of my bread As the Virgin Mary is not meant by wisdome verse 5 verse 1. so neither the Eucharist by this Bread and Wine here as some Papists would poorly seek to perswade us Reprove not a scorner Chap. verse 8 XXIII 9. and chap. XXIV 9. and XXVI 4. Matth. VII 6. The basest can mock As the abjects did David Psal. XXXV 15. thy dayes shall be multiplied Chap. verse 11 X. 27. and III. 2 16. Exodâ—s XX. 12. if short life would not prove a blessing to thee 1 Kings XIV 13. Esay LVII 1 2. as it was to Enoch to Josiah and others who did live long in a little time here and then lived for ever in heaven clamorous The most lewd verse 13. 17. are the most loud stollen waters Those pleasures where the Devil is a play-fellow But such morsels of sinne are murdering morsels not nourishing The Proverbs Here the name of Solomon is prefixed again chapter X as it seemes to a second Head verse 1 or Collection of Proverbs wherein the Opposition of Contraries in the same verse is very much used and the first part often serveth much to usher in the second from death The second death verse 2 and from the first too many times and alwayes as to the evil and sting of it The Lord will not suffer Though he refuse to enrich himself by evil arts verse 3 and though he give to the poor yet he shall not want necessaries Psal. XXXVII 25. and XXXIV 9. Blessings Chap. verse 6 XXVIII 20. Gen. XXVII 33. a confluence of all and of all kinds of Blessings The memorie Their name is heire to their life verse 7 their stock remains goes forward and shall do till the day of doome Chap. XXII 1. and chap. XV. 30. Eccles. VII 1. 3 Iohn verse 12. but the name of the wicked shall rot A frequent phrase and speech with the Hebrews which they abbreviate and write thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall receive commandment Be subject to Gods holy word verse 8 without replies and cavils winketh Winketh wiles verse 10 sorrow Sinne and sorrow to himself and others a well of life Flowing as an ever-flowing fountain verse 11 Psal. XXXVII 30 31. Matth. XII 35. Heb. VIII 10. love covereth 1 Cor. verse 12 XIII verse 20 7. verse 21 1 Pet. 4. 8. as choice silver Prov. XXV 11. feede many Luke XIX 48. 2 Cor. VI. 10. They are empty Vines that bear fruit to themselves only Hos. X. 1. no sorrow with it Wealth without woe verse 22 store without sore gold without guilt of sinne or guilty conscience a sport These dance to hell verse 23 hath wisdom For his sport and delight Rom. VII 22. Job XXIII 12. The fear Iob XV. verse 24 21. and ch XXIX 25. shall be granted If they fail not in the matter manner intention or duration of their desires and prayers being content either to wait or to want the thing desired being heartily willing that God should be glorified though themselves be not glorified Whirlwind Iob XXVII 20 23. verse 25 shortned Eccles. verse 27 VII verse 28 17. The hope Psal. CXXX 5. Prov. XIV 32. Heb. VI. 18 19. Pride Where pride is in the saddle chapter XI verse 2. 7. shame is in the crooper the hope His hope made a bridge of his own shadow and thinking to go over it he falls into the water he as a childe grasps at a shadow on the wall in his stead As it befell Haman verse 8 Daniels enemies in the denne of lions and others 2 Thes. I. 6 7. holdeth his peace From despising words verse 12 opprobrious language not seeking to wash off durt with durt concealeth Tacitus to him is the best historian verse 13 own flesh As Baals Priests verse 17 and some popish merit-mongers verse 18 sure reward Only he must have patience and not look to sow and reap all in one day James V. 7. pursueth evil As Asahel followed Abner verse 19 Ephes. IV. 19. adding drunkennesse to thirst with both hands Hel gapeth for him a froward heart A man may die by inward bleeding verse 20 Jer. IV. 14. The Heart appears in the life as the candle in the lanthorne only good Rom. verse 23 VII 22. Heb. XIII 18. Yet when the flesh gets the winde and hill of the Spirit it sometimes over-bears as a gust of winde forceth the ferry-man backward is wrath Proves such Rom. II. 8 9. that scattereth The five loaves in the Gospel were multiplied by division verse 24 and augmented by substraction trusteth Riches were never true to any that trusted in them verse 28 Luke XII 15. Psal. LII 6 7. exoriuntur ut exurantur as the grasse winneth souls James V. verse 30 20. Dan. XII 3. One soul more worth then all the world as he tells us who only went to the price of it Mat. XVI 26. recompensed Chastened verse 31 Their afflictions are not penal but medicinal or probational in the earth Which is their house of correction not in hell much more Totaly and finaly Nahum I. 9. as 1 Sam. XXVI 8. 1 Pet. IV. 17 18. not be established chapter XII verse 3 Though he may flourish for a time not be moved Chap. X. 25. Psal. LXII 2 6. a crown A choise and chief ornament verse 4 but the mouth Hence are those many Apologies of the Christians in all times verse 6 and ages according to his wisdome James III. verse 8 13 17. 2 Cor. X. 18. Rom. I. 22 23. 1 Cor. II. 4 8. the net of evil men Such a net as that Hab. verse 12 I. 15. that they may do the like use all cunning arts and crafts of doing mischief he so furiously pursueth his lusts as if he desired to be intangled in the net of his own destruction Or he desireth the forteresse against evils but all in vaine or the fortresse of evil men to be secured and defended by them and their strength Thus various may be the reading and sense of these words is snared The venome of his heart blisters his tongue verse 13 that it breaks out at his lips to his own ruine A fools wrath He hath no power over his own passions verse 16 chapter XXIX 11. covereth shame 1 Sam. X. 27. Passeth by an offence covereth an injury no evil Esay XXVII verse 21 9. filled He that makes a match with mischief shall have his belly full of it chap. I. 31. and XIV 14. deal truly Psal. verse 22 LI. 6. verse 23 Esay LXIII 8. Ephes. IV. 15. 1 John I. 6. 8. concealeth Loves not to out-lash Yet is not niggard where there is need chap. XV. 7. proclaimeth In it is and out it must what ever come of it a good word As cordials of comfort verse 25 breasts of consolation wells of salvation more excellent As a Prince of God among them verse 26 as Abraham among the Hittites Gen. XXIII 6. Psal. XVI 3. no death No sting in it verse 28 And they passe from the jawes of death to the joyes
be sprinkled seven times before the Lord before the vaile of the Sanctuary And then some of it to be put upon the hornes of the Altar of sweet incense before the Lord and the rest of the blood to be poured out at the bottome of the Altar of the burnt-offering as in the sin-offering of the Holy Priest Levit 4. v. 5 6 7. And of the whole Congregation ch 4. v. 16 17 18. Sometimes it was to be put upon the tip of the right eare and upon the thumb of the right hand and upon the great toe of the right foot and some of the blood upon the Altar was to be sprinkled upon the garments as Moses did at the consecration of Aaron and his sonnes Levit. 8. 23 24 30. all which was typical and ceremonial In summe it was given upon the Altar to make an atonement for soules for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soule Lev. 17. 11. and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission Heb. 9. 22. But with them blood was never at any time or upon any occasion to be eaten Lev. 7. 26 27. 1 Sam. 14. 32 33 34. And the Apostles make a decree for the forbearance of eating things strangled and blood Acts 15. 20. yet now the ceremonial Law being expired and the restraint in this text not so clear and full or not reaching to all people in all ages out of the case of scandal which occasioned the Apostles necessary 1 Cor. 8. 13. though temporary decree I see no necessity enforcing the contrary but that Christians may use their Christian liberty knowing that to the pure all things are pure that meat commends us not to God that whatsoever is sold in the shambles that we may eat asking no question for conscience sake V. 5. And surely your blood of your lives Your life-blood The reason of the former prohibition Of every beast Exod. 21. 28. mans brother All men are brethren Act. 17. 26. V. 6. Whoso sheddeth Wittingly and wilfully Numb 35. 31. else Cities of Refuge weee appointed as may be seen Numb 35. 11 15 22 23. Deut. 29. 3 6. by man Magistrate Revenger of blood Numb 35. 19 21 27. for in the image This reason sheweth death to be due for murther before the flood and from the beginning though God extraordinarily suffered Cain to live a life likely worse then death as a spectacle of his wrath all his age To deny the legal and military use of the sword to Christians is an Anabaptistical faucie V. 10. And with every living creature For mans sake for whom they were made and in the flood for his sin destroyed V. 11. All flesh No universal deluge though particular countreys may be drowned by the waters of a flood Yet in the end by fire 2 Pet. 3. 7 10. the earth As ch 6. 11. V. 13. My bowe Wittily say some bended upwards and withoâ—t any arrow in it This was in the clouds before naturally But now significatively instituted to this use to be a token of this Covenant for the assurance of the truth and performance of it and Gods oath annexed to it Esay 54. 9. V. 14. When I bring a cloud At sometimes V. 18. And Ham is the father of Canaan So againe v. 22. To imply the reason why Canaan is cursed v. 25 26 27. And that the Israelites who in Moses time and after were commanded to root them out might know that they were of an accursed race and off-spring V. 20. Began In the new world a new beginner yet some yeares after the flood V. 21. Uncovered Likely wearing long and loose garments without breeches As likely David did when Michal mocked him 2 Sam. 6. 20. To prevent which linnen breeches were commanded to Priests Exod. 28. 42. Ezech. 44. 19. and Gods Altar was to be builded without steps Exod. 20. 26. V. 22. And told He should have concealed it from his brethren and covered it himself V. 24. And knew Upon enquiry or otherways by relation or revelation V. 25. Said Prophetically both in his cursing and blessing by warrant of Gods Spirit V. 25. Cursed be Canaan Not naming Cham. But shewing thereby the curse to be entailed on him and on Canaan his fourth sonne ch 10. 6. then borne and haply a Partner in his fathers sinne and on his posterity after him Prov. 30. 17. a servant of servants Thus fore-doom'd to a most servile slavish estate and condition This most seen long after in the Gibeouites Josh. 9. 21. and in the Canaanites As the blessing on Japhet was long after fulfilled when the Gentiles became Christians V. 26. Blessed be the Lord God of Shem Shem blessed because God is called his God Psal. 144. 15. He named before Japheth his elder brother in covering his fathers nakednesse v. 23. and Canaan shall be his servant So to Chadorâ—aomeâ—â— of Shems progeny being King of Elam ch 14. 1 4 c. and ch 10. 22. so in the times of Joshuah Judges and Kings of Judah and Israel V. 27. In the tents of Shem In the Church become Converts and Christians Eph. 2. 13 14 19. 3. 6. even when Shems posterity the natural branches was much out off Rom. 11. 11. and Canaan shall be his servant Alexander the Great and the Romanes subdued them V. 29. And he died living almost to the birth of Abram CHAP. X. Verse 1. JAphet He is renowned in the ancient Greek Writers called Iupetos V. 2. Madai Of him the Medes Javan Of him the countrey Ionia the Grecians V. 5. Isles Properly or improperly such countreys whereto the Jewes from their land could not passe but by shipping the Province of Europe here meant every one after his tongue As it fell out after that division of tongues ch 11. 9. V. 6 Cush Cushians or the Ethiopians near the Arabian sea Mizraim Egyptians Mizraim in the Old Testament is alwayes called Egypt in the New Testament V. 7. Seba Whence came the West-African-Ethiopians and likely the Queen of Shebah 1 King 10. 1. called the Queen of the South coming from the uttermost parts of the earth Matth. 12. 42. And the Eâ—nuch of Candacâ— Acts 8. 27. Havilah In Arabiah V. 8. And Cush begat Nimrod Reserved here to the last place because Moses meant to speak most of him a mighty one Usurped by violence a more imperious Power and Government then formerly was used and enlarged his dominions V. 9. A mighty Hunter Hunter of men Tyrants and Oppressors are called Hunters Jer. 16. 16. before the Lord Openly without feare of God V. 10. Babel ch 11. 9. Semiramis then the wife of Ninus sonne to this Nimrod or Belus as profane Authors have it founded not this City but repaired it After Nimrods time it seems the seat of that Monarchy being the first was translared to Nineveb in Assyria Micah 5. 6. And after many ages Babylon rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 4. 30. Shinar Comprehending Mesopotamia situate
hand A quarrelsome man he for booty by prey and pillage they most to defend themselves and he shall dwell His seed be a several Nation from his brethren border upon them and they not able to overbear him ch 25. 9 18. 37. 23. V. 13. Have I also c. Magnifying Gods mercy for his careful eye and providence over her for vouchsafing her so clear a sight of him and that even here in the desert which was more marvell then if it had been in her holy Masters family and that after her so ill carriage of her self and letting her yet live after it many after the sight of God were afraid yea some that they should die Gen. 3. 10. 32. 30. Exod. 3. 9. 24. 12. 33. 20. Deut. 4. 33. and 5. 24. Judg 6. 22. 13. 22 Esay 6. 2. 5. Luke 5. 8. V. 14. Beerlehai-roi i. e. The Well of him that liveth and seeth me Kadesh Kadesh-barneah Numb 32. 8. 13. 26. Deut. 1. 19. 9. 23. Josh. 14 6 7. V. 15. Abram called his name Therefore Hagar returned as the Angel commanded Ishmael Likely upon Hagars relation V. 16. Eighty six See Annot. on v. 1. For the space of thirteen yeares after this God keepeth silence and speaketh not to Abram ch 17. 1. CHAP. XVII Verse 1. APpeared In a visible forme v. 22. before me As alwayes in my presence Gen. 5. 22. 48. 15. 1 King 2. 4. 3. 6. 2 Kings 26. 3. V. 2. Make Renew or stablish it being made as v. 7. multiply ch 12 2 V. 3. Fell on his face v. 17. In way of feare and reverence of gratulation and rejoycing and God talked with him After he had lifted him up as may appear out of the seventeenth verse where he is said to fall upon his face again V. 4. My Covenant is with thee Ch. 12. 2. a father of many Nations Rom. 4. 16 17. even all believing Christians Gal. 3. 28 29. following Abrahams doctrine and example V. 5. Abraham i. e. a high father of a multitude Nehem 9. 7. so Jacobs name changed to Israel ch 32. 28. Esay 6â— 2. Rev. 2. 17. a father Rom. 4. 17. Gen. 17. 6. have I Ch. 15. 8. V. 6. Kings As Saul David Solomon c. of the Ishmaelites Midianites and Idumeans Also the faithful Kings of the Gentiles Rev 21. 24. V. 7. And thy seed Specially Isaac v. 19. ch 21. 12 22. 7. 18. Rom. 9. 8. everlasting In respect of the long continuance of the outward ceremony of Circumcision but for the spiritual part literally everlasting in Christ Heb. 13. 20. 9. 15. Luke 1. 71 73. 1 Pet 1. 4. a God unto thee Herein consisteth the summe and substance of all God himself wholly being applied to man for blessing and salvation Ps. 144. 15. exercising his perfections for mans happinesse V. 8. Wherein thou art a stranger Acts 7. 5. Hebr. 11. 9. everlasting So Esay 60. 21. which for the earthly Canaan is to be understood conditionally if his seed keep the Covenant which they brake and so kept it but for a time Though the outward signe is changeable yet the Covenant it self remaineth one in substance for ever Esay 63. 18. Lev. 18. 28. 20. 22. V. 10. My Covenant Token of it v. 11. so Covenant of Circumcision Acts 7. 8. so the Lamb is the Lords Passeover Exod. 12. 11 the bread the Lords body It is called the seale of the righteousnesse of faith Rom 4. 11. sealing on Gods part that he would give them that promised seed the Messiah and in him accept them pardon and cleanse them and on their part that they would believe in the Messiah and as Gods peculiar people mortifie their â—usts and be new creatures Everyman-childe The man is the head of the woman from him the generation proceedeth 1 Cor. 11. 3 8. women are baptized Act. 8. 12. Circumcised With shedding of blood with shame and much paine Exod. 4. 25 26. Gen. 34. 25. It figured mortification Deut. 10. 16. 30. 6. Rom. 2. 25 29. 4. 11. Phil. 3. 3. Col. 2. 11 13. See Lev. 26. 4I Esay 6. 10. Jer. 4. 4. 6. 10. Lev. 19. 23. Heb. 9. 22. Circumcised By whom it is not specified Abraham did it v. 23. And likely the Parents Masters or Magistrates did in case of neglect Zipporah did it Exod 4. 25. V. 12. Eight dayes old Though it fell on the Sabbath-day Josh. 7. 22. Creatures till eight dayes old were unclean not fit for sacrifice Lev. 22. 27. And so in mankinde Lev. 12. 2. The same number of dayes in many other Levitical rites Lev 8. 33 35. 9. 1. 14. 8 9 10. 15. 13 14. Numb 6. 9 10. Ezech. 43. 26 27. And yet we reade Josh 5. 2. c. the day and Sacrament it self neglected and the Lord commanding Joshuah to circumcise all the males borne in the wildernesse in that space of fourty yeares wandring at Gilgal And haply sicknesse might put off circumcision till time of health Hos. 6. 6. V. 13. Bought with thy money Heathen Proselytes and their Infants were hereby made capable and partakers of Gods Covenant in your flesh Genital part To teach regeneration of nature Psal. 517. to make an holy seed Ezra 9. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Thus honouring that uncomely part to beare the mark of the heavenly Covenant Thus the foolishnesse of God is wiser then men 1 Cor 12. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. V. 14. Cut off from his people The Infant here can be in no fault as not capable either of the command or contempt He cannot be said to break the Covenant in the end of this verse that can do nothing that belongeth to the keeping of it Neither was Moses childe in danger of it but the father Exod. 4. 24. neither was the want of Circumcision so pâ—rillous except in case of contempt or wilful neglect Josh. 5. 7. As likewise it was with the Passeover enjoyned upon the same danger and penalty Exod. 12. 14 15. And yet omitted in the wildernesse and put off upon occasions to the second moneth Numb 9. v 10 11. 2 Chron. 30. 2 3. The penalty here then is laid upon that man who not being circumcised in his Infancy should afterwards also wilfully and contemptuously neglect it and upon those by whose default Circumcision of the Infant is omitted as Ezech. 18. 20 Now the penalty of cutting off from his people here is elsewhere in Scripture expressed in other cases with this variety shall be cut off Lev. 17. 4. utterly cut off Numb 15. 31. cut off from Israel Exod. 12. 15. cut off from my presence Lev. 22. 3. from the Congregation of Israel Exod. 12. 19 from among the Congregation Numb 19. v. 20. from the midst of my people Ezech. 14. 8. in the sight of their people Lev. 20. 18 as in the case of Moses before mentioned cut off from the earth And it is used as a threatening and penalty against divers sorts of sins and sinners against such as eate leavened bread in the
that God is ignorant of what is in man but to make it the better known to himself and others So Exod. 15. 25. 16. 4. Deut. 8. 2 16. 13. 3. Indeed God and Satan may both have an hand in one and the same tentation as in Davids numbring the people 2 Sam. 24. 1â— 1 Chron. 21. 1. But to far different ends both Satan and wicked men tempted our Saviour often in the Gospels with an evil minde to an evil end And the sinful Israelites are said often to tempt God by making doubt and trial of his presence Providence Wisdome Power and so by unbelief and murmurings tempting and provoking him to wrath And so Ananias and Sapphira tempted the Spirit of the Lord. And Paul gives the caveat that we tempt not Christ 1 Cor. 10. 9. And again tentations are taken for troubles afflictions persecutions which try the truth and strength of Gods graces in his children And so if God lead into temptation Matth. 26 13. he will with it give you the issue and outgate 1 Cor. 10. 13. Here God doth so wiâ—h Abraham in a marvellous trial of his faith and obedience V. 2. And he said In such a manner as he could not doubt but it was God and no Satanical illusion thy only sonne Isaac Only in thy family Ishmael was gone and we never read he returned but to the burial of his father ch 25. 9. And it seems at this time Abraham had not taken Keturah or had no children by her Thy only Isaac that childe of Promise Heb. 11. 18. Thy only begotton son Heb. 11. 17. namely of Sarah thy lawful wise the freeâ—woman wâ—om thou lovest Above all and that for many good reasons land of Moriah Here afterwards Solomon built the Temple 2 Chron. 3. 1. Moriah had this name afterwards upon the occasion in the fourteenth verse a burnt-offering Not that God intended he should do it But this was for trial of his rare faith and obedience and that in a most extraordinary way and manner For indeed here all that was in Abraham as a Man Father Husband Believer Professor of Religion were put to trial Heb. 11. 19. one of the mountaines It was a mountainous countrey Psal. 125 2. The mountaine or hill Sion was close by it V. 3. Rose up early It seemes the command was given in the night Here in this strange trial is his strange and ready quick obedience and went From Beer-sheba in the land of the Philistines ch 21. 31. 33 34. and v. 19. of this chapter God had told him More particularly then at first v. 2. 4 9. V. 4. The third day Either he went leisurely or some occasions might let and hinder him in his travel V. 5. Abide you here Lest they should hinder him lad The same word used of Joshuah when he was thirty yeares old ch 41. 12. and of Joseph when he was fifty three yeares old as appears in that he lived fourty yeares in the wildernesse and seventeen yeares after Moses death and his whole life was one hundred and ten Josh. 24. 29. and so of Benjamin Gen. 43. 8. when at that time he had nine or ten sons ch 46. 21. And so of Absalom at the time of his death 2 Sam. 18. 29. and come again to you He speaks this as a man astonished and amazed or in humane frailty or as Prophet as Caiaphas did John 11. 49. 50 51. not knowing or meaning what his words would bear Heb. 11. 19. and so v. 8. V. 6. And laid it upon Isaac Isaac a type of Christ in many things Christ the only Sonne of his Father Well-beloved Son in whom he is well-pleased the promised seed bore his Crosse was bound sacrificed meekly submitted being obedient unto death rose again as Isaac from the Altar V. 9. And bound Isaac Telling him no doubt at this time Gods whole command and he having only his fathers word for it yet readily submits and obeyes V. 10. To slay his sonne Heb. 11. 17 18. James 2. 21 22 23. V. 11. And the Angel Christ the Angel of the Covenant who speaks of himself as God v. 12. sweareth by himself and promiseth as God and is called Jehovah v. 16 17 18. Out of Heaven So to Hagar ch 21. 17. V. 12. Lay not thine hand Heb. 11. 19. God accepts the Will for the deed 2 Cor. 8. 12. Against idolaters sacrificing their children both Jewes and Gentiles haply upon this pretended example V. 13. Behinde him Likely that way the Angels voice sounded aram This is for the Lamb mentioned v. 7 8. This he toâ—k as sent from God 1 Pet. 1. 19. V. 14. Jehovah Jirch The Lord will see or will be seen answerable to that v. 8. Mori-Jah is of the same signification so Jehovah-Nissi Exod. 17. 15. Jehovah Shammah Ezech. 48. 35. in the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen The meaning of the proverb is that in due time and place God will help and provide for his children and they shall see it V. 16. By my self have I sworne Heb. 6. 13 14 17 18. Sometimes God doth swear by his Soul Jer. 51. 14. by his Holinesse Amos 4. 2. by his Name Jer. 44. 26. And all this is to swear by himself saith the Lord Thus saith Christ of himself In like manner Ps. 2. 7. for because Not for the merit of this prompt obedience The Promise was freely made afore ch 12. 2. 13. 16. 15. 5. 17. 2 4 5 6 16. But as an occasion of repeating and confirming the Promise finding him rightly qualified and to encourage him and others to the execution of faith and obedience V. 17. In blessing Surely under the name blessing is meant the Promise of eternal salvatation thy seed Isaacs posterity ch 21. 12. possesse the gate Ch. 24. 60. where all publick places were for consultation for judgement Job 31. 21. Deut. 22. 15. 21. 19. Amos 5 12 15. and which were the strongest fortifications The meaning is thy seed shall subject them and bring their strength and government under command their holds and cities Mat 16. 18. V. 18. In thy seed Christ. So the Apostle applies it Gal. 3. 16 18. Jer. 4. 2. Ps. 72 17. Beer-sheba Ch. 21. 31 33 34. V. 20 Milcah Ch. 1. 29. Abraham sends thither for a wife for Isaac ch 24. 15 47. V. 21. Uz In this land Job dwelled Job 1. 1. There is another Uz ch 10. 23. and another ch 36. 28. Buz Job 32. 2. dwelt by his elder brother Uz in Arabia Jer. 25. 20 23 24. Kemuel the father of Aram Aram throughout the Bible is turned in Greek Syria and Syrians as Mizraim is Egypt and Cush Ethiopia V. 22. Bethuel Ch. 24. 15. V. 23. Rebekah Isaacs wife ch 24. 15 67 For this cause chiefly is this Genealogy here set down V. 24. And his Concubine An half wife sometimes called by the name of a wife yet not solemnly betrothed nor taken with dowry nor Partner in the Government of the family but subject to
transgresse Amos 4. 4. And seriously forbids them to seek to Bethel for Bethel shall come to nought but chargeth them to seek the Lord. lest he break out like fire and there be none to quench it in Bethel ch 5. 5 6 7. Upon his preaching Amaziah the Priest of Bethel sends to Jeroboam against him and forbids him to prophesie any more at Bethel for it is the Kings Chappel and it is the Kings Court ch 7 10 13. Josiah in his dayes performed all that was sore told by the man of God 1 Kings 13. He brake down the Altar and burnt the bones of men upon it And the idolatrous pollutions of the Temple of Jerusalem he burnt and carried the ashes of them to Bethel so far off on purpose to defile that place which the ten idolatrous tribes had held so sacred 2 Kings 23. 15. 19. 4. Thus large have I been on this place once for all purposing to make a reference hither whenever I shall meet with the name elsewhere â—uz at the first This name in use ch 35. 6. 48. 3. and in Joshuahs time Josh. 18. 13. See Judg. 1. 23 26. It signifieth Nut-tree whence the City might have its name as Jericho is called the City of Palme-trees 2 Chron. 28. 15. Deut. 34. 3. V. 20. Vowed a Vâ—w There is an Oath a Vow and a devoting of a thing to God of an Oath see Annot. on ch 24. 3. of the devoting any thing See Lev. 27. 28 29. A Vow is a binding of the soule with a bond by a sacred and solemne a free and voluntary Promise made to God for the doing or more careful doing of things which otherwise by our duty and Gods Law we are bound to do or for the doing of certain things lawful in themselves but otherwise left indifferent to be done or not to be done or for the abstaining from the use of some things otherwise lawful to be used And all this in way of thankfulness to God for some extraordinary blessings received or for the obtaining of some special benefits which we greatly desire and stand in need of And therefore Vowes are ever joyned with Prayers or Praises and Thanksgiving or both And these Vowes once made must carefully be kept and performed Thus Jocob here vowed by way of thankfulnesse to God for this glorious Apparition and the gracious Promises vouchsafed to him and for further and future blessings to be received from God that God should be his God this should be a new engagement and obligation upon him that he would for ever serve and worship him and that that stone or pillar now erected by him should be Gods house a place consecrated to his worship and service and that he would give the tenth of all he should have to God and for his special use in Sacrifices Altars sacred buildings and maintenance of his service Thus Hannah vowed that if God would deliver her from the reproach of barrennesse and give her a man-child she would give him to the Lord all the dayes of his life and no razour should come upon his head 1 Sam 1. 11. Thus Bathsheba it seems made a Vow for the obtaining of Solomon whence she calleth him the sonne of her Vowes Prov. 31. 2. Thus Jephthah made a Vow to obtain victory against the children of Ammon Judg 11. 30 39. And all Israel to obtain victory against King Arad the Canaanite and his people Numb 21. 1 2. Thus David vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob forthwith to finde out a place for the habitation of the Lord Psal. 132. 2 3. Thus Paul was under a Vow Acts 18. 18. And again he and foure other men Act. 21 23 24. Yea the Heathen Mariners by the light of nature made vows to the Lord vowes of thankfulnesse for their deliverance from shipwrack Jonah 1. 16. In Moses time the vow of a Nazarite and Lawes for them are set down at large Numb 6. as also the things to be vowed to the Lord as persons beasts clean and unclean houses fields of inheritance and of purchase whether vowed before the year of Jubile or after and the several Lawes for the Redemption of them Lev. 27. And in that Mosaical and Ceremonial Law God carefully provides that no unworthy thing shall be vowed to him no beast deformed or that hath any member superfluous or lacking or any way faulty Lev. 22. 18 21 22 23. Mal. 1. 14. Much lesse the hire of a whore or price of a dog Deut. 23. 18. any sinful thing as those wicked men of Judah did in their idolatrous ways both they and their wives which fled into the land of Egypt contrary to the Word of the Lord by Jeremie say We will surely perform our vowes which we have vowed to burne incense to the Queen of heaven and to poure out drink-offerings unto her Jer. 44. 25. And least of all would he have any sinful vow made unto him Now to forbear to vow is no sin Deut. 23. 22. at least no such sin as if they vow and pay not as John 9. 41. If ye were blinde ye should have no sin no such sin as now remaineth on you for refusing the light And the like John 15. 22 24. For howsoever in the general a vow is a kinde of a free-will-offering a service of God Esay 19. 21. but an arbitrary and voluntary service Before men vow it is in their own power and pleasure as it is spoken in Ananias his case Acts 5. 4. yet in some extraordinary cases of petition and thanksgiving vowes are requisite and necessary And however yet being once made lawfully after vowes to make enquiry undoubtedly it is sin But after vowes to make enquiry is a snare and sin Prov. 20. 25. For who vowes bindes his soule with a bond Numb 30. 3. And therefore when a lawful vow is lawfully made then God strictly requires the same to be punctually performed Deut. 23. 21 23. Eccl. 5. 4 5 6. And for that cause he gives Laws who have power to vow and who may not vow namely children and wives who are not free of themselves but under the power and command of others Numb 30. David therefore is mindful of his performance Thy vowes are upon me O God Psal 56. 12. and 66. 13 14. And he mindes others of it Vow and pay unto the Lord your God Psal. 76. 11. And again To thee shall the vow be paid Ps. 65. 1 2. And he saith unto God Thou O God hast heard my vowes And so will I sing praise unto thy Name for ever that I may daily performe my vowes Ps 61. 5 8. If God will be with me Prayer-wise respecting the Promile v. 15. and will keep me Respects the Promise likewise v. 15. and bindes upon it for if here hath the signification of when as in 1 Sam. 15. 17. And is here a word of doubting or of condition but of faith and inference of his duty of thankfulnesse bread to eate 1 Tim. 6. 8. V.
24. 3. V. 52. To thee For harme V. 53. The God of Nahor the God of their father Terah both idolaters Josh. 24. 2. The idolater sweares by his gods his idols V. 54. Offered sacrifice Killed beasts for a feast not sacrifice Feasts used at the making of Covenants ch 26. 30. Numb 22. 40. 1 Kings 1. 9. 19 21. 1 Sam. 28. 44. V. 55. Blessed them Thus God over-rules the wicked so ch 33. 4. so he turned Balaams curse into a blessing Numb 23. 11. Deut. 23. 5. so the mindes of the Barbarians towards Paul Acts 28. 4 5 6. CHAP. XXXII Verse 1. ANgelis of God To comfort and confirm him against the future fear and danger by Esau Psal 91. 11. met him In a visible Apparition when he was awake V. 2. Gods Host Camp Army Heavenly souldiers Luke 2. 13. Horses and charets of fire 2 Kings 6. 17. fighting for Gods people against their enemies Dan. 10. 13 20. 2 Kings 19. 35. Psal. 34. 7. Hoste For their Numbers Order Power Employment Angel the Guardian of Jacob but two Hosts Heb. 1. 14. No Angel is restrained from a particular ministration to any of the Elect nor any of the Elect so allotted to the custody of any Angel that he may not expect the protection of many Mahanaim Two armies the word is of the Dual number Cant. 6. 13. on either hand of him or before and behinde Ps. 34. 7. 91. 11. Here is not one peculiar Angel It seems not so likely that by the two Armies should be meant the one of the Angels the other of Jacobs family Hence likely is the name of that City Josh. 21. 38. in the tribe of Gal assigned to the Levites the children of Merari V. 3. Land of Seir Ch. 14. 6. Deut. 2. 22. The Horims dwelt there afore called Seir not from Esau but from Seir a Chorite or Horite ch 36. 20 21. ch 14 6. Thither was Esau gone ch 36. 6 7 8. And that lay in Jacobs way which he must passe V. 4. My Lord Esau. Thy servant Jacob V. 18. 33. 8. Not here by prejudicing or renouncing the birth-right or blessing ch 27. 29. Though yielding for a time as David after he was anointed did to Saul so Jacob here to pacifie Esaus old malice and present rage v. 5. Prov. 15. 1. waiting by faith for the Promise which was to be accomplished in future times I have sojourned with Laban As an exile as it were so long and rendering to him an accompt of his time spent V. 5. And I have oxen And so will not be burdensom to him or to his fathers house not gape after his fathers riches nor be a reproach to their family by his poverty nor seek Esaus favour for his own profit sake to tell my lord q. d. I would not passe by thee without acquainting thee with it V. 6. Foure hundred men Most likely with a bloody intent how grievous soever it might be to his aged father v. 8. These were too many for ostentation sake V. 7. Greatly afraid The infirmity of the flesh appears the Angels being gone he divided V. 8. Another division ch 33. 1 2. Good and godly policy so v. 16 17 18. and ch 14. 15. 30. 38. V. 9. O God He falls to prayer as his only safe-guard And prayers not to the Angels that appeared for their mediation But labours to strengthen himself and his faith in God and his Promises and Word throughout his Prayer of my father To whom thou hast made such promises He prayes not to Abraham which saidst unto me Return Ch. 31. 13. Be now as good as thyword to me obeying it V. 10. I am not worthy of the least Nor of this I now beg so ch 18. 27. 2 Sam. 9 7 8. Luke 17. 10. Though he justly pleaded his merit to Laban ch 31. 38. the truth In performing thy gracious Promises and Predictions this Jordan Now in sight being in Mount Gilead or nearer two bands V. 7. V. 11. And the mother with the children Or upon them as Hos. 10. 14. Deut 22. 6. V 12. And thou saidest Ch. 28. 14 15. 31. 3. V. 13. Which came to his hand The night and his haste to prevent his brother would not suffer him to stand upon choice 1 Sam 25. 8. a Present Rich of five hundred and eighty head of cattel a stock for breed As Jacob prayeth and trusteth in God and his Promises so yet he useth means Prov. 17. 8. 18. 16. V. 16. A space betwixt V. 20. To mitigate his displeasure by degrees ch 33. 8 9. and that if he fell in hostile manner upon the first the other might seek the better to escape V. 20. Jacob is behinde us Lest Esau might surmise that he sent these only that he in the mean season might escape some other way V. 21. That night Not that v. 13. but the night following having spent the day before in sending away the droves and Presents by his servants V. 22. Two women-servants So are Bilhah and Zilpah called here eleven sonnes Dinah his daughter not mentioned And Benjamin not yet borne Jabbâ—ak Deut. 2. 37. 3. 16. Numb 21. 24. Josh. 12. 2. Judg. 11. 13. the border of the children of Ammon If Jacob now had not been well setled in the confidence of Gods Protection he would not likely have passed over this river as having better meanes to escape on the other side Or rather he being last stayed yet on the other side of the river V. 23 Sent them ever He remaining behinde left alone on the other side v. 24. And there without knowledge of any wrestled with the Angel that night v. 24. 26 31. V. 24. Wrestled Jacob wrestling both spiritually and corporally He deignes this who afterwards deigned to be borne in a stable to die on a Crosse for us Esay 55. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 27 28. a man God in the shape of a man even Christ v. 26 28 30. Called God and an Angel Hos. 12. 3 4. that Angel Gen. 48. 16 Mal. 3. 1. that Arch-Angel Michael Jude v. 9. After he had stayed behinde alone purposely to pray as he did Hos. 12. 4. with weeping at the last the Lord appeared and set on him with wrâ—stling until the breaking of the day A private wrastling without Spectators v. 26. nor then did Jacob fully know with whom he wrastled V. 25. And when he saw This is spoken after the manner of men God knowes all with one pure and perfect act that he prevailed not With that measure of strength which God in that assumed body was then pleased to take and use Gen. 19. 22. Mar. 6. 5. Mat. 15. 22. 24. 27 28. Exod. 32 10. Luke 24. 29. To confirme him hereby that he should prevail with Esau. out of joynt The huckle-bone where the Sciatica is to humble him that he should not be exalted out of measure but know by whose indulgence he did prevaile and this halting to remain as a monument of it and of this Apparition V.
forceth confession and a guilty conscience though likely sleeping afore yet now upon twenty yeares after galleth afresh Hos. 5. 15. Job 36. 8 9 10. therefore is this distresse Divers wayes Joseph dealt now with them as they had done with him Judg. 1. 7 Mat. 7. 2. Jam. 2. 13. V. 24. And wept Ch. 43 30 moved with their self-accusations and his own natural affection which was to o strong to be kept in by artificial disguises but that in secret it must have vent Simeon and bound him That eldest of them that were most against him Reuben most and Judah next were for him And Simeon was chief in that bloody massacre of the Sichemites before their eyes Though haply when they were gone he might give him some more liberty ch 43. 23. V. 25. Every mans money Lest his father should be in want Thus did he unto them Josoph did so or his steward at his command Thus Joseph rewards evil with good Rom. 12. 17 19. Mat. 5. 44. V. 27. And as one of them V. 35. What Judah saith ch 43. 21. as if they had all opened their sacks and found their moneys in the Inne â—is but a summing and cutting off particulars for brevity sake to Josephs steward as not a thing material to their present purpose with him and they speaking in haste V. 28. Failed them Suspecting some plot laid for their ruine or at least some danger to Simeon by it Lev. 26. 36. God hath done They rightly acknowledge Gods hand and his Providence in it V. 35. Were afraid Lest also they should be accused of theft chap. 44. 5. Guilty consciences timorous Lev. 26. 36. V. 36. Against me Heavy to me though ye make light of them V. 37. My two sonnes That is slay two of my sonnes For he had foure ch 46. 9. or my two sonnes here present or most deare to me A passionate speech yet such as might make Jacob conceive he had some reason for his so confident undertaking for Benjamins return V. 38. For his brother is dead Only brother by the mother ch 44. 20 27 28. to the grave See Annot. on ch 37. 35. Here Jacob bewrayes too much passion and too little faith and patience CHAP. XLIII Verse 1. SOre The longer the sorer V. 2. Eaten up Near-hand a little food For present need not knowing there were five yeares of famine yet to come and he had a great family V. 3. Solemnely protest Ch. 42. 15 20. not see my face With favour and safety V. 4. Thee food At thy command for thee and us all thy family V. 5. We will not go Because it were vaine and dangerous ch 44. 26. V. 7. Asked us strictly Many things passed between Joseph and his brethren which are not so expressely related in the story ch 44. 22 19. They could not upon Josephs questions honestly avoid the telliug of their brother Benjamin V. 8. And Judah said He now fittest to move and this the fittest season the lad Benjamin was now about twenty seven yeares being twelve or thirteen yeares younger then Joseph and borne after Dinahs ravishing and in the departing from Bethel See Annot. on ch 35. 18. And now Benjamin had nine or ten sonnes ch 46. 21. See Annot. on ch 22. 5. Lad comparatively being the youngest V. 11. Must be so No wisdome to strive against necessity Better to adventure one to uncertain danger then to cast the whole family upon certain famine a Present Prov. 18. 16. 21. 14. 17. 8. So Jacob had tried ch 32. 20. He useth prudent meanes as subservient to Gods Providence nuts Of Terebinth or the Turpentine-tree V. 12. Double money Because the price of corne increased by the continuance of the famine and the money This besides Jacobs just dealing V. 14. God Almighty Our chief trust must be in him Prov. 21. 1. If I be boreaved Esther 4. 16. Contentation in Gods Will referring all to him with patience V. 18. Sâ—ek occasion Guilty persons are suspicious V. 19. At the doore of the house Before they went in V. 21. Every mans money See Annot. on ch 42. 27 35. For haste they joyne together what was done in the Inne and what was discovered at home V. 23. Your God It seems Joseph taught his steward and family to feare God V. 24. Washed their feet Ch. 18. 4. 24. 32. V. 26. They brought him the Present Each a part of it as they had divided it amongst themselves bowed Ch. 37. 9. V. 28. Thy servant our father Ch 37. 9. V. 30. Did yerne 1 Kings 3. 26. V. 32. By himself As became the Viceroy Here were three Tables Abomination unto the Egyptians For the Hebrewes were known to be Keepers of sheep and so to kill eat and sacrifice such cattel as the Egyptians worshipped ch 46. 34 Exod 8. 26. The Egyptians had flocks of sheep ch 47. 6. Oxen Exod. 9. 3 19. But not to kill the sheep or kine or to eate the head of any beast But for delight and profit by their milk and wool and for commerce And haply those that kept them were strangers rather then Egyptians V. 33. Youngest Hebt Least in age marvelled Seeing themselves so seasted and that Joseph appointed them their places according to each mans age V. 34. Messes The custome of those times to have the meat set before the Lord and he to distribute to the Guests 1 Sam. 1. 4 5. 9 23 24. 2 Sam. 6. 19. five times To shew his affection to him and to make trial whether his brethren would envie him for it 1 Sam. 1. 4 5. drank and were merry yet with sobriety Hag. 1. 6. John 2. 10. Cant. 5 1. CHAP. XLIV Verse 2. PUt my Cup To try their affection to his father and to Benjamin and for the more full verification of the dreams Josephs case and place and person may carry out these practices which otherwise are not so warrantable 2 Cor. 1. 12. 11. 3. V. 5. Is not this it Speaking according to the opinion the Egyptians had of him who by reason of his prophetical skill in interpreting dreams thought he used divination as their Magicians did whereby Or in which or by which or of which cup. Their fault so made the greater a kinde of sacriledge in stealing such a Cup. he divineth Searching searcheth maketh trial by experience as ch 30. 27. searcheth thoroughly 1 Kings 20. 33. or searcheth by divination and so sinfully using the cup as some do a basin and other things in such an unlawful Art Thus the steward by Josephs appointment may speak as an Egyptian as they conceived of Joseph and as their Magicians used to do Not yet that Joseph was guilty of such a crime V. 7. My Lord Thus they call Josephs steward God forbid Far be it ch 18. 25. V. 8. We brought againe Therefore would noâ— steal V. 9. Let him die So ch 31. v. 32. Innocency is confident yet this is too rash and rigorous They might have though of their money in their
1. WIth him his two sonnes To receive the blessing of their venerable Grandfather at his farewel from the world V. 2. And sate upon the bed Ch. 47. 31. V. 3. At Luz Or Bethel and that twice ch 28. 13 19. and ch 35. 6. V. 4. A multitude Thirteen populous tribes for an everlasting possession Literally if his seed keepe Covenant with God spiritually to his spiritual seed he will give the heavenly Canaan for an everlasting possession V. 5. Epâ—raim and Manasseh Jacob still prefers Ephraim v. 19. are mine My sons by adoption and shall have the priviledge of my sonnes have either a twelfth share and be heads of tribes as Reuben and Simeon Thus Joseph had the double portion that right of the first-borne 1 Chron. 5. 1. A Law for this to the first-borne after Deut. 21. 17. So the Sabbath Circumcision raising up seed to the brother and many such more before Moses Law V. 6. begettest after them Therfore he had no more at this time the name of their brethren Therefore he had more children after which were sorted and counted to the stock and tribe of Ephraim or Manasse as if they were their sons not their brethren as all Jacobs other Grand-children likewise were V. 7. Rachel died Thy mother and my dear and only true wife if I had been fairly dealt withal and so thou hadst been my right first-borne and therefore in thy sonnes I give thee a double portion yet she was soon taken from me in the way of Ephrata Even there rather then to bury her among idolaters in Bethlehem ch 23. 9. V. 8. Who are these Named them before yet knew not that they were present or did not well discerne them for the dimnesse of his sight v. 10. V. 9. I will blesse them Not by a meere apprecation of prosperity for so the lesse may blesse the greater but in the Name and Authority of God guided with an especial energy or operation of Gods Spirit and so ratified by God as ordinary blessings were not so ch 27. 33. See Annot. on ch 27. 4. Gen. 49. 26. V. 10. Dimme Ch. 27. 1. V. 11. I had not thought Gods blessings are beyond our expectations and imaginations V. 12. From between Jacobs knees rather then Josephs for Jacob embraced and kissed them v 10. he bowed In reverence and thankfulnesse for the former Adoption V. 13. Ephraim in his right hand In a fit posture as he thought to receive the Patriarchal blessing which it seems was usually done with Imposition of hands And in this punctual order as fearing haply Jacob might mistake their age and persons naming Ephraim first v. 5. towards Israels right hand The right hand hath the preheminence of the left 1 Kings 2. 19. Mat. 25. 33. Ps. 20. 6. 110. 1. 118. 16. Esay 62. 8. Eph 1. 20. in strength and honour To which the Scripture hath reference in speech also of God V. 14. And laid it upon Ephraims head Here is the first expresse mention of Imposition of hands used after in benediction Mat. 19. 13. Mar. 10. 16. at secrifices Lev. 1. 4. as witnessing Lev. 24. 14. in extraordinary giving of graces Acts 8. 17. in miraculous cures Mar. 6. 5. in ordination of Ministers Numb 8. 10. Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim 4. 14. so now Moses laid his hands upon Joshuah Deut. 34. 9. in prayer Acts 13. 3. Ephraims head Of him came Joshuah and the Kings of the ten tribes And the tribe of Ephraim is called the tribe of Joseph Numb 1. 32 34. Apoc. 7. 6. 7. 8. The name of Ephraim is taken for the whole Kingdome of Israel Esay 7. 2. They both had a double lot Josh. 17. 14. wittingly And therefore crossed his armes to that purpose as a signe not of Christs Crosse but of that which afterwards he foretold by the special revelation of the Spirit of God he being so dim of sight that he could not thereby so well distinguish between them V. 16. the Angel which Christ. See Annot. on ch 31. 11. Exod. 14. 19. 13. 21. my name be named on them As v. 5. no invocation of Saints departed they shall be in the same state and degree as my other sons my adopted children so Gods Name is said to be called on us Deut. 28. 10. 2 Chron. 7. 24. Jer. 14. 9. that is we are called the sons of God and the husbands name is called upon the wife Esay 4. 1. And the Lords Name upon the City Jerusalem Dan. 9. 19. and upon the Temple 1 Kings 8. 43. Jer. 7. 10 11. grow into a multitude Spawn like fishes There were eighty five thousand two hundred men of war of these two in Moses time Numb 26. 28 34 37. Thus Moses blesseth them Deut 33. 17. Josh. 17. 17. V. 17. it displeased him Thinking his father was mistaken he seeks to mend the error and likely before that blessing v. 15 16. was uttered greater then he In number of issue and power though the birth-right remain with Manasseh Josh. 17. 1. So Numb 1. eight thousand three hundred men more of Ephraim then of Manasseh and Deut. 33. 17. See Annot. on v. 14. Num. 2. 18 20. yet sometimes Ephraim was at a losse 1 Chron. 7. 20 21 22. lesse in number then Manasseh Numb 26. 28. V. 20. In thee Joseph using thy name and for thy sake or taking thee for an example as Ruth 4. 11. and so for cursing Jer. 29. 22. Israel My posterity I have given Thus Prophetically bequeathing as by Will and Testament to the posterity one portion That bought ch 33. 19. nigh unto Sechem after called Sychar John 4. 5. Not all the City Sechem and all its territories as some would have it out of Josh. 17. 7. This portion though little was all he had by purchase and so he designes him as it were his heire Sechem was the inheritance of the Ephraimites Josh. 16. 1. 20. 7. John 4. 5. And thither were Josephs bones carried and buried Josh. 24. 1 25 32. have taken Shall take So Esay 9. 6. Thus Jacob in faith disposeth of it as already taken Heb. 11. 21. or rather have taken it out of the hands of those neighbouring people that seised upon it among the rest after the slaughter of the Sichemites and would not restore it till Jacob by force of armes took and recovered it Though this be not elsewhere mentioned in Scripture my sword Of my children Josh. 17. 14 to 18. CHAP. XLIX Verse 1. GAther your selves Repeated v. 2. Some present were to call and gather the absent By this joynt injunction he intimates the union that should be amongst them Psal. 133. 2 3. 33. 3. that I may tell you By the Spirit of prophecie Men on their death-beds should give their last and best counsels to their children and family and friends you Altogether what I have to say to every one particularly that so every one may reap benefit also of what shall be said concerning his brethren in the last dayes In long
one certain time and these two Evenings in the larger or stricter signification to be contiguous or continued rather to be that Communis terminus which couples the end of the day and the beginning of the night together or the two extremities of our Evening-tide whereof the former belongs to the end and shutting up of the natural day preceding and the later to the beginning of the night which leades on and ushers in the natural or civil day following as the first part of it So that this time is a participle of both or a Borderer betwixt both as the large Annotations fitly expresse it Two side-posts In this first Passeover each Head of a family served as a Priest verse 7 divers Rites were enjoyned which were not observed or required afterwards And the second moneth also allowed for it Num. IX 11 And other seven dayes 2 Chron. XXX 23. No maner of work On divers Feast-dayes of the Jewes it was not lawful for them to do any servile work verse 16 On others any kinde or maner of work save that which every man must eate But on the Sabbath day and so likely on the day of expiation that it self was unlawful or to kindle a fire on it Exod. XII 16. and Ch. XVI 5 23. and Ch. XXXV 2 3. And much more to do any maner of work upon it Neh. XIII v. 15 22. Jer. XVII 21 22. though for the making of the Tabernacle it self Exod. XXXI 11 12 13. or at any time in earing-time or harvest Exod. XXXIV 21. And that upon paine of death Exod. XXXV 2. For ever Many Legal Ceremonies verse 17 or Ordinances are enjoyned the Jewes to be observed throughout their generations for ever all which yet ended at the coming of Christ in the flesh And some such enjoyned in like termes yet ended in the year of Jubile Exod. XXI 6. Levit. XXV 40. Of this see more in the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. 430 years These do commence from the first Promise made to Abram verse 40 in Ur of the Chaldees whence 30 of the years are made up thus viz 5. in Haran 11 in Canaan when Ishmael was borne Gen XVI 3. And 14 years of Ishmaels age when Isaac was borne Gen. XVII 25. and Ch. XVIII 10. and XVI 16. and XXI 5. And the 400. begin from Isaacs birth as was shewed on Gen. XV. 13. By day in a Pillar of a cloud The Pillar of a cloud by day and of fire by night chapter XIII verse 21 may seem to be two Pillars Exod. XIII 21. 22. Nehem. IX 12 19. Num. XIV 14. Or rather seeme to be one Pillar Exod. XIV 19 20 24. Spread as a cloud by day to cover them from heat and gathered up into a Pillar of fire by night to guide them Out of which God spake unto them Psal. XCIX 7. Num. XII 5 10. Deut. XXXI 15. See the Annotations on Esay IV. 5. Migdol A strong City or Fort chapter XIV verse 2 situate in the territory of Bethshemesh in Egypt not farre from the Red-sea Num. XXXIII 7 8. Jer XLIV 1. Before the Testimony This command for Aaron to lay up the Pot of Manna before the Lord chapter XVI verse 34 was performed by him in laying it not before the Testimony not at this time of the Command here but after the Ark and two Tables of the Covenant were made Exod. XXXIII 29. and Ch. XXXVII 1 c. An Omer The Omer and Ephah here seeme quite altered in that Visionary New State of Israel chapter XVI verse 36 Ezek. XLV 11. Unlesse Gnomer and Chomer be two several measures which I rather incline unto and conceive the truth to be this That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exod. XVI 36. is the tenth part of an Ephah as is there set down whereunto accords that ver 16. it being the measure of the eating of Manna sufficient for a man by the day But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ezek. XLV containes ten Ephahs or Baths both being of the same measure v. 11. and 14. And hereunto accords that Esay V. 10. where one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the word is there written as it is in Ezek. XLV yeelds but one Ephah i. e. the tenth part of the seed it being a judgement of famine there denounced See also Levit. XXVII 16. And this may serve for the better explication of my Annotations upon that place of Ezekiel contained in the second Edition of the great Annotations printed 1651. Rock Rocks twice smitten chapter XVII verse 6 this Rock Exod. XVII 6. And that water going likely into the Red Sea and so failing them in the 32. Station at Ezion-gaber Upon their new murmuring another Rock was smitten 39 years after Num. 20. 1 13. And both called the waters of Meribah Went up Moses nine or ten times goes up to the Lord on Mount Sinai chapter XIX verse 3 See Exod. XIX 3 7 8 10 14 20 21 25. and Ch. XX. 21. and Ch. XXIV 3 12 13 15 18. and Ch. XXXII 7 15 30. and Ch. XXXIII 6 7 21. and Ch. XXXIV 2 29 34. Moses spake This speech verse 19 not mentioned what it was But seems to be that recorded Heb. XII 21. Priests So verse 22 v. 24. These Priests probably seeme to be the fathers of the families The young men Exod. XXIV 5. might possibly be of those Primogeniti or First-borne which God first challenged to himself within one quarter of a year before Exod. XIII 2. and Ch. XXII 29. And for them the Levites were taken in afterwards Num. III. 12 13 40 41 45. and Ch. VIII 18. Or else such as Moses pleased to imploy in slaying and dressing at least of these Sacrifices Called young men likely as those servants of the King of Assyria are called in the Original young men 2 King XIX 6. An Altar These Altars mentioned in this verse chapter XX verse 24 and v. 25 26. were allowed and appointed for the time much differing from those by appointment made when the Tabernacle and Temple were erected and builded Exod. XXVII 1 c. 2 Chron. IV. 1. Of Altars see more on Levit. XVII 3. In the seventh In the Seventh and Sabbatical year chapter XXI verse 2 beginning in September as the Iubile did The Book of the Law was to be read publikely and solemnly in the beginning of that year The Land was to rest from Culture Lendings vouchsafed to poor Hebrews and then due were to be released and intermitted if not clean remitted Luke VI. 35. Hebrew servants both men and women though bought if not redeemed before were to go out free if themselves would and that liberally furnished Exod. XXI 2 7. and XXIII 11 16. Levit. XXV 4 5 6 7 20 21 22. Deut. XV. 1 18. Jer. XXXIV 14. Who hath betrothed her to himself The Hebrew Text hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying Not chapter XXI verse 8 and so runs thus Who hath not betroathed her But the Hebrew Criticks commonly called Masorets put for
it in the magin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to him so observing a various reading And indeed they observe divers readings in sundry places of Scripture but about no one word so many as about this as may be seene Levit. XI 21. and Ch. XXV 30. 1 Sam. II. 3. 2 Kings VIII 10. 1 Chron. XI 20. Ezra IV. 2. Job XIII 15. Psal. C. 3. Esay IX 3. and XLIX 5. and LXIII 9. And in many of these both senses come to one reading the Negative by way of interrogation See the Annotations on Job 13. 15. From mine Altar The Tabernacle verse 14 and Temple and Altars there may seeme to pretend to some such Priviledge as the Cities of Refuge had Exod. XXI 14. 1 King 1. 50 51. and Ch. 11. 28. An Oath An oath is pnt to the Party suspected to accuse verse 11 or clear himself So v. 11. Somewhat like an Answer to a Bill in Chancery or to the oath called ex officio chapter XXII though haply in all things not correspondent Males Women among the Jewes as not Circumcised verse 17 so haply may seeme neither to be tied to eate the Passeover chapter XXIII Exod. XXIII 17. and Ch. XXXIV 23 24. Deut. XVI 16. Yet is this no ground to debar women from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper more then from the Sacrament of Baptisme the partition-wall being now broken down by Christ and male and female in him are all one Gal. III. 8. Thy bounds The bounds of the Land of Canaan were Larger Ge◠XV. 18. Exod. XXIII 31. Deut. I. 7. and Ch. 11. 24. Josh. I. 4. Narrower verse 31 Num. XXXIV 3. c. Num. XIII 21. 1 King VIII 65. 2 Chron. VII 8. Judg. XX. 1. The larger bounds were never possessed and inhabited by the Israelites at most made Tributary onely in the dayes of David and Solomon And the default might be no wise in God but in the Israelites sinning and breaking with God Deut. XIX 8 9. Yea the narrower bounds by reason of their sinnes were scarce at any time fully possessed In the Arke In the Arke were the two Tables of the Law and Covenant chapter XXV verse 16 See also Exod. XL. 20. And nothing else 1 Kings VIII 9. 2. Chron. V. 10. which Tables are called the Testimony Exod. XXV 16 21. and Ch. XXX 6. and Ch. XL. 20. And the Arke is called The Arke of the Testimony Exod. XXV 22. and Ch. XXVI 33. and Ch. XXX 6 26. And the Mercie-seate is said to be upon the Testimony Levit. XVI 13. By the Arke was laid and kept the Pot of Manna before the Testimony Exod. XVI 34. And Aarons Rod before the Testimony Num. XVII 10. And that Censer Levit. XVI 12. Heb. IX 4. And the Book of the Law in the side of the Arke or on the outside of it Deut. XXXI 26. Not onely those Pieces of it Exod. XVII 14. and Ch. XXIV 4. and Ch. XXXIV 27. and Deut. XXXI 9 22. But the whole Law and writings and inspired Books of Moses And this seemes to some to be the Book found in Josiah's time and to have been lost in the dayes of wicked Manasseh and Amon Though the matters of that Book when it was read to Josiah and to all the people seemed so strange unto them as if no Copie of it at all chapter XXV or wondrous rare had been extant among them Lamps to burn alwayes The Lamps may seeme to burn night and day chapter XXVII verse 20 because we read of no windows for light in the Tabernacle See also Exod. III. 7 8. Levit. XXIV 2 3. At least some of them in the day-time Tabernacle Moses his Tent is called the Tabernacle chapter XXXIII verse 7 8. And the Tabernacle is called by the name of the Temple 1 Sam. III. 3. And the Temple diverse times by the name of the Tabernacle and Sanctuary and Tents of the Lord 2 Chron. XXXI 2. Fourty dayes and fourty nights Moses twice fasted 40 dayes chapter XXXIV verse 28 and 40 nights Exod. XXXIV 28. Deut. IX 18. and Ch. X. 10. And some conceive thrice out of Deut. IX 25. Yet this is not likely Elias once and our Saviour once Of Fasting see the Annotations on Joel I. 14. Skin of his face shone By reflexive raies and beames of the Divine splendor verse 29 And had not hornes as the Trent Bible renders the word And Painters commonly picture him The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a substantive signifies an Horne but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Verbe signifies to shine And so Saint Paul interprets it 2 Cor. III. 7. Looking-glasses Looking-glasses made not of Glasses chapter XXXVIII verse 8 whereof we have no record in Scripture but rather of steele or of brasse which was much refined as Ezra VIII 27. and of much use and specially for armour inwarre as Virgil often mentions Talents verse 24 Shekels Shekel comes from Shakal to weigh And thence may our English word scale come A Shekel is 20. Gerahs Exod. XXX 13. Ezek. XLV 12. or two Bekahs Exod. XXXVIII 26. The Shekel is half an ounce in silver or 2 s. 6d And so the Gerah 1 d. ob and the Bekah 1 s. 3 d. The Talent is 3000 Shekels which appears thus in the Text The 603550 men are taxed at a Bekah a piece This makes 301775 Shekels Now reckoning 3000 Shekels to a Talent The 301775 Shekels make up 100 Talents and 1775 Shekels according to the summe there specified v. 25 27 28. And counting the Shekel at 2 s. 6d the Talent so comes to 375 l. starling The Shekel of gold was of the same weight with that of silver but of farre greater value of ten to one with the Jewes as may be gathered out of 1 Chron. XXII 14. And so their Shekel of gold comes to 1 l. 5 s. their Talent of Gold comes to 3750. l. But gold now in Christendome is at an higher rate By silverings as 2 Sam. XVIII 11 12. Matth. XXVI 15. usually Shekels are understood See the Annotations on Ezek. IV. 10. And on Esther III. 9. Vaile of the Covering That hanged before chapter XXXIX verse 34 and covered the Mercy-seate Lamps to be set in order Dressing them every morning verse 37 and lighting them at even Ch. XXX 7 8. if not at morning too there being no windows in the Tabernacle and so burning alwayes Ch. XXXVII 20. continually Levit. XXIV 2. Blessed them The offerers verse 43 and the work-men Of the Gongregation Where Priests chapter XL verse 2 Levites and People assembled according to the several degrees of their approaches Everlasting That their posterity should not need to be anointed again verse 15 Of Everlasting see the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. A Cloud Even that Cloud verse 34 Exod. XIII 21 22. miraculously removed hither Not able The maner therefore of the clouds abode verse 35 and the Lords glory appearing at this time was extraordinary Leviticus LEVITICUS takes up onely the time of one moneth viz the
into the midland Sea And so making that lower part of Egypt to be of a triangular forme with the point upward and the basis beneath toward the Sea v One of the seven streames named Pelusian hath a stream issuing from it which first makes the Sea or Lake of Sirbonis of a great length and vast depth dividing Egypt from the Edomites and Philistines and so justly is named one of the Limits of the Land of Promise Num. XXXIV 5. Josh. XIII 3. 1 Chron. XIII 5. as the River Euphrates is named the other Gen. XV 18. Deut. I. 7. and chap. XI 24. Josh. I. 4. This River Nilus supplieth the place of Raine in Egypt Zech. XIV 18. by the overflowing of it as is famous in Histories The seven streames of old are now become four Baal-Perazim By anticipation chapter XIV verse 11 See the Observations on 1 King XIII 32. not after the due maner The maner of doing makes or marres in matters of Gods worship chapter XV verse 13 Esay I. 11 15. God ownes not but loaths his own services of his own ordaining and commanding when by evil men and in an evil maner performed Jer. VI. 20. and VII 21 22. Psal. L. 13 16. Prov. XV. 8. and XXI 27. Esay LXI 8. and LXVI 3. Amos V. 21 22. Micah VI. 7. Mal. I. 10. seven Of the number of seven verse 26 see the Annotations on this Text. dancing See 2 Sam. VI. 14. verse 29 Usual then to expresse their joyful and thankful hearts to God by Dancing Psal. CXLIX 3. and CL. 4. and XXX 11. See Exod. XV. 20. Judg. XI 34. and XXI 21. he appointed High and Solemne Service chapter XVI verse 4 for and before the Ark appointed by David 1 Chron. XVI See that Particular 2 Chron. V. 12 13. trumpets See the Observations on Num. verse 6 X. 8. verse 7 delivered first See the Observations on Psal. CXV 1. and on Psal. XCVI at Gibeon Hither was the Tabernacle brought after that beastly and bruitish slaughter of the Priests made by bloody Saul at Nob verse 39 1 Sam. XXII Of Gibeon see the Annotations on Hos. IX 9. his throne for ever Some things here chapter XVII verse 12 and hereafter are true in Sololomon as the Type but more in Christ the Antitype some things proper to the Type only others to the Antitype only as was said on 2 Sam. VII 12. Sate before the Lord Of this gesture in Prayer verse 16 see the Annotations on this Text and Exod. XVII 12. Abimelech the sonne of Abiathar See the Observations on 2 Sam. chapter XVIII verse 16 VIII 17. It may appear that there is no necessity that both these persons father and sonne had both of them these two names of Abimelech and Abiathar See the Observations on 1 Sam. I. 3. Satan stood up In 2 Sam. chapter XXI verse 1 XXIV 1. The Lord moved David against Israel See the Observations on Esay VI. 9 10. to number Israel Out of pride only and curiosity and carnal confidence Otherwise the thing in it self not simply unlawful when done upon good grounds and to good ends As we see it done at other times in Scripture God commands it Num. I. 3. and XXVI 1 2. And Solomon and Amaziah did it 2 Chron. II. 17. and XXV 5. the summe of the number 1100000. verse 5 of Israel able men from twenty years old and upwards To the 800000. in 2 Sam. XXIV 9. seeme to be added here those 288000. of Davids Trained Bands 1 Chron. XXVII 1 15. already enrolled in publick records And their Colonels Captains Commanders and Officers to the number likely of 12000. which make up the said 1100000. To the 470000 of Judah are 30000. added more in 2 Sam. XXIV 9. which addition either might be the number of the Regiments under those thirty Worthies of David having one thousand in each Or rather an Addition of so many out of Jerusalem only or out of Levi and Benjamin also which still joyned themselves to Judah after Joabs first return to Jerusalem and giving up his number to the King For he was weary of the service it being abominable to him and therefore he is said not to count Levi and Benjamin and to begin to number but not to finish it because there fell wrath for it against Israel neither was the number put in the account of the Chronicles of King David 1 Chron. XXI 6. and XXVII 24. In all 1600000. neither yet took he the number from twenty years old and under 1 Chron. XXVII 23. It is enough God in mercy shortens the three dayes of Pestilence verse 15 stops the Angel and repents of the evil Ornan Or Araunah was the more free verse 23 and forward in his Offer so to expedite the businesse for the staying of the Plague for feare whereof and of the Angel he and his four sonnes had there hid themselves for the Place For the whole place and plot of ground verse 25 with the Buildings Gardens and other things pertaining to it which was a sufficient space and circuit of ground for the Building of the Temple upon it with all the Courts Chambers Walls c. David gives here a great summe Whereas he gives farre lesse for the bare threshing-floore Oxen and Instruments 2 Sam. XXIV 24. And David might give more then the worth out of his royal bounty as 1 King X. 13. I have prepared ver 16. Davids wonderful Preparation of gold and silver chapter XXII verse 14 for the building of the Temple amounting to seven hundred and fifty millions of pounds See on Exod. XXXVIII 24 25 26. Whereof Dovid gave out of his own proper goods eleven millions and 250000 pounds Serling in Gold and two millions and 625000. pounds in silver In all thirteen millions and 875000. pounds Serling And the Heads Princes and Rulers gave eighteen millions and 750000. pounds and 3125. pounds In all 18. millions and 753125. pounds in Gold And three millions and 750000. in Silver The whole amounts to twenty two millions and 503125. pounds Sterling Adding to this Davids proper Offering aforesaid the whole amounts to thirty six millions and 378125 pounds See further 1 Chron. XXIX 4 7. and Chap. XXVI ver 26 27 28. All which yet is but a small part of that summe prepared by David Chap. XXII 14. See the notes on Exod. XXXVIII 24 25 26. See the Offerings given in Zerubbabels time towards the second Temple Ezra II 69 70. And those in Nehemiahs time Neh. VII 70 71 72. made Solomon his sonne King This verse better concludes the former Chapter chapter XXIII verse 1 For what followes to the 28. Chapter concerning the whole Ordering of the Kingdome Church and State both Ecclesiastical in the Levites chap. XXIII and Priests chap. XXIV and Singers chap. XXV and Porters and other Officers chap. XXVI And also Political or Civil in the 12. Captains for each several moneth in the Princes of the twelve Tribes and other several Officers chap. XXVII were acted
long before Davids death and his instructing and encouraging of Solomon to the building of the Temple and the making of him King and upward To fifty years verse 3 Num. IV. 3. After fifty they were freed from the service in the Temple and kept in their several Cities in their several Tribes to teach the people and to instruct and judge in matters brought before them as having best insight in the Judicial Lawes and the whole word of God David divided Chap. verse 6 XXV 1 As a Prophet and by the commandment of the Lord by Gad the Kings Seer and Nathan the Prophet 2 Chron. XXIX 25. And these Divisions and Courses his son Solomon punctually retaines 2 Chron. VIII 14. And Jehoiada 2 Chr. XXIII 18. and Josiah 2 Chron. XXXV 4. And so after the Return from the Babylonish Captivity Ezra III. 10. And so by Gods Spirit David had all the Patterns of the Temple which in writings he delivered to his sonne Solomon 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. III. 3. of twenty years Num. verse 24 VIII 24. from twenty five years old they begin to wait upon the service of the Tabernacle Here David by new warrant enters them into the work for the Service of the Temple at twenty years of age likely more now being needful for this Service ver 27. 2 Chron. XXXI 17. yet they come not to the full possession and fruition of their Place and Office till thirty years of age 1 Chron. XXIII 3. Num. IV 3 4 7. And to offer At all offerings to fit and prepare the Sacrifices to the hands of the Priests verse 31 who were to offer them on the Altar The eighth to Abijah Zacharias the father of John Baptist was of this Course chapter XXIV verse 10 Luke I. 5. according to their maner To come on a Sabbath day verse 19 and to continue their services there in the Temple for that whole week Ch. IX 25. 2 King XI 5 6. over against their brethren That the first Course of Levites might attend on the first Course of the Priests verse 31 And so of the rest with Harps Much Musick used in Gods Service chapter XXV verse 1 8 See 1 Chron. IX 33. and XVI 4 5 6 41 42. 2 Chron. V. 12 13. and VII 6. and ch XXIX 30. Psal. LXVIII 24 25. and LXXXI 1 2 3. And so in the Tabernacle Num. X. 10. and XXIX 1. In bringing up the Arke 1 Chron. XIII 8. and chap. XV. 16 24. In going up to Gods House and coming from it 1 Sam. X. 3 5. Esay XXX 29. This musick was by skilful voice and by various Instruments both wind-instruments and hand-instruments And these both stringed and touched with fingers or struck over with quill or bow or else shaken or beaten with hand or stick Prophesie See the Observations on 1 Sam. verse 1 XVIII 10. and on Zeph. III. 4. Of Asaph See 1 Chron. verse 2 VI. 39. and chap. XV. 17 19. and XVI 5 7. And see the Annotations on 1 Chron. XXV 1 2 6 9. And see the Titles of sundry Psalmes Of Heman See the Annotations on 1 Chron VI. verse 4 33. See likewise 1 Chron. XV. 17. and chap. XVI 41. 2 Chron. V. 12. and XXIX 14. and Chap. XXXV 15. Jeduthun See 1 Chron. verse 6 XVI 41 42. 2 Chron. VI. 12. and chap. XXIX 14. and XXXV 15. And the Titles of Psal. XXXIX 62 77. The four and twentieth As many Courses and Companies of Musitians or Singers verse 31 as there were of Priests chap. XXIV 18. and of Levites attending on the Priests chap. XXIV 31. These as the others in their Weeks and courses attended Porters Of their Office chapter XXVI verse 1 see 2 Chron. XXIII 19. and the Annotations on this text Their number 1 Chron. XXIII 5. Korhites Descended from that Korah Num. XVI 1. great grand-childe of Levi From which Korah descended likewise Elkanah and Samuel the Prophet and Heman the singer 1 Chron. VI. 27. 33 37 38. 1 Sam. I. 1. treasures Many sorts of Treasures verse 20 and many Treasurers in Gods Temple ver 20 26. See the Annotations on this text All that Samuel Samuel verse 28 and Saul and Abner and Joab did dedicate part of the spoiles won in battells to maintaine the House of the Lord. Izbarites And Hebronites verse 29 ver 30 31 32. being Levites 1 Chr. XXIII 12. Num. III. 27. 1 Chron. XXIV 20 24. were imploied also for the outward businesse over Israel for Officers and Judges on this side Jordan Westward in all businesse of the Lord and in the service of the King And some of them made Rulers over the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and affairs of the King moneth by moneth David had twelve Captains for the twelve moneths chapter XXVII verse 1 each with their Companies in their several moneths and courses attending the King And Solomon had the like after him 1 King IV. Each Captain in Davids time had twenty four thousand under him which in all arise to 288000. Davids 〈…〉 and Husbandry a chief Priest The word so most usually signifieth 〈…〉 times it signifieth also a Prince verse 5 or Temporal Ruler And 〈◊〉 VIII 18. and XX. 26. and 1 King IV. 5. and 2 King X 11. And 〈◊〉 And the fathers-in-Law of Joseph Gen. XLI 45 and of Moses Exod. III. 1. were Princes for they would not marry the daughters of idolatrous Priests The word came thus to be used in both sense because the same persons at first were both Priests and Rulers as the firtst-borne before the Law Moses Psal. XCIX 6. and Eli. and Samuel under the Law And among the Heathen famous is that of Anius Rex idem Hominum chapter I Phoebique Sacerdos over the Tribes These are Commanders in Peace verse 16. 22. Princes or Rulers of the tribes where thirteen are named Or whom one is named of the Levites And another of the Aaronites One of the halfe tribe of Manasseh And another of the other halfe And Gad and Asher are left out stood up Being now well-nigh bedrid chapter XXVIII immediately before or immediately after Adonijah his conspiracie verse 2. II. Candlesticks of silver For the use of the Courts verse 15 Chambers c. yet young and tender Of Solomons age chapter XXIX verse 1 see the Observation on 1 King III. 7. three thousand See the observations on chap. verse 4 XXII 14. Thine Like the doxology of the Lords Prayer verse 11 Keep this Davids remarkable Prayer verse 18 the second time and anointed him The rather because the first anointing was in a time of tumult verse 22 when Adonia the next brother to Absalom sought to reigne 1 King I. 39. But whether the later Anointing was before or after Davids death It is not clear But sure it is that David himself was thrice anointed once at Bethlehem by Samuel and twice at Hebron 1 Sam. XVI 13. 2. Sam. II. 4. 1 Chron. XI
This Reformation and Covenant made verse 8 and Passeover kept chap. XXXV 19. And yet from this or rather from the twelfth year above mentioned begins that reckoning of the sinne of Iudah Ezek. IV. 6. For under so good a King yet the people continued obstinately wicked as appears in Ieremie who began to prophesie in the thirteenth year of Iosiah's reigne Ier. I. 2. and XXV 3. and ch III. 6. And Iosiah only caused and made them outwardly to obey 2 Chron. XXXIV 32 33. the Houses The Houses of the Priests which adjoyned to the Temple and of the Levites which adjoyned to the Courts Levites Scribes 1 Chron. verse 13 XXIV 6. Ezra VII 6. 21. Neh. VIII 9. and chap. XII 26. and XIII 13. See the Annotation on 1 Kings IV. 3. More fully thus we read in the Old Testament of severall persons that were Scribes some Scribes of Kings or their Secretaries So David had one And Solomon two Ioash one 2 Kings XII 10. Iosiah one 2 Kings XXII 3. Of Ionathan Davids Uncle that he was a Counseller a wise man and a Scribe 1 Chron. XXVII 32. And of Baruch that he was Ieremies Scribe And of families of Scribes that dwelt at Jabez in the tribe of Iudah and were of the posterity of Iethro 1 Chron. II. 55. But why so called or what their Office was whether as Publike Notaries Scriveners or Transcribers of the Law or what else it appears not Here in Iosiah's time we finde that in his businesse of repairing the house of the Lord there were appointed of the Levites Scribes And in Nehemiah's time he made Treasurers over the Treasuries in the Lords House Shelemiah the Priest and Zadok the Scribe And in his time also was that famous Ezra a Priest sonne of the High Priest Serajah slaine by Nebuchadnezzar and the same a ready Scribe in the Law of Moses a Scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven of the words of the Commandments of the Lord and of his Statutes to Israel and the same a publick Reader and Teacher of the Law In the New Testament we finde them much more mentioned and to be of more esteeme and themselves affected Preheminence and precedencies Mark XII 38 39. Here they are often joyned with the Chief Priests and Elders and often with the Pharisees They pretended to extraordinary holinesse as the Pharisees did whence is that Matth. V. 20. and Acts XXIII 9. They were of the Pharisees part against the Sadduces Yea he that is called a Scribe Marke XII 28. the same is called a Pharisee and a Lawyer Matth. XXII 34 35. We read not that they were of the Sect of the Sadduces or Essenes But we finde them to joyne with all the rest to question to pose and oppose our Saviour to entangle and insnare him by Questions to charge his miracles to be done by Belzebub Himself with Blasphemy to apprehend and binde him to condemne him in the Councel to deliver him to Pilate to accuse him before Herod to prosecute him to death to mock him upon the Crosse. And we finde that these Scribes sate in Moses-chair Matth. XXIII 2. and were Preachers and Teachers of the people Mat. VII 29. and XIII 52. And likely were all of the tribe of Levi. rent his clothes See the Annotations on 2 Kings XXII 8. verse 19 Huldah the Prophetesse See the Observations on Zeph. verse 22 III. 4. The High Priest Hilkiah is here sent to her she being an extraordinary Prophetesse so near at hand Put the holy Ark It might be put out of his place chapter XXXV verse 3 in the dayes of his wicked father if not of his grandfather Passeover-Offerings So ver verse 8 9. in the Feast of Unleavened bread for the seven dayes After all this Thirteen years after the foresaid Passeover verse 20 that being in the eighteenth and this in the thirty one and last year of his reigne by Euphrates Heb. Phrat or Prat or Perath the fourth river in Eden Gen. II. 14. usually called the River and the great River made one of the Boundaries of the Promised Land Gen XV. 18. Deut. 1. 7 and chap. XI 24. Iosh. I. 4. 2. Chron. IX 26. Cut by Cyrus into severall Channels when he lay in siege before Babylon which stood upon it and so by him much dreyned and dried Ier. L. 38. See 1 Chron. XVIII 3. Ier. XIII 4. and chap. LI. 63. Apoc. IX 14. and Chap. XVI 12. See on Dan. IV. 30. Megiddo See the Annotations on Zech. verse 22 XII 11. to carrie him But he died by the way chapter XXXVI verse 6 Jer. XXII 18 19. Eight years old when he He was eighteen when himself began to reigne verse 9 2 Kings XXIV 8. And but eight then when his father began to reigne The like relative sense may that speech admit 2 Kings XVI 2. no remedy Desperate sinners procure implacable wrath verse 16 irrevocable exterminating judgements Kingdome of Persia See the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Ezra verse 20 threescore and ten years For the beginning of these verse 21 see the Annotations on Dan. IX 2. rather then those on Zech. VII 3. yet many learned are of the later opinion Ezra THE Book of Ezra contains an History of seventy years viz. from the first of Cyrus or his Proclamation chap. I. 1. to the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus upon this Accompt viz. Cyrus seven Cambyses seven Smerdis one Darius Hystaspis thirty six Xerxes twelve of Artaxerxes Longimanus seven where Ezra end Or premising two of Darius Medus before Cyrus it comes to seventy two The four last Chapters containe the History but of that one year concerning Ezra which was in that seventh year of Artaxerxes See chap. VII 7 9. and chap. VIII 15 21 31 32 33. and chap. X. 8 9 16 17. But the six first Chapters are extended by some otherwise learned men yet upon lesse probable grounds to a farre larger scope of time even to one hundered thirty eight or one hundred fourty five years And they end the Book with the nineteenth year of Artaxerxes Mnemon which seemes cleane contrary to the Text chap. VII 7 8. For the clearer knowledge of divers things in this Book as likewise in Nehemy and Esther A Catalogue of the Persian Monarchs and of the years of their Reignes is very useful which out of the best Authors with very little variation may be as followeth  years Darius Medus 2 Cyrus 7 Cambyses 7 Smerdis 1 Darius Hystaspis 36 Xerxes 12 Artaxerxes Longimanus 48 Xerxes 1 Sogdianus 1 Darius Ochus seu Nothus 19 Artazerxes Mnemon 43 Darius Ochus 23 Arsen 3 Darius Codomannus 5 And so the Persian Monarchy continued two hundred and eight years or there about In this Book of Ezra there is mention made of six Persian Monarchs first of Cyrus chap. I. 1. secondly of Darius ch IV. 5. thirdly of Ahasuerus chap. IV. 6. fourthly of Artaxerxes chap. IV. 7. fifthly of another Darius chap. IV. 24. and
and other qualities which he hath bestowed upon them in some whereof they farre excel men In all which particulars Iobs weaknesse and insufficiency doth more then sufficiently appear And will Iob then contend and debate his quarrel with God this God reprove him or think to apprehend or comprehend the invisible reasons of his proceedings Moreover Here the Lord calls upon Iob to answer chapter XL verse 1 turnes him over to his own desire chap. 13. 22. Then Iob Jobs Submission verse 3 Once His sinne is already too great in speaking presumptuously against Gods proceedings verse 5 He will do so no more Then Here the Lord proceeds yet further to presse Job verse 6 and convince him and humble him Where after his Preface in this verse and challenge in the next He reproves him thus Wilt thou disanul my judgement wilt thou condemne me that thou mayest be righteous ver 8. Wilt thou be like God ver 9. Then do as he doth ver 9 13. And so God will confesse it ver 14. Behold now Behemeth The Lord bids Job consider of the Elephant verse 15 and of Gods power in making such a creature which he describes and sets forth ver 15 24. Canst thou The Lord doth further argue by an instance in Leviathan chapter XLI the Whale verse 1 in this whole Chapter And shewes Jobs weaknesse to encounter and grapple with him by strength ver 1 10. And applies it thus Who then is able to stand before me ver 10 11. I will not Here followes a magnifical description of the Whale verse 12 of the particular parts and members of his body and of his qualifications and actions All to the end aforesaid ver 10 11. Yet Whales seeme now-a-dayes to be by Art more easily caught and conquered then they were in Jobs dayes Then Job Here Job makes a more full profession of his Repentance chapter XLII verse 1 ver 1 6. have I uttered More then was fitting verse 3 in things so farre above my capacity And it was so Gods sentence upon Jobs three friends ver 7 8 9. verse 7 seven bullocks A great sacrifice for sinne verse 8 a burnt offering There is in Leviticus a difference between Burnt-Offerings and Sinne and Trespasse-Offerings yet likely not known in Jobs time the Lord turned The restitution and restauration of Job after all his misery verse 10 ver 10 17. After this lived His age shewes probably that he lived about that time of the Israelites being in Egypt verse 16 Psalmes PSALMES Luke XXIV 44. Or Book of Psalmes Luke XX. 42. Acts I. 20. is divided by the Hebrewes into these five Parts The first part ending with Psal. XLI The second part with Psal. LXXII The third with Psalme LXXXIX The fourth with Psalm CVI. The fifth with Psalme CL. The Division of them from the Subject-matters of them is very various There are Psalmes Laudatorie of Praises Gratulatorie of Thanksgiving Psalmes of Supplications of Deprecations of Consolations of Comminations of Imprecations There are Penetential Psalmes Psalmes to teach to give instruction Psalmes to bring to Remembrance things past Psalmes Prophetical of things to come And many Psalmes are mixt of many or most of these matters So as out of them as out of a store-house every man may richly fit and furnish himself for all and every particular occasion either publike or else private according to his several conditions in prosperity or adversity in all his devotions and addresses to God still finding his own estate in some one Psalme or other These Psalmes containing the very Anatomy of the soul the characters and representations of the thoughts meditations affections and workings of it towards God towards man towards herself throughout all the changes of her pilgrimage in this world The number of them is one hundred and fifty The LXX and vulgar Latin do divide the ninth Psalme into two And so their reckoning of the number doth constantly go on to exceed ours by one unto the CXLVII Psalm which Psalm doth contain their CXLVI and CXLVII And so in the conclusion all agree in the same number of CL. Of these eighty two bear Davids title Whereof these are upon several special occasions as appears in their Inscriptions viz. the III. VII XXX LI. LII LIV. LIX LX. LXIII And at Gath before Achish or Abimelech XXXIV LVI And when he was in the Cave Psalm LVII and CXLII His Psalms of Prayer are Psalm 17. and 86. Some are his Psalmes and yet without his name in the Title as Psal. II. Acts IV. 25. And Psal. XCV Hebr. IV. 7. See also Psal. XCVI and CV and CVI. See 1 Chron. XVI 7. and LXXII 20. Other Psalmes without Davids name which have special Titles are Psalmes XLV LXXII And of or for Asaph Psalmes L. LXXIII to LXXXIII See 2 Chron. XXIX 30. Of or for the sonnes of Korah LXXXIV LXXXV LXXXVII Of Heman for the sonnes of Korah LXXXVIII Of Ethan LXXXIX Of Moses XC For the Sabbath XCII A Prayer of or for the Afflicted CII Psalmes of Degrees CXX to CXXXIV Having Titles are 125. The rest being XXV the sixth part of the whole number are without any Title or Inscription at all In the Titles we have the persons by whom they were written or for whom they were written or to whom they were committed And these last are either generaly described by their skill in Musick or more particularly named to be of the Quire or Posterity of Jeduthun of Korah or of Asaph In some we have also the Times when they were made or when to be used In some also their Quality and Excellencie In some their Matter Subject as of Prayer of Deprecation as Destroy not of obtestation of Gratulation or Thanksgiving of Praise of Instruction and Doctrine of Commemoration or for Remembrance of nuptial love The Musick either by voice or instrument mentioned in some Titles is but little known in our dayes yet for the voice some Psalmes may seeme to point to the Base some to the Tenor some to the Counter-tenor And again in some mens opinions some Psalmes do intimate that the voice should leade and the instrument follow as in those Titles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some that the instruments should leade and the voice follow as in those Titles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But the truth is That howsoever Selah in the Text used some seventy times in this Book and three times in that prayer of Habakkuk chap. III. sometimes in the middle of a verse but mostwhat in the end may seeme to be a Musical Note And Neginoth to be an hand or stringed instrument Shoshannim of six strings from Shesh six as Shalishim of three strings 1 Sam. XVIII 6. Sheminith of eight strings Nehiloth a wind-instrument Mahalath likewise And so other guesses may be made of other words mentioned in sundry Titles of sundry Psalms as Shoshannim Eduth Shushan Eduth Mahaloth Leannoth Muthlabben Altaskith Gittith Alamoth Hammagneloth Aijgeleth Shahar Jonath-Elem-rehochim As also of Higgajon Michtam
For this David befools and bebeasts himself Psal. LXXIII 10 22. studieth Great students verse 2 to be wittily wicked lips It blistereth out at their tongues end Through wisdome Chap. III. 13 19. verse 3 is strong Chap. XXI 22. verse 5 warre Chap. XX. 18. verse 6 and chap. XV. 22. and chap. XI 14. too high Chap. XIV 6. verse 7 and chap. VIII verse 9. and chap. IX 1. Yet the highest and saving wisdome is too high for the wisest natural man 1 Cor. II 14. openeth not He were two fools if he did deviseth Is an Artist at any evil verse 8 The thought Chap. XIV 22. verse 9 and chap. VI. 18. and chap. XII 5. and chap. XV. 26. Esay LIX 7. Jer. IV. 14. If thou faint Gen. XLIX 23 24. verse 10 Man hath no trial of his strength till he be in trouble If thou forbear Psal. LXXXII 4. verse 11 Esay LVIII 6 7. It being in thy power to deliver such innocent persons Mark III. 4. Job XXIX 17. and XXXI 8 9. If thou sayest Sinnes are not to seek for excuses verse 12 But they availe not with God Psal. XI 4. Iob XXXIV 22. Ier. XVII 9 10. When thou hast found it Experimental knowledge is the only true knowledge verse 14 Heb. X. 34. Iosh. XXIII 14. A literal notion of the brain comes short of it a reward Psal XIX 10 11. and CXIX 103. chap. XXIII 18. falleth Into trouble verse 16 It is not here meant of falling into sinne Micah VII 8. and riseth Iob V. 19. Psal. XXXIV 19 20. and XXXVII 24. and XCI 3. James I. 2. the wicked fall As Nahum I. 9. into an Only evil Ezek. VII 5. Esther VI. 13. Job V. 12. Amos VIII 14. Jer. XXV 27. Esay XXIV 20. Rejoyce not Chap. XVII 5. verse 17 Job XXXI 29. Psal. XXXV 12 16. Obad. 12. 2 Sam. I. 11 12. Matth. V. 44. Rom. XII 19. thine enemie But only so farre as Gods glory is concerned in it And still pitie his person Psal. LVIII 10. from him To thee verse 18 no reward The pain of Losse verse 20 And sure the tears of hell are not sufficient to bewail the losse of heaven fear Who would not fear thee O King of Nations verse 21 Ier. X. 7. And the King must be feared 1 Pet. II. 1â— Rom. XIII 3. under God Acts IV. 19. suddenly When it comes though delayed awhile verse 22 Had Zimri peace that slew his master of them both That fear not the Lord and the King These things also belong to the wise Concerne wise men to look unto verse 23 Not that the sentences following were taken out of wise mens books or saâ—ings after Solomon and before the time of Ezechiah not good Verie bad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The like is chap. X. 2. and chap. XX. 23. Psal. V. 5. 1 Cor. XVI 22. Exod. XX. 7. respect of persons Chap. XVIII 5. chap. XXVIII 21. Levi. XIX 25. Deut. I. 17. and XVI 19. Thou art righteous Chap. XVII 15. verse 24 Esay V. 23. Exod. XXIII 7. that rebuke him Job XXIX 11 17. verse 25 a good blessing Of every good man Kisse Gen. XLI 40. verse 26 Shall do him honour Psal. II 11. afterwards build thine house First be sure of the means how to compasse it verse 27 Luke XIV 28 33. Do things of necessity first after of accommodation without cause Without a calling verse 28 or against thine own conscience deceive not To bolster out a bad cause or out-face a good or ot entise another to suborne him to be a false witnesse Say not Chap. XX. 22. verse 29 Rom. XII 17. 1 Thes. V. 15. 1 Pet. III. 9. Matth. V. 39. Rom. XII 17. This is to wring the sword out of Gods had Rom. XII 19. sloathful See on Chap. VI. 6. verse 30 received instruction A Bee can suck honie out of a flower verse 32 which a Flie cannot A spiritual man can extract good out of other mens faults and follies can gather grapes of thornes and figs of thistles The worse others are the better we should be saving our selves from an untoward generation and redeeming the time because the dayes are evil yet a little sleep Little verse 33 and yet sleeps plutaly in the Original A little he asks but a little will not serve his turne Thus he personates the sluggard speaking povertie The beggar shall catch him by the back verse 34 swiftly and irresistibly These Here begins a new Collection of Proverbs chapter XXV verse 1 long after Solomons time which some choice men of King Hezekiah likely by his appointment Copied out of some of Solomons writtings then extant or out of publike Records Registers and Commentaries wherein for their worth and wisdome they were inserted And in these Solomon most-what intreateth of higher matters of State businesse of Regal and Civil administrations to conceal Such as are verse 2 the Union of three Persons into one Nature and of two Natures into one Person his wonderful Decrees and the no lesse wonderful Execution of them c. Rom. XI 33. Deut. XXIX 29. to search out Chap. XVI 10. Job XXIX 16. 1 Kings III. 24 27. unsearchable verse 3 As the two former Jer. XXXI 37. profundum sine fundo Jer. XVII 9. 1 King IV. 29. Much more unsearchable are the deep and hidden wayes of God Rom. XI 33 34. we must adore them when we cannot comprehend them Neither must the subject think to attain to the depth of all the secret reasons and doings of a King even when he is upright and doth his dutie wicked from Chap. XX. 8. verse 5 Evil Counsellers about a King are great means of much mischief as Human Doeg Rehoboams young Counsellers Psal. CI. 4. Put not forth This is for modestie verse 6 and against ambition which useth to ride without rains Wait rather on Gods pleasure and leasure for thy promotion Psal. LXXV 5 8. better it is Luke XIV 10. verse 7 hastily Hastie men never want woe verse 8 Eccles. V. 2. chap. XXIX 20. He soone shoots his fools bolt Debate thy cause Matth. V. 25. verse 9 and XVIII 15. discover not Specialy out of a revengeful minde no nor thy friends secret All wise men will abhorre such a one as not to be trusted but to be deemed as a tale bearer or backbiter rather fitly spoken Chap. XV. 23. verse 11 Esay L. 4. Job VI. 25. Eccles. XII 10. as apples of gold put in cases of silver cut-work with curious inlayings and interlacings a wise reprover Chap. IX 9. verse 12 Touch some never so gently yet like the nettle it will sting you Exod. II. 14. Prov. XIII 18. But an obedient eare deserves such earings of gold as diamonds in a diademe as wel as the wise reprover that rightly orders and circumstantiates his words messenger Verse 25. verse 13 and chap. XIII 17. His speed and trustiness revives and refresheth the longing and languishing minds of them that sent him Job XXXIII 23. of a false gift As the
4 20 27. 1 Cor. II. 14 15. Esay I. 3. Usurie See the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII 8. verse 8 See also Nehem. V. 7 10. Ezek. XXII 12. And see that Matth. XXV 27. for him Chap. XIII 22. Job XXVII 17. Eccles. II. 26. even his Prayer Chap. XV. 8. verse 9 and I. 28. Jer. XI 11. and XIV 2. Zech. VII 12 13. John 9. 31. to go astray Chap. XXVI 27. verse 10 Matth. XV. 14. He shall be catcht in his own trap upright 2 Pet. III. 17. and 1 Pet. I. 5. in his own conceipt A very small winde will blow up a bubble verse 11 Chap. XIV 12. and Chap. XVI 2 25. and Chap. XXI 2. See the Explanations on those texts This rich man here thanks his wit for his wealth he sacrificeth to his own net 1 Tim. VI. 17. great glorie Verse 28. verse 12 Chap. XI 10. and Chap. XXIX 2. Their joy carries publick and eminent good in the mouth of it as the Cause of it and so bespeaks a common joy hidden Keeps close or flees So Matth. II. 13. Apoc. XII 14. And those worthies of whom the world was not worthie Heb. XI 38. covereth his sinnes Psal. XXXII 5. 1 verse 13 John I. 9 10. Job XXXI 33. Gen. III. 12 13. Sinne and shifts came into the world together But if not confession sure confusion will follow upon it In the Court of Heaven it is best to plead Guilty 2 Sam. XXIV 10. and forsaketh Many Papists use Confession as drunkards use vomiting not to forsake sinne but that they may adde drunkennesse to thirst hardeneth his heart Esay LXIII 17. Psal. XCV 8. Heb. III. 8 15. and IV. 7. verse 14 The dehortation in this case is urgent the accusation dreadful the sinne it self direful As the heart so the neck and the face are said to be hardened made stiffe not to hear harder then a rock God is said to harden the hearts of Pharaoh and sundrie others And that whom he will he hardeneth Rom. IX 18. But how he doth this see in the Observations on Esay VI. 9 10. fall Into ruine without remedie a wicked ruler As a Lion verse 15 and Bear Zeph. III. 3. Micah III. 3 11. Jer. LI. 34. flee to the pit Die without mercie verse 17 Gen. IX 6. Exod. XXI 14. Deut. XIX 13. uprightly Chap. X. 9. Psal. XXIII 4. verse 18 perverse Crooked and doubling can shift his saile to every wind verse 6. chap. XIX 1. tilleth Chap. XII 11. verse 19 We must earne our bread ere we eate it haste to be rich Verse 22. chap. XX. 21. 1. Tim. VI. 9 10. verse 20 robbeth As Micah rob'd his mother verse 24 Judg. XVII 1 2. And Absalom did his father of his crown proud heart Chap. XIII 10. verse 25 through haughtinesse and ambition thinking great thoughts of himself and nothing too good for himself not enduring to be crossed in the least Esay II. 11 12 13. trust in the Lord 1 Tim. VI. 6. That which would break a proud mans heart will not break an humble mans sleep giveth Chap. XIX 17. verse 27 See there Chap. XXII 9. and chap. XXIX 7. 2 Cor. IX 6 7. Deut. XV. 8 10. Matth. V. 42. and chap. X. 42. Luke VI. 35. Esay LVIII 7. Eccles. XI 1 2. Job XXIX 16. and Ch. XXXI 16 20. hardeneth his neck Esay XLVIII chapter XXIX verse 1 4. Jer. VII 26. and chap. XVII 23. Neh. IX 16 17. Acts VII 51. There is much complaint of it and exhortation against it Without remedie 2 Chron. XXXVI 13 16. Remedilesse sinning brings remedilesse destruction Gods wrath shall shatter into shivers Esay XXX 13 14. such a sinner as will needs stand and stout it out with him a snare That strangles his joy verse 6 checks and choaks all his comforts that his jollitie is but the counterfeit and hypocrisie the mask of mirth chap. V. 22. and XIV 13. Eccles. VII 6. Guilt within makes his heart ake and quake when his face and forehead faines a smile righteous sing Righteousnesse carries joy and comfort in its own mouth in the deed-doing that peace and joy Phil. IV. 7. Rom. XV. 13. even in tribulations chap. V. 3. 2 Cor. VII 4. scornful men Being proud verse 8 and contentious bring mischiefs upon the stage a Citie into a snare set all on fire But wise men of a milder temper turne away the wrath of God and man Job XXII 30. Psal. CVI. 23. Exod. XXXII 10. Gen. XVIII 32. whether he rage or laugh He the fool or he verse 9 the wise man as some sense the words there will be no quiet and that through the fooles fault he as a foul stomack will turne good nourishment it self into vitious humours Luke VII 30. The blood-thirsty hate As being enemies to them verse 10 and their bloodinesse his soul The soul of the upright yea of his enemies all his minde Hath no command of himself verse 11 specialy when he is angry yea or in his foolish jollitie till Due season and occasion all his servants They will be fit helves for such hatchets verse 12 fit lettice for such lips to humour them and ingratiate themselves They take their Rulers as Looking-glasses wherein and whereby they dress themselves wicked are multiplied 1 Sam. XXIV 13. verse 16 the sluce and flud-gate of transgression is then set loose and of it self will make an inundation see their fall Psal. LVIII 10 11. and Psal. XXXVII 36. and XCI 8. no vision As 1 Sam. III. 1. verse 18 2 Chron. XV. 3. Hos. IV. 6. Psal. LXXIV 9. Matth. IX 36. And so in time of Popery when Preaching failed and the Scripture was not read Keepeth Doth not only hear but practise James I. 22. Luke XI 28. John XIII 17. So on chap. XIX 16. A servant will not Some such there are verse 19 Luke XII 47. Exod. XXI 20 21 26 27. Ephes. VI. 5. sonne at the length And turne young master verse 21 so ungratefuly abusing himself and his masters goodnesse to him An angry man See on chap. XXII 24. verse 22 pride Chap. XV. 33. verse 23 and XVIII 12. Job XXII 29. Luke XIV 11. Matth. XXIII 12. partner Chap. I. 10 13 14. Psal. L. 18. Apoc. XVIII 4. Ephes. V. 7 11. verse 24 and IV. 8. fear of man Apoc. XXI 8. cowes a man both to sinnes verse 25 and sufferings where it prevailes above the fear of God So even in Abraham Peter and others trusteth Esay XXXIII 15. and chap. XL. 30 31. the Rulers favour Chap. XIX 6. from the Lord. Who ruleth verse 26 and over-ruleth the Ruler chap. XXI 1. and orders every mans state and condition of life This Chapter is not Solomons chapter XXX But in this are the words of Agur some man famous in his time for wisdome his words unto his disciples or friends Ithiel and Ucal Or here is a Comportation and Collection of Agurs wise sayings and Sentences though none of all their names mentioned in the first verse are found elsewhere
doth supply and minister the former yea and hath the dominion in humane affairs above all other things money is the measure of all things buyeth all things Money is the sinewes of warre beares the masterie in matches and marriages and Law-suits effecteth all things Curse not the King Notwithstanding his errours in government verse 20 or miscarriages in living or wrongs done to thee Exod. XXII 28. 2 Pet. II. 10. no not in thy thought Or conscience or heart Thought is not free Jer. IV. 14. Esay LIX 7. Psal. LXII 4. It will likely break forth for a bird of the aire The danger if thou mutter it in hugger-mugger God can reveale it by brute creatures birds and beasts by inanimate creatures See Gen. IV. 11. Esay XXVI 21. Hab. II. 11. As Luke XIX 40. So in this case However Kings themselves have long eares Yea we say walls and hedges have ears See that Ester II. 22. And consider the discovery of our hellish Powder-plot Cast thy bread It must be thine chapter XI verse 1 well gotten Ephes. IV. 28. upon the waters Where it may seeme clearly cast away as if it were throwne into the Sea lost because the poor cannot recompence thee againe Luke XIV 12 13 14. Yet lend in that manner looking for nothing againe Luke VI. 35. God will repay it Prov. XIX 17. Esay LVIII 7. Yet some by water here do understand moist and fertil soile well watered or grounds on the sides of waters such as on the banks of Nilus which yeeld increase very abundantly And that so plentifully God will reward thy almes to the poor In the former Chapter as the Great Annotations do well observe Solomon shewed the excellent use of true wisdome as a means of tranquility of minde and Remedy against the vanity and vexation of outward things in Ordering our behaviour aright toward Superiours for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure might subject us unto In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same end of comfortable living so still pursuing his principal argument touching tranquility and comfort of life in Ordering our behaviour towards Inferiours those especially that are in want shalt finde it after Gal. VI. 9. Prov. XI 25. and XIX 17. James V. 7. 2 Cor. IX 6 10. Matth. XIX 21. Deut. XV. 9 10. to seven and also to eight Micah V. verse 2 5. To many as waters formerly in the plural number may likewise intimate The necessity of a man may require it when his person doth not deserve it And thy ability must guide thee to Give with discretion Psal. CXII 5. Luke VI. 30. Prov. XXXI 20. thou knowest not what evil Therefore sowe whilest thou hast it work while the toole is in thy hand James IV. 14. Prov. XXVII 1. By bounty evil of punishments and judgements is prevented by unmercifulnesse to the poor it is procured If the clouds They emptie themselves in showers for the good of the earth verse 3 So should rich men do Psal. CXII 9. And the showers fal upon all the ground this as well as that And so should the full and rich not too solicitously enquire who it is to whom they give He is a man and needie man and if the tree fall Fall it must and man must die And as death leaves him judgement findes him and sentence goes upon him for the right hand or the left according to his carriage towards the poor Matth. XXV 33 46. Or This seemes a vulgar Proverb touching things of small concerment care or choise And to imply that our ordinarie almes should fall upon any this or that poor and be distributed as it were with a blinde hand or hood-winkt eye without any over-curious choise He that observeth the winde We must not stand scrupling and casting perils and objections and pretences to hinder or delay our Alms-giving and come with our Talent tied up in a napkin Whereas any pertext serves the covetous miser not to give What is the way of the Spirit Of the winde verse 5 say some John III. 8. Of the Soul rather how it comes into the body and quickens it Nor how the bones Psal. CXXXIX 14 15 16. Job X. 8 13. Knowest not the works of God The works of his Providence how he may dispose of thy life and state and ability of doing good And therefore thou must take the present season and opportunity and not delay and defer it lest the Lord haply will put thee out of all capacitie and meanes to do it Neither knowest thou by what secret and wondrous wayes he may recompence thy liberality In the morning At all times verse 6 upon every occasion and opportunity chap. IX 10. John IX 4 Begin betimes and continue to the end lose not a day Whether shall prosper Though sometimes thy bounty prove misplaced and it be ten to one if any cured Leper returne to give thanks yet thy reward is sure from God Heb. VI. 10. Matth. X. 41 42. 1 Kings XVII 13 16. The light is sweet The light of life as appears in the opposition verse 7 verse 8. And specialy a lightsome joyful life is such Job II. 4. 1 Kings XX. 32. Esther VII 3. Life was given as a prey and reward to Ebedmelech and Baruc Jer. XXXIX 18. and XLV 5. Yet consider it will end in death dayes of darknesse will come Therefore unto compleat happinesse there is yet more to be done not only to gaine and secure the comforts of this life and tranquility of minde here amidst all the vanities and vexations of it In which search and point Solomon had hitherto laboured But also to get the assurance of a better life after this which is the businesse of Solomon in the remaining part of this Book But if a man live And sit in the worlds warme Sun-shine verse 8 and say he shall never be moved Job XXI 7 13. yet let him remember That the light will be turned into darknesse the dark dayes will come of old age and death chap. VI. 4. Job X. 21. Psal. VIII 12 13. and CXLIII 3. and they so many as that the lightsome days of life will seeme but a warm gleame a momentanie glance which remembrance should coole our hot desires after the vanites of this life and lay our lusts a bleeding and a dying at our feet 1 Pet. II. 12. All that cometh every man every thing that hapneth is vanity Rejoyce O young man No encouragement verse 9 but a scoff and ironie derides his folly Like that of Elias to the Baalites and many more in Scripture and walk in the wayes Go on in the choise and chase of thy hearts desires But know thou To thy cost though such would faine baffle their knowledge and blinde the eye of their understanding yet it will not be As Esay XXVI 11. 1 King XXII 25. 2 Pet. III. 5. that for all these things This mars the mirth leavens all is sowre sauce to his sweet meats God will bring thee
the words a Nation meting out and treading down arrogating so much to themselves and acting accordingly the rivers have spoiled The forces of the King of Assyria say some thus should spoile the land of the Ethiopians The others understanding here the land of the Assyrians conceive it here to be thus described by the rivers and the abundance and violence of them and their streams in it All ye inhabitants Esay calls all the world to observe verse 3 how remarkable and conspicuous Gods judgements and the execution of them by the Assyrians should be upon the Ethiopians say some Gods judgements upon and against the Assyrians say others And accordingly they apply what is set down in the 4 5 and 6. verses following the one for the Assyrian executing the judgement upon the Ethiopian the other for God executing his judgement upon the Assyrian asserting to himself the defence and security of his owne people In that time A prophecie of the Conversion of the Ethiopians to Christ verse 7 in the dayes of the Messias Acts VIII 27 39. As most hold shall the present be brought By the Ethiopians a present of their spiritual services Others expound it a present of the prey of Sennacheribs armie chap. XXXIII 23. consecrated to Gods service and in way of Thanksgiving to him Jer. LI. 44. of Egypt Of Egypt see the Observations on Gen. chapter XIX verse 1 XII 10. Of this burden of Egypt see likewise Jer. XLIII 10. and XLIV 30. and XLVI 2 13. Ezek. XXIX and XXX and XXXI 2 18. and XXXII swift cloud Swiftnesse for expedition cloud in an extraordinary manner for clouds are not ordinarily seen in Egypt Psal. CIV 3. a cruel Lord and a fierce King Which some understand of Sennacherib verse 4 some of Nebuchadnezzar some rather of one of their own Kings as namely Psammetichus who had beene a pettie King of one of the two Provinces into which Egypt had beene divided after the death of Sethon who had beene King of the whole Countrey before But this Psammetichus at last overpowering the rest made himselfe Lord of all Egypt and was the father of Nechoh who slew the good King Josias 2 Kings XXIII 29. See Herodotus lib. 2. Diodor. lib. 1. And the waters shall faile from the Sea This may imply the impeaching of their trade and traffick by Sea verse 5 and the river shall be wasted Nilus upon which the wealth and felicitie of Egypt did depend The miseries which should ensue upon the wasting and drying up of it are set downe in the five verses following of Zoan See Num. verse 11 XIII 22. Psal. LXXVIII 12. Land of Judah shall be a terror Judah's overthrow shall fright Egypt verse 17 left the like befall them and their own turne come next In that day five Cities A gracious prediction of the conversion of Egypt to God verse 18 and his service which principaly hath reference to the dayes of the Messias So againe Jer. XLVI 26. see the like comfortable closes chap. VI. 13. and XVII 7. and XVIII 7. and XXIII 17 18. one shall be called the Citie of destruction Or of Heres Or of the Sunne See the Observations on Josh. XIX 38. at the border thereof Alluding to that verse 19 Josh. XXII 10 24 25 27. a Saviour and a Great one Principaly the Lord Jesus verse 20 Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians Both serve the Lord. verse 23 And Israel be the third All three serve the Lord ver 24 25. In the yeare chapter XX The time when this Prophecie was delivered chapter I that Tartan One of the three that Sennacherib sent to Ezekiah 2 Kings XVIII 17. came to Ashdod Of Ashdod see the Annotations on Amos III. 9. When Sargon Of him see the Observations on 2 Kings XV. 19. and took it Some say in the twelfth year of Ezekiah some in the fourteenth some in the fourth But most likely about the eight or ninth year of Ezekiah after Shalmanezers decease And the Egyptians and Ethiopians coming to the relief of Ashdod were by the Assyrians defeated and carried captives in such scornful and despiteful manner as is described ver 4. the sackcloth Not here a mourning weed verse 2 but such an upper garment made of course and hairy stuff as the Prophets ordinarily were wont to weare 2 King I. 8. Zech. XIII 4. Mat. III 4. naked Not stark naked But stript of his Prophetical mantle As 1 Sam. XIX 24. Joh. XXI 7. Mic. I. 8. Act. XIX 16. As captives are wont to be led three yeares And well might the siege of Ashdod continue three yeares verse 3 as well as that of Samariah most likely the Prophet went so three dayes so fourty dayes for fourty years Num. XIV 33 34. Ezek IV. 4 5 6. upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia Judgements denounced upon them before severally upon Ethiopia Chap. XVIII upon Egypt Chap. XIX Here now upon them joyntly so shall The explication of the signe verse 4 It shall be so at the end of three yeares from the beginning of the siege of Ashdod And they shall be afraid both the Ashdodites verse 5 and Jews that relied so much upon their aid Isle See the Observations on Gen. X. 6. verse 6 of the desert of the sea chapter XXI verse 1 Another Sermon and prophecie against Babylon And so there are many Sermons against the Assyrians and also against the Egyptians by this Prophet Babylon and Caldea is here called the desert of the sea a desert because a large desert or wide Wildernesse lay between Caldea and Media or it self should be made so by the judgements ensuing Or the word here used signifieth a Plaine and in a plaine Babylon was built Gen. XI 2. And called a sea because of the great river Euphrates on the banks whereof Babylon was built and because of the vast lakes made out of the river And hence is Babylon said to sit upon many waters Jer. LI. 13. and ver 36. I will dry up the sea As whirlwindes such shall the violent irruptions be of the Medes and Persians breaking into Chaldea The treacherous dealer hath now his match verse 2 is now paid in his own coine Or the treacherous dealer dealing treacherously which some apply to the Chaldeans some to the Medes and Persians and the spoyler spoyleth Some apply only these words to the Medes and Persians O Elam The Persian all the sighing Wherewith Babylon made my people sigh Therefore loines Spoken in the person of the Babylonians verse 3 The night of my pleasure Even in their sestival night was Babylon taken by Cyrus Dan. verse 4 5. 1 30. hath he turned Though it were done about 170. years after This is an usual Prophetick phrase Prepare the table Most likely K. Belshazzars words verse 5 for the Feast and for the Watch. arise ye Princes Cyrus and Darius set a watchman Gods word to the Prophet verse 6 And that as if God willed him to stand as on a watch-tower to see what he
whose fire is in Zion Kept on his Altar there ever burning Or rather fire to burne up the enemies of him his worship his people a King Ezekiah chapter XXXII verse 1 Yet a type of Christ as before him David Ezek XXXIV 24. Shall reigne Hence some suppose this Prophecie to have been delivered in Ahaz his dayes Some in Hezekiahs concerning his religigious and righteous government of his people specialy after the overthrow of Sennacherib and his recovery out of his sicknesse Princes Under Hezekiah And a man Each one under him verse 2 in a weary land Where men are weary of travelling through heat and drought not be dim Or closed as those ch XXIX 10. and VI. 9. Not look another way verse 3 from God unto Idols from the light of Gods Word and his judgements conspicuously manifested unto them not wilfully shut their eyes or turne them aside from them as those chap. XXVI 11. Shall hearken Not refuse to hear as formerly chap. XXVIII 9 13. and XLVIII 18. but hearkeu diligently as chap. XXI 7. and XXIX 18. and XXX 21. and XXXV 5. stammerers That did but stammer before at any good and religious speech verse 4 shall now manifest the inward alteration and change of their hearts by their ready religious speaking the language of Canaan that which may minister grace and edification to the hearers no more called liberal They shall no more call vice verse 5 vertue evil good but they shall in singlenesse of soul call sinne sinne a spade a spade For the vile person His description verse 6 Churle His description verse 7 Liberal His description verse 8 The drift seemes to be this That in Hezekiah's reigne base-minded and evil-affected persons should not be now raised and advanced unto places of honour and authority as in his father Ahaz his time too many had been and too likely base and wicked Shebna But now only worthy men Rise up Esay here returnes to speak of those troubles that were to come verse 9 before the establishment of the State in maner before described ye women The Court-Ladies especialy that were faulty as the men and the more secure and carelesse as lesse fore-seeing dangers to come and yet must suffer in them alike though lesse able to bear them then the men Therefore Esay rouzeth up them and by them the men Many dayes and years Heb. Many dayes above a year verse 10 Some use the translation in the text and apply it to the LXX years in the Babylonish captivity Others rather use the marginal reading and apply it to a just and exact limitation of that calamitous time of almost two years whiles the Assyrian abode in the land For full two years he could not be there considering he came in in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah 2 Kings XVIII 13. And afterwards Hezekiahs life was prolonged fifteen years chap. XXXVIII 5. And he reigned but 29. in all 2 Kings XVIII 2. for the teats Which were to them as teats verse 12 Some translate There shall be beating upon the breasts Nahum II. 7. shall come up thornes Esay seemes here to passe from that short invasion of the Assyrian verse 13 to that greater and longer of the Chaldean Nebuchadnezzar As if he should say I am now farther to acquaint you with this later and which is far worse every way and of a far longer continuance in this and the next verse for ever a long time about seventy years Of ever see the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. Vntill the Spirit Esay concludes verse 15 as usualy with gracious Promises This promise may extend also to the time of the Messias when it shall haile coming down on the forrest God will preserve the fruits of the earth for them verse 19 that they shall not with storme and tempest be destroyed and the Citie shall be low in a low place Though the Cities built there yet shall be there secure verse 18. even though say some it haile never so much and Cities be brought never so low Blessed are ye Gods blessing on their husbandry and labours verse 20 Appliable to Gods spiritual husbandry in the Ministery of the Gospel This Chapter seemes to begin another Sermon chapter XXXIII continued on in the two next Chapters And in the whole Sermon Esay mainly insists upon the destruction of the enemies of Gods people and upon their defence and deliverance their priviledges and joyful flourishing estate thereupon ensuing and opposed thereunto This Chapter is much of the same nature and subject with the former Chapter Woe to thee Nebuchadnezzar or rather Sennacherib ver 8. verse 1 they shall deale treacherously with thee This may relate to Sennacheribs two sons slaying their father ch XXXVII 38. O Lord The Prayer of the faithful in time of trouble verse 2 At the noise This is in way of answer to the former Prayer verse 3 fled As the maner of the Prophets is to speak of things future as past So it came to passe in the Assyrian Camp your spoils Speaking to the Assyrians verse 4 shall he run upon them The Jew pillaging the Assyrian camp of thy times O Hezekiah verse 6 their valient ones shall cry Shew the disttesse of Gods people verse 7 the Jewes should be in the Ambassadors Sent with presents to Sennacherib 2 Kings XVIII 14. Or those sent out to Rabshakeh ch XXXVI 3. He hath broken the Covenant Sennacherib did so verse 8 2 Kings XVIII 14 17. Now will I arise To help and deliver my people verse 10 in this extremity ye shall conceive chaffe The Assyrians verse 11 as the burnings of lime Describes that fatal blow in the Assyrian Camp verse 12 The sinners in Zion are afraid Terrified with this dreadful execution done upon the Assyrians verse 14 and complaining and fearing lest the like vengeance might light also upon them as they knew they deserved it As Num. XVI 34. with devouring fire With God who is a consuming fire He that walketh The Prophets answer verse 15 Thine eyes shall see the King A further blessing that such should enjoy verse 17 the sight of their King and State settled in prosperity and glory the land that is very far off Liberty to travel abroad in safety unto the remotest parts of the land without danger or disturbance Or as some remote lands subdued by the King Where is the Scribe So now taunting Sennacherib verse 18 and his Officers in the Camp 1 Cor. I. 20. either minds not this Text or alludes only to the phrase in it not see For they shall be slaine verse 19 or flee Look upon Zion See how safe verse 20 and whole it is No galley Of any enemie shall be able with help of winde and oars verse 21 to get up to it to annoy it Thy tacklings Speaking to the Assyrians verse 23 the inhabitant Of Jerusalem forgiven their iniquity Being refined by their chastisements verse 24 and reformed and so God reconciled to them This Chapter chapter XXXIV for the
subject matter of it agreeth much with ch XXIV This being a Prophecie of the destruction of the enemies of Gods people And more particularly of the Edomites in Idumea set forth in many hyperbolical expressions And all the hoast of heaven So strange and dreadful shall Gods judgements be verse 4 that the whole frame of the world shall seeme to be dissolved It is the maner of Gods Prophets in their descriptions of some extraordinary judgements to set them forth in such colours as if they were deciphering the face of that last universal judgement whereof such are in some sort resemblances and forerunners And again to set forth the restitution and restauration of Gods people out of greatest calamities in such termes as have occasioned many to be mistaken in them conceiving no other then the general and joyful resurrection at the last day to be described in them Unicorns Or Rhinocerots See the Observations on Num. XXIII 22. verse 7 for ever and ever Heb. verse 10 ever of evers The Cormorant See the like verse 11 Chap. XIII 18 22. and XIV 23. Zeph. II. 13 14. Apoc. XVIII 2. Seek ye out The certainty of this Prophecie verse 16 As if each thing here were entred into a roll of Record In the day of the execution of this judgement take this Book read this passage and see if any of these be found wanting then and there they shall These wilde creatures shall verse 17 This Chapter agreeth much with chap. chapter XXXV XXV And containes the joyful and glorious restitution exaltation and exultation of Gods people Sharon A fertil region verse 2 and pleasant lying beneath mount Lebanon in the Tribe of God and adjoyning unto Bashan 1 Chron. V. 16. There were the Roses mentioned Cant. II. 1. There had David his herds feeding 1 Chron. XXVII 29. Likely it is the same with Lassharon Josh. XII 18. Strengthen ye He incites them to hearten and encourge one another verse 3 with faith and patience to expect the accomplishment of those glorious promises Then the eyes of the blind Fulfilled in Christs time verse 5 both corporaly and spiritualy For in the wildernesse Literaly true in the Jewish Kingdome verse 6 being there â—n a Type of Christs And an high way They shall be blessed with peace verse 8 and safety the way of holinesse A Type of the way to heaven but it shall be for those Holy ones verse 5 6. No Lion shall be there As the way so plaine verse 9 so as free from danger This History is brought in to confirme and seale up the truth of some of the Prophecies and Predictions aforegoing This is recorded 2 Kings XVIII and XIX 2 Chron. XXXII came up Upon pretence likely of the Contribution with-held by Hezekiah chapter XXXVI verse 1 which his father Ahaz had paid to Tiglath-Pilezer 2 Kings XVI 7 9. and XVIII 7. without the Lord Heb. Jehovah verse 10 that sonne of four letters as the Hebrews call it used here by Rabshakeh six times in his Speech Syrian language See the Observations on Ezra IV. 7. verse 11 dung and pisse See the Observations on 2 Kings X. 27. verse 12 and take you away The maner of Conquerours to transplant the Natives verse 17 Sepharvaim Subdued before his time verse 19 2 Kings XVII 24. Eliakim Now in Shebna's office and place verse 22 And Shebna now the Scribe and so here is the beginning of his fall chap. XXII 20 21. chap. XXXVII 2. This Chapter the same in substance with 2 Kings XIX chapter XXXVII a rumor Verse 9. and 36. verse 7 So Rabshakeh returned Most likely leaving the armie still before Jerusalem verse 8 Libnah See the Observations on 2 Kings VIII 22. Lachish See the Annotations on Micah I. 13. Ethiopia See the Observations on Gen. II. 13. warre with thee Either to assist the Jewes verse 9 or in Assyria in the absence of Sennacherib and his forces Thus shall ye speak Instructions to his messengers verse 10 delivered to them in writing and so by them in writing to Hezekiah Likely as if he scorned to write himself to Hezekiah but sent him only a Copie of the Instructions Eden See the Observations on Gen. II. 8. verse 12 Cherubims See the Observations on Gen. III. 24. verse 16 And the Annotations on Ezek. IX 3. and on this text a Signe See the Observations on chap. VII 14. verse 30 and on Exod. III. 12. ye shall eate this yeare A confirmation of Sennacheribs sudden departure and returne home And also including in it an assurance of a comfortable provision of necessary food for them out of the Land notwithstanding all the havock that Sennacheribs armies had made in it and the coincident Sabbatical year for intermission of culture See the Observations on Lev. XXV 21. Then In that night verse 36 2 Kings XIX 35. the very next night after the message sent from God by Esay and smote The maner how is not expressed in the camp Likely both before Jerusalem and Libnah See Ch. XXXVI 2. and verse 8 9 14 33. of this Chapter all dead corpses All in a maner Yet some escaped and sled with Sennacherib himself See chap. XVII 14. Nineveh See the Annotations on Jonah I. 2. verse 37 and on this text his sonnes These words here written verse 38 are read in the margin but not written in the text 2 Kings XIX 37. Armenia Heb. Ararat on the mountains whereof the Arke rested Esarhaddon See the Observations on Ezra IV. 2. In those dayes chapter XXXVIII verse 1 Shortly after Sennacheribs defeat and departure shalt die Yet a secret reservation there was See Jer. XVIII 7 8. Ezek. III. 18. See the Observations on Jonah III. 4. to the wall Which haply might be towards the Temple verse 2 or by that withdrawing that he might with the more privacie and intention make his addresse to God remember now Humbly appealing to God verse 3 touching the integrity and sincerity of his heart and endeavours wept sâ—re One cause might be the want of a son Manasseh was not yet born And the State of Church and Common-wealth much unsetled Then Afore Esay was gone out into the middle Court verse 4 2 Kings XX. 4. where the text is Citie but the margin Court And the first Court of the Kings house that neerest the Palace and farthest from the street or Citie seemes here to be meant to thy dayes That he had lived already verse 5 fifteene years About the one half of his reigne verse 6 will deliver thee and this Citie The promise before made is again here renewed assuring him as of his life so of peace and tranquility to be continued to him with it that Sennacherib should not return or any Assyrian to molest him or this Citie 2 Chron. XXXII 22. which yet afterwards was done in the dayes of his son Manasseh 2 Chron. XXXIII 11. a Signe Asked by Hezekiah ver 22. verse 7 and put to his choise 2 Kings XX. 8 10. So the Sunne returned ten