eaten therof Moreouer the Hebrew word Hotsi brought forth is a word pertayning to Sacrifice as in the 6. chap of Iudges v. 18. and 19 and importeth that the bread and wine were first offered in Sacrifice and then doubtles they did participat though they wanted not other fufficient corporal foode Againe the wordes folowing For he vvas the Priest of God most hiegh can haue no other sense but that he did the function of a Priest in the bread wine which he brought otherwise if the only cause of bringing that prouision had benne to releue the campe with victuals the reason would rather haue benne yelded because he was a bountiful King a liberal Prince a special freind to Abraham as in deede he was but none of these reasons or the like fitted this purpose so wel nor touched the cause of bringing forth bread and wine as to signifie that he was a Priest whose office is to offer Sacrifice Here againe some Protestants take exception against the Latin text that the causual coniunction Enim for is not agreable to the Hebrew but should be the copulatiue Et and which is a meere wrangling For the lerned know wel ynough that the Hebtew particle is better expressed in such places by Enim or quia for or because then by And so the English Bible printed in the yeare of our Lord. 1552. readeth Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine for he vvas the Priest of the most hieghest God The latter Editions also in like places haue not the copulatiue And but some other word as the sense requireth Gen. 20. v. 3. Thou art but a dead man for the vvomans sake vvhich thou hast taken for she is a mans vvife where the Hebrew phrase is And she is maried to a husband Gen. 30. v. 27. they read thus For I haue proued that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake where precisly construing the Hebrew they should say I diuined or coniectured and the Lord blessed me for thy sake Likewise Esaie 64. v. 5. they read But Loe thou hast bene angrie for vve offended the Hebrew is thus Loe thou art angrie and vve haue sinned In the same place they translate Yet shal vve be saued vvhich the Hebrew expresseth by the copulatiue And we shal be saued So when they thinke it conuenient they translate the Hebrew particle For that yet which strictly signifieth And. Now let vs also see the original in this place In the Hebrew it is thus VMALCHI TSEDEC MELEC CHALEM HOTSI LECHEM VAIAIIN VEHV COHEN LEEL ELION VAIE VARECHEHV c. In English word for word thus And Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine And he the priest to God most hiegh And he blessed him c. where albeit the causual word For is not expressed yet these wordes And he the priest further declaring that besides the office and dignitie of a King which was said before Melchisedec was also a Priest must nedes signifie that he did something about the bread and wine belonging to a Priests office And what that something was perhaps the Vniuersitie of Cambridge wil testifie whose late professor of Diuinitie teacheth plainly that Melchisedech offered Sacrifice and was therin a figure of Christ Pag. 6. Reprehen Sacerdotes saith he ij vere proprie sunt qui sacrificia faciunt qualis fuit Aaron Aaronis silij Melchisedechus quem illi adumbrabant Christus Priestes truly and properly are they that offer sacrifices such as vvas Aaron and the sonnes of Aaron and Melchisedech and Christ vvhom they prefigured If then both Aaron Melchisedech were truly and properly Priests because they offered sacrifices according to this Professors definition and both were figures of Christ it must needes be granted that as Christ fulfilled the figure of Aarons bloudie sacrifices in offering him selfe vpon the Crosse so he also fulfilled the figure as wel of vnbloudie sacrifices of Aaron as especially of Melchisedechs Sacrifice in some other besides that on the Crosse seeing the prophet Dauid and S. Paul say Christ is a Priest not according to Aarons order for that was to haue an end but For euer according to the order of Melchisedech And what other Sacrifice did our Sauiour offer to remaine perpetual but of his owne bodie bloud in vnbloudie maner vnder the formes of bread and wine with commandment to his Apostles and Priests to do the same til the end of the world Let the indifferent reader weigh it wel And whosoeuer is not very proud wil for his better instruction or confirmation esteme the vniforme iudgement of manie ancient godlie and lerned Fathers writing vpon this place VVe wil only recite their wordes without other deduction for breuitie sake S. Clemens Alexandrinus li 4. Strom. versus finem writeth thus Melchisedech king of Salem Priest of God most hiegh gaue wine bread santified nutriment in type of the Eucharist S. Cyprian Epist 63. ad Caecilium Christ is Priest for euer according to the order of Melchisedech which order is this coming from that Sacrifice and thence descending that Melchisedech was Priest of God most hiegh that he offered bread wine that he blessed Abraham For who is more a Priest of God most hiegh then our Lord Iesus Christ who offered Sacrifice to God the Father and offered the same which Melchisedech had offered bread and wine to wit his owne bodie and bloud And a litle after That therfore in Genesis the blessing might be rightly celebrated about Abraham by Melchisedec the Priest the image of Christs Sacrifice coâ—sisting in bread and wine went before which thing our Lord perfecting and performing offered bread and chalice mixt with wine and he that is the plenitude fulfilled the veritie of the prefiguted image Eusebius Cesariensis li 5. Demonst Euang. c. 3. Euen as he who was Priest of Nations was neuer sene to offer corporal sacrifices but only bread wine when he blessed Abraham so first our Lord Sauiour him selfe then priests that come from him exercising the spiritual office of Priesthood in al nations after the Ecclesiastical ordinances do represent the mysteries of his bodie and healthful bloud in bread wine which mysteries Melchisedech knew so long before by diuine spirite and vsed as representations of things to come S. Ambrose li. 5 de Sacramen c. 1. VVe know the figure of the Sacraments went before in Abrahams times when Melchisedech offered Sacrifice Idem in cap. 5 Heb. It is clere that oblations of cattle are vanished which were in Aarons order but Melchisedechs institution remayneth which is celebrated al the world ouer in administration of the Sacraments S Hierom. Epist ad Marcellamo vt migret Bethleem Haue recourse to Genesis and you shal find Melchisedech king of Salem prince of this citie who euen then in figure of Christ offered bread and wine and dedicated the Christian mysterie in our Sauiours bodie and bloud Idem Epist
take the honour to himself but he that is called of God as Aaron So Christ also did not glorifie himself that he might be made a Hiegh Priest but he that spake to him Thou art a Priest for euer according to the order of Melchisedech Aarons sonnes were also called but to lower offices dignitie and authoritie And both he and they were ordained and consecrated by a peculiar Sacrament to wit by certaine determinate external ceremonies and rites signifying grace geuen them by God for the due performing of their function For first they were taken from the common state of men wherby is designed their ordinarie vocation then purified by certaine washings and sacrifice for sinne signifying special puritie required in them afterwardes inuested with holie and precious garmentes which signified their sacred function and great dignitie excelling al temporal dominion and principalitie finally consecrated in solemne maner with holie ointment and bloud of pacifique sacrifice offered for this purpose other sacrifice of holocaust also offered in the same solemnitie 7. Reuested The hiegh Priest had seuen special ornaments in his vesture First a straict linnen vvhite garment signifying puritie of life most specially required in Priestes Secondly a girdle or Bavvdrike of twisted silke and gold embrodered worke in coloures yelow blew purple and scarlet signifying discrete moderation of his actes to the spiritual profite of al sortes of people Thirdly a Tunike or long robe downe to the foote of hyacinth or blew silke at the skirt therof like pomegranates wrought of twisted silke blew purple and scarlet and litle belles of purest yelow gold interposed one by the other rownd about of ech sorte seuentie two signifying heauenlie conuersation vpon earth also vnion and concord in faith and maners with edification by good workes Fourthly an ornament vpon his shoulders called an Ephod of gold and twisted silke embrodered of the former coloures reaching before to the girdle with two precious Onyx stones closed in gold one hauing engrauen six names of the tribes of Israel set on one shoulder the other hauing the other six names on the other shoulder for a remembrance that he must supporte and meekly beare the infirmities of the people Fiftly a breast plate called Rationale of the same precious matter the measure of a palme foure square embrodered with the same foure coloures with foure rewes of twelue precious stones and therin engrauen the names of the twelue tribes Besides which were engrauen also VRIM and THVMMIM Illuminations and Perfections or Doctrin and Veritie because the hiegh Priest must haue knowledge of the truth and sincere intention Likwise in the Ephod and Rationale were ringes hookes and chaines of purest gold to ioyne them fast together Al signifying the perpetual solicitude and care which he ought to haue in his hart to know and teach the truth that the people may truly serue God to his honour and their owne saluation Sixtly a Mitre of twisted silke with little crownes embrodered worke set on his head to signifie that he must direct al his actions to Gods glorie that sitteth aboue al. Seuenthly A plate of sacred veneration made of the finest gold with the most holie name of God engrauen set on his forhead to put him stil in remembrance to contemplate God and his workes 13. His sonnes The other Priests had three special ornaments a linnen vvhite garment a Bavvdrike and a Mitre for glorie and bewtie to signifie the qualities aboue mentioned puritie discretion and direct intention also required in them 10. Tooke oile A third thing that Moyses was bid to take besides the men and vestiments was the holie oile of vnction which he poured only vpon the hiegh Priests head not on other Priests to signifie that powre descended from him to the rest But both he and they and their holie vestiments were sprinkled with this oile and with bloud taken from the altar their right eares also were touched with the bloud of a ramme sacrificed and their right thumbes and great toes of their right handes and feete to signifie prompt obedience and right intention in offering sacrifice according to Gods ordinance and not after the maner of infidels or humane inuention nor to anie sinister intent or purpose 14. He offered the calfe Other thinges which Moyses was here commanded to take at the consecration of Priests were a calfe to be offered in sacrifice for sinne two rammes the one in holocaust the other in pacifique sacrifice for the consecration of Priests and a basket of vnleuened bread to be offered with the two rammes Al for the greater solemnitie of this Sacrament of Orders By which Aaron and his sonnes were made the lawful and ordinarie Priests of the law newly deliuered by Moyses And so Priesthood was changed from the first borne of euerie familie and established only in Aaron and his sonnes and their issue male to be in like sorte consecrated And the rest of the Leuites to assist them By this also was prefigured the Sacrament of holie Orders in the Church of Christ with an other change of Priesthood from the familie order of Aaron to Priestes of the new Testament of what familie or nation soeuer And withal an other change of the law For the Priesthood being translated it is necessarie saith S. Paul that a translation of the Lavv be also made And this Sacrament in dede geueth grace as by the other it was only signified to those that are rightly ordered As the same Apostle testifieth willing Timothie to resuscitate the grace geuen him by imposition of handes 2. Timot. 1. S Ambrose in 1. Timot. 4. S. August lib. de bono coniugals c. 24. lib 2. contra Epsti Parmen Theodoret. q. 48. in lib. Num. CHAP. IX Sacrifices for sinne 12. and of holocauste 18. and pacifiques are offered 22. and Aaron stretching forth his hand blesseth the people AND when the eight day was come Moyses called Aaron and his sonnes and the ancients of Israel and said to Aaron †Take of the heard a calfe for sinne and a ramme for an holoucast both without spot and offer them before our Lord. †And to the children of Israel thou shalt speake Takeye a bucke goate for sinne and a calfe and a lambe of a yeare old without spot for an holoucast †an oxe and a ramme for pacifiques and immolate them before our Lord offering in the sacrifice of euerie one flowre tempered with oile for to day our Lord wil appeare to you †They tooke therfore al thinges that Moyses had cōmanded before the dore of the tabernacle where when al the multitude stood †Moyses said This is the word which our Lord hath commanded doe it and his glorie wil appeare to you †And he said to Aaron Approch to the altar immolate for thy sinne offer the holocaust and pray for thy self and for the people and when thou hast
ye and see that our Lord is sweete blessed is the man that hopeth in him †Feare ye our Lord al ye his sainctes because there is no lacke to them that feare him †The rich haue wanted and haue bene hungrie but they that seeke after our Lord shal not be diminished of any good †Come children heare me I wil teach you the feare of our Lord. †Who is the man that wil haue life loueth to see good daies †“ Stay thy tongue from euil and thy lippes that they speake not guile †Turne away from euil and do good seeke after peace and pursewe it †The eies of our Lord vpon the iust and his eares vnto their prayers †But the countenance of our Lord is vpon them that doe euil things to destroy their memorie out of the earth †The iust haue cried and our Lord hath heard them and out of al their tribulations he hath deliuered them †Our Lord is nigh to them that are of a contrite hart and the humble of spirit he wil saue †Manie are the tribulations of the iust and out of al these our Lord wil deliuer them Our Lord keepeth al their bones there shal not one of them be broken The death of sinners is verie il and they that hate the iust shal offend Our Lord wil redeme the soules of his seruantes and al that hope in him shal not offend ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXXIII 1. He changed his countenance S. Augustin by holie Dauids changing of his countenance and by changing the king of Geth his name who in the booke of kinges where the historie is recorded is called Achis and here Abimelech gethereth that here is an hidden and great Mysterie VVhich he explicateth partly by interpretation of the Hebrew names but more especially by Dauids changing of his countenance which prefigured Christ eternal God becoming also man and so making great changes in the world For as Dauid killed Goliath and for his good act gotte enuie so Christ killing the diuel and humilitie in Christs meÌ„bers killing pride are persecuted by the wicked For Christ was both to the ruine and Resurrection of manie He changed Sacrifice and Priesthood The Iewes had sacrifice according to the order of Aaron in victims of cattle and this was in mysterie For there was not then the Sacrifice of the bodie and bloud of our Lord which the faithful and those that haue read the Gospel do know which Sacrifice is now spread in al the round earth Aâ—litle after the Sacrifice of Aaron is taken away and the Sacrifice according to the order of Melchisedech begane to be He therfore I knovv not vvho changed his countenance Let it not be I knovv not vvho for our Lord Iesus Christ is knowen He would haue our health to be in his bodie and bloud From whence did he commend his bodie and bloud from his humilitie For vnles he were humble he would neither be eaten nor druncke Behold his highnes In the beginning was the vvord and the vvord was with God and God the vvord Loe the euerlasting meate and Angels eate it supernal powres eate it celestial spirites eate it and they eate and are fatted and the thing remaineth whole which satiateth and reioyceth them How then hath the vvisdome of God fedde vs vvith the same bread the word was made flesh and dwelt in vs It were too long to recite this great Doctors vvhole discourse He further sheweth that Christ dismissed the Ievves and vvent from them to the Gentiles Thou seekest novv Christ saith he among the Ievves and findest him not because he hath changed his countenance For they sticking to the sacrifice according to the order of Aaron held not the Sacrifice according to the order of Melchisedech and haue lost Christ and the Gentiles haue begunne to haue him Againe this holie father vvilleth vs to remember the Gospel VVhen our Lord Iesus Christ spake of his bodie he said Vnles you eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his bloud you shal not haue life in you because he had changed his countenance this semed as furie and madnes vnto them to geue his flesh to be eaten of men his bloud to be drunke therfore Dauid vvas reputed madde before Achis vvhen he said you haue brought this madde man vnto me Doth it not seme madnes Eate ye my flesh and drinke my bloud He semed to be madde thus S. Augustin Neuer imagining the figuratiue interpretation of our nevv Sacramentaries vvho say Christ gaue no more but a figure of his bodie bloud for then it had bene easily vnderstood by the Capharnaites and no such contradiction nor murmuring had happened Yet S. Augustin saith more plainly if more plaine may be Christ caried himselfe in his ovvne handes And hovv this can be done bretheren in man vvho can vnderstand For vvho is caried in his ovvne handes A man may be caried in the handes of others no man is caried in his ovvne handes VVe find not hovv it can be vnderstood in Dauid according to the letter but in Christ vve find it For Christ vvas caried in his ovvne handes vvhen geuing his verie bodie he said This is my bodie for he caried his bodie in his ovvne handes 14 15. â—tay thy tongue c. Both these verses and frequent other places in the Psalmes shevv plainly that iustice consisteth not only in faith but in abstayning from euil and doing good yet requiring and presupposing true faith vvithout which no workes are aualable to iustice nor to euerlasting life PSALME XXXIIII Dauid in figure of Christ prophetically by way of inuocating Gods helpe forsheweth his persecution and the iust reuenge vpon his persecutors 9. with praise to God 13. his charitie towards his cruel aduersaries 17. whom neuertheles God punisheth 20. for pretending peace in wordes and in fact persecuting 23. rendering to al as they deserue To Dauid himself IVDGE ô Lord them that hurt me ouerthrow them that impugne me †Take armour and shield and rise vp to helpe me †Bring forth the sword and shut vp against them that perfecute me say to my soule I am thy saluation †Let them be counfounded ashamed that seeke my soule Let them be turned backward and be confounded that thinke euil against me †Be they made as dust before the face of winde and the angel of our Lord straictning them †Let their way be made darkenesse and slippernes and the angel of our Lord pursewing them †Because they haue hid the destruction of their snare for me without cause in vaine haue they vpbrayded my soule †Let the snare which he knoweth not come on him and the net which he hath hid catch him and let him fal into the verie same snare †But my soule shal reioyce in our Lord and shal be delighted vpon his saluation †Al
Idumea †Wil t not thou ô God which hast repelled vs and wilt not thou goeforth ô God in our hoastes †Geue vs helpe out of tribulation because mans saluation is vayne †In God we shal doe strength and he wil bring our enemies to nothing PSALME CVIII Christ by the mouth of Dauid requesteth of God to be iustly declared innocent and his enimies punished 6. particularly describing Iudas the traitors malice 21. and his owne temporal afflictions 26. prayeth 30. and praiseth God for his deliuerie †Vnto the end a Psalme of Dauid O God conceale not my prayse because the mouth of the sinner and the mouth of the deceitful man is open vpon me †They haue spoken against me with deceitful tongue and with wordes of hatred they haue compassed me and they haue impugned me without cause †For that they should loue me they backbited me but I prayed †And they set against me euil thinges for good and hatred for my loue Appoint a sinner ouer him and let the diuel stand on his righthand †When he is iudged let him comeforth condemned and let his prayer be turned into sinne †Let his dayes be made fewe and let an other take his bishopricke †Let his children be made orphans and his wife a widow †Let his children be transported wandering and let them begge and let them be cast out of their habitations †Let the vsurer search al his substance and let strangers spoile his labours †Let there be none to helpe him neither let there be anie to haue pittie on his pupilles †Let his children come to destruction in one generation let his name be cleane put out †Let the iniquitie of his fathers returne to memorie in the sight of our Lord and let not the sinne of his mother be blotted out †Let them be before our Lord alwayes and let the memorie of them perish out of the earth †For that he remembred not to doe mercie †And he persecuted the poore and needie man and the compunct in hart to kil him †And he loued cursing and it shal come to him and he would not blessing and it shal be far from him And he put on cursing as a garment and it entred as water into his inner partes and as oile in his bones †Be it to him as a garment wherwith he is couered and as a girdle wherwith he is alwayes girded †This is the worke of them that detract from me before our Lord and that speake euils against my soule †And thou Lord Lord doe with me for thy names sake because thy mercie is swete Deliuer me †because I am needie and poore and my hart is trubled within me †As a shadow when it declineth am I taken away and I am shaken as locustes †My knees are weakened with fasting and my flesh is changed by reason of oile †And I am made a reproch to them they saw me and wagged their heades †Helpe me ô Lord my God saue me according to thy mercie †And let them know that this is thy hand and thou ô Lord hast done it †They wil curse and thou shalt blesse let them that rise vp against me be confounded but thy seruant shal reioyce †Let them that detract from me be clothed with shame and let them be couered with their confusion as with a duble patched cloke †I wil confesse to our Lord excedingly with my mouth and in the middes of manie I wil prayse him †Because he hath stood on the righthand of the poore that he might saue my soule from the persecutors PSALME CIX Christ rising and ascending into heauen sitteth on the right hand of God 2. beginning in Ierusalem reigneth in the Church of the whole earth 4. vseth the Priesthood of Melchisedechs order to the end of the world 6. and shal iudge the world †A psalme of Dauid OVR Lord sayd to my Lord Sitte on my right hand til I make thine enemies thy footestoole of thy feete †Our Lord wil sendforth the rod of thy strength from Sion rule thou in the middes of thine enemies †With thee the beginning in the day of thy strength in the brightnes of holie thinges from the wombe before the day starre I begat thee †Our Lord sware and it shal not repent him Thou art “ a Priest for euer “ according to the order of Melchisedech †Our Lord on thy righthand hath broken kinges in the day of his wrath †He shal iudge in nations he shal fil ruines he shal crush the heads in the land of manie †Of the torrent in the way he shal drinke therfore shal he exalt the head ANNOTATIONS CIX 4. A Priest for euer In two respectes Christ is a Priest for euer in that from the first instant of his incarnation he was and remaneth a Priest now also in heauen and al other Priestes are his ministerial vicares not successors So that al priestlie functions which they doe he by them doth the same as the principal Priest VVherupon saith S. Paul 1. Cor 4. So let a man thincke of vs as of the ministers of Christ and dispensers of the mysteries of God Secondly Christ dayly offering Sacrifice by the handes of his Priestes doth continually pacifie Gods wrath in behalf of those sinners for whom it is duly applied euen to the end of the world VVheras the Priesthood of Aaron and of al others in the old Testament ceassed by their deathes both in the office and in the effect 4 According to the order of Melchisedech As Melchisedech king of peace and iustice without father mother or genealogie expressed in holie Scriptures or otherwise knowen to the world was Priest or the Hieghest offered bread and wine an vnbloudie sacrifice communicating with both Chananeites and Hebrewes blessed Abraham and tooke tithes of him and his subiectes so Christ the true King of peace iustice without father of his humanity without mother of his Diuinitie the Sonne of God of ineffable genealogie borne of a virgin in his humanitie the Priest of God offereth Sacrifice not only bloudie on the Crosse but also vnbloudie in the formes of bread and wine continueth the same by the ministerie of other Priestes maketh al nations partakers therof blesseth them and receiueth of them al dutiful and rellgious seruice as of his subiectes PSALME CX Praise of God for benefites 4. especially for the B. Sacrament of the Eucharist 6 with other graces imperted to the Catholique Church Alleluia I Wil confesse to thee ô Lord with al my hart in the counsel of the iust and b the congregation †The workes of our Lord are great exquisite according to al his willes †Confession and magnificence his worke
our sinnes al his life l He prayed also for his resurrection and glorification m VVith al possible confusion Christs exaltation the 5. key Mat. 22. Act. 2. 1. Cor. 15. Heb. 1. 10. a God the Father b To God the Sonne the Lord of Dauid and of al mankind yet the sonne of Dauid according to his humanitie c He limiteth not the time but excludeth al time wherin the enimie might imagine that Christs kingdom should cease signifying that Christ shal reigne til al his enimies be subdued much more afterwards in al eternitie d The Church of Christ beginning in Ierusalem on whitsunday the fiftith day from his Resurrection continueth euer more e Thou shalt haue principalitie f in the day of thy powrful conquest and rising from death g in excellencie of al holie spiritual mysteries and graces h because I God the Father of my substance begate thee God the Sonne in eternitie The same which Micheas saith c. 5. v. 2. His comingforth from the beginning from the dayes of eternitie i God most firmly and vnchangeably affirmed that thou Christ our Messias art not only a King but also a Priest Heb. 5. v. 7. k not for a time as Aaron was but for euet l neither of Aarons order but according to the Order of Melchisedec m Kinges that sometimes persecute Christans are subdued with other people to Christ n He shal iudge and punish the incredulous people o make great slanghters amongst those that resist p and bring princes with their populous kingdome to nothing q He shal in the meane time and also his best seruants suffer much tribulation in this life r and for the same â—e highly exalted in life euerlasting Christs Priesthood for euer both in function and in effect The resemblance of Christs and Melchisedecs Priesthood Graces geuen to the Church the 6. key a I wil praise God both in secret for discharge of myn owne conscience b and in publique for edification of others This Psalme in the Hebrew is composed with euerie verse and middle of verse begunning with a distinct letter in order of the Alphabet c Gods wil is the whole cause of al his workes d Euerie worke of his is praise worthie and magnifical e God hath leift one most special and beneficial memorie of al other benefites his owne bodie and bloud in memorie of his Passion and our redemption f the spiritual foode and sustinance of al the soules that rightly feare him g Of his promise to conserue his Church perpetually h the powrable operation of his death and of al his mysteries i Gods commandments do iustifie al that kepe them k He also of his mercie redemed man that he might be able to kepe his precepts l Begingning with feare of God bringeth at last by other degrees to true wisdom which two are the first and last of the seuen giftes of the Holie Ghost The meanes to be happie the 7. key a The Septuagint Interpreters added this mention of Aggeus and Zacharie returning from captiuitie to signifie that this Psalme was very proper meete to be coÌ„mended to the people at that time wherby they might lerne that their sinnes were the cause of their captiuitie and of al their miseries and if they desired temporal or spiritual prosperitie they must obserue the meanes here prescribed to obtayne the same b He that sincerly feareth God wil take great delight in keping his commandments This Psalme is also composed by the Alphaber as the next before Psal 1. c So doing he and his shal prosper d The iust shal not only prosper in this world but also in the next e God wil also comfort the iust in tribulations f That shal geue discrete and wholsome counsel to the afflicted g Workes of mercie are also called iustice because they concurre to mans iustification 2. Cor. 9â— h and to his saluation Gods prouidence the 3. key a Al Gods seruants b In respect of God al creatures are low though they be in heauen c See the example of Ioseph so aduanced d of Sara Rebecca Rachael and other wemen made fruictful The meruelous passage of Israel from Aegypt the 4. key a People of false religion counted barbarous especially such as also persecute the true Religion for otherwise the Aegyptians were both ciuil in maners and lerned in manie sciences b The people of Iewes were more notoriously renowmed in the world from the time of their deliuerie out of Aegypt for the peculiar people whom God sanctified and in whom as in his elected enheritance or dominion he dwelled and reigned c The Psalmist writing in verse doth often describe thinges in poetical maner but more truly then prophane poetes for that in very dede al creatures otherwise sensles as the sea do in a sorte feele the powre of their Creator obey his wil d VVhen the Israelites went forth of Aegypt e when they entred into Chanaan f Either there was an earthquake or some other mouing of hilles not mentioned by Moyses or els the Psalmist speaketh of the rockes of the torrentes which bowed that the Israelites might rest in Ar and lie in the borders of the Moabites Num 21 v 15 g By the figure Apostrophe he speaketh to the sea riuer and hilles vsing also Prosopopoeia as if senfles thinges vnderstood and should answer h An other miraculous benefite that the rocke yelded them water in their necessitie * Here some Hebrewe Rabbins beginne an other Psalme but by the coherence of the matter S. Augustin proueth that it iâ— but one Psalme where is shewed that the true inuisible God is knowen by such workes as are here recited and contratiwise that the GeÌ„tils idoles are not goddes because they are made of siluer gold or other matter by mens handes hauing resemblance of liuing thinges are altogether sensles i Thou didstal this ô God of mere mercie towards thy people k for thy truths sake seing thou didst promise to protect them l that the Gentiles should not take occasion to blaspheme m This is a iust prayer of the zelous conforming their desires to Gods wil But if God geue idolaters grace to amend then al the iust wil also reioice in their cenuersion n Though manie Iewes fel to idolatrie yet there alwayes remained so manie in Gods true seruice that it mighst stil be truly saide The house of Israel hath hoped in our Lord as is here auerred o This in effect al worldlie politikes say in their hartes as it were quitting their interest of heauen to God p and contenting themselues with earthlie possessions q But when such prophane men are dead they make no shew at al of praising r for parting from the earth they descend into hel and there eternally blaspheme God God â— Å¿ Contrarivvise the iust aspiring to heauen vvhich is the proper kingdom of God vsing this vvorld as they ought to do for a meanes to ascend into heauen shal
esteme that which their elders teach :: though the same doth not seme reasonable in their owne opinion Mat 5. v. 28. :: It is not lawful to reueale that which we iustly promise to conceale Leuit 19. Deu. 1 16 Prou. 24. Iacob â— :: There is lesse danger in conuersing familiarly with a wicked man then with a freindlie woman In which conuersarion much prudence is required as is before admonished chap. â— :: The excellencie of God which can not be sene with mortal eye Exo. 33. is proposed to our meditation in his workes The like in Iob. 38. 39. 40. 41. and in manie places of holie Scripture :: Of al sensles creatures yea of sensible also that haue not reason the sunne is most excellent Of which al corporal â—reatures receiue their light by whose influence al generation of creatures procedeth wherof is this Maxime in Philosophie that the sunne and man begette a man And Aristotel calleth the sunne the father of men and of goddes li. 2. de anima But the faithful know it is a creature inferior to man in respect of his reasonable soule and in them both in al other creatures acknowlege superexcellent infinite Maiestic in God VVhich also appeareth euen in the least creatures whose natural substances qualities with other accidents the more anie man considereth the more he shal admire God the onlie Creator of al. The 2. part Examples and praises of holie men with praise thankes to God :: Vertuous men are rightly called Lordes and Princes so the children of Heth sayde to Abraham My Lord theâ—â— art a prince of God among vâ— Gen. 23. :: Enoch shal preach penance in the time of Antichrist Gen 5. Gen. 6. :: Noe was perfect Gen. 9. Gen. 12. :: Abraham father of al the beleuers in Christ Gen. 22. Heb. 11. :: Isaac and Iacob were blessed in Abraham Exo. 3. Num. 12. :: Moyses saw Gods workes more clerely then other Prophets yet saw not his substances as is noted Exo. 33. :: Aarons priesthood continued so long as Moyses law that was til Christ And now the priesthood according to the order of Melchisedech continueth to the end of the world Exo. 28. Leuit. 8. Num. 16. :: The tribe of Leui had not a portion of inheritance separate from the iest but had tithes first fruites and oblations for their temporal prouision Num. 25. :: King Dauid gaue special assistance to the Priestes and greatly aduanced Gods seruice 1. Paral 23. â—â—â— :: Iosue succeded in the temporal gouernment for the spiritual perteyned to the successors of Aaron Num. 27. Iosu 10. Only Iosue and Caleb remained of those which came out of Aegypt al the rest dyed in the desert and their children entered into Chanaan Num. 14â— Iosu 14. :: Though some of the Iudges were sometimes great sinners yet they were finally iust for their good actes much renowmed 1. Reg 17 :: Samuel annointed Saul and Dauid kinges 1. Reg 7. â— Reg. 12 :: If Samuel himself had not appeared but some other spitite it could not haue bene noted in his praises See 1. Reg. 28. 1 Reg. 28 2. Reg 11 1. Reg. 17 Ibidem 1. Reg 18 :: Amongst al the renoumed actes of Dauid his pure and sincere hart most pleased God 1. Par. 25 2. Reg 12 :: For Dauids sake God gaue wisdom to Salomon and peace in his kingdom 3. Reg. 3. :: By Apostrophe the auctor turneth his speach to Salomon 3. Reg 4. 3. Reg. 10 :: Salomons sinnes were punished but Gods mercie continued in conseruing his posteritie Psal 88. 3 Reg. 11 Psal 88. v. 34. 3 Reg. 1â— 3. Reg 17 :: Elias procured fire from heauen to burne his sacrifice 3. Reg. 18 and â—wâ—e more to burne an hundred men which persecuted him 4. Reg. 1. 3. Reg. 19 4. Reg. 2. :: The miracle wrought by his dead bodie shewed that he was an holie prophet 4. Reg. 13. See the miracles of Elias and Eliseus To. 1. pag. 940. 4 Reg 13 4. Reg. 20 4. Reg. 18 :: Prayer preuailed when forces were not sufficient Sec 4. Reg. 19. 4 Reg. 19 Isa 37. 4. Reg 2â— Isa 38. Not only this booke but also other holie scriptures witnes that Elias shal returne and preach before the end of the world S. Chrysostom Aretas and other Doctors testifie the same See Annot. Gen. 5. Mal. 4. Mat. 17. In 2. Thes 2. Apoc. 11. 4. Reg. 22 2. Par 34 4. Reg. 23 :: Manie other kinges of Iuda refrained alwayes from committing idolatrie but these three destroyed al places of idolatrie in their kingdom which the others did not 4. Reg. 25 Iere. 1. Ezech. 1. Agge 2. 1. Esd 3. 3. Esd 5. Zach. 3. 2. Esd 2. Gen. 5. Gen. 39. 40. c. :: See the Annotation ch 38 v. 10. :: Ioseph prophecying that the people should depart from Aegypt willed them to carie his bones with them Gen. 50. So by carying his bones they professed that he had truly prophecied :: This Simon called Iustus and Priscus was high priest when this booke was written in the time of Ptolomie the first king of Aegypt a very holie man and dead before it was translated into Greke about the time of Ptolomie the third called Euergetes nere 300. yeares before Christ Iosephus li. 12. Antiqui * Libationâ— Three nations the Idumeans Philistijmes and Samaritanes did most persecute the Isralites the Samaritanes were not one pure nation but mixt of Assirians and Iewes and so here called no nation Num. 6. v. 23. :: They are also called a foolish people because they knowing true religion mixed idolatrie therwith according to diuers sectes as appeareth 4. Reg. 17. v. 29. :: VVhere we are not able to render recompence to benefactors especially to God we are the more bond to acknowlege his manie great benefites altogether vndeserued by vs. :: VVhen senses are most ripe and the soule most free from great sinnes is the aptest time to serue God to get al vertues and true knowlege Eccle. 12. :: In stead of riches labour to get wisdom for it is much better then al gold siluer :: Merite is in this life and reward in the next Gods special benefite of sending Prophetes to the people The function of Prophetes to exhorte to repentance with hope of Gods mercie by Christ Foure greatter Prophetes and welue lesseâ— were auctors of the prophetical bookes folowing Baruchs booke being inserted in Ieremies Prophecies are called visions for their certaintie Light of prophecie is next to the light of glorie and more clere then the light of faith Prophecies are hard to be vnderstood for diuers causes 2. Pet. 1 Suddaine transition from one thing to an other S. Ierom. iâ—c 2. 3 Nahum That which is spoken of certaine persons is ment of others S. Chrys â—o 8. iâ—â—â—ath 2. S. Aug. dâ—catech â—â—â—ibus c. 3. Prophecies are often vttered in figuratiue speaches Some consist in thinges done others are mixt with histories and temporal thinges with
the tabernacle he drew before it the veile to fulfil the commandement of our Lord. †He sette the table also in the tabernacle of testimonie at the north side without the veile †ordering the bread of proposition before it as our Lord had commanded Moyses †He sette the candlesticke also in the tabernacle of testimonie ouer against the table on the south side †placing the lampes in order according to the precept of our Lord. †He set also the altar of gold vnder the roofe of testimonie against the veile †and burned vpon it the incense of spices as our Lord had commanded Moyses †He put also the hanging in the entrie of the tabernacle of testimonie †and the altar of holocauste in the entrie of the testimonie offering on it the holocauste and the sacrifices as our Lord had commanded †The lauer also he set betwen the tabernacle of testimonie and the altar filling it with water †And Moyses and Aaron and his sonnes washed their handes and feete †when they entred the roofe of couenant and went to the altar as our Lord had commanded Moyses †He erected also the court round about the tabernacle and the altar drawing the hanging in the entrie therof After al thinges were perfited †the cloude couered the tabernacle of testimonie and the glorie of our Lord filled it †Neither could Moyses enter the roofe of couenant the cloude couering al thinges and the maiestie of our Lord shining because the cloude had couered al thinges †If at anie time the cloud did leaue the tabernacle the children of Israel went forward by their troupes †If it hong ouer they remained in the same place †For the cloude of our Lord honge ouer the tabernacle by day and a sire by night in the sight of al the children of Israel throughout al their mansions THE ARGVMENT OF LEVITICVS VVHEN the Tabernacle was erected nere to Mount Sinai the first day of the second yeare after the children of Israel parted from Aegypt and was so replenished with Gods Maiestie that none no not Moyses him self could enter in our Lord speaking from thence called Moyses and declared to him the offices of the Leuites whom only and no others he deputed for the administration and charge of sacred things wherof this booke wherin they are written is called Leuiticus In which saith S. Hierom al and euerie Sacrifice yea almost euerie sillable and Aarons vestments and the whole Leuical order breath forth heauenlie sacraments or mysteries For first God here prescribeth what sacrifices he wil haue in what manner and to what purposes Then what partes and qualities he requireth in Priests how they shal be vested and consecrated seuerly punishing some that transgressed with commandment neither to offer in sacrifice nor to eate things reputed vncleane and the maner of purifying such things and persons as by diuers occasions were polluted Interposing also some moral and iudicial precepts appointeth certaine solemne feastes times of rest and Iubilie yeare Finally promiseth rewardes and threatneth puâ—ishments to those that kepe or breake his commandments with particular admonition touching vowes and tithes So this booke may be diuided into fiue special partes The first of diuers sortes of Sacrifices in the seuen first chapters The second of consecrating Priests and their vâ—stments with punishment for offering strange fire in the three next chapters The third of distinction betwen cleane and vncleane with the maner of purifying certaine legal vncleanes and other precepts moral and iudicial from the 11. chap. to the 23. The fourth of feasts times of rest and Iubilie with priuiledges rewardes and punishments from the 23. chap. to the 27. The fifth of vowes and tithes in the last chapter THE BOOKE LEVITICVS IN HEBREW VAICRA CHAP. I. Diuers rites in offering holocaustes as wel of cattle 14. as of birdes AND OVR LORD called Moyses and spake to him out of the tabernacle of testimony saying †Speake to the children of Israel thou shalt say to them “ The man of you that shal offer an hoste to our Lord of beastes that is of oxen sheepe offering victimes †if his oblation be “ an holocauste and of the heard he shal offer a male without spotte at the dore of the tabernacle of testimonie to propitiate our Lord vnto him †and he shal put his handes vpon the heade of the hoste and it shal be acceptable and profitable to his expiation †And he shal immolate the calfe before our Lord and the children of Aaron the priestes shal offer the bloud therof powring it in the circuite of the altar which is before the dore of the tabernacle †And the skinne of the hoste being plucked of the ioyntes they shal cut into peeces †and shal put fire vnderneth in the altar hauing before laid a pyle of wood in order †and the ioyntes that are cut out laying in order thereupon to wit the head al thinges that cleane to the liuer †the entralles and feete being washed with water and the priest shal burne them vpon the altar for an holocauste and “ sweete sauoure to our Lord. †And if the oblation be of flockes an holocauste of sheepe or of goates a lambe of a yeare old without spot shal he offer †and he shal immolate it at the side of the altar that looketh to the North before our Lord but the bloud therof the sonnes of Aaron shal poure vpon the altar round about †and they shal diuide the ioyntes the head and al that cleane to the lyuer and shal lay them vpon the wood vnder which the fire is to be put †but the entrales and the â—eâ—te they shal wash with water And the whole the priest shal offer and burne vpon the altar for an holocaust and most sweete sauoure to our Lord. †But if the oblation of holocaust to our Lord be of birdes of turtles and young pigions †the priest shal offer it at the altar and writhing the head to the necke and breaking the place of the wound he shal make the bloud to runne downe vpon the brimme of the altar †but the croppe of the throate and the fethers he shal cast nigh to the altar at the east side in the place where the ashes are wount to be powred out †and he shal breake the pinnions therof and shal not cut nor diuide it with a knife and shal burne it vpon the altar putting fire vnder the wood It is an holocaust and oblation of most sweete sauoure to our Lord. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. 2. The man that shal offer Sacrifice being the most special external seruice wherby man acknowledgeth the supreme dominion of God and his owne subiection and homage to his diuine Maiestie was so wel knowen to be necessarie as being in most frequent vse in the law of nature and in al nations that here neded not anie new precept in general
on the south side the prince shal be Elisur the sonne of Sedeur †and the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbred fourtie six thousand fiue hundred †Beside him camped they of the tribe of Simeon whose prince was Salamiel the sonne of Surisaddai †and the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbred fiftie nine thousand three hundred †In the tribe of Gad the prince was Eliasaph the sonne of Duel †and the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbred fourtie fiue thousand six hundred fiftie †Al that were reckened in the campe of Ruben an hundred fiftie thousand and a thousand foure hundred fiftie by their troupes they shal march in the second place †But the tabernacle of testimonie shal be lifted vp by the offices of the Leuites and their troupes As it shal be sette vp so shal it be taken downe Euetie one shal march by their places and orders †On the west side shal be the campe of the sonnes of Ephraim whose prince was Elisama the sonne of Ammiud †the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbered fourtie thousand fiue hundred †And with them the tribes of the sonnes of Manasses whose prince was Gamaliel the sonne of Phadassur †and the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbered thirtie two thousand two hundred †In the tribe of the sonnes of Beniamin the prince was Abidan the sonne of Gedeon †and the whole host of his warriers that were reckened thirtie fiue thousand foure hundred †Al that were numbered in the campe of Ephraim an hundred eight thousand one hundred by their troupes they shal march the third †On the north part camped the sonnes of Dan whose prince was Ahiezar the sonne of Ammisaddai †the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbered sixtie two thousand seuen hundred †Besides him they of the tribe of Aser pitched their tents whose prince was Phegiel the sonne of Ochran †the whole hoste of his warriers that were numbered fourtie thousand and a thousand fiue hundred †Of the tribe of the sonnes of Nephthali the prince was Ahira the sonne of Enan †the whole hoste of his warriers fiftie three thousand foure hundred †Al that were numbered in the campe of Dan were an hundred fiftie seuen thousand six hundred and they shal march last †This is the number of the children of Israel by the houses of their kinredes and troupes of the hoste being diuided six hundred three thousand fiue hundred fiftie †And the Leuites were not numbered among the children of Israel for so our Lord had commanded Moyses †And the children of Israel did according to al thinges that our Lord had commanded They camped by their troupes and marched by their families and houses of their fathers CHAP. III. The Leuites are assumed to the seruice of the Tabernacle 14. numbered by their seueral families and their offices distinguished 45. They are taken to God in place of the first borne of the children of Israel The residue of the first borne aboue the number of Leuites are redemed with price THESE are the generations of Aaron and Moyses in the day that our Lord spake to Moyses in Mount Sinai †And these be the names of the sonnes of Aaron his first begotten Nadab then Abiu and Eleazar and Ithamar †These are the names of the sonnes of Aaron the priests that were anointed and whose handes were filled and cōsecrated to doe the function of priesthood †For Nadab and Abiu died when they offered the strange fire in the sight of our Lord in the desert of Sinai without children and Eleazar and Ithamar did the function of priesthood in the presence of Aaron their father †And our Lord spake to moyses saying †Bring the tribe of Leui and make them stand in the sight of Aaron the priest to minister vnto him and let them watch †and obserue whatsoeuer pertaineth to the seruice of the multitude before the tabernacle of testimonie †and let them keepe the vessel of the tabernacle seruing in the ministerie therof †And thou shalt geue the Leuites for a gift †to Aaron and to his sonnes to whom they are deliuered of the children of Israel But Aaron and his sonnes thou shalt appoint ouer the seruice of priesthood The stranger that approcheth to minister shal die †And our Lord spake to Moyses saying †I haue taken the Leuites from the children of Israel for euerie first borne that openeth the matrice among the children of Israel and the Leuites shal be mine †For the first borne is mine since I stroke the first borne in the Land of Aegypt I haue sanctified to me whatsoeuer is first borne in Israel from man vnto beast they are mine I the Lord. †And our Lord spake to moyses in the desert of Sinai saying †Number the sonnes of Leui by the houses of their fathers and their families euerie male from one moneth and vpward †Moyses numbered as our Lord had commanded †and there were found the sonnes of Leui by their names Gerson and Caath and Merari †The sonnes of Gerson Lebni and Semei †The sonnes of Caath Amram and Iesaar Hebron and Oziel †The sonnes of Merari Moholi and Musi †Of Gerson were two families the Lebnitical and Semeitical †of whom were numbered the people of male sexe from one moneth and vpward seuen thousand fiue hundred †These shal pitch behind the taberna cle on the West †vnder their prince Heliasaph the sonne of Lael †And their charge shal be in the tabernacle of couenāt †the tabernacle it selfe and the couer therof the hanging that is drawne before the dores of the roofe of couenant and the curtines of the court the hanging also that is hanged in the entrie of the court of the tabernacle and whatsoeuer pertaineth to the rite of the altar the cordes of the tabernacle and al the furniture therof †The kinred of Caath shal haue the peoples of the Amramites and Iesaarites and Hebronites and Ozielites These are the families of the Caithites reckened by their names †al of the male sexe from one moneth and vpward eight thousand six hundred they shal haue the gard of the Sanctuarie †and shal campe on the south side †And their prince shal be Elizaphan the sonne of Oziel †and they shal keepe the arke and table and the candlesticke the altars and the vessel of the Sanctuarie wherin the ministration is and the veile and al such kind of implementes †And the prince of the princes of the Leuites Eliazar the sonne of Aaron the priest shal be ouer them that watch for the custodie of the Sanctuarie †But of Merari shal be the peoples of the Moholites and Musites reckened by their names †al of the male kind from one moneth and vpward six thousand two hundred †Their prince Suriel the sonne of Abihaiel they shal campe on the north side †Vnder their custodie
from our Lord and the plague rageth †Which when Aaron had done and had runne to the middes of the multitude which now the burning fire did waste he offered the incense †and standing betwen the deade and the liuing he prayed for the people and the plague ceased †And there were that were strooken fourtene thousand and seuen hundred men beside them that had perished in the sedition of Core †And Aaron returned to Moyses vnto the doore of the tabernacle of couenant after that the destruction was ceased ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVI 2. Rose against Moyses By this most famous Schisme and terrible punishment therof al are warned to kepe order vnitie and peace within the Church of God and in nowise to communicate with heretikes or schismatikes in the act of heresie or schisme A necessarie admonition especially in such times and places as we liue in and see greater breaches made from ordinarie and lawful Pastors then this was For as S. Ignatius wel noteth Epist 3. ad Magnatianos Core Dathan and Abiron impugned not directly the law but resisted Moyses and Aaron Yet were they and manie thousandes with them seuerly punished for their conspiracie S. Cyprian lib. 1. Epist 6. obserueth the same saying Core Dathan and Abiron acknowledged the same God with Aaron and Moyses liuing vnder the same law and religion and inuocated one true God yet because passing the appointed ministerie of their owne place opposite to Aaron who by Gods fauour and ordinance had receiued lawful Priesthood they tooke vpon them to sacrifice they were forthwith punished by God for their vnlawful attempts neither could their sacrifices irreligiously and vnlawfully offered against Gods ordinance be ratified nor profite them at al. thus teacheth S. Cyprian the glorious Martyr And the text is clere that they were neither Idolaters nor Heretikes but the chiefe of them being Leuites of the familie of Caath who were nerestin kinred and in office to the priests and other principal men of diuets tribes enuying the superioritie of Moyses and Aaron and that priesthood was established only in Aarons progenie arrogated to themselues the office of priests and offered incense further pretending for vpholding their schisme that there should be no Superior at al aboue the holie people of God which albeit they did not beleue yet therby they drew the multitude to fauour and folow them But God deciding this debate to take away the contradiction made the earth to open and swallow vp those that first refused to obey Moyses with their tabernacles and substance and fire from heauen to consume two hundred and fiftie which offered incense and fourtene thousand seuen hundred of the common people for imputing to their Superiors the destruction of the sedicious were also consumed with fire raging amongst the whole multitude til Aaron sent by Moyses and offering incense appeased Gods wrath and saued the rest And wil anie Christians that know they haue immoital soules and that God is a iust Iudge thincke to escape with lesse damnation who for anie worldlie game fauour or feare yeld their bodilie and personal presence at seruice or sermon of heretikes oranic way communicate with heretikes in practise of heresie CHAP. XVII Moyses taking of the princes of twelue tribes twelue roddes and one of Aaron for the tribe of Leui layeth them al in the tabernacle al night 8. where Aarons rodde and none of the rest buddeth bloometh and bringeth forth fruite 9. And al being shewed to the people Aarons is caried back and kept for a monument in the tabernacle AND our Lord spake to Moyses saying †Speake to the children of Israel and take a rodde of euerie one of their kinredes of al the princes of their tribes twelue roddes and the name of euerie one thou shalt write vpon his rodde †and the name of Aaron shal be in the tribe of Leui and one rodde shal conteine al their families †and thou shalt lay them in the tabernacle of couenant before the testimonie where I wil speake to thee †Whomsoeuer of these I shal choose his rodde shal blossome and I shal stay from me the grudginges of the children of Israel wherwith they murmur against you †And Moyses spake to the children of Israel and al the princes gaue him roddes by euerie tribe and they were twelue roddes besides Aarons rodde †Which when Moyses had laid before our Lord in the tabernacle of testimonie †returning the day folowing he found that “ Aarons rodde in the house of Leui was budded and the buddes therof swelling the blossomes were shotte forth which spredding the leaues were fashioned into almondes †Moyses therfore brought forth al the roddes from the sight of our Lord to al the children of Israel and they saw and euerie one receiued their roddes †And our Lord said to Moyses Carie backe Aarons rodde into the tabernacle of testimonie that it may be kept there for a signe of the rebellious children of Israel and let their complaintes cease from me lest they die †And Moyses did as our Lord had commanded †And the children of Israel said to Moyses Behold we are consumed we are al perished †Whosoeuer approcheth to the tabernacle of our Lord he dieth Are we al to be destroyed vnto vtter consumption ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVII 8. Aarons rodde This rodde without roote neither it self planted nor anie liue branch ingraffed therin al drie without iuyce or moisture bringing forth buddes flowers and fruite was a figure that our B. Ladie should beare a sonne and remaine a Virgin And this example euidently demonstrateth that she could so do it being no more contrarie to nature that a virgin should conceiue and beare a child without losse of virginitie then that the drie rodde should bud and beare fruite without ordinarie concourse of nature S. Aug. ser 3. de temp S. Greg. Nisse◠de natiuit Dom. S. Bernard ho. 2. in Euang. Missus est CHAP. XVIII The charge and burden of Priestes within the tabernacle and of Leuites about the same 8. First fruites and oblations are due to the Priestes 21. the tithes to the Leuites 26. who of the same pay tithes to the Priestes AND our Lord said to Aaron Thou and thy sonnes and the house of thy father with thee shal beare the iniquitie of the Sanctuarie both thou thy sonnes together shal beare the sinnes of your priesthood †but thy brethren also of the tribe of Leui and the scepter of thy father take with thee and let them be readie at hand and minister to thee but thou and thy sonnes shal minister in the tabernacle of testimonie †And the Leuites shal watch vpon thy preceptes and vpon al the workes of the tabernacle so not withstanding that they approch not to the vessel of the Sanctuarie and to the altar lest both they die and you perish withal †but let them be with thee and watch in the custodies of the tabernacle and in al
and fasting for them 2. Reg. 1. Al which were to no purpose if soules departed could not be releiued by such meanes It moreouer appeareth that the same royal prophet beleued diuers places to be in hel when he said Psal 85. Thou hast deliuered my soule from the lower hel signifiyng plainly that there is a lower and a higher hel which higher the Church calleth Purgatorie where soules suffer that paine in satisfaction for their sinnes which remaineth not satisfied before death is due after the guilt of sinne is remitted the law prescribing that besides restitution of damage sacrifice should also be offered Leuit. 5. 6. 16. And Dauid was punished by the death of his child 2. Reg. 12. by the plague sent amongst his people 2. Reg. 24. after his sinnes were remitted He feared also punishment in the other world yea two sortes and therfore prayed to be deliuered from both saying Psal 6. Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chastice me in thy wrath That is saith S. Gregorie Strike me not with the reprobate nor aflict me with those that are purged by the punishing flames And most expresly signifieth also a higher place called hel saying Psal 15. in the person of Christ to his Father Thou shalt not leaue my soule in hel From vvhence Christ deliuered the holie Patriarches Prophetes and other perfect soules resting vvithout sensible paine brought them into heauen vvhither before him none could enter VVhich vvas also signified by the cities of refuge whence none might depart to their proper countrie til the death of the high priest Num. 35. by Moyses dying in the desert and not entring into the promised land ouer Iordan Deut. 4. 31. 34. Presupposing the general Resurrection of al men as a truth knovven by former traditions king Dauid shevveth the difference of the vvicked and godlie in that time saying Psal 1. The impious shal not rise againe in iudgement nor sinners in the councel of the iust That is the vvicked shal not rise to ioy glorie as the iust godlie shal doe Of general iudgement is more plainly prophecied 1. Reg. 2. That our Lord shal iudge the endes of the earth not that Dauid nor Salomon but Christ should raigne in his mâ—litant Church euen to the endes of the earth and in fine iudge the vvhole vvorld The same is confirmed Psal 49. God wil come manifestly our God and he wil not kepe silence Fire shal burne forth in his sight Psal 95. He shal iudge the round world in equitie and the peoples in his truth Psal 96. Fire shal goe before him and shal inflame his enemies round about Againe the same royal prophete Psalm 48. describeth the future and eternal state of the damned saying as sheepe creatures vnable to helpe themselues they are put in hel death shal feede vpon them Of the blessed he addeth And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning that is in the resurrection and Psal 149. The Sainctes shal reioyse in glorie they shal be ioyful in their beddes in eternal rest The exaltations praâ—ses of God in their throate and two edged swordes in their handes to doe reuenge in the nations punishments among the peoples To bind their kinges in fetters and their nobles in yron manicles That they may doe in them the iudgement that is written This glorie is to al his Sainctes And much greater glorie belongeth to Sainctes for this is but accidental vttered according to vulgar capacitie The essential and perfect glorie which no eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor hart can cone iuâ— consisteth in seeing God Among accidental glorious giftes the foure dowries of glorified bodies are especially prefigured Impassibilitie by the wood Setim wherof the Arke was made Exod. 25. Agilitie and Penetrabilitie in some sorte by Dauids quicknes against Gâ—liath and his conuering of him self into Sauls campe and forth againe 1. Reg. 17. and 26. but a more plaine figure of Claritie was in Moyses face Exod. 34. which by his conuersation with God became more glorious then mortal eyes were able to behold glistering and shining as most splendent lâ—ght through christal described as if his skinne had benne a clere horne aâ—â—earing and spreading beamâ— like the sunnâ— proceding from the beautie of his soule so thâ—â— none of al the people could looke directly vpon him except he couered his face Thus much concerning particular pointes of faith and religion And it is no lesse euident that the vniuersal Church and Citie of God stil continued yea was more visible and conspicuous to the whole world then before First by Gods maruelous protection therof in the desert and famous victories and conquestes of the land of Chanaan And by the excellent lawes geuen to this people which al nations admired and none had the like Deut. 4. For in this fourth age besides other lavves and preceptes the spiritual and temporal States were more distinguished and the Ecclesiastical Hierarchie especially disposed in subordination of one supreme head with inferiour gouerners ech in their place and office for edification of the whole bodie For Moyses being chief ruler and conductâ—r of the Israelites out of Aegypt receiued and deliuered to them the written Law Exod. 20. And for obseruation and conseruation therof by Gods expresse appointment Leuit. 8. consecrated Aaron the ordinarie High priest himself remayning stil extraordinarie Superiour also aboue Aaron And after Aaron he consecrated in like maner his sonne Eleazar high priest and successour to his father Num. 20. To whom succeded others in this order 1. Paralip 6. Phinees Abisuë Bocci Ozi Zacharias otherwise 1. Reg. 1. called Heli Meraioth Amarias otherwise Achimelec whom Saul slew 1. Reg. 22. Achitob othervvise Abiathar vvho vvas deposed 3. Reg. 2. and Sadoc in vvhose time the Temple vvas founded To these vvere adioyned other Priestes also consecrated in a praescript forme Leuit. 8. and Leuites ordayned to assist in lower and distinct offices Num. 3. 4. In the first degree the Caathites whose office was to carrie the Sanctuarie and vessel therof vvrapped vp by the priestes but vvere forbid in paine of death to touch them or to see them In the second degree the Gersonites vvho carried the cortines and couers of the Tabernacle and vessel of the Altar In the third degree the Merarites vvho carried the bordes barres and pillers vvith their feete pinnes cordes and other implementes of the tabernacle euerie one according to their office and burdens Num. 4. v. vlt. But in the temporal state and gouernment Iosue of the tribe of Ephraim succeeded to Moyses Num. 27. Deut. 3. 34. And after Iosue were diuers interruptions of succession with gouerners of diuers tribes and change of gouernment from Dukes to Iudges and from Iudges to Kinges For after Iosues death the people being sore afflicted by inuasions of Infidels God raised certaine special men with title of Iudges to
whosoeuer had geuen their hart to seeke our Lord the God of Israel came into Ierusalem to immolate their victims before our Lord the God of their fathers †And they strenghened the kingdom of Iuda and established Roboam the sonne of Salomon for three yeares for they walked in the waies of Dauid and Salomon onlie three yeares †And Roboam tooke to wife Mahalath the daughter of Ierimoth the sonne of Dauid Abiâ—ail also the daughter of Eliab the sonne of Isai †who bare him sonnes Iehus and Somorias and Zoom †After this woman also he tooke Maacha the daughter of Absalom who bare him Abia and Ethai and Ziza and Salomith †And Roboam loued Maacha the daughter of Absalom aboue al his wiues and concubines for he had maried eightene wiues and threescore concubines and he begat eight and twentie sonnes and threescore daughters †But he appoynted for head Abias the sonne of Maacha duke ouer al his brethren for he meant to make him king †because he was wiser and mightier aboue al his sonnes and in al the costes of Iuda and of Beniamin and in al the walled cities and he gaue them much meate and he disired manie wiues CHAP. XII For the sinnes of Roboam and the people manie strong cities also Ierusalem are taken and spoyled by the king of Aegypt 8. They repent and the Aegyptians depart 9. but carie away the treasures 13. Roboam dieth and his sonne Abias reigneth AND when the kingdom of Roboam was strengthened and fortified he forsooke the law of our Lord and al Israel with him †And in the fifth yeare of the kingdom of Roboam came vp Sesac the king of Aegypt into Ierusalem because they had sinned to our Lord †with a thousand two hundred chariotes and threescore thousand horsemen neither was anie number of the common people that came with him out of Aegypt to witte Lybians and Troglodytes and Aethiopians †And he tooke the most fensed cities in Iuda and came ouer vnto Ierusalem †And Semeias the prophete went to Roboam and to the princes of Iuda that were gathered togetherin Ierusalem fleing from Sasac and he sayd to them Thus sayth our Lord You haue leaft me and I haue leaft you in the hand of Sesac †And the princes of Israel and the king being astonied sayd Our Lord is iust †And when our Lord had seene that they were humbled the word of our Lord came to Semeias saying Because they are humbled I wil not destroy them and I wil geue them a litle ayde and my furie shal not droppe vpon Ierusalem by the hand of Sesac †But yet they shal serue him that they may know the distance of my seruice and of the seruice of the kingdom of the earth †Therfore Sesac the king of Aepypt retyred from Ierusalem taking away the treasures of the house of our Lord and of the kinges house and he tooke al thinges with him and the golden shieldes that Salomon had made †for the which the king made brasen ones and deliuered them to the princes of the shieldbearers which kept the entrance of the palace †And when the king entred into the house of our Lord the shieldbearers came and tooke them brought them backe agayne to their armorie †But yet because they were humbled the wrath of our Lord was turned away from them neither were they vtterly destroyed for in Iuda there were found good workes †King Roboam therfore was strengthened in Ierusalem reigned one and fourtie yeares old was he when he beganne to reigne and he reigned seuentene yeares in Ierusalem the citie which our Lord chose to confirme his name there out of al the tribes of Israel and the name of his mother was Naama an Ammonite †And he did euil and prepared not his hart to seke our Lord. †But the workes of Roboam the first and the last are writen in the Bookes of Semeias the Prophete and of Addo the Seer and diligently expounded and Roboam and Ietoboam fought one agaynst the other al their daies †And Roboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the citie of Dauid And Abias his sonne reigned for him CHAP. XIII Abias maketh warre agaynst Ieroboam 4. exhorteth the people of Israel for iustice and religions sake to returne to him 13. In the meane time Ieroboam inuironeth him with forces but by Gods assistance Abias preuaileth 21. and reigneth securely IN the eightenth yeare of king Ieroboam reigned Abias ouer Iuda †Three yeares reigned he in Ierusalem and his mothers name was Michaia the daughter of Vriel of Gabaa there was warre betwen Abias and Ieroboam †And when Abias had begun battel and had most warlike men of chosen ones four hundreth thousand Ieroboam put his armie in aray on the contrarie side eight hundreth thousand men who them selues also were chosen men and most valiant to battels †Abias therfore stood vpon mount Semeron which was in Ephraim and sayd Heare Ieroboam and al Israel †Are you ignorant that our Lord the God of Israel gaue the kingdom to Dauid ouer Israel for euer to him and his children as a couenant of salt †And there rose vp Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat the seruant of Salomon the sonne of Dauid and rebelled agaynst his lord †And there were gathered to him al the most vayne men and the children of Belial and they preuayled agaynst Roboam the sonne of Salomon moreouer Roboam was rude and of a fearful hart and could not resist them †Now therfore you say that you are able to resist the kingdom of our Lord which he possesseth by the children of Dauid and you haue a great multitude of people and golden calues which Ieroboam hath made you for goddes †And you haue cast out the Priestes of of our Lord the children of Aaron and the Leuites and you haue made you priestes as al the peoples of the earth who soeuer shal come consecrate his hand in a bullock of oxen and in seuen rammes is made the priest of them that are not goddes †But our Lord is God whom we forsake not and the Priestes do minister to our Lord of the children of Aaron and the Leuites are in their order †Holocaustes also they do offer to our Lord euerie day morning and euening and incense made according to the preceptes of the law and the loaues are set forth on a most cleane table and there is with vs the golden condlesticke and the lampes therof that they may be lighted alwaies at euening for we keepe the preceptes of the Lord our God whom you haue forsaken †Therfore in our host God is the prince and his Priestes which sound with trumpettes and resound agaynst you children of Israel sight not agaynst our Lord the God of your fathers because it is not expedient for you †He speaking these thinges Ieroboam endeuoured to entrappe him behind And when he stood ouer agaynst the enemies
therfore tooke away al abominations of al the countries of the children of Israel and made al that were left in Israel to serue our Lord their God Al his daies they reuolted not from our Lord the God of their fathers CHAP. XXXV Iosias celebrateth a most Solemne Pasch 20. Is slaine by the king of Aegypt al Iudalamenting him 25. most specially Ieremias AND Iosias made in Ierusalem a Phase to our Lord which was immolated the fourtenth day of the first moneth †And he appoynted the Priestes in their offices and exhorted them that they would minister in the house of our Lord. †To the Leuites also at whose instruction al Israel was sanctified to our Lord he spake Put the Arke in the Sanctuarie of the temple which Salomon built the sonne of Dauid the king of Israel for you shal carie it no more but now minister to our Lord your God and to his people Israel †And prepare your selues by your houses and kinredes in the diuisions of euerie one as Dauid the king of Israel commanded and Salomon his sonne described †And minister ye in the Sanctuarie by families and Leuitical companies †and being sanctified immolate the Phase prepare also your brethren that they may doe according to the wordes which our Lord spake in the hand of Moyses †Moreouer Iosias gaue to al the people that was found there in the solemnitie of the Phase lambes and kiddes of the flockes and of the rest of the cattel thirtie thousand of oxen also three thousand al these thinges of the kinges substance †His dukes also voluntarily offered that which they vowed as wel to the people as to the Priestes and the Leuites Moreouer Helcias and Zacharias and Iahiel princes of the house of our Lord gaue to the Priestes to make the Phase cattel one with an other two thousand six hundred and oxen three hundred †And Chonenias and Semeias also Nathanael his brethren moreouer Hasabias and Iehiel and Iozabad princes of the Leuites gaue to the rest of the Leuites to celebrate the Phase fiue thousand sheepe and oxen fiue hundred †And the ministerie was prepared and the Priestes stood in their office the Leuites also in companies according to the kinges commandement †And the Phase was immolated and Priestes sprinkled the blood with their hand and the Leuites drew of the skinnes of the holocaustes †and they seperated them to geue them by the houses and families of euerie one and to be offered to our Lord as it is writen in the Booke of Moyses of oxen also they did in like maner †And they rosted the Phase vpon fyre according to that which is writen in the law but the pacifique hostes they bâ—vled in caudrons and kettles and pottes and in hast they distributed it to al the people †And for themselues and for the Priestes they prepared afterward for in oblation of holocaustes and of fatte the Priestes were occupied vntil night wherfore the Leuites prepared for themselues and for the Priestes the children of Aaron last †Moreouer the singing men the children of Asaph stood in their order according to the precept of Dauid and Asaph and Heman and Idithun the prophetes of the king and the porters watched at euerie gate so that they departed not a moment from the ministerie for the which cause also their brethren the Leuites prepared meates for them †Therfore al the seruice of our Lord was ritely accomplished that day so that they made the Phase and offered holocaustes vpon the altar of our Lord according to the precept of king Iosias †And the children of Israel that were found there made the Phase at that time and the solemnitie of Azymes seuen daies †There was not a Phase like to this in Israel from the daies of Samuel the prophete neither did anie of al the kinges of Israel make a Phase as Iosias to the Priestes and the Leuites and to al Iuda and Israel that was found and to the inhabitantes of Ierusalem †In the eightenth yeare of the kingdom of Iosias was this Phase celebrated †After that Iosias had repayred the temple came vp Nechao the king of Aegypt to fight in Charcamis beside Euphrates and Iosias went forth to meete him †But he sending messengers vnto him sayd What haue I to doe with thee king of Iuda I come not agaynst thee this day but I fight agaynst an other house to the which God hath commanded me to goe in hast leaue to doe agaynst God who is with me lest he kil thee †Iosias would not returne but prepared battel agaynst him neither did he agree to the wordes of Nechao from the mouth of God but went forward to fight in the fielde of Mageddo †And there being wounded of the Archers he sayd to his seruantes Carie me out of the battel because I am sore wounded †Who remoued him from one chariote into an other chariote that folowed him after the maner of kinges and they caried him away into Ierusalem he died and was buried in the monument of his fathers and al Iuda and Ierusalem mourned for him †Ieremie most of al whose lamentations al the singing men and singing wemen repeate vntil this present day vpon Iosias and it is growen as it were a law in Israel Behold it is sayd to be writen in the lamentations †But the rest of the wordes des of Iosias of his mercies which are commanded by the law of our Lord †his workes also the first and the last are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel CHAP. XXXVI Ioachaz reigneth three monethes 4. His brother Eliakim named loakim eleuen yeares 9. his sonne Ioachin three monethes 11. his vncle Sedecias eleuen yeares 14. Most Priestes and people contemning the admonitions of Prophetes 17. manie are slaine by the Chaldees the Temple and Ierusalem spo led and burnt 20. The sayd kinges successiuely and people are caryed captiue into Babylon 22. After seuentie yeares Cyrus king of Persia releaseth the captiuitie and geueth leaue to reedifie the Temple THE people therfore of the land tooke Ioachaz the sonne of Iosias and made him king for his father in Ierusalem †Taree and twentie yeares old was Ioachaz when he began to reigne and he reigned three monethes in Ierusalem †And the king of Aegypt when he came into Ierusalem deposed him and condemned the land in an hundred talentes of siluer and a talent of gold †And he made Eliakim his brother king for him ouer Iuda and Ierusalem and he turned his name Ioakim but he tooke Ioachaz himself with him and caried him away into Aegypt †Fiue and twentie yeares old was Ioakim when he began to reigne and he reigned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem and he did euil before our Lord his God †Agaynst him came vp Nabuchodonosor the king of the Chaldees and brought him bound in chaynes into Babylon †Whither he transported also the vessels of
expedient that one man dye for the people and the whole nation perish not vvhich the holie Euangelist ascribeth to his office being highpriest of that yeare he prophecied that IESVS should dye for the nation and not only for the nation but togather into one the children of God that were dispersed IESVS REDEMER correct in vs our errors gather the dispersed conserue them that are and shal be gathered make al one flocke in one fould vnder one Pastour thy selfe IESVS CHRIST To whom with the Father and the Holie Ghost be al thankes praise honour and glorie now and for euer and euer AMEN The prayer of Manasses vvith the second third Bookes of Esdras extant in most Latin and vulgare Bibles are here placed after al the Canonical bookes of the old Testament because they are not receiued into the Canon of Diuine Scriptures by the Catholique Church THE PRAYER OF MANASSES KING OF IVDA WHEN HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN BABYLON LORD omnipotent God of our fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of their iust sede which didst make heauen and earth with al the ornamentes of them which hast bound the sea with the word of thy precept which hast shut vp the depth and sealed it with thy terrible and laudable name whom al thinges dread tremble at the countinance of thy powre because the magnificence of thy glorie is importable the wrath of thy threatning vpon sinners is intollerable but the mercie of thy promise is infinite and vnsearchable because thou art our Lord most high benigne long suffering and very merciful and penitent vpon the wickednes of men Thou Lord according to the multitude of thy goodnes hast promised penance and remission to them that haue sinned to thee and by the multitude of thy mercies thou hast decreed penance to sinners vnto saluation Thou therfore Lord God of the iust hast not appointed penance to the iust Abraham Isaac and Iacob them that haue not sinned to thee but hast appointed penance for me a sinner because I haue sinned aboue the number of the sand of the sea Myne iniquities Lord be multiplied mine iniquities be multiplied and I am not worthie to behold looke vpon the height of heauen for the multitude of mine iniquities I am made crooked with manie a band of yron that I can not lift vp my head and I haue not respiration because I haue stirred vp thy wrath and haue done euil before thee I haue not done thy wil and thy commandmentes I haue not kept I haue set vp abominations and multiplied offenses And now I bowe the knee of my hart beseeching goodnes of thee I haue sinned Lord I haue sinned I acknowlege myne iniquities Wherefore I beseech disiring thee forgeue me Lord forgeue me and destroy me not together with myne iniquities neither reserue thou for euer being angrie euils for me neither damme me into the lowest places of the earth because thou art God God I say of the penitent in me thou shalt shew al thy goodnes because thou shalt saue me vnworthie according to thy great mercie and I wil prayse thee alwayes al the dayes of my life because al the power of the heauens prayseth thee and to thee is glorie for euer and euer Amen THE THIRD BOOKE OF ESDRAS For helpe of the readers especially such as haue not leysure to read al vve haue gathered the contentes of the chapters but made no Annotations because the text it self is but as a Commentarie to the Canonical bookes and therfore we haue only added the concordance of other Scriptures in the margin CHAP. I. Iosias king of Iuda maketh a great Pasch 7. geuing manie hostes to such as wanted for sacrifice 14. the Priestes and Leuites performing their functions therin 22. in the eightenth yeare of his reigne 25. He is slayne in battel by the king of Aegypt 32. and much lamented by the Iewes 34. His sonne Ieconias succedeth 37. After him Ioacim 40. who is deposed by the king of Babylon 43. Ioachin reigneth three monethes and is caried into Babylon 46. Sedecias reigneth eleuen yeares wickedly 52. and he with his people is caried captiue into Babylon the citie and temple are destroyed 57. so remayned til the Monarchie of the Persians AND Iosias made a Pasch in Ierusalem to our Lord immolated the Phase the fourtenth moone of the moneth †appointing the Priestes by courses of dayes clothed with stoles in the temple of our Lord. †And he spake to the Leuites the sacred seruantes of Israel that they should sanctifie them selues to our Lord in the placing of the holie arke of our Lord in the house which king Salomon sonne of Dauid built †It shal not be for you to take it vpon your shoulders And now serue your Lord and take the care of that nation Israel in part according to your villages and tribes †according to the writing of Dauid king of Israel and according to the magnificence of Salomon his sonne al in the temple and according to your fathers portion of principalitie among them that stand in the sight of your brethren the children of Israel †Immolate the Pasch and prepare the sacrifices for your bretheren and doe according to the precept of our Lord which was geuen to Moyses †And Iosias gaue vnto the people that was found of sheepe lambes and kiddes and goates thirtie thousand calues three thousand †These thinges were geuen to the people of the kinges goodes according to promisse and to the priestes for the Phase sheepe in number two thousand and calues an hundred †And Iechonias and Semeias and Nathanael bretheren and Hasabias and Oziel and Coraba for the Phase sheepe fiue thousand calues fiue hundred †And when these thinges were done in good order the Priestes and the Leuites stood hauing azymes by tribes †And according to the portions of their fathers principalitie in the sight of the people they did offer to our Lord according to those thinges which were written in the booke of Moyses †and rosted the Phase with fire as it ought and the hostes they boyled in cauldrons and in pottes with beneuolence †and they brought to al that were of the people and afterward they prepared for them selues and the priestes †For the Priestes offered the fatte vntil the houre was ended and the Leuites prepared for them selues and their brethren the children of Aaron †And the sacred singing men the children of Asaph were by order according to the precept of Dauid and Asaph and Zacharias and Ieddimus which was from the king †And the porters at euerie gate so that none transgressed his owne for their brethren prepared for them †And the thinges were consummate that perteyned to the sacrifice of our Lord. †In that day they celebrated the Phase and offered hostes vpon the sacrifice of our Lord according to the precept of king Iosias †And the children of Israel that were found at that time