not his proper parentes for he was depriued of father and mother when he was a child as it semeth c. 1. v. 4. :: In a prouince of the Medes wherof Rages was the head citie for when they came where Raguel dwelt Tobias stayed there and the Angel went to the citie of Rages where Gabelus dwelt c. 9. As one may say such a one dwelleth in Rome that dwelleth in anie part of Romania in Yorck Lincolne or Mum moth that dwelleth in one of those shires :: Asmodâ—os signifying Destroyer is a captaine or king of those diuels which specially destroy soules by the sinnes of the flesh afterward tormenteth both soules and bodies for the same sinnes :: Act. 10. An Angel shewed Cornelius that his prayers were heard Apoc. 5. prayers of the faithful are offered to God by Angels other Sainctes :: As Moyses to the people Deut. 33. and Dauid to Salomon 3. Reg. 2. So Tobias gaue holie admonitions to his sonne in al fourtene noted in the inner margin 1 2 3 :: The same doctrine of good workes and reward is taught Daniel 4. v. 24. 4 5 6 7 :: A notable rule agreable to the law of nature 8 :: VVorkes of mercie exteÌ„d also to the dead 9 10. 11 12 :: It perteyneth to good men amongst other thinges to geue notice and to dispose of their temporal goodes by their last wil. 13 14 The second part The iourney and affayres of yong Tobias assisted by the Angel Raphael :: The Angel Raphael appearing in forme of a man prefigured our Sauiour who indede became a verie man S. Beda :: Raphael signifying medâ—â—inâ— of God â— Greg. ho. 34 calleth himselfe Azarias whose shape and viâ—a â—e he tooke vpon him which name also signifieth the helpe of God :: S. Paul also calleth flesh of fish 1. Cor. 15. and Plinie lib. 9. c. 15. * and liuer v. 19. :: Diuels who exalted them selues as equal with God aâ—e iustly made subiect to corporal creatures God coÌ„curring with natural causes whose good pleasure is sometimes to vse instrumeÌ„ts naturally vnapt as when Christ gaue sight to the blinde by putting clay on his eyes Ioan. 9. sometimes more apt as when he fed manie with few loaues Ioan. 6. So the Angel by Gods appointment vsed this meanes to expel the diuel :: Into the place where good soules rested none then hauing accesse into heauen See Annotations â—en 37. * and hart v. 8. :: The second night he asked and obtayned this grace for he knew not his wife vntil the fourth night v. 22. :: A iust man sayth S. Ambrose lib 3. Off. c. 14. feared other mens harmes and would rather his daughter should not be maried then others should be in danger preferring honestie before profite :: See chap. 6. v. â— Mystically it signified Christs passion whereby the diuel was expelled out of mens hartes S. Aug ser 28. de Sanctis Prosper li. de promiss p. 2. c. 39. :: In the one familie there were no more children but one sonne in the other one onlie daughter :: The Angel went to the citie iâ— selfe called Rages Tobias remaining in the ter â—iâ—orie or prouince therof wâ—â— Raâ—â—eâ— which place is also called Rages c. v 7. :: Such of the Iewes as beleue in Christ hartely lament that he â—aâ—â—eth so loÌ„g from their nation Some more assuredly with old Tobias others more doubtfully with his wife expect his returne S. Beda â—n Tobiam Euen so the remnant of Catholiques in countries fallen to heresie haue great sadnes and continual sorovv in their hart Rom. 9. vvishing with what temporal losse soeuer the saluation of their brethren kinsmen and countriemen some hoping more confidently and comforting others that Christ wil againe illuminate our whole nation as sight was restored to old Tobias Instructions to maried persons out of the example of Tobias and Saras Mariage Ephes 5. Mat. 19. True Mariage alwayes a holie contract Now a Sacrament Proper instructions for man and wife part 2 de Matrim q. 22. 23. Three necessarie pointes in Matrimonie Exod. 34. Deu. 7. Leuit. 18. Nu. 36. v. 7. Tenne godly Rites obserued in the Mariage of Tobias and Sara 1. 2. 35 4. 5. * Apud Munstâ—rum Gen. 29. v. 27. Iudic. 14. v. 17. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. :: It nothing disgraceth the sacred historie that a smal matter being also true is recorded with the rest As not one letter nor one title of the lavv may be omitted Mat. 5 S. Beâ—â— also expoundeth it mystically of Gods preachers S. Ierom. doth the like in Isaiae 56 and S Augustin li 22. c 56. câ—â—t Faustum Manich. :: God vsed this gal of a fish in curing Tobias eyes in like sorte as the liuer in driuing away the diuel c. 6. v. 8. * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 :: Gratful Tobias recounteth seuen benefites receiued by the companion of his iourney that they haue receiued not manie but al good things by him :: Fasting and almes are as two wingues with which prayer flyeth into heauen :: O how swete or excellent a thing is it saith S. Augustin ser 3. de Natiuit when Angeles guardianes of our life offer our vowes or resolution to flee vices and embrace vertues before the sight of Gods Maiesty Offices of Angels towardes men Readic to helpe al. Offer mens prayers and good workes Ayde the godlie Exhort to good Instruct Expel euil spirites Deliuer from euils and dangers Procure temporal commodities for the soules good Proue the good by tribâ—lations Comforte the patient and aâ— vertuous Angeles guardians haue special care of soules committed to their charge The third part
reproches v God semed to be wel pleased with Christ as with his owne Sonne if it be so let him deliuer him from these afflictions say these blasphemers w diuine powre without man formed me in the wombe of my mother a virgin x As I haue no father but thee O God so without intermission from myn incarnation to this time I haue had thee my protector y leaue me not now without comforte seing I must dye as thou hast determined and I freely consented yet leaue me not in death but raise me againe to life Psal 15. v. 9. 10. z Almost al are become myn enemies and those few that would can not helpe me a Delicate lasciuious yougmen b and the scribes Pharises and elders of the people haue al conspired against me c condemning me and perswading the people to crie Crucifie crucifie him d So weakned with paines of torments as fluide water not able to consist e My bones and strongest partes of my bodie are weakned verified when our Sauiour fel downe vnder his crosse f the part that first and last liueth is weakened as soft waxe by heat of the fire and ready to faile g al my powres and radical humiditie is dried vp as a potters vessel is baked in the furnace h Through exceding great drught which our Sauiour professed on the crosse saying I thirst i thus thou O God hast suffered me to come to the last breath of life next to death Yet finally ouâ— Seuiour gaue vp his spirite before he should haue died v. 21. k Agane this royal Prophet recounteth by whom and how our B. Sauiour should suffer euen as clere as tho Euangelistes afterwards haue written the historie â—â—â— 19. l Our Sauiours body was so racked on the crosse that his bones might be seene and counted m The persecuters vvittingly determined al tiâ—â— crueltie beheld it vvith their eyes and vvithout al compassion persisted in malice reioyced and blasphemed n the souldiars that crucified our Sauiour taking his garments for their praye o yet in mysterie of his Church diuided not his coate p He prophecieth Christs speedy resurrection q Christs saul vvas not seperated from his bodie by force of the torments but he preuenting death freely yelded vp his spirite Ioan. 10. v. 9. 10. r the most pure and sanctified soule of vvhose fulnes al other iust soules are sanctified Å¿ that it stay not in hel vvhich deuoured al other soules in the old Testament t The propagation of the Church of Christ in al nations v not the carnal but spiritual children of Iacob Isaac and Abraham Rom. 9. v. 8. w the Church gethered both of Ievves and Gentiles is very great and vniuersal x Our Sauiour promised to geue his ovvne bodie the bread of life Ioan. 6 and performed the same at his last supper y those that be faithful humble and poore in spirit participat the sruict of this most excellent Sacrament z The effect of this B. Sacrament is the resurrection in glorie and life euerlasting a Gentiles which haue bene idolaters shal recollect themselues when they heare Christ preached and shal turne to true Religion b Although men can neither deserue to be conuerted nor to perseuere in iustice yet Christ meriteth to haue a continual kingdom which is the perpetual visible Catholique Church c Not only the poore sorte but also the mightie ones of the world shal be conuerted to Christ participate his B. Bodie in the Sacrament d and religiously adore the same e Al that adore God shad adore him in this Sacraments f Death being once ouercome it shal haue no more powre g Againe the prophet inculcateth the continuance of the Catholique Church h Apostles and other preachers of Christ Christs Resurrection The Passion of Christ according to Dauid Christs conditional prayer was not heard His absolute prayers were alwaies heard Christs suffered for our example â— Pet. 2. The Hebrew text corrupted by the Iewes This Psalme is of Christ Prophecie of the visible and vniuersal Church in huâ—â— Psal S. Agustin proueth the Church to be alwaies visible and great by this Psalme The Eucharist prophecied in this place Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist ThaÌ„ksgeuing for Gods protection The 7. key a Christ the good pastor gouerneth protecteth Isa 40. Iere. 23. Ezech. 34. Ioan. 10. 1. Pet. 2. 5. b and feedeth his faithful flocke c Baptisme of regeneration d which is the first iustification e Gods precepts which the baptised must obserue Mat. 28. v. 20. f Saluation is in the name and powre of Christ not in mans owne merites g in great dangers of tentations to mortal sinne h yet by Gods grace we may resist i Gods direction and law is streight k and strong l Christ hath prepared for our spiritual foode the B. Sacrament of the Eucharist S. Cyprian Epist 63. Eutim in hunc Psal m against al spiritual enemies the world the flesh and the diuel n Christian soules are also streingthned by the Sacraments of Confirmation Penance holie-Orders Matrimonie and Extreme Vnction o The B. Sacrament and Sacrifice of Christs bodie and bloud p continual and final peseuerance is by Gods special grace q in eternal life Christ Lord of al the world The 5. key a Christ rising from death the first day of the weeke had al powre geuen him in heauen and in earth Mat. 28. b Not only the soile it selfe but al the fruict and al that dwel therin are Gods c Though Christ created and redeemed al yet only the iust shal inherite heauen d not occupied himselfe in vaine and vnprofitable thinges but in commendable workes e Gods mercy goeth before iustifications iust workes folow and so glorie is the reward of al. f This sorte of people thus seruing God shal receiue euerlasting blisse g The prophet contemplating in spirite Christs Ascension inuiteth Angels to receiue him and by prosopopeia speaketh also to the gates of heauen by which he is to enter h Angels answer admiring demanding as in a dialogue how Christ is become so glorious i The Prophet answereth that Christ by his powre hath ouercome al enemies in battel k Againe he willeth Angels to open the gates and biddeth the gates to enlarge them selues l the Angels demand as before m the prophet answereth that Christ is Lord also of Angels and al heauenlie powres vnder God A prayer of the faithful The 7. key a This Psalme perteyneth more properly to the new testament And is artificially composed the verses beginniÌ„g with distinct letters in order of the Hebrew Alphabet to the last verse b my minâ— to be atteÌ„tiue c not be frustrate of my petition d that patiently expect the time when God wil assist e This maner of praying is frequent in the Psalmes signifying as a prophecie that so it wil come to passe and the conformitie of the iust to Gods iustice f in true faith and religion g al our
and tentations then those by vvhich the damned vvere ouercome Thirdly certaine more excellent Sainctes namely the Apostles and al those that forsaking proprietie of temporal In Psal 121. v. 5. li. 3. in Mat. 19. ho. in Nat. S. â—ened goodes geue that they haue to the poore as some religious Orders doe or into a Communitie as the Apostles and manie primitiue Christians did Mat. 4. v 20. cap. 19. v 27. Act. 4. v. 34. 1. Cor. 6. v. 3. shal sitte in iudgement seates assessorie iudges with Christ and iudge those that render account of wel or euil spending the temporal landes or goodes which they possessed in this vvorld So teach S. Augustin S. Ierom. S. Beda and others God most excellent and most laudable the first key a Al ye Angels and men that are in the holie and highest heauen praise our Lord. b Al ye creatures that are in and vnder the first moueable firmament praise our Lord. c And you especially Gods peculiar people amongst whom and for whom diuine miracles haue bene wrought praise our Lord d with al your possible endeuoure for though his infinite Excellencie excedeth the powre of al creatures to praise him sufficiently yet it resteth that you may infinitly extend your wil and desire to praise our Lord according to the multitude of his greatnes e Out of this your great and infinite desire let your tongues sound and sing diuine praises as wel vvith voice as musical instruments f VVherof six most vsual in the Tabernacle and Temple vvere these Trumpet Psalter Harpe Timbrel Organ and Cymbal g By the vvay the Psalmist interposeth agane tvvo especial thinges vvhich make perfect harmonie vvithout vvhich no instrument is gratful to God Vnitie amongst his seruants signified by the Quire of consonant voices h and mortification of passions signified by Stringes vvhich are made of dead beastes bovvels i Man created of corruptible bodie and immortal soule is finally admonished to praise our Lord ouer and aboue the praises of al other corporal creatures vvho also is more especially bond therto then Angels because God hath voutsaffed to make himselfe Man to redeme man that vvas lost by sinne and to endew him vvith nevv grace and so bring him to euerlasting glorie vvhere vvith holie Angels men also for euer euer shal praise our Lord vvith hart voice and iubilation of spirite singing as the Psalmist concludeth Alleluia The number of Psalmes signifieth the agrement of the old and nevv â— estament Three fifeties sign â—â—â— Pâ—naâ—ce Mercie vvith â—ustice and Praises of God 〈◊〉 ◠〈◊〉 An. Dâ— 380. Gloria Patri added by tradition The coherence of this part with the rest The contents of Sapiential bookes Preface before Iosue Why they are so called They are al Canonical Scripture Salomon is auctor of the three first Proem Annot. Prefac Tobiae Other bookes of Salomon not extant S. Iero in proem S. Aug. li. 17. c. 20. â—iuii A brief summe of these three Prologo galeato a Prouerbs b Ecclesiastes c Canticles VVhy this booke is called Prouerbes and Parables The contents Diuided into foure parts The first part An inuitation to seeke vvisdom vvith some general precepts a By these sentencious similitudes the studious may better conceiue and vnderstand true vvisdom and the vertues belonging therto b profound solide vvitte c Not only yongmen and inexperienced but also the vvise may lerne more vvisdom by these patables d shal be fitte to gouerne others e Feare of our Lord that is reuerence of his diuine Maiestie vvith desire duly to serue him and neuer to offend him is the first degree in ascending to perfect vvisdom vvhich consisteth not only in the vnderstanding but also in action g The second to resist euil suggestions h The proper remedie against such alurements is to be vvatchful and to â—ee from them Three kindes of vvisdom Diuine Attributes are not qualiries in God but his substance VVisdom increated is God himselfe VVisdom the gifte of Holie Ghost Humane vvisdom Four benefites of God Vocation Helpe Instruction Repreheasion Reward of workes a This frequent maner of proposing the vvay and meanes to vvisdom If thou vvilt receiue my vvordes c. shevveth most cuidently the povvre of mans free vvil b Not euerie desire or sleight seeking of vviâ—dom sufficieth but such laborious seeking is required as a couetous man sâ—ekerbâ—reâ—sure vvhich he knoweth to be hid in the ground Sap. 3. v. 32. 10. v. â— c A description of peruers sinners especially of heretikes Foure markes of an heretike 1. He forsaketh the knowen faith Isaiae 35. v. â— 2. He glorieth in his ovvne invention 3 Teacheth pleasing thinges Rom. 1â— v. 18. 4. Admitteth no iudge but himself â—it â— v. 11. a It auaileth litle to heare good instructions except we 〈…〉 them in memorie b not â—n books only but in the hart c and â—ut them in execution d knovv also that al thy streingth is in Goâ— in whom thâ—â— mâ—â—st 〈◊〉 â—â—ust not in thâ—â— o 〈…〉 〈…〉 e e 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 〈…〉 those that endeuour 〈◊〉 God is a 〈◊〉 of his sâ—uâ—ur tovvards them and therfore his other promises vvhich seme to be temporal are to be vnderstood of the next life f God revvardeth as it vvere vvith both handes promising eternal life g and competent meanes in this life h M 〈…〉 for the wordes of thy mouth i Almes in season 〈◊〉 vvorth to that vvhich is differred long :: As Salomon was instructed by his father king Dauid so he teacheth others the right order hovve to lerne vvisdom :: The first part of wisdom is to desire it For nothing hinde resâ— from being â—ust but that â—ustice is not desired S. Aug in Psal 118. v. 20. :: As the hart is the principal part of the bodie so the vvil is the chiefest powre of the soule from vvhich good or euil procedeth a To auoide al impietie it is first of al necessarie not to thinke speake nor heare vnlawful thinges b By woman is generally vnderstood concupiscence of vvhat sinne soeuer as ch 1. v. 10. ch 3. v. 33 chap 4. v. 14. c The vvorld the flesh and the diuel are strangers d And cruel enemies that render for revvard eternal damnation e Good doctrine is to be imperted to men of sincere intention f no to contemners and obstinate inâ—idels The vvisman doth not absolutly disvvade from al maner of suretishippe but from rashly or vnaduisedly ansvvering for others And especially exhorteth to vse al diligence in performing or causing others to performe that vvhich is promised or couenanted :: Euerie one that sinneth vvittingly and of malice refusing to obey God imployeth his mouth eyes feete handes and al partes vvith a vvicked hart and intention to peruerte others most proper to heretikes apostates from the faith :: The formeâ— six are al damnable but this seuenth is most detestable because it is opposite to the chief vertue charitie it breaketh vnitie is the proper sinne
praised her she returneth al the praise to him d Praying him to come and stil remaine vvith her e Acknovvleging him to be the only Sauiour of both old and nevv testament a The Synagogue prosecuteth her prayer desiring Christs Incarnation b Christ admonisheth vvordlie men not to molest those that serue him in contemplation other spiritual vertues c Angels and other Sainctes of the triumphant Church admire the beautie of the Câ—nâ—les conuerted which is also vnderstood of euerie holie soule ascending from this world into heauen And more singularly of the most glorious virgin mother of God f The Church of Gentiles reioyceth in the strong defence vvhervvith her Sauiour hath established her g Keepers of this vinyard vvere the Prophetes and Apostles and their Successors are stil the kepers therof h Christ shevveth that together vvith the pastors himself especially hath care of his Church alvvayes assisting the visible gouerners therof vvith his inuisible grace i The vvhole Church militant vvel contented yea desiring Christs Ascension into heauen for the good of al that here serue him prayeth him from thence to send abundance of his grace that vve may ascend the high mountaines of perfect charitie and zele of Gods honour that he vvil make our soules such hilles the garden of al vertues so voutsafe to dwel therin Amen d The Synagogue of the Iewes was corrupt vnder the tree of Christs Crosse when they cried Crucifie him Crucifie him And againe His bloud be vpon vs and vpon our children Againe VVe haue no King but Caesar c. e Christ againe sheweth his affection towards his Church of the Gentiles calling her his owne sister and the Synagogs sister promising and bestowing on her manie excellent benefites Both the auctor auctoritie of this booke were sometimes doubtful The same doubt is of Ecclesiasticus It is most probable that Philo a Iew writte this booke collecting manie sentences of Salomons Argum. lib. Reg. Fiue Sapiential bookes of the old testament Chap. 7. 8. 9. The Iewes denie these bookes to be Canonical Mat. 22. Exo. 3. They are iudged by very manie ancient fathers and afterwards defined by the Church to be Canonical Scriptures Et li. 17. c. 20. â—â—â—â— The contents Diuided into three patts The 1. part An admonition to loue and practise iustice 3. Reg. 3. Isa 56. 2. Par. 1â— :: Mortal sinnes are not only committed in dedes vvordes but also in though tes :: He that maliciously curseth sâ—uâ—sed of God â—al 5. v. 22. :: Be not cause of your owne eternal death by euil life :: Desperate death deliuereth not the wicked from calamities :: Neither are anâ—e damned vvhile they are in thâ—â— life :: But sinners not repenting being etâ—â—nal 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 be after death fal to these prophane thoughts and speaches of infidelitie :: Of infidelitie touching paine or reward after death procedeth the Epicures life :: Infidels are not content to liue in riote but doe also enuie and persecute the iust vvhose good examples vexe their mindes sturred therto by the diuel :: An euident prophecie of the Iewes malice persecuting our Sauiour Fulfilled by the chief Priestes Scribes and Ancientes recorded dy the Euangelists Mat. 27. v. 41. Mar 14. v. 53. Mat. 27. v. 43. :: vvant of beleuing diuine Mysteries namely the reward of the iust punishmeÌ„t of the wic ked is cause of dissolute life and of hatred against the good :: Temporal death of the iust is the way to eternal life vvhere damnation called here the tormeÌ„t of death shal not touch them :: For albelt Martyrs seme in the eyes of the vnwise to dye or to be extinguished they passe in dede into eternal and vnspeakeable glorie Chap. 5. v. 4 Mat. 13. v. 43. :: Al the iust shal approue Gods iudgmeÌ„t condemning the wicked :: Literally is vnderstood that the wiues of adulterers often become adultresses their children wicked Morally their sensualitie al their vvorkes are wholly corrupted * See S. Ierom. in Isa 56. v. 4. :: Chastitie of the bodie is a singular great vertue spiritual chastitie of true faith and religion is greatter and more generally commended as the roote and fundation of al vertues For vvithout faith it is vnpossible to please God :: VVhen soeuer the iust dieth it is profitable for him dying yong his immaculate life is more commendable then old age in the wicked v. 16. :: The damned shal be vvithout al excuse vtterly confounded in their owne consciences Gods prescience dâ—â—th not preiudice mans free wil. â—tl 17. â— 30. ciuit :: VVicked men in their false conceipt iudge the trauels of the iust to be vaine fructles :: Repentance of the damned is only for the losse paine whereinto they are fallen not of loue towards God or vertue nor of hate towards sinne therfore is fructles bringing no comforte nor helpe at al but euerlasting torment and anguish of mind Chap. 3. v. 2. Pro. â—0 v. 19. :: For the certaintie of thinges that shal be Prophetes do very often speake in the pretertence of thinges to come as if they vvere already past :: As the ioy of the blessed so contrariwise the miserie of the damned is meruelous great for euer vnchangeable Eccle. 9. v. 18. :: Al powre is from God therfore to be respected though the magistrates sometimes abuse their auctoritie Rom. 1â— v. 1. :: As euerie ones charge is more or lesse so his account is easier or har der and the punishment if he offend smaller or greater S. Gre. ho. 9. in Euang. :: VVisdom is attained by this gradation and so from first to last a resolute desire ioyneth faithful soules to God v. 21. The second part VVisdom procedeth from God and is procured by prayer :: The perfectest children are borne in the beginning of the tenth moneth :: Children in the mothers wombe are as in slepe :: Salomon whose sayinges are here recited praied for wisdom obtained it 3. Reg. 3. 3. Reg â— v. 9. :: God first gaue him grace to desire wisdom before al other thinges as he explicateth plainly cap. 8. v. 21. :: Salomon was a most excellent Philosopher :: Proper Epithetons of the spirite of wisdom :: See the Annotation Prouerb 1. v. 2. Heb. 1. v. 3. :: God the increated wisdom is infinite and wisdom created is also most excellent amongst Gods giftes 3. Reg. 3. Prou. â— :: This is also the speach of Salomon recited by the writer of this booke :: Of Salomons wisdom riches glorie renowmed fame not only the bookes of Kinges Paralipomenon but also our Sauiour doth witnes Mat. 6. 12. :: It is not certaine that Salomon hath immortal glorie but rather by immortalitie is here vnderstood that his glorious fame remaineth to the end of this world :: Neuertheles wisdom of her part geueth life and glorie euerlasting to al that perseuere to the end of this life :: It is
good thinges not commanded deserue greater reward Mat. 21. Mar. 11. Luc 19. :: The prophet foreseing in spirit the careles negligence of some pastores of iust zele charitie inueigheth against them watning them of their greeuous punishment Iere. 6. 8. Sap. 2. Issue of children was a blessing of the old Testament Virginitie is a greater blessing in the Church of Christ Exo. 2â— Deut. â— Protestantes expositions of this place not true Bible 1603. The ancient fathers vnderstand this prophecie of vowed chastitie Preferring it before Mariage a Ipsi sunt qui habent in câ—â—lo praemia â—aeteris prestantiora b Gloriam prepriam excellentemque nec erit quid commune cum multis c In aeternae mansione silijs preferuntur :: Iust men dying seme to the vvicked to perish :: But they are gathered to the happie society of other blessed soules And commonly God so taketh away the iust when he wil punish the wicked people that they may not in this world see the general calamitie of others Isa 62. 7. 10. :: To the humble contrite penitents God sheweth al benignitie and granteth vvished good thinges as prosperous windes to sea faâ—ring traueâ—ers the like :: Those that persist obstinate can haue no remission of sinne Isa 46. v. 22. :: Many sinners are so fast a sleepe in their wickednes that they can not or rather wil not heare ordinarie admonitions to such therfore Gods preachers must crie and not cease to crie as with a loude trumpette exalt their voice opportunely importunely with al patience and longamitie til they make the dease to heare to beleue the truth and the duÌ„me to speake that is to prosesse vertue in word dede Mar. 7. Zach. 7. Ezec. 18. â—at 25. Isa â—1 Protestants de tract from the praise profite of fasting Cultus Des. Luc. 2. v. 37. Leuit 16. 33. This seripture reproueth not fasting but admonisheth to fast especially from sinne Num. 29. v. 6. 7. v. 8 Christs fast an example of the 40. dayes fast in Lent Dan 9. Ione 3. 3 Reg. 19. Exo. 24. 34. Num. 11. Isa 50. :: No defect is in God spowre nor wil that he deliuereth not the faithful from afflictions but their sinnes are the impedimen t for vvhich he punisheth them that they may repent then he wil deliuer them v. 20. Iob. 15. Prou. 1. Rom. 7. :: No pure man being able to redeme and deliuer mankind from captiuitie of sinne God became man to accomplish this worke Ephes 6. 1. Thes 5. Rom. â—â— :: The Church hath stil the spirit of truth and therfore can neuer erre :: God preuenting with his grace euerie one must cooperate by gratfully accepting this benefite and so dispose him self to iustification :: Only those that come into the Church receiue the light of true faith al others are in darkenes Isa 49. :: This prophecie began to be fulfilled when the 3. Sages came on swift beastes to adore Christ and offered giftes Mat 2. :: This is fulfilled in great Britanie Ireland other ilandes as Tertullian Origen S. Beda proue against the Iewes and S. Chrysostom against the Gentiles Apoc. 21. â— 25. :: This was accomplished when the Romane Emperours and other Monarches and nations receiued the faith of Christ :: S. Ierom compelled as he saith to leaue the histo rical sense because it is not conuenient to say the walles and sundation of Ierusalem were adorned with precious stones and the temple which should be most glorious was made of wood expoundeth this place of excelleÌ„t men The holie mosteloquent man Cyprian the Mar tyr and the confessor of our time Hilarius do they not seme to thee the high trees that haue built the Church of God Apoc. 21. v. 23. Apoc. 22. v. 5. :: Our Sauiour was not neither needed to be visibly annoynted as Aaron Dauid others were but inuisibly by God vvith oyle of gladnes aboue al others Ps 44. v. 8. vvith the Holie Ghost and with powre Act. 10. v. 39. of vvhose fulnes al others receiue Ioan. 1. v. 16. Luc. 4. v. 18. :: It was a griefe and sorow to the Apostles first preachers of Christs Gospel that both the Iewes departed from God Gentiles stâ—l folowed idolatrie but shortly after manie were conuerted :: And preferred their owne happie lotte before al other Iewes Gentiles :: True preachers and pastors cease not from preaching the truth for anie threates terrour or torment But say with this prophet For Sion that is for the good of the Church I vvil not cease c with S. Paul The vvord of God is not tied 2. Tim. 2. :: The Church of Christs is perpetually visible in her watchmen the pastors gouerners therof Mat. 21. Zach. 9. :: S. Dionyse Hâ—erâ—r caelest c 7. supposeth this to be the quaestion of the hieghest order of Angels admiring Christs beauty to be so excellent not withstanding that he is embâ—ewed with bloud ascending from Edom which signifieth terrestrial from Bosra a vvalled citie ouerthrovven that is from Ierusalem into heauen vvith triumph after a bloudie victorie Apoc. 19. v. 13. :: The Angel guardian of the Church which standeth before the face of God Christ testifying that also the particular guardians do alwayes see the face of his Father Mat. 18 Exo. 14. Deut. 26. â—a% 2. :: God is neuer the cause of error or harnes of hart but by indulgence not punishing sinners harden their ovvne hartes so S. Ierom. The Ievves supposed that for their sinnes the Patriarches did not acknovvlege them for their children Yet hoped that God of his mercie vvould releue them in distresse How the old patriarches knevv the state of men in this vvorld â—ap 15. Luc. 16. Sainctes in glorie see more cleâ—ly then Prophets in this life li. 22. c. 29. ciuit That Sainctes know helpe mortal mens necessities is certaine but the maner how is obscure â—ura pro mort c. 16. :: The good people with Priestes and Prophetes of the old Testament most feruently desired Christs comming 1. Cor. â— :: And signifieth for as Gen. 14 v. 18. And the English Bibles translate for in this place though the Hebrew text hath vaâ— that is and. But vve vvith S. Ierâ—m and other ancient Fathers folow the authentical Latin which hath eâ— in this place enim in the other :: Likewise the same particle and signifieth yet as if he had said yet vve â—â—al be saued Psal 78. :: This can not be meant of the Ievves but necessarily of the Gentiles Rom. 10. :: But this is euidently spoken of the Iewes and so S. Paul testifieth of both these places Ro. 10. v 20. 21. Prou. 1. Iere. 7. :: Nothing can be more plain lyvttered then is here the doctrine of mans freewil :: Likevvise of revvard punishment of good and euil workes :: The name of Iewes shal be exectable * Othe of execration :: And Gods seruantes shal be called Christians Apoc. 21. ::