makes up seaven years of famine * 341. 2 Sam. 24.14 with Heb. 10.31 It is better to fall into the Hand of God immediately for when men are employed in these punishments of God they mix their own passions and often exceed the measure of Gods manifest intent though not of his secret Decree It is better to fall into the hands of God which revives penitents which cruell men will not The other place tels us it s a fearfull thing to displease God and purchase to themselves not only a temporall but an eternall displeasure 342. 2 Sam. 24.14 It is better to fall into the hands of the Lord. Heb. 10.31 It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God It is good to be in the hands of God when he is pleased with us because his mercies are great It is fearfull to fall into the hands of God when he is angry for the wicked cannot stand before him in judgment 343. 2 Sam. 24.15 God sent a Pestilence upon Israel from the morning unto the time appointed Vers 13. Shall there be three dayes Pestilence in thy Land The time appointed was from the morning untill noon of one day or of the continuall morning sacrifice that is four hours 344. 2 Sam. 24.24 David bought of Araunah the floor and the Oxen for fifty shekels of silver 1 Chron. 21.25 David gave to Arunah for the threshing floor six hundred shekels of gold of just weight The floor with all the ground about it was bought for six hundred shekels of gold a greater price then what was given for the threshing flour the Oxen and the wood appointed for the sacrifice * 2 Sam. 24.24 with 1 Chron. 21.25 Fifty shekels of silver was only the price of the Oxen and instruments and the price of the threshing floor is not mentioned at all Others reconcile this diversity thus that in both places is to be understood the price of all together both of floor and Oxen c. But that by the fifty shekels of silver are to be understood not shekels of silver in kind but simply so much money as should amount to the Summe of fifty shekels of Gold and that in the Chronicles the six hundred shekels of Gold ought likewise to be understood for shekels of Gold in kind but for common shekels of silver paid in fifty shekels of Gold in specie according to the proportion of the weight one in Gold being in value as much as twelve of silver unlesse the sale of the floor were made at an old quit rent the principle value of which is set down in the Chronicles The two Books of KINGS Heb. Malachim THe first Book contains the History of Solomon The building of the Temple The division of the Kingdome to Judah and Israel The life of five of the Kings of Judah and eight of Israel Of Elias the Prophet With the History of an hundred and sixteen yeares The Second Book contains the Deeds of sixteen Kings of Judah and twelve of Israel Of Elisha and the destruction of the Kingdome and carrying the people of Israel captive to Assyria Of the children of Judah to Babylon With the History of three hundred forty five yeares Jeremias writ both of them * 345. 1 KIngs 1. with 1 Chron. 23.1 29.22 The doubt lieth in this whether he were three times made a King indeed and so all the three Texts that speak of it to be taken severally or whether only twice as 1 Cro. 29.22 seemeth to hold Answ The annointing of Solomon in 1 Kings 1. upon the aspiring of Adonijah was the first time that ever David shewed who should Reign after him See Vers 20 27. and therefore it must needs be held concurrent with the same 1 Chron. 23.1 onely that scruple that lies in the way that being supposed is this That David at this first unction of Solomon should be in his Chamber and upon his bed and exceeding decrepit and yet at his second annointing should be in the midst of his Princes and Commanders and standing upon his feet 1 Chron. 28.2 but this also will be removed if it be but considered that Davids present infirmity was not sicknesse but coldnesse and benummednesse and old age he was heart-whole and head-whole but he was old and Palsiish and therefore though his common and most commodious posture and composure was to be in his Chamber and upon his Couch yet upon such an occasion as to Crowne Solomon before all Israel he came forth and stood upon his feet and made Orations and gave advice for things to come 346. 1 Kings 2.4 If thy children shall keep my wayes and walk in them in truth there shall not fail thee a man to fit on the Throne of Israel Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come In the former place it is spoken conditionally of the Kingdome of Israel If the sons of David should keep the wayes of the Lord but because Solomon failed therefore the Kingdome of Israel departed from his sonne and in the seventh generation the Kingdome of Judah was translated upon Nathan whose posterity ruled over the Jews untill the coming of Christ In the latter place any kind of dominion is foretold to remain in Judahs posterity untill the Messias should come 347. 1 Kings 3.1 Solomon took Pharaoh his daughter and brought her into the City of David Exod. 34.15 Enter not into Covenant with the Inhabitants of that Land nor marry a wife c. Marriages in a different Religion are dangerous 2 Cor. 6.14 nor are they pleasing to God We must not draw in the same yoake with Infidels for there can be no firme charity or unity where the foundation is neglected that is true Godlinesse That Queen forsaking her Religion 1 Kings 11.4 and her fathers house and marrying with Solomon was a type of the marriage of Christ and his Church But because Solomon loved also the women of other Nations and his heart was led away by them to follow other gods he drew the anger of God upon himself and his posterity and caused a defection from them 348. 1 Kings 3.13 I have also given thee riches and honour that none of the Kings shall be like unto thee Matth. 6.29 Solomon in all his glory was not like the Lillies of the field Solomon exceeded all the Kings in wisedom riches and honour Christ compares the Lillies with his vestments in his greatest splendour * 349. 1 Kings 3.13 with Mat. 6.29 The former place compares Solomon with other Kings The latter place compares him with the Lillies of the field He might be the most glorious of Kings and yet lesse glorious than Lillies * 350. 1 Kings 4.26 Solomon had forty thousand stals of Horse 2 Chron. 9.25 Solomon had four thousand stals of Horse and Chariots Some thus he had forty thousand for his Chariots the other four thousand Horse and Chariots The latter puts them together to be numbred according to the
her by beginnings of holinesse in this life and will in the next life set her compleatly holy before his Father without spot or rinckle * Cant. 1.5 with Cant. 4.1 Blacknesse in Scripture is put for tribulation or for sinne or thirdly for sorrow for both the former The first place speak of her blacknesse as she was in her own eyes Secondly As she was in others eyes in all these three relations I am black in yours and mine own apprehensions with tribulation sin and sorrow The second place speaks of beauty or fairenesse in Christs account It is one thing what a woman accounts her self another thing what her husband accounts her she was faire in the latter sense It is one thing to be faire in it self another thing to be faire by reflexion or imputation The spouse was inherently black but by imputation and reflexion as she was to the glasse to the Sun Christ so fair 594. Cant. 5.1 Eat O friends drink yea drink abundantly beloved Isaiah 5.11 Woe be to ye that rise early in the morning to drinke strong drink Ephes 5.14 Luke 21.34 Amb. lib. 1. cap. 5. de Cain Abel Drunkennesse with grace not with wine which makes us rejoyce not stumble must be here understood To be drunk here is to be filled with the grace of the holy Ghost and with spirituall joy concerning the Gospell which thing produceth healthfull and pleasant fruit Isaiah cries out woe to drunkards filling themselves with Wine and luxuriating in over much drink 595. Cant. 6.10 The Church is terrible as an Army with banners Chap. 7.6 How fair how pleasant art thou O love for delights She is terrible to the Devill the World to Hell but most dear and and delightfull to her Bridegroome the Lord Jesus Christ ISAIAH HIS PROPHESIE He prophesied ninety years IT was written by Isaiah the sonne of Amos the Brother of Amasiah King of Judah about the year of the World 3190. It contains legall Prophesies from Chap. 1 to the 40th with the History of Ezechias And from Chap. 40 to the end it contains Evangelicall Prophesies 596. ISai. 1.2 I have nourished children and they have rebelled against me Vers 4. Ephes 5.27 The Church is glorious without spot or wrinckle The Church of it self and from it self is full of sinnes and deformities but she is without spot or wrinkle in her Husband and head Christ who loved her and gave himself for her that he might sanctifie her cleansing her with the laver of water in the word of life Ephes 5.26 597. Isa 7.14 And they shall call his name Emanuel Luk. 2.21 His name was called Jesus In the Scriptures sometime the name is given to the person not according to the word but the thing signified Emanuel in effect is the same with Jesus Emanuel is God with us by this word the Prophet would explain the person the office and the benefits of Christ and the mystery of the personall Union and that that Sonne should be God and Man and live amongst men in his humane nature that he should assume that he might redeem them and save them from their sinnes 598. Isai 8.20 To the Law and the Testament 1 Cor. 2.2 â—etermined to know nothing amongst you Matth. 1.21 but Jesus Christ and him crucified Since Christ is the end of the Law and the Prophets it is most profitable for us to believe in him and to seek comfort in his Crosse for without he had been crucified he had not wrought salvation for mankind * 599. Isai 8.20 with 1 Cor. 2.2 He that sends us to the Law and testimonies he sends us to Christ for the Law is a Schoolemaster to bring us to Christ and the Prophets are they which testifie of Christ To be sent to them was in relation to him so that the precept of Isaiah and the practise of Paul were the same 600. Isai 9.3 Thou hast multiplied the Nation and hast not increased their joy Chap. 60.5 Then thou shalt see and shalt flow together and thine heart shall fear and be enlarged because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee The joy of the Nation and the people under the yoak of Rome though it be not increased yet it is enlarged whilst the Heathen people being called into the Church forsaking their heathenish rites do embrace the Christian Religion 601. Isai 9.6 Vnto us a child is born unto us a son is given Luke 2. After seven hundred years Christ was born under Augustus Caesar It is usuall in the Scripture to have the present tence and preter tence put for the future tence and the future tence for the present and preter tence So Psal 22.8 All make a mock of me 602. Isai 9.6 His name shall be called the Prince of peace of his peace there shall be no end Matth. 10.34 Think not that I came to send peace on the earth I came not to send peace but the sword In the former place is understood the true Christian peace of God and Christ which we have with God our Neâ—â—â—bour and our selves In the latter is meant worldly peace that we have with men of this world which is often bad Yet Christ doth not of himself bring the sword but by accident in regard of the malice of the World and the Devill who are the authors of contentions 603. Isai 9.6 He shall be called the everlasting Father 1 Cor. 15.24 He shall deliver up the Kingdome to his Father when he shall have put down all principality Since eternall and Kingly power belongeth unto Christ it shall never be taken from him but the manner of his governement shall be changed for he shall no longer governe his Church by the Ministery of his Word and Sacraments but shall represent it to his heavenly Father freed from all evill Nor shall there be any more worldly governements after the blessed resurrection * 604. Isai 9.6 with 6. A son is given The everlasting Father He is the sonne of the everlasting Father by nature He is the everlasting Father in respect of us whom he hath bought by his Blood begotten by his Spirit preserved by his Power and created by his Divinity 605. Isai 9.7 Of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end Luk. 12.49 I came to send fire into the earth and what will I but that it may be kindled It is not meant a fire of discord and malice amongst men but a fire of pure doctrine consuming all filth and temptations betwixt the spirit and the flesh the true and false teachers the godly and the wicked the Devill and men For the Gospell is no cause of troubles but as lime when it is mixt with water groweth hot so the wickednesse of men stirred up by Gods Word rageth against Christ and his Gospell * 606. Isai 26.10 with Isa 40.5 The first place shews what wicked men will do the second what the
and two of a Tribe being saved this week and as many another in the conclusion the whole summe being cast up will be great if we consider all times The number of the godly is great in it self but its small compared with the multitude of the wicked 643. Jer. 6.10 Chap. 9.26 All the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart Rom. 11.16 If the root be holy so are the branches All is taken here for the greatest part The root of the Jews was holy by reason of the Covenant because they were born from their Father who was in the Covenant and so were they confederate with God and separated from the profane Gentiles * 644. Jer. 9.17 Send for the mourning women Ezek. 24.17 Make no mourning for the dead The former place shews the Judgment of God to fall so heavily upon the people that they should make a solemn mourning for themselves The latter place intimates that the affliction should be so great upon the people that there should be no mourning for them because noe mourning could expresse it pauca cura loquunter ingentes stupent or else this was a peculiar case which breaks not a generall rule 645. Jer. 10.23 O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man to direct his steps Matth. 23.37 I would have gathered thy children together and thou wouldest not In spirituall matters that concern his salvation a man can do nothing that is good In politick and civill affairs he can indeed do something but more inclining to evill than to good * 646. Jer. 15.1 with Matth. 18.19 The former place speaks that God may in some cases be so provoked by sinne as he will not hear even two or three gathered together though the most renowned of Saints The second place speaks that God will grant all things which are asked by faith which must be according to the rule and Cannon of faith by two or three together 647. Jer. 17.5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Rom. 10.11 He that believeth in Christ shall not be confounded Isa 28.16 The Prophet speaks of bare mortall deceitfull man in himself The Apostle speaks of man subsisting in the person of the Sonne of God in whom the fullnesse of the Godhead dwelt bodily 648. Jer. 15.1 If Moses and Samuel stood before me yet my mind could not be toward this people Matth. 18.19 If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven In the former place the speech is hypotheticall as if he should say though they were amongst the living and did stand before me and would turn away my wrath from this people yet would I not spare them Christ in the latter promiseth temporall good things upon condition of repentance 649. Jer. 17.10 Chap. 20.12 I the Lord search the heart I try the reins 1 Cor 2.11 Who knows what is in man but the spirit of man which is in him God is not excluded from knowing what is in the heart but Angels and men are be they good or bad 650. Jer. 22.11 Thus saith the Lord touching Sellum the son of Josiah 2 Kings 23.30 2 Chron. 3.6 The people of the Land took the sonne of Josiah Joachaz and annointed him to be King Joachaz is called Sellum ironically because as King Sellum Israel was led captive into Egypt so Joachaz shall not return from the Babylonish captivity 651. Jer. 22.30 Thus saith the Lord Write ye this man childlesse 1 Chron. 3.19 for no man of his seed shall prosper Mat. 1.12 Salathiel his son Jekonias died without children Salathiel the son of Neri was from Nathan the adopted son of Jekonias and by succession not his naturall sonne 652. Jer. 25.1 The fourth year of Jehojakim the son of Josiah King of Judah was the first year of Nabuchadonozer King of Babylon Dan. 1.1 In the third year of Jehojakim King of Judah came Nabuchadonozer King of Babylon to Jerusalem That is in the end of the third year and the beginning of the fourth year of Jehojakims reign * 653. Jer. 25.1 with Dan. 1.1 That of Daniel which saith the third counts from the time he reigned as a vassall to the King of Babylon 2 Kings 24.1 having before reigned seaven years as a Vassall of Aegypt 2 Kings 23.34 36. Now these three years must be understood compleate because that which is there spoken of hapned the fourth of his reign as in Jeremy 654. Jer. 25.11 And this whole Land shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these Nations shall serve the King of Babylon seventy years Acts 1.7 It is not for you to know the times God by a Propheticall spirit revealed this to Jeremiah and so comforted his people but we must not curiously search to know the times contrary to Gods will that is the moment of the day of Judgement the destruction of the world which the Father hath reserved in his own power 655. Jer. 29.11 I think toward you thoughts of peace and not of evill Vers 17. Thus saith the Lord of hosts I will send upon them the Famine God gives peace to penitent sinners but punisheth sinners for their sins 656. Jer. 31.15 A voice was heard in Ramah lamentation and Rachel weeping Matth. 2.16 That was done at length in the killing the children at Bethlehem The Prophets speak often in the present tense or time past of things which are to come for the certainty of the Prophesie So here he foreshews the lamentation of the Mothers for the children that were slain at Bethlehem by Herods command 657. Jer. 31.2 The Lord shall create a new thing on the earth Eccl. 1.10 There is no new thing under the Sun New things are made by creation so God the Father created all things new so we are a new creature in Christ by sanctification when we are regenerated by the holy Ghost by change so when Christ shall come all things shall be made new 658. Jer. 31.31 Behold the days come saith the Lord and I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah Matth. 5.17 I came not to destroy the Law God promised a new Covenant when Christ should come yet such a one that should not differ from the former Covenant in substance but sanctified by the Messias The Doctrine of the Prophets and the Apostles was not changed by the coming of Christ but remains an eternall Law of leading our life the ceremonies are abrogated according to their use but their signification was more declared by his coming and illustrated and the Prophesies had their complement in him 659. Jer. 36.30 Thus saith the Lord of Jehojakim King of Judah he shall have none to sit upon the Throne of David 2 Kings 24.6 And his sonne Joakim reigned in his stead Joakim did not sit that is he had no fast seat in the Kingdome for in the third moneth
A righteous man turns away from his righteousnesse and doth iniquity he shall dye in it Rom. 8.30 Whom he justified them he glorified Righteous in the first place is not truely so but only in opinion so Christ came not to call the just Matth. 9.13 but the Apostle speaks of those that are truely just who are jâ—stified in Christ and shall be surely glorified Or if the place of the Prophet be to be interpreted of him that is truely just it is conditionall and so proves nothing and the contradiction is reconciled * Ezek. 18.26 with Heb. 6.4 The first place speaks Hypothetically Qui subponit nihil ponit such suppositions say nothing positively that the supposition is true the latter place speaks positively The first place speaks in vindication of Gods justice that if it were so that a righteous man could fall that God would do and so The latter place speaks in confirmation of those that are godly that they cannot fall away The first place speaks of Hypocrites the latter of reall Saints so as they cannot be in opposition to one another The former of such a man as is righteous by his own righteousnesse The latter by such as is righteous by the righteousnesse of Christ 677. Ezek. 20.25 I gave them also Statutes that were not good and judgements whereby they should not live Psalm 19.9 The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether Precepts that are not good are either legall threatnings by which God menaces curses to the wicked or false doctrine when God by his just judgement suffers those that would not believe the truth but go forward in iniquity to believe lies * 678. Ezek. 20.25 I gave them also Statutes which were not good Rom. 7.12 The Law is holy just and good God gave them Statutes which as they relate to the Law-giver were good and in themselves were good but in respect of them that seek justification by them they will prove such judgments whereby they shall not live 679. Ezek. 44.9 No stranger uncircumcised in heart and flesh shall enter into my Sanctuary Gal. 5.2 If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing The Prophet means spirituall circumcision by faith in Christ but the Apostle means nothing but corporall and legall circumcision which was that the Jews strove to be justified by Col. 2.16 * 680. Ezek. 48.35 Jehova Schamma The Socinians hence would gather that the name Jehovah is not onely attributed to God But this place proves no such thing for 't is a sentence which is as a name to the City and 't is not in the nominative but hath a transition into the genetive case and the name of that City shall be the habitation of Jehovah the place of the habitation of Jehovah DANIEL HIS PROPHESIE DAniel was carried young with Joakim to Babylon there he lived seventy years to the time of Cyrus in the yeare 3370. He interprets Nebuchadnezzars Dreame of the Image and writeth what was done under Nebuchadnezzars Reign Belshazzars and Darius And describes the four Monarchies and the eternall Kingdome of Christ he numbred also the weeks of years of the coming of Christ 681. DAn 1.5 The King appointed for Daniel and his fellowes a daily provision that at the end of three years they might stand before the King Chap. 2.1 In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar the King dreamed a dreame wherewith his spirit was troubled Vers 16. Daniel went in and desired of the King that he would give him time That was done in the second year after these things were ended which were appointed for the education of Daniel and his companions under the government of Nebuchadnezzar * Dan. 1.5 with Dan. 2.1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar That is two years after that these young Jews had been brought up in the Court the space of three years Dan. 1.5 So that this second year is not to be taken from the Kings Reign which fell out in the fift but from Daniels Coronation as it were with wisdom this dreame following was expounded 682. Dan. 1.21 and 6.28 And Daniel continued unto the first year of King Cyrus Chap. 10.1 In the third year of Cyrus King of Persia a thing was revealed to Daniel In the former place the two following years are not excluded but it is noted that God prolonged the life of Daniel untill the time of the return of the people of the Jews from Babylon Daniel was in his office at Court to the first year of Cyrus then being grown old he led a quiet private life 1 Sam. 7.3 683. Dan. 2.46 Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel Deut. 6.13 10.30 Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God Revel 19.10 Nebuchadnezzar would have worshipped Daniel after the heathen manner but being better instructed by him he changed his purpose being admonished by Daniel to worship and adore the true God of gods 684. Dan. 3.12 Chap. 2.49 Daniel Shadrach Meshach and Abednego despised the Kings commandement Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers Act. 4.19 ch 5.29 God being the highest power we must principally obey him and above all men we must obey the Magistrate in things which are not against Gods Word and his true worship 685. Dan. 4.27 O King break off thy sinnes by righteousnesse and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor Isai 53.7 The Lord hath laid upon him the iniquitie of us all 1 Joh. 1.7 The Bloud of Jesus Christ doth cleanse us Our sinnes before men are redeemed by making satisfaction for injuries and by sorrow for them to this Daniel exhorts Nebuchadnezzar but before God onely the merits of Christ Jesus can take away sinnes 686. Dan. 6.10 Daniel his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed 2 King 4.33 Elisha shutting his doores prayed Matth. 6.6 Christ commands the same Daniels work of confession was necessary lest he should seem to deny God and his truth by reason of the wicked command of the King Christ forbids not publick prayers but boasting hypocrisie 687. Dan. 9.3 to the 20. The prayer of Daniel is contained in many words Matth. 6.7 And when ye pray use not many words Isai 23.3 Daniels prayer was no vain repetitions but a testimony of his fervent desire powred out in prayer from before the most holy God So was the prayer of Moses David Solomon and our Lord Jesus Christ But in the latter place Christ reprehends the foolishnesse of them who think that by many words repeated they can perswade God 688. Dan. 9.17 Cause thy face to shine upon the Sanctuary for the Lords sake John 16.24 Ye have hitherto asked nothing in my name We do aske in the name of Christ with confidence of his merit that did the godly under the Old Testament comparatively secretly implicitely under a shadow and a propitiatory but under the New Testament simply nakedly
should walk after God with all their heart The Prophesie by a legall commination moved both King and people to manifest their zeal But he frighted the wicked Hypocrites and such as were averse from God by threatning them that so they might forsake their sins 733. Zeph. 1.7 The day of the Lord is at hand 2 Thes 2.3 Be not terrified as though the day of the Lord were at hand In the former place by the day of the Lord is understood the neernesse of the Babylonish captivity In the latter the coming of the Lord to Judgement the time whereof is not for us to know 734. Zeph. 3.7 I said surely thou wilt fear me Vers 7. But they corrupted their own doing I said The Lord useth that word after the manner of men not as though he had failed of his hope for all things are known to him before they be but as if he should say Who would think you should be so hardned that my very threatnings should not move you HAGGAI HIS PROPHESIE HE upbraids the Jews for that they did not rebuild the Temple and exhorts them to build it and he describes the magnificence of the second Temple He prophesied after the captivity of Babylon under Darius Hystaspes in the year 3444. 735. HAggai 1.8 Bring wood and build the house Isai 66.1 Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my seat and the earth is my footestole what house is that you will build unto me The rebuilding of the Temple was accepted with God for the holy convocation and the worship in it to Gods glory that was with the Priesthood and Leviticall Rites a Type of Christ unto whose coming only it was to endure 736. Haggai 2.3 You that saw this house in its first glory and how do you see it now Is it not in comparison of it as nothing Verse 9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former house saith the Lord of Hosts The structure indeed of this house did not answer the Majesty of the first house built by Solomon Yet the spirituall glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former house because the Lord himself came into it and preached in it disputed and wrought great miracles there 737. Haggai 2.4 Do so for I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts Zach. 1.12 O Lord of Hosts how long will it be ere thou have pitty on Jerusalem In the first place the Prophet comforts the people by the hope of promises in Christ promising that God would be present there with his people after the captivity of Babylon In the latter Christ intercedes for his Church which hath sinned against God and was punished by a just judgement of God with a Babylonian captivity for seventy years * 738. Haggai 2.4 with Zach. 1.12 The former place is conditionall I am with you if you do so The latter shews that they were in affliction and so it implies they had broken their condition 739. Haggai 2.6 Yet a little while and I will shake the Heaven and the Earth and the desire of all Nations shall come This Prophesie was fulfilled after five hundred yeares under Augustus Caesar Luk. 2.11 With God a thousand yeares are but as one day or one watch in the night ZECHARIAH HIS PROPHESIE THE sonne of Barachiah He warns the Jewes to repent to build the Temple he makes mention of his Visions and explains them by the effusion of the Spirit of grace and prayer He prophesied after the returne from Babylon in the year of the world 3456. 740. Zech. 1.3 Turn unto me and I will turn unto you Joh. 6.44 No man comes unto me unlesse my Father draw him The first place is legall requiring of us what we ought and not what we can do The latter is Evangelicall for no man comes unto God unless God draw him by his Spirit Jer. 31.18 Therefore we must pray diligently Convert me ô Lord that I may be converted because thou ô Lord are my God 741. Zech. 1.17 Chap. 2.10 The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet chose Jerusalem Eph. 1.4 God the Father chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world The election of a certain people to be a visible Church in the first place is taken metonymically for by that deed God sheweth that he hath confirmed the election of Jerusalem In the latter God speaks of our election unto eternall life 742. Zech. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Isa 3.1 Behold the Lord of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem the whole stay of bread In the first place is contained the promise of God to the faithfull that keep his Covenant in the latter is the pronouncing of judgement against the obstinate Jews God is said to have kept his people as the apple of his eye so long as they were obedient Deut. 32.10 Psal 17.8 But temporall punishments inflicted on the wicked do not infringe the truth of his promise and of divine performance 743. Zech. 3.9 I will remove the iniquity of his land in one day Rev. 13.8 Christ slain from the beginning of the world In one day is the performance of Christs passion who dying for our sins restored us unto life But he was slain from the beginning of the world in Gods determinations by election virtue eficacy and acceptation and in respect of the fruits of it which redounded to the Church under the Old Testament 744. Zech. 6.13 He shall sit and rulâ— upon his throne Isa 9 7. He shall sit upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdome Luk. 1.33 Christ in respect of his divine nature hath his throne from everlasting to everlasting But in respect of his humanity being he is born of the seed of David according to the flesh the Lord God hath given him a throne that he may reign over the house of Jacob for ever 745. Zech. 11.12 They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver Matth. 27.9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet they took thirty pieces of silver the price of him that was valued whom they did value Eusebius saith De Demonstrat l. 10. c. 4. that Jeremiahs name was put for Zechariahs name by the errour of the Scrivener Out of Jeremiah some make the computation where he makes mention of seventeen shekels which make thirty pieces of silver Jer. 32.9 746. Zech. 13.7 Awake ô sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered Joh. 10.10 No man takes away my life from me The Prophet mentioneth God the Father commanding in the name of the whole Trinity whose words outwardly are common to the three Persons and undivided that his shepherd namely Christ should be slain that contradicts not Christs words who willingly laid down his life for us 747. Zech. 13.7 The sheep shall be scattered Joh. 17.12 Those that thou gavâ—st unto me I
by calling the brethren that were present sheweth that there were no women present at the Election of Matthias * Acts 1.15 with 1 Cor. 15.6 There is no difference betwixt these for they are not meant of the same apparition nor of the same time for the first apparition of our Saviour being risen was to Mary Magdalen alone Jo. 20.11.19 The same day he appeared to two men Luk. 24.13 18. That night he appeared to the twelve so called 1 Cor. 15.5 Eight daies after to the Disciples and convinced Thomas Joh. 20.26 At the sea of Tiberias he appeared to seven Disciples Joh. 21.24 On the Mountain in Gal lee to the Eleven Mat. 28.16 And to five hundred brethren at once 1 Cor. 15.6 Another time to James 1 Cor. 15.7 And lastly to all the Apostles 1 Cor. 15.7 Being gathered to Jerusalem by his appointment Acts 1.4 And led them to Bethany and was taken up Luk. 24.50 1093. Acts. 1.18 Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity Mat. 27.3 He repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests and Elders Judas purchased a field It is Metonymia Adjuncti not actually but by purpose and event for he hoped with those silver pieces to buy a field he acquired the money and the price wherewith the Priests bought the field * Acts 1.18 with Mat. 27.3 The first place denotes not that he himself bought the field the Chief Priests bought it for this damned Bribe Nor was any such thing in his intention when he bargained for his Mony but Peter by a bitter irrision sheweth the fruit and profit of this wretched covetousness and how that he had thought to enlarge his revenues and to settle his habitation by such horrid means Yet on the contrary his revenues was to purchase lands for others his habitation to be desolate and himself to come to so sad an end * 1094. Acts 1.20 For it is written in the Book of the Psalms Let his habitation be desolate c. Psal 69.26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten and they talk to the grief of their heart Psal 109.8 Let his daies be few and let another take his Office The former place is taken out of two several Psalms and though David seem to apply the place to many yet in regard Christ is the head of the Church what was said of the enemies of the Church may be said of his enemies and in regard Judas was the Antesignanus or the chief enemy it may particularly be attributed to him and though one of the Testimonies may seem rather a Curse than a Prophesie or Prediction yet such Curses have the force of a Prediction as for that difference of words Let another take his Office And his Bishopprick let another take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Episcopatum David writ litterally concerning Doeg the chief of the Kings Shepheards which he calls his Office and the word being thence translated to Ecclesiastical affairs and administrations is called his Bishoprick or superintendency which another should take 1095. Acts 2.23 Jesus being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God by wicked hands you have crucified and slain Joh. 19.11 He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The death of Christ is ascribed to God and men in divers respects God delivered him by his determinate counsel that he might procure life for us The Jews out of their diabolical hate that they might blot out the memory of him * Acts 2.23 By the determinate counsel c. with Joh. 19.11 Gods foreknowledge was no force why the Jews should crucifie him nor his determinate Council any necessity why they should commit this sin but God did foresee that the Jews by abuse of their will would fall into the greatest of sins when any occasion was offered He did determine that Christ should die and be crucified and that the Jews should do it they falling from him by a frequent sinning he would suffer them to be the Executioners of this decree upon Christ and that as a just punishment for their former transgressions God did determine Christ should be crucified out of love to man and that the Jews should do it out of judgment for their sins As for that Scripture Joh. 19.11 it is not to be understood of Gods delivering up Christ but as the Jews delivering him up as Prosecutors to a Judge not as a Creator delivering one Creature to another 1096. Acts 2.33 Christ is exalted by the right hand of God Joh. 17.5 Christ was glorified with the Father before the world was The state of Christs humiliation and exaltation is in respect of right and profession Christ was as Mediator at the right hand of God also before his corporal Ascension but in respect of use after his Ascension 1097. Acts 2.36 God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Luk. 2.11 He is called Lord at his Nativity by the Angel Christ by right of his personal union was made Lord at his Nativity by possession and use in his Glorification declared to be so by his sitting at the right hand of God according to the rule Then a thing is said to be done when it is manifested to be done * 1098. Acts 2.36 Lord and Christ Joh. 1.1 And the Word was God Christ was Lord and God from the beginning but this place speaks of him as Mediator and so he is Lord and Christ Lord over the Creatures and Christ Gods anointed The words being made is not to the definition of the Deity of the Son of God but to the demonstration of the Rule and Dominion that Person had over all Creatures 1099. Acts 2.38 And be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost In the first place there is the command and fruit of Baptism but not the form Some by the Name Christ understand the three Persons the Father anointing the Son anointed and the Holy Ghost the Unction Also in the Name of Christ is in the Doctrine Faith Knowledge and Obligation of Christ * Acts 2.38 with Mat. 28.19 Not that their Baptism was not administred in the name of the Father and the Holy Ghost also but that he would especially work them up to the acknowledgment of Christ for the Father and the Holy Ghost they acknowledged without any scrupling but to own Christ for God whom they had crucified and to be initiated into Jesus of Nazareth was the great work that the Apostles went about And therefore especially endeavour to enter them into Jesus and to have them baptized in his name * 1100. Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized Heb. 12.17 Esau found no place of repentance Repentance is either a natural affection or acting of the soul which some call Civil or Politick grief change of mind or else it is a saving grace whereby a sinner turns
Ephrata out of thee shall he come forth unto me that shall be Ruler in Israel Joh. 7.27 Whence Christ is no man knows The Prophet expresly names the place of Christs nativity the Jewes not knowing Christ to be the true God did mingle his temporall generation with his eternall contending amongst themselves Doth not the Scripture say that being of the seed of David Christ should come from the City of David * Micah 5.2 with Matth. 2.6 Bethlehems both Texts speak of that in Judah The thousands of Judah The latter saith The Princes of Judah The Tribes of Israel being divided into thousands every one had a head or Prince whereupon St Matthew instead of thousands saith Princes Aleph signifies both a thousand and a Commander over a thousand Thou art not the least though thou be little The words in Matthew are either to be taken as spoken by the Jewes or as the Evangelists as spoken by the chief Priest and Scribes to Herod for the place of Christs birth called not the least either reading the words of Micah interrogatively in a negative sense or varying the Text out of ignorance or of set purpose before Herod Or as they are spoken by the Evangelist Bethlehem was little when David was born there not little but famous for and after the true son of David and son of God was born there 724. Micah 7.5 Trust ye not in a friend 1 Cor. 13.7 Charity believeth all things The first place is a rule of Prudence needfull for Charity The Prophet bids us not to suspect ill of all men but he complains of the corrupt manners of his times when men could believe no man therefore he saith we must deal circumspectly which is agreeing to Charity lest we be defrauded by craft or malice Christ himself did not trust himself with the Jewes Joh. 2.25 26. because he knew all men and knew what was in man 725. Micah 7.9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned Vers 9. He will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousness The people of Israel being miserably afflicted could not boast in the sight of God of their innocence therefore they ought patiently to endure Gods corrections but before their enemies being innocent they did rise up by divine help The Babylonians were formerly to the Israelites as the Turks and Tartars are now adaies to the Christians afflicting us without cause though in the sight of God we are not without fault NAHUM HIS PROPHESIE THE ELKOSHITE HE Prophesieth against the Assyrians He denounceth destruction to the Ninivites an hundred years after Jonas he comforts the Jews preaching unto them the message of peace 725. NAhum 1.2 The Lord avengeth and is furious Psalm 103.8 The Lord is very pittifull long suffering and full of mercy God is jealous a severe Judge and revenger not pardoning the sinnes and wickednesse of impenitent sinners but he is most mercifull as a tender Father to the godly and such as be penitent 726. Nahum 1.9 Affliction shall not rise up the second time Rom. 1.28 The wicked shall be punished in this world when they are delivered up to a reprobate sense to do those things which are not convenient and in the world to come with eternall destruction Justice doth not punish twice sufficiently for the same fault but it is not disagreeing to justice to inflict divers degrees of punishments for the same fault so temporall punishments to the wicked are but the beginning of eternall punishments But the Prophet teacheth here that God will so deal with the Assyrians in the Land of Judha that there shall be no need of a second judgment 727. Nahum 1.15 For the wicked shall no more passe through thee 2 Kings 24.1 Chap. 25.1 Nebuchadnezzar invaded the Land of Judah and spoiled it The Prophet speaks of Senacherib that he should come no more into the Land of Judah for he was killed by his own sonnes Also the words of the Prophet may be understood concerning the perfect blessedness of the next world HABAKKUK HIS PROPHESIE HE foretels to the Jewes when they sinned their destruction by the Chaldeans He comforts the faithfull with the coming of the Messias and the destruction of the Babylonians He prays for the ignorant He prophesied in the year 3290. 728. HAb 1.5 Behold you amongst the heathen and regard for I will work a work in your dayes which you will not believe though it be told you Act. 13.41 Paul refers these words to the resurrection of Christ The Apostle compares the resurrection of Christ with the wonderfull deliverance of the Jews from the bondage of Babylon which though their forefathers would not believe yet they found it to be true so their posterity must needs acknowledge that Christ was raised from the dead 729. Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by his faith Matth. 9.2 Jesus seeing their faith Every one shall live by his own faith to eternall life but another mans faith or prayers may obtain from God for us temporall benefits or deliverance In the latter place Christ speaks not onely of their faith who brought the man to him that was sick of the Palsie but of his faith also 730. Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by his faith Luk. 10.28 Do this and live We live and are justified by faith not for our saith but because by faith we lay hold on Christ Do this saith Christ to the Lawyer that from the Law he might learn to know his own weakness and not that by observing the Law he might deserve life for by the Law Rom. 3.9 Gal. 3.24 no man is justified in the sight of God * Hab. 2.4 with Luk. 10.28 The former speaks of our living in difficulties by faith alone the latter speaks of Christs answer to one that thought he could live by the Law which was to convince him by the Law that he could not expect life in his deeds but by his faith in Christ Besides no man can do this without faith So as though we live by faith alone yet that faith which makes us live is not alone but makes us do this 731. Hab. 2.4 with 1 Thes 3.8 Now we live if you stand fast in the Lord. We live by our own faith as to justification and salvation we live comfortably when we see the faith of others and so the first place the just man lives to justification c. by his own faith Paul and the rest of the brethren were comforted exceedingly when they knew the Thessalonians stood fast in the Lord. ZEPHANIAH HIS PROPHESIE THe sonne of Cushi he prophesieth to the unbelieving Jewes their destruction by their Neighbour Nations and to those Nations their extermination by other Nations But deliverance to believers He prophesied about the year 3451. 732. ZEph 1.5 He prophesied In the dayes of Josiah of the evils which should come upon Judah 2 King 23.3 Josias and all the people made a covenant with the Lord that they