end the Citties of refuge are appointed and the fieldes of the Leuites neere to the cittie then Rub. Gad and the tribe of Maâ—asses are sent away to their owne possessions according to the couenant Num. 32 Afterwardes the care of Iâ—suâ— touching his posteritie is shewed by a notable exhortation and forbiding them to haue societie with the Gentiles and he shewes a lardge rehearsall of Gods benefites and making a couenant betwene them and God he calleth backe the people vnto God Lastly is declared the death of Iosua and Eleazar the sonne of Aron and the burying of Iosephes bones ⧠The booke of Iudges THe booke of the Iudges is named of those Iuges which after the death of Iosua Gouerned Israell For it contayneth a discription of Israells proceeding after Iosuahes death vnder the Iudges who maruailouslie defended the people from their enemies wherein is to bee obserued that God preserued the comon weale of Israell for the same cause for which he did establish it Namely for his sonnes sake that should be borne of the Ieweish people also this is to be noted that the people of the old Testament were vnder fower kindes of Gouernement according to the diuersitie of the times 1 Vnder a Fatherlye Aucthoritie in the time of the Patriarches Moses and Aaron 2 Vnder the aucthoritie of Iudges during the time of these Iudges 3 Vnder the gouernement of Kinges in the time of the Kinges 4 Vnder the gouerment of the Priestes in the time of the Priestes vntill Christe Who one for all is 1 Eternall Father 2 Iudge of the quicke and dead 3 King of Kinges 4 Euerlasting hie priest There were in number as Iudges 16. 1 Iudas 2 Simeon 3 Othoniell 4 Aroth 5 Samgar 6 Deborah the Prophetise 7 Baruck 8 Gedeon alias Ierobabell 9 Abimelech 10 Thola 11 Iair 12 Iepthe 13 Abesau 14 Achialâ—n 15 Abdon 16 Samson Now the booke of Iudges is deuied according to the order of the persons as they ruled in Israell From the begining of the booke to the 6 chap. 7. histories are discribed of the Iudges Iudas Simion c. Amongst whom Deborah the prophetis singeth a notable song in the 5. chap. From the 6. to the 13 besides the storie of Giddeon and his sonne three other Iudges are discribed Thola Iair and Iepthe of the Sacrifising of his daughter chap 11 from the 13 to the 17 is described an exelent storie of Samson and heere is Samson peculiarly comended in it hee was a figure of Christe From the 17. to the end of the booke beside the Idoll of Mica and the children of Dan is set forth a fearefull and a lamentable story of a Leuites wise for whom being rauished fallen downe dead and cut into 12. peeces the whole trâ—be of Beniamin was al most extinguished that by this one example we may learne that God doth seuerely fearfully punish adulteries Thus farre goeth the Booke of Iudges wherein are set before vs many examples to stirre vs vppe to repentance in which we also see that God hath alwaies sharpely punished Idolatry and other feareful sinnes but hath beene mercifull to the repentant that this booke may well be called the booâ— of the VVrath and Mercy of God The booke of Ruth THe booke of Ruth is so named of Ruth a woman that was a gentile to wit a Moabite of the people of Moab who was the sonne of Lotte Gen. 16 This booke containeth only 4 chap besides that it is an example of domesticall care wherein it also declares that God euen then had care of the Gentiles and that the Gospell was reuealed to the Gentiles after these things Ruth and other of the Gentiles are ioyned to the seed of Abraham This booke containeth part of the genealogy of Dauid which by the Euangelist is translated into the genealogie of Christ so that you may say that this booke also hath reference to Christ and thou mayst know that it was decreed long before that Christ should be borne of sinners harlots for the abolishing of sinnes And furthermore thou shouldst not doubt saluation also to bee ordained for the Gentiles It is deuided into 2 partes JN the two former chap Ruth is set down for an example how all Daughters in law ought to behaue themselues Humblie and dutifully towardes their Mothers in-lawe 2 In the other chapt is an example of Chastitie in Booz The bookes of Kinges THe 4 Historicall bookes which are intituled the bookes of the Kinges after the vsuall edition are in Hebrue onely two whereof the first is named SAMVELL and is deuided of the Latines into 2 bookes the which are called the bookes of Samuell The later of them is called the booke of Kinges which in like maner is deuided into 2 bookes which are called the bookes of the Kinges This Samuell was a most faithfull constant Prophet of God vnder King SAVL of whoÌ„ the 2 first bookes do take their names and in the one of them the storie of Saul in the other the storie of Dauid is larglie discribed The two latter bookes are commonlie called the bookes of the Kings because they conteyne the Historie of all the other kings both in Israell and in Iudah In the first booke of Samuell is discribed the beginning of the third kinde of gouernment namely the Kinges vnder wicked K. Saul vnder whom the kingdome and monarchie was ordeyned in Israell In the second booke of Samuell the kingdome is translated from Saules house vnto Dauids the most godly king and Prophet which is worthiely called the crowne of prophets In the 1. booke of the kinges it is according to the vulgar edition and in the thirde of the Kinges is discribed first the storie of SallomoÌ„ the king in whose time the TeÌ„ple was built vnto the Lorde in Ierusalem 2. the deuiding of the kingdome into two partes namely Iudah and Israell in the histories some of the Kinges of both partes are largely discribed In the 2. booke of Malchim that is to say in the 4. booke of the kinges according to the vulgar all the kinges in Israell and in Iudah are discribed also the wasting carying away the people of Israell captiues into Assiria Iudah into Babilon In the mean while the bookes are garnished with the promise concerning Christ which were made vnto Dauid 2. Kinges 3 ¶ A Catalogue of the Kinges of the People of Iudah Saul Dauid 1. Kinges 9 2. Kinges 3 Sala These 3. reigned ouer all the People of Israell Iudah before the discription of the Tâ—â—bes Afterwardes ten tribes sell away from the ten and they became two kingdomes as the Kingdome of Iud with the two tribes Iudah and Benieamin the kingdome of Israell with other ten Tribes The Kinges of Iudah 1 Roboam 3  12. 14 2 Abias wicked 3   15. 3 Asa 2 〈◊〉  15. 4 Iehosop Godly 2   16. 5 ZaÌ„bnas 3   12. 6 Ioram wicked 4   11. 7 Ochozlâ—s    Â
8 Ioas. Godly     9 Amasias partly wicked partly Godly     10 Azarias like father like sonne     11 Ioathan such an other 4  14. 15. 12 Achas wicked 4  15. 16. 13 Iachi as Godly 4  18. 21. 14 Manasses wicked 4  21. 22. 15 Anion like father like 4   23. 16 Iosias 4   24. 17 Ioachas Godly 4   24. 18 Ioachim wiiked    22 19 Ioachim a childe like the father     20 Zedechias wicked 4    This Zedechias the last captain and king of Iudah was with the people of Iudah caried into Babylon 4. Kin 25 and the people of Iudah remained in captiuitye 70. yeares according to the prophesy of Ieremy The kings of Israell 1 Hieroboam wicked 4 book of Kings 13 2 Nadab 3 15 3 Baasa 3 15 4 Hela 3 16 5 Lambti 3 16 6 Achab. 3 18 7 Ochozias wic 4 kin 3 8 Ioram 4 9 Iehu partly god part wic 4 kin 10 10 Ioachim wic 4 kings 12 11 Ioas. 4 13 12 Ieroboam wicked 4 k. 14 13 Zacharias part good part bad     14 Sellon wicked 4 kings 15 15 Manachem 4 15 16 Phaceas 4 15 17 Phasea 4 15 18 Ose 4 15 In the daies of this last king Israell was caried into Assyria where they remained in captiuity 4. king 17 The first booke of Sammuell may fitly be deuided into three principall partes From the beginning thereof to the ninth chap is set forth the storie of Samuell which was both a Iudge and a Prophet in Israell namely the Birth Of Samuell Calling Of Samuell Oblation Of Samuell Olde age Of Samuell The sight also of Gods people against the the Phillistians is discribed and the Mirracle done about the Arke and the hard hap of Helie the priest for the cockering of his sons is by Samuell foretolde to the People in the end of this parte 2 From the 9. chapter to the 16. the first parte of Saules historie is discribed 1 the Calling of Saul 2 the Annointing of Saul 3 the Prophesing of Saul 4 the Confirming of Saul 5 the Victorie of Saul 6 the Kingdome of Saul 7 the Meekenes of Saul 8 the Offence of Saul 1 From the 16. chap to the ende is the other parte of Sauls storie described how vntill his death hee was imployed not onely in the warr against the Philistians but much more in pursuing of Dauid where not only Dauids beeing anoynted ouercomming of Goliah and league with Ionathan Sauls sonne but also the manifold and dangerous fights of Dauid and his deliuerance is described that euerie one may see how the Lord made his seruant admirable carried him to the pit of destruction and brought him backe againe til at length being strengthened with the crosse hee obtained the â—ingdome and proued a most godlye King and Prophet The 2 booke of Sam which contayneth the whole storie of Dauid may well bee deuid into 3. principall parts From the beginning to the 11. cha besidâ— the reuenge vpo the traitors murtheren of Saule is described the annointing the consecrating of Dauid vnto his Kingdome after the death of Saul and his happy successe being full of humilitie of pietie forwardnes to the building of Gods house victories against the Philistians others mercie fidelitie benefits c. to whom also was made the promise of Christ chap. 7. wherof mention is made in the 10. to the Heb. From the 11. to the 22. are described the the adulterie murther of Dâ— his hard hap after his repentance at the parable and preching of the Prophet Nathan thorow his owne sonnes who committed whoredome with his wiues And namely the danger of sedition by his son Absolon with other punishmeÌ„ts of his sin decay of his kingdom Also the famine other calamities that followed the adulterie and murther of Dauid From the 22. cha to the end doe follow first the song thaÌ„ksgiuing theÌ„ yâ— last words of D. his great offence coÌ„mitted against god in numbring the people with the great punish meÌ„t of his sin which Da. chose before yâ— rest of 3. kinds of punishmeÌ„t set before him hauing his choyse so that heere also we may haue an especiall booke concerning the wrath and mercie of God The 3. booke of Kings which is called the first of the kings contayning both the story of Salo. of some other kings is deuided into 3 principall parts the 1. of Sal. the 2. of Roboam Salo. son of some other kings the 3. of the wicked K. Achab of the most vngodly Q. Ies also of Eliah the prophet The storie of Sal. is deuided into three parts 1. Before the building of the Temple 2. In his building the c 3. After the building Before his building the temple from the beginning of the 5. chap. besides the storie of Dauids olde age in the 1. chap. and of his death in the 2. is discribed the consecration of King Sallomon his wisdome Iustice and renowne whereof Christ also maketh mencion in the 6. chap of Mathew In the building of the Temple first how he dealeth with King Hiram about the matter then the fashion and lastly the frame buildings from the 5. to the 8. Chap. After the building of the Temple from the 8. chap to the 12. doth follow First the hallowing of the Temple and prayer of Salomon then the building of Citties and the magnificence of Salomon after which both lust and fearefull Idollatrie did ensue for the same the kingdome of Israell was deuided into two partes and Ieroboham was stirred vp againste Salomon so florishing kingdomes are wont to decay faint and in the end by Idollatrie to perish altogether lastly Salomon is saued through the blessed seede of the woman He dieth in peace is buried in the Cittie of his father Dauid The 2. parte from the 12. to the 17. besides the storie of certaine kinges coÌ„teyneth the seperatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Israell from the kingdome of Iudah The 3. part from the 17. chap vnto the ende of the booke conteyneth both the inâ— pietie wrong and tyranie of King Achab Queene Iâ—â—abell and also the prayer constaÌ„cie and flight of the Prophet Elias and his personall fasting 40. daies this booke may be very famous because of king Salomon the prophet Elias who reigned not only in earth but in heauen also The fourth booke of the kinges is called the second of the kinges Conteyneth the histories of others the kings of Israell and Iudah after the wicked king Achab and is famous for both captiuities in the caryinges away one of Israell into Assiria in the 17. chap. the others Iudah into Babilon in the last chap. Also besides the histories of Helias Elizeus the prophets vnto the 10. chap. by order of succession do follow one an other the kinges
heauinesse If with their speech they mixe fained sighings Crocodiles teares other legerdemaines deuised by Art amongst the which slanders strange positions doe specially increase their authority As Sebastian the Frenchmā reuiled the teachers and called a great volume of the sayings of the prophets apost which in shew seemed not to agre From whence he gathred that we must not iudge after the letter but as the spirit directs And in their Paradoxes they insert thinges to please people inlarge licentiousnesse Some there are which carry about with them the books of Sibils whence they take such Oracles as best befit theyr affections whom they flatter This kind of Idol priest must be taken heed of that rule is firmely to be held Thy word is a lantern vnto my feet And againe To the Lawe and the testimony And againe The Gospel is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth and those deceiuers are not to be harkened vnto which crye out that inspirations must else-where be sought for without thinking of the holy worde The saying of the sonne of God must bee helde fast whoe commandeth to preach repentance forgiuenes of sins in his name To this end let our teaching be applyed that repentance faith prayer and newe obedience may increase in vs by the meditation of Gods word and let god be praised with true duties according to that saying Fight thou a good fight holding fast faith a good conscience For traps may be laide by men by the aduancing of Inspiratiōs as we haue often seene By this meanes as by an inchantment the people discerned of seducers Therfore the sonne is sent to reueale vnto all creatures the secret and vnknown promise of reconciliation and that it beeing heard faith might be wrought in men and God might communicate himself with vs as Paule saieth Faith is by hearing and hearing by the word of God Wherfore these Idol priests of Cibel which withdraw mens mindes from the written word do reproch the son of God and take away both faith and al the exercise of faith If the writinges of the Prophets and Apostles were taken away so that euery hypocrite might lawfully brotch his counterfait Oracles from his inspirations as from his three footed seate howe great furies would ensue We haue seen example heerof in the Tragedies of Munster elswher Wherefore all holye teachers and hearers with al constancy ought to set themselues against these doting deuises Thy purpose and indeuour therefore O Peter I do commend that thou art an incourager of all the godly vnto reading As Paule saith Be conuersant in reading shewing the way to euery book declaring the arguments of them I woulde to God that our youth were accustomed rather to reading godly praier then to cauilles in disputing for when matters are well opened and no kind of false doctrine approoued there should be an end of disputing and it is a most true saying that to playe the Sycophant is too great diligence And whereas by the wisedome of your noble King and the diligence of godly teachers in your kingdom the studies of your youth are so ordered that no liberty to cauill is permitted vnto them You haue wel prouided for the peace of the church and their wits are accustomed to modesty All things though wel deliuered may be weakened if cauels may be regarded as in time past were those of the Pirchonians and the Academicks Therfore Paule doth strictly charge the Phillippians to hold faste the Canon or the rule of the word Now I beseech the Sonne of God our Lords Iesus Christ to keepe and to gouerne the churches in the kingdome of the Danes and in Germany and to make them to abide for euer one in him Farwell cal Feb. 1557. CONCERNING THE Authority of Gods word and holy Scripture THE authority of Gods worde and holy Scripture ought to be so great with all men that no one should doubt thereof but as we looke vp vnto heauen with our eies so should we thinke that the holy Scripture was brought from Heauen and as he that came from heauen is aboue all so the holy Scripture doth far exceed the doctrine and wisedome of man Christ asked the Pharisies of the doctrine of Iohn the Baptist whether it were from heauen or of men signifying that those two kinds of doctrin did greatly differ one from another the which also Christs disputation with Nichodemus maketh plaine Ioh. 3 The word of God is the holy Scripture of the old and new Testament which is called holy that is seuered from all other writings written by the holy Ghost brought from heauen And Christ deuideth the olde Testament into 3. partes in the last of Luke where hee saith that all thinges must be fulfilled whatsoeuer are written of the sonne of man In the 1 part Moses 2 part The Psal 3 part the Prop. The other partes doe belong to these The new Testament comprehends chiefly Gospels and Epistles which are the seals of the Gospell as I Paule thus subscribe thus I seale the Gospell of Matthewe with my bloud I Peter subscribe I Iohn c. The doctrine of the holy scripture is twoe fold The one The Lawe The other The Gospell But the holy Scripture is commended For the Sufficiencie Truth Profit Authority Dignitie Eternitie thereof 1 Christ shewes the sufficiencie thereof when he saith They haue Moses and the Prophets Againe search the scriptures bicause you thinke in them to hane eternall life And Paule Galat. 1 If any man shall teach any other Gospell let him be accurssed Esa 8 To the lawe and Testymonie you shall not adde neither shall you take from it his Deut 8 and in the 12. cha What I command you doe it thou shalt not adde nor diminish any thing 2 The truth of the scripture is proued by the wordes of Christ Iohn 8 Thy worde is truth Ioh. 2 The old and new Testament is true the true light now shineth Num 23 God is not as man that he should lie 3 The profit of the scripture is shewed by Paule Rom 15 Whatsoeuer things are written they are writtē for our learning that thorow patience comfort of the scripture we might haue hope 2 Tim. 3 all scripture in spired of God is profitable to teach c. 4 The authority thereof is in the laste of Luke all thinges must bee fulfilled which are written of me in Moses in the prophets and in the Psal 2 Pet. 1 Prophesie is not giuen by the will of man but holy men haue spoken as they haue beene mooued by the holy Ghost 5 The dignity thereof appeares Esa 55 as heauen is lifted vp from the earth so are my thoughts differing from your thoughts and Christ sayth giue not holy thinges to dogges neither caste yee pearles amongest swine 6 The eternity thereof as the worde of God abideth for euer And in Luke Heauen and earth shall passe but my word shal not passe Ioh. 16
c. And hee teacheth that they are truely blessed of God which are ioyned with God and are vnited vnto him through religion and godlynes and also the lawfull vse of other things In the end hee reckens vp the inconuenience of olde age and the decay of all his strength that draweth nigh to death Therfore let euerie man liue in the feare of God let him faithfully performe his office and let him vse the thinges created of God to the glorie of God The booke of the Canticles THe 3. booke of Sal. whose Title is The Song of songs Salomon hath set foorth many songes to wit 105.3 King 4 but because that this song is more excellent thē the rest and more glorious it is called the song of songs and it contayneth secreete misteries vnder the Metaphors of the bridegrome and the Bride of Christ and of his Church or of all the godly For though the verse be thank of giuing in which thāks are giuen to God because he hath adorned the common weale of Israell with great benefits to wit with a king and priest Yet he shadoweth the kingdome of Christ for whom all men doth giue thanks vnto God that here haue fought a good fight to whom is appointed a crowne of righteousnesse in heauen whiles they are ingrasted with their spouse eternally Because it cannot be deuided into parts since that thorow 8. chap there is a certain perpetual speech between the bridegrome and the bride To conclude this book containeth most excellent and particular matter 1 Concerning the kingdome of God 2 Concerning the Ministery of his word 3 Concerning the variety of the gifts of the holy ghost 4 Concerning the perpetual felicity thorow Christ 5 Concerning the defence or protection of the highest 6 Concerning the Tranquility of the elect 7 Concerning the peace or quietnes of conscience The booke of Wisdome ALthough this booke by the title seemeth to bee Salomons yet it is ascribed to Philo a man most wise learned of the Iewes who was the embassador of the Iewes to the Emperor Caligula againste which tyrannous prince the like vngodly men Philo Iudeus seemeth to haue written this booke that it may wel bee called the Philosophy or the wisdome of Philo. The booke being very conuenient for our time He commendeth the word of God against sauagenesse and tyranny of the wicked who wil not fauour the word of God among their subiects euen as Caligula did interdict his religion among the Iewes But thou shalt obserue that the word of God in this booke is called Wisedome and this booke to be the interpretation of the first commandement whence all wisdome doth flow Furthermore the chapters of this booke are 22. which are thus deuided 1 From the beginning vnto the 6 cha he maketh a comparison betwixt the righteousnes of the godly the cogitations of the wicked 2 Betwixt the goodnesse of the godly and the councell of the wicked 3. Betwixt the simplicity of the godly and the tyranny of the wicked 4. Betwixt the Martyrdome of the faithfull and the vnhappinesse of Insidels 5 Betwixt the constancie reward and felicity of the godly the condemnation of the wicked 2 From the 6 chap vnto the 10 hee layeth downe graue exhortations in which he exhorteth wicked men to embrace wisedom that is to saye with penitency and repentance where he sheweth that wisedome is to be gotten by faithful prayers 3 From the 10 vnto the 16 he commēdeth wisedome by the example of the Patriarches and by the sundry benefites and myracles of God towardes his people and against Idolatry and impiety whose cursse he sets downe with a derision and detesting of them by praising Gods mercy From the 16 chap vnto the ende of the booke againe he compares the righteousnesse and the rewards of the godly with the vnrighteousnesse and punishmentes of the wicked by bringing an example concerning the destruction of the Egyptians So much concerning this booke out of the which many Ecclesiasticall songes are taken out The booke of Iesus the Sonne of Syrach THis book thus far is called Ecclesi that is to say as some men doe interpret an Ecclesiastical discipline much vsed yet not accounted amongst the canonical books It is called by proper name Iesus Syrach frō the author as the preface doth shew he liued almost after all the Prophets in the last part before the comming of Christ in the flesh A godly man and learned but of the schole of the Egyptians comming forth in to light did publishe this booke gathered out of the writing of many learned men The booke is admirable and very necessary and profitable for the vse of the common people where a Citizen or a housholder may learne godlinesse honesty prudence after what sort he must behaue him selfe 1. towardes God 2 towardes Gods word 3 towardes his ministers 4 towardes his parents 5 towardes his wise and Children 6 towardes his owne body 7 towards his seruances 8 towards his possessions 9 towardes his neighbours 10 towardes his friendes and enemies 11 towardes magistrates and lastly towardes al menne◠〈◊〉 This booke may worthily be called a booke of domesticall discipline But seeing that it cannot bee profitablie denided by Chapters because it is not a booke written in parts orderly but gathered out of the bookes of many doctors and heaped vp consusedly euen as Bees do gather their hony out of diuers flowers it is sufficient to shew what it doth containe generally 1 First it containeth prouerbiall sentences and darke similitudes so as in this respect Iesus Syrach seemeth to be a follower or an Imitator of Salomon 2 Furthermore he poureth our and singeth certain excellent prayers and hymnes vnto God 3 It containeth certain peculiar ancient deuine histories of acceptable mē to god 4 Lastly he sheweth with what benefites it pleaseth God most plentifully to blesse his people and what euils he hath heaped vpon the wicked 5 In sum the booke is full of diuine wisedome The books of the Prophets THe prophetical books doe follow there are 16. Prophets of the which there are 4 great and 12 lesser of whome wee haue spoken before The sum of the doctrine of the prophets is this 1. They teach the kingdom of Christ to come 2. They expound the first commandment by many examples and histories 3. They comfort the afflicted consciences threaten the secure and carelesse ones 4. they condemne the Idolatry of the Iews which they call fornication It is Idolatry or spirituall fornication when men do worship the true God not according to the word and commandment of God but according to their owne good opinion as men say looke Iudges 7 17. 3 king 12 Ose 2. for that opinion is inhibited Deut 12. The booke of Esay ESay is the chiefe amongst the proph whose writings are extant next after Dauids For hee is ioyned to Christ not only in faith but also in neernesse of bloud He cals Christ the bud of the lord chap
4. Men thinke that Amos the Father of Esay was the brother of king Amazia of whose line Christ is Moreouer hee writes not onely more sermons then other proph concerning Christ and his kingdome but also more cleare more excellent then the Euangelistes therefore he is rather to bee called an Euangelist then a prophet Esay learned in the time of the transmigration of the ten tribes vnder Vriah Ezechia kings of Iudah he liued about the age of the world 3200. with Osea Ioel Amos Micha he prophesied aboue 100. yeares The book of Esay the prophet contains 1 prophesy Legal Euangelical 2 Historical as that of Ezechias the K. 3. exhortations vnto the Iewes pentiles 4. Consolations 5 praiers 6 giuing of thanks In the book of Esay there are 66. chap. which are thus deuided 1 From the beginning vnto the 13. cha he deals with the Iewes somtimes he sharply reproues them sometimes he prophesieth with them sometimes against them he threatneth the obstinate with horrible euils He putteth down most excellent promises concerning Christ to them that repent to comfort them which part he shuâ—â—eh vppe with giuing of thanks From the 13 ch to the 24 he passeth ouer vnto the Gentils preacheth prophesieth against them wherby mine he taxeth fusle the Babylonians 2. the Philistians 3. the Moabits 4. the Damascens 5. The Ismaclites 6. the Egyptians 7. the TitiaÌ„s 8. the Sidonians as the euill neighbours of the Iewes and alwaies offensiue to the people of God in which he prophesieth deuastation and other horrible euils to fall on them neither doth he in the meane while neglect the promises made to the gentiles that they should be conuerted to the saith 3 From the 24 chap vnto the 36 chap he returnes to the Iewes to whom againe hee prophesyeth hard thinges because of their incredulity He threatneth the captiuity of that proud Sinagogue the wicked Iews other hard fortunes and that they were altogither forsaken of God But the godlie and good men he comforteth in that God would keepe preserue his remnant and little flocke In the meane time hee omitteth not thankesgiuing for the Gospel that should be reuealed in the new testament 4 From the 36 cha vnto the 40 cha he reciteth the histories of Ezechias the K. of Iudah who as a godly feruent beseecher of God was heard both againste Senacherib that wicked king of Assyria for himselfe being greeuouslye sicke with a pestiserous disease From the 40 chap vnto the end he again deals with the Iewes sometimes most sharply rebuking them for their incredulity and Idolatrie sometimes comforting them as being to be brought captiue into Babilon In the meane while he puttes downe manie excellent prophesies and promises concerâ—ing the kingdome of Christ and the calling of the Gentiles ioining the Gospell to the Law to reprehension consolation by the Gospel that he might be said more truly to be an Euangelist then a prophet So much concerning the book of Esay The Booke of Ieremy IEremy the sonne of Helchia the priest began to prophesie the 13 yeare of the raign of king Iosiah when the king the priests and the people liâ—ed most wickedly vntil the booke of the â—ruine law was founde in the house of the Lorde by Helchia the father of Ieremye Then the king being moued with pitty and â—ompassion did restore the worship of god â—nd did root out Idolatry as the last book of the Kings doth witnesse in the 22 chapâ—â—r Ieremy prophesied from the 13 yeare 〈◊〉 Iosias vnto the time of the Babylonian câ—tiuity almost 41. yeares He also prophesieâ— concerning the captiuity of Babylon tiâ—â— ouerthrow of the city of Ierusalem he foâ—â— told the time of the captiuity almost 70. yeares where we are to obserue by hoâ— much the neerer punishments doo hast 〈◊〉 draw on by so much the more the wickâ—â— are worser more obstinate which appâ—reth by Ieremy by our time to be true Although the order of chapters cannâ—â— be obserued in the bookes of the prophers because they seeme rather to be sayings gathered out of the Prophets mouthes as thâ—â— vttered them then to haue byn written by them It is somewhat to go thus farre if wâ—â— can go no further as to obserue that notâ—â— Ieremy doth handle chiefly 3. things in order but with often repetitions mingled â—mongst themselues First he preacheth and chideth vehemently the wicked Iewes afterwardes bâ— foretels their punishments to wit the saâ— king and wasting of the City of Ierusalâ—â— Lastly he prophesyeth as other Prophets concerning Christ and his kingdome and of the new Testament 1 From the beginning vnto the 20 cha â—esides the history in which he is called of God by a vision by a signe to wit a flaâ—ing rod a seething pot In which God â—ewes his sudden and vehement wrath aâ—ainst this peruerse rebellious people by â—â—e king of Babylon the rod reuenger of â—od Besides I say this history Ieremy â—eproues the impiety of the Iewes theyr â—dolatry offences wickednesse cruelty aâ—ainst yâ— prophets so as al these sermoÌ„s for yeâ—ost part are for penitency or graue exhorâ—tions to repentance Besides the propheâ—es concerning the captiuity of Baby and â—esides consolations with which God doth â—omfort the prophet against tentations and â—he prophet the people to be deliuered froÌ„â—he captiuity From the 20. to the 40. ch besides the hiâ—â—ory of the crosse calamity of the prophet 〈◊〉 besides those most excellent promises of â—â—turn from captiuity concerning christ â—â—ee threateneth the people of Iuda speciâ—â—ly the prin with al euil which is agrauated â—y this â—hat God signifies that he wil stand â—ith the Chald. against his own people and â—ith the Chal. afflict his people which is of 〈◊〉 other things most horrible to wit God is not to be with his people but againste 〈◊〉 people After that he threatneth false pâ—â—phets and preachers who preached to 〈◊〉 Princes and people thinges pleasing theâ—â— and not according to the word of the Lord. Lastly he recites the history of Zededâ— the king that as contemning Gods wordâ— he fled to mans ayd and helpe euen so â—â—â—sery and calamity hapned vnto him whiâ—â— is the reward of Tyrants From the 40 chap. vnto the ende of thâ— booke besides diuers examples that is 〈◊〉 wit God deliuereth and keepeth the Prophet that God is true in his word that hâ— punisheth the contemners of his worde afterwards besides admonitions to the Iewâ— in Egypt and consolation with which Ieremy comforted Baruch his scribe he prophetsieth against the Gentiles his neighbors the Egyptians Philistians Moabites and other kingdomes then hee prophesieth the destruction of the kingdome of Babylon by the Meades and Persians Last of all hee concludes the booke with the historye of the deuastation or destruction of Ierusalem and with the leading away of the people in to Babylon that euery man may see the order of the Almighty in which he is
Afterwardes thorough the kinges fauour he was promoted chieflie after he had interpreted the Dreame of the king Nabucadnezer Lastly hee continued there lxx yeeres liued vntill the reigne of Cirus king of Persia as appeares in the end of the 1. chapt and as it is manifested in the ninth chapter He was indued with such an excellent spirit that hee did not onely see the kingdome of Christ to come and to remaine for euer the destruction of other kingdomes but also he reckoned the yeares by weekes in which Christ should come He wholy applies himself in this that he might manifest the glorious and the eternall kingdome of Christ and hee foretelleth that besides him all the kingdome of the world are vaine and transitory Furthermore here is to be obserued that Daniel vseth the Chaldean toung vnto the beginning of the eight chapter Besides that the song of the three children The history of Susanna and of Bell as also the fable of the Dragon are not accounted or reckoned neither in the Caldean nor in the Hebtue toung neither yet haue testimony in holy scriptures that Daniell is the author of these bookes Therefore they are separated by the best translators of the Byble from the writing of Daniel and are altogither put by themselues hauing their owne proper vse to edification But in the booke of Daniel there are 1 Examples 1 2 4 5 6. chap. 2 Histories 2 3. 3 Reuelations 2 4. 4 Visions 7 8 10. 5 Miracles 3 6. 6 Sermons 4 5. 7 Prayers 9 8 Giuing of thanks 2. 9 Prophesies 9 11 12. The twelue chap. of Daniel are deuided one from another after this maner In the first chapter besides the history of Daniel and his fellowes being brought vp in the palace of the king of Babylon is set forth an admyrable example of godlinesse in Daniel howe hee learned amongst the Gentiles In the second chap. is tolde or rehearsed vnto the king the dreame and the interpretation thereof by Daniell concerning the 4. monarchies Where he sets foorth first the king of Babylon Secondly the king of Persia Thirdly the king of the Grecians Fourthly the king of the Romanes vnder whom the Iewes were to bee afflicted In the 3 chapter is described the kinges wicked Idolatry after his fall and the miraculous deliuerance of the three children from the fire In the four the chap is discribed besides the dreame concerning the tree by the which is set foorth the king of Babilon the punishment of the proude king the receiuing of him into fauour and the forgiuenes of his sinnes after his repentance In the fifth chap is described principally the tyranie of King Baltashar the sonne of king Nabucadnezer in the abusing of the holy vessells also afterwardes the punishment of his tyrannie by the losse of his kingdome and life In the sixth chap is described the deliuerance of Daniell and the punishmente of wicked men vnder Darius the king of the Babilonians In the 7. chaap Daniell seeeth a dreame of 4. beastes to whom the 4. Monarchies are compared In 8. chap he seeeth an other dreame concerning the afflictions vnder wicked Antiochus successor to the mightie prince Alexander the great In the ninth chap afterwardes he prayeth the almightie God for the releasement of the Iewes from the Babilonian captiuitie and being hearde is made certaine of the comming of the true Messiah by the declaration or manifestation of the Angell Gabriell accompted particulerly in seauentie weekes In the tenth chapt he writeth most singularly of Angells who cease not continually to fight against euill Angells for the defence of good and Godly menne and of Kingdomes In the 11. chap he prophecieth in order concerning the alteration of kingdomes doth also foretell vnder what monarchies the Iewes shoulde be afflicted before that the Messias came First of all that Darius king of the Medes is slaine by Alexander and after the death of Alexander the kingdome of the Grecians is diuided into fower kingdomes First into Asia Secondly into Syria Thirdlie into Egipt and fowerthlie into Greece last of all how Antiochus afflicted the people of Israell vntill hee was resisted and driuen away by Iudas Machabeus In the 12. chap. he prophecieth according to the cōmon translation of Antichrist vnder the name of Antiochus as Paul in the 2. of the Thessalonians 2. doth interprete this place Furthermore by the kingdome of Antioch he vnderstandeth not only the Papall sea of Rome but also the kingdome of the Turkes or Mahomet by whome the church of Christ towards the ende of the world should be vexed The song of the three children according to the common edition hath place in the third chapt of Daniel where all kind of Creatures are incited to laude and praise God The story of Susanna is comfortable because lying and slanderous menne at the length are disclosed and do suffer shame and such as are cleare and pure are deliuered The story of the I doll Bell doth at this day very plainly set forth the fraud and dedcipt of the Pope by the which they haue hitherto seduced poore miserable menne and yet doe still seduce and deceiue in many places Hitherto hath beene spoken of concerning the foure great Prophets Nowe followeth the twelue lesser Prophetes In which bookes they couet the increase and amplification of Christs kingdome which is their principall argument although by diuers and sundry reasons 1. Oseas prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 2. Ioell prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 3. Amos. prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 4. Micheas prophesied against the ten tribes or kingdome of Israel 5. Sophonias prophesied against Ierusalem 6. Ionas prophelied against Niniuy 7. Nahum against Babylon 8. Abacuc against Babylon 9. Abdias against Edom. 10. Haggei did vrge the people to reedifie the citty 11. Zacha did vrge the people to reedifie the citty 12. Malach did vrge the people to reedifie the citty 14 Or otherwise thus In the yeare before the birth of Christ 1 Ionas vnder Achab. 2 Abdi vnder Iereboā kings of Israell They liued prophesied in the year 496. 3 Esaias vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 4 Osea vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 5 Ioel. vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 6 Amos vnder Vsiah Ezekiah K. of Iuda at the time whē the x. tribes were caried to capt 7 Micheas A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpō the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 8 Nahum A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpō the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 9 Abacuc A little after vnder Manasses the king of
Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 10 Ieremy A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 11 Sophony A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 12 Ezechi A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Daniell A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Hagg. Zacha. Mallach After the returne of the people of Babilon 559. Concerning the Booke of Hosea the Prophet OSeas by the Etimologie of his name signifieth Health and therefore he maried his lawfull wife according to Gods comaundement but with such a reproche as that she is called his harlot so comes it to passe that the worlde doth rage against the Ministers of Gods worde Therefore God forbidde that wee shoulde thinke the Prophet to liue in Fornication In the beginning of his Sermons he betrotheth Israel to the Lorde our God in iustice in iudgment in mercy and pittie and reconciles them to Dauid their king and so he calles Christ as being borne of the loynes of Dauid In the end he threatneth the destruction of Death with great feruencie I will saith he be thy Death Oh Death I will be thy Death for euer In the meane time he doth preach most feruently constaÌ„tly against Israell against the Idollatrie of the Princes and Priestes of the people Afterwardes he prophecieth very power-fully concerning the kingdome of Christ These two thinges were the offices duties of all the prophets the one out of the Law the other out of the promises for the which they were brought to their death as heretikes and seditious persons From the beginning to the 14. chap there are prophesies and sermons of reproofe against the kingdome of Israell because for Idolatrie which he calleth spirituall Fornication not onely the people but also Princes and priestes are to be punished of God with corporall eternall captiuitie vnlesse they repent he mittigateth these Comminations with the promises of God that they shoulde not dispâ—ire but conuert vnto god Also in the 2.3.11.12.14 there are prophecies and comfortable sermons concerning the kingdome of Christ the preching of the Gospell and the victories of Christe ouer Death and Hell together with the Eternall captiuitie of the people of Israell their restoring by faith in the mercies of god through Christ The booke of Ioel the Proph. JOEL by the Etimologie of his name signifieth begining or desiring Who hee was of what Tribe in what time or vnder what king he liued it is vncertaine chieflie because he himselfe maketh no mencion of this vnlesse it be for that he is thought to liue with Osea and Amos whilest he preacheth against the kingdome of Israel Hee labours only to shew how punishments plagues hang ouer the earth for innumâ—rable sins greuous wickednes WheÌ„ce S. Peter on the feast of Penticost tooke occasion to preach act 2. And Saint Paul allegeth the saying of Ioel in the 2. chap. euerie one that calleth on the name of the lord shall be saued Rom 10. In the 1. chapt he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israel to weet it woulde come to passe that Israel should be carried away into Syrâ—a He vnderstaÌ„deth the Assâ—â—ians by these 4. kinde of wormes deuouring smite and Corne to weet the Palmer worme The Grasse-hopper The Canker worme and the Caterpiller shewing the vnpeâ—pling and deuastacion by litle litle of the kingdome of Israel In the 2. 3. after he had sore-shewed vnto the king of Assirta his destruction he propheâ—â—eth euen vnto the end of the kingdome of Christ of the holy Ghost and of the celestiall Ierusalem In that he speaketh of the Valley of Iehosophat in the last cha He seemeth not only that it ought to be vnderstoode of the eternall Iudgment but also of the church of Christ as the valley of Achor in Osea in the which the Gentiles were adiudged to bee sinners and are called to repentance by the word of God the holy Ghost reproues the world of sinne The booke of Amos. AMos by the etymology of his name signifieth a burthen or yoke and he answereth more then all the prophets thorow his vehemency to the singularity of his name He reproues the Israelits throughout all his booke and doth inuey against them although a stranger amongst them as one born in the tribe of Iudah nor so much as the sonne of a prophet but a shepheard an ordinary man as he himselfe witnesseth in the 2. chap. But hee liued in the time of Osea and Esay as GOD is of power to call suche by a suddaine or certaine diuine miracle against all wicked powers which they call ordinarie where necessitie requireth Euen so the holy Ghost made A postles of rude and vnlearned Fishers It is thought that Amos was slaine by a wicked priest called Amasia with a Fullers clubbe ¶ The chapters of this booke are ix which are thus to be distinguished From the beginning vnto the 4. chapt he prophecieth agâ—inst the neighbours of the Iewes and of the Israelites who were the kinges of Syria the kinges of Palestina of Tire of Edome of Amon Meab c. saith that it will come to passe that they also should be punished of God againe Afterwardes he prophecieth against the kinges of Israell and Iuda with an admonition that they shoulde not contempne the prophets of God From the 4. chap. to the 7. he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israell threatneth horrible thinge to come vnto them from God 1. Famine 2. Dearth 3. Pestilence 4. Botch 5. the sword and lastly vtter distructioÌ„ by the Assirians in the meane time whilest he reproues their sinnes he exhorteth them to repentance by the deuastation of the Assirians From the 7 chap. to the ende besides 3. visions which he sawe against the King of Israell to weet 1. the Locustes the fire and the Line or rule vpon the Wall hee contendes with the wicked prest Amasiah to whom he promiseth horrible mischiefe Afterwardes he preacheth against the couetousnes of the rich and the oppression of the poore In the ende hee addeth a most excellent place concerning the kingdome of the Mesiah which is cited of Iames the Apostle Act. 15. As also a place is cited of Stephen in the 5. chap Act. 7. But that which he speakes in the 1. chap. of 3. and 4. sinnes he vnderstandeth the greatnes and the multitude of sin the impatiencie and defence thereof 3. and 4. makes 7. which is a Finall or indefinit number in holy Scripture
Iews by Christ and his Apostles The Prophesie of Abacucke ABacuck hath his name of embracing as a mother embraceth her infant or as others embrace one another breast to breast heart to heart in comforting of them euen so Abacucke doth embrace the people of Israel and is greately comforted then exhorting them to remaine constant in the faith and in aduersiues So that the holy Apostle S. Paul Ro. 1. alleageth this most excellent sentence out of the second Chapter The iust shall liue by this faith It seemeth that Abacucke liued with Ieremy about the captiuity of Babylon seeing that hee as a Prophet of the Iewes firste of all prophesied againste the people and afterwardes against the Babylonians It is holden for a fable to saie that this man was that Abacucke which was taken of the Angell and did deliuer meate to Daniel beeing cast into the denne of Lyons There are 4 Chap vvhich are thus to be dâ—scerned IN the first cha he doth partly prech against the Iews preferring the preching of the Lawe before the Euangelicall doctrine which doth followe in the second chapter and he sheweth the power of the Babylonians to be great Partly he laboureth by a godly expostulation with GOD that his owne people being deliuered hee would take reuenge against the king of Babylon In the 2. chap. he addes Euangelicall consolation by the diuine promises and he shewes the promise of the speedye comming of the Mesâ—iah but in the mean time to be expected and looked for by faith In the third he prophesieth the destruction of the kingdome of Babylon foreshewing the diabolicall arogancy of the K. of Babylon againste God and his vniust gathering together of riches against his neighbour which are two horrible thefts to wit the spoiling of God of his glory men of their goods In the 4. chap. seeing that the giuing of thankes and the remembrance of GODS ancient benefites was pretermitted at the length hee prayeth that the Babylonian kingdome might be vtterly destroyed thorow diuine Iustice vnlesse that in the end another ioy doeth comfort the people of Israell In the 4. chapter after giuing of thaÌ„ks together with a large reckoning vp of gods benefies he prayes at the last that the kingdom of Babylon might tast of Gods curse and then againe in the ende he comforteth the people of the Iewes most cheerefully The Prophesie of Zophoniah SOphoniah seemeth to signify the secrets of God A name very sitte for Gods prophet whoe search the secretes of God that is to say the gospell and the eternal kingdome of Christ wrapped vp in propheticall promises visions and reuelations vntill the fulnesse of the time thereof be expired and accomplished For which cause Paule likewise cals it a mystery Rom. last The title in the first chapter shewes who Sophoniah was of what parentes hee was borne and in what time he liued He was neere the age of Ieremy the prophet He prophesied almost the same thinges but more briefly and strictly to wit the deuastation of the City of Ierusalem and also of the enemy and the destruction of the whole kingdome of Iudah and the deliuerance of the Iewes by Christ Pcincipally he prophesieth the destruction of the wicked Iewes by their neighbors the gentiles 2. The rooting vp of the Gentiles by other Gentiles 3 The deliuerance of the beleeuing Iewes by the birth of Christ There are only three chapters which are thus to be discerned In the first chapter by way of checking and reprouing them he prophesieth the destruction or deuastation of the kingdome of the Iewes by the comming of the king of Babylon for the wickednesse and couetousnesse of the Iewes In the second chap. he preacheth repentance to the Iewes and afterwards he fortelleth the destruction of their neighbours the Gentiles to wit the Moabits Ammonites Philistiâ—ns Assirians and Nintunes Last of all he puts those Gentiles in hope that they should be partakers of Christes kingdome by shewing that God was to be worshipped in the Isles of the Gentiles In the third ch partly he sharply reprehendeth and reproueth the impenitent or vnreleating Iewes and partly hee comforteth the Iewes in a most excellent sermon concerning the kingdome of Christ which was to be spread ouer all the worlde Hee speakes concerning those who were heads or gouernors in religion and pollicye hee saith That for because they are princes they are to be honoured as princes notwithstanding in the meane time they are to be reproued as sinners The Prophesie of Haggei HAgge hath his name of mirth and ioye He prophesied after the captiuity of Babylon vnder Darius Histaspes and at length very seriously hee did vrge the people to reedisie the Temple and to restore againe the true worship of God There are two chapters onely in this booke In the first he reproues the ingratitude and couetousnesse of the people and hee threateneth manye euilles to fall vppon them to wit vnhappines and pouertie who cared to builde gorgiouslie their owne houses but they brought nothing to the reedysâ—ing of the Temple In the second is the same cominations for the same cause also promises that Christ himselfe will illustrate adorne his seconde Temple with his Presents Doctrine and Miracles ⧠The booke of Zacharie ZAcharias hath his name of diuine Memorie who was one of the last of all the prophets He liued in the same time with Hagge the prophet after the returne from the captiuitie of Babilon He handleth also the same argumeÌ„t with Hagge to wit ensorsing and vrging the reedisâ—ing of the Temple that for Christes sâ—ke who woulde shortly come to his holy Temple Therefore hee manifestly prophecieth of Christes Pompe that he should goe to Ierusalem vpon an Asse and the sole of an Asle which came to passe a little before his Passion on Paulme Sunday Afterwardes hee prophecieth of his selling for 30 peeces of siluer which was performed by Iudas the Traytor Also of the piercing of his sides which place S. Iohn the Euangellist doth alledge In the meane while hee hath certaine obscure Visiens in the which the Misteries of Christ are shadowed which at lengthe he interpreteth by the effusion of the Spirit of Grace chapt 12. Therein are fourteene chapters which are thus to be discerned IN the first chapter besides the begining in which hee doth most minifestlie exhort the Iewes to repentance and besides the prayer of the Angel for the Cittie of Ierusalem there are also three visions First concerning the red Horse Secondly of the foure hornes Thirdly of the foure Carpenters In the which hee prophecieth of the peace of the Iewes and exhorteth them to reedifie the Citie of Ierusalem In the second chapter is one only vision concerning a measuring Line by which he exhorteth the people againe to builde Ierusalem Afterwardes there are famous promises made concerning the kingdome of Christ the diuine presentes and protection of the godly And furthermore the vocation of the Gentiles whence the people are exhorted and admonished to