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
we see at large Heb. 7. and David did so before him Psal. 110. 4. Now who this Melchisedech should be whether Shem who being borne before the flood lived seventy five yeares after Abrams coming into Canaan and about sixty five after the time of history of his meeting Abram who though his Parents Birth and Death be known to us yet not as here brought in under the name of Melchisedech or whether it were some neighbouring King of Canaan of another Kindred from that of Abraham Heb. 7. 6. extraordinarily raised up and sanctified by God to this purpose though haply it may be probably yet it cannot certainly be defined Melchisedech King of Salem Heb. 7. 2. Thus righteousnesse and peace do kisse each other Psal. 85. 10. Esay 32. 17. Salem Not Salim mentioned John 3. 23. But Salem Ps. 76. 2. Jerusalem brought forth Not for sacrifice but to refresh Abram and his army as 2 Sam. 17. 27 28 29 The neglect whereof was punished in the Moabites and Ammonites Deut. 23. 3 4. and he was the Priest King and Priest both offices concurring in one Person It was an ancient manner among Heathen Nations Rex Anius Rex idem hominum PhoebÃque sacerdos And how much short was it with the Patriarchs and first-borne in Israel before the Levites supplied their place V. 19. And he blessed him A part of the Priests office Numb 6 23 27. 1 Chron. 23 13. Heb. 7. 6 7. The lesse is blessed of the greater V. 20. Blessed be God Thanked and praised and he gave him tithes of all Abram gave Melchizedech Heb. 7. 2 4. 9 10 11. And Levi in Abrâ—ms loines Tythes are due as an homage to God as tribute is to Kings They are called holy an heave-offering to the Lord Lev. 27. 30 Numb 18. 24. As here Abram so Jacob also paid them to the Lord before the Levitical Law Gen. 28. 22. In the Law of Moses they are strictly enjoyned Numb 18. 20 21. yea if redeemed a fifth part must be added to it if changed both it and the change thereof shall be holy Lev. 27. 31 33. yea Heathen paid tithes both Greek and Latine And here being paid to Melchizedech a type of Christ they are not abolished by the Gospel of all Of all the spoiles of Sodoms too and of all the vanquished So of the Midianites Numb 31. 28 29 30. 37 38 39 40 41. V. 22. I have lifted up my hand He had sworne or vowed when he went forth to this war and implored Gods aide Deut 32. 40. Dan 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5 6. V. 23. Lest thou shouldest say Thou or any man should say that covetousnesse of the prey drew me to this warre or that this victory or any thing else enriched me but Gods extraordinary blessing Esther 9. 15 16. CHAP. XV. Ver. 1. AFter these things Spoken by Abram to the King of Sodom in a vision Of the night v. 5. Numb 22. 19. 20 There are nightly visions by dreams in sleep ch 31. 11. 46. 2. 1 Kings 3. 5. And so God came to Abimelech in a dream by night Gen. 20. 3. and secret revelations came to Eliphaz Joh 4. 12 13. whereupon the false Prophets counterseited false dreams and visions in them Deut. 13. 1. Jer. 23. 25 28 32. And there are also visions to men waking as Ezech. 1. 1. Dan. 8. 2. 10. 4 7. 2 Cor. 12. 2. Acts 2. 17. Both wayes God made himselfe known to his Prophets Numb 12. 6. whence Prophets were called Seers and Prophecie is named a vision Esay 1. 1. Here is meant an open apparition which Abram a Prophet ch 20. 7. beheld waking with the eyes of his body For v. 9 10. shewes he was waking and a deep sleep is said to fall upon him after this vision v. 12. In what manner and how glorious this vision was is not set down particularly feare not The Prophets were sometimes terrified with visions at the visible appearance of the Majesty of God So Dan. 10. 7 c. feare not For the presence of my glory for thine enemies for any discomfort whatsoever I am thy shield Against thine enemies those vanquished Kings and all else reward Beyond all merit and measure I go Am going on going away mine age going on towards mine end V. 2. Childlesse Yet he rejects not the Promises of God concerning his seed but as perplexed between feare and hope he bemoanes his sad state and condition intimates and commends his desire to God that he would at length remember his Promise made to him concerning his seed and the steward He most likely mentioned ch 24. 2. He now is the guide and stay of my family Here Abram complaines not of his steward but commends him rather of Damascus By his Ancestors though he borne in Abrams house v. 3. V. 3. Is mine heire Likeliest for the present in my thoughts if I go on and die childlesse my Nephew Lot having no sonnes but daughters and Eleezer having all under his charge V. 5. And tell the stars This rherefore was in the night if thou be able to number them Now at this view though haply it were possible for Astronomers by much Art to attain to the number of the visible stars God speaks as often according to common account Jer. 3â— 22. so shall thy seed be Innumerable Deut. 1. 10. specially counting his spiritual seed children by faith according to the Promise Rom. 4. 11 12 13. Rom. 9. 8 Gal. 3. 7 29. innumerable as the dust of the earth ch 18. 16. as the sand on the sea-shore ch 22. 17. V. 6. And he believed in the Lord For the innumerablenesse of his seed and principally for the promised seed wherein all the Nations of the earth should be blessed Believed Here is belief or faith first named in the Old Testament whence Abram is called the Father of all Believers Rom. 4. 11 16 17. And this before either Circumcision was ordained or the Law given Rom. 4. 9 10 Gal. 3. 17. Now the word belief or faith signifies a lively motion of the heart and spirit firmely resting in the things spoken For which this belief or faith in Abram is much commended Rom. 4. 18 to 22. Counted Imputed thought esteemed for righteousnesse Ps. 106. 31. Rom. 4. 3 9. Now of this the Apostle inferreth justification by faith without works both to Abram Rom. 4. 4 5. as having been an idolater Josh. 24. 2. and still without glory of works before God Rom. 4. 2. and also to all believers Rom. 4. 23 24. V. 8. Whereby shall I know This he asked to be strengthened against humane infirmity and to know somewhat more particularly of the manner of performance and likely it was by a special motion of Gods Spirit as that also of Gideon Judg. 6. 17 37. and of Hezekiah 2 Kings 20. 8. And others like by divine instinct Gen. 24. 13 14. 1 Sam. 14. 9 10. without which such qaestions are not so lawful Luke 1. 18. V. 9. Take me an
ch 26. 34. the daughter of Anah Called Beeri ch 26. 34. the daughter of Zibeon His Grand-childe And this doth distinguish this Anah from another of the name v. 20. who was the brother of Zibeon and so the Uncle of this Anah the Hivite A Hittite ch 26. 34. The Hivites comprehended the Hittites under them V. 3. And Bashemath Called Mahalath ch 28. 9. V. 6. And Esau took Had taken before Jacobs coming ch 32. 3. 33. 14. and went into the countrey Another countrey Mount Seir v. 8. from the face Before Jacobs coming ch 32. 3. V. 7. For their riches His and his fathers or else all this removing though begun as before yet might receive a full and final accomplishment after Jacobs coming and perhaps after Isaacs death When the riches of the two brethren were more then that they might dwell together in a land wherein they were but only sojourners and haply too that Esau by this time had already hope to get the possession of the land of Seir. V. 8. Seir So named from a man of that name v. 20. God gave it to Esau Deut. 2. 5 12. Josh. 24. 4. V. 11. Eliphaz were Teman Eliphaz the Temanite Job 2. 11. V. 12. And Timna Sister to Lotan the son of Seir v. 20 22. was married to Eliphaz Esaus sonne Thus by marriages and the sword Esau got into the rule and possession of Mount Seir ch 27. 40. 1 Chron. 1. 36. Amalek 1 Chron. 1. 36. A Duke v. 10. Whence came the Amalekites which were so great enemies to Israel Exod. 17. 8 14. V. 13. Revel 1 Chron. 1. 37. V. 15. Dukes Leaders or chief Governours fourteen in number After they had Kings v. 31. and after that Dukes again v 40 41 42 43. V 16. Duke Korah Omitted among the sons of Eliphaz v. 11. and 1 Chron. 1. 36. nor yet that Duke Korah v. 18. he being of another mother V. 20. Seir the Horite Ch. 14. 6. Horites seem to be of the Hivites v. 2. for Zibeon the Hivite v. 2. cometh of this race Their race is mentioned because of the affinities the Edomites made with them and the Edomites being their successors in the land and Government V. 24. This was that Anah Mule The vulgar Latine translates it Buhes Mules ingender not but are ingendred by an He-Asse upon a mare against the Law Lev. 19. 19. This Anah was father-in law to Esau v. 2. 25. V. 26. Children of Dishon Many following are of two names 1 Chron. 1. 41 c. Hemdam Or Amram 1 Chron. 1. 41. V. 27. Akan Or Jakan 1 Chron. 1. 42. V. 28. Dishan And Dishon distinct persons v. 21 28. 1 Chron 1. 38 42. V. 30. Among their Dukes That is Dukedomes For these seven sons of Seir had their Dukedomes at one time in several places being all brethren the sons of Seir ver 20 21. V. 31. And these are the Kings The accomplishment of the Promise to Abraham ch 17. 16. For Kings to proceed from Sarah Thus Esau after his Dukes v. 15 16 17 18 19. had of his posterity eight Kings which bâ—re successively a golden scepter whiles Jacobs posterity was in servitude under a rod of iron in Egypt Before Before Moses time for he was King in Jeshurun Deut. 33. V. 32. These Kings being borne in several places of several kindreds and reigning most in several Cities must therefore reign not by succession but by election or tyranny V. 37. Of Rehoboth A City builded by Nimrod Gen. 10. 11. by the river Euphrates V. 40. And these are the names of the Dukes From Kings they come down to Dukes again eleven here named which haply might be Dukes in several places all at one time The Dukes of Edom are mentioned Exod. 15. 15. at the Israelites coming out of Egypt And the King of Edom mentioned a little before the end of their fourty yeares being in the wildernesse Numb 20. 14. and that may be haply the last King Hadar v. 39. of this chapter If these eleven Dukes were to be counted in succession one after another then must Moses here by the spirit of Prophecie foretell their names and dignities which did succeed when he was dead V. 41. Aholibamah And Timnah likewise v. 40. before the names of women v. 12 14. are here the names of men the father of the Edomites Of Edom from the red pottage and his red haire too ch 25 25 30. CHAP. XXXVII Verse 2. THe generations of Jacob The story of things that did befall him chap. 6. 9. 25. 19. Joseph being seventeen years old And Jacob then one hundred and seven Joseph uourished him seventeen yeares in Egypt before he died was feeding the flock Not idle but a shepherd himselfe with the sons of Bilhab The sonnes of the Handmaids sorted together and Joseph with them rather then with Leah's sons for safety against envie and emulation And specially in safety with Bilhah Rachels handmaid their evil report Of their injurious usage of him or of their evil conversation V. 3. More then all More then any of them all sonne of his old age He was upon ninety at the birth of Joseph and now one hundred and seven Bonjamin was now but about three or foure yeares old and not come yet to any proof to gain so much of his fathers affection of many colours So Tamar had and Kings daughters used them that were Virgins 2 Sam. 13. 18. A signe of Jacobs love an object of his brethrens envie V. 4. More then all his brethren There appeared in him presages of vertuous acts and great employments V. 5. Dreamed See Annot. on ch 20. 3. told it Gods special Providence was in it causing him thus to reveal his dreames V. 7. And made obeisance to my sheaf For corne it was that they went down into Egypt and there did obeisance to Joseph ch 42. V. 8. Reign over us They apply it to themselves as the Midianites did Judg. 7. 13 14. made obeisance to me Twice as Pharaohs dreams chap. 41. 25 32. see it accomplished ch 46. V. 10. And his father rebuked him Partly through ignorance and partly in policy to abate the hatred of his brethren v. 11. and thy mother Stepmother Leah Rachel being dead at this time undoubtedly V. 11. Observed the saying Seeing the dream was doubled and that excellent gifts and graces of mind and body appeared in Joseph Luke 2. 19 51. V. 12. In Shechem Which was from Hebron where his father and Grandfather were v. 14. about sixty miles ch 35. 27. This the place where not foure yeares ago they committed that massacre And ever since likely the lesse inhabited and so more fit for pasturage and freer from danger the terrout of God being still upon the neighbouring places Haply in that place bought ch 33. 19. V. 14. Well with thy brethren Minding haply the massacre they had made there and their possibility of danger by it V. 16. I seek my brethren His fathers care in sending and his
1. WIth him his two sonnes To receive the blessing of their venerable Grandfather at his farewel from the world V. 2. And sate upon the bed Ch. 47. 31. V. 3. At Luz Or Bethel and that twice ch 28. 13 19. and ch 35. 6. V. 4. A multitude Thirteen populous tribes for an everlasting possession Literally if his seed keepe Covenant with God spiritually to his spiritual seed he will give the heavenly Canaan for an everlasting possession V. 5. Epâ—raim and Manasseh Jacob still prefers Ephraim v. 19. are mine My sons by adoption and shall have the priviledge of my sonnes have either a twelfth share and be heads of tribes as Reuben and Simeon Thus Joseph had the double portion that right of the first-borne 1 Chron. 5. 1. A Law for this to the first-borne after Deut. 21. 17. So the Sabbath Circumcision raising up seed to the brother and many such more before Moses Law V. 6. begettest after them Therfore he had no more at this time the name of their brethren Therefore he had more children after which were sorted and counted to the stock and tribe of Ephraim or Manasse as if they were their sons not their brethren as all Jacobs other Grand-children likewise were V. 7. Rachel died Thy mother and my dear and only true wife if I had been fairly dealt withal and so thou hadst been my right first-borne and therefore in thy sonnes I give thee a double portion yet she was soon taken from me in the way of Ephrata Even there rather then to bury her among idolaters in Bethlehem ch 23. 9. V. 8. Who are these Named them before yet knew not that they were present or did not well discerne them for the dimnesse of his sight v. 10. V. 9. I will blesse them Not by a meere apprecation of prosperity for so the lesse may blesse the greater but in the Name and Authority of God guided with an especial energy or operation of Gods Spirit and so ratified by God as ordinary blessings were not so ch 27. 33. See Annot. on ch 27. 4. Gen. 49. 26. V. 10. Dimme Ch. 27. 1. V. 11. I had not thought Gods blessings are beyond our expectations and imaginations V. 12. From between Jacobs knees rather then Josephs for Jacob embraced and kissed them v 10. he bowed In reverence and thankfulnesse for the former Adoption V. 13. Ephraim in his right hand In a fit posture as he thought to receive the Patriarchal blessing which it seems was usually done with Imposition of hands And in this punctual order as fearing haply Jacob might mistake their age and persons naming Ephraim first v. 5. towards Israels right hand The right hand hath the preheminence of the left 1 Kings 2. 19. Mat. 25. 33. Ps. 20. 6. 110. 1. 118. 16. Esay 62. 8. Eph 1. 20. in strength and honour To which the Scripture hath reference in speech also of God V. 14. And laid it upon Ephraims head Here is the first expresse mention of Imposition of hands used after in benediction Mat. 19. 13. Mar. 10. 16. at secrifices Lev. 1. 4. as witnessing Lev. 24. 14. in extraordinary giving of graces Acts 8. 17. in miraculous cures Mar. 6. 5. in ordination of Ministers Numb 8. 10. Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim 4. 14. so now Moses laid his hands upon Joshuah Deut. 34. 9. in prayer Acts 13. 3. Ephraims head Of him came Joshuah and the Kings of the ten tribes And the tribe of Ephraim is called the tribe of Joseph Numb 1. 32 34. Apoc. 7. 6. 7. 8. The name of Ephraim is taken for the whole Kingdome of Israel Esay 7. 2. They both had a double lot Josh. 17. 14. wittingly And therefore crossed his armes to that purpose as a signe not of Christs Crosse but of that which afterwards he foretold by the special revelation of the Spirit of God he being so dim of sight that he could not thereby so well distinguish between them V. 16. the Angel which Christ. See Annot. on ch 31. 11. Exod. 14. 19. 13. 21. my name be named on them As v. 5. no invocation of Saints departed they shall be in the same state and degree as my other sons my adopted children so Gods Name is said to be called on us Deut. 28. 10. 2 Chron. 7. 24. Jer. 14. 9. that is we are called the sons of God and the husbands name is called upon the wife Esay 4. 1. And the Lords Name upon the City Jerusalem Dan. 9. 19. and upon the Temple 1 Kings 8. 43. Jer. 7. 10 11. grow into a multitude Spawn like fishes There were eighty five thousand two hundred men of war of these two in Moses time Numb 26. 28 34 37. Thus Moses blesseth them Deut 33. 17. Josh. 17. 17. V. 17. it displeased him Thinking his father was mistaken he seeks to mend the error and likely before that blessing v. 15 16. was uttered greater then he In number of issue and power though the birth-right remain with Manasseh Josh. 17. 1. So Numb 1. eight thousand three hundred men more of Ephraim then of Manasseh and Deut. 33. 17. See Annot. on v. 14. Num. 2. 18 20. yet sometimes Ephraim was at a losse 1 Chron. 7. 20 21 22. lesse in number then Manasseh Numb 26. 28. V. 20. In thee Joseph using thy name and for thy sake or taking thee for an example as Ruth 4. 11. and so for cursing Jer. 29. 22. Israel My posterity I have given Thus Prophetically bequeathing as by Will and Testament to the posterity one portion That bought ch 33. 19. nigh unto Sechem after called Sychar John 4. 5. Not all the City Sechem and all its territories as some would have it out of Josh. 17. 7. This portion though little was all he had by purchase and so he designes him as it were his heire Sechem was the inheritance of the Ephraimites Josh. 16. 1. 20. 7. John 4. 5. And thither were Josephs bones carried and buried Josh. 24. 1 25 32. have taken Shall take So Esay 9. 6. Thus Jacob in faith disposeth of it as already taken Heb. 11. 21. or rather have taken it out of the hands of those neighbouring people that seised upon it among the rest after the slaughter of the Sichemites and would not restore it till Jacob by force of armes took and recovered it Though this be not elsewhere mentioned in Scripture my sword Of my children Josh. 17. 14 to 18. CHAP. XLIX Verse 1. GAther your selves Repeated v. 2. Some present were to call and gather the absent By this joynt injunction he intimates the union that should be amongst them Psal. 133. 2 3. 33. 3. that I may tell you By the Spirit of prophecie Men on their death-beds should give their last and best counsels to their children and family and friends you Altogether what I have to say to every one particularly that so every one may reap benefit also of what shall be said concerning his brethren in the last dayes In long
time to come 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. Acts 2. 17. with Joel 2. 28. Your last state in this land your state in Canaan til Christs coming v. 10. The time of the Gospel may be called the last time because after that there will be no change of the Church from Christianity no change of doctrine or Sacraments to the worlds end Heb. 1. 1. This foretelling things to come so long after shewes that Jacob now was inspired and assisted with a divine Spirit V. 3. Reuben thou art my first-borne And so many honourable priviledges belonged to him headship of the family a double portion to maintain the honour of the Headship This practised among the Patriarchs as many like other things were put into a Law afterwards Deut. 21. 17. See Gen 35. 2. 48. 5. my might Deut. 21. 17. Psal. 105. 36. 78. 51. 127. 4 5. They are the principal stay and pillar of the family also Thus and thus thou shouldest have been but for thy sinne V. 4. Unstable as water That is easily moved with the windes still ebbing or flowing never standing still nor easily contained in its own bounds place unconstant light treacherous Zeph. 3. 4. Such were the divisions and grudgings of Reuben amongst themselves Judg. 5. 15 16. Such was he in his sin such shall he be in his downfall from the dignity of his birth-right as waters roll down from high places or Reubens posterity shall be weak as water Ps. 22. 14. Josh. 7. 5. thou shalt not excel We reade not that this tribe ever came to any excellency among the other tribes excelled not in number Deut. 33. 6. valour or any excellent archievement because thou wentest up For a pang of lawlesse lust he lost all So doth sensuality besot and befoole men Prov. 7. 7 22. This fact above fourty yeares ago done soon after the birth of Benjamin ch 35. 22. is here doomed and punished in Reuben and his posterity Forbearance is no acquittance he went up As out of an indignation of the fact he turnes his speech from Reuben to his brethren and shewes how just cause there was to pronounce this sentence against him Such changes are often in Scripture Deut. 5. 10. love me and keep his Commandments Dan. 9. 4. that love him for that love thee Mar. 11. 32. If we shall say of men they feared the people for we feare Jacob would have this censure of him to be a caution to his brethren And now dying without malice sure to Reuben is yet thus zealous against sinne So David 1 Kings 2. 9. V. 5. Simeon and Levi are brethren In birth in evil Prov. 18. 9. It may haply be also in conspiracy against Joseph Thus impartially Moses sets by his relation a brand of infamy upon Levi his great grand-father instruments of cruelty Cruel weapons Ch. 34. 25. in their habitations Or in their agreements and conventions with the Sichemites ch 34. 13 15. V. 6. my souâ—e By this pathetical Apostrophe he shewes his zealous detestation of their out-ragious fact and cleares himselfe of suspicions and aspersions of his favouring it which otherwise after his death might have been cast upon him for it come not thou into their secret He protests against his least knowledge of much lesse consent unto their secret to him and cursed plot contrivance and execution of it q. d. God forbid that ever my soule should joyne in such a villany secret Psal. 64. 2 4. Jer 15. 17. my glory My soul which is mans glory Or my tongue Ps. 16. 9. my glory is rendered by the Apostle my tongue Acts 2. 26. Jacob would not suffer in his honour and reputation for their sakes they slew a man The singular is often put for the plural 1 Chron 10. 1. They slew Hamor Sichem Citizens and subjects self-will Not in sudden wrath but upon a wilful setled resolution and deliberation plotting and acting they digged down a wall We reade not of this ch 34. yet haply they might do so to the house of Hamor or Shechem where their sister was The words may well yea best be rendred thus they houghed an oxe so relating to the prey of cattel they took and houghing such as would not drive V. 7. Cursed be their anger It was likely to be to the ruine and extirpation of him and his ch 34. 31. he curseth not their persons but their sin so David not against Ahitophels person 2 Sam. 15. 31. Psal. 109. 17 18 19 20. is a prediction rather then an imprecation or imprecation conditional not absolute Or if absolute then by the immediate guidance of Gods Spirit and so not lawful to those that want it The rule for all is Prov. 20. 22. I will divide them Jacob speaks as in the person of God as Prophets usually do Or he would do it by his prediction and prophesie as it were passing his word they should be divided As Ezekiel is said to come to destroy the City Ezech. 43. 3. Levi was thus divided and scattered yet God after their zealous execution Exod. 32. 26 29. turned it to a blessing to his people and to them Deut. 33. 9 10. The Levites are first mentioned to be taken in Numb 1. 47. and 3. 12 45. and ch 4. and ch 7. 5 6 7 8. and ch 8. for the first borne which were by their birth the Priests before Moses time and again due to the Lord upon his slâ—ying the first-borne when he brought Israel out of Egypt Exod. 13. 2. Simeon likewise was not planted apart by himself as the other tribes were but had their inheritance intermingled with that of Judah out of whose lot in several places here and there Simeonites had certain cities and villages Josh. 19. 9. And that not so much for Simeons sake as because Judah had too much So Simeon was but an Inmate to Judah and under him Till afterwards upon their multiplying they were forced to seek further for new habitations in Mount Seir and Mount Gedor driving out the Amalekites 1 Chron. 4. 39 41 43. And so they were scattered in their habitations And all this wrath of Jacob and detestation of Simeon and Levies massacre of the Shechemites proves the book of Judith to be Apocryphal which so highly commends this fact of Simeon ch 9. 2 3 4. Moses omits the blessing of Simeon Deut. 33. And thus their union in evil was punished with this division and scattering among the tribes V. 8. Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise Judah signifieth praises ch 29. 35. as if Jacob should say thou art so by name and shalt be so indeed praised for Regal Government praised for that Christ shall come of thee Heb. 7. 14. See Hos. 11. 12. of Judah all the children of Israel were called Jewes not Reubenites of Reuben not Simeonites nor of any other sonne Judahs sin with Tamar is omitted Judah therein only intended single fornication in the neck This was fulfilled Numb 10. 14. 7. 11 12.
Judg. 1. 1 2. 20. 18. 3. 9. in Othniel David Solomon and perfectly in Christ 2 Sam. 22. 41. Psal. 78. 68. 89. 20. thy fathers children By all his wives chap. 27. 29. thy mothers sonnes because Isaac had but one wife shall bow down before thee Thy Regal power Every knee to Christ. Phil. 2. 10. the Lion of the tribe of Judah Apoc. 5. 5. V. 9. Lions whelp True in Judahs Kings most true in Christ. Lions are kingly beasts stout bold strong terrible Lions in Kings armes Lions were stays for the steps of King Solomons throne he couched Varies the person as the Prophetick Spirit moved him After victories he shall lie down and rest securely So in Solomons dayes after Davids victories 1 King 4. 25. Numb 23. 24. V. 10. The Scepter Or tribe so the word signifieth v. 16 28. after once the regal dignity should be setled in this tribe 1 Chron. 5. 2. as in David the Government should never be taken from him at least so far but that there should be a Law-giver from between his feet nor his Kingdome and Common-wealth be utterly ruined and the distinction of his tribe taken away and confounded till the coming of Shiloh There were no more Kings of that tribe after Jechoniah and Zedekiah Jer. 22. 30. Ezech 21. 27. After their returne from that captivity the principality was in Zerubbabel and likely in others of the tribe of Judah And when some while after the Maccabees of the tribe of Levi got the rule yet then the Sanhedrin or great counsel of LXX Elders consisted of the tribe of Judah And the Maccabees had thâ—ir supreme power by the choice and appointment of the people of Judah and continued therein till a little before the birth of Christ when Herod a meer stranger was King and rooted them quite out in the thirtieth yeare of his reigne And if that Sanhedrin were not all chosen out of the tribe of Judah though most of them doubtlesse were yet the Maccabees themselves of the tribe of Levi were of the Kingdome of Judah as distinct from the Kingdome of Israel or of the ten tribes the tribes of Benjamin and Levi were amongst the tribe of Judah and adhered to them yet were but as incorporated into the tribe and Kingdome of Judah which is therefore said 1 Kings 11. 1â— 32 36. three times to consist but of one tribe viz Judah only so also 1 Kings 12. 20. And when they returned out of captivity the greatest part by far that returned were of that tribe yea and after their return out of captivity they were all chiefly planted in the lot and territorie that appertained to the tribe of Judah and the People Kingdome and Common-wealth were still called by the name of Judah and therefore still the Government may be said to be in Judah wher as those of the ten tribes once carried into Assyria never returned to become a Kingdome or Common-wealth as before and had also their tribes confused and confounded Shebet Signifies a rod a rod of iron a rod of authority a Mace or Scepter of Kings a Kingdome Esay 14. 5 a tribe Judges 18. 19. shall not depart When once come to it It was long ere it came to it Moses was of the tribe of Levi Joshuah of the tribe of Ephraim of the fifteen Judges only two Othniel and Ibzan were of the tribe of Judah Saul was of Benjamin David the first King of this tribe Therefore Jacob saith not when Judah should begin to sway the Scepter but having begun how long it should hold on from Judah Not his person v 1. in the last dayes but the tribe of Judah or the Nation of the Jews with relation to that tribe nor a Law-giver Ps 60. 7. or Scribe writing Laws for Rules from between his feet Deut. 28. 57. until And then it should The authority of the Synedrion in their Synagogues in our Saviour Christâ— time was but precaâ—io under the Romanes and restrained in capital crimes Mat 23 34. Acts 5. 17. 9. 1 2. 23. 5. John 18. 3â— 19. 7. Acts 7 59. Ananias was deposed from the High Priesthood for stoning James the brother of Jesus Joseph antiq l. 20. c. 8. The Jewish Scepter was much weakened by Pompey much shaken by Herods intrusion finally broken and abolished at the distruction of Jerusalem After which they had no forme nor face of a Common-wealth Therefore it is evident against the Jewes that the Messiah is come until Shiloh come The Prosperer Safe-maker or his Sonne viz of a Virgin i. e. Christ Heb. 7. 14. secundae ejus the tunicle or skin wherein the childe is wrapt in its mothers belly and so taken for the childe it self the continent for the thing contained in it Then it shall depart God appoints the periods of Kingdomes and States and so the pâ—uses and stops by rebellions and insurrections wherein Gods Providence is not asleep but his Justice awake shall the gathering Jews and Gentiles shallobey him Is. 11. 10. 42. 4. Mat. 12. 21. Rom. 15. 12. He is the desire of all Nations Hag. 2. 7. Esay 2. 1 2. V. 11. Binding his foale unto the vine Wondrous fruitful for wine especially should Judahs lot in Canaan fall out to be full of vines and abounding in pastures lying all in the South-part of Canaan V. 12. Red with wine Prov. 23. 29 30. No allowance to drunkennesse no more then to theft in that saying Apoc 3. 3. white with milke Through plenty of pasturage and kine V. 13 Zebulun Before Issachar so his lot before him in the division of the land Josh. 19. 10 17. though Issachar the elder So Deut. 33. 18. at the Haven of the sea The Ocean westward neare Mount Carmel and the sea of Gal lee Eastward Josh. 19. 10. Esay 9. 1. Thus the lot for Zebulun fell out not by chance but by Gods Providence according to Jacobs prediction so many ages before Nazareth was in this tribe and Mount Tabor and here Christ began to preach Mat. 4. 15. unto Zidon Josh. 19. 10. to the 16. the coaâ—â—s of it were over against Zidon and fit for easie commerce with Zidon V. 14. Issachar is a strong Asse Of strong force but small courage Deut. 33. 18. Judges 5. 16. between two burdens Or bounds borders In a fertile and fat soile loving husbandry and a quiet life and not trafficking abroad as Zebulun V. 15. And bowed his shoulder Rather servilely subject themselves to toile and tribute then forego their quiet peaceable kinde of life Yet some of Issachar were of more noble and heroick spirits Judg. 5. 15. 1 Chron. 12. 13 32. 16. Dan shall judge Ch. 30. 6. Alludes to his name of judging as v. 8. and ch 9. 27. He shall enjoy the priviledge of a tribe as well as his free-born sonnes And as other tribes had their Heads and Elders to judge and decide causes amongst them so should they Numb 1. 4 16. And Sampson of Dan was an extraordinary Judge And the
unclean might eate of common meats as the child-bed-woman Levit. XII But in no case of Sacred meats as Leviticus VII 20. Fat the Fat of other cleane Beasts then of such as were fit for Sacrifice verse 25 was allowed to be eaten Levit. VII 25. The Fat also of the flesh or body of the beast sacrificed might lawfully be eaten Neh. VIII 10. Esay XXV 6. and LV. 2. But the Fat or Suet that was about the flanck and the kidneys or about and upon the entrails Levit. III. 3 4. was reserved out of all Sacrifices as Gods portion to be burnt upon his Altar Levit. III. 15 16. and IV. 8 10. and XVII 6. Deut. XXXII 38. 1 Sam. II. 15 16. And is forbidden therefore to be eaten by any Levit. III. 17. and XVII 23 25. Take Aaron On the same day chapter VIII verse 2 36. that is the first day of the first moneth of the second year Moses began to consecrate and anoint the Tabernacle Altar and all things belonging to them As also Aaron and his sonnes Exod. XL. 1 17. Levit. VIII 1 36. Anointed Aaron and all his sons were at first anointed verse 12 v. 30. Num. III. 3. XXXV 25. Psal. CXXXIII 2. Not the Levites And the High-Priest onely was anointed afterwards Exod. XXIX 29 30. Levit. XVI 32. We read oft of the Anointing of Kings 1 Sam. X. 1. XVI 13. 2 Sam. 11. 4. 1 Kings I. 39. 2 Kings IX 6. XXIII 30. Psal. LXXXIX 20. But never of Prophets That of Elisaeus 1 Kings XIX 16. seemes not to have beene done with material oile see ver 19. As neither that of Hazael to be King of Syria compare 1 Kings XIX 15. with 2 Kings VIII 13. nor that of Absolon 2 Sam. XIX 10. nor that of Cyrus Esay XLV 1. there being no such custome of oiling Kings in his Countrey But anointing in those places is taken simply without that Ceremony for designing them to their Offices Burned Moses at the Consecration of Aaron verse 1 and his sons Sacrificed with Common Fire See ver 20. 21 28. But upon Aarons first Sacrificing fire came out from before the Lord out of the Sanctuary or came down from heaven rather Levit. IX 24. which must never after be suffered to go out Nadab and Abihu Nadab and Abihu took Strange or Common Fire chapter X verse 16 and not fire from the Altar of Burnt-Offering which was sent from heaven to burne Incense therewith before the Lord on the Altar of Incense as the dayly duty required at or before the dayly morning Sacrifice But fire from the Lord as Num. XVI 35. that is from heaven or the Sanctuary or from the Altar of burnt-Offering like lightning strook them with sudden death not consuming their bodies or their coats Levit. X. 4 5. Some Names of some Beasts chapter XI and Birds and Fishes as also of some Trees and Apparel and some other Hebrew words having no mate in Scripture are to us now and so to the modern Jewes of uncertain signification See also the Annotations on Esay III. 18 23. and on Jer. XVII 3. Hoof The Beasts verse 3 dividing the hoof that is into two clawes and also chewing the cud were clean and to be eaten See ver 26. Deut. XIV 6. Fins Fish here we meet with a phrase of a flesh of fish verse 9 Levit. XI 11. and Num. XI 22. as well as 1 Cor. XV. 39. that had Fins and Scales were likewise cleane and to be eaten Deut. XIV 9 10. Come not The High-Priest must enter into the most Holy place but once in the year chapter XVI verse 2 on the tenth day of the seventh moneth Levit. XVI 29 34. Exod. XXX 10. Heb. IX 7. That is for his Priestly Ministration and Expiation And then he was to be cloathed not with the glorious garments which were peculiar to the High-Priest but with those which were Common to him with the inferiour Priests Levit. XVI 4. as being a day of Humiliation and Afflicting the soul Levit. XVI 29. Yet upon other necessary occasions he might enter in at other times as at the taking down and setting up of the Tabernacle in their removals and journeys in the Wildernesse And when they took thence the Arke upon severall occasions as Josh. VI. 4. 1. Sam. IV. 3. Not to the doore No Sacrifices must be offered chapter XVII verse 3 9. but by Priests nor killed by any but the Priests except in some extraordinary Cases by the Levites but never by the Bringer for whom it was offered Nor was it to be offered at any other place but upon the Altar of Burnt-Offering at the Tabernacle Levit. XVII 3 9. Yet upon Extraordinary and necessary Occasions God commands Deut. XXVII 5 6 7 8. And holy men of Prophetical spirits though not Priests did Sacrifice and for a present time and use did make and use other Altars as Samuel 1 Sam. VII 9 17. and Ch. XI 15. and Ch. XVI 2 5. And David 2 Sam. VI. 13. and XXIV 18 25. And Solomon 1 King VIII 64. And Elijah 1 King XVIII 32. And Gideon and Manoah See Judg. II. 5. and VI. 26. and XIII 16 19. and XXI 4. Blood Blood to make an atonement for their souls Levit. XVII chapter II 11. As a Type of the Messias his Blood Rom. 3. 25. Ephes. I. 7. Col. I. 14 20. Heb. IX 12 22. which is the principal cause of the prohibition of the eating of Blood Defiled The dignity and estimation of the Priest chapter XXI verse 11 and principaly of the High-Priest See v. 4 7 8 9 15. and v. 21 23. is remarkable Burnt The Capitall punishments among the Jewes verse 9 were Burning Gen. XXXVIII 24. Levit. XXI 9. Josh. VII 15. Stoning Levit. XX. 2 27. and 24. 14 16 23. Hanging Num. XXV 4. Deut. XXI 22. And in after-times by example of the Romanes Crucifying and Beheading as in our Saviour and John Baptist. Superfluous In a Freewill-Offering chapter XXII verse 23 the Sacrifice which had something Superfluous or lacking in his parts was accepted To the Feasts chapter XXIII Levit. XXIII are added the Feasts of the New-Moones Num. XXVIII 11 15. 1 Chron. 23. 31. 2 Chron. II. 4. and Ch. VIII 13. The Feast of Purim Esth. IX 17 19 22 26 28. And of that Dedication John X. 22. Sabbath Sabbath is called Sabbath of Rest or Rest of Rest and so verse 3 v. 32. And Sabbath sometimes signifies besides the seventh day weekly other Feast-dayes also as Levit. XXIII 11 24 32 39. And sometimes the whole week as Levit. XXIII 15. Luke XVIII 12. John XX. 1. Of the Sabbath-day see the Annotations on Jer. XVII 21 22 24 27. The seventh moneth The seventh moneth had as many Feasts in it verse 24 as all the year almost beside Levit. XXIII Deut. XVI And the only set Fast-day Of blowing of Trumpets The Feast of blowing Trumpets was the first day of the seventh moneth Beside the Feast of the New-Moone Levit. XXIII v. 24. And
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
Neh. XIII 23. A reason is given Deut. VII 4. Neh. XIII 26. Exod. XXXIV 16. The mischief of that marriage between Jehoram the sonne of Iehoshaphat King of Iudah and Athaliah the daughter of Ahab King of Israel is recorded 2 King VIII 18. Yet in case they became Proselytes Converts to the true Religion the marriage with all of them seemes lawful as in that case Deut. XXI 10 13. And in the case of Rahab and Ruth of the wife of Ioseph in Egypt of the wife of Moses of Maacah the daughter of the King of Geshur with David and of Pharaohs daughter with Solomon And this made Iacobs sonnes propound or pretend the condition of Circumcision to Shechem and the Shechemites Gen XXXIV 14 15 16. In the New Testament we read the prohibition 2 Cor. VI. 14. And the precept 1 Cor. VII 12 16. which rules touching Infidels seeme to serve for the case of grosse Hereticks and Apostates Against unlawful marriages see more Iudg. III. 6 7. and XIV 2 3. 1 King XI 2. Ezra IX and X. Chapters Neh. X. 30. and XIII 3 30. Rayment The rayment waxing not old on the Israelites in the Wildernesse chapter VIII verse 4 was a Miracle sufficient though it grew not greater still with the growing children Deut. XXIX 5. Neh. IX 21. This day Is taken somtimes properly somtimes as for a short time here Somtimes for a longer time indefinitely as Hester I. 18. And the Phrase since yesterday and the third day is sometimes taken properly or for a short time Gen. XXXI 2 5. Exod. IV. 10. and XXI 36. 2 Sam. III. 17. Iob. VIII 9. Sometimes for a long time 1 Sam. XIV 21. and XIX 7. 2 King XIII 5. 1 Chron XI 2. As likewise to morrow is taken sometimes for a short time as 1 Sam. XXVIII 19. Sometimes for a long time as Josh. IV. 6 21. Sometimes for never Iosh. III. 4. 1 Sam. IV. 7. Of to day and to morrow see Iosh. XXII 18. and IV. 6 21. Esay XXII 13. Matth. 6. 30. 1 Cor. XV. 32. Arke Besides that famous Arke for the Tables of the Covenant chapter X verse 1 4. Exod. XXXVII 1 c. There seemes here one formerly made for present use wherein the Tables by Gods commandment were first put And possibly this Arke with the Tables might be put into that famous Arke built afterwards Exod. XXXVII Deut. X 5. Journey These verses seeme to be as a Parenthesis inserted by Moses verse 6 9. And their journeys summarily mentioned v. 6 7. are more distinctly and orderly recorded Num. XXXIII 30 39. without any coming or returning again and again to one and the same place Altars Idolaters had their Priests chapter XII verse 3 Temples Altars Tables Lavers Pillars Groves Oaks Statues Images of wood stone and mettals carved graven molten in Cities and Townes in streets in fields and gardens in houses and on their tops in Gods house in chambers behinde the doores by rivers and rocks and caves upon high mountains and hills and valleys and under green trees with their several sorts of Scrifices and burnings even slaying their children to them Jer. VII 31. XIX 5. Ezek. XVI 20 21. and XX. 26 31. Feasts Incense costly cloathes and other services of them See Deut. VII 5. and XII 31. and sundry other places as Esay I. 29. and LVII 4 5 6 7 8. and LXV 3 4 11. and LXVI 3. Amos II. 8. 1 Cor. VIII 10. and X. 21. Jer. X. 9. XVII 2. And see their eager rage after idolatry Ezek. XVI 15 25 26 28 29 30 31. A poor man Private poor rather then publick beggars were chapter XV verse 7 11. and still will be among Gods people Matth. XXVI 11. For ever Ever hath reference verse 17 sometimes to a long time indefinitely Exod. XXI 6. 1 Sam. I. 22. and XXV II. 12. 2 King V. 27. 2 Chron. XIII 5. Psal. XXXVII 18 27. and LXXXIX 1 Esay XIII 20. and XIV 20. and XXV 8. and XXXIII 20. and XXXIV 10. Jer. VII and XVII 4 25. and XXV 5. and XXXI 40. and XXXV 19. and L. 39. and LI. 26 62. Lam. V. 20. Sometimes to the terme of a mans life 1 Kings I. 31. Dan. III. 9. Josh. 8. 28. Gen. XLIII 9. 1 Sam. I. 22. 1 Chron. XXVIII 4. Psal. XXXVII 27 29. and CXIX 44 98. Esay XXXII 17. Sometimes to the year of Jubile As in this Text and Exod. XXI 6. compared with Levit. XXV 40. Sometimes to so long as the conditions annexed to a thing are observed 2 Chron. XX. 7. 1 Sam. II. 30. Sometimes to the continuance of a State of politie Num. X. 8. See the Annotations on 1 Kings VIII 13. Sometimes to the Time and Coming of the Messiah 1 Chron. XV. 2. and XVII 12 14 22 23 27. and in many places of the Prophets Sometimes to eternity Exod. III. 15. and XV. 18. Deut. XXXII 40. Luke I. 33. And so never is taken sometimes for a long time sometimes for almost all times of a mans life Luke XV. 29. Sometimes for a mans life 2 Sam. XII 10. Sometimes for eternity The flock and the herd Oxen chapter XVI verse 2 Kids Sheep and Bulloks were used in the Feast of the Passeover that is in the Feast of Unleavened bread the bread of affliction for seven dayes Exod. XIII 6 7. Num. XXVIII 16 24. 2 Chron. XXXV 7 8. 9. and Ch. XXX 24. All which Festival time is called the Passeover and so Joh. XVIII 28. A Lamb or a Kid might be used for the Passeover properly so called on the fourteenth day at the going down of the Sunne Exod. XII 5. Deut. XVI 6. A matter too hard As Judges and Officers were to be appointed in all Cities in Canaan chapter XVII verse 8 13. Deut. XVI 18 19 20. So here the highest Court of Judicature over the whole Land in difficult Causes and for matters of Appeal was appointed to be in that one place which the Lord should choose which in after-times appeared to be the City Jerusalem And here it is not sure and evident whether this Supreme Court were to be one mixt of the Priests and the Civil Judge joyntly Or though this not so likely two distinct Courts Ecclesiastical and Civil both Supreme in their kinde Judgement of death was awarded upon presumptuous disobedience to their Sentence And more of this Supreme Court Moses doth not deliver Yet upon this the Jewes in after-ages grounded their great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem and not upon the LXX Num. XI For those were onely added to assist Moses in his troublesome government of that unruly Campe of the Jewes in the Wildernesse as likewise those Rulers and Judges Exod. XVIII The Priests due Of the very great maintenance of the Priests verse 3 see on Num. chapter XVIII XVIII 24. Three Cities more Three other Cities of Refuge chapter XIX verse 9 over and above the six here allowed and conditionally enjoyned Yet we never read more of them that they were separated and set out
Exod. XXXII 4 5. 2 Chron. XXXIII 17. Hos. II. 16. The other nine hundred Shekels it is like she bestowed on house vestments and other necessaries for that Idolatrous service An house of gods So great was the Idolatry of the Jewes at this time And their zeale great in their Idolatry Ch. XVIII 24. Ephod This Ephod mentioned againe verse 5 Ch. XVIII 14. As likewise that of Gideon Ch. VIII 27. were not like those Linnen Ephods Exod. XXVIII 40. 1 Sam. II. 18. and Ch. XXII 18. But like Aarons rich and glorious Ephod Exod. XXVIII 6 34. See the Annotations on Hos. III. 4. and the Observations on 1 Sam. XXIII 9. Teraphim Or Theraphim a word of the plural number and still so used in Scripture signifies Images or Idols Hos. III. 4. 1 Sam. XV. 23. But of what kinde or fashion it is uncertaine some conceive them to be made like men because Michal put one of them in Davids bed thereby to deceive her father Sauls messengers 1 Sam. XIX 13. Some take them to be houshold-gods and as such in Labans house and family Gen. XXXI 19 34. Some to be such as they used to consult with as Oracles as in the case of the Danites here and Ch. XVIII 14 17 18 20. and of Nebuchadnezzar Ezek. XXI 21. and in Zecharies time Zech. X. 2. Answers likely being given by the subtilty of the Devil or forgery of their Priests And to workers with familiar spirits and Wizards They are joyned in Josiah's Reformation 2 King XXIII 24. See the Annotations on Hos. III. 4. Consecrated And ver 12. The grosse abuse of Consecration As in Jeroboams time 1 King XIII 33. No King King here is taken verse 6 not properly for a King but for a Judge such as the thirteen Judges in this Book for King properly there was none till Sauls reigne A Levite A Levite borne or verse 7 bred in Bethlehem Judah or sojourning there as a stranger Where I may finde a place The necessitous state of the Levites verse 9 in those Idolatrous times ver 10 11. Danites sought Their inheritance by lot is set down chapter XVIII verse 1 Josh. XIX 40. But they got it not all through their own sinne and default Iudg. I. 34. And their tribe being numerous they sought out larger bounds and more commodious habitations Iosh. XIX 47. And this though mentioned in that text of Ishua yet fell out after his death and the death of those Elders that out-lived him likely soone after but surely before the dayes of Sampson Mount Ephraim See the Observations on Josh. 2. XXIV 1. Ask counsel These Danites verse 5 being superstitious Idolaters ascribe thus much to this Levite and to his Idolatrous Ephod and Teraphim and graven and molten Images ver 14 17. Laish Laish very farre off from the body of the Tribe of Dan verse 7 that lying next to Simeon and Judah in the South-parts of the Land of Canaan and this under Mount Libanon by Asher and Naphtali in the North-bounds This Citie first burnt and after rebuilt by these Danites they then called Dan which is taken as the North-bound of the Land of Canaan as Ch. XX. 1. 1 Sam. III. 20. 2 Sam. III. 10. and elsewhere And here Jeroboam did set up one of his golden Calves 1 King XII 29. Jonathan A Levite the great grandchilde of Moses verse 30 though borne in Bethlehem-Judah and so as of the family of Judah Ch. XVII 7. And though a Levite yet taken and used as a Priest and consecrated thereunto by Micah an Ephraimitie ver 1 12. Who likewise had consecrated one of his owne sons to become his Priest ver 5. And this Jonathan forced to seeke and shift for his maintenance and livelihood and to accept of one so poore and base ver 10. All this bespeaks the sad and lamentable condition and coufusion of those times wherein they lived Captivity of the Land This Idolatry of the Danites in this Citie Dan continued untill the day of the Captivity of the Land that is as it is explained ver 31. all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh till the Philistines took the Arke 1 Sam. IV. Psalme LXXVIII 60 61. which was at the death of Eli. A Concubine Or a wife a Concubine chapter XIX The word for Concubine in Hebrew is etymologized wittily by some from two other words of that language which put together verse 1 signifie that which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some old Latine Inscriptions Viro-conjux an half-wife or secondarie wife We read in Scripture of Concubines and Wives variously Of many wives to one man in the Old Testament And this not onely in prophane and evill men as in Lamech Gen. IV. and Esau and other but also in good and godly men as in Iacob David and others And among these many wives we sometimes finde a kinde of distinction of them into two sorts One sort the First and principal and absolutely lawful wife and Mistris The other sort but in a secondary and inferiour degree And such as had no Dowries nor solemne Rites of reception nor Rule in the family nor their children had any Inheritance but Gifts and Portions For that of Iacobs sons by Bilhah and Zilpah was a case extraordinary And thus we finde with Abraham Sarah of the first sort and Hagar and Keturah of the second with Iacob Rachel and Leah of the first Bilhah and Zilpah of the second And those of the second sort are sometimes called wives and sometimes Concubines as we see in Keturah Gen. XXV 1 6. 1 Chron. I. 32. And in Bilhah Gen. XXX 4. and XXXV 22. and Ch. XXXVII 2. And Davids ten Concubines 2 Sam. XV. 16. and Ch. XVI 22. and Ch. XX. 3. are called his wives 2 Sam. XII 11. And thus Concubines are of two sorts some are wives or half-wives others plaine Whores and Harlots But this Concubine of the Levite was his wife and he her Lord as appears ver 3 4 5 7 9 26 27. and Ch. XX. 4. Gibeah Distinct from Gibeah in the tribe of Iudah chapter XIX verse 12 Iosh. XV. 57. And from Gibeon in the Tribe of Benjamin Iosh. XVIII 25. This was either that which afterwards was called Gibeah of Saul in the Tribe of Benjamin 1 Sam. XI 4. or else very near it in the same Tribe and not farre from Ierusalem and Ramah ver 13 14 16. House of the Lord In Shilo verse 18 And so Ch. XX. 18. This was near Mount Ephraim where he sojourned And thither the whole Campe came Ch. XXI 12. Know him So Gen. verse 22 XIX 5. monstrous impudent wickednesse a modest intimation of a most immodest meaning My brethren Men in nature verse 23 though worse then beasts in their lusts Behold my daughter Sinful this verse 24 to use unlawful means though to a good end We may not do evill that good may come thereof Rom. III. 8. Not hearken Yet did in the next words verse 25 And she sinning
long before Davids death and his instructing and encouraging of Solomon to the building of the Temple and the making of him King and upward To fifty years verse 3 Num. IV. 3. After fifty they were freed from the service in the Temple and kept in their several Cities in their several Tribes to teach the people and to instruct and judge in matters brought before them as having best insight in the Judicial Lawes and the whole word of God David divided Chap. verse 6 XXV 1 As a Prophet and by the commandment of the Lord by Gad the Kings Seer and Nathan the Prophet 2 Chron. XXIX 25. And these Divisions and Courses his son Solomon punctually retaines 2 Chron. VIII 14. And Jehoiada 2 Chr. XXIII 18. and Josiah 2 Chron. XXXV 4. And so after the Return from the Babylonish Captivity Ezra III. 10. And so by Gods Spirit David had all the Patterns of the Temple which in writings he delivered to his sonne Solomon 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. III. 3. of twenty years Num. verse 24 VIII 24. from twenty five years old they begin to wait upon the service of the Tabernacle Here David by new warrant enters them into the work for the Service of the Temple at twenty years of age likely more now being needful for this Service ver 27. 2 Chron. XXXI 17. yet they come not to the full possession and fruition of their Place and Office till thirty years of age 1 Chron. XXIII 3. Num. IV 3 4 7. And to offer At all offerings to fit and prepare the Sacrifices to the hands of the Priests verse 31 who were to offer them on the Altar The eighth to Abijah Zacharias the father of John Baptist was of this Course chapter XXIV verse 10 Luke I. 5. according to their maner To come on a Sabbath day verse 19 and to continue their services there in the Temple for that whole week Ch. IX 25. 2 King XI 5 6. over against their brethren That the first Course of Levites might attend on the first Course of the Priests verse 31 And so of the rest with Harps Much Musick used in Gods Service chapter XXV verse 1 8 See 1 Chron. IX 33. and XVI 4 5 6 41 42. 2 Chron. V. 12 13. and VII 6. and ch XXIX 30. Psal. LXVIII 24 25. and LXXXI 1 2 3. And so in the Tabernacle Num. X. 10. and XXIX 1. In bringing up the Arke 1 Chron. XIII 8. and chap. XV. 16 24. In going up to Gods House and coming from it 1 Sam. X. 3 5. Esay XXX 29. This musick was by skilful voice and by various Instruments both wind-instruments and hand-instruments And these both stringed and touched with fingers or struck over with quill or bow or else shaken or beaten with hand or stick Prophesie See the Observations on 1 Sam. verse 1 XVIII 10. and on Zeph. III. 4. Of Asaph See 1 Chron. verse 2 VI. 39. and chap. XV. 17 19. and XVI 5 7. And see the Annotations on 1 Chron. XXV 1 2 6 9. And see the Titles of sundry Psalmes Of Heman See the Annotations on 1 Chron VI. verse 4 33. See likewise 1 Chron. XV. 17. and chap. XVI 41. 2 Chron. V. 12. and XXIX 14. and Chap. XXXV 15. Jeduthun See 1 Chron. verse 6 XVI 41 42. 2 Chron. VI. 12. and chap. XXIX 14. and XXXV 15. And the Titles of Psal. XXXIX 62 77. The four and twentieth As many Courses and Companies of Musitians or Singers verse 31 as there were of Priests chap. XXIV 18. and of Levites attending on the Priests chap. XXIV 31. These as the others in their Weeks and courses attended Porters Of their Office chapter XXVI verse 1 see 2 Chron. XXIII 19. and the Annotations on this text Their number 1 Chron. XXIII 5. Korhites Descended from that Korah Num. XVI 1. great grand-childe of Levi From which Korah descended likewise Elkanah and Samuel the Prophet and Heman the singer 1 Chron. VI. 27. 33 37 38. 1 Sam. I. 1. treasures Many sorts of Treasures verse 20 and many Treasurers in Gods Temple ver 20 26. See the Annotations on this text All that Samuel Samuel verse 28 and Saul and Abner and Joab did dedicate part of the spoiles won in battells to maintaine the House of the Lord. Izbarites And Hebronites verse 29 ver 30 31 32. being Levites 1 Chr. XXIII 12. Num. III. 27. 1 Chron. XXIV 20 24. were imploied also for the outward businesse over Israel for Officers and Judges on this side Jordan Westward in all businesse of the Lord and in the service of the King And some of them made Rulers over the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and affairs of the King moneth by moneth David had twelve Captains for the twelve moneths chapter XXVII verse 1 each with their Companies in their several moneths and courses attending the King And Solomon had the like after him 1 King IV. Each Captain in Davids time had twenty four thousand under him which in all arise to 288000. Davids 〈…〉 and Husbandry a chief Priest The word so most usually signifieth 〈…〉 times it signifieth also a Prince verse 5 or Temporal Ruler And 〈◊〉 VIII 18. and XX. 26. and 1 King IV. 5. and 2 King X 11. And 〈◊〉 And the fathers-in-Law of Joseph Gen. XLI 45 and of Moses Exod. III. 1. were Princes for they would not marry the daughters of idolatrous Priests The word came thus to be used in both sense because the same persons at first were both Priests and Rulers as the firtst-borne before the Law Moses Psal. XCIX 6. and Eli. and Samuel under the Law And among the Heathen famous is that of Anius Rex idem Hominum chapter I Phoebique Sacerdos over the Tribes These are Commanders in Peace verse 16. 22. Princes or Rulers of the tribes where thirteen are named Or whom one is named of the Levites And another of the Aaronites One of the halfe tribe of Manasseh And another of the other halfe And Gad and Asher are left out stood up Being now well-nigh bedrid chapter XXVIII immediately before or immediately after Adonijah his conspiracie verse 2. II. Candlesticks of silver For the use of the Courts verse 15 Chambers c. yet young and tender Of Solomons age chapter XXIX verse 1 see the Observation on 1 King III. 7. three thousand See the observations on chap. verse 4 XXII 14. Thine Like the doxology of the Lords Prayer verse 11 Keep this Davids remarkable Prayer verse 18 the second time and anointed him The rather because the first anointing was in a time of tumult verse 22 when Adonia the next brother to Absalom sought to reigne 1 King I. 39. But whether the later Anointing was before or after Davids death It is not clear But sure it is that David himself was thrice anointed once at Bethlehem by Samuel and twice at Hebron 1 Sam. XVI 13. 2. Sam. II. 4. 1 Chron. XI
3. and 2 Chr. VIII 14. and chap. XXIII 4 5 19 20. and chap. XXIV 8. and XXVII 3. and XXXI 14. and XXXV 5. the Horse-gate Of the gates of Ierusalem verse 15 or of the walls of the Citie see the Observations on Nehemy III. 1. gather of all Israel chapter XXIV verse 5 So much of Israel as Ioash had from year to year One year would not suffice to make up this Reparation hastened not For in the twenty third year of Ioash it was not done 2 Kings XII 6. the Collection of Moses So ver verse 6 9. such as Moses used Exod. XXX 12 16. or Exod. XXV But this differing from them both agreeing only in this As Moses then provided for the Tabernacle and the service of it by those Collections extraordinarily as need then required so were they now by somewhat a like Collection to provide for the repairing of the breaches of the Temple Yet is this because somewhat like called the Collection of Moses as like sinnes are called by the names of the sinnes of Manasseh 2 Kings XXIV 3. of the iniquity of the fathers Exod. XXXIV 7. of the errour of Balaam and gain-saying of Core Iudge 11. and the signe of Ionas Matth. XII 39. is used in a like sense Sonnes of Athaliah In their father Iehorams life-time verse 7 before they were taken and slaine by the enemy if sonnes here be taken properly High-priests Officer 2 Kings XII verse 11 10. The High-Priest himselfe did this But that Iehoiada was this High-Priest is not expressed day by day i. e. time after time so oft as the chest was full in Israel the Kingdome of Iudah verse 16 Gods people 2 Chr. XXIX 24. Princes Hypocritical flattering Princes See ver verse 17 23. Zechariah Zechariah slaine and mentioned Matth. XXIII verse 20 35. seemes not to be this Zechariah But rather the Prophet Zechariah the sonne of Barachiah Zech. I. 1. slew his sonne Cruel ingratitude verse 22 hoast of Syria This might be a seconding of that invasion verse 23 2 King XII 17 18. a small company Gods visible hand in it verse 24 for the executing of his judgement against Joash ver 25. sonnes Likely more slaine then Zechariah verse 25 or taken indefinitely for one as Gen. XLVI 7. Book of the Kings Most likely some civil Records verse 27 Amaziah Of the times of the reignes of Amaziah chapter XXV verse 1 and of Uzziah as also of Iotham and of Ahaz 2 Kings XV. 32. and XVI 1. And of their Concordance with the time of the reignes of the Kings of Isreel See my Annotations on Hosea I. 1. But he slew not their children See the Annotations on this text verse 4 do it An Ironical concession verse 8 See the Observations on Amos IV. 4 5. top of the rock Selah verse 21 or Petra signifying a rock whence the chief Citie in Arabia Petraea is called Petra 2 Kings XIV 7. gods of the children of Seir Worse then that of Ahaz chap. verse 14 XXVIII 23. Punished chap. XXV 20 27. Altar of Incense This the High-Priest might do chapter XXVI verse 16 Exod. XXX 7. and other Priests also Luke I. 9 But not the King or any else but Priests the chief Priest Not stiled the High-Priest verse 20 was a Leper Yet bare the title of King to the day of his death verse 21 Ophel Ophel in Ierusalem chapter XXVII verse 3 over-against the water-gate toward the East where the Nethinims dwelt 2 Chron. XXXIII 14. Neh. III. 26. and XI 21. his wars 2 Kings XV. verse 7 37. his God Though himself such an idolater chapter XXVIII verse 5 ver 22. So ch XXXVI 5. King of Syria Rezin 2 Kings XVI 5. slew Slew a great number verse 6 Captive A greater number verse 8 feirce wrath Pekah soone slaine verse 11 And in Hosheah's time all captivated and the Kingdome extinguished Esay VII 16. the first day ver chapter XXIX verse 17 3. Hezekiah begins Reformation on the very first day of his reign Or rather on the first day of the year which fell out towards the later end of the first year of Ezekiah's reigne sixteenth day So that Passeover was past and not kept seven Bullocks Here are seven verse 21 to represent the whole body of the Kingdome And here are used all maner of Beasts fit for sacrifice the Priests killed them And so Levit. IV. 4. and chap. IX 8 verse 24 15 18. 2 Chron. XXIX 24 34. The Levites did flea them 2 Chron. XXXV 11. And in some extraordinary cases sley them also 2 Chron. XXIX 34. and receive the blood 2 Chron. XXX 16 17. The Priests only not the Levites came to the Altar to lay the wood sprinkle the blood and burn them Levit. l. 7. c. and chap. III. 2 5. 2 Chron. XXXV 14. the Song Psal CXXXVI verse 27 See the Annotations on Ezra III. 11. to Ephraim chapter XXX verse 1 and Manasseh See ver 5 11 18. Yet this was before their finall captivity by Shalmaneser 2 Kings XVII in the second moneth ver verse 2 1 3. As in like case Num. IX 11. Kings of Assyria Pul verse 6 and Tiglath Pilneaser 2 Kings XV. 19 29. 1 Chron. V. 26. 2 Chron. XXVIII 20. mocked them But a finall judgement sonne followed verse 10 had not cleansed themselves yet And verse 18 it seemes in Josiah's time all did not eate at the very hour appointed at Even 2 Chron. XXXV 14. yet where the heart is upright God mercifully heals such offenders to keep other seven dayes The power of the Church seene herein verse 23 and by God approved Since the time of Solomon And the division of the two Kingdomes verse 26 so many out of the ten tribes came not to Jerusalem to eat celebrate the Passeover Yet see a larger commendation of Josiah's Passeover which followed after this chap. XXXV 18. 2 Kings XXIII 22 23. finished Presently after the foresaid Passeover chapter XXXI verse 1 they pull down idolatry yea in Ephraim also and Manasseh which belonged to Hoshea King of Israel third moneth Or Feast of weeks verse 7 of Pentecost which is called the feast of harvest And the seventh moneth is called the Feast of ingathering Exod. XXIII 16. hoast of the King of Assyria Though that King Sennacherib chapter XXXIII verse 11 and his hoast were so slain in the time of his father Hezekiah chap. XXXII 21. a wall Begun by his father chap. XXXII 5. yet unto the Lord Not to false gods verse 14 as was in the grosser kinde of idolatrous sacrificers verse 17 Amon Amon worse then his father Manasseh eighth year Being then sixteen years old chapter XXXIV verse 20 and before that the father of Eliakim or Iehojakim verse 3 2 Kings XXIII 36. and chap. XXII 1. compared together twelfth year Himself being then twenty cities of Manasseh Remanants then of the Israelites verse 6 for the body of the ten tribes were formerly carried away captives and the Kingdome exterminated eighteenth year
and was made a Sacrifice for sinne for us 2 Cor. V. 21. Esay LIII 6. Yet this may have a right understanding of Christs spiritual children who are subject to the lapses and infirmities of sinne 1 John I. 8. Rom. VII 15. sworne Of Oaths verse 35 see the Observations on Hos. IV. 15. as the Moone Which although it sometime waxeth verse 37 and sometime waineth and sometime seemes to be gone a fit resemblance of the state of Christs Church yet is continualy renewed and so stable Witnesse See Jer. XXXIII 20 21. And Christ is so called Apoc. I. 5. Esay LV. 4. But thou The Psalmist complaineth of the miseries of the Church verse 38 whereby all the former Promises seeme to be frustrated youth hast thou shortned Wherein by thy promises he should have flourished verse 45 and grown up as a youth how short How vaine verse 47 momentanie and uncertaine yet am I thy creature the footsteps of thine Anointed verse 51 This may be referred to Christ and his Offices and Works in us and for us or to Christians which follow his footsteps Blessed The voice of faith verse 52 and joy as finding an issue out of the temptation and rejoycing in the midst of tribulation This is the end of the third Book of Psalmes See the Observations on Psal. XLI ult and on LXXII ult of Moses This seemes inspired and penned by Moses for the use of the people chapter XC when upon the returne of the Spies they had murmured against God and he had sentenced to death all above twenty years old Num. XIV 22 23 29 34. Returne The body to the earth verse 3 the soul to God that gave it watch The night divided into four Watches verse 4 the evening midnight cock-crowing dawning threescore years and ten So for the most part verse 10 And so in David And none of the Kings of Judah or Israel after him attained to those years Or seventy here in regard of that judgement denounced Num. XIV 29. even according to thy fear verse 11 so is thy wrath Thy wrath is as thy feare teacheth it to be which teacheth us to fear thee for thy wrath But who knoweth the power of it to number They might number the utmost extent of them verse 12 upon that judgement Num. XIV But not how much sooner they might die establish Esay XXVI 12. verse 17 he shall deliver thee Having practised in the second verse what he taught in the first chapter XCI verse 3 Here he teacheth others to do the like applies his example to them not be afraid Esay XLIII 2. verse 5 emphatical expressions and rhetorical amplifications allowed in all humane Authors Not yet implying that we are actualy deliveâ—ed in all such dangers but that at least they shall work for our good if we be not delivered out of them Rom. VIII 28. his Angels charge over thee Alledged by the Devil to Christ verse 11 Mat. IV. 6. in all thy wayes Of holinesse and righteousnesse These words the Devil omits as making against his temptation which was against the minde of the text tread upon the lion Esay XI 6 9. verse 13 Hos. II. 18. without harme or damage Not as the Pope applied it to his treading upon the neck of the Emperour on high Safely above all perils and dangers verse 14 with long life If God shall see it good and fit for him verse 16 Otherwise a good man may be cut off by Plague or warre for the Sabbath day For the Rest on this day chapter XCII see the Observations on Exod. XII 16. For Hallowing it That was by an holy convocation by offering of Sacrifices singing Psalmes reading and expounding and hearing Scriptures Praying Disputing and Conferring by meditating on Gods word and works and doing works of mercy Exod. XX. 10. Esay LVIII 13. Jer. XVII 21 22. Levit. XXIII 3. Num XXVIII 9 10. Acts XIII 15. and XV. 21. and XVI 13. and XVII 2. and XVIII 4. Matth. XII 2 7 8 11 12. as the Palme tree The LXX read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 12 which signifies indeed a tree As the Hebrew word here doth And the meaning of the whole verse imports Yet hence many learned men taking it up one from another have raised that fable of a wondrous bird called a Phoenix which yet never was seene or known in the world holinesse becometh thy house In the services chapter XCIII verse 5 and servants of it and all professors of so holy a God The Lord knoweth Cited chapter XCIV verse 11 1 Cor. III. 20. But judgement shall returne unto righteousnesse Though they might seeme awhile parted verse 15 yet they shall returne and meet and the wicked shall be punished and the godly rewarded O come Davids Psalme chapter XCV verse 1 though without his Title as appears Heb. III. 7. and IV. 7. to day This extends to the whole time wherein Christ speaketh by his Gospel verse 7 Heb. III. 7. 13 15. and IV. 7 8. So 2 Cor. VI. 2. Provocation Meribah verse 8 in the Hebrew temptation Massah in the Hebrew See Exod. XVII 1 7. Num. XX. 1 3 13. Deut. VI. 16. tempted me Tempted Christ verse 9 1 Cor. X. 9. my work Works Heb. III. 9. of miraculous mercies and judgements I sware At Kadesh-barneah verse 11 Num. XIV 21 c. Heb. III. 17 19. my rest Canaan a Type of a better Rest Heb. IV. 3 8 9 11. O sing This Psalme chapter XCVI verse 1 and Psalme CV 1 15. with small alterations make up that Psalme composed by David upon the bringing of the Ark from Obed-Edoms house into the Citie of David 1 Chron. XVI 8 36. a new song See the Observations on Psal. XXXIII 3. beauty of holinesse In the glorious holy Sanctuary searoare In token of joy verse 9 the trees Humane affections ascribed to insensible creatures verse 11 thereby to set out mans duty verse 12 for the cometh Or when he cometh Which may relate to Christs coming into the world verse 13 Matth. XII 20. Acts X. 42. and ch XVII 31. Psal. XCVIII 9. and CX 6. Esay II. 4. and XI 3 4. and XVI 5. 2 Tim. IV. 1. Apoc. XIX 11. The Lord reighneth Here seemes the Kingdome chapter XCVII verse 1 both of God and of Christ to be majesticaly described a new song See the Observations on Psal. chapter XCVIII verse 1 XXXIII 3. made known Esay LII 10. Let the sea roare Psal. verse 2 XCVI 11. let the people tremble And so chapter XCIX verse 7 the earth be moved that is with a reverend fear at his Presence and appearance verse 1 Or though they be stirred up with anger Apoc. XI 17 18. Acts XVII 13. The Kings strength God mixeth his power with justice verse 4 Job XXXVI 5. Moses and Aaron among his Priests Moses did many things of the Priestly office verse 6 And the word Cohen here used doth signifie also a Prince and principal officer as 2 Sam. VIII 18. and in many other places
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