than that we seeing the necessity of the duty of sanctifying our selves and not finding power in any other to sanctifie us besides God we should apply our selves to God as the fountain of our sanctification 168. Lev. 13.46 The Leper and unclean lived alone without the Camp Mat. 8.2 In the City a Leper craved of Jesus The divine Law was that the Leper set apart should dwell alone but this Leper comes boldly to Christ not doubting to be free from his leprosie 169. Lev. 16.3 The sacrifices were appointed by Gods commandement Psalm 40.7 Sacrifices and burnt-offerings thou wouldst not The sacrifices were appointed by God under the Old Testament that they might shadow forth the sacrifice of Christ and foreshew his coming but God would none of them as the Jews abused them for ostentation and placed the worship of God in the outward ceremony without the internall devotion 170. Lev. 16.6 Aaron shall offer his bullock and make an attonement for himself Heb. 10.4 It is impossible that the blood of Goats should take away sins The legall sacrifices did not expiate sinnes of themselves but as they were a figure of Chrst his own oblation surpasseth them all and is propitiatory for our sins * 171. Lev. 17.3 with 1 Sam. 7.9 1 Kings 18.33 The cause ceasing the effect ceaseth or the prohibition ceaseth The causes of these prohibitions were two First That no Lay-man should not arrogate the office of sacrificeing Secondly That the Jews should not fall into the Gentiles mode of sacrificing in the high places 172. Lev. 18.6 None of you shall approach to any that is neer of kin to him Verse 16. Thou shalt not uncover the nakednesse of thy brothers wife Deut. 25.5 The brother shall take his brothers wife The law of the nearness of blood and not uncovering the brothers nakednesse is perpetuall and must be holily observed by us but that of raising seed to the brother was partly ceremoniall figuring the primogeniture of Christ partly judiciall lest the inheritance should depart to another family which doth not oblige us but is abrogated The former was a generall rule and was to have no exception but such as God himself who made that rule did give which he did Deut. 25 5. * 173. Lev. 19.18 Thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudg c. Numb 31.2 Go and revenge Midian Private revenge of personall injuries is one thing to be the instrument of Gods vengeance is another We must not revenge our selves as private persons But where God is wronged in his peoples wrong there we being lawfully called to it having the Word of God for our rule we may execute his wrath upon these wicked ones 174. Lev. 19.18 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self 1 John 2.15 If any man love the world the love of the father is not in him In the former pâ—ace he understands the love that is due to our neighbour according to Law In the latter concerning unlawfull love of worldly things as those that prefer the things of this world as honours riches and pâ—easuâ—es before God himself * 175. Lev. 19.27 Ye shall not round the corners of your head 1 Cor. 11.14 Doth not nature it self teach you that if a man weare long hair c. The word round signifies such a rounding as may be without cutting The word corners is in the original in the singular number and so may not some singular cutting of one corner of the head round in the manner of a circle as the Aegyptian Priests or else in manner of an half Moon or taking the singular number for the plurall so it may be meant of crisping or curling round the hair in some corners of the head or cutting off the longest of the hair to offer tufts or locks as a devoted oblation to Idols as many Heathens did makeing the bare place round with a superstitious conceit of a round figure as most pleasing to God Or of cutting the hair as the Aegyptian Priests did who worshipped the Idols Anubis and Isis shaving round their heads and their eye-brows or of cutting round the hair in mourning The second place speaks of wearing long hair as Women do or very long hair longer than is modest 176. Lev. 22.25 From a strangers hand you shall not offer the bread of your God 1 Kings 5.10 Hiram gave to Solomon cedar-trees and fir-trees All strangers were not abominable in the sight of God but onely the enemies and persecutors of his Church so Cyrus King of the Persians promoted the building of the second Temple and restored to the Jews the golden and silver vessels 177. Lev. 24.19 As he hath done so it shall be done to him Rom. 12.19 You shall not revenge your selves In the former place private persons are forbidden to avenge themselves but the Magistrate is admonished of his office In the latter onely private revenge is forbidden Exod. 22.29 Deut. 1.18 178. Lev. 27.30 And all the tithe of the Land whether of the seed of the Land or of the fruit of the tree is the Lords Numb 18.21 I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance for the service which they serve me The tenths are called Gods because they were commanded by him for a holy use and good of the Church they were given to the sonnes of Levi or to the Ministers of the Church for their service for an inheritance to support them because they being consecrated to Gods service had no inheritance amongst their brethren NUMBERS THIS Book is so called from the numbring of the people of God Wherein Mansions and Offices were ordained for all the Tribes between the Mount of Sinai and the promised Land many transgressions and dangers of the people and punishments and benefits of God are numbred The History contains 28 years 179. NUmb 1.19 Moses numbred the people in the wildernesse of Sinai 2 Sam. 24. David offended God by numbring the people Moses and Aaron did that for good order as God commanded them but David sinned out of arrogancy by numbring the people without command 180. Numb 4.3 The Levites stood from 30 years old to 50 years old to minister in the Tabernacle of the Covenant 1 Chron. 23.3 24. The Levites did the work of the Ministry for the house of the Lord from 20 years old Numb 8.23 from 25 years The younger Levites were newly instructed to 20 years then they were admitted to the office of doing service at 25 years from that time a kind of secondary service was committed to them till they came to be 30 years old from 30 to 50 years they did fully execute the Leviticall office 181. Numb 7.89 Moses entred into the Tabernacle of the Covenant Exod. 40.35 Moses could not enter into the Tabernacle of the Congregation for a cloud abode thereon and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle First when the cloud covered the Tabernacle of the testimony and the glory of God filled that Moses could not
from a beast 585. Eccl. 4.1 I saw the oppressions done under the sinne and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter John 14 26. 15.26 I will send unto you the Comforter from the Father the Spirit of Truth Ecclesiastes compares the oppressed with the oppressours in that which happens in the world for oppressours are rich mighty men they have their A betters and their Clients The oppressed are alone and defend themselves with tears Christ sheweth how true comfort comes to those that are oppressed namely from the holy Ghost * Eccl. 4.1 with Jo. 14.26 The former place speaks of such as had no outward or humane comforters the latter place speaks of sending of inward comfort The former of such as were oppressed were they good or had The latter place of such as were only Religious and Gods Children 586. Eccl. 7.16 Be not over righteous Rev. 22.11 Let him that is just be just still Ecclesiastes understands a mans judgement of himself and forbids us that we should not have too great opinion of our own righteousnesse when it is not so with us John speaks of the oath of Justice and continuing the benefit of justification * Eccl. 7.16 with Revel 22.11 The former place speaks of righteousnesse in a mans conceit of others Or 2. Of a mans self of others Censure not good men because God suffers them to be afflicted or to severely reprove every petty error or urge not every thing which thou in thine own opinion thinkest just without yielding any way either in charity or wise integrity to the opinions of others or to the necessity of times common custome or humane frailty 2. Of our selves we must moderate our zeal with prudence Matth. 10.16 not make our selves over-wise to do a thing conscientiously scrupulously upon opinion of duty when indeed there was no necessity so to do and so to make sinne where God made none and thus all superstitious creatures are over-religious and over-righteous The second place speaks of inherent justice and righteousnesse or holinesse and so it is meant of reall right holinesse let him that is holy be more holy The other is onely meant of a righteousnesse in conceit * 587. Eccl. 7.17 Why shouldst thou dye before thy time Job 14.6 Till he shall accomplish as an hireling his day The former place speaks of our time as it is considered from the constitutions of our body and what we may live by nature The latter is spoken of our days as they are precisely numbred and appointed by God We by our sinnes may hasten on our death that is we may occasion the cutting off those dayes which by our naturall constitutions we might have lived unto though we cannot either procrastinate or shorten those of Gods appointment 588. Eccl. 8.14 There are righteous men to whom evils happen according to the manner of the wicked Psal 1.3 He shall be like a tree planted by the river side Vers 4. So shall not the ungodly Ecclesiastes sets down the judgement of carnall men concerning the righteous and the wicked from their outward condition and they judge of them both alike yet the condition of good and bad men is most different in this life and in the end of it Here the state of the godly is more excellent and after this life they shall rejoyce for ever Wicked men are abominable here and hereafter they shall be punished eternally 589. Eccl. 9.1 No man knoweth either love or hatred Rom. 8.35 38. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ 2 Tim. 1.12 The first place teacheth that it cannot be gathered by outward happinesse or unhappinesse It is one thing to know love or hatred in a mans self and own heart another thing to know it in other mens hearts who it is that God loveth or whom he hateth because these fall out alike to good and evill righteous and unrighteous men Therefore we must not judge according to outward things and accidents but according to the testimony of our faith and the holy Ghost concerning the love of God being certain that no things that befall us for adversity can separate us from the love of God Eccl. 9.1 No man knoweth whether he be worthy of love or hatred 2 Tim. 4.8 There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give me A man knoweth not from himself or his own strength or humane wisedom whether he be worthy of love or hatred because God bestoweth riches honour strength c. without any difference Ecclesiastes speaks of discerning good men from bad by naturall judgement the Apostle of the certainty of his salvation * 590. Eccl. 9.7 Go thy way eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart Eccles 7.2 It s better to go into the house of mourning than to the house of feasting The former place bids us not repine at Gods dealings but what he in his providence is pleased to do let us with chearfullnesse submit to it eating and enjoying the creatures with a sober chearfullnesse and yet this doth not encourage any to an excessive or sinnefull mirth and jollity for it is better to go into the house of mourning as the second place saith than so to spend our time in joviallnesse and feasting 591. Eccl. 9.8 Let thy garments be alwayes white Isaiah 2.8 Luke 16.19 Luxurie in cloathing is disallowed Ecclesiastes commends not Luxury but decent and comely cloathing according to our quality which God doth not detest but approves that being refreshed in body and mind we may the better undergoe the labours of our vocation * 592. Eccl. 12.7 The spirit returns to God that gave it Rev. 6.9 I saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain The one is a literall the other is an allegoricall place and yet both agree together shewing that the souls of the godly return to God but yet by the mediation and intercession and merit of Jesus Christ who is the Altar And though many Christians which were slain upon the account of Religion by the materiall Sword yet by the virtue of Christ the Altar under whose shade they lye they are in happinesse The SONG OF SOLOMON HHB. Sirhastrim and Kodes Kodassin that is the Holy of Holies Wherein Solomon under the similitude of a Bridegroome and his Bride describeth Christ and his Church the heavenly and spituall treasure and the mysteries of salvation to the godly 593. CAnt 1.5 I am black Vers 6. Look not upon me because I am black Vers 8. O thou fairest amongst women Chap. 4.1 Behold thou art fair First the Spouse of Christ purgeth her self amongst her friends that is her members that they should not be offended at her blacknesse that is with the scorns and reproaches that her adversaries cast upon her and so she speaks of her self as she is in her self In the latter place as she pleaseth the Bridegroom in which is considerable how he purgeth
kinds of injuries First for which restitution may be made Secondly for which it may not be made and of this kind is striking for what profiteth if thou strike him that striâ—eth thee Is the hurt of thy body salved by this There is a revenge which belongs to mercy which is not to be understood in the former in that which availeth to correction This belongs to them which have Authority for they ought to revenge but with such a mind as Parents bear towards their little Children whom they hate not He speaketh afterwards of such injuries as restitution may be made as money coat c. * 787. Mat. 5.40 And if any man will sue thee at the Law and take away thy coat c. Rom. 13.1 There is no power but of God Mat. 5.25 Luk. 12.58 1 Cor. 6.4 The former forbids not the going to law but the wronged to revenge himself to wit being injured in his goods either privately or under colour of Law The latter shews that Magistracy is the Ordinance of God and it may be used lawfully The former place is not to be understood simply but comparatively to wit rather than a man should seek private revenge he must not only suffer the loss of one garment but of more * 788. Mat. 5.42 And from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away Deut. 15.3 Of a forreigner thou maiest exact it again Our Saviour in the former not simply as reaching to all persons whatsoever and to all things but lend to the poor and lend what thou canst spare He is worse than an Infidel that provideth not for his Family It was lawful to look for money back with Usury of strangers which was not a Moral Rule Besides it is one thing to lend or give to the poor another thing to them which are not really poor but only at present want such or such a quantity of money to help him in his bargain c. we must not expect again where it is not to be had we may when it is to be had 788. Mat. 5.43 Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy Ver. 44. Luk. 6.35 Rom. 12.20 Love your enemies do good to those that hate you The first place was corrupt and came into use from the time of the Maccabees The latter was not delivered by Christ as a new law but the true sense of the divine Law concerning love to our neighbours is explained by him For God in the Old Testament expresly commands men to love their enemies Deut. 22.2 789. Mat. 5.40 If any any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat from thee let him have thy cloak also Rom. 13.1 There is no power but of God Christ doth here prescribe the law of patience to his followers that they should not be troubled for the loss of their goods but wait on the Lord quietly untill he take revenge on wicked men yet he forbids not the lawful means of recovering goods fraudulently or forcibly taken away or appeal to the Magistrate for power much less doth he condemn it 790. Mat. 6.6 When thou prayest enter into thy closet and shutting the door pray 1 Tim. 2.8 I will that men pray in every place Christ against boasters teacheth us that our duty in prayer is that we seek to please God rather than men because God considers our hearts men look only on the outside and he that is alone prayeth better with a composed mind than he that prayeth amongst a multitude of People whether therefore we pray privately or publickly let us alwaies pray so as if we were hid in our Closets The Apostle witnesseth that our prayer is accepted with God be it in private or publick when God is worshipped in spirit and truth * 791. Mat. 6.6 Enter into thy Chamber c. Mat. 18.19 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name c. In the former place Christ opposeth private prayers to hypocrysie and vain-glory praying in the Closet to praying in the streets He opposeth not private and publick prayer for they may well suit together at different times and upon different accounts private prayer the more freely to give our selves to God The publick prayer to demonstrate our faith in God and to help forward the Petitions of the Congregation and to stir up zeal in them that are cold 792. Mat. 6.7 When you pray use not vain repetitions Luk. 18.1 Men ought to pray alwaies and not to faint Col. 4.2 1 Thes 5.17 Christ taxeth the vain babling and foolish prating of those who suppose to move God with words often repeated Isa 23.13 though they be cold and distrustful in their prayers But he forbids not continuance in prayers but will have us to pray alwaies if not in words yet in desires for the prayers of godly men are arrows that are shot into heaven 793. Mat. 6.7 They think they shall be heard for their much speaking 2 Tim. 1.3 Pray without ceasing It is one thing to speak much and put confidence in their much speaking in prayer another thing to pray frequently or long and refer their hearing to the force of Christs Mediation Christ condemns not long prayers if they be strong prayers but he forbids and condemns mens thinking if they can but babble any thing to make their prayers long that the length of their prayers the very opus operatum shall be effectual 794. Mat. 6.13 Lead us not into temptation Jam. 1.13 Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God Temptation is either good for a good end as when God proves the faith hope patience obedience constancy of his children or evil to an evil end and we pray in the Lords prayer that God will not let us be tempted with evil nor give us over into the hand of Satan to tempt us 795. Mat. 6.13 For thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory Luk. 11.4 That conclusion is not found in the Lords Prayer One Evangelist omitting what the other hath set down doth no waies derogate from the truth of Gods Word David used the same thanksgiving 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Tim. 4.18 Thine is the greatness and the power and the glory and the Victory and the Majesty And Paul useth the same words And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work to whom be glory for ever Amen From whence is taken that of the Church Glory be c. * Mat. 6.17 But when thou fastest anoint thy head c. Joel 1.13 Gird your selves and lament c. Fasts are either publick such as concern Families Towns or Countries we must put on sackcloath in these and publickly declare our sorrow Private Fasts or personal such as are meant here in Matthew must be conâ—eiled from others as much as may be The words in the former place are either properly to be taken or improperly Properly so they cannot be taken in regard this would condemn all former Fasts of the
hear and grant though not just in the same mode and time another thing to hear and presently give a supply in the same manner and method 1051. Joh. 11.50 Caiphas a wicked man prophesied by the instinct of the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God The gifts of Gods Spirit are of Sanctification and Salvation and those are proper to the elect children of God or gifts of administration which are common to good and bad men amongst which is the gift of Prophesie * Joh. 11.50 That one man should dye c. Rom. 8.14 The gifts of God are one thing the graces of God are another Caiphas though a wicked man might have this gift given or by a thorough consideration of the Scriptures might know that one man was to dye and yet this hinders not but that only the Sons of God should have the graces of the Spirit * 1052. Joh. 12.25 He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life 1 Joh. He that loveth wickedness hateth his own soul Hatred is not here taken properly for so man never yet hated his own flesh but hating is taken for less loving i. e. He that less loveth his life than trouble for the Gospel while he lives here shall keep his soul to eternal life though he may suffer the loss of his external life Hatred in the second place is taken for the effects of hatred He that loveth wickedness effecteth that to his soul which a man that hateth him would do that is he punisheth his own soul 1053. Joh. 12.27 Father save me from this hour Phil. 2.8 He became obedient unto death Christ feeling the sins of the world lying upon him feared death as he was man and desired rather to live than dye if that might have been granted without detriment to Gods glory and our salvation but because it was not possible that that Cup should pass from him he submitted himself to his Fathers will and said Therefore came I unto this hour 1054. Joh. 12.30 Now shall the Prime of this world be cast out Eph. 6.12 We have yet war with the Prince of this world That casting out was out of the hearts of the faithful whom though the devil do tempt and oppose many waies yet he cannot vanquish them but is cast out Also Christ respects the casting out of the devil whilst both Jews and Gentiles amongst whom the devil reigned were called to the grace of Christ by his coming * Joh. 12.30 with Eph. 6.12 Satan is cast out while the darkness of Ceremonies neglecting the Substance and the Idolatry that was amongst Jews and Gentiles was cast out and Christ by the preaching of the Gospel was exalted 2. Satan is cast out of the hearts of Gods people when he hath not his Regal and full sway in the heart but by the power of Gods grace he is mastered though satan as a tyrant even in them may strive and make onsets against the grace of God so that he being cast out as to his reigning yet not as to his tempting and striving warring against the hearts of Gods children which the latter place speaks of * 1055. Joh. 12.50 And I know that his Commandment is life 2 Cor. 3.7 The Law is the ministration of death The Commandment of God is that which either may be accounted Legal or Evangelical The former place intends Evangelical Commands i. e. such commands as were given by Christ or concerning Christ The latter is meant of Legal Commands without reference to Christ or else without the ministration of the Spirit * 1056. Joh. 13.1 Loving his own in the world he loved them to the end Hos 1.9 For you are not my people and I will not be your God Hos 9.17 My God will cast them away c. Gods People are his own first in a general or National way so are they which make an external profession of the Lord and are in outward covenant with him as the Jews these may have the external signs and impresses of Gods love and these turning away from the Lord the Lord will turn from them Secondly Gods own Elect or chosen forth of others which he once setting his love upon he loves to the end The former place is meant of his Elect. 1057. Joh. 13.27 After the sop satan entred into him Ver. 2. And supper being ended the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot The first place is of total possession when after so many admonitions from Christ and so many humane favours received Judas yet continued in his purpose of betraying Christ he is delivered to satan to be ruled so that he could think on nothing that was sound and good * 1058. Joh 13.27 Do quickly God commands no sin These are not the words of exhortation or command but spoken Ironically as if he should say Well take thy course and do what thou wilt make haste man * 1059. Joh. 13.29 Judas had the bag Mat. 10.9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purse The latter place speaks of Christs Command upon a peculiar and particular occasion not upon the account of all times and that temporary command expired with that expedition But Christ having a purse-bearer constantly as Judas was shews that it is lawful to have and use money for our necessaries 1060. Joh. 13.34 A new Commandment I give unto you that you love one the other Mat. 22.27 This was the greatest Commandment in the Old Testament to love God and our Neighbour It is called a new Commandment not by reason of the substance but because Christ renewed it and the singular affection of love which Christ requires in his followers As he loved them and gave himself for them so he would that they should love one the other with singular affection * Joh. 13.34 with Mat. 22.37 It was an old command as to the substance of the command but a new command as to the circumstances Christ commanding it in a new manner it is not now Love your Neighbour as your self but As I have loved you The Gospel or Testament whereof this is a part is new the Spirit works it in out new hearts 1061. Ioh. 14.3 I go to prepare a place Mat. 25.34 Inherit the Kingdom prepared from the beginning of the world The place was predestinated from the beginning of the world but now by Christ it was particularly designed and fitted by the Ascension of Christ actually for the Godly 1062. Ioh. 14.4 Whither I go ye know and the way ye know Ver. 5. We know not They did know inchoatively and imperfectly but because they know not that they did know the cause was their rudeness and forgetfulness of Christs words * Joh. 14.4 wi h 5. The Disciples knew that Christ was to go to heaven but they were not so thoroughly instructed what heaven was or that he would go then thither Possibly they might imagine him to speak of
ordained or ordered first in respect of God because they are by him instituted and appointed Secondly in regard of themselves the Lord hath set them certain limits and bounds whereby they should be ordered Thirdly in respect of those which are to be ordered God would have order among men some to rule and some to obey Magistracy is said to be the Ordinance of man that is the framing and ordering of Civil Government is of man or intended by or hath this or that mode from men or is proper to men or is discharged by men 1253. Rom. 13.5 You must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake Gal. 5.1 Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free Submission is either active or Passive If we cannot the active way we must the passive way The decrees of the Magistrate if they agree with Gods Word and are appointed for good order they bind the conscience so also Ecclesiastical Constitutions for keeping the Moral Laws are to be piously observed so far as they hinder not the use of our Christian Liberty * Rom. 13.5 For conscience sake Gal. 5.1 Stand fast c. For conscience sake of the Divine Precepts which being obeyed brings peace of conscience but to resist Gods Ordinance i. e. the Magistrate in Licitis Honestis or actively is a deadly sin sauciens conscientiam wounding the conscience The second place forbids not obedience to the Magistrate but bids us stand fast in that liberty which Christ hath given but Christ never gave liberty to resist the Magistrate as before I said 1254. Rom. 13.8 He that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law Mat. 22.40 On these two Commandments the love of God and our neighbour hang all the Law and the Prophets The love of our neighbour proceeding from the love of God is the fulfilling of the Law since we have but the Image of God in our neighbour therefore God must be principally beloved * Rom. 13.8 with Mat. 22.40 Hath fulfilled the Law The Apostle rehearseth not all the Commandments but only those of the second Table because he treateth of those Duties which are to be performed unto men and by the keeping of the second Table is better observed and discerned the keeping of the Law than out of the first We must restrain the word Law to the second Table but in the former place we must take in both the Tables Besides the love of our Neighbour may be said to be the fulfilling of the Law because it proceeds from the love of God and he that loves his Neighbour first loves God and then his Neighbour in order to God 1255. Rom. 13.13 Let us not walk in strife and envying 1 Cor. 14.39 Covet spirituall gifts Emulation joyned with envy by reason of anothers profit is evil and meant by the first place in the latter sincerity of love proceeding from good zeal and justice 1256. Rom. 14.1 Him that is weak in the faith receive but not to doubtful disputations Gal. 2.11 Paul withstood Peter to the face saying if thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles They are weak who know not the true use of indifferent things Peter being taught by the heavenly vision that distinction of Meats was taken away deserved to be reprehended because what he learned of God and taught in the publick Council he yet observed not but was scandalous both to Jews and Gentiles 1257. Rom. 14 3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not Col. 2.21 Touch not taste not handle not In the former place abstinence and observation of meats proceeding from faith without scandal is left free for the Ceremonial Law ended at Christs coming In the latter he reproves the superstition of the Colossians who being taught the use of things indifferent yet brought them in as a part of Gods worship necessary to salvation The Apostle doth not so much condemn them for observing Ceremonies as that they did keep them opinione necessitatis with an opinion of necessity In the latter place the Apostle speaketh not so much of abstinence from meat and marriages but of the Precept of abstinence from both which should be brought in by wicked Hereticks the Manichees Talions and others which condemned them as evil 1258. Rom. 14.6 He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord he doth not regard it Gal. 4.10 He reprehends them for observing daies and months and times and years The first place leaves it free to the weak who had tender consciences either to observe or not observe the legal festival daies so they did it without opinion of merit or necessity or offending their neighbour The latter reprehends the Galathians who with a kind of tye of conscience did observe the Sabbaths and Festival times of the Jews according to the Law as if they had not been set free by Christ * 1259. Rom. 14.9 That he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living Mat. 22.32 He is not the God of the dead In the one place they are said to be dead according to the Sadduces sense that had no being at all but were utterly perished and extinct both in body and soul of such the Lord is not God For he is not a God of that which is not he is not their God as they are dead but as he purposeth to raise them again But hereby the dead the Apostle understandeth them that are alive in soul though dead in body 1260. Rom. 14.15 Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died Joh. 10.28 My sheep shall no man pluck out of my hand The Elect may be destroyed by themselves as weak men and by reason of Satans malice that puts so many offences in their way but not in respect of God for no man can snatch them finally out of his hands * Rom. 14.15 with Joh. 10.28 He is said to destroy his brother who though he really cannot yet gâ—ves occasion to such a ruine The Apostle speaks not here exactly and precisely of those whom indeed Christ died for but of such as in our charitable opinion are held to be of that number Omnes fidem Christi profitentes pro redemptis habet charitas Christiana All that profess the faith of Christ Christian charity holdeth to be of the number of those which are redeemed 1261. Rom. 15.2 Let every one of us please his neighbour Gal. 1.10 Should I yet please men I should not be the servant of Christ We must please men for their edification both by words and examples but not to seek for glory at the mouth of the people for so the Apostle would not please men * Rom. 15.2 with Gal. 1.10 We must consider three things Who wherein to what end men are to be pleased 1. Who if I should please the incredulous Jews and Infidels I should not please Christ He must seek to please the brethren and believers 2.
essentiall or naturall voyce of God is one thing the assumed or angelicall another No man ever heard Gods naturall voice the voice which was now and afterward heard was only angelicall or assured 133. Exod. 20.5 I am the Lord thy God a jealous God visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation Deut. 24.16 Ezek. 18.20 The son shall not bear the Fathers iniquity God visits the fathers sinnes upon the children if they walk in the way of their fathers that is on them that hate him but it is otherwise if the children repent Also God punisheth the iniquities of the fathers upon the children with temporall punishments not with eternall unlesse they follow the footsteps of their wicked fathers * Exod. 20.5 Visiting the iniquities of the Fathers c. Exod. 18.20 The sonne shall not beare c. Moses is speaking of idolatry which is such a sinne as cuts in pieces the Covenant of the Lord which so far provokes the Lord as he not onely punisheth the father that committed it but likewise by with drawing his word from them punisheth it to the third and fourth generation Ezekiel speaks in answer to those who would justifie themselves and blame God as bringing judgments on them only for their fathers cause not deserving them * Exod. 20.5 with Ezek. 18.17 Gal. 5 6. The meaning is no sonne shall be damned for the sin of his father nor one man for the sinne of another unlesse by commission or approbation or some other way he may make it his own But for temporal punishments there is none but by occasion of others sins may have their portion in them But this is spoken chiefly of those who continue in the sinne of their parents and though divers dye in their minority God foreseeth how bad they would have been if they had lived and sometimes the Parents derive vengeance on their heads by imprecations upon them as the wicked Jews wished Christs blood might be on themselves and children and sometimes the good children of wicked parents are temporally punished because in them and by such means are their parents punished for that in them they would live and flourish when themselves are dead * Exod. 20.6 And shewing mercy unto thousands Mal. 1.3 Rom. 9.13 Iacob have I loved and Esau have I hated The latter places speak of Gods electing and chusing before time the former place speaks of Gods conditionate shewing mercy for he shews mercy for from Father to Sonne and so to Grandchild if they remain obedient and be like their Fathers but if they swerve from their Fathers steps and turn to their broken cisterns then he will turn away his loving kindness from them * Exod. 20.7 Thou shalt not take the name of c. Matth. 5.34 Sweare not at all The former place speaks of needless swearing without just and weighty occasions or rashly without heed and reverence or falsly without truth it forbids not swearing before a Magistrate the latter place forbids all vain false and prophane swearing but not a solemne calling God to attest the truth This place forbids not all swearing no more than the Commandement all killing but speaks in opposition to that doctrine and practise of the Pharisees who suffered common swearing so it was not swearing falsely or forswearing 134. Exod. 20.8 Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day Deut. 5.12 Matth. 12.5 On the Sabbath days the Priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath day and are blameless Legall Ceremonies and their externall observations give place to charity and necessity morall duties are preferred before ceremonials God forbade those works which hinder his worship but Christ defends his Disciples plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath day against the Pharisee by the example of David and of the Priests killing sacrifices on the Sabbath day pulling off their hides and washing of them * Exod. 20.8 It s one thing to break the Sabbath in contempt another thing to break it in necessity or rather to do works of necessity upon it The Priest did kill sacrifice and labour in the offering them up bodily and that in the Court of the Temple Now to labour bodily on the Sabbath day the Jews did account prophaneness and yet these Priests for all their bodily labour were not accounted prophaners of the Sabbath So as it s not the bare action but the end and intent of that action which makes the prophanenesse 135. Exod. 20.12 Honour thy father and mother Luke 14.26 If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple Christ forbids not the honour due to parents but he saith Matth. 19.37 He that loves them more than me is not worthy of me for all things must be forsaken and hated too so far as they hinder our love of God and Christ for all things must give place to the love of God and that takes not away our duty or due honour to our parents * 136. Exod. 20.12 with Luke 14.26 The first place commands honouring of parents but it must not be equally with God Honour parents as parents subordinate to God Honour parents with honour fit for creatures not for the Creator If parents will command things dishonourable to Christ we must be so farre from honouring them as to hate them but if their command be agreeing with Christ Children must obey their parents in the Lord. 137. Exod. 20.12 Honour thy Father Mat. 23.9 Call no man Father upon the earth Christs forbids not children to honour their parents 2 Kings 2. 1 Chron. 4. or the hearers to honour the Preachers for Paul calls himself the father of the Corinthians but he forbids us to depend on humane authority in divine matters but we must depend on one God and have a filial confidence in him 138. Exod. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill Matth. 5.21 18.9 If thy eye hand foot offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee Christ would not that we should dismember our selves but that we should mortifie the old Adam and bridle the wicked motions and desires of our minds and take heed of them 139. Exod. 20.18 The people saw thundrings and the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet Deut. 5.23 You heard the voice out of the midst of the darknesse The frighted people standing afarre off stricken with fear saw the thunder joyned with lightning breaking forth of the dark clouds in the promulgation of the Law 140. Exod. 20.24 Thou shalt make unto me an Altar of earth Chap. 27.1 Of Shittim wood The inward part of the Altar was earth the outside of Shittim wood 141. Exod. 21.24 Lev. 24.40 An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth Matth. 5.38 39. If any one strike thee on the right cheek turn to him the left The first place is concerning the publick judgement of the Magistrate and the judicial Law now
given to the Israelites as the land of Canaan was 212. Deut. 2.19 I will not give to thee of the land of the children of Ammon Josh 13.24 Moses gave to the tribe of Gad the one half of the land of Ammon The Ammonites held the land which they possessed in the dayes of Moses the other part of the Countrey formerly possessed by Sihon was distributed to the Israelites * 213. Deut. 4 6. Sure this great Nation is a wise and understanding Nation Rom. 3.11 There is none that understandeth It was a wise Nation politically and in humane affaires but yet might be spiritually blind naturally every man is blind not understanding the mind of God * 214. Deut. 4.48 To Mount Sion which is Hermon Now Hermon was beyond Jordan Sion at Jerusalem Answ Hermon in the Sidonian tongue is Sarion as Numb 9. which the Sidonians and Amorites call Sanir the whole tract of the Mountain was called Galaad whose utmost part beyond Jordan is called Hermon or Sarion or Sanir or Sin but it s writ with Shin to difference it from the other Scin which was the Tower of David which is writ with Tsade * Deut. 5.3 He made not a Covenant with our Fathers c. Gen. 15.18 He made a Covenant with Abraham Answ The Covenant he made with Abraham was not such a Covenant as this he made with the Israelites He promised the Land of the Cananites to Abraham but to these his posterity that they should be his peculiar people by peculiar Laws Ceremonies obliged to himself and they on the contrary did oblige to take him for their God 215. Deut. 4.10 11. The Israelites stood before the Lord God in Horeb. Exod. 29.11 The Tables of the Law were given in Mount Sinai Mount Horeb was called otherwise Mount Sinai or the top of the pinacle of the Mount 216. Deut. 6.3 10.20 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Col. 3.23 Exod. 6.5 Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh with fear God must be feared above all things and he must be first served masters according to the flesh must be obeyed for his sake and in respect to his commandement * 217. Deut. 6 4. Hear ô Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Matth. 2.8 Baptizing them in the name of the Father c. Object The latter place speaks distinctly of three else why should they be baptiz'd in their names the former place speaks of one God Answ Unity is referred to the essence or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Trinity of Persons to the Hypostasis which subsist in one simple and undivided essence and distinguished by incommunicable proprieties When the Scripture speaks of the Unity of the Godhead it speaks in opposition to the Creature but when it speaks of the Trinity of Persons it speaks with relation to the Divinity considered in it self or one Person with another 218. Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt swear by the name of the Lord. Mat. 5.34 Swear not at all Aug. Epist 154. That oath is lawfull when we give testimony to the truth in the name of God the Magistrate and necessity requiring that of us such an oath Christ condemns not but vain and unnecessary oathes and such as are made by the creatures and he saith so not because it is sin to swear the truth but perjury is a horrid sin 219. Deut. 6.16 Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God James 1.13 God cannot be tempted with evill Divine temptations are for tryal but men do tempt God when they ask such things of him that are not according to his will Exod. 17.8 Psalm 9.2 Matth. 12.39 Diabolicall temptations are to seduce us he tempts good men to turn them from what is good wicked men to keep them still in their wickednesse * Deut. 6.16 with James 1.13 Temptations wherewith men tempt God are twofold First Such as men tempt God withall as are good if we regard the things asked and sought of God yet if we regard the circumstances of Persons asking time place c. we cannot say they are good Thus Exod. 17.8 Psalm 95. 1 Cor. 10. Meat was good but not good to ask it so of God in the wildernesse and tempt him in the desert Secondly Evill temptations or such temptations as are evill in themselves and tend to evill God cannot be tempted this way nor he ought not the other way Of the latter sort might those temptations of the Jews to Christ and the Devill to Christ Cast thy self down Thou shalt not tempt that is our duty God cannot be tempted that is his nature we may try that God cannot yield to temptations in respect of himself who is infinitely good he cannot be tempted but in respect of men he is often tempted Eph. 17.2 * 220. Deut. 7.3 4. Thou shalt make no marriages with them c. for they will turn away thy sonnes from following me c. 1 Cor. 7.14 The unbelieving wife is saved by the believing husband It is one thing to marry an Infidell while she is an Infidell another thing for Infidels or one of them after marriage to be converted The former place is meant of a believers marrying an Infidell the latter of Infidels converted after marriage * 221. Deut. 7.2 Thou shalt make no Covenant with them 1 Kings 15.19 There is a league between me and thee This was a particular case of the Israelites with the inhabitants of Canaan as to dwelling c. Nor did it hinder but they might make a Covenant with the rest of the Nations which God sent them not to destroy * Deut. 7.2 Destroy the Cananites Matth. 5.44 Love your enemies We must love the Lord absolutely and others in God and for God that is so farre forth as it standeth with his pleasure and therefore when he commandeth to kill we may lawfully kill And this we may do by way of punishment appointed by God not only without hatred but in love to Gods Command forgiving the wrong which concerns us and also praying for grace and mercy for the party if he belong to God * 222. Deut. 10.6 7 8. with Numb 33.31 32. From Moseroth to Bene-Jaakan and here it s said to be from Beeroth to Bene-Jaakan to Moseroth Now there were seaven severall encampings between Moseroth and Mount Hor Numb 33.31 c. Answ In those stations mentioned Numb 33. they were marching towards Kadesh before their 40 year and so they went from Moseroth to Bene-Jaakan But in these stations Deut. 10.6 they are marching from Kadesh in their 40 year by some of that way that they came thither and so they must go from Bene-Jaakan to Moseroth Moseroth Mount Hor Gudgadah and Horhagidgad were but the same place and Countrey as Horeb and Sinai were though they be counted two severall Encampings of Israel Exod. 17.1 6. 19.1 compared 223. Deut. 10.17 The Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lords Chap. 32.39 I am God alone
the Gospel promised or fulfilled Metonymically when the name of the thing is given to the instrument or it is taken for the Ministry 1158. Rom. 1.13 I oftentimes purposed to come unto you Ver. 13. But was let hitherto Paul purposing to go to Rome did not resist the will of God nor was it contrary but according to his will not absolutely but conditionally if God pleased the impediments he might have were Satan casting many hinderances in his way or sickness the planting of Churches or the like * 1159. Rom. 1.17 The just shall live by faith Hab. 2.4 The Just shall live by his faith The latter place tells us though wicked or carnal men may trust in externall security yet good souls shall be maintained in their spiritual life by faith in Christ And the former place shews us that man obtaineth life and salvation by the Gospel inasmuch as it offereth Christ the cause of life and likewise this Christ is to be embraced by a lively faith The one or both places tells of getting life if not of keeping and getting for in attributing the one to faith it doth the other consequently 1160. Rom. 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness Chap. 2.4 The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance Justice doth not oppose the goodness of God punishing wicked men as they are wicked but goodness invites men to repentance deferring the punishments of the wicked not as they are wicked but as they are Gods creatures and he delights not in their destruction 1161. Rom. 1.26 He reckons up heathenish beastliness and Sodomy Eph. 5.3 Fornication and all uncleanness and filthiness let it not be once named among you The Apostle commemoâ—â—tes the dissolute life of the Heathens to make us avoid it not to imitate it by disgracing it that so being terrified with that filthiness we may escape the anger of God * 1162. Rom. 1.26 God gave them up to vile affections c. 1. Joh. 2.16 Lust of the flesh is not of the Father God gave them up by permission or suffered them to give up themselves to vile affections or God gave them up out of Judgement by substracting his grace and this as his justice because of their former inordinate walking The latter place tells us that lust c. come not from God as the Author nor doth it deny that God for his own glory is the permitter of sin or that he may withdraw his grace 1163. Rom. 2.1 Inexcusable thou art O man whosoever thou art that judgest Chap. 13.1 There is no power but of God The power of the Office is distinguished from the faults of the Person though in the court of Conscience and before God we are sinners yet we are not in the Courts of Civil Justice and before men 1164. Rom. 2.6 God will render to every man according to his deeds Vers 16. God will judge the secrets according to my Gospel In the former place is treated of the effect of faith that goes before retribution in the latter of a necessary instrument God will condemn the wicked and Infidels according to the Law and acquit the believers according to the Gospel for he that believes shal be saved and both waies God will reward according to our works Mar. 16.16 as they were done well or ill from faith or infidelity 1165. Rom. 2.6 He shall render to every man according to his deeds Chap. 3.28 Chap. 8.3 We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law To render is not only meant just retribution but free gift Rev. 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be This doctrine takes not away justice but confirms it because it respects works for a mans faith and judgeth by the works as the effects of mens faith and life and condemns bad works for unbelief * 1166. Rom. 2.11 For there is no respect of persons with God Rom. 9.13 Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated God doth not accept this person or refuse that because the one is of this Nation the other of that the one rich the other poor c. But in love he accepts whom he will from the ordinary or damnable condition of the wicked that he accepts any upon arguments taken from himself or his love is not in in justice to the rest but mercy to the Elect. Debitum si non reddis habes quod gratuleris si reddis non habes quod queraris If thou dost not pay thy debt which thou owest thou hast cause to be thankeful if thou dost thou hast no cause to complain Aug. * 1167. Rom. 2.12 He that sins without the Law c. Rom. 4.15 Where no Law is there is no transgression c. There are three kinds of Laws the written Law given to the Jews not to the Gentiles and of this Law speaketh the Apostle here that they sinned without the Law and so shall perish without Law that is the written Law of Moses There is beside the Law of Nature whereof the Apostle speaketh afterward Ver. 14. They having not the Law are a Law unto themselves Against this Law the Gentiles sinned and by this Law they shall be judged The third Law is that which was given unto Adam in Paradice by which not only he but all his Posterity are found to be Transgressors And in respect of this Law even Infants are found trespassers because of Original sin 1168. Rom. 2.13 The doers of the Law shall be justified Gal. 2.16 For by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified Justification is attributed to the Law and to Works not simply but by supposition if any man can perfectly fulfil the Works of the Law but no man can in this weakness perfectly fulfil the Law * 1169. Rom. 2.13 The doers of the Law are justified Rom. 3.28 We conclude a man justified by Faith without the Works of the Law The Law is fulfilled two waies One is in supposition that if a man could by his own strength keep the Law he should thereby be justified There is another fulfilling which is by the perfect obedience of Christ imputed to us by faith whereof the Apostle speaks Phil. 3.9 Of these the Apostle speaks here who endeavour themselves to live according to the Law and shew their faith by their works yet are saved by the obedience of Christ There are two kinds of Justification One is verily and indeed before God which is by faith in Christ Rom. 3.26 The other is in opinion of men Luk. 16.15 Of the former the Apostle speaks here 1170. Rom. 2.14 The Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law Chap. 8.7 The carnal mind is enmity to the Law of God for it is not subject to the Law of God The natural Law convinceth the Gentiles the written Law the Jews The Apostle doth not in the former place
because it declareth the good and holy will of God in respect of us it is called the ministration of Death because it reproves sin and threatens us with death 1211. Rom. 7.14 I am carnal sold under sin Chap. 6.22 We are made free from the Law of sin wherein we were held The Apostle according to the unregenerated part was carnal that is indulgent to his carnal lusts but being Regenerate he did lament for those carnal affections and resisted them 1212. Rom. 7.18 In me dwelleth no good thing Chap. 8.9 The Spirit of God dwelleth in us The first place is of the old man in me that is my flesh and that part which is not regenerate The second is concerning man that is regenerate for Christ liveth in us the Holy Ghost liveth in us and indeed the whole Trinity Joh. 14.23 1213. Rom. 7.18 To will is present with me Phil. 2.13 God worketh in you to will To be willing is that good which is wrought in us by the Holy Ghost but after the fall of man to be willing and be able to will what is good was lost in us 1214. Rom. 7.22 I delight in the Law of God after the inward man Ver. 23. I see another Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind Paul delighted according to his spirit and inward man the regenerate part in the Law of God but rebelled against it in his outward man the flesh and the part unregenerate for the whole man is as it is commonly said partly flesh and partly spirit 1215. Rom. 7.23 I see another Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind Chap. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and of death The faithful are either captivated by the Law of sin that they cannot do that good they would but what sin will have done that dwelleth in them or they are freed from sin here inchoatively because it doth not condemn them nor yet reign in them Psal 32.1 Rom. 8.1 c. 6.12 but in the next world it shall be accomplished and they shall be perfectly made free from it 1216. Rom. 8.2 The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death Joh. 5.28 The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and come forth Resurrection from death to life is common to the good and bad but in a divers manner and for a divers end the good shall come forth gloriously to life the wicked ignominiously unto death 1217. Rom. 8.24 We are saved by hope Eph. 2.8 By grace are you saved through faith Mar. 16.16 Subalternates disagree not the grace of God is the efficient cause faith and hope the instrumental causes of our salvation * 1218. Rom. 8.26 The spirit it self maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God 1 Tim. 2.5 One Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus The Spirit provoketh us to prayers and tells us as it were within what we should say and how we should groan The Son doth properly make intercession for us who is our Advocate Yet by a figure the Holy Ghost is said to make intercession for us also because he rowseth and stirreth us up to prayer and prompteth as it were our Lesson unto us and how we ought to pray in all our necessities 1219. Rom. 8.30 God whom he did predestimate them he also called Mat. 20.16 c. 22.14 Many are called but few chosen The first place is concerning those who being called are obedient to the Holy Ghost and make their vocation firm unto the end of their lives The latter is of those who resist the vocation of God in respect of the former there are as many predestinated as are called but of the latter more called than are predestinated 1220. Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who can be against us 1 Pet. 5.8 Your adversary the devil When God is for us though the devil be against us he prevails not 1221. Rom. 8.38 Nothing nor creature can separate us from the love of God Chap. 9.3 I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethren The wish of Paul was conditional if it were lawful and might be done the Apostle thereby sheweth the vehemency of his affection toward his kindred and submits himself to the Divine will Chrysostom on this place saith that Paul by a premeditated prayer desired to be separated from Christ by a temporal and eternal abjection for the salvation of his brethren and so would by his own destruction redeem them to eternal salvation neither did he therefore love his brethren more than Christ for he did not desire to be separated from the love of Christ but from the fruit of his love and friendship he desireth to perish not as an enemy of Christ but a preserver of his brethren as Christ was made a curse for us not as Gods enemy but as our Redeemer * Rom. 8.38 with 9.3 In the latter place Paul had respect unto the glory of God alone or unto the salvation of his brethren alone Sed charitatem hominum in studio gloriae Dei conjungimus but we joyn the love of Men with the glory of God c. He wisheth the salvation of his brethren with respect unto the glory of God as Moses in the like Case in making request for his people therein desired the promotion of Gods glory This doth not shew that Paul could be separated from Gods love but that his zeal for Gods people was so great that if it were possible he would be separate Qui subponit nihil ponit Or secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only imports Excommunication whereby one is held as accursed and execrable and deprived of all communion with the Church not as if the Apostle wished to be hardned in heart against the Lord Christ and severed from his love for that can never simply be wished of any pious man but that he out of the overflowing of his love wished that he himself might bear the punishment which they might expect from the righteous judgment of God for their hardness so they might be freed from this hardness and accursedness * 1222. Rom. 9.13 Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated There are three things to be considered in the accepting of persons 1. When some external condition is respected beside the merit of the cause 2. And this is done contrary to the Law of Equity 3. And not without injury done unto another But none of these are seen in Gods electing Jacob and rejecting Esau 1. He respecteth not any condition or quality in them which are elected but he maketh of this or that man of his own good pleasure 2. He is not tied to any Law and so transgresseth no Law 3. He doth no wrong unto any in exempting some from destruction which in the rigour of his justice is due unto all