holinesse who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nazarite of the Lord Matth. 2. 23. and also of he vow of entire sanctification in the faithfull in wâ—â—m there is no part so base oâ— feeble which they may not or must not consecrate to Gods sâ—â—vice See Cant. 4. 1. And all the cutting and 〈◊〉 off the hayre was a â—â—gne of mourning and 〈…〉 ny Lev. 12. 5. Ezr. 9. 〈◊〉 Job 1. 20. Ezek. 7. 18. Contrariwise the nour 〈…〉 of the Loâ—ks a signe of glory and jâ—y so the faithfulls holinesse is the Crowne of their Joy and glory which filleth them with Comfort inwardly and Respect onâ—wardly V. 6 He shall come at no Which did Cerimonially pollute a man Numb 19 11. and therefore was unsusserable to the profâ—ssion of the Nazarites puritie V. 7 The consecration The Italian hath it The Nazarite-ship as he beareth in his haire the mark of his â—â—nsecration to God so he ought to beware from violating of it either ceremonially or inwardly in spirit V. 9 The head The profession of a Nazarite whereof he carrieth the 〈◊〉 in the haire of his head Of his which cleansing was commanded all them who were polluted by comming neere unto a dead carkasse Numbers 19. 14 19 Sâ—â—l hee shave it To beginne againe the whole time 〈◊〉 his Nazarite-ship V. 11. He sinned That is to say he shall offer though he be unadvisedly fallen into that legall pollution incompatible with his consecration See upon Lev. 5. 2. A figure of the inavitable sinnes of the spirituall Nazarites for which there is alwayes a remedy namely the bloud of Christ upon whom is also layd the bond of new beginning the course of their sanctfication Shall hallow shall renew his vow and his profession of Nazarite for so long a time as he had vowed at first without reckoning the time before his casuall pollution V. 13 Be brought The Italian hath Let him bring it That is to say let him come with his locks the token of his Nazarite-ship to the Tabernacle and there cut them off v. 18. V. 14 For a burnt offering A kind of an expiaterie Sacrifice for all the sinnes of the person as the sinne-offering was for the sin of action And thereby is signified that in every exercise of holinesse which the faithfull doe use there are alwayes two defect◠〈◊〉 one in the person the other in the action which have alwayes need of purging and of Christs intercession Ex 〈…〉 28. 38. As for the third ofâ—â—ring of thanks-giving 〈◊〉 Nazarite did thereby make an acknowledgement God for all the good strength and grace in having vowed holinesse and bee able to keep it And so ought every faithfull man give thanks unto God for his sp 〈…〉 ll gifts V. 15 And their meat-offering and their think offrings They were câ—râ—ainâ— additions of Flower Wine and Oyle to the sacrifices of Beasts See Exo. 29. 40. V. 18 Of his Upon which heâ— hath let his hairegrow according to the Law of the Nazarite-ship V. 19 And shall put them Because that this sacrifice was for a persin consecrated by vow there are many such like ceremonies in the sacrifice of the conecration of Priests Ex. 29. 24. V. 20 Wave them See upon Exod. 29. 24. May drinke He shall be absolved from his vow and may returne to the ordinary manner of living like other men V. 21 Hath vowed Namely the Nazarite during the time of his Nazarite-ship shall offer two kinds of offerings the one commanded and necessary annexed by the law of God to the Law of the Nazarite-ship the other of a voluntary devotion according to his power V. 23 Yeâ— shall blesse publikely and solemnly Lev. 9. 22. V. 25 Make That is to say shew thee his grace by effects V. 26 List up A signe of grace and good will as contrariwise the turning of his face away was a token of wrath and hatred See Psal. 4. 6. V. 27 Shall put By their payer and blessing poynted out by the stâ—â—tching forth and laying on of their hands may they draw on and keep the presence of my grace power and spirit in the middest of my people CHAP. VII VERS 3. COvered Made after the fashion of horse-litters or coaches with arched covers V. 5 The service To help in part to supply the want of carriage of the things belonging to the Tabernacle for otherwise six such waggons could not suffice for all According to his according to those parts which were left to the conduct and looking to of the two families of the Gershonites and the Merarites Num. 4 24. 31. V. 7 Two Moses divided these waggons according to the proportion of the greater weight and bigneste of those things which were committed to the Merarites charge Numbers ch 4. v. 3. And the lesser weight which the Gershonites had Numbers chap. 4 v. â—4 V. 9 Upon their Without the help of any waggon Numbers 4. 6 8 10 12 14. 2 Samuel 6. 6. 13. V. 10 For dedicating This was a holy Ceremony which was done with prayers Sacrifices Musicke Feasts and Rejoycings when any Fabricke being finished was to begin to be employed to its uses either holy or ordinary to dedicate it first to God and draw his blessing upon it See Deuteronomy chapter 20. verse 5. 1 Kings chapt 8. verse 63. Ezr. chapter 6. verse 16. Neh. ch 12. v. 27. Psal. 30. v. 1. V. 89 When Moses After Aaron the Tabernacle and the Altar were consecrated when Moses enquired of the Lord within the Tabernacle without the Curtaine God spake unto him with a distinct voyce which did not proceed from nor was not framed by the Organs of any body assumed for a time nor in diverse places as he did before but alwayes from above the Arke by a voice divinely framed according to his promise made in the five and twentieth chapter of Exodus and the two and twentieth verse See upon Exodus chap. 40. vers 34 35. Hee spake Moses to GOD Others have it and so hee spake unto him namely GOD to Moses CHAP. VIII VERS 4. THe shaft By the shaft is vnderstood or meant not onely the chiefe middle stock but also all the branches divided with their vessels and knabs to the flower of Gold beaten out with the hammer V. 6. Cleanse them From all exteriour and ceremonniall uncleannesse Exodus chapter 19. vers 10 15. that they may be imployed in the service of the Tabernacle Numbers 4. A figure of the spirituall purification of all Gods true Ministers yea of all the faithfull Isaiah chapter 52. verse 11. 1 Thessalonians chap. 4. verse 4. 2 Timoth. chap. 2. verse 21. V. 10. Shall put That is to say lift up and stretch forth their hands towards them wherein the people imitated that which was done in sacrifices where the person that offered layd his hands upon the offering as well to dedicate it to God as for to transferre the punishment of death upon it to which the person himselfe was subject so the people consenting to the
Ashdod the Hebrew name is taken from Dagon which signifieth corne as if hee had beene the God of Husbandry or which is the most likely from Dog which signifieth fish for it was of the shape of a fish from the middle of the body downeward as it seemeth to be intimated 1 Samuel chapter 5. verse 4. Because the Philistims were sea-men and dwelt upon the sea-coast V. 24 Saw him Namely after hee was taken V. 25 Made them sport Either he did indeed do some ridiculous acts as blind men use to doe or he onely feigned to conceale his intent V. 27 Upon the roofe Which was made after the manner of a Terrace V. 30. Were mâ—e A figure of the efficacy of Christs death by which he finished all his combats against the devill and sinne which he had begun by his preaching in the world John 19. 30 Hebr. 2. 14. CHAP. XVII VERS 1. THere was The History and all the rest unto the end of this book are here inserted out of the order of times for they are of things which happened presently after Joshua's death V. 2 Thou cursedst Discover the guilty Levit. 5. 1. or which curses thou utteredst through anger against the thiefe Blessed be thou shee saith so not only to shew that she was pleased with her sons act but also to recall her former impâ—ecation V. 3 For my son In the behalfe of thee and of thy actions to draw on the blessings of God and in honour of thy house Or dedicating them to Gods service which I was desirous to establish in thy house and to which I had allotted thy sonne my Nephew I will accomplishing my designe the money shall returne to thee and to thine use V. 4 Two hundred It is likely that the remainder was also imployed to this service V. 5 An Ephod A Priestly garment See upon Iudg. 8. 24. Teraphim The Italian hath it Idolls see upon Gen. 31. 19. V. 6 No King No supream and continuall ordinary magistrate over the whole body of the people for the Iudges were extraordinary raised at Gods pleasure and oftentimes having power but upon one part of the people Iudg. 9. 22. and without absolute authority Iudg. 2. 17. V. 7 Judab Distinguished by this addition from the other Bethlehom of Zabulâ—n Ioâ— 19. 15. V. 10. A suit The Italian Thy ordinary cloathing Namely two Garments V. 11. As one For good usage good will and partaking of his goods V. 13 Seeing I have As if in all this establishment of divine worship there had been nothing wanting but onely a lawfull Minister as the Levites were whereas there was a defect in all in the insttution without command approbation and promise of God in the place means and idolatrous ceremonies CHAP. XVIII VERS 1. AND â—n those dâ—yes Presently after the death of Joâ—â—ua The Tribe The portion which fâ—ll to the Tribe of Dan under J 〈…〉 ua Josh. 19. 47. being too little one part of it which was not yet provided for resolved to goe seâ—k some new countrey Jâ—s 9. 47. V. 2 From Zorah These Cities were of Dans first lot Jos. 19 41. V. 3 The voyce Either by reason that they had knowne him elsewhere or because they heard him do some Ecclesiasticall office of prayer or praise Thither Where they had heard the Levites voyce V. 5 Aske Councell Not that this Levite whether he were Priest or no had any power or promise to give a true answer being not ordained by God nor having the breast-plate of judgement Exod. 28. 15. Num. 27. 21. But this people being infected with Idolatry believed he might and the Levite answereth of his owne accord or else God out of his superabundant grace and of his owne free will inspired him to give an answer from him Shall bee prospherous or whether he will cause it to prosper V. 6 Before the Lord He will favour it and hath taken it into his care to provide for it V. 7 To Laish This is the same City as Leshem Josh. 19. 47. Zidonians Who by reason of the strength of their countrey which lay upon the sea-coast and by reason of their might were not molested by any No magistrate but they lived in the manner of a free Common-wealth Farre from and therefore could hope for no suddain relief from them v. 28. V. 12. Mahanch-Dan That is to say the encamping of Dan. See Judg. 13. 25. Behind On the back of it towards the North. V. 14 What ye have to doe Whether you will take them away or no. V. 24 What have I more That is worth so much or can equall it V. 27 Burnt Which might come to passe either in the fury of the assault by chance or done purposely in detâ—station of the Pagan uncleannesses â—o blot out all marks thereof and purisie the city V. 30 Ionathan Which was the name of the fore-sayd Levite Gershom The Jewes and many of the Ancients have tâ—ouâ—ht it was the sonne of Moses Exod. 2. 22. and that the name of Moses was transformed into that of Manasses by the small addition of a letter in honour of that great Prophet whose grandchild was become a Minister of lâ—olatâ—y But of this tâ—â—re is no certainty Of the captivity and it is not knowne whaâ— captivity is meant here it may be that though this â—â—olatâ—y were abolished in the dayes of Samuel and David the pâ—sterity of this Levite might yet remain amongst the Danites in some office belonging to the Levites unâ—â—â—l the changes which happened throuâ—h the Assyrâ—ans V. 31 Alâ— thâ— time Umâ—llah Aâ—ke which was setled in Siloh Jos 18. 1. was taken and then ouried to Kiriath-Jeasim 1 Sam. 7. 1. at which timâ— the whâ—lâ— countrey was purged from idolatry by Samuel 1 Sam. 7. 3. CHAP. XIX VERS 1. IN those dayes Presently after Joshua's death which appeareth by that that Phinea's Aarons Nephew was yet living Judg. 20. 18. A Concubine See upon Gen. 25. 1. V. 10. â—bus Namely to the city of the Jebusites Jos. 18. 28 V. 18 To the house In Siloh which was in the Tribe of Ephraim where the holy Tabernacle was Jos. 18. 1. V. 21 They washed See Gen. 18. 4. V. 22 Know him A word expressing the infamous meaning of an abominable kind of Luxury V. 24 My daughter See the like example of such another diversion from the like horrible violence Gen. 19. 8. V. 25 Took his Imagining it was not reasonable to have his hosts daughter to suffer that shame and reproach for him V. 26 And fel down dead Her Lord For commonly those Concubines were maid-servants which were bâ—ught See Ex. 21. 8 â—0 V. 29 Together with her That is to say according to the joynts of her body V. 30 Consider of it The Italian Take the fact to heart or consider of it CHAP. XX. VERS 1. AS one By comon consent of all From Dan From Laiâ—n which was also called Dan Iudg. 18. 29. which was the northern bound to Beâ—shâ—ba which was the southern
Conductor 〈◊〉 of thee he comforteth the Church which was deprived of her earthly King by the promise of Christs comming the heavenly and everlasting King Come forth he was from everlasting come forth of the Father by generation and by an eternall decree was by him appointed to be a mediator V. 3. Therefore namely to fulfill these prophesies Will he God shall suffer his people to be subject to forreine Princes and Lords their enemies untill Christ be borne of a Virgin according to the promises Gen. 3. 15. Isay 7. 14. The remnant namely the Gentiles converted by faith to Christ and thereby made brothers to the true Israel in Spirit shall be united with them in one body of a Church under Christ their head V. 4. And be namely Christ shall doe the office of a good shepheard standing still on foot and watching for the safegard of his employing for their safety the divine power of his Father whereby the Church shall rest secure having the King of the Universe for her Protector Now namely at the prefixed and appointed time or within a short space V. 5. And this man namely Christ shall be the foundation the author and maintainer of the true spirituall rest of the Church and if it bee assaulted by the enemies it shall from him have sufficient meanes for to withstand them As if they had raised seven Armies under the command of seven Captaines against the Assyrians who were the Jewes ancient enemies Seven shepheards having likened the Church to a flock of sheepe he calleth the defendors of it and all the ministers of her preservation shepheards as servants to the great shepheard who in respect of Christ are also sheep and members of the Church V. 6. Shall waste they shall utterly ruine Sathan and the worlds kingdome with the sword of Gods word and by temporall slaughters like unto those slaughters which the enemies had made of them Rev. 18. 6. or using against them their owne weapons which they had taken away from them Psal. 37. 15. Of Nimrod See Genesis 10. 10 11. V. 7. As a dew by reason of its multitude growne up as it were in an instant and miraculously fallen from heaven they shall be like dew or raine Psal. 110. 3. That tarrieth not which doth not grow in Gardens nor tilled lands watered by mens hands but in Deserts Mountaines and wilde places that have no other water but what fals upon them from heaven Iob 38. 26 27. Psal. 104. 13. V. 8. As a Lion the faithfull shall be endowed with an invincible force of the Spirit of God to overcome and overthrow the devill the world and all their enemies 2 Cor. 10. 4. 5 6 〈◊〉 Ioh. 5. 4 5. V. 10. Cut off I will take away all worldly strength from my Church And cause her to renounce all damnable and unlawfull meanes to maintaine her selfe as sorceries and recourse to Idols and idolatrous people which meanes the people had formerly made use of to the end she may put all her trust and confidence in Me and that she may obtaine the victory over all her enemies only by the power of my Spirit See Hosea 1. 7. Zech. 4. 6. V. 11. The Cities namely the walled and strong Cities to bring them to live in Villages and open places See Ezek. 38. 11. V. 14. Groves dedicated to Idolatry Deut. 16. 21. V. 15. Have not heard have not beleeved and obeyed the Gospell 2 Cor. 10. 6. CHAP. VI. Verse 1. ARise O Micahl debate thou Gods cause against this rebellious and ingratefull people as it were in judgement calling all the creatures to be judges seeing their consciences are more insensible then these creatures See Deut. 32. 1. Isay 1. 2. Micha 1. 2. V. 4. For I thou canst not alledge that there is any fault in me who have accumulated blessings upon thee Miriam who had also the gift of prophesie V. 5 Consulted namely to make Balaam curse thee who instead of that fruitlesse endeavour perswaded Balack to induce thee to idolatry and fornication Rev. 12. 14. From Shittim after thou wentest astray after Baal-Peor Num. 25. 1. Yet I did endure thee and brought thee into the land of Canaan where I renewed my Covenant with thee in Gilgal by the Circumcision See Josh. 3. 1. 5. 2. The righteousnesse his sovereigne loyalty in keeping his covenant and promises Or his infinite mercies V. 6. Wherewith the Prophet brings in the people desiring to know the true meanes to appeale God and be reconciled unto him V. 9. The Lords voice the Lord seeing what his people had deserved by their sinnes doth admonish them by his Prophets that they should take heed of his judgements which did hang over them and by his predictions doth warne them and instruct them not to hold them to be casuall chances but things proceeding from his Providence and justice that they might prevent them by Repentance Thy name thou thy Self as thou hast manifested thy selfe to thy Church by thy proper Name doest judge rightly of the sinnes of thy people and of the punishments which they deserved therefore V. 10. Theasurers of gotten possessed and used unjustly and wickedly Scant measure the Italian Scant Eph 〈…〉 to sell by Amos 8. 5. V. 12. Thereof namely of Jerusalem V. 13. Will 〈◊〉 Gods words V. 14. Thy casting downe that is to say those shall perish like a building that sinketh and ruineth by its owne weight having an evill foundation or being built with evill stuffe Shalt take hold of some part of thy goods to save them out of the ruine V. 16. For the namely those sinnes which have been spoken of before Statutes namely the Idolatry brought in by those wicked Kings 1 Kings 16. 25. 32. A hissing a matter of scorne and derision The reproach the ignominious punishment for having prophaned the name and title of being my people and my Church by your sins Ezek. 36. 20 23. Rom. 2. 24. CHAP. VII Verse 1. VVOe is me the Prophets lamentation because godly men were decayed in the countrey as if a thirsty and wearied traveller could not finde any fruit or Grapes in the Fields or Vine-yards See Psal. 12. 1. The first ripe rare fruits and therefore most to be desired Isay 28. 4. Hos. 9. 10. The meaning is that he fought for a good man amongst the people as for a very rare thing V. 3. Asketh for presents Wrap it up they make a league together they joyne and strenthen their evill councels and frauds even as by the twisting together of diverse threeds and strings they do make a strong rope V. 4. As a brier hurtfull and catching as Psal. 58 9. Ezek. 2 6. The day the time of thy punishment foretold by the Prophets who are called the watchmen Ezek. 3. 17. 33 7. Hos. 9 8. Perplexity and extreme anguish instead of the windings and practices of your deceipts See Nah. 1. 10. V. 5. Trust ye not there is no more faith nor loyalty no not even amongst
it were so thou mightest gaine everlasting life by thy works but thou shalt find that it is not so Ro. 8. 3. and that the Law can not serve thee for any thing but onely to discover thy sinne and thy condemnation unto thee Rom. 3. 20. and 7. 7. Galath 3. 21. 22. Make use therefore of the Law to bee by it directed unto mee in whom is the accomplishment of it and justification to life Rom. 5. 18. See the like though not the same History Mat. 19. 17. V. 29. To Justifie Namely to shew that hee had kept the whole Law for if Christ had answered according to the doctrine of the Pharisees Mat. 5. 43. that by the word neighbour are meant friends kins-folkes neighbours by habitation or well deserving persons he would then have replyed that he had fulfilled that Commandement for his presumption was so extreame that hee made no difficulty of observing the first Table And if CHRISTS answer had on the other side beene according to his Doctine Mathew 5. ver 44. hee would have rejected it as contrary to common sence and would thereupon have appealed to the Doctors of the Church Verse 30. A certaine man A Iew. By this parable is shewne that all men even profelled enemies as the Iewes and the Samaritans were Iohn 4. 9 and strangers that knew not one another as this Iew was to this Samaritan are comprehended in the Law under this name of neighbour And besides that true Charitie consists not in any shew and profession of conjunction and affection but in the reall workes of doing good And moreover that the ignorance of many Pagansmoved by a simple naturall affection to doe the workes of the Law did convince the Iewe's great knowledge which was joyned with rebellion and carelesnesse Rom. 2. 27. Verse 31. Passed by without being moved to compassion or taking any care of him but going aloofe off with disdaine See Psalm 38. 11. Verse 36. Was Neighbour that is to say had done that which the Law had commanded judging truely of the meaning of it in what toucheth the loving of a neighbour Verse 41. Thou art carefull Christ reprehendeth two things in Martha One that shee was too busie in receaving and entertaining him too curiously according to the world The other that she had withdrawne her selfe from attentively hearing his word which is the most necessary entertainment that we ought to give Christ. Ver. 42. Hath chosen hath addicted her selfe to the true duty of receaving mee into her heart where I will remaine everlastingly whereas this my conversation in the flesh which thou so much standest upon will at the last bee taken away from thee by my departure out of the world Sec 2 Cor. 5. 16. CHAP. XI VER 1. ALso taught giving them some expresse forme of it Verse 14. And it was it did not onely say nothing within the man who was possessed but made him dumb also Verse 16. From Heaven Which might bee without doubt or contradiction For it is likely they said These miracles which thou dost here upon earth may either be false by illusion or seigned by some collusion with the evill spirit And howsoever it bee they are not to be compared with those high miracles which were wrought by Moses and the Prophets above whom thou exaltest thy selâ—e and thy doctrine V. 20. With the finger by Gods Almighty power see Exod 8. 19. V. 21. Are in pâ—â—câ— that is to say secure against all manner of invasion Ver. 30. Was a signe that is to say a divine warning by meanes of the miracle wrought upon his owne person being come forth of the â—ishes belly againe alive Which questionlesse Ionas had told the Ninivites of and was by them believed whereupon they were moved to Repentance Be to that is to say after my Resurrection I shall fully shew the truth of my person and the power of my word And whosoever shall not then turne to me shall bee inexcusable and condemned without any remission V. 33. No man Christ addeth this to his former discourse to shew that having in his life time proposed the doctrine of salvation he would put it in full evidence and power after his resurrection but that the light of his word outwardly presented could not be saving if it were not receaved by the inward soule which having no insight in heavenly things must bee enlightned and purged from all wicked affections by meanes of the Holy Ghost Ver. 36. If thy when thou shalt be not onely enlightned by Gods word outwardly but regenerated also by the holy Ghost in all the parts of thy soule then shalt thou bee capable of enjoying this divine light to salvation Ver. 38. Washed the Greeke word hath a relation to the Pharisees curious and superstitious kinds of washing for doubtlesse Christ observed all manner of civill honestie V. 39. Now doe yee thus doth the Lord peradventure point at the novelty of their traditions beyond that which was written in Gods Law V. 40. Hee that namely God that created both body and soule requireth also to bee served with the purity of both Observe that of the body according to the Law it is sufficient but be chiefly carefull of that of the Soule which you most impiously are carelesse off for hypocrisie is likely joyned with the prophanenesse of the heart Ver. 41. Give the washing of the dishes is not that which maketh the meate cleane and holy to the conscience of him that useth it but the right use therof especially in the way of charity Ver. 44. Appeare not which are covered at the top whereby the bones and carrions that are within them can not be seene Ver. 45. Of the Lawyers the Italian One of the Doctors of the Law See upon Mat. 22. 35. V. 48. For they this â—proveth not the consent of their imitation but a reproach of the wickednesse of their forefathers Seeing they honoured the Prophets by building them rich Sepulchers whereby they acknowledged that they had bin holy men and wrongfully slaine V. 49. The wisedome namely I my selfe who am the everlasting and subsisting wisdome of the Father Prov. 8. 12. V. 52. Ye have namely by your arts and usurpations ye have appropriated unto your selves the power of expounding the Law of God captivating mens consciences to your opinions and spoyling them of all liberty of judgment and knowledge CHAP. XII VER 〈◊〉 NOthing this generall sentence ought in this place to bee restrained to the publicke preaching of the Gospell which untill that time had been preached but to few in unfrequented and obscure places and that secretly and obscurely V. 4. My friends see Iohn 15. 14 15. Ver. 14. Who made Christ not willing to entermeddle with any part of secular governement doth notwithstanding herein doe his office instructing this man and all his hearers by giving them warning to take heed of covetousnesse which was the beginning of this contention V. 21. That layeth up namely he that heapeth up welth to
as it grew late and in the meanâ— time the Disciples which were gone to Emmaus came home and when they had made their relation unto them the Lord came and stood before them Luke 24. 36. The first speaking after the manner of the Iewes For it was our Sunday which it should seeme the Lord did even from that 〈…〉 me sanctifie appearing on that day and consecrating it to works of inst 〈…〉 vers â—6 Were shut which it is very likely did open by some miracle the Disciples seeing it or otherwise V. 20. Mis hands marked with the marks of his wounds which he had received upon the Crosse which he retained after his resurrection as glorious tokens of his sufferings and combâ—â—â— and to be the proofs of the truth to his Disciples and to them alludeth S. Paul Gal. 6. 17. V. 22. He breathed for an externall signe of the internall inspiration of his Spirit which he made into them See Gen. 2. 7. The holy Ghost namely a new addition of his gifts for their ministery whereof the full abundance was conferred upon them at Pentecost V. 31. His name namely by him and by vertue of his merit and intercession CHAP. XXI VER 1. AT the Sea where the Apostles were gone from Ierusalem Matth. 28. 16. then they returned to Ierusalem where Christ was taken up into heaven Luke 24. 51. V. 3. A fishing according to his first trade which he had not quite given over to imploy himselfe wholly in the work of the Gospell as he did after Pentecost V. 4. Knew not partly because of the distance and partly also it is very likely by some supernaturall impediment of their sight as Iohn 20. 14. V. 5. Any meat the Italian Any fish broiled and readie to be eaten V. 7. It is the Lord whether he conjectured it to be so by reason of the likenesse of this miracle with the other Luke 5. 5 6. or that the Lord cleered his eyes more then the rest V. 9. A fire of coales laid there by miracle as all the rest was V. 1â— Knowing they knew by many signes and circumstances that it was the Lord and yet they had some scruple which they durst not make knowne by questioning V. 14. The third See the other two Iohn 20. 19. 26. To his altogether or to the greatest part of them for otherwise he had appeared diverse times before to the women Mat. 28. 9. Mark 16. 9. Iohn 20. 14. then to the two travellers Luke 24 31 then to Peter Luke 24. 34. 1 Cor. 15. 5. V. 15. Lovest thou me the occasion of this question seemeth to be taken from that which Peter had bragged Mat. 26. 33. Feed do all that belongeth to the office of a good Shepherd toward his sheepe either young and tender oâ— strong and well grown And it seemeth that by this triplicated question Christ maketh Peter gainesay his triplicate deniall And that by this command he doth again confirme him in his Apoâ—â—leship from which 〈◊〉 seemed to be 〈…〉 en V. 18. Verily a prediction of the martirdome which Peter in time should suffer by vertue of the Lord whereas the feare of it had made him deny him when he trusted in his own strength Thou shalt stretchforth it is liâ—ely that Christ had a regard to the Romans custome who were wont to lead their condemned men to the death of the crosse with their armes stretched out tyed to the crosse beame of it which they also carried upon their shoulders Gird thee that is to say shall binde thee Or he hath a speciall regard to that in the death of the Crosse the sufferers were fastened unto it with girts about the loines Thou wouldest not by a meere natural will which flyeth from death and the paines thereof though that should afterwards yeeld to Gods obedience by a spirituall and deliberate will as these two motions were also in Christ Mat. 26. 39 42. V. 19. By what death namely a violent and nâ— a naturall death He should glorifie he should beeâ— glorious witnesse of Gods truth and should shew in himselfe the divine power of his spirit in contemning and overcomming death for Gods cause and should honour God by his voluntary obedience Ver. 21. What shall this man shall hee also die after the same manner V. 22. That he tarrie alive I come to judgement at the last day Follow thou me dispose thy selfe to obey me in all parts and actions of thy vocation V. 23. The brethren namely amongst the Apostlos But is very likely that the holy Ghost did afterwards cleere them in this as well as in any other doubt or error V. 24. We know namely all true beleevers which are enlightned by the holy Ghost V. 25. Even the world a hiperbolicall speech to shew not onely the number but the immensity of the understanding and the benefit of Christs works also THE BOOKE OF THE Acts of the Apostles Argument THe Evangelists 〈…〉 ving given to the Church the history of the life acts sayings and sufferances of our Lord whilest he lived upon carth The holy Ghost inspired S. Luke to put in writing consequently the chief effects of him glorified set at the right hand of God in his sending downe his Spirit upon the Apostles in the establishment of his everlasting kingdome in the gathering together of his Church out of all nations indifferently and in the new forme of conduct and government of it and finally in the light of grace of salvation of truth and of life spread 〈◊〉 â—ver the whole world Now the holy Ghost not aiming at the feeding of mens curiosities by many particular narrations S. Luke hath contented himselfe with laying downe the grounds aâ—d generall modell of this great Fabrick of the Christian Church And to give for a rule 〈◊〉 patternâ— of instruction to all ages certaine tastes of the processe of it by the labour of two gr 〈…〉 Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul First then he relates how the fall of the traitor Iudas being restored by the chusing of Matthias into the number of the Apostles the Lord did miraculously s 〈…〉 downe from heaven upon them all the abundance of the gifts of his Spirit according to the promise which he had so often made unto them And how the Apostles principall members of the body of the Church and first workemen in this divine workâ— having been by hiâ— inspired 〈◊〉 inlightned in an universall most certaine and compleat knowledge of the doctrine of salv 〈…〉 accompanied with an infallible and perpetuall conduct in the propounding and teaching of iâ— and with the miraculous gift of tongues and of working of miracles and with hâ—roicall strength and power and all other qualities and parts necessary for the exercising of their charge thâ— same Spirit did likewise spread it selfe by meanes of their preaching upon many other persons is faith and conversion and in miraculous gifts also Whereupon there was suddenly gâ—thered together amongst the Iewes a body of a Church
seeke after this conversion of the Iewes wishout fearing to be therfore reiected as the Iewes had bin for theirs V. 13. For Ispeake Isay that as the fall so the rising againe of the Iewes shall bee for the Gentiles advantage and in this manner doe I honour those to whom mine Apostleship hath bin specially destined not to cause them to grow proud ver 17. but to induce the Iewes to a holy concurrencie Ver. 14. Them which are Namely the Iewes of which Nation I am And might save to bee even from this houre an instrument of their salvation untill God recall the body of the Nation 1 Cor. 7. 16. and 9. 22. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Iam. 5. 20. V. â—5 For if this re-establishment of the Iews ought to be desired of all beleevers because that if upon occasion of their rejection the Gentiles have had part in Gods grace by the Gospell by their recalling they shall obtaine a joy and glory much like to the heavenly one by the spirituall resurrection of this so noble part accompanied with a glorious manifestation of CHRISTS Kingdome and admirable effects Ver. 16. For if God chusing and sanctifying Abraham for the first fruit and stocke of the blessed race hath also out of his free will given his naturall progenie this priviledge that they shall never wholly and for ever fall from his grace and covenant See Ier. 31. 35 36. and 33. 24 25. The first fruit these similitudes have no relation to the proving of the ground of the forsaid priviledge which is nothing but Gods free will but onely to set down the effects of it as in the Law the use of the fruits of the earth was sanctified and blessed by God by meanes of the offering of the first fruits which were offered unto him Lev. 19. 24. Deut. 26 2. and in the order of nature the boughes follow the nature of the roote Matth 7. 17. and 1. 2 33. So God having consecrated Abraham did doe it likewise for the benefit of his posterity to have alwayes some respect of grace towards it to restore it into his covenant though he suffer many ecclipses and interruptions to happen in it V. 17. The branches the roote is Abraham the Olive tree is the Iewish nation and Church the broâ—â—en branches are the unbeleiving and reprobate Iewes the wilde branches which are grafted in are the Gentiles graffed into the body of the Church and admitted into the covenant made with Abraham the fulnesse and sap are the blessing and promises made to Abraham and his seed V. 18. Boast not doe not attribute this benefit to thine owne merits and doe not insult over the Iewes for if thou doest it in respect of the Nation know that thou art thorow grace incorporated into Abrahams blessed race and not it into the Gentiles if thou doest it in respect of thine election and their reprobat on humble thy selfe rather seeing that all thy substencie is but only out of Gods grace and be instructed to persevere in faith with holy sollicitude and dâ—ffidencie of thy selfe to crave continuall assistance at Gods hands 1 Cor. 10. 12. Ver. 22. In his goodnesse Namely in the state of grace in which thou hast beene set and if thou heaâ—est the fruits thereof and art accordingly thankefull unto the Lord for it Otherwise all this ought to be understood of the externall incorporation into the Church by profession of which many hypocrisie have part and not of that lively internall and perpetually and effectuall into the mysticall body of Christ by a lively faith and communion of the spirit according to Gods election which is alwayes accompanied with perseverance See Ma 〈…〉 15. 13. Ver. 23. Shall hee graffed shall be restored into the communion of the Church Ver. 24. Of the Olive true Namely of the heathen race who were not regenerate by the spirit 〈◊〉 manured by Gods word without sweetnesse of grace or fruit pleasing to God Ephes. 2 3 12. Contraâ— to by the voluntary worke of grace The 〈◊〉 rall the native off-spring of Abraham who is their stocke V. 25. Mistery namely of the last conversion of the Iewes obscurely touched by the Prophets Isa. 11. 11. Zech. 12. 10. and more clearely manifested in the Gospell Matth. 23 39. Luk. 21. 24. 2â— or 3 16. Rev. 12. 6. and fully revealed to Saint P 〈…〉 as well as many other secrets In part in respect of the greater part of the people out of which hath only beene excepted a small number of Elect. ver 1. 5. The fulnesse Namely the great number opposite to those few Iewes who then and since have joyned themselves to the Christian Church V. 26. All Israel Namely the body of the people in generall shall be put againe into the way of salvation and re-established in the Church Others understand this of the whole Church composed of Iewes and Gentiles Which seemes to remaine unperfect so long as the Iewes are excluded out of it Out of Sion Isaiah speaking of the first comming of Christ in the flesh saith he shall come into Sâ—on But the Apostle applying that passage to the second manifestation in grace and power towards the Iewes saith out of Sion that is to say out of the middest of the Church where hee makes his abode in spirit he shall call and gather together the Iewes V. 27. For this is the Apostle relates none 〈◊〉 the beginning of the 20. ver of that 59. chap. Isay without setting downe all the rest which is of the substance of this covenant and makes more for this present subject When I shall this seemes added 〈◊〉 of Isa. â—7 9. very sittingly for this matter V. 28. They are that is to say the Iewes for the present time are alienate from God by reason of their rebellion against the Gospell which onely can unit soules to God 1 Thes. 2. 15. For your sakes Namely for your benefit because the Iewes apostacle hath given occasion for your vocation ver 11. and moreover because God hath redoubled his grace towards the Gentiles by the fall of the Iewes as a Father will love one of his children more dearely after the death of the other As touching the God doth yet beare some love to this people for hee hath freely chosen them and by a singular priviledge above all other people appointed never to reject them totally v. 16. Ier. 31. 36. For the Fathers for the speciall favour 〈◊〉 bore to the ancient Fathers V. 29. For the gifts God never recalls his grace which by absolute decree hee will communicate to some person or nation to call them to him and to have right to his covenant Now the election of this people hath beene such above all others in the world Who being once called have and may fâ—ll totally and irreparably whish this people cannot Without repentance that is to say irrevocable of which God never repents Psal. 〈◊〉 10. 4. Ver. 30. For as wee must supply The intersection of the fruition of
accustomed to labour enclined to obedience and strengthened in faith by the long journey in the desert before I put them to the triall of war against the Cananites and that all hope of returning into Egypt may be taken away from them knowing no other way but through the red sea which shall miraculously be opened for them and presently shut up again Now this is a kind of human discourse For God is no way tied to means for to come to his ends yet he doth set down many very convenient and fitting ones according to the free disposition of his wisdom V. 18. The Wildernesse of Etham Num. 33. 8. Harnessed the Italian hath it in array the Hebrew word seemeth to signifie in ranke by five and five Jos. 1. 14. others harnessed according as the Hebrew phrase implyeth wearing of the sword bâ—lt about the fifth rib that is to say about the five last small ribs V. 19. Of Joseph together with the other Patriarchs Acts 7. 16. V. 20. Succoth see Exo. 12. 37. V. 21. The Lord the Son of God personally 1 Cor. 10. 9 therfore called the Angel of the Lord Exo. 14. 19. wâ—nâ— he shewed his presence in power and operation joyned to this signe and instrâ—ment wheresoever he removed or transported himselfe a Pillar an airy body like a cloud in sight and quality miraculously formed standing upright and spreading it selfe very high in the aire After the Tabernacle was set up this Pillar had its basis upon it Exod. 40. 38. Num. 9. 15. and remained so in the middest of the Host when God would have it stand still and when he would have it march on it removed to the head of the host to lead them through those deserts uninhabited sands without any beaten way Num. 10. 33. Deut. 1. 33. it was also to make them a shade and keep them from scortching Psa. 105. 39. a pillar it was the same Pillar in substance as the first was but by night by miracle it shewed otherwise and was for another use By day and night as well by day as by night as it pleased God to cause them to remove now at one time now at another Numb 9. 17 and some times also causes them to march diverse dayes and nights without resting Num. 10. 33. and 33. 8. V. 22. He tooke not away all the time they were in the wildernesse CHAP. XIV VERS 2. THat they turâ—e whereas the right and direct way to the land of Canaan is on the left hand let them draw to the right hand towards the red sea Piâ—aâ—irot the Italian hath it the throat or gorge of Hirot hils which made a hâ—ad to the red sea into whose throat Pharaoh thought that the people running away would inclose themselves V. 3. The Wildernesse they thought to have saved themselves in the wildernesse but the difficulty therof hath affrighted them wherefore they have turned aside to shut themselves up and inclose themselves within the streights of these mountaines V. 5. Fled made a shew of going away intending not to returne contrary to Pharaohs opinion grounded upon Moses his first proposition Exo. 3. 18 and 5 3. which Pharaoh disobeying and now again following them in an hostile manner Moses was no more tied in that unto that first proposition and the peoples departure was justified by Gods providence V. 7. Over all cerâ—ain heads commanded over all this number of chariots or over every chariot there was an Officer who had the rule over them that were upon the said chariot V. 8. A high hand openly freely with displaied banners not like runâ—waâ—es V. 10. Cried out through feare and perturbation not with a faithful calling upon him V. 15. Wherefore It is likely that Moses amazed at the peoples murmuring was gone aside to pray unto the Lord who chideth him not for the holy act of praying but for his feare which stayed the execution of that which he had already abundantly consented unto And did also let him know that hee was readier to heare him than hee was to call upon him V. 16. Divide it thou making this signe which I commanded thee my self at the same time will produce the effect of it v. 21. V. 19. The Angel the Son of God himself the perfect pattern and eternall Mediator between God and man Exo. 13. 21. removed the Italian hath it went away removing the pillar which was the signe of his presence he spread forth his power behind the host as well as he had done before it V. 20. To them the Italian hath it to the one namly to the Egyptians that part of the pillar which was towards them being like a cloud whereby they were hindred in their pursuite to these the Italian to the other namely to the Israelites to whom the other side of the pillar appeared like fire to shew them the way V. 21. By a strong which in part was a signe of Gods presence who wrought therein by his omnipotency and in parts was an instrument of his working Yet above all naturall property of its owne but rather contrary to it its property being rather to spread the waters abroad than to gather them up in a heap Others say that it was to dry up the muddy bottome of the sea Gen. 8. 1. Exo. 15. 8. V. 24. Morning watch according as anciently the nights in stead of houres were divided into so many watches the number of which is not certainly known see 1 Sam. 11. 11. Looked a figurative terme asmuch as to say darted his thunderbolts as it were out of the lightning of his eyes Psa. 77. 18 19. V. 25. Looke off having broken them or brought them out of order with the thunder Drave them the Italian He did lead them going before them hindered them in their pursuite V. 27. His strength the Italian hath His violent course that is to say a violent fall of waters so heaped up Overthrow by some impetuous wind or otherwaiâ—s V. 30. Upon the sea shore which were driven thither by the boyling of the sea which in that manner casteth up dead carkasses See Psa. 74. 14. V. 31. Beleeved the Lord through confidence and entire dependency of the heart and conference upon him as their Soveraigne Moses through acknowledgement obedience and docility as towards Gods servant and ambassadour Exo. 19. 9. CHAP. XV. VERS 2. SOng the subject of my praises and holy songs prepare him an babitation the Italian hath it glorisie him the Hebrew I will give him ornaments and trimmings others I will set him up a habitation that is to say a holy place where hee shall be served and honored V. 8 With the blast whereby he intimates that the wind Exo. 14. 21 was miraculously raised by God and accompanied with a supernaturall property V. 11. Fearefull the Italian Reverend who by thine excellent and famous works causest thy self to be respected and feared V. 12. The earth it should seem he meant the miry bottom of the sea wherein many did stick V. 13.
upon them for not performing their duty or because the Tabernacle was built with that money Ex. 38. 25 and afterwards the daily offerings were bought therewith and those for holy days and other offerings for the attonment of all the people in general 2 Chro. 31. 3. which were the ordinary sacraments of the redemption of soules through Christ. V. 13 Halfe a shekel Which was the diâ—rachma Mat. 17. 24. which was a quarter of an ounce weight Now by the Jewish history it plainly appeareth that this tribute was paid every year though there were not always a solemn setting down of the people but it is likely that without that all those that were come to be 20 years of age gave in their names into the register or muster books of their commonalties and from that time begun to pay this tribute to God which was gathered and kepâ— in the treasures of the Temple see 2 Kin. 12. 4. 2 Chro. 24. 9. Neh. 10. 32. Of the sanctuary Some believe that there was an ordinary shekel of two drammes and another holy one of foure Others with more likelyhood hold that there was but one kind of shekel which is cal'd of the Sanctuary because that of these holy taxes there was one invariable estimation and weight whereof there was a proof kept in the Sanctuary to prevent the abatement of coine And it is thought that this is the same shekel as the Kings shekel is 2 Sam. 14. 26. See upon 1 Chr. 23. 29. V. 15 Therich Because that before God all soules are equall the debt equall and the price of Christs bloud likewise equall V. 16 A memoriall A perpetuall signe of obedience and of a faithfull homage given to God bestowed towards the use and means of attonement V. 18 The altar of the holocausts which was in the court V. 19 Shall wash The water running down through pipes this signifieth that no service can be acceptable to God if the person be not first purified by faith in the bloud of Christ Heb. 9. 14. V. 25 Holy ointment which signified the gifts of the holy Ghost without measure wherwith Christs human nature was endowed which is the Churches true altar and Tabernacle and was a figure of the consecration of his whole person to the office of Mediator see Ps. 45. 8 9. and 133. 2. Isay 11. 2 3. and 61. 1. Dan. 20. 24. John 3. 34. V. 30 Aaron It appeareth by Lev 4. 3 5 16 and 16. 32 that this unction was used only for the high Priests when they came to succeed and not for the inferior ones Exo. 40. 15. V. 32 Upon any strangâ—r the Italian hath it The flesh of any man out of the prâ—estly line true it is that by Go s expresse command the Kings were also anointed with it in case of the election of a new liâ—age or some notable alteratioÌ„ in the successioÌ„ see 1 Kin. 1. 39. Ps. 89. 21 V. 33 Like it To shew the reverence due to sacred things also that it is not lawfull for man according to his own fancy to frame unto himselfe any other means of sanctification but by the Spirit of God nor any other intercession but throuâ—h Christ. V. 34 Stacte the Italian hath it Storax others have it Stacte which is a liquor that issueth out of incisions made in a Myrrhe or Cinamom tree or a certaine fatnesse which comes out of myrrhe new pressed Onâ—cha the Italian hath it sweet â—nglâ—a ancient Authors make mention of this Uâ—glia or 〈◊〉 and say that it was the shell of a fish which fed upon Spâ—â—enard in certain ponds and thereby did get its sweet smell Now a dayes there is none at least not known Gaâ—banum A drug of evâ—â— sent but sure it was not meant of this ordinary sort or else it served only to temper and sharpen the other perfumes or else there was some mystery in this mixture to shew that even the best of our works have some defect in them With pure that is to say bright transparent and cleansed from all â—regs and soulnesse V. 35. Tempered together Exactly well incorporated and mixed the Hebrew hath it salted which seem take in the proper sense Pure made all of selected drags without any corruption oâ— defect V. 36 Some of it As much as will serve to make the daily incese Before the that is to say upon the Altar of incenses which was before the Arke wherein the Tables of the Law were called the testimony Exo. 30 with the great cuâ—tain between CHAP. XXXI VERS 2. I Have called That is to say I have ordained him by name or namely V. 3. With the Spirit Which sheweth that this was a knowledge and industry insused by God and not gained by art study or imitation V. 8. The pure Made of most pure gold and kept most cleanly through the Priests care V. 13. Veriy The Italian hath it Neverthelesse As much as to say though I will have these utensiles that are for my service to be carefully made yet will I not have my Sabbath broken A signe A holy document which I have set down for my Church by which I continually put her in mind of the benefit which she receiveth from me regenerating of her through my Spirit that resting from fleshy workes shee may apply her selfe to them of the Spirit which is the true spirituall Sabbath and this ceremony being holily observed by the Church sheweth that she consenteth thereto and employeth her selfe therein V. 16. Covenant By an enterchangeable bend it being correspondent to the benefit which I dispense and grant unto them by the externall Sabbath v. 13. V. 18. The singer A humane kind of speech meaning that it was done without any art of man only by divine operation and work CHAP. XXXII VERS 1. Gods Visible images which we will consecrate and then yeeld divine honour unto them It is likely that the greatest part of this people inclined to idolatry after the manner of Pagans and that they did desire many images but that Aaron in part consenting to their wicked demand would have them to acknowledge and worship the true God in this image which therefore he will have to be but one which shall go Shall be our guides in this v yage as the Lord hath been hitherto in the Pillar which having stood still all the time that Moses had beene in the mount it is likely that the people wearied with this long stay would substitute 〈◊〉 other signes of the Godhead which should move at their pleasure V. 2. Eare-rings By Gen. 35 4. and Judg. 8. 24. It seemeth that there was some pâ—â—fanenesse in the use of these earâ—-â—ings which Aaron would by this meanes root out take away one sâ—n by bringing in a worser V. 4. Calfe The Egyptians worshipped their Apis in the shape of an Oxe and their goddesse Isis had a Cows hornes and it should seem the Israelites tooke this shape from thence See 1 King 12. 28. Ezek. 20 7
of some benefits received at Gods hands there were three kindes â—â—st voluntary for Gods benefits in generall Second of thanksgiving for some noted favour The third upon a vow when the benefit was obtained upon some singular vow made V. 13 Leavened bread Leaven was not permitted but only in these kindes of offerings of thanksgiving because that in it the offerer was not questioned about the purity and sincerity required in him Lev. 2. 11. but was only to acknowledge Gods benefits amongst which that of the proper feeding of mans body with leavened bread was to be numbred see Lev. 2. 12. and 23. 17 V. 14 For a heave offering Which was done by only presenting it to God without consuming it upon the altar see Exo. 29. 24. 28. V. 17 Shall be burnt To avoid superstition in keeping of these hallowed meats and to not prophane them with sordid sparingnesse whereas God would have them eaten in mirth and holy freedom in token of a heart spread out before him V. 18 Shall beare Shall be guilty before God and subject to judgement if he doth not purge his fault by sacrifice see Lev 5. 5 V. 19 That touchâ—th Namely after it hath been offered because by that touch it was defiled Hag. 2. 13. All that be clean That is to say let the Priests which are not unclean eat their parts set down v. 31 32. and the offerers likewise which are not unclean the rest see Exod. 24. 11. Sam. 9. 12. and 20. 26. Proverb 7. 14 V. 20 Having his Before he be cleansed of it according to the Law Lev. 11. 24. c. V. 21 Abhominable The Italian hath it Creeping creature The Hebrew word may be taken generally for any abhominable thing V. 24 The fat That kinde of fat which is specified above Levit. 3. 16. Of the beast Of those kindes of beasts as are fitting for sacrifices V. 26 In any of your dwellings See upon Levitiâ—ous 3. 17 V. 31 And his Sons It appeareth by Exod. 29. 26. was to be the high Priests and his families wherefore it is cleare that by the word Sons are to be understood every high Priests Sons but the right shoulder was for the ministring Priest V. 34 The wave breast These two portions may be referred to the two parts which do work in every faithfull sacred minister namely to labour which is signified by the shoulder and to the care and affection figured by the breast And therefore the high Priest did to that end weare the names of the tribes upon his shoulders and upon his breast V. 35 Of the anointing Of the Priest-hood whereof the anointing was a Sacrament see Exod. 40. 15 CHAP. VIII VERS 3. THe congregation All the heads and chief of the people representing the whole common-wealth of Israel Lev. 9. 1. V. 19 And he killed it The Italian hath it And Moses killed it Or it was killed and Moses sprinkled the bloud V. 31 The flesh The Italian hath it This flesh Namely the rest of the flesh of the ramme of the consecration Eat it both the rest of the flesh and of the bread was left in the baskets Exo. 29. 32. V. 34. As he hath I have faithfully executed my office in your consecration now do you fulfill yours by standing in the holy place in continuall exercises of piety which sheweth that the spirituall sanctification of the faithfull is accomplished with time and perseverance CHAP. IX VERS 1. THè Elders see upon Exo. 3. 16. V. 2. Take thee This sacrifice of a young calfe which was ordinary in sins commi ted through ignorance by the high Priest Lev. 4. 3. is here offered at his entring into his office for the purifyng of all his former faults and also to teach him that his Priest-hood served aswell for himself as for the people Heb. 5. 3. and 97. V. 3. A Kid of the Goats For the people v. 7 15. this sacrifice of a Kid was ordained Lev. 4. 23. for the sin of a Prince or a Magistrate and that of a young bullock for that of the whole assembly but there is some speciall respect in these sacrifices of dedication as for examples to shew the equality that is betweene the shepheard and the flock in the state of conscience and forgivenesse of sins before God V. 5. Before the In the court of the Tabernacle V. 7. Make thee By purifying thy selfe first make thy selfe capable of offering acceptable sacrifices for all the people so that thy atonement may redound to the generall good V. 9. Of the Altar It appeares by Lev. 4. 7. that we must here understand the altar of incense which also is intimated by Moses and Aarons entring into the Tabernacle v. 23. At the bottome of the Altar of burnt offerings Lev. 47. V. 16. The burnt offering The calfe or the lamb added to the sin offering of the people V. 17. Tock a â—andsull Of the flower oyle and incense of he offering according to the Law Levit. 2. 2. Beside the beside the continuall morning sacrifice which was to be before all other sacrifices and had his offering joyned as well as the rest Exodus 29 28. V. 21. Waved See upon Exo. 29. 24 Breasts which was the portion of the Priest which was in office at that time in all sacrifices of thankesgiving Leviticus 7. 34. V. 22 Came down From the little ascent whereon the altar stood V. 23 Went into To carry in the bloud of the sacrifices for sin offerings Lev. 4. 7 16. Blessed that is to say brought word from within the sanctuary that God accepted of those sacrifices for this is a different blessing from that of the precedent verse which was at the end of the action The glory Some extraordinary flash of divine brightnesse had shewed it selfe in the pillar of cloud as Exodus 16. 10. Numbers 14. 10. V. 24 A fire Caused by God miraculously and sent from heaven or from the Tabernacle in token of approbation See Judg. 6. 2â— 1 King 18. 38. 1 Chr. 21. 26. 2 Chro. 7. 1. which was the cause of the great rejoycing of the people and this sacred â—â—re was afterwards preserved and kept upon the Altar Leviticus 6. 13. CHAP. X. VERS 1. STrange fire Not taken from the Altar where the only fire was which God would have used in all his service And though the command was not given before yet it was a sin in undertaking the contrary before Gods mind was known Now this sacred fire signifieth the power of the holy Ghost by which one may offer sacrifices acceptable to God Rom. 8. 26. Eph. 6. 18. V. 2 From the Lord From before the Arke where God was present in the signes of his Majesty and efficacy of his working Some have it from the Altar Devoured them Stisled burned and slew them though it consumed neither their bodies nor their cloths v. 45. V. 3 I will be This is not found set downe any where else but it seemeth that Moses writ nothing but only
to be understood the great councell of seventy or the assembly of all the governours and heads of the people V. 34 It was not Exodus 31. 14. capitall punishment was ordayned for Sabbath-breakers but here there might be a question by reason that the fact was apparently of small moment was such a transgression whether it might be pardoned and by what kind of death he ought to dye V. 38 Of their garments Their outward garments Deut. 22 12. Of blue of blue wollen threed V. 39 And it shall be The Italian hath it And that ribbon those fringes composed of many threeds comprehended the changes and strayings of mens thoughts and actions which ought to be restrained under the obedience of Gods heavenly law figured by that sky-coloured ribbon See Psalm 119. 113. Seek not have alwayes your thoughts and will set upon my commandements without being drawne away by the evill motions of the heart and enticements of the sences A phrase taken from huntsmen which never keep any certaine way but runne after the tracks and sent of the beast see Deuteronomy chapter 29. verse 19. Job chap. 31. verse 7. Ezech. 6. 9. A whoring Spiritually by lusting after fleshly things and after the world contrary to Gods chaste and pure love See Psa. 73. 27. Jam. 44. or by committing idolatry as Num. 14. 33. CHAP. XVI VERS 1. KOhath So that Korah came to be Moses his cosen german Exo. 6. 18 20 21. Tooke men The Italian addeth Tooke other men with them namely the two hundred and fifty men spoken of v. 2. V. 2. In the Congregation The great councell or supreme ordinary Senat was but of seventy Num. 11. 16 but besides that when they were to treate of any busines that was very general wherein the advice and consent of the whole people was required or whose execution was to be committed to the inferior magistrats there were gathered together the other heads of the people divided into heads of thousands and of hundreds c. Exod. 18. 25. and this was the Congregation which is spoken of in this place Numbers chapter 〈◊〉 v. 16. V. 3. Ye take too much upon you The Italian hath it Let it suffice you That is to say content your selves with what you have been suffered to do hitherto and seek not to usurpe perpetuall domination upon Gods people Words of ambition jealousie and sedition against the order of government established by God himselfe as if Gods ordinary gifts of grace did free them from all manner of subjection and did confound all manner of order by an equall popularity V. 4. He fell See upon Numbers cha 14. v. 5. and 20. 6. V. 5. Who are his Whom he accepteth of for his particular servant as me And whom he hath consecrated by his gifts and calling as he hath done Aaron and not by the gift of common grace as he hath done the rest of the people v. 3. And will cause him will confirme his vocation by some miraculous and extraordinary signe V. 6. This do All this is ordained by Moses through divine inspiration V. 7. Doth chuse Approveth of by accepting of his Incense see upon Gen. 4. 4. Ye take too much upon you The Italian Let it suffice you You undertake too much stay Or content your selves with the honor ye have received from God to be his inferiour Ministers V. 9. To minister unto them To do in the Congregations name and stead that which they were bound to do themselves about the service of God See Num. 3. v. 7. V. 10. And he hath He hath not only appointed you for this sacred function but hath already installed you in it and put you in possession and execution of the same The Priesthood also Which as it may here appeare Korah did purpose to make common to all the Levites as it seemeth also that his followers which were not Levites purposed to do the like with Moses his politick power and with the councels power which God had appointed V. 14. Into a land According to thy promise Exo. 3. 17. Lev. 20. 24. Put out The Italian hath it dazle to dazle the peoples eyes by thy authority that they may not finde thy cunning and ambition of raigning V. 15. Respect not Be not thou propitious unto them when they shall present their prayers and sacrifices unto thee Psal. 109. 7. Or by the refusall of the solemn proof of their incenses shew that thou doest disallow of their rebellion See Genesis chapter 4. v. 4. V. 17. Before the Lord Before his Tabernacle V. 18. Fire From the Altar which was the only fire that was acceptable in all offerings Lev. 10. 1. V. 19. All the Congregation The whole body of the people or their governors as it appeareth by v. 22. and it seemeth that they inclined to Korah his side but did forbeare to declare themselvs openly untill such time as they had heard Gods determination The glory the ordinary signes of his approach and presence which appeared by the comming down lower of the cloud and by the brightnesse of it See Exodus 16 7 10. Leviticus 9. 6 23. Numbers 14. 10. and 20. 6. V. 22. Of the spirits Creator and preserver of the soules who knowest the hearts wouldest thou destroy thy divine work for a sin which thou knowest to be of malice in Korah but of ignorance and seduction in the rest V. 25. The Elders The councell of seventy V. 26. And touch nothing As being condemned to a curse and anathema in which case it was altogether forbidden to touch or come neere any such thing Deu. 13. 16. V. 27. And stood For it was no more lawfull for them to come amongst the people V. 28. All these works To have brought the people out of Egypt to have conducted and guided them and done all other things which belonged to mine office verse 13. V. 29. Be visited By a naturall and ordinary death which neverthelesse is always a punishment for sin Rom. 6. 23. V. 30. Go down Go die under ground contrary to the ordinary course of dying which is to die above ground and afterwards to be buried under ground V. 32. All the men Num. 26. 11. it is said that Korahs children did not die in this execution whereby it may be gathered that here are meant some slaves or women and finally all them which did stay with him and were yet within his houshold from which some were already severed by marriage or otherwise As for Korah he died in the Tabernacle with all the two hundred and fifty Levites which followed him v. 35. 40. Num. 26. 10. V. 35. Came out It was created by him and darted either out of the cloud or out of the Sanctuary V. 37. Of the burning Of those dead bodies which were fired and consumed to ashes which were yet burning hot hallowed these censers having been presented before God by his commandement and besides that belonging to persons which perished by a curse ought now to belong unto
which was the Moabites peculiar idoll 1 Kings chapter 1â— v. 7. is v. 24. called the God of Ammon V. 24. Wilt not thou possesse This is said in a manner of graunting according to the meaning of Ammon an idolatrous King and not to attribute any power unto the idoll Chemosh See upon v. 13. V. 25. Did he Namely Balak after Isiael had conquered the Midianites Numbers chapter 31. verse 7. let them in peace enjoy the Amorites country without any more question though that had formerly been belonging to the Moabites V. 26. Thrce hundred It is thought that these yeares must be reckoned from the comming out of Egypt including also the forty of the voyage in the wildernesse V. 27. Have not Thou hast therefore no reason to un 〈…〉 ake this warre nor to offend and assault me demanding of a thing which was never thine nor yet to prepare for any defensive warre being no way provoked nor urged 29. The spirit He was set on upon this enterprise by a magnanimous motion of Gods Spirit V. 31. Shall surely be This vow seemeth to have a reference to a thing devoted as in Leviticus chapter 27. verses 28 29. Offer it If it be a thing lawfull to be offered or otherwise I will put it to death These kind of vowes were not commonly used but only against accursed Nations which were Gods enemies Numbers chapter 21. verses 2 3. Joshua chapter 6. verses 17. 18. 1 Samucl chapter 15. verse 3. But Jephtah transported by the vehemency of his zeale for the peoples safety inconsideratly devoteth other persons and things and doth bind himselfe so firmely that he could not recall it V. 34. With timbrels According to the custome of those dayes Exodus chapter 15. verse 20. 1 Samuel chap. 18. verse 6. Dances the Italian hath it Flutes or dances V. 35. Opened my mouth An ordinary phrase in Scripture for vows which signifieth an irrevocable word binding irremissibly V. 37. Let me alone Defer the execution of thy vow giving me this small respite to prepare my selfe thereunto by refraining frequented places and company to satisfie my naturall griefe for seeing thy posterity faile in me and therewith all thy joy and comfort I dying unmarried and without issue V. 39. Did with her The strangenesse of this act which hath no president hath caused many to beleeve that he did not cause her to be put to death but that he did consecrate â—er to God by some unexpressed way and do translate the ensuing words And she knew no man Whereas the Italian translation is And she had not knowne any man But there bein no such consecrations mentioned in the Law and the devotâ—ment having such a precise necessry in 〈◊〉 it seemeth that the exposition of the 31. v. 〈◊〉 to be preserred V. 40. Tolament Those that hold she was not put to death translate it to talke with her CHAP. XII VERS 1. NOrthward To Gilead which was North of Ephraim Wherefore See such another example of insolency in the Ep raimites Judges chapter 8 verse 1. V. 3. Put A Scripture phrase that is to say I have put my selfe into great danger of my life like as that which is some in the palme of ones hand may easily fall oâ— bâ—snâ—tched away V. 4. Becausetiey 〈◊〉 The Ephraimites pride was the occasion of this waâ— who in câ—â—t â—pt 〈◊〉 upbraid the Gileadites saying they could not live but only by their benefi and favour and that they had no power of themselves being encompassed by these two mighty Tribes and that they ought not to go about any publick enterprise without them who were their heads and protectors V. 6. Sibboleth Through custome or corruption of language naturall to the Ephraimites V. 7. In one of the Cities Or in the Country of Gilead which was divided into severall cities V. 15. Of the Amalekites It was a mountain in the Ephraimites country so called for some unknowne reason see Judges 5. 14. CHAP. XIII VERS 2. ZOrab See concerning this City Ioshua chapter 19. v. 41. V. 3. The Angel The Sonne of God himselfe as it appeares by verse 18. and 22. See Iudges 2. 1. and 6. 11. V. 4. Beware The sanctifying of thy sonne must begin from thy selfe Now amongst all the sanctfyings that of the Nazarit-ship was the most noted and required the strictest abstinence from wine and all manner of drinke that would make one drunke Num 6. 3. V. 5. A Nazarite A figure of Christ the great Nazarite perfectly 〈◊〉 from his mothers womb to be the Saviour of the world Matthew chapter 2. 23. The resemblance of the one to the other is as well in their miraculous births as in the gifts of the holy Ghost in strength and justice For as Samson alone without an Army and almost without any weapons saved the peopl So Christ hath done of himselfe â—â—y chapter 63. verse 5. Hose chapter 1. verse 7. There are also diverse other correspondences which shall be noted in the progresse of the histoiry Begin For the Philistims continued in troubling of the people a long time after Samson untill they were at the last subdued quite under David who was a figure of Christ in the glory of his last comming destroying all the residue of his enemies 1 Cor. 15. 25 26. V. 6. Very terrible Majesticall glorious and sparkling with divine light V. 8. That shall bee Or when hee shall bee borne V. 15. Vntill wee Thinking it was some Prophet or some created Angel and therefore he would do him honour in imitation of Abraham Genesis Chapter 18. vâ—â—se 5. Iudges Chapter 6. verse 18. V. 16. Though thou This thy food doeth not befit me I being no man and if thou wilt bestow it in a sacrifice bestow it as upon the true God and not as upon a created Angel V. 17. May do thee honour As a Prophet by service acknowledgement and respâ—ct or as a good Angell by remembrance renowne and reverence V. 18. Askest Thinking to know my name as a creature is Secret The Italian hath it Incomprehensible Hebrew hidden difficult or admirable as Isay 9. 5 Now by the name he meanes the essence and divine glory it selfe V. 19. A meat offering Manoa had questionlesse brought bread with the Kid and she employed that bread â—n a meat offering which was wont to be joyned with the Sacrifices V. 20. From off the Altor He calleth that part of the rock so where these offerings were offered V. 23. At this time Namely of the childes sanctification and the promise of the Churches deliverance through him in this time of our great wants are not signes of anger but of grace V. 25. The Spirit Which was extraordinarily conferred upon those whom the Lord had chosen for deliverers of his people To move him To inspire magnanimous thoughts into him and give him a miraculous strength of body and minde and incite him to do great and more then humane acts In the Campe of Dan The Italian hath it Mahane-Dan
did present those things to the Prophets who supplied a great part of their charge and office twenty it is likely that the loaves were very small or else it would have been no miracle V. 43. And shall leave as Matth. 14. 10. and 15. 37. CHAP. V. VERS I. GReat man in dignity wealth power and favâ—ur V. 3. In Samaria not that his ordinary abode and dwelling were there but because hee was often there Vnlesse that by the head city the whole Kingdome be meant V. 7. Heerent detesting such an impious opinion as that hee shou'd have the power of God and for feare least under this so impertinent a demand there should bee some plot or traine hidden V. 10. Wash see upon 2. Kings 4. 41. V. 16. Hee refused prophets did use to accept of some small presents which came from aa honâ—st kinde of liberality or of things necessary for â—â—stenance See upon 1 Sam 9. 7. but here there were great reasons to disswade him from it as not to let the pagan conceive that he was avaâ—itious to not seeme to sell the gift of God Mat. 10. 8 Acts 8. 18. and to not make himselfe beholding to any great worldly man c. V. 17. Of earth of this countrey earth which countrey is consecrated to the Lord that I may offer sacrifices thereon and keepe it as a pawne of my communion with his people A demand which had a shew of good zeale but it was without knowledge for the holinesse of the service was not annexed to the materiall earth but to the observing of Gods command which was for worship by sacrifice in that place only V. 18. I bow though it bee without any intent of idolatrizing but only for a ceremony of honour to the King my Lords presence and devotion So hee acknowledgeth that he did sin in that through the remorse or doubt hee hath of it Rimmon an Idol of the Syrians V. 19. Goe in peace the Prophet doth not approve of this dissimulation or division of the heart and the act of the body but it seemes that the Lord having given him no commission nor revealed unto him that hee should instruct him any further in the true religion or incorporate him into the body of his people hee only takes his leave of him without otherwise answering his question As saying content thy selfe with the benifit which thou hast already received a little way the Italian a mile or a stadium see upon Gen. 35. 16. V. 24. Tower the Italian the rock it might bee some Fort standing upon the high-way or peradventure the place it selfe where Elisha dwelt V. 26. Mine heart hath not God revealed the act unto mee in spirit as well as if I had been there bodily present is it a time was this a proper occasion to shew thine avarice taking a present to enrich thy selfe couldest thou not perceive by my resusing of it that the thing was unlawfull Or at this time wherein true Prophets ought to glorify God and justifie their function by vortue which is contrary to false prophets vices wouldest thou staine my house and mine office Or in these times of the Churches desolation wouldest thou think upon thy private dishonest gaines V. 27. VVhite see Exod. 4. 6. Num. 12. 10. CHAP. VI. VERS I. THe place out Schoole or Colledge V. 2. May dwell others where wee may sit that is to say keep our Colledge and doe our exercises V. 6. Cast it see upon 2 Kings 2. 21. V. 8. My camp I will there lie in wait V. 10. Sent to know the truth of it V. 11. VVhich of us or who is it that holds with Israel or taketh their paâ—t V. 13. Dothan a City neare to Shâ—â—hem Gen. 37. 17. V. 15. The servant if it be still Gehazi as may be gathered by 2 Kings 8. 4. 5. wee must beleeve that his leprosie 2 Kings 5. 27. was not of that kinde as that it should hinder his conversation with other men the whitenesse being generall over all the holy Levit 13. 13. V. 17. Open make him see and know by some corporall and apparant vision the true and reall though invisible protection of thy holy Angels see Psalm 34. 8. V. 17. Came down that is to say assaulted the City or came into it V. 19. This is not see of the converting of a narrative truth without offence of conscience for the good even of them who are perswaded to this falshood upon Exod. 1. 19. 20. Open free them from this blindnesse which indeed did not quite take away their sight but did only hinder them from plainly seeing that which was before their eyes V. 22. Those whom how much lesse then oughtest thou to slay them who are faln into thine hands by Gods meere miracle who by mee forbids thee to hurt them V. 23. No more to robbe or make inrodes only for they did come againe with whole armies V. 25. A cab it was a measure of dry things containing as it is thought so much corne as a man could eat in a day doves dung by meanes of which there is alwayes some small corne sound cut of which one may gather some nourishment or salt in extream want Others understand the Hebrew word for the maw where there might bee peradventure found some corne not digested V. 27. If the Lord the Italian hath it let not the Lord save thee words of anger as if hee should say the Lord confound thee thou wicked woman how wouldest thou have mee to helpe thee with bread or wine which I have not V. 30. Upon the wall where there was much people to guard and defend the City sack cloth which might bee seene after hee had rent his garment Now hee were it in signe of griefe and in a superstiticus way of humblenesse yet without any true repentance as first Kings 21. 27. V. 31. If the head hee imputed all these evills to Elisha as having cursed the people and threatned them with these mischances or for refusing to pray for them or to work some miracle for their deliverance imagining it was in his power to doe it when hee would V. 32. The Elders some godly magistrates of the City who were comforting and encouraging one another with the Prophet being come to him to desire and intreat Gods assistance by meanes of his prayers this sonne of namâ—ly Ioram the sonne of Ahab who had murthered Naboth and so many Prophets shut the doore to keep out Iâ—ram who is comming to see mee put to death in his presence hold him namely Ioram who commeth after the messenger V. 33 Hee said as from the King meaning to keepe the Prophet in talke untill the King came which was presently after as it appeares by 2 Kings 7. 2. this evill all thy talk tends to having us put our trust in the Lord and to returne to him by prayer but all is in vaine for the Lord will have us overthrown words of a prophane desperate man CHAP. VII VERS I. SAid to
is the place which God hath chosen for the scituation of his Temple Deut. 12. 5. which David judged ' as well by the failing of fire from heaven 1 Chron. 21. 26. as by expresse revelation V. 2. The strangers they of other Nations who dwelt amongst the Israelites as mercenary workmen and were not incorporated with Gods people by community of Religion unlesse those accursâ—l Nations be meant which were taken to mercy ' and were employed about toilesome labours as Iosh. 9. 21. 1 Kings 9. 20. 21. Masons which were amongst these strangers V. 3. Ioynings to binde and fasten the square stones one with another V. 8. Thouhast not that he condemned Davids just and necessary warres which were commanded approved and blessed by God 1 Sam. 25. 28. bâ—t only to distinguish the particular vocations of the one and the other David having been continually employed in warre to get a firm and durable peace for the people And Solomon being called to sanctifie that peaâ—e with piety and religion David to take paines abroad and Solomon at home And also to shew the singular sanctity which was required in that enterprise it being a figure of the spirituall building of the Church which cannot bee accomplished but by the peace of God V. 9. Solomon that is say peaceable V. 14. My trouble the Italian my povertie in my weak and small humane power in comparison of God to whom this house must bee built Others in mine afflictions that is to say warres and continuall troubles an hundred thousand see by the certaine rule which may be gathered by the weight of the Talent Exod. 38. 25. the innumerable and monstrous wealth which David had gathered together V. 19. To seeke to call for his grace and pardon by prayers and sacrifices CHAP. XXIII VER IV. THe work of the ordinary ministery in which they where to serve the Priests in the preparing of their Sacrifices and other Ceremonies and instructing of the people c. according to their turnes as they were appointed and divided V. 5. And foure thousand in which number are comprehended the masters which were two hundred eighty and eight 1 Chron. 25. 7. and the rest were Schollars which I made which I have been the inventor of Amos 6. 5. and have appointed them to be used in the Temple by Gods commandement 2 Chron. 29. 25. V. 7. Laadan who in another place is called Libni V. 8. The Sonnes that is to say his issue heads of Families in that Kindred which were in the time of David when this numeration was made And so must the word Sonnes be understood hereafter V. 9. Shimei this Shimei is not the same as is in the verse following and might be one of Laadans children which were named before one body many times having two names V. 11. Ziza it is Zina who was named in the precedent verse V. 13. Should sanctifie should use them holily as they who were the only persons consecrated thereunto and accepted of God in this office whereas if any other had meddled with them they had been phrophaned the most holy things as the two Altars the Table the Candlestick the Arke and then certaine portions of meat which remained of the Sacrifices and the Sanctuary it selfe where none but the high Priest might come in see upon Levit. 2. 3. V. 14. Were named they had no other name but onely were Levites having prerogative of honour above the rest of their Tribe see 1 Chron. 26. 23. V. 16. â—â—s the chiefe in this numbering which David caused to be set down V. 21. The Sonnes of these two Sonnes of Merari Exod. 6. 16. came â—orth two branches which in Davids time had these heads of their Nations V. 22. Tooke them according to the Law Num. 36. 6. V. 24. Of twenty years Num. 8. 24. it was set down that the Levites should be numbred from five and twenty yeares and upward and that at thirty they should come into actuall service But it should seem that the place of Gods service being become permanent in one place and the people encreased and in peace and consequently Gods service much encreased in the labour of it God did command David to anticipate this numbering calling them to doe the service five yeares sooner for to encrease the number of them that should doe service 2 Chron. 31. 17. V. 26. No more carry as they were wont to doe while the Tabernacle was in the Wildernesse Num. 4. 4. Now here it should seeme David would say that the service of those ancient times required greater strength abilâ—ty of body and a more mature and staid judgement V. 29. Of measures from hence it appeares that the Levites had the care and over-seeing of all publike measures as things that were holy and rules of legality â—and uprightnesse in all trading and that they kept the patterns of them in the Temple whereupon the just shekel is called the shekel of the Sanctuary see upon Exod. 30. 13. V. 30. Every morning at the houers of the daily offerings morning and evening 1 Chron. 9. 33. Neh. 11. 17. V. 31. Burnt Sacrifices solemn and publike ones by number namely of singers according to the their divisions and turnes to be present at these Sacrifices V. 32. The Charge of the Sonnes to help them in their functions the Levites being called the Priests Ministers Num. 3 6. 9. CHAP. XXIV VER I. OF the sonnes the lineall descendents from father to sonne V. 2. Before their father while their father was yet living V. 3. Zadock Zadock and Abimelech in Davids time were the heads of the two branches of the priestly line of Eliazer and Ithamar and were in stead of two great deputies to the high Priest V. 5. One sort not setting the one lineadge before the other as likewise the two aforenamed had their office equall without any superiority the governours namely Zadock and Abimelech 1 Chron. 9. 11. 2 Chron. 35. 8. V. 6. The scribe a man who understood and was a Doctor of the holy wâ—it or else a writer or a Secretary V. 19. To come according to their turnes week by week see 2 Kings 11. 5. 1 Chron. 9. 25. under Aaron or his successor in the place of high Priest as the Lord according to the degree of authority and dignity that God had bestowed upon him V. 20. The rest the other families of the Gershomites besides those that have been spoken of already 1 Chron. 23. 16. 17. of the sonnes those other families retained the name of Amram in generall but afterwards againe they were subdivided in Shubael who was one of his posterity and then afterwards in Iedeiah who came from Shubael which divisions happened either by reason of the celebrity of some of the descent or by the multitude and encrease of the particular family Shubae called also Shebuel 1 Chron. 23. 16. V. 21. Rehabiah who is spoken of 1 Chron. 23. 17. the first in Davids time when they were numbred V. 22. Shâ—omoth called
other two gates And the name seemeth to agree therewith for Parbar may signifie fruit or rent comming from strangers V. 20. Ahijah the meaning is Ahijah was the chiefe of all these sacred treasurers amongst which Iehieli Zetham and Joel with their Families whereof they were heads had the care of the consecrated money brought in by command or by the peoples liberality the treasures see upon 2 Kings 12. 4. three sorts of these holy treasures but here is only made mention of two there being no need of the third which was the sollicited collection the other two being sufficient of themselves V. 21. Chiefe Fathers the Italian addeth there were chiefe namely at that time as David made these orders V. 23. Amramites the posterity of Amram by Moses his sonne who upon some occasion to avoid superstition or usurpation of some preheminence forbidden by the Lord did not leave his own name to his children but let them passe in the common name of Levites and Amramites see 1 Chron. 23. 14. Vzzielites the posterity of Vzziel Amrams brother Exod. 6. 18. of whom there is nothing spoken hereafter whether there bee any mutilation in this setting down which might happen through the injury of times or whether this Family bee comprehended in some of the other V. 24. The sonne descended from him by a direct line from father to sonne ruler this was a second head of the sacred treasures namely of that kinde which was extraordinarily ordained for the building of the Temple V. 25. His brethren his kindred descended from Moses his other sonne Eliezer V. 27. To maintain for the continuall maintenance of the Temple after it was built to which use it should seeme this stock of money was at first appointed leaving the first for the originall building Vnlesse by the word maintaining the building it selfe bee meant or a supply and ayd for that worke V. 29. Iezharites namely the posterity of Izhar the sonne of Kohath the sonne of Levi Exod. 6. 18. 21. outward businesse by Neh. 11. 16. it appeares that hereby must be understood the whole function of the Levites besides what they did in the Temple whether it were in the office of Iudges and inferior Magistrates Deut. 16. 18. who proceeded only by the exposition of the Law 1 Chron. 23. 4. 2 Chron. 19. 11. Or in the care of providing without all that was necessary for the building and maintenance of the Temple and service of God V. 30. In all businesse having care and power to cause the Law of God to be observed and by these the Kings decrees made thereupon were put in execution in the Countrey V. 31. In the fortieth yeare which yeare David made these partitions of places before hee appointed Solomon for his successor Iazer which city was assigned to the children of Merari Iosh. 21. 34. 39. but it is not said upon what reason or occasion the Hebroniles did seat themselves there V. 32. For every matter as v. 30. CHAP. XXVII VER I. THe children after the division of the sacred offices the military ones were divided being appointed and disposed of by David in a new manner besides the old division of the people into families thousands and hundreds c. that served these were after the manner of Legionary souldiers mustered under divers Captaines who had all one chiefe commander of the Legion to be ready upon all occasions at home and abroad serving by turnes a moneth in a year and likely the heads were continually by the Kings person though the men staied at home still ready at the Kings beck V. 3. Of Perez of Iudahs race Gen. 46. 12. V. 4. the ruler as who should say the Lievtenant Generall v. 6. 7. V. 5. A chiefe Priest the Italian principall officer because that besides this military charge he was also a court officer as great Provost or Captaine of the guard 2 Sam. 8. 18. in his course in his course wherein Amizadaâ— was Lievtenant having inferior captaines under him V. 6. The thirty of which see 2 Sam. 23. 24. above as being one of the six Colonels 2 Sam 23. 20. 22. V. 7. After him that is to say after hee was dead 2 Sam. 2. 23. V 8. Shamhuth who seemeth to be the same as Shammoth the Havorite 1 Chron. 11. 27. and Shammah 2 Sam. 23. 25. V. 11. The Zarhites the children of Zarah the sonne of Iudah Gen. 46. 12. V. 15. Heldai it seemeth to bee the same as Heleb 2 Sam. 23. 29. and Heled 1 Chron. 11. 30. V. 16. Over the tribes the Italian addeth there were rulers over c. it is uncertain whether these were commanders in warre severall from the particular precedent numbrings who should command in case of a generall levie of all the tribes over all the heads of hundreds and thousands or whether they were governours in the politick government and over the Magistrates of judicature to which seemeth to bee referred that which is spoken 2 Chron. 19. 11. V. 18. Elihu called also Eliah 1 Sam. 16. 6. V. 21. Of the tribes amongst which Asher is left out for some unknown reason V. 23. Took not for though hee had commanded it and begun yet all was left unperfect and was broken off see 2 Sam. 24. 1. 1 Chron. 21. 5. 6. because and therefore the curious requiring of the exact number of them was a tempting of God by an exact curiosity as it were to make good his promise V. 24. Because for that hee had commanded the people to be numbred below the age appointed by tâ—e Lord. V. 25. Treasures gathered up in Ierusalem in the fields they were store-houses of provisions and fruites of the earth as 1 Kings 9. 19. or of the tributes gathered of cities without Jerusalem V. 26. Of the field in the Kings own lands and so consequently V. 27. Over the over the dressing of them and the ma 〈…〉 ing belonging to them V. 29. Sharon it is not certaine whether here be meant the fruitfull valley which was in Ephraim Isa. 33. 9. and 35. 2. or the other Sharon beyond â—â—â—daâ— 1 Chron. 5. 16. V. 32. Uncle or cozen a Scribe the Italian a learned man the Hebrew a Scribe that is to say a man who understood the Scriptures Or a Doctor of the Law was with as a tutor or a governour CHAP. XXVIII VER II. OF rest where it might remaine constantly without being removed from place to place for the foot-stoole the Arke is so called Psal. 99. 5. and 132. 7. for the Lord being represented sitting above the cherubines which covered the Arke as upon a throne the body of the Arke was in stead of a foot-stoole V. 4. Chose mâ— me and my posterity untill the comming of the Messiaâ— V. 8. And seek that you study and employ your selves therein to gaine a lively knowledge of them and employ your selves in the keeping of them V. 11. Of the mercie seat the cover of the Ark is so called Exod. 25. 17 over the which
hee had caused Iudah to goe astray Others hee had made Iudah naked namely of Gods protection as Exod. 32. 25. V. 20. Distressed him or burthened him V. 23. Which smote him not truely or really but according to Ahaz his prophane opinion see a contrary example 2 Chron. 25. 14. V. 27. The city that is to say the city of David CHAP. XXIX VER III. OPened Ahaz having shut them up in his daies to hinder the people from comming to serve the Lord in the Temple 2 Chron. 28. 24. and v. 7. V. 4. Into the East street it is likely that here is meant the East side of the court of the Gentiles V. 5. Sanctfie by abstaining from womon and by other ceremoniall purifications and by prayers works of piety and spirituall devotions prepare your selves to doe your office as you ought to doe it and sanctifie take every unclean thing out of it unlesse hee here meanes some consecration like unto that of Levit. 8. 10. the filthinesse employed by Ahaz to idolatrous uses and polluted by their abominable use V. 12. The sonnes the issue that was descended from them V. 15. By the words in his name and according to his expresse will taken out of the written Law or at that time inspired to Hezekiah or upon things which belonged to the Lord and to his service V. 16. Into the court seeing they began to cleanse the porticoes which were about the body of the Temple it is very likely that by this court is meant the Gentiles court V. 17. The house the very body of the Temple consisting of the porch the holy and most holy place V. 14. Did cast away had taken out of their places and from their sacred uses V. 21. For the sanctuary namely to purifie it from Ahaz his contamination and consecrate it a new see upon Exod. 29. 36. V. 25. The commandâ—ment concerning the insttiution of the holy Musick V. 30. with the words taking for their subjects the Psalmes of David and of Asaph who was also a composer of holy songs inspired by God V. 31. Of a free heart this is specified in your burnt offerings for there was more devotion in offering holocaustes which were wholly burnt in the honour and service of God then in the offerings of thanks giving in which the party offering had his share V. 33. Consecrated by vow by voluntary offering and by sacrifices of thanksgiving V. 34. Slay the Italian flea which notwithstanding was part of their charge see Lev. 7. 8. were more they carried themselves with greater zeal and diligence CHAP. XXX VERS I. SEnt commanding them that were his Subjects wrote by way of invitation and exhortation to Ephraim to the other Israelites which were not under his command V. 3. In the second which was lawfull upon extraordinary occasions and chances Num. 9. 11. V. 3. At that time in the first moneth appointed Exod. 12 6. at which time the Temple also was purified 2 Chron. 29. 17. for it could not be made an end of purifying the fourteenth day but the sixteenth because there were not Priests enow sufficiently prepared because the now at the Passeover there were many sacrifices offered Num. 28. 19. and the Priests ought to poure out the bloud of the Lambes at the foot of the Altar verse 16. and burne the fat and other sacrifices 2 Chron. 35. 11. 12. V. 5. Of a long time the Italian before times or a long time before in the manner as it was written namely in the Law in such sort the Italian with such store of company for every male was bound to be at the three solemne Feasts V. 6. The Kings namely of Pul of Tiglath-Pileser for it is likely that the last captivity under Shalmanezer had not as yet been V. 8. Yeeld your selves the Italian give your hands yeeld and submit your selves unto him and call upon him for mercy V. 12. The hand God wrought powerfully in their hearts that they should cheerefully obey the Kings godly commands V. 15. The Passeover namely the Lambes and Kiddes which were appointed for it the Priests those which had not sanctified themselves the first moneth 2 Chron. 29. 34. V. 17. The Levites whereas ordinarily each father of a family did kill the Passeover for his owne family Exod. 12. 3. see 2. Chron. 35. 1â— V. 18. Written see upon Num. 9. 6. V. 19. Of the Sanctuary a request which every one made who came into the Temple being all to come there at these feasts see Lev. 15. 31. V. 20. Healed that is to say held them as purified through his grace and by his gracious pardon and preserved them from such diseases and plagues as such a disobedience was accustomed to provoke and bring upon them Exod 15. 26. V. 21. Vnto the Lord the Italian of the glory of the Lord Heb. of the strength for the Hebrews were oâ—ten wont to change these words that is as much as to say by which instruments his strength and power was exalted V. 22. That taught the Italian which well understood who being the eldest and having most experience had preheminence over the rest and were their guides whereupon Hezekiah comforted them 〈◊〉 having a laborious charge laid upon them V. 24. A thousand to offer sacrifices of thanks-giving a great number who therefore were sufficient to offer all these sacrifices V. 25. The strangers they of other Tribes who by reason of the religion had settled themselves in Iudah CHAP. XXXI VER I. IN Ephraim in the part of these Tribes which were under the command of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 13. 19. and 15. 8. V. 2. Their courses appointed by David 1 Chron. 24. and 25. and 26. and were divided into these foure Offices Priests ministring Levites Singers and Porters of the tents the Italian of the Camp that is to say of the Temple which by reason of the severall functions number and order of Ministers was like an Army see Num. 4. 3. V. 3. Portion to relieve and help out the peoples poverty as Ezr. 6. 9. for these burnt offerings were to be taken out of the peoples offerings which were laid up in the treasures of the Temple 1 Chro. 26 20. Neh. 10. 33. V. 4. The Portion whereof see Num. 18. 8. encouraged should willingly employ themselves in Gods service V. 5. Honey the Hebrewes doe hereby meane Dates for there were no Tithes but of the fruites of beasts and plants V. 6. The Tithe these might bee Tithes that were voluntarily consecrated without any expresse Law as of the spoyles of waâ—re gaines of marchandize c. Gen. 14. 20. and 28. 22. Num. 31. 28. 30. V. 7. The third namely from the beginning of harvest which happened in the third month untill the end there of which is in the seventh see Exod. â—3 16. V. 10. Chiese it appeareth by v. 13. that he was but only one of the high Priests great Deputies there being ordinarily two of them of Eliazar his two lines out of which were come the
the Lord doth enlighten his by the light of his word spirit grace and favour whereby they are made truly happy Or if they doe fall into any evils the Lord returneth at his appointed time and causeth them to behold his countenance in joy and salvation V. 6. Remembrance with men for to bee praised for it and with God to receive the promised reward V. 7. Of evill of evill reports of slanders reproaches or evill newes V. 10. The desire that which they desire shall never come to passe their desires shall bee all in vaine Or that good and happinesse which they have so much desired shall vanish away when they are in the heigth of their pleasures PSAL. CXIII VER 3. PRaised all creatures set forth his honour that is to say doe yeeld abundant matter for to praise him V. 6. To behold hee doth not disdaine from his high seat of glory to provide for all creatures both celestiall and terrestriall PSAL. CXIV VER 2. IVdah namely the whole Nation of Israel divided before the separation of the tenne Tribes into Israel and Iudah by reason of this Tribes preheminency which by reason of their deliverance were a proper peculiar and holy Nation to God Exod. 6. 7. 19. 6. V. 3. Saw it namely the Lord appearing in his power in the cloudy pillar And fled that is to say retired suddenly back as it were to make way for the Lord Poeticaâ—l termes V. 4. The mountaines a description of the shaking of Mount Sinai Exod. 19. 18. Psal. 68. 8. PSAL. CXV VER 1. NOt unto us O Lord accomplish and fulfill our salvation not having any regard unto us or our work nor yet making use of any humane meanes therein whereby any part of glory may bee diverted and taken away from thee to bee imputed or given to us But doe it by thine onely grace and power that thy loving kindnesse towards us wretched sinners and thy truth in thy promises may by thee be used and by men acknowledged and adored V. 8. Are like the Italian Let them be like that is to say let God take away all understanding and use of reason from them seeing they doe so unworthily abuse it to his dishonour Rom. 1. 23. 28. Others translate it they are like unto them that is to say the Idolaters are as stupid and blind in feigning to themselves any godhead in the Idols as the Idols themselves are V. 15. You are or shall be V. 16. The Lords namely to be the seat of his glory Matth. 5. 34. 23. 22. Hath given namely the use of it depending from his providence and supreme dominion nor any absolute proprietie V. 18. But we being redeemed preserved alive and re-established by him PSAL. CXVI VER 1. HAth heard he doth continually heare mee and never faileth me V. 3. The sorrowes Italian the bounds according to others the sorrowes see upon Psal. 18. 5. V. 5. Righteous in delivering his children from unjust oppression V. 7. Dealt bountifully the Italian rewarded thee namely for thy faith and patience Or he hath done thee good V. 9. I will walk with all acknowledgment and gratitude I will consecrate my whole life unto thy service having thee alwayes before mine eyes to depend upon thee by faith and to frame all mine actions according to thy holy will V. 10. Have I spoken Italian I wil speak that is to say I have trusted in Gods promises and therefore having found the effects thereof I will not bee dumb like one that is dismayed having failed in his hopes but I will speak glorifying my selfe in God giving him thanâ—s and making open profession of my trust in him V. 11. I said see upon Psa. 31. 22. Are lyars he seemes to have a relation to Samuel his message that he brought him from the Lord concerning Gods promises to him and finding himself far from the effects of them hee had made some doubt of the Prophets truth Or the meaning may be plainly thus What can I hope for seeing every man betrayeth me and that I can trust no body V. 13. I will talk I will solemnly and joyfully acknowledge him a phrase taken from the custome observed in sacrifices of thanksgiving after which they made a feast wherein the father of the family for the honour of God to stirre up all the assistants to joyne in mirth and praysing of the Lord did take a cup in his hand and used a certaine forme of blessing and having drank caused the cup to passe round to all the rest And from that Christ took the ceremony of the holy communion 1 Cor. 10. 16. V. 15. Precious namely for to defend them from it and to revenge it if it happen by any violence of men and to be pleased with it as with a sacrifice and to remunerate it as a triall and victory of their faith and an accomplishment of their obedience see Psal 72. 14. Of his Saints or of good and godly men PSAL. CXVIII VER 6. ON my side or with me or neare me V. 10. Compassed had begirâ— me round V. 2. Fire of thornes which lasts but for a blast and leave no â—mbers nor coales see Eccles. 7. 6. V. 14. And song he is the author and subject of my mirth and praâ—ses V 18. The Lord or the Lord hath punished mee grievously V. 19. The gates namely of Gods temple where the law of God which is the rule of righteousnesse is preached and taught and where the chiefe part of it namely Gods service is performed and where we ought not to come in without an upright and sanctified soule V. 20. Of the Lord namely of his house through which man draweth neere unto him he being there present in the signes and pledges of his grace The righteous for to such and not to prophane persons it belongeth to enter in there see Isa. 35. 8. Revel 21. 27. and 22. 15. Or the meaning is God will not suffer good men alwayes to bee kept aloofe off from his house as I have beene during Sauls persecutions see Ecâ—les 8. 10. V. 22. The stone figurative termes to shew first and litterally Davids miraculous exaltation to the Kingdom though the chiefe of the people did contemne and reject him Then spiritually and prophetically Christs establishment God making him the foundation of his Church though the Priests and other chief of the people to whom the building of the ancient Church was committed did reject and withstand him V. 25. Save now this is the signification of the Hebrew word Hâ—sanna which was an acclamation they were wont to make to new Kings which was also made to Christ Matth. 21. 9. Send now namely to our King and to us through him V. 26. That commeth whom God sendeth to be King over us being consecrated and elected by him to be as it were his Deputy Acclamations made by the Priests and people when David came into the Temple and likewise to Christ whose figure David was We have we Priests
thought to settle your selves in your countrey in faire and magnificent houses in rest but I will shortly drive you out into captivity It shall the pollution of the Countrey by publicke and raigning sinnes shall be a cause that you shall not live in rest nor security but that you shall be driven out and dispersed as Lev. 18. 25 28. and 20. 22. Jer. 9. 19. and 10. 18. Ezek. 36. 12. V. 11. If a man namely false Prophets who say they have divine inspirations and dally with the peopleâ— promising them good and plenty are those whom they accept of and hearken unto See Isa. 30. 10. V. 12. I will surely an Evangelicall promise of gathering together the universall Church under the Kingdome of Christ Jerermah 31. 10. contrary to the precedent dispersion Bozra a place in the Land of Moab abounding in cattell and pastures V. 13. The breaker up I will take away all hinderances which may hinder the spirituall deliverance of the Church beating downe and laying plaine all manner of oppositions Isa. 57. 14. and 62. 10. Their King namely Jesus Christ Hos. 1. 11. CHAP. III. Ver. 1. I said This is the beginning of a new discourse of the Prophet Know shall you not be instructed and understanding in the Law of God and know how to doe justice according to it See Jer. 5. 4 5. V. 4. Then namely in the time of Gods judgements set downe in the former Chapters Or plainly the time will come that they will cry unto the Lord. V. 5. Cry peace who under a false shew of goodnesse and mildenesse are ravening wolves both in soule and body Mat. 7 15. V. 6. Therefore night by my horrible judgements and your extreme miseries I shall so trouble and confound your senses that having no true Prophecye from me you shall not dare to faine any false ones according to your owne mindes and shall be reproved also for your former ones See Isa. 8. 20 22. V. 7. The Seers namely the Prophets though they be false ones 1 Sam. 9. 9. Shall all cover in token of mourning and confusion Lev. 13. 45. Ezek. 24. 7 22. V. 8. But truly I I Micah being guided by the Spirit of God doe not falsifie His word through disloyalty or feare but doe proceed in mine Office in righteousnesse and freedome V. 10. Build up they that doe fill Jerusalem with stately Palaces built by rapines and extorsions See Jer. 22. 13. V. 11. Will they leane though they commit such cruell sinnes yet they presume that God is for them and that he will defend them from all evill as if he were tyed to them and could not goe away from them See Isa. 48. 2. Jer. 7. 4. Rom. 2. 17. CHAP. IV. Ver. 1. IN the last See the exposition of these three first verses upon Isa. 2. 1. V. 3. Afar off even as far as to the end of the World Psal. 2. 8. V. 4. They shall s 〈…〉 A figurative description of the Churches spirituall peace and security under Christs Kingdome Jer. 30. 10. Zech. 3. 10. For the mouth this shall certainly come to passe seeing God hath solemnly promised it V. 5. For all people it is an usuall and almost naturall thing for man to hold the same Religion as their forefathers did but under the Messias it shall be an especiall gift of Gods grace in all true Beleevers that being enlightened in the true faith and knowledge of the true God they shall never depart from it See Jer. 2. 11. We will we will live and persevere in the faith invocation and service of God which shall be revealed unto us as it were in his owne name See Zech. 10. 12. V. 6. In that day namely in the Messias his time I will gather into the sheepfold of my Church my poore dispersed afflicted and weake Beleevers V. 7. And I will make my promises word and grace shall be preserved in the reliques of those poore dispersed Israelites who shall be as it were the seed of my Church and the hope of re-establishment which I will accomplish in its due time with great increase V. 8. O Tower It is the same place as is spoken of Gen. 35. 21. which was neare to Jerusalem and was afterwards called the Sheep-gate Neh. 3. 1. By it is understood the whole City figure of the Church into which Gods Sheep are gathered up in safety Strong hold the Italian Rocke it seemes to be the place called Ophel that is to say strong hold which was under the Temple neare to the aforesaid Sheep-gate 2 Chron. 27. 3. Neh. 3. 26. to signifie the inviolable security of the faithfull gathered together into the Church Even the namely the kingdome of David which seemed to be quite overthrowne shall be raised up again in thee by the spirituall and everlasting kingdome of Christ. V. 9. Why doest thou O Church be comforted thy King and kingdome is not quite perished though it seeme to be so by the Babylonian captivity for Christ thy true everlasting King shall appeare in his time and shall re-establish his kingdome in thee V. 10. Be in paine and indeed for the present thou hast reason to be perplexed but take comfort in my promises In the fields wandering and dispersed out of thy countrey V. 11. Defiled polluted with blood and slaughter Sacked without any respect to her Holinesse and all her ornaments taken away from her V. 12. His councell namely to cleanse and chastise his Church by their meanes and afterwards to bruise and thresh them out like corne in a floore See Isay 10. 7. 21. 10. Jer. 51. 33. V. 13. Arise consume and destroy thine enemies He attributes that to the Church which Christ her head doth for her and sometimes also by her meanes See Isay 41. 15 16. Thine horne hereby it should seeme are meant the hoofes of beasts wherewith they used in former times to thresh corne Deut. 25. 4. Consecrate he alludeth to the interdicts whereby certaine Nations were accursed and all the people absolutely condemned to be rooted out and their goods absolutely to be consecrated to God Jos. 6. 17. 19. CHAP. V. Verse 1. GAther thy selfe O Jerusalem which hast hitherto been filled with rapines like unto those which are committed by robbers upon the high-wuy gather all thy forces together to resist the Chaldeans if thou canst The judge the City being taken the King and all the great Ones shall be shamefully used by the enemies V. 2. Little though at this time thou beest the least and weakest City amongst the Tribes of Judah yet shalt thou be exalted by Christs comming in the flesh And Saint Matthew hath the same words to the same sense with a Negation Thou art not the least c. after the said Prophecy was fulfilled Thousands the Tribes of Israel being divided into thousands whereof every one had a Head or Prince Judges 6. 15. 1. 6. Chro. â—2 20. Zech. 9. 7. Whereupon Saint Matthew in stead of thousands faith Head or
to whom the Prophets had denounced their extreame desolation Isay 23. Ezek 26 and 27. and 28. Repented not with a generall internall and spirituall repentance which the working of miracles cannot bring forth but is an effect of Gods Spirit co-operating with his word but only with an exteriour and disciplinary kinde of repentance which is nothing but being displeased and a forsaking of those great grievous sins which do fight against nature and civill and morall justice and do violate common society for which sins the Lord destroyed those nations Now this was sufficient to condemne the Iewes insensible and inflexible rebellion V. 22. But I say we must suppose those nations aâ—e indeed perished for their grâ—evous sins but at the last judgement the malignâ—ty of these rebels shall appear to be more cruâ—l shall be severely punished V. 23. Exalted by that incomparable blessing of having bin the place of aboad and ordinary conversation of the worlds Saviour V. 25. I thanke thee to the glory of thy divine Majestie I acknowledge thy Soveraigne power accompanied with justice wisdome and mercy in so much that thou hast not wrought upon the mindes and hearts of wise worldly men to give them a lively light of the mysteries of eternall salvation but upon soules of a weake understanding in worldly matters upon simple weake ignorant and contemptible people 1 Cor. 1. 27. V 26. Even so I doe not only acknowledge this truth but do also consent unto it and approve of it V. 27. Are delivered he meanes the universall Kingdome which he hath receaved from God his Father in the qualitie of a Mediator and especially over his Church to accomplish the salvation of it according to the Fathers everlasting decree No man knoweth namely the mystery of the sonnes person and consequently of the Holy Trinity As likewise his In carnation and all the properties of his office of Mediator is onely knowne by God by a proper naturall and perfect knowledge And all that men and Angells know thereof they know it but only of his meere good will and that which is revealed is done by the Sonne to whom it onely belongeth to reveale it as knowne to him by knowledge of nature and he onely having that property of being the Word of God Iohn 1. 1. and revealer of his secrets Psa. 2. 7. Iohn 1. 8. 1. V. 28. That labour in your soules and consciences by a lively feeling of your sins by the terrour of Gods judgments and the hardnesse of his scourges and punishments And also by a painefull and fruitlesse enquirie how you might satisfie Gods justice and obtaine his favour by your own proper works Isa. 55. 2 V. 29. Take Yeeld and submit your selves to me by obedience of saith laying aside all pride and rebellion 1 Cor 7. 22. and 9. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 16 Learne imitate my example in these vertues which are fitting and necessary for every Christian. V. 30. Is easie the Italian is pleasing or easie Namely to those that are regenerate whose sanctified will enclined by Gods Spirit doth no more oppose Christs Law which in the corrupt man is the only cause of the lawes severity towards him but rather consents unto it and sets his whole delight therin Rom. 7. 22. and 8. 7. and this yoake of Christs is opposite to the rigorous yoake of the law unsufferable withâ—u Christ Acts 15. 10. to the intolerable yoke of Pharisaicall orders Matth 23 4. and to the cruell and tyrannicall yoake of the Princes of the world Isa. 9. 3. and 10. 27. CHAP. XII VER 1. TO plucke according to the permission of the Law Deut 23. 25. V. 2. Is not the law did forbid them to dresse anâ— food upon the Sabbath day Exod. 16. 23. which the Pharisees did superstitiously extend to these petty actions of plucking and rubbing of eares of corne V. 3. Have ye not the meaning is the rigorous observation of ceremonies must yeeld to necessity when there is no contempt nor profane rebellion as David did without being reproved for it V. 5. Or have ye not Seeing God hâ—th not tied the officers of his Temple to the observation of the Sabbath they doing that day their most painfull and laborious services my servants and officers following me and serving me may also be free from the observation of it seeing that I am true God with my father and that my service sanctifieth these actions as the service of the Temple sanctified those V. 6. Is one namely I my selfe everliving God Lord of the Temple and the Messias who really and in truth am all that was figured by the Temple and the service belonging to it V. 7. If ye had another reason which hath a relation to the Pharisees cruell hypocrisie who thorow an ostentation of externall discipline went against charity not pittying the Apostles distresse who did eat ears of corne for meer necessity V. 8. For the he yeelds a reason for the Apostles innocency for if there were any sin in their act he was to judge of it being the Soveraigne Lord of all exteriour service and of the due observance of it And therefore since he did not finde fault with it they were not to cavill about it V. 10. To heale The Pharisaicall tradition did forbid the use of artificiall and naturall phisick upon the Sabbath day unlesse it were in cases of extreame necessity and now they doe superstitiously and malignantly apply the same to miraculous cures and healings See Luke 13. 14. Iohn 9. 16. V. 15. Them all that had need of being healed V. 16. And charged See upon Mat. 8. 4. V. 19. Not strive he shall not seek after worldly glory whereupon arise great strifes in the world hee shall proceed in all humility in himselfe and mildnesse towards others V. 20. Till he send till he be entred into possession of his everlasting kingdome to overcome and subdue all his enemies Vnto victory or everlastingly according to the phrase of the holy language V. 22. Blinde by the meanes of the devill which possessed him as Mat. 9 32. 17. 15. Luke 13. 11. V. 23. The Son the Ital. addeth the Christ the Son namely the promised Messias of Davids progeny V. 25. Beclzebub See upon Mat. 10. 25. V. 26. If Sathan the ground of this reason is because the Lord did drive devils out of mens souls by his saving doctrine as well as out of their bodies by his Almighty word wherefore one could not imagine that there was any collusion with the evill Spirit as Impostors often times do at whose instance the Devill comes out of a body to gaine any soules by seduction superstition false doctrine c. V 27. If I You shew your malice in judging evill of me because that having exorcists of your own nation which make profession of driving Devils out of men Acts 19. 15 and do not condemn them though you have no more reason to condemn mine actions thentheirs Now it is uncertain whether
his owne desires and affections and having no regard at all of himselfe subject 〈◊〉 wholly to Gods will and prepare and dispose himself to all manner of sufferings for my sake And so he reproveth Peter for his two vices namely his presumption and feare of afflictions V. 26. For what this is a reason added to tâ—â— exhortation of ver 24. V. 27. Shall come that is to say hee shall appeare in his essentiall glory of everlasting Sonne of God which he hath from his Father by eternall generation and in the Majesty of King of the Church and Iudge of the world bestowed upon him by his Father as he is Mediatour and in the exaltation of his humane nature into celestiall glory V. 28. Comming that is to say go-up into heaven and by his glorious going up take possession of his Kingâ—ome and from thence manifest it and exercise it here in the world by his word and spirit CHAP. XVIL VER 2. TRansfigured not in his natural shape forme and stature of his body but in regard of a miraculous splendor with which hee was covered as it were for a proofe of his glory V. 3. Moses to signifie the consent and concordancie which was betweene Christ and the Law and the Prophets Now they were knowne to the Apostles either by mentall revelation or by their discourses V. 4. It is good words of a man in rapture not knowing what he said Luke 9. 33. dazeled with the Majestie of this glory transported with the present joy contrary to the terror of the death and passion of the Lord whereof Moses and Elias were talking with him Luke 9 31. V. 5. Overshadowed them Namely those representations of Moses and Elias which it is very likely was but in vision and vanished away this cloud covering them And Iesus remained alone appearing in his true body and reall substance V. 9. Tell the vision See the cause thereof upon Matth. 16. 20. V. 10. Why then Seeing that Elias who appeared even now hath againe withdrawne himselfe how can this agree with the common opinion of the Iewish Doctors grounded upon the Prophesie of Mal. 45. though evill understood that he must come into the world before the comming of the Messias shall he come another time and in another manner Or seeing thou art already come and hast revealed thy selfe in thy glory how doe they say that Elias ought to come before thee V. 11. And restore that is to say hee shall serve to conwert Gods people from their evill wayes and corruptions both in doctrine and manner of living and shall prepare them to receave Iesus Christ and so shall establish the state of the Church See Luke 1. 16 17. Verse 15. Lunaticke that is to say by the meere operation of the Devill or by a naturall disease accompanied with or aggravated by the possession of the Devill v. 18 See Mat. 9. 32. and 12. 22. V. 17. O faithlesse it appeares by Marke 9. 14. that he doth hereby reprove the Iewes who contended with the Disciples and contradicted their doctrine aâ— if they could not have verified it by this miracle It might also bee a generall reproofe to the father of the Child and to the Iewes for their incredulity and to the Disciples also because that for want of Faith in Christs speciall promise Matth. 10. 1. they had made themselves incapable of doing this miracle V. 20. If yee have saith seeing that the command of working miracles and the promise of Gods assistance to the working of them was not generall to all beleevers but particular to the Apostles and other persons of those primitive ages of the Christian Church to whom God revealed this his will Therefore by this word Faith must noâ— bee understood the common faith of all beleevers to the generall promises of Gods grace but the particular faith in those promises 1 Cor. 12. 9. and this faith was a condition which God required in that man whom he would asist with his power in the working of that miracle Te shall say if God hath made you any such promise Or if by secret inspiration it bee revealed unto you that it is convenient and necessary for the confirmation of the Gospell V. 21. This kind It seemes that from hence and Matth â—2 45. It may bee gathered that there are some Devills more malignant cruell and obstinate them others And others beleeve that the difference consists onely in the more or lesse power that God doth grant them By prayer not by a transistory act of faith but by a long and persevering exercise of it to obtaine at Gods hands the victory over so powerfull and rebellious an enomy of faith desiring Gods power by prayer and prayer being enflamed and purged by fasting V. 24. They that these it should seeme were the Collectors of the halfe Sheckellâ— that every Iew above twenty yeares of age did pay yearely after hee was once set downe in the roll of his Nation Exod. 30. 13. who under the Roman Empire and in Capernaum a Citie of Galilce where there was a mixture of Pagans and many Iewes which were not very religious and libertines gathered this money onely of those who voluntarily paid it without any enforcement or authority For the Romans under AUGUSTUS had assigned this money for the Capitoll though the most pious kinde of Iewes paid it also voluntarily to the Temple See Mat. 22. 17. Doth not that is to say is not your master one of those good and willing Iewes that of their owne accord pay this dutie to the Temple V. 16. The Children that is to say according to this common reason I the Sonne of God and Lord of the Temple should be free But seeing I am not yet knowen to 〈◊〉 such I will pay it because that this people shall not take me to be a contemner of Gods order and service V. 27. For mee and thee peradventure because the other Disciples were absent or because these Collectors had spoken to Peter lonely CHAP. XVIII VER 1. IN the Kingdome Namely in the kingdome of the Messias which is called of heaven that is to say spirituall and divine by reason of the Lawes and state thereof and by reason of the quality required in his subjects and of the last accomplishment of it in heaven Now the Disciples thorow ignorance imagined there should bee in it degrees of worldly greatnesse and from thence proceeded their question V. 3. As little in humility simplicitie feare innocencie docility c. See Mat. 11. 25. V. 5. One such namely a true Christian that shall have laid aside all worldly pride whereby hee is become abject in the fight of the world V. 6. Offended despising or wronging him for his simplicâ—â—y and humilitie and shall thereby have disturbed him in the course of his heavenly vocation and holy disposition and caused him to take evill councell and forsake it Or to conceave any sorrow therefore and grow faint therein A milstone the Italian addeth an asse
There was this is more likely to be a parable then a true history In purple seeing that these colours white and red were the most magnificent kinde of clothing amongst the ancient Prov. 31. 22. Rev. 18. 16. V. 20. Lazarus it is the same name as Eliezer or Eliazar which signifieth God is my helpe This name seemes to be specified not to signifie that it is a true history but to shew that there is but one kinde of good poore men such as this was namely those that put their whole confidence in the Lord whereas the rich man here hath no â—â—me because there are divers kindes of bad rich men V. 21. The Dogges using as one should say more pity towards him then the rich man V. 22. Was carried as for the body it had no pompous buriall as the rich mans had but as for the soule it was gathered up into heaven into the communion of all true beleevers of whom Abraham was the titular father having been as it were the head of the covenant the depository of all promises and a patterne of faith to all See Rom. 4. 12. 26. Gal. 3. 7. 9. Bosome the gesture of a good father towards his tender children V. 23. Lift up all this signifies figuratively the addition of torment which the damned shall feele through the remembrance of their worldly happinesse and the consideration of the beleevers eternall happinesse whom they either contemned or afflicted in the world And it doth also point at their despaire of ever being eased V. 25. Some a vulgar manner or kinde of speaking accommodated to the narration For otherwise Abraham acknowledgeth none for his children but only beleevers and holy men See Isay 63. 16. Iohn 8. 39. Gal. 37. V. 28. He may testifie the torments which are prepared for the wicked Or protest and admonish them seriously charging them with their duties CHAP. XVII VER 5. INcrease a request good in it selfe but which hath some leaven of pride in the Apostles thoughts as if they had enough already and that they wanted nothing but some addition of greater perfection And the Lord sheweth them that they had searce as yet the first seeds of it V. 7. Which of you by this similitude taken from bend-slaves bound to do their masters all manner of service without any right of interchangeable requitall from them he doth reprove the Apostles secret presumption who thought they had done so much for Christ that they deserved great rewards suddenly And Christ contrariwise teacheth them that they did nothing but what was their duties and that they ought rather to think upon persevering in their labour to the end remitting with all humility the reward to Gods good will who gives it out of meere grace and not as a thing due Romans A. 4. 5. V. 9. Doth he thanke for to be any way bound unto him for it V. 10. Vnprofiâ—able a title of a servant which is remisse and nothing worth Mat. 25. 30. Rom. 3. 12. Phile. â—1 made use of in this place to shew a totall incapacity in men to deserve at Gods hands Seeing that in all their workes they give God nothing of their owne but onely restore unto him that which is his And besides that they have no equality or proportion with him to oblige him nor with his everlasting goods to deserve them Iob 22. 2. and 35. 6. Psal. 16. 2. V. 12. Which stood as uncleane persons according to the lavv which ought to segregate themselves from the society of other men Lev. 13. 45 46. V. 20. When the when that earthly and most happy kingdome should be established in the world which they imagined should be under the Messias With observation by apparant meanes and occurrencies which may bee observed by sense and discourse as the originall and beginning of your worldly Monarchies V. 21. The kingdome that is to say it is a spirituall kingdome founded in the hearts and in the conversion of souls and therefore cannot be known but onely spiritually by those that have part therein Others expound it is in the midst of you namely by my comming in the flesh and by my preaching V. 22. When ye by reason of the great afflictions which ye shall endure after my departure out of the world you shall desire my bodily presence for your defence and comfort which at this present you have Matthew 9. 15. Iohn 17. 12. yeâ— let not this desire induce you to suffer your selves to be seduced to receive some false Christ or Saviour or to seeke for me in the world for I will come no more upon earth but at the last judgement and that comming shall be so cleere and so certaine that there shall be no doubt made in it V. 31. He which shall this discourse which iâ— S. Matthew is especially referred to the calamities of Iudea is here extended to the last comming of Christ for the which he warneth those who are his to prepare themselves that they may then without any disturbance or displeasure for the destruction of the world receive the Lord with comple 〈…〉 joy V. 35. Be grinding See upon Mat. 24. 41. V 37. Where Lord that is to say where 〈◊〉 thou appeare at thy last comming whereunto the Lord makes answer with a sentence taken out of Iob expounded upon Matthew 24. 48. CHAP. XVIII VER 1. ALwayes at all times and seasons never omitting the ordinary use thereof and keeping alwayes themselves so disposed as that they may be alwayes able to doe it at any houre and upon any occasion 1 Pet. 3. 7. V. 7. Though he beare though he be long before he punish their enemies and doe not execute his judgements so soone as humane impatience would desire V. 8. Speedily in good timeâ— when he himselfe knoweth it to be expedient and necessary See Heb. 10. 37 2 Pet. 2. 8 9 Neverthelesse the meaning one shall not need to marvell if in the Churches great troubles it will seeme that God hath forsaken it seeing that saith shall be so decreased in the world that it shall seeme to be quite vanished away and consequently there will be very little calling upon God V. 11 With himself the Italian By himselfe shunning the approach of ordinary men as uncleane according to the ambition of his sect See Isay 65. 5. Others with himselfe that is to say with a low voice by an affectation of devotion and humility V. 12. Twice namely the second and fifth day of the weeke which are our Monday and Thursday according to the Pharisees rule mentioned by the lewish Writers Tithes as well of things titheable according to the law as of those where of there is no tithe due Mat. 23. 23. by a superabundant devotion V. 13. A farre off in some remote part of the first Court of the Temple into which all manner of persons even such as were prophane as this Publican was might come 1 Kings 8. 41. and that through true humility and feeling of his unworthinesse V. 14.
to whom hee belongeth hee knoweth how to provide for it at his appointed time by augmentation of faith and spirit which he alone can give and not thou with thy disputing See Phil. 3. 15. V. 25. Let every man in these diversities above all things one ought to know the will of God clearly for to conforme himselfe to it But howsoever one must also beware of doing any thing against the feeling of his owne conscience See verse 14. 1 Col. 8. 7 10. Ver. 6. Hee that in these particular opinions of other men concerning such outward things man ought not to entermeddle neither hath hee any just command from God the thing belongeth absolutely to God whose servants they are both the weake and the strong as it appeares by the acknowledgement which they make of him Sec 1 Cor. 8. 8. And giveth though hee hath not the use of some kinde of meates or bodily delights yet he giveth God thankes as well as the other who hath a more indifferent fruition of his goods V. 7. For none Seeing that beleevers belong to God and seeing they have beene acquired unto him by the death and resurrection of his sonne whereby they are no more their owne and much lesse at other mens disposing concerning the state of their soules no one man hath any right upon the other in these things for to constraine him or condemne him V. 9. Both of the of those that beleeve in him as well during this life as afterward V. 10. But why besides that in these contentions Gods right is usurped by a presumptuous enterprise the brother-hood which is betweene them is also violated and therefore let every one rather take care of himselfe how hee shall give an account of himselfe at Christs judgment then trouble himselfe with the state of other men in these indifferent things V. 11. It is written this passage is referred to the last judgement for then it shall be perfectly accomplished V. 13. Judge this rather that is to say hold this for a certaine and a determined thing amongst you Or use judgment and discretion there in That no man put that no man give occasion of slakening beliefe or of causing it to goe astray nor to give any offence or grieve the weake brethren Ver. 14. By the Lord Iesus being enlightned by his word and his spirit which hee powreth out upon me as up on a member of his body Or hee would say that Christ is the cause that all meates are now holy for beleevers he having purified those who are his from â—in from whence proceeded all the uncleannesse of the creatures and hath also annihilated the ceremonies of the Law to bring in the true service and spirituall holinesse which was figured by them It is uncleane Namely the use there of is unlawfull to him because the conscience though it bee in an errour holds alwayes the place of divine Law in man whereby all which hee doth against it is as much as if hee sinned directly against God And therefore hee ought before all other things seeke to informe establish and â—difie his owne Conscience well ver 3. V. 15. Bee grieved that is to say offended and angry to see thee who makest profession of the same faith eate of such kinde of meate as hee holdeth to bee uncleane by Gods ancient Commandement whereupon hee is grieved that hee is joyned to thee whom he holds prophane in this action Not charitably for charity in these indifferent things thou oughtest to doe any thing for thy neighbours 〈…〉 faction Destroy not take heed of giving this scandall to a weake man whereby he might be driven to apostate from the faith For whom whom Christ gathering together of his Church by vertue of his death hath also incorporated into it Or whom thou oughtest by charitable judgement beleeve to bee of the number of those for whom he died though indeed those whom hee hath redeemed by his death cannot perish Ioâ— 10. 11 28. V. 16. Your good all comes to this that you give no occasion to weake men to speake ill of yoâ—â— liberty as of a prophane licentiousn esse which would redound to the dishonour of God Himselfe V. 17. The Kingdome Namely the forme 〈…〉 d governement of the Church uâ—der the spiritual Kingdome of Christ consists 〈…〉 these o 〈…〉 d things and observations but in good and hoâ—y works in concord and charity and in spirituall joy and comfort which every one ought to have in himselfe and give unto others by the gift of the Holy Ghost in all good example V. 18. Of men Namely of beleevers who 〈◊〉 all agree in them Or of other men also who are not pre-occupated by perverse passions See 1 S 〈…〉 2. 26. Luke 2. 52. Acts 2. 47. V. 19. Wherewith one may which are for the augmentation and strengthening of the common faith and salvation V. 20. Destroy not that is to say trouble not thy weake brothers Conscience that the worke of Gods grace may not in its first beginnings be either hindered or moved with danger of having all goe to ruine With offence giving at his pleasure o 〈…〉 his neighbour Ver. 21. Is made weake Namely irresolute 〈◊〉 wavering whither it bee lawfull or unlawfull before God V. 22. Hast thou faith Dost thou truely know and art then certainly perswaded concerning Christian liberty in these things Have it content by selfe with knowing this liberty and with thy being freed from all such scruples That condemneth 〈◊〉 that doth not make himselfe guiltie of having violated the lawes of charity and finning against his neighbour abusing the gift which he hath receaved from God of knowing what is lawfull for him to doe and what things are forbidden him V. 23. And he he that is throughly perswaded of the Christian liberty may abstaine from eating of such things as are lawfull for to condescend to his brethrens frailtie but hee that is not can not 〈◊〉 ought not in that kinde please others against the minde of his own Conscience See ver 14 Bec 〈…〉 he seeing hee is not perswaded whither that which he undertaketh bee pleasing to God or no hee 〈…〉 eth God and doth not by an upright judgment and will referre the worke to Gods service as every beleever ought to doe CHAP. XV. VER 1. STrong namely more forward and firme in the Evangelicall doctrine having no scruple concerning the abolishment of the ceremoniall law as your novice Christians amongst the Iewes have Not to please namely doe what wee please in these indifferent things without any regard of offending other men V. 3. As it is written he hath not only not offended the weake but hath moreover patiently suffered the injuries and outrages of the wicked V. 4. For whatsoever a small digression upon the occasion of the precedent passage to shew the perpetuall use of Scripture especially in teaching the vertue of holy patience which it also strengtheneth with comforts to the end that the hope of beleevers may never
not that singular gift from God to preserve themselves in holinesse and purenesse of body and spirit without the remedy of marriage Then to burne with a carâ—all desire which God doth not give every one the gift to quench without marriage whereby man is troubled in minde and hindered in his spirituall actions which require a tranquillity of all passions V. 10. Not I not by a new doctrine or law 〈◊〉 yet by meere councell and advice of wisdome as ver 25 40. but by Christs expresse command Mat. 5. 32. and 19. 6. 9. Depart namely by divorse unlesse it be for the only lawfull cause which is adultry which was very frequent amongst the Grekeâ— and the Romans and from them this abuse did also partly creep in amongst the Iewes though the law of Moses gave the wife no power at al to be divorced from her husband See Marke 10. 12. 〈◊〉 Tiâ— 5. 9. V. 11. Let her remaine this is not to say that this separation without marrying again is lawfull v. 3. 4 5. but if the woman can not be induced or forced to live with her husband or that there be some invincible leâ—â— The Law of God doth absolutely forbid her to marry another V. 12. To the rest spoken of in the letter which you sent to me namely beleevers married with unbeleevers Speake I guided in this mine opinion by the Holy Ghost ver 15. 40. though without Gods expresse command in his word Ver. 13. The woman namely the believing and Christian woman Ver. 14. Is sanctified though the unbelieving partie be uncleane before God yet the use of maâ—â—monie with her is holy unto the believing party thorow the mediation of faith and invocation Tiâ— 1 15 and Gods approâ—ation and blessing no otherwise then if both parties weare holy So he answeareth them who thought themselves to be defiled by these maâ—iâ—ges with infidels contracted before their conversion and by reason of this scruple sought for 〈◊〉 separation Yâ—u Children borne of such unequall marriages Unclâ—ane that is to say they would not from their birth bee comprehended within Gods coâ—â—â—ant made with the fathers and with the sons Geâ— 17. 7. nor endowed with the spirit of sanctification And would by the Church he held as profane â—cap ab le of baptisme untill such timeas being come to age they were admitted thereunto by their owne faith Holy namely members of the Church and partakers of the grace of regeneration which Saint Paul speakes by Apostolicall declaration according to which such little children were admitted to baptisme V. 15. Depart be divorced for hatred to the religion oâ— that shee marrieth another Or that all possible and reasonable remedies having beene used and a convenient time allotted for that purpose the unbelieving party cannot be induced to a due conjunction A brother namely the beleeving party is loosâ—ed from the bond being thus forsaken by the unbelieving party But God but the believers they are 〈◊〉 by Gods command to endeavour to maintain by 〈◊〉 and concord the matrimony which they 〈◊〉 contracted Ver. 16. Thou shalt save whither thou staying with him mayest be the instrument of his conversion 〈◊〉 salvation by word holy conversation example prayers c. V. 17. Buâ— as howsoever it be if the Inâ—idell be 〈◊〉 coâ—verted yet let the believer remaine in the state 〈◊〉 condition which his person is in be it marriage 〈◊〉 otherwise and in that ordinary course of life which God had appointed him before he called him to be a Christian because these things may very well 〈◊〉 together V. 18. Let him not become as some used to doe by Câ—irurgerie to cancell in their bodies all signes of Iâ—daisme which they had renounced 1 Mac. 1. 16. V. 19. Is nothing Namely now under the Gospell it is of no force nor anyway considerable for Gods service or for mans salvation But the keeping the true Christian and spirituall vertues are not only sufficient but do likewise disannull and exclude under the Gospell all ceremonies of the Law Iohn 4. 23. Rom. 14. 17. V. 20 Abide hee may abide therein with a safe Conscience and ought not rashly to change it neither through superstition nor by doing another any wrong but if hee can doe it for any just causes or through any lawfull meanes it is then lawfull for him to dâ—â— it V. 21. Care not for it be not grieved at it nor doe not take it to heart as if it were a condition unworthy of a Christian or pernicious and unlawfull for him If thou mayest by lawfull and honest wayes V. 22 For he hee confirmeth the exhortation made to servants to beare their condition mildely thorow the comfort of their spirituall freeing from siâ—ne the Devill and death by â—esus Christ. In the Lord to the communion of his spirituall body and Church and to the participation of his grace Is Christs servant he is not master of himselfe not of his actions hee is subject to Christ his Lord. So in Christ all servants and distressed persons have matter of comfort and those who are free and live at ease have cause to humble and subject themselves V. 23. Be not yee if yee bee free doe notwilfully make your selves servants but keepe your selves wholly both body and soule for Christs service to which bodily service is a great disturbance in outward actions Or in your servitude remember alwayes that before anyother you are Christs servants therefore doe not doe any mens service which may bee contrary to Christs service Or as concerning your soule and conscience let not living man have any command over you depend upon Christ onely and upon his word See 2 Cor. 11. 20. Galath 2. 4. Col. 2. 18. V. 24. With God in the order and degree of service which he hath appointed for every one Ver. 25. Vergins namely daughters of families concerning whom the Corinthians had also written to the Apostle to know whither their Parents were oblieged to get matches for them or no. I have no God hath not declared any thing expressely concerning it in his word I give my as of a thing which of it selfe is free and indifferent I doe advise by wisdome enspired by the Holy Ghost what is most expedient according to the circumstances See 2 Cor. 8. 〈◊〉 10. That hath obtained being by especiall grace endowed with the infallible guide of the Holy Ghost not onely in truth but also in good and loyall councell See Isaiah 11. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 40. 1 Thes. 4. 8. V. 26. That this this seemes to shew his opinion concerning the Corinthians question namely whither it was good to keepe ones daughter at home without marrying This is good See ver 1. For the namely for the distresses and persecutions which the Church is falling into which are more difficult to be borne then when one is married then when one is not See Ier. 16. 1. and 29 6. I say that because the reason is generall for all manner of persons To be namely
sacred ceremonie which hath its whole relation to unity and charity V. 21. In eating namely in these feasts of charity at the end of which they celebrated the Lords supper you doe not observe the true ecclesiasticall communion but every one beeing come to the place of the assembly doeth presently si t downe to eate what he hath brought in the company of those of his part leaving the other whereupon this action is not celebrated neither at the same time by al nor in holy concord nor in communion of goods which is contrary to the truevnion of Christians which is sealed by this sacrament is drunken that is to say filled with wine and meate V. 22. What have yet not here we ought to supply there is prophanesse in what you do for yow celebrate these religions feasts like untowordinary meales though you have your owne house for that end without being tyed to make use of any holy places for that purpose where all things ought to be done religiously with a respect to the soul and not to the body shall I praise you I praise you not one whit for that V. 23. For I have because that these abuses are contrary to the Lords institution who hath ordained the holy supper for a sacrament of his body and bloud and for a bond of union and not for a bodily meale nor for occasion of diuisions to which vse you put it V. 24. Which is broken all overthrowen and broken with extreame pains See Isa. 53. 4. V. 25. This cup even as Gods covenant with his elect is renewed and ratified by mydeath and passion so it is sealed to every belever by the Lords cup. V. 26. For as after Saint Pauls words ye doe shew that is to say ye shall doe a sacred act whereby ye shall publish the truth and shall acknowledge and preach the benefit of Christs death and shall protest to take part thereof by a lively faith V. 27. Wherefore whosoever namely seeing that this sacred supper is appointed for this sacred use vnworthyly without being fittingly disposed thereunto according to the diginity of this sacrament but especially having no charity nor reverence which were he two vices for which the Corinthians were taxed before the body namely of having through his unreverence prophaned the remembrance of the Lords death and undervalued the meanes by him appointed to participate of it V. 28. Examine the Italian trie let every man examine his own conscience to known wither he be well disposed to participat of this sacrament by faith repentance charity purity of heart c. For to abstaine from it in case hee bee not so untill such time as by renouncing the contrary vices and by prayers and conversion to God he have obtained grace to do it V. 29. Damnation thâ— Italian Iudgement namely the cause and sudiect of a grieveous punishment Form God which the Apostle in regard of believers distinguisheth from the everlasting condemnation of the wicked not discerning bearing no greater respect to the Sacrament of the communion of the body of Christ then to any other corporall and common kinde of food V. 30 For this cause this pâ—opliannesse hath cau'ed amongst you many visitations of popular diseales and mortalities this the Apostle speakes by divine revelation sleepe that is to say are dead according to the stile of the Scripture in hope of the blessed relurrection V. 31. would judge the Italian did examine truely to acknowledge our faults and desire pardon and grace at Gods hands thorow repentance wee should 〈◊〉 that is to say we should prevent Gods judgments V. 32. Wee are namely wee believers V. 33 To eat namely in the Church at feasts of charitie but especially at the Lords table V. 34. Hunger be constrained to take meat which seemes was their excuse who committed the foresaid error CHAP. XII VIR 1. GIfts namely those miraculous ones which were in those first times of the Christian church confetred by Gods spirit for the confirmation of the doctrine and for the founding of Churches See Acts. 2 38 Ignorant of the onely author and of the true end of them that you may not abuse them to pride and to divisions which were the Corinthians chief defects V. 2. Yea knâ—w the remembrance of what you were may make you acknowledge that all you have received is out of Gods meere grace and the worke of his spirit to humble you and cause you to give him all the glory therefore dumbe opposite to the true living God who speaketh in his word even as following blindly and like bruite beasts the false customes the inventions and commandements of men V. 3. Wherefore by your former condition you may conclude that the holy Ghost alone is he that hath freed you from the heathens blasphemies and keepes you from Apostasie and worketh in you the sincere confession of the name of Christ and finally by vertue of it alone ye are Christians and therefore the glory thereof is due to God and not to you And if he be the only author of those gifts which are common to all beleevers much more ought we to acknowledge him to be such in these other singular and miraculous ones Iesus this was a forme of detesting and abiuring of Christianity which was used amongst the Iewes accuâ—sed See Romans 9. 3. 1. Cor. 16. 22. Gal. 1. 8. V. 4. But the same therefore his gifts ought not to be drawen to divisions and partialities as the Co. rinthians did V. 5. Admâ—rations namely ecclesiasticall offices Lord namely Iesus Christ. V. 6. Operations namely supernatuall gifts and â—â—â—lties of working diverse great miracles V. 7. The manifestation namely some singular gift of the holy Ghost shewing it selfâ— in some person and by him manifesting his power to profit namly for the common good of the Church to which only end all ought to be referred V. 8. The word of namely the gift of treating of Christian doctrine with the application to all the uses of beleevers which seemes to have speciall relation to the pastors charge Rom. 12. 8. Of Knowledge namely of the pure and plaine exposition of the said doctrine without any application which is the doctors office Rom. 12. 7. Ephes 4. 11. V. 9. Faith he meaneth not the common gift of Christian faith but the singular and miraculous referred to the working of miracles Matth. 17. 19. 1. cor 13. 2. without which it had bin rashnesse to undertake it and the effect would not have followed but he that felt himself to have this gift might lawfully exercise it with certainty of successe by the same namely by his power of healing of bodily diseases See Mark 6. 13. and 16 18. Iames. 5. 14. V. 10. Working of miracles the Italian working of powerfull operations that is to say some singular gift appropriated to certaine higher and more noted miracles as of the casting out of devills raising of the dead changing or staying of the course of nature prophecie that is to say
supernatuall revelation either of future and secret things or of the misteries of the heavenly doctrine with the faculie of expounding of them in the church 1. Cor. 14. 1. discerning of this was gift of knowing by the certaine light of the holy Gost impostors false prophets fanaticke spirits driven by the devils spirit conuterfeiting divine inspirations and to distinguish them from true men of God enlightened and moved by his spirit 1 Cor. 14. 29. 1 Iohn 4. The interpratation this was also a miraculous gift bywhich certain persons had the faculty of setting down in the vulgar language that which other men propounded in a strange language by inspiration not but that they whichspokeit understood it themselves 1. Cor. 14. 4 17. but that the miraculous motion of the spirit it which was not perpetuall nore equall at all times ceased in them after they had spoken in a strang languag came upon the other to expound their sayin the vulgar tongue by a divine power and in a divine and supernaturall manner And if no body were presented that had such a gift the other who had the gift of tongues was to hold his peace 1 Cor 14. 27. 28 V. 12. Christ beeing considered as head in the union with his chuâ—ch which is his body V. 13. For by one by the two sacraments of the Christian Church he proves the vnion of beleevers in one and the same misticâ—ll body by vertue of the holy Ghost who alone ratifieth both the sacraments Baptisme to unite them to Christ and all togither in him The lords supper to animate and moue all this body and to work in all the members thereof by diverse gifts and operatiors to the same end and common use made to drinke namely in the cup of the Lords supper under the which ought also to be comprehended the signe of bread but he seemes to make use of that of wine especially in regard of the spirit for in the nourishing of the body the wine is that part which most breedes and reviues the spirits V. 15. If the foot the end is to teach that they who have received inferior gifts must not therefore through envie for beare to employ themselves for the common good of the Church and they that have received more excellent gifts ought not to contemne the inferiors and as this diversity is necessary for the furnishing of the Church entirely so they are all usefull and therefore ought to be honoured in their degree and ought all to aime at the same end V. 22. Much more that is to say the organs of nourishment though they be not so noble yet are they more absolutly necessary then those of the sences for without them man cannot subsist nor live as he may without eyes eares or hands act V. 24. Comely such as the face and hands are temperd hath given man this instinct to divide this ornament of garments by a just kind of proportion V. 25. There should be that all the parts of the body should be united and so exercise their functions for their common and enterchangeable good V. 28. Helpes namely all the Ecclesiasticall offices which belong to the releaving of the poore the sick strangers or phanes etc. goverments namely those offices which governe and guide the church by an Ecclesiasticall senate composed of those pastors who were called Bishops of which there were oftentimes many in one church Acts. 20. 28. Phil. 1. 1. and of Elders joyned with them 1. Tim 5 17. V. 31. Covet in â—â—ead of these strifes and jealousies for those gifts of greater luster and admiration desire you and seek to obtaine at Gods hand the common giâ—t of charity and amongst miraculous gifts those which maâ— be most available for the edification of the church shew I unto you namely to seek chiefly the gift of true charitie Or by meanes of it other gifts which God conferres more liberally upon them who thorow charity are disposed to employ them for the common service CHAP. XIII VII 1. ANd of Angels this is added onely for a high kind of exaggeration used amongst the Iewes See Psa 78. 25. Charity to employ that gift to Gods glory and the edification of the church I am become I am as little pleasing to God and profitable to men as if I did onely beat the aire with a vaine sound V. 2. All faith namely a full measure of faith to do all manner of miracles for this gift of working of miracles was in some persons restrained to certaine operations as it appares by 1. Cor. 12. 9. 3â— See Rom. 12. 6 nothing namely of no esteeme before God to be approved of and rewarded See Matth. 7. 22. V. 3. I bestow through vaine glory or some other vicious affection Matth. 6. 1. 2. or thoroâ— some meere naturall motion without any true spirituall charity of the heart Isa. 58. 10. 2. Cor. 8. 5. Finally his meaning is to shew that charity is necessary in all Ecclesiasticall functions as well pastors as decons and that without it they have no impression of blessing to be burned thorow some feigned act of zeale or of constancie without any upright iâ—â—ention of love to God and to his Church V. 4. Uanteth not or is not insolent and rash or useth no dissimulation puffed up is not proâ—d and arrogant V. 5. Vnseemely doth not disgrace any body V. 7. Beareth all things this universall terme ought to be restrained to all such things as belongeth to the duties of true charity according to God V. 8. Never faileth will never be annihilated neither the essence nor the exercise of it no not iâ— the life everlasting prophecies all these gifts and offices which are conferred upon the church for its edisication in this world shall take no more place nor be of anyuse in the heavenly glory where God in the immediate communication of himself shall be all in all without employing any ministers or secondary causes Knowledge namely the gift of understanding heavenly doctrine by way of study and meditation and to propound and teach it Seeâ— Cor 12. 8. V. 9. For We he gives a reason of the vanishing away of those gifts in the everlasting life namely because they are but small obscuâ—e rude and impâ—rseâ— meanes of illumination in respect of the communition oâ— full light in the celestiaâ—ll life Rev 21. 23. and 22. 5. as at the rising of the sunne all candles and lampes are taken and away 2. Pet 1 19. as the first rudiments are left of when men have goâ—â—en the full habit of Knowledge V. 10. Done away not the substance which is eternall but only the imperfect meanes which are used in this life and all manner of presente distribution of them V. 12. Aglasse namely in Gods word and sacraments and in his workes in whâ—â—h things by reflection is revealed the image of those of which we cannot in this world directly see the originall truth and proper essence 2. Cor. 5. 7. Darkely that is to sâ—y
the communion of his Spirit V. 3. In heavenly that is to say by giving you not an earthly but heavenly inheritance and that through Christ who hath taken the possession thereof for all his and hath in heaven received the fulnesse of the spirit to powre it down from thence upon his whole Church which is also with him in heaven already by faith and shall effectually be there with him for ever Ephes. 26. Phil. 3. 20. Coloss. 3. 1 2. V. 4. According as according as God by his election from everlasting framed a new bodie of humane race opposite to the first whereof Adam was head in whom all men have sinned and are dead and appointed Christ to be their Head that in him it might be all gathered together and by him made partaker of his grace life and glorie so he bringeth this his decree to passe in his appointed time bestowing all his favours upon his Church by Christ in his sacred Communion See Ephes. 3. 11. 2 Tim. 1. 9. V. 5. To himselfe or by himselfe namely for his glorie as Rom. 11 36. V. 6. Of the glorie namely of his glorious and admirable grace by which he hath powerfully brought to an end the worke of mans salvation See Rom 9. 23. 2 Cor. 4. 4. In the namely for the love and in regard of Christ onely who hath all the fathers love not onely as he is everlasting Son but also as he is perfectly obedient and just in his humane nature and in his qualitie of Mediatour Mat. 3. 17. Iohn 3. 35. and 10. 17. V. 10. In the namely in the time prefixed by his providence which is the dispencer of times and of the whole order of things for the fulfilling of his promises concerning the Messias or in the conduct and government of his Church fitting for that time Both which are this may be referred to blessed mens spirits which are already gathered up into heavenly glorie and to believers yet living upon earth as Luke 1. 17. Ephes. 3. 15. Heb. 12. 23. Others do understand it of the holy Angels with which the faithfull have communion in the same Head namely Christ Col. 2. 10. and in the same glorie See Matth. 22. 30. Heb. 12. 22. V. 11. In whom by whose love and benefit and by vertue of his redemption and intercession which is the fundamentall cause of the believers vocation We have namely I and all other believers of the Jewish nation Obtained we have been chosen and called from amongst the rest to be the proper part of Gods inheritance Deut. 32. 9. Isai 53. 12. V. 12. We namely we Jewes who have alwayes fixed our hopes upon the promised Messias and have been the first that have believed in him after he hath been revealed V. 13. Sealed marked as it were with a character by God by the gifts of regeneration illumination and the power of the Holy Ghost promised by Chrâ—st to all believers Luke 24. 48 49. Acts 2. 33. Gal. 3. 14. or which is added to the promises of Gods grace in Christ to confirme them and seal them in their hearts V. 14. Untill the redemption the Italian unto the this must be understood as following the word sealed the meaning is that this seal is given us that by it we may be known at the last judgement then to have part in the reall and perfect deliverance from all evils and enemies Luke 21. 28. Rom. 8. 20 22. wherein we have now right through Christ and have had the first fruits thereof V. 15. In the Lord namely in the communion of his bodie and Spirit V. 17. The God namely the true everlasting God towards whom Christ exerciseth his Office of Mediatour gaining unto him a peculiar people whereof he is the Head See Iohn 20. 17. V. 18. The hope namely the goods which we ought to hope for as a sequele of his calling to the participation of which he calleth us In the Saints the Italian in the holy places namely in Heaven which is as the Sanctuarie of Gods glorie See Heb. 9. 8. 12 24. and 13. 11. V. 19. His power in accomplishing his worke and bringing us to the end of our hope V. 20. In the heavenly where his humane nature is resident in glorie and where his whole person hath as it were the glorious Throne of his Kingdom Matth. 5. 34. V. 21. All principalitie not onely worldly but also Angelicall the Angels being called by such names Rom. 8. 38. Ephes. 6. 12. Col. 1. 16. Pet. 3. 22. Name that is to say dignitie or state 1 Cor. 15. 24. Which is to come namely in Heaven and in the state of heavenly life which in regard of those that are living in this world is yet to come V. 22. Over all that is to say hath made Him Head of the Church in a singular and eminent manner above the domination which he hath over all other creatures others expound it simply soveraigne V. 23. The fulnesse that is to say the complete structure and gathering of all the members whereof Christ is the Head In all namely those that are of this number and bodie as Iohn 6. 4 5. and 12 32. Ephes. 4. 10. CHAP. II. VER 1. HAth he namely God by the same power as he raised Christ from the dead Ephes. 1. 20. hath also given you a spirituall life consisting in his grace and in mans conversion to him and in the being joyned to him by his Spirit See Iohn 〈◊〉 24. Dead in spirituall death consisting in the separation from God and from his grace through sin whence followeth miserie and inhabilitie of doing good V. 2. To the course to the common manner of worldly mens living who are not regenerate by Gods Spirit According to following the Devils suggestions and imitating his malignitie who having been driven out of the high Heaven of glorie Luke 10. 18. Revâ—lat 12. 〈◊〉 â—ow wandereth up and down and exerciseth the power which God permitteh him to have in these lower parts of the ayre untill such time as he be shut up in the prison of everlasting torments The Spirit namely the authour of the evill inclination and motion that is in corrupt men 1 Cor. 2. 12. Worketh namely to whom God hath abandoned those who maliciously refuse the Gospell for to drive them to all manner of evill without any stay See Iohn 8. 41 44. V. 3. We all not onely you Gentiles but we Jewes also Rom. 3. 9. 22. Of our flesh as well of the sensuall part as of that which is falsly called reason and understanding which also hath its corruption and as the Scripture speaketh is flesh Rom. 8. 6 7. Col. 2. 18. And were being borne in sin and corruption we were by our birth subject to the wrath and curse of God V. 6. Hath raised us because that by reason of the most strict union of Christ the Head to believers who are his members that which is done to the Head is likewise done and belongeth to all
of God out of Christ as Infidels do CHAP. IIII. Vers. 1. OF the Lord the Italian prisoner exhort you in the Lord namely in his name and authority or from him Others I the prisoner of the Lord exhort you namely I that am in this state for his cause as his beleever V. 3. To keep to keep the union of all the members of the Church entire united together by the holy Ghost in a form of spirituall and mysticall body In the bond as the union of the soul with the body is preserved by the good temperament of the body and by avoiding the outward wounds and hurts of it V. 4. One body namely mysticall and spirituall composed of Christ the head and all beleevers his members In hope the Italian in one onely hope being by your common vocation united in hope of the same goods and eternall life V. 6. Who is who hath the soveraign command and power over all things and is present every where but is in an intimate way joyned to his beleevers residing in them by a perpetuall operation of grace and spirit V. 7. Grace some singular gift dispensed by Christ more or lesse as he pleaseth of one kinde or another V. 8. He saith namely the Spirit of God by David Psal. 68 18. V. 9. Now that he because he had said That all was of Christs gift he proves it by these words of David That he that distributeth these gifts unto his Church is one that is ascended which inferreth that he was first descended namely that he had humbled himselfe by taking humane nature upon him and the shape of a servant now amongst the persons of the sacred Trinitie that properly is peculiarly Christs who was to be abased to be exalted in soveraigne glorie and from thence to distribute the gifts of his Spirit Acts 2 33. 1 Pet. 1. 11. V. 10. Above all namely into the highest heaven the seat of eternall glorie above all that which the Scripture cals Heaven See 1 Kings 8 27. 2 Cor. 12. 2. He might fill namely that he may powre down the gifts of his Spirit in all abundance upon his believers who are all that is to say the whole bodie of Christ as Iohn 6. 45. and 12. 32. Ephes. 1. 23. or that he might fill all the world with his knowledge and glorie Isai 11. 9. or that he may shew himselfe present every where in divine vertue in the administration of the power which he hath received from God in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28. 18. V. 11. Some Apostles He doth not particularly number up all the gifts but onely touches the principall publike Offices of the Church whereof the three first were extraordinary for those primitive times and the two last ordinary and perpetuall V. 12. For the being the Church is to be considered either as a communaltie of a sacred common-wealth or as a spirituall Temple or as a mysticall bodie the ministerie of the Word ought likewise to be referred to these three Heads namely that every Believer be prepared and framed by doctrine discipline c. to come into and remain in the communion of Saints without any breach deformitie disturbance or contrarietie that the service of God be truely practised therein and that this bodie do increase and grow strong in faith and other kinde of vertue V. 13. Till we so he intimates that the use of the holy ministerie shall last untill the end of the world and that then it shall be brought to nothing 1 Cor. 13. 8. All come in namely untill we be perfectly united with Christ our Head in full knowledge and fruition of presence as we begin in this world by faith 1 Cor. 13. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 7. Unto a perfect that is to say being come to the state and degree of perfection in the life everlasting which shall be to the bodie of the Church as its ripe and compleat age in respect of its childhood here in the world 1 Cor. 13. 10 11. Unto the measure a similitude taken from bodies which are grown to their full growth V. 14. That we this depends upon v. 12. and sheweth another use of Gods Word namely to defend and keep men from false doctrines V. 15. In love the Italian in charitie in such sort that the knowledge of the truth may be lively and active in charitie and good workes Into him namely in the communion and vertue of Christ who is as the root of spirituall subsistencie and the spring of the influencie of life and of the spirit as he sets it down in the next verse In all things namely in all the parts of the spirituall life which we have from Christ which is also taken from living bodies which grow equally and proportionably in all their parts and dimensions V. 16. By that which he seemes to mean the divers gifts and callings especially ecclesiasticall ones by which the Church is kept in its unitie and which according as they are stored by Christ himselfe v. 11. do likewise serve for channels and instruments of communication by which Christs life and spirit and the spirituall nourishments are parted and distributed amongst all the members According to according to the proportion of the efficacie of the Holy Ghost distributed to every believer in a certain measure See Rom. 12. 3. 1 Cor. 12. 7 11. Of the bodie as a living bodie doth which hath a limited time of its growing Unto the edifying namely each part contributing all it hath and all that it can do for the common good and advancement of the whole bodie through charitie which doth not look to it selfe onely V. 17. In the Lord See v. 1. In the vanitie namely false discourses which have much seemingnesse in them but no ground of truth and are fruitlesse V. 18. From the life namely from that communication of his Spirit by which he regenerates his children to his image Ephes. 2. 1. and by a continuall influence thereof he doth bear them up in this spirituall life Through the ignorance he gives a reason of this privation namely because of the darknesse of their understanding and the untamed malice of their heart whereby they make themselves uncapable of Gods working in them Iohn 1. 5 9 11. and 14. 17. Rom. 1. 18 19 28. or he meanes that they are wilfully ignorant wilfully refusing the light of God which is proffered them Iob 24 13. Ezech. 12. 2. Iohn 7. 17. and 8. 43. V. 19. Past feeling Having lost all remorse of conscience all fear of Gods â—udgement and all just feeling of their punishments With greedinesse the Italian with an insatiable desire or as it were striving how to do most evill or with greedinesse to signifie the two most common desires of men namely pleasures and goods V. 21. If so be that See upon Ephes. 3. 2. By him the Italian in him namely in his truth faith and example or being in him namely making profession of your communion with him in faith and spirit
appeared nor the glorious manifestation thereof all that is yet in safe custody with God in Christs person Strive therefore to attaine to that Soveraigne end by a continuall exercise of holinesse Phil. 3. 11. 12. 14. V. 4. Who is our namely in the communion of whose Spirit you subsist in this state of spirituall life whereof Christ is as it were the root and spring which gives and preserves it V. 5. Your members namely all the affections motions and concupiscences of corrupt nature whereof is composed all that masse of vice which is called the body of sinne Rom. 6. 6. Col. 2. 11. Or by members he meanes all the vicious actions of the body Rom. 8. 13. V. 6. The children See upon Eph. 2. 2. 5. 6. V. 7. Walked that is to say which you sometimes practised Ye lived when you see all your heart and delight in them and were wholly given to them as men in whom sin raigneth V. 10. Which is renewed the renewing of which is not fulfilled in an instant but goeth forward by degrees in holinesse according as the lively enlightening of the Holy Ghost encreaseth by meanes whereof all the remainder of the worke of regeneration is accomplished Rom. 12. 2. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Eph. 4. 23. V. 11. Where there is in which worke of sanctification all these regards conditions and qualities doe neither availe nor hurt And God in producing of it hath no respect unto them But Christ Christ alone apprehended by faith for the remission of sinnes is the onely spring and cause of all good and salvation to all believers and living and working in them by his Spirit to regeneration V. 14. Above all these the Italian instead of all these to the end that you may worke all these particular things Get you a habit of charity which is the root of all these vertues The bond namely the only meanes of a true and perfect union which ought to be between believers aboue all humane conjunctions and which containeth perfectly in it selfe all the duties whereby men are joyned with God and one with the other V. 15. Of God namely that holy tranquillity in your Spirits and that spirituall concord which God requires and creates in his beleevers Rule namely governe and temper all your affections so that they may all yeeld and have a relation thereunto In one body namely in the communion of the Church which is Christs body Thankefull for the benefits received from God and men V. 16. Let the word namely the doctrine of the Gospell have a firme seate in your hearts and in the middest of your Church and as the soule dwels in the body to preserve it alive to cause it to grow and operate by it So let this active truth be in you in abundant fruits of good workes With grace in a godly gracious manner which may allure and edifie the hearers See Luke 2. 52. Acts 2 47. Ephes. 4. 29. Colos. 4. 5. In your hearts by a lively feeling of the soule and not with the lips onely V. 17. In the name calling upon his holy Name and according to his command and to his honour and service V. 18. In the Lord namely as it is fitting for women that are in Christs communion as members of his Church Or according to his command Or in respect and by vertue of him V. 20. In all things which belong to the right of parents and whereunto children are lawfully bound Ephes. 5. 24. V. 21. Lest they be lest they put off all manner of affection and desire of being thankfull to you Despairing through your immoderate rigor of obtaining your good wils Or lest they lose all joy of heart and so run into precipitate resolutions V. 22. In all things as v. 20. According to the namely your corporall and worldly masters As Eph. 6. 5. Eye service See upon Eph. 6. 6. V. 24. Of the inheritance namely the heavenly inheritance which though beleevers doe obtaine meerely by vertue of their adoption yet it is promised unto them likewise by the name of reward and guerdon for to incite them to doe well The Lord who being the Soveraigne Lord of all giveth and appointeth to every one his vocation and thereby exerciseth his command in the world CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. EQuall that is to say all enterchangeable duties of masters to servants V. 2. Watch being alwaies attentive and ready and fittingly prepared to present them unto him V. 3. Unto us as to other Apostles and Evangelists who are not prisoners as I am A doore namely that he will give us opportunity and occasion to preach his Word being at libertie V. 5. Without namely infidels and those that are strangers to the Church to give them no cause of offence or of hating persecuting and slandering the Church but rather to gaine them to you and edifie you V. 6. With grace with holie and spirituall mildenesse and in a fitting manner With Salt namely with wisedome and discretion or with good understanding which may excite and please the taste of the hearers See Marke 9. 50. V. 7. In the Lord in his worke or in the communion of his mysticall body V. 9. Onesimus some thinke it is the same as is spoken of Philem. 10. V. 11. Of the that are Jewes converted to Christianity These onely are Or mine onely workecompanions In Gods Kingdome which have been c. That is to say those that are with me and are worthie workmen The Kingdome namely in preaching the Gospell by which God gathers together and governes his Church and distributeth his everlasting goods V. 12. Labouring servently the Italian fighting assisting you in your troubles and oppositions with his servent prayers to God Perfect being no longer children but of full age in strength and understanding to know and performe the will of God See Matth. 5. 48. 1 Cor. 14. 20. V. 13. Laodicea these two Cities were neere Colosse Col. 2. 1. 16. From Laodicea it may be understood of some Epistle that the Apostle writ to the Laodiceans which was to be communicated to the Colossians and is now lost like divers more 1 Cor. 5. 9. Phil. 3. 1. yet without any diminution of the perfection of holy Scripture which consists not in a certaine number of bookes but in the full revelation of all the doctrine which is necessary to salvation and questionlesse hath in other places the same doctrines as were contained in those Epistles which are lost V. 17. In the Lord namely in his worke and service Or looke to the degree of service which thou holdest in the communion of his body V. 18. Remember that you may assist me with your prayers to confirme you in the faith by mine example and to give me occasion of comfort by your perseverance and other vertues Grace namely the grace of God in Christ. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF St. PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS ARGUMENT SAint Paul as Saint Luke reports Acts 17. had by his preaching converted divers Iewes
25. 31. Jude 14. CHAP. IV. VER 1. BY the Lord the Italian in the Lord in his behalfe in his name for the love of him V. 4. His vessell namely his bodie in which his soul lodgeth and which is the instrument of the operations of it especially in Gods service as a vessell of his Temple And honour See upon Col. 2. 23. V. 6. In any matter the Italian In the affaires of thiâ— life As to contaminate by fornication persons who are allied or belonging to others as wife or daughter c V. 8. Given unto us the Italian put in us Hath endowed us Apostles with the light and conduct of his Spirit in such measure as we do teach Gods truth most purely and certainly V. 9. Are taught not onely inlightened but also inwardly moved and framed thereunto by hiâ— Spirit V. 10. Which are in the charitie which is amongst you appeares sufficiently by that you shew towards other believers who are out of your Citie and Church V. 11. Your own businesse Every one according to his calling without medling with importunitie or curiositie with other mens businesse 1 Pet. 4. 15. With your own under these manual Arts are comprehended all lawfull callings and exercises V. 12. Honestly shunning idlenesse which leades a man to vices or brings him to dishonest beggerie That are without namely unbeleivers and such as are strangers to the Church Of nothing or of any one and that through your own sloath you be not driven to look for relief of other men V. 13. Are asleep that is to say are dead in hope of a blessed Resurrection an ordinary terme in Scripture No hope of everlasting life V. 14. In Jesus the Greek terme signifies the manner of dying well as who should say who by Jesus Christ namely by faith and by calling upon his name have passed to death Will God that is to say we must know and believe that God will bring into that heavenly glorie which his son possesseth those that shall die in his faith V. 15. By the word namely by especiall revelation of God See 1 Kings 13. 17 18. and 20. 35. We which are alive namely those who shall then be alive as we are now who ought each moment to expect Christ. See 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. Shall not that is to say shall have no advantage above them but as one should say the dead shal have advantage above those which are alive being they shall rise from the dead before the qualitie of the others be changed to enter into everlasting life V. 16. A shout the Greek word signifies such kindes of shouts or watch-words as men that row or vintage-men do use to encourage or call upon one another V. 17. Caught up After we have been both in soul and bodie endowed with such qualities as are fitting for everlasting life as amongst the rest with agilitie of bodies See 1 Cor. 15. 51. CHAP. V. VER 1. YE have no need Take heed of presuming to be so bold as to enquire concerning the prefixed time of Christs comming to judgement V. 2. Know namely by the Lords words which have often been spoken over again by the Apostles See Matth. 24. 43. As a thief that is to say unlooked for not but that many signes and tokens shall be seen before his comming Matth. 24. 30 32. but yet none shall be able to set down the prefixed day or moment V. 3. Shall say namely worldly men V. 4. In darknesse of ignorance or blindnesse of sinne V. 6. Let us me sleep through carelesnesse slacking or giving over doing acts of pietie being lulled asleep by worldly desires cares and pleasures V. 9. Appointed us He hath not by his immutable decree excluded us from his grace and given us over to the state of sin and natural corruption to punish it according to the rigour of his justice V. 10. Wake nos these words may be understood either in their own proper sense or figuratively for living or dying V. 11. Comfort your selves or exhort one another V. 12. To know to judge well and worthily of them which is the first degree of honour Which labour in the holy ministerie In the Lord by his commission and authoritie in his Name in the service of his Church keeping within the bounds of his will and of their own vocation V. 18. For this is As God through his grace in Christ turneth all things to be for your good and salvation Rom. 8. 2â— So he will have you give him thankes for all things as benefits bestowed upon you V. 19. Quench not do not you suffer through rebellion impurity ingratitude negligence or contempt the gift of the spirit of grace which worketh in you in light of faith and knowledge and in fire of power to depart or to be abolished in you but preserve it nourish it and make use of it See Matth. 25. 8. A similitude taken from the fire of the Altar which was to be kept continually alive and burning V. 20. Prophesyings the Italian prophesies namely the writings of the Prophets in the old Testament or the ordinary expositions which are made in the Church by a singular gift of the Spirit See Rom. 12. 6. 1 Cor. 14. 1. 6. 29. V. 21. All things namely all the doctrines opinions actions and examples which every believer is bound to examine by the light of the Holy Ghost according to the rule of Gods Word V. 23. Spirit by his Word here differing from the soul he meanes either the gift of Gods Spirit and the spiritual part of a regenerate man or the understanding and minde and by the soul onely the meer animal part V. 24. That câ—â—leth you namely God who hath begun his worke in you calling you effectually to the participation of his Gospel is loyall and constant in keeping of his promises which he hath made to those that answer to his call to bring them to the last period and end of it V. 27. I charge you For these Epistles writtâ—◠〈◊〉 the Apostles were directed to the college 〈…〉 stours by whom they were afterwards read 〈◊〉 publike Assemblies of the Church and expounded by the Prophets or other Pastours being laid up and kept in the Churches treasurie of records THE SECOND EPISTLE OF St. PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS ARGUMENT THis Epistle is almost of the same subject as the former for the Apostle having not yet had libertie to visit the Thessalonians writes this second Epistle unto them to confirme exhort and correct them and first he commends their faith charitie constancie and patience in persecutions and strengthens them praying to God that he will be pleased to accomplish his worke in them then afterwards upon occasion of a certain opinion which was grown up amongst them that Christs last coÌ„ming was at hand wherupon there grew great discorders in the Church he declares unto them that it was false for before that time Antichrist was to come whose kingdom pestilent doctrine false miracles
God and not be prophaned by any common use or left at randome see Lev. 27. 28. V. 38. Of these sinners Who through their sin have been the causers of their own deaths Of the Altar of burnt offerings which was of wood Exodus cha 27. 1 V. 45. They fell To beseech the Lord and make intercession for the people as Num. 20. 6. V. 46. Take A signe of intercession by a prayer of charity and publick office see Rev. 8. 3. is a figure of the only intercession of Christ by merits The plague that is to say the mortality which happened suddainly and by miracle CHAP. XVII VERS 2. To the house That is to say the Tribe V. 3. Aarons As head of the hense of Levi. V. 4. Before the In the holy place of the Tabernacle right over against the place where the Arke of the Testimony was within the Sanctuary the great curtain being between Where I See upon Exod. 25 22. Num. 7. 89. V. 7. Before the In the holy place over against the Arke V. 10. Befo e the By Hebrews the 9. 4. it appeareth that this rod was layd and keep within the great curtaine V. 12. Behold Words of terror by reason of the slaughters which had lately happened V. 13. Commeth any thing neere Rashly and without being called The people would infer thus We are and may every day be guilty of this fault shall we then continually remain in the terror of these horrible judgements CHAP. XVIII VERS 1. SHall beare Now having confirmed you in the Priesthood I will cause you only to give me an account of all errors that shall be committed therin V. 2. Joyned An allusion to the name of Levi which signifieth joyned Gen. 29. 34. And minister See Num. 3. 6 7. Minister The Italian hath it Stand as well to stay there continually Num. 3. 38. as to attend upon the Sacrifices and offerings which were offered upon the Altar before the Tabernacle V. 3. Nor you also Because that cannot come to passe but only through your negligence V. 4. A stranger That is not a Levite V. 5. Of the Sanctuary Of the holy place to light the Lamps to renew the shew bread and to make the daily perfumes Exod. 27. 21. and 30 7. Lev. â—4 3. Num. 8. 2. of the most holy place to go in once a yeare with the bloud Exod. 30. 10. Lev. 16. 2 17. That there be no As it was when Korah and his sect intruded into the Priests office V. 6. For the Lord The Italian From the Lord Or for the Lord to help you in his service V. 7. And within In the most holy place See Exo. 26. 31 33. if so be by the curtaine the carpet be not meant which was at the coming in to the holy place Exod 26. 36. I have given you for a property incommunicable to others V. 8. I also have given thee By my precedent Laws Lev. 6. 16 18 26. and 7. 6 32. Num. 5. 9. By reason of the by reason of the Priesthood sealed by the holy unction as Lev. 7. 35. V. 9. Most holy See upon Lev. 2. 3. Reserved after the part which ought to be offered to God hath beene burnt upon the Altar as Lev. 2. 2 3. and 7. 5 6 7. Trespasse offering For holy things taken through ignorance Lev. 5. 15. V. 10. In the most holy place At the entrance of the Tabernacle called here the most holy place to distinguish it from the peoples court and every other place about the Campe which was not uncleane Lev. 6. 16 26. and 14. 13. V. 11. The heave offering See Exodus chapter 29. verse 27. Leviticus chapter 7. verse 32. Of their gift Of their voluntary offerings of thankes-giving c. Leviticus chapter 7. verse 14. and 10. 14. With all the Because that all which was offered to God was thus waved See Exodus chapter 29. verse 24. V. 12. The best The Italian The floure Their first fruits which they must also offer unto me of all the best fruits of the earth V. 15. Of men Which were offered unto God when they were specially consecrated to his service Num. 8. 11 21. V. 16. A moneth The first borne before they were redeemed ought to bee presented to God in his Temple Exodus chapter 13. verse 12. Luke chapter 2. verse 22. And that could not be done before the mother was purified which required forty dayes time Leviticus Chapter 12. verse 4. According to thine See Leviticus Chapter 27. verse 〈◊〉 V. 17. Upon the Altar Upon the hornes therof by sprinkling and the residue at the foot thereof by powring Leviticus Chapter 4. 7. cha 25. v. 30. and 5. 9. V. 18 Wave breast Of all sacrifices that were not wholly burnt upon the Altar V. 19 Heave offerings Any part or member of the beast voluntarily offered which the offerer shall be willing to offer unto God by heaving A Covenant An order for the recompence of your service which I cause the people to give you Of salt Authenticall inviolable as anciently the most solemne ceremony that was used in Covenants was to take and eat of the same salt and it was esteemed more sacred and firme then to eat at the same table and drink of the same cup see 2 Chro. 13. 5. Before the of which I have been the only appointer and will be the maintainer of it V. 20 I am My rights which I appoint thee to receive of the people in offerings tithes first fruits c. are thy revenues and maintenance see upon Jos. 13. 14. Inheritance As for Aaron and all his descent which were high Priests this is absolutely understood of them for they had no other inheritance But as for other Priests the meaning is that they were not to possesse any Lands for tillage or fields or vine-yards but they might have Cities and pastures for beasts Jos. 21. 4. Jer. 32. 7 8. V. 22 Come nigh To do any part of Gods service V. 23 Shall beare I will have them recompensed for their service and I will have them also beare the punishment for any faults that shall be committed therein V. 24 Which they offer This offering was a kinde of first fruits which belonged unto the Priest Deuteron 18. 4. and it was different from the first fruits touched verse 13. because that in these there was wine oile and corne made ready in the other there were nothing but grapes eares and olives And by this addition out of which the offering was taken these titles are distinguished from those which are mentioned Deuteronom 14. 22. 28. and 26. 12. of which nothing was taken out for the Lord. V. 26 For the Lord To be given unto his Priest V. 27 Shall be reckoned unto you The Lord hath accepted of it in your behalfe no lesse than if it had preceeded out of your owne labour and work Fulnesse of the wine presse The Italian the Muste of the wine Heb. fulnesse see Exo 22. 29. V. 28 To Aaron To
every high Priest for himself and all the Priests in common V. 29 Of the Lord The Italian addeth whole The tenth part exactly compleat without any diminution V. 31 In every place Indifferently in any of your dwellings not in holy places onely where the Priests alone did eate the most holy things v. 10. V. 32 Shall ye pollute You shall not through negligence or malice cause my dues to be paid unto mee that the remnant of the tithes may become your prophane goods held and enjoyed with an evill conscience in which there shall be no signe or token of my grace nor power of my blessing CHAP. XIX VERS 3. THe Priest Who was the next to the high Priest and as it were his chief deputy Numb 3. 32. whence one may gather that in ensuing times also this office of preparing this water for purification was given to the second person for the high Priest could not be ceremonially polluted Lev. 21. 12. as this man was who was chief in this action of the heifer vers 7. Without the camp Which was singular in this sacrifice to shew that Christ was to die without the City Heb. 13. 11 12. V. 4 Shall take After he hath carried it into the camp in some vessell V. 5 And one shall The Priest being returned from without the campe as it appeareth by v. 7. Her bloud The remainder which hath not been used in the former sprinkling V. 6 Cedar wood See Lev. 4. 4. V. 7 Uncleane Shall be severed from common conversation especially in holy places and shall pollute by touching and comming neere any A figure of Christ to shew that he for to cleanse us hath burthened himselfe with the guilt of our pollutions in the sight of God Isa. 53. 12 2 Cor. 5. 21. V. 9 That is cleane Not defiled by any ceremoniall pollution A cleane place Not a receptacle of filth sweepings offals and other uncleane things see upon Lev. 4. 12 For a water the Italian hath it To make a water Mixing of those ashes with running water v. 17. Of separation the Italian hath it Of purification From diverse legall and deadly impurities A figure of Christs bloud which purifieth the consciences of the faithfull from dead works Heb. 9. 14. and 10. 22. A purification The Italian hath it A sacrifice This slaying and burning of the heifer is a kind of sacrifice for sinne and therefore those ceremonies ought to be observed herein as were accustomed in the like sacrifices excepting the ashes see Lev. 4. 11. 〈◊〉 V. 10 Unto the stranger that is a proselite Othershold that all strangers which dwelt among the people were comprehended herein by reason of the frequent unavoidable contaminations of the one with the other V. 12 Purisie himself With the sprinkling of that water v. 18. The third day a document for the faithfull to begin and continue purifying of themselvs whilest they are in this world for to be so in the everlasting Sabbath see 2 Cor. 5. 3. V. 13 Defileth Comming neere it rashly whilest he was yet uncleane for by the Law holy things were polluted by the touch of uncleane ones Hag. 2. 13. see upon Levit. 15. 31. and 1616. Cut off See Gen. 17. 14. His uncleannesse Having contemptuously been carelesse of the meanes of cleansing himselfe he shall not now be admitted thereunto Yea as uncleane he shall be cut off from the communion of the Church and be put to death if the thing be known or if it be unknowne to men God will punish it V. 17 Of the burnt heifer c. The Italian hath it Of that sacrifice c. See v. 9. Running water Of some spring or running streame as Lev. 14. 5. V. 21 That sprinkleth To shew that as it is in bodily uncleannesses he that maketh another cleane defileth himselfe so the Ministers of Gods grace draw much impurity upon themselves from the infection of sinners Isa. 6. 5. That toucheth Either by sprinkling of it or being sprinkled therewith Another document to teach us that the faithfull man even after he hath received the gift of forgiventsse of sins hath yet many reliques thereof remaining and that his perfect purification is fulfilled at his death see Joh. 13. 10. CHAP. XX. VERS 1. OF Zin This Zin is a part of that great desert which bordered upon Palestina on the south-side and differeth from the other Zin which is neare unto Egypt Exo. 16. 1. In the first Of the fourtieth yeare after the comming out of Egypt Num 33. 38. Deut. 2. 13 14. Kadesh This is the City of Kadesh-barnea where now the people were encamped the second time Num. 13. 26. after they had gone back againe and gone about all the desert for the space of eight and thirty yeares Deut. 2. 14. V. 2. There was no water For the water which followed them Exod. 17. 6. 1 Cor. 10. 4. sometimes was dried up as Num. 21. 5 6. or peradventure it failed quite when they came neere Canaan V. 8 The rod That with which Moses wrought the miracles in Egypt Exod. 4. 17. and 17. 5. which is more likely than to understand it of Aarons rod which was blossomed V. 10 Must we fetch you These words which are taxed Psa. 106. 32. and the smiting of the rocke twice without Gods command maketh some shew of the incredulity pointed at v. 12. But God did see at in â—â—s very depth and truth and he shewed it and punished it see Num. 27. 14. Deut. 1. 37. V. 12 Sanctifie me By a plaine and absolute obedience unto my word attributing unto me the glory of a most holy and undoubted truth and of an infinite power and so have given the people a President whereby they might have done the like V. 13 Of Meriba The Italian hath it Of conâ—ention Or of Meriba See this self same name attributed unto other waters Exod. 17 7. Sanctified iâ— them The Lord by this miracle did plainly shew the sacred glory of his power goodnesse patience and truth and thereby did convince the prophane diffidence and reproofes of the people V. 14 Thy brother Because the Idumeans were issited from Bsau Jacobs brother V. 16 An Angel The son of God in his own person Exo. 14 19. and 23. 20. and 33. 14. V. 17 Of the wells Or out of cisternes or other particular waters but only out of common waters as out of rivers and brooks c. Others expound it we will take none without paying for it v. 19. Deut. 2. 6. V. 19 Of thy water Which in those deserts by reason of the great store of cattel which was bred there was one of the most necessary and cleare things they had On my feet The Italian hath it With our company Or on our feet without doing any dammage V. 21 Refused The contrary seemeth to be said Deuter. 2. 29. but in that place are meant other Idâ— means or else these same Idumeans suffered the people to go round about the Country and furnished them with
ruine but the people themselves V. 11. A name even as the girdle is an ornament to the body The meaning is To the end that I might be glorified through their obedience and also by reason of the wonders which I should doe in their behalfe V. 12. Every bottle that is to say this people thinke to have a great vintage to make themselves merry and drunke tell them that I will send them another kind of drunkennesse namely my wrath which shall astonish them and make them rage like drunken persons see Isa. 51. 17 21. 63. 6. Jer. 25. 27. 51. 7. V. 14. Dash them that is to say I will suffer the Land to be filled with factions and divisions and let them thrust at and overthrow one another V. 16. Give glory namely by confession and repentance see Jos. 7. 19. Darknesse namely the fore-said calamities â—â—umble termes taken from such as goe by night over high and craggy places V. 17. My soule that is to say I Jeremiah shall be able to doe no more but retire into some solitary place and there lament for your inevitable ruine Lam. 1. 26. V. 18. The King namely Jehoiakim the sonne of Josias as it is likely The Queen namely the Kings wife or mother 2 Kin 23. 3â— For your or that which you weare on your heads V. 19. Of the South namely of Iudah which in respect of the other Tribes lay Southward Shut up because they are besieged or because they are desolate and no man dwelleth in them V. 20. That come namely the Chaldeans which were Northward from Iudea Where is or O Iehoiakim where is that people thou didst glory so much in see Prov 14. 28. V. 21. Wilt thou say the property of the Hebrew word sheweth that this was spoken to a woman which might be the Queene or the whole Comunalty of the Jewes When he namely God or the King of the foresaid Northerne Nations Thou namely thou O mother of Jehoiakim by the counsell which it is likeliest thou gavest thy sonne to make himselfe a vassall to Nebuchadnezzar hast gotten the Chaldeans the right of Soveraignty over the Kingdome of Judah 2 King 24. 2. Oâ— thou Nation hast subjected thy selfe to the Babylonians by infamous submissions or unlawfull covenants V. 22. Thy skirts that is to say thou hast been carried into a shamefull and disgracefull bondage and slavery see Isa. 20. 4. 47. 2. Made bare with the irons and stocks V. 23. The Ethiopian you are altogether incorrigible no admonition nor exhortation will prevaile with you or doe any good and therefore I will destroy you without any remission V. 25. The portion a terme taken for the parting or dividing of fields and possessions In falshood namely in idols false doings and vaine hopes V. 27. Thy neighings a terme taken from Horses when they are in heaâ—e of lust Whoredome namely spirituall whoredome through idolatry When what time wilt thou take for thy conversion CHAP. XIV Vers. 1. THe dearth the Italian the drought it seemes that it was some extraordinary dry time that hapned in those daies whereupon ensued famine and dearth V. 2. Gates that is to say their Cities and inhabitants which held their assemblies in market places and Courts which were ordinarily by the City gates V. 3. Covered a custome in those daies in time of mourning and shame see 2 Sam 15. 30. V. 6. Snuffed namely to quench their thirst or panting and fetching their breath short see Ier. 2. 24. V. 7. Doe thou it shew the effects of thy grace and power for thou art wonderfully good and mercifull Or to make all men know thee to be such by the effects V. 8. Why seeing thou hast established and setled by habitation amongst thy people why shouldest thou give over caring for them as if thou didst not dwell at home but in some strange place and as a passenger V. 9. Thy name that is to say we beare thy name as thy children and thy people and we have been consecrated to thee by calling upon thy holy name when thou receivest us at our comming into thy Church V. 10. Thus have they that is to say I doe reward them according to their errors strayings and unbridled licentiousnesse V. 13. Ah Lord Lord take pity upon this poore people for they continue in their errours by reason of their false Prophets V. 16. Their wickednesse that is to say the punishment which they have deserved for their wickednesse V. 17. The Virgin namely the commonalty of my people which heretofore remained in her ancient state and liberty as in her own fathers house and was never subdued by any stranger nor never led into captivity V. 18. Goe begging their bread or flying from these miseries V. 21. The throne the Arke of the covenant is often so called and by the name of that is meant the whole Temple V. 22. Are there that is to say we flie to thee in this extreame necessity and drought for thou alone canst helpe us by granting us some raine The vanities namely the idols CHAP. XV. Vers. 1. MOses and Samuel by whose prayers and intercessions God was formerly appeased with his people Exod. 32. 14. 1 Sam. 7. 9. Psal. 99. 6. Cast them out tell them that I have cast them off and that I will heare them no more nor no others for them V. 3. Foure namely kindes of living creatures that shall destroy them The Sword that is to say their enemies that shall execute the full rigor and rage of warre upon them V. 6. I am weary that is to say I have so often put off my judgements and revoked my threatnings that unlesse I should wrong my justice I can doe so no more a humane kind of speech Gen. 〈◊〉 6. V. 7. Fâ—â— them a terme taken from Corne lying upon the floore The meaning is though I have already scattered a great part of the people by the meanes of the ten Tribes captivity which were upon the confines of the Countrey see Lev. 26. 33. V. 8. I have brought I have brought against Judea the mother of so many valiant warriours the Chaldeans who by open force like a thiefe that ravisheth a thing at noone day are come to assault her V. 9. She that namely that most fruitfull Nation of the Jewes as by way of proverbe they were wont to say a woman the mother of seven children Ruth 4. 15. 1 Sam. 2. 5. to signifie the great fruitfulnesse of a woman Suâ—â—e that is to say her calamities are come upon her suddenly whilst she yet was in hope of some worldly ayd and meanes V. 10. Woe is me the Prophets complaint seeing that his prophecies did produce nothing but contradiction and rebellion against his word and deadly hatred against his person I have that is to say I have neither had strife nor contention with them but all is by reason of mine office V. 11. The Lord I have not set forth any thing of mine owne will nor
spoke any thing but in Gods Name and by his expresse command Thy remnant a kind of an oath As much as to say I will surely destroy the body of this Nation and will save but a small remnant of them Isa. 10. 22. V. 12. Shall c. the Italian Is it possible to breake Iron the Iron and Brasse of the North that is to say is it in the power of me Jeremiah to breake Gods decrees or to keep backe or take power away from his words Or O thou Jewish Nation I will send the Northerne Chaldeans which are a warlike and invincible Nation against thee The Northern a part of the world most abounding with such kinds of hard mettals which are good to make weapons of V. 13. Without having no regard at all neither to losse nor gaine but onely to the justice of my revenge Psal. 44. 12. V. 14. To passe the Italian I will make thine enemies to passe through a Land c. I will give them meanes and shew them waies unknowne and incredible whereby they may accomplish their designes V. 15. Thou knowest that I have done nothing without nor beyond thy command Take me not whilest thou doest use so much patience towards these my wicked adversaries do not thou suffer them to kill me V. 16. Thy words the Italian so soone as thy words I have received the words which thou directest to me with promptitude and good will disposing my selfe to obey thee with great zeale and freedome of mind Thy name that is to say I am thy Prophet and professe my selfe to be thy servant dedicated and consecrated to thee alone V. 17. I sate not I have kept my selfe from all prophane companies and recreations to lament the calamities which hang over the head of this people Jer. 13. 17. Indignation namely with prophecies threatnings and curses Jer. 6. 11. Or with griefe and despight to see the untamed malice of this people which causeth their evils to be irrevocable V. 18. Unto me Have I in vaine hoped in thee shall I finde my selfe deceived in my greatest need Like to one that in the greatest heat of Summer runs to some dried up Spring Job 6. 15. V. 19. If thou returnâ— that is to say if thou renounce all diffidency impatience and murmuring and turnest to me with true faith and obedience I will strengthen thee and will give thee grace to attend upon my service freely and without any feare If thou that is to say if thou dost loyally and constantly without feare or flattery declare what the true good is which I approve of and the evill which I reprove if thou maintainest that which is good and dost beare up and comfort good men and contrariwise condemnest that which is evill and keepest downe evill men thou then shewest by the effects that thou art my true Propliet Let them take heed lost thou goe astray after them or imitate their wicked fashionâ— but be thou rather a constant example of vertue to them 1 Tim. 4 12. CHAP. XVI Vers. 5. OF mourning the Italian Funeâ—all banquet see concerning these banquets Deut. 26. 14. Now by this forbiddiâ—g God would set before his peoples eyes the horrour of the approaching desolation wherein by reason of the multitude of the dead and the terrour of the living there would be no time nor meanes to observe the ceremonies appointed for burials And besides either the cruelty of men or feare of the enemies will cause men to forgoe and leave undone these honest offices see Iob 27. 15. Psal. 78. 64. Ezek. 24. â—7 22. Amos 6. 10. V. 〈◊〉 Nor â—ut according to the custome taken from the heathen though it were a bad and reproved custome Lev. 19. 27 28. Deut. 14. 1. V. 7. Neither shall men the Italian There shall be no bread shared for the mourning to comfort c. it was the fashion anciently amongst the Jewes that when any one died in a house the neighbours friends and kinsfolkes came thither and brought bread wine and meat with them to make ready which those of the house could not make ready by reason of their fresh griefe and there they invite their friends to eate comfort themselves and overcome their griefe V. 13. I will not that is to say I will punish you to the extremity of rigor without any remission Or I will not cause your enemies hearts to relent and use mercy towards you see the contrary to this threatning Psal. 106. 46. V. 14. Behold notwithstanding these grievous threatnings and extreame desolutions I will bring my people backe from Babylon and this deliverance shall be esteemed â—ore miraculous then that of Egypt and the lustre of this shall dim 〈…〉 e the lustre of the other Others construâ— it as if the extremity of the evils shovld move God to compassion see Isa. â—0 22. Hos. 〈◊〉 14. V. 16. Send that is to say I will make the Chaldeans come hither like so many Fishermen and they shall gather up in their nets both people and goods Amos 4 2. Hab. 1. 14 15. and like Huntsmen they shall lay open all hiding places V. 18. And first before I make them partakers of of my grace v. 14. Double that is to say to the full Carcasses idols are called so for detestation Lev. 26. 30. Others would have this understood of idolatrous sacrifices opposite to true and legall sacrifices which are tearmed to be of sweet odour V. 19. The Gentiles that is to say in the Messias his time the Gentiles shall renounce all manner of idolatry to be converted to thee the only true God and that action of theirs which is yet to come doth even now condemne thy people which is so outragious in this vice of idolatry Inherited they have had for their hereditary God idols that have no essence nor vertue V. 20. Gods unto namely Idols to thinke or beleeve that there is any manner of Godhead in them when indeed there is none V. 21. I will this namely by my terrible judgements by which I will make them trie my power CHAP. XVII Vers. 1. IS written they carry it deeply engraven in their hearts and cannot put out the stampe Or their consciences are such witnesses to it that it can no way be disannulled nor gain-said The hornes God had appointed that the hornes of the Altar should be sprinkled with the blood of the Sacrifices Levit 4 7. 8 16. 18. for to remaine there as a token of propitiation Now the idolaters using the same ceremoniâ— upon the altars of their idols the Prophet saith that contrary to the other blood this blood was a permanent signe of abomination V. 2. Remember they love their idols as dearely as their dearest things V. 3. O my mountaine the Italian O thou mountaineer that is to say O thou Jewish Nation that trustest in the strength and situation of thy hilly Countrey as if it were inaccessible Jer. 21. 13. I will deliver thee into the hands of thine enemies as well as if thou