die in the Lord Especially if for the Lord which is said father Latimer the greatest promotion in the world such as is not granted to any Angel in heaven From henceforth As well as heretofore in those primitive persecutions Rest from their labours The sleep of these labourers oh how sweet is it Quale sopor fessis in gramine they get the goal they enter the haven Italiam socij laeto clamore salutant And their works follow them They die not with them as Hortensius his Orations did Mors privare potest opibus non operibus Verse 14. A sharp sickle An instrument to cut down corn Deut. 16.9 and the bunches and branches of the grapes Isa 18.5 It betokens sharp and sudden vengeance What more beautifull to behold then the field afore harvest then the vineyard afore the vintage c This is spoken for the consolation of the persecuted people of God Verse 15. Thrust in thy sickle This is not a command but a request of the faithfull which is soon fulfilled It is like that of the Church Psal 102.13 Arise O Lord and have mercy upon Sion for the time â—o favour her yea the set time is come Verse 16. And he that sate on the cloud That is Christ who soon condescendeth to the suits of his servants Iste vir potuit quod voluit said one concerning Luther The death of Arrius was Precationis opus non morbi the fruit of praier rather then the effect of his disease saith another He was brought to confusion by the praiers of Alexander the good Bishop of Constantinople Verse 17. And another Angel The community of faithfull Christians that combine against Antichrist to pull him out of his throne and cut his comb Verse 18. And another Angel A type of true Pastours M Forbes saith an Interpreter by whose plain and powerfull preaching the other are informed and stirred up to consecrate their hands to the Lord. Such an Angel was Zuinglius who died in battle such was Beza in that battle that was fought in campis Druidensibus Such were the Angrognian Ministers and such were sundry of our late Army preachers M. Marshall M. Ash my dear brother M. Tho. Jackson now of Glocester c. Which had power over fire Not Christum evangelium flammeum praedicans as a Popish varlet slandered Beza at the fore-mentioned fight but as pacifying the fire of contention amongst brethren and setting them all together against the common enemy Thrust in thy sharp sickle Fall on quit you like men be valiant for the Lord of Hosts Cursed is he that doth the Lords work negligently Cursed is he that with-holdeth his sword from bloud Thus the faithfull Ministers strengthened the hands and hearts of the souldiers to battle and made them stick close to their colours and Commanders Are fully ripe Ripe for vengeance as the Amorites were when they had filled the land from one end to another with their uncleannesse Ezra 9.11 About the year of grace 1414. Theodoricus Vrias an Augustinian in Germany complained That the Church of Rome was then become Ex aurea argenteam ex argentea ferream ex ferrea terream superesse ut in stercus abiret Jac. Rev. p. 229 of gold silver of silver iron of iron earth which would shortly turn to muck Verse 19. And the Angel thrust in Down go the Antichristians immediately by the power and prowesse of the Christian armies thus edged and eneagered by their Preachers This we have seen fulfilled in our late wars to our great comfort at Edge-hill and Nazeby-fight especially Into the great wine-presse Lacus iste locus caedis This wine-presse is called Armageddon chap. 16.16 Verse 20. And the wine-presse was troden viz. By Christ the King with his heavenly horse-men Chap. 9 13 14. Without the City i. e. Without the Church haply in Judaea whither the Pope being driven from Rome shall 〈◊〉 and sit till Christ shall unroost him with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thess 2.8 Even unto the horse-bridles To confute the pride and cruelty of those bloody Papists that threatned to ride their horses up to the saddle-skirts in the bloud of the Lutherans so Farnesius Minerâ—us Felix of Wartenburg Sr Charles Ellerker Charles the ninth of France Flac Illyr Act. and Mon. that cruell Queen who when she saw some of her Protestant Subjects lying dead and stripped upon the earth cried out The goodliest Tapistry that ever she beheld These and the like shall be one day glutted with bloud which they have so barbarously thirsted after Satiate sanguine quem sitiisti c. as she said of Cyrus Iustin l. 1. CHAP. XV. Verse 1. And I saw another signe DIstinct from the former and describing the utter overthrow of Antichrist in this and the following Chapters Great and marvellous A just wonder it was indeed the miracle that we in these last times are to look for that the Kingdome of Antichrist should be so easily and suddenly over-turned by the preaching of the Gospel as once the wals of Jericho were by the blowing of Rams-horns Seven Angels i. e. Certain Citizens of the Reformed Churches Having the seven last plagues Being the severall parts of the seventh Trumpet and said to be the last that shall in this life be inflicted though far worse follow in hell whereof all these are but typicall Here the leaves only as it were fall upon reprobates but hereafter the whole trees Verse 2. As it were a sea of glasse The word of God mingled with the vertue of the holy Ghost say some The world full of affliction say others Having the harps of God Hearts full of heaven Verse 3. And they sing There cannot but be musick in the temple of the holy Ghost The song of Moses As being delivered out of spirituall Aegypt And the song of the Lamb That mentioned Chap. 14.3 and the same in effect with that of Saint Paul 1 Timothy 1.15 17. Verse 4 who shall not fear thee q. d. How mad are the enemies how sottish is the world that fear not thee who art the proper object of fear Psal 76.11 The Greeks call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fear the Chaldee Dechilah for the same reason and Jacob stiled him The fear of his father Isaac For thou only art holy Before it had been said of his Holinesse Who is like unto the beast Now who shall not fear thee ô Lord for thou only art holy For all Nations shall come As being deeply affected with thine heaviest plagues upon Antichrist they shall better bethink themselves They shall return and discern betwixt the righteous and the wicked Mal. 3. ult Are made manifest i. e. Are begun to be and more and more shall be if our sins hinder not Verse 5. The temple of the tabernacle These words are all one with those chap. 11.19 to the consideration whereof we are here recalled after so long an interruption Verse 6. Clothed in pure Habited
have no Subjects then Subjects of divers religions And out of a bloudy zeal suffered his eldest son Charles to be murdered by the bloudy Inquisition because he seemed to favour our profession Hieron Catina Verse 15. What concord hath Christ Those Moderatours that plead for a correspondency with Popery would make a pretty shew if there were no Bible But if these reconcilers as Franciscus de sancta clara and his fautors were the wisest men under heaven and should live to the worlds end they would be brought to their wits end before they could accomplish this works end to make a reconciliation betwixt Christ and Antichrist betwixt Rome and us Verse 16. I will dwell in them Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will indwell in them This notes Gods nearest communion with them He setteth them before his face continually Psal 41.12 as loving to look upon them The Philosopher told his friends when they came into his little low cottage The gods are here with me God and Angels are with his Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And walk in them As they did in Solomons porch and other walks and galleries about the Temple And hereunto the Prophet alludes Zach. 3.7 The Turks wonder to see a man walk to and fro and usually ask such whether they be out of their way or out of their wits Biâ—lulph Verse 17. And be ye separate For grosse Idolatry and for fundamentall errours only must we separate Corruptions grew so great in the Church of Rome that it justly occasioned first the separation of the Greek Churches from the Latine and then of the Reformed Churches from the Roman Diâ—p derep l. 2. cap. 12. Machiavel observed that after the thousand year of Christ there was no where lesse piety then in those that dwelt nearest to Rome And Bellar mine bewails it Lib. 3. de Papa Rom cap. 21. That ever since we cried up the Pope for Antichrist his kingdom hath not only not encreased but hath greatly decreased And I will receive you So you shall be no losers â—e put you into my bosome God imparteth his sweetest comforts to his in the wildernes Hos 2.14 Verse 18. I will be a Father The fundamentall meritorious impulsive and finall causes of this precious priviledge see set forth Eph. 1.5 6. Saith the Lord Almighty This is added by our Apostle to Jer. 31.9 CHAP. VII Verse 1. Having therefore c. FAith in the promises purifieth the heart Act. 15.9 and argueth notably from mercy to duty From all filthinesse Sin defileth a man worse then any jakes or leprosie It is the devils excrement it is the corruption of a dead soul Seldome or never is there a birth of saving grace but there follows it a flux of mortification Of flesh and spirit i. e. Both of the outward and inward man Or of flesh that is worldly lusts and grosle evils as uncleannesse earthly-mindednesse c. And of spirit that is more spirituall lusts as pride presumption self-flattery c. These lie more up in the heart of the Countrey as it were those other in the fronâ—iers and skirts of it Perfecting holines Propounding to our selves the highest pitch and the best paterns In the fear of God Which is the fountain whence holinesse flows See Pro. 8.13 Verse 2. Receive us Gr. Make room for us in your hearts and houses Set wide open the everlasting doors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Locum date that the King of glory may come in triumphantly riding upon us his white horses Revel 6 2. We have wronged no man Ministers must so live that they may if need be glory of their innocency and integrity as did Moses Samuel Paul Melancthon We have corrupted no man viz. As the false Apostles had done with their leaven of false Doctrine which eateth as a canker 2 Tim. 2.17 or a gangrene which presently over-runs the parts and takes the brain Protagoras in Plato boasted that of those sixty years that he had lived he had spent fourty in corrupting of youth We have defrauded no man We have cunningly made sale of no man as those old impostours that made prize of their prisoners 2 Pet. 2.3 And as those Popish Muscipulatores or Mice-catchers as the story calleth them that raked together their Peter-pence and other moneys here in England by most detestable arts Polydore Virgil was one of these ill officers that left not so much money in the whole Kingdome sometimes as they either carried with them or sent to Rome before them Verse 3. I speak not this c. Though cause enough he had to condemn them for their shamefull tenacity toward him whom they basely suffered to labour for his living and to preach gratis against all right and reason To die and to live with you Such faithfull friends are in this age all for the most part gone in pilgrimage and their return is uncertain as once the Duke of Buckingham said to Bishop Morton in Rich. the thirds time Jonathan and David Pylades and Orestes Polistratus and Hippoclides are famous for their love one to another These two last being Philosophers of Epicurus his sect Vâ—lâ—r Mâ—x l. â— c. 16. are said to have been born the same day to have lived together all their daies and to have died in the same moment of time being well stricken in years But the love of Irish foster-brothers is said far to surpasse all the loves of all men Câ—md Elizab. fol. 483. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 4. I am exceeding joyfull Gr. I do over-abound exceedingly with joy Others may revell the godly only rejoyce they have an exuberancy of joy such as no good can match no evil over-match Witnes the Martyrs ancient and modern Oh how my heart leapeth for joy said one of them that I am so near the apprehension of eternall blisse I God forgive me mine unthankfulnesse and unworthinesse of so great glory In all the daies of my life I was never so merry Act. and Mon. fol 1668 1669 1670. as now I am in this dark dungeon Beleeve me there is no such joy in the world as the people of Christ have under the crosse Thus and much more Mr Philpot Martyr Verse 5. Our flesh had no rest Our spirit had no unrest The outward man suffers much sometimes when the inward remains unmolested Philip Lantgrave of Hesse being asked how he could so well bear his seven years imprisonment answered Se divines Martyrum consolationes sensisse that he felt the divine consolations of the Martyrs which as bladders bore him aloft all waters Verse 6. God that comforteth This is a most sweet attribute of God such as we may profitably plead and produce in praier He loves to comfort those that are forsaken of their hopes By the coming of Titus Who came very opportunely 2 Cor. 2.12 13. even whiles Paul was writing this Epistle Gods comforts are therefore sweet because seasonable He never comes too soon nor
here to relate Sed exorto Evangelij jubare sagaciores ut spero principes ad nutum Romani Orbily non solvent subligacula saith one Verse 5. Remember ye not Satan usually hides from us that which should help us But as the soul should be as it were an holy Ark so should the memory be as the pot of Manna preserving holy truths for constant use Verse 6. What with holdeth c. viz. The Roman Empire which had its rise raign and ruine whereupon the Popedome was founded and grew to that excessive greatnesse that it laboured with nothing more then with the weightinesse of it lest Verse 7. Doth already work In those ancient Apostates and Antichrists S. â—ohn complaineth of Tertullian condemneth the Bishops sprouting ambition in these words I hear that there is a peremptory edict set forth alate Pontisex scilicet maximus Episcopus Episcoporum dicit This he called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Thus saith the chief-Priest the Bishop of Bishops c. Odi fastum illius Ecclesiae saith Basil Vehicalis insidentes circumspecte vessiti epulas curantes prosu at c. I hate the pride of that Western Church Ammiaâ—us Marcellinus a Heathen Historian sharply taxeth the roman Bishops of his time for their pride and prodigality How stifly did Gregory the great oppose Iohn of Constantinople for affecting the title of Universall Bishop And yet how basely did the same Gregory collogue with Phocas the Emperour that himself might be so stiled Zonaras This Phocas a wilde drunken bloâ—â—y adulterous tyrant advanced the Bishop of Rome Gregories successour to the primacy and was therefore slaughtered by Heracliut who cut oft his wicked hands and feet and then his genitals by piece-meal Vntill he be taken out of the Way That is The Roman Emperour have removed his seat to Constantinople that Româ— may become the nest of Antichrist In mari bistor Ioannes de Columna writeth That Otho Emperour of Germany thought to have â—uated himself at Rome as former Emperours had done and began to build him there a stately palace But at the earnest importunity of the Romans he gave over that design the like had been attempted 300 years before by Constans nephew to Heraclius Theophanes Zonaras â—iâ—â—enuâ— Genebr Chron. but could never be effected This was by a singular providence of God saith Genebrard a Popish Chronologer that the kingdome of the Church prophecied of by Daniel might have it's seat at Rome If he had said that the kingdom of Antichrist prophecied of by S. Paul and S. Iohn might have it's seat in that City seated upon seven hils he had said the very truth he had hit the nail one the head Verse 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And then shall that wicked Gr. That lawlesse yokelesse masterlesse monster to whom in the Councel of Lateran 1516. one year only before Luther stood up to reform there was granted plenary power over the whole Church which was never setled upon him in any former Councel Pope Nicolas the first said Dist 96. That he was above law because Constantine had stiled the Pope God But the very glosse derides him for this inference With the spirit of his mouth i.e. With the evidence of his word in the mouths of his faithfull Ministers Vide catalogum Testium veritatis Bellarmine confesseth to his great grief Lib 3 de Papa Rom cap. 11. that ever since the Lutherans have declared the Pope to be Antichrist his kingdom hath not only not increased but every day more and more decreased and decaied With the brightnesse of his coming At the last day The holy City shall they tread under foot fourty and two moneths Rev. 11.2 that is as some compute it till the year of grace 1866. But that 's but a conjecture Verse 9. After the working of Satan Who as Gods ape works effectually in his and by his agents upon others By corrupt teachers Satan catcheth men as a cunning fisher by one fish catcheth another that he may feed upon both And lying wonders The devil is ashamed saith the Jesuite Gretser to confirm Luthers doctrine by miracles But he that now requireth miracles to make him to believe is himself a great miracle saith Austin Verse 10. And with all deceivablenesse Popery is nothing else but a great lie a grand imposture a farrago of falsities and heresies It is not without cause that the Centurists say Cent. 10. cap. 11 That all the old heretikes sled and hid themselves in the Popish Clergy Because they received not the love This is the great Gospel-sin punished by God with strong delusions vile affections just damnation Verse 11. Strong delusion Gr. The efficacy of orrour Wolph memâ—lect As in those at Genoa that shew the Asses tail whereupon our Saviour rode for an holy relique and perform divine worship to it And in those that wear out the marble crosses graven in the pavements of their Churches with their often kissing them Spec. Europ The crucifix which is in the city of Burgus the Priests shew to great personages as if it were Christ himself telling them that his hair and nails do grow miraculously which they cut and pare monethly and give to Noble-men and holy reliques The Jesuites confesse that the legend of miracles of their Saints is for most part false but it was made for good intention and herein that it is lawfull and meritorious to lie and write such things Spanish pilgâ— to the end the common people might with greater zeal serve God and his Saints and especially to draw the women to good order being by nature facile and credulous addicted to novelties and miracles Verse 12. That they all might be damned Levit. 13.291 Heresie is the leprosie in the head which is utterly uncurable and destroies the soul See Rev. 19.21 Had pleasure is unrighteousnesse These are delivered up to that dead and dedolent disposition Ephes 4 19. loosing at length all passive power also of awakening cut of the snare of the devil who taketh them alive at his pleasure 2 Timothy 2. ult Verse 13. But we are bound c. Lest they should be discouraged with the former discourse the Apostle tels them that being elect they cannot be finally deceived So the Authour to the Hebrews Chap. 6.9 Zuinglius after that he had terrified the wicked was wont to come in which Bone vir hoc nihil ad te This is nothing to thee thou faithfull Christian We cannot beat the dogs but the children will cry and must therefore be stilled and cheared up And belief of the truth That is of Christ the object in the glasse of the Gospel Verse 14 To the obtaining of the glory This is the end of faith as faith is of effectuall calling Verse 15. Stand fast Though never so many fall from the faith Falling stars were never but Meteors Hold the traditions Hold fast by these that ye may stand the faster Verse
as holy Priests With golden girdles Here an Interpreter gives this note M. Bernard That they which are leud and vicious though never so wise politike rich and valiant shall not be Gods instruments to plague Antichrist and his kingdom This their priestly apparel sheweth also how that these Angels come forth in the Churches cause and for her sake without any other by and sinister respect Verse 7. And one of the four beasts The faithfull Pastours by their divine discourses of the pure worship of God the intolerable tyranny of Antichrist c. stirre up the spirits of Gods servants to set them selves against that man of sinne and to execute upon him the judgement written This honour have all his Saints Psal 149. ult Seven golden vials Vessels of large content but narrow mouths they pour out slowly but drench deeply and distill effectually the wrath of God Full of the Wrath of God Filled out of the cup of his wrath mentioned in the former Chapter Verse 8. And the Temple was filled This shews that God graciously approves and miraculously protects the reformed Churches See Exod. 40.34 35. 1 King 8.10 So he did the Hussites in Bohemia All Germany was up in arms against them Actum jam de Hussitis videbatur Verùm Germani nondum viso hoste Panico terrore perculsi diffugerunt saith the Historian And when things seemed to be in a desperate condition the Germans smitten with a panick terrour fled all away before they had looked the enemy in the face How wonderfully is Geneva preserved in the midst of many mighty enemies What should I speak of Rochel relieved and Leiden rescued both from heaven We of this Nation have lately seen as much of Gods glory and power in our Temple as ever did any Till the seven plagues No Anticristian could understand the end of the present plagues till eaten into a better minde Vexatio dat intellectum CHAP. XVI Verse 1. Go your waies A Proof of the divine calling of the Ministers of the Gospel Pour out the vials See the Note on Chap. 15.7 Vpon the earth Upon Antichrist and his adherenrs Roma facta est ex aurea ferrea ex ferrea terrea said one of her own favourites Verse 2. And the first went They went not all at once Note the patience of God waiting mens return unto him Verse 2. Vpon the earth Antichrists foot-stool his branded slaves A noisome and grievous sore The French disease say some the devils disease say others viz. Spite and envy at the Reformation wrought in Bohemia Germany England c. upon the discovery of the Papists hypocrisie and filthines Verse 3. Vpon the sea The Popish Councel called a Sea from the concourse thereunto from all parts that of Trent especially with their deadly decrees making the traditions of the Church the rule of faith c. Died in the sea As the fishes of Jordan do as soon as they fall into the Mare mortuum and as the fishes in the river Nilus did when the waters thereof were turned into bloud Verse 4. Vpon the rivers c. The persecutours and impostours the Jesuites especially who have lately added twelve new Articles by the authority of Pope Pius 4. raised out of the Councel of Trent and added to the Nicen Creed Seâ— these â— Arâ—ic in thâ— epâ—st prâ—fix 〈◊〉 B Iewels works to be received with others as the true Catholike faith to be believed by as many as shall be saved And those that receive them not are not suffered to live amongst them This is worse then the six Articles in Henry the eighths time that whip with six cords as they cald it Verse 5. The angel of the Waters The same that poured forth his vial upon the waters vers 4 Thou art righteous God 's judgements are sometimes secret Justin l. 1. Val. Max. Act. and Mon. Camden See the Mirrour or Lookâ—â—â—-giassè both sor Saints and sinners set forth by my most loving and highly honoured friend M. San. Clark Pastour and Preacher of the Word at Bennet-Fink London unto whom not only Fâ—give thanks for his help in this publicatioÌ„ but also all the Churches that shall get good thereby alwaies just and so to be acknowledged We shall one day see the reason of all and say as Jehu did 2 King 9 36. Verse 6. For they have shed As Minerius that monster the cruell Duke of Alva bloudy Bonner the Guises and other of the Popes Champions Thou hast given them bloud to drink As Tomyris dealt by Cyrus the Parthians by Crassus the Romans by those Jews that cried out His bloud be upon us c. as our laws do by the Priests and Jesuites and those that receive them proceeding against such as are traitours to the State The putting out of the French Kings eyes who promised before with his eyes to see one of Gods true servants burned The death of Charls the 9 of France authour of the Parisian massacre by exceeding bleeding at sundry parts of his body who seeth not to be the just hand of God upon them This Charles beholding the bloudy bodies of the butchered Protestants in that execrable massacre and feeding his eye upon that wofull spectacle breathed out this bloudy speech Quam bonus est odor hostis mortui How sweet is the smell of a 〈◊〉 enemy and shortly after breathed out his accursed soul Inter horribilium blasphemiarum diras saith the Historian tantum sanguinis vim projiciens c. after the Beza had fore-warned him but in vain by that verse Tu vero Herodes sanguinolente time So Julian Attilas Felix of Wartenburg Henry 3. of France stabbed in the same chamber wherein he then being Duke of Aniou had contrived the French Massacre So let thine enemies perish O Lord. Talia quisque luat qualia quisque facit Verse 7. And I heard another That in the mouth oâ— two witnesses this truth might be established Let God be justified and every mouth stopped Out of the altar Under which lìe the souls of those that were slain for the testimony of Jesus Chap. 6. Verse 8. Vpon the Sun The Popes supremacy say some the Scriptures say others by the light whereof they are laid open to the world dancing naked in a net and yet not seeing their own nakednesse Act. and Mon. fol. 1657. as Mr Philpos Martyr told Chadsey and by the dint whereof Hâ—s 6.5 God smites the earth Isa 11.4 that is the consciences of these Popelings glued to the earth He even hews them by his prophets and slaies them by the words of his mouth Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And men were scorched Or parched scalded roasted This is by accident in regard of the Scriptures for the Lord speaketh peace to his people and his word is good to those that are good Orig. in Num. Homil. 27. Mic. 2.7 But as Origen saith of devils so may we say of Papists there is no greater torment to them then the Word of
murders treasons thefts c. they easily dispense with but none of their Ceremonies Let God say they see to the breach of his own Law we will look to ours The mother of harlots The Church of Rome to this day delights to be stiled holy-mother-Church Holy she is in the sense that the Hebrens call harlots And such a mother as bastards have for their mother by whose name they are called the Father is seldome mentioned by them Verse 6. Drunken with the bloud c. Bishop Bonner delivered Richard Woodman with four more requiring of them to be but honest men members of the Church Catholike and to speak good of him And no doubt saith Woodman he was worthy to be praised because he had been so faithfull an aid in the devil his masters businesse for he had burned good Mr Philpot the same morning In whose bloud his heart was so drunk as I suppose he could not tell what he did as it appeared to us both before and after For but two daies before he promised us we should be condemned that same day that we were delivered yea and the morrow after he sought for some of us again yea and that earnestly Act and Mon. sol 1800. He waxed dry after his great drunkennesse wherefore he is like to have bloud to drink in hell as he is worthy if he repent not c. It is wisdom said a certain unknown good woman in a letter to Bonneâ— It is wisdom for me and all other simple sheep of the Lord to keep us out of your butcherly stall as long as we can especially seeing you have such store already that you are not able to drink all their bloud least you should break your belly Ibid. 1672. and therefore let them lie still and die for hunger c. Thus I kept the bandogs at staves end said Shetterden the Martyr not as thinking to escape them Ibid. 1521. but that I would see the foxes leap above ground for my bloud if they can reach it I wondered with great admiration All things are portentous in the Popedome What monsters were Pope John 12 and Hildebrand as Luitprandus describes the one Lib. 6. de 〈◊〉 gest in Europ In vita Hilâ—eb and Cardinall Benno the other both of their own side Tertia clâ—ssis continet Papas vel potius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Alstedius After the thousandth year of Christ there was no where lesse piety then in those that dwelt nearest to Rome as Machiavel observeth Verse 7. Wherefore didst thou marvel Nil admirari propè res est una Numici We wonder at things out of ignorance of the causes of them Hinc admiratio peperit philosophiam Alsted Chron. Disput derep l. 1 cap. 12. Verse 8. Was and is not Was before the time of this Revelatian in the Roman government which was afterward usurped by the Pope A thing that the first Bishops of Rome dreamt not of And yet Tertullian taxeth the rising ambition of the Popes in his time thus I hear saith he that there is an edict set forth Libide pudicitia and that very peremptory in these tearms Pontifex scilicet maximus Episcopus Episcoporum dicit Thus saith the high-Priest Bâ—ron Annal. Tom. 4. the Bishop of Bishops c. Odifastum illius Ecclesiae I hate the pride of that Church of Rome saith Basil Go into perdition Go not run by degrees not all at once He now takes long strides to ward the bottomlesse pit which is but a little afore him and even gapes for him There stands a cold sweat on all his limbs already Shall wonder Admiration bred superstition and illumination draws men off it Julius Palmer Martyr was a most obstinate papist all King Edwards daies and yet afterwards in Q. Maries time suffered most cruell death at the Papists hands at Newbury Act. and Mon. 1755 1756. for the most ready and zealous profession of the truth His words to one Bullingham walking in Pauls after his conversion were these Oh that God had revealed these matters unto me in time past I would have bequeathed this Romish Religion or rather irreligion to the devil of hell from whence it came Believe them not Bullingham I will rather have these knees pared off then I will kneel to yonder Jackanapes meaning the rood And yet is In regard of that imperiall power then extant which the Pope should afterwards take to himself Verse 9. Here is the minde q. d. Here is work for wise men to busie their brains codicibus about 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sapientia est vel cordibus Seven mountains The Jesuites cannot deny but that Rome is here pointed at as being set upon seven hils So the ancient Rome was whereof the present Rome is but a carcase as retaining nothing of the old but her ruines and the cause of them her sinnes Verse 10. And there are seven Kings That is kindes of government Five are fallen Kings Consuls Dictatours Decemvirs Tribunes Oneâ—â— i.e. The Heathen Emperours And the other is not yet come scil The Christian Emperours A short space scil At Rome for Constantine soon translated the seat of the Empire to Bizantium calling it Constantinople and left Rome to be the Popes nest Zonaras Cedrenus Joh de co'umâ—â— in mari hist The Emperour Constans nephew to Heraclius and after him Otho had some thoughts to set up again at Rome but could not that so the kingdome of the Church fore-told by Daniel might there be seated saith Gâ—nebrard Geneb Chron. if he had said the kingdome of Antichrist fore-told here by John the Divine he had hit it Verse 11. He is the eighth viz. The Pontificality And is of the seven i.e. Shall exercise that monarchicall power that was before in the seven heads Verse 12. Are ten kings Of ten severall Kingdoms Naples Spain Portugall France Polony Bohemia Hungary Denmark Sweden and this of England which as it was the first of the ten that submitted to the Popes yoke so was it the first that shook it off again in Hen. 8. time Verse 13. These have one minde This is the unity or rather conspiracy of the Church of Rome The Spouse only is but one Cant. 6 9. Other societies are but as they clay in the toes of Nebuchadnezzars image they may cleave together but not incorporate one into another Verse 14 The Lamb shall overcome them 1. With a spirituall victory by a sweet subjection at least by a conviction of their consciences 2. With an externall victory as the imperialists in Germany the Papists here Verse 15. Are peoples Fitly called waters for their instability and impetuosity Verse 16. These shall hate As base fellows use to hate their harlots when they finde them false And shall make her desolate Shall deny to defend her And naked By denying her maintenance and laying her open to the world by their Remonstrances King Henry 8. Act and Mon. and the French King some
the 119. Psalm Boni Catholici sunt qui sidem integram sequuntur bonos more 's Lessons of musick must be practised and a copy not read only but acted Divinity must be done as well as known Verse 14. Doe by nature c. Velleius saith that Cato was Vell lib 2. Homo virtuti simillimus cui id solum visum est rationem habere quod Haberet justitiam omnibus humanis vitiis immunis c. Are a law to themselves The Thracians glorieâ—â—hat they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 living laws walking statutes Verse 15. Their thoughts mean while Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Betwixt whiles Or in every interim of this life Other faculties may rest an obscene dream by night shall not scape consciences record it is index judex vindex Gods say and mans over-seer and it is better to have it sore then seared Verse 16. According to my Gospel Which promiseth heaven to beleevers This is comfort to those that are faithfull in weaknesse though but weak in faith The sentence of the last day shall be but a more manifest declaration of that judgement that the Lord in this life most an end hath passed upon men Heathens shall be judged by the law of Nature Prostigate Professours by the law written and the Word preached Beleevers by the Gospel which saith If there be a willing minde God accepteth c. Verse 17. Restest in the law So spending thy time in a still dream but thou shalt have sick waking then when God shall send out summons for such sleepers Judg. 7. Men dream their Midianitish dreams and then tell them for law or Gospel to their neighbours Verse 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Being instructed out of the law Gr. Being well catechized and principled thou art able to discern of doctrines and choose the best Verse 19. Of the blinde The Chinois say That all other Nations see but with one eye they with two Verse 20. Which hast the form of knowledge A platform of wholsome words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a systeme a method artificially moulded such as Tutours and Professours of Arts and Sciences have and do read over again and again to their Auditours Verse 21. Teachest thou not thy self He that knows well and does worse is but as a whiffler which carrieth a torch in his hand to shew others his own deformities I have read of a woman who living in professed doubt of the Godhead after better illumination and repentance M Wards Hap of pâ—act did often protest That the vitious life of a great scholar in that town did conjure up those damnable doubts in her soul Neronis illud quantus artifex pereo quadrabit in te peritum periturum That 's the best Sermon that 's dig'd out of a mans own brest Origens teaching and living were said to be both one Verse 22. Speeds Chron. Dost thou commit sacriledge The Chronicler noteth of Q. Mary that she restored again all Ecclesiasticall livings assumed to the Crown saying that she set more by the salvation of her own soul then she did by ten Kingdoms Shall not she that abhorred not idols rise up and condemn those that do and yet commit sacriledge Verse 23. Thorow breaking By shooting short or beyond or wide of the mark by omission commission or failing in the manner Verse 24. For the Name of God c. Heretikes and hypocrites doe still with Iudas deliver up the Lord Christ to the scoffes and buffetings of his enemies Augustine complains of the ancient heretikes Aug. deciv Dei l. 1 c. 51. that in them many evil-minded men found matter of blaspheming the Name of Christ because they also pretended to the Christian religion Epiphanius addeth That for the loosenesse of such mens lives and the basenesse of their tenets many of the Heathens shunned the company of Christians and would not be drawn to hear their Sermons Tâ—e opific. Dei proaem Origen before them both cries out Nunc malè audiunt castiganturque vulgò Christiani quòd alitèr quà m sapientibus convenit vivant vitia sub obtentu nominis celent c. There is an ill report goes of Christians for their unchristian conversation c. Ammianus Marcellinus a Heathen Historian deeply taxeth the pride luxury contentions covetousnesse of the Bishops in his time and the deadly hatreds of common Christians Am. Marc l. 2â— cap. 2 Nullae infestae hominibus bestiae ut sunt sibi serales plerique Christiani saith he A sad thing that a Heathen should see and detest such hellish miscarriages among Christians Verse 25. If thou keep the law Which thou art thereby bound to do either by thy self or by thy Surety Christ Jesus Verse 26. If the uncircumcision Which it can never do But admit it could c. Verse 27. Iudge thee Mens guilt is encreased by their obligations as was Solomons in departing from God who had appeared unto him twice 1 King 11 9. Verse 28. Neither is that circumcision See Colos 2.11 with the Note there Inward circumcision is as Origen describeth it Purgatio animae abjc ctio vitiorum or as St Paul in the place above named the putting ost old Adam with his actions by the circumcision of Christ by his merit and Spirit Verse 29. Which is one inwardly An Israelite indeed Ioh. 1. that hath put away the foreskin of his heart Ier. 4.4 CHAP. III. Verse 1. What advantage GR. What odds singular thing prerogative See my True Treasure Chap. 7. Sect. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 2. Chiefly because that c. This was their prime priviledge that they were Gods library-keepers that this heavenly treasure was concredited unto them Other Nations are said to have been without God because without those lively oracles 2 Chron. 15.3 Ephes 2.12 Prize we this priviledge and improve it You must never expect another edition of the faith once received Jude 3 once for all Verse 3. The faith of God That is his faithfull promises opposed to mans perfidy Verse 4. Every man a lier viz. By nature But Isa 63.8 Gods people are children that will not lie they will die rather Non ideò negare volo ne peream sed ideò mentiri nolo ne peccem saith she upon the rack of whom St Hieronâ— writeth The officers of Merindol answered the Bishop that moved them to abjure That they marvelled much that he would perswade them to lie to God and the world Act and Mon. â—ol 860. And albeit that all men by nature are liers yet they had learned by the Word of God that they ought diligently to take heed of lying in any matter be it never so small c. That thou maist be justified in thy sayings David speaketh of the truth of Nathans reprehension Paul applies it to the truth of God in his promises also Let us give him a testimoniall Ioh. 3.33 Such as is that Deut. 32.4 A God of truth and without iniquity
just and right is he And mightest overcome Maist be pure Psal 51. saith David Zacah in the Syriack is used for overcoming Vincit veritas dare non dignis res magè digna Deo est Verse 5. Is God unrighteous Such heart-boilings there were in the rejected Jews And Iob said little lesle till God over-hearing him steps as it were from behinde the hangings and takes him up for it Iob 38.2 Who is this saith he that talketh thus How now Verse 6. I speak as a man q. d. Is there not such language heard in some mens hearts Verse 7. For if the truth of God Here the former objection is repeated explicated and more fully answered that every month might be stopped Lomelius Ferunt ranas lampade supra lacum in quo tumultuantur appensâ illius sulgore repercussas conticescere So gain-sayers are silenced when the truth is thorowly cleared Verse 8. As we be slanderously reported So are the reformed Churches by the black mouthed Papists See the abatement of Popish brags by Alex. Cook the Preface Eudaemon Ioannes against Casaubon Calvino-Turcismum c. Whose damnation is just In the yeer of grace 1525. a Monk of Berline in Germany who in the Pulpit charged St Paul with a lie was suddenly smitten with an apoplex whiles the word was yet in his mouth â—cultel Annal. and fell down dead in the place on S. Stevens day as they call it Verse 9. That they are all under sin who le evil is in man and whole man in evil Homo est inversus decalogus Man by nature is no better then a filthy dunghill of all abominable vices His heart the devils store-house throne nest His eyes great thorow-fares of lust pride vanity c. His life a long chain of sinnefull actions a web of wickednesse spunne out and made up by the hands of the devil and the flesh an evil spinner M. Whate'y his new birth and a worse Weaver Verse 10. As it is written What the Prophets had said of some particular people or person is here applied to the whole race of mankinde because by nature there is never a better of us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eras Adag Verse 11. None that seeketh That seeketh and fetcheth him out of his retiring-room as she did Mark 7.24 25. Verse 12. Become unprosimble Or rotten nasty stinking as the Hebrew hath it Psalm 14.3 The old world was grown so foul that God was forced to wash it with a deluge Verse 13. The poison of Aspes Of that sort of Aspes that spit their venome farre from them upon the by standers Pâ—yaâ—es There is a great deal of such vermine and venome in that new found world of wickednesse the tongue Iam. 3. It is easie to observe that S. Paul here making the anatomy of a naturall man stands more on the organs of speaking then all other members and sheweth how his tongue is tipped with fraud his lips tainted with venome his mouth full of gall his throat a gaping grave his tongue as a rapier to run men thorow with and his throat as a sepulcher to bury them in As for the Asp they write of her That whereas her poison is so deadly that the part infected cannot be cured Io Wover â—â—nd 8. c. 23. but by cutting off succurrit periclitâ—â—tibus benignior natura noxiosissimo animali caliginosos obtutus dedit Aspidi saith Psiny hebetes oculi dati coâ—que non in fronte sed in temporibus habet Verse 14. Full As a ship that hath it's full fraught and lading 〈◊〉 Verse 15. Swift to shed bloud As Paul till God stopt him in his cursed career Verse 16. They minde nothing but mischief Verse 17. They are restlesse and troublesome Verse 18. There is no fear of God This is set last as the source of all the former evils Verse 19. Guilty Culpable and such as cannot plead their own cause without an advocate Chrysost Verse 20. Therefore by the deeds of the Law This is directly against Popish justification by works merits c. Those misled and muzled souls did worse then lose their labour that built religious houses Act. and Mon. fol. 1077. Pro remissione redemptione peccatorum pro remedio liberatione animae in eleemosynam animae pro salute requie animarum patrum matrum fratrum sororum c. These were the ends that they aimed at as appears in stories Verse 21. But now Since Christ came Verse 22. Vpon all So that none shall hinder their happinesse Verse 23. All have sinned The first man defiled the nature and ever since the nature defileth the man Adam was a parent a publike person a Parliament man as it were the whole country of mankinde was in him and fell with him Short of the glory of God i. e. Of his image now obliterated or of his kingdome upon the golden pavement whereof no dirty dog must ever trample It is an inheritance undefiled 1 Pet. 1.4 Verse 24. Being justified freely Because the Apostles word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is expounded by Varinus to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore Thammerus will needs conclude from this text that God by justifying us doth but pay us for our pains give us what we have earned Coelum gratis non accipiam saith Vega. Opera bona sunt Coeli mercatura saith another Heaven is the purchase of good works By the redemption That is By faith applying this redemption wrapping her self in the golden Fleece of that Lamb of God Verse 25. To be a propitiation Or a covering in allusion to the Law where the Ark covering the two Tables within it the Mercy-seat covering the Ark and the Cherubims covering the Mercy-seat and one another shew'd Christ covering the curses of the Law in whom is the ground of all mercy which things the Angels desire to pry into as into the paterne of Gods deep wisdome For the remission of sins Gr. For the relaxation or releasment of sins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as of bonds or fetters Verse 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To declare Gr. For a clear demonstration or pointing out with the finger Verse 27. Where is boasting then c. A certain sophister would hence prove the authority of the Church He read the words thus by a mistake of their short-hand-writing Vbi est gloriatioâ— Ecclesia est for exclusa est Verse 28. A man is justified by faith Here St Paul shews himself a pure Lutheran and is therefore sharply and blasphemously censured by some Jesuites for a hot-headed person who was so transported with the pangs of zeal and eagernesse beyond all compasse in most of his disputes that there was no great reckoning to be made of his Assertions Yea he was dangerous to read Speculum Europae as savouring of heresie in some places and better perhaps he had never written Four years before the Councel of Trent Cardinal Conturenus asserted the doctrine of
justification by faith alone in a just tractate and was therefore soon after poisoned Cardinal Pool is thought to have been sound in this point Bellarmine reproves Pighius for consenting to Luther herein whom he undertook to confute and yet Bellarmine himself with his tutissimumest doth as much upon the matter Magna est veritas valebit Great is the truth and shall prevail Verse 29. Is he the God of the Jews only That is Doth he justifie the Jews only For he is their God only whom he justifieth 〈◊〉 Now men are said to be justified effectively by God apprehensively by faith declaratively by good works The School-men are very unsound in this capitall Article of Justification and are therefore the lesse to be regarded Nam quae de gratia Dei justificante scolastici scribunt commentitia universa existimo saith Cardinal Pighius who is therefore much condemned by Bellarmine but without cause Verse 30. And uncircumcision All by one way lest he should seem not to be one but alius alius Verse 31. We establish the law Which yet the Antinomians cry down calling repentance a legall grace humiliation a back-dore to heaven grieving that they have grieved so much for their sins c. CHAP. IV. Verse 1. As pertaining to the flesh THat is As touching his works v. 2. called also the letter cha 2.27 and the Law a carnall commandment Heb. 7.16 Verse 2. But not before God Who when he begins to search our lacks as the steward did Benjamins can finde out those out theeveries that we thought not of bring to minde and light those sins that we had forgot or not observed When he comes to turn the bottome of the bag upwards it will be bitter with us Abimelech's excuse was accepted and yet his sinne was chastised Gen. 20.6 Verse 3. Abraham beleeved God Latomus of Lovan was not ashamed to write That there was no other faith in Abraham then what was in Cicero Joh. Manlij loc conc p. 490. And yet our Saviour saith Abraham saw my day and rejoyced so did Cicero never Another wrote an apology for Cicero and would needs prove him to have been a pious and penitent person because in one place he hath these words Ibid. 481. Reprehendo peccata mea quod Pompeio confisus ejusque parâ—es secutus suerim A poor proof Hoc argumentum tam facile diluitur quà m vulpes comest pyrum Verse 4. Now to him that worketh Yet it is an act of mercy in God to render to a man according to his works Ps 62.12 Exo. 206. Gods kingdom is not partum but paratum Mat. 25.34 not acquired but prepared But of debt Not so indeed Rom. 11.31 but according to the opinion of the merit-monger who saith as Vega Coelum gratis non accipiam Verse 5. His faith Yet not as a work nor in a proper sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Arminius and Bertius held but as an act of receiving Christ Verse 6. Vnto whom God imputeth Ten times the Apostle mentioneth this grace of imputed righteousnesse in this Chapter Yet the Papists jear it calling it putative righteousnesse so speaking evil of the things they know not Manlij loe com p. 494. Stories tell us of a Popish Bishop that lighting by chance upon this Chapter threw away the book in great displeasure and said O Paule an tu quoque Lutheanus sactus es Art thou also a Lutheran Paul But if the faith of another may be profitable to infants at their baptisme as Bellarmine holdeth why should it seem so absurd a thing that Christs righteousnesse imputed should profit those that beleeve on him The Jews indeed at this day being asked Whether they beleeve to be saved by Christs righteousnesse They answer That every Fox must pay his own skin to the flaier Thus they reject the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10.3 As their Fathers did so doe they Act. 7.51 The Lord open their eyes that they may convert and be saved Verse 7. Are covered Sic velantur ut in judicio non revelentur So covered as that he never see them again but as the Israclites saw the Egyptians dead on the shore Verse 8. Imputeth not Chargeth it not setteth it not upon his score 2 Cor. 5.19 Verse 9. Cometh this blessednesse This is the third time that the Apostle avoucheth the universality of the subject of justification For this he had done once before Chap. 3.23 and again cha 3.29 30 31. Verse 10. In circumcisiâ—n As the Jew would have it No such matter Verse 11. A seal of the righteousnesse Circumcision is called a sign and a â—eal by a Dectour of the Jews more ancient then their Talmud Zohar Gen. 17. That righteousnesse might be imputed How foolish is that inference of Thammerus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that because the word here used to signifie imputed comes of a word that signifies reason therefore the righteousnes of faith must be such as a man may understand and comprehend by reason Verse 12. Walk in the steps That herein personate and expresse him to the life as Constantines children saith Eusebius did their father Verse 13. Heir of the world That is Of heaven say some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Canaan say others the pleasant Land more esteemed of God then all the world besides because it was the seat of the Church As man is called every creature Mark 16.15 the Church is called all things Col. 1. So Canaan is called the world and Tabor and Hermon put for the East and West of the whole world Psal 89.12 Verse 14. Faith is made void See the Note on Gal. 3.12 and 5.2 Verse 15. No transgression sc Is imputed by men where there is no law written See Chap. 5.13 Verse 16. It is of faith Fides mendicâ manu Verse 17. Who quickneth the dead As he doth when he maketh a man a beleever Ephes 1.19 he fetcheth heart of Oak out of a hollow tree and a spirituall man out of a wilde-asse-colt See both these metaphors Job 11 12. Verse 18. Who against hope c. Elegans antunaclasis propter speciem contradictionis saith Piscator Spes in terrenis incerti nomen boni spes in divinis nomen est certissimi saith another Verse 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He considered not Gr. He cared not for his own body c. he never thought of that Verse 20. Giving glory to God Confessing and exalting God as Luk. 17.18 giving him a testimoniall as it were Ioh. 3.33 with Deut. 32.4 Verse 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Being fully perswaded Gr. Being carried on with full sail and going gallantly towards heaven Verse 22. See the Note on Vers 5 6. Verse 23. For his sake alone But for our instruction and encouragement Rom 15.4 See the Note there Verse 24. That raised up Iesus And with him all beleevers Col. 3.1 Rom. 6.4 Verse 25. Who was delivered c. Not that his death had no hand in our justifying but
the motion of obedience to the first mover they passe along from the East unto the West The waters by their naturall course follow the center of the earth yet yeelding to the Moon they are subject to her motions So are Saints to Gods holy will though corrupt nature repine and resist CHAP. VIII Verse 1. There is therefore now NOw after such bloudy wounds and gashes chronicled Chap. 7. Though carried captive and sold under sin yet not condemned as might well have been expected This the Apostle doth here worthily admire Verse 2. For the Law of the Spirit That is Christ revived and risen hath justified me See the Note on Chap. 4.25 Verse 3. It was weak through the flesh Which was irritated by the law and took occasion thereby Verse 4. Might be fulfilled In us applicativè in Christ inhaesivè Verse 5. Doe minde the things For want of a better principle The stream riseth not above the spring Verse 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To be carnally The quintessence of the fleshes witinesse or rather wickednesse Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Because the carnall minde The best of a bad man is not only averse but utterly adverse to all goodnesse Homo est inversus decalogus Job 11.12 an asses soal for rudenes a wilde asses for unrulines Verse 8. Cannot please God Their best works are but dead works saith the Authour to the Hebrews but silken sins saith Augustine Lombard citeth that Father De ver inrocent cap. 56. saying thus Omnis vitae infid lium peccatum est nihil bonum sine summo bono The whole life of unbelievers is sin neither is there any thing good without the chiefest good Ambrose Spiera a Popish Postiller censureth this for a bloudy sentence Crudelis est illa sententia saith he Verse 9. He is none of his As the Merchant sets his seal upon his goods So doth God his Spirit upon all his people Ephes 1.13 Verse 10. The body is dead Death to the Saints is neither totall but of the body only nor perpetuall but for a season only vers 11. Verse 11. Your mortall bodies As he hath already quickned your souls Verse 12. Not to the flesh We owe the flesh nothing but stripes nothing but the blew eye that St Paul gave it It must be mastered and mortified Drive this Hagar out of doors when once it grows haunty Verse 13. If ye live after the flesh We must not think to passe è coeno ad Coelum to dance with the devil all day and sup with Christ at night to fly to heaven with pleasant wings Beetles love dunghils better then ointments and swine love mud better then a garden so do swinish people their lusts better then the lives of their souls Horat ep 2. At Paris ut vivat regnetque beatus Cogi posse negat That carnall Cardinall said That he would not part with his part in Paris for Paradise But if ye mortifie the deeds c. Either a man must kill here or be killed Camdens Elis Aut for aut feri as Q. Elizabeth often sighed and said to her self concerning the Queen of Scots Valentinian the Emperour dying gloried of one victory above the rest and that was his victory over the flesh Inimicorum nequissimum devici carnem meam said he Be alwaies an enemy to the devil In vita Valentin and the world but specially to your own flesh said Rob. Smith Martyr in a letter to his wife Act. and Mon. fol. 1545. Verse 14. For as many as are led As great men suffer their sons to go along with them but set tutours to overlook and order them So dealeth God by his the Spirit leadeth them into all goodnesse righteousnesse and truth Ephes 5.9 and fetcheth them again in their cuâ—straies Verse 15. The spirit of bondage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 2 Tim. 1.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The law will convince the judgement but 't is the Gospel that convinceth the lust and the affection and so sendeth us to treat with God as a Father by fervent praier Verse 16. Beareth witnesse What an honour is this to the Saints that the holy Ghost should bear witnes at the bar of their consciences Verse 17. And if sonnes then heirs All Gods sons are heirs not so the sons of earthly Princes Jehoshaphat gave his younger sons great gifts of silver of gold and of precious things with fenced Cities in Judâ—h but the Kingdom gave he to Jehoram because he was the first-born 2 Chron. 21.3 Gods children are all higher then the Kings of the earth Ps 89 27. Verse 18. Are not worthy to be c. Heaven will pay for all hold out therefore faith and patience When Saul had the Kingdom some despised him but he held his peace though a man afterwards froward enough What is a drop of vinegar put into an ocean of wine What is it for one to have a rainy day who is going to take possession of a kingdom Pericula non respâ—cit Martyr coronas respicit saith Basil A Dutch martyr seeing the flame to come to his beard Ah said he what a small pain is this to be compared to the glory to come Act. and Mon. 813. Verse 19. For the earnest expectation Gr. The intent expectation of the creature expecteth an hebrew pleonasme and withall a metaphor either from birds that thrust a long neck out of a Cage as labouring for liberty or else from those that earnestly look and long for some speciall friends coming as Sisera's mother who looked out at a window and cried thorow the lattesse Why is his charet so long in coming Judg. 5.28 Verse 20. Subject to vanity The creature is defiled by mans sin and must therefore be purged by the fire of the last day as the vessels that held the sin-offering were purged by the fire of the Sanctuary Verse 21. Because the creature it self See Mr Wilcox his Discourse upon these words printed together with his Exposition of the Psalms Proverbs c. in Folio Verse 22. The whole creature groneth Even the very heavens are not without their feeblenesse and the manifest effects of fainting old-age It is observed that since the daies of Ptolomy the Sun runs nearer the earth by 9976. Germane miles and therefore the heavens have not kept their first perfection Verse 23. The first fruits Which the creatures have not and yet they grone how much more we The redemption Our full and finall deliverance Verse 24 For we are saved by hope Hope is the daughter of faith but such as is a staff to her aged mother Verse 25. Then do we with patience Religious men finde it more easie to bear evil then to wait till the promised good be enjoyed Heb. 10 36. The spoiling of their goods required patience but this more then ordinary Verse 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beza Pareus Helpeth our infirmities Lifts with us and be fore us in our praiers Or helpeth
usually called such those vain-glorious self-ascribing Pastours at Corinth that sought to bear away the bell from Paul and would not stick to answer this demand of his Greenincbonius Quis te discernit As that insolent Arminian did Ego meipsum discerno I make my self to differ And what hast thou c. There are that would hammer out their own happinesse like the Spider climbing by the thred of her own weaving with Motto accordingly Mihi soli debeo Why dost thou glory As great a folly as for the groom to be proud of his masters horse the stage-plaâ—er of his borrowed robes or the mud wall of the Sun-shine Of all the good that 's in us we may well say as the young man did of his hatchet Alas master it was but borrowed Verse 8. Now ye are rich Crescit oratio saith Piscator here The Apostle riseth in his expressions and that all along by an ironicall reprehension These Corinthians had riches and gifts and learning and carried aloft by these waxen wings they domineered and despised others Verse 9. As it were men appointed to death As when he fought with beasts at Ephesus The Heathens in their publike calamities would commonly call out Christianos ad leones Tertul. Apol. cap. 40. to the lions with these Christians as if they had been the cause Ignatius suffered in this sort A spectacle to the world As those that were first led in triumph and then had back again to the prison Piscat there to be strangled Verse 10. We are fools c. Not to the world but in your account too For these Corinthians undervalued and depressed Paul under their silly shallow-headed Verbalists not worthy to carry his books after him for found and substantiall learning Verse 11. Even to this present Thus he complaineth not out of impatience for he was active in his sufferings but to stain their pride that permitted it so to be when it in their power to have relieved him Verse 12. And labour working c. Whereas they might object Are you hungry thirsty naked It 's because you are idle No saith he We labour working with our hands 〈◊〉 shame for you to suffer it and yet can hardly sweat out a poor living Verse 13. Being defamed we entreat Though Luther call me devil said Calvin yet I will honour him as a servant of God We are made as the filth of the world q. d. The filth of filth for the whole world lies in wickednesse as a foul sloven in a slow or as a carrion in the slime of it The word signifies The sweepings of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the dirt scraped off the pavement thereof And the of-scouring of all things Detersorium sordes purgamenta rejectâ—menta Piaculares obominales saith Paraeus The word signifies M Burrows the dung-cart saith one that goes thorow the City into which every one brings and casts his filth Every one had some filth to cast upon Paul and the Apostles Constantine a Citizen of Rhoane with three others being for defence of the Gospel condemned to be burned were put into a dung cart who thereat rejoycing Act. and Mon. fol â— 20. said that they were reputed here the excrements of the world but yet that death was a sweet odour unto God Budaeus is of opinion that the Apostle here alludeth to those expiations in use among the heathen performed in this manner Certain condemned persons were brought forth with Garlands upon their heads in manner of sacrifices these they would tumble from some steep places into the sea Bud Pandec oftering them up to Neptune with this form of word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be thou a propitiation for us So for the removall of the pestilence they sacrificed certain men to their goods these they called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suidas in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filth loading them with revilings and cursings Verse 14. To shame you An innocent person sometimes upon the fulnesse of an aspersion may conceive shame as David dip Psal 44.15 yet usually shame is the effect of an evil conscience and may prove by Gods blessing a means of repentance 2 Thess 3.14 Verse 15. Ten thousand instructers Gr. Pedagogues who oft prove Orbiliusses sharp and severe above measure Verberibus pluunt colaphis grandinant So did these Corinthian schoolmasters 2 Cor. 11.20 They were also too well skilled in the Dorick dialect crying Give Give and taught little more then elegant elocution Verse 16. Be ye followers of me As dear children Ovid. A bove majori discit ar are minor Constantines children resembled their father exactly they put him wholly on saith Eusebius and were as it were very he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 17. For this cause That ye may be followers of me and know what I do Of my waies which be in Christ It is of excellent use to know what good men especially Ministers do as well as what they say Ministers lives should be a transcript of their Sermons or as so many Sermons on the life of Christ Verse 18. Now some are puffed up Swelling in the body is an ill symptome So it is in the soul A swelling wall will shortly fall Verse 19. The Kingdom of God i.e. The administration of his Ordinances and Government of the Church Verse 20. With a rod or in love Both but as children we think not so Sed sinite virgam corripientem ne sentiatis malleum conterentem saith one Father Bern. Hieron Non erudit pater nisi quem amat nec corripit nisi quem diligit saith another CHAP. V. Verse 1. As is not so much as named TO wit Without detestation The Apostle seems to allude to Antiochus Soter who married his step-mother Stratonice being first like to die for love of her as Erasistratus the Physitian told his Father Aelian Of this incestuous marriage came Antiochus Theos or Antiochus the god so called of the Milesians because he did put down their tyrant Timark This god was poisoned by his wife Laodice Among the Gentiles In Mexico and those parts whoredome Sodomy Sir Fra Drake his World encompas 58. and incest those Spanish vertues as one calleth them are common without reproof the Popes pardons being more riâ—e in those parts then in any part of Europe for these abominable filthinesses whereout he sucketh no small advantage Notwithstanding the Indians abhor this most lothsome living shewing themselves in respect of the Spaniards as the Scythians did in respect of the Grecians whom they so farre excelled in life and behaviour as they were short of them in learning and knowledge Who hath not heard of the abhorred incest of the house of Austria Spec. Europ King Philip 2. could call Arch-duke Albert both brother cousin nephew and son For all this was he to him either by bloud or affinity being uncle to himself cousin germane to his father husband to his sister and father to his
wife and all this by papall dispensation The Papists themselves write with detestation that in Rome a Jewish maid might not be admitted into the Stews of whoredome Espenc de continen l. 3. cap. 4. unlesse she would be first baptized That one should have his father wise Ethelbald King of West-Saxons with great infamy marrying his fathers widdow Judith enjoy'd his kingdom but two years and a half Daniel hist of Ergl 1 2. Verse 2. And ye are puffed up And yet ye are puffed up so Piscator reads it viz. with your spirituall gifts and your brave teachers whereas you have more cause to be cast down for your other mens sins now made yours because unlamented by you And have not rather mourned That any of you should incur the censure of excommunication at which time they did anciently fast and lament Verse 3. Have judged already c. q. d. I by mine Apostolicall authority do excommunicate him And yet how fiercely doth learned Erassus contend with Calvin and Beza about Excommunication denying the Church any such power Verse 4. With the power of our Lord Promised Matth. 18.18 19 20. This makes it to be a heavy case to be rightly excommunicated Indeed it may fall out that Jonas shall be cast out of the ship when Cham shall be reserved in the Ark. Your brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake said for a pretence let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Isa 66.5 When the sentence of Excommunication began with In â—omine Domini to be read against a certain Martyr he cried out as well he might You begin in a wrong name And another of them Act. and Mon. sol 1862. together with his five fellow-sufferers did formally excommunicate their persecutours Verse 5. To deliver such an one to Satan That he may learn not to blaspheme that is not to cause others to blaspheme or speak evil of the good way of God for his stagitious courses Verse 6. Your glorying is not good It is the height of wickednesse to glory in wickednesse as Lamech Gen 4. and Alexander Pheraeus who consecrated the Javelin Plato wherewith he had slain Polyphron Protagoras boasted that he had spent fourty years in corrupting of youth Mark Antony vomited out a book concerning his own ability to eat and drink much Joannes a Casa Act. and Mon. 1517. Dean of the Popes chamber wrote a Poem in commendation of his own beastly sin of Sodomy And Stokesly Bishop of London in King Henry 8. time lying at point of death rejoyced Ibid. â—025 boasting that in his life time he had burned fifty heretikes that is good Christians A little leaven leaveneth c. One spoonfull of vinegar will soon tart a great deal of sweet milk but a great deal of milk will not so soon sweeten one spoonfull of vinegar Verse 7. As ye are unleavened viz In part sanctified Every new man is two men Many a one that is merry in company hath a shrew at home so have the best their inward troubles The comfort is that God overlooks our involuntary infirmities and accounts us unleavened when yet there is much still to be purged out The leper when his leprosie began but to heal was pronounced clean because then he went on still to heal and his leprosie to shale off Verse 8. Let us keep the feast The benefits we receive by Christ should crown the Kalendar or our lives with continuall feastivals Yea make us everlastingly merry at our convivium juge of a good conscience Diogenes could say Plut. That a good man keeps every day holy-day And the Jews were bound to rejoyce at all their feasts Eat therefore thy meat with joy and drinke thy wine with gladnesse sith God now accepteth thy works Eccles 9.7 Verse 9. Not to company with fornicatours Dion Chrisostome saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That Corinthus was the most luxurious and lascivious City in the world Lib. 8. Strabo saith that Venus had a most stately Temple there that was kept by above a thousand beautifull curtisans Another saith that it was the brothel-house of Greece and a most filthy Mart-town of abominable lusts Molin Anat. Arâ—â—inianis Verse 10. Yet not altogether c. Here he lets them know that in that former Epistle not extant now he meant not that they should wholly sever themselves from those wicked that are yet without the Church for that they cannot do but from profligate professours discinct Christians that they may be ashamed Verse 11. Not to keep company Gr. Not to be mingled with them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The rivers of Peru after they have run into the main sea yea some write 20. or 30. miles they keep themselves unmixed the salt water so that a very great way within the sea men may take up as fresh water Abbots Geog. 331. Blunts voy p. 10. as if they were near the land So at Belgrade in Hungary where the Danuby and Sava two great rivers meet their waters mingle no more then water and oil c. We must so converse with the wicked as that we commingle not by holding any needlesse society with such no not with him that is called a brother but belies his profession Yet still must we perform to such though excommunicated offices of charity naturall and civill duties as those of parents toward their children of children toward their parents and the like Verse 12. Them also that are without These come not under the verge of Church-censures Revel 22.15 Verse 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore put away Gr. Ye will put away q. d. I hope you will though hitherto ye have not Soft words and hard arguments do soonest prevail Especially when we reprove or admonish not in our own but in Gods words as here the Apostle doth out of Deut. 13. Some warmth must be in a reproof but it must not be scalding hot Aegros quos potus fortis non curavit ad salutem pristinam aqua tepens revocavit saith Gregory They that could not be cured with strong potions have been recovered with warm water CHAP. VI. Verse 1. Goe to law before the unjust ALl unbelievers are 1. Void of Christs righteousnesse imputed 2. Of true civill righteousnesse as being self-seekers in all 3. They oppresse the Saints and draw them before the judgementâ—â—ats Jam. 2.6 And not before the Saints Christians first brought their causes before the Bishops to be judged And hence grew their power as Paraeus noteth which the Christian Emperours first would not and afterwards could not take away from them This raised Papacy and Prelacy to such an height they would be Princes as well as Bishops Verse 2. Shall judge the world That is The wicked called the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea Revel 12.12 in opposition to the Burgesses of the new Jerusalem Phil. 3 20. And let this comfort
So runne that ye may obtain Here is the race 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but above the Crown said Ignatius to Polycarp Run to get the race said Mr Bradford to his fellow-sufferers you are almost at your journeys end I doubt not but our Father will with us send to you also Act and Mon. fol. 1495. as he did to Elias a fiery charet to convey us into his Kingdom Let us therefore not be dismaied to leave our cloke behindeus that is our bodies to ashes Verse 25. Is temperate in all things These luxurious Corinthians were much addicted to their belly he calls them therefore to temperance â—ll doth it become a servant of the highest to be a slave to his palate to have animum in patinis calicibus as the Sybarites A man may eat that on earth that he must digest in hell Aug. Verse 26. Not as uncertainly For 1. I forget those things that are behinde all worldly things I set those by 2. I have Oculum ad meâ—â—m which was Ludovicus Vives his Motto an eye upon the mark 3. I strain and stretch toward it See all these Phil. 3.13 14. That beats the air As young Fencers use to do but I beat mine adversary Verse 27. My body My body of sinne in the whole man not mine outward man only If we finde the devil practising upon the flesh the way is not to revile the devil but to beat the flesh A castaway Cast out of heaven as they were out of the fencing-schools that were either crosse or cowardly CHAP. X. Verse 1. I would not that ye should HIstoriae sidae monitrices Buchole saith one There is very good use to be made of other mens examples Historia hath it's name saith Plato of stopping the flux of errours and evil manners For muta to nomine de to Fabula narratur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Crat. What better effects sinne hath produced in some man it may in any man Lege igitur historiam ne sias historia Verse 2. And were all baptized And yet were rooted out and rejected Baptisme saveth not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but c. 1 Pet. 3.21 Verse 3. And did all eat They fed upon Sacraments and yet died in Gods displeasure The carcase of the Sacrament cannot give life but the soul of it which is the thing represented Verse 4. The same spirituall drink Here was no dry communion That spirituall rock that followed them The waters of the rock See Psa 195 41 Deut 9 21. the vertue and benefit went along with them so should the efficacy of the Lords Supper with us We should walk in the strength of it as Eliah did of his cake Verse 5. They were overthrown They died with the Sacramentall meat in their mouths our priviledges excuse us not but aggravate our enormities Verse 6. Were our examples Worthily are they made examples that will not take them Alterius perditio tua sit cautiâ— The destruction of others should be a terrour to us that we may wash our feet in the bloud of the wicked Psal 52.6 It is a just presage and desert of ruine not to be warned As they also lusted As at Kibroth hattaavah where by a hasty testament they bequeathed a new name to the place of their buriall Verse 7. And rose up to play Now if they were so cheared and strengthened by these murthering morsels should not we be made active and abundant in Gods Word by the dainties of Gods Table Knew stub on Com. 7 Verse 8. And fell in one day The Apostle instead of the cloke of heat of youth puts upon fornication a bloudy cloke bathed in the bloud of twenty three thousand Three and twenty thousand Moses mentions 24000. whereof one thousand were the chief Princes the others inferiours provoked to sin by their example But why doth the Apostle insist in the speciall punishment of the people Jun paral lib. 2. p. 37. To shew saith learned Junius how frigid and insufficient their excuse is that pretend for their sins the examples of their superiours Verse 9. Neither let us tempt By provoking him to jealousie as vers 22. especially by Idolatry that Land-desolating sinne Verse 10. As some of them also viz. Numb 14. And God said Amen to it vers 28. May he not justly say the same to our detestable God-damn-me's As truly as I live saith the Lord as ye have spoken in mine eares so will I do to you Verse 11. For our admonition God hangs up some as it were in gibbets for publike exâ—mple See ver 6. Vpon whom the ends c. These then are the last and worst daies the very lees and dregs of time Now the worse the times are the better we should be and the rather because an end of all things is at hand Verse 12. That thinks he stands If he do but think so if he be no more then a seemer he will fall at length into hell mouth A man may live by a form but he cannot die by a forme Therefore rather seeke to be good then seem to be so Verse 13. But such as is common Such as is humane i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Either such as is incident to men as men Job 5 6. Or such as men may well bear without buckling under it Or such as comes from men not from devils Ye wrestle against flesh and bloud c. Or you are yet only allured to idolatry not forced by persecution You gratifie your idolatrous acquaintance with your presence at their Idol feasts you are tempted and soone taken But God is faithfull When Mr Latimer stood at the stake Act. and Mon. fol. 1579. and the tormentours about to set fire to him and Ridley he lifted up his eyes toward heaven with an amiable and comfortable countenance saying these words Fidelis est Deus c. Ridley also at the stake with a wonderous cheatfull look ran to Latimer embraced and kisted and as they that stood near reported Ibid. 1605. comforted him saying Be of good heart brother God will either asswage the fury of the flame or else will strengthen us to abide it But will with the temptation He proportioneth the burden to the back and the stroke to the strength of him that beareth it I thank God said Mr Bradford my common disease which was a rheum with a feeblenesse of stomach doth lesse trouble me then when I was out of prison which doth teach me the mercifull providence of God toward me Ibid. 1459. Verse 14. Flee from Idolatry He calleth their sitting at the Idols-feasts though without intent of honouring the Idol by the name of Idolatry because 1. Hereby they yeelded a tacite consent to that sinne 2. Petty matters pave a causey for the greater Verse 13. I speak as to wise men i. e. Well skilled in the doctrine of the Sacraments from one of which I am about to argue Piscator after
those postures unmanly Severall countreys have their severall customs Basiliades Duke of Muscovia shewed himself a tyrant in nailing an Embassadours hat to his head for not uncovering it before him Verse 5. Praying or prophecying That is joyning with the man that praieth or prophecieth and going along with him in her heart Thus the King and all Israel with him offered Sacrifice before the Lord 1 Kin. 8 62. And thus the unlearned sey Amen 1 Cor. 14.16 See the Note on Rom. 16.1 Verse 6. For a woman to be shore Our Hic-muliers hold it now no shame If Henry the sixth had seen such creatures he would have cried out as once he did at the sight of naked brests Daniels hist p. 198. Fie fie Ladies insooth you are too blame c. Verse 7. He is the image and glory of God Even as an image in the glasse doth look toward us from whom it is reflected So saith one doth Gods image in us make the eyes of our minds view him the authour of it in us Bayns letters And as the eye becometh one with that which it seeth and is after a sort in that light it beholdeth so are we by the vision of God which is begun in us one with him and in him The woman is the glory of the man Either because he may glory in her if she be good or because she is to honour him and give glory to him Verse 8. But the woman of the man Of a bone she was made and but one bone Nâ— esset ossea saith a Divine A bone of the side it was Vitia Palatina not of the head she is not to be his mistresse nor of the foot she is not to be his handmaid but of the side to shew that she is a companion to her husband A bone from under the arm to minde the man of protection and defence to the woman A bone not farre from his heart to minde him of dilection and love to the woman A bone from the left side to put the woman in minde that by reason of her frailty and infirmity she stands in need of both the one and the other from her husband Verse 9. For the woman sc To serve her unlesse it be some women As Artemisia Zenobla blandena Anna Atestina Guisiorum Memorous parens Thuan. biâ—t l. 124. Numb 5.18 specially called to and qualified for government Amongst whom Queen Elizabeth that female-glory is famous Of whom a great French Dutchesse said That she was Gloriosissima omnium quae unquam sceptrum gesserunt foelicissima faemina Besides her Sex there was nothing in her woman-like or weak Verse 10. To have power That is a veil called in Hebrew Radid of Radad to beat rule And indeed what was this subjection to the husband but a kinde of power and protection derived to the wife in respect of her fromer estate Because of the Angels Present in the Assemblies of the Saints This was set forth of old by the hangings of the Tabernacle wrought with Cherubims within and without Others understand this Text of Ministers frequently called Angels Hag. 1.12 13. Revel 2. and 3. Judg. 2.1 that Angel is thought to be Phintas Eccles 5.6 Neither say thou before the Angel i. e. before the Lords Priest it was an errour Verse 11. Neverthelesse neither is This is added for the womans comfort There must be all mutuall respects and melting-heartednesse betwixt married couples which being preserved fresh and fruitfull will â—fiâ—tely sweeten and beautifie the marriage-estate Love is a quom that must be exchanged betwixt them and returned in kinde Husbands love your wives Colos 3.16 He saith not Rule over your wives as he had said Wives submit your selves to your husbands but Love your wives yea let all your things be done in love for neither is the man without the woman he is not compleat without her he wants a piece of himself neither is the woman without the man she cannot subsist without him as the Vine cannot without a supporter The rib can challenge no more of her then the earth can of him c. Verse 12. But all things of God God consulted not with man to make him happy saith one As he was ignorant while himself was made so did he not know while a second self was made out of him Both that the comfort might be the greater then was expected as also that he might not upbraid his wife with any great dependance or obligation he neither willing the work nor suffering any pain to have it done Verse 13. Judge in your selves All Christs sheep are rationall able to discern of things that differ having their senses thereunto exercised Heb. 5.14 But some sins are condemned by common sense as here and religion is founded upon so good reason that though God had not commanded it yet it had been our wisest way to have chosen it But lust doth oft so bleer the understanding that a man shall thinke he hath reason to be mad and that there is great sense in sinning Verse 14. That if a man have long hair Bushes of vanity which they will never part with said Marbury untill the devil put a caudle into the bush But our Gallants object That the Apostle here intendeth such hair as is as long as womens hair Whereunto we answer That Homer calleth the Greeks hair-nourishing men who yet did not wear their hair long as women 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homeâ— How Cromwell handled the shag-haired ruffian See Acts and Monuments of the Church folio 1083. How God hath punished this unnaturall sin by that loathsome and horrible disease in the hair called Plica Polonica See Hercules de Saxonia And out of him Mr Bolion in his four last things pag 40. It begun first saith he not many years ago in Poland It is now entered into many parts of Germany And methinks our monstrous fashionists both male and female the one for nourishing their horrid bushes of vanity the other for their most unnaturall and cursed cutting their hair should every hour fear and tremble lest they should bring it upon their own heads and amongst us in this kingdom Daniels Hist 67. Our henry 1. repressed the wearing of long hair which though it were a gaiety of no charge yet for the undecency thereof he reformed it and all other dissolutenesse See Mr Prins Vnlovelinesse of love-locks Verse 15. Her hair is given her Now it is a vile thing to go against nature Cyprian and Austin say That garish apparell is worse then whoredom because whoredom only corrupts chastity but this corrupts nature Verse 16. Seem to be contentious Adectore gloriâ—sâ— Pastore contentioso inutilibus quaestionibus liberet Ecclesiam suam Dominus said Luther From a vain-glorious Doctour from a contentious Pastour and from endlesse and needlesse controversies the good Lord deliver his Church We have no such custome viz. To strive about trifles but to submit to our teachers Bifield
Greek imports 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebrais ut Exod. 8.14 Cartwright Whereupon an Expositour noteth Ordinatim res in Ecclesia faciendae Order must be observed in the Church CHAP. XV. Verse 1. And wherein ye stand A Military term as Martyr noteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Satan overthroweth the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.18 and by this very engine wherewith he assaulted these Corinthians ib. So that the Apostle was fain to make Apology v. 19. to make a barricado Verse 2. By which also ye are saved Eternall life is potentially in the word as the harvest is potentially in the seed or as the tree is in the kernell or sience Jam. 1.21 If ye keep in memory Helimiteth the promise of salvation to the condition of keeping in memory what they had heard Tantum didicimus quantum meminimus said Socrates Many have memories like nets that let go the fair water retain the filth only or like sives that keep the chaff let go the corn If God come to search them with a candle what shall he finde but old songs old wrongs c. not a promise or any sword of God hid there for things of that nature they are like Sabinus in Seneca that never in all his life could remember those three names of Homer Vlisses and Achilles But the soul should be as an holy Arke the memory like the pot of Mannah preserving holy truths Verse 3. First of all Christ is to be preached with the first as being the prora puppis of mans happinesse Joh. 16.14 It is the office of the holy Ghost to take of Christs excellencies and hold them out to the world What then should Ministers the mouth of the holy Ghost do rather Verse 4. According to the Scriptures Which both fore-shewed and fore-shadowed it in Adams waking Isaac's reviving as it were from the dead Josephs abasement and advancement Samsons breaking the bars and bearing away the gates of Gaza Davids being drawn out of the deep Daniels out of the den Ieremies out of the dungeon Ionas out of the belly of hell Mat. 12.39 c. Verse 5. Seen of Cephas Adam died and we hear no more of him But Christ shew'd himself after death in six severall apparitions for our confirmation Verse 6. Above five hundred The number of beleevers then were greater then some would gather out of Act. 1.15 Those 120 may seem to have been Chieftains such as that any one of them might have been thought meet to succeed Iudas in his Apostleship Verse 7. Seen of Iames This is not mentioned in the Gospel as neither that of Peter v. 5 Verse 8. One born out of due time Quasi malo astro abortus adversante natura coactus One that deserved to be rejected as that forlorn Infant Ezek. 16.4 5. Verse 9. I am the least of the Apostles Not come to my just bignesse as one born out of due time and not without violence Not meet to be called True humility as true balm ever sinkes to the bottom of the water when pride like oil ever swims on the top Verse 10. I laboured more abundantly See 2 Cor. 12.23 Rom. 15.19 George Eagles Martyr in Q. Maries daies for his great pains in travelling from place to place to confirm the brethren was sirnamed Act. and Mon. fol. 1823. Trudge over the world Might not St Paul have been fitly so sirnamed Not I but the grace of God So those good servants Luke 19.16 Not we but thy talents have gained other five and other two c. Let God have the entire praise of all our good Verse 11. So we preach and so ye beleeved A happy compliance when the hearers affections and endeavours doe answer the affections and endeavours of the preacher as here and at Ephesus Act. 20 31-37 When people deliver themselves up to the forme of doctrine Rom. 6.17 and are cast into the mould of the Word Verse 12. No resurrection More then that of regeneration Math. 19.28 that estate of the Gospel called a new heaven and a new earth 2 Pet. 3.13 the world to come Heb. 2.5 that resurrection already past ◠Tim. 2.18 that first resurrection Revel 20.5 Verse 13. Then is not Christ risen But of Christs resurrection there were many both living and dead Witnesses as the earth-quake empty grave stone rolled away cloathes wrapt up c. Verse 14. Then is our preaching vain Never was there any such imposture put upon the world as Christianity if Christ be yet in the grave Verse 15. False witnesses of God For they might safely say with Ieremy Lord if we be deceived thou hast deceived us Verse 16. Then is not Christ raised And so Gods decree is cassated Act. 13.33 with Psal 2.7 Verse 17. Ye are yet in your sins Rom. 4.25 If he had not been let out of prison our debt had remained upon us But God sent his Angel to roul away the stone as the Judge sends an officer to fetch one out of prison and to release him And this is the strength of our Saviours reason Ioh. 16.10 The Spirit shall convince the world of righteousnesse that I am Jehovah their righteousnesse because I go to the Father which I could not have done unlesse you were acquitted of all your sins Verse 18. A sleep in Christ The Germanes call the Church-yard Godsaker because the bodies are sowed therein to be raised again The Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sleeping-houses The Hebrews call the grave Bothchaijm the house of the living Iob cals it the Congregation-house of all living Job 30.23 As the Apostle cals heaven the Congregation-house of the first-born Heb. 12.23 Verse 19. Most miserable Because none out of hell ever suffered more then the Saints have done Verse 20. The first fruits c. As in the first-fruits offered to God the Jews were assured of Gods blessing on the whole harvest so by the resurrection of Christ our resurrection is ensured Verse 21. By man came also c. Gods justice would be satisfied in the same nature that had sinned Verse 22. Shall all be made alive The Saints shall be raised by vertue of the union with Christ to glory the wicked shall be dragged to his tribunall by his Almighty power as a Judge to be tumbled thence into hell-torment Verse 13. At his coming As in the mean time their very dust is precious the dead bodies consumed are not so destroied but that there is a substance preserved by a secret influence proceeding from Christ as a head Hence they are said to be dead in Christ who by rotting refineth them Verse 24. Delivered up the Kingdome Not his essentiall kingdome as God but his oeconomicall as Mediatour Verse 25. Till he hath put And after too but 1. Without adversaries 2. Without any outward means and ordinances Verse 26. That shall be destroied It is already to the Saints swallowed up in victory so that they may say to it as Jacob did to Esau Surely
glory of great acts how much more might Paul Verse 5. Not that we are sufficient Lest they should think him arrogant Cyrus had this written upon his Tombe I could doe all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Arrianus reports So could Paul too but it was thorow Christ which strengthned him Phil. 4 1â— All our sufficiency is of God Had not Ministers then need to pray Benè orasse est benè studnisse saith Luther And whether a Minister shall do more good to others by his praiers or preaching I will not determine saith a reverend Writer but he shall certainly by his praiers reap more comfort to himself Whereto I adde D. Tailour on 1 Thess 5.23 that unlesse he pray for his hearers as well as preach to them he may preach to as little purpose as Bede did when he preached to an heap of stones Verse 6. Not of the letter To wit of the law which requireth perfect obedience presupposing holinesse in us Lex jubet gratâ—a juvat Aug. and cursing the disobedient But the Gospel called here the Spirit pre-supposeth unholinesse and as an instrument maketh us holy Ioh. 17.17 Act. â—0 32 For we preach Christ 1 Cor. 1.23 We give what we preach The Spirit is received by the preaching of faith Gal 3.2 This Mannah is rained down in the sweet dews of the Ministery of the Gospel 1 Pet. 1.22 For the letter killeth Many Popish Priests that hardly ever had seen much lesse read St Pauls writings having gotten this sentence by the end The letter killeth took care of being killed by not medling with good literature Hence that of Sr Thomas Moore to one of them Tu benè cavisti ne te ulla occidere possit Littera nam nulla est littera nota tibi Verse 7. The ministration of death That is the Law David was the voice of the Law awarding death to sin He shall surely die Nathan was the voice of the Gospel awarding life to repentance for sin Thou shalt not die For the glory of his countenance Which yet reflected not upon his own eyes He shone bright and knew not of it He saw Gods face glorious he did not think others had so seen his How many have excellent graces and perceive them not Verse 8. Be rather glorious Let this comfort the Ministers of the Gospel under the contempts cast upon them by the mad world ever besides it self in point of salvation See Isa 49.5 Verse 9. Exceedin glory A throne was set in heaven Rev. 4.2 Not in the Mount as Exod. 25 9. The patern of our Church is shewed in the heavens themselves because of that more abundant glory of the Gospel above the Law And therefore also Iohn describeth the City far greater and larger then Ezekiel Revel 21. Because Ezekiel was a Minister of the Law Brightman in loc Iohn of the Gospel Verse 10. Had no glory To speak of and in comparison The light of the Law was obscured and overcast by the light of the Gospel The sea about the altar was brazen 1 King 7.23 and what eyes could pierce thorow it Now our sea about the throne is glassie Rev. 4.6 like to crystall clearly conveying the light and sight of God in Christ to our eyes Verse 11. Much more that c. As the Sun outshineth Lucifer his herald Verse 12. Plainnesse of speech Or much evidence as Ioh. 10.24 and 11.14 and 16.29 with much perspicuity and authority we deliver our selves we speak with open face not fearing colours Verse 13. Could not stedfastly c. Could not clearly see Christ the end of the Law Rom. 10.4 Gal. 3.24 Verse 14. But their mindes Unlesse God give sight as well as light and enlighten both organ and object we can see nothing Which vail is done away See Isa 25.7 Faith freeth from blindenesse we no sooner tast of that stately feast by faith but the vail of ignorance which naturally covereth all flesh is torne and rent Verse 15. The vail is upon their hearts By a malicious and voluntary hardning they curse Christ and his worshippers in their daily devotions and call Evangelium Avengillaion the Gospel a volume of vanity or iniquity Eliab in Thâ—b Verse 16. When it shall turn Of the Jews conversion and what hinders it See the Note on Rom. 11.7 8 25. Verse 17. The Lord is that spirit Christ only can give the Jews that noble spirit as David calleth him Psal 50.12 that freeth a man from the invisible chains of the kingdome of darknesse Verse 18. Are changed As the pearl by the often beating of the Sun-beams upon it becomes radiant From glory to glory That is From grace to grace Fulnesse of grace is the best thing in glory Other things as peace and joy are but the shinings forth of this fulnesse of grace in glory CHAP. IIII. Verse 1. As we have received mercy SIth we have so freely been called to the Ministery of meer mercy we shew forth therein all sedulity and sincerity When I was born said that French King thousand others were born besides my self Now what have I done to God more then they that I should be a King and not they Tamerlane having overcome Bajazet asked him whether ever he had given God thanks for making him so great an Emperour who confessed ingenuously he never thought of it To whom Tamerlane replied that it was no wonder so ungratefull a man should be made a spectacle of misery For you saith he being blinde of one eye and I lame of a leg Leunelau Annal Tuâ—â— was there any worth in us why God should set us over two such great Empires of Turks and Tartars So may Ministers say What are we that God should call us to so high an office c. We faint not We droope not we flag not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we hang not the wing though hardly handled For Pradicare nihil alind est quam derivare in se furorem totius mundi as Luther said Verse 2. The hidden things of dishonesty All legerdemain and under-hand dealing They that do evil hate the light love to lurk But sin hath woaded an impudency in some mens faces that they dare do any thing To every mans conscience A pure conscience hath a witnes in every mans bosome See 1 Cor. 14.24 Verse 3. To them that are lost It is a sign of a reprobate-goat Joh. 8 43 47. Sensuall baving not the spirit Jude 19. The devil hides his black hand before their eyes Verse 4. The god of this world The devil usurps such a power and wicked men will have it so They set him up for God If he do but hold up his finger give the least hint they are at his obedience as God at first did but speak the word and it was done All their buildings plowings plantings sailings are for the devil And if we could rip up their hearts we should finde written therein The god of this present world Verse 5. We preach
in April both wholsome roots and poisonable discover themselves Macar Hom 12. which in the winter were not seen so at the day of judgement good and evil actions The things done in his body That is Bernard the just reward of those things In die judicy plus valebit conscientia pura quam marsupia plena Then shall a good conference be more worth then all the worlds good And this was that that made Paul so sincere a Preacher and so insatiable a server of God as Chrysostome calleth him Whether it be good or bad Wicked men shall give an account 1. Debonis commissis Of goods committed to them 2. De bodis dimissis of good neglected by them 3. De malis commissis of evils committed 4. De malis permissis of evils done by others suffered by them Itaque vivamus saith the Oratour Cic. 4 in Ver. Let us so live as those that must render an account of all Verse 11. Knowing therefore the terrour c. What a terrible time it will be with the wicked who shall in vain tire the deaf mountains with their hideous out-cries to fall upon them c. We perswade men To slee from the wrath to come to repent and be converted that their sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Act. 3.19 We speak persuasively to this purpose but it is God only that perswades Verse 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which glory in appearance Gr. In the face Hypocrites as they repent in the face Mat. 6.16 so they rejoyce in the face not in the heart Their joy is but skin-deep it is but the hypocrisie of mirth they do not laugh but grin their hearts ake many times when their faces counterfeit a smile Their mirth is frothy and flashy such as smooths the brow but fils not the brest such as wets the mouth but warms not the heart Verse 13. It is to God i. e. When to the world we seem mad of pride and vain-glory yet then we respect only Gods glory It is for your sakes i. e. For your learning that we are more modest and sparing in commending our Apostleship It is a good rule Quicquid agas propter Deum agas Doe all for Gods sake Verse 14. The love of Christ c. As reward hath an attractive and punishment an impulsive so love hath a compulsive faculty This love of Christ had so closed in S. Paul so hemmed him in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and begirt him round that his adversaries reported him a mad man as vers 13. he erred in love toward his sweet Saviour and even exhaled his blessed soul in continuall sallies as it were and expressions of his dear affection to the Lord Jesus Then were all dead All the body suffered in and with Christ the head and so are freed by his death Heb. 2.9 as if themselves in person had died Verse 15. Should not hence forth Servati sumus ut serviamus The redeemed among the Romans were to observe and honour those that ransomed them as parents all their daies Verse 16. No man after the flesh i. e. We esteem no man simply the better or worse for his wealth poverty honour ignominy or any thing outward See jam 1.9 10 11. Thomas Wats Martyr spake thus at his death to his wife and children Wife and my good children I must now depart from you Act. and Mon. fol 1450. therefore henceforth know I you no more but as the Lord hath given you to me so I give you again to him whom I charge you see that ye obey c. Though we have known Christ As possibly Paul might have known Christ in the flesh for Jesus of Nazareth was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people Luk. 24. 19. Austin wished that he might have seen three things Rome flourishing Paul preaching Christ conversing with men upon earth Bede comes after and correcting this last wish faith yea but let me see the King in his beauty Christ in his heavenly kingdome Paul was so spiritualized that he took knowledge of nothing here below he passed thorow the world as a man in a deep muse or that so looks for a lost jewell that he overlooks all besides it Verse 17. Is a new creature Either a new man or no man in Christ All things are become new The substance of the soul is the same the qualities and operations altered In regeneration our natures are translated not destroied no not our constitution and complexion As the melancholy man doth not cease to be so after conversion only the humour is sanctified to a fitnesse for godly sorrow holy meditation c. so of other humours 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 18. And all things are of God He is both authour and finisher of our faith the God of all grace the Father of all lights c. And hath given to us the Ministery He hath taken this office from the Angels those first preachers of peace Luk. 2.10 14. The Angel told Cornelius his praiers were heard in heaven but for the doctrine of reconciliation he refers him to Peter Act. 10. Verse 19. That God was in Christ c. As the salt-waters of the sea when they are strained thorow the earth they are sweet in the rivers so saith one the waters of Majesty and Justice in God though terrible yet being strained and derived thorow Christ they are sweet and delightfull Verse 20. Embâ—ssadours for Christ And therefore sacred persons not to be violated on pain of Gods heavy displeasure Do my Prophets no harm As though God did beseech you Gods grace even kneels to us En flexanimam Suadae medullam Who can turn his back upon such blessed and bleeding embracements Verse 21. To be sin for us That is a sin-offering or an exceeding sinner as Exod. 29.14 So Christ was 1. By imputation for our sins were made to meet upon him as that Evangelicall Prophet hath it See Aug. Enchirid c. 41. Isa 53 6. And secondly By reputation for he was reckoned among malefactours ibid. And yet one Augustinus de Roma Archbishop of Nazareth was censured in the Councel of Basil for affirming that Christ was peccatorum maximus the greatest of sinners Christ so loved us saith one that he endured that which he most hated to become sin for us he was made sin passive in himself to satisfie for sin active in us and the want of that which was more worth then a world to him the sense of Gods favour for a time Ama amorem illius c. saith Bernard Who knew no sinne That is With a practicall knowledge with an intellectuall he did else he could not have reproved it We know no more then we practise Christ is said to know no sin because he did none That we might be made c. As Christ became sin not by sin inherent in him but by our sin imputed to him so are we made the
ambitious of slavery of beggery v. 9. How many have we at this day that rejoyce in their bondage and dance to hell in their bolts Verse 22. For it is written It was enough of old to say It is written there was no need to quote Chapter and verse as now Men were so ready in the Scriptures they could tell where to turn to any thing at first hearing Verse 23. Was born aster the flesh In an ordinary way as all others are for Hagar was young and Abraham not old Was by promise i. e. By a supernaturall power by a divine miracle Verse 24. Which things are an allegory That is they signifie or import an allegory or they being the things that they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 represented and typed out the things that they were not So did the brazen serpent the deluge the red sea c. As for those allegories gories of Origen and other wanton wits luxuriant this way what are they else but Scripturarum spuma as one calleth them Scripture-froth Verse 25. For this Agar is mount The Arabian call Mount Sina Agar Twice Hagar sled thither Gen. 16. and 21. it being in her way home to Aegypt From her the Arabians are called Hagarens and since for more honour sake Saracens of Sarah Hagars mistresse Answereth to Jerusalem That is to the Jewish Synagogue born to bondage as Tiberius said of the Romans that they were homines ad servitutem parati Verse 26. But Jerusalem which is above that is the Christian Church the heavenly Ierusalem the Panegyris and congregation of the first-born whose names are enrolled in heaven Heb 12.23 The Hebrew word for Ierusalem is of the Duall number to show AmamainCoronide say the Cabalists that there is an heavenly as well as an earthly Ierusalem and that the taking away of the earthly was intimated by the taking away of the letter jod out of Ierushalaim 2 Sam. 5.13 Verse 27. Far it is written When these testimonies of the old Testament are thus cited in the new it is not only by way of Accommodation but because they are the proper meaning of the places Verse 28. Now we brethren as Isaac This the Jews to this day will not hear of but call us Maâ—zer Goi bastardly Gentiles Verse 29. Persecuted him By cruell mockings and reall injuries challenging the birth right and deriding the Covenant c. The Papists made way for their great project of perdition in 88. by dividing the people here under the rearms of Protestant and Puritan George Abbots â—of to D. Hiss 3 real and provoking them thereby to reall and â—unâ—uall both hate and contempt Even so it is new And to also it is now may we say at this day For what do Papists persecute us for else but because we reject their justification by works They poisoned their own Cardinall Contarenus for that he declared himself found in this point by a book that he set forth some four years afore the Councell of Trent Verse 30. Shall not be beirs No justitiary can be saved A Papist cannot go beyond a reprobate Pur us puâ—us Papistanon potest servani Rev. 19.21 Verse 31 We are not children c. q. d. We are in a farre better condition then Legalists I have blessed Ismael faith God twelve Princes shall be beget but my Covenant will I establish with Isaac Gen 17.20 21. And such honour have all his Saints CHAP. V. Verse 1. Be not again entangled AS oxen tied to the yoke Those that followed Iudas Galileus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 5.37 chose rather to undergo any death then to be in subjection to any mortall If civil servitude be so grievous Ioseph 1.18 c. 2 what ought spirituall to be Those poor misled and muzled souls that are held captive in the Popes dark dungeon have an ill time of it Ever since being reconciled to the Roman Church I subjected my self and my Kingdoms said King Iohn of England to the Popes authority never any thing went well with me Nulla mihiprospera sed omnia asversa evensrunt but all against me Verse 2. Behold I Paul q. d. As true as I am Paul and do write these things Christ shall profit you nothing For he profits none but those that are found in him not having their own righteousnesse which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnes which is of God through faith Phil. 3.9 As Pharaoh said of the Israelites they are intangled in the Land the wildernes hath shut them in Exo. 14.3 So may it be said of Pharisaicall and Popish Justiciaries they are entangled in the fond conceits of their own righteousnesse they cannot come to Christ A man will never truly desire Christ till soundly shaken Hag 2.7 Verse 3. That he is a debtour viz. If he be circumcised with an opinion of meriting thereby Christ will be our sole Saviour or none he will not mingle his precious bloud with our pâ—â—ddle-stuff Verse 4. Christ is become of none effect Woe then to Popish merit-mongers William Wickum founder of New-colledge Parcâ—bist pro. fan medul D Vsher on Eph. 4.13 though he did many good works yet he professed he trusted to Jesus Christ alone for salvation So did Charles the fife Emperour of Germany So did many of our fore-fathers in times of Popery Ye are fallen from grace It cannot hence be concluded that the Apostle speaks conditionally and it may be understood of the true Doctrine of Gods free-grace Verse 5. Erigito scalam Acesi solâ—â—â—stendito For we through the spirit We Apostles hope for righteousnesse by faith If you will go to heaven any other way you must erect a ladder and go up alone as Constantine said to Acesius the Novatian heretike Verse 6. Neither circumcision Unregenerate Israel is as Ethiopia Amos 9.7 But faith that worketh Iustificamur tribus modis Effectivè à Deo apprehensivè à fide declarativè ab operibus Faith justifies the man and works justifie faith Verse 7. Ye did run well Why do ye now stop or step back Tutius recurrere Reusner Symb. quam malè currere was the Emperour Philips symboll Better run back then run amisse for in this case He that hasteth with his feet sinneth Prov. 19.2 But to run well till a man sweats and then to sit down and take cold may cause a consumption Verse 8. This perswasion Sectaries and seducers have a strange art in perswading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Colos 2.4 And although we thinke our selves able enough to answer and withstand their arguments yet it is dangerous dealing with them The Valentinian heretikes had a trick to perswade before they taught Arrius could cogge a die Tertullian and cozen the simple and needlesse hearer Verse 9. A little leven viz. Of false doctrine Mat. 16.6 See the Note there Verse 10. But he that troubleth you That heresiarch or ring-leader of the faction the Beast
forbid c. The Saints keep a constant counter-motion and are Antipodes to the wicked They thus and thus but I otherwise Whereby the world is crucified I look upon the world as a dead thing as a great dung-hill c. That harlot was deceived in S. Paul in thinking to allure him by laying out those her two fair breasts of profit and pleasure He had no minde to be sucking at those botches He was a very crucifix of mortification And in his face as one said of Dr Raynolds a man might have seen Verum mortificati hominis idaeam the true portraiture of a mortified man And I to the world q.d. The world and I are well agreed The world cares not a pin for me and I to cry quittance with it care as little for the world Verse 15. For in Christ Jesus That is in the Kingdome of Christ But a new creature Either a new man or no man Verse 16. According to this rule viz. Of the new creature Peace be on them Not only in them or with them but on them maugre the malice of earth and hell Verse 17. From henceforth let no man Here he takes upon him as an Apostle and speaks with authority 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I bear in my body the marks As scars of honour Paul had been whipped stocked stoned c. The marks of these he could better boast of then those false Apostles of their circumcision And hereby it appeared that he refused not as they did to suffer persecution for the crosse of Christ In the year 1166. the Synod held at Oxford in the raign of Henry the second banished out of England thirty Dutch Doctours which taught the right use of Marriage Alsted Chron. p. 357. and of the Sacraments after they had first stigmatized or branded them with hot irons Iohn Clerk of Melden in France being for Christs sake whipped three severall daies and afterwards having a mark set in his fore-head as a note of infamy his mother beholding it though his father was an adversary encouraged her son crying with a loud voice Blessed be Christ Act. and Mon. fol. 802. Vivat Christus ejusque insignia and welcome be these prints and marks of Christ The next year after scil anno 1524. He brake the images without the City which his superstitious Countrey-men were to worship the next day For the which he was apprehended and had his right-hand cut off his nose pulled off with pinsers both his arms and both his brests torne with the same instrument and after all he was burned at a stake Sculteâ— Annal. In his greatest torments he pronounced that of the Psalmist Their idols are silver and gold the works of mens hands c. I conclude this discourse with that saying of Pericles It is not gold precious stones statues c. that adorns a souldier but a torne buckler a crackt helmet a blunt sword a scarr'd face c. Of these Biron the French Marshall boasted at his death And Sceva is renowned for this that at the siege of Dyrrachium he so long alone resisted Pompeys army that he had 220. darts sticking in his shield Densaâ—queâ—â—rens in pâ—â—â—oâ—e lylvam 〈◊〉 and lost one of his eyes and yet gave not over till Caesar came to his rescue Verse 18. Be with your spirit Spirituals are specially to be desired for our selves and ours Caetera aut aderunt aut non oberunt Other things we shall either have or not want but be as well without them A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION Vpon the Epistle of S. Paul to the EPHESIANS CHAP. I. Verse 1. To the Saints to the faithfull FItly for it is by faith that we become Saints Act. 15.9 Verse 2. Grace be to you and peace These go fitly together because we must seek our peace in the free-grace and favour of God The Ark and Mercy-seat were never sundred Verse 3. Blessed be God Grattae cessat decursus ubi gratiarum recursus A thankfull man shall abound with blessings With all spirituall blessings Wisdome prudence c. ver 8. a Benjamins portion a goodly heritage Verse 4. He hath chosen us in him Christ was Mediatour therefore from eternity viz. by vertue of that humane nature which he should assume That we should be holy God elected us as well to the means as to the end Note this against Libertines For as they Act. 27.31 could not come safe to land that left the ship so neither can men come to heaven but by holinesse Cyrus was moved to restore the captivity by finding himself fore-appointed to this glorious service 170. years before he was born Isa 44.28 Should not we likewise be excited to good works by this that we were elected to them Without blame Or blot Ephes 5.27 Absque querela Luk. 1.6 Before him i. e. In purity of heart 2 King 20.3 In love In sanctity of life Verse 5. Having predestinated us Interpreters have observed that this word that signifies to predestinate is but six times found in the new Testament never in the old being referred but twice to things Act. 4.28 1. Cor. 2.7 four times to persons Rom. 8 29 30. Ephes 1.5 11. and never applied to reprobates but to elect persons only Howbeit Divines under predestination do usually consider the decree both of election and reprobation The doctrine hereof men should not adventure to teach till they have well learned and digested it In the year 1586. Iacobus Andreas the Lutheran and Theodore Beza conferred and disputed for eight daies space at Mompelier the issue of which conference was unhappy Alsted Chron p. 562. for form that time forward the Doctrine of Predestination was much misused and exagitated Verse 6. To the praise of the glory This is the end whereunto it is destined and hence it is called Predestination Note here that all the causes of predestination are meerly without us The efficient God the materiall Christ the formall the good pleasure of his will the finall the praise of Gods glorious grace Wherein he hath made us accepted Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gratificavit Vulgata He hath ingratiated us he hath justified us made us gracious in his beloved sonne our Mediatour And although there be an inequality of expressions in duty Quoad nos in us yet there is a constancy of worth and intercession by Christ propter nos for us Verse 7. In whom we have redemption As captive ransomed at a price What this price was see 1 Pet. 1.19 Should not Christ therefore reap the travails of his soul Isa 53 The forgivenesse of our sins This David counted his crown and prized it above his imperiall diadem Psal 103.3 4. Verse 8. In all wisdome and prudence That properly respecteth contemplation this action Socrates made no distinction betwixt them For said he who so knoweth good to practise it and evil to avoid it he is a man truly wise and prudent Xenophon de dict is Socrat. l 3 Verse
and raiment are types of thy perishing also faith a Divine Verse 23. And neglecting of the body Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not sparing of it as the old and new Baalites Those Flagellantes And those also amongst us good otherwise that pinch their bodies too much with penury or excessive fasting are blame-worthy The body is the souls servant and that it may be Par negotio neither supra not infranegorium it must have due honour and nourishment CHAP. III. Verse 1. If ye then be risen with Christ ASyeprefe le to be Chip 2.12 Seâ—â— those things c. As Christ risen spake and did only the things pâ—â—aining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1.3 and waited alway for his exaltation into heaven There should be continuall ascensions in our hearts Tremâ—l the Church is compared to pillars of smoke Elationibus sumi Cant. 3.6 as having her affections thoughts desires upward heavenward Verse 2. Set your affection on things Things above out-last the daies of heaven and run parallel with the life of God and line of eternity Things on earth are mutable and momentary subject to vanity and violence when we grasp them most greedily we embrace nothing but smoke which wrings tears from our eyes and vanishâ—th into nothing And not on things on earth Set not thine heart upon the asses said Samuel to Saul â—ith the desire of all Israel is thee So set not your affections on out ward things â—ith better things abide you It is not for you to be fishing for gudgeons but for towns forts and castles said Clâ—â—paâ—ra to M. Antony So neither is it for such as hope for heaven to be taken up about trifles as Domitian spent his time in catching shes and Artaxerxes in making hafts for knives There is a generation of Torrigenâ— fratres whose names are written in the â—arth Ier. 17 13. called the inhabitants of the earth Revâ—l 12.12 in opposition to the Saints and heirs of heavâ—n These may with the Athâ—ians give for their badge the Grashopper which is bred liveth and dieth in the same ground and though the hath wings yet slieth not sometimes she hoppeth upwards a little but salleth to the ground again So here Verse 3. For ye are dâ—ad Crucified to the world as Paul Gal. 6.14 weaned as a childe from the breâ—â—s or rather botches of the world as David Pt. 131.1 Dead also in regard of dady miseries Isa 26.19 1 Cor. 15.31 And your list is hid As the pearl is hid till the shell be broken Verse 4. Then shall we appear What then do we loading our selves with thick clay or moiling our selves here as much worms Verse 5. Mortifie therefore Sin hath a strong heart and will not be done to death but with much ado Peccata sapè raduntur sed non eradicantur Something is done about sins little against them as artificiall juglers seem to wound themselves but do not or as plaiers seem to thrust themselves thorow their bodies but the sword passeth only thorow their clothes Covetousnesse Which is idolatry For it robs God of his slower his trust and draws a man away from all the Commandments Ps 119.36 See the Note on Eph. 5 5. Verse 6. On the children of disobedience Unperswadable uncounsellable persons that regard not good courses or discourses Verse 7. When ye lived in them Mans life is a walk and each action a step either to heaven or hell Verse 8. Filthy communication The devils drivell See the Note on Eph. 5.4 Verse 9. Lie not one to another No not in jest lest ye go to hell in earnest See the Note on Eph. 4.25 Verse 10. After the image If morall vertue could be beheld with mortall eyes faith the Philosopher it would stir up wonderfull loves of it self How much more would the image of God in the hearts of his people See the Note on Eph 4.24 Verse 11. Christ is all and in all Not only in the hearts of men but in all things else 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the neuter gender This second Adam hath filled all things again neither is there any thing else required to justification and salvation Verse 12. As the elect of God holy and beloved Therefore holy because elect and therefore beloved because holy as Gods name is holy and therefore reverend Ps 111.9 God chose his for his love and now loves them for his choice Bowels of mercies Draw out thy soul as well as thy sheaf to the hungry Isa 58.10 Steep thy thoughts in the mercies of God saith one and they will die thine as the die-fat doth the cloth Verse 13. If a man have a quarrell Occasions will be given Prov. 19.11 and offences will fall out Now it is the glory of a man to passe over a transgression See 1 Sam. 10.27 And to forgive where there is just cause of complaint If no quarrell no quarrell no thank Verse 14. The bond of perfectnesse Or the couple the juncture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tie as the curtains of the Tabernacle were joyned by loops so are all true Christians by love Verse 15. And let the peace of God rule Sit certaminis Moderator let it rule after the manner of a Moderatour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or an umpire Let it over-see and over-rule in all your personall discords Or as others sense it let it carry away the prize or distribute the garlands And be ye thankefull Arhor â—onoreiur cujvs nos umbra ruetur sc To those that are courteous and beneficiall to you Ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris Lycurgus would make no law against unthankfulnesse because he could not think there could be any such evil committed If there be any sin in the world against the holy Ghost said Queen Elizabeth in a letter to Henry 4 of France Camderâ— it is ingratitude This saith one is a monster in nature a solecisme in good manners a paradox in divinity Ventus uâ—â—rs exiâ—ans a parching winde to damme up the fountain of divine and humane favours Verse 16. Dwell in you richly Indwell in you as an ingraffed word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incorporated into your souls so concocted and digested by you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as that you turn it in succum sanguinem into a part of your selves This is your riches and thus David reckons of his wealth Ps 119.31 Teaching and admonishing one another It is rightly observed by a late reverend Writer D. Sibbs on Cant. 5. That although we know that which we ask of others as well as they do yet good speeches will draw us to know it better by giving occasion to speak more of it wherewith the Spirit works more effectually and imprints it deeper so that it shall be a more rooted knowledge then before For that doth good that is graciously known and that is graciously known that the Spirit seals upon our fouls In Psalms and hymns Dinnius Papists forbid people to sing Psalms
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My friends I have never a friend And as Plato A friend is a very mutable creature Verse 17. The Lord stood God is never so sweet and so seasonable to his Saints as in the day of their deepest distresse He loves to help those that are forsaken of their hopes The preaching might be fully known Or Soundly proved to be a divine ordinance by my constancy and contempt of death Out of the mouth of the lion Nero who first orientem fidem Romae cruentavit as Tertullian speaketh put Christians to death and made a bloudy decree That whosoever confessed himself a Christian should Dedicator dam nationiâ— chri li. anorum Teit. without any more ado be put to death as a convicted enemy of mankinde Tertullian calleth him The Dedicatour of the condemnation of Christians Verse 18. And the Lord shall deliver Experience breeds confidence Vnto his heavenly kingdom So David argues from temporals to eternals Psal 23.5 6. Verse 19. Salute Prisca c. See the Note on Rom. 16.3 Verse 20. At Miletum sick See the Note on Phil. 2.27 Verse 21. Do thy diligence c. The Apostle quickneth Timothy as Tully did his friend Quamobrem si me amas c. si dormis expergiscere si stas ingredere si ingrederis curre si curris advola Credibile non est quantum ego in amore fide tua ponam Make all possible haste hither for I rely much upon thy love and loialty Verse 22. Grace be with you Gods blessing be with you alwaies Amen Act. and Mon. 1365. Laur. Saunders Even now to ward the offering of a burnt sacrifice c. said that Martyr in a letter to certain friends A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION Vpon the Epistle of S. Paul to TITUS CHAP. I. Verse 1. The faith of Gods elect NOt the election of Gods faithfull ones as the Arminians make it And the acknowledging of the truth It is usuall with S Paul in the beginning of his Epistles to utter much in few and to set down the summe of the whole Gospel as here he doth Justification Sanctification and the hope of salvation and all by the acknowledging of the truth Verse 2. God that cannot lie The word of promise bindes God therefore it seems saith one that it is stronger then God for he can assoon deny himself as his promise Verse 3. Manifested his word As when he laid plainly He that believeth is the Son hath eternall life Verse 4. Common saith Common to the communion of Saints vers 1. and to them proper and peculiar for all men have not faith 2 Thess 3.2 Verse 5. Set in order 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coâ—sicias Gr. Set straight or make up the things that I left unfinished Verse 6. The husband of one wise Here the Apostle canonizeth saith an Interpreter Stultâ—t the marriage of Minâ—sters Verse 7. A Bishop must be blamelâ—sse As was Moses Samuel Paul Bradford Bucer c. who led convincing lives so that their foes could not many thing stain them nor their friends sufficiently commend them Not soon angry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bilâ—osus bellicosus testy and techy easily blown up inâ—o â—age that will not be laid down without revenge Verse 8. Temperate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No slave to his fleshly appetite but one that can master himâ—elf and give laws to his lusts See my Common place of Abstinence Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holding fast c. As with tooth end nail against those gain-saiers that would snatch it from us Verse 10. For there are many unruly Lawlesse yokelesse masterlesse men untractable untameable that refuse to be reformed hate to be healed God will hamper these Belialists 2 Sam. 23.6 Verse 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose mouths must be stopped Gr. Muzzled as bandogs are Câ—c de divinat Laâ—rliâ—â— Fides puniâ—a Virgil. Cres semper mendax â—ala bellua bellâ—o deseâ— Camdeâ—s Eliz. fol â—04 Creâ—izâ—c â—â—â— Cretâ—â—â—â—hâ—â—â—de Frâ—en A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Casaub Frogs they â—â—y will leave croaking if but a light be hanged over the lake wherein they are Let but the truth come clearly in place and heretikes will be soon filâ—nced But if they will not another course must be taken with them Verse 12. Even a Prophet of thâ—ir own Epimenides the Poet who by his countrey-men the Cretians was counted a Prophet and had divine honours done to him after his death The Cretians are alwaies liers So were the Carthaginians Tyrijque bilingues The French had so often deceived the English that such as they mean to deceive they call by a common by-word Ias Aâ—â—lâ—â— The English The Cretians were loud liars even to a Proverb Of Delon Homer saith That he had an art in lying But Euâ—aemâ—a Joannes that Cretian Dae noniâ—ck wins the whetâ—onâ— one from all his countrey-men whiles he blusheth not to tell the world in print that these are the doctrines and practices of the Protestants to worship no God to frame our religion to the times to pretend the publike cause to our private lusts to break our words as we see good for our purpose to cover deadly hatred under fair flatteries to confirm tyranny by shedding the bloud of innocents c. Verse 13 Rebuke them sharply Gr. Precisely rigidly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— uttingly severely and to the quick A Metaphor from Chyrurgeons who must not be melch-hearted faith Celsus but pare away the dead flâ—sh Ne pars sincera trabatur Howbeit Chirurges misericordes esse non opartes that is a good rule given by a godly Divine that although there must be some warmth in a reproof yet it must not be scalding hot M Wbatcy in his Atchetyp Words of reviling and disgrace they scald as it were But words that tend to stir up the conscience to a duâ— consideration of the errour or evil reproved they be duly warm and tend to make the physick work more kindely Evangelizatum non maledictum missus es said Oâ—col â—mpadius to Farellus laudo zelum modò non dâ—sideretur mausuâ—tudo Vinuâ— oleum in tempore suo insund â—dum Evangelistam non tyrannicum leg sâ—atorem praestes Thou art sent to preach not to rail Thy zeal â— commend so it be mingled with meâ—knesse Wine must be poured into mens wounds one while Oecolamp epad Gul. Faâ—d and oil another Thou must shew thy self a peaceable preacher not a tyrannicall Law-giver c. Verse 14. Not giving heed to Jenish fables Wherewith their Talmud is full farâ—â— which whiles they hug over-hard as Cleopatra did the â—â—â—â—es that sucked her bloud they perish Verse 15. Vnto the pure all things c. This Piscator holds a sufficient warrant for us to use Ne forâ—â— and other Heathen-expressions like as the Apostles used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Piseâ—t in Mareâ—a 14 3. Pas praesat ad Lexic abused by the
5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which we have done We that are bankrupts in Adam would yet fain be doing and think to be saved for a company of poor bâ—ggarly duties as bankrupts will be trading again though but for pins c. But according to his mercy God is not merchant his kingdom is not partum but paratum He that said Coelum grat is non accipiam I will not have heaven on free cost Vega. went without it Verse 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which he shed Gr. Poured out as it were by pail fuls his spirit the best thing upon all flesh the basest thing Joel 2.28 Verse 7. Be made heirs Not purchasers all is of free grace Horreo quicquid de meo est ut sim meus Paul was a most constant preacher of grace Bernard Augustin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 8. That thou affirm constantly Be well setled in it thy self and avouch and averre it confidently to others being ready to make it good if questioned Be carefull Bend their wits and beat their brains 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To maintain good â—orks To exceed and excell others in their honest functions and faculties 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch to be their crases-masters to bear away the bell from all that are of the same trade or profession This was Tully's study to be best at any thing he ever undertook should it not then be a believers Verse 9. But foolish questions Such as is that of the Papists whether an asse drinking at the font do drink the water of baptisme and so may be said to be baptized Est quaestio digna asinis saith Melancthon Such questionists are as Stapleton saith of Bodin magninugatores great triflers Verse 10. A man that is an berotike All heresies are found to flow saith Chemnitius Loc com part loc 2. either from the supercilious pride of Samosatenus or from the sophistry of Arrius or from the ignorance of Aetius These mens wit will better serve them to devise a thousand shifts to elude the truth then their pride will suffer them once to yeeld and acknowledge it And here this rule of St Paul takes place Nestorius was an unlearned and proud man but very bold and well-spoken Insomuch as thereby he oft carried it and so seduced the Emperour Theodosius as that Cyril a very good Bishop was thrown out of his place Zanch Mise epist dedicat Howbeit he was afterwards restored again with honour when the Emperour had better bethought himself and the heretike Nectorius was condemned and cast out Verse 11. Condemned of himself Sith as a head-strong horse he gets the bit between his teeth and runs away Thus did the Pharisees Totiès puncti puncti minimè tamen Ad resipiscentiam compuncti as one saith They shut the windows lest the light should come in Verse 12. Come unto me to Nicopolis The inhabitants of this City are said so to have hated the braying of an Asse that they would not endure to hear the found of a trumpet So some pretend such an hatred of hypocrisie that they will not abide the profession of piety Verse 13. That nothing be wanting Those that labour in the Lords work must have all necessary accommodations and encouragements They must be set forth and brought forward on their journey and in their negotiations worthy of God 3 Joh. 6. Deductione honorifie â Act. 15 3. 20.38 21.5 A Balaam will not deal hardly with his Asse if once he perceive the Lord to be in him and to speak by him Shall we deal unworthily with Gods Ministers in whom God is of a truth 1 Cor. 14.25 and hath given unto them the ministery of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 Verse 14. To maintain good works See the Note on Verse 8. of this Chapter That they be not unfruitfull As drone-Bees or body-lice living upon others labours and so opening the mouths of Heathens who will be ready to say as he once did Odi homines ignavâ operâ philosophâ sontentiâ Verse 15. That love us in the faith That best ligament of love The Church is the only daughter of her mother and is called Ecclesia of calling all hers together Religion hath its name of binding because it binds men all in a bundle and makes them be of one heart and of one soul Act. 4.32 to serve the Lord with one shoulder Zeph. 39. to glorifie God with one minde and with one mouth Rom. 15.6 there being no such onenesse in the world as among true believers A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION Vpon the Epistle of S. Paul to PHILEMON Verse 1. Paul a prisoner c. THis is a notable Epistle and full of worth Plena roboris lacertoruoa est tota epistoâ—a each word having its weight each syllable its substance From an abject subject the receiving of a run-away servant St Paul soars like an heavenly Eagle and flies an high pitch of heavenly discourse Elocutine totâ gravis brevis densus sententâ—â—s sanus judiciis c. as Lipsius saith of Thucydides Lips not ad Poâ— lit l. 1. c. 9. may we say of our Apostle Our dearly beloved Or Our lovely one as Hierome renders it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dilâ—gâ—biâ—i And fellow-labourer This shews say some that Philemon was a Minister of the Gospel Verse 2. And to our beloved Apphia For Appia but this was the manner of pronunciation at Tarsus S. Pauls countrey This Apphia was saith Theodoret Philemons wife whose good-will might make much to the furtherance of S. Pauls suit And Archippus our fellow-souldier Who seems to have sojourned with Philemon See the Note on Col. 4.17 And to the Church in thy house Every Christian family is a Church But Phil mons house was belike a publike meeting house and so continued for many years after as Theodoret witnesseth Verse 3. Grace to you c. See the Note on 1 Coâ— 1.3 and on 2 Cor. 1.2 Verse 4. I thank my God Thus the Apostle begins most of his Epistles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As any man is more or lesse gracious so is he thankfull The same Greek word for grace signifieth thankfulnesse Neither is these any think that seals up more comfort to the soul then for a man to be able from the bottome of his heart to praise God Self-love may make an hypocrite pray from the bottome of his heart c. Verse 5. Hearing of thy love and faith Love is first mentioned as more notice But faith is the mother grace the womb wherein love and all the rest of that heavenly of-spring are conceived Verse 6. That the communication c. This is that which S. Paul praid for Philemon ver 4. For the fifth verse comes in by a parenthesis Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The bowels of the Saints are refreshed Gr. Rested as it were after much toil and travels which made their hearts ake Verse 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
a mortall man and a Canaanite but yet a most righteous man and a Priest of the most high God by speciall dispensation And that Kedarlaomer and the other Kings that over ran the countrey and spoiled it forbare out of reverence to the man and his office to meedle with Melchisedcehs territories Verse 2. Gave a tenth part of all So to set forth his thankfulnesse to God for the victory The Lord is the man of warre Exod. 1.3 The Lord and Victour of warres as the Chaldee there expresseth it Conquerours should send to him as Joah to David to take the honour of the day 2 Sam 12.28 The very Heathens after a victory would consecrate something to their gods Verse 3. Without father viz. That we finde mentioned in the holy Scripture Hence the Melchisedechian heretikes held That he was the holy Ghost or at least some created Angel Like unto the Son of God As having neither fellow not successour Verse 4. How great this man Was It is goodnesse that renders a man great and the grace of God that ennobleth Isa 43.4 Heb. 11.2 Keep close to God and then ye shall be some of Gods Rabbins as Daniel cals them Chap 9.27 See Job 32.9 Great men indeed not with a a belluine but with a genuine greatnes The tenth of the spoils Gr. The top of the heap Verse 5. To take tithes of the people If tithes be Jewish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 M Harm saith on and yet Ministers must have a maintenance how will men satisfie their consciences in the particular quantity they must bestow upon them The Scripture speaks only of the tenth part Can any shew us where the old apportion is reversed and which is that quota pars now that conscience must rest in Verse 6. Received tithes of Abraham Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tithed or tenthed Abraham by the same Divine Right whereby he blessed him Melchisedech did not take only that which Abraham was pleased to give him but he tithed him saith the text he took the tenths as his due Verse 7. The lesse is blessed c. The Pastour therefore blessing his people according to his office is greater then his people in that respect Verse 8. That be liveth Tithes then are due to the Ministers of Christ that liveth because due to Melchisedech to whom Abraham paid them as a Priest and tith-taker and type of Christ Who therefore should receive them for him but those that are in his stead 2 Cor. 5.20 Verse 9. Levi also paied tithes If any shall object So did Christ also sith he was in the loines of Abraham too It may be answered That though Christ was of Abraham yet he was not by Abraham But Levi was both Verse 10. In the loins of his father So we were all in the loins of Adam when he sell as all the county is in a Parliament-man and sell with him Verse 11. If therefore perfection i. e. Justification sanctification salvation Verse 12. A change also of the Law For we are not under the law but under grace The Gospel is post naufragium tabula a plank after shipwrack and hath its remuneration Heb. 11.6 viz. of grace and mercy by Law here some understood only the law of Priesthood Verse 13 Pertaineth to another tribe That of Judab v. 14. which therefore is first reckoned Revel 7. among those that were sealed as of those that came by Rachel Nephthali hath the first place because in that tribe Christ dwelt viz. at Capernaum Vt utrobique superemineat Christi praerogativa Verse 14. Nothing concerning Priesthood For when Reuben by defiling Bilhah lost his birth-right the birth-right was given to Iosebh the kingdome to Iudah and the Priesthood to Levi. But God translated the Priesthood and settled it upon his Son Christ who sprang out of Iudah in a time when it was commonly bought and sold to the vilest of men and all was out of order Verse 15. After the similitude of Melchisedech i. e. After an order distinct and different from that of Aaron Verse 16. Of a carnall command i. e. External and ceremonial But after the power Both of God the Father who made him a Priest and of God the Son who is the Father ' of eternity Isa 9.6 and a Priest for ever which word for ever the Apostle expoundeth and improveth in the last clause of this verse The power of an endlesse life Verse 17. For he testifieth Hieron Thus the Authour still argueth out of Scripture as knowing that Quicquid non habet autheritaum ex Scripturis eadem facilitate contemnitur qua approbatur Whatsoever is not grounded upon Scripture authority is as easily rejected as received Verse 18. For there is verily a disannulling Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An outing cassating expunging Of the commandment See the Note on Ver. 12. 16. For the Weaknesse and unprofitablenesse sc To justifie sanctifie save Rom. 8.2 though as a schoolmaster to Christ and a rule of life it is of singular use still Verse 19. But the bringing in The Law is a superintroduction to Christ our hope who is the end of the law to every believer Rom. 10. 4. We draw nigh to God Ephes 3.12 Having boldnesse and accesse with confidence by the faith of Christ our high Priest who lead us by the hand and presents us to his heavenly father as Joseph did his two sons to Jacob that the might blesse them Verse 20. Not without an oath A singular confirmation what a monstrous sin then is unbelief Verse 21. And will not repent Will not change his minde upon pretence that second thoughts are better Those that can play with oaths and can slip them as easily as monkies do their collars have nothing of God in them Verse 22. Jesus was made a surety As he was our surety to God for the discharge of our debt the surety and debtour in law are reputed as one person so he is Gods surety to us for the performance of his promises Verse 23. By reason of death Neither their holinesse nor learning could priviledge them from deaths impartiall stroke Non te tua plurima Pentheu labentem texit pictas All our learning also is soon refuted with one black Theta which understanding us not snappeth us unrespectively without distinction and putteth at once a period to our reading and to our being Verse 24. He continueth ever What need then is there of a Vicar as the Pope will needs be stiled An unchangeable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Impassable He needeth no successour Verse 25. To the uttermost Perpetually and perfectly so as none shall need to come after him to finish what he hath begun He is a thorow-Saviour a Saviour in solidum and doth not his work to the halves Verse 26. Who is holy As the high-Priest of old Lev. 21.18 Exod. 28. Harmlesse Without any birth-blot Vndesiled Free from a stuall pollution without originall blemish or actuall blot 1 Pet. 1.19 Higher then the
in Daniel chap. 4.19 Noah took things fore-told him by God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the right handle as the word properly signifieth By the which he condemned the world Of deep and desperate security that dead lethargy where into sin and Satan had cast them And became heir Heir apparant he was hereby evidently declared to be such Verse 8. When he was called A man may follow God dryâ—â—od thorow the red sea He is to be obeyed without sciscitation with a blinde obedience Abraham winked as it were and put his hand into Gods to be led whithersoever he pleased Magnus est animus Seneca qui se Deo tradidiâ— pusiâ—â—us degener qus obluctatur That 's a brave man indeed that can wholly resign up himself to God Quò â—atâ— trahunt retrahuntque sequamur Verse 9. Virgil. He sojourned in the land There he had his commoration but in heaven his conversation content to dwell in tents till he should fix his station above With Isaac and Iacob Perhaps together as near neighbours When Abraham parted with Lot he would part with him no further then the right hand is from the leâ—t Gen 13.9 There is singular comfort in the society of Saints Verse 10. Which hath foundations Heaven hath a foundation earth hath none but is hanged upon nothing as Iob speaketh Hence things are said to be on earth but in heaven Whose builder and maker Gr. Whos 's cunning artificer and publike workman God hath bestowed a great deal of skill and workmanship upon the third heaven Verse 11. Because she judged him c. At first she laughed through unbelief at the unlikelihood but afterward she bethought her self and believed This later is recorded the former pardoned So Gen. 18.12 Sarah laughed within her self saying After I have waxen old shall I have pleasure my Lord being old also Here was never a good word but one viz. that she called her husband Lord and this is recorded to her eternall commendation 2 Pet. 3.6 Verse 12. As the starres c. The seed of Abraham saith one are of two sorts Some are visible members of a Church yet have earthly hearts dry and barren as the sand Others as the starres of heaven of spirituall hearts minding things above Verse 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab a sâ—nul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—abo And embraced them Gr. Saluted them kissing Christ in the promises and interchangeably kissed of him Cant. 1.1 being drawn together as the word signifies by mutuall dear affection Verse 14. Plotin ap Aug. decivâ— Dei That they seek a Countrey Fugiendum est ad clarissimam patriam ibi pater ibi omnia A way home to our Countrey saith one there 's our father there 's our All saith one To die is in Bernards language no more then repatriasse to go home again Verse 15. If they had been mindâ—full But to that they had no minde at all because their idolatry too much prevailed Ioshua 24.2 Gen. 31.19 yet not so much as among the Canaanites Deut. 12.31 Verse 16. God is not ashaâ—â—ed But honoureth them as his confederates because for his cause they â—enounted the world No man ever did or suffered any thing for God that complained of a hard bargain Verse 17. Abraham when he was tried Often trials which Abraham passed this last was the forest No son of Abraham can look to escape temptations when he seeth that bosome in which he desireth to rest so assaulted with difficulties Offered up his son Isaac Ready he was so to have done and therefore it is reputed and reckoned as done indeed 2 Cor. 8.12 See the Note there Verse 18. Of whom it was said This was one of those many promises that Abraham might think were all lost in the losse of his Isaac Never was gold tried in so hot a fire Verse 19. That God was able He founded his faith upon Gods fidelity and omnipotency These are the Iachin and the Boaz the two main pillars whereupon faith resteth Verse 20. By faith Isaac blessed Patriarchall benedictions were propheticall the blessing of godly parents is still very available for the good of their children and justifying faith is not beneath miraculous in the sphere of its own activity and where it hath warrant of Gods Word Verse 21. When he was a dying The spirits motions are then many times quickest when naturall motions are slowest most sensible when one body begins to be senslessâ— most lively when the Saints â—â—e a dying The Sun shines most amiably toward the descent The rivers the nearer they run to the sea the sooner they are met by the tide So here Verse 22. Gave commandment concerning He died upon the promise and held possession by his bones to testifie his firm hold of heaven Verse 23. Hid three moneths of his Parents That they hid him no longer argued weaknesse of their faith which yet is both commended and rewarded He was a proper childe Fair to God Act. 7.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having a divine beauty and comelinesse Speciall endowments are a fore-token of speciall emploiment The very Heathen in chusing their Kings had a speciall eye to bodily beauty See 1 Sam. 10.23 and 16.19 17.42 Not afraid of the Kings commandment Because unjust and impious See the Note on Act. 4.19 Verse 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When he was come to yeares Gr. Grown a great one and so knew what he did understood himself sufficiently Refused to be called the sonne of Pharaohs And so to succeed in the kingdome for we read not of any son that Pharaoh had yea in the kingdome of Ethiopia too for being sent on his foster-fathers quarrell against the King of Ethiopia Histories tell us that he afterward married that Kings daughter for the which he was checked of his brother and sister Verse 25. Chusing rather to suffer The happiest choice that ever the good man made It was a heavy charge that Elihu laid upon Iob that he had chosen iniquity rather then affliction Iob 36.21 The Church is said to come from the wildernesse of troubles and miseries leaning on her beloved Cant. 8.5 The good soul will not break the hedge of any Commandment to avoid any piece of foul way Quas non oportet mortes praeaâ—ligere saith Zuinglius Zuing epist 3. What deaths had we not better chuse what punishment undergoe yea what hell not suffer rather then goe against our consciences rightly informed by the good Word of God The pleasures of sin for a season Iob fitly calleth sparks the sons of fire being ingendred by it upon fuell as pleasures are by our lusts upon the object But they are not long-lived they are but as sparks they die as soon as begotten they perish with the use Col. 2.22 Good God said Lysimachus for how short pleasure how great a Kingdome have I lost May not the voluptuous Epicure say so much better Verse 26. Esteeming the reproach c. Reproach is
groaning Job 23.2 Invalidum omne naturâ querulum saith Seneca It is a weaknesse to be ever puling See my Love-tokens p. 44 45. Verse 6. For whom the Lord loves Whom he entirely loveth and cockereth above the rest of his children That Son in whom he is well pleased saith Mercer on Prov. 3.12 whom he makes his white boy saith Theophylact here See my Love-tokens pag. 54.55 And scourgeth every Sonne Laies upon them hard and heavy strokes When Ignatius came to the wilde-beasts Now saith he I begin to be a Christian Omnis Christianus crucianâ—u saith Luther And he hath not yet learned his ABC in Christianity saith Bradford that hath not learned the lesson of the crosse When Munster lay sick and his friends asked him how he did and how he felt himself he pâ—inted to his sores and ulcers whereof he was full and said Hae sunt gemmae pretiosa ornamenta Dei c. These are Gods gems and jewels where with he decketh his best friends Joh. Manl. loc com p. 127. and to me they are more precious then all the gold and silver in the world Verse 7. God dealeth with you c. Corrections are pledges of our Adoption and badges of our sonship One Sonne God â—ad without sin but none without sorrow As God corrects none but his own so all that are his shall be sure to have it and they shall take it for a favour too 1 Cor. 11.32 Verse 8. Then are ye bastards Qui excipitur a numero flagellatorum excipitur â numero filiorum saith one He that escapes affliction may well suspect his adoption I have no stronger argument against the Popes Kingdoms saith Luther then this Quòd sine cruce regnat that he raigns without the crosse they have no changes surely they fear not God Verse 9. And we gave them reverence Pater est si pater non esses c. It is my Father c. This cooled the boiling rage of the young man in Terence Nicolas of Jenuile a young French Martyr when he was condemned and set in the cart his father coming with a staffe would have beaten him Act. and Mon. fol. 837. but the officers not suffering it would have struck the old man The son crying to the officers desired them to let his father alone saying he had power over him to do what he would amp c. And live For corrections of instruction and God never chastiseth but withall he teacheth Psal 94.12 are the way of life Prov. 6.23 and 15.31 See my Love-tokens pag. 25 26 27. Verse 10. After their own pleasure To ease their stomacks vent their choller discharge themselves of that displeasure they have and perhaps without cause conceived against us Not so the Lord Fury is not in me saith he Isa 27.4 Though God may do with his own as he pleaseth yet he doth never over-do For it goes as much against the heart with him as against the hair with us It is even a pain to him to be punishing Lam. 3.33 That we might be partakers thus bitter pils bring sweet health and sharp winter kils worms and weeds and mellows the earth for better bearing of fruits and flowers The Lilly is sowed in its own tears and Gods vines bear the better for bleeding The Walnut tree is most fruitfull when most beaten and Camomile the more you tread it the more you spread it Aloes kils worms and stained clothes are whitened by frosting Verse 11. The peaceable fruit of righteousnesse That crown of righteousnesse wrought out unto us by afflictions 2 Cor. 4.17 These are the preludes of our triumph yea a part of our salvation Look therefore thorow the anger of Gods corrections saith one to the sweetnesse of his love therein as by a rain-bow we see the beautifull image of the Suns-light in the midst of a dark and waterish cloud And look upon these afflictions as on so many wayward and touchy guests which while they stay watch every officer but when they depart they pay freely Verse 12. Lift up the hands Pluck up your good hearts and buckle close to your businesse how else will you runne the race that is set before you as vers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I. Gird up the loins of your minds a drooping spirit makes no riddance of the way Set all to rights as the world signifieth Verse 13. Make straight paths Seek not by-waies those high-waies to hell leap not over the hedge of any Commandment so to escape any peece of foul way but as those kine of the Philistims held straight on their way to Bethshemesh 1 Sam. 6.12 though they had calves at home so let us to heaven though we have divers things to divert us Let thine eyes look right on and let thine eye-lids look straight before thee Prov. 4.25 Verse 14. Follow peace Gr. Pursue it though it flee from you Psal 120.7 I am peace saith David but when I speak of it they are for warre And holinesse Or chastity 1 Thess 4.4 such a holinesse as is opposed to fornication and profanenesse v. 16. Without which The Article may be neuter and then the sense is Without which following peace and holinesse or an holy peaceablenesse none shall see God to their comfort Verse 15. Lest any man fail Or Fall short as Chap. 4.1 See the Note there Short shooting loseth many a game he that in a race lieth down ere he come to the goal gets not the garland Peâ—â—everance crowns all our vertues But it s an easie thing to fall a napping with the foolish virgins yea the wise also slumbered which will prove to our cost when God shall send forth summons for sleepers Lest any root of bitternesse Any scandalous sin to the corrupting of others and the corroding of our own conseiences and out of which we recover not without much adoe till we have felt what an evil and a bitter thing â—inne is as David did Psal 51. Verse 16. Fornicatour or profane He instanceth in some roots of bitternesse Esaâ—'s profanenesse appeared in these particulars 1. In that he was no sooner asked for the birth-right but he yeelded 2. That he parted with it for a trifle a little red red as he called it in his haste and hunger 3. That he did this being as he thought at point of death 4. That he weâ—t his way when he had done as if he had done no such thing he shewed no signe of remorse or regret Hence he is four of five severall times branded with This is Edom. Who for one morsell c. Many such Edomites now-adaies that prefer earth before heaven a swine-sty before a sanctuary as the Gadarens their part in Paris before their part in Paradise as that carnall Cardinall Vale lumen amicum said Theotimus Ambros Farewell eyes if I may not drink and do worse ye are no eyes for me He would rather lose his sight then his sin so will many rather part with heaven then with their lusts
O what mad men are these that bereave themselves of a room in that City of pearl for a few carnall pleasures amp c. Pope Sixtus the fifth sold his soul to the devil to enjoy the Popedome for seven years Verse 17. He was rejected Or Repulsed For Isaac 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he saw that he had done unwilling justice in blessing Jacob he durst not reverse the blessing for he feared an exceeding great fear Gen. 27.33 Neither naturall affection nor Esau's importunity could make him repent and repeal what he had done Though he sought is carefully with tears Tears they were of discontent for he cries and at same time threatens his brother Jacob. Some weep for sin some for misery some for joy some for compassion some for revenge and in hypocrisie as Esau here who rued his deed but repented not his sin Vetse 18. For ye are not come c. q. d. You are not under the law but under grace beware therefore of prophanenesse and licentiousnesse For think you that God hath hired you to be wicked Are you delivered to do all these abominations Jer. 7.10 Ought you not to walk Gospel-high Phil. 1.27 Will not the Angel Christ that goeth along with you destroy you after that he hath done you good if ye turn not and repent according to the rules of his Law the Gospel Exodus 33.2 3 4 c. Verse 19. And the sound of a trumpet Shewing the nature of Gods Law to manifest Gods will mens sins and to warn them of the wrath deserved likewise to summon them to appear before the Judge The voice of Words That is The delivery of the Decalogue called the words of the Covenant Exodus 33.28 the ten words Verse 20. For they could not endure This shews the nature and use of the Law contrary to that of the Gospel It is a killing letter written in bloud holding forth justice only and no mercy Verse 21. Moses said I exceedingly This Paul might have by tradition or rather by revelation unlesse he gathered it from Exod. 19.19 compared with Dan. 108 16 17 19. Verse 22. But ye are come to Mount And the blessings that come out of Sion Grace and peace that come by Jesus Christ are better then all other the blessings of heaven and earth Psal 134.3 The heavenly Jerusalem As Jerusalem was distinguished into two Cities the superiour and the inferiour so is the Church into triumphant and militant yet both make up but one City of the living God To an innumerable company Gr. To Myriads or many ten thousands of Angels Some have said that they are 99. to one in comparison of the Saints grounding their conceit upon the Parable of the lost sheep Luk. 15. Verse 23. To the generall Assembly Or publike meeting of a whole Countrey as at a great Assize or some solemn celebrity The Roman Emperours raised up ample Amphitheatres in a circular form that the people sitting round about might have a commodious sight of such pleasant spectacles as were set before them That which Pompey erected was of such extent that it was able to receive 40000 men as Pliny witnesseth But O what a glorious Amphitheatre is that of heaven What a stately Congregation-house O praeclarum diem cum ad illud animorum concilium caetumque proficiscar cum ex hac turba colluvione discedam Cic desenectâ—te Surely if Cicero or some other Heathen could say so how much more may we exult and say O that dear day when we shall go out of this wretched world and wicked company to that generall Assembly of holy and happy souls And how should we in the mean while turn every solemnity into a school of Divinity as when Fulgentius saw the Nobility of Rome sit mounted in their bravery it mounted his meditation to the heavenly Jerusalem And another when he sat and heard a sweet consort of musick M. Esâ—y Art of Meditat. by D. Hall seemed upon this occasion carried up for the time before-hand to the place of his rest saying very passionately What musick may we think there is in heaven Which are written in heaven In Jerusalem records were kept of the names of all the Citizens Psal 48.3 so in heaven And as the Citizens of Rome might not accept of freedom in any other City so neither should we seek things on earth as those whose names are written in the earth Ier. 17. Verse 24. That speaketh better things Every drop whereof had a tongue to cry for vengeance whence it is called blouds in the plurall Gen. 4.10 Verse 25. See that ye refuse not c. Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That ye shift him not off by frivolous pretences and excuses as those Recusant guests did Mat. 22. It is as much as your souls are worth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Look to it therefore That speaketh from heaven By his bloud Word Sacraments motions of his Spirit mercies c. If we turn our backs upon such bleeding embracements and so kick against his naked bowels what will become of us And mark that he speaketh of himself as one Verse 26. Whose voice then shook c. viz. When he gave the Law What shall he do when he comes to judgement Not the earth only c. Not men only but angels who stand amazed at the mystery of Christ As for men they will never truly desire Christ till they are shaken Hag. 2.7 Gods shaking ends in settling it is not to ruine but to refine us Verse 27. And this word Yet once more The Apostle commenteth upon the Prophet whom he citeth and from that word of his Yet once concludeth the dissolution of the present frame of the world by the last fire and the establishing of that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse 2 Pet. 3.12 13. The force of Scripture-words is then well to be weighed by those that will draw there-hence right consequences And they have done singular good service to God and his Church that they have emploied their time and their talents for the finding out the sense of the Text by fishing out the full import and signification of the Originall words In which kinde learned Mr Leigh by his Critica Sacra upon both testaments hath merited much commendation Verse 28. A kingdome which cannot be moved As the mighty Monarchies of the world could for those had their times and their turns their ruine as well as their rise so that now they live but by fame only Not so the Kingdome of heaven You may write upon it the Venetian Motto Nec fluctu nec flatu movetur Neither windes nor waves can stir it With reverence Gr. With bashfulnesse as in Gods holy presence See Deut. 23.13 Verse 29. A consuming fire viz. To profligate professours ungirt Christians Isa 33.14 CHAP. XIII Verse 1. Let brotherly love continue IT shall continue in heaven pity therefore but it should on earth No such heaven upon earth next unto communion
with God as the communion of Saints Verse 2. Have entertained Angels As Abraham and Lot who pursued hospitality as the Apostle speaketh Rom. 12.13 and had such guests as they hoped not for The Galatians received St Paul as an Angel so did Cornelius entertain Peter Every childe of God is an earthly Angel and in entertaining them Angels also which are their Guardians are entertained The Philosopher told his friends when they came into his little low cottage The gods are here with me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and his Angels are where the Saints are Verse 3. Remember them that c. Learn hence saith one That it is no new thing for the world to put bonds on them who seek to bring them out of bondage It is very probable that Micaiah was that disguised Prophet who brought to Ahab the fearfull message of displeasure and death for dismissing Benhadad for which he ever after hated him and held him in prison As being your selves also in the body Not the body of Christ or the Church as Calvin senseth it but in the body of flesh and frailty subject to like afflictions so Erasmus Beza Pareus others Verse 4. Marriage is honourable And yet say the Rhemists upon 1 Corinth 7.9 Marriage of Priests is the worst sort of incontinency Is not this to play the Antichrist And the bed undefiled Admonimus in ipso etiam matrimonio quandam esse scortutionis speciem Bâ—z Confess p. 194. siquâ— puro Dei dono purè sanctè non utatur ad eum finem cujus caiuâ est institutum saith Beza The Marriage-bed though lawfull may be defiled by excesse c. and a man may be an adulterer of his own wife God will judge The Anabaptists of Germany Joh. Manl. loc com p. 487. inferred from hence that therefore men ought not to punish adulterers for God reserved them to his own judgement Two of them Monetarius and Hetserus were notorious whoremongers being a pair of such Preachers as Zedekiah and Ahab were whom the King of Babylon roasted in the fire because they committed adultery with their neighbours wives and spake lies in Gods name c. Jer. 29.22 23. But what a bold man was Latimer Bishop of Worcester who presented to Henry the eight for a New-years-gift Act. and Mon. 1594. a new Testament with a napkin having this posie about it Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Verse 5. Be content with such things Not to be content is to be covetous If men cannot bring their means to their minde Clem. Alex. let them bring their minde to their means A little will serve to bear our charges till we come home to heaven Bonus pacis indiget See the Note on 1 Timothy 6 6.8 For he hath said Five times in Scripture is this precious promise renued that we may presse and oppresse it till we have expressed the sweetnesse out of it Isa 66.11 I will not forsake thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will not not not forsake thee Leave us God may to our thinking but forsake us he will not Only we must put this and other promises in suit by praying them over God loves to be bound by his own words to be sued by his own bond Verse 6. So that we my boldly say Having such a promise to build and found our faith upon we may well proceed to this holy gloriation against all opposition Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Them which have the rule Gr. Your Captains your Guides so Ministers are called Your Chieftains and Champions that bear the brunt of the battle the heat of the day and upon whom as upon his white horses the Lord Christ rideth about conquering and to conquer Revelation 6.2 Verse 8. Jesus Christ the same This was the summe of their Sermons Act 9.11 and is the substance of their and your faith which therefore you must stick to standing fast in the street which is called Straight and not wherried about with divers and strange doctrines Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be not carried about Errour is a precipice a vortex or whirl-pool which first turns men round and then sucks them in With divers and strange doctrines That agree neither with themselves nor with the truth That the heart be established Ballasted as a ship balanced as the Bee with a little stone taken up by her when she hath farre to flie in a high winde Ne leve alarum remigium praecipitent â—â—abra ventorum as Ambrose observeth lest the bigger blast should dash her to the ground Not with meats As if they were holy or helpfull to salvation Verse 10. We have an altar That is A sacrifice even Christ our Passeover whose flesh is meat indeed John 6. but to believers only not to those that pertinaciously plead for Ceremonies and services of the Law Gal. 5.4 Hic edere est credore Verse 11. Are burnt without the Camp And so the Priests had no part of the sin offering to shew that they have no part in Christ that adhere to the Leviticall services See Levit. 16.27 Verse 12 Without the gate See how punctually the old Testament is fulfilled in the new Hardly could those before Christ divine what this meant till he had suffered it and the Apostle had opened it Event is the best key to types and prophecies Verse 13. Bearing his reproach The reproach of Saints is the reproach of Christ and their sufferings his Colos 1.24 And Nehem. 4.3 5. God is more provoked then Nehemiah He that saith Vengeance is mine I will repay repaies oft-times when we have forgiven when we have forgotten and cals to reckoning after our discharges Verse 14. For here we have none Improve this argument for the working our hearts off from the things of this world the beauty of all which is but as a fair picture drawn upon the ice that melts away with it But we seek one to come And here we must all turn Seekers Seek ye first the Kingdom of God c. Matth. 5.33 See the Note there Verse 5. The fruit of our lips Covering Gods altar with the calves of our lips Hos 14.3 This shall please the Lord better then an Oxe or Bullock that hath horns and hoofs Psal 69.31 This also is the seekers sacrifice v. 32. Verse 16. Forget not We very easily forget what we care not to remember The richer the harder usually For with such sacrifices How improvident are we that will not offer a sacrifice of alms when God sets up an altar before us Verse 17. That have the rule over you Gr. That are your Leaders or Captains But now as once in Alcibiades his Army most will be leaders few learners See the Note on Verse 7. Verse 18. Willing to live honestly Tantum velis Deus tibi praeoccurret David could wish well to the keeping of Gods Commandments Psal 119.4 5. and affect that which yet he could not effect Verse 19. That I may be
not leave Calvin to hear Paul This is not only partiality but anthropolatry or Man-worship saith he Grynaeus reports a speech of George Duke of Saxony Although I am not ignorant Lect. in Hag. p. 41. said he that there are divers errours and abuses crâ—pt into the Church Nolo tamen amplecti Evangelium quod Lutherus annunciat yet I will noâ—â— of that Gospel-reformation that Luther preacheth Compertum est It is for certain saith Erasmus that many things are condemned as hereticall in Luthers writings Erasm epist ad Cardin Mogunt that in Austins and Bernards books are approved for sound and pious passages Verse 2. For if there come c. It is probable saith an Interpreter here that the Primitive Christians the better to ingratiate with the richer Pagans gave them very great respect contrary to that Psal 15.4 But I rather think the Apostle speaketh in this text of wealthier Christians unworthily preferred before better but poorer persons Verse 3 That weareth the gay cloth As Hospinian tels us of the dogs that kept Vulcans Temple and as others say of the Bohemian curres that they will fawn upon a good sute but flie upon one that is in ragged apparrel So is it with many Vestis virum Verse 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Are ye not then partiaâ— Or Are ye not fâ—r so doing condemned in your own consciences Or Neither have ye so much as once doubted or guestioned the matter within your selves whether in so doing you have not done amisse Verse 5. Châ—sen the poor This the world wonders and stumbles at 〈◊〉 Heathen Romans would not receive Christ though they heard of his miracles and mighty works into the number of their gods because he preached poverty and made use of poor persons Aigâ—land King of Saragossa in Arragon refused to be baptized 〈…〉 because he saw many Lazars and poor people expecting alms from Charâ—â—mains table and asking what they were was answered That they were the messengers and servants of God And can he keep his servants no better said he I 'le be none of his servants Revel â— But what saith Christ I know thy poverty but that 's nothing thou art rich And The poor are Gospellized not only receive it Mat. 11. but are changed by it Heirs of the Kingdom Heads destinated to the diadem saith Tertullian Verse 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oppresse you Subjugate you and bring your heads under their giâ—dles trample upon you with the feet of pride and cruelty yea devour you as the greater fish do the lesser Draw you before the judgement seats Vex you with law-sutes and by might rob you of your right Cedit viribus aequum Verse 7. Am. Marc. lib â— cap. 2. Doe not they â—â—â—spheme That is Cause to be blasphemed as Rom. 2.24 1 Tim. 1.20 Marcellinus a Heathen Historian taxeth the Christians of his times for their dissensions biting and devouring one another till they were even consumed one of another A sad thing that a Heathen should see such hellish miscarriages among Christs followers Verse 8. If ye fulfill the royall law Acknowledging Gods soveraignty and sending a lamb to the Ruler of the earth Isa 16.1 seeking the help of that free or noble spirit of his Psalme 51.13 that royall ruling spirit as the Greek version there hath it Verse 9. Ye commit sin That 's flat though ye have thought otherwise See the Note on Verse 4. Verse 10. He is guilty of all The whole Law is but one copulative Exod. 16.18 Ezek. 18.10 11 12 13. I â—yr Clavit He that breaketh one Commandment habitually breaketh all not so actually The godly keep those Commandments that actually they break But a dispensatory conscience keeps not any commandment Verse 11. For he that said God spake all those words Exod. 20. and said there is the same divine authority for one Commandment as another The Pharisees had their minutula legis but Christ cries them down Mat. 5. The Jews at this day set sâ—esly argue Cursed is he that abides not in all things therefore he is not cursed that abides in some things only Verse 12. As they that shall be judged Or As they that should judge by the law of liberty which is so called because it doth freely and fully discover unto every man without respect of persons the errours and evils of his life And we should walk as paterns of the rule See the Note on Matthew 11.19 Verse 13. For he shall have mercie See the Note on Matthew 5.7 And mercy rejoyceth against judgement That is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 Cervix â—eadeth on the neck of judgement The mercifull man glorieth as one that hath received mercy and shall not come into condemnation for Gods mercy rejoyceth against such a mans sins as against an adversary which he hath subdued and trampled on Verse 14. Though a man say he hath faith Saying serves not the turn Livy telleth us of the Athenians Liv. deâ— 4. that they waged Word-warre against Philip King of Macedony Quibus sâ—lis valebant and that was all they could doe Mâ—n may word it with God and yet miscarry Isa 58.2 3. He is too wise to be put off with words he turns up our leaves and looks what fruit whereof if he miâ—â—e he laies down his basket and takes up his ax Luk. 13.7 Christianity is not a talking but a walking with God and at the last day it shall be required of men non quid legerint sed quid egerint non quid dixerint sed quomodò vixerint Not what they have said but how they have acted Can faith save him That is An ineffectuall faith that worketh not by love such as is the faith of the Solifidians Verse 15. If a brother or a sister As it may bâ—â—all the best to be and they are not of the Cameleon-kinde to live with Ephraim upon winde Hos 12.1 to be fed with fair words or to be cloathed with a sute of complements Sion should be taken by the hand Isa 51.18 And Tyrus converted leaves hoarding and heaping up wealth and fals to feeding and cloathing Gods poor people Isa 23.18 Verse 16. And one of you say This age aboundeth with mouth mercy which is good cheap But a little handfull were better then a great many such mouth-fuls Be you warned But with what with a fire of words Be filled But with what with a messe of words Away with these aiery courtesies Verse 17. Is dead being alone That is Being worklesse for life discovers it self by action so doth true faith by trust in God and love to men A tree that is not for fruit is for the fire Verse 18. My faith by my works It appeared by the fruits it was a good land Numb 13.23 It appeared that Dorcas was a true believer by the coats she had made so here Verse 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Believe and tremble Gr. Roar as the sea and
stronger then all none therefore can take you out of my handâ— sith I and the Father am one Joh. 10. Verse 6. If need be ye are in heavinesse When our hearts grow a grain too light God seeth it but needfull to make us heavy through manifold temptations When our water as it were looks but a little too high our heavenly father a Physitian no lesse cunning then loving saith one doth discern it and quickly sits us Baynes letters whom he most tendereth with that which will reduce all to the health some temper of a broken spirit Verse 7. that the triall of your faith If affliction which is the triall of our faith be so exceeding precious what is faith then and the promises whereon faith laies hold There are that by the triall of faith understand here a well-tried faith which is called gold tried in the fire Rev. 3.18 Verse 8. Paraeâ—â— Whom having not seen They had not been belike at the feast of the Passeover at which time our Saviour suffered but came up to the feast of Pentecost and were converted Act. 2. And full of glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Glorified already a piece of Gods Kingdome and heavens happinesse afore-hand O the joy the joy the inexpressible joy that I finde in my soul said a dying Saint Verse 9. The end of your faith The period and perfection the reward and meed of it in all fulnesse See Psal 19.12 Prov. 22.4 Verse 10. The Prophets have enquired This highly sets forth the weight and worth of it sith such men took such pains about it Base spirits are busied about light matters Numb 14.24 as Domitian spent his time in catching flies Artaxerxes in making knive-hafts Not so Caleb who had another spirit and followed God Wholly So did the ancient Prophets as Isaiah whiles the merry Greeks were taken up at their Olympick games in the year 1540. Buchol Chron. from the floud the Prophet Isaiah seeth that heavenly vision of Christ sitting on his throne and heareth that thrice happy Trisagion Isa 6.1 2 3. Verse 11. Searching What c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With greatest sagacity and industry as hunters seek for game and as men seek for gold in the very mines of the earth The sufferings of Christ c. Macarius was utterly out in saying that the prophets knew that Christ should be born for mens redemption but that they knew nothing of his death and sufferings Isaiah writes of them more like an Evangelist then a Prophet and is therefore called the Evangelicall Prophet Verse 12. Not unto themselves In regard of the accomplish-of those oracles that they uttered And yet to themselves in regard of their right and interest therein They did minister None must hold themselves too good to serve the Saints The Angels desire to look into To look wishly and intently as the Cherubims of old looked into the Mercy-seat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prono capite propenso collo accuraâ—e â—â—rospicere Exod. 25.18 19. Verse 13. Wherefore gird up c. We are seldome comforted but we have need to be exhorted So apt are our hearts to security and so apt is Satan to interrupt our joyes with his base injections Gird up the loins of your minde Gird your selves and serve God Luk 17.8 A loose discinct and diffluent minde is unfit for Gods service Girding implies 1. Readinesse 2. Nimblenesse handinesse handsomenesse Hope to the end Gr. Hope perfectly or entirely q. d Do not â—y halves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let there not be any odde reckonings between God and you but work out your salvation Phil. 2.12 See the Note thâ—â—e For the grace That is for the glory That is to be brought unto you It must be brought unto us such is out duines we will scarce go seek it hardly be perswaded to live happily raign everlastingly Verse 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not fashioning your selves As a plaier is fashioned to the oâ— seene speeches and carriages of him whom he personateth In your ignorance Men may remain grossely ignorant amidst abundance of means as these Jews did Who is blinde but my servant or deaf as my messenger c Isa 42.19 20. Verse 15. In all manner of conversation Our very civilities must favour of sanctity and our common conversation rellish of religion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Pauls civil conversation was in heaven Phil. 3.20 Holines must be written upon our bridles when we war upon our cups when we drink Zach. 14.20 21. It is said of a certain Scotch-Divine that he did even eat and drink and sleep eternall life Verse 16. Be ye holy i.e. Separate from sin and dedicated to God in conformity to whom stands our happinesse See the Note on Mat 5 48. Verse 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Incoâ—â—tus conâ—â—â—oratio Of your sojourning Having your commoration on earth but your conversation in heaven Fugiamus ad coelestem patriam c. could a Heathen say In fear Those that fear of all others are likely to hold out Jer. 32 4â— Verse 18. Received by tradition Children are very apt to follow their parents example whether of good or evil Me ex ea opinione quam amajoribus accepi de cultu deorum nullius unquam movebit oratio saith Tully I will never for sake that way of divine service that I have received from my fore fathers Verse 19. Without blemish Of originall pollution And without spot Of actuall sin Verse 20. Who verily c. So carefull was God to make all sure concerning our redemption in Christ saith one here Verse 21. Might be in God And so in a safer hand then cur own He hath laid help upon one that is mighty Verse 22. Ye have purified Animabus vestris castificatis c. A metaphor from the legall purifications Verse 23. Born again A man shall never have occasion to curse the day of his new birth Verse 24. Aâ—â—flâ—â—sh is grasse To live is but to lie a dying Can a picture continue that is drawn upon the ice Verse 25. The Word of the Lord c. This sentence is the Motto of the Dukes of Saxony See Psal 119.89 Manlâ—â—ee coâ— 4 19. CHAP. II. Verse 1. All malice and all guile OUt with this leaven utterly 1 Cor. 5.7 Howsoever we otherwise fail let us not in these be found faulty at all These are not the spots of Gods children Deut. 32.5 Verse 2. Desire the sincere As in children all speaks and works at once hands feet mouth See Davids desire Psa 42. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 119.20 40 131. The sincere Gr. Guilelesse unmixed milk not sugred or sophisticated with strains of wit excellency of speech c. 1 Cor. 2.1 That ye may grow thereby After generation 1 Pet. 1.23 Augmentation That word which breeds us feeds us As the same bloud of which the babe is bred and fed in the womb strikes up into the mothers brests
and there by a further concoction bebecometh white and nourishethe it And as milk from the brests is more effectually taken then when it haâ—h stood a while and the spirits are gone out of it So the word preached rather then read furthereth the souls growth Verse 3. If so be ye have tasted As babes taste the milk they take down Isa 66.11 We are bid to suck and be satisfied with the brests of consolation to presse and oppresse the promises till we have expressed and even wrung the sweetnesse out of them This will make us even sick of love our sleep will be pleasant unto us and our hearts filled with gladnesse The Saints taste how good the Lord is and thence they so long after him Optima demonstratio est a sensibus as he that feels fire hot and that tastes honey sweet can best say it is so Verse 4. As unto a living stone Living and all quickning as Act. 7.38 Lively that is life-giving oracles He that hath the Son hath life 1 Joh. 5.12 Disallowed indeed of men for the Cock on the dung-hill knoweth not the price of this jewel And precious In vita Apol. l 3. c. 14. Alsted Chronel p. â—09 Far beyond that most orient and excellent stone Pantarbe celebrated by Philostratus or that precious adamant of Charls Duke of Burgundy sold for 20000 duckets and set into the Popes triple-crown Verse 5. Ye also as lively stones Gods house is built of growing stones of green timber Cant. 1. To offer up spirituall sacrifices Such as are praiers Psal 141.2 Praises Heb. 13.5 Alms Heb. 13.16 Our selves Rom. 12.1 Our Saviour whom we present as a propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 2.1 laying our hands on his head seeing him bleed to death and consumed in the fire of his Fathers wrath for our sins Verse 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wherefore it is contained The Jews were so well versed in Scripture that in quoting of texts there was need to say no more to them then It is Written It is contained c. they could tell where to turn to the place presently And this was a great furtherance to the conversion of many of them by the preaching of the Apostles Shall not be confounded the Hebrew text hath it Shall not make haste Isa 28.16 Haste makes waste as we say and oft brings confusion Children pull apples afore they are ripe and have worms bred of them Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is precious Gr. He is a price or an honour If you had not found all worth in him you would never have sold all for him Verse 8. And a rock of offence Like that rock Judg. 6.21 out of which comes fire to consume the reprobate Which stumble at the Word An ill sign and yet an ordinary sinne Verse 9. But ye are a chosen generation A pickt people the dearly beloved of Gods soul such as he first chose for his love and then loves for his choice Aroiall Priesthood Or as Moses hath it Exod. 20.6 kingdome of Priests Priests Gods people are in respect of God Kings in respect of men The righteous are Kings Mâ—â—ny righteous men have d fired c. saith Matthew chap. 13.17 Many Kings saith Luke chap 10 24. Indeed they are somewhat obscure Kings here as was Melchisedech in the Land of Canaan but Princes they are in all lands Psal 45.16 and more excellent then their neighbours let them dwell where they will Prov. 12.26 A peculiar people Gr. A people of purchase such as comprehend as it were all Gods gettings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his whole stock that he makes any great reckoning of Shew forth the praises Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Preach forth the vertues by our suitable practice the picture of a dear friend should be hung up in a conspicuous place of the house so should Gods holy image and grace in our hearts Verse 10. Which in time past Were not If Plato thought it such a mercy to him that he was a man and not a woman a Grecian and not a Barbarian a scholar to Socrates and not to any other Philosopher what exceeding great cause have we to praise God that we are born Christians not Pagans Protestants not Papists in these blessed daies of Reformation c Verse 11. As pilgrims and strangers Excellently doth Justin Martyr describe the Christians of his time â—pist â—â— Ding they inhabit their own countries saith he but as strangers they partake of all as Citizens and yet suffer all as forraigners every strange land is a Countrey to them and every countrey a strange land And strangers abstain Thoughts of death will be a death to our lusts Lam. 1.9 Her filthinesse is in her skirts and all because she remembreth not her last end As the stroaking of a dead hand on the belly cureth a tympany and as the ashes of a viper applied to the part that is stung draws the venome out of it so the thought of death is a death to sin From fleshly lusts Those parts in our bodies that are the chiefest and nearest both subjects and objects of lust and concupiscence are like unto the dung-gate 1 Chron. 26 16. whereby all the filâ—h was cast out of the Temple God hath placed them in our bodies like snakes creeping out of the bottome of a dung-hill and abased them in our eyes that we might make a base account and estimation of the desires thereof as one well observeth Which warre against the soul Only man is in love with his own bane beasts are not so and sights for those lusts Caâ—ell of temptation that fight against the soul And whereas some might say that other lusts fight against the soul as well as flâ—shly lusts it is answered that other lusts fight against the graces but these more against the peace of the soul Verse 12. Having your conversation honest Leading convincing lives the best arguments against an Atheist adversary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They speak evil of you See the Note on Mat. 5.11 Which they shall behold Whiles they pry and spie into your courses as the Greek word imports to see what evil they can finde out and fasten on In the day of visitation When God shall effectally call and convert them See the Note on Ma 5 16. Verse 13. Full. answ to D Fern. Submit to every ordinance That is Although the Ordinance or Government in the manner of its constitution be from man yet because of the necessity of its institution it is from God submit to it though of man for the Lords sake Verse 14. Or unto Governours In the kingdome of Christ this is wonderfull Miseel â—p ded saith Zanchy that he wils and commands all Princes and Potentates to be subject to his Kingdome and yet he wils and commands likewise that his Kingdome be subject to the Kingdoms of the world Verse 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ye may put to silence Gr. Muzzle
q. d. As God hath given you all things pertaining to life and godlinesse and hath granted you exceeding great and precious promises so must you reciprocate by giving all diligence or making all haste that ye be not taken with your task undone Acti agamus Adde to your faith Faith is the foundation of the following graces Indeed they are all in faith radically Every grace is but faith exercised Adde Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Link them hand in hand as Virgins in a dance Or Provide your selves of this rich furniture one grace strengthneth another as stones do in an arch Verse 6 And to knowledge temperance That ye be Wise to sobriety not curiously searching into those things whereof ye can neither have proof nor profit Some are as wise as Galilaeus who used perspective glasses to descry mountains in the Moon Verse 7. Mar. 10.11 Joh. 11.3 And to brotherly kindenesse c. Love we must all men but especially the family of faith as our Saviour loved the young man but not so as he did Lazarus Verse 8. If these things be in you What God doth for us he doth by grace in us And it is the growing Christian that is the assured Christian Whilest we are yet adding to every heap we shall be both actuosi fructuosi and so get more abundant entrance and further in to the kingdom of Christ Verse 9 But he that lacketh these Those that adde not to their stock of grace shall have no comfort either from the time past for they shall forget they were purged from their sinnes or from thoughts of the time to come for they shall not be able to see things farre off to ken their interest in the kingdom of heaven Cannot see farre off Being pur-blinde blinking Lusciosi qui siquando oculorum aciem intendunt ut certiùs aliquid cernant minùs vident quam antè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Vives If weak-sighted men look wishly upon a thing they see it no whit the better but much the worse And hath forgotten As if he bad been dlpt in the lake of Lothe and not in the laver of baptisme Divers of the Spanish converts in America forget not only their vow but their very names that they received when they were baptized Verse 10. Give diligence Say not here as Antipater King of Macedony did when one presented him a book treating of happinesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am not at leisure But do this one thing necessary with all expedition Your calling and election We must not go saith one to the university of election T. Câ— on Colos before we have been at the grammar-school of Vocation First we are to begin below at our sanctification before we can climbe to the top of Gods counsell to know our election Sure Some copies have it Sure by good works and indeed these settle the soul 1 Cor. 15.58 as a stake the more it is struck into the ground the faster it sticks Ye shall never fall Stumble ye may but he that stumbles and fals not gets ground Verse 11. Ministered unto you abundantly Ye shall go gallantly into heaven not get thither as many doe with hard shift and much ado A ship may make a shift to get into the harbour but with anchors lost cables rent sails torne mast broken another comes in with sails and flags up with trumpets sounding and comes bravely into the haven so do fruitfull and active Christians into Christs Kingdome Verse 12. Act and Mon. fol 1â—89 I will not be negligent Ministers must carefully watch and catch at all opportunities of benefitting the people Dr Tailour the Martyr preached at Hadley his charge on any day as oft as he could get the people together and once a fortnight at least went to the almhouse and there exercised his charity both spirituall and corporall Verse 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To stir you up Gr. To rouse you and raise you ex veterno corporis teporis oblivionis Grace in the best is like a dull sea-coal-fire which if not stirred up though it want no fuell will yet easily go out of it self Verse 14. I must put off See the Note on 2 Cor. 5.1 What is this life but a spot of time betwixt two eternities Our tents shall be taken down Verse 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 After my decease Gr. Mine out-going or Passage to heaven The Apostle in this expression hath respect doubtlesse to that Luke 9.31 As Daniel 6.15 referres to Psal 2.1 To have these things alwaies c. Dilexi virum said Theodosius concerning Ambrose I could not but love the man exceedingly for this that when he died he was more sollicitous of the Churches then of his own dangers And I am in no lesse care saith Cicero Mihi non minori curae est c. Cicer. Lael what the Commonwealth will do when I am dead then whiles I am yet alive Verse 16. Cunningly devised fables Artificially composed and compiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not without a shew of wisdome and truth to deceive silly people The Jesuites confesse that the legend of miracles of their Saints is for most part false but it was made say they for good intention that the common-people the females especially might be drawn with greater zeal to serve God and his Saints Verse 17. This is my beloved Sonne See the Notes on Matthew 3.17 and 17.5 Verse 18. When we were with him Witnesses of his glory and the same were shortly after witnesses of his agony Envy not the gifts or honours of others sith they have them upon no other tearms then to undergo the sorer trials In the boly Mount Holy for the while as are our Churches during the publike assemblies Verse 19. A more sure word The authority of the Scriptures is greater then of an angels voice of equall command to Gods audible and immediate voice and of greater perspicuity and certainty to us for besides inspiration it is both written and sealed As unto a light As the Governour of a ship hath his hand on the stern his eye on the pole-star so should we on Christ the day-star Rev. 2.28 and 22.12 Verse 20. Of any private interpretation That is of humane interpretation Private is not here opposed to publike but to divine or to the holy Ghost The old Prophet may bring a man into the Lions mouth by telling him of an Angel that spake to him Verse 21. As they were moved Forcibly moved acted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carried out of themselves to say and doe what God would have them CHAP. II. Verse 1. Who privily shall bring in OR Fraudulently soist in false doctrines under the title of truth and pretext of piety Some truths they shall teach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the better to perswade to their falshoods Together with the gold silver and ivory of orthodox tenets they have store of apes and peacocks as Solomons ships had Sunt
seven golden pipes thorow which the two olive branches do empty out of themselves the golden oils of all precious graces into the golden candle-stick the Church Zach. 4.2 3. So some interpret those seven eyes upon one stone Zach 3.9 concerning the Spirit in his severall operations upon Christ according to Isa 1.2 Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ Who is here set last of the three persons because more is to be said of him both as touching his three-fold office and a three-fold benefit there-hence redounding unto us That hath loved us See Ezek. 16.6 8 9. Christ that heavenly Pellican Pierij bâ—eroglâ—ph revived his dead young-ones with his own heart-bloud He saw the wrath of God burning about them and cast himself into the midst thereof that he might quench it Judah offered to be bound that Benjamin might go free Jonathan perilled his life and quitted his kingdome for love of David Arsinoe interposed her own body betwixt the murtherers weapons and her children But what was all this to this incomparable love of the Lord Jesus When the Jews saw him weeping for Lazarus Behold say they how he loved him When we see him weeping bleeding dying for us Shall not we much more say so Verse 6. And hath made us Kings To rule in righteousnesse to lord it over our lusts to triumph over and trample on all our spirituall adversaries being more then conquerours thorow him that loved us and laid down his life for us that we might raign in life by one Jesus Christ Rom. 5.17 And surely if as Peter Martyr once wrote to Q. Elizabeth Kings are doubly bound to serve God both as men and as Kings What are we for this spirituall kingdome Judg 5.28 And Priests uâ—to God To offer up to him the personall saer fice of our selves Rom. 12.1 the verball of praise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and reall of alms Heb. 1.15 16. See the Note on 1 Pet. 29. Verse 7. Bel old he cometh He is already upon the way and will be with us shortly Let us hasten his coming and say â—s Sisera's mother Why are his chariots his clouds so long in coming Why tarry the wheels of his chariots Shall nail Gr. Shall smite their brests or thighes the elect as repenting the reprobate as despairing Iisdem quibus videmus oculis flemus so here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall look and lament Verse 8. Which is and which was The Father is called He that it Exod 3.13 The Son He that was Joh. 1.1 The holy Ghost He that cometh Joh. 16 8 13. as Aretas observeth Verse 9. In the kingdom and patience Christ hath a two-fold kingdom 1. Of power 2. Of patience Nec nisi per aâ—gusta ad augusta c. I have no stronger argument against the Popes kingdome saith Luther quà m quod sine cruce regnat Luth. T 2. then this that he raigns without the crosse The glory of Christs Church said George Marsh Martyr stands not in out ward shews Act. and Mon. fol. 1423. in the harmenious found of bels and organs nor yet in the glistering of mitâ—es and copes c. but in continuall labours and daily afflictions for his Namâ—s sake Was in the Isle Patmos He tels us not how he came thither he boasteth not of his banishment Virtus proprio contenta theatro Vertue is no braggard Verse 10. I was in the Spirit Acted by him and carried out of himself as the demoniack is said to be in the unclean spirit as being acted and agitated by him Sec the Note on 2 Pet. 1.21 On the Lords day The first day of the week the Christian Sabbath Mat. 24.20 called the Lords-day from Christ the authour of it as is likewise the Lords Supper and the Lords Church Kirk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the very word here used To sanctisie this Sabbath was in the Primitive times a badge of a Christian For when the question was asked Servasti Dominicum Keepest thou the Sabbath The answer was returned Christianus sum interâ—â—ittere non possum I am a Christian I must keep the Lords-day And heard behinde me Not before me implying that the Spirit calleth upon us being secure passing by and not regarding those things it cals for As of a trumpet To teach us that the things here delivered to the Church must be ever sounding in out ears and hearts indwelling richly in us Col. 3.16 Verse 11. Greg. Mag. Send it to the seven As all holy Scripture so this piece especially may well be called The Epistle of Almighty God to his creature Verse 12. And being turned I saw It is well observed here by a learned Interpreter M. Brightman That every godly endeavour doth receive some fruit greater then a man can hope for John turned himself to behold the man and behold over and besides seven Candlesticks which he had not the least suspition of Verse 13. And in the midst Christ is in the holy assemblies in the beauties of holinesâ—c he walketh in his garden Cant. 6.1 he comes in to see his guests Mat. 22.11 The face of God is seen in Sion Psal 84.7 Agarment down to the fiâ—t As a Councellour Isa 9.6 And girt It implies readinesse nimblenesse handinesse and handsomenesâ—e We also must gird our selves and serve the Lord Christ Luk 17.8 About the paps This implies his entire love seated in the heart Verse 14. White like wooll Noting his antiquity or rather his eternity and unspeakable purity Thales one of the Heathen Sages called God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The most ancieâ—t of Beings Diâ—g Laeâ—â— As a flame of fire Sharp and terrible such as pierce into the inward parts Heb. 4.13 See the Note there Verse 15. And his fâ—et He stood firm then when he was cast into the fire of his Fathers wrath He trod the wine-presse alone and set his feet on the necks of all his and our enemies He lost no ground when he grappled with the devil on his own dung-hill Matth. 4. He will also bruise Saâ—â—â— under our feet shortly Rom. 16.20 As the sound of many waters Audible Som. Scip. terrible forcible Some Catadupes are deafâ—ed by the fall of this Nilus But the Spouse cries out O thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken to thy voice cause â—e to hear it Cant. 8 13. Verse 16. And he had in his right-hand See heere the dignity and safety of a faithfull Minister Whiles a childe hath his father by the hand though he walk in the dark he fears nothing A sharp two-edged sword The word like a sacrificing sword slits open and as it were unridgeth the conscience Verse 17. I fill at his feet as dead The nearer any one comes to Christ the more rottennes entreth into his bones And be laid his right-hand The same right-hand wherein he held the seven starres verse 16. Christus sic omnibus attentus ut â—â—lli dotentus sic curat universos quasi singulos sic singulos quasi
i. e. I will clear his wronged innocency Psal 37.6 and grant him a glorious resurrection Dan. 12 3. Verse 29. He that hath an ear See the Note on Verse 7. CHAP. III. Verse 1. I know thy work SApiens nummularius Deus est nummum fictum non recipiet Bern. Though men may be deceived God is not mocked He knows that many cry The temple of the Lord that yet nothing care for the Lord of the temple Deifica professio diabolica actio Ambros God likes not such creaking and cracking And that thou hast aname Many content themselves with a name of Christians as if many a ship hath not been called Safeguard or Good speed which yet hath fallen into the hand of Pirats And art dead All thy specious works therefore are but dead works thou canst not serve the living God Verse 2. Be watchfull Rouse up thy self and wrestle with God shake thee out of sins lethargy as Sampson went out and shook him when the Philistims were upon him That are ready to die Because tainted with the infection of hypocrisie that pernicious mar-good Perfect before God Gr. Full without halting or halving Tacitus Omnis Sarmatarum virtus extra ipses All the hypocrites goodnesse runs out ward it is shored up by popularity or other base respects Verse 3. And thou shalt not know Calamity the more sudden the more terrible for 1. It amates and exanimates a man as an unexpected storm doth a Mariner and as Satan intended Iobs messengers should do him 2. It can as little be prevented as Eglon could prevent Ehuds deadly thrust Verse 4. Thou hast a few names Though no thank to the Pastour who was a mercenary eye-servant Here the peoples praise is the Pastours shame They shall walk with me in white That is they shall be glorified with perfect righteousnesse purity clarity dignity and festivity For they are worthy In Christs account and acceptation Like as those were not worthy that came not when called to the participation of his benefits Mat. 22.8 Verse 5. Clothed in white See the Note on Verse 5. The book of life Wherein the just that live by saith are written But I will confesse his name His well-tried faith shall be found to praise honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.7 See the Note there Verse 6. See the Note on Chap. 2.7 Verse 7. That is holy And therefore to be sanctified in righteousnesse Isa 5.16 True And therefore to be trusted That hath the key of David And is therefore to be sought unto for a door both of utterance and of entrance Col 4.13.2 Cor 2.12 Act 16.14 Verse 8 An open door A fair opportunity of doing thy self good which those that go about to deprive thee of shall be sure to lose oleum operam their toil and tallow A little strength A little grace well improved may do great matters and set heaven open to a soul The vine is the weakest of trees but the most fruitfull Philadelphia with her little strength is discommended for nothing she made all best use of it Verse 9. I will make them The coversion of the Jews shall be the wonder of the Gentiles Which say they are Iews and are not The perverse Jews at this day pretend but maliciously that those few Jews that turn Christians are not of them Bâ—unts voiage p. 1.2 but poor Christians hired from other places to personate their part That I have loved thee The Church is the dearly-beloved of Gods soul Jer. 12.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as the Septuagint render it his beloved soul Verse 10. The word of my patience So called 1. Because we must suffer for the truth of it 2. Because hid in the heart it worketh patience I will keep thee From the hurt if not from the smart of it from the common distraction if not from the common destruction Which shall come upon all the world So the Romans in their pride called their Empire To try them that dwell sc By that sharp and sore persecution under Trajan the Emperour Verse 11. That no man take thy crown Not that crown of eternall life for that is unloosable but that honour that God hath put upon thee ver 9. A Christian may by falling into reproachfull courses lose what he hath wrought 2 Joh. 8.1 In respect of the praise of men 2. In respect of inward comfort 3. In respect of the degrees of glory in heaven He may misse of being a pillar in the temple of God as ver 12. Verse 12. Which is new Ierusalem It was a pride in Monâ—nns to over-ween his Pepuza and Tymium two pelting Parishes in Phrygia and to call them Hierusalem Eusâ—◠〈…〉 17. as if they had been the only Churches And surely it is nothing else but pride in the Brownists to avow that their Churches are nothing lesse then the now Ierusalem coming down from heaven See Mt Bâ—y'y his 〈◊〉 sive p 27. that the very crown scepter and throne of Christs kingdome consists in them c. My new name viz. That which he received from his Father in his exaltation Ephes 1.20 Phil. 29. Verse 14. And unto the Angel Archippus it may be for he was a Pastour here and began to cool long before this Col 4.17 These things saith the Amen The God of Amen as Isaiah calleth him faithfull in performing his promises to the remnant that he reserved in this lukewarm Church among so carelesse a multitude To these Christ became a beginning of the Creation of God so the new birth is here called as being of no lesse fame and wonder then the making of the world Verse 15. That thou art neither cold Such are our civil Justiciaries politike professours neuter-passive Christians a fait day mends them not and a foul day pairs them not peremptory never to be more precise resolved to keep on the warm side of the hedge to sleep in a whole skin suffer nothing do nothing that may interfere with their hopes or prejudice their preferments I would thou wert Better be a zealous Papist then a luke-warm Protestant Campian rat 10 Bâ—â—stow mot 36 Coster ad Osâ—and A zealous Papist saith one dare tell us to our heads that our religion is errour our selves heretikes our end destruction that one heaven cannot hold us hereafter one Church now that our damnation is so clearly set down in our own bibles that there needs no more to assure us thereof then to open our eies and read it that if we be not damned he will be damned for us c. This is better then forlorn wretchlesnesse in right religion and that detestable indifferency above-specified Verse 16. I will spue thee out I will please my self in thy just punishment Ah saith God as one ridding his stomack I will case me of mine adversaries I will avenge me of mine enemies Isa 1.24 Now the basest places are good enough to cast up our gorge in The
enough to him Now if Angels who have nothing so much benefit by him doe thus magnifie him how much more should we Our hearts should be enlarged our mouths opened and we not a little veâ—â—d at our own vile dulnesse in being no more affected with these indeleble ravishments Verse 13. And every creature The whole creation groaneth under vanity and rejoyceth as it were in the fore thought of that liberty of the sons of God at the last day whereof it shall partake Rom. 8.21 See the Note there Verse 14. And the four beasts The Saints were the Precoutâ—urs in this blessed Quire and now they are the Succentors also They began the Song and so conclude it as having far greater benefit by Christ then all other creatures and God expects a proportion that our returns be some what answerable to our receits CHAP. VI. Verse 1. One of the seals THat is The first of the seals as Gen. 1.4 Mar. 16.2 M Cotton Under these seven seals fals Rome pagan saith an Interpreter as under the seven trumpets Rome Christian under the seven vials Rome Antichristian So all the judgements in the Revelation are still upon Rome Hence Mr Dent cals his Exposition upon the Revelation The ruine of Rome The noise of thunder This first beast was like a Lion Chap 47. whose roaring is as thunder Verse 2. And behold a white horse The Apostles and Apostolike Preachers of the primitive times white for their purity of doctrine discipline and conversation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 l. 2. â—â—p 3. Horses for their nâ—â—ble and swift spreading the Gospel which ran thorow the world like a Sun-beam as Eusebius hath it and was carried abroad as on Eagles or as on Angels wings A horse hath his name in Hebrew from devouting the ground by his swiftnesse and was therefore by the Heathens dedicated to the Sun whose going forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of it Psal 19.6 Cranz in Sax. Cranzius tels us that the Saxon Princes before they became Christians gave a black horse for their arms but being onâ—â— baptized a white horse with reference haply to this text He that sat on him Christ Chap. 19.11 Psal 45.5 Had a bow The doctrine of the Gospel whereby the people fall under him Psal 45.4 Adve â— Iâ—d c. 7 Conquering and to conquer Britâ—nnorum inaccessa Romanis loâ—â— Christo â—â—men patuerunt saith Tertullian Christ camâ— and conquered this kingdome which the Romans with all their power could not do A Christo vinci summa victoria est vinciri summa libertas saith another There is no such conquest as to be conquered by Christ no such liberty as to be hound by him Verse 3. Come and see Johns better attention is called for How dull and drousie are the best in perceiving and receiving heavenly mysteries A sea-coal fire if not stirred up will die of it self so will our spark and spunk of light Christ cals upon those that had come far to hear him saying Let him that hath an ear hear Mat. 13. See Zach. 4 1. Verse 4. That was red Portending troubles and tragedies bloudy wars and terrible persecutions Those ten first were so cruell that S. Hierom writes in one of his Epistles that for every day in the year were murdered 5000 except the first day of January To him that sat thereon Christ Mat. 10.34 Zach. 1.8 He stands over his Church as the Agonothetes So he did at S. Stephens martyrdom Act. 7. he moderates and over-rules the enemies cruelty And that they should kill one another viz. The persecutours should rise up and destroy one another as the Romans did the Jews Tacit. and the Jews the Romans in divers provinces And as the Emperours who got nothing most of them by their adoption or designation to the Empire Nisi ut citius interficerentur but to be cut off the sooner All or most of the persecuting Caesars died unnaturall deaths A great sword That of the Gospel Ephes 6.17 which takes away peace by accident Mat. 24.6 Christ threatneth the contempt of the Gospel with wars and rumours of wars Our late Edgehill-battle was fought in the vale of Red-horse as if God had meant to say I have now sent you the red horse to avenge the quarrel of the white Verse 5. A black horse Famine discolours and denigrates Lam. 4.7 8. Turk Hist fol. 426. It accompanies war for most part and in sieges is very extreme as at Samaria where an asses head was worth four pounds at Rome where this proclamation was made in the market Pone pretium humanae carni At Scodra where horses were dainty meat yea they were glad to eat dogs cats rats c. At Antioch in Syria Ibid 18. where many Christians in the holy war as they called it were glad to eat the dead bodies of their late slain enemies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Had a pair of balances Gr. The beam of scales To shew that bread should be delivered out by measure as is threatned Ezekiel 4.6 Deut. 26. and men should be stinted and pittanced Verse 6. In the midst The voice of the Lamb Chap. 5.6 Who appoints and orders all he cuts us out our severall conditions cautioning for the wine and oil when other food faâ—leth A measure of wheat A quart say some a pottle others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an allowance for a day Among the Greeks saith Suidas Chaenix dictim dabatur And that the Israelites in the wildernesse according to Rabanus had each of them three Chaenices of Manna by the day that was to be ascribed to the divine bounty as Junius noteth Verse 7. See the Note on Verse 3. Verse 8. A pale horse Fit for pestilence and pale death to ride on And hell followed sc To them that were killed with death Revel 2.23 See the Note there that died in their sins which is far worse then to die in a ditch Over the fourth part of the earth That is of the Roman Empire This fell out in the daies of Decius Orosius bearing witnesse that the pestilence which then raged did extend no further Quam ad profligandas ecclesias edicta Dâ—â—ij cucurrerunt that is then the proclamations of Decius came for the overthrow of the Churches Verse 9. Vnder the altar i. e. Under Christ Heb. 13.10 under his custody and safe-gard Or Vnder the altar that is lying at the bottom of the altar as beasts newly slain for sacrifice See Phil. 2.17 2 Tim. 4.6 Which they had Gr. Which they had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and would not be drawn by any terrours or tortures to part with They may take away my life said one but not my faith my head but not my crown Verse 10. And they cried When God intends deliverance to his people he poureth out upon them the spirit of grace and supplication Zach. 12.9 10. How long O Lord Calvin had this speech alwaies in his
hard with the Church as the Host at Nola in the story made it who when â—e was commanded by the Roman Censor to go and call the good men of the City to appear before him went to the Church-yards and there called at the graves of the dead O ye good men of Nola come away for the Roman Censor cals for your appearance Anton di Guevara for he knew not where to call for a good man alive In the very midst of Popery there were many faithfull Witnesses and more of such as like those two hundred that went out of Ierusalem after Absolom went on in the simplicity of their hearts and knew not any thing 2 Sam. 15.11 Verse 10. Salvation to our God Not to this or that Popish Saint or Mediatour of all whom these triumphers might say as that Heathen once Contemno minutos istos Deos modò Iovem Iesum propitium haâ—eam I care not for all those small-gods so I may have Jesus on my side Verse 11. And all the Angels See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 11. Verse 12. Amen Blessing and glory c. The Angels assent to what the Saints had said and adde much more according to their greater measure of knowledge and love to God Write we after this fairer copy Verse 13. And one of the Elders See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 5. Verse 14 Which came out of great tribulation It is but a delicacy that men dream of to divide Christ and his crosse The Bishop of London when he had degraded Richard Bayfeild Martyr kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar he smote him so hard on the brest with his Crosier-stâ—ff that he threw him down backward and brake his head so that he swounded Act. and Mon. And when he came to himself again he thanked God that he was delivered from the malignant Church of Antichrist and that he was come into the true Church of Christ militant and I hope shall be anon with him in the Church triumphant c. And made them white Other bloud stains what is washed in it this bloud of the spotlesse Lamb whitens and putifies Verse 15. Therefore are they Not for the whitenesse of their robes but because they are washed in the meritoricus bloud of the Lamb. Before the throâ—â— of God A good man is like a good Angel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwaies standing before the face of God Shall dwell among them Gr. Shall pitch his tent or shall keep the feast of Tabernâ—cles amongst them or shall hover and cover over them as the cloud did over Israel in the wildernesse so that under his shadow they shall safely and sweetly repose themselves Verse 16. They shall hunger â—o more They shall be as it were in heaven afore-hard having Malorum ademptionem bonorum adeptionem freedome from evil and fruition of good here in part hereafter in all fulnessâ— Verse 17. Shall â—eed them and lead them An allusion to Psal 23.2 where David seems to resemble powerfull and flourishing doctrine to green pastures and the secret and sweet comforts of the Sacraments to the 〈◊〉 waters And Gâ—d shall Wipe away A metaphor from a nurse which not only suckleth her dear childe crying for hunger but also wipes off the tears CHAP. VIII Verse 1. The seventh seal THe businesse or parts whereof are the seven Trumpets that sound a dreadfull alarm against the Roman Empire ready now to be 〈◊〉 for the innocent bloud and upon the instant sait of the Martyrs Chap 6.10 There was silence in heaven That is in the Church on earth often called The kingdome of heaven This half-hours silence was either for horrour and admiration or for attent expectation or as some will have it for religious awe and devotion Christ the high-Priest being now about to offer incense those praiers of the Martyrs Chap. 6.10 there was in the Church as used to be in the Temple at such times Luk. 1.10 a deep silence So among the Romans the people in time of worship were enjoyned favere linguis to spare their tongues And in the Greek Church one stood up and cried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace people leave off your discourses Verse 2. Which stood before God In a waiting posture ready prâ—st to do his pleasure Seven trumpets To be sounded at seven severall times to shew that God suffereth not his whole wrath to arise at once against his creatures but piece-meal and by degrees proving if peradventure they will repent and recover out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will Verse 3. And another Angel An Angel after another manner not by nature but by office Christ the Angel of the Covenant For I cannot be of his minde M Brightâ—â— who makes this Angel to be Constantine the odours given him to be the power of calling the Councel the golden Altar Christ in the midst of this holy Assembly the thick cloud of odours the whole matter brought most happily to effect which yet is a pious interpretation Much incense The merit of his own precious passion Heb. 9.24 13.5 Vpon the golden Altar viz. Himself as Chap. 6.9 Verse 4. The smoke of the incense The Saints praiers perfumed with Christs odours ascended that is were highly accepted in heaven Act. 10.4 Exod. 3.9 as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse The Church is said To ascend out of the wildernesse of this world with pillars of smoke Cant. 3.6 Elationibus fumi with raised affections and with strong supplications wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith as humility love c. All which would stinke worse in Gods nostrils then the onions and garlick of Egypt did not Christ perfume and present them Verse 5. And filled it with fire of the Altar Fire in token of fierce indignation and from the Altar for Christ came to send fire on the earth Luk. 12.49 Fire and sword Mat. 10.34 through mens singular corruption and obstinacy in not stooping to the scepter of this Kingdome Hence fire and brim-stone storme and tempest A fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10.27 From the same Altar Christ praiers go up vengeance comes down Verse 6. Prepared themselves Having got sign as it were by that which Christ did in the former verse they set too in order to sound their trumpets Verse 7. Hail and fire mingled with bloud In stead of the fire of love saith one mixed with the sweet rain of healthsome doctrine and spirit of Christian lenity the fire of contention M Forbes and frosty hail-stones of destruction ruled all Yea so far herein were the Bishops carried one against another as it is monstrous what malice falshood and cruelty they practised especially in the times of Constanâ— Constantius and Valens the Arrian Emperours And the third part of trees Men of maâ—k And all green grasse Meaner men
other necessaries to follow their great armies in their long expeditions of whom scarce one of ten do ever return home again but there perish by the way if not by the enemies sword yet by the wants intemperatenesse of the air or immoderate pains taking By the brimstone By the gun-powder or by their sulphured bowstrings which they discharge as out of their mouths whereunto they draw or lay them Verse 19. Plin Turk hâ—st In their mouth and in their tails Like the Serpent Amphisbaena that hath a head to do hurt at both ends Perhaps the Turks perfidy is here pointed at they keep leagues no longer then standeth with their own profit Verse 20. 1 Cor 10.10 That they should not worship devils As all idolaters do The devil is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Synesius glad to be worshipped in an idol as he was by Israel in a calf Verse 21. Mathâ—ol in Dioscorid Neither repented Being stupified as those Asses in Hetruria that feed upon hemlock They that make them are like unto them See Isa 44.17 CHAP. X. Verse 1. Come down from heaven NOt from the bottomlesse pit as Antichrist that opposite to Christs unction and function Clothed with a cloud Not yet so clearly to be seen and enjoyed by his as when he shall come in the clouds A rain-bow upon his head The effect of the Sun shining against a cloud and is Nuncius foederis serenitatis the Angel of Gods Covenant and of fair weather His feet as pillars of fire His meanest members stand out the hotest persecutions Verse 2. A little book open The Bible translated and explained It is called a great roul written with the pen of a man that is Isa 8 1. Deuâ— 30.11 clearly that the simplest of men may conceive it But it is little in comparison of the volumes of School-Doctours and Popish-Decretals wherewith the world was pestered when the Bible lay locked up and obscured We may well say of it as S. Bartholomew quoted by Dionysius said of Divinity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that in sundry respects it is both a little and a great Book He set his right-foot upon the sea As Lord of sea and land maâ—gre all heretikes and Antichrists that sought to throw him out of possession Neither the beast that ariseth out of the sea Chap. 13. nor the other that ariseth out of the earth shall be able to do it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 3. As when a lion roareth Gr. Loweth like an Oxe mugit for rugit See here an oxe in a lion mildenesse mixt with fiercenesse Satis est prostrasse leoni This lion preys not upon the prostrate Non mihi placet vindicta sed victoria said Caesar So may Christ say I seek not revenge but victory Seven thunders uttered their voices As the eccho of Christs loud voice No sooner had he spoken but great was the company of preachers sons of thunder who should speak powerfully Psal 68.11 prophesie and cry down superstitious worships and hereticall doctrines before peoples Nations tongues and Kings vers 11. of this Chapter This was fulfilled in Wicliffe Husse Luther Lambert and other heroicall Reformers Conter Amos 3.7 8. Verse 4. Had uttered their voices Not audible only Diâ—stiuâ— but articulate so as that John heard and was much affected Nescio quid divinum in auscultatione est there is no small efficacy in a lively voice to work upon the heart In Demosthene aliquid dâ—est Demosthenis quandò legitur non auditur Val. Max. Seal up these things viz. Till the time appointed See Dan. 8.26 and 12.9 Or for that the things were the secrets of Gods kingdom Math. 13. not fit or possible to be revealed 2 Cor. 12.4 Verse 5. Lifted up his hand And so swore solemnly Gen. 14 22. Numb 14.30 Ezek. 20 5. Because it seemed improbable if not impossible that ever Babylon should down Rome be ruined But all the judgements in the Revelation those of the seven seals seven trumpets and seven vials are still upon Rome Pagan Christian and Antichristian We may therefore conclude with that Emperour of Germany Frederike 2. Roma diu titubans varijs erroribus acta Câ—rruet mundi desinet esse caput Rome tottering long shall once be shattered And of the world shall cease to be the head Verse 6. That there should be time no longer i. e. The Beasts time shall be no longer but till the daies of the seventh trumpet which were shortly then approaching Or there shall be now no longer delay and protraction of time Verse 7. The mystery of God The conversion of the Jews called a mystery Rom. 11.25 the bringing in of the Gentiles fulnesse Ephes 3 3,4,6 the kingdome of the Saints of the most high Dan. 7.18 then when all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ Chap. 11.15 Verse 8. In the hand of the Angel which standeth This description of Christ is here purposely repeated that we may learn to trust in his power and flie to his wisdome as Agur did Pro. 30.1 2. for the understanding of divine mysteries Verse 9. Give me the little book Let Preachers ply the throne of grace if ever they will preach to purpose Bene orasse est bent studuisse said Luther Three things make a Preacher Reading Praier and Temptation He that will understand Gods riddles must plough with his heifer the Spirit which is not given but to them that ask it Alsted Châ—on 450 Ibid 267. Vide parcum in Gen. proâ—â—g And eat it up By reading and meditation Ministers must so devour and digest the holy Scriptures that as good Scribes they may draw out new and old for the use of the Church upon all occasions Jacobus de Voraginâ— was so called Quod esset veluti vorago bibliorum because he had as it were devoured the Bible So Petrus Comestor for the same reason Joannes Gatiâ—s a Sicilian was so well versed in the Scriptures and so great a Divine that he once said Si libri sacri perirent se per Dei gratiam restititurum That if the Bible were lost out of the world he could restore it Some thinke that Ezra did so after the Babylonish captivity but I cannot think so Verse 10. Sweet as honey The word is so to the spirituall palate whereas to the carnall it relisheth no better then the white of an egg or a dry chip Luther said He would not live in Paradise without the word At cum verbo etiam in inferno facile est vivere but with the word he could live even in hell it self See Ps 19.10 119.103 Jer. 15.16 Tom. 4. 〈◊〉 My belly was bitter By reason of the trials and tribulations that usually follow upon the faithfull preaching of the Word Opposition is Evangelij genius saith Calvin And Praedicare est nihil aliud quam derivare in se furorem mundi saith Luther To preach is to get the ill will
too So upon the news of the French Massacre Thâ—an a Jubilee was proclaimed at Rome the Cardinall of Lorrain gave a thousand crowns to the messenger The Pope caused the Massacre to be painted in his Palace those of Ireland he will surely pourtray in his Chappel or Oratoury These two Prophets tormented them As Elias did Ahab Jeremy and Ahab their slagitious countrey-men and as the Martyrs here did their persecutours Dr Fuller came to William Wolsey his prisoner and said Thou dost much trouble my conscience wherefore I pray thee depart and rule thy tongue so that I hear no more complaint of thee and come to Church when thou wilt c Act and Mon. fol. 15â—7 The end of carnall joy is sorrow saith Mr Bradford Martyr in a certain letter Now let the whoremonger joy with the drunkard Ibid. 475. swearer covetous malicious blinde buzzard Sr John For the Masse will not bite them not make them to blush as preaching will Now may they do what they will come devils to the Church and go devils home for no man must finde fault and they are glad of this Now have they their hearts desire as the Sodomites had when Lot was gone c. Verse 11. And they stood upon their feet That is they set themselves stoutly and vigorously to fight against Antichrist As William Oâ—kam Tu me gladio desende a Papâ—e injurin ego te verbis ac scriptis desendaÌ„ who being excommunicated by the Pope for writing some things against him fled to Ludovicus the Emperour who was likewise excommunicated and said unto him Defend thou me with arms and I will defend thee with arguments The Bishops also of those times that sided with the Emperour though they were none of the best yet they resolved and avowed never to yeeld to the Pope Sed si excommunicaturus veniret excommunicatus abiret cum aliter se habeat antiquorum canonum authoritas Verse 12. To heaven in a cloud As Christ did See the Note on Verse 7. And their enemies beheld Not without rage and regret to see how they were crossed and the truth more and more propagated Trucidabantur multiplicabantur saith one The Church as the Lilly is increased by its own juice Totum mundum sanguine oratione convertit saith Luther She converts all the world by her sufferings and supplications Verse 13. A greate earthquake Since the Reformation what stirs and broils have there been all over Christendomâ—â— Gods sword hath ridden circuit Ezek. 14.17 and is not yet sheathed nor can it Jer 47 6 7. as being still in commission And the tenth part c. Ruit alto à culmine Roma Lewis the twelfth King of France threatned that he would destroy Rome and coined money with an inscrâ—ption to that purpose Se perditurum Baâ—y 〈…〉 est â—â—vet Hist of the Coâ—nâ— of Trent 43. George Fransperg a Generall under Charles Burbon that sacked the City of Rome caused a halter to be carried near his colours saying that with that he would hang the Pope encouraging his souldiers who were most of them Lutherans with the great opportunity they had to get spoils But the sins of the City are not yet full Gave glory to the God of heaven Confessed their sins as Achan and changed their mindes as those Mal. 3.18 It is said of the Burgundians that being afflicted and oppressed by the Hunnes they applied themselves to Christ the God of the Christians Alsted Chron. 3 â—5 whom after a long debate they concluded to be the Almighty God Verse 14. The second woe is past Visionally past not eventually The third woe Woe to the wicked but joy to the Saints At once the Sun rises upon Zoar and the fire fals down upon Sodome Abraham stands upon the hill and sees the Cities burning Verse 15. Great voices in heaven i. e. Great joy and triumph in the Church militant Are become the kingdomes They have renounced Popery given up their names to the Gospel and received the Reformation For ever and ever Not for a thousand years only as the Millenaries hold Verse 16. And the four and twenty Elders See the Note on Chap. 4.9 Verse 16. Because thou hast taken Thou hast slain and subdued those thine enemies that sent messengers after thee saying We will noâ— have this man to rule over us Verse 18. Were angry Sed vanae sine viribus irae the wrath of these men turned to the glory of God That they should be judged According to their praier and thy promise Chap. 6.10 11. And shouldst destroy them God usually retaliates and proportions jealousie to jealousie provocation to provocation Deut. 32.21 frowardnes to frowardnes Psal 18.26 contrariety to contrariety Lev. 26.18 21 destruction to destruction as here He paies them home in their own coyn Verse 19. And the temple of God Abundance of light shall be diffused in the Church and heavenly mysteries more clearly revealed and more commonly understood And there were lightnings Utter destruction to the wicked as there was to Iericho at the sound of the seventh Trumpet Josh 6.16 CHAP. XII Verse 1. And there appeared THis and the two next following Chapters are an Exposition of the former vision A great wonder As shadowing out and shewing great wonders In heaven That is in the Church or according to some in the visible heaven where Sunne Moon and Starres are A woman Alma mater Ecclesia The Church is called a woman for her 1. Weaknesse 2. Fruitâ—ulnes 3. Lovingnes 2 Sam. 1.26 Clothed with the Sun With Christs own comlines Eze. 16.14 She is also conspicuous Mat. 5.14 and scorched with persecution Cant. 1.6 All which notwithstanding she is comely Vxor fulges radijs mariti saith the Civilian And the Moon under his feet She treads upon the worlds trash bears patiently all changes and chances and though the curs of the world bark at her she shines still En peragit cursus surda Diana suos A crown of twelve stars A crown in token of victory And of twelve stars Those white horses chap. 6 2. the twelve Apostles and their successours in and by whom mysticall Christ goeth forth conquering and to conquer Verse 2. Bodin Theatr. Nat. pag 350. And she being with childe And so soon smelt out by the Bears of the world Vrsa praegnantem mulierem non solùm teri gravitate notam sed eaâ— etiam quae pridiè conceperit solam ex omni turba consectatur Cried travelling Being hard beset with cruell persecutours she longs to be delivered of a Christian Emperour that might put her out of her pain and misery Verse 3. A great red Dragon A Dragon the devil is called for his sharp-sightednesse the Dragon hath a very quick eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sâ—aâ—g and is said to sleep with open eyes as also for his mischievousnesse to man-kinde and lastly for his serpentine subtilty Gen. 3. The comfort is That as the devil is a Lion so is
in the Church of Rome anno 1378. when there sat three Popes at once Lib 3 de Papa Rom. cap. 11. for fourty years together or by the falling away of Protestants from the Popedome from the daies of Wicliffe John Husse the Waldenses Luther to this present Bellarmine bewails the businesse that ever since we began to count and call the Pope Antichrist his kingdome hath greatly decreased And Cotton the Jesuite confesses that the authority of the Pope is incomparably lesse then it was and that now the Christian Church is but a diminitive And his deadly wound was healed By that false Prophet ver 11. that is by the Sorbonists Jesuites Trent-fathers and other Popish Chyrurgeons The Jesuites give out That the devil sent out Luther and God raised up them to resist him but great is the truth and will prevail when all falshood shall fall to the ground It is but a palliate cure we here reade of And all the world sc Of Roman-Catholikes Wondered Or had wondered till the beast was wounded Verse 4. And they worshipped Admiration bred adoration Idolatrous Papists are worshippers of the devil whom though in word they defie yet in deed they deifie Who is like unto the beast Papa potest omnia quâ— Christus potest saith Hostiensis The Pope can do whatsoever Christ can doe yea and more too it should seem by these wise wonderers Cap. quarto for who is like unto the beast say they Papa est plus quam Deus saith Francis Zabarell The Pope is more then a God De Pap. Rom. lib. 4. And why for of wrong he can make right of vice vertue of nothing something saith Bellarmine Mosconius cannot be content to derive Papa from Papae the Interjection of admiring De mojestat militant eccles l. 1 c. 1. because he is stupor mundi the worlds wonderment that ye may know him to be the beast here mentioned but he must stile him King of Kings and Lord of Lords having ruledome over all rationall creatures Duliâ ador andus c. Verse 5. And there was given unto him As once was to Antiochus that little Antichrist Dan. 7.25 What cracks the Pope makes of his illimited power and prerogatives who knows not What blasphemies he belcheth out of the fable of Christ of eating his pork Al despito di Dio in despite of God of suffering himsels to be stiled the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world as Pope Martin the fourth did of drinking an health to the devil as another of them did who hath not heard Baronius at the year 964 reckoning up certain of the Popes calleth them monsters an abomination of desolation in Gods Temple c. Cardinall Benno saith of Pope Hildebrand That he was a blasphemer a murderer a whoremaster a necromancer an heretike and all that 's nought The Church of Rome saith another of their own Writers hath deserved now for a long time no better of God then to be ruled by reprobates Marcellius the second Pope of Rome Jac. Revius p 175. said That he could not see how any Pope could be saved Fourty and two moneths Here Mr Brightman calculates and pitches the ruine of Antichrist upon the year 1686. or thereabouts Verse 6. In blasphemy against God As when Pope Leo the first and after him Nicolas the third affirmed that Peter their predecessour was taken into fellowship with the blessed Trinity as one with them See vers 5. And his tabernacle Christs humanity Joh. 1.14 and 2.19 this he blasphemeth by transubstantiating a crust into Christ Or the Church of Christ which he counteth and calleth the Synagogue of Satan And them that dwelt in heaven The glorified Saints whom either he despiteth with obtruded honours such as they acknowledge not or else barks and rails at uncessantly as Arch-devils detestable heretikes common pests c. as Luther Melancthon Calvin Vbicunque inve nitur nomen Calvini delea tur Ind. expuâ— whose very name he hath commanded to be razed out of all books wheresoever any man meets with it Verse 7. To make warre with the Saints As he did with the Albigenses publishing his Croysades against them as if they had been Saracens and destroying ten hundred thousand of them in France only if Perionius may be believed Not to speak of the many thousands since slain in battle by the Popes Champions in Germany France Ireland and now also in England besides those many more that have died for Religion by the bloudy inquisition by the hands of the hang man 3600 in the Low-countreys by the command of the Duke of Alva 800 here in Qu. Maries daies c. The Beast hath even made himself drunk with the bloud of the Saints And to overcome them So it seemed but so it was not See Revel 12.11 The Saints never more prevail and triumph then when it seems otherwise Of them the enemies may say as the Persians did once of the Athenians at the field of Marathon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stoâ—aeus We fell them yet they fall not thrust them through They feel no mischief but are well enough Over all kindreds and tongues Here the holy Ghost points to the Popish Catholicisme The Jesuites will still needly have the Roman Church to be the Catholike Church though so many kindreds tongues and Nations have utterly disclaimed it Herein they are like that mad fellow Thrasilaus in Horace who laid claim to all the ships that came into the harbour at Athens though he had no right to the least boat there Verse 8. Whose names are not written He then that lives and dies a Papist cannot be saved Slain from the foundation sc 1 In Gods purpose 2. In his promise 3. In the faith of his people 4. In the sacrifices 5. In the Martyrs the first that ever died died for Religion Verse 9. If any man have an ear q. d. Let all that have souls to save beware of this beast for is it nothing to loose an immortall soul To purchase an ever-living death Purus putus Papista non potest servari Confer Revel 19.21 It s confessed of all that a learned English apostate Papist cannot be saved Verse 10. He that leadeth into captivity q. d. Be of good chear Antichrist shall one day meet with his match drink as he brewed be paid in his own coin filled with his own waies have bloud again to drink for he is worthy See Isa 33.1 and 2 Thess 1.6 Here is the patience q. d Here is matter for the triall exercise and encrease of the Saints graces Hard weather tries what health The walnut tree is most fruitfull when most beaten Or here is support for the Saints and that which may well make them to hold out faith and patience Verse 11. And I beheld another beast Another in shape but the same in substance with the former For here Christ appears not as an Emperour but as an Impostour That these two are both one see Rev.
17.11 19.20 Coming up out of the earth Set up by earthly men and earthly means Ioh. 8.23 of base beginning Gigas quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ego supernas vâ—s infernates estis saith our Saviour to the Jews I am from above ye are from beneath ye are earth-sprung as so many mushromes And he had two horns Two horns in his mitre two keys in his hand two swords borne before him a two-fold pretended power secular and sacred as King and Priest in the Lambs stead whose Ape he is Spake as a dragon That is saith one he used an absolute command over consciences Diodaâ— raised himself through devillish pride and execrable boasting Rev. 18.7 Verse 12. And he exerciseth The power of speaking blasphemies of waging wars of ruling over kindreds tongues and Nations c. notwithstanding his wounded head which is after a sort cured by the sedulity and subtilty of the Jesuites and other the Popes emissaries Forbes The first beast saith an Interpreter is the Kingdom of Rome under the Pontificality the second beast is the Pontificality wonderfully quickning the wounded beast to that estate both are one and the same except in consideration as I have said Verse 13. And he doth great wonders By his are of jugling for true miracles he can do none nor his master the Dragon to help him Hence they are called lying wonders 2 Thess 2.9 10 sorceries Rev. 18.23 and impostures here ver 14. So that he maketh fire As another Elias This the Pope doth daily by his excommunications casting fire-brands as it were from on high at those that slight him and moreover he relleth us of some Aventin Anâ—al that for with-standing his edicts were thunder-struck to death Verse 14. That they should make an image An Emperour saith Aretius an image of him at least chosen indeed by the seven Electours of Germany but confirmed by the Pope who therefore is said to give life to the image of the beast whereby he both speaketh and acteth ver 15. For if the Pope confirm not the new elect he is no Emperour Verse 15. Should be killed What slaughters Charls the fifth made at Magdeburg and elswhere by the Popes appointment and what bloudy work hath been done in Germany now for this eight and twenty years or thereabouts by the now-Emperour and his Father against the Protestant party I need not here to relate Verse 16. All both small and great Emperour and else The Pope having by his nephew perswaded the King of Bohemia Maximilian afterwards Emperour to be a good Catholike with many promises of honours and profits intimating the succession of the Empire which else he should hardly obtain Hist of the Coun. of Trent 418. was answered by the King that he thanked his Holinesse but that his souls health was more dear to him then all the things in the world Which answer they said in Rome was a Lutheran form of speech and signified an alienation from that Sea and they began to discourse what would happen after the old Emperours death To receive a mark The Popish Clergy say that in their Ordination they receive an indeleble character They may chuse whether they will have it in their fore-heads where it cannot be hid or in their right hands where they may either hide it or shew it as they think good See the Note on Revel 7.3 The mark common to all the Popish rabble is S. Peters Keys branching out it self in every Antichristian doctrine and idolatrous practice I can never sufficiently admire saith one the speech of blessed Luther M. Heyricks Sermâ—p 108. who though he was very earnest to have the Communion administred in both kindes contrary to the Doctrine and custome of Rome yet he professeth If the Pope as Pope commanded him to receive in both kindes he would but receive in one kinde It s a generall rule among the best that what the Pope commands as Pope though it be good or indifferent as to pray reade lift up an eye hand to wear black or white c. it is a receiving of the mark of the Beast c. Verse 17. Might buy or sell As at Rome oaths laws Roâ—â— omnia vaenâ—lâ—a vows are soluble and all things else are saleable Vendit Alexander cruces altaria Christum Vendere jure potest emerat ille priùs The Pope sels crosses altars Christ and all Well he may sell for he bought them at the stall Also it s well known that the Pope flatly forbids trade and traffique with all whom he hath excommunicated as he did with the Albigenses in the Lateran Councel And as he did with one Tooly in Qu. Act and Mon. Maries daies who being hanged for felony and defying the Pope was after his death suspended and excommunicated that no man should eat or drink buy or sell with him bid him good morrow c. Or the name of the beast To be called a Roman-Catholike which is better esteemed among Papists then the name of a Christian It is notoriously known saith Dr Fulk that the most honourable name of Christian is in Italy and at Rome a name of reproach Annâ—â— in Acts 11. sect 4. and usually abused to signifie a fool or a dolt Or the number of his name That keep somewhat more aloof and yet privily comply with Papists and drive the same designe with them though more slily and covertly and top themselves perhaps unperceivedly What 's the reason the Pope will not dispense in Spain or Italy if a Papist marry a Protestant yet here he will but because such Protestants receive the number of his name and will soon be drawn to him Verse 18. Here is wisdome That is Work for wisdome as ver 10. Here is the patience and faith of Saints It is the number of a man Such as a man by search may finde out if he have his wits about him as we say Others sense it thus the whole number of the Beast whatsoever is numbred to belong unto him is but the number of a man humane in ventions and will-wisdome M Cotton Men will have it so and this is the summe of all Popish Religion Six hundred threescore and six Amongst the many conjectures that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seems to me most probable as most ancicent and authentike The year of Romes tuine is by some held to be 1606. Bernardâ—s ossâ—verat Antichrâ—stum suturum meridianum demonem 〈◊〉 a meridie erit ibi sedebit In Cant. ser 33. T is plain saith one Satan shall be tied up 1000 years 666 is the number of the beast Antichrist shall so long raign these two together make the just number CHAP. XIIII Verse 1. A Lamb IN opposition to that counterfeit lamb Chap. 13. 12. A lion he can shew himself at pleasure Stood Ready prest for action as at the stoning of Stephen or he stood centinel for such as he here reserved to himself under the raign and
rage of Antichrist An hundred fourty and four thousand The same that were sealed Chap. 7. all the holy Martyrs confessâ—urs believers Having his Fathers name His father and their father Exod. 28.38 his God and their God this was written on their fore-heads as Holines to the Lord was upon the high-Priests Verse 2. As the voice of many waters The Word of God called here a voice from heaven hath saith an Expositour three degrees of operation in the hearts of men 1. It works wondering as the sound of many waters and acknowledging of a strange force and more then humane power Mar. 1.22 23. Luk. 4.32 M. Forbes Joh. 7.46 2. It works not only wonder but fear as thunder doth thus it wrought in Felix and may do in any reprobate 3. In works in the elect peace and joy it makes musick in the soul far sweeter then that of harpers 1 Pet. 1 8. Verse 3. A new song See the Note on Chap. 5.9 But the hundred c To whom alone it was given to understand the mysteries of Gods kingdome Others could not skill of it From the father i. e. From the Antichristian rout and rabble These dunghill-cocks meddle not with that jewel the joy of faith but speak evil of that they know not Verse 4. Which were not defiled with women Which have not moiled themselves with fornication corporall or spirituall as those Israelites Numb 24. by Balaams counsell and as Papists at this day seduced by those effeminate locusts Chap 9.8 As for their shavelings that plead this text to prove marriage a defilement let them hear the Apostle Heb. 12.4 and another almost as ancient Siquis coinquinationem vocet commixtionem legitimam Ignatiuâ— habet inhabitatorem draconem Apostatm If any call lawfull marriage a defilement that man hath a devil dwelling in him These are they which follow the Lamb As the sea-mans needle doth the North-pole or as the hop in its growing winding about the pole follows the course of the Sun from East to West and can by no means be drawn to the contrary chasing rather to break then yeeld These were redeemed For royall use See Vers 3. Being the first fruits Separated and sanctified unto him from the rest of the world Verse 5. And in their mouth Children they are that will not lie Isa 63.8 neither is a deceitfull tongue found in their mouth Zeph. 3.13 They will rather die then lie The officers of Merindoll answered the Bishop that moved them to abjure that they marvelled much that he would go about to perswade them to lie to God and the world affirming that they punished their children very sharply when they took them with a lie even as if they had committed a robbery for the devil is a lier Act. and Mon. fol. 86â— c. For they are without fault 1. By Imputation 2. By Inchoation Verse 6. And I saw another Angel This is held to be John Wicliffe who wrote more then two hundred volumes against the Pope and was a means of much good to many The Lady Anne wife to King Richard the second sister to Wencesâ—ans King of Bohemia by living here was made acquainted with the Gospel whence also many Bohemians coming hither convey'd Wicliffes books into Bohemia whereby a good foundation was laid for the following Reformation In the midst of heaven Not in fastigio coeli in the height of heaven as some render it but alow rather and as it were in the mid-heaven because of the imperfection of his doctrine when it was first divulged Having the everlasting Gospel The ancient truth no new Doctrine A Gentleman being asked by a Papist Where was your Religion before Luther answered In the Bible where yours never was Verse 7. Fear God Let one fear drive out another as one fire doth another the fear of God the fear of your fellow-creatures who draw you to diolatry For this it is that the second Commandment is the first with punishment Give glory to him By confessing your sins and amending your waies See Josh 7.19 Jer. 13.16 For the hour of his judgement is come The judgement that he will exercise upon Idolaters and their mawmets as once in Egypt See Joh. 12.31 Act. 17.30 31. Act. 14.15 Buâ—bolâ— And the fountains of waters Quantum miraculi sit in admiranda illa fluminum perennitate nemo credo philosophorum satis explicare hactenus potuit saith one Verse 8. And there followed another Angel Martin Luther with his book de captivitate Babylonia which when Bugenhagius first read he rashly censured for the most pestilent book that ever was written But upon better deliberation he retracted his former sentence and became a means to convert many others Of the wine of the wrath Of the intoxicating enraging wine that sets men a madding after her Nam Venus in vinis ignis in igne furit There is a story of Walter Mapes sometimes Arch-deacon of Oxford who relating the Popes grosse simony concludes his Narration thus Sit tamen Domina materque nostra Roma baculus in aqua fractus absit credere quae vidimus Rome had ravished this man out of his wits Verse 9. And the third Angel Understand by this third Angel all the Reformers and Preachers of the Gospel after Luther to the end of the world If any man worship See Mr Perkins his Treatise A Papist cannot go beyond a reprobate And receive his mark He saith not this of those that have the name or the number of the Beast For we doubt not but many were carried away by him as those 200 were by Absolom in the simplicity of their hearts 2 Sam. 15.11 knowing nothing of his treason Verse 10. Of the wine of the wrath of God Wine for wine God delights to retaliate and proportion as he that said Fumos vendidit fumo pereat Without mixture viz. Of mercy with which God usually moderateth the cup of believers afflictions See Jam. 2.13 They only sip of the top of Gods cup Illud tantùm quod suavius est limpidius Reprobates drink the dregs In the presence of the holy Angels Who shall be not spectatours only but executioners also as once at Sodome In the presence of the lamb Notwithstanding their Agâ—â—â— Dei's and other superstitious trumperies Verse 11. And the smoke of their torment Vtinam de gehenna ubique dissereretur saith Chrysostome Would to God men would every where think and talk more of hell and of that eternity of extremity that they shall never else be able to avoid or to abide Surely one good means to escape hell is to take a turn or two in hell by our daily meditations Verse 12. Here is the patience See Chap. 13.10 The beast being thus declared and declaimed against will rage above measure hold out therefore faith and patience Verse 13. Avoice from heaven That voice of Christ Joh. 5. 24. 8.51 Write Blessed are the dead Though by the Pope accursed and pronounced damned heretikes Which
God Spâ—c Europ In hoc eorum omnis flamma est in hoc uruntur inâ—â—ndio Hence they burn up Bibles tanquam doctrinam peregrinam as strange doctrine Enâ—bir loc com cap. Eâ—â—les Hence they censure S. Paul as savouring of heresie and could finde in their hearts to purge his Epistles Eckius is not afraid to say That Christ did never command his Disciples to write but to preach only Bellarmine saith the Bible is no more then commonitorium a kinde of store-house for advice Hosius saith Ipsissimum Dei 〈◊〉 That the Popes interpretation though it seem never so repugnant to the Scripture is neverthelesse the very Word of God The Councel of Basil answered the Hussites requiring Scripture-proofs for such doctrines as were thrust upon them that the Scriptures were not of the being of the Church but of the well-being only that traditions were the touchstone of doctrine and foundation of faith And blasphemed the name of God The truth of God contained in the Scriptures What a devil made thee to meddle with the Scripture Act. and Mon. said Stephen Gardiner to Marbeck They tell us of divers that have been possest by that means and assure us that â—uâ— condemnation is so expresly set down in our own Bibles and is so clear to all the world that nothing more needs hereto then that we know to read and to have our eyes in our heads Alex. Cook at the opening thereof Verse 10. Vpon the scat of the Beast This City of Rome which was never yet besieged since it became the seat of Antichrist but it was taken and shall be again shortly to purpose And his kingdome was full of darknesse It appeared to be so as motes appear in the Sun-shine by the clear light of truth shining upon it A Scotish mist is here already fallen upon a piece of his Kingdome and what further service God hath for their and our armies to do against the Pope in Ireland or elswhere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we expect and pray God grant us good agreement among our selves and then much may be done abroad And they gnawed their tongues Being as mad with malice as Boniface the 8. was of discontent who being suddenly taken prisoner at his fathers house by Sarah Columnus his mortall enemy Turk hist 126. and brought to Rome laid up in the Castle of S. Angelo within 35. daies after most miserably died in his madnes renting himself with his teeth and devouring his own fingers Verse 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven As they did in 88 when the Spaniards gave out That Christ was turned Lutheran And as Faux the Gunpouder-traitour did when he told those that took him that not God but the devil had brought to light and to naught that desperate design Lonicer theatr histor Thus they set their mouths against heaven and their tongue walketh thorow the earth as if Augustus Caesar were dealing with some god Neptune or the three sons trying their archery at their fathers heart to see who can shoot nighest What an execrable blasphemy is that of John Hunt a Roman Catholike in his humble appeal to King James in the sixth Chapter of that Pamphlet See D Sheld mark of theâ— Beast The God of the Protestants is the most uncivil and evil-mannered God of all those who have born the names of gods upon the earth yea worse then Pan god of the clowns which can endure no ceremonies nor good manners at all And repented not This leopard Chap. 13.2 can never change his spots because they are not in the skin but in the flesh and bones in the sinews and most inward parts Tigers rage and tear themselves at the sound of a drum and at the smell of sweet spices so doe these savage Papists when called to repent Verse 12. Vpon the great river Euphrates i. e. Upon whatsoever yet hindereth the destruction of spirituall Babylon and the comming in of the Jews as the Turkish Empire c. That the way of the Kings Christians say some who are Kings in righteousnesse and come from the East or from Christ That day-spring from on high Luk. 1.78 Others understand this Text of the Jews who are most of them in the East dispersed thorow Turkie Tartary the ten Tribes especially and China Junius saith Tartars of Tothar a remnant or residue That which is called the land of Sinim Isa 49.12 may probably be meant of China which if it be the meaning there may be many of the Jews whose conversion we daily expect and pray for See Isa 11.15 16. Zach. 10.10 11. Verse 13. Three unclean spirits Spirituall fathers as the Papists call their Jesuites who seek to subject all to the Pope and the Pope to themselves being ultimus diaboli crepitus as one speaketh Arist denat animalium the last attempt of a daring devil These are the Popes Janizaries bloud-hounds vultures whose nest as Aristotle saith cannot be found Aristoph yet they will leave all games to follow an Army because they delight to feed on carrion Like frogs For their filthinesse impudency loquacity with their continuall brekâ—kâ—kex coax coax Come out of the mouth That is By the counsell and command by vertue of that vow of Mission whereby the Jesuites are bound to the Pope to go whither he shall send them about whatsoever attempt he shall enjoyn them Yea if their Governours command them a voyage to China or Peru without dispute or delay they presently set forward Hence haply they are called spirits Verse 14. The spirits of devils Or breathing devils Working miracles Lying wonders 2 Thess 2.9 Vnto the Kings of the earth The Popes Nuncio's Legats a latere and other emissaries stir up the spirits of Princes to embroil the world with wars for the upholding of his tottering greatnesse but all in vain The greatest impostors have ever been the greatest Courtiers The Arrians in their age and of them the Jesuites learned it And of the whole world Papists shall call in the help of forraign Princes out of Asia Africa America to suppresse the heretikes as they call them But with evil successe for they shall associate themselves only to be broken in pieces Isa 89. Exorientur sed exurentur Rev. 9 18. The mountain of the Lord shall be lifted up above all mountains These auxiliaries shall speed no better then those subsidiary Syrians 2 Sam. 10.18 19. Verse 15. I come as a thief Who gives no warning See the Note on Mat. 2.44 Blessed is be that watcheth The prophecy is here interrupted as Gen. 4.18 to fore-waâ—n and fore-arm the Saints Luke 12.37 8 43. they are three times said to be blessed that watch Verse 16. And he gathered God hath an over-ruling hand in that which the frogs of Rome do at the Courts of Kings and ordereth the disorders of the world to his own glory Called in the Hebrew Armageddon That is They shall receive a famous foil such as Sisera
in London he ever heard of in nine years And that ye receive not of her plagues Musculi ruinis imminentibus praemigrant aranei cum telis primi cadunt saith Pliny Plin l 8 c. 28. Mice will haste out of an house that is ready to drop on their heads and spiders with their webs will fall before the house falleth Cerinthus the heretike coming into the Bath where S. Iohn was washing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 4. c 14. the Apostle sprang or leapt out of the bath saith Eusebius as fearing lest being found in his company he should partake of his plagues It is dangerous conversing with wicked men 1. For infection of sin 2. For infliction of punishment Ambrose closing up the story of Ahab and Iezabels fearfull end fitly saith thus Fuge ergò dives bujusmodi exitum sed sugies hujusmodi exitum si fugeris hujusmodi flagitium Fly therefore O rich man A mb de Nab. Jezrael c. 11. such an end as Ahab had by shunning such evils as Ahab did Verse 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For her sins have reached Gr. Have followed thick or been thwacked one upon another thick and threefold as they say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there hath been a concatenation or a continued series of them Others reade Her sins are glewed and souldered together or they cleave and are glewed to heaven Matthew Paris speaking of the Court of Rome saith Hujus faetor usque ad nubes fumum teterrimum exhalabat Her filthinesse hath sent up a most noisome stench to the very clouds of heaven as Sodoms did therefore shall Babel the glory of kingdoms be as the destruction of God in Sodim and Gomorrah Isa 13.19 Verse 6. Double unto her double This is spoken to the good Kings that shall sack Rome that they do the Lords work thorowly not sparing Agag as Saul did to the losse of his kingdom not dismissing Benhadad as Ahab did to the losse of his own life Verse 7. She hath glorified her self As mother of Churches Queen of Nations Steuchus one of her Parasites saith That Kings have but the use and administration of their Kingdoms the right and property belongs to her Pope Boniface wrote thus to Philip the Fair King of France Volumus te scire te in temporali spirituali nobis subjacere c. Contra sentientes pro insanis habemus We would ye should know that ye are to be subject unto us both in temporals and spirituals and that none that are in their right mindes can be otherwise minded The King thus answered him again Sciat tua maxima fatuitas c. Alsted Chron. 359.395 I would your singular Foolishnesse should know that I acknowledge no such subjection c. It was tartly and trimly replied by one Leonard to Rustandus the Popes Legat claiming all the Churches here in England to be the Popes Omnes Ecclesias Papae esse tuitione non fruitione deâ—â—â—sione non dissipationâ— That if the Pope had such right to all Churches it was to defend them Jac Rev. de vit Pontif p 178. not to devour them Verse 8. Therefore shall her plagues Security ushereth in destruction God shall shoot at such with an arrow suddenly and fetch them off as he did the rich fool Luk. 12. Come in one day To confute their fond conceit of an eternall Empire See the like Isa 48.9 When the warres began in Germany anno 1619. it was reported that a great brasse Image of the Apostle Peter that had Tu es Petrus c. Thou are Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church engraven about it standing in Saint Peters Church at Rome there was a great and massie stone fell down upon it and so shattered it to pieces that not a letter of that sentence was left legible save these words Aedificabo Ecclesiam meam I will build my Church This was ominous to that tottering title of Rome and might have taught the Popelings That God is about to build his Church upon the ruines of their worm-eaten title The Lord thereby see med to say the same unto them Ezek. 7.6 that once he did to Israel by Ezekiel An end is come the end is come it watcheth for this behold it is come Sed surdis fabulam This hath been long and loud rung in their ears but they will not be warned Death That is Warre that deadly evil called an evil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 45.7 I make peace and create evil that is Warre a wofull evil that hews its way thorow a wood of men in a minute of time from the mouth of a murdering-piece and causeth thousands to exhale their breath without so much as Lord have mercy upon us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And mourning For the losse of dead friends And famine The usuall concomitant of war in sieges especially See the Note on Rev. 6.5 For strong is the Lord Full able to effect it seem it to Babels brats never so improbable or impossible Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shall bewail her and lament As with the voice of Doves tabring upon their brests Naâ—um 2.7 The chief of these mourners shall be the Spaniard likely who yet hath no such great cause In respon Apol. 〈◊〉 Card Colum. if he look well about him for he is yearly excommunicated by the Pope for detaining from him the Kingdome of Sicily as Baronius witnesseth It were to be wished that he would intimate his Predecessour Charles the fifth who upon a displeasure conceived against Pope Clement the eighth Scultet Annal. Dâ—â—adâ—â— l. p. 2. abolished the Popes authority thorowout all Spain Exemplo ab Hispanis ipsis posteritati relicto posse Ecclesâ—asticam disciplinam â—itra nominis Pontifiâ—ij authoritatem conservari saith mine authour i. e. The Spaniards themselves setting forth to the world That the Church may be governed without the Popes authority Verse 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Atnâ—â—aeâ—â— l. 13 Standing afarre off As fearing their own safety they will not venture themselves for an old withered harlot that is now Lais-like ready to be extinct in the last act of her uncleannesse For in one hour God will make short work of it when once he begins Rom. 9.28 This should be an 〈◊〉 to Christian Princes and States to set upon the service The Pirats war was Incredibili celeritate temporis brevitate confectum saith Austin soon dispatcht Aug. de civ Dei so shall this Verse 11. And the merchants of the earth The Popes Indulgencers and other officers of his Exchequer John Manl. loc com p. 49 â— What huge sums of money did Tecelius and his companions rake together out of Germany The Pope had yearly out of England above nine tuâ—s of gold Polydor Virgil was his Collectour of the Peter-pence here Otto one of the Popes Muscipulatores Mice-catchers as the story cals him departing hence left not so much money in the whole Kingdom
as he either carried with him or sent to Rome before him It was truly and trimly said by Pope Innocent 4. Vere enim hortus deliciarum Papis fuit tum Anglia puteus inexhaustus England was then a gallant garden to the Pope and a well-spring of wealth that could not be drawn dry For no man buyeth their merchandize Men shall see further into their fopperies and knaveries then to endure to be any longer gulled and cheated William of Malmsbury began to groan long since under the grievance Romani hodiè saith he auro trutinant justitiam pretio venditant canonum regulam The Romans now-adaies sell justice sacraments masses dispensations benefices all Mantuan comes after and cries out vaenalia nobis Templa sacerdotes altaria sacra coronae Ignis thura preces coelum est vaenale Deusque Temples Priests altars rites I tell no tale Crowns sacrifices heaven and God are set to sale The Leaguers here for the liberty of the Kingdome in the daies of King John drove Martin the Popes publican out of the Land Iac. Revius the King also cursed him grievously at parting Lib. 3 de pour Rom c. 〈◊〉 with Diabolus te ad inferos ducat perducat But now much more then ever these merchants want Chapmen as Bellarmine sadly complains Their markets are well fallen their Euphrates much dried up Verse 12. The merchandise of gold All this is taken out of Ezekiel 27. All countreys have catered and purveied for the Pope who hath had it either in money or other commodity but money answered all things Thyne-wood A wilde kinde of Cedar very sweet and sound for it will not easily rot Verse 13. And Cinnamon Galen writes that in his time cinnamon was very rare and hard to be found Lib. 1. Antido â— except in the store-houses of great Princes And Pliny reports That a pound of cinnamon was worth a 1000 denarij that is 150 crowns of our money And chariots Or Sedans as we call them And the souls of men Tecelius the Popes pardon monger perswaded the people in Germany that whosoever would give ten shillings Act. and Mon. fol. 771. should at his pleasure deliver one soul out of the pairs of purgatory and as soon as the money rang in the bason that soul was set at liberty But if it were one jot lesse then ten shillings it would profit them nothing This gainfull gullery Luther cried down with all his might and so maâ—red the Market This gave occasion to that saying of Erasmus whom when the Electour of Saxony asked Why Luther was so generally hated He answered Scultet Annal. dec â— for two faults especially he hath been too-busie with the Popes crown and the Monks paunches Verse 14. And the fruits Those first ripe fruits Mic. 7.1 greedily desired and bought up at any rate by the richer and daintier sort of people 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which were dainty and goodly Gr. Fat and fair liking pleasant to the eye as well as to the taste confections suckets sweet-meats second and third services Verse 15. Which were made rich by her By their fat benefices Commendams Spec. Europ golden Prebendaries some one yeelding ten or twenty thousand by the year The Archbishoprick of Toledo is worth an hundred thousand pounds a year which is a greater revenue then some Kings have had What a vast estate had Wolsey gotten Act. and Mon. So that rich and wretched Cardinal Henry Beauford Bishop of Winchester and Chancellour of England in the raign of Henry the sixth who asked Wherefore should I die being so rich c. Verse 16. With gold and precious stones All these avail not in the day of wrath Neither need we envy wicked men their plenty it is their portion all they are like to have The whole Turkish Empire is nothing else saith Luther Nisi panis mica quam dives pater familias projicit canibus a crust cast to the dogs by God the great housholder I have no stronger argument said the same Luther against the Popes kingdom Quam quòd sinc cruce regnat then this that he suffereth nothing Surely there 's the more behinde there will be bitternesse in the end no doubt Verse 17. So great riches is come to nought Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is desolated or become a wildernesse Petrarch writeth that in the treasury of Pope John 22. were found by his heirs two hundred and fifty tuns of gold And of Boniface 8. it is recorded That he was able to shew more money then all the Kings in Christendome And every ship-master i. e. Cardinall Patriarch Archbishop though but titular and imaginary without jurisdiction as are the Patriarchs of Constantinople Antioch Jerusalem and Alexandria which the Pope successively consecrates ever since the holy Land and the Provinces about it were in the hands of Christian Princes anno 1100. so loth is the Pope to lose the remembrance of any superiority or title Spec. Europ that he hath once compassed And all the company The Cardinals and Arch-bishops train and retinue those in office especially What a pompous family kept Wolsey consisting of one Earl nine Barons Rex Platon p. 26 very many Knights and Esquires and others to the number of four hundred And sailers Bishops Abbots Priors c. And as many as trade by sea All the Clergy the Jesuites especially without whose lusty help saith one S. M Brightman Peters fish-boat had stuck in the sand and had rushed against the rocks long since Verse 18. What City is like unto this q. d. Who would ever have thought we should ever have seen this dismall day of Romes destruction It was wont to be said Roma cladibus animosior Rome is unconquerable The Pope wrote once to the Turk that threatned him Niteris incassum Petri submergere navem Fluctuat at nunquam mergitur illa ratis Verse 19. And they cast dust As men willing to be as far under ground as now they were above ground Having lost their livelihood they had little joy of their lives All that had ships in the sea All Church-men i. e. All for the most part some of them have little enough Sanders was starved Stapleton was made professour of a petty University D Featly his Trans explod scarce so good as one of our free-schools On Harding his Holines bestowed a Prebend of Gaunt or to speak more properly a Gaunt Prebend Allin was commonly called the starveling Cardinal c. Verse 21. Thou heaven i. e. The Church on earth And ye holy Apostles c. i. e. Ye Pastours and Teachers who as ye have been most shot at by her so now you are specially called to triumph over her Psal 58.11 Verse 21. And a mighty Angel For further assurance a sign is added and an allusion made to Jer. 51.63 And here it is easie to observe a notable gradation an Angel a strong Angel taketh a stone M. Forbes and a great stone
great that they cannot be measured so copious that they cannot be defined so precious that they cannot be valued Every moneth Like the Lemmon tree which ever and anon sendeth forth new Lemmons as soon as the former are fallen down with ripenes And the leaves No want of any thing either for food or physick Ita balbutit nobiscum Deus Verse 3. And there shall be no more curse No casting out by Excommunication no cause of any such thing Of God and of the lamb He and the Father are one Joh. 10.30 See the Note there Verse 4 And they shall see his face How we shall see God whether with our minds only or with bodily eyes we shall behold his invisible Majesty in the glorious face of Jesus Christ there can nothing be determined And his name shall be As servants of old had their masters name branded in their fore-heads Verse 5. And there shall be no night See the Note on Chap. 21.25 For the Lord God He that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light essentiall And they shall raign Raign together with Christ a part of whose joy it is that we shall be where he is John 17.20 he will not be long without us Verse 6. And he said unto me This is the conclusion of the whole prophecy and it is very august and majesticall These sayings are faithfull and true Thus among other evidences of its divinity the Scripture testifies of it self and we know that its testimony is true The Lord God of the holy Prophets Some copies have it The Lord God of the spirits of the Prophets He is the God of the spirits of all flesh but of the spirits of Prophets in a speciall manner for those holy men spake no otherwise then as they were acted or imbreathed by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 See the Note there Sent his Angel As Chap. 1.1 The authority therefore of this book is unquestionable what ever some have surmised from Chap. 20.4 that it was the work of Cerinthus or some other millenary Verse 7. Blessed is he that keepeth In memory and manners Chap. 1. Those were pronounced happy that read and hear but so as they retain in minde and practise the contents of this book Verse 8. Saw these things and heard them So that there is no colour of cause why any one should doubt or distrust such a witnesse â— fell down to worship This is the second time It is hard to say how oft a Saint may fall into the same sin howbeit they sin of incogitancy put them in minde and they mend all They sin of passion and passions last not long There is no way of wickednes in them they make not a trade of it Psal 139. Verse 9. See thou do it not See the Note on Chap. 19.10 For I am thy fallow-servant Wicliffe disallowed the invocation of Saints and Angels whom he called servants not gods For the word Knave which he used signified in those daies a servant not as it doth in our daies a wicked varlet as his enemies maliciously interpret it Bellarmine for one a man utterly ignorant of the English tongue Verse 10. Seal not Keep them not up for thine own proper use as he did that wrote upon his writings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things for myself but freely impart them and in such fort as that others may conceive and improve them For the time is at hand And every daies events shall explain the prophecy Verse 11. He that is unjust c. q. d. Let things be fore-told never so plainly and fall out never so accordingly yet wicked men will be uncouncellable uncorrigible Isa 26.10 But if any man be ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor. 14 38. He fals with open eyes let him fall at his own peril who so blinde as he that will not see Hâ—s 4 1â— Ephraim is joyned to idols let him alone He hath made a match with mischief he shall have his belly-full of it Let him be righteous still Let him presevere and proceed Verse 12. Behold I come quickly Therefore quicken your pace bestir your selves lustily your time is short your task is long your wages unconceivable Verse 13. I am Alpha and Omega And am therefore worthy to be believed in my predictions of future events which I can easily bring about and effect sith to me all things are present Verse 14. That they may have right That they may be assured of their interest in Christ and his kingdome Plutarch tels of Eudoxus that he would be willing to be burnt up by the Sunne presently so he might be admitted to come so near it as to learn the nature of it What then should not we be content to doe or suffer for the enjoyment of Christ and heaven Verse 15. For Without are dogs In outer darknes The Irish air will sooner brook a toad or snake to live therin then heaven will brook a sinner And whosoever loveth Though he make it not Some will not coyn a false tale that yet will spread it these are equally guilty and excluded Gods kingdom Ps 52.3 Verse 16. Have sent mine Angel With wearines of flight as Dan. 9.21 I am the root That bear up David by my Deity but am born of him in regard of my humanity Verse 17. And the spirit and the bride i.e. The bride sanctified and set a work by the spirit Rom. 8.26 And let him that heareth say Come Abrupt sentences full of holy affection q d. Let him pray daily Thy kingdom come Heu pietas ubi prisca profana ô tempora mundi Faex vesper prope nox ô mora Christe veni And let him that is athirst come q. d. If you think me long a coming come to me in mine ordinances there I will stay you with apples comfort your with flagons Cant. 2.5 That water of life freely See the Note on Chap. 21.6 Verse 18. If any man shall adde unto these things Either to this or to any of the fore-going books of Scripture Deut. 4.2 Prov. 30.6 Gal. 3.15 2 Tim. 3.16 17. All which not withstanding the Jews have added their Deuteroseis the Turks their Alfurta the Papists their unwritten verities which they equalize at least to the Scriptures Verse 19. And if any man shall take away Sith every word of God is pure precious and profitable Prov. 30.5 2 Tim. 3.16 Verse 20. Even so Come Lord Jesus This is the common and constant vote of all good people and is therefore pinned as a badge upon their sleeve 1 Thess 1.10 See the Note there Verse 21. The grace of our Lord An epistolary conclusion The Revelation is rather to be counted an Epistle then a book Read it as sent us from heaven and ruminate what ye read Deo soli Gloria Mellificium Theologicum OR THE MARROW OF Many good Authours Painfully and carefully extracted and distilled into a Decad of divine Discourses by way of Exercitation Essay or Common-place Wherein these ten Heads are largely handled Abstinence
The Pastour hath his part and share in the peoples commendation If they grow famous he cannot lie obscured Ye turned to God from idols They gave not the half turn only from East to South but the whole turn from the East to West from idols to God Ephraim shall say Hos 6.4 What have I to do any more with idols Hos 148 Those Balaam blocks those mawmets and monuments of idolatry those images of jealousie Ephraim is now no longer as a cake half baked as a speckled bird Jet 12.9 c. Better be a Papist then an Atheist a grosse idolater then a profligate professour a carnall Gospeller Verse 10. And to wait for his Son This is pinned as a badge to the sleeve of every true believer that he looketh and longeth for Christ his coming to judgement The old character of Gods people was they waited for the consolation of Israel Christs first coming So is it now the earnest expectation of his second coming Which delivered us from the wrath to come This is the â—â—â—mon the notation of his name Jesus a Saviour Salvation properly betokeneth the privative part of mans happinesse but includeth the positive too King Alphonsus when he saw a poor man pulling of his beast out of a ditch he put to his hand to help him Is it not more that Christ should stoop so low as to help us who were in worse condition then the beasts that perish out of the ditch of destruction The devil is said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a roaring Lion but our comfort is That the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hâ— that delivereth us from the wrath to come The wrath to come There is a present wrath that men suffer and who knoweth the power of this wrath Even according to a mans sear so is Gods wrath Psal 90.11 Let a man fear never so much he shall be sure to feel more when Gods wrath fals upon him A timorous man can fancy vast and terrible fears fire sword racks scalding lead boiling pitch running bâ—ll-mettle Yet all this is but as a painted fire to the wrath to come that eternity of extremity which gracelesse persons shall never be able to avoid or to abide CHAP. II. Verse 1. Our entrance in unto you THe word preached in any place doth usually work best at first After a while men become like unto birds in a bell-free that can well enough bear the noise of the bels and not be frighted Verse 2. But even after that c. From this to the 13. â—orse Ministers may as in a mirrour see how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God We were bold in our God The Church as the palm-tree spreadeth and springeth up the more it is oppressed as the bottle or bladder that may be dipt Dâ—ris uâ— ilex â—onsa bâ—peuniâ—â—â— not drowned as the Oke that sprouâ—s out the thicker from the maims and wounds it receiveth This daunted Diocletian and made him lay down the Empire in discontent This caused Iulian the Apostate to leave off force and use fraud to draw men from the truth Verse 3. Was not of deceit nor c. Neither for profit pleasure not preferment the worldlings Trinity A Minister as he should have nothing to lose so he should have nothing to get but should be above all price or sale He hath too impotent a spirit whose services like the diall must be set only by the Sun of selfreipects True grace is of a most masculine disingaged noble nature and remits nothing of its diligence either for fear of a frown or hope of a reward Verse 4. But as we were allowed Enabled and counted faithfull 1 Tim. 1.12 Not as pleasing men See the Note on Gal. 1.10 Men be they pleased or displeased God must not be displeased But God Who looketh upon displeasing service as a double dishonour Which trieth our hearts And so knoweth our aims Drus Apophth Quicquid igitur agas propter Deum agas Propter te Domine propter te as he cried It stands me upon saith one to see that though my work be but mean yet it may be clean though not fine yet not foul soiled and slubbered with the slur of a rotten heart sith it is God I have to deal with Verse 5. For neither at any time Sinisterity of ends is here opposed to sincerity in Gods work And flattery covetousnesse ambition declared to be the fountains of insincerity Nor a cloke of covetousnesse This sin goes usually cloked with the name and pretence of good husbandry The ordinary language of the world is He is a man somewhat with the hardest a little with the nearest a little too much for the world but yet a marvellous honest a wonderous good man Covetousnesse is seldome without fained words 2 Pet. 2.3 to hide it from others without or subtle thoughts and evasions to blinde-fold the conscience within God is witnesse That he flattered not he reports himself to them that he coveted not he appeals to God who is not mocked with masks or specious pretences Verse 6. Nor of men sought we glory Theologus gloriae dicit malum bonum bonum malum saith Luther Theologus crucis dicit id quod res est A vain-glorious preacher calleth good evil and evil good c. Verse 7. But we were gentle This is the way to win for man is a curst crabbed creature and may be led but not easily drag'd to duty Soft words and hard arguments soonest prevail with him Verse 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cupâ—dine rapâ—i So being affectionately desirous Homing and hankering after you But also our own souls Greater love then this hath no man And such a love ought there to be in every Pastour toward his people Love is liberall charity no churl Verse 9. Our labour Even to lassitude And travell So to spare them he spared not himself Verse 10. Ye are witnesses and God also Happy is that man that can be acquitted by himself in private in publike by others in both by God standers by may see more How holily and justly and unblameably Here he practised his own precept Tit. 2.12 And herein lies the difference between Divinity and other sciences that it is not enough to prescribe it but you must practise it as lessons of musick and as a copy must not be read only but acted also Verse 11. As a father Before as a mother vers 7. a nurse not mercenary but naturall with greatest tendernes and indulgence Here he tempers his mother-like meeknesse with the gravity and authority of a father Ministers must turn themselves as it were into all shapes and fashions both of speech and spirit to win people to God Ver. 12. Walk worthy of God Whose livery we wear whose image we bear whose kingdom we are called unto c. Those that stood with the Lamb Rev. 14. had his fathers name on their fore-heads Our outstraies
reflect upon God who will require and requite Verse 13. Not as the word of men Whom yet he maketh use of to cast down Satans strong-holds as he made use of little David against Goliah and of the frogs and flies against Pharaoh As the word of God With reverence and diligence with all good affection and attention When Samuel knew it was God that called him and not Eli he had no more minde to sleep We are all here present before God saith Cornelius Act. 10.33 And God is in you of a truth saith the Corinthian convert 1 Cor. 4.25 Verse 14. Of your own countrey-men Malice against the truth breaks all bonds of nature or amity Moah was irked because of Israel or vexed at them Numb 22.3 4. though they were allied to Israel who passed by them peaceably and by the slaughter of the Amorites freed them from evil neighbours which had taken away part of their Countrey c. The English Papists in four years sacrificed 800 of their innocent Countreymen in Q. Maâ—â—es daies Verse 15. Who both killed the Lord And are therefore banished out of the world as it were by a common consent of Nations for their unexpiable guilt Even in Jerusalem there be hardly to be found a hundred housholds of them In Cyprus it is present death for any Jew to â—et his foot upon that Island Breâ—â—â—ood Enquâ—â— In Thessalonica and Constantinople there are divers thousands of them but at every Easter they are in danger of death Dio. Cass Biddulph if they but stir out of doors because at that time they crucified our Saviour The Turks themselves so hate the Jews for crucifying Christ that they use to say in detestation of a thing I would I might die a Jew Neither will they permit a Jew to turn Turk unlesse he be first baptized And their own Prophets Whose slaughter though long since done is in recent remembrance with God and is reckoned and registred together with the death of Christ himself And have persecuted us They still curse the Christians in their daily praiers which they close up with a Maledic Domine Nazaraeis Lopez at Tiburn affirmed Camdeâ—s Eliz. That he had loved Q. Elizabeth as he loved Jesus Christ Which from a Jew was heard not without laughter And they please not God Yet they challenged the title of Gods Church as the Papists will needs be the only Catholikes And are contrary to all men Being herein rather Ismaelites then Israelites Gen. 16.12 The Troâ—t delights to swim against stream The herb Alexander will agree with no other herb but it self Such Antipodes are our Jesuites so unsufferably ambitious and impudent that neither then doctrine not their conversation pleaseth those of their own religion Verse 16. To fill up their sin alway Bounds are set to sin by the divine decree Zech. 5.7 Wickednesse is compared to a woman pressed in an Ephah when the measure is full the businesse is finished See the Note on Mat. 23.32 Verse 17. For a short time Or In a short time suddenly See Act. 17 9 10. Being taken away Or separated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as orphans are from their dear parents or parents from their deceased children The separation of friends is so grievous that death it self is stiled no other then a departure Verse 18. But Satan hindred us He still doth his utmost to hinder the communion of Saints and to keep them asunder He knows two are better then one and therefore he stirred up the primitive persecutours to banish the Christians and to confine them to iles and mines Cyprian epist where they could not have accesse one to another Verse 19. For what is our hope c A very lively and lofty expression such as the Apostle ordinarily useth in speaking of heavenly glory Nos Christus nec coelum patitur hyperbolen A man can hardly hyperbolize in speaking of heaven Verse 29. For ye are our glory and joy Let no man therefore envy us these temporary good things a competent maintenance there are better things abide us above CHAP. III. Verse 1. No longer forbear OR 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stand under our burden of vehement desire after you See a like expression Isa 42.14 As a travelling woman bites in her pain as long as she is able and at length cries out aloud so God is patient till he can hold no longer c. We thought it good Publica privatis anteferenda bonis A publike spirit is a precious spirit Verse 2. To establish you Who haply are somewhat unsetled by the troubles that befell me amongst you But as young trees shaken root the better so should you Capite in an epistle to the brethren at Basil writeth thus Pauciores vobiscum perimuntur quod ita Domino visum est ut stabiliantur seu lenibus pluvijs aâ— semâ—ntâ—â— mâ—llioribus plantulae in arbores maximas proditurae Verse 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prov. That no man should be moved Gr. Flattered as a dog slattereth by moving his tail q.d. The devil by flattering you with promise of more ease by a contrary course will but do as a dirty dog defile you with sawning That we are appointed thereunto Viz. By Gods decree whereunto if damned ghosts must subscribe Rom. 9.19 20. how much more should Gods elect 1 Pet. 1 6 It is but a delicacy to dream of heaven to be had without much hardship Verse 4. We told you before Darts fore-seen are dintlesse premonition is the best premunition Troubles fore-told come never a whit the sooner but far the easier whereas coming unexpected they finde weak mindes secure make them miserable leave them desperate Verse 5. To know your faith That is Your perseverance and encrease in faith That which the devil mainly endeavoureth is to hindâ—r and unsettle our faith as he dealt by Eve and Peter Luk. 22.31 32. to batter this buckler Ephes 6.16 for then he knows he may do what he will with us Omnia perdidit Seneca qui fidem amisit Lestâ—â—y some means the tempter Who feels our pulses and fits his assaults accordingly See the Note on Mat. 4.3 And our labour be in vain So it proves many times by Satans malice Other labourers can finde their work as they left it not so Ministers the devil cometh and marreth all Verse 6. And brought us good tidings Here the devil was disappointed He had been nibling but could not fasten this matter was not malleable God stints him and staves him oft when he would worry his poor lambs turning all to their eternall good Verse 7. We were comforted Nothing so cheareth up the heart of a godly Minister as his peoples tractablenesse If this be wanting his very heart is broke though they be otherwise never so kinde and courteous to him Verse 8. For now we live A joylesse life is a lifelesse life An unsuccessefull Pastour hath little or no joy of his life Thus shall ye say to him that liveth 1 Sam.