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
makes up seaven years of famine * 341. 2 Sam. 24.14 with Heb. 10.31 It is better to fall into the Hand of God immediately for when men are employed in these punishments of God they mix their own passions and often exceed the measure of Gods manifest intent though not of his secret Decree It is better to fall into the hands of God which revives penitents which cruell men will not The other place tels us it s a fearfull thing to displease God and purchase to themselves not only a temporall but an eternall displeasure 342. 2 Sam. 24.14 It is better to fall into the hands of the Lord. Heb. 10.31 It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God It is good to be in the hands of God when he is pleased with us because his mercies are great It is fearfull to fall into the hands of God when he is angry for the wicked cannot stand before him in judgment 343. 2 Sam. 24.15 God sent a Pestilence upon Israel from the morning unto the time appointed Vers 13. Shall there be three dayes Pestilence in thy Land The time appointed was from the morning untill noon of one day or of the continuall morning sacrifice that is four hours 344. 2 Sam. 24.24 David bought of Araunah the floor and the Oxen for fifty shekels of silver 1 Chron. 21.25 David gave to Arunah for the threshing floor six hundred shekels of gold of just weight The floor with all the ground about it was bought for six hundred shekels of gold a greater price then what was given for the threshing flour the Oxen and the wood appointed for the sacrifice * 2 Sam. 24.24 with 1 Chron. 21.25 Fifty shekels of silver was only the price of the Oxen and instruments and the price of the threshing floor is not mentioned at all Others reconcile this diversity thus that in both places is to be understood the price of all together both of floor and Oxen c. But that by the fifty shekels of silver are to be understood not shekels of silver in kind but simply so much money as should amount to the Summe of fifty shekels of Gold and that in the Chronicles the six hundred shekels of Gold ought likewise to be understood for shekels of Gold in kind but for common shekels of silver paid in fifty shekels of Gold in specie according to the proportion of the weight one in Gold being in value as much as twelve of silver unlesse the sale of the floor were made at an old quit rent the principle value of which is set down in the Chronicles The two Books of KINGS Heb. Malachim THe first Book contains the History of Solomon The building of the Temple The division of the Kingdome to Judah and Israel The life of five of the Kings of Judah and eight of Israel Of Elias the Prophet With the History of an hundred and sixteen yeares The Second Book contains the Deeds of sixteen Kings of Judah and twelve of Israel Of Elisha and the destruction of the Kingdome and carrying the people of Israel captive to Assyria Of the children of Judah to Babylon With the History of three hundred forty five yeares Jeremias writ both of them * 345. 1 KIngs 1. with 1 Chron. 23.1 29.22 The doubt lieth in this whether he were three times made a King indeed and so all the three Texts that speak of it to be taken severally or whether only twice as 1 Cro. 29.22 seemeth to hold Answ The annointing of Solomon in 1 Kings 1. upon the aspiring of Adonijah was the first time that ever David shewed who should Reign after him See Vers 20 27. and therefore it must needs be held concurrent with the same 1 Chron. 23.1 onely that scruple that lies in the way that being supposed is this That David at this first unction of Solomon should be in his Chamber and upon his bed and exceeding decrepit and yet at his second annointing should be in the midst of his Princes and Commanders and standing upon his feet 1 Chron. 28.2 but this also will be removed if it be but considered that Davids present infirmity was not sicknesse but coldnesse and benummednesse and old age he was heart-whole and head-whole but he was old and Palsiish and therefore though his common and most commodious posture and composure was to be in his Chamber and upon his Couch yet upon such an occasion as to Crowne Solomon before all Israel he came forth and stood upon his feet and made Orations and gave advice for things to come 346. 1 Kings 2.4 If thy children shall keep my wayes and walk in them in truth there shall not fail thee a man to fit on the Throne of Israel Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come In the former place it is spoken conditionally of the Kingdome of Israel If the sons of David should keep the wayes of the Lord but because Solomon failed therefore the Kingdome of Israel departed from his sonne and in the seventh generation the Kingdome of Judah was translated upon Nathan whose posterity ruled over the Jews untill the coming of Christ In the latter place any kind of dominion is foretold to remain in Judahs posterity untill the Messias should come 347. 1 Kings 3.1 Solomon took Pharaoh his daughter and brought her into the City of David Exod. 34.15 Enter not into Covenant with the Inhabitants of that Land nor marry a wife c. Marriages in a different Religion are dangerous 2 Cor. 6.14 nor are they pleasing to God We must not draw in the same yoake with Infidels for there can be no firme charity or unity where the foundation is neglected that is true Godlinesse That Queen forsaking her Religion 1 Kings 11.4 and her fathers house and marrying with Solomon was a type of the marriage of Christ and his Church But because Solomon loved also the women of other Nations and his heart was led away by them to follow other gods he drew the anger of God upon himself and his posterity and caused a defection from them 348. 1 Kings 3.13 I have also given thee riches and honour that none of the Kings shall be like unto thee Matth. 6.29 Solomon in all his glory was not like the Lillies of the field Solomon exceeded all the Kings in wisedom riches and honour Christ compares the Lillies with his vestments in his greatest splendour * 349. 1 Kings 3.13 with Mat. 6.29 The former place compares Solomon with other Kings The latter place compares him with the Lillies of the field He might be the most glorious of Kings and yet lesse glorious than Lillies * 350. 1 Kings 4.26 Solomon had forty thousand stals of Horse 2 Chron. 9.25 Solomon had four thousand stals of Horse and Chariots Some thus he had forty thousand for his Chariots the other four thousand Horse and Chariots The latter puts them together to be numbred according to the
descents of another line that is of Nathan the younger sonne of Solomon from which line came our Saviour and not of Solomons line and though Ieconiah may seem to have seed and sons more out of Ier. 22.28 30. yet he is doomed childlesse because neither Salathiel if he were his son nor any of Ieconiahs race Zedekiah the last King being uncle to Ieconiah did succeed him in the legality to sit on the Throne of David though in a kind of Soveraignty as Zerubbabel the son or grandchild rather of Salathiel by Pedaiah did succeed in regard of which successions both Salathiel and after also Zerubbabel may be called sonnes of Iehojakim the father of Ieconiah It is likewise said he shall have none to sit upon the Throne of David that is for any time worth speaking of for his son Ieconiah reigned but three moneths and ten dayes 401. 1 Chronicles 3.18 The sonne of Salathiel Pedaiah of Pedaiah Zorobabel Ezd. 3.2 Mat. 1.12 Salathiel begat Zorobabel Zorobabel was the nephew to Salathiel which he begat by his sonne Pedaiah * 402. 1 Chron. 3.18 with Matth. 1.12 Sons of Pedaiah Pedaiah might dye while his sons were young and Salathiel their grandfather bring them up and in this respect Zerubbabel is called the sonne of Salathiel or Shealtiel 403. 1 Chron. 10.6 Saul died and his three sonnes and all his house died together 2 Sam. 2.8 Abner made Isbosheth the son of Saul King over Israel Isbosheth after his fathers death though he had for a time the name of a King at last he was miserably slain in his bed and Mephibosheth was by favour in the Court of David without any rule so the family of Saul perished rightly with him nor ever could aspire any more to any eminent dignity 404. 1 Chron. 18.12 Abishai smote of Aedom in the valley of salt eighteen thousand 2 Samuel 8.13 It was David Psalm 60.2 That Victory is imputed to Joab Abishai with Joab having the Army divided conquered the enemy at the first assault he overcame six thousand of the Edomites Joab killed twelve thousand of those that fled away but the Victory is imputed to David as their King * 405. 1 Chron. 21.5 The summe of the number a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand 2 Sam. 21.9 There were eight hundred thousand Upwards to the eight hundred thousand in 2 Sam. 24. seem to be added here those twenty eight hundred thousand of Davids Trained-bands 1 Chron. 27.1 15. already enrolled in publick Records and their Collonels Captains and Commanders and Officers to the number likely of twelve thousand which make up the said eleven hundred thousand to the forty seven hundred thousand of Judah are thirty thousand added more in 2 Sam. 24.9 which addition might either be the number of the Regiments under those thirty worthies of David having one thousand in each or rather an addition of so many out of Jerusalem only or out of Levi and Benjamin also which still joyned themselves to Judah after Joabs first return to Jerusalem and giving up the number to the King which he finished not he being weary of that service which was so abominable to him viz. 2 Sam. 24.9 * 406. 1 Chron. 21.12 with 2 Sam. 24.13 Three years famine or seven years famine Answ Some say there is a failing in transcribing the Text in the Hebrew three and seven being so like and the seventy in the 2d of Samuel read it three year and the Arabick M S. in the hands of the Congregation Orators and reason much asserts that it was three years for other judgments go by three as three dayes three moneths Some say the Prophet at the first spake of seven years but his heart being troubled at Davids horror mitigated it to three 407. 2 Chron. 2.14 Hiram was the sonne of a woman of the daughters of Dan whose Father was of Tyre 1 Kings 7.14 He was the son of a widow of the Tribe of Nephtalim The Father of Hiram was of the Tribe of Nephtalim who lived many years in Tyria and had a wife of the Tribe of Dan. * 408. 2 Chron. 6.1 The Lord hath said that he will dwell in thick darknesse 1 Tim. 6.16 Dwelleth in light which no man can approach He dwels in darknesse not so as to include him nor so in light as to exclude him from dark places He may be said to dwell in thick dark-darknesse in relation to us who are ignorant of him and yet dwell in light in relation to himself The Lord probably was said to dwell in darknesse in Solomons time because the sanctum sanctorum by reason of the burning of Incense was through the great smoake therein as it were filled with a cloud or darknesse and in this place did God manifest himself and dwell therein * 409. 2 Chron. 6.6 I have chosen Jerusalem to put my name there John 4.21 Nor yet at Jerusalem men ought to worship In the time of the Law God did put his name in Jerusalem by setting his Tabernacle there and having his Temple built there and thither the Tribes went to worship In the time of the Gospell God took away the priviledge of that place and now he willeth that men lift up pure hands every where 410. 2 Chron. 8.1 Solomon built those Cities which Hiram restored to him 1 Kings 9.11 Solomon gave to Hiram twenty Cities in the Land of Galile Solomon gave to Hiram those Cities for twenty yeares that he might have a yearly revenue from them untill the charges were paid to him then Hiram restored them to Solomon and he built them and made the children of Israel dwell in them * 411. 2 Chron. 14.2 He overthrew the Altars 1 Kings 15. He took not away the high places There were two sorts of high places among the Jews Altars and Temples in the higher places some whereof were erected to Idols these Asa subverted Others were dedicated to the true God which was likewise unlawfull for the Temple by divine institution was only to be at Jurusalem And so although he purged the prophane Temples yet he overthrew them not which occasioned the restitution of Idolatry afterwards * 412. 2 Chron. 15.19 The War was not till the thirty fift year And Chap. 14. It was said Zura was slain by Asa therefore there is war Answ The computation of years is not taken from the beginning of the Kingdom of Asa but from the Kingdom of Judah i. e. Solomons death when the devision began betwixt Rhehoboam and Jeroboam And thus the Text of the next Chapter is to be understood where it is said Baasha the King of Israel ascended into Judah Anno 36 of the Kingdome of Asa for then it was the sixteenth year of his Kingdome * 2 Chron. 13.5 The Lord God of Israel gave the Kingdome over Israel to David for ever 1 Kings 13 32 35. But I will take the Kingdome out of his sons hand c. The promise was conditionall if his sons would walk in his wayes the
grew greater by the dignity of those that went forth and greatest of all wheâ— others joyned themselves to them that had not set down their names 423. Ezra 3.8 The Jews built the wals of Ierusalem after their return Zach. 3.4 Ierusalem shall be inhabited without wals Zach. 2.5 Under the name of Ierusalem Zacharias prophesieth or the Church of Christ and the heavenly Ierusalem the majesty of it is larger than can be comprehended in one City of which God is the wall a fire round aboue and glory in the midst of her 424. 2 Ezra 5.9 10 12. Nehemias reprehends the richer Iews because they thought to live by usury Gen. 47.23 Ioseph bought the Land of Aegypt and the people thereof he made subject to Pharaoh for corâ—â— The Aegyptians were punished by God for their iniquities the Iewes after their returne into their Countrey were so proved the richer Iewes oppressing their poore brethren with biting usury did burden them which Ioseph did not 425. Ezra 6.3 Cyrus the King decreed that the house of God should be built at Jerusalem and let them lay the foundations the height thereof sixty cubits and the breadth thereof sixty cubits 1 Kings 6.2 The house which King Solomon built for the Lord the length thereof was sixty cubit the breadth twenty cubits the height thirty cubits The structure of Solomons Temple was more beautifull than this 2 Chron. 3.3 Agg. 2.3 Ezra 3.12 therefore the Elders that saw this wept because the beginnings of this did not seem to answer the Majesty of the former Temple * Ezra 6.3 with 1 Kings 6.2 Cubits are common or sacred the common are half the length of the sacred which were unknown to the Heathen In the former place they are taken for common cubits and so the former Temple eâ—ceeded the latter And the number of them may be reckoned from the bottom of the foundation to the top of the outside and from the ouâ—â—ides of the Temple including the thicknesse of the Walls and of the Chambers adjoyning And so this Temple will be less than Solomons besides Solomons exceed the other in proportion ornaments outward and inward 426. Ezra 7.7 And there went up some of the children of Israel of the Priests and the Levites unto Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Chap. 1.1 Jerem. 25.12 34.10 2 Chron. 3.22 In the first yeare of Cyrus King of Persia the Jews had power given them to go up to Jerusalem After that Cyrus had given licence to them to return from Babylon to Jerusalem many with Ezâ—â—ras and Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem under the reign of Artaxerxes 427. Ezra 10.32 The houses were not builde Vers 3. Let not your doores be opend Their houses were not fully built the Cities had gates 428. Ezra 8.18 Ezra read in the book day by day Eza 3.4 They kept also the feast of Tabernacles as it is written This was a singular example of piety for they were not bound to do so by the Law yet they came willingly day by day to hear the book of the Law 429. Ezra 10.32 Also we made ordinances amongst our selves yearly to charge our selves with a third part of a shekell for the work of the Lord. Exod. 30.13 They shall give every one that passeth amongst them that he numbred half a shekell Moses once by Gods command laid on them that tribute and Ioas at the renewing of the Temple ordered that every one should give what he pleased so Nehemiah ordained the third of two shekels by the year to restore the Temple not from the Law but from necessity 430. Ezra 11.6 Of the children of Phares that dwelt at Ierusalem were four hundred sixty eight Benjamin nine hundred twenty eight 2 Chron. 9.6 Iehuel six hundred and ninety Benjamin nine hundred fifty six First the chief are set down to whom a dwelling fell by lot then other voluntary inhabitants who chose a habitation willingly NEHEMIAH * 431. NEhemiah 8.18 with Leviticus 23.36 and Ezekiel 3.4 The former place speaks of what was done extraordinarily by the people The latter what was usuall for the people to do as their duty * 432. Nehem. 11.5 My God put it into my heart c. to reckon by genealogies c. 1 Tim. 1.4 Neither give heed to endlesse genealogies The Jewes were to observe and keep their genealogies because they were to know of what Tribe Christ was Saint Paul forbids not making or reckoning up Genealogies simply But he forbids our spending our time and study in seeking out Genealogies which were endlesse By endlesse may be understood those of the Iews who were turned Christians which were so addicted to these Genealogies that they might have a pretence of claiming kindred of Christ that they made no end of drawing down their lines of descent from David or from Abraham or because the Questions moved concerning Genealogies by reason of the slender proof and ground they had for them could receive no determination or end * Nehem. 11.6 The sons of Perez were four hundred sixty eight with 2 Chron. 9.6 Six hundred and ninety In the former place mention is made of those who came by lot to inhabit at Ierusalem In the latter 2 Chronicles 9. not only of such but of voluntary inhabitants as Ephraim Benjamin and Manasseh ESTHER THe Book of Esther is so called from Esther who was Ahasuâ—rus wife here is shewed how Ahasuerus divorcing Vashti chose Esther to be Queen Haman the enemy of the Jewes and of Mordecai is hanged Mordecai is made Provost of the Kingdome It contains the History of twenty yeares Ezdras was the writer of it or else the men of the great Synagogue 433. ESther 1.12 Ahasuerus divorced Vashti because she refused to come at his commandment Matth. 19.9 Whosoever shall put away his wife except for fornication and shall marry an other committeth adultery The pride of Vashti hurt not the King alone but all the people and Princes of the Kingdom by shewing a kind of dominion over the King before other women Now adayes men do not divorce their wives but for the cause of Adultery onely and they are bound by the Laws of God and man to obey their husbands 434. Esther 9.21 Mordecai sent to the Jewes in all the Provinces that the fourteenth and fifteenth dayes of the moneth Adar should be held for festivals Deut. 4.2 Chap. 12.32 What I command you this day you shall not add to it The ordinance of Mordecai was not against the Law nor was it a feast of Gods worship but onely commemorative for the divine wonderfull deliverance of the people of the Jews JOB THis Book is so called from Job who was also called Joab King of Edom. Gen. 36. Moses is thought to have written that Book for an example of patience therein is contained the affliction of Job and contention with his friends and disputing with them God ends this controversie at last and restores Iob to his former prosperity The History appertains to
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
thing what is done to Gods own peculiar children in a Nation Another thing what is done to a Nation in generall God promised his spirituall seed or the true Israel that they should not be cast off but have the incomes of his Spirit c. When Christ saies the Jews Kingdome should be taken from them he meanes from the externall Israelites which were not of the spirituall seed Nor doth he say that he would take away the spirituall Kingdome from his Children but he would take away the externall Kingdome 632. Isai 60.6 Ps 42.10 The multitude of Camels shall cover thee the Dromedaries of Midian and Ephah all they from Sheba shall come they shall bring gold and incense Mat. 2.1 The wisemen came from the East to Jerusalem Sheba lay to the South First this is a generall promise concerning the calling of the Gentiles that the greatest company of them should give up their names to Christ The Evangelist doth historically relate the coming of the wisemen to Christ out of Persia which in respect of Judea lyeth to the East 633. Isai 60.11 Thy gates shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night Luk. 13.24 Strive to enter in by the straight gate The heavenly gate is most large and it stands open to all believers in Christ who opened it to them but that all go not in by that gate it is through their own fault For Christ denyeth not pardon to such as repent but such as despise the treasures of Gods patience who crying to God seek for salvation and are grieved not so much that they have offended God but because they see punishment provided for them which they cannot avoid and yet they repent not * 634. Isai 60.11 Thy gates shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night Rev. 21.25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there The first place shews that the gates of the Church shall continually be open to receive Converts for by night and day is meant continually The second place tells us the same for the gates shall be open all day that is continually and whereas St John mentioneth onely the day and not night He would have us to know that the light of the Gospel shall be so great as that in regard of the dispensation under the Law there should be no night but all should be day so that its the same in substance onely a variation of phrases to shew the glory and light of the Gospel * 635. Isai 63.11 Who is this that cometh up from Aedom c. Glorious in his apparrel c. Matth. 2.15 Out of Aegypt have I called my Sonne The first place is a description of Christ returning from the conquest of the enemies of his Church among whom the Aedomites none of the last or least propounded as a Type of the spirituall enemies thereof The second place speaks of Christ not as returning from the conquest of his enemies but as returning from the persecution of Herod 636. Isai 65.1 I am found of them that sought me not 1 Chron. 28.9 If you seek the Lord you shall find him but if you forsake him he will forsake you The first place is of the calling of the Gentiles In the latter David exhorts Solomon to serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind and to seek him by holy prayer so Christ teacheth his Disciples Mat. 7.7 for he moveth our hearts to seek him and gives both the will and the deed saith Paul * 637. Isa 65.1 with 1 Chron. 28.9 and Matth. 7.7 Seek and find Man is to be considered in a double capacity as dead in sinne and not able to seek God and so were the Gentiles 2. As converted and alive by the grace of God God finds those first who are in their naturall estate before they find him of this the first place But those that are converted and alive must seek the Lord before he will be found of them 638. Isai 65.24 And before they call I will answer and before they speake I will hear saith the Lord. 2 Cor. 12.8 Paul asked of God thrice that the messenger of Satan might depart from him and yet was not heard God hears the prayers of the godly though not according to their will yet according to their salvation and profit either giving them what they ask or deferring them that they may ask more earnestly and be content with his grace 639. Isai 66.2 But to this man will I lock even to him that is poor Chap. 57.15 Chap. 611. Rom. 2.6 There is no respect of persons with God God in the Prophet reproving Hypocrites sacrificing with an opinion of their desert prefers the poor in spirit before them and him that is contrite and of a sincere heart professing to do nothing without Gods grace but God respects not mens persons nor is he a respecter of them for in gratitudes accepting of persons can have no place Acts 10.34 And he is accepted with God amongst all Nations who fear God and work righteousnesse * 640. Isa 66.2 with Rom. 2.1 Looking or approving and taking care of a person is one thing accepting of the person is another God he looks and approves of the person of the humble more than the curious fabrick of his materiall Temple so in the former place in the latter he is no accepter of the persons of men i. e. he chuseth not this man and refuseth that upon the account of Nation stock gifts birth breeding lands or the like or refuseth poore men because they are poore but he accepts of this man poore or rich that is contrite The PROPHESIE OF JEREMIAH THe sonne of Hilkias the Priest who prophesied at Jerusalem about the year of the world 3324 unto the captivity of Babylon which he foretold and the desolation of the City and the Temple and the time of the Jews captivity for seventy years After the captivity he went into Aegypt and there he shewed to Idolaters the anger of God and punishments with the destruction of Babylon by the Medes and Persians he prophesied thirty four years 641. JEr 3 5. Will he reserve his anger for ever will he keep it to the end Matth. 25.46 And those shall go into everlasting destruction The Prophet speaks in respect of those that are penitent Matth. 7. with whom God is not angry for ever he chastneth them indeed with temporall punishments Christ speaks of obstinately wicked men of whom God is the severe judge and he cals them the workers of iniquity * 642. Jer. 3.14 And I will take you one of a City and two of a Tribe Rev. 7.4 There were sealed an hundred forty and four thousand of all Tribes The first place signifies that there should but a few of that people be saved from the Judgement which the Prophet there speaks of and though it were meant of eternall salvation yet one of a City
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
have kept them Chap. 18.9 10. I have not lâ—st one God the Father speaks of the scattering Christ of the keeping That scattering takes not away Christs keeping because none of the Apostles which his Father gave to him perished but the sonne of perdition MALACHIE HIS PROPHESIE HE complains of the wickednesse of the people of the Jews and the Priests He comforts the godly Threatens the wicked Exhorts all to repentance and faith in Christ He was the last that prophesied before Christs incarnation In the year of the world 3513. 748. MAl 1.2 Was not Esau Jacobs brother saith tht Lord yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau 2 Chron. 19.7 There is no accepting of persons with God God is a most free agent and doth all things that he doth according to his own good pleasure he respects not the externall quality of the person nor his condition nation sex riches poverty hatred c. so he loved Jacob revealed himself unto him gave to his posterity the Land of Cannan He neglected Esau who was Isaacs eldest sonne and most beloved of his Father nor was he bound by any Laws to do otherwise unto him 749. Mal. 1.8 If you offer the blind the lame the sick for sacrifice is it not evill Psal 50.8 I will not reprove thee for thy burnt sacrifices The Prophet speaks of sacrifices the Psalmist of the sacrificers Sacrifices were to be offered unto God without spot or fault not blind or lame but without sâ—â—rs scabs or blisters Lev. 22.22 25. for Christ of whom they were but but Types was an obligation most pure and absolute and free from all spots for our sins 750. Mal. 2.7 The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth Mat. 22.29 You erre not knowing the Scriptures of God The first place is concerning the office of the Priests who were bound to keep knowledge that the people might seek for knowledge at their mouth Levit. 10.11 and they were to answer the people that inquired concerning the Law The latter is concerning the ignorance of the Priests who sit upon Moses chair contrary to Gods commandement and their own duty which was the cause that the people together with the Priests and the Scribes ran to errour Hitherto we have described the Reconciliations of appearing contrarieties in the Canon of the Old Testament for the space of four thousand years from the creation of the world from Adam Noah Abraham and Solomon untill the time that Christ came Now follow those of the New Testament from Christs Nativity to the end of the world The End of the Prophets RECONCILING Of Places of the Nevv-Testament THE Scripture of the New-Testament is the Word of God written after Christ was revealed by the Apostles and Evangelists in the Greek Tongue some few things were written in Hebrew namely St. Matthews Gospel and the Epistle to the Hebrews Eusch l. 3 c. 26. l. 6. c. 11. 19. Jeron in Catal. Scriptorum It is divided into Evangelical and Epistolical Books Those are the Evangelical books which contain a part of the glad tidings or the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with the History from his Nativity to his Ascension into Heaven at the thirty fourth year of his Age. The Gospel of St. Matthew IT contains the Genealogy of Jesus Christ his Birth Education his Prophetical Office in Preaching Miracles his Priestly Office in the Oblation of himself for our sins and his Kingly Office in his rising from the dead and the Government of his Church * 749. MAT. 1.1 The book of the Generation c. Isa 53.8 Who shall declare his Generation The former place speaks of his Generation as Man as the Son of Mary and supposed Son of Joseph The latter place not according to his Humanity but Divinity so who shall declare the Excellency and Manner of his Generation or if the Prophet must be interpreted to speak according to his Humanity then we must say there is a very few only can declare his Generation neither is it possible to express his Humane Generation to the full because that is so wonderful 750. Mat. 1.1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 1.4 Tit. 3.9 Avoid foolish and endless genealogies The knowledge of Christs genealogy is more profitable that we may know Jesus to be the true Messias promised of the seed of Abraham and David Paul condemns the madness of those who tell mens fortunes by their Nativities and such as move unprofitable questions concerning genealogies which the Jews addicted themselves much to neglecting the study of godliness those he bids us to avoid as vain and idle and Heathenish fancies 751. Mat. 1.1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham Luk. 3.23 38. Who was the son of Heli Nagge Matthat c. of Adam of God Matthew and Luke differ not Matthew describes the genealogy of Christ by the Line of Solomon to Joseph Luke by Nathan another son of David from Josephs Father in law who was called Eli to David and so far as Adam the father of mankind * Mat. 1.1 with 1 Tim. 1.4 The first speaks of a certain Genealogy and generation the second speaks of an uncertain and vexatious generation There were some who probably being Jews naturally and turned Christians were addicted to these genealogies that they might have a pretence of claiming kindred of Christ they made no end of drawing down their lines of descent from David or else they would make a scrupulous search after genealogies about Christ about which there were great controversies in the Church when as Herod had burnt all publick Records that were of that nature Matthew and Mark had set down what was needful herein * 752. Mat. 1.5 Salomon begat Booz of Rahab Doubt How could Salmon beget children of Rahab the Harlot if he entered not into the land of Canaan for none which came out of Aegypt was to enter in except Joshuah and Caleb Answ Although Salmon came out of Aegypt yet not being twenty years old he was not under the Curse of the Lord Num. 14.29 753. Mat. 1.6 David the King began Solomon Luk. 3.31 Who was the son of Nathan who was the son of David Matthew observes the natural order descending from Fathers to the Sons Luke ascends from the Sons to the Fathers Matthew by Solomon and his posterity reckons the fore-fathers of Christ from David to Salathiel Luke by Nathan and his posterity for Solomons race being extinct Christ was born of the posterity of Nathan according to the flesh * Mat. 1.6 with Luk. 3.31 Matthew observes the order of nature descending from the Fathers to the Sons on the contrary Luke inverts the Order ascending from the Sons to the Fathers 2. Matthew reckons not all he begins from Abraham only Luke accounts all and ascends even to Adam and God himself Matthew begins at Abraham for God chose the seed of Abraham to beget Christ