solemn assemblies for his worship and service in the beauties of holinesse Or in the comely honours of the Sanctuarie meaning either the comely or honourable places of holinesse the Sanctuary or Church or rather in the beautiful ornaments of holinesse that is holy graces and vertues which with admirable varietie adorne the faithful and their inner man from the womb The second propertie or condition of the subjects of Christs Kingdome to be very numerous as willing so numerous as the dew from the womb of the morning 2 Sam. XVII 12. by a sudden unusual and wonderful increase and multiplication Esay LIV. 1. Micah V. 7. Esay LXVI 9. so numerous shall his youth be his new-borne people Iohn I. 13. and III. 3. Gal IV. 19. Heb. II. 14. 1 Pet. II. 2. See Esay LIII 10. So that these words are not to be understood of the temporal Nativity of Christ from the Virgin or his eternal generation from the Father as some do but of his active spiritual generation of his children the subjects of his Kingdome The Lord hath sworne The Vocation of Christ to his Office of verse 4 Priesthood Jehovah is the Author of it hath sworne Jehovah swears to confirme matters of greatest moment when and where his wisdome pleaseth And upon this point here of Christs eternal Priesthood mans salvation dependeth He swears by himself though that is not here expressed because he hath no greater to swear by Heb. VI. 13 16. Gen. XXII 16. And so by his life Esay XLIX 18. by his soul Jer. LI. 24. by his right-hand and the arme of his strength Esay LXII 8. The result of all which is the same with himself And implying thereby thus much Let me not be accounted what I am namely God the living God the omnipotent God if that which I speak be not true or my promises or threatnings do faile of performance Of Oaths See the Observations on Jer. LI. 14. and my Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. and will not repent Will not change or retract what he hath sworne Num. XXIII 19. James I. 17. Repenting is sometimes ascribed to God as Gen. VI. 6 7. Psal. CVI. 45. 1 Sam. XV. 11. 35. Not that there is any change of minde of will in God as there is in mans repenting But the change is in the work God eternally and unchangably decreeing both as to do the thing so again to change it upon mans repentance or disobedience Jer. XXVI 3 13 19. Of this see more in the Observations on Jer. XV. 6. In all this God condescends to mans weaknesse Heb. VI. 17 18. Shewes the greatnesse and excellency of the thing here avowed that the Lord Christ was lawfully Called and Ordained to be an eternal Priest for us and our salvation for our greater confirmation and consolation herein Thou art The Lord Christ well knew this and could not doubt of the will of the Father herein What then needed this Oath to be made unto him Answ. It was made to him for the use of his Church that his Church might know and be assured of it As that John XI 42. art God saying is as much as doing a Preist So Gen. XIV 18. Heb. VII 1. Melchizedec in type Christ in truth the Antitype The Priests office was to Teach Pray and Sacrifice The High Priest among the Jewes once a year entred into the most Holy place Yet he in all things was not an absolute and sufficient Type of our High Priest Christ the Lord. For he is an eternal High Priest and both King and Priest and his Sacrifice of another nature and himself of another Tribe for ever Not so the Priests after the order of Aaron Heb. VII 23. 34 and chap. IX 12. after the order Or similitude Heb. V. 6. and chap. VII 15. of Melchizedec Much question who this Melchizedec was He was not the Sonne of God himself our Lord and Christ. Very many take him to be Sem the Sonne of Noah who saw both worlds before and after the Flood and lived to the one hundred and fiftieth year of the age of Abraham Yet because Sems genealogie is exactly set down in Scripture and that the Levitical Priests themselves came from him after sundry descents and the Land of Canaan seems not to be Sems habitation which took its name from his younger brother Cham or from Chams sonne Canaan Neither would Abraham so long have forborne his due respects and visitation of Sem in Canaan if Sem had lived there Therefore divers learned men take this Melchizedec to be rather some eminent man in Canaan raised up by God in those corrupt times both good and godly both King and Priest living in Salem after called Jerusalem whose King in Joshuahs time was called Adoni-Zedeck that is Lord of righteousnesse Josh. X. 1. As this man here is called Melchizedec that is King of righteousnesse By which place or near to it Abraham in his returne from this warre and victory was to passe Of this Melchizedec and his Priesthood and the difference of it from Aarons Priesthood the Apostle to the Hebrews chap VII entreateth at large and observeth divers things his Name and Title his greatnesse in that he blessed Abraham and received Tythes of Abraham his being mentioned in Scripture without any Pedegree without father without mother without descent having neither beginning of dayes nor end of life All these he had as our Saviour himself had them but none of them recorded or registred in the Scripture that he might so become a Type of the eternity of Christs Person and Priesthood verse 3. The Apostle further observeth his Offices that he was both King and Priest and that our Saviour was made such with an oath of God the Father and a Priest of a better Priesthood Covenant and Commandment and that he was made not after the Law of a carnal commandement having carnal successors in his Priesthood but after the power of an endlesse life consecrated for evermore having an eternal Priesthood and unchangeable continuing ever and living ever to make intercession and by his one offering up himself once for all saving them to the uttermost that come to God by him In all which there are manifold resemblances between Christ and Melchizedec and manifold differences between theirs and the Aaronical Priesthood As for those fond and forced dreams of the Papist That Melchizedec offered up to God the sacrifice of bread and wine And therein was a Type and Figure of their sacrifice of the Masse And that thereupon Christ our Lord is said to be a Priest after the order of Melchizedec These may well befal to them who for want of the love of the truth are given up to beleeve lies but are too weak poor and silly for us to trouble our selves withal The Lord at thy right hand The prophesie of Christ the Lord his administration of his Kingly Office verse 5 in this and the next verse The Lord God the Father who will make thine enemies thy footstoole
though in that favour and of that power ch 45. 19. yet would not do it without the Kings expresse consent Goshen See Annot. on ch 45. 10. for every shepherd See Annot. on ch 43. 32. CHAP. XLVII Verse 1. GOshen See Annotat. on chap. 45. 10. 46. 28. V. 2. Five men Not set down which five and therefore guesses here are but idle and curious V. 3. Occupation Ch. 46. 33. Jonah 1. 8. 2 Thes. 3. 10. Good Magistrates inquisitive against idlenâ—sse as the bane of a Common-wealth shepherds Every one a shepherd v 6. ch 46. 34. V. 4. To sojourne For a time duriâ—g the famine This likely their intent at first and not to leave Canaan Though afterwards for Josephs sake and his great accommodations afforded them they continued their abode there And afterwards the following Kings against the Lawes of Hospitality kept them as bond slaves no pasture It failed sooner in Canaan then in Egypt and Goshen Canaan being an higher land let thy servants dwell Pharaoh made a frank offer ch 45. 18 20. Joseph intended this place for them ch 45. 10. His brethren here requested it and no doubt by Josephs direction ch 46 34. Thus by this meanes Joseph in his modesty would gaine Pharaohs â—onsent to this particular place V. 6. Of Activity Men of fit and able parts are to be chosen to places and offices Jacob blessed Pharaoh Saluted him with prayer for his welfare and thanks and praise for his bounty to Joseph to him and his children 2 Kings 4. 29. Numb 6. 23 24. Mat. 26. 26. with Luke 22. 19. so again when Jacob left Pharaoh v. 10. V. 9. Of my pilgrimage Pilgrims here seeking after a better countrey an heavely Heb. 11. 9 13. 13. 14. 1 Chron. 29. 15. Psal. 39. 12. 119. 19. Jacobs flittings from Labai roi to Gerar to the valley of Gerar to Rehoboth to Beersheba to Bethel to Haran in Mesopotamia to Gilead to Mahanaim to Succoth to Shalem in Sechem to Bethel to Ephrath to Mamre to Beersheba to Egypt to Pharaohs Court one hundred and thirty yeares Therefore Jacob was ninety when Joseph was borne and seventy six when he came to Laban v 28. and have not attained Abraham lived to one hundred seventy five Isaac to one hundred and eighty V. 11. Ramases Exod. 12. 37. The City built after by the Israelites Exod. 1. 11. After the Israelites multiplied and spread further and had Egyptian families among them and about them whence their doores were distinguished by the blood Exod. 12 7 23. and v. 35 37. they soon borrowed jewels of them V. 12. According As a child is nourished by the nurse ch 45. 11. 49. 24. 50. 21. lovingly tenderly carefully V. 13. Fainted Yet now among strangers God satisfies his Church with fulnesse V. 14. All the money into Pharaohs house His treasury Josephs fidelity V. 15. Money failed Generally for the most part â—almost totally give us bread Yet ask it in an humble manner v. 17. 18 19 25. V. 18. The second yeare Namely after their cattel was sold which seemes to have been the sixth yeare of the famine the second of their extremity V. 19. And our land Die become desolate As trees while they bear fruit are said to live when not to die so may the ground and give us seed This is the seventh year of the famine V. 21. He removed them So to gain the right of propriety and possession from the people to Pharaoh The people mutinie not in all these extremities nor break open the granaries of Pharaoh but by Josephs prudence and Gods over-ruling Providence keep their loyalty and obedience Thus Chams posterity was brought into bondage ch 9. 25. V. 22. Only the land of the Priests Or Princes Pharaohs chief Officers and Lords as ch 41. 45. See Annos on that place ch 14. 18. if it be here understood of Priests as the Chaldee and LXX translate it This shews Pharaohs care not Josephs for he favoured not idolatrous Priests to preserve their rights and revenues to save their lands from alienation to maintain them so Jezabel 1 King 18. 19. These shall rise up in judgement against many Christian Kings and people who neglect the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel V. 24. The fifth part He might have required the halfe or have allowed them but the fifth part Here then he deales not with them injuriously or uncharitably making his best advantage of their necessity But mercifully as themselves confesse v. 25. and yet faithfully as became the steward of Pharaoh whose corne he sold. This fifth part was no more then was laid up in the yeares of plenty ch 41. 44. V. 25. Pharaohs servants His Farmers and Tenants V. 27. Multiplied exceedingly So God fulfilled his Promise ch 46. 3. V. 28. Seventeen yeares So long Joseph nourished his father in Egypt as his father had nourished him at home V. 29. Thy hand under my thigh See Annot on ch 24 2. Jacob requires this oath not so much doubting Josephs obedience herein but that he might alledge it to Pharaoh ch 50. 5. and so decline the envy of the Egyptians and their surmising of his scorning their land and that it might be a testimony of his faith in Gods Promises for possessing the land of Canaan that as a type of Heaven Heb. 11. 9 10 14 15 16. and for a strengthening of the faith of his seed that they should return thither And for this also Joseph layes his bones as it were at stake ch 50. 25. Heb. 11. 22. Thus being dead they teach and preach faith to them V. 30. But I will lie Lie down and sleep Such is death lie in burial with my fathers Abraham and Isaac See v. 29. V. 31. Bowed himself Unto God with thankfulnesse Heb. 11. 21. His religious thoughts now near his end took up his minde with matter of praying to God and praising of God And though weak and bedâ—id yet he would not do it without some outward expression of devout reverence This bowing then was not to Joseph ch 48. 12. nor yet towards the East or Canaan but to God so David 1 Kings 14. upon the beds head The LXX read it leaning upon the top of his staffe The Hebrew word without pricks or vowels serves both Mittch is a bed Matteh is a staffe The LXX sure had a copy without pricks The Apostle follows the LXX in Heb. 11. 21. See Annot. on ch 46. 27. and on ch 11. 12. Jacob turning his face to the bed and so rearing himself upon the boulster at his beds head he then bowed himself and worshipped the Lord ch 48. 2. 1 Kings 1. 47 48. And it well may be that to help himselfe herein in his great weaknesse he might leane upon the top of his staffe which he had in his hand being an old man and the Apostle knowing this also to be true did not therefore stick to alledge the place according to the Translation of the LXX CHAP. XLVIII Verse
supposed sonne Hobab the supposed brother-in-law of Moses being come again as it seemeth thither towards the end of that year and intreated there by Moses to stay and go along with them refuseth to do so Yet being again prayed and pressed by Moses thereunto in this Text he either yeeldeth no reply being mentioned or not long after both he and his house and kindred return to Moses It may be warned by Moses to come then as Saul in his time warned them to depart from the Amalakites 1 Sam. XV. 6 and so were saved from that destruction of the Midianites Num. XXXI which return is plainly gathered out of Num. XXIV 21. Judg. I. 16. and IV. 11. and 1 Sam. XV. 6. 1 Chron. II. 55. Jer. XXXV 6. compared with 2 King X. 15 23. Seventy men These LXX chapter XI verse 16 Elders were appointed about a year after those many Rulers and Judges Exod. XVIII They prophesied and did not cease for the time like whereunto was the case of Saul 1 Sam. X. 10. God by this signe sealing so and at first honouring their Vocation though this extraordinary Gift ceased afterwards These LXX are added to assist Moses in the Government of this People in the Wildernesse Yet it seemes from hence in after-ages the Jewes took their rise of Constituting their Sanedrim or Synedrion of LXX Elders for their Senate and Supreme Court of Judicature in that Nation Of LXX see Ezek. VIII 11. Exod. XXIV 1 9. Luke X. 1 17. Quailes Quailes given the second time verse 31 above a full year after those Exod. XVI 13. those being at their eighth Station in the Wildernesse of Sin and before they came to Sinai These at the thirteenth Station and after they left Mount Sinai in Kibroth Hattaavah And continuing for a full moneth Psal. LXXVIII 26 31. Ethiopian Zipporah called an Ethiopian or Cushite chapter XII verse 1 from that Eastern Ethiopia or part of Arabia wherein Midian stood or bordered with it Arabia containing other Nations also lying Northward upon the Arabick Gulph or Red-Sea Miriam her sister-in-law seemes to envy her and fall foul upon Moses and being first and deepest in the fault more then Aaron is exemplarily punished The man Moses The commendation of Moses verse 3 8. God inspiring his pen Num. XII 3 8. Kadesh Kadesh is Kadesh-Barneah in the Wildernesse of Paran chapter XIII verse 26 and South-Confines of Canaan in a Mountain of the Amorites Deut. I. 19 20. nigh to Mount Seir ver 44. whence Moses sent the Spies Num. XII 16. and Ch. XIII 26. and XXXIV 4. Josh. XV. 3. Being the fifteenth station of the Israelites Deut. I. 2 19. and II. 14. and IX 23. Josh. XIV 6 7. and XV. 3. The Israelites abode at Kadesh-barneah and compassed Mount Seir about the space of thirty eight years compared with Deut. I. 2 46 and II. 14. Another Kadesh was a City in the uttermost border of Edom or Idumea towards Ezion-Gaber and the Red Sea Num. XXXIII 36. Deut. II. 8. and in the Wildernesse Sin by the waters of Meribah and the 33. Station of the Israelites Thither they came in the fourtieth year first moneth And there Miriam died four moneths before Aaron who died in the next Station at Hor. Hence Moses sent Messengers to the King of Edom Num. XX. 1 14 15 16 22 and XXVII 14. and XXXIII 36 37 38. Deut. XXXII 51. Judg. XI 17. Fourty years These fourty years wandring in the Wildernesse chapter XIV verse 33 are not to be reckoned from the sending of Spies to search the Land but from their coming out of Egypt Num. XXXIII 3 38. Josh. IV. 19. Deut. VIII 2. This appears also out of the ages of Moses and Aaron Exod. VII 7. compared with Num. XXXIII 39. and Deut. XXXIV 7. After the Return of the Spies the Israelites continued in the Wildernesse but thirty eight years and odde moneths which yet are said to be fourty years as the next full number So Gideons seventy sonnes Judg. VIII 30. are said to be slain Ch IX 5 18 56. though Jothan one of them escaped And so the Disciples are called 11. to whom Jesus appeared on the day of his Resurrection at Evening when yet Thomas was absent Mark XVI 14. Luke XXIV 33 40. John XX. 19 25. compared together And so the LXX Elders are said to be gathered and set round about the Tabernacle when yet Eldad and Medad came not Num. XI 24. And not unlike is that of Davids reign fourty years 2 Sam. V. 4 5. when yet six moneths were over and above And Solomons Building the Temple in seven years 1 King VI. 30. when yet six moneths are to be added by comparing v. 1. and last Hormah This History at Hormah is another chapter XIV verse 45 and divers from that at Hormah Num. XXI 1 2 3. See another Hormah Judg. I. 17. And all the men Compared with Ch. chapter XVI verse 32 XXVI 11. yet doth shew that the Children of Korah were not swallowed up of the earth likely miraculously saved Or rather they departing from their fathers tent according to that command of God and Moses ver 24 and 26. And of their race came such as made some of our Psalmes or at least were famous Singers in the Temple and Samuel also the great Prophet and Judge in Israel 1 Chron. VI. 33 38. Broad plates The Altar thus covered twice with Plates of brasse verse 38 Here and Exod. XXXVIII 2. Altar The Levites might not approach to the Altar to minister at it chapter XVIII verse 2 7. nor eate of the Sacrifices The First-fruits First-fruits seeme to be of many sorts verse 12 First A Sheaf of the first ripe Corne or an Homer of it presented the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread Levit. XXIII 10. Secondly Two Wave-Loaves of two tenth deales at the Feast of Pentecost or weeks Num. XXVIII 26. Levit. XXIII 15 16 17 20. Thirdly A Cake of the first of their doughs for an Heave-offering Num. XV. 20 21. Fourthly brought in a Basket in the seventh moneth when all their fruits were gathered in as most understand that place Deut. XXVI 1 11. First-fruits injoyned without any set or certain proportion or stint Deut. XVIII 4. Of these and other kindes of First-fruits see more in this Text And Exod. XXII 29. and XXIII 19. and XXXIV 22 26. Levit. II. 12 14 15 16. Deut. XVIII 4. Ezek. XLIV 30. The tenth So verse 24 ver 21. Tythes and their kindes and sorts thus Tythes of the yearly increase of all things in the Land paid to the Levites after the First fruits had been first deducted and brought to the Priests Exod. XXXIV 26. Levit. XXIII 10. Out of the nine parts remaining there seems another Tenth taken set apart for their Journeys Sacrifices and Feastings thrice a year at Jerusalem and therefore brought up thither and there eaten by the owners their families and the Levites as most probably appears out of Deut. XII 5 6 7
11 12 17 18 26. and Ch. XIV 22 26. And this second Tythe seems every third year to be distributed to the poor Or rather a third Tythe every third year not carried to Jerusalem and eaten there But gathered for these charitable uses onely and to be eaten any where throughout the Land Deut. XIV 28 29. and XXVI 12 13. And this third year is therefore called the year of Tything Deut. XXVI 12. Amos IV. 4. Of Tythes see more 2 Chron. XXXI 4 19. Nehem. X. 32 39. and XII 44 47. and XIII 5 12 13. Mal. III. 8 10. Luke XI 42. and XVIII 12. Heb. VII 2 9. The great maintenance of the Levites appears in that the whole Tribe of Levi being three or four times lesse in number then any other Tribe yet had they distinguished from all the Priests the Tythes of all the Tribes and so more then any one other Tribe Besides their thirty five Cities and Suburbs whereof five were Cities of Refuge Josh. XXI one belonging to the Kohathites Levites two to the Gershonites and two to the Merarites In all twice at least more Cities then some other Tribes had that were twice their number See also that Num. XXXI 30 47. The greater maintenance of the Priests appears in that being but three persons at first at least of ripe and mature age yet they had the Tythes yearly of all the Levites Tythes which were at first 8580 of thirty years old and upwards and so about the hundred part of all the fruits and increase of all Israel And as the numbers of the Priests multiplied afterwards so did in all probability the number of the other Tribes They had also all the First-fruits of all things from all persons throughout the twelve Tribes even of their doughs and bakings Deut. XVIII 4. Num. XV. 20 21. which as some think exceeded their Tythes aforesaid They had also all the First-borne of Oxen Sheep and Goats which were given to them in kinde And the Redemption money of the First-borne of Men and of unclean Beasts and cattell Num. III. 46 52. Exod. XXXIV 19. 20 and Ch. XXII 29 30. Deut. XV. 19. They had also all Oblations both Voluntary and by Vow And the Redemption of Things and of Persons Devoted to God And all Sacrifices for Sinnes and for Trespasses and the Meat and Drink Offerings and Heave-offerings And the Breast and Shoulder in Peace-offerings Deut. XVIII 3. And the Skins of the whole Burnt-offerings And all their Tythes First-fruits and Oblations were to be of the best and choisest sorts Num. XVIII 12 29. Besides these they had thirteen Cities and Suburbs and Priviledges belonging to them whereof one was a City of Refuge Josh XXI 13. See Num. XVIII 8 19. And that also Num. XXXI 28 29 37 38 39 40 50. Levit. X. 12 13 14 15. and Ch. XXVII 21 28. See the Annotations on Num. XVIII 29. Rock At Rephidim by Mount Sinai chapter XX verse 8. 13. Exod. XVII 1 7. being the eleventh Station of the Israelites Num. XXXIII 14. Moses with his miraculous Rod struck the Rock in Horeb in a due obedience to Gods commandment and waters came forth And he named the place Massah and Meribah Exod. XVII 5 6 7. But at Kadesh in the Wildernesse of Zin where Miriam died being the thirty third Station Num. XXXIII 36. Moses with Aarons miraculous Rod for he took it from before the Lord as he commanded him having his spirit provoked by the rebellious people smiles the Rock twice without any such command or commission to smite at all And he and Aaron likewise speak unadvisedly with their lips uttering words of passion and incredulity and so rebelling against Gods commandment And thereupon they not sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel He was sanctified in them by his excluding them from entrance into the Land of Canaan And this also is called the water of Meribah or Strife as here so Ch. XXVII 14. Psal. CVI. 32 33. Aaron Aaron chapter XX verse 28 whose name may seem to signifie an Ark or Chest dies seven moneths and seven dayes before Moses at Mount Hor the Place called Mosera Deut. X 6. in the thirty fourth Station For Aaron dying in the fourtieth year fifth moneth first day Num. XXXIII 38. And that compared with the moneths mourning for Moses Deut. XXXIV 8. and three dayes preparation to passe over Jordan Josh. I. 1. and Ch. III. 2. And their coming out of Jordan on the first moneth tenth day Josh. IV. 19. Do shew that Moses died in the twelfth moneth seventh day And so seven moneths and seven dayes after Aaron In which short interval of time many and mighty things were done and atchieved as among other things Sihon and Og and their Kingdomes conquered the Midianites almost destroyed among whom Balaam was slaine Josh. XIII 22. and the book of Deuteronomie written Num. XXI and XXXI Deut. I. 1 3. Fiery Serpents onely in the later part of the fourtieth year chapter XXI verse 6 after Aarons death Heshbon Heshbon a chief City in Moab verse 26 afterwards of Sihon King of the Amorites Deut. I. 4. afterwards of Gad and out of that Tribe given to the Merarites Josh. XIII 26. and XXI 38 39 40. 1 Chron. VI. 80 81. Afterwards recovered by the Moabites and wasted by Shalmanesar Esay XV. 4. and XVI 8 9. and after by the Babylonians Jer. XLVIII 45. There may seeme to be another Heshbon of the Ammonites Jer. XLIX 2 3. And one in the Tribe of Reuben Num. XXXII 37. Josh. XIII 15 17. Heshbon signifies Devises And an allusion is made to the name Jer. XLVIII 2. in the judgement there denounced against it like to this is English There is mischief devised against the Devises the name of a town with us Balak Balak needed not to have hired Balaam chapter XXII verse 2 and feared Israel Num. XXII and XXIII and XXIV if he had known the prohibition of God to Israel Deut. II. 9. which they obeyed Judg. II. 15 17 18 25. 2 Chron. XX. 10. Yet that part which was great of the Lands of Moab which Sihon had lately conquered from Vehab King of Moab as Tremelius translates Num. XXI 26. the Israelites conquering Sihon in that right possessed it Num. XXXIII 49. Deut. I. 5. and XXXIV 1 5 6 8. and it was given to the Reubenites and Gadites Josh. XIII Unicorne So Deut. chapter XXIII verse 22 XXXIII 17. Job XXXIX 9 10. Psal. XXII 21. and XXIX 6. and XCII 10. Esay XXXIV 7. Yet the translation of the word is doubted of or at least the nature of the beast such as the Pensil of our Painters doth portray out unto us because no such beast was known or seen by any man And the Unicornes horne so deemed is of some strange Fish not of any known Beast Some learned render the word Bufale or Buff or else the wild Oxe called by the Latines Urus eminent for bignesse strength hornes and untamable fiercenesse
points and circumstances easily to be gathered and understood Deut. XI 26 30. and XXVII 12 26 This was done in the first year of their coming over Jordan Josh. VIII 32 35. when and where were read likewise all the words of the Law of Moses before all the Congregation of Israel With ships Ships besides the Ark of Noah chapter XXVIII verse 68 are first mentione in Jacobs blessing of Zebulun Gen. XLIX 13. and in Moses his threatning the Israelites in this place Not given Gods hand in giving and working of Grace chapter XXIX verse 4 See Ch. XXX 6. Jer. XXIV 7. and XXXI 33. and XXXII 39. Ezek. XI 19 20. and Ch. XXXVI 26 27. Heb. VIII 10 11. John VI. 44 45 65 Phil. I. 29. and II. 13. Ephes. II. 8. 2. Tim. II. 25. And he gives grace to the remnant which is according to the election of Grace Matth. XI 25. and XIII 11. Mark IV. 11 12 John XII 39. Rom. XI 7. Ephes. I. 5. 2 Chron. XXX 12. Mount This Mount Hor chapter XXXII verse 50 where Aaron died Num. XX. 25 26. was South of Judea And Mount Hor on the North-bounds of Judea Num. XXXIV 7. are far differing and distant mountains King in Jeshurum Moses King in Ieshurum chapter XXXIII verse 5 25. in Blessing the twelve Tribes doth omit Simeon if we accompt him not included in Iudah as his Lot in the division of Canaan fell within the Lot and Tribe of Iudah and their expeditions against their enemies in conquering their own shares were joynt and undertaken together Iosh. XVIII and XIX Iudg. I 3. Dwell between his shoulders That is verse 12 In Ierusalem For though the Southerne and Superior part of Ierusalem where Mount Sion was and which was called the City of David did belong to the Tribe of Iudah yet the Northerne and inferior part of it where Mount Moriah was whereon the Temple was built belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin The huge deep valley of Mello between the two Mountains being filled up and levelled by Solomon so that thence afterward Sion and Moriah might be called two tops of one Mountain Sion the higher top and Moriah the lower Died The time of Moses his death was in the fourtieth year chapter XXXIV verse 5 twelfth moneth seventh day of their coming out of Egypt and one hundred and twentieth year of his age See upon Aarons death Num. XXXIII 38. No man knoweth The reason of concealing the place of the Burial of Moses verse 6 And Michael the Archangel his contending with the Devil and disputing about the body of Moses Iude ver 9. was not revealed in the Scripture of the Old Testament And this dispute might be lest the Israelites knowing it might carry it with them as Iosephs bones into Canaan into which God had said That he should not enter or rather That the people might not idolize it Joshua THE Book of Joshua was not probably written by him though of and concerning him For besides some things contained in it which are deemed by some to be done after his death As that concerning Caleb and his daughter Achsah Ch. XV. 16 19. And most surely the Conquering of Leshem or Laish by the Danites Ch. XIX 47. Iudg. XVIII 7. 29. And those things recorded Ch. XXIV 29 33. Some other things seeme to plead That it was written by some Prophet Long after his death Whence that phrase remaines unto this day is so frequently used Ch. IV. 9. and Ch. VI. 25. and VII 26. and VIII 29 and IX 27. and X. 27. and XIII 13. and XIV 14. and XV. 63. And the Book of Iasher is named Ch. X. 13. which seemes written at soonest in Davids time as recording an Act of his 2 Sam. I. 18. unlesse we say This Book of Iasher in Ioshua's time to be continued on and enlarged in after-times by adding and inserting memorable acts in after-ages And so in Davids time And further the Mountains of Iudah and the Mountains of Israel are mentioned Iosh. XI 21. Which many possibly seeme to intimate the Book to be written after the division of the Nation into the two Kingdomes of Iudah and Israel Ioshua was the Tribe of Ephraim Num. XIII 8. 1 Chron. VII 27. And he lived one hundred ten years Ch. XXIV 29. and was six full years in conquering the Land and in the seventh fell to the Dividing of it by Lot as is gathered out of the age of Caleb Iosh. XIV 7 10. And divers years Ioshua lived and governed after that time but how many it doth not appear out of this Book yet is gathered out of other places to be ten years more and so this Book to containe an History of seventeen years from the Beginning of his Government to his Death The truth of this account stands upon this computation from the coming out of Egypt to the fourth of Solomon are four hundred and eighty years 1 King VI. 1. which are made up thus fourty years in the Wildernesse seventeen of Ioshua two hundred ninety nine of the Iudges counting in the twenty of Sampson as coincident and concurring with the first twenty years of Eli twenty years more of Eli twenty of Samuel fourty of Saul fourty of David four of Solomon In all 480. Within three dayes This Edict and Proclamation of three dayes chapter I verse 2 for preparation to passe over Iordan set down here doth begin and commence after the History of the two Spies and their returne to Ioshua which History yet is recorded after in the Chapter following And thereupon the mention of the said three dayes is taken up again the second time Ch. III. 2. when new directions are given for their Passage and the manner of it Rahab Rahab chapter II verse 1 an Harlot because at least she had been so though now a beleeving Convert ver 9 10 11. Heb. XI 31. Iames II. 25. She had her house on the wall of Iericho ver 15. which fell not when the rest of wall fell Ch. VI. 20 22. In framing her excuses for the Spies sake she bewrayes her infirmity in making equivocations or untruths rather ver 4 5. In transacting with the Spies some speeches seeme to passe between them after they were let down the wall ver 18. In pleading for her family she makes no mention of an Husband ver 13. and Ch. VI. 23. She was after married to Salmon eldest sonne of Nahshon which Nahshon was great-grand-childe to Hezron or Esrom that went down with Iacob into Egppt Gen. XLVI 12. And was Prince of Iudah at the numbring of the people Num. I. 7. at the marshalling of the Camps Num. II. 3. at the Dedication of the Altar Num. VII 12. and at the setting forward in their journeys Num. X. 14. But died in the Wildernesse Num. XIV 29. This marriage of Rahab to Salmon now Prince of Iudah is not recorded in the Old Testament But mentioned Matth. I. 5. in the Genealogy of our Saviour wherein as Rachab so Thamar Ruth
verse 1 1 Chron. II. 7. which signifieth a Troubler and the Place of his execution is called the Valley of Achor v. 26. that is trouble He was Grand-childe of Zabdi otherwise called Zimri 1 Chron. II. 6. Ai Ai is called Hai verse 2 Gen. XII 8. and Aijah Neh. XI 31. in the tribe of Benjamin very near to Bethel Ezra II. 28. Neh. VII 32. and differs from that Ai situate between Heshbon and Rabbah in the tribe of God yet taken by the Ammonites whereof see Jeremie XLIX 3. Bethaven Bethaven and Bethel two distinct townes not farre asunder near the North bounds of the Tribe of Benjamin Yet Hosea calls Bethel by the name of Bethaven the house of vanity and vaine Idols in scorne and derision for Jeroboams golden Calf there set up Hos. IV. 15. and V. 8. and X. 5. See the Observations on 1 King XII 29 32. verse 14 Taketh By Divine instinct and command Lots are here used In which case their judgement is infallible Of Lots see my Annotations on Ionah I. 7. verse 24 And his sonnes Gods severe judgement upon his whole family ver 24 25. is warranted by Him who is sole Dispensor and Sovereigne Lord over his own Law Deut. XXIV 16. And at the most his Sacriledge was but the Occasion not the Cause of Gods judgement upon his family They having sinne enough in themselves otherwise for Gods justice to work upon though they had no hand in this sacrilegious act chapter VIII verse 2 Ambush God appoints both the End and the Means 1 Chron. XIV 14 15. And Gods people having the assurance of Gods Particular Promises do yet carefully use the Meanes as Josh. XI 7. and X. 9. Acts XXVII 24 31. Iudg. XX. 28 29. Stratagems in warre are lawful verse 3 Chose out Not likely that the 30000. did lie in wait behinde Ai Westward between Ai and Bethel but onely 5000. ver 12 17. Gibeon Gibeon was a great City chapter IX verse 3 a royal City of the Hivites and all the men mighty Ch. X. 2. and XI 19. allotted afterwards to Benjamin and out of that Tribe to the Priests Ch. XXI 13 17. The Tabernacle and Altar were here in Davids and Solomons time 1 Chron. XXI 20. 2 Chron. I. 3. David orders the service of it here 1 Chron. XVI 30. Solomon sacrificeth at this High Place God appears to him here And he brings the Tabernacle and Altar thence to the Treasuries of the Temple 1 King III. 4. Here Ioshua vanquished the five Kings of the Amorites Ch. X. And had the Sunne stand still upon his prayer Here David smote the Philistines 1 Chron. XIV 16. By the poole of Gibeon was that mortal fight between twelve of Abners and twelve of Ioabs men whence the place was called the field of strong men in Gibeon Here Abner in his flight slayeth Asabel the brother of Ioab And Ioab pursueth Abner by the way of the Wildernesse of Gibeon 2 Sam. II. 12 16 24. and Ch. III. 30. At the great stone in Gibeon Ioab slew Amasa his Cousen-german 2 Sam. XX. 8. And by the great waters that are in Gibeon Iohanan fighteth and puts to flight Ishmael Ier. XLI 12. The Gibeonites were Hivites Iosh. IX 7. yet called also by the more general name of Amorites 2 Sam. XXI 2. They were those which in after-times were called Nethinims c. that is Deodands given and devoted to that Drudgery ver 23 27. Of whom see 2 Sam. XXI 2. 1 Chron. IX 2. Ezra II. 43 58 62 70. and VII 7 24. and VIII 17 20. Neh. VII 46 60 73. and X. 28. and XI 3 21. Something like to these were those other of these Nations on whom Solomon did raise a tribute of Bondage 1 King IX 20 21. Of whom see more on that place The Oath and League made with the Gibeonites and their Cities ver 17. though surreptitiously and fraudulently gotten and also rashly granted yet seemes in the substance of it to be lawful otherwise an unlawful Oath should be broken whereas this was kept with all faithfulnesse Joshua fighting in their defence and that by the Lords approbation and encouragement Ch. X. 7 8. And this seemes lawful because they sued for Peace before they were besieged and willingly submitted to all Conditions without any reservation of their Lands Goods Lawes Liberties much lesse of their superstitions and idolatries which otherwise might have ensnared the Israelites but of their Lives onely and they to be employed in the Israelites service Cities and People of other Nations then these very farre off might be received upon farre easier termes and conditions But upon all these Conditions others of these Nations themselves might have been spared their lives Yet God in his providence so ordered That there was not a City that made peace with the Israelities saving these Hittites of Gibeon onely and their Cities All other they took in battel for it was of the Lord so to harden their hearts that they might be destroyed Ch. XI 19 20. And therefore the Congregation here murmured unjustly haply through ignorance against Joshua and the Princes for this League and Oath And Saul was justly punished and that grievously in his posterity and the Land also with famine many ages after this because he sought to slay and destroy them from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel contrary to this League and Oath though Soul did it in a pretended or wrong zeale to the children of Israel and Judah 2 Sam. XXI 1 6. Adoni-Zedek seemes chapter X verse 1 in after-ages to have succeeded that Melchizedeâ— Gen. XIV 18. But Adoni-bezeck Judg. I. 7. seemes not any successor to this Adonizedeek much lesse himself He himself being slaine ver 23 26. But Adoni-bezeck was Lord or King not of Jerusalem but of Bezeck in the Tribe of Judah where Saul numbred against Nahash 330000. men 1 Sam. XI 8. Jerusalem is called also Jebus Judg. XIX 10. 1 Chron. XI 4 5. of Jebusi the sonne of Canaan Gen. X. 16. And Salem Gen. XIV 18. Psal. LXXVI 2. The name seemes composed of them If not then of Jireh and Salem the place Salem Gen. XIV 18. Psal. LXXVI 2. where God appeared Gen. XXII 14. Or Jiereh Shalem signifying the Vision of Peace or Possession of Peace or Peace shall be seene or provided a place of providence Gen. XXII 14. See Hebr. VII 1 2. And it is of the Dual number being a double City belonging to two Tribes Judah and Benjamin Josh. XV. 8 63. and XVIII 28. Judg. I. 8 21. Jer. XXXIX 3. The Southern and higher part belonging to Judah wherein the strong hold of Zion was taken at last by David presently after his anointing King over all Israel and built and called his City 2 Sam. V. 6 9. 1 Chron. XI 4 8. And became the Burial-place of the Kings of Judah And Davids Sepulcher continued there till the Apostles times Acts II. 29. near 1100. years And the Ark for a time was placed
And Pomegranates upon the Net-works in two rowes one above another that is twenty four on a square or side and so ninety six in all upon the four sides of each rowe which with the four corner ones make up one hundred in each rowe 2 Chron. III. 16. Jer. LII 23. And so two hundred on either Pillar 1 King VII 20. and four hundred Pomegranates on both joyntly Passing through the Porch They entered into the Sanctuary or Body of the Temple conjoyned to the Porch which Sanctuary or Body was fourty sacred Cubits long and twenty broad and thirty high 1 King VI. 17. 2 Chron. III. 3 Overlaid within with gold upon Palme trees and Chaines and Cherubims and garnished with precious stones 2 Chron. III. 5 6 7. In this body of the Temple were the things following ten Candlesticks of gold with their Lamps Besides other of silver mentioned 1 Chron. XXVIII 16. for other uses in other places in the Courts and Chambers of the Priests and Levites Of which ten there were placed five on the right hand and five on the left 2 Chron. IV. 7. And each of them far greater then that one in the Tabernacle Oile was used to the Lamps Ten Tables for Shew-bread likely of gold besides other of silver in other places for other uses in the Priests Courts Chambers and Treasuries mentioned 1 Chron. XXVIII 16. Of which ten there were five placed on the right side and five on the left 2 Chron. IV. 8 19. Though one Table and one Candlestick be named for the rest 2 Chron. XIII 11. 1 King VII 48. Altar of Incense of gold placed by the Oracle at the West-end of the Sanctuary 1 King VI. 20 22. and VII 48. On which was daily burnt the Perfume Exod. XXX 34 38. and ver 1 10. And that not by the High Priest only as it is in the Annotations on 2 Chron. XXVI 16. But by other Priests as it is in the Annotations on Exod. XXX 7. Thence straight forward Through the Vaile and Doore the High Priest once in the year entered into the Oracle or Most-Holy-Place twenty sacred Cubits long twenty broad and twenty high a perfect square 1 King VI. 20. Being the West-end of the Temple By the Height here it seemes plainly to be ten Cubits lower then the Body of the Temple as our Chancels commonly are lower then the Bodies of our Churches Neither seemes there to be any thing in the Text to induce us to be otherwise minded Though the Great Annotations on 1 King VI. 20. seek out wayes to heighten the upmost outmost top of it to be level and even with the top of the Temple In the Oracle were the Ark called Gods strength and glory Psal LXXVIII 61 and CXXXII 8. 1 Sam. IV. 20. And in it only two Tables of the Law and Covenant or Testimony The Propitiatory or Cover upon it which made up the Mercy-seat And the two Cherubims not of massie gold as those two lesser ones in the Tabernacle Exod. XXXVII 7. But of Olive-tree covered with plates of Gold and meeting with one of their wings upon the Mercy-seat and the other wings stretching to the walls of the Oracle whereupon it is called the Chariot of the Cherubims 1 Chron. XXVIII 19. See 1 Sam. IV. 4 Psal. LXXX 1. and Xâ—IX 1. Esay XXXVII 16. And their faces were inward or toward the House 2 Chron. III. 13. These Cherubims have one paire of wings apiece In Ezekiels Vision two paire apiece Ezek. I. 6. and chap. X. 21. In Esayes Vision the Seraphim have three paire a piece Esay VI. 2. As also those four living wights Apoc. IV. 8. Probably on their Shoulders Breasts and Hips These Cherubims were so made as the parts of them might be taken asunder 2 Chron. III. 10. And by the side of the Arke or before the Testimony are conceived to be the Pot of Mannah Aarons Rod The Censer and the Book of the Law as they had formerly been in the most Holy Place of the Sanctuary And the smaller Cherubims which Moses made out of the matter of the Mercy-seat or Propitiatory or Cover if inseparably fastened to the ends of it then they were also covered with the great Cherubims Exod. XXV 18 19. ch XXXVII 8. Of all which see what more hath been said upon Exod. See also 1 King VI. and VIII chapters 2 Chron. III. and IV. chapters where more is set down of the gold and precious ornaments of this place and the things in it Our Westerne Churches have the Chancels at the East-end and the steeples commouly at the West-end otherwise then it was in Solomons Temple in relation likely to Judea and Jerusalem and that Temple East from us Of the second Temple in Ezra we have little for the things in it Of Herods Temple little or nothing in Scripture The windows narrow without and broad within were above the Chambers round about both the Temple and Oracle Of the Walls and Doores see 2 Chron. III. 5 6 7. and chap. IV. 22. 1 King VI. 15 16 22 29 30 31 35. and VII 50. The Floore of the Temple was of Firre-Plancks 1 King VI 15. Of the Oracle was of Cedar ver 16. Both overlaid with gold i. e. plates of gold ver 30. The covering of the House was with beames and boards of Cedar ver 9. sieled or covered within with gold 2 Chron. III. 5 8. And in likelyhood Lead upon the outside of them to defend all against the injuries of the weather Gates of the Temple and Courts of it 2 Chron. VIII 14. and XXIII 4 5 19 20. and XXIV 8. and XXVII 3. and XXXI 14. and XXXV 15. See the Annotations on Ezek. VIII 3 5 14. and on chap. IX 2. and on chap. XL. 3. The Courts of the Tabernacle was one of Solomons Temple at least two 2 Chron. IV. 9. Besides the Court of the Gentiles or intermural the East-gate whereof was called Solomons Porch of Ezekiels Visionarie Temple at least three besides that for the Gentiles The Courts were comprised under the name of the Temple Acts XXI 28. Joh. II. 14 16. In the Court of the People or Greater Court Solomon erected his Scaffold 2 Chron. VI. 13. And Joash was anointed King 2 Chron. XXIII 13. And here and in the Porch of it were the People taught by the Priests and Levites by the Prophets and Apostles by our Saviour who never entered further then this Court into the Temple The time of Building seven years Though there were six moneths more by comparing 1 King VI. 1 38. 2 Chron. III. 2. Like to that of the time of Davids reigne 2 Sam. V. 4 5. The time of Dedication of the House and Altar in the seventh moneth 1 King VIII 2. 2 Chron. V. 3. and chap. VII 9 10. either the moneth before all the appurtenances and ordinances of the House were fully finished or else in the seventh moneth of the next year when the Jubilee began that so the celebrity of Bringing
wherein severity ought to cast the scale And this Kings best do when they sit in the throne themselves and leave not all alwayes to Judges under them my heart clean The Pharisee verse 9 and Popish Justitiarie saith it Not Paul Rom. VII 15. 1 Cor. IV. 4 nor Iob chap. IX 30 31. and XIV 4. nor David Psal. CXXX 3. and LI. 5 Eccles. VII 20. 1 John I. 8. a childe Is or should be known by his doings verse 11 early shewes his inclination and how he is like to prove afterwards and from his childhood it self should be a plaine dealer without any hypocrisie eare Exod. IV. 11. Psal. XCIV 9. Therefore he sees hypocrites and all and will punish Yea he makes and opens the spiritual eare and eye 1 Cor. II. 9 10. sleep Chap. verse 13 XIX 15. open Be vigilant and diligent chap. XII 11. and XXVIII 19. the lips of knowledge Chap. verse 15 V. 2. Psal. XLV 3. Cant. V. 1. John VII 46. is sweet Chap. IX 17. but afterwards Job XX. verse 17 15 after the meale comes the reckoning we must not think to dine with the Devil and afterwards to sup with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of heaven Every purpose Deliberate oft ere thou resolve once verse 18 Take Counsel Esay XXX 1. Psal. CXIX 24. See chap. XV. 22. and XXIV 6. warre Chap. XXIV 6. be neither timorous nor temerarious Ahab or Jehoshaphat rather in this might have been a good president to Josiah 1 Kings XXII 5. 2 Chron. XXXV 22. tale-bearer Chap. verse 19 XI 13. Meddle not with such Curseth Chap. verse 20 XXX 17. Exod. XXI 17. Levit. XX. 9. Matth. XV. 4. lamp Chap. XXIV 20. gotten hastily Chap. verse 21 XIII 11. and X. 2. and XXVIII 20. I will recompence Chap. verse 22 XXIV 29. Deut. XXXII 35. Rom. XII 17 19. 1 Thes. V. 15. 1 Pet. III. 9. Wait It belongs to him This is the way to be even with him that wrongs thee yea to be above him divers weights Verse 10. verse 23 not good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mans goings Chap. verse 24 XVI 1 9. and chap. III. 6. Psal. XXXVII 23. Jer. X. 23. a snare As the fish that swallows the hook verse 25 Against Sacriledge Acts XIX 37. Rom. II. 22. Let Princes and all look to this make inquirie How the vow may be made void candle The minde and conscience is such verse 27 Matth. VI. 23. 1 Cor. II. 11. It is Gods Spy and Mans overseer a kinde of middle thing betwixt God and Man Our God as well as Moses was Pharaohs God and Aarons God Exod. IV. 16. and VII 1. the King Chap. verse 28 XXIX 14. Psal. CI. 1. Yet this rule is not without all exception as in our late King of blessed and bleeding memorie and in many others gray head Chap. verse 29 XVI 31. clenseth Corrections beat out corruptions verse 30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nocumenta documenta chap. X. 13. The Kings heart Jer. chapter XXI verse 1 X. 23. Ezek. XXI 19 20 21. Though never so absolute is ruled yet and over-ruled by him who is higher then the highest Yea to do his will though unwitting to the King then Sacrifice To obey is better then sacrifice verse 3 God will have mercie and not sacrifice Mark XII 33. Heathens could see and say so much See Esay I. 11. Hos. VI. 6. Micah VI. 7. the plowing Whether they plot verse 4 or plough Tit. I. 15. As a plague-sore will render the richest robe infectious Even their Prayer is sinne diligent Chap. verse 5 X. 4. and chap. XII 24. hastie Rashly make more hast then good speed to be rich treasures Chap. verse 6 X. 2. and chap. XI 4. and chap. XIII 11. and chap. XX. 21. So in Achan Joshuah that could stay the Sunne in his course could not stay him from fingering those accursed treasures The robberie Robbing and spoyling others verse 7 by briberie wrong judgement and wrong dealing a brawling woman Verse 19. verse 9 chap. XXV 24. and chap. XIX 13. and XXVII 15. desireth evil Evil to all verse 10 but to himself findes no favour Whether he sink or swim is no part of his care Psal. LXIX 26. 2 Tim. III. 3. wisely considereth That it shall be overthrown verse 12 and so envies not at their present prosperitie but makes their destruction his instruction Esay XXVI 11. 1 Cor. X. 11. Psal. LII 6. not be heard Of God verse 13 or man Matth. XVIII 30. Esay LVIII 7 9. A gift Chap. verse 14 XVII 8. and chap. XVIII 16. and XIX 6. This Abigael knew well 1 Sam. XXV It is joy Psal. CIX verse 15 162. Rom. VII 22. workers Jer IX 5. Psal. VII 14. Esay V. 18. wandereth He cannot wander so farre as to misse of hell verse 16 Prov. II. 18. Esay L. 11. in that Congregation-house of Gehenna-gyants where is punishment without pitie miserie without mercie sorrow without succour crying without comfort mischief without measure loveth pleasure Luke XVI verse 17 13. a ransome Chap. verse 18 XI 8. God causing that to fall upon the wicked which was intended against the righteous spendeth it up Foolishly lavisheth it verse 20 1 Pet. IV. 3 4. Whereas it should be husbanded thriftily for necessity and honest affluence and comfortable livelihood followeth after Though not overtake it verse 21 si faciat etiamsi non perficiat though he cannot open the door yet if he lift at the latch be an active apprentise though not yet his crafts-master A wise man scaleth Prudence is better then Puissance verse 22 Eccles. VII 19. and IX 15 16. Prov. XXIV 5. 2 Sam. XX. 16 21 22. Proud Chap. verse 24 XIII 10. and chap. XV. 25. giveth Chap. verse 26 XI 25. and chap. XXII 9. Esay LVIII 7. Psal. CXII 9. 2. Cor. IX 9. Deut. XV. 10. Matth. XIX 21 22. Rom. XII S. Eccles. XI 2. Ephes. IV. 28. See on Prov. XIX 17. heareth What he witnesseth verse 28 against the Lord The arme of humane policie as Jeroboams in that case shrinks up presently verse 30 The horse Though so serviceable verse 31 Job XXXIX 19 25. Yet avails not Psal. XXXIII 17. A good name Eccles. chapter XXII verse 1 VII 1. See the Observations there Omnia si perdas famam servare memento meet together Chap. verse 2 XXIX 13. Have mutual need one of another Deut. XV. 11. Matth. XXVI 11. And meet many times as travellers in the mid-way by an alteration and exchange of their conditions Luke I. 53. foreseeth Eccles. verse 3 II. 14. and X. 2. looks before he leaps sees a tempest in the clouds and seeks seasonable shelter under the hollow of Gods hand passeth on Pusheth on without fear or wit desperately into danger chap. XIV 16. and XXVII 12. These after-wits and post-masters may prove prudent but too late farre from them From those thornes and snares verse 5 from the miseries and misdemeanours too of the froward man Traine up a childe Young Saints verse 6 old
verse 8 and with the boughs and branches thereof purging and pruning them and making them fruitful and the smell of thy nose Or nostrils the breath that thence proceedeth shall be sweet odoriferous and grateful to those at least that have their inward senses habitualy and spiritualy exercised causing the lips Hyperbolicaly verse 9 but excellently expressing the vertue and efficacie the power and vigour of the Word and Gospel preached under the similitude of the best wine and the operation of it They that have tasted of the power of the good Word of God and of the world to come cannot forbear to declare and speak of it to â—ll the world Acts IV. 20. and II. 4 11 14. I am my Beloveds The Churches renewed speech and profession verse 10 upon Christs so great commendations of her and affections towards her notwithstanding her former faylings and imperfections She growes up to this confident assurance Come She is emboldened hereupon to these Petitions following verse 11 that he will accompany her to visit the particular Churches that his spirit and care may joyne together to prosper hers for the good of all the Churches She will not now go any way ot do any thing without him and his companie She had lately felt the sorrow and smart of his absence from her of her being without him and his presence She is minded now as Barâ—k was Judg. IV. 8. my loves The fruition of my graces verse 21 the fruits of my faith hope love good works thanksgivings c. She will detaine nothing that is hers from the love and service of Christ but resigne all unto him who is worthy alone to enjoy all The mandrakes See the Annotations on Gen. verse 13 XXX 14. at our gates c. This may seeme to allude to the order of strawing the wedding-house doores with sweet smelling flowers or of laying up of fruits in gate-houses and garners for thee All for Christ. He gives all to them all his offices and efficacies all his merits and graces what he did and suffered was for them and they returne all to him all that they are and have all that they do and suffer all their good works and services as fruits of his owne Graces in them they ascribe and devote unto him Psal. CXV 1. that he may be Ali in All. In this last Chapter the Church proceeds to her dearest wishes for and after Christ How she faine would have him and use him in the three first verses And in the next verse she againe chargeth others not to disturbe or displease him as my brother That she might have more close conjunction and consociation with him chapter VIII verse 1 more intire familiarity and sweetnesse more intimate union and communion with him kisse thee Chap. I. 2. Psal. II. 12. and publikely professe thee notwithstanding any danger yet they should not despise me 2 Sam. VI. 22. not dishearten me from duty and affection but she would bravely sleight all scorning Michols all contumelies and contempts for her conscience sake and Christs sake 〈◊〉 mothers house The universal Church she calls her her mother verse 2 in her universal latitude of al her members yea somtimes comprehending in that notion Christ the head also as v. 5. And so again in the New Testament the whole Church in all her members with her head Christ is called Christ i. e. mystical Christ 1 Cor. XII 12. Thither from without would she bring him with solemnity and joy and there humbly welcome and entertaine his presence with all honour and obedience instruct me The Church would do it instrumentaly and subordinately from God primarily and originaly John VI. 45. Esay LIV. 13. Jer. XXXI 34. of spiced wine Prov. IX 2. This should be her hospitality and kindnesse to Christ nothing too dear for him as he doth the like for her Esay LV. 1 2 3. who is this verse 5 c. Chap. III. 6. Some would have this to be the speech of the Church some of Christ some of the Angels that cometh up Sure whosoever speaks it this is meant of the Church it is she comes up There are continual ascensions in the hearts of Gods people whiles here they are ever aspiring to heaven-ward from the wildernesse Of this world and the tribulations of it of sin and the temptations and miseries of it Leaning For otherwise without him she could not ascend No more then the Vine without its supporter or the Ivy without its Oak And leanes truly not as those Micah III. 11. And leanes wholy and solely upon him utterly unbottomed of her self and of every creature All other are but as Job VI. 17. and VIII 15. and Esay XXXVI 6. I raised thee up c. Some understand these words as spoken by the Church and in answer to Christs question That namely I is she her self and no other even she that raised him up and awoke him from under the apple-tree by her prayers as Psal. XLIV 23. Matth. VIII 25. Esay LXII 7. And there by acts of faith and beleeving on the promise did after a sort conceive bear and bring him forth And that it is she also that in the extreme height and heat of her love and zeal so prayes to him and so professes as is in the two verses following Others under stand all these words as spoken by Christ to the Church whose grace alone did and doth raise up his Church depressed and fallen under the tree of offence after the eating of the forbidden fruit lying in her blood as it is Ezek. XVI 5 6. then and there he said unto her and be the mother of the living as Gen. III. 20. And so they make the rest of the words to be his command to his Church naturaly following as her duty from the consideration of his foresaid benefits to her vouchsafed But yet however the words in the fifth verse be taken I do rather incline to understand the words in the six and seven verses to be the Churches by reason of their masculine idiome She so begging Christs dearest love to her and so professing her own love to him as riding in a Chariot o triumph victorious over all oppositions unconquerable unquenchable And such indeed is the Divine mutual love between Christ and his Church thus exalted to the highest Set me as a seale Have me in precious esteeme verse 6 bear me on thy breast and shoulders as Aaron did the Tribes Exod. XXVIII 11 12 20 21 29 30. Thus she begs to be highly remembered preserved honoured by Christ in his heart dearly cherished and valued by his arme mightily defended strong as death Death conquers all is the King of terrors Job XVIII 14. yet Love as strong as death Jonathan would have died for the love of David and David for Absalom See Rom. XVI 4. Apoc. XII 11. She would not refuse to die for him but shall die if he grant not her desire Wherein the irresistible and undaunted vigour and courage of holy love and
King of Israel In the dayes of the Apostle Peter he being at Lidda was sent for hither and here raised from the dead that good and charitable Tabitha or Dorcas Acts IX 38 40. And tarrying here many dayes with one Simon a Tanner by the Sea-side He Praying in a trance saw a Vision a certaine Vessel as it had beene a great sheet c. And at that instant being sent for to Cesarea by Cornelius he goes thither Preacheth Christ to Cornelius and his kinsmen and near friends And upon their conversion and receiving the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost he Baptiseth them A Citie of God chapter III verse 3 i. e. exceeding great an Hebraisme So we read the Wrestlings of God Trembling of God 1 Sam XIV 15. a Sleep of God 1 Sam. XXVI 12. Gen. XXX 8. the Mountaines of God Psal. XXXVI 6. Trees of God Psal. CIV 16. the Cedars of God Psal. LXXX 10. the Increasing of God Col. II. 19. Prince of God Gen. XXIII 6. the Hoast of God 1. Chron. XII 22. And so much alike of the garden of God of the Flame of God Cant. VIII 6. a Fire of God Job I. 16. Cant. VIII 6. River of God Man of God the Visions of God the Voyce of God the Kindnesse of God 2 Sam. IX 3. Harps of God See my Observations on 1 Sam XIV 15. yet fourty dayes God 's Threatenings and doomes have yet their conditions and limitations verse 4 or Provisoes understood so Jer. XXI 10. and XXV 9 10 11. and XXXII 29. and XXXIV 2 22. and XXXVII 8 10. compared with chap. XXVI 13. and XXXVIII 17. And so David understood that threatening 2 Sam. XII 14. conditionaly verse 22. So Judg. X. 13. Esay XXXVIII 1. Jer. XVIII 7 8. Ezek. III. 18. Yet sometimes God expresseth his doomes of judgement against some sinners irrevocably as Ezek. XIV 13 14 16 18 20. See the Observations on 1 Kings II. 20. East-winde chapter IV verse 8 So Hos. XIII 15. Ezek. XVII 10. and XIX 12. Psal. XLVIII 7. See my Annotations on Hos. XII 1. an hurtful dry and skorching winde The Ninevites in all probability were the rather reduced to their repentance and that in such a maner by that Preaching of Ionah upon the knowledge of him and of his being in the Whales belly Micah MICAH Is the last of that great number of Prophets that lived and Prophesied in the same times Micah his time is set out thus in the dayes of Iotham Ahaz and Hezekiah He is like to Esay the first of them in Matter and in lofty stile He Prophesieth to and against both Iudah and Israel Declareth Gods wrath Lamenteth them and tells their future destructions and captivities by the Assyrians and Babylonians For the manifold sinnes of the People Princes and Prophets Chapters I II III. The Repenting Remnant He comforteth with Promises of Temporal Blessings and Deliverances from their enemies But chiefly with Promises and Predictions of Christ foretelling the Place of his Nativity And the manifold Spiritual Blessings of Him and his Kingdome Chapters IV. and V. And after a fresh controversie and contestation of God with all his People for their ill requiting of all his ancient Kindnesses with their present sundry sinnes chap. VI. And the Prophets Complaint thereafter of the Paucity of good men He endeth his Prophecie with the Churches Consolation in he Patient Expectation of Gods time to plead her Cause to the shame of her insulting enemie and her owne marvelous felicity chap. VII The sinnes of the Prophets chapter IV verse 2 Princes and People are pointed out by this Prophet as in other places so namely in these chap. II. 11. and chap. III. 1 2 3 11. and chap. VII 2 6. The people of God seeme to argue and resolve thus All people naturaly are addicted to their several superstitions and will walk every one in the Name of his God Much more we will as we have all right and reason for it walk in the Name of Jehova our God Yea though every Sect oppose their Superstition to us triumph and glory in theirs and insulting over us conspire in one against us and our way yet will not we despond or shrink but over-look and overcome all difficulties obstructions and oppositions whatsoever the Name of Jehova our God shall render us invincible to walk constantly in him and his Name and his true way of worship for ever and ever Bethlehem-Ephrata To distinguish it from another Bethlehem in the Tribe of Zebulun chapter V verse 5 Josh. XIX 15. This being in Judah Matth. II. 1. And in these parts were many names of this stamp as Bethel Bethaven Bethania Bethesda Bethsaida Bethabarah Bethbarah Beth-haccerem Bethshemesh and others This Bethlehem and this Text was alledged by the chief Priests and Scribes to Herod for the place of Christs birth Matth. II. 5 6. And though here called little yet by the Priests and Scribes called not the least either reading the words of Micah interrogatively in a Negative sense or varying the Text out of ignorance or of set purpose before Herod though yet both readings may well be reduced to one true sense Bethlehem little when David was borne there not little but famous for and after that the true Sonne of David and Sonne of God was borne there Nahum NAHUM seemes to live and Prophesie in the dayes of Josiah His Prophecie is The Burden of Nineveh The Ninevites after their Temporary Repentance upon the Preaching of Jonah returned to their former sinnes Through their Ambition Covetousnesse and Cruelty they overthrew the Kingdomes of Syria and Samaria after Jonah his time They invaded Judea and besieged Jerusalem and grew up to be like a great Cedar in Lebanon Ezek. XXXI 3 9. And Nahum now propounds Gods dreadful power in himself and his furious revenge upon his enemies that He will make an utter end of Nineveh affliction shall not rise up the second time No more of the name of the Assyrian shall be sowen And this shall be for Judah's Consolation chap. I. And then he expounds more fully the Manner and the Meanes of the Ruine of Nineveh and the woful Mourning for it that they shall mourne as with the voice of Doves tabering upon their breasts and bewailing their former flourishing estate chap. II. And lastly He insists upon her sinnes the Causers of Gods wrath in her shameful ruine ascertained by the example of populous No or Alexandria to be verified upon her that notwithstanding all her strong holds and numerous Assyrian Captaines and crowned Commanders yet there shall be no healing of her bruise and mortal wound chap. III. Not Nahum I. 15. But Esay LII 7. is alledged Rom. X. 15. Habakkuk HABAKKVK Doth comfort the godly against the Chaldeans as Nahum did against the Assyrians He succeeds Nahum soone after He doth humbly expostulate with God of his delay to hear and to redresse things amisse Complaining to him of his peoples sinnes chap. I. 1 4. And declaring from God