The right of living is one thing the possession another Abraham had the right to the land and he had the possession but it was in his seed and posterity 69. Gen. 13.16 I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth 2 Sam. 24.9 And Joab gave up the summe of the number of the people unto the King The posterity of Abraham which were and are before the numbring David made cannot be numbred nor had David the compleat number of the people from Joab who gave the King a lesse number of the people than they were * 70. Gen. 14.13 And these were confederate with Abraham 2 Chron. 19. Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that help the Lord. The Law of God forbids leagues with Infidels and wicked men but not all leagues those are condemned only which are against true Religion Marriages or joyning in armes except in the case of publick necessity as Asa with Benadab Josaphat with Achab c. but such leagues as are concerning the defending of their Countrey preserving neighbourhood of not making inroads of prâ—serving the publick peace or mutuall commerce where Religion is not hurt are not forbidden but are adjudged lawfull and necessary such a league was this of Abraham with the neighbouring Cananites * 71. Gen. 15.6 Whereby shall I know this Matth. 12.39 An evill and adulterous generation seeks after a sign It is one thing to ask a sing for the confirmation of temporall promises where the thing was obscure and altogether hid another thing to ask a sign to demonstrate a thing which might otherwise be known Abraham seeking a sign was a speciall motion of Gods Spirit which Christ condemns not for it hath been permitted to some by a peculiar favour as to Gideon and Hezekiah which they did not so much out of incredulity as out of a desire to be forfeited against humane infirmity or he asked this Question not so much doubting of the thing promised as desiring to know somewhat more particularly of the manner of performance Abraham might well seek a sign in a thing which he had no promise on before nor no footstep of the manner of the comming of it discovered there being many difficulties to encounter withall before it could be effected The Jews they might have sought the Scriptures and found so clear evidences that Jesus was the Christ that they need not seek any signes concerning him 72. Gen. 15.6 Abraham believed God and he counted it unto him for righteousnesse James 2.21 Abraham was justified by works Abraham before God was justified by faith and was declared to be just by his works before men offering up his son Isaac upon the Altar 73. Gen. 15.13 Thy seed shall be a stranger in a Land that is not theirs and shall serve them 400 years Exod. 12.40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Aegypt was 430 years In the Scripture the years are not alwayes precisely numbred the lesser number is omitted and here under the greater round number the lesse is comprehended * Gen. 15.13 with Exod. 12.40 In a great summe so small a number comes under no particular account as the 72 Interpreters are called the 70 and this account is not to begin lower than the giving of the promise to Abraham to the deliverance of the Israelites out of Aegypt and the giving of the Law were 430 years Exod. 12.40 Gal. 3.13 of which neither 405 nor 400 nor 430 was spent under the Egyptian persecution for though the account end with their parting thence it did not begin with their coming thither but so much of the time was run before Jacob's coming thither and so much after that peaceably passed on untill the death of Joseph so as some account the time of their rigid servitude to an 140 some to a 121 at the most the summe of 430 equally divided the one half spent before their going into Aegypt the other half in their abiding there 215 before their going into Aegypt reckoned thus from the promise given to Abraham to the birth of Isaac 25 from the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob 60 years from thence to their coming into Aegypt 130 in all 215 the other 215 thus 94 before the death of Levi 121 betwixt his death and their deliverance out of Aegypt Chrys hom 36. in Gen. 74. Gen. 15.15 Thou shalt go to thy Fathers in peace Joshua 24.2 Terah and his fathers served other Gods To go to his Fathers that is to die it is an Hebrew phrase Also by the name of Fathers here may be understood Adam Abel Noah c. to whom he went by faith * 75. Gen. 15.16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again 1 Chro. There are reckoned six in the Tribe of Judah from Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Phares Hezron Chaleb so in the Tribe of Levi from Abraham to Moses are reckoned six from Abraham Isaac Jacob Levi Cahath Amram Moses Answ In the fourth generation that is in the 400 year 100 year to a generation or somewhat about this which for evennesse and rotundity is not reckoned Or Secondly By the fourth generation is meant the fourth geniture or birth of the Father and the Son so the fourth generation is to be reckoned from the descent of the sonnes of Jacob into Aegypt to their entrance into Canaan as in the Tribe of Judah from Judah to Phares from Phares to Hesron from Hesron to Caleb so in Levi Levi Cahath Amram Moses Thirdly It is one thing to begin the reckoning of four generations from the day that God made this promise to Abraham at which time Abraham had none at all and another thing to begin their account from the time that their servitude in a strange Nation which God foretold should determine before ever God promised the returning of any fourth generations he told Abraham they must first fojourne in a strange Land then in the fourth generation of them whom God brings out thence they shall return to this Land which account Moses set down Exod. 6.16 reckoning from Levi whose first generation was Coath the second was Amram the third Aaron the fourth Eliazar who divided the Land at the time God had foretold Abraham 76. Gen. 16.9 The Angel of the Lord said unto Hagar Return to thy Mistress Chap. 21.12 God commands Abraham to send Hagar away First Hagar flying of her own accord was commanded to return to her Mistresse Gal. 4.22 Chap. 31. then being thrust out by force she staid in the desert the Apostle expounds that figure and applies it to the Old and New Testament 77. Gen. 17.12 God appointed circumcision 1 Cor. 7.19 Circumcision is nothing Circumcision by divine institution in the Old Testament was a sacrament to the coming of Christ but in the New Testament it is nothing nor is profitable to our salvation we must therefore distinguish the times of the Old and New Testament 78. Gen. 18.25 Thou shalt not kill the righteous with the
written by Samuel It contains the History of three hundred years * 278. JUdg 3.11 The Land had rest forty years Under this number are all the yeares comprehended from the death of Joshua to the death of Othniel as also the eight years of the servitude under the Syrians The lesser number is to be counted under the greater and more complete * 279. Judg. 3.30 The Land had rest eighty years c. Here from the death of Othniel are numbred also the years of Ehud and Samgar for Ehud could not be Judg eighty years for when these years are expired the whole time of man is run out The like we meet with Jud. 5.31 8.28 9.22 10.2 3. 11.26 where in the three hundred yeares are included the forty years of their carrying in the desart 280 Judg. 5.31 Let all the enemies of the Lord perish Prov. 25.21 If thy enemy hunger feed him with bread Mat. 5.44 Luk. 6.35 Rom. 12.20 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 281. Judg. 6.17 36. Gideon asketh a signe from God Mat. 12.39 An evill generation seek for a signe Gideon was confirmed in his office by a signe given from God so Moses and Joshua Christ calls the Pharisees an evill generation justly because they out of curiosity sought for a signe Let us be content with the Word of God 282. Judg. 6.21 Gideon sacrified on a rock Lev. 1.5 The sons of Aaron shall offer the sacrifices on the Altar Gideon 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 Gideon did was from divine instinct * 283. Judg. 9.18 with the whole Chapter and Chap. 8.3 Object It s gathered that there were not seaventy but sixty eight for Abimelech one of the brethren was the slayer and the youngest Jonathus fled Answ The Scripture often puts a round and full number neglecting the lesser or more which either come short or exceed it as Numb 11. There is said to be seaventy Elders when in truth there were seaventy two so here on the contrary seaventy for sixty eight * 284. Judg. 10.1 with Judg. 6.15 Of the Tribe of Issachar of the Tribe of Manasse Answ Gideon and Phua although brothers by the same venter yet of severall Fathers of severall Tribes A woman might marry to a man of another Tribe so as the heritage was not transferred into another Tribe * 285. Judg. 10.4 with Numb 23.41 Object This latter saith they were called Jair from one of an Elder date from Jair the sonne of Manasses Answ The elder Jair gave a name to the Villages The latter to the Walls which encompassed them and so made them Townes or Cities and further he strengthned and confirmed their names * 286. Judg. 11.26 Israel dwelt in Heshbon and Aroer and their Towns three hundred years These years are to be reckoned from the departure of all the Israelites out of Aegypt after this manner the time of their abode in the wildernesse forty yeares the Government of Joshua seaventeen of Othniel forty Iudg. 3.11 of Ehud and Samgar eighty Iudg. 3.30 Barak forty Gideon forty Iudg. 8.28 Abimelech three Iudg. 9.22 Tolah twenty three Iudg. 10.2 Iair twenty two Iudg. 10.3 The whole in all is three hundred and five years Here therefore the five years odde are not named it may be because this even number three hundred is fitter both for the computation and the speech 287. Judg. 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 up their sonnes 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 he consecrated his daughter for the work of the Sanctuary Verse 38. for she being sanctified to God knew no man and she bewailed her virginity 288. Judg. 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 Numb 6. who gave themselves wholly to meditate upon divine matters and others which were born so as Samson here on whose head never razor 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 uncleanness commonly called a Nazarite because he was brought up in the Town of Nazareth * 289. Judg. 18.1 with Josh 19.47 It s said Dans Lot was the seaventh Lot Answ The Lot assigned them in regard the Amorites possessed a great part thereof was not great enough for them nor was it large enough for them in regard of their numerous Tribe * 290. Judg. 20.46 with 35. There were slain of the Benjamites twenty five thousand Vers 35. twenty five thousand one hundred men Answ An hundred are not counted it may be because this even number of twenty five thousand is fitter for computation and speech * 291. Judg. 21.4 with Exod. 38. There were no more Altars to be built after the erecting of that by Moses Answ Not without the Tabernacle but within the Tabernacle or Temple they might erect as many as was sufficient for the sacrifice as Solomon did 1 Kings 8. But without the Tabernacle none was to be erected without a special dispensation from the Lord. 292. 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 enemines RUTH IT is so named from Ruth a woman Samuel describes in this Book Ruths dutifullnesse to her Mother in Law and the integrity of Boas who was Davids Grandfather 293. 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 294. 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 sonne of Lot of his posterity they were not forbid to marry wives but of the Hittites Gergeshites Amorites Cananites Perisites Hivites Jebusites c. Ruth followed the true Religion and the Nation of the Jewes and not the Moabites The two Books of SAMUEL Heb. Schemuel IN the first Book is described the life and death of Samuel with the Governement of Saul In the second the translation of the Kingdome to David and his administration of it Samuel writ the first Book to the twenty fift Chapter The rest with the second Book were writ by Nathan and Gad both Prophets In these two Bookes is contained the History of an Hundred and Twenty yeares * 295. 1 SAM 1.1 with 1 Cro. 6.33 The one saith Elcanah was of the Tribe of Levi the other saith he was an Ephramite Answ He was truely of the Tribe of Levi but born of the City Ramata a Levites City so that by dwelling he was an Ephramite yet Levitish Parents So some think those Cretes and Arabians in Acts were Jewes by birth the other by dwelling * 296. 1 Sam. 1.12 with Numb 3.45 Object How was Samuel dedicated by his Mother to the Lord since all Levites were so by institution Answ The Levites were so from thirty to fifty by the Lords Institution Numb 4.2 But Hanna devoted her sonne to be a Nazarite in perpetuall obedience * 297. 1 Sam. 3.7 And Samuel yet knew not the Lord with 1 Sam. 2. Samuel grew and pleased the Lord and men Object How could he please the Lord and not know the Lord Answ This Text speaks of a peculiar knowledg and science which the Lord indewed Prophets withall sensibly and by revelation 298. 1 Sam. 3.13 Eli knew his sonnes did wickedly and he restained 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 sonnes was too gentle nor is it accounted for a restraint Chrysostome saith if Eli had been unreproveable himself in his life In Mat. hom 17. he should more sharply have corrected his sonnes treading under foot the Law of God therefore was he justly punished 299. 1 Sam. 7.2 From the day that the Arke of God abode in Kiriath-jearim the time was long for it was twenty yeares and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 1 Chron. 13.6 David in the fifth yeare brought it from thence The Ark was in Kiriath-jearim unto the dayes 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 * 300. 1 Sam. 8.6 with Deut. 17. Object How should it be so displeasing to the Lord to have the Israelietes ask a King of God and yet he sets a King over them or suffer them to have one Ans The people offended not in asking a King that would be guided by Gods Laws but their offence was in asking a King to be governed by strange and barbarous Laws such as the Nations had and upon this account it was that the Kings Laws are held to be unjust * 1 Sam. 8.18 with 1 Sam. 9.16 The Lord refuseth to answer the people when they cry against the oppression of their Kings which they so desired He refused not to hear their prayers in other afflictions * 1 Sam. 11.1 with 1 Sam. 12.12 Naas is said to fight against Jabesh Galead after Sauls election one moneth and yet it s said it was before this Answ Naas undertook this expedition against Israel before Sauls election and Israel hereupon made tearms of agreement but having this new and fresh occasion the Tyrant renews his Wars 301. 1 Sam. 9 16. Thou shalt annoint 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 anger and took him away in my wrath God gave a lawful Magistrate of his mercy for the good of the godly to defend them against the Philistines yet because by diffidence of God they sought for a King after the example of the Nations as if they could not be safe without a King therefore God gave them a King in his anger * 302. 1 Sam. 10.6 And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee and thou shalt prophesie with them and be turned into another man Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sonnes of God The true and sanctifying graces and gifts of the holy Spirit is one thing the common illuminations of the Spirit are another The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul with gifts fitted for a King to make him exercise that office better than another man but not the sanctifying graces as faith repentance c. for these come onely on the Elect which are the Sonnes of God * 303. 1 Sam. 13.1 And Saul reigned two years over Israel That is he reigned according to Law and Equity or de jure rightly God by reason of the Princes wickednesse leaves out or omits his name or the number of his years * 1 Sam. 13.1 with Acts 13.20 Answ These forty years seem to take in the Regiment of Samuel and Saul Paul joyns them both together Saul begun to reign in the thirty eighth year of Samuel and so onely two is for Saul Or as others Saul reigned more than two years but he reigned onely two years unblameably in which he represented his child-like candor and upon this account Saul begun his reign in the twenty three of Samuel 1 Sam. 13.14 David was a man after Gods own heart Acts 3. 2 Sam. 11.4 An adulterer Verse 5. A Murderer David amended all by repentance and the heart of God is that he desireth not the death of a sinner but rather that he should be converted and live Just Mart quaest 78. David indeed erred in many things yet was he constant in the Covenant with God * 304. 1 Sam. 14.3 with 1 Sam. 22. Abimelech the Sonne of Achitob Answ The Priests had two names as many others in the Scripture 305. 1 Sam. 15.24 Saul said to Samuel I have sinned now therefore I pray thee pardon my sin Esay 43.25 I am he saith the Lord that blot out thy transgressions for my Name sake God by his own authority but men ministerially from God remit sinnes and declare to those that are penitent the pardon of their sins for Christs sake 306. 1 Sam. 15.35 After Agag was slain Samuel saw Saul no more Chap. 19.24 Saul prophesied with the rest before Samuel Samuel saw him no more when he had withdrawn himself from Saul till he had joyned himself to the company of Prophets or he never saw him more in his Kingly ornament or to converse familiarly with
11. others unclean secundum accidens as being torn of wild beasts or found dead The Raven was unclean as the Gentiles used them in sacrifice as some think however it fed on Carrion But yet not so unclean as to be touched or to eat that it brought However this was an extraordinary case of necessity which will grant a dispensation in Ceremoniall uncleanness 371. 1 Kings 17.22 Elias raised the sonne of the Widow of Sarepta 2 Kings 4.18 Elizaeus raiseth the Shunamites childe John 5.28 God quickneth the dead God raiseth the dead by his own power the Prophets did it not by their own power but by power from him and so confirmed the heavenly doctrine 372. 1 Kings 19.11 The Lord was not in the wind or the tempest Ephes 4.6 God is all in all Act. 12.21 God did not reveal his presence to Elias in the wind or tempest though he be otherwise in all his creatures * 1 Kings 19.11 with Eph. 4.6 Gods essence and presence is one thing the manifestation of that presence is another God was and is in all things but doth not visibly manifest himself in all things The former place speaks not simply but by way of manifestation The latter place speaks of God simply considered and as his power is in all things * 373. 1 Kings 22.42 And he reigned twenty five yeares in Jerusalem 1 Kings 22.41 And he began to reign the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel 2 Kings 8.16 And in the fifth year of Joram the sonne of Ahab the King of Judah c. began to reign Joram the sonne of Jehosaphat began to reign when as yet Jehosaphat was King of Judah 1 Chron. 21.3 Jehosaphat gave him the Kingdome and yet not so but that he was still King his sonne reigning with him four years as some or seaven as others which will solve the doubt By the 2d Kings 3.1 it appeareth that in the eighteenth year of Jehosaphat Joram King of Israel began to reign and by 2 Kings 1.17 that the eighteenth year of Jehosaphat was Jorams second year and by 2 Kings 8.16 Joram the sonne of Jehosaphat did not begin to reign but in the fift year of the other Joram King of Israel Whence we must conclude that in these twenty five years of the reign of Jehosaphat is comprehended all the time from his succession to the Kingdom even to his death whereof he reigned sixteen years alone and then he joyned his sonne Joram with him for seven yeares space and at last put the whole Government into his hand disburthening himself of it two years before his death * 374. 1 Kings 22.15 This prophesie seems to be false for the King was slain in the battle Answ The Prophet spake ironically which the King might easily perceive by his gesture or manner of speaking and hereupon it was the King adjures him to lay aside all fiction and tell him the truth which the Prophet did 375. 1 Kings 22.49 Ahasias the sonne of Ahab said unto Jâ—hâ—saphat Let my servants go with thy servants in the Ships but Jehosaphat would not 2 Chron. 20.35 Iehosaphat joyned himself with Ahasias King of Israel to make Ships to goe to Tarsis Iehosaphat first refused the friendship of Ahazias but at length he granted 376. 2 Kings 1.10 Elias consumed two fifties with fire Luke 9.54 Christ forbade his Disciples to do so Elias was the executer of the wrath of God on the enemies of God The Disciples would rashly have done the like their vocation was not to return evill for evill but to overcome evill with good and to love their enemies * 377. 2 Kings 1.17 And Ahaziah died c. with 2 Kings 1.17 Iehoram the son of Ahab reigned in the eight c. Iehosaphat determined in the seventeenth year of his reign to help King Ahab against the Syrians appointed his sonne Ioram to be Viceroy in the eighteenth year of his own reign and in the second of his sons Ioram the son of Ahab reigned Afterwards in the fift yeare of this Ioram the son of Ahab Iehosaphat being strucken in age confirmeth his Kingdome to his son Ioram Who is said to have reigned eight yeares some whilst his father was alive and four alone by himself after the death of his father 378. 2 Kings 4.29 Go and if thou meet any man salute him not Rom. 16.10 Salute one the other with an holy kiss Salute the Churches Superstitious salutations must be rejected profitable and honest salutations by which we wish good and profit to our neighbour must be observed The command of Elisha to his servant obliged him that without delay or lingring he should performe his errand for what he was commanded was a singular charge * 379. 2 Kings 8.10 Go tell him he shall be healed and presently after the Lord hath shewed me he shall dye the death The Prophet either spake ironically or else he spake according to the mind of the party inquiring for the Question was Whether the disease was mortall to whom the Prophet answered as before the King grew well of that infirmity and died not then but by an externall cause was suffocated as Verse 15. and so they are two answers to severall causes or cases 380. 2 Kings 8.25 Ahasiah reigned in the twelfth year of Ioram the sonne of Ahab Chap. 9.29 In the eleventh year of Ioram the son of Ahab Ahasiah raigned over Iudah In the end of the eleventh year and beginning of the twelfth of Ioram Ahasiah began to reign 381. 2 Kings 8.26 Ahasiah was twenty two years old when he began to reign 2 Chron. 22.2 Ahasiah was forty two years old when he began to reign Ahasiah his age in the former place and the time of the reign of all the house of Omni is put in the latter place 2 Kings 8.26 with 2 Kings 9.29 2 Chron. 22.2 Here seemeth to be two plain differences the one about the age of Ahaziah and the other about the time when he began to reign Answ Ioram the sonne of Ahab reigned one whole year in the life time of his father and eleven years afterward and so one Text calleth his last year his twelfth i. e. of his whole reign and another Text calleth it the eleventh i. e. his sole reign after his fathers death As for the other difference which seemeth the more difficult Ahaziah was but two and twenty c. and Chronicles saith forty two years and so this latter maketh him two years elder than his father for his father began to reign when he was thirty two years old and reigned eight years and so died being forty 2 Kings 8.17 Now for the reconciling of this scruple the Originall helpeth us which in our Translation is not visible The Originall meaneth thus Ahaziah was the son of the two and forty years namely of the house of Omir of whose s ed he was by the Mothers side and he walked in the wayes of that house and came to run at the same time
you but you are washt When Solomon speaks of none returning he speaks comparatively none in regard of the multitudes that never return There are so few return that they may be accounted none in comparison of the multitudes that perish by whoredome And though some of the Corinthians returned yet they were but some few and unus vir nullus vir 552. Prov. 4.3 Solomon was the only son of his Mother 2 Sam. 11.27 Bathsheba bare sons to David Siman Sobab Nathan Solomon was so beloved of his Mother for the singular gifts of nature as though he had been her only son 553. Prov. 6.6 Go to the Airs thou sluggard and consider her wayes Psal 55.22 Cast thy way upon the Lord and he shall bring it to passe Solomon by the example of the Pismire would bring idle slothfull people to honest labour The Psalmist warns all to trust in God and his providence yet not so that we should omit any thing of our duty for so God doth govern all things that he will have us to use lawfull means and effect all our works by them So when Christ faith Be not carefull for the morrow Luke 12.15 Theoph. he doth not forbid us to work or to give our selves over to care and to neglect Gods providence for we are commanded to till the ground and to take care to live 554. Prov. 6.39 It is no great fault for a man to steal to fill his hungry soul Exod. 20.15 Thou shalt not steal Solomon compareth Theft with Adultery and he determines that the punishment and the offence is lesse in Theft than Adultery 555. Prov. 6.31 A Thief if he be found shall restore seven fold he shall give all the substance of his house Exod. 22.1 If any man steal an oxe or a sheep or have killed or sold it he shall restore five oxen for one and four sheep for a sheep If a man stole money or cloaths he must restore seven fold for the seventh number being perfect he must redeem his life by it Thefts which could be hid were more heavily punished than such as could not so well be hid as Cattle * 556. Prov. 8.5 O ye simple understand wisdome Prov. 24.7 Wisdom too high for a foole Simplicity which is naturall is one thing simplicity which is heightned is another Oh ye poor souls which are naturally simple though you cannot by your selves understand wisdom which is spirituall yet come hither and by using of the meanes you may attain to a right understanding of wisdom or divine knowledge There are men which are naturally ignorant and bemone their ignorance being willing to be instructed in the things of God such simple ones are called Others are fooles in spirituall things and yet think themselves wise these cannot attain to wisedom * 557. Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me 1 Jo. 4.19 He loved us first God first loves the creatures and infuseth his graces into their hearts whereby they love him and then he loves them for loving him so that the last Text shews that Gods loving us is the cause of our loving him The second Text tells us he rewards our loving him not as merita nostra but as dona sua 558. Prov. 8.23 I Wisedom was creaâ—â—d from the beginning 2 Peter 1.19 21. Holy men spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost in time First is meant the essentiall wisdome of God that is Christ the Lord but the Apostle means wisdome revealed by the Prophets 559. Prov. 8.35 He that findeth wisdome findeth life Eccles 2.16 There shall be no remembrance more of the wise than of the fool forever In the former place we must understand divine wisdome which conferres eternall life In the latter humane wisdome which profits nothing after death * 560. Prov. 13.15 The way of transgressors is hard Mat. 7.13 Broad is the way The way of transgressors is hard or harsh displeasing to good men Nor doth the breadth hinder the hardnesse of the way For a way which is broad may be hard Broad in regard of the liberty they take to themselves hard in regard of the judgement of others yea their way is hard in themselves * 561. Prov. 15.27 He that hate-eth gifts shall live Prov. 17.8 A gift is a pretious stone in the eyes of him that hath it whithersoever it turneth it prospereth He that hateth gifts shall live comfortably in respect of his own house of his own conscience and of his own renown he shall live in the desires and memories of good men and he shall live in the sight of God and with him When Solomon tells us of a gift being a precious stone he intends in the eyes of those which giveth it they thinking that they by their gifts shall prosper and be glorious Not that he doth by these words approve either of giving or taking gifts but shews what the givers commonly esteem them 562. Prov. 15.27 He that hates gifts shall live Chap. 17.8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it Chap. 18.16 A mans gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men A gift to corrupt covetous Judges is accepted and causeth that he that corrupts the Judges may attain his end that he desires for he that bribes oft-times obtains what his mind wished for * Prov. 15.27 with 17.8 and 18.16 The first place relates to Magistrates and those who may have gifts offered them to hinder justice Such as refuse gifts as bribes may live in the favour of God The second place speaks of gifts as they are commonly esteemed of men by reason of the corruption of their minds even as pretious pearles drawing mens eyes The third place speaks what effects gifts have with many if not with the most men it tells us not what they ought to have 563. Prov. 16.4 God made all things for himself Vers 4. The wicked also for the day of wrath Since God hath ordained the wicked for the day of wrath he hath ordained him for his own glory for when he punisheth wicked men with temporall or eternall punishments he justifieth himself in his own glory God created wicked men also but he created not their wickednesse * Prov. 16.4 with 4. For the day of wrath The end of a thing is either ultimate or lesse principall God made all things ultimately for his own glory but there are proximate or lesse principall ends and thus God made the wicked for the day of wrath yet he so made them for the day of wrath that in the ultimate end they might be to his glory 564. Prov. 16.6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged Heb. 9.22 And without shedding blood there is no remission Mercy and Truth are understood of God himself 1 Joh. 1.7 who is the primary cause of the remission of sinnes nor doth this contradict the meritorious effusion of Christs bloud for us whereby we are cleansed * Prov. 16.6 with Heb. 9.22 Mercy and truth are either understood
Lord will do The first That wicked men will not take notice of the Lords glorious works though the works being considered in themselves are glorious The second place shews what a glorious work that of redemption should be that even all that would see and take notice of it not shutting their eyes and being obstinate as the wicked do might see it * 607. Isai 26.14 They are dead they shall not live Vers 19. Thy dead men shall live The condition of wicked men perishing is one thing the Saints rising is another There is a difference betwixt men that are dead to God and men that are Gods dead men or that die for God or are his The former Texts speaks of oppressors which are but dead though they live they are many times cut off in the midst of their dayes they shall not live but those that are dead or slain upon Gods account shall live again live for ever 608. Isai 26.20 The wicked will not behold the Majesty of the Lord. Chap. 40.5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it The Prophet speaks concerning the Kingdome of Christ and the state thereof and he teacheth in the former place that the wicked shall be so blinded that they cannot perceive the mighty worke of God wherein he hath shewed his greatnesse his glory his power and his mercy which blindnesse of theirs doth not take away the glory of God and of Christs Kingdome which all men may see in the saving work of mans Redemption 609. Isai 28.16 Behold I lay in Sion a stone a sure foundation faith the Lord. 1 Cor. 3 10. I have laid the foundation saith Paul God laid the foundation of our salvation in respect of his decree the sending of his Sonne and the perfection of mans salvation Paul laid the foundation in respect of manifestation and of his office and of the Christian Religion at Corinth * 610. Isai 30.26 The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun seven-fold Matth. 24.29 The Sun shall be darkned and the Moon shall not give her light Spirituall shining is one thing naturall is another The light and knowledge of God should so farre exceed that which it had been that as much as the Moon light was inferiour to that of the Sun so much the knowledge of that time should be inferiour to that which was to be in after ages Nor yet doth this hinder but that at the generall desolution of the world the naturall lights of the Sun and Moon should be obscured * 611. Isai 30.20 Thy Teachers shall not be removed into a Corner any more Phil. 5.1 Paul a prisoner c. The former place speaks comparatively thy Teachers shall not as formerly be removed into corners but there shall be more plenty Nor doth this hinder but God may upon speciall occasions remove this and that Teacher and suffer them to be imprisoned as Paul though he never leaveth his Church in generall without Teachers Some distinguish betwixt teaching in Corners and Teachers to be driven to Corners by persecution * 612. Isai 31.7 Idols of Silver and of Gold which your own hands have made 1 Cor. 8.4 We know that an Idol is nothing Idols are something materiall or in relation to the substance that they are framed of they are nothing in relation to their effects and energies an Idol is of no force or value * 613. Isai 33.52 The Lord is our Law-giver Gal. 3.19 The Law was Ordained by Angels The former place speaks of God as the Author the latter place denies not God to be the Author but speaks of Angels as instruments or meanes by which the Lord gave the Law * 614. Isai 35.8 He was taken from prison and from judgement and who shall declare his generation Act. 8.33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away It is one thing to quote the word another thing the sense Luke quoted the sense and substance of what the Prophet had said and not the words He was taken away from the judgement of his adversaries and delivered from prison What else was that but the exalting of his own judgement above them that past upon him The word that is rendred is as well to lift up a thing as to take away 615. Isa 38.1 2 Kings 20.1 2 Chron. 32.24 Set thy house in order for thou shalt dye and not live Vers 5. I will adde unto thy dayes fifteen years saith the Lord. Augustine saith that Ezechias was in order to dye according to some causes of future events In Gen. tit lib. 6. cap. 17. yet God added fifteen years to his life doing onely that which he foreknew he would do before the beginning of the world Gods justice brought the command for Ezechias death but his mercy prolonged his life and so Ezechias Piety and Repentance is proved 616. Isai 41.7 Chap. 46.6 They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance and hire a Goldsmith and he wageth it a God 1 Cor. 8.4 An Idoll is nothing Silver and Gold and such materials as the Idols are made of were created by God but relatively unto God they are said to be nothing because they have nothing of God in them for God will not be worshipped by Idols 617. Isai 42.8 Chap. 48.11 I will not give my glory to another Matth. 11.29 Chap. 28.19 All power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth God will not give his praise and glory to an Image Christ to whom all power and glory is given is not only man but the true and eternall God also with the Father and the holy Ghost having co-equall glory with them but by reason of his office of Mediator all things are given him of the Father 618. Isai 42.8 I will not give my glory to another Rom. 8.14 The glory of God shall be revealed in us The first place is concerning those things wherein God will be glorified by us in this life that is by worship adoration invocation The letter concerning the participation and place of glory in the life to come which he will communicate to us 619. Isai 42.10 Sing unto the Lord a new Song that is the Gospell Gen. 3.15 It was Sung in Paradise concerning the blessed seed of woman That Evangelicall Song is called new not for time but because it comprehends new and wonderfull things a new light is kindled by it it makes a new Creature and shews us the new way to heaven 620. Isai 45.6 7. I am the Lord and there is none else I forme the light and create darknesse I make peace and create evill I the Lord do all these things Gen. 1.31 And all that God made was good God makes evill not of sinne but of punishment and calamity by which he justly afflicts sinners Also the Prophet here opposeth the evill of the misery of war to the good
of his Government Sedechias was put by force not by right into his place by Nebuchadonozer 660. Jer. 37.14 Jeremy said I fall not away to the Chaldeans Chap. 21.9 He that goeth out and fals to the Chaldeans shall live Jeremy taken in the gate defendeth his innocency that he fell not to the Chaldeans nor was a betrayer of his Countrey but he said that he would go into the Land of Benjamin 661. Jer. 52.31 In the thirty seventh year of the captivity of Jehojakim King of Judah in the twelfth moneth in the twenty fifth day of the moneth Evilmerodach lifted up the head of Jehojakim King of Judah 2 Kings 25.27 In the thirty seventh year of the captivity of Jehojakim he was lifted up in the twelfth moneth the seven and twentieth day On the twenty fifth day Evilmerodach took counsell to deliver Joakim out of prison on the twenty seventh day it was concluded and effected all things being disposed well for his enlargement THE THRENES or LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH THe Prophet bewails the destruction of Jerusalem and the Kingdome of Judah and the captivity of the people He comforteth himself and the people in the promise of God and commends the cause to God by his prayers * 662. LAm 3.31 The Lord will not cast of for ever Lam. ult ult Thou hast utterly rejected us The first place tells that God may afflict his for a time yet he will not cast off for ever The latter place are the words of those sadly afflicted which makes them think themselves so miserable as that they were utterly rejected Or else it may be read by way of Interrogation Hast thou utterly rejected us not that it doth say that God would reject them but that they were so long in affliction as they thought God had forgotten them * 663. Lam. 3.33 He afflicts none willingly 1 Pet 4.19 They that suffer according to the will of God It is true they which suffer suffer according to Gods will and yet he afflicts none with delight or so as taking pleasure in it or doing it upon recreation but he is forced thereto by their wickednesse 664. Lam. 3.37 Who is he that saith and it cometh to passe when the Lord commandeth not Verse 38. Out of the month of the most High proceedeth not both evill and good Deut. 32.4 The works of the Lord are perfect The evill of punishment not of sin is meant in the first place which is not ill in it self but in respect of men For all punishment in respect of God that inflicts it hath the nature of good 665. Lam. 5.7 Our fathers have sinned and are not and we have born their iniquities Ezek. 18.20 The Sonnes shall not bear the Fathers iniquities The children succeeding the Parents in their sinnes succeed them also in their punishments Godly and penitent children shall not bear the iniquities of their parents for ever though they be afflicted with temporall punishments 666. Lam. 5.21 Turn thou us unto thee O Lord and we shall be turned Psal 119. ult Hosea 14.2 Turn O Israel to the Lord thy God Conversion and repentance is the work of God Act. 11.8 he gives it to the Gentiles and none but those that are enlightned in their hearts can truely turn unto God EZEKIEL HIS PROPHESIE THE Priest the sonne of Buzi who was brought into Babylon under Jekonias and confirmed the Prophesie of Jeremiah and comforted the captives about the year 3350 by the River Chebar he had the visions from God He prophesied twenty years 667. EZek. 8.12 The Lord seeth us not Heb. 4.13 All things are naked and open before the eyes of God The Prophet makes mention of what foolish men say who thought both by their words and deeds that God saw them not whose perverse judgment doth not hinder the truth which maintains that all things be they never so secret yea the thoughts of our hearts are open before God 668. Ezek. 18.4 The soul that sins that shall dye Rom. 5.6 Christ died for us The first sentence is legall and teacheth what must be done by the Law divine or humane legally The last is Evangelicall shewing that God for Christs sake freely gives us his grace and salvation 669. Ezek. 12.13 I will bring Zedekiah into Babylon to the Land of the Chaldees yet shall he not see it though he shall dye there Jer. 34.3 Thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the King of Babylon and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth Zedekias being taken saw the King of Babylon afterwards they put out his eyes that he could not see the Land of the Chaldees nor Babylon in his captivity * 670. Ezek. 16.3 Thy birth and thy nativity is from the Land of Canaan Rom. 11.1 The seed of Abraham It s true the Israelites were of Abrahams race yet so degenerate that they in manners seemed rather to be Ammonites and Hittites two execrable Nations they were Canaanites in imitation Israelites in generation 671. Ezek. 18.19 Walke in my precepts keep my judgments 1 Tim. 19. The Law was not made for the righteous but for the wicked and disobedient The Prophet understands the Law that teacheth and enlightens us The Apostle the Law that condemns us Rom. 8.33 For there is no condemnation to those that are justified in Christ Jesus 672. Ezek. 18.21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sinnes that he hath committed he shall not dye Heb. 6.4 It is impossible for those that were once illuminated if they shall fall away to renew them again by repentance It is hard and impossible in respect of those who barre themselves out from Gods mercy and shut their hearts that they may not be enlightned by the Sun of righteousnesse but it is not so in respect of God who would have all men to repent and be saved yet he justly punisheth with finall impenitency all obstinate and malicious Apostates and such as sin against the holy Ghost 673. Ezek. 18.23 and 33.11 God will not the death He hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked Rom. 9.18 He hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth God will not the death of a sinner by his antecedent will but by his consequent will or his justice because he justly punisheth him who rejects the grace of God offered unto him He hardens therefore permissively not affectively 674. Ezek. 18.23 I will not the death of him that dieth Chap. 3. 18. Thou shalt die the death God as our Father will not by the Gospel but as he is our judg and revenger he will by the Law that a sinner shall die 675. Ezek. 18.23 32. I have no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth 1 John 5.16 A sin unto death God will not the death of him that repents for his mercy is over all his works A sinne unto death is a sinne against the holy Ghost and so it is called because it is justly punished with finall impenitency 676. Ezek. 18.26 When
and openly without any shadows or externall propitiatory which Christ hath abolished 689. Dan. 9.25 Vnto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks Acts. 2.7 It is not for you to know the times and seasons By divine revelation seaventy weeks that is four hundred and ninety years were foreshewed to Daniel that within so many years Christ should come and performe the office of a Messias such a knowing of times is not forbid but that which is rashly attempted by us without divine revelation TEREASAR that is as they are commonly called in Hebrew The Prophesies of the twelve minor Prophets not for their authority but the quantity of the Book HOSEA HIS PROPHESIE THE SONNE of BEERI HE chides the Jewes for their idolatry He shews their casting off and the espousing of the Gentiles to God He declares salvation to those that should repent He Prophesied fifty years in the time of Osiah Jotham Achaz Ezekias Kings of Judah and in the dayes of Jeroboam sonne of Joas King of Israel about the year 3150. 690. HOS 1.2 Go take thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms Lev. 21.14 A widow or a divorced woman or prophane or an harlot these shall he not take but a virgin The command of God to the Prophet was not that he should marry a whore but a lawfull wife yet with such an infamy as though she were a Harlot and her children bastards By this embleme the Israelites are admonished of their spirituall fornication * Hos 1.2 with Lev. 21.14 As for the first place its probable that all this was commanded and seemed to the Prophet to be performed in vision that by this allegory they might perceive their duty toward God and rebellion against him 691. Hos 1.7 I will not save them by bow nor by sword nor by battel Rom. 13.4 The Magistrate beareth not the sword in vain The first place is of the conservation of the Kingdome of Judah against the Assyrian not by corporal weapons but by miracles which takes not away the lawfull power of the Magistrate against the enemies of the Church externall or internall 692. Hos 1.9 Ye are not my people Vers 10. Ye are the sons of the living God The Prophet divides the people of Israel into those which are and those which shall be Those which are he divides into righteous and wicked the righteous that remain shall be few but the wicked shall be more he saith that even the whole people of Israel should forsake God yet some few should be saved to the coming of the Messias Jer. 3.18 Ezek. 34.27 whilst all Nations both Jewes and Gentiles should be gathered into one people and one sheepfold under one King and one shepherd 693. Hos 2.13 I will visit upon her the dayes of Baalim when she burnt incense to them 1 King 18.40 Elias the Prophet killed Baals Prophets at the brook Kison The Baalites were destroyed in the time of Elias and of Jehu yet their superstition remained and stuck to the posterity of the people 694. Hos 4.23 Swear not The Lord liveth Deut. 6.13 And thou shalt swear by the name of the Lord. An oath is part of Gods worship and therefore the Prophet warneth Idolaters not to abuse it as they did in Bethel that they might seem to serve God and not the Calfâ— 695. Hos â— 4 They have set up Kings but not by me Rom. 13.1 There is no power but of God The Prophesie respects the breaking of the ten Tribes from the house of Solomon that was not from God as the Israelites did it who would not be subject to the Judges of Judah contrary to Gods revealed will but yet it was from God because he would punish the sinnes of Solomon So Tyrants are from God not onely as a scourge but by reason of their power because the power must be distinguished from the corruption of the person who useth it c. * 696. Hos 10.6 Ephraim shall be ashamed and Israel shall be ashamed Joel 2.26 My people shall never be ashamed It s one thing to be ashamed of sin and the basenesse of mens wayes as Ephraim and Israel were when they saw themselves in their own colours It s another thing to be ashamed of the wayes of God the latter Text tells us we should never be ashamed of worshipping God for he would so answer their expectations and assist them in their necessities that they should have no cause of being ashamed 697. Hos 11.1 When Israel was a childe then I loved him and called my sonne out of Aegypt Matth. 2.15 This Prophesie was fulfilled in Christ being brought back from Aegypt These words were spoken of Israel Gods adopted Sonne and of his onely begotten Sonne according to the union of the body with the head and comparison of the Type with the truth The deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt was a figure of our Redemption and freedome by Christ 698. Hos 13.14 O death I will be thy plague O grave I will be thy destruction 1 Cor. 15.55 O death where is thy victory The first place may be explained by the latter for in both is shewed that death hath lost its strength and is swallowed up in victory * Hos 13.14 with 1 Cor. 15.54 55. That which in one place is called plague in the other is called Victory but the difference of metaphors causeth not a difference in sense for as a plague conquers where it comes and eats up all so doth death conquer and eat up all and gets Victory JOEL HIS PROPHESIE THE SONNE of PETHVEL HE Prophesied in the year 3239. That the Israelites should be carried captives into Assyria he exhorts them to repentance and promiseth mercy to them that are penitent 699. JOel 1.13 Chap. 2.12 Turn you unto me with fasting with weeping and with mourning Matth. 6.17 When thou fastest annoint thy head and wash thy face that thou seem not to fast before men Christ discommends not private or publick fastings but he taxeth the hypocrisie of the Pharisees in their fasts for godly people must not sound a Trumpet but be content to have God the witness of their works 700. Joel 2.14 Who knoweth whether God will returne and repent and pardon us James 1.6 He that doubts is like a wave of the Sea Who knoweth Belongs not to remission of sinnes but removing of punishment for that is to be prayed for upon condition of the will of God and our good 701. Joel 2.28 Isai 44.3 And it shall come to passe after this that I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh 2 Sam. 32.2 2 Pet. 1.21 Holy men of God spake as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Joel speaks of the state of the Church after the coming of Mossias and of the comparing of the spirituall gifts of the Jewish and Christian members of the Church And he teacheth that after the Messias shall be come the spirituall gifts of God shall be
greater amongst all men but not that all under the New Testament should have the gift of Prophesie The latter places are of publick and ordinary Prophesie * Joel 2.28 with 1 Cor. 14.34 I suffer not a woman to speak in the Church If women were to have the spirit powred upon them in the times immediately after Christs Ascention then why must they not speak in the Church The former place speaks of extraordinary gifts given to some women the latter of a duty lying upon all The former â—s to be restrained to the times â—ext after Christs life the latter is a duty lying upon all times The former hath reference to extraordinary parts and gifts the latter hath reference only to ordinary preaching and teaching by way of office 702. Joel 2.32 Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered Heb. 6.4 Chap. 10.26 They that are once enlightned if they fall they cannot be restored The first place speaks of the faithfull who call on the Lords name in faith The latter concerning Apostates that sinne against the holy Ghost who have neither faith nor true prayer though they pray with their lips for they do it not sincerely and therefore their prayers are an abomination to God * Joel 2.32 with Heb. 6.4 The former place is a promise to those that can pray The latter to those who cannot pray but actually fall away The former is spoken of Gods Children for God heareth not sinners the latter speaks of the wicked for Gods Children never fall away finally from grace enlightning not being put here for saving knowledge but a Theory of Christ 703. Joel 3.20 But Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation Amos 9.11 The Tabernacle of David is fallen down Matth. 24.1 Acts 15.16 The promises of the perpetuity of the Temple and Kingdome of Judah belong not to the building and walls of the City or the civill Kingdome but to the perpetuity of the Kingdome of Christ and his Church against which the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail and they â—re conditionall upon their faith obedience and purity of Divine worship * Joel 3.20 with Matth. 24.1 The former place is meant of the spirituall Jerusalem and Judah the Children of God The latter of the materiall Temple and Jerusalem The former is a promise if it be meant of the externall Judah and Jerusalem which hath a condition if not expressed yet implyed viz. that they should walk with the Lord. The latter by the threatning of such judgements shews and implies that they had broke their promise The former place useth the word for ever But that in Scripture is many times used for a long season and so it was in the latter before the judgment came on Jerusalem after Joels time AMOS HIS PROPHESIE VVHO was of the common people amongst the Heardsmen of Tekoa He prophesieth of the wrath of God to the Kings and Kingdomes of Judah and Israel and he threatens Famine Sword Pestilence devastation and ruine to the neighbours who were enemies to Gods people He prophesied in the year 3153 in the dayes of Josiah King of Judah 704. AMos 1.3 6 9 11 13. Chap. 2.1 4 6. For three transgressions and for four I will not spare And at length he reckons but one It is a periphrasis of the seventh number which three and four do make which is called a perfect number in the Scriptures and a certain number is put for anuncertain as if he would have said For many iniquities I will not spare those Nations * 705. Amos 3.6 Is there any evill in a City that I have not done Deut. 32.4 The Lord is a God of truth void of iniquity The former place speaks of God as the Author of malum poenae of affliction the latter of him not as Author malum culpa of sinne In the former sense affliction is not simply and in it self evill or as it is a punishment of God but in respect of mens understanding or apprehension and if God should punish sinne with sinne we cannot say but the punishment is good as from God though the sinne be naught as practised by man 706. Amos 5.18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord that day of the Lord is darknesse Matth. 6.10 Thy kingdom come Chap. 24.30 Let it come with glory The Prophet speaks of the day of Judgement of this world which hypocrites desire who look to be justified in their works and not of the last judgement which godly men ought to pray for and to cry without ceasing Rev. 22. Come Lord Jesus * 707. Amos 5.18 with Matth. 24.30 Rev. 6.10 The former place speaks of a profane or scoffing desire either as daring and provoking God to bring that once to passe which he hath so long threatned Or as believing that the day should never come to passe or by an impudent presumption as if God coming to Judgement should find them innocent or lesse guilty than they were adjudged to be and so they are the words of profane persons The latter place of the desire of the faithfull in humility for the coming of Gods grace God comes sometimes as a Judge with vengeance to the wicked so in the former and he comes by his Spirit to the godly as a sanctifier so in the latter 708. Amos 5.21 I hate I despise your feast dayes Exod. 20.8 Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day God hated the feasts and solemnities of the Israelites because they were defiled with humane traditions and a Pharisaicall opinion of merit But he doth not despise the Sabbaths appointed by himself and feasts which are kept at his command 709. Amos 5.26 But ye have born the Tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your Images the star of your God which you made for your selves I will cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus Act. 7.43 You took up the Tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your God Rempham figures which you made to worship them and I will carry you beyond Babylon Rom. 16.19 1 Esd 8.17 Stephen cites this Prophesie though in divers words yet in the same sense so Christ and his Apostles cite other places of the Old Testament Moloch and Rempham were the Idols of the Ammonites The Israelites of Damascus by Cyromedia were carried further into Persia and the Countrey of the Caspians beyond Babylon * 710. Amos 5.26 with Acts 7.43 The places have some seeming differences but thus reconciled The former place useth the words the latter place the matter and sense of those words which accorded to the institution and transposed some words for perspicuity and evidence Rempham in the latter place is added or put for Chiun if by Chiun as some will the Planet Saturne is meant Plautus in his Penulus calls the Ciun and the Aegyptian Anubis calls Cyon in Greek Plutarch conceives to be the same with Saturne then its the same with Rempham Besides Rephan in the Coptick language
a Tongue extant at this day partly consisting of Greek and partly of old Aegyptian is used for Saturn as Kircherus saith We know the Septuagint was writ in the Land of Aegypt at the instance of Ptolomeus Philadelphus where the Translators using Rephan the noted name for Saturne instead of Chiun altered the word and reteined the sense a liberty lawfully assumed by the most faithfull Interpreters And probably Saint Stephen spake to the Jewes in their own language But Saint Luke writing in Greek alledgeth his words according to the Septuagint Translation And whereas Saint Stephen addeth to worship them 't is but an amplification of the meaning which changeth not the sense at all onely shew the end of their making such a God Lastly One place nameth beyond Damascus The other beyond Babylon Saint Stephen onely more clearly Interprets what the Prophet meant for 2 Kings 16.9 Damascus was not far from thence 712. Amos 8.14 They shall fall and never rise up again 1 Cor. 11.22 We shall all rise The first place speaks of a resurrection from sinne to grace or from death to life which is denyed to impenitent sinners But the latter speaks of the generall resurrection of our bodies at the last day OBADIAH HIS PROPHESIE HE Prophesieth against the Idumeans He comforteth the Jews and promiseth grace and help to the people of God He prophesied in the year 3337. 713. OBad Vers 15. As thou hast done it shall be done unto thee Rev. 18.6 Double unto her double In both places is manifested the just revenge of God he is commanded to mix double for Babylon according to her works thereby to shew that the Kingdome of Antichrist shall be most miserably destroyed and trod down 714. Obad. Vers 21. And Saviours shall come upon Mount Sion Matth. 1.21 Jesus shall save his people from their sins The Prophet means ministeriall Saviours that is Jer. 3.18 1 Tim. 4.16 Jam. 5.20 Isa 53.11 Joh. 1.29 Eph. 1.7 the Apostles and other Ministers of the Church who do serve for the salvation of those that believe in Christ by the ministry of the word and not by the merit of their works and these turning sinners from their evill wayes do save their souls from death Christ Jesus is the onely Saviour who takes away the sins of the world in whom we have redemption by his blood and remission of our sinnes according to the riches of his grace nor is there salvation in any other Act. 4.12 JONAH HIS PROPHESIE THe sonne of Amittai of the Tribe of Zebulon He was sent to Nineveh the Metropolis of Assyria to Preach First when he refused he was cast into the Sea swallowed by a Fish and the third day he was cast on the Shoar then being sent again to Nineveh he was angry because God spared them upon their repentance therefore he was reprehended by God He prophesied in the year 3110. 715. JON. 1.3 Jonas rose up to flee unto Tharses from the presence of the Lord. Vers 9. I fear the Lord the God of Heaven who hath made the Sea and the dry Land Jonas would not flee from God so much as to escape his office by flying Vers 9. In the midst of the tempest he gives the Mariners an account of his Religion and of his flight confessing that for his disobedience that great tempest was sent 716. Jon. 1.10 Jonas fleeth to Tharsis from the presence of the Lord. Psal 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence Jonas was not ignorant that no man could so flee from the face of the Lord but he thought that if he forsook the holy Land then all divine apparitions to him would cease and that God would then call some other man to the office he had laid upon him 717. Jon. 2.6 The earth with her barres was about me for ever Vers 10. The Fish cast Jonas on the dry Land Jonas thought in the belly of the Whale that he should remain there but God brought him forth and shewed thereby that he had power over life and death 718. Jon. 3.4 Yet forty dayes and Nineveh shall be overthrown Vers 10. God spared them The divine commination was conditionall if they repented not but because they did embrace the Word of God and detesting their wickednesse Jer. 10.7 8 9 10. they did turn to the Lord with all their hearts God spared them Of such God means speaking thus If I speak against a Kingdome or a Nation that I will root it out and that Nation repents of their evill wayes I will repent that I thought to do so to them 719. Jon. 3.4 Jonas foretold the overthrow of Nineveh and it was not performed Deut. 28.22 If a Prophet speak in the name of the Lord and that thing cometh not to passe the Lord hath not spoken it but the Prophet hath spoken it presumptuously That Sermon of Jonas was not so much a prophesie as a commination Moses speaks not of comminations and Prophesies which have a condition included but of such Prophesies as are absolute as Samuel foresaid to Saul that two men should meet him 720. Jon. 3.9 Who knows whether God will return and repent Mal. 3.6 I the Lord change not Numb 23.19 Jon. 1.7 Repentance and passions of men are attributed to God not properly but figuratively and by way of comparison and by Anthropopathy whilst God shews himself as a man repenting otherwise with God there is no change Jam. 1.17 721. Jon. 4.11 In Nineveh were more then sixscore thousand persons which partly by want of age and partly by simplicity did not know their right hand from their left Gen. 8.21 The imagination of mans heart is prone to evill from his youth Between the right and the left hand they did not know the difference who were yet so young as to be free from actuall sinnes and others in years that were simple and sincere MICAH HIS PROPHESIE THe Morasihite against the Kings the Judges the Priests and false Prophets in Judah and Israel He threatens perdition to impenitent sinners and promiseth salvation to the Saints which remained He prophesied in the year 3197. 723. MIcah 5.2 And thou Bethlehem Ephrata though thou be little amongst the thousands of Judah out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel Matth. 2.6 And thou Bethlehem in the Land of Judah art not the least amongst the Princes of Judah for out of thee shall come a Governour that shall rule my people Israel The Prophet calls it Bethlehem Ephrata and Matthew Bethlehem Judah for a difference from an other City so called in the Tribe of Zabulon It was indeed a little Town before Christs coming before Christ was born but afterwards it became a most noble City because the Messias was born there Matthew cites the place of the Prophet faithfully which the Pharisees had corrupted and sets down the words which the Pharisees speak unto Herod Micah 5.2 And thou Bethlehem
should walk after God with all their heart The Prophesie by a legall commination moved both King and people to manifest their zeal But he frighted the wicked Hypocrites and such as were averse from God by threatning them that so they might forsake their sins 733. Zeph. 1.7 The day of the Lord is at hand 2 Thes 2.3 Be not terrified as though the day of the Lord were at hand In the former place by the day of the Lord is understood the neernesse of the Babylonish captivity In the latter the coming of the Lord to Judgement the time whereof is not for us to know 734. Zeph. 3.7 I said surely thou wilt fear me Vers 7. But they corrupted their own doing I said The Lord useth that word after the manner of men not as though he had failed of his hope for all things are known to him before they be but as if he should say Who would think you should be so hardned that my very threatnings should not move you HAGGAI HIS PROPHESIE HE upbraids the Jews for that they did not rebuild the Temple and exhorts them to build it and he describes the magnificence of the second Temple He prophesied after the captivity of Babylon under Darius Hystaspes in the year 3444. 735. HAggai 1.8 Bring wood and build the house Isai 66.1 Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my seat and the earth is my footestole what house is that you will build unto me The rebuilding of the Temple was accepted with God for the holy convocation and the worship in it to Gods glory that was with the Priesthood and Leviticall Rites a Type of Christ unto whose coming only it was to endure 736. Haggai 2.3 You that saw this house in its first glory and how do you see it now Is it not in comparison of it as nothing Verse 9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former house saith the Lord of Hosts The structure indeed of this house did not answer the Majesty of the first house built by Solomon Yet the spirituall glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former house because the Lord himself came into it and preached in it disputed and wrought great miracles there 737. Haggai 2.4 Do so for I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts Zach. 1.12 O Lord of Hosts how long will it be ere thou have pitty on Jerusalem In the first place the Prophet comforts the people by the hope of promises in Christ promising that God would be present there with his people after the captivity of Babylon In the latter Christ intercedes for his Church which hath sinned against God and was punished by a just judgement of God with a Babylonian captivity for seventy years * 738. Haggai 2.4 with Zach. 1.12 The former place is conditionall I am with you if you do so The latter shews that they were in affliction and so it implies they had broken their condition 739. Haggai 2.6 Yet a little while and I will shake the Heaven and the Earth and the desire of all Nations shall come This Prophesie was fulfilled after five hundred yeares under Augustus Caesar Luk. 2.11 With God a thousand yeares are but as one day or one watch in the night ZECHARIAH HIS PROPHESIE THE sonne of Barachiah He warns the Jewes to repent to build the Temple he makes mention of his Visions and explains them by the effusion of the Spirit of grace and prayer He prophesied after the returne from Babylon in the year of the world 3456. 740. Zech. 1.3 Turn unto me and I will turn unto you Joh. 6.44 No man comes unto me unlesse my Father draw him The first place is legall requiring of us what we ought and not what we can do The latter is Evangelicall for no man comes unto God unless God draw him by his Spirit Jer. 31.18 Therefore we must pray diligently Convert me ô Lord that I may be converted because thou ô Lord are my God 741. Zech. 1.17 Chap. 2.10 The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet chose Jerusalem Eph. 1.4 God the Father chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world The election of a certain people to be a visible Church in the first place is taken metonymically for by that deed God sheweth that he hath confirmed the election of Jerusalem In the latter God speaks of our election unto eternall life 742. Zech. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Isa 3.1 Behold the Lord of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem the whole stay of bread In the first place is contained the promise of God to the faithfull that keep his Covenant in the latter is the pronouncing of judgement against the obstinate Jews God is said to have kept his people as the apple of his eye so long as they were obedient Deut. 32.10 Psal 17.8 But temporall punishments inflicted on the wicked do not infringe the truth of his promise and of divine performance 743. Zech. 3.9 I will remove the iniquity of his land in one day Rev. 13.8 Christ slain from the beginning of the world In one day is the performance of Christs passion who dying for our sins restored us unto life But he was slain from the beginning of the world in Gods determinations by election virtue eficacy and acceptation and in respect of the fruits of it which redounded to the Church under the Old Testament 744. Zech. 6.13 He shall sit and rulâ— upon his throne Isa 9 7. He shall sit upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdome Luk. 1.33 Christ in respect of his divine nature hath his throne from everlasting to everlasting But in respect of his humanity being he is born of the seed of David according to the flesh the Lord God hath given him a throne that he may reign over the house of Jacob for ever 745. Zech. 11.12 They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver Matth. 27.9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet they took thirty pieces of silver the price of him that was valued whom they did value Eusebius saith De Demonstrat l. 10. c. 4. that Jeremiahs name was put for Zechariahs name by the errour of the Scrivener Out of Jeremiah some make the computation where he makes mention of seventeen shekels which make thirty pieces of silver Jer. 32.9 746. Zech. 13.7 Awake ô sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered Joh. 10.10 No man takes away my life from me The Prophet mentioneth God the Father commanding in the name of the whole Trinity whose words outwardly are common to the three Persons and undivided that his shepherd namely Christ should be slain that contradicts not Christs words who willingly laid down his life for us 747. Zech. 13.7 The sheep shall be scattered Joh. 17.12 Those that thou gavâ—st unto me I
preaching The Gospel of it self is the wisdom of God which in the opinion of carnal and unbelieving men is called by accident foolishness 1272. 1 Cor 1.21 It pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe Mat. 9.21 If I may but touch his garment I shall be whole The first place is of the salvation of the soul which is done by the Gospel The latter is of the cure of the body which is wrought by divers means ordinarily by the Word and Sacraments extraordinarily by other means * 1273. 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the wisdom of God God the Father is the God of wisdom Christ is called the wisdom of God not as if the Father had no wisdom of himself or had no personal abilities of knowledge The Son is called Wisdom as he is called the Word To distinguish him from the person of the Father the Son is said to be the Wisdom of the Father by a begotten Wisdom Sapientia genita and so the Word as light is begotten by light The Son is said hereto be the revealed Wisdom of God in gathering his Church Christ is that person that reveals the secret wisdom of God to us by which he would have us brought to salvation and so he is called the power of God not that the Father is weak and the Son only strong but Christ is the person by whom the Father powerfully and effectually gathers his Church and raiseth the dead * 1274. 1 Cor. 1.26 Not many wise after the flesh c. Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary c. Calling is twofold external and internal ordinary or extraordinary common or spiritual and effectual not many wise as the world counts wise men are called effectually internally and savingly Or Christ calls not all to him he calls all the weary All wise men and mighty men are not weary men there are not many wise that are weary * 1275. 1 Cor. 2.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified Isa To the Law and to the Testimony When we are sent to the Law it is in reference to Christ the Law and Prophets testifie of Christ and are school-masters to bring us to Christ Therefore the Apostle might determine to know nothing but Christ and yet know the Law and Prophets in relation to Christ and so he might know other things in that respect 1276. 1 Cor. 2.6 We speak wisdom amongst them that are perfect Chap. 13.12 We know in part Perfection in the former place is not meant simply but comparatively the Apostle calls them perfect here not those who wanted no perfection but such as are so in respect of novices in the Church Absolute perfection is proper to the next life and of that we know here but in part * 1277. 1 Cor. 2.11 For what man knoweth the things of man which is in man Jer. 17.10 I the Lord search the heart Man knows not his own heart nor one man cannot know the things of another mans heart yet the Lord knows all our hearts 1278. 1 Cor. 2.15 He that is spiritual judgeth all things yet he himself is judged of no man Chap. 4.4 He that judgeth me is the Lord. Cha. 14.32 And the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets In the first place God Ecclesiastical and Political Judges are not excluded being they are ordained by God but those that are carnal and sensual the Prophets are subject to the Prophets in the judgment of faith concerning things that are to be believed for God giveth us his Holy Spirit by measure neither do we all understand all things but comparing our opinions we must judge with Learned men 1 Cor. 2.15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things 1 Cor. 4.4 He that judgeth me is the Lord. The former place tells us he that is spiritual or enlightned and regenerated by Gods Spirit understands and discerns all Gods truth so much as concerns his salvation and yet this hinders not the Lords judging of our consciences whether we have improved our understandings to the utmost in Gods service * 1279. 1 Cor. 3.1 with 2.1 The word Carnal is not to be taken as in some places for that which is opposite to spiritual but to that which is less spiritual and so the next words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as babes are Exegetical or explanatory I speak to you that are so far carnal as you seem but babes in Christ 1280. 1 Cor. 3.1 3. And I brethren could not speak to you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal Chap. 1.2 Sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints Ver. 5. Enriched with all knowledge The Corinthians were more or less carnal who walked according to men depending on mens authority in doctrine given to contentions and troubling the Church of God with carnal desires * 1281. 1 Cor. 3.6 I have planted Apollo watered 1 Cor. 3.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one I first preached the Gospel among you from which preaching sprung up your faith Apollos came after me and he taught the same doctrine of Christ to you and watered you with seasonable instruction Now both I and Apollos are one i. e. Have the same office from the same Lord and we work in the same external manner and neither the one or the other can make any impression upon the soul nor infuse any vertue unto it without God We are one as to the effects 1282. 1 Cor. 3.7 Neither he that planteth nor he that watereth is any thing but God who giveth the increase Ver. 8. He that planteth and he that watereth are one Any thing is not to be taken absolutely or for being in nature but comparatively and secundum quid for all our labour without Gods operation profits nothing 1283. 1 Cor. 3.8 He that planteth and he that watereth are one Ver. 4. Paul was not one with the Teachers at Corinth One is said to be either in number degree vocation gifts authority time labour or reward Preachers are not one all those waies Paul was not one with those Teachers who preached up themselves more than Christ 1284. 1 Cor. 3.10 Paul laid the foundation Heb. 3.4 He that built all things is God God is the chief Work-master and builder of all things and who alone giveth faith to his Church but to commend the Ministry he gives this honour unto others which he saith do that which he himself doth so in the Old Testament he calls the Prophets in the New the Apostles the Architects of the Foundation other Doctors that build the Walls others who cover the House and Paul saith by his Apostolical Office that he laid the Foundation 1285. 1 Cor. 3.11 Other foundation can no man lay but that is laid which is Christ Jesus Ep. 2.20 You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Christ is the Foundation of salvation by the eternal Decree by his sending and delivering himself to death
of the Earthquake which was at the giving of the Law and of Christs second coming when the Heaven and Earth shall be shaken The latter place speaks of the kingdom of Christs glory which we receive by Christ though the material heaven may be shaken yet the sedes beatorum or the place where the Saints glorified are shall not be shaken or the spiritual administration of this Kingdom shall not be shaken The Canonical 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 sins that are forbidden and embrace vertues that are commanded 1453. JAM 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 spiritual and heavenly wisdom the Author whereof is God The latter concerning vain earthly worldly wisdom and carnal which is foolishness with God 1454. Jam. 1.25 Chap. 2.12 The perfect Law of liberty Gal. 4.24 Which gendreth unto bondage In the former place not only the Moral 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 latter in respect of us and by accident it is called the Law of bondage 1455. Jam. 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 are not repugnant one to the other â— Aug. quest 76. 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 internal faith which justifies in the sight of God James of the outward profession of faith historical knowledge and the effects and testimonies of it Two Epistles of the Apostle St. PETER THe former commemorates Gods benefits exhorts all men in general to the duties of piety and honesty toward God themselves and their neighbours but in particular in their Domestical Politique and Ecclesiastical condition c. The latter warns the faithful that they proceed in godliness and fly from false Teachers Deriders and such as deny the coming of Christ and the last Judgment 1456. 1 PET. 1.12 The Angels desire to look into Mat. 18.10 Their Angels behold the face of my Father The first place is concerning the mystery of Redemption which the Angels desire to look into because in that is the height and the depth and the length and the breadth of Gods mercy manifested so far that the very Angels cannot comprehend it all Angels are said to behold Gods face because as Servants they are in the presence of the King to go at his command These two places together seem to reprove that of the Papists that Saints and Angels can know by looking into Gods face what is said or done by men in several places For here are Angels beholding Gods face and yet ignorant of the mystery of our Redemption 1457. 1 Pet. 2.11 I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims Eph. 2.12 19. You are no more strangers and forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints The faithful are strangers and pilgrims in respect of the Kingdom of Glory but not of the Kingdom of Grace which St. Paul speaks of * 1458. 1 Pet. 2.18 Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear Withal lawful fear with all that fear that is due to Creatures or Masters But yet serve the Lord with all the fear that is due to the Creator serve the Lord with fear to displease him and serve men with such fear as it may be known you fear the Lord. 1459. 1 Pet. 2.23 Christ when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not Joh. 8.44 He contended with the Jews Christ as a Priest in his sufferings threatned not and being reviled reviled not again but as a Prophet he threatned those that were refractory with hell fire * 1460. 1 Pet. 2.23 When he suffered he threatned not Joh. 8. and other places he threatned the Jews Christ threatned the Jews as a Prophet but not as a Priest for their injuring of him Their abusing him did not provoke him to threaten them but his love to save them made him threaten them or rather foretel such judgments as would destroy them and fall upon them 1461. 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism saves us Psal 69.10 The Lord saves us Baptism did not ex opere operato save us but signifie to us that salvation was to be had by Christs dying and rising again represented in their going into and ascending out of the water the Lord saves us as the efficient cause principally necessary Baptism instrumentally nor yet so as if none could be saved without it or all that used it were saved * 1462. 1 Pet. 4.15 Or as a busie body in other mens matters Joh. 4.38 You have entered into other mens labours Let no man meddle with any other mens Calling or Affairs whether spiritual or temporal but where he is lawfully called to it The Apostles were lawfully called into the labour of the Prophets 1463. 1 Pet. 5.8 The devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who can be against us The devils malice can do nothing against us when God defends us 1464. 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist i. e. your adversary the devil Mat. 5.25 Agree with thy adversary We must agree with men that are our adversaries but not with the devil that is our adversary The latter place is meant agree with such adversaries as are not Gods adversaries as we in and about temporal things have made them our adversaries The former place is meant of our spiritual adversary 1465. 2 Pet. 1.19 The sacred Scripture is as a burning lamp in a dark place Chap. 3.16 In Pauls Epistles some things are hard to be understood In the Scriptures things are handled clearly and not obscurely though they may seem obscure to us yet that obscurity is not in respect of faith but of humane reason whence it is that many ignorant and unlearned people do foolishly wrest the Scriptures into a contrary sense * 2 Pet. 1.19 with 3.16 The Scripture is perspicuous to us not by our Nature of Grace we are illuminate The Law may be known even to wicked men ratione Materialitatis non finis they may know the matter of the Precept but not rightly the end of the Law that is to acknowledge and hate sin c. and yet they do not know the Scriptures perfectly ratione materialitatis for they know no more