institution 17. Gen. 3. 6. The woman saw that the tree was good for food Vers 7. And the eyes of them both were opened First she saw with the eyes of her body the tree and the fruit that was good to eat but at length both their eyes were opened spiritually when they knew their sin and transgression of the law of God 18. Gen. 3 12. The woman gave to the man of the tree and he did eat 1 Tim. 2. 14. And Adam was not deceived but the woman The woman became for prevarication to the man for by her he was deceived and not by the Serpent as she was Aug. l. 11. de Gen. ad lit c. ult 19. Gen. 3. 16. Thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee 1 Cor. 7. 4. The 1 Cor. 11. 2. husband hath not power over his own body but the wife The woman is under the power of the man in oeconomicall government whilst she obeyeth and is subject as the body is to the head but in conjugal union the man hath not power of his own body 20. Gen. 3. 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread Mat. 6. 11. Give us this day our dayly bread In the first place punishment and a laborious Prov. 10. 22. life is denounced against man idlenesse is condemned and Gods blessing is promised because a man is born to labour as a bird to Deut. 8. 3. Mat. 4. 4. flying nor is it repugnant to honest labour to desire those things which are necessary for the sustentation of our life for it is not labour but the blessing of God which maketh rich God can feed us without bread as he sed Moses Elias Christ but bread cannot feed us without God 21. Gen. 3. 19. For dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return Ecclus. 10. 12. A man when he dyeth shall inherit creeping things beasts and wormes c. A man though he be consumed by Serpents Job wormes beasts toads yet at last he is brought into the dust of the earth 22. Gen. 4. 1. Eve bear Gain and said I have gotten a man from the Lord. 1 Joh. 3. 12. Not as Psal 128. Cain who was of that wicked one Eve in childbearing acknowledged Gods blessing and by way of thankfulnesse she offered the first fruits of her labours to God John speaks not of the person of Cain which was created by God but of his wickednesse that came from the Devill 23. Gen. 4. 4. And Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock Chap. 4. 26. Seth began to call upon the name of the Lord. Adam with his sons before Seth offered sacrifice and called on the name of the Lord in his family but publick invocation began in Seth in whose posterity the Church remained the Canaanites being rejected 24. Gen. 4 7. Vnto thee shall be his desire and thou shalt rule over him Psal 37. 23. Prov. 16. 9. Jer. 10. 23. The way of man is not in himself In the first place it is said what a man ought Rom. 6. 12. to do Let not sin raigne in your mortall body In the latter place it is declared that a man of himself can do nothing in divine and saving mateers 25. Gen. 4. 15. Whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him seven fold Chap. 9. 6. Whosoever sheddeth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed God is the wisest and freest law-giver therefore he would not have Cain killed by reason of propagation of mankind after the flood he gave the law that the Magistrate should punish a Murderer with death 26. Gen. 4. 16. And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord. Psal 139. 7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence Cain being made a runnagate left his parents and their habitation and the place where they worshipped God In the Psalm Gods omnipresence is maintained 27. Gen. 5. 24. And Enoch walked with God for God took him Rom. 8. 8. They that are in the flesh cannot please God Enoch walking with God lived according to Gods will the Apostle by the flesh here understandeth men that walke after their carnall lusts 28. Gen. 5. 24. Enoch was not for God took him Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed for all men once to die Enochs translation was a work extraordinary it was to him in the place of death as the 1 Cor. 15. 53. 1 Thes 4. 17. taking away of Elias and the translation of those who in the last day shall be saved alive But the Apostle sheweth what must ordinarily befall all men the consequence is not good from a singular priviledge to a generall rule 29. Gen. 6. 3. His dayes shall be 120 yeares Chap. 11. 13. Arphaxad and others after the flood lived above 400 years In the first place the space of time betwixt manifest impiety and the flood and not the age of man is to be understood as if he had said unlesse the world repent they shall perish within Aug. l. 13. De civ dei 1 Sam. 15. 11. 120 years 30. Gen 6. 6. It repented the Lord that he had made man 1 Sam. 15. 29. God is not a man that he should repent Repentance as it is an argument of mans weaknesse so can it not fall upon God but the Scripture often speaks of God after the manner of men and where it is said that it repented God there is meant the change of Aug. l. 1. c. 7. De civ dei Psal 131. things God still remaining unchangeable 31. Gen 6. 9 Noah was a just man and perfect 2 Pet. 2. 5. Psal 13. 3. There is none that doth good no not one Rom. 3. 12 Heb. 11. Noah was just before God by faith and unblameable in the sight of men he is said to be perfect not as though he were without sin but in comparison of others he had his conversation holy and without hypocrisie 32. Gen. 7. 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take Lev. 11. 1. Moses divided the clean beasts from the unclean The Patriarchs before the flood had a distinction in their sacrifices between clean and unclean living creatures By the Mosaicall law not onely for sacrifices but for meat the use of the unclean was forbidden 33. Gen. 7. 6. Noah was 600 years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth Chap. 5. 32. Noah when he was 500 years old made the Arke in 120 years The 500 years of Noah were not yet compleat when he began to make the arke the Scripture useth oft times to reckon the times though the years be not yet compleat as Exod. 40. 17. Num. 1. 1. Deut. 1. 4. Ezek. 1. 1. 8. 1. 20. 1. 34. Gen. 8. 1. God remembred Noah Esa 49. 1 Joh. 3. 20. 15 I will not forget thee In the fight of God all things are naked and open he knows all things remembrance and forgetfulnesse are attributed to him by
ch 5. 20. Where there is no Law there is no transgression ch 2. 12. As many as sinne in the Law shall be judged by the Law In the former place the Law is taken generally without which there can be no transgression in the later he speaks of the natural Law for even the Gentiles shall perish for violating of it 837. Rom. 4. 18. Abraham against hope ver 18. Believed in hope He beleeved contrary to humane hope by his hope in God having confidence contrary to the reason of the flesh the force of nature for all these would have weakned hope would make him doubt and despair also yet he overcame all those difficulties by firm hope he hoped in things desperate distrusting himself but trusting in God 838. Rom. 4. 25. God raised Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead Joh. 10. 18. I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it up The Resurrection is ascribed to God the Father because the works of the Trinity ad extra are indivisible to the Sonne because he hath the same power with the Father who willingly underwent death and therefore the Resurrection is to be ascribed to his free will 839. Rom. 5 2. By faith we stand and rejoyce 1 Cor. 10. 12. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed least he fall We stand founded on Gods grace whilst we are kept by the power of God by faith unto salvation by sinne we fall when we think we stand 840. Rom. 5. 4. Patience worketh experience James 1. 3. Experience worketh patience Probation in the first place is taken passively for experience which rejoyceth by patience in the later it is taken actively for triall and the effect of it that is tribulation for affliction trieth faith as fire doth gold 841. Rom. 5. 6. 7. Christ died for us 1 John 3. 16. Because he that is Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren Christ dying for us a sacrifice and revenger Col. 1. 24. paied our ransom for us John comparing the death of Christ for us and our death for the brethren doth it secundum quid for we die not to redeem our brethren but to edifie them 842. Rom. 5. 8. God commendeth his love towards us in that when we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 8. 32. The Father spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all The Father and the Son did alwaies love us and have done all things for us Christ delivered himself for our sins into the power of the devil and because we were not to be redeemed by power but by Righteousnesse Christ the righteous died for us and so by righteousnesse he overcame the devil therefore because the devil had slain Christ it was necessary that he should release those that were captives and the Aug. de Trin. l. 13. c. 2. devil by the price paid was not made rich but ensnared 843. Rom 5. 10. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne John 15. 13. No man hath greater love then this that a man lay down his life for his friends By nature we are Gods enemies by reason of sinne but by grace we are reconciled to God by Christ who died for us and we are so made the dearest friends unto God 844. Rom. 5. 12 18. As by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne so death passed over all men ver 19. as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by one mans obedience many shall be made righteous The guilt of Adam is here compared with the grace of Christ because both have that descends on their followers Adam derives his guilt on all men by nature Christ derives his righteousnesse by grace on all that beleeve on him 845. Rom. 5. 20. The Law entred that sinne might abound ch 7. 12. The Law is holy and the Commandment holy just and good The Law increaseth sinne not of it self and its own nature but by accident because it discovers sinne and the poyson of it that we may know it for by the corruption of nature we are stirred up to strive against the Commandment yet the Law remains still in it self just and good 846. Rom. 6. 3. So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death Act. 8. 13. Simen Magus and other hypocrites were baptized yet they put not on Christ To be baptized into Christ is to put on Christ the Robes of his Righteousnesse and Holinesse which beleevers who are baptized do Simon Magus and hypocrites that are not faithfull Hieror in Rom 6. receive not the Spirit but water only in Baptism for there is a common Baptism to all that are baptized but not the vertue of Baptism that is grace Aug. in Psal 77. 847. Rom. 6. 12. Let not sinne reign in your mortall body ch 3. 12. There is none that doth good no not one The first place is to exhort us to mortifie sinne in us in the Regenerate sinne reigns not they are wholly dead to sinne in Christ and partly in themselves they that are not Regenerate know indeed what they ought to do and know that of themselves they are unable to perform it 848. Rom. 6. 14. Ye are not under the Law but under grace Gal. 3. 22. The Scripture hath concluded all under sinne The first place is concerning the Regenerate who are not under the malediction dominion and rigid exaction of the Law the later is concerning all that are subject to sin for whom the Law is a Schoolmaster to Christ by the knowledge of our sins 849. Rom. 6. 18. You are become the servants of righteousnesse vers 20. You were free from righteousnesse In the former place is spoken of those who were converted and freed from the yoke of sin in the later of those that are not yet converted who are free from righteousnesse and are not under the government of righteousnesse for carnall wisdom cannot be subject to the Law of God 850. Rom. 6. 23. The wages of sinne is death Wisdom 2. 24. By the envy of the devil death entred into the world The wages of sinne is death because the Justice of God would have it so to punish mankinde that was fallen by death the Authour whereof was not God but it came into the world by the envy of the devil 851. Rom. 7. 6. Now we are delivered from the Law Matth. 5. 17. I came not to destroy the Law We are delivered from the curse of the Law the rigour and provocation of it to sinne also from the Law or death in which we were held but that takes not away the right use of the Law in respect of us 852. Rom. 7. 7. I had not known lust unlesse the Law had said thou shalt not covet 1 Tim. 3. 1. If a man desireth the office of a Bishop he desireth a good work Concupiscence taken
he threatned not lest he should seem desirous of revenge 180. Deut. 30. 11. The commandement which I command thee this day is not hidden from thee neither is it far off Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures Moses understands not only legall precepts but Evangelicall also which God writes in our mouth and our heart Christ commands us to search the Scriptures to increase our knowledge by because we know hereby in part c. 1 Cor. 13. 9. 181. Deut. 30. 15. I have set before you this day life and good death and evill Joh. 8. 24. Ye shall die in your sins Moses foreshewes favour to those that keep the Law and wrath to the trangressours Christ threatens the Jewes the servants of sinne with death and eternall destruction 182. Deut. 30. 19. I have set before you good and evill Rom. 6. 16. Wicked men are the servants of sin In the first place it is spoken of Gods people In the latter of the wicked who are called the servants of sin that run after it with greedinesse it reigns in them and their will leans to evill 183. Deut. 31. 2. Moses was a 120. years old Psal 90. 10. The dayes of our years are 70. or 80. Moses obtained long life by a singular priviledge from God The term of our life is 70. or 80. years or at the most 100. years as Ecclus. speaks 18. 9. 184. Deut. 32. 21. I will provoke them by those that are not a people Rom. 10. 19. Mat. 10. 5. Enter not into the way of the Gentiles rather go to the lost sheep of Israel In the former place is understood the calling of the Gentiles In the latter a temporary command of Christ by which he would that the Gospell should first be preached to the Jewes and then according to Moses Prophesie to all Nations and people 185. Deut. 32. 39. I am alone and there is not other God 2 Cor. 4. 4. The Devill is called the God of this world Jehovah is the true God the Devill is called the God of this world because he inclines the minds of wicked men to mischief and they obey him rather then God 186. Deut. 32. 35. Revenge is mine I will repay saith the Lord. Rom. 13. 4. The Magistrate is the revenger of Gods wrath on them that do evill That is Gods revenge which is done by the Magistrate therefore the Scripture forbids not publick revenge by Gods Ministers the Magistrates but onely private revenge 187. Deut. 34. 10. There arose not a Prophet since in Israel like to Moses Matth. 11. 11. Amongst them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater then John the Baptist In the old Testament Moses was the greatest Prophet in the new Testament Jobn Baptist who pointed out our Saviour with his finger JOSHUA THis Book was written by Joshua the son of Nun who brought the people of Israel over Jordan into the Land of Canaan conquering the Cities and killing their enemies and divided the land amongst the tribes of Israel he lived 18. years after Moses 188. Josh 1. 5. None shall be able to stand against thee all the dayes of thy life Chap. 7. 4. Three thousand men fled before the men of Ai. The promise was conditionall that if they would be obedient unto God but because the Covenant was violated and the condition not performeds on the peoples part therefore the violaters of the divine Covenant were punished 189. Josh 1. 11. Prepare your victuals Exod. 16. 20. Manna remained till the next day Joshua understood not Manna alone but other provisions which he would have them buy of the children of Esau Deut. 2. 6. 190. Josh 1. 11. After three dayes you shall passe over Jordan Chap. 3. 4. That was done many dayes after Joshua speaks according to his humane intention hoping that the spies would return to him within three dayes but because they were forced to lie hid in the Mountains untill such time as those that sought after them were returned therefore that passage of Israel over Jordan was delayed 191. Josh 2. 14. The spies promised to Rahab life and safety Deut. 20. 13. Thou shalt destroy every Male thereof with the edge of the sword The enemies of the true God and of the people of Israel were to be destroyed Rahab with her Father and brothers was well minded towards the spies and joyning her self to the people of God forsook the mad Idolatry of the Heathens 192. Josh 4. 5. Take you up every man a stone upon his shoulder according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel that it may be a signe among you Exod. 14. 22. Passing through the red sea they did not do so At the Commandement of God in memory of the drying up of the water of Jordan and their passing over this was done that it might be a monument of Gods benefits Moses did not the same in his passage over the red sea because he had no command of God for it 193. Josh 5. 7. Circumcision was intermitted in the wildernesse for 40. years Gen. 17. 14. The man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised that soul shall be cut off from my people Circumcision was intermitted during the time of the exile and peregrination of the children of Israel because of their continuall journying which did hinder it for it did cause great pain and languishing to the body 194. Josh 6. 4. On the seventh day the Souldiers and the seven Friests shall compasse the City seven times Exod. 20. 8. Remember to keep holy the seventh day Deut. 5. 15. Ezek. 20. 12. That was a speciall and singular law of God There are many things of this kind saith Justinus in the sacred Bible which God imputes not to men as sin because of the necessity that fell out as Circumcision the eight day The seven times compassing about Jericho the offering of sacrifices on the Sabboth c. 195. Josh 7. 15. He that shall be taken with the cursed thing shall be burnt with fier Vers 16. Achan with his children was stoned by the Israelites The fault of Achans sacrifice and violation of the Majesty of God by him and his children was mitigated for he was first stoned and then burned he and all that appertained to him 196. Josh 7. 24. For Achans sin were his children killed also Deut. 24. 16. The children shall not die for their fathers 2 King 14. 6. Ezek. 18. 20. Achan did not only commit sacriledge but also high treason and therefore both he and his family were to die for it for if for rebellion against earthly Majesty committed by parents the children are justly punished in civill judicature much more shall God justly revenge the rebellion of parents upon the children unto the third and fourth generation unlesse their Exod. 20. 5. children repent for it 197. Josh 10. 26. The King of Hebron was hanged Vers 37. He was slain with the sword The first King being taken was strangled the
to the Gentiles but extraordinarily he might teach the Jews 1 Tim. 2. 7 also 791. Acts 10. 30. Four daies after the vision of Cornelius Peter came to Cesarea ver 19. The morrow after they that were sent from Cornelius came to Peter Cornelius the first day at three of the clock after noon sent his servants to Peter the second day they came to Peter the third day they came with Peter from Joppa and lay by the way that night the fourth day they returned to Cornelius at Cesarea 792. Acts 14. 22. We must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God Heb. 6. 12. c. 11. 1 The Saints by faith and patience inherit the promises The condition of the faithfull is common through many tribulations to enter into the Kingdom of heaven from which some are freed by speciall priviledge for faith is the means of acquiring life eternall but tribulation is the way thither 793. Acts 15. 10. The Law is a yoke which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear 1 John 5. 3. His Commandments are not grievous The Law is a yoke in respect of perfect obedience for here that is impossible for us the Commandments are easie in respect of the imputation of Christs righteousnesse who fulfilled the Law for us in whom our sins are forgiven Rom. 6. 14. 794. Acts 15. 28. It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us that you abstain from blood and things strangled Luk. 16. 16. The Law and the Prophets were untill John That was a temporall command belonging to the Ceremoniall Law untill the weak in faith who were not fully instructed were better confirmed least their conscience should be troubled and offended 795. Acts 16. 3. Paul circumcised Timothy because of the Jews Gal. 2. 3. Titus being a Greek was not compelled to be circumcised Circumcision from the time of its institution untill Christs death was necessary because of Gods command for it was a Sacrament and a part of Gods worship After Christs death the Ceremony and use of it remained for some time untill the Jews were taught concerning the abrogation of the Law for it was needfull that the Synagogue should by degrees be buried with honour as the Ceremonies were by degrees set up Paul circumcised Timothy lest he should offend the weak but might win them to Christ he would not circumcise Titus after the Gospel was planted lest he should do wrong to Christian liberty 796. Acts 16. 6. They were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia Mat. 28. 19. Go and teach all Nations The time to preach the Word of God in Asia was not yet come and Paul and Silas were then sent to some other place to greater increase of the Gospel yet at last the Gospel was plentifully 1 Pet. 1. 21. preached there also 797. Acts 16. 18. Paul would not suffer the spirit of divination Phil. 1. 18. What then notwithstanding every way whither in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce and will rejoyce Paul had great causes to cast out the spirit of divination because translating himself into an Angel of light he would have drawn the Apostolicall doctrine to be suspected as if they had been both as one and so they that beleeved the Apostles should beleeve the spirit of Divination that he might overthrow the Gospel 798. Acts 17. 28. In him we live and move and have our being this sentence is from Aratus the Heathen out of Menander 1 Cor. 15. 33. Evil communications corrupt good manners Tit. 1. 12. That the Cretians are liars evil beasts slow bellies is taken out of Epimerides and Callimachus Jerem gives the reason of this thing that they who were obstinate in their heathenish malice might be condemned out of their own Writers 799. Acts 18. 8. Paul baptized Crispus and Gaius and the house of Stephanus 1 Cor. 1. 17. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel Christ sent all the Apostles to preach and to baptize yet because the ordinary way of preaching was better more hard and more necessary therefore he would have them apply themselves rather to this leaving baptizing to those that were inferiour to them Paul denyeth that he was sent to Baptize not simply but comparatively so God commanded not sacrificing but obedience because he will rather have this then that Jer. 7. 22. 800. Acts 18. 2 18. Priscilla and Aquila were with Paul at Corinth Rom. 16. 3. Writing from Corinth he salutes Priscilla and Aquila Paul when he was again at Corinth writing to Rome salutes amongst others Priscilla and Aquila who were then there 801. Acts 18. 18. Paul shaved his head at Cenchrea for he had a vow Gal. 5. 1. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage Some referre that vow and shaving to Aquila if Paul did that he did it therefore that he 1 Cor. 9. Act. 21. 26. might become all things to all men that he might win some that he might serve the time and not offend the Jews but promote the cause of the Gospel 802. Acts 19. 2. The Disciples said to Paul we have not heard whether there be any holy Ghost v. 4. They were baptized therefore they must know the holy Ghost In the first place he speaks of the extraordinary miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost otherwise they were taught concerning the person of the holy Ghost by John and they had received his common gifts conferred in Baptism 803. Acts 19. 3. Into Johns vers 5. They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Baptisme in the first place is taken for the whole Ministry of John vers 5. there was no reiteration of Baptism but an approbation of Baptism conferred in the Name of Jesus by John which is understood to be done by laying on of hands 804. Acts 19. 13. Certain of the vagabond Jews exercists took upon them to call on the Name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 12. 3. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost The Lord Jesus is so called either by the mouth only as by the exorcists or from the heart by the holy Ghost there are externall gifts of the holy Ghost and confession is reckoned amongst the common gifts so those that were possessed with the devil could say that Jesus was the Sonne of God but the gifts of regeneration are proper to Beleevers only 805. Acts 20. 9. Eutichus fallen asleep fell from the third loft and was taken up dead v. 10. his life is in him Paul speaks confidently whether the soul were in the young man or not so Christ said before he raised the maid she is not dead but sleepeth 806. Acts 20. 27. I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsell of God Rom. 11. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 6. Who hath known the minde of the Lord The counsell of God is either necessary
a mans faith and judgeth by the works as the effects of mens faith and life and condemns bad works for unbelief 822. Rom. 2. 13. The doers of the Law shall be justified Gal. 2. 16. For by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified Justification is attributed to the Law and to Works not simply but by supposition if any man can perfectly fulfill the works of the Law but no man can in this weaknesse perfectly fulfill the Law 823. Rom. 2. 14. The Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law ch 8. 7. The carnall minde is enmity to the Law of God for it is not subject to the Law of God The naturall Law convinceth the Gentiles the written Law the Jews The Apostle doth not in the former place affirm that all the Gentiles do fulfill the Law but indefinitely the things contained in the Law for he speaks of outward works and civil discipline which was honest amongst some Gentiles In the later by the name Carnall he understands unregenerate part and the corruption of nature 824. Rom. 2. 14. The Gentiles have not the Law 1 Joh. 3. 4. Sinne is the transgression of the Law The Gentiles indeed had not the Law published in writing by Moses but the naturall Law in the first Creation was printed in every man which we transgressed in Adam and so were made sinners Adam was saith Ambr. on Luke l. 7. and in him we were all Adam fell and in him all men fell 825. Rom. 2. 25. Circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the Law Gal. 5. 2. ch 6. 15. If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing Externall circumcision in the Old Testament was a Sacrament upon condition of the Law fulfilled Under the New Testament as other Ceremonies it is mortall in the place of this came Baptism in former times it did profit the Fathers as a seal of the righteousnesse of faith after Christ came and the Gospel was planted it was taken away by the full plenty of spirituall Circumcision 826. Rom. 3. 2. The Jews exceed the Gentiles much every way ver 9. What then are we better then they no in no wise ch 10. 12. The Apostle speaks in the former place in respect of the Jews excellency from the Covenant of God who was pleased to bestow on the Jews the grace of his Covenant and his Law before the Gentiles were called in the later place he speaks of the Jews themselves who deserved no more favour at Gods hands then the Gentiles nor were they better then we and continuing in their unbelief they have lost their priviledges they were nothing to be preferred before the Gentiles but now we are all one in Christ and that prerogative is taken away Gal. 3. 28. 827. Rom. 3. 4. Every man is a lyar ch 9. 1. I say the truth in Christ I lye not Man as he is man corrupt is subject to lye but being regenerated and enlightened with the holy Ghost he embraceth truth as is manifest in Paul 828. Rom. 3. 8. We must not do evil that good may come ch 9 18. God bardening the wicked produceth that which is good In the former place is spoken of evil of sinne in the later of evil of punishment It is the singular goodnesse of God that he so over-rules sin that it may be converted to good as we see in Joseph 829. Rom. 3. 12. There is no man that doth good no not one John 13. 10. chap. 15. 3. You are clean through the word which I have spoken By nature by reason of inherent sinne we are all unclean by the grace of God in Christ we are cleansed and our hearts are purged 830. Rom. 3. 20. For by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight ch 2. 7. To them who continue by patience in well-doing shall he render glory and honour and eternal Life The first place shuts out all works from mans Justification not by fault of the Law but by accident that is by the fault of men In the later the Apostle urgeth works as necessary not by necessity of the cause to justifie but to be present Rem in him that is justified for works are nâ—â— cause of reigning but they are the way to the Kingdom 831. Rom. 3. 28. Faith is greater then charity 1 Cor. 13. 8. Charity then faith Faith is greater as it is the cause of charity and our victory by faith Christ dwelleth in our hearts we please God but charity without Exod. 3. 17. out faith is sinne Charity is said to be greater then faith or hope because it never fails but shall endure in our future state of perfection faith and hope then ceasing as to their actions but it is not greater in respect of Justification because charity doth not justifie Legally for in many things we offend all and it is not perfect nor Evangelically because in the Gospel the act of Justification is ascribed to Faith 832. Rom. 3. 25. God hath set forth Jesus Christ to be a propitiation John 18. 2. Judas delivered him to the Jews The Father delivered his Son out of love to us but Judas delivered Christ out of covetousnesse The Father for us and for our salvation Judas for thirty pieces of silver to his own destruction 833. Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law James 2. 24. You see that by works a man is justified and not by faith only Paul doth not separate as to existency Gal. 5. 6. works from faith which works by love but the object of Justification before God James rejects faith which wants good works that is a dead faith of the devil v. 17 19. and attributes to works the declaration of Justification v. 21. yet he confirms a lively faith v. 22. by the example of Abraham Augustine saith that when the Apostle saith a man is justified by faith he doth it not that works should be despised because they follow the man justified they do not go before Justification 834. Rom. 3. 31. Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Heb. 7. 18. There is a disanulling of the Commandment going before through the weaknesse thereof The first place is of the Morall Law which faith confirmeth because Christ came to fulfill it and not to destroy it and the end of the Law is to bring us to Christ The later place is concerning the ceremoniall Law which is abrogated because the shadow was to give place to the substance 835. Rom 4. 7. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered Mat. 5. 2. Blessed are the poor in spirit the clean in heart the mercifull In the first place is spoken of the cause of blessednesse namely remission of sins and imputation of righteousnesse in the later of vertues which are the way to blessednesse 836. Rom. 4 15.
morally is either absolutely indifferent as to eat and drink or relatively to the Law and so good or bad as it is done contrary or according to the Law being ordinate or disordinate the later the Law condemns 853. Rom. 7. 8. Sinne in me wrought in me all manner of concupiscence James 1. 15. When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sinne Paul means actuall concupiscence of corrupt nature James originall concupiscence 854. Rom. 7. 9. I was alive without the Law once saith Paul Phil. 3. 6. Touching the righteousnesse which is in the Law blamelesse Before his conversion Paul lived a Pharisee without any true knowledge of the divine Law ascribing to himself externall righteousnesse which was hypocrisie 855. Rom. 7. 12. The Law is holy just and good 2 Cor. 3. 7. It is the ministration of death The Law in it self in respect of the Authour is good holy and just because it declareth the good and holy will of God in respect of us it is called the ministration of Death because it reproves sinne and threatens us with death 856. Rom. 7. 14. I am carnall sold under sin ch 6. 22. We are made free from the Law of sinne wherein we were held The Apostle according to the unregenerated part was carnall that is indulgent to his carnall lusts but being Regenerate he did lament for those carnall affections and resisted them 857. Rom. 7. 18. In me dwelleth no good thing ch 8. 9. The Spirit of God dwelleth in us The first place is of the old man in me that is my flesh and that part which is not regenerate the second is concerning man that is regenerate for Christ liveth in us the holy Ghost liveth in us and indeed the whole Trinity John 14. 23. 858. Rom. 7. 18. To will is present with me Phil. 2. 13. God worketh in you to will To be willing is that good which is wrought in us by the holy Ghost but after the fall of man to be willing and be able to will what is good was lost in us 859. Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inward man ver 23. I see another Law in my members warring against the Law of my minde Paul delighted according to his spirit and inward man the regenerate part in the Law of God but rebelled against it in his outward man the flesh and the part unregenerate for the whole man is as it is commonly said is partly flesh and partly spirit 860. Rom. 7. 23. I see another Law in my members warring against the Law of my minde ch 8. 2. The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and of death The faithfull are either captivated by the Law of sinne that they cannot do that good they would but what sinne will have done that dwelleth in them or they are freed from sinne here inchoatively because it doth not condemn them nor yet reign in them but in the next Psal 32. 1. Rom. 8. 1. ch 6. 12. world it shall be accomplished and they shall be perfectly made free from it 861. Rom. 8. 2. The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death Joh. 5. 28. The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and come forth Resurrection from death to life is common to the good and bad but in a divers manner and for a divers end the good shall come forth gloriously to life the wicked ignominiously unto death 862. Rom. 8. 24. We are saved by hope Eph. 2. 8. By grace are you saved through faith Mark 16. 16. Subalternates disagree not the grace of God is the efficient cause faith and hope the instrumentall causes of our salvation 863. Rom. 8. 30. God whom he did predestinate them he also called Matth. 20. 16. c. 22. 14. Many are called but few chosen The first place is concerning those who being called are obedient to the holy Ghost and make their vocation firm unto the end of their lives The later is of those who resist the vocation of God in respect of the former there are as many predestinated as are called but of the later more called then are predestinated 864. Rom. 8. 31. If God be for us who can be against us 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your adversary the devil When God is for us though the devil be against us he prevails not 865. Rom. 8. 38. Nothing nor creature can separate us from the love of God ch 9. 3. I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethren The wish of Paul was conditionall if it were lawfull and might be done the Apostle thereby sheweth the vehemency of his affection toward his kindred and submits himself to the Divine will Chrysostom on this place saith that Paul by a premeditated prayer desired to be separated from Christ by a temporall and eternall abjection for the salvation of his brethren and so would by his own destruction redeem them to eternall salvation neither did he therefore love his brethren more then Christ for he did not desire to be separated from the love of Christ but from the fruit of his love and friendship he desireth to perish not as an enemy of Christ but a preserver of his brethren as Christ was made a curse for us not as Gods enemy but as our Redeemer 866. Rom. 9. 16. It is not of him that willeth nor him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Matth. 19. 17. If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments It is therefore said not to be of him that willeth because salvation is not given for our merit but of Gods mercy but it is also of him that willeth not because we will though no man is saved against his will but of unwilling to receive Gods call he is made willing 867. Rom. 9. 18. God hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth ch 11. 32. God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all The first place is concerning the most free will and power of God who may have mercy on whom he please his antecedent will reacheth to all men his consequent will is restrained to the beleevers and unbeleevers and so he will have merey of the faithfull that they may be saved but he justly punisheth and hardneth the unbeleevers and wicked men who resist his grace freely offered unto them 868. Rom. 10. 10. With the mouth is made confession unto salvation 1 Cor. 4. 20. The Kingdom of God is not in word In the first place is spoken of confession with faith in the later of humane words which the false teachers used in preaching wherein the Kingdom of God consists not but in the vertue that is in a true performance of those things they professe with their mouths 869. Rom. 11. 7. Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for
Anthropopathy he remembers when he sends help and hears our prayers as Gen. 30. 22. 1 Sam. 15. 19. Psal 13. 2. 42. 10. Also he is said to forget when he defers to help and seems not to hear us 35. Gen. 8. 13. In the year 601 the first month the first day of the month the waters were dryed up Chap. 8. 14. And in the second month the 27 day of that month was the earth dryed The diminishing of the waters and the superficies of the earth yet soft and plashy is intimated vers 13. 14. The earth is dryed and perfectly solid 36. Gen. 8. 21. Nor will I any more smite Psal 103. 13. every living creature Chap. 6. 13. 7. 21. And all flesh dyed Chap. 19. 24. Sodom overthrowne Before the flood God judged the world and he judged Sodom also as a just judge and revenger after the flood he promised he would do so no more as a father who taketh pity of his children 37. Gen. 8. 21. I will not again curse the ground for mans sake Deut. 28. 16. Thou shalt be cursed in thy house and cursed shalt thou be in the field c. A generall malediction doth not take away a speciall malediction neither did God oblige himself that he would not send his speciall punishments and calamities on those who refuse to hear his voice 38. Gen. 8. 22. Seed time and harvest as long as the earth endureth 1 King 17. 1. Jam. 5. 17. And it reigned not for three yeares and six months Barrennesse and drynesse was sent from God on the earth in the dayes of Elias by reason of the Idolatry of the Israelites He took not away seed-time and harvest in other places The ordinance of God though it was not observed in one place for mans transgression yet it found place in an other 39. Gen. 9. 2. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth Job 39. 9. Will the Vnicorne be willing to serve thee In the former place the dominion over the creatures is partly restored to man after the fall and God hath cast a fear on them that they should not dare to hurt man but should be afraid of mans countenance But if the Unicorn or any beast do violence to man they do but put him in mind of his fall 40. Gen. 9. 13. I do set my bow in the clouds and it shall be for a token of a Covenant between me and the earth Revel 4. 3. And there was a rainbow round about the throne in sight like to an emerald The first place is concerning the ordinary place of the rain-bow the second of the extraordinary rain-bow and the seat of God 41. Gen. 10. 8. Nimrod began to be mighty in the earth Vers 10. And the beginning of his Kingdome was Babel Rom. 13. 1. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers The tyrannicall power of Nimrod was with violence and violation of government in families yet not without Gods ordination nor doth every unlawfull attaining take away the lawfull power from ill beginnings and manners good lawes and profitable thins proceed also The beginning of the Kingdome of Judah was the wantonnesse and wickednesse of the people The beginning of the Kingdome of Israel the sedition of Jeroboam yet they were afterwards lawfull Kingdomes 42. Gen. 10. 22. The children of Sem were Elam Assur and Arphaxad Chap. 11. 10. Sem begat Arphaxad two years after the flood In History the order of nature and time are not alwayes observed therefore though Elam and Assur are named Chap. 10. before Arphaxad yet it followes not that they were elder then he and Sem is said to have begotten sons and daughters after Arphaxad was born and not before 43. Gen. 11. 7. Let us goe down and there confound their language 1 King 8. 27. Jer. 23. 24. Do not I fill the earth God is not moved from place to place because he is all every where saith Augustine but L. 16. c. 5. De civ dei he is said to descend when he doth any thing for the ordinary and usuall course of nature and so he sheweth his presence in respect of us not that there is any thing that he doth not see and know or doth change his place but this is attributed to God after the manner of men and in respect of our sense as Gen. 18. 21. Psal 14. 2. 44. Gen. 11. 12. Arphaxad begat Salem Luk. 3. 36. Which was the son of Sala which was the son of Cainan c. The name and the generation of Cainan in Beda in Luk. 3. Genesis and the words of the days according to the truth of the Hebrews is not found but Arphaxad is said to have begotten Sala there being none betwixt him Luke took this Genealogie from the edition of the 70 Interpreters 45. Gen. 11. 26. Terah lived 70 years and begat Abram Nahor and Haran Chap. 12. 4. And Abram was 75 years old when he departed out of Haran Terah did not beget three sons in the same year but he began to generate at 70 years old and he lived in Haran to 205 years old it may be Abraham was the younger son but because he is so commended in the Scriptures he is set down first before his brethren as Jacob Mat. 1. 3. Judas 1 Pet. 4. 1. 46. Gen. 12. 5. Abraham took Sara his wife and Lot his brothers son Chap. 13. 8. 14. 14. Abraham said to Lot we are brethren c. Brothers are called by bloud Gen. 27. 13. of alliance Chap. 14. 4. of gentility Deut. 15. 3. of affection 2 Sam. 1. 26. of unity of confession of faith Jer. 31. 34. We are brethren saith Abraham to Lot perswading him not to contend with him but seeing that he is joyned with him in the band of religion and consanguinity he wisheth him to avoid occasion of quarrell and not to give scandall to the infidels 47. Gen. 12. 3. 18. 18. All the Nations of the earth shall be blessed in him Gal. 3. 14. The blessing of Abraham came on the Gentiles through Christ This promise was made to the seed and posterity but not to the person of Abraham so the promises made by God to the Fathers Gen. 22. 18. Heb. 11 8. are fulfilled in their children and in individuals 48. Gen. 12. 18. Abraham told a lie Psal 5. 7. Thou shalt destroy all those that speak leasing Seing that the Devill is the Father of lying Abraham denying his wife sinned against God by distrust against Sara and Pharaoh by injustice Mat. 26. Psal 32. for he sought to save his life by wrong means as Peter did by denying Christ God will destroy impenitent lyers but not whose lies and offences are pardoned in Christ and covered as Abrahams Isaacks and Peters were who repented 49. Gen. 12 7. 13. 15. 15. 38. This land which thou seest will I give to thee and thy seed c. Act. 7.
dead excepting Jacob his whole family make 75 souls in number 80. Exod. 1. 19. The Midwives lyed to Pharaoh and God blessed them Chap. 3. 18. 5. 3. Moses said We will goe three dayes journey into the wildernesse and sacrifice unto the Lord our God Zach. 8. 16. Speak every one truth to his neighbour It is not certain whether the Midwives did 1 Pet. 21. lie or not it might be the Hebrew women were delivered before they came at them and God blessed the Midwives not for lying but because they feared him Moses spake the words of God unto Pharaoh and God is the God of truth 81. Exod. 2. 3. Moses was laid by the river in an arke of bulrushes Heb. 11. 23. Moses parents feared not the Kings commandement It is certain that the Hebrew parents feared God more then Pharaoh nor did they doubt in exposing of Moses but that God would deliver him 82. Exod. 2. 15. Moses feared and fled from the face of Pharaoh Heb. 11. 27. He feared not the wrath of the King Moses feared for killing the Egyptian whilst Pharaoh sought to slay him therefore he fled into the Land of Madian But upon his return when God sent him to Pharaoh he despised his threatnings being secure from all danger 83. Exod. 4. 21. 7. 3. 10. 27. 11. 10. But I will harden Pharaohs heart Chap. 8. 15. 8. 32. Pharaoh hardned his heart and was hardned c. God hardens permissively not effectively Ezeck 18. 23. 33. 11. Cont. Faust by no antecedent will for he will not the death of a sinner but by a consequent will when he punisheth by just judgment and useth evill to a good end Satan saith Augustine hardens by perswading Man by consenting God by forsaking 84. Exod. 4. 24. Moses had his wife with him in his journey Chap. 8. 5. And Jethro Moses Father in law came with his wife and his sons unto Moses Moses sent his wife Zipporah back to her father and then afterwards received her with her children brought unto him by his father in law 85. Exod. 5. 2. Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice and let Israel go I know not the Lord c. Rom. 1. 21. The Nations knew God and his power so that they are inexcusable Pharaoh was ignorant who Jehovah the God of Israel was nor had he a true knowledge of the true God that he might serve him onely 86. Exod. 7. 20 21. All the waters in Egypt were turned into bloud Vers 22. And the Magicians of Egypt did so with their inchantments when they came to the water That which the Magicians did with water digged out of the earth seemed to be the like for they are no true miracles of God which are done by the help of the Devill 87. Exod. 9. 16. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up for to shew in thee my power and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth Rom. 3. 8. We must not do evill that good may come of it The hardning of Pharaoh was a punishment of his former sins and of his tyranny shewed over the Israelites and this God directed for a good end that in Pharaoh his power glory and justice might appear 88. Exod. 9. 29. Moses prayed for Pharaoh that the plagues may cease 1 Joh. 3. 4. 5. 16. We must not pray for any that sinne unto death Moses prayed not for Pharaoh but for the taking away of the plagues farther to declare the power of God and to overcome the wickednesse and obstinacy of Pharaohs tyrannicall heart 89. Exod. 11. 5. And all the first born in the Land of Egypt shall die Chap. 12. 30. There was not a house where there was not one dead We must understand here not only the first-born by birth but such as were so by authority for it was so ordered by divine providence that there was a first born found in every house 90. Exod. 12. 36. The Israelires spoyled the Egyptians by borrowing of them Psal 37. 21. The wicked borroweth and payeth not again The Israelites had Gods speciall command for it to spoile the ingratefull Egyptians whom they had served for many years for no Gen. 15. 14. wages God foretold this to Abraham that his posterity should come out of slavery with great wealth 91. Exod. 14. 15. And the Egyptians which you have seen to day you shall see them again no more forever Vers 30. And Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shoar In the former place he means the Egyptians alive following the Israelites which afterwards the Israelites saw choked in the waters and cast dead upon the seashoar 92. Exod. 20. 5. I am the Lord thy God a jealous God visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation Deut. 24. 16. Ezek. 18. 20. The son shall not bear the Fathers iniquity God visits the fathers sins upon the children if they walk in the way of their fathers that is on them that hate him but it is otherwise if the children repent Also God punisheth the iniquities of the fathers upon the children with temporall punishments not with eternall unlesse they follow the footsteps of their wicked fathers 93. Exod. 20. 8. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day Deut. 5. 12. Mat. 12. 5. On the Sabbath days the Priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath day and are blamelesse Legall ceremonies and their externall observations give place to charity and necessity morall duties are preferred before ceremonials God forbad those works which hinder his worship but Christ defends his Disciples plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath day against the Pharisee by the example of David and of the Priests killing sacrifices on the Sabbath day pulling off their hides and washing of them 94. Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy father and mother Luk. 14. 26. If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be may disciple Christ forbids not the honour due to parents Mat. 10. 37 but he saith He that loves them more then me is not worthy of me for all things must be forsaken and hated too so far as they hinder our love of God and Christ for all things must give place to the love of God and that takes not away our duty or due honour to our parents 95. Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy Father Matth. 23. 9. Call no man Father upon the earth Christ forbids not children to honour their 2 King 2. 1 Chron. 4. parents or the hearers to honour the Preachers for Paul cals himself the father of the Corinthians but he forbids us to depend on humane authority in divine matters but we must depend on one God and have a filial confidence in him 96. Exod. 20. 13. Thou shalt not kill Mat. 5. 21. 18. 9. If thy eye hand foot
said to be for ever by reason of the long continuance of the Jewish polity but they are all abolished by one compleat sacrifice of Christ 114. Lev. 9. 24. Fire went out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt-offering c. Amos 5. 22. Though you offer me burnt-offerings and gifts I will not accept them neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts Offerings to God from a pious and sincere heart were accepted by him but the offerings of Hypocrites proceedings from a corrupt heart were an abomination to the Lord. 115. Lev. 11. 1. Vnclean beasts Gen. 1. 31. All things that God made were very good Unclean creatures in the old Testament were so in respect of the Jewish pedagogie of the ceremoniall Law and not by nature but because God was pleased to have it so whereas by goodnesse of the creation all things were good and clean to those that were clean 116. Lev. 11. 7. The Jews must eat no swines Tit. 2. 15. flesh Mat. 5. 11. The Gadarens of the tribe of Benjamin fed hogs Hogs flesh was not eaten by the Jewes but yet they were not forbid to apply the paunch the skin and the fat to other uses 117. Lev. 13. 46. The Leper and unclean lived alone without the Camp Mat. 8. 2. In the City a Leper craved of Jesus The divine Law was that the Leper set apart should dwell alone but this leper comes boldly to Christ not doubting to be free from his leprosie 118. Lev. 16. 3. The sacrifices were appointed by Gods commandement Psal 40. 7. Sacrifices and burnt-offerings thou wouldest not The sacrifices were appointed by God under the old Testament that they might shadow forth the sacrifice of Christ and foreshew his coming but God would none of them as the Jewes abused them for ostentation and placed the worship of God in the outward ceremonie without the internall devotion 119. Lev. 16. 6. Aaron shall offer his bullock and make an atonement for himself Heb. 10. 4. It is impossible that the bloud of Goats should take away sins The legall sacrifices did not expiate sins of themselves but as they were a figure of Christ his owne oblation surpasseth them all and is propitiatory for our sinnes 120. Lev. 18. 6. None of you shall approach to any that is neer of kin to him Vers 16. Thou shall not uncover the nakednesse of thy brothers wife Deut. 25. 5. The brother shall take his brothers wife The law of the nearnesse of bloud and not uncovering the brothers nakednesse is perpetuall and must be holily observed by us but that of raising seed to the brother was partly ceremoniall figuring the primogeniture of Christ partly judiciall lest the inheritance should depart to another family which doth not oblige us but is abrogated 121. Lev. 19. 18. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self 1 Joh. 2. 15. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him In the former place he understands the love that is due to our neighbour according to Law In the latter concerning unlawfull love of worldly things as those that prefer the things of this world as honours riches and pleasures before God himself 122. Lev. 22. 25. From a strangers hand you shall not offer the bread of your God 1 King 5. 10. Hiram gave to Solomon cedar-trees and fir-trees All strangers were not abominable in the sight of God but onely the enemies and persecutors of his Church so Cyrus King of the Persians promoted the building of the second Temple and restored to the Jews the golden and silver vessels 123. Lev. 24. 19. As he hath done so it shall be done to him Rom. 12. 19. You shall not revenge your selves In the former place private persons are forbidden to avenge themselves but the Magistrate is admonished of his office In the latter onely private revenge is forbidden 124. Lev. 27. 30. And all the tithe of the Exod. 22. 29. Deut. 1. 18. Land whether of the seed of the Land or of the fruit of the tree is the Lords Num. 18. 21. I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance for the service which they serve me The tenths are called Gods because they were commanded by him for a holy use and good of the Church they were given to the sons of Levi or to the Ministers of the Church for their service for an inheritance to support them because they being consecrated to Gods service had no inheritance amongst their brethren NUMBERS THis Book is so called from the numbring of the people of God Wherein Mansions and Offices were ordained for all the Tribes between the mount of Sinah and the promised land many transgressions and dangers of the people and punishments and benefits of God are numbred The History contains 28. years 125. Num. 1. 19. Moses numbred the people in the wildernesse of Sinah 2 Sam. 24. David offended God by numbring the people Moses and Aaron did that for good order as God commanded them but David sinned out of arrogancy by numbring the people without command 126. Num. 4. 3. The Levites stood from 30. years old to 50. years old to minister in the Tabernacle of the Covenant 1 Chron. 23. 3 24. The Levites did the work of the Ministry for the house of the Lord from 20. years old Num. 8. 23. from 25. years The younger Levites were newly instructed to 20. years then they were admitted to the office of doing service at 25. years from that time a kind of secondary service was committed to them till they came to be 30. years old from 30. to 50. years they did fully execute the Leviticall office 127. Num. 7. 89. Moses entred into the Tabernacle of the Covenant Exod. 40. 35. Moses could not enter into the Tabernacle of the congregation for a cloud abode thereon and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle First when the cloud covered the Tabernacle of the testimony and the glory of God filled that Moses could not then enter but when the cloud was removed then he went into it 128. Num. 8. 7. The Levites shall shave off all the hair of their flesh Lev. 19. 27. You shall not round the corners of your heads nor shave your beards In the time of the Leviticall pacification they did shave the hair of their flesh but otherwise to cut their hair of the heads or Ezek. 44. 22. shave their beards round was forbad them by Moses 129. Num. 10. 29. Hobab was Moses father in Law Exod. 2. 18. Raguel Chap. 3. 1. 4. 18. 18. 5. Jethro Hobab because he was the son of Raguel is thought by some to be Moses kinsman in the Scripture oft-times persons have two or three names so the father in law of Moses had many names 130. Num. 12. 8. God spake with Moses mouth to mouth Exod. 33. 20. Joh. 1. 18. No man hath seen God at any time The divine essence is invisible
second who succeeded him fell by the sword 198. Josh 11. 19. There was not a City which yeelded not it self up to the children of Israel Yet in the time of the Judges and the Kings many Cities were not in their possession Joshua took all the Cities he came at by force and those that were to be taken and they were to be delivered to Israel for a possession 199. Josh 15. 8. Jerusalem was in the tribe of Judah Chap. 18. 28. Benjamin is numbred In the borders of Judah and Benjamin at first they were two small Cities at last they were joyned into one and fortified with a wall round about 200. Josh 15. 63. The children of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites unto this day 2 Sam. 24. 18. The Jebusites were in their own possessions in the time of David who bought the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite Because the Israelites spared the Jebusites and the Benjamites took them into their protection so that the remainders of them were tolerated unto Davids time that succeeded ill to the people of Israel who by their society were Exod. 1. 21. drawn to Idolatry JVDGES THis Book is so called from the Judges of the people of the Jews It contains the condition of the children of Israel after the death of Joshua under 16 Judges The Idolatry of Micha The wickednesse of the Gibeathites The slaughter of the Benjamites It was written by Samuel It contains the History of 300. years 201. Judg. 5. 31. Let all the enemies of the Lord perish Prov. 25. 21. If thy enemy hunger Mat. 5. 44. Luk. 6. 35. Rom. 12. 20. feed him with bread if he thirst give him water to drink We must do good to our enemies but not to Gods enemies and for private injuries we must not curse them but as they are Gods enemies of whom there is no hope of their conversion out of zeal of a S. Spirit we may pray also for their destruction 202. Judg. 6. 17 36. Gedeon asketh a signe from God Mat. 12. 39. An evill generation seek for a signe Gedeon was confirmed in his office by a signe given from God so Moses and Joshua Christ cals the Pharisees an evill generation justly because they out of curiosity sought for a signe Let us be content with the word of God 203. Judg. 6. 21. Gedeon sacrificed on a rock Lev. 1. 5. The sons of Aaron shall offer the sacrifices on the Altar Gedeon offered the matter of the sacrifice to the Lord and God himself was the Priest in burning the offering nor was there any Leviticall officer present and the event teacheth us that what Gedeon did was from divine instinct 204. Jugd 11. 39. Jephtha did according to his vow Vers 31. Whatsoever cometh forth of the dores of my house to meet me I will offer up for a burnt-offering to the Lord. Deut. 12. 31. The Lord hates all the abominations that the Gentiles used to their Gods and those that offered us their sons and daughters and burned them in the fire Jephtha vowed disjunctively that whatsoever should first meet him out of his house should be the Lords that it should be either sacrificed or deputed for Gods service for he knew that all living creatures could not be offered in sacrifice to the Lord therefore he consecrated his daughter for the work of the Sanctuary Ve. 38. for she being sanctified to God knew no man and she bewailed her virginity 205. Jud. 13. 7. Samson was a Nazarite from his mothers womb unto the day of his death Mat. 2. 23. It was fulfilled in Christ he shall be called a Nazarite The Nazarites in the old Testament were votaries according to Law Num. 6. who gave themselves wholly to meditate upon divine matters and others which were born so as Samson here on whose head never rasor came nor was his head ever shorne others were called so both wayes joyntly Christ was prefigured by them who was most free from all uncleannesse commonly called a Nazarite because he was brought up in the Town of Nazareth 206. Judg. 16. 31. Samson killed himself Exod. 20. 14. Thou shalt not kill Samson killed not himself with the Philistins by any rashnesse of his own but he did that by the instinct and power of God and was a figure of Christs overthrowing our enemies RUTH IT is so named from Ruth a woman Samuel describes in this Book Ruths dutifulnesse to her Mother in Law and the integrity of Boas who was Davids Grandfather 207. Ruth 3. 4. Naomi perswades Ruth to lie down at Boas feet 1 Tim. 2. 9. Women adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety That was indeed a dangerous counsell nor must it be drawn in for an example Naomi was brought on to do that by the Law of raising children to the brother that was dead Yet God hindred that no dishonesty happened thereby 208. Ruth 4. 13. Boas took Ruth and she was his wife and he went in unto her Deut. 7. 3. You shall make no marriages with them Moah who was the son of Lot of his posterity they were not forbid to marry wives but of the Hittites Gergeshites Ammorhites Cananites Perisites Hivites Jebusites c. Ruth followed the true Religion and the Nation of the Jews and not the Moabites The two Books of SAMVEL Heb. Schemuel IN the first Book is described the life and death of Samuel with the Government of Saul In the second the translation of the Kingdome to David and his administration of it Samuel writ the first book to the 25. Chapter The rest with the second Book were writ by Nathan and Gad both Prophets In these two Books is contained the History of 120. yeares 209. 1 Sam. 3. 13. Eli knew his sons did wickedly and he restrained them not Chap. 2. 24. He said to his sons Wherefore do you all these things that I hear of you from all the people do not so my sons it is no good report The correction of Eli in reproving his sons was too gentle nor is it accounted for a restraint Chrysostome saith if Eli had been unreproveable in Mat. hom 17. himself in his life he should more sharply have corrected his sons treading under foot the Law of God therefore was he justly punished 210. 1 Sam. 7. 2. From the day that the Arke of God abode in Kirjath-jearim the time was long for it was twenty years and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 1 Chron. 13. 6. David in the fifth year brought it from thence The Ark was in Kirjath-jearim unto the days of Saul who first brought it into the Army and then sent it back to its place David being made King first translated it to Obed-edoms house and after that unto the mountain of Sion 211. 1 Sam. 9. 16. Thou shalt anoint him to be Captain over my people Israel for I have looked upon my people because their cry is come unto me Hos 13. 11. I gave thee a King in mine
God who promiseth for Christs sake a reward of his grace to them that ask him and crowns his gifts in us Nor doe the afflictions and sufferings of this life merit the free rewards of eternal life 543. Mat. 5. 12. Great is your reward in heaven Ephes 2. 8. By grace you are saved through faith it is the gift of God Our salvation properly is not a reward but Rom. 5. 6. c. 3. 28. Phil. 2. 13. 1 Tim 4. 8. the gift of God in respect of acquiring it and application conservation and perfection 544. Mat. 5. 14. You are the light of the world Joh. 8. 12. I saith Christ am the light of this world All Doctors of the Church and all Christians enlightned by Christ are light not of themselves but from Christ of whom they receive their splendor and divine light or Christ is of himself the true original light who enlightens every man that comes into the world 545. Mat. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works c. 6. 1. Beware that you give not your alms before men All that are enlightned with the light of the Gospel must study to doe good works Rom. 13. 12. That by the works themselves the faith and godlinesse in our hearts may be known to men But in the latter place all works of ambition and boasting are forbidden by Christ for hypocrites they doe so desiring to be praised and seen of men 546. Mat. 5. 17. I came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it Gal. 3. 13. Christ came to redeem us from the curse of the law There is a difference between the law and the curse of it as Christ hath fulfilled the law so must we walk in his commandements and by applying Christs satisfaction to our selves we are said spiritually to fulfill the law from the curse and condemnation whereof we are redeemed by Christ 547. Mat. 5. 22. Whosoever is angry with his brother is in danger of judgement Ephes 4. 6. Be angry but sin not That anger is unlawful when any one without just cause is angry and more with the person then the faults for his own cause and not for Gods cause Thou shalt not kill It is lawful when for Gods glory we are angry with the sins and not with the persons also the Apostle warn's us to moderate this just anger that we offend not by anger against God or our Neighbour 548. Mat. 5. 22. He that saith to his brother Thou fool shall be in danger of hell fire Luk. 24. 25. O fools and slow of heart to believe Gal. 3. 1. O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you Christ condemns a contumelious despising of our brother and a reproachful aspersion of foolishnesse but he in his way to Emaus cals Cleophas and his fellows fools not out of a vitious desire but for their dulnesse and folly because they believed not the Prophets nor the Word of God so the Apostle called the Galatians foolish 549. Mat. 5. 25. Agree with thine Adversary 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist strong in faith The first place is concerning all adversaries in general with whom we must agree according to the rule of charity The latter is concerning the Devil in particular whom we must alwayes resist being armed with heavenly weapons against him 550. Mat. 5. 32. Whosoever puts away his wife unlesse it be for fornication causeth her to commit adultery 1 Cor. 7. 11. If she depart let her remain unmarryed or be reconciled to her husband Fornication or Adultery is the principal cause of divorce betwixt those that are marryed but other causes as witchcraft impotency malicious forsaking doe not so dissolve the band of Matrimony The Apostle speaks of desertion and in that case reconciliation must be first endevoured before the party forsaken or forsaking should be left out of Matrimony 551. Mat. 5. 39. Resist not evill but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek turn the other to him also Joh. 18. 23. If I have spoken evill bear witnesse of the evill if well why smitest thou me The manner of resisting evill is either of retaliation with injury and this Christ forbids or of just defence by which without injury we drive off injuries by reason or law So Christ said Why dost thou smite me Not out of a mind desirous of revenge but from a well composed heart he spake that and it is lawful for godly men to complain to the Judge of injuries done unto them 552. Mat. 5. 43. Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy Ver. 43. Love your enemies Luk. 6. 35. Rom. 12. 20. doe good to those that hate you The first place was corrupt and came into use from the time of the Maccabees The latter was not delivered by Christ as a new law but the true sense of the divine law concerning love to our neighbours is explained by him For God in the Old Testament expressely commands men to love their enemies Deut. 22. 2. 553. Mat. 6. 6. When thou prayest enter into thy closet and shutting the dore pray 1 Tim. 2 8. I will that men pray in every place Christ against boasters teacheth us that our duty in prayer is that we seek to please God rather then men because God considers our hearts men look only on the outside and he that is alone prayeth better with a composed mind then he that prayeth amongst a multitude of People whether therefore we pray privately or publickly let us alwayes pray so as if we were hid in our closets The Apostle witnesseth that our prayer is accepted with God be it in private or publick when God is worshipped in spirit and truth 554. Mat. 5. 40. If any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat from thee let him have thy cloak also Rom. 13. 1. There is no power but of God Christ doth here prescribe the law of patience to his followers that they should not be troubled for the losse of their goods but wait on the Lord quietly untill he take revenge on wicked men yet he forbids not the lawful means of recovering goods fraudulently or forcibly taken away or appeal to the Magistrate for power much lesse doth he condemn it 555 Mat. 6. 7. When you pray use not vain repetitions Luk. 18. 1. Men ought to pray alwayes and not to faint Col. 4. 2. 1 Thes 5. 17. Christ taxeth the vain babling and foolish Isa 23. 13. prating of those who suppose to move God with words often repeated though they be cold and distrustful in their prayers But he forbids not continuance in prayers but will have us to pray alwayes if not in words yet in desires for the prayers of godly men are arrows that are shot into heaven 556. Mat. 6. 13. Lead us not into temptation Jam. 1. 13. Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God Temptation is either good for a good end as when God proves
the faith hope patience obedience constancy of his children or evill to an evill end and we pray in the Lords prayer that God will not let us be tempted with evill nor give us over into the hand of Satan to tempt us 557. Mat. 6. 13. For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory Luk. 11. 4. That conclusion is not found in the Lords Prayer One Evangelist omitting what the other hath set down doth no wayes derogate from the truth of Gods Word David used the same 1 Chron. 29. 11. 2 Tim. 4. 18. thanksgiving Thine is the greatnesse and the power and the glory and the Victory and the Majesty And Paul useth the same words And the Lord shall deliver me from every evill work to whom be glory for ever Amen From whence is taken that of the Church Glory be c. 558. Mat. 6. 19. Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own especially for those of his own house he hath denyed the faith Christ forbids no man to possesse wealth that comes as a blessing from God but to lay up treasures to the wrong of other men and to put our trust in them as the Gentiles doe nor Lev. 36. 14. Psal 112. 3. doth he condemn the care for a mans own family 559. Mat. 6. 31. Therefore take no thought saying What shall we eat or what shall we drink 1 Tim. 5. 8. If any man provide not for his own he hath denyed the faith Christ condemns here carnal care joyned with Heathenish distrust but not a Christian care to provide for our family with confidence in God 560. Mat. 7. 1. Judge not Joh. 7. 24. Judge righteous judgement Christ forbids rash judgement and defamation Mat. 18. 15. Jude v. 8 but not Politique or Ecclesiastical Judicature appointed by God under the Old-Testament nor yet domestick because all men are bound to judge of doctrine and manners and to call those to the right way that are wandring from it 561. Mat. 7. 8. Whosoever asketh receiveth Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not He that asketh as he ought to doe in faith receiveth what is convenient for him they that ask not as they should that is in faith nor for a good end receive not because they ask amiss 562. Mat. 7. 12. All things that you would that men should doe unto you doe you even so to them for this is the law and the Prophets c. 22. 4. On these two Commandements the love of God and our Neighbour hang all the Law and the Prophets The first place excludes not the love of God for he that loves his neighbour loves God the latter comprehends a moral rule of all things which are contained in the Books of Moses the Law and the Prophets 563. Mat. 7. 22. Many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out Devils Then will I professe unto you I never knew you depart from me c. 10. 32. Whosoever shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father which is in heaven Christ in the former place speaks of hypocrites who prophesied in his Name and teaching so did confesse him with their tongue In the latter place he speaks of those who professe his Name by faith openly and sincerely without hypocrisie they have both a promise and a large reward 564. Mat. 8. 4. Tell no man V. 4. Go thy way shew thy self to the Priest Christ forbad the Leper for a time but not for ever that he should tell no man that he was healed but that first he should make his comparition before the Priest 565. Mat. 8. 5. A centurion came to Jesus beseeching him and saying Luk. 7. 3. The Elders of the Jews were sent unto him beseeching him to come Theophylact reconciles these places thus first the Centurion sent Messengers to Christ then he came himself and met the Lord and beseeched him with his own mouth relating the businesse 566. Mat. 8. 19. A certain scribe came unto him and said Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest And Jesus said unto him The Foxes have holes Joh. 6. 37. Him that cometh to me will I in no wise cast out That Scribe would follow Christ out of vain boasting and promised to himself great wealth and dignities Christ did not reject this man but only admonished him of the poverty and misery of those that follow him in this life which is rewarded with salvation and eternal life 567. Mat. 8. 26. The Disciples were fearful and of little faith Jam. 1. 6. Ask in faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed The infirmity of the Disciples is to be distinguished from Heathenish distrust they that doubt receive nothing but believers receive what they ask in faith 568. Mat. 8. 28. Jesus came to the other side into the Countrey of the Gargasens Mark 5. 1. They came over to the other side of the Sea into the Countrey of the Gadarenes The City Gadara and Gergaza were neighbour places in the Tribe of Manasses having their several circuit in the borders whereof the possessed met our Saviour 569. Mat. 8. 28. There met him two possessed with Devils Mar. 5. 2. There met him out of the Tombes a man with an unclean spirit They were two in number Mark mentions one because the other was notably known August 570. Mat. 8. 29. The Devils cryed out saying What have we to doe with thee Jesus thou Son of God Joh. 8. 44. The Devil is a lyar and the Father thereof The Devils did not that for the glory of God and Christ but to cause distrust in mens hearts for the Devil though he doe speak truth yet he doth it not without fraud and a false end that he may draw men into errour 571. Mat. 9. 6. The Son of man hath power to forgive sins 23. 34. Father forgive them they know not what they doe The Father gives the Son hath merited and the holy Ghost confirms salvation and remission of sins 572. Mat. 9. 1. Jesus sat at meat in Matthews house Luk. 5. 28. Matthew left all rose up and followed Christ Matthew left all things which might hinder him from following Christ as the receipt of custome and his Office of a Publican but he left not his house nor did he wholly cast away his houshold affairs 573. Mat. 9. 18. My daughter saith Jairus to Christ is even now dead Luk. 8. 42. The daughter of Jairus lay a dying being about twelve years old She lay a dying when her Father went forth of his house she was dead before Christ came to her 574. Mat. 10. 2. The first Simon Peter Andrew James John Mar. 3. 17. Peter James John Andrew Gal. 2. James Cephas The Apostles were equal in dignity and office but unequal in order The Evangelists in naming the
Matth. 7. 7. Seek and you shall finde In the first place he speaks of works so they that seek God and righteousnesse attain it not but in the later the promise is made to them that seek by faith 870. Rom. 11. 11. The fall of the Jews is for the salvation of the Gentiles that they may provoke them to emulation ch 3. 8. We must not do evil that good may come of it God rejected the Jews by his just judgement not that were guiltlesse but because they were rebellious and unbeleeving and so caused God to cast them off and to take the Gentiles in their room the later place is to be understood of the evil of punishment 871. Rom. 11. 22. The Jews that were cut off shall be engrafted again and the Gentiles shall be cut off Ch. 11. 29 15. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance The unbeleeving Jews are excluded but they that beleeve shall be grafted in again and be saved therefore here follows no change of the counsell of God 872. Rom. 11. 16. If the first fruits be holy the lump is also holy and if the root be holy so are the branches Mat. 12. 39. An evil and adulterous generation John 8. 44. The Jews were of their father the devil The Jews are called holy by right of the Covenant because they were separated from the prophane Gentiles thence it is concluded that all hope of salvation is not cut off from them they are called a perverse generation for their wicked works 873. Rom. 11. 17. The Gentiles were engrafted into the stock of the Jews or the Olive tree Ch. 6. 5. If we be planted into the likenesse of his death we shall be also into the likenesse of his resurrection Christ is the Vine the Olive tree the Figg tree in respect of his efficacy which is imputed to the Church by participation and they that are engrafted into Christ the Head are made members of the Church which is his Body 874. Rom. 11. 20. Be not high minded but fear v. 22. Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off ver 29. For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance The first place concerns hypocrites who profers the Doctrine of the Church the faithfull who are certain of their salvation by confidence from the heart fear with a filiall but not a servile fear for they are taught by that fear to be carefull that they do not by carnall security cast themselves into Gods displeasure 875. Rom. 11. 25. Blindnesse is happened in part unto Israel untill the fulnesse of the Gentiles be come in 1 Thess 2. 16. The wrath of God is come upon them to the uttermost The wrath of God remains upon the unbeleeving obstinate malicious Jews who crucified Christ persecuted the Apostles and hindred the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles 876. Rom. 11. 26. And all Israel shall be saved Luk. 18. 8. When the sonne of man cometh shall he finde faith on the earth Christ speaks comparatively extenuating the number of the faithfull in the last times either in respect of the multitude of the wicked or seduction of Antichrist but Antichrist being discovered and consumed with the blast of Gods mouth there will be a great multitude of the faithfull so that all Israel shall be saved for as the fulnesse of the Gentiles is not taken generally for the conversion of every individuall amongst the Gentiles but for a great part so it must be understood of the conversion of the Jews 877. Rom. 11. 32. God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all Matth. 7. 14. For straight is the way which leadeth unto life and few there are that finde it The Apostle understands all that is Jews and Gentiles who are not saved by themselves but of the meer mercy of God 878. Rom. 11. 34. For who hath known the minde of the Lord 1 Cor. 2. 16. But we have the minde of Christ The first place is concerning the inscrutable secrets of Gods wisdom which are not needfull for us to know the later is concerning mysteries that belong to our salvation revealed in Gods Word and such which no man by his naturall reason were it never so acute could ever come to know 879. Rom. 12. 20. Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon the head of thine enemy Matth. 5. 44. Love your enemies do good to them that hate you The Apostle understands here by coals the spirituall things of conscience not naturall coals for benefits done to an enemy are a cautery to his conscience which pricks and burns our adversary doth justly convince him and stirres him up to peace concord amendment of life let us therefore overcome evil with good and so win the victory over our enemies 880. Rom. 13. 1. There is no power but of God 1 Pet. 2. 13. Be subject to every Ordinance of man The Magistracy is a Divine Institution It is called the Ordinance of man because men undergo it and it is employed for the government of men and was ordained for the good of man though the Magistrate be ordain'd of men yet that is done by Divine Authority and subalternates disagree not 881. Rom. 13. 2. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God Matth. 22. 21. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods Preachers have authority to reprove the Magistate Theologically for his sinnes but not politiquely to resist him when he applies himself to Gods Commandments But if he shall degenerate into a Tyrant and Idolater and opposing 1 Tim. 5. 20. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Act. 5. 29. himself to God shall set up what is contrary to God then we must obey God rather then men For the second Table of the Law must give place to the first Table 882. Rom. 13. 5. You must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake Gal. 5. 1. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free The Decrees of the Magistrate if they agree with Gods Word and are appointed for good order they binde the conscience so also Ecclesiasticall constitutions for keeping the morall Laws are to be piously observed so farre as they hinder not the use of our Christian Liberty 883. Rom. 13 8. He that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law Matth. 22. 40. On these two Commandments the love of God and our neighbour hang all the Law and the Prophets The love of our neighbour proceeding from the love of God is the fulfilling of the Law since we have but the Image of God in our neighbour therefore God must be principally beloved 884. Rom. 13. 13. Let us not walk in strife and envying 1 Cor. 14. 39. Covet spirituall gifts Emulation joyned with envy by reason of anothers profit is evil and meant by the first place in the later sincerity of love proceeding from good zeal and Justicee 885. Rom. 14. 1. Him that is weak in the faith receive
2 Thess 2 2. The day of Christ is not at hand 1 Joh. 2. 18. It is the last time To be at hand and to draw near do differ the Apostle denieth that the day is at hand but he denieth not that it draweth near it is called the last time in respect of former time and because in the last time the day of judgement draweth nigh it is called the last hour in respect of God because our daies compared to eternity are but one moment and a thousand years in Gods sight as yesterday when it is past also all things are present with God 992. 2 Thess 3. 10. If any would not work neither should he eat 1 Cor. 9. 6. Have we not power to forbear working In the first place flesh and idlenesse are condemned in the later labour is commended which is wrought not with the hand alone but with the head also the Ministers of the Church are not to get their living by the labour of their hands being they are not Mechanicks The Apostle had a singular gift from God to preach extemporary and yet had he means from the 2 Cor. 1. 11. Churches Two Epistles of St PAUL to TIMOTHY THE first is a pattern for Pastors to shew them what they ought to be in Doctrine and Prayers and in Life with their families and laies down the way how to instruct all men of what state age or condition soever It was written from Laodicea in the Year of Christ 52. The second confirms Timothy that he should not be cast down in his minde by reason of the tempests of persecutions and warns him that in preaching the Gospel he should avoid false doctrine that he should be diligent and come unto him It was written from Rome when he was in prison in the year of Christ 70. 993. 1 Tim. 2. 4. God will have all men to be saved every one Acts 13. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeved All that beleeve in Christ God doth promote them to salvation and they by Gods Divine Decree are pre-ordained to eternall life for Christ is the Saviour of all especially of those who beleeve 994. 1 Tim. 2. 5. There is one Mediatour between God and man the man Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 26. The spirit makes intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered Christ is our only Mediatour of Redemption and Intercession the holy Ghost is said to pray for us when he stirreth up our hearts to prayer and causeth us to groan when we call upon God 995. 1 Tim. 2. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach Tit. 2. 3. Let the aged women be teachers of good things Women must not teach publikely in the Church least they should thereby take occasion of usurping authority over the men but let them be in subjection let the aged women teach the younger women modesty and prudence at home for that they are commanded to do 996. 1 Tim. 2. 15. Women shall be saved in childe bearing Joh. 3. 16. Whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall not perish but shall have everlasting life The first place is concerning the state of women and by for and in are set down for their consolation least being married they should fall from the hope of salvation but they must continue in faith love holinesse and sobriety 997. 1 Tim. 3. 1. If a man desireth the office of a Bishop he desireth a good work 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called To desire a Bishops Office for that end that a man may serve God faithfully is not disallowed if a man have an honest vocation and continue in it he doth well 998. 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Church of the living God is the pillar and ground of Truth 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid even Christ Jesus The pillar and ground he saith that the Church is but not the foundation it doth not primarily support the spirituall building but the Church it self is supported by the foundation 999. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee Luk. 2. 11. Christ the Lord is our Saviour The first place speaks of the instrument of our salvation in the Ministry of the Word whereby the faithfull attain salvation the later speaks of the meritorious cause and that is Christ 1000. 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sinne rebuke before all Matth. 18. 15. If thy brother trespasse against thee tell him his fault between him and thee alone In the first place he saith what the duty of Pastors is in rebuking sinnes which are committed publikely to the common scandall in the second he speaks of the sinnes of private men committed privately against private persons 1001. 1 Tim. 6. 10. The love of mony is the root of all evil Eccles 10. 9. Pride Pride and covetousnesse are almost alwaies joyned together He is proud who desireth to exceed his condition he is covetous that would have more then enough neither of them can be contented with God himself these two were in the sinne of the first man the chief ingredients 1002. 1 Tim. 6. 16. God only hath immortality Matth. 10. 28. The soules of men are immortall God of himself and in himself is immortall only but Angels and men by the grace of God 1003. 1 Tim. 6. 16. No man hath seen God 1 Joh. 3. 2. We shall see him as he is God being by nature invisible cannot be seen with bodily eyes The faithfull either see God by faith in this life or after a speciall manner in the life to come we shall see him as he is by a more perfect way then we do here by the participation of his glory 1004. 2 Tim. 2. 10. I endure all things for the elect sake that they may also obtain salvation 1 Pet. 3. 18. Christ hath once suffered for our sinnes The Apostle sustained all things for the elect sake not by satisfying for them but by his example edifying and confirming them that they might not refuse to suffer something when he saith that they obtain salvation by Christ he shuts out his own sufferings that they may not be reckoned for satisfactory 1005. 2 Tim. 2. 21. If any man purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour 1 John 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all our sinnes Paul means purging from the corruptions of doctrine and manners ver 18. John shews a plenary redemption from our sinnes by Christ Jesus The Epistle of St PAUL to TITUS IT is the compendium of Christian Doctrine informing Teachers set in the Ecclesiasticall State Politicall or Oeconomicall what they ought to do he exhorts all and every one to good works and to fly vain questions and heresies It was written from Nicopolis in the Year of Christ 54. 1006. Tit. 1. 9. Able by sound Doctrine to convince gainsayers ch 3. 9. Avoid foolish questions contentions and strivings
about the Law In the first place he requires that Teachers by their Office shall rebuke those that are gainsayers with all long suffering and sobriety in the later that they avoid janglings about words that is contentious clamorous unprofitable Disputations and verball Discourse which tends not to edification either with Heretiques or others in the Church because they edifie none but rather confirm them in their sinnes 1007. Tit. 2. 15. Rebuke with all authority 1 Tim. 3. 3. A Bishop must be no striker Titus was gentle by nature therefore he is warned to rebuke with authority He inculcates to Timothy modesty and mildnesse that when he rebukes he should not strike but should rebuke diversly according to the diversity of mens faults offices ages degrees otherwise old men otherwise young men otherwise those that sinne of malice otherwise those that sinne of infirmity otherwise those that were ready to obey and otherwise those that were obstinate as there were in Crete many despisers of the Ministry The Epistle of St PAUL to PHILEMON HE intercedes for Onesimus who was runne from his Master Philemon and would have his Master receive him again 1008. Philem. v. 5. He had love and faith toward all the Saints Mark 16. 16. John 3. 16. Whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall be saved Philemon did testifie to all men by his works of love toward the Saints that he had a lively faith in Christ The Epistle to the HEBREWS is also thought to be St PAULS but his Name was left out least the Jews should be deterred from the reading of it HE describes the person of Christ according to his Divine and humane Nature and he confirms his Offices Priestly Kingly and Propheticall and exhorts the Jews to faith constancy and good works by the example of the Fathers 1009. Heb. 1. 3. Christ sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Acts 7. 55. Steven saw the son of man standing at the right hand To sit at the right hand is to have all Glory Majesty Kingdom and Power both in heaven and in earth The Lamb standing at Gods right hand which was slain for us and intercedes as a Priest on our behalf stands as Aaron stood with his Censer of old betwixt the living and the dead to turn away the wrath of God 1010. Heb. 2. 3. The Gospel was confirmed unto us by those that heard Christ Gal. 1. 12. I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ In the first place it is spoken of the Apostles who were with the Lord into which number Paul was taken after Christs resurrection and he was more confirmed after his admission communicating with them those things that he had learned by revelation from Christ 1011. Heb. 7. 19. The Law made nothing perfect James 1. 25. The perfect Law of liberty The first place is concerning the Ceremoniall Law which the Jews abused separating the Law from Grace and the Spirit of Christ and opposing the Law to the Gospel The later place is concerning the whole Doctrine divinely revealed comprehended in Gods Word which contains not only in writing Morall Precepts but also Promises concerning Christ of all which Christ is the soul recreating our souls by his Spirit and enlightning our eyes 1012. Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is Rom. 2. 6. God shall render to every man according to his deeds We must beleeve because faith is the means and the instrument of our Justification God shall render to every one according to his works because works are the outward testimoniall and mark of our Faith and Justification before God 1013. Heb. 11. 13. The Patriarchs all died not having received the promises ver 33. Obtained promises Acts 2. 39. The promise is made unto you The promise made to the Fathers was temporall concerning the possession of the Land of Canaan which Abraham Isaac and Jacob Act. 7. 5. obtain'd not by themselves but by their successours but the promise was spirituall concerning Christ to be sent and that by faith in Joh. 8. 56. him they should obtain eternall life so the Fathers obtained the promises because they saw Christ afar off and rejoyced that Christ should come they did not obtain the promises because he came not in their daies yet they beleeved he should come 1014. Heb. 12. 17. Esau found no place for repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Acts 2. 38. Repent for the remission of your sinnes Repentance if it be taken passively is referred to Esau's father whose minde could not be changed with his prayers that so he might revoke the blessing conferred upon Jacob but Gen. 27. 33. v. 45. take it actively concerning Esau's repentance and that was not serious but hypocriticall who intended to kill his brother The Canonicall Epistle of St JAMES HE warns them who boasted of their faith without works that they should shew their faith by their works in the Divine Law and flee from sinnes that are forbidden and embrace virtues that are commanded 1015. James 1. 5. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God 1 Cor. 3. 18. If any man amongst you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise The first place is concerning spirituall and heavenly wisdome the Authour whereof is God the later concerning vain earthly worldly wisdome and carnall which is foolishnesse with God 1016. James 1. 25. ch 2. 12. The perfect Law of liberty Gal. 4. 24. Which gendreth unto bondage In the former place not only the Morall Joh. 8. 36. Law according to which whosoever liveth is free but also the Doctrine of the Gospel whence true liberty results is to be understood in the later in respect of us and by accident it is called the Law of bondage 1017. James 2. 24. A man is justified by works and not by faith only Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law The sayings of the Apostles Paul and James Aug quest 76. are not repugnant one to the other the one saith that a man is justified by faith without works the other saith that faith is dead without works those works that go before faith are vain but he speaks of those works that follow faith Paul considers a man justified before God James a man justified before men Paul speaks of true internall faith which justifies in the sight of God James of the outward profession of faith historicall knowledge and the effects and testimonies of it The two Epistles of the Apostle St PETER THe former commemorates Gods benefits exhorts all men in generall to the duties of piety and honesty toward God themselves and their neighbours but in particular in their Domesticall Politique and Ecclesiasticall condition c. the later warns the faithfull that they proceed in godlinesse and fly from false teachers deriders and such as deny the