half of the words alledged in the Text are not in Isaiah at all but in Malachy So Mark might say the Prophets and yet sometime in the New Testament in Allegations from the Old do closely couch two several places together under one quotation as if they were but one yet maketh it sure that the first alwaies is the very place which it takes on it to cite though the second be another As Act. 7.7 a speech is alledged which was spoken at twice so that here Luke might say Isaiah * 913. Mar. 1.35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed with Luk. 4.42 And when it was day he departed and went into a desart place and the people sought him c. with Mat. 8.18 Matthew observeth not the time when Peters wives mother was cured he bringing the History in when other circumstances of place or persons c. invited him thereto And whereas Mark saith it was before day and Luke when it was day both agree for it was in the twilight which is not yet clear day and yet it is so much light as to be called day And whereas Matthew saith Christ commanded the multitudes to depart to the other side which questionless they did and Christ he went into the Wilderness and the multitude came thither to seek him The meaning may be Christ commanded that they should depart to the other side not that which is opposite directly but to the other side in respect of the sinus of the sea of Galilee which was towards Capernaum So the multitude sayled over part of the Lake yet did not wholly leave Galilee Christ he came by Land to the place where the people sought him The History tells us what Christ commanded not what the people did 914. Mar. 2.7 Who can forgive sins but God only Joh. 20.23 Whose sins you remit they are remitted unto them God above remits sins by his own authority The Apostles and Pastors of the Churches only testifie in the Name of Christ that upon condition of faith they are remitted But God speaks to us by his Ministers that we should be sure of his grace and should have the Sacred Function in honour since it is confirmed in heaven what the Ministers declare on earth * Mar. 2.7 with Mat. 6. As we forgive our debts or trespasses In every trespass which any do to their Neighbours there be two offences one to God another to Man In the first respect as it is against God and his Commandments it is called a sin And that God only forgives In the other respect it is called only an injury or dammage and so man may forgive it When a man is robbed the Law is broken by stealing and the injury that is done is against a man that hath goods stollen this injury as it is an injury a man may forgive but as it is a sin he cannot but God only * Mar. 2.7 with Joh. 20.23 God forgives sin by authority Man ministerially God of himself alone Man only from God God absolutely Man with conditions and supposition God really and originally Man only declaratively 915. Mar. 5.20 The man that was possessed with the Devil published in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him Luk. 3.39 He went through the City publishing He published it first in the City of the Gadarenes and afterwards in other parts of Decapolis 916. Mar. 5.30 Vertue went forth of Christ to cure the woman Ver. 34. He said unto her Daughter thy faith hath made thee whole By vertue from Christ was the woman restored to her health which she applyed to her self by faith and so her issue of bloud staied 917. Mar. 6.5 Christ could do no mighty works in his own Country Mat. 28.18 All power is given to me in heaven and in earth Christ was not destitute of vertue but for their incredulity for faith is the hand that receives Christs benefits and to those that believe all things are possible that he could not is meant here he would not for that is Gods will to be able saith Tertullian 918. Mar. 9.2 After six daies Iesus taketh with him Peter Iames and Iohn Luk. 9.28 And it came to pass about eight daies The first place must be understood exclusively in respect of the day in which Christ speaks and was transformed The latter includes both those daies and he numbreth not precisely but about eight there were not so many whole daies 919. Mar. 9.35 And he sate down and called the twelve Mat. 18.1 The Disciples came unto him saying The Disciples on the way disputed who should be the greatest of them Christ therefore at home called the twelve and they being called came unto him 920. Mar. 10.19 Christ answereth him that asked of him about eternal life Thou knowest the Commandments Do not commit adultery do not kill do not steal Rom. 3.20 By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in the sight of God Gal. 2.16 c. 3.10 To him that asked What shall I do Christ answering this question that he might make him know his weakness he sends him back to the rule of Works or the Law of God and so would have him to seek salvation in Christ and not in his own works 921. Mar. 11.7 They brought the Colt to Iesus Mat. 21.7 They brought the Ass and the Colt Matthew is an eye witness that the Ass and the Colt were both brought according to the Prophesie Zac. 9 9. Fear not O Daughter of Sion behold thy King cometh sitting upon an Ass and the Foal of an Ass Some make this an emblem of the Iews and Gentiles by the Iew to be meant the Ass which our Saviour rid first on but because she went untowardly he left her and road on the Foal which was an embleme of the Gentiles who received the Gospel willingly which the Iews rejected * 922. Mar. 13.32 But of that day and of that hour knoweth no man no not the Angels that are in heaven no not the Son but the Father Col. 2.3 In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Christ knew not the hour say some that is knew it not to teach us to know it but thus God himself he knows it not nor could Christ have said No not the Son but the Father Thus we may aequivoke in any thing I know it not because I will not tell you it Christ as Man knew not the time of Gods judging the world though as God he did and as Mediator he had the fulness of wisdom dwelling in him that is as the Divine Nature is there It is likely as Man he had not this Mystery discovevered to him till after his Ascension 923. Mar. 14.12 And the first day of unleavened bread when they killed the Passeover Joh. 13.1 Now before the Feast of the Passeover when Iesus knew that his hour was come The Iews began their day from the Evening
our sinnes and detest evill justly and as we should so God is daily angry with us for our sinnes But damnable anger and unlawfull is joyned with the sin of those who for every light offence do maintain their anger reckoning more of what is committed against them than against God 461. Psal 9.8 God shall judge the world in righteousnesse 1 Cor. 6.2 Know ye not that the Saints shall judg the world The manner of judging of the world is either by authority so the whole Trinity will judge or of subordinate authourity so Christ as Mediator and man will judge or of assertion so the Apostles will judge the world or of approbation so all the Saints and Angels shall allow of the sentence pronounced by the supreme judge Chrysostome the Saints shall judge the world by exemplary judgement because by example of their faith the infidelity of the world shall be condemned 462. Psal 14.1 The fool said in his heart There is no God Psal 19.1 The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy work Wicked men if not in words yet in their deed and actions they deny God and as much as in them is they wish there were no God and no Hell 463. Psal 18.42 They cryed unto the Lord and he heard them not Jer. 29.12 Ye shall call upon me and I will hearken unto you God doth not hear the prayers of hypocrites but he hears the prayers of penitents 464. Psal 19.4 Their line went out into the ends of the earth Rom. 10.18 Their sound went out into the whole world Paul interprets the Psalme concerning the Doctrine of the Gospell and saith that it is the Canon of the holy Ghost and rule of faith and manners of Christians appointed by God by the sound and voice of the prophets of Christ and his Apostles in which the will of God is revealed and therefore it is called the Canonicall Scripture * Psal 19.4 with Rom. 10.18 To fetch an allusion from a place is one thing to allude to a place only is another He that alludes to a place only is not bound to recite the words further than that allusion requires The Apostle was shewing that the Gospell spread much in the world even as David said the light of the Sunne did * 465. Psal 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul Rom. 6.23 The Law is the ministration of death The former place speaks of the Morall Law and also of the Gospell-Doctrine of Christ as it was held forth in the Scripture before Davids time The latter place of the Morall Law alone which though it be a perfect rule of righteousnesse yet in regard of us so unable to performe it and transgressors of it we can have nothing but death by the Law for cursed is he that doth not continue in all that the Law requires The Law is a killing Letter and a ministry of death not of it self but to us so sinfull and wretched 466. Psal 19.8 The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart 2 Cor. 3.7 The Law is the ministration of death engraven in stones In this Psalme by the Law is understood all the will of God revealed from above The Apostle speaks only of the Morall Law not as it is in it self for so it is the perfect Law of righteousnesse and brings life but in respect of us who are transgressors of the Law and obtained nothing but death by it 467. Psal 19.11 And in keeping of thy Commandements there is great reward Luke 17.10 When you have done all ye were commanded ye shall say We are profitable servant we have done nothing but what we are obliged to do David commendeth the Law of God and that there is great reward in the keeping of it In which the goodnesse of God is commended who may of right require obedience from us yet he freely gives a reward unto us which he oweth not Christ sheweth that we and all that we have are due unto God therefore we can aske nothing for a reward and it is presumption to think that we can deserve any thing at Gods hands * Psal 19.11 with Luke 17.10 There is great reward of mercy not of merit neither of congruity nor condignity for when we have done all we ought we cannot profiâ— he Lord. It s one thing what God gâ—â—es to us as sonnes another thing what we expect as wages for our work 468. Psal 22.1 My God my God wherefore hast thou forsaken me Joh. 14.10 Chap. 16.32 I am not alone for the Father is with me In the first place is signified the sense of Gods wrath and the effect thereof in Christ who taking upon him our person is made sinne for us though he complained that he was forsaken as man yet he was not forsaken as the Sonne of God nor was the divine nature separated from the humane nature but supported it In the latter place when Christ saith I am not alone he hath respect to the flight of the Apostles and fortifieth himself against it by the presence of his Father 469. Psal 22.3 My God I cryed by day and thou heardest not John 11.42 I knew because thou hearest me alwayes Christ was not heard in his passion because he was to dye In the latter place he speaks of his prayer for believers he gives thanks to his Father that he was alwayes heard 470. Psal 24.1 The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof Luk. 4.6 I will give to thee saith Satan unto Christ all this power and glory Satan being the spirit and father of lying Joh. 8.4 Matth. 28. Psal 22 8. doth falsly appropriate to himself the power of the world Christ being appointed by his father King of Kings to whom was given all power in Heaven and Earth he rules in Heaven and Earth from sea to sea from the Rivers unto the ends of the earth 471. Psal 24.2 The Lord hath founded the earth upon the seas Exod. 20.4 The waters are under the earth The earth hath its stability from the first Creation the foundation thereof is the power of God which is the center of the whole and it doth as it were move upon the waters above and beneath it hath the waters on the sides so that the Sea is higher than the earth it is therefore the wonderfull work of God that he preserveth mankind from drowning in the midst of the waters 472. Psal 26.2 Prove me O Lord. 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man prove himself God because he proves our thoughts words and deeds therefore we must prove our selves that we may make our selves approved to God * 473. Psal 2.9 Turn not thy face far from me Psal 51.9 Turn thy face from my sins It is one thing to turn away his face from Davids sinne another thing to turn away his face from Davids person David prayed that God would not withdraw his favour from him but that he in favour would hide away his face from his
sinne because sin would displease him 474. Psal 32.3 When I kept silence my bones waxed old Vers 3. Through my roaring all the day long Silence respects the suppression of sins Crying the complaints and lamentations for grief of mind 475. Psal 32.10 Many sorrowes shall be to the wicked 73.5 The righteous are punished more than the wicked Punishments internall and sempiternall are for the wicked but externall and temporary are understood by the last place 476. Psal 34.5 They lookt unto him and were lightned 1 Tim. 6.16 He dwels in a light that no man can approach unto God is said to dwell in light not properly but metaphorically for by this his glory and manifest presence is understood 477. Psal 34.10 There is no lack to them that fear God 2. Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution The Godly suffer no want in spirituall good but in corporall and temporall good yet their persecutions are good for them and are rewarded with eternall life 478 Psal 34.22 None that trust in the Lord shall be desolate Rom. 3.23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God In the first place is understood delinquency to death and eternall destruction but they that believe in Christ their faults shall not be imputed to them unto death 479. Psal 35.6 Let their way be made slippery and dark and let the Angell of the Lord persecute them Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies In the first place are meant the incorrigible and obdurate enemies of Christ and his Gospell In the latter place those of whose conversion we have hope 480. Psal 36.8 Thou shalt preserve both man and beast O Lord. 1 Cor. 9.9 Doth God take care for Oxen Under the generall care of God are comprehended all creatures but under his speciall care Men for whose sake God hath made the beasts Ambrose saith God cares nor for beasts for themselves but for our sake for which he created all things and therefore his principall care is for us * 481. Psal 36.25 I never saw c. But many good men have perished by hunger Lazarus and Martyrs Res When God laid on the temporall punishment he supplied it with spirituall comforts and food Secondly David speaks of himself I have not seen if it happened it happened the seldomer 482. Psal 37.21 The wicked borrowes and payeth not again Luke 6.35 Lend looking for nothing again If the Debter be fallen into extreme want that he cannot pay we must not kill him or forsake him in his utmost necessity 483. Psal 37.25 I have been young and now am old yet saw I never the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging their bread Luke 16.20 Lazarus a beggar desired to be satisfied with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans Table Beggery is a punishment to the wicked but to the godly a fatherly punishment and it is found in the unlawfull begging of Monks sturdy obstinate and idle people which refuse to work but the lawfull begging is for the Members of Christ which are brought to extream poverty by banishment war fire water sickness c. * 484. Psal 37.25 with Luke 16.20 The former Text saith I never saw the righteous forsaken his seed begging It wants Nor in the Originall And it may as well be rendred The righteous forsaken and his seed i. e. both the righteous and his seed One may be forsaken as Lazarus but not both the righteous and the seed of that righteous person forsaken 485. Psal 40.7 Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye as living stones are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices unto God by Jesus Christ God would none of the sacrifices of the Jews which were offered without faith The Apostle speaks of the spirituall sacrifices of Christians as the oblation of our body a contrite heart giving of thanks works of charity which are acceptable sacrifices to God * 486. Psal 40.7 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire Lev. 16. The Lord commanded c. God would not have sacrifice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they came from prophane persons without faith and charity Yet God desires sacrifice in respect of their end and institution as they prefigured Christ to come not as the Jews gloried in them and abused them to resist Christ nor as they were to remain in the Jewes opinion after Christ or as they might be conjoyned with Christ nor yet as they might imagine that he was to be served with the outward act and not having the inward power joyned with that outward act 487. Psal 40.9 Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me that I might do thy will O God Matth. 26.39 Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me yet not as I will but as thou wilt Christ that he might fulfill the will of his Father in redeeming mankind offered himself freely and though in the act he was sorrowfull as men are and would if it had been possible have escaped death without the detriment of mans salvation yet he submitted himselfe to his Fathers will * 488. Psal 43.1 Judg me O Lord. Psal 143.2 Enter not into Judgement with thy servant O Lord. Juding of a mans persons is one thing of a mans cause is another David desires God to manifest himself whether the cause which he was disputing with his enemies were just and whether his heart was upright in that matter in relation to them But when David comes to consider the difference betwixt God and him occasioned by his sinnes then he finds himself so faulty that he praies God to pardon him and not judg him for his sins were many 489. Psal 44.23 Awake why sleepest thou O Lord rise 121.4 The keeper of Israel sleepeth not So the godly being grievously afflicted speake after the manner of men not as if God slept or took no care of them but they crave of God that he would shew himself by his works of justice and mercy and would help them * Psal 44.23 with 121.4 In the former place he spake out of a sense of divine displeasure In the latter he spake out of a sense of Gods providence Affection makes Gods children think that to be which is not think that God sleeps when he doth not every moment in mesery being apprehended as the absence of a years mercy * Psal 44.23 with Psal 121.4 Sleeping is attributed to God by a Metaphor from men when they are on sleep they help not nor regard the danger of other And when God regarded not or helped not David as he apprehended he seemed to be as on sleep to him and his affaires though he did not apprehend God to be on sleep in himself or to others for if he had he could not have imagined so small a cry as his on earth could have raised him in Heaven 491. Psal 45.2 Thou art fairer than the children of men Isaiah 53.2 There was no comlinesse
lower than God Heb. Coheleth ECCLESIASTES THE PREACHER SOlomon in this Booke convinceth the vanity of the world and the foolishnesse of men Shews that there is nothing better than to fear God and to keep his Commandements And he maintains that there shall be a future judgement He wrote this Book after his falling from God in token of true repentance 574. ECcl. 1.4 The earth abides for ever Isa 40.8 Luke 21.33 Heaven and earth shall passe away Rom. 8.22 2 Pet. 3. In the opinion of men the earth abides for ever but in respect of God and the future change and purgation from corruption and vanity it shall passe away 575. Eccl. 1.9 That which was shall be and there is no new thing under the Sun Gen. 1.1 The world was once created Heb. 9.25 Christ once offered himself Ecclesiastes speaks not of all things none excepted but of the vanity of naturall and artificiall things which is collected from the naturall corruption and change of things * Eccl. 1.9 with Heb. 9.25 The former place speaks in relation to happinesse so there is nothing new to create our happinesse The second place speaks of Christ being offered which if we regard the substance was not new for he was designed from the beginning of the world to be offered and his offering is yet as fresh and powerfull as it was at first Something as to circumstance of time and place c. may be new but not as to substance and force A thing may be new in the individuality thereof but not in the species and kind 576. Eccl. 1.10 There is no new thing under the Sun Revel 21.5 Behold I make all things new Ecclesiastes purpose is not concerning a creation of new kinds of creatures but concerning their change and vicissitude in the world and concerning the malice of men and the Devill that men by the instinct of the Devill from the beginning after man had sinned being defiled with much wickednesse proceed to covet after evill unlesse God renews their hearts and they become a new creature in Christ * Eccl. 1.10 with Rev. 21.5 No new naturall species or kind of creature so the first place But yet new qualifications accidents and circumstances of creatures so the latter place Christ will make all new not onely raise men from their old dust in a new manner but endue them in soul with new graces and in bodies with new tempers and so purge every thing from its drossie quality and mortality as it shall appear to be new * 577. Eccl. 1.15 That which is crooked can never be made straight Isa 40.4 And the crooked shall be made straight That men by all their diligence nor Princes by their power can make things otherwise than they are that which naturally is crooked will have an inclination and bending thither and yet this hinders not that God can and will according to his promise make our hearts which naturally are crooked to become straight 578. Eccl. 2.2 I said of laughter It is mad and of mirth What doth it Prov. 17.22 A merry heart doth good like a medicine In the first place is meant naturall laughter and rejoycing in prosperity and the goods of Nature and Fortune as the Gentiles do and this Ecclesiastes condemns as folly But in the Proverbs is commended that joy onely which proceeds from the holy Ghost * Eccl. 2.2 with Prov. 17.22 Laughter is either naturall the effect of rationality 2. Spirituall the effect of spirituall ratiocination the former place speaks of laughter as naturall which yet cannot be said to be madnesse for it is the naturall product of our reason but as it exceeds either in the bounds or ariseth from unworthy considerations The second place speaks of the effect of a merry heart which may be without outward laughter the one being solid the other flashy and frothy or it speaks of an heart merry with the incomes of the spirit Or 3. Of an heart which is modestly merry and laugheth but not of an immoderate nonsensicall mirth and laughter 579. Eccl. 2.15 What doth it profit me that I laboured to attain more wisdome Prov. 8.35 He that findeth me findeth life Politick wisdome is indeed a singular gift of God but if any man abuseth it and dependeth on his wisdome it profits not but is all vanity Divine wisdome which teacheth us to wait all events from God and to pray to him for his direction in all confers eternall life * 580. Eccl. 2.16 17. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the foole Prov. 8.35 For who so findeth me findeth life The former place tells us that wise men are forgotten as well as fools many times in the thoughts and remembrance of men in this world The latter place tells us of getting wisdome which will make a man live with God after and in this life The former place speaking of worldly wisdome The latter place of Christ the essentiall or divine wisdome * 581. Eccl. 2.22 For what hath man of all his labour Psal 128.2 Of the labour of thy hands The former place speaks of a man at the day of his death The latter of a man in his life the former saith all the fruits of our labours cannot advantage us at the day of our death the latter saith yet they may advantage us in our life time if we be godly 582. Eccl. 2.23 The dayes of man are full of labour and sorrow Psal 128.2 Of the labour of thy hands thou shalt eat and happy shalt thou be Ecclesiastes condemns not labour which God hath laid on men for that is good and necessary having great promises but because riches are purchased by much travell and no man knows whether he shall be a wise man or a foole that he must leave them to * 583. Eccles 3.14 I know that whatsoever God doth it shall be for ever 2 Cor. 4.18 For the things that are seen are temporall The former place speaks of thing being for ever not as so in themselves or appointed to be so by God But so in relation to men men not being able to alter or change the work of God The latter place speaks of things as they are in relation to God and as they are in themselves temporall 584. Eccl. 3.19 There is one event to man and beast as the one dieth so dieth the other Chap. 12.7 The spirit of man returns to God that gave it him In the former place is shewed the opinion of carnall men concerning man and beasts who compares them by the likenesse of their deeds and events In the latter place is taught what is the exellency of mans soul above the beasts and the difference after death But a naturall man cannot perceive these things * Eccl. 3.19 with Eccl. 12.7 The former place speaks of man and beast in relation to outward accidents as hunger cold thirst death they are alike in these and the other place speaks of the soul alone in that it differs
and two of a Tribe being saved this week and as many another in the conclusion the whole summe being cast up will be great if we consider all times The number of the godly is great in it self but its small compared with the multitude of the wicked 643. Jer. 6.10 Chap. 9.26 All the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart Rom. 11.16 If the root be holy so are the branches All is taken here for the greatest part The root of the Jews was holy by reason of the Covenant because they were born from their Father who was in the Covenant and so were they confederate with God and separated from the profane Gentiles * 644. Jer. 9.17 Send for the mourning women Ezek. 24.17 Make no mourning for the dead The former place shews the Judgment of God to fall so heavily upon the people that they should make a solemn mourning for themselves The latter place intimates that the affliction should be so great upon the people that there should be no mourning for them because noe mourning could expresse it pauca cura loquunter ingentes stupent or else this was a peculiar case which breaks not a generall rule 645. Jer. 10.23 O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man to direct his steps Matth. 23.37 I would have gathered thy children together and thou wouldest not In spirituall matters that concern his salvation a man can do nothing that is good In politick and civill affairs he can indeed do something but more inclining to evill than to good * 646. Jer. 15.1 with Matth. 18.19 The former place speaks that God may in some cases be so provoked by sinne as he will not hear even two or three gathered together though the most renowned of Saints The second place speaks that God will grant all things which are asked by faith which must be according to the rule and Cannon of faith by two or three together 647. Jer. 17.5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Rom. 10.11 He that believeth in Christ shall not be confounded Isa 28.16 The Prophet speaks of bare mortall deceitfull man in himself The Apostle speaks of man subsisting in the person of the Sonne of God in whom the fullnesse of the Godhead dwelt bodily 648. Jer. 15.1 If Moses and Samuel stood before me yet my mind could not be toward this people Matth. 18.19 If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven In the former place the speech is hypotheticall as if he should say though they were amongst the living and did stand before me and would turn away my wrath from this people yet would I not spare them Christ in the latter promiseth temporall good things upon condition of repentance 649. Jer. 17.10 Chap. 20.12 I the Lord search the heart I try the reins 1 Cor 2.11 Who knows what is in man but the spirit of man which is in him God is not excluded from knowing what is in the heart but Angels and men are be they good or bad 650. Jer. 22.11 Thus saith the Lord touching Sellum the son of Josiah 2 Kings 23.30 2 Chron. 3.6 The people of the Land took the sonne of Josiah Joachaz and annointed him to be King Joachaz is called Sellum ironically because as King Sellum Israel was led captive into Egypt so Joachaz shall not return from the Babylonish captivity 651. Jer. 22.30 Thus saith the Lord Write ye this man childlesse 1 Chron. 3.19 for no man of his seed shall prosper Mat. 1.12 Salathiel his son Jekonias died without children Salathiel the son of Neri was from Nathan the adopted son of Jekonias and by succession not his naturall sonne 652. Jer. 25.1 The fourth year of Jehojakim the son of Josiah King of Judah was the first year of Nabuchadonozer King of Babylon Dan. 1.1 In the third year of Jehojakim King of Judah came Nabuchadonozer King of Babylon to Jerusalem That is in the end of the third year and the beginning of the fourth year of Jehojakims reign * 653. Jer. 25.1 with Dan. 1.1 That of Daniel which saith the third counts from the time he reigned as a vassall to the King of Babylon 2 Kings 24.1 having before reigned seaven years as a Vassall of Aegypt 2 Kings 23.34 36. Now these three years must be understood compleate because that which is there spoken of hapned the fourth of his reign as in Jeremy 654. Jer. 25.11 And this whole Land shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these Nations shall serve the King of Babylon seventy years Acts 1.7 It is not for you to know the times God by a Propheticall spirit revealed this to Jeremiah and so comforted his people but we must not curiously search to know the times contrary to Gods will that is the moment of the day of Judgement the destruction of the world which the Father hath reserved in his own power 655. Jer. 29.11 I think toward you thoughts of peace and not of evill Vers 17. Thus saith the Lord of hosts I will send upon them the Famine God gives peace to penitent sinners but punisheth sinners for their sins 656. Jer. 31.15 A voice was heard in Ramah lamentation and Rachel weeping Matth. 2.16 That was done at length in the killing the children at Bethlehem The Prophets speak often in the present tense or time past of things which are to come for the certainty of the Prophesie So here he foreshews the lamentation of the Mothers for the children that were slain at Bethlehem by Herods command 657. Jer. 31.2 The Lord shall create a new thing on the earth Eccl. 1.10 There is no new thing under the Sun New things are made by creation so God the Father created all things new so we are a new creature in Christ by sanctification when we are regenerated by the holy Ghost by change so when Christ shall come all things shall be made new 658. Jer. 31.31 Behold the days come saith the Lord and I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah Matth. 5.17 I came not to destroy the Law God promised a new Covenant when Christ should come yet such a one that should not differ from the former Covenant in substance but sanctified by the Messias The Doctrine of the Prophets and the Apostles was not changed by the coming of Christ but remains an eternall Law of leading our life the ceremonies are abrogated according to their use but their signification was more declared by his coming and illustrated and the Prophesies had their complement in him 659. Jer. 36.30 Thus saith the Lord of Jehojakim King of Judah he shall have none to sit upon the Throne of David 2 Kings 24.6 And his sonne Joakim reigned in his stead Joakim did not sit that is he had no fast seat in the Kingdome for in the third moneth
though for a time Gods people may want the possession of the earth yet in regard of their posterity or of having that which is equivalent to it for themselves they do not want it 771. Mat. 5.10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake Ver. 12. Because great is their reward in heaven 1 Pet. 2.10 c. 4.14 Rom. 8.18 The afflictions of this world are not worthy of the glory hereafter which shall be revealed in us The reward here hath no relation to any merit of ours but to the free love of God who promiseth for Christs sake a reward of his grace to them that ask him and crowns his gifts in us Nor do the afflictions and sufferings of this life merit the free rewards of eternal life * 772. Mat. 5.12 with Rom. 8.18 The Former place tels us that those who are persecuted for the Gospels cause may rejoyce because they have a great reward in heaven not that this persecution did merit Heaven but because God would freely give it to such a person as was so qualified it is a reward not a desert it is of grace not of merit The latter place shews that all we can do cannot deserve heaven Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies 1 Joh. 5.16 There is a sin unto death I do not say you shall pray for it The former place gives a general rule the latter tels us of a particular exception Love your enemies so as to pray for them unless they be such enemies as sin a sin unto death Love your private enemies I do not say the enemies of the Church pray for them till you be clearly convinced that they have sinned the sin unto death 773. Mat. 5.12 Great is your reward in heaven Eph. 2.8 By grace you are saved through faith it is the gift of God Our salvation properly is not a reward but the gift of God Rom. 5.6 c. 3.28 Phil. 2.13 1 Tim. 4.8 in respect of acquiring it and application conservation and perfection 774. Mat. 5.14 You are the light of the world Joh. 8.12 I saith Christ am the light of this world All Doctors of the Church and all Christians enlightned by Christ are light not of themselves but from Christ of whom they receive their splendor and divine light or Christ is of himself the true original light who enlightens every man that comes into the world * Mat. 5.14 with Ioh. 8.12 There be several kinds of Lights Original and derived the first as the Sun the other as the Stars Original is that which is the cause of all light and so in the latter Text Christ is the Cause of all light and knowledge which is saving and in this sence Iohn Baptist Ioh. 1.8 is not the light nor any Disciple But there is a derived light which shineth forth but yet is received from another and so Iohn was a burning and shining light or lamp Ioh. 5.35 and so were the Disciples 2 Cor. 4.6 for they received their light from Christ and they testified of this light and they walked as in the light 775. Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works c. 6.1 Beware that you give not your alms before men All that are enlightned with the light of the Gospel must study to do good works Rom. 13.12 That by the works themselves the faith and godliness in our hearts may be known to men But in the latter place all works of ambition and boasting are forbidden by Christ for hypocrites they do so desiring to be praised and seen of men * Mat. 5.16 with 6.1 The former place speaks that Ministers must preach so as men may have occasion to glorifie God both by their life and Doctrine The latter place bids both Minister and people to avoid doing any thing for vain glory for that hinders the glory of God It is lawful to do good works before men to stir them up to do the like and to praise God but it is not lawful to do any work to have praise with men it is one thing to do a good work to evidence to men our faith when it is doubted and accounted by men to be hypocritical another thing to do a good work before men to make our hearts which are hypocritical to appear to be true * 776. Mat. 5.17 with Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law to every one that believeth The former place shews Christ as God and man came not to destroy that mandatory part of the Law viz. the moral part the mandatory part is Ceremonial Judicial and Moral He hath not destroyed this last though he hath fulfilled so much as concerned him the first second yea the third He came not to destroy that part of Gods Word concerning Righteousness and Justice which Moses penned by Gods Commandment or the Prophets i. e. That part of Gods Word which is contained in the writings of all the Prophets in the old Testament after Moses He came not either by his Doctrine or Practice to free men from the obedience thereof or to put an end to them so as they should be useless But he came to fulfil them First By his Doctrine 1. Restoring the proper meaning and true use 2. And by revealing the right way Secondly By his Person he fulfilleth the Law 1. By becoming accursed to the Law 2. And by perfect obedience unto the Law Thirdly He fulfilled the Law in the Elect by creating faith in Christ and by giving them the Spirit of God The second place tels us Christ is the end of the Law He ended the Ceremonial Law and legal Rites the Law Prophets being until John Mat. 11. He was the end of the Law but not directly for in general the Law was made to make man righteous but seeing that could not be done the Law brings us to Christ in whom we are righteous 3. Christ is the end and scope aimed at in the Old Testament all the Prophets gave testimony of him Christ he is the end because he perfectly fulfilled it the Ceremonial Law being the substance of it the Moral Law by his active and passive obedience Christ is the end of the Law as the Law is taken more largely for the whole Doctrine contained in Moses Joh. 5.46 Or secondly as the Law is taken more strictly for the Precepts of the Moral Law in three respects 1. Of his personal obedience which the Law required 2. In regard of satisfaction for the punishment due by the Law 3. In justifying us by Christ to whom the Law as a Schoolmaster brings us 777. Mat. 5.17 I came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it Gal. 3.13 Christ came to redeem us from the curse of the law There is a difference between the Law and the Curse of it as Christ hath fulfilled the Law so must we walk in his Commandments and by applying Christs satisfaction to our selves we are said spiritually to fulfill the Law from the curse and
the Father did more fully evidence himself than here Not as if Christ as God were not present on earth as well as in heaven but that he went from them in his Humane Nature into the heavens from whence he shall come to judge the world * 1017. Joh. 8.19 You neither know me Joh. 7.28 And you know me You know me not as to my Divinity you know me as to my Humanity 1018. Joh. 8.23 Ye are of this world Chap. 15.19 Ye are not of this world To be of the world is to be in darkness and to lead a wicked life Not to be of the world is to acknowledge Christ and to live godly The first place therefore respects the unbelieving Jews and carnal men the latter respects all the faithful the children of God and elected to salvation 1019. Joh. 8.26 I have many things to say and to judge of you Chap. 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already In the first place the present-tense is put for the future For we must all of us appear before Christs Tribunal Rom. 14.10 that every man may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5.10 * Joh. 8.26 with 3.18 The first place tells us that Christ had many things whereof he might judge them and accuse them but that at present was not his work he came to convince them by his Preaching and Miracles who he was and afterwards to die for them as for judging them it was at present his Fathers work who was true The second place that he that believeth not is in a condemned estate and his conscience upon a serious inquest will condemn him and the Law will judge him as condemned thoâ—gh the sentence of condemnation is not already solemnly pronounced against him as it will be at the last day 1020. Joh. 8.28 I do nothing of my self Chap. 10.18 I have power c. Christ of himself that is without the Father or against his Fathers authority did nothing 1021. Joh. 8.33 We be Abrahams seed Ver. 44. Ye are of your Father the devil There are sons carnal and sons spiritual the carnal Jews were the seed of Abraham in respect of corporal propagation Spiritual are such as are guided by a good or evil spirit sons by a good Spirit are all the faithful who are of the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ who gave to believing Abraham that he should be câ—â—led the Father of believers Christ saith the Jews were from an evil spirit who did not the works of Abraham but of the devil in respect of their malice imitation and he that doth the works of another may be called his son 1022. Joh. 8.35 The servant abideth not in the house for ever 1 Thes 4.17 We shall ever be with the Lord. In the first place is spoken of a servant of sin in the latter of the faithful who shall be delivered from all bondage being made free by the Son Joh. 8.36 * Joh. 8.35 with 1 Thes 4.17 The former place speaketh of the condition of a servant in general whether it be meant of a bodily service or otherwise He remains not alwaies in the Masters house but as soon as the daies of his servitude are past he goeth to live of himself And this place compares a son and a servant the one stayeth a time the other for ever They were not spiritually and really Sons though externally and carnally sons but really and spiritually servants The second place speaks of those who were not servants to sin or the Law but sons I call you no more servants but sons and so they may as the sons of God spiritually in Christ remain in the house for ever 1023. Joh. 8.36 Ye shall be free indeed Rom. 7.23 Paul was a captive under the law of sin The faithful are free from sin in respect of condemnation dominion and perfect liberty which they shall enjoy in the next life they are said to be captive under sin by reason of inherent sin which begets ill desires in them against their wills * 1024. Joh. 8.36 You are free indeed Rom. 7.16 I am sold under sin A Christian is free from the Ceremonies of the Law and from the damning power of the Moral Law as he is in Christ and he is free from the power of sin that is free from sins damnation and free from sins dominion i. e. when he begins to believe the Lord enables him more freely to resist sin than formerly and so dayly enlargeth his heart till in the conclusion this freedom is perfected and yet St. Paul might speak of his being in his own apprehension so troubled with sin as if he were sold under it though he were in part free and was going on to perfect freedom from sin It is one thing what Christ spake as to the right and portion of a Christian another thing what Paul speaks out of his hatred and detestation of the weight and lusting of sin within him A child of God takes the longing of his spirit after sins grievously and complains he is sold under sin when he finds sin strongly tempt him * 1025. Joh. 8.44 He was a murtherer from the beginning Joh. 1.1 In the beginning was the word This word beginning hath several considerations It is not to be taken from the first absolute beginning for then Satan had no being not from his own beginning For at his creation he was good as all things else were but so soon as ever Man was he resolved to destroy man and with reference to that intention he was a man-slayer or murderer of Man from the beginning of Man So that this place is meant of Mans beginning and the second place is meant simply the beginning of the world 1026. Joh. 8.46 Which of you convinvinceth me of sin Chap. 9.24 We know that this man is a sinner Christ speaks of firm proof that no man could convince him of sin The Jews for despight and calumny said falsely that he was a sinner * Joh. 8.46 with 9.24 The former place put by way of Question implies a Negative that none could justly convince him The latter place tells us not that they did convince him of sin but they behind his back would scandalize him to be a sinner in the general without implying any particular sin that he was guilty of Only they being ignorant of his birth and thinking him to be begot after the ordinary manner of men and consequently guilty of original sin do call him a sinner but this doth not in the least convince him of this or that sin 1027. Joh. 8.50 I seek not mine own glory Vers 12. I am the light of the world He means glory acquired from his Father not affected glory and he cals himself the Light of the world truly confessing what he is and not by hunting after vain-glory * Joh. 8.50 with 12. A man may speak what he is and what he hath without
that he is not far off and yet not so at hand as to make us cast off all labour plowing and sowing and to make us sit idely every hour expecting his coming * 1398. Phil. 4.12 Salute all the Saints Luk. 10.4 Salute no man by the way When our Saviour forbids his Disciples to salute it was only by the way and upon that extraordinary occasion he then sent them not that he did afterwards forbid salutations The Epistle of St. PAUL to the COLOSSIANS HE exhorts them to embrace the Doctrine of the Gospel and to fly from the teaching of false Apostles and he warns them to live godly putting off the old and putting on the new man that in Oeconomical Government the men old men and Masters should observe humanity and equity women children and servants should live in obedience that all should be watchful in prayer It was sent from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus * 1399. COL 1.15 Christ is the Image of the invisible God Joh. 1.1 And the Word was God Now an Image is not of the same substance and excellency as the thing it self Christ is called the Image of God i. e. substantial Image not a vanishing or vain one as Images and forms and shapes are in our mind but God the Eternal Father knowing himself and beholding himself begot this enduring Image in his own Deity which Image is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Christ was the Image of God from Eternity a Word increate a perfect essential and invisible Image of his Father and thus in respect of his eternal birth 2. In respect of his being made man God the Father did in him and by him as a lively Image set forth before our eyes his glorious attributes of Wisdom Goodness Righteousness and Almightiness c. Now though Christ was God yet he might be in the Image of God for the word God is taken personally not essentially it designs the Father alone not the Divine Nature in genere Christ is the Image of the Father not of the Deity The Person of the Son bears the Image of the Person of the Father but the Divine Essence or Nature in the Son is the same with that in the Father Christ therefore cannot be the same in Person with him whose Image he bears yet he may be the same in Essence * 1400. Col. 1.15 The first born of every creature Hence the Arians imply that Christ is a Creature But the first born of every Creature is no more than that he was begotten before every Creature even from Eternity this is not so to be interpreted as if his ineffable generation as God had a beginning from the beginning of time so that first or first born implies when it is said of God not temporally it excludes a priority of other things 1401. Col. 1.24 I fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake which is the Church Heb. 10.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Zac. 2.8 Mat. 25. 2 Tim. 3.12 The Passions of Christ as to merit and satisfaction are perfect for his Church the Apostles and Martyrs fill up in their flesh what is behind of the afflictions of Christ enduring miseries wherein Christ himself suffereth for they are his Members He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye What you do to any of these little ones you do it unto me It is added for the Church not to redeem the Chuch but to edifie and strenthen the Church by our example of constancy and patience * Col. 1.24 with Heb. 10.14 The afflictions or passions of Christ are twofold those which he suffered in his own body and so nothing remaineth to be fulfilled or filled up Or secondly for such afflictions which Christ suffers in his mystical body the Church and so there remains many things to be filled up personally i. e. in every man there must be an enduring and bearing of afflictions after the manner of Christ 1402. Col. 2.3 In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Mat. 24.36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the Angels in heaven but the Father only Christ in the state of exaltation hath a perfect knowledge of all things because all power in heaven and earth is given to him and he fits at the right hand of God In the state of humiliation he knew not when the last day should be not in respect of himself saith Augustine but in respect of us Christ hath in him the perfection of all wisdom and knowledge or else secondly all saving knowledge and true wisdom consists in a right knowledge of him 1403. Col. 2.9 In Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Heb. 2.17 It behoved him to be like unto to us in all things sin excepted He is like to us in all things in respect of the Essence of Humane Nature not in respect of his subsistence in the person of the Word and of his Hypostatical Union Glory and Majesty 1404. Col. 3.2 Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God To set our affections on things above is to elevate our minds to heaven above all earthly things unto our Country where we wait for our happiness yet so that we be not high-minded and desire to know that which God will not have us to know for some things are to be believed and soberly to be searched into but other things which exceed the measure of our faith must not be searched into Pro. 25 2. he is overwhelmed with Glory that seeks into Gods Majesty 1405. Col. 3.2 Set not your affections on earthly things 1 Tim. 5.8 He that provideth not for his own houshold is worse than an Infidel The first place forbids us to search after earthly things neglecting spiritual and heavenly things for so far must we take care for earthly things as they may serve to Gods glory and our use for our salvation * 1406. Col. 3.22 Servants obey in all things your Masters Deut. 10.12 To serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart c. Servants may and must obey in all things their Masters so be those all things exceed not the bounds of all things in the Lord Eph. 6.1 in all things warrantable for the Masters to command and the Servants to perform Subordinate obedience of Servants to their Masters is not contrary to an absolute obedience to God but rather the obedience Servants shew to their Masters being in reference to perform Gods command fulfils that command of serving God with all our heart Two Epistles of St. PAUL to the THESSALONIANS IN the first he commends their faith and constancy and exhorts them to an honest life and a serious expectation of Christs last coming In the second he comforts them against persecutions and foretels the last day the Kingdom
Tim. 2.21 with 1 Joh. 1.1 Purge him not efficiently but instrumentally Purge endeavour to purge i. e. to apply that which may purge us viz. the Bloud of Christ and to get the Spirit of God the one to take away the stain the other the ruling of sin within us The one to take away sin the other evil doctrine and corrupt opinions He that saith we may be cleansed from sin by Christ and that we must purge our selves doth but in the one tell where we may have the remedy and in the other who must use the remedy * 1430. 2 Tim. 3.12 Yea all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Psal 34.12 The godly man is said to see good Persecution is either of the tongue or hand they that are godly shall be persecuted with the one or the other The godly see Good in their persecutions in that they see the comforts of the Spirit and the graces of Gods Spirit works in them Good is either Spiritual and Perpetual or Corporal and Temporary Godly men have the former not alwaies the latter for by persecutions they lose the latter yet obtain more of the former * 1431. 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness Eccles 9.1 No man knoweth either love or hatred The Apostle had an huge confidence or assurance of his salvation and that upon good grounds The Wise man tells us not that a man can by no waies or means know at all whether he be in favour with God but that it cannot be discerned by the outward chances and accidents of this life nor doth he hereby say hatred and love are impossible to be known but that the external passages of this life do not infallibly shew them The Epistle of St. PAUL to TITUS IT is the compendium of Christian Doctrine informing Teachers set in the Ecclesiastical State Political or Oeconomical what thay ought to do he exhorts all and every one to good works and to fly vain questions and heresies It was written from Nicopolis in the Year of Christ 54. 1432. TIT. 1.9 Able by sound Doctrine to convince gainsayers Chap. 3.9 Avoid foolish questions contentions and strivings about the Law In the first place he requires that Teachers by their Office shall rebuke those that are gainsayers with all long suffering and sobriety In the latter that they avoid janglings about words that is contentious clamorous unprofitable Disputations and verbal Discourse which tends not to edification either with Hereticks or others in the Church because they edifie none but rather confirm them in their sins 1433. Tit. 2.15 Rebuke with all authority 1 Tim. 3.3 A Bishop must be no striker Titus was gentle by nature therefore he is warned to rebuke with authority He inculcates to Timothy modesty and mildness that when he rebukes he should not strike but should rebuke diversly according to the diversity of mens faults offices ages degrees otherwise old men otherwise young men otherwise those that sin of malice otherwise those that sin of infirmity otherwise those that were ready to obey and otherwise those that were obstinate as there were in Crâ—â—e many despisers of the Ministry * 1434. Tit. 3.10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject Deut. 13.5 And that Prophet or dreamer of dreams shall be put to death He that commands a lesser hinders not the inflicting the greater punishment While the Apostle bids reject he doth not disallow the putting to death of Hereticks Moses Moral Law is perpetually obliging The Apostle might have said kill if that could in his time have been done without prejudice Civil Magistrates being Heathens then but when the Church may do it without prejudice the Magistrates being Christian the former Law needs no suspension at all Omnes fere ex nostratibus hujus sunt sententiae quod Haeretici sint gladii puniendi Zanchy Almost all Protestants are of opinion that Hereticks may be punished with the Sword The Epistle of St. PAUL to PHILEMON HE intercedes for Onesimus who was run from his Master Philemon and would have his Master receive him again 1435. PHILEM v. 5. He had love and faith toward all the Saints Mat. 16.16 Joh. 3.16 Whosoever believeth in Christ shall be saved Philemon did testifie to all men by his works of love toward the Saints that he had a lively faith in Christ The Epistle to the HEBREVVS Is also thought to be St. PAULS but his Name was left out lest the Jews should be deterred from the reading of it HE describes the person of Christ according to his Divine and Humane Nature And he confirms his Offices Priestly Kingly and Prophetical and exhorts the Jews to Faith Constancy and good Works by the Example of the Fathers 1436. HEB. 1.3 Christ sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Acts. 7.55 Steven saw the Son of man standing at the right hand To sit at the right hand is to have all Glory Majesty Kingdom and Power both in heaven and in earth The Lamb standing at Gods right hand which was slain for us and intercedes as a Priest on our behalf stands as Aaron stood with his Censer of old betwixt the living and the dead to turn away the wrath of God * Heb. 1.3 with Acts 7.55 Sitting and standing are not properly but allegorically attributed to Christ in this place for God hath not properly and substantially a right hand but here sitting down the Apostle alludeth to the custome of Kings who place him at the right hand whom they put next in authority and power under them Hereby is denoted the supream and high dignity and power of Christ obtained by ascending into heaven He is said to stand to shew his readiness to intercede to God for us * 1437. Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightness of his glory c. Isa 53.2 He hath no form nor comliness The first is a Metaphorical speech God the Father is compared unto the lightsome body God the Son unto the beam or splendor sent down The second place speaks of Christ as the Jews esteemed him in his Humiliation It is one thing what Christ was in himself another thing what he appeared in our eyes * 1438. Heb. 1.11 The heavens and the earth shall perish Eccles 1.4 But the earth abideth for ever The Heavens and Earth perish according to their form and outward accidents some think that the substance shall remain However when Solomon saith the earth abideth for ever He speaks comparatively in relation to men One Generation passeth and another cometh but the earth abideth The earth is the same and shall be till the day of Judgment 1439. Heb. 2.3 The Gospel was confirmed unto us by those that heard Christ Gal. 1.12 I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ In the first place it is spoken of the Apostles who were with the Lord into which number Paul was taken after
Christs Resurrection and he was more confirmed after his admission communicating with them those things that he had learned by revelalation from Christ * 1440. Heb. 6.4 It is impossible to restore such Ezek. 18. But if the wicked will turn c. he shall surely live It is impossible in regard of Gods Wisdom and Justice giving them up to an impenitent heart to restore those which sin so sadly as is mentioned before in the Chapter The second place tells us if the wicked but it doth not tell us that the wicked that is such wicked men as the other place mentions shall turn suppositions are not positions He that saith If the wicked doth not say that the wicked shal This latter place speaks of wicked men which have not sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost the former doth as I think speak of that sin but I submit to better Judgments 1441. Heb. 7.29 The Law made nothing perfect Jam. 1.15 The perfect Law of liberty The first place is concerning the Ceremonial Law which the Jews abused separating the Law from Grace and the Spirit of Christ and opposing the Law to the Gospel The latter place is concerning the whole Doctrine divinely revealed acomprehended in Gods Word which contains not only in writing Moral Precepts but also Promises concerning Christ of all which Christ is the soul recreating out souls by his Spirit and enlightning our eyes * 1442. Heb. 9.27 It is appointed unto men once to die c. Heb. 11.5 Enoch was translated that he should not see death It was appointed by God that men should once i. e. according to the common or ordinary course of nature though there be some extraordinary examples to die Though Enoch was not subject to a separation of soul and body yet he had a translation which was equivalent to death However this particular breaks not a general rule But probably by death is meant a change and translation out of this life as multitudes at the day of Christs second coming to judgment must be we shall not all die but all be changed * 1443. Heb. 10.14 By once offering or by one offering he hath for ever perfected them which are sanctified Lev. 16.34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you to make an attonement Christ once offering hath really and effectually purged us from our sins and reconciled us to God The word Everlasting or for ever used in the latter place is though used for time without end yet otherwhere for a long time as Prov. 29.14 Dan. 3.9 as till the year of Jubilee c. till the end of that generation or world and so Sacrifices reached till Christ when there was an end of that World or Generation there being now all things new 1444. Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is Rom. 2.6 God shall render to every man according to his deeds We must believe because faith is the means and the instrument of our Justification God shall render to every one according to his works because works are the outward testimonial and mark of our Faith and Justification before God 1445. Heb. 11.13 The Patriarchs all died not having received the promises Ver. 33. Obtained promises Acts 2.39 The promise is made unto you The Promise made to the Fathers was temporal concerning the possession of the Land of Canaan Acts 7.5 which Abraham Isaac and Jacob obtained not by themselves but by their successours but the Promise was spiritual concerning Christ to be sent Joh. 8.56 and that by faith in him they should obtain eternal life so the Fathers obtained the promises because they saw Christ afar off and rejoyced that Christ should come they did not obtain the promises because he came not in their daies yet they believed he should come * 1446. Heb. 11.23 By faith Moses when he was born was hid Ver. 23. They hid him because they saw he was a proper child Divers causes of the same thing may agree together Faith was the principle beauty or properness the less principle and probably the outward features of his body might be an inducement to the more confirming them of Gods goodness towards that child * 1447. Heb. 11.23 Hid three months of his Parents Exod. 2.3 His Mother kept him The mother was the chief doer and the Father though not so active yet gave his consent at the least Now Consent is a kind of action whether in good or evil things as Acts 7.58 with Acts 22.20 * 1448. Heb. 11.23 They were not affraid of the Kings Commandment Why then did they hide him and why did they expose him to the water These words they did not fear must not be understood absolutely and simply but with limitation for many places of Scripture are spoken simply which must be understood with respect as Mat. 11.18 John came neither eating nor drinking that is not eating nothing at all but eating little and so Mat. 10.34 He came not to bring peace but the sword that is as Luke expounds it Luk. 12.51 rather debate than peace And so in this place Moses Parents feared not the Kings Commandment that is they did not fear it overmuch or wholly or only or so much as others did in the like case * 1449. Heb. 11.27 By faith he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the King Exod. 2.14 Then Moses feared and said c. Moses left Aegypt twice The first time he feared the King but the second time when he brought the Israelites thence he feared not Pharoahs anger at all as Exod. 10.29 Besides if we understand it of his first departure Moses fled not for any fear in respect of himself but lest that his Calling by this means should be hindered and he withdraweth himself not so much of fear as to reserve himself for a better opportunity Nor doth he fear as distrusting his Calling but because he lost this opportunity The Reason of this fear is expressed in the Text Then Moses feared and said certainly this thing is known He feared lest he should be hindred in this business of the deliverance of the people * 1450. Heb. 11.33 with 39. They received the benefit and accomplishment of those particular Promises which were made unto them Yet they received not the Promise Christ in the flesh and the happy and glorious estate of the Church under him 1451. Heb. 12.17 Esau found no place for repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Acts 2.38 Repent for the remission of your sins Repentance if it be taken passively is referred to Esau's father whose mind could not be changed with his prayers that so he might revoke the blessing conferred upon Jacob but take it actively Gen. 27.33 Ver. 45. concerning Esau's repentance and that was not serious but hypocritical who intended to kill his brother * 1452. Heb. 12.26 Yet once more I shake not the earth only but heaven Ver. 28. We receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved The former place speaks
of the Earthquake which was at the giving of the Law and of Christs second coming when the Heaven and Earth shall be shaken The latter place speaks of the kingdom of Christs glory which we receive by Christ though the material heaven may be shaken yet the sedes beatorum or the place where the Saints glorified are shall not be shaken or the spiritual administration of this Kingdom shall not be shaken The Canonical Epistle of St. JAMES HE warns them who boasted of their faith without works that they should shew their faith by their works in the Divine Law and flee from sins that are forbidden and embrace vertues that are commanded 1453. JAM 1.5 If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God 1 Cor. 3.18 If any man amongst you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise The first place is concerning spiritual and heavenly wisdom the Author whereof is God The latter concerning vain earthly worldly wisdom and carnal which is foolishness with God 1454. Jam. 1.25 Chap. 2.12 The perfect Law of liberty Gal. 4.24 Which gendreth unto bondage In the former place not only the Moral Law according to which whosoever liveth is free but also the Doctrine of the Gospel whence true liberty results is to be understood In the latter in respect of us and by accident it is called the Law of bondage 1455. Jam. 2.24 A man is justified by works and not by faith only Rom. 3.28 We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law The sayings of the Apostles Paul and James are not repugnant one to the other â— Aug. quest 76. the one saith that a man is justified by faith without works the other saith that faith is dead without works those works that go before faith are vain but he speaks of those works that follow faith Paul considers a man justified before God James a man justified before men Paul speaks of true internal faith which justifies in the sight of God James of the outward profession of faith historical knowledge and the effects and testimonies of it Two Epistles of the Apostle St. PETER THe former commemorates Gods benefits exhorts all men in general to the duties of piety and honesty toward God themselves and their neighbours but in particular in their Domestical Politique and Ecclesiastical condition c. The latter warns the faithful that they proceed in godliness and fly from false Teachers Deriders and such as deny the coming of Christ and the last Judgment 1456. 1 PET. 1.12 The Angels desire to look into Mat. 18.10 Their Angels behold the face of my Father The first place is concerning the mystery of Redemption which the Angels desire to look into because in that is the height and the depth and the length and the breadth of Gods mercy manifested so far that the very Angels cannot comprehend it all Angels are said to behold Gods face because as Servants they are in the presence of the King to go at his command These two places together seem to reprove that of the Papists that Saints and Angels can know by looking into Gods face what is said or done by men in several places For here are Angels beholding Gods face and yet ignorant of the mystery of our Redemption 1457. 1 Pet. 2.11 I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims Eph. 2.12 19. You are no more strangers and forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints The faithful are strangers and pilgrims in respect of the Kingdom of Glory but not of the Kingdom of Grace which St. Paul speaks of * 1458. 1 Pet. 2.18 Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear Withal lawful fear with all that fear that is due to Creatures or Masters But yet serve the Lord with all the fear that is due to the Creator serve the Lord with fear to displease him and serve men with such fear as it may be known you fear the Lord. 1459. 1 Pet. 2.23 Christ when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not Joh. 8.44 He contended with the Jews Christ as a Priest in his sufferings threatned not and being reviled reviled not again but as a Prophet he threatned those that were refractory with hell fire * 1460. 1 Pet. 2.23 When he suffered he threatned not Joh. 8. and other places he threatned the Jews Christ threatned the Jews as a Prophet but not as a Priest for their injuring of him Their abusing him did not provoke him to threaten them but his love to save them made him threaten them or rather foretel such judgments as would destroy them and fall upon them 1461. 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism saves us Psal 69.10 The Lord saves us Baptism did not ex opere operato save us but signifie to us that salvation was to be had by Christs dying and rising again represented in their going into and ascending out of the water the Lord saves us as the efficient cause principally necessary Baptism instrumentally nor yet so as if none could be saved without it or all that used it were saved * 1462. 1 Pet. 4.15 Or as a busie body in other mens matters Joh. 4.38 You have entered into other mens labours Let no man meddle with any other mens Calling or Affairs whether spiritual or temporal but where he is lawfully called to it The Apostles were lawfully called into the labour of the Prophets 1463. 1 Pet. 5.8 The devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who can be against us The devils malice can do nothing against us when God defends us 1464. 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist i. e. your adversary the devil Mat. 5.25 Agree with thy adversary We must agree with men that are our adversaries but not with the devil that is our adversary The latter place is meant agree with such adversaries as are not Gods adversaries as we in and about temporal things have made them our adversaries The former place is meant of our spiritual adversary 1465. 2 Pet. 1.19 The sacred Scripture is as a burning lamp in a dark place Chap. 3.16 In Pauls Epistles some things are hard to be understood In the Scriptures things are handled clearly and not obscurely though they may seem obscure to us yet that obscurity is not in respect of faith but of humane reason whence it is that many ignorant and unlearned people do foolishly wrest the Scriptures into a contrary sense * 2 Pet. 1.19 with 3.16 The Scripture is perspicuous to us not by our Nature of Grace we are illuminate The Law may be known even to wicked men ratione Materialitatis non finis they may know the matter of the Precept but not rightly the end of the Law that is to acknowledge and hate sin c. and yet they do not know the Scriptures perfectly ratione materialitatis for they know no more
than the Pharisees not all the Precepts perfectly There is a disciplinary knowledge as when any thing is taught by Precepts and an experimental knowledge which we from experience obtain which is proper to the Elect and faithful 1466. 2 Pet. 1.21 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Joh. 7.39 The Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified The Prophets in the Old Testament had the same Holy Ghost which the Apostles had in the New Testament but after another manner and degree the least of the Apostles after the visible miraculous sending of the Holy Ghost in the day of Pentecost knew the Prophesies more fully and clearly than the Prophets that foretold them because the Apostles had seen the fulfilling of the Prophesies and Christ opened their minds Luk. 24.41 that they might understand the Scriptures Three Epistles of the Apostle St. JOHN THe first is Catholick it breaths out the love of God to us in Christ out Mediator and our love towards God and our neighbour commands us to beware of the world Antichrist and Idols The second admonisheth the Elect Lady and her Children that remaining in the doctrine and love of Christ they take heed of seducers The third commends the bounty of Gaius and commends to him those that were banished for Christ rebukes Diotrephes and gives testimony to Demetrius 1467. 1 JOH 1.8 If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves Joh. 9.3 Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents In the former place sin is taken generally and so we are all sinners In the latter in special for some grievous sin which useth to be the cause of some grievous singular punishment from God 1468. 1 Joh. 1.8 If we say we have no sin the truth is not in us Chap. 3.9 He cannot sin because he is born of God To have sin and to commit sin differ we all have sin and we are conceived and born in it yet the faithful commit no sin because they will not suffer sin to reign in them but the wicked and hypocritical have sins dwelling in them 1469. 1 Joh. 2.2 Christ is the propitiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole world Ver. 15. Love not the world Joh. 17.9 I pray not for the world The word World is taken variously in the Scripture In the first place are meant the men that are in the world son whose sins Christ is the propitiation as for the sufficiency of his merits the price and vertue but not for the efficacy thereof which is hindered by the infidelity and sins of the wicked concerning which the latter places must be understood 1470. 1 Joh. 2.18 Antichrist shall come and even now are there many Antichrists 2 Thes 2.3 Antichrist was not yet revealed All those are Antichrists in general who deny Christs Divine or Humane Nature or in his Person or Office c. In special that great Antichrist is the son of Perdition who in the time of Paul was not yet revealed though the mystery of iniquity began to work * 1471. 1 Joh. 3.15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer Luk. 14.26 He that hateth not his brother cannot be my disciple The former place speaks of an hatred towards our brother which is either because our brother is good or upon the account of some temporary affairs or upon the account of true Doctrine whosoever thus hateth his brother is a murtherer The latter place is spoken of such an hatred as cometh by our brothers being against Christ and hating of him or striving to draw us from him 1472. 2 Joh. v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your houses neither bid him God speed Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies The first place forbids not to shew our duty of humanity to all men or to salute them civilly but we are admonished not to use too great familiarity with seducers * 1473. 2 Joh. 10.11 with Rom. 16.3 3 4. Salute Priscilla c. John speaks of such persons as are enemies to God and to his truth and Church such we must not embrace 2 Kin. 3.14 These here in S. John were open and desperate enemies such as Marcion whom Polycarpe meeting would not salute the not saluting them is a chastisement to them by it they may know whence they are fallen The other place is salutation of one Christian to another 1474. 3 Joh. v. 13. I had many things to write but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee Joh. 20.31 These things are written that you might have life through his Name In the former place it is not said as though the Apostle would say something else then what is contained in the sacred Scriptures In the latter he manifestly confirms that all things are written which appertain and are necessary to true faith in Christ and to eternal life So that we have no need of Traditions by word of mouth The Canonical Epistle of St. JUDE The son of Thaddaeus HE exhorts the Faithful to constancy and threatens the adversaries of Christ with extream misery and warneth that the godly hold their faith in God and avoid false doctrine 1475. JUDE v. 9. Michael disputed with Satan about the body of Moses Ver. 14. The Prophesie of Enoch is mentioned whereof the Scripture before speaks not at all The striving of the Arch-Angel is not expresly set down in Scripture yet there appears some prints of it in the burial of Moses by God for that the Israelites knew not the place of his burial and it is out of question that the devil would willingly have made that known to the Israelites to set up Idolatry there but that he was hindred by Michael The Prophesie of Enoch if it were not set forth in writing yet it went by tradition from hand to hand unto posterity The REVELATION of St. JOHN The Apostle the Divine IT is called Apocalyps that is the Revelation because it contains the visions which St. John saw in the Isle of Pathmos about the year of Christ 96. and the Prophesie concerning the state of the Church Militant on earth and the Church Triumphant in Heaven 1476. REV. 1.1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave â—nto him Col. 2.3 In whom are 〈…〉 treasures of wisdom and knowâ—â—â—â— Christ as he is God is the fountain 〈◊〉 knowledge born of the substance of the Father in respect of order he is â—â—id to have received this Revelation from the Father because the Father by him doth reveal his secrets unto us as man by his personal union he hath a perfect knowledge of all things communicated to him They are hid in Christ as in a Treasury yet not so hid but he that seeks may find All Treasures are hid in him though some of the droppings are to be revealed to us 1477. Rev. 1.1 The things which must shortly come to pass they are not yet fulfilled Shortly signifies the
certainty of the things foretold in respect of God though not in our opinion he shuts out long delaies for the whole time of this Prophesie unto the last day is in the sight of God but as one day or one hour Psal 94. 2 Pet. 3.8 which is a comfort to the godly that they may not despair and it exhorts the wicked to repentance by reason of the sudden destruction shall fall upon them * 1478. Rev. 1.7 And every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him Job 19.27 Whom I shall see for my self and not another or a not stranger Every eye godly and wicked shall behold Christ either to their comfort or sorrow Job saith he shall see him and not another shall see him for Job or in the place of Job but Job shall see him for himself Which denies not but Job and another yea all shall see Christ and yet every man for himself 1479. Rev. 1.13 I saw one like to the Son of man Mat. 9.6 Christ is the Son of man really The first place is an Hebraism by which is intimated the certainty of Christs humanity also he may be said to be like man because he appeared in a singular form 1480. Rev. 2.11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Heb. 9.27 It is appointed unto men once to die The bodily death is one because the soul is but once separated from the body The second death is taken Metaphorically for the misery and torment of the soul after the death of the body 1481. Rev. 3.7 Christ openeth and no man shutteth shutteth and no man openeth Ver. 20. If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him The Son of God is he that opens the internal door of the heart Joh. 14. we open only the external for no man comes to the Father but by him 1482. Rev. 3.10 I will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world Ver. 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten God kept the Angel of Philadelphia from evil temptation because he was a pious assertor of the truth but the Angel of Laodicea who was luke-warm he would mend by his reprehension 1483. Rev. 4.8 They rest not night nor day Chap. 14.13 They that dye in the Lord rest from their labours The souls in the heavenly rest of the blessed are not idle they have their labours that weary them not but most sweetly refresh them in the latter place is understood the end of the troubles of this world 1484. Rev. 5.1 I saw a book written Ver. 4. No man was worthy to look thereon John saw the book in a bare Vision but no man could see the mysteries contained in it * 1485. Rev. 5.5 Christ is called the Lion of the Tribe of Juda. Rev. 5.6 Christ is called the Lamb. He is called a Lion to shew his great strength Majesty and Dignity and of the Tribe of Judah because he arose from thence which Tribe boar the Arms a Lion * 1486. Rev. 5.12 Worthy is the Lamb to receive honour glory and blessing If Christ be God how can he receive honour for we cannot add to Divinity Ans Christ as God cannot receive an addition of honour in himself but we may give him a relative honour or Quo ad nos He may seem to be more honourable to us that is when we take all the honour that the Creature hath or Idols hath and place it upon the head of Christ we esteem him most honourable and glorious 1487. Rev. 6.9 Under the Altar I saw the souls of them that were slain Ver. 11. White robes were given to every one of them Souls are invisible spirits which cannot be seen or cloathed it is therefore the sight of the mind and not of the body which is here understood for these things were seen in the Spirit 1488. Rev. 6.10 The souls of those that were slain cry out for revenge against those that slew them Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies and pray for them The cry of the souls proceeds not from a wicked desire of revenge but an earnest desire for Gods glory because they would have no ungodliness or wickedness remain unpunished c. in the day of revenge and judgment we suffering here according to Christs command pray for our enemies 1489. Rev. 7.9 I saw a great multitude which no man could number Luk. 12.32 The flock of Christ is called a little flock The Church compared with the numerous multitude of the wicked is a little flock but considered in it self it comprehends an innumerable multitude of all Ages Sexes Places Tribes and People * 1490. Rev. 7.12 Blessing and Glory and Wisdom c. Rev. 8.1 There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour In the former place it shews what is Angels work in heaven as I take it The latter is shewn what for a little while may be done on Earth whether as in Constantines time or it be an allusion to that silence that was used to be in the Temple while the Incense was offering whereas they blew Trumpets and sung while the sacrifice was offered 1491. Rev. 11.19 The Temple of God was opened in heaven Cha. 21. v. 22. And I saw no Temple therein In the former place the Temple is taken figuratively this the Holy Ghost intimates that God is worshipped most holily with Hymns and Psalms In the latter place we must not think there shall be any material Temple in the life to come as we have here on earth 1492. Rev. 13.8 The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world not properly but figuratively and in Gods Decree by Types Predictions and Efficacy by Acceptation not by Execution 1493. Rev. 16.1 Go and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth Ver. 4. to the 13. They poured out their vials of wrath upon the sea the rivers the fountains the sun the seat of the beast and Euphrates In the first place the earth is taken in a general signification because the effects of all the Vials redounds to the earth in a manner and to earthly men the followers of Antichrist for whatsoever the wrath of God was which was cast on the Seas Rivers or the Ayr or Sun was not for themselves but to afflict the earth and those that dwell thereon 1494. Rev. 18.6 Double unto her double according to her work Mat. 7.2 And what measure you mete shall be measured to you again The first place is a special command of God concerning retaliation In the latter Christ forbids rash judgment concerning others adding the Law of retaliation the more to convince the Jews * Rev. 18.6 with Mat. 7.2 Double not of her deserts but of those miseries she hath brought on you before and that is just