in the midst of the pryde and rage of the enemie in the hight of their confidence and hope to bring vs back to be their perpetuall slaves 10. But thou disapointed thē with a winde which made a dry way for thy people and with the sea which turned and drowned them all 11. Let all the mightie that ever were so accounted be rehearsed which of them may bee compared with thee O LORD in holines or goodnes in acts praise worthie and wonderfull 12. By thy mightie power the sea which drowned them was made the place of their buriall 13. Now hast thou begun to lead thy people whom of thy free mercie thou hast redeemed now thou hast begun to guyde thē to the place where thy holynesse promised to dwell in the mids of thē 14. This thy worke O Lord shall not rest heere but thou shal strik with feare other nations and with sorrow the Palestins whom thou hast appointed a prey for thy people 15. The Princes of Edom the strong men of Moab and all the heathen who know not and serue not thee shall feare chieflie the Canaanits cursed of olde and destinate to be rooted out by thy people Israell 16. Thou shall worke with them so powerfully that they shall bee as stones neither speaking nor moving vntill all thy people passe by thē whom thou hast set at liberty to place them in the land appointed for them 17. To holy Canaan shalt thou bring them which thou keepes as an inheritance for them where thou will dwell amongst them and by thy presence sanctifie establish both it and them 18. IEHOVAH who now hath kythed to bee our King of his Kingdome there shall bee no end The argument and analysis of this Song THis Song Moses and all Israel sung to the praise of God the day after the Lord led them through the red Sea on dry land and after the Lord caused the waters returne vpon Pharaohs chariots horsemen who persued and followed his people and therewith drowned them all The parts of this Song are three 1. a preface verse 1. next the purpose of the song from the 1. verse to the 18. Thirdly the conclusion verse 18. The preface containes three things 1. the maker and vptaker of the Song to wit Moses in these words I will sing 2. the person in whose praise this Song was made sung in these wordes to Iehovah 3. a reason of the making and vptaking of this song and praising of the Lord thereby and it hath two parts the 1 taken frō Gods excellencie generally in these wordes for hee hath excelled wonderfully the 2. taken from a present particular document of his excellency in these words the horse and his rider hath hee throwne in the Sea The purpose of this Song containes two thinges 1. the praise of God from the beginning of the 2. ver to the 14 Secondly a Prophesie of the consequents of this great worke in bringing his people through the red Sea on dry land and drowning Pharoah and his whole armie who pursued his people The praise of God is expressed 1. by the causes presently moving to praise him 2. by a vowe heerafter by word and deede to be thankfull to him verse 2. Next they praise God by enumeration of argumēts of his praise from the 2. ver to the 14. Those arguments are eight in number the 1 is taken from his valour in these wordes the Lord is a mightie Warriour the 2. proving the 1. is taken from his Name in these wordes Iehovah is his Name This name imports his eternity his trueth in performing his promises his beeing to bee of himself and no other and that hee gives being to all creatures and therfore able to destroy them againe when he pleases ver 3. The third argument of his praise is taken from the worke presently done vpon Pharaoh and his hoste verse 4.5 The fourth argument of his praise is taken from his power conjunct with his justice in destroying his enemies and such as rose vp against him verse 6.7 The fifth argument of his praise is taken from his power conjunct with his goodnesse to his people verse 8. The sixth argument of his praise is taken from the comparison of this work of God with the presumption and pride of the enemy who thought and said all was in his power but God blew with his wind and caused the waters drown him and his armie verse 9.10 The 7. argument of his praise is taken from the supereminencie of GOD above all men in the world who seeme mightie and this supereminencie is set downe in three particulars Holinesse fearefullnesse wonderfulnesse all kything in this worke His holinesse in delivering his people from a mightie cruell Tyranne his fearefulnesse in destroying the tyran and his whole army together his wonderfulnesse in divyding the Sea making his people to goe through the middest of it vpon dry ground and making their enemies by wind and water therein to drowne verse 11.12 The 8. argument of his praise is taken from his mercie and trueth to his people beginning with this work to manifest the same and to confirme their faith and hope of performing his promise made to their fathers verse 13. The prophesie of the consequents of this work of God containes three things 1. concerning the nations by whose land the people of Israel should passe to the land of promise namely the Edomites and Moabites that feare and astonishment should fall vpon them force them to let his people passe by The 2. concernes the inhabitants of Palestina chiefly the Canaanits that their hearts should melt away for feare verse 14.15.16 The 3. thing in the prophecie concernes GODS people That God should bring them vnto possesse them in as their inheritāce the land promised to their fathers and dwell amongst them by the meanes of his publick visible worship verse 17. The conclusion of the song is that the Kingdome of God is everlasting Annotations vpon this Song Verse 1. I will sing not onlie for to witnesse our thankfulnese to God for our deliverance but also for confirmation of the trueth of this Historie for sixe hundreth thousand men with their wives and children bore witnesse in signing this Song Vnto Iehovah that is vnto his praise so Psal 106. ver 12. compare this song with the song Apoc. 15. ver 2.3.4 both sung at the Sea Harpes of timbrels in the singers hands The songs are of Moses and of the Lambe the one delivered from the bondage and persecution of Pharaoh the other from the beast Antichrist or the Pope Verse 2. IAH a proper name of God first mentioned on in holy Scripture next Psal 68.5 In Greek in the new Testament it is joyned to Halelu to make Haleluiah that is Praise yee the Lord the whole compond word is originally Hebrew see Apoc. 19.1.3.4.6 Strength so signifieth the Hebrew word properly yet seing it is joyned heere with these words sung it signifieth the strength
Esay and is doing accordingly I will never forget this heavie hand of God vpon mee 7. Vpon such meditations the godly shall be comforted in time of sicknesse death as I now hoping yet for life and health from thee O Lord. 8 In place of peace health which I had God layd vpon me sore sicknesse and trouble of Spirit yet hee loves mee because howbeit hee hath afflicted mee sore yet hath hee not delivered mee to death Psal 118. but hath forgiven my sinnes and set mee away with peace 9. And this thou hast done that yet I might worship thee in the land of the living which bodies dead and buried cannot doe 10. But man living as I am yet shall praise thee and one generation shall deliver thy trueth vnto another 11. The Lord was readie to saue mee Therefore my song shall bee sung even this song tuned played vpon musicall instrumēts in witnesse of mee and my peoples thankfulnesse to God for this my deliverance The argument and analysis of this song HEzechiah king of Iudah beeing sicke of a desperat disease which the learned thinke to haue bene a pestilentious fever because mention is made of Byle It was Gods will that the Prophet Esay should say to him hee should die be that disease This messenger did much commoue Hezechiah partly because hee was then a younge man and had no child partly because he beeing tormented both in body and spirit seared death But chiefely because hee having long before resolved to serve God and doe good to his Church this good intention would faile Being in this estate hee prayed and weeped sore and the Lord heard and pittied him Therfore he sent againe to him the Prophet Esay with another more comportable commission then the first namely that hee should not die at this time but haue fifteene yeares added to his yeares hee had lived alreadie hee being thus comforted beganne to recognosce his thoughts in time of his sicknesse and to consider Gods great mercie toward him for the which he promised to bee thankfull all the dayes of his life These things after hee had convalesced hee put in write and makes the argument of this song The parts of the song are three The 1. is a recognoscing of his thoghts and words in tyme of his sicknesse from the 1. verse to the 6. The 2. is the consolation wherewith he comforted himselfe from the 6. verse to the 11. The 3. is the conclusion of the song verse 11. As to the 1. part hee sayeth his thoughts and words were these 1. hee thought and said hee would die of this disease verse 1. Next hee thought and said hee would haue no more tyme place or occasion to serue GOD among men living vpon the earth verse 2. Thirdly hee repeats his thoughts of death in similitude taken from sheepe-heards and weavers verse 3 4. Fourthly by the similitude of Crane swallowes doues hee expresseth his paine prayer verse 5. As for the 2. part to wit his conclusion the grounds thereof are these 1. that GOD declared to him his will by the Prophet that he should die and it was GODS hand vpon him 2. his resolution to passe the rest of his time in humilitie and repentance verse 6. Thirdly he comforts himfelf with Gods promise verse 7. Fourthly he comforteth himself with Gods mercie set downe with the motive thereof that God may bee honoured by his servants living vpon earth verse 8.9.10 The conclusion is that hee wil praise God while he liveth verse 11. Annotations vpon this Song Verse 1. I said through impatience I thought with my selfe I shall goe a description of death Rest of my yeares which by the course of nature I might have looked for Verse 2. I shall not see I shall be deprived of Gods visible presence in his Church I AH I AH This doubling showeth his great loue to God and his worship Verse 3. My habitation hee compareth the life of man to a tent and webbe Verse 4. I resolved That is I layd my compt A Lyon the like Iob David Christ felt Verse 5. Chattered being weake in body wounded in Spirit I could not vtter many words in prayer Verse 6. What shall I say to wit to my Maker see the like chap. 39.8 Iob 1.21 Heli 1. Sam. 3.18 David Psal 39 9 murmuring the contrare condemned Verse 7. These he meaneth Gods word and works Verse 8. For the grave so David Psal 6. Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine Obs 1. HEZECHIAH left behinde him this song as a monument of Gods mercie towards him so did David many Psalmes and God honoured both with place in holy Scripture which shall not bee forgot or lost so long as the world shall last I will honour those that honour mee saith the LORD 1. Sam. 2.30 Obs 2. verse 1.2.3.4 Hee complaines not for feare of death as loving this life so well that hee had no knowledge faith or hope of a better life after this but heereby he showes what paines he had in his body what agony in his souse beeing sensible of his sins and of Gods anger yet there betwo things that make men willing to die some earthly thing whervnto their heart is teathered or want of knowledge of the joyes of Heaven Obs 3. vers 5. Hee could vtter few words in prayer for griefe and paine yet God saw his teares heard his pittifull sighs and groanes This should teach vs in greatest troubles yea in the midst of the shaddow of death to hold fast our confidence in God Ps 23.4 Heb. 10.35 Obs 4. vers 6. The grounds that Hezeckiah laid for his comfort wee should vse to the lyke end see the analysis Obs 5. The LORD wounds and heales againe kils giues life therefore wee should alwayes feare serue and trust in him 1. Sam. 2.6 Obs 6. The chiefe end of mans lyfe is to know God and serue him therefore this should bee the principall cause of our desire to liue Obs 7. Death is a web of our owne spinning because by sinne wee brought it on vs yet God is said to cut out the web of our life because he begins it promoves it ends it when hee pleases This may bee the moralitie of the Poets fable of the three weirdsisters Obs 8. When God forgiueth a man his sinne hee takes away the punishment also as Hezechiah testifieth by his experience and this refuteth the doctrine of Romanists of remission of sinne and reservation of punishment where vpon they build purgatorie Obs 9.7.8 9.10.11 verse When God hath afflicted vs and delivered vs againe we should be humble thankfull penitent praying for perseverence least wee fall againe with Hezechiah Es 3.9 This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 102. Psalme Verse 1. WHen that I thought my dayes were cut I said vnto the graue I 'me put My yeares are spent no moe remaine 2. GOD in this life to see againe No longer men I say behold Heere vpon earth
Vers 10. Hee found him in a Wildernesse was roaring waste and voyde About the which hee causde them goe for hee them sore annoyde Hee school'd him there and taught him too by long experience Hee kept him as the apple of his eye with patience Vers 11. As Eagles flighter ov'r their young and stirres vp all their nest Spreads out their wings to beare their birds where they themselves think best Vers 12. Ev'n so the Lord his people led and with him their was none No strange strong God made any help IEHOVE did all alone Vers 13. Above the monts he causde them ryde and feede in fruitfull field Honey from rockes and oyle from flint to suck gaue God their shield Vers 14. Butter of kyne and milke of sheepe with fat of lambes rammes sweet Well fed on Bashan hill they eate such meate for them was meete The choisest wheat the finest flowre was also to them foode The berrie of the wyne they drinke Vers 15. But Israel grew fat and flang both fat and grosse grew thou Ieschurun vpright should haue beene though fat him covered thorow His God who made him hee forsakes and so Salvation Him hee despised who did him good so vngrate's this Nation Vers 16. To jealousie with their strange gods then did they him provoke To anger with thinges hee abhorr'd casting from them his yoke Vers 17. To Devils they did sacrifice in place of God their Lord The gods both new and neare they serv'de their fathers such abhorr'd Vers 18. The Rocke begate thee thou forgate the God that brought thee out Of mothers wombe is out of mind hee 'le punish thee but doubt Vers 19. For when the Lord saw all their sins hee abdicat with griefe His sonnes and eeke his daughters all and made them no reliefe Vers 20. And then hee said my face from them heereafter I will hyde And I will see what end will bee A froward generation vnfaithfull children they Are now become and will no more My holy Law obey Verse 21. To jealousie with their none gods since they doe mee provoke And with their vanities trouble mee how beit they bee my flocke With those that now no people are provoked shall they bee And with a foolish nation To rage and jealousie Verse 22. For in my wrath there kindled is a hote consuming fire Which shall burne downe vnto the deepe Through earth through dub through myre There shall bee left no fruit on earth increase there shall bee none The grounds of mountaines great also this fire shall burne vpon Verse 23. My plagues on them I 'le multiplie And spend my arrows all Verse 24. Brunt vp with hunger shall they bee with pest lyke burning coale Bitter destruction will I send by beasts devoruing lust And serpents poyson shall them hurt Verse 25. Without the sword shall orphans make within all full of feare The chosen youth the virgin close the infant and gray haire Verse 26. I said that I should scatter them in corners and should make Of them no more memoriall that one might notice take Verse 27. Were not I feare the wrath of those that enemies were to mee Least they should say through ignorance God did not this but wee Verse 28. A nation voyde of counsell they yet counsell will not take In them no vnderstanding is I sorrow for their sake Verse 29. Oh that they somuch wisdome had as this to vnderstand Their latter end what it will bee who such things take in hand Verse 30. How should it come to passe that one a thousand men should chase Or two ten thousand should compell To flee before their face If not because their rocke so strong had sold them for no pryce And GOD had causd them yeeld themselfe Verse 31. Your enemies judges if yee make their god is not like yours So strong a Rocke to trust vnto all yeares and dayes and howrs Verse 32. Of Sodoms ground Gomors field their vine with venmous graps And bitter are their clusters all when they are laid on heaps Verse 33. And so the wine that thereof comes like Dragons venome kils Or like the cruell head of Aspes whom poyson fully fils Verse 34. Doe I not keepe this sure in store My treasures seald among Verse 35. Vengeance is mine I will repay For I am GOD the strong Their foote shall slyde betyme For why the day'f perdition Is neare and bring with it in haste to them confusion Verse 36. The Lord shall judge his people so and yet hee shall repent When hee shall see his servants cease that all their strength is spent And few or none left to remaine in citie or in field Verse 37 Then shall they say their foes to scorne where is 〈…〉 Vers 38. Where are your gods who eat the fat Of offerings and dranke wyne Let those rvse vp and helpe you now or flee from mee and myne Verse 39. See now that I even I alone no other gods with mee I kill and I giue life also I wound and I heale thee Verse 40. And none can put out of my hand which vp to heaven I lift And say As I for ever liue the enemie shall not shift Verse 41. When I my glistring sword shal sharp to judgement lay my hand Then on my foes I le bee avengd my haters shall not stand Verse 42. My arrows shall be drunke with blud My sword shall flesh devoure The blood shall bee of men are slaine and captives more and more Vers 43. Praise yee his people nations all whose blood hee will revenge Vpon their foes but from his land and chosen will not change The Song of DEBORAH Iugdes 5. Text. BEcause hee hath taken revenge by Israel whē the people offered themselfe willingly Blesse yee IEHOVAH Heare O yee Kings giue eare O Princes I even I will sing to IEHOVAH the God of Israell IEHOVAH when thou went out of Seir when thou marched out of the land of Edom the earth was moved also the Heavens dropped also the clouds dropped water The mountaines flowed before the face of IEHOVA This Sinai before the face of the GOD of Israel In the dayes of Sangar the sonne of Anach In the days of Iahel the hy way ceased and they that walked went by byrods and boutgates The villages ceased in Israel they ceased vntill I Deborah arose that I arose a mother in Israell When he choosed new gods warre was in the gates no sword nor speare was sene among fourtie thousand in Israell My heart is to the law givers in Israell The wel-willing among the people Blesse yee IEHOVAH Ye that ryde vpō whyt asses ye that sit in iudgement ye that walke in the wayes Speake The delivered from the voyce of the archers in the places where water is drawne there they shall teach the righteousnesse of IEHOVAH his righteousnesse vpon his villages then the people of Iehovah went downe to the gates Ryse vp ryse vp Deborah ryse vp ryse vp vtter thy song Aryse Barak
plague therefore we should pray for it Psal 122.6 1. Tim. 2.2 and praise God for it Obs 9. vers 5.6 Princes and Princesses should be nourishers of the Church of God Esay 49.23 parents to their subjects therefore even the Ethnickes by the the light of nature called them Patres patriae and their kins-fold patritios Obs 10. vers 7. God is a jealous God and will not suffer his honour to be given to another but punisheth Idolaters with new punishments whatsoever the Idolatrie bee and howsoever mans ingine laboureth to collour or defend it Obs 11. vers 8 9.10 Wee should bee feeling members of the Church rejoysing when they rejoyce murning when they mourne Rom. 12.15 provoking others to serve God Psal 51.13 Obs 12. There are none so eminent in the Church who have not neede to bee stirred vp to their dueties Heb. 10 24. 2. Tim. 1.6 Obs 13. To triumph over enemies overcoming in lawfull warre is lawfull all triumphs amongst Gods people before Christs death were but praeludes and types of Christs triumph vpon the Crosse over principalities and powers Col. 2.15 and of his members at the latter day 1. Cor. 2.3 Obs 14 vers 11. Deborah hath the Song named after her Barak the triumph after him shee was the Prophetesse hee the leader of the Armie Iustice giveth to everie one his owne Obs 15. verse 13.14 By sinne Gods people are made the taile by repentance and obedience they become the head againe Deut. 28.12 Obs 16. As their names who have beene zealous for the cause of God and of their countrie are registrated for their everlasting good memorie so such as by infidelitie or feare haue lyen aback are noted with shame Prov. 10.7 Obs 17. vers 15.16.17 Reuben the father of that tribe regarded more his pleasure than his honour and so was degraduat by his father Iacob Gen. 49.3 This sticks to his posterity now so some sins are hereditary Obs 18. verse 18 Man proponeth and God disponeth yea Princes haue no power to performe all their intentions Psal 146.4 Prov. 21.1 Obs 19. verse 19.20 All creatures as at GODS command to fight against his enemies the enemies of his servants therefore hee is called the LORD of Hostes Devils and wicked men disobey the one hee holds in chaines Iud. 6. and hee can put his hooke in the nosthirles of the other Es 37.29 Obs 20. verse 21. Man should put his trust in GOD onely and in none other Psal 20.7 Psalme 146.3 Obs 21. verse 22. Whatsoever is done to Gods servants be it good or evill God thinkes it done to himself Mat. 25.25 Acts. 9.4 Obs 22 Before wee curse or vse imprecations wee should trye by what spirit wee are led as Christ said to his Disciples Iohn and Iames. God can overthrow mightie champions by weake meane and instruments as Pharaoh his overthrow Sisera's and many moe prove Obs 23. Deborah a true Prophetesse as the event declared the best tryall of prophesies are by event Obs 24. verse 23.24 25.26 Through faith the Fathers were renowmed Barak because his faith was weake had little honour in his victorie so Zachariah chastised for infiidelitie Christs disciples oft rebuked Obs 25. verse 27.28.29 When the wicked crye peace peace then suddenly commeth their destruction 1. Thess 3.3 The hope of the wicked shall perish the thing they feare shall come vpon them Obs 26. verse 30. The petitions of Gods servants moved by his holy Spirit registrated in holy Scripture are equivalent to promises and beeing turned in propositions comfort the godly may affray the wicked howbeit the Lord hold his Church vnder the crosse for a while yet their outgate shall be comfortable their end peace Ps 37. This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 76. Psalme Verse 1. THE LORD our quarrell hath revengd And made our people willing fight Now our estate is meekle changd To blesse his Name wee haue good right Vers 2. Heare O yee Kings and Princes all For to IEHOVAH sing I shall To Iaakobs GOD the GOD of might Vers 3. When thou O Lord from Seir went out And marched foorth from Edoms land The earth the clowds the Sphears about Were moved all at thy command Vers 4. The mountaines fled before thy face The mount Sinai shooke for a space Of Israels GOD they felt the hand Vers 5. When Sangar yet was in this life Whose father Anach was by name And Iahel also Chebers wife Israel did sustaine great shame Vers 6. For all their wayes were stopt about Till I Deborah did step out Israel thraldome from to clame Verse 7. Israel to them new gods did chuse And warres were made within their ports When they their GOD did then refuse No speare nor shield had their cohorts Vers 8. I loved then the nobles all That helped Israel in this thrall Blesse yee the LORD who vs comforts Vers 9. Merchants whyte asses on who ryde And yee in judgement who doe sit You who doe travell time and tyde Keepe not silence but speake of it Verse 10. For feare such as no water drew GODS justice foorth now they doe shew No justice now will judge omit Vers 11. Ryse vp ryse vp againe vp ryse Thou Deborah thy song to sing And thou Barak also aryse With thy triumph make earth to ring Vers 12. Lately vile slaves our nobles serv'd Now we doe reigne and they are starv'd Should wee not then praise GOD our King Vers 13. Ephram that pleasant mightie tree Whose roote to Amalek doth reach Did then send foorth strong boughs with mee Which Benjamin did also teach And Machir then for to come downe With the strong men of Zebulon Faire writers all and good in speach Vers 14. With Deborah the princes were Of Isachar as Barak chiefe With whom were many foote-men there Reuben Alas made no reliefe Vers 15. Then did yee sit as still as stockes To heare the bleating of your flockes And came not foorth to chase the thiefe Verse 16. Gilead beyond the river bode Then Dan with boats did still remaine Ascher like to a wylie Tod Sat at the sea next to the plaine Verse 17. But Zebulon and Napthali Hazard their soules though they should die Vpon the mountaines of the maine Verse 18. The kings came foorth to fight that day Even Canaans kings in Tanah field Megiddo's waters neare I say No profit did their labour yeild Verse 19. For starres from Heaven against them fought Vers 20. And Kisons flud against them wroght Ver. 21. I tramp the strong horsehoofes in field Verse 22. Gods Angell said Meroz bee curst Curse bitterly her people all To helpe the LORD that day who durst Not come among men strong and tall Verse 23. Blessed bee Iahel Chebers wife Aboue the women all her life Dwelling in tents which wee doe call Verse 24. Water hee ask'd shee gaue him milk And butter in a lordly plate Betwixt her hands as soft as silke Verse 25. Vnto a hammer made by art
sea The deep congealed then So mightie was thy easter wind dry way it made to men Vers 9. The enemie had said I will oretake I will Divyde the spoyle I shall haue my heart sytht on them with ill My sword I will draw out and then my hand shall make This people my inheritance my yoke they shall not shake Vers 10 Then with thy wind thou blew the sea them all did hyde They sanke as lead in waters deepe so cruell was the tyde Vers 11 Who is lyke vnto thee the mightie all among IEHOVE I say who is the lyke I say that there is none Thy glorie is so great and thou so holy art With praises to bee reverenc'd thy wonders make vs start ¶ 12. When thou didest streatch out thy right hand suddenly The lowest earth did then thy foes vp swallow by and by Vers 13. Thou leads in thy mercie thus thy redeemed people Thou guyds them also in thy strength vnto thy holy staple Vers 14. So soone as nations shall heare then shall they shake Palestina's inhabitants shall doole and sorrow make Vers 15. The Dukes of Edom then amazed all shall bee Moabs strong men shall melt away And Canaans posteritie Vers 16. Such feare dread shall fall on them of thy right hand That as a stone they shall ly still till Israell passe their land Vers 17. IEHOVAH thou shall bring and plant them in the hill Of thy holy inheritance a place where thou'le dwell still Thy sanctuarie there thy hands haue made to byde Vers 18. Iehovah alone shall reigne The Song of MOYSES before his death Deut. 32. Text. GIve eare yee Heavens and I will speake and heare O earth the words of my mouth My doctrine shall drop as the raine my speach shall distill as the dew as the small rain vpon the tender hearbe and as showres vpon the grasse Because I will publish the name of IEHOVAH Ascribe yee greatnesse to our GOD. The rock his work is perfit for all his wayes are judgment a strong God faithfull and without iniquitie just and right is hee Hee hath corrupted himselfe their spot is not his childrens a perverse and crooked generation Doe yee so requyte IEHOVAH O yee foolish people and vnwise Is not hee thy Father Thy Redeemer Hath he not made thee and establisht thee Remember the dayes of old the yeares of generation generation aske thy father and hee will shew thee thy elders they will tell thee The hie one in distributing heritage to the Nations in separating the sons of Adam hee set the bounds of the people to the number of the children of Israel For the portion of IEHOVAH is his people IACOB the line of his heritage Hee found him in the land of Wildernesse and in a waste and howling Wildernesse hee caused him goe about hee taught him he kept him as the apple of his eye As the Eagle stirreth vp her nest flightereth over her birds spreads out her wings takes it beares it vpon her wing Iehovah alone led him and there was no strange god with him Hee made him ryde vpon the hie places of the earth and hee ate the increase of the field and hee made him to sucke honie out of the rock and oyle out of the flint of the rocke Butter of Kyne and milke of Sheepe with fat of lambs and Rams sons of Bashan with the fat of the neares of wheat and the red blood of the wine berry thou didest drinke And I eschurun grew fat and flang thou hast growne fat thou hast grown grosse thou covered thee and hee left GOD that made him the rocke of his salvation They provoked him to jelosie with strange gods they provocked him to anger with abominations They sacrificed to Devils not vnto GOD to gods whom they knew not to new gods neare hand whom your fathers feared not Of the rocke that begatte thee thou art forgetfull and hath forgot the GOD that brought thee foorth of the wombe And IEHOVAH saw it and hee abdicat through indignation his sonnes and his daughters And hee said I will hide my face from them I shall see what will bee their end for they are a froward generation children in whom is no fidelitie They haue provoked me to jealousie with that which was not God they haue provoked mee to anger with their vanities and I shall provoke them to jealousie with those that are not a people I shal provoke them to anger with a foolish nation For a fyre is kindled in my anger and shall burne to hell and shall consume the earth with the increase therof shal set on fire the foundatiō of the mountains I will joyne evils togother vpon them I will spend my arrows vpon them Burnt with hunger eaten vp with burning coale and bitter destruction teeth of beasts wil I send against them with the poyson of serpents of the dust Without the sword shall make fatherlesse in the secret chambers feare shall overtake the choyse younge man and the Virgin the suckling child with the gray-haird man I said I shall scatter them in corners I shall make the memorie of them to cease from men Were not I feared the wrath of the enemy least their adversaries should behaue themselues strangely least they should say our hie hand and IEHOVAHS hath not wrought all this For they are a nation voyd of counsell and hath no vnderstanding in them Oh that they were wise that they vnderstood this that they vnderstood their latter end How should one chase a thousand or two put ten thousand to flight if not because their Rocke had sold them and IEHOVAH caused them yeeld them selfe For their rocke is not as our ROCKE even our enemies being judges For their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorah their graps are grapes of venome they haue bitter clusters Their wine is the venome of Dragons and the cruell head of Aspes Is not this laid vp beside me sealed among my treasures Vengeance is myne and recompense in time their foot shall stagger for the day of their destruction is neare and hastneth things to come to them For IEHOVAH shall judge his people and shall repent himselfe for his servants when hee shall see the hand is gone nothing shut vp or left And hee shall say where are their gods the rocke wherein they trusted Who did eate the fatte of their sacrifices dranke the wine of their brunt offerings let them ryse help you let them bee your hyding See now that I I my selfe and no gods with mee I cause to die and I cause to liue I wound and I heale and there is none can pluck out of my hand For I lift vp my hand to the Heavens and say I liue for ever If I sharpe my glittering sword and my hand take hold on judgement I will render vengeance to my enemies and recompense thē that hate mee I will make my arrows drunke with blood and my sword
with all greatest care alluding to mans practise who will cast vp any part of his body to receaue a stroake and saue the eye Vers 11. Eagle The same similitude is in Exod. 19 which sheweth his fathealy care to his people which is exponed by these parts sturring vp to wit by a noise about her birde mooving her wings to giue them wind streatching her wings for example to them to flie taking them out of their nest putting them vpon her wings that being taken from their nest they might bee compelled to flee further All these may bee seene in GODS dealing with his people when hee brought them out of Egypt stirring them vp by his word of promise mooving them with the winde of his wrath vpon Egypt taken vnder his protection and as caried vpon wings brought them through the red sea Verse 13. Ryde vpon hie places so that no strength could withstand them Numb 20. Deut. 2. Verse 14. Neares of wheat That is the best so called because of kirnels of nuts the graine is within and for some resemblance that good graines of wheat haue to neares The red blood Because the claret wine in Iudea is both best most aboundant as witnes Strabo Plinie Verse 15. leschurun from Iesher righteousnesse or Schor seeing Schor a bullok because Israell were by calling righteous had a righteous law or because they saw the glorie of GOD in Sinai or because afterward they became a flinging bullok Fat The Chaldea interprets riche so this maxime hath ever holden true Ecclesia peperit divitias filia devoravit matrem Verse 17. Devils in Hebrew Schedim that is destroyers of mankynd Verse 19. Saw it That is as a righteous judge hee tooke cognition of their wickednesse and decreed to abdicat them Verse 20. I will hyde That is I will abdicat them and not looke vpon them I shall see I will giue them over to a reprobate sense that they may perish Verse 21. Vanities The Septuagints cals them Idols Ier. 18.19 Ionah 2.8 Not a people that is the Gentils whom I will call by the preaching of the Ghospell Rom. 10.19 Es 65.2 Verse 23. Arrows All sort of plagues as after is exponed of famine the Hebrew word not in any part of Scripture but heere pestilence Hab 3.5 wylde beasts serpents sword Verse 36. Iudge his people That is take their cause in hand and defend them from their enemies Shall repent So speaketh the Scripture of GOD after the manner of man but in simple trueth repentance is not in GOD Numb 23. 1. Sam. 15. The hand gone that is their strength and they nothing Verse 37. Hee shall say that is GOD to his people Ieremie 2.28 Verse 39. I I The pronoune doubled to stirre vp the people to hold fast their faith Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine Obs 1. BEcause GOD as a judge was to pronounce sentence against his people in the song Moses begins with a majesticall preface lyke vnto the sound of a trumpet before Princes proclamations Obs 2. This majesticall preface serves to keepe the people in due reverence of this song that neither pride mooue them to dispyse it nor the sharp threatnings contained therein make them loath Obs 3. vers 1. Hee directs his speach to Heaven earth taking and making them witnesses of the peoples stupiditie if they condemne this doctrine Also to shew that such is the force of GODS word that all creatures should bee attentiue there vnto Es 1.2 Ier. 23. and so the living are sent to the schoole of the dead to learne at them Obs 4. The word of GOD is as dew and raine vpon graffe and herbs when it meets with good ground but hearts hard lyke stones get no good thereby Heb. 6. Obs 5. The Hebrew word which is exponed doctrine signifieth properly perception or discipline and teaches that the ministers of the word should deliver nothing to the people but that which haue bene taught and receaved of the Lord. Obs 6. vers 2. The word of GOD is compared to dew and raine which similitude teacheth that the Church is Gods land or lizzure and the word of God the food thereof making his people grow in grace Obs 7. Moses professeth himself to bee Gods Herauld proclaiming his praise and so teacheth the people their duety to doe so Obs 8. By the name of God he meaneth Gods majesties works of goodnesse and grace his severe judgments all which he setteth downe after Obs 9. verse 3. The words IEHOVAH and our GOD imply reasons to perswade the practise of the duety craved these arguments in Scripture are oft fund together the 1. taken from Gods nature the 2. from his covenant of grace Obs 10. The consideration of the perfection of God and of his works as done in judgment trueth justice and righteousnes should keepe vs from running from God to Idols Ier. 2.13 Obs 11. The perfection of Gods works in creation or providence is not to be sought in everie particular so much as in the generall seing amongst beasts there be some we call vnbeasts and amongst men some crooked some blind some deafe some maimed and mutilat of one member or other and all corne commeth not to perfection yet in these defects God is glorified Obs 12. verse 4. The trueth of God and his fidelitie should teach vs to belieue him and his word yet his fidelitie prejudgeth not his justice against vnbelievers for hee is just and right Obs 13. It may be mervailed that the people bore with Moses libertie in rebuking them yet it behoved to bridle them that they knew this worthie servant of God was shortly to depart from this life Obs 14. Hypocrits are sometimes called Gods children Esay 1.2 sometimes they are denyed to bee the children of God when Adoption by generall vocation is restrained to particulare Election Obs 15. Moses describing the peoples ingratitude to God beginneth first at their action in these words They corrupted themselves that is by their owne deed lost the estate of grace offered to them by outward calling and cast themselfe in course of perdition 2. hee sets downe the blot remaining after their action in these words their spot not the spot of his children 3. hee sets downe the habit contracted of both calling them a perverse crooked generation These 3 may be observed in all actuall and outward sinnes Obs 16. As Adam and Evah by their first sinne fell from the integritie of nature so such as seemed by out ward vocation and adoption to be in the state of grace by turning from GOD fals from that which they appeared to haue Obs 17. verse 5. Sinne leaves behind it a spot as diseases in the lever and leprosie send foorth spots in the skinne and flesh This spot of sinne is a disposition of the heart to bee apt and prone to the sinne once committed or to any other This spot in the reprobat differeth frō the spot of Gods children because vpon the one it
lead captiue thy captivitie thou sonne of Abinoam Then hee that remained ruled over the nobles of the people IEHOVAH shall beare rule to mee among the strong Out of Ephraim whose root streatches to Amalek after Beniamin among thy people out of Machir they came downe and out of Zebulon they that draw with the rod of the writer And the Princes of Isachar with Deborah and Isachar with Barak sent downe to the valley vpon his feete for the divisions of Reuben great thoughts of heart Why sate thou betwixt two folds to heare the bleeting of the flocks for the division of Reuben great searching of heart Gilead dwelt still in the other syde Iordan and why dwelt Dan in ships Asher sat at the sea shore dwelt vpon his Creeks Zebulon Naphtali were the people who did hazard their soule to die vpon the places of the field The Kings came then they fought the Kings of Canaan fought in Taanah at the waters of Megiddo their desire of silver they got not The starres faught from the Heavens out of their degrees fought they with Sisera The river Kison swept theÌ„ away that ancient river Kison My soule shall trample vpon the strong Then were the horsehoofes bruised by the strokes of the strong Curse ye Meroz said the Angell of IEHOVAH Cursing curse yee the inhabitants thereof because they came not to helpe IEHOVAH to helpe IEHOVAH among the strong Iahel the wife of Cheber the Kenite shall bee blessed aboue women aboue women in tent she shall be blessed Hee asked water and shee gaue him milke she broght him butter in a dish for nobles Her hand sent themselves to the naile and her right hand to the haÌ„mer of worke men and shee hammered Sisera she cut off his head shee pricked through and pearsed the temple of his head Betwixt her feete hee was bowed together hee fell hee sleept betwixt her feet hee bowed himselfe hee fell where hee bowed himselfe there hee fell spoyled The mother of Sisera looked through the window and cryed out at the open of the window Why tarryes his charet from comming why are the turning of his foure wheeles made slow Her wise ladies answered vnto her also shee her selfe turned her speaches to her selfe Haue they not found shall they not divyde the spoyle one damosell two damosels for everie man The spoyle of colours for Sisera himselfe the spoyle of party collours of needle worke two of spoyle for the necke So let thy enemies all perish IEHOVAH and let those that loue him bee as the sunne going foorth in his strength Paraphrase PRaise yee the LORD who both hath made you able to revenge your selfe vpon your enemies and given you courage to fight and power to overcome them 2. O yee Kings who trust in your might rulers who lift vp your selfe in pryde heare and hearken vnto the words of this song wherein the LORD the GOD of Israel is praised for it serveth to teach you 3 O LORD when thou led thy people from mount Seir and the land of Edom toward the land of Canaan all creatures in Heaven and earth were moved with thy presence among thy people 4 Yea the mountaines that seemd so solid melted before the face of the LORD even mount Sinai where thou gaue thy law 5. A long time before this our last deliverance our estate was so hard that from the death of Ehud vnto this tyme none durst goe abroad for feare of the enemie 6. And as the people durst not travell in hie wayes So might they not abyde in villages vntill the time that GOD raised mee vp to foretell and confirme the deliverance of his people 7. Because Israel chosed new gods God raised vp new enemies to sight against them and oppresse them so that no weapon was found among them 8. I rejoyce of the Princes of Israel and of the people who came willingly to battell Blesse ye the Lord. 9 Let al sort of people speak of this work of God but namely merchants judges way-faring folke where before hid them selues for feare of the enemie 10. Before for feare of the enemy they durst not come foorth to draw water nor inhabit villages nor minister justice now the case is altered by the righteous acts of the LORD which wee should proclaime 11. Thou Deborah a prophetesse ryse vp and sing thy song of praise to GOD. and thou Barak captaine of the Lords armie triumph over the Cananite 12. When wee were left few in number and dispysed our enemiâ—s were manie and mightie yet the Lord hath made vs rule over theÌ„ 13. To this battel came some of the tribe of Ephraim of Beniamin and of the familie of Machir of the tribe of Manasseh of the tribe of Zebulon men more wise learned then valourous warriours 14. The Princes of Isachar were also with Deborah And Isachars souldiers being footemen attended Barak in the valley It greived vs much that the Reubenites concurred not to helpe vs. 15. Why had thou greater pleasure in the care of thy flocks nor in the care of the commonwealth more care of thy beasts then of GODS people wee marveled much when we saw Reuben absent 16. Gilead came not Dan for feare keept the boats of Iordan to flee away Asher also did stay at home in his surest places for refuge 17 Such courage zeale was in the tribs of Zebulon Naphtali who being few in number in comparison with their enemies did venter 18 Many Kings of Canaan sent their forces with Sisera who fought in the plaine betwixt Taanah Megiddo They looked for greater spoyle riches but brought none away 19. GOD shew himselfe partie against the enemies of his people and caused the starres in their stations fight against them 20. Hee also caused the river Kison to swell drowne them and made his people stout to slay them 21. So sore were the horse put at in fighting and fleeing that they being strong and beating the ground with their feete brake all their hoofes 22. Barak the Lords messenger had good cause to curse and bide curse the inhabitants of Meroz who would not come foorth to helpe GODS people being so neare them 23. Iahel the wife of Cheber the Kenite shall bee much praised aboue other women who dwell in tents 24. When Sisera fled came to her tent to hyde himselfe hee called for water to quench his thirst shee gaue him milke and butter in pretious vessels like a freind or servant 25. But when shee saw him fast a sleepe shee tooke one of the nailes of the tent with a hammer in her right hand wherewith she drove the naile throgh the temples of his head fast in the ground 26. So that hee lay first sleeping next dead among her feete notwithstanding all his strugling in the agony of death So ended this great Captaine oppressor of others 27. Sisera his mother looking for his returne with victorie being impatient whiles looked out at the window